.... AS POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS FEBRUARY 28- Nigeria's Arinzefavoured as next Pope

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 61816

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

.... AS POPE BENEDICT XVI RESIGNS FEBRUARY 28

Nigeria's Arinze favoured as next Pope

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE (With agency report)

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AGOS—WITH the resignation of Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday, Nigeria’s Francis Cardinal Arinze, 80, has be-

come one of the favourites to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. If elected, he would become the first African to be elected as Pope in 1500 years. Arinze was a leading contender when Benedict was elected in April 2005.

Ninety-four months after his election, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday stunned the world, announcing that he would Continues on page 6

•To vacate seat February 28 •Says his health is failing •Seeks pardon for defects •Move stuns the world •Pope's elder brother surprised •First Pope to resign in 598 years •Now The Mortal Pope •P.7 •Politics of the Papacy •P.8

Tension in NASS over budget padding —P.9 Pope Benedict XVI announcing his plan to resign, yesterday. AFP Photo.

'They' don't want me as Eagles' coach — Keshi ...as resignation rumour spreads See Back Page

COLUMNISTS:

•P.19

•PG.17

Keshi after the victory

Mr & Mrs

JAJI ATTACK:

Ihejirika •P.9 indicts Maj.Gen Isah C M Y K

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C M Y K

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C M Y K

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Police nab robbery suspect with Army uniform, police baton

BY EVELYN USMAN

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Suspected attackers of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, as paraded by the Police, yesterday.

Police parade six suspected attackers of Ado Bayero K

ANO — THE Nigeria Police Command in Kano, yesterday, said it has found a clue to the attack on the Emir of Kano,Alhaji Ado Bayero, by unknown gunmen on January 19, 2013 To this effect, seven suspected Jihadists were arrested in connection with the said attack.

Speaking on the issue in Kano, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, said some of the arrested suspects include Adamu Sani, Malam Salisu Mohammed, Mubarak Isa, Surajo Salisu, Mohammed Auwal Hashim and Abdul Jalil Musa.

The police boss added that other suspects had been declared wanted by the Police and they include Malam Sharif

Mohammed, Babangida Baba Salihu, Malam Ibrahim, Malam Adamu, Alhaji Ali, Habibu Gwamamja and Salmanu who he said is a known member of

the dreaded Jihadist group, the Boko Haram.

The suspects are expected to be charged to court for homicide.

Two remanded for alleged murder during robbery

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — TWO young men, Dare Adekunle (22) and Ismaila Bankole (30), were yesterday remanded in prison custody for allegedly killing one 16-year-old Ikechukwu Ijeoma during a robbery operation.

Adekunle, Bankole and others now at large are facing a twocount charge bordering on robbery and murder, preferred against them by the police, before an Ikeja Magistrate Court.

The police prosecutor, Chinalu Uwadime, told the court that the defendants and others now at large committed the offence on January 14, 2013.

Uwadime said Adekunle and Bankole conspired to commit felony and armed robbery at 1, Tinomi Street, Ipaja area of Lagos.

Adekunle and Bankole were said to be armed with pistol and locally made long barrel gun, with which they robbed one Boniface Ijeoma of N20,000 and also shot and killed a 16-yearold boy Ikechukwu Ijeoma.

AGOS — POLICEMEN attached to Bariga Division, yesterday, stormed a robbery gang’s hideout in Bariga area, arresting a suspected member of the gang, said to be operating in Army uniform.

Recovered from the hideout which doubles as one of the suspects’ apartments, according to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide , were a pair of Army uniform, one locally made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges, a machete

and Police baton.

Braide explained that when the operatives stormed the hideout located on Oluwa Street, two persons suspected to be members of the gang fled, abandoning the owner of the apartment whom she identified simply as Ahmed.

The suspect, as gathered, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, Yaba,where investigation aimed at ascertaining how he came about the Army uniform and Police baton was on-going.

...Kill 8 alleged car snatchers during shoot-out

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — EIGHT people said to be members of a robbery gang that specialises in snatching cars at gun point, were, yesterday, gunned-down during an exchange of gunfire between them and operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja.

Vanguard gathered that the bandits, who operated in two groups, met their waterloo while trying to smuggle a Toyota Siena Space Bus and a Toyota Camry car which they snatched at Ejigbo and Ikotun areas of Lagos State into the Republic of Benin.

Sources told Vanguard that the gold colour Toyota Siena with number plate LAGOS JJJ 623 AW, was snatched from its owner, one Habeeb, at Ejigbo while the wine colour Toyota

Camry with number plate LAGOS EPE 737 AT, was snatched from a yet-to-be identified owner at Ikotun, on September 9, 2012.

A source who pleaded anonymity, said policemen across the state were alerted after the cars were stolen, while men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and other police patrol teams chased the bandits without success as they drove the vehicles to Ogun State.

Meanwhile SARS operatives, led by the officer in charge SP Abba Kyari, received an intelligence report that the armed bandits had concluded plans to smuggle the cars to a waiting buyer at Benin Republic at the dead of the night. They reacted and swiftly accosted the bandits at Ifo and Sango Ota areas of Ogun State respectively .

60-year-old ‘fake’ lawyer arraigned in Lagos

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zThe suspected oil thieves

JTF hands over 18 suspected oil thieves to EFCC

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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ENIN — THE Joint Task Force, JTF, of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin has handed over 18 suspected oil thieves to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The suspects were arrested at different locations in series of operations between October 2012 and January 2013. The command alleged that the suspects were arrested with different trucks, tankers, buses, cars, drums, jerry cans and pumping machines with which they transfer products and substances suspected to be adulterated kerosene and

illegally refined automotive gas oil, AGO. The suspects include Shedrack Ofosa, Mudia Owin, Ovie Joseph, Nnamdi Albert, John Abuja, Lucky Egbegbe, Andrew Anthony, James Aker, Kadiri Aloysius, Paul Ojo, Oduwere Edobor, Esene Osaghale, Abubakar Isah and

Steven Omoghwigho.

Others are Lucky Francis, Lucky Imuetinyan, Henry Ikweke, and Victor Ohweokeovwo; while Lucky Okorie, Dodo Mohammed, Bose Osaji were arrested in Warri and Benin by the EFCC operatives in connection with the alleged offences.

AGOS – A 60-year-old man, Kolawole Alamutu, who allegedly impersonated a lawyer, yesterday appeared before an Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The defendant, who resides at 1B, Jibowu Estate, AbuleEgba, is facing a two-count charge.

According to the Prosecutor, Clara Olagbaiye, the defendant falsely presented himself as a barrister at the New Oko-Oba Police Station in Lagos State, at 5:30p.m. on February 8.

“Alamutu had gone to the

police station to represent one Mrs Funmi Tijani, who was invited for questioning.

“When he was giving a statement, he addressed himself as a barrister, saying that he was called to bar in 1975,” she said.

According to Olagbaiye, policemen noticed some irregularities in his statement and asked him to produce his call to bar certificate but he could not.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 77 and 318 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State.

Ex-Naval Officer, 9 others nabbed for robbery, recruitment scam

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI — THE Benue State Police Command, weekend, arrested 10 suspected robbers in Makurdi, including a three-man syndicate led by a dismissed naval officer (name withheld) who specialized in duping innocent members of the

public in the guise of recruiting the victims into the Nigerian Navy.

Parading the suspects at the State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Christopher Katso, disclosed that the syndicate was apprehended at a Makurdi hotel where they were carrying out “naval recruitment exercise.”

According to the Police Commissioner, “yesterday, our intelligence report uncovered a syndicate of three men, led by one Emmanuel Audu who were fully kitted in naval uniforms, in a hotel room from where they were conducting phony recruitment into the Nigerian Navy."

Among those paraded by the

Command were six armed young men who specialise in robbing their victims with motorbike and another whose stock-in-trade was to steal the original copies of students’ credential at the Benue State University and thereafter demand for N200,000 from owners of credentials to have them returned.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

POCKET CARTOON

POPE-IN-COUNCIL—Pope Benedict XVI (C back) addressing an ordinary consistory at The Vatican, yesterday before announcing that he will resign on February 28. AFP photo.

Nigeria's Arinze favoured as next Pope Continues from page 1 quit his headship of the Catholic Church on February 28 due to his “incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

The German-born Pope, 85, hailed as a

hero by conservative Roman Catholics and viewed with suspicion by liberals, told cardinals in Latin that his strength had deteriorated recently and that he would step down on February 28 and the Vatican expects

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

All of us do not start at the same level in life. But it is definite that we will all, sooner or later, arrive at the same point.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HERE is a saying that life can only be under stood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

You can choose every day to live your life forward, to “do good things for the present and the future.”

Every day you can choose a better way — Steve Goodier Kim Phuc has more to kick about life than most of us. Photographer Nick Ut received a Pulitzer Prize for a dramatic war-time picture taken in Vietnam. A Napalm bomb dropped on a village, and a little girl running scared, clothing seared off and a severely burnt skin. And that little girl was Kim. Kim hovered between life and death. She required 17 different surgical operations and months of rehabilitation. Today, she lives in Canada and has become an important spokesperson on issues of war and peace. “Pain never disappears,” Kim says. “You just learn how to deal with it.”

During a presentation at the Washington memorial, Kim says: “Even if I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bombs, I would tell him we cannot change history but we should try to do good things for the present and for the future to promote harmony.” There are certainly plenty of people she can blame for her suffering. She could have grown up a bitter and resentful woman. But instead, she is a person of graceful dignity.

a new Pope to be chosen by the end of March. He has spent about seven and a half years on the saddle having been elected on April 19, 2005 when he was 78 - 20 years older than John Paul II, his predecessor.

When he quits in 16 days time, Pope Benedict XVI will be the fifth Pope to resign in the history of the church after Pope Gregory XII in 1415 598 years ago; Pope Celestine V, who resigned in 1294; Pope Gregory VI, 1046, and Pope Benedict IX, 1045.

Pope Benedict’s historic speech In a three-paragraph, 351-word emotion-laden historic speech, Pope Benedict XVI, who asked for pardon for his defects and thanked the church for her support during his reign, said he would devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

The speech read: “Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.

After having repeatedly

examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering.

“However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence

it is.

“Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff.

With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”

The contenders Following the Pope’s decision, a list of papal contenders led by Nigeria’s Francis Cardinal Arinze, has emerged.

Although there is no obvious front-runner - as was the case when Pope Benedict was elected pontiff in 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II. To elect his successor are120 cardinals under age 80, who are eligible to vote in a conclave.

Europe still has the most with 62 in the College of Cardinals followed by Latin America (21), North America (14), Africa (11), Asia (11) and Ocean one.

Cardinal Francis Arinze Cardinal Arinze, 80, from Nigeria is one of the favourites to succeed Pope Benedict. Born in Nigeria, 1932, the 80year-old would be the first African in 1,500 years to sit on the throne of St Peter, if elected.

He was baptised on his ninth birthday after converting. He was educated at Urban University in Rome and earned a postgraduate qualification

from London University.

Cardinal Arinze was ordained in 1958 and became the world’s youngest bishop, aged 32, in 1965. He was created cardinal in 1985.

Cardinal Peter Turkson Considerably younger than his rivals, the Ghanaian is the current President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Born to a Methodist mother and a Catholic father in 1948, he became a priest in 1975.

The 64-year-old speaks Fante, English, French, Italian, German, Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic and Greek.

Head of the Vatican justice and peace bureau, he is spokesman for the Church’s social conscience and backs world financial reform.He was named Cardinal in 2003.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet The 68-year-old was born in Canada in 1944. He became the archbishop of Quebec in 2002 and was created cardinal in 2003.

He once said becoming Pope “ would be a nightmare.”

He is currently head of the Vatican office that oversees the appointment of the world’s bishops.

Angelo

Scola

The Italian Cardinal was born in 1941. He studied philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan and was ordained to the priesthood in 1970.

The 71-year-old was created cardinal in 2003.

He worked with Pope Benedict XVI on the theological journal ‘Communio’ and is a long-time ally of the

Continues on page 7

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—7

Arinze favoured as next Pope Continues from page 6 Pope.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan The 62 year-old, from the USA, became the voice of U.S. Catholicism after being named archbishop of New York in 2009. His humour and dynamism have impressed the Vatican, where both are often missing. But cardinals are wary of a “superpower pope” and his back-slapping style may be too American for some.

C a r d i n a l Gianfranco Ravasi The Italian has been Vatican culture minister since 2007 and represents the Church to the worlds of art, science, culture and even to atheists. This profile could hurt the 70-year-old if cardinals decide they need an experienced pastor rather than another professor as Pope.

Cardian Odilo Pedro Scherer The Brazilian, 63, ranks as Latin America’s strongest candidate.

Archbishop of Sao Paolo, largest diocese in the largest Catholic country, he is conservative in his country but would rank as a moderate elsewhere.

former student of Pope Benedict with a pastoral touch the pontiff lacks.

The Austrian Cardinal, 67, has ranked as papal material since editing the Church catechism in the 1990s.

Cardinal Angelo Scola The 71-year-old is archbishop of Milan, a springboard to the papacy, and is many Italians’ bet to win. An expert on bioethics, he also knows Islam as head of a foundation to promote Muslim-Christian understanding. His dense oratory could put off cardinals seeking a charismatic communicator.

Cardinal Luis Tagle The only Asian candidate in the running, Cardinal Tagle, 55, has a charisma often compared to that of the late Pope John Paul.

The Filipino is also close to Pope Benedict after working with him at the International Theological Commission. While he has many fans, he only became a cardinal in 2012 and conclaves are wary of young candidates.

Can the Pope resign?

Pope Benedict XVI ’s

Cardinal Christoph shock resignation has S c h o e n b o r n raised questions on Cardinal Schoenborn is a

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO, Chairman Editorial Board

C

ATHOLICS - more than 1.2 billion people round the world - would be astounded to learn Pope Benedict XVI resigned. They would have great reasons to fall into this flux. The last resignation of a pope was 598 years ago – none of today’s Catholics was around then. The most important would be the infallibility of the Pope; many do not see the Pope in human terms.

Circumstances of that resignation are barely ennobling for the church to mention them. No Pope has resigned in

whether or not the leader of the Catholic Church could resign from office.

No Pope has resigned in modern times, and the last one to leave the post was Pope Gregory XII (1415) and before him Pope Celestine V (1294).

Under Canon Law of the Catholic Church, the only conditions for the Pope resigning if the resignation is done freely and is properly published.

The Pope’s spokesperson Federico Lombardi said yesterday that Benedict’s resignation was “in full compliance with church law”, and that he was not resigning due to any “difficulties in the papacy.”

But Pope Benedict’s decision to step down was seen as unusual given that most incumbents die in office.

Pope’s resignation surprising – Vatican Spokesman Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope had not decided to resign because of “difficulties in the papacy” and the move had been a surprise, indicating that even his inner circle was unaware that he was about to quit.

The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said.

The Pope’s leadership of 1.2 billion Catholics

Continues on page 8

Pope Benedict XVI

Now, the mortal Pope modern times, and the last one to leave the post was Pope Gregory XII on July 4, 1415 - 598 years ago. He resigned following conflicts in the church that resulted in the election of three popes - Gregory XII in Rome, Benedict XIII in Avignon, in modern day France and John XXIII in Pisa, Italy.

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” Benedict XVI, the first

German pope in 1,000 years, said in a statement that highlights the humanity of the Pope, but would assail most Catholics who are sold on the infallibility of the Pope, often mistaking it for the Pope not falling to human frailties.

Petrine is a widely held Catholic reference and belief that popes came from a long line of succession traced to Apostle Peter, the man Jesus Christ anointed His successor more than 2,000 years ago.

Papal infallibility was promulgated at the First Vatican Council in 1870.

It states, “Faithfully ad-

hering to the tradition received from the beginning of the Christian faith … we teach and define that it is a dogma divinely revealed that the Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra, that is when in discharge of the office of pastor and teacher of all Christians, by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine regarding faith and morals to be held by the universal Church, by the divine assistance promised him in Blessed Peter, is possessed of that infallibility with which the Divine Redeemer willed that His

Church should be endowed for defining doctrine regarding faith and morals; and that, therefore, such definitions of the Roman Pontiffs are irreformable of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church.”

Infallibility has been stretched to make the Pope seem above human frailties such that it has ensconced the church and the papacy, saving both from conflicts that riddled the early church.

Benedict’s decision should be accepted for its boldness and his courage, at a time most would have carried on till death. He has, however, thrown the church into

new “tradition”. A new pope would be elected with a former pope living.

How would they relate to each other? Would the College of Cardinals recommend a retirement age for popes? We are again at the early ages of an old church.

At 85, Pope Benedict the XVI has taken a decision that none of his predecessors who died in office would have contemplated. John Paul II, who he succeeded, died at 85 and he lived out his final years with public attention on his failing health.

For a church steeped in tradition, Benedict XVI has added another chapter to the papacy.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

BY SAM EYOBOKA, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

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AGOS—DESPITE ‘all is well’ assurances following the Pope Benedict XVI’s sudden resignation yesterday, fears are being raised in certain quarters as to how the Catholic Church will cope with two living Popes. Benedict, known for his conservative doctrine, has no intention of influencing the decision of the cardinals who will enter a secret conclave to elect a successor, Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi Federico has assured.

Lombardi said the pope did not fear a possible “schism” but several popes in the past, including Benedict’s predecessor John Paul, refrained from stepping down precisely because of the confusion and division that could be caused by having an “ex-pope” and a reigning pope living at the same time.

This could create a particularly difficult problem if the next pope is a progressive who influences such teachings as the ban on women priests and artificial birth control and its insistence on a celibate priesthood.

“This is disconcerting, he is leaving his flock,” said Alessandra Mussolini, a parliamentarian who is granddaughter of

WHO WILL BE NEXT POPE?—

Cardinals likely to succeed Pope Benedict XVI. Top row from left: Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes; Honduran Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodrigues Maradiaga; Argentine Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio; Mexican Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera; Brazilian Joao Braz de Aviz; Philippines' Luis Antonio Tagle; Ghanaian Peter Turkson. Bottom row from left: Austrian Cristoph Schonborn; Hungarian Peter Erdoe; Italian Angelo Scola; Canadian Marc Ouellet; Nigerian Francis Arinze; Nigerian John Onaiyekan, and USA's Timothy Dolan. AFP PHOTO.

Ex-Pope and reigning Pope Italy’s wartime dictator.

“The pope is not any man. He is the vicar of Christ. He should stay on to the end, go ahead and bear his cross to the end. This is a huge sign of world destabilization that will weaken the Church.”

The last Pope to resign willingly was Celestine V

in 1294 after reigning for only five months, his resignation was known as “the great refusal” and was condemned by the poet Dante in the “Divine Comedy”. Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 to end a dispute with a rival claimant to the papacy.

No specific illnes Lombardi said Benedict’s decision showed “great courage”. He ruled out any specific illness or depression and said the decision was made in the last few months “without outside pressure”.

Politics of the Papacy

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

T

HE Papacy may seem to be a spiritual institution and its role may be seen to be purely limited to the administration of the Universal Catholic Church.

In reality, the role of the Papacy in global politics has been prominent before, during and after the renaissance and now.

The Papacy is at the head of government and administration at the Vatican City, which enjoys a sovereign status and diplomatic representation worldwide.

It is known to be a moral voice on issues such as abortion, opposition to same sex marriage, opposition to dictatorial regimes, global poverty among other.

The strong demo-

graphic representation of catholic faithful throughout the world makes the Papacy a very strong institution. It is also known to be very wealthy and influential in global affairs. Although, it has no standing army, the Papacy is powerful and its opinion on any issue cannot be wished away.

The sudden resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, will certainly throw the Catholic Church back to the politics of selecting the next Pope and ensuring that the dust raised by the resignation of the incumbent pope is handled as conservatively as possible.

First, there will be issues of age and ideological disposition of the new Cardinal. There will be the issue of balance and representation in the

Vatican and in the selection of the Papacy. During the cold war, the position of the Papacy was part of the cold war politics. During the formation of the United Nations, the issue of giving veto power to the Vatican was thrown up. The then Soviet President, Josef Stalin, opposed the idea on the grounds that the Vatican had no troops.

The US and its western allies wanted a situation where they would use the veto power of the Vatican to outsmart the Soviet Union and its allies. The Vatican has an observer status at the United Nations.

The appointment of the former Pope John Paul 11 from Poland, was influenced by the ploy of the Western Union, to support the uprising in Poland which was aimed at

weakening communist regimes in Eastern Europe.

The ploy worked as the opposition to communist regime strengthened and invariably, the entire communist regime in Europe collapsed. But the Pope almost lost his life. Pope Benedict XVI is the first German Pope to be elected in over 1,000 years and he was selected by the forces that were opposed to an Italian becoming a Pope in 2005.

There are many people who believe that it was those forces that opposed his emergence, that were behind the embarrassing leaks in the Vatican during his tenure as Pope. The issue now is whether the politics of Papacy will allow an African to emerge as a pope.

While the pope had slowed down recently he started using a cane and a wheeled platform to take him up the long aisle in St Peter’s Square - he had given no hint recently that he was mulling such a dramatic decision.

“I am really surprised,” said Ricardo Rodriguez, a Portuguese tourist in St Peter ’s Square. “I hope the next pope can be better than this one doing the best for the world and Catholics,” he said.

Elected in 2005 to succeed the enormously popular John Paul, Benedict never appeared to feel comfortable in a job he said he never wanted. He had wanted to retire to his native Germany to pursue his theological writings, something which he will now do from a convent inside the Vatican.

The resignation means that cardinals from around the world will begin arriving in Rome in March and after preliminary meetings, lock themselves in a secret conclave.

There has been growing pressure on the Church for the cardinals to shun European contenders and choose a pope from the developing world in order to better reflect parts of the globe where most Catholics live and where the Church is growing.

Arinze favoured as next pope Continues from page 7 has been beset by child sexual abuse crises that tarnished the Church, one address in which he upset Muslims and a scandal over the leaking of his private papers by his personal butler.

Lombardi said the pope did not fear a possible “schism” but several popes in the past, including Benedict’s predecessor John Paul, refrained from stepping down precisely because of the confusion and division that could be caused by having an “ex-pope” and a reigning pope living at the same time.

A new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics could be elected as soon as Palm Sunday, on March 24 and be ready to take over

by Easter a week later, he said.

I’m surprised too – George Ratzinger, Pope’s 89-yr brother The pope’s elder brother George Ratzinger, a frail 89year-old priest who shares the pope’s passion for music, told reporters in the Bavarian town of Regensburg where he once conducted the cathedral choir that he had been “very surprised” to learn of his brother’s resignation.

“He alone can evaluate his physical and emotional strength,” said Ratzinger..

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—9

Jaji attack: Maj-Gen Isah had prior information — Ihejirika zSays promotion, recruitment, deployment devoid of ethnic, religious colouration

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

BUJA—CHIEF of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika gave a shocking revelation yesterday on the bomb attack at Jaji Cantonment last year which killed an Army General and several others when he disclosed that the then Commander, Infantry Corps and Centre, Jaji, General Mohammed Isa had security report 24 hours earlier of the plot to bomb Jaji but he chose to ignore the warning.

The army boss gave startling information at a briefing at the army headquarters His words, “our Intelligence and Military Police departments had gotten information of a plan by terrorists to attack the Jaji Cantonment and the intelligence was immediately relayed to General Isa. The same report that Gen. Isa got was received by the GOC 1 Division on the day before the attack.

“The GOC had to immediately cancel his trip and returned to base. Isa did not act on the report. Isa did not give instruction to his subordinate. I was surprised when I saw Isa at the annual COAS Conference and I asked him, what he was doing in Asaba when his house was on fire”.

The Army Chief disclosed that as a result of the in-action of General Isa then, the Nigerian Army lost a General in the bomb blast apart from those who were killed in the military protestant church.

Vanguard had also reported that an Air Commodore of the AirForce, who was the Chief Instructor of the Air Force Wing at AFCSC, was also killed in the blast.

Lt. Gen. Ihejirika disclosed that the detailed investigations have commenced to determine whether Maj. Gen Isah’s inaction was due to negligence or a demonstration of further involvement in the bombings in which several officers and others were killed.

Meanwhile, the Army Chief declared that the recent retirements, promotions, recruitment and deployments in the army were done devoid of ethnic and religious colouration, pointing out that the Army does not discriminate against any person on the basis of ethno-religious background.

He explained that the delay in the retirement of many officers in the last exercise who were due for retirement, months before last December 2012, was caused by the inability of the Army Council to sit over recommendations of the Board on promotions and retirements.

According to General Ihejirika,

the Army Council comprising, Mr. President as Chairman, minister of Defence, Permanent Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, has to approve the retirement of any officer of the army before such officer can be asked to go.

His words, “The type of allegations making the rounds (allegation of lopsided recruitment, promotion, retirement and deployment in the Nigerian Army), are

not unfamiliar to the Nigerian Army”.

“Every nation has its frontlines and I can say it is these frontlines that are being exploited by faceless groups to cause more problems for Nigerians. I believe they (groups) would have identified that the Nigerian army is one of the few institutions that will stand in defence of this country; come rain, and come sunshine.

“Why do I say this? When we

commenced operations in Maiduguri against the Boko Haram terrorist’s sect, text messages were sent round, to the fact that the Chief of Army Staff (Ihejirika) has deployed a General of ‘Igbo’ extraction to avenge the killing of Igbo’s during the civil war. But it is on record that the Boko Haram sect claimed that they were fighting to avenge the death of their leader and other members killed in various encounters”.

FG DELEGATION ARRIVES FROM SOUTH AFRICA—Senate President, David Mark (second left), Senator Abdul Ningi (left), Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Adaku Onwuliri on arrival from South Africa to cheer Super Eagles at the AFCON final in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Catholics mark Ash Wednesday

BY SAM EYOBOKA

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ATHOLICS all over the world will tomorrow (Wednesday) mark this year’s Ash Wednesday, signifying the commencement of the 40-day Lenten Season.

According to Msgr. Gabriel Osu, spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, “Ash Wednesday ushers in the Lenten Season, a 40-day period of penance, reflection and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

It is a period of conversion, self denial, renewal, reconciliation, change and growth; it is about denying self for the life of others.”

The hallmark of Ash Wednesday, Osu said, is the marking of the forehead of Catholic faithful with ashes, making the “sign of the cross” as a reminder of their sinful nature.

In the Lagos archdiocese, the Metropolitan, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, is expected to lead other clergies to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and administer ashes on the foreheads of the faithful.

“Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the church and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice".

Tension mounts in N-Assemby over budget padding

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—SIMMERING ten sion is brewing in the National Assembly following the refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the 2013 budget on account of the alteration of the appropriation plan by the legislature.

But, unlike in the past when the leadership and members of the legislature confronted the Presidency over budget rejection, the present crop of members and leaders are said to be shying away from taking on the President for allegedly soiling their hands in the budget padding.

President Jonathan had sent in a proposal of N4.25 trillion to the National Assembly for approval for the 2013 but the lawmakers padded it with N63 billion to bring the final figure to N4.98 trillion.

An infuriated President Jonathan has since distanced himself from the document and returned it to the National Assembly to remove the extraneous items smug-

gled into it and to reconsider the zero allocation to the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and the $79 oil benchmark it predicated the document on.

Vanguard gathered from authoritative sources that trouble was already brewing in the legislature over how the huge amount was surreptitiously added to the budget by a few privileged members without the knowledge of the majority.

Members are upset that only a handful of key officials sat, chose and picked choice projects worth billions for their respective constituencies and thereafter allotted marginal or inconsequential projects for the generality of members in their bid to give the impression that all members were carried along in the nebulous exercise.

Some members, who are worried that Nigerians are likely to suffer the more as a result of the rejection of the budget by the President, accused the leadership of nepotism and greed by thinking of their immediate constituencies instead of the overall interest of Nigerians who elected

them into the legislature.

An aggrieved female member from one of the South-East states, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, noted that the leadership had been meeting quietly on how to resolve the budget impasse because of the ignoble roles played by key officials.

Vanguard learnt that a principal officer in one of the two chambers of the National Assembly is in trouble with other lawmakers following the discovery that he singlehandedly cornered projects to the tune of N3 billion for his constituency.

While the senior leaders got as much as that, ordinary members of both chambers were asked to choose projects not exceeding N50 million for their constituencies to be included in the padded budget.

Another source in the NASS said, “Our colleagues are murmuring over the return of the budget by the President to the National Assembly but it is unfortunate that our leadership cannot speak against the matter because they soiled their hands in the budget.

“Our anger stems from the fact that an erroneous impression has been given by the leadership that all members of the NASS were involved in the budget padding whereas most members do not know anything about it.

“We believe that they have been silenced by the Presidency because of their established interest. They should sum up courage to challenge the President if their hands are clean,” a member said.

However, a member of the House of Representatives from Borno State, Kaka Kyari Gujbawu, has warned that the budget row should be resolved as soon as possible in the interest of the nation.

Gujbawu, who is a member of the PDP Renaissance Group, made it clear that any undue delay in assenting to the bill could further damage the nation’s fragile economy.

The lawmaker said, “the advice I want to give to my colleagues in the National Assembly and the executive about the budget is that they should place the interest of the country above personal interest.”

10— Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2012

Lagos Assembly summons Commissioner over vet doctors' salaries

Atuche: Court orders Keystone Bank to produce documents

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH AND ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — AN Ikeja High Court, yesterday, ordered Bank PHB, now Keystone Bank Plc, to produce some documents needed to aid the trial of Mr. Francis Atuche, the former Managing Director of the bank.

The former bank chief is answering charges of alleged stealing of N25.7 billion belonging to the bank alongside his wife, Elizabeth and a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu.

The defendant had urged the court to issue subpoena on the bank to produce the documents related to a N10.9 billion credit facility granted to the companies of two EFCC witnesses, which they said was in the custody of the bank.

The two prosecution witnesses, Diamond Uju (PW 1) and Mrs. Elizabeth Ebi (PW3) had told the court that loans were granted to their companies, without any formal request.

Remembrance for Lady Okhuelegbe

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HERE will be a memorial mass in honour of Lady Evelyn Okhuelegbe at St Joseph Catholic Church, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, today whom the Lord called on Sunday, February 12, 2006.

Thereafter, prayers will take place at her graveside, Atan Cemetery, Lagos. She is survived by her husband, Sir Hillary Okhuelegbe, President of Commandery 557, Knights of St. John International, and four children.

Late Okhuelegbe

Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-In-Chief/ GM Publications, Vanguard (left) and Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), during the latter's courtesy visit to the Vanguard Newspapers Head Office, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

LAGOS — LAGOS State House of Assembly, yesterday, summoned the Commissioner for Establishment, Pensions and Training, Mrs. Florence Oguntuase, to appear before it today, over non-payment of salary arrears to veterinary doctors.

Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet raised the issue at the plenary session referring to resolution passed by the House on the arrears of some veterinary doctors in the state from 2003 to 2010.

She recalled that the resolution was passed on September 16, 2012.

The House was informed that the matter was discussed at the Executive Exco and no further action had, however, been taken on the issue.

ACN, PDP, CPC, others disagree over by-election time table

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — LAGOS State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, yesterday, released the time table for the by-election in Ward ‘A’ Alayabiagba in AjeromiIfelodun Local Government.

This came as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, among others, disagreed over the timetable released by the state electoral commission.

Chairman of LASIEC, Justice Abdul-Fatai Adeyinka who released the time table during

a meeting with political parties held at the commission’s Secretariat, Yaba, said the the released of the time table was to give the political parties opportunity to prepare for the by-election holding on February 26, 2013.

The bye-election was sequel to the death of Mr. Abayomi Akintokun, Councillor representing Ward ‘A’ Alayabiagba on the 3rd of September, 2012.

According to the timetable released by the commission, “February 13, the closing date for the collection of nomination forms for the by-election and February 15, is the closing date

Fani-Kayode re-arraigned

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BY INNOCENT ANABA

AGOS — FORMER Minister for Aviation, Femi FaniKayode, was, yesterday, re-arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on a fresh 47-count charge of money laundering by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Trial judge is Justice Rita OfiliAjumogobia.

Counsel to the accused, after the charge was read to Fani-Kayode, prayed the court to allow the accused continue with the bail conditions granted by Justice R a m a t Mohammed, the former judge that heard the matter..

for the submission of nomination forms. February 16, validation of candidates documents by the commission, February 18 publication of list of validated candidates. Sunday, February 24 , end of electioneering campaign by political parties.”

While some of the parties demanded that the election be postponed, others argued that the time table released by the commission must be adhered to.

Acting Secretary of the PDP, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Taofik Gani, said “the date for the election is not sacrosanct. The date of the election falls within the week days and we as a political party, don’t want election on a week day. We want the by-election on a weekend.

This is the only way we can solve voter apathy.”

Also, Chairman of National Conscience Party, Lagos state, Mr. Babatunde Agunbiade argued “ we want the postponement of the election."

PUBLIC NOTICE

PLACE OF REFUGE FOUNDATION This is to inform the general public that the above named foundation has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990.

Board Of Trustees: 1. Rev. Mrs. M. C. Eboka -President 2. Miss Maranatha Eboka -Vice President 3. Mr. Ebenezer Eboka -Treasurer 4. Miss Shalom Eboka -Secretary 5. Deaconess (Mrs.) Onyinye Ilori -Member Aims And Objectives: 1. To change lives from destitute to developed lives, from discouraged to encouraged and from nothing to something.

2. To get the illiterate literate.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Maitama Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Rev. Mrs. M. C. Eboka President

NIS boss threatens erring officers

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS —NIGERIA Immigration Service NIS, has warned its men and officers to refrain from conniving with touts in the issuance of fake traveling documents, threatening to flush out anyone caught.

Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Rilwan Musa, who handed down the warning during a tour on the Service’s formations in Lagos, explained that the move was part of the transformation agenda of the present administration and also to position the NIS to meet its constitutional responsibilities.

VACANCY A reputable pharmaceutical company based in Asaba, Delta State with outlets in major cities of Nigeria requires two (2) licensed and experienced pharmacists for immediate employment, to undertake community pharmacy practices within Asaba and its environs.

Attractive salary and fringe benefits, including free accommodation, etc. await the right person for this position.

Interested applicants should forward curriculum vitae to: The Advertiser P.O. Box 305, Asaba, or Email: community_pharm@yahoo.com or Call 08026714776

To reach him within two (2) weeks of this publication.

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—11

Bi-Courtney refutes AMCON’s N13.9bn debt

APC formed to redeem Nigeria from PDP —Osoba

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS —FORMER gover nor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, has said the newly formed All Progressive Congress, APC, was formed to redeem the country from the 13 year rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Dr. Wale Babalakin, Chairman, Bi-Courtney Ltd (middle); Mr. Dipo Kehinde, Head of ComIn a chat with Vanguard in munications (right) and Mr. Oluwaseun Awonuga, Managing Associate, Babalakin and Co., Lagos, Osoba said neither in- at a press conference to refute claims of Bi-Courtney's indebtedness to Asset Management terest nor ambition would divide Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), in Lagos, yesterday. the APC , arguing that the party was on a rescue mission.

He said: “We are determined to regain the lost soul of this country.

It is our belief and philosophy that we must create a genuine, trustworthy and reliable alternative to the evil that OLA AJAYI der of an Oyo State High hold himself out as a candidate the PDP has become in Court restraining it or its or holder of Ashipa of Oyo Nigeria because they agents from doing so. chieftaincy title pending the fiBADAN —FOLLOWING in have been in power It would be recalled that in nal determination of this case”. sinuations that Governor since 1999. I cannot the ruling delivered by JusWhile warning the government Abiola Ajimobi led administrapoint out to any major tice S.A. Akinteye on 7th to allow a sleeping dog lie, countion is making moves to fill the achievement on the part May, 2008 following a suit sel to Alago of Ago-Oja advised 21 years old vacant post of of the PDP government filed by Gbadamosi Oladotun the state government not to vioAshipa of Oyo, the deposed since they have been in and two others against the late the court order. claimant to the stool, the Alago power.”

Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi The chief who has filed a of Ago Oja, Chief Ganiyu The former governor, Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the N1.5billion suit against the InAjiboye Busari, has gone to however, said they state government and 14 othspector General of Police, Oyo court to stop the government, its merged “not because of ers, the court, through an inState Police Command and the agents or other persons from takpolitical offices, not beterlocutory injunction,“ restate governor, Senator Abiola ing such action, among others. cause of sharing loot or strained all parties from setAjimobi, asked the court to grant In a motion exparte dated Febsimply because we just ting any machinery into mohim access into the building, to ruary 8, 2013, Alago Oja, is praywant to win the presition for the selection, nomienable him pick documents he ing to a Federal High Court for dency at all cost. Our nation, appointment, recogwould use to prosecute this suit. “an interim injunction restrainphilosophy and determinition or for any person to ing the respondents from taking nation is to redeem Niany step or doing anything afgeria, we are on a refecting the character, status, demption mission.” structure, ownership and right to the building being occupied by the applicant at Ashipa ComBY GBENGA OLARINOYE the first and best university in Nipound, Oyo before same was geria and 14th in Africa by the sealed up by the respondents.”

SOGBO — OBAFEMI Webometric Ranking of world Busari reminded the Oyo State Awolowo University, universities.

Government of a subsisting orOAU, Ile-Ife, has been rated In the last rating, the university was ranked eighth in Nigeria BADAN — AN and 79 in Africa.

Ibadan High Court According to Webometric rankJudge, Justice KURE — THE Federal She assured that the keen ing released on February 6, 2013, Akintunde Boade, who is Government has chosen interest of Governor OAU was rated above other unihearing the N11.5 bilOndo State as one of the 18 Mimiko’s administration in versities in the country for its inlion fraud preferred states for the establishment of cassava revolution would fast tellectual, academic, research against the former Govits cassava processing plants. track the take-off of and administrative supremacy. ernor of Oyo State, The Technical Adviser, OperaOtunba Adebayo Alaothe processing tions to the Minister of AgriculAkala, former Commisplant to be ture, Mrs. Toyin Adetunji, dissioner for Local Governsited in Ore closed this yesterday during a ment and Chieftaincy and would meeting with the state goverMatters, Hosea Agboola cover about nor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in and Ibadan-based busi6,000 hectares Akure. nessman, Mr. Femi of land.

Babalola has said he cannot continue with the case.

Justice Boade, while adjourning to case to March 27, said he would soon go on retirement and would not want to embark on something he could not complete.

“I can’t hear this case. . It is obvious that I will soon retire.“

Deposed monarch sues Oyo govt over Ashipa stool I

OAU rated best varsity in Nigeria

Akala case: Judge retires, drops case

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Ondo now cassava processing state

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AGOS —BiCourtney Limited, BCL, has refuted claims that it owes the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, N13.9 billion.

According to BCL’s Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin, at a briefing at the same premises purportedly taken over

by AMCON, in Lagos, yesterday, the Federal Government still had a debt of N132.5 billion to pay BCL. The company’s rebuttal followed reports by a section of the media, yesterday, in which AMCON claimed it had taken over a property belonging to the company, on Victoria Island, Lagos, in lieu of the purported indebtedness, following an ex parte order it obtained from a Federal High Court in Lagos.

Describing the action as a “monumental fraud and executive recklessness,” Babalakin said it had concluded arrangement to sue AMCON for a sum of N50billion.

Madam Bowoto passes away

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RS. MARTHA Aiyenutaju Bowoto (Nee Akinmuleya) of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State, is dead, aged 80.

A statement by the family said denominational service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, College Road, Opposite Ilaje High School, Igbokoda and interment will hold at the family compound, Friday, February 15, 2013.

She is survived by children and many relations, among whom are Mrs. Abigail Marowa and Raphael Bowoto.

Late Mrs. Bowoto

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Jonathan urged to fix power problem

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ORMER Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on Community Relations, and current Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Henry Etete, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to leave his foot prints in the sands of time by fixing the nation’s power problem before the end of his tenure.

He said that the alleged plan by the Federal Government to relocate the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project from Koko remains rumour, adding that the Federal Government had neither officially indicated any move to do so nor has it made it known to the people of Koko that the EPZ project would be relocated.

He advised those peddling the rumours to check their facts before misinforming the public.

DESOPADEC flags off free health care in Patani

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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A R R I — D E LTA State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has flagged off its free health care programme in Patani Local Government Area, one of the councils devastated by last year ’s flood in the state.

The commission’s chairman, Mr. Oritsuwa Kpogho, represented by a commissioner on the board, representing Urhobo ethnic nationality, Chief Christopher Obiuwevbi, said the agency was committed to meeting the health needs oil producing communities.

He said the commission started with Patani “because it is one of the major communities affected by flood, last year.

“Infrastructural projects will be sited in Patani and I seek the cooperation and support of Patani people for DESOPADEC to deliver quality service to them.”

Edo LG polls: PDP chieftain blasts Omede over comment on Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—FORMER Chairman of Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. John Yakubu, has faulted the comments credited to the state chairman of Labour Party, Elder Sam Omede, which cast doubt on the sincerity of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to conduct free and fair elections in the 18 local government areas of the state.

Omede had challenged the governor to assure the people of his sincerity to conduct free and fair elections, alleging that the demand by the state Board of Internal Revenue of tax clearance fee of N466,000 from councillorship aspirants and N750,000 from chairmanship aspirants, was a ploy by the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN-led government to scare away contestants from other parties in the state.

Yakubu, who also is a PDP chairmanship aspirant, told Vanguard, yesterday, that “it is still very premature for him to start doubting the governor.

What we should all do is to prepare for the elections first

and not to say whether it will be free and fair. If I know that the elections will not be free and fair, I don’t think I will have any business contesting.

“This is purely a local government election and only the people will decide. Some of the people complaining now may not be able to sponsor candidates, so I think it is unfair to begin now to doubt the sincerity of the gover-

nor, when the election is still two months away. I have not seen any reason now to doubt the governor because things are going on well for now. Let all the political parties prepare first for the elections and not complain unnecessarily .”

On the tax clearance issue, Mr. Yakubu, said: “Every responsible individual or politician should know that paying

INSPECTION: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Mr. Ahab Zaidan, Siluko Project Manager, Hitech Construction Company and Mr. Nosa Igiebor, Editor-in-Chief, Tell magazine, during the Governor's inspection of the Storm Water Project at Upper Siluko, in Benin City, yesterday.

Convicted wonder bank directors appeal court judgment

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—CONVICTED directors of defunct Mustard Seed Micro-Finance Bank Limited, Pastor Okeoghene Abrefera and Rev. Vincent Okpogo, have appealed the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, which sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment on a two-count charge, each.

The court had convicted and sentenced the duo to 10 years imprisonment in addition to a fine of N2 million each on the two counts for “consenting to

carrying on a banking business without a valid licence under section 2(2) and 49(1) of the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap. B3, vol.2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

The convicts in their appeal, are arguing that the Federal High Court “erred in law, when it assumed jurisdiction over the charge and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice.

“From the totality of the documentary evidence placed before the court, there was no proof of service on the information constituting the charge being the originating process in the criminal charge.

“In the absence of any proof of service of the information, the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the charge. The mere fact that the appellants’ counsel allegedly submitted to jurisdiction is of no issue, as parties cannot, by consent, confer jurisdiction on the court where there is none, ab initio.

“The charge was preferred against the convicts in clear and flagrant violation of the express provisions of section 10 of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (Enforcement) Regulation, 2010, and other enabling laws in that regard."

Bayelsa approves N4bn for rural electricity

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—COMMUNITIES in the hinterland of Bayelsa State will soon enjoy power supply as the state government has approved N4 billion for rural electrification.

The state Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Francis Ikio, disclosed this in Yenagoa while conducting newsmen round

taxes as at when due is a civic responsibility. May be, they are collecting N466,000 because you did not pay as at when due, so no body can ask me to pay such an amount. As a matter of fact, if they are asking you to even pay that amount, they are being liberal because as a politician who knows that you will run for election, you should know that tax clearance is very important.”

project sites in the state.

He said investments in the power sector became imperative in view of its relevance to the economic growth of the state.

He said: “The power sector plays a significant role in any growing economy. That is why the current administration is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all the rural areas become beneficiaries of its electrification projects.” He added that over 23 electricity projects had been

awarded across the state, including rehabilitation, reticulation of networks and extension of electricity across several communities in the state.

He said that 10 communities in Sagbama Local Government Area are beneficiaries of the rural electricity scheme.

“The Dickson administration is making efforts at refurbishing the 20 Megawatt capacity power plant at Imiringi in Ogbia Local Government Area," he said.

Amaechi, Orubebe urged to close ranks

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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IGER Delta Nationalities Forum has appealed to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to close ranks in the interest of the region.

In a chat with Vanguard, chairman of the group, Mr. Manijar Seigha, urged both leaders not to over heat the Niger Delta polity, noting that “there is a misconception somewhere because both of them are Niger Delta leaders.

“The call by Amaechi that the state government wants to take over the East-West Road because Orubebe was not performing, in my thinking, was wrong.

“What I know about that road is that the road can only be completed based on budgetary allocations. Orubebe, as a minister, cannot on his own, give huge sums of money to contractors for the roads to be completed."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 13

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16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

THE ANNUAL UBA CEO AWARD. PIX BY BUNMI AZEEZ

From left: Mr. Ike Yvonee and Adesuwa Onyenokwe.

From left: Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Sen. Sani Yerima, for Governor of Zamfara State; Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings Ltd and Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, during the annual United Bank for Africa, UBA, CEO award at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, weekend.

From left: Mrs. Tope Wilcox, Mrs. Sade Eso, Mr. Raymond Wilcox and Mr. Ayo Eso.

From left: Amb. Deu Mazoh, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Mr. Joseph Mills Jones, Liberian Central Bank Governor, Mr. Tony Elumelu and Mr. Kennedy Uzoka.

From left: GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka; and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu.

From right: Mr. Phillips Oduoza; Mr Charles Ngoka, Deputy Managing Director, Total Exploration and Production; Engr. Ernest Nwapa, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB; and Mr. Tony Elumelu.

From left: Mrs. Yemisi Adesutan, Mrs. Funke Abdulrazaq, Mr. Femi Ojumu and Mrs. Edith Adesioye.

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From left: Mr. Chikwe Edoziem, Mr. Ike Nwabuoku and Dr. Awele V. Elumelu.

From left: Mr. Kolawole Lawal, Mr. Onyemachi Justice and Mr. Joe Ebenum.

From left: Mr. Adekunle Olumide, Amb. Joe Keshi and Amb. Olukorede Willonghby.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—17

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of a Governor out of the till when the councillors are appointed by him? Can you force a Governor to conduct election into the councils? So I have no faith that the so-called autonomy would change anything.

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Local governemts: Autonomy or equity?

Councillors, the Governors and the National Assembly all think that they will be in power forever. None of the parties to the dispute is looking beyond how they are directly affected at the moment and into the future. This attitude of personalising and privatising the political space has been a major source of our stagnation as a nation. It elicits unnecessary controversy over otherwise simple and straight matter, prompting people to doubt our intelligence as a people.

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or example, by the American constitution, an elected President must take his oath of office on 20 January. This year, 20 January fell on a Sunday. Obama’s second term was to begin that day. To avoid any constitutional breach, the Chief Justice administered his oath of office in the Oval Office in the presence of his family only, while the public ceremony took place on Monday, 21 January 2013. In Nigeria, we would still be digging up sundry interpretations of the constitution, while some professional muckrakers and sophomoric lawyers would become talk show constitutional experts compounding a non-existent problem; some Senior Advocates would be in court; “a cabal” would emerge to protect the “personal estate” of the President-elect.

Salute to the glorious Eagles

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INALLY Stephen Okechukwun Keshi proved skeptics and non-believers wrong. He made history by winning the African Nations Cup in South Africa on Sunday 10 February 2013. Keshi won because he was not under undue pressure from those who have ruined our football to win at all cost. If he was handed the ultimatum to “take us to semi-final” or nothing, he would have flopped. This is the time to believe in what I have always called “the other Nigerians”. Us! Believe in our resilience which keeps us going, in spite of our roguish politicians; believe in our commitment to fatherland; believe in our ability to achieve, if we look out (play) for one another like the team. Believe in merit! Congratulations Eagles and Keshi, the man of history!

At the centre of the local government autonomy debate is MONEY; who gets to dip his fingers into the LGs allocation!

The Federal Government allocates money to a tier of government it has no absolute control over.

State Governments claim money allocated and the Local Government Chairmen cry that the money has been embezzled by the states. At the end of the day, no tier of government is actually held accountable and local government becomes “free money” and is wasted while the rural population continues to wallow in poverty and neglect. The debate about how to solve this problem would be very simple if we remove personal interest in the matter and look

,

VER before the current effort to further panel beat the 1999 constitution (as amended), the issue of local governments’ administration in Nigeria had generated febrile debates.

It has hitherto been a contest for authority between the Local Government Councillors who want to be free from the overbearing control of State Governors, and the State Governors who want to be the only captains on the ships of their states, brooking no other authority or autonomy. In between the contestation, the ordinary people occasionally chip in some feeble opinion. Most times the masses look unconcerned while the flaks fly over their heads, simply because they do not trust any party to the controversy to honestly impact meaningfully on their miserable life. Two weeks ago, the debate became so emotional that it was reduced to a personal war between the National Assembly posturing to save the masses through an amendment to the constitution and a member of the “hegemonic” Governors’ Forum, His Excellency Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State.

First, it seems very illogical to want to sculpt a wonderful figurine out of a rotten wood. It cannot happen. The local governments are parts and parcel of a skewed and, therefore, dysfunctional federation which is no longer working for anybody, including those it worked for in the past. It should be obvious why neither the states nor the Federal Government is working, even with the most touted nationalists.

In the situation we find ourselves, the local governments will not work; what the debate is all about is to remove state governors as parts of the unworkability of the local governments and transfer this mal-functional monstrosity wholesale to the local government chairmen. In other words, remove the hands of the governors from the till and insert those of the local government Chairmen!

What we ought to be debating is how to return to a workable federation. But it seems that the Local Government

I therefore think that to deal with this matter once and for all, and equitably for all concerned, the National Assembly should show courage, and not petulance and pique, to remove the issue of local government from the purvey of the Federal Government

,

beyond now.

It is common knowledge that in order to easily access LG allocations, many Governors dissolve democratically elected councils and install cronies as Caretaker or Transition councillors. Now if you grant autonomy to the local governments, can that keep the fingers

far more emotional debate has concerned EQUITY in the creation of states and the distribution of the local governments. The military regime used all manner of considerations to create states and the local governments in a way that made the exercise one of the most inequitable actions in the country.

There is still discontent about the creation of states and local governments.

The South East has been agitating for one state to correct an obvious inequity.

But the North has been standing against it. In a recent advertorial, the Arewa Consultative Forum disingenuously claimed that its opposition was based on the need “for reduction of cost of governance across the country in favour of development of real sector” but went on to “appeal to the authorities to take into account factors of land mass and population” in case of state creation; the very factors that created the inequity many sections in the South are complaining about. The “inchoate” attempt by Lagos state to deal with this inequity shows that the National Assembly is incapable of correcting the ill, if the Federal Government continues to dabble into the creation of local governments. Yet, the Lagos state option of operating the “inchoate” LGs as Development Areas remains the honest way out the emotions raised by local governments.

I therefore think that to deal with this matter once and for all, and equitably for all concerned, the National Assembly should show courage, and not petulance and pique, to remove the issue of local government from the purvey of the Federal Government. If it is indeed, “local” government, then its creation and administration MUST be left to the states. Stop allocating money from the Abuja specifically to local governments. That is anti-Federalism, inequitable and undemocratic. Redistribute the money to the states and let any state create and run local governments according to their local needs. If a state desires to create 1000 local governments, let it do so and fund it from its purse. If a state does not want local governments, so be it; we are a federation! That way, there will be no more argument about “embezzling local government funds”. There will be no inequity. But will personal interests allow us to get out of the debilitating quagmire once and for all?

OPINION

BY ERIC TENIOLA

I

N December 1983, my chummy with Alhaji Uba Ahmed (April 28th, 1939 to December 17th, 2012), prompted him to invite me to travel with him on a global tour.

He was the national Secretary of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and I was the National Assembly Editor for THE PUNCH at that time.

Goodwill and amity between politicians and reporters, is an old tradition. Reporters’ duty is to cover events and people while politicians have a duty to take decisions that affect lives.

We have been friends for long-a relationship that began in 1975 when he was the Manager of Nigerian Tobacco Company in Jos and I briefly reported for the Kwara state owned newspaper, NIGERIA HERALD at that time in Jos. I was in Jos at that time to relieve a colleague who was on leave following an order from my then Editor, Peter Ajayi who asked that I proceed to Jos from Ibadan to cover a story about a top Civil Servant who murdered his wife.

Uba Ahmed was staying in a house near Tilley Gyado place’ in Jos. The relationship blossomed when he was elected to the constituent assembly in 1977 to represent Tangale Waja constituency in the old Bauchi state and I covered the proceedings of the Assembly.

Alhaji Uba Ahmed was always a delight, a good friend

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Tribute to Uba Ahmed indeed. I followed his political career till he was elected a senator in 1978 and in 1979 the then Senate President Dr. Joseph Wayas appointed him Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation.

Through that journey he courted the friendship of notable and reputable reporters who covered the National Assembly in the Second Republic. They include late Tunde Lisboa, Jimi Aderinokun, Labake Adebiyi now Labake Fawehinmi, Raymond Okiti, Yinka Guedon now in London, Alli Zubair, Idiat Abari, Demola Osinubi, Nduka Irabor, Eddy Ekpo, Gboyega Amoboye, Ronke Akinsete, Adebolu Clinton Oni, Ruffi Oladipo, Joke Sanyaolu,Nduka Obaigbena, Richard Amayo, Tony Idigo, Nkem Agetua, Frank Olize, Bayo Adewusi, Chris Anyanwu, Clement Iranola Akintomide alias CIA, James Bello, Gbenga Onayinga, Dupe Ajayi, Clement Eluaka, Anene Ugoani,Wale Oshodi, Moni Adebayo,Yomi Ajetumobi,Bolaji Macaulay, Isaac Oleleye,Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye,Dipo Akinsiku, and even state house correspondents like Toye Akiode, Wole Odunaike,and the public relations Manager of the Nigeria Airways at the time,Femi Ogunleye who is now the Towulade of Akinale in Ogun state.

His devotion to his friends is unwearied and

indefatigable. When Senator Joseph SarwuanTarka (1932-1980) was sick in London, Uba Ahmed travelled to see him six times.When he died eventually on March 30, 1980, Uba Ahmed was at his bed side. I was with him in Lodon at that time and we brought Senator Tarka’s corpse in a Nigerian Airforce Hercules jet on April 7, 1980,to Lagos.He was a consummate politician who understood gamesmanship.

In the Senate, he served competently introducing bills and motions. I remember he submitted a strong memorandum to the Abubakar Tuggar’s committee on creation of state in 1982, demanding for the creation of Gombe state from the former Bauchi state. He wanted Akko, Tangale Waja, Dukku and Gombe to be independent of Shira,Kantagum,Gamowa, Nissau and Jamari districts.

Following the appointment of the National Secretary of the NPN,Alhaji Adamu Chiroma (79) as Minister of Agriculture in 1979 and that of his deputy, Dr. Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (1941-2003) as special adviser by President Shehu Aliyu Shagari (88), the post of the Secretary became vacant.The lot fell on the spokesman of the party Alhaji Suleiman Takuma (1934-2001), the Sarkin Malamai Nupe in Bida, the man with the golden voice to run the secretariat of the party in the absence of a national convention.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency. wrote from Lagos

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 WEEKS after the discovery of dead bodies on the Ezu River in Amansea, Anambra State, it appears the incident would pass with similar official disinterest as that of 10 August 2006 when bodies of 12 robbery suspects the police paraded before the media 24 hours earlier, were dumped at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

In that case, the police refused to explain how the suspects they claimed were arrested while sharing loot from an operation, could all be dead the next day.

Till date, the police have answered all enquiries about the incident with grave silence. Did they kill themselves? Did someone else kill them? Were they poisoned? How was this possible when they were in the custody of the police?

The police’s response to the 12 lifeless bodies at the Federal Medical Centre was that the suspects were still under interrogation. If they were under interrogation as the police claimed, when did they die? At what point did the interrogation end? When did the police

Morbid Mys Mystter eryy discover that they had died - all of them or were the police still unaware that they were dead?

Equally intriguing, like in Anambra, was that nobody knew who dumped them at the hospital. Nobody was willing to provide any information on this. The suspects’ bodies were left at the hospital gate and their relations found out about their death as part of the bewildered gathering that beheld the gory spectacle.

Maybe because the raid that produced the 12 dead – and another four the police shot dead during the operation - took place in Ohokobe, a village near Umuahia, relations recognised them.

The police after tagging them armed robbery suspects closed the matter as if the

law permitted killing of armed robbery suspects in police custody. The victims could have been innocent people whose lives were wasted.

A diminishing interest in the dead bodies found in Anambra reflects the larger apathy to issues that should appall us to action. The Senate has ordered an investigation.

Three weeks ago, our editorial suggested that finger print data (biometrics) of any of the bodies could have been captured by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, if they registered for the 2011 elections, the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, if they were licensed drivers, and any of the mobile telephone operators, if they had phones.

GSM operators can provide the call history of their telephones. The call logs hold the key to the mystery of these deaths.

There is hardly any reason for not identifying some of those bodies and clues that could lead to their killers.

Nigerians want to know what happened and what is being done to ensure this does not happen again and again.

OPINION

BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

O

NE of the most virulent ills that our country is facing today is corruption.

Unless we recognise the full extent to which corruption, abuse of office and all sorts of plunder of national resources is responsible for our poverty as a nation, we will not be able to develop to our full potential. Integrity and honesty are some of the most important qualities that our country needs in order to make progress.

Why is Nigeria so poor a nation in the midst of such abundant resources? Why does our country make other nations rich by giving them resources which they transform into goods and services that we later pay high premium for? Is there something wrong with us? Are we cursed to live under this yoke of poverty and deprivation whilst possessing vast resources? The reasons for our poverty are complex and we cannot pretend to be the experts that can fully explain why we are where we are since our independence in 1960 and even as we officially celebrate our centenary anniversary in January 2014.

Ironically many of our people think politics is a dirty game with which they need not concern themselves. The only problem with this kind of reasoning is that it is this same dirty game that affects almost every aspect of our lives. This dirty game determines whether we have good hospitals or bad ones; it determines whether we have good schools for our children or bad ones; it also determines whether we drive on good roads or bad ones. In many ways, politics decides whether we have food to eat as

2015:A defining moment for Nigeria citizens or none. The quality of politics determines the quality of our lives. It is therefore naïve to think that we can somehow insulate ourselves from this socalled dirty game for fear that if we participate or make our positions known on issues, we will be victimised.

It is true that politics in a developing democracy like ours can be a very expensive adventure for those who participate in it. The system of winner-takes-all ensures that those who lose are punished by those who win. But this is so because many of our people have not yet begun to fully accept that politics is about them; politics is about their welfare.

Any politics that ignores the people and their needs is not politics but crime. This is why we see the kind of politics in our country that are predicated on feeding the hungry vultures that participate to the exclusion of our people.

This culture of indifference to the politics of our country breeds a fertile ground for corruption and abuse of office. Those who are brave enough to join this so-called dirty game feel entitled to reap the benefits of their adventure. But things need not be this way.

We need to get to a time when it is not only those who are extraordinarily courageous or uncaringly criminal in their mentality that gets into politics. It must be a game played to benefit every citizen. We must make sure

that it is not rewarding for criminals to get into public office. To this end, it is good that institutions like Transparency International are pushing the agenda that makes it difficult for criminal politicians to continue stealing from their people with impunity. The issue that Transparency International is raising is not a matter that is far removed from our domestic problems. It is good that they have adopted the declaration calling on governments to act decisively on the repatriation of stolen assets.

W

e say this because the keepers of our people have become their butchers.

Unfortunately, this butchery does not end at persistent violation of rights and denial of meaningful participation in their politics, but it extends to the plunder and wanton pillaging of national resources. Nigeria has suffered this same fate. It is therefore good that international solidarity in the form of Transparency International's declaration on repatriation of stolen assets is coalescing international opinion in favour of poor countries that suffer at the hands of public officers who run leadership positions. They need to know and understand that the world is watching. The age of impunity needs to be brought to an end. This avarice, kleptocracy and oppression have to stop now; 2015 should indeed be a defining moment for

Nigerians. This is the time for paradigm shift- it is no longer business as usual where politicians come with the intention to cajole and bamboozle the citizenry with buncombe during electioneering season.

The colonialists have gone. We asked them to go justifiably though, and they are not coming back, so we must stop blaming them. Leadership, especially those derived from democratic process require tact, patience and sacrifice. A beneficiary of electoral mandate must be ready to take pains and not be unnecessarily happy and drunk with excessive power. He must not necessarily be an economic wizard but must seek out who are and use them to avoid being thriftless. He must avoid being excitable because the job of managing a community of people allows little room for frivolity.

Frankly, recipients of electoral trust should exercise self -restraint at all times even when the governed chose to be otherwise. That is why only a few will occupy those positions of trust that is enough incentive to avoid vanity and primitive acquisition of wealth.

Lord Lugard demonstrated that when he died childless and the barony died with him. We would have taken care of the little sense of veracity, which Lugard blamed us for, when we begin to elect only leaders with proven record of accomplishment of sincerity and authenticity; who will see Nigeria and Nigerians not from the lens of North or South, Christian or Muslim but as one people bounded by love and unity of purpose.

*Mr. Ajibulu wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013— 19

, Hakeem Baba Ahmed and the definition of relevant Nigerian leadership AKEEM Baba-Ahmed reviewed the meeting of Eminent National Leaders of Thought arranged by the National Summit Group. The title of his piece in his “on the one hand” Vanguard February 22, 2012 Wednesday column conveys his opinion of the status and relevance of the National Leaders of Thought; he calls them: Leaders on the fringes; he calls their meeting a Summit of self-styled leaders on the fringes.

He defines what he means by calling the Summit participants/ leaders irrelevant: “The Summit of our self-styled leaders on the fringes is a sad reminder that Nigeria desperately needs genuine leaders who will think through and lead it into finding solution to its real problems”.

It is obvious from Hakeem’s critique of the Summit and its agenda, that he defines the leadership that Nigeria presently needs in terms of the problems facing Nigeria and the solutions proposed to the problems identified. He thus describes them: “The self-acclaimed leaders, the vast majority of whom were all elderly men, who have never tested their popularity or acceptability with the Nigerian people through the democratic

,

process, or any other means that leadership, insecurity, will entitle them to speak for the unacceptable levels of poverty, Nigerian people, know each massive alienation from a other very well, and have spoken democracy that is established to the same language to each other allow “the wealthy to grab power for many years. A few among by all means necessary?”. them who see themselves as moderates say the nation could hus summarised, Dr. survive as one entity, but each B a b a - A h m e d ’ s tribe must say how it wants to condescending and dismissive relate with other tribes, as a basis critique of a Summit of Nigerian for the survival of the Nigerian establishment elite can be said nation. They say all Nigerian to be one of a difference of ethnic groups must meet and prescription to the Summit’s agree to restructure the Nigerian analysis of the state of the federal system in such a manner “Nigerian nation and union. We that it becomes essentially a so conclude because Dr. Babafederation of tribes… They say Ahmed is in full agreement with our Constitution is an the Summit he so severely illegitimate document because it critique because like them, he is not the product of tribal knows that all is not well with conferences and consensus… (If Nigeria. He states: these prescriptions are “There are many things wrong implemented- my connective). with our federal system and our “Then all our problems of Constitution. corrupt and inept leadership, *Why do we need a bi-cameral insecurity, unacceptable levels of legislature when it is obviously poverty and massive alienation wasteful and the cost of from a democratic process which governance has become merely allows the wealthy to grab unbearable? power by all means necessarily *Why should a few states receive will disappear”. so much of our national Baba-Ahmed asks the resources under a revenue conveners of the Summit sharing formula which whether the restructure they impoverishes other parts of a propose and the process of a federal system, and generates Sovereign National Conference massive social and security they prescribe address the problems for the nation? problems of corrupt and inept *Why should elected leaders

T

The Goodluck Jonathan Nigerians do not know (2) Continued from Friday pg 18

BY OSE PATRICK

I

S Goodluck Jonathan responsible for 50 years of decay? Under the Jonathan administration, Nigeria is on the pathway of recovery of wasted years. It will interest you to know that for the first time in the governance of the country, serving ministers are made to account for their services to the nation through key performance agreement indicators. This is to spur them into achieving greater service delivery to the Nigeria people. It also means that it is no longer business as usual in governance.

It will interest you to know we have never had a very sincere and pragmatic approach to solving the problem of power as we are witnessing now.

Previous governments wasted billions of dollar with nothing to show for it.

There is a greater improvement to power supply all over the nation.

Privatization of the power sector has reached an advanced stage. And very soon, we shall begin to enjoy 24/7 steady power supply that will ultimately boost economic growth.

President Jonathan and his policy frame work for a progressive and a

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transformed Nigeria of our dream is rooted in total sincerity, personal integrity and with a very strong desire to leave the stage better than he met it.

Methink, Mr. President will not disappoint the confidence reposed in him by the generality of Nigerians that voted him into power. There is a bright light ahead, despite the present gloom and darkness. For the first time, in our electoral history, the world at large is beginning to have full confidence in our electoral system because of his transformation of the system with “one man one vote” ideology. I think we should give Mr. President kudos and not baseless criticisms. Don’t forget that he inherited the “do or die” electoral system from past governments.

We’ve never had a listening president like Goodluck Jonathan.

Several topical issues and policies that did not go down well with the populace were reversed in a jiffy. That’s global best practices leadership quality.

President Jonathan is not corrupt. But he inherited corruption that has been with us for about 50 years. If you may know, corruption is endemic in Nigeria. He may not have gotten everything right! But he has gotten

receive so much pay for serving their nation, and making political offices the fastest route to wealth? *Why shouldn’t larger but fewer federating units have their own police, and much more responsibility for socioeconomic development which is currently being handled unsatisfactorily by the Federal Government? *Why haven’t tribes given room to the emergence of citizens? *How could a nation blessed as Nigeria fail to live up to its full economic and political potential? *Why do we need 36 states when the six geopolitical zones can suffice as federating units?”

The crux of the dispute BabaAhmed has with the Summit is thus one of approach. The Sheraton Summit assumes that search for solutions to what is wrong with Nigeria must include revisiting the terms and origin of the Nigerian society. Dr. BabaAhmed on the other hand subscribes to the doctrine of settled issues, one of which is the sacredness of the National Union.

Hakeem states his position: “There are many things wrong with our federal system and our Constitution, but whatever we think of the origin and evolution of the Nigerian State, the fact of a Nigerian nation made up of many ethnic groups has been an accepted fact in our lives, and has been built with blood, sweat and hard work. No Nigerian should be ashamed of the historic origin of the nation, and its history cannot be an impediment to making it work well for its citizens. It is not by any means a perfect arrangement, but any useful discussion on its defects must acknowledge that a gathering of elitist, elderly Nigerians who see themselves not as concerned citizens but as tribal leaders cannot wish it away”.

From the above we can see the following: *Hakeem demands that all searches for solutions to what is

,

H

A National Conference devoted to analytical engagement with What is Wrong with Nigeria and how it can be fixed or transformed is a matter of urgency and immediate relevance

Goodluck Jonathan is not a sectional leader; he’s not marking time in the Presidency; he’s sincere and honest about the transformation of Nigeria; he’s a wise and meticulous leader

,

some things right. For the first time, the son of a serving chairman of the ruling political party is facing trial on a corruption-related case. But previous governments would have treated it as a family issue and swept it under the carpet for political reasons.

“Only a mad man will go to bed when his house is on fire”. On the security challenge, he is not sleeping; he is making great progress to restore peace.

S

ome level of objectivity in criticizing Mr. President and his policies will go a long way in his pursuit of the transformation agenda.

Most times, criticisms of Mr. President

wrong with Nigeria must be reformative which implies support for the continued existence of Nigeria as presently structured. *I believe that Hakeem’s positive contribution to the discourse on "What Is Wrong With Nigeria?" should be salvaged and not be allowed to be also angrily dismissed by opponents because of his petulant and youthful arrogance.

Hakeem’s position on the discourse on What Is Wrong With Nigeria can be phrased as a strategic question viz- Is it a settled issue from analysis of What Is Wrong With Nigeria that Nigeria is unfixable? If calls for SNC should be decided after the above question has been answered, why jump the gun? If proponents of an SNC should not jump the gun, neither should those who share Hakeem’s position jump the gun. A National Conference devoted to analytical engagement with What is Wrong with Nigeria and how it can be fixed or transformed is a matter of urgency and immediate relevance.

Such a national dialogue is feasible if we adapt the method of Baba-Ahmed in listing what are the things wrong with Nigeria without a prior foreclosure of any outcome of such an national review and critique of the Nigerian condition.

We should learn from the origination of the The Federalist Papers. After a successful war of independence the founders of American Republic reached the conclusion that the Confederal structure of the alliance of states by which the war was waged should be reformed and they set up a committee to produce a more effective structure of the Confederation and to propose a reformed Articles of Confederation. The Federalist Papers was the outcome of the thinking-through of the analysis of what was Wrong With the Confederal Union of The American States.

are tribal, political and lack the flavour of objectivity.

The Jonathan administration is sincere in addressing issues concerning the nation. All the sectors of economy are going through transparent and pragmatic reforms.

In summation, the Goodluck Jonathan Nigerians do not know is not a sectional leader. He’s not marking time in the Presidency. He’s sincere and honest about the transformation of Nigeria. He’s a wise and meticulous leader. He’s not an agent of destabilization and disintegration.

He’s not an arrogant leader. He’s not a dictator who care less about the people. He needs our cooperation and our prayers and not vilification of higher proportion. He has weakness as a man, but his strength is more than his weakness. He has a vivid picture of his transformational agenda. He’s a God-fearing leader from a very humble background.

In a nutshell, this is the only nation we can call our own. Let us join hands with Mr. President to make it great.

“One tree cannot make a forest”. Mr. President alone cannot achieve the Nigeria of our dream. Everyone has a role to play in making Nigeria great.

“If all of us can be the change we want, the country will be a heaven of a sort.

Governance is easier criticized than led” – Lord Alfred Marcus.

Concluded *Mr. Patrick, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

20— Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,,

FEBRUARY 12 , 2013

*Some of the newly acquired gunboats to tackle kidnapping, piracy

Fear grips riverine communities as govt tackles sea piracy, kidnapping T

HE recent upsurge in kidnapping in the riverine enclave of Bayelsa State has again brought to the fore the fear in some quarters that the area is being used by some criminal elements to make the area relapse to its past infamy as bastion of violent crime.

A check by Vanguard Metro, VM, showed a new pattern of kidnap in the last couple of months involving the abduction of expatriates and Nigerians for ransom. At the last count, over 20 persons, including families of political office holders have been kidnapped. The latest victim of the ramping kidnappers in the creek of the state is Mrs. Esther Akpe, mother of the Leader of the state House of Assembly.

Curiously, the attacks have been rampant in communities far-flung in the hinterland, which are not accessible by road. These armed kidnappers and sea pirates are not only exploiting their vast knowledge of the tricky creek but have carved a territory for themselves where they operate with impunity. VM reliably gathered that in spite of the Federal Government Amnesty programme which succeeded in C M Y K

mopping up large cache of arms in the troubled creeks of the Niger Delta some armed gangs are still operating in the mangrove swamp hiding in the dense forest to ply their illicit trade.

An ex-militant, David Inaemi, who penultimate week alongside his confederates surrendered arms in their possession to the Joint Task Force in Yenagoa had told the authorities: “There are many other groups of militants in the creek still holding on to their weapons but we chose to take the bold step to come and voluntarily surrender because of our resolve to embrace the Federal Government amnesty”.

Enjoyment of noticeable peace This sad turn of event in the hinterland has forced many public office holders to relocate their family members and aged parents to Yenagoa where the residents have been enjoying noticeable peace in the last nine months due to the efficient security put in place by the government in collaboration with the State Police Command. Unlike the riverine enclave where armed kidnappers and pirates are on the prowl, the state capital could be described as an oasis of peace due to the presence

of men of the “Operation Door Akpo”, the state government newly established security office. Police patrol vehicles are stationed at every strategic location in the capital city making their response to emergency situation rapid.

But the scenario is expected to change for good in no distant time given the government huge investment on security and the near completion of 14 emergency response buildings at designated areas of the state. Also, Governor Seriake Dickson had warned that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant of convicted abductors as he seeks to forward to the state House of Assembly a bill for passage into law to that effect.

The state assembly in 2012 passed a law, an executive bill, prohibiting secret cult, kidnapping and related vices.

The emergency response units are located at Oloibiri, Ogbia town, Opume, Opume-Ogbia Town, Otuabagi junction, Emeyal 1/Otuoke junction and Otuasega/Shell Camp junction. Other areas are Onuebum, Agbura, Okaki/Yenigwe junction, Igbogene/Okolobiri/Glory Drive round about, Okordia-Zarama market, Opokuma junction and Sagbama junction.

Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites as part of activities marking Governor

Dickson-led administration one year in office, the Commissioner for Special Projects, Mr. Fred Obua said the project was borne out of the government desire to provide adequate security for lives and property.

,

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA,Yenagoa

budget for the procurement of helicopters, gun boats, patrol vans and coordinating digital coverage of the entire region.

The Special Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Security, Col. Bernard Kenebai (rtd), who disclosed this in Yenagoa, said though the proposed outfit is being put together by the six Special Security Advisers in the region, the outfit will coordinate the existing security network in the states of the region.

Kenebai described the recent upsurge in cases of kidnapping in Bayelsa State to the movement of kidnappers from neighbouring Delta and Rivers states to the state.

He said: “We have started a planned synergy with neighbouring states. States like Delta and Rivers are used as base and they move into Bayelsa and go back with their victims. We have decided that it seems the issue is a common problem and we will establish the regional anti-kidnapping force”.

Keneba explained that the state owned security outfit, code named, Operation Doo-Akpor, operating in the state had in the last one year arrested over 600 suspects for criminal related offences and handed them over to the appropriate security agency for further interrogation and prosecution in accordance with the state criminal law.

Also, in order to enhance the safety of lives and property on the waterways, he said, the government has taken delivery of thirteen armoured patrol boats with more expected to effectively man its waterways. Assuring people of their safety, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, said “it is the constitutional responsibility government

,

There are many militants in the creek still holding on to their weapons but we chose to surrender because of our resolve to embrace amnesty

“If the state is adequately is secured,” according to the Commissioner, “it would encourage local and foreign investors to invest in the state and shore up the... economic profile of the state.

In order to further strengthen the existing security network in the state, the Governor directed this Ministry to construct emergency response buildings at the designated locations in the state”.

Also, the six states of the Niger Delta under the aegis of BRACED are collaborating to take on the kidnappers headlong by establishing a special security outfit in partnership with the Nigeria Police. The security outfit, according to the plan, will be made up of a structure set up by the Governors and the leadership of the Nigeria Police with huge

to guarantee a safe and secured environment,” adding that “no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity.”

According to him, “Government is proactive in its approach to security issues, stating that, “prior to the advent of the present administration, the security situation in the state was appalling.

There were high incidents of criminal activities in urban and other metropolitan cities of the state. Our waterways then were no longer safe as there were reported cases of sea piracy and other related vices.

We appreciate the fact that the incidents were not peculiar to Bayelsa state alone but unique in some sense.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 21

Railway: Abandoned coaches threaten stations’ safety

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU &WILLIAM JIMOH

S

ECURITY at the Nigeria Railway Corporation NRC is currently under threat as unknown persons have taken over some of the abandoned coaches in the premises of the Iddo terminus, Vanguard investigation has revealed.

According to passengers who spoke with Vanguard, the abandoned coaches as well as lack of perimeter fence around the terminus are issues that demands urgent attention from the management of NRC. Rukayat Salaam told Vanguard that many of the people who are living inside the abandoned coaches are relatives to workers of the corporation, adding that their stay in the abandoned coaches is with the full consent of the management of the terminus.

She however advised the NRC management to get rid of the abandoned coaches since they are no longer of any use.

“There is no need for keeping these coaches here if they are not using them again. Let them get them off this place because they are not good for the security of the station” Salaam said.

“This is a corporation and I can tell you that nobody will bring in any property or family into these coaches without the authority being aware. When you speak with some of them, they will tell you that it is due to accommodation problem, but that is not a justification for anybody, staff or not to be living within this premises” She added.

Also speaking, Ibrahim a businessman who boarded an Ilorin bound train explained that he once had a hard time getting out of the station safely for returning late in the night.

“There was a time last month when

141.8

1.5

2,234.00

-4.00

18.17

0.01

118.90 +1.66 95.72 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 43.7464 207.5528 168.7275 1.6727 0.3006 237.0826 24.8262 41.2607 27.8084 237.8509

155.24 244.534 208.2234 169.2727 1.6781 0.3106 237.8486 24.9069 41.394 27.8983 238.6194

-0.11 SELLING 155.74 245.3216 208.8941 169.8179 1.6853 0.3206 238.6147 24.9876 41.5273 27.9881 239.388

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/02/2013

From left: Olayemi Femi, Regional Sales Manager, South-West, Grand Oak Ltd; Mr Tunde Orimadegun, CEO Tundex (one of the winners); Mr Akshay Kumar, MD Grand Oak Ltd; Mrs Orimadegun and Aare Fatai Odesile, Marketing Director, Grand Oak Ltd, during the sent-forth of winners of Grand Oak Sales Partners’ AFCON promo.

I was returning from Kano and due to some delay, we got to this place late only to find some people smoking in

those abandoned coaches. I was supposed to follow that side because it was closer to where I was going but I

could not. The illegal occupants can steal, rob and even commit any other crime in that place as long as they remain there.”

One of the occupants who preferred anonymity denied living in the coaches but said she comes to the station to transact business.

“We only come to this place in the morning and after we finish business in the evening, we return to our houses. We don’t sleep here. We have our houses in the village close to this place.”

Meanwhile, a station manager was observed instructing the security guards to guard the newly acquired locomotives very carefully, an indication that all is not well with security of the station.

When contacted, the Assistant Director, Public Relations, NRC, Mr. David Ndanusa admitted that the NRC authority is aware that some people live inside the coaches and are fully conscious of the security threat that this poses to the station. He however denied that the people are relatives of NRC workers. He said that the abandoned coaches would be removed through gradual refurbishment.

“The refurbishment of coaches is going on now according to how funds are released to us and that is going on stage by stage. Those that cannot be refurbished will be turned to scraps,” Ndanusa said.

“We are waiting for the availability of funds from the government so that we can move more of them into the workshop for repair.” He added.

Waste: FCTA, NLC, private investors to build recycling factory T

HE Federal Capital Territory Administration, the FCT Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and private investors are to build a recycling factory through a joint waste to wealth business venture.

The tri-partite business venture is aimed at creating jobs, managing the huge waste generated in the FCT and also generating profit for the stakeholders.

The Chairman of NLC FCT Council, Comrade Yahaya Abdullahi, made this known on last week in Abuja during the presentation of a feasibility study on the project by the executive of the Council to the Honourable Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide.

Abdullahi disclosed that the Labour Congress would own 40 per cent equity in the joint business venture while the FCT Administration and private investors would take up 60 per cent equity in the venture.

He said, “The NLC FCT Council had during a meeting last year with the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, raised the issue of helping to mop up sachet water waste by setting up a recycling factory.

“The establishment of a recycling factory is aimed at creating employment and helping to keep the envi-

ronment clean as well as generating little income for the partners. The Council has acquired a 75-hectare of land and has also paid the sum of N5 million being the cost of feasibility study.

“We are seeking for the FCT Administration to partner with the NLC FCT Council and other interested members of the Community for this project, as the required capital outlay is presently out of our reach.”

He explained that the waste to wealth project would comprise of a recycling plant, a clinic and restaurant and would provide jobs for drivers, waste collectors, doctor, nurse and pharmacist, among others.

“The project is our contribution towards reducing unemployment in the country and ensuring a clean environment. We don’t want the Administration to be the sole proprietor of the project. It should partner with labour and private investors,” Abdullahi added.

The Minister of State for FCT commended the leadership of the FCT Council of NLC and gave assurance of the Administration’s commitment to partner with the NLC towards transforming the territory.

“The FCT Administration will be creating jobs through the recycling project and getting rid of waste in the federal capital city, area councils and

satellite towns. The action of the NLC FCT Council is highly commendable.

I can say with all honesty that the Labour Congress is truly working,” Oloye Akinjide said.

The minister approved the constitution of a Task Team headed by the Director of Establishment and Training in the FCT, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, to work with the NLC FCT Council to produce a business model for the project.

Members of the team include: the Director of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics in the FCT, Alhaji Ari Isa Mohammed; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Alhaji Tukur Bakori; Director of Admin and Finance, Area Council Services Secretariat, Alhaji Yusuf Tsaiyabu; Managing Director of Abuja Infrastructure Investment Company, Mr. Farouk Sani; Managing Director of Abuja Enterprise Agency, Mrs. Altine Jibrin; Special Assistant to the Minister of State on Environment, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, and representatives of the Minister of FCT, Permanent Secretary and Abuja Environmental Protection Board. “The task team is expected to immediately commence work with the NLC FCT Council and come up with a business model for the waste to wealth project,” the minister added.

22—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Our expect ations of the PPower ower expectations Gener ation Companies in 20 Generation 20113

O From left: Unit Head, Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), The Nigerian Stock Exchange, Franklin Nwaubani; GM/Head, Listings Sales & Retention, NSE, Taba Peterside; Head, Institutionalization & Advisory Services, Nextzon Business Services Ltd, Mope Abudu and MD/CEO, Avis Nigeria, Mr. Kolawole Ogunbajo, at NSE Institutional Services Workshop, in Lagos.

Stockbrokers seek cooperation with Rand Merchant Bank STORIES BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

TOCKBROKERS in the nation’s capital market have called on the management of Rand Merchant Bank, to ensure maximum cooperation with the dealing member firms to avoid unnecessary rivalry and enmity.

Rand Merchant Bank is one of the two merchant banks recently licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The bank, which is a division of South African FirstRand Merchant Bank, commenced operations last week.

As part of activities to mark the entry of the bank into the Nigerian financial sector, a team of Rand Merchant Bank and FirstRand Merchant Bank led by the Group CEO, Sizwe Nxasana, visited the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE and performed the ceremonial bell ringing to round off the day’s trading.

Speaking at ceremony, Alhaji Rasheed Yussuff, who was the doyen of the day and Past president of Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria, ASHON, said “In Nigeria capital market, we believe in community. Even though we engage in healthy competition, but we still see ourselves as one.” “ We are happy to have you; we know about Rand and your operation in South Africa and we are happy that you are coming here as a Merchant Bank. We believe as a Merchant bank, you are coming to add to the creativity of the Nigerian capital market. Having looked at what you have said and your areas of expertise, we believe we have tremendous capability to grow and to develop together ”, he said.

He continued, “If you are coming here as a partici-

pant, to be part of us, to work with us, compete with us, we shall welcome you, but if you are coming here like some of the Newspapers have pointed out, to override the whole of West Africa, we will say good luck to you.

“However, we will like to have you as a friend and as a partner. I will assure you that if you participate that way, you will enjoy us.

You will still make your money the way MTN and others are making their money. We want to see you as a partner rather

than a colonizer.

Responding, Chief Executive Officer, RMD Nigeria, , Michael Larbie, assured the stockbrokers of strong partnership He explained that the merchant banking licence allows the bank to engage in varieties of activities, which include equity market trading, fixed income trading, and also advisory role on some fixed income part of some equity products.

Oando Rights Issue extended as analysts projects strong demand for offer

T

HE Security and Ex change Commission has given approval for the extension of the ongoing Oando PLC N54.6 billion Rights Issue to February 20, 2013.

The extension was necessitated by the disruption of distribution of Rights Circulars to majority of Oando’s shareholders due to the industrial action by pensioners of the Nigerian Postal Service in January 2013.

Oando is issuing 4.548 billion shares at N12 per share by way of Rights Issue offer to existing shareholders. The capital raised is to enable the energy firm raise N54.6 billion to re-finance acquisitions made in the upstream sector of the Nigeria’s oil and gas industr y, as well as strengthening its balance sheet.

Meristem Securities Limited, have projected that the price of the eq-

uity will hit N22.14 within the year. Meristem Securities Limited, an investment firm that closed among the top 10 in the stock market in 2012, are not only betting on a N22.14 Oando share price target, but have also placed a ‘buy’ recommendation on the stock.

Similarly, analysts at FSDH Securities Limited have projected a price of N19.12 for Oando shares.

“Applying a Relative Valuation method to derive the value of ordinary shares of Oando, we arrived at a fair value of N19.12 per share. The current market value of Oando share is about N14 while the Rights Issue price is N12.00. This means that the Rights were offered to shareholders at a discount to the market price while the market price is also trading at a discount to our fair value. On the basis of this, we recommend

ver the previous three weeks, we have looked at possible weaknesses in the privatisation model adopted for the electricity distribution companies and the power generation companies and also at our expectations in respect of the performance of the electricity distribution companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, during this year.

The TCN is positioned between the power generation companies and the electricity distribution companies and a failure in the transmission system referred to as system collapse means all the power generation companies will have to shut down their equipment. After the TCN had sorted out whatever problems that led to the system collapse, the power generation equipment will be restored one at a time. Once the first equipment is running and is stable, the second equipment will be started and its movements adjusted to be in the same phase as the first equipment. The next equipment is started and synchronised with the other two and so on. It takes a while for all the equipment in the power stations in different parts of Nigeria to be restored and synchronised with others, hence system collapse is something that must be avoided.

The power generation companies are Kainji Hydro Power Plc, Shiroro Hydro Power Plc, Geregu Power Plc, Sapele Power Plc, Ughelli Power Plc and in respect of the partial privatisation of these companies preferred bidders have been chosen while bids are outstanding for Afam Power Plc. The Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, owns an Independent Power Plant, IPP, at Okpai Community in Delta State.

For each of the companies being privatised, the Managing Director/CEO should prepare an audited balance sheet reflecting the state of affairs of his/her company as at December 31 2012. It is expected that when the preferred bidder for each company assumes management control, they would tell us within a short period what they found in each company and what plans they have for the maintenance and expansion of generation capacity at their power stations. It would appear that Kainji Hydro Plc is in a position to add 400MW to the generating capacity at Kainji Dam. Ughelli Power Plc is possibly in the best position to increase generating capacity as there is at least one long-standing proposal at Delta Power Station for the addition of 500MW capacity.

Apart from the involvement of NAOC at Okpai Community in Delta State and of Shell Nigeria at Afam Power Station, Chevron Nigeria expects to produce about 300MW power from Agura IPP by 2016. There are no indications that any of the private sector interests who obtained on-grid generation licences are at an advanced stage of the implementation of their projects. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Com-

mission, NERC, should advise the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, to take account of the hydro power potential at all existing dams and obtain power generation licences for hydro power facilities at dams operated by the River Basin Development Authorities, especially the 9MW facility at Oyan Dam, the potentials at Ikere Gorge Dam, Kiri Dam amongst others. The FGN should enter into joint ventures with interested investors such as the Ogun State Government which had in the past expressed interest in the 9MW facility at Oyan Dam. It is in the public interest to put an end to the economic losses from non-usage of this facility. There are also some FGN-owned companies with generating capacity far in excess of their requirements namely, Refineries/Petrochemicals at Kaduna and Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries and Eleme Petrochemicals. These companies should also obtain generation licences and make their excess capacity available for public use.

The slow response from the holders of generating licences in the private sector centres on the risks associated with the large sums of money required for power station projects. We should look at alternative arrangements which may have to be small power stations providing power off-grid to a limited number of consumers. The Lagos State Government is giving support to a private sector power generation project for Somolu in Lagos State such that the large number of printing establishments in the area can have 24-hour power supply. Given expenditure levels on small generators, it should be possible in a residential district to raise N20,000 per consumer from say 3000 consumers giving a total of N60million, the power station operator should also provide N60million and the Bank of Industry, BOI, N120million for a power station to serve the 3000 consumers. The manner in which the risks have been shared should make the power station project feasible.

One may ask questions about the number of such power stations that we would have to build and about the limit of funds available to the BOI. The basic idea is that we have to share the risks between power station operators, the consumers and the government if we are going to have substantial private sector involvement in new power station projects.

I mentioned earlier a technical failure leading to system collapse. There is another type of failure which I will describe as financial impasse which will happen when any of the component companies in the distribution/ transmission/generation network is unable to pay its way. Apart from the possibility that the NERC could cancel a licence, there are no provisions in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act for dealing with the disruptions that consumers will face when a company is unable to pay its way.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 —23

Insurance penetration’ll fast-track Nigeria’s economic growth

BY FOLA DANIEL

RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan last year launch the Financial

Inclusion Strategy for the country which provided a road map for developing an inclusive financial system.

The Nigerian insurance industry has witnessed positive changes in recent times arising from the new reforms embarked upon by NAICOM. Suffice it to say that these reforms were intended primarily to reinforce the Federal Government’s Vision 2020:20 of deepening insurance penetration to become the insurance industry of choice among the emerging markets in terms of capacity, safety, transparency and efficiency.

From our internal studies at NAICOM, Nigeria would attain rapid and sustained economic growth if it deepens its insurance penetration whereby more members of the population buy one or more of the

available insurance products.

However, Contrary to most optimistic assumptions that the insurance industry will be the next growth sector, the Nigerian insurance industry’s performance, despite all efforts at reforms, remains below its potentials as currently only 110 of adult (representing O.8m) population has an insurance policy.

The low insurance penetration can be attributed to many factors.

Some are peculiar to the nature of the operating environment, namely limited public awareness, the prescriptive orientation of the Insurance Act 2003 and lack of confidence on the insurance operators by the insuring and non insuring public.

To reverse all these, the Commission did recognize the importance of incorporating microinsurance and takaful as important vehicles for deepening insurance

•Fola Daniel penetration in the country_ In collaboration with GIZ of Germany and other developmental agencies, the Commission in 2012 conducted a Country-wide Diagnosis study on the

viability of micro-insurance in Nigeria.

One of our goals was to generate at the end of the exercise, a document that will enable us take evidence-based decision on

the issue of Microinsurance in Nigeria and also serve as a public resource in its own right.

Indeed, the report of the study reveals huge potentials among the low income groups and has consequently been adopted by NAICOM as a working document for the development of micro insurance framework in Nigeria.

To this end, the Commission is at the final stages of developing a reliable micro-insurance framework with clear rules for investments and an inherent flexibility with a view to give insurance providers the needed clarity and freedom to use innovative means to reach this large but underserved segment of the market.

Similarly, NAICOM has recently exposed the Draft Takaful Guidelines to stakeholders for input and now is ready for implementation.

Preparatory to the commencement of the operation of the Takaful Guidelines, the Commission has embarked on series of capacity building programs of its Management and Technical staff in order to position the C1mmission to effectively implement and supervise takaful operation in Nigeria.

In order to ensure adequate understanding and achieve greater capacity building among the stakeholders, the Commission had conducted series of workshops and seminars for all stakeholders in the insurance industry. The first of such was held in November last year in Abuja.

I therefore, consider this forum an appropriate platform within the series to raise public awareness on the development of Micro insurance in the country. We have picked some of our Directors who are directly responsible with the task of driving micro insurance development and making it work in Nigeria to speak to you on this.

This is all part of the NAICOM’s reform programme to open up and develop the insurance market at the grassroots and by e;~ tension, increase the sector ’s contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.

In addition to all these and to ensure that the insurance industry leverages the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act 2010 to increase its participation in petroleum industry insurance, the Commission has developed a guideline for the insurance industry. The guideline serves as a road map on how oil and gas

insurance business should be conducted in Nigeria.

The opening up of Agricultural Insurance to all interested insurers is another area the Commission expects appreciable progress. I am aware of the fact that the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), by an Act of parliament, has the exclusive right to insure all subsidized agricultural risks in the country.

However, huge opportunities still exist in the commercial nonsubsidized agricultural risks sector which other insurance companies could tap into. I wish to encourage underwriters who have the capacity to underwrite the c o n v e n t i o n a l nonsubsidized agricultural insurance to do so, within the provision of the relevant laws.

In due recognition of our primary mandate in the Commission, which is the protection of the interest of policyholders, we have strengthened our Complaints Bureau Unit.

The human and material capacity of the unit has been substantially enhanced to meet with the challenge of dealing with complaints emanating from the insuring public promptly and professionally.

Also, in order to finally resolve the contentious issue of delayed or nonpayment of insurance premium by the insured, ‘the Commission commenced the full and rigorous implementation of section. 50 (1) of the Insurance Act 2003 on January 1st 2013.

The new impetus put into the implementation of the law, which provides that “the receipt of an insurance premium shall be a condition precedent to a valid contract of insurance and there shall be no cover in respect of an insurance risk unless the premium is paid in advance” will surely improve the financial viability of all insurance companies in Nigeria. In conclusion distinguished gentlemen of the press, let me once again solicit your continuing cooperation to put the insurance industry in a position to actualize its full potentials. You can do that by what you know how to do best, which is the ability to mass communicate the positive profiles of the Commission and the industry at large.

You may also wish to lay strong emphasis on the topical issue of micro insurance which holds greater promise for the insurance sector in Nigeria given the population size of the country.

Fola Daniel is the commissioner for Insurance

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Oil producing states to get industrial parks —NCDMB

BY EDIRI EJOH

I

N a bid to stimulate oil producing communities in the country to participate in the local supply chain of the oil sector, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, said it planned to establish industrial parks in oil producing states in partnership with the state governments.

The development endorsed by the Governing Council of the Board under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, is intended to stimulate the participation of the communities in the local supply chain and provide a direct platform for collaboration with the original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, who are now required to manufacture a minimum proportion of components in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, who in Lagos last week at the Addax Executive Business Seminar on Nigerian Content, explained that the Board will collaborate with major operators, service companies and the relevant state governments to build industrial parks, which will support operations of the industry and help achieve service efficiency through shared services.

According to him, other benefits of the industrial park concept include the reduction of start-up investment costs for new businesses, stakeholders’ collaboration and industry commitment to utilise manufactured products from industrial parks.

He said, “The parks will host manufacturing activities driven by the Oil and Gas industry demand but will certainly service other sectors of the economy as they grow organically into integrated industrial zones.

“The start-up product slate will include steel pipes and allied fittings, switch gears, panels, skids, pipe racks and brackets, environmental protection equipment, chemicals, industrial gases, computers, telecom and

other ICT equipment components which includes Furniture, LPG cylinders, Bolts & Nuts, Drilling fluids.”

Speaking further, Nwapa said that part of the strategy is to stimulate small and medium scale enterprises focused on oil and gas technology into sustainable engines for technological

growth and employment at the grassroots level.

He noted that the major operators will benefit from increased entrepreneurial activities in their host communities, adding that the Board has reached out to the state governments to participate in an SME fair to enable it identify companies with potential to incubate

and grow.

Nwapa further said, “In this way, over 100,000 productive jobs will be created across the communities for skills ranging from professional to artisanal and de-emphasise the social employment prevalent in the communities.

From left: General Manager, Finance NIPCO Plc, Mr.Chiranjibi Roka; Executive Director, Finance, Mr. Ramesh Virwani; Managing Director, Tamal Petroleum, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman Sarki; Snr Manager,Sales & Marketing, Mr. Victor Adeyemi; and Depot Rep. Tamal, Mr. Muniru Sanni, at the presentation of the Best Marketer of the Year 2012 award to Tamal Petroleum.

Uncertainty mars Nigeria’s oil, gas export …As Mobil, Shell declare force majeures

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IGERIA’S latest drop in oil and gas export has further dented its reputation as a reliable energy supplier, at a time when demand for imports is falling in the United States and Asia has an increasing choice of suppliers.

Exxon last week warned customers of supply disruptions from its biggest oil stream, Qua Iboe, while Shell said gas supplies to one of the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG terminals would be delayed, both due to pipeline damage.

Nigeria’s oil has been highly sought after for decades by the United States because it is easy to refine into gasoline, but the world’s biggest economy is increasingly serving its fuel needs domestically.

Asian buyers have a far greater choice of oil producers in Africa than a few years ago, especially West African neighbour Angola, which often provides China with more oil than Nigeria.

“The timing of the force majeure on

Exxon Mobil’s Qua Iboe oil grades could not be more stark,” said Rolake Akinkugbe, head of oil and gas research at Ecobank.

“Nigeria’s first quarter in oil cargo market has already suffered a slump in demand mostly from North American and Asia.”

The latest outages follow a raft of problems at the end of last year when four oil majors - Shell, Exxon, Total and Eni - announced outages due to rampant oil theft and the worst floods Nigeria has seen in 50 years.

Ecobank estimates in the last year oil theft and pipeline vandalisation had cost Nigeria up to $7 billion in revenue out of its 2 million barrel per day crude export business.

Exxon said despite declaring force majeure - an inability to fulfill contracts due to unexpected events - on Qua Iboe exports, which can reach 400,000 bpd, it continued to produce the benchmark grade and the export terminal was open.

BRIEF Swedish firm targets Nigeria’s oil sector

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IGERIA’S oil and gas sector may soon attract a major investment from Sweden to further boost its growth and overall contribution to the nation’s economy. The investment will focus on areas including skills acquisition, equipment maintenance and technology transfer.

Alfa Laval - a major Swedish equipment manufacturer has concluded arrangements, in collaboration with an indigenous firm, Jocam Nigeria Limited, to provide parts and maintenance services for all its products (equipment) with manufacturer’s warranty.

In this context, the Managing Director of Alfa Laval, Mrs. Maryne Lemvik, will participate in the upcoming Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG 2013 International Conference and Exhibition, holding at the International Conference Center, Abuja between February 18 and 21.

According to Lemvik, Nigeria is a very fastgrowing economy and has become globally relevant to equipment makers like them. “We see growth and opportunities in Nigeria, and we want to be fully involved. Our ambition is to provide for companies in the Oil and Gas sector a wide range of key solutions designed for increased efficient performance,” she said.

Established in 1883, with headquarters in Sweden and regional offices across the world, Alfa Laval is a global manufacturer of equipment specially designed for Oil and Gas sector. Such equipments include systems for liquid/ solid separation, heat transfer and treatment, fluid handling. Alfa Laval operates in Nigeria both directly and through distributors, mainly with Jocam.

Jocam on the other hand, is a representative company that has wide ranging interests in the oil and gas, power and marine support services such as international procurement, coating, and equipment stocking, sales and services of all range of industrial equipment for surface preparation, design, installation and maintenance.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—25

PIB: Imperfect comparison of petroleum minister’s powers I

•Felix Ayanruoh

,

• Anyone who obstructs or “interferes” with the minister will be fined or imprisoned.

• Power of the petroleum minister and the directors of state institutions to receive gifts • Powers to determine rentals and royalties by regulation.

• Power to regulate and distribute the Petroleum Host Community, PHC fund.

• Powers to grant, amend, renew, extend or revoke upstream petroleum licences and leases • Powers to grant, amend, renew, extend or revoke downstream petroleum licences for gas transportation pipeline, gas distribution networks, refineries, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) plants, petrochemical plants and gas plants.

• Power to “do all such other things as incidental and

US firm pumps $6.8bn into Ghana oil industry

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BY FELIX AYANRUOH T is not too late for the Nigerian government to have a New Year’s resolution and new slogan.

This resolution may be hard to understand or solve, but it is crucial. The government executive legislature and judiciary, must be determined to be smarter from this year than they had been in the past.

The petroleum industry in particular, had acted in ways that were inconceivable, corrupt and embarrassingly inefficient for much too long. The industry had caused problems for the economy and mortgages the future of generations yet unborn particularly in the Niger Delta region. The passage of the PIB is in doubt, not because of the good of country but for reasons unbeknown to some opponents of the bill. It’s time to stop the self-destruct.

The National Assembly should not be swayed by the debate comparing the petroleum’s minister ’s power to foreign jurisdiction. Some have argued that the proposed bill gives the petroleum minister too much power while others posited that the said powers are not different from what obtains in other jurisdiction.

It is indisputable that the proposed bill confers prodigious powers to the Minister of Petroleum Resources. If passed “as is”, will certainly affect transparency, accountability and would jeopardise the reform process, which the bill sought to establish.

These powers cover assemblage of issues including the following:

BRIEF

As we all know, corruption was and is still a major factor in the cycle of failures and inefficiencies affecting the industry

necessary to the performance of the functions of the minister under this Act.” This piece is devoid of peregrination into the legal regime of other jurisdictions vis-à-vis the proposed PIB, but analyzes developmental issues, multiple dimensions of petroleum industry governance failures and smarter conceptual design and implementation of policies. Our government had quite often tended to merely follow precedents or get boxed into bureaucratic and ideological straitjackets rather than an excellent exposure to the diversity and complexity of development challenges.

As a general matter, the importance of choice of law and the necessity of institutional comparison seem common sense. It is not odd, therefore to find calls for institutional comparison and even instances of serious institutional comparison. What remains remarkable is the vast amount of law and public policy analysis that either ignores, trivialises or poorly

,

e x e c u t e d institutional comparison.

Institutional comparison is difficult as well as essential.

The choice is always a choice among highly imperfect alternatives. The

strength and weakness of one institution versus another vary from one set of circumstances to another, for example, the UK’s compendium of laws – UK Bribery Act, and other UK petroleum laws as against Nigerian petroleum laws and dearth of strong anti-graft law.

As we all know, corruption was and is still a major factor in the cycle of failures and inefficiencies affecting the industry. At every stage of the petroleum industry reform process a constant theme is the issue of corruption. This is not the problem most jurisdiction cited in the comparison are facing.

Now that the reality of a corrupt and inefficient industry and stunning economic downturn has so roughly intervened, we at least have the option of being smarter going forward. There is broad agreement that we have no choice but to enact a PIB that addresses our peculiar problems but not that of other jurisdiction. felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

S-BASED oil giant, Hess Corporation is targeting more exploration work on the DeepwaterTano/ Cape Three Points block off Ghana, which it operates with a 90% stake, despite a planned cut in overall budget this year.

The company plans to cut overall expenditure by 18 percent this year while maintaining a strong investment focus on unconventional shale plays.

In December, 2012, Hess announced that its Pecan-1 exploration well located in the DeepwaterTano/Cape Three Points block offshore Ghana, had encountered oil pay.

The company had earlier completed drilling operations on the Ankobra-1 well, on the same license block but no commercially significant hydrocarbons were hit upon.

Hess subsequently acquired 1,006 sq km of new 3D seismic in anticipation of the drilling of the Pecan1well, which turned out to be successful.

The company, under its 2013 capital budget unveiled last week, plans to pump $6.8 billion into exploration, production and development as well as marketing and refining, down from $8.3 billion last year.

Some $2.7billion, or around 40 percent, is to be allocated to development of shale resources in the US including exploitation of the Bakken play in North Dakota, where it eyes a rig count of 14, and appraisal work in the Utica shale of Ohio, where spending will increase 33 percent to $400 million.

Hess said forecast expenditure of around $2.2 billion in theBakken was down from $3.1 billion last year due to lower well costs as a result of more costefficient pad-based drilling methods.

The company has earmarked $550million for conventional exploration spending that will include shooting seismic and drilling exploration wells on the Dinarta and Shakrok blocks in Iraqi Kurdistan, where it holds 80% stakes as operator.

Hess has also allocated $1.6billion for development projects, including Tubular Bells in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico and the North Malay Basin project in Malaysia.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

BRIEF

NIPCO rewards customers

… As Tamal Petroleum emerges best marketer

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From left: Managing Director, Future Concerns Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tony Ogbuike; Managing Director, Redwing Shoes Company, Mr. Tito Warren; and Managing Director, Africa, Redwing Shoes Company, Mr. Mehdi Nafa, during the commissioning of the company’s ultra-modern depot and office complex, in Lagos.

Unions react to GE’s litany of agreements in Nigeria

BY SEBASTINE OBASI

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S-BASED electricity giants, General Electrics in the recent time has signed, but opinions vary on the salutary effects of these agreements in terms of sustainable power delivery to Nigerians.

Fourteen months after signing a funding agreement with the United States EXIM Bank, Nigeria and some companies in the power sector are fast cashing in on the emerging opportunity to grow the wobbling electricity situation in the country.

The need to utilise the funding opportunity may not be unconnected with the rating of Nigeria, as one of the nine countries in the world that EXIM Bank identified as offering U.S. companies the greatest opportunities for sales.

The others are South Africa, Turkey, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Consequently, Nigeria signed a $1billion (N158 billion) deal to boost the power sector in the next five years.

Part of the agreement was to establish a manufacturing/assembly and training facilities in Calabar, Cross River State.

The agreement would also take care of additional investment in the service workshops in Port

Harcourt and Onne, both in Rivers State. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investments, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the Federal Government while the Global Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of GE, Mr. Jeff Immelt, the signed on behalf of the company, at a ceremony held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Following the footsteps of the Federal Government, some other operators in the sector signed similar agreements

with GE. They include; Geometric Power Limited, promoted by Prof. Barth Nnaji, the immediate past Minister of Power, Tanscorp Ughelli Power (TUP), a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Honeywell Group and Dangote Industries Limited.

While Geometric Power signed a MoU with GE for the construction of a 450MW power plant in Aba, the commercial city of Abia State for $500 million, the deal with Honeywell would generate 150MW. It is intended that GE would

supply the turbines for building its plant. The agreement with Dangote Group covers projects for the design, production and sales of GE aeroderivative gas turbine power generation packages in Nigeria and other selected countries in Sub Saharan Africa, strategic cooperation in the independent power production sector in Nigeria with GE serving as a technical partner/ potential investor and Dangote Group as financial investors.

PHCN laments increase in equipment vandalism …Over N20m spent on replacement

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE Management of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, (DISCO) has raised an alarm over the increased rate of vandalism of its equipment in many parts of its network in Lagos.

The company explained that vandalism which had initially reduced after the conviction of two vandals to various terms of imprisonment assumed a wider dimension in the last six months of 2012.

During this period, Ikeja DISCO said a total number of 69 distribution transformer substations were vandalised and various electrical items were stolen from these stations, thereby throwing the

Communities being supplied from the stations into darkness.

Apart from throwing communities into darkness, Ikeja DISCO in a statement obtained by Vanguard said the cost of replacing vandalised equipment is colossal and it can no longer bear such costs.

The management of the company maintained that over N20million has been spent to replace the vandalised equipment in the 67 substations. “This amount would have been better expended on new projects for network expansion.”

The management therefore, urged Community Development Associations, CDAs, and other well-meaning community members to be on the alert and assist the power company in curbing equipment vandalism in their localities.

IPCO Plc, an integrated downstream operator in the nation’s oil and gas industry has appreciated its numerous customers for their unalloyed patronage in the dispensing of petroleum products to all the nooks and cranny of the country.

The highlight of the unique event held at the company’s terminal in Lagos, was the special recognition of the overall Best Marketer for the Year 2012 – Tamal Petroleum Nig. Ltd. based in Katsina State, whose Managing Director, Alhaji Muhammadu Usman Sarki, received the award on behalf of his company.

Presenting the award to the recipient on behalf of NIPCO, the Executive Director, Finance, Mr Ramesh Virwani, said the feat is in recognition of the outstanding performance of the marketing company in the distribution of petroleum products to end users through their outlets.

Virwani used the forum to assure all the marketing companies doing business with NIPCO of excellent service delivery that will be beneficial to both parties in the overall interest of the sector.

He urged the firms to venture into the gas business too especially in the realm of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG marketing, which could shore up its business endeavours in the hydrocarbon industry.

In his remarks, the Senior Manager, Sales & Marketing, NIPCO, Mr Victor Adeyemi, said the honour is in line with the company’s reward scheme for its esteemed customers in her avowed vision of being the first choice company in the oil and gas industry to all stakeholders.

“We appreciate and recognise the support of our loyal customers over the years, and this explains why we continuously come up with scores of reward schemes that can impact favourably on their businesses,” he declared.

According to him, the yearly event is also part of the corporate mission of promoting the provision of quality services in petroleum product storage and handling in an environment that is friendly, safe and dignifying.

The Manager, Corporate Affairs, NIPCO, Mr. Lawal Taofeek, said the event was organised to celebrate and reciprocate the kind gesture of the awardees in transacting business with NIPCO, which is worthy of commendation .

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—27

Oil exports trim US deficit as fuel gap shrinks R

ECORD petroleum exports helped shrink the U.S. trade deficit in December to the smallest in almost three years as America moved closer to energy self- sufficiency, a goal the nation has been pursuing since the 1973 Arab oil embargo.

Bloomberg reports that the gap narrowed 20.7 percent to $38.5 billion, the smallest since January 2010 and lower than any estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 73 economists, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Oil exports

climbed $11.6 billion.

Another report showed wholesale inventories unexpectedly declined in December.

In addition to trimming the trade deficit, greater fuel autonomy helps boost household incomes, jobs and government revenue and makes American companies more competitive. An improving global economy, reflected by record exports to South and Central America, also means manufacturers such as Caterpillar Inc. will benefit.

“The trend toward

energy independence is there, and it is picking up,” said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates LLC in Houston with more than 30 years of experience in refining and trading. “This bodes well for our economy. As our oil production increases, our reliance on other parts of the world for oil comes down.”

Stocks climbed, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to the highest level since November 2007, after the report and on corporate earnings that topped estimates. The S&P 500

rose 0.6 percent to 1,517.93 at the close in New York.

Shares of oil and gas companies such as Hess Corp. and Valero Energy Corp. also advanced.

Wholesale Inventories Another Commerce Department report showed stockpiles at the nation’s wholesalers dropped 0.1 percent in December, the first decrease in six months. The decline followed a revised 0.4 percent gain that was less than initially reported.

The drop in stockpiles at distributors means

inventories will probably subtract even more from fourth-quarter economic growth than currently estimated, partially offsetting the benefit from the narrower trade deficit.

The reports prompted JPMorgan Chase & Co., Barclays Plc and Morgan Stanley economists to revise their tracking estimates of fourth-quarter gross domestic product to show a gain compared with the 0.1 percent decline initially reported by the Commerce Department.

After eliminating the influence of prices to

produce the numbers used to calculate GDP, the trade deficit narrowed to $44.1 billion in December, the smallest in six months, from $51.8 billion.

Petroleum Gap The jump in fuel sales to overseas buyers, combined with purchases of the fewest barrels of imported crude in almost 16 years, led to the smallest petroleum deficit since August 2009, the trade data showed.

A surge in U.S. oil production has made the nation the world’s largest fuel exporter. Petroleumproduct exports to Brazil grew by 59 percent in the first 11 months of 2012, to 255,000 barrels a day, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Venezuelan imports from the U.S. rose 56 percent.

Redwing,

Future Concerns open equipment

depot

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

O further promote safety in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas industry, United States-based, Redwing Shoe Company, a leading manufacturer of safety shoes and garments, has opened an ultra-modern depot and office complex in Lagos.

The facility, which is operated in partnership with Future Concerns Nigeria Limited, is the first of its kind in Africa. Future Concerns specialises in providing optimum service in the area of safety equipment for the industry.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Lagos, the Managing Director, Redwing Shoe Company, Mr. Tito Warren, said the partnership with Future Concerns, which culminated in the new facility was meant to deepen the level of services that his company has been delivering to the nation’s petroleum industry over the years.

He said, “This major step is our first direct investment in Africa in our over 107 years of existence as a company. We recognise the need to play better, not only in the Nigerian market, but also in Africa."

28 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUAR 12, 2013

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUAR 12, 2013 — 29

30—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Hyundai targets 4.66m vehicles

H

Kia Rio, transformation of Compact Sedan

BY THEODORE OPARA

T

HE Kia Rio, unarguably, is one of the most powerful cars in its segment. A car that was hardly reckoned with before the beginning of the new millennium, the all-new Kia Rio, has proved Kia’s Research and Development as one of the best in the automobile world at the moment, having transformed the Rio and other Kia sibling from what they used to be to great cars that could compete with the very best from Japan, Europe and America.

Powered by a 1.4 litre four cylinder petrol engine that delivers 107ps/ 13.8kg.m, the all-new Rio engine provide optimum performance with enhanced fuel economy.

Made from high presence die-cast aluminum to keep weigh down and therefore save on fuel, the Rio’s rigid l a d d e r - f r a m e construction helps reduce vibration thereby making the car deliver quiet, smooth-running on the road. The Rio comes in hatchback and sport saloon with either manual or automatic

transmission.

Though a compact car, Kia offers array of wheel sizes on the Rio, ranging from 14 inch steel wheel to 17 inch alloy wheel.

This gives the Rio amazing ground clearance that is hardly found in its class.

Design-wise, the Rio has one of the most outstanding designs in its class that often times gives it away as a car in the upper segment. “With a low roof line lending in a coupe-like silhouette, Rio’s clean, flowing lines

combine with the latest technology, advanced features and low emissions to Rio gifted both sides and outside.

Inside, the Rio would not stop giving you the impression that it is a car that is ahead of its time and class. Intelligent use of space in the Rio and other features adds to the comfort and makes driving more interesting.

While the ergonomicallydesigned cockpit puts the driver in control, the dashboard’s harmonious interplay of form and

function is given an extra touch of class by use of high grade finishing materials.

Smart key, telescope steering wheel, auto cruise control, bluetooth, steering wheel, audio remote, radio/CPD/MP3, full auto climate control/ cluster ioniser, crash pad album, auxiliary/USB/ ipad port are options you can settle for to make your Rio outstanding.

The Rio as a segment leader has raise safety to the next level. From a structural framework that

absorbs impact forces in both frontal and side-on collisions to a range of active and passive safety measures, the Rio is built to give best protection in its class.

With good engineering and performance, the Rio is backed up with a three-year warranty or a 100,000 kilometre warranty from Kia Motors Nigeria. It boasts exciting colours both inside and outside and is available in four door sedan and five-door hatchback.

YUNDAI Motor Company, the fastest-growing automaker by brand, announced its 2012 full-year earnings results. In spite of the challenging business environment with fluctuating exchange rates, Hyundai managed to sustain its upward momentum.

For the year 2012, sales revenue rose 8.6 percent to 84.47 trillion won (automotive: 71.31 trillion / finance and other: 13.16 trillion) from a year earlier, helped by increased sales volume and improved product-mix. Operating profit rose 5.1 percent to 8.44 trillion won, while net profit increased 11.7 percent to 9.06 trillion won (including noncontrolling interest), fuelled by robust performance at the company’s overseas plants and subsidiaries.

Hyundai sold 4,410,357 units globally (Korea: 667,496 / overseas: 3,742,861) in 2012, an 8.6 percent increase from a year earlier. While its sales in Korea fell 2.2 percent to 667,496 units from the previous year, its overseas sales rose 10.8 percent to 3,742,861 units (exports: 1,243,763 / overseas plants: 2,499,098).

In particular, sales jumped more than 10 percent in Europe to 444,000 units, bucking the market’s trend of shrinking demand.

Coin Ventures unveils American car care products COIN Ventures Ltd, a Lagos-based car care marketing company is partnership three American companies to launch quality car care products into the country.

Coin Ventures Chief Executive Officer, Sir Ike Okafor while briefing newsmen on the products recently in his Lagos office explained that for a long time, quality carcare products have eluded the country.

He explained that the search for the right products for the highly demanding Nigeria auto market led to the

introduction of these quality American products.

The companies include: Technical Chemical Company, makers of Johnsen Car Care Products, Freezetone Product Inc, renowned for vehicle coolants and radiator additives and Omni Specialty Packaging, world producers of quality ATF and engine oil.

Sir Okafor, a West Virginia University, USA, trained engineer, who retired from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as

an Executive Director, explained that his passion for the automobile industry and the quest to offer worldclass products at affordable price led to research for the three brands.

“I have watched with pains, what people go through as a result of using low quality care care products which often times leads to breakdowns on the road and loss of investment in the car, hence, we have decided to offer the world-class products to Nigerians,” he said.

“Out of interest and passion for the automobile industry, I decided to offer something unique and different to ensure trouble-free motoring for my fellow countrymen,” he added.

“As a petroleum engineer and with many years experience in the lubricant industry, I searched for products that has good Research and Development in the various categories and settled for the three that we are bringing to Nigerians.”

According to him, price

was not the attraction in settling for them but quality at the long run.

The Coin entures boss explained that profit was important but not key in the selection of their products.

"A typical United States company, he said would not cut corners to make profit hence, the product they bring to Nigeria is of the same quality and standard with the ones in the America market.

“The products I bring are of the same quality with the ones in the Continued on page 31

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—31

SKODA celebrates production of 15m vehicles in 118 years SKODA has produced the 15-millionth car. The jubilee vehicle – a silver third-generation ŠKODA Octavia – rolled off the assembly line at ŠKODA’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The vehicle will be used as a VIP sedan at the ŠKODA Technology Center in Cesana.

The 15 million car threshold underlines the dynamic growth of the brand. At the beginning of 2012, ŠKODA had produced the 14-millionth car. In the past six years alone, one third or approx. five million vehicles rolled off the assembly lines. The car manufacturer wants to increase worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million units per year by 2018. In 2012, ŠKODA sold 939,200 vehicles – more than ever in one year.

“The entire ŠKODA team is very proud of the million jubilee,” says ŠKODA chairman of the board, Prof. Dr. h.c. Win-

Coin Ventures unveils Continued from page 30

fried Vahland. “15 million produced cars are a symbol for the great development of the ŠKODA brand. We have been building vehicles for 118 years and automobiles since the year 1905. Thus we are among the automobile brands with the richest traditions in the world,” says Vahland. In

the coming years, ŠKODA wants to continue to speed up development and sell at least 1.5 million vehicles per year by 2018. Launching the Citigo, Rapid and the new Octavia, the greatest model offensive in company’s history has had a successful start. In total ŠKODA will launch 8

new or reworked models in 2013.

A class of its own In the coming days, the new ŠKODA Octavia will be launched in the Czech Republic and Germany, while other markets will follow in a few weeks.

The ŠKODA Octavia is the brand’s core product and outsells other

ŠKODA models by far,” says the ŠKODA boss. In 2012, the Octavia accounted for about 44 percent of the brand’s worldwide sales. Like no other car, the Octavia symbolizes the rapid success story of the brand over the past two decades. Since 1996, about 3.75 million Octavias have been delivered to customers.

Olof Persson. “With this agreement in place, we take a crucial step toward reaching a number of our key strategic objectives such as size and growth in Asia.”

In 2011, DFCV reported

net sales of approximately RMB 39 billion (pro forma) and operating income of approximately RMB 1.2 billion (pro forma).

United States and Europe. They are certified by IN TERTEK and I stake my integrity as a Knight and American trained engineer in bringing the products,” he stated.

He explained that the products are tested by Intertek Automobile Research to ensure the high standard, and certified by SONCAP. “With our products you are sure of the quality and peace of mind,” he stated, adding that he has decided to be very careful with the distribution of the products for fear of being faked.

Volvo to become world's largest heavy duty truck manufacturer A

B Volvo has signed an agreement with the Chinese vehicle manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Group Company Limited (DFG) to acquire 45% of a new subsidiary of DFG, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV), which will include the major part of DFG’s medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles business. At completion of the transaction, the Volvo Group will become the world’s largest manufacturer of heavyduty trucks.

“This is a very exciting venture that will combine the best of two worlds, strengthening the positions of the Volvo Group and Dongfeng and offering excellent opportunities to both parties,” says Volvo’s President and CEO Olof Persson. “Combining Dongfeng’s strong domestic position and know-how with the Volvo Group’s technological expertise and global presence will offer DFCV excellent potential for growth and profitability in and outside China.”Completion of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of

relevant anti-trust agencies and Chinese authorities.

The purchase consideration amounts to RMB 5.6 billion. The ambition is to complete the transaction as soon as possible and completion is expected to take place within approximately 12 months from today.

The transaction with DFG follows the recent agreement between DFG and Nissan Motors, in which DFG purchased the medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicle operation from the joint venture DFL (owned jointly

by DFG and Nissan Motors). The major part of the re-purchased commercial vehicle operation will be included in the new company, Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles (DFCV).

According to the agreement between DFG and Volvo, Volvo will acquire 45% of Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles for a total amount of RMB 5.6 billion, subject to adjustments, to be paid on closure of the transaction.

Payment of the purchase price will increase Volvo’s net debt by approximately SEK 6 billion.

The Volvo Group is the world’s third largest manufacturer of heavyduty trucks with 180,000 units sold in 2011.

Dongfeng was the second largest producer of heavyduty trucks in 2011, with total sales of 186,000 units, of which approximately 142,000 units were produced by the part of the company that will be included in DFCV. “We are pursuing a clear strategy to achieve our vision of becoming the world leader in sustainable transport solutions,” says

DFCV has approximately 28,000 employees and sold 142,000 heavy-duty trucks and 49,000 medium-duty trucks in 2011 (pro forma).

Coscharis Motors launches Ford Quick Lane Service

I

N sustenance of the rising demand for Ford vehicles in the local market, Coscharis Motors Ltd, one of Ford’s representative in Nigeria in conjunction with, Ford Motor Corporation USA, has concluded arrangement to introduce Quick Lane tyre and auto centre as well as appoint certified parts wholesale dealers nationwide.

According to a statement by the company’s Marketing Manager, Mr. Ifeanyi Nihe, this deal is specifically aimed at ensuring satisfactory after-sales experience for Ford owners by bringing the vehicles

parts and service centres closer to their doorsteps.

Towards a successful take off of the Quicklane service, Coscharis Motors met late last year with some Spare Parts Dealers drawn from the Lagos and Western flanks of the market to inform them about the project which is aimed at taking care of the customers and provide them with a great service experience that would make them continue to come back.

Consequently, the company has made arrangements to ensure that the parts are imported regularly by air and delivered daily with dedicated vans.

Quick Lane is an American automobile service centre brand with over 600 outlets in the USA and Canada. Quick Lane tyre and auto centre provides all the services a car or truck needs most, including an in-depth Vehicle Check-Up Report on every visit.

The service includes vehicle maintenance and light repair including air conditioning, auto service, brakes, tires, batteries and much more. All of their services are performed by factory-trained experts and on customers’ schedule. Customers do not need an appointment

and will get service while waiting, even on evenings and weekends.

Quick Lane will take care of any make or model, using quality parts and lubricants from trusted brands like Motorcraft and top brand tires like Goodyear, Continental and Michelin.

Coscharis Motors will formally launch the Quick Lane Service at its Yaba office dedicated for this service on 28th of February 2013. It plans to open more Quick Lane Centres nationwide to further get the vehicles’ parts and service closer to its customers.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE THE floods which ravaged many parts of Nigeria last year are still very fresh in the memories of many . Virtually every state in the country had one tale or the other to tell about the rampaging floods which destroyed farmlands and rendered millions of people homeless in places like Kano, Jigawa, Cross River, Taraba, Adamawa, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Niger and Anambra states.

Lagos was lucky because the impact of the floods was not intense. But from the first rain this year in nation’s commercial capital coupled with climate statistics, experts posit that that heavy rains would be experienced leading to more intense flooding in the city this year. Many Lagosians have already begun to develop grey hairs as they anticipate the consequences the imminent flooding will cause.

To such skeptics, the Lagos State Government says there is no cause for alarm as it is fully prepared for the rainy season this year. Allaying their fears at the weekend during the inspection of drainage projects in Shomolu in Kosofe Local Government Area, the commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello said the government will put everything in place to prevent flooding before the commencement of rains.

Bello who said he embarked upon the inspection of drainage projects across the state to enable residents see what the government is doing in terms of drainage construction, cleaning and clearance, added that some of the projects started last year have been completed while the ones commenced this year are ongoing and nearing completion, preparatory to the coming rainy season.

The commissioner who said there was no flooding in Lagos last year despite of the heavy rains, attributed it to adequate preparation by the government. “I am not saying that there will not be flooding,

Ongoing construction of Iyana Ipaja canal

Flooding: No cause for alarm, we are prepared — LASG zStep up flood disaster mgt plans — Environmentalist but because we are prepared for it, the consequence will be minimal. The most important thing is that we are prepared for it. If rain falls continuously for three or four days, there is no how there will not be flooding, but the intensity of the flood will not be there because of our preparation towards it.

We were able to cope last year.

We hope to cope better this year”, he stated.

An environmentalist, Mr. Leslie Adogame however believes there is more to be done by the state government to avert what happened last year in many parts of the country.

Adogame who is , Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development, said Lagos State government and other disaster prone states should step up their flood disaster action/management plans.

“This requires a rapid appraisal and mapping of the flood prone areas with local stakeholders and NGOs. A

community based pro-active effort is needed to dismantle structures identified to be blocking water channels and hence appropriate relocation of vulnerable people before the damage is done. The present efforts of the Ogun and Oyo state governments should be emulated by the Lagos state government, since it is cheaper to prevent than to cure on a long term. Beyond physical infrastructure, medical facilities need to be up graded speedily to withstand the likely upsurge of associated health related cases known with the season.

“We need to look at alternatives by focusing on minimising the damage rather than the occurrence. There is a need to identify ways of living and working in flood prone areas, while protecting high value assets. People living in flood prone areas should be helped to be ‘flood ready’. Reassessing design and development regulations must be part of the solution. We must immediately

look at ways to redevelop our cities smarter, greener and more resilient to the impacts of extreme weather events such as this”, Adogame said.

Referring to last year flood disasters across the country, the SRADev boss said “it appears that we have not yet learnt any lesson from it going by our level of preparation.

It was estimated that no less than 300,000 hectares of farmlands and agricultural produce worth billions of Naira were lost to severe flooding as no less than 400 communities were completely submerged under water across Nigeria.

The floods began in early July and reportedly killed 137 people and displaced over 120,000 people so far. These are obvious combination of global climate change and natural cycle of things as well.

“From the first heavy rains this year and climate statistics, it is likely that heavy and more intense flooding is imminent and Lagos case might be worse for it when it happens this time. The environmental impact of flooding can

Senat tigation int A’s demolition of housing es es Senatee begins inves investigation intoo FCT FCTA estt at ates

By HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

T

HE Senate last week, said arrangements have been concluded for an investigation into the demolition of mass housing estates in the Federal Capital Territory. The upper legislature vowed that those found wanting at the end of the exercise, will face the full wrath of the law.

The Senate stated that persons found guilty of either selling plots of land or collecting money from subscribers, will be punished.

Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Smart Adeyemi said the investigation exercise which will commence this week, is aimed at providing solution to the nagging problem of demolition of houses in the FCT. Adeyemi stated these at a parley with top officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA and developers of the housing estates affected by the demolition exercise.

He urged all developers whose estates were marked for demolition to avail the commit-

tee of all the particulars relating to purchase and allocation of their plots. “By next week Monday, we as a committee will go with the FCT officials round these estates affected, see those still building, the stages of work done and see how we can talk to the Minister of FCT to restrain from acting on what they intend to do”.

Senator Adeyemi who noted that he was not in any way pre-empting the report of the Committee, stressed that most papers being held by the developers may not be genuine, just as he said they may be victims of land speculators

and racketeering in the FCT. He said, “As I am talking here, I know that people are still buying plots and building in most of those areas having this problem. We are not saying that you cannot build while the point here is that while some are building based on merit, others are not building on merit. Some of your papers may not be genuine ones, you may be victims of forgery and land racketeering in the FCT, and it is common.

But we will do all that we can to tackle this issue of forgery and manipulations.”

be quite wide-ranging and ravaging. the food crises and the anticipated “deepening of poverty ” which may result from this, my greatest concerns are the immediate environmental implication which in most cases is a combination of all impacts of excessive flooding. Deeper additional gullies would be created, large number of people would become “environmental refugees” a situation which would further worsen disease and epidemic situation around the city with increase in malaria cases. Generally displaced people especially children and women are going to be worst hit due to exposure to harsh environmental conditions like intense heat, contaminated water, foods and others” he noted.

Drainage projects visited by Bello and his team included Anipole/Damilola Ajayi collector drain in Ifako Gbagada, Down stream Gbagada/Bariga drainage channel along Apapa/Oworonsshoki Expressway and Ofo/Layi Otegbade collector drain as well as Alhaji Sherif/Bolaji Omupo/Ajisegbede collector drain in Shomolu.

At Anipole/Damilola Ajayi collector drain, Bello who said the contract was awarded this year, said it would be completed between May and June this year. He said illegal structures on drainage alignment must be pulled down for the construction to be possible.

The collector drain is expected to de-flood Solaru, Esterport, Adekunle Osomo, Lateef Alli, Anipole, Damilola Ajayi streets and its environs.

At the down stream Gbagada/Bariga drainage channel, the commissioner said the job has been completed. According to him, it only needs regular cleaning.

Explaining that the project was informed by the 2011 rains which caused severe flooding in Lagos metropolis, the commissioner said there is no fear about the rainy season in 2013 because the down stream is ready while efforts are on to facilitate the completion of the up stream drains.

At Shomolu, Bello said the 500-metre collector drain will de-flood Pedro and Akpata areas of Shomolu.

High points

F

rom the first heavy rains this year and climate statistics, it is likely that heavy and more intense flooding is imminent and Lagos case might be worse for it *There will be flooding, but because we are prepared for it, the consequence will be minimal *Some of the drainage projects started last year have been completed while the ones commenced this year are ongoing and nearing completion

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—33

BY JUDE NJOKU is “ C ORRUPTION everywhere and as professionals we have a duty to curb it through the use of technology as part of our transformation agenda. Our attitude must also change positively to enable us embrace technology and shun corruption”.

These pieces of advice were given by the Chairman, Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, ESVARBON, Mr. Ayodele Sangosanya at the 19th John Wood Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, in Lagos.

The late John Wood Ekpenyong was the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered estate surveyor and valuer; he was also the pioneer President of the NIESV. Delivering the lecture which centred on honesty and devotion in Nigeria’s transformation agenda, Sangosanya who was the 9th President of the NIESV, regretted that “the love of money has taken over the hearts of many, therefore, raising a godly generation has been a near difficult task”.

He called on estate surveyors to guard their loins and get committed to the task of raising honest professionals.

Noting that the present administration’s transformation agenda is aimed at revitalising all sectors of the Nigerian economy to enhance growth and development, Mr. Sangosanya posited that its full impact would not be felt if estate surveyors do not key into it. “We, as noble persons, must have zero tolerance for corruption and underhand dealings,” he declared.

He lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for settling for transformation as the management process to activate changes in the pace, quantum and quality of Nigeria’s development. “We must support him not only with constructive advice and criticism but also by putting in place, programmes and events to catalyse the transformation process. We should make credibility the hallmark of our profession. It is credibility that speaks for us,” he said.

The ESVARBON chairman listed current lapses which lack of honesty and devotion has created within the body of estate surveyors and the larger society. They include: *Alarming low ethical values

Sangosanya charges estate surveyors to embrace technology within the rank and file of the practitioners and the poor image which is being attracted within the profession. *Poor standard of practice and best practices in the profession.

Poor quality control in all aspects of estate management and valuation practice in Nigeria. *Defilement of Industrial attachees during their training programmes as they interact with estate surveyors and valuers in

the field, as they are exposed to the realities on the ground from practical exposure, as distinct from the picture of utopian ethical professional practice imparted to the students in their respective schools. The exposure to negative values has had the tendency of polluting the students, whose orientation changes drastically on their return to

their schools and thus, breeds distrust between the students and their lecturers.

Continuing, he declared: “The level of moral decadence and depravity in the larger Nigerian society has rubbed off negatively on the ethical values of practitioners, who cannot be insulated from the general society malaise, corruption, low mental capacity, strong acquisitive instinct,

get-rich- quick mentality, lack of commitment/dedication to professional duties and responsibilities as well as absence of loyalty to employers, as employees use their principal’s office as contact points for their personal/selfish goals, while milking the firms to the bones.

One of the housing Estates being constructed by the Lagos State Ministry of Housing.

Obas urges Fashola to probe illegal land excisions in Ibeju-Lekki *Back Oba Akiolu’s ban on Obas from land transactions

BY INNOCENT ANABA

T

raditional rulers in IbejuLekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, have lent their support to ban slammed on Obas in Lagos State from engaging in land matters by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

They have also appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola to institute a probe panel into alleged illegal excision of land by certain officials of Lagos State Bureau of Lands with the active connivance of some traditional rulers in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

Oba Akiolu who is Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas had at a meeting of the council, warned all Obas to steer clear of all land matters or incur his

wrath.

He promised to hand over any Oba caught in shoddy land deals to the police, adding that he would use his position to ensure that such Oba goes to jail.

At a meeting held at at Oko-Olomi in the Bogije area of Ibeju-Lekki, seven traditional rulers in the area expressed their support and appreciation to the “bold step Oba Akiolu had taken to curb the incessant forceful acquisition of land in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State by certain traditional rulers, acting in connivance with top unscrupulous Lagos State Government officials.”

In attendance were Baale

of Ekutu, Adegunwa Adeboyejo; Baale of OkoOlomi, Segun Eleku; Baale of Olomu, Babatunde Kufuli; Baale of Otunla, Kayode Sanbakiu Otunla, Chairman of Committee of Omo Oba Ogunfayo, Prince Miniru Raji, Prince Wasiu Olayiwola Apena, Adele of Oko-Olomi, Prince Oluwatoyin Bakare (Nee Eleku) and her husband, Mr. Oluwafemi Bakare.

They alleged that their families had been exercising right of ownership on large expanse of land in the IbejuLekki Area of Lagos until recently, when a stranger was imposed on them as Oba and ever since, the entire area had known no peace. They al-

leged that the said Oba has been making efforts and perfecting plans to take over their land by using police to arrest, intimidate, harass and oppress them in a bid to take over their father’s land.

They said aggrieved families said they have instituted series of court cases over the matter, but regretted that despite an order of court restraining the parties and asking them to maintain peace, their opponent stormed Oko-Olomi with armed thugs last year and in the process, one Ismail narrowly escaped death.

The matter, they said was still under investigation by the Homicide Section, D4 at state Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Panti, Lagos.

Lagos creates a new town at Igbogbo with 676 housing units

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

T

HE Lagos State Gov ernment says it is pursuing an aggressive housing proagramme that would not only address accommodation problems but will redistribute population and impact on the economic, social and traffic situation of their host communities.

The Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje

told newsmen at the site of the 420- unit Lagos HOMS project at Igbogbo, that with the project located beside the 256 units of flats at Adeboruwa Estate, a new town is on the verge of being created in Igbogbo in Ikorodu.

According to him, with a combined number of 676 units coming up on that axis, the landscape is bound to change. There will be increase in population with attendant

increase in commercial activities. Transportation will wear a new face, as vehicular density indices of the hitherto sleepy town will be altered.

Jeje who promised that the project will be delivered on schedule said the state government is determined to bridge the existing deficit in housing supply in the state through direct investment and partnership with the private investors in the

sector.

He stated that the location of the schemes will increase the value of land in the area. Jeje promised that the allocation of the units will be based on the principles of Home Mortgage Scheme which will be transparent. First time owners will have preference and it will be on first come fist served basis.

The Commissioner

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

NIGERIA’S DELTA AND SECURITY CHALLENGES:

Using the Delta Beyond Oil strategy, a governor’s approach (2)

O

By EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN

NE important infrastructure project, central to all other economic activity, is electricity. In this area, the state government, in partnership with private investors, has reached an advanced stage in completing an Independent Power Project, IPP, to produce sufficient power that will be transmitted and distributed throughout the state to sustain widespread economic activities. Also, the Delta State Government has invested over N15bn (approximately US$93.7m) in the Federal Government IPP Project as part of her counterpart funding to step up power generation and distribution in the State. This is in addition to the many transmission and distribution projects being carried out by the State Government to ensure an

progammes in these sectors to advance the state’s development processes with a view to creating sustainable jobs that cut across all levels of education for its citizens. Also envisioned in this new development framework is the mass production of goods and services through modernized agriculture, mineral exploitation and industrial production.

Accordingly, the state government has begun implementing well-designed programmes in these sectors with particular emphasis on agriculture.

Subsistence agriculture

In Delta State as in most states of Nigeria, agriculture is a high employer of labour. However, because the overwhelming majority of farmers are engaged in subsistence agriculture using underdeveloped equipment, coupled with inadequate access to finance, production remained insufficient to meet the needs of food security for the populace and raw materials for industrial processing and production. In view of this, Delta State has embarked on several projects to modernize and upgrade DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN agricultural production in the state. These improved power supply. include the state’s agricultural In addition, we recognized that development schemes for farmers in the contemporary world, the such as agricultural mass production of goods and mechanization, funding and services through modernized training in modern agricultural agriculture, mineral exploitation production and processing and use and industrial technology, extensions services production at all levels is a well- and produce inspection. established basis for sustainable The state has also keyed into prosperity. Consequently, the the Federal Government’s state government designed Agricultural Transformation

Map of Delta State Agenda and it is using its resources to provide enhanced inputs like fertilizer and improved seeds to expand the production of various crops like cassava for domestic processing and export markets. It was against this background that we entered into partnership with Obasanjo Farms Ltd, an agricultural based holding firm owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to assist in propelling locals to actualize themselves as well as help in attaining the goals of a Delta Beyond Oil. The state also adopted an industrial development and investment strategy which aggressively pursued the revival of state-owned industries that were moribund through Public Private Partnership. Other strategies and programmes include the promotion of commercial and industrial entrepreneurship through the funding of micro-level entrepreneurs to grow into small and medium scale commercial and manufacturing enterprises.

This development programme is undertaken through the state’s Delta Micro-Credit Programme and the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Economic Planning and Finance.

This programme is one of the state’s most successful economic intervention initiatives that has had state-wide transformative impact on the lives of micro and cottage level business people especially women. In total, over 100,000 people have benefitted from the micro-credit scheme. It has expanded the business of existing entrepreneurs, created new ones and expanded commerce and cottage-level production in the state as some of the micro businesses are gradually moving to small and medium scale businesses.

It is important to stress that this initiative was indeed so revolutionary that the state, not

only received commendations from its citizens, but was thereafter designated, by the Central Bank of Nigeria, as first among the other states in Nigeria in the fight against poverty for three consecutive years. Thus, in the first four years, between 20072011, we were able, substantially, to foster greater peace and security as well as lay the foundation for sustainable development in Delta State notwithstanding the challenges we faced at the onset of the administration.

Also important is the development of the tourism sector. Because of our drive, a lot of tourism and hospitalities industries are now springing up in the State. The biggest is the $ 240m Delta Leisure Park by a

,

Being the concluding instalment of a paper presented by Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan,CON, at the School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington, USA last week. The first part was published yesterday

revenues and allocations from the federally controlled Federation Account in Nigeria, we intensified the drive to build a modern Delta State. That is the vision of a Delta Beyond Oil Despite this very laudable initiative, it is expected that much progress is impossible if determined and revolutionary measures are not taken to realise its goals. Consequently, serious steps and measures have been put in place since 2011 to diversify the economic base of Delta State. For example, while we recognise that majority of the jobs created in my first term catered for blue collar needs, we envisioned a broader pool of jobs for the middle class during my second term. We believe that technical partnerships, cooperations and alliances will be crucial in this regard.

Local and foreign investors In view of this, a strategic pursuit of local and foreign investors and expertise was implemented and we recorded encouraging results. The most recent example of large scale investments being attracted to the state is the plan by Transcorp Hilton Hotels, obviously one of the biggest hotel chains in Nigeria and beyond, to establish two five star hotels in Delta state -Asaba and Warri respectively. In addition, Heirs Holding, a big private sector firm in Nigeria, plans to establish a $1.4 billion dollar fertilizer plant in Burutu, one of the riverine communities in the State. The Federal Government of Nigeria working

There is great need for some form of specificity in addressing the crisis of environmental degradation because in recent times, there has been the tendency amongst scholars to lump this problem together with other challenges in the Delta

Private investor in patnership with the State Govt. We are also encouraging medical tourism by improving on the quality of secondary and tertiary hospitals and encouraging private investment in healthcare. Our teaching hospital at Oghara is about the most equiped and is today carrying out some surgeries that will normally take the patient abroad.

2011-2015: Guilding a legacy for posterity: Building on the foundations laid in my first term, we immediately hit the ground running in 2011 as soon as I was inaugurated for a second term.

Inspired by a vision to consolidate the foundation of a robust, diversified, stable and economically viable State that is not dependent entirely on oil

,

closely with the Delta State Government is also building a multi-million dollar landing jetty in Okwagbe, a community located along the tributaries of the river Niger, to support the State’s transport Infrastructure.

The state has also revamped its foreign investment drive by the setting up of the Office of the Senior Foreign Relations Adviser within the Governor’s Office.

Following this step, the state has targeted two constituencies.

These are Deltans in the diaspora who are given special incentives to bring investments in their areas of expertise and other foreign investors that are invited to invest in critical sectors of the state economy that will generate broad economic activities and Continues on Page 35

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 ---- 35

Using the Delta Beyond Oil strategy, a governor’s approach (2) Continues from Page 34 employment opportunities while securing high returns.

We recognize that a major way to attract and retain domestic and foreign investors to the state is to provide industrial development infrastructure, such as industrial estates, parks or areas.

Consequently, the state decided to establish such sites for potential investors. These are the Warri Industrial and Business Park, the Koko and Ogidigben Industrial Park/Export Free Trade Zone and the Asaba Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Park. These industrial estates are conceived as flagship projects that will become models of industrial infrastructure; but also more practically as sites that will attract massive investments that will help to generate economic activities and employment opportunities in the state.

The types of projects envisaged for these industrial sites are varied and complementary. For example, the Warri Industrial and Business Park is a mix-use estate that will accommodate a variety of petrochemical, chemical, Real Estate, ICT, Power and other industries. The Ogidigben Industrial Park/Free trade zone

example, we are the only subnational government in Nigeria and indeed sub-Saharan Africa that has effectively keyed into the UNDP Territorial Climate Change Programme, which seeks to clean- up and regenerate the environment. Our early recognition of the need to take the issues of Climate change seriously, helped us a lot in dealing with the recent challenges of flooding in Nigeria during which 14 out of the 25 local Govts in the State being heavily flooded with four of such local governments being totally taken over by water.

Perhaps to appreciate what I am talking about, there is need to put the issue in some form of practical perspective. About four decades ago, as a young boy growing up in a village called Mosogar, a community in Delta State, it was the practice for us to fish from the river or stream nearby to quickly prepare a decent meal for the family. Forty years after, each time, I have cause to visit Mosogar, in my capacity as Governor, I always recall with a sense of nostalgia, those good old days of “catching fish and making decent meals.” But sadly, the reality today is that there are no fish anymore in our rivers or

,

,

We have continued to record significant success in our strategy but this is not to say that we have eliminated every security challenge on our way

will house a central gas processing facility, petrochemical plants, fertilizer plants, LPG plants and others. Being a free trade zone, it will hopefully attract investors who will definitely benefit from its investor-friendly facilities. The Asaba ICT Park is designed to attract software companies, hardware manufacturers, training institutions and so on.

Given the centrality of ICT in the contemporary world, this is a strategic development infrastructure. It is hoped that it will eventually develop into a central national and even West African ICT hub. It is estimated that within five years it should generate 10,000 ICT entrepreneurs who will offer employment to various ICT workers across Delta State.

Similarly, we are also tackling the challenges of environmental pollution. There is great need for some form of specificity in addressing the crisis of environmental degradation because in recent times, there has been the tendency amongst scholars to lump this problem together with other challenges in the Delta. In Delta State, my administration identified a specific approach and outlined clearly the road to travel. For

streams to “catch” because of sustained environmental pollution occasioned by oil exploitation and exploration activities in Delta State. This explains why we place much priority on the Environment.

Currently, we are setting up two Waste re-cyling plants in Asaba (the State capital) and Warri, (the commercial hub of the State) respectively. The Warri one known as the Delta State Organic Fertilizer (DSOF) Project, located in Agbarho, a few minutes’ drive from Warri urban, would recycle the waste into organic fertilizer for use in our domestic farms as well as for export to earn foreign exchange for the State. This would jump-start massive job creation in this critical sub-sector.

Our cities are also wearing new look thanks to our policy of urban renewal.

The range of investments being made in infrastructure, agriculture, industrial production, commerce, and hospitality sectors all require the availability of a large pool of high quality trained personnel at the various sectors. These would include university graduates, technologists, technicians, artisans and skilled human resources in general. In order to address this need for expanded

and competent human capital, the state government has invested heavily in the expansion of existing tertiary institutions, the establishment of new ones and rehabilitation and upgrading of primary and secondary schools. These educational institutions are now better equipped to substantially increase youth and teenage accessibility to quality education and to enhance the quality and scale of trained human resources that ensure that there are no capacity gaps in the new diversified Delta economy “Beyond Oil.” Having ascertained that a dearth in development was an enduring root cause of insecurity in Delta state, my administration has meticulously sustained our strategy of improving the living standards of the people of the state, building critical infrastructure and boosting our private investment drive as well as institutionalizing good governance at all levels.

To improve the quality of Governance at the State level and minimize corruption, we have embarked on many measures.

These include the use of ICT based human and financial resource management facilities.

We are currently using Systems Application Programme (SAP) for our financial management. We have also embarked on aggressive training and retraining of our staff.

Recently we had a training for some of our top officials by the world bank in Singapore. Our Public Procurement Law has been passed and with the assistance of the World Bank, the Board is being put in place. We have also instituted the Economic Dashboard (performance measurement tool) for the first time by any Government in Nigeria. This has given us the opportunity by all the MDAs for target setting and self evaluation.

The result of such exercise is openly discussed with the Governor.

Operational capacity To compliment these initiatives, we have also supported the Delta State Police Command and the Joint Task Force to boost their operational capacity, efficiency and effectiveness. This is in line with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s policy of aligning the operations of the Police to suit modern trends and democratic ethos in order to address the challenges of public safety and security.

As a State Government, we have donated modern anti-crime gadgets, operational vehicles and communication weapons to the Delta State Police Commanto help re-position and re-

Map of Nigeria

modernize the Delta State Police Command to be alive to its constitutional duties. But this is not to say there are no current security challenges. Of course, there are. Last December, for example, the mother of Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof. Mrs Kanene Okonjo, 82, was abducted by a gang of armed men at her Palace in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State. But these are isolated cases as the menace has been seriously decimated in the State. So far, we have been experiencing optimistic results.

While there are still pockets of criminal activities, a state survey carried out since 2009 has shown a steady decline in crime as a result of our aforementioned intervening strategies.

Security situation This was further authenticated by the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Canadianbased Oil for Good Governance (OGG), a Non-Governmental Organization domiciled at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, which noted in its 2012 report on sub-Saharan Africa that the security situation in Delta State shows tremendous progress and improvement.

Conclusion: Having carefully evaluated many options open to the Delta State Government in articulating a policy response to avert a relapse into insecurity, we narrowed our choices to two schools of thought. I will refer to the first as a draconian tactics and the second as an engagement approach. The Federal Government of Nigeria has travelled the path of the first route before and refrained from this course especially because it led to numerous fatalities of soldiers and civilians alike. At the zenith of this Federal Government’s implementation of this forceful approach, Senator Russ Feingold, a member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at a time issued a statement from Congress titled: “On the Nigerian military’s ongoing offensive in the Niger Delta.” In his statement, Senator Feingold opined that …

“Genuine peacemaking will require not only legitimate political negotiations but a convincing case for transforming the illicit war economy into one of peace. The Nigerian government needs to undertake a serious and sustained initiative to address the

underdevelopment of the region.”

A number of analysts have also written on the Presidential Amnesty Program of 2009 which is an engagement strategy by the Federal Government aimed at stemming the wave of militancy in the Niger Delta. On the balance, the majority of analysts believe that this approach has resulted in a net gain for the country. It can be recalled that in the dark days of unrestricted militancy in the Niger Delta, oil production fell from 2.2 million barrels per day to below 700,000 barrels per day. The losses resulted in a recurring budget deficit and the country was at the risk of failing to meet its local and international obligations including its infrastructure development agenda.

At the state level, we adopted the combined approach of engagement and enforcement of law and order approach to deter various types of crimes especially as we had earlier determined that these crimes were largely incubated in the absence of real development. As reported by Consultancy Africa Intelligence in its statement captioned: The Niger Delta – A History of Insecurity: “… the post-amnesty programme cannot be completed without empowering the Niger-Delta youth economically, and this should be achieved primarily through the creation of mass employment in the area, as a means of human development and stemming the flow of violence in the area.”

Obviously, it is not enough to merely disarm a criminally minded person. There remains the risk of him relapsing into criminal activity.

My administration therefore designed an engagement program with a focus on human capital development and reintegration. As at today, Delta State has now developed a curriculum to train and reintegrate the erstwhile militants and perpetrators of violent crimes into the larger society.

We have continued to record significant success in our strategy but this is not to say that we have eliminated every security challenge on our way. We must and will continue to sustain our development and investment drives to ensure that the impact of government is felt by all the citizens of Delta, whether in the cities, villages or in the creeks.

Concluded

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Abe hails Super Eagles, plans reception for Yobo

13% Derivation Fund: Go to court, Uduaghan dares host communities

S

A

ENATOR Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles for lifting the African Cup of Nations after 19 years. He praised Captain Joseph Yobo for leading the country to its third Nations Cup trophy.

Speaking on Nigeria’s defeat of Burkina Faso by a lone goal in the finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, hosted by South Africa, he said Yobo had made history by becoming the first Rivers son to lift the trophy as captain.

Abe said he was elated to see Captain Yobo, an Ogoni son, lift the prestigious African version of the World Cup during his tenure as the Senator representing him in Nigeria’s Senate.

“I am proud to see an Ogoni son, who by the grace of God is my constituent, lift the African Cup of Nations in my time as a Senator representing him,” he said.

Okoji lauds Uduaghan over LG Chair's appointment

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

A

PEOPLES Demo cratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Delta State, Mr. Deji Okoji, has commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for appointing Chief Innocent Esewezie as transition committee chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Okoji, who described the appointment as well deserved, noted that the gesture by the governor to appoint a youth that has vision and wisdom was commendable.

He also commended the state PDP chairman, Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi, for his exemplary role in directing the affairs of the party as well as his contributions to the overall development and peaceful coexistence in the council in particular and the state in general.

BY EMMA AMAIZE SABA—DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has dared community leaders spearheading the campaign for the Federal Government to stop the payment of 13 per cent derivation fund through state governments, to go to court.

Governor Uduaghan, who faulted the campaign that the 13 per cent derivation fund should be paid directly to host communities, instead of through the state governments, said: “The matter is a constitutional issue, and those who believe it should be the other way round should go to court.”

Referring to one of the lead campaigners in the state, Chief Wellington Okirika, the immediate past chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, he querried why the Ijaw leader commenced the campaign only after he lost his position in the state’s oil commission.

“The campaign is being carried out by those who do not have access to funds from DESOPADEC, they are trying

to drag everybody into it. Why did he not start the campaign while he was in DESOPADEC?” He said the agitation was not of any serious concern to governors of oil producing states, as recent media reports suggested.

“No governor has mentioned it

to me. Maybe, at the next meeting, we will talk about it.

I told them when they met me that the Federal Government was working according to the provisions of the constitution of the country and if they have any objection, they can go to

UACN BUSINESS RETREAT: From left: Group Managing Director/CEO, UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc, Mr. Larry Ettah; Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede and Managing Director, UACN Property Development Company Plc, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran, during the 2013 Business Retreat of UACN, in Lagos.

N-Assembly urged to create jobs for unemployed youths

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE National Assembly has been asked to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

Niger Delta Crime Prevention Initiative, in a statement, reacting to a probe committee set up by the National Assembly to probe alleged recruitment scam in federal agencies, said: “The committee should not stop at just probing the employment scam but should also work

out modalities to provide adequate employment for Nigerians both in public and private sectors to avoid rush for civil service jobs.”

The statement, by National President of the group, Mr Jackson Onowhoremu, said: “While the Senate Committee is probing the alleged recruitment scam in government agencies, it should also look into the remote causes of these employment malpractices and work out modalities for job creation to prevent future occurrence.

“Members of the National As-

sembly, who did not get the number of slots demanded in the recruitment exercise are the ones crying foul even when their candidates do not merit the jobs by qualification.

“Our findings also revealed that only the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Ayo, followed due process in the recruitment exercise by advertising vacancies and setting qualifying tests or examination and interview before the offer of provisional employment."

Bayelsa boosts low cost housing with N247m

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—IN a bid to ease the accommodation problem confronting Bayelsans and meet the Millennium Development Goal, Bayelsa State Government has invested N247 million in a low cost housing scheme.

Vanguard gathered that the amount covers 75 units of one bedroom flat at the cost of between N6.5m and N6.7m, depending on the terrain of the

court,” he said.

Vanguard gathered that the state remits 50 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation from the Federal Government to DESOPADEC, an interventionist agency, which it set up with indigenes of the oil communities as commissioners, to manage the fund.

areas that the estates are to be sited.

Conducting newsmen round some of the project sites as part of activities marking Governor Seriake Dickson's one year in office, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ball Oyarede, said the project was earmarked for the three senatorial districts.

Government, he said, had given approval for the building of 50 units of one bedroom flat in each senatorial district of the state, adding that the project would have

been completed and handed over to their respective owners but for the challenges arising from the flood that ravaged the state late last year.

“The contractors have been mobilised back to site and as you can see, the work is nearing completion. We kick-started the project with 25 units of one bedroom flat as against 50 units, due to available funds in Toru Orua, Aleibiri and Ekeremor in Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state,” he said.

Rivers LG polls: NOA tasks RSIEC on transparency

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT—AS Rivers State prepares for by-elections to fill existing positions in some local government areas, National Orientation Agency, NOA, has charged Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, to ensure peace and transparency in the exercise.

Rivers State Director of NOA, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom, who gave the charge at a training by RSIEC for its adhoc staff to be engaged in the council by-elections, urged the commission and its staff that much was expected of them as there was need for commitment and intolerance for sharp practices to ensure that the wishes of the majority prevailed.

He also advised aspirants and their respective political parties to shun violence and play by the rules in line with the agency’s transformation campaign.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 —37

Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State laying the foundation stone of Gregory University hostel at Uturu, Abia State. Behind him, from right: Dr. Gregory Ibe, Chancellor of the University, Prof. Juliet Elu, Vice Chancellor, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Chairman, BOT and Prof. Julius Okogie, Executive Secretary, Nigerian University Commission, NUC, after the first matriculation ceremony of the university.

From left: Pastor Monday James, Patron, Light of the World Bible College and Theological Seminary, LOT-WBC; Pastor Emma Dan, Rector, LOT-WBC and Pastor Udo Eyo, Lecturer, LOT-WBC, during the 4th graduation/ordination ceremony of the seminary, in Lagos, weekend.

From left: Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of House of Representatives; Gov. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, Adamawa State Governor; Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State and his wife, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, during the grand reception in honour of distinguished indigenes of Niger State, at the Idris Kutigi Conference Centre, Minna.

From left: Mr. Simeon Adelabu, Head, Logistics, 22nd AGM Committee, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter; Mrs. Adetutu Adeyemi, Administrative Officer, Heart of Gold Children's Hospice; Dr. Ken Egbas, Chairman, 22nd AGM Committee, NIPR, Lagos Chapter and Mrs. Prudence Onyejiaka, Secretary, 22nd AGM Committee, NIPR, Lagos Chapter, at a presentation of desktop computers to Heart of Gold Children's Hospice, Surulere, Lagos.

From left: Emmanuel Okoegwale, Principal Associate, Mobile Money, Africa; Chemonics Anthony Petalcorin, Senior Technical Advisor, East Asia and Oluwaseun Omotosho, Manager, Mobile Financial Services, Etisalat Nigeria; Olamide Ogundero, Specialist, Mobile Payments, Etisalat Nigeria and Adesina Adeyanju, Quality Assurance Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, during the Kalahari Awards ceremony, where Mr. Omotosho received Best Mobile Money SIM Application Award,’ for Etisalat’s Easywallet, during 3rd Mobile Money Expo conference, in Lagos.

From left: Prof. Amos Utuama, Delta State Deputy Governor and Chief Sherrif Oborevwori, during the funeral service of late Mrs. Esther Ovie Oborevwori (Nee Omata Emoghene), at Winner's Chapel,Trade Fair Complex, Osubi, Delta State. Photo: Nath Onojake.

From left: Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State with Comrade Yusuf Idris, State NUJ Chairman, celebrating Super Eagles' victory in AFCON 2013 competition, in South Africa. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

From left: Chief Akin Disu (Bobagunwa of Lagos); Mrs. Olabisi Taiwo and Mrs. Bridgrt Ohalumie, at a church seminar, in lagos.

C M Y K

From left: Chinaza Orji, Director, Waterworth Gallery; Stacey Okparavero, artist and Mr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a veteran artist, at the Asthma Awareness/ Art Exhibition, jointly organised by Stacey Okparavero Project and Watersworth Gallery, on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Hon.Ademorin Kuye, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lagos State (middle), presenting free uniform to a pupil of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Primary School, in Ejigbo LCDA, during the third phase distribution of free uniform to 8,000 pupils of public primary schools in the council area. With him, left, is Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Ejigbo Council Chairman.

38— Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

HAT is what investment in shares is all about. A share represents one unit of ownership of a company. The number of shares of a company you have, the portion of its ownership that belongs to you.

When you buy the shares of a company, you become a shareholder of that company, and you qualify for all the privileges and rights of a part owner of the company. These include: Right to have a say in deciding who manage the company; Right to regular information on how the company is managed; And Right to share in the profit or loss made by the company.

For example, Nestle PLC made a profit of N16.8 billion in 2011, and its shareholders got N11.06 per share, as their own share of the profit. So if you have 1000 units of the shares of Nestle, your own share of the profit would have been N11, 060.

But not all companies make profits, or companies don’t make profit every year. For example, in 2010 a lot of banks did not make profit but lose and there shareholders got nothing.

Purpose of the stock market In addition to the profit made by the company, you can also make money by selling your shares, your ownership of the company, at a price higher than you bought it. That is the purpose of the stock market. It is a market for buying and selling (trading) shares of companies. The buying and selling takes place in the stock exchange, and in Nigeria, this is represented by the Nigeria Stock Exchange, located on Customs Street, Lagos Island.

Last week, 2.81 billion units of shares, valued at N22.19 billion were traded on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

In the stock market (or stock exchange), there are people licensed to assist those who want to sell or buy shares of companies. They are called stockbrokers.

But why can’t anybody trade on the Exchange. The stock market cannot at the same time accommodate all the people that want to sell or buy shares.

It would be chaotic. Also is the challenge of sellers finding buyers of the shares of a particular company. The Stockbrokers make this simple, by acting as agents for those who want to trade their shares.

Furthermore, investment in shares can be

INVESTORS’ EDUCATION

Buy a share, own a company

TOTALVALUE OF SHARES ON THE NIGERIA STOCK EXCHANGE (Nbn) risky; hence expert advice is needed to make the right decision on the shares of particular companies to buy, and at what price to buy. That is one of the roles Stockbrokers are licensed to play in the stock market. They advise investors and shareholders on what to buy or sell, and at what price, and what time. In Nigeria, there are about 156 active licensed stockbrokers.

On the Stock Exchange, you can only buy or sell shares of companies that have registered with the authorities of the market to allow their shares to be traded. These companies are called Listed Companies i.e they are on the list of companies that investors

can trade their shares on the Stock Exchange. They are also called “Quoted Companies”, because the prices per share of the companies are quoted on the Exchange. As at last week there are about 198 Quoted Companies on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

On a daily basis, the Stock Exchange publishes information about trading activities in the shares of each quoted company. This include the price at which the shares were traded, number of shares traded, and how many transactions (deals) in which they were traded. These are contained in the Daily Summary issued by the Nigeria Stock Exchange at the

end of each trading day (usually from Monday to Friday).

Like in other markets, prices of shares move up and down in the stock market. When the price of the shares of a company goes up, the share (or the company) is said to “Gain” or “Appreciate”. When the price goes down, the share (company) is said to “Lose”, or depreciates.

Companies whose share price gains are called “Gainers”, and those that record lose are called, “Losers”. Last week, 55 companies were gainers, while 27 were losers. The top five gainers (those that recorded highest increase in share

price) were Wema bank, Prestige Assurance, Transcorp, Julius Berger and Forte Oil while the top five losers were John Holt, UACN, Morison, Jos Breweries and Cap PLC. So, if you own the share of company, you can make money selling it at the stock exchange.

For example if you had originally bought the 10,000 shares at N1 per share and you sell it at N2 per share, you would have made a profit of N1 on each share or N10, 000.

Of course this is in addition to profits you have shared while you were a shareholder. But it is not always as simple as this.

(To be continued next week)

Reduce your risk, invest in other asset classes

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

NE of the major problems investors in the capital market, especially minority Nigerian shareholders, have been known for over time is over-concentration of their investment in one asset class, this time in equities (shares). Not just do they put all their money in equities, it is also concentrated in some particular sectors. In the period prior to the meltdown that engulfed markets around the world, sectors like banking, insurance, food & beverage, Petroleum, and other multinational companies scattered in few sectors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, enjoyed more attention and patronage from investors. A particular investor, for instance may have all his/her investments locked in banking sector with handful in other sectors, and that

is if there was any in another sector.

This uninformed manner with which Nigerians played the market following the boom days accounted for huge losses recorded at the period of bubble. But participants in the market, including operators, analysts and even regulators themselves, has pointed to this as an anomaly. They agreed that if this manner of investment should be curtailed, the rate of exposure to risk will highly be minimised. In addition to this is the need to seek professional advice whenever investment in the capital market is to be made. Mr. Wale Oluwo, Managing Director, Investment Banking, BGL Securities & Investment Limited, said the need to diversify ones portfolio when it comes to investment in the capital market cannot be over-emphasised. He said that there should be proper mixture of diverse asset classes in ones basket of investment in order to reduce the

accruing risk.

“You know investment in the capital market is about construction of a portfolio and your portfolio can consist of equities, debt, properties and a host of other things, even currency. You can have dollars in your portfolio, but you just have to diversify it and reduce your risk as much as possible.

“I will not say investors should move away from equities and move to bonds.

They should combine their portfolio in such a way that they will have more bonds than equities and continue to monitor the market. You know, one thing is that an investor can keep moving his money from one asset class to the other.

As you move away from bonds, you can move to equity and money market instrument and all that. It must be a dynamic thing when it comes to construction and restructuring of portfolio,” he said.

For more information, and enquiries about this subject, send email to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com.

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 39

STOCKS IN THE NEWS

Dangote Cement

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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INCE its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Dangote Cement Plc, reputed to warehouse more than two third of the NSE’s market capitalization, has continued to establish its presence across West Africa with continuous expansion. It presently has operation in 14 African countries. With over six million metric tonnes installed

capacity, Dangote cement ranks the largest cement manufacturing company in Sub- Saharan Africa.

The share has enjoyed full investors’ patronage as the stock which opened the year at N128.1 has continuously risen to close at N139.90 per share.

Last year, shareholders were rewarded with N1.25 per share dividend and bonus issue of one new share for 10

S

previously held by shareholders.

The company posted N208.26 billion revenue for th the third quarter ended 30 September, 2012, while the profit for the period stood at N108.28 billion.

Just last week, it reopened Gboko Cement Plant shut as a result of the glut in the domestic cement market.

INVESTORS SPEAK

Do you know about Bonds?

By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI and JIMOH WILLIAM

F

ELIX, security man: There is need for a lot of awareness on the part of the market regulators because many people would have loved to come into the market and invest in bonds. But they cannot because you don’t expect me to jump with my money into something I do not know much about. Like last year, I was having about N300,000 on me looking for what to invest on, but because I did not have somebody to enlighten me about it, I have to use the money for another thing.

Ekene Odoh, Graduate: Am aware of bonds. However, I can’t make an instant move to invest in it. Though the capital market rebound is a good one,

•Ekene Odoh but just like every other Nigerian, I will only invest if adequate security is guaranteed for investors. I am still watching.

Helen Ikang, Supervisor in a communication firm: I am

•Helen Ikang quite aware that there has been some revival in the capital market, although slow.

I am also knowledgeable about bonds but I think I would need to do a lot of research and ask expert opinion before I can invest in any capacity.

Olarewaju Lawal, school teacher: Though I am not aware of anything like bond.

Notwithstanding, I don’t have interest in them because as an employee, I have so many responsibilities to cater for with which I cannot think of investing. If the economy recovers very well, then I may invest.

Ekene Edwin, public affairs analyst: The capital market is still a place to be for any investor that really wants to multiply his income.

Remember, the market is not for panic buyers and sellers; rather, it is for those who have long term goals.

Why some persons are complaining during the crunch days was because they used their short term money to

Oando Plc

invest in a market meant for long and medium term investors. Secondly, the bond market is another instrument traded on the capital market.

For me as an investor, the bond market is the safest place to invest because both the capital and the interest are guaranteed. Nigeria has not defaulted before. Since state governments are rushing to the market to raise capital, I see it as an avenue to put money work.

•Ekene Edwin

INCE 2009, Oando plc, an integrated energy solution provider, has been pursuing vigorous strategic expansion.

This is with view to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Petroleum sector as well as diversify its revenue base.

From opening price of N12.35 at the beginning of the year, the share price rose to N13.33 per share at the close th of business on Tuesday, 5 February, 2013.

With the goal in view, the company set strategic plan of raising N200 billion from the capital market to support its operation. An approval to this effect was secured in an extraordinary meeting with shareholders in 2009.

The first step towards executing the order was embarked upon in 2010 when the company raised N21.1 billion via Right Issue,

leaving a head room of N179.9 billion. To complete the capital raising and continue with its expansion drive, the company is again offering a total of 4.58 billion ordinary shares of 50kobo each at N12.00 per share. This therefore brings the total cash being raised to N54.78 billion.

The offer, which has been enjoying support from operators, analysts and shareholder groups has been extended by two weeks as anticipated to make up for industrial action embarked on by postal service which interrupted the offer.

Flour Mills Plc F

LOURMILL has been engaged in strategic mergers over the last four years in an attempt to make the entity a formidable group.

Already, it has taken over majority stake in three c o m p a n i e s , including Rom Oil, Eagles Mill, with the most recent being the acquisition of Nigeria Bag manufacturing Company.

Only three weeks ago, it signified interest of taking over 99.9 percent equity stake in Niger Mills.

The share has recorded over 38 percent capital appreciation within the year, rising to N89.9 per share from

N65.00 at the beginning of the year.

Though it did not give bonus issue in last year, shareholders got N1.60 as dividend for the year.

As at the third quarter th ended 30 September, 2012, it posted N205.51 billion in revenue, while the profit after tax stood at N8.17 billion.

The stock market is rising, would you invest?

Taiwo Adetunji, car Dealer: I cannot invest in shares now, the recovery you are talking about is not tangible enough and it is also very slow. I am waiting for a time when the market will improve than this, and then I will invest. But for now, I cannot go into any investment that will make me regret my actions.

Obilor Joy, trader: A lot of people will invest when they

have enough in their pockets but with the situation of things in the country now, I don’t think that investment is the next thing. Let there be good roads, electricity and other infrastructures, when all these things are in place, you do business and you make profit, then you can think of investing.

Kingsley Obioha, Teacher: I see competition remaining

•Kingsley Obioha strong in the market. As a customer, I am still thinking of investing in the market.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have challenge with your investment in the stock market, or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com. We will make enquiries and respond.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

NMA makes case for National Health Bill

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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AGOS—NIGERIAN Medical Association, NMA, has said the 2012 National Health Bill, NHB, will transform the country’s healthcare system, if passed into law.

National President of the NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who spoke in Lagos, said the bill remained a veritable tool that would also provide frame work and strategies for the effective planning, financing, governance, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of healthcare services in the country.

He said: “Nigeria’s healthcare system has been unable to meet the expectations of the people for a qualitative healthcare delivery due to the absence of a legal and regulatory framework to effectively coordinate and manage Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Ogun signs MoU with UNDP, BoI on renewable energy

A

BEOKUTA—THE Ogun State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and Bank of Industry, BoI, on behalf of Local Governments tagged “Access to Renewable Energy” an intervention project aimed at uplifting the socio- economic activities of people at the grassroots in the state.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo speaking at the signing of the MoU on behalf of all the Local Governments in Abeokuta, said the project was a welcome development at the grassroots considering its benefits aimed at promoting the expansion of renewable energy services for rural MSMEs that would lead to socioeconomic development of the people.

The UNDP Project Manager, Mr. Segun Adaju explained the numerous benefits in the access to renewable energy programme, said it was all about creating empowerment opportunities especially in entrepreneurship skills that would involve training of unemployed youths.

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From left: Revd Chris Kwakpovwe, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Guest Speaker, and Chairman, Lagos State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bernard A. Okodua, during CAN’s 2013 interdenominational service in Lagos.

From left: CEO, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, Mr. Dele Sotubo; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, and Head, Global Market Sales, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Akeem Oyewale, at the Pre-event briefing on Standard Bank's 2013 West Africa Investors conference in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

Why we’re building 1,500 houses for Abuja Centenary Village —FCT Minister

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA—MINISTER of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Muhammed, has said that building of 1,500 houses for the Abuja Centenary Village would help to solve some of the housing challenges in the city.

Senator Bala stated this while receiving the Polish Deputy Marshal, Region of Wielkopolska, Poland, Mr. Leszek Wojtasiak, who led a business delegation to his office.

He said FCT Administration had already kept a plot

of land to build 1,500 houses for the Abuja Centenary Village to upscale its social housing scheme.

The minister also said the houses would be built to commemorate the 100 years of amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates of Nigeria by the British colonialists, adding also that the houses would be used to reduce the housing needs of residents of Federal Capital Territory.

He noted that his administration had unbundled land administration of Federal Capital Territory, which had

been opened for full participation of the organised private sector, consortium as well as foreign investors.

The minister said: “The unbundling of land has culminated to the Abuja Land Swap Model initiative where about 13 investors are already partnering with the FCT Administration to open up about 10 new districts by providing infrastructure and recouping their investment from the sales of such land.”

The minister called for closer collaboration with the Polish government and its businessmen. He also called for bilat-

Merger of opposition parties ‘ll help reposition Nigeria —Rep

BY LAJA THOMAS

L

AGOS—A House of Rep resentatives member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Mr. Rotimi Makinde, has described the merger process being embarked upon by four opposition parties to oust the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the only option that could reposition Nigeria.

While speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Makinde said the merger was a golden

chance for the Nigerian people to be off the hooks of the ruling PDP, which according to him has continued to drag the nation backward.

While urging the various leaders and parties in the alliance to jettison their individual differences or ambition, Makinde noted that the merger would lay a very good foundation for the country.

He said: “I can honestly predict victory for the newly formed All Progressive Congress, APC, because Nigeri-

ans are tired of the PDP already. ”Nigerians can now breathe a fresh air of relief from the tyranny, mis-rule, and incompetence of the PDP which is constantly putting the country in reverse gear.”

Makinde, who is a member of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, said further that the pedigree of the parties involved would be a point of reference for the success of the merger come 2015.

....As group backs Okorocha, Okonkwo on APC

A

BUJA—THE Central Ex ecutive Committee of C21, a socio-politcal group of South East progressive democrats and mainstream All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, party faithful have endorsed what they called “the eventual triumph of alliance politics” that gave birth to All Progresive Congress, APC. The group after its meetings in Abuja and Owerri, in a statement said: “We are more than satisfied with the dynamic roles played by Governor Rochas

Okorocha and Senator Annie Okonkwo in the emergence of All Progressive Congress, APC. “Having been aware of the conspiracy of a section of ‘PDP APGA’ reactionaries to bleed our chosen political platform APGA to death through judicial contrivance, and trade its casket as fair game to their PDP masters, they have taken the well considered step to protect APGA in the assembly of non-toxic democrats where our unyielding quest for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction will receive accelerated attention on merit and not de-

ception.”

The group then called on every APGA member and admirer to be patient, saying “programmed whirlwind from ‘APGA PDP’ tradesmen will soon unravel because the beginning of their end has started with the berthing of APC. “We are aware that consultations among the ranks of our teaming members have not been exhaustive. We will soon embark on nationwide consultation, mobilisation and mediations to cure this defect.”

eral relations with the capital city of Poland, Warsaw, to share experiences, especially in city management.

LG polls: PDP asks tribunal to refuse ACN’s appeal

BY BARTHOLOMEW

MADUKWE AGOS—PEOPLE’S Demo cratic Party, PDP, candidate in last October’s Lagos State councl polls in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr. Busari Akande, has told the Election Appeal Tribunal that the appeal filed by Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, could not be entertained.

ACN’s candidate, Mr Augustine Arogundade, had approached the Appeal Tribunal, challenging the nullification of his election, after Justice Ade Awobiyi-led Election Tribunal voided the certificate of return earlier issued to him by Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC. The appellant, through his counsel, is asking for an order for extension of time within which the records of appeal could be compiled and transmitted to the Appeal Tribunal and for the court to deem same as properly filed.

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Ifako-Ijaiye LG seeks support on infrastructural devt

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AG OS—IFAKO IJAIYE Local Government Area of Lagos State, has called on corporate bodies and wealthy individuals to support the council’s efforts at boosting infrastructural development.

Chairman of the council, Olonruntoba Oke, who spoke at the council headquarters, while giving account of stewardship in the past one year, said: “Our approach to governance in the last one year has been informed by the realization that time has nothing but utter disdain for indolence as pursued the transformation agenda for council area.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 41

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42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

represent the party.

Besides, the leader of the APGA caucus in the House of Representatives Mrs. Uche Ekwunife also came out to disown the merger into the APC. Ekwunife like Okonkwo was once in the PDP before crossing over to the Peoples Progressive Alliance, PPA and finally settling down in APGA. Mr. Chinedu Ofor, the Imo State commissioner for information robustly rebuffed insinuations that Okorocha wrongly took the party into the APC describing such insinuations as the handiwork of anti-progressive elements.

Anti-progressive elements

•Okorocha, Okonkwo: Their claims have been denied

OKOROCHA AND OKONKWO:

Selling or sealing APGA? TWO powerful moneyed men are in the forefront in championing the merger of APGA into the opposition APC. Both men who interestingly are new to the party claim to be putting the nation first.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

B

ILLIONAIRE businessman and politician is a phrase that easily describes either man.

Critics claim that their latest action is simply business, but the men and their supporters say that the men have simply put the nation and their party first.

Governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Annie Okonkwo were definitely not in the loop in the formation of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA the party that flaunts the Igbo identity in the country’s political configuration. Both men who can easily be described as new members to APGA, having joined the party only recently, are now at the centre of allegations of trying to sell the party into the mega opposition alliance, All Progressive Congress, APC. The APC is the political vehicle floated by the country’s major opposition parties to dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from power.

Okorocha was reputedly one of the founders and early financiers of the PDP but fell out after C M Y K

internal intrigues in his native Imo State. After the PDP he cast lot with other parties including the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, the Action Alliance before making a celebrated return to the PDP before his present affair with APGA. APGA was the vehicle he used to come to power as governor of Imo State having combined forces with Senator Chris Anyanwu to fight the former governor of the State, Ikedi Ohakim to a standstill in the 2011 gubernatorial election.

When ten opposition governors met in Lagos last Tuesday, Okorocha was present giving the face of APGA to the union. The following day when the APC was unveiled, Senator Okonkwo came as the representative of APGA. The duo seemed to give the APGA colour to the celebrated merger of the country’s leading political parties.

The actions of the duo immediately elicited blistering criticisms from sections of the party at variance with the merger.

Remarkably, the news of the merger came at a low point in the life time of the party given the multifarious crises that have

enveloped the party. APGA as at press time is clearly lacking a defined leadership with different factions of the party at war with one another. It was as such not surprising that the chairman of the board of trustees of the party, Dr. Tim Menakaya came out to distance the party from the actions of Okorocha and Okonkwo. “We wish to make it clear that All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has never participated in any merger talk with any political party and is therefore not in the merger. We

were never consulted by anybody before such statement of our involvement was issued,” Menakaya said.

Remarkably, Chief Victor Umeh who was until last week the national chairman of the party before he was sacked by the courts has been uncharacteristically mute on the issue. Another faction of the party aligned to Governor Peter Obi and led by Mseilla Massalla remarkably lampooned Okorocha and Okonkwo for their actions saying they did not

“That is not true. You know that there is APGA authentic and there is APGA-PDP. comprising anybody who is not progressive, anybody who does not want the nation to move ahead, anyone who does not want Nigeria to have an alternative, anyone who does not think of the future of the young people and Nigeria, anyone who does not want Nigeria to take a step up for its responsibilities. APGA’s motto is Be your brother’s keeper and that is exactly what happened,” he said.

The last time APGA came to this kind of crossroads, was in 2009 when the different factions struggled over who would present the official candidate of the party for the 2010 gubernatorial election. It took the wisdom of the then chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu to resolve the dilemma. Iwu’s prescription was to hand over the ticket to Dim Emeka Ojukwu, the undisputed leader of Ndigbo at that time who in turn gave the ticket to Peter Obi. With Ojukwu dead the dogs of war are barking nosily to the discomfort of his political legacy.

APGA is dead — Sen Okonkwo S

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

ENATOR Annie Okonkwo who represented the All Progressive Grand Alliane at last Wednesday’s conference where the new opposition party was revealed has pronounced APGA as dead.

Reacting to comments by some national executive members of APGA disassociating the party from the merger, Okonkwo said that they have the option to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or any other party of their choice as the decision to join the mega party had become a concluded one.

He cited as his proof the fact that Governor Okorocha who he described as a leader of the party had endorsed the involvement of the party with three other parties last Monday.

“When the governor of the party has come up

to say openly that he is part of the merger, who has the party? Do you know that the truth of the matter is that a lot of PDP people are going to be involved here?

"It is a mega party being formed, it is a merger, don’t be surprised that you will see some ACN people trying to say that they don’t want to be involved and they want to join another party or the PDP. This is the way the leadership of the party moves. ‘’If some people are saying that they will join the PDP what will you do? Will you go and force them? With this merger, all the parties involved have ceased to be. Is APGA bigger than ACN, or is it bigger than CPC or ANPP,” he rhetorically asked. He said that the APC will give the country purposeful leadership where people will be proud to say that they are Nigerians.

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2013 — 45

Iran’s nuclear ambition and the scramble for uranium in the Sahel

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDITOR

T

HIRTY four years after the Islamic revolution that ushered in the theocratic state in the Persian Gulf Nigeria and indeed will be watching closely what comes out of Tehran today as it takes stock of the socioeconomic and political ramifications in Iran.

Ordinarily, the event would be marked with pomp and grandeur, but the political ideology and social actions that have followed the Islamic revolution has kept the world on the edge.

The world is deeply concerned about the thinking of the Mullahs in Qom, but equally disturbing is the leadership disposition of the mercurial but sometimes provocative Mahmud Ahmedinejad, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mali’s new prime minister, Diango Cissoko

from Western nations and domestic opposition to the reign of the mullahs, but politics at the international level is about long term vision, short term strategies and calculated moves to attain national interest, with the best diplomatic instruments available.

There is no doubt that the February 11, 1979 Islamic revolution that enthroned a theocratic state in the Persian Gulf nation has had a profound impact in global political and religious relations as it marked the genesis of the doctrine Shi’ia theocracyemergence propounded

by Khomeini.

The Ayatollah propagated a religious and theocratic ideologies that regarded the West and the superpowers as opponents of Islam and responsible for all the world’s wrongs. Iran had spent fortunes to promote radical Islamic ideology by sponsoring Politicians, youths, journalists, bureaucrats, researchers,

,

Some of these countries which have sizeable Muslim populations are exposed to Iran which has become the inspiration of groups that want to see the emergence of governments’ base on Islamic religious tenets

For Nigeria and indeed the West African countries feeling the scourge Islamic militancy, Iran may be far away, yet so close.

The revolution Iran left the Muslim world divided along the Shia and Sunni ideologies, it went further to polarized the Brotherhood into the Salafi and the Surfi camps, all of these tendencies have their own interpretations and perspectives of the Islamic faith.

Watchers of the ongoing military campaign in Mali, the drought prone Sahel nation in West Africa may not see the effect of the changes that took place in Tehran 34 years ago but in a geopolitical space where nations take long term look of their interest, the hand of Iran, in exporting international jihad has been profound and remarkable.

Iran is far away and presently battling the impact of sanctions

,

scholars, preachers and religious zealots in different parts of the world. The Mujahedeen fighters that were in action in Afghanistan in the 1980s to confront the invasion of the Asian country by the defunct Soviet troops, were so heavily influenced by Ayatollah Khomeini’s “philosophy that all Muslims must mobilize to remove the superpowers from the global arena”.

They argued that Jews and Christians have gone astray from their “original religions,” and are agents of the West, therefore undeserving of any protection. All these have redefined inter religious and political relations in the 1990s and ultimately created a new concept of faith and martyrdom where the jihadists found justification in suicide in acts of terrorism based on religious grounds.

A senior research Fellow at the

French President, Francois Hollande

Nigerian Institute of International A f f a i r s Associate Prof Fred Agwu Aja told Vanguard that the exposure many of the Mujahedeen fighters in Afghanistan to the ideological teachings of the late Ay a t o l l a h radicalized Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad with scientists inspecting one of the nuclear enrichment centres. hem and perhaps changed the social and political relations in uranium for its controversial country.

Arab world especially among the nuclear projects.

This was the period that Libya Sunnis and Shia groups.

Put differently, there is a causal was equally nursing its own According to Prof Agwu, the link between the security situation nuclear ambition. Niger and teachings of the late Iranian in the Sahal and Iran’s nuclear Nigeria are also known to have leader had continued to influence ambition. According Sir Arthur deposits of Uranium. Iran has groups like Al-Qaeda in the Mbanefo, the Odu of Onitsha, the continued to show more that Maghreb, the Salafis in Algeria, Sahel, a region populated mainly casual interest to the political Ansar Dine in Mali, Hamas and by the Tuaregs tribes has been development in Nigeria.

Hzebollah in the Middle East, Al- neglected for too long and has It has funded politicians and Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula and, become a fertile ground for all groups that had promised to the Taliban in Afghanistan and criminal tendencies. advance the cause of Muslim Pakistan, Boko Haram in Nigeria.

The region stretches from Brotherhoods in governance.

These are the products of the Mauritania in West Africa to the The emergence of Muslim radical teachings that have Horn of Africa. Some of the West Brotherhood in Egypt is a spread from Iran to the entire Africa countries that fell within the testimony to the determination of world. savannah belt in Mauritania, Teheran to have governments that The world view of these radicals Senegal, the Gambia, Burkina share the same inspiration of is to pursue jihad against other Faso, Guinea, Mali, Cote d’voire, governing according to the tenets religious faith especially, on Niger, Nigeria, Chad, the of Islam..

Christian, and Arab leaders that northern parts of Nigeria and The Muslim Brotherhood in they accuse of being close to Ghana.

Nigeria has been insistent on America and associate eternal control of the political themselves with liberal western Security system in Nigeria even though values. This has been the genesis situation the population of 160 million is of the religion-inspired terrorism equally split down the line that has gained ascendancy since Some of these countries which between Christians and Muslim. the end of the cold war. have sizeable Muslim population The promotion of such tendencies So when France moved against are exposed to Iran which has as taking Nigerian into the the Al-Qaeda back Islamists in become the inspiration of groups Organisation of Islamic Mali on January, 10,2013, there that want to see the emergence Conference (OIC), introduction were strategic global and regional of governments’ base on Islamic of Sharia jurisprudence in interests that were at stake in a religious tenets. northern part of Nigeria, have war the was designed to deny AlIran has provided inspiration received greater impetus and Qaeda, any chance of and played the role of a god father support from Iran more than any establishing a safe haven in to all the radical groups, as it is in other Arab country.

Africa.

Before the 2011 general its interest to have friendly That was the immediate goal regimes in the Sahel, a possible election, Iran was the source of but in the long term, the collapse source of raw material for its over 15 containers of heavy of the Azawad republic or the plants. Late Libyan leader, Col. weapons which was intercepted possible emergence of an Islamist Muamar Gaddafi, had fought to in Lagos. This was followed by regime in the Sahel, was to deny annex the Uranium rich Aouzou the seizure of large quantity of Iran a friendly nation that would stripe, by supporting the rebel hard drugs which was also seized provide an easy source of groups in the central African in Lagos.

To be concluded

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Give us this National Health Bill, Nigerians urge NASS

• •

NMA seeks accelerated passage CSOs request removal of contentious sections

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE & CHIOMA OBINNA

A

S the public hearing of the revised 2012 National Health Bill got under way in at the National Assembly Abuja Monday February 12, expectations remained high among a wide section of Nigerians that the Senate will come up with a comprehensive new National Health Bill, NHB, that would realistically address basic primary health challenges in the country.

The original NHB was returned to the National Assembly in 2012 following failure of President Jonathan to sign it into law. Nigerians expect that, when eventually passed into law, the NHB, which provides frame work and strategies for effective planning, financing, governance, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of healthcare services in the country, is a veritable tool for positively transforming the Nigerian public health system.

The dream of all, is that the NHB would guarantee every Nigerian access to a minimum package of basic healthcare services including the provision of free medical care for children under five years of age, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, as well as guarantee funding for health at the primary healthcare level where over 70 percent of the nation’s disease burden can be addressed.

NMA seeks accelerated passage Already, the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has urged the National Assembly to give the bill accelerated passage.

President of the NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, noted in Lagos, said Nigeria's health system has been unable to meet expectations of the people for a robust and a qualitative healthcare delivery due to the absence of a legal and regulatory frame

work to effectively and efficiently coordinate and manage Nigeria healthcare system.

Enebulele said failure to pass the Health Bill as soon as possible would further worsen overall health of Nigerians and limit access to healthcare services particularly at the primary healthcare level.

His words: “The National Health Bill substantially captures the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians for greatly improved access to quality healthcare services.

“The Bill seeks to ensure that no Nigerian, particularly the rural poor dies as a result of inability for him to pay healthcare services including medical care for emergencies, accident and gunshot injury victims.”

Further, Enabulele said passage of the NHB would address the issue of medical tourism which contributes to Nigeria losing over $500 million annually.

"The NHB 2012 is direly

• Expectation is high among a wide section of Nigerians especially women and children that the Senate will come up with a comprehensive new National Health Bill, NHB, that would realistically address basic primary health challenges in the country. needed to reverse the trend of frequent and sometimes unnecessary foreign medical trips and make Nigeria a destination for medical tourism.

“It will also significantly help to address the inequitable distribution of health human resources as well as brain drain of health human resources in Nigeria's health system."

CSOs request removal of contentious sections But in its own contribution, the coalition of Civil Societies Organisations, CSOs, of Nigeria wants the National Assembly to expunge what they described as offensive sections of the 2008 NHB that

that are replicated in the new National health bill 2012.

Spokesperson for the CSO, Barrister Sonnie Ekwowusi noted that except the contentious sections were removed, the NHB may not achieve its ultimate goal of providing adequate health care for all Nigerians.

“It is a big scandal that in a country where uncountable Nigerians are dying owing to inaccessibility to basic primary care, legislators are sponsoring a bill to legalise the exploitation and trafficking in human eggs, embryos, embryonic stem cell research, therapeutic and reproductive cloning,” he noted in a statement.

Ekwowusi alleged that the section in question gives the Minister of Health unbridled powers to grant life to human embryos, harvest human eggs and sperms and even do business with them.

Calling for an open public debate or discussion on the bill, he said trafficking in human eggs, embryos and embryonic stem cell research has become a multibillion dollar business worldwide. “Therefore if Nigeria goes ahead and legalizes it, it will be very difficult to control or regulate considering ineffective Police system, judicial checks and

Continues on page 47

Want to cut heart attack risk? Get married!

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

M

• Research shows that a happy marriage plays significant role in reduction of heart attack incidence.

ARRIAGE appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks for both men and women, Finnish researchers have discovered.

Before you cry foul, it might interest you to know that several other studies have shown that being single or living alone increases the risk for developing and dying from heart disease.

The report published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, suggests that marriage reduces the risk of acute coronary events and death due to acute coronary events in both men and women and at all ages, said lead researcher Dr. Aino Lammintausta, of Turku University Hospital.

"Furthermore, especially among middle-aged men and women, being married and cohabiting are associated with considerably better prognosis of in-

cident acute coronary events both before hospitalization and after reaching the hospital alive," she said.

The team collected data on more than 15,300 people who suffered heart attacks between 1993 and 2002. Among these people, about 7,700 died within 28 days of their attack.

Looking at the role marriage might play in the likelihood of having a heart attack, the researchers found that unmarried men were 58 percent to 66 percent more likely to have a heart attack, as were 60 percent to 65 percent of single women, compared to members of married couples.

The gap in risk of dying from a heart attack was even greater for single men and women, the researchers said. For single men, the risk of dying within 28 days of a heart attack was 60 percent to 168 percent higher than for Continues on page 47

Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — TUESDA

Understanding the politics of food (2)

W

HILE most people would not consider food a “drug,” the truth is food can be as potent as many medications, eliciting even immediate and often very strong reactions within the body. Caff eine for example, is an extremely powerful, yet natural chemical found in coff ee beans. For those who drink coff ee on a daily basis, you know how important your morning coff ee can be. Sugar is another obvious example of a powerful food. We all know the eff ects of a sugar high, es-

pecially if you have children.

While coffee and sugar can cause noticeable and immediate physiological eff ects, there are also plenty of examples of other foods that can trigger abrupt physical reactions within the body without causing any noticeable outward eff ects. For this reason, these foods may be even more potent because we tend not to notice their eff ects on our body until an imbalance or illness results. Like many things in

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

life, too much of anything can be a bad thing. h e key is always balance.

When it comes to food, what many people don’t understand is that every food we put in our mouths directly affects our pH balance.

Each food can either acidify or alkalize your body and as such, is just as potent as any drug. When we choose a food, we typically look at its nutri-

Want to cut heart attack risk? Get married!

Continued from page 45 married men; for single women, the risk of death due to heart attack was 71 percent to 175 percent higher than for married women.

The odds of dying from a heart attack were increased for unmarried men and women regardless of age, compared with similar-aged married couples, the researchers noted.

Why marriage might have this effect isn't clear. The researchers, however, suggest several possible reasons.

Single people may be more likely to be in poor health, they said.

Married people may be better off financially, live healthier lives and have more friends and social support, all of which promotes health. Married people also may be more likely to call an ambulance sooner than single people, the researchers said. In addition, married couples get better treat-

ment in the hospital and after discharge, the researchers noted.

On the other hand, the researchers suggested, single people may be less likely to follow measures that might help prevent heart attacks -- such as taking daily aspirin, cholesterol-lowering statins and medications to control high blood pressure.

"For better or worse, marriage is associated with better cardiovascular health and a lower risk of death due

to an acute coronary event," said Dr. Gregg Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The reasons marriage or cohabitation may protect people from heart attacks requires further study, he added.

Further research is also needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between marital status and heart attack incidence and survival.

National Health Bill Continued frompage 45 regulatory policies. “Rather than chase shadows, the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Health and Minister of Health, should, pursuant to Section 17 of the Federal Constitution, concentrate efforts in overhauling the

47

country’s healthcare system in order to improve the medical facilities in the hospitals, save billions squandered in medical treatment abroad every year, avoid untimely deaths from diseases and prevent high infant mortality and maternal mortality rates,” Ekwowusi remarked.

tional value.

For the most part, we never consider what this specific food does to our body (beyond providing nutrition) after it is eaten. We understand certain foods are high in vitamin C or E for example, or that some foods are high in protein or carbohydrates, but each of these foods also has a much deeper and lasting eff ect on the body.

As discussed earlier, your body runs at optimal levels only when its internal pH levels are balanced as nature intended. Food is the biggest factor in maintaining proper pH levels since every single food item and beverage you consume including medications, is ultimately broken down into an acid or an alkaline within the body, thus aff ecting overall levels.

Scientists can determine whether a food is acid or alkaline by burning it and then mixing the resulting ash with water. If the solution is acid or alkaline then the food is labeled as either an acid or alkaline.

Essentially, the ash is the mineral content of the food. For instance, certain foods that are typically regarded as unhealthy are also inherently acidic including any alcoholic beverage and artificial sweetener.

On the other hand, many of the foods we are told are healthy, like most proteins, actually break down into phosphoric and uric acids leaving an acidic ash behind.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO everybody and welcome. Valentine’s Day is just a few days away and we have new novelties and tips for lovers who want to make it a day to remember. After the exchange of gifts and perhaps a date at the restaurant, what happens at night can make or break the occasion. We all have high expectations from our partners on Valentine. To live up to those expectations when night time comes around, here are a few ideas and tips.

First you need to set the mood. Soft jazzy music does that easily. The Journeys Sexploration CD for Lovers is perfect. Soft lighting is also important. If you cannot dim the lights in your room, light a candle instead. The Burning Desire Pheromone Candle is ideal. The pheromone scent is an aphrodisiac that makes men and women want to be intimate. Appearance is also important. For men, we recommend the Grip & Rip Thong and for women, there is the Pinstripe Lacy Halter Camisole night dress, the Sweet after Thought White Diamond Night Dress and many others.

If you are nervous about how to start, begin with a warm bath, after which you offer your lover a massage.

Massages are intimate and involve the senses of touch, sight, taste and smell. Use the Making Love Massage Oil. It smells nice, tastes great and runs smoothly on the skin. Once the massage is on-going, you can easily transit to kissing and oral intercourse in the blink of an eye.

If you are a man giving oral pleasure to a woman you don’t know very well, use a Dental Dam as a protective barrier. But if your lover is your wife or long term girlfriend, you can go direct with an edible gel or whipped cream. The Oral Sensations Strawberry Gel is great for this. You can also use restraints such as Furry Hand Cuffs to heighten the pleasure. We have them in white, pink, lavender and black.

To have her angled properly, you can use the Inflatable Position Chair. It is amazing and made strictly for sex. Spend 10 to 15 minutes on oral pleasuring. That way, if you screw up after wards by ejaculating within

two minutes, you will be forgiven. To make the intercourse even more powerful, add a vibrator to it and she will climax even before the penetrative begins. This makes you a winner already. The Buzzing Baby Rabbit and Ultra Smooth Vibrator are recommended. They are cheap and get the job done.

Now many men worry about things like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and penis sizes at times like Valentine. You need to fix these concerns early. To stop premature ejaculation, use the Nasstoys Super Penis Extender or Max Control Spray. These are new and will enable the user last long before ejaculation. The Nasstoys Super Penis Extender also makes the penis look two inches longer and most men like that. Men can also use the Liquid Sex Penis Plumper or the Remote Control Plunger Pump for penis enlargement. These are new and were flown in specially for Valentine.

And for weak erection or no erection at all, we saved the best for last. There is a new erection supplement for men called Xzen Platinum. It is the best. Xzen Platinum is so powerful that one capsule lasts for a week and that is not all. Normally you have to buy separate products for penis enlargement, premature ejaculation and hard erections. Xzen Platinum supplement does everything. It enlarges the penis, gives hard erections, eliminates premature ejaculation and gives performance energy for days of multiple action. There is nothing like it in the market and it is available in limited supply for now.

That’s it for today. I hope your Valentine will be a success. Men and women without Valentine dates can visit our dating site on www.zeevirtualmedia.com and register. There is still time to make friends. Adults in need of the treatments/novelties discussed here can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, FEBRUARY 12, 2013—51

APC meets tomorrow over sharing formula

BY JOHNBOSCOAGBAKWURU&GABRIELEWEPU BUJA—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, Merger Committee will meet tomorrow to consider allocation of offices among various political parties that merged to become the mega party.

At the meeting to be held in Abuja, the committee will also produce the party ’s logo, as well as draft the constitution and its manifesto.

The Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and the All

A

Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, had last week announced merger to form the APC. The merger committee was given about six weeks to consider the merger agreement, design the logo of the new party, draft the constitution and the manifesto of the party.

A source close to the committee told Vanguard that the individual political parties were asked to submit names of their members that will make the committees to be constituted as well as the national officers.

According to the source,

the parties that made up the merger will file candidates to contest the Abuja Municipal Area Council elections expected to hold later this month if the proposal to INEC for the registration of the merger name was not ratified before the election.

The APGA controversy Commenting on the controversy in APGA, he said that there was no problem with the party as according to him Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the National

Executive Committee of the party endorsed the merger.

He said: ‘Anybody who feels he does not agree with them is in the minority. A party is a voluntary association, it therefore means that when the majority has decided you have to key in, if you don’t want to key in, you leave the party, it is not compulsory that you must remain a member of a party.”

The source alleged that the seeming problem in APGA was caused by Governor Peter Obi whom he accused of being a stooge to President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that Governor Obi was in the minority in the party.

“The majority members of APGA and the National Executive Committee have endorsed the merger and that was why they were represented when we announced the new name of our party.

Those against the merger are the PDP people in APGA.”

Suit against Momoh to be withdrawn In a related development, the faction of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, led

by Senator Rufai Hanga, has indicated its readiness to withdraw its suit against the Prince Tony Momoh’s leadership of the party and fuse with the newly-formed All Progressive Congress, APC. As a prelude to mending fences

with the leadership of the party, the Sen. Hanga group met for about two hours yesterday, with the leader of the AC N and chieftain of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja to sort out issues of common interest to both parties.

Sen. Tinubu met with the Hanga faction of CPC to broker peace between them and the CPC leadership on the platform of sacrificing for the mega party.

According to Hanga, he was ready to make any sacrifice to ensure the success of the merger of the opposition parties in order to move the political process forward.

He said as a first step, they were ready to withdraw the suit the faction filed against the leadership as soon as possible because they were also part of the merger.

He said the current leadership of CPC would cease to exist as soon as the mega party takes off.

Vanguard also gathered that he had met earlier with the leader of CPC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari over the misunderstanding within the party, on how to resolve it and move the merger talks forward.

Vanguard gathered that Tinubu had earlier met with the leader of CPC, Gen MuhammaduBuhari over the misunderstanding within the party during which they suggested ways and means of resolving them.

The Hanga-led faction had challenged, in court, the legality of the election that brought the leadership of the party, led by its Chairman, Prince Tony Momoh.

He has been parading himself as the defacto chairman of the party, having been given recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Obasanjo to deliver 1st Abel Guobadia memorial lecture

BY SIMONEBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY— FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, will on February 14, 2013, deliver the 1st Dr. Abel Guobadia Memorial Lecture in Benin City, Edo State.

The theme of the lecture, organised by Women’s Health and Action Research Centre, WHARC, is Reflections on Nigeria’s Democracy and the Role of Women.

Other speakers expected at the event include Governor Adams

Oshiomhole; chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega and Mrs Florence Guobadia. Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa is expected to be the royal father of the day.

Chairman of WHARC, Lady Winifred Onyeonwu, said the lecture was in recognition of the work and contributions of late Abel Guobadia, a former chairman of INECandimmediatepastChairman,BoTofWHARC,andtoalso create awareness on the health and social development of womeninNigeria.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2013

Malian troops in house-to-house search for Gao militants M

ALIAN troops hunted house-tohouse in Gao yesterday for Islamist insurgents whose surprise attack inside the northern town at the weekend posed a risk of France’s forces becoming entangled in a messy guerrilla war in Mali.

Sneaking across the Niger River under cover of darkness, the al Qaedaallied rebels fought Malian and French troops on Sunday in the sandy streets of the ancient Saharan trading town, retaken from the Islamists two weeks ago.

Malian Defense Minister Yamoussa Camara said three of the Islamist raiders were killed and 11 taken prisoner, while some Malian soldiers were wounded in the street fighting.

A doctor in Gao’s hospital, Noulaye Djiteyi, said three civilians were killed and 11 injured by gunshot wounds. The casualties were hit by stray bullets in the gun battle.

The brazenness of the rebel raid, which followed successive blasts by two suicide bombers at a northern checkpoint, came

as a surprise to the Frenchled military operation in Mali which had so far faced little real resistance from the Islamists.

It indicated that the French forces, which have 4,000 soldiers on the ground in Mali in an intervention now in its fifth week, were vulnerable to hit-and-run guerrilla attacks by the jihadists to the rear of the French forward lines.

French and Malian officials in Gao said the risks of infiltration, shootings and bomb blasts remained high.

Kenya summons EU envoys K

ENYA’s foreign minister summoned European Union ambassadors yesterday after Britain, France and others said they would have only limited contact with one presidential candidate, who is wanted by the war crimes court, if he wins the March 4 vote.

The minister accused the envoys of stoking tensions and attempting to divide

the country ahead of the elections by making remarks last week that “are clearly inflammatory and could have the effect of polarizing the country”.

Kenyans cast their ballots in the first presidential poll since ethnic clashes erupted after a disputed 2007 vote after which more than 1,200 people were killed.

Alliances forged by the

main presidential contenders have lined up a repeat of a largely ethnically based contest.

Presidential contender Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, who have formed one alliance, have both been summoned to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) in April for their alleged role in directing the violence at the last polls.

Obama to renew drive for cuts in nuclear arms

U

S President Obama has said that he would use his State of the Union speech on Tuesday to reinvigorate one of his signature national security objectives — drastically reducing nuclear

arsenals around the world — after securing agreement in recent months with the United States military that the American nuclear force can be cut in size by roughly a third.

Syria rebels seize dam, blast on Turkish border

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EBELS have captured Syria’s biggest hydroelectric dam and battled army tank units near the center of Damascus, activists said as the opposition renewed an offer yesterday to negotiate the departure of President Bashar alAssad.

On the Turkish border, nine people were killed when a car arriving from rebel-held territory in northwestern Syria blew up at the Reyhanli frontier crossing; Turkish officials said it was unclear whether the blast was a suicide attack or an accident.

The rebel seizure of the Taqba dam, a prestige project on the Euphrates river completed by Assad’s father in the 1970s, may have only limited impact on already patchy power supplies but along with the

fighting in the capital it provided more evidence that the president is ever more beleaguered, if still tenacious.

Obama, administration officials say, is unlikely to discuss specific numbers in the address, but White House officials are looking at a cut that would take the arsenal of deployed weapons to just above 1,000. Currently there are about 1,700, and the new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia that passed the Senate at the end of 2009 calls for a limit of roughly 1,550 by

UK cautions Scotland over leaving EU

T

HE British government yesterday intensified its campaign to stop Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, publishing a legal opinion saying it would forfeit its membership of international bodies such as the European Union if it chose independence.

The pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) that runs Scotland’s devolved government plans to hold a referendum on emotionally charged subject next year, and

has played down the impact of a “Yes” vote on Scotland’s international status.

But the 57-page legal opinion - drafted for the British government by two independent experts on international law said the implications could be far-reaching, likening the situation to the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union when Russia was declared the USSR’s legal successor but the 14 other Soviet states had to forge their international relations anew.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 — 53

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

Emenike hungry for more success A

FCON Goal King Emmanuel Emenike has revealed he hopes to achieve more after his goals crowned Nigeria champions for a third time.

The 25-year-old Spartak Moscow hitman, who scored a total of four goals with three assists to emerge the hotshot at the continental showpiece event, said he is very excited to have won his first winners’ medal on his debut appearance.

“I am very proud to be an Africa champion.

This means a lot to me and it has boosted my career. It gives me more confidence that I can achieve more with Nigeria,” he told MTNFootball.com “I am happy with my achievement and that of the team as a whole. I never thought of becoming the top scorer, my aim was to help my team win the trophy by doing my best and contributing to the team’s success, but I never knew God had his own plans for me.

Nwobodo lauds Eagles

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ORMER Sports Minister, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo has congratulated the Super Eagles for winning the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which ended in South Africa on Sunday.

Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the finals watched by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, South Africa President, Jacob Zuma and Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr. David Mark.

Nwobodo who served as Sports Minister when Nigeria won the Olympic football gold medal in Atlanta, 1996 praised the Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud and urged the President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to reward the players with National Honours and gifts.

Nwobodo who as Chairman of Enugu Rangers led them to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1977 stated, “I wish to congratulate our victorious Super Eagles for making Nigeria proud by winning the 2013 AFCON Cup. C M Y K

Guinness applauds Eagles, reaffirms continued support

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DOUBLE WINNER . . . Super Eagles goal merchant, Emmanuel Emenike shows off his trophies

UINNESS Niger ia has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

While congratulating the team for their third Afcon title, Managing Director/Chief Executive Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu said the achievement of the Super Eagles at the tournament was a reflection of the support Nigeria and Guinness in particular offered the Eagles over time.

“The team showed discipline and were able to pull through to the final reflecting the tremendous improvement in character the team underwent as the tournament progressed.

Mark hails Eagles, says “it’s our moment of glory”

By JOSEPH ERUNKE

S

ENATE President, David Mark yesterday, urged Nigerians to savor the victory of the Super Eagles in South Africa and use it as a rallying point to further the peace and unity of the country currently challenged by insecurity.

Senator Mark who led the Federal Government delegation to watch the fi-

nal of the 2013 African cup of Nations in South Africa, was pleased that the victory of the super Eagles has offered the needed elixir and tonic to boost the peace and unity of Nigeria.

In a congratulatory message through his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh last night, Senator Mark praised the Stephen Keshi tutored boys for the successes at continental championship, saying the nation owed them a great meas-

ure of gratitude. ”You deserve our honour and praise. The Federal government and indeed all Nigerians are indebted to you. You have restored our dignity and pride. You deserve our honour and reward”, he said.

The Senate President praised the Super Eagles for the team spirit displayed throughout the competition and implored all Nigerians to emulate the team spirit that brought the victory.

•Mark

We believe in them and still look forward to better outings for the Super Eagles” Adetu said.

While reinforcing the desire of the team which was to win the trophy, Adetu encouraged.

“The World Cup qualifiers are around the corner.

Soon after the team arrives in Nigeria, preparations will start for the next game in the World Cup qualifiers. In the course of AFCON 2013, Guinness had promised a reward of $5,000 for every goal scored by the Super Eagles.

Super Eagles have set the pace! – NLC

T

HE Nigeria Labour Congress has congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria on its victory at the just concluded African Cup of Nations tournament’s final match which was played at the National Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, thirteen years after Nigeria last won the trophy. In a statement yesterday, President of the Congress, Comrade Abdulwaheed Umar said, “we see in this victory a bright future for Nigerian football, if we are able to put the right people in the management of sports in general and soccer in particular.

We‘ll build on the current success — Abdullahi T

HE Honourable Minister of Sports, and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has thanked Nigerians for the massive support of the Super Eagles, stating that their support inspired the team to victory.

He further commended the players, Coach Stephen Keshi and other members of the technical and support team for their hardwork, dedication and discipline, which has translated into victory for the team.

According to Abdullahi, the Super Eagles have given Nigerians a cause for

celebrations and their victory has lifted the mood of the nation ahead of the 100 year anniversary celebrations of Nigeria.

He however noted that, “This is not the final destination. We will work with the Nigeria Football Feder-

ation to ensure that we build on the current success and make the Super Eagles world-beaters.

We will not rest until enduring systems have been built and the cuture of success is entrenched in our sports.”

Eagles victory, a new dawn — Ekweremadu

BY HENRY UMORU

D

EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday described the victory of the Super Eagles as a new dawn in Nigerian football.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said, “Winning the trophy on the threshhold of our centenary is symbolic and I urge Nigerians to emulate the team’s spirit, patriotism and unity”

•Keshi

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013 — 55

Jonathan hosts Super Eagles today T

HE victorious Nigeria National Football Team, Super Eagles’ contingent will depart Johannesburg on Tuesday morning and land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in the afternoon.

Nigeria lifted Africa’s most prestigeous marble on Sunday night with a one-goal defeat of firsttime finalists Burkina Faso at an animated National Stadium in Soweto.

Two earlier wins in 1980 and 1994 were foreseen as the country presented strong, experienced squads seen as favourites for those championships. But the Class of 2013, still in a re-building process, and with 17 of the 23 players never having played at a Cup of Nations, stunned the world and captivated Africa.

Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who worked assiduously with the NFF’s top echelon to accomplish the glorious outing, will lead the Nigeria delegation of players, officials, NFF President, NSC Management, NFF

Continues from BP

•Keshi

NFF denies Keshi resignation story

T

HE Nigeria F o o t b a l l Federation has refuted claims in some quarters that Super Eagles’ coach has tendered his resignation after leading the team to success in South Africa.

In a chat with Sports Vanguard last night, Chairman, NFF Technical Committee Barrister Chris Green denied that Keshi had resigned, saying, “I am not aware of Keshi resigning, neither is the President of the

Federation.

“I do not know where the reports are coming from and I want to assure you that we have not received any resignation from Keshi.”

Meanwhile, Media officer of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya has described news on the resignation of Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi as totally ridiculous.

Speaking live from the Super Eagles’ base in South Africa where the team was hosted at

Nigeria House in South Africa, Alaiya then added that a formal statement will be made

by Keshi himself.

•Maigari

Keshi Continues from BP did not wait for an answer when he said “no, they don’t want “.

He was answering questions at the mixed zone after leading Eagles to win their third Nations Cup. Keshi was highly criticised for draws with Zambia and Burkina Faso which Nigerians, especially his employers, saw as annoying. But the team kept faith before hitting form to churn out scintillating victories against Ethiopia and Ivory Coast.

The victory against star studded Drogba-led Ivory Coast became the turning point for the Eagles who were considered outsiders for the Cup. “Nigeria don’t value what they have.”

Still savouring his two historic Nations Cup as C M Y K

Adenuga

skipper and coach, Keshi added. “Let me enjoy this moment.

Nigerians don’t want me to stay”, he emphasised While in South during the competition Keshi was aware of plans to disengage him after the Nations Cup. That was after the two draws in the group stage. “NFF officials boasted openly to Keshi about the expertise of the Zambian coach, whom they said, knew when to effect changes that could change the course of a game.”

The sports ministry and the Nigeria Football Federation vehemently denied that they ever planned such but Keshi did believe them as he also had his contacts who hinted him on some discussions that had taken place. He referred

to the authorities when he said “Nigerians don’t want me to stay.”

He indicted sports administrators in the post match press conference when he said that ‘’they will appoint you today and expect you to win the World Cup tomorrow.’’

Amaju Pinnick, Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission has advised Keshi to remain calm and pursue his World Cup programmes, saying that nobody intended to sack him. He defended the sports minister this way: “What happened was that people were apprehensive after the first two matches. Many people lost hope in the team but when they beat Ivory Coast in a good match everybody

changed and renewed hope in the team. The minister has passion for sports and he is committed to developing sports” The social media was last night awash with reports of a purported resignation by the coach who was quotes as saying “is unlikely to change his mind, because he believes that NFF did not trust and respect his tactics as a coach.”

According to the report on goal.com, “Keshi claims that he was sacked prior to their quarterfinal clash against Ivory Coast, because apparently the Nigerian Football Federation booked a plane back to Nigeria as soon as they found out that they will play Ivory Coast.”

commitment to make the Super Eagles fly comfortably in the Confederations Cup in Brazil later this year.

Demonstrating a rare joy of seeing the Super Eagles win the Nations Cup for the third time, by taking a close look at the gold trophy in front of him, Chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga said he was so glad to see this day happen and that “ we are very proud of the Super Eagles as they have made us very proud”. And whilst thanking members of Nigeria Football Federation and members of the team represented by the team’s Captain, Joseph Yobo, Vice Captain, Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi as well as Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi and his Assistant Daniel Amokachi, Chief Adenuga responded to the plea for all round support from the Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari by giving the team $1million (One Million US Dollars). He also invited the team to a reception in Abuja after their visit to President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday.

Chief Adenuga was particularly glad at the performance of the team and he said, “if we don’t support our own, nobody will do that.

Globacom has through the thick and thin, struggled with the National Team and thank God we have seen this day”.

The all-smiling Globacom boss said Globacom will further support Super Eagles’ preparations for the Confederations Cup in Brazil coming up in June this year and turning to his left in an early morning reception for the delegation, he responded to the Federation who requested for car and house for record winning Stephen Keshi and said, “ you should tell me exactly the kind of car Keshi wants and that will happen

immediately. We have to deliver to him (Keshi) and make him comfortable and don’t allow him do an Andrew on us because he has a very big edge now particularly with his fluent French, he is wanted by so many other countries; we don’t have to go far to look for top success; we must treat our own very well” Acknowledging Keshi’s contributions, he added that the success of the Super Eagles today was as a result of the support of yesterday which Globacom has consistently given to the National Team and he congratulated all the boys and members of the team for their victory in the finals which also gave joy to the Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda who was present at this heartlifting ceremony which lasted for just 30 minutes at his Johannesburg residence.

Also present was the Marketing Consultant to Nigeria Football Federation and CEO of Padmodzi, Chief Mike Ituemagbor who said the reward of $1 million was the first official material appreciation coming to the Super Eagles and that any other organization making such rewards must have to come through Nigeria Football Federation. He reiterated that the only partners of the National Team, who have been with them, have the right to enjoy the benefits of this moment.

In a brief comment, the newly appointed Chairman of the Interim M a n a g e m e n t Committee of Nigeria Premier League, Hon Nduka Irabor thanked the Globacom boss for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria football especially the Professional League. He solicited for his further support of the Nigeria Premier League as they look ahead to resolving lingering issues affecting the take-off of the League.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013

They don’t want me — Keshi S

TEPHEN Keshi has left Nigerians wondering on his next move as Eagles coach when he asked; “do Nigerians want me? He Continues on Page 55

Jonathan hosts Super Eagles today — Page 55

ACHIEVER: Mikel with the AFCON trophy

NFF denies Keshi's resignation story — Pg 55

Mark hails Eagles — Pg 54 Adenuga showers Eagles with $1m dollars

A

GENEROUS GIVER: Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr (with the trophy) is flanked

by Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, Coach Stephen Keshi and Vincent Enyeama.

PUZZLE

Continues on Page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

proud Globacom, leading and pacesetting supporter of Nigeria Football at all levels, yesterday in Johannesburg, opened the floodgate of rewards to the Super Eagles and reaffirmed its

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 3 Range (5) 7 Tax (5) 6 Display (5) 10 Love affair (5) 12 Consume (3) 13 Pole (5) 15 Sailing event (7) 17 Obvious (6) 19 Collection (3) 20 Farm vehicle (7) 23 Street (4) 25 Shoal (4) 26 Recommenced (7) 30 Total (3) 31 Cheat (6) 34 Notion (7) 37 Teacher (5) 38 Regret (3) 39 Chaos (5) 40 Watery (5) 41 Impelled (5) 42 Gaze (5)

DOWN 1 View (5) 2 Tremble (5) 3 Unite (6) 4 Teem (4) 5 Maker (7) 6 Adipose (5) 9 Rodent (3) 11 Saved (7) 13 Reject (5) 14 Victory (7) 21 Disprove (5) 22 Bid (5) 24 Drop (7) 27 Prosecute (3) 28 Diversion (6) 29 Meeting-place (5) 32 Profit (5) 33 Twelve (5) 35 Sister (3) 36 Tense (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Booty 7, Sole 8, Employ 9, Great 11, Sad 13, Car 15, Trek 16, Pea 18, Bane 19, Worship 20, Twig 22, Bill 23, Voucher 25, Reed 27, Hen 28, Waft 30, Err 31, Lay 33, Gross 36, Astute 37, Pole 38, Manly.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Molar 2, Beg 3, Ode 4, Yet 5, Opt 6, Woman 10, Aver 11, Stature 12, Deliver 13, Capital 14, Reality 16, Pouch 17, Ashen 18, Bib 21, God 24, Heir 26, Erase 29, Fault 32, Rum 33, Gem 34, Own 35, Spy

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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