Senate gives Buhari final warning over budget 2016

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63004

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Senate gives Buhari final warning over budget 2016 •Says enough is enough; rail project was in budget — Ashafa •Intrigues that led to removal of Lagos-Calabar rail project from budget •Reps committees on Land Transport, others react

347 killed in Dec. 12 Shiite, Army clash — Kaduna govt 10

By Soni Daniel, Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, gave what it described as a final warning to the presidency on its dealings with the legislative branch of government, affirming that it would no longer tolerate the presidency blaming the legislature for its failures.

The assertion which was

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COLUMNIST: P.17

YINKA ODUMAKIN

Re: Tinubu's unfinished business NIGER DELTA VOICE

Mother accuses soldiers of stomping 20-month-old baby to death in Delta See Inside

Mr & Mrs

VANGUARD AWARDS—Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (left) receiving Vanguard Governor of the Year Award from Dr. Oba Otudeko, Chairman of the occasion, at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2015 held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos, weeknd. Photo: Akeem Salau.

ALLEGED N400M FRAUD: Jonathan asked Metuh to submit his company's account —WITNESS 8 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

BUHARI IN CHINA— President

Muhammadu Buhari being welcomed at the Beijing Capital International Airport as he arrived People's Republic of China for a State Visit, yesterday.

Senate gives Buhari final warning over budget 2016 Continues from Page 1 a direct fallout from brickbats over the removal of the Calabar – Lagos rail project from the final budget, came as presidency officials, yesterday, affirmed that the rail project was in the budget but removed by the committees of Appropriation in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The claim which was stoutly rebuffed by the Senate and the House was, however, backed by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who said the coastal rail project was in the budget report presented by his committee to the Senator Danjuma Goje-led committee on appropriation.

The Senate, last night, in a sternly worded statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the budget bill and not distract Nigerians from what it

claimed were acts of blackmail on the part of the executive arm.

The statement singled out Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for blame, asking him to apologise for seeking to pitch one section of the country against the other and asked him to resign if he cannot show evidence of the inclusion of the projects in the original budget as presented by the president.

Senate's final warning

The statement issued by Senate spokesman, Senator Abdullahi read in part: “While the executive is mandated to prepare and lay before the National Assembly a proposed budget detailing projects to be executed, it should be made clear that the responsibility and power of appropriation lie with the National Assembly.

If the presidency expects us to return the budget

IT'S UP TO YOU

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BY AYO ADIO

OMMITTED people believe they can achieve their goals. They can visualize and are confident of crossing the finish line. It’s up to you.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Always learn to see the Diamond in the Rough —Take Heart Quote

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IKE a diamond in the rough the things that happen to us, can make one rise beyond limits and go beyond the rough to the beautiful, and this should be the focus at all times. Life is full of surprises, be grateful for the joys and laughter and even though the big picture is yet to manifest, it is a work in progress. Remember, the lack or limits are what propel one to do better. For everything, learn to give thanks.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE A man who fails to dress well during a visit to his mother-inlaw may be asked to help bound yam for other visitors.

proposal to them without any adjustments, then some people must be living in a different era and probably have not come to terms with democracy.

“We make bold to say, however, that the said Lagos-Calabar rail project was not included in the budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, and we challenge anyone who has any evidence to the contrary to present such to Nigerians.

“Since the beginning of the 2016 budget process, it is clear that the National Assembly has suffered all manners of falsehood, deliberate distortion of facts, and outright blackmail, deliberately aimed at poisoning the minds of the people against the institution of the National Assembly.

We have endured this with equanimity in the overall interest of Nigerians. Even when the original submission was surreptitiously swapped and we ended up having two versions of the budget, which was almost incomprehensible and heavily padded in a manner that betrays lack of coordination and gross incompetence, we refused to play to the gallery and instead helped the Executive to manage the hugely embarrassing situation it has brought upon itself; but enough is enough.

“This latest antics of this particular minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is reckless, uncalled for and dangerously divisive.

Apart from setting the people of the southern part of the country against their northern compatriots, it potentially sets the people against their lawmakers from the concerned constituencies and sets the lawmakers against themselves. This manner of reprehensible

mischief has no place in a democracy. We hereby demand from Mr. Amaechi a publicly tendered apology if he is not able to show evidence that the Lagos-Calabar rail project was included in the budget. Otherwise, he should resign forthwith.

“Finally, by the provision of Section 81 (4) (a) and (b) of the constitution, the President is allowed to sign the budget and kick-start the implementation of the other areas that constitute over 90 per cent of the budget where there is agreement between both arms, even as we engage ourselves to resolve the contentious areas, if there were any. We, therefore, maintain that even these contrived discrepancies are not sufficient excuse not to sign the budget into law.

“We, therefore, urge President Buhari to sign the 2016 budget without any further delay. For every additional day that the president withholds his assent from the bill, the hardship in the land, which is already becoming intolerable for the masses of our people gets even more complicated. Certainly, as primary representatives of the people, we shall not vacate our responsibility and watch the people continue to suffer unduly.”

The statement followed an earlier press conference where the Senate spokesman also claimed ignorance of the presence of the projects in the budget presented by the president.

House spokesman, Namdas at a press conference also, yesterday, accused Amaechi of bringing the Calabar – Lagos rail project to the National Assembly through the back door.

According to him, the report that the project was removed, and its budget appropriated for the completion of the LagosKano rail project was misleading and intended to set the Southern and Northern parts of the country against each other.

Meanwhile, fresh insights into how political infighting in the All Progressives Congress, APC, and ego by senior officials of the National Assembly led to the extraction of the Lagos – Calabar rail project and other key infrastructure projects of the administration from budget 2016 have been unveiled.

At the centre of the controversy, yesterday, were the chairmen of Senate and House of Representatives committees on Appropriation, Senator Danjuma Goje and Abdulmumin Jibrin. The reports of the two committees on Land Transport, Vanguard

learned, contained proposals for the Lagos – Calabar and Kaduna – Idu rail projects which were both removed by the committees of appropriation in both chambers. Vanguard is in possession of a text message purportedly sent to committee chairmen in the House of Representatives by Jibrin, asking them to defend whatever controversy could arise from the action in the media.

Presidency officials were peeved by the fact that the legislature had seemingly removed the carpet from under President Muhammadu Buhari’s feet, given the fact that the action was done just as he was about leaving for China to negotiate foreign assistance necessary to fast-track the projects.

Senate spokesman, Abdullahi Sabi and his House of Reps counterpart, Abdulrazak Namdas, yesterday, rebuffed assertions that the Calabar – Lagos rail project was removed, saying in separate fora to journalists that the item was not in the initial proposal submitted by the president.

They also alleged that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi only brought it to the attention of the legislators after the president’s presentation.

Lagos-Calabar rail project in budget — Ashafa Meanwhile, the Senate Committee Chairman on Land Transportation, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, maintained that the railway project was accommodated in the budget but was surprised that it was removed.

Senator Ashafa said: “I confirm that the Lagos to Calabar rail line was not in the original document that was presented to the National Assembly by the Executive.

However, subsequently at the budget defence session before the Senate Committee on Land Transport, the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, did inform the committee of the omission

of the Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation project and indeed sent a supplementary copy of the ministry’s budget to the committee which contained the said project.

The Minister noted that the amount needed for the counterpart funding for both the Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation projects was N120 billion, being N60 billion per project.

"While the committee did not completely agree with all the changes made in the subsequent document, being fully aware of the critical importance of the rail sector to the development of our dear country, distinguished members of the Senate Committee on Land transport keyed into the laudable (Lagos to Calabar, rail modernisation) project and found ways of appropriating funds for the project without exceeding the envelope provided for the ministry, he said.

Ashafa continued: "In so doing, the committee observed that the Lagos to Kano rail rehabilitation project had been allocated the sum of N52 billion as against the sum of N60 billion which the Hon. Minister requested as counterpart funding while no allocation whatsoever was made for the Lagos to Calabar rail line.

“Hence, the sum of N54 billion that was discovered by the Senate Committee on Land Transport to be floating in the budget of the Ministry of Transportation as presented by the Executive was injected into augmenting the funds needed for counterpart funding of both projects (Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar Rail modernisation), as at the time the committee defended its report before the senate committee on Appropriation.

“The Lagos to Calabar rail modernisation project was, therefore, included in the Senate Committee on Land Transport's recommendation to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“With regard to the Idu to Kaduna rail completion, the Senate

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Govt removes 531 beggars, others from Lagos streets

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS State Government has rescued 531 beggars, destitute and mentally-challenged persons from the streets, to eradicate any act of begging in the state.

The state government also rehabilitated 12 drugdependent individuals rescued from the streets, to a position of functional ability.

This was contained in a publication made available by the state government on the activities of the State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The rescue was between October, 2015 and January, this year.

According to the statement, the state government through ministry “rescued off the street a total number of 531 beggars, destitute and mentally challenged individuals in the state.

“A total of 54 children were reunited with their families within and outside the country.

Also, 148 cases of Child Abuses were reported and investigated and are at different stages of prosecutions in various family courts,” the statement added.

Nwobike challenges EFCC's charge against him

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Dr. Joseph Nwobike, has told a Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere that the fivecount charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, is unconstitutional.

Nwobike, who was docked before Justice Raliat Adebiyi was accused by the anti-graft agency of an attempt to pervert the course of justice and offering of gratification to a public official.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the defendant's counsel, Mr. O. Akoni, told the court that the charge, against Nwobike were unconstitutional and that he intends to file a no case submission.

In her short ruling, Justice Adebiyi upheld the defendant’s submission; saying that the defendant’s application will not prejudice the prosecution’s case.

She however adjourned the case till April 21 and 22 for the prosecution to open its case.

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TRADING INDEX: Nigeria ranks 169 of 189 nations — WORLD BANK

By Godwin Oritse

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AGOS—THE World Bank has said that Nigeria presently ranks 169 out of 189 countries examined for Trade Index,TI, for the year 2015.

Trade Index is a World Bank tool used to measure the ease of doing business among other things.

Other indicators measured using the TI are Trading Across Border, Getting Credit, Getting Electricity, Paying Taxes, Registering Property and Starting a Business.

World Bank officials dropped this hint during a visit to The Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, corporate headquarters in Apapa.

According to the World Bank report, made public during yesterday’s visit, while Singapore beats every other country to the number one position, New Zealand and Denmark took the second and third position respectively.

South Africa ranked 73, Tanzania, Togo, Liberia, Angola, Kenya, Egypt and Benin Republic ranked 146, 150, 169, 181, 108, 131 and 158 respectively.

Meanwhile, the World Bank also yesterday reduced its 2016 sub-Saharan African growth forecast to 3.3 percent from a previous forecast of 4.4 percent in October, citing plunging global commodity prices.

The bank said the commodity price rout, particularly for oil which fell 67 percent from June 2014 to December 2015, as well as weak global growth were behind the region’s lacklustre performance.

MEETING: From left; Mr Gabriel Fasanu, Principal, Babcock University Schools, Ogba, Lagos; Mr Oluranti Olawuyi, President, Association of Adventist Secondary Schools Principals in Western Nigeria Union Conference; Mrs Oluyemisi Oke, Treasurer and Mr Olusola Afolayan, Assistant Secretary, during the annual meeting of the Association at Babcock University Schools, Ogba, Lagos.

“Overall, growth is projected to pick up in 2017-2018 to 4.5 percent,” the World Bank said in a statement.

It said a projected uptick in economic activity next year would be driven by economic powerhouses South Africa, Nigeria and Angola as commodity prices stabilise.

Nigeria and Angola are the continent’s top two crude oil exporters, whose economies have suffered as a result of sharply lower crude prices, while South Africa was also hit by lower platinum, iron ore and coal prices.

“There were some bright spots where growth continued to be robust such as in Cote d’Ivoire,

which saw a favourable policy environment and rising investment, as well as oil importers such as Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania,” the World Bank said.

Nigeria, in a bid to improve its poor ranking, through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has concluded plans to ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement, TFA, with a view to enhancing import and export trade through the nation’s ports.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello said that trade remains the mechanism through which the government can reduce poverty and

enhance national development.

He told the visiting World Bank officials that government was not pleased with the poor ranking of Nigeria in the World Trade Index trading, adding that government will do everything possible to improve the country’s ranking.

Speaking further on the need to create a level playing field in Nigeria, Ambassador Ademola Adejuwon, told leader of the visiting World Bank team that the country cannot afford to be left behind in the implementation of the TFA, saying that once twothird of the members of the World Trade Organization, WTO, signs the agreement, it becomes binding on everybody.

Lagos commences prosecution of 28 tax defaulters

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE Lagos State Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit has begun prosecution of those it termed recalcitrant tax payers in the State.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this yesterday, said that The Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit has filled all the necessary information at the State High Court for the arraignment of 28 tax defaulters referred by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and prosecution has begun in earnest.

He said their offences ranges from failure to furnish and file tax return to failure to pay personal tax to the state.

The Lagos AG said that these offences violate the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 as amended and the Lagos State Revenue Administration law.

“Under the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year within 90 days from the commencement of every year of assessment (March

31st being the deadline), while every employer of labour is required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year.

“Therefore, any taxable person or corporate organization, who fails to file their tax returns with LIRS by the stipulated date, is in breach of the provisions of the law,

which is a criminal offence that is punishable under the tax laws.”

Kazeem said.

He said that the Lagos State Government established the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit to aid the LIRS in its drive to collect taxes, and warned members of the public to cooperate with tax officers as obstruction of these tax officers in their lawful duty can

and will lead to prosecution.

Kazeem said the enforcement of the tax laws became necessary because a large number of Lagosians have not paid their taxes.

He said tax evaders and offenders, upon prosecution, may be fined or imprisoned or made to face both as provided in the Personal Income Tax Act.

WARRANT OF ARREST: Tompolo challenges Criminal Justice sections EFCC, Inspector-General of dismissed by the court, which also

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—FORMER Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for an interpretation and nullification of certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he claimed affected his constitutional rights.

Respondents in the suit are Federal Government of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,

Police, IGP, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

It will be recalled that on January 14, 2016, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo over his alleged refusal to appear in court to answer to the fraud charges preferred against him and others by the EFCC. But on January 27, 2016, Tompolo filed an application before the court to set aside the said warrant of arrest and on February 8, 2016, the said application was argued and

renewed the order.

Tompolo thereafter, lodged an appeal against the ruling of the court, on February 18, 2016 and the appeal was entered at the Court of Appeal on March 3, 2016.

Tompolo in the new suit is arguing that Sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act are invalid and unconstitutional.

He is contending in the suit that some sections, seeks to prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and an application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 7

POOR ALLOCATION: Aregbesola wants budget cut by N12.8bn

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, has sought the approval of the state House of Assembly for downward review of the 2016 budget estimate from N150.7 billion to N137.9 billion.

Aregbesola had last December presented the draft budget to the House for consideration and

Cynthia Osokogu murder trial stalled again

approval which the house is currently deliberating on.

But in a letter read by the Speaker, Najeem Salaam at the plenary yesterday, the governor said the review was necessary to give the government the capacity to implement the budget.

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye said the governor was seeking the approval of the house

for the review of the budget due to the poor economic reality.

According to the statement, the letter read in part: “The current economic downturn in the country, occasioned by the dwindling revenue from the federation account, it necessitate the need to reduce the cost of governance.

“Therefore, it has become pertinent and inevitable to restructure the 2016 draft budget in line with the reality on ground.

“In line with the extant rules and regulations, the House, through your office is being

informed about this new development”, the letter added.

The governor sought the review of the revenue and expenditure from N150,728,245,450 to N137,977,966,630.

Also, the personnel cost is review from N33,344,515,710 to N32,793,966,970; the overhead cost reviewed from N12,276,675,930 to N9,202,330,410; Consolidated Revenue Fund Charge remained N37,123,204,940, while the capital expenditure is reviewed from N67,983,848,960 to N58,858,464,310.

INVESTITURE: From left; Immediate Past Chairman, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Lagos Chapter, Otunba Francis Meshioye, after handing over to new Chairman, Mrs. Abiola Laseinde and husband, Mr. Adewale, during the investiture of the 8th Chairman of ICSAN, Lagos State Chapter, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo

by Bunmi Azeez.

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE ongoing trial of the four defendants who allegedly murdered a postgraduate student of Nassarawa State University student, Cynthia Osokogu, was yesterday stalled again.

The trial, which has suffered series of setbacks due to the foot dragging of the defendants in filing their written address since last year, was adjourned till yesterday.

Justice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos State High Court, sitting at Igbosere, had fixed yesterday’s date for the adoption of final written addresses by lawyers involved in the case but again the court was disappointed as lawyers asked for more time.

The defendants in the case are Okwumo Nwabufor, Olisaeloka Ezike, Orji Osita and Nonso Ejike, standing trial on a twocount charge of conspiracy and murder.

They are being accused by the Lagos State government of murdering Cynthia, a friend they met on the social media platform, Facebook, on July, 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town, Lagos.

Confusion over Ekiti govt scribe’s alleged resignation I'm on casual leave — SSG

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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D O - E K I T I — CONTRARY to insinuations that the Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Dr Modupe Alade, has resigned her appointment from the Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government, Alade said she has not resigned but on a casual leave.

The social media was awash

Mimiko decries activities of Fulani herdsmen OPC members were about to carBy Dayo Johnson

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KURE—GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday raised the alarm that the country was heading towards a precipice following the unchecked activities of Fulani herdsmen.

Infact, he described the herdsmen as “A monster threatening the nation's security.

He spoke with newsmen after meeting with the state Chapter of the Oodua Peoples Congress OPC, to dissuade them from taking laws into their hands over the killing of their member, who was a security guard on the farm of former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae.

Acting on security report that the C M Y K

ry out a reprisal attack, the governor swiftly invited them for a meeting to restrain them from self help.

Dr Mimiko said that: “We have put in place a lot of fire fighting approaches in the last 48 hours to ensure that there’s no retaliatory attack from the OPC. “There’s no question about the fact that this is becoming a monster of sort. I have had cause to express my view on this and I think we all ignore this menace as a nation, I can see us moving towards a precipice and we must do something about it, it’s getting dangerous, the audacity is very disturbing.

“These herdsmen must be called to order, these wanton destruction, audacious incursions into other people territory cannot continue for too long.''

with information of her resignation as early as 5 am on Sunday, which forced the state government to use the debunk the rumour in the state-owned Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State in all the news items that were run for the whole day.

The rumour of Alade’s resignation created more anxiety as it came barely six days after the former Commissioner for Works, Mr Kayode Oso resigned his appointment.

What actually fuelled the insinuation more had been that

Alade was suspended indefinitely by Fayose last year November over her incompetence, though she was later pardoned after the intervention of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Chief Afe Babalola and other well-meaning Ekiti indigenes.

Dispelling the rumour of her alleged resignation, Alade in a statement in Ado Ekiti, said she is presently on a two-week casual leave, commencing from Monday, April 11, adding that she will return to her duty post after the expiration of her leave.

WAR AGAINST INSURGENCY: Fitness

of soldiers worries Army

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—THE authority of Nigerian Army has expressed concern over the ability of its men to tackle contemporary security challenges confronting the nation.

The General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Hassan Edet stated this in his closing remarks at the 81 division corporal and below competition 2016 held at 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta at the weekend.

Maj-Gen Edet, whose speech was read by 59 division signal commander, BrigGen. Daniel Adeyemi explained that the authority of the Army was worried over the fitness and thus, organised a-one week competition for the soldiers with a view to making them fit physically and emotionally.

Federal Character Commission tasks PSC on recruitment of 10, 000 policemen

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—ACTING executive chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, Dr. Shettima Bukar Abba, has charged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure strict application of principle of fairness, equity and justice in the on-going police recruitment nationwide.

He gave the charge recently during a courtesy visit to his office by the chairman Police Service Comission, Mike Okiro (retd) and top echelon of the Police force to discuss the modalities for the recruitment of 10,000 police officers into the work force as directed by the President.

The acting executive chairman maintained that the principle of federal character should be considered in the recruitment without compromising merit.

This, he said, would go a long way to make the exercise transparent and meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

According to him, “adhering to basic standards will make the process easy and credible.”

Abba also asked the commission to specifically take note of states like Bayelsa and Ebonyi in the South and North East zone, which were not adequately represented in the current analysis of the nominal roll of the police force.

He further enjoined the Police Service Commission to ensure fairness, equity and justice during the recruitment and have the assurance that the FCC would perform its constitutional role by ensuring proper monitoring and the enforcement of the principle of federal character during the exercise.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

large parlour with the President seated, the Vice President, Senate President, Chairman of the party, then governor of Cross River, Imoke, then governor of Anambra State, Obi and some media aides to the President, Dr. Ruben Abati and Doyin Okupe.

$2.1bn arms probe: We’ve jurisdiction to hear Dasuki’s suit, ECOWAS court tells FG

The presentation

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA— THE Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) court, yesterday, told the Federal Government that it had jurisdiction to determine the legality or otherwise of the continued detention of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

The court, in a ruling by a three-man panel of justices, said it would go ahead to hear and determine the meritS of the fundamental rights enforcement application Dasuki lodged before it.

In a unanimous decision, the court, dismissed a preliminary objection the Federal Government raised against the suit, even as it fixed May 17 and 18 to commence definite hearing on the matter.

Justice Friday Chijoke Nwoke, who read the ruling, maintained that Federal Government ’s objection to the suit was misplaced, misconceived and grossly bereft of merit.

The court said: “In our opinion, what the applicant brought before us as a case is an issue for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to liberty and own property and against unlawful arrest, unlawful detention and unlawful seizure of properties without any court order or warrant of arrest.

“From the totality of the issues brought before this court, it is clear and there is no ambiguity that the applicant is seeking enforcement of his right to freedom and not on the issue of his trial for any alleged offence before any Nigerian court.

“Therefore, the objection of the government and the request that the case of the applicant in this matter be struck out on the ground of emanating from some criminal matter has no basis, the claims and the request lack merit and are hereby dismissed and we declare that the application of the applicant is admissible to this court.”

The ECOWAS court said it was not invited to determine whether or not the applicant is guilty of the charges pending against him before Nigerian courts, but simply to ascertain whether his fundamental rights to liberty had been breached.

MEETING: From left, Chief Security Officer, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Peter Okolo; InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, and Chief Security Officer, Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Felix Nnachi, after a meeting of bank's chief security officers with the Inspector-General of Police, in Abuja.

Alleged N400m fraud: Jonathan asked Metuh to submit his company's account —Witness As court adjourns further hearing till April 20

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — THE embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday, opened his defence to the seven-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him.

In a bid to establish his innocence, Metuh, who is facing trial alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, over alleged N400 million fraud, produced his first witness to testify before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The witness, DW-1, Mr. Ike Abonyi, who identified himself as a journalist and Media Consultant to the PDP, narrated before the court, events that led to the alleged transfer of N400 million into Metuh’s company account, prior to the 2015 presidential election.

Abonyi, who said he was part of the media team engaged to help and “ repackage the battered image of the PDP,” told the court that he attended the meeting where former President Goodluck Jonathan directed Metuh to submit his corporate account for money to be “dropped” into it to enhance campaign activities of the party.

Led in evidence by Metuh’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, the witness said exPresident Jonathan gave the directive after he watched a presentation that was made by a team of media experts constituted by Metuh to launder his image before the general election.

He said the team was headed by the Managing Director of a public relations firm, CNC

Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo.

Abonyi told the court that Jonathan was moved to act after the team, during its presentation, informed him that his public image was in bad shape.

He said the candid appraisal of the image of the ex-President by his team did not go down well with the then media aide to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, who he said took it as an indictment on his office.

Party members present

According to the witness, some senior members of the party, who were present at the meeting when Jonathan demanded the account number, included the then Vice President Namadi Sambo, then Senate President David Mark and former National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

Others were former Governors of Cross River and Anambra States, Liyel Imoke and Peter Obi, respectively, as well as media aides to the President, Dr. Abati and Chief Doyin Okupe.

The witness' testimony

The witness said: “The team, anchored by CNC Connect, preferred some strategies and

after rehearsals and testing, we all agreed that we have a good product to present and Chief Metuh said he would wait for clearance from the Presidential Villa for a date for the presentation.

“One afternoon, he told me that he just received a call from the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, that the President would be ready for the presentation that night.

“All the other members of the team were resident in Abuja except the company, CNC connect, which was based in Lagos.

“He called MD of the firm to take next available flight for the presentation. Because he was already expecting the appointment, Yomi took the next available flight and came in around 6pm.

“Because he was coming from Lagos, other members of the team went with one vehicle while Metuh carried Badejo.

“At the villa, only Metuh’s car was allowed to go in, but they waited for us to be cleared by the security.

“After then, we were ushered to a waiting room. Metuh left us and entered the inner room. Fifteen minutes later, he came and called us and we entered inside a very

“We sat down, after a while, the President said ‘Olisa where are your men?’ and he called us up and the MD of CNC Connect was the first to speak for the team and we went there with a projector and demonstrated the strategies without a microphone.

“After the presentation, the President requested for comments from other members of the team.

After our comment, he said jokingly that we were too hard on him.

“But we made it clear that his image was in bad shape and that he himself was not helping the matter with the way he was acting.

Abati reacts

“At a point Abati, who saw our presentation as an indictment on him, told the President that the situation was not as bad as we tried to portray it. But the President overruled him.

“After the presentation as well as that of others, including ones from Abati and his team, Okupe and his team and other professionals brought in by politicians, the President asked for comments. Those with him said they were impressed with what we did.

“I recall vividly, comments by former governor of Anambra, who told the President that if what we presented is achievable, that we should be mobilised before the President starts his campaign.

“He said if not, it will be difficult to win the election because of public perception at that time.

“The President then said since it appeared consensual, that Metuh and his team did a better job, he would advise that all the others collapse into the team, but he would want the consultant to provide the direction."

While being cross-examined by EFCC lawyer, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, the witness said he was not aware if the money was released to Metuh by the former NSA, Dasuki.

Meantime, trial Justice Okon Abang, yesterday, fixed April 20 for counsel to Metuh’s firm, Chief Tochukwu Onwugbufo, SAN, to cross-examine the witness.

INEC fixes Abuja council rerun polls for tomorrow

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA — THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),yesterday, in Abuja said it has fixed tomorrow for re-run elections in 39 polling units within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A statement by the FCT

Resident Electoral Commissioner, Jacob Jatau, recalled that INEC had declared elections in Kuje, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Gwagwalada and Abaji Area Councils inconclusive.

He said: “INEC-FCT will on Wednesday, April 13, conduct re-run elections in 39 polling units in 20 Registration Areas

(RAs) of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Results in the affected polling units were cancelled for reasons ranging from violence, over voting and non-use of smart card readers to accreditation of voters.”

The statement said accreditation and voting in the affected polling units would begin simultaneously from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—9

EU allocates N20bn to rehabilitate captured Boko Haram members

Fuel tanker drivers debunk claims of product diversion

A

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA — THE Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of NUPENG has debunked allegations that its members were involved in diversion of fuel to neighbouring countries, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.

The PTD noted that instead of commending its members for working tirelessly to end the current fuel scarcity, what they were receiving were accusations of product diversion.

Apparently reacting to a statement credited to a lawmaker in Lagos State House of Assembly, accusing tanker drivers of petroleum diversion, the National Chairman of PTD, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, said the lawmaker was uninformed about the workings of fuel products distribution around him and in the country.

Oladiti lampooned the lawmaker on abdication of his responsibility to the people of his constituency and the state in general when, as a lawmaker, he could not call on law enforcement agents to effect the arrest of the so-called tanker drivers but instead, made sweeping statements to discredit drivers trying to assuage the current hardship faced by many Nigerians, even in the helpless situation the country finds itself.

Oladiti posited that the accusation of tanker drivers was not only baseless and unfounded but also that the lawmaker could not be serious.

He noted that the lawmaker should have asked if there were filling stations in and around the border town, the tanker’s waybill and even the authenticity and membership of such tanker drivers and their owners.

He said the PTD condemned all forms of criminal behaviour within its ranks and the entire membership, adding that the group condemned vandalism and all forms of criminal activities.

According to him, should any member be found wanting, the union as a rule does not hesitate to sanction such member.

GROUND-BREAKING: Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State (middle); MD/CEO, Africa and MiddleEast, Olam International, Venkataramani Srivathsan (left); former Chairman, Transition Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Joda (2nd left); Head, Corporate and Government Relations, Olam Nigeria, Ade Adefeko and Vice President, Olam Nigeria, Reji George at the ground-breaking ceremony of N20 billion integrated animal feed mill, poultry breeding farms and hatchery, at Chikpiri Gabas Village, Chikun Local government Area, Kaduna State.

Small businesses groan as power, fuel crises defy solution

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA— THE sector that contributes 57.9 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, is at risk of closure, as the unending fuel crisis witnessed across the country has started to take its toll on small businesses in Abuja and other parts of the country, since majority of the businesses were now struggling to remain open.

Specifically, most of them, mainly informal businesses, which the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said accounted for 57.9 per cent of Nigeria’s rebased GDP, had to shut down their businesses over non-availability of power supply and scarcity of petroleum to power their generators.

Power supply to households also dropped to as low as four hours per day, while fuel has risen to N350 per litre from the black marketers, the only source of the product.

Some of the business owners worst hit by the crisis are barbers, hair-dressers, tailors, fashion designers, business centre operators, technicians and taxi drivers, among others.

Most of the small businesses in Kubwa were shut weekend, as some operators said they could not get fuel to power their generators, while in cases where they were lucky to get the product, it costs as high as N300 per litre.

They said as a result of the power and fuel crises, their cost of business had skyrocketed, thereby making their businesses unprofitable.

Also, the hardship faced by Nigerians heightened as the queues continued to grow longer at filling stations in major cities across the country, while a few others selling the product hiked the price above the official pump price.

FG releases petrol to IPMAN However, as parts of efforts to stem the fuel crisis, the Federal Government has resumed the release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in an effort to end the persistent fuel crisis.

IPMAN, had in a statement in Abuja, weekend, stated that the resumption of loading, after a twoyear suspension, would see the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, settling the 7,000 pending loading tickets.

The statement noted that some marketers had started loading the products from some depots in Lagos as a result of the intervention by the IPMAN Reconciliation /Interim Management Committee, which was recently constituted by the

Federal Government.

IPMAN, according to the statement, controls over 80 per cent of the petroleum products retail outlets in the country, adding, however, that they were not getting the products from the NNPC due to the internal leadership crisis that rocked the association over the last two years.

In the statement signed by the secretary of the Reconciliation Committee, Mr Lawson Ngoa, IPMAN confirmed the release of the products to some of the members, while he said the committee had taken steps to ensure that products were available all over the country.

Ngoa thanked Nigerians for their patience and understanding in this very difficult period, assuring that with the support of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and his team, the scarcity would soon be over.

Oil price hits 4-month high of $43.06

B

RENT crude prices rose to a four-month high of $43.06, yesterday, as a rally in wider commodities markets encouraged buying ahead of a meeting of oil producers in Doha next Sunday.

The meeting is aimed at freezing current output levels.

Brent crude futures, the global benchmark, were up 92 cents at $42.86 a barrel, having touched a session high of $43.06, the highest level since December 7.

The gains build on last week’s rally, when crude rose 6 per cent in one session on the back of a drop in the rig count of U.S. drillers to its lowest since November 2009.

U.S. WTI crude also rose, yesterday, gaining 82 cents to $40.54 a barrel and touching an

intra-day high of $40.75, near a three-week high.

“All commodities are going up.

It could be (investors) buying into dips every now and then as people are looking for opportunities to get long,” Natixis commodity strategist Abhishek Deshpande said.

Gold prices also touched their highest level in almost three weeks, while silver and platinum were up more than 2 per cent.

A weaker U.S. dollar gave impetus to buyers as commodities priced in the currency became cheaper to purchase.

Oil traders continue to place hopes on the oil producers’ meeting to prop up crude prices that have been severely depressed by a global supply glut.

BUJA—THE European Union (EU) said yesterday in Abuja that it had allocated 67 million euro (about 20 billion naira) for the rehabilitation and reintegration of captured Boko Haram members.

Mr Richard Young, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), after the launch of Nigeria’s “Deradicalisation Programme Guide.”

The Guide was prepared under the European Union Technical Assistance to Nigeria’s Evolving Security Challenges and launched by the National Security Adviser (NSA),retired Maj.Gen. Babagana Monguno.

Young explained that the allocation was part of EU’s support to Nigeria in the country’s efforts to address the challenge of insurgency in the North East geopolitical zone.

“I will call what EU is spending on this project substantial amount of money, it is millions. I will say it’s about 67 million euro.

“This is the amount that has been allocated. But this covers all the different aspects and support to the country’s violent extremism programme.

“So it goes beyond just the de-radicalisation programme,” he said.

Young said that the programme had been at a pilot stage, adding that it would be owned by the Federal Government afterwards.

“It’s designed to crystalyse certain thinking and thought; it will come to an end soon, but it is being continued with finance from the Nigerian government.

“We are also at the same time, discussing or just initiated discussions with the Nigerian Government about what form of support we might provide in this area,” he said.

The EU official explained that the programme was significant because it was one of the strategic responses to the Boko Haram insurgency.

“We all know that Nigeria faces insurgency in the North East of the country and there are different responses to that insurgency.''

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Man commits suicide over inability to get married at 40

By Evelyn Usman

R

ESIDENTS OF Alhaji Aboki Street in Abaranje area of Ikotun have been thrown into confusion, following the discovery of the lifeless body of a 40-yearold resident known simply as Femi, in an uncompleted building.

Late Femi was said to have committed suicide out of frustration and his inability to get married at 40.

The incident occurred barely two months after he was evicted from his one -room apartment on 27, Alhaji Aboki Street.

Vanguard gathered that late Femi, popularly known as Fela, had earlier attempted to take his life twice.

A resident, who gave his name as Okeseun Olatunde, disclosed that “Femi was evicted by his landlord in February, after he was discharged from hospital, following a failed suicide attempt.

"On one of the occasions he jumped into a well but was rescued. After the second failed suicide attempt, his landlord asked him to bring his relatives, but none showed up. He had said severally that he was related to late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

"We also learned he owed the landlord house rent. The landlord had no choice than to evict him, with his property kept outside. He (Femi) took the property to the uncompleted building where he stayed until he was discovered dead last Friday. We suspect he committed suicide.”

Another resident, Josiah Madu, who said late Femi was a bricklayer, disclosed that he had complained severally that business was not forth-coming and that he desperately wanted to get married.

Madu said: “He told some of us in March last year that every woman he approached for marriage complained about his financial status. At a point, he started keeping to himself.”

Police sources hinted that investigation into the cause of the death had begun.

347 killed in December 12 Shiite/Army clash —Kaduna govt K

ADUNA STATE Government, yesterday, said 347 persons were killed during the December 12 Shiite/ Nigerian Army clash in Zaria.

The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, disclosed this in a government submission at the ongoing public hearing of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the clash.

Lawal, who led six government witnesses before the panel, said that 191 corpses were taken from the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, and were buried in Mando area in Kaduna.

He said 156 corpses were also conveyed from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH, Zaria, to the same Mando area.

The state government said the

corpses were committed into a mass grave at the Mando area jointly supervised by the state government officials and about 40 men of the Nigerian Army, led by an officer with the rank of a Major.

The SSG said 189 suspects were being prosecuted for alleged involvement in the Zaria crisis while one suspect had died in custody.

Students of University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, protesting over increase in school fees, yesterday.

DPO beats female traffic warden to coma in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA—A Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikenne Division of Ogun State, Mr. Patrick Onwu, yesterday, went wild and beat a female traffic officer to coma for allegedly stopping his private vehicle.

The DPO, who was on mufti while he allegedly disobeyed the traffic law, was said to have driven into a nearby filling station, parked and changed into a police uniform.

He allegedly pounced on the traffic warden, Inspector Anifat Bello, who was discharging her official duty, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, junction, on IBB Boulevard way.

The traffic warden, Anifat Bello, have been severally honoured for her dedication to duty.

The victim was reportedly beaten to stupor by the senior officer who was coming into Abeokuta from Sagamu end of the Siun-Kopabe-Sagamu Expressway.

He was said to have dealt with the traffic warden for having the audacity to stop his private vehicle despite allegedly disobeying traffic laws.

It will be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo,

had during a familarization visit of the state Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali, recommended the traffic officer for a national honour.

When contacted over the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, CP, was unhappy about the incident and had directed that

the matter be thoroughly investigated.

He said: “The woman traffic officer has reported the matter to the CP and he has directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated. The CP was not happy when the woman came with a swollen face. If the allegation is true, I am very sure the CP will know what to do."

He said the state government had received several security reports from the Directorate of State Service, DSS, on the activities of the movement.

According to him, several measures had been taken to address the situation before it finally escalated into the clash with the Nigerian Army.

Another witness and DirectorGeneral, Kaduna State Interfaith Agency, Mr. Namadi Musa, said the mass burial was conducted on December 14 and 15, respectively, and it took the officials about six hours to complete the burial.

Musa said while six tonnes of Mercedes tippers conveyed the 191 corpses from the ABUTH, the Army used three heavy duty trucks to convey corpses from the Zaria Army Depot.

“The mass burial was authorised through a warrant of burial obtained from a Kaduna Chief Magistrate's Court in Kaduna,” he said.

The state government blamed some of the lapses and the excesses of the movement on the laxity of the previous government which did not take serious action to curtail the activities of the sect.

On alleged demolition of buildings and structures of the IMN leader, the witnesses said that the demolitions were based on recommendations of a committee set up by the state government.

The witnesses, including officials of KASUPDA, KAPWA and the state ministry of Works, Transport and Housing, told the panel that several other structures belonging to individuals had been demolished due to poor building specifications and standards.

Mrs. Saratu Haruna, General Manager, KASUPDA; Mr. Namadi Musa, D-G Interfaith Agency; and Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Deputy CMD, ABUTH, appeared before the panel.

Lagos CP orders detention of officers over alleged beating of lawyer

By Esther Onyegbula

F

OLLOWING THE alleged beating of a Lagos based lawyer, Sunday Elimihe, by police officers attached to the Onipanu Division, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has ordered the arrest and detention of the officers involved for questioning.

The 42-year-old lawyer is said to be receiving treatment in a hospital following injuries sustained during the beating.

While narrating his ordeal from his hospital bed, Elimihe claimed the policemen also stole his N150,000 in his vehicle’s pigeon hole after they assaulted him.

According to him: “On my way

from Lekki where I went to check a property with my client, I decided to use the Onipanu Police Station road, by Apata.

Immediately I drove into the street close to the station, one Corporal Alonge stopped me and demanded for my vehicle particulars. I gave them to him, after that, he demanded for my driver’s licence, which I also gave to him. When he discovered I did not commit any offence, he asked for my tinted glass permit which I gave him.

“He told me I was using a forged tinted glass permit. I told him I could not have forged a police document as a lawyer. He became furious and said he was going to arrest me. He jumped into my vehicle and insisted I

must give him N1, 000 to bail myself.

"I said I was not going to give him any money since I have not committed any offence. He pounced on me and cocked his gun threatening to shoot me.

"Another policewoman who sighted us came and dragged the gun from him. The policeman after being disarmed descended on me and gave me the beating of my life. He pushed me into cell and another policeman locked up the cell and beat me for 30 minutes.

"I see this as intimidation of the highest order, not because I am a lawyer, but because I am an average Nigerian. I was treated like a common criminal."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—11

Senate gives Buhari final warning over budget 2016 Continues from Page 5 Comm ittee on Land Transport did not interfere with what was provided for in the budget as sent by the executive, being approximately N18 billion hence I am equally surprised to read on the pages of the newspapers that the amount allocated to the said project was reduced by N8 billion.

“While I would have preferred to wait till Tuesday, April 12, 2016 (today) when the National Assembly reconvenes in order to have the benefit of viewing the details of the budget that was conveyed to the executive as passed, I am compelled to place the facts in proper perspective as it relates to the activities of the Senate Committee on Land Transport.

“Without prejudice to the considerations and powers of the Senate Committee on Appropriations with regard to the appropriations process, the foregoing is the true reflection of what transpired at the committee level with respect to the Land Transport sector of the Ministry of Transport,”Ashafa said.

Vanguard learned, yesterday, that besides geopolitical interests, the removal of the Lagos – Calabar rail project from Budget 2016 was done partly to spite Amaechi supposedly for distancing himself from his former colleagues in the Senate, notably senators Bukola Saraki and Danjuma Goje.

"Amaechi was told by associates in the Senate that Goje was not happy with him and that he had teamed up with the Buhari people against his former colleagues in the Governors’ Forum,” a Presidency official conversant with the issue said. The source further revealed that on account of the information, Amaechi had to visit Goje to solicit his help on the passage of the budget proposals of the Ministry of Transportation.

Amaechi and his key aides were part of the president’s delegation to China and efforts to reach his media assistant; Mr. Dave Iyofor were unsuccessful.

A top presidency official stated that the CalabarLagos railway project alongside the Lagos – Kano rail project was included in the draft budget of the Ministry submitted to the Budget Office.

The official challenged the House of Representatives and the Senate to produce the report of their respective submissions to the NASS if they insist that the

project was not included in the budget.

The officer said: “When the budget was collated by the Budget Office, and copies sent back to the respective ministries for perusal, it was noticed that the Coastal Rail Project was erroneously omitted at the compilation stage, although the total amount did not change.

“The Transportation Ministry immediately, through a memo, drew the attention of the Budget and National Planning Ministry to the omission and it was corrected in the amended version which the Minister took to the National Assembly and defended,” he said.

He insisted that it was the amended copy that the team from Ministry defended before the National Assembly and not the one that had the error.

Another presidency official who spoke to Vanguard also confirmed that the issue over the erroneous submission made was trashed out between the president and the National Assembly leadership. The National Assembly leadership, the source said, asked the ministers to proceed to the committee levels to harmonise the differences between the initial submission and the corrected version, an issue that stoked the reports of a fake budget allegedly attributed to Senator Enang.

Vanguard learned that although members of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives raised some issues about an assumed duplication of the project because both the Lagos – Kano and Calabar – Lagos had the same figure of N60bn each in the allocation, Amaechi explained that there were two different projects that would be funded through the assistance of the Chinese government.

According to the ministry, the sum of N80bn was also provided in the same amended version for all other rail projects indicated.

The source said Amaechi even met with the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Senator Danjuma Goje, who was his colleague as state governor, on the two strategic rail projects; and also with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and the projects were clearly explained after which they were appropriately reflected in the Senate Transportation Committee report to the Appropriation Committee.

“That may be reason the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation has been quiet since the controversy started because he cannot claim ignorance of the issue."

The source challenged the Senate to produce the Transportation Committee report that was submitted.

The source also drew attention to the fact that the House of Representatives Appropriation Committee Chairman, Jibrin admitted that the Transport Ministry budget overshot by N54bn and queried if they were sincere, why the Ministry’s attention was never drawn to it during the several interactions they had with the National Assembly committees; but decided to distribute the funds to projects which were either not included anywhere in the budget nor provided for elsewhere.

He also queried why the allocation for Kano Airport jumped from N60bn to the N92bn reflected in the details sent to the President.

“Since Jibrin was referring people to the original budget, let him also show the people where either N60bn or N92bn was reflected in the original budget for the Lagos–Kano rail project?” he insisted.

It was also noted that provisions were made elsewhere in the budget for the rehabilitation of major airports in the country and would not know why the legislators decided to take the money apparently meant for the coastal rail project to allocate for security and football fields, wondering what connection such projects had with the ministry of transportation.

Meanwhile, a text message allegedly sent out by Jibrin to select committee chairmen to defend the extraction of the Calabar–Lagos rail project was, yesterday, in circulation.

The text read in part: "To all Hon Chairmen and Dep Chairmen of Standing Committees: As you are aware, we have transmitted details of budget 2016.

After consultation with the leadership of both Chambers, the reports of all standing Committees were sustained in the details. Though all items submitted by Committees were retained, you will see additional inputs that were necessary to be accommodated via little cuts. You are therefore enjoined to be prepared to justify reports both in media and elsewhere; in case, the executive arm disagrees. We are already justifying your reports, but you must join in doing so, especially in the media..."

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Delta lawmaker, security operatives chase Fulani herdsmen into forest A

By Perez Brisibe

BRAKA—THE member representing Ethiope East constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Evans Ivwurie, yesterday, recounted how he and security operatives in the area, chased Fulani herdsmen who were in the habit of attacking farmers in the area into the forest on foot.

The lawmaker while giving details of his “Operation arrest, meet and engage their sponsor” campaign, said that instead of waiting for the Federal Government to combat the incessant attacks by herdsmen in the area, he had decided to take the bull by the horn and go after them rather than wait for the herdsmen to attack his people.

Those who accompanied the lawmaker on the chase were the Abraka vigilante, Divisional Police Officer in charge of Abraka police station, Isah Hassan and his Mobile Police Unit Commander.

Ivwurie said: “I had embarked on a preventive approach to this matter which is identifying the source and taking the battle to the enemy

in their domain.

“Though these herdsmen are said to have been faceless and unknown prior to now, we succeeded in identifying their base deep inside the Oria-Abraka forest and chased them as they fled leaving behind their herd of

cattle.

“As soon as they saw us coming, they fled into some already dug tunnels leading to other dense parts of the forest which shows how organised they are. But we are not deterred as we have sent a clear message to them

that it is no longer business as usual.

“We are not trying to take the laws into our hands but rather, the campaign is to identify the sponsors of these herdsmen and constructively engage them if they want to truly embark on their cattle rearing business in our communities.”

SWEARING-IN: Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade (middle); Chief Judge of the state, Justice Okoi Ikpi Itam (right) and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr John Lebo, shortly after the swearing-in of three judges in Calabar, yesterday.

Ize-Iyamu accuses Oshiomhole of reckless borrowing

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—AHEAD of this year's governorship election in Edo State, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has insisted that the state was not a poor state and did not need to embark on what he termed “reckless borrowing and arbitrary taxation of its citizens.”

He blamed the Adams Oshiomhole administration for not having a master plan for the development of the state.

“Today, even the market women and poor sachet water sellers are not left out of the multiple taxation of the Oshiomhole administration in Edo State. A state that rakes in over N2 billion internally generated revenue and over N3 billion from the Federation Account is not poor. What he is doing by his spate of borrowing is to mortgage the future of Edo people and children yet unborn into debts,” he said.

Ize-Iyamu, who spoke at Afashio-Uzaire, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state when he met with PDP delegates and party officials in the Edo North senatorial district, also accused the governor of abandoning a cement factory started by the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion in Edo North senatorial zone.

“Recently, all of us were shocked when the governor came out of an executive council meeting to say C M Y K

that the former administration built a cement factory that was 35 per cent completed and that he would investigate same.

“This is a factory that was more than 90 per cent completed.

Instead of completing it, the

governor said he wanted to investigate it. Today, the factory is abandoned. We intend to change all that. The economy of our state must be diversified.”

He described as belated, Sunday's flag-off of the Okpella

Cement Factory by Oshiomhole in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, pointing out that it should have come a long time ago when viewed against his close relationship with Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Edo govt slams PDP over alleged misinformation

By Gloria Adokwu

E

DO State Government has faulted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, over its alleged increasing fabrications and falsification of information for cheap political gains ahead of the September governorship election in the state.

The government said that the latest was a claim by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, that Governor

Adams Oshiomhole was seeking to extend the tenure of local government councils and that it was listed for April 5, 2016 order paper in the House of Assembly, noting that this turned out to be another of PDP fabrication.

A statement by Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, Governor’s Office, Mr. John Mayaki said, “The other day, Sanballat was everywhere taking, then Tobiah joined him at Uromi and on Wednesday, Geshem joined the fray. But we

all can see that no such thing was done in the Assembly as the PDP alleged. The PDP forgets that there will always be a party smarter than they and with everything figured out.

“Oshiomhole is doing a great work, building the broken walls of Edo which the PDP-led government bequeathed to us.

There was no such thing on April 5, 2016 order paper in the Assembly for debate. PDP should stop seeking for cheap political gains with fabricated information."

Cross River budgets N1.7bn for food bank commission

C

ROSS River Government has budgeted the sum of N1.7 billion for the establishment of a food bank commission in the state.

This was disclosed by the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, while receiving a delegation from HB Heritage Bank led by its Coordinator of Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Mr. Godwin Ukwat, on a courtesy visit in

his office in Calabar, yesterday.

Ayade said that the Food Bank Commission was structured in a manner that each local government area will have a director.

He expressed the willingness of the state government to key into the Home Grown School Feeding Programme on the condition that it was given the free hand to run it.

The governor decried the fact

that the practice of agriculture in the country was still at the subsistence level, stating that it was time the country embraced the use of technology in farming.

In his presentation, the HB Heritage Bank, Head of AgricFinance, Mr. Gbenga Awe said, that the home grown school feeding programme is one of the social safety nets of the Federal Government, which seeks to employ 300,000 youths in the country.

Omateye family disowns publication ...says it was in bad faith

By Godwin Oghre

S

APELE—THE Omateye family of Bateren in Warri North Local Governmenr Area of Delta State, has faulted a recent media report credited to some individuals who claimed to be acting on behalf of the family, with the name of Omateye Organisation Bateren, to the effect that the family held a meeting recently during which it was resolved that the President or the Olori-ebi (head) of the Omateye family are the only people with the right to nominate persons into the board of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, to be shortly constituted, upon the lapse of the tenure of the former IRDC board.

The family under the aegis of Omateye Family Elites, OFE, said that the report by one Moses Fregene, Peter Odin and Nelson Gbenebitshe, was unknown to the family, done in bad faith and without the approval of the general assembly of the family.

National Coordinator of OFE, Prince Ishola Etchie, who spoke in Sapele yesterday, said, “The general assembly of the Omateye family never mandated anybody to cause such publication."

FRSC convicts 44 traffic offenders in A-Ibom

By Tom Moses

U

YO—NO fewer than 44 persons have been arrested and convicted by the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, within the year for violating various traffic regulations in Akwa Ibom State.

State Sector Commander of the corps, Mrs. Cecilia Alao, made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen on the activities of the agency in Uyo, yesterday.

She said that out of the number prosecuted, 43 were convicted for various traffic offences and given options of fines while one was discharged and acquitted.

According to Alao, those convicted through the Corps’ mobile court were made to pay fines ranging from N5, 000 to N20, 000 depending on their offences.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—13

Pipeline explosions: ERA demands audit of Agip safety procedures

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — ENVIRONMENTAL Rights Action/Friends of Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, has called for a comprehensive audit of safety procedures at Agip oilfields in Bayelsa State following rising cases of explosions.

No fewer than three explosions had been recorded at oilfields operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC, in the last nine months in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

They include the blast of July 9, 2015 at Azuzuama area, which left 14 persons dead; the explosion on March 26, 2016 which claimed three lives while the third in February 2016 had no casualty.

ERA/FoEN, which made the call in its field report by Mr Alagoa Morris, Head of Field Resources, Bayelsa State, said that the frequent fatal accidents had claimed 17 lives in the past nine months.

The group called for stiff sanctions, including revocation

of operational licence of NAOC if found culpable.

He said: “The authorities should set up an investigative panel of enquiry to follow up this incident to its logical conclusion and there should be a public hearing on the report of such a panel. “ C o m m u n i t y representatives and civil society groups should be given an opportunity to also contribute to such effort to bring out the truth of the matter.

“The oil industry is very important to the nation and it would be gross disservice and negligence on the part of the three tiers of government not to accord proper investigation of such incidents the importance they deserve.”

ERA also recommended that autopsy should be carried out on the victims of the explosion to determine the actual cause of the deaths, adding that deaths during repairs at NAOC's oil fields

had reached alarming levels.

Sanctions, according to the group, should be considered as a measure to make the industry more serious and

W

ARRI—THE N a t i o n a l Association of Gbaramatu Students, NAGS, has congratulated Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on his 45th birthday. It said it has also concluded plans to host a special event in Tompolo's honour in Warri, Delta State.

This is coming as Chairman of Kunukunuma community in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Moses Bebenimibo, described Tompolo as one of the greatest sons of the region in view of his efforts to bring development to the Nigeria Delta.

In a statement congratulating Tompolo on his 45th birthday, Chief Bebenimibo said it was unfortunate, “that those who want perpetual poverty and underdevelopment of the coastal area of the Niger Delta region which feeds the country are using our brothers to scuttle the only university in the coastal region of Nigeria."

On his part, Seifa Ekpemupolo, National President, NAGS, who spoke yesterday in Warri, described Tompolo as a legend and hero.

C M Y K

He said that the celebration was inevitable considering the positive impact Tompolo has on the lives of the students through facilitation of scholarships and provision of educational materials and school uniforms to students.

He said: “We wish our brother, mentor and leader a lovely and joyfully birthday. We pray the Almighty God to change your story to glory, for the

education in nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the region.

“With your efforts currently, NAGS has registered members capacity of over 3,000 students from various tertiary institutions in and outside the country.

Through you, we have students from colleges of education, technical school in the amnesty international and universities."

Edo govt warns Fulani herdsmen, farmers against violence

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—EDO State Government has warned Fulani herdsmen and local farmers in the state to maintain the peace or face the wrath of the law, saying that the government will neither ban grazing nor farming.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said if not properly managed, the situation “can

regulatory agencies to ensure that Agip was compelled to clean up and remediate the impacted environment.

INDUCTION: From left: Member of the Governing Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Mrs Uchenna Erobu; 51st President of ICAN, Otunba Olufemi Deru; Member of Governing Council of ICAN, HRH Adaku Chidume-Okoro and the Chairman of Audit, Investigations and Forensic Accounting Faculty of ICAN, Mr. Bolaji Medessou, during the induction ceremony of ICAN Faculties in Lagos.

Ijaw students, community leader extol Tompolo at 45 role you played toward

By Akpokona Omafuaire

professional in terms of engaging contractors, safety and oilfield practices in the field.

ERA also urged the

escalate beyond what we can manage quietly.”

He said: “Edo State Government will prosecute any rapist, kidnapper or rustler who takes people’s cows. I think listening to all the stakeholders, whether royal fathers, farmers, Fulani herdsmen, everybody agreed that neither rape, robbery, destruction of farms nor rustling of cattle is acceptable. I think we are all committed to ensuring that we put an end to any of these practices so that all of us can continue to live together in peace, harmony and in security.”

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Naira depreciation:

Why Nigeria may not meet digital switchover deadline

CIMA reviews fees

I

I

N response to the weakened performance of the Naira against the Pound Sterling, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, CIMA, has announced reductions in its examination fees.

The institute said in a statement that reductions will range from 12.6 percent to 19.6 percent, depending on the paper sat.

Samantha Louis, Africa Regional Director, CIMA, said: “The review is in response to feedback from our students and other stakeholders in the wake of the weakened Rand.”

She said the new pricing format applied to all students in Africa and had a tiered approach. In this format exemption pricing remains the same— on a single global pricing structure.

Responding to the news, Head of Nigeria, Ijeoma Anadozie, said: “The new pricing strategy is in line with our vision to help people and business to succeed. It will allow more Nigerians to become CIMA members and management accountants.

This in turn will help Nigerian businesses, and will power up their decision-making abilities.”

Emore old students get new exco

T

HE two-day Easter conference of Old Students of Emore Grammar School, Oleh, has ended with the election of a new executive.

The plenary held at Oleh Civil Centre, was chaired

by High Chief Iduh Amadhe, PresidentGeneral of Isoko Development Union, IDU. The new exco members are Mr. Egbure Emmanuel, President; Dr. Oghonu Eric, Vice President; Ufih Federal, Secretary General; Mrs. Tano Akporuere, Assistant Secretary General; Dr. Omofowe Efajemue, Treasurer/ Financial Secretary; Mr. Urete John, Legal Adviser; Mr Ekebe Emmanuel, Publicity Secretary; Odize Samuel, Social Secretary; Emamezi Ignatus, Internal Auditor; Mrs. Charity Alex Ovie, Chief whip; Osieme Benson and Omojefen John, ex-officio members.

C M Y K

By Emmanuel Elebeke NDICATION has emerged that Nigeria may again fail to meet the June 17, 2017, deadline for a switch from analogue television broadcasting to digital because of lack of funds to execute the project.

However, the industry regulator, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has said it would do everything possible to meet

the 2017 June deadline, despite financial constraint.

It will be recalled that Nigeria missed the June 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, last year because of paucity of funds.

Industry watchers have informed that Federal Government did not make any budgetary provision for the project in the 2016 budget, a project that is expected to cost close to N60 billion.

Speaking on the matter, an industry expert, Mr. David Foshe, warned that the failure of government to release funds for the switch over may spell doom for the country’s change over from analogue TV to digital by June 2017.

His words: “It was how to go about the problem that cost a former Director General of NBC his job because he sold a spectrum and tried to use the money for the project.

“The current concern is

TO CHINA:

From left— P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari; Political Attache, Huang Shuming and M i n i s t e r Counsellor, Mr. Qin Jian, both of the Embassy of China, during d e p a r t u r e formalities for the President as he departed on a state visit to Beijing, Abuja. PHOTO: A b a y o m i Adeshida.

Borno now free of terror —Gov Shettima

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—TEN months into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has announced that his state was now free of terror.

While Governor Shettima was quick to concede that the Boko Haram terrorist group had not been annihilated, he said despite occasional hiccups, “Borno is now free.”

Governor Shettima, who disclosed this while on a visit to the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Muhammad Sidi, in Abuja yesterday, said: “10 months ago, one could not travel for 10 kilometres without encountering terrorists.”

He added that then, Maiduguri was the only relatively safe haven, adding “yes, we still have occasional hiccups, but Boko Haram has been so decimated that they can no longer threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria.”

He noted that peace was gradually returning to the state, expressing optimism that by year-end, all internally

displaced persons, IDPs, would have returned to their homes.

Praising NEMA for its support to Borno State, the governor solicited for greater support, saying the state is home to 90 percent of IDPs in the country.

According to him, out of 2.5 million IDPs in Nigeria, Maiduguri alone is host to 1.7 million, while there are nearly 200,000 IDPs in camps

scattered around the state.

On the vexed issue of the missing 219 Chibok girls, the governor was optimistic that the girls were still alive and would be rescued soon.

In his remarks, DG of NEMA, Sidi, lauded the governor for embarking on the reconstruction of liberated areas, urging him not to be deterred by occasional and isolated terrorist attacks on soft targets.

non-availability of funding for the remaining processes. As you are aware, the former NBC DG ran into problems for using the backdoor in his desperation to fund the process: using part of the MTN N34 billion spectrum purchase, all in the bid to ensure that the processes were concluded.

“As things are now, Nigeria may find it difficult to meet the June 17, 2017, deadline if the Federal Government fails to do something urgent.”

US firm makes case for modular refineries

By Prince Okafor & Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

T

HE President, Techmodular/Financial Bridge Incorporation, USA, Ms. Carol Abelleira, has called on the Federal Government to synergise with key industry players in the development of modular refineries to boost economic growth.

Ms. Abelleira made this call during the unveiling of programmes for the development of modular refineries, solar power plants and renewable energy solution for Africa in Lagos.

She said:“Our ultimate objective is to partner with our associated company Financial Bridge Inc. USA, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Niger Delta states governments and other government agencies and private sector associations members to secure U.S private equity funds and Export Import Bank financing to fund the development of modular crude oil refineries, gas and power projects in Nigeria.”

Agric accounts for 24% GDP, says CBN

By Gabriel Ewepu

A

BUJA—THE contribution of the agricultural sector to Nigeria’s gross domestic product, GDP, has increased from 23.86 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 24.18 percent, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, said yesterday.

The 24.18 percent increase, the bank said, showed that the sector was larger than manufacturing and oil sectors combined, adding that it grew from 6.28 percent to 9.50 percent in the same year.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said this in Abuja at the opening of 2016 Nigeria

Agri-Finance Conference, with the theme Catalyzing the Diversification of Nigerian Economy Through Effective Agricultural Finance.

Emefiele, who was represented by Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, noted that over 70 percent of informal sector jobs created in the economy were related to rural agriculture.

Adelabu said that diversification of Nigeria’s economy was no longer an option, with an annual food imports bill of over N630

billion, poverty and unemployment rate of 9.9 percent.

According to him, CBN in 2014 took proactive measures to diversify the economy by selecting six focal agricultural commodities, including rice, wheat, cotton, sugar, fish and oil palm, for intensive support under its agricultural interventions.

The decision, he said, became necessary because of the high contribution of the commodities to the nation’s food import bills.

The CBN governor added that Nigeria must reposition its economy to attain inclusive growth and global competitiveness.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—15

Channels TV reporter kidnapped in Owerri

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—THE Imo State Channels Television correspondent, Mr. Tope Kutiyi, was kidnapped by armed men in the early hours of yesterday.

Vanguard gathered that Kutiyi was jolted from his sleep by the gunmen, after they successfully scaled the perimeter fence of his residence in Federal Housing Estate, Umuguma, and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

Although it was not clear if the hoodlums removed anything

from the house, Vanguard gathered that Kutiyi’s wife was not at home when the kidnappers struck, because she went to visit her sister, who lost her husband.

Meanwhile, passionate appeals have been sent to the journalist’s captors to release him unconditionally and unharmed.

The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, who said he received the news with shock, also described the incident as “ regrettable, uncharitable,

unchristian and anachronistic.”

Chief Ihim, who described Mr. Kutiyi as “a complete gentleman, who does his job with sentimental attachment,” wondered why he should be a target for kidnappers.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Rochas Okorocha, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “He is only a reporter who cannot be said to have been kidnapped because of money,” adding that only those behind the act know why they decided

to inconvenience the reporter and his family.

He said: “They must have done this to blackmail the state government, having been heavily commended for fighting and reducing cases of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the state to the nearest minimum.”

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, confirmed the incident and quickly added that the Command was already at work to unravel those behind the crime.

ENUGU SUMMIT:

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (4th left); Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sean Hoy (5th left); Consul General of France, Laurent Polonceaux (3rd left); a staff of Yuanda Group, Mr. Wang Xingyun (2nd left); MD, Yuanda Group, Mr. Wang Yijun (3rd right); MP Fit Consult, Loretta Aniagholu (2nd right); another staff of Yuanda Group, Mr. Ronnie Tan; Mr. Jiang Xin of Yuanda Group (left) and other investors arriving for Enugu International Investment Summit starting today, at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

S’East govs tasked on economic integration

By Etop Ekanem

T

HE DWINDLING federal allocation and attendant cash crunch in the face of mounting social and economic needs call for concerted effort by SouthEast governors to promote economic integration.

An advisory board member of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council London and Group Managing Director of Chimons Ltd, an oil and gas conglomerate, Chibuike Achigbu gave the charge while responding to questions on the way forward for the South East beyond oil.

He bemoaned the lack of serious creative engagement to reposition the economy of the region, especially against the backdrop of obvious development gaps, poor performance of private business and huge army of the unemployed.

While commending the effort of some governors in the zone, he said the absence of basic infrastructure might eventually prevent the realisation of set objectives.

C M Y K

Abia shallow grave: Ikpeazu, Okorocha condemn killing of Fulani, Igbo by kidnappers in Abia

By Anayo Okoli

U

M U A H I A — GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and his Imo State counterpart, Chief Rochas Okorocha, yesterday, admitted that a shallow grave with corpses was discovered in a forest in the boundary community along Uturu axis of Abia State.

They said that the grave was dug by suspected kidnappers, who killed and buried five Fulani herdsmen and two Igbo men. They swore to aggressively tackle the menace of kidnapping in both states.

They ruled out ethnic killing or killing by any group, saying it was a case of kidnapping.

The joint security meeting was also attended by some traditional rulers led by the chairman of South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Eberechi Dick.

At a joint press briefing, shortly after rising from a joint security meeting of the two states, the governors attributed the killing to activities of kidnappers which they agreed needed to be tackled aggressively.

According to them, security operatives have been directed to raid the forest and clear it of miscreants, and warned that any property in which kidnapping activity was carried out would be demolished and the land taken over by the government.

First to speak was Governor Ikpeazu, who condemned the killings and dumping of corpses in the shallow grave.

He noted that his Imo State counterpart came with his security chiefs for the meeting, to fashion out ways of improving security.

He said that they would “restrategise and make bold statements about the security challenges facing the two states; one of such is that we condemn the spate of kidnapping, especially the five Fulani men that were abducted and assassinated in the forest.”

For Governor Okorocha: “We are here to join forces with Abia and to see how we flush out criminal elements in the two states, particularly the recent kidnapping of five Fulani herdsmen. We condemn the killing of five Fulani herdsmen and two Igbo, who were buried in the forest.

“The culprits have been arrested and they will face the full wrath of the law. I assure you that all of them that were involved will pay the ultimate price for their action. I also want to make the world understand that it was not an issue of ethnicity or hatred for any group, but a case of kidnapping.

“We also looked at our porous borders and have declared a joint security patrol.”

Ekweremadu wants reform of federal character principle

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T

HE DEPUTY President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has called for a reform of the federal character principle in public sector recruitments if the country is to move forward.

Ekweremadu, in a new book due for public presentation this month, said the fears of marginalisation that have suppressed meritocracy in the recruitments into the public service were largely unfounded, as he affirmed that qualified Nigerians could be found in every part of the country.

In the book entitled, Who Will Love My Country: Ideas of Building the Nigeria of Our Dreams, Ekweremadu argued that champions of the use of federal character have rather used the principle to uplift mostly their kith and kin at the expense of the larger population.

The 159-page book also has commentaries on the electoral process, party politics, revamping of public institutions, corruption, poverty reduction, among others.

While noting that federal character had played an important role in fostering national unity and promoting cross cultural interactions, he, however, alleged that it had over time been abused and exploited to put mediocrity at the expense of merit in the leadership recruitment process.

APGA reconciliation c'ttee rejects Peter Obi

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA—THE seven-man committee instituted by All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to reconcile aggrieved members has rejected former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who was allegedly said to have indicated interest to return to the party.

Obi had dumped APGA for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as soon as he left office as governor on the platform of the party for eight years.

Speaking to Vanguard, Chairman of the reconciliation committee, Chief Maja Umeh, said his mandate was not to reconcile party members like the former governor who left the party for another party and even worked against APGA in recent elections.

He said: “His reconciliation with APGA as reported in some social media and newspapers is not part of my mandate and my committee dissociates itself from such reports and at the same time we urge the general public to discountenance the reports.”

16 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

KOGI ASSEMBLY CRISIS: Disregard NASS, AGF tells IG

T

HE Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has advised the Inspector General of Police to disregard a National Assembly resolution to seal the Kogi State House of Assembly, saying the legislative body erred in its resolution.

On March 17, the Senate concurred with the resolution of the House of Representatives to take over the Kogi Assembly and asked the police to seal the assembly complex.

The complex has since been under lock, following the directive.

The National Assembly had intervened in Kogi legislative crisis after the emergence of two persons parading themselves as Speakers.

Momoh Lawal was declared impeached by five of 25-member Assembly on February 16, leading to the emergence of Umar Umar.

Some lawmakers insisted that Mr. Lawal remains Speaker, while others supported Mr. Umar.

While the police had since complied with directive of the National Assembly, the police boss sought legal opinion from the minister of Justice via a letter dated March 18.

In his reply, Mr. Malami said the National Assembly erred, noting that Kogi legislative crisis was a mere misunderstanding between legislators with no implication for the wider security of the state as envisaged by the constitution which could lead to “take over” of a state house of assembly.

According to him, “careful reading of the factual situation”

envisaged under Section 11(4), which can give rise to a “takeover” decision by the National Assembly in respect of the affairs of a State House of Assembly revealed that it must be by “reason of the situation prevailing in the state. ''The Constitution, in my opinion, presumes that the general security situation in the State should have deteriorated to

the extent that the House of Assembly finds it difficult or impossible to operate or exercise its normal legislative activities.

“Section 11(4) is therefore, not meant to address mere issues of disagreement between legislators in the State House of Assembly, since it is recognized that such disagreements or disputes are normal incidences within the democratic governance space.

Ita-Giwa tasks Buhari on Bakassi IDPs

F

ORMER Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, cater for the needs of the displaced people of Bakassi, the same way he had been making provisions for the Internally Displaced People, IDPs, of the North East.

Ita-Giwa, who had resiliently been at the forefront of the agitation for the proper resettlement of the Bakassi people urged the President Buhari-led Federal Government to effectively collaborate to

resettle them at their preferred location, Dayspring Island because of its contiguity to the sea to aid their fishing profession.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, yesterday, Senator Ita-Giwa restated that her people are hardworking people, who do not wish to be perpetually dependent on government's goodwill but want a conducive and enabling environment to earn a living.

According to her: ''The people have been traumatised and dehumanized while the youths are languishing in hopelessness with their generation gradually fainting into oblivion.''

She noted that as the rain season approaches: ''The Federal Government should please pay more attention to the people so as to alleviate their suffering and poverty,'' adding that the Cross Rivers State government alone cannot provide social facilities.

Ita-Giwa urged President Buhari to evolve a framework for their welfare and rehabilitation, quoting the Kampala convention on IDP established in 2012 by the African Union, AU, of which Nigeria is one of the signatories as a result of the large number of displaced persons in Bakassi and the North East.

Digital rights and freedom bill underway

By Godwin Oritse

O

PERATORS in the I n f o r m a t i o n Communication Technology, (ICT), industry, have commenced moves to push for a bill on digital rights and freedom with a view to creating a robust ICT industry in Nigeria.

Speaking at this year’s edition of Internet Freedom Forum, Mr. Nani Jansen, Legal Director, Media Legal Defense Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organization said the bill would further boost ICT operation in the industry.

Jansen explained that the role of intermediaries (third party content) played in monitoring content published online could not be over emphasized when the bill was finally passed into law.

Speaking on the proposed ICT legislation, the Vice-Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Emeka Ujam lauded the review of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill and promised to ensure the bill got the attention it deserves before the end of the year.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—17

Re: Tinubu's unfinished business P

AUL Joseph Goebbels (29 October 1897 – 1 May 1945) was Adolf Hitler's Propaganda Minister in Nazi Germany. He also served as Chancellor for one day, following Hitler's death. He was known for his zealous and energetic oratory and virulent anti-Semitism. One of his famous quotes is that if you repeat a lie often it becomes the truth and if you tell a lie so big enough people would start to believe it.

That came rushing in my memory as I read Ochereome Nnanna 's "Bola Tinubu's unfinished business" ( Vanguard , April 4, 2016) where he repeated the untruth that has been told against the memory of the late Afenifere Leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya in the years after his demise. He wrote and I quote:"One of Tinubu’s rare acts of political vision was his refusal to join the other five AD Governors of the South West under the directive of Afenifere, to support former President Olusegun Obasanjo for a second term in office.

Incidentally, all the governors who took Obasanjo’s poisoned bait – Lam Adesina of Oyo, Bisi Akande of Osun, Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti, Adebayo Adefarati of Ondo State and Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State – lost their states to Obasanjo’s PDP, with Tinubu (who had formed his own political party, the Action Congress) the last man standing. Not only did the Afenifere-propelled AD governors lose, the Afenifere itself, which Tinubu had distanced himself from because of their hobnobs with Obasanjo – collapsed as a political force"

For the records For record purposes, Senator Bola Tinubu contested the 2003 elections under the Alliance for Democracy (AD). The ACN was not formed until 2006 as I headed the mobilisation committee that sold the ACN idea in the South West states.

It is also not right to say that Tinubu severed relationship with Afenifere over "hobnobs with Obasanjo". The truth of his estrangement with C M Y K

Afenifere was his quarrel with the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, the founding chairman of AD in Lagos state who threw his weight behind the late Engr. Funsho Wlliams at the 1999 governorship primaries in Lagos.

It was the disagreement in Lagos between Tinubu and Dawodu that eventually led to the division in National AD which led to their holding two separate conventions, one at Eagles Square producing Alhaji Ahmed Abdukadir as Chairman and the other at Abuja Gardens electing Mallam Mamman Yusuf.

The two factions of AD dug in for years with the late Chief Bola Ige, Deputy Leader of Afenifere who sought a pound of flesh over his loss to Chief Olu Falae at D'Rovans being the arrowhead of the Abdukadir group which had Senator Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Lam Adesina and Otunba Niyi Adebayo as point men.

Tinubu took over the group's leadership after Ige's murder in December 2001. The Yusuf side which had the support of leaders from Afenifere had in its fold Chief Adebayo Adefarati and Chief Segun Osoba.

Senator Abraham Adesanya however remained a common factor to both sides of AD as he was able to insulate the group from taking sides with either faction thereby being able to call them together as occasion

The truth of his estrangement with Afenifere was his quarrel with the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, the founding chairman of AD in Lagos state who threw his weight behind the late Engr. Funsho Wlliams at the 1999 governorship primaries in Lagos

warranted .

As 2003 elections drew near, Senator Adesanya tried to reconcile the two groups to have a united front. Several meetings were called with the Abdukadir group in South West on a high horse as it had INEC recognition.

Abraham Adesanya's offer Somehow, the two groups were harmonised in other five states leaving only Lagos where Dawodu-Tinubu conflict remained intractable.

The last major meeting held at Ijebu-Igbo resolved that both groups should back Tinubu for second term as governor while the remaining political offices be shared 60% for Tinubu and 40% for Dawodu.

Tinubu flatly refused to accept the proposition. A committee headed by Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Gen. Alani Akinrinade and my humble self as Secretary met both groups at Airport Hotel in Ikeja where Tinubu declared that he was unable to persuade his group to accept the formula.

It was in the midst of all these that the so-called "hobnobs" with Obasanjo was going on. Let me state here and I challenge any living soul to contradict me that the whole deal was cut by ALL the AD governors and Senator Adesanya only tallied along like a general whose troops had gone in a direction.

He is late now and cannot speak for himself but those of us who were eyewitnesses to history owe it to the memory of a self-sacrificing leader to defend his memory against orchestrated calumniation.

Ige's murder and turn of events Two months before Chief Ige was murdered, a reconciliation Committee headed by Chief Cornelius Adebayo with Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Mr. Jimi Agbaje as members and I as Secretary met him at his Ibadan residence where he told us matter-of-fact that the AD would not have a presidential candidate in the 2003 elections because he was the only one who could face him and it would be a

stupid thing to do. He hinted of his impending resignation from Obasanjo's administration. "I am coming home to rebuild AD. We will support Obasanjo but PDP would not win an inch of Yorubaland. This time around we will pick our own ministers into Obasanjo cabinet."

I remember telling Mr. Jimi Agbaje and discussing the naivety of such position with Mr. Agbaje as we returned to Lagos wondering how the fox in Obasanjo would allow him to be taunted as having no home base for the second term!

At a meeting held in Senator Abraham Adesanya's Apapa residence in February 2003, the AD governors told Senator Adesanya that they had held discussion with Obasanjo over his second term bid but informedhim they didn't have the final say except he entered into discussions with their Leader.

But before this, two fundamental things had taken place. One, the official AD controlled by the Governors had decided not to field a presidential candidate. Why would they take such a

decision if they were not playing the script Chief Ige already hinted us as far back as 2001? Two, Obasanjo had held a meeting with the Governors Forum where the AD Governors shot down conducting Local Government elections across the country even to the consternation of their PDP colleagues. They already counseled Obasanjo before the meeting that if the elections were held he would not win in the South west and that would give an edge to his opponents in terms of delegates to the PDP National Convention.

By the time Senator Adesanya came on the scene, there were three major meetings with Obasanjo. The first was in his Otta Farm where the governors minus Tinubu were present. Chief C.O Adebayo and Senator Femi Okurorounmu were appointed spokespersons.

Three issues were tabled before Obasanjo as conditions to support him. He must guarantee free and fair election,organise credible census and restructure the country.

To be continued.

Oronto Douglas: Like a candle in the wind

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T was just like yesterday but Saturday 9th April, 2016 marked the painful exit of my brother and friend Oronto Natei Douglas (OND) from this side of eternity after a courageous battle with cancer for about five years.

Cancer would testify that it met a match in the resilience of a dogged fighter whose spirit could not be subdued by any affliction. Though cancer was eating up his body,OND remained ever articulate with undying commitment to the job he had to do.

In the last days of his life, I

The late Oronto Douglas

was grieved in my spirit looking at him on two occasions.

First was in his hotel room in London as we prepared for an event and I sat with him on his bed. He was in great pains but yet still paying attention to details to ensure that nothing goes wrong . His body was dying but his spirit was very much well and alive.

On another occasion, I had to take him somewhere in Lagos and we returned to Raddison Blue hotel where he lodged.It took him almost 30 minutes to get out of the car as I parked.When he gathered enough strength, he asked me to go but I insisted I had to walk him to his room. My eyes were misty as I left him that night.

He pushed and trudged on until April 9 when he said the final bye. He is dead but he lives on for the life of impact that he led .

By some twist of fate,as friends gathered to mark the first anniversary of his transition in Abuja, the remains of his former boss,DSP Alamieyesigha was being lowered to the grave in Yenagoa. He was a man to whom OND showed his famed fierce loyalty in his days of travails.Now they are united in death.

He lived and packed so much into his fourty nine years on earth as if he knew from the beginning that he didn't have so much time around here earning immortality in so such a time.

My heart goes out to his darling wife, Tarinabo and his wonderful kids who have coped with life without their breadwinner for a year now. God who has seen them through the last one year will see them through the years ahead.

Sleep well,Oronto Douglas!

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 Minister of Agriculture, Mr Audu Ogbeh, has revealed President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive for him to establish 50,000 hectares of grazing reserves within six months.

According to him, this is meant to end the conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the country.

He was quoted as declaring: “We are faced with cattle grazing challenge now and the conflicts. A lot of people are getting killed, it is my business to solve that problem. The president has told me so. I have done my survey and I have taken my decision that we have to grass-up 50,000 hectares of land in the next six months across the northern belt before we move south.

“I’m bringing improved grass seeds. I will multiply it and I’m going to solve the problem of grazing. Whether critics like it or not, it’s my business”.

We find it dumbfounding that Ogbeh, an experienced politician

FG’s grazing reserve: invitation to chaos who prides himself as being a democrat, will utter such words dripping with impunity and arrogant disregard for the heartfelt concerns of well-meaning Nigerians over the ability of the socalled grazing reserve policy to provide acceptable and lasting solutions to the conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

We firmly believe that this policy is arbitrary since the approval of communities, landowners and the various state governors who are constitutionally vested with powers over land under the Land Use Act

are yet to be sought. It also smacks of a dangerous imposition, which could trigger off unforeseen consequences that could derail Nigeria’s nationhood when communities take matters into their hands to resist it.

We must remind Ogbeh and those pushing him into this booby trap of a policy that there is no credible alternative to the adoption of wellestablished best practices in modern animal farming which increase productivity, create wealth and offer opportunities for nomads to settle down and enjoy

the benefits of modern life such as education and health facilities.

We strongly believe that instead of “grazing reserves” the Federal Government should partner with interested and willing state governors to unfold a policy of ranching for all animal husbandry practitioners. After all, livestock farming is business, just like any other business. Those involved in it must make the necessary investments, including the purchase or lease of land to carry on their businesses, rather than people’s lands being forcefully confiscated for allocation to nomads in the name of “grazing reserves”. It is bound to be seen as an affront and a deprivation of the ancestral patrimony of indigenous communities, and this could lead to even more ethnic tensions.

We strongly advise the Federal Government to consult widely and secure the approval of Nigerians before dragging the nation into needless chaos.

OPINION Farewell with tears to Ocholi

By Imaobong Udoh

T

HAT fateful Sunday, the 6th of March 2016, it was a dark Sunday for the Ocholis, the staff of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, all his friends, colleagues and admirers nation wide.

I thought it was a dream I could wake up from, it also seems to me as one of those rumours that eventually turned out to be fables. Like it was rumoured about the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, sen. Dr. Chris Ngige, a week earlier.

That Sunday afternoon, I received a call from my colleague and friend, asking if I had heard the news, my answer was no.

Since there was no electricity I rushed to put on the generator, and searching through the stations. Then, I saw on the scrol on Television Breaking news: Hon. Minister of state for Labour and Employment, Ocholi James and son Joshua feared dead, in a ghastly motor accident along Kaduna-Abuja express way, while his wife Blessing was in a critical condition at a Kaduna hospital.

It was so hard to think of him as being dead, too difficult to accept as a reality. I was confused and could not believe the story until later that evening when other stations also aired the story, it became a confirmation.

His voice began to re-echo in my ears so clearly. I could visualise the last meeting we had with him on that last Wednesday evening, when the Local Government Union came visiting, and when it was the

turn of the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment Sen. Dr, Chris Ngige, to give his speech, and he asked the late Hon. Minister of state to speak first.

I could still remember so clearly, in his jovial but humble manner, how he said ‘’I will not call you GSM, I am thinking in my head, what name to call you’’ referring to the Hon. Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige, whom the Perm. Secretary had ealier introduced as former Governor, Senator and Minister (GSM), he gave his reasons and we all laughed over it. I never knew that was the last time, I will see him.

In his usual manner, calm and well composed, he gave his remark, and you could see the commitment and passion for service written all over him. He assured the union of his total support, especially using his position as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria he will make sure that their rights and demands are met and fully restored.

But he did not know that he had an appointment with death and will not be

Ocholi was a man of different proficiencies, a devoted and dedicated Christian, a successful lawyer, an active politician, a committed husband and father

able to fulfill those promises and dreams of tackling the labour issues.

Not only was his death shocking, it was also tragic, claiming the lives of his wife Blessing and that of his son Joshua.

This is one tragedy that is too hard to live with. That Sunday 6th of March 2016, had gone down in history and cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

Though I did not know much about him until his appointment as the minister of State for Labour and Employment on 11th of November, 2015, but for this short period of three months I worked under him, I came to admire his person, and more so when I read through his profile recently, I became more challenged to see a man of that calibre who had reached the Apex of his profession, yet so humble. Ocholi was an epitome of hard work, commitment, service to humanity.

This exceptional quality has distinguished him among his mate and colleagues and accorded him several recognition among which are Senior Advocate of Nigeria [SAN], Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including Ambassador of Conscience and Notary Personality; He served in different capacities in religious and political circles.

Ocholi was a man of different proficiencies, a devoted and dedicated Christian, a successful lawyer, an active politician, a committed husband and father.

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR also rightly said, Nigeria has lost a key component in the change agenda.

His loss is indeed a colossal one, and according to the minister of Labour and

Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige”, this death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.’

He left an indelible mark. He was an accomplished lawyer and politician who served in different capacities. He was a litigator, fighting for the right of those who were oppressed and neglected. Ocholi was a voice for the voiceless, down to earth, and was not given to flamboyancy.

Though he had a rough beginning as a child while growing up, he was not despair or distracted by the circumstances around him. He kept hope alive and was determined through hard work to succeed and he actually succeeded, his dream of becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was fulfilled .He was happily married to his wife Blessing, and the union was blessed with five children. What else could a man ask for? He was a blessing to his family. Community and Nigeria as a whole.

This indeed is one tragedy that is difficult to live with, but we take solace in the saying that “the life of a man is not measured by how long he lives on earth but how many lives he affected”. He was a good man. He used his God given talent to serve humanity and was loved by all who came in contact with him. He left his footprint in the sands of time.

I pray the Almighty God will give the nation the fortitude to bear the great loss, it is indeed difficult to say goodbye.

Adieu Ocholi, Adieu Blessing. Adieu Joshua.

* Mr. Udoh, a public affairs analyst, wrote fromAbuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016— —19

Should states be created

By Eric Teniola

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HE Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode recently constituted a th twelve man 50 Anniversary Committee for the celebration of the creation of Lagos State on the th 27 May,2017. This Committee has its Chairman, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, former Minister for National Planning, as the Co-Chairman.

Other members of the Committee are: Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mrs. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof.

Mrs. Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Professor Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peters and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Balogun, who is the Secretary of the Committee.

I am sure the Governors of Kano, Kwara and Rivers states will set up similar committees before next year.

In creating the twelve states on th May 27 , 1967, General Yakubu Cinwa Dan Yuma Gowon(81) made the following announcement, “the twelve new states, subject to marginal boundary adjustments, will therefore be as follows: NorthWestern State comprising Sokoto and Niger Provinces. NorthCentral State comprising Katsina and Zaria. Kano State comprising the present Kano Province. NorthEastern State comprising Bornu, Adamawa, Sardauna and Bauchi Provinces. Benue/Plateau State comprising Benue and Plateau Provinces. Lagos State comprising the Colony Province and the Federal Territory of Lagos.

Western State comprising the present Western Region but excluding the Colony Province.

Mid-Western State comprising the present Mid-Western State. EastCenral state comprising the present Eastern Region excluding Calabar,Ogoja and Rivers Provinces. South-Eastern State comprising Calabar and Ogoja Provinces. Rivers State comprising Ahoada, Brass,Degema, Ogoni and Port Harcourt Divisions”.

There was a major error in General Gowon’s announcement on that day.

West Central State made up of River Niger and Ilorin provinces, which came to be known as Kwara state, was omitted in the broadcast of General Yakubu Gowon. The state was eventually created when the decree on state creation was later promulgated by General Yakubu Gowon. He them named the following as the Governors of the new states: Benue-Plateau State, Chief Superintendent of Police, Joseph Decchi Gomwalk(1935-1976), EastCentral, Anthony Ukpabi Asika(1936-2004), Kwara, Brigadier David Femi Lasisi Bamigboye(75), Lagos—Brigadier Mobolaji Olufunso Johnson(80), North Central—Brigadier Abba Kyari(78), North- East—Brigadier Musa Usman(Air Force), NorthWest—Police Superintendent Usman Faruk(81), Rivers— Lieutenant Alfred Papapreye DieteSpiff(Navy), South-East— Brigadier Jacob Udoakaha Jacob Esuene(1936-2004)—Air Force, Police Commissioner, Audu Bako(1924-1980)—Kano and West—Brigadier Robert Adeyinka Adebayo(88).

As for Mid-Western state there

was initial delay in the appointment of a Governor. Major Albert Okonkwo of the Biafran Army was administrator of that state by then. The state was later liberated by Lt. Col. Murtala Ramat Mohammed (1938-76) and he eventually named his friend, Lt. Col. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (83) as Administrator. After 57 days, General Gowon under pressure and appeals, later confirmed the appointment of Lt. Col. Samuel Ogbemudia as Governor.

The very day General Gowon created the twelve states was the day he declared state of emergency throughout the country.

It was also the very day that he assumed full powers as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and Head of the Military Government.

To me the creation of states in Nigeria on that day was the first major coup by the minorities. For the man who created the states, General Gowon, an Angus, is from Pankshin, in the present day

It is the constant agitation by the people that determines if Okun, Idoma,Ogoja, Ibadan, Ijebu and other areas will become states in the future

Plateau state. The man who wrote the memo on the creation of states was a Kanuri, Alhaji Ibrahim Maina Damcida(1933-2012), who was as that time a Federal Permanent Secretary. And the Chairman of the Committee of Federal Permanent Secretaries who submitted the list criteria to be used for the creation of states at that time, was Chief allison Akene Ayida(85) is from the present Delta sate, who later became Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

It was the creation of States in May 1967 that liberated the minorities in this country and gave them a platform and a voice.

In his book titled Rise and Fall of Nigeria, Chief Allison Ayida, wrote that, "the minorities form about 45% of the total population in the country. The political arithmetic is that in any democratic process, one of the major groups needs the support of the minorities to gain power. Besides, any group temporarily out of power feels like a minority. This reinforces the contention that we should not return to the system of winnertakes-all. No section should be made to feel perpetually enslaved like second class citizens”.

Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarka(1932-1980) told me in London in 1978 that if Gowon had not created states his United Middle Belt congress which was inaugurated in 1955 and signed an alliance with the Action Group of Chief Obafemi Awolowo on May 6, 1957, will still be fighting against oppression. According to him “the states creation saved Nigeria”.

I am sure if the states were not created many Adaka Boros would have emerged by now.

That being so, the Igallas, the Nupes, Ijaws, Tivs, Idomas, Ibibios, Junkuns and all other minorities

Rerun elections: Lessons from Akwa Ibom

By Ikeogu Oke

T

HE peaceful and conclusive conduct of the March 12, 2016 rerun election in Akwa Ibom State inspires hope and offers us some positive lessons against the backdrop of the electoral violence, controversial, delayed or withheld results and other negativities that characterised the March 6, 2016 rerun election in Rivers State.

And I think it would be a disservice to public interest not to draw attention to this signal of hope and the positive lessons in a contemporary Nigeria marked by a severe scarcity of events that inspire hope, where many feel despondent, where there is much to remind us of Chinua Achebe’s remark in The Trouble with Nigeria about “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” as our country seems to be doing.

Of course, one expected President Muhammadu Buhari’s characterisation of Rivers State as the most unsafe in the country to stir controversy. He was speaking in the aftermath of the state’s rerun election, doing some sort of post mortem of the polls.

Many were bound to ask – and did – how Rivers might have earned that unenviable distinction at the expense of states like Borno, Adamawa and Yobe where, in the past six years or more, the Boko Haram insurgents have persisted in teaching us what it really means for a country to be chronically and perennially unsafe.

The insurgents have won, claimed and lost territory in their deadly campaign, giving a political twist to their activities, since the state they would be establishing in such territory, in the unlikely event that they were to succeed in holding one, would be a political (as well as geographical) entity, even though with a theocratic leaning like Afghanistan under the Taliban, as they C M Y K

claim to be inspired by religion.

Besides having rendered our territorial integrity unsafe with their quest for territory, they have through indiscriminate bombings and other forms of violent attacks caused the death of thousands of Nigerians, including children, while many were injured and displaced, putting us in their perverse debt for the emergence of the humanitarian disaster called Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

According to a report published on the RT News website on November 18, 2015, entitled “Boko Haram kills more people than ISIS as total hits historic high,” “The Nigerian jihadists, who pledged allegiance to IS in March 2015, killed more people than their fellow Islamists, claiming 6,644 lives compared to 6,073. Nigeria accordingly experienced a staggering 300 percent rise in terrorism deaths in 2014, although other militant groups take partial blame for the increase. In particular the Fulani militants killed 1,229 in Nigeria.” (https:// www.rt.com/news/322529-globalterrorism-index-report/). And when you declare that it has been technically defeated, Boko Haram pulls off a surprise bombing to

The magic is in knowing when to lay down our differences and work for the collective good like true patriots, like the people of Akwa Ibom evidently did after their rerun election

claim more lives and force you to rethink, and put your credibility at risk.

With such record, I believe Boko Haram might have seen it as an affront that Rivers State rather than any of the states in which it operates would be declared the most unsafe in Nigeria, giving the impression that it has not done enough to make us recognise that it has put our collective safety as a people in serious jeopardy.

But back to Akwa Ibom and Rivers and their rerun elections. A wrong does not become right or tolerable because there is some greater wrong to compare it with. And so it should bother us that much allegations of irregularities and bloodshed were associated with the Rivers rerun election before, during and after the polls, prompting the sanguinary banner of “Rivers of Blood” and similar headlines in our national dailies in reporting what was literally “a do-or-die affair,” with apologies to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and one in which it didn’t seem one necessarily needed to “do” in order to “die.”

But the Akwa Ibom rerun, which incidentally took place after that of Rivers, became comparable to a reset of the button of such polls to a violence-free default position, with the primary lesson that what happened in Rivers was uncharacteristic of our country and should not be seen as its standard in the conduct of elections. There is also the lesson – thanks to the electoral umpire, the electorate all others involved in the Akwa Ibom rerun – that even if what happened in Rivers were to be the trend, we can truly turn a new leaf and conduct ourselves differently, and better, as Nigerians. And I’m sure this applies not only to elections but to other spheres of activity as well.

In all, we don’t need to go beyond ourselves and our shores to find reasons to remain

should celebrate the creation of states next year as a date for their own independence too.

Although we still have the issue of minority within the states but if an Annang man like Chief Godswin Akpabio could be governor of Akwa Ibom and an Igbira man Yahaya Bello could be governor of Kogi state, there is hope that someone from Oke-Ogun could be governor of Oyo state someday and an Idoma could be governor of Benue state and other minorities could be elected governors in all the states in future.

The relevant question now is will new states ever be created? My answer is why not.

Economic buoyancy has never been the major criteria for the creation of states. Of the five military rulers that have created states in Nigeria (Gen. Gowon— May 27, 1967,Gen. Murtala Muhammed—February 3, 1976, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida(74)——September 23, 1981, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi th Babangida—August 27 , 1991 and Gen. Sanni Abacha(19431996)—October 1,1996 none of them has explained that they created the because of economic viability.

If we are to talk of buoyancy, how many states in Nigeria today could boast of complete economic independence. Presently, all the states are indebted. I believe agitation by the people determines whether a state will be created in spite of section 8 of the constitution.

It is the constant agitation by the people that determines if Okun, Idoma,Ogoja, Ibadan, Ijebu and other areas will become states in the future. *Mr. Teniola, a former director at the presidency,wrote from Lagos.

optimistic in our capacity to improve things in our country in spite of the difficulties we are currently facing. Our conduct in the Akwa Ibom rerun election provided us with yet another of such reasons of which I’m sure we can all find more by ourselves, more examples of ours being a self-correcting nation like others.

Besides, while the political dragons regarded as the main gladiators in the Rivers polls continued to spit fire in its aftermath, further heating up the state’s already overheated polity, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, extended the olive branch to the opposition which accepted it as a mark of the recognition that it was time to govern in the interest of the state and all its stakeholders.

This type of bridge-building by what should ordinarily be regarded as strange political bedfellows is remarkable in the current dispensation, where the ethnic, political and religious fault lines from the 2015 presidential elections seem to have remained at the federal level, portraying our country as an example of the proverbial house divided against itself and so cannot stand let alone make progress.

The case of Akwa Ibom after its rerun election is further proof that we can do better in this regard. And, like the state, that our country can remain calm and peaceful before, during and after political contests, and pay civil servants in spite of the current economic hardship, and enjoy security and prosperity despite the odds it is currently faced with.

The magic is in knowing when to lay down our differences and work for the collective good like true patriots, like the people of Akwa Ibom evidently did after their rerun elections and the people of Rivers, especially those regarded as the main gladiators, could have done but didn’t quite do.

Mr. Oke, a public affairs analyst, , wrote from Abuja.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Pipeline vandalism:

67-yr-old man, two others arrested •24,000 capacity truck, three other vehicles recovered from suspects •We are not vandals-suspects

By Evelyn Usman

W

HILE Nigerians groan over the lingering scarcity of premium motor spirit, PMS or petrol, some criminal elements have been busy profiting from activities that worsen the problem. Among this lot are pipeline vandals who according to reports have intensified their nefarious operations and smiling selfishly to the banks after each operation.

The good news at the moment is that a day of reckoning may not be far as operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit have arrested three suspected vandals alleged to have been masterminds of series of ruptured Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,NNPCowned pipelines in the South West where petroleum products were siphoned and sold to ready buyers.

Among them were a 67-yearold owner of a filling station in Oja Odan area of the state, Mr Israel Falolu and suspected leader of pipeline vandals in the South West part of the country, Ogbebo Destiny Tunde.

Siphoning of products to petrol stations The third suspect , Sunday Aneke , who claimed to be an agent to major oil marketers, allegedly distributed the siphoned products to petrol stations within and outside the country.

Recovered from the suspects were four vehicles, three of which belong to Ogbebo. One of the vehicles is a 24,000 litres capacity truck which he allegedly used to convey siphoned petroleum products from ruptured NNPC pipelines.

Explaining how they were arrested, the officer in-charge of the Unit, Mr Valentine Olumese, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, stated that operatives from the Intelligence section, led by the head, Festus Olaniyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who acted on tip off stormed the Sagamu area of Ogun State recently.

He said: “Our mission was to arrest one Ndubuisi who is the head of pipeline vandals in C M Y K

Ogere, Sagamu and around the South West axis. Luck ran out on him after much pin down , as his major marketer, one Sunday Aneke, who sells vandalised products for him was arrested. His arrest led to that of Ndubuisi whose real name was discovered to be Ogbebo Destiny Tunde. During interrogation, he(Ogbebo) opened up that he is into NNPC pipeline vandalism.

“In the same vein, Sunday Aneke admitted that he is the major marketer selling siphoned products from NNPC pipelines. He led operatives to Oja Odan ,where a receiver of the vandalised product and owner of Isofe filling station was arrested. The receiver confessed to be buying from them and transporting same to the Republic of Benin. Investigation is still ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate” We are not vandals However, the suspects denied being vandals. The 36-year-old alleged leader, Ogbebo admitted to being the owner of the recovered Mac truck with plate number KJ 160 DK but explained that he rented it out to Aneke Sunday who used it to convey petrol to buyers.

According to him: “I am a transporter. I sell timber. I took a loan of N10m to buy the truck.

They did not use it to do bunkering. They (police)came to Ogere garage where the truck was parked and arrested it.

“I bought the truck two years ago and rented it out to Aneke

The receiver confessed to be buying from them and transporting same to the Republic of Benin.

Investigation is still ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate

*Suspected vandals who uses it to load petrol from different depots. Police is still doing their investigation. By the time they finish we will know the truth.

“I was reading Criminology but dropped out because of fund. Later, I got a job as a security man under David Guards,where we patrolled pipeline in Sagamu. But I stopped when they did not pay me for two months and delved into bamboo business. I was framed up by vandals in that area because I used to give information about their activities to Police,” he said.

But operatives informed that Ogbebo earlier confessed to have used proceeds from the siphoned products to build a

house in Shagamu, opened a super market for his wife and purchased three vehicles.

His Delta State-born alleged partner in crime, Aneke Sunday (27) also denied culpability in the crime. Rather he claimed to have used the recovered truck to buy petroleum products from depots and not from ruptured pipelines.

“I have been in this business since 2005. The last product I bought was from NIPCO Oil. When I buy I supply to my customers. One of my customers is the owner of Isofe Falolu filling station in Oja Odan. I am an agent. I do not use the truck for vandalism. I pay the owner of the truck N150,000 at the end of each use,

“ he stated.

Also, 67 -year-old Isrreal Falolu, owner of the filling station admitted that Sunday had been supplying him petroleum product for long, adding that he sometimes bought the product on loan.

“I bought the last one for N113(a litre) and sold for N115”, I don’t know if they are vandals. Those who buy from me sell in Benin Republic”.

The suspects according to Olumese would be charged to court, even as he reminded vandals that it was no longer business as usual, as the unit was prepared to nip their activities in bud.

Fuel scarcity: Physically challenged cries out to govt

By Bose Adelaja

T

HE Executive Director Center for Citizens with Disabilities, David Anyaele, has cried out to the government to find a lasting solution to the persistent fuel scarcity in the nation.

According to him, the scarcity, coupled with power failure in some parts of Lagos, has been telling terribly on persons living with disabilities, especially with the cost of living skyrocketing.

David who resides in the Ikeja area of Lagos said due to the scarcity, his three artificial hands (Wyo-electrical below elbow prosthesis) have developed fault and would require about 350 Euros each to fix to enable him continue to perform his daily routine.

He said due to shortage of power supply in his area, he has been using a generating set to power the artificial hands batteries, adding that he presently cannot continue doing so as the battery power has reduced by 95 per cent.

What that means, according to him, is that within the next two weeks, he must buy three

artificial hand batteries which cost 350 Euros(N400) each. He said: ‘’We are now living without power and no fuel to power our generator; we couldn’t pump water for the past four days due to lack of power supply in Lagos. The last time I used a generating set to charge my three artificial hands battery, I lost the power of the battery by 95%. What that means is that within the next two weeks, I am expected to buy three artificial hand batteries at 350 Euros each if I must continue to work with my artificial hands. This is not

funny at all’’.

Anyaele called on government to fix electricity problems across the nation. ‘’The cost of living with my kind of disability with no government support, and without power supply in Nigeria is too expensive for me and my family. I call on President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Power Minister, to act fast and restore power supply in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria because that is why we voted for change,’’ he said.

*Anyaele...Seeks government’s intervention over high cost of living

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Telecoms, others contribute 8.7% to Nigeria’s GDP

By Princewill Ekwujuru & Peter Ofili

T

HE telecommunication and other services sectors have contributed 8.7 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP in 2015, with the country’s main economic stay, oil, accounting for 6.4 percent.

Dr. Doyin Salami, a lecturer at Lagos Business School, LBS, who was a keynote speaker at the unveiling of Fleet Technology Limited’s name change to Vatebra Technology, in a paper titled; “Beyond Now, A Nigeria without Oil: Prospects For Technology and Innovation”, in Lagos, said the telecommunications sector grew Nigeria’s GDP by 8.7 percent in 2015, generating spillovers with uptakes in financial transactions technology and payments systems, E-commerce facilitation and proliferation of transport services, while making the offerings of the burgeoning entertainment industry ubiquitous, and indeed all services offerings that can be digitalized.

Salami noted that Nigeria’s economy has systematically and strategically diversified along the line of technology and other services sector without Nigerians, noticing, stressing that Nigeria’s major economy main stay, oil, accounted for only 6.4 percent of its GDP, not in terms of the country’s fiscal and external balances.

He stated that the drop in oil GDP was occasioned by the drop in world oil price, which

invariably affected the country’s economic growth pattern.

He went on to say that in 2015, oil accounted for 71 percent of the country’s export earnings

lubricating activity and exchange in the non-oil sector, these weaknesses remained critical,” he noted.

Adeosun; Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Enase Okonedo and an economist, Bismark Rewane, at the breakfast meeting organised by the school, in Lagos.

Stop cash payment to staff, Ikeja Electric tells customers

By Ediri Ejoh

A

Stanbic IBTC to partner Kaduna, other states on transformation agenda

By Peter Egwuatu

S

MEETING: From left, Dr. Doyin Salami, Lagos Business School; Minister of Finance, Kemi

S part of efforts to ensure efficient service delivery to its customers across its network, Nigeria’s largest electricity distribution company, Ikeja Electric, have cautioned customers against making cash payments to its staff, calling such actions an act of sabotage on efforts of the company to improve service delivery across her network.

InastatementbytheCompany’s Head of Corporate Communications, Felix Ofulue,notedthatthecompany’s Linesmen, Engi$ 121.80 1.35 neers and Technicians are not authorised to receive $2,913.00 41.00 cashpaymentsofanykind.

He said, “Basically, our -0.37 $14.32 Linesmen should not collect reconnection fees, neither are our Energy Sales Representatives (ESR’s) $ 42.03 0.09 permitted to receive bill payments on behalf of cus$ 39.70 -0.25 tomers. We have therefore embarked on an aggresCURRENCY BUYING SELLING sive “Name & Shame” US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 campaign where parties POUNDS 276.36 277.065 277.77 whoengageinthisfrauduEURO 223.0284 223.5974 224.1663 lent act will face prosecuFRANC 205.0209 205.5439 206.0669 YEN 1.8015 1.8061 1.8107 tion as dictated by the laws CFA 0.3204 0.3304 0.3404 of the land,” he said.

WAUA 275.467 276.1697 276.8724 Ofulue, who labelled RENMINBI 30.2787 30.3564 30.4341 staff and ex staff who enRIYAL 52.2499 52.3832 52.5165 KRONA 29.9616 30.0381 30.1145 gaged in this illegal act as SDR 275.0268 276.731 277.4351 saboteurs, further urged all customers to resist efforts CBN Exchange rate as at 11/04/2016 by any staff to extract mon-

C M Y K

against 54 percent in 2014 which accounted for government’s revenue.

“Given the role of fiscal and foreign exchange earnings in

ies from them illegally and ensure to report such illegalities to the management.

He disclosed that new multiple payment channels have been provided by the company to enable customers make convenient and seamless payments and purchase of tokens, adding that the new payment options were designed to offer all customers security, greater convenience and choice.

Hemaintainedthat,“Byexpanding our payment platforms, customers can now make payments and purchase tokens seamlessly by using scratch card vouchers, which are sold by vendors and agents across its networks; Quick teller which can be accessed on mobile

Basically, our Linesmen should not collect reconnection fees, neither are our Energy Sales Representatives (ESR’s) permitted to receive bill payments on behalf of customers

devices and through internet banking on online banking portals.

“The other payment channels include Pawakad, a mobile app paymentsystemwhichismanaged by strategically located agents; Baxibox, commonly known as ‘Baba-Ijebu’; Point-of-Sales terminals as well as through Direct Bank Teller in any Zenith Bank branch.

“We are committed to providing ourcustomerswiththegreatestlevel of customer service and introducing these multiple secure and convenient payment channels is yet another aspect of our service offering,” he stated.

Addressing the challenges Ofulue explained that with the expansion of the payment channels, the company is addressing the challenges of all category of customers as post-paid customer accounts are credited promptly, avoiding unplanned service interruptions while prepaid customer are provided with more convenient vending channels. He, however, reminded customers to ensure they collect their receipts as it is the only proof of payment.

He warned that customers who continued to make illegal payments to IE staff were not only doing so at their own risk, but were also sabotaging the efforts of Ikeja Electric to improve service delivery across her network.

— 21

TANBIC IBTC, a member of the Standard Bank Group, has concluded arrangement to partner the Kaduna State government, and other state governments, to ensure government’s transformation agenda is realised and the benefits of democratic governance felt by the people.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Sola David-Borha, in a goodwill message she delivered at the inaugural annual Kaduna State Economic and Investment Summit, co-sponsored by Stanbic IBTC in Kaduna, recently assured that the bank was ready to partner with state government to promote the country.

The Kaduna State Economic and Investment Summit, with the theme “Let’s Move Kaduna into the Global Economy”, was conceived by the state government to engage the private sector and fashion out a sustainable strategy for public private partnership that will help bring to fruition the developmental aspirations of the state. In a presentation, the state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, had outlined the government’s economic agenda and vision as well as its development plans.

David-Borha said as a member of the over 150-year Standard Bank Group, Stanbic IBTC has a rich pedigree to tap into to deliver timely and sustainable results across the spectrum of financial services in the key focus sectors as outlined by the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, in his opening presentation.

“We believe that our role as financial partners is to ensure the realisation of the vision that the state government has articulated. We have already begun partnership with Kaduna State in the area of small and medium scale enterprises and we would like to finance some of their agricultural projects,” DavidBorha stated.

She said as an end-to-end financial institution, with experience and expertise in personal, business and corporate banking, as well as wealth creation, Stanbic IBTC is ready to tap into opportunities in Kaduna State and across the country.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

The company has declared a final dividend of N12.0, far higher than analysts forecast of N5.0, which works out to a dividend yield of 7.8 per cent

INVESTOR' ,

,

Total Nig. Plc: Struggling through policy shackles ….Beating analysts forecast, but outlook still hazy

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

M

ANY oil industry observers believe that the command and control ideology of President Muhammadu Buhari, such as his refusal to deregulate the downstream oil and gas sector and the sudden cut in pump price has delivered a fresh blow to major oil marketers as revenue dwindled.

The 2015 audited financial statement of four leading oil companies (Total Nigeria Plc, Mobil Nigeria Plc, MRS Nigeria Plc and Forte Oil Nigeria Plc) showed cumulative revenue fell by 16.13 percent to N483.96 billion. Combined net income dropped by 7.42 percent to N15.16 billion.

Amidst the turbulence in its main line of business, petroleum products marketing, Total Nigeria Plc, one of the industry leaders, a multinational, has reported a financial scorecard sending investment analysts back to drawing boards with mixed investor sentiments.

With persisting acute petroleum product tightness, the company reported a gross revenue of N208 billion in 2015 as against 240.6 billion in 2014. This shows a significant drop of -13.5 per cent in topline year-on-year (y-o-y).

Some corporate analysts had projected a full year revenue figure of N212 billion. A similar projection on profitability failed but in this instance, positive as profit before tax, PBT, came in at N6.5 billion as against analysts’ projection of N4.8 billion. However this still show a 4.9 per cent drop in profit against N6.8 billion the company recorded in 2014.

Even against the decline it is noteworthy that PBT was bolstered by interest and exchange rate differentials to the tune of N1.7 billion received in the second quarter of 2015 from the Petroleum Product Pricing & Regulatory Authority (PPPRA).

Moreover the decline in PBT appeared curtailed by a cocktail of cost management initiatives. Following a historically weak third quarter, Q3, 2015, earnings rebounded in Q4 with a 39 per cent q-o-q reduction in operating expenses, OPEX to N3.4 billion. OPEX had

averaged N5.6 billion in the prior seven quarters.

A gross margin expansion of 12.2 per cent from 11.6 per cent and a -23 per cent y-o-y decline in OPEX significantly offset the negative impact coming from the y-o-y topline decline and a 51 per cent y-oy rise in net finance charges.

Impressive dividend

The company has declared a final dividend of N12.0, far higher than analysts forecast of N5.0, which works out to a dividend yield of 7.8 per cent. This implies a total dividend of N14.0 when the interim dividend of N2.0 is added, showing a dividend cover of around 0.8x.

Looking ahead, short to medium term

In the previous week, Total Nigeria reported Q4 2015 results which showed that while sales declined by 22 per cent y-o-y to N48.7 billion, PBT and PAT also fell by 5.0 per cent and 28 per cent y-o-y to N2.5 billion and N1.9 billion respectively.

Again it is noteworthy that Total restated 2014 numbers as a result of the reversal of accruals relating to technical

assistance and cost sharing.

As a multinational corporation, Total has existing General Assistance and Cost Sharing contracts with related entities abroad, Total Oute Mer (TOM) and Total Raffinage Marketing (TRM) respectively.

In previous years, these agreements with TOM and TRM were expected to be registered by the National Office for Technology Acquisition, NOTAP, and on that basis an accrual was

Moreover, the decline in PBT appeared curtailed by a cocktail of cost management initiatives.

Following a historically weak third quarter, Q3, 2015, earnings rebounded in Q4 with a 39 per cent q-o-q reduction in operating expenses, OPEX to N3.4 billion

recorded in the financial statements.

However, as at 31 December 2015, NOTAP had still not registered the agreements.

Additionally, the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, has issued a rule that obligations arising from agreements within the scope of NOTAP that have not been registered by NOTAP should not be accrued for in a Company’s financial statements.

Also the recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Lagos, dated 14 December 2015, on the interpretation of the NOTAP Act maintained that any contract within the purview of the NOTAP Act, which is not registered by NOTAP is illegal, void and unenforceable.

With these, many observers point to a reassessment of the accounting treatment adopted by the company for the obligations arising from these agreements in the current and previous years.

Consequently, no charges related to the General Assistance and Cost Sharing Agreements have been recognised in the 2015 financial statements and charges recognised in the previous years’ financial statements have also been reversed.

Investment analysts expect

management to provide clarity on the registration of its technical agreements which will impact on its financials significantly, going forward.

Investment analysts’ perspectives

Against the backdrop of its 2015 challenges and results some investment analysts were actively engaged with Total Nigeria’s 2016 operations.

In its perspectives on the company, analysts at Vetiva Capital, a Lagos based investment house had this to say: “Coming into 2016, we were a little optimistic of an improvement in operating conditions and expected product distribution challenges to ease following the clearing of some subsidy backlogs and the introduction of price modulation for key product, PMS. “However, product shortages have continued so far in the first three months of the year with likely impact on marketers’ throughput. We expect this scenario to affect performance, at least for the first half of the year before a pickup in second half.

“We have revised our coverage estimates to reflect the tighter supply environment.

We have thus revised our full year 2016 Revenue and PAT estimates for Total down by 8.0% and 34% respectively and cut our target price to N145.93 (Previous: N161.86)”.

Another investment analysts’ perspective from FBN Merchant Bank Ltd, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria, had this to say: “Even though full year PBT declined y-o-y, we believe Total’s strong dividend is likely to attract investor’s attention in the near term.

“However, we anticipate that the persistent nationwide fuel shortages could materially hurt earnings in 2016 and would be a concern to investors.

“As such, we expect moderate downward revisions to consensus estimates for 2016. At current levels, on our published estimates, Total shares are trading on a 2016 estimate Price Earnings, P/E, multiple of 21.3x for an Earnings Per Share, EPS, growth of 10% in 2017 estimates.

“Year to date 9April 04, 2016), Total shares have gained 4.6%, outperforming the NSE ASI by 15.6%. We rate the stock Neutral”.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 23

,

'S FORUM

As sentiments remain weak as at yesterday, market dealers expect the current trend in market performance to persist

,

Courteville 2015: Good earnings, bad cost management

By Nkiruka Nnorom

H

UGE costs incurred by auto-reg company, Courteville Business Solution, CBS, in its 2015 financial year has resulted in negative financial performance with the company recording N272.64 billion decline in profit before tax.

Though the company recorded marginal increase in revenue to N1.49 billion in 2015 from N1.35 billion in 2014, its profit before tax slumped to N184.39 million, representing 147.9 per cent decrease over N457.03 million posted a year earlier due to rising costs.

Cost of sales was up 14.2 percent from N526.29 million in 2014 to N600.82 million, while its operating cost notched up to N601.33 million against N442.64 million in 2014.

Similar charges Similarly, interest payable and similar charges moved up to N155.14 million from the previous year’s figure of N56.24 million.

Mustafa Suberu, Associate Researcher at Eczellon Capital, explained that the drop in profits for the company despite growth in revenue was largely due to rise in its cost of doing business (operating costs) which increased by 35.8 per cent in 2015 against 2014 figures.

He stated that operating costs were majorly impacted by impairment charges on the back of bad loans which rose by more than 300 per cent between 2014 and 2015 from N31.8 million to N132.7 million, while the company’s profit was also

weighed down by increased interest payments on loans of the company which notched up by as much as 200 per cent over the period, from N49.8 million in

ITH the waning of the earnings releases for full year 2015 results, there was little left to stoke investor sentiments last week, hence, there was an undulating trend in market performance occasioned by bargain hunting and profit taking activities.

Consequently, the Nigerian Stock Exchange closed the week on a negative note.

As sentiments remain weak as at yesterday market dealers expect the current trend in market performance to persist. Also, market performance may be shaped by the details of the first quarter 2016 GDP and March Inflation figures

current challenges in the economy which invariably impact businesses, the prospects do not seem so bright for businesses, Courteville inclusive, especially

Ren Cap upgrades Transcorp’s share rating to a BUY

By Peter Egwuatu

R

ENAISSANCE Capital, Ren Cap has stated that despite the weak financials recorded by Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Transcorp Plc in 2015, it could surprise investors with robust profitability in 2016, just as it upgrades its share rating to “BUY”. According to Ren Cap “Transcorp has reported what we view as a weak set of financials for 2015. Postponed naira devaluation, difficulties in improving power utilisation rates and stagnating hospitality flows are just some of the difficulties the company faces.

Nevertheless, we believe 2016 could surprise investors on the upside with robust profitability growth, while the current depressed share price does not reflect the company’s fundamental value even in such difficult times, in our view.

Consequently we upgrade our rating to BUY, from Hold, with a new TP, on our revised estimates, of N1.9/share (from NGN2.7/share).

While commenting on its Power business, Ren cap said “ in our view, Transcorp is consistently delivering on expectations to increase the

Stock Market Outlook (April 12 – 19)

W

2014 to N149.4 million.

“All of these negatively impacted the company in the just concluded financial year,” he said, adding: “In the light of the

expected in the week.

Afrinvest weekly sentiment for the week settled at 2.6x from 2.7x last week, indicating that market sentiment remains soft.

Analysts at Afrinvest West Africa stated that in the week ahead, ‘’we expect irregular swings in market trend to persist amid growing expectation of a poorer Q1:2016 GDP growth and March Inflation figures”. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, is expected to publish both reports soon. ‘’In view of the above, Afrinvest stated, ‘’we maintain that investors trade cautiously in the interim and maintain a medium to long term investment horizon”.

installed capacity of its main power asset, with Ughelli Power capacity reaching 634 MW in 2015. However, we believe the government is not following suit – capacity revenue is still linked to power plant utilisation (as opposed to available capacity, as was promised when reforms were announced), while the postponement of naira devaluation caps tariff growth.

Nevertheless, we think the January-February 2016 tariff increase of 54% is likely to be the main driver of Transcorp’s

results in 2016 – we expect an additional NGN8.5bn of revenue on the back of this move. At the same time, risks remain – gas supply disturbances are still common, while the ability of the regulator to swiftly pass on any future naira devaluation remains in doubt, in our view.”

For the hospitality business, it said “ Transcorp is well on track with its Hilton Abuja hotel refurbishment, and additional projects in Ikoyi are close to the ground-breaking phase.

in first quarter of the year”.

On his own part, Tola Odukoya, Vice President, Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management & Research, said: “Overall, Courtville performance for 2015 was impacted by costs such as cost of sales, operating cost and interest payable. This exerted pressure on overall profit and margins.

“Though, we had expected to see a notable reduction on this line item to ease the pressure on operating profit and margins.

Going forward, we expect the company to provide guidance on cost reduction strategy to improve profit levels.”

For 2016, he said, “while the current foreign exchange bottleneck has significantly discouraged cars importation, this may likely lower CBS’s earnings from AutoReg. Hence, we anticipate a soft performance for the first half of the year.”

TRACKING YOUR INVESTMENTS BENEFITS: MARCH, 2016

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 25

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Illegal sand mining threatens CalabarItu, Mkpok bridges

Tricycle operators threaten strike in Calabar metropolis PAGE 27

PAGE 28

DELTA… FINGER OF GOD

VOL. 1: No. 84

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

Mother accuses soldiers of stomping 20-month-old baby to death in Delta •Police denies mother’s claim

By Perez Brisibe KU – SOLDIERS from the 4th Brigade, Benin, Edo State attached to Presco Oil Plc, Ovre-Eku, in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State have been accused of stomping a 20 month old baby to death during an early morning raid at Eku community.

The soldiers, it was gathered, stormed the community, last Wednesday, in company of some policemen in three Hilux vans in search of youths suspected to have burnt down an excavator belonging to the company.

The company and the community have been at loggerheads over the former’s alleged acquisition of a disputed land, which did not go down well with indigenes of the community.

E

Angry looking soldiers Recounting her ordeal to Niger Delta Voice, mother of the baby, Mrs. Maureen Atori, explained that she was in bed with her husband, Mr. Collins Atori when the door to their apartment was smashed open by a team of angry looking soldiers and policemen who tried to forcefully take her husband away.

According to her: “As they (soldiers and policemen) were beating my husband and dragging him on the ground, I and my second son were pleading with them to tamper justice with mercy and leave him alone. It was during the commotion that one of the soldiers stomped on my baby, David.”

Continuing, Mrs. Atori, who also suffered injury on her leg, said: “Though it did not occur to me that the impact on my baby was that serious as I was more concerned about the whereabouts of my husband, until he (David) started acting strange and later died as he was being rushed to

the hospital.”

Youths protest incident Meanwhile, hundreds of youths from the community, weekend, took to the streets in protest over the incident with an appeal to the Delta State government to caution the management of the company and also set up an investigation panel.

The youths, who described the action of the security operatives as reminiscent of the dark days of the military era, lamented that "though the country is in

It was during the commotion that one of the soldiers stomped on my baby, David... David died as he was being rushed to the hospital

•Mauren

democratic dispensation, citizens are being brutalized and molested by soldiers in a 'slave and master' manner."

Police source dismisses mother’s claim Though attempts to get the comment of the 4th Brigade Army Public Relations Officer, Eromosele J. Unuakhalu proved abortive as at press time, a police source at the Abraka police station, who spoke on condition of anonymity, dismissed as untrue the claim by Mrs. Atori that security operatives stomped on

her baby.

He said the security operatives only arrested Collins, father of the late infant and two others, Shedrack and Christopher Usobotie fingered in the alleged burning of an excavator belonging to the company and that matter is being investigated.

Lawmaker accuse military of brutalizing constituents Condemning the incident that led to the death of the infant, the member representing Ethiope East constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon.

•Late baby, David

•Collins

Evans Iwhurie, said: “As the lawmaker representing the area in the state House of Assembly, I will not sit back and watch this recurring sad development.

When I was informed about the incident, I contacted the District Officer of Eku police post, who informed me that no such entry as regards the incident was made at his police post, instead a similar entry was entered at the Abraka police station where Presco had filed a petition and made an entry to embark on the arrests made.

Personally, I will not allow this kind of criminality to happen under my watch while my people are being brutalized and molested over their land by a company using soldiers from the 4th Brigade and policemen to intimidate and harass them.”

Boundary commission urges Delta, Edo to maintain status quo Meanwhile, the National Boundary Commission, NBC, has charged both Delta and Edo states to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the boundary by the commission.

Relevant documents Director General of the commission, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, who gave the charge at a recent meeting attended by Deputy Governors of Delta and Edo states, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro and Dr. Pius Odubu at the Delta State Deputy Governor’s Office, Asaba, said the meeting was aimed at addressing outstanding grey areas on the matter. “ At the end of the meeting both states resolved to identify and articulate relevant documents with respect to the forest reserves, contributions and the Ethiope River sector for use by the technical committee.

“Other resolutions reached are: “That record shall be made available to other stakeholders on or before April 30, 2016, while the field work to address the outstanding grey sectors in the area shall be undertaken from June 6 to July 22, 2016.

"That both state governments should prevail upon Presco Oil Plc or any other firm operating near the border area to limit their operations to the undisputed area and maintain the peace pending the final determination of the boundary.”

In their remarks, both deputy governors regretted the delay in resolving the dispute and appealed to the affected communities to promote peace and imbibe the existing spirit of brotherliness between Edo and Delta states.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—27

AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

O

NNA-THE unregulated activities of illegal sand miners in Akwa Ibom State is not only causing large damage to the environment, but also threatening the foundation of some critical assets in the state such as the Mkpok bridge in Onna Local Government Area and the strategic Calabar-Itu bridgeinItuLocalGovernmentArea of the state.

No fewer than 32 dredgers were discovered to be mining sand along the Mkpok brook alone thereby further compounding the woes of the gully erosion troubling environment. Also, there serious sand mining activities in Ikot Oduot in Ibesikpo-Asutan, Etim Ekpo and in Itu local government areas.

Troubled by the devastating consequences of sand mining in their domain, the youths of Mkpok have pleaded with the state government to abolish the activities of the sand merchants so as to save the bridge connecting their community to the rest of the state from imminent collapse.

Spokesman of the youths, Mr. Emayak Sylvanus told the Niger Delta Voice that due to the upsurge in land excavation and illegal sand mining, the columns of the Mkpok bridge are now weakened and on the verge of caving in.

Sylvanus lamented that should the bridge eventually give way, manyOnnacommunities,wouldbe cut off from the rest of the state.

ThestateCommissionerforWorks, Mr. Ephraim Inyang and his Environment counterpart, Dr. Iniobong Essien, who last week, led some technical experts to the area on how best to salvage the situation were stunned by the noticeable cracks on the Mkpok Bridge precipitated by activities of sand miners.

"We have decided to come so that thisharmfulenvironmentalactivities could be brought to an end," Mr. Inyang said, adding that any dredging agent seen at the site would be arrested.

He also disclosed that any

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Theresa Ugbobu Ochuko Akuopha Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

Illegal sand mining threatens Calabar-Itu, Mkpok bridges •A dredging site

•One of the seized dredging equipment dredging equipment coming into Akwa-Ibom for dredging of sand, would be intercepted and impounded.

"We cannot sit and watch our state being destroyed. If this bridge collapses now, business and economic activities of the people here would be crippled including mobility in and out of this part of the state," he said, and lamented the attendant cost implication for the government on road projects across the state.

He said: "We will stop sand dredging in Akwa Ibom State. If it must continue, it would be around the Atlantic Ocean or in the deep sea.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien said: "I must say that for us as government, we are particularly worried.Itisaverysaddevelopment and we cannot fold our arms and watch our environment degraded in the manner it is being done.

"We started operations last Monday in Ibesikpo and you need to see the level of devastation that has taken place in our environment, though most people are unaware of the problem. It is a very sad development as witnessed in

Mkpok. This has translated to additional cost to government in terms of the road construction that the governor is embarking on. I am sure you are aware that the Ministry of Works has awarded contract for the construction of that road. The cost of that work is certainlyaffected.Eventhecolumns have cracked.

"Right now, the level of dredging there has gone deep to over 20 metres and what that means is that the contractor will have to do some land filling to get the foundation that will be strong enough to stand the columns for the bridge.

We will stop sand dredging in Akwa Ibom State. If it must continue, it would be around the Atlantic Ocean or in the deep sea

•Commissioners for Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang; Environment Dr Iniobong Essien and Information and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah during inspection of dredging site "The people that are doing sand mining with no regulation are not helping the state in any way. We have been talking and calling on them to stop and I have been on that road for the past two months and have visited the Mkpok site severally and have told them to withdraw their dredgers from that place.

"We have also held stakeholders meeting with the dredging sector that included the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Mines and Steel, Nigerian Dredgers Association, where we agreed on certain principles to be followed. In fact, His Excellency has given directive that sand mining should stop immediately and we went round stopping them, but there are some recalcitrant dredgers, who continued with their business.

"They expect us to fold our arms and watch our environment being degraded, no, we cannot allow that.

For now, whichever site we get to and we find illegal sand miners on

our land, we will seize the equipment and let them come and pay for the cost of degrading done to our land.

"If they want to do sand mining in this state, we will give them the locations very close to the Atlantic Ocean where they can get proper mining equipment to go and do their sand mining, but not in our immediate water-ways where bridges are now being affected and the routes of bridges are now completely destroyed.

"Whoever that wants to do sand miningwithinourlandshouldcome to the Ministry and follow due process.Wecannotacceptasituation where 32 dredgers get into a little community and degrade the entire environment and then walk away.”

He added: "Calabar-Itu Road is a major economic route for us and we cannot afford to see that bridge collapse. If it does, then, the entire South-South is going to be in trouble; so, we cannot allow that to happen," he declared.

DIGNITARIES AT LATE CHIEF DIEPREYE ALAMIEYESEIGHA COMMENDATION SERVICE

From right, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd); former Transport Minister, Senator Abiye Sekibo; former NDDC MD, Timi Alaibe, and Clint Idumangi, a Bayelsa govt protocol officer.

From right, former governor of Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and former Managing Director of NDDC, Timi Alaibe.

GLORY OF ALL LANDS

BAYELSA…

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Cultists lay siege to Bayelsa university community, Amassoma

By Emem Idio

W

ILBERFORCE ISLANDAMASSOMA community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, is one of the biggest settlements in the state, which could be accessed through land and water.

It was also one of the most peaceful rural settlements in the council area before the establishment of the Niger Delta University in 2000 by the first civilian governor of the state, late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, an indigene of Amassoma.

Population explosion occasioned by the influx of students, workers and business

people has deprived the hitherto rural settlement its innocence.

Sadly, the community known for its famous Amassoma Seigbein festival has been repeatedly violated by bandits and cultists.

No one is in doubt that the university is gradually copying notorious characteristics associated with many university campuses and host communities in the country.

Events of the last few months in the community have raised serious security challenges for the community. In what is apparently one of the most violent protests in the history of the 16 years old institution, some students of the Faculty of Engineering having academic

We want the institution, community and government to collaborate and restore security to the university community because students’ lives are no longer safe in Amassoma community

problem sometime in February, went berserk, destroying facilities of the institution over an academic regulation of the faculty that did not go down well with them Few weeks later, armed men attacked the Amassoma Police Division and overwhelmed the policemen and also attacked a new generation bank in the area where they attempted to cart away an Automated Teller Machine, ATM, after using explosives suspected to be dynamite to blow up the wall but were repelled by security operatives.

Since then it has been stories of cult killings, rape, robbery, and armed attacks on students and residents of the community,

Tricycle operators threaten strike in Calabar metropolis

By Oke Uchechukwu

C

A L A B A R COMMERCIAL tricycle operators, otherwise known as Keke Napep, have threatened to withdraw their services from the Calabar metropolis citing alleged indiscriminate daily charges.

“Speaking with Niger Delta Voice in Calabar, the operators decried the high cost of daily charges paid before obtaining tickets to operate.

One of the operators, who identified himself as Asuquo Etim said: “We pay N500 to the different government agencies as daily toll before we are allowed to operate within the metropolis.

We are made to pay the Keke Union, Department of Public Transportation, DOPT, Ministry of Transport and Marine Services as well as the local government councils.

Obnoxious charges Etim added: "We are also made to cough out N11,500 and N16,500 as registration for old and new Keke respectively. We also learned that the local government council is planning to introduce monthly dues of N500 per Keke. This may force us out of the road if the state government fails to stop such obnoxious charges.

“Lamenting the arbitrary charges and the present fuel scarcity in the country, he said they might be compelled to stay off the road or increase transportation fare by 100 per cent.

Another operator, Michael Okon said fuel now costs between N150 and N200 per litre

while they are still charging N50 per drop. This, according to him, is affecting their daily earning and returns to the owners of the tricycles, which majority of them obtained on hire purchase.

Okon noted with concern that in spite of all the charges they pay, their operations is not only limited to 8p.m., but also to certain routes and streets in the metropolis.

He said: “If we withdraw our services because of challenges we are facing, it is the commuters that will suffer, especially now that the rainy season is gradually setting in. So we are appealing to our listening and kind-hearted governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to save us from this exploitation before things get out of hand.

When contacted the Chairman of Keke Operators in the state, Etinyin Ewa, said those parading themselves as keke operators were hoodlums and criminals.

"All those people claiming to be Keke operators are all criminals because we and other stakeholders in the sector recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to harmonise all charges and levies concerning ticketing both in

Calabar South and Municipality,” he stated.

Ewa, who described the supposed Keke operators as miscreants, said they were not members of the union, adding “the union is not part of any plan by any group to withdraw their services.

"We stand by the MoU that we entered into with the government and the plan to ensure that every operator is properly identified is very vital.

Those, who perpetrate atrocities

We are appealing to our listening and kind-hearted governor, Prof. Ben Ayade to save us from this exploitation before things get out of hand

with Keke, are the people behind the so called skirmishes,” he said.

"We want to sanitize the system by making sure only properly documented and identified people operate because a lot of miscreants have been using this means to rob people, but if there are plans by the local government council to bring up any other charges I am not aware of such,” he explained.

According to Ewa: “I was a Keke rider before becoming the Chairman and I understand all the challenges, which explained why the initial N15,000 collected for registration was reduced to N5,000 as contained in the MoU." Niger Delta Voice also learned that while the new rate for registration is now N5,000 and N10,000 for old and new tricycles respectively as stated in the MoU, some agencies have gone ahead to disregard the agreement.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity said though the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CTRA, was mandated to collect only N10,000 and N5,000 for registration of new and old tricycle respectively, "they are stilling collecting N16,500 for new ones and N10,000 for old ones annually.

"Things are really bad, the chairman of that Agency should call his boys to order because he seems not be aware of the extortion operators go through in their hand. Apart from that they are usurping the functions of other agencies by checking things like fire extinguishers, brake lights as well as broken windscreens, which is not their responsibility and duty,” he noted.

who now live in perpetual fear.

In a chat with Niger Delta Voice, students and youth leaders in the community called for concerted efforts and synergy between the state government, community leaders, and the institution to tackle the ugly menace.

President of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students, NUBSS, NDU chapter Ipogi Daniel, decried the precarious security situation in the university community, stressing that students were the worst hit and called for adequate security for the students’ community in Amassoma.

He said: "Most of the students are now living in fear due to attacks on daily basis in the community. We, the students are not comfortable with the security situation of things in Amassoma, and we are begging the state government to do something because NDU is the state owned university.

“It is pathetic for parents to toil and send their children to school only to learn that they have been killed while in school “We want the institution, community and government to collaborate and restore security to the university community because students’ lives are no longer safe in Amassoma community.”

Caretaker Committee Chairman of Students Union Government, SUG, of NDU, Ibo Ekiye, also called on the community leaders to support the university authority efforts in providing security for the area.

The student leader, who queried the community efforts in collaborating with other stakeholders to provide security insisted that the community is not doing enough to tackle the insecurity in the community.

Insecurity in the community “The community is supposed to have an internal community policing in form of a vigilante. It should be a priority of the community leaders to provide a complementary security mechanism to protect lives and properties,” he asserted.

Youth President of Amassoma City, Mr. Tamunoakuno Baitcarpet blamed the lack of electricity supply as one of the main causes of criminality in the area and called for the restoration of power to the area.

He also noted that the community is making efforts to tackle the insecurity with a proactive vigilante to complement the conventional security.

“The problem of electricity, I believe, has also contributed to the insecurity in the community.

If there is light, the insecurity will greatly reduce because evil mostly thrives in darkness,” he said.

Spokesperson of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said the police are deploying more men to the area in view of the fact that as a community with a higher institution it has more active youths which calls for concern.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—29

NNPC loses N14.02bn to pipeline repairs in February Spends N47.86m on each line break

By Michael Eboh

I

N spite of the austere economic situation in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, spent about N14.023 billion on pipeline repairs and management in February 2016, according to data obtained from its latest financials.

The report stated that the NNPC recorded some 293 pipeline breaks in the month under review, which meant that the Corporation spent an average of N47.86 million to repair each of the line breaks.

Additionally, the NNPC, in its Monthly Financial and Operational Report for February 2016, also revealed that it expended a total of N107.44 billion for the repairs of 3,039 vandalised points over the last 12 months, from March 2015 to February 2016.

The NNPC further stated that the Port Harcourt and Mosimi pipelines were the worst affected areas with 145 and 112 line breaks respectively.

The report added that due to vandalism and sabotage, the NNPC recorded N558.56 million in crude oil losses and N1.24 billion in petroleum products losses in February. In the 12 months between March 2015 and February 2016, it further lost N9.52 billion and N46.55 billion to crude oil and petroleum products losses respectively.

The NNPC lamented that incessant vandalism and products theft have continued to destroy value and put it at disadvantaged competitive position.

According to the NNPC, reduction in vandalism will indeed unlock several industry upsides, which include improved upstream oil production due to reduced pipeline disruptions, improved refinery utilisation due to increased crude oil feed from restored pipelines, and reduction of crude/ product losses.

It added that the “Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) Export line, a 48-inch export line, was vandalised in February 2016, crippling the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and all Joint Venture (JV) Partners’ ability to export crude oil from the terminal.

“This situation led to the declaration of force majeure by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) occasioned by

production shut-in of about 300,000 barrels of oil per day.

This infers that circa 130,000 barrels per day of NPDC Crude will be impacted for about 8 weeks as repair works is ongoing. This adversely impacted on NNPC’s

February 2016 report leading to a loss of about N20 billion of NPDC oil revenue .”

To this end, the report explained that dollar receipts by the NNPC dipped by 41.97 per cent to $236.7 million in February from $407.86 million

recorded in January 2016.

According to the NNPC, total export proceeds of $236.70 million were recorded in February, 2016 consisting of crude oil receipt of $153.63million, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) &Escravos Gas to Liquid (EGTL) proceed of $72.53 million, and miscellaneous receipt amounting to $10.544 million.

The report attributed the drastic slump in total export receipt to a further 26 per cent slide in average crude oil prices, from $39.0405 to $29.0173 and shut-in at Escravos, Yoho, Sea Eagle & Bonny Terminals.

“Other incidents include shut down at Forcados& Brass Terminals and production loss at Agbami terminal for mini Turnaround Maintenance (TAM),” the report noted.

OIL REFINERY

Integrated Oil’s $116m refinery ready this year —GMD can talk to the bank and they lend As communities express support for project

By Clara Nwachukwu

I

NTEGRATED Oil and Gas Limited, has reiterated that its $116 million modular refinery would be ready before year end, as scheduled.

The Group Managing Director, Integrated Oil and Gas Mr Anthony Iheanacho, told journalists in Lagos that preliminary works had started for the 20,000 barrel capacity modular refinery.

Iheanacho, who conducted some journalists on a tour of the refinery site at Tomaro Island Port, off Takwa Bay, Lagos, said preliminary approval had been received from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. He said: “Tomaro Island with about 90 hectares is designed as one-stop shop which will comprise of refinery, flour mill, ship repair yard, helipad site and resort centres.

“It will also create massive employment for our teeming youths. Crude would come to the refinery through vessels for refining,” Iheanacho said.

The GMD also said the company had commenced the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, and other necessary requirements to facilitate the final approval for the refinery.

Iheanacho revealed that the refinery would be funded by both foreign and local financial

institutions, and would produce products like Automated Gas Oil, AGO/diesel, household kerosene, export quality aviation turbine kerosene or Jet A1, fuel oil and a host of others.

However, According to him, the refinery does not have the capacity to produce Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS or petrol.

Iheanacho also used the opportunity to clarify that contrary to claims in some quarters, the company was yet to commence construction on the Island, as it was still undergoing the pre-application process.

According to him, “Refineries are very important infrastructure, and will enhance the image and prestige of the country. If I can articulate a business plan, and I

It will also create massive employment for our teeming youths; crude would come to the refinery through vessels for refining

me money to build the refinery, why will I not do it?”

He therefore appealed to the Federal Government to support indigenous oil companies who are striving to grow the oil and gas sector with funding.

Communities express support

Meanwhile, surrounding communities around the refinery have expressed total support for the project, saying: “We are in absolute support of growing indigenous capacity in every facet of our oil and gas industry.

This is because the local companies are paying their taxes, reinvesting their capital and creating enormous job opportunities for the larger community.”

The communities, which expressed their support during a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos last week, noted that with such encouragement, Nigerian participation in the industry will rise significantly in line with government’s aspirations on the Nigerian Content Act. A representative of the Onisiwo Island near Takwa Bay, Mr Lateef Akinsode, condemned the petition and sponsored media attacks by some group of persons.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the forum, the community leaders described the petition as “deceitful and untrue” and dissociated themselves and their communities from it.

Nigeria yet to realise benefits of EITI membership — NEITI

By Michael Eboh

T

HE Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has disclosed that the country is yet to fully realise the benefits of its membership with the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, EITI. NEITI also said it is working towards developing policies and strategies to ensure that its membership translates to visible impact in the lives of the citizens.

NEITI, in a statement in Abuja, listed the visible impact it was targeting to include, ensuring that revenues from oil, gas and mining result in poverty reduction, creation of jobs, security of lives and property, improved infrastructure, access to health care, education and social welfare.

NEITI Board Chairman and Minister of Solid Minerals D e v e l o p m e n t , MrKayodeFayemi, argued that except NEITI’s intervention in the extractive industry governance leads to urgent resolution of these national development challenges citizens contend with daily, the goal of Nigeria’s membership of EITI will not be realised.

Fayemi, who spoke at the induction programme for members of the Board, in Abuja, conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to building better systems and procedure that will strengthen the capacity of relevant government agencies.

He said this will also halt mismanagement, inefficiency, and lack of transparency in the extractive sector as well as the diversification of the economy.

He said: “Our responsibility as members of the NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group is to develop and establish policy targets on how the findings and recommendations of NEITI Reports can be implemented in a way that they leads to improved revenue generation to support national development, improve Nigeria’s global rating and business environment for inflow of investments into the sector.”

He further described the induction programme as a forum for strategic thinking and knowledge sharing on ways to address the challenges ahead in an efficient manner in line with the EITI and NEITI mandates.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

NERC to commission new forum offices

I

N a bid to promote and ensure an investorfriendly industry with efficient market structure, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, will commission two additional Forum Offices in the South-East of Nigeria.

This is also to meet the needs of Nigeria for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity under the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, network.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, disclosed that the offices will be located in Awka, Anambra State, and Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The statement read in part:“These commissioning brings the total number of Forum Offices within the EEDC coverage area to three, namely: Enugu, Abakaliki, and Awka; with a Zonal Office in Owerri.

“The setting up of the offices by NERC is to ensure electricity disputes are resolved and that customers have a say in what affects them as customers of electricity providers.

“The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, will be commissioning the Awka Office on Thursday, April 14, 2016 while the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, will be commissioning the Abakaliki Office on Thursday, April 28, 2016.”

It added that with the commissioning of the additional offices, customers can now lodge their electricity complaints at any of the NERC Offices at the following location/ address: *3 Ezekuna Crescent, Off Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State abakalikiforum@nercng.org; *Plot 80, Arroma Junction Layout, Awka- Onitsha Expressway, Opposite CBN, Awka, Anambra State -awkaforum@nercng.org; *27 Ogui Road, Enugu, Enugu State enuguforum@nercng.org; and *178 Area B Housing Estate, Opposite AchikeUdenwa Exclusive Garden, New Owerri, Imo State -sekeh@nercng.org.

Uncoordinated projects stall electricity supply in Delta

By Clara Nwachukwu

T

HE proliferation of uncoordinated power projects in some communities in Delta State have stalled electricity supply in those areas,particularly, Ogwashikwu.

Most of these power projects are said to be promoted by politicians, who do not take into cognisance the need and peculiarities of the communities where they are put up.

Vanguard had received a complaint from residents in Ogwashikwu, saying that they’ve been denied access to electricity supply in the past seven years, adding that the takeover of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, by private investors two years ago had not helped matters.

A top management officer of BEDC, who spoke in confidence, told Vanguard on the telephone that the politicians’ power intervention projects were merely compounding the situation for those communities.

The source said: “Politicians when they engage in their political campaigns, promised to give them transformers, and of course when they give the transformers, and they energise them, power would come, but the power coming is from an existing quantity.

“Once they are in a position of authority, they will go and put a sub-station in their home towns, as part of what they are doing for their people, but it is of no use because there is no power to energise them.

“So, when somebody is getting six hours of power, and another person introduces another transformer somewhere, he gets less than six hours of power; he would likely get four hours. And so the whole country is bastardised with transformers, and that is the reason for the poor power supply in the country.”

As a result of the proliferation of transformers, the source revealed that BEDC is unable to expand its network, saying: “We have over 400 transformers locked up in the store for the past two years, but we refused to use them because there are already transformers everywhere. We are not allowing people into the network because if you bring somebody in, it is the same power that is very poor that you are spreading out.”

The source disclosed that the distribution company has about 1,500 communities under its network, with an estimated 15,500 customers outside the network, which is

why “so many locations have not yet been covered is very simpl for the whole country.

“To cover the country by normal standard requirement, you would need over 100,000 megawatts of electricity, and we are at best 5,000MW. So the little they generate is shared among the whole country, which is why there is so much poor power.

“You know that we can only distribute what we have; it becomes very thin and that means everybody would keep on complaining, and nobody would be satisfied.”

The source however, disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Power is trying to sanitise the system, saying: “Now Fashola is trying to coordinate, saying, ‘let’s get these things going in orderly manner that is why we have these small issues.’”

With regard to Ogwashikwu, the source said BEDC has been in talks with the communities, saying: “We have talked to them that we are ready, but from what I see is that it seems they are not ready to pay for power. Yes, they have not gotten power for seven years,

but we have done extensive enumeration for them to have power.

“We have been telling prominent people in their community to organise their people on payment of electricity bills, and not to buy transformers. For us, buying transformers is not the problem but paying bills is. Politicians should pay their power rather than buying transformers.

“The whole of Delta is taking close to 40 percent of the power we get; Edo gets the same, Ondo and Ekiti are getting the remaining 15 percent. Ekiti is just taking about 5 percent. So who should I take from to increase installed location?”

POWER STATION

OPEC hopes on oil price heighten

By Sebastine Obasi

T

he fall in oil price being experienced for more than a year now may not continue as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, said there is light at the end of the tunnel This is coming as OPEC is scheduled to meet later this week in Doha, Qatar.

According to OPEC, international crude oil prices have recovered remarkably in recent weeks. From a nadir of $28.5/bbl in mid-January Brent crude is now trading around $40/bbl, showing that there are signs that prices might have bottomed out.

It explained that “the factors cited in the report that currently support higher prices include: possible action by oil producers to control output; supply outages in Iraq, Nigeria and the UAE; signs that non-OPEC supply is falling; no reduction in our forecast of oil demand growth; and recent weakness of the US dollar.”

It further stated that later this month some oil producers are expected to meet to discuss a possible output freeze. “We cannot know what this might be and in any event it is rather unlikely that an agreement will

affect the supply/demand balance substantially. Before any production freeze or cut is agreed, we have seen supply disruptions in Iraq, Nigeria and UAE. Production from these countries fell in February by 350 kb/d. Meanwhile, Iran’s return to the market has been less dramatic than the Iranians said it would be; in February we believe that production increased by 220 kb/d and, provisionally, it appears that Iran’s return will be gradual.”

According to OPEC, the

We have warned in earlier reports that the risks to global oil demand growth are almost certainly on the downside

focus is on non- OPEC countries to see if high-cost output is falling.

It said: “There are already signs that this is happening: in the US, we expect production this year to fall by 530 kb/d, and we have downgraded our 2016 outlook for Brazil, Colombia and others. For the non-OPEC countries we now expect production to fall by 750 kb/ d: our view last month was that this number would be 600 kb/d.

“Of course, there is no guarantee that this trend will continue, but there are clear signs that market forces ahead of any production restraint initiative - are working their magic and higher cost producers are cutting output.

“We have warned in earlier reports that the risks to global oil demand growth are almost certainly on the downside.

For now, we have left unchanged at 1.2 mb/d our estimate for growth in 2016.

Many reports claim that strong demand for US gasoline is a factor behind recent price bullishness but they overlook weakness in other products e.g. middle distillates.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 —31

By Kingsley Adegboye

C

ONSERVATIVELY, the lifespan of a building is between 60 and 65 years.

However, there are buildings that have stood for a hundred years and above just as there are buildings with shorter lifespans of about 50 years.

But whether a building lasts as much as it is expected or not depends on a number of factors, according to built environment professionals.

They said that the lifetime of a building is calculated from when it is first built to when it is replaced; the life expiration of a building is always a judgement based on its operation and maintenance costs and estimated value.

To determine the lifespan of a building, Bons Obiadi, an architect, said the design and the execution of the building and stability of the soil where the building will be located must be taken into consideration, while materials to be used during construction and finishing as well as routine maintenance of the building are other major determinants.

Obiadi who noted that the control of aggregate of materials’ ratio is key to stability of a building, added that building projects should be handled by only professionals and not by quacks who cause buildings to fail within a short time. He pointed out that buildings will last as long as possible if all factors that need to be considered during construction are adequately carried out and after construction maintenance is routinely carried out as well.

Corroborating Obiadi, another expert, Kunle Awobodu, who is a past chairman, Lagos State branch

Building collapse: Why lifespan of buildings must not be ignored — Experts

T

Reusing, rebuilding old buildings means rethinking building lifespans. of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, said the function of a building will determine its lifespan. He added, however, that a combination of factors such as weather, foundation, materials, roof, walls, columns and maintenance can determine how long a building will last.

With regards to how long a very large building, using modern technology, techniques and materials, is expected to last, Awobodu who is the president, Building Collapse Prevention Guild BCPG, said: “Depending on a structure’s purpose, it could be designed to function longer or shorter than necessary. Some newer

sustainable design practices allow people to design structures that will last 100 years or longer. Regular maintenance will always be required though. Every structure should have a maintenance plan. Common tasks would be standard maintenance inspections. That is, checking for cracks in

The frequency of maintenance is largely dependent upon weather and usage factors

concrete or corrosion in steel.

The frequency of maintenance is largely dependent upon weather and usage factors.

“Just because a structure reaches its life-expectancy doesn’t mean it is going to undergo some catastrophic failure.

But it does mean that the owner will need to be even more diligent in maintaining that structure. One option the owner may have would be to hire a professional forensic engineering team to evaluate the structure.

That team could then make recommendations on how long they expect the structure to remain functional and also recommend any pertinent improvements that should be made.

Hotel Presidential project on course — Promoters

By Kingsley Adegboye

P

ROMOTERS of the concessioned Hotel Presidential, Enugu, Enugu state, have reiterated that the multi million naira renovation project is still very much on course.

According to a statement by the promoters, following extensive negotiations between the management of the hotel and various interest groups, a joint venture agreement was executed in 2013 between Hotel Presidential Ltd owned by Enugu State Government and EHospitality Services Ltd for the renovation and management of the hotel.

“Pursuant to the said agreement, a special purpose vehicle, Primeview Hotels Ltd,

Firm launches polystyrene products to boost FG mass housing programme

was incorporated to facilitate the transaction. As for the joint venture agreement, 80 per cent of the equity stake in Primeview was allotted to E-Hospitality Services while 20 per cent was allotted to Hotel Presidential Limited.

“Primeview was to fund the renovation and thereafter manage the Hotel for a 35-year period. The title of the Property has been duly vested in Primeview Hotels Ltd for the duration of the concession period. ”, the statement said.

The statement noted further that the company has since mobilized to site and achieved the following milestones such as regularisation of statutory documents of Hotel Presidential Limited, conduct of feasibility and business study and engagement of world class professional

consultants such as project manager, development adviser, Architect, Structural engineer, Mechanical and Electrical engineers and Quantity surveyor.

The promoters added that the company has also conduct hydrological survey, topographical survey, structural integrity test on the building as well as conduct of Environmental Impact Assessment of the project by structural engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and quantity surveyor, pointing out that the company has equally carried out complete strip out of pipes, wires and others in the entire building complex and complete water proofing and refurbishment of the roof.

“Primeview is poised to embark on the next phase of its work plan

and is currently engaging the Enugu State Government to resolve a number of unforeseen issues which have arisen. The company sometime last year became aware of a lawsuit filed by a party which allegedly had a previous interest in Hotel Presidential.

“The said party suied Enugu State Government, among others, for alleged wrongful termination of a Lease Agreement in which the State Government purportedly granted it a Leasehold interest in Hotel Presidential. Primeview has been joined as a defendant in the suit and our lawyers are currently handling the matter."

Discussions are ongoing with the state government and other relevant stakeholders with a view to resolving the issues thrown up by the lawsuit.

o boost the mass housing programme of the federal government, Polystyrene Industries Limited, has introduced polystyrene products basically designed to make housing construction cheaper and affordable to Nigerians.

Speaking at the launching of the products in Abuja, the Managing Director of the company, Hamza Atta, disclosed that the firm was available and ever committed to collaborate with developers in order to make housing construction attractive to investors.

Some of the products lunched wire mess panels, terrafoam, polyslab, fireproofing properties, pil panels and polystyrene panels, which according to him will serve as alternatives for wood and block in the building sector.

Other products unveiled include internal and external cornices, pop, made of polystyrene for housing decoration which are cheaper compared to concrete, which changes the face of housing construction and decoration.

According to Atta, “The use of polystyrene in earthworks and structural applications provides the benefit of reducing both vertical and lateral pressures on belowgrade structures. Soil creates nearly 6.3km/m3 of lateral pressure.

“If a structure is below ground level, this lateral pressure increases by a factor of 10. The use of polystyrene completely eliminates this lateral pressure. The use of polystyrene for earthworks and structural applications is easy to install, does not require surcharging, preloading or staging and is a cost-effective engineering solution”.

The managing director added: “Expanded Polystyrene Foam EPS can be used as lightweight fill in the construction of roadway embankments in the area overlying the toe drain.

Terrafoam is used over the toe drain area to reduce the stresses and associated settlements induced by embankment loads."

32— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Take note that others may break promises made before early afternoon period; that is to say you should not take anybody for granted before 12.43pm.

SCORPIO; Although friends are willing to assist you circumstances may not allow complete help as expected.

9.46am to 12.43pm can be a bit sensitive…..

SAGITTARIUS; Emphasis will continue to be on career related issues. However you will not be wrong if you take matters-of-the-heart more seriously now. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN; Mid-morning till early afternoon period may bring more promises than it can actually deliver; your being clever will see you through. Be very practical.

AQUARIUS; Continue to attach necessary importance to your family values. Here is a day when joint ventures can bring you under pressure between 9.46am and 12.43pm.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

R

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil

God is watching deeds, wicked acts, ways and sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught. We live a lie.

We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act; the sun by

in “Never say goodbye”

our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; Other people will continue to feature in your activities; that is to say you will need to be as co-operative as reason permits. Watch it between 9.46am&12.43pm ARIES; You will be in good position to consolidate on progress made yesterday. However you will need to watch your mood from 9.46am to 12.43pm.

TAURUS; It is important you don’t take things for granted around mid-morning and early afternoon period so that you will not run into avoidable disappointments.

GEMINI; If you are in position to control your actions you would fare better if you can wait till after 12,43pm before you make an important move. Be family minded.

CANCER; Your being receptive can enhance your prospects but that is not to say you have to be naïve, especially during mid-morning and early afternoon periods.

LEO; Success is boldly printed on your cards and like yesterday if priority attention is given to money the scope of your success will be wider.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Although things may be happening around you, you are the right person to make things happen and give others opportunities.. Be wise.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What about Sagittarius Dear Joshua, I want you to tell me characteristics of my Star; Sagittarius as you have done to others.

Steve, Ibadan.

Dear Steve, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SAGITTARIUS Sagittarius is a mutable sign by its quality. It‘s element is fire, symbolised by half horse half man and/or an Archer aiming at the sky. Mutable means changes and experimentation, while fire is all about enthusiasm, taking of the initiative and leadership ability. Thus, you are the type that will exhibit strong interest in an important project that catches your fancy and you will not mind to experiment with ideas just to achieve your objectives and aims. Sagittarius is the 9th sign of the Zodiac that rules philosophy, RELIGION, law, foreign land, higher mind/higher institutions, lawyer, long (distance) travelling, in-laws, future, optimism and bluntness. Major problem or weak points of Sagittarians are excessive openness/bluntness and sometimes fanatical approach to religion.

Being a born adventurer, you are not afraid of exploration and new beginning. Sagittarians are incurable optimist and ever ready to listen to and eager to believe others; you are not an exception. Honesty is truly in your inner self You are a tolerant person but you are not ready to compromise your FREEDOM Sagittarius as a fire sign can make you a quick tempered person. Half horse half man as the symbol, of Sagittarius indicates dual (double) personalities known in different circle with different personalities. Yet, you are not a pretender. As the Archer aims arrow into the sky also Sagittarians have many lofty ideas and ambition. But sometimes their ideas and/or ideals are not practical enough for realisation. Many times, they start too many things at a time only to either forget or lose view of their original targets.

Development of practical approach is more important for Sagittarians, this is in order to make success of many of their brilliant ideas, otherwise they tend to become dreamers. In reality, Sagittarians are dreamers (by this 1 mean real dream many use to have at night) and many of their dreams usually come to pass. Sometimes their dreams are vividly prophetic.

Sagittarians are born philosophers, that is why they have well developed minds indispensable to rare wisdom.

Then, you are humorous, lively, sports loving out going, energetic, good hearted, in love with experimentation, ever willing to co-operate, socially inclined, enthusiastic and highly intelligent. As intelligent as you are, you can surprisingly appear fanatical about your believe and/or views.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—33

Rivers govt alleges plot to arrest PDP chieftains

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State Government has raised alarm of an alleged plot to arrest chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state on trumped up charges.

The government, in a statement, yesterday, by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tams-Goerge, condemned the alleged move, urging Rivers people to remain calm.

He said: “It has come to the attention of the Rivers State Government that some faceless individuals and groups in the state, sponsored by the All Progressives Congress, APC, have written petitions to security agencies, making frivolous allegations against chieftains of PDP and top government functionaries in Rivers State.

“The aim of these petitions is to instigate another round of politically-motivated arrests and harassment of innocent individuals. It is also part of a

plan to conduct unlawful raids on the homes of government officials and leaders of the PDP in Rivers State.

“Rivers State Government strongly condemns this latest attempt to disturb the peace

of the state and wishes to warn that intimidation and unlawful arrests by security forces will be resisted by the people of the state.

“Governor Nyesom Wike urges the people of the state to remain vigilant and go

about their businesses without fear. The governor also asked security agencies to always act within the law and to refuse to be used by desperate politicians who have been rejected by the people of Rivers State.”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CAREER FORUM: From left: Mr Lanre Olusola, Guest Speaker; Mr Anthony Arabome, President/Chairman of Council, CIPM; Mrs Ifeoma Adeniyi, National Treasurer, CIPM and Chairman L&D Committee, Mr Bode Shogo, during the 2016 Entrepreneurship and Career Forum, organised by Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

2012, 2015 flood victims in Delta get relief materials from FG

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—SUCCOUR came the way of victims of the 2015 flood disaster in Delta State as the Presidential Committee on Flood and Rehabilitation, flagged off the distribution of relief materials to affected communities in the state.

Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the formal handover of the relief materials to the victims through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, in Asaba, expressed Federal Government’s sympathy and concern to the welfare of the victims.

Dangote, who was represented

by Mr. Ifiok Abia, said the committee was inaugurated in October, 2012 with an overriding mandate to raise funds to complement government’s efforts aimed at mitigating the pains of the victims and assist in their post impact rehabilitation.

He said: “Although the committee’s mandate was primarily for victims of the 2012 flood, we deemed it necessary to extend the gesture to victims of the 2015 flood disaster in the spirit of being our brothers’ keeper.”

He disclosed that the committee had awarded contracts for the construction of two Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs’ hostels and 10 solar powered boreholes in each of the 22 states affected by the 2012 flood, including an additional two flood prone states in 2014 and 2015.

C M Y K

According to him, funds for the projects were from donations from well meaning individuals and organisations and not from Federal Government’s coffers.

State Commissioner, Bureau

for Special Duties, Mr. Chike Ossai, who received the items on behalf of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, thanked the committee for assisting the state government in its effort to rehabilitate the victims of the

2015 flood.

Ossai disclosed that 21 communities in 16 local government areas that were affected in the state had been captured as beneficiaries of the relief materials.

Buhari urged to ignore calls for Kachikwu’s sack

By Tare Youdeowei

A

oil monitoring group, Niger Delta Indigenous Movement For Radical Change, NDIMRC, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard the latest call to sack the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

Managing Director of Oil Mogul Nigeria Limited, Nkemjika Igbikiowubo had, in an open letter to President Buhari on Wednesday, called for the sack of the minister, N

accusing him of gross misconduct.

But NDIMRC, in a statement by its President, Nelly Emma, absolved the minister of the accusations levelled against him.

The group said: “We are surprised that some stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have refused to see anything good in the Petroleum Resources Minister of State who is busy trying to ensure that we overcome the lingering fuel crisis in the country.’’

The group dismissed

allegations against the Minister that he uses private jets at the expense of the state, saying that on assumption of office, the minister cancelled contact for hiring private jets.

According to the group, “Our findings show that the minister is not using private jets as alleged. We want to let those faceless individuals accusing the minister to know that their information is not correct because to show he is prudent, Dr Kachikwu on assumption of office cancelled all contracts for hiring private jets."

Edo 2016: Don't heat up polity, Bello-Osagie urges APC gov aspirants

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—IMMEDIATE past member of the House of Representatives and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, Mr Rasaq Bello-Osagie, has admonished aspiring governorship candidates of the party in the state to market their antecedents and pedigree to delegates of the party rather than dissipate

energy and resources in heating up the polity.

Speaking in Benin, he noted that “engaging in frivolities, fruitless campaign of calumny through orchestrated writeups, unbridled character assassination and engaging on a voyage of forensic discovery like the historical events of Mongo Park will not help them or the party in the forthcoming governorship election.

“What I consider desirable at this time is for aspirants to exhibit their skills and potentials, unveil their programmes and capacity to creatively manage the meagre resources of the state and harness the inherent window of untapped opportunities which include but not limited to a coordinated expansion of our tax net and a more efficient tax administration without necessarily putting unrealistic burden on the people."

Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ilaje slam 21 days ultimatum on Chevron over job slots

W

A R R I — I J A W, Itsekiri and Ilaje ethnic groups in Ondo and Delta States have issued a 21day ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited over an alleged delay in the conversion of trainees of the VTPS/OTP2 programme to permanent staff in the company.

The groups, under the aegis of Egbema-Gbaramatu Graduates Employment Front, National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG and National Association of Ilaje Graduates, NAIG, are accusing Chevron of hiding under the guise of harsh economic times to escape from its social responsibilities to its host communities.

In a statement by Yebrade Moses, Ajagbe Egbegbemi and four others, the groups said: “In the normal course of events, persons who undergo the training are absorbed as staff of Chevron within a year of participating. But now, participants of the programme have been stagnated for over three years.”

Describing Chevron's action as “unacceptable and a betrayal of trust,” they accused the firm of playing on the intelligence of the host communities.

Sapele youths extol Delta Speaker's leadership style

H

UNDREDS of youths from various wards in Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, have applauded the leadership qualities of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Monday Igbuya.

The youths, who are mainly of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also commended the Speaker for the way he has been piloting the affairs of the state House of Assembly amidst dwindling revenues accruing to the state since his assumption of office.

Addressing journalists in Sapele at the end of a stakeholders meeting with youths drawn from within and outside the state, leaders of the group, Lucky Ighoyota and Agbogho Egigba, said that after appraising the financial position amidst challenges of the House, it became imperative to extol Igbuya on his leadership style.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 35

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—37

APC is pushing its luck on Saraki — SEN URHOGHIDE SENATOR Matthew Urhoghide, Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism was before now, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview, he spoke on the development in the Senate, the embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki and how the PDP would take over the Senate Presidency if Saraki is removed, among others.

By Henry Umoru

W

HAT is your take on the trial of the Senate President at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT? It is quite an unfortunate issue.

On these accusations and the CCT matter concerning the Senate President, I see it as a misgiving that people can be persecuted for just taking the initiative to be what they want to be politically. Again, I see it as a complete slide in the development of our national institutions particularly the National Assembly and to think of it that we in the Senate, who are supposed to be distinguished Nigerians are not allowed to make our free choice.

So, if you have this attitude at the back of the mind that this is the reason for all of this persecution, then of course one is completely taken aback and one feels sorry that things like this can still happen in this country. Some of you have been in court, you have seen what is going on and the drama; the background of all of this is because Senator Bukola Saraki is the Senate President otherwise they will not go and dig up issues under the guise of the law saying that it doesn’t matter how long it is that you can be brought to book.

Quality support These excuses are after thought and I want to say that as a body, as an institution, we have no regret about our support for him.

More than before, the quality support he enjoys in the Senate is even more because all of us feel insulted by the persecution that is going on.

If Saraki isn’t Senate President we can all make a free choice and whoever we choose will become president, but right now the position of the Senate President isn’t vacant.

He is going to stay there for four years and that is what we want and of course if justice has to be pursued on the altar of fairness I don’t think anything will happen to him because these are flimsy excuses. Those of us in PDP have resolved to support him. Saraki doesn’t belong to the same party with us, but we have a strong resolve to support him to the end and our support for him is total.

Based on our conviction, the first day we were going to make him Senate President we saw him as first among equals and since

he became Senate President he has been able to dignify the Senate and every senator.

We have been doing our work consciously and this support is for someone who has supported the present administration of President Buhari.

Look at the way he brought the list of ministers, look at how expeditiously we have pursued the budget. It has never happened before, we have done this thing with speed because that is his own style and that is why he said let us make a difference. For him now to be pushed around, we have learned our lessons and we believe that it is time we call a spade a spade.

The turning point has been made that the Senate and House of Representatives should be able to choose their presiding officers without hindrance because the

Based on our conviction, the first day we were going to make him Senate President we saw him as first among equals and since he became Senate President he has been able to dignify the Senate and every senator

to him now is unprecedented and those people will soon find out that they are making a mistake, they are making a hero out of him.

Should the Senate President be forced out can we imagine the PDP producing his replacement?

Let me tell you something the APC must take their mind to the fact that the first time we decided to make Saraki the president we had the appropriate opportunity of having a PDP Senate President and that hasn’t dimmed. We decided that •Urhoghide: Saraki will remain as Senate President for four years it isn’t conventional for a party that is in opposition presiding officers – the Senate the configuration is right now; to produce Senate President but President, Deputy Senate 57:51 (46 five PDP seats awaiting you can see that the APC is President are our own, they are rerun). So we need only four and pushing their luck to far and they to preside over our affairs, it isn’t amongst the APC senators I tell are showing a lot of naivety and a political party that will decide you we will get over 20 of them you can see a lot of political that will support our course so immaturity in their decisions for us.

If tomorrow, two third majority there is no way. because they are pursuing one of us decide to remove him, we But the senators person. will remove him because we accompanying Senator Saraki This was the same person that believe he isn’t performing well, to the CCT have thinned out. led 17 senators out of the PDP to but if it is given to you by a Initially up to 75 senators, but at join APC and this is the same political party, the party will the last time they were less than person that contributed in his decide the entry and exit course 25? own little effort to the emergence and we won’t get our right I want to say that you should of APC at the federal level and desires and Nigerians won’t be mindful that we are on a even in most of the states in the benefit maximally from the break. Those of us that are here north and today you are vilifying representation. are committee members. If your him and you say no he has no Anybody that is thinking that committee doesn’t have any choice. they will remove Saraki by means reason to be here, it is next of the law court or by whatever Tuesday (today) that we are Request to the means they just must be joking. resuming plenary and of course National Assembly I want to say that on behalf of my thank God too that on the 18th colleagues, those of us that have we are going to the court and we They need to be careful strongly resolved, and I also read are going to see subsequently the otherwise PDP will teach them a in the press that they are number that will support him. lesson and the issue Mr. shopping for a replacement; So the number hasn’t reduced President has being having with there is no shopping for at all in fact I think he is even all his request to the National getting more support and the Assembly particularly to the replacement.

The APC alone can’t decide as support we are getting from the Senate of course you know at that a party who will become Senate Nigerian public is momentous, time we will start playing politics President. It is we that will we are very grateful for it because with them and that would be decide; and majorly we PDP will our constituents are sending difficult and I want to say what if decide who becomes Senate messages to us and on the social we were to follow merit not all President. I hope you know what media the support that is given the ministers would have been passed because we saw the shortcomings of a lot of them, but because we wanted to respect the wish of Mr. President...the budget that was brought that was bleeding with a lot of faults they came in and they begged us let us do it the way the president wants.

There are a lot of things we have done against the back drop of what happened at AMCON and again the appointment of a new helmsman at FIRS. You can see the shortcomings in those appointments but of course we decided to overlook them.

They resumed jobs before they were confirmed by the Senate but heavens didn’t fall. We allowed them because the Senate President said let us move along, •Ndume this whole process is about learning but if we wanted to take him, not even a party, not it seriously we won’t have passed Saraki and it is only God that even the PDP can do that, God a lot of those people and can take it from him; only God knows who will take it from confirmed them but we confirmed will know who will take it from them based on nothing. him, not PDP.”

Don’t play God — NDUME, SENATE LEADER S

ENATE leader, Senator Ali Ndume has asked PDP senators not to play God, saying that Senate President Bukola Saraki was brought in

by God and He alone would know who will be Saraki’s successor if he is ever convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

The Senate Leader was reacting to the position of some PDP senators that the opposition would produce Senator Saraki’s successor if removed my told Vanguard that only God can take the position from the Senate President.

He said, "PDP should not play God. It is God that gave power to Senate President

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Now that Saraki has been ‘convicted’ by the mob

By Tope Ajayi

Matters arising from the fuel crisis

By Emma Agu

I

BE Kachikwu, Nigeria’s minister of state, petroleum, continues to remain in the eye of the storm as government tackles the fuel crisis. Although the agonizingly long queues, chaotic scenes, violent outbursts and endless frustration at filling stations are beginning to abate, it will be erroneous to conclude that we are out of troubled waters. If anything, forthright as ever, the minister has unequivocally stated that measures put in place to tackle the current crisis are indeed just short term solutions. I call them palliatives.

In the nature of things, there are those who choose to remind us that fuel queues are still with us, that Kachikwu is yet to deliver on his promise to eradicate the queues on a particular day. That is, ignoring the fact that what he actually said was that the queues would begin to abate on a particular day. Nonetheless, if the queues are yet to abate, in spite of the demonstrable effort of the minister, it behoves us all, especially the media, to identify the cogs in the wheel of progress. But what I see is the persistent effort to paint the dark side of things, to always see the glass as half empty and not have full!

Part of the problem is that, we often dwell on the effect of poor policy or lack of it and ignore the root causes of our problems. By the same token, responsibilities that ought to be shared by the various arms of government are shoved to only the executive branch with other arms of government posturing as if they can extricate themselves from responsibility. We shall return to this shortly. One salutary effect of adversity is that it throws up opportunities that, if explored, can lead to very beneficial outcomes.

I think we stand a good chance of altering the balance in our favour if matters arising from the fuel scarcity are subjected to objective scrutiny.

The first matter arising is that there exists, at all times, those whose stock-in-trade is to sabotage every government policy for personal benefits. They did it to Olusegun Obasanjo, they did it to Goodluck Jonathan; they are now doing it to Muhammadu Buhari. These unscrupulous petroleum marketers continue to sabotage the effort of the department of petroleum resources, DPR, to stabilize the fuel supply situation. To them, it does not matter if Kachikwu, like other ministers before him, decides to shout himself hoarse, adopt the most novel strategies or even preach to them from the pulpit. Ask any motorist in Lagos and you will be told how some petroleum marketers divert truck loads of premium motor spirit, PMS, or petrol from the city centre to the outskirts after escorts from the DPR would have left the gas stations. These unscrupulous dealers deploy every strategy to beat NNPC surveillance.

Out of the prying eyes of the DPR, the diverted fuel is sold at much higher prices and the rest recycled to the city centre to be sold in the open ‘black market’ at cut throat prices. Certainly the We either fuel being hawked by vendors, Nigeria’s restore army of jobless youth, did not rain down subsidy, with from heaven. all its adverse Somebody gave it to them. And it is not Ibe effects on Kachikwu, who has public finance been doing a yeoman’s job, trying to or we allow clean up the Augean market forces stable created in the decades when the to stabilize the locust ravaged our system

common patrimony with reckless disdain and unconscionable rapacity.

Now, we must return to the realistic choices that need to be made, no Kachikwu matter how unpopular they may seem in the short run.

Here is the scenario. Over time, when PMS is scarce, vehicle owners are ready to pay any price to obtain it. Not only that, for far too long, PMS has never really sold at a uniform price all over the country. Thus there have always been spatial and temporal disparities in the price structure.

Paradoxically, for largely political reasons, government has always retained a uniform pump head price of PMS that defies practical logic or economic sense, rates that are unattractive to suppliers either from local refiners or importers. This explains the crippling subsidy that has been exploited by the oil cabal to the detriment of Nigerians.

Either way, the people suffer double jeopardy: prices go up even as scarcity persists.

Double jeopardy To understand the situation, we need to listen to a former treasurer of the western zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Mr. Shina Amoo. Quoting Amoo in its story, Scarcity: Queues grow longer despite Kachikwu’s promise, the Saturday Punch of April 9, 2016, reported thus: “The former IPMAN chief said oil marketers could not buy above the recommended price and sell below the price…” Punch quoted Amoo further: “The April date given by the minister (Ibe Kachikwu) is not feasible. The man first said the scarcity would end by May and he came under heavy attacks so he apologized and gave another date. I don’t think the scarcity will end earlier than end of May.’’ Some home truth, you will say. So where do we go from here? Blaming Ibe Kachikwu or any other person for that matter is begging the question. We cannot eat our cake and have it too. Something has to give. We either restore subsidy, with all its adverse effects on public finance or we allow market forces to stabilize the system. Ask any cab operator or any vehicle owner and the response will be that they don’t mind paying more for fuel so long as supply of the product is guaranteed. I think that should be the strategic index in tackling the fuel crisis. If that is what the price modulation principle is all about, let’s muster the political will to get cracking!

But the most important matter arising from the fuel crisis is the need to enact a policy framework deregulating the downstream sector in such a way that gives investors the confidence to prefer Nigeria to other investment destinations. Until we create an environment that allows local refineries to provide the bulk of the country’s PMS requirements, we will continue to experience periodic disruptive fuel shortages.

Agu, a fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) is publisher of Zest Traveller magazine & CEO of Gavinta & Associates Ltd.

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AST week must have been the lowest point in Senator Bukola Saraki’s political career. Quite literally speaking, he was dragged to the market square, denuded, and sprayed with opprobrium so thick that his traducers would hope never washes off.

As the prosecution chief witness reeled out fantastic stories of serial cash lodgements and illegal salary earnings, everyone gasped in disbelief. Powered by the social media, the stories leapt across boundaries within seconds. As the stories were retold and re-circulated, they grew weirder and wilder. Cash lodgements totalling N70 million became N70 million paid into Saraki’s account 70 times in one day!

Some said it was actually $70 million dollars paid into his account 50 times in a day.

People brought out their calculators to multiply 70 million by 50, still the sheer absurdity of the result did not clear their minds. As the stories grew wilder, public anger against Saraki grew in geometric proportion. He was brutally savaged in the social media, ridiculed in the newspapers, cursed in the market places, abused in motor parks, and mocked by his political enemies. It was a timely diversion for a country brought to its knees by fuel scarcity.

To an anguished people who have to rely on the black markets to keep their lives going, this was a comic relief. The Saraki story became the new tales by moonlight!

If this was all that Saraki’s political opponents set out to achieve; they have done a good job so far. Never before has a number three citizen in the land been so publicly humiliated. In fact, it is difficult now not to think that the damaging testimony of the prosecution witness was an end by itself; calculated as it were, to achieve this very objective of eroding the Saraki brand. Anyone familiar with court proceedings would clearly see that what happened at the tribunal last week was more evocative of an inquisition, programmed to pander to the mob, rather than a trial meant to serve the cause of justice.

What became clear also was that Saraki is on trial in two courts: the court of law and the court of the mob.

Even as the trial at the court of law is still at a very early stage, he has already been found guilty and condemned in the court of public opinion. As one commentator noted last week, the prejudicial value of the prosecution’s story overwhelms its probative value; but who cares!

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs is a very smart lawyer. He knows his case rests on a very weak foundation. Therefore, if the only conviction he is able to get in the end were in the media and the motor

What became clear also was that Saraki is on trial in two courts: the court of law and the court of the mob

Saraki parks, the mission would have been accomplished.

In his testimonies so far, what the prosecution witness has failed to show was how his stories relate to asset declaration offences for which Saraki was charged. At best, the link between his testimonies so far and the charges remains circumstantial.

Assuming it was true that 50 lodgements were made into an account in one day, this would appear suspicious on the face of it, but it does not prove anything. It is certainly not a crime for anyone to choose to make 100 payments into his account in one day, if he so decides. What is potentially criminal was how he acquired the money, not how it was paid into an account.

So far, the witness has only succeeded in instigating the public and exciting mob imagination with suggestive stories and conspiracy theories, without proving any case of wrongdoing. Perhaps more significantly, we should ask what the issue of Saraki collecting salaries after leaving office has to do with assets declaration. Was the prosecution trying to prove that the half a million naira or so that he was allegedly receiving as salaries after leaving office was used to acquire the assets under trial or in off-setting some of the loans he was said to have taken? This particular aspect of the testimony was nothing but sheer mischief, targeted at damaging him in his home state and nothing more.

Interest in justice Otherwise, one should ask, which of the 13 charges against him does it apply to? This case therefore, is like dragging a man before a court for sleeping with another man’s wife, then proceed to argue that he stole money. Then when you were asked how the two were related, you say oh, you were just trying to prove that it was the stolen money that he used in enticing the woman. Anyone interested in justice should still ask for what offence exactly you were charging him.

Many have wondered why Saraki’s lawyers have failed to raise objections to some of the stories told by the prosecution witness, especially when they all seemed to have bordered on allegations of financial crime rather than assets declaration. Even though they noted that they reserved their objections to the time of cross-examination, my guess is that they had been caught unawares. They must have come to the tribunal ready to defend a case of asset declaration and not to prove that their client was not a money launderer.

To be concluded

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 39

Under age in front seat: Wrong show of love

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Peugeot 301

Peugeot 301: Silent powerful horse I

T narrowly missed grabbing the 2015 Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards, NAJA, probably because of its popularity compared to the Kia Rio which eventually became the winner.

The Peugeot 301 has everything it takes to win awards in the automobile world, yet little was known about it before its nomination for NAJA awards.

Boasting exciting design, road handling, spacious interior that is very comfortable, built quality that is not common in its class price advantage in terms of acquisition and maintenance, the 301 is no doubt the car to beat in its segment.

As one of the vehicles that was test driven by Nigerian journalists from Lagos to Kaduna, a distant of over 800 kilometres, the French made car handled like a large size sedan offering unparalleled advantages in terms of

ground clearance, good shock absorbers, and fuel efficiency.

The 301 may have surpassed the record of the Peugeot 306 which ruled the nations auto arena with its fuel efficiency of travelling from Lagos to Kaduna with just one full tank. It has been observed that 301 improved on this record. The driver would

Available in three trims, Access, Active and Allure the Peugeot 301 comes in two engine variants including, 1.2 and 1.6 litre powerplants

Kia sells 268,007 in March

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IA Motors Corporation has announced its March 2016 global sales figures (export sales, domestic sales and sales from overseas plants) for passenger cars, recreational vehicles RVs,and commercial vehicles, recording a total of 268,007 units sold. This figure represents 0.6% year-on-year decrease compared to the same month of 2015.

In March, Kia posted year-onyear sales increases in the domestic Korean market (19.4% growth with 50,510 units sold) and Europe (9.4% growth with 63,826 units sold).

Cumulatively through the first three months of 2016, Kia’s global sales totalled 686,887 units

for a year-on-year decrease of 0.6%. Korea (128,125 units sold), Europe (145,488 units sold) and North America (160,286 units sold) have seen an 11.9%, 7.9% and 3.0% rise in sales, respectively.

Kia’s bestselling model in overseas markets during March 2016 was the Sportage compact CUV with 43,304 units sold. The Bsegment Rio (known as ‘K2’ in China) was the second best seller with 33,524 units sold, while the C-segment Cerato (known as ‘Forte’ or ‘K3’ in some markets), Optima D-segment sedan and Soul urban crossover followed with 30,591, 21,391 and 16,562 units sold, respectively.

have some fuel left in the tank to move around in the city on arrival from either Lagos or Kaduna.

How Peugeot achieved this feat is still unknown to the competition. But experts believe that Peugeot Research and Development department is one of the best in the world as they are collaborating with other advanced auto makers around the globe for the benefit of their customers.

Available in three trims, Access, Active and Allure the Peugeot 301 comes in two engine variants including, 1.2 and 1.6 litre powerplants. The 1.2 litre engine comes standard with manual transmission while the 1.6 litre engine version is equipped with automatic transmission. All versions of 301 come with factory-fitted air-conditioning system but the allure is equipped with electronic air-conditioning system.

Assembled in Nigeria by PAN Limited, Kaduna, the Peugeot 301 could be described as a truly Nigerian car, having one of the best ground clearance and shock absorbers to take on tough roads. It comes with a 15 inch alloy rim, rear parking sensor, touches of chrome, half leather sea trim, electronic windows and dual air-bags. Other features of the 301 include anti-lock breaking system, power steering, height adjustable steering wheel, radio/MP3/CD Player\USB bluetooth and centralised key/locking.

With one of the best network coverages in Nigeria, Peugeot 301 enjoys the Peugeot after sales backup. It is one of the few vehicles in Nigeria that undergoes service at six month intervals, rather than three months, thereby saving the owner a lot of money.

NE of the commonest violations of traffic rules in most cities in Nigeria is carrying under-aged children in the front passenger seat of cars. Apart from overloading, most parents, out of love, allow their under-age children on the front passengers seat. This, I have always said, is not an act of love, but exposing the children to unnecessary risk and dangers.

Even traffic law enforcement agents always looked the other way when they see parents committing this serious offence. They hardly booked or charged them for this reckless act. Sometimes the traffic enforcer would crack jokes with such parents and allow them to carry on to the detriment of the innocent child.

As a father, I have always been faced with this challenge and had politely stamped my feet on the ground that the front passengers seat is not for children below 12 years of age or pregnant women, who are not ready to use the seat belt.

Initially, my wife resisted this. But when she saw that I would not change my position, she joined me in the campaign. My children, without being told, know their position when we are going out (back seat). I have seen mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties carrying infants with one hand and driving with the other, with the cheap excuse that the child would cry if asked to go to the back seat. But the truth is that the few minutes the child would cry would not send the child to an early grave, but the “useless show of love” by allowing the child on the front passengers seat could send a child to an early grave or maim him or her for life.

This is why auto makers always state that children, under 12 years, should not sit on the front passenger seat. Even at that, we know that children from Europe and America develop in size faster than those from Africa and most parts of Asia. But they stuck to 12 years knowing the inherent dangers.

The front seats of the car come with little more risk than the rear seat in the case of accidents.

I have seen mothWhen there is frontal collision, the driver and front seat passeners, fathers, unger stand the risk of hitting their cles, aunties carrychest or head on the dashboard ing infants with or steering wheel if they are not wearing the seat belt. They can one hand and also hit their head on the winddriving with the screen.

Serious injuries for under-age kids Secondly, the airbag deploys in split second and if the seat belt is not in place, the airbag deployment could cause instant death or serious injuries for under-aged kids hence it is advisable to always wear a seat belt, no matter how short the journey is.

Let me share a story my father once told me about allowing a child to have his or her way in order not to cry.

A certain child, according to my father, was born without any deformity. He was developing like any other child within the neighbourhood, but stubborn.

One day, the child was playing with a stick and his father cautioned him and took away the stick from him. His overbearing mother who felt that the child would start crying, took the stick from the father, returned it to the child and cautioned the father to leave him alone. The father was astonished and walked away in anger to avoid being insulted.

Not too long after, he heard the child crying uncontrollably and rushed down to find out the problem. Lo and behold, the innocent child had the sharpend of the stick inside one of his

other, with the cheap excuse that the child would cry if asked to go to the back seat

eyes and on getting to the hospital, the doctor confirmed that the eye was permanently damaged.

The child grew up with the deformity and when he was of age, he asked his father why other children have two eyes while he has only one. The father told him the story. The child was angry and told the father that he would not forgive him for what he and the mother did to him.

According to the child, if his father had insisted on taking the stick away from him, he would have cried and would not know that he cried, but now the deformity would live with him till death.

Is this what parents who carry their children in the passenger front seats are wishing their children? God forbid. Law enforcement agents, please do your job and save the innocent children.

40—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

By Theodore Opara

LMF, Autoparts Expo to maximise opportunities in sector

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RGANISERS of Lagos Motor show has explained that the 11th edition of the Fair is packaged to ensure that both participants and visitors maximize fully the benefits and potentials that abound in the Nigerian automotive and road transport sectors. According to the Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr. Ifeanyi Agwu, the fair is aimed at fast-tracking the development of the sectors and ensuring that the attendant benefits of such rapid development are fully tapped and unleashed into the economy.

Mr. Agwu, who is also the Chairman of the Organising Committee for the event, said that

all strategies have been deployed to ensure that the fair more than ever before receives the needed attention from participants, institutional, trade, professional and individual buyers as well as visitors.

He said: “We have packaged a show that could effectively be used by the participants and visitors to maximize the benefits that they drive from the fair. This edition will bring out all the potentials and investment opportunities that abound in the Nigerian automobile industry, which we know are very attractive so that the existing and potential stakeholders will utilise the opportunities offered by Lagos Motor

Fair to get the best, he announced.

Strategically as we have been doing since the last five years, we are laying strong emphasis on the spare parts sector. This is as a result of our guided intention to enhance the development of cottage industries in the spare parts sub-sector of the automotive business sector of the economy with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy of the nation.

Our target is to attract many reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of spare parts from across the globe to participate in this edition as well as in subsequent ones.

From left: Jerry Liu, Chief ,International Business Division, Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Co. Ltd; Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Ltd; Diana Chen, Chairman, CIG Motors, and Bisi Onasanya, former GMD/CEO, First Bank Nigeria, at the unveiling of the showroom of Gree air condition and GAC Motor at Ojota, Lagos.

Why we appointed ASD Nissan dealer —Stallion

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TALLION NMN, manufacturers and distributors of Nissan automobiles have appointed ASD Motors Nigeria Limited as independent Nissan dealer at a signing ceremony in Lagos to cater for the growing Nissan clientele in North Central Nigeria and its adjoining states.

The inauguration brings to seven the number of independent Nissan dealers appointed by Stallion NMN. They include: Gbose Automobiles Limited Ilorin – Kwara State, RealPoint West Africa Limited Warri, Delta State, Emmanuella Motors Limited Awka, Anambra State, SATA Motors Benin; Enebros Motors Uyo. Akwa Ibom State and AC Okocha Motors Asaba, Delta State.

Addressing ASD Motors’ executives including the Chairman of the Group, Alhaji Sani Dauda, the Stallion NMN Managing director, Parvir Singh said: “the strategic appointment of dealers across the country is in line with Nissan business expansion plan to guarantee seamless access to valued Nissan products and services with provision of quality customer satisfaction.”

He enjoined the new dealer to be steadfast and embrace Nissan global vision of being “customers’ lifetime companion while also moving closer to them to make the Nissan brand customers’ preferred application.”

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 —41

Libya worst mistake of my presidency —Obama He said, however, that President Obama has

U

S President Barack Obama has said failing to prepare for the aftermath of the ousting of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi was the worst mistake of his presidency.

Mr Obama was answering a series of questions on the highs and lows of his time in office on Fox News.

intervening in Libya had been “the right thing to do”.

The US and other countries carried out strikes designed to protect civilians during the 2011 uprising.

But after the former Libyan leader was killed, Libya plunged into chaos with militias taking over and two rival parliaments and governments forming.

It is not the first time

expressed regret over Libya. He toldthe Atlantic magazine last month the operation went as well as he had hoped, but Libya was now “a mess”.

In that interview, he also criticised France and the UK, in particular saying British Prime Minister David Cameron became “distracted” after the intervention.

It was a rare rebuke for a close ally and one which BBC correspondents at the time said angered Downing Street.

President Obama told Fox that his biggest accomplishment in office was “saving the economy from the great depression”.

He said the best day of his presidency was when he passed the healthcare reforms. The worst, he said, was responding to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school.

Mr Obama discussed his legacy in a BBC interview last year, saying his failure to pass tighter gun control laws was the biggest frustration of his presidency.

PANAMA LEAK: Editor of German newspaper says story published in public interest

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HE editor of the German newspaper that broke the Panama Papers story said on Monday he did not know exactly where his team’s source got the information but defended his decision to publish on the basis of the public interest.

Wolfgang Krach, coeditor-in-chief of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, said a source who introduced themselves as “John Doe” contacted the paper a year ago and with an offer of encrypted internal documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

Sueddeutsche, realising the sheer number of

documents to be scrutinised, began working with a consortium of other media organisations before publishing the Panama Papers story that has shone a light on the financial schemes of the world’s elite.

“We don’t know how this source came upon the information,” Krach told Reuters by telephone from his office in Munich.

“Mossack Fonseca say themselves ‘ we were hacked’ - I don’t know if that is the case. I can’t confirm that.”

The head of Mossack Fonseca has denied any wrongdoing, and said his firm has fallen victim to “an international campaign

•Hassan Hanafi: Executed yesterday by Somali government for helping members of al-Shabab kill at least five journalists in the capital.

against privacy”.

Suddeutsche Zeitung has said it received a cache of 11.5 million leaked documents from the law firm’s database.

The documents cover a period over almost 40 years,

OMALIA has executed a journalist accused of helping members of alShabab kill at least five journalists in the capital.

Hassan Hanafi, who was captured in neighbouring Kenya in 2014, was executed on Monday morning by a firing squad in Mogadishu after his appeal at a military court failed.

Hanafi was accused of helping fighters from the alQaeda-linked group identify possible targets in the journalism community between 2007 and 2011.

From 2009 to 2011 he worked for Radio Andalus, al-Shabab’s official mouthpiece.

In an interview aired on

Somalia state TV in February, Hanafi admitted ordering the murder of several journalists.

But in an audio recording

C

HANCELLOR George Osborne and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have become the latest senior British politicians to publish details of their tax returns.

Mr Osborne paid £72,210 in tax in 2014-5 on £198,738 in earnings, comprising his official salary, rental income and share dividends from his family firm.

The Labour leader paid £18,912 in tax on his MP’s salary and declared £1,850 of other taxable income.

It came as David Cameron defended the right to “make money lawfully”.

Facing MPs for the first time since the row over his family’s tax affairs, the prime minister said “artificially reducing tax”

of a phone call leaked last month Hanafi appeared to claim he made the confessions after being tortured.

Sudan’s Darfur votes on political future

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ARFUR residents began voting on Monday in a referendum on whether to reunite their arid western region into one entity, a poll Sudan says will settle an issue at the heart of the long-running conflict.

The Sudanese government’s decision to split Darfur into three states in 1994 helped fuel discontent that erupted into fighting in

•Mr. Joachim Oppinger, Austrian Ambassador

By Vera Samuel from 1977 until last Anyagafu December, and purport to show that some companies HE Ambassador of domiciled in tax havens Austria to Nigeria, were being used for Mr. Joachim Oppinger, has suspected money described his country’s laundering, arms and drug relationship with Nigeria deals and tax evasion. as mutually benefitting, saying that Austria and Nigeria share various similarities and have been focusing and taking should not be confused with appropriate measures on legitimate enterprise and developmental issues. wealth creation schemes.

Ambassador Oppinger The series of personal who spoke at the Austriadisclosures - which also Nigeria business included an updated tax networking in Lagos, statementHYPERLINK emphasised the need for “ h t t p s : / / the two countries to sustain www.london.gov.uk/sites/ their bilateral relationship, d e f a u l t / f i l e s / especially in key areas of boris_tax_summary_11- their economies.

12_to_14-15_2.pdf” from Delivering his speech, Mayor of London Boris Ambassador Oppinger Johnson - came after spoke precisely on Austria Downing Street said SMEs, which he said are “potential prime ministers” the backbone of the and chancellors should be Austrian economy and expected to publish their tax employ the majority of the returns in future. working population in the Speaking in the country, while detailing the Commons, Mr Corbyn cherished moments that suggested the government both Austria and Nigeria was “incapable of taking have long shared, since global action against tax establishment of diplomatic dodging”, claiming there ties. was “was one rule for the According to him, the rich and one for the rest”. visit of Austrian business delegates to Nigeria Nigerians in signifies the extent of the China to Buhari: healthy relationship Austria Please visit enjoys with Nigeria and it

T

...Top UK politicians open up on tax

Somalia executes al-Shabab journalist

S

Austria-Nigeria cherished bilateral moments

2003. Rebels and the large Fur tribe said the break-up allowed Khartoum to dive and rule them.

Sudan, which later split Darfur further into five states, has presented this week’s vote as a major concession. But rebel and opposition groups have again cried foul, saying the vote will be rigged and calling on their supporters to boycott it.

Guangzhou

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu

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IGERIANS in Guangzhou, China have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the city in order to have deliberations with them, noting that such visit would go a long way at addressing challenges of obtaining Chinese visa.

According to the Chairman,ShanghaiEnginee-ring and Cons-truction Company, Mr. Uzoma Mbisiogu, who is also the Chairman Blue Diamond Logistics and a member of China-Africa Business Initiative, Buhari’s visit to Guangzhou would delight Nigerians in the country.

Austria is a highly industrialized nation with very competent manufacturers and exporting companies

is important for the two countries to keep encouraging prospective business networking.

He further stated that Nigeria is a highly cherished Austria diplomatic partner and the interest of Nigeria in doing business with Austria is highly welcome.

“We have ensured through various committed projects, in addition to successful business meetings between Nigeria and Austria business men and women, often organised by the Embassy’s Commercial Section Office, that we significantly maintain shared goals to promoting trade between our two countries”, Ambassador Oppinger added.

Austrian companies Austrian companies delegates to Nigeria also disclosed that Austria has lots of know how to share with the Nigerian business world.

Also speaking at the event, the embassy ’s Commercial Counsellor, Ms. Nella Hengstler, whose primary assignment is to foster bilateral trade between Austria and Nigeria, highlighted the need to improve on infrastructure, while also ensuring there is sufficient energy supply, to enable economic boost.

Some of the Austrian business delegates, who spoke to Vanguard, stated that Austrian companies are reliable business partners and they are willing to partner with Nigeria business men and women to promote trade between Nigeria and Austria.

They stressed that Austria is a highly industrialized nation with very competent manufacturers and exporting companies that supply high quality machinery to many industries across the globe.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

2016 BUDGET:

Don’t blame legislators for expunging provisions for polio, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, President, The HIV/AIDS —Nigeria Academy of Science LAST week, the legislators expunged certain allocations from the 2016 Federal Budget. Among the expunged funds are allocations for polio eradication and essential drugs for HIV/AIDS. In his response to this development, President of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewole Tomori, speaks to Chioma Obinna about the implications of the move. Excerpts:

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ET me talk about the section of the budget I am familiar with - that dealing with expunging polio eradication and essential drugs for HIV/AIDS. I want to believe that the legislators are unaware, ignorant is too strong a word, so I say they are totally unaware of the current situation of polio eradication and HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. I am sure if they are aware, they will even add more money to see the end of polio and significant reduction in the sufferings of Nigerians suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Polio eradication

Nigeria attained the dubious distinction of being the last country in Africa to be declared a polio-non endemic country. The journey is not yet over.

Nigeria has to remain polio free until 2017 before she is declared Polio free. So expunging the allocation for polio is a sure way to bring back polio to Nigeria and

for our country to set the hand of the clock back and ensure that Nigeria will indeed be the last country in the world to eradicate polio.

Perhaps one cannot blame the legislators for this decision that will make Nigeria snatch polio defeat on the long and hard road to success. Very prematurely, the last administration used the in-

complete polio success as a campaign issue, touting it as one of the successes of the government.

We shouted out loud and clear then, that we were claiming victory before the final whistle, (remember Nigeria versus Egypt?).....but the government bent on claiming success at all cost, ignored our plea to set the record straight. Now we are paying for our penchant to deceive and lie to each other.

Perhaps now that the Honourable legislators are aware of the disaster they will create by expunging funds for polio eradication from the budget, they will make the necessary amendments

HIV/AIDS

Expunging the allocation for polio is a sure way to bring back polio to Nigeria and to set the hand of the clock back

It is inconceivable that distinguished legislators who should know their country well, will ever ever think of not providing funds for essential drugs for HIV/ AIDS. Let me share with them some of these wakeup data about HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. It is estimated by UNAIDS that 3.4 million Nigerians are living with HIV. We have a prevalence rate among adults aged 15-49 of 3.2 percent. There are 380,000 chil-

Prof. Oyewale Tomori dren (0-14 years) living with HIV. In 2014, 170,000 Nigerians died from the disease. We have 1.6 million orphans due to AIDS aged 0-17. With these figures, how can anyone with conscience expunge funds for essential drugs for HIV/AIDS? Expunging funds does not expunge the disease, it only makes the disease to sponge away more lives.

I am happy to note that the legislators are aware of the increased number of people dying in the absence of essential drugs, that is why they have shifted the money for contractors to buy ambulances to carry the dead bodies to the mortuary.

Health budgets

I have just had a look at the budgets for the last two or three years. One thing common with each of these budgets is that there is always a huge difference between what the executive submits and what the legislators remit.

While the recurrent expenditure comes out unchanged, the capital expenditure gets "ballooned" by between N1.5 billion and N2.0 billion per ministry.

Some wicked people say that this deliberate "oversight" is reserved for legislative oversight activities.

Something tells me that this set of legislators is a different breed from the past and that when provided with information, will take the appropriate and reasonable action!

Find a cure for endometriosis, Dolapo Osinbajo tasks Nigerian doctors

By Sola Ogundipe

W

IFE of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, has tasked Nigerian medical experts to rise up to the challenge posed by endometriosis, a, chronic, inflammatory disorder and a leading

cause of infertility and other gynecological complications that affect an estimated 10 to 15 percent of women and girls of reproductive age.

Osinbajo who spoke weekend as special guest at the Gala Night/Fund Raising ceremony of the Endometriosis Sup-

GALA NIGHT: From left - Clinic Manager, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos; Medical Director, Nordica Lagos/Abuja/Asaba & Trustee, ESGN, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi; Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Miss Nigeria 1990 & Global Ambassador, ESGN, Chief Nike Oshinowo, during the Endo Gala Night held at the Civic Centre, Lagos, weekend. Photo: Sola Ogundipe.

port Group Nigeria, ESGN, said the reality of women that suffer endometriosis, their carers and their loved ones demands response from all Nigerians.

“Endometriosis cause infertility, and women and girls are precious. Let's keep it that way. I enjoin our medical experts and indeed all of us to help improve the quality of life of women and girls suffering from endometriosis.

“It is scary and disturbing to me that millions of women and girls are living with this condition without diagnosis and more sad that several are misdiagnosed and heartbreaking to think that as we speak, so many are suffering because of the condition,” she stated.

Osinbajo observed that endometriosis is one more threat and obstacle for women and girls to contend with at a time violence against women and girls is higher than ever before.

“What does a woman represent to you?

What do you think when you see little girls, young girls, mothers, laughing and playing? Can we stand to see them suffer? I cannot imagine the pain of surgeries, but one thing I can imagine is the inner strength of those living with the disorder.

“As I appreciate all the work done by the ESGN, I must salute the courage of Chief

Nike Oshinowo, our beauty queen and world ambassador for this cause. I salute her courage even today for speaking out about her personal experiences in a society like ours that judges so quickly, and speaks so definitively about her opinions.

“I believe this is indeed a great personal sacrifice. Today, her personal experience is bare for the sake of ensuring there is awareness about endometriosis. Our clinical practitioners are encouraged to watch out for it and treat it to help sufferers and hopefully, find a cure," she avowed.

In a narration of her experience with endometriosis, former Miss Nigeria and ESGN Global Ambassador, Chief Nike Oshinowo, who has lived with the condition since the age of 11, called for policies that would stimulate research into the causes and possible cures for the condition.

“No doctor has told me why I suffer so much because of endometriosis. Why me, I keep asking. I turned 50 recently and I’m looking forward to menopause. However in spite of endometriosis, I have had an amazing life,” she asserted.

Endometriosis is an incurable medical condition in which the lining of the uterus transplants itself outside of the uterus to the lining of the abdominal cavity and other organs-causing bloating and pain.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—43

UBA Pharmacy prioritises patient care Chioma Obinna

A

GROUP of US-based Nigerian professionals inspired by the late Professor Dora Akunyili over a decade ago, have invested in the nation’s pharmacy industry. In a chat, they told Good Health Weekly, that pharmacy care in Nigeria has been bedevilled with so many challenges including the fact that most pharmacy outlets are run by quacks.

Speaking at the unveiling of the UBA Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited's first outlet in Awoyaya, Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Usman Idodo, said the introduction of the American concept of pharmacy and customer service, was intented to make patient care a priority.

"Our mottos for the pharmacy is "Care is our Word". We intend to care about the patient, staff and the community. We are taking holistic approach to care. When you come into the pharmacy we want you to have confidence whatever you buy be it prescription or any other article is authentic.

The Pharmacy is introducing mini clinics for High Blood Pressure, diabetes, cancer and other illnesses. At the clinic patients could have physician come in the evenings and get diagnosis for minor treatments and prescription and there will be pharmacist on duty at all times.

He said 60-70 percent of Nigerians do not have access to quality healthcare, would be made available and affordable.

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COMMISSIONING: From left: Stan Asthekame, Executive Director; Dr. Usman Idodo, MD/CEO, and Joe Okolo, Operations Director, all of UBA Pharmaceutical Nigeria Ltd., during the official opening of the Pharmacy in Lagos weekend.

“Pharmacy care in Nigeria is not where it needs to be. Most Nigerian pharmacies have no in-house pharmacist at all times which is a crime. You cannot find that in the Western world. Every pharmacy should have a pharmacist at all times. We intend to keep to the rules of prescription.

Joe Okolo, an engineer, disclosed that a complete diagnostic e-laboratory was being planned to check misdiagnosis. "We will be collaborating with colleagues in America to ensure proper diagnosis which is a problem in this part of the world.”

As I speak, my licence for Pharmacy is not ready even though the preliminary inspection was completed almost a year ago, and I notified the authorities that I was ready to open almost three months ago, now that we are doing our grand opening without the licence.

I paid PHCN N2.605 million for my transformer over eight months ago, I don't have electricity. Challenges in Nigeria are things we find easy in America.

On his part, Executive Director, UBA Pharmacy, Engr. Stan Athekame said the establishment of the Pharmacy became necessary to replicate standards of healthcare delivery available overseas.

The Pharmacy will be introducing emedicine and e-commerce that is developed to be like mobile banking.

"You will be able to get your prescription drugs from your smart phones, make orders and it will be delivered. We will be a brand you will know and identify within the new Lagos courtesy of the present administration."

He said the pharmacy will be in every part of Lagos within five years. "We intend to run delivery, drive e-commerce, we are also going to organise free screening and awareness programmes for the community every week.

5,000 benefit from free medical outreach in Awka

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O fewer than 5,000 people have benefitted from a 4-Day free health outreach for residents of Awka South LGA, Anambra State organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, with funding from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs. The Director- General of NACA represented by Mrs. Ezinne Uchendu stated that the HCT outreach campaign was geared towards making residents to know their HIV status and help achieve the 2030 goal of zero new infection, zero discrimination against people living with HIV as well as zero AIDS related death.

She stated that using an integrated approach was one of the ways to achieve its target of counselling and testing 20 million Nigerians annually.

Uchendu encouraged all residents of Awka South LGA to benefit from this free health outreach.

She said the outreach was able to reach 5,000 people following Carson Global Services intervention with permission from Anambra State Ministry of Education to distribute flyers on the programme to all the schools within the LGA. High point of the programme was free consultation and various screen tests and drug distribution for all participants.

On his part, the Chairman Awka South LGA, Prince Azubuike Iloh appreciated the gesture and emphasized the importance of medical checkups and the need for everyone to know their HIV status and avoid risky behaviour.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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Y fiancée and I were working on our traditional marriage arrangements but the moment he was given the bride price requirements with a list of what to buy, he suddenly stopped everything and refuses to discuss the matter. The list only came to N1, 300,000 and he can afford it. He has a good job. This has embarrassed and humiliated me and my family. I don’t know what to do – Lucy Lucy you don’t sound like you understand what just happened here. If your fiancée was a brick layer that earns N4, 000 a day, do you think your relatives would demand a bride price of N1, 300,000? Of course not.

Poor people get married every day and they don’t pay that kind of money. A bride price is supposed to be a small token fee and a symbol that the woman being married off is worthy.

And then villagers started exploiting it to greedily squeeze every kobo they can out of the pockets of any successful man that wants to marry from their village.

Africa is the only continent where suitors are asked for money before they can marry a woman.

This practice was born out of poverty not common sense. Other cultures don’t do that. When we demand for money, we are treating our daughters like property and prostitutes for sale. Our women should not be for sale. This practice needs to stop.

The last thing you want is for your husband’s family to perceive your family as gold diggers and that is what is happening here.

So be smart and get your close family members to beat that price down or that man may not marry you.

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44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

Scramble for new IGP: Another hollow ritual?

By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor

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HERE are seemingly intensive lobbying and chess games among officers of the Nigeria Police over who becomes the next InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP. This is following expectations that the present Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase’s tenure will end in June, 2016. Usually, the dramatis personae mainly consist of officers in the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG’s, but, this time around, the lobbysts include even officers on the level of Commissioners of Police, CPs. This new development, according to credible sources, is to effect the current administration’s change mantra in the force.

Lobbysits at work: Interestingly, the lobbyists are placing their hopes on their connections with the leadership of the ruling party while ability to steer the ship of the exalted but challenging position has been thrown overboard. On the other hand, the incumbent is seriously battling for extension giving what he percieves as his unrivaled achievements since he came on the saddle.

Unfortunately, both his colleagues in the police management committee and other contenders to the demanding position feel otherwise.

Hackened ascendancy Intriguingly, Nigerians, especially security experts, are averse to the long practised method of ascendancy in the force which they contend gave room to brazen corruption and continued decadence in the force. So far, majority of the opinions point to a new beginning that will herald total cleansing in the beleaguered force which, to a large extent , will eliminate tribalism, favouritism and many other vices that have bedevilled the force. It is a generally held opinion that such a move by the President will lead to the appointment of a lesser officer whose properly spelt out policiies will dove tail into the much touted community policing which the country desperately deserves at this time.

Rat race by power blocks: Meanwhile, feelers indicated that the rat race to the exalted position saw the emergence of power blocks both within the force and externally. One goup within the force is convinced that their choice candidate stands a better chance of

AIG Manko getting an extension based on what they percieve as his “impeccable records of achievement within the short period he handled the mantle of leadersship. They are also unabashed in their convinction that the political equation as presently represented in the ruling party will ensure an easy retention of Solomon Arase as the Inspector-General of Police.

Power shift to the North: Unfortunately, other power blocks think otherwise. Their unshakable contention is that one of the AIG’s from the North must assume the mantle of leadership as soon as the present boss completes his tenure. To them, extention is an anathema giving that they are convinced that the present leadership failed woefully to register loudable achievements even when much was expected going by the high pedigree of Solomon Arase before he assumed office.

Appointment of ‘spent forces’: Then, there is the block that feels highly agitated over the continued ritual of appointing “spent forces”as IGP’s who will end up following the same ugly trend without achieving much for the force. Most of them, ended up amassing stupendous wealth for themselves after which they will disappear from the country and nothing will be done to call them to question over their performance while in office.

External factor: Externally, there is the power block that feels it’s their inalienable right to influence the presidency over the choice of the person that will emerge as IGP. This is where former IGP’s , retired officers of not just the police force but other security agencies come in. Intelligence agencies from other countries and even former heads of state, leading Industrialists and banking gurus fall into this

We need a candidate that knows the law and will respect the law

IGP Arase group.

Chicken coming to roost: At the last count, no fewer than eight senior officers have been interviewed for the position of IGP. This list includes a serving Commissioner of Police from the South West. However, investigations showed that five top Senior Officers may have been shortlisted so far as the incumbent, Mr. Solomon Arase prepares to quit the stage, having attained the mandatory age of 60. Arase would be bowing out of the force come June 21, 2016. Already, the short-listed officers were recently screened by top officials of the Department of State Service (DSS) , following a directive from the Presidency to the effect that a new IGP to be so apointed should be preparing to take over.

Need for change of baton The Presidency, according to sources very close to Louis Edet House,Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, saw the need to have a change of baton in the police force thereby ending speculations that Arase’s tenure could be extended. Our usually dependable sources informed further that it took the Police Service Commission’s (PSC) leadership time to finally arrive at the five names that were finally submitted to the Presidency, following internal scrutiny and recommendations by the top -brass of the Directorate of State Security Services.

The contenders: The list of the persons submitted to the Presidency includes but not limited to the following officers: Messrs Bala Magaji Nassarawa, Femi Adenaike, Umaru Manko, Ibrahim C. Idris and Bala A. Hassan.

These are all AssistantInspectors General of Police, AIGs. At the last count, it was relaibly learnt that the list has been narrowed down to three including Bala Magaji Nassarawa, Umaru Manko and a new entrant, Aderenle Shinaba. They are strongly being considered for the

AIG Olufemi Adenaike

President Buhari position.

Investigations revealed that almost all the short-listed officers parade tall and intimidating credentials.

What was not immediately known is the final parameter that could stand out the very best amongst the candidates.

Ex-IGP’candidate on the firing line: Inside sources at the Louis Edet House, Abuja, had earlier told our correspondent that intensive lobbying has since been going on particularly, for a candidate said to have been presented by a formal Inspector -General of Police of Northern extraction.

Feelers from the seat of power The ex-IGP, it was gathered once influenced the appointment of another police officer, who has since retired as IGP. No compromise: However, with the no-nonsense posture of the present administration that has as its mantra “change”, it is expected that the best candidate would naturally emerge without undue influence from any quarters.

Moreover, feelers from the seat of power indicated that President Buhari is determined to make an impressive outing in his choice of a new helsman for the force. He was quoted by inside sources as vowing to stamp out all sorts of favoritism, quota system and most importantly, corrupt practises in the force. According to sources, he is an ardent believer in the general resolve to clean up the mess that resulted in building up a team of disgruntled officers who became corrupt and discrimatory with no progression in the force.

Legal practitioner speaks: Speaking with Vanguard on the matter, a renowned Lagos based legal practitioenr who sought strict anonymity said; “if anything at all, he must have the sagacity, sterling qualities of a true leader, the will-power, clean-clear credentials, track records of field works and capable of knowing the general

AIG Bala Hassan geography of Nigeria to lead, most especially now that our country is facing many security challenges.

He must be a field officer who must have navigated through the force by holding key positions/ appointments. “ He stressed further that, President Buhari, owes this nation the will power to make a choice of the best candidate without undue influences.”Our President should do the best for us in the appointment of a new IGP. We need a candidate that knows the law and will respect the law.

We neither need a docile IGP nor an imposed one who may not know what it takes to lead a multi-tribed country like ours,” he said.

Arase at a glance: Meanwhile, the present Police boss, Solomon Arase, before his appointment almost at the near climax of the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan, had navigated through most of the sensitive departments in the Nigeria Police Force. He had served at the apex inttelligence gathering arm of the police, known as the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department-where both overt and covert systematic enquiries are usually analysed. Since assumption of office, he actually improved on police human rights, safer high way patrol, housing units for policemen especially, the rank and file all over the states, offer of scholarship for police children from primary to tertiary institutions and other sundry feats.

Neglect of critical areas: However, what remains to be seen is the anticipated improvement in other critical areas that bedevil the force like a colosus. Of particular mention is the vexatious issue of putting square pegs in round holes.

Failure in superior intelligence gathering Aside his Special Intelligence and Response Team, SIRT, which creditably achieved inumerable feats in the area of fighting armed robbery, his nearly two-year tenure, according to security observers, failed in superior intelligence gathering and, most importantly, curbing the hydraheaded monster of corruption in the force.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016—45

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46— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016 — 47

Falcons set to fly over Lionesses

O

FFICIALS for Tuesday’s 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Senegal have arrived in Nigeria’s federal capital, Abuja.

The Confederation of African Football appointed Zalikatou Traore Diallo from Guinea as the match commissioner, with Veronique Ike Ngomba from Congo as referee.

Another Congolese, Julie Kyabuta Kanyembo will be the first assistant while Sacle Marthe Sakobo is the second assistant referee.

CAF has replaced Gabonese official Patricia Obiang Obone, who was slated to be the reserve referee, but could not make it. CAF has replaced her with Nigerian official Foluso Ajayi.

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi

Continues from BP

•Omagbemi personally welcomed the officials to the match coordination meeting at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja on Monday afternoon, assisted by the Acting Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode and the

Assistant Director (Communications), Mr. Ademola Olajire.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in Dakar on Friday, with the Super Falcons set to confirm their indomitability on the African continent today.

FIFA

nullified the elections of 30 September, 2014 that installed Melvin Amaju Pinnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation.

In a letter signed by Acting Secretary General of FIFA, Markus Kattner and titled; ‘’Verdict of the Jos Federal High Court” and addressed to President of NFF, Pinnick, FIFA scribe frowned that the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF with severe consequences that would include the suspension of the NFF. And in this case, suspension of NFF practically means blighting our national teams from international competitions such as the U-23 Dream Team from the Rio Olympic Football event, the Super Falcons from the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Cameroun, the World Cup qualifiers and even affecting Enyimba’s search for a third Champions League trophy for Nigeria. FIFA copied Confederation of African Football, CAF, the letter sent to Nigeria.

In expressing its disgust with the

desperation of the plaintiff who lost his appeal to the same matter with Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS) on 18 May 2015, FIFA reminded the NFF of its powers to take sanctions against those who fail to respect ‘’these obligations’’.

We reproduce the FIFA’s letter: Verdict of the Jos Federal High Court Dear President, We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated 8 April 2016 with regard to the ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos which apparently nullified the elections of 30 September 2014 of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

In this respect, and first of all, we would Iike to remind you that according to articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes, all members associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties In addition and according to article 68 of the FIFA Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of Iaw is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.

Furthermore, it is the

duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those which fail to respect these obligations.

In view of the above, the decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as an interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of FIFA for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF. Lastly, we would like to Stress that the plaintiff in question already filed an appeal in relation to the same matter with the highest judicial Sport authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and that said appeal was dismissed by the CAS on 18 May 2015.

We thank you for taking note of the above and kindly ask you to keep us informed of any development.

Yours sincerely, FIFA TI. (l Markus Kattner Acting Secretary General CC: CAF

Mgbolu Continues from BP into the Match Commissioners Appointment Committee by the controversial Chris Giwa-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. Reacting to his appointment on phone from Abuja yesterday, Mgbolu thanked the factional NFF for considering him fit enough for such appointment but stressed that he could not accept any appointment from a divided organisation.

“I thank them for considering me for an appointment from among millions of Nigerians but I cannot accept an appointment from an organisation

divided against itself. I have an antecedent having worked in the same organisation that was united.,” he said.

He stressed that “I can only work in an organisation that is not only united but has leaders who have vision to drive Nigerian football to great heights.”

But of truth is that I’m humbled by the recognition that I have something to contribute to Nigeria football unlike the other people who claim to know it all.

I am neither for Pinnick nor Amaju. I will root for Nigerian football, so cannot serve under this divided house now. I wish them all the luck in their enterprise.

Oliseh

Continues from BP seven months before he resigned citing lack of support from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

However, he will have plenty of support from FIFA as it is a familiar ground for the former Juventus and Ajax midfielder who worked as part of the technical study team during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. ‘Honoured to be appointed into the ‘new look’ FIFA Technical Department. Next mission; The 2016 Rio Olympics football,’ he wrote on his verified twitter handle.

Oliseh has been keeping himself busy after leaving the Super Eagles job as he was seen recently in German where he went to watch the UEFA Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Benfica.

Ban Giwa now Continues from BP to Nigerian football.

“Ban those who resort to ordinary courts for disputes in our football and others will learn from it.”

Uchegbulam, a one time Vice Chairman of Nigeria Football Association, was reacting to Friday ’s ruling of a court in Jos recognising Chris Giwa as the President of NFF following a 2014 election that was thrown out by world football governing body, Fifa.

Then sports minister Sammy Danagogo had initiated Annual General Meeting of the NFF and called for election which was boycotted by majority of the Congress members. Members had deserted the hall of the congress to pay solidarity visit to their then President Aminu Maigari who was being detained at a police station. It was all about the ploy to install a new President. Election was said to have been held but the Congress went on to orgainise a proper election in Warri where Amaju Pinnick emerged as President. Fifa duly recognised the election.

Chris Giwa went to court but withdrew the case when fifa threatened to ban Nigeria. He took the case to Fifa and Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS and lost. But on Friday he went to court again, re-listed the case and Justice Musa

Haruna Kurya granted his prayers to recognise his election.

Fifa yesterday warned Nigeria of the consequences of such interference and maintained that resorting to ordinary law courts was against their statutes. Before NFF received Fifa’s letter Amanze Uchegbulam had said the following: “NFF must learn to apply the rules. They must apply the sanctions when somebody flouts the rules of the game.

Anybody who takes football matter to ordinary law courts should be banned. Ray Nnaji went to court and we banned him when we were in NFF. It was not about Ray or those in the Executive Committee of NFF. It was about football and its rules. In the case of Chris Giwa who had done this before he should be expelled from football.

NFF has the powers to do so. If they don’t take the appropriate steps people will continue to do this. The last time, (Issa) Hayatou (CAF President) was saying that they were tired of Nigeria. NFF must stop this nonsense by banning those who break the rules.”

Kojo Williams who was once chairman of Nigeria Football Association was on the same page: “They should ban him for about

eight years. He will then have nothing to do with his club. And if he does anything with his club while serving the ban, the club will also be banned. That’s the way to bring sanity to our football. We know that the minister is behind this but they will not succeed.”

Richard Nwabufo Obienu was another Vice Chairman of Nigeria Football Association. He added his contribution: “I wonder why Chris Giwa wants to set our football 20 years back.

His election was a sham.

The former ministers who tried this all failed.

These people will fail too. I think that they must begin to apply the sanctions and ban such people.”

In Fifa’s letter yesterday it reminded the NFF that article 68 of the FIFA Statutes states that “recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the FIFA regulations.

“Furthermore, it is the duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those who fail to respect these obligations.”

It is was on this basis that Uchegbulam, Kojo Willaims and Obienu have called for sanctions against Giwa.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2016

NFF appointment: Mgbolu turns down Giwa F

O R M E R spokesman of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Mr.

Austin Mgbolu has turned down his purported appointment Continues on Page 47

•Giwa

•Pinnick

FIFA: We’ll ban Nigeria if...

•Mgbolu

Falcons set to fly over Lionesses — Pg 47

•Giwa’s case is closed W

ORLD Soccergoverning body, FIFA, did not mince words yesterday when it

BY TONY UBANI warned of suspending Nigeria from all football

activities with regard to the ruling of the Federal High Court in Jos which Continues on Page 47

Ban Giwa now!

•Uchegbulam, Kojo, Obienu tell NFF •Insist on FIFA rules

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

T

HE Vice President, Board of Appeal Committee of Confederation of African

Football, CAF, Amanze Uchegbulam knows one way the Nigeria Football Federation can end the problem litigation in ordinary law courts poses

Continues on Page 47

•Amanze

•Infantino

Oliseh gets FIFA appointment

F

ORMER Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh has been appointed into the new FIFA technical committee.

Oliseh managed the Nigerian national team for Continues on Page 47

Champions Leage Q/final 2nd let •Obienu

•Kojo

Real Madrid Man City

v v

Wolfsburg PSG

7:45pm 7:45pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Rogue (6) 5 See-saw (6) 9 Parrot (5) 10 Attic (6) 11 Repaired (6) 12 Fresher (5) 14 Gap (4) 17 Colour (3) 18 Rage (4) 20 Fear (5) 22 Female (5) 23 Relative (7) 24 Respond (5) 26 Adjusted (5) 29 Inactive (4) 30 Sphere (3) 32 Lake (4) 33 Booby-trapped (5) 35 Nuptial (6) 36 Rota (6) 37 Spree (5) 38 Required (6) 39 Ball game (6)

DOWN 1 Respect (6) 2 Fighting (6) 3 So be it (4) 4 Subsequently (5) 5 Domesticated (5) 6 Pitcher (4) 7 Boredom (6) 8 Blush (6) 13 Occidental (7) 15 Irritated (5) 16 List (5) 18 Market-place (5) 19 Manufacture (5) 21 Parched (3) 22 Damp (3) 24 Tape (6) 25 Fish (6) 27 Tidy (6) 28 Wreckage (6) 30 Lubricated (5) 31 Cap (5) 33 Horse (4) 34 Distribute (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Garret 5, Design 8, Condense 9, Flat 10, Fat 12, Gorse 15, Sea 17, Oar 18, Jet 19, Ink 20, Alike 21, Elk 22, End 23, Car 24, Tan 26, Event 29, Nod 33, Call 34, Thieving 35, Reveal 36, Endure.

DOWN: 2, Aroma 3, Rude 4, Tango 5, Dress 6, Soft 7, Glade 10, Faint 11, Token 12, Grade 13, Raise 14, Eject 15, Stern 16, Asked 25, Amaze 27, Vital 28, Noise 30, Owner 31, Glue 32, Avid.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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