EDO GUBER BATTLE: Deployment of 3,500 soldiers splits Reps

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61664

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THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

EDO GUBER BATTLE:

Deployment of 3,500 soldiers splits Reps •Edo gets new Police boss, Area commanders, DPOs •IGP, Jega, warn stakeholders as House reconvenes today

FIRST FEMALE CJN

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Kingsley Omonobi, Simeon Ebegbulem, Emman Ovuakporie & Daud Olatunji

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BUJA—THERE was chaos in the House of Representatives, yesterday, as rival party members took strongly partisan positions over the deployment of troops ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election. The uproar ensued as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commis Continues on Page 5

FG okays new draft PIB —P.7

Mr & Mrs SERVICE FOR DANA CRASH VICTIMS—Children of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR staff who lost their lives in DANA plane crash, at the commendation ceremony at NNPC office, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

HOW TO MAKE OUR AIRSPACE SAFE:

The Air Vice Marshal Dike Report NCAA should ensure stringent airworthiness certification procedures for ageing aircraft. They should also re-orienate airworthiness inspectors on the necessary steps and checks on ageing aircraft, and ensure that the most experienced staff are assigned to inspect them

Report serial on Pgs.44&45

Senate okays Muktar as first female CJN Pg.6

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—3

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

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POCKET CARTOON

Edo guber battle: Deployment of 3,500 soldiers splits Reps Continues from Page 1 sion, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar vowed at a stakeholders parley in Benin that this weekend’s election would be used as a test run of the pledge to ensure free and fair elections in the country.

The chaos in the House was stirred by Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN members following Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s initial rejection of a motion proposed by a party member over the deployment of troops in Edo State for the election.

The gubernatorial campaign which is stretching into its final days had a temporary break as Jega, IGP Abubakar, met with the candidates to appraise security and other regulations concerning the election.

Jega and Abubakar on the occasion addressed serious concerns raised by the leading candidates, Adams Oshiomhole of the ACN and Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over plans to rig the polls.

Among the observations raised by Oshiomhole at the stakeholders meeting were that the PDP was mobilizing fake soldiers and policemen and equally distributing fake voter’s cards for the election.

Airhiavbere on his part accused Oshiomhole of

erecting campaign signboards and posters around polling centres.

IGP appoints new Police Commissioner for Edo At the end of the meeting as the IGP prepared to board a plane back to Abuja, he directed the Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr. Femi Adenaike who came with him to take over as the new Commissioner of Police for Edo State. All the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs were also affected in the changes.

The Police Service Commission, PSC also, yesterday, said that it is deploying top officials of the commission to monitor conduct of policemen during the election. The commission has also released telephone numbers through which malfeasances by policemen could be channeled to.

The numbers are :08164183597 (EDO NORTH), 08071408009 (EDO SOUTH), 08167435347 ( EDO CENTRAL).

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, also warned the authorities that any plan to use the security agencies to rig the election would lead to strong reaction from the populace.

The development came as the PDP Chairman in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih boasted that its candidate, Airhavbere was now set for victory in the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can —Michael Korda

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BELIEVE in miracles and dreams for they do come true. I believe in tender moments and friendship, through and through. I believe in stardust and moonbeams all aglow.

I believe in divine love and that there is more to life than we know. I believe in reaching out and touching from the heart.

I believe that when we laugh a sparkle starts to shine. And I just know that spark will spread from more hearts than just mine.

I believe that if you dance the dances of your heart, that greater happiness will find a brand new way to start. I believe the gifts you have are there for you to share. And when you give them from the heart, it multiples abundantly for you.

I believe that love is still the greatest gift of all!

Fill your heart with beautiful thoughts and embrace goodness, tenderness and compassion to yourself and others.

forthcoming election saying that the party had shaken off the despair of the populace and could now scent victory in the air.

The uproar in the House of Representatives came as Rep. Bimbola Daramola, ACN, Ekiti moved to raise a motion to consider the deployment of soldiers to Edo State. Once he rose to give a brief of his intended motion, partisan acrimony immediately crept into the chamber as members of the PDP muttered as he introduced the thrust of his motion brought under matters of urgent national importance. According to him, the constitution forbade the massive deployment of troops to any part of the country without legislative approval.

Uproar in the House As he was about settling down to his motion yesterday, the chamber was thrown into an uproar as PDP members shouted at him to sit down.

Daramola was, however, undeterred as he struggled to raise his voice to get the consent of the Speaker to read out relevant provisions of the Constitution to back his proposed motion. But he was not successful as Speaker Tambuwal refused to grant him leave to read those sections.

The refusal further fueled the uproar as opposition members of the House raised mayhem shouting no, no, no.

As Tambuwal observed the uproar which lingered for some time, he then called for a voice vote on the decision to stand down the motion.

In the voice vote, Speaker Tambuwal ruled in favour of the “ayes,” a decision that further angered the opposition members.

Upon the ruling by the Speaker, the House Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila raised a point of order asking Mr. Speaker to call for division on the vote. The import of Gbajabiamila’s request was that the vote should be counted.

Faced with the point of order, Tambuwal after some hesitation reversed his earlier decision and apologized to the mem-

bers who in turn applauded him for his humility.

The Speaker, however, promised to give the motion a priority attention in today’s plenary.

Edo guber poll, test case for others — Jega Jega and Abubakar at the stakeholders meeting ahead of the election, yesterday, said INEC and the security agencies were determined to use the Edo election as a test case in the conduct of free and fair elections.

Reading the riot act to stakeholders, they vowed to deal ruthlessly with anybody who attempts to manipulate the election.

Among those present at the parley were Oshiomhole, Airhavbere, Solomon Edebiri (ANPP), Frank Ukoga (SMDP), Andrew Igwemoh (Labour) and Comrade Paul Orunmwensen (NCP) alongside their party officials.

IGP Abubakar disclosed that helicopters would be used to monitor the election and also to distribute election materials to different centers, adding that soldiers will assist mobile policemen in manning strategic points.

According to him, “security officers will challenge the movement of anybody on the day of the election. To tell you how serious we intend to police the state during this period, I have detailed my Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations here, we have the Commissioner of Police in-charge of Terrorism, we have a full investigation team from Abuja.”

Reacting to the fears raised by Governor Oshiomhole that the PDP had prepared Army and Police uniforms with a view to use them to rig the election, the IGP explained that “ we have some thing to differentiate between real police and Army officers on duty.

The Army will be deployed on each of the senatorial districts to support the police.”

“I want to warn that our responsibility is to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible. It is you politicians that use thugs and I will advise that you talk to your supporters because we are prepared

to deal ruthlessly with any one trying to foment trouble” he declared.

On the suggestion made by Oshiomhole that people should be allowed to stay around until the votes are counted rather than asking them to stay 300 meters from the polling units, Abubakar explained that “those who voted have a right to wait as long as they behave themselves, but those who have no business there must not be seen around. We have done every thing in terms of training to caution our officers. They must not allow themselves to be used by any politician.

“This is not the time we should allow ourselves to be used by any body, people must not take us for granted”. On the issue raised about security men carrying arms to protect the votes, the IGP said that “the law prohibits us from doing that. But we will ensure that no body messes with us that day”.

Oshiomhole at the parley produced a fake INEC Identification Card and Voters Card and urged INEC to be on alert, while Airhiavbere urged the commission to ensure that all bill boards or posters are removed from all polling units.

On his part, Edebiri urged the security agents to ensure thugs don’t snatch ballot boxes and emphasized the need for the security agents to check the issue of thuggery, adding that” people have been imported and are being trained now to ensure that they disrupt the election.

“The voters also must not sell their cards because it is an offence and any body caught will be prosecuted. We have ensured that we put in place the best security arrangement. We are determined to make this Edo election the freest and fairest election ever conducted in Nigeria. We may be appointed by the Federal

Government but we are here to serve our people.

Our actions on the field will vindicate us that day” he stated.

Posters, bill boards to give way On the comment made

by Airhiavbere as regarding posters on polling units, Jega stated that “all posters and bill boards around polling units must be removed or else it will be an offense. People without voters cards should stay away from polling centers. Only INEC has the right to announce results and we are warning state TV stations and the media to be careful as regards what they report.

The Chairman of the PDP in Edo State, was confident of victory yesterday saying that after campaigning round in 192 wards of the state that the party could scent victory in the air.

“We are looking forward to victory at the polls as we have been campaigning in all 192 wards telling voters and convincing them why Oshiomhole has to go,” Orbih told Vanguard yesterday.

“The only thing they want to do and what they know what to do is to write results, but even before this contest we have shocked them and people who were saying that this would be no contest, they are now shocked that there is a contest that they will lose.

“Yes, indeed, we can feel victory in the air and right now what we are praying is that God would give the incoming governor, Charles Ahiavbere the wisdom to govern the state well and for the outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to go quietly.”

6—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

PLATEAU MASSACRE

Tears as Mark's wife visits Dantong, Fulani's widows

BY TAYE OBATERU

OS— TEARS flowed freely, yesterday, as the widow of deceased Senator Gyang Dantong, Hannatu, received the wife of Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, who paid her a condolence visit, wishing that her second visit to her was not another sad occasion.

In an emotion-laden tone, Mrs. Dantong recalled how the Senate president’s wife had led a similar delegation sometime back to console her on the death of her son, adding: “The first was in 2009 when I lost my son. You all rallied around me and I remember that day vividly.

“Little did I know that another episode will take place. I wish it were a different thing. I give God the glory. God has silently been speaking to me and I told Him that if this is the one big sacrifice that will bring peace to Berom land, Plateau State and Nigeria, I return all the glory to Him.

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CONFIRMED—The newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Aloma Mariam Mukhtar (right) with out-going CJN, Dahiru Musdapher during the confirmation of Aloma by the Senate in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Senate okays Mukhtar as first female CJN I 'll rid judiciary of bad judges — Mukhtar Backs plea bargain Kicks against special courts for terrorism Accuses govs of withholding state judiciary funds

BY INALEGWU SHAIBU

BUJA — INCOMING first female Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Muhktar, who was confirmed by the Senate, yesterday, has vowed to weed out bad judges from the judiciary to restore public confidence in that arm of government.

Justice Muhktar, who was confirmed after a twohour screening, admitted that corruption had eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation’s judiciary, but assured that total cleansing would be needed to rid the sector of bad eggs.

She said: “Corruption is in every system of our society and I cannot pretend that it is not in the judiciary. What I intend to do to curb this is to lead by example and to hope and pray that others will follow.

As the chairman of the National Judicial Council, I will encourage internal cleansing based on petition.

But that is not to say that I will condone frivolous petition. Each petition will be looked at on its merit.

And I will also seek the permission of my colleagues in the council to ensure that discipline is enforced accordingly.

“Indeed as it is of now, it is very bad and I am

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saddened by it. I will try as much as possible to ensure that as for the bad eggs that are there, there will be a cleansing by the NJC based on petition.”

Special courts for terrorism The new CJN also faulted the absence of appropriate legislation to tackle terrorism, even as she kicked against the creation of special courts for terrorism and corruption related offences.

According to her, “I will start with the issue of terrorism. I knew that it is something that is aching everybody ’s mind in Nigeria and I know that everybody is anxious to ensure that this menace is curbed. We can only do that if there is a law in place, but right now there is no law on terrorism. Hence, I will say the ball is in the court of the executive. Once a law is passed, the judiciary will make sure that it complies with it and make sure that it deals with anybody found guilty of the offence.

“My own take is that rather than establishing a court just for that purpose, it will be better if a judge in the court is designated to hear and take these matters.

If a court is created, as time goes by, the offences may

continue to diminish and if a court is specifically set up for that, there will not be much for the judge to do.

So in my view, I think maybe three judges, if possible, in a judicial division are designated to deal with these offences, which I think will suffice.”

Plea bargain Mukhtar, who also responded to questions from the Senators, said it was okay for plea bargain to be used in curbing corruption, adding: “I believe that there is no harm in it if it is done in good faith and it is done properly.”

Accuses govs of withholding state judiciary funds On the poor conditions of state judiciary, she accused state governors of withholding funds meant for the development of judiciary.

According to her, “Section 121 (3) of the constitution specifically provides that funds earmarked or allocated for the purpose of the judiciary should be allocated in bulk to the judiciary. But that does not happen in the states. The state executives hold on to the allocation and wait until the heads of

judiciary go to them cap in hand requesting part of that fund. It is not good enough and we have been complaining about this and we will continue to complain.”

On conflicting judgments issued by the Court of Appeals, she blamed it on the creation of multiple Courts of Appeal, adding that the duplication has removed synergy in the administrations of the Court of Appeals.

Mark tasks Mukhtar on bad perception of the judiciary Senate President David Mark, at the end of the confirmation exercise, charged Justice Mukhtar to improve on the bad public perception of the judiciary and delay in justice delivery.

He said: “Clearly, there are a number of issues that the judiciary would need to tackle to be able to improve the public perception of the judiciary and also to ensure that there is steady dispensation of justice. We can only pray that Justice Muhktar will improve the condition in which she finds the judiciary. We will work together with the executive and the judiciary to ensure that there is fairness and there is progress and development in this country.”

Mark's wife calls for end to killings “If my husband has become the sacrificial lamb, with his dear friend, Gyang Fulani, we glorify God for it.”

Mrs. Mark, who is the Chairperson of the Senators Wives Association, called for an end to the killings, wondering why it was becoming difficult for Nigerians who had cohabited peacefully for many years to continue to sustain this.

Amidst tears, she urged Mrs. Dantong and other family members to remain strong and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

She also paid a similar visit to the widow of the late Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, in company of the wives of some National Assembly members.

During a similar visit to the two widows, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, John Clark Dabwan, who just returned from abroad, said he would have attended the funeral with the late

Majority Leader who was his close friend if he had been around.

He said: “If I were around I would have been together with him at the burial ground because we were so close that he will not attend such event without seeing me around him. If anyone told me he would die this time I would never have accepted such, but God has His own way and does not follow the wishes of man or family members.”

He extolled the virtues of the two politicians, describing Dantong as a pillar in the politics of the state and Fulani as purposeful and Godfearing.

No cause for alarm over reported fresh attack In another development, the Plateau State government said there was no cause for alarm on the reported fresh attack on two villages in the BarkinLadi Local Government Area, calling for restraint in the manner such incidents are spread.

In a statement, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yijap Abraham, said the manner the incident was being peddled was not good enough.

He said: “The incident referred to was an action by the terrorists who after displacing the villagers, through previous fatal attacks, again returned to burn their houses. The security agencies took prompt action by repelling the attackers in their misadventure, resulting in no fatalities at all on the communities around "While every report will be treated on its merit, government appeals to the citizens not to engage in sending misleading text messages and rumours.

"Media agencies are advised to take every step to verify their reports before going to press.

Government, therefore, appeals to citizens to be extra-vigilant, share correct information with security agencies, and remain law abiding.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—7

OCTOBER 1, 2010 BOMBING:

I told Sylva, Boyloaf, two others —SSS witness

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA — THE ongoing trial of alleged masterminds of the October 1, 2010 bomb blast has assumed a fresh dimension, as a prosecution witness, yesterday, accused former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva and three other persons, of complicity.

The witness who made the allegation before a Federal High Court in Abuja, equally indicted a former Secretary to the Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa State and member of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty, Mr Victor Ben, as well as a repentant ex-militant, Ebikabowei a.k.a Boyloaf.

He made the allegations while testifying as the fourth prosecution witness in the trial of one of the alleged perpetrators of the bombing that resulted in the death of 12 persons while Nigeria celebrated its 50th Independence Day, Edmund Ebiware.

It would be recalled that Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on May 3, okayed separate trial for Ebiware, who was hitherto facing terrorism charges alongside Charles Okah who is the younger brother to the embattled ex-leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Henry Okah, and the 3rd accused person, Obi Nwabueze.

Ebiware was specifically alleged to have exchanged incriminating text messages with the erstwhile DirectorGeneral of the Ibrahim Babamasi Babangida, IBB, Campaign Organisation and Chairman of Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, prior to the twin bomb blasts at Eagle Square, in Abuja.

At his resumed trial, yesterday, the witness who was masked by the State Security Service, SSS, which simply identified him as “Mr X”, while under cross

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President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and Vice President Namadi Sambo arriving for the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

FEC okays new PIB draft Gas flaring to end in December Offenders to face three months imprisonment

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU & BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — AFTER several years of delay, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved the new draft Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, which unbundles the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, into five different companies.

The companies that would emerge from an unbundled NNPC would be National Oil Company, National Asset Management Corporation, National Frontier Exploration Services, National Gas Company and the Host Community Fund.

One of the major provisions of the PIB, as contained in the draft bill recently submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan, is the proposal to end gas flaring in the nation’s oil and gas operations by the end of December.

This means that it is now an offence for oil and gas operators to flare gas effective from January 1, 2013. Any breach will attract a fine equivalent to the volume flared under prevailing market rate.

Indeed, such an offender also risks “three months imprisonment or an option of fine not less than the value of 50 per cent of the volume of gas flared or vented.”

This was contained in the new draft bill prepared by the Senator Udo Udomaled seven-man Special PIB Taskforce, set up by the Minister of Petroleum

Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, on January 19, which was exclusively obtained by Vanguard.

Gas flaring to end December Under the proposal, “natural gas shall not be flared or vented after 31st December, 2012, in any oil and gas production operation, block or field, onshore or offshore, or gas facility (e.g. processing treatment plant).”

However, the draft bill has a caveat, as certain exemptions were made for operations that were able to produce the categorisation data for flared volumes and utilisation plans.

The Bill stipulated: “The oil and gas operators with flared gas resources shall within six months of the commencement of this Act, categorise all of their flared gas resources (daily flare quantity, reserve, location, composition) and submit this data along with gas utilization plans to the Inspectorate for the gas they intend to utilise before the flare out deadline.

“The Inspectorate shall approve same within 60 days of receipt of the said plan and shall post all approved plans, all data of planned natural gas resources, and all data of unplanned natural gas resources for public consumption.”

100 days in case of start-up Another proviso is that the minister “may grant a permit of not more than 100

days, or such longer period as approved by the minister, to flare or vent gas in cases of start-up, equipment failure, shut down, safety flaring or due to inability of gas customer to off-take.”

Except otherwise permitted, “no person shall direct, permit or otherwise aid, empower or authorise, howsoever, any company engaged in oil and gas operations to flare or vent gas,” anywhere in the country.

Accordingly, “any licensee or lessee who flares or vents gas without the permission of the minister in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be liable to pay a fine which shall not be less than the value of gas,” the Bill warned.

be imposed on third party accessing companies having signed contracts for this gas, not on the licensee of the field from which the gas is being accessed.

“The penalty payable on the volume of gas flared by any person from the effective date, and for each day the flare or vent continues shall also be made public by the Inspectorate and the licensee separately and independently within a maximum of 60 days of the offence.

“It shall be an offence to fail, refuse or neglect to forward a gas flare report lodged or falsify any report under section 256 to the Inspectorate for appropriate action.

Penalties for a breach

In view of the prevailing economic and political environment, it is uncertain how government intends to enforce the December 31 deadline, as a legion of such set targets all failed to meet the deadlines, the last being December 31, 2008, and later extended to 2010.

Also, attempts to increase penalty from 10k per 1000 Btitish Thermal Unit, BTU, to $1.50/1000BTU failed to yield results, as it was more economical for operators to pay the fines than to stop the flares.

Although regulatory authorities claimed that flaring had reduced appreciably without data back up, but it is estimated that about 43 per cent of the total gas produced in Nigeria is flared, with attendant huge economic waste.

“Any licensee or lessee who flares gas after December 31, 2012 contrary to section 251, commits an offence under this Act, and shall be liable on conviction to pay a fine which shall not be less than the value of gas (established pursuant section.

“The penalty for currently flared gas, without a permit, shall be the aggregate gas price until January 1, 2013 when the new penalty regime shall commence.

“In the case of third party utilization, penalties will only be imposed at the end of the approved project schedule or December 31, 2012 whichever is later.

“For flares accessed through third party contractors, penalties will

Previous deadlines

examination, alleged that he informed Sylva about plans by Henry Okah to carry out the bomb attacks.

His testimony He said he got wind of the planned attacks from his friend, one Emmanuel Allison, who was earlier declared wanted by the SSS, adding that he equally informed the accused person, Ebiware.

The witness who further told the court that he was arrested with the accused person on October 3, 2010, under questioning by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Goddy Uche, confessed that it was he and his friend, Allison, that carried out the Warri bombings.

He said they had meetings with Henry before the Independence Day bombings, saying he was exempted from trial after he volunteered to cooperate with the SSS in the course of the trial of the other accused persons who denied complicity in the crime.

He said: “I knew Edmund through Stanley Ogbakyri. I knew Okah too and we have each other’s phone number. And we do talk on phone. I knew with the looks of things Okah wanted to cause more problems after amnesty programme, because Okah felt the programme was no longer going the way it was originally designed to be.

“As at September 2010, I knew that there would be a bomb blast in Abuja. I received a phone call from Emma Harrisson that Henry Okah will bomb Abuja on October 1, 2010. I called Edmund and told him what I heard. He did not say anything.

“I reported what Harrison told me to Boyloaf and Victor Ben. I reported to Sylva, as well as Zion Amanda who was then serving as the Secretary of Brass LGA. Amanda is very close to Sylva and I knew he was also going to tell Sylva too.”

Meanwhile, the court admitted six statements attached to the proof of evidence made by the witness into evidence.

Further hearing on the matter was, yesterday, adjourned till July 19.

8— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—9

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Lagos doctors raise fresh allegations against govt

Witness absolves Akingbola over N2.5bn transaction

Claim victimisation, withholding of salary

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH, ONOZURE DANIA & DONALD ARJI

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KEJA—MANAGING Director of Chart Well Securities Limited, Mr Olawale Adeosun, one of the companies allegedly used in transferring funds by former managing director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, (now Access Bank), Erastus Akingbola, yesterday, denied before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, that his company ever had any deal with him.

Adeosun, who was subpoenaed by the court to give evidence under request by the defence lawyer, said rather his company dealt with the Corporate Treasurer of Intercontinental Bank, Mrs Toyin Oyelade, who requested for the assistance of his company in a N2.5 billion transfer transaction.

Led in evidence by Akingbola’s counsel, Mr. Abubakar Shamshudeen, he said he never transferred any N2.5 billion into the account of Tropics Finance Limited.

Akingbola and Bayo Dada, General Manager of Tropics Finance Limited, are answering charges of stealing of N47.1 billion belonging to Intercontinental Bank (now Access Bank) before Justice Habeeb Abiru.

T h e witness said Akingbola did not participate in the transfer of N2.5 billion into the account of Tropics Finance Limited.

Further hearing of the matter continues today.

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KEJA—DENTAL and medical personnel working for the Lagos State Government, under the umbrella of Medical Guild, are spoiling for another showdown over what they termed ‘arbitrary deductions from salaries, non-payment of May 2012 salaries and alleged victimisation of a principal officer of the union’.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State University College of Medicine has inducted 12 new medical doctors into the profession after the completion of their programme.

It would be recalled that Governor Babatunde Fashola recently ordered reversal of the sack of 788 medical doctors of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH and Health Service Commission, HSC, over alleged illegal strike.

In a statement by state Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, yesterday, the the guild said the state government “has not demonstrated strong will to resolve all outstanding issues that led to the last health sector crisis.”

Odusote added that the state government had not responded to a series of letters forwarded to relevant officers, which he said Nigerian Medical Association,NMA, and the Medical Guild had requested for meetings

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Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, acknowledging cheers from workers, shortly after an interactive session with civil servants from Grade Level 1-6, at the maiden edition of 2012 Public Service Forum, in Ado-Ekiti, Tuesday.

Ajimobi gives condition for recalling 3,000 sacked workers I B A DAN —G OV E R NOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, yesterday, said he would recall the recently-sacked 3,000 workers if it was the consensus of the people of the state.

He said this in his office at the inauguration of a panel set up to review claims of wrongful termination of appointment by some civil servants.

The governor said: “We as a government will not on any occasion sack any innocent person. It is unGodly and indeed, a sin against God and man.

“But, if anyone defrauded the system, has stolen and falsified his credentials and you say we should temper justice with mercy, you are inflicting great damage on the system which will soon destroy its whole fabric.

“But, I say once again, ours is a listening government. “ If this is the consensus of the good people of Oyo State that anyone who has stolen government money; anyone who falsified age; anyone who falsified certificates; any-

one who is a ghost worker, we should leave them in the system, so be it.

“We will respect the wishes of our people, but I must tell you, if we do this, this state will not move forward.”

Ajimobi said the decision to implement the au-

dit report set up by the immediate past administration of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala was carried out to ensure that the Oyo State public service regained its reputation as one of the best in the country.

Boko Haram: Oyelese hints of strange movements in S-West

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN—FORMER Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, has hinted of strange movements in the South-Western part of the country, calling security agencies to swing into action to arrest the situation.

He advised President Goodluck Jonathan to act with urgency as there was no time to waste under the circumstances.

He added that the best way to stop daily insurgency of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, was to declare a state of emergency on Immigratipn and Customs along the northern borders of the country.

Oyelese, in a statement in Ibadan, said if this advice was heeded, the country would keep the terrorists outside and cut their line of supply and prevent future attacks on innocent citizens.

The step, if taken, would no doubt, make the country hit hard on the citizens of “our northern neighbours and also engage in search and onslaught but then, this is what emergencies are all about. There is no time for sentiment or a situation to play the big brother.”

He wondered when military fatigue and bullet proof vests became part of the paraphernalia of Fulani herdsmen.

and mechanisms to all outstanding issues.

He condemned the current approach of the state government, which, according to him, “does not in any way engender industrial harmony, but rather stifle the guild members by arbitrary deductions and withholding of their May salary.”

Odusote said the state government “has adopted measures to stifle our members by arbitrary deductions in April salary, withholding May salary, forcing only doctors to fill daily activity reports and victimisation of a principal medical officer who had a verbal altercation with a locum doctor.

Odusote added that the government “is yet to invite NMA or the guild to any meeting to look into these issues. The only correspondence from government was to inform us about a committee it set up to review wages of health workers. ''We, however, do not know the composition of this committee, neither have we received any correspondence from the committee.”

He urged all wellmeaning Lagosians and stakeholders who intervened to resolve the last crisis to prevail on the state government “to do the needful by initiating a process of resolving all the outstanding issues once and for all, while we on our part will do all that is necessary to preserve industrial peace in the health sector.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 —11

Port Harcourt emerges UNESCO World Book Capital 2014

BY MCPHILIPS NWA-

CHUKWU & JAPHET ALAKAM AGOS—PORT HARCOURT, the capital of River State, has after a competitive bid with other 10 countries , including; Ganja in Azerbaidjan; Incheon, Republic of Korea; Krakow, Poland; Lyon, France; Moscow, Russia and Oxford, United Kingdom emerged the preferred host city for the 2014 UNESCO World Book Capital.

UNESCO World Book Capital was established in 2001 after the successful flagging off UNESCO World Copyright Day with

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The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere (middle), flanked by the State Chief Judge, Justice Idongesit Ntem-Isua (left), representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olu Ariwoola of the Supreme Court (right), and others, after a visit to the Deputy Governor as part of the ongoing Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports’ Competition at Government House, Uyo, yesterday.

Tribunal dismisses CAP's suit against Dickson

BY SAMUEL OYADONG-

HA

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ENAGOA—THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, yesterday, dismissed the petition by Change Advocacy Party, CAP, challenging the eligibility of Governor Seriake Dickson as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the February 2012 poll.

The court dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

CAP and its governorship candidate, Dr. Imoru Kubor had sought the disqualification of the PDP candidate for the February 11, election on the grounds that he was not qualified to contest the election as the case was before an Appeal Court in Abuja.

CAP also prayed the tribunal to declare the PDP candidate unfit to contest the poll, as he had a pend-

ing case before a competent court in Abuja and an existing order restraining him from contesting the governorship poll.

The three-man election tribunal led by Justice Muhammed Ibrahim, in its

AGOS—THE Coordi nator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah, has described the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the new face of hope in the SouthSouth region in particular and Nigeria in general.

Addressing Edo State Ijaw in Lagos ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress INC, told the Ijaw to mobilise and support Oshiomhole to show the world that South-South people appreciate good and committedleadership.

He said: “The only strategy left

Commission, INEC for the 2012 pollinBayelsaState,addingthat the pending suit on the issue of the emergence of Dickson as candidate of the party was not against the candidate but the party, the PDP.

Akhigbe, Omoregie task Jonathan on free, fair poll in Edo B ENIN CITY— FORMER Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, and the former Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Major-General Charles Omoregie (rtd), have warned against any plot to manipulate Saturday's governorship election in Edo State.

Admiral Akhigbe, who urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the parties played according to the rules of the game, warned that it would be dis-

Ijaw of Edo State trust 0shiomhole —Evah

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ruling, noted that CAP's petition lacked merit and same was dismissed.

The tribunal noted that PDP submitted the name of Seriake Dickson as its candidate to Independent National Electoral

for the people of Niger Delta to survive the test of time is to elect visionary leaders into office.

Oshiomhole is a blessing to Edo State and South-South. The emergence of Oshiomhole is a proof that miracles can still come forth from the South-South region. We urge the electorate to return Oshiomhole to the Government House for prosperity sake.” He reminded voters to be vigilant and protect their votes.

Evah said that Oshiomhole’s victory will pull down unproductive politicians who are not after the development of the region but only interested in political gambles, adding that “Edo peopleshouldlookbeyondpartypoliticstomakesurethatOshiomhole returns as governor."

astrous for any one to think of manipulating the election because "our people are always prepared to resist such.”

He said: “For a long time our people have been ruled by a cabal before Oshiomhole came in and today we all can see the developmental strides in the state. Though I am a member of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but as a leader I want the best for my peo-

ple. Those who are agents of darkness, who have played God for long in this state have seen that things have changed."

General Omoregie, who is now Chairman, Edo State Neighbourhood Watch Committee said: “In view of the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, the Edo State Neighbourhood Watch wishes to advise members of the public to refrain from acts and activities that could jeopardise the smooth conduct of the election."

'How N-Delta struggle started'

BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—NA TIONAL Vice Chairman, Amnesty Phase, II ‘General’ Israel Akpodoro, yesterday, said the Niger Delta struggle was started by Urhobo people of Gbaigolo and the Ijaw in 1993.

Reacting to media reports credited to Tompolo, Akpodoro said the Ijaw were not alone in the struggle, lamenting that the Urhobo and Itsekiri

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had not benefitted from the Amnesty programme.

He accused Tompolo of not carrying them along in the amnestyprogramme,adding;“Iam not surprised to hear him say the surveillance job was enough for them to take care of themselves.

“We the Urhobo, who started the struggle are suffering and have not benefitted from the amnestyprogrammedespitethefact that we were registered in the programme."

the nomination of Madrid, Spain as the first World Book Capital City.

The selection of Port Harcourt by a committee of the World Book Capital 2014, comprising representatives drawn from In-

ternational Booksellers Federation, IBF, International Federation of Library Association, IFLA and International Publishers Association, IPA, followed a bidding entry by Port Harcourt based book promotion outfit, the Rainbow Book Club.

We've found Oyerinde's killers —IG

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY— INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday, disclosed that his men have arrested the killers of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, who was killed by suspected assassins on May 5, 2012.

The IG who disclosed this shortly after a meeting with policemen at the Zone 5 headquarters of the Nigeria Police Benin City, said: “I want to announce that we have arrested four persons who killed the PA to the governor. And that is a credit to the police.”

Though the IG did not give details of how the arrest was made, he condemned the deadline given to the police to find the killers of Oyerinde, saying “you can’t just give the police 24 hours to do a miracle. We have to investigate and look at all the facts of the matter before we can

come to a conclusion.”

He expressed disappointment at the condemnation of the police by some individuals as regards the April 28 incident in which four journalists traveling in the convoy of Oshiomhole died in the accident, saying that the incident was not a premeditated assassination attempt on the governor.

He said: “Investigations were conducted by the police. Investigations are made based on the preponderance of evidence. We were not there. But we have conducted our own investigation and facts available to us led to the conclusion we made.”

The Inspector General of Police observed that it was irresponsible for some eminent Nigerians to make public statements without backing them with facts, adding “We expect Nigerians to be responsible when they are making statements.

You cannot make allegations that you cannot prove.

We stand by our statement on the matter until wer are proved otherwise.”

Edo Guber poll: Group canvasses support for PDP

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—LAGOS State chapter of Esan Tribe of Niger Delta Nationality Forum, has called on the people of Edo State to vote en mass for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state.

Chairman of the Forum, Chief Ernest Mamudu, who spoke in Lagos, yesterday, said that Edo State was the only state ruled by an opposition party in the midst of its sister’s states in the Niger Delta region.

He said: “We are tired of being in opposition. This time around, let us join our people in the South-South by voting for PDP to ensure Edo State does not remain an odd state in the midst of the Niger Delta states. The forthcoming gubernatorial election is an opportunity for us to get back what belonged to the good people of Edo State. We can not be

fooled by mere political propaganda.”

Passage R. AUGUSTINE O r e d o Eghwubare, 77, of Okpara Inland in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State is dead. He was a retired employee of Delta State University, Abraka.

Eghwubare is survived by a widow, children, grandchildren. Burial arrangement will be announced later.

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Late Eghwubare

12—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Akwa Ibom Dep gov lauds CJN on reforms U YO—DEPUTY Governor of AkwaIbomState,Mr.Nsima Ekere,yesterday,commendedthe outgoingChiefJusticeofNigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, for the profound reforms he has carried out in the country’s judicial system.

Ekere spoke at Government House, Uyo, during a courtesy callbyJusticeOluAriwoolaof SupremeCourt,whowasinthestate

to represent Justice Musdapher at the ongoing Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports’ Competition.

The deputy governor, who stood in for Governor Godswill Akpabio, said Justice Musdapher’s tenure, though short, was eventful because of hisfar-reachingreformsaimedat repositioningthejudiciarytomeet the expectations of Nigerians.

He laudedJusticeMusdapher for submitting a bill containing

52constitutionalamendmentproposals concerning the judiciary to the House of Representatives, describing it as a bold statement that the judiciary in Nigeria had come of age.

Ekere hailed the Supreme Court's judgment on the dispute between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States over 76 oil wells, stating that the judgment had reaffirmed his belief in the judiciary as thelasthopeofthecommonman.

Lawmaker tasks media on natural wrecked untold hardship on the disasters' reportage

BY DANIEL GUMM

ARRI — NIGERIAN me dia have been advised to ensure that their news items, particularly on the issue of natural disasters are not limited to urban centres at the expense of rural areas, when such rural areas are exposed to the havoc of natural disasters.

Member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, said this, yesterday, whilecommentingonthe reported recent Atlantic Ocean surge on coastal communities.

Commenting on the recently reported flooding of some parts of Lagos, as a result of the ocean surge, the lawmaker urged journalists to note that worse forms of floodingarisingfromoceansurge is taking place in the different

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coastal communities, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the coastal areas Warri Federal Constituency.

AccordingtoReyenieju,unlike Lagos, "none of these coastal communities in my constituency is protected, and since the beginningoftherainyseason,many of such communities in the estuary of the Benin and Escravos rivers have experienced flooding and huge ocean waves which

people of the area."

Reyenieju said that particularly in Ugogo-Egin, Ogheye, Zion, and Dimigun in the Warri North; and Ugborodo communities, Yenagho and Orere and even in Ago-Gboro in Warri South-West Local Government areas, the surge of the ocean has inflicted multi-dimensionalhavocinterms ofdestructionofaccommodations, fishing boats and the washing away of settlements.

Bi-Courtney appeals to motorists over traffic at MMA2

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AGOS—OPERATOR of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, MMA2, BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, has appealed to motorists

visiting or making use of the terminal to always obey traffic rules.

A statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, PRO, Steve Omolale-Ajulo, said the appeal had become necessary in view of the current security challenges facing the country and the flagrant disobedience of traffic signs at the airport in recent times by many motorists.

The statement observed that “some motorists are in the habit of just driving into the airport, parking indiscriminately at ‘drop-off zone’ or picking passengers at unauthorised places, thereby causing obstruction to the free flow of traffic at the terminal and inconveniencing other motorists”.

Launching

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OVERNORS THEODORE Orji (Abia) Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue) are expected to attend the launching of fund for the construction of a new Post Graduate hall of residence at University of Ibadan by the Alumni association on July 27.

A statement by a Vice-Chairman of University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA, and Chairman, Central Planning Committee, Otunba Steve Ogundipe, said industrialist Felix Ohiwerei, a foremost alumnus and former Pro-Chancellor, will chair the ceremony while ViceChancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Pro-Chancellor and GoverningCouncilChairman,ChiefWole Olanipekun, will host the event.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—13

UNN post-UME leakage: 23-yr-old printer arraigned

BY TONY EDIKE NUGU—A 23- year old apprentice printer, Chukwuka Okereke, was yesterday arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu for allegedly masterminding the leakage of the University of Nigeria Post-UME question papers which led to the cancellation of the examination rec e n t l y .

Okereke, an apprentice with Cheston Agency Press Limited, Enugu was arraigned before Justice D. V. Agishi on a two count

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BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

charge of conspiracy and examination malpractice.

He was arrested by the State Security Service, SSS, in Enugu about three weeks ago following a discreet investigation into the leakage which was described as a major embarrassment to the university.

A Principal Legal Officer from Enugu State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Anayo Edeh, alleged that the accused committed the offence on or before June 14, about five days to the examination.

Okereke was said to have conspired with one Godwin

Chukwu, now at large, to commit examination malpractice contrary to section 10 (a) and (c) of Examination Malpractices Act. The prosecution also alleged that Okereke at the same time and place, with intent to secure an unfair advantage for another person delivered to Godwin Chukwu a question paper intended to be used for post JAMB examination at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka which is contrary to section 1 (b) (2) (c) of the Examination Malpractices A c t .

BY UDUMA KALU RESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor yesterday called on the United States to declare the Islamist sect, Boko Haram as a terrorist group.

However, in the US, officials said violence will come to an end if the Federal Government eradicates poor governance, addresses security challenges, and end police and military abuses with impunity.

While making an appeal to the US Congress, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor said decision to blacklist three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists was not enough.

Ayo Oritsejafor said the US move on June 21 was “the equivalent of designat-

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Designate Boko Haram terrorist group, Oritsejafor tells US Congress ing (Osama) bin Laden a terrorist but failing to designate Al-Qaeda a terrorist organisation,” and the reluctance to brand Boko Haram as terrorists had emboldened the group, which is estimated to have killed more than 1,000 people since mid-2009 in attacks on Christian and government sites.

“By refusing to designate Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation, the United States is sending a very clear message, not just to the Federal Government, but to the world that the murder of innocent Chris-

tians and Muslims who reject Islamism — and I make a clear distinction here between Islam and Islamism — are acceptable losses,” Oritsejafor said.

“It is hypocritical for the United States and the international community to say that they believe in freedom and equality when their actions do not support those who are being persecuted,” he told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Federal appointment: Enugu citizens allege poor representation NUGU citizens, under the aegis of Enugu Advancement Forum, EAF, has expressed dismay over what it described as poor representation of the State in the Federal Civil Service, saying the state is deliberately being denied the chance to fulfill its statutory quota in the service.

President of the Forum, Johnson Ude at briefing, claimed that the trend had continued despite several representations to the relevant authorities.

He explained that the state’s employment quota in the Federal Service had inexplicably remained unfilled and in some cases taken up by people from other s t a t e s .

He lamented that the group’s efforts at finding the reason behind the situation from the Federal Civil Service Commission, especially the office of the Federal Commissioner in charge of Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States, had met with little success.

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FG tasks agric staff on value chain initiative

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EDERAL Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, have been warned against any act capable of harming the value chain initiative of the Federal Government.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi gave the warning while addressing staff and desk officers posted to South – South and South – East states in Abakaliki, Enugu, Calabar, Umuahia, Awka, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Yenagoa, Owerri.

14— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—15

Reps probe NNPC on insurance

BY OKEY NDIRIBE OUSE of Representa tives, yesterday, quizzed some of the insurance companies involved in the management of the $46 billion offshore assets of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, over the reported $329.4 million inflated premium and questionable practices in the appointment of underwriters.

The lawmakers also queried the delay in payment of the backlog of unpaid insurance claims to Federal Gov-

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ernment’s agencies worth N12.3 billion, owed by NICON Insurance over the past four years.

Members of the committee had expressed concern over the delay in the payment of insurance claims owed by most of the insurance companies handling government assets and property.

Mr. Abdulmumin Jubrin, ChairmanHouseCommittee on Finance, made the observation at the ongoing investigative hearing on insurance of government assets and property across the country.

Court sacks PDP's auditor NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been ordered by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to desist from further recognising Chief Bode Mustapha as the National Auditor of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP. The court’s order was sequel to an application by the Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun PDP Executive Committee, asking the court to direct INEC to “rectify its records, pertaining to the election, in March 2012, of the officers

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of the National Executive Committee of PDP, by deleting the name of one Bode Mustapha and replacing it with the name of Fatai Adeyanju as the National Auditor of PDP.” Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong, handed down the order in furtherance to the earlier judgment delivered on May 2, voiding Mustapha’s appointment in Ogun State on the ground that his nomination by a faction of the party was unlawful.

Defence hqtrs deny death of 140 in Plateau

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—FOLLOWING media reports that close to 140 indigenes of Plateau State were killed by unknown gunmen in reprisal attacks in two villages in Jos, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday, denied the reports, saying same was the figment of imagination of the Nigerian media.

Defence Headquarters reassured Nigerian and Plateau State indigenes that the security situation in the country was seriously being addressed by the Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies, adding that the Joint Task Force, JTF, had been able to restore normalcy to Plateau State.

Chief of Administration at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba, said no such mass killings happened anywhere in Pla-

teau State.

Ezeoba, who spoke for the Chief of Defence Staff, said: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters had been drawn to reports in the media that there were fresh attacks on Tse and Shong villages in Plateau State on Tuesday, which claimed 140 lives.

“According to the reports

credited to media houses, the fresh attacks came barely days after the previous one that occurred over the weekend.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to use this opportunity to emphatically and categorically debunk the said reports in their entirety and to assure Nigerians that there was no such attack as claimed in the said reports.

“It is readily evident that the Special Task Force in

Plateau State had been able to restore normalcy to the state despite the recent incident which is highly regrettable.

“Defence Headquarters wishes to once again reassure Nigerians that the security situation in Plateau State, and indeed across the country, was seriously being addressed by the Nigerian Armed Forces in collaboration with other security agencies.”

LAUNCH: Air Commodore Tommy Victor Udoh, Director, Information Technology, Nigerian Air Force (left); Mrs. Omotayo Ojutalayo, Senior Manager SME & Regional Accounts (right), and Regional Enterprise Manager, Enterprise Solution Division, both of MTN Nigeria, at the launch of MTN HyNet in Abuja, yesterday.

PDP commends C/River, A/Ibom over judgment on oil wells

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—NATIONAL leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged Akwa Ibom and Cross River states to accept the Supreme Court’s judgment, which ceded the 76 disputed oil wells to Akwa Ibom on grounds that the wells were no longer in Cross River State’s maritime territory, in good faith.

PDP, in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that both states are one and the same, and commended the governors and governments of both states for the maturity with which they handled the dispute.

Metuh said: “The re-

solve of the two PDP governors to seek legal interpretation and adjudication on the matter, instead of resorting to other unconventional means is worthy of commendation.

“PDP wishes also to commend the good people of the two states for following the footsteps of their worthy governors by resisting the tempta-

tion to resort to self-help, which had the potentials to erode the peace and brotherly relationship existing between the two governments and their peoples.

“We make bold to say that Cross River and Akwa Ibom are one and the same. The brotherly relationship existing between the peoples is historical and biological.”

‘Court can't compel EFCC to prosecute Kebbi ex-gov'

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI BUJA—THE Court of Appeal, Abuja, yesterday, declined to compel Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,

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EFCC, to prosecute former governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Adamu Aliero, over alleged corrupt practices.

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, said the anti-graft agency could not be compelled by way of an order of mandamus, to investigate or prosecute anybody on the basis of a mere petition.

The court said the decision to investigate and try any suspect over allegation of corruption was within the discretionary powers of the prosecuting agency, noting that no court has the authority to meddle into such issues.

It also noted that there was no statutory obligation on the part of EFCC to publish or disclose its investigations before prosecution.

16—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Single ladies keep Obama ahead —Poll P

SEMINAR: From left— Mr. Musbau Abdullahi, Director, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State; Mr. Abiodun Ogunrinde, Senior Special Assistant on Social Welfare, convener; Mr. Ajao Olabode, representing Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth & Social Development, Lagos State, and Mrs Bisi Awoyomi, Project Manager, LEARN, at a one-day awareness workshop on Substance Abuse, Addiction and the Prevalence of Mental Illness: Striking a Balance, 'organised by Office of Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Social Development, in Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

RESIDENT Barack Obama’s slim lead over Republican rival Mitt Romney in the White House race is fueled by a broad marriage gap, with Obama enjoying a big advantage among single voters - particularly women, a Quinnipiac University poll found on Wednesday.

Obama leads among single voters by 54 percent to 34 percent, while married voters back Romney 51 percent to 38 percent, the poll found.

Obama has a huge advantage with single wom-

en, 60 percent to 31 percent, while Romney leads among married women 49 percent to 42 percent.

Romney leads by 19 percentage points among

EPUBLICAN presidential candidate Mitt Romney was booed by an African-American crowd yesterday when he told them he would eliminate President Barack Obama’s signature policy achievement, the U.S. healthcare overhaul.

Romney’s conservative message did not go down very well at the annual convention of the NAACP, a civil rights organization

whose African-American members are among Obama’s strongest supporters. The reaction was not uniformly negative.

Romney received a standing ovation at the end and there were numerous instances of applause throughout the speech.

The crowd of hundreds in a half-filled ballroom had applauded politely until he got to the portion of his speech where he said if elected on Novem-

•President Obama

married men, and Obama leads by 9 points among single men. The poll showed Obama with an overall 3-point national edge on Romney, 46 percent to 43 percent, four months before the November 6 election.

Meanwhile, The U.S. Episcopal Church on Tuesday approved a liturgy for clergy to use in blessing same-sex unions, including gay marriages in states where they are legal, becoming the largest U.S. religious denomi-nation to approve such a ritual.

Bauchi debunks report of Obamacare: Black voters boo Romney 50 NYSC members' murder R

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI—BAUCHI State government has denied reports that 50 National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, mem-

bers were killed in a bomb attack at the NYSC Wailo Camp in the state.

State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mohammed Daminna, told newsmen, yesterday, in

... as teachers embark on strike

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI—BAUCHI State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has ordered all primary and junior secondary school teachers in the state to commence a stay-athome order following the failure of the state government to meet their demands.

State Chairman of NUT, Mr. Kawu Modi, and Principal Secretary, Mr. Ahmad Aminu, in a statement after the State Executive Council’s emergency meeting in Bauchi, said their action was necessitated by the failure of the state government to meet their demands.

The union demanded for the payment of one month

arrears of 27.5 percent to primary school teachers, 12.5 percent to administrative staff of the local education authorities, payment of the enhancement allowance to primary school teachers and implementation of the three years promotion of primary and junior secondary school teachers in the state.

The union also frowned at the intended screening/ test exercise organised by the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, for all primary school teachers, saying such exercise was likely to destroy the future of its members as the intention was to downgrade thousands of its members and dismiss others.

Bauchi, that the report was not only false, but also the handiwork of mischief-makers, whose aim was to destabilise the peace and security in the state.

He said: “I refute the false information presently going round in the state that 50 NYSC members were killed during a bomb attack. We had confirmed from NYSC authorities in the state that there was no incidence of bomb attack in the camp.

“This is just a mere rumour that is being carried by saboteurs, who do not want the progress of the state.”

He urged the people of the state to be calm and go about their normal businesses, saying the state government was committed to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.

Also reacting to the alleged bomb attack, Chairman of the State Emergency Operation Team, Alhaji Inuwa Bello, said the rumour was a mere fabrication and urged people to ignore such false information.

NIPR repositions, gets devt c'ttee IGERIAN Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Rivers State chapter, is set to create greater awareness about the role of public relations in commerce, industry and government through advocacy and increased participation of public affairs.

In this regard, the chapter has appointed a six-man Professional Development Commit-

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tee, PDC, to ensure that its members were empowered with requisite knowledge, skills and latest techniques in the profession.

The committee is headed by Jossy Nkwocha of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals.

Other members are: Mr. Bob Brown, former President of the institute; Boma Dick, Austin Sado, Standfast Jack and Ama-

Tariah Daerego.

According to Chairman of the Chapter, Mr. Karibi George, the committee will organise training programmes that would impact on the professional development and advancement of members. It will also ensure that top PR practitioners were invited to make presentations at the chapter ’s monthly meetings.

•Mitt Romney ber 6, he would work to repeal and replace the healthcare plan.

Morsi pledges to uphold court order

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GYPT’S President Mohamed Morsi has said he will seek dialogue with political forces and judicial authorities to resolve a row over parliament, which was dissolved by the country’s generals when they were still in charge.

“There will be consultations among all political forces, institu-tions and the supreme council of judicial authorities to find the best way out of this situation in order to overcome this stage together,” Morsi said in a statement. The president said he was “committed to the rulings of Egyptian judges and very keen to manage state powers and prevent any confronta-tion”. Last week, Morsi ordered parliament to convene in defiance of a

Morsi military decision to disband the house in line with a

court ruling last month, before the generals handed power to the president.

Morsi’s decree was applauded by supporters who believed the court’s decision to disband parliament was political, but it set off a fire storm of criticism from opponents who accused him of overstepping his authority.

AFRICOM trains ECOWAS troops

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ORRIED by the growing influence of Al- Qaeda in the Maghreb, the United States has began joint military training of at least 1,000 soldiers from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea and the Gambia . a joint military training with the U.S. soldiers

in Thies, Dakar, the Senegalese capital, yesterday.

Dubbed the “Western Accord,” the joint training being supervised by the U.S. Forces for Africa (AFRICOM), was meant to reinforce the operational capacity of the standby force of ECOWAS.

Spain introduces austerity measures

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PAIN has announced a $79.85bn austerity package that includes tax hikes and spending cuts a day after it won approval from its euro partners for a huge bailout of the country’s stricken banks. Prime minister Mariano Rajoy told par-

liament on Wednesday the country’s future was at stake as Spain grapples with recession, a bloated deficit and investor wariness of its sovereign debt.

He said the nearly $80bn in savings will be achieved through 2015

by a hike in sales taxes and a series of spending cuts through 2015. Rajoy explained that the austerity measures were conditions European Union partners demanded in exchange for an emergency bailout of Spain’s troubled banks.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—17 HIS weekend the Edo governorship election holds.

It pits Adam Oshiomhole, the sitting governor, against the PDP’s Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, in what should be one of the most important political contests in Nigeria, in recent times. For those able to deconstruct the portents of politics, it is clear, that the route to the 2015 elections are being opened in the gritty environment which surrounds the Edo governorship elections: murder; attempted murder and sundry crimes thrown in for good measure. There is a lot at stake in Edo state this weekend.

The army is deploying 3, 500 soldiers as part of a security ‘cordon sanitaire’, while the gladiators from all sides are determined to carry the day, ‘karfi da yaji’, as they say in Hausa!

This weekend could see the terminal demystification of some of the political heavyweights of Edo or the eternal reinforcement of their myth, as the case might be. The four years of Oshiomhole governorship did significant damage to the political and material basis of the powers of patronage that entrenched some of the worst expressions of prebendalism in Nigerian politics. Edo is the political turf of dinosaurs like Tony Anenih, who bestride political life and have consequently given politics a name, far removed from service to the Nigerian people. But it is in the nature of the political process they nurture, that they must do everything to regain the influence which has serviced their years of dominance and consequent underdevelopment of Nigeria. There is the added fillip, that the Edo contest is also an opening salvo of the 2015 election. There is a determined effort to ‘capture’ Edo, because President Goodluck must be seen to be in complete control of the South-

ruling class project has become a danger to the survival of the country itself; unfortunately, not even the political opposition can escape culpability for a significant share of the problems dogging our country.

If the electoral process does not implicitly deepen confidence, that it can be used to remove bad government and reward those working in the interest of the people, then the legitimacy of the entire process will be lost.

The alternative of violence, killings and de-legitimisation of Nigeria will spiral out of control. Edo’s election this weekend concerns all of us. I am rooting for a second term for Adams Oshiomhole!

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Edo guber election and democracy consolidation

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole

South.

Four years ago, I wrote in support of the Oshiomhole candidacy. This was rooted in his work as a leader of the Nigerian working people who led several battles against the neo-colonial Nigerian state and the depredations of neo-liberal capitalism. Hisdecision to enter politics represented an avenue to win a space of responsive leadership for the Nigerian people, at least as much as the space of neo-colonial politics allowed. And by all accounts, the four years under Adams have been far more productively engaging, in the best interest

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Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, PDP

sections of the population must also be placed against the determined efforts of the PDP to nick the state. It is that conflict which makes the Edo election this weekend so vital.

How the election plays out will give a broad indication of the progress on the route of democracy consolidation as well as the preparation of the political opposition to provide an alternative platform to the PDP in 2015. The baseline is that the Nigerian nation is

The baseline is that the Nigerian nation is poorer under the PDP; but the political opposition is so fractious and has so far, been unable to rise to the historical responsibility of facilitating the defeat of the nationruining contraption called the PDP

of the people of Edo, than the eight years under the PDP regime of Lucky Igbinedion.

That was the height of politics as heist; Edo was stolen blind!

The enthusiastic endorsement of Adam Oshiomhole by broad

,

poorer under the PDP; but the political opposition is so fractious and has so far, been unable to rise to the historical responsibility of facilitating the defeat of the nation-ruining contraption called the PDP. The

The Williams Sisters: Serena and Venus

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AST Saturday, Serena Williams won the Women’s Singles trophy of the 2012 Wimbledon Tennis Championship in London. She equaled the fifth championship that her elder sister, Venus, had won at the All-England club. At the presentation ceremony, Serena confessed she always wanted whatever her elder sister had! John McEnroe, one of the best tennis players of all time, described Serena as the greatest female player ever. A few hours after winning the ladies’ single, Serena partnered Venus to win the women’s double trophy; it was also the fifth won by the sisters.

Writing in the London DAILY MIRROR of Monday, July 9, 2012, in a provocatively titled piece “No love game for winner Williams in SW 19”, Laura Williamson said: “to watch Williams is to be impressed by her power, swagger, physical stature and astonishing reserves of mental grit…” She added that: “the Williams’ incredible success has come by challenging the limits of women’s tennis, providing something different to what went before”.

The story of these remarkable African-American sports stars is one of utmost determination to

overcome the social obstacles of a racist American society and with utmost singlemindednessthey succeeded in a sport that was typically White and middle class. Their father, Richard Williams, decided they would make a success of their

lives in sports as well as develop all-round interest in other areas of human endeavours; and they did! I have written about their lives and achievements in one of my columns in DAILY TRUST in the past. I was drawing attention, especially in

Did you watch the Nigerian Basketball team qualify for the Olympic Games?

N far away Caracas, Venezuela, the Nigerian Basketball team qualified for the London Olympic Games. It was our first time and what a way to do so. The team took a bronze medal at the Afro Basketball championship last year in Madagascar, but was re-jigged with a new set of US-based players. They were positively audacious and along the way, Nigeria beat Greece and Lithuania two of the best teams in the world and finally qualified by defeating the Dominican Republic. Watching those remarkably fit young men, Olumide, Diogu, Skinn, the Aminu brothers, Dagunduro, Obasohan and so on, I felt even prouder about the possibilities for change and development of our country. It is teamwork of the Basketball Federation led by TJ, which facilitated the amazing feat for Nigeria. TJ was a youth corps member in the 1980s at the Kwara State Sports Council in Ilorin and was as devoted to the game then as he is today. A few weeks after his election as basketball federation chairman, we met in Abuja and he spoke effusively about his vision for the game in Nigeria. I am so happy to see the incremental improvement in basketball in our country.

On a more fundamental level, watching the young Nigerians from their different backgrounds, play together with a sense of purpose, strengthened my optimism about our country. If we can work together to earn a responsible nation-building ruling elite, able to inspire a sense of national purpose, we can certainly build a truly remarkable country. The basketball team is like a green shoot of growth in an arid wasteland!

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Northern Nigeria, to what a determined effort can build, especially for the girl child in our community. If the Williams sisters can rise to the pinnacle of their sport, surely, we can also encourage our daughters and sisters to become very productive and engaged members of our community. I write that as a father of young daughters who have shown incredible ability in academics and who love ballet, swimming, languages, music and who constantly say they would like to explore the world, do things in fashion design, architecture and so on! The sky literally is the limit and the example of the Williams sisters speaks to our country and especially to Northern Nigeria. Someone sent me a text in response, that I was asking them to copy girls who dressed ‘half naked’; but I challenged him to let his daughters dress in the mode acceptable to his religious confession, but nevertheless encourage them to be the best of themselves. So when the remarkable Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, became victorious again last weekend, I decided to remind of their inspiring story with the hope that we can do even better for all the girls of our beautiful country!

Dr. Haruna Salihi: Teacher, man of faith and modesty HEARD of the death of Dr. Haruna Salihi, Head of the Department of Political Science, Bayero University Kano, last week. I was quite saddened by the passing of a wonderful and devoted teacher and man of deep religious faith and incredible modesty. Malam Salihi taught me Islamic Political Experiences, in my M.Sc. Pol. Science class. I did a term paper on Yusuf Qutb, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; this has become poignant today, with the political events in Egypt.

Looking back now, I think education in Northern Nigerian universities, especially during our times, gave us a rounded development that equipped us to appreciate the contradictory realities of our contemporary world. For example, a postgraduate student of Political Science in say ABU Zaria or BUK in Kano, would have studied the classics of Western philosophy and politics, from Kant, Hobbes, Voltaire, Marx and Machiavelli, etc.; but he was also obliged to study the classical traditions in Islam from Al-Farabi’s MADINAT ALFADILAH through works like AL-MUQADIMMA by Ibn Khaldun, the founder of the science of sociology or AlMaghili’s OBLIGATION OF PRINCES and the more contemporary works, in the context of Islamic political experiences. That combination of the Western and Islamic philosophical and politicaltraditions gave us a rich grounding into the complexities of the world and the tapestry of knowledge which, in a profound sense, shape the world we live in! It was intellectuals like the late Malam Haruna Salihi, who helped us navigate that complex experience. I do remember my polemics with Malam, given my Marxist materialist approach and his own Islamic ideological framework. He nevertheless tolerated and respected my perspective. Dr. Haruna Salihi was completely dedicated to a lifetime of teaching and research and will be sorely missed.

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18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY , JULY 12, 2012 HERDSMEN have the headlines this week, introducing new dimensions of denials to the security challenges Nigeria faces. The pretences at action are worse than doing nothing.

The police have announced deployment of 4,000 policemen to Plateau State, after days of killings that claimed more than 100 lives.

Where were the security forces while Fulani herdsmen descended on unarmed villagers who they killed, and killed more as they prepared to bury their dead.

Now is the time to move the security chief, in-charge of the zone to Jos to take over the security. Is it time because a senator died or that the lives of the hundreds killed in Jos alone this year were important to government?

In utter display of their flagrant disrespect for law and order, the herdsmen staged more attacks on Tuesday, meaning some villages have been attacked since Saturday. Those villages are unprotected and targets for more attacks.

Something must be wrong with a security system that reacts and which acts based on the profile of victims. What do the security agencies do with the intelligence they gather? Do

Criminals, Not Herdsmen governments listen to the people? Are they aware of their environments?

For more than a year, there have been media reports of daily, deadly armed robbers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including specific spots where police warned people to avoid.

The security forces appear to have conceded parts of Nigeria to criminals. All the reports about the attacks staged anytime the robbers want, did not attract any action. Could it be government thought it was unimportant if road travellers died?

All that changed last Friday when Fulani

herdsmen, according to the police, killed Brigadier-General Sylvester Iruh (rtd), on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: he was a few kilometres from Lagos.

Mamman Tsafe, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 2, is planning a 24-hour joint police patrol of Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway, by men from Lagos and Ogun commands. Motorists suggested patrols more than a year ago, the police did nothing. Does it take the death of a high ranking military officer for the police to discover the resources to protect the public?

Tsafe said: “Yes, we are aware of the attack, but I can assure you that we are making effort to commence a joint patrol of the entire area; that I can assure you.” Piecemeal attention to security will not achieve results.

Once the public’s attention is off these hot spots, the security agencies will pull away.

The latest attack on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is disturbing. Nigerians are interested in seeing the police tame criminals whether they are herdsmen or palm wine tappers is unimportant, unless herdsmen are above the law.

OPINION

BY RITA EDET

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N the next few days the territory of Nigeria which President Goodluck Jonathan swore as Commander-in-Chief to defend may shrink by several hundreds of square kilometres; almost the equivalent of a state. And this is vital territory in the oil-rich Bakassi region of the Gulf of Guinea. This misfortune which has attracted little attention from the Presidency, is giving security agencies cause for serious concern.Upon the handover of Bakassi, a vital local government in Cross River State to Cameroun, the Federal Government, through its agencies, the National Boundary Commission and Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, have set out to adjust the maritime boundary between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The aim of this was to remove Cross River from the list of oil producing states. Indeed this has actually been effected in 2008 while Jonathan was still Vice President and Chairman of the National Boundary Commission. Cross River, grappling with the Bakassi refugees evacuated after the handover of Bakassi to Cameroun, had found the action of the Federal Government an unbearable provocation and instituted an action at the Supreme Court.Upon the handover of Bakassi to Cameroun, Akwa Ibom claims that any territory that was vested in Cross River State around the Bakassi area but which was not handed over to Cameroun should be transferred from Cross River

Nigeria's loss over dispute

territory Bakassi

State to Akwa Ibom State. The Federal Government had supported this claim by Akwa Ibom and directed its agencies to implement the arrangement. The resistance from Cross River landed the two states and the Federal Government at the Supreme Court where legal battles have been raging.

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he judgment of the Supreme Court expected in the second week of July 2012, may define the Jonathan presidency forever. The Federal Government, which is a party in that case, had through the National Boundary Commission prepared and tendered a map showing the new boundaries between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. The map clearly supports the claim of Akwa Ibom State that upon the handover of Bakassi to Cameroun, any portion of the sea hitherto vested in Cross River should now be vested in Akwa Ibom and that Cross River is no longer a littoral state.Legal arguments apart, what is worrisome here is that the baseline set by the International Court of Justice to demarcate the internal waters of Nigeria and

Cameroun from the territorial sea has been moved INWARD unilaterally by the National Boundary Commission. The inward shift of this baseline, if accepted by the Supreme Court, would have ceded hundreds of kilometers of Nigerian territory into the high sea open to navigation and regulation by the international community.The economic and security implications of the situation far outweigh the political implications, and more fundamentally weakens the negotiating strength of the country in the Gulf of Guinea. Because the convergence point for the territorial sea boundaries between Nigeria, Cameroun and Equitorial Guinea is still being negotiated, this inward shift of the baseline will generate a corresponding inward shift of the convergence point against the interest of Nigeria.Unfortunately this looming event seems to have generated little attention so far from the President and is even being strongly supported by the Federal Government. The handover of Bakassi to Cameroun was a black spot for the Obasanjo presidency. But while the Obasanjo presidency lost Nigerian territory after turbulent legal battles at the World Court, the Jonathan presidency seems eager to unilaterally cede Nigerian territory without any contest from external powers. That will really be a sad day for Nigeria.

*Ms. Edet, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Calabar, Cross River State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—19

, The Plateau killing fields EFORE the latest round of killings on the Plateau which claimed the lives of Senator Dantong Gyang and the majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani, the killing fields of the Jos area had been conveniently swept under the carpet. This was because most of those killed in their villages while asleep were common folks. The church suicide attacks had never managed to nick any big fish.

The slaying of a senator, the highest ranking casualty since the upsurge of the terrorist insurgency all over the North and the continuing ethnic war on the Plateau, brought Jos back to the front burner, causing government to engage in its predictable, wellchoreographed reaction: President Goodluck Jonathan summoned a meeting of top security chiefs; the Police deployed over 4,000 “crack” troops complete with armoured personnel carriers and combat

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hardware. It was classic case of deja vu. At the end of it all, few days down the line, the killings simply continue. The so-called Fulani herdsmen, armed with sophisticated weapons, sneak in at night, hitting well-selected targets in typical ethnic cleansing style and melt away into the bush, leaving trails of blood, sorrow and tears.

When President Umaru Yar’ Adua was still alive, Brigadier General Mohammed Maina, who was in command of the military operations to restore peace was blamed for colluding with his fellow Muslim Fulani groups against the local Christian Berom people. Long after Maina was removed, it has become clear that collusion, if indeed it was true, was not enough to explain the uncanny capacity of the “Fulani herdsmen” to reap their grim harvest of death at the expense of their enemies.

The killing, last Sunday, of Senator Gyang and about 22 others while attending the

I am not convinced that enough security precautions were taken to forestall the tragedy that took place; it was not even a suicide bombing; it was reported as an invasion by heavily armed gunmen

,

mass burial of about 50 victims left one doubting the seriousness attached to security consciousness even by top officials. Anyone with common sense will know that such a grim gathering will be considered a juicy opportunity by the terror groups who have made Plateau a major cell of operation. I am not convinced that enough security precautions were taken to forestall the tragedy that took place. It was not even a suicide bombing. It was reported as an invasion by heavily armed gunmen. To the best of my knowledge, there were no reports of exchange of fighting which a statement credited to Boko Haram gleefully claimed it was their handiwork.

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fter about four years of the war of attrition now with Boko Haram weighing in, the targeted communities, the Plateau State government and

the military expedition on the Plateau ought to have figured out where these “herdsmen” stage their attacks from. They should have started getting idea how they move about and they coordinate their attacks, who provides them with funding and ammunition and where they are likely to strike next.

I am totally baffled that the people of the Plateau, who are supposed to be highly savvy in the military profession (having participated heavily in the antiIgbo pogroms in the North in 1966/67 and the war to keep Nigeria one) should have produced a fitting communal response to the Janjaweed-like raids by the supposed Fulani herdsmen.

Even the governor, David Jonah Jang, is a retired military officer! Why all this cluelessness in apprehending the security threat in his domain? In April 1992, I attended the turbaning of retired General Dom Kat Bali in Langtang, his home town, by the Ponzhi Tarok, Edward Cirdap Jatau. One of the traditional dance groups that entertained were dressed up in army uniform and marched like soldiers to underscore the military culture of the Plateau people. They should know a thing or two about intelligence, vigilance and military tactics, at least for self-preservation. Why can’t they tap into this to at least defend themselves since the state and Federal governments have proved themselves unable or unwilling to do so? During the civil war Biafrans were able to apply militia tactics to defend their communities until they were outgunned by the invading federal forces. In matters like these there are

many things you can do for yourself to survive.

At first I was sceptical about the invitation of President Goodluck Jonathan to tell the House of Representatives to explain exactly why the Federal Government appears unable to cope with the security threats facing the many flashpoints of Northern Nigeria. But now, I am more inclined to encouraging him to respond positively to it. We need to know how long we have to wait and how many more of our defenseless citizens we must lose before the people sponsoring the killers are unmasked and squelched. What exactly have we achieved since we appointed Lt Gen Sarkin Yakin Bello the President’s Adviser on Anti-terrorism? Why was a military officer who was so effective as the Joint Task Force, JTF, commander in the Niger Delta and the South East suddenly part of an ineffective Presidency when it comes to security threats in the North?

There are too many questions waiting for answers.

One thing is clear though.

Unless the President comes on top of the security situation in the North there will be no basis for him to ask Nigerians to renew his mandate in 2015.

Even if he succeeds in manipulating his way to become the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he may become the first president to be voted out of power in Nigeria’s history, especially if the opposition parties create a credible alliance and present an acceptable candidate other than the “dog and baboon” democrats.

Peace in our land (2)

C M Y K

old values and new visions will be buried under unbridled growth. We must be determined to build a society where people will be concerned with the quality of their goals than with the quantity of their goods.

The change we desire must be dramatic.

Admittedly, it is quite difficult to break old habits. The bottom line still remains that nothing good comes easy. Nothing goods comes in an atmosphere of rancour and in-fighting. We must all say NO to violence.

Our youths must come out with an iron determination not to allow themselves to be used as thugs because the development of Edo State does not reside in the pittance they get to foment trouble. The journey has already started. By now, the electioneering campaigns that have been going on in the past six months or so must have equipped us with the wherewithal to make intelligent judgements as to who will best serve our interest. We should go to the polling centre peacefully and vote for that person.

We have said elsewhere that nobody ever gets elected based on the number of people he has killed. The development of Edo State will not depend on snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes. Neither will it depend on the shooting and maiming of our neighbours. Rather, the desired development will require peace, a lot of genuine peace. It will require patriotic and ceaseless work from all Edolites. In times like these, every man, every woman and every youth, irrespective of party affiliation and irrespective of religious and ethnic differences, must quickly banish from his heart, all feelings of disappointment, all sense of chagrin and like the gallant soldier, fall in line, salute the colours and face the common enemies, which include unemployment, poverty in

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HAT is the first prerequisite for development? Peace. What is the next most important prerequisite for development? Peace. What is the third most important requisite for the development of any place? Peace. It is peace, peace and peace! Actually, no meaningful development ever takes place in an atmosphere of rancour. That explains why, as we move to the most critical stage of the gubernatorial election in Edo State, we must strive for maximum peace. We cannot afford to miss it again this time around.

Come to think of it, it is only a fool that would continue to do the same thing in the same old way and be expecting different results. If the development of a place were based on the amount of electoral violence obtained from that place, of course, Nigeria would definitely have been one of the most developed countries on planet earth. But here we are, virtually marching on the same spot – motion without movement! Every election year has become a year of war; war among brothers.

It is time for change. We must constantly remember that the purpose of protecting the life of our state and preserving the liberty of the citizens is to pursue the utmost happiness of our people. No matter who governs us, our success in this pursuit will remain the best test of our success as a state.

Edo State must be developed! We must all make deliberate efforts to make Edo State great. As we march towards the election, we must remember that our imagination, our initiative, and our indignation will determine whether we will build a society where progress will be the servant of our needs, or a society where

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We must all say NO to violence; our youths must not allow themselves to be used as thugs because the development of Edo State does not reside in the pittance they get to foment trouble

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the midst of plenty, inadequate women and youth empowerment, insecurity, paltry educational and health facilities, infrastructural deficiencies, environmental degradation, etc. These are the common enemies that the guns originally intended for the polling booths must be used to kill and destroy.

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his is an open invitation for all of us to gear up for a most peaceful election in the next three days. Rigged elections have been the greatest obstacle to meaningful development in Nigeria.

The time has come for us to outgrow that level. In fact, anyone who is rigged into any position will have no moral obligation to provide any development to the people.

The duty to have a good election begins with all of us on Saturday, July 14, 2012!

In the election, like in every contest, there will be winners and losers. We must also have at least a word of caution, even for the winners. Yes, you are bound to jubilate over your victory. As you bask in the euphoria of your success, you must not allow your jubilation to degenerate into violence and destruction. After all, Edo State belongs to all of us and its development is a duty on all of us.

We remember Adlai Stevenson (19001965), one of the greatest politicians in recent history. Some of the warnings he gave as far back as 1952 are still very relevant today: "Even more important than winning the election is governing the nation. That is the test of a political party; the acid final test.

When the tumult and shouting die; when the bands are gone, and the lights are dimmed; there is the stark reality of responsibility".

As Edo people go to the polls on Saturday, July 14, 2012, they are already aware that whoever emerges will be the Governor of all Edo State, not the Governor of a political party. They are determined to let the best emerge. Above all, they are determined to make this the dawn of an era where elections will be truly won or lost at the polling booth, not in the courtroom. Here’s wishing all of us a most peaceful and most successful election!

20—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 — 21

MDAs to suffer capital budget removal in 2013 fiscal year

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE & LAZARUS IBEABUCHI HE Federal Government will not approve capital budget for most ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in the 2013 fiscal year, says the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

This is aimed at reducing the level of fiscal indiscipline in public expenditure pattern.

The government said it is working at correcting structural imbalance in expenditure profile, thus ensuring that the share of funds allocated for economic development programmes, progress yearly over the medium term.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with the organised private sector and civil society organisations on the Federal Government 2013 budget tagged “Charting the way forward for inclusive growth” in Lagos, Dr. Ngozi said a committee is working towards the identification of areas of cross-cutting functions among MDAs’ mandate so as to appropriately rationalise them in order to eliminate areas of wastages and duplication.

“In the budget, we want to have a look at those areas that the president will make a mark in developing the economy. We started this last year by channeling the resources into power, education, health, agriculture and others. We are going to continue this in the medium term.

“In doing this, we also have to look at the ministries, department and agencies where there are over laps. Before we do this, we have to meet the National

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FG moves to reduce food import, boost industrial growth

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

Assembly to review the law because the agencies are backed by law. So, we want to look at them carefully and determine their relevance to the economy.

“Also, we have to look at the budget and pick out those expenditures that are not essential. For instance last year, we saw some administrative overheads which were irrelevant. Some MDAs bought computers, furniture, etc each year that are irrelevant. Things that you don’t have to repeat again, they keep coming.

“In other to curb irrelevant

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necessitating the need to enhance prudent management of public resources and minimise leakages and their sources.

“As such, MDAs do not need to have capital budget. So we are going to remove capital budget for many of the MDAs. In 2013, we are going to focus on on-going projects. So, if MDAs will bring budget, it must be only on three conditions.

Firstly, it must be an ongoing one; secondly, it must have reached certain level of completion and thirdly, can bring about some economic reforms that will make it important,” he said.

From left: Mr. Martin Woolnough, Vice Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce of Nigeria, ICCN; Mrs. Olubunmi Osuntuyi, Secretary General, ICCN; Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc and Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc; at the 13th AGM of ICCN.

PHCN spends N2bn on equipment rehabilitation

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

HE Federal Government has commenced moves to reduce the nation’s dependency on food importation, and also to boost industrial growth and create jobs, says Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“Nigeria is rolling out an ambitious reform programme across its agricultural sector, aimed at cutting the country’s dependency on food imports, creating jobs and generating growth”, he said in an interview with the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, Oxford Business Group (OBG) Adeshina said “Over the next five years, we plan to add 20 million tones of additional food to the domestic food supply to create 3.5million jobs in the sector and to replace up to 40 per cent of wheat flour imports with highquality cassava flour.

“Steps taken by the government to improve rice production should lead to the segment becoming self sufficient by 2015, producing around $2 billion in income for farmers.”

expenditures in these MDAs, we want to see if we can computerise the expenditure pattern in the MDAs to actually cut irrelevant cost. In 2013, we shall sustain our consolidation effort on the need for prudence in the management of public finance, look at the need to reduce the debt stock by paying off some outstanding debt, among others,” she said.

In his submission, the DirectorGeneral, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu, noted that a multiplicity of over-lapping functions had been observed in the MDAs, thereby

KO Electricity Distribution Company has spent about N2 billion to resuscitate power equipment within its zone to ensure stable power supply.

Several reinforcement, maintenance and installation of new equipment were carried out by the zone during the first quarter of 2012.

Addressing newsmen during the zone’s quarterly meeting in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. OladeleAmoda, said the zone has replaced several obsolete 33kv and 11kv Areas where obsolete power equipment was installed include Satelite Town, Amuwo, Ademola Victoria Island, Berkely, Orile, Coker, Lekki, Oke-Ira Kekere that cost an estimated sum of N500 million, Amoda said.

In replacing faulty power facilities, Amoda said that 33/11KV 15MVA transformers were installed at Keffi, Ademola, Anifowosha, Yaba NRC, Cappa/Nitel while additional transformers were also installed at

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Agungi, Lekki and a brand new 1x15MVA injection substation station was completed at TejuoshoYaba, which cost N300million.

He added that several 33KV and 11KV lines were constructed and additional 500KVA/300KVA Distribution Transformers were installed, which cost N750million.

According to him “In total, close to N2 billion have been committed to reinforce and maintain the network in the last six months.”

He admitted that the funding of the various project in the zone came from the Federal Government, which he describe as a practical demonstration of government’s commitment in improving the power sector for the benefit of its citizens.

Also, to fully enforce the new electricity tariff that took off on June 1, 2012, Amoda said that about 130,000 customers with faulty and obsolete meters are expected to be metered within the next 18 months, adding that in July the zone plan to install 8,000 meters to replace obsolete and faulty ones in the system.

183.15

+0.80

2,296.00

-23.00

22.50

-0.20

97.94 84.19

-2.38 -1.80

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

0.2712 25.5852 190.3352 240.3737 41.2932 233.1258 158.4348 154.87 232.2653 1.9488 24.3252

0.2812 25.6678 190.9497 241.1498 41.4265 233.8785 158.9463 155.37 233.0152 1.9551 24.4042

0.2912 25.7504 191.5642 241.9258 41.5598 234.6311 159.4578 155.87 233.765 1.9614 24.4832

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/07/2012

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Bailout package‘ll provoke equity bubble — Expert

By NKIRUKA NNOROM NY attempt to P r o v i d e forbearance package to stockbrokers by the federal government as being requested by operators in the capital market, will spark off another round of equity bubble in the long run, says Mr. Johnson Chukwu, Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited.

This is contrary to claims by several capital market operators that government bailout is needed to stabilize activities in the capital market.

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Chukwu told Vanguard that bringing in intervention fund into the equity market will create artificial rally in stocks prices, which would eventually crash when the government finally decides to exit the market.

He noted that whenever this kind of bubble builds up, it exposes the market to danger of massive fall, adding that failure to realize such build up prior to 2008 crash was the reason for the huge losses recorded by investors within the period.

He said, “I don’t believe in bailout when

it involves intervention in the equity market because when you have bailout in the securities market, you create an artificial price level and when you create an artificial price level, you create instability in that asset class such that when that bailout fund is fulfilled, the market will crash back.

“So, it is better that the market is encouraged to find its level than an intervention fund to come in and prop up prices to an artificial level, because when the that happens, the chicken will come back home to roast because the intervention fund will one day leave and the market

that would have recovered will then go back to where it was.”

He observed that once there is a bailout fund to intervene in the equity market and government is holding large chunk of equity to prop up the price, discerning investors will shy away from the market, arguing, “Simple reason is that because they know that if they buy the stock and government decides to exit, there won’t be any price again. The market will be flooded then you find out that you are carrying a worthless certificate or share.”

“For instance, the value of the market is a little

above six trillion. If the government brings in N100 billion, it will mop up all the excess shares in the market. Mind you, when the government starts buying, other investors will want to buy alongside the government and there will be capital appreciation because of the level of demand.

“If the government’s holding appreciates to about one trillion and she decides to move, what you will see is that we will go back to the crisis period because everybody will also want dump in order not to be caught unawares, therefore, the prices will come crashing again,” he stressed.

FBN, Strands partner on educational devt IRSTBANK of Nigeria Plc is partnering Strands Communications Limited, a resource development and event management company to sponsor the annual Student Trade Fair in five tertiary institutions namely; Yabatech, University of Benin, University of PortHarcourt, University of Calabar and University of Lagos.

Since it was inaugurated in 2006, this mega-event has evolved into Nigeria as the largest show of its kind and has risen over the years to

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enjoy a high reputation as the most popular event amongst youths and students for discounted shopping and opportunity to interact one on one with providers of products and services they consume. Along with the large proportion of exhibitors and visitors; that return year on year.

The event provides a common platform for manufacturers, traders, retailers, innovators and service providers the opportunity to showcase their goods and service to students and populace within and around the university metropolis.

Standard Chartered launches global campaign From left: Estelle Dogbe, Director, Youth Enpowerment & Development Intiative, Mr. Patrick Utomi, Public & Government Affairs and Mrs. Bose Iro-Nsi, Executive Director, Women's Right and Health Project at the Skillz Naija VCT Malaria Football Tournament sponsored by ExxonMobil Foundation in Lagos. Photo: Sylva Eleanya.

Fidelity Bank gets Banker Magazine rating for CAR

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HE Banker magazine, a subsidiary of the Financial Times of London, has named Fidelity Bank Plc Nigeria’s soundest bank by capital adequacy ratio measurement.

A list of the world’s top 1000 banks released by the magazine recently, featured two Nigerian banks – Fidelity bank and First City Monument bank (FCMB) in the capital adequacy ratio measurement.

According to the magazine, Fidelity Bank clinched the soundest bank position with a capital to asset ratio of 28.8 percent, while First City Monument Bank (FCMB), which placed

second had ratio of 23.89 per cent, with both of them coming into the 1,000 soundest capital to asset ratio banks in the world.

Fidelity was also ranked as the 6th largest bank in Nigeria by tier one capital, also referred to as Shareholders Funds, with $867million, making it the 17th largest in Africa and 618th in the world.

Fidelity’s Shareholders Funds which is well above N130billion in the local currency was once above USD1.1billion but dropped because of exchange rate variation.

This affected all Nigeria banks, and most of the African banks.

Seven other Nigerian banks joined Fidelity in the list of world’s top 1,000 banks, with Zenith Bank ranking number

one having $2.398million in capital. First Bank comes second with $2.262million; GTB third with $1.47million.

Accordingly, Zenith is 7th in Africa and 322nd in the World; First Bank is 8th in Africa and 338th in the world; GTB is 11th in Africa and 455th in the world.

The complete ranking is as follows: Zenith, First Bank, GT Bank, Access Bank, UBA, Fidelity, FCMB and Skye Bank. Bank of America occupies the prime position as the largest bank in the world with a capital base of $163.626billion, followed by another American bank, JP Morgan Chase with a capital base of $142.4billion;HSBC as third, worldwide. China has three banks in the

top 10 list.

Africa’s largest bank by the ranking is the Standard Bank Group of South Africa with capital base of $9.842billion.

The first four banks in Africa are from South Africa, with the fifth from Morocco.

Banks which make the top 1,000 list either by capital base or the capital to asset ratio are considered the prime banks in the world.

The Bank magazine’s yearly ranking of banks has come to be seen as authoritative and objective judgments of the size and health status of banks. The presence of eight Nigerian banks in the top 1,000 by size and two by capital to asset ratio is positive statement on the performance of Nigerian banks.

By ITORO UDOFIA & WILLIAM JIMOH

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TA N D A R D Chartered has launched an International Advertising campaign encompassing TV, print, outdoor and digital to reinforce the Bank’s commitment to making a positive impact on the communities in which it operates.

The campaign steps up a level in Nigeria today with the broadcast of a new TV advert which illustrates how Standard Chartered’s continued support for trade has a direct impact on individuals across the Bank’s network in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The campaign demonstrates Standard Chartered good brand promise and also call on people to visit the campaign site on Standard Chartered’s website and tell the Bank which issues are really affecting their lives and how it can be solved and by so doing the Bank will understand how it can deliver on its commitment to enhancing the

communities in which it operates.

The TV advert will be broadcast internationally on Cable Network News (CNN), British Broadcasting News (BBC), Discovery and TLC, as well as on major local channels in nine of Standard Chartered markets, including Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Taiwan, Thailand and UAE. Claire Fedder, Head of Brand at Standard Chartered, said, “This campaign goes further than merely putting our logo on TV and billboards. We want to affect real change in the communities where we operate, and in this way, deliver on our Here for good brand promise. ”We are encouraging people to visit our website and tell us what is most important to them. This will help us create a digital barometer, which will enable us to demonstrate how we are listening and to provide examples of where we positively contribute in those areas.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—23

Access Bank obtains ISO security management certification ARELY a year after its emergence as the first Nigerian and indeed only Bank in West Africa to obtain the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Certification, (PCIDSS), and Access Bank has again raised the ante in management of security information with its recent certification by the British Standard Institute. The Bank has been awarded the ISO 27001, a global standard for information security management, for efficiency of its security management process.

Access Bank’s attainment of this standard is yet another testament to its reputation as the benchmark for best practice and innovation in the Nigerian and entire African financial services landscape. This certification is a validation of the Bank’s industry leadership in e-payment and compliance with best practice.

Commenting on the Bank’s Certification, Greg Jobome, Access Bank’s Chief Risk Officer said that “This is a demonstration of our commitment to setting standards for sustainable business practices; subjecting our processes to a rigorous evaluation by a reputable organization like the British Standards Institute, demonstrates the length we can go as a Bank to ensure the security of our customers’ transactions”.

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Banks’ interest rates not good for businesses — Okonjo-Iweala

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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he interest rate charged by Nigerian banks are not conducive for the survival of businesses, says , Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance “We really need to look at our banking sector again. I think the interest rates being charged by banks in this economy are too high. There is no way businesses can survive with this kind of approach and I wonder what is behind these rates, because the banks are now strongly capitalised”, she said in Lagos at a Consolidative Forum on Budget 2013 with private sector operators and civil societies organisations .

Data from the Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA) shows that as at July 9th, average lending rate by banks for normal customers was 20 per cent and 18 per cent for prime customers.

These, participants at the meeting said were too and wanted government to intervene.

Okonjo in her response agreed with the participants that the interest rates are indeed high. She said, “They (the banks) have one of the best Capital Adequacy ratios in the world, non performing

UBA grows Profit by 159% to N31.84bn in Q2 NITED Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has posted a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N31.842 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2012, representing an increase of 159 per cent, compared to N12.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

Similarly, Profit After Tax (PAT) had an impressive run, growing by 138.42 per cent from N11 billion to N26.2 billion over the period.

This is an attestation to the complete turnaround of its fortunes and a demonstration of the increasing earnings accruing to the Group’s investments across Africa.

Other details in the un-audited results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) show that Gross Earnings rose by 21.6% to N111billion, compared to N91.3 billion in the corresponding period of June 2011. The growth in the topline was driven mainly by fund-based incomes.

Consequently, the Group’s costto-income ratio for the period improved significantly from 82.1% in June 2011 to 60.9 per cent. This mark of better operating efficiency

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helps in delivering a robust Return on Equity by 28.1 per cent, as against 6.8 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of June 2011.

The bank’s total assets grew by 5.1 per cent from N1.946 trillion in June 2011 to N2.044 trillion as at June 30, 2012.

In addition, the Net Loan Portfolio increased to N734.4billion, compared with N690.4billion in June 2011, an increase of 6.4 per cent.

“At the beginning of the year, I stated that our expansion into Africa had reached a consolidation stage and the management of UBA had shifted its focus from expansion, to extracting value from the investments made in the Group’s unique footprints across Africa . What you have seen in the first half of the year, is a reflection of what our platform is capable of delivering” said the Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza.

loans, below five per cent, thanks to the work that was done be Central Bank of Nigeria. So, what is the issue? How do we get these banks to be developmental in their approach so that they can support small and medium enterprises? We are going to look into that because I think that interest rates in the economy are too high.”

According to the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN in the communiqué issued at the end of its meeting in May, “The average maximum lending rate rose to 23.31 per cent

in April 2012 from 23.21 per cent in March while the consolidated deposit rate rose to 3.93 per cent from 3.79 per cent during the same period. Thus, the spread between the average maximum lending rate and the consolidated deposit rate narrowed further to 19.38 per cent in April 2012 from 19.42 per cent in March 2012.”

Participants at the Forum also criticised government borrowing activities, which they said is denying the private sector of loans for investment. OkonjoIweala acknowledged that in-

deed the government borrowing from banks is posing a threat to the economy. She said that the federal government has already taken steps to reduce borrowing from the banks. She said, “For 2011 budget, we borrowed N852 billion, we brought this down to N744 billion in 2012 budget and we are going to take it down in 2013 budget.

What we are aiming at is to bring it down to a level of about N500 billion in the medium term.”

From left: FirstBank of Nigeria Plc joint savings account customers (Abeokuta Branch), Mr Egesimba Chidi & Mr. Emeka Nneji receiving the keys to the star prize of a new Peugeot 306 car from Group Head, South-West, Mr. Sunday Akinpelu during the quarterly draw of the bank’s ongoing Save & Excel Promo, in Ibadan.

....To deliver IMOF lecture OORDINATING Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will deliver the 2012 Isaac Moghalu Foundation Leadership Lecture. The public lecture and symposium event on the topic “Education and Development: Paradigm Shift” will take place today in Lagos.

In a statement issued by the Isaac Moghalu Foundation (IMoF), Mrs. Maryanne Onyinyechi Moghalu, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of IMoF said: “The Isaac Moghalu Foundation is advocating for a paradigm shift in the education system in Nigeria. Considering the challenges that confront us as a nation today, the education sector in our country needs to

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be transformed if we are to achieve a wider transformation of our economy and society.

The purpose of the 2012 IMoF Leadership Lecture is to interrogate the relationship between education and development and recommend ways to reform education in Nigeria by linking it more effectively to Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

We have studied the transformations of the emerging nations of Asia from poor to wealthy countries and found that the system, structure and content of education played a key role in making them globally competitive countries. Dr. (Mrs) Okonjo-Iweala is very well placed to serve as our Keynote Speaker on this theme and we are pleased that she

accepted our invitation.”

The Isaac Moghalu Foundation is a charitable foundation that provides access to education, vocational and leadership skills to underprivileged youth in rural communities in Nigeria and engages in advocacy for effective public policy. IMoF was founded in 2005 in memory of the late Elder Isaac Chukwudum Moghalu, one of Nigeria’s pioneer post-independence diplomats who served as a Foreign Service Officer in Switzerland and the United States in the 1960s and was a Permanent Secretary in the old Anambra State. The first IMOF Leadership Lecture was delivered in Lagos in 2008

by Dr. Robin Renee Sanders, then the United States Ambassador to Nigeria.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—25

26— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Oil sector controversy and anticipated reforms: Matters arising T

HE Nigerian Oil sector is currently at a determinant point in its history, a period which some stakeholders have said could either make or mar the industry for decades to come. There are series of committees for the first time looking into series of issue many of them bordering on corruption. There has also been series of laudable statements issued by the government which only awaits implementation, although some of these are currently witnessing implementation, it is wise to note that the industry has sunk abysmally deep in corruption hence the series of probe sessions it has witnessed recently and still witnessing. what prospects lies ahead of a post controversial/reform oil industry? Should government be taken serious with attempts to rid the all-powerful sector of corruption? And how far can a female minister in a male dominated environment go in this unprecedented bid to bring sanity to a grossly corrupt industry? In this report Our Correspondent YEMIE ADEOYE took a cursory look at all of these issues and more.

Excerpts: The Nigerian oil sector is currently at its most controversial heights in history, this is even in the face of appeals by the Federal Government to numerous investors across the globe to take a second look at the nation’s economy and consider being a part of it.

How that is to be achieved remains a mystery as no investor would put a penny into a system that lacks clear documented definition and is also enmeshed in corruption.

However, since her appointment as Nigeria’s first female petroleum minister , Diezani Alison-Madueke has had a fare share of the controversy currently rocking the sector with several stakeholders calling for her sack citing diverse reasons.

Inspite of this development, the federal government through her has continued to make efforts at implementing the much talked about and urgently needed reforms in the oil sector and that also is taking its tolls on the all-important sector.

Under the current minister of petroleum there has been changes hitherto unheard of in the nation’s oil industry.

Aside from the quick passage of the Nigerian Content Act by the National Assembly which has created a window of opportunities for domestic players in the nation’s oil sector, the NNPC as well as other agencies in the oil sector are now being closely monitored and regulated by the ministry of petroleum resources and

due and frequent scarcity of fuel since her assumption of office.

With the establishment of the Nigerian Content Act which she accelerated, the multinational oil companies have commenced the usage of made-inNigeria materials, for example, ExxonMobil used locally manufactured pipes at its Edop-Idoho offshore field, laying of over 100 kilometres of pipeline by SCC in Abuja as well as the development of Nigerian Oil And Gas Employment and Training Strategy, which has resulted in the absorption of over 5,000 engineers, geologists and welders into the industry. Recently, Nigerdock built two platforms for ExxonMobil’s satellite fields at its yard in Snake Island in Lagos.

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Diezani Alison Madueke

On refinery turnaround, the minister has planned to stop the continuous fleecing of public funds by bringing the original firms that built the refineries to carryout thorough maintenance on them.

Over the years, the country has been losing princely sum on turnaround maintenance of the refineries with no results.

She said with the original companies that built the plants, there would be no need for major maintenance in near future the result has been implementation of due process for any government expenditure thereby saving huge resources for the government.

One of her first move after appointment was to sack the then Group Managing Director of the NNPC, the late Alhaji Shehu Ladan while away on official assignment overseas, this move, unprecedented, however threw quite a number of industry watchers and stakeholders off balance just as it paved way for a new modus operandi in NNPC and indeed the entire oil and gas sector.

This, of course came at a price as the Minister continues to face huge criticisms from various sectors of the Nigerian economy for this and other reasons.

After the passage of the Nigerian content Act, which empowers Nigerian operators in the oil sector to fully participate and take advantage of oil and gas activities, the present government has also ensured proper and constant supply of petroleum products especially Premium Motor Spirit thereby

averting long queues in filling stations across the country whichg had earlier been a norm across the country.

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he Nigerian oil and gas sector under the leadership of the current government has also not only entered into several agreements in bringing about a vibrant oil industry but has made effort to commence implementation of some of such agreements.

The federal government also announced late last year that it would refine more than one million barrels of petrol per day (bpd) by 2014.

The Minister for Petroleum Resources disclosed this at the Society for Petroleum Engineers (SPE) anual conference and exhibition in Abuja.

According to her the nation’s refining capacity would receive significant boost in the next three years with the building of three new refineries.

While the turn-around maintenance of the four existing refineries in the country will be handled by the companies that first built them to ensure effi-

Goodluck Jonathan

ciency.

“The new refineries and the old ones will actually give us the result that we desire in this country,’’ she said, and true to type early last week the federal government entered into an agreement with a US engineering company for the construction of six modular refineries at the cost of US$4.5 billion for a combined 180,000 refining capacity.

“The project is estimated to gulp 697.5bn naira ($4.5b), while two of the refineries are expected to be completed within the next 12 months,” Yemi Kolapo, spokeswoman for the trade ministry said in a statement.

Some industry watchers who spoke to our correspondent off the record posited that the current Petroleum Minister has shown a measure of transparency and commitment to the development of the industry even if she’s a woman and operating in a male-dominated environment. “ She is being hindered by the system and should be allowed to implement the policies and projects she has initiated.

She has been able record some major achievements shortly after coming into office and these should be commended rather than forgotten as is the case here. Fuel scarcity is history and doesn’t occur as in the past due to massive importation and increased domestic refining by the NNPC, this is a testimony of her good intentions for the economy. Although the fuel import system and the policy of subsidy has been mired in corruption, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been able to hold under control un-

pileptic power supply across the country has always been blamed on inadequate supply of Gas and against this backdrop the minister launched the gas-topower policy, which mandated gas producers to strictly meet their supply obligations. Currently, additional efforts to this, is the ongoing construction of gas pipelines to some of the power stations. The link up of these power stations to sources of gas supply is considered more sustainable and cheaper.

To deepen local consumption of gas as well as establish gasbased industry for job creation and in-country skills and technology development, AlisonMadueke launched the Gas Revolution aimed at enhancing utilisation of the enormous gas resources. Besides the existing few firms that are gas based such as the Brass Fertiliser Plant in Bayelsa State and the Indorama Fertiliser and Methanol Plant at Eleme, Rivers State, the minister has made effort to attract investors such as Xenel of Saudi Arabia and Nagajuna of India to invest in a petrochemical plant to be sited in Koko, Delta State.

On refinery turnaround, the minister has planned to stop the continuous fleecing of public funds by bringing the original firms that built the refineries to carryout thorough maintenance on them. Over the years, the country has been losing princely sum on turnaround maintenance of the refineries with no results. She said with the original companies that built the plants, there would be no need for major maintenance in near future.

All of these are an effort to set the stage for the much anticipated and talked about oil industry reform which is aimed to position the industry and the NNPC especially as a commercially viable entity.

The series of probe that came on the heels of the oil subsidy removal and the occupy Nigeria strike is also part of this government’s commitment to sanitizing the all-important sector. Fall outs of the probe continues to be more intriguing as it reveals a sector filled with rot and begging for an indepth cleansing before major, long-term investment could be attracted.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—27

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 — 29

L I C E N CE W I T H D R A W A L :

Affected varsities cry foul

BY DAYO ADESULU, FAVOUR NNABUGWU & LAJU ARENYEKA

INCE the National U n i v e r s i t i e s Commission (NUC), announced the suspension of the licences of seven private universities on July 4, reactions have poured in from stakeholders of the affected institutions.

The management of the universities, which include Madonna University, Lead City University, Tansian University, Caritas University, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Achievers University and Obong University were vexed with the action of the commission arguing that it was shocking to them because they were not informed before hand, adding that they learnt of the suspension for the first time in the media.

NUC Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie said the universities' operational licences were suspended for unwillingness to comply with regulations, inappropriate governance structure and poor management of academic activities. For candidates who applied to any of the affected universities for the 2012/2013 academic year, the NUC boss said the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has been requested to assist in distributing qualified candidates to other universities of their choice.

“The operators of the affected universities know their offences because so many times, we have informed them about their failings but they did not take necessary steps to address their shortcomings. Anyway, it’s just a suspension and it will be lifted as soon as they do the correct things,” he said.

However, responding to NUC's claims that the operators have numerously been informed about their shortcom-

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ings, Rev. Oladimeji Bayode, Dean of Student Affairs, Achievers University said in a telephone interview with Vanguard Learning that this is not true. "The only thing we are aware of is that they said we should not operate a school of part-time studies, but ours is simply a school of distance

Prof. Sola Fajana, JABU

woke, reacting, said: “The point is that it is a big surprise to us. The university is not being mismanaged by anybody. Our transcripts and certificates are issued promptly.

Everybody knows that issuance of transcripts is based on request and that is what we have been doing. We also re-

Prof. Julius Okojie, NUC

Continues on page 30

Prof. Emmanuel Edeh, Madonna

ASURI seeks visitation panels for research institutes T

BY DAYO ADESULU

HE national officers of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutes (ASURI) have called on the federal government to set up a visitation panel to clear the rot, lawlessness and mismanagement endemic in the research institute.

The National Administrative Secretary of ASURI, Mr. Wole Akinwale in Lagos said: "Because of the rot, lawlessness and mismanagement in ASURI, we

Our Abuja experience,

by Cowbell maths winners — Page C M Y K

learning and the condition is that we should be under the tutelage of another university that is doing the same thing.

We have a memorandum of understanding with the University of Ibadan to that effect.”

Registrar of Madonna University, Mr. TheophilusUg-

lease our results promptly. We want to find out where we went wrong, until we clear from them, we won’t take any decision.”

However, a 300 level student of Accounting from Madonna University wrote on a social media site: “I’m so happy NUC took this bold step. They should have done so months ago. This school does not deserve a licence to operate until they build good hostels, lecture halls, stop security guards from harassing students, em-

call on the Federal Government to set up a visitation panel to clear the rot endemic in the research institutes.”

He said that the panel should go round the research institute to asses the situation, saying this has become necessary because the nation is not getting the best despite continuous budgetary allocations to them. According to the dons, research is

22-yr-old literary prodigy emerges from UNICAL

important in any development agenda, arguing that despite this fact, the little funds allocated for the research institutes are often spent on administrative and capital projects to the detriment of proper funding for actual research.

The researchers also called for the establishment of research institutes commissions to co-ordinate the activities of research institutes

NMCN holds induction for 42 graduates

nation wide.

They were particularly bitter about the improper way in which the executive directors of some research institutes were appointed by government without due regards for the existing laws governing the administration and management of the research institutes.

They also complained against the clever ways in which some chief executives have manipulated the loopholes in existing laws to Continues on page 30

Transformative Leadership Panacea to National Development — Sen. Saraki — Page 31

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Affected varsities cry foul Continues from page 29

COWBELL MATHS CONTEST: From left, Prof. Sagir Abbas, Special Adviser to the Minister of Education; Master Uwa Benjamin, senior category star prize winner; Prof. Adewale Solarin, Acting DG, National Mathematics Centre; Master Akintokun Gboyega, junior category star prize winner; and Chief Keith Richards, MD, Promasidor, at the 2012 Cowbell NASSMAC prize giving ceremony in Abuja.

ploy qualified lecturers not illiterates that we sometimes correct in the lecture hall, give us professors, water, steady light, and stop exploiting students. Lecturers collect as much as N3,000 to submit assignments apart from the fact that we must buy their self-authored textbooks. We, the students of Madonna and its sister college, Caritas are happy that this bold step was taken.”

Also reacting to the development, ChinedumUcheoma, an alumnus of Madonna said that the suspension is a step in the right direction.

His words: “The suspension of Madonna University's licence though a painful and hurting situation to the students in session, but to some of us alumni, is a step in the right direction by NUC. At least, now some things will be put in the order it is meant to be. There is pain in every positive revolutionary trend.” n the other hand, the Registrar, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Mr. Wale Aderibigbe, assured that the suspension order by the NUC would soon be reversed.

“We are in Abuja already. We are on top of the situation. We hope that by tomorrow, our licence shall be restored,” he said.

Conflicting reportshave reached Vanguard Learning concerning the activities at JABU as a student told newsmen Tuesday that the management of the school announced that the suspension had been lifted. “They announced it in chapel service on Sunday that our licence was no longer suspended. If it is still suspended, how come we are going to classes and preparing for our final exams?” she asked.

However, a statement signed by the Board of Trustees of JABU in the media, also on Tuesday read: “We wish to announce that the proprietors and the management are in touch with the NUC and are

Our Abuja experience, by Cowbell O maths winners

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

OR the 20 winners of the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) and their mathematics teachers, it was two days of fun and excitement as Promasidor, makers of Cowbell and sponsors of the maths competition, hosted them in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

On Wednesday, July 4, the winners and their teachers were flown to Abuja,and lodged at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Managing Director, Promasidor, Keith Richards, in his welcome address, called on all stakeholders to stem the tide of low pass rates of students in mathematics in WAEC and NECO. “Promasidor sees this not only as a fight for our future but also, as a fight for the collective future of Nigeria. This competition is aimed at re-awakening students’ interest in mathematics as a road map to nationbuilding.”

The top three winners in junior category are 11-year-old JSS 3 student, Akintokun Samuel, a student of Ota Total Academy in Ogun State who scored 96 points and went home with a gold trophy, a laptop and N 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 .

Second is Omole Ayobami, a 13year-old JSS 3 student from Bibo Oluwa Academy in Ilesa, Osun State. With 93 points, the only female winner went home with a silver trophy and N200,000 cash, while the 3rd winner, Akinwande Boye, a JSS 3 student of Greater Tomorrow College, Agbalaku in Ondo State, carted away a bronze trophy and N150,000.

In the senior category, a 15year-old, SS 2 student from Iganmode Grammar School, Oju Ore, Ogun State, Benjamin Uwa, with 96 points went home with a laptop, a gold trophy and N300,000, while Henry Aniobi, 16 years in SS 2 with 95 points

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from the Nigerian Turkish International School, Kano, came second and was given a laptop, silver trophy and N250,000.

Third prize winner, 14-yearsold Shorinwa Olaoluwa from Graceland International School went with a bronze trophy, a laptop and N200,000.

With the ceremony and lunch over, the students changed into their Cowbell branded t-shirts and off they went for excursion and sight-seeing.

Recounting the day’s experience, the winners were full of thanks to Promasidor for bringing them to Abuja and giving them a time of their lives.

“Wow, this is my first visit to Abuja and I never imagined I would be staying in a 5-star hotel. I have seen Abuja in pictures but it is a different feeling to be here in person and experience this great city”, said 11-

year-old Samuel Adegboyega, junior category winner of this year’s Cowbell maths competition.

For the senior category winner, Benjamin Uwa, the day was more than he hoped for.

“It is the coolest day of my life.

I’m grateful to Promasidor for lodging us in this hotel because I never imagined I would be staying here.”

For the only female winner, Omole Ayobami, “I thank Promasidor for giving us this wonderful experience. It feels great and special to be staying in a 5-star hotel like this.”

Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) started in 2001 and has expanded from 40 examination centers to 200; from 1,000 participating schools to over 5,000; and from 6,000 students to over 35,000.

ASURI seeks for visitation panels for research institutes Continues from page 29 achieve a sort of tenure elongation.

Citing examples, Akinwale said: “The situation at some institutes (names withheld) are typical examples. For instance, a professor was made executive director against existing laws governing the running of research institutes. The existing laws stipulates that only a staff of a research institute that has risen to the position of a director after continuous and meritorious service spanning not less than a decade, could be appointed as executive director.

According to Akinwale, “a former executive director in one of the institutes is a professor.

He did not enjoy the support of the staff because it was perceived that he came through an unacceptable process which

is contrary to the law.” He recalled that the tenure of the said former executive director was characterized by strikes by the union to ensure that the law and due process were followed.

His words: “We are not happy at the situation in the institutes and we want the Federal Government to address urgently all the issues that we have raised.

The union is also dissatisfied with the situation at at another institute where a professor appointed executive director in 2007 has approval to stay in office till 2015 despite the fact that the law says he should be in office for an un-renewable five years period. In pursuit of fairness and due process, the ASURI branch in that institute has embarked on strike to protest against tenure elongation by the professor.

To restore normalcy, the Minister of Environment set up a committee which investigated the union’s complaints. The union was proved right so the minister invited the union leaders to a meeting with the leadership of the ministry. A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting on May 10, 2012 announced that the Executive Director of FRIN should leave office immediately or be allowed to stay till January next year when he is due for mandatory retirement at 65. It was resolved that on June 7, 2012, the union and the ministry would come up with a document to forestall reoccurrence of the tenure elongation since it was observed that there were lapses in the enabling law that established FRIN.

taking immediate actions to carry out all the directives of the commission to facilitate immediate restoration of the operating licence of the university soonest.

For Lead City University (LCU) Ibadan, the NUC did not inform the institution of any wrongdoing. Director of Communications at the university, Dr. Ayo Owolabi said the action of the regulatory body was also in contempt of the court as an earlier judgment obtained by the institution against the NUC had ordered it not to interrupt the activities of the university.

He alleged that the action of the NUC was calculated to embarrass the university and “de-market” the institution.

He accused the NUC leadership of bias against the instit u t i o n .

Noting that the university would make its views known to the public, he said the university had not erred in any way and would continue to carry on with its activities despite the suspension order.

LCU also stated its position on the institution’s website on Monday. The university stated the actions of the NUC as false and said that the “license to operate the university was given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and can only be withdrawn by FEC.” wolabi added that there was no justification for the suspension, as all its courses, except Biochemistry, had full accreditation. Disclosing that the university held its post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) last week, he urged the NUC not to disturb its academic programmes, adding that the institution believes in the rule of law and had petitioned the National Assembly over the matter.

Stating the reason for the withdrawal of Obong University’s licence, NUC said in an a d v e r t o r i a l : “ObongNtak’slicence has been withdrawn because it failed to meet for renewal of the provisional license after the statutory three- year period.

The NUC further clarified the rationale behind its action, citing improper university governance structure and ethos, NUC stated, “Some of the affected universities have over the years failed to properly constitute their Governing Councils and in some instances did not appoint pro-chancellors as required by their university laws and in line with university tradition and global best practices. This has brought about the overbearing presence and interference of the promoters in the day-today running of the universities.

“Some of the affected universities have engaged in the establishment of academic programmes without the requisite approval by the NUC and consideration for adequate human and material resources, to ensure quality of programmes."

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 —31

BY IKENNA ASOMBA, MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI & OLASUNKANMI AROWOLO

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HAT seemed like a day of reckoning greeted the executive members of the Lagos State University Students’ Union (LASUSU), as nine members of the Executive cabinet appeared before the Parliamentary arm of the union, last Thursday, to present their score cards.

After about five months of steering the affairs of the students’ union, the executive members were summoned to House, headed by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rasheed Azeez, to give details of their programmes and achievements in their respective offices, since their assumption of office before and after the union’s suspension.

The joint sitting of the Parliamentary and Executive arms, which commenced at exactly 4.30pm was attended by 30 parliamentarians out of the 70 which makes up the House.

While called upon to address the joint session, the President of LASUSU, Comrade Akeem Durojaiye enunciated his achievements to include; the stalemate fight against the fees hike; the celebration of the Freedom Icons last June12, among others.

Durojaiye, however, blamed the not too impressive performance of his administration to the suspension of the union, which came in the wake of last November’s protest against the fees hike. This, he termed “an element of delay in governance.”

Meanwhile, a mild drama enveloped at the sitting, when the Welfare Director of

Day of reckoning for LASU students’ leaders as they present score cards LASUSU, Comrade Taoreed Quadri was suspended for a month, for what the Hallowed chamber termed gross misconduct and disregard for the Parliamentary gathering.

Interestingly, the suspension came as a shocker to the flamboyant dressed Comrade, who had already rolled out drums to celebrate his birthday in grand style, shortly after the sitting.

Meanwhile, Hon. Nasir Ojopoke from Faculty of Sciences was appointed to act in the capacity of the suspended Director.

Another drama also ensued in the House, when one Hon.

Lateefat from Social Sciences Constituency moved a motion for the suspension and later removal of the Vice President of LASUSU, Fisayo Sanni, for not being responsive, not working with the union’s Academic Committee, thereby leading to the reported mass failure in various departments of the school.

Opposing the motion, Hon. Masari from Education constituency countered that the mass failure might be owing to students’ lacklustre attitude to study ahead of their exams. Following this motion, majority of the honourables vehemently opposed Hon.

•Omofisayo Sanni, Vice President, LASUSU while addressing the students’ electorate at last SUG election.

Frequently Confused Words Instruction: Choose the appropriate word from the alternatives in the parenthesis.

1. Life is a great big (canvas/canvass); throw all the paint you can at it. – Danny Kaye.

2. Politicians often (canvas/canvass) for votes during election period.

3. I keep a (diary/dairy) of daily events in my life.

4. You can get a regular supply of milk from a (diary/dairy) farm.

5. ‘Do not commit adultery’ was God’s (explicit/implicit) command in

Lateefah’s motion to remove the the vice president and the motion was subsequently annulled by the Speaker.

The Social Director of the union, Comrade Jerry Kabiri, was quizzed by the House for embarking on Miss LASU Competition without any proposal forwarded to it, even as he was also flayed for embarking to seek sponsorship from corporate organizations without the approval of LASUSPC. Moreso, the allegation file piled up at the session as the Financial Secretary, General Secretary were also quizzed for various misdemeanors.

High points of the joint session were the suspension of all the students’ union’s activities pending the confirmation and approval of the executive arm’s proposals by the House. The Financial Secretary of the union was also mandated to forward all accounts before Tuesday (Secretariat’s account, Central account and Bank account); all members of the executive were directed to forward individually, letters of apology to the house before 24hours, even as the president was asked to take a bow before the honourables.

Nonetheless, all off-campus shuttles, the House directed their arrest to ascertain and track those collecting money from them under the disguise of the union, even as all banners conveying Miss LASU Competition were directed to be forthwith removed.

the bible.

6. He was not (explicit/implicit) about what he really felt.

7. The instructions were not (explicit/implicit) enough.

8. Five women were prosecuted for (illicit/elicit) liquor selling.

9. Her tears (illicit /elicited) great sympathy from her audience.

10. The Police officer tried to (elicit/illicit) from the criminal the names of others involved in the (elicit/illicit) activities.

11. If you drop the plate, it will (brake/break) into pieces.

12. When he got to the T-junction, he had to apply the (brake/break) on the vehicle.

13. Akin Sofoluwe was a member of the (cast/caste) of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods are Not to Blame.

14. The (caste/cast) system is found in the Hindu society.

15. Don’t (cast/caste) away your confidence in God. CORRECTION 1. Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it. – Danny Kaye.

2. Politicians often canvass for votes during election period.

3. keep a diary of daily events in my life.

4. You can get a regular supply of milk from a dairy farm.

5. ‘Do not commit adultery’ was God’s explicit command in the bible.

FUTMINNA appoints new Registrar

BY FAITH OLANIRAN, FUTMINNA

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new registrar has been appointed for the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger state. She is Mrs. Victoria M. Kolo, the immediate past Deputy Registrar (Establishment) in the Registry department of the institution.

Kolo, the fifth registrar of the institution and the second woman to occupy the office since the inception of the university, succeeds Mallam Muhammad Dattijo Usman, who retired from service after holding forth for 9 years. She has since resumed office.

Meanwhile the staff of the registry department of the university hosted the former registrar to a valedictory session, where he admonished them to remain loyal to the system and avoid partisanship.

This, he said, would help ensure harmony and assist the new registrar in the task ahead.

He commended the staff for their contributions, which made the University have a good showing at the last Institutional Accreditation by emerging as one of the two universities in the country to be rated A+, with over 80 percent score.

6. He was not explicit about what he really felt.

7. The instructions were not explicit enough.

8. Five women were prosecuted for illicit liquor selling.

9. Her tears elicited great sympathy from her audience.

10. The Police officer tried to elicit from the criminal the names of others involved in the illicit activities.

11. If you drop the plate, it will break into pieces.

12. When he got to the Tjunction, he had to apply the brake on the vehicle.

13. Akin Sofoluwe was a member of the cast of Ola Rotimi’s The Gods are Not to Blame.

14. The caste system is found in the Hindu society.

15. Don’t cast away your confidence in God.

CONTINUES NEXT WEEK. Send requests/problems to Gabriel Osoba, Ph.D, Department of English, Lagos State University, Ojo, through Editor, Teach Yourself English, Vanguard Newspapers, PMB. 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or email: editor@vanguardngr.com & gabosoba002@yahoo.co

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

NMCN holds induction for 42 UNICAL graduates Varsity dons

BY STANLEY UCHEGBU & ISAAC MENSAH, UNICAL

O fewer than 42 graduates of Nursing Science, University of Calabar were inducted into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), as well as issued with profession practice license during her maiden oathtaking/induction ceremony of graduate nurses.

The newly graduated nurses of Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar were charged to uphold ethical principles and shun unethical practice.

Prof. J.O Aina, guest lecturer, who spoke on the ‘Expectations, Challenges and Prospects of the Baccalaureate Nursing in Nigeria” gave the charge on the 1st induction ceremony of the newly qualified nurses at the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Auditorium of the university last Wednesday.

Prof. Mildred urged the nurses to diligently and efficiently discharge their duties according to the ethics of the profession adding that the preparation for the practice should be based on liberal education which incorporates knowledge from arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Speaking at the induction, the Vice Chancellor Prof James Epoke who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof Simeon Utsalo charged them to be good ambassadors of the university and always remember their alma mater. He implored them to practice in line with the ethics of the profession while aiming for the highest standard.

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According to him, the university has invested greatly in training of the new nurses; I implore you to put all you have learnt into practice for the betterment of our country.

Provost College of medicine, Prof S.J Etuk said medical training all over the world is unique and the faculty will

profession as one that is internationally marketable in the sense that the graduates are bounteous and can be located in the communities and clinical practices settings such as schools health centers, hospitals, multinational agencies and other places.

BY DAYO ADESULU

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•A cross section of the inductees

Settle your differences, AAUA students urge ASUU, varsity authorities

BY BABATUNDE ALAO, AAUA

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CADEMIC activities, including the first semester examination were put on hold penultimate Tuesday, on the campus of Adekunle Ajasin Uniuversity Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State,

Wellspring charges govt to make good policy for disabled

BY AISHA MOHAMMED TIFFIN

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ensure the maintenance of standard and moral principles.

Responding on behalf of the new nurses, Prof Simeon Utsalo expressed their appreciation to the parents and lectures who contributed to the training.

Speaking to Quadlife life, Emmanuel Olayi described the

task FG on food shortage

HE need to focus on the well-being of disabled children has become even more compelling in this age of rapid urbanization, localization and industrialization, where survival of the fittest is prevalent.

Speaking at an event when Wellspring visited the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice in Surulere, a home for children with disabilities, the principal of the private co-educational secondary school, Mrs Oluwayemisi Oloriade, stated that the school had taken it upon itself to make life more meaningful to the less privileged as a part of its Christian calling and corporate social responsibility. During the visit to the disabled, Wellspring College, a subsidiary of Management Science Centre, donated items such as food stuff, toiletries, stationery, diapers to mention a few as the staff and the students came face-to-face with the physical plights of the children.

Lamenting the discrimination faced by disabled children, she said: “In the world today, physically and mentally challenged children experience high levels of discrimination. Their abilities are ignored and their needs are given little or no consideration.”

She pointed out that this is primarily as a result of the culture of selfishness where human dignity is not respected in the society.

Nevertheless, Oloriade is optimistic that with the efforts of UNICEF and civil groups who ensure that the rights of children with disabilities are protected and their potentials developed, the future for these children is bright.

when members of the University ’s chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) refused to ‘work’.

Quadlife gathered that the incident was consequent of the disagreement between the management and ASUU who had in previous times threatened strike during examination.

The matter, described by the management as “agitation of members of staff”, has not gone down well with the students, especially those who were to write examination on the said day. ‘Bad, enslaved’ were the words Fatoba Temitayo, 400L Environmental Biology and Fisheries, used to describe her feelings on that day. Temitayo said, “we students are always at the receiving end. Two

•AAUA main gate

elephants fight and the grass bears the aftermath. It is quite unfortunate that in a school of thought, consistency is no longer consistent. I think it is time the management and ASUU sat on round table and bury the hatchet”.

For Emmanuel Joseph, 200L Geography and Planning Science (GPS), the abrupt postponement of the examination has brought discouragement, “sequel to that day, we have been hearing rumours that ASUU plans to go on strike and everyone thought it was going to be after exams.

Hearing that the exam would not begin that day, I was discouraged and my zeal to write that exam quenched. It was an impromptu one”.

Joseph, however, called on the management to resolve issues with ASUU.

NIVERSITY dons in the field of crop protection and environmental biology, University of Ibadan, have said that to arrest the shortage of food ravaging our country, apart from embarking in massive production of food, adequate measures must be put in place to protect the harvested crops in store and the ones in the farm.

Speaking at a press briefing in Ibadan to mark 50 years of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, Professor Adeniyi Togun, Head of the Department said, “The missing link between abundance supply of food and shortage of food production in a nation is the measure put in place to protect and preserve the crops.” He noted that no amount of energy put in food production without adequate measures to protect both the harvested and non harvested crops will yield the desired result, adding “Complete understanding of the way of life of these organisms, progress may be made in increasing the productivity of plants and overall production of various agriculture products.”

According to Professor Togun, if tertiary institutions offering this course have all the wherewithal to train graduates in this field, our country will have little or no problem feeding the over 140 million population. It was in this regards he called on the school Alumni to contribute generously to the department’s N500 million golden jubilee fund, proceeds of which he noted will be used in making the department 21st century compliant in terms of facilities for teaching and research. ”Laboratories will also be rehabilitated and state-of-the art equipment acquired for cuttingedge research,” he added. He said the event which has started since 7th will end tomorrow 13th of July.

On his part, Professor Bamidele Fawole, former HOD of the department and Chairman, organising committee for the department’s golden jubilee stated that the event will also be use to honour some of their Alumni who have distinguished themselves in the field of the profession.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 — 33

ASUU will go on strike if...

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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Talent Centre introduces digital learning for Pupils both cognitive and affective experiences, connects learners with events that are culturally relevant and connect theories taught in the classroom with real world events and policies. She said technology also help maintain students’ interest, sharpen their analytical skills, aids student retention of knowledge, motivates interest in the subject matter and enable students see concepts and new examples when they are watching television, listening to music, or are at the movies with friends.

Also speaking at the forum, Professor Francis Egbokhare of the University of Ibadan said the most important factor in the quality of education is the quality of teachers. According to him, what the education sector is faced with is a case of shortage of teachers and dearth of good quality teachers. He said this is coupled with crisis access, quality, content service and support.

BY AISHA MOHAMMED TIFFIN

schools around can take their N an attempt to improve pupils for learning. According quality of teaching and to her, a Talent Centre comprislearning and also grant access es of an interactive board, a tabto international best practice, let PC for each student to acTalent Centre, has concluded cess the content and an iTutor. plans to introduce digital learn- She described the platform as a ing for primary and secondary practical platform that makes school pupils. Addressing teaching real to the students. school owners at an educationAlso speaking at the forum, al stakeholders’ forum, Chief a lecturer at the University of Operations Manager for Talent Ibadan, Dr. Gloria Adedoja said Centre, Mrs. Ayopeju Njidea- the use of technology to enka said it is high time schools hance teaching and learning grabbed the competitive advan- complements traditional aptages available in the 21st cen- proaches to learning. According tury teaching and learning. to her, effective instruction usNjideaka said one of the ing the right medium builds greatest sources of challenges bridges between students’ experienced in the education knowledge and the learning sector is in the fact that empha- objectives of the subject. Comsis is placed on teaching and mending the Talent Centre not learning and that has result- idea, the university lecturer said ed in high rate of failure record- the advantages are numerous. ed in the past years. She deDr. Adedoja said technology scribes the current pupil as dig- helps showcase complex ideas ital natives who should be in a short period of time, offers taught with digital instruments if desired results are to be achieved.

She said that Talent Centre understands that learning should be fun and digitally inclined hence, the introduction of digital learning platforms for late primary school and junior secondary school pupils.

She added that there will be Talent Centres in selected schools spread across Lagos for a start L-R Director, Oakbridge Montessori School, Mrs. Royeke Obalade, Deputy Director, where other UK Trade and Investment, Mrs. Fehintola Odulaja, Chief Operations Manager, Talent Centre, Mrs. Ayopeju Njideka and School Superintendent, Standard Bearers School.

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to go on strike if the federal government relents on its current drive to reform the sector.

The union which recently commended the efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the challenges facing University in education in the country so far however warned that the Union would not hesitate to go back to the trenches if the government relapses “on its current outlook” in tackling the dwindling fortunes of university system in Nigeria.

New President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa said made this remark when he led a team of former leadership and other members of executive on courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Mahmood Yakubu in Abuja.

Nasir who was accompanied by the immediate past ASUU President, Comrade Ukachukwu Awuzie and Awuzie’s predecessor, Abdullahi Sule Kano.

There has been relative peace in the University System base on the cogent efforts of the present Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in full implementation of the FGN/

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BY DAYO ADESULU

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S part of its effort to make their corporate social responsibility touch more lives academically, Unilever has formally launched employee volunteering scheme which aim at reaching students across the country through Unilever employees volunteer teachers.

Speaking at the formal launch of the scheme, held at Olusosun Primary School, Oregun, the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc,

FG, Ondo govt rain encomiums on education performance, funding funding to Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC. According to the minister, “The choice of the state capital for the flag off of FG textbooks to South West zona was due to the world-class and unparalleled achievements of the state governor in the education sector in the past three years.

He declared, “As Minister of State for Education, I have not seen such a 21st Centurycompliant primary school like this one in the entire country.

This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is simply a worldclass achievement”.

”Our choice of Ondo is quite clear. We are impressed with what your government is doing in education sector and your prompt payment of the state counterpart fund to UBEC” Responding to the commendations, Governor Mimiko said that President Jonathan did not make mistake in his choice of team in the education sector. ”We must thank Mr President for putting this wonderful team together. It is not everyday that we have this level of commitment in public service”.

The Governor also said that UBEC has performed well

ASUU has shown genuine commitment to the demands of the Union as contained in the agreement.

Dr. Isa noted that ASUU as an intellectual organization, believes in dialogue and until that is exhausted, strike would not be the next option.

He assured on adequate collaboration with the Federal government to ensure that the University is repositioned to compete favourably with other universities in the world, stressing that no country could develop effectively without education.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof.

Yakubu, noted that the agency has taken steps to address the critical challenge of the dearth of qualified lecturers in the Nigeria University System.

He revealed that about 624 university lecturers sent for postgraduate training in overseas have completed their programmes and return to the country to boost the manpower in the system.

Besides, he said about 5, 800 other university teachers are currently undergoing postgraduate training both at home and overseas being sponsored by TETFund.

Unilever staff go to classroom to boost teaching

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

HE federal government and Ondo state government exchanged praises over the choice of education team of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Gov Olusegun Mimiko’s passion to improve it state education sector.

The pleasantries were interchanged during the visit of the Minister of state for education, Barr Nyesom Wike to the Governor ’s office in Akure, Ondo state on Monday.

Wike who described the Caring Heart Mega School launched in the state by Governor Mimiko as a world-class achievement, also commended the governor for his prompt payment of counter

ASUU 2009 Agreement.

Apart from restricting the intervention of TETFund to tertiary education, the Federal Gover nment, according to

under the leadership of Dr Ahmed Modibbo.

UBEC’s ascertainable and eligible criteria for states to access their funds are laudable and it also follows through to ensure that the funds are accessed. ”I see uncommon level of performance with UBEC. It stands out as one of the public institutions in the country that is up to it bidding in terms of performance” ”And l say this without equivocation, in terms of conception of project, in terms of latitude within agreed framework that UBEC gives to each state to customise their own programmes”

Thabo Mabe said, Unilever employees have signed up as volunteer teachers to support the school system and contribute in their own small way to build our future leaders. He noted that Unilever volunteer teachers visit Olusosun Primary School every week to teach English, Mathematics and Computer Education to Primary 4, 5 and 6 students. “I am very proud of the volunteer programme, because my colleagues teach every week, despite the fact they are not being paid extra for being part of it,” he added.

He explained that the purpose of launching the Unilever Foundation earlier this year was to make their corporate social responsibility actions touch more lives with the aim of reaching one billion people all over the world by 2020.

According to Mabe, knowledge is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to anyone, saying that as a member of a company that is wellknown for capability building, education is a vital part of our present, and our future. “This is because good education is a debt we owe our children; because it gives them an opportunity to fulfill their Godgiven potential and build better lives for themselves and their families, he said.

34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—35

Astymin bemoans falling education standard, rewards brilliant pupils

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

80,000 pupils jostle for prizes in Indomie Art Contest

BY OLAYEMI FOFAH

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N estimated 80,000 children drawn from over 1,000 schools across the country are expected to jostle for prizes including N1.5 million worth of scholarships and more fabulous prizes as the first stage of the second season of the Indomie Inter-school Art Competition commenced during the week.

Tagged ‘My Mum like no other, the art competition had its maiden edition in 2011 and entails asking interested Schoolchildren, who are twelve years old or younger, to make drawings of their mothers, which are then submitted through their schools for consideration and reward. According to the Public Relations Manager of Dufil Prima Foods, Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, the competition was instituted as a fun but different way of engaging the skill and ingenuity of children.

He said, “We were looking to come up with an idea of what would encourage the children to explore their artistic sides and enable them express their love for their mummies while fostering the spirit of healthy competition. But we also wanted a break from the norm – so, instead of settling for a Quiz Show or Contest, Indomie inaugurated the ‘My Mum like no other’ art competition where the children could have fun expressing them and be rewarded for it.”

On a recent tour of some of the schools registered in Lagos and its environs, Mr. Ashiwaju was mightily impressed by the talent on display and marvelled at the remarkable skill already being wielded by the children at such tender ages.

He urged the schools’ manage-

ment to encourage more of their pupils to get involved with the competition.

“In addition to the 950 schools registered in Lagos and its environs, there were 160 schools in Abuja in competition for the top prizes of various scholarships. In all, we are expecting about 80,000 children to participate in this year’s competition.” He revealed.

On their part, the schools commended Indomie for such an initiative as it has energized their usual academic routines and given the children an exercise they eagerly devoted time and energy to. At Precious Feet Nursery and Primary School in Surulere, Lagos, the Proprietress, Mrs. Paulina Akporu observed the zeal with which the children have approached the competition.

She said: “While our pupils have always enjoyed their school work, we have noticed that their eyes light up whenever they are asked to bring out their paper and pencils. We are grateful to Indomie for an idea like this

which has helped the children discover talent within them that may have otherwise remained hidden.”

One such child whose talent has caught the eye is 9 year-old Chukwuemeka Dubem who, like many of his mates, drew a sketch of his Mum in traditional attire which stood him out and that may yet pave a passage for him into the next phase of the competition.

“After the best entries from each school have been collated, we intend to pick the top 100 children who would be asked to prove their mettle one more time on the day of the Finals before our Panel of Judges select deserving top prize winners.”, Mr. Ashiwaju further explained.

Umar Farouk Mohammed is another budding talent that may get a chance to prove ‘his mettle’ on judgement day. The 9 yearold is a Primary 4 pupil at Lively Kiddies’ Nursery and Primary School, Lagos where his sketch of Mummy is drawing accolades from his mates and teachers.

*Public Relations Manager of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju and Mrs Paulina Akporu, Proprietress, Precious Feet Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Lagos watch pupils drawing their mothers.

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HE continued declined in the standard of education in Nigeria has become a cause to worry not only to education stakeholders but also to those in the health sector.

Fidson Healthcare Plc, makers of Astymin brand, has expressed worries over the dwindling standard of education in our schools, stressing that if nothing drastic is done to stem the ugly trend, our children may be ill prepared for the challenges of the future.

The company stated that the quality of early education was critical for any child as it is the foundation upon which other further learning is built upon. It was against this backdrop and the need to find a way to encourage young children to excel in their studies that Astymin Brilliance Reward, ABR, was initiated.

The ABR, according to the General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare, Mr Ola Ijimakoni, noted that the reading culture amongst teens and youths in Nigeria is worrisome and the drive for academic excellence is no longer strong.

“Increased internet accessibility and the proliferation of social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and others, which should be tools for social education, research and intellectual exchange have unfortunately become platforms for various delinquencies and sometimes, building of unhealthy relationships.”

According to him, it was because of this that Astymin is partnering with primary schools to encourage and reward outstanding kids, stating that Astymin was committed to inspiring kids to exceptional performance in school.

Loral School wins Youth Essay competition

BY NNAMDI OJIEGO

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student of Loral international school, Festac, Lagos, Miss Fatima Umar Yusuf has won this year ’s edition of the Amuwo Odofin Annual Youth Essay competition.

The competition organised by Meljenstin Youth Empowerment Initiative in collaboration with and Amuwo Odofin local government was titled; “The Role of Integrity and Accountability in Nation’s Leadership”.

Miss Yusuf defeated participants from other schools such as St Jude’s Secondary School, Tai Solarin School, Tender Touch School, Kabe School, Soleil High School, Festac Senior Grammer School, Radiance

High School, among others to emerged the overall winner.

Participants who made it to the final stage were asked to do an oral presentation of articles they had written at the initial stage, from which the winner was decided.

In her reaction, the elated Fatima Yusuf disclosed that she couldn’t have achieved the feat but for the support and encouragement she received from her school mates, the teachers and the school management.

She admitted that she felt nervous and frightened at the beginning but later regained her composure and boldness as she progressed in the debate. However, she smiled home with a cash prize of seventy thousand naira as the winner of the competition.

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

By EBELE ORAKPO

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or many years, the Nigerian public university system has been fraught with disjointed academic calendar mainly due to disagreements between government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). It is common for a student to get into the university for a four-year programme and end up spending seven years not because he is a dullard but because of incessant ASUU strikes due to the unwillingness or inability of government to meet their legitimate demands. When two elephants (government and ASUU) fight, the grass (student) suffers. But unlike what obtains in other government-owned institutions, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, has over the years, maintained a regular academic calendar. In this chat with Vanguard, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Boniface Chukwukadibia Egboka, a hydrogeologist, speaks on sundry issues including UNIZIK’s stable academic calendar, the recent ban by NUC of part-time programmes and advocates the use of indigenous languages in teaching. Excerpts: How has UNIZIK been able to run a normal academic calendar for so long?

For over 12 years now, Nnamdi Azikiwe University

*Prof. Boniface Egboka ...I believe in force of argument and not argument of force has run a normal academic calendar. We don’t believe in strikes. In as much as we believe in the demands of ASUU for better educational funding, better infrastructure, internationalization of our university system so that we can compete favourably with any university in the world; all these are very good. I am happy the present administration is making some efforts to solve these problems. ASUU’s demands are very genuine but I personally believe in dialogue. I believe in force of argument not argument of force.

It is always very good to ne-

gotiate, to dialogue, to discuss because if you are to go to war, after every war, you must come back to discuss peace.

If you must do that, why not skip war? So UNIZIK has been very lukewarm in organising or participating in strikes because when you have these strikes, both students and lecturers suffer for it because if you are a serious lecturer and a professional researcher, you don’t want your work to be disrupted.

Students are forced to become vagrants, travelling up and down, and sometimes they get involved in accidents and re-

,

A degree is not good enough if it is not applicable — EGBOKA

search projects are stalled.

Living materials used for research in medicine, vet medicine or agriculture, are impaired. Those in Chemistry and related areas also have problems and machinery are not left out. In the long run, you discover that both government and universities are losing. Therefore, one is very happy at the present changes in the country.

ASUU has reached a lot of agreements with government and government has tried to meet up with some of the agreements and efforts are being made to meet up with the rest so I believe there may not be strikes again in the Nigerian university system.

Does it then mean that UNIZIK has no ASUU? We had a problem of having no ASUU but we do not want to be a pariah university so every effort is being made to start off ASUU at UNIZIK and we hope to be able to achieve that. Nobody likes strikes. I believe even ASUU people do not like strikes. Their going on strike may be a result

It is always very good to negotiate, to dialogue, to discuss because if you are to go to war, after every war, you must come back to discuss peace; so if you must do that, why not skip war?

,

Provost fixes 3.0 GPA as minimum qualification for SUG office

BY OLAYEMI FOFAH

I

N order to curb mediocrity among students aspiring for any Students Union Government (SUG) office, the Provost, Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT), Lagos, Professor Samuel Zelibe has said that minimum qualification is G.P.A of 3.00. ”As an academic community, students that are mentally focused would be encouraged to participate in their governance as G.P.A of 3.00 is the minimum qualification for aspirants to any SUG office,” he said.

Speaking at the 15th Matriculation Ceremony, Professor Zelibe added that if any student does not understand his primary objective of coming to an institution of higher learning, he will have no business in administration, noting that the era of mediocrity is gone.

Zelibe who urged the students to be academically serious said, students should ensure that

they do not have extension by way of carry-overs as they may not be allowed to extend more than a year on a programme.

Also, to promote healthy academic competitions amongst students, the Provost restated: “The best student having reasonable G.P.A in each programme will be honoured as a College Scholar and will win a scholarship valued at

N50,000” His words: “I appeal to the entire students of the college to work and be dedicated to your studies as hard work does not kill. There is no shortcut to success, except through hard w o r k . ” For those that are academically poor, he said, “With dint of hard work, diligence, dedication and commitment, you will

get there. Anyone aspiring to excel in his or her endeavour should learn how to live the right life to get things right.”

According Professor Zelibe, if you desire to succeed, you must have a plan and set a goal. “It is not failure to fall short of realising all that one dreamt of, but it is a failure for one to fall short of dreaming,” he noted.

of stressed situations but from the attention government is paying to the university system, strike may be come a thing of the past very soon.

President Jonathan, Education minister, National Universities Commission’s executive secretary, Professor Ojerinde of JAMB, head of Tertiary Trust Fund, are all ASUU people. The entire education system is headed by people who were in the university system so there is a fair understanding of the system.

It has been said over and over again that the standard of education in Nigeria has fallen. Do you agree with that?

There is no doubt that there is a general problem in terms of socio-economic activities in the country. There is a lot of technological, engineering and economic issues that require funding. You have the so-called civilized/developed world and the developing countries such as Nigeria but you discover that in Nigeria now, we are doing things that both developing and developed countries are doing. We are working very hard to catch up and to catch up to modernisation ventures requires a lot of capital. Therefore, our educational system, educational management and running are cost-intensive. How can our educational standard be falling when you have so many students graduating from our universities every year? Out of every 12, you must have a Judas so of course, you may have a few that are not good enough but majority of them are doing very well. The statistics are very clear. Every year we turn out thousands of graduates from various universities and polytechnics. They are absorbed in various units, industries, governmental agencies, parastatals, local government authorities, schools etc., as youth corpers and wherever they are posted, they service the area accordingly.

There have never been major problems with our youth corpers. Unfortunately, when the service year ends, they are thrown out and the system absorbs new corpers. A lot of our graduates go to Europe and the US and do their master ’s and doctorate degrees within record time. Many of the agencies that employ them, like the print/electronic media and film industry, are peopled by our products and they are working. We have so many entrepreneurial skills developed by many of our Continues on page 37

NTA set for digital broadcasting as TVC upgrades facility

BY MUSLIUDEEN ADEBAYO, Ibadan

T

HE Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is ready to meet up with the global mandate of switching from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The Head of Department, Television Engineering, Nigerian Television Authority Television College (NTA TVC) Jos, Engr.

Titus Doki Mazhinyi gave the hint at the 5th Inaugural Lecture of the college which was held on the 28th of June 2012 at

the college auditorium at Rayfield in Jos. In the Lecture titled Current Trends in Television Broadcast Engineering, Engr. Mazhinyi stated that broadcast industry in Nigeria has gone far in feeding the populace with up-todate quality information through digital process of the NTA, the largest television network in Africa.

He said the advantages of digital transmission to include cost saving, consistent video quality and modulation chan-

nels through use of less band width among others.

Engr. Mazhinyi stressed the need for NTA to move with the changing trends in global broadcasting.

The Rector of the college, Dr. Ayo Fasan who was represented by the Head of Research and Planning, NTA TV College, Halima Bewell assures of the institution’s commitment to complement government’s effort to lifting Nigeria high, in dishing out the best in terms of television broad-

cast.

She then urged students and participants to always be advocates of peace in the achievement of National development through the broadcast industry. The Lecture was attended by students, staff of the college and guests from the broadcasting industry.

Meanwhile, the rector of the college, Dr. Fasan has said that the college in Jos has upgraded its facility with equipment worth over N4 million.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—37

Transformative leadership panacea to national development — Sen. Saraki

By KEMI BUSARI and SIKIRU AKINOLA (OAU)

F

OR close to five hours, Kwara State Government was temporarily relocated to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki delivered the first and 2012 Distinguished Lecture Series of the Department of Political Science, OAU. The event which was organised as part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the university attracted academic and political heavy weights from within and without Osun State.

Delivering a lecture on Leadership and National Transformation in Nigeria, the distinguished lecturer and the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Sen. Bukola Saraki said it was important to discuss leadership function in the form of setting vision, developing an agenda while mobilising resources is at the heart of transformation management.

He observed that “the qualities that initiate good followership create transformative leadership. Some of these include the expression and enjoyment of basic rights within a system

that is accountable, and meritdriven.

“Some people have argued that our socio-political environment, not only makes the emergence of national leadership difficult, but also complicates the process of national development. While agreeing in part to this view, I think that to give it axiomatic status glosses over the emergence of dynamic leadership. Nigerians from all walks of life more than ever before are yearning for change. The solution is that we need to build the culture that accepts defeat, tolerate and respect losing and

manage with humility victory.

An unhealthy and protracted tussling for leadership chokes out the transformative value of leadership” According to Senator Saraki: “Change will always require the destruction of walls and the building of bridges. One of the best ways to do this is through effective and regular conversations. Our leaders must learn to talk more about the change they desire to make. Influencing people and not foisting positions down on their throat is useful. We must talk of all shades of people, students, women, traditional institutions,

religious bodies and other to help shape the message to life.

Nigeria awaits the emergence of this leadership for national transformation,” the former governor of the Kwara State concluded.

The Head, department of Political Science, Dr. Sat Obiyan thanked God for the success of the programme.

When selecting the topic, he said: “we were mindful of selecting a person who by the virtue of his knowledge and experience can represent the past, the present and the future and we found the trait in Senator Bukola Saraki.

•Dr. Sat Obiyan, Head, Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adejare Bello and Sen. Bukola Saraki, chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology.

A degree is not good enough if it is not applicable — EGBOKA Continues from Page 36 products in the universities and polytechnics and many of these young men and women, given little chance, develop their skills and do very well.

All over the country, you find many of these graduates on their own performing, even with minimal encouragement.

Despite the fact that you hardly have good laboratories for the sciences in our secondary schools, these students eventually take SSCE or NECO and come to the university through JAMB. They have that poor background but in the universities, within the first year or so, they catch up and they do well.

There is no doubt that there is a lot of emphasis on the English language as the official language for the country but it is a second language.

Are you saying that the English language, as the official language of instruction in our schools, is impacting the education system negatively?

You are first brought up in the language of your parents.

As an Igbo man, I first learnt Igbo language before I learnt English so many a time, you

find that the English our children speak is translation of their indigenous languages.

So when you insist that somebody must speak English as fluently as the English man, it is not easy. China, India and Japan do not speak English.

So, many a time, people say the standard of education is falling. It is not falling. When I read geology at UNN, I knew how many courses I took. When you compare my experience then with UNIZIK, our students take more courses than we ever took. There is a lot of computer science, higher mathematics, entrepreneurial studies component in addition to your core course in geology so you find that the products we have today are much more broad-minded and broad-based.

What is the way forward?

I think the government should lay more emphasis on indigenous languages.

Language is a key part of culture and culture is life. You cannot just come out from your mother’s womb and jump into English language. So many English people cannot write good English. That is why at UNIZIK, we have made it com-

pulsory that students should take Igbo Language in their General Studies course. In the west, they emphasise on Yoruba language, in the north, it is Hausa language. It is very important and should be encouraged. English should not be a replacement for your own language.

Do you think the funding of Education in Nigeria is adequate?

I think it has improved. Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETF) before now, was taking care of all the various branches of the educational system but now, it is limited to tertiary education so there is a better platform for funding. Budgeting for money is one thing, it is another thing to release budgeted money but there is hope. Recently, the Federal Government through TETF organised a needs assessment to know what universities in the country have and what they are supposed to have to be able to become as international as possible.

Some people come out with a first class and are not as useful to the society as those with third class. What is missing here?

There is need for skills acquisition and skills development. That is the aim of entrepreneurial studies. Theoretical appraisal and analysis are very good but theoretical component should have applied aspect. What you read and learn should have a practical application on issues within your environment. Practicability, usability and self-sustainability are very important key words and that is why somebody may have a second class upper division and may not be as useful as someone with a third class honours because one has an ingrained skill which can easily be ignited to become very useful. At UNIZIK, we have Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies where we offer diploma and certificate programmes in entrepreneurial studies on various aspects of living and culture.We also have a compulsory course for every graduate on entrepreneurial studies. This is in line with what the present government wants, the opportunity for our children to acquire skills so that when they leave the system, they can fend for themselves.

•Onyekachi Onuoha

22-yr-old literary prodigy emerges at UNICAL ISTORY was made at University of Calabar, Faculty of Arts Conference Hall on Friday 29th June, 2012 as Onyekachi Onuoha, a 22-yearold undergraduate presented five literary works to the general public. AHANONU EMMANUEL was there and reports that the event which was organised in conjunction with Association of Nigeria Authors and Echo Press Organisation was massively attended as students, journalists; academia and Unical staff floated the venue to give kudos to a young chap who distinguished himself among peers.

The event which was anchored by Prof. Aboki has in attendance Prof. F. U. Angrey , Dean Faculty of Arts; Dr. Offiong Ani Offiong, Sub-Dean Faculty of Arts; Dr. Samuel Obute, HOD Linguistics and Communication who presented the books; Dr. Bassey Nkponong who represented the Association of Nigeria Authors, Dr. Tony Eyang; Mrs. Francis Ganyi; Dr. (Mrs.) Joy E.; Prof.

(Mrs.) Grace Okereke; Dr. Alex Timothy; Mr. and Mrs. Onuoha, friends and well wishers among others. Equally represented are members of the press ranging from NTA Crew to Vanguard, Nation, Echo Press, NAPSS Press reporters to other members of NUJ and NUCJ. Meanwhile, the five books presented include “The Moonlight Lady ” which was reviewed by Tony Eyang; “Idara” reviewed by Prof. Mrs. Grace Okereke; “Drops of fascination and other poems” reviewed by Dr. Alex Timothy Other reviewers include Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Etiwo while Mr. Francis Ganyi reviewed “Aluta Struggle”.

In the young writer’s speech which he captioned “The writer as the eye and ear of his age” Onyekachi noted that it is paramount that people write hence writing help in bringing decadence to fore as well as showcases the intellectualism of that age hence human has different stages in life. He said: “it is necessary to note that the 21st century has entrusted to the youth an exceptional responsibility as a result of the challenges in climate change, unemployment, the inheritance of hybrid culture without interrogation and feminism amongst others. These issues have stirred up for instance, violence and peaceful dialogues amongst the youth.”

H

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

dayobenson@yahoo.com I N S I D E

Counsel Corner

As Ojo Maduekwe leaves for Ottawa (2) — Pg 43

— Pg 42

The Supreme Court doctrine in the interpretation and construction of statutes (6) — Pg 43

NBA presidency: It's a battle between hawks and doves

•Okechukwu Wali, SAN

BY INNOCENT ANABA

W

ITH few days to the delegates conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja, where new national officers are expected to be elected, candidates for the various positions have intensified their campaigns, which is in the last lap.

Among positions being keenly contested are the President and General Secretary. Other positions are the 1st Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, Welfare Secretary and 2nd Assistant Secretary. For the Legal Adviser, 2nd Vice President, 1st Assistant Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary, the candidates were returned unopposed.

For the office of the President, Chief Okechukwu Wali, SAN, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN and Chief Blessing Ukiri are the contestants.

For General Secretary are Emmanuel Haruna, Emeka Obegolu and Olumuyiwa Olowokure.

For the position of 1st Vice President are Folusho Fayokun, O.J Erahbor, Caleb Dajan and Awoniyi Alabi. For 3rd Vice President are S. H. Garun Gabas and Francis Ekwere.

Joyce Oduah and Shinyanbola Ganiat Adetutu are slugging it out for Treasurer. For Publicity Secretary are Afam Obi and Gbolahan Gbadamosi.

Welfare Secretary, Ma‘Sud M.

•Blessing Ukiri Alabelewe and Kelvin Ezinna, while for 2nd Assistant Secretary, we have Benjamin Isetin, Gabriel Opayinka and U.F.O Nnaemeka contesting.

Meanwhile, the candidates for the office of President, have continued to campaign and are being endorsed by regional and interest groups.

For Wali, the General Assembly of Eastern Bar Forum, EBF, in Umuahia, Abia State, ratified his adoption, alongside that of candidates adopted by its leadership last May. The Governing Council of the association and its elders had at a meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on May 19, adopted candidates for the forthcoming election.

Those adopted for the election include Okey Wali, SAN for the President, Joyce Odua for Treasurer, U.F.O. Nnaemeka for 2nd Assistant Secretary, Afam Obi for Publicity Secretary, Kelvin Ejeleonu for Welfare and Unachukwu John Echezona for Assistant National Publicity Secretary.

At the meeting, which was chaired

by EBF chairman, Mr Kemasuode Wodu, aspirants, who were non members of the association, addressed the meeting to canvass for votes.

Those who addressed the meeting included E.A. Haruna, Emeka Obegolu and O.O. Olowokure as General Secretary aspirants, Mr. O.J. Erhabor, a candidate for the office of 1st Vice President also addressed the

•Emeka Ngige, SAN forum.

The Arewa Lawyers Forum delegation addressed the meeting and presented their letter to the Forum.

Mr Wodu said “The decisions of the elders council which was of course based on the directives of the general meeting were all affirmed thereby endorsing Wali, SAN as the presidential candidate of the NBA from the Forum with all other members contesting for various positions in the forthcoming elections.”

He noted that the forum intends to sanction anybody who refuses to respect the resolution of the Forum and continues to campaign without being adopted by the Forum, saying, “previously, there had been instances where some members were sanctioned by the body but each case will be dealt with on its merit, when we face such issues, the general meeting will decide what to do.”

Secretary of EBF, Mr. O. Igwenyi, said: “The meeting was indeed a very successful outing. Everything went on smoothly, no disturbances anywhere, there was unanimous agreement on every issue that was raised.

On the position of the adoption of candidates for the EBF in respect of the forthcoming Bar elections, Igwenyi said, “on May 19, this year, the EBF adopted candidates for this election. At that meeting in Port Harcourt, Wali,

SAN was adopted as our president in the forthcoming election and today, at our general meeting, he was ratified by the general assembly.”

On whether the Forum had sanctions for its members, who refuse to respect the spirit of the adoption, Igwenyi said, “if you refuse to obey our resolution, you will pay the price because it means that we cannot trust you to handle our brief, you are not somebody that plays by the rules, but if you respect our verdict, it means that next time you show up, we will be able to look in your own direction.

“The Arewa Lawyers Forum sent a very high powered delegation to our Continues on page 39

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—39

NBA presidency: It's a battle between hawks and doves Continues from page 38

The candidates Okechukwu Wali, SAN, was born in Rumualogu, Akpor in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He attended University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and graduated with Bachelor of Laws degree in 1983. He returned home for the mandatory one-year vocational training at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

After the NYSC programme, he joined the law firm of C.C.L. Williams-Chukwu & Co, in Port-Harcourt, where he spent five years, learning the ropes and acquiring vital skills, encompassing solicitor practice and courtroom advocacy. In 1990, he took the step of courage by establishing the law firm of Okey Wali & Co. in PortHarcourt, and amidst devotion to diverse responsibilities as would be seen hereunder, he has run the chambers till date.

He has exhibited sterling leadership qualities right from his childhood to his adolescence and throughout his adult life. He has discharged with impressive efficiency, all the responsibilities that have devolved on him and he never shrinks from taking responsibility.

Two years after he started his private chambers, he became the Secretary of NBA, Port-Harcourt branch, in April 1992, a position he held till April 1994.

Between 1999 and 2000, Wali, SAN, was a member of Criminal Justice Committee of Rivers State. His membership of another body, the prestigious Council of Legal Education of Nigeria spanned eight years, between 1998 2006.

His 10 cardinal point programme includes: Branch capacity building: Strengthen the Capacity of Branches to function professionally; Professionalizing the secretariat: Professionalizing the Operations of the Secretariat; Human capacity building, by restructure and Strengthen the NBA Institute of Continuing Legal

•J. B. Daudu SAN, out-going president Education with emphasis on Professional Ethics.

Anti-corruption crusade, by promoting the independence and institutional efficiency of Anti-Corruption institutions; promoting constitutionalism and the Rule of Law in the fight against corruption.

Uplifting professional standards, that is by enhance Professional Ethics & Code of Conduct for lawyers and collaborate with the Nigerian Law School and assist with funding of Ethical Accounting Programmes and Skill Acquisition.

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, joined the fray of NBA Presidential race after deep reflection on the current state of the Bar which he likens to a state of anomie. Indeed, while informing Nigerian lawyers of his intention to offer himself for service, he said: “It is now beyond argument that Nigeria is currently in a state of anomie; almost all sectors of the society are facing systematic failure. The legal profession is not spared. The profession is facing multifarious challenges.”

He asserts that, “The independence of the Bar and

the Judiciary has become compromised.”

It is equally instructive that Ngige is coming into the contest with an intimidating resume. Having had leadership thrust on him from early age (he was Labour Prefect in high school), Ngige was a keen student union activist in his university days, holding several posts. Aside from his long-standing involvement in community service – having been the scribe of Alor Development Union, Lagos Branch for almost 10 years, he is a consummate and well respected Bar man. He has managed to joggle a highly successful law practice with service to the Nigerian Bar. Among his several posts are Publicity Secretary, NBA (Lagos Branch); Secretary, NBA (Lagos Branch); Member, Committee of Chairmen & Secretaries (the committee revived the NBA after a debilitating crisis); Member, NBA NEC; Member, NBA Disciplinary Committee; Member, Legal Practitioners Independent/Complaints Committee; Member, Body of Benchers; Assistant Secretary, Body of Senior Advocates of

Nigeria; Alternate Chairman, Judges Forum, Section on Legal Practice (SLP), and Chairman, Class of 1985 of the Nigerian Law School.

Ngige’s roadmap for the NBA is just as progressive as it is pragmatic. Revolving on his major theme of restoring the Bar to its lost glory, Ngige is resolved to address issues bordering on internal democracy within the NBA, judicial independence, tackling corruption, deepening the capacity of lawyers and NBA branches, aggressively canvassing constitutional and sundry reforms, ensuring quick passage of justice sector bills, addressing concerns on the award of SAN, and restoring public confidence in the legal profession by ensuring that errant lawyers are adequately disciplined.

For Ngige, fate beckons.

Educated in the East and finding a serene home –

,

meeting. A big team of northern branches chairmen and secretaries came here to tell us that they accepted our adopted candidates especially, Wali as the president and that they are going to work with us,” he added.

But another candidate for the position, Chief Ngige, through his Head of Campaign Organisation, faulted the adoption and conduct of EBF at its meeting in Umuahia.

The die is cast.

The eternal battle between the hawks and the doves is again being waged. It is a mortal combat for the soul of the NBA. Who wins? The NBA should win

,

professionally and otherwise in the South-West, many of Ngige’s best friends are from the North, thus giving a lie to the campaign of calumny by his detractors. He is the quintessential Nigerian.

The audacity of Ngige’s challenge is unmistakable, even historic. The die is cast.

The eternal battle between the hawks and the doves is again being waged. It is a mortal combat for the soul of the NBA. Who wins? The NBA should win. Let the NBA win.

Ultimately, however, the answer is in the womb of time.

Chief Blessing Ukiri He graduated from the University of Benin in 1984.

He holds a masters degree in Law. He was admitted to study law through direct entry after successfully completing the High School Certificate in Government College, Ughelli.

He was called to bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1985.

His areas of practice are general and varied, in accordance with the general practice of law in Nigeria. He, however, specializes in the areas of enforcement of fundamental rights and judgments, litigation, energy, natural resources and environment, intellectual property, etc. He is also a Notary Public.

He has won NBA Merit Award; meritorious Service Award, NBA Abeokuta Branch; distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Benin Alumni Association among others.

He is a member of Governing Council of the Human Rights Institute; chairman, NBA Election Monitoring Committee, 2002 – 2004; chairman, National Welfare Committee, NBA, 2006 – 2008, chairman, NBA Law Reform Committee, 20022004 among others.

His contributions to the legal profession and humanity in general are too numerous to recount here due to space constraint.

He is married to Eloho, also a lawyer and they are blessed with five children.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

VANGUARD LAW IN PIX Help! I’m being persecuted and sexually harassed Please, I urgently need your pieces of advice on what to do. I have been banished for being a Christian and sent packing from several houses for refusing to go to bed with the landlords. At the moment, I stay in a government owned hotel but the manager has been threatening to eject me for refusing to succumb to his sexual advances, even to the extent of bringing the police to arrest me, where will I stay to have peace, please, please help.

– Grace, Warri, Delta State.

Your complain on being banished because of your religious faith is not detailed enough but what it suggests is that you are being persecuted because you are a Christian.

Also, you did not state where it happened and who banished you. Is it your family, your community or are you being persecuted at your place of work? If it is your family, there is really little or nothing that can be done. But if it is your community or where you work, such action is against the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Every Nigerian is entitled to freedom of thought, association and religion. It is therefore unconstitutional for anybody to be persecuted because of his or her religious belief. This is a fundamental human right as enshrined in Section 38 of the Constitution. According to the Section 38: “(1)Every person shall be entitle to freedom of thought, conscience and religion , including freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom (either alone or in community with other , and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship , teaching , practice and observation.

(2) No person attending any place of education shall be required to receive region instruction or to take part in or ceremony or observation relates to a religion other than his own or a religion not approved by his parent or guardian.

(3) No religion community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religion instruction for pupil of that community or denomination in any place of education maintained wholly by that community or denomination.

(4) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person to form , take part in the activity or be a member of a secret society ”.

Note that this fundamental right can be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction. You can decide to enforce this right against your persecutors. You can contact a lawyer if you so decided. But if you choose not to enforce your right, except somebody comes to your aid, you may have to continue living with the experience. Note that as a Nigerian citizen, you have the right to reside in any part of the country without any molestations whatsoever. On the issue of sexual harassment, it is unfortunate that there is no clearly spelt out law and that is why people still indulge in it. Another issue is the fact that victims don’t speak up. Maybe if victims are courageous enough to open up publicly, the law makers would be compelled to act.

It is when there is a law that prescribes stiff sanctions for proven cases of sexual harassment that people like your landlord can be proceeded against. The same applies to the hotel manager that would not let you be for the same reason. You said he got the police to arrest you for refusing to succumb to his several sexual advances. But the question to ask is: what offence did the police arrest you for? Certainly not for your refusal to allow the hotel manager have sexual intercourse with you. I would advise that you report this matter to higher police authority in that jurisdiction for necessary action to be taken.

Chief B. O. Benson SAN @ 80 Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson SAN, celebrated his 80th birthday last Saturday with a thanksgiving service at Patriarch Bolaji Idowu Memorial Methodist Church, Ikorodu, Lagos State. Below are some of the eminent legal personalities and their spouses at the church service and reception that followed: Photos: Shola Oyelese.

Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson SAN, Chief Mrs Olabisi Benson and Chief Mrs Kofo Benson

Hon Justice Ronke Hamson, Mrs J. Akapo and Hon Justice Lateef Akapo

Mrs Bukola Balogun [Exec Sec Judicial Service Commission, [Chief Judge of Lagos State], Hon Justice Ayotunde Phillip and Hon Justice Lati Folami

Mr Tunji Ayanlaja SAN, Elder S. M. Olakunni SAN, Chief (Mrs) Kofo and Chief B. O. Benson.

Mr Tunji Ayanlaja SAN and Elder S.M. Olakunni SAN

Mr Omoregbe Eke and Mr Solomon Asemota SAN

Can government be sued over people’s welfare?

I really want to know if any action can be instituted against the government to compel it to cater for people’s welfare? I ask this question because recent developments in the country seem to suggest that this democracy is not for the generality of the people, but only for the ruling elite. For example, some state governors are not willing to pay the new minimum wage which has now become law. They have asked the federal government to remove fuel subsidy if the new minimum wage has to be paid.

This is certainly not in the interest of the people. Also, from July 1 st electricity tariff will go up despite persistent darkness Nigerians are being subjected to.

The question one may ask is why hike the tariff when power supply is still epileptic? So, are people going to be paying more for improved power supply or longer hours of darkness? Amid all these, our lawmakers are earning jumbo pay when millions of Nigerians are suffering.

As if this is not enough, President Goodluck Jonathan is planning to create more ministries so that every state will have ministers of equal status.

The implication of this is that government recurrent expenditure will leap sky-word while capital expenditure for development will further slump. So, I ask the question again, can any legal action be taken against this government on this issue?

–Samuel, Abuja.

Hon Justice Atinuke Oluyemi, Hon Justice K.O. Dauda and Hon Justice B. Onigbanjo

Prince A. A. Peters, Amb. A. Adekoye and Chief Adetunji Fadaiyiro SAN.

Due to space constraint, answer to this question will be published next week. Please bear with us.

You can send your questions to dayobenson@yahoo.com or 08056180119 (text only)

Mr. Olatunji Odusanya with Prince Adegbola Amuse.

Hon Justice Dolapo Akinsanya (retd) with Prof.

Bolaji Akinsanya.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY JULY 12, 2012 —

41

As Ojo Maduekwe leaves for Ottawa … (2)

BY AWA KALU, (SAN) TTAWA is in Canada and Canada is a leading commonwealth country just as Nigeria.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan recently presented letters of credence to a fresh team of envoys and easily, the most visible in that team is Chief Ojo Maduekwe, CFR, eloquent and well read Lawyer, astute politician, skilled administrator, public affairs analyst, great orator and thinker extraordinary. That is the man that has been dispatched to Canada to represent the interest of this country to the best of his ability and as circumstances may warrant being that time and circumstances have over the years shaped the contours of International diplomacy.

Ojo Maduekwe’s nomination as ambassador elicited as much commentary as his posting.

In some quarters, it appeared infra dignitatum that after climbing the Olympian height as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs

O

•Awa Kalu, SAN Minister, it was sheer madness for the same man to return to the same Ministry as an envoy subject to the control of a Permanent Secretary and a Minister. His posting to Canada, though elevated, generated another type of controversy. Why should a man who has served gloriously in several capacities not be given a choice Ambassadorial posting such as to the United Nations as this country’s Permanent Representative? What about St. James’ Court, as our envoy to the United Kingdom. The arm chair analysts indeed offered many reasons why our man for the season ought to ‘rest on his oars’. However, other events have shown that

a significant number of people think that Ojo’s twilight has not yet arrived. Rather, his trajectory in the public domain is in full bloom. This is attested to by a flurry of activities that have unfolded since the presentation of the letters of credence to the Ambassadors. A few of such events will suffice to show that the high and mighty think that Ojo is indeed a worthy Ambassador.

Senator Ita Enang hosted five of the new Ambassadors in a vivacious evening of utmost conviviality. On hand were the Ambassadors to North Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Switzerland, Russia and Canada. A star studded Live Band provided entertainment at the highest level punctuated by a welcome speech by the amiable chief host and responses from the lively quests. On that occasion, although the MC thought that chief Maduekwe would be circumlotous, he merely reminded his audience that the present crop of Ambassadors were ‘Ambassadors of Transformation’. He promised

that the only item on the agenda was to go out and to perform to the satisfaction of the generality of Nigerians.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha assembled the crème de la crème of Abuja to say farewell to Chief Ojo Maduekwe and his wife and it was another round of emcomius that was the order of the day. Then on the very first day of July, a Sunday, the ‘high command’ of the Presbyterian Church gathered with a powerful congregation at the Church’s Abuja 1st Parish in Wuse 2 to send Ojo and wife forth to Ottawa, Canada. Led by the Prelate, the Most Reverend Professor E.M. Uka, the Presbyterian Church heirachy bid farewell to one of the church’s most decorated high flyers.

The church struck a chord in the minds of discerning worshippers when it combined the ambassador’s send forth with a birthday celebration for Mrs. Ucha Maduekwe (beloved wife of Chief Ojo Maduekwe) and her twin sister, Mrs. Nnenna Anigbo. Both sisters, born 66 years ago, are only alive today because of the humanitarian

The Supreme Court doctrine in the interpretation and construction of statutes (6) Continues from last week

H

OWEVER, in Ugwu v.

Ararume, the Supreme Court in interpreting Section 34(2) of the Electoral Act, held that a political party shall give cogent and verifiable reasons before a candidate can be changed. The outcome of this case turned upon the provision of Section 34(2), which requires a political party to give cogent and verifiable reason before dropping a candidate. Section 34(2) was not present in Onuoha and Dalhatu cases. In these case, the Supreme Court applied the literal rule A similar conclusion was arrived at by the Supreme Court in Amaechi v.INEC, where the court held that the substitution of Amaechi for Omehia by the Peoples Democratic Party was unlawful since the PDP had not given cogent and verifiable reason for the substitution.

The Need for a Purposive Approach.

The interpretation and construction of statutes have undergone significant change in the commonwealth in recent times. Criticising the over rigid adherence to the literal rule, Burrows submit that: A modern state which runs on the machinery of legislation could not function effectively in an atmosphere of

non-co-operation between courts and legislature….

In the course of the twentieth century there has been a gradual change in approach, although even in relatively recent times there are clear traces of the old over-literal approach.

The purposive approach allows words to be stretched a little so that the objectives of the legislature can be achieved. It is this approach that the Supreme Court had adopted in the recent cases referred to above. This is the Supreme Court doctrine It is our view that the Supreme Court in Awolowo v. Shagari adopted this apoproach. The over-rigid application of the literal rule of interpretation in many instances produces an unjust result which also does not conform with the intention of the legislature. It must however be pointed out that a line must continue to be drawn between what the legislature wanted and what the court itself wants: one of the obvious dangers of the purposive approach is the potential for the blurring of these two things.

This article has also shown that there are in fact two rules of the interpretation of statutes: the literal rule and the others. The golden and mischief rules are in fact good examples of the

•CJN, Dahiru Musdapher purposive approach to statutory interpretation. This approach has gained widespread acceptance in the commonwealth and it is our view that it is well suited for adoption by our courts.

In the tenure elongation case, the governors of the five states listed above filed a case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after their states were listed for election in April 2011 by the electoral body. Theses governors were initially elected in 2007 and sometimes in 2008, their elections were nullified by the Court of Appeal. Fresh elections were ordered and the governors were re elected.

They argued that by the provisions of section 180(2) of the 1999 Constitution, their four

years tenure commenced in 2008 when they took fresh oath of allegiance and of office. They insisted that with the nullification of their first election, their stay in office prior to the re-run elections amounted to a nullity in law.

Their cases were consolidated and the Federal High Court, Abuja gave judgment in their favour. On appeal by INEC to the Court of Appeal, the decision of the Federal High Court was upheld. The Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal were of the view that while the actions of the governors during the period prior to the nullification of their elections, are valid and legal, the same period cannot be taken into account in calculating the tenure of the said governors following the nullification of their election.

In a landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on the 27th of January, 2012, the Supreme Court over ruled the judgment of the Court of Appeal. The court held that in interpreting a statute or Constitution, the object is to discover the intention of the legislature and that such intention was usually deduced from the language used. The Court said: From the language used in section 180 of the 1999

intervention of a Presbyterian legendary missionary, Mary Slessor whose sojourn in Nigeria was taught in civics classes several years ago. To avoid a rigmarole on this piece, the sermon on the occasion was preached by the Prelate himself and rather than eulogise, he dutifully charged Chief Ojo Maduekwe to recognize the years of Presbyterian history which he was called upon by virtue of his appointment, to defend.

With lessons from appropriate portions of the Old Testament, it was easy to see why several people who were elevated to high offices ended as disappointments having suffered from ‘power failure’.

Whether this was intended as a pun on the inadequacies of public power supply in Nigeria is immaterial but the examples offered were very daunting reminders that life’s race is not for the swiftest.

Samson’s power was shut down by his dalliance with Delilah while Saul lost power due to disobedience – doing what he was not supposed to.

David, Solomon and a host of others fell from the Olympian height at different times.

To be continued Constitution, it is very clear that the Constitution intended That a governor of a state shall have a tenure of four years from the date he took the oath of allegiance and of office and nothing more……In all, a governor has a maximum tenure of eight (8) years under the 1999 Constitution.

The arguments by the respondents that four years tenure envisaged by the Constitution is a single unbroken tenure was also rejected by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court held that section 180(2) does not expect or envisage an indefinite occupier of the office of governor of a state. The further argument by the respondents that since their elections in 2007 were nullified, it meant in law that the said election never took place and as such the oath of allegiance and office they took on 29th May, 2007 became nonexistent and that the oath of allegiance and office which is valid and relevant to the determination of the four year tenure is that which they took at various dates in 2008. This argument was also rejected by the Supreme Court. The Court said: It is very clear from the relevant provisions that No person elected under the 1999 Constitution Can remain in that office for To be continued

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

No deal between labour, govt …PHCN’s privatisation threatened

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG & KUNLE KALEJAYE

F

EDERAL Government representatives led by the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji and Organised Labour in the electricity sector, under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, and Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, met recently to resolve contentious labour issues ahead of government planned privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. The meeting did not only end in deadlock, but also, adjoin sine die and workers in sector have become very restive and threatening fire and brimstone.

In an interview with Labour Vanguard the President-General of SSAEAC, Engineer, Bede Opara, spoke on the stalled negotiation among others.

Excerpts:

I

*Bede Opara, President-General, SSAEAC issues. May be I have served for 15 years and another person worked for five years, they are saying all of us will be paid one year maximum. this is not done anywhere .

Whenever government calls you for another round of meeting as it is now, what will be your Position?

Our position has not change. It is when we get in there that we will see if government has shifted ground or not. But if they have not shifted their grounds, I don’t see Labour shifting their ground.

What will the role be of organized in a privatized power sector?

Labour will always be there and we know all things will be done to cow labour, but we will resist that with everything we have. Part of the resistance is to ensure that the kinds of people coming in to manage the transmission station are not known anti-labour employers. We were informed that Indians were coming in. We told the minister clearly “if you are bringing in Indians no matter who they are we say no.”

I have to be sincere to you, the minister listened to us and it is not Indians that are coming, the people that are coming now are

Canadians. It is not as if Indians are not succeeding in one thing or the other but the point is anywhere we see any threat of muzzling labour we will resist it.

If the investors say they do not want labour that business will fold because part of our negotiation is

,

What is the state of negotiation between government and labour today?

Negotiation between PHCN Labour Unions and the Federal Government started in May last year and it has dragged on for so long. In some situation we may agree, but the implementations always have some issues. The stage in which we are now is the discussion of severance package as well as terminal package. The labour position is that since PHCN will be privatized to different companies and if we are to continue to work with the new owners, we must be settled for the one we have done already with PHCN so that by the time we get into those companies whom we do not know who will run it, we will have a new conditions of service or agreement with the new investors. That is where we are. The issue of the terminal benefit is where we are now and nothing has been agreed.

Government is saying that they are going to pay us maximum of one year basic salary, which means no matter the calculation, the number of weeks and the years of service an individual has rendered once it gets to your one year basic salary that is the end.

At the same time, the federal government is saying that it is not going to pay the total emolument of salaries. But Labour unions, are saying that when it comes to salary it has to be total monthly salary, not basic salary. Because basic salary is nothing compared to the other allowances.

So we have not agreed on these

an English word, not a Nigerian word. So as it exists here so it also exits elsewhere. If I say that corruption has not play any part in the current state of the power sector, it is a lie. This culture of impunity in Nigeria is so bad that when contracts are given out and they are not executed, there are no sanctions against the offenders. There are lots of contracts that have been awarded, the contractors did not perform and nobody was sanctioned. Now that they want to privatise the sector, what we are saying is that let it be done transparently for all to see.

But where did the corruption start?

What kind of government will run a sector for 20 years without building a single power station yet population is increasing the way it is increasing, development is going on? You do not need a prophet to tell that corruption played a part in what happened in the past. So a lot of what you are seeing now that the infrastructure that was built so many years was what we were still using before the present initiative by the present government in power and those infrastructure have been over stretched. s there a follow up by Labour to ensure that the recommendations are fully implemented by Government?

We have agreed in the negotiation we are having with government that there will be an implementation committee and when there is an implementation committee government is still the chairman of the committee, labour will always have representatives there and if they don’t implement, we will always voice out.

However, if PHCN generates 30,000mega watts of electricity today, there will be market for it.

We have the example of NESCO in Jos where they generate and transmit power and there is market for them to sell their

Government is saying that they are going to pay us maximum of one year basic salary, which means no matter the calculation, the number of weeks and the years of service an individual has rendered once it gets to your one year basic salary that is the end

that labour will function freely. We have written it down and it has been adopted by the government and anybody who wants to violate it we will frustrate such a person.

Some have argued that corruption including by PHCN workers was part of brought power sector to this present lamentable state. How do you respond to this?

Corruption is like a Nigerian now but it does not mean that there is no corruption elsewhere.

After all, the word corruption is

,

product for over 80 years that they have been in existence. I congratulate the Federal Government for opening up the sector so that state and local governments can built their own power plants if they have the capacity so that they can transmit and distribute. Labour as a union welcomes it because before the law was passed it went through the first and second reading in the National Assembly, we did not complain.

For instance, Akwa Ibom is generating 100mega watts. If all

state can contribute at least 100mega watts; multiply by 36, will give 3600mega watts. There is no doubt that we will have enough power supply without bringing foreign investors into the country. If you add 3600 mega watts to what PHCN have that is about 3,500 we will have about 7,100mw this automatically means that we will have more than 18 hours of electricity.

Private companies can make their feasibility study and make a choice of what they want to produce. If they discover that there is coal somewhere, they can build their power there, the same goes for hydro and solar. But government should be able to provide the enabling environment for them to operate.

Also there should be a powerful regulator to enforce the laws governing the sector.

From the experiences from the previous privatization exercise, are you convinced that PHCN will be better?

Labour position all along has been that privatization will not give us the answer. Why? Our reason then was that we have looked at all companies privatized

by BPE, they have failed. Even if BPE is claiming that about ten of them are doing well. Ten out of 100 is not a pass mark.

An organization like PHCN is what they want to take into that same market where things don’t go well. We are afraid that things will not go well. That has been our position in the past and it still remains our position. If the government wants to privatized, we have told them to go ahead with it but they have to settle us first. if do not settle us, I am afraid, this is going to be a problem because we will not accept.

Let me give you the example of Daily Times. I don’t think that company has produced any paper for people to read since privatisation. The whole edifice has become a warehouse where empty cartons by a soft drinks manufacturing company are stored. The workers that left that place what is their fate, what has happened to them? The privatization of Daily Times, has it made that place better? What is the guarantee that is happening i Daily Times will not happen to PHCN? These are our arguments and we want to see that the kind of privatization that will be done in PHCN will not be that type.

The power sector is such a critical sector that you cannot afford to say alright, let us close it down, let us say one year we will pick it up again. It is not possible but for other companies you can close it for one year or two before picking it up again. We cannot afford to do such in the power sector. Apart from being workers in PHCN, we are also Nigerians. So, whatever affects Nigeria affects us too. Even if we are not working here whatsoever is the fallout in PHCN or any privatization that does not work out well, will touch us. We feel we own it as a duty to Nigerians to say if you must privatized, make sure it is done right and again workers must be properly settled.

We do not want to go out before the government settles us.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—43

Labour to partner PenCom over unremitted pension funds STORIES BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG ORRIED by report of m a s s i v e unremitted pension funds

by Private sector employers to the Retirement Saving Account, RSA, of workers, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is to partner the National Pension Commission, PenCom, to ensure that such funds are recovered and remitted appropriately.

PenCom has continued to lament the unwillingness of some private sector organisations to remit the monthly contributions as and when due for which the Commission engaged recovery agents.

According to the commission “We have over 172 of them both lawyers and chartered accountants.

They will go to various businesses to ensure they comply. If they do not comply of course we will take the next step which is to ensure compliance and may include taking a legal action against them. For those who are complying that is what we want. The only way is for them to comply and if they do not, the only option we have to take the appropriate action.”

But speaking with Pension and You, President of NLC Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar said “So far, PenCom is doing its level best, but up to eight states have not even commenced the implementation of the contributory pension scheme, which is very, very bad. If you look at it, those governments, they are committing very serious offence because the issue of pension is provided by law.

The question is, are they above the law? We are going to resolve with PenCom that we are going to work together and approach those states, let them know the implication of what they are doing by not complying with the provisions of the law. We will appeal to them and perhaps they will see reasons and implement after then, any government that decides not to implement, that means that government does not respect the rule of law and does not respect the constitution and therefore, we will ask workers in such states to begin to behave in the same manner.”

“What keeps every society moving peacefully

W

Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, NLC President is the obedience to the rule of law. But if highly placed people like the chief executives of states would refuse to comply with the provisions of the law, how will you expect the common man to respect the law.

If you find a government that ready to trample on the constitution and the law when such a person has taken an oath to defend the constitution and he is still violating it, what do you expect from somebody who has not taken an oath at all?

They should also violate it and let us see at the end of the day, who will better for it. We are ready to partner PenCom to recover

unremitted funds and deal with such employers where necessary.”

On the recalcitrance of some private employers to remit deducted pension funds, Comrade Omar said, “the era where employers deduct workers’ contribution to pension scheme and will not remit such especially in the private sector, will soon stop. We are trying to fashion out ways of addressing it to get those employers to remit accordingly. But if they do not, they will bear the brunt because the law must be visited on them and there must bear it.”

N331bn PHCN workers’ pension raises dust UGING from the assessment by the organized labour in the Electricity sector, two years ago, the workers in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN’s pension scheme has accumulated a whopping N331 billion.

Operating under the Superannuation Fund Scheme, PresidentGeneral of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, Engineer Bede Opara, said though as at today, it should have been far higher, but the management of PHCN has not funded the scheme.

In a chat with Pension and You, he said the pension scheme is part of unresolved issues with Federal Government ahead of the planned privatization of Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. According to him, “What government is saying about the issue of pension is that we should move to Contributory Pension

J

Scheme, CPS and open RSA, Retirement Savings Account. But we have our scheme that is the Superannuation Fund Scheme and we are running it but unfortunately, the management of PHCN has over the years not been funding that account properly. If they have not been funding the scheme properly it is not our business it that of the federal government because they are the one that appointed the management of the scheme.”

“We have made some researches and discovered that the amount we will get from RSA cannot be compared to what we get now according to our condition of service. Our condition of service says government has to implement it because that is our contract document with the Federal government. If we have to move to RSA, talking about what the law says, funding should be proper."

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Plane crash...evidence of failure of search and rescue system

Why our planes crash (2) The summary of the final report of the Presidential Task Force on Aviation Industry submitted by the Task Force team headed by Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd) on March 2006 Continues from yesterday N obstacle clear limitation plan would specify the maximum heights of objects around airport. A survey of the airports based on the pre-established plan identify buildings, communications masts and other objects that may come up due to urban development and natural phenomenona.

20.Government should streamline all existing legislations on aeronautical Search and Rescue (SAR) such that NAMA will act as coordinating agency for alert purposes, while the NAF oversee the operational lead agency.

Despite existing legislation and establishment acts, there is seeming blurred delineation of responsibilities amongst the organisations chain of the National Search and Rescue system. This leads to delay in responding to air accidents.

A

,

NCAA should re-orienate airworthiness inspectors on the necessary steps and checks on ageing aircraft, and ensure that the most experienced staff are assigned to inspect ageing aircraft

,

The Task Force notes that for effective response to any air disaster, there should be a lead which must have the capacity and disposition to undertake Search and Rescue. Hence, it is the considered opinion of the Task Force that NAMA continues to provide alert and coordinating force respectively; the NAF should serve as the lead agency in aeronautical search and rescue operations.

21 An enabling legislation

should be enacted to empower NEMA to have Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with necessary organisations for equipment requisitioning in SAR; and to have insurance cover for persons involved in SAR. The lack of MoU and insurance cover is said to discourage organisations and individuals from releasing their equipment during search and rescue. Thus, an enabling legislation would demostrate government commitment to all the organisations and individuals who may be involved in SAR. 22 NCAA should direct all aircraft operators in Nigeria; including the military, paramilitary and government agencies, to install the 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter, (ETL) Beacon before January 1, 2007. This would reduce the false alarm associated with the old type of ELT, the 121.5 MHz. It is also more accurate for locating the point of crash, and has some other facilities which are not available in the 121.5MHz. 23. NCAA should ensure mandatory compliance of all agencies and airlines with all industry safety requirements. NCAA should ensure that all agencies and airlines produce safety and security manuals and that their Safety Management Systems are adequate in terms of: a) Accident Prevention Pro-

grammes b) Collection/analysis/communication of safety information; c) Technical training; and d) Emergency Response Procedures This is an in-house safety and security regulatory system which would help focus the operations of the agencies and airline to extant practices and standards. It would entrench safety culture in the aviation industry.

24. NCAA should ensure that Quality Assurance Department of Airlines are headed by professionals of senior management level who can undertake air, ground, and quality control functions effectively and, report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Uniform standards This is to ensure that safety management system is handled at a level that the rule can be effectively enforced. Also, without quality control being handled at such a level, uniform standards may not be achieved throughout the industry.

25.NCAA should ensure stringent airworthiness certification

procedures for ageing aircraft.

They should also re-orienate airworthiness inspectors on the necessary steps and checks on ageing aircraft, and ensure that the most experienced staff are assigned to inspect ageing aircraft.

The usage of older generation aircraft by most nation’s airlines is a very topical issue. As a matter of fact, the average age of aircraft in Nigeria is about 22 years.

The Task Force is of the view that the age of aircraft per se needs not be an issue.

It is also not peculiar to Nigeria. What is necessary is for NCAA to ensure that the aircraft undergo recommended maintenance as and when due. This can best be achieved through rigorous, correct and regular inspection by experienced airworthiness assessors.

26. Government should ratify and implement outstanding international aviation conventions.

This would enable the local aviation industry take full advantage of the opportunities derivable from such treaties. For example, the Cape Town Convention on financing and leasing of aircraft, rolling stock and space equipment could assist local airlines gain access to newer generation aircraft on terms, hitherto, unavailable. This will not only assist the operators but will also permit greater participation and growth of the sector, as aircraft acquisition will be enhanced.

27. The Ministry of Aviation should uphold its policy responsibility and allow the agencies to discharge their duties accordingly. The Ministry of Aviation im poses banks, insurance companies, contracts and other finanContinues on page 45

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—45

Why our planes crash (2) cial burdens on the agencies; and they have lost huge sums of money as a result. FAAN’s N400 million is trapped in Lead Bank; while NAMA’s N400 million and US$ 14,1778 are trapped in Hallmark Bank. Both banks were recommended by the the ministry.

28. Government should cancel all contracts which are yet to be awarded,butwhichFAANclaimed has received Ministerial Tenders Board approval. * Clearing of bush and grassing of area along runway 36R end of NMIA. Contract amount is N34 million and is to be awarded to JON FEMA Nig Ltd. * Clearing of bush and grassing of area along runway 36R end of NMIA. Contract amount is N49.5 million and is to be awarded to Quidsworth Ventures Ltd. * Clearing of bush and grassing of area along runway 18R end of NMIA. Contract amount is N45 million and is to be awarded to Tripple Ventures. * Appointment of consultants to review the financial records of FAAN. Contract amount is N90 million and is to be awarded to

appropriate Authority should be a required item on the checklist.

The Internal Audit should be empowered to carry out intermittent review of contract files to confirm compliance with this requirement.

30. Government should approve the revised sharing formula in respect of the five per cent charge on ticket sales and cargo charges as follows: (i) Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) – 45 per cent (ii) Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) – 30 per cent (iii) Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) – 10per cent (iv) Nigerian College of Aviation Technology – 15 per cent.

The reduction of NCAA’s revenue from 60% to 45% is informed by the realisation that NCAA has other sources of funding as listed in Section 12 (a-g) of the Bill. The level of decay and obsolescence of infrastructure and equipment used by NAMA and NIMET and the near collapse of NCAT necessitates re-ordering of the priorities within the aviation sector.

Moreover, NCAA has less capital intensive responsibility unlike the other agencies which have critical functions of procuring,

These are key success factors in the implementation of the Nigeria Airline Support Fund. The CRS and BSP would ensure that all deductions on Ticket Sales and Cargo Charges are made at source •Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd), chairman, and appropriately chan- presidential Task Force on Aviation Industry neled.

33. Government should enforce The NAF has standard hangars the registration of foreign airlines at Ikeja, Makurdi and Kainji operating in Nigeria to enable which are grossly under utilised. them pay appropriate taxes to 36. All aircraft should be insured Government in line with extant against accidents or damage to regulations. Currently, only Air aircraft, passenger liability and India and Virgin Atlantic are regthird party liability from aviation istered to operate in Nigeria. perils.

The Task Force was made to unAir carriers and aircraft operaderstand that most foreign airlines tors should ensure that insurance are not registered with Corporate cover exists for each and every Affairs Commission (CAC), and flight. This is regardless of wheththus evade the payment of taxes er the aircraft is at their disposal and other commissions to Governthrough ownership or any form of ment. It would be necessary for lease agreement, or through joint the NCAA and CAC to work close- or franchise operations, codely to effect this recommendation. sharing or any other agreement 34. Government should apof the same nature. point a reputable tax consultant

Minimum insurance coverage

Birdswam...a veritable cause of air crashes Williams Deloitte Consulting. * Supply of Apron bus for Virgin Nigeria Airlines. Contract amount is N35.9 million and is to be awarded to Contrac Cobus Industries. *Supply of com bus 2400 for NMIA. Contract amount is N35.9 million and is to be awarded to AES Contract Industries Ltd. 29. FAAN should carry out a review of its current procurement process and align same with the Government Due Process Guidelines.

The outcome of this review should be documented using process maps and flow charts as well as details of the amended procurement procedures. The development of the procedure manual and process maps will streamline procurements decisions and ensure that materials purchased meet the requirements of FAAN in terms of use and pricing. FAAN should also develop a comprehensive checklist of items to be included in contractors’ files before any payments are made. Evidence of contract approval by the

maintaining and sustaining capital intensive equipment.

31. Government should approve that all airports be insured in line with ICAO standards. The four major International Airports should have minimum liability cover of USD 500 million. Other airports should have minimum insurance cover of USD 50 million.

The Nigerian aviation industry is not currently adequately protected against regular perils to key aviation infrastructure, airports facilities including other third parties at the airport. There is also no industry regulations or prescriptions on minimum insurance requirements. The regulatory lacuna has led to the absence of standards to be followed in protecting aviation assets and stakeholders against perils. This is at variance with international standards.

32. Government should approve the establishment of a Computer Reservation System (CRS), and the Bills and Settlement Plan (BSP) for the domestic airlines.

to conduct a tax compliance audit of all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria as well as verify claims that the airlines owe the Federal Government over USD 500 million in unpaid cumulative taxes since the inception of their operations.

During the interactive session, the Task Force was made aware that an estimated USD 500 million is being owed the Federal Government in unpaid taxes by the foreign airlines.

35. Government should approve the use of the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) hangars by interested private airlines pending the fruition of the National Hangar project. The NCAA should provide oversight.

The private airlines have been accused of not conducting their inspections and maintenance in a hangar, in contravention of standard practices. Conducting maintenance in the open could lead to several safety hazards including the exposure of maintenance personnel and sensitive aircraft systems to environmental hazards.

Minimum insurance coverage shall depend on the number of passengers on board and Maximum Take off Weight (MTOW) of aircraft. However, minimum liability cover per passenger shall be USD100,000.00. Insured passengers shall not be required to establish evidence of life worth in the event of an accident. Also, minimum cover for aircraft crew shall not be less than insured limit for passengers.

It is necessary for NCAA to require air carriers to provide evidence that they respect at all times the minimum insurance requirements. All air carriers and aircraft operators must deposit evidence of compliance with minimum insurance requirements with NCAA and must carry on-board each flight the evidence. Failure to provide evidence of compliance on demand would be enough ground to refuse aircraft from flying in Nigeria’s space.

37.NCAA should establish procedures for monitoring the application of the minimum insurance requirements.

NCAA does not have a machinery to effectively monitor the compliance of local airlines to international insurance and minimum requirements prescribed in the Civil Aviation Policy. The machinery should therefore be developed, and should be transparent and non-discriminatory. It should, however, not impede the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.

To be continued

,

Continues frompage 44

Government should enforce the registration of foreign airlines operating in Nigeria to enable them pay appropriate taxes to Government in line with extant regulations.

Currently, only Air India and Virgin Atlantic are registered to operate in Nigeria

,

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

The unbreakable cord (4) relationship did not result into marriage between them, he would never forgive Akin, moreso, he should not expect him to support any future plans by him to take another wife.

The marriage would not only boost his business opportunities but his political standing

any day, it will be me. He pleaded with me not to walk out on him. If I did, he was not sure of what he would do with himself.

He said if I truly loved him, I will stick with him as he was determined to work things out amicably for everyone. His parents could only force him to

What will happen to us, how will I face my friends when school reopened, especially those who had informed me about the wedding right from the beginning,I will definitely be the laughing stock of everyone now

,

H

i, The story you are reading reminds me of one of the best home movies I ever saw, Unfinished Business, featuring Genevieve and Desmond Eliot.

Today, it has become a trend among the rich, famous or powerful to pair off their children in marriage in order to consolidate a relationship or to ensure that they remain within a certain circle in s o c i e t y .

Dear reader, your views/ reaction/or contribution to this story and trend is very much welcome.

Please write and share it with us. Send your contributions to: The Human Angle, Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007 Apapa, Lagos, or our email address: humananglepage@yahoo.com Please stay glued to this page. Happy reading!

Ekanem, (29), shares her classic love story: They informed him that love had nothing to do with marriage but tolerance. All women are the same. You don’t have to even know your wife before you both get married, they said.

They asked him what it was that he did not like about her, afterall, he was sleeping with her?

He said it was at this point that his father really got angry with him. when he admitted that he does sleep with her, but it didn’t mean that he loved her, his father considered it a disgrace and dishonour to himself and his friend.

He said if the

in the country. Akin would be a bastard if he let him down.

Though he tried to make his mother see things his way, with the hope that she will help him talk his father out of the cold plot, all she would say was that she understood his feeling.

She would then go on to urge him to see the great opportunities he would derive from such a marriage.

As for her, she would be an in-law to one of the movers and shakers of the country with all the added pecks of Nigeria’s elite social circle, and the password to open any door in the country.

It was a hopeless situation and all he could do to delay the wedding were excuses that he was not ready. It was during his supposed “preparation period” that he met me. He reiterated that it was me he loved and if he had a chance to pick his choice

,

marry Tosin, they cannot force him to love and stay with her.

It was his tears that made me cry too.

However, at the back of my mind, I was terrified. What will happen to us? How will I face my friends when school reopened, especially those who had informed me about the wedding right from the beginning? I will definitely be the laughing stock of everyone now. what if they refuse to u n d e r s t a n d ?

Everything turned bleak from that moment.

However, there wasn’t much time for us to brood together as the following week, Akin received a visitor from Lagos. He had gone to the office. This was how Tosin and I met. It was obvious that she knew who I was because she was very cold on setting eyes on me.

She demanded to know what I was doing in her home, asking me

if I had not been informed about their forthcoming wedding.

She said she had been hearing about me and all my shameless antics with her husband. She said she had assumed before then that I was someone she could even talk with to see reason.

But havent met me, she would not waste her time talking to me.

As she ranted on, I just stood there like a dummy, overwhelmed by shock and humiliation while my head was still foggy from the reality of my situation. She asked me to pack my things and leave at once and even while trying to do so, she began helping me to throw them out. by now, I could no longer hold back the tears as they raced down my cheeks.

Akin’s house help tried to prevail on her, insisting that Akin would not be happy about her actions when he returns from the office. She should at least, allow Akin to take care of the problem by himself. But she would not listen, threatening to send him packing too if he was not careful.

As for me, I couldn’t utter a word. I was glad that the boy defied her orders by helping me to pack my bags and even getting a taxi to take me to the motorpark. But for him, I don’t know what I would have done. I was also happy that it was a work day and most of the neighbours had gone to their offices.

That afternoon, I left for Enugu without saying goodbye to Akin.

And I didn’t see him until school resumed two months later.

The wedding took place in grand style in Lagos. The Nikah ceremony at the Lagos Central Mosque, reception at Eko Hotel and a lavish evening party.

To be continued Asisted by Onozure Dania

Friends Searching Males

•Francis, 36, tall, dark in complexion needs a lady,

who is mature in mind, for a healthy r e l a t i o n s h i p . 0 8 0 3 8 8 3 2 5 0 7 •Kelly, 30, from Delta state, needs a decent lady, aged 27-30, for a serious relationship, that can lead to marriage. 08131865929 •Kayo, 32, resides in Warri, needs a decent and beautiful girl, for a serious relationship.

08074716615 •Emeka, 30, employed, loving and romantic, needs a lady, aged 30 and above, in Abuja for marriage, either employed or into business.

08092246149 •Real, 20, a student, from Edo state, needs a responsible girl, aged 20-23, for a serious r e l a t i o n s h i p . 0 7 0 6 8 8 9 8 5 4 0 •Kc, needs a pretty, lady, who is a graduate, employed and God fearing, aged 22-27, ready for m a r r i a g e . 0 8 0 3 3 2 3 4 1 8 3 •Ike, 30, needs a lady, who resides in Abuja, for a relationship, aged 40-45.08135543046

•Michael, a student, needs a

lady for a relationship.07038663254,08175582131 •Nicole, 40, tall, divorced and God fearing, from Agbor Delta state, needs a God fearing lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage, aged 30-40. 08178509372 •Osas, 49, divorced, needs a romantic lady, for a •Dear readers, please note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests on the Lovezone that may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public.

Also note that we do not run any match-making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with anyone claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk.

Henceforth, only messages sent through the numbers readers want to be contacted on will be published.

This notice is necessary in order to serve you better in our refreshingly different style. To get your requests published, just text it to the code number 33055. For further enquiries, call 08026651636. Cheers!

Fresh start in your relationship

BY ONOZURE DANIA

RESH starts, no mat ter how belated, are a gift. The thought of casting off the shackles of a bad year, whether it is conflict at work, in love or even in us, can inspire the indomitable human spirit to soar to new heights.

Many times, the inability to imagine that things can be better is what holds us in the grip of sadness or despair. Sometimes, just being able to see in our mind’s eye that happiness is within our grasp can move us toward it.

Most marriage counsellors will tell you that by the time a couple gets to them for counselling, the relationship is already about 90 percent gone. But this is quite the opposite because I know its never too late to have a happy relationship or a loving family. Failure in those areas occurs only when one or both persons give up or get caught up in the anger and drama.

Sometimes mental illness or bad behaviour can ruin the chances of any reconciliation, but that’s not the norm. We all know of people who have lost everything only to find it again. The real truth is that people who have made fresh starts have found the ability to do so somewhere inside themselves.

The trick is that you have to take the time to look for it. Making the conscious choice to start over takes effort. It begins with the willingness to want things to change and the courage to take personal responsibility.Understanding why things went wrong is not as important as making the commitment to change them.

What’s truly necessary is a desire to make things better and a vision of what that will look like. Simply making the choice to not bring your history into every interaction you have with your partner is a great way to begin this process.Have you ever

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had that amazing experience in your life where somehow you got a fresh start with something that wasn’t going so well at first? Maybe at school, or at work, or even in a relationship with family or with a friend.

Whatever it was, you probably know that incredible feeling that comes from wiping your slate clean, leaving all the problems and worries from the past behind and starting out clean.

It feels incredible when you get the opportunity to make a fresh start and it’s easy to do things in a new and better way from that moment forward. It’s weird, but sometimes as humans we just need to know that we can have a fresh start to feel empowered to change our lives for the better.

Now, thinking of a fresh start. What if you could have a fresh start in your relationship? I want you to ask yourself what could be the most important question you ever asked yourself about your love life. Here’s the question what is a relationship for?

What is the purpose of having a relationship?

Think about it.

By the way, you should know that whatever your relationships are bringing to you, whether it’s more love and joy, or more pain and frustration, your answers to these questions play a huge role in what’s happening to you. Why? Let me share something with you that I strongly believe. I believe that a relationship is in your life to take you to a higher place together with your partner to where you and your lover find and bring out the best in each other. It’s in relationships that we grow as people, and find even greater expressions of our love. Relationships aren’t meant to be for us to grow small or to cut each other down.

Relationships are there to make our lives better.

r e l a t i o n s h i p . 0 8 1 5 5 1 4 6 4 6 5 •Owolabi, 26,a student needs a beautiful Muslim girl, aged 21-25, who is independent and resides in Lagos, for a serious relationship.07055041456 •Samson, 34, resides in Warri, needs a lady, aged 25-33, who is financially ok, for a relationship, that can lead to marriage. 08176416923 •Austin, 28, resides in Warri, needs a girl, aged 18 25,for a serious relationship. 08074927289, 0 7 0 3 2 6 4 0 5 5 7 •Roland, employed and resides in Ibadan, needs a girl, for a serious relationship. 08062635641 •Kane, 22, needs a lovely and caring beautiful girl.07086833671 •Obinna,23, tall, slim, handsome and a graduate, needs a God fearing lady, who will love and take care of him, for a serious relationship.

08068200862,08151357177 •Nnaemeka,34,tall, educated, and resides in Onitsha Anambra state, needs an equally endowed lady, aged 22-28, for a seriousrelationship, that can lead to marriage. 07036685005

Vanguard,

LEO; This is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded.

VIRGO; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured.

LIBRA; Recent challenges notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause.

SCORPIO; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers.

— 47

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Here is a day when things are meant to go according to your plans and record success. Yong-atheart may be in for a romantic day. You just have to take the initiative.

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

do not know the level of your education today, but one thing I know is that, education is a continuum, it has no end. Even if you are a professor, you still need to learn every-

So, you have finished your education

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day.

There is no end to learning. Therefore, it is wrong to say, I have finished my

TERROR MUDA

education. Which education? Granted you’ve rounded up your degree programme, but

in “Never say goodbye”

what about the University of Life?

Education is life time process. Learning begets more learning. The more you know, the more you want to know.

Believe, your education has just begun.

By Kola Fayemi

SAGITTARIUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health.

CAPRICORN; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

AQUARIUS; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving.

PISCES; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously.

ARIES; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded;

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change tomorrow. Respect your spouse.

GEMINI; Better than yesterday. Happenings within your working arena will not give you cause to worry but situation may change tomorrow. Your finance are

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send your date and place of birth to the Astrological Counselling, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos

What’s my birthday ruler?

According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Osunkoya, Asaba.

Dear Osunkoya, You were born on a Sunday meaning that mighty Sun rules your birthday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person.

You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

48—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Court clears Suswam of certificate forgery

Edo: Group charges INEC on credible poll NON-governmental organisation, The Truth Platform, has called on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that only trusted and reliable members of its staff were deployed to conduct Saturday's governorship election in Edo State.

In a statement, the president of the group,Mr John Osagie, said there were reports that the one of the

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BY PETER DURU AKURDI—A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, yesterday, dismissed the certificate forgery suit against Benue State Governor, Mr. Gabriel Suswam by a former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Mr. Terver Kakih, for lack of jurisdiction.

Kakih had challenged Governor Suswam’s victory on the grounds that the PDP primaries, where he emerged was skewed, adding that the governor lacked the educational qualification to contest the primaries of the party.

Trial judge, Justice Marcel Awokulekein, in his ruling, described the suit as “frivolous, vexatious, unmeritorious and lacking in merit.” He condemned the plaintiff and his witnesses for presenting prototype, hearsay and opinionated evidences before the court, which he said were inadmissible in law.

“I am certainly not persuaded by by their arguments and such evidences which are repugnant to natural justices,” said the judge.

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Madam Mbrey for burial ADAM Uche Mbrey, 86, (Nee Ndukwe Azu) is dead. There will be a service of songs at her residence, Eziukwa compound, Ukpa, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, tomorrow.

This will be followed by funeral on Saturday at the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Ukpa/ Amachara Parish in Afikpo at the Ngodo/Amachi Primary School Grounds, Afikpo. Interment follows same day at the Low-Cost Housing Estate, while reception will be at the Ngogo/Amachi Primary School Grounds.

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Late Madam Mbrey C M Y K

COMMISSIONING—From left: Prof Akin Mabogunje; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi: Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly: Samuel Adesina: Representative of the Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Ernest Obadare and Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade during the commissioning of the lands records bureau, in Akure, on Tuesday.

Plateau: Ashafa expresses shock over killing of Gyang, others

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

S

ENATOR Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, has expressed disbelieve at the news of the death of one of the nation's senator, Senator Gyang Dantong, who was killed along with others in Jos, Plateau State by unknown g u n m e n .

Evang. Oluwole Odusanya; Primate of The African Church: Most manuel Udofia; wife of the Lay President, Mrs. Kehinde Okunowo President, Evang. Ebenezer Okunowo, at the installation of the President of The African Church Cathedral, Bethel, Broad Street,

Rev. Emand Lay new Lay Lagos.

$3m subsidy scam: A litmus test for FG—Unions

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG GROUP of industrial unions under the aegis of Integrity Group of Industrial Unions, IGIU, yesterday, said that the manner President Goodluck Jonathan handles the subsidy probe report and the $3 million bribery scam involving Farouk Lawan and Chief Femi Otedola, Chairman of Zenon Petroleum, will go a long way to determine the Federal Government anti-corruption crusade.

IGIU in a statement decried the care free attitude of the anti-graft agencies and called on President Jonathan to use the subsidy fraud to reflect on the need for stronger state intervention in the economy, instead of the current neoliberal agenda under which the economy was left at the mercy of so-called market forces.

The statement by Mr Leke Success, President of National Union Hotel and Personal Services workers,

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NUHPSW and Mr Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Related Association, NASU, said “It is tragic that the crime committed against the Nigerian state where a few corrupt and greedy individuals swindled the country of trillions of naira had unfortunately

been turned into a mere circus show as a result of allegations and counter allegations of bribery between Lawan and Chief Otedola.

"While we condemn the piecemeal dramatisation of the subsidy scam, we equally deplore the indifferent disposition of the respective anti-corruption agencies for not acting."

NBA election: EBF presents Wali to Arewa lawyers

BY INNOCENT ANABA HE Eastern Bar Forum, EBF, has presented Chief Okechukwu Wali, SAN, to the General Assembly of Arewa Lawyers Forum, ALF, as its presidential candidate for next week’s Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, delegate’s conference and election of new officers slated for Abuja.

The Eastern zone is to produce the next president of the NBA. Three candidates namely; Okey Wali,

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SAN, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, and Mr Blessing Ukiri, had indicated interest in the office currently occupied by Mr Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN. All the three presidential candidates were in Lafia, Nasarawa State to solicit and canvass the support of ALF to actualise their ambition.

EBF Chairman, Kema Wodu, commended ALF for its continuous support and expressed gratitude for the understanding existing among the three regional for a in the Bar.

political parties had gone into an unholy alliance with some disgruntled INEC officials to double-thumb print votes cast by supporters of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. The act, Osagie noted, will not only make the affected votes invalid, but will also reduce considerably, the number of votes cast for ACN.

He described the late Senator Gyang as a soft spoken seasoned professional, an indefatigable soldier of democracy and a committed, magnanimous brother and friend.

"The sudden and untimely loss of Senator Dantong has been too painful to c o m p r e h e n d . " He added thatwith the continuous spate of senseless killings, the nation was being stripped of her future.

Dana crash: NLI counsels victims' families on rights

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IGERIAN Leadership Initiative, NLI, is organising an information forum to assist families and dependants of victims of the Dana Air crash on their options and rights.

Specifically, guidance will

be offered on a range of issues, including, counselling and welfare, rights and options for families and dependants and next steps and processes in accident investigation of Dana Air flight 992.

Minister tasks youths on decision making

BY CALEB AYANSINA BUJA —MINISTER of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul Kadir has said it was unfortunate that youths were not involved in the process of decision making, especially in matters

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that affect them directly.

The Minister, who spoke at the second session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament in Abuja, promised to increase youths’ participation in governance and urged them to promote peaceful co-existence and strive to be agents of positive change.

NDE to set up agric, skill acquisition centres

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—WORRIED by the increasing rate of unemployed citizens in the country, the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has embarked on the establishment of agriculture and skill acquisition centres across the country.

The development, according to the agency, was to engage most of the people, seeking white-collar jobs at the expense of agricultural and skilled jobs.

The directorate decried the abandonment of the two areas, saying they were capable of contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

Vanguard, THURSDAY,JULY 12, 2012— 49 Edited by MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU 08026350360 E-mail: chimeena@yahoo.com

A scene from a musical performance

Lagos on World Music Day

BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

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N Lagos, this year ’s World Music Day has come and gone, courtesy of the National Troupe of Nigeria. But having come and gone, the memory lingers on. The lingering memory is not as a result of fulfillment of expectations going by the demands of the event which would have involved an almost all day fun filled musical concert.

But this kind of grand expectation was absent and the occasion in this regard failed completely to provide an essential platform for a show casing of the rich musical heritage of the country which cuts across many genres.

However, the organizers of the event, the National Troupe of Nigeria was intelligent enough to beef up the lack and disappointment by looking behind the scene to bringing on board hitherto unknown pupils with great talents to make the day for huge Lagos music lovers,.

The invitation of school pupils of the Lagos State based Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted therefore, became for the troupe, a strong platform for the celebration, showcasing and identification of

hidden talents among disabled ones in society.

While on stage the disabled pupils performed to the admiration of the audience. The rendition of the country ’s national anthem and their delivery of some Christian songs was so well done and delivered in a manner so natural and professional that every Dick and Harry in the hall saw and agreed, with the Artistic Director of the Troupe, Martin Adaji, who in his opening remark, pointed out, “ that there is ability in disability.”

It should however be noted that the commitment of the Troupe under the directorship of Adaji since assumption of office has been committed to the development of hidden talents; and especially among the children.

This commitment equally informed the troupe’s annual dramatised story telling competition, with which is presently used to introducing gifted and talented pupils to creative potentials and possibilities in the arts.

However, what was lacking in adequate concert performances at the event was made up with a very useful and engaging talk shop that bothered on music and issues around the creative industry.

To kick start the debate was notable reggae artist and

African musical instrument probably presents the most diversified source of information on the artistic values

Chairman, Musical Society of Nigeria, MCSN, Orits Williki,who spoke on the topic: Copyright in Nigeria: The Potentials, Challenges and the way Forward.

In his presentation, Williki identified some of the challenges that militate against effective realization of copyright goals in the country.

Some of these challenges, he identified to include; regulatory challenges and interpretation and implementation of the copyright legislation.

“The copyright owner is the focus of legislation, but NCC and

other relevant agencies have succeeded in misinterpreting the Act to make the NCC the focus of the provision of the Act.” He said.

Speaking to the audience as a guest lecturer, Biodun Adebiyi of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University anchored his own contribution on the topic, Music as Social Calendar.

Adebiyi’s paper examined in detail the symbiotic relationship between music as a cultural form and communication as a social messenger.

The paper traced how different musical forms and instruments

have been used over time to communicate important social, religious and political messages.

According to him, “As a cultural indicator, an African musical instrument probably presents the most diversified source of information on the artistic values, religious beliefs, family life and general structure of society.

“For example in Ghana traditional society, eligible maidens searching for husbands go to market places and sit down at vantage positions; and as unmarried males they fancy as husbands pass by, they shake their rattles to attract attention.”

The event was graced by popular actor of the Village Headmaster saga, Dejumo Lewis, Aig Imoukhouede, Sola Onayiga (Ireti) and Mayo Ayilara.

US marks independence with poetry reading

By PRISCA SAM-DURU & VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

THE importance of poetry as a vehicle for proper historical documentation was brought to the fore last week during the commemoration of America Independence Day, held at the consulate’s office in Lagos.

“Read It Loud”, a new reading initiative established by the United States Public Affairs Section in partnership with U.S-Africa Literary Foundation for positive change in literary world was the platform utilized for the celebration.

The ocassion featured readings from Terrence Macaulay, MTN representative, two established poets in Nigeria as well as students from some secondary schools in Lagos and their teachers.

The United States Ambassador Terrence Macaulay opened the floor with readings from poetry collection of Langston Huges, an American poet renowned for his insightful and colourful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties. Among poems read by the Ambassador were, I Too, Sing America, Dream Deferred and a poem that captures all aspects of America’s history from founding and declaration of independence to the dark days of

slavery and civil rights movement , titled; Let America Be America Again.

His renditions were followed by that of the MTN Corporate Services executive, Akinwale Goodluck who read one of David Diop’s poems which was written in praise of Africa. Akinwale later encouraged the students present to take poetry reading serious as it would help them pass their exams in addition to becoming great writers in future adding, “poetry provides opportunity for us to be fulfilled, so use the talent within you and fulfill your dreams”.

Other readers were Adeoye Adetoba who read Dreams from a jaundiced Eye and Macaulay Oluseyi; I Will Marry Tomorrow.

Both poems were from their personal collections.

Of all the poems read dur ing the celebration, most significant were Let America be America Again which chronicles the poet's thirst for freedom and equality in America and Dreams from a jaundiced Eye which is a caricature of what is currently going on in the public sector where trillions of naira are looted on daily basis at the expense of the impoverished masses.

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

In their own words THE withdrawal of Elder Rowland Izevbuwa, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC candidate from the contest, yesterday, has reduced the contest for this weekend’s gubernatorial election to six candidates. However, the drama and issues of the campaign have revolved around two of the candidates, the incumbent, Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and

Charles Ahiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP candidate, Solomon Edebiri has also sought to make his own impact, but the ACN and the PDP candidates have largely left him out in their mutual bickering and contest for space in the hearts of the electorate in the State. The three candidates are presented underneath in their own words:

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole

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*Airhiavbere

Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd.)

Retired Army Officer

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Y expectation is that we will win the election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has worked really hard in the last seven months to make sure that we put our pro-grammes in the hearts of Edo people.

We have visited the 192 wards to meet the people at the grassroots level to tell them that we can bring development to them come November 2012 when the new government will be sworn in.

I believe the programmes of the PDP in education, health and security have brought the party to limelight in Edo State.

On assertions that Oshiomhole has done well If you compare Edo State with states like Cross River, Akwa Ibom and also compare it to a state like Rivers, all of which are in the same South-South region like Edo State, you will discover that Edo State is far behind due to the fact that the level of performance of the old PDP was low.

And that has also given us the platform to access the performance of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that has been there for the past three and a half years.

It is clear that most of the people that have been there in the old PDP who did not create a proper benchmark for performance have also moved to the ACN and are presently dominant in the Oshiomhole-led government.

It is the same set of people that are still in the helm of affairs in Edo politics. I believe that this is the time for a change, the time that the new PDP is coming with a transformation agenda to key into the transformation agenda of Mr. President. That is where we stand today.

Incumbency Factor Oshiomhole has actually ruled Edo State on the pages of the newspapers. He enjoys the privilege of having been the richest labour activist ever known in the world.

The issue of incumbency is a fallacy that can be easily demystified. An incumbent that is not performing at the expected rate of the public is very vulnerable and the people of Edo State are yearning for a change; and that change must come through the ballot box come July 14.

Up to this moment, the local government election has not been held. This is unacceptable in a democracy.

On Oshiomhole’s alleged double standards First and foremost, as a comrade, he is required to be the caretaker of his people.

OR us what we intend to do is simple, on assumption of office in 2008 I made the point that it does not make sense to throw money at the problem you must first try to understand the problem. I believe we must return to planning as they say those who fail to plan will only plan to fail, because you are not going to fix a problem you know nothing about and the right of organization Is not the right of miracle , everything is about planning, also planning realistically and you must subject it to the heart . I believe for example that to deal with the problem of flooding and erosion control which was a major issue in Benin city, we needed to carry out a comprehensive master plan, that we have done and we have that report now, and based on that report that we have started tackling the problem of flooding in Benin city rather than rely on what will be done.

In terms of job creation we realized that as much as we can employ and we have employed quite a number . you don’t face the challenge of employing people to give them skills give them the support that they need which is ,,,, I have the honour to provide equipments to over 500 welders to enable them set up their own business and of course we had town hall meetings , stakeholders meeting with furniture makers, fashion designers, and all of this people were given various forms of support.

Just to make a point you cannot run a state or nation without proper planning, you must plan what you want to do as well as the finances to do it.

On Airport Road We are not just expanding the road to six lanes which they had said was impossible, they argued it was going to destroy the Oba palace, but you know today the Oba palace is far more secure than what it was before, we are doing an underground drainage on airport road that is as deep as 7 meters below the ground. So it is not just constructing roads.

On UNDP’s ranking of Edo State as 33 on the Human Poverty Index in the country The figure and statistics of gross domestic product does not translate to jobs and prosperity for the majority.

We have taken specific measures that were focused on

*Oshiomhole the rural areas. One of them is to reconnect the rural economy with the urban economy through a network of roads. There is not one local government we cannot point at communities that are now accessible. Number two, last year we made available N1b which we shared to farmers, actual farmers across the 18 local government areas, to support them to acquire basic farming equipment in addition to making fertilizer available at subsidised prices and ensuring that the fertilizers are delivered directly.

Our millennium development programmes have been focused on the rural areas. We have sunk over one hundred boreholes in a number of communities so, when you talk about poverty we are talking of access to those basic needs.

Solomon Edebiri, ANPP, Businessman

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DO State is at the brink of collapse and ruin. It faces serious challenges and a bleak future if fundamental steps are not urgently taken to arrest the degenerating and worsening socio-economic situation.

The good legacies of past administration of 70’s and early 80’s have all been eroded by recent corrupt governments. The legacies of excellent education, sports, tourism, industry, entertainment and agricultural system have all been dead to history.

I have watched events in the last five years, I see people in abject poverty and social decadence, insecurity and all manners of injustice. I see how existing industries and government establishments gradually die.

The present administration in the state has not helped matters either. All hopes were dashed when the remnants in the legacy companies like Edo line, Bendel Brewery etc were finally killed and buried. To make things worse for the masses who have been groaning under harsh economic conditions, the incumbent government instead of reviewing the threatening tax system further makes it more excruciating with series of draconian tax regimes.

The sorry state of the medical system is worrisome

as the State is currently undergoing a total demise of the primary health care system. Even when the p r e s e n t government tries to rebuild the Specialist Hospital in B e n i n , substandard materials were used leading to the *Edebiri collapse of the physical structure before completion.

The infrastructures in the state have been completely neglected and undermined while agriculture remains history as no attention has been given to it at any Continues on page 51

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—51

Oghiadohme in tough battle to deliver PDP in Fugar

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HE Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe has relocated from Abuja to his Fugar country home to mobilize support for the PDP candidate in this weekend’s election.

Arguably the most powerful official around the president, Oghiadomhe’s project is, however, said to be laced with very serious challenges.

Since his relocation to Abuja

after his stint as Deputy Governor in the Lucky Igbinedion administration, Oghiadomhe has had mixed political fortunes at home.

While he has soared as a power broker in Abuja, his capacity to influence the political direction of his people has been seriously limited. It has been especially difficult since the advent of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in 2008.

Oghiadomhe’s political

horizon at home was especially clouded by the long standing political rivalry at home between PDP leaders, notably the face off between Chief Tony Anenih and erstwhile Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe.

Oghiadomhe , it was learnt, is now determined to show his strength at home.

However, his efforts observers note, would be no easy task given the strong support for Oshiomhole by

associates of Akhigbe who incidentally is from the same Fugar as Oghiadomhe.

It would be recalled that Akghibe as Chief of General Staff helped to influence the provision of modern infrastructure in the area.

Akhigbe who had persistently criticized the politics of Anenih, it was learnt would not in any way be helping him in the ongoing assault from the Oshiomhole forces.

*Oghiadomhe: Will he deliver?

Senator, Deputy speaker in battle for Esanland

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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NE of the local governments to watch out for this weekend would be Esan South East local government area. There a keen fight is expected between the entrenched political stalwarts of the PDP and the new political high flyers in the ACN who are aiming to sustain their major victory in that local government

area.

The PDP attack is being led

by Senator Odion Ugbesia with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Ebea marshalling the defence for the ACN. Several meetings were as at press time ongoing across the major towns in the local government on how to achieve superiority by the two major parties. Meetings it was learnt

are being held Uromi, Ubiaja, Ewohimi, Ohordua, Ewatto and Emu. In the April 2011 National Assembly election, Esan SouthEast local government area was the only council won by the ACN in Edo Central Senatorial zone. While the ACN is fighting to retain its edge, the PDP on the other hand is working hard to overturn that

advantage.

Senator Ugbesia is being helped in his attack by the likes of Ken Immasuagbon also known as the Rice Man, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, a former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Solomon Aguele, the pioneer state chairman of the PDP, Magnus Ugbesia among others.

Edo CPC candidate backs down for Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Edo state has endorsed Governor Adams Oshiomhole as the governorship candidate of the party.

The state chairman of the party, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, who disclosed this yesterday, said the party decided to back Oshiomhole due to his developmental strides in the past three years

in the state.

The party commended its governorship candidate, Elder Rowland Izevbuwa for the sacrifice he made by agreeing to collapse his structure for Oshiomhole, adding that Oshiomhole had proved his sincerity of purpose, “sagacity and ability to effect progressive change in our state”.

Erhahon who reminded the people of the state of the abysmal record of the PDP led

administration in ten years in the state, said the PDP do not deserve the votes of the people, “the PDP believes that we have forgotten the pains they inflicted on Edo state by their misrule, looting and vandalization of the state.

“We have progressively and constructively criticized the administration of Comrade Oshiomhole who is ACN candidate in the forthcoming governorship election. We have equally commended his

* Oshiomhole administration where we were convinced it deserved commendation” he said.

The defence of the ACN is being supported by a member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Joseph Igiagbe Ikpea, Chief Louis Omoifo, Victor Eboigbe, Mrs. Madgdalene Ogbebu, Sam Eboigbe, Chief Omochere Aisagbonhi among others.

The ACN defence was helped with the intervention of the President of Esan South East for Oshiomhole/Odubu mandate, Comrade Ogbemoide Innocent who in a statement said, “we students from Esan South East for Oshiomhole/ Odubu Mandate have unanimously agreed to come out again and support the Comrade governor, Adams Oshiomhole and Odubu come July 14, 2012 to ensure the unstoppable wind of change in Esan South East”.

On the other hand, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi said Esan South East local government belongs to the PDP, insisting that the party will surely reclaim it from the A CN come July 14, 2012.

The story of my rebellion — Ize Iyamu

*Ize-Iyamu

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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HE Director-General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the man at the centre of the allegations that those who ruined Edo State have now taken over the government.

Ize-Iyamu was at the head of the Lucky Igbinedion political think tank for most of the latter’s eight years in power and Secretary to the State Government under Governor Igbinedion.

Now a leading chieftain of the ACN and the party ’s National Vice-Chairman, South-South, he has given a robust defence of himself saying that everyman has a story.

“All of us come from some where,” Ize-Iyamu leader of the Grace Group, the political platform through which Igbinedion first came to power told Vanguard.

“There is no doubt that many of us were in PDP at the very beginning. But when we saw the rottenness, when we saw the lack of direction, it did not take us too long to say that look, remaining in this place

will not bring the desired changes that people are yearning for and we all pulled out.”

“I was one of the first to rebel against the leadership of the PDP in Edo state. We formed the Grace Group to resist what we saw as autocracy, as

dictatorship as misrule in PDP and we created an alternative.”

“Yes, we were in PDP before but PDP was not performing so we left. Those who still remained in PDP, what is their justification? They said oh it is a new PDP, what has

changed in PDP when the leadership has remained the same. It is the leadership that determines how the party will be. And the leadership of the PDP still remains the same old persons who dictate every thing that goes on in that party.”

Solomon Edebiri, ANPP, Businessman Continues frompage 50 time. I have watched many embarrassing documentaries of how Edo State indigenes get involved in many undignified act in Europe and when you ask them, they simply say “what alternative do we have at home”.

Our University graduates no longer have jobs waiting for them like in the past.

Apprenticeship is virtually dead and no more vocational studies. I have hoped that the small and medium scale enterprise will get the attention of government but it has not over the last few years, rather those who on their own try to put something together are being discouraged with undue levies.

I have an agenda to transform our State and its people into an

enviable status, setting a shinning example for other state to follow.

I want to bring back past glories that we have lose over the years; like our exploit in sports, growth in human capital, and abundance in food, blossoming tourism, culture and agriculture.

It is against this background that the manifesto is being coined out as listed below.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

With N600,000 testimony can be whole again ELP my baby, I beg you in the name of God! This is the plea of Charity Atoe, mother of eight-month-old Testmony Atoe who urgently requires corrective surgery on his manhood.

Testimony is in dire needs of the good will of every Nigerian and any citizen of the world in other to be whole again. He was born with an abnormally formed male organ and needs urgent surgery to be normal.

According Charity , life has never been the same again since the birth of Testimony. She is desperately looking up to the promise in the words of Frederick Buechner, a renowned educator, who said: “The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.”

With tears running down her chics she said to this reporter; “This baby’s situation has taken away happiness from my family; my husband has left me because he said he does not have money for the surgery and I have two other daughters at home to cater for. I had never thought I would be in this kind of position in life but I want my baby to live, he needs help.”

Testimony’s mother was seen begging for alms in front of

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Gbagada General Hospital Lagos State while approaching one Mrs. Blessing Uzoatu, an executive member of the Ikeja Pear Lion’s Club for help.

As you read this article, if nothing urgent is done, Testimony who was born on the 10th of October, 2011 may not be able to celebrate his first birthday. Her mother who gave birth to him explained that the only problem she had with the birth was that the baby came out with his buttocks instead of the head.

“I gave birth to Testimony in a hospital called Blessed Hospital along Third (Third East Circular) Road in Benin, Edo State. When I gave birth to him, I was told I gave birth to a male child. He came out with his buttocks and not the head and as a result of that, I was very weak and tired and could not see the baby that day. The next day when I was to be discharged, my husband was told to go and bring any member of his family. When he demanded to know what the problem was, he was told that the

•Charity and Testimony baby did not have any manhood and would be operated in the hospital emergency surgery room. The surgery was done when the baby was four days old and we were later discharged after been there for three weeks,” she said.

Some few days to Christmas, Baby Testimony developed a relapse as the organ sprout out again. “It was two weeks to Christmas, his organ shot out again and I became worried and took him back to the hospital. The doc-

tors there referred us to University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and there we were told that the surgery would cost N600, 000. I don’t have the money and have been running round for help.

My husband who moulds blocks for a living has ran away as he said he did not have such money.

I have been running around for help,” Charity pleaded.

A close look at Baby Testimony’s sexual organ shows signs of a scrotum indicating he is male but the sexual organ or the penis isn’t fully recognisable; an opening which looks like the urethra is surrounding by a mass of growth which appears reddened.

According to the medical report /referral report obtained from Gbagada General Hospital, the Consultant described the condition as abnormal penis and scrotum. It stated that the child was born with an abnormal penis and scrotum and for financial reasons; mother just presented the child in the hospital. It further stated that from physical examination, there is abnormal scar in the umbilical area, mucosal surface weighing 6 x8 with penis shaped like a half cylinder with urethral meatus exposed. Other investigation according to the report showed that the Right testis is present while the Left testis is absent. The consultant’s impressing was that the condition is Gastroschisis which is a birth defect in which an infant’s intestines stick out of the body through a defect on one side of the umbilical cord.

Testimony’s story is pathetic, b ut even in his pain and misery, he manages a smile. He is indeed in love with life and would want to live. “Anytime I carry him on my back, he cries and if I hold him normally, I will be sweating since I trek a lot looking for help. Please I am pleading with people to help me save the life of my child.”

For the time being, Blessing Uzoatu, who is taking care of mother and child is also pleading with kind-hearted 1Nigerians to come to the aid of the child.

Note: If you are touched by his story, pls call her on 080-95957822. Blessing Uzoatu who is

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012—53

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 — 63

AFN to protest unfair treatment by Spain

BY BEN EFE, Barcelona THLETICS Federa tion of Nigeria officials have indicated their interest to lodge a protest with the world governing body, IAAF over the manner Nigerian athletes were treated by the Spanish embassy in Lagos.

Nigeria missed the opening day events, because the Spanish embassy in Lagos delayed granting visas to team and when they eventually did so on Tuesday July 10, some of the athletes with brighter prospects were not granted entry.

“We are definitely going to lodge a protest.

Not only that; we plan to picket the Spainish embassy in Lagos, when we return to Nigeria,” thundered AFN president,

A

Solomon Ogba.

He described the refusal of the embassy to grant visas to his best athletes as sabotage, adding that they will be pushing for compensation.

“They lied to the IAAF officials that we didn’t submit our applications on time. They also claimed that our best athletes had to undergo security checks.

“But I pointed out to them that the law of Schegen visas stipulates that ten working days for the granting of visas. We brought in our applications two weeks prior to our original date of departure.

“Are they telling me that Nkiru Nwakwe who won the youth Olympics and Bukky Abogunloko are security risks,” Ogba queried.

He argued that it was

Liberia Continues from BP ing a threat to the Super Eagles was an insult.

“Nigeria and Liberia?. He asked, sarcastically, adding, “I think it is an insult to discuss that. No matter what has happened in recent times, the football world has not witnessed any major change. The world powers in the game are still there.“Look at the recently concluded European championships, despite the failure of the likes of the Dutch and French teams and Spain’s overwhelming victory, the likes of Ita-

ly, Germany are still there.”

Coming home to Africa, Odegbami posited that Nigeria remains a giant in African football. “You can talk about big teams like Egypt, Cameroun, Ghana and not Liberia. It will be inexcusable not to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.”

He noted that the poor run of some big names in African football could only be attributed to poor administration. “It cannot be because of the absence of talent.”

Maradona Continues from BP Wasl finish eighth in the table.

“Following a meeting held by the board of directors of Al Wasl football company held to evaluate the technical staff of Al Wasl under the leadership of coach Diego Maradona, it was decided to terminate the services of coach Diego Maradona and his technical staff,” read a statement from the club.

Maradona, a World Cup winner with Argentina in 1986, made C M Y K

headlines in March this year when he confronted opposition fans.

During Al Wasl’s 2-0 UAE Pro League defeat at Al Shabab, he is understood to have climbed up into the stands to protect his wife after fans allegedly started abusing players’ wives and girlfriends.

Maradona had been brought in to help boost Al Wasl’s profile, both on and off the pitch, yet they finished 29 points behind champions Al Ain.

not the first time Nigerian athletes would treated in that manner. He called on the sports and foreign affairs ministries to intervene in the matter and stop this undue discrimination against Nigerian athletes.

RGANISERS of the Sports Brands Nigeria Awards (SBNA) have ann o u n c e d that General Manager, SuperSport Nigeria, Felix Awogu, will deliver a keynote address during the event slated for Sunday, July 15, at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja.

CEO, Sports Brands Nigeria Awards, Ojeikere Aikhoje, disclosed this in Lagos.

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Awogu to deliver SBNA keynote address Aikhoje stated that Awogu’s keynote address on “Sports Brands” will set the stage for the awards which will be presented in 15 categories.

Categories for the awards include Sports Brand of The Year, Best National Grassroots Development Programme, Best Grass-

'I want my Neym in gold' EYMAR will only be satisfied with Brazil’s London 2012 campaign if he emerges with a gold medal around his neck.

The Santos wonderkid, 20, is part of the 18-man squad the five-time World Cup winners are bringing to the UK for the Olympic Games.

And the talented striker, who has been linked with a host of elite clubs across Europe, believes Brazil have what it takes to clinch Games glory this summer.

Neymar said: “We’ve got everything we need to be champions.

“Brazil are always one of the favourites, no matter what the competition.

It’s always been that way."

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Bolt Continues from BP

scheme of things.

“We may have played some games without Mikel but he has always been part of the team and I must tell Nigerians that I have been in touch with the player. On the day of the Nations Cup draws in South Africa, myself and Mikel spoke for over 40 minutes on various aspects of football and he spoke well of the national team. We must be careful not to bring division and hero worship into the national team. Mikel has said again and again that he has no problems with the national team technical crew and I don’t have any problems with him either, so calling for his recall to the team is unnecessary, because he has always been a part of the team”, Keshi who spoke from Benin City said.

The Eagles’ boss warned that such calls will mean that the oth-

his 100m world record of 9.58sec and reduced his 200m record to 19.19 at the 2009 world championships.

And US legend Smith, 68 — who was the first to break the 20-second 200m barrier in 19.83 at the 1968 Games in Mexico — said “If he gets a Blake start, we’re looking at 8.9, 8.88, in the 100.

“If he gets a Blake start in the 200, then he might really go sub-19.”

•Neymar

Keshi replies Okocha Continues from BP

roots Competition in A State, Best Football Club Brand, Best Sponsorship of National League - Male, Best Sponsorship of National League – Female, Best Use of Sports Celebrity, Best Sports Website and Best Use of Sport Event for Place Branding amongst others.

Organised by leading Sports PR agency, Razzmatazz Media & Events, the SBNA is the first initiative to recognise ooutstanding performance across Nigeria’s rapidly evolving Sports Industry sector.

er Europe-based professionals who were not invited for the June games against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda were not important in the national team, which he said was far from the truth.

“We have a lot of players who were not part of the last games like Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor, Ogbuke Obasi, Emmanuel Emenike and more.

These players are as important and very good to our ambition of building a strong national team for Nigeria and I have been in touch with all of them, so we must avoid division in the national team and respect the decision of the coach.”

Keshi concluded by saying that no matter the amount of pressure, he would make it a point of duty to invite only the players needed for particular games and if Mikel is relevant he would surely be called up.

ARS 2 final draw holds IXTURES for the forthcoming national finals of the Airtel Rising Stars season will be determined in Lagos today at a ceremony that will be supervised by officials of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Tournament organizers and Coaches of the participating teams.

The event, which will hold at the Zen Garden, GRA, Ikeja will also serve as a reception for the participating officials, team coaches and mem-

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bers just as it will provide a platform for key stakeholders to interact, bond and also agree on the tournament rules.

The ARS finals will hold from Friday, July 13th to Sunday, July 15th, 2012 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos with the first round of matches scheduled to begin at 9 am, each day.

A total of 16 matches will be played within this period. Finals for the male and female teams will take place on Sunday, July 15th.

Redknapp Continues from BP for someone.”

Redknapp, axed by Spurs last month and replaced by Andre Villas-Boas, was hotly tipped to become the new England chief following Fabio Capello’s departure a year ago.

But instead that job went to Roy Hodgson

and now ’Arry’s future could lie 1,500 miles away.

Capello, ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, exLiverpool boss Rafael Benitez — out of work since leaving Inter Milan in December 2010 — and former World Cup-winning Italy coach Marcello Lippi are also among the highprofile names the Russians want to talk to.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012

Maradona sacked!

IEGO Maradona has been sacked from his role as manager of United Arab Emirates side Al Wasl after 14 months in charge.

The legendary Argentinian’s position had been in doubt since June when the club’s entire

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2013 NATIONS CUP:

board resigned following a trophyless season.

Maradona, 51, joined the Dubai-based club in May 2011 and still had a year to run on his contract. He leaves after a disappointing league campaign which saw Al Continues on Page 63

It’s an insult to fear Liberia — Odegbami

BY JACOB AJOM

F there is any Nigeri an who is sure of Super Eagles qualification for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in South Africa, that person is no other than former national team skipper, Chief Segun Odegbami.

Speaking to reporters at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos yesterday, the 1980 Nations Cup winner said notwithstanding the tottering state of Nigerian football at the moment, talking about Liberia be Continues on Page 63

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Russia target Redknapp

SAIN BOLT may break the ninesecond barrier for the 100 metres — if he gets off to a start as fast as Yohan Blake.

That is the view of the former 200m world record-holder Tommie Smith.

Bolt, who was beaten by training partner Blake in both sprints at the Jamaican trials, set

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ARRY REDKNAPP last night refused to rule out becoming the next manager of...

Russia!

The 65-year-old exTottenham boss is a shock target for the Russian Football Union and has been put on an ambitious 13-man hitlist.

He said: “I haven’t been contacted but I’m sure it’s a fantastic job Continues on Page 63

Continues on Page 63

No rift with Mikel, Keshi replies Okocha UPER Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has reacted swiftly to the call by former national team

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TODAY'S

skipper, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, that Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi should be recalled to the national team, insisting

PUZZLES

that there was never a time the player was out of the national team Continues on Page 63

YESTERDAY'S

•Maradona

‘Bolt can break 9s’

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IF THE CAP FITS ... how Harry might look as Russia boss

— Page 55

CLOUD 9 ... Usain Bolt

AFN to protest unfair treatment

by Spain — P.63

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1 Location (4) 4 Task (3) 8 Banner (4) 8 Orb (8) 9 Sudden (6) 10 Equipment (3) 12 Ma1elial (5) 14 started (5) 15 Keen (5) ‘8 Promise (6) 20 Astonished (6) 24 Observed (5) 26 Pry (5) 28 Artless (5) 30 Crafty (3) 32 Condition (6) 33 Lure (6) 34 Stupefy (4) 35 Hill (3) 36 Valley (4)

DOWN: 2 Student (5) 3 Handled (7) 4 Scoff (4) 5 Boast(4} 5 Smithy (5) 7 Pacify (7) 11 Freeze (3) 12 Headgear (3) 13 Crone (3) 16 Information (3) 17 Rodent (3) 19 Mild (1) 21 Males (3) 22 Adjusted (7) 23 Owing (3) 25 L.ubricate (3) 27 Frequently (5) 29 Spoken (5) 30 Chair (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Risky 7, Demur 8, Ready 10, Loath 12, Ill 13, Siren 15, Haggled 17, Leered 19, Ban 20, Devised 23, Seem 25, Drop 26, Radical 30, Rid 31, Tomato 34, Cabinet 37, Carol 38, Ton 39, Debar 40, Foxed 41, Trend 42, Alley

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: Eerie 2, Ruler 3, Ironed 4, Kith 5, Reigned 6, Idler 9, All 11, Habitat 13, Slash 14, Refer 16, Gas 18, Derided 21, Drear 22, Spool 24, Mariner 27, Din 28, Locate 29, Baton 32, Marry 33, Total 35, Box 36, Tell.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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