PDP losing members,Tukur cries out

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61707

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Why Nigeria should appeal ICJ verdict on Bakassi •P.42

NATIONAL HONOURS:

•P.8

David West, Utomi, Adebanjo, others slam FG

PDP losing members, Tukur cries out

BY HENRY UMORU

•Says opposition watching to take advantage •Inaugurates reconciliation committee for Kano

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BUJA—THE Na tional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, cried out that the party was losing its members to opposition political parties.

He attributed this exodus to crises bedeviling the party across the country, just as he inaugurated an eight-member committee to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party in Kano State.

Speaking while inaugurating the committee

Continues on page 5

Where is the hope for Nigeria? •P.17 Mr & Mrs

SECURITY—Cross section of 40 motorcycles donated to Lagos State Security Trust Fund during the official presentation of 114 security vehicles to Police in the state, yesterday at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. Inset: From left Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, assisted by IGP, Mohammed Abubakar and others during the commissioning. Photo:Bunmi Azeez.

Ibori's $15m: EFCC —P.14 moves against claimants

Pension: Panel uncovers •P.6 £2.2m PHCN fund in UK bank

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

PDP losing members, Tukur cries out Continues from Page 1 which has a four-time Minister, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas as Chairman, Tukur who noted that there must be no communication gap at all levels of the party, stressed the need to reconcile all disgruntled members if the position of PDP as the leading party in the country must be retained.

The committee which has two weeks to submit its report to the National Working Committee, NWC, would determine the nature of disagreements among members as well as come up with ways to nip them in the bud.

Other members of the committee are former Borno State Governor, Mohammed Goni; Yerima Abdulahi, Senator Kassim Victor Oyofo, Yaro Makama Rigachuku, Abike Maina, Mohammed Wakil and Amb. Aminu Abdullahi.

The PDP National Chairman who recalled his election promise to pursue a policy of Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding (3Rs) and to ensure justice and equity in the party, said, "we have got to reduce disagreement to the barest minimum. There are people who feel aggrieved. So, reconcilia-

tion is paramount.

"Our party is losing membership. When we started in 1998 up till date, we have seen many people gone. We can’t allow it to continue like that. These people are still there. They are members of our party.

They are still there. It means that they like the party.”

Tukur, however, cited the instance of Edo State where he said the PDP lost the recent governorship election as a result of infighting in the party.

He said: "See Edo, why did we lose the election?

It was because of factions arising from misunderstanding. It is like big dogs fighting and the lead one came to take the bone away. It is important for me to reconcile our people, to rebuild our party and you cannot rebuild the party unless you reconcile.”

According to him, the PDP would constitute similar committees in all the zones of the country “to talk to our people, because we want to give our people good governance without imposition, without injustice."

While noting that it was important to reconcile the PDP factions in Kano State, the Chairman, however, urged members of the committee to help the party

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

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HEN a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible. Keep pressing on. Don’t give up!

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Love is made up of three unconditional properties in equal measure: 1. Acceptance 2. Understanding 3. Appreciation. Remove any one of the three and the triangle falls apart. Which, by the way, is something highly inadvisable?— Vera Nazarian

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O offer our love, especially to those closest to us, with no strings attached? Ernest Hemingway wrote a poignant short story called “The Capital of the World.” In it he tells about a Spanish father who wants to reconcile with his son who has run away to Madrid.

In order to locate the boy he takes out this ad in the El Liberal newspaper: “Paco, meet me at the Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday. All is forgiven.

Love, Papa. “Paco” is a common name in Spain, and when the father goes to the square he finds 800 young men named Paco waiting for their fathers. What drew them to the hotel? As Hemingway tells it, it was the words “All is forgiven.”

I notice that the father did not say, “All will be forgiven if you do this or that.” Not, “All will be forgiven when you do such and such.” He simply says, “All is forgiven.” No strings attached. I recall the sage advice of Mahatma Gandhi, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

achieve the noble objective it has set for itself, adding “Kano is important. If there is any misunderstanding, we want to reconcile. They are still in PDP but there are factions.”

He directed the committee to find out the problems and identify the cause of the problems as well as find a way to resolve them,

adding that the opposition was watching and would exploit every opportunity.

Responding, the committee chairman noted that the party chairman had chosen men of integrity and honour, assuring that “ we will carry out the assignment given to us faithfully and with integrity.”

Planned N5,000 note 'll beat counterfeiters — CBN

....Why we can’t print N5,000 note now – MINT boss

BY GODWIN ORITSE & MAIMUNA MOHAMMED LAGOS—THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said that the need to be ahead of counterfeiters of the nation’s currencies gave rise to the restructuring of the currency and the introduction of the N5,000 note.

Disclosing this at the on going 17th edition of the Association of African Banknotes and Security Document Printers conference, CBN Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido said that introducing the banknotes incorporating novel security features will put the authority a step ahead of counterfeiters.

Sanusi stated that the introduction of the new notes will also be in the best interest of banking operations in the country as it will save cost of moving cash around.

He stated: “The Central Bank of Nigeria has, over the years, responded to the need of Nigerians for credible, historically relevant and counterfeit-proof banknotes and a currency structure that is in tandem with our aspirations.

“This is why we have had to restructure our currency periodically in line with international best practice and our constitutional mandate.

“This is why we are at the moment in the process of introducing new banknote designs incorporating novel security features to put us ahead of counterfeiters, coinage of lower denominations and a new higher denomination of N5,000.

“This step is the best

for the banking system and the general public at this time due to the huge benefits in security and cost-saving terms.

“The world is moving on and Nigeria, indeed Africa, has to embrace the change towards e-payments and the Cash-lite imperative of modern commerce and banking.”

According to him, “on the surface, this will appear to be a measure to stifle business growth in the banknote printing and currency minting business which is your life-wire. This is not the case. “On the contrary, this move towards epayments which the Central Bank is championing, again because of the immense benefits to the economy and crime reduction, creates a wide window of opportunities for your industry - smart cards production, e-platforms for electronic and mobile money movement, massive increase in bank cheques printing, etc. And, of course, the banknote and coin will always be used.

Even in the most developed world, no country has as yet been able to do away with the use of cash”.

Why we can’t print N5,000 note now – MINT boss In a related development, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc, Engr Ehis Okoyomo has given reasons for the firm’s inability to print the proposed currency locally, saying that “there is a particular security feature in the N5,000 note that cannot be printed locally because we do not have the machine with which to print it at the moment.”

He, however, said that “as soon as the Central Bank shows us the design of the new N5,000 note, we will make plans to produce”.

Okoyomo who spoke with newsmen at the on going 17th edition of the Association of African Banknotes and Security Document Printers conference, said by the middle of next year, the MINT would have acquired the machine to commence local production of the new note.

He debunked specula-

tion that the N5,000 had been printed and awaiting distribution CBN. On the issue of counterfeiting the proposed N5,000 note Okoyomo who also emerged as the new President of the association explained that counterfeiting cannot be stopped as long as there were people who go against the law regulating the use, distribution and production of currency.

Okoyomo noted that since cash will be used widely, its management must come under constant scrutiny for improved handling and efficiency.

“As we all know, managing cash is an essential part of any bank operation. However, managing it efficiently and securely presents many challenges because cash transactions represent about 70 - 80 per cent of financial transactions in Africa”, the NSPM boss said.

He noted that inefficient cash management can be extremely expensive, adding that if cash is efficiently managed, the benefits can go far beyond the savings alone.

Cynthia's autopsy ready

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AGOS—THE much awaited autopsy which stalled burial of late Cynthia Osokogu allegedly murdered in July by friends she met on Facebook has been concluded.

According to a hospital source who spoke to Vanguard, “the result of the autopsy was ready

before the close of work today, (yesterday) but unfortunately, no member of the deceased family was around for possible collection.

The source who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that the management of the Lekan Ogunsola mortuary is yet to understand what

went wrong.

However, no reason was given why neither the police nor members of the family showed up.

“We are yet to understand what really happened”, the source said and also confirmed that the casket brought by the family was still in the mortuary custody.

6 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Guild of Editors holds annual conference

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CASSAVA PROJECT—From right: President Joyce Banda of Malawi; Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga; Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; President Goodluck Jonathan and Agric Minister, Prof. Adewunmi Adeshina during the launching of national cassava project in Lilongwe, Malawi. Photo: State House.

Pension: Panel uncovers £2.204m PHCN fund in UK bank zSays PHCN lacks money to fund pension scheme

BY OSCARLINE ONWUEMENYI

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B U J A — A N investigative panel set up by the Federal Government to audit existing financial activities around the controversial Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Superannuation Pension Fund has uncovered about £2,204,814.18 million company’s total pension sum stashed away in a bank in the United Kingdom (UK).

The money which has been lodged in the UK’s Barclays Bank for close to 21 years was said to have accumulated from pension deposits for expatriate workers of the utility by its officials long before it metamorphosed into PHCN. Chairman of the eightman government audit panel on PHCN pension, Mr. Joseph Ajiboye who is also a former Auditor General of the Federation, AuGF, said however that the panel could not ascertain if officials of PHCN had continued to remit pension and gratuity deductions to the said foreign account considering that the last expatriate pensioner of the utility is reported to be late.

Presenting the report of the investigation yesterday to the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Darius Ishaku, Ajiboye explained that its consideration of various financial audit activities of the in-house pension scheme of the company

showed that its failure to fund the scheme was based on an excuse that it has perpetually operated at commercial loss, especially within these periods.

He noted that financial audits of the scheme from 1990 to 2010 which it studied in a bid to ascertain transactional trends in the account showed that from 1990 to 1999, a total of N1, 787,919 billion was paid out as pension and gratuities to workers while N51, 279,940,138 was paid out in the years 2000 to 2010.

The panel’s report also indicates that PHCN has in the past 21 years failed to fund its in-house pension scheme, thus putting the future of its retiring workers in jeopardy. The report disclosed that currently the electricity behemoth has no money to fund the pension scheme.

It also discovered that some of PHCN assets which were assigned to fund the pension scheme had been purportedly sold off.

According to Ajiboye, the financial documents studied by the committee showed that a total of N5,367,859,138 was paid out as pensions and gratuities to PHCN workers within these periods, adding that an actuarial sum of N107 billion was equally set aside by the utility as contingent sum.

The immediate past Minister of Power, Prof.

Barth Nnaji set up the panel with a 30-day lifespan to investigate the status of pension in the power sector vis-à-vis the

pension laws, identify officers involved in any act of misconduct in the management of pension as well as review pension matters in the Agari committee report.

This was following allegations of illegal operation of and deductions from an inhouse pension scheme that runs contrary to extant pension laws in the country, The panel was also expected to recommend measures to guard against occurrence of similar incidents in the future as well as sanctions against culprits.

The report said PHCN has for years operated an in-house defined pension scheme codenamed “the superannuation pension fund”, with only the management and leaders of its trade unions as its trustees; this arrangement however runs contrary to provisions in the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 which came into operation in 2007, and has however been frowned at by the Federal Government.

According to Ajiboye, “When we looked at all the financial statements that had been audited as far back as 1990, we found out that between 1990 and 1999, the total pension and gratuity paid under the superannuation fund was N1,787,919 billion, both gratuity and pension were less than N2 billion paid and it is understandable because of the low level of salaries and wages paid in the 90’s.

“From 2000 to 2010, the total pension and gratuity paid was N51, 279,940,138 and so for the 21 years running, the total gratuity

and pension paid under the superannuation fund to all pensioners was N5,367, 859,138, that is all that has been paid since 2010 and these accounts had been audited and confirmed as real and applicable figures.”

YO, the Akwa Ibom State capital, will from tomorrow, play host to the 8th annual All Nigerian Editors Conference where over 250 Nigerian editors from the print, electronic and online media, are expected to be in attendance.

The opening ceremony of the conference, with the theme: The Nigerian Editor and National Security, is slated for Thursday, September 13, at the new Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, welcomed the editors to Akwa Ibom, and urged them to savour the hospitality of Akwa Ibom people.

Mr Umanah said while Senate President, David Mark will be the Special Guest of Honour, veteran journalist and former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba will be the chairman.

The Commissioner called on journalists in the state to accord the editors a befitting welcome and

identify with the events lined up for the conference.

The keynote address, according to the statement, will be delivered by the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd), while the Director-General of the State Security Service, Mr. Ita Ekpenyong will deliver a paper on the topic, Architecture of Terror.

Other resource persons expected at the conference are, Prof. Etannbi Alemika, who is to talk on The Cost of Insurgency; Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Understanding Anti-Terror Laws in Nigeria; and Rufai Ibrahim, Reporting Right, Reporting Safe.

The editors will, in the course of the conference, hold an interactive session with Governor Godswill Akpabio and other governors of some selected states.

Also expected to grace the occasion are the Speaker of the House of Representative, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim and Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku.

Victims of Lagos robbery attacks recount ordeal zAs IG appeals for patience

BY ALBERT AKPOR & EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—THE bureaude-change operators at Oke-Koto, Agege, who were victims of Sunday's robbery incident, have lamented their woes in the hands of the eight-man gang, as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, expressed concern over the upsurge of robbery attacks in Lagos and neighbouring states.

Similarly, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who expressed sadness over the spate of robbery attacks in the state with wanton killing of policemen and innocent citizens, charged police authorities to rise up to the occasion.

Addressing officers of the command when Governor Fashola presented security equipment to the police, the police boss said “The story of Sunday robbery should not repeat itself. I could not sleep throughout because

some of you are sleeping.

I`ve directed the Assistant Inspector General for Zone II and the Commissioner of Police in the state to sit down, re-strategise and improve on the security of Lagos.

The police boss also called on Nigerians to exercise patience with the Nigeria Police in their determination to secure lives and property in the country, describing Sunday’s robbery attacks in Lagos which claimed the lives of three of his men as price the police pay for fighting crime.

The police boss made the appeal at the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, during an unscheduled visit to five police officers undergoing treatment for varying degrees of injuries sustained at Dafur, Sudan while on peace keeping mission.

He explained that a wind storm struck the camp of the Nigerian Formed Police Unit located in Zalingei, Darfur, where the unit was deployed as part of the

United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur, UNAMID, three months ago and blew off the female quarters, consequent upon which many of the policemen sustained varying degrees of injuries.

While some of the officers who were slightly injured were treated and discharged at various hospitals in Darfur, five of them he said, sustained serious neck and chest injuries as well as multiple fractures which necessitated their medical repatriation back to the country last month .

Meanwhile, Bureau-Dechange operators at Oke Koto, Agege, revealed that the eight-man robbery gang carted away more than N200 million both in local and foreign currencies.

Narrating how the gunmen struck, one of them who gave his name as Yaya, told Vanguard that the bandits arrived in two Sports Utility Van, SUVs, announcing their arrival with sporadic shootings which sent everyone

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—7

S-South leaders to hold talks with Jonathan

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South

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ARRI—A high-powered delegation of South-South leaders is to meet with President Goodluck Jonathan, soon to advise him to fast-track the provision of tangible development infrastructure and social amenities across the six geo-political zones of the country, between now and next elections.

The planned talks with President Jonathan is a fall-out of the SouthSouth Peoples Assembly, SSPA, meeting in Warri, Delta State, where the

leaders examined issues concerning the development of the region, Jonathan’s performance and its political implications for the region, amongst others.

A top official of SSPA, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “It is true that a delegation of South-South leaders will meet with President Jonathan. This was agreed at our Warri meeting, but it is not going to be a jamboree, it is just some few leaders to tell him some home truths.

“As a region, I cannot honestly tell you that we are satisfied with his per-

formance so far, but we can see that he is being distracted by Boko Haram and other things.

So, we want him to be focused because there is no time.

‘If he fails...'

“He is carrying the aspiration of the entire South-South on his head and we do not want him to fail. If he fails, the entire region has failed.

That is how we see it and he only has next year and 2014 to prove his detractors wrong.

“We are going to tell him the facts as they are on ground and give him

a quick-win blueprint.”

In a communiqué by the national leader of the region, Chief Edwin Clark, SSPA National Chair, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and National Secretary, Chief Ayakeme Whisky, the leaders noted that President Jonathan had not delivered on his mandate, even to his people.

They said: “Contrary to the views held by some misguided Nigerians, President Jonathan, since his assumption of office, in trying to satisfy the totality of his Nigerian constituency, had not given to the South-South zone

the normal fruits of their son being in power.

“Even the East-West Road, which is the route for the haulage of heavy duty equipment and petroleum products, on a daily basis, to service the oil and gas industry, has not received any priority attention.

“By the principle of affirmative action, he owes the people of the SouthSouth zone the sacred duty of economic empowerment, especially through the petroleum industry, which derives mainly from the zone with all its attendant hazardous effects.”

Community leaders flee Ishiagu over union polls

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—COMMUNITY leaders of the home town of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, yesterday, fled to Enugu as soldiers and armed policemen took over the community ahead of a town union election scheduled for yesterday.

Speaking to newsmen in Enugu, Chief David Aja, who was earlier elected President of the Ishiagu Community Development Union, ICDU, in August blamed the former Senate President for the crisis that is brewing in his community.

Aja, who fled to Enugu with other leaders of the community, said: “I am here for my life because Anyim wants to hijack the leadership of the town union by force and without following the constitution.

“Yesterday, I discovered there were about 10 trucks of soldiers and mobile policemen in the community for the election he claims to be conducting. I saw them move towards my house and I escaped and ran for refuge in Enugu.”

Anya emerges Ndigbo President

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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ORMER Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, Prof. Anya O. Anya, has emerged the President of Ndigbo Lagos, a socio-cultural association catering for the interest of Igbo people in Lagos State.

Anya was elected unopposed at the gathering of members of the elite organisation, parading top flight Igbo personalities in Lagos, at the Nigerian Air Force Officers Mess, Lagos, last Thursday.

Frontline businessman and National President of South-East South-South Professionals, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, emerged Deputy President, while the previous executive, led

by Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Chief Edwin Eze, stepped down after completing its term of office.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Criticisms trail national awards zDavid-West, Utomi, Adebanjo, others slam FG

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, HENRY UMORU, CHARLES KUMOLU & GBENGA OKE

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RITICISMS, yesterday, greeted the list of 149 eminent Nigerians, who would be conferred with National Honours by President Goodluck Jonathan on September 17. While some dismissed the list as political, some said a host of the awardees do not deserve the awards.

Among those who spoke on the issue in a telephone chat with Vanguard include 2007 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Prof. Pat Utomi; Afenifere elder, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; former Petroleum minister, Prof Tam David-West; National Publicity Secretary of the Congress for Progressive change, CPC, Engr Rotimi Fashakin; Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Mr Joe Igbokwe.

PDP keeps mum They spoke as National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, refused to comment on the issue when newsmen approached him at the national headquarters of the ruling party in Abuja.

Uotmi said: “I already have my position on it and I don’t intend to change that. For me, a real honour is when you go to a village, find a headmaster who for 30 to 40 years worked so diligently, and you also look for 200 to 300 personalities, who had become Professors or Doctors who might not have been anything except for the diligence of that headmaster. That is a person you award a CFR not some egomaniac who has stolen from the country and never adds value to it.”

Adebanjo spoke in like manner. He said: “It is not just now that this started, National honours have been discredited since three to five years ago. What they are supposed to give to credible Nigerians that have served this country diligently are now being given to party leaders. For instance, when Chief Tony Anenih was given a National Award, that was the year Olusegun Obasanjo said he gave Anenih as Minister of works N10 billion for the construction of Lagos- Ore, Benin Expressway and

since then, they have been re-awarding that road contract. I am not a fan of national honours, it has been seriously discredited.

But for a few, it is well deserved.

I am disappointed and I didn’t bother to read the details because it can actually insult your intelligence.”

Adenuga’s GCON is political — David-West To David-West, the way the honours are awarded to non-deserving persons could not inspire the younger generation.

His words: “Any nation that gives over 100 people national award at the same time cannot be a serious nation. The whole thing looks like mass production.

My observations are simple. The GCON that was given to Mike Adenuga is political. How can Nigeria relegate eminent jurist like Justice Kayode Eso? He was given CFR alongside Justice Mary Odili".

Does it in anyway make sense? I believe that at the time Eso was active in his days, Odili should be in Law school. But today, she is being given the same CFR with Eso, who performed excellently in the history of the judiciary.

Odili only came to Abuja two years ago. It is on record that Eso was the only person, who interpreted the two-third majority controversy of the 1979 presidential election properly.

National honours are supposed to inspire the younger generation to excel for the country, but thieves are the ones who get national honours in Nigeria. I can never accept any award from Jonathan.”

Awards have lost credibility—CPC, ACN To the opposition Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the annual ritual of national awards had lost credibility because some undeserving persons are usually honoured.

Said Fashakin: “A lot of us have given up on this regime because the various decisions they have taken are unscrupulous, ruthless and had no depth. They have brought down the image of that award with the

majority of names that are now coming out which shows that the awards are politically motivated.

Awards like GCON that are normally given to former Vice-Presidents and Senate Presidents is now being given to people that helped in bankrolling his elections last year. That is why you will see eminent Nigerians like Prof Chinua Achebe staying away from such awards because they feel that the award is no longer worthwhile. So let government continue to fool itself but Nigerians know the truth.”

Slamming the Federal Government over the way it was awarding the national honours, the Lagos State chapter of the Action

Congress of Nigeria, ACN wondered why the government was honouring some Nigerians, who have questionable integrity.

In a release by the State Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said “a careful perusal of the latest names released for national honours shows that it is a pot-pouri of businessmen that have no scruples, friends and associates of those in government, discredited contractors and acolytes of those in power, especially at the federal level and mainly PDP party members, who have done absolutely nothing than living off the state.”

It regretted that what was instituted as a badge of honour had been

“bastardized to the extent that Nigerians see it as badge of dishonour” and “the present government is not in a hurry to reverse this negative perception.

“We see the awards still as a whimsical ritual that further erodes the entire concept when Nigerians desire an enrichment of the nation’s moral codes. It is clearly regrettable that the government did not take into consideration recent expressions of disappointment of Nigerians with the award and make necessary amends in the current list.

Rather, what we see it as a mix of names of people whom Nigerians cannot place in the events that have shaped this country for good. We are shocked that the same tardy way and manner this regime has

been known to handle critical issues was on display in this latest list as there is no binding code of honour that unites these latest lists of awardees, as it should be. We only see a combination of people, most of whom have played negative roles in the evolution of Nigeria till the present where we have a wrecked country in our h a n d s . ” ACN canvassed a thorough review of the entire process of awarding national honours to ensure that only those competent and equipped with requisite integrity were honoured.

“We demand that well defined criteria be set for the award of national honours and not an empty, base and hollow ritual that Nigerians treat with scorn and odium. We demand that the Federal Government reform the process or stop this meaningless signal that deprecates rather than enrich the national moral base.”

LAGOS LGS DONATE VEHICLES TO POLICE—From left: Mr. Suleiman Omoyele Akeem, Chairman, Conference 57, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector General of Police, Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Cosmas Maduka, President/Chairman of Coscharis Group and Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during the presentation of 114 security vehicles to Police in Lagos State, procured by the 20 Local Government and 37 LCDAs of Lagos State, at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday Photo: Bunmi Azeez

PDP plotting to cripple our states financially — ACN

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AGOS—THE Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has raised an alarm over alleged plans by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to arrest development and progress in all ACN states by manipulating banks, including the apex bank, capital market, financial institutions and regulatory authorities to withdraw financial support to ACN states through a sustained campaign of blackmail, calumny and arm twisting.

In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party

said it can authoritatively reveal the the first phase of this plot was for the PDP to make available to the Ministers of Finance and National Planning and Director General of the Debt Management office false representation of the debt profiles of ACN states accompanied by wild and unsubstantiated allegations of financial recklessness and improprieties against ACN states for deliberation at the next meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

According to the party, the Federal Government will enlist the support of the Central Bank Governor

who will table the contrived damning indictment before the Bankers Committee who in turn will unsuspectingly withdraw their financial support from all ACN states.

The statement said the People’s Democratic Partyled Federal Government will not stop at this, stressing that it will thereafter manipulate its appointees at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other relevant regulatory authorities to block the ACN states access to the capital market even as the same

Federal Government itself had resorted to the same capital market to fund its own deficit budget.

The party recalled that when PDP had no answer to Lagos State’s unprecedented developmental successes under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu it employed similar devious plot and would have succeeded in arresting the phenomenal success of that administration but for the financial ingenuity and resourcefulness of the former governor.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012— 9

Lawyer docked for allegedly biting off woman’s ear

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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Dr.Walter Ofonagoro, flanked by Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-In-Chief/GM, Publications, (right) and Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard, going through a paper, during his courtesy visit to the Corporate Headquarters of Vanguard Newspapers in Lagos yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

49-year-old lawyer, Endurance Nkenchor, has been arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly biting off a woman’s right ear and destroying property valued at N34, 800.

Nkenchor, who was arraigned on a fourcount charge of felony, assault, damage and breach of the peace, was also accused of giving the woman blows on her mouth, chest, causing her bodily harm.

When his plea was taken before Magistrate Joy Ugbomoiko, the

IGP orders Lagos police to enforce

traffic law

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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NSPECTOR General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar,

yesterday, threw his weight behind the enforcement of Lagos Road Traffic Law, giving one month ultimatum to police authorities in the

Lawmakers urge Lagosians to patronise PHCs

BY EBUN SESSOU

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HE Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the low patronage of Public Health Centres, PHCs built across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, in the state Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, Suru Avoseh said this at the commencement of

visitation to the PHC at Orile, Agege LCDA, adding that the present administration is determined to equip the PHCs with adequate facilities that would improve the health of Lagosians He frowned at the low Patronage of these PHCs saying that Government has expended so much funds in establishing them to reduce pressure on the General Hospitals.

LASG to introduce Chinese language in public schools

L

AGOS – Mrs. Olay inka Oladunjoye, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, said yesterday that the state government would introduce Mandarin, or Chinese language, in public schools’ curriculum as from next session.

Oladunjoye said this in a statement signed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Lanre Bajulaiye, and made

available to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The commissioner said this after a meeting with the delegation from the Chinese Confucius Institute, University of Lagos.

Prof. Caleb Orimoogunje, Director of the Institute, said that the institution was ready to assist the state with necessary logistics to make the teaching and learning of the language easier.

state command to organise dialogue as well as enlightenment campaigns with road transport unions after which there must be aggressive enforcement.

He also warned policemen to obey the law, saying, "law is no respecter of anybody irrespective of class, job, status, religion, among others; any police man who is caught flouting the law should face the music.

“Without the rules you cannot drive or ride on the road. I want to see how many people (offenders) to be prosecuted after one month of sensitization.”

On the ban of road blocks, the IG stressed that they remain banned but the police have the right to stop and search any suspect while on patrol.

He also ordered commissioners of police to ensure strict security network along the state boundaries in order to check traffic of arms and ammunition and prevent crime generally across the states.

The IG cited an example where an individual was arrested in Anambra State for being in possession of cache of arms and ammunition including rocket launchers.

The Lagos State police

command earlier last week declared its readiness to begin full enforcement of the new Lagos Traffic Law and warning that in the process, nobody would be spared.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Umar Manko, who gave the indication after the State Security Council meeting on Wednesday, said the delay in enforcement was to allow for public enlightenment and all other

requirements to be put in place to ensure easy compliance by members of the public.

Fielding questions from newsmen after the meeting, the Police boss explained, “Since the Governor signed it, it has become law.

Everybody now knows there is a new law and it is going to be fully enforced.

“The Government has done its part, no citizen has the right to say that he does not know."

accused pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him and was granted bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Prosecutor Ishiaku Babaji informed the court that the accused had on November 1, 2011, caused permanent disability to Olamide Kabiru, by biting off part of her right ear, adding “he did not only bite her ear, he also gave her blows on her mouth, chest, causing her bodily harm. He also destroyed her gown, wristwatch and gold necklace valued at N34,800.”

According to Babaji, the offences which were committed at No. 99, Iyana-Ipaja on the Lagos-Abeokuta E x p r e s s w a y , contravened Sections 116, 170, 243 and 348 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

The case was adjourned to October 15, for mention.

In another development, a video editor in Lagos, Michael Falade, 20, was yesterday arraigned before a Surulere Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N575,870 belonging to the company.

The accused was however, granted bail and the case was adjourned till Sept. 24, 2012.

N5,000 bill: Lagos NUJ carpets Sanusi L

AGOS State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described as irrational, very undemocratic and highly uncalled for, the insistence of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to go ahead with the introduction of N5, 000 note into the nation’s economy by next year, despite several calls by well-meaning Nigerians to discontinue with such plan.

Rising from its September, 2012 Congress in Ikeja over the weekend, the Council also said the policy is not only ill-

conceived, but a misplaced priority, especially now that the country is facing serious economic challenges.

While decrying the hard stand adopted by the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on the burning issue, Lagos journalists urged the Federal Government to impress it on the CBN Governor to shelve off the unpopular plan as it would encourage corruption while heightening inflation in the country.

In a communique signed by the Chairman of the Council, Comrade Deji Elumoye and the

Secretary, Sylva Okereke, the Congressin-Session said the redenomination of the naira is counterproductive and also amounts to policy somersault as it is at variance with the cashless policy of the CBN. It, however, noted that, if urgent steps are not taken to call Sanusi to order, he might plunge this nation into serious economic quagmire, citing cases of some countries that are witnessing economic hiccups due to the redenomination of their currencies.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Expobiz to hold Lagos premium expo

BY ELIZABETHAMIHOR

E

SYNOD: From left: Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, Director Media, Publicity & Strategy, Akeredolu Campaign Organisation; Senator Bode Olajumoke and Mrs. Remi Olajumoke at the Synod of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Owo Diocese, held at Imeri, Ondo State.

Tokyo faults Oyo govt’s opposition to his leadership

BY OLAAJAYI

I

B A DA N —A L H A J I Lateef Akinsola, aka Tokyo, a leader of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Oyo State, has responded to the petition written by the Attorney General of Oyo State, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, against his reinstatement as chairman of the union in the state.

Tokyo, who showed a copy of the recent judgment by a Federal High Court in the state which dismissed the case filed by the Governor of Oyo State and the Commissioner of Police against the judgment delivered on July 12, in his favour, said he went to court because he did not want to resort to violence.

He said he had, on several occasions, turned down the request of his followers to occupy the motor parks in the state by force.

He accused Ojo of being economical with the truth.

He fumed that the A-G did not allow Governor Abiola Ajimobi to know the truth about the case.

Tokyo said the three months given to the caretaker Chairman of NURTW, Taofeek Oyerinde, aka Fele, had expired, noting that he remained the authentic chairman of the union according to the judgment delivered by the court.

Brandishing the judgment of the court, Tokyo said: “On July 12, 2012,

judgment was delivered on the said application and the court refused to grant it. So, why should Mr. Ojo try to deceive the world and the people of Oyo State that he had no knowledge of the case in question and the state government was restrained from interfering in the affairs of the union?"

He said instead of the government to abide by the judgment, it ignored the court order and went ahead to appoint an illegal 14-man caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the union.

He alleged that the A-

G had held brief for his opponent in the union and was therefore biased.

Residents complain Meanwhile, residents of Ibadan have complained bitterly about the sudden increase in the prices of petroleum products.

When our correspondent went round the city yesterday, both independent and major marketers had jerked up their pump prices from the official N97 per litre to N110.

Only a major marketer at Mokola area of Ibadan and some NNPC filling stations were selling at the official rate.

Many commuters were seen struggling to buy fuel at places like Eleyele, Benjamin, Mokola Roundabout, Sango, Dugbe, Iwo road and many others.

In Ido Local Government Area, all the filling stations in Apete community were selling at N100 per litre.

The increase in the fuel pump price has resulted in corresponding hike in transportation fare and food items.

Mimiko flays Akeredolu’s campaign promises zMy plans too complex for Mimiko—Akeredolu

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—THE O l u s e g u n Mimiko Campaign Organisation, MCO, yesterday, condemned the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the coming governorship election in the state, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, on the series of promises and pledges he had been making in his attempt to woo the electorate in the state towards his election.

A statement by the Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, said last week’s promise by Akeredolu that he would create a Ministry of Power if elected was

laughable.

In a swift reaction, the Akeredolu camp, through the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, said it was more laughable for someone who had been governor for more than three years not to know the difference between Power Ministry and Energy & Natural Resources Ministry, which Akeredolu promised.

According toOlabisi, it was ridiculous that somebody in the calibre of Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), could be playing to the gallery in an attempt to fool the people when he ought to know that Power Ministry, Petroleum and

others are on the exclusive list of the Federal Government.

He said the promise was one in the series of cheap political propaganda by Akeredolu which had exposed the fact that he is a political greenhorn and immature for the position which his godfathers want to foist on him.

The ACN candidate said he did not promise to establish a ministry of power but only spoke about creating a Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

According to Ajanaku, the said ministry would be established to exploit the vast deposits of oil and bitumen in the state.

XPOBIZ Limited, yesterday, said its forthcoming Lagos premium Expo will help redefine Nigeria's new middle income class of the future, as it will afford over 150 companies the opportunity to display their products, services and solutions.

According to a statement by the company, the expo, scheduled to hold between November 30 and December 2, 2012, will bring together manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, retailers and most importantly, consumers.

The company also said the expo will showcase products from six consumer-facing sectors including services, Fast

Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs), gifts, ecommerce, fashion and accessories, and arts and crafts.

The company said: “The event would feature a leadership conference with visionary keynote speakers and panelists, an exhibition with over 150 companies displaying products, services and solutions that will redefine the new middle income class of the future and awards ceremony recognizing Nigeria’s most innovative companies and initiatives.

“Expobiz is an organization with an objective to create world class, top-rated expo that has unequal opportunities for consumers to interact with leading brands and companies.”

Aregbesola canvasses trade links

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—OSUN State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday declared that the greatest source of hope for the viability of Nigeria as a country lay in its internal trade links.

The governor expressed the view during the sod turning ceremony of Aje International Market, organised by the state Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, at the trade fair complex in

Osogbo.

Aregbesola noted that in spite of all the troubles confronting the nation, trading remained a strong bond between the different peoples of the country, stating that the major problems of politics and culture were being bridged by trade links.

He stressed that the real basis for modern day Nigeria could be traced to trading, which, along with other factors, had already established the broad outlines of what today is known as Nigeria.

Akintelure receives support from Ilaje elders

F

ROM an unusual quarter, came support for Dr. Paul Akintelure’s nomination as the Deputy Governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, at the weekend, as three former deputy governorship aspirants, Chief Adewale Omojuwa, Chief Olu Tawose, Chief Wole Eruaye and the Ilaje Elder ’s Forum threw their weight behind his candidacy.

At a meeting held at Ilaje under the leadership of Chief Oluwanbe Omololu, a former Director of Immigration, Chief Francis Thinnance, Professor Esi Ebisemiju, a former Special Adviser to the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin on Energy Matters, Chief Sedera Victor Babatunde among oth-

ers, the group said although it was painful that an Ilaje man did not get the position of the deputy governorship slot under the platform of ACN, it saw the running mate as one of their sons as Ikale and Ilaje are one and the same. Dr. Akintelure is from Ikale.

Besides, the group insisted that it was only the ACN that had the blueprint to develop Ilaje which has suffered a criminal neglect from the Mimiko administration in the last three and a half years.

Speaking through its spokesman, Prof.

Ebisemiju noted that Dr. Akintelure is a renowned medical doctor, a philanthropist of note who has contributed not only to Ikaleland but also to Ilajeland.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—11

Activist decries abandonment of NDDC project

BY FESTUS AHON

U

WORKSHOP: From left: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Mr. Elias Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fisical Commission; Prof. Amos Utuama, Deputy Governor of Delta State and the representative of Governor Oshiomhole of Edo State, his Deputy, Mr. Pius Odubu, during the Zonal Advocacy Workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation, South-South Zone, held in Government House, Asaba, yesterday.

Bayelsa to right-size LG workforce

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha John Jonah, has re-affirmed the resolve of the state government to right-size the staff strength of local government areas in the state for effective service delivery.

Jonah, at a meeting with chairmen of Local Government Verification teams and the state Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, who doubles as Chairman of Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area, Chief Ebikitin Diongoli, in Yenagoa, weekend, observed that most of the councils can operate with less than half of their current workforce, noting that steps would be taken to reposition the councils and make them more accountable to the people.

He assured that government would provide

an alternative means of livelihood for those who would be affected by the planned exercise.

He expressed government’s desire to bequeath a local government system that is institutionalised and devoid of all forms of sharp practices as well as deliver the dividends of democracy to the rural

populace.

Jonah blamed the laxity at the third tier of government in the state on nonchalant disposition of previous Local Government Service Commissions.

He described as unacceptable, a situation where chairmen of councils borrow money to augment their over

Failed road: 8 pregnant women stranded on Calabar-Itu road

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

C

ALABAR—NO fewer than eight pregnant women, who were rushing to keep their appointments at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, were trapped on the CalabarItu highway as a result of the failed road which had been impassable for five

days.

Besides, ambulances carrying five corpses to various destinations for burial could not pass through the failed road.

Relatives of the deceased persons had to resort to carrying the corpses on their shoulders and trekking close to three kilometres to transfer them to other vehicles after spending about two days on the road.

The Calabar/Itu/Ikot Ekpene and Calabar/

Fresh crisis brews at Psychiatric Hospital in Edo

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—FRESH cri sis is brewing at Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Edo State, following the polarisation of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, SSAUTHRIAI, with the emergence of Dr. Sunday Olotu as the new

bloated wage bills and other expenditure.

In their separate presentations, chairmen of the verification teams for Brass, Yenagoa, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama councils suggested a drastic reorganisation of local government administration to check the excesses of certain categories of staff and wastage.

Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the hospital.

Some union members are insisting that the authentic leadership of the union is the one led by Mr. Uyi Oriakhi, alleging that the attempt to polarise the union was masterminded by the new management of the hospital because some members had gone to court to challenge the process, which threw up Olotu as the new CMD.

It will be recalled that the union had gone to court, challenging the process that led to Olotu's emergence, alleging that it was devoid of transparency and due process.

However, Oriakhi informed newsmen that they were committed to the cause of instituting transparency and accountability in the hospital, despite the attempt to factionalise the union.

Ogoja roads had become death traps for some time now as the roads which were constructed over 40 years ago had failed and is now a nightmare to motorists, while the economy of the state had suffered as a result of the deplorable state of the roads.

Speaking after inspecting the collapsed roads, state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Legor Idagbo, said the state government had been calling on the Federal Government over the deplorable state of Calabar/ Itu/Aba road and Calabar/Ogoja road since last year with no response.

He said: “Cross River State Government has spent close to N13 billion on federal roads in the state and as I speak, no kobo has been given back to us. Recently, the Federal Government sent a team and they came up with a figure of N3 billion as due us, that figure was inadequate but we said give us the money, but up till date, no kobo had been given to us.”

GHELLI—A HU MAN rights activist, Mr. Ezekiel Akpasibewei, has decried the abandonment of the 36-kilometer canalization project awarded

by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, over eight years ago.

He appealed to NDDC to re-award the contract to a more competent contractor from the area.

Akpasibewei, who addressed newsmen, weekend, said: “I am urging NDDC management to revoke the N1.3 billion project aimed at linking

four Egbema communities of Tsekelewu, Opuama , Ogbinbiri and Ogbudugbudu, all in Warri North council and rearward same to a competent contractor from the area.”

He accused the contractors that had handled the project of gross incompetence and insincerity, saying, “since 2004 when the contract was awarded, no meaningful work has been done.

“The first contractor awarded the job did not come from the place and so did not feel the pain of the people after his company collected over N650 million as mobilisation fee."

2 Brigade soldiers ordered to restrict activities to barracks

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—BRIGADE Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, BrigadierGeneral Tukur Buratai, has called on soldiers to restrict their social activities to the barracks.

General Buratai, weekend, in Port Harcourt, during the commissioning of the Soldiers’ Club in his barracks, said when soldiers restrict their social activities to the barracks, it would enhance their profes-

sional conduct.

He said with a Soldiers' Club already in place for the soldiers of the barracks, there was no need for them to go socialising at the Mammy market and other places of relaxation outside the barracks.

He said: “Soldiers' Club is a place in the barracks used for soldiers’ relaxation and recreation. Before now soldiers of 2 Brigade had no place for such activities and had to either patronise the mammy markets or go to clubs and beer parlours in town.”

Monarch flees coronation Otu Jeremi Police Diviceremony sion stormed the venue

BY EMMAAMAIZE

W

ARRI—THE Po lice in Delta State, weekend, stormed the coronation ceremony of a parallel Ovie (traditional) ruler of Ughevughe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area and halted the ceremony, during which the supposed king, Felix Ofulu, fled the community.

Vanguard gathered that police officers from

of the coronation and arrested two persons, Meshack Ukperi and Appeal Sikoho in connection with the alleged illegal ceremony.

Spokesperson of Delta Police Command, Mr. Charles Muka, told Vanguard, yesterday, that the police had to stop the coronation ceremony because it was illegal, adding that a manhunt was on for Ofulu, who had also been declared wanted.

Head of Anglican Communion loses mum

D

AME Ezinne Okoh, mother of the Head of the Anglican communion in Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, is dead, aged 90.

She passed on in her home town Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area of

Delta State on August 10.

A statement by the family said funeral rites will commence with a service of songs on October 25, at St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

12—Vanguard , TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Jonathan, Adeboye, Oyedepo storm Ibadan for prayer confab

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—AGAINST the backdrop of the insecurity in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President, David Mark; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Pastor David Oyedepo of Living Faith, among other notable Nigerians, will on September 22, converge in

Ibadan, Oyo State, to pray for peace in the country.

Coordinator, Nigeria National Fasting and Prayer Day, Prophet Okoduwa Atorkpa, told newsmen in Benin, Edo State, yesterday, that this year’s event was coming at a time the country was confronted with difficult challenges threatening its unity and coorperate existence.

He said the theme for the national conference, God Save Nigeria, was a divine revelation, adding

that “the only way to resolve all problems facing the nation was to pray to God to save Nigeria.

“All we are saying today is that if there is anything the country has neglected, it is prayers. I want to make it clear that no individual or group of persons can save Nigeria except God. “We are at a position where we require the presence of God because the battle in Nigeria today is spiritual.”

VISIT: From left— Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council; Engr. Olateju Oyeleye, a past President of NIM; and Mr. Maurice Lakanu, Registrar/Chief Executive, all of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), NIM, when the institute paid a visit to Oyeleye under the NIM We Care programme. PHOTO: Oscar Ochiogu.

11 die in Benin-Lagos road accidents

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—BARELY a week after four lecturers of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, died in a ghastly accident on Benin-Ore-Shagamu expressway, when their car plunged into the Ovia River, two separate accidents occurred, weekend,

on the same road, claiming 11 lives.

Meanwhile, following the frequent accidents on the road resulting in loss of lives and property, communities living along the road, especially those close to Ovia River have appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the bridge across the river.

Vanguard gathered that

the first accident, involving a Delta Line bus, occurred on Saturday close to Ore axis of the road, killing eight persons on the spot.

Three persons reportedly lost their lives in the second accident, involving a bus operated by Edegbe Line, a Benin-based transport company, close to the same axis.

A driver of the Edegbe

Line bus, who did not give his name, said the driver of the other vehicle lost control and had a head-on collision with their vehicle.

Causalities in the two accidents were deposited at undisclosed hospitals, while the survivors, who sustained various degrees of injuries were taken to University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin, for medical attention.

The survivors were, however, kept on the bare

floor of the Accident and Emergency Unit of UBTH as the bed spaces were already filled to capacity.

Commenting on the accidents, National Coordinator of Save Accident Victims of Nigeria, SAVAN, Dr. Eddy Ehikhamenor, decried the frequency of accidents on the BeninOre-Lagos road. He urged drivers plying the road to exercise caution, reminding them that the roads were always very busy during the ember months.

5-man robbery gang kills aide to Elechi's PA

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—A fiveman armed robbery gang, weekend, killed an aide to the Personal Assistant to Governor Martin Elechi on Internal Security and robbed the wife of the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Chukwuma Nwandugo, in Abakaliki, the state capital.

An eyewitness said the notorious robbery gang had earlier this year successfully raided an ATM machine located along Afikpo road and made away with undisclosed amount of money.

However, the state Joint Military and Police Patrol, allegedly smashed the gang said to have been terrorising the state for a long period of time.

The aide to the governor’s personal assistant (names withheld) was alleged to have met his untimely death when he ran into the robbers with a government vehicle on his way to buy fuel.

Reliable sources said the Joint Military and Police Squad killed one

of the hoodlums around the popular Sperando Junction and arrested the remaining four members of the gang when they tried to escape into the bush along Oriuzor in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.

Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Sylvester Igbo, denied the arrest of any of the gang members, but noted that one of them was killed during a shot-out.

A/Ibom to partner NDDC, MPN on Eket-Ibeno road

A

KWA Ibom State Gov ernment, weekend, restated its willingness to partner the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Mobil Producing Nigeria, MPN, to dualise the Eket-Ibeno Road.

State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who said this during the send-forth for the former Executive Director and General Manager, Public and Governmental Affairs of MPN, Mrs. Gloria Essien-Danner, in Uyo, recalled how Governor Godswill Akpabio had indicated the state government’s willingness to partner on the project during a tripartite meeting with NDDC and MPN at Qua Iboe Terminal, Ibeno, recently.

He said the government wanted the expansion of the scope of NDDC contract from a single lane road to a dualised one and was ready to send in consultants and bear part of the cost, if necessary.

Uwais public lecture holds

M

OHAMMED Lawal Uwais Public Service Award ceremony is holding today at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja.

The award is organised

by Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, and Nigerian Television Authority, NTA. The organising committee, yesterday, said Chief Philip Asiodu, is giving the special lecture on Public Service and Transformation Agenda: Redefining the Rules of Engagement.

The committee said: “The chairman of the occasion is Chief Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President. Others on the roll call as special guests are: Alhaji Isa Sali, Head of Service of the Federation, and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Mohammed Adoke, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Labaran Maku, Minister of Information and Communication, as chief hosts.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 13

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

INAUGURATION: From left— Prof. Ade Elebute, Chairman of the occasion; Rotn. Hairat Aderinsola Balogun, new President; Rotn. Kamoru Omotosho, District Governor, and his wife Susan, during the installation of Rotn. Balogun (OON) as 52nd President Rotary Club of Lagos, District 9110, induction of Club Officers and launching of projects for year 2012/2013, in Lagos, Friday. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Nigeria is secure — Petinrin

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

L

AGOS—FOLLOWING various terrorists attacks by the Boko Haram sect, leading to the death of scores of innocent Nigerians and the new trend of destroying telecommunication masts in the Northern parts of the country, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, has given the nation’s security apparatus a pass mark, saying those alleging insecurity were way off the mark.

Speaking in Lagos while commissioning the Joint Maritime Security Training Centre in Ojo, the CDS said: “Those saying Nigeria is insecure or emphasising insecurity in the nation should know that in a country of 36 states, if there are skirmishes or trouble in four or five states, and the security agencies are tackling it, it is a misunderstanding of the situation to

say there is insecurity in the country.

“I know there are certain states having problems of security challenges. You can name them: Borno, Yobe, partially Adamawa and Bauchi and a few incursions into Kano. You cannot because of this conclude that there is insecurity in the entire country.

“We have 36 states and Abuja and if we go by statistics, the fact that you have stable security in over 30 states out of the 36 states, tells you the nation is adequately secured.”

On the Joint Training Centre, the CDS noted that it was initiated by the government of the United Kingdom as part of her military training assistance to the Nigerian government, and that it is aimed at capacity building for Nigerian security personnel in maritime security as well as littoral and riverine operations.

LAUNCH: From left— Mr. Bravo Kim, Managing Director; Mr. Daesong Ra, Business Manager; Ms. Olubunmi Omikunle, Retail Marketing Manager, and Mr. Olumide Ojo, Head of Sales, all of Samsung Electronics, West Africa, at the opening of Samsung's Experience Store at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, Saturday.

Ibori $15m: EFCC moves against claimants

BY SONI DANIEL

A

BUJA—INDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had begun investigating those behind the attempts to reclaim the $15 million bribe money, which the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, gave the commission.

The anti-graft agency, it was learnt last night, had completed plans to investigate all who recently approached a Federal High Court in what a source described as a ‘desperate move’ to steal the $15 million bribe money.

Vanguard gathered that already the commission’s operatives were on the trail of an Abuja-based lawyer, who actually deposed to an affidavit claiming that one Chuibuike Achegbu, instructed him to do so on his behalf.

An EFCC source said the commission was interested in establishing who authorised David Alao to depose to the affidavit with a view to determining who to question and who to take into custody.

The source said since both Senator Uba and Achigbu had openly distanced themselves from the money in question, it was imperative for its operatives to find out the motives of those who wanted to claim the $15 million.

One source said: “Our main focus now is the person who made the application before the court. We really want to know who asked him to do so and why.

“But the person who also deposed to the affidavit is the first we want to pick up, so we can determine the others to follow. The whole show is like a clever attempt by some elements to

steal money that does not belong to them. It is a serious offence and we must get to the roots of the matter.”

Asked if Senator Andy Uba might be invited to give further details, the source hinted that all those who had any role to play in the matter would be questioned depending on the outcome of their investigation of the law firm that initiated the application and the deponent to the affidavit.

The source said: “I cannot tell you how many people will be invited for questioning for now, but what will happen depends on what our investigation of the major players will show.”

A Federal High Court had given an interim forfeiture order of the amount to the Federal Government and gave 14 days period during which the owner of the money should come for-

Catholic Bishops task Jonathan on killings, corruption

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—EVEN as the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, now doubt the ability of the Federal Government to resolve the current insecurity in the country, occasioned by the activities of the Boko Haram Islamist sect, it has asked the Federal Government to find lasting solution to the senseless killings of Christians and other innocent Nigerians in some parts of the North, warning that their patience was being overstretched.

President of the Con-

ference, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, spoke, weekend, at its Second Plenary Session holding at the Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral, Umuahia, Abia State.

Kaigama, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Jos Diocese, spoke on a day President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to “pay any price” to ensure that things were working well in Nigeria.

Kaigama said: “The patience of Christians, especially in the North, has been tried and tested for too long now. We ask that the reckless attacks on them and other innocent Nigerians be

brought to a halt through the proper use of security intelligence/ expertise available to government and security agencies both within and beyond Nigeria.

“The explosive devices have become like toys used at will and local and sophisticated arms escape our sea ports, land borders and find their way into the hands of criminals and hoodlums; it is a cause for very great concern.”

Corruption

On corruption, he said: “A few Nigerians wallow in unbelievable wealth and spend recklessly

what should be for all of us. Unbridled corruption and impunity among the nation’s political class is worrisome, particularly as the mismanagement is at all levels of government.”

On arms, ammunition

According to him, the apparently unchecked flow of arms and ammunition into the country and the attendant killings have made “most Nigerians wonder whether we are on top of the situation as usually claimed by government and security agencies.”

He, however, gave the

assurance that the Catholic Bishops and the faithful were committed to a united and peaceful Nigeria despite the blood-lettings of Christians and would continue to pray for the men of violence to change their ways and learn to love others like themselves.

Kaigama said the long term goal of the Boko Haram attacks on Christian was to cause sectarian violence and thus the disintegration of Nigeria and urged that “ we must collectively resist the attempt to pitch Northern Nigeria against Southern Nigeria; Christians against Muslims.”

ward with evidence to claim it.

Last week, some senior lawyers approached the court and prayed it to return the money to one Chibuike Achigbu, an oil and gas businessman.

In fact, the law firm of Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, leading two other Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and seven other lawyers, initiated the move to get the money returned to Achigbu.

In a 30-paragraph affidavit in support of the prayers, David Alao, who claimed to have been instructed by both Adeniyi Akintola and Chibuike Achigbu, swore that the claimant was the owner of the money in question and asked the court to return same to him.

Alao also stated that Andy Uba, in whose residence the money was given to Ribadu, would be ready to attest to the ownership of the money by Achigbu.

However, in a dramatic twist to the story, Uba, now a Senator, distanced himself from the claims of the lawyer, insisting that although Ibori came to his house and met the former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, he was not privy to what they discussed or what changed hands.

Similarly, the said Achigbu denied authorising the lawyers to go to court to claim the money, saying that someone might have tried to use his name for pecuniary reasons.

It could not be established as at press time if EFCC had arrested the lawyer and others involved in the move to claim the bribe sum.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—15

Kogi: S-Court dismisses Audu's appeal; upholds Wada's victory

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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FORUM—From left: South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Mamabolo; Senior Manager,

Master Brand, Emamoke Ogoro, Traditional Ruler of Twon Brass, Rivers State, HRH, King Diette-Spiff and Chief Security Officer, LM Ericsson, Mr. Hercules Venter during the MTN World Golfers Championship Business Forum at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, weekened.

VISIT—From left: Chief

Goodnews Ugorji, member Exco, Joe Anatune, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, B3 Communications and Sir Jude Agbaso, Imo State Deputy Governor, during a visit by Emekuku High School Old Boys' Assocciation to the Deputy Governor in Owerri.

Stop unethical practices, EFCC warns banks

BY SONI DANIEL

A

BUJA—CHAIRMAN of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, yesterday accused banks in the country of aiding and abetting unethical practices capable of undermining the commission’s work and the nation’s economy and warned them to desist from such practices forthwith.

Lamorde, who made the complaint when he received officials of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, led by its president and chairman of council, Mr. Segun Aina, lamented that such sharp practices had impacted negatively on the fight against economic and financial crimes.

The chairman decried a situation where banks refuse to cooperate with the commission in bank fraud investigation by not disclosing the identities of account owners even after repeated demands.

Among the vices, which the chairman accused the banks of promoting were;

secrecy surrounding private banking, doctoring or non-disclosure of true position of statement of accounts of suspicious account holders and noncompliance with KnowYour-Customer, KYC, principle.

Lamorde noted, “If you send a letter to the bank to avail you the details of certain accounts under investigation, the reply you will get is that such account does not exist.

“If you insist, then you will be told that such records are not on the front desk; that it is only the managing director or the deputy managing director that manages the account.

This is not a healthy development”, he declared.

Lamorde told the bankers that while the Commission appreciated the need for the banks to protect their customers, it was unfortunate that the protection had been overstretched by banks to the detriment of the society.

He said: “We want our society to be better. Nobody would want to be treated in an unfair manner outside the shores of this country

just because he or she is carrying a green passport,” he said.

The anti-graft boss, however, commended the CIBN for helping to sanitise the banking sector and promoting professionalism among its members.

“It is in our own interest that the banking system continues to get better.

Those who don’t have business being in the banking industry should go,” he pleaded.

Mr. Aina commended the EFCC chairman for the professional manner with which the EFCC under his leadership handles its assignment and expressed the hope that the body could do better.

He hinted that the CIBN could help train EFCC operatives to better understand new banking trends with a view to investigating and checkmating bank fraud.

The CIBN president also urged the EFCC to take a second look at the enforcement of the Dishonour Cheque Offences Act so as to curb the rising cases of bouncing cheques.

BUJA—THE Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed the appeal that was filed before it by the former Governor of Kogi State and gubernatorial flag bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Audu Abubakar, challenging the victory of Governor Idris Wada in the election.

Audu had pleaded the apex court to upturn the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court, which had on July 12, dismissed his case as lacking in merit.

Meanwhile, delivering its judgment, Justices of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Muhktar stressed that the appellant, Audu, failed to file his case within the statutorily allotted timeframe, noting that he was already out of time.

Consequently, the apex court, maintained that the inability of the appellant to abide by the rules stripped it of the jurisdiction to

adjudicate on the matter.

Counsel to Audu, Charles Edomsomwan, SAN, had earlier prayed the court to allow the case, contending that the appeal was as of right, thus, the court should in the display of justice exercise its discretion in hearing the appeal on its merit.

He pleaded that filing the appeal outside the stipulated time was an error on his part, adding that he thought that 21 days was provided for instead of 14 days.

Counsel to PDP, Lateef Fagbemi SAN had filed a counter affidavit in opposition to the application for extension of time, submitting that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear it in the first place as provided for

by Section 285(7) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Likewise, counsel to Wada and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chris Uche SAN and Yusuf Ali, SAN, respectively, also prayed the court to dismiss the appeal for being incompetent, a request that was accordingly granted.

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Somalia elects Ahmed new president S

From left— Ambr. Empire Kanu, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State and Engr.

Boulos Fady, M/D Chabel Construction Company Limited during an inspection tour of the International Conference Centre under construction in Umuahia.

Flood kills 23 in Jigawa—NEMA

BY TINA AKANNAM

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UTSE—NO fewer than 23 persons lost their lives, while thousands of houses and farmlands were destroyed in the recent flood disasters that ravaged Jigawa State, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad Sidi, has disclosed.

Alhaji Sidi disclosed this during a condolence visit to Governor Sule Lamido at the government house in Dutse. He said NEMA was in Jigawa State to commiserate with the people of the state over the flood disasters that claimed more than 23 lives and destroyed several houses.

He said the agency was working round the clock with the state government to explore long term solutions to flood disaster in the state. During the visit, the agency donated 12,200 bags of cement, 400 bags of rice, 170 women wrappers, 100 bundles of roofing sheets, and 10 bags of

millet, maize, corn, 50 cartons of detergent, 30 cartons of milk and bed sheets and mattresses, among others.

In his response, Gover-

nor Lamido thanked the agency for its response to the disaster and urged it to work out strategy that will curtail flood disasters in the country.

••as Commissioner, Reps donate to victims in Borno

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI— BORNO State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, has embarked on the construction of mosques and two rooms each for the 50 victims whose houses were destroyed last week by flood in Tashan-Alade community of Hawul Local Government Area in the state.

Mr. Bwala, who paid a visit to the riverine community, yesterday, to sympathise with the flood victims, said government is “service to the people,” and that he decided to pay them the visit to identify with them

over the flood disaster.

The commissioner said the project would cost him about N9.2 million, stressing that this gesture was done from his personal donation as, according to him, shelter is life.

It will be recalled that some top government officials, which include the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Usman Durkwa; member House of Representatives for Hawul and Askira-Uba Federal constituency, Mr. Abdul Msheliza and the House of Assembly member, Mr. Ayuba Wakawa, had, before the Bwala’s intervention, visited the affected community and collectively donated food items worth N1 million.

Gaidam flays attacks by hoodlums

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AMATURU—YOBE State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has condemned recent attacks in Damaturu, the state capital, by hoodlums suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

He said the "attacks are barbaric, evil-minded and counter-productive and we condemn them in totality.”

The governor spoke during a visit to the offices of the State Pilgrims Commission and Ministry of Religious Affairs headquarters in Damaturu totally burnt down by the attackers.

Gaidam said the attackers were ‘sponsored by enemies within and outside’ who were bent on scuttling the progress the state was making, adding: “These boys perpetrating these

atrocities have sponsors.

“They are not doing it in the name of religion or for religion. But they stand to gain nothing from their

actions. I can assure them that we will not be distracted from our efforts and goal of serving the people effectively and efficiently.”

Muslim cleric, teachers get N5,000 pay in Bauchi

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI—GOVERNOR Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has commenced payments of N5,000 monthly allowances to 5,000 imams and Tsangaya school teachers in all the 20 local government areas of the state.

Launching the payments, yesterday, in Bauchi, Yuguda said 500 Tsangaya Qur’anic schools in the state were to benefit from the N825 million Yuguda administration generosity of

cash assistance for 33 months.

He said N25 million will be distributedmonthlytothebeneficiaries of the programme, comprising chief Imams or Mallams of the Tsangaya schools, effective from August this year to April, 2015.

The governor, who was represented by the Director-General, Tsangaya Education, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, reiterated the government's determination to continue to give helping hand to Qur’anic schools in the state.

OMALI lawmakers yesterday elected a little known school teacher as their president with the hope of moving the nation a step closer to its first stable central government since the 1991 ouster of a dictator.But the presidential elections was marred by allegations of bribery, with up to $50,000 said to have changed hands among members of parliament.

Senior diplomatic sources deployed in the region •Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, incumbent president to ensure honest and fair election, have confirmed tion and infighting. Howthat the process of vote ever, the bribery allega- lis who have returned buying has been under tions confirm fears of the from overseas.

Among his strongest riway over the last few election being rigged. vals is prime minister, days.

Earlier, diplomatic It was hoped that the sources said that “if MPs Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, vote for a new president, don’t vote with their con- and the main opposition the first of its kind in de- science, this will contin- figure, Hassan Sheikh. If no one candidate secures cades, would alter the ue the orgy of political landscape of the corruption”.The incum- a two-thirds majority in nation and be a milestone bent president, Sheikh the first round of voting in the war-ravaged coun- Sharif Ahmed, is up and a simple majority in try’s quest to end two de- against 25 candidates in- the second, the election cades of violence, corrup- cluding prominent Soma- would go to a third round.

Egypt hosts summit on Syria O FFICIALS from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran will meet in Cairo yesterday to discuss the Syrian crisis, but analysts said the regional powers were unlikely to agree on any tangible steps.Iran is a staunch ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is fighting an uprising against his rule, while the three other countries have all called for him to quit power.

Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shi’ite Iran have tussled for influence in recent years in sectarian conflicts across the Middle East. Tehran accuses regional states like Saudi Arabia and Turkey of assisting Syrian rebels fighting to topple Assad.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said the meeting of the quartet, under an initiative proposed by Egypt, would gather senior Foreign Ministry of-

S/African miners adamant, continue protest

S

OUTH African min ers yesterday continued with their protest in demand for increase pay from their employers.

The bulk of the 3,000 members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) - who led the so-called wildcat strike have continued their protest. At least 34 men died when police opened fire on August 16 on striking workers at the Lonmin PLC-operated platinum mine, located in North West province. Hundreds of strik-

ing miners marched on Monday in defiance of the agreement signed by the mine management and the main National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Reports yesterday from Rustenburg, 100km north of Johannesburg, said the loss of income for the mine companies as a result of the strike, which has severely hampered operations, has been “massive”.

“Lonmin says as well that in total they are losing about a 100m a month in operating profit,” he said.

•Mohammed Morsi ficials from the four nations to prepare for higher-ranking talks.

He told reporters a meeting of foreign ministers would take place in Cairo in the “coming days”, but did not give a date. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Cairo would seek agreement on several points, including stopping violence, ensuring Syria’s territorial unity, rejecting any foreign military intervention and launching a political process to achieve the Syrian people’s “aspirations for democracy, freedom and dignity.”

Asked why Egypt had not called for Assad’s isolation, Amr said: “We are still at an early stage.

The Foreign Ministry statement lays down the principles of action. In the end we want the interest of the Syrian people and the quickest end to the bloodshed.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—17

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I

f the erudite Chief had stopped at “excessive greed and self-seeking….and growing pessimism amongst the vast majority”, he would have struck most forcefully at the heart of our present national malaise. Given the level of individual and group self-seeking, and pessimism about our country, the real questions to ask today are: Are there true Nigerians left out there? Are

is unrealistic, in fact, a pretence, to think that once our self or group interest is taken care of, Nigeria will be okay. That has not happened; that cannot happen. The Nigeria that will work for any individual or group is a Nigeria that works for all! Can’t we get it? Justice is it!

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Where is the hope for Nigeria?

•Chief Philip Asiodu there believers in Nigeria out there? What are the values on which this country is rooted? Are there people standing up for such values? Corruption and

all held responsible under the same laws and the same rules.

It is not accurate, as the Chief implied, that the years of deterioration in the quality of gov-

,

HIS title is actually a tink ering of the title of a paper delivered by Chief Phillip C Asiodu at a forum recently. The paper was titled: “Is There Any Hope For Nigeria?” (The Nation, 3 September 2012, page 21). There is no doubt that many Nigerians have wondered and are wondering where the nation is heading to and if there is any hope for recovering from the present problems. Any nation weighed down the way we are by the enormity of problems confronting us should worry for its future! Nigerians follow the politically correct nuance of referring to problems as challenges.

Good! But where challenges are not confronted and dealt with, they remain problems!

Chief Asiodu, we must recall belongs to the tribe of Nigeria’s Super Permanent Secretaries when Nigeria was hopefully marching towards development. He later was a Minister of the Federal Republic. Chief Asiodu has seen and enjoyed the brief shining moment of Nigeria. Given the degeneration of the country, he rightly asked: "Is There Any Hope For Nigeria?" The Chief admitted with remorse that “this regrettably, is a fair question given the massive challenges confronting us today”.

These challenges he listed as: issues of security of persons and property, political stability, economic development, increasing pauperization of the masses, degraded infrastructure of power, transportation, educational and health facilities; all pervasive corruption and excessive greed and self-seeking amongst the three tiers of government, unresponsive governance and growing pessimism amongst the vast majority of the country’s population. Then Chief Asiodu went down memory lane to recount the good old days. No one will dispute that Nigeria’s glory is in the past!

Today Nigeria is no more than a goat owned by all but no one takes responsibility to feed it; everybody milks the public goat to buy a mansion in Dubai; it is, therefore, unrealistic to expect that the economy would not collapse under such mindless rapacity

infrastructural deficit, failure of educational and health institutions and the prevalent insecurity are symptoms of a citizenry that has turned its back on the nation. The problems confronting us today are symptoms of lack of belief in any value and indeed, a resistance to all laws that protect our common citizenship while we pursue self and group aggrandizement. Things worked (or let me say Nigeria was held together) in the days of the Asiodus because we were

rigging, Niger Delta militancy and the prevailing terrorism in the North are all outcomes of our retreat to enclave politics that placed Nigeria last. Today Nigeria is no more than a goat owned by all but no one takes responsibility to feed it. Everybody milks the public goat to buy a mansion in Dubai. It is, therefore, unrealistic to expect that the economy would not collapse under such mindless rapacity that has unleashed on us politics of do-or-die. Thus, yesterday’s champions of nationalism are today’s strident ethnic champions. And the ethnic champions are proud of their role. They are celebrated and bestowed with our national honours for being ethnic nationalists! The cancer eating up Nigeria is not the jargon of Medium Term, Rolling Plan, Perspective Plan or National Development. Why did all of these come unstuck? Why did they fail? Are they the disease or the symptoms?

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ernance and economic stagnation…followed the December 1983 coup against Shehu Shagari’s brief interlude of civilian rule. The seed of excessive greed…self-seeking and pessimism were sowed the moment we abandoned merit, law and order, and began to aggressively pursue obsessive tribal, religious, sectional and regional interest. And this was long before even the 1966 coup!

The 1966 coup, the civil war, prolonged military rule, election

re we not listening to the vitriolic language of our debates? Are we not reading the same newspapers replete with strident divisiveness? Where in our outbursts, threats and jingoism can we locate the interest of the nation? Where in the fire and brimstone can we locate a passion for our nation? Where in our scramble for the national cake for ourselves and our group can we locate our allegiance to Nigeria? Can you feel the shame?

Any nation where a few or any group places its interest above everybody else’s or above the nation, any nation where the operating philosophy is everyone to himself, nothing can work.

And so it has not worked for us and even that which worked in the past have been lost to selfishness and excessive greed. It

here is no new grammar to blow. It is very simple.

Man is the only agent of change for good or bad. As I say to people: A nation can be destroyed by earthquake and the people rise up and rebuild. A nation can be ravaged by flood and the citizens rise up and rebuild. A nation can be swept by flood and the citizens rise up and rebuild. The economy of a nation can collapse and the citizens take collective responsibility and rebuild it. But any nation where the citizenry is destroyed by excessive greed, selfseeking and pessimism about their country, loses the capacity for self renewal. That is the reason why Nigeria is reeling from crisis to crisis. That is why we have gone from a strong economy to a weak economy, our oil resources, notwithstanding. That is why all the fine documents, from Vision 2010 to 20:2020, have failed to transform our economy. That is why every aspect of our national life has collapsed. That is why we have gone from being the giant of Africa to a whimpering mouse.

That is why we watch as our country is being shot to pieces while we hope for a miracle to stop it. No people have paid so much lip service to their country as we have.

Whatever Nigeria is today is what we made of it. Whatever Nigeria is not today is what we have failed to make of it. It is absolutely in our hands to make or mar Nigeria. Yes, the anger in the land is justifiable. Nigeria has not been fair to all. But that is the architecture we constructed, all of us! Yet we are scared to even re-examine that architecture! Any leader who will make the difference must rise above himself, his ethnic proclivity and group dictates to put Nigerians to work for Nigeria. Such a leader must reinvent the Nigerian citizenship that is patriotic and passionate about our country. That is the challenge. That is the only way to restore hope for Nigeria. Hope for our future must emanate from us, Nigerians.

OPINION Continued frompage 19

BY MAGNUS ONYIBE

But he also leveraged on Okonjo-lweala's global financial contacts and secured debt write-off for Nigeria and Yar-Adua restored stability in the Niger Delta for improved crude oil/gas production and sale via the amnesty he granted ex-militants and in the process

inadvertently stoked poverty rights activism in the north masquerading as religious terrorism a.k.a boko haram which was inherited by Jonathan along with $45 billion dollars in external reserve and $ 25 billion in excess crude account,epileptic power supply plus decaying infrastructure.

Can President Jonathan leave a legacy not as blighted as his predecessors?He has been on the saddle barely one year,so there is still ample opportunity and many good reasons to celebrate if he is able to raise electricity power

Abati, Jonathan they don't know and prophesy (2)

generation and distribution to 10,000 from the 2.8 mega watts where it was about a year ago, revamp decaying infrastructure i.e. roads,airports, railways, schools,hospitals, housing,and improve the dismal level of infant- maternal mortality rate as well as create employment through resuscitation of agriculture sector and industries . Albeit with cautious optimism,there are indications that president Jonathan may well be on his way to accomplishing the aforementioned lofty goals going by the preparatory progress because farming is receiving huge boost,power supply is ramping up to about 4.6 mega watts,airports are being revamped ,railway lines are being reactivated and value for money policies are being pursued by finance ministry and related agencies via probes into the fraud fraught pension funds administration and oil subsidy payment procedures.If these missions and visions

of government are driven with more vigour,president Jonathan's promise that he would be the most praised president at the end of his tenure during the opening of ceremony of Nigeria Bar Association,NBA conference recently in Abuja ,may be plausible.We must all also thumps up for president Jonathan for going out of his comfort zone to appoint people like Athiru Jega,an academic activist and Rueben Abati his known media critic into office which is a testimony to the fact that he is not a captive leader that appoints only his acolytes to office as Abati tried to refute in his article which is more or less an Ode to MrPresident.

It now behoves of Rueben Abati,a literary giant and man of uncommon patriotic zeal(reflected in how well he fitted into Pat Utomi's role in the defunct tv show,Patito's Gang) to push all these interim accomplishments into the public arena thereby ensuring he has less grey hairs to remove from from president Jonathan's head. *Mr. Onyibe wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTENBER 11, 2012 HE Federal Government has made known its intention to unveil a National Integrated Master Plan in the near future. It will be a combined effort among the Ministry of National Planning, the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the moribund Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Agency (ICRC).

According to the National Planning Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman and his colThis Plan is significant in the history of league of the Trade and Investment Min- this country. It is the boldest indication yet istry, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the Plan is that the Federal Government is progresaimed at evolving a single plan of action sively reducing its involvement in the esfor the rapid development of infrastructure, tablishment of capital projects around the ensuring that duplications between state country, which in the past it found difficult and federal governments which in the past to maintain after spending huge sums to led to stalling of projects are avoided forth- build. It is open to debate whether this is with. Usman says the newly-set up Central desirable, but for us the most important Working Group (CWG) led by Mr. Moses thing is that attempts are being made once Akpobasa to draw up the Master Plan is again to have some kind of national develaimed at plugging it into the effort towards opment plan, this time specifying infrarealising the Vision 20-20 agenda. structure.

More importantly, it will help investors to Perhaps nowhere else in the country is the choose where they want to put their mon- chaos occasioned by lack of shared vision ey in a new strategy where the private sec- and responsibilities in infrastructural detor is about to take up a leading role in the velopment more telling than Lagos, the foinfrastructural development of Nigeria. cal theatre of the Nigerian economy. Most

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The new infrastructure Master Plan

of the roads being reconstructed and rehabilitated in Lagos belong to the state government. Most federal roads are left to rot.

The irony is that Apapa, where majority of the facilities belong to the Federal Government, are in desperately deplorable conditions, and yet this is the zone that accounts for the chunk of Nigeria’s non-oil revenues.

We fault the intention of the FG to nominate commissioners from geo-political zones to play roles in the CWG. Rather, we recommend that state governments should be fully involved in the evolvement of the Plan to ensure that duties, responsibilities and benefits of the Plan will be acceptable to both the FG and states. Let it be a partnership, rather than master-servant relationship.

If everybody – federal, state governments and investors – come on board on terms that are mutually beneficial, the possibility of success will be much higher.

We commend this effort to introduce an integrated strategy to overcome our infrastructure deficits. We hope it will be implemented.

OPINION

BY NA-ALLAH ZAGGA

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S an indigene of Kebbi State, I feel thoroughly embarrassed by the current needless and ridiculous controversy over the nomination of retired Brigadier-General Bitrus Boka Ushe for a ministerial appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan. Leading this unfortunate campaign of denigration against the nominee is the Kebbi State chairman of the PDP chapter, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, who should qualify among our enlightened men of reason. That expectation was not to be. Instead he has provided the ammo for pulling down General Boka from the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State. The chairman’s arguments are that the General is not a PDP member and that he is not known to the people of Kebbi State because he is allegedly more frequently based in Kaduna.

Does it mean, therefore, that if a man stays outside his state or maintains a house elsewhere in Nigeria or abroad, he is automatically not qualified to hold a public office? Does it also mean that if a citizen is not a PDP member, he is not qualified to be appointed a Minister from his state? If that was the case, how come the former Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Abubakar Kaoje, was appointed to that position when he was a Vice-Chancellor of the Kebbi State University? He is an academic and not a card-carrying member of the PDP when he was nominated for ministerial appointment?

Besides, who told the Kebbi State PDP chairman that a ministerial nominee must be a card-carrying member of the ruling Party to qualify for that position? Did he forget that in a presidential system of government, the President has the right to appoint ministers even outside the party? Dr. Mansur Liman and Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman were not PDP members when they were appointed ministers by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua administration.

What then is the Kebbi State PDP chairman talking about?

He was waffling on and on in several newspaper interviews without saying anything to convince any intelligent and discerning Nigerian. It is unfortunate that our politicians in

Wrong message from Kebbi State sensitive positions don’t know the difference between presidential and parliamentary systems of government when it comes to public appointments. Worse still, the seeming reluctance of the Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari, to distance himself officially from the dangerous manipulation of sentiments by the party chairman is worrisome and it suggests that he is tacitly in support of this dirty politics of ethnic and religious divide.

The arrogance of the majority that borders on selfishness, greed and injustice should not be allowed to undermine the current efforts to rebuild Northern unity. I am from the Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi State which has the majority, but I don’t think my rights would be better protected by treating others, the socalled minority, unjustly. Being small doesn’t necessarily suggest being insignificant or non-existent. Sadly, this is the kind of arrogance being displayed by the so-called majority elements in this country. Is Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State not performing wonderfully, despite the fact that he comes from a minority ethnic group?

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he Nigerian Constitution is superior to the PDP narrow politics in Kebbi State and, therefore, President Jonathan should not succumb to this cheap blackmail by the enemies of unity, tolerance and harmonious coexistence. What I find even disgusting is the suggestion by the Kebbi State PDP chairman that the nomination of General Boka Usha, a minority Christian from Zuru, could endanger the relative harmony of the state. How? Does fairness or justice threaten stability? On the contrary, the absence of the two is the real threat to unity and peace. It is totally disappointing that a party chairman should be at the forefront of promoting this dangerous politics of division.

It is apparent that some of our so-called leaders are paying lip

service to unity. The late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduna of Sokoto, never discriminated against anybody in public appointments on the basis of their religion and ethnicity, which was why he was respected by all. Chief Solomon Lar, Sunday Awoniyi, Michael Audu Buba and Jolly Tanko Yusuf were among the prominent Christian minority figures appointed into key positions by the late Sardauna. He appointed them into prominent public offices purely on merit. That was the only secret why the late Premier became the pillar of Northern unity.

At a time Northern unity is mortally threatened by interminable ethnic/religious conflicts caused by the selfishness and greed of our politicians of this generation, the Kebbi State PDP chairman and Governor Dakingari are sending a wrong message to other Nigerians. What impact can the Northern Governors Forum ever make when it harbours elements who are silently working to destroy what the late Sardauna had built? Can we achieve Northern unity through greed, intolerance, selfishness, injustice and lip service to peaceful coexistence?

Repudiating General Boka Ushe by the Kebbi State PDP chairman must be rejected totally because it is a threat to our unity. Are the politicians more patriotic than other Nigerians who can competently serve their country on merit? Our leaders should be more broad-minded in their outlook to national issues. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed a Republican member, Mr. William Cohen, to become his Defence Secretary. Did America tear apart because a Republican outsider was made a Defence Secretary by a Democratic President?

If General Boka were to donate millions to the PDP chapter in Kebbi State, the party chairman would have readily rushed forward to lap up the donation and prayed for the “outsider” from Zuru. Boka is now an outsider in his own state because of sheer greed and selfishness.

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

Vanguard, TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER 11, 2012— 19

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HEN management announced that medical benefit which was in form of free hospital services to each staff and family up to a limit of six was to be monetized and paid to staff as part of their monthly salary, majority of the junior staff rejoiced. For many of them at the survival margins in terms of their monthly salary, the monetization was seen as additional disposable income to be applied to other economic challenges facing their families. Management took the decision because the medical facility was being abused by staff.

It was discovered that relations other than the qualifying staff, spouse and four children were helping themselves to the bank’s free medical facility inappropriately.

The medical facility was in reality a pooling of risk for the staff. Senior staff who had better nutrition and lived in better houses tended to fall ill less, yet they contributed more to the medical pool since it was a percentage of their higher incomes. On the other hand, the junior work force with their limited access to good nutrition and living environment tended to be more prone to diseases and sicknesses; hence the pool provided ready assistance for their health needs. While it lasted, the pool ensured that the average number of sick days for staff was minimized since most medical conditions that could have kept

staff from work for several days, if unattended to, were dealt with in the bank’s appointed health facilities. However, the rising annual health cost which hit the bank’s bottom line challenged management to re-strategize on it.

With the scrapping of the common medical plan, the annual medical cost to the bank became more controlled and managed as desired by management.However, the immediate fallout was that the number of sick days took an upward swing as many junior workers found themselves unable to meet their health bills from their enhanced salaries and resorted to self-cure often leading to long absences from work. In addition, more man hours were lost to staff tending to sick family members due to lack of access to proper medical attention.

What happened in our bank is in some ways a representation of the big debate in the current American presidential election campaigns on comprehensive health insurance which the Republicans have dubbed “Obama Care”. Essentially, according to Obama CareFacts, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into Law by President Barack Obama in 2010 provides a three-stage approach to affordable healthcare to Americans. It guarantees that health care is available to any legal U.S. resident who cannot otherwise obtain “good” healthcare through their employer; gives American

employers the choice between providing comparable insurance and paying a modest contribution to the ObamaCare Health Care system to aid in the health coverage of all Americans; and requires that all Americans have health insurance either through a private provider or by the Health Care for America Plan. In effect, it is a choice between state intervention in health insurance to make it affordable to all Americans and the alternative where each person pays what he can afford for health insurance which leaves a large number of the population uninsured and vulnerable.

What the Act did is to leverage on the insurance principle of pooling of risks which works best as the size of the pool increases. By bringing the entire population into the health insurance pool, the unit cost of healthcare delivery per person is lowered and becomes more affordable. Clearly, it makes a lot of economic sense to get more people into the pool than the alternative of only those who can

Abati, Jonathan they don't know and prophesy (2)

BY MAGNUS ONYIBE

Continued from yesterday

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AVING defined the brand Jonathan that he desires,he should go ahead and make it happen because neither the media nor the opposition will do it for him.

In reputation management,one of the biggest mistakes is to allow a competitor or opponent define your product or principal for you.So engaging in emotional outburst against the very nimble social media matadors who are the main butt of Abati's ire, is begging the issue and the fact that President Jonathan, like Obama, is an avid user of Facebook,Twitter and Blackberry,makes the option of courting the social media supremos more compelling than carpeting them.

In the business of news gathering,bad news is good news, so the opposition,especially the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN's, Lai Mohamed, leaves no stone unturned in unleashing into the public arena negative information about Jonathan's regime which is magnetised by media hounds, neglecting the good news which, to the newsman, is bad news because it does not sell the paper, radio or TV station.This is why in reputation management,there is the Pull and Push principle.While negative news has a propelling tendency for gravitating into the media,the positive has to be pushed.Put succinctly,concerted efforts must be made by image/brand managers,in this case,Mr President's handlers to prepare media releases about

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all the good things coming out of Aso Rock and beyond and push same into the media,possibly everyday because extra ordinary situations demand extra ordinary measures.Crying wolf, which Abati's article and Mr President's alleged comments appear to be, would only further alienate those that should be Aso Rock allies.

Admittedly,l have been in Abati's position in the past so l can understand his pains.Privileged to package for the media,the late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as presidential candidate of the PDP in 2007 and serving as his returning officer during the PDP primaries that produced him as presidential candidate and Dr Jonathan as his running mate at that time, l was pained when the Yar'Adua l knew was being portrayed in the media as a weakling and incompetent, similar to the image of President Jonathan his traducers would want the public to believe.

As a counter-measure to the allegation that he did not have an economic blueprint, l wrote an article "Understanding Yar'Adua's Seven-Point Agenda", which was published on the back page of Thisday Newspaper by the then editor, Simon Kolawole and subsequently adopted by government as the cardinal programme of the administration(although without workshopping it). Similar articles chronicling that administration's achievements followed, although seemingly unsolicited because my good friend, Segun Adeniyi, was his spokesman at that time.As it turned out,

afford it.In Nigeria, comprehensive health insurance was introduced through the National Health Insurance Scheme Decree 35 promulgated on May 10, 1999 by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The decree provides for compulsory health insurance by all employers in both the public and private sectors with a minimum number of employees of 10. The health care of the employees and their immediate dependants is then paid for from funds created by pooling the contributions of employers and employees or as in some organisations, by the contributions of only the employers depending on internal arrangements.It is over 13 years now since the decree was promulgated and one would have expected that a large chunk of our population would be covered by now. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our citizens are yet to understand the usefulness of this law to them and to become part of it. Every single day, we all face various health risks, some of which can be overwhelming for a large number of people. However, if we pooled together, each challenged person can be accommodated from the pool at their own moment of crisis and the society as a whole becomes healthier.

The improved health spending from the pool will also provide growth impetus for our health care system as more funding will be provided.

As an economic initiative, a vibrant health insurance system in Nigeria holds promises of delivering better health care for our people; growth in the pharmaceutical and health industry; growth in the financial sector and providing employment

,

BY CLEMENT OFUANI

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Affordable health care for the masses

The health challenges that send our people to India for medical attention could be taken care of in Nigeria with a better health care funding mechanism

Crying wolf, which Abati's article and Mr President's alleged comments appear to be, would only further alienate those that should be Aso Rock allies

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Yar'Adua proved to skeptics that he was quite the opposite of a weakling because it was he who had the bold initiative of spanking rights agitators in the Niger Delta to avoid further haemorrhage of the nation's oil/gas resources and like a wise father swiftly cuddling them by granting amnesty to those who opted to surrender their weapons, thus pulling Nigeria back from the brinks of economic collapse.It takes a bold leader to relieve cabinet members of their jobs when they are found wanting as Yar'Adua did when he fired the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation,SGF, just as PresidentJonathan recently edged out of his cabinet, the National Security Adviser,NSA, as well as Defence, Transport, lnterior and now Power ministers for perceived inability to deliver on their mandate or for infractions.

Perhaps to prove that President Jonathan is fully on the driver's seat of his administration,a media chat through live interactive television show was hosted but not a few people considered it a poor outing essentially because of the gaffe of Mr President when he allegedly

for jobless Nigerians in these sectors of the economy. In spite of these clear benefits, the clay footedness of policy makers in driving it as part of our national economic development agenda is stupefying.

If policy makers are remiss in implementation of this laudable legislation, the disinterestedness of the ordinary citizen is more befuddling. Someone asked me recently if it is a result of poverty, but I thought differently. In my view, it comes down to what level of priority we accord to health matters in our lives. Where healthcare is regarded as important as feeding, health insurance is the cheapest and more efficient mechanism for meeting healthcare cost and should assume a pride of place in the family budget as opposed to its complete absence at the moment.

Each time, I see on the television, appeals for assistance because of medical challenges that face particular persons which is beyond their means, I am reminded that a solution lies in sight in our health insurance system, if only we can collectively reach for it. The health challenges that send our people to India for medical attention on a daily basis could be taken care of in Nigeria with a better health care funding mechanism that simultaneously saves the nation large outflow of scarce foreign currencies for medical tourism.

Like the Americans have made affordable medicare a major electoral item, it is hoped that in future elections in Nigeria, issues such as this will predominate our discussions in place of the mundane on which we currently thrive.

•Mr. Ofuani, a social critic, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

said, "l don't give a damn" while trying to defend his desire not to declare his assets because it is not a constitutional requirement.That media gaffe was avoidable through the process called 'mock' interview and 'filtration'?This simply means that President Jonathan could have faced a panel of in-house journalists with a barrage of likely questions to be asked and his response evaluated and amended or modified before the actual live television show.

Nevertheless, President Jonathan's recent ex-tempore comments at the Nigerian Bar Association,NBA, conference has greatly modified his public persona as his informed analysis of the vexed issue of state police and Boko Haram imbroglio through balanced understanding of the protagonists and antagonists, go a long way in demonstrating that Nigeria's policies are subjected to critical thinking.

Perhaps, Abati would take solace in the fact that other Nigerian leaders are still being lampooned several years after they left office.For instance, it is generally believed, rightly or wrongly, that the regimes of Shehu Shagari,Muhamadu Buhari and lbrahim Babangida accumulated the debt that the nation is still grappling with.

Sani Abacha re-ignited the rights agitation issues in the Niger Delta via the extra-judicial killing of the famous Ogoni Nine, just as OBJ exacerbated the situation when he tried to suppress the consequential resource control struggle by ambushing and incarcerating leaders of the struggle.

Continues on page 17 *Mr. Onyibe, a former commissioner in Delta State, wrote from Abuja.

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

STORIES BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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n what the government had done so far to forestall re-occurrence of the flood incidents arising from the July 10, 2011 rainfall, as well as prepare for the next intense rainfall after the August break, Bello stated: “We have undertaken de-silting of drains

*On-going creation of new alignment to de-flood Oshodi/Agege Motor Road

Flood alert in Lagos communities •As govt budgets billions for canal upgrading across the state and dredging of canals in all the nooks and crannies of the state. This was swiftly embarked upon while contracts for the construction of drain and road projects were

,

N order to avoid a possible flood disaster, Lagos residents will do well to listen to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, which had predicted a 2012 high prospect of intense rains in the state to be accompanied by heavy flooding.

Lagos with over 18 million estimated population has had its fair share of rainstorm disasters in recent past. Last year, precisely July 10, several innocent souls perished in the over 12 hours of intense rainfall that swept across the state. This can’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Happily the state government is not taking the danger inherent in the 2012 prediction lightly, as it has announced its intention to embark on projects to upgrade infrastructures so as to reduce the incidence of flooding as well as ensure protection of lives and property.

It would be recalled that Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, while presenting a budget estimate of N485.292 billion for 2012 to the state House of Assembly for ratification, said his administration’s purpose and commitment towards delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of citizens of the state remained unchanged. The amount, according to the governor, was proposed in consideration of the prevailing economic climate. The budget exceeds by 7.66 per cent the 2011 budget estimate which stood at N445.180 billion.

About three years ago, the state Ministry of the Environment had been getting an annual budget of millions but this was recently upgraded into billions in order to address various infrastructural shortfalls begging for attention.

The government said it has already disbursed billions of naira for such projects where over 200 canals and drainage are either ongoing or completed across the metropolis, adding that this has ensured that the state did not record alarming loss of lives and property despite the heavy rainfall witnessed so far this year. The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, had often explained that Lagos, being a coastal city is prone to perennial flooding at any slightest rainfall, but the state government was not resting on its oars at mitigating the impact of the climate change, which has made the state witnessed unusual whether condition..

We have undertaken de-silting of drains across the state and dredging of canals in all the nooks and crannies of the state

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awarded. Beyond this, periodic sensitisation of the general public on the danger of disposing refuse into the drainage channel is also at every monthly sanitisation exercise, while residents are always urged to shun cart pushers who may dispose refuse in the already dredged canals”.

However, during the monitoring exercise of the August monthly environmental sanitation in Ajeromi Local Government Area of the state,

Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Dr. Taofeek Folami, did reveal plans by the state government to embark on a more aggressive upgrading of upstream and downstream sections of canals next year with robust budgeting for the implementation in the 2013 budget proposal to further enhance infrastructural development across the state.

He disclosed that presently, government has identified for upgrading in the 2013 budget the upstream sections of the Achakpo, Badagry and Okoya canals in Ajeromi Local Government to complement the already dredged downstream sections by the government.

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hile noting the low level of compliance on environmental issues in Ajeromi, Folami, urged the chairman of Ajeromi Local Government to step up its enlightenment drive to complement the effort of the state government in order to achieve active participation of the people in the area.

According to him: “This month’s monitoring exercise in Ajeromi Local Government has demonstrated to us that we must continue to do more to get everybody on board, to enhance participation of the people and encourage good use of drainage and sanitation infrastructure.

This is best achieved when the people appreciate the value of clean environment” Folami, also noted that residents, especially people of Ajeromi area should realize that wellbeing, waste collection, sewage disposal and drainage maintenance are interrelated; neglect of one of these would impact negatively on the effectiveness of the others.

Ajegunle residents lament poor drainage canals, waste collection systems

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eanwhile, residents of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, LGA, Lagos State, have decried the poor state of drainage canals and waste collection systems in the area and the state in general, saying: “It must be given utmost attention to avert loss of lives considering the predicted coming intense rainfall in the state”.

Most of the residents, who made the remarks during the August edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, stated that the poor state of the drainage canals in the council have consistently resulted in heavy flooding whenever it rains in the state.

Alhaji Muliu Adeyanju, who spoke on behalf of the residents, stated that the Baale Okoya canal now covered with water

hyacinth remained a death-trap for the residents, adding that the canal which stretched across Achapo bridge have been totally blocked.

“The canals and drainage channels in the whole of this place is blocked. That is why any time it rains, no matter how little, the communities will be flooded. So we are appealing to the government to clear the canals and drainage channels to make the place flood-free. That is what should be done,” he said.

He, however, appealed to Governor Fashola, to immediately commence the clearing of the canal ahead of the impending intense rainfall to avert loss of lives.

Responding, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, said that government was committed to tackling the challenges posed by flooding in the state, saying the dredging of the canal has been captured in the 2013 budget.

According to Ibirogba: “We are not only concerned about the drainage channels and canals, but also important to us is the drainage channels in the state. We are reconstructing and rehabilitating them to free the state from flooding challenges so as to enable the residents to well in their environment”.

He assured residents that the work done so far will help check flooding across the metropolis, pointing out that most of those projects would have positive impact.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 21

Akintola Williams, MAN partner on SME’s IFRS adoption

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KINTOLA Williams Deloitte (AWD) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) have entered into a strategic partnership, geared towards assisting Small and Medium Enterprises to successfully achieve the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) implementation, which is due to come into effect effectively from 1 January 2013.

Oduware Uwadiae, IFRS Leader for Deloitte West and Central Africa assisted

by Osasere Eguakun, IFRS Consultant for AWD introduced IFRS for SMEs and spoke on a range of issues such as the benefits and challenges of IFRS reporting for SMEs, IFRS conversion process and the need for early preparation.

MAN already has approached Akintola Williams Deloitte to take the seminar to other regions in Nigeria, where its other SME members, who could not attend are located. Deloitte is also partnering with MAN after signing an MOU to organize elaborate training and assist in IFRS implementation for all SMEs under the platform of MAN. The seminar, which was hugely applauded by participants and stakeholders, comes as the third phase of the adoption of IFRS in Nigeria draws nearer and highlights the need to create awareness and sensitize the applicable entities.

According to the roadmap for IFRS adoption in Nigeria, this phase of the adoption statutorily requires SMEs to issue financial statements based on the framework of IFRS for SMEs at the end of 31st December 2014.

From left: Representative of Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina, Dr Ayinla Olajide, Guest of Honour, Senator Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Prince Gbolahan Lawal ,Special Advicer tohis Excellency on political and legislative matters, Hon Muslim Folami, and the Oba Orimedu of Imedu , Ibeju Lekki Oba Atiku Hamzat, during the Artisanal Fishing Inputs Service Delivery Programme organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in Lagos

FG to improve Nigeria’s doing business ranking by 2015

BY NAOMI UZOR

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HE Federal Government has announced plans to improve Nigeria’s ranking on ease of doing business and global competitiveness by 2015.

Speaking at the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Roundtable Forum on Cost of Doing Business in Nigeria, Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed that the government is committed to achieving a higher ranking and help reduce the cost of

Lagos targets increased fish production, donates N17m equipment to stakeholders

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

HE Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of agriculture and cooperatives in

162.00

+3.80

2,685.00

-6.00

19.23

+0.36

112.45

-1.04

94.94

-0.59

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

154.8 246.3487 195.2802 162.0433 1.9692 0.2793 235.2715 24.4036 41.2723 26.2026 236.3332

155.3 247.1444 195.911 162.5667 1.9756 0.2893 236.0314 24.4828 41.4056 26.2873 237.0965

155.8 247.9401 196.5417 163.0901 1.982 0.2993 236.7913 24.5621 41.5389 26.3719 237.8599

CBN Exchange rate as at 10/09/2012

collaboration with Lagos State Agricultural Inputs and Supply Authority, has flagged-off Artisanal Fishing Inputs Service Delivery Programme at Orimedu Beach, Ibeju Lekki, where fishing inputs worth over N17 million were presented to five registered fishermen cooperative societies in Orimadu Beach.

On the occasion, the Federal government said is presently making arrangement with the state government to engage in massive fish production as part of measure to boost local production in the country.

According to the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, represented by Dr. Olajide Ayinla, Head Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, of the FG, the partnership was in view of the trail blazing efforts of the state government in agriculture aimed at boosting food production locally.

Adeshina noted that fishing business in the state contributes the highest fishing in Nigeria due to its natural water endowment. ”The federal government is ready to partner with Lagos state government in fishing to boost local production and discourage importation that will save the hard currencies annually being spent on fish importation.

”The era of state doing their thing and federal doing theirs has gone, it is partnership now, and we are not looking back on this.”

The minister, expressed optimism that the 780,000 metric tonnes of fish imported annually could be reduced with partnership with the state.

Speaking on the occasion, a lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, said the move was crucial to address whopping N105billion hard earned Nigeria money being spent on importation of 780,000 metric tonnes of fish annually.

Ashafa, who described the move as a new dawn in the development of artisanal fishing in the state, noted that the programme is also to address low fish production as intervention through the provision of needed implement which he state government is doing.

Ashafa, who donated N500,000 to be shared among each member of the cooperative societies, later led other dignitaries to present a complete fishing gear comprising of: two boats, two 40 Horse Power, PH, outboard engines, bundles of fishing nets, ropes, twines, refrigerated van and other accessories worth f N3.41million each to the five cooperatives for fishing expedition.

doing business in Nigeria, disclosing that its goal is to improve Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by a minimum 103 points by 2015 and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness ranking by 75 points by 2015.

He disclosed that to ensure more foreign investment in the country, growth and jobs, government is targeting increased Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, inflow to Nigeria by at least 150 per cent by 2015 “The first thing we did was to have a workshop with the private sector where six main items were identified as barriers to enhanced productivity: Access to and cost of finance, Lack of infrastructure (power, rail etc), Sub standard goods and smuggling, Local patronage, Lack of Industrial Skills and Lack of investment in innovation” he said He disclosed that FDI net inflows into Nigeria in 2011 was the highest in Africa at $8.9 billion, whilst the growth of FDI flows into Nigeria in 2011 surpassed global and regional averages.

On infrastructure and power, he said, the government intends to provide uninterrupted power supply to 9 major industrial cities, Making 30 per cent of additional costs of production due to the lack of infrastructure such as power tax deductible, Privatization of power production and distribution and reviewing the margin of preference to local goods in government procurement Speaking in the same vein, Former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo stated that the quest to reduce the cost of doing business can only be achieved if the country tackle the menace of corruption, adding that combating corruption and ensuring swift dispensation of justice is important in business formation.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Mutual funds’ value drops by N5.4bn in one month

By MICHAEL EBOH

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HE value of mutual funds listed in the secondary segment of the Nigerian capital market depreciated

by N5.374 billion in one month.

Specifically, the Net Assets Value, NAV of the 45 mutual funds, listed in the memorandum quotation segment and equities segment of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, shed 6.16 per cent to close at N81.891 billion as at the end of August 2012, from N87.265 billion recorded in the last week of July.

However, the NAV of the funds appreciated marginally by 0.09 per cent in the last one week, rising by N77 million from N81.814 billion recorded in the week ending, August 24, 2012, to N81.890 billion for the week ended, August 31, 2012.

The Equities segment of the Nigerian capital market appreciated by 2.99 per cent in the month of August. The market capitalization, representing the value of listed equities appreciated by N219.998 billion from N7.34 trillion recorded at the start of the month, to close at N7.56 trillion.

Driven by improvement in

the equities’ market in the month of August, Equity Based Mutual Funds, recorded the highest Net Asset Value of N42.829 billion, accounting for 52.3 per cent of the total NAV of the 45 mutual funds.

Equity Based Fund’s NAV also appreciated by 2.1 per cent from N41.949 billion recorded at the end of July.

Real Estate Fund followed with a NAV of N16.397 billion, rising by 0.44 per cent from N16.326 billion recorded in July and accounting for 20.02 per cent of the sectors’ total NAV. Balanced based Funds trailed with a NAV of N11.939 billion, appreciating by 32.54 per cent from N9.008 billion recorded in July and accounting for 14.58 per cent of the total NAV. Money Market Funds recorded a total NAV of N9.482 billion, rising by 7.37 per cent from N8.832 billion in July; Ethical Fund recorded NAV of N5.805 billion, rising by 1.45 per cent from N5.722 billion recorded in July; Bond Fund’s NAV stood at N4.921 billion, dropping by 2.54 per cent from N5.049 billion in July, while New Gold Ex-

From left, President Computer Association of Nigeria, Mr. Demola Aladekomo, presents the the award of "Best card innovation Bank of the year" to the Head, E-Channels, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Chuks Iku. at the at the Nigeria Telecoms Awards 2012, held in Lagos. change Traded Fund appreciated by 1.42 per cent to close the month of August at N384.75 million from sN379.35 million recorded in July.

Union Homes Real Estate Investment Trust Scheme, managed by Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc recorded the highest NAV of N14.113

billion; Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund, managed by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited followed with a NAV of N12.895 billion and Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund, also managed by Stanbic IBTC Asset, recorded a NAV of N9.273 billion.

ARM Discovery Fund, managed by Asset and Resourc-

2020: Dangote targets more investments, jobs creation

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RESIDENT of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has reassured that all his investments would be tailored towards job creation for gainful employment so as to alleviate poverty among the people.

Dangote who is a member of the National Economic Management Team of the present administarion stated in Lagos at the weekend that what Nigerians need most presently is economic empowerment and that is only a working population whether self-employed or non self employed could be economically empowered.

Speaking against the background of a report on Africa’s growth and Job creation, by Mckensey Global Institute which described Africa as the second fastest growing region in the world with decline in poverty, Alhaji Dangote said all hands must be on deck to ensure the dream of Nigeria’s economic turnaround becomes a reality.

He therefore urged that local investors should complement the efforts of the Federal government at ensuring the success of the economic agenda by delving to manufacturing as one of the means of empowering Nigerians through job cre-

ation.

According to the report titled “Africa at Work: Job Creation year” published in August by Mckensey and Company, Africa is the second-fastest-growing region in the world with decline in poverty.

Africa is harnessing its natural wealth, and that sectors across the economy are growing rapidly. These sectors are said to be agriculture, manufacturing, and local services such as retail, banking, and transportation and communications, in addition to the natural resources sector, which was the largest single contributor to growth.

It stated; “The three largest oil producers—Algeria, Angola, and Nigeria— earned $1.3 trillion from petroleum exports from 2001 to 2011, compared with $300 billion in the 1990s.

However, manufacturing and service sectors remain relatively small, accounting for just one-third of GDP on average.

Because the resources sector employs few people, there are large differences in the labour markets across Africa’s oil-exporting economies.”

The report believed that, Nigeria, for example, enjoys abundant natural gas and a growing local construction in-

dustry, comparative advantages that have already brought some major private-sector success stories. “Dangote Cement PLC has benefited from Nigerian gas to become Africa’s largest cement producer and

today meets about half of Nigeria’s cement needs. From this domestic base, it is already expanding into other African markets, including Cameroon, Ethiopia,Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia.

es Management Company Plc recorded NAV of N4.885 billion; FBN Heritage Fund, managed by FBN Capital Limited recorded NAV of N4.351 billion; SIM Capital Alliance Fund, managed by SIM Capital Alliance Plc, recorded NAV of N3.673 billion and Zenith Equity Fund, managed by Zenith Capital Limited posted NAV of N3.585 billion.

Others are: Coral Growth Fund, managed by FSDH Asset Management Limited with a NAV of N3.367 billion; Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund, managed by Stanbic IBTC Asset, with a NAV of N2.975 billion and Kakawa Guaranteed Income Fund, managed by Kakawa Asset Management Company Limited recorded NAV of N2.937 billion.

Shareholders commend GTB over 25 kobo interim dividend

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HAREHOLDERS of Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, have commended the continuous move by the bank to always compensate them with interim dividend, describing it as magnanimous.

Leaders of different shareholders group that reacted on the development said that paying interim dividend has become a traditional way through GTB ensures that its loyal shareholders do not get stranded, especially at the yuletide season.

Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, ISAN, said it has become a yearly ritual that shareholders look up to, adding that GTB has always met and sur-

passed shareholders’ expectation.

“That is why GTB is GTB. I hope other banks will follow suite and they can only do that by putting their houses in order,” he said.

Chief Gbadebo Olatokunbo, member, Renaissance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said, “We didn’t expect less from them. They lead while others follow in terms of return on investment. This development shows that 2012 will definitely be a good year when investors converge to consider the account next year.”

Also reacting, Chief Olufemi Timothy described it as good development, saying that GTB was only sustaining what they have been doing. He noted that this was part of the reason why GTB’s shares remain one of the

most attractive banking stocks in the stock market, trading above N18 per share at the moment.

He said it was time other banks, especially First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, and United Bank for Africa, UBA, emulate that by also giving interim dividend.

“GTB has always being good to shareholders. Giving interim dividend, particularly at this time of the year when people need money is quite commendable. What this means is that shareholders should be expecting over N1.00 dividend at the end of the year,” he added.

Speaking in the vein, Chief Sola Abodunrin, Chairman, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association, said, “Shareholders appreciate GTB for paying this 25kobo interim dividend.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 23

24— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Currency restructuring ’ll increase counterfeiting, hamper cashless policy— LCCI

BY MICHAEL EBOH & NAOMI UZOR

Incremental sequence of higher currency introuction He said, “The introduction of higher denomination should maintain an incremental sequence of N2,000 and N5,000 in line with historical trend and international best practice and the CBN should constantly ensure a proper alignment between the cash-less policy and its currency management strategy.

“What is paramount at this time is for the CBN to relax its current tight monetary policy and risk management guidelines in order to improve access to credit and reduce the cost of fund in the economy. It is time to focus on efforts to stimulate the economy and promote growth.”

Ibru, however, said that the proposed currency restructuring will reduce the cost of currency management such as printing, movement, storage, counting and distribution.

He explained that the introduction of higher denomination would mean reduction in the volume of cash in the economy.

He said, “LCCI is aware that different economic policy has their own costs and benefits and to optimize the benefits, it is always important to be guided by the weight of merits and

E-payment professionals endorses Financial Technology award

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

T

HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has cautioned the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the proposed plan to restructure the country ’s currency, saying that the introduction will increase the risk of counterfeiting and threaten the success of the cashless policy.

The LCCI also called on the CBN to, instead of introducing the N5,000 in 2013, it should maintain an incremental sequence of the currency, such as the introduction of N2,000 notes.

The LCCI, in a statement by its President, Mr. Goodie Ibru, said the proposed policy will likely increase the incentive for currency counterfeiting in the country, adding that the risk of counterfeiting high currency denominations is high and might also undermine the use of electronic channels for transactions to an extent.

He said the CBN should ensure a proper alignment between the proposed currency restructuring and the cashless policy, while also focusing on improving access to credit and stimulating the economy.

B-R-I-E-F-S

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From left Mr. Strihivasap Venkatappa, Chief Operating Officer, Visafone; Mr. Jim Ovia, Founder/Chairman, Mr. David Pnn, President, Huawei Technologies Nigeria and Ms Yolaada Zhang, Regional Marketing Director at the launch of the new Huawei Ascend C8655 Smartphone held in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele demerit of any policy reform, but key benefits of the proposed currency restructuring would reduce the cost of currency management such as printing, movement, storage, counting and distribution.

“It will enhance portability and facilitate business activities of some segments of the economy where a large amount of cash is required, especially in the informal sector. I t w i l l reduce risk/vulnerability of cash carriers as higher value

of cash can now be easily moved around with less visibility.

“It will enhance the capacity of Automated Teller Machines, ATM, machines to store more money, reduce ATM stock out time and serve bank customers better and facilitate the return of coin in circulation as some of the lower currency notes are going to be converted to coins. Of course, coins are relatively durable and our history of apathy on the use of coins is largely due to value consideration not the physical properties” he noted.

“ We did not buy into the popular conjecture that the proposed introduction of higher currency note will cause inflation. There is no economic theory or empirical evidence suggesting a causal relationship between higher currency denomination, inflation and devaluation.

From the monetary stand point, inflation can only be induced by increasing money supply, or the stock of money in an economy. A n e w currency structure has no link with monetary expansion or contraction.

UBA introduces MasterCard

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

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NITED Bank for Africa, UBA, Plc has introduced the UBA MasterCard for banking convenience of its customers across the globe.

With the UBA MasterCard customers of the bank can now carry out their electronic financial transactions, through the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sales (PoS) and on the Internet, anywhere in the world, in a seamless manner even as they benefit from the bank’s range of cost saving ebanking products and services Commenting on the benefits of the new

MasterCard, Head Cards, UBA Plc, Adedeji Olowe said MasterCard is partnering with UBA to accept and issue payment cards across 19 African countries.

According to him, “UBA is offering customers worldclass products to roam their Money in Naira and 3 other currencies, Dollar, Pounds and Euro. UBA represents the biggest potential for MasterCard in Nigeria today and across Africa.”

MasterCard is the second largest financial network in the world and is accepted in 210 countries, over one million ATMs and 32 million merchant locations.

MasterCard has witnessed massive growth in Nigeria in the last 5 years.

Part of the benefits to Cardholders, according to Olowe is that the usage of UBA MasterCard in other

currencies will have no annual spend limit adding that UBA has concluded plans to provide full bouquet of payment cards across debit, prepaid and corporate cards. These Cards, he maintained, will also come in premium levels such as Gold, Platinum and World.

“Mastercard is delighted to partner with one of the leading bank on the continent on the deployment of MasterCard to 19 countries on the continent,” Daniel Monehin, Division President, Sub-Sahara Africa, MasterCard Worldwide said. “Our partnership with UBA had come a long way, and the financial institution has an entrenched card based products and channels, millions of customers on the continent would benefit from,” Monehin added.

- P AY M E N T S Professionals Association of Nigeria (EPPAN), have endorsed the maiden edition of The Nigerian Financial Technology Awards.

In a press statement signed by the Managing Director and CEO of E-imaginations, publishers of financial technology magazine, Mrs Sola Fanawopo, the awards is designed to honour individuals , firms, vendors and institutions that have distinguished themselves in the provision of financial service via the use of technology in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the publication.

She noted that the publication is committed to organising the most credible and prestigious Awards in the financial services technology industry in Nigeria by rewarding and recognising innovations and excellence concerning IT activities in banking, insurance, micro finance industry and capital market.

Treasury launches $18bn AIG stock offering

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HE U.S. Treasury Department said it will sell most of its stake in insurer American International Group Inc, making the government a minority investor for the first time since it rescued the company in the depths of the financial crisis four years ago.

While the Treasury was universally expected to sell stock this month, the magnitude of the planned $18 billion offering was a surprise that will take the government stake in what had been the world’s largest insurer to around 20 percent from 53 percent currently.

The sale announced on Sunday will trigger a number of changes for AIG, the most important of which is that it will now fall under Federal Reserve regulation as a savings and loan holding company since the company owns a small bank. The Treasury will also lose the ability to dictate the terms of further stock sales.

AIG said it would buy up to $5 billion of the offering. Last week the company sold part of its stake in the Asian insurer AIA to help fund that buyback.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—25

Sales professionals tasked on ‘executive selling’ STORIES BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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N order to be effective in closing sales deals, speakers at the second edition of the Sales Performance Summit (SPS) have advised sales professionals to focus on three areas that are of importance to top executives.

The areas, revenue, cost and capital are described as vital to sales decisions making to Chief Executives.

The speakers who advised sales professionals to focus on how to increase revenue, reduce cost and make judicious use of capital, where their sales

pitches are built around these.

The speakers further said the barrier of selling to highlevel executives would be easily broken this tools are applied.

Speaking at the event with the theme “Understanding the CEO’S Mindset – How Executives Make Buying Decisions", Mr. Oliver Nnona, CEO, Profiliant Development Resources Limited, organisers of the summit, said that lack of basic details about the mindset of an average CEO and decision makers make selling to them an uphill task.

According to him, “Most

sales professionals don’t realize the conditions under which decision makers work.

They wake, eat and sleep un-

der pressure. There are different kinds of pressure from the board, shareholders, staff and other stakeholders. Their ma-

jor concern day and night while making decisions is how to meet the expectations of these sets of people.”

Unilever fuses orphanage visit into Close-Up Naija campaign

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N celebration of its 38 years anniversary, Close-Up toothpaste, from Unilever Nigeria Plc has formally visited the four orphanages picked by the public to push the Close-Up Naija campaign.

The homes visited; Litte Saints orphanage, Ogudu, Redcross

Motherless Babies Home, Makoko, House of Gold, Masha, Surulere and SOS Village Isolo .

Speaking, Mr. David Okeme, Brand Building Director represented by Mr. Dapo Apolola, Brand Team, OralCare of Unilever Nigeria, said that the com-

pany is visiting the Orphanages to appreciate the job the homes are doing, as well to celebrate with them on the brands 38 years of existence.

“We don’t want you to forget that we want you to always cherish forever the fact that our consumers and indeed many Nigerians recognize the hard work that you do; The struggles that you go through everyday just to put a smile on the faces of these children. We recognize and applaud the Naija spirit in you.”

Continuing Okeme said, “Since 1975 the brand was launched in Nigeria it has played a significant part in shaping Nigeria’s modern culture and creating fond memories.” While he stated that about eight to ten persons brush their teeth with toothpaste and have consistently used the Close-Up brand from childhood.

On her part, Nweke Ijeoma, Branch Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society, expressed the society’s pleasure at the gesture, while saying that the home has been facing financial challenges, particularly paying for their school fees and their hospital fees, but that in some times corporate organizations only pays for few of the children, this she said has been challenging to the home.

Eat ‘n’Go markets Domino’s Pizza in Nigeria

BY ITORO UDOFIA

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AT ‘n’ Go a Quick Ser vice Restaurant (QSR) has won the franchise to market Domino’s Pizza in Nigeria.

The company which will be commissioning its first outlet in Lagos has already developed plans to open more outlets nationwide.

Speaking, Mr. Eric Andre, Managing Director, Eat’n’Go Limited, said that with Domino’s Pizza in the 2nd quarter 2011 sale of over $1.6 billion, which comprised of $793 million domestically and over $810 million internationally, Andre stated that the company which had global retail sales of over $6.2 billion in 2010, which comprised of over $3.3 billion domestically and over $2.9 billion internationally”, will bring a new chapter QSR in Nigeria.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 , 2012

Subsidy scam: Menol Oil falls short on approved allocations

… As Police investigates N832m UBA debts CLARANWACHUKWU

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S the Special Fraud Unit, SFU of the Nigeria Police at Ikoyi, Lagos, opens investigation into a N832million facility owed the United Bank for Africa, UBA Plc by Menol Oil and Gas Limited, available statistics showed that the company consistently fell short on the delivery of products allocations approved for it in 2011.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, the managers of the Petroleum Support Fund, PSF, reimbursed marketers and oil traders for the difference between the landing costs of petrol and kerosene and the local pump prices for products under the subsidy regime.

On quarterly basis, marketers and oil traders are given approval to import specific volumes of refined petroleum products based on their capacities and quotations.

However, Vanguard investigations revealed that from the first to the third quarters of 2011, Menol Oil hardly met its approved allocations before the exercise was streamed in the last quarter.

For instance, of the 30,000 metric tonnes, MT,of petrol approved for the company in Q1 of 2011, it brought in 28,060.675MT, leaving a shortfall of about 2,000MT. The company also fell short marginally of approved allocations in Q2, as of the 15,000MT approved, it brought in 14,678.361MT, leaving a balance of over 321MT. Menol could barely meet half of its Q3 obligations in which it supplied only 13,330.81MT out of the approved 30,000MT, leaving a whopping balance of almost 17MT. Presidency sources told Vanguard that the company’s record of poor performance, led to its removal from products import list, more so, in view of the fact that the company has no depot or storage facility as required of the subsidy regime.

Furthermore, Menol Oil is also one of the oil marketing companies recently published by the Ministry of Finance as being guilty of subsidy payment infractions. The Aigboje Aig-Imoukhude-led subsidy committee declared that about N1.7billion was paid to the company as “subsidy payments for which mother

L-R: Chairman, Elcrest Exploration and Production Company, Sir Emeka Offor; Deputy Managing Director, Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Mrs Funmi Goka; Country Chairman, Shell Group, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu; and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, at the agreement signing for the final takeover of 45% equity in OML 40 by Elcrest from the Shell, Total and Agip Joint Venture at the NNPC Towers in Abuja recently.

vessels were not found in locations claimed at the time of transshipment.”

UBA invites Police BA recently invited the SFU Ikoyi, to help it recover the sum of N832million, which it alleged was fraudulently diverted by Menol Oil. The bank claimed it extended “a facility for the sum of N1b was granted to Ngozi Ofodum of Menol Oil & Gas Ltd in June 2011, to finance the importation of 7,000MT of PMS for supply to acceptable off-takers.”

UBA’s invitation of the Police to go after one of its customers brings a new twist to the current imbroglio that has engulfed the

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subsidy regime in which with the involvement of banks in the scam has remained largely shielded from the public.

The basis of the bank’s petition is based on the fact that most of the documents presented for the facility were forged. Consequently, the SFU declared five persons, Messrs Ngozi Ofodum; CynthiaGboneme; Frank Gboneme; Ikechukwu Gboneme; aand Ladi Utieyione, as suspects in the case.

A press bulletin issued by W/ ASP Ngozi Isintume, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, SFU, read in part: “The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) is investigating a scam by Oil Subsidy racketeers involving

7,000MT of PMS valued at N832m fraudulently diverted with forged documents submitted to Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) Abuja, for subsidy payment.”

Banks hide information n view of the involvement of the SFU, parties mentioned in the petition, including the bank, were not willing to speak further on the case. But analysts maintained that the banks, who issued the Letters of Credit, LCs, for the fuel imports are hiding a lot of information on the subsidy transactions that can assist the Federal Government in nailing the scammers if they wanted to.

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BRIEF

Broron acquires support vessel for oil exploration

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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N line with the realisation of the local content objectives, BRORON Oil and Gas Limited has acquired a support but specialsed vessel ‘BSV Aviana’ to service the upstream sector of the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry.

In a chat with newsmen in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Broron, Mr. Henry Ojogho, said that Nigerian firms are not doing up to five percent of jobs in subsea engineering, adding that the acquisition of the diver vessel will bring about an added value to the local content componentsof some the contracts executed offshore.

He noted that the target of government for local firms to achieve 40 percent of offshore contract may not be realisable if certain issues like duty payment on vessels are not waived for local operators.

Ojogho said that Broron is a wholly indigenous company with mainly Nigerians workers and international expertise that can compete anywhere in the world.”We are a local firm and we are also trying to position ourselves to take over from companies like Subsea 7, Bonbon and other foreign firms operating in the nation’s Oil and Gas sector.What we want to do is to achieve the local content component of contracts in the upstream sector.”

He explained that due the technical nature of the vessel, the firm had to retain the services of some expatriates who will train the local crew on how to handle the vessel.He added that the company is equally making plans to acquire a second vessel, which will mean the employment of more Nigerians by Broron.

NIPP to complete $8bn- 4,774MW projects by 2014

BY GLADYS ABUGOH

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HE ongoing multi-billion dollar Federal Government emergency power intervention project for the additional supply of 4,774 megawatts is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2014,the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, Mr James Abiodun Omo Olotu, has said.

The progressive delivery of the additional generation capacity is targeted to be

completed by December 2013, with the exception of a few high- tech customized equipments that would spill over to the following year.

Olotu, who disclosed this at the weekend, while commissioning the newly upgraded Ikeja West Substation (330/132KV) in Ayobo, Lagos, disclosed that Nigeria has committed about $8billion in the establishment of 10 power stations in pursuit of additional 4,774MW. He said that four out of the 10 stations have already been completed in Lagos, Delta,

Ondo and Ogun States, all contributing about 1,500MW to the national grid. The remaining six power stations which are almost 90% completed and scheduled for commissioning, will generate over 2,500MW. Olotu said, “NIPP which is mandated to deliver power nationwide through capacity building and massive rehabilitation/maintenance of existing power plants, is also building hundreds of thousands of kilometers of transmission lines across the nook and crannies of this

country, including substations. We are also building several thousands of kilometers of distribution lines as well as infrastructure and support substation.”

Lamenting that Nigeria has always suffered from capacity shortages in generation and distribution, the NDPHC boss said his company has also embarked on building gas pipelines that will supply gas to these power stations in order to realize the new generation targets.

Also speaking at the occasion, the General Manager,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—27

CLARA NWACHUKWU

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HE Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, has defended that the controversy over who becomes the operator of some of its divested oil blocks in Nigeria’s onshore Niger Delta is unnecessary as the management of the assets should be more important.

In the wake of the divestment exercise, indigenous companies which had scrambled for the oil blocks had hoped to also acquire the operatorship from Shell, and had bided handsomely for them.

However, they were shocked

by Federal Government’s handover of the operator rights to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, the operating arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Some of the companies which had participated in the programme like Conoil Producing Nigeria Limited, had withdrawn from the exercise even after paying substantial amount of deposit in excess of $100million for it.

But Sunmonu, who spoke recently at the agreements signing for the handover of Oil Mining Lease, OML 40 to Elcrest Petroleum Production Company, insisted that what is important in an oil block is not who gets operator right but how the asset is governed by the joint venture, JV partners.

He said, “The asset (oil block) is governed by the partners that jointly own the asset. So I will rather put a lot of emphasis on the governance of the asset to ensure that whoever is operating is delivering value to the joint venture.

“Two points for me: it is not really important who operates, what is important is how the asset is governed among the partners, and what value whoever the operator delivers on the asset “The second point of course is, I think we should also see NPDC operating as another form of indigenous participation. So it means that Nigerians are running the assets and if NPDC grows, I think the country will also be better for it.

“The country is hoping, because we also want our own national oil operating company like the likes of Petronas, the likes of PetroBras, and which is what NPDC is aiming to achieve. We all need to support them, and I wouldn’t really have too much worry about it.”

Indigenous companies fallen short of expectations n his part, the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, defended that NPDC deserved to get the operatorship of the Shell divested blocks. He noted that the performance of indigenous companies in the

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Biofuel waste product recycled for electricity

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•L-R: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu welcoming South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, during a visit to the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Oil block sales: ‘Asset management more important than operatorship’ nation’s upstream sector has not been very encouraging, seeing that the combined capacity of the 26 Marginal Field Operators, MFOs, are less than 10 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil production capacity.

“I have always said each time I had the opportunity of doing so, that when we look at our participation in the upstream, indigenous participants have performed very poorly because we hardly have up to 10% of total production in the upstream. With this step, incountry capability in the upstream,” he said.

Yakubu also argued that government’s action was fair considering that NPDC had the best capacity and capability among the new partners to operate the blocks, in which the NNPC retained 55 percent working interest.

He said, “Of course, as an interested party I will say it is fair because it was given to me.

But all the same, you are aware that the equity belongs to government, and NPDC is an arm of NNPC and NNPC is also owned by government.

So if a father gives a son his car, any problem with that.

“But all the same, let’s look

at the justification for that. We had partners coming to join us and NPDC is the operating arm of NNPC, we don’t have any other operating arm, so naturally the operating arm of NNPC that we believe that out of the indigenous participants have the best experience in terms of capacity and capability, at least much better than those that are coming in.

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aturally, if we’re coming into partnership, we would also want to be the one operating and I’m sure they will be happy that a company like NPDC is the one operating because we operate on behalf of our JVs, I think, Shell and Chevron, so we have that clearly that the partnership which is currently owned by NNPC and Shell as the operator, other partners are Agip and Total. So if SPDC is divesting and NNPC now wants to exercise their right to operate, who should be the natural person with right to operate? It is NPDC.arm of NNPC, who are also partners in the joint venture.”

On his part, the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, NNPC, Mr. Abiye Membere,

argued that it was a misconception to say that government unilaterally handed over the operatorship of the blocks to NPDC. According to him, “we need to correct this impression that government unilaterally handed operatorship to NPDC. if you have an asset owned by four parties and if three parties out of the four is leaving, the only person standing in that asset is NNPC. That is how the operatorship issue came about; it is not that government unilaterally handed over operatorship to NPDC.” Current agreements hree documents were signed between the Shell joint venture partners and Elcrest to seal the transfer of ownership of the 45 percent interest owned by the Shell JV, which also included French oil giant, Total, and Italy’s Eni/Agip.

The first is the Joint Operating Agreement, JOA for OML 40 separated from the rest of the JV. The Second agreement is also a JOA between NPDC and Elcrest while the third is the Innovation Agreement between the respective parties.

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by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently, according to scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology ’s Autumn Conference. The work could help develop selfpowered devices that would depollute waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments.

Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) is a waste product from bioethanol production that is commonly used as a low-cost animal feed. Researchers from the University of Surrey incorporated DDGS together with bacteria-inoculated sludge from a waste water treatment plant in their microbial fuel cell. The design of the fuel cell meant that the bacteria, which used the DDGS for growth, were physically separated from their oxygen supply. This meant that the bacteria were forced into sending electrons around a circuit leading to a supply of oxygen. By tapping into this electron flow, electricity could be generated from the waste.

ScienceDailyreported that Microbial fuel cells offer the ability to convert a wide range of complex organic waste products into electrical energy, making it an attractive target technology for renewable energy.

Finding cost-efficient starting products is necessary to help commercialize the process, explained Lisa Buddrus who is carrying out the research.

“DDGS is potentially one of the most abundant waste products in the UK. As the biofuel industry expands the supply of DDGS will become more abundant,” she said.

“The next step for us is to identify the electrogenic bacterial species that grow on DDGS. Furthermore, by looking at genetics across this microbial community, we will be able to better understand the metabolic processes and essential genes involved in electron liberation and transfer.” she said.

As well as being low-cost, microbial fuel cells that use DDGS are very environmentally friendly.

The waste that is left following electricity extraction is of greater value, as it is less reactive with oxygen, making it less polluting.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

BRIEF

Resource Churchill keys into content devt

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE & ADA ONWUNALI

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S part of its plans to implement the Nigeria Content Act, in the oil and gas industry, Resource Churchill has successfully trained 11 Nigerians in NonDestructive Test, NDT. Non-Destructive Testing is a wide range of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage in the oil and gas industry. It is also a highly-valuable technique that can save both money and time in product evaluation, troubleshooting, and research.

The 11 students were taught the basics of NDT which involved level one and level two techniques in a 10day workshop that was held in Lagos for the first time.The course will enable the 11 students operate effectively in the oil and gas industry.At the graduating ceremony, certificates were given to the 11 participants who are employees of Petrolstuff Nigeria Limited.

Resource Churchill is a wholly owned oil servicecompany with a high level of international experience and competence.

The company’s core business includes supply of equipment, spares and rendering of support services to companies in the manufacturing and Oil and Gas industry.

On the other hand, Petrostuff has been actively involved in trading, construction and maintenance, and technical services to both, the government, and private organisations since 1998.

The company ensured that it was adequately resourced to the required standard to provide value for-moneyservices in a demanding and competitive environment.

Speaking, the Director, Resource Churchill, Mr. Joe Oduah, said the training was done by an expert from Indian.”Our training is carried out quarterly, that is four times in a year and what we have done here today is the first training on NDT held in Lagos.

“The entry level is low which means that a trainee can at least be a secondary school leaver. He should also have a certain technical knowledge which is not necessary a B.Sc. holder,” he said.

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

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S the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Darius Ishaku, takes over the mantle of leadership from his former boss Prof. Barth Nnaji, workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, have urged the new minister to resolve all labour issues before privatisation is completed.

In an interview with Vanguard, the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, Mr. Adeleke Ibrahim, said the new minister should also address other issues affecting the power sector.

“The Minister of State who is sitting in for the Minister of Power should look at all the issues associated with power holistically and proffer solutions to them.The Federal Government should go ahead with privatisation, but as they do that, they must do the needful for the PHCN staff.

We have a condition of service that guides our being employed and it also guides our exit. By law, if I am employed in any government company, I am meant to work for 35years or if I am 60 years, then I can go.

“But neither of these conditions is applicable and they said we should go because they want to wind down the company. That is fair enough but they should pay us what we are entitled to. We are not supposed to retire and die but we are meant to retire and live a good life.We don’t want to retire and live like an AIDS infected persons, as in the case of those who left NITEL, Nigeria Airways and NPA. The State Chairman urged the federal government to dialogue with PHCN unions in order to settle all labour

Union tasks new minister on labour issues

• L-R: Director, Resource Churchill, Mr. Joe Oduah; Business Development Manager, Ms. Dera Ikwuka; Human Resource Manager, Petrostuff Nigeria Ltd., Ms. Uloma Ndukwe; Administrative Assistance, Ms Ruth Ozor; NDT Trainer, Mr. Andrew Raj; and General Manager, Resource Churchill, Mr. Pius Oyema, at the training of 11 Nigerians on Non Destructive Test (NDT) in Lagos.

issues as contained in the condition of service.”This is all that labour is asking for its members who are also Nigerians,” and urged the new minister to be labour friendly and sensitive to the plight of workers.

Commenting on the recent increase in power generation in the country, Ibrahim attributed this to increases in the supply of gas by the Nigerian Gas company, NGC. “We have two sources of power generation, hydro and thermal. When the water level in the dam is low, we can switch to thermal. The thermal power plants can only

function when there is adequate supply of gas. If we don’t receive gas, the thermal plants cannot function.”

Continuity of power programmes hile receiving the mantle of leader from the former minister in Abuja, Ishaku had assured Nigerians of the continuity of the reform programme in the power sector. “At this stage, we can’t afford to move backwards. We need to continue the journey,”he said.

It would be recalled that talks between the Federal Government and Labour

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unions over outstanding issues in the power sector ended in a deadlock, and it was not certain when the parties will meet again.

The meeting was held at the instance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, with other representatives of government, the management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in attendance.

PHCH urge consumers to pay outstanding bills

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE & VICTOR IGIRI

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N order to discharge it duties effectively in providing stable and efficient power supply in the country, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN has appealed to electricity consumers to pay their outstanding bills Speaking to electricity consumers on the platform of Customers Forum held in Lagos, the Business Manager of Agbara/Badagry Business District, Mr. Adewale Onifade, appealed to electricity consumers within its network to pay up theiroutstanding N2billion owed the compnay.

He said, “As of today, customers within this network

owe PHCN well over N2billion.”A breakdown of the outstanding debtsby customers in each location within the district showed Agbara with over N625million; Oko Afo with over N842.73million; Badagry over N630.84million; and Aiyetoro with about N546.75million.

Onifade stressed that it would be difficult for PHCN to continue their operation in an environment where so much is invested, in order to satisfy customers need, yet there is no corresponding response for services rendered, adding that business activities might be interrupted if they don’t pay up since Agbara and Badagry have a lot of business potentials.

He also said that “PHCN

Eko Zone has invested so much in the Badagry axis to sensitise customers on the need to pay up their debts so that the money would be returned to the source,” adding that PHCN services must be paid for since energy are not free.

He noted that PHCN has no other sources of funds, and that increasing debts would impede on development in the areas.

He noted that cost of capacity improvements forthe Agbara 132/33/11KV station from 90MVA to 150MVA, and the creation of another 33KV and 11KV feeders in order to relief the Badagry 33KV feeder that is constantly overloaded are quite enormous and pleaded with the customers to pay their bills as and when due.

“Our doors are open for you

to bring your complaints with the assurance of prompt response. We urge you not to relate with touts and encourage you to report any identified PHCN staff who attempts to extort money or any form of gratification from you,” Onifade urged.

At the event, a committee was inaugurated in which executives were elected from the four locations under the business district which are Agbara, Oke Afo, Badagry and Aiyetoro to serve as a link between PHCN management and customers within the district.

In his concluding remarks, the Business Manager promised the customers a 24 hour safe and steady supply of electricity and good services if they responded appropriately by paying their bills.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—29

BRIEF

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE Afren Nigeria and Oriental Energy Resources in a Joint Venture recently assisted the Department of Petroleum Engineering in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to fully secure her reaccreditation by the Nigerian University Commission, NUC and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN. The Department lost its full accreditation by the NUC in 2008, due to lack of educational infrastructure required to sustain it.

However, Afren, led by its Chairman Egbert Imomoh, entered into discussions with the University management in January 2010, in order to identify a programme through which the company could contribute to the revitalisation of the Petroleum and Chemical Engineering Department.

Following a series of meetings between Afren and Oriental senior managements and the University, a decision was reached to commission Professor Ekwere Peters of the University of Texas in the United States to produce a detailed plan for the project.

Accordingly, Afren and Oriental included the provision of laboratory equipment, s c i e nt i f i c journals and textbooks for the department.

After going through the compulsory inspections by NUC and COREN respectively, the Department, was granted full accreditation by both bodies - NUC 2010 – 2015, and COREN 2012 2017.

Speaking at the ceremony in Lagos, Imomoh said, “Afren was founded in order to bridge the gap that faces indigenous companies seeking to achieve production in the upstream sector. One of the core challenges faced by local companies is the lack of a large skilled pool of petroleum engineers and this initiative is designed to revitalise the

NAPE solicits Ondo State support

L-R: Mr. Wasiu Akintola from Amukoko Lagos receives a gift from Mr. Julius Elumaro, Head of LPG Sales & Operations, Oando Marketing PLC during the launch ceremony of the Oando O-Gas Secondary Distribution Point (SDP), in Ajegunle, Lagos recently. With the activation of the SDP site in Ajegunle, residents can now purchase, refill and exchange their cylinders with ease.

Afren, Oriental Energy revamp engineering at UNIUYO Department of Petroleum and Chemical Engineering and re-establish it as a facility that can train the next generation of Nigerian engineers.

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n an area of Nigeria so rich in petroleum resources, it is vital that efforts are made to bolster students in that area’s access to quality education and opportunities, and we are proud to be playing a part in making that hope a reality.”

Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Chairman of Oriental, added that, “I am delighted at the reaccreditation of the department and we are strongly committed

to the communities in which we operate in. Together with our partner, Afren Nigeria, we will continue to work towards achieving our overall aim of a people-centred culture which enhances the conditions necessary for technical and business excellence.”

Speaking on behalf of the University Vice Chancellor, the Head of Department, Prof.

Aniedi O. Ette, who is also the chairman of the University of Uyo Afren Oil Collaboration Committee, said, “Nigeria has a proud history of educational achievement and we are grateful for the support Afren and Oriental have provided to

support our successful efforts to return the Department of Petroleum Engineering to its rightful position and status.

We have a vision to train the next generation of oil and gas professionals and today marks a major step in our journey towards achieving this. We encourage other companies to emulate Afren’s example.”

Afren and Oriental have a long term commitment to further develop the capacity of Nigerian universities to build the capabilities required to create a new generation of local talent capable of operating and driving growth in the oil and gas sector.

Oando marks uninterrupted drilling with zero LTI

BY YEMIE ADEOYE

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ANDO Plc, a leading player in Nigeria’s Energy industry has announced that one of its subsidiaries, Oando Energy Services Limited (“OESL”) has recorded a safety milestone of three years of continuous operations without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) on its flagship rig, OES Integrity as at August 10, 2012.

This achievement reflects Oando’ s commitment to Health, Safety, and Environment, HSE

values, and affirms the company’s determination to remain a leading service provider in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. LTI is an industry Key Performance Indicator (KPI), which measures adherence to safety and environmental requirements by evaluating the number of injury-bearing incidents capable of preventing a worker from performing or continuing with a task or resulting in downtime in operations.

The company made this known in a statement issued by its

Group Head of communications Mr. Meka Olowla, and made available to Vanguard in Lagos over the weekend.

The company stated that OES Integrity rig was contracted to a leading international oil company in December 2009, and has successfully drilled, completed and worked over more than 14 wells, without any show-stopping incident.

With a 3,000 hp modern swamp barge is equipped with 15,000 psi Blowout Preventers (BOP), OES Integrity is the only rig in Nigeria capable of

drilling in High Pressure/High Temperature wells to depths of 30,000 ft.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Badejo Bandele, Chief Executive Officer, OESL said: “We are pleased with this feat achieved on the strength of our zero tolerance policy for stopping incidents in all our operations. The OES Integrity team has demonstrated their competence in world-class drilling operations and sound Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) values.

In a bid to drum up support for the NAPE Annual International Conference and Exhibition and to introduce NAPE as an organization and its activities, the leadership of the association led by its president, Dr. Mayowa Afe, recentlyvisited the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Earlier on arrival to Akure, the NAPE team paid homage to the Deji of Akure, HRM, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, at his Palace. The team was received warmly by His Royal Majesty who praised NAPE for its achievements since its inception.

In his speech at the Governor ’s office, Afe commended the Governor for the high infrastructural strides he has been able to undertake in the State. He described Ondo State as a fertile land for investors, especially in Oil and Gas, including tar sand.

He urged the Government to ensure proper demarcation of its territory in order to curb loss of resources as recently witnessed in Cross Rivers State as result of the Supreme Court decision ceding majority of Cross Rivers State Oil Wells to Akwa Ibom State.

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he President also noted that a larger portion of the State’s resources were yet to be exploited, and promised that NAPE will work closely with the Ondo State government for mutual benefits and relationship. He ended his speech by officially inviting His Excellency to the NAPE International Conference and Exhibition and wishing him the success in the upcoming Governorship Election.

In response, Governor Mimiko thanked the President and other members of his entourage for making out time to visit. He expressed optimism that the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is expected to transfer the management of bitumen from the Ministry of Solid Minerals to the Petroleum Ministry,will improve the state’s economic income. The Governor also assured of his Government’s collaboration with NAPE in order to attract more investors to the State.

He further added that his administration had embarked on measures to make the state an investors’ destination.

As a mark of honour to the Governor, the NAPE President decorated him with the NAPE lapel and presented him some of the Association’s publication; while the Vice President, Seye Fadahunsi also decorated the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi. Other top government officials were decorated by the NAPE Fellows that accompanied the President for the visit.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Scientists sequence genome of malaria - causing parasite ...Worry over spread of mutations worldwide

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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HE global fight against malaria may face serious threat as scientists have discovered that the parasite that causes the most common form of malaria share the same genetic variations even when the organisms are separated across continents.

The latest discovery also raised concerns that mutations to resist existing medications could spread worldwide, making the global eradication efforts even more difficult.

The scientists from the Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute are the first to sequence the genome of the parasite Plasmodium vivax to verify genomewide DNA sequence variation.

According to the findings published in the September 6th issue of the online journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the ability to sequence is crucial to understanding the hard-to-study parasite, which annually causes up to 250 million cases of malaria and places an economic burden, mostly on the poor, in excess of $1.4 billion by some estimates.

It is no longer news that Nigeria is one of the countries worst hit by malaria and contributes almost a quarter of the global malaria burden. According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, the country occupies the unenviable position as one of the leading five countries with the highest malaria burden in the world.

The other four countries are

Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya.

Nigeria lose about N132 billion to malaria in the form of treatment, prevention and loss of man-hours annually.

Further, the researchers noted that the parasites transmitted by mosquitoes share genomewide variations on three continents, Madagascar and Cambodia and South America.

The scientists who were at first surprised added that “The parasite’s life cycle enables P. vivax to be a microbial globetrotter.”

Commenting on the findings, Professor of International Health, Genetics and Biology in the Center for Global Health and Diseases at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Mr. Peter Zimmerman, explained that “In parts of the world where Plasmodium vivax malaria is endemic, the primary infection gets into the red blood cells and makes people sick When they feel better, people resume their normal activities and travel.”

“But a portion of the infectious form can remain in their liver, where it may lay dormant for months or a year, then reemerges into the blood when that person is in a different place.

“In that new place, local mosquitoes bite, become infected, and start spreading the P. vivax parasite and its genome in locations that can be a long distance away from where the original human infection occurred,” Zimmerman, added.

Continues on Page 31

•Engaging drama demonstrates to villagers how sleeping under a treated mosquito net can protect a whole family from malaria. The disease accounts for 60 per cent outpatient visits to health facilities, 30 per cent childhood deaths, 25 per cent of deaths in children under one year and 11 per cent maternal deaths in Nigeria.

Doctors worry over incessant theft at LASUTH

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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ROPERTIES of medical doctors and other health workers at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, have become targets of thieves within the hospital premises since the resumption of the sacked 788 doctors.

Investigations revealed that in the last one month numerous cases of laptops, phones, bags,

screening equipment and even a car belonging to one of the doctors, all have been stolen in broad daylight.

At the House Officer’s quarters alone, three cases of theft were recorded while two cases were recorded in the Medicine & Ophthamology department, (Eye Clinic). The most recent is the theft of a Resident Doctor’s car during the Sallah holidays.

A source who was at a recent

UCH spends N30m to treat people living with HIV

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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HE University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State, is spending over N30 million to treat people living with HIV every year. The tertiary health institution which

by December 2011, had expended a total of N50 million on treating unknown patients admitted for various health conditions, is yet to be reimbursed by the Federal Ministry of Health.

Disclosing the development in a chat, the Chief Medical Director, UCH, Professor Temitope Alonge said among the patients classified as “unknown” were victims of road traffic accidents, patients who had no relations and other patients admitted through the casualty ward.

“On a monthly basis, we write off waivers for patients to the tune of N2 million,” he said.

Further, Alonge, who decried

the financial burden of offering free treatment to people living with HIV and indigent patients, lamented that the patients in question would do xrays, MRIs and other forms of investigations for which they are unable to pay and the hospital often had requests to write-off bills such as mortuary charge.

“We spend N30 million treating people living with HIV every year because they need drugs, x-rays, surgery, etc, all free of charge. We keep sending the bills to Abuja, but get

no reimbursement but we keep offering the services because according to the health bill, nobody should come to the hospital and not be attended to.

Between March 2011 and July 2012, 230 HIV positive patients were treated at the UCH. “We generate the figures every year, compound them and send to the Federal Ministry of Health,” the CMD remarked.

Admitting that there had been a review of cost of services being rendered at the hospital, Alonge however debunked reports of arbitrary general cost

increase. “We have not increased cost of services and will not increase cost because we do not have the mandate to do so.

What people have been complaining about is for reduction of cost in the private suites.

“We are reducing the money paid for cards and spending on the consumables so that everything is available. Patients are not paying extra for now. Most of the costs are for the consumable items that we can quantify. In July, staff of the UCH set up a voluntary Indigent

meeting held by the hospital’s Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, told Good Health Weekly that doctors are now expressing worry that the theft may not be unconnected with the alleged bloated publication of salaries of doctors in national dailies during the last protracted strike.

The source also revealed that already, the executive members of the Association has written several letters to the management of the hospital, National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD and the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA amongst others, on the unfortunate incidents.

“The EXCO is prevailing on management to replace the stolen items and prevent recurrences. We are awaiting the replacements.” The source also hinted that already, the doctors have been warned to be more security conscious and immediately report all suspicious movements/attitudes both of strangers and other workers in the hospital.

Make health care services affordable to Nigerians, FG told

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TAKEHOLDERS at the 8th West African Health conference and Exhibition have argued for access to affordable and high quality healthcare in Nigeria in col-

laboration with the private sector playing a major role.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Annual West African Health Conference and and exhibition, WAH, in La-

gos, Nigeria’s public and private health administrators, as well as their counterparts from other countries said govern-

Continues on Page 31

•Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos State Comissioner for Health.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—31

Make health care services affordable to Nigerians, FG told Continued from Page 30 ment could take the lead in various healthcare initiatives that could be driven by the private sector for the benefit of Nigerians.

Chief Executive Officer, Global Resources and Projects, organisers of WAH 2012, Dr. Wale Alabi, said the future of healthcare development in Nigeria lies in the hands of the plethora of stakeholders, represented at the event.

Speaking on the theme: “Financing Healthcare Delivery in West Africa: Challenges and Opportunities,” Alabi described it as a reminder of the need for concerted efforts in the struggle for the development of the health sector .

In his submission, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the link between health and development has not been fully appreciated in most parts of the country.

“Better understanding of that link could help foster a broad consensus on increased health investments and the effective delivery of health services, especially for the indigent,” Idris added.

Idris affirmed that economic constraints as well as competing demands have limited the amount of funds required to ensure universal coverage of necessary health interventions. “User charges for health care in the public sector are common and this can translate to significant out-of-pocket spending at the time of care or illness.”

Idris said the performance of a health system is determined to a large extent by the effectiveness of its healthcare financing policy adding that any effective health financing structure must be tied to adequate resource mobilisation for health, efficient risk pooling mechanisms and strategic purchasing of services.

A good health financing strategy should cover revenue generation and collection, revenue pooling and risk management as well as a regulatory framework.

On his part, the President, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolala, posited that without proper financing the country will shut its door against a greater proportion of the over 150 million people currently resident in the country from good healthcare.

President, Guild of Medical Directors, Nigeria, Dr. Charles Cudjoe, said, “From the president to minister and members of the private sector, it has become exigent to view how private sectors can be involved in healthcare by building world class hospitals.”

Cudjoe said the country must device means of making healthcare accessible to majority of the people at affordable costs, while also asking that the senate heed the Abuja declaration they entered to raise budget for health to at least 15 per cent.

•Neimeth’s Finance Director, Mr. Chris Mmeje presenting a return ticket, to China to Mr Okechukwu Dike of Skob Global Investments, Lagos, one of the winners of the pharmaceitical company’s “ncp 2012 Season 2 promo.”

Scientists sequence genome of malaria - causing parasite Continued from Page 30 This ability for worldwide travel raises concerns among the researchers. There is no vaccine and there is only one drug that kills the parasite in the liver.

“If drug resistance arises, with modern travel, how long would it be before the resistance is spread over the world?” Zimmerman said. “This data suggests it could quickly become a big problem.”

They further explained that the finding also provided the malaria research community with more than 80,000 genetic markers that can now be used for trait mapping or population monitor-

ing, describing it as a critical step to understand the biology of the parasite that cannot be studied in the laboratory yet affects millions of people each year.

The 80,000 genetic markers identified can now be used to search for links to drug-resistant malaria, a growing problem in some part of the world including Nigeria.

The researchers, includes; Cleveland-based David Serre and Peter Zimmerman, Didier Menard, Institute Pasteur-Cambodia, and Arsene Ratsimbasoa, Madagascar National Malaria Control Program.

Why NEMA is inefficient in disaster management — Sani-Sidi

• Serikin Hausawa of Idi-Araba, Alhaji Idris Lawal Haruna, Baale of Idi-Araba, Chief Daud Kareem Ojeromi, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Haruna Lawal and the Country Manager, Pfizer, NEAR, Enrico Liggeri, during the Health talk/free screening on cardiovascular and hypertension to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of LUTH held at Idi-Araba Motor- park, Surulere, Lagos.

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BY CHARITY UGWUANYI

ACK of efficiency on the part of agencies collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in managing disaster has been identified to be a major reason why the agency has been inactive in disaster management. This was made known by the Director-General of NEMA, fairs and CommuniA l h a j i cation, Pfizer NEAR, Muhammad Mrs. Margaret Olele, Sani Sidi in a noted that “It is ausspeech prepicious that LUTH sented at the and Pfizer are colAugust Ordilaborating to give nary General back to the commuMeeting of nity as each celthe Associaebrates their 50th and tion of Resi55th Anniversary redent Doctors, spectively.

Lagos UniIn his views, Dr. v e r s i t y K.A Odeyemi, Te a c h i n g LUTH’s Head of DeHospital, partment Community L U T H , Health, added that Chapter. Sidi the institution will who was replook forward to future resented by initiatives as these M r . remain one gateway Benjamin to health care access.

Okehnna,

Volunteerism: PFIZER partners LUTH @ 50

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A

S part of the activi ties to mark Pfizer NEAR’s 55th anniversary in Nigeria, Pfizer is partnering with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH on their 50th Anniversary celebration by providing over 75-hour volunteer medical services to the indigent of idi -Araba community where the hospital is situated.

The event began with a 10-minute walk to the venue by Pfizer staff, health workers, nurses and medical doctors from major units of the hospi-

tal including the Head of Department , Community health, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee and the Director of Administration, from the hospital. At the venue, the over 300 members of the community gathered and activities included awareness of adverse health conditions within the environs, and the provision of free cardiovascular health screenings by Pfizer.

The overall objective was to educate the community on the need to know their blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol and sugar levels and

to commence early treatment in order to ensure that they remained healthy.

Commenting on the partnership, Pfizer ’s Country Manager Nigeria, East Africa Region, NEAR, Enrico Liggeri said: “Pfizer is committed to increasing access to healthcare in communities where we exist.

“Through innovative partnerships with health institutions like LUTH we can ensure the long term viability and sustainability of healthier lifestyles of Nigerians and their communities.” Associate Director Public Af-

said “disaster management is multisectoral and multidisciplinary and can be properly managed through collaboration with other agencies such as the police, health departments.

Speaking on the challenges faced by NEMA, he said most states do not even have required equipments, such as, ambulance, fire extinguisher amongst others, for disaster management. He called for manpower capacity building at all levels of government.

Consultant Traumatologist and Head of Department Accident and Emergency Department, LUTH, Dr. Kunle Badmus also identified the best ways to prevent disaster is through education and proper legislation. “Anybody can respond to disaster including the community in which it occurred and organizations within, government agencies, private sectors, fire services and so on”.He however urged communities to be contribute in managing disasters as it is multisectoral.

President of the Association, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan and the Chairman, organising committee, Dr. K.S. Okunade, in their speeches, identified major human and natural disasters presently posing a threat to include the Boko Haram insurgence in the North, incessant kidnapping in the South, the Dana air crash in Lagos and Adamawa and Ibadan floods.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Mental Gymnastics: Use it or lose it

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VER the last several weeks we have seen where proper, but simple, bodily exercise can have a profound effect on your body, so what now? Well let’s see, you get home after working and exercising and eat a sensible meal, that’s great, but then what? Sit on the couch and watch TV? (Not necessarily bad). Talk on the phone for hours on end? Camp on Facebook? Don’t get me wrong, all of the activities are okay, just not every day. You have to exercise or stimulate your mind.

Just as being a couch potato will atrophy your bodily muscles, not stimulating your brain, or mind, that will atrophy as well. But Auntie Julia I use my brain all the time, I have to think about the traffic when I’m driving, I am constantly using my brain at work, I’m thinking about my spouse, my kids, my family, all of that, aren’t I exercising my brain enough? Gee, answer this question – do I use 100 per cent of my muscle potential when I’m doing all the routine stuff in my life? The answer is, of course, no, so why should we think we would use all of our brains potential in the same context?

You have undoubtedly heard the myth that we only use 10 per cent of our brains, let me repeat, that is a myth. If you want to believe otherwise, run down to your local neurosurgeon and ask him to remove 90 percent of your brain and see how you function. Now we all know people who act like they only use 10 per cent, but according to Dr. Eric Chudler , University of Washington, Seattle, Dr. Barry Gordon, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and other prominent neurologists, we use almost all of our brains in a 24 hour period. But just using isn’t always enough, you need to stimulate.

Just using your brain, like just using your body is good, but are you maximizing your potential? If people who are di-

agnosed with Alzheimer’s disease most certainly use their minds for daily function, then how is this neurological disorder allowed to progress? I’m not a doctor and never claimed to be, but it seems to me that the old adage, “you can either wear out or rust out” most certainly applies here as much as it does with your physical body. You need to stimulate your brain, but how?

Stimulating your brain is simply challenging yourself mentally. Intellectual intercourse designed to challenge what you already know and either research an answer or discuss a subject with someone will increase the brains potential to function and keep from atrophying. Earlier in this article I said that watching TV wasn’t

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

necessarily bad, it just depends on what and how. If you are mindlessly staring for hours on end then yes it is bad, but watching jeopardy and playing along, that’s a different story. How about watching a non-fiction show or news programme and discussing it with someone?

You don’t think that will stimulate your brain and increase your brain power? Sure it will. But TV aside, puzzles, board

games, reading an intense book are other ways to increase brain power. Increasing your brain power, like toning your muscles, is part and parcel of a healthy body.

Next week we will look into the third part of our bodies, the soul or spirit, and do some “searching” to see how a welldeveloped spiritual life will complete your all around healthy person. Stay healthy!

Alisimie community donates health centre to Ika South LG

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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N ultra modern health centre built by the people of Alisimie community in Agbor, Ika South local government area of the Delta State has been formally handed over to the authorities of Ika South local government council.

Handing over the state-of-the-art edifice to the council at an elaborate ceremony at the premises of the health centre in Alisimie community, the Agbasogun of Agbor Kingdom, Chief Augustine Apaokwueze said the medical facility was built by the community through self help initiative.

Chief Apaokwueze urged the authorities of the local government council to make good use of the health centre by sending dedicated medical personnel to the centre to promote community health in the area to an enviable height.

He called for the upgrading of the health centre into a cottage hospital, noting that the community earmarked a large expanse

of land that could be used to build any structure for the hospital if the health centre was upgraded.

Earlier, the Secretary,Executive Working Committee of Alisimie Community, Mr. Philip Bitokwu disclosed that the health centre built some years ago through self help initiative had positively affected the health of the people in the community.

Mr. Bitokwu paid glowing tribute to one of the illustrious sons of Alisimie community, Engr. Vincent Ebuh for the monumental role he played towards the speedy completion of the facility even as he commended other well meaning sons and daughters of Alisimie community for their contributions towards the proper functioning of the health centre.

Expressing optimism that the health centre would translate into effective health care

services for the people of the community, the Secretary who intimated the Council officials that the community had been paying little salaries to Messrs Andrew Agwaze and John Odudu for guarding the health centre, however, appealed to the council to integrate the two security personnel into the unified local government system by giving them appointment letters.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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AM thinking of proposing to my girlfriend and settling down. But this girl and I have had some wild times. She is a real party girl. Do you think she is wife material? Ejike Dear Ejike, there is a common misconception that girls who party once in a while do not make good wives and it is not true. You will also be surprised that the same men who married the ‘homely girl’ who was a virgin, are the ones who complain today that their wives are boring in bed.

Partying is part of a young adult’s development.

Human’s party to blow off steam, make new friends and fill the void of loneliness. It doesn’t make them bad people. The moment girls get married and start having children, their priorities change. They become different and start thinking inwards while prioritising their families and domestic responsibilities over individual fantasies and desires. If you love this girl and you both get along, then you have a good thing going. Give her a chance. If she gives you a wild time, that is good news too. That means you will not be one of the men writing me a few years from now to complain about the boring wife. Take care and good luck – Uche I have some issues bothering me and I need your professional advice. I don’t have erections when I wake up in the morning. Am I still vibrant as a man?

I am also a quick ejaculator and after one round of sex, it takes me a long time to get back another erection. My libido is also not what it used to be. I want to be charged each time I am with a woman. Thanks – Engineer Olamide Dear Olamide, the absence of morning erections does not necessarily indicate a problem, provided you get erections when you want to have sex. There are some people who don’t experience morning erections but still have a healthy sex life. You also did not mention your age. If you are middle aged or older, it can

explain why your libido is no longer what it used to be. But you can maintain a high libido and boost your sexual performance by taking testosterone boosting supplements like Max Intense Testosterone. To curb your quick ejaculation, use a penis sleeve like the Stud Extender, a delay condom such as the Pasante Delay condom or a delay cream like Prolong Plus Delay Cream. These are all good options that will enable you last longer – Uche My boyfriend has a really small penis and I just don’t like it. How can you help him? Jennifer Dear Jennifer, I hope you have not told him that he has a small penis because if you do, things will never be the same between the two of you. If he willingly wants to enlarge his penis, then he can do so with a variety of novelties such as Penis Pumps, enlargement Creams like Maximus Enlargement Cream and supplements such as Big Bam Boo. But he must make this choice himself – Uche I experience sexual dryness and pain during intercourse and my husband has a soft penis – Naomi You need a lubricant Naomi. Get the Smooth & Slick Lubricant. It will solve this problem. For your husband, tell him to look for Virillis supplement or Xzen 1200.

Any of these two will give him rock hard erections whenever he needs it – Uche Sir please what does a man of 22 years need to know and do to satisfy his girl? Edwin.

Edwin, for your sex education, get the film More of What Women Want and the book Sex Secrets – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 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 - Uche Edochie, MD

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—33

Doctors certify Coco's butt to be 100% real

Yvonne Nelson (Actress)

What a funny industry......I always sit back and smile.

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HE world of science has finally answered the question everyone's been asking — is Coco Austin’s ruber-butt real or not?

The large-bottomed wife of rapper Ice T, who hosts a talk show with her hubby 'Ice Loves Coco' has always insisted that she hasn’t had buttock implants and she recently had an ultrasound on live TV to prove it.

Doctor Andrew Ordon, who performed the scan on US show 'The Doctors', told the audience: “We’re going to answer this question, set the record straight once and for all. Is that right Coco?”

She answered: “Go for it.”

The blonde, who frequently posts revealing pictures of her famous rump to celebrate ‘Thong Thursday ’, covered up in a

A poem for Amadi:

When the tears dry!

Like a meteor The blaze faded Into the maze of stars In the dark.

Your breathe expired in a fleet No good byes No smiles, Hearts freeze, Ears tingle, Tears drop, For the Godfada Of entertainment craft Gone without a word No pain, No cares, No worries, No quarrels.

No jokes, No floatin’ Like a butterfly, Nothing, Can stress you further.

Now, when the sun goes down When the tears dry Who will be there?

For the creator of stars Who cares for your ‘godbits of wood?

Here goes a man without cant; “When comes such another”?

Hugo Odiogor Foreign Affairs Editor

Halima Abubakar (Actress)

Lol ‘ My fellow virgins please don’t be fooled with words! keep that for the right guy, is this a line from a movie....?”

Nana Aba Anamoah (Actress)

Interesting how mothers and wives become witches only when things are bad....dude examine your life! Illiteracy is a disease. This is 2012!

Patience Ozokwor (Actress)

If anyone had suggested twitter 15 years ago, they may get a beating, now you get a beating for not being on twitter. hospital gown for the show.

Dr Ordon explained that he was using sound waves and “penetrating through the various tissues. I’m seeing subcutaneous tissue and subcutaneous fat.”

He then did an advanced ultrasound “to see if anything has been injected in here”.

After the scan the medical man said: “I’ve completed my examination? are you ready? Are all you fans out there ready?”

Then he announced: “Coco’s buttocks are 100% real.”

Not everyone was so convinced though.

One viewer posted: “She got a brazilian butt lift.

They use your fat from other body parts and inject it in your ass.”

Djinee (Singer)

He who thinks big of himself should visit the cemetery, then he would understand that this earth is a handful of dirt - BB status

Kate Henshaw (Actress)

•Coco

Dirty side of Eniola Badmus •Eniola Badmus

By AYO ONIKOYI

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NOW Eniola Badmus? The big and beautiful woman who shot into limelight of Nollywood's favourites as the 'Gbogbo Bigs Girl' in the wavemaking Funke Akindele's 'Jenifa'. She showed her hand once again in 'Omo Ghetto' as a leader of the 'bad girls' gang who go terrorising the neighbourhood. Got it? 'Gbogbo Bigs Girl' isn't exactly a Mother Theresa kind-of-person but one would have though the 'bad girl' thing is as good as it gets just behind the cameras and

the lights but it seems who you really are, gets to the surface anyways, sometimes.

The actress, who, without doubt, can be regarded as a hot item and a bold one too, has been shooting a movie in London for days now and from what she tweets one has a picture of a girl let loose on rampage. She's been living it up “latex, champagne, bubble bath, whipped cream, cherry pop tag team, can you make me scream?'' she once tweeted.

“We popping bottles in the club like Who's that?Ciroc on chill!Yeah we do that!! We gonna need a lot of room you should move back” added the actress.

No one will take on Eniola for having a good time but she certainly laid it on the line and probably let on why she said she needed ''a lot of room” when she hit the punchline with her next tweet “Dip it low. Pick it up slow. Roll it all around. Poke it out let your back roll.

Pop pop pop that thing. I am gonna show you how to make your man say Oo “ and ironically she clammed it up with “I Don''t wanna talk dirty today it's Sunday let me keep it holy”. Now isn't that a girl with a load of guts?

Some things bring back childhood memories.

Just had ewa agoyin and agege bread! Oh the joys of growing up in Mushin! Sweeet!!!

Nadia Buari(Actress)

Ladies, no one can control how you feel about *U*. Be proud no matter what size or shape you are .Everyone is beautiful, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise

Ruggedman (Rapper) Your passion has to be more powerful than the opposition of those around you. You must be cleared about what you are going to do and persevere in doing it.

Majek Fahsek (Musician) It’s always those who claim they are fanatics for religion that are the real Pharisees.

True worship is from the heart not just on the lips

Adaora Ukoh (Actress) Never forget 3 people in your life- Those who held you in difficult times, Those who left you in difficult times and Those who put you in difficult times

34— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—39

In the valley of darkness(2) At first, she winked at me to be quiet and not make it obvious to the man that I was afraid or disinterested in his activities. But when she realised that I would not relax, she excused us from the presence of the man and we stepped outside. I asked her why

,

HI. Without much rhetoric, I will go straight to the crux of the matter today.

The story you are about to read was narrated to me by a woman I met a couple of weeks ago. For the sake of this publication, we will call her Monica. Monica just recently gave birth to a bouncing, healthy, baby boy after almost a decade in a childless marriage.

One would think that she ought to be the happiest woman on the planet right now, but Monica’s situation is far from this as she is deeply depressed and almost mentally unstable right now.

Her story in fact, raises a number of questions which I’m hoping we will be able to analyse and put in proper perspective.

Please do write in to for possible solution or simply contribute to this interesting and mind blowing story. The deed has already been done, but there ought to be a way out for Monica. Our addresses remain: The Human Angle, Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos and e-mail, humananglepage@yahoo.com Hoping to read fro you soon.

Cheers!

I had assumed that it was one of those churches where the pastors are said to go into trance or travel to some spiritual realm on mountain tops.

But to my greatest surprise, I was shocked when we finally got to the top of the mountain. I met a herbalist and not a prophet as I had been made to believe. On realising where we had come, I turned to look at the woman with fear and query in my eyes.

same again.

If I needed my life and peace of mind, I should just forget about the issue of pastor or no pastor and get on with the business at hand.

If I like, I could make up another reason for our visit, it was up to me. I had

She said that the so called herbalists we condemn all the time are the custodians of culture and know the real roots and deep knowledge of what is plaguing our society, in a way the acquired religions we so dearly embrace cannot

she’d brought me to a herbalist when she’d said the man is a pastor. She was angry and asked if that was a serious problem. Was I interested in who the man is or what he could do for me?

Have I forgotten all the problems my in-laws were giving me and how it could finally end if I did not find a solution? She asked how much longer I was prepared to wait, adding that God Himself will not come down from heaven to assist anyone, he sends people. And now that I have found someone, was I just going to miss the chance just because the person God wants to use is a herbalist?

Who will know unless I tell, she asked? She then warned me that since we had travelled all the way from Lagos, it was impossible for us to go back without achieving what we'd set out to do.

That anyone who climbs the mountain to see the man does not walk out the

,

no choice but to apologise to her and the man and state why I had come to seek his help. After all the usual consultations with the gods they claim to be in contact with, the man gave me the story of my life and all the problems I'd been facing, even those I'd never told anyone. I was disturbed. He told me the solution to my problems were simple. All I needed to do was to get a white kitten, three yards of white cloth, palm oil, kolanut and the sum of N500 only. My pastor's wife assured him we would be back with the items and we left after she consulted him on matters ranging from her husband, to her children and even her in-laws and extended family. I was convinced that the man knew a lot about her and that they shared a relationship that must have spanned many years. This was no surprise to me anyway as she is a native of that part.

On the way back, she gave me more lectures on

the powers of the man we'd visited, how she discovered the man, how these things work and how one must know one's way around. She told me that it is not everything I see, even in the church, that is exactly the way it appears. That as time goes on, she would tell me some of the things other people are never likely to know about, if I am able to keep everything a secret. She said that the so called herbalists we condemn all the time are the custodians of culture and know the real roots and deep knowledge of what is plaguing our society, in a way the acquired religions we so dearly embrace cannot. She finally concluded her speech with a warning again, that it was too late for me to back out at that point. If I do, I will not live to tell the story. I was now in a dilemma, I realised. All the way home, I was in a haze of some sort. So, this is what the world is like?

How could I have allowed myself to be dragged into such a situation?

What is the next thing to do? Should I tell my husband so that I will not be the only one involved in this terrible development?

Besides, are we not in it together? If he agrees to go with him, then I will have his support with whatever the outcome of this mission will be. But what if he does not agree with me and decides to inform the pastor and subsequently the whole church hears about it?

I would be on my own and in hot soup too, going by all that the pastor's wife had warned me about. She had even confided in me that the pastor does not know anything about the old man.

That she had been introduced to the man by one of her mother's friends who had taken them there after the death of her only brother. This was a long time ago, long before she met and married the pastor.

To be continued Asisited by Onozure Dania

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08055017884 •Joe, 30, 5.7ft tall, a graduate, self employed and resides in Asaba, needs a graduate and employed lady, that is focus and fun loving, for a seri•Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

Rape, a rising social evil

BY ONOZURE DANIA

RECENTLY, I have been reporting cases of rape of minors by men who are old enough to be their fathers and grandfathers.

One of these cases was that of a 45year old man who raped a three year old girl.

Another case involved a 38year old man and a five year old girl. As recent as last Sunday, I read in the papers of how a full grown man raped a three year old girl.

All these have left me wondering, what exactly is happening? What is Nigeria turning into? I really do not know the satisfaction these men derive from having canal knowledge of children. Rape is a social evil that has reached explosive proportions in our society. It has ruined many lives and continues to do so at a frenetic pace. No one is immune, and age is no barrier. From infants to senior citizens, to corpses, rape has become a diabolic symbol of power in an iniquitous world.

In Nigeria, though rape occurs in all social groups, it is more frequent among minority groups with low social status. A molester need not necessarily be a sleazy character. He may be well educated, well groomed and have a high standing in society such as a judge, government official, policeman or priest.

Even doctors have been known to rape patients in their clinics. The rapist may be of any age from an old man to a young teenager.

The increasing trend of raping minors by force or through allurements is frightening. Children of three to five years are being raped daily and the tragedy is that 80% are perpetrated by fathers, brothers, relatives, friends or neighbours. Six out of ten occur in the home or in the home of a relative or

friend. Rape cases take place in both high and low places, including schools, homes and worship centres, among others. It has also become widespread that virtually every State of Nigeria has one gory tale or the other to tell about rape.

The menace that rape has caused in Nigeria should be of concern to all of us.

The rise in the act is not unconnected with the social depravity that has eaten deep into our value system. Absence of healthy psychological growth in a number of men in the land is believed to be playing a major role here.

While some are affected by the upside-down nature of their families, others have their imaginations and senses conditioned by alcoholism and drug abuse. We also have an army of psychopaths who have no respect for womanhood. This is especially so in patriarchal societies where women are treated as mere sex objects. In settings such as these, rape and other deviant attitudes are bound to rear their ugly heads.

However, the real problem here is our attitude to the scourge. Rape is a serious offence in the eyes of the law. Yet, we choose to treat it with secrecy whilecondemning it glibly.

That is why women who fall victim to rapists do not want to speak up for fear of stigmatisation. Even members of their families encourage them to cover up the act. But in the face of all these, the affected women are traumatised by the harrowing and dehumanisingexperience.

While rape breeds frigidity in some women, it drives some others into suicide or frustration. There is need for incidents of rape to be discussed so that the perpetrators of the act can be brought to justice.

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40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Shettima signs Borno Varsity bill

ICS tasks surgeons on managing disaster victims

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—THE In ternational College of Surgeons, ICS, Nigerian National Section, NNS, has enjoined surgeons in the country to provide leadership role in managing disaster victims at the community, regional and national levels.

President of the college, Professor Frank Akpuaka, made the call in Enugu at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 46th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the ICS. Professor Akpuaka explained that the theme of this year ’s conference, Role of Surgeons in Disaster Management, was chosen because of the numerous disasters that confronted the nation in recent past.

According to him, mass casualties following manmade explosions, senseless shootings, air disasters, floods, among others, were usually characterized by “such numbers, severity and diversity of injuries that can completely overwhelm the ability of local medical resources."

FESTIVAL: Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere (m), flanked from left by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Umana Umana, and Member of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, during the Annang New Yam/Cultural Festival at Ebebit Afaha Obong, Abak, on Saturday.

AIDUGURI— BORNO State Governor, Kashim Shettima, yesterday, signed the bill setting up the state university into law.

Shettima said, while signing the bill which was recently passed into law by the state House of Assembly, that there was the need to expedite action on the university adding that this was borne out of his administration's desire to establish an institution that would stand the test of

MTN selects Anambra for foundation security project

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

LAUNCH: From left: Strategic Marketing Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi; Nigerian rapper, MI; Strategic Marketing Manager, Coca-Cola Trademark, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Eric Achola; Brand Manager, Colas, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Olufemi Ashipa; and poet, Elizabeth Ole, at the official launch of Coca-Cola's 'Billion Reasons to Believe in Africa' at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

W KA — C O M M U NICATION giant, MTN Nigeria, has selected Anambra State as one of the beneficiaries of its foundation security support project.

The company’s director in charge of the foundation, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck and its executive secretary, Mr. Nonny Ugboma, said in Awka that the selection was due to Governor Pe-

O

NITSHA—THE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Anambra State chapter, has protested the transfer of six of its executive members at the Idemili North Local Covernment by the Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, without the knowledge of the officer in charge of administration in the area.

President of the union, Mr. Jerry Nnubia, who led executive members of NULGE from Idemili North Local Government, weekend, to the LGSC in Awka over what he described as ‘’black market transfer,’’ said the action ran counter to the agreement between the union and the commission.

According to Nnubia, there was an understanding between the union and the commission that none of its elected members in any

local government should be transferred by the commission till the expiration of the officer’s tenure.

He also complained over alleged arbitrary suspension of the NULGE election in Idemili Local government area by the Caretaker chairman of the council following a purported letter by the Special Adviser to Governor Peter Obi on Security, that no union in the state

should hold any election on or before the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state on August 30, 2012.

He said the union rescheduled its election earlier fixed for August 28 to Tuesday, September 4, when President Jonathan would have ended his visit, but surprisingly the Idemili North Local Government Council locked out its members from the hall where they were to hold

the election, still basing his action on same letter for which the election was re-scheduled in the first instance. ”We have said that since they have decided to do this black market transfer and scuttle our election all the Idemili North executive, led by Eucharia Uyawunne will remain in office where ever they are as government can not decide for us how we run our union,” Nnubia said.

Delta boosts tourism to diversify economy

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

D

ELTA State Gov ernment has said that tourism is one sector of the economy that it is developing to diversify the state’s economy.

The state commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, stated this during a fund raising and cultural day ceremony by the Lagos

branch of Asaba Development Union (ADU) women’s wing, weekend.

He said that apart from focusing on oil, Delta State Government is venturing into other lucrative areas that would contribute in boosting the economy of the state to which tourism is a top priority.

He said: ”We are looking at other areas where

we have comparative advantage, areas of agriculture, health,and tourism.

You can see the rich culture of the people. Some of the countries which are the richest in the world do not depend on any form of natural resources. The greatest resource now is the human capital, the human resource and maybe next to that is the ITC."

ter Obi’s efforts toward fortifying the state security network.

The statement said the support would entail donation of security patrol vehicles, noting that the state government had continued to perform well which prompted the support of various stakeholders.

It explained that the handover ceremony of the vehicles would take place later this week in Awka.

A-Ibom plans three mechanised agric locations

Anambra NULGE protests transfer of T 6 exco members

BY ENYIM ENYIM

time.

He said: "The need to expedite action on the university was necessitated by the desire of the government to establish an institution that will stand the test of time for generations of students to benefit from and reposition Borno State as a citadel of knowledge.”

According to him, the university when fully established would be a world class institution that will not only serve the educational needs of candidates from the state but those from other parts of the country and beyond.

HREE major mechanized agricultural locations are to be established in Akwa Ibom State as a pilot scheme before the end of the year.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Nsima Ekere, who announced this on Saturday at Ebebit Afaha Obong during the Annang New Yam/Cultural Festival, said the proposed pilot scheme followed fruitful discussions between the state government and an agricultural conglomerate, Songhai Group.

He commended the Annang Cultural Heritage Committee, organizers of the festival, for keying into the vision of the Akpabio Administration which is to revive agriculture in the state and make food sufficient for all.

The deputy governor, who stood in for Governor Godswill Akpabio, said there was wealth in agriculture and urged Akwa Ibom youths to take advantage of lofty government programmes as the Integrated Farmers’ Scheme, the Women

Agro-Entrepreneurship Development Programme and the Growth Enhancement Scheme to boost food production in the state.

“There is nothing that can take the place of agriculture in Nigeria,” he declared.

Princess Asagba passes on

P

RINCESS Mary Asagba of the royal family of Adjegba Ikwiwu of Amukpe, Sapele, Delta State is dead, aged 88.

She is survived by children, grand-children and great grand-children, among whom are Dr. Peter Ogbeide, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State.

Late Princess Asagba

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 41

42 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—47

Milking tenants dry in the name of agency, agreement fees •Estate Surveyors move to sanitise agency practice

BY JUDE NJOKU

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RS Abike Afolyan ( not real names) runs a maternity home in Sari-Iganmu, a sprawling slum in the Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos. Her desire to expand the Home led to the search for a bigger accommodation. She registered with one of the Agents with the sum of N5,000 to retain his services. A few days later, the agent informed her of a newly renovated tenement building at Amukoko, another sprawling slum in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA. She was asked to pay N3,500 for each of the 12 rooms in the building. Besides being asked to pay for two years upfront, Abike was also required to part with N70 on each of the rooms as Agency and Commission charges. This totalled a staggering N1,920,000.

Another prospective tenant who simply identified herself as Alice, gave an account of her plight in the hands of these estate agents.

Her words: “Recently, my husband and I decided to rent a residential house in Isolo, Lagos state. After being told that the house was worth N600,000 we made payments to the account. To our surprise the agent paid the money back to our account stating that we are required to pay for two years upfront and an additional N240,000 for the agent and the lawyer who is to prepare the agreement. After pleading, the agent decided to reduce the rent to one year but raised the agency and agreement fees to two years.

We decided to forget about the house but after a desperate search for an alternative, we went back to the agent. This time he agreed to

HIGH POINTS *Estate agents have no scale of fees guiding their services hence they charges outrageous amounts as agency and agreement fees •They have little of no training and there are no rules/regulations guiding their practice •Tenancy law didn’t regulate their activities hence estate surveyors have initiated moves to regulate themselves •A new body distinct from NIESV is underway to register estate agents •Multiple letting service will be introduced by NIESV before the end of the year

collect an upfront rent of one year.

He also agreed to collect an agency fee of one year but insisted that we pay what he termed ‘refundable damage fee’ which was an additional N200,000” The plight of Abike and Alice are synonymous with what hapless tenants go through almost on daily basis in the hands of Shylock landlords and their dubious estate agents in Lagos and other Nigerian cities. Although Lagos state, in a bid to curtail these excesses, enacted a new tenancy law, Vanguard Homes & Property observed that the law is observed more in breach than compliance. The usual argument is that you don’t control what you don’t own; that so long as demand for shelter outstrips supply, the tenancy law cannot effectively be implemented. One no-

,

•A residential building in Abule Egba, Lagos stipulates that two members of the Board of Directors of that agency must be qualified estate surveyors and valuers. But like the tenancy Act, this law is hardly enforced unlike the Estate Surveyors and Valuers who have strict and enforceable rules and regulations governing their practice.

For instance, while estate and

We want to be able to bring practitioners of estate agency under control under one body

ticeable drawback of the law is its inability to checkmate the activities of estate agents. The law did not also spell out how to manage multi-tenanted properties.

Last year, the Lagos State government came up with a law which set up a body to administer the management of estate agents operating in the State . The law made it mandatory for all estate agency practitioners to be registered and have known addresses where they can be tracked down. Such agents are required to report their activities to a clearing house. In addition to this, the law

,

commissioned rent agents have no scale of fees to guide what they charge per transaction, the professionals valuers cannot collect more than 10 percent of the total rent paid by the tenant.

President of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Mr Emeka Eleh, told Vanguard Homes & Property that it is illegal to collect anything above 10 percent of the rent; and that an estate surveyor can only collect the money from the person who hired his/her services. For instance, if you are engaged by the landlord, you cannot go to the

tenant to collect your commission.

Similarly, if the tenant is the person who engaged your service, he should pay the agency fees.

NIESV General Secretary, Mr. Kunle Awolaja explained that sharp practices occur mainly in multitenanted building which are mostly located in slummy neighbourhoods. Noting that such buildings are very difficult to manage, Mr. Awolaja explained that most agents want to collect all the money at once because of these category of tenants have a penchant to default in payment or renewal of their tenancy on its expiration.

He faulted the agreement fees charged by these agents because, most times, no lawyer is involved in drafting them. The things that are called agreement as not acceptable in the court of law.

But what is the NIESV doing to sanitise estate agency? Its President, Mr Emeka Eleh had these to say: “ Part of our plan is to bring agency under control. We intend to have a body separate from the Institution where those who practise only estate agency can register. We are doing so because we feel that so many people are duped on a regular basis by the people who call themselves agents; people

How to get the best in rugs cleaning

M

OST carpet manufactur ers discourage do-ityourself carpet cleaning because of problems that may develop as a result of improper procedures.

However, homeowners perform approximately 42 percent of all carpet cleaning. It is perfectly acceptable for a consumer to perform cleaning of their own carpet.

Several problems may develop as a result of DIY carpet cleaning procedures.

The homeowner should be cognizant of these problems and follow directions carefully. Failure to follow these directions carefully could encourage mold and mildew growth or backing separation. The two most common problems associated with do-it-

yourself carpet cleaning methods are over wetting and excessive use of detergents.

Ideally, the carpet should be dry within eight hours. Carpet that is allowed to remain wet for more than 12 hours may develop mould and mildew growth. If the carpet is over saturated, a wet pick-up vacuum may be used to remove excessive moisture. Fans should be used to speed drying time. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system should be switched to the “on” position until the carpet is completely dry.

Excessive use of detergents is another common problem experienced by do-it-yourself carpet cleaning systems. Increasing the

detergent beyond the recommended solution strength does not enhance carpet cleaning effectiveness. Using a concentration stronger than the recommended strength may leave excessive detergent residues in the carpet. These residues may allow the carpet to re-soil more rapidly. .Other common problems associated with do-it-yourself carpet cleaning methods are; Improperly formulated carpet cleaning solutions. Some do-ityourself carpet cleaning systems may distort the pile fiber if improperly used. A laundry detergent should never be used as a detergent. Most laundry detergents contain optical brighteners.

let out houses that do not exist, people operate from mobile offices where they can move out once they collect your money. So, we want to be able to bring practitioners of estate agency under control under one body.

We are moving ahead to form that body; we are moving ahead to register that body, we are even moving ahead to sponsor a bill at the National Assembly to ensure that a body of estate agents exists which will be under us and regulated. The idea is get everybody under control, regulate the practice of estate agency for the sake of Nigerians, so that nobody is duped.

Strengthening estate agency If for instance, somebody is letting a house in Surulere or Abuja or anywhere, you will know the person’s office, the person he is acting for, you know the landlord has instructed him, you know his details so that if anything happens, you will have a fallback where you can get the person if anything goes wrong.

In trying to strengthen estate agency, we equally intend to launch a multiple listing service MLS before the year runs out. A multiple listing service is a platform upon which estate agency is practised all over the world. It is a system that enables practitioners in estate agency to list their properties under one platform and once it is listed, all those who are registered with the platform can have access to it.

This is the way we will revolutionise estate agency because it means that only those who are within that platform can have their properties listed in the system. What it does is that if you do not have clear instructions from your landlord, you cannot list the property because only those who have clear instructions from their landlords can list their property; only those who are registered with us or with the system can list their property.

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012

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50 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

You have no option than to behave well in Lagos—Fashola •Vows never to use siren on Lagos roads Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, weekend, hosted a section of the media including Business, News and Political Editors at an interactive session focusing on recent developments in the state. Among the issues the governor brought to the discussion were the new traffic law in Lagos, the argument for and against State Police, and the effect of the new Atlantic City project on flooding in the state among others. Fashola also used the opportunity to address the allegation that he is an elitist governor empowering the rich at the expense of the poor. He pooh-poohed allegations that millions of people were displaced from the government's recent actions in Makoko. The governor, who is exceptional among his colleagues by not using siren gave his reason just as he disclosed that the new traffic law was only a step towards changing the attitude of Lagosians. Excerpts:

BY KAYODE MATHEW, GABRIEL OMOH & EMMANUELAZIKEN

O

Biggest traffic We freed up those roads because those were the roads that carried the biggest traffic.

I venture to think what could have happened today if we had gone to do the inner roads first.

I am sure that the complaint would have been that we cannot get to work ,our children cannot get to school.

We shared with you that if we were elected for a second term that we would focus on the inner roads and that is what we are addressing now. From Ogudu to Badagry, Itire to Aguda, to Ajegunle. Those are some places where some of you have never been, but I have been there. So every time they make this elitist argument, I trust that the people in those areas would say we are being served.

It is true; it may not be your

•Fashola ...focusing on inner city roads

route, so you may not know what we are doing there.

Sometimes a decision to do something somewhere is made more difficult by community issues. You may just find a particular group there, either a particular ethnic extraction or by some accident, a religious colouration and it becomes a potential keg of gunpowder that needs to be properly handled so that you don't lose your objective.

We are trying for example to do a refuse recycling and sorting facility inside a waste dump and somebody has gone to build on the refuse dump and in addition to that, he has taken us to court! How do we handle that? We negotiated until we had to pay a settlement because when I looked at the time, four years to get out of court, but those are not things we will come and celebrate here.

We were trying to do a stadium in Ifako Ijiaye, a community centre, because we see the traffic of people trying to come to Campos Square from there. The day we moved there, it was a court action and we had to settle!

And we know that some people are benefiting from this resettlement hype. They get grants in aid in the name of those people which never get to the affected people. I have some allegations that we have displaced some millions of people from Makoko, I said give me the number, I will resettle those millions if you can produce them.

Atlantic City and sea surge There is the reality of climate change. Our planet is changing and you know it. Eko Atlantic City clearly was not the cause of what happened in Kuramo neither is it the cause of what

happened in Alpha beach. The Eko Atlantic City project area today is what we all know as the Bar Beach. But the problem of erosion there started when the Europeans built the Apapa port. That was what caused the

,

N government's activities in his second term What I have come to understand on this job is that it is a job that never finishes. It is true that there are places where we have nothing doing and we are elsewhere for longer than we should be. But as I have argued before, if all the work could be finished, maybe Alhaji Jakande or Governor Tinubu would have finished it before I came. So, it is an on-going process.

But where we have sought to act methodically is where the problem is most intense. Given the limited nature of our resources, where can we make the biggest impact with those limited resources? For example, in my first term, we focused on the high traffic roads, Funsho Williams, Murtala Muhammed Way, Okota Link Bridge, Lekki Expressway and so on and so forth.

that natural flow, so the beach started taking away more sand than it was depositing. The Europeans built an automated mechanised replenishment system but when they left we abandoned it and then the erosion continued without control. Before now if you were going to the beach, the place where that road is now was the beginning of your journey to sea water, you would have to travel another two kilometres to sea water, but that is what we have lost. If you superimpose that against the map of Nigeria our boundaries have been altered in physical terms. The sand replenishment that is going on now is a restoration of what used to be there.

On the ranking of Lagos as the third worst city to live in the world For me, criticisms don't offend me; they challenge me to do more. So, I decided to find out what this ranking was all about. What I observed was that 140 cities, cities not countries, were ranked across the whole world. For, me there is a plus there. Australia has about six; Canada has about seven, only London was ranked in Britain, so they didn't rank Manchester. In West Africa I cannot recollect that Accra made that ranking. If you enter a global ranking of 140 cities across the world, for me, that is a plus. We may be at the tail of the ranking; our challenge now is to begin to climb to the top of the ranking.

We are too important in the comity of nations to be neglected- our market, our size, our entrepreneurship; by size we are bigger than 13 African countries as a state. By GDP, we are bigger than more than 40 countries. Our GDP for 2010 was $80 billion.

For me, we are a work in

The Eko Atlantic City project area today is what we all know as the Bar Beach. But the problem of erosion there started when the Europeans built the Apapa port. That was what caused the problem. For you to build a port you must create deep water

problem. For you to build a port you must create deep water.

The vessels that come from the ocean are channeled into that deep water. In doing so they built two moulds, so there was an intervention to nature.

Normally, the sea brings sand and takes sand away. If you build a mould you interrupt

,

progress and I think that maybe unlike the events across the Atlantic where some people asked their opponents, whether they were better four years ago, I think I can say, that we are very much better off than we were five years ago and I don't say that alone; many Continues on page 51

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 — 51

them. Let us name and shame the bad ones. But let us protect those who take their duty with dignity trying to keep traffic in Lagos.

Yes, people have genuinely expressed concern about awareness, signage.

There are concerns but those are easy to resolve and that is why before the law came to force on August 2, we have been slow to enforce but very quick to p u r s u e awareness. In the last two weeks, we have installed an additional 2,000 road signs across Lagos, showing that we mean well.

This is what defines our maturity and our civilisation: transportation. It is what defines ultimately how much we buy things. If we get it right all of us will be better for it.

Ye s t e r d a y (Friday) we lost four university lecturers in a country that does not have enough. They were avoiding a •Fashola ...not imposing congestion charge on Lagosians head on collision and the only way they you see in Johannesburg in the morning could go was water. If you go and and evening. The same thing you will investigate it, you will see that there was see in London in the morning and in a loss of concentration and that is why the evening, you will see it in New York a head on collision became imminent.

San Francisco, etc. It is called rush hour Somebody took his eyes off the road, traffic. The mayor of New York is either he slept off or was distracted.

Keeping Lagos has been a miracle — Fashola Continued from page 50

Lagosians will tell you that. However, our work is not yet finished.

State Police: The week that I resumed office as governor, I spent every night of the first week either in the outpatient ward because somebody has been shot or in the mortuary because somebody has been killed or sitting rooms where elderly citizens had been attacked or robbed. And of course, there seemed to be a total lack of capacity. There was no day, every week at least, a bank would be robbed successfully and we were helpless. Attempts are being made to rob banks now but without success because we can respond.

For me it is a lot better. Yes there have been arguments but those arguments do not address the issue. The arguments that it would be used for election; excuse me, only the living will participate in an election. The first responsibility is to keep them alive.

So these arguments tend to perpetuate our imperfections. You have a constitution that creates states and federal governments, creates states and federal legislative houses, creates states and federal courts to adjudicate on laws made by different levels of legislative houses, and it says you can't have state police. And the argument of fear of abuse is the only argument that they can bring. I am sure that if you genuinely ask Nigerians today to choose between the fear of abuse and the fear of losing their loved ones, they will tell you that the fear of losing their loved ones ranks higher in their consideration. Indeed, is there any police force in the whole world that does

not abuse itself or abuse its citizens?

Now, you say don't give them state police that they will abuse it. Are we not abusing vehicles? Are we driving the way we should drive? So why don't we put it into the law, we don't give them vehicles because they will drive recklessly?

On state flags and crests: Why is the masthead of TheSundifferent from the masthead of The Nation? We don't have a coat of arms, we have a seal for the government of Lagos and it tells all that is about us: our culture, our enterprise, our business, our coast. And those are the things you will see. The cowry shells depicting very clearly our commercial capacity, the wheels showing our industrialisation, the blue sea showing that we are a rich coastal state and the green showing our vegetation.

Need for true federalism Two weeks ago when we hosted the Federation Cup final, Lobi Stars and Heartland brought their flags. And you are saying governments cannot have flags and clubs have flags. Schools have flags. First Bank has flag! Excuse me!

In terms of timing, it speaks to the compelling need for us to sit down and renegotiate the terms of our commonwealth. That is what we are seeing. It speaks to the current need for a true federalism. That is why it is happening now. That is the debate on everybody's tongue. How can we have a more perfect union?

On the Lagos traffic law It is not only traffic that is our problem; there are some unsavoury problems that are not compatible with urban life. You see on our highways now, people just come and hang clothes on the highway as if it was a laundry.

This speak to very serious issues and challenges of urbanisation that we are facing.

If you are coming from a less urbanised area where there are no proper roads, such that you can drive in the village square, you can't do that here! There is a pattern we drive here.

This is not the first traffic law. I saw a photograph of traffic on Carter Bridge in 1966, bumper to bumper. So, this problem has been there for a long time. But why did we act?

That is Carter Bridge in 1966 and we may have been about 500,000 or so in Lagos at that time, now we are 21 million. At that time people were not driving against traffic, but it was organised and that was the time go slow started.

It is the same traffic that you see in Lagos that

imposing a congestion charge and they fought him everywhere. London has congestion charge. Why don't we have congestion charge? We can't have congestion charge because there is no congestion. But we seem to be so defensive and sorry for ourselves and taken the victim approach and the people who have congestion have the temerity to come and tell us that traffic is bad and we accept it?

Managerial capacity I don't take taxi in New York; I walk because it is quicker to walk than to drive. They have that congestion in spite of an efficient rail system, an efficient water transportation system. It speaks to an inherently superior managerial capacity here than there.

Let us stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

There is an image I can present to you: the day the traffic lights in New York shut down, they had no clue. New York was at a standstill for about eight hours and these men and women of LATSMA everyday push this traffic without the aid of technology and instead of encouraging them, we sweep them with the same brush. I will like to take them off the streets for one day in order to explain to us in very practical terms what they do. I wish I could! (General Laughter) We have a job to do, let us encourage

W

hen these accidents happen, irreversible changes follow.

From the day that accident happened, we have widows and widowers, you can't change it anymore. For one second you will cause an irreversible change in your life. Even if some of them survived, life will not be the same again.

For one second? What do you want? You want to smoke? You want to drink? You want to give your baby breast milk?

Those are some of the things we see.

You know what? Accidents don't discriminate. It may be you, it may be me. There is nothing wrong with us, we just need to change the way we do things. See, in all that traffic you see abroad, you don't see Okada running against traffic!

I don't see our prosperity in cash, I see our prosperity as a state in the quality of life of the people we have.

That is my balance sheet. The quality of life of the people I serve.

Now add that to the stress of okada and keke, add siren. What should be used only for emergency we now put it on every day. And I have been asking this question and nobody has been able to answer it? Are we in a perpetual emergency?

I have insisted that no matter the temptation to use siren I don't intend to use it until I leave office. I have been in very bad traffic, we have never put on the siren in my car and it is an absolute rule for my commissioners.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 2012 — 53

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Road to 2014 Brazil World Cup

No guarantee Spain will qualify — Casillas A

S Spain begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Georgia today, captain Iker Casillas says it is “strange” that the World Cup holders must qualify for the next tournament but that the team must accept the rules and get on with the job.

In the past, World Cup winners were automatically given a chance to retain their title, but the situation was changed for the 2006 competition when Brazil had to qualify. The Real Madrid goalkeeper, speaking to reporters in Georgia ahead of his side’s opening Brazil 2014 qualifier tonight, said it would be unusual were the defending champions to fail to reach a competition.

“Obviously it is strange and unusual that the world champion does not have an automatic ticket for Brazil, but they decided it was better that the champion had to qualify,” Casillas said.

“It could happen that we do not reach the World Cup and it would be strange if the champions were not there to defend their title, but we are just thinking about what we are doing. It is for others to think if it is a good idea considering what we achieved in winning the World Cup.”

•Casillas

Zidane backs Benzema to score against Belarus

Z

•Benzema

INEDINE Zidane said it’s only a matter of time before Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema finds his best form again. ”Benzema still has to hit won’t be long before he fulfils his full potential at last, both for Real Madrid and for France.”

France play Belarus on Tuesday.

Don’t rely on Messi against Peru ...Gago warns Argentina

•Messi

F

ERNANDO Gago has warned his Argentina team-mates they will need to do more than “pass the ball only” to Lionel Messi ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Peru today.

“Having Lionel is a bonus, but Argentina cannot play the ball only to Messi,” Gago told Clarin. “We are building a style of play from several sides now.”

Argentina claimed a 3-1 win over Paraguay last Friday to keep them top of the South American qualification standings. But Gago says the team must carry on their current form if they are to reach the finals in Brazil.

“We are comfortable and we are getting results, but we cannot think beyond Peru, then Uruguay,” said Gago.

“The qualifiers are difficult, and our first hope is to reach the 2014 World Cup with a ticket in our hands, then we will see.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 — 55

1m Brits honour London 2012 heroes B

RITAIN’s astonish ing summer of sport came to a colourful and emotional climax yesterday, as hundreds of Olympic and Paralympic athletes paraded through the capital to finally bring the curtain down on London 2012.

Tens of thousands of spectators lined the streets as the procession wound its way through a sea of Union Jacks to Buckingham Palace.

Up to 700 British Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including more than 90 per cent of the medal winners, took part in the parade.

The athletes packed onto 21 floats which started in the heart of the City of London and ended in the Mall.

Olympic gold medallists Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis, Sir Chris Hoy and Ben Ainslie were part of the parade, as were Paralympic champions David Weir, Ellie

S

LAP OF HONOUR: The streets of London were packed full of well wishers cheering and waving flags at those who filtered past Simmonds and Sarah Storey.

The parade started at

Keshi Continues from BP is in charge. The technical committee will review the match but their job remains advisory. We have absolute confidence in him and he knows that his contract is tied to qualifying Nigeria to South Africa and Brazil for the Nations Cup and the World Cup respectively ’’, Inyamah said.

Considering the exclusion of Chelsea’s Mikel Obi in Eagles in the recent, Inyamah dismissed with a wave of the hand suggestions that Keshi did not want him in Eagles. ‘’There is no iota of truth in that. Keshi has nothing personal against Mikel. They were in contact before the match in Monrovia.

Mikel was excused because the game was to be played on artificial turf but when they moved over to grass, it was late to invite him.

There is no reason for Keshi to leave out Mikel or any other good player. They are Nigerians.

But what we cannot condone is indiscipline.

The coach knows better and we are pleased with his performance so far ’’, smooth-talking Inyamah said.

On the Liberian match, Inyama said that

Serena claims 4th US Open title

Mansion House and the route went via St Paul’s Cathedral to Trafalgar Square down to the Queen Victoria Memorial.

ERENA Williams came back from the brink to land her 15th Grand Slam on sunday.

The American legend was staring down the barrell at 5-4 down in the third set to World No1 Victoria Azarenka.

But the Belarusian fluffed her lines as she tried to serve for her second Slam of the year and as soon as Williams got a sniff, she was able to land her fourth US Open crown.

The 30 year-old had started like a train and was destroying Azarenkawith some ferocious hitting.

The World No1 looked nervous and in an instant the American was 6-2 ahead and seemingly coasting after just 34 minutes.

Cameroon’s football federation offices under security guard after disappointed fans winners of the African

A

RMED security forc es have formed a tight cordon around the Cameroon football federation offices in Yaounde

threatened to ransack them following an embarrassing defeat for the national team.

Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, three-times

Sports editor loses mother

M

ISTER Everest Onyewuchi, the sports editor of National Mirror Newspapers, has lost his loving mother, Madam Cecilia Ihuarulam Onyewuchi nee Ebomuche.

Madam Cecilia, a devout Catholic and

committed Christian, counselor and recognised/honoured community leader, died on August 19 this year after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri, Imo State, aged 78.

Oliseh

•High Chief Emeka Inyama, Chairman NFF Media Committee the draw has put Nigeria in good stead to qualify for the Nations Cup. “There is no cause for alarm. It is a match that the Eagles should have won. We are not satisfied with the result but we are not disappointed. All I know is that Nigeria will be in South Africa no matter what it takes.

Remember that Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan came to cheer the team and watch them in training. He made calls, too. That is a sign of uncommon leadership and his motivation is unrivaled.

NFF will blame itself if Nigeria does not qualify. But we are not contemplating that. No, no, no. Not again!’’, Inyamah said.

But Azarenka isn’t the best on the planet for nothing.

The 23 year hitback superbly, breaking early on and winning the set in style.

It was, amazingly, the first time since 1995 that the women’s final at the US Open had gone the distance.

And Azarenka quickly took control by breaking for 2-1 only for Williams to hit straight back with her own break.

When the American hit long to allow the Belarussian edge 4-3 up after breaking to love, she looked in real trouble.

But somehow the Olympic gold medallist clawed her way back in at 5-5 as Azarenka buckled under the pressure.

Continues from BP just weeks to find a way, not just to score, but also stop the ever dangerous Sekou Oliseh who has already beaten Enyeama once.

And he knows it saying “big brother does not mean stronger brother.

The Eagles are not so super, afterall.”

Ghana who defeated Malawi 2-0 is also using this to try and improve on their lukewarm performance displayed in Accra.

Liberia on the other hand will seek to enhance her midfield that gained ever increasing momentum in the Nigeria game and ended up suffocating the Nigerians. The right wing was

especially leaky and Warri Wolves centre back Azubuike Egwuewke had to repeatedly come to the rescue of Godfrey Oboabona who was totally outmatched.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is the big brother of the two teams as the Liberians keep pointing out, but she was also without any doubt also the one happy to escape Doe stadium with any points.

The game saw both teams suffering from poor finishing. For Nigeria Uche and Emenike in spite of the Lone Star’s superb goal keeper Nathaniel Shermna could have easily won it for the Super Eagles early on.

Nations Cup, are in danger of missing out on a place at the next finals in South Africa after losing 2-0 to the tiny Cape Verde Islands in Praia on Saturday in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers.

Angry fans demonstrated outside the offices after the defeat, leading to the deployment of police and military personnel.

•Eto'o

Foot-brawl Continues from BP neutral venue in Casablanca, Morocco.

However, after Algeria substitute Soudani scored a late winner, things turned sour.

Algeria’s Islam Slimani could be seen karate-kicking Libya’s Mohamed El Mughrabi in the back after the final whistle.

And other players and staff also got involved as the ugly scenes escalated.

Soudani’s goal gives the Algerians a crucial lead heading into the second leg on Wednesday.

This winner of the tie will automatically qualify for the African Nations Cup early next year.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

T

Foot-brawl

HIS African Nations Cup qualifier was moved to AVOID violence — but

it did not stop these players from scrapping at full-time.

With Libya still

recovering from civil war, their clash with Algeria was moved to a Continues on page 55

We won’t forgive Keshi if ... NFF •Speaks on Mikel

BY TONY UBANI

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, stated yesterday that they would not forgive Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi if the nation does not qualify for the African Cup of Nations to be held in South Africa next year.

The Federation is still being haunted by the Eagles non qualification of the last edition held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea under coach Samson Siasia.

Reviewing the Eagles 2-2 draw with the Lone Star of Liberia weekend in Monrovia where goalkeeper Vincent En-

yeamah’s howler allowed the Liberians to equalise in a match that the Eagles deserved to win, Chairman of NFF Media Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyamah said that Keshi remains totally in control of the Eagles. ‘’Keshi has the powers not to invite any player who will not help the course of the team. He Continues on page 55

Eagles not super — Oliseh US OPEN: Serena survived this slide to win the US Open.

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

F

RESH from their im pressive 2-2 draw against Nigeria Liberia will today head to Ghana to take on the Black Stars and further prepare for the ‘ winner takes all’ rematch in Calabar.

Nigeria will now have to host a confident in form Lone Star come October 12 in another big game leaving Keshi Continues on page 55 YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Fewest (5) 9 Fused (6) 10 Impede (6) 11 Loft (5) 12 Demonstrate (4) 15 Yield (4) 17 Noncomformist (7) 20 Free (3) 21 Nearby (5) 23 Attendant (4) 25 Contract (4) 26 Wished (5) 28 Breaker (3) 30 Day-dream (7) 33 Unfortunately (4) 35 Peel (4) 36 Poison (5) 38 Callous (6) 39 Alleviation (6) 40 Wigwam (5)

DOWN 1 Shatter (5) 2 Storey (5) 3 Meadow (3) 4 Involve (6) 5 Vessel (4) 6 Spasm (3) 7 Viper (5) 8 Rear (5) 13 Useful (7) 14 Balance (5) 15 Scorn (7) 18 Lid (5) 19 Taxi (3) 22 Debase (5) 24 Epoch (3) 27 Coy (6) 28 Perhaps (5) 29 Range (5) 31 Stiff (5) 32 Uplift (5) 34 Dossier (4) 36 Tank (3) 37 Observe (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Adjust 5, Spigot 9, Wheel 10, Bid 18, Mere 20, Tunic 22, Voted 23, Purloin 24, Feast 26, Medal 29, Edgy 30, Bob 32, Yule 33, Buyer 35, Travel 36, Rancid 37, Sleek 38, Entity 39, Teeter.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Almost 2, Jargon 3, Swot 4, Throb 5, Sewed 6, Plan 7, Gadget 8, Turned 13, Killjoy 15, Mused 16, Gipsy 18, Money 19, Regal 21, Cut 22, Vim 24, Fettle 25, Aghast 27, Dulcet 28, Leader 30, Bully 31, Beret 33, Best 34, Rake

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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