NASS: Saraki, Lawan's men close ranks by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62426

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FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

MKO ABIOLA: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo declare today public holiday •Abiola, June 12 and the road not taken, by Dare Babarinsa •JUNE 12: What has changed?

•P.10,32,46&47

NASS: Saraki, Lawan's men close ranks •Gbajabiamila, Lawan groups accept emergence of Saraki, Dogara •Competition shifts to "juicy" committee chairmanships

•APC, PDP yet to sheathe swords

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Emman Ovuakporie, Henry Umoru, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Joseph Erunke & Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—THE dust raised over the National Assembly leadership contests was, yesterday, settling as some antagonists of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara have commenced peace moves with some now eyeing juicy committee positions. The peace moves nonetheless, the two major political parties were unceasing in their Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST:

Injustice in the name of fighting terrorism •P.19

Mr & Mrs

CHIBOK GIRLS—Members of Congress wore red in honour of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls when 6 escaped Chibok girls (inset) were hosted by US Congress Wednesday.

Lame-duck assemblies take over Pull-out inside in S-West C M Y K

N400bn banks' bad debt causes panic 8

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POCKET CARTOON

ARMY CHIEF VISITS TROOPS—The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.General Keneth Tobiah Jacob Minimah, (2nd left) during an operational and morale boosting visit to troops in the frontline, fighting against Boko Haram terrorist groups in Borno and Adamawa states.

NASS: Saraki, Lawan's men close ranks Continues from Page 1 own acrimony. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, not to intimidate or harass the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the National Assembly Service Commission for performing their statutory functions during the inauguration of the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the threat of sanctions against Senator Saraki and

Speaker Dogara pledged by the APC was as at, yesterday, yet to be communicated to the two men or their leading associates. Sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that a number of APC senators who had expressed opposition to the emergence of Senator Saraki have now started making peace and coming over to pledge allegiance to Saraki. “I cannot believe what these politicians can do for committee positions,” a source privy to the development said. “See the way they are betraying Senator Ahmad Lawan because

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not the absence of problems …it is the ability to deal with them— M.Kartik

E should begin by removing the greatest hindrances to compassion and happiness: Anger and hatred. As we all know, these are extremely powerful emotions and they can overwhelm our entire mind. Nevertheless, they can be controlled. When not controlled, these negative emotions will plague us and impede our quest for the happiness of a loving mind. Here, though, we must examine our mental state carefully. While it is true that anger brings extra energy, if we explore the nature of this energy, we discover that it is blind. We cannot be sure whether its result will be positive or negative. This is because anger eclipses the best part of our brain - its rationality. So the energy of anger is almost always unreliable. It can cause an immense amount of destructive, unfortunate behavior. It is possible, however, to develop an equally forceful but far more controlled energy with which to handle difficult situations. Being calm from the core is necessary for a happy a life.

they want juicy committees,” he said in reference to the entreaties from some former supporters of Senator Lawan who have reportedly sought accommodation in the camp of Senator Saraki. Also in the House of Representatives, several state caucuses including legislators from Kano and Jigawa, who were in the front of the battle to stop the emergence of Dogara as speaker, came to make peace yesterday.

Gbajabiamila accepts defeat

Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, the official candidate of the APC who lost to Dogara in the leadership contest also pledged his allegiance to the new speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaking, yesterday, when he led about 20 supporters of his aspiration to the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said they have accepted defeat. He also overruled any legal action against Dogara. He said: “We have just gone through an election in the House, so we came to meet with the party regarding the election and how the party is going to remain strong and united and move

forward so that we can deliver the deliverables and programmes of the party through the House. “Go to court for what? I don’t know about the Senate. I can only speak for the House. Nothing happened in the House. We had an election. It is different from the Senate. In the Senate, people were deprived of their fundamental rights to express themselves and vote. “We will work with the leadership of the House and the Speaker, so long as the party ’s programmes are properly articulated and pursued on the floor of the House. We will work with the leader of the House. He is an APC member. He is not the Speaker of the APC. He is the speaker of the whole House.” Asked if he was in support of the party ’s position to take disciplinary action against the erring members, the former minority leader said: “That is the prerogative of the party. All I know is that in every association, there must be discipline. Whatever the party decides to do, that is for the party. It is not for me.” Similarly, Mohammed Monguno, who ran for the office of the deputy speaker from Gbajabiamila’s camp but

lost to Yusuf, also told journalists they would allow peace to reign in the interest of the nation. He, however, regretted that some members of the party ignored APC’s decision and expressed his support for sanctions against the erring members. “Definitely, if a party member errs, there must be sanction so that it will serve as a deterrent for others not to do same in future”, he said.

State caucuses pledge allegiance to Dogara

A number of state caucuses in the House of Representatives including some that fought against the emergence of Dogara also came to pledge allegiance to the speaker yesterday. The state caucuses mainly from the North urged the speaker to forget the rancour that shadowed the contest. Speaking on behalf of the Kano and Jigawa delegations to the House of Representatives, whose members overwhelmingly supported Gbajabiamila in the leadership contest, Alhassan Garba Ado Doguwa told the speaker that the delegation was in his office to felicitate with him on his victory. He said that the position taken by the Kano caucus was upon the directive of the party for which they have no regrets whatsoever. He, however, called on the Speaker to bury all hatchets and carry everybody along in his leadership of the House. He said: “While we have no regret whatsoever, with regards to the position we took during the contest, we must also accept the outcome of the process as democracy in action”. “However, we did what we did according to our party directives. And we

wish to declare our total support for your regime and work with you and also advise you whenever we see that you are going wrong,” he said. State caucuses from Adamawa, Katsina, Gombe and Imo also visited and paid allegiance to the speaker.

Dogara expresses gratitude Dogara expressed gratitude for the support and pledged to carry every member of the House along in the discharge of his duty. He said: “My brothers; I won’t call you colleagues because we belong to the same geographical entity which is our country”. “Let me say this. Politics is over. Now we have to face the issue of governance. In politics, people have different views and positions either based on conviction or personal interest. “We must come together to bring about stability and unity in the House, so as to make the achievement of the President’s policies a reality by facilitating speedy enactment of legislations that would help him to govern well. “We must also commend the President for his decision not to interfere in the process leading to our emergence by refusing to impose anybody on us. It was his stand on this matter that gave us the encouragement to offer ourselves for this leadership”, Dogara said. He added; “I bear no ill feeling toward anybody who did not vote for me because this is the House for all and people must have their preference and I see all of us as one.” Continues on Page 54

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

LABOUR: Making a living in Lagos. PHOTOS: Biodun Ogunleye.

Man allegedly robs woman with wooden pistol By Bartholomew Madukwe

30-year-old man, Mutiu Rafiu, has been brought before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly robbing one Joy Okeke of her handbag, using a wooden pistol. The defendant, whose address is unknown, was said to have committed the offence at Dalemo Bus Stop, Alakuko area of Lagos. According to the charge, “Mutiu Rafiu on July 26, 2011 at 6:10a.m.in the Lagos Judicial Division whilst armed with one wood carved like pistol, did rob one Joy Okeke of her handbag.” According to the charge, the offence is contrary to Section 402 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State, 2003. The defendant was arraigned by Lagos State government on a count charge bordering on robbery and had been in prison custody since July 26, 2011. However, when the charge was read to the defendant before Justice Lateef LawalAkapo, he pleaded not guilty. The judge adjourned the matter till October 26, 27 and 28 for trial.

38-yr-old woman to die by hanging over step-son's murder By Peter Duru

AKURDI—A Makurdi High Court, presided

over by Justice Jennifer Ijohor, yesterday, sentenced a 38year-old house wife, Mrs. Ternenge Tersoo, to death by

Man accused of incest with 14-year-old daughter person who has sexual the bail application, stating By Onozure Dania

AGOS—A 49-year-old trader, Adesola Adeboye, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly sleeping with his 14-year-old daughter. The defendant, who resides at Araro Road, Adamo in Ikorodu area of Lagos, is standing trial on a count charge of incest preferred against him by the police. The prosecutor, Inspector Kenneth Asibo, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence sometime in November 2014 and on March 5. He said Adeboye had unlawful sexual intercourse with his biological daughter (names withheld). According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. Section 137 states that any

intercourse with a child is guilty of felony and liable to life imprisonment.

‘Not guilty’

However, when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty. The defendant’s counsel, Chris Owen-Brown, urged the court to grant the defendant bail in the most liberal terms as the alleged offence was a bailable offence. The prosecutor objected to

Lagos State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ikeja, presided over by Magistrate A. R. Onilogo, has sentenced a 23year-old man, Alfred Asuquo, to five years imprisonment without an option of fine for

possession of one locally-made, double-barrelled, cut-to-size shot gun without license. Asuquo, who faced a count charge before the court, was said to have committed the offence on June 2, at Alade Market Premises, Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, to which

that if granted bail, there was possibility that the incestuous act will recur. Magistrate F. F. George granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with three responsible sureties, two of who must be a family member. The sureties are also expected to show affidavit of means and proof of two years tax payment to Lagos State government and adjourned the matter till July 2 for mention.

‘Rivers ogogoro crisis can't stop business in Abuja’

WARI (FCT)—DEALERS in dog meat at the Ushafa Bridge in Bwari, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have said media reports about people that died from consuming dog meat and local gin (ogogoro) will not deter them from doing their business.

Man gets 5 years jail term over firearm By Jane Echewodo

hanging for the murder of her one-year-old step-son. Vanguard learned that the convict’s husband had reported

he pleaded guilty. While the matter lasted, prosecutor intimated the court that the defendant had intention to commit robbery and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 296(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The traders, who spoke in separate interviews yesterday in Bwari, were making reference to the tragedy that occurred in Woji, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State. One of the dealers, Mr. Naboth Zachariah, said he had never received any complaint from his customers since he started the business in 2013. Zachariah, who hails from Kaduna State, said although the story generated anxiety and apprehension among people in the community, he will continue with the business. Another bush meat seller, Mrs Esther Emmanuel, expressed optimism that the dog meat story would not affect her business.

her to the Police at Vandeikya in 2012, alleging that his wife killed his one-year-old baby. According to the First Information Report, FIR, filed before the court by the police prosecutor, she was accused of snatching her year old step-son from a nanny and strangled him to death. In the course of the trial, the accused testified for herself and denied the allegation, but called no witness to support her claims.

No remorse

She was also alleged to have failed to show remorse over the incident and held her ground that she had no hand in the death of the baby. The prosecution counsel called two witnesses, including the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, who tendered a medical report of the autopsy carried out on the dead baby at the General Hospital, Vandeikya. In her judgment, Justice Ijohor held that the weight of evidence against the accused was overwhelming. She further held that the evidence before her showed that the prosecuting counsel proved his case beyond all reasonable doubts to cause the conviction of the accused. Justice Ijohor, who decried the manner the life of the innocent baby was taken, advised married women without children to seek God’s intervention in their situation rather than resort to vicious and repulsive acts. She ordered that the convict be taken to the Federal Minimum Prison, Makurdi, where she would await execution of the judgement.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—7

Man, 27, jailed 21 years for defiling 6-yr-old girl As judge advocates early sex education By Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—A foodstuff seller, Chidi Ibiam, 27, was yesterday sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court for defiling a six-year-old girl. They worship in the same church. The presiding judge, Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya, found the convict who lives at Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos, guilty of one-count charge of defilement. The judge held: “I have noted all the relevant facts of this case before me. The defendant is, hereby, found guilty of the crime of defilement and is sentenced to 21 years in prison.” During the trial, the prosecution, led by state

counsel, Mr Adebayo Haroun, had told the court that Ibiam committed the offence on December 15, 2012, and was caught after the victim reported the assault to her mother. According to the prosecution, the convict is well known to the

victim’s family as he was a neighbour and fellow church member. Testifying before the judge, the six-year-old girl (names withheld), had told the court that the defendant had unlawful carnal knowledge of

her on 12 different occasions: at a shop, a neighbour ’s house, among other places. The victim referred to Ibiam’s genitals as “tom tom” throughout her testimony. Ogunsanya, who noted this fact in her judgement, admonished parents to start teaching their children the rightful names of male and female genitals. She said: “Parents should teach their children the right names of genitals and give their wards proper sex education.”

31-yr-old man docked over N293,000 theft By Lepe Opeyemi & Precious Akubueze

AGOS—A 31 years old man, Musa Ocholi, was yesterday arraigned before a Tinubu Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing N293,000. The prosecutors, sergeant Koti

Aondohemba and Inspector I. Okeke, told the court that the defendant stole N293,000 from one Chinyere Uche. He said the incident occurred on August 2014 at 15, Baale Street, Igbo-Elefon, Lekki, EtiOsa Local Government Area, Lagos State. According to the prosecutor,

the offence is punishable under Section 285(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. Magistrate Mr. L. A. Owolabi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N40,000 with two sureties. He adjourned the matter till June 23, for mention.

HEARING: Some of the suspects involved in the N8 billion naira Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other banks fraud arriving the court for hearing on their bail application in Ibadan, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

N1.9BN EBOLA FUND SCAM: Ministry staff stop arrest of officials explored to forestall chaos.

By Victoria Ojeme

BUJA—IT was all drama, yesterday, at the Ministry of Health in Abuja as workers stopped plain-clothes policemen from arresting top officials of the ministry over alleged mismanagement of N1.9 billion Ebola fund. Reliable sources disclosed to Vanguard in Abuja that other officials pencilled down for the arrest in connection with the fund included top officials of National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC. It was learned that one of the top officials was picked up in his office and brought to the third floor with the intention to

also pick up another official, who was discovered not to be in his office at the time the policemen arrived. As the drama unfolded, the official was said to have insisted that he would not follow the policemen unless they obtained permission from the permanent secretary. Vanguard gathered that at a point, the workers ordered the security guard to lock the gate to prevent the policemen from taking the suspect away. In the middle of the melee, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the secretariat approached the team from the police headquarters and pleaded that proper channel be

Reason for invasion

The police team, led by one Inspector from the Analytical Tracking and Interception unit, under the Inspector General of Police, IGP, monitoring team, was said to have explained that they decided to effect the arrest of the ministry officials because they refused to honour an earlier invitation over allegations against them. The police team, Vanguard learned, acted on allegations filed against the ministry officials, which bordered on fraud and mismanagement of N1.9 billion Ebola fund. A 15-page document obtained by reporters gave a complete breakdown of how the amount

was reportedly spent. According to the document, the procurement of isolation tents took N900 million, according to an expenditure payment voucher, dated August 11, 2014. Another N28,220,000 million was also reportedly released for the decontamination of one hospital in Lagos. An official was documented to have withdrawn N63,581,250 million for pre-departure training of Nigerian volunteers who left the country on December 5, 2014, for Liberia and Sierra Leone to assist in the fight against Ebola. However, the document claimed that African Union Commission paid for all the expenses.

Military personnel, six others arrested over cocaine possession By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, announced the arrest of a serving military officer and six other persons for dealing in illegal drugs, including cocaine. The suspects, according to NDLEA, were arrested in various parts of the state in the last one week. Superintendent of Narcotics of NDLEA, Mr. Osakwe Ikenna, said over 32 kilogrammes of various types of drugs had been seized and removed from circulation. Among the suspects arrested, he said, was an unnamed 35-year-old serving military personnel. He said: “The military personnel was arrested by operatives from the state command on motorised patrol along the East- West Road, while ferrying a 30kg of dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. “He was coming from Delta State area en route Rivers State before he was nabbed.” Other suspects, he said, include, Christian Ayebakuro, male, 34, and Peter Johnson, 24, among others. Osakwe said Ayebakuro was arrested for being in possession of two kilogrammes of dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. “Johnson was arrested in possession of various quantities of various types of drugs comprising heroin, cocaine and Indian hemp.” He warned all drug traffickers and dealers to desist from the illicit business, saying whatever guise or guile they employed to beat the agency ’s prying eyes would be thwarted. He urged residents to keep watchful eyes on the activities of their children and wards. Ikenna said: “All residents of the state are advised to keep watchful eyes on the activities of their children and wards to ensure that they are not inadvertently lured into illicit drug activities.”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

NASS: Saraki, Dogara's emergence, call to duty —OSANEBI

Panic over N400bn bad debt owed banks As CBN sets August 1 deadline to publish debtors’ list

EPUTY Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Friday Osanebi, has congratulated the newly-elected leaders of the National Assembly, describing their emergence as a call to duty for which they cannot afford to fail the nation. Osanebi, in a statement, said with Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President, and Hon Yakubu Doghara as House of Representatives Speaker, the Assembly put national interests beyond the political affiliations of its members. Osanebi said irrespective of the political mix through which they emerged, the eight National Assembly should never lose focus of its role as a partner in progress with the other arms of government, especially the executive.

25th anniversary celebration of Oba Sonariwo kicks off

ONE-WEEK programme of events for the 25th anniversary celebration of Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo’s ascension to the throne as the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Ogun State will kick off on Sunday, June 19 with an interdenominational thanksgiving service. On Monday, June 20 various clubs, societies and organisations will pay homage to Kabiyesi at his palace followed by an anniversay lecture by the Sagamu Club the following day.\ The launching of Remo Archive/Library has been fixed for Wednesday while on Thursday there will be a book launch and conferment of chieftaincy titles on eminent personalities by the monarch. Muslim prayers will be held on Friday June 24 followed by the grand finale and award ceremony on Saturday, June 25.

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief BUJA— ABOUT N400 billion bad debt outstanding in the banking sector is causing panic in the industry and most of the debtors are individuals who have the capacity to pay but have refused to do so. Following this development, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Deposit Money Banks in the country have concluded plans to publish the list of such debtors starting from August 1, 2015. The decision to publish the list was arrived at yesterday after the bankers rose from the 322nd Bankers’ Committee meeting in Abuja with a resolution that the names of all serial bank debtors be published latest August 1, 2015

Banks to publish names of debtors

The CBN Director of Banking Supervision, Mrs Tokunbo Martins, said banks had been given August 1 deadline to publish names of their debtors. Martins disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the 322nd Bankers Committee meeting in Abuja. She said: “You will recall that at the last Bankers Committee meeting, we discussed about publishing the names of serial debtors of banks. We discussed this again because of the fact that the date is drawing close. Last time we had the meeting, we said that there should be three months of grace to give the debtors the opportunity to put the facilities back to performing status. “So, by August 1, any debtor that hasn’t done so, the name will be published by the bank. So, the banks are encouraged to speak to their customers that fall into that category that they should put in more effort to pay off.”

N14trn total credit

Martins said the total credit currently in the system was between N13 and N14 trillion and about three per cent of it was non-performing. That implies that about N400 billion is the amount that is non performing. She stressed that banks had an upper limit target of five per cent.

12.5m customers enrolled on BVN

On the electronic banking space, Chief Executive of UBA, Mr Phillip Oduzua, said 12.5 million customers had been enrolled on the Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise.

He said: “We believe that this is a substantial mileage that we have made and there is still room to close the gap knowing that the deadline for everybody to enrol is June 30. In the event that any customer is not enrolled, it is possible that the customer may not be able to enjoy a lot of the banking services. “As such, we will urge all customers of banks to enrol so that they would continue to enjoy unhindered services from the banks." According to him, customers who fail to enrol may not enjoy credit facilities, foreign exchange services and internet banking, among others.

On cashless policy

On cashless policy, Oduoza said with the progress made so far, the policy would be extended to every part of the

country before the end of third quarter. On the foreign exchange market, Mr Jubril Aku of Ecobank said the committee reviewed the sector and would continue to partner CBN to meet legitimate needs of customers. He said: “There are some demands that raised concerns. So sometimes when such request are made, we make analysis and see the effect on the economy. As long as they are legitimate demands, we will make sure it is met. So, the committee is satisfied with the stability attained and will continue to look at the sector critically.” Mr Henry Semenitari, Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank, said the committee also reviewed the enhancement witnessed in the credit culture in the sector. He said the

culture would now be extended to other financial institutions of Insurance and non-banking institutions within the banking space. He said: “As the culture continues to improve, the requisite data that will lead to uninformed judgement in terms of given credit to businessmen will become easier and control effective. “So, what we will require or implore people to do is to provide the necessary KnowYour-Customer (KYC) to their banks to ensure they are registered through the credit registry as well as other banking and non-banking financial institutions.” Semenitari said this would help to stabilise and institute a sound culture of credit that would be relevant to the economy and in consonance with financial inclusion policy.

INSPECTION: From left: Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Retail Outlets, Mr Chris Osarumwense; Managing Director, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr Haruna Momoh and Group Managing Director, Dr Joseph Dawha, during the inspection tour of NNPC fuel retail outlets in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

P-H refinery resumes production month end

By Michael Eboh

BUJA— The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, stated that the Port Harcourt Refinery will resume crude oil production by the end of June and will contribute about five million litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to Nigeria's fuel supply. Speaking during a tour of NNPC retail outlets in Abuja, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Joseph Dawha, also assured Nigerians that the perennial fuel scarcity will be addressed before the end of the week, as it currently has about 1.1 billion litres of petrol in its storage, which is equivalent to

27 days sufficiency and has deployed 428 truckloads of fuel to Abuja and across the country, in conjunction with the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC). According to Dawha, the NNPC is carrying out a phased implementation of the rehabilitation of the refineries, stating that work at the Port Harcourt refinery is almost complete and will soon start producing at 80 per cent of its installed capacity, contributing about five million litres of PMS per day. He said: “We took a conscious decision that if the refineries are not in a good state to process crude for maximum gains, then there was no point in sending

crude to the refineries. What we do is to try and fix it, so that by the time it starts processing the crude, then we get real value for the crude we have sent to the refineries. “We are satisfied with the level of work carried out so far on the Port Harcourt refinery so that if we start processing crude now, we will get real value, and they will not be any value distortion that would have been the case if the refineries are not operating optimally.” He, however, blamed the perennial fuel crisis situation in the country on distribution challenges recorded in some parts of the country, particularly in Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—9

Boko Haram: Nigeria to bear major cost of MNJTF FG to rebuild churches, mosques destroyed by insurgents By Ben Agande

BUJA — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has pledged to offset the pledge of $100 million (about N21.5 billion) for the funding of the MultiNational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as promised by the Nigerian government. Nigeria had made the commitment under former President Goodluck Jonathan to provide the task force with the funds in supporting its operation. Speaking at an Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, President Buhari also canvassed that Nigeria permanently command the task force until Boko Haram insurgency is defeated and not six monthly as recommended by other countries in the commission. Buhari told the leaders: "I hereby reassure you that my government will keep faith with this promise." Making a case for Nigeria to command the MNJTF, President Buhari said leaders should jettison the call for Nigeria to take charge of the command structure of the MNJTF in just the next six months. He explained: "While I agree that this is a joint operation with shared responsibilities, I am, however, of the opinion that military operations that are subjected to a rapid turnover of command and control structures, six months duration, as it is being proposed in the documents before us, do not augur well for effectiveness and efficiency. "Such a process will undermine, even if it is not intended, the military capacity to sustain the push against the insurgents, who also have the uncanny ability to adapt and rejig their operational strategies."

Wants Nigeria to control force

He urged the leaders to allow Nigeria control the force throughout the period of the war against Boko Haram. Buhari said: "I am inclined, on account of the above, to suggest for your excellences consideration that Nigeria retains the position of the Force Commander of the MNJTF for the period of the war effort. "This command will be to the effectiveness of military strategy, since Nigeria will be providing the bulk of the troops and the main theatre of the war is on Nigerian soil. "Our meeting today is premised on common resolve and commitment of member states of Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin to maintain the

colleagues that they should be prepared to produce their logistic requirements. "But after the African Union meeting, we will agree on what to present to the G7. They are very anxious to help us, especially when Boko Haram declared their loyalty to ISIS. "You know what ISIS is doing to the world, not only to the Gulf states but to the Middle East." Buhari also said the cross border war against insurgency was not limited by troops fighting in their respective territories as Chad and Niger soldiers were already in Nigeria to flush out the insurgents.

FG to rebuild churches, mosques destroyed by insurgents

MEETING: From left: Executive Secretary of Lake Chad Basin Commission, Sanusi Imran Abdullahi; President of Benin Republic, Thomas Boni Yayi; President Muhammadu Buhari; President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou; President of Chad, Idriss Deby and President of Cameroon represented by Defence Minister of Cameroon, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o after the Lake Chad Basin Commission meeting at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, yesterday. momentum in degrading the capacity of the insurgents until they are completely defeated. "It is also going out with urgency to mitigate the suffering which has been imposed on our civilian population by the nefarious activities of the insurgents and the terrorists. "Our meeting today provides us an excellent opportunity to finalize the instruments of the operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in order to give life to our joint military campaign to decisively defeat the insurgents. "You will recall in my inaugural address on May 29, 2015, I affirmed that I will consult regularly with heads of government of our immediate neighborhood and I have within four days of my assumption of duty as president embarked on a thank you visits to the Presidents of Niger and Chad. This important assignment was, however, interrupted because I had to honour the invitation extended to me by the G-7 member states to attend their meeting in Germany. Buhari said he intends to continue his thank you visits to the remaining Lake Chad Basin Commission member states very shortly. President Muhammadu Buhari also said he had extended the invitation to submit requests of the needs of the country in the fight against Boko Haram asked by the G7 to member nations of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC). Buhari said this while fielding questions from newsmen at the presentation of the communiqué of the meeting of the Presidents and Heads of Government of the

LCBC in Abuja. "I was personally invited by G7 and I was impressed by the tremendous sympathy they have for this sub region: LCBC. Their humanitarian approach to the issue to say the least is very impressive. All of them, not just in Europe but Presidents Barack Obama, Angela Markel of Germany and Hollande of France are all willing to help us.

They have actually asked me to discuss with their Chiefs of Defence Staff or their Ministries of Defence or to talk to them directly on what we need. "I brought this case to our meeting here and I told them that Nigeria has worked quite far and I asked for a five-hour meeting with my service chiefs and I asked them to produce a comprehensive logistic requirement. I also advised my

He said the foreign troops had chased out Boko Haram and secured Nigerian territories. He also said that the troops of the joint command were dedicated to the operations and commended their efforts. The President said that his administration would sustain the peace in the country after the war on insurgency but appealed to those displaced by the insurgency to return to their communities for rehabilitation. He added that churches, mosques and shops destroyed would be rehabilitated as well by the administration. The President also said that the military was investigating the alleged human rights abuses levelled against the Nigerian Armed Forces by Amnesty International.

Minimah visits frontline troops As soldiers recover 55 battle tanks, 2 APCs from terrorists By Kingsley Omonobi

BUJA— FOLLOWING the relocation of the Command and Control Cantre of the Army High Command to Maiduguri, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General KTJ Minimah has paid an operational and morale boosting visit to troops in the frontline fighting war against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno and Adamawa States. The visit coincided with the recovery of a T-55 Battle Tank, 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, various calibres of arms and ammunition from the sect. During the visit, he addressed and encouraged the troops of 7 Division Strike Group (7DSG) and 121 Special Force (SF) Battalion that comprised the Armed Forces andNigerian Army Special Forces located in Pulka, 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza,28 Task Force Brigade and 174 Battalion in Mubi. In Pulka, the Commander, 7 DSG, Lieutenant ColonelUmar

Faruq Abubakar and the Commanding Off21 SF Battalion, LieutenantColonel Murtala Danjuma Abdulsalam briefed him on their respective commands. According to a statement from the epicenter of thebattle, signed by Colonel Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public relations, theCOAS commended troops for their performances. He thereafter addressed the troops telling them thathe came to thank and commend them for their valour, courage and bravery, whichturned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorists and their accomplishmentsthus far. The COAS informed the troops that the President andindeed the whole nation are proud of them and reiterated his determined effortto continue to support and encourage them while enjoining them to maintain themomentum. General Minimah also urged the gallant soldiers to be more dedicated, disciplined,

professional and continue with the same zealand determination till attainment of the set objective of locating anddestroying Boko Haram camps and enclaves. The exploits of these troops are recapturing most Boko Haram terrorist held territories such as Pulkaand Gwoza, they were able to destroy quite a number of the terrorists camps inKirawa and Kinene, as well as their workshops, training camps and arms stores,weapons and equipment, the statement said. At the headquarters of 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza,the COAS was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Colonel Irenuma Irabor who was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Chidozie Amoha, Garrison Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade. In his brief, the Brigade Commander stated that due to recapture of Gwoza and the presence of the military, life has gradually been getting back to normal.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Medical student’s murder: Court admits exhibits against ex-NURTW boss, Auxiliary By Ola Ajayi

BADAN – AN Oyo State High Court yesterday admitted some exhibits allegedly used by a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Alhaji Mukaila aka Auxiliary during the mayhem that claimed the life of a medical student and others at Iwo Road interchange, Ibadan. The exhibits tendered by the Investigating Police Officer in the murder case, Mr. Idowu Akeem include a Peugeot 607 car, a Nissan Micra car and some ammunition. The ex-NURTW leader is standing trial on murder and conspiracy charges against him. The violence which happened in March 2004 led to the death of many other people when some hoodlums opened fire on them at the everbusy interchange. The accused was alleged to have conspired with Saheed Kareem,Taiwo Tijani, Abu Kareem and Kazeem Kayode, and others who are at large, to murder Adekunle Oladipupo by shooting on March 2, 2014, around 9.45 pm at the Iwo Road MotorPark, Ibadan. During his arraignment, Mukaila pleaded not guilty to the two charges. When being cross-examined by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Tajudeen Abdulganiyu, the police said the exhibits were the ones used by the defendant in committing the crime. After several arguments from the defence and prosecution counsel, Justice Eni Esan handling the case was adjourned to June 23, 2015 for further hearing.

VISIT: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Speaker, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa (3rd left); Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Eshilokun-Sanni (3rd right); Majority Leader, Hon. Sina Agunbiade (2nd left); Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh (left); Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru (right) and Deputy Whip, Hon. Omotayo Oduntan during their courtesy call on the governor in his office at Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

MKO ABIOLA: Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo declare June 12 public holiday F

OUR South West states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun have declared today, June 12 as a work free day as part of the 22nd year commemoration of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election presumed won by late Chief MKO Abiola. In a statement signed by Habib Aruna, the Chief Press Secretary to governor Akinwunmi

Ambode, the governor said the date marked a watershed in the annals of transparent, free and fair elections in the country. He described June 12, 1993 as the day Nigerians voted in one voice across ethnic, racial and religious lines, saying it represented a day when Nigerians said no to voting along ethnic lines. The governor said regrettably, 22

Lagos to provide 20 new rural roads in each LGA annually By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, expressed his administration’s commitment to provision of 20 new rural roads annually in each of the Local Governments as well as the development of communities across the state. Ambode, who made the remarks during a meeting with members of the Neighbourhood Watch and Community Development Committees, CDCs, in the state at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said the policy thrust of his administration would be community development. Ambode, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said his administration would give back government to the communities. He reiterated the commitment of the administration to ensure the provision of 20 new rural roads in each of the councils as promised during the electioneering campaigns. Ambode also appreciated the contributions of the Neighbourhood Watch members to the maintenance of law and order in the communities, adding that there

was the need for the Neighbourhood to embark on self appraisal in order to ensure that the members live up to the expectations. Speaking, the Coordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch, Alhaji Akeem Sanni commended the state government for always according the Watchers recognition; saying that whatever the members lack in terms of equipment would be channelled to the governor.

years after the annulment, the Nigerian nation is still grappling with some of the vices which the June 12, 1993 elections sought to confine to the dustbin of history through undue clinging to ethnic cleavages by some political gladiators. He urged residents to spend the day in sober reflection and in remembrance of the martyrs of the June 12 elections struggle in prayers for laying the foundation of the democracy which the nation is now enjoying. Similarly Oyo State Government has declared today public holiday in the state. The declaration was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade. According to him, the holiday is to commemorate the annulled Presidential election of June 12, 1993. The statement also urged the people of the state to remain steadfast in their prayers for the sustainability of democracy in the

Seme Customs destroys smuggled N4m poultry products By Godwin Oritse & Chizoba Nwaizu

N a bid to checkmate smugglling, the Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, has seized and destroyed prohibited frozen poultry products valued at N4 million. Comptroller Ndalati Garba Mohammed, the Customs Area Controller of the Command has also directed increased enforcement at the border area including various footpaths to forestall attempts by

desperate smugglers to evade duty and bring in prohibited items through unapproved routes. Full compliance with this directive had resulted to various seizures and arrests in the past, including this recent one comprising frozen turkey and chickens which falls under import prohibition. “Today, we are destroying these poultry products in compliance with government directives and wish to use this opportunity to warn smugglers to desist from the vice and face lawful trades.''

state and the country at large. Also, Ogun State government declared the day work-free in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa saying the declaration was done to honour the late politician who, according to him, had fought for the democracy currently being enjoyed by the people in the country. The statement read in part” the annual holiday is in honour of the late legendary son of the State, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential Election who fought for the democracy currently being enjoyed across the country. “Government enjoins residents to spend the day to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the annulled election peacefully, pray for the continued repose of the martyr of democracy, Chief Abiola and general political and socio-economic growth of our country”. In its own declaration of the day work-free, a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said government declared the holiday to mark the day the whole country united to vote a candidate of their choice without religious or ethnic considerations. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said June 12 is significant and central to the development of democracy that the nation is now enjoying. The statement said “Governor Aregbesola has approved Friday June 12 as public holiday to enable our people observe the day that Nigerians closed all ranks. “Nigerians should reflect on the significance of the June 12, the sacrifice made by Abiola for all of us to consolidate the current democratic experiment.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 11

PENSIONERS’ PROTEST: Night guard slumps, dies in Osun ...Govt sensitive to workers' welfare — AREGBESOLA By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—AS striking workers and pensioners continue to protest non-payment of salaries in Osun State, another civil servant, simply identified as Tunde, yesterday collapsed and died at government secretariat in Osogbo. Tunde, who was a night watchman with Osun State government was said to have died following his inability to buy food and drugs due to non payment of his salary for seven months. The night watchman attached to the Auditor-general’s Office was said to be on night duty when he collapsed and died at his duty post. Reports said that the man who hailed from Modakeke may have died due to his failure to take his usual drugs for the management of an undisclosed illness. The incident drew the attention of staff of Auditor-General's office where the man worked but all efforts to rescue him proved abortive. It took the effort of men of Nigeria Police Force and Civil Defence Corps to evacuate the corpse with hundreds of sympathizers on hand. A similar case was also reported on Wednesday when a middle-aged man died owing to lack of money to purchase drugs. Speaking on the development, the Secretary of the Trade Union Congress in Osun State, Mrs. Tola Nosegbe, urged well-meaning Nigerians to join Christian Association of Nigeria and churches in giving aids to workers in the state to save them from untimely death. Mrs. Nosegbe maintained that government had not been transparent in its approach to the non-payment of workers salaries, saying government should explain how it spent its allocation from January this year to date. Workers and pensioners in Osun State have not been paid in the past seven months.

PDP seeks NEMA's assistance Meantime, the Osun state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said the plight of workers in the state required intervention by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA. The PDP though commended the decision of the state

tration remains sensitive to the welfare of Osun workers. Aregbesola described the present financial situation of state that has made the state government unable to pay workers’ salary as disheartening and painful, saying howGovt sensitive to welfare of ever that no one can suggest or establish a single instance workers – Aregbesola But the Governor Rauf Areg- of recklessness on the part of besola has said that his adminis- his government. chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to donate food stuffs to the state civil servants whose salaries have not been paid for seven months, said the situation required National and International Agencies attention.

BRIEFING: From left; Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, Prof. Ibikunle Tijani; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwole Amusan and Registrar, Venerable Olusegun Ojo, all of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, during a press conference on the varsity's activities held at the institution‘s Administrative block.

Value of CBN currency fraud more than N8bn – EFCC By Ola Ajayi

B A DA N — M O R E indications emerged yesterday at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, where some bankers from the Central Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks are standing trial over alleged fraud running into billions of naira as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, told the court that the stolen money was more than the N8 billion being reported in the media.

The anti-corruption commission represented by its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and other counsel gave this hint while proving the enormity of the offences committed and reason why the court should not grant the bail applications the accused tendered to the court. He said, “There are other boxes they poured acid on. That alone contained N3.9 billion. The money stolen is even more than N8 billion that the media is writing.” According to him, the commission, during one of its investigations, discovered that there were over 8,000 boxes that were yet to be opened by the CBN in its strong rooms and on opening 107 of the boxes for the First Bank that should contain N1.7 bil-

lion, only N256,000 was found in them. He further told the court how the accused were alleged to have made confessional statements that they actually committed the offence. At the sitting presided over by Justice Adeyinka Faaji, all the counsels to the accused submitted that the offence was a bailable and that the court reserved the discretion whether or not to grant the accused bail. The counsels who include Mr. Nathaniel Oke, Michael Lana, Olalekan Ojo and others fought spiritedly to convince the court why their clients should be granted bail.

Oyo Assembly's principal officers’ election illegal — LADOJA By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—FORMER governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has kicked against the election of the principal officers in the Oyo State House of Assembly which took place on Wednesday. Ladoja, who spoke through his Director of Campaign Organisation, Mr. Abraham Adeleke described the said election as illegal and unconstitutional. Accord, Ladoja’s party has eight members followed by Labour Party with six members. But, after an agreement between the All Progressives Congress and Labour Party, the latter was given the minority leader. Another former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala contested the governorship election on the platform of Labour Party. Ladoja fumed that “the party that is next to the party with the majority member in the House always presents a member for the position of the minority leader. While in this case, APC has 18 members; Accord has eight members while Labour Party has six members”. “We are aware that a leader in Labour Party collaborated with the state governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi to perpetrate illegality in the House of Assembly as a result of financial and political patronage coupled with the promise to withdraw the EFCC case against the said Labour Party leader, who always derives joy in betraying trust and we are not surprised with the action of the APC- led government to perpetrate illegality since the same government came into existence through fraud and malpractices”.

Ogun commissions shops worth N140m By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—NO fewer than 500 market men and women in Yewa South local government area of Ogun State have lauded the state government over the construction of shops worth of N140 million in the area. The traders, while receiving the keys to the shops expressed gratitude to the chairman of the council, Shefiu Odebiyi and the contractor of the projects for speedy completion of the shops. Speaking at the commissioning, Chief Segun Rufai who was in-charge of the projects disclosed that over 3,000 shops are under way for the marketers in phase 2.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Rivers Assembly grants Wike's request for N10bn loan By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, gave approval to Governor Nyesom Wike to secure a N10 billion loan from Zenith Bank. Speaker of the House, Ikuinyi Ibani, during the sitting of the House, read out the letter from the governor requesting approval of the House to secure the loan, saying it was meant for rehabilitation of roads and some other projects within the governor's first 100 days in office. Leader of the House, Mr Martins Amewhule and others who spoke before the issue was voted on, lauded the governor for attaching details of the proposed projects to his letter. On his part, member representing Ogu/Bolo constituency, Evans Bipi, while lending support to the governor to go ahead, said the proposed N10 billion loan was an indication that the governor would be very diligent with public funds, saying: “The money is small but it shows that our governor will be diligent with public funds.” All the 28 lawmakers present gave their support to the governor to go ahead. The House also constituted an ad-hoc committee, headed by Michael Chinda, to hear from the state’s Ministries of Health, Information and other

agencies on their efforts to stop further deaths from consumption of the poisonous local gin otherwise called kai kai or ogogoro The Speaker, Ibani, reminded members that the sale of local gin had been banned all over the country by the Federal Government, noting that the ad-hoc committee was to hear from the various government agencies, steps they had taken to ensure

that people were aware of the danger in consuming local gin. Earlier, member representing Degema constituency, Farah Dagogo and Ogbona Jones representing Port Harcourt constituency 1, were among those that spoke against the outright ban on sale of local gin in the state. According to them, government should find out

what was responsible for the death of those that consumed the gin and see how best to resolve the problem. “Today we are talking of poisonous gin, tomorrow it may be garri or beer. I think we should not encourage outright ban because not all the local gin sold in the market can be said to be poisonous. Efforts should be made to trace the killer gin to address the problem,” one of the lawmakers said.

VISIT: From left: Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 Benin, Mr Musa Daura and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Alex Okpara, during a courtesy visit to the governor at New Government House, Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Effective policing'll boost investors’ confidence in Nigeria —Okowa By Festus Ahon

SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that effective policing of the country will boost the confidence of foreign investors to do business in Nigeria. Speaking when the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Mr. Musa Daura, paid him a courtesy visit in Asaba yesterday, Governor Okowa said that many foreign investors were interested in doing business in Nigeria, particularly Delta State, following the successful elections held in the country, but observed that they desire a conducive and peaceful environment. He said: “Today, because we all worked with each other in partnership, we have come out from the elections as a very peaceful nation. We must thank the Police for ensuring peace during the elections. The more peaceful we are in our state, the more peace we see in our country and the more investment we are

going to see nationally. We will then be able to provide employment for our teeming youths.” Governor Okowa reiterated that “Delta State is a peaceful state and we will work with the law enforcement agencies to sustain the existing peace, because we want speedy development.”

While lauding the Police for the role they played during the last general elections in the country, Okowa observed that it was important for security agencies to partner electoral bodies for peaceful elections to be held. He said, “I must thank the Police for the role they played during the elections. In every

growing democracy, the Police must be in partnership with the electoral bodies to deliver a free and fair election.” Earlier, AIG Daura told the governor that they were in Asaba to congratulate him on his successful assumption of office and solicit the support of his administration for proper policing of the state.

Bayelsans trade words over Dickson's performance rating By Emem Idio

ENAGOA—POLITICAL groups in Bayelsa State were yesterday, locked in arguments over claims of poor performance and alleged disregard to the elders of the state by the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson. While a group of politicians and elders of the state, under the aegis of Bayelsa Peoples’ Consultative Assembly described the administration of Governor Dickson as sad and

an era of gloom, another group, the Ijaw Renaissance Group, IRG, accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, of sponsoring the group of politicians and elders to discredit the state government and its achievements. According to IRG: "The opposition has recruited a special squad and experts in false propaganda, blackmail and falsehood to discredit the achievements of Governor Dickson." The Bayelsa Peoples’

Consultative Assembly, in a statement after its inaugural meeting in Yenagoa, alleged that the current administration had succeeded in making Bayelsans stagnant rather than enjoy what, as citizens, they should have. They said: “We have decided that the time for change has come and so we have made up our minds to align with a platform where we can effect that change in the forthcoming governorship election.”

Oshiomhole bags Labour award By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THE Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreation Service Employees, AUPCTRE, has conferred the award of Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Grand Patron of the union on Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. President of the union, Mr. Solomon Adelaja, said AUPCTRE bestowed the award on Oshiomhole because the governor was a worthy ambassador of the labour union. Speaking during the award ceremony, Adelaja said: “We concluded on the need for us to appreciate you because, talking about labour movement in Nigeria, you are not only a worthy ambassador but a leader of labour in Nigeria today."

Emmanuel sets up 10-man c'ttee on Ibom Deep Seaport

KWA Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has approved the constitution of a 10-member Technical Committee on the Realization of Ibom Deep Seaport with Mrs. Mfon Usoro, a former DirectorGeneral of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, as chairman. Other members are Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Mr. Chidi Izuwah, Mr. Idongesit Udofa, Mr. Ekong Umo-Otong, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan, Aniekan Ukpanah, Mr. Charles Udonwah, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi and Mr. Etido Inyang. A statement in Uyo by Ekerete Udoh, Senior Special Assistant, Media/ Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the terms of reference include to work on different phases of the project and to ensure that it is delivered on time, adding that the committee will report directly to the governor.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 13

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14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Indonesian Business Meeting in Kano

AGM: From left, Managing Director, Mr. Dayanand Sriram; Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Edmund Onuzo, and Company Secretary, Mr. Uche Uwechia, all of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc, at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the company, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

From left, Director General, Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, & Agriculture, Hajia Fatima Umar; Indonesian Counsellor to Nigeria, Mr. Eko Indiarto; Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Harry Purwant; Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre Director, Mr. Nino Setawan, and Vanguard Newspapers Admin Manager, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, at Indonesian Business Meeting in Kano, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi

Diaspora Commission to bring in $3trn investments —Temitope Ajayi member of the National Conference , Chief Temitope Ajayi in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja. Mrs. Ajayi, who lives and works in the BUJA—INDICATIONS have United States of America, said that the 30 emerged that Nigerians in the million Nigerians in the Diaspora were Diaspora will contribute at least $3 trillion keen on building and deploying their into the nation’s economy with the resources into one million homes in proposed Diaspora Commission taking off Nigerian in conjunction with the Federal in the country. Mortgage Bank in the first phase of their This indication was given by an advocate contributions to the country. of the Diaspora Commission and a Ajayi, who is popularly known as Mama Diaspora, explained that the interest of the group in focussing on housing stemmed from the shortage of decent accommodation for By Emeka Aginam drivers and catalysts that Nigerians in major cities will transform the economy and rural areas of Nigeria. I R E C T O R - as well as foster high Mrs. Ajayi boasted that G E N E R A L , quality of life for all citizens. Nigerians in the Diaspora NATIONAL Information At the forum that Technology Development attracted stakeholders in were very excited about the Agency, NITDA, Dr. Peter Nigerian ecosystem, Jack passage of the bill Jack has said that the said that part of the establishing the Diaspora regulatory agency would challenge included Commission by the Senate generate over $15 billion duplication of roles and barely three months after House of from home grown software, functions, limited funding the Representatives had given hardware and IT services from government, absence to the economy by the year of will to implement its nod to the bill. Ajayi said: “The Diaspora 2018. regulatory and Jack, who stated this in enforcement frameworks Commission will also afford the agency's proposed enshrined in NITDA Nigerians living outside strategic plan for 2015 mandate (NITDA the country the opportunity through 2018, Wednesday, ACT,2007), and absence of to contribute more of their in Abuja at the just a national IT master-plan. quota towards nation concluded African ICT Others include connected building and investing in Alliance Chief Executive government framework, e Nigeria's economic Officers Round-Table in -government strategy and development. partnership with Internet i n t e r - o p e r a b i l i t y “We, in the Diaspora, are Corporation for assigned framework, wrong very excited about the numbers and Names, alignment of agency development and I want to ICANN, said that Nigeria strategic intents with assure Nigerians that we can only be an IT capable National Transformation country in the knowledge Agenda, especially service will work with the economy if local products delivery to citizens and use government of President Muhammed Buhari, PMB, were given priority of IT in governance. attention. Assuring that the agency to ensure its success by He said that the Nigerian was targeting to create pooling our resources to IT regulatory agency 4,000,000 additional jobs by work for this country in a would create 70 per cent of 2018, he said that 80 per way that has never been computing devices, cent of public service would done before.” She, however, advised especially in homes with be available online by the PMB to appoint credible school going children. year in question. According to him, the Assuring as part of the members of the Diaspora strategic plan presented a agency's target, he said that into the commission to systematic and pragmatic NITDA was pushing for ensure its success. set of programmes or the adoption of local It will be recalled that the initiatives that reflected software and digital content bill establishing the what needed to be done to growth of 55 per cent in four Diaspora Commission was gravitate NITDA towards a years. among the 46 bills recently service oriented, modern, He also said that the passed by the 7th Senate accountable and real time, agency was committed to before it wound down its SMART, agency that would 40 per cent reduction in activities for the session. facilitate a digitally cyber crime and 50 per cent President Muhammadu transformed Nigeria. improved personal privacy Buhari is expected to assent The main thrust, the and safety and deployment to the bill to give legality to NITDA DG said, was to of new 3,000 companies in it. identify and highlight the Nigeria.

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, Nor th

NITDA to generate $15bn from indigenous IT products, services by 2018

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State (right), receiving a copy of Vanguard Newspaper from the company's Admin Manager, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, and Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Harry Purwanto (middle)

Nigerian Academy of Engineering awards professors

From left, Prof. Ogbemi Omatete, awardee; Prof. Ephraim Okon, awardee; Prof. Ishola Salawu, President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering; Prof. Emem Nwa, awardee; Prof. Augustine Esogbue, awardee, and Dr. Olusegun Ajayi, all received Life Achievement Awards, during 2015 Annual Lecture, Life Achievement Awards, and Induction of New Fellows, by Nigerian Academy of Engineering, at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

From left, Mr. Robinson Eyoyibo, Mrs. Felicia Eyoyibo, Mrs. Cecilia Omatete, Prof. Ogbemi Omatete, awardee, and Mrs. Rosoline Johnson. C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUN E 12, 2015 —15

Abia Election Tribunal grants Otti time to inspect electoral materials By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—ABIA State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has granted Dr. Alex Otti, governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in last April’s elections, extension of time to inspect electoral materials used for the poll. Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Otti’s lead counsel, told the tribunal, yesterday, that the petitioner, Otti, could not carry out forensic inspection of the electoral materials as earlier ordered by the tribunal because of Independent National Electoral Commission’s alleged failure to cooperate. Consequently, Olujinmi’s requested for an extension of time to enable the petitioner inspect the electoral materials was granted. But INEC counsel, Mr. Amaechi Nwaiwu (SAN), explained that the Commission was not served the order of the tribunal. According to him, INEC is ready to cooperate with all the parties in the petition. The tribunal at its inaugural sitting on May 20, gave the APGA candidate three days, May 27, 28 and 30, within which to inspect the electoral

materials. Ruling on the application for extension, chairman of the tribunal, Justice Usman Bwala, ordered that all the parties in the matter, including Governor

Okezie Ikpeazu, PDP and INEC, be served latest today. Bwala also ordered that the petitioners, including Otti and APGA, be served with the replies of the respondents and granted

the petitioner 20 days within which to carry out the inspection of the electoral materials, beginning from today. The matter was adjourned to Monday, June 15.

JOGGING: Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State (middle), and others, jogging after the inauguration of 8-lane Olympic Standard Tartan tracks, at Rojenny Stadium, in Oba, yesterday. Photo: NAN

6TH Abia House inaugurated, elects speaker, deputy By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—MR . MARTINS Azubuike, representing Isiala Ngwa North State constituency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has emerged the speaker of the 6th Abia State House of Assembly. Azubuike, a lawyer and third term lawmaker in the House, was elected unopposed as there was no other candidate nominated to challenge him. Similarly, Mr. Cosmos Ndukwe, PDP, a former Chief of Staff to former Governor Theodore Orji, was elected deputy speaker of the House. Ndukwe defeated Mr. Ikedi Ezekwesiri of APGA in a keenly contested election, having polled 13 votes to Ezekwesiri’s nine votes. There were two void votes. In his acceptance speech, the new speaker said he accepted the new position with “deep humility” and commended the members for the maturity exhibited in electing their leaders. Azubuike also commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for not interfering in the election of the House leaders and pledged the readiness of the lawmakers to collaborate with his administration C M Y K

for the good of Abia State. He told the lawmakers that their election put a lot of responsibility on them, admonishing them to work hard to reduce poverty for the people.

According to him, the expectation of Abians is very high, hence the the need to work hard to meet it. The two parties, APGA and PDP, were expected to send to the

House names of those to serve as House Leader, Whip, Deputy Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader and other principal officers of the House.

Peter Mission gives free medical treatment in Delta

ETER MISSION for the Less Privileged has taken its programme to Okpavuerhe Olomu town in Ughelli South Local Government area of Delta State. Children, youths and the elderly benefited from the health initiatives of the mission. The first set of beneficiaries of the goodwill of the Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, were over 400 school pupils, who were offered over 300 cartons of Indomie noodles. It was a moment of celebration for the children. The youths, widows and the elderly in the town were offered free medical checkup, treatments and free drugs. The mission’s medical team attended to over 559 people, basically in checking their blood pressures, treatment of malaria, injuries and multivitamin deficiencies. The people also got useful medical tips on the prevention of malaria and related ailments. In his response to the encomiums of the beneficiaries, the chairman of Peter Mission for the Less Privileged, Mr. Peter Onoriobe, told the elated people of Okpavuerhe Olomu that what they had experienced was just the beginning of better days ahead. He said the mission was committed to reach the less privileged in Nigeria and beyond.

NAUTH, ICPC ACTU team up to fight corruption By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

NEWI—THE Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH Nnewi Anambra State, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, has warned that the hospital will not tolerate acts of corruption among health providers. He particularly cautioned those frustrating the computerization of the revenue system and other service system going on in the institution to block all loopholes. Prof. Igwegbe gave the warning, yesterday, during the NAUTH Anti-Corruption Transparency Monitoring Unit, ACTU and SERVICOM’s one day sensitization programme, organised in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and Corporate Affairs department at Gilbert Uzodike Auditorum, NAUTH, Nnewi.

Prof. Igwegbe said: “NAUTH has achieved up to 70 per cent computerization of the hospital services and by the time it gets to 100 per cent, service will be more efficient. ‘’Anybody who decides to frustrate the system will be severely punished. We have set up a panel to look into some records in the hospital and people who have been found guilty of any offence will be definitely dealt with. “The hospital in the past had issues of loss of fund, through printing of fake receipts, and other fraudulent practices, but now we have computerized the account system, medical records, pharmacy and the laboratory. ‘’We have revenue collection points, we want a situation where you go to clinic and your records will be in the system. “We want to make the people change and be convinced that they have changed. You will get better result from them, you cannot

always use cane to flog them to do the right thing because when the cane is not there, they will go back to what they were doing.” He described corruption as one of the cardinal points the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari wanted to fight. “I emphasize that we must have a change in the service delivery system, we had relaunched SERVICOM two years ago, and we have been ensuring that people follow the tenets of corrupt free service. “Corruption is not fraud alone; denial and delay in giving patients service and falsification of receipts and others are part of it. ‘’It is quite encompassing, people should behave well, there should be attitudinal change, people should know the consequences of their action, this is not the time of using whip to make people fall in line. “We want to encourage paperless records, so your

diagnosis, your drugs will be in the system and when you go to the pharmacy with your computerized number and code, you assess your drugs, the same thing with the laboratory, and radiology and other service points,’’ he said. In a lecture, entitled, 'Impact of Corruption on Efficient Service Delivery for staff of NAUTH,' ICPC’s Assistant Chief Superintendent in Enugu State, Miss Chinwe Nwozor, noted that false petition was also corruption which attracted ten years imprisonment. She warned against people writing petitions without facts, contending that this must stop to avoid tarnishing people’s image and wasting the commission’s time and resources. Earlier in her opening speech, Chairman of ACTU-NAUTH, Prof. Comfort Akujuobi, described ACTU as a self-monitoring and internal cleansing mechanism at all Federal Government’s establishments to eradicate and minimize corruption.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUN E 12, 2015

Nigeria'll rise again —Onu By Gbenga Oke

IRST CIVILIAN Governor of Abia state and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday, in Lagos stated that Nigeria will rise again and take its place in the comity of nations. He also said the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will succeed if Nigerians will come together and support the government to fix the problems that had ravaged the country over the years. Speaking at a lecture of the Nigerian Academy of

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Engineering, which held at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Onu said the new Nigeria which the APC is creating and led by President Buhari needed everyone to be on board to succeed. His words: “I call on everybody to give their best to this country because only the best is good for Nigeria. “I believe that with the support and commitment of very distinguished people in the society, Nigeria will rise again to lead the way in Africa. I believe that the best for our country Nigeria is yet to come,” he stated. He further said: “Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, we have the largest concentration

of black people all over the world, we have the market and there is no important mineral resources Nigeria does not have, including the best brains. "Nigerians go to the best universities all over the world and they excel. Nigerians work in some of the best conglomerates all over the world and they have distinguished themselves. So there is no reason why we cannot fix our problems since some other countries overcame their own problems.” He, however, assured that the President will work very hard to ensure that the campaign promises are fulfilled. “I would like to assure you that this administration of President Buhari will work very hard for

Nigerians, but we need the support of all Nigerians. "The engineers need to come forward and make contributions because there is no way this power problems can be solved without the input of engineers.

"If we put our heads together as a country, we can actually fix our problems. And with all hands on deck and support from everybody, I believe we will succeed.”

ONITSHA FUEL TANKER FIRE:

Stampede increased death toll —Dr. Eze

NITSHA—THE Chief Medical Director of Toronto Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State, Dr. Emeka Eze, yesterday, attributed the high

rate of death during the fuel tanker incident that occurred at Upper Iweka, area of Onitsha, about two weeks ago to stampede. Speaking when the leader of Progressives People’s Alliance, PPA, in the state, Chief Godwin Ezeemo and the state party chairman, Ameke Mathias, visited the hospital to sympathize with victims hospitalized there, Dr. Eze said there were still corpses yet to be claimed by their relations because they could not be easily identified. Eze, who noted that state government had sent pathologists to take samples of the dead, said the prompt intervention of both the Federal and state governments was an indication that the present leaders had the interest of their people at heart. He also attributed burns to the increase in the death toll. ‘’We have deep isolation of the victims; they would have died if not that we isolated them. ‘’We heat up the rooms where they are kept because they have no skin in them and feel cold.” Responding, Ezeemo said he felt bad when he heard of the incident and resolved to come and see some of the survivors. To avoid future occurrence, he said the state government should look for an alternative location to avoid motor-parks being located along major roads. “There should be a better way of locating the parks to avoid further occurrence,” he added. Extending his sympathy to the Obi of Onitsha, HRM Alfred Achebe at his palace, Ezeemo urged him to use his position to prevail on the authorities to help look for better locations for motorparks, instead of having them along the expressway. “I am here to condole with you on the loss; I feel bad about it. I want you to use your position to appeal to the state government to relocate the parks, especially those at Upper Iweka,” he pleaded.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 —17

What next for Igboland?

GBOS have displayed a clear preference for exPresident Goodluck Jonathan; and their fondness for him is understandable. They like the fact that Jonathan has two Igbo middle names (Ebele and Azikiwe). And many of them feel that he did well for them by, for example, appointing the first Igbo Chief of Army Staff (Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika) since the civil war. A friend of mine recently bumped into Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State; and Obi told my friend that he supported Jonathan (despite belonging to a different political party, APGA) because Jonathan had given him almost everything that he had requested on behalf of his state. Meanwhile, because SouthEasterners are close neighbours of South-Southerners, there is plenty of interaction on every level and many of the latter (this columnist included) have Igbo mothers, Igbo spouses and Igbo relatives. It is also worth noting that a significant number of Niger Deltans (the Ikwerres of Rivers State and Ikas of Delta State, for example) have Igbo ancestries. Long story short, despite occasional tensions, the fact that Ikwerres, etc, sometimes vehemently deny their Igbo roots (weird, given that they have names like Ngozi and Chidi!) and the fact that Niger Deltans sometimes make nasty remarks about Igbos, the two groups actually have a lot in common and often do business together and are bound together by strong emotional and blood ties. In other words, plenty of Igbos regard Jonathan as their cousin! And I hope that President Buhari will also make a special effort to woo the millions of Igbos who have been in mourning since he won the election and are flooding the internet with bitter ranting complaints about his past “sins” and his current performance (even though he has been in C M Y K

*President Muhammadu Buhari charge for only a fortnight!). The most successful leaders are loved and respected across the board, even by people who originally viewed them with scepticism or hostility and once backed their political rivals.

Igbos are enterprising and hard-working. Many professions are populated by clever Igbos. Many top entrepreneurs are Igbo. Igbos can survive without government patronage because they know how to gen-

*Former President , Goodluck Jonathan erate real wealth. In a nutshell, they add a lot of value to the Nigerian Project; and since most of them are practical, logical, no-nonsense people, I’m sure that they will warm to Buhari eventually if he

Feedback from readers L

AST week, I wrote about the fact that most of the Niger Delta remains resolutely PDP – and appears content to stay in opposition for the foreseeable future - because exPresident Jonathan continues to enjoy considerable support in his home zone, the reason for this being that most folks from South-South minority tribes regard him as their Big Brother and don’t care whether he did well or not…and want to believe that he was no worse than his predecessors. I urged President Buhari to try his best to win over more hearts and minds in this important oil-producing part of the country. I also expressed annoyance about the fact that many Nigerians from other zones (especially Yorubas and Northerners) are saying that Niger Deltans can never be trusted with the presidency again because Jonathan failed. I felt obliged to fly to my peoples’ defence and point out that this viewpoint is extremely unfair to the many Niger Deltans who are nothing like Jonathan and will do very well for our nation if they are given a chance to serve. Many Vanguard readers contacted me to comment on my comments. Please find below two emails that reflect senti-

ments that were echoed by many respondents: From: Ben Afam <benafam247@gmail.com> Dear Donu Kogbara, people are guided by different mindsets which are based on sentiment, ethnicity and religion…when it comes to leadership. In the build-up to the election, I was the only man standing for Buhari in the office where I work because of my belief that leadership should be based on Performance and Competence(I am from Delta State and work with a Federal agency in the State). The issues of the Niger Delta

There are many competent Niger Deltans who have excelled and will excel in any capacity of leadership

should be taken seriously by this new administration because of the peculiarity of the zone…and I agree that there are many competent Niger Deltans who have excelled and will excel in any capacity of leadership. God bless you for your courage and boldness. From: Tijjani Rabeh <dangamjionline@yahoo.com> I quite agree with your view that there are good people in all the tribes as much there are foolish, egocentric, religious fanatics and ethnic jingoists in all the tribes. But no Nigerian leader ever demonstrated the height of these negatives like GEJ. He ran this country as if he wished that it should cease to exist after him. That divisive and financially reckless administration will linger in the minds of Nigerians for a very long time. In several years to come, the Northern bloc and indeed the South Western region will have to struggle to trust any Niger Deltan aspiring for the exalted position of Nigeria’s presidency again. I can only pray that time will heal the wounds quickly. As for Buhari, he came to power to right the wrongs of all previous administrations in the interest of the entire country. He is not only there for the North. As he himself has said publicly, he belongs to everybody while also belonging to nobody.

reaches out to them and does well in general. ALL sane and decent Nigerians will hail Buhari without reservations if he pulls off major feats like curbing corruption and sorting out the electricity problem. By the way, the kind of people who say that no Niger Deltan should ever rule again are also the kind of people who insist that Igbos must never rule. And I despair when I hear this bigoted rubbish! Even if I didn’t have Igbos in my family tree, I would wonder why anyone should write off an entire ethnic group. As far as I am concerned, the next time the South is given a chance to deliver a president, it will be their turn and we should all back a good Igbo candidate.

Sincere gratitude

would like to warmly thank Edem Duke, the former Minister of Culture/Tourism, Pius Anyim, the former SGF and the other PDP officials who were kind to me and other APC supporters during the transition period. They didn’t sulk or give us the impression that they resented our election victory and regretted the fact that they would soon lose their jobs. I was a member of the Inauguration Committee’s media/publicity sub-committee and was deeply touched by gentlemanly gestures such as Mr Duke’s insistence on providing us with a lovely lunch whenever we had a meeting in his office.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 NIGERIANS 30 years – and older – would remember series of meetings at Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s farm in Otta to resolve the political jam the military created with the annulment of the June 12 presidential election of 1993. President Muhammadu Buhari was one of the prominent faces at the meeting that sought solutions to the impasse. It was a pro-June 12 coalition, or so many thought. One day in August, 22 years ago, Obasanjo told the gathering that the meetings were over. An interim government was in place and General Sani Abacha’s coup was only months away. Memories of those events may be drifting to oblivion, but June 12 is a massive judgment whose perpetrators became its beneficiaries and are stridently opposed to any association with it. June 12 is a reminder of Nigeria’s wasted political opportunities. The election, in 1993, which Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola won but the military annulled, remains one of Nigeria’s most tumultuous moments in the past 22 years. The presidential candidate and his vice

June 12 Under Change (Babagana Kingibe) were Muslims. It meant nothing to Nigerians who voted for them against another Muslim candidate Bashir Torfa who had a Christian running mate, Dr. Sylvester Ugo, former Governor of the Bank of Biafra. In 2015, religion was an issue in our elections. On June 12, a year after, Abiola declared himself president in Epe-tedo, a public square on Lagos Island. He died in detention, on July 8, 1998, after meeting a US delegation. A month after Abacha died. General Abdulsalami Abubakar succeeded Abacha. His 10-month transition programme made Chief Olusegun Obasanjo president. Obasanjo ignored June 12 in his

eight years in office. Some All Progressives Congress States honour Abiola with a public holiday. The biggest national recognition for Abiola remains his listing among the 100 honoured in Nigeria’s Centenary Awards. The haste to forget the lessons about June 12 aligns with the political class’ hurry to over-step issue in its bid for power. Politicians abhor opposition, even within the same party. The national tensions from religions and regions in our politics show that we learnt nothing from June 12. Some have better memories of June 12. It is the 22ndRussian Day, to mark sovereignty of Russia from the crumbling Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR. It is also the 117th Independence Day anniversary of the Philippines. How will June 12 be treated under the change agenda? What will be the official position on the presidential election of 1993? Will Abiola be recognised? Just like the Civil War, we write Nigeria’s history, deliberately leaving out critical parts like June 12. A nation building its greatness on a mutilated past is on quick sand.

OPINION By Deji Fasuan

T the onset of a new administration in Nigeria, it is appropriate to have a new look at many things that bedevil the nation. Apart from those that are apparent, there is one issue which continues to evade public attention. The lack of information and interest by the public on the total remuneration, including take home pay of our Senators and Members of the House of Representative is one of those unpardonable lapses by Nigerians. Members of the National Assembly, like all federal elected or appointed Nigerians, are all political office holders. By this classification, they are paid by tax payers, personal or corporate. Nothing should be shrouded in mystery about the benefits these public servants and others take from the national till. In point of fact, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, is charged with the responsibility, among others, of determining the remuneration of all political office holders (from Councillor of a local government to the President of the Republic) and also to judicial officers. This remuneration package is expected to be passed through the Presidency to the National Assembly for enactment into law. Both the President and the National Assembly are constitutionally barred from increasing the recommended remuneration by one kobo but could reduce it as they may find it fit.

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National Assembly's remunerations: It's a matter of conscience Unfortunately, fellow Nigerians, the above constitutional provision has been routinely and shamelessly flouted by our lawmakers, who sometimes double as “law breakers”. I am not sure of any recommendation of the Revenue Commission that enables a senator or a member of the House of Representatives to earn N3million per month. But because of the cloud of doubt which envelopes certain aspects of the working of the National Assembly, nobody seems to care to know details of their take home pay. The height of impunity was demonstrated by the Clerk of the National Assembly who allegedly refused to give details to a committee set up by government or even to a judicial body. In better climes, this would be completely unacceptable.

Nigeria must be saved from less than one per cent of the population that appropriates more than 10% of our national wealth

The fairy tale that is making the rounds is that some senators earn between N12m and N13m per month, when these annual remunerations are broken down into calendar months. Neither the British Prime Minister, the German Chancellor, the American President nor President Putin of the Russian Federation can boast of such largesse. And when you compare our society, its poverty level, economic degradation, high level of unemployment, decaying or malfunctioning infrastructures, I begin to wonder what kind of society we are. There must be a change, yes, our rulers must be transparent and meet international standard of integrity, transparency and accountability. Obviously, President Buhari has many problems on his laps. It is because of the existence of these problems that he was massively supported during the last election. He shall not be heard to be weary or hesitant in taking appropriate remedial actions. Interestingly, one of the purported amendments which the last National Assembly sent for former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s signature was a life long pension scheme of the principal officers of the two Houses. This would mean some smart fellows who were precariously commissioners, ministers, governors and laterly senators would

receive (not earn) long life pension of N10m per month. If this is not milking the nation dry, I don’t know what else it is. Mercifully, our own Dr Jonathan refused to sign into law this amendment which in any case did not pass through the constitutional procedures expected of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. The question then arises: Why should our rulers, that is people at the top, always feel free to provide for themselves at the expense of the larger society? Oversight functions, constituency projects, etc, are avenues for direct stealing. When a Committee of the National Assembly is set up to probe an erring MDA, the latter will be requested to provide funds which must have been provided for by the National Assembly ab initio. To me, there is no corruption that can match the one being perpetrated by our ‘elected’ rulers. It is nauseating; they do it with bravado and impunity and if the executive had the effrontery of asking questions, the next thing is conspiracy for impeachment. No, it can’t continue! Nigeria must be saved from less than one per cent of the population that appropriates more than 10% of our national wealth. We must know what our National Assemblymen earn. There must be a change. Let PMB start from the National Assembly, we will all line up behind him.

*Chief Fasuan, a senior citizen, wrote from Ekiti State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Injustice in the name of fighting terrorism ANADA is perceived as a liberal Fahmy, who is being retried on country. Compared to terrorism charges in Egypt after C neighbouring United States of being sentenced to seven years America, USA, Canada’s racial tension seems lower, and the government accepts that it has the responsibility to provide basic services, including welfare, healthcare and social insurance. Opportunity for education is so good that many from the under-developed world make it a place of first choice. But on Friday June 5, 2015, Canada not only joined the infamous league of countries abridging fundamental human rights in the name of fighting terrorism, but worse still, introduced a second, lower tier of citizenship. Bill C-24 provides that if two Canadian citizens commit the same offence, one has the right to remain a citizen while the other can be stripped of his citizenship. Those that can be stripped of their citizenship include people who had migrated and Canadians with dual citizenship. Also, Canadians can be exiled for criminal activity. A Canadian convicted for terrorism by another country can also lose citizenship. This means that the AlJazeera journalist, Mohammed

imprisonment, can lose his Canadian citizenship if he were convicted again. If this were so, and having renounced his Egyptian citizenship, he would become stateless. Nigeria, despite serious terror attacks by the Boko Haram sect decided not to curb freedom or abridge human rights. However, neighbouring Cameroon which had spillover effects of Boko Haram, used the opportunity to pass an antiterror law that carries the death penalty. This is not so much the worry; it is its definition of terrorism which is “any activity which can lead to a general revolt of the population or disturb normal functioning of the country”. This means that an industrial action, protest or rally can attract the death penalty. Malaysia with some 160 persons detained for terrorist acts in April, 2015 enacted the Prevention of Terrorism Act, POTA, which allows the security services to detain a terror suspect for two years without trial. Kenya in December 2014

By Clement Udegbe

IDNAPPING for money is an evil that came to the South East, for whatever reasons, about seven years ago. Ndigbo fought it ruthlessly; houses belonging to kidnappers were simply bulldozed, and culprits were promptly prosecuted. The incidence reduced considerably in the last three years, but seems to have refused to go completely. The perpetrators of this crime appear to have resumed with increasing vengeance in Imo State where three persons have been kidnapped within the last 14 days. First it was Chidi Opara of NUJ Owerri, then a driver with Vanguard Newspapers, and just few days ago, the wife of a senior staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, fell victim to the dare devils. There was a time, even school headmasters, pastors, and people of other walks of life were kidnapped, but , as it stands today, any person can be a victim any day, any time in the South East, and Imo in particular. Without sounding alarmist, we in Imo are in a desperate situation, and all hands must be on deck to send this crime and the criminals packing from our state. One wonders who the culprits in this new wave of kidnapping could be. Could it be that politicians are once again using kidnapping to settle scores after the March and April elections ? Or is it that people are going back to the crime to maintain their greedy habits? Could it be that we all were distracted by elections and politics, that these criminals started feeling that it could be business as usual once again? Whatever the reasons for the return of this ugly phenomenon, Ndigbo must not sit and watch it grow, more so in Imo State where the people feel that for once they are seeing what dividends of democracy looks like, while hoping for more from

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witnessed scuffles in its parliament. Proceedings had to be suspended twice before an anti-terrorism bill could pass. The new law, amongst other provisions, imposes strict rules on how the media can report stories on security issues, and gives police more powers to detain terror suspects. The French motto: Liberty, equality, fraternity, which it inherited from its revolution is now under threat. Following the Charlie Hebdo killings of 17 persons, including 11 editorial staff of the magazine, the National Assembly, the lower house in May, 2015, passed the Anti-terrorism Bill by 438 to 86 votes. It allows the security to hack into the e-mail of suspects, tap their phones, place hidden cameras in homes and tracers in their cars. The Bill allows security men to watch a couple in intimate relationship in their bedroom if either of the couple is a terror

Doubtlessly, terrorism constitutes serious threats to humanity, but to abandon basic human rights in order to tackle it is like administering poison in order to cure an ailment

suspect. What then is left of liberty in France? Egypt has transformed from the spring of hope to the winter of despair; from the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak, through the fanaticism of Mohammed Morsi to the stone age military rule of Abdel Fattah el- Sisi. In February 2015, Egypt enacted its Anti-Terrorism Act which defines terrorism as any group “…that attempts to, aims to, or calls for destabilising public order…”. The new law regards Egyptians who protest for any reason and block a road or entrance to a building or disrupts transportation or communication, as terrorists. In 2014, at least 1,212 persons were sentenced to death in mass trials. The new law seems to be aimed at tightening the noose, and dispensing with formalities in sending dissidents to jail or early graves. The US Patriot Act 2001 which came into force in the wake of the 9/ 11 terrorist attacks, authorises police to search the homes and businesses of people without their consent, detain immigrants indefinitely, monitor phones and financial records without court order. There have been amendments which are not fundamental. Perhaps America’s most infamous acts, is the kidnap of persons in any part of the world and transferring them to Afghan detention camps and Guantanamo Bay. Called Rendition, some of the victims are held without trial for up to a decade. Another American contribution is its world-wide bugging of phones, including those of supposed allies like German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. Older anti-terror laws which abridge fundamental human rights include Ethiopia’s Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009 under which

Saying no to kidnapping in Imo their Governor and his political party in his second tenure.The fight against this crime should never be politicised as we expect the administration of Rochas Okorocha to deploy every available means to crush kidnapping in the state. With the dwindling fortunes of the nation, due to continued downward slide in international oil prices, there is need for Imolites to resolve totally to say no to the crime of kidnapping. Kidnapping is a threat to the security of lives and property; it discourages investors, be they local or foreign, and kills the necessary trust between the well-to-do of society on the one hand, and the poor on the other. The youth suffer more from the scourge of kidnapping because they are easily perceived as suspects by their likely mentors and helpers in society. Kidnapping is an enemy of Imo State because we need all the jobs that can be created by investors and high economic activities, which the crime of kidnapping will undermine immensely. Every Imolite should therefore hate kidnappers, their supporters, and connivers. Kidnappers are not from the moon, they belong to villages, communities and local government areas. They have wives, husbands, relations, families and acquaintances. They belong to clubs and social societies, and people talk, work, eat, wine, and dine with them. With the benefit of dealing with kidnappers these seven years, government should have been able to come up with information on the behavioural pattern of the criminals specialising in kidnapping. The fight against kidnapping should not only end with the destruction of property identified to be remotely or closely associated with the crime, it should also

be backed up with massive mobilisation of the productive youth against it. Traditional rulers and community leaders should be empowered and encouraged to profile houses or premises used by kidnappers and also persons who are predisposed to committing such a crime. The Police in the state should be encouraged to work in collaboration with the Imo branch of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and local vigilante in communities to keep a record or profile of deviants who are and could be prone to the crime of kidnapping. People resist profiling for all kinds of reasons, including fear of exposure, but it goes to the very root of crime prevention. Our law enforcers and government need to go beyond our current practice of reported crime, apprehension, arrest and investigation, to crime prevention through profiling and dealing with people who fall within the given profile with a view to

Kidnapping, which has become a serious scourge in the South East, deserves to be urgently addressed by the Buhari government just as it tackles other security challenges in the North East, the North Central and in the Niger Delta

dissidents and journalists who report or comment “beyond acceptable boundary” are sent to prison. Some journalists are known to be in jail while several have gone into exile or are keeping their heads low. The proclamation in practice, supersedes Article 29 of the constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and assembly. Yet an older one is the Australian Criminal Code Act 1995 which defines terrorism as an act to coerce or influence the public or government to advance a political, religious or ideological cause, and if such act causes death, serious damage to property or disrupts infrastructure like telecommunications and electricity. While the law allows for advocacy, protest or industrial action, these become acts of terrorism if such activity is intended to cause serious harm to a person or creates a serious risk to public safety. The penalty is life imprisonment. In many parts of the world, humanity is losing basic freedom and fundamental rights in the name of anti-terrorism campaigns. Soon, the difference between Western democracy and feudal dictatorship will not be fundamental; it might come down to a question of opinion. The 1215 Magna Carta that gave hope for freedom and the right to justice is fading into memory to be replaced by repressive laws and fascism. What is democracy if the constitution can be set aside? What is freedom if a policeman, for whatever reason, can haul you into prison without trial? Doubtlessly, terrorism constitutes serious threats to humanity, but to abandon basic human rights in order to tackle it is like administering poison in order to cure an ailment.

deterring them from the crime and reintegrating them into normal society. All uncompleted buildings and premises, including empty ones, in all communities should be monitored and profiled. Imo is the only APC state in the South East, and this ought to make the fight against kidnapping easier given the expected support from the Federal Government. It behoves on our Governor to attract the necessary support and goodies from the Federal Government for breaking away from the traditional position of Ndigbo in the South East to vote the APC during the last elections. Imo contributed in no small way to the victory in the March 28 election that took the APC to Aso Rock. Security is one of the cardinal programmes of the new APC government of Muhammadu Buhari, MB and should involve the fight against kidnapping in the South East, especially in Imo State. Kidnapping which has become a serious scourge in the South East deserves to be urgently addressed by the Buhari government just as it tackles other security challenges like the Boko Haram in the North East, Fulani herdsmen in the North Central, and militancy in the Niger Delta states of Nigeria. Living in fear is the same for all victims of these evils. People live in fear in all these areas as a result of the evils that pervade the respective zones, and they expect deliverance from their leaders, both at the state and federal levels. Kidnapping must not be allowed to fester or take root in Imo. This is why we in the state are saying a big and emphatic NO to kidnapping in all its ramification.

*Mr Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY 5 FRIDAY,, JUNE 12, 201 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 21

NEPC mulls incentivebased investment policy to drive FDI BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

From left: Valiollah Afkhaini, Deputy Minister of Indusry, Mine and Trade, Iran; Olusegun Awolowo, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Export Promotion Council; Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Deputy National President, Nigerian Association of Commerce, Mines and Agricultur, NACCIMA; Ambassador Saheed Koozechi, Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria and Amb. Tukur Mani, Nigerian Ambassador to Iran during the opening ceremony of first Iran Solo Exhibition in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

FG seeks end to food importation By FRANKLIN ALLI & FAVOUR EFUGHI

he Federal Government has called on Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, to come up with blueprints that can aid the government to stop food imports into the country. President Muhammadu Buhari made the request during the 55 th annual conference of NACCIMA with the theme ‘Policy Consistency

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in Agricultural Value Chain: A key to Social Economic Development.’ It took place in Calabar, Cross River State. Represented by Alhaji Baba Umar Farouk, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, President Buhari, said that Nigeria used to be a major player in the global agricultural market before the emergence of crude oil in the 1960s; so Nigeria should look inward and start cultivating extensively once again rather than importing food. “I would like to charge you to come up with recommendations for government consideration. Our goal

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Nigeria used to be a major player in the global agricultural market before the emergence of crude oil in the 1960s

will be to pursue the government supported private sector-led agricultural value chain, make agriculture more productive, efficient and competitive through the production of enough food for domestic food supply, create jobs along the agricultural value chain”, said the President. According to him, Agriculture needed to be made more productive, efficient, and competitive in Nigeria, so that the country can be selfsufficient in food production and stop importing food from other countries. Responding, the national President of NACCIMA, Chief Bassey Edem, said the private sector has confidence in Mr. President to deliver his promises, stressing “Your ability to do it for Nigeria has never been doubted. You have done it before, and we believe you will do it this time again. “Without any fear of contradiction, I would like to assure Mr. President that we in NACCIMA share the same vision with your Excellency- to build a virile nation, with sustained growth and development in all areas of the economy. Mr. President, be assured of NACCIMA’s unalloyed support at all times. In this regard, we ask for more roles and more involvement in your government. We are always there for beckoning,” he said. He assured that the deliberation frm the conference will go a long way in strenthening the operations of the Association, and indeed the organised private sector and putting the country number one producer of agriculturl products on the world map.

he Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC has said it is considering an investment policy that will give incentives to prospective foreign investors through a package in its proposed investment policy. Chief Executive Officer, NEPC, Mr. Segun Awolowo stated this while speaking at a seminar to flag off the first Iran solo exhibition in Lagos. He said: “The council will advocate incentives for prospective foreign investors through a new package from the proposed investment policy that we are working on. This will encourage foreign direct investment in designated free trade zones in the country and Iran for instance might be encouraged to come and establish fully owned industries in Nigeria.” The NEPC boss said the council was inspired by its mandate as the apex organisation in Nigeria saddled with developing and promoting non oil exports to support consolidation of trade promotion strategy through the mobilisation of Nigerian exporters and relevant stakeholders for the first ever Iranian Solo Exhibition in Nigeria. He said: “This exhibition could not have come at a better time and from any other country being that both countries recently launched a new government and both share few economic landscapes in the areas of mining, industry, oil and gas and among other areas. To my mind, there can be no doubt that the hosting of this trade event has further internationalised the Iranian product and synchronised the social and economic relationship of both Nigeria and Iran. “The lopsidedness of trading balance between Nigeria and Iran calls for concern. With claimed expertise, I am sure Iran can assist Nigeria to develop her maritime, air travel transport, water resources, power, agricultural and petrochemical sectors. Indeed the petrochemical sector is very key for us as we stand to diversify our economy. We request you to extend the success recorded in petrochemical industry in Iran to Nigeria. Such industries will provide raw materials for small and medium enterprises thereby creating jobs along the value chain in Nigeria.” Also speaking, Nigerian ambassador to Iran, Mr. Tukur Mani noted that Nigeria and Iran had signed lots of trade agreements during a joint session in 2014 but implementation of those agreements have been slow. He said Nigeria and Iran have been relating since the 70s but unfortunately many Nigerians are still unaware about what Iran is all about and how they can also take advantage of the position Iran occupies in the Middle East as the most industrialised country.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

AGM - From left: Director, NationalSalt Company of Nigeria Plc (NASCON), Mr. Knut Ulymoen; Managing Director, Mr.Paul Farrer; Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mr. A Samuel, at the 2014 annual general meeting of NASCON, held at MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos…yesterday. Wednesday 10-6- 2015. PHOTO; Kehinde Gbadamosi

Shareholders urge NASCON to strengthen research department, commend NI.32bn dividend

Stories by Peter Egwuatu

hareholders of National Salt Company of Nigeria, NASCON Plc have commended the Board of Directors for declaring N1.32 billion dividend for the financial year 2014 , just as they advised its Board of Directors to strengthen the research and development unit of the organization in order to achieve optimal result and operation. The dividend translates to 50 kobo per share due to every shareholders of NASCON( a subsidiary of Dangote Group). The shareholders also approved a new name for the company and commended the company for the huge investment made in production of tomato paste, vegetable oil and seasoning. The shareholders, who spoke during the 2014 yearly general meeting of the company, held in Lagos urged the Board to sustain

the dividend payout as they expect higher dividend in the next financial year. Specifically, a shareholder, Kazeem Olayiwola commended the management for enhancing their returns on investment through dividend payout. In his words “ We commend your performance and are satisfied on the successes recorded so far in the production of other food condiments apart from salt. Other investment would translate into more values for stakeholders in the coming years.”

We commend your performance and are satisfied on the successes recorded so far in the production of other food condiments

He charged the management of NASCON especially the marketing division to be more innovative as to drive more sales of the several range of products now available within the company. He specifically tasked the management to pay more attention to staff training and incentives as these are essential to drive productivity.

Total laments inclement environment, security challenges

•Posts N3.1bn dividend

otal Nigeria Plc has lamented on the harsh operating environment and security challenges which had impacted on its business, even as it declared N3.1 billion dividend for the financial year, 2014. The shareholders of Total Nigeria Plc at the 37th Annual General Meeting, AGM approved the proposal by the company to pay a final dividend of N3.1billion,representing N9 per share.

NDIC submits report to Financial Reporting Council BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC has submitted its 2014 audited financial statement to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN. The Council’s Head of Inspection and Monitoring, Mr Titus Osakwe who received the report on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr. Jim Obazee commended the NDIC for what he described as the Corporation’s regular rendition of its financial statements to the Council, saying that “with this step, NDIC has once again distinguished itself among public interest entities in the country”. While presenting the report, the Director of Bank Examination, Mr Adedapo Adeleke who represented NDIC’s Managing

Another shareholder, Sotunde Sopeju and other shareholders who spoke at the meeting also commended the management for turning around the fortunes of NASCON which has now gone beyond salt refining. According to her “NASCON has done well in paying of dividends adding that most

of the banks are unable to pay dividends. Sopeju lauded the management for ploughing back much of the profit into new projects, adding that it would boost the company’s revenue going forward.” Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of NASCON, Alhaji Aliko Dangote assured shareholders that the company’s new business lines will impact significantly on the returns to shareholders. According to him “ The new business will drive both revenue and profit. Following the approval of the shareholders at the last annual general meeting to change the name of the company to reflect current investments and new operational status as a manufacturer of other related consumer and daily needs, the company is now known as Nascon Allied Industries Plc. “I am happy that our prospect for 2015 remains excellent. We shall continue to be committed to improving our upward trend, and we will ensure your company continues to grow and remain competitive so as to deliver increasing dividend to all stakeholders.” He explained that the company posted a turnover of N11.2billion, representing 4 per cent rise when compared to N10.8 billion achieved in 2013. However, profit before tax stood at N2.8 billion compared to N4billion achieved in the previous year.

Director and Chief Executive, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim said the Corporation took the issue of stewardship to its stakeholders as a priority. Mr Adeleke described the FRCN as an important institution whose activities were geared toward aligning the operations of Nigerian business concerns with international best practices. He also noted that as a professional public institution, the NDIC would continue to work in tandem with the rules and regulations set by the Council. The Year 2014 Audited Financial Statement of the NDIC was prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and in line with the NDIC Act No. 16, 2006 and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act No. 6, 2011.

The company had earlier paid N679million interim dididend, which translates into N2 per share for the year under review.The development brings the company’s total dividend – for the year ended December 31, 2014 at N11.00 per share. Commenting at the AGM, the Chairman, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Momar Nguer said “ Although 2014 was a year “fraught with security, regulatory, social and economic challenges”, the company grew its turnover slightly from N238.2billion to N240.6billion. He, however, said the company’s profit after tax declined by 17 per cent to from N5.3billion to N4.4billion, while interest expenses rose by 32 per cent to N2.6billion mainly due to huge interests on borrowing as a result of unpaid sums under the petroleum subsid y fund. Also, despite the challenges, Nguer said Total Nigeria recorded key developments, including the introduction of several solar lamps variations into the Nigerian market including one that charges mobile phones, while the sale of its Awango lamps increased

significantly. The introduction of solar products, according to him, is in furtherance of the company’s mission to market accessible solar solutions. He explained that, being fully a part of 21st Century marketing, the company ’s products could now be purchased on several online platforms such as Konga, while its Total card had been revamps. Speaking further Nguer said, “More of our service stations are being converted to multiservice stations offering modern lube bays and car was centres. “Our bonjour shops now offer a wide range of products and we have expanded the network of quick service restaurants on our bouquet beyond the KFC food outlet that we opened in our Wuse 2 station in Abuja to include Famous Brands (UAC Foods) and Chicken Republic.” He said the company was also partnering with several telecommunication companies who offer their products at some of its outlets, adding that, “In further commitment to better energy resources, your company opened another fully solar-powered service station in Abuja, bringing the number of solar-powered station in Nigeria to two.”

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32—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Abiola had to run with Kingibe on the prompting of the powerful SDP governors including one Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, then the governor of Edo State and now, 22 years after, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the party that has just formed the Federal Government. Abiola who was backed by the powerful machine of Major-General Shehu Yar‘adua had the difficult option of choosing between the pair of Yar‘Adua’s point man, at that time, a recently retired Customs official, Atiku Abubakar and Kingibe. In the end, Abiola under pressure from the governors chose Kingibe to the displeasure of Yar‘adua who reluctantly backed him in the election. The election was historic in that Nigerians put aside religious prejudice to endorse a Muslim-Muslim ticket as presented by Abiola and Kingibe. 22 years after, religion has become a major tool in political discourse. The seemingly innocuous attempt by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to put his name on the ticket of the APC in the 2015 election received harsh reviews from the political class. It is now accepted wisdom that Nigeria will for now not contemplate a ChristianChristian or a MuslimMuslim presidential candidate. One of the security reasons given by the military junta that had as its point men, one General David Mark was the influence of money by Abiola in winning the SDP ticket at the Jos convention. In Abiola’s time, money was reportedly ferried in naira. 22 years after, the preferred currency for political bribery has been dollarized. The United States currency according to multiple sources was the major instrument used by one of the presidential candidates in the 2015 election in wooing many Southwest traditional rulers. The June 12 presidential election was conducted using an open ballot system, famously dubbed as Option A4. Under the system, voters lined up openly to vote for each of the candidates they were voting. There was no card reader, no ballot box snatching and no provision of N80 billion or so to print ballot papers and other electoral materials. 22 years after, the idea of open voting has become anathema to many Nigerian political stakeholders.

BAYELSA AS OPPOSITION STRONGHOLD:

New challenges

•MKO Abiola

JUNE 12: What has changed? 22 years after the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, the political configurations that define success and loss in elections are little changed. By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

T was 22 years ago today that Nigerians went to the polls to elect what has been dubbed the freest presidential election in a generation. C M Y K

The election had the pair of Chief Moshood Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as presidential candidate and running mate on the ticket of the Social Democratic Party, SDP and Alhaji Bashir Tofa and Dr.

Sylvester Ugoh running as presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention, NRC. That election, however, became the subject of

intrigues that almost undermined the country ’s survival. Several bridges were crossed in the approach to that election, especially on the part of the winning pair of Abiola and Kingibe.

VOL. 1: NO. 14

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 , 2015

By KOLADE LAREWAJU and DAPO AKINREFON

OT much checking of exccesses of governors is expected from the Legislative arm of the South West states in this dispensation considering the fact that all the Speakers and principal officers are candidates of the ruling parties without any dissenting voice as the parties have control over the state Houses of Assemblies. In Ondo and Ekiti States, where the ruling party is the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the election and installation of the officers in the Assemblies follow a similar pattern as in All Progressives Congress, APC, controlled states as there are no dissenting voices too. Although there were some schemings in a few of the states in chosing their Speakers, the leaders of the political parties involved in each case were able to rein in members of the legislative arm making the process look smooth. In Lagos State where the number of those who wanted to be Speaker was the highest, the leadership of the party was able to reduce the number to two and when one was “ännoited” the other became the deputy without any fuss. Hence the emergence of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and Hon Wasiu EshinlokunSanni as the Deputy. In Ogun, it was simply the case of the Speaker being reelected. He is only doing a second term without his ertwhile deputy who lost his re-election bid to the house prompting the emergence of another ranking House member Hon Oluomo as the deputy. The PDP in Ogun with nine legislators has however charged their members in the Assembly through the governorship candidate Mr. Gboyega Isiaka to ensure that they oppose bills with selfish motives. The control of the House by the party leadership and the governor in particulay was perhaps most evident in Oyo State where the new Speaker Mr. Michael Adeyemo was said to have been so elated that he postrated for Governor Abiola Ajimobi, a clear indication of who made his ascencion of office possible. With the same scenario

•Amosun: Ogun state governor

•Ambode: Lagos state governor

•Ajimobi: Oyo state governor

•Mimiko: Ondo state governor

•Aregbesola: Osun state governor

•Fayose: Ekiti State governor

Lame-duck Assemblies take over in S-West playing itself out in Ondo State and Ekiti States where the Speakers were obvious candidates of the the Governors, not much is expected of such houses than being mare rubber stamp to Executive decisions and requests In Osun State where Hon. Najeem Salam has become Speaker for a second term but with observers wondering what the House would be able to offer considering the non payment of civil servants in the last seven months which has turned governence in the state to a joke amongst people. Can the House bring any new thing to the table? Only time will tell. The Speakers: The intrigues, the power play Intrigues, horse trading and power play were brought to bear in the choice of speakers for the various State Houses of Assembly in the South West.

In some of the states in the zone, the emergence of the speakers was expected considering their closeness to

The leaders of the political parties involved in each case were able to rein in members of the legislative arm making the process smooth

the governors in the 7th Assembly. Aside this, the perceived influence of the governor on the state assemblies was a major factor that contributed to the emergence of Speakers. While some of the Speakers in state like Ogun, Osun and Ondo returned for a second term, other states like Lagos, Ekiti and Oyo had fresh hands. In Osun, Salaam returns In Osun State, it was an anticlimax. This was perhaps as a result of the struggle for leadership positions in the sixth assembly

in Osun state, which never saw the light of the day. Najeem Salam was speaker of the house from 2011 to 2015. Salam’s closeness and loyalty to governor Rauf Aregbesola was perceived to have earned him the position. Salam, who had occupied the seat of speaker of the 26-man legislative assembly, had faced stiff opposition from two of his colleagues elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. Abiodun Awolola of Egbedore State Constituency and Folorunsho Bamisayemi of Ife

Continues on Page 2

IN THIS EDITION

Osun Assembly inauguration: An anticlimax •Pages 3

How intrigues brought Obasa as Speaker of the 8th Lagos Assembly •Page 4 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

LAGOS STATE

*File photo

*Gateway to Ibadan... The capital of the defunct South West region

Lame-duck Assemblies take over in S-West Continues from Page 1 South, were two leading candidates that had engaged in fierce but quite discrete battle to wrestle the gavel from Salam, representing Ejigbo State Constituency in the assembly. Though, there were agitations from some of the returning lawmakers on the need for change in the legislative leaders, but Aregbesola’s intervention prevented the palace coup.

C M Y K

Obasa emerges against the odds In Lagos State, a lot of power play was put in motion. As a matter of fact, the inauguration of the 8th Assembly was shifted from a the stipulated date to enable the leadership of the APC in Lagos settle the dust being raised over the choice for speaker. While a large chunk of the lawmakers were keen on ensuring they choose their speaker, Vanguard was reliably informed that former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had his eyes on Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa representing Agege Constituency I to lead the house. Obasa, was the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning of the 7th Assembly, while Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, from Lagos Island Constituency I, was elected as deputy speaker. The election came after weeks of initial intrigues, horse

trading, negotiations and arm twisting. It was actually the insistence and pressure from some bigwigs of the party that got Tinubu change to support Obasa. Rotimi Abiru, Lanre Ogunyemi, Moshood Olanrewaju Osun, Funmilayo Tejuosho, Gbolahan Yisawu and Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni were all speculated for the position. But Abiru was said to be favoured to lead the house but the zoning arrangement schemed him out. At the end, a truce was called by Tinubu and Obasa emerged drawing the curtain on the tussle for speakership of the Lagos Assembly. But Obasa’s emergence, did not go down well with the lawmakers elected on Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos. It is madam Speaker in Ondo Ms Jumoke Akindele representing Okitipupa 1 returned to lead the Ondo State House of Assembly. Her re-emergence as Speaker of the Ondo Assembly was unopposed following her closeness to Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Expectedly, many things worked in her favour, one of which was the zoning of the speakership slot to Southern Senatorial district. Interestingly, she is the only PDP member that hails from the zone. But the table is set to turn in 2016 when Mimiko would end his tenure.

But then, the speakership position would be zoned to another district. Ajimobi’s dilemma Though, the 32-member Oyo State House of Assembly has been inaugurated by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the choice over who emerges speaker remains in quandary. Currently, the APC has 18 seats, while the Accord and Labour parties have eight and six lawmakers respectively. Surprisingly, the PDP has no lawmaker flying its flag in the house. It is a matter of fact that the APC, which has majority of the lawmakers will produce the speaker. But governor Ajimobi seems to be in a state of quandary over who would lead the house. Messrs Olusegun Olaleye (Ibadan North 11) and Michael Adeyemo (Ibarapa East) have been pencilled down to slug it

Though, there were agitations from some of the returning lawmakers on the need for change in the legislative leaders, but Aregbesola’s intervention prevented the palace coup

out between themselves. Amosun’s stooge, Adekumbi returns The emergence of Suraj Adekumbi as speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly did not come as a surprise to many. This is because governor Ibikinle Amosun has seen in him a good ally. When Amosun faced turbulent times from the home front, Adekunmbi stood behind Amosun like the rock of Gibraltar. The assembly comprises 26 lawmakers is dominated by members of the APC. The APC has 19, while the PDP boasts of nine members. It was pay back time for Adekunbi, who was re-elected as the Speaker of the 8th Legislature. His re-election was sequel to his being nominated by Olayiwola Ojodu, the lawmaker representing Abeokuta North State Constituency and seconded by his Remo North counterpart, Adeleye Adebiyi. Fayose’s pastor emerges in Ekiti The contest for the plum position of Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly was unique and a matter of fact of no contest in the wholly PDP dominated House. It was an exercise that had been concluded a long time ago. Governor Ayo Fayose ensured that only trusted allies were positioned in the party to legislate in the new House. Pastor Kola Oluwawole from Osan Ekiti from Boba Local

government area, was positioned to be the next speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and it is no surprise that members, before then, already referred to him as the first among equals. Governor Fayose is from Central Senatorial District, while his deputy, Dr Kolapo Olusola is from the South, a situation that has made it natural for the North senatorial District where Oluwawole comes from to produce the Speaker of the state House of Assembly based on the existing zoning of political offices. Remarkably, the Oluwawole is a confidant of the governor and one his foot soldiers. However, for undisclosed reasons or for some unknown political calculations, Fayose took preference for Oluwawole. Indeed, when it became apparent that Fayose was leaning towards Oluwawole, all the others from Ekiti North who had eyes on the plum seat simply caved in, in deference to the desire of their political leader, Fayose. Oluwawole has been a long time ally of Fayose and served as a commissioner during Fayose’s first outing and was also a chief of staff to Fayose between 2003-2006. Aside this, the pastor had been part of Fayose’s political struggles in and out of office. He followed him to Labour Party when it appeared Fayose was not comfortable with the way PDP was being run in the state during the regime of Engr. Segun Oni and returned with him to the PDP just before the governorship election.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 3

OSUN STATE

*Osun House By GBENGA OLARINOYE

SHOGBO – Against expectations, the much anticipated climax the covert struggle for leadership positions in the sixth assembly in Osun state never saw the light of the day. It eventually turned out to be an anti-climax with the emergence ozf Najeem Salam. Salam, who had occupied the seat of speaker of the 26man legislative assembly since June, 2011, faced stiff opposition from two of his colleagues elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. Abiodun Awolola of Egbedore State Constituency and Folorunsho Bamisayemi of Ife South, were two leading candidates that had engaged in fierce but quite discrete battle to wrestle the gavel from Salam, representing Ejigbo State Constituency in the assembly. Sources among the lawmakers informed SWV that the intervention of the governor of the state, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola did the magic and prevented the issue of who takes what in the assembly leadership from causing rancour among the lawmakers. From the body language of many returning lawmakers, especially those elected same time as Salam, change in leadership of the legislative house was sought based on certain convictions. While Salam, who was elected Speaker in June, 2011, is regarded as a considerate leader and team player, the ill-feelings that he might not have given his colleagues’ interests the needed protection in C M Y K

Osun Assembly inauguration:

An anticlimax *Osun Assembly Speaker Najim Salami

government decisions nearly worked against him. An aide to one of the ranked lawmakers in Osun assembly, who confided in SWV said: “Salam is a good man and all his colleagues recognise his goodnaturedness and ability to carry all along in the running of the assembly. “But, at a point, those lawmakers, elected same time as Salam in 2007 became agitated that he was not doing enough to protect their interests whenever decisions are being made at the highest level of government in the state”.

When probed further on specific areas Salam had failed to protect interest of his colleagues, the source said: “These set of lawmakers know the Speaker might not have been getting anything extra, but they are

From the body language of many returning lawmakers, especially those elected same time as Salam, change in leadership of the legislative house was sought based on certain convictions

also aware of the fact that he has unrestricted access to the governor and should have used that to negotiate better recognition for the members. “Due to their lack of relevance in their areas simply because they could not influence government decisions to favour some powerful people in their respective constituencies, many of the lawmakers could not get return ticket to the assembly. “Even those that did make it, eventually got ticket doing the impossible by wading off huge opposition from party leaders in their respective areas, who were by far more influential in the present administration. Also, the state lawmakers are owed backlog of salaries and allowances. Some of them are of the opinion the Speaker did not do enough to plead their case before Aregbesola.” But in somewhat a defence for the actions and inactions of Salam, another assembly source hinted that those complaining of Salam not helping them get their dues from executive were not just in their accusation and

blamed them for whatever fate they suffered before returning to the House. “They know he is a gentleman. But he cannot be pushed. They all have access to Aregbesola and can demand whatever they want from him. Why will anyone expect Salam to stick out his neck, when he is not even sure their readiness to pursue the matter to logical conclusion? He did his best and returning him will stabilise the assembly”, the source said. However, on the day the new Speaker was to be elected, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Mudashir Oyeniran, upon receipt of a letter from Governor Aregbesola, directing him to dissolve the 5th Assembly and inaugurate a new one, swung into action as the expectant crowd patiently awaited an epic contest for the post of Speaker. Tension in the chamber was also high, owing to non presence of Governor Aregbesola at the time the election of principal officers was been held, but sign that the expected imminent change in principal officers of the assembly would not be happen became obvious, when Salam was the only candidate nominated for the post of Speaker. Salam’s Deputy during his first ter m as Speaker, Adegboye Akintunde from Osogbo State Constituency, was also nominated for same position and the two lawmakers were elected Speaker and deputy unopposed and were swornin. In his acceptance speech, the Speaker, Mr. Najeem Salaam, promised to continue to toe the part of peace without compromising the core value of the House. Mr. Salaam said the 5th Assembly had not only seen, but conquered, and scored the assembly high in terms of performance. In their separate remarks, the former Speakers of the House, Mr. Wale Afolabi and Mr. Adejare Bello, called for collaboration of the assembly with other arms of government in the state for speedy development. The governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, while addressing the gathering, said the inauguration came at a time the state is facing financial challenge, calling for their commitment to enable his government overcome the challenge. The House later elected Timothy Owoeye as Majority Leader, Samson Dejo Makinde from the Peoples Democratic Party as Minority Leader and Folurunso Bamisayemi as chief whip.

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

LAGOS STATE

n a characteristic manner of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the proclamation and inauguration of a new assembly by governor was held on Monday, in a carnival-like and peaceful process at the hollowed chamber of the complex where Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa representing Agege Constituency I, was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the eight Legislative assembly of the state. Though, for the first time, the composition of the state legislative assembly will be having a significant number of minority. The 8th assembly has 40 house members with 32 from All Progressives Congress, APC, and eight members from Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. 20 are returnees while 20 are first timers. The election came after weeks of initial intrigues, horse trading, negotiations, arm twisting and high-wire politicking, with Obasa succeeding Rt. Hon Adeyemi Sabitiu Ikuforiji as the speaker pf the assembly. Obasa, was the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning of the 7th, legislative assembly. Also, Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, from Lagos Island Constituency I, was elected as Deputy Speaker. Eshinlokun, a Lagos Prince, was a member of the House between 1999 and 2003. The colourful event, which was proclaimed and inaugurated by Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was also witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, the First Lady, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olukunle Ojo, former Speaker, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed traditional rulers, Lagos White Cap chiefs, traders and several dignitaries from far and near. As early as 7 AM on Monday, members-elect, relations, guests clad in same kind of attire, well wishers, party fateful among others thronged the venue which was filled to capacity. About 7 AM, there was no space within the chamber as Security officers had a very tough time controlling the crowd. There was a lot of shoving and pushing as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the inauguration. As the dust began to settle, about 10.45 am, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Olusegun Abiru, announced the arrival of the Governor which signified the commencement of the event. After the rendition of the National Anthem and Lagos State Anthem, Abiru, in his C M Y K

•Lagos House of Assembly

How intrigues brought Obasa as Speaker of the 8th Lagos Assembly By OLASUNKANMI AKONI address, charged the memberselect to work hard to secure a better life for the average citizen of Lagos while not compromising the interest of the people for pecuniary gains or benefits. He said they must consciously and diligently work hard to secure a better life and greater opportunities for the people through viable, pragmatic laws and other legislative instruments that would ensure visible social, economic and infrastructural transformation in all the 40 Constituencies of the state. Abiru, who presided over the session before the election of the new speaker, in accordance with Business, Rules and Standing Orders of the House, in his remarks, enjoined members elect to always remember to put the interest of the good people of Lagos State above everything and enjoined them not to compromise or betray it for pecuniary gains”.

He also enjoined the members to maintain and improve on the standard and achievements of the immediate past Assembly The clerk, however, advised constituents to erase placing their personal mundane needs and burdens on the elected members. In his words “It is high time to do away with the entitlement

The election came after weeks of initial intrigues, horse trading, negotiations, arm twisting and highwire politicking, with Obasa succeeding Rt. Hon Adeyemi Sabitiu Ikuforiji as the speaker pf the assembly

mentality of placing your needs on these honourable members because you voted them in” In line with the provision with Section 105, Subsection 3 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended in 2010, the Clerk later read out the contents of the Proclamation Order signed by the Governor for the inauguration of the 8th Assembly after it was presented to him by the governor. Ambode in his address called on the lawmakers to join hands with the Executive arm of government to drive policies of development in the state. “Your victory at the polls is a testament of your popularity. Distinguished members, as we commence a new dispensation, it is important to note that we have a great task ahead. “A great task, not only in the complexities of governance, but in sustaining the high standard that has been set by both the immediate past legislative and executive arm of government. As you settle down to commence your legislative duties, I seek your support. “On my part, I am committed to ensuring that all policies of government are legitimized in this hallowed chamber. I will work and collaborate with you and also respect your views and opinions irrespectively of the party that you represent. “While we must recognise the principle of separation of powers, a cornerstone of the

•Lagos Assembly Speaker Obasa presidential system of government, it is significant to also recognise the imperatives of interdependence among the three arms of government. We shall have our moments of deferring opinion and views, however, when such occur, it must always be resolved quickly and in the best interest of our people. “Distinguished members, this brings me to a very important issue of putting Lagosians at the centre of all our actions. As their servants, their opinions must always count. It is in this regard that I urge you to maintain close relationship with your constituencies. “This is the only way that their aspirations can be gauged and harmonised into laws and policies. “I intend to take advantage of this opportunity and also engage the federal Government on very pertinent issues that have valuable interests to the ordinary people of Lagos state. Dear members, our time is already counting, we need to get down to work and give our people the very best service we can offer. The people of Lagos deserve no less”. The Governor then took his exit.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 5

ONDO STATE Kemi Adesanya, Oloyelogun Bamidele, Obadiah Vincent merely stepped up to become principal officers in the 8th assembly. Retaining the majority seat in the present dispensation means the PDP will once again dictate the tunes in the house, reducing the opposition APC members to on-lookers. The former majority leader in the 7th assembly was reelected while Fatai Olotu was elected Deputy Speaker. The emergence of Olotu who hails from Akoko North east, the same constituency with the Deputy governor, was said to have generated queries. But it was later resolved in his favour because he was the preferred second timer from the Party from the northern senatorial area while Samuel Arowele who is also a second timer was sidetracked.

•Ondo House of Assembly complex

No surprise in Ondo By DAYO JOHNSON AKURE — THE reemergence of the Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele, Okitipupa 1 and other principal members did not come as a surprise. Her nomination and subsequent re- election which was unopposed was just a formality on the floor of the House after the dissolution of the 7th assembly. Many things worked in her favour. Of all the Lawmakers from the Southern Senatorial District where the seat of the Speaker is zoned by the ruling PDP in the state, she is the only one that was re elected which gave her an edge over others who are from the opposition and are the minority. Others like Hon Oyebo Aladetan Ilaje 11 who contested the position with her failed to be re elected because the zoning arrangement in his Ilaje constituency did not allow a second term for their representatives. All other Lawmakers who would have contested the seat with Akindele from the senatorial area the position was zoned lost their re election bid thereby giving her a breather as the sole candidate. But the table will definitely turn against her after the tenure of the present governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko by October next year. Feelers from the PDP C M Y K

•Ondo Speaker Jumoke Akindele

indicate that by October when another election would be held, the speaker will have to be changed as the seat will be zoned to another senatorial district. South West Voice learnt that the PDP after a thorough analysis of the last general election has decided to look towards the Southern area for its governorship candidate after Mimiko. Mimiko is from the central senatorial district while his deputy Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo is from the Northern senatorial area. The overall results of the last election showed that the PDP stronghold remains the the southern area of the state while the opposition APC is strong in the Northern area. The equation now is that the

PDP after picking its governorship candidate from the South, it will pick its Deputy governorship candidate from the central while the position of the Speaker will go to the North, all things been equal. Opposition APC occupies the positions of the minority leader and minority Whip in the 8th assembly. The PDP which has 21 members holds the ace while

But the table will definitely turn against her after the tenure of the present governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko by October next year

the APC grapples with only five seats mainly from the Northern area of the state. The APC will remain in the minority because another election to the assembly will take place in another four years except there is any realignment. There seems to be no difference in the 7th assembly and the 8th because the PDP was in the majority in the 7th assembly even before the L abour Party fussed into the PDP. Aside the majority leader Ifedayo Akinsoyinu from Ondo West 11 who retained his position in the 8th assembly, others such as Fatai Olotu, Samuel Arowele,

The members have since gone on a two-month recess few days after their inauguration by the governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko. Meanwhile, the opposition APC has kicked against the hurried inauguration of the assembly by the governor. The Party alleged that “ the hurried inauguration. Of the 8th assembly In the state was as a resultant effect of the fear of the unknown which beclouded the governor” Its publicity secretary Abayomi Adesanya said “ the governor was afraid the outgone Assembly members could be used for political upturn. “How else can we described the impatient attitude of the governor who could not wait till the appropriate time to inaugurate the 8th assembly. “ The governor has all his party members at the floor of the House Assembly and yet he was jittery of fear of the unknown, Adesanya alleged. But findings by South West voice showed that the governor was in order by inaugurating the 8th assembly on the 2nd of June 2015. The 7th assembly was inaugurated on June 2, 2011 by the same governor.

The principal officers include 1. Rt Hon.Akindele Jumoke Speaker 2. Olotu Fatai Dep. Speaker 3. Akinsoyinnu Ifedayo Majority leader 4. Obadiah Vincent Dep. Majority leader 5. Arowele Samuel Chief Whip 6. Adesanya Kemisola Whip 7. Oloyelogun Bamidele Parliamentary Sec. 8. Mukaila Musa Minority leader. 9. Olajide Sunday Minority Whip .

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

OGUN STATE

•Ogun House of Assembly

Ogun Assembly and Amosun’s 2/3 headache By DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — Ogun State House of assembly was inaugurated June 8 2015 by the state governor, Senator Ibikinle Amosun. The assembly which comprises 26 lawmakers was dominated by members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which has 17 including the Speaker of the house while the only opposition party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party has nine members . In the 8th legislature, 11 lawmakers returned while 15 are new members. The lawmakers in the 7th legislature included the Speaker, Suraj Adekumbi, Deputy Speaker, Tola Banjo, Majority Leader, Israel Jolaosho, the Chief Whip, Samuel Solarin, Olufemi Wilfred Allen-Taylor, Olusola Sonuga and Babatunde Edunjobi. Others are Daisi Elemide, Aina Akinpelu, Akanbi Bankole, Adeyinka Mafe, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, Olakunle Oluomo, Victor Fasanya, Joseph Adegbesan, Harrison Adeyemi, Olayiwola Ojodu, Samson Onademuren, Bowale Solaja and Elizabeth Anifowose. The Seventh Legislature of the State House of Assembly C M Y K

had within the last four years passed a total of 44 bills and 60 motions into resolutions. It was gathered that a total of 161 constituency projects were executed by members and spread across all parts of the State in the last four years, comprising blocks of two to five classrooms with offices, stores and toilets. Shortly after the inauguration of the 8th house by the governor whose letter of proclamation was read on the floor by the clerk, Muyiwa Adenopo, the 26 members took oath of office as lawmakers. Then the new leadership emerged. The immediate past Speaker of the seventh Legislature of Ogun State, Suraj Adekunbi was re-elected as the Speaker of the eighth Legislature. His re-election was sequel to his being nominated by Olayiwola Ojodu, the lawmaker representing Abeokuta North State Constituency and seconded by his Remo North counterpart, Adeleye Adebiyi. Subsequently, the post of the Deputy Speaker went to the legislator representing Ifo 1 State Constituency, Honourable Olakunle Oluomo. Thereafter, the Speaker announced the posts of principal officers which

included Majority Leader, Yinkan Mafe, Chief Whip Olowofuja Idowu, Minority Leader, Olawale Alausa and Minority Whip Adewale Ojuri. But the failure of the APC to have a two third majority in the 8th legislative house has become a headache for governor Amosun. This development, according to the findings may spell doom for his government in the area of quick passage of bills and other legislative matters needed by his government. From the findings, the two third majority which is 18 out of 26 members would be

Governor Amosun while addressing the lawmakers acknowledged that the development achieved by his administration in the last four years would not have been possible without the support of the legislature

needed before the passage of budget and grant of any credit among other serious legislative matters. Whereas, the APC was short of the requirement, would need the help of the PDP members at least two of them . Checks by Vanguard revealed that, all the ranking members of the assembly in the 7th legislature failed to return to the house. All of them belonged to opposition parties and resisted some bills and motions from being passed. The likes of Remmy Hassan who represents Odogboolu, Adeleke Salmon from ImekoAfon, Abiodun Akovoyon, Ipokia, Adeleye-Oladapo Adijat from Ifo 11 constituencies were members of the PDP while only Adegbesan Joseph who was part of them defected from PDP to Labour Party. In the 8th legislature, eight members of the assembly were ranking members while seven members were principal officers. It was reliably gathered that, the leadership of APC had held a closed door meeting with all its members and announced the choice of the party. According to the findings, Adekumbi had successfully warmed himself into the minds of the leaders of the party while money was said to have

exchanged hands. Apart from the Adekumbi choice, the party was reportedly said to have ordered that the position of deputy speaker should go to the central and be given to one of the die hard loyalists of Amosun . While the APC was holding its secret meeting, it was gathered that the PDP had also held its own meeting prior to the inauguration. At the meeting, it was gathered that Wale Alausa was chosen as the minority leader to represent the party. In a bid to ensure that none of its nine lawmakers defect to APC, the PDP organised a grand reception for them the same day they were inaugurated. The nine lawmakers were Wale Alausa, Jemili Akingbade, Bowale Solaja, Oyenuga Olufowobi, Jimi Otukoya, Adebowale Ojo, Sesan Soyebo, Rasaq Oduntan and Folakemi Akintayo. While addressing the lawmakers during the reception which was held at the PDP secretariat, Kuto, Abeokuta, the party governorship candidate in the State, Prince Gboyega Isiaka, urged state legislators to oppose bills that seek to promote selfish agenda. According to him, bills considered as anti-people and aimed at promoting personal interests would be at variance with the interest of the PDP and must therefore be blocked. He said, “ This opportunity to serve your constituencies is a call to service. You must see yourselves as eyes and ears of the people to better their lot. Any bill that seeks to promote the interest and well being of our people should be wholeheartedly supported by all. “But if it is not, if it is to promote personal agenda or personal interest, I think that will not be in our interest and I want to enjoin you to do what is necessary for that. “ Earlier in his address, the PDP state chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo, urged the lawmakers and the generality of party members to remain loyal to the party. He assured party members that the PDP would reclaim its governorship mandate. Governor Amosun while addressing the lawmakers acknowledged that the development achieved by his administration in the last four years would not have been possible without the support of the legislature. He said, “The 7th Legislature has become history but the major achievements of this administration could not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the legislative arm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 7

OYO STATE

•Oyo House of Assembly

•Speaker Olaore

Oyo

House

By OLA AJAYI

BADAN — It was a battle of the titans between the two contestants, Mr. Olusegun Olaleye who is representing Ibadan North 11 and a lawyer, Mr. Michael Adeyemo eyeing the speakership of the 32member Oyo State House of Assembly. The party trying to prevent recurrence of what happened at the National Assembly ensured that its preferred candidate emerged. Adeyemo enjoyed the sympathy of the governor and the party due to obvious reasons. Governor Ajimobi cannot afford to look sideways like President Muhammadu Buhari during the selection process of the leadership of the House. In the last assembly, it was rumoured that some lawmakers had ganged up against him and were at the verge of impeaching him. It was clear then that if Accord and PDP came together, they could plot against him. But, the governor acted fast by snatching some lawmakers from Accord and PDP then. This made his party have the majority in the House. Even though the party had said it would not engage in zoning while selecting the possible, the political configuration in the state would not allow this. In fact, that accounted for the rejection of the second contestant, Olaleye who C M Y K

Oyo speakership: Rancour between two major contenders comes from Ibadan which has already produced Governor Ajimobi. The state is divided into five geo-political zones which comprise Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, OkeOgun, and Ibarapa. Out of the zones, Ibadan carries the largest number of eligible voters probably due to its size. It is followed by Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Oyo and Ibarapa. Ibarapa has variously complained of marginalization and going by the way it supported the party during the April 11 election, the party leadership came together and reached a conclusion that it is time to reward its loyalty. After the April 11 elections, the composition of the House has the All Progressives Congress in the state having 18 seats, Accord 8 and Labour 6. Surprisingly, the Peoples Democratic Party which held sway from 1999 to 2011 does not have a single seat in the legislative arm. The exit of party’s bigwigs like Otunba Adebayo AlaoAkala, a former governor of the state who was believed to be the only strong pillar behind the party certainly dug the grave for the part. Seeing Olaleye’s willingness to attain the position, the party warned that lawmakers lobbying for the position were just wasting their time as the party had finalized decision that would produce the new speaker. Chief Akin Oke, the State

Chairman of APC dismissed claims that the party would soon run into troubled waters during the selection process. He said the party is a wellorganised party that would do things in an orderly and well-acceptable standard. According to him, when the party comes out with its decision, all frayed nerves will be calmed because the party’s choice will certainly depict equity, fairness, quality, integrity and experience. During the inauguration of the House on Wednesday, an APC lawmaker, Mr. Subair Kehinde Hassan from Ibadan South West 1 moved the motion for the nomination of Adeyemo while it was seconded by a lawmaker, Mr. Ojo Joshua

Some political observers see it as mere foolishness if Ajimobi, knowing that Ladoja is his political foe, is sharpening his teeth and empowering him

Olagunju a Labour Party lawmaker representing Oriire. After he nominated Adeyemo, the clerk asked if there was any other nomination. But, there was none, an indication that there had been an earlier agreement among the party members. It was obvious that Olaleye who wielded much influence in the 7 th assembly, was not pleased with the party ’s decision to drop him as he called the attention of the Speaker of the House to the fact that Accord which has 8 seats should produce the Minority leader. To him, he preferred Accord lawmaker to emerge as the Minority leader. Many saw his objection as a reaction to his rejection by the party. Another tell-tale signs that the lawmaker was aggrieved is that he wore a different attire from what his party members were wearing. His members wore green flowing agbada with a cap to match. APC, due to the principle of give and take and possible agreement earlier made with Labour Party, afforded to deny Accord

the position of Minority leader. Again, some people see it as a case of Ajimobi taking his own pound of flesh for what he suffered in the hand of Senator Rashidi Ladoja at the beginning of his administration in 2011. After they had agreed to work together, they parted ways due to some irreconcilable differences. Also, some political observers see it as mere foolishness if Ajimobi, knowing that Ladoja is his political foe, is sharpening his teeth and empowering him. Unlike the past assembly, when the broom party was at the mercy of Accord at the inception of the administration, with 18 lawmakers, the party has nothing to fear if its members remain committed and loyal to the end. More is expected from the present crop of lawmakers, especially with a Speaker like Adeyemo who is seen as a repertoire of knowledge and experience. He is expected to deliver going by his charisma, acceptability and maturity. People can’t wait to see him transform the state through quality law making.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

ONDO STATE

New Deji of Akure land emerges By Dayo Johnson

uring the week, Ondo state executive council through the information commissioner, Kayode Akinmade approved the selection of the new Deji of Akure, Prince Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi following the unanimous decision of the Kingmakers to pick him among other contestants to the vacant stool at their meeting of June 7th 2015. The second day after the statement was issued, the state government presented the new Oba with staff of office and instruments of appointment. The personalities that witnessed the ceremony is an indication that his choice was not a mistake. Reports had it that the deposed Oba is still in court to challenge his removal by government who acted on the recommendation of the kingmakers of July 10, 2010. After the matter was thrown out by the high court, Prince Adesina has proceeded to the Appeal court to seek justice. However, speaking after the presentation of instrument and staff of office, the Oba vowed to eradicate thuggery in the state capital. Oba Aladelusi also promised to encourage participatory traditional governance within the kingdom and her various component towns. The traditional ruler who was presented the staff of office by thhe governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko in Akure said that all forms of thuggery and disrespect for law and order would not be tolerated. Ostensibly not happy that the state capital is gradually turning into a theater of violence, the new Oba promised to halt the dangerous trend. He promised to promote peace, respect for constituted authority and the traditional institution of the emerging millennium city. Oba Aladetoyinbo added that the Deji traditional institution would be used as an important agent of meaningful development. He commended the state governor Mimiko for allowing the Kingmakers to perform their traditional role without interfering. The traditional ruler also applauded the kingmakers for screening all the 13 contestants painstakingly. Governor Mimiko while speaking through his deputy, C M Y K

•Deji Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo said the presentation of staff of office to the new Deji marked the beginning of a new era in the kingdom. He stated that his administration could not pretend not to note the aspiration of the people and their yearning for a new traditional ruler after the demise of Oba Adebiyi Adesida. Dr Mimiko said that the reign of the late Oba Adesida witnessed progress and development of the ancient town He pointed out that the process that led to Oba Adetoyinbo’s emergence was fair, transparent and conformed with the laid down guidelines just as he urged the people to support the new monarch in the discharge of his duty.

The traditional ruler has proceeded to his root that is Ayere village in Akure North area of the state where he will stay for some days to perform some traditional rites

The caretaker chairman of Akure South, Mr. Adebayo Alarapon, said the demise of the last Deji which led to the closure of the market brought untold hardship to the market women in the town. Alarapon noted that with the emergence of the new monarch, the market will be re-opened and the economic activities would pick up again. He however warned the youths in the town against allowing themselves to be used by “ enemies of progress “We see no justifiable reason for any protest against the installation of Deji. Any protest now will bring Akureland backward." The new Deji is an architect and he is from the Osupa ruling House. Meanwhile, the new Oba has commenced the traditional rites which will keep him incommunicado for weeks. The traditional ruler has proceeded to his root that is Ayere village in Akure North area of the state where he will stay for some days to perform the rites.Oba Aladelusi will later proceed to the palace where he will undergo another series of rites which include the mounting the traditional “ Okiti Omolore” with his first daughter.The palace will remain shut to all activities until the completion of the rites by the Oba. Regent of the town, Princess Adetutu Adesida has since vacated the palace following the selection of the new Oba.

BITS BRIEFLY Three kidnappers arrested over death of 11-yr-old girl in Ogun By Daud Olatunji MEN of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ogun State arrested three suspected kidnappers for allegedly killing an 11-year-old- girl, Aminat Ishola, after kidnapping her from her father’s company. The suspects, including Babatunde Aderonmu, 21; Sina Damilare, 40, and Taofeek Kola, 50, were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of the primary five pupil. They reportedly kidnapped the girl at Arugudu, IjokoOta area of Sango in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state on May 21 and subsequently moved her to Osun Jegede, Ogbere area of Ibadan in Oyo State, where she was held captive. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, while parading the suspects at the SARs office, Magbon, Abeokuta, yesterday, said one Babatunde Aderounmu, a former employee of the victim’s father at his bakery, masterminded the action. Deji of Akure begins traditional installation rites By Dayo Johnson BARELY 24 hours after government presented staff of office to the new Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, he has commenced traditional rites that will keep him incommunicado. The traditional ruler has proceeded to his root that is Ayere village in Akure North area of the state where he will stay for some days . Oba Aladelusi will later proceed to the palace where he will undergo another series of rites which include the mounting the traditional “ Okiti Omolore” with his first daughter. The palace will remain shut to all activities until the completion of the rites by the Oba. Regent of the town, Princess Adetutu Adesida has since vacated the palace following the selection of the new Oba. Meanwhile, speaking after the presentation of instrument and staff of office, the Oba vowed to eradicate thuggery in the state capital. The new monarch who hails from the Osupa ruling house is the 47th Deji of Akure and emerged the choice of the kingmakers as he was selected out of 13 Princes who contested for the stool. 236 of our colleagues dead — Osun pensioners By Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo—No fewer than 236 members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP, Osun State chapter have lost their lives this year following the inability of the state government to pay their pension and gratuity. This was made known yesterday when members of the union staged a peaceful protest to the State House of Assembly and major streets in Osogbo. The protesters, who are mostly elderly people from across the state later moved from the state Assembly to the popular Olaiya Junction causing gridlock and preventing vehicular movements in the area for more than two hours. The pensioners, who carried different inscriptions reading “Pensioners are suffering” pay our pension” , we can’t suffer any more, ‘’ stop deceiving us” among others, also sang different abusive songs against the state government. Addressing journalists during the protest, the state secretary of the union, Elder Adesoji Adedire, lamented that members of the union could no longer bear the agony posed by the current financial hardship in the state. Adedire stressed that the protest became necessary since the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government had said that no state was being owed monthly allocation. His words: “Pensioners in the state are yet to be paid seven months pension."

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—33

INEC: The profile of Jega's successor CERTAINLY, any moment from now, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Muhammadu Jega will be leaving office as the nation’s chief electoral officer.

late which equally affected the credibility of the elections in a no small way. In fact in some places the materials reportedly got to the voting points in the afternoon when the accreditation of voters ought to have ended. It also goes to show that the staff were not properly trained because in some places they proved not able to operate the card reader machines, another factor that affected the credibility of the entire exercise. The remuneration of the ad-hoc staff was equally shabbily handled in most places because even after the polls we have continued to hear of some groups of the staff demonstrating and calling on the electoral body to pay them the stipend approved for them for taking part in the elections.

By Jude Opara

HE question now is not whether the erudite scholar will be bowing out because he has said that he will not even accept reappointment by the government. So what matters now is who will be taking over the baton from Jega and what type of person is he? Jega was on June 8, 2010 appointed the INEC chairman by former President Goodluck Jonathan to replace another university don, Prof. Maurice Iwu who conducted the election that brought in the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua and his then vice, Goodluck Jonathan in 2007. That election was highly criticized as falling short of acceptable international standard. To that effect, Late President Yar ’Adua even admitted that the process that brought him to power was flawed and he set up the Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reforms Committee. The conduct of the 2015 general elections became very decisive because many observers both from within and outside the country saw it as a watershed to the corporate existence of Nigeria. This even became more problematic going by the vicious campaign which the political class brought into the electioneering campaign. Before now, some international analysts had predicted that Nigeria was going to disintegrate in 2015 and the way and manner the main two political parties, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) went about their campaign added to the apprehension that ushered in the elections. Therefore all eyes were on Jega and his INEC to conduct an election that will be generally acceptable to everybody. Members of the international community were equally interested in what was happening in Nigeria with special reference to the polls. Planning for the 2015 polls In order to ensure that the usual electoral frauds were at least brought to a reasonable check, INEC introduced the use of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the Card Reader Machine for the verification and accreditation of voters. From the beginning, INEC brought all the registered political, parties into the picture of what they intended to do to eliminate the flaws and they all gave their seal of approval. The PVC made it difficult for people to vote with voter cards

Challenges Now the big challenge that has continued to bedevil INEC is what to do with the numerous electoral offenders. The electoral body has shouted it clearly that it does not have the financial base and time to prosecute these offenders hence the request for the

•Jega

that do not belong to them, it also rendered useless the idea of buying off the voter cards of some people by desperate politicians. Before now some voter cards used to trade from about N5,000 to N10,000 naira. And to use the PVC, there must be a Card Reader that will authenticate it. Low point of the 2015 polls However, it must be noted that despite the outcome of the election and its endorsement by both the domestic and international observers, there were a lot of areas where INEC failed to tidy up prior to the conduct of the polls. The Commission could not carry out enough voter education and enlightenment of the voting public so as to know what was expected of them during the exercise. Most of the voters did not know where to place their thumb hence the prevalence of void votes at the general elections. There were a lot of issues with the PVCs as well as the card reader. Granted they were good innovations aimed at ending electoral fraud, the Commission again failed in educating the people on their usage. It is on record that the demonstration of the workings of the card reader which took place in 12 states of the federation was only done after the postponement of the

presidential election from February 14 to March 28. There were a lot of child voters in some parts of the country even with the use of the PVCs. This means that NEC failed or refused to ensure that only Nigerians who were 18 years of age and above got on the voters register which INEC had at various times preached. The question should be why INEC registered these under-aged children in the era of the PVC and card reader machine? Again INEC is yet to get its logistics arrangement right hence the usual story of electoral materials arriving at polling units

Jega’s first major assignment was the conduct of the 2011 general elections which saw President Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerging victorious

establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal but so far little or nothing has been done in that regard. Many analysts have also argued that to be really independent, INEC should be made to be drawing its funds from the first line of charge instead of the present practice where it draws its funds from the presidency which could expose it to some undue manipulation by the government in power. The man for the job With the relative success recorded by Jega, it goes to say that his successor must be able to raise the tempo from what it is currently or at worst maintain it. Care must be taken that somebody who will even lower the standards was not foisted on the nation because it has been shown that getting the electoral process right is the first step towards the development of the country because that will make the politicians to really understand that power truly resides with the people. The new INEC boss must be a man or woman who truly sees himself or herself as a Nigerian in truth and indeed and ready to work for the entire country. An ethnic or religious jingoist (there are many of them) must not be given the most sensitive job in the land. Apart from having the necessary academic and professional qualification, the man for the job must be passionate and ready to ensure that he contributes his quota to the growth of the electoral system by not secretly working for any politician or political party to the detriment of the others. In the out-going era, there were issues about lopsided appointments and promotions, such should not be a hallmark of a true nationalist because merit must always be respected and protected from the altar of regionalism. He must also be ready to take the welfare of the staff very seriously because that is one sure way of stopping them from colluding with desperate politicians to manipulate the process.

Rebuilding PDP needs eq uity equity uity,, clean hands By Abubakar Ibu-Mohammed

HE 60-year rule, predicted by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came to a premature ending on 28th March, 2015, following the party’s defeat at the presidential election that day. Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has since handed over to General Muhammadu Buhari of the all Progressives Congress (APC). A number of factors contributed to the woeful performance of the PDP and many of its candidates in all the elections, namely: Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly. The first was complacency fuelled by the false impression that the party was unassailable.

What gave rise to this illusion is best answered by Chief Vincent Ogbulafor and Dr. Amadu Ali, both of whom were former National Chairmen of the PDP. They boasted and, perhaps, truly believed that the party would continue to win elections. But the winning game has abruptly changed. There are no more winning ways. The entire scenario changed under the chairmanship of former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, the acclaimed “game changer”. Why couldn’t the game changer sustain the tempo of the boast, at least for another four-year term? Not only did Mu’azu fail to secure victory for the PDP, he was accused of superintending over the defeat of the party. So, he had to go. His

Continues on page 34

34—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Bauchi revels in import of Democracy Day By Suzan Edeh

HE uniqueness of the 2015 Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria, was not lost on the people of Bauchi State, who saw it as an avenue to chart a new direction for the state. Like at the federal level where the All Progressives Congress, APC, assumed leadership, the party also commenced governing the state on same date following the swearing in of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar as the state governor. Indeed, Abubakar ’s trouncing of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, at the governorship election was so remarkable that many eagerly looked forward to the inauguration day. The historical significance of the victory largely manifested in the number and quality of those, who converged at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium for the event. The fear that Boko Haram insurgents might strike on that day, informed the lowkeyed nature of the well attended forum. Notwithstanding, the pulse of the state was ecstatic, given the increasing popularity of the APC in the state. Remarkably, messages of hope resonated at the event

in a manner reflective of a common resolve to position Bauchi on the part of prosperity. Empty treasury After Abubakar and his deputy, Mr. Nuhu Gidado took the oath of office at 11:38 am which was administered by the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Rabi Umar, the governor, who addressed the mammoth crowd lamented that he was inheriting an treasury. He accused the PDP of being responsible for the precarious financial status of the state. “This is a historic event because an opposition party has taken over the government of Bauchi State, but the treasury of the government is completely empty. For this reason, I beg our traditional and political leaders to help us explain to the people that the PDP created the current challenges in the state,’’he noted. He further said: ‘’ For us to be able to correct this ugly situation, it will take a lot of time. Therefore it is not going to be magical or over night. I am urging the good people of Bauchi to understand. I am not saying we are shying away from the challenges before us because we know it is not going to be easy. I am

assuring that we are equal to the task and we will do everything to bring the state out of its financial quagmire” He commended the people for making the party’s victory possible, saying the steadfastness of the leaders of APC and the people of the state made the party ’s impressive outing at the general election happen. Executive rascality The Senator representing Bauchi North, Sen Nazif Gamawa, corroborated Abubakar ’s stance on the state’s financial status, saying that the APC came on board to salvage the nation. He said:” Under the PDP government, the masses suffered and they had no hope. There were financial misappropriation, insecurity, corruption, unemployment and underdevelopment. “APC came to rescue Nigerians from hardship. The party came on board to put an end to executive rascality. The victory of the party did not come as a surprise because the PDP knew they failed and they were shown the way out. However, the party is pleading with the masses to be patient, particularly with the financial situation of the state as we know that the incoming government met an empty treasury. The change they desire cannot happen

•Gov Abubakar

over night because of the havoc perpetrated during the reign of the PDP.” On the sideline, some residents of the state used the opportunity to set agenda for President, Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Dauda Abdullahi, said: ‘’The country is daily under serious attack by terrorists. I also remember how over 200 girls were abducted by insurgents. This is the area I want President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle in order to

Rebuilding PDP needs eq uity equity uity,, clean hands Continues from page 33 resignation did not come quickly, quietly or easily. There was intense pressure on him to throw in the towel. Initially, he resisted the pressure. That was when the entire National Working Committee (NWC) of the party was being pressured to resign. But the NWC members rallied support for one another. They resisted the move by party leaders and members to push for their sack. The general perception was that the NWC mismanaged PDP’s electoral fortunes by taking actions that were inimical to the wellbeing of the party and its members. The second factor that contributed to the failure of the PDP in the general elections was the fielding of unpopular candidates by the NWC members through primaries that were highly compromised. In fact, there were reports that some members of the NWC collected millions of naira from

aspirants in various States across the country to manipulate the primaries in their favour. Unpopular candidates were, in the process, given tickets at the expense of good ones, who felt aggrieved and had to leave with their supporters for other parties. The greatest beneficiary of the defection was the APC. The implication for the PDP was a crushing defeat in the elections for which Mu’azu’ had to resign. However, Mu’azu’s resignation should not be the end of the story. Following the PDP’s defeat, there have been suggestions and strategies on how to rebuild and reposition the party for its role as a viable opposition party, and in preparation for the 2019 general elections. For this purpose, the party needs general cleansing and overhauling. So, if Mu’azu had to resign as National Chairman, other members of the NWC, particularly those who committed various acts of bribery and anti-

•Jonathan

party activities, have no justification to stay a day longer. Sadly, many of these men and women are still keeping their seats in the NWC. Some of the details of acts committed by these NWC members against their own party

are mind-boggling, horrible and morally reprehensible. The question that led to Mu’azu’s resignation is whether it is true that he betrayed the party and its presidential candidate, Goodluck Jonathan. Is it true that Mu’azu undermined Jonathan during and after the election? Tragically, the guilt of some members of the NWC is more than that of Mu’azu. Not only did they betray the PDP by working against its electoral interest, they were alleged to have received financial gratifications from aspirants to facilitate their tickets at the party primaries. It happened in Adamawa, Borno, Imo, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Benue, Plateau and other States! Was there deliberate sabotage of the party and its electoral chances by these NWC

put an end to insecurity in the country” Alhaji Lawal Suleiman, a Bauchi base businessman, said : ‘’I hope that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari will look into the challenges the nation is experiencing and make a difference this time because we are tired of suffering. We want good roads,improved electricity, employment and youth empowerment programmes”

members, especially those who were financially mobilized to work for the party but chose to divert the funds into their private pockets? If that was what happened across the six geo-political zones, is it fair to have sacrificed only Mu’azu? Shouldn’t the entire NWC, as presently constituted, be dissolved so that the process of repositioning the party can begin on a clean slate? By July ending, a new National Chairman will emerge from the Northern part of the country to succeed Mu’azu in a substantive capacity. Those who have sold the PDP for personal gains cannot play any positive role in its repositioning. What the party needs is clean set of members comprising loyal and committed persons, not those who have soiled their hands. The PDP has an abundance of men and women of integrity who can undertake the task of rebuilding the party.

•Ibn- Mohammed, a political analyst, sent this piece from Kaduna.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—35

By Dapo Akinrefon

HERE seems to be no end to the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State. This is because some members of the State Working Committee are determined to scheme the embattled chairman of the party, Captain Tunji Shelle out of power following the allegations of financial mismanagement leveled against him.. Only last week, a meeting was called by the interim state chairman, Mr Owolabi Kamal Olorunoje, to brief some elders of the party, led by former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Korofowola Bucknor-Akerele, on updates within the party. Recall that there marching orders were given to Shelle to abstain from parading himself as state’s party chairman, while the appointment of an interim chairman was approved by 34 members of the party executives. Roll call Leaders present at the meeting included former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs Korofowola BucknorAkerele; Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Owolabi Olorunoje, Mr Dele Ashiru, Mrs Owolabi Salis, Alhaji Wahab Owokoniran, Jide Ladeinde, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly lawmakers elected on the party’s platform. The state secretary of the party, Mr Owokoniran, who accused the embattled chairman, Shelle of misappropriation of the party’s funds, said it was time for him (Shelle) to be shown the way out. On his part, Olorunoje absolved the 34 members, who led the protest for Shelle’s removal. Olorunoje reiterated that Shelle’s removal was owing to his alleged financial impropriety levelled against him. Majority of the state executives opine that the state chairman should come forward and clear the air on the allegations leveled against him or face further sanctions. But it was apparent that the tide had turned against Shelle, leaving the party more divided than ever. Aside this, it was apparent that some of the party leaders, with the support of Obanikoro, are bent on taking over the reins of power from its leader, Chief Olabode George. However, one of the highlights of the meeting was the resolution passed to adopt Olorunoje as the acting chairman of the party pending the election of a new state chairman. A member of the state executive, Mr Dele Ashiru moved the motion, which was adopted by the majority of the stakeholders present at the meeting.

•George

•Obanikoro

Lagos PDP still in quandary Aside this, the forthcoming local government elections was another issue discussed at the meeting. It was unanimously agreed that for the party to bounce back, it was win a substantial number of local councils during the polls. Bucknor-Akerele calls for calm Mrs Bucknor-Akerele, who was expected to mediate in the crisis, was taken aback when she and her team were presented with allegations leveled against the embattled chairman. Not wanting to be drawn into the analysis of the crisis, the former Lagos State deputy governor called on the warring parties to eschew the politics of bitterness. Bucknor-Akerele particularly appealed to Obanikoro, who is perceived to be backing Olorunoje and his cohorts. She said “let us not be dejected, we are talking about peace and unity in the party. I want to commend my brother, Senator Obanikoro for his support during the elections. I also want to appeal to my brother, Koro, to be calm because so many things have been said about him. All I have to say is that we need to be united so that we can succeed. We should also be aware that the council elections are around the corner, we must win as many councils as possible so that we can bounce back.” A member of the state executive who doubles as the state youth leader, Mr Jide Ladeinde expressed his displeasure over the operations of the party led by the state chairman. He maintained that as far as the chairman could not react to the allegations against him, he

should be prepared to dance to the music. Reiterating that there was no faction within the state chapter of the party, he said “there is no faction in our party, we only have one executive in our party and that is the one led by Olorunoje.” An aggrieved governorship aspirant, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi opined that the party needed to channel his energy towards winning the local government elections. Gbadamosi, who was miffed by the party ’s loss at the governorship election said “we had the opportunity to take Lagos state but we let it slip. We have the opportunity to get it at the tribunals and we must not let it slip.” Calling for synergy among party members to enable it win the council polls, he said “we have the local council elections coming, we need to do all in our capacity to capture those 20

Majority of the state executives opine that the state chairman should come forward and clear the air on the allegations leveled against him or face further sanctions

recognised in the constitution. Let us try to get the local council development areas in whatever. I want our members to be strong and by God’s grace, we will prevail.” I’m not behind crisis in Lagos PDP — Obanikoro In the heat of the crisis, Obanikoro had been fingered to be the brain behind it. But for Obanikoro, he absolved himself from the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party. But while he distanced himself from the crisis, he threw his weight behind the suspension of the state chairman, Captain Shelle. The former minister, who said those accusing him of been the arrowhead in the crisis are been unfair to him. He said “I want to strongly throw my weight behind the other speakers that have spoken before me that there is only one PDP in Lagos State. I have never been a member of the state executives and i have no right or privilege to be part of those who suspended the state chairman. The youngest among the state executives is 40 years old and for anybody to insinuate that it is Obanikoro that created the situation for the suspension of Captain Tunji Shelle, I think it is preposterous and unfair to my person.” While he promised to join hands with the Owolabi Olorunoje leadership, he said “having said that, I am prepared to join hands with you to move the party forward. we saw a good example in Britain, immediately the parties failed, the two leaders of the Liberal Democratic and the Labour Party resigned their positions. why should someone,

who has served as secretary and chairman wants to perpetuate himself in power when his colleagues no longer have confidence in him? one should know when to move forward and when to do the needful.” Speaking further, he said he has no interest in taking over the leadership of the party but that his priority would be on how the party would survive. His words: “They said Obanikoro wants to take over the party but I have no interest in taking over the leadership of the party. I have no ambition. as I am standing before you today, I am not planning anything, the only thing I am planning to do is to go back to school and study history, that is my plan. So, anybody plotting politics, will not be planning to go back to school but I am here to help our party because the essence of joining politics is to win office and impact on the lives of the people." Throwing his weight behind the suspension of the party chairman, he said there is need for the Shelle to give way to enable the party move forward. He said “Since 1999, the party has been failing, we should give room for the younger elements and I am assuring you that I am ready to support them. That is what I believe leadership is all about. We have challenges ahead of us, the rent for our party secretariat is due.” Obanikoro added that “I am not interested in that because I know of only one party which is led by Kamal Owolabi Olorunoje. That is the PDP that we know in Lagos State. If a chairman is suspended and he wants to come back, there is a procedure, I think he (Shelle) should follow that procedure."

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY 5 FRIDAY,, JUNE 12, 201 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY,JUNE 12, 2015—37

Child Molestation: between the law and the reality. A

isha (real name, last name withheld) was born in the Obalende area of Lagos, in a shanty where she lived with her father and mother, both petty traders. She had always wanted to be a medical doctor, so she took her studies seriously, attending a well regarded girls' school in her neighbourhood. Many of her classmates were from neighbouring Ikoyi, a more affluent neighbourhood than Aisha's, but she mixed well and competed favourably in her academics. When she was 13, her world fell apart. One day, her mother had her sit down and told her she was to get married. According to her mother, it is a sin to keep a menstruating child under the same roof as her father. It was the day Aisha had always dreaded, yet knew would come. Though her mother told her she herself had married about the same age, she sympathized with her daughter and was persuaded to prevail on her husband to allow their first daughter at least complete secondary school. Time rushed by, and Aisha's father was right there waiting for his pound of flesh when his daughter finished her school leaving examinations. Not only was it time to get married, he had already found a groom- a cousinwho had already paid the bride price of 100,000Naira. This writer met Aisha at a women leadership training many years ago in Abuja, and found it difficult to reconcile her very slim frame to the steely determination exhibited in the story she was telling. At this point, she was on her way to medical school but the road had been rocky to say the least. When she refused to get married after long, persuasive talks from her father, he got so angry that he beat her with a bicycle wheel chain.

She passed out, and when she came to, she was in a taxi in a strange place. She had on a nightgown and nothing underneath it. She had been defiled, and was on her way to being delivered to her new husband/cousin, after a lavish wedding ceremony. Aisha had been taken to a neighbouring Africa country where the wedding was to be celebrated. She was eventually set up in the house of an uncle, an affluent man who was well educated and who did everything to persuade Aisha to accept her fate. What offended me, " she recalled, " is the fact that his own daughter was 28 and not married. She worked as a journalist and was studying for her Masters degree. There was one law for his daughter and one for me". She felt let down, also, by a large, prominent and well funded NGO she had run to when the pressure from her father had become unbearable. They had promptly returned her home, claiming to have counseled her father. After all the tears, she started to think and decided to pretend to go along with her family's plans. One day, a Sunday, she asked her uncle for some money with which to get her hair done, as she had to look pretty for the wedding. He had happily obliged, allowing her to go off on her own. She'd gone straight to the UNICEF office in that city, which was closed for the weekend.“ I was ready to sit there until the next day", she said. Fortunately, a white female staff had come in that day to get some work done found me. She was outraged by my story and took me home with her". A diplomatic row had ensued, in which the country of Aisha's husband challenge the right of the Nigerian government to take their 'property'. It took the

As pressure mounts on women everywhere to get educated and contribute their quotas to the global economy, the eternal subject of getting child care is turning up in the most unexpected places

compensation of the bridegroom to retrieve Aisha and return her to Nigeria. The international attention drawn to Aisha's case ensured she had adequate care. She was placed in foster care until she finished her Senior Secondary school examinations. Only then was she allowed to visit her family, but not to live with them.“ I bought ankara for my mother. She wept when she saw me and begged me not to be angry with her. Even my day said he was sorry, that if he had known it would end like this he would not have done what he did" Aisha's sordid story might have ended well, but it contains all the elements of child sexual abuse in the books: failure of parenting, failure of civil society and failure of the state- the three entities endowed with the power to protect her. It is these elements, combined with sundry cultural and religious factors, that make nonsense of usually well thought out laws. As the last National Assembly came to a close a fortnight ago, one of the pieces of hurriedly passed legislations was the much

awaited one on child molestation, a phenomenon which has crept into our reality. The law prescribes life imprisonment for perpetrators that have been prosecuted, yet fails to deal with the instruments of prosecution and law enforcements on various levels. It would also be useful to provide a civil window through which victims might be compensated by perpetrators even when criminal angle is not pursued. It is a good thing that the law covers the angle of witness protection, which would have more victims coming out to report cases. Still, there will be no moving forward when cultural practices exist whereby children can be sexually molested with the full consent of their parents under the guise of marriage as the case was with Aisha. Senator Chris Anyanwu et al have done their bit. The will of the society to ensure the law is enforced will however determine its success.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Women need to be aware of the psychological hold of patriarchy — Wana Udobang By Kehinde Ajose

excellent in their pursuits and I have never even met them but they work they have done means I don’t have to shout as loud as I would have had to if they hadn’t done beyond the ordinary.

ruth be told, Wana Udobang is not your regular run of the mill broadcaster. The brilliant on air personality who anchors Airtel’s Sharing lives issues on Inspiration FM, is a woman of many parts who evokes the image of a go getter. She studied broadcast journalism at the University College for the Creative Arts and graduated with First Class honors. Wana Wana, as she often called by her fans and friends, continues to push boundaries, reinventing herself not just as a broadcaster, but going on to do other things with her God given abilities.The bubbly damsel opens up on how her experiences in the media as shaped her outlook, her thoughts on women moving forward, among other issues. What is the Wana Wana Story? I don’t know that there is any particular WanaWana story. I attended St Leos catholic school Ikeja, then command secondary school Ibadan and University for the creative arts in Surrey England. Have done a slew of different jobs since I was 16. I suppose the odd one would be Human resources but post University, I have mainly worked in the media and had other jobs side by side. I once interned at Rhythm 93.7 over a certain summer holiday. I always say that was my baptism into personality radio as my back ground was in journalism, documentary radio and a bit of sound art. In 2009 I started working at Inspiration 92.3FM and I think that is where WanaWana really came to being and blossomed. How have your experiences in the media shaped your outlook to life? I think it has made me more aware of the power we have in shaping public perception, opinion and most of all having the ears of millions is such a huge responsibility. This means that I have become a lot more careful and watchful with my utterances. What will you regard as your greatest struggle and how have you been able to overcome it? As an individual my greatest struggle has always been confrontation. Most people I know find it weird to believe, I am not a confrontational person and as a result it’s easy to get walked on but it is something I am learning to deal

You are an on air personality, writer and poet. Have you explored every of your talents? I wish. I don't even know that I have any talents. I think I just enjoy learning new things. I think I have a few more things to explore but honestly I am in no hurry, I take it as it comes. The opportunities will present itself to continuously explore myself and my potential as a human being and if it haunts me for long enough, I create the opportunities. For me life is a continuum and I owe it to myself to live it to the full

with daily because it is important to confront situations sometimes, you can’t always let it go. You have to face things and deal with them. What are your thoughts on women moving forward? I think women need to be aware of the psychological hold that patriarchy can have because sometimes our limitations aren’t just as a result of what the society has told us or drummed into our heads but what it has made us believe that we start to believe it yourselves. Ultimately we become our own prison believing that we are

As pressure mounts on women everywhere to get educated and contribute their quotas to the global economy, the eternal subject of getting child care is turning up in the most unexpected places

miraculously incapable of doing certain things. I remember once being told that only when a people are empowered do they move from just being a population to a human resource. I think a greater sense of our place, importance, and contribution to the world on every level is the kind of juggernaut we need for forward movement. We make 50 percent of a population, imagine how much more ideas, innovation and disruption needs to be done. Bringing it closer home as Africa’s most populous nation, imagine the magnitude of what we could do, if we are engaged and unafraid. How can women make their mark in their spheres of influence? I think at striving to be excellent at all they do and remembering to pay it forward. We don’t exist in an orbit so its important to remember that there are people coming after you. There are lots of people who have made life easier for me and certain dreams and ambitions more accessible by just being

What inspired Shrink and Sensitive skin? My short film Shrink was inspired by a short story I had written a while back of the same title. But I think more importantly by our pre-occupation with perception to the point where we loose and sometimes destroy ourselves in a bid do be accepted by society’s constructions of what is perfect and beautiful. I think also for a while now I have been very interested in the homogenization of beauty as a result of the internet. The world is getting smaller and smaller through connectivity and as a result ideals and constructions of beauty are increasingly taking single definitions and that has been of great interest to me and how it affects the way we live our lives and perceive ourselves. Sensitive skin was a documentary about my friend Glory Edozien and her ten year battle

with the auto-immune skin disease psoriasis. I think I was completely inspired by the way she has been able to live and cope despite having a condition that in many ways alters your whole physical appearance especially living in society like Nigeria where we aren’t necessary the subtlest of people and where everything can be highly spiritualized. What was your growing up like? Growing up was simple, complex and interesting all at the same time. I am the last of five children, quite loud and talkative. I played a lot as a child, was always quite hyperactive to the point of talking in my sleep. And I was always in adult company. Initially, it was the middle class Nigerian childhood, then my parents divorced and things got difficult. Adjusting from having everything to the complete opposite was a very interesting time to say the least. But I think that has made me very chameleon like and quite good at adapting. Perhaps its why I am able to do a lot of things simultaneously because I have always learned to get on with things and never needed much to get things done. What new projects are you working on? So many, I hope I don’t collapse from over-exhaustion soon. I am working on a YouTube interview series called Culture Diaries where I interview people in the world of art and culture, from visual artists to performers and writers. Then there is Room 313 a fictional series to be released on YouTube which I have written and I will be directing. I will be taking on the role of curator and artist for series of self-portraits project titled Awo Uwan. I am sure there are other things but let’s just say this will do for now.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 39 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

GEMINI ; Whatever anybody says about your ambition and desire success will crown your efforts today. The more creative you are the better for your cause. And lovers can make it an exciting and happy day. Show your sex appeal and be loving. CANCER; Your ideas are brilliant and if you blend them creatively the sky’ll be the limit. Let people within your home base know that you truly care for them. LEO; It does not matter who initiates creative idea that lead to success what is important is you should not be left in the cold all alone. The more co-operative you are the better for you. Don’t ignore your magnetic se-appeal. VIRGO.; Good luck and happiness indicated for you today. But then, the scope of your success’ll depend on how co-operative and creative you are both with your loved one and at work. Prepare to take good advice especially from younger person(s).

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

NE of the O greatest fallacies mankind is saddled with is the belief that the rich don’t cry. But my questions are:

So, The Rich Also Cry? 1 why should the rich cry? Is the rich not a human being? Has he no feelings? Does he not eat? Does he got not go to the

TERROR MUDA

toilet? has he no blood running in his vein? Does he have more than one head? I pity the rich man. He wants

in “Never say goodbye”

companionship, yet, no one is ready to offer him any, because, everybody sees him as selfsufficient in everything.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA; Happenings within your working arena’ll give genuine cause to smile and with efforts on your part you’re in for a rewarding day. Take advantage of your sex-appeal to enhance your love life. Experiment with ideas creatively. SCORPIO ; Creativity may take front in what’s happening within your base of operation and the best for you is to join them. Lovers are fairly favoured. SAGITTARIUS ; Tomorrow is your great day. Yet your being creative today can earn you un-expected good result at the end of the day. Be family minded now. CAPRICORN; Needed solution to challenges along your career/business lines will come through your being creative. Prepare to take good advice on your finances. AQUARIUS; If you take unusual ideas coming to your mind today more seriously, thins’ll work favourably for you. The more financially ambitious you’re the better. PISCES; The Moon in your Star sign favours aggressive approach in a favourable way. Here is a day Artist among you can create master piece. Be stead-fast.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

ARIES You’ll have much to gain if you’re more cooperative and embrace creative ideas of your close associates. And it’s good to be friendly, loving and caring. TAURUS ; Aggressive approach is not what you need at work now, but creative approach. You’ve got nothing to lose if you take good advice from your friends.

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,

Basic characteristics of Capricorn Because they rarely day dream, Capricorn natives are set of practical people. This is because Capricorn is ruled by Saturn - the planet of career, sceptical and material things Although, the spirit of pessimism often times tempt the Capricorn born people, to succeed they will need to develop strong will that is indispensable to achievements of higher order because, series of challenges will come his/her way before he/she finally makes it to the top. Most natives of Capricorn are forced to shoulder many responsibilities early in life. Career building comes first in their priority lists which often leads to enviable career achievements that guarantee recognition. And another name for Capricorn is PATIENCE. Yet, he/she can appear mean in the business circle. And tell you that seriousness and business are synonymous. Above all, they are endowed with leadership capacity. Capricorn ‘s quality is cardinal, element is the earth. The cardinal aspect makes a natural leader with strong ability for hard work. Natives of cardinal signs crave for action and strongly desire prominence and often times make success of their love of action and desire for importance through relentless efforts. The earthly connection with Capricorn further confirms innate ability for hard work and practicality . Saturn is the planet of hard task, delay, depression, frustration, frustration but reward after so much struggles. Being a difficult teacher, Saturn usually takes its natives through many different tasks, challenges and delay. All these are meant to teach them virtues of patience and hard work. However, Saturn usually brings its natives recognition and reward. The cautious side of Saturn always manifest in all Capricorn born people thus, but it is necessary for them to watch that side of their characteristics as they often push their cautious side too far and most of the time it results to black mood.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

40 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

hat is certain is that by next Friday we will be in the month of Ramadan. It is another opportunity for spiritual rebirth, rejuvenation and nearness to Allah. How are we preparing for that rare and unusual month? How do we want to make a difference in our ways of worship, our supplication, our charity, love and kindness to others? How do we want to make the best out this heavenly grace for spiritual cleansing? Whatever our plans are for the month, we must first realise that the fundamental reason for fasting is taqwallah. Therefore, our objective of Ramadan should be an increase in taqwa. It is only wise to set out time for every activity in the month so as to be able to maximise the reward in this great month. Plan your time and write out every activity you want to engage in in this month. If for example, you have five hours of ibaadah time, you can schedule two hours for Qur’an recitation, an hour of studying Islam and two hours for dua and Dhikr. You can really get a lot done if you stick with this formula for the entire month. If you have the goal of reading 30 pages of Tafsir daily and that will take you an hour, and you know that you have an hour a day free every evening before Tarawih, then allocate that time to be your Tafsir time. Set a specific time of the day for reciting Qur’an (perhaps before or after Fajr), making dua (before Iftar), and use early part of the night immediately after Ishai salat to sleep so that you can wake up between the middle of the night for tahjud. Plan your time adequatelty so that you dont miss sahoor. The early mornings are known having Barakah (blessings). You may use the early mornining after Subhi salat for your Quran recitation, about an hour or two before you set out for work. Remember, Ramadan is the month of Qur’an and so it is obvious that time must be dedicated daily to Qur’an. In doing this, focus on reciting it properly, study the Tafsir and reflect on its meanings. This will have a longer lasting effect on your Imaan and Taqwa. For the time being, abandone the social media and unneccessary physical socialisation. Ramadan is the month of Itikaf, seclusion. One

Sha'baan 18, 1436 A.H.

Welcome O’ Ramadan! of the goals of Itikaf is to take a break from our social lives so that we can focus on our relationship with Allah. If you are unable to make Itikaf, you can still get this benefit in

Ramadan by cutting down on socializing and dedicating more time to Ibaadah. You also have to plan and work (official duties) in such a way that you dont get fagged out,

weak or sleep deprived so much that after a few days, you find it difficult to push on for the remaining part of the month. Pace yourself and take care of your body by getting enough

sleep, eating healthy and staying healthy. A tip one of my Muslim doctors gave me some time ago was to avoid sugary and oily foods and eat wholesome foods for both Suhoor and Iftar. Drink a lot of water at night before bed as that will keep you hydrated during the day. You also dont need to take heavy meal for sahoor. Eat moderately. If you dont have enough food for your sahoor especially, take honey mixed with warm water for your sahoor, you will be fit and healthy while the fasting lasts. That is one of the practice of the Prophet. (s.a.w) Allahuma balighna Ramadan. Amin See you in Ramdan. Dont forget our daily ‘Ramadan Talk’ starts on the first day of Ramadan.

Jama’atu Nasril Islam: Tackling religious radicalism T

he issue of unity of Muslims in Nigeria came to the fore again last Sunday during the 2015 pre-Ramadan annual confererne and lecture, organised by the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna. Presenting a report on the 2014 Ramadan fasting, the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, lamented what he described as the rise in cases of “uncharitable, excessive and indecorous utterances,” on the part of some preachers during Ramadan lectures, popularly called Tafsir. Chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who also doubles as PresidentGeneral of both the JNI and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the programme attracted Muslim traditional rulers from across the north, along with prominent Islamic scholars.

“Dangerous Tafsir sessions” According to Aliyu, during the 2014 Tafsir sessions, “some preachers delved into unnecessary juristic arguments which are categorically clear and in which there is consensus. There were also some scholars whose sessions were insightful and the truth is that if such utterances were to come from non-Muslims, the story would have been different now. The most dangerous session of Tafsir which has surfaced recently in the public domain is the Shiite Tafsir which is being aired by

some radio and television stations. Its negative impact on the established creed of Islamic faith is gradually crawling into the Muslim community.”

One faith, diverse views It is not unusual to have Muslims belonging to different sects and they tend to follow different schools of thought when it comes to taking certain positions on particular issues. However, irrespective of their sectarian leanings, all Muslims believe that there is only One God and that Muhammad is His Prophet and they all subscribe to the five pillars of Islam. But over time, the religion has had series of challenges not only in Nigeria but across the world and in the process people have tended to read different interpretations to a number of issues.

There were also some scholars whose sessions were insightful and the truth is that if such utterances were to come from nonMuslims, the story would have been different now

A cross-section of the participants at the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) Family Fun fest celebration held at Crescent Nursery & pry School 1004 Victoria Island Lagos. PHOTO BY AKEEM SALAU.

It is perhaps for this reason, to check the intensity of the divergent views, that the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna Sokoto, inaugurated the JNI over 50 years ago, on March 9, 1963, “as the mouthpiece and umbrella body for Muslims and Islamic organisations in Nigeria.” But certain developments within the nation’s Muslim community in the last three decades show a clear gulf indicating that the religious leaders have apparent irreconciliable views on certain fundamental matters concerning Islam. In 1981, the Maitatsine uprising, reportedly traced to religious extremism, virtually overran Kano and some other parts of the north while disagreements relating to the adoption of the Muslim Shariah legal system resulted in bloodbath in Kaduna in 2000. And, in recent years, the seemingly irresolvable Boko Haram phenomenon has become as controversial as the identities and objectives of the insurgent group. “The Nigerian situation today has degenerated to such a level that some other people look at Muslims in the face and call them terrorists,” a Muslim cleric, Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim, who is the Sarduana Hayin Banki, told Vanguard in an interview. According to

Ibrahim, the JNI may have indeed failed in its self-imposed task of uniting Muslims and the various Muslim groups in the country. Arguing on the premise that persons or groups claiming to be Muslims engineer some of the religious crises, Ibrahim said that, “the JNI is the umbrella body of all Muslims in Nigeria but today we have more divisions than ever within the Muslim community. If there was a sense of purpose on the part of the JNI and other Muslim organisations, they should have been able to resolve the problems, after all, the entire thing started on the platform of Islam. Although the insurgents are extremists and they have of course overstepped their bounds but with good guidance and counselling from the Ulama under the leadership of the JNI, they should have been able to curb the violence currently going on.” The 2015 Ramadan fasting Subject to confirmation by the Sultanate and other relevant authorities, the 2015 month-long Muslim Ramadan fasting is expected to begin around June 17. Aliyu in his report last Sunday urged the Nigerian Muslim community to be united, relating to the issue of Moon Sighting in the country, “due to the controversies it has generated in the recent past.”

From left, Representative of former Head of State, General Abubakar Salami, Dr. Tanko Yinusa; Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola; Cardinal John Onayikan and Naib Amir, Northern Zone, Dr. Yeqeen Habibu, during the presentation of peace award for General Abubakar Salami, at the 4th Northern Region Jalsa Tarbiyya and 1st National Peace Symposium in Abuja.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 41

Sha'baan18, 1436 A.H.

Everyone shall be change agent •Pray for Nigeria

he need for a change in our society, cannot be overemphasized. That is why the feeling and expectations of Nigerians are high today as President Muhammad Buhari takes over the baton of leadership. Nigeria, as we all know is currently mired in great challenges. The challenge of indiscipline, the challenge of corruption, terrorism, kidnapping and other form of insecurity; of favoritism, of ostentatiousness, of get-rich-quick of various kinds of impunity to mention a few. We cannot ignore the turmoil that surrounds us, the economic instability, the unending fuel and power crisis, while many hustle and struggle to get just only a meal per day in a country of super abundance. We know the leader gives direction and percolates on what the citizery should do. That is why President Muhammad Buhari needs to be focused and deliver on his promise of change in all aspect of our lives that are stinking. Whatever the reasons that led to this stage, it’s clear that a change is essential to get out this chaos. Again, the process of change starts with us. There should be a personal change that will improve our society. We need to inculcate Islamic values and other better related secular values in our lives. Some of the elements and metaphor for indiscipline is the syndrome of get-rich-quick where everybody will immediately throw decorum and decency to the wind in order to get rich quick. Our religious leaders cannot be absolved of blame because they propagated the gospel of prosperity instead of decency, discipline and decorum. Now, rather than the liberalization and proliferation the gospel of prosperity especially in the christendom, we need to change our ways, instil and preach discipline, sermonise on contentment and spiritual fulfillment, redirect the psychic of our people on the part of good behaviour. The ability to come out of this state – to change – also gives us hope for a better future lies with us. We also need to engage in the process of change with perseverance and equanimity as lasting change however, isn’t that easy In the Quran Allah mentioned numerous nations who were given time to heed to His message and change. The ones who didn’t were suddenly taken by surprise at their appointed time. In the Chapter of Al-Anaam (verse 44),

Allah says, “So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” while they will bear their burdens on their backs; and evils indeed are the burdens that they will bear! “ The message above couldn’t be clearer. Allah gives us the time to reform ourselves. When

In the Chapter of AlAnaam (verse 44), Allah says, “So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, we opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden

we postpone indefinitely, we shouldn’t be surprised if our conditions worsen. Allah says in the Quran, “Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility).” (Chapter 6, Verse 42) We should, therefore, urgently start facing up to our spiritual and worldly imperfections which may be manifesting as sins. Accordingly, we need to make the connection between those imperfections and our undesirable conditions. Remember, the price of putting off change can come in the form of tough times and future regrets. Let no one be left behind, the desire for change alone can’t manifest the complexities to bring out that change, the will-power, the resolve for change irrespective of the consequences and the real effort needed to bring it to fruition, calmness, perseverance and determination are needed now to transform into change.

Alhaji Akeem Raheem (2nd left) and wife,(3red left) Parents of the bride, and their relatives at the Nikah ceremony of their daughter.

Sheikh Ishaq Folorunsho Fagba, (2nd left) and other Alfas during the Nikah ceremony of Misturah Raheem held at Methodist Primary School playing ground, Igbogbo, recently.

Moon-sighting: Don't cause disunity By Haroon Balogun

OON sighting is a subject that encapsulates the unity and if otherwise, the disunity of a Ummah. According to reports, some group of Muslims have already fixed a date for the commencement of Ramadan without regard to the rules and practice of the Prophet which we profess to follow. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an act of worship and not in origin, a political matter or one directly related to the practical systems of Islam. For as long as I can remember, in this part of the world, sighting of the moon for the commencement of the Ramadan fast has always been laced with controversy. In the recent past, we tend to have stabilised the system under the leadership of His eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Sa'ad. It however reared its ugly head most profoundly in the last couple of years giving the impression of disunity amongst Muslims across the country. This controversy of when we start the Ramadan fast with different ideas from those who

constitute themselves as having the audacity and authority to declare fasting are always the architect of this division. Some of our ulamas and heads of societies and organisations are at it again, declaring when the Ramadan would start without due regard to the process and procedure and recourse to the Sultan of Sokoto who is the head of all Muslims in Nigeria. We heard they have picked a specific date to commence Tarawih and fasting. This, in the last few days has been creating disunity among the Umaah. The Islamic precept is clear: when a Muslim leader who is charged with following the procedure for verification declares that the moon has been sighted, Muslims then commence fasting. Unfortunately, these are people who know what the Quran and Hadiths say about the issue of commencement of fasting, yet they are the ones who flout the injunctions. The Quran is one, there are no two versions of the hadiths just as the Ummah is one. Then, why is it difficult to agree together and follow the practice of the prophet. (s.a.w).

From left: Alhaja Olusegun Salamat; Alhaja AbdulRasaq Rahmat; Alhaja Akintunde Hafusat;Alhaja Fashina Saidat and Alhaja Shotunde Ganiyat during the Nikah Ceremony of Misturah Raheem held in Igbogbo recently.

From left: Alhaja Saka Islamiyyah; Alhaja Bakare Idera and Alhaja Bilikis Tirimizhi during the Nikah ceremony of Misturah held in Igbogbo, recently.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Youths, LG bosses protest alleged move to dissolve Rivers councils By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— ABOUT 2,000 placardcarrying youths, yesterday, protested an alleged plan by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, to dissolve the elected council executives in 22 local government areas of the state sworn in by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi on May 25 before the end of his tenure on May 29. The protesters, led by Degema Local Government Area Chairman, Mr Sogbeye Eli and some others, barricaded Moscow Road, leading to Rivers State House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt. Some of the placards had inscriptions such as “You can’t dissolve elected council exco,” “Era of impunity is over in Nigeria,” among others. Chairman of Degema council, Mr Eli, who spoke for all the council chairmen, said that they resolved to march to the Assembly premises because they heard of alleged moves by the lawmakers to direct the

governor to dissolve the elected council executives. He said they will resist any attempt by the state government to dissolve properly constituted local government executives, stressing that the era of abuse of power was over in the country. Urging the National Assembly, civil society organisations and other allied bodies to prevail on the state government from going ahead with the alleged plot, Mr Eli said similar elected council executives were sworn in by the

former governor of Plateau State the week he left office, adding that there had been no threat to sack the executives. “So why should Rivers State be an exception,” he said. He expressed fears that the dissolution of the council executives could provoke another round of crisis in the state, adding that the elected council executives would defend the nation’s democracy. “We must defend our democracy. There is a sinister

plot by the government of Rivers State to plunge the state into another round of avoidable crisis after the mindless bloodletting the state saw during the elections,” he said. The council boss added that the recent dissolution of the Professor Augustine Ahiazu-led Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, was politically motivated to allegedly pave the way for the governor to sack the elected council executives.

I won't fail my people, says Delta lawmaker

Peter U v i e j i t o b o r, member representing Udu constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, has reaffirmed his commitment to transform the entire Udu Local Government Area, saying that he will not fail his people in delivering the dividends of democracy to their door steps. Uviejitobor, in a chat with journalists after he was sworn in as a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, also urged those who contested with him to be part of his victory and join hands with him to develop Udu constituency. He said: “I have just been sworn in and my primary responsibility is lawmaking but attracting the dividends of democracy to my constituency is not out of place. I will perform as a true representative with the construction and rehabilitation of good roads, empowerment of youths, women and elders as my priority." R

PROTEST: Rivers youths protesting alleged plan by the state government to dissolve elected council executives in 22 local government areas of the state, in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Nkanga flays controversy over emergence of A-Ibom Speaker By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—FORMER Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State and chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, has said that the controversy over the emergence of a first-timer, Aniekan Uko, member representing Ibesikpo Asutan state constituency, as Speaker of the sixth Assembly was unnecessary. Speaking with Vanguard on phone, Nkanga explained that there was nothing wrong with a first-timer emerging Speaker so long as the choice was determined by majority of the members of the House. Nkanga, however, blamed the development on what he called the change syndrome in Akwa Ibom State, saying that it was time the electorate considered electing their representatives based on experience and competence instead of always insisting on electing new hands. He said: “I have nothing

against a first-timer emerging as Speaker of the new Assembly because the leadership is determined by the members of the House. So there is no need for any controversy about it. That is unnecessary so long as he is the choice of the members. “When we are talking about first-timers being in charge of

the leadership of the House of Assembly, we should partly put it on the electorate. The blame goes back to the electorate because if we the electorate do not send back an old hand to the House, the House will not manufacture an old member that will qualify to be elected into the leadership.”

NDDC distributes transformers in Delta By Festus Ahon

SABA—AS part of efforts to enhance electricity in the nine member states of the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, the commission has embarked on the distribution of transformers of various capacities to communities in the region. The member, representing Delta State on the board of the commission, Chief Tom Amioku, while flagging off the distribution of 95 units of 500 and 300 KVA, 33-11 lines transformers for communities in Delta State, said that electricity was key to socioeconomic growth of the region, hence the acquisition of over 1,000 units of transformers by NDDC to boost power supply in the area. Amioku, accompanied by the Delta State Director, NDDC, Mr Gbubemi Ogor and other management staff of the commission, said that the commission as an interventionist agency will continue to embark on programmes that will promote peace and development in the Niger Delta region. He charged the benefitting communities to guard the transformers against vandalism, assuring those yet to receive to be patient, adding that the Delta State office of the commission received over 600 requests for transformers but only 95 units were assigned to the state.

National Assembly urged to prioritise passage of PIB By Dapo Akinrefon

XECUTIVE Secretary of the Nigeria National Summit Group, NNSG, Mr Tony Uranta, yesterday, urged the Senate in the just inaugurated 8th Assembly to make passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, one of its first priorities. Mr Uranta, in a statement, called for the quick passage of PIB by the Senate, saying: “The PIB was introduced to the National Assembly since 2007.” Uranta, who is also the Secretary

General of United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy, UNDEDSS, added: “It is disheartening that the PIB which sought to establish a legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the petroleum industry was not given priority passage by the 7th Assembly. “To sanitise the oil and gas sector and make it equitable and workable, curbing corruption by giving teeth to existing laws in the petroleum industry, the PIB should no longer be delayed.” According to him, there was no

justification for the past Assembly to have failed in passing a bill that would have put an end to the recurring crisis in the nation’s oil and gas sector. Urging the Senate to remove the clause in the bill, interpreting host communities to mean the entire nation, he said: “There is no way the entire nation will be host community in the oil and gas sector. Every region has its endowments even in the mining sector. Host communities must be interpreted to be those producing the oil and gas in the country.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 43

Methodist Old Girls, Arise Women task FG on Universal Health Coverage By Chioma Obinna

RKED by the less than impressive state of healthcare in the country, Methodist Old Girls Association and the Arise Women Medical Outreach have called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare. The Federal government, under Buhari was urged to guarantee a better healthcare by reappraising the health sector and addressing the gaps. Towards instilling good welbeing as lifestyle among young Nigerian girls, the groups have taken free health screening to over 1000 students, teachers and staff of Methodist Girls High School, Yaba, Lagos. In a chat during the free health screening, Convener, Arise Women, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade regretted that most average Nigerians have no access to any type of medical care. Universal access "Government should ensure that every Nigeria has access to medical care not necessarily a big hospital but a smaller clinic in every community or local government. "We can have more outpatient clinics which would address almost everything before referral to specialised hospitals for further treatment apparently

• Convener, Arise Women, Mrs. Siju Iluyomade, (3rd left), with Nike Dennis & Yosola Akinbi (1st & 2nd left); President, Old Girls, MGHS, Yaba, Anne Olorun-Rinu; Fifelomo Dawodu and Funto Igun - members, Old Girls MGHS, Yaba 79 Set ,during the Arise Women Mobile Health Clinics outreach to MGHS, Yaba, Lagos, last week. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

If you take care of yourself well you are more likely to live longer. We are here to teach the younger girls on how to take care of themselves from now to middle age and old age

for serious cases. The care should also be paid by the government." Further, she said the outreach was collaborating with the Methodist Old Girls Association to teach the young girls on how to take care of themselves through to old age. "Arise Women, is a charitable organisation that helps the less privileged and most importantly create awareness on women's health as well as

ensure that women's health takes its rightful place in the medical field. "We teach girls how to look after themselves from early age, thereby cultivating the habit of preventive healthcare and not curative healthcare. “We found that preventive healthcare is cheaper in the long run than the curative. Above all, it gives a longer life span. If you take care of yourself well you

Eniola Karunwi fights obesity epidemic with Cambridge Weight Loss Plan By Sola Ogundipe

OLLOWING the discovery that an estimated 64 percent of the Nigerian populace is overweight, Eniola Karunwi, who herself lost 50 kilos through the famous Cambridge Weight Plan, CWP, has continued to fill the gap in the Nigerian Health & Wellness industry for an effective and sustainable nutritional approach to weight loss and maintenance. In the past five years, since she launched the Nigerian franchise, over 6,000 Nigerians have benefited from numerous weight loss and lifestyle changes, while a number of clients have trained to become Cambridge Consultants. Committed to helping clients achieve their weight loss and weight maintenance goals through bespoke programmes tailored to suit every individual need, more than 30 million people have benefoted from the CWP designed to control weight through the one-to-one support provided by Cambridge Consultants. Recognised as one of the most researched weight management products in the world, the CWP was created by biochemist Dr Alan Howard and his colleague Dr Ian McLean-Baird, in their bid to develop the "perfect diet".

The CWP formula produces excellent weight loss results and following many years of research, the first commercial version known then as The Cambridge Diet, launched in the UK in 1984. Although CWP Nigeria is only available through trained Cambridge Consultants, who have all successfully completed Cambridge Weight Plan programmes, Eniola says they supply products as well as offer support, motivation, encouragement and advise clients throughout the process. “Once a client's goal weight has been reached, the consultant assists clients with long term weight maintenance. “According to research, being obese can take up to nine years off of a person's lifespan and increases the chances of developing a range of health related problems. Obesity is a growing problem in Nigeria and CWP provides an affordable solution for people who want to become healthier and live longer" said Eniola. There are a wide range of products including shakes, soups, chewy and crunchy bars, tasty porridge, savoury rice, ready meals, fabulous desserts and bonus extras. Recently, three new products were added to the range, at the CWP Product Launch & Awareness Day. All CWP products contain the vitamins, minerals and trace elements needed for balanced nutrition and healthy weight loss.

•Eniola Karunwi

are more likely to live longer. We are here to teach the younger girls on how to take care of themselves from now to middle age and old age." An array of doctors, nurses and pharmacists targeted no less than 1,000 students, teachers and staff of the school with free health screening for various illnesses. President of the Old Girls Association, 1974/1979 students of the MGHS, Mrs. Anne Olorun-Rinu, who acknowledged that the country's health sector has its good sides but does not cut across said the health sector in the country has deteriorated and required urgent revitalisation. She stressed the need for the new government to give the sector a lot of focus and direction adding that without health there would not be life. "We don't need to re-invent the wheel, but to understand where the gaps are. We need to reappraise where we are now, then begin to have a road map or a plan of action, some basic things like provision of quality medications, equipping hospitals, ensuring ongoing programmes on training and retraining of medical staff to ensure that they are up to date and can compete with others anywhere in the world." She said the old girls decided to provide the free health screening as part of giving back to the school and also to inculcate into the students health well being as a lifestyle, "for it to become a lifestyle it needs to start when they are young."

44 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

We'll not touch abandoned projects, says Gov Bello ...identifies water, power, education as top priorities By Wole Mosadomi

INNA—NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello has said his administration will not face the various abandoned projects which will require billions of Naira left behind by his predecessor, pointing out that he has more pressing projects than the money spinning abandoned projects. Bello, while inspecting the Minna Airport City project, yesterday, said the priority of his government for now was to provide portable water and light for the people and also ensure adequate provision of infrastructure to schools and improve on the health care delivery system in the state. He said about N12 billion would be needed to complete the airport project.

He called on the contractor to restructure the project or get some other investors to invest in the project but certainly not his administration. “I do not have money to pay for this project. I have more pressing problems now. I have students sitting on the floor, people without drinking water, hospital without facilities, those are my priorities for now.''

Bauchi appoints EFCC, police, others to recover govt property By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THERE are strong indications that former Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State may be in the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following the constitution of a high-powered committee by his predecessor, Abubakar Mohammed to recover government property. The committee under the chairmanship of Retired Air Commodore Ahmad Baba is to recover all allocation of public property without due process by the immediate past administration. According to a statement by Permanent Secretary Political Affairs, Hashimu Yakubu in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the term of reference of the committee is to liaise with the secretariat of the main transition committee to obtain details of items affected. Among members of the committee are representatives of the Police, Department of State Services, EFCC, Ministry of Justice and Head of Service while, Haruna Mohammed of the Bauchi State Television Authority is to serve as Secretary.

RECEPTION: From left; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, and former Senator representing Sokoto Central, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, at a reception in honour of new National Assembly members in Abuja, Wednesday night. The statement read: “The committee is mandated to recover all items confirmed to have been disposed-of or allocated not in accordance with the extant laws or not in conformity with due process and return them to the government. “In this light, all public servants especially those involved in the disposal and allocation of property in question are to cooperate with

UTSE—IRKED by the persistent criminal activities involving Fulani communities across the federation, Fulbe-Fulako Association of Nigeria, has designed a programme that will change their lives and stop them from committing such crime.

By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State Government is to resume payment of workers salary after three months of nonpayment by the immediate

National Vice President of the association, Alhaji Yau Muhammad, who spoke at a briefing in Dutse, said the association was worried by the report of the probes which indicated that 80 percent of criminals arrested were Fulani, describing the situation as unfortunate, disgraceful and unacceptable for to the group.

NASS ELECTION: APGA counsels aggrieved APC Senators By Chris Ochayi

BUJA—THE All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, yesterday counselled the aggrieved senators who lost out in Tuesday’s election of leaders of the National Assembly to take the outcome of the poll in good faith. National Chairman of APGA,

It was gathered that the new governor had already invited the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to authenticate the financial dealings of Yuguda administration. Mohammed had maintained that his administration inherited over N125 billion deft profile while Yuguda allegedly also said that he inherited debt from his successor, Ahmed Mu’azu.

...Set to pay workers' outstanding salary administration, according to the Secretary of the state transition committee, Aliyu Tilde. Tilde told newsmen that the present administration in the state was not unaware of the sufferings of the workers as a result of the

Fulani commits 80% of criminal activities in Nigeria —Record By Aliyu Dangida

the committee for the effective discharge of its assignment.” The committee is to submit its report within four weeks to pave way for speedy take off of the new administration, the statement added. It will be recalled that Governor Abubakar had vowed to recover all funds allegedly looted by the last Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration of Yuguda.

Dr. Ikechukwu Oye, in a statement in Abuja, advised them to eschew bitterness and acrimony but look forward for better days ahead in their quest for service to the country. Oye, also congratulated the elected National Assembly officers as well as the federal lawmakers over the peaceful and successful elections.

Muhammad faulted government at all levels for not fully involving their members in any of their economic initiatives or any appointment, which makes them relevant in the society, as he called on government to look into their plight by engaging Fulani groups in their programmes. The association, according to its chairman intends to provide Neem’s seedling to Fulani settlement areas across the state during this year raining season to plant in various location. This, he added will serve as employment opportunity for them, while a token would be given to those who participate in the programme. He said “We are abandoned by government and this is why our members are involved in criminal activities, but that notwithstanding, we are set to stop them from getting involved in crime through this initiative that is designed to better the lives of our members.”

non-payment of their salaries, saying that government was making necessary preparations to ensure the successful commencement of the exercise. The committee secretary called on workers to exercise patience as no genuine worker will be victimized in the process. He said: “The state government is concerned about the alarming increase in the total money paid as monthly salary from N660 million in 2007 to N2.6 billion in 2015. It has become pertinent on the part of government to

investigate the alleged misappropriation in its payroll levelled against some government functionaries. “Workers would be required to present some documents to a committee which will be appointed by the state government to enable it verify and authentic list of serving workers on government’s payroll,” he added, He also disclosed that the Federal Government had given to the state government approval for the use of former Bauchi Airstrip, located in the G.R.A Bauchi.

NAHCO shareholders smile home with 20kobo dividends, bonuses By Favour Nnabugwu & Funmi Olasupo

HAREHOLDERS of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO Aviance) Plc, yesterday, smiled home with N20kobo dividend each and a bonus of one new share for every 10 shares held for the financial year ended December 31, 2014 NAHCO at the 34th Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Abuja claimed it gave the dividend and bonus in

consideration of the company’s plan to continue to investment in its diversification programme. Addressing the shareholders at the AGM, Chairman of the company, Mallam Suleiman Yahyah, explained that the shareholders take home represents a monetized increase of 150 percent returns on their investments. “In aggregated and yield terms, this represents a monetized increase of 150 percnt returns on shareholder investments, compared to 2013.''

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—45

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HAND-OVER: Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Shehu, outgoing Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force (left), handing over Command Regimental colour to the incoming Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Uko Ebong in Lagos.

AGM: From left— Mr. Knut Ulymoen, Director, National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc, NASCON; Mr. Paul Farrer, Managing Director, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, at the 2014 annual general meeting of NASCON in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

EXPORT: From left— Mr. Taofeek Owoseni, Special Assistant to the CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC; Mr. Kola Awe, Managing Director, Export Logistics; Mr. Olajide Ibrahim, Director, Office of the CEO, NEPC, and Olusegun Faleke, Head, Special Duties, NEPC, at a Zero to Export programme organised by NEPC in Lagos.

CONFAB: From left— Elizabeth Okonji, Talent Manager, InterSwitch; Irumhekha Oshiomha, Head of FirstAcademy, FirstBank; and Nkechi Juwah, Area Head of Talent Management, British American Tobacco, BAT, at the HR Leaders Africa 2015 conference in Lagos.

MoU: Professor J. A. Kayode Makinde, Vice Chancellor, Babcock University (left), and Mr. Tim Akano, Managing Director/CEO, New Horizons Solutions Limited, at the signing of memorandum of understanding, MoU, on entrepreneurship professional programme at the university campus, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

CHARITY: Mr. Peter Mission Onoriobe, Chairman, Peter Mission for the Less Privileged (standing left), with medical personnel and beneficiaries of the mission's free health care scheme at Okpvuerhe Olomu, Ughelli Local Government Area, Delta State.

IT CONFAB: From left— Professor Vincent Asor, Vice President, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN; Mr. Tina Agbor, Secretary to the State Government, Cross Rive State; Sekinat Yusuf, CPN President; and Mrs. Mary Theresa Ikwem, Head of Service, Cross River State, at the CPN 2015 IT assembly held in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, yesterday.

VISIT: From left— Mr. Lanre Da-Silva, Senior Brand Manager, Noodles & Pasta, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc; Mrs. Oluwaranti Oduyebo, Administrator, Little Saint Orphanage Home, Palm Grove, Lagos; Mrs. Ruth George, Missionary, and Mrs. Ebele Oluwalana, Assistant Manager, Brand Activation, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, during donation to the home in Lagos.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Abiola, June 12 and the road not taken By Dare Babarinsa

WENTY-TWO years down the road, it is necessary to evaluate and understand the centrality of Chief Moshood Abiola’s sacrifice in bringing us the Fourth Republic. Chief Abiola was the winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election whose victory was voided by the military dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida. It was Abiola’s and other heroes’ and heroines’ sacrifice that has given us the long democratic dispensation we have been enjoying since 1999. The Abacha coup of November 1993 was a turning point in the struggle of Abiola to claim the presidency of Nigeria. With his victory in that year ’s presidential election, Abiola became Nigeria’s President-presumptive and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, the Vice-President presumptive. Then Abacha seized power and the struggle entered a new phase. The Abacha putsch was a coup-foretold. It was indeed, a creeping coup in which Abiola may have actively participated. A few days after the coup, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, the Director of Organisation of the defunct Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, during the Second Republic and a pillar of the Awoist Vanguard, came to my office at the then corporate headquarters of TELL, on Acme Road, Ikeja. He looked agitated.

Abiola group to support new Abacha junta

“Abiola has collapsed,” he blurted out. He said that morning, a meeting had been held at Abiola’s residence in Ikeja, and it was resolved that the Abiola group would support the new Abacha junta. He said the resolution of the meeting was communicated to the Awoist group which was then meeting regularly at the Ikeja home of Chief Alfred Rewane, the liberal businessman and former private secretary to Chief Awolowo. He said in view of Abiola decision, the Awoist group would be nominating members into the new government. He said because of this, Abacha had agreed that supporters of Abiola would be nominated as deputygovernors to military governors that would soon be announced by the junta. He said most likely, Kingibe, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the popular former Lagos State Governor and several top politicians who were close to Abiola, may also join the Abacha cabinet. He said he, Dr

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The late Chief Moshood Abiola Olu Onagoruwa and Mrs Mobolaji Osomo, may also be joining the cabinet on the strength of a recommendation from the Awoist group. “I do not have full details of the deal,” Babatope said. “But if Abiola intends to reclaim his mandate, he has no business allowing his supporters to join a military regime. His only deal should have been to support it until they hand over to him. If they join the government, how would they look forward to the revalidation of his mandate?” Would he take up the appointment if it was announced? “I will,” he said. “I am only obeying my leaders. But if I were Abiola, I will not go the same route. Our leader, Papa Awolowo would not have agreed to that also.” Chief Awolowo died in 1987, but for Babatope, he forever remains a reference point.

Abiola's visit to Abacha

Babatope left me puzzled and troubled. Few days earlier, we saw on national television, the fuzzy footage of Abiola’s visit to Abacha in Lagos. We were told later that he was accompanied on that visit by many of his top supporters including Kingibe, Jakande and a young Senator from Lagos, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was promised the post of deputy governor. Few days later, Babatope, and most of the other nominees of the Awoist group and the Abiola group were appointed ministers. Abacha reneged on his promise to appoint civilian deputy governors and he was determined to do worse. In the early days of the regime, Babatope, Osomo, Alex Ibru (publisher of The Guardian, who was also made the Minister of Internal Affairs)

Ibrahim Babangida and Onagoruwa were briefing the meeting at Rewane’s house regularly. In the end, most of them, claiming they were occupied with state’s assignments, were not showing up. It was also clear that they were under serious security watch. I went to see Papa Rewane with my friend, Funminiyi Afuye, (Baba Abraham Adesanya nicknamed him Afemo!) to complain about the turn of events. We had not formed Idile Oodua then, but we had an informal group which included the likes of Engineer Adebayo Adenekan, Prince Ademola Oyinlola, my colleague in TELL, Kayode Anwo, an engineer, Biodun Bamkefa, also an engineer and now a pastor, Paschal Idowu, an insurance executive, Prince Adedokun Abolarin, lawyer (now Kabiyesi, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Osun State) and Barrister Rotimi John. Papa Rewane said the Awoist group cannot refuse to collaborate with

If Abiola intends to reclaim his mandate, he has no business allowing his supporters to join a military regime. His only deal should have been to support it until they hand over to him.

the Abacha junta if Abiola was in league with the regime.

How to actualise Abiola’s victory

How to actualise Abiola’s victory had been a matter of contention among his supporters, especially those of us were ready to join the fray. In the wake of the June 12 annulment, there were many theories and suggestion on which road to take. One of the biggest supporters of Abiola originally was General Olusegun Obasanjo, the retired military ruler, who was then living on his farm in Otta, Ogun State. He was a big pillar for TELL in our confrontation with General Ibrahim Babangida, the head of the ruling junta. Each time they seize copies of our publication, we always run to him for intervention. He had come out openly that Babangida must honour his pledge to hand over to an elected successor come August 27, 1993. After the election, my colleagues at TELL, Nosa Igiebor, Editor-in-Chief and Kolawole Ilori, Executive Editor, visited Obasanjo in his farm house. He was on the phone most of the time monitoring the result state by state. “This is a great day for Nigeria,” he told them. “Abiola is going to be President. The reputation of the military has been saved.”

The annulment

After the annulment was announced through a press statement distributed in Abuja by Nduka Irabor, the press secretary to military VicePresident Augustus Aikhomu, I went to Otta in the company of Dele Omotunde, the deputy

Editor-in-Chief of TELL. Obasanjo was in a bellicose mood. “Annulment or no annulment, Babangida must leave by August 27,” he said. “He made the promise, he has to keep it!” Then through a convoluted route that involved serious muscling and pressure from General Obasanjo, the military led by General Sani Abacha, the political class led by Abiola and his old friend and lately rival, Major-General Shehu Musa Yar ’Adua, the civil society, led by Beko RansomeKuti and Gani Fawehinmi and the Press, Babangida “stepped aside” on August 27, 1993. He left power in the powerless hand of an Interim Government allegedly led by Chief Ernest Adegunle Shonekan, a corporate titan who was at sea in the turbulent terrain of Abuja high-wire politics.

Prisoners of war

After Shonekan’s ascension, my colleagues in TELL, Igiebor, Onome Osifo-Whiskey, the Managing Editor, Ilori, and Ayo Akinkuotu, the Senior Associate Editor, who were earlier captured “as prisoners of war” by the agents of the Babangida dictatorship, were released. Few days later, Shonekan sent a message that he would like to see us and we asked Igiebor and OsifoWhiskey to go. They met Shonekan at the Akinola Aguda House, Abuja. The denizens of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa claimed they were refurbishing the Presidential Palace and would not allow Shonekan to move in. My friends said they would like to drink coffee. Shonekan called the steward and ordered for coffee. The coffee was never brought until the meeting Continues on page 47

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Abiola, June 12 and the road not taken Continues from page 46 ended 40 minutes later. This showed how powerful Shonekan was! Yet some of our leaders were ready to invest him with possibilities. At a meeting with some members of our group, one of our leaders said the public opposition to Shonekan would not work in our interest. “We need to support Degunle (Shonekan) to stabilise the country and conduct another presidential election,” he said. “The alternative would be military rule.” “If they refuse to install Abiola, we will go to war,” one of us said. “We don’t want military rule again.” “You don’t know war,” the big man replied. “This is war: You send 10 of your best reporters to go and cover a story in Maiduguiri. Five of them are killed, three are wounded and only two came back home. Then you are requested to send another batch of 10 reporters to Maiduguri and all the ten are killed. That is war!” We did not agree with him. Few days later, I tried to no avail to see Chief Abiola. I complained to General Alani Akinrinade, who advised that I should see Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye, former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, who was destined for the gulag under General Abacha. Durojaiye linked me up with Kudirat, Abiola’s senior wife who advised me to come 8 a.m the following morning. Sure enough, I met Abiola the following day by 8 a.m. I told him the advice of the big man that he should cooperate with Shonekan so that another presidential election can be held. Abiola shook his head and said this was unacceptable. “I did not vote for myself,” he said. “Nigerians voted for me. I have already won the presidential election. You cannot re-sit for an exam you have already passed.”

Abiola’s options were limited

Indeed at that point, Abiola’s options were limited. He had expended huge amount of his personal vast fortune on the 1993 presidential elections. I do not know of any group of Nigerians that donated money to Abiola’s campaign. He funded it virtually singlehandedly. To ask him to ‘ re-sit for the exam,’ would have been very difficult considering the resources still available to his opponents, especially the enigmatic MajorGeneral Yar ’Adua and the shadowy elements in the military bent on stopping him

Late Abiola at all cost. I gave him a one page recommendation from our own group. He should continue to encourage “solidarity visits” from prominent individuals and groups. Elected governors too should be persuaded to place solidarity and congratulatory adverts for the President-elect in the newspapers, especially in Abiola’s National Concord. Abiola concurred to these suggestions. Two days later, adverts started coming out from the SDP governors congratulating the Presidentelect. We were very happy. The American ambassador, like many other diplomats, visited Abiola. So was Lt. General Yakubu Danjuma, retired Chief of Army Staff. Danjuma visited and read an encouraging poem to him and other visitors. It was around this period that the Lagos State high court ruled that the ING was illegal. With this judgment, Nigeria was in a legal limbo. We expected that Abiola would be sworn-in as President in a revolutionary step. There were protest across the country in his support, but the President-elect was looking at another direction instead of a direct revolutionary face-off with the government. It was at this period that Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote an article in the newspapers asking the military to intervene and save Nigeria from political uncertainties.

Rumour of impending coup

After the judicial pronouncement, events were moving at a frenetic pace. We were disappointed that Abiola did not make efforts to get sworn-in as President. For us, this would have been the ultimate sign of defiance against the illegal ING. The atmosphere was charged with rumour of an impending coup which may be the result of a showdown between the military faction led by Major-

Babagana Kingibe General Dongoyaro and the other by Abacha. Soon, Dongoyaro and many other top military officers were fired. Then, the Abacha coup. Shonekan resigned with a gun literarily pointed at his head. He was shown on television claiming he was handing over power to “the most senior minister.” The sacked ING chairman was allowed to pick his suitcase from Aguda House and he quickly returned home. Lucky man. Many weeks after Abacha had settled into the bosom of power, I was admitted into the small private sitting room of Abiola. As I was approaching the landing of the staircase, several framed pictures of Abiola and some of his “friends,” starred from the wall. Dominating that wall was the picture of Abiola and Babangida. It gave one an eerie feeling. I think (but not too sure now) that there was also another picture of him and Abacha on the same wall.

Significant errors

Abiola was in a cagey mood like a tiger at bay. I told him

General Babangida has repeatedly accepted responsibility for that singular act that derailed his expensive but ultimately futile transition programme, but our country and posterity deserves to know the facts that led to that decision.

we were confused about the turn of events. What is going to happen now about his June 12 mandate? He admitted errors had been made. He pointed out two “significant errors.” One was his choice of Kingibe as his vicepresidential candidate. One of the earliest papers we presented to him was on the choice of a running mate. We had recommended a candidate from the Middle-Belt, preferably, Dan Suleiman, a retired air commodore and former military governor. But the SDP governors preferred Kingibe and Abiola went with them. He said he did not know then that Kingibe had “extensive connections and relationship” with the security agencies and the military high command. The second error, he said, had to do with the emergence of Chief Anthony Anenih as the chairman of the SDP. He said if he had shown sufficient interest, instead of trying to placate his old friend Yar’Adua, he would have been able to ensure the victory of Chief Sergeant Awuse. With Anenih in charge, Yar’Adua came to virtually control the machinery of the SDP and it took a lot of efforts for Abiola to defeat Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Yar ’Adua’s protégé, during the presidential primary of the SDP. When the annulment came, Abiola said Anenih did not consult him before “he negotiated away our victory.” It was obvious then that Abiola had given up on his old friend, Yar’Adua, and the chairman of his party, Anenih. It was to be our last meeting. Soon, the struggle would take on new dimensions corralling into its ever expanding vortex the likes of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Bola Ige, Soyinka, Ndubisi Kanu, General Akinrinade, Dr Amos Akingba (a man of unfathomable courage and daring), Durojaiye, Rewane,

Tola Mobolurin, Dr Frederick Fasheun, Femi Falana, Olisa Agbakoba, Kola Omojola, Chris Anyanwu, Gbenga Adebusuyi, Baba Omojola, Wahaab Dosumu, Ayo Opadokun, Chief Olu Falae, Arthur Nwankwo, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Reuben Fasoranti, Dr Falaye Aina, Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Otunba Solanke Onasanya, Chief Frank Kokori, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, Mrs Kofoworola Buknor-Akerele and many, many more, especially the redoubtable old men (and young men and women) of Afenifere. Many people do not remember now that the opposition National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, was formed at a meeting in the Ikeja home of General Adeyinka Adebayo, former military governor of the defunct Western State. Few weeks later, I met with Chief Babatope at a guest house in Ilupeju, owned by one of the parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Transport. He had now settled in as an Abacha minister. I asked him pointedly whether and when Abacha was going to hand over power to Abiola. Babatope said the situation has changed dramatically. “The National Assembly is gone, the state assemblies are gone, the governors are gone,” he said. I reminded him that General Diya, the Chief of General Staff and deputy to Abacha had said “our stay will be brief.” Babatope said the situation has become more complicated. “Only one man knows the answer,” he said unhappily. “I don’t know. Even Dipo (General Diya) doesn’t know!”

We need to know the truth

Twenty three years later, our country deserves to know the truth about the June 12 annulment. General Babangida has repeatedly accepted responsibility for that singular act that derailed his expensive but ultimately futile transition programme, but our country and posterity deserves to know the facts that led to that decision. President Mohammadu Buhari owes us the duty to let Nigerians know the truth about this singular event that has led us to where we are and ultimately gave us the current democratic dispensation. Knowing the truth does not mean apportioning blames or dishing out punishment. The truth is necessary for our liberation and progress as a country.

Dare Babarinsa, author and media entrepreneur, is the Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of Gaskia Media Limited.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 49

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50—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

The media almost

destroyed my

marriage — Ramsey Nouah *Says before the fame, I was a hustler By Prisca Sam-Duru

amsey Nouah is one of the most-sought-after and handsome actors in Nollywood who has been consistent in his career. Nouah who is known as ‘loverboy’ for his many roles in romantic movies, in this interview, the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Award winner for Best Actor in a leading Role shares the pathetic story of his journey into acting, the industry and why he stopped attending public functions with his family.

ow did you begin your journey into the movie industry? My journey into the movie industry actually started when I was trying to sit for my GCE examination. I didn’t have money to purchase my GCE form, and there were no jobs then. It was hard to secure menial jobs and I couldn’t bring myself to do such jobs. Later, a friend of mine advised me to try my hand at acting. But I didn’t welcome the advice because I prefer to act in Hollywood. It was funny. Later I went for a couple of auditions and precisely in 1990, I went for a soap opera audition called Fortunes and was engaged. Later it had problem with the title and so it was changed to ‘Mega Fortune.’ I was one of the key actors in that soap and it was better than Telemundo. After starring in that soap, I did a couple of movies that didn’t see the light of day. I was supposed to have featured in the famous C M Y K

“Glamour Girls” but the producer was too stingy. He was very professional, and actually brought a letter inviting me for audition for “Glamour Girls” and I played my role. He jumped from his seat and shouted yes, that’s the guy I’ve been looking for. He invited me for negotiations and to my disappointment, he was pricing me like I was a meat in the market. It didn’t work out. I actually became a hustler working with marketers and other practitioners. I was in all the episodes in Fortunes as Jeff Akin-Thomas and was paid N100 per episode. I was paid N1,200 for only a quarter. I was in that soap just for the passion. Things were bad that I didn’t have clothes, my trousers were torn. I actually patched my trousers by myself. Thank God my mom taught me how to sew. With the 1,200, I rushed to Yaba to purchase second hand clothes. I looked at myself after I had

washed and ironed them and said, “Ramsey, you have arrived now.” I wasn’t thinking of the cash or fame though I was in serious need. I didn’t even know the benefits of being an actor. It took me time to be used to my fans rushing at me and appreciating me until my producers told me it was normal. As time went on the job actually began paying my bills. With the first major money I earned, I bought a sound system, TV and later Air conditioner. By 1996, filmmakers discovered that I am a better actor as a lover boy so I was typecast as a lover boy. I played love in my life and grew tired. Whenever they brought love stories, I asked if there wasn’t any other issue they could talk about. Later in 2003, there was a nose dive as pirates made it impossible for filmmakers to get back their money so, they began churning out films. Some of us who are more concerned about making Nollywood a brand,

began thinking of how to make things better. At this point, cinema came as a huge breakthrough, Bank of Industry has also been helpful unlike the banks. Today I’m very happy about how things turned out. You were the guest speaker at a Nollywood event held at the Pan African University, Lagos, recently, how was the experience? I saw that as an opportunity to exchange ideas. A lot of people don’t know what’s going on in the industry so I was elated when I discovered that there is a Nollywood Study Centre

there. That means Nollywood is going pretty far. So, with honour I obliged to come and share my experience with people who are aspiring to join the industry and also, to let people know that the industry is not secluded but an open market. Before AY’s “30 Days In Atlanta”, you have been missing on screen. What happened? It’s not like I went off the screen. You know that I have been one of the pioneers wanting to fly the new Nollywood. You know the industry lacks structure, it’s almost like buying and selling which it shouldn’t Continues from page 50

Twitt er’s periscope app witter’s zooms into world map Pg ...

Mymusic.com.ng: Let the music pay

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015—51

Synopsis The media almost destroyed my marriage Continues from page 50 be. It’s like you come and act, they pay you off and there is no future for you. It ends there ; there’s no pension plan, some of my colleagues were sick and when they died, we had to start begging from people to bury them. That’s too bad. What else do you need since the past President Goodluck Jonathan set up a grant for filmmakers to access? The grant is not enough to sustain the industry. We need structure, the structure I’m talking about predominantly is distribution. The distribution channels. If we have more cinemas in the country there will be a huge improvement. “30 days in Atlanta” for instance, showed in only 13 cinemas in Nigeria and gross more than 160 million naira before it was pirated by our Alaba brothers. It sold even more than Avatar, only in 13 cinemas. Imagine if it is in 20, 100 or even 200 cinemas, you do the math, and understand that Nollywood is a big industry that can sustain itself. Why did you call being a celebrity a cross? Well it is a bigger cross than you can think about because you have to be concerned about your looks. You must make sure that everything is on point. Dress properly to suite every event. You have to build on your looks and image so that people will admire you. It makes you classy and a role model. Your behaviour or attitude is another selling point. If you maintain good looks and image, big multinationals will be after you. If your track record is bad then there’s no space for you. People look at us and want to be like us not understanding that we wish we had a more normal or simple life style. Ramsey will dare not be seen fighting on the streets. I better turn the other cheek to be slapped a second time than retaliate. Although there are

benefits for instance, the pay is good, you got to be admired but then, its a cross. As a celebrity, who are the set of people who avoid most? It is the Press! I might just say hello to a girl and the next thing is, Ramsey Nouh is toasting one girl. The media almost destroyed my marriage. But thank God they failed and my marriage is 14 years now blessed with four children. I told my wife to keep away from the press, let me handle them. If they don’t see you, there will be nothing to say about you. Because of that, I have stopped appearing at public functions with my family. Aside the restriction, how have you been able to deal with the press? The best way to deal with the press is to ignore them. Whenever they start telling lies about you, just ignore them. The greatest mistake you’ll make is to respond to scandals. When you ignore them, the stories die off with time. What else has being a celebrity done to you? It has prevented me from enjoying quality private time with my family. If you are to change anything, what would that be? Get back my private life. We see same faces in so many movies, does it mean that producers don’t call for auditions anymore? Auditions are publicised even on the social media. The problem is that producers want to put their money down and get it back. So, content must be sold and if they use new faces, it

wont sell. How then can up and coming actors break into the industry? Just believe in yourself, be passionate about your career and let nothing stop you from pressing forward. What’s responsible for your transforming into a star actor? Hard work and passion. Also, the mirror has been my best teacher. It helps me learn to get into character and improve upon my job. I am concerned about how to make the industry great, so passion remains my motivator. Most challenging movie? The most challenging is “Dangerous Twins” because there was no technology sophistication at the time of production. Everything was done manually. One scene took two days to be shot, so it was tasking. But then, it was part of the tutorial to be professional.

down-on-her-luck woman, played by Selma Hayek, is forced to fend off waves of assassins sent by her ex, a dangerous mob boss, while trying to save her estranged mother and daughter. The film is set entirely in one apartment. Starring the likes of Salma Hayek, Togo Igawa, Masashi Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Watanabe among others.

TOP 5 MOVIES OF THE WEEK * Pitch perfect * Fast &furious 7 * Last knights

* Oops Noah is gone * Iyore

SCHEDULE FROM FRIDAY 5TH TO JUNE, 2015 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Everly : 2:00pm,6:10pm Jurassic World : 11:40am,3:50pm,6:35pm,8:20pm, Super Star : 1:40pm, Oops Noah is Gone : 12:00pm Pitch Perfect : 2:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Everly : 4:00pm,7:20pm Jurassic World : 11:15am,1:35pm,6:15pm,8:40pm Super Star : 4:15pm,9:10pm Oops Noah is Gone : 12:30pm,4:10pm Last Night : 2:55pm Pitch Perfect 2 : 10:30pm,4:00pm, SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Everly : 12:15pm,2:20pm,6:10pm,8:00pm Jurassic World : 1:40pm,4:00pm,6:20pm,8:50pm Super Star : 6:00pm,8:40pm Oops Noah is Gone : 11:40am,1:20pm Last Knight : 12:20pm,4:30pm,8:35pm Pitch Perfect : 12:20pm,2:30pm,4:40pm6:50pm,9:10pm Iyore : 4:10pm Fast & Furious : 7 : 8:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Everly : 3:00pm,7:00pm, Jurassic World : 4:30pm,6:40pm,9:00pm Super Star : 12:20pm, Pitch Perfect : 2 : 3:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Everly : 11:00am,2:40pm8:50pm Jurassic World : 11:30am,1:50pm,4:10pm,6:30pm,8:50pm Super Star : 12:10pm,2:50pm,5:30pm,8:10pm Oops Noah is Gone : 1:00pm, Last Knight : 5:25pm Pitch Perfect : 2 : 11:45am,4:10pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Everly : 11:50am,5:15pm,7:00pm Super Star : 3:55pm,8:35pm Oops Noah is Gone : 10:00am,11:40pm,1:20pm,3:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO Super Star : 11:45am,2:25pm,5:10pm,8:00pm Last Knight : 12:45pm,1:45pm,5:45pm,6:40pm,8:20pm Iyore : 11:50am,1:45pm,3:50pm,5:50pm,7:50pm Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 : 11:30am,1:25pm,3:20pm,5:15pm,7:10pm,8:05pm Son of Gun : 11:45am,6:10pm,8:20pm OZONE CINEMAS, SABO YABA Everly : 12:15pm,2:00pm,5:15pm,7:25pm,9:15pm Jurassic World 12:45pm,3:00pm, 6:05pm,7:05pm,8:25pm Super Star : 10:40am, Oops Noah is Gone 10:10am, Last Knight : 11:45am, Pitch Perfect 2 : 5:10pm,9:00pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Oops Noah is Gone : 10:40am,12:40pm,2:40pm Last Knight : 6:30pm,11:20pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Oops Noah is Gone : 9:30am,3:15pm Last Knight : 8:10pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, CITY MALL LAGOS Oops Noah is Gone : 10:30am,12:30pm Last Knight : 2:35pm,4:55pm,6:00pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Oops Noah is Gone : 10:20am Last Knight : 9:20pm

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52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Mymusic.com.ng:

Let the music pay By Prince Osuagwu & Laju Iren

igerians love music. From the spirited worship on Sunday mornings to the loud blaring of speakers from night clubs on Friday nights, this truth rings on and on. However, love for music is not fully consummated when piracy comes into play. And in this digital age where everyone wants their favourite song on their mobile phones, piracy is not so difficult anymore. This is where Mymusic.com.ng comes in. In a bid to make sure that musicians get paid for their content and also bypass the menace of piracy, Music.ng recently struck up a partnership to deliver music to millions of fans across the globe that yearn for Nigerian music. Launching the music company in Lagos recently, Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Damola Taiwo, said the website operates a two-step process where people can search for the music they want and download it simply by paying N30.00 from their phone credit. On the reach of the website, he said:“For now, we have only Nigerian songs because we want to focus, and once we can get that right, we’ll move to other territories.” Taiwo also disclosed that the country has signed necessary agreements with all artistes whose songs are on the website. He said: “We have signed agreements with all artistes; we make sure that all songs on our site are there legally and legitimately.” Also speaking with Chief Operating Officer, COO, and Co-Founder of the company Dolapo Taiwo, revealed the plans the company has to checkmate hacking. He stated: “To prevent hacking, our technology is very strong. We’ve been building this for the past three years, and we focus so much on technology. We’ve separated the payment process from the download process even though it’s one and the same to the user.” Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer and Co founder of the company, Mr Tola Ogunsola, told Glamtech that the site will make songs from the 60s and 70s available for download. According to him, “We’ve had very interesting conversations with record labels, and right now, we have the oldest record label in Nigeria on board which used to be Polygram, but is now called Premier Music. We have digitized all their songs, and put it online. So if you’re looking for Victor Olaiya’s songs, and others like it, they’re all on our sites.” Meanwhile, popular On Air Personality, Olisa Adibua who is the Chief Strategic Officer of the company, will work with other veteran entertainment personalities such as DJ Jimmy Jatt to vet the music that make it to the site to make sure, that they’re of top quality. Commending the creation of the site, well-known singer and Five Star Music Records Executive, Kcee stated that the platform was one that artistes have been looking forward to for a long time. In his words, “This is a nice initiative, and it’s really going to be beneficial to artistes. Definitely, we at Five Star Music will be coming on board, so that our true fans can get our music and pay for it in the proper way.”

DesignHub seeks tto o end graphic nightmares By Laju Iren

randing has never been as important as it is in today’s digital world. Online and in the physical market, businesses and ideas are competing non-stop for consumers’ attention. The old ideas of ‘cut and sew’ designs no longer step up to the plate, but getting the right designer could be a nightmare. If the quality isn’t faulty, the price could be scary. And even when both align, there could be an issue of unmet deadlines. Designhub.com.ng a new ad-startup, says that it seeks to solve these challenges. Prospective customers can submit their briefs on the website, based on the budget, taste and style. In turn, a wide array of designers are available to work on such briefs and return to customers in the comfort of their homes. Chief Executive Officer or DesignHub, Mr. Adekunle Osilaja told Glamtech at the launch of the company recently: “We combine strategic thinking and top-notch craft, to create memorable and communicative designs for clients who believe in the power of unique and creative brands in promoting businesses, corporations personalities and other social causes. We describe ourselves as creative consultants. Not designers, writers, web developers, advertisers or brand strategists but all of these and more. “We pair our clients with the right mix of talents, skill-sets, and personalities, to ensure the highest possible standard of client satisfaction and the execution of unique and pace-setting projects. Before we create any design solution, we take time to listen, learn and understand who we are working for, what they represent and the values they uphold. Whatever the mix, our group shares a collective approach that guarantees the highest possible standard of excellence for every client’s project.” DesignHub offers clients the opportunity to build a design brief, choose a design package, make payment, launch their designs, order designs in bulk, among others.

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Twitter’s periscope app zooms into world map By Prince Osuagwu

eriscope, Twitter’s mobile app that allows users to stream live videos from their phones to the internet, recently released an iOS update that makes it easier for users to find videos from around the world. Among other new features, the app now includes an interactive world map that displays the locations of available live feeds. The ‘Explore the world’ feature for example, enables users to explore live broadcasts on an interactive map. Users can now see the most recent broadcasts sharing location all over the world. Twitter’s communication Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, EMEA, Julie Dilger said that Periscope’s new developments are helping bring to life the original vision for the app. She said “When we started building Periscope, our first idea revolved around a map. We wanted to be able to see anywhere in the world, but we questioned whether we would have enough broadcasts for a map to be compelling. “What are the odds that anyone would even be live?,” we asked ourselves. So we shelved the map, and promised to revisit the idea when it made more sense. We could never have predicted the magnitude of broadcasts happening in every corner of the world, continuously throughout the day. Because of the incredible Periscope community, we can bring our original vision to life.” As a result of the new updates, Periscope is now localized in 29 languages, a development Twitter hopes will “broaden the community.” Also, replays are now instantly available. There is no need to users to wait for a replay to upload after broadcasting. Users can also share the link to a live broadcast or they are watching on Twitter.

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54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

NASS: Saraki, Lawan's men close ranks Continues from Page 5

The senators supportive of Senator Lawan meanwhile visited the national secretariat of the party where they had a closed door meeting with the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Reporters were not allowed into the meeting and about 20 senators came out of the meeting looking pensive. They refused to comment on the outcome of their meeting with the claim that they had been ordered not to speak to the press on the issue. Led by Senator Banabas Gemade, and including Senators Lawan and George Akume, the senators met with the national chairman for about one hour. Even the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed who was present at the meeting also refused to speak on the meeting.

“I think the party made its position clear on the matter, that it is unhappy with the outcome of the election and I think we won’t say anything beyond that. What the senators will do is within the capability and rights of the senators.” Meanwhile, aides of the Clerk of the National Assembly, CNA, have denied receiving any communication from President Muhammadu Buhari to delay the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly. Sources in the CNA claimed that there was neither official letter, nor SMS message from the Presidency directing the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, to delay the inauguration. The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to make any official statement on the matter said: “There was no official communication

through memo from the Presidency, not even text messages or phone calls. “Anybody that has any form of evidence like that, I challenge the person to make it public. Even if there was anything like that, it was not enough to stop the proclamation because it is a constitutional ritual that happens every four years. “The proclamation letter from the President directed that the inauguration should take place by 10 am. Having done the proclamation, you cannot create a distance in time.” The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu was quoted as saying that a message was sent to the CNA to inform him of the President’s meeting with the APC National Assembly members and the need to delay the inauguration. Yesterday, one of the

supporters of Senator Lawan, Senator Kabiru Marafa from Zamfara state wondered why the CNA should proceed with the inauguration of the 8th Senate with only 57 Senators that were present as at the time the election of the Senate President was conducted. “Why was he in a hurry when he knew that only 57 Senators were in the chamber for the legislative exercise, what would he have lost if he had delayed it in obedience to the presidential directive.

PDP warns Presidency, APC

Meanwhile, the PDP has cautioned the Presidency and the APC against any attempt to intimidate or harass the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the National Assembly Service Commission for performing their statutory functions during the inauguration of the National Assembly. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh in a statement on Thursday said any attempt by the APC to transfer its “frustration which was a product of their ineptitude, would amount to witch-hunt and victimization. The party said the undertone of the statement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu that the Clerk was adequately requested to shift the time for the inauguration to enable the President address the APC legislators but he ignored it “amounts to putting undue pressure on civil servants in the National Assembly for performing their legitimate duties and sends a serious signal which should not be ignored.” It described as unfortunate the fact that the APC’s displayed its arrogance and disrespect for the dictates of the constitution by attempting to adjust the President’s promulgation order on the National Assembly and seeking to put their interest over and above the supreme law of the land. “It is a clear mark of disrespect to the constitution for the President and his party to fix a meeting for him

to address their legislators the same time he had directed the Assembly to be inaugurated in line with the constitution. For 16 years that PDP nurtured democracy in this country, there was never a day it attempted to armtwist or intimidate the bureaucracy of the National Assembly to do its bidding given our recognition and respect for the independence and sanctity of the legislative arm. “The National Assembly is the citadel of democracy and represents the collective voice of all Nigerians. The PDP, even in opposition will continue to protect its sanctity and will, therefore, resist any attempt by the APC to undermine its independence and those of other democratic institutions in our country”, the statement said. The party noted that the position of the APC and the Presidency clearly negates President Buhari’s well-received and praised assertion in his inaugural speech that he belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody as Nigeria’s President. “By the last minute attempt to shift the inauguration time for party interest, the President violates his Presidential oath to defend the constitution and serve the nation without fear or favour and irrespective of party, religion and tribe, as he did not consider the interests of other political parties and the generality of Nigerians”, the party said. The PDP said emerging events have continued to justify its position that the APC is ill-equipped and unprepared for the enormous challenge of ruling the country adding that such became glaring in the way and manner the APC handled a very vital issue like the inauguration of the National Assembly. “From March 28, 2015 to June 9th, the APC had about 74 days within which it was expected to put its house in order and present its leaders for the 8th National Assembly, but it could not because of the greed

and selfishness of its socalled godfathers who instead chose to fix their party meeting the same time the President scheduled for the inauguration of the National Assembly”. The PDP said rather than vilify the Clerk of the National Assembly, the APC should commend him for his patriotic and courageous stand that has helped minimize the embarrassment the shifting would have brought to the country internationally given that it has been announced to take place at a particular time on Tuesday. The party, therefore, charged the Presidency and APC to apologize to Nigerians for the embarrassment their ineptitude and inexperience has been causing the nation since they came into office.

Court renews order barring electricity tariff hike

AGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, renewed an earlier order it made, restraining the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, from implementing the new electricity tariff slated to take place from June 1, 2015. Trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, had in a ruling on an ex-parte motion by a Lagos lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi, restrained the NERC and the electricity distribution companies, DISCOs from effecting any increment in electricity tariff pending the hearing and determination of the suit. At yesterday's hearing in the matter, Adebiyi told the court that as directed, all the processes in the matter, including the enrolled order of court, had been served on the NERC, adding that by the provisions of the rules of court, NERC had seven days to respond, but the commission was yet to do so. He told the court that in as much as he would love to proceed, it would be fair to give the commission benefit of doubt and urged the court to renew the order to preserve the subject matter of the suit.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 55

Borno youth forum drums support for Idris as AGF By Ndahi Marama

AIDUGURI— A youth Forum comprising of All Progressive Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, other political and non-political parties affiliations, under the

auspices of Hawul and Askira Uba Youth Movement, HAUYM, yesterday, endorsed the Director of Finance, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mallam Idris Durkwa for appointment as the Accountant General of the Federation, AGF, under the

present administration of President Muhammad Buhari. The youths said they were compelled to make appeal to President Buhari to consider Durkwa due to his track record in managing the affairs of various ministries at the federal level where he has never been found wanting in the discharge of his duties. Addressing newsmen in Mai-

RECEPTION: From Left; Senator Stella Oduah; Mr Tony Nwoye; Sen Ben Obi, Former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, and Igwe Kris Onyekeuluje at a special inauguration reception organised by Ndi'igbo for Oduah in Abuja, yesterday.

duguri, Borno State capital, Chairman of HAUYM, Hassan Kwajaffa, said, his group which has over 3,000 members and loyalists to committed democracy, urged the leadership of the APC, senators and other stakeholders to ensure that Durkwa mounts the seat of the AGF, considering the facts that Southern Borno senatorial district, which produced the highest number of intellectuals in the likes of Durkwa has been relegated to the background when it comes to appointment into key sectors at the federal level. The youths stated that thier findings had revealed that Durkwa has the required prudence, intellect and leadership quality to pilot the affairs of the “nation’s economy”. He called on the President, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Senators, House of Representative members and other stakeholders to support Durkwa as AGF, having all the prerequisite qualification and experience required for the post, pointing out that, if the position will be zoned to the North East, want somebody like Durkwa who is from southern part of the state to take the lead for justice, equity and fair play.

Jones Creek communities vow not to sign FTO for Nest Oil

OLLOWING the continuous alleged marginalisation of the Jones Creek oil field host communities by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and Nest Oil Plc running the facilities, five of the communities, namely, Kokodiagbene, Omadino, E k p e m u Akpata,Okerenkoko and Akpata Gbe-Gbe have vowed not to sign fresh Freedom To Operation, FTO, for the oil servicing companies. In a statement by Austine Oniyesan, Sheriff Mulade, Chief James Tangbowei, Chief Mosco Johnny and Isaiah Odu, chairmen, Omadino, Kokodiagbene, Okerenkoko, Ekpemu-Akpata and Akpata Gbe-Gbe communities respectively, after a meeting between Jones Creek oil field host communities and Nest Oil

Plc, in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, they said that Jones Creek oil field was the largest single oil producing field in the West Africa sub-region as it produces 250,000 barrels per day. They explained that in 2010, the fields were taken over by NPDC when SPDC divested its investments in the area, adding that ever since then, the company and its major contractor, Nest Oil Plc, running the facilities have continued to marginalise the communities. According to them, “Our findings have shown that there is connivance among NPDC management personnel to register companies in their names and subletting contracts to the same companies to appear to be confirming with local content stipulations of the Federal Government.''

APC'll empower entertainment sector, says Oshiomhole's aide

DO state born ace comedian and special assistant to the Governor of Edo State on Entertainment, Mr Roland igbaduhme, has expressed confidence in the All Progressive Congress, APC-led Federal Government to support and empower the entertainment industry. Igbaduhme, whose stage name is Youngest Oldman, noted that it was time other newly won APC states followed the trend and empower entertainers in their respective state to further enhance the efforts of the Federal Government which will enable smooth and rapid grassroots development in the entertainment industry. According to him, this will further strengthen human capacity building and create jobs in the country. The ace comedian called on states like Plateau, Benue, Niger, Nassarawa, Kwara and Kano states to step up their support for the entertainment industry to further strengthen youth empowerment and curb unemployment. He said, “These states have raw talents in the areas of music, movies, film directors and so on. Take for instance Edo State where Governor Adams Oshiomohle appointed four comedians as his special assistant, Osun also appointed 9ice, an entertainer into his cabinet as well as Imo, Lagos, Ogun among others.”

Induction

HE induction service for Rev David Oduola, Pastor in charge of Triumphant Baptist Church, Akesan, Lagos holds on Sunday, June I4 by 1p m. The Moderator of the Good News Baptist Association, Rev Titi Ajadi will preside at the service. Dr Sunday Oladejo, Senior Pastor of Triumphant Baptist Church is the Chief host at the event.

56 — VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12 , 2015

Russia threatens ‘consequences’ if US deploys missiles in Europe R

USSIA yesterday warned the United States of consequences if it moves to deploy landbased missiles in Europe in contravention of a key Cold-War era arms control treaty. “It is clear that such actions would mean complete destruction by the American side of the regime of the treaty with all its attendant consequences,” the Russian foreign ministry said, referring to the 1987 INF treaty on intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. “We urge the United States to ensure the full implementation of the INF, (and) not to threaten the feasibility of this document,” the ministry said in a statement. The two countries have accused each other of violating the treaty signed by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987. US defence officials said last week Washington is considering a range of moves to counter Russia’s alleged violation of the treaty, including bolstering missile defences or deploying land-based missiles in Europe. The INF agreement eliminated nuclear and conventional groundlaunched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate range of 5005,500 kilometres (3003,400 miles). The treaty

marked the first time the superpowers had agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals. Rupert Murdoch , the 84-year-old chief executive officer and controlling shareholder of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA News), is preparing to step down as CEO of the media giant and hand that title to his son James, according to numerous sources close to the Murdoch family.

•Putin

•Obama

Falklands: Tensions flare between Argentina, Britain

ENSIONS over the Falkland Islands flared again on Wednesday, with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez referring to Britain’s leader as “almost illmannered” in his comments to an official of her government over the contested archipelago. At a meeting of Latin American countries with the European Union in Brussels, Foreign Minister Hector Timerman had a heated exchange over dinner with Prime Minister David Cameron over the South Atlantic islands’ sovereignty. The two countries fought a brief war over the islands in 1982, which Britain won. “The prime minister’s response was irate, almost ill-mannered,” Fernandez said during a

•Cristina Fernandez public address. A British government spokesman said: “The prime minister robustly defended the Falklands

•Cameron and the islanders’ right to self-determination in response the Argentine foreign minister raising the

issue.” Argentine state news service Telam said Timerman denounced Britain for clinging to a “colonialist” policy and that Cameron had referred to those comments as “threatening”. The British spokesman said Cameron had accused Argentina of threatening companies operating in the

seas around the islands. “The prime minister underlined that the islanders had expressed their view in a referendum and that should be respected,” he said. “He went on to add that the waters around the Falklands were territorial waters and it was unacceptable of Argentina to threaten investors seeking to operate there.”

China jails former security boss for life over corruption

HINA has sacked the head of its state assets regulator, former top energy executive Jiang Jiemin, the official Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday, two days after the agency reported Jiang was the subject of a corruption probe. Jiang is “suspected of

Xi Jinping - who took office as party chief last November and as president in March has warned corruption could destroy the party and has threatened to expose high-ranking officials, or “tigers”, along with low-level “flies”. Jiang was the first member of the Communist Party ’s current 205person Central Committee to face investigation, state-run media said.

UN peacekeepers accused of swapping goods for sex

serious discipline violations”, state media said on Sunday, shorthand the government generally uses to describe corruption. Jiang was removed from office as head of the Stateowned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council, it said. The inquiry into Jiang was only announced on Sunday, and reports said it was focusing on China

Murdoch to step down from 21st Century Fox

N peacekeepers com monly pay for sex with cash, dresses, jewellery, perfume, mobile phones and other items despite a ban on such relationships, a draft UN report has concluded. The draft study by the UN Office of Internal Oversight

Services (OIOS), obtained by Reuters news agency, says surveys of hundreds of women in Haiti and Liberia found their reasons for selling sex included hunger, poverty and lifestyle improvement. “Evidence from two peacekeeping mission countries demonstrates that transactional sex is quite common but underreported in peacekeeping missions,” concluded the OIOS draft dated May 15. The UN currently has more than 125,000 troops, police and civilians deployed in 16 operations around the world. The OIOS draft report also notes that “the number of

condoms distributed, along with the number of personnel undergoing voluntary counselling and confidential testing for HIV ... suggest that sexual relationships between peacekeeping personnel and the local population may be routine”. It said a UN bulletin issued in 2003 banned transactional sex by peacekeepers, in part because it undercuts the organisation’s credibility in areas where it is serving. The OIOS draft said 480 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse had been made between 2008 and 2013, of which onethird involved children.

UPERT Murdoch , the 84-year-old chief executive officer and controlling shareholder of 21st Century Fox (NASDAQ:FOXA News), is preparing to step down as CEO of the media giant and hand that title to his son James, according to numerous sources close to the Murdoch family. An announcement is expected in the near term, while it’s unclear whether the reorganization would take place this year or at the start of 2016. Rupert

•Jiang Jiemin National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), the giant stateowned oil company he headed before being promoted to the SASAC post earlier this year.

Murdoch will continue to be the executive chairman of Fox, while his son Lachlan would also become an executive cochairman of the company. As part of the management reordering at Fox, its COO, Chase Carey, will step down from that role and take on a yet undefined role as an advisor at the company. Carey, who did not return a call for comment, was widely expected to exercise his right to an early release from his current contract, allowing him to leave the company,

which he joined in 2009, at the end of this year. Now, sources tell me, he is likely to remain in some capacity through 2016. While James Murdoch would take over the dayto-day management of Fox, he will work in tandem with his 43-yearold brother Lachlan and his father. Sources who have spoken with the Murdochs in recent weeks tell me they have shared their plans openly and describe the Murdoch brothers’ new roles as a “partnership.”

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 12 , 2015 — 57

Burundi opposition to boycott elections A group of 17 political parties have agreed to boycott elections in Burundi because they don’t believe they will be free and fair, an opposition leader said yesterday. The opposition groups are also opposed to the current electoral commission because it isn’t complete after two of its five members fled, said F r e d e r i c Bamvuginyumvira, deputy head of a party known by its initials as FRODEBU. Burundi has been rocked by unrest since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his plans to run for a third term, which many see as unconstitutional even though the nation’s constitutional court has ruled in the president’s favour.

Members of the 17 political parties have agreed to boycott elections in Burundi because they don’t believe they will be free and fair. Security forces have used a combination of live ammunition, tear gas and water cannon to break up months of protests in the nation’s capital, Bujumbura. At least 20 civilians have been killed and hundreds more wounded in the clashes.

Amid the chaos, which has forced about 90,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, the government is pressing ahead with elections, saying any lengthy delay would lead to a dangerous power vacuum and possibly more violence.

Ebola: Ghana suspends vaccine trial after ‘guinea pig’ backlash

HANA has suspended a trial for an Ebola vaccine after complaints that locals were being needlessly used as “guinea pigs” in a country currently free of the deadly disease. A spokesman for the West African nation’s health minister told a local radio station on Wednesday that many Ghanaians had contacted the official expressing their disinterest in the project. The country had agreed to join other countries in hosting trials to test the

safety and effects of two experimental vaccines against a virus that has killed more than 11,150 people in the region. Phase 1 safety tests for one vaccine, developed by US pharmaceutical giant Johnson and Johnson and Denmark’s Bavarian Nordic in the southeastern Volta region, gave volunteers a mobile phone and nearly $5 each. But faced with mounting opposition to the trial, Health Minister Alex Segbefia, who is currently out of the country, decided

to suspend the tests, his spokesman Tony Goodman told Citi FM radio. “The minister has got a lot of calls from numerous Ghanaians saying that they are not interested in any trial,” he said Wednesday. “So he said... the trial should be suspended until he returns to look at the issues.” Leaders of the ruling National Democratic Congress in the Volta region said the trial was a “needless experiment”.

Ebola spikes again in Guinea, Sierra Leone: WHO

HE number of Ebola cases has risen in Guinea and Sierra Leone for the second consecutive week, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. In Guinea, 16 new cases were found in the week ending June 7, with 15 more found in neighbouring Sierra Leone. In the previous week, 13 new cases had been found in Guinea, a clear increase on the nine reported a week before that. The pattern was similar in Sierra Leone, where

12 new cases were found in the last week of May compared to only three the previous week. “This is the second consecutive weekly increase in case

incidence,” the WHO said. Ebola has killed 11,158 of the 27,237 people infected, the WHO said in its latest situation report.

Sierra Leone health officials check passengers transiting at the border crossing with Liberia in Jendema on March 28, 2015

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ABARIBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihechinyere Nneoma Abaribe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ihechinyere Nneoma Chigemeri-Uwom. All former documents remain valid. News Agency of Nigeria [NAN], and general public please take note.

SANDRA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Muobor Obiogu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sandra Muobor Peter Omoya. All former Documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of name I wish to state that my name was written in my 2007 WAEC Examination as Ugande Tenenge Daniel with my second name wrongly spelt as Tenenge. I now wish to be known and addressed by my correct name, Ugande Ternenge Daniel. All former Documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAMALI—I, formerly known and addressed as Samali Sandra Aishatu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okuru Sandra Aishatu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

RASHIDA—I, formerly

please take note.

M O N DAY — I , formerly known and addressed as Monday Nwokenne, now wish to be known and addressed as Monday Nwokenne Chimezie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IWUORIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iwuorie Onyinyechukwu Nora, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. U z o d i n m a Onyinyechukwu Nora. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

SAKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Saka Adebisi Aminat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebule Adebisi Aminat. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

OKELUE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vivian Ifeoma Okelue, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vivian Ifeoma Monyei. All former documents remain valid. GTBank and general public please note.

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OCHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Oche Ibele Juliet, now wish to be known and addressed as Abutu Ibele Juliet. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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UDDIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Oyinkansola Ekenedilichukwu Uddin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Oyinkansola Ekenedilichukwu Ladele. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

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AKIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Abiola Oluwasola Akin, now wish to be known and addressed as Abiola Olushola Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

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ATANI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Atani Tamarebi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agbatutu Tamarebi Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SALAMI—I, formerly

ISIBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Isibor Ezinne Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udondek Ezinne Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UNITED MEETING —I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Aloba United Meeting, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Aloba Ebipade. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOBIA —I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Onobia, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Boyo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

please take note.

SALAMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Dr. (Miss) Ufuoma Salami, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. (Mrs.) Ufuoma Akponine. All former documents remain valid. Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), LUTH and general public please take note.

BAMIGBAIYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss B a m i g b a i y e Oluwakemi Omolara Dorcas, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibrahim Oluwakemi Omolara Dorcas. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBUTE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Eyojo Ebute, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Eyojo Abuh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BELABOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sedoo Violet Belaboh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sedoo Violet Okechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OKERE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Akubueze Okere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Paul Mfon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ojo Ivie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikechukwu Ivie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

known and addressed as Miss Kess Salami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kess Okojie. All former documents remain valid. General public

known and addressed as Rashida Ajao, now wish to be known and addressed as Evelyn Ajao.

All

former

documents

remain

valid. General public

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

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NFF bemoans F/Eagles defeat BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed huge shock over the defeat of the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles by their German counterparts in the on-going FIFA World Youth championship (WYC) taking place in New Zealand. Chairman of the Technical Committee of the NFF, Chief Felix Anyansi told Sports Vanguard in a telephone chat that the outcome of the Round of 16 game was very regrettable because the team had been exceptional in its previous outings. Anyansi who refused to blame anybody for the ouster further stated that the federation would be properly briefed on what really went wrong with the team when they return to the country. “The result of that match is what we least expected but that is football for you, sometimes when you have high hopes, that is when it will let you down. As a federation we did all that was needed of us to do but I don’t know what

Senegal’s Lions aim for the semis

ENEGAL will look to continue their storming run in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand when they take on Uzbekistan in a quarterfinal on Sunday. Kickoff at the Wellington Regional Stadium will be at 06h30 CAT. The Young Teranga Lions have had a rollercoaster ride in the tournament thus far, finishing third in their group and qualifying for the knockout stages thanks to a dramatic come-from-behind win over Qatar, before eliminating a strong Ukraine side on penalties to earn their place in the last eight. Now coach Joseph Koto says the calculations are over for his side, who will simply play in the moment and look to go as far as possible – with the final their ultimate hope and goal. “We prepared seriously for this tournament, we did not come here to be only a part of it. We came here for results,” said Koto in the wake of their shootout triumph in the last 16.

BLOCKING . . . Flying Eagles Captain, Musa Muhammed blocks Julian Brandt of Germany during their FIFA U-20 World Cup match at Christchurch Stadium New Zealand. Germany won 1-0. Photo: FIFA . happened but the truth is that the boys let us down.

“Well for me, this is not the time to apportion blames but when the

team return we will get more insight into what actually happened to our team.”

Mali take on the German ‘machine’

ALI will look to avoid the fate of Nigeria when they battle Germany for a place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter finals on Sunday. Kick-off at the Christchurch Stadium will be at 03h00 CAT. The Young Eagles booked their spot in the quarterfinals with a hugely impressive 3-0 win over fellow Africans Ghana last Wednesday, with goals from Diadie Samassekou, Dieudonne Gbakle and Aboubacar Doumbia burying the Black Satellites. Mali might have been hoping to come up against Nigeria in the last eight, but the Flying Eagles were the victim of the German machine in this tournament, with the Europeans winning 1-0 in their last 16 clash on Thursday to prevent an all-African quarterfinal. The Germans will be tough opponents to overcome, as they have racked up four straight wins, scored 17 goals and conceded just two – impressive form which has marked them as one of the favourites for the tournament.

CELEBRATION . . . Malian U-20 team players celebrate after beating Ghana to qualify for the FIFA U-20 quarter final stage in New Zealand.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12 2015 — 61

Don’t cry for F/Eagles — Siasia Manu: Germany deserved to win N IGERIA’s Under23 team head coach Samson Siasia has said the Flying Eagles did not play to win against the European champions, Germany. Nigeria lost 0-1 to Germany in the round of 16 clash yesterday in Christchurch at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Midfielder, Levin Oztunali’s 19th minute goal proved decisive to hand the Germans a quarterfinal ticket at the biennial football showpiece. Siasia said the game plan the African champions played against Germany could not have guaranteed them victory in the clash. “Flying Eagles did not come out to play at winning the clash against Germany. They were not aggressive to take their chance at goal. “Germany could have won the match with more than four goals if they had pressed for it. “It’s absolutely wrong to play one striker, Taiwo Awoniyi without any support striker in a knockout encounter. “Germany played far better in the clash and ably deserved their hard earned victory. “Awoniyi stood out in the game but was not used very well against Germany and I believe he remains a revelation. “I don’t think the players are right to cry after the encounter as they did not do anything to deserve a win,” said the former Super Eagles manager. The African champions have therefore ended their campaign at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand with the loss to Germany.

BATTLE...Germany’s Hany Mukhtar challenges Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Zaharaddeen Bello during their second round match of the FIFA Under20 World Cup. Germany won 1-0.

Falcons, our hope! UPER Falcons’ Skipper, Evelyn Nwabuoku and teammate, Francisca Ordega, are confident of defeating Australia in their next group match today to restore smiles back to the faces of Nigerians The Flying Eagles deflated the hopes of Nigerians when Germany sent them crashing after inflicting a 10 defeat. Falcons, which held world soccer power Sweden to a 3-3 draw in their group opener, need a win to keep their qualification to the next round alive and the duo say they are going for broke against the Matildas. “We thank God for the draw against Sweden but our focus is now on Australia. They are a very good side, they are fast and mobile but from what we have seen so far, we think

LOYD Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have been named as the world’s top two highest paid sportspeople in Forbes’ annual rich list. The boxers earned a combined $460 million in the past 12 months, mostly thanks to their lucrative ‘fight of the

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century’ at the MGM Arena in May. Mayweather ’s eyewatering £194m sees him atop of the Forbes rich list for 2015 while Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer with earnings of over £51m. Seven Britons feature

way ashedidnotenjoymuch support from those on the wings. “We have learnt that the U20 is much higher level than what you have at U17, butmostimportantlywelearnt that if you lost concentration, it could cost you dearly.” Goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo kept Nigeria in the game especially in the first half when he pulled off at least two big saves. And Manu praised the goalkeeper, whose two blunders cost Nigeria the group game against Brazil last week. “He had a great game. His view was blocked by a defender for the goal by Germany, but otherwise he was wonderful,” remarked the coach.

German Machines shatter F/Eagles dream

•Tackle Australia today 10 p.m. N S

IGERIA have been knocked out of the Under-20 World Cup by Germany, who were 1-0 victors in their Round of 16 clash. The Flying Eagles could not be faulted for effort but were unable to create any clear chances in Christchurch. Germany scored the winner after just 19 minutes when Levin

Oztunali drove home a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. Nigeria, runners-up in 1989 and 2005, tried in vain to fight back after the break. Germany will now face Mali in the quarterfinals on Sunday in Christchurch, which is when Senegal will play Uzbekistan in Wellington.

FALCONS DELIGHT — Francisca Ordega, Asisat Oshoala and Ebere Orji. they are beatable; we will approach the game tactically come Friday because we need all three points. “After the display against Sweden, teams are now scared of us but that is not enough; we just have to work on our shortcomings also. I appeal to our fans to keep supporting us and

praying for us because I am hundred percent sure that we will defeat Australia,” Nwabuoku said. Similarly, scorer of Nigeria’s equalizer against Sweden, Francisca Ordega, said she intends to score more goals for Nigeria and also agreed with her captain that Australia will fall come Friday.

The 10 highest paid athletes of 2015 F

LYING Eagles coach Manu Garba has conceded Germany’s superiority over his team on Thursday, saying the European champions deserved their 1-0 win in an U20 World Cup Round of 16 match. Germany progressed to face Mali on Sunday for a place in the semifinals. “Germany deserved to win, they played very well,” admitted Manu. “You win, draw or lose. We lost despite our high expectations. We wanted the cup and we’re now out. We had a bad day and are disappointed to go home so early. “In the first half, our main striker was mostly on his

in the 100-person list, with Rory McIlroy, Lewis Hamilton, Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney, Andy Murray, Justin Rose and Frank Lampard included. Rory McIlroy is down in 12th place on the Forbes list on £31.25m, behind eighth-placed Phil Mickelson and

ninth-placed Tiger Woods, despite winning two Majors and becoming undisputed world number one last season. That shows the importance of endorsements to the top earners in sport - and also accounts for Roger Federer being far and

MONEY MAN — Mayweather away the best-paid tennis player in the world at number five, despite the fact that he failed to win a Grand Slam title for the second year running. Novak Djokovic, the world number one, is in 13th place on the list on £31.15, just below McIlroy. Lewis Hamilton is the highest-paid F1 driver on the Forbes table with

£25.2m, putting him in 15th place. That’s two better than Fernando Alonso on £23m, and six better than Sebastian Vettel on £21.3m. Vettel won’t be behind Hamilton for long, however. The figures released on Thursday relate to the last 12 months, and therefore Vettel’s salary at Red Bull accounts for his lower placement.

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Neymar, Messi eye duel as Copa kicks off A

mouthwatering duel between Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar is looming over the Copa America as the three-week football extravaganza started in Chile yesterday. One of the most eagerly anticipated tournaments in years starts in Santiago, with the hosts facing Ecuador in Group A at 8.30pm (2330 GMT) to launch their quest for a first ever Copa crown. A galaxy of Europebased stars will be on show in Chile, including Argentina captain Messi and Brazil counterpart Neymar, Colombia’s James Rodriguez, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. Messi and Neymar arrive at the tournament less than a week after inspiring Spanish giants Barcelona to the Champions League triumph, the final act of a glittering treble-winning season. Both number 10s are carrying a heavy weight of expectation on their shoulders, with Messi deter-

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•TWO OF A KIND ... FC Barcelona teamates, Lionel Messi and Neymar duel in a ball contest in a match between Argentina and Brazil. Manchester City star mined to finally taste glory many in the final to extend at a major international a title drought which Aguero was even more tournament and Neymar stretches back to the 1993 candid. “If this generation of players don’t win anyaiming to erase the mem- Copa America. ory of Brazil’s World Cup Messi admitted that Ar- thing we’re going to regret debacle. gentina’s richly talented it for the rest of our lives,” “I feel I’m in better shape squad—which includes the striker said. Argentina open their arriving at this tournament the likes of Carlos Tevez, campaign against Parathan I was at the World Cup Sergio Aguero and Angel last year,” Messi told re- di Maria—were deter- guay tomorrow and should porters at Argentina’s mined to end the Albice- progress from a Group B training camp. leste’s long wait for a tro- which also includes Uruguay and Jamaica, one of Messi and Argentina fell phy. agonizingly short at the “This generation is des- two teams from the CONWorld Cup, suffering a 1-0 perate to win a title with the CACAF region invited to extra-time defeat to Ger- national team,” Messi said. bolster the tournament.

Poyet: Uruguay will miss Suarez at Copa America

US Poyet says Uru guay will certainly suffer from the absence of Luis Suarez when they attempt to defend their Copa America title. Uruguay will be without Luis Suarez for their Copa America campaign and Gus Poyet concedes his national team will undoubtedly miss the Barcelona star. Suarez - who scored 25 goals in winning the treble with Barca this season - is serving an international ban after biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup in Brazil last year. The forward was hit with a nine-match suspension for competitive matches, eight of which he is still to serve, meaning he will miss all of Uruguay ’s Copa clashes even if the defending champions reach the final. “Undoubtedly, when someone plays for Uruguay the team is the most important thing, but Luis Suarez is an international figure and the team will

always notice his absence,” Poyet, who won the Copa with Uruguay back in 1995, told Perform. “I think the previous training time will be key, but we will obviously miss him. “We play as if it were the last tournament we are going to play in our life and this always brings something extra. “Winning this tournament make us proud, so it is very important for us.” Uruguay start their Copa campaign against Jamaica tomorrow.

•Suarez

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 — 63

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015

Falcons, our hope! Tackle Australia today (10 p.m.)

Don’t cry for F/ Eagles — Siasia Details on Page 61

Manu: Germany deserved to win The 10 highest paid athletes of 2015

CONTEST•••Hany Mukhtar of Germany (L) vies with Flying Eagles midfielder, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi during their FIFA U-20 World Cup yesterday.

•Mayweather

FALCONS DELIGHT: Francisca Ordega and Asisat Oshoala.

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Record (4) 4 Swab (3) 6 Rear (4) 8 Posture (6) 9 Yearly (6) 10 Brown (3) 12 Salute (5) 14 Colourless (5) 15 Attain (5) 18 Tried (6) 20 Whole (6) 24 Exterior (5) 26 Postpone (5) 28 Irrigate (5) 30 Marshland (3) 32 Gather (6) 33 Decorated (6) 34 Shout (4) 35 Tree (3) 36 Peruse (4)

DOWN 2 Bury (5) 3 Change (7) 4 Encounter (4) 5 Scheme (4) 6 Seat (5) 7 Feverish (7) 11 Curve (3) 12 Obtain (3) 13 Golf-peg (3) 16 Fuss (3) 17 Smack (3) 19 Perform (7) 21 Novel (3) 22 Coach (7) 23 Hill (3) 25 Employ (3) 27 Praise (5) 29 Additional (5) 30 Liberate (4) 31 Standard (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Dress 7, Score 8, Small 10, Egret 12, Apt 13, Spear 15, Proceed 17, Termed 19, Auk 20, Tempted 23, Teem 25, Dear 26, Decreed 30, Sue 31, Decide 34, Possess 37, Talon 38, Tea 39, Sitar 40, Stage 41, Igloo 42, Hello.

DOWN: 1, Scope 2, Dream 3, Regret 4, Seep 5, Smacked 6, Alter 9, Ape 11, Trapped 13, State 14, Erred 16, Out 18, Depress 21, Devil 22, Greece 24, Message 27, Cue 28, Detail 29, Motto 32, Cargo 33, Donor 35, Sea 36, Site.

How to Play Sudoku

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. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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