Henry Okah breaks jail, re-arrested in S-Africa

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62077

Why Jonathan's CoS, Oghiadomhe resigned

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

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11 defecting senators set for showdown with Mark today 8

Henry Okah breaks jail, re-arrested in S-Africa •He joined other four inmates in a foiled jail-break •The events, crimes that led to his imprisonment

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O H A N N E S BURG—LEADER of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Henry Okah, serving a 24-year jail term for terrorism in South Africa and four other inmates, attempted breaking jail, Vanguard learnt, yesterday.

Spokesman for South Africa’s Department of

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

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Mr & Mrs PRODUCT LAUNCH—From left: Regional Sales Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Moses Obodo; Sales Director, Mr. Hubert Eze and Marketing Director, Mr. Walter Drenth, during the launch of Star Lite beer in Lagos, yesterday.

Anxiety in Cross River Many wounded in 8 renewed Ugborodo as UN demarcates border with Cameroon factional clash 12 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

CONFERENCE—From left: Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo;

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo–Iweala and Vice President Namadi Sambo arriving for the Nigeria Power Financing Conference at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

Why Jonathan's CoS, Oghiadomhe resigned

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA—THE shoddy handling of the President’s trip to Sokoto, where he received former governor of the state, Attahiru Bafarawa into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may have been responsible for the removal of the former Chief of Staff to President Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe from office.

However, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who c o n f i r m e d Oghiadomhe’s resignation, said it was to enable him seek higher political office within the PDP. He also debunked an online report that the former Chief of Staff was sacked because of his involvement in alleged fraud in the Nigerian National Petroleum Cor-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Most people don’t realize that it is the sins committed in youth, that cause the problems of old age, the seeds you plant when young will be harvested when you are old.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new —Albert Einstein

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AULO Coelho in his writings about overcom ing limitations says that when you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes because disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way. The truth is in life, we all make mistakes, so just put it behind you and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with you.

All too often, people confuse poor decision-making with destiny. You’ll learn, as you get more experience about life, that rules are made to be broken sometimes. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform. Mandy Hales, sums it beautifully: “Take the road less travelled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity. March to the beat of your own drummer. And be determined in your resolve to excel and refuse to fit in.

poration, NNPC. Vanguard gathered that though the President had been inundated with series of allegations against his former Chief of Staff, the Sokoto incident was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

A source at the Presidential Villa told Vanguard that the Chief of Staff failed to inform the Governor of Sokoto State, Magatakarda Wammako of the President’s visit as protocol demands.

Instead, he was said to have informed the Deputy Governor, Muktar Shagari who, unlike the governor, refused to decamp to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Despite the fact that he was not formally informed of the President’s visit, Governor Wammako allegedly directed that every thing must be put in place to ensure that the President’s visit was successful.

The President was received at the Airport by the Deputy Governor, Mukthar Shagari even though the governor was in town at the time of the President’s visit.

Jonathan's anger The President was said to have been angry that, at a time everything was being done to woo some

of the aggrieved governors who left the PDP back to the Party, deliberate obstacles were being created by some of his close aides.

An indication that Oghiadomhe's resignation was contrived emerged when he resumed in the office yesterday morning and attended a meeting of a committee on the Centenary Celebrations.

C o n f i r m i n g Oghiadomhe’s resignation, Abati said it had nothing to do with the speculation that one online publication had tried to portray.

“The president received the letter today which was titled 'letter of resignation' and it said he wished to pursue other political necessities in our great party. You would recall that about two weeks ago before the president travelled to Ethiopia, he announced in council that if there was any member of the cabinet or any major political appointee who wanted to pursue some other political roles, such people may want to go and pursue other things in whatever capacity, stressing that such people are going to be engaged heavily in political activities. They should let him know; and if they felt that they are going to be really busy, and such activities may occupy their time extraordinarily, they should please step aside or come and see him for discussion.

“That you can confirm.

It happened on the floor of the council. And you can see what I have pointed out as the reason for the Chief of Staff ’s resignation is in line with that.

“We find the speculation particularly by some of the online platforms callous, completely unreasonable, considering that this is a man who has served and who has given time and energy to the pursuit of the good interest of our country.

“Mr president appreciates his contributions and he would like to put on record that indeed he was a man who discharged his responsibilities diligently and the country is very grateful to him and the president personally would like to wish him well in his future endeavours”.

On whether there is a replacement, Dr Abati said “Not yet”.

Henry Okah breaks jail, re-arrested in S-Africa Continues from page 1 Correctional Services, Manelisi Wolela, who confirmed the botched effort told reporters: “I can confirm that Okah is one of the five inmates that attempted to escape and whose efforts were foiled.”

He did not give details of the attempted escape from Leeukop Prison in Northern Johannesburg that is said to have taken place last month.

Okah was convicted last year and sentenced on a 13-count charge of terrorism, including twin bombings that killed 12 people in Abuja during the country's 50th Independence anniversary in 2010.

He was arrested, tried and convicted in South Africa where he has permanent residency.

The department said most of the offenders involved in the botched escape bid were serving life sentences for serious offences, including murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Correctional services officials, however, said security at the prison, which recorded 11 attempted jail breaks in the 12 months until March, last year, had been tightened.

Judge Neels Claaseen, last year, sentenced Okah to 24 years in prison having found him guilty in the 13-count charge of acts of terrorism.

The judge stated that the struggle of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), “is politically motivated and as a result a maximum sentence for Okah will be inappropriate.”

He said South Africa,

being a signatory to the UN Treaty on Terrorism Acts allowed the convict to be tried in South Africa though the events took place in Nigeria.

“As a signatory, South Africa is duty-bound to adopt the treaty and incorporate it into the laws of South Africa, in other words domicile the treaty,” Mr. Claaseen said.

He asserted it was the responsibility of the court in sentencing the convict to take into account the feelings of the world community and to make South Africa unpalatable for terrorists to operate within the jurisdiction as member of the community of nations.

The three events/ crimes

Mr. Claaseen said all the 13 counts Mr. Okah was convicted of were related to three events: “The first event was the March 15, 2010 bomb attack, where two car bombs occurred at the venue of a political gathering which was being attended by the Delta State Governor in Warri, Delta State, where one person died and several others were injured.

“The second event occurred on October 1, 2010, in Abuja, where two car bombs exploded, killing eight people with several others injured.

“Third event is the threat to the Nigerian government.

“All these three events were targeted at embarrassing President Goodluck Jonathan,” Mr. Claaseen said.

He said these acts were very serious crimes which must be punished in accordance with the terrorism laws.

BY IF

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

APC stalwarts' kidnap: Police

arrest 2 suspects in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI — EBONYI State Police Command said yesterday that it had arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged kidnap of two All Progressive Congress, APC, registration officers at Umuezekeoha, in Ezza North Local Government Area of the State.

In a chat with Vanguard, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu, said the two suspects were arrested by the team of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, of the command along Enugu-Abakaliki Express road.

The Police PRO gave the names of the arrested suspects as one Okey Ogbu (younger brother to a top official of Ezza North Council Area) and one Friday Onuegbe, adding that the suspects were arrested with a vehicle belonging to the Ezza North Local Government Council Area.

ASP Anyanwu, who stated that four other suspects in connection with the alleged kidnap were still at large affirmed that the incident was political motivated.

He stated that some of the items recovered from the kidnap suspects include the official vehicle of the local government area, a bag containing the credentials of one of the suspects and other items belonging to the APC. “On a tip-off, our men trailed the suspects and arrested them along the Enugu-Abakaliki Express road. The suspects were arrested with an official vehicle belonging to Ezza North Local Government Area alongside other items contained in a bag suspected to belong to one of the victims.

“The arrested suspects are currently in our custody and they are helping our men in their investigation.

By the time the investigation is concluded, we will be able to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the kidnap.

“We must not rule out a possible political tussle between the APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state."

Long queue of passengers waiting for buses at Ojota, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

KIDNAPPERS ON RAMPAGE:

Chinese national, ex-Abia dep gov's aide abducted ...another escapes by the whiskers

BY ERIC UGBOR

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BA — TWO persons includ ing a Chinese national, Tang Kalu, and one Achilefu, an aide to the former deputy governor of Abia State, were Sunday night kidnapped while another escaped being abducted. The incident took place in different parts of Aba. Tang, married to an Abian, Christian Kalu from Amaekpu Item in Bende Local Government Local Government, it was gathered, was about 9.15 pm on Sunday returning with her husband from Opobo junction in Ogbor Hill area to their house at 6, Nko Avenue/7Up junction/ Umulede Road in Obingwa Local Government near Aba when they were blocked by armed men.

The woman was then abducted by the gunmen who took her to an unknown destination.

Also on the same night, about 7.20 pm, at Umuodukwu village near Aba, one Achilefu, identified as the farm manager of the former deputy governor of Abia State, Chief Eric Acho Nwakamma, was kidnapped.

Although reports about his kidnap were sketchy at press time, information available said he was kidnapped while returning home after an outing.

In another development, one Ifeanyi Ebere Ahukamma, 42, of 42 Okpoghikoro/4, Ifeanyi Avenue, Aba escaped being kidnapped by a stroke of luck.

Ahukamma was said to be

driving home at 8.30pm the same Sunday when four armed men, suspected to be kidnappers, blocked his car and attempted to kidnap him.

Ahukamma reportedly resisted and they shot and wounded him on the right leg. The man was

rushed to a hospital in the city where he was said to be receiving treatment.

Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, could not be reached for comment on these developments but a sen-

ior police officer who did not want his name in print confirmed the kidnappings.

He said police in Aba were not leaving any stone unturned as they have mobilised their men to track down the hoodlums and rescue their victims.

Train chops off passenger’s hand in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — TRAGEDY struck in Lagos, yesterday, when a passenger hanging on a train coach had his hand chopped off by the moving train.

According to eye witnesses, the incident occurred at Oshodi around 9 a.m. when the victim, who was simply identified as Ernest, allegedly fell from the moving train which had a hitch in movement.

An eye witness, Mr Olu Atoyebi, said Ernest fell from the moving train while his hand was stuck in between the coaches resulting to the hand being chopped off.

His shout for help was said to have attracted sympathisers who rushed to the scene to offer assistance. Ernest who was said to be conscious at that time, asked the sympathisers to reach out for his phone and invite his relations to take him to the hospital.

Atoyebi blamed the victim for the tragedy, saying there have been campaigns by the govern-

ment against such act. ‘’The government had been campaigning against hanging on the coach but many passen-

gers are adamant and they will have themselves to blame in case of eventuality,’’ he said.

Geology graduate jailed 7 years for conspiracy, robbery

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA — A Yenagoa high court presided over by Justice Nayai Aganaba, Friday, sentenced a graduate of Geology from the University of Calabar, Okonkwo Michael, to seven years in jail for conspiracy and robbery of N200,000.

Okonkwo Michael, according to the prosecution, had in 2011 conspired with one Innocent Ebere, trailed a driver and staff of the Bayelsa State Judicial Service Commission, Monday Ikisa, from a first generation bank along the Imgbi road of the state capital and dispossessed him of N200,000 at gun point.

According to the witness, the victim of the robbery attack was trailed on motorcycle and attacked close to the NNPC mega filling station.

But luck ran out on the robbers when the victim of the attack gave them a chase in his vehicle and ran them over along the Azikoro road area.

The motorcycle rider, identified as Innocent Ebere, escaped but Okonkwo Michael was arrested.

According to the prosecution, Okonkwo Michael was in 1999/ 2000 part of the second batch corps member in the state and had worked as a personal assistant to a serving senator from Bayelsa State.

FEANYI OKOLIE

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 —7

Man, 27, remanded over rape of 2-yr-old girl

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — AN Osogbo magistrate's court has ordered a 27-year-old man, Akeeb Ibrahim, to be remanded in Ilesa prison for allegedly raping a twoyear-old girl.

Ibrahim was alleged to have raped the girl (name withheld) in his room at his house located at Isale-Afo area of Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun state.

According to the charge sheet read in court, the accused person lured the girl into his room at about 1.00 p.m. when her parents had left for their shops.

The Police prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo, an inspector, told the court that the accused unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the girl.

He explained that the accused person had through his action committed rape, an offence which he said was contrary to Sections 218 and 222 of the criminal code, cap 34 vol 11, laws of Osun state, Nigeria 2003 and 2007 respectively.

The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty to the twocount charge of rape and assault levelled against him.

Counsel to the accused person, Mr. Amaechi Ngwu, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms, stressing that the accused person should be presumed innocent until the contrary

is proved.

In his ruling, Magistrate Olusola Aluko turned down the oral application of the counsel to the accused person and ordered the accused to be re-

manded in Ilesa prison custody pending a formal application by his counsel.

He adjourned the case till March 3, 2014 for mention.

AGOS — A 32-year-old woman, Bilikisu Okanlawon, was yesterday arraigned at a Tinubu magistrate’s court, Lagos, for allegedly biting off the ear of her neighbour.

Okanlawon, who resides at Ajegunle St., Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, was alleged to have bitten off the left

People of Odo Onasa royal family of Ikosi Ejirin Local Council Development Area of Lagos State protesting the invasion of their land by land grabbers at the Lagos House of Assembly in Ikeja, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

ear of one Christy Edo during a brawl between them.

The police prosecutor, Austin Orji, told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 4 pm on February 7, 2013, at their Ajegunle St., Ibeju-Lekki residence.

Orji said the fight between both women was sequel to a disagreement over N500, add-

ing that Edo was rushed to the hospital for treatment by passers-by, who stopped to intervene. He said that the offence of assault, which the accused was charged with, contravened Section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

The section prescribes that “any person who unlawfully does grievous harm to an-

other, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.”

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Mrs S.K. Matepo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N20, 000, with one surety in like sum, and adjourned the case to March 24.

Developer in court for defrauding prospective tenants of N2.6m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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Some fake and expired drugs seized by National Association of Patent Medicine Dealers task force from dealers in Gombe State, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

AGOS— A 34-year-old de veloper, Jamiu Olaifa, has been arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate's court for allegedly defrauding 11 prospective tenants to the tune of N2.6 million.

The defendant, who was yesterday docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe, is facing11count charge of obtaining and stealing, preferred against him by the police.

The victims that were defrauded by the defendant are Isaac Ojo, Jolaiya Olatunji, Fidelis Abebe, Shedrach Iyere, Bolatito Olatunga, Hammed Ademola, Adedamola Oludero, Emmanuel Ogbonna, Asooto Olusegun, Oyelekan Taiwo and Uhonmebhi Osagie.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant and oth-

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

Woman docked for biting off neighbour's ear

L

3 arrested with adulterated fuel

ers at large committed the offence on January 22, 2014 at Egbeda area of Lagos.

He said the defendant obtained the said sum from his victims on the pretext of letting out a mini-flat and a room at 8,Ishola Street, Egbeda.

Nnamonu said that between August 16, 2013 and January 22, 2014, the defendant collected the said amount from his victims with a promise to give them accommodation, which he knew to be false.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is contrary to sections 409, 312 and punishable under section 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

If found guilty, the accused is liable to 15 years imprisonment.

Earlier, when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

KURE— THREE peo ple have been arrested by the Ondo State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, with over 10,000 litres of adulterated diesel.

They were arrested at Owena village along Ilesa-Akure road last week.

The suspects include Jimoh Salami, driver, Anifowose Saheed and Ojuolape Afeez.

They were arrested with a DAF truck with number plate XB 401 AKN conveying the adulterated diesel.

Vanguard gathered that it was discovered by the NSCDC officers on patrol that the waybill covering the transportation of the product was fake.

NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Kayode Balogun, said a sample of the product that was taken for laboratory analysis in Lagos failed analysis test, indicating it was adulterated.

Sales rep charged for stealing N2.6m

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS— ONE Johnson Bamigbala, a sales representative of a pharmaceutical company, was arraigned for allegedly stealing over N2.6 million belonging to the company .

The 32-yr-old defendant was accused of conspiring with some persons to commit a felony, to wit: stealing.

He was said to have sold pharmaceutical goods worth N2.068,490 belonging to Clarions Medicals Limited Kaduna,and converted the proceeds for his personal use and ran away.

Afterwards, the company summoned him, and he made an undertaking to pay part of the money. He allegedly defaulted, leading to the managing director of the company to write a petition to the state CID against him, which got him arrested.

Magistrate K. Ogundare of an Ebute Metta Court, after the hearing, granted Bamigbala bail in sum of N500,000 with two surties in like sum and adjourned the matter till March 6, 2014 for further hearing.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

FG sets up committee to review cement quality standard

By OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

F

E D E R A L government has set up a technical committee to review the quality of cement produced in the country. This is with a view to redefining the appropriate standard of cement to be produced in the country.

Reacting to criticism that Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON has relaxed its earlier standard of 42.5 as minimum grade for cement used in the country to 32.5, Director General of SON Mr Joseph Odumodu said that a committee was already at work to review the current standard and weigh the implication and impact of the removal of the 32.5 on the economy and price of cement in the country.

He said that the committee started sitting in December urging that civil society group should be part of the committee to see first hand how the standards are set.

Odumodu who had an interaction with business editors said the committee of wellinformed individuals would take a holistic look on the quality of building materials in the country inclusive of cement, saying the agency had never, and would never leave the quality of any product to the whims of any individual or operators.

He however stated that issue of standardsisation could not be left in the hands of any agency alone, adding that standardization is life and affects everyone in the society.

According to him, also necessary in the efforts is the input of other stakeholders in the country including related regulatory agencies, civil society groups, manufacturers, the academia and consumers.

“This technical committee is not chaired

by SON, we are just a secretariat and it is what the committee arrives at that would be taken to the council of SON and once it is approved, it becomes a standard.

11 Senators set for showdown with Mark zPlan to sit with APC members

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor, JOHN ERUNKE & GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

A

BUJA—The 11 senators who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are today set for a showdown with the Senate leadership with their resolve to cross carpet irrespective of the refusal of the Senate President to read their letter of defection.

In practical demonstration of their rejection of the PDP, the 11 senators, Vanguard learnt yesterday would take their ‘Plan B’ by vacating their allocated seats among PDP senators and cross the carpet to sit with All Progressives Congress, APC senators on the other side of the Senate chamber.

Meanwhile, it was learnt yesterday that the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has received legal advice not to read the joint letter of defection sent by the 11 senators despite the insistence of the senators that he does so.

The 11 senators had penultimate week written a joint letter giving notice to the Senate President of their defection from the PDP to the APC but Mark and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu had in different Senate sessions refused to read out the letter and by that, frustrating the plans of the 11 senators to change their seats and allow them sit with fellow senators in the ranks of the opposition.

Today’s face-off follows last Wednesday ’s abrupt adjournment when the Senate President at the end of a closed-door session on the issue promised to seek legal advice on how to proceed on the issue.

Multiple sources close to the Senate leadership told Vanguard yesterday that the Senate President has decided

not to read the letter of defection from the senators upon multiple reasons, including the fact of an outstanding court order asking the Senate to maintain the status quo.

In anticipation of a negative nod from the Senate President, the 11 senators, Vanguard learnt, have decided to take matters in their hands and practically cross carpet.

It would be an unprecedented venture since the advent of the Fourth Republic given the fact that senators are according to the rules only expected to occupy seats allocated them by the whips.

Two of the affected senators who spoke on their plan yesterday said that since the Senate President has refused to toe the constitutionally required path by reading their joint letter, that they have adopted their “Plan B” of

moving with their feet across the carpet to the APC side of the chamber.

“I can tell you that we have our Plan B here in our minds and just wait and watch us. Since the Senate President has consistently refused to read our letter, let’s see whether he will also stop us from leaving our seats in the “Majority Party” and begin sitting with our colleagues in the “Minority Parties”, one of them said.

He said since they have already obtained their APC membership cards in the party’s on-going registration, they can no longer sit with the senators of the PDP fold.

“Registering and having APC membership cards means that we are no longer members of the PDP, so how can we continue to sit on seats meant for senators of the PDP?” he asked.

A source privy to the plans of the PDP leadership to

check the defectors told Vanguard yesterday that once the Senate resumes today that it would move into a closed door session where the Senate President is expected to state legal basis for his refusal to read out the letter from the defectors.

He is expected to cite the fact that the issue is in court and that a judge has ordered that all parties should maintain the status quo.

“The Senate President will not read the letter because under our rules, the Senate is not expected to dabble into any matter which in the opinion of the Senate President could jeopardize the potential judgment of the court.” the Senate “Secondly, President will not read the letter because the judge has asked all parties to maintain the status quo. So if the judge has asked everyone to maintain status quo, why should he breach that ruling or circumvent the rule.”

Another senator also disclosed that the senators would be asked to write separate letters of defection if they want to be taken seriously.

VISIT: From left — Engr. Kabir Abdulahi, Director Highways, South West Federal Ministry of Works; Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Publicity Secretary, Afenifere; Mr. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works and Senator Iyiola Omisore during their working visit to the reconstruction of Lagos Ibadan Express way expansion, yesterday. Photo: JOE AKINTOLA, Photo Editor.

Anxiety in Cross River as UN demarcates border with Cameroon

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ALABAR—THERE is anxiety in Cross River as the United Nations joint commission demarcates boundary between Nigeria and Cameroun.

Cameroon, which is the country’s neighbour alongside officials from the United Nations is already carrying out the demarcation of her border with Nigeria and in the process, carving the villages as part of her territory. The towns involved are the Obudu Ranch Resort, Boki, Ikom and Obanlikwu.

These facts were contained in a petition submitted to the Cross River State Governor, Senator

Liyel Imoke, signed by leaders of the four Nigerian villages living along the country’s border with Cameroon, The Village Head of Danare Community, Chief Kekong Mbia was among the petitioners and he confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Danare.

Mbia further said that the team which was currently carrying out the demarcation exercise has no official from either the Federal or Cross River State government.

According to him, the team had allegedly shifted some of the 1913 Anglo-German beacons to

effectively accommodate the Nigerian villages in Cameroon.

He also said the retracing of the border between Nigeria and Cameroon as contained in the Green Tree Agreement signed by then Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr Paul Biya of Cameroon was illegally being used as the basis for the alleged boundary demarcation exercise.

However, Cross River State government has reacted to the alleged encroachement on its land, saying its not true.

In a reaction by media adviser to the state governor, Mr

Christian Ita, he said, "'Cross River State has not lost any community.

There is no cause for alarm as the state government is at the top of the situation.

The boundary demarcation committee is still working." ‘’The surveyors who are carrying out the retracing of the boundary started the job in the then axis of the boundary from pillar 113, which is some metres away from the primary school in Danare 1, in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State and effort at locating pillar 113A which distance is 6 miles has proved abortive,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014—9

Budget: FG, states disagree on recurrent expenditure

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE, EMMA UJAH, AUSTIN OGWUDA, DAYO JOHNSON, UMAR YUSUF , GBENGA ARIYIBI , JIMITOTA ONOYUME

SOME STATES have faulted Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s claims that the recurrent expenditure is crippling the economy.

Recurrent expenditure is money set aside by government every year to pay salaries, wages, allowances of civil and public servants as well as money used to buy stationery and other office maintenance that constitute overhead cost.

Many Nigerians have argued that the cost of running government is too high leaving very little for use on infrastructure.

Investigations showed that unlike the Federal Government’s rising recurrent expenditure, some states have maintained a balance, keeping the capital ahead of recurrent in the 2014 budget.

Organised labour under the auspices of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeri, TUC, faulted the minister’s claims that the civil service consumes 37 per cent of the recurrent expenditure in the country’s annual federal budget.

In Lagos State, the total recurrent expenditure for 2014 stood at N234.665 billion against the N214 billion it spent in 2013.

The Delta State government ear-marked N159.78 billion or 48.8 per cent of its 2014 budget as recurrent expenditure out of the total budget of N391.51 billion for 2014 fiscal year, while N231.72 billion or 59.1 per cent was allocated for capital expenditures.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in presenting the budget to the State Assembly said: “This budget contains clear proof of our sound financial management as well as evidence of our commitment to good governance for the benefit of Deltans of today, and in the years to come.

Commenting on the budget, Delta State Commissioner for Finance/Economic Planning, Mr. Kenneth Okpara said, “our recurrent cost has been average of 40 per cent from 2011 to the proposed 2014 budget.

"Unlike that of Federal Government that has 70 per cent recurrent. We still believe that the recurrent should be brought down to 30 per cent, so that we can have 70 per cent for capital.”

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah said, “we are doing very well on our budget at the moment. We have a 40 per cent to 60 per cent budget ratio of recurrent to capital.”

Ondo State, a total of N69.681 billion of this year’s N162billion budget had been ear-marked for recurrent expenditure.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko said this is “to keep the structures

of governance running.

According to him a recurrent/ capital mix of 43 per cent: 57 per cent is adopted for 2014.

On the part of the Federal Government, available records showed that it ear-marked 71.5 per cent of its 2012 budget which amounted to N4.6trillion for recurrent expenditure.

In 2013 67.5 per cent totaling N4.7 trillion was set aside for the same purpose while the current budget of 2014 has 74 per cent or N4.6 trillion of it set aside for recurrent expenditure.

The TUC maintained, "rather than crying wolf where there is none, Okonjo-Iweala and Okogu would do well to tell Nigerians how the foreign reserves of the country got depleted to the present laughable state."

VISIT: Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (right), during the the latter's courtesy visit with his men, to the Oba of Lagos, in Lagos, yesterday.

FG canvasses foreign investments in power sector …Says sector requires $10 billion in 5 years

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA — THE Federal government, yesterday, canvassed for massive foreign investments in the nation’s power sector, even as it said that the sector requires $10 billion in the next five years to enable it add additional 5, 000 megawatts to the national grid.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who disclosed this at the international conference on power sector and infrastructure financing at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja, also announced the establishment of Power Sector Intervention Fund, PSIF, designed for industry players to access cheap long term funds.

The Federal Government, he said will make initial deposit of N300 billion to the fund and

therefore called on all participants to join hand towards the success of this endeavour.

He said: “To enable industry players have access to cheaplong term funds, government is hereby setting up a “Power Sector Intervention Fund.

"The financial resources for this special fund will be pooled from the Federal Government, Development Financial Institutions, DFIs, as well as local and global and financial partners.

“The Coordinating Minister of Economy will give details of the operational structure of the Fund.

But, will essentially, provide avoidable refinancing and unlending services to the sector.

"On its part the Federal Government will make initial deposit of N300billion and I call on all participants to join hand towards the success of this endeavour.

“That is why it is expected that today’s event will come up with practical funding strategies and help to facilitate the unlocking of the much needed capital for our infrastructural development.

Dr. Jonathan who was represented by the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, added that the country needed a total of $2.9 trillion for infrastructure development in the next 30 years under the national integrated infrastructure master plan.

He said the energy sector alone needed an infusion of about $900 billion while the power sector also needed about $10 billion for generation and distribution companies in the next few years in enabling us add additional 5,000mw to the national grid.

He explained further that, “in order to meet our strategic national economic growth and de-

I’m working for Nigeria, not Jonathan, says Yakassai ...insists North benefitting from unified Nigeria

BY SONI DANIEL, a Regional Editor, North

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EADER OF the fledging Northern Elders Council, NEC, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has dismissed insinuations that the motley group is being bankrolled by the Presidency to be able to curry the support of the north ahead of the 2015 elections.

Yakassai, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, claimed that the NEC was working for the interest of Nigeria and not that of any individual or group.

The former National Assembly Adviser to President Shegu Shagari made it clear that he

was too big to be used by anybody to advance his selfish political interest and described those making the allegations as enemies of progress and unity of Nigeria.

Yakassai said he neither belongs to the ruling political party nor holds the membership card of any party in Nigeria.

“Look, let me tell you that the last time I voted for anybody was in 2003. I don’t belong to any political party in Nigeria and don’t hold any membership card. That is to show you that I left partisan politics more than 12 years ago.

“What I am doing now is to

achieve peace in Nigeria because we are concerned about the threat to the corporate existence of the country. If we allow a few reckless but vociferous elements to cause trouble in the land, it is the ordinary Nigerians, who would be the worst hit.

“Why should we keep quiet and allow a few troublemakers to cause havoc for the majority?”the politician asked.

Describing himself as one of the northern leaders who had suffered to make Nigeria great, Yakassai described those who were criticising him and his group as talking rubbish and seeking undue attention.

velopmental goals, as encapsulated in the Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda, we needed to take decisive and courageous measure to work towards a 40,000mw target in the years ahead. “ This determination according to him informed our decision on reform and privatization.

He added, “similarly, our transmission network continues to attract serious attention. The transmission grid requires an annual investment of about $1.5billion for the next 5 years to ensure its reliability and stability.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has commenced the aggressive implementation of the expansion blueprint funded by a mix of Appropriation and funds from financial and multilateral institutions,” he said.

The President recalled that, “when we started our divestment programme in the Power Sector and their foreign partners, there was a lot of pessimism. However, it was the dynamism of the Nigerian private sector that ensured the raising of over US$2.5 billion that ensured the successful conclusion of the process. “ It is the belief of this Government that the private sector is better suited to effectively manage and attract the huge capital required for constant and affordable power to all Nigerians. This confidence on the Nigerian private sector stems from a track record of resilience, vibrancy, foresight and courage.

“In virtually all sectors of our national economy, this great show of enterprise, creativity and patriotism by our business community has kept our national economy strong, versatile and

10—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

NUPENG threatens to halt fuel distribution

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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AGOS—NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday in Lagos threatened to stop fuel distribution and shut down the nation’s oil sector over alleged unfair labour practices and other nefarious activities by major oil marketers and multinational oil companies in Nigeria.

NUPENG claimed the activities of oil marketers and multi-national companies amounted to economic sabotage and that if not checked would lead to unrest in the sector, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Labour and the National Assembly to quickly intervene before it became too late.

In a statement by its President, Achese Igwe, the union said: “NUPENG has watched with great concern the activities of oil majors and multi-nationals in the industry and warns of imminent fuel scarcity if their nefarious activities are not checked by embarking on nationwide strike without notice.

“The new drive of the oil majors and multinationals amounts to sabotage and that if not controlled will lead to an unhealthy atmosphere in the sector. We call on Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Labour and the National Assembly to quickly intervene before the bubble bursts."

VISIT: From left: Primate, Anglican Bishop of Uganda, Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, his counterpart in Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, Chairman, Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), Most Rev. John Kondoro, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, former CAPA Chairman, Most Rev. Bernard Ntahoturi, and Lagos State deputy governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, during a visit to the Governor in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Fashola expresses concern over missing public funds

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—FOLLOWING current controversy over missing oil money, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, raised fresh concern over the rate of missing public funds in Nigeria, especially the oil sector.

He insisted that the issue of account for missing oil money must be resolved publicly in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.

This came as Lebanese community in Nigeria, presented N80 million cheque and trucks worth N20 million to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, as part of its contribution towards improving security in the state.

Fashola, while speaking during a courtesy visit by the Lebanese community, led by the Consul General of Lebanon in Nigeria, Ms. Dima Haddad at the State House,

Alausa, Ikeja, bemoaned the rate at which public funds were being mismanaged in the country without recourse to accountability.

According to him; “one could imagine what such fund would have done in boosting security.

“The tragedy of our nation is that while we are debating whether we have accounted for $20 or $10 billion oil money or not, ordinary citizens are contributing to fund the responsibility of government.

“It hurts me because one

could only wonder and imagine what $10 billion will do for the police, what it will do in terms of vehicles, trucks and equipments? We hope that things get better.

“The issue of account for that money must be resolved publicly in the interest of the citizens of this great country.

And it is a debate that all of us must participate in, peacefully, we will resolve it whether $20 or $10 billion, we must know where that money ended up.

“Everyone who has duty including the Minister for Petroleum must speak up now. We want to know what

happened to that money.”

Fashola commended the Lebanese community for the initiative, saying, “this will be one important block in the security architecture that the state is building.”

Earlier, Haddad explained that the donation was made in the name of the Lebanese business community as part of gesture in appreciating Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.

According to her, "this country has allowed our Lebanese citizens to establish businesses which have afforded them the opportunity to contribute to the country’s economy."

Why we can't provide information on education sector spendings —LASG

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AGOS—THE Lagos State Government, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos why it could not provide information and documents relating to its spending on certain projects in the education sector in the past five years.

A group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, had sued the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola and the State Attorney General, Adetoro Ipaye before Justice Saliu Saidu challenging their refusal to make available the information which was sought for in accordance with the Freedom of Information, FoI Act. But Lagos State, in a counteraffidavit to the suit, argued that the FoI, being a legislation of the National Assembly, was only applicable in relation to public records of government of the federation and not of the states.

In the counter-affidavit, which was deposed to by Toluwanimi Odupitan, a counsel in the civil litigation department of the Lagos

State Ministry of Justice, the state government reiterated the fact that Nigeria was a federation, and that the power to make laws on public records had been

concurrently shared between the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly in their respective sphere of jurisdiction.

EFCC accuses suspects of frustrating trial

BY BARTHOLOMEW

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MADUKWE

A G O S — T H E Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday accused three men charged with N26.9 million fraud of frustrating commencement of trial at a Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

Katchy Okoye; 38, Matthew Usong; 40 and Princewill Eze; 45 were charged before justice Aishat Opesanwo on a 12-count charge offence on conspiracy and obtaining money under pretext.

However, the case slated for

trial was stalled after the three defendants gave different excuses for the absence of their counsel and the commission made the accusation.

As the first and second defendant told the court that their lawyer was indisposed, the third defendant (Eze) said he dropped his lawyer due to his connivance with the EFCC. EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to discountenance the defendants’ excuses saying that it was not sufficient.

Oyedepo said: “We already have two witnesses in court, this is a calculated effort to frustrate the commencement of trial."

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 —11

Aregbesola visits troubled school, denies approving hijab

BY GBENGAOLARINOYE

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SOGBO—THE Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday said that his government neither approved nor disapproved the use of hijab in any school.

The governor while making his remarks at the peace meeting between the Muslim Community and Christian Community at the Baptist High School in Iwo and the distribution and assessment of the performance of Opon Imo, noted that it was the court’s position that the status quo ante be maintained until the case was determined.

Aregbesola on rule of law

Aregbesola stressed that his government being a product of rule of law was guided in all its actions in strict adherence to the principles of the rule of law in the state.

According to the governor, “we are a product of the rule of law and this has guided all our actions. As we have said in the past, we have not approved the use of hijab in any school. Let me repeat this again for the hearing of mischief-makers who have been working tirelessly to bring religious war to our state.

“Those prompting chaos and conflagration in our state; those who have well established antecedent of violent behaviour; those sowing the seed of discord in our schools and community and inciting one religion against another, as we have said in the past, government did not at any time approve the use of hijab in any school, before the matter went to court. It is the court’s position that the status quo ante be maintained until the case is determined."

He pointed out that government had set up a committee on discipline in public

schools and when the report is released, government would enforce discipline in all schools.

His words: “Yoruba people have a tradition of accommodation and inclusion; that is why our families are interwoven around all religions.

“Some people, goaded from hell, however, are working to break our bond of unity by beating the drum of religious war.

They will fail and only they and their families will dance to that evil beat.”

Deputy governor sues for peace

The deputy governor, Iyaafin Grace Titilayo-Tomori who doubles as the Commissioner for Education speaking earlier held that peace is a necessary catalyst of learning.

She said: “Peace must be a permanent feature not only in our

schools but every facets of the state. So, where there is pocket of disturbances, government will respond swiftly in restoring peace and order. This is what has been demonstrated at the peace meeting held at Baptist High school premises.”

Earlier, representatives of the three religions, Christianity, Islam and traditionalists, lamented that things that were ordinarily unconnected with learning and knowledge had now been constituting impediments to students’ progress in their studies.

They stated that none of them supported the unconventional ways students had been dressing to school.

Two students of the school, Aremu Olukayode and Bashir Mutiyat who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked the government for the various

educational projects such as Opon Imo, new schools and furniture and recruitment of new teachers.

Old students disapprove Hijab use

Meantime, the Old Students Association of Baptist High School, Iwo, has kicked against the use of hijab by female Muslim students of the school.

President of the association, Professor Oyesoji Aremu who spoke with newsmen in Iwo, yesterday after an emergency meeting said the use of hijab by female students of the school would destroy the good legacies of the school.

He noted that the school, which was founded by the missionaries, has great legacies which could be tampered with if female students were allowed to use hijab.

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SOGBO—THE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC in Osun yesterday, said 213 deaths were recorded from road traffic crashes in the state between January and December 2013.

The figure was disclosed by the state Sector Commander, Mr. Muhammed Husaini, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Osogbo.

According to Husaini, 288 crashes occurred in the state within the period under review while 1,341 persons were involved.

He attributed the crashes to over speeding and the poor condition of roads, adding that the state government was redressing the situation through road construction and rehabilitation.

Ekiti guber: Group moves against Fayemi

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN

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REMEMBRANCE: From left: Alhaji Yerima Shittima, President, Arewa Youth Forum, Mrs. Nike Ramsome-Kuti Nedum, daughter, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy, CD, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), Chairman, NADECO, and Comrade Ayodele Akele,during the 8th years remember of Dr. Beko Rasome- Kuti, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Lagos-Ibadan expressway'll not be concessioned —FG

BY DAPOAKINREFON AGOS—THE Federal Government yesterday said it had no plan to concession the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, but committed to completing the project in the stipulated time at the cost of N167 billion.

Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen who made this known in Shagamu, Ogun State, during a joint inspection of the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway by the Ministry of Works and Pan-Yoruba socio -cultural organisation, Afenifere, insisted that “there has not been any revision on the project.”

He expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far by

213 die in auto crashes in Osun

the contractors saying “the Federal Ministry of Works is on a working visit to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. We have seen what the contractors have done and the ministry is impressed with the level of work done. It has also been alleged that the federal government is considering a new concession, but the federal government has taken a decision that the road will not be concessioned because we took it away from a failed concession.

"The federal government, in demonstration of good faith is putting out N50 billion for the project-N25 billion this year and N25 billion in 2015. If you look at the main budget and the SURE-P budget, the N25

billion is secured. Already, the federal government has secured a Private Finance Initiative, PFI, for the funding of the road project and this road will be the first road that will benefit from the PFI. This road will be completed within four years without any delay.

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan is fully committed to the reconstruction of the LagosIbadan expressway. I repeat, this road will never be concessioned, it will never be concessioned to anybody.”

Speaking on behalf of Afenifere, its national publicity secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin commended the federal government for the progress made on the road,

saying “having gone round and seen the level of work done on the road, we, in Afenifere, say we are satisfied. We are also using this opportunity to commend the federal government and the contractors handling the road project. We read in the newspapers all sorts of article written about the road but we have seen what is on ground.

"We have seen the model of other roads, at the end, most of them do not last long but having seen this model, we know this road will be a model to other roads in the country because it will last long. That is why we are using this opportunity to commend the federal government for the ongoing construction."

DO EKITI— FORMER elected public officers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State, have warned that putting forward a wrong candidate to contest against Governor Kayode Fayemi would jeopardise the chances of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

The former public officials, now styled as G48 in a statement said they were ready to back the gubernatorial aspiration of Mr. Abiodun Aluko, a surveyor, in the 2014 election on the basis of what they described as his positives in the scale of integrity.

The PDP chieftains who spoke through Adeleke Ogunbiyi, a former Chairman of Ikere Local Government said it would be difficult to unseat Fayemi with a wrong candidate in the lead.

He said: “Nobody with an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, case hanging on his neck, or who was unceremoniously eased out of work for fraud related case, or has lost election to All Progressives Congress of Nigeria, ACN candidates should get the PDP ticket.”

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Many wounded in renewed Ugborodo factional clash

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—THE relative peace enjoyed in Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, was shattered Sunday, as several indigenes of the community were allegedly injured in renewed factional fight in the Federal Government Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project host community.

Sunday’s clash between loyalists of Thomas Eyiritomi and David Tonwe camps followed a protest by some persons in Ugborodo against Julius Berger, the contractor handling the EPZ Project, in Ogidigben.

Austine Ajuremisan, a Tonwe backer, who claimed he was injured in the attack, accused the rival faction of starting the fight, during which machetes and clubs were freely used by the warring parties.

He said: “There is an order by the federal peace committee that the factions should steer clear of the company working at the project site. But we discovered that Julius Berger, irrespective of the charge, is still dealing with one of the factions.

“I was injured, a lady got her hand severely cut with a machete and many others were also injured.

Some were taken to hospitals in Warri while others were taken to

the Ogidigben Health Centre.”

One David Mamah, a youth leader, said to be loyal to Eriyitomi, told Vanguard: “There was no provocation at Ogidigben. We were in the house watching football match on television when one of them from the other faction led over 30 armed youths to attack us. It was settled at the Shell Beach interaction that Julius Berger should go back

to work. We left and were not aware of what happened next.

“I was cut on the arm. Sheriff Eriwa, Youth Organising Secretary has his five fingers cut and now stitched. Samuel Ogbeni, Disciplinary Committee member, was stabbed on the back. Samuel Pirah, younger brother to Delta State Oil and Gas Commissioner, was also injured among others and our property destroyed,” he added.

When contacted, spokes-

man for the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, whose personnel are stationed in the area, said: “The Navy is not involved. It is the villagers that are having problem, but our Forward Operation Base, FOB, is there. And the situation is under control now.”

The renewed clash is coming on the eve of the day leaders of both factions are expected in Abuja for the final report of the Ovuozorie Macualey, peace committee on the communal crisis

RECEPTION: From right: Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman PDP Governors' Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio; former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani; Senate President, Senator David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan; PDP National Chairman, Dr Adamu Mu'azu; former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and Vice-President Namadi Sambo, during the reception of Alhaji Bafarawa who defected to PDP in Sokoto, weekend.

Sheathe your swords, UPC appeals to Utuama, Gbagi

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—THE leadership of Urhobo Political Congress, UPC, has appealed to feuding Delta State deputy governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, SAN, and former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, to sheathe their swords in order to promote the needed peaceful and harmonious relationship among members of the political class in Delta Central senatorial district of the state.

The duo have been embroiled in media war over statements credited to Gbagi that Utuama should quit active politics in 2015 because of his age.

UPC, in a statement by its National Vice Chairman, Elegbete Moses Odibo, after the inaugural National Executive Committee meeting at the residence of its National Chairman, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege “commended the new national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and the national leadership of PDP for the steady progress being made.”

Calling on all Deltans, especially Urhobo, to support the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, Odibo said: “The national executive also re-

viewed the progress made by UPC so far in strengthening the body and resolved to finalise arrangements for the proposed thanksgiving service, details of which will be announced soon.

“On the move by UPC to push for the resuscitation of Delta Steel Company Limited, Aladja, the previously constituted DSC committee briefed the national execu-

tive on the deliberation at its inaugural meeting and presented the suggested road map for achieving the said objective.”

Issues discussed at the closed door meeting, were “the national confab; aspirants' visit to UPC; upcoming thanksgiving service; APC registration; resuscitation of Delta Steel Company, DSC;

the state of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC timetable and registration of voters.”

Group makes case for inclusion of ethnic nationalities in national confab

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE SouthSouth Mandate Group, in the Niger Delta, has condemned the alleged non-inclusion of ethnic nationalities as delegates to the proposed national conference.

The group, in a statement by its President, Mr Curtis Ugbo and Mr Mathew Edaghese, spokesman, said the decision to ignore the wishes of ethnic nationalities at the conference may jeopardise the success of the conference.

Commending President Goodluck Jonathan for convoking the national conference, which accord-

ing to them “is coming at a time the country is undergoing serious security challenges,” the group said that the issue of ethnic nationalities must be reviewed in the best interest of the nation.

“We of the South- South Mandate Group welcome the President’s decision with great excitement. We, however, express our disappointment over the template for the selection of delegates to the conference. We wonder why ethnic nationalities which are the building blocks of Nigeria did not form the basis for the selection of delegates to the conference,” the group said.

Chevron's EGTL shut over workers' protest

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

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ARRI—THE Escravos Gas to Liquid, EGTL, a Chevron Nigeria Ltd project in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State, was shut, yesterday, by workers in protest over alleged salary irregularities by contractors to the project.

The protesting workers in Escravos, mainly EGTL construction workers integrated into the Project Maintenance Team, PMT, claimed that the contractors have failed to pay their three months salaries and also refused to negotiate payoff as the PMT gives way to a Project Operation Team, POT, next month.

One of the workers who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said: “Our work at the EGTL closes this March and majority of us would not make it into the POT, which takes charge thereafter. It is unacceptable at this critical time that the various contractors we work with owe us three months arrears and no one is considering making arrangements to pay us off.

“We, therefore, decided to protest here today (yesterday) to draw the attention of Chevron, particularly the EGTL, management and the contractors to these lingering issues and we will continue with the protest till someone listens to us.”

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14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Confab: Igbo organisations meet to harmonise views

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU — IGBO or ganisations, yesterday, met at the national secretariat of the apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu to harmonise issues that the Igbo would canvass at the proposed national conference.

The Igbo groups that attended the meeting as announced by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Garry Igariwey, included major Igbo organisations such as the dissenting Concerned Igbo Leaders of Thought, led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, who himself was conspicuously absent.

Igariwey, who chaired the meeting also said other Igbo groups in attendance included representatives of the Dr. Alex Ekwueme-led South East Peoples Assembly, the Ken Nnamani-led South East Peoples Development Association, Ndigbo Lagos, among others.

Badejo delivers OOU’s 65th inaugural lecture

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ORMER COMMIS SIONER for Transportation in Lagos, Professor Bamidele Badejo of the Department of Geography and Regional Planning, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, AgoIwoye, Ogun State, will today, February 11, deliver the University’s 65th Inaugural Lecture, entitled: 'Transporting the Future Today: Portrait of Nigeria,' at the OGD Hall, Main Campus, Ago - Iwoye at 2:00p.m.

ACE: World Bank to spend $80m on 10 Nigerian universities

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA — WORLD Bank is set to spend at least $80m on 10 universities in Nigeria as Africa Centre of Excellence, ACE. World Bank Lead Economist, Africa Education, Mr. Andreas Blom, stated this, yesterday, at

a meeting of World Bank with the 10 ACE, in Abuja.

The universities include Redeemer University Mowe, Ogun State; University of Ibadan, Ibadan (Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomic of Infectious Diseases, ACGID); African University of Science and Technology, Abuja; Pan Af-

rican Material Institute, PAMI); and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Centre for Agricutural Development and Sustainable Environment).

Others are Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology); University of Jos

SIGNING: From left, Rolayo Akhigbe, Divisional Head, Transaction Banking, FirstCity Monument Bank, FCMB; Olufemi Bakare, Executive Director, Lagos & South West FCMB; Carl Olav-Scheible, Executive Director, Europe, Africa & Emerging Market MoneyGram International, and Herve Chomel, Vice President, Africa MoneyGram International, during the Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony between MoneyGram and FCMB, at the FCMB Head office in Marina, Lagos, yesterday.

COEASU threatens hunger strike over FG’s refusal to yield to demands

By LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA — Colleges of Edu cation Academic Staff Union, COEASU, yesterday, threatened to embark on indefinite hunger strike, if the Federal Government failed to meet demands.

In a statement by the National President of COEASU, Mr. Emmanuel Asagha, in Abuja, the union accused the Federal Government of neglect, discrimination and insensitivity to their plights.

It would be recalled that COEASU had been on strike since December 18, 2013.

The statement read: “The union is thus, concluding plans to declare a hunger strike, organise mass protest in each state of the federation and finally march her members and other stakeholders from across the country to the nation’s headquarters to publicly decry this neglect and press home our demands. Government’s insensitivity and discrimination are condemnable. ”No more secret meetings with government representatives because several of such meetings have only revealed unexpected compromised integrity of highly placed persons. COEASU calls on government to release N30bn

to address some of these issues within 21 days to check potential degeneracy of the situation.

“We are determined to resist all attempts by the non- stakeholders of sector to frustrate the only hope of the less privileged.

(Phytomemedicine Research and Development, ACEPRD); University of Benin (Centre for Excellence in Reproductive Health and Innovation); and University of Port Harcourt (ACE centre for oil field chemicals).

Due to the number of excellent proposals from Nigeria, three more universities were added to the list - Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (for National Science Technology ); Bayero University, Kano (for excellence in dryland agriculture, and Benue State University, Makurdi (for food technology and research) – agriculture.

Blom said it was unfortunate that none of African universities made the list of top 500 universities in the world, and hoped that the scenario changed soon.

He identified poverty as a major challenge in relation to food wastage, storage and health related challenges, noting that by the time ACE was able to engage the continent, at least 25 universities on the continent would make the first 500 universities in the world.

He stressed the importance of working together with World Bank through commitment and hardship.

“For Nigeria to have 10 out of 18 centres of ACEs, it shows its clear leadership in the continent,” he said.

Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, said in his address that the ACE project was initiated in 2013 by the governments of Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, with support from World Bank.

Chief of Air Staff resolves to stabilise the N/E Nigeria

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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HIEF OF the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, yesterday, in Lagos, pledged that the Nigeria Airforce had resolved to sta-

bilise the North Eastern part of the country bedeviled by terrorist attacks, with a view to ensuring peaceful elections in 2015.

Giving the assurance during a courtesy visit on the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Air Marshal Amosu, said all hands needed to be on deck, if the war against terrorism must be won.

He noted that it was not about having a timeline to end the war against terrorism in the country that mattered, but about fighting terrorism and insurgencies in every part of Nigeria, especially in the North-East, which, he added, was coming after many years of fighting civil war.

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HILE speaking recently on a current affairs programme on Liberty Radio, Kaduna, General Muhammadu Buhari boasted that the APC (All Progressives Congress) will wipe out the insecurity bedeviling Nigeria.

The General conveniently forgot to tell us how he intends to do this.

Since even the Americans with their military might and sophisticated intelligence outfits have not succeeded in wiping out Al Qaeda in over 25 years, one may well wonder how Buhari proposes to work his magic and wipe out the Boko Haram in Nigeria within four years.

Unless, of course, Buhari is inadvertently acknowledging what some have long suspected: that the escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency is essentially political; the outcome of the loss of political power by the Muslim North to the Christian South. Since the APC is now primarily an instrument for transferring power back to the North, then Buhari can be confident that the tide of Boko Haram terrorism up North against Christians will abate when and if a Muslim Northerner becomes president of Nigeria in 2015.

Bullying the South-South minorities

The trade-off Let me underline my understanding of Buhari’s confidence. If APC wins the election in 2015, Boko Haram terrorism will stop, perhaps because APC members have a special relationship with the terrorists; the same way Goodluck Jonathan is alleged to have a special relationship with Niger Delta militants. But if APC does not win the election, the insecurity in the country can be expected to persist. So let us give Buhari the benefit of the doubt. He becomes president

Gen.Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) However, with terrorism at the oil wells, Nigeria’s economy could be readily brought down to its knees.

From the noise emanating from both sides of the PDP/APC divide, the Nigerian electorate should not be in any doubt what the 2015 election is now going to be about. It is likely to be a choice between continued Boko Haram terrorism and resurgent

Let there be no mistake about it: the rejection of Jonathan in 2015 will be interpreted as the rejection of the South-South by HausaFulani and Yoruba bullies

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in 2015 and Boko Haram terrorism magically stops.

Wonderful! But will that bring an end to insecurity in Nigeria?

Not likely. Such an outcome is likely to unleash Niger Delta militancy in the South-South.

If APC wins the election and the Boko Haram terrorism stops, the message will be loud and clear, if it is not already: Boko Haram escalated because of Northern disgruntlement at the loss of power to the SouthSouth. If so, loss of power by the South-South to the North in 2015 can also be expected to unleash new South-South militancy. The question to ask Buhari and his allies is this: what is the advantage of ending the Boko Haram scourge in the North, if this is likely to unleash a militant scourge in the South-South? At least, with Boko Haram, Nigeria’s oil-fueled economy continues to muddle along.

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South-South militancy. Of the two, the worst is clearly SouthSouth militancy because the economic jugular of Nigeria is in the South-South.

Bad omen

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he defeat of Jonathan in the coming election by a Northern APC presidential candidate, even if free and fair, will not augur well for Nigeria.

APC success means an alliance between the regional parties of the dominant ethnic groups of the South-West and the far North succeed in wrestling power prematurely from a sitting president from a minority ethnic group. This makes the APC alliance of the Hausa-Fulani and the Yorubas cynical and politically unhealthy. It means the two dominant ethnic groups in the country are saying we want South-South oil but reject

South-South rule. This is unfair and untenable. How can another four years of Jonathan rule be so unacceptable, after all, we have tolerated far worse presidents from these same dominant ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The Yorubas of the SouthWest, who can surely not provide a Nigerian president in 2015, should think twice before following Bola Tinubu into this disaster-prone alliance. In 1999, Nigerians came together and agreed that, because of the injustices of the past, a SouthWest man must be allowed to rule Nigeria in the interest of sustaining the corporate existence of the country.

Accordingly, the only two viable presidential candidates that year were Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae, both from the South-West. That decision was certainly to the credit of the North especially. Northerners did not boycott the election because none of their favouritesons was contesting. They went to the polls in large numbers and voted for Obasanjo.

Similar common-sense needs to prevail today. Providence has projected a South-South son to the presidency as a result of the unfortunate death of Yar ’Adua; a Northern president. In spite of the protestations of Buhari, rightthinking Nigerians know that Jonathan was popularly elected in 2011, in as much as anybody can be popularly-elected in Nigeria. But since that election, he has not been allowed to rule in peace. First there were riots in the North by those disgruntled with his election.

Then Boko Haram terrorism went to another level, eating up a considerable amount of the resources needed for his success. And then, there has been outright sabotage of his government.

With every improvement in powergeneration, for example, gas pipelines are literally being dynamited.

Says the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo: “We are right now battling with over 20 holes, dynamite holes in Warri-Escravos line. Can you imagine that? All done to sabotage this country, to make sure that people think President Jonathan is doing nothing, whereas, if we had gas, we would easily be generating 1,000 megawatts more than we

are generating now.”

Moreover, Northerners are now defecting in large numbers from Jonathan’s ruling party.

Minority rule

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his is not merely read politically as the rejection of Jonathan’s government. It is seen as the blatant rejection of South-South rule. This bodes ill for Nigeria. Nigeria cannot merely be a country of the two major ethnic groups. Nigeria must also be a country of the minorities. They cannot be in Nigeria under sufferance. The country belongs to them as much as anybody else.

Therefore, let us give SouthSouth their eight years at the presidency. If we limit it to four years, in spite of South-South presidential incumbency, this will be rightly interpreted as an outright rejection of the SouthSouth. Can anybody hazard a guess as to when the SouthSouth is likely to get another shot at the presidency?

This is not the time to placate noisemaker politicians from the North who, like Buhari, have been in power in one guise or the other for 38 of the last 54 years. Northern politicians have had more than enough time in the sun. They have creamed off huge chunks of Nigeria’s resources. They are sitting pretty with most of the oil-block allocations; even though the oil is not from the North.

However, we cannot afford to give the minorities the impression that they are just supposed to be hewers of wood and drawers of water in Nigeria, while declaring their oil to be the national patrimony. We must use the 2015 elections to proclaim that Nigeria belongs to all. We must declare that in the Nigeria of today and of the future, the first can be last and the last first.

Majority bullies Let there be no mistake about it: the rejection of Jonathan in 2015 will be interpreted as the rejection of the South-South by Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba bullies.

The politicians defecting from the PDP to the APC today are not progressives by any stretch of the imagination.

They are primarily Northerners, defecting simply because they want a Northern president.

They have not put forward any policy-prescriptions. Indeed, they cannot because the APC is a party of any Tom, Dick and Harry. They are not a people defined by any common vision for Nigeria. They are defined by lust for power for selfish selfserving reasons.

Under the circumstances, the rejection of Jonathan in 2015 is a recipe for the disintegration of Nigeria. Since the SouthSouth sits on the oil, wisdom dictates that the people cannot be made second-class citizens of Nigeria implicitly or explicitly. If Jonathan is denied a second-term, the South-South might even start considering secession.

If that is not militarily viable, their militants can decide to use their vantage positions to sabotage Nigeria’s oil-fueled economy. In that scenario, the Boko Haram scourge of today will become comparatively child play.

Nigeria will be brought to its knees economically. Buhari’s boast about APC wiping out insecurity in Nigeria will become a cruel joke and a hoax.

Consensus politics The most prudent answer to all this is for there to be a general national consensus, as happened in 1999 with regard to the South-West; that in the interest of national peace and security, the 2015 presidential election should be a SouthSouth affair. That means the APC should also endeavour to field a South-South presidential candidate against Jonathan.

Indeed, that approach presents the best possibility for defeating Jonathan in the coming election. If, as some people claim disingenuously, they are against Jonathan because he has been an ineffective president, let them look for a more effective man from the South-South to run against him.

That option, however, will inevitably destroy the APC. As observed, most of those crossing the carpet to the APC are Northerners hungry for powershift back to the North. A South-South APC presidential candidate will put all these people in political limbo. They will end up in no man’s land.

Since the only reason they are all joining the APC now is because it is the only viable party that holds the possibility of fielding a Northern presidential candidate, a SouthSouth APC presidential candidate would scuttle their ambitions. Worse still, a SouthSouth APC president would be eligible for a second-term in 2019. In which case, it might be better to re-elect Jonathan for only another four years in 2015.

How Nigerians maneuver within this political minefield is what makes the coming 2015 elections one of the most pivotal in the history of Nigeria.

Going by past records, our greedy and selfserving politicians will surely find a way out. No politician wants to destroy the goose called Nigeria that lays the golden egg. Indeed, all the scheming has been about gaining the upper hand for corrupt enrichment.

18 Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 NO governor has promoted religion more than Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State. He is proud of his religion for which he gets a lot of bashing. In response, he has accorded recognition to the three religions that he considers the major ones – Christianity, Islam and traditional ways.

It is not unusual for prayers to be offered in the three religions at public events. The free educational electronic tablets that were distributed to students in schools include materials in Christian, Islamic and traditional religions. The State is about the only one that has gone to this depth in recognising three religions. Now, it is reaping the fruits of the deep investment it has made in liberalising religions.

Tension that had been mounting in the State, especially in Iwo, over the conversion of legacy missionary schools to mixed schools has blown up again. Baptist High School, Ejigbo, once a boys-only school has been changed to admit female students. The more government tries to explain its decision to maximise school spaces, the more the missionaries felt the action was targeted at them, to minimise their influence and deny

Of Choristers, Hijab, Masquerades them opportunities of using facilities they built.

A contrast they point at readily is the practice in some States, with Anambra being the most prominent; where governments are handing schools back to the missionaries, and providing the financial support for their administration.

While the controversy over the conversion of schools was to settle, the next protest was over the allowance made for female Muslim students to wear the hijab. The other religions claim the hijab promoted Islam. In November 2013, some youths stormed a school beating a principal to pulp for refusing female students in hijab entrance.

Last week, things took more dramatic dimensions when masquerades invaded the school. The official version was that their presence disrupted classes, but the masquerades say they represent traditional worshippers and that their attire was their own school uniform.

Aregbesola had instituted a single uniform for all students in the State. The uniforms are issued free for now and tied to an initiative that creates jobs for young people who have been trained as tailors to meet the demand free uniforms generated.

On the day of the masquerades, Christian students wore choir gowns, singing songs of their faith, as their response to the hijab.

That day, the three religions the governor has supported, in different ways were present, and so was the confusion of pushing private belief to public places.

Governor Aregbesola, no matter his intentions, has to check their implications, especially where they threaten security of lives and property, as in this case. Religion is being abused in Osun State - people now see religion in everything.

OPINION

BY KAYODE OJO

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HAT former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has gone back to grin alongside some of the same politicians who roundly chastised him into leaving the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria with his tail between his legs is amusing to say the least. It is even more amusing how he has been trying to convince Nigerians that his new adventure with the All Progressives Congress (APC) is about achieving “change” and not about him taking another shot at winning the presidency for himself. At this juncture, it is only natural to wonder what sort of “change” Atiku—a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a longtime politician of note—can be talking about today.

Meanwhile, in a BBC Hausa Service interview, Atiku reportedly reiterated that his move into the APC was not about his presidential ambition since he had clear chances to win the nation’s number one post when he was the number two citizen under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

If this declaration was not humorous as the joke Atiku obviously meant it to be, one would have assumed either Atiku has problems remembering issues or has been misguided into believing Nigerians are suffering from collective myopia.

Lest anybody forgets, Atiku was most unstatesmanly after running back to the PDP in a desperate attempt to

Atiku, Nda-Isaiah and denials of presidential ambitions clinch the presidential nomination ticket at the party’s 2011 primaries.

In a manner that made many other politicians and most Nigerians cringe with disgust, Atiku poured vituperation upon vituperation on the person of the then Acting President Goodluck Jonathan all in an attempt to sway PDP faithfuls to his cause.

Alas, Atiku learnt that day that insulting your opponent is simply unpresidential and will never carry the day!

So when Atiku talks about “change” today, it is possible that he means he will no longer resort to insults when he eventually comes round to admitting what every Nigerian knows, which is that the Turakin Adamawa still desires to be president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is the fact and no amount of denials from Atiku will make Nigerians believe anything else.

If Atiku is to be excused for treading with caution, considering that he has been severely trounced every time he has taken a shot at the presidency, what is one to make of Sam NdaIsaiah’s eye-popping prevarications?

Nda-Isaiah, chairman of the Leadership group of newspapers, recently embarked on a media tour in order to sensitise his adopted constituency—the print media—that he is throwing his hat in the ring for

the 2015 presidential elections. NdaIsaiah, who in the past has served as a spokesman for the three-time presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), made it clear to his newspapering colleagues that he is no longer content to be a mouthpiece for another power seeker.

While Nigerians were watching to see how Nda-Isaiah hopes to redeem the reputation he has built for himself as a columnist who often peddles vitriol through his Leadership newspaper to that of a worthy presidential hopeful, the pharmacist-turned-publisher did an about-face and said he had not yet declared any presidential ambition.

In a press statement distributed to media houses, a full page of which his own newspaper carried as an advertorial this past Monday, February 3, 2014, Nda-Isaiah said, “It is not correct, as was contained in some reports, that I have already declared my intention to run for president.”

If this was a sitcom, Nda-Isaiah’s press statement will draw a round of studio laughter. But this is real-life and even though many politicians have the dubious reputation of not always speaking the truth, to see a newspaper publisher engage in such open prevarication more than raises eyebrows.

Even if Nda-Isaiah accuses his

adopted print media constituency of misrepresenting the statements he made on his recent media tour—which is exactly what he did in his press release—what are we to make of his words in an interview published by The Union of January 19-24, 2014? In the interview, Nda-Isaiah said: “When CPC was registered, I was a member.

After the merger, I have become a member of APC. So there is no doubt that my 2015 presidential ambition will be on the platform of the APC.” Moreover, as the interview progressed, Nda-Isaiah was asked: “Your boss, Buhari, who is one of the leaders of the APC, has said he will run in 2015. What’s your take?” NdaIsaiah gave a lengthy response, part of which reads: “If he says he is going to run, I will not step down for him. It may not be comfortable running against him, but I will do it.”

How then can Nda-Isaiah come out to say he has not yet declared his intention to run for president? What are we to make of his denial in the face of the evidence to the contrary?

Has he already grown cold-feet? Or is this a preview of the inconsistent nature of the man who wants to be president? The answer, one is certain, lies in the womb of time.

*Mr. Ojo, a political analyst, wrote fromLagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014— —19

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N a few weeks’ time, by March 2014, the proposed ban of imported used vehicles which we call ‘Tokunbo’ into Nigeria, will kick in. Typically, the Federal government may insist in her wisdom, on implementing this policy as half hazardly thoughtout, as it appears. The details of the implementation of this policy remain largely sketchy even now.

Government continues to use two weapons of suspense and surprise to subdue Nigerians into accepting such poorly articulated policies, as if we are still under military dictatorship.

Nigeria has a right to develop policies to protect, encourage and revive our home grown automotive industry by Nigerians for Nigerians. But it should be done properly, in a measured manner and should certainly not be executed in a knee jerk fashion or in a hurry, as is the case now.

The automotive industry in Nigeria dates back to the early 1960s when private companies, like UAC, Leventis, SCOA, BEWAC and R.T. Briscoe, pioneered the establishment of Auto assembly plants that used completely knocked down (CKD) or semi knocked down (SKD) parts.

Government in the 70s and 80s,provided a platform for negotiation with a number of

automotive plants in Europe to set up car and truck plants using completely knocked down parts. As a result we had Volkswagen of Nigeria limited (VWON) in Lagos, Peugeot Automobile Nigeria limited (PAN) at Kaduna, Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANNAMCO) at Enugu, Styer Nigeria limited at Bauchi, National Truck Manufacturers (NMT) at Kano, and Leyland Nisara Limited at Ibadan, Oyo. During that period, the Nigerian automotive industry had the capacity to produce 108,000 cars, 56,000 commercial vehicles and 6,000 tractors annually. In those days, we had the 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc, national development plans, providing continuity in governance and policies, unlike the rat race, we have created to no advantage at all to Nigerians, except for a few to milk the economy. We had the steel rolling mills to support the automotive sector, we had constant and steady electric power, and there were down stream manufacturers, providing support, and creating jobs.

However, from the 1980s, the industry shrunk from 90 percent capacity utilisation to 10 percent capacity utilisation. Today, vehicle manufacturing is comatose, with PAN, that seems to be reengineering a comeback, as the rest have thrown in the towel. We

While the zeal of Dr. Olusegun Aganga to re-awaken the motor industry is appreciated and encouraged, any action must be matched with the needs of the populace and balanced with sustainable measures

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hear the VON premises in Lagos are up for sale, and who knows, it will become a fertilizer warehouse!

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he Volkswagen beetle was a common sight in Nigeria of the years past. It was a popular catch phrase among Nigerians to say ‘built for Nigerian roads.’ We used to say that the beetle never dies, but they killed it somewhere between Dodan Barracks and Aso Rock . Indeed, the desire to have a made-in-Nigeria car has never been out the mind of an average Nigerian. We had the Z-280 proudly displayed at Alaka bus stop on Western Avenue, Lagos, in those days. Dr. Ezekeil Izuogu had dreamt of the first Nigerian car, but that dream was killed by the wicked peculiarities of the Nigerian horrible political and economic environment, where inventors must go to commercial banks, with their cut throat interest rates to raise funds. Until such

Atiku–Buhari alliance: Even crocodiles shed tears

BY ALIU SHUAIB

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HAT the North-East of Nigeria is today facing security challenges brought about by activities of insurgents is a fact that is well known to all.

There have been insinuations in some quarters about the possible sponsors of the insurgency and their reasons for doing so.

Among these insinuations currently is the one, which holds that some leading politicians and elders in the north angry that power had not returned to the north following the 2011 presidential elections, had unleashed the insurgents on the country.

This line of thought has not been waved aside by Nigerians given threats issued by some top politicians in the north between 2010 and 2011 to the effect that they would make Nigeria ungovernable if Goodluck Jonathan or anyone from the southern part of the country became president.

Many will recall Atiku’s disingenuous rehash of the quote that those who made peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable just like General Muhammadu Buhari’s incendiary comments after losing the 2011 elections to Jonathan set the stage for the bloodletting that followed in the north. It is on record that at least ten Youth Corps members on national duty during the elections were murdered in cold blood by the General’s supporters. The dastardly murder of these innocent young Nigerians cut down in their prime, did not satisfy General Buhari as he warned in 2012 that, "If what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon will all be soaked in blood."

Not a few Nigerians viewed this as another open invitation to chaos should the General, who is still keen on contesting the presidential elections, if he fails to win.

Writing on General Buhari’s penchant for

inciting Nigerians, Prof. Femi Ajayi, Head, Political Science and Public Administration Department, Babcock University, IlishanRemo, Ogun State noted “Buhari is a man desperate for political power who has consistently showed himself as divisive person who did not even campaign in the south in 2011 elections. He has to work on his failed assignments, the quizzes he cheated on; the term paper a friend wrote for him; and his plagiarised project paper, before his graduation. Time is tickling for his 'academic' period.” Today General Buhari has found a new associate in Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice-president of this country.

Atiku, a very ambitious man who will do anything to lead this country and who has in the service of this ambition nearly traversed all the political parties in the country in search of presidential tickets, appears to be in cahoots with General Buhari to run down the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

Last week, the former vice president hit out at President Jonathan. In an interview granted a radio station based in Kaduna and which was widely reported by the leading newspapers in the country, Atiku state that the situation in the country was grim. He stated that President Jonathan lacked the capacity to conduct the 2015 elections and the National Conference and added that he and former military Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari had shared concerns about the political situation in the country. To quote Atiku, “I and Buhari have never seen things as bad as these since the pre-civil war period. It’s really serious.”

It is obvious that the renewed love between Atiku and Buhari is one that will not augur well for this country. If anything Nigerians should be wary of is this relationship. This

entrepreneurs are encouraged by the Federal government, we will continue to pay lip service to the Nigerian Automotive Industry. For now, big time inventors appear to be mad in Nigeria, because they are strictly on their own.

Yes, it is a thing of pride to have made in Nigerian vehicles once again, but having come thus far, we must move away from hasty policies as the ban proposed for next month. Dr. Olusegun Aganga’s quest for a policy to transform the Nigerian automotive industry and attract investment into the sector, is most welcome at this time, but greater efforts needs to be put in to ensure that it remains sustainable.

To succeed, the new policy must not be pursued in this type of hurry.

Time is required to follow a phased increase in import duty on used vehicles, while building local capacities at the same time. For instance, in ten years, from 1999 to 2009, available records show that over five million cars were imported into the country. Yet, for the same corresponding period, auto levy collection was for only two million cars. Implementing the new policy in this type of haste, will breed confusion and drive more money in to the pockets of corrupt customs officials, because it will promote increased smuggling of used vehicles. It will lead to transfer of the wealth of Nigerians to her neighbouring countries like Republic of Benin, from where millions of vehicles will be flown through all manners of routes in the country. The local vehicle production capacity must therefore be developed first, through tax, and many other

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BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

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Timing of the Nigerian new motor policy

As usual, the ubiquitous politician has packed his bags and baggage in his familiar search for an illusory presidential flag but Nigerians should see through the antics of Atiku and his General friend

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becomes imperative when one considers the relationship between Alhaji Atiku as then Deputy Controller General of Customs and General Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State in the infamous 53 suit cases saga. It will be recalled that it was Atiku who served as the facilitator of the unlawful entry of those 53 suit cases in 1984! The union of a rabidly ambitious general, war monger and serial election loser and a stupendously rich, cunning and inordinately ambitious politician who almost sold out his boss as vice president of the country is a dangerous one indeed.

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igeria may be going through challenges but things are certainly not as bad as the two men want the world to think. To compare the situation in the country to that which obtained just before the civil war is not only disingenuous but equally mischievous and smacks of desperation.

One is often at a loss as to why Atiku and Buhari have never found their voice to speak out against the murderous onslaught of innocent Nigerians by insurgents in Northern Nigeria but will always seek to bully a President on whose shoulders lie the responsibilities of putting out the fire stoked mainly by desperate politicians and

incentives and advantages. A 3-510 years plan or beyond need to developed and implemented rigorously to give them strength and courage to keep running. They may be given Electric Power rebates to make up for high cost of power in production of vehicles.

Part of this plan will include the policy to gently increase the duty on Tokunbo vehicles and perhaps followed by a gradual phasing out.

FG could then insist on showcasing our best vehicles by government officials driving made in Nigeria cars once again. The question is whether the life style of our politicians will allow them to do away with exotic SUVs in their convoys, and car parks.

The ban of imported goods is not new to Nigeria, and such policies had failed in the past.

The initiative by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to encourage inventors in the automotive manufacturing sector to be showcased at the Shell Eco Marathon, in Doha, Qatar in November 2014, is the type of programme the Federal government must support, encourage, and even initiate.

While the zeal of Dr. Olusegun Aganga to re-awaken the motor industry is appreciated and encouraged, any action must be matched with the needs of the populace and balanced with sustainable measures.

Until then, we must avoid stumbling from one half-baked economic policy unto another.

*Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

religious bigots.

Why should Nigerians believe a man like Atiku, a man whom we learnt courtesy of the WikiLeaks cables lent himself to be used to undercut his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, a reason the latter turned against him. Atiku told his listeners in that interview that he was forced out of the PDP by Obasanjo but he neglected to tell them that it was his treachery that forced Obasanjo to turn on him.

The manner he led some members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) out of the party’s convention to announce the formation of a new party, the New PDP, which has since been shot down by a court, speaks volumes of his ability to stab his friends and associates in the back. After causing confusion in the party, he tactfully withdrew leaving the others in the firing line and went ahead to float yet another party, the People Democratic Movement (PDM).

Clearly Atiku’s ambition knows no bounds and his latest alliance with Buhari as well as his current romance with all the leading parties in the country at the moment should surprise no one. In an interview in June last year he had said “If Party A does not perform well, we’ll move on to Party B and see whether it can perform better through competition.’’ Note that for Atiku, parties' performance do not mean how well they are able deliver or their impact on the people, but how well they afford him the opportunity to manipulate his way into getting a party’s presidential ticket.

As usual, the ubiquitous politician has packed his bags and baggage in his familiar search for an illusory presidential flag but Nigerians should see through the antics of Atiku and his General friend. Nigeria is bigger than the ambition of any man and certainly no politician who regales in threats of violence has a right to the heart of fellow citizens. When these desperate politicians pretend as if they have motives nobler than their antecedents, Nigerians will be quick to remind them that even crocodiles shed tears in their desperate search for preys!

*Mr. Shuaibu, a public analyst, wrote from Ilorin, Kwara State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY ,

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Harvest of auto crashes in Cross River leaves trail of deaths, injuries

BY EMMANUEL UNA

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HE figures and the stories of carnage in Cross River State due to auto crashes during the month of January 2014 are not only mindboggling but also bespeak of the recklessness by motorists, especially commercial drivers on the highways. Several fatal crashes along major highways and cities across the state resulted in many deaths with still more people being maimed or sustaining life threatening injuries on vital body parts.

These tragic accident scenes started right on the January 1while people were celebrating their entry into the New Year. On that day, two commercial vehicles had a head-on collision at Ogoja Ndep, along the Ogoja Ikom highway, some four hundred kilometres from Calabar.

The crash which occurred at about 7 pm left six people, mostly young girls dead on the spot. The victims were going from Ukele in Yala Local Government Area which borders Ebonyi State to Igoli to celebrate the New Year with their loved ones but ended up dead on the road. A 21year- old girl whose name was given as Imaji who joined the vehicle at Mbuk 1 on her way to Igoli to celebrate the New Year with her grand-

Some accident scenes in Cross River State.

a leather bag by those who came to rescue us.”

With both legs still wrapped in plaster of Paris POP, Tony who has missed writing his degree examination with the resumption of Universities,

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Most of these accidents were preventable if the drivers had been more careful and circumspect while on the road

mother at Ishobori had her chest burst open and her heart pulled out from her ribs while the driver of the car she was in, had his eyes gorged out following the impact of the collision.

A victim of the crash, Tony Olom, a final year student of Nasarawa State University whose two legs were broken and left mangled told Vanguard Metro, VM, in his hospital bed in Igoli that he was the only one “alive in our car that was carrying six people.

The girl who sat in front with the driver was torn to pieces, even her heart was packed from the ground and put into C M Y K

said the accident occurred because of over speeding, “Our vehicle was approaching the Ogoja Ndep bridge and the driver had slowed down but the car coming from Igoli drove past the bridge on top speed and when he got close to us, he lost control and the car rammed into our vehicle head on,” Tony said.

A week later, along the Calabar–Itu highway, 19 persons lost their lives when a truck crushed a bus carrying 18 people on its way to Onitsha in Anambra State. The driver of the truck and the conductor were among those killed in the crash.

An eye-witness, Peace Monday told VM that the accident occurred when the Cross Link bus in which the victims were travelling, was descending the Obot Isong slope. At the approach to the Itu Bridge a truck laden with rock chippings also from Calabar, suddenly came right behind it on top speed apparently having lost its brakes.

“The truck was going too fast and overtook the bus on the right side and since the bridge is narrow, this forced the bus on the lane of the oncoming vehicles and incidentally, a truck was coming from the Akwa Ibom end of the road”

Severe injuries Face to face with the bus, the driver of the truck with registration number Akwa Ibom NGD 01 XA, also on top speed could not stop or control his truck to allow the bus to maneouvre through ran over the bus, killing everybody except one lucky man

who however, sustained severe injuries.

The truck that forced the bus on the wrong lane also tore through the railings and plunged under the bridge with its tyres facing the sky.

“The driver and the conductor were removed from under the bridge dead but two other persons who sat behind the truck sustained serious injuries because they were flung very far from the truck to the bush,” Peace said.

When Vanguard Metro visited the scene of the accident few hours after the crash personal belongings like bags, shoes, clothes and consumables such as biscuits and bottles of soft drinks were strewn everywhere round the accident scene.

In the second week of the New Year, a truck while trying to avoid a pothole ran over a bus at Ugep, Yakkur Local Government Area, killing the five passengers and set the bus ablaze.

Again, on the January 21, at PAMOL in the outskirts of Calabar, two speeding vehi-

cles, a Jeta and a Toyota Hiace had a head-on collision which left five people dead on the spot. The two carcasses of the vehicles were towed to the Odukpani Police Station.

Along the newly constructed Itigid–Calabar highway, an accident on January 26 left another six people dead. Interestingly, behind the bleak statistics of the carnage, is agony of loss, costly funeral ceremonies by family members and friends of those who are killed in the accidents.

Mr Albanus Nwachukwu, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Cross River State, attributed most of the accidents to wrongful over taking, over speeding and loss of control of vehicles by drivers.

“Most of these accidents were preventable if the drivers had been more careful and circumspect while on the road.” He said overtaking on blind spots, that is, when the driver cannot see his front clearly can be dangerous and therefore should be avoided.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 21

FG to tackle poverty through rural transformation STORIES BY JONAH NWOPOKU

T

HE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina has said that for Nigeria and entire Africa to successfully tackle the menace of poverty, rural economy must be transformed and made to create wealth and expand opportunities through agriculture.

He stated this while delivering a speech at the Centre for Value and Leadership annual lecture in Lagos.

He said that agriculture holds the key to eradicating poverty in the African continent.

“Why is there so much poverty in the continent, despite its enormous resources? Global wealth is increasing but poverty is not reducing, especially in Africa.

Poverty cannot be a comparative advantage for Africa, so we must develop rural economy and begin to look at agriculture from business perspective, because that is the only way agriculture could become a solution to global poverty,” he said.

The Minister who used the opportunity to highlight some of the achievements of the ministry in the last two years,

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku; CEO Schneider, Mr. Jean-Pascal Tricoire’ Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Hakeem Sulaiman, and others during the commissioning of the Isaac Boro Technical College in Grenoble, France. noted that government has helped farmers to produce additional 15 million tons of food within the period as a result of favourable policies by the government for the sector.

He noted that Nigeria must build political ladders to support agriculture and improve the lives of the poor

135.65

-0.1

2,907.00

+21.00

15.69

-0.16

108.79 +1.60 99.14 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.7 155.2 252.3199 253.1351 209.1292 209.8049 171.0701 171.6228 1.5254 1.5303 0.3005 0.3105 236.3267 237.0903 25.5274 25.6103 41.2612 41.3945 28.0207 28.1112 237.4181 238.1854

+1.30 SELLING 155.7 253.9504 210.4806 172.1755 1.5352 0.3205 237.8539 25.6933 41.5278 28.2018 238.9528

CBN Exchange rate as at 10/02/2014

and hence make agriculture a mainstay of the economy, making the economy less dependent on importation.

He said, “An economy dependent on import is a poverty manufacturing economy.”

Also speaking, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of

the Centre for Value and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, said that it is time for Nigerians to begin to volunteer to address some of the basic challenges confronting the nation, since the leadership has failed to live up to its responsibility.

In what he described as ‘leaders without titles’ he said

the Centre is canvassing for volunteers that would help to drive development and innovation in the areas of education, health, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture, ‘Leadership and the scourge of poverty in Africa’ Utomi noted that to tackle poverty effectively, growth drivers framework must revolve around entrepreneurship, culture, human capital, leadership, institutions and policy choices.

“Improved policy choice has marked the environment in Nigeria since the middle of the 1990s. But institutions remain quite weak and culture is in near collapse. This means that as human capital improves and the spirit of enterprise goes north, the need for strong leadership to steer the change of culture and establish clear vision of policy thrust to move the country towards the promise of posterity,” He explained.

He, therefore, recommended that, “To be effective on that track, leaders have to be people of knowledge, habit of service to others and courage of conviction. Such leadership must move public policy in a people centered direction and pro-poor without being inimical to high growth which the demographic dividend resulting from the youth bulge can support.”

CET will discourage smuggling, promote trade — Adegbenro

A

cting Director Gen eral of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Mr. Rasheed Adegbenro, has said that the Common External Tariff, CET that will commence in 2015 within ECOWAS region will discourage smuggling and promote regional trade.

He stated this while speaking to newsmen at the sideline of a media briefing for MAN/Gold Eslch planned forum on re-engineering of internal process of manufacturing in Lagos.

The CET which was announced in November, 2013 is a measure intended to facilitate free trade and advance greater integration among the 16 countries

in the ECO WAS region.

Speaking on the challenges and benefits of the CET, Adegbenro noted that although the CET is not without its challenges, part of the benefits is that it would help reduce smuggling significantly and promote regional trade while providing opportunities for companies within the region to make long term planning and investment decisions.

He said, “The benefits are not immediate. The only key thing is that it should Ordinarily reduce smuggling within the region. This is because what has promoted smuggling is disparity in tariff. If a product in Nigeria is attracting 70 per cent and the same product in Cotonou or Togo is attracting 10 per cent, it is likely that smugglers and other unpatriotic traders will follow the rules of the lowest tariff but if the same tar-

iff obtains between Lagos and Mauritania then there is no advantage of smuggling by unscrupulous traders. We hope and believe that smuggling should narrow down and there should be less pressure on our customs to man the border.

“Having CET in the region should also promote regional trade. People will be able to plan better now because they know that the tariff will not change overnight, which has been a challenge for Nigeria in particular. No country will have the wherewithal now to tinker with the tariff. That should be a regional decision. If there is any need to change tariff, ECOWAS as a body must meet, the 16 countries as a group must agree to that tariff change. So that will make for better planning and companies will be able to plan long term, fully aware that their tar-

iff will not change overnight and affect their investment output.”

He noted that, “This is a lesson for us in Nigeria to put our house in order to change the way of doing business and reduce the cost of doing business because if we succeed in this direction of reducing the cost of doing business, then the economy will be able to withstand the challenges that it is facing.”

On the challenges, he explained that, “Within the past ten to twelve years, there have been negotiations within the region to establish a Common External Tariff within the region as part of regional integration process. It has taken that long because from the Nigerian side we appreciate we are not on the same level of development, particularly that of industrial landscape.

22— — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

When private placement becomes burnt offering

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

I

t has cost many investors their hard earned money.

Yet some had made fortune from it. They call it private placement. It is one of the methods a company can employ to raise money from the public. It is mostly used by companies not listed on the stock exchange. The company offers shares or bonds to a target or select group of investors or just anybody willing to buy. But the danger in such offering, especially by a company that is not quoted on the stock exchange, is that they are not within the regulatory powers of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Hence, if such offering becomes a burnt offering, investors have little or no chance of recovering their money.

Most investors are oblivious of this fact. This was reflected in the ruling of the Investment and Securities Tribunal between Mrs. Stella Babudoh Erhurhoro (applicant) versus BGL Plc (1st respondent), Albert Okumagba (2nd respondents)and Securities & Exchange Commission.

Erhurhoro invested N14 million in a private placement by BGL Plc and when the outcome of the investment did

not meet her expectations as promised by the company, she complained to SEC. But when the response or decision of the Commission was too late for her, she took the matter to the IST, claiming “against the Respondents as follows; the sum of N14, 000, 000. 00 (Fourteen Million Naira only) against the 1st Respondent being the total amount for the shares which the Applicant paid for; the sum of N14, 000, ooo.00 (Fourteen Million Naira Only) against the 2nd Respondent for damages for deceiving the Applicant and N14, 000, 000. 00 (Fourteen Million Naira Only) against the 3rd Respondent for negligence in aiding the 1st and 2nd Respondents to swindle the Applicant”.The first and second respondents however argued that the IST does not have jurisdiction over the case, and the Tribu-

nal ruled in their favour by dismissing the case. In arriving at its decision, the Tribunal noted, “Perusals of the Applicant’s claim readily show that her cause of action is founded

on a private placement of a limited liability company. A private placement is cognizable under the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, only to the extent that it relates to the private placement of a Public Company, in which case it will be subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“We have no reason to believe that the 1st Respondent’s private placement in question was overseen or regulated by the 3rd Respondent (SEC). The

regulatory oversight of the 3rd Respondent can only be invoked with regards to the regulation and supervision of the registration and sales of securities offered for private placement by a public company. See sections 89 and 106 of the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Regulations.” The ruling in summary implies that anybody who chooses to invest in the private placement of a company that is not quoted on the stock exchange does so at his or her own risk.

Top 10 performing stocks

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks were Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, International Energy Insurance Company Plc, Great Nigeria Insurance, Oando Plc, Cutix Plc and Forte Oil Plc. Others were Beta Glass Com-

pany Plc, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Japaul Oil & Maritime Services Plc and Honeywell Flour Mill Plc. Neimeth International, listed on the pharmaceuticals subsector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, led the gainers chart last week, rising by 51.59 percent or N0.81 to close at N2.38 from N1.57. Neimeth is involved in the manufacturing and sales of pharmaceuticals, chemicals and animal health products. Beginning the year at N0.71, the share price has risen by 235.21 percent based on its closing price on Friday.

Presently, the company is battling with financial difficulties as indicated in its 2012 full year financial statement.

The result was probably impacted by growing cost of sales, marketing/distribution expenses and administrative expenses. The result also indicated that the company could be cash trapped and may require capital injection as it is presently carrying huge deferred taxation burden. The company recorded loss after

tax of N69.304 million from positive position of N113.077 million, though the revenue for the period grew by 22.8 percent to N2.33 billion. The position of its deferred taxation grew by 1,117.1 percent

from 2.215 million in 2012 to N28.154 million within the period. Also the cost of sales went up to N1.028 billion from N791.692 million, representing 29 percent increase, while marketing/distribution expenses and administrative expenses rose by 73.8 percent and 34.5 percent respectively.

International Energy Insurance followed with 35 percent or N0.21 increase to close at N0.81 from N0.60. As at the end of 2013 financial year, it was one of the 18 insurance companies that couldn’t make their 2012 financial statement available to the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, for approval and was also listed as having not complied with the International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS. Last year, it announced intension to undertake share reconstruction that would consolidate its shares outstanding from 6.420 billion ordinary shares to 1.284 billion ordinary shares. The share reconstruction was un-

dertaken in the ratio of one new share for every five previously held. IEI is however one of the few insurance stocks that broke into the 2 digit region in 2013.

Great Nigeria Insurance, which is yet to get approval for its 2012 IFRS compliant financial statement, recorded 33.33 percent or N0.19 to close at N0.76 from N0.57 per share.

Oando rose by 13.94 percent or N2.67 to close at N21.83 from N19.16. Analysts believe that the shares of the company are riding on successful acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian assets, which is awaiting regulatory approval.

Oando had recently disclosed that it successfully raised N30.7 billion in capital through a special placement exercise. N19.3 billion of the fund, according to the estimate

would be allocated to reducing the outstanding balance of the ongoing $1.6 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ Nigerian assets.

Cutix Plc, electronic and electrical products listed security, appreciated by 13.71 percent or N0.27 to close at N2.24 from N1.97 per share. The six months financial statement for the period ended October 31, 2013, showed that revenue grew to N1.118 billion from N887.190 million in the corresponding period of 2012, while profit after tax rose to N84.677 million compared to N63.027 million in 2012. Cutix manufactures electric and telecoms cables.

Forte Oil appreciated by 13.31 percent or N12.01 to close at N102.21 from N90.20; Beta Glass advanced by 10.19 percent or N1.80 from N17.67 to N19.47; Berger Paints went up by 9.61 percent or N0.87 from N9.05 to N9.92; Japaul Oil rose by 8.93 percent or N0.05 from N0.56 to N0.61, while Honeywell Flour mill advanced by 7.18 percent or N0.27 to close at N4.03 from N3.76 per share.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 23

Investors speak

Are shareholders’ associations losing focus?

BY WILLIAM JIMOH

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O

ne of the reasons that justifies establishment of shareholders’ associations is their ability to educate members and protect their right and interests by making sure that those placed in charge of companies are held accountable. But considering current rapport between shareholders' groups and companies, one may ask if the associations are performing their responsibilities d as expected. Some of the shareholders who spoke to INVESTOR FORUM rexpressed divergent views. Excerpt

ROTIMI BLAIZE Akintunde Asalu, a leader that carried his followers along.

The leaders have failed in their responsibility of educating shareholders; they place personal interest above the general good and the progress of the market. This is evident in

,

ROTIMI BLAZE: A minority shareholder: Shareholders' associations should be watchdogs of companies, but companies have successfully won their conscience with bribe. For instance, most of these companies are not making enough money to pay dividend, but they make enough to be thrown around. They make enough to bribe chairmen of acclaimed shareholders' associations and sometimes some recognised individual shareholders.

How in the interest of the market or the minority shareholders will you interpret a situation whereby a company that was unable to pay dividend for up to three years and not having an outlook to do that soonest, organising pre-AGM not to talk of Annual General Meeting and after the meeting, they will call some people aside to give brown envelopes?

We keep complaining about corruption in government circle, the shareholders’groups seem to be more corrupt. Instead of fighting for the interest of their members, most chairmen of shareholders’ associations put priority on what is less important. Gone are the days when we have leaders like former President of Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), late Chief

SHEHU MALLAM MIKAIL because they do not deserve it. I trade with my money; they are not the ones that invested for me. Why then should companies respect them more than other ordinary shareholders who should be more recognised?

We keep complaining about corruption in government circle, the shareholders’groups seem to be more corrupt. Instead of fighting for the interest of their members, most chairmen of shareholders’ associations put priority on what is less important

the way shareholders conduct themselves at Annual General Meetings, a situation which most operators seem to be comfortable with. This is not something hidden, but nobody seems to be frowning at it.

In short, companies should stop giving these leaders priority over other shareholders

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SHEHU MALLAM MIKAIL; President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria :Some shareholders’ associations have not failed in ensuring that they educate their members as well as protect their interest.

This is an area shareholders need to understand that it is

Market News TMA Consulting Group is an illegal operator — SEC HE Securities & Ex informed that one Dr. David Consulting Group.

T change Commission Torty and TMA Consulting The general public is by this has warned the investing Group are not registered by notice advised not to public from transacting business with TMA Consulting Group, saying the company is not registered to carrying on capital market activities.

In a statement published on its website, the Commission said, “The General Public is hereby

the Commission to carry out any capital market activity.

The illegal operator who has his address at Plot 177, MCC/Uratta Road, Opposite Imo State Housing Corporation, Owerri, Imo State has been carrying on capital market activities illegally, through TMA

transact any capital market business with the said David Torty.

Investors wishing to invest in the capital market are hereby advised to transact through operators registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

high time they familiarised themselves with the operations within the capital market because when you do not share the vision of the capital market, you may not understand what it means to have investment in the market.

It is the duty of shareholders associations to help their members understand before they invest in any company, the kind of people that form the management team of the company, and the kind of business they are into, are all important. These are important information that many don’t understand and after dabbling into investment, they find out that the business is not as lucrative as they thought it would be.

Apart from this, shareholders need to have an understandable rapport with their stockbroker who will guide them on what to do, how to go about it and when it is most suitable to take certain actions on their investment. But it is unfortunate today that majority of shareholders who attend AGM don’t really understand all these things. Also shareholders' associations need to give proper enlightenment to the shareholders on how the market works and the principles that are in operation therein. Most importantly, they should train their members on how to behave and what is expected of them at the AGMs. If possible, they should have a disciplinary committee within the association that will be on the lookout for erring members at AGM so as to purge the market of this problem. It is important for the Securities and Exchange, SEC, to know that though they have a laid down process for setting up associations, they need to ensure that they monitor activi-

I have attended meetings where companies gave gift items and there have been situations where they gave cash for transport, which I count as mutual understanding between the company and the shareholders. It is not all companies which call for preAGM that give gifts, it is all about understanding each other

,

ties of the shareholders associations. They should also ensure that both the listed and unlisted companies have detailed information on the status of association’s registration because it is quite saddening that most of the people that are going about claiming to be leaders of associations don’t understand the rigorous task of occupying such a position and that is why they cannot do anything to help their members.

On the part of the companies, they need to understand that no unregistered association should be accorded any audience for whatsoever reason and irrespective of who is concerned.

As allegations abound concerning giving gift, particularly in cash at meetings, just as I will agree that it is true, I will also say that it is not true. It depends on the company ’s position. I have attended companies’ pre-AGMs and they did not give any parting gift.

In most of the AGMs they do give gifts, it is just sheer understanding with the company on the situation of things.

To me, those making such allegations are doing it based on the belief that they must get something as parting gift from AGMs. And if that kind of notion is put in mind it does not show sign of seriousness on their part to management and Boards of Directors of these companies.I have attended meetings where companies gave gift items and there have been situations where they gave cash for transport, which I count as mutual understanding between the company and the shareholders. It is not all companies which call for preAGMs that give gifts, it is all about understanding each other.

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Gas: Companies produce N428m, flare N81m

BY MICHAEL EBOH

O

il companies in Nigeria produced about 592.220 million Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of gas in three months, valued at about $2.676 million or N428 million, between July and August 2013, according to data by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. This represents an increase of 9.33 per cent over the total gas production of 541.68 million SCF recorded between April and June 2013. The NNPC in its summary of Gas Production and Utilisation, disclosed that of the total gas produced, about 479.999 million SCF, valued at about $2.17 million (N347.028 million) was utilized, while 112.221 million SCF, valued at $507,083, about N81.133 million, was flared.

The current price of gas in the international market is $4.43 per million British Thermal Unit(BTU). One cubic foot of gas is made up of about 1,020 BTU. Consequently, the amount of gas flared is 18.92 per cent of the total amount of gas produced within the period.

Below is how the quantity

utilized was disbursed: •40.706 million SCF for fuel; •142.182 million SCF sold to third parties, • 29.204 million SCF sold to the Nigerian Gas Company,NGC, a subsidiary of the NNPC; • 157.7 million SCF was re-injected; • 2.668 million SCF as fuel gas to Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, EPCL; • 9.229 million SCF as Liquid Petroleum Gas/

Natural Gas Liquids (LPG/ NGL) or feedstock to EPCL; • 83.619 million SCF as for Liquefied Natural Gas, LPG or cooking gas, and; •14.689 million for gas lift.

A further breakdown of total gas production in the period in review revealed that the Joint Venture, JV companies produced the largest proportion of 474.454 million SCF of gas. They utilised about 401.453 million SCF or 84.6 per cent of the total and flared 73 million

SCF. Companies operating under the Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, produced 92.283 million SCF of gas, utilised 75.43 million SCF. They flared about 16.85 million SCF or 18.26 per cent of their total production.

The Sole Risk/ Independents oil companies on the other hand, produced 22.475 million SCF of gas, flared 20.01 million SCF, representing 89.03 per cent of the total, while only 2.465 million SCF was utilised.

From right: Executive General Manager, Deep Water GSR and Asset Management, TOTAL E&P, Mr. Claude Bordenave; Executive General Manager, Deep Water Administration, TOTAL E&P, Mr. Joseph Ajilore; Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Education (representative of the Minister of Education), Mr. Lambert Oparah; representative of Acting GGM NAPIMS, Mrs. J.S.Kolapo; Deputy General Manager, CSR/Public Affairs, TOTAL E&P, Dr. Attah, and Principal, Kings College Lagos, Mr. Olapeju at the commissioning of Twin Lecture Theatres and Assembly Hall by TOTAL.

Wh at e ref ineries are no Whyy priv privat ate refineries nott built — Avuru

BY SEBASTINEOBASI

U

NFAVOURABLE government policy, harsh economic environment and lack of adequate fund have been identified as some of the impediments to private sector participation in the refinery business.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Limited, Mr. Austin Avuru, stated this at the just concluded Nigerian Marginal Field workshop, held in Lagos.

According to him, “The reason why the private sector has not been able to invest in refineries is that you cannot go to the bank to borrow $1 billion to build a refinery when the commercial framework is unclear to your bankers. When you are selling the product in the same market as the government-owned refineries that are regulated; when government says you can only sell the product at N97 per litre. That is the reason why nobody has built refineries.” The SeplatCEOspoke against the backdrop of the nearly 12 years after the former President

OlusegunObasanjo’s administration awarded 18 licences for private refinery operation, none has been built. Avuru explained that it takes a lot of financial capability to venture into the capital-intensive refinery project, a situation many Nigerians cannot cope with.

He said, “If you have AlikoDangote’s financial muscle, where you have the cash to build it, you can take the plunge and you will not lose money. The reason is that marketers in Nigeria, as vendors, do not pay N97 per litre for the products they bring in. They pay about N150 and the difference is the famous subsidy we all know.

“It is the same thing. If you have a refinery here, you are not going to sell at N97 per litre. You are going to sell to the same marketers who would have imported their products at market price, at import parity price. “It is their business to sort out the difference between what government says they should sell and what you are selling to them, which is subsidy. Dangote will not build a refinery and sell at N97/ litre. He will sell at import parity

price. People will deposit money in the bank before he gives them products. So, he loses nothing.

“Ordinarily, even if you have the courage to build a refinery today, you lose nothing, but you cannot raise the money because no bank will give you money under this kind of condition,” he said.

Avuru assured that with the entrance of Dangote into the oil and gas business, more Nigerians will venture into it such that in the next three years, the business will be dominated by indigenous companies.

“Once Dangote opens the floodgate and others come in, my projection is that at the end of 2017, the entire refining business in Nigeria will be controlled by the indigenous sector and some of them will also come from growth out of marginal field companies.

“At that point, people will have the courage to borrow $16 million and put in 5,000 to 10,000 barrel refinery around their fields and would not bother about shipping their crudes to some multinationals,” he added.

BRIEF FG justifies $1.85m/MW for Zungeru power

…says we are making progress

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: The Federal Government has insisted that the $1.85 million benchmark cost for the Zungeru Hydroelectric power project was a very competitive price relative to similar projectsin the world.

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, who said this while inaugurating the Zungeru Community Relations Committee in Abuja, explained that the project was competitively tendered for since 2007, but its implementation was stalled on account of paucity of funds.

The 19-member Committee headed by AlhajiIsahJibrin, GarkuwaNupe, as Chairman, was charged mainly to coordinate and liaise with Emirate Council on all community issues and compensation to facilitate timely realisation of the project.

He said, “Let me use the opportunity of this event to address a recent publication in the print media about the purported high cost of the Zungeru project.

“It is to be recalled that this project was competitively tendered for since 2007 but implementation was stepped down on account of paucity of funds.”

Nebo also said, “Under the leadership of President Jonathan, the Federal Ministry of Finance had moved swiftly to finalise the Exim Bank of China loan covering 75% of the project cost.

According to him, “the major change to the 2007 project cost was to reflect the changes in project design and installed capacity. The Zungeru project has a benchmark cost of US$1.85m per installed MW; this is a very competitive price relative to similar projects worldwide. “The International Renewable Agency, IRENA, an inter-governmental organization supporting countries in the development of sustainable energy future, indicates that the 2012 levelised investment cost for large hydropower is in the range of US$1.050m to US$7.65m per MW.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 25

BRIEF

NIPCO deepens LPG campaign KUNLE KALEJAYE

N

IPCO plc, an integrated downstream player in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has deepened its Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG usage campaign as domestic cooking fuel by exploring the potentials of the India community in Lagos.

This feat came into the fore at a cultural event organised by scores of Indians resident in Lagos during which Nipco mounted an elaborate exhibition of LPG cylinders and its accessories for domestic cooking. The forum according to the Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. LawalTaofeek, was also used to launch its specially designed safety leaflet to guide gas users across the country to utilize gas cylinders in a safe manner, a document that attracted many visitors to the company ‘sstand at the event.

Mr. Lawal in a statement said the programme was held at the Mobil Pegasus club ,Apapa ,to coincide with the Annual Harvest festival in the Asian country, afforded the company avenues to re-iterate its commitment to LP gas as domestic cooking fuel as against the preponderance of kerosene for cooking .

Conducting people of different strata of the society who visited the stand, Manager, Corporate Affairs, MrLawalTaofeek said the company took part in the event as part of its avowed commitment to enhancing of LP gas utilisation in the country among all nationals.He maintained that continuous awareness on the growing benefits of gas as domestic cooking fuel, is imperative if the increasing number of people switching to gas as against other cooking fuel is to be sustained and increased accordingly .

MrLawal listed some of the benefits of switch to gas as cooking fuel to include: ease of cooking, faster cooking, smoke –free, convenience, paucity of wall stains in the kitchen environment and affordability. According to him, the company has invested huge sums of money to procure various sizes of cylinders and other accessories to guarantee affordability, while our gas refill rates are very competitive.

He counseled hundreds of participants at the event that by refilling at the various outlets of the company retail outlets and skid centres across the country, they are not only assured of accurate quantity but also assured of a clean energy source and a safe alternative for cooking.

BY CHIJIOKE NWAOZUZU

T

he Nigerian economy has borne the huge burden of subsidy payments on petroleum products.

Massive importation of light petroleum products (petrol, diesel, and kerosene) continues unabated because the national refineries are working suboptimally and new ones are yet to be constructed. Recently, government announced its plan to privatize the old and mismanaged refineries, which was greeted with relief except for oil industry unions who believe that they will bear the brunt of this exercise unless proper negotiations are made to protect their interest. Towards the end of last year, government made a volteface about the privatization plan, to the relief of unionists but, to the surprise of industry analysts. Some may ask, why the surprise?

Pragmatic reasoning still suggests that the refineries should be privatized, and there are various models that could be adopted for this. However, I do not think that the preferred model is outright sale of the refineries, because

Gas tanker improvements in the power sector; and the use of more fuel- efficient vehicles are also important but progress in these directions may not keep pace with the urgency required to attain selfsufficiency in supplies. So most industry analysts thought!

Now that government has reversed its policy of refinery privatization, and there is nothing in the horizon to suggest that new mega- refineries are being built or small and medium scale -private

(bi-fuel vehicles). NGVs are becoming popular around the world, in response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns.

refineries are being commissioned, it would seem that introduction of alternative fuels for vehicles (natural gas vehicles, NGVs) is inevitable. The objective should be to integrate fuel substitution with projected refinery supply volumes after the turn-around maintenance of existing refineries have been completed. According to an industry expert and practitioner, DrEmekaEne of Energia Oil Company, the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuels for public transportation and government/company vehicle fleets is a “low hanging fruit” and represents a “quick-win”. It is clear that DrEne was right, but first what is this alternative fuel about, how will it impact Nigerians positively, what are the constraints, which countries have developed the use of NGVs, and how should government and private investors go about its introduction?

Alternative fuels have a role to play in the demand mix for petroleum products, especially in public transportation.

According to an IEA-OECD study carried out by Michael Nijboer on “The Global Use of Natural Gas- Driven Vehicles (NGVs)”, natural gas has been more competitive when compared to gasoline in regard to transmission and distribution grids, and public transportation. According to the report, there is an opportunity for simultaneous gas market development and boosting of a country’s NGV market share.

CNG is produced by compressing natural gas with gas compressors to less than 1% of its volume, and then stored / distributed in hard steel containers (with cylindrical or spherical shapes) at a pressure of 200-248 bar. The cylinders are then fitted into traditional petrol or diesel-run vehicles that have either been modified or manufactured for CNG use.

CNG can also be used in conjunction with another fuel, e.g. diesel or petrol

oxides, etc) than petrol/diesel. CNG is lead-free, thereby eliminating fouling of spark plugs. It mixes evenly and easily in air, being a gaseous fuel. CNG is less likely to ignite on hot surfaces because it has a narrow range of flammability (5-15%) and a high auto-ignition temperature (540 degrees centigrade). This is contrary to the safety issues that come to mind when motorists are persuaded to convert to the use of CNG gas cylinders. CNG fuel systems are specially sealed, thus preventing fuel losses from evaporation and spills. CNG vehicles have lower maintenance costs than petrol / dieselpowered vehicles. The pricing of natural gas driven vehicles is significantly lower than comparable petrol/diesel driven vehicles.

Introducing NGVs will help reduce subsidy payments, eventually eliminate fuel subsidies and facilitate the deregulation of the downstream petroleum industry in Nigeria. Its impact on reducing demand for petrol and diesel is immediate and measurable. It will provide a cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel to motorists and remove them from the current ‘captive’ petrol/diesel market into which every motorist is locked-in. It will promote investment in natural gas production, CNG fuel stations, CNG production plants, CNG conversion centers, and CNG conversion kits thereby creating employment for millions of unemployed citizens.

It is an established fact that the price of petroleum products affects the prices of all consumer goods and services in the long run. Similarly, the introduction of a cheaper alternative fuel for public transportation and for transportation of consumer goods will lower prices of all goods and services in the long run. Also, alternative fuel transportation infrastructure can be established within a shorter timeframe (912 months) compared to even the smallest refinery project. cnwaozuzu@gmail.com.

BENEFITS The use of CNG, as a ‘greener fuel’ has numerous benefits. It is more environmentally efficient for motorists and the general public. CNG emits significantly fewer air pollutants (i.e. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur

Transformation Agenda: Sustainable transportation and alternative fuel the exercise is very likely to translate from public sector (government) monopoly of refineries to private sector monopoly. A private sector monopoly of refineries without an alternative fuel for our vehicles is absolutely dangerous because 170 million Nigerians are locked into the petrol / diesel ‘captive’ market and will be at the mercy of the Directors of the three refineries. You cannot pack in the garage a jeep you bought with millions of Naira, just because the price of petrol has risen to N300. There are also far more dangerous political and national security implications.

Now, where does this lead us in our search for solutions towards achieving self-sufficiency in availability of petroleum products? Addressing this critical challenge would require increasing capacity for production of petroleum products (supply- side solution) and / or reducing the demand for petroleum products, particularly petrol and diesel (demand- side solution). The supply-side factors, in the case of our indigenous downstream petroleum sector tend to be more critical.

The critical supply factors to be considered in the course of deregulation are improvements in the efficiency of domestic supplies; liberalization of product supplies; Brownfield refinery expansion (i.e. expansion of existing refineries); and Greenfield refinery development (i.e. new refineries construction). Loosening up all supplyside constraints can only be achieved when existing refineries are repaired, privatized and expanded; and new refineries constructed (both private and PPP-based refineries); and pipelines privatized.

Conversely, demand-side factors such as products substitution with biofuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) etc;

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

NPDC to grow oil revenue by N2.75bn daily ...Local firms now account for 10% of total production

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

IGERIA’S crude oil revenue is set to grow by $17.17 million, about N2.75 billion daily, as the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, is projecting a crude oil production of about 160,000 barrels per day, bpd.

Barring any unforeseen circumstance, if production is sustained, it will translate into additional revenue of about N82.5 billion monthly or N990 billion annually.

The NPDC said it is also projecting a 600 million standard cubic feet, scf, of gas production by the end of 2014.

The Managing Director, NPDC,Mr. Victor Briggs, said in Benin, weekend that the company is currently producing an average of 140,000 bpd and is currently supplying about 410 million-

scf/d to the domestic market.

He disclosed that NPDC, the production unit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, also planned to invest about $1.8 billion annually (N288 billion) over the next two years.

He said that this is meant to ensure that crude production is increased to about 300,000 bpd and 900 million scf/d by 2018.

He said the investment is not only necessary to expand its production capacity, but also to maintain its equipment and ensure that its facilities perform at optimal levels.

Briggs said the company’s reserves to production is about 80 years, adding that

the company is currently carrying out a number of projects to end gas flaring across a number of its facilities.

According to him, NPDC is currently flaring gas at Oredo, and its offshore facilities, noting, however, that when its Final Investment Decision, FID, is taken on one of its facility in June 2014, and if all the necessary facilities are put in place, it will end gas flaring across all its oil fields by 2016.

He further disclosed that indigenous oil companies have over the years made significant improvement in shoring up their capacity, accounting for about 10 per cent of the country’s total crude oil and gas production.

According to him, indigenous oil companies now produce an average

of 230,000 bpdy, compared to the total daily crude production of about 2.3 million bpd.

However, he said, “Whatever is been produced today is not enough. We need to do more, as this will change the rules of engagement in the Nigerian oil industry.

“If indigenous oil companies are producing about one million barrels of crude daily or half of Nigeria’s crude oil, the international oil companies will no longer be able to hold the country to ransom.

“There is absolute necessity for indigenous capacity to grow. By this, we will be sending a message that we, the local companies, can do it; we can compete effectively in both the local and international oil and gas market.”

Crude oil refinery

Nigerian Mac hine TTools ools ready ffor or pr oduction Machine production P

ioneer tools company, the Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, NMT has stated its readiness to commence full production, aimed at delivering value to critical sectors of the economy.

The declaration was made by the company ’s Managing Director, Mr. Norbert Chukwumah, at a recent briefing to introduce the new helmsman to the media. Chukwumah noted that since the official handover of the then moribund company by the Bureau of Public Entreprise, BPE, massive investments have gone into transforming NMT into a modern manufacturing company.

He said that the company now has the capacity to produce a diverse range of industrial products and services to international standards. “We have upgraded our facility, acquired state of the art equipment and developed the highest level of competence in the manufacture of various products including stud bolts, flanges, machine tools, agricultural implements, municipal castings and technical training, corrosion protection and

machining services. NMT is open for business and we are ready and committed to playing our own part in Nigeria’s industrialisation,” he added.

The NMTL boss also told newsmen that the company’s short term objective is to become West Africa’s leading manufacturer of its range of products.

“We intend to assume leadership of the West African market in the next three years. And, we shall achieve that by focusing on the needs of the markets and delivery of uncompromised quality in every single item that rolls out of the plant backed by projected technical staff strength of 350 by the end of the year.” NMTL now produces flanges and stud bolts for the oil and gas industry, assembles and manufactures machine tools, and possesses extensive machining capability (utilising its numerous advanced CNC and conventional machines), assembles tractors for the agricultural sector and manufactures ancillary tractor implements.

Its foundry produces municipal

castings, gratings and manhole covers, brake blocks for the railways, machine spares, ball crushers for the cement industry and quarry operators and a range of other foundry products as determined by the needs of the client.

There is also a newly installed state of the art PTFE coating plant and hot dip galvanizing shop to ensure products are finished to client specification. The company said it also has a flourishing fully equipped training school, which is open to the public as well as for industries that require training for their technical manpower in a wide range of technical skill sets.

On the abundance of low quality goods in the market, Chukwumah stated that most of the inferior products are imported from a host of Asian countries, even as Nigerian manufacturing companies go to great lengths, in a very challenging environment, to manufacture products of very high quality.

BRIEF NNPC nears financing launch for TransNigeria pipeline

BY ONYEGBADUE AMAMDI with Agency Report

N

igerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, is close to launching a multi-sourced financing for the roughly US$2.5 billion Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline, TNGP project.

NNPC subsidiary,the Nigeria Gas Company, NGC, which is developing the project, picked Standard Chartered as its financial adviser in 2013, and is now finalising negotiations with the adviser ahead of launching the financing to lenders.

The Nigerian government has raised about $450 million in Eurobonds to part-fund pipeline developments, and the proceeds will support planned expansions to the country ’s generating capacity.

Government has committed a further $250 million in direct equity investment. The TNGP development will also benefit from access to existing cash flows from NGC’s operational pipeline network.

The debt financing will feature a mix of local and international banks, export credit agencies and Development Finance Institutions, DFIs. Financial close is expected to take around 18 months, but could happen sooner, depending on whether NGC can line up guarantees from either Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, MIGA or other DFIs. Lenders will gain comfort from rising local demand for gas.

Several gas-fired power developments are underway as part of Nigeria’s power privatisationprogramme, and many more greenfield developments and brownfield expansions are in planning.

The existing national pipeline network is insufficient to meet this increased demand, making the TNGP project a government priority.

The TNGP entails the expansion of NGC’s gas transmission system to service the northern states of Borno and Sokoto and the central industrial state of Kano, as well as the creation of additional branches to the network in states that it already services. Competition of the project is scheduled for 2018.

The government is also planning a larger Trans-Saharan pipeline that will run from the Warri region through Niger to Algeria, in order to deliver gas to mainland Europe. The $20 billion project will have a capacity of 30 billion cubic metres per year of natural gas.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 , 2014

By Theodore Opara

Jeep Grand Cherokee freshens up for 2014 •Arrives Weststar showrooms

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ESTSTAR Associates Limited, authorised general distributors of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge in Nigeria is offering another “best” from the Legendary Jeep - the elegant New 2014 Grand Cherokee.

This resilient beauty simply exudes passion and greatness. Yet there is nothing simple about its expansive menu of capabilities that have been designed to work together in true harmony to combat harsh weather and master any type of terrain.

With its attention to detail and boasting Best-inClass fuel economy, luxury, efficiency, innovation and confidence, the Grand Cherokee’s standard of performance and luxury are unrivaled. This purebred is incredibly smooth to drive and undeniably controlled.

In terms of Luxurythere’s the Natura Plus Leather Trim, Open-Pore Wood and Suede-like premium headliner.

The Grand Cherokee is equipped with a new 8speed Automatic Transmission which glides through gears, enabling quick acceleration and smooth shifting. In addition, the standard 3.6L V6 engine delivC M Y K

ers 285 horsepower.

In terms of Innovationan 8.4-inch touch screen radio and a 7-inch configurable multi-view display are available.

In terms of Confidenceit has over 60 standard and available safety and security options. These include Front Park Assist, Adaptive HID Headlamps, Forward Collision Warning with Crash Mitigation, Park View Rear back-up Camera with new dynamic grid lines, driver inflatable knee airbag, electronic stability control, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Path Detection. Also, new steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters offer manual shift and control.

A wealth of vehicle information, entertainment, and communication options are literally at your fingertips.

The available 825-watt, 19speaker high performance Harman Kardon® sound systemdelivers sound quality that rivals what you hear in your best concert seats. The new Uconnect™ system features a massive 8.4 touch screen as well as dial controls for complete access to all functions, including climate and radio settings. Bluetooth connec-

tivity allows for streaming audio and voice commands. Also included are USB port, SD card reader, DAB Radio and premium Navigation with 3D graphics.

The Grand Cherokee delivers legendary prowess with a choice of three advanced four wheel-drive systems: maintain traction on a variety of surfaces with the help of the available Selec-Terrain Traction System, enjoy heightened throttle management on steep inclines and declines

with the new Selec-Speed, and for ultimate control of vehicle height, the optional Quadra-Lift air suspension raises Grand Cherokee up to 10.7 inches above ridges and rocks, helping you navigate the most chal-

lenging obstacles.

Grand Cherokee Laredo: Here, innovation comes as standard. That is why the Laredo version features all the technology and the performance you expect from a superior SUV and

that make the Grand Cherokee a world-class traveler. The exterior of the New Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is identified by body-colour wing mirrors

Continues on page 29

New auto policy: PAN to produce Peugeot 301, 508 in Kaduna

T

HE new automotive development plan aimed at developing Nigeria’s Automotive Industry (NIA), has received a boost with the consolidation of Technical and Commercial synergy between Automobile Peugeot (AP) France and PAN Nigeria Limited.

In a bid to strengthen the Technical and Commercial agreement renewed with AP France last year, the Management of PAN has received a team of auto manufacturing experts from AP France who came

in to inspect the company’s facilities in readiness for the production of Peugeot 301 and 508 vehicles scheduled for the Second Quarter of 2014.

This development is coming barely three months after the Federal Government has approved the new automotive development plan aimed at developing Nigeria’s Automotive Industry (NIA), and place Nigeria in the league of auto-producing countries.

Speaking at the end of

the facility tour, the visitors expressed delight with the standard of the factory equipments, and expressed confidence that with what they saw on ground, PAN is ready to commence production.

The Managing Director,PAN Nigeria Limited Mr. Ibrahim Boyi who received the team of experts from France, thanked the visitors for their commendation and pledged to leverage on the new automotive development plan approved by

the Federal Government last year for PAN to re-establish its position as the pioneer and leading auto manufacturer in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that in September last year , PAN’s Managing Director, Mr. Ibrahim Boyi, called on the Federal Government to put in place favourable policies that would protect local auto manufacturers in Nigeria, stressing that PAN has the capacity to produce cheap and affordable cars for Nigerians at all levels.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014—29

By Theodore Opara

Hyundai to sell 4.9m units globally H YUNDAI Motor Company, the fastest-growing automaker by brand, has announced its 2013 full-year earnings results. The company•fs revenue rose on increased sales from its overseas markets, while profits fell slightly due to production losses and sluggish sales in Korea and fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

For the year 2013, sales revenue rose 3.4 percent to 87.3 trillion won (USD 80.8 Bn) (automotive: 71.54 trillion / finance and other: 15.77 trillion) from a year earlier, helped by increased sales volume in overseas markets. Operating profit fell 1.5 percent to 8.32 trillion won (USD 7.7 Bn) and net profit fell 0.7 percent to 8.99 trillion won (USD 8.3 Bn) - including non-controlling interest.

Hyundai sold 4,732,366 units globally (Korea: 640,698 / overseas: 4,091,668) in 2013, a 7.3 percent increase from a year earlier. While its sales in Korea fell 4.0 percent to 640,698 units from the previous year, its overseas sales rose 9.3 percent to 4,091,668 units (exports: 1,179,447 / overseas plants: 2,912,221).

In the fourth quarter alone, sales revenue decreased 3.4 percent to 21.94 trillion won (USD 20.3 Bn) (automotive: 17.76 trillion / finance and other: 4.18 trillion) with global sales of 1,232,344 units. However, operating profit increased 10.8 percent to 2.03 trillion won (USD 1.8 Bn) from a year earlier.

Hyundai forecast that both domestic and overseas markets - advanced and emerging alike - are poised to

generate sluggish demand.

As a result, the company plans to focus on strengthening its fundamentals and securing future competitiveness such as boosting fuel efficiency and developing so-called smart cars that combine clean energy and advanced techn o l o g i e s .

Hyundai aims to sell 4.9 million vehicles globally in 2014 (Korea: 682,000 / overseas: 4,218,000), a 3.6 percent increase from last year. In order to achieve this, Hyundai plans to maximize efficiencies at its overseas manufacturing bases to increase global sales, while launching new models such as the all-new Genesis and nextgeneration Sonata.

Left to right: GM, Rolls Royce Middle East Africa and Latin America, Mr. Ayman Ghanem, President Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, MD, Rolls Royce, Middle East Africa and Latin America, Mr. Geoff Briscoe and Mr. Josiah Samuel, when the Rolls Royce team paid a visit to Coscharis recently.

Coscharis partnership excites Rolls Royce •Says 150 Rolls Royce in Nigeria

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REPARATORY to the for mallaunchofRollsRoyce in Nigeria by May this year, Rolls Royce top officials were in Nigeria recently to access the level of work done by its Nigerian representative, Coscharis Motors. The visiting Rolls Royce officials led by the Managing Director in charge of Middle East, Africa and Latin America, Mr. Geoff Briscoe, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by its Nigerian partner, especially the setting up of an ultra modern showrooms and workshops at Abuja and Lagos (Lekki).

According to Mr. Briscoe, about 150 Rolls Royce cars are already in Nigeria which makes the country a very important market for the world’s number one luxury

car maker.

Collaborating the Managing Director’s report, the President of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka described the Rolls Royce models as a unique class of luxury automobiles for those who have made it in life. “It is for the few very wealthy people who desire to distinguish themselves,” he said.According to him, the Rolls Royce cars in Nigeria presently largely came from the United Kingdom and Europe and so “we decided it was time we should be in this market and we are really thrilled to have Coscharis as partners here and because we want to make sure that our customers are well served, we now have the only authorised dealer-

ship in the entire Africa area. Besides South Africa, this is the only authorised dealership in sub Saharan Africa and North Africa. It is a new milestone and a new beginning for this great organisation.”

The company, he said places huge emphasis on the way it services the customers here and the way they are looked after and the way that their partner look after the vehicles of their customers.

Briscoe called it a new change and new development for Nigeria and a new beginning for Rolls Royce in this area. “Rolls Royce is a very successful car company. We sold more cars last year than ever before but it is only 3,600 cars as well.

Jeep Grand Cherokee freshens up for 2014 Continued from pg 28 and door handles, chrome highlighted grille and the new signature tail lamp design. The Laredo rides on 18 alloy wheels, arrives with a 3.6 Pentastar V6 engine, a new eight-speed automatic transmission, 17inch aluminum wheels, new cap-less fuel fill, an updated Uconnect System with a 5-inch touch screen, 8.4 Radio with Bluetooth connectivity, DAB and voice command. Numerous standard features include: a Quadra-Trac ll 4WD system, 188 BHP, Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps (with LED Daytime Running Lights), Power 8 way driver and 6

way passenger seat, Keyless enter-n-go, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic headlamps & rain sensor, rear view auto-dimming mirror and power folding mirrors. It has a 6,200lb towing capacity.

Grand Cherokee Limited: The pursuit of innovation raises the bar of expectations. The Limited possesses everything a Laredo has and more. The standard Limited version features fine finishing, with all the substance a Jeep driver needs. Luxurious Capri leather-trimmed seating adds plush comfort. Limited’s parking systems give greater peace of mind.

Chrome door handles, dual Chrome exhaust tips and lower front and rear fascia with chrome insert give it a distinctive, purposeful appearance. Limited brings just the right amount of finery to every excursion, adding features like, heated second-row seats, heated steering wheel, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, dual exhaust, Power Liftgate and ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera to Laredo E. The Limited also includes a memory package (radio, driver’s seat, door mirrors) and a 3.6 litre V6 24-Valve VVT engine with a 7,200lb towing capacity.

Grand Cherokee SRT8: The distinctively aggressive and athletic styling of the SRT makes a statement both day and night- Blackened bi-xenon headlamps look menacing by day, and a signature LED treatment announces the SRT by night .

New for the SRT is an eight-speed transmission that delivers power from the 6.4-liter HEMI engine via a fully electronic automatic mode or through redesigned steering-wheel paddle controls. The new package delivers improved acceleration of 100 km per hour in 4.5, with quicker shift speeds. ]

So, it is small and we want to stay small because our cars are a thing of beauty, a work of art. We don’t compete against any other cars; we compete against a big Yacht, a piece of art worth $10 million or a diamond ring. We are really competing in that high-end luxury a r e a . ” He said the company’s aim is not to go building more cars but that they keep their products very exclusive and that it worked for them very well. “Part of our success is that we build cars that are very unique for the region.

What we will do is to build special cars that are relevant for Nigeria that will take the weather and roads into consideration.”

These cars, he said would come “with very special look, option levels and have very relevant stories. We call it bespoke elements. All of our cars in the world have these bespoke elements.

Generally, it is a beautiful story developed by the dealers or buyers and we tell many stories around the world and we will have this special story in Nigeria as well. There is a big commitment to bring the right cars into the market. We have some beautiful Rolls Royce coming here.”

The company, he said has been helped with request for special features, colours and that there is already a number of pre-orders just by word of mouth, even before opening.Maduka said his company has Rolls Royce as the latest in Coscharis’ fam-

ily of cars, saying “we will continue to set standards and when others try to catch up, we bring in something new. But it looks like we are the climax now because I don’t know where we will go after the Rolls Royce.”

The Nigerian market reports to these Rolls Royce officials in the Middle East, said the Managing Director of Coscharis, Mr. Josiah. He said up till now there has not been franchise for Rolls Royce in the country.

“By our reckoning there are about 150 Rolls Royce cars driving around in Nigeria and the good news is that we can actually take care of those iconic cars.”

On the bespoke opportunity for Nigerian buyers, he said Rolls Royce is not the type of car that is bought off the showroom like every other car.

He said it is a car that is kept for life and that on account of that “you need to put your entire identity in that car,” adding that it may take a while to get Nigerians to this level, but that it was a window and that “all that is required is little patience.

You can build your car and wait for some months and then you have a car of your dream.”

Prospective buyers, he said could visit the factory to see the possibilities available, explaining that “you can have 150 Rolls Royce cars with different possibilities; different configurations. That is what we want to emphasise. It is not cheap.”

C M Y K

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY ,

C M Y K

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014—31

What does Sanusi want?

BY SEHINDE OMONIYI

O

NCE again, the Governor of Cen tral Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is taking the nation on a circus ride. In a failed attempt to regal unsuspecting Nigerians with his drama of the absurd, Mallam Sanusi stood before the Senate Committee on Finance and displayed another of his naked ignorance of the oil sector thinking his serial false claims of the past would not count.

Acting as auditor and at the same time an oil and gas expert, the CBN Governor succeeded again before the Senate to ridicule the sacred office of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He averred that NNPC shipped 67billion dollars in crude and only 47 billion dollars has come back to the Federation. Based on this new finding by the CBN, the NNPC has to prove where the 20billion dollars went to. Displaying no restraint in his hauling accusations against other public servants, Mallam Sanusi went into a tantrum beCBN Governor, Sanusi fore the senators reeling out unfounded claim of this new missing $20 billion from the were already known, reminding Mallam SaNNPC records. nusi that every year in the revenue framework, In an usual magical manufacture of figures the National Assembly appropriates money for which has become synonymous with the na- oil subsidy. Hence, the question of whether tion’s number one banker, people of this coun- the NNPC deducted an amount for subsidy or try and indeed the rest of the world have been it did so late is not an indication that there was thrilled first with the drama of a missing $49.8 no money appropriated for subsidy on PMS. billion, then he shame facedly admitted error Based on these several summersaults by a in his ‘calculations’ and said it was actually $10.8 CBN Governor, it is clear why the Nigerian billion that has not been accounted for and sud- financial sector has remained one of the most denly this week according to what has become unpredictable since 2009 when Mallam SanuSanusi’s tales by moonlight, the amount has si became Governor, and therefore scary to the resurrected and is now $20 billion. most well-intentioned investor, local or Clearly confused and rascally in his manage- foreign. How incredible for a public servant of ment of the highly respected office of CBN Gov- the CBN Governor’s status to continually reernor, Mallam Sanusi has led his team astray gal Nigerians with claims which he has not into assuming the responsibility of an auditing done well to clear with his fellow heads of pubfirm trying effortlessly to comb albeit with a lic institutions. Consistently, without recourse numbed comb accounts of the NNPC in the end, to decency and sense of commitment to national goals; Mallam The response of Senator Mohammed Sanusi continues to Markarfi is enough to convince Nigerians that shun established procedure to reconcile differthe outgoing CBN Governor is a bitter and ences among finance confused man, for reasons best known to him- establishments preferring instead to dance to self and his clique

,

he mixes up the roles of the NNPC with that of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited, NPDC. In his reaction to this latest ego trip embarked upon by the CBN Governor, NNPC’s Acting Group General Manager Public Affairs, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim put it right before discerning Nigerians, “Let me make this point clear that CBN is a banking outfit, not a petroleum outfit.

It is therefore understandable why they keep making unsubstantiated claims, which a little understanding of the technicalities of the oil industry would have saved them from making.”

Mallam Sanusi further failed to bamboozle the Senators when he said subsidy of PMS has seized and that the NNPC could not make any claim of subsidizing any product. It was clear from Senator Markarfi’s response to the issue of subsidy that the CBN Governor is on a vendetta mission and this has turned him into a modern day Cassius whose much thinking is leading to him to self-destruct. The response of Senator Mohammed Markarfi is enough to convince Nigerians that the outgoing CBN Governor is a bitter and confused man, for reasons best known to himself and his clique.

According to the Senate Committee on Finance Chairman, there was nothing new about the content of the presentation by the CBN Governor, as those details and the position of the CBN

,

the gallery seeking cheap popularity among the people he ought save the agony of his shortcomings. In the history of CBN Governors, there has not been any like this current head who makes a show of every policy and procedure at a huge cost to the nation.

As a people, we missed to tow the fine and elegant lines of past CBN Governors when for whatever sentimental reasons we appointed Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that June 3, 2009. The CBN has enjoyed a history of men of great depth with composure, delicate and nimble outlook and like stars which truly they are shone for the world to see.

What with respected and adorable gentlemen as Abdulkadir Ahmed, Paul Ogwuma, Joseph Sanusi and the elderly and serene Ola Vincent; so where did we miss it that we came to inherit a man who takes pleasure in inducing tension and acrimony in the economy.

Painfully, Malam Sanusi is attacking the NNPC when that organisation has succeeded in stemming the many years of scarcity of petroleum products, at a time when blueprints on how to improve power through efficient gas supply is followed by the letter and when through the Petroleum Industry Bill, Nigerians are about to emerge on the world scene as successful businessmen and women.

To be concluded

American wonder

T

HE day was January 21, 2014. I entered my ‘International Media Systems’ class and introduced myself to about twenty American university students who were eager to learn how the media work around the globe. “I’m originally from Nigeria; who knows where Nigeria is located?” I asked. Silence. I repeated the question.

Then, one of the students was courageous enough to respond.

“Nigeria is in Central Africa!” I thanked him for attempting an answer, and for mentioning “Africa” for he could have said “Asia.”

Or, that Nigeria was a city in Bulgaria. He was much better than his colleagues who had no idea where Nigeria could be located on the world map. I did not laugh. It was a serious issue. And it was part of my job to pull them out of their comfort zones to learn a few things about the outside world.

Remember, this happened on January 21, 2014, not 1914 when Lord Lugard performed his imperial magic and the amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria came to be. That was not the first time I encountered such incident which I call American Wonder or Wonderfulment as the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti used to sing. In fact, ask most foreigners in America and each one would have a tale to tell about such unabashed ignorance encountered in daily conversations in America. And if you think it is just about the world outside the USA, you might be mistaken.

Communication technology A Pew Research poll in July 2012 showed that 30 percent of Americans who belong to the Republican Party believed that President Barack Obama is a Muslim. In 2008, the figure was 16 percent. Even among Democrats, 9 percent of them identified their president as a Muslim. By 2012, the figure only went down to 8 percent.

Here is what makes this scenario an American wonder. The U.S. is a world leader in communication technology and the availability of communication channels of every dimension. When it comes to obtaining news and information, there is probably no better place to be than the U.S.The first amendment to the U.S. constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press.

Enter any typical U.S. town or village and you cannot but feel the impact of modern communication, from media outlets some of which run twenty-hour news cycles, to communication devices with which you can access news and information from anywhere. In terms of international affairs, there is little doubt that it

tends to revolve around what the U.S. does or does not do.

Yet, when it comes to knowing what goes on around the world, U.S. citizens cannot even pretend to be among the third best in the whole world. I have no idea why this is the case. Nonetheless, here are two suggestions. One of them is that just as there is truth in the political saying in the U.S. that all politics is local, it is equally correct to say that to a great extent, all news is local.

Unless you watch network television and cable news outlets and read the few newspapers and online media that attempt to carry national and international news, most news channels here are heavily preoccupied with local news and events. And by local, I mean restricted to a tightly defined area. Thus, if you live in St. Louis in Missouri, you are mostly unlikely to be fed with news from Chicago in Illinois, some five hours’ drive away. So, for someone who has lived all of his or her life in New York State, I’ll not be surprised if that person does not have substantial information about California State which is hundreds of miles away and located in a different time zone.

Here is another way to look at the issue. The individualistic nature of the American culture, which is undoubtedly good in many respects, provides little incentive for people to worry about things that do not directly affect them. So, if I live in San Francisco and love my city, why should events in Colorado really be of any concern to me unless they have some bearing on my life? Perhaps, the structure of development is also a culprit on this issue. Go to every hamlet in the U.S. and you will find almost everything you need, though on a smaller scale. Over there, they will have a radio station, newspaper, perhaps a television station within reach. And they all carry news about their locality. So, if all you need is actually around you, why bother looking outside?

But, that is begging the question. The wonder still remains that people with almost unlimited access to multiple sources of information know very little about outside their immediate environment. At times I wonder what kids are taught in U.S. geography and civics classes. We used to take pride in knowing places we might not visit until death. Thus, in my primary school days atUmuahia, we used to compete over who was more cosmopolitan in knowledge than his peers.

And we took a lot of delight in knowing that, for instance, the capital city of Indonesia was and remains Jakarta. Ask an American university student the same question and you’ll be astonished at what the response will be.

32 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Senate: Tough week ahead for Mark The Senate President, Senator David Mark has a challenging week ahead. He has to decide on the defection of 11 senators from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC before presiding over the screening of 11 ministerial nominees from tomorrow

By JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

FTER weeks of intrigues, the Senate is expected to take a decision today on the notice of defection given by 11 senators of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC. The Senate had last Wednesday, suspended the day’s plenary and adjourned sittings to Tuesday, abruptly, to the surprise of many when agitations by the affected senators rose to the fore. The Senate first went into a closed door session where the issue was extensively discussed, before it

After the letter was first presented penultimate week, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who stood in for the Senate President, Senator David Mark, had cited the absence of the Senate President for his refusal to read the letter.

But following that, the delayed procrastination of the Senate leadership to read the letter raised further stirs leading to deep suspicion.

Following the Senate sitting of last Wednesday, the Senate spokesman, Senator Abaribe admitted that the defection issue did not only dominate centre stage at the closed-door

,

,

The apparent lack of capacity of the APC which is in minority almost makes any agitation by the APC senators in the chamber meaningless

proceeded on a forced adjournment today.

Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinninya Abaribe, said that the action was aimed at giving room to senators of the APC to participate in the party’s membership registration, but those following developments in the chamber, knew that it was all to avert the impending crisis which was to be stirred by APC senators on the day.

The APC senators had concluded plans to confront the Senate President, David Mark, over his alleged refusal to read the notice of defection submitted to him by the 11 aggrieved senators but the Senate leadership which got wind of the impending development, hurriedly adjourned.

The delay of the Senate brought gloom for many of the senators, especially given the fact that the party that they were defecting to, that is the APC was about to commence its initial registration.

session, but also, that all the parties involved saw reasons and conceded to the Senate President’s proposal to be allowed to study the legal implication of reading the notice letter presented by the 11 defecting senators in view of the case instituted by the senators in court, before making a clear-cut pronouncement on the issue.

Clear-cut pronouncement He added that Mark’s hands were tied because the case filed by the aggrieved senators against the Senate was still pending.

The 11 senators were among about 23 senators and 57 members of the House of Representatives who took the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to court to stop the pair from declaring their seats vacant in the face of their decision to defect.

“The legal issues relate to both the interpretation of the Constitution and the interpretation of our rules within the Senate. And more time was given for further consultation. It was also resolved that when the Senate resumes plenary on Tuesday, that Senate will now also look into the issue.”

“In the past, senators have defected but they have not gone to court against the presiding M a r k : officer.

The senators who are Today is defecting had first gone to court against the presiding officer. And of course if you go to court that means that we have to suspend what we are doing pending the resolution of the matter in court. And so it was in the attempt for us to seek political solution to this matters that we had this discussion, “Abaribe explained.

Political crisis Another issue to be tackled is the political crisis in Rivers State. Here, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, would appear before the Senate committee of the whole to brief the upper legislative chamber of all he knows about the crisis that have seen the police command in Rivers State, led by its immediate past commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, being accused by the state government of complicity and seeking for his redeployment from the state.

Although, the Mbu was last week redeployed Abuja, the IG will still appear to tell the police side of developments in the state.

The Senate will also within the week, screen, confirm or

Abaribe otherwise of 12 ministerial nominees recently approved and sent to it for confirmation

by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Although, the APC had called on its members in the National Assembly not to cooperate in the processing of executive bills and appointments, the apparent lack of

capacity of the APC which is in minority almost makes any agitation by the APC senators in the chamber meaningless.

Given past assertions by the Senate that ministerial nominees would be given robust screening, eyes would be on the senators to see how firm they would be in quizzing the 11 men and women that are to manage the common purse.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014—33

Osun 2014: When Omisore launched out

BY DAPO AKINREFON

O

SOGBO, the Osun State capital literally stood still, last weekend, when one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore, declared his intention to vie for the governorship seat in the forthcoming election.

Aside Omisore, other aspirants who have thrown their hats into the ring include former Minister for Youth Development, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Oluwole Oke. As early as 8 am, people began to troop into the Freedom Park, Osogbo, venue of the ceremony. As a result of the massive turnout of people, all the major roads in the state capital were blocked with cars struggling to make way to the venue, thus culminating in traffic gridlock that lasted for several hours.

Notable people at the event included former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mr Abosede Ogunleye; former Senate Majority Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; Osun State chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa; Chief Bose Adedibu, Prince Buruji Kashamu, Alhaji Shuaib Oye-

Unfolds eight-point agenda

Omisore: I am on a rescue mission dokun, Senator Folashade Grace Bent, Ambassador Gunju Adeshakin and Senator Olu Alabi.

Fuji maestro, Alhaji Abass Akande popularly known as Obesere was on ground to entertain those present at the event.

I ‘ll restore our people’s hope

– Omisore Speaking at the event, Omisore vowed to take over the governance of the state after the August 9 election and restore people’s hope. He alleged that the people of the state had been subjected to harrowing poverty and

What Muazu must do — Rep Dorgu

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

Dr. Stella Dorgu, a House or Representatives member, in this interview says the choice of Adamu Muazu as the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, chairman, would address the various crises in the party. She also speaks on other issues.

D

O you think the new PDP chairman will be able to ensure normalcy in the party?

The most important thing is for him to build the morale of all party members, it is not a secret that the morale was at very low ebb. Many members were becoming frustrated by what they referred to as inactivity or inaction on the part of both leadership and the executive in running the state of affairs. So I think the new chairman in the person of Adamu Muazu is really a welcome development. He has described himself as a “youth” because his age is much closer to most of the people he is coming to lead. He also has a proven track record for achievements and everybody knows what he did when he served as a two-term

deprivations by Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

He described the flag-off of his campaign as “unstoppable march to take over the reins of power from the anti-masses government of the APC. “I am on a rescue mission to halt the rot and degradation in all the sectors of the state. We are concerned about the undue suffering and dislocation the present administration has unleashed on the citizenry. We are also appealing to them to continue to endure as hope and succour are already under way."

governor of his state. He has held some other executive positions.

The new chairman is seen as a leader and a bridge builder who believes in consensus. We believe his leadership will augur well for the party and the country at large.

What are your thoughts on the defected lawmakers, does this have any effect on the potency of the PDP? Well, for me, political ideology is a personal thing. Morality and ethics are also personal, they are borne from one background and different experiences. If people feel that a relationship is not going well for them, they are free to move out. But in moving out, I believe they should not cause too much of a rumpus for the other people who decide to stay on.

They have moved on and I doubt

if their moving away would cause any major dent to the politics or way PDP will run its affairs.

With the reduction in your numeric strength in the House of Representatives, can this not affect your votes in the parliament?

It is believed that politics is a game of numbers, but if you read the papers, it seems we are back at par with our major opposition party and then I believe the PDP is still the party to beat. PDP is still the largest party in Africa and because of our track records, all other smaller parties know they have where they can come to. No matter how you look at it, we do not count ourselves out, so people should not count us out. You will see a lot of people, not the people who left, but a lot more people defecting back into PDP and that has already started.

On what ground do you think the defected lawmakers would be willing to come to the party?

I do not know because I cannot read their minds. Like I said, it is an individual thing. They all

While highlighting his eightpoint agenda to address the myriad of problems faced by the people, he decried "the pauperisation of the masses through inhuman taxes, demolition of markets without alternatives, destruction of the state education heritage and creation of religious crisis in the state."

The former chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, who spoke in Yoruba, promised to restore dignity to the education sector, focus on agriculture and rural development, among others. “I am here offering myself for service. I am here to right the wrongs and set our state on sustainable path. By the grace of God, my government will be your government,” he said.

To ensure a credible election in

went for different personal reasons because politics is all about interests and if they feel that those interests they have are not being met, then they can go and they left. I do not have a crystal ball to know the reason they were disgruntled or what would bring them back into the fold. They are the only people that can speak for themselves.

But I am sure that in the political landscape of Nigeria, I do not believe that there will be another political family that will be Dorgu as healthy, robust and democratic like the PDP. Most of the defected lawmakers already had their governors decamped to the APC. Would you say they did this out of loyalty to their governors or they were aggrieved as well?

Loyalty in politics is a very big attribute. You have to be loyal to your party first of all, then the leadership. In most of these states, it seems to me the people who defected were being loyal to their governors and that in itself is not a bad thing. I am very hopeful that even if we do not have all the five governors coming back, we will have maybe two

Osun State, he appealed to Nigerians to prevail on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, to respect the Federal High Court judgement which established that the incumbent Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Rufus Oluwatoyin Akeju, was a cardcarrying member of the ACN now APC and bar him from conducting election in the state.

Vision: On his vision, if voted governor, the former lawmaker said: “Women, children, young people, men, the aged, as well as our people in rural and hardto-reach areas will have access to equal and fair productive and economic assets that can enable them live healthy and productive lives.”

He said part of his strategies to move the state forward include developing viable human capital and harnessing technology for growth, promoting partnerships, deepening regional co-operation and ensuring national integration.

Show of solidarity: PDP bigwigs at the occasion took turns to show solidarity to Omisore Leading the pack was former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who appealed to the Osun people to allow Omisore to govern the state. “Omisore should be allowed to govern Osun because the crowd here has shown that the people of the state are tired of the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,” he said.

or three back into the fold.

Are you saying you would defect if your governor defects?

It will depend but I do not see a situation where my governor, Seriake Dickson, would defect.

He will not defect anyway outside of Mr. President.

I think in that instance we are all tied to the political umbilical cord of President Goodluck Jonathan, so there will be no defection.

So what attitude and style of leadership do you expect from the new PDP chairman?

He has started exhibiting it. For one thing, he is a bridge builder.

He has inspired a new hope and

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

— 35

Continues from page 34 for now, I cannot leave my work to undergo any exercise that has no financial reward.”

Responding, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa lamented that larger percent of the commercial passenger bus owners and drivers were yet to comply with the government directives.

According to Opeifa, “We want to formalize everything. This is the only way we can know those that are truly passenger transporters. As we move towards mass transit, there is need for us to know them to cater for their needs.

“Only 60 percent of the taxi drivers and owners have visited the VIO and LASDRI offices for re-accreditation” he added.

Lagos commercial vehicle owners shun re-accreditation Only 17,000 of expected 100,000 vehicles registered so far 700 vehicles impounded bus drivers and conductors shunned

E

XACTLY 100 days after Lagos state government commenced the re-accreditation of passenger buses and 42 days into the new year, owners, drivers and conductors across the state, have continued to ignore government’s directive on the exercise.

The exercise which commenced November last year, marked the start of the second phase of implementation of the the state’s Road Traffic Law 2012 aimed at improving the availability, safety, security and to improve service delivery of public transportation in the state.

The re-accreditation of the passenger commercial vehicle owners, drivers and conductors was expected to

,

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

I will visit the centres later. For now, I want to concentrate on how to make enough money to offset my debt

last for two months ending December 31, 2013.

For the drivers and conductors, they were expected to visit any of the five Lagos State Drivers Institute, LASDRI. While the commercial bus owners would visit the 21 Vehicle Inspection Units in the state.

At the expiration of the set date, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Lagos, appealed to the government to extend the deadline.

The government yielded, extending

,

the deadline to February ending but the expected turnout is still far from being achieved.

When Vanguard visited the registration points, while some had few drivers and vehicle owners to attend to, others had none. Some of the officials at the centres said that the transporters weren’t turning up for the exercise.

Sources said that at the expiration of the said date, about 90 percent of

government’s directives.

Mr. kehinde Olawale, a vehicle owner/driver, said; “I will visit the centers later. For now, I want to concentrate on how to make enough money to offset my debt.”

A vehicle owner, Mr. Ebenezer Afolabi, who spoke to Vanguard lamented over the exercise, saying “When I arrived here (Iba VIO zone) at about 9:00 am. I was told the internet service was bad. I am leaving the now (12:00 pm) because I have to repair my vehicle.

A conductor, who identified himself simply as Chukwudi, said; “The government needs more enlightenment.

Larger percent of my colleagues including me haven’t gone for the accreditation. I got the news late. And

Continues on page 35

Tricycle park in Lagos

The tricycle: Lagos reliable shuttle facing extinction challenges

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

D

ESPITE its ban from the major roads over eight months ago in Lagos state, tri-cycles popularly called Keke NAPEP, is becoming a major means of transportation in the state despite major challenges the operators are facing.

Within a few years of its operation in the state, the Keke has become a reliable shuttle due to the ever present gridlock on Lagos roads.

However, there remain severe treats to its survival.

The state government has reiterated several times that tricycles are not part of Lagos transport system but has also clearly debunked the allegations that it has banned its operations saying operators are only restricted.

The issues confronting the operations of tricycles became so severe that thousands of its riders had to unionise last July, setting the stage for an end to years of strife that often left many riders dead as rival associations repeatedly clashed for supremacy.

The association was called TWAN, an acronym for Tricycle Workers Association of Nigeria.

Chairman of the 31-member committee set up to ease the unification process, Comrade Abiodun Akin Shoda, stated that the setting up of the union was historic and they have all uni-

In some areas in Lagos, residents are totally opposed to tricycles operation

man, even threatened to dissolve the more than 104 branches with 2,000 units, with a determination to expel some members.

,

Commercial vehicles park in Lagos (INSET) an accreditation centre

17, 000 commercial vehicles registered so far Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, CVIO, Lagos, Mr. Gbolahan Toriola in an exclusive interview with Vanguard said “The compliance level is increasing everyday and over 17,000 commercial vehicles have registered so far.”

According to Opeifa; “Full enforcement of the law would begin soon. The enforcement is in line with Regulation 41 of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012.”

He said that the state government has been magnanimous to have relaxed the enforcement of the law, adding that when the full enforcement commence, anyone found not to have complied with the directive will be appropriately sanctioned.

The commissioner said that the non-compliance by the transporters is hindering the take off of the second phase of the Traffic Law 2012, in which registered operators would be issued with a commercial vehicle passenger operator license by the government.

Introduction of passenger insurance According to Opeifa, “Also, this is hindering introduction of the passenger insurance policy. Every commercial vehicle owner must insure the passengers. This will give the passengers confidence to board vehicle without fear. The vehicle insurance they sign to don’t cover passengers. So we need to force the owners to embark on these. And we don’t want owners to register vehicle in Ogun and use it in Lagos.”

700 commercial vehicles impounded Vanguard gathered that a partial enforcement of the law has led to 700 commercial buses been impounded by the government agents.

Toriola confirmed this saying; “Over 700 commercial passenger vehicles have been impounded,” adding that they wouldn’t be released until the owners comply with the directives.

,

fied.

“The Lagos State Government wants us to be one. We are one now” he said Meanwhile, government’s interest in who runs the union remains a big issue.

Recently, members of TWAN, had to appeal to governor, Babatunde Fashola to come to their aid by calling the state Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa to reconsider the imposition of one Odusanya as care taker chairman of their association.

The imposition, TWAN members said might lead to further destabilizing of the associations.

According to a member, Mr. Lateef Waheed, the present care taker chair-

Restriction challenge This is about the greatest challenge of operators.

Section 3 of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 stipulates that ‘No person shall ride, drive or propel a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on any of the routes specified in Schedule 11 of this Law’.

According to him, motorcycles and tricycles were only ‘RESTRICTED’ on 475 roads out of 9100 roads in the state including highway and bridges.The Lagos government’s stance has not changed on tricycles which is definitely affecting the passengers.

In some areas in Lagos, residents are totally opposed to tricycles operation. In a forum, the Commissioner of Transportation, Kayode Opeifa said that tricycles are banned on Victoria Island, Government Reserved Area, GRA, Ikeja and Ikoyi due to request from residents.

Opeifa who said that the restriction is well known to tricycle operators in the state, urged them to continue their operations in unrestricted areas in accordance with the Law.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

2015 polls: Group advises Delta Nor th aspirants

A

political pressure group in Delta State, South-South Youth Political Forum, SSYPF, has advised all gubernatorial aspirants from the Delta North senatorial district to be careful not to lose the governorship ticket in other to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Mr. Alaowei Lawuru, after a crucial meeting in Gbaramatu, the group said that the large number of aspirants from Delta North may make them lose the 2015 gubernatorial seat.

“We strongly advise all governorship aspirants from the Delta North senatorial district to listen to themselves and choose an intimidating, but humble candidate who has the pains of Deltans at heart, irrespective of their tribe and language or else they will completely lose the governorship ticket to other districts.

“By the time they refused to come together and choose a humble candidate, they will end up losing completely the governorship seat just like what happened in 2007, when hundreds of aspirants from Delta Central flooded the system and as a result the power shift moved to Delta South.”

SSYPF said that since power was shifting to Delta North, they should work together so as not to give way to other senatorial districts already eying the governorship position in 2015.

Clock-in and clock-out system to be introduced for teachers in Delta schools

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—Plans are underway to introduce a clock-in and out device in postprimary schools in Delta State aimed at checkmating absenteeism and truancy among the teachers.

The policy is to justify the state’s huge wage as well as ensure that students get the best, Chairperson of the State’s Post Primary Education Board, Mrs. Orode Imevbore, said.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day strategic retreat organised by PPEB for permanent secretaries on the

Board in Asaba, she said “we know that quite often, we have staff that play truancy, thereby creating a gap in the system. So, we are looking at how we can address these gaps because with the clock-in and clock-out system, the Board would be able to monitor the level of compliance in the secondary education system in the state.

“The second purpose of the device is that it will give the Board the resources needed in terms of data, enabling us put strategies in place to improve,” adding that the pilot scheme of the programme would start in urban areas and mega-schools.

PRESENTATION: Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoing Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah presenting gifts to physicallychallenged persons from the Niger Delta, during a gettogether he organised for them in Lagos.

Odi indigenes dump PDP for APC over FG's refusal to pay N37.6bn compensation

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA— Aggrieved indigenes of Odi community in KolokumaOpokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have vowed not to support President Goodluck Jonathan over the refusal of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government to pay N37.6 billion compensation to their community.

The Odi people made the disclosure during the All Progressives Congress, APC membership registration drive in the community.

Though Odi is a predominant PDP stronghold, the people said they were pitching their tent with APC due to what they described as the insensitivity of the Federal Government to their plight.

A former national youth leader of new PDP and now member of APC National Interim Committee, Mr. Timi Frank, who alongside some other indigenes of Odi community

registered at Ward 2, for the All Progressive Congress, said APC was on rescue mission.

He said the community had resolved not to vote for Jonathan and PDP in the coming polls because of Federal Government’s refusal to pay them their compensation.

The community was reduced to rubbles by the country’s security forces in the wake of killing of seven policemen by some hoodlums in 1999, but reprieve came the way of the community when a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, awarded N37.6bn compensation to the community.

According to the APC chieftain, “Our people are tired of the PDP because it has not done anything for them. This is a community where the court has given our people N37.6bn reward for the destruction of the community.

“We know the money won’t bring back lives of the people lost, but then, they must give us what belongs to us. We must

continue to fight for it. We must deploy every peaceful means to ensure that government pays us our money.

“This community has resolved not to vote for Jonathan and

PDP chieftain lauds Jonathan over NDDC appointment

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SABA—A Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Basil Ishiekwene, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli, as Executive Director Project, EDP, in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Addressing newsmen in Asaba, Ishiekwene described Omatsuli’s appointment as ‘putting a round peg in a round hole,’ adding that he has confidence in the new appointee

because of his proven track records and experience in the management of resources.

He said “Delta youths are happy with the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan for nominating Omatsuli for the position.

Omatsuli youths empowerment activities have gone beyond ethnic nationalities in the state.”

Ishiekwene, who was a former council lawmaker, noted that Delta youths would continue to pray for Omatsuli’s success in his new task because he had touched the lives of so many youths in the state.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

PDP in the coming elections because of the failure to pay our compensation. Odi has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria, yet there is nothing to show for it.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Rivers CP's redeployment to Abuja

Everything that happened in Rivers State is about action and reaction.

Why are we looking at one side and not apportioning blames objectively? So those commenting should not just look at things from one point of view. Mrs Bridget Imokhia-Worker.

I think the script is still on. Governor Rotimi Amaechi should watch out, lest he falls prey to Abuja power players.

Mbu's scene is over, another has started. Only God that can save Rivers State from the hands of tin gods. Mr. Doctorson Dike - Businessman

Does it matter who replaces who? Until rule of law reigns in the nation, democracy will remain a hope in the land. Executive with the police, legislature, and even the judiciary should all learn to respect the law.

Miss Joy Amos - Worker

Inspite of all we know about Mbu and the desperate request of Amaechi it had to take the arrest of 300 Hausa/Fulani traders to get Mbu redeployed. Well, the good news at least is that he has finally been redeployed. Mr. Nosa Olotu- Businessman

In my opinion, Joseph Mbu, while as a Rivers state Commissioner of Police, has no constitutional or legal right to endanger the life of Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi in particularly and Rivers people in general. Nelson Nwamara - Student

Why did they deploy Mbu to Force headquarters? Could it be a way of rewarding him for a job well done?

In my view, I think they should have redeployed him to Maiduguri or Adamawa, where his skill is needed the most.

Mr. Vitus Efosa Guitarist

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014—37

Owie to Northern elders: Your hatred for Jonathan might cost you presidency

Uduaghan, Okorocha, others laud Chevron’s GMoU strides

BY DANIEL GUMM

D

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—FORMER Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday, warned Northern elders, who are opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid that their antagonism against Jonathan’s re-election might cost them the presidency in the next 20 years.

Owie, reacting to comments by a member of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdulahi, against Jonathan's second term presidential ambition, said: “I am shocked at the current behaviour and utterances of a man like Prof.

Abdulahi of Northern Elders Forum. I have all along, regarded and respected him as one of the shining stars of Nigeria, but now, he seems to have abandoned flying with eagles to hobnobing with butterflies. I want to meet with him as soon as possible, so that he will understand why Jonathan must be supported.

“He ought to know that with the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and Jonathan becoming acting President and later President, a political force majore situation created by the Almighty God, emerged in the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Is Abdulahi now saying that President Jonathan of the South-South should leave in 2015 for a Northern candidate? That is not possible."

Udu monarch seeks DSC communities’ autonomy

T

HE monarch of Udu Kingdom, HRM E. B. O. Delekpe, Owhorhu I, has urged relevant authorities to relate with Delta Steel Company, DSC, communities in Udu Kingdom, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, as the autonomous communities that they are.

The monarch at the annual Udu people’s conference in Otor-Udu, stressed the need for Udu people to be committed to the communities’ development.

C M Y K

MEETING: From left: Olorogun David Edevwie, former Chief of Staff to late President Umaru Yar'Adua; Mr. Oma Djebah, Senior Adviser (Foreign Relations) to Governor of Delta State and Dr Festus Okubor, Chief of Staff to Delta State Governor, at the PDP Headquarters, during a meeting in Abuja.

I'm not bias in the Ugborodo crisis —UDUAGHAN

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—DELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, dismissed as false, the allegation levelled against him by one of the two warring factions in Ugborodo community, Warri-South West Local Government Area of the state, involved in leadership tussle, which predates the proposed EPZ project in Ogidigben that walked out on the reconciliation committee.

The governor, through the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, told Vanguard in Asaba that the governor's actions so far were justified and devoid of any bias against any of the warring groups.

He said: “As in any contention when there are two sides, whenever the resolution of a problem is not in the interest of one side, that side will always shout blue

murder, and that is the case here. The governor, working in tandem with the entire community, has arrived at a just and equitable resolution of all the issues in this dispute. The monarch, elders and the community at large have commended his gallant efforts in this regard. I assure that this government is unwavering in its commitment to due process, equitable distribution of projects and above all, justice for all.”

Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, whose committee was also discredited by the group had earlier exonerated the governor of complicity in the Ugborodo crisis, when he commented on the appointment of one Mr Austine Oborogbeyi, which the same Alex group raised in its pe-

tition to Abuja as one of its grouses.

Macaulay said that “Dr. Alex Ideh's group is alleging that it is the governor that brought Oborogbeyi to be the chairman of the Ugborodo committee. For those of you who were in Warri, that is totally not correct. It was the Olu of Warri himself who came to the meeting where all the security agencies were present and expressed dissatisfaction that he, as the paramount ruler of Itsekiri nation, has the right to decide who presides over any committee that has to interface between his people and any investor coming to his domain. And in the presence of all security agencies, he (Olu) announced Austine Oborogbeyi as the chairman of the committee.”

2015: Zoning of Bomadi/Patani fed constituency seat, baseless —PDP chieftain

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CHIEFTAIN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Gabriel Yabaka, has said there was no agreement on zoning the Bomadi/Patani federal constituency seat in the House of Representatives among the local government areas that make up the constituency, saying that the rumour was baseless.

Yabaka said even if such agreement existed, it has no legal or democratic basis, and hence is null and void and against public policy. He noted that there was no such provision in the laws of the land, thus, even if two people had agreed on such a public

issue, it cannot be binding.

Speaking to newsmen, he urged the people of Bomadi/Patani federal constituency to discountenance such rumours and go ahead to vote based on their choice of who has not only impacted on their lives more positively, but has helped to uphold their fundamental rights after putting the aspirants on the scale when the time comes.

He said that spreading unfounded rumours cannot guarantee any electoral victory for any aspirant who wants to be taken seriously, as the people of Bomadi/Pa-

tani federal constituency are not fools. He added that it was time for legislators from the councils to the highest office to also give account of their mandates, as before now, the focus had always been on only the executive arm of government to do so.

He said: “What is of interest to the masses now is, how can poverty, illiteracy, hunger, disease, unemployment among others, be banished from the area and this should be the concern of a true representatives of the people as the environment calls for urgent attention.”

ELTA State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his Imo State counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, prominent community leaders from the Niger Delta, and key officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited, operators of the NNPC/Chevron joint venture, have called on other oil majors, non-governmental organisations and development agencies, to emulate the Global Memorandum of Understanding, GMoU, put together by Chevron in 2005, saying that it has developed oil bearing communities in Chevron’s areas of operation.

Speaking at the formal opening of the first GMoU Fair in Abuja, Governor Uduaghan, who described himself as one of those who knew the foundation of the GMoU model, said that the Regional Development Committees, RDCs, have become a breeding ground for the training of leaders.

Noting that the GMoU model had reduced disharmony among community leaders, Uduaghan, who was apparently making reference to the controversy surrounding the $6 million provided by Chevron for the development of the New Ugborodo, said “no money can miss from GMoU.”

2015: Ughelli PDP urges Edevbie to run for Delta governorship

BY FESTUS AHON GHELLI—MEMBERS of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ughelli Ward 3/7, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, have urged the former Principal Secretary to late President Umaru Yar’Adua and former Commissioner for Finance in the state under Chief James Ibori, Chief David Edevbie, to contest the 2015 governorship election.

They described Edevbie as a man with vast political and economic experience and best suited for the job, adding that he has all it takes to govern the state.

Chairman of the ward, Mr Augustine Omosivwe, said that a vote of confidence was passed on President Goodluck Jonathan and the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for their developmental strides.

U

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Forum calls on PDP to keep guber slot for Abia South

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

ABIA INDIGENES Forum, AIF, has called on the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the people to resist any attempt to deny Abia South senatorial zone the governorship slot in 2015.

It also warned those described as wrong aspirants, who had indicated interest in the race, to drop their ambitions in the interest of the state.

The group in a statement

by Chief Esiaba Chris, described the decision to zone the gubernatorial seat to Abia South as laudable.

FG shops for new Customs boss ...rejects Dikko’s request for extension of service

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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N EFFORTS to sustain the ongoing reforms in Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Federal Government has turned down the application for extension of service by the current head of the agency, Abdul-

lahi Dikko.

It was gathered that the Comptroller General, CG, of Customs had been making frantic efforts to keep his job, but the Presidency resisted the move.

After months of speculations, it had now been confirmed that government is now in search of

a replacement for the Customs Comptroller General.

Sources at the Ministry of Finance told Vanguard last week that the minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, who is also the chairman of the board of Nigeria Customs Service, had been able to convince the Presidency of the need to find a replace-

'Nigeria’s future depends on free education'

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — IMO State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has said Nigeria’s future could be guaranteed if all tiers of government introduced free education at all levels.

Governor Okorocha also revealed that Imo State was building the first ever Marine University at Oguta and a College of Health Technology almost completed at Orlu, where degrees in nursing will be awarded.

Fidelity Bank empowers Adamawa women

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TAFF OF Yola, Adamawa State’s branch of Fidelity Bank have contributed funds to support the Women Development Centre in the city, as part of efforts by the bank to promote welfare of rural women in the state.

Acting under the aegis of Fidelity Helping Hands Programme, FHHP, the staff renovated two workshop blocks and donated sewing machines to the centre from money generated.

HOSTING: From left, Chief Fabian Onwughalu, Chairman, Ohanaeze, Lagos State chapter; Chief Solomon Ogbonna, member, Ndigbo of Mushin; Dr. John Nwosu, Eze Ndigbo of Somolu, and Eze Leo Agha, when Chief Ogbonna hosted the executive members of Ohanaeze, in Lagos.

Imo Poly explains why its graduates were sacked from NYSC camps

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — THE management of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, has blamed the recent sacking of its graduates from National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation on administrative lapses.

The institution’s Rector, Rev. Fr. Wenceslaus Madu, who stated this while reacting to the incident, also apologised to the students affected and their parents.

“We were able to accredit so many programmes in two years because of the massive funding we got from government, but unfortunately for us, most of those programmes did not enter NYSC database on time due to one administrative lapse or the other,” Fr. Madu explained.

The rector debunked the rumour that the school’s graduates were ejected from the orientation camps due to non-accreditation of the courses run by the polytechnic.

He said since the NYSC did not find their names, they naturally felt they were not bona fide participants of the scheme.

While noting that this was how

some of their students for the NYSC scheme were asked to go and get proper qualification, Madu said the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, stood behind the school as the saga raged.

According to him, as soon as NBTE concluded its part, some of the students were re-mobilised.

He regretted that no media captured that aspect.

“As we speak, the NBTE has

written to NYSC. We still like to apologise to the students and their parents, who were embarrassed because it was not their fault that their names and their institution were not properly captured in NYSC database at the time,” Madu said.

He expressed confidence that the institution had now been properly captured in NYSC data base

ment for Dikko.

Consequently, the Presidency is said to be weighing two options, including appointment of an acting Comptroller General or that of a substantive head for the agency.

According to a source, if the first option is finally endorsed, then the most senior Deputy Comptroller General, Mr. John Atte, may step in as acting CG of Customs soon.

“He will serve for a few months, and a substantive CG will be appointed form the rank of either the DCGs or ACGs,” the source hinted last week.

Vanguard, however, leant that the government was more favourably disposed to appointing a substantive CG from the rank of ACGs. “You remember that, apart from Atte, other DGCs were recently promoted, the thinking is that since Dikko has succeeded in introducing PAAR and having carried out his reforms, we need to allow a younger cadre to carry on,” he said.

But another source within the Ministry told Vanguard that he (Dikko) was to have been removed since his tenure expired last year, but pleaded to be allowed to complete the reform, even though he was working on the review of the Customs Bill.

“It is this Customs Bill thing that added to his problems,” the source said.

It was gathered that the Ministry had vowed that the incumbent CG will leave as soon as the succession option was settled.

When contacted, the head of public relations of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said the CG’s application for the extension of service had been extended till middle of this month of February.

He explained that the extension for the application of service was only for two weeks, starting from the end of January and would lapse mid February.

Bisi Ogunjobi Foundation grants scholarship to 50 varsity students

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — AT least 50 undergraduates in universities across Nigeria will next Friday, February 14, 2014, be proud recipients of scholarship awards, which cover all educational expenses, courtesy of Bisi Ogunjobi Foundation.

Elder Ogunjobi is former Vice President of African Development Bank and currently chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The scholarship award to the students is expected to be presented during a book presentation and 2013/2014 Scholarship Award Ceremony billed for Imperial Hall, Hillside, Otunba Jobi-Fele Way, Alausa, Lagos.

A statement issued by the Chairman, Planning Committee of the award ceremony, Peter Folorunso, stated that a total of 586 students had benefited from the gesture so far.

According to him, medical doctors as well as erstwhile

Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly also benefited from the programme in the past.

He stated that this year ’s event will also feature presentation of book , entitled, 'Sharing Knowledge for Youth Empowerment and National Development.'

Folorunso disclosed that the event would be chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, while chief host will be Elder Bisi Ogunjobi.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 -39

VISIT: From left: Dame Abimbola Fashola, Mrs Leila Fowler , Founder, Vivian BOOK LAUCN: From left: Chief Omolade Binuyo, Prince S.K. Lawal, author of Fowler Memorial College for Girls, and Mrs. Olufunke Amba, during the Lagos State the Book and Chief Alex Duduyemi, chief launcher, at the official launching of the First Lady's visit to the school, at Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

Book, Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife Our Alma Mater @ 80, authored by Prince S.K. Lawal, at the College Hall, weekend. Photo: Dare Fasube.

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Mrs. Lola Arogundade, Treasurer, Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, 73/77 Set, President, Mr. Olamide Teslim-Balogun, representative, National Executive, and Mr.Lanre Adewuyi, during the 40th (Admission) anniversary of Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, Set 73/77, in Lagos.

From left: Assistant Director, Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurs Development, SAED, NYSC, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, outstanding corps members that got immediate appointment, Abdulssalam Mariam and Tiamiyu Mubarak and MD/CEO, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano, during the ‘Batch A’ New Horizons/NYSC job fairs, at University of Lagos main campus in Lagos.

From left: Former deputy governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Adebayo Dayo, party AWARD: Mr. Thomas Anaduaka, Vanguard Editorial Production Coordinator chieftain, Prince Buruji Kashamu and President, National Coalition of PDP Youths, NACOPY, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, during a consultative forum of the party in (left) receiving an award of Excellence from Mr. Sam Omatseye, Chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation Newspapers, during the Journalism Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

Students'Association 2014 Heritage Media Award of Excellence, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

From left: Dayo Adeyelure, Specialist, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, winner, Nigerian Idol season 1, Yeka Onka, Nigerian Idol season 4 Judge, Nneka, and Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye, at the Calabar auditions of the programme sponsored by Etisalat, at Monty Suites, Calabar.

REGISTRATION: Rep Zakari Mohammed, after his APC registration in Gure, Ajugunle polling unit, Baruten LGA, Kwara State.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Wada signs N129bn 2014 Budget into law

Ijaw group condemns Charles Okah's condition in prison

By BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—GOVER NOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has signed this year ’s N129 billion budget bill into law, with a promise that his government would now go into massive projects implementation across the state. ‘’With the signing of the budget, the state will now go into massive projects execution in order to improve the living standard of the people,’’ he said.

Wada who also commended the state House of Assembly for the quick passage of the budget, solicited the continued co-operation of the legislative arms of the government.

According to him, “Such unity will boost the development of the state.’’

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Jimoh Lawal had, while presenting copies of the budget for Governor Wada’s assent, re-affirmed the commitment of the Legislature to join hands with the Executive in its efforts to move the state to the next level.

Group makes case for Adamawa cocoa farm

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OLA—THE Fed eral and State Governments have been urged to take concrete steps to resuscitate cocoa farm in Toungo Local Government Area of Adamawa.

A spokesman for the farmers, Malam Aliyu Abubakar, made appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Yola.

Abubakar said that more than 50 farmers embraced cocoa farming when it was introduced in the area in 1999 by the Federal Government.

He contended that after the introduction, there had been no sustained support to the farmers to ensure continuity.

L

VISIT—American Ambassador Visits Gov. Wamakko In Sokoto Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (L) with American Ambassador to Nigeria,Mr James Etinwistle, during the Ambassador’s visit to Sokoto.

Nasarawa guber ticket: Presidency, PDP in dilemma over Maku, Ewuga

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—THE Presidency and the People’s Democratic Party’s attempt to woo the only All Progressives Congress Senator in Nasarawa State, Solomon Ewuga, to defect to the party ahead of the 2015 election, may snowball into a serious political crisis in the state.

Vanguard investigation shows that although Ewuga, an Eggon political leader with large followers in the state is favourably disposed to crossing over to the PDP, he has told the PDP to adopt him as its governorship candidate for the 2015 election as a condition for moving over to the ruling party.

The condition given by the Senator representing Nasarawa North Senatorial District is said to have unsettled the Presidential Lobby Team, known as Unity Forum in National Assembly, which had been negotiating with the former Nasarawa Deputy Governor and minister, Labaran Maku.

The lobby team is reported to have been taken aback by the Senator ’s demand, which they claimed was almost impossible considering the fact that the Presidency and the PDP had already tipped another Eggon, Maku, for the post.

A top source, who is familiar with the political development, said: “It is true that Ewuga is indeed keen on defecting to the PDP only on the condition that the PDP gives him the gubernatorial ticket to run against Governor Tanko Al-Makura in 2015.

The source said: “As it is now, the matter has become a very

delicate political matter to handle because we do not want to scatter the house we have taken time to build over time.

“That is why we will have to go back to the drawing board to see how we can resolve the political debacle between the information minister, who has been very loyal to Mr. President and the party and the Senator, who is well loved and respected by his people and can deliver the state to the PDP. “But I can say that if the two men do not see reasons to agree among themselves on who should run and who should stand down, it might be necessary for our great party to look at a neutral candidate to fly the flag in Nasarawa State."

But an Eggon politician told Vanguard, yesterday, that both Maku and Ewuga should first report to the Chief Priest of the Community, who is the one to determine which of them will rule

the state in 2015 and not waste their time on seeking PDP ticket first.

However, Senator Solomon Ewuga told Vanguard on the phone last night that he was yet to make up his mind on the matter.

When our correspondent called him, Ewuga simply said, “I have no comment on the issue for now.

“I don’t want to talk on the matter,” the politician said.

It was learnt that the desperate move by the PDP to lure Ewuga into PDP was to further deplete the ranks of the ruling APC in the state following the defection of the former governor of the state, Sen. Adamu Adbullahi, from the PDP to APC. The PDP also wants to wrestle power from the APC governor, whose House of Assembly is dominated by the party. Ewuga is said to be unhappy with Al-Makura for repudiating on his pledge not to run for another term in 2015.

AGOS—THE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has condemned the alleged inhuman treatment of terror suspect, Mr. Charles Okah in detention. In a statement signed by Comrade Joseph Evah on behalf of IMG, the Ijaws lamented that the condition of Charles Okah in prison portrays him as a condemned prisoner while he was yet to be found guilty by any court of competent jurisdiction.

“We condemn the manner Mr. Okah was brought to court like a dead man. After he was brought to court in that horrible condition we carried out our investigation about the condition of Okah within the kuje prison and our finding revealed that Okah has been languishing in solitary confinement.

"We also found out that he is without proper medical attention and the prison doctors are not interested in his case. We challenged the prison authority to make public the medical report of Charles Okah based on the treatment so far.

“We expected the trial judge to grant bail to Charles Okah the same manner an alleged Boko Haram sponsor was granted bail.

"The Federal Government should also release Okah, the same manner the president ordered the release of 165 terror suspects of the Boko Haram group in the name of national reconciliation."

Northern CAN denies support for Atiku's defection to APC

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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AGOS—CHRISTIAN Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 Northern states and Abuja has disassociated itself from a report endorsing the erstwhile Vice President Atiku Abubakar ’s defection to All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that the publication is the figment of the imagination of certain

evil minded impostors.

In a telephone interview with our reporter, Public Relations Officer of Northern CAN, Elder Sunny Oibe said CAN is an umbrella association of Christians in the country and not a political party and therefore has no business endorsing people who abandon their political party for others in search of political fortunes.

He said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication in some media houses purportedly with the caption; ‘Northern CAN backs Atiku’, and we say that Northern CAN does not back any politician or political party. As a religious organisation we have the responsibility of praying to God to institute God-fearing leaders who will reduce the suffering of the masses in the country.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 41

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Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 TUESDA

How DELSUTH accomplished feat kidney transplant “When I came in, there were staffing and infrastructure HE string of successful issues, but I decided we specialist medical would set a goal and in the interventions, notably process of achieving the goal, neonatal care and kidney raise the standard of clinical transplants among others, at healthcare. the Delta State University “I found that there was a lot Teaching Hospital, of renal failure. I used to go DELSUTH, Oghara, in Delta to the Accident & Emergency State, did not come by ward and would see two or accident.

It was the three people waiting for culmination of series of dialysis. So I contacted the •The 4-bed Intensive Care Unit where the kidney transplant patients were admitted before they were deliberate and concerted Governor, did a proposal and discharged. efforts put in place by the state he agreed to provide subsidy body will reject the organ. If Government and for dialysis it is too high, it could damage spearheaded to make cutting- for indigenes the kidney so this is a process edge healthcare services of Delta that must be monitored about availaible and accessible to State. twice a day. the people of the state and the Akporiaye, “In this environment, the country at large. a Consultant common practice is for people Prior to this feat, the policy General & to wait 1-2 weeks to get the of free healthcare to children U r o l o g i c a l results of the tests after the below the age of 10 existed, S u r g e o n , organ transplant and you can but in line with the need to who trained imagine the level to which deal with the demand for high in special such a long wait could level speciality care for which skills in compromise health.” many people go to India, the L o n d o n , The CMD explained how he Governor opted to focus on e x p l a i n e d wanted to follow this ternd as providing the specialist level that dialysis much as possible. “Now we of care in specific areas. is one way have a laboratoty where we •Dr. Leslie Akporiaye • Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan DELSUTH’s Chief Medical of treating will be doing the tests at Director., Dr. Leslie patients who have renal different today compared with DELSUTH. We can now Akporiaye, described the first failure. He, however, said the USA, signed a Memorandum the past. “In my time, training provide services for anyone kidney transplant as notable. ultimate is to replace a failed of Understanding, MoU, with as a surgeon, was by doing kidney transplant in and was able to carry out a Significance: “For me it was kidney with a transplant. appenticeship, but these days Nigera. There are a lot of “Sometimes dialysis can be successful kidney transplant doing simulations in a skills collateral benefits for such significant. Government had provided fund to get the so good you can have within a year. centre. That's how it is arrangement.”

Akporiaye recalled that a lot overseas and we are bringing hospital ready. Governor comparable benefits in terms Uduaghan, who has been a of quality of life, but the needed to be done before the that home.

Subsidised friend and professional ultimate improvement in hospital could be ready. The “To get ready involved costs colleague for years, helped quality of life when you stop Intensive Care Units, ICUs, cleaning the hospital up and put the whole thing together.” dialysis because you have a operating theatres, dialysis getting new equipment. We At DELSUTH’s dialysis unit Recalling that urology is one renal transplant that is units, etc., needed to be looked at the Indian standard ,there are 12 haemodialysis brought up to standard. which is economically machines. Already, a new Training: “We sent people for reasonable. However, the Government had provided a fund to get dialysis centre is under training and prepared them American standard is the construction on the premises. the hospital ready; Governor Uduaghan, for this eventual goal. Doctors ultimate, because of the Under the government’s and nurses of different circumstances in which they who has been a friend and professional subsidy policy, a session of specialities as well as practice. renal dialysis for indigenes colleague for years, helped put the whole surgeons, anaesthetists, ICU of the state costs N5,600 the specialists therapeutic nirses, Pressure for thing together first time and subsequently etc., were all trained. excellence while non-indigenes pay Team work: “My job was to N22,000 the first time and of the speciality areas of functioning. be the orchestral conductor.

“What it does for them is that N17,000 for subsequent interest to DELSUTH, the Standards: “The idea was We prepared the ground for CMD listed others to include that within 12 months, skills improvement and the pressure for excellence is sessions.

The bulk of the payments, it minimally invasive surgery, DELSUTH would carry out a continuation of the transfer of high. For instance, having a living donor transplant that was gathered, is for the key hole surgery, successful renal transplant. I skills. We got it all together neonatology, some parts of also felt that for a young and in January 2014, did the is not functioning is not consumables which, alone, something that they find cost close to N12,000 per orthopaedics such as joint hospital, even if we could do first two transplants. conceivable in America. session. replacement and radiology. it, it wouldn’t sound credible.

There, the living donor Blood banking: Over the “It was to reverse the trend If you want to adopt Training of transplant must work because last two and a half years, of the declining health indices standards go into specialists of all the testing done before, Delta state government has and also attract people to come collaboration with people who and all the medications done embarked on a Community here,” he noted. have been doing it for many It was team work. It had to during and around the Blood Donation programme.

Akporiaye who took charge years at a very high level. Get be done at home where the transfer.”

By visiting the communities, of affairs at the tertiary health into a relationship with them entire team is taught to do it.

Organ rejection: “When you talking to them about the institution in January 2012, and they will help you get to That was the model we set to give a kidney, rejection starts importance of voluntary blood said at the beginning, where they are within a achieve. It is all coming almost immediately, so you donation, there has been a DELSUTH was almost going specified period of time.” together. The next ones are must suppress that rejection semblance of success in to be like the average So DELSUTH went into scheduled for April 2014.” with drugs. If the drug maintaining a viable blood teaching hospital. collaboration with the On training of specialists, suppression is too low, the High rate of renal failure: University of Texas, Dallas, Akporiaye said it was Continues on Page 45

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 —45 TUESDA

LUTH, Chevron/NNPC open DNA lab

By CHIOMA OBINNA REPRIEVE has come for Nigerians at risk of sickle cell disorder and other genetic diseases as the Molecular Biology Laboratory Centre valued at N100 million, was commissioned at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos. The Centre, 1st of its kind in Nigeria, is expected to improve healthcare delivery in the area of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, testing.

The laboratory and research Centre, a project of Chevron Corporation/NNPC Venture and LUTH, will offer prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia; DNA finger printing using biological products to identify individuals, parentage testing, screening for breast cancer gene I and II (BRCA 1/2), and other types of molecular diagnoses.

At the commissioning last week, Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu said the Centre will make Nigeria a destination for medical tourism in Africa when fully operational.

Chukwu, who was represented by the Director, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdulsalami Nasidi, said the Centre would enable millions of Nigerians who could not afford overseas medical treatment, to access qualitative and affordable healthcare services.

“It will now make it possible for all human diseases to be linked

to genes, which will ensure better diagnosis and treatment. It would aid access to precise diagnosis of infectious agents and lead to speedy and appropriate interventions as well as shorten hospital stay of patients,” he said.

Chukwu said the donation came at a time the country’s economy needed a boost and a turn around in brain drain and medical tourism.

“We believe that this large scale support for health would be one of those things that would add the needed boost to our health sector.”

Vice President, Policy and Planning, Chevron Corporation, Rhonda Zygocki, described the

facility as a remarkable boost to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

“We expect that in no time, laboratory samples from other hospitals will be treated at this facility.” With the establishment of the laboratory,DNA biotechnology has been unlocked in Nigeria.

Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Professor Akin Osibogun, was optimistic that LUTH would now be on top of DNA biotechnology in Nigeria. He recalled that the Centre would prevent delays in release of bodies of victims of incidents such as plane crashes and other disaters. “We set for ourselves the goal of developing the capability for DNA

biotechnology not only for the purposes of identification, but also for other very important purposes including prenatal screening and genetic diagnosis.”

In her remark, Chairman LUTH Management Board, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, said the hospital been repositioned to provide complex and specialized care, training and research in line with its mandate. “The possibilities to be unlocked by the presence of this laboratory will further enhance the standing of LUTH as the leading Hospital in Nigeria and perhaps West Africa,” she stated.

How DELSUTH accomplished feat in kidney transplant Continues from page 44

bank.

The initiative is augmented by donations from Churches, the Army, and Rotary Clubs.

Governor Uduaghan has also put in place a fail-safe blood donation system by purchasing a comprehensively equipped blood donation van. When blood is collected, it is taken into the van and processed into different segments for production of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP).

Blood donation policy

•L-R: Director, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, FMoH, Dr. Abdulsalami Nasidi, Vice President, Policy and Planning, Chevron Corporation, Rhoda Zygocki; Chairman, LUTH Management Board, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu; Permanent Secretary LSMoH, Dr. Femi Olugbile and CMD, LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, during the official commissioning of the first Molecular Biology Laboratory Centre last week.

The Delta State policy on blood donation is simply this.

You want to donate blood, give it and it is tested confidentially before being transfused. No matter where blood comes from, it is screened for parameters such as Hepatitis B, HIV. Also pregnant women are not compelled to donate blood during registration for antenatal clinic.

Blood donation at registration is not mandatory as a way of encouraging pregnant women to give birth in the hospital rather than going to the Traditional Birth Attendants, TBAs.

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If you cannot go out, cook a nice meal with a bottle of wine and enjoy it with your family. And at night, put on some really nice lingerie and give your husband that thing he wants the most. Men are low maintenance.

Essentially, men only want one thing and you know what it is. You can discover more romantic ideas on www.zeevirtualmedia.com – Uche Hey Zee, I want something special for valentine. What do you have? I want to have five rounds of sex on valentine night and put my wife on a wheel chair – Chairman Very funny. For that sort of hyper sexual performance, go for Rhino 5 supplement or Red Lips Premium. They are the best performance enhancers around and in addition to giving you strong erections, quick recovery time and stamina for multiple rounds, they also control premature ejaculation and enlarge the penis. If you cannot find those two, then get Exploding Thunder – Uche How can I know when my woman is satisfied and what can I do to make sure she does not cheat? Mahmud You can always find out by asking her. You can also learn more about sexual performance and how to satisfy a woman from educational films like More of What Women Want and the Sex Secrets book. There are also times when you will not be able to satisfy her no matter how hard you try. At times like this, you can always use a vibrator to get the job done. Regarding your second question, there is really no way of ensuring that a partner will never cheat. Just do your best and be positive.

In life, we cannot control everything that a wife or husband will do – Uche

I bought a rabbit vibrator from you some months ago and I enjoy it so much that I am beginning to have orgasms which I never had before. Now my fiancée is jealous and unhappy – Flora Dear Flora, some men will always hate the fact that a vibrator can give their women the kind of pleasure that they have been unable to give them, but that is unnecessary. Your fiancée should be happy because he now knows that he can use a vibrator to give you lots of pleasure.

This is a win win, provided you ensure that his own sexual needs are met – Uche I bought the Penis Pump for my weak erection and my erections are harder after pumping but when I start having sex, it will get soft again – Francis Dear Francis, Penis Pumps are for penis enlargement but if you are using it to get an erection, you must use it with a Cockring. Once you pump and get your erection, wear the Cockring immediately and you will not lose the erection again until you finish having sex. With a Cockring, you can maintain an erection for up to twenty minutes – Uche Hello guys. I hope you still have Red Lips Premium.

That drug is a monster and I cannot believe such a thing exists. I took it in December and I cannot stop thinking about it – Enyinna Red Lips Premium is back in stock. Lot of people want it too – Uche My wife experiences low libido and never feels like having sex – Jude Get her Pink Elevate Female Libido Enhancer – Uche The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 07086754515 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com .

Happy Valentine - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media..

46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 47

US envoy propagates ‘soft power’ diplomacy using WAZOBIA

A

S a career diplomat he would be expected to be able to converse in several foreign languages but it’s doubtful that Nigerian Pidgin English would be one of them.

Yet the US ambassador to Nigeria took to the airwaves to speak in the vernacular about the most pressing issues between the two nations, from gay rights and presidential elections to visa rules.

“Me I no talk say sanction go dey for Nigeria,” James F. Entwistle told presenter “Oga Madam” on a recent visit to Wazobia FM, the Lagos radio station that broadcasts entirely in the English-based patois.

“Make I repeat myself, the US government no say sanction go dey for Nigeria because of same-sex palava o.”

In other words, the US was not planning sanctions against Nigeria for passing a recent law banning same-sex

•James Entwistle

marriages and civil partnerships despite the furore it has caused abroad.

Nor, he said, did Washington have a preferred candidate for next year’s elections, at which incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan’s ruling party is expected to be pushed hard by the main opposition.

“First make I tell you say US no get any candidate for mind,” he said,

according to the weekly English-language news magazine, Tell.

“The only thing wey go sweet us be say make the election dey transparent, credible and concluded.”

The US consulate in Lagos confirmed in an email to AFP that the quotes attributed to the ambassador were correct.

“He knows a few words and phrases and received assistance from the staff to do the interview,” a spokeswoman added.

Swiss immigration vote threatens ties with EU Swiss People’s Party (SVP) means if one element is

E

UROPEAN partners have threatened to review their relations with Switzerland after voters in the Alpine nation narrowly backed a proposal to curtail immigration from the EU in a referendum.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius described the vote on Monday, initiated by the right-wing

and opposed by the government in Berne, as a “ worrying” move that showed Switzerland was withdrawing into itself.

“We’re going to review our relations with Switzerland,” Fabius told RTL radio. He added that the EU’s agreement with Switzerland has a “guillotine clause” that

Syrian govt,opposition resume talks in Geneva

S

YRIAN government and opposition delegates have started a fresh round of UNbrokered peace talks, as hundreds of people continue to leave the city of Homs as part of a negotiated deal.

The first face-to-face meetings mediated by the UN-Arab League envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, adjourned 10 days ago with little progress other than a deal brokered by the UN to allow aid teams’ access to Homs.

Brahimi began holding separate closed-door meetings with the government and opposition delegations on Monday to try to set an agenda for the coming week. Prospects for common ground

appear unlikely as the two sides continue to disagree on the core issue of President Bashar alAssad’s future.

challeged, “then everything falls apart”.

The vote was met with an averse response from EU leaders. Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said “one of the achievements of the EU is the free movement of people and that can’t be watered down.’’

He said that if Switzerland does not honour that, it could lose its easy access to the world’s biggest market.

Switzerland is not a member of the 28-nation EU, but a pact with Brussels has ensured the free movement of citizens to and from the bloc since 2002.

Iraqi Speaker escapes assassination

T

HE speaker of the Iraqi parliament has escaped an assassination attempt in the city of Mosul, police said.

Osama al-Nujaifi, was in a convoy that targeted yesterday by a roadside bomb in the Salam neighbourhood of Mosul.

Police said that two of his guards were injured in the attack.

Mosul and surrounding Nineveh province, where alNujaifi’s brother Atheel is

governor, is one of Iraq’s most violent areas, with attacks regularly targeting security forces, government officials as well as civilians.

In another blast, at least 21 fighters, including a suicide bomber, died after a car bomb mistakenly went off in a compound housing rebels north of Baghdad, a pro-government armed group leader and a police officer told AFP news agency.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY11, 2014

Cement standardization:

Built environment experts demand enforcement of regulations

BY JUDE NJOKU

A

GAINST the backdrop of last week’s threat by a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry to press for the standardization of cement production and importation because many cement companies allegedly produce the inferior 32,5 grade, built environment experts have called for the enforcement of the use of cement in the right mix to ensure that the rising occurrence of collapsed buildings is stemmed.

The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, Mr. Chuks Omeife and a past President of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers, NIStructE, Engr. Kunle Adebajo told Vanguard Homes & Property in separate interviews weekend, that the two grades of cement are used for different types of construction work and wrong usage could lead to structural failures.

Structural failures Their views came on a day Messrs Dangote Cement Nigeria Plc, distanced itself from the companies producing substandard cement in the country. The company explained that it produces only the 42.5 grade of cement in its three plants at Ibeshe, Gboko and Obajana.

The two experts explained that while the 42.5 grade is used for heavy engineering construction works, the 32.5 grade of cement is used for minor works like pavements, culverts and rendering.

Omeife added that as part of

enforcing the right mix, the construction process should be closely monitored by the builder. He regretted that in Nigeria, building construction has become an all-comers field, hence the plethora of collapsed buildings that dot the nation’s landscape. He further explained that quacks have taken over the construction industry because those found culpable whenever a building goes down, are not punished.

“Nobody has been taken to court for being responsible for a collapsed building; what the government does is to take over the land for public use,” he said. The NIOB president stated that architects, engineers and builders have a role to play in the enforcement of the right specification.

“What the coalition of civil societies is doing is very good but they should go a little further.

What about enforcing the right usage on site? The regulatory authorities should ensure that a builder is appointed to manage the construction site so that if anything wrong happens, somebody would be held responsible,” he said.

Engr Adebajo described the threat by the coalition as making a mountain out of a mole.

According to him, the difference between the 42.5 and 32.5 grade of cement is not much.

He however noted that while the 42.5 is used for heavy engineering projects like bridges, the 32.5 grade is used for lesser construction works. He posited that what really matters is the end result. What we should be talking about is the consistency of the product. We don’t want the February batch of cement to be different from the batch

in March,” Adebajo who noted that a trial mix is always done before arriving a the appropriate mix for a particular construction work, he said.

Distancing Dangote Group from companies manufacturing the 32.5 grade of cement, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. DVG Edwin who spoke through the Director of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Ekanem Etim, called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON, to enforce the regulation that only cement that meets the 42.5 grade is manufactured or imported into the country. He noted that before now when cement was

largely imported, SON had insisted that only 42.5 grade of cement was allowed into Nigeria and wondered why upon domestication of production, the same regulation should not be applied.

“Some years back, the preponderance of cement in this country was imported and the standard laid out by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, was that you cannot bring in any cement that was below 42.5. Upon domestication of the production, we believe that the standard should not be lowered. We at Dangote Cement, remain steadfast in meeting up to that particular

standard. We are a key player in this industry and we believe that Nigerians deserve the best in quality and service delivery.

That is why we take exception to the statement by the coalition of civil society groups that all cement manufacturers are not meeting up to the standard”.

“On one breadth, we want to align with the civil society that there is need for standards to be maintained.

If the Standards Organisation of Nigeria had insisted that imported cement should come in 42.5 grade, every manufacturer, be it local or international, should meet that standard. To that extent, we should all comply so that Nigerians can get the very best from what we produce in this country. SON should step in, do what is required of them, so that we can give Nigerians the best and nip the incidents of collapsed buildings in the bud,” Mr. Etim said.

FG restates commitment to make Abuja one of the world’s 20 best capitals

BY HENRY UMORU

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated his commitment to the development of the nation’s capital territory, Abuja so that it will rank among the best 20 capital cities in the world by the year 2020.

Speaking at the commissioning of Wuye Ultra-Modern Market located in Wuye District, President Jonathan said the doors will remain open to capable private sector investors to come and join hands with the government to develop Abuja . “ I am informed that the ultra-modern market was developed in collaboration with All Purpose Shelter Limited, a Nigerian company. I therefore, commend the FCT Administration for once again deploying the Public-Private-Partnership, PPP project delivery model to accomplish this feat.

“This kind of partnerships does not only conserve resources but also is very important in ensuring people’s ownership of development projects, efficient maintenance culture and sustainability,” he said.

On land swap, the President said, “Land

Swap Initiative of the FCT Administration is one of such partnerships, which my administration is committed to deliver. As more and more people come into the Territory, we need to keep pace with the demand for infrastructure and utilities to accommodate them”.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator Bala who noted that President Goodluck Jonathan’s presence to commission the fourth Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) market initiated by the FCTA, was a grand gesture and testimony of his Administration’s continuous support of, and solidarity with the FCT Administration in its efforts at building a capital city that will rank among the best 20 advanced cities by the year 2020.

According to him, the Wuye Ultra-Modern Market was a significant landmark in the journey of the FCT Administration towards providing the requisite physical and social infrastructure to the populace. “We hope this will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and enhancement of commercial activities within Wuye District in particular and FCT at large,”he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 , 2014—49

Lagos HOMS allottees to pay initial 30% of cost of choice house I

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

N a bid to stem the hous ing deficit in Lagos, the State government last week, formally launched the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, HOMS with the allotment of 200 housing units of one and two-bedroom types to applicants. The number will increase to 300 and beyond per month as the number of completed homes increase and sustainability guaranteed.

Governor, Babatunde Fashola explained that starting from March 4 when the first draws would hold in public for the first 200 homes, there should be a minimum of 200 new home owners in Lagos every month, even after he has completed his tenure..

Advising applicants to bid for only houses in the areas where they are prepared to live, Fashola noted that the government will not allow any successful applicant to rent out his or her house. “If you do not live in the house that you win, you would have violated our first home owner rule and it is a ground to re-possess the house, pay you off and offer it to

Houses under Lagos HOMS ready for allocation those who really need a home,” he said.

“If you wish to live on the Island or in Surulere, you can bid for a home in Oyingbo, but certainly not one in Ikorodu with a view to renting it out. We will only allow

you to rent your house out after 10 years when you would have fully paid for the house. Let me add that prompt payment of monthly mortgages will be rigorously enforced because we have seen that default of payment and difficulty of re-possessing houses from defaulters has been a major disincentive to investment in the property sector, by private developers whose participation in hous-

ing development is critical to our ability to increase the supply of homes.

“We have therefore resolved to quicken recovery by using arbitration rule which have been drafted into the contract of sale and the mortgage agreement and the arbitration proceedings are expected to be completed in 21 days”, Fashola said.

The governor who stated that

only Lagos residents who are tax payers will benefit from the scheme, added that the state has taken the definition of residency applicable in the tax laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is a continuous period of residency for a minimum period of 189 days or about six months irrespective of one’s original root.

Fashola who also inaugurated the State Mortgage Board that will administer the management of the scheme and proper allocation of the houses to would-be winners, informed that as the scheme is being flagged off with a total of 4,260 homes made up of 1,104 completed homes and 3,156 at various stages of construction.

“The scheme is such that revived the mortgage culture, as winners will have to pay for the houses for a period of at least ten years after making the initial deposit of 30 percent of the cost of the choice home”, the governor noted.

The state has built houses in Ikorodu, Ogba, Epe, Badagry, Lekki, Agege, Alimosho and other areas for people to have choices on where they wish to reside.

“We are starting another 132 units in Iponri, 720 units in Ibeshe in Ikorodu, 420 units in Ajara, Badagry, 648 units in Sangotedo Phase II, 216 units in Obele, 36 units in Akerele Phase II, 48 units in Oyingbo, 1,254 units in Ilubirin and 1,080 units in Ijora- Badia and this would give us an estimated 4,554 units when completed,” he said.

Housing deficit: Developer seeks special go er govvernment int inter ervvention

BY TONY NYONG

W

ORRIED by the growing rate of homelessness in the country, the managing director of Highpoint Global Reality, Mrs. Imaobong Usoroh, has called on the Federal Government to create a special housing intervention for mortgage banks to provide low interest facilities to property developers and individuals wishing to own properties.

Usoroh made the plea at Uyo, while unfolding her company’s plans to host the first housing and building materials exhibition tagged

Housing for all by the year 2020- the journey so far in Akwa Ibom State.

Mrs. Usoroh enjoined government to intervene in this critical sector of the nation’s economy as it has done in other key but troubled sectors of the economy.

Mrs Usoroh said the aim of the exhibition is to bring together all the professionals in the housing and building material industry to showcase their products and services in order to promote sustainable housing development to alleviate housing problems in the country.

Lamenting the inability of most Nigerians to access mortgage facilities from banks, Mrs. Usoro attributed this to the high rate of interest charged for such loans. With the theme ‘’ Harnessing Resources and development. He said the event will Materials for Sustainable encourage professionals to be more Housing Development in committed and dedicated to their duNigeria,” organisers of the exhities. At the event, the coveted award bition will leverage on their netfor excellence in professionalism will work of international business be given to two deserving professionconnection to attract foreign exals who have excelled in their fields of hibitors of building materials, endeavours. equipment and accessories to the In her contribution, Mrs. Titilayo event, while the platform would Adeleye, an architect and a member of provide veritable opportunity for the organising committee for the both local and international lecture, called for the use of the right exhibitors to rub minds on issues professionals in the building industry and challenges of the built envias failure to do so, could lead to monuronment, at the same time evolvmental disasters. ing a synergy for bridging the The lecture will be chaired by country ’s housing deficit Bashorun J. K. Randle while the guest currently put at N17 million naira. speaker is Dr. Uju Ogubunka.

AKWABUILD in Uyo. The exhibition is slated to hold between March 22-24 at the Ibom Hall Grounds. Messrs Highpoint Global Reality Limited is the developer of Highpoint Luxury Estates in Uyo and Abuja.

The three-day expo, according to Usoroh, is being put together by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Uyo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, UYOCCIMA. Governor Godswill Akpabio is expected to declare the exhibition open and also present a keynote address on

Lagos APBN holds public lecture, awards

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HE maiden edition of the annual public lecture and awards being put together by the Lagos State chapter of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN will hold tomorrow at Muson Centre, Onikan, The one-day event has the role of professionals in nation building as its theme. Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Are Adewale Adeyemi who briefed newsmen on arrangements for the event, stressed the importance of professionals’ training and adherence to the strict codes of conducts and moral obligations.

Adeyemi added that these qualities are necessary ingredients for development in any nation as human capital is the most important resource required for

50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 51

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 53

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Keshi invites uncapped Ezekiel, Uchebo for Mexico C

OACH Stephen Keshi has called up uncapped trio Imoh Ezekiel, Ramon Azeez and Michael Uchebo for the friendly with Mexico in Georgia, Atlanta on 5 March.

Highly-rated Standard Liege striker Ezekiel looks to have been given a golden chance to force his way into Keshi’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil in the summer.

Ezekiel, 20, with nine league goals this season, has been in superb form for Standard Liege and has caught Keshi’s eye.

Belgium-based striker Uchebo, who has scored five league goals for Cercle Brugge this season, and midfielder Azeez are also knocking on the door.

With Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi and Dynamo

Kiev’s Brown Ideye both currently struggling for form, former U-20 striker Uchebo could book his seat on the plane to South America.

Medical doctors hold maiden doctors games in Uyo

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

C

OME Sunday, 16th Febr uar y, 2014 medical doctors from the 36 states of the federation will storm the city of Uyo, AkwaIbom State, for the ‘Maiden Nigerian Medical Doctors’ Games’.

The games billed to hold from 16th through 22nd, was introduced by

Togo •Ezekiel

Keshi Continues from BP to find a replacement for present coach Gordon Igesund and are looking for a credible and experienced trainer who can turn things around from the grassroots like what Keshi has done with players from the Nigerian league.

“We are not happy at all with the performance of our team in a competition that we are hosting. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t even qualify from the group stage,” a close source to SAFA told Goal during the CHAN competition.

“Yes Igesund is a good coach and has tried his best since he was appointed but I think it’s time we bring in somebody from outside to handle our national team like it is done in other countries.”

While there have been rumours about the potential return to South Africa of former coach Carlos Quieroz who is presently in charge of Iran, the Nigerian is also one of the top names being listed for a look in.

“I think there are some coaches SAFA has in mind to contact but hon-

Azeez, who has made 18 starts for Almeria in the Spanish La Liga this season , has already played for Nigeria at the Fifa U-17 and U-20

World Cup in 2009 and 2011.

Meanwhile, Juwon Oshaniwa is a less surprising name on Keshi’s highly-anticipated list, as he has been involved more recently.

estly speaking it will be nice if Stephen Keshi can handle our team,” the source continued.

“I believe he will achieve with the team, his track records have proved this. You know he qualified Togo to the World Cup although some problems he had with the Football Association there cost him leading the team to the World Cup. Now he has done it again with the Nigerian team.

“So we believe Keshi can do a good job with this team if he agrees.

We know he cannot leave his job now but we are targeting talking to him after the World Cup in Brazil,” the source said.

Keshi’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation which runs until November 2015 has been slated for extension but the trainer could be tempted by a quest for new horizons and greener pastures after being owed salaries for more than six months in 2013.

His immediate task is to impress with the Super Eagles at the World Cup in Brazil.

Continues from BP Speaking to Sports Vanguard at the Enyimba International Stadium, Orode, who born in Kaduna to Nigerian parents said “Enyimba are a good side and we respect them. This is the first time Anges de Notsè will be participating in the CAF Champions League even though some of the players have been involved in this competition in the past.

“We are looking forward to the return leg and I am sure we will beat Enyimba in Togo if we play to our strength and not allow the big players in Enyimba to intimidate us”, said Orode, who once played for Jigawa Golden Stars said.

Arsenal supporter Continues from BP The BBC’s Angela Ngendo in the capital Nairobi says bars and video dens, where people pay to watch TV in slum areas, are usually crowded for the big matches, no matter what local time they are played. Supporters wear replica kits - both fakes and original ones, despite their high cost - to watch the games, she says.

the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, as part of the overall strategy to promote quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria as well as ensure medical doctors/ dentists remain physically, mentally and medically fit.

According to the President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele “The idea is for us to indulge in sports and practice what we preach to our patients.”

Lagos Polo Club visits Oba of Lagos

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HEAD of the 2014 Lagos Polo tournament which begins soon, the leadership of the Lagos Polo Club paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu in his palace yesterday.

The party included a team from Union Bank of Nigeria led by its Executive Director Commercial and Consumer Banking, South, Adekunle Adeosun.

The visit according to the Secretary of the club,

Somuyiwa Sonubi was to brief the Oba of Lagos on this year ’s Lagos Polo tournament, and to extend an invitation to him, to particularly grace the arena for the Lagos Oba Cup which is one of the trophies to be contested for during the two-week tournament.

Sonubi said, “the visit is to inform the Oba that we are about to start this tournament in his domain, secondly there is a trophy at stake which is named after the Oba of Lagos ."

Mr Somuyiwa Adedeji Sonubi, Lagos Polo Club(l) with Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu 1,and Mr Adekunle M.Adeosun,Executive Director Union Bank of Nigeria Plc during the visit of the Lagos Polo Club to Oba of Lagos. Photo : Akeem Salau

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 — 55

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FALL-OUT

My blood pressure shot up — Baraje STORIES BY JOHN EGBOKHAN, who was in Aba

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OACH Zakary Bara je has admitted that his Enyimba troops made his blood pressure to run high during their weekend’s CAF Champions League match with Anges de Notse in Aba Enyimba came back from the brink of an unexpected home defeat against the debutantes from Togo, who led 1-0 for almost 81 minutes before two goals from Sibi Gwar and another strike

by Sokari Kingsley gave Enyimba the edge ahead of this weekend’s reverse leg in Lome.

And speaking to Sports Vanguard, few minutes after the dramatic comeback, Baraje said he was relieved to see his team begin this season;s CAF Champions League campaign with a win.

“I am very happy that we started this campaign with a win but it was not the way I expected it to go. The players made it very tough for us but I thank God that we got the win that we needed.

I was really under pressure. In fact, I was tensed for the entire duration of

the game. My blood pressure went up but I remained confident that we can still turn things around”, said Baraje, who noted that poor knowledge of their Togolese foes contributed to the performance of the team.

“We did not know much them and it contributed to our performance today.

They were a surprise package to us and it was really difficult finding the right formular to play against them. The players had to dig deep to rescue the situation because starting the competition with a loss was not an option for us”, said the former El Kanemi Warriors manager.

CELEBRATION . . . Reigning Federation Cup champions Enyimba came back from one goal down to cement a 3-1 lead against Togolese champions Anges de Notse ahead of next weekend ...

My players lost concentration — Anges Coach A NGES de Notse coach Losciuto Jean-Francois has blamed his players loss of concentration for their failure to hold on to their 10 lead during the weekend’s CAF Champions League preliminary match against Enyimba in Aba. The Togolese side led 1-0 for almost 81 minutes before Enyimba scored three goals to triumph 3-1 in a

dramatic match that played out inside the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba. With no prior experience in the competition, Anges de Notse, who only last year got promoted to the Premier division, which they in turn won last December, almost had a fairytale start to their CAF Champions League campaign, which coach Jean-Francois said was put

Pillars upbeat despite loss N

IGERIA champi ons Kano Pillars have expressed confidence that they will

•Rabiu Alli

overturn a 3-1 loss at AS Vita of DR Congo to advance to the first round

of the CAF Champions League.

“We will win the return leg match in Kano to move to the next round of the Champions League,” said Pillars chairman Abba Yola.

“We lost control of the match in the second half, but have no complaints about the reception we received from our hosts.”

On Sunday, Mubele put the hosts in front in the 11th minute, before Eagles midfielder Rabiu Ali drew Pillars level after half an hour.

The home team regained the lead for the second time in the game through Lusadisu in the 45th minute to end the first half 2-1 in their

to the sword by the resilience of Enyimba players, who he praised for not giving up even in the face of an imminent home defeat.

“I have to praise and commend Enyimba for their fight to the end. The players never gave up.

They showed true characters of warriors”, the Belgian coach said, through an interpreter after the match.

Continuing, he said that “we also played well for about 80 minutes as all our plan was going according to plan until the defenders lost concentration, which allowed the home side to seize the momentum and score two more goals.

Anges de Notse FC of Congoa

Abdullahi, Mba boost Pillars P

•Mba

ILLARS will be boosted by the return of Shehu Abdullahi and Ezekiel Mba for Saturday’s CAF Champions League return leg match against AS Vita of DR Congo.

Both Abdullahi and Mba missed the first leg match in Kinshasa which Pillars lost 3-1 because they did not get visas to DRC. “We will certainly be boosted by the return of

Shehu and Mba. They did not play the first match because they did not get visas,” Pillars spokesman Idris Malikawa said.

“We need our best players to overturn the defeat in Kinshasa on Sunday. ” Midfielder Shehu featured at the recent CHAN in South Africa, while striker Mba impressed for new club Pillars at the preseason Super 4 in Abuja.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Arsenal supporter kills Liverpool fan after 5-1 loss P

OLICE in Kenya are hunting a murder suspect after a Liverpool supporter was stabbed to death following the ArsenalLiverpool match on Saturday.

The man taunted a rival fan about his team’s 5-1 victory after they had watched the

S/Africa plan to hire Keshi

TODAY'S MATCHES

N

IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi could be the next coach of Bafana Bafana, with the South African Football Association keen to hire a manager to improve the dwindling fortunes of its national team.

Disappointed by the early exit of Bafana at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), SAFA is keen Continues on Page 54

Moyes hits new low for Man Utd Pg 27

match together in a bar in the town of Meru, residents say.

They say the Arsenal fan then pulled out a knife and stabbed the man, who died in hospital.

Many Kenyans are fanatical followers of English football.

Continues on Page 54

Cardiff Hull

vs vs

Aston Villa S/thampton

8:45pm 8:45pm

West Ham

vs

Norwich

8:45pm

West Brom

vs

Chelsea

9:00pm

We’ll punish Enyimba in Togo — Orode

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN of the competition.

Orode, who was a IGERIAN-BORN thorn in the flesh of the Anges de Notsè Enyinba defence, said forward Vincent Orode that he was confident Tchalla has boasted that that the Togolese chamthe Togolese would de- pions have what it takes feat Enyimba in the re- to defeat the two-time turn leg of the CAF champions of CAF’s preChampions League pre- mier club competition. liminary match to adContinues on Page 54 vance to the next round

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SPORTSMANSHIP...Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi embraces his South African counterpart, Gordon Igesund after a recent encounter

Keshi invites uncapped Ezekiel, Uchebo for Mexico — Pg 54 QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Succulent (6) 5 Pillar (6) 8 Disused (4) 9 Sensible (4) 10 Through (3) 12 Confine (5) 15 Weaken (3) 17 Epoch (3) 18 Fish (3) 19 Odd (3) 20 Unadorned (5) 21 Mineral (3) 22 Wrath (3) 23 Pinch (3) 24 Still (3) 26 Shrill (5) 29 Newt (3) 33 Borough (4) 34 Pulling (6) 35 Plague (6) 36 Die (6)

DOWN 2 Stroll (5) 3 Implement (4) 4 Precipitous (5) 5 Best (5) 6 Deficit (4) 7 Madness (5) 10 Function (5) 11 Send (5) 12 Antic (5) 13 Astound (5) 14 Coin (5) 15 Incline (5) 16 Fold (5) 25 Elicit (5) 27 Go in (5) 28 Hang (5) 30 Baffle (5) 31 Tangle (4) 32 Cease (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Damp 4, Air 6, Gasp 8, Colour 9, Statue 10, Asp 12, Strip 14, Death 15, Satan 18, Adhere 20, United 24, Noted 26, Spare 28, Windy 30, Wed 32, Polite 33, Astute 34, Mean 35, Kit 36, Core.

DOWN: 2 Adopt 3, Promise 4, Aura 5, Rasp 6, Grade 7, Scuttle 11, Spa 12, Sea 13, Par 16, Ten 17, Nut 19, Deplore 21, New 22, Idiotic 23, Dry 25, Ode 27, Reign 29, Deter 30, Weak 31, Dart.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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