CHIBOK GIRLS' ABDUCTION:Doubts, hope as parents watch B-Haram video

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62142

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TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

How Nyanya blast was planned, executed— DSS

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CHIBOK GIRLS' ABDUCTION:

Doubts, hope as parents watch B-Haram video

BY NDAHI MARAMA & EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

•Borno Govt orders mass production of video clip •Girls wear hijabs, recite Holy Q’uran in new video •FG rejects prisoners swap with Boko Haram

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AIDUGURI – DISTRAUGHT and traumatized parents of the female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State abducted one month ago by Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday, reacted to the video of some of the abducted girls released by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau expressing doubts over the authenticity of the video. HowContinues on page 5

COLUMNISTS: A season of conspiracies against Jonathan 17 P. •

US veterans:

Heroes abroad, destitute at home 3 .3 P •

Mr & Mrs CAN THESE BE CHIBOK GIRLS?—A screengrab taken, yesterday, from a video released by Boko Haram, claiming to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls, alleging they had converted to Islam and would not be released until all Boko Haram prisoners were freed. Photos: AFP.

INDEPENDENCE BLAST: Banks aiding money laundering I was given epilepsy 9 — CBN medication — Okah C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON Zannah stated.

Commenting on the video, a Maiduguri resident Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim said that the video was not that of the school girls, as according to him, the video was showing that some of them were over 30 years of age, while the authenticity of the sect leader was even doubtful.

Borno Gov orders mass production of clips for identification by parents

Meanwhile, Borno HIV/AIDS—President Goodluck Jonathan (3r) displays the "Protect the State Governor, Kashim Goal" ball with the SAED UNAIDS, Djibril Dialo, while Vice President Namadi

Sambo (2r) and other members of the Protect the Goal Campaign against HIV/AIDS watched after the President endorsed the ball at a ceremony at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Doubts, hope as parents watch B-Haram video Continues from page 1 ever, some claimed that the video gave them hope that their daughters were still alive.

Leader of the Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, yesterday, released a video showing over 130 girls he claimed were the abducted female students. Shekau, in the 17-minute video showing girls wearing black Hijabs and reciting Holy Q’uran, claimed that his sect has converted the abducted school girls into Islam and that they are willing to release those that have not been converted in exchange for their members detained in various prisons.

A parent of one of the abducted girls, Mallam Awana Babagana said with the release of the video the parents believe

their daughters were still alive and called on the Federal Government to do everything possible to secure the safe release of their daughters.

He said: “I have seen the video but I couldn’t identify my daughter. I hope they are the ones, we will keep on praying until they are released.”

Doubts over video

Another parent who resides in Maiduguri but declined his identity for security reasons said he had the opportunity to watch the video, but said that he couldn’t identify any of his missing daughters even as he alleged that the footage showing Shekau as leader of the sect is questionable.

Also, another father of one of the kidnapped girls has said that he would rather let his child

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Aristotle said: ‘We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.’ So if you want to succeed, consult God, and operate in your God-given strength.

TAKE HEART

D

BY ELLA RANDLE

O you feel trapped by the limitations in your life? Remember, you hold the key to the freedom you seek. You can unlock those limitations and set yourself free! There is always a way, there is always another open door or unlocked door. Try them all —James Murphy Michelangelo is reputed to have said: “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” Did he fail to discover what was hidden within those stones? Or did he see something there in his mind’s eye but was interrupted before he could reveal its beauty? In either case, what is locked inside the marble may stay there forever.

And how like so many of us that is. We have unseen potential that takes time, maybe a lifetime, to be revealed. And how terrible when we get stuck, when we live and die with so much potential unrealized. How sad when only a small part of who we truly are ever emerges. Choose how you want to live this life. You have a choice to live it purposely, no matter what is thrown at you!

die than have her convert to Islam or be exchanged for Boko Haram prisoners. Speaking to the Telegraph of London, the man — who is not named to protect his child’s identity — said: “I have not yet seen the video, but I am not really interested in what Boko Haram’s demands are,” he said.

“My daughter is a Christian, she will never change. I would rather she died as a Christian than convert to Islam.”

A prisoner exchange, he warned, would simply encourage more kidnappings.

“I don’t want a prisoner exchange either; our daughters are not prisoners, and they should not be exchanged for anyone,” he said.

“Let the government try to rescue them. If they have a prisoner exchange, that will look like the government is giving in to Boko Haram, and it will just encourage them to take more hostages. They will never stop.”

Another parent, Lawan Zannah told our correspondent on phone that his sisters called him to switch on his television set to view the video, showing the alleged school girls on BBC cable television but according to him, there was no light, as such he couldn’t watch the programme.

“I have not watched it, but I hope they are the ones. It gladdened my heart when I heard that they showed the video on BBC, that means they are still alive. I call on the Federal Government to do everything possible to secure their release. We also call on you and other Nigerians to join us in praying for the safe release of our daughters”,

Shettima has ordered that copies of the video should be mass-produced for identification by parents. A press statement signed by the governor ’s Special Adviser on Communication, Isa Umar Gusau said: “Shettima has directed transfer of the video into mobile storage devices under the care of some officials, including the chairman of Chibok Local Government area, who has been given an immediate task of showing the videos to parents, some of the freed students who know their abducted colleagues, teachers and management staff of Government Secondary School, Chibok, so that the girls in the video can be identified to ascertain if they are part of the abducted students or otherwise.

"He is, however, optimistic about the video.

Already, some concerned individuals in Maiduguri and Abuja on the request of the Governor, are making efforts to contact parents and relations of some of the abducted girls, who might be within reach to get feedback regarding the video.

“Governor Shettima views the development as encouraging especially given the fact that some of the girls said they were not harmed.

The Governor hopes that the girls did not speak under duress.

“While awaiting the confirmation, Governor Shettima calls on citizens of Borno State, most of whom commenced another round of fasting today, to seek divine help, in response to appeal by the Governor, to intensify prayers for the safe release of the schoolgirls who are very precious not only to Borno but to the entire world.

Girls recite Koran The footage of the video showed about 130 girls in black and grey full-length hijabs sitting on scrubland near trees, reciting the first chapter of the Muslim holy book,

the Koran, and holding their palms upwards in prayer.

Three of the girls were interviewed. Two of them said they were Christians and had converted, while one said she was a Muslim. Most of the girls in the group were seated. The girls appeared calm and one said that they had not been harmed.

There was no indication of when the video was taken, and at one point an armed man was seen in the video with a hand-held video camera.

In the video, Shekau appeared in front of a lime green canvas backdrop wearing combat fatigues and carrying an automatic weapon. Shekau did not appear in the same shot as the girls at any point in the video.

Speaking in Hausa and Arabic, he restated his claim of responsibility made in a video released last Monday and said the girls had converted to Islam.

“These girls, these girls you occupy yourselves with... we have indeed liberated them. We have indeed liberated them.

Do you know we have liberated them? These girls have become Muslims,” he said.

The militant leader said that Boko Haram’s brothers in arms had been held in prison for up to five years and suggested that the girls would be released if the fighters were freed.

“We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren. Here I mean those girls who have not submitted (converted to Islam),” he added.

FG rejects Boko Haram prisoner swap for hostage schoolgirls

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, yesterday, rejected conditions

by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau for the release of the schoolgirls.

Asked if the government would reject the suggestion by Shekau in a new video that the girls may be released once

Nigeria frees all militant prisoners, Interior Minister Abba Moro told AFP: “Of course. The issue in question is not about Boko Haram... giving conditions,” he said.

A Nigerian military source told Reuters on yesterday, in Maiduguri that two foreign counterterrorism units were already on the ground.

“They visited Chibok on Sunday for preliminary investigation with our troops and experts before fully kick-starting the rescue mission,” the source said.

Jonathan will attend a summit in Paris on Saturday to discuss security in the region.

“The objective is to deepen the cooperation and partnership between Nigeria and her neighbours,” Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati said.

Leaders from Chad, Benin, Cameroon and Niger are also due to attend with representatives from the European Union, Britain and the United States, likely to be at foreign minister level.

The mass abduction of schoolgirls has touched a chord around the world, and triggered a support campaign using the Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

Presidential factfinding committee, foreign experts meet, assure on successful outing

Meantime, the Presidential Fact-finding Committee on the abduction of the schoolgirls yesterday, interacted with officials of some countries that have pledged support to efforts by the Nigerian Government to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls.

According to a statement issued by a member/spokesperson for the committee, Kingsley Osadolor, the interaction, which lasted for hours, took place in Abuja and covered issues within the terms of reference of the Committee.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Man remanded over $35,000 cheque forgery

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS — A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, remanded a 33-year-old man, Justice Phildenis, in Kirikiri Medium Prison after he was arraigned for forging a Community Care-givers cheque of $35,000.

The defendant, who lives at 8, Olubobokin Street, Unity Estate, Agbole area of Lagos, was charged with a 10-count offence of forgery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Count one of the charge LD/521C/14 read: “Justice Phildenis on or about the 4th of December 2013 at Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud forged 11 pieces of Community Caregivers cheque in the names of Wendy Curtis, Contessia Carlile, Catherine Kuoda, Shalonda L. Powell, Enid Evelen Pagan, Allyn Derek Randle, Gabriel Dela Cruz, Eusebio Tafaya Jr., Jeremy Jackson, Dianna Lucillie Breach and Alexandra Velasquez Borda which you concealed in an envelope for illegal exportation on Ethiopian Airline through Lagos to China.”

According to EFCC, the offences are contrary to Section 363 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011 No. 34 Vol. 44.

Phildenis (defendant), however, pleaded not guilty to the charge read to him.

The matter was subsequently stood down for ruling on the bail application brought by his counsel, Mr. M. J. Uleyo.

In a ruling, the trial judge, Justice Raliatu Adebiyi, said “the court observed that the defendant applicant was charged on 10-count offence, which is bailable. The court sees no reason not to grant him bail. But I will remand him till he perfects the bail. The defendant is hereby remanded in Kirikiri Medium Prison till he perfects his bail.”

Justice Adebiyi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties who shall be gainfully employed, living in their own houses and valid tax payer.

Policeman arrested for shooting contractor to death in Lagos

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — A 33-year-old man was allegedly shot dead, weekend, at Alakija area of Festac Town, by a policeman attached to Area ‘E’ Command.

As at yesterday, the Lagos State Police Command said it had arrested the Sergeant whose identity was given as Otene Godwin with Force Number 355272.

Report said the deceased, identified as Oyoma Edewor, was a building finishing contractor. Edewor was reportedly involved in an accident around Lekki, consequent upon which his Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, was towed by a commercial towing van.

However, on reaching Festac Town, some Policemen reportedly asked the driver of the towing van to stop, a directive the latter ignored. The Policemen were said to have chased the vehicles to Third Gate, Alakija and dragged Edewor and other occupants out.

In the ensuing encounter, Sergeant Godwin was said to have allegedly fired a shot at Edewor, forcing other occupants to take to their heels.

A friend of the deceased (names withheld) told Vanguard: "The driver of the towing van fled immediately the policemen stopped the vehicle, leaving Edewor and some of his friends to their fate. The policemen, three in number, said they suspected that the vehicle was stolen.

Even when they tried to explain why the car was being towed, the policemen were adamant. After the shooting, the policemen fled, on sighting a crowd."

Policeman arrested However, the Lagos State Police Command disclosed yesterday that the Sergeant abandoned his duty post as

The towed car (INSET): the late Oyoma Edewor. the station guard when the incident occurred.

The visibly angry command boss, Mr Umar Manko, was said to have ordered his immediate arrest and he is currently being quizzed.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide said: "The Lagos State Command has arrested one Sgt. Otene Godwin with F/No. 355272 attached to Area 'E' Com-

mand, for allegedly shooting one Oyoma Edewor.

"The incident occurred on May 10, 2014 about 11.00 pm along Alakija area of Festac Town. Sgt. Otene abandoned his duty post as the Station Guard at Area 'E' Command and left for Alakija area where the unfortunate incident occurred.

"The sergeant is already in Police custody while circumstances surrounding the shooting incident is being in-

vestigated. The Nigeria Police is a disciplined organisation and will never tolerate any act of indiscipline from its members.

"The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Umar Manko wishes to use this medium to appeal to members of the public to remain calm and maintain peace as justice will definitely be done. He also assures the deceased's family that investigation will be concluded in good time."

Gunmen sack 33 villages in Ogun

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BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — RESI DENTS of about 33 villages in Ijoko, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have reportedly fled their houses following an invasion by gunmen believed to be land speculators.

The affected villages were said to have been under constant attack by the gunmen who reportedly demanded huge money from the villagers at gunpoint.

Speaking on behalf of other village chiefs in Ijoko, one of the Baales, Rasaq Salami,

lamented that their lives are in danger as they could not sleep with two eyes closed.

Chief Salami, who spoke with Vanguard shortly after an emergency meeting with all the heads of the villages in Ijoko yesterday, said many of their people have fled their homes because of fear of another attack, and appealed to the security agencies in the state to come to their rescue.

According to him, "we are in need of Police help, because all the villages numbering about 33 have been under con-

stant attacks by these gunmen.

“They come on bikes, three on each. They threaten us with guns if we refuse to give them money and those who could not give them money would be seriously beaten.

The Police and other security agencies should help us before we are all killed and wounded."

However, attempts to get reaction from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached.

Council boss' aide docked for flogging woman

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — A SPECIAL ad viser to the Agege Local Government Area chairman, Adebayo-Oscar Kamoru, who flogged one Mrs Adenike Aina Oshodi with a cane in Agege, has been brought before an Ikeja magistrate’s court over unlawful assault.

The defendant, 40, who resides at 11, Adebambo Street in Papa Ashafa area of Agege, was arraigned before

Magistrate Abimbola Oshodi-Makanju.

Kamoru is facing a threecount charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assault and stealing preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences on March 31, 2014 at about 2:20 p.m.

He said the incident took place at the local government

premises.

Okoi also told the court that the defendant conspired with others to assault one Adenike Oshodi by beating her with a cane which has caused her injuries and pains all over her body.

The prosecutor further added that the defendants stole a wrist watch valued at N25,000 and N150,000, all belonging to the victim.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sec-

tions 409, 171 and punishable under Section 285 (5) (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol 44, of the laws of Lagos State of Nigeria.

Offenders are liable to 14 years imprisonment if convicted.

Earlier, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case till May 28.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—7

Customs agents protest hike in imported vehicles duty

BY LAJU ARENYEKA & MAUREEN UME

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS — THE decision by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to commence the implementation of a new policy that will jerk up duty on imported fairly used vehicles has sparked unrest among customs agents who staged a protest in Lagos, yesterday.

The new policy which was supposed to start by July 1 saw the duty on imported fairly used vehicles increased from 20 per cent for import duties and levies to 35 percent.

The placard-carrying agents, under the umbrella of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANCLA, and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, made a stop at Vanguard Newspapers, Lagos office to air their grievances.

A representative of the aggrieved agents, Mr. Israel Adegboyega, told Vanguard that until last week, agents paid 20 per cent for import duties and on levies, but have now been mandated to pay 35 per cent on duties and another 35 per cent on levies.

According to him, "we are protesting against government's constant increase in import duties of tokunbo cars.

"We don't want that and there is no sensible reason for it. We protested against it about two months ago when the government first brought it up.

"Even then, we were told that the new charges would begin on July 1. We did not even agree with them on that. But suddenly last week, the new charges took effect without the authorities informing anyone.

"The implication of this is that, what cost about N200,000 before will now cost about N500,000. We are not fighting just for ourselves, but for the importers and the masses.

"Imagine how much more it will cost people to purchase cars. If a

2 policemen die in Lagos-Ibadan expressway crash

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The protesters, yesterday. Photo: Laju Arenyeka. car that was sold at N600,000 before now costs about a million to purchase.

"We have been meeting with the officers of Ports and Terminal Motor Services Limited as well as the Comptroller-General of the Customs.

"We want them to come back to the former rates. If they do not, it

means there will be drastic reduction in importation of tokunbo cars and this will give people the opportunity to go to Cameroon and Cotonou to purchase them.

"As a result of this, Nigeria will lose revenue. Our people will be hungry and so many people will be jobless."

Another freight forwarder, Mrs. Bola Awojodun told Vanguard:

"Last week, when we came to work, we saw that the 35 per cent policy has taken effect. We don't want it. Let them revert to the former policy, we are all agents, we are giving almost all the money to them.

"If we pay 35 per cent for duties and 35 per cent for levies, how do they want us to feed ourselves and our children?"

NAFDAC declares herbal medicine dealer wanted

BY ABEL DANIEL

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AFIA — A herbalist based in Nasarawa State, Mr. Ibitayo Kayode Ishola, has been declared wanted by the Nasarawa State office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, for jumping bail.

The herbalist, simply identified as 'Baba Osun', had operated his herbal drugs production for the past four years in the state on a business name of 'Kajas Oni International' with head office in Lafia, the state capital and outlets in Akwanga and Keffi towns, and another extension outlet in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lafia, Coordinator of NAFDAC, Nasarawa office, Mr. Iluyomade Martins, said NAFDAC had on April 28, 2014 apprehended the

Traffic gridlock at Ojota in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

herbalist and detained him for 24 hours over alleged production, distribution and sales of fake herbal drugs in the state, but the herbalist, after he was granted bail, evacuated his wares and went on the run.

Iluyomade said the agency had discovered during interrogation that the herbalist was operating on fake NAFDAC papers even as his company's business name, Kajas Oni International, was not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC. According to him, "the NAFDAC licence which the herbalist presented was even signed by non-existing personnel in the agency while the NAFDAC number he claimed to be his belongs to other people's business outfits. The advert permit he used to advertise his commodities on radio stations is equally fake and consequent upon that, he was

picked and detained by the agency and his business outlets within the state sealed.

The NAFDAC coordinator, therefore, cautioned operators of such unhealthy act to keep away from Nasarawa State as, according to him, "the state is not a dumping ground most especially for herbal products.

"I want to urge broadcast stations in the country to insist on advert permit from NAFDAC and as well consult NAFDAC on advert permit presented to them by herbalists before airing such adverts to they help the agency checkmate the activities of quack herbalists in the country."

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command was yesterday thrown into mourning, following the death of two of its men attached to the State Anti-Robbery Squad.

The deceased identified as Inspector Evbuoan and Sergeant Aliyu Nuru were reportedly returning from Kaduna where they had gone to effect the arrest of some robbery suspects on the command’s wanted list.

They had reportedly arrested two suspected members of the gang and were on their way back when the front tyre of the vehicle they were in burst on reaching Omigare village along the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

The vehicle reportedly somersaulted several times before plunging into the bush, killing the two policemen on the spot.

Two other policemen whose identities were given as Ugueze Cyprian, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and Corporal Kasari Ambrose were seriously wounded. The two suspects were said to have also been wounded.

A police source at the command told Vanguard that the wounded are currently receiving treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Describing the incident as tragic, spokeswoman for the command, Ngozi Braide said: “The men died in active service. May God grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss and heal those who sustained injuries.”

4 docked for assault, stealing

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—FOUR land specu lators popularly known as Omo-Onile who injured a landlord, one Elvis Titus, with a broken bottle, while fighting over land, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja magistrate’s court.

The defendants are Omoniyi Omotuwa, 34; Damilola Lepe, 35; two brothers, Moses Omoderudami, 25 and Sunday Omoderudami, 40.

The defendants, who reside at New Site, Araromi Onisiwo Village, Tomaro Island are facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, assault, stealing and breach of peace preferred against them by the Police.

The prosecutor, ASP Eranus Nnamonu, told the court that the offence happened on May

1, 2014, at about 4pm.

Nnamonu also said the defendants injured one Elvis Titus on his face, with a broken bottle. He also said they stole N160,000 belonging to the victim, adding that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner to cause breach of peace.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened sections 409, 171 and punishable under sections 285 and 166 (D) of the laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Offenders are liable to 15 years imprisonment if convicted.

However, the defendants were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum, after they had pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe adjourned the case till July 17, 2014.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

How Nyanya blast was planned, executed— DSS

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH AND CHRIS OCHAI

z Releases profiles of suspects, including army deserter, 4 others

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BUJA— FOUR weeks after the Nyanya bomb blast that claimed 74 lives and injured many others, the identities of the masterminds of the blast were made public by the Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday.

Parading the suspects at its headquarters in Abuja, DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar, announced that the bombing was masterminded by one Rufai Abubakar Tsiga, described as a Boko Haram leader and assisted by one Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, an army deserter and son of a retired Nigerian Army officer.

Ogar, who was flanked by the Defence, military and police spokesmen during the briefing, said the two men, who were now at large, hatched and carried out the bombing of the busy transport terminal on April 14.

The DSS said it was Tisga and one Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, who moved the explosive-laden vehicle to Nyanya bus station on the night of April 13, while Tsiga personally drove the vehicle to the actual position in which he detonated the bomb the following morning.

Paradoxically, while Sani Ishaq, who took part in the bombing had been arrested, the duo of Tsiga and Ogwuche, described as the brain behind the bombing, have gone into hiding, forcing the security agency to declare him wanted.

Army deserter

Interestingly, Ogwuche, who hails from Orokam, Ogbadibo council of Benue State is a student of Arabic Language at the International University of Africa, Sudan, and the son of a retired army colonel, Agene.

The suspect, who was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche with service number SVC 95/104, deserted the Nigerian Army in 2006.

Before he absconded from the army, Ogwuche served in the Intelligence Unit at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos, between 2001 and 2006, shortly after being posted to the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He was arrested by security operatives on suspected terrorist activity at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on November 12, 2011, shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom.

However, following intensive pressure from human rights groups, who alleged that his fundamental rights were being violated, Ogwuche was released to his father, Col

NYANYA BLAST SUSPECTS: From left— Ahmad Rufai Abubakar (A.K.A. Abu Ibrahim/Mai-Turare), Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, Yau Saidu (A.K.A. Kotar Rama), Adamu Yosuf and Anas Isah, suspected masterminds of April 14 Nyanyan bomb blast paraded by Department of State Services, the Army and Police in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Agene Ogwuche (rtd.).

The DSS had placed a bounty of N25 million on their heads. In all, five suspects, who had earlier been taken into DSS custody following the bomb blast, were paraded before journalists in Abuja yesterday.

The suspects are Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, alias Abu Ibrahim/Maiturare, Muhammadu Sani Ishaq, Yau Saidu alias Kotar Rama, Anas Isah and Adamu Yusuf.

Eight days after the blast, a joint security team arrested Abubakar at Gwantu, Sanga Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Confession

Abubakar, 43, from Yarimawa in Kazaure council of Jigawa State, confessed to security agents that shortly after the blast in Nyanya, Tsiga confirmed to him that he and other Boko Haram members had bombed Nyanya in retaliation for the killing of sect member eight days earlier.

It was, however, discovered that the alleged killing of a Boko Haram member had never taken place but was merely bandied about to elicit the sympathy of the sect members.

Abubakar confirmed that Tsiga sent him recharge card and that the phone of one Muhammadu Sani Ishaq was used in sending him the credit.

According to Abubakar (a.k.a Maiturare), Tsiga also told him that Boko Haram national leader had directed that all members of the sect should relocate with their families to ‘Gaaba’(Boko

Haram forest camp) in preparation for mass attacks against the country.

to elicit the interest of Ishaq and other sect members used for the attack.

Ishaq, Nyanya blast plan

Saidu alias Kotar Rama

He was arrested on April 24 at Utako Village behind Julius Berger Yard, Utako, following the disclosure made by Abubakar. He is a 30 year old indigene of Balari village, Ajingi council of Kano State.

Ishaq was a sales boy in Tsiga’s patent medicine store at Utako called Kishi Clinic, a structure which also served as a base for Boko Haram’s covert activities in Abuja.

He revealed that two days before the Nyanya blast, Tsiga (alias Dr. Rufai Tsiga), his boss, informed him around 4p.m. after prayers that there was a plan to bomb a facility in Abuja, but stated that he was not informed of the exact place.

He further revealed that Tsiga later informed him that the bombs to be used for the blast were being coupled at the residence of one Adamu Yusuf.

According to Ishaq, a day before the Nyanya bombing, he and Tsiga drove the car laden with explosives and parked it behind four buses inside the Nyanya park overnight, after which they left the area, which Tsiga detonated the following day.

According to him, two cars were wired for the attack. He claimed one was used for the April 14 incident, which was a retaliatory attack as a member of the sect was lynched a week earlier at the Nyanya park because he was caught with firearms.

However, the story appear untrue, but fabricated by Tsiga

Saidu, 28, was arrested on April 29 at his village, Dandambo, Tsanyawa council of Kano State.

Before his arrest, Saidu was an apprentice under Tsiga at his medicine store in Utako village market.

Although he denied membership of the sect, he claimed that his uncle, Tsiga and Ishaq attempted to enlist him several times. He identified the perpetrators of the Nyanya bomb blast as Tsiga, Ishaq and Ogwuche.

He also disclosed that on April 13 at 11a.m., a day before the Nyanya bombing, Tsiga and Ishaq drove out from Utako village market in a “black coloured Honda Accord” car and returned about four hours later.

Later the same day, they went out again in the same car and did not return until the following day, April 14 at 11a.m., after the Nyanya bombing incident had occurred.

He alleged that when Tsiga learnt of Ishaq’s arrest, he fled Utako to an unknown location and left the Kishi Clinic business in his care.

Tsiga equally sent a message to his wife, Hauwa’u on his mobile (number 07067434122) directing her to pack her belongings and flee the area.

Yusuf alias Mallam Adamu

Adamu Yusuf, 43, was arrested in Bauchi on May 5.

He has confessed that he is a

member of the sect. Adamu was a cleric at Finance Quarters Mosque, Wuye, Abuja.

Ishaq disclosed that Tsiga told him that the bombs used for the Nyanya incident were coupled in a bush near Yusuf ’s residence.

Yusuf, however, claims that even though he knows Tsiga, the mastermind of the Nyanya bombing, he did not take part in the bombing. He mentioned the members of the sect known to him to be Tsiga, Abubakar, Ogwuche and Isah.

He claimed to be an apprentice under Tsiga along with Isah. He claimed that on the day of the Nyanya bomb blast, Tsiga called and told him that he heard of the bomb blast and that it was a job well done.

Isah

Anas Isah, 22, was arrested on May 3 at Unguwar Yan Tagwaye village, Faskari council, Katsina State. He is an indigene of Tsiga, Bakori council, Katsina State.

Isah came to Abuja in 2011 and hawked yoghurt for about one month before going back to Tsiga. He returned to Abuja again in 2012 and worked as a sales boy in a pharmacy located at Ruga near Wuye Market.

In 2013, Tsiga invited Isah to join his “clinic” at Utako village, where he worked for about five months.

Although Isah denied being involved in the April 14 incident, he identified Ishaq and Tsiga as members of the sect, especially as the latter had confided in him his membership of the Boko Haram sect.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 —9

INDEPENDENCE DAY BLAST: I was given epilepsy medication, says Okah

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, gave the Federal Government 24 hours to respond to an allegation that a medication called Epilim Sodium Valproate, ESV, which is meant for epilepsy, was forcefully administered on the alleged mastermind of the 2010 Independence Day bomb blast, Charles Okah.

Trial Justice, Gabriel Kolawole, made the order shortly after the accused person, through his lawyer, Mr. John Anietor, begged the court to allow an independent private medical practitioner to produce a medical/scientific report on the side effect of the drug on him.

The lawyer said: “There is need for the first accused person, Charles Tombra Okah, to be examined by an independent private medical practitioner, for an impartial and neutral confirmation of the medical reports from both the Kuje Prisons Clinic and National Hospital, Abuja, to ascertain his mental and physical health status.

“A medication called Epilim Sodium Valproate, ESV, meant for epilepsy, was prescribed and administered on the first accused person over a long period of time, which now has adverse negative side effects on him.

“There is need to settle the issues relating to the health of the accused person before his trial, as good health is part of the facility he needs to be able to stand his trial.”

Okah, who is facing terrorism charge alongside one Obi Nwabueze, urged the court to discountenance the outcome of the psychiatric evaluation that was conducted on him by the Federal Government, saying he was not fit to stand trial.

Meantime, the government in the evaluation report it tendered yesterday, maintained that although the psychiatric analysis it conducted on Okah indicated that he suffered persistent delusional disorder and occasional fluctuation in his level of consciousness, the accused person was duly certified fit for trial.

Consequently, the court yesterday adjourned the matter to May 16, to take arguments on Okah’s request to be assessed by an independent medical practitioner.

The court had on December 4, 2013, ordered that a

psychiatric test be conducted on the accused person, following his deteriorating health and seeming unbalanced mental state.

In a bid to prove that Charles, who is a younger brother to ex leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger

Delta, MEND, Mr. Henry Okah, was medically fit to face his trial, government, on January 15, tendered the first medical report which was rejected by the accused person.

It will be recalled that one of the alleged masterminds of the bomb blast which

resulted in the death of 12 persons at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Mr. Osvwo Tekemfa Francis, a.k.a ‘General Gbokos,’ died in prison custody, even as the high court in a separate judgment, jailed the third accused person, Edmund Ebiware, to life imprisonment.

‘No budgetary allocation for poly lecturers' arrears’

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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DINNER: From left— Head, Sustainability and Responsibility, Guinness Nigeria, Mrs. Adrianne Nwagwu; Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Seni Adetu; Chief Executive Officer, Harrow Park Golf Club, Mr. Tunji Abdul; and Chairman, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside, during a dinner organised by Stanbic IBTC at the World Economic Forum in Abuja.

Banks aiding money laundering, says CBN

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE acting Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, has accused banks of aiding money laundering, which has put their integrity, professional and ethical standards in doubt.

Speaking at the regional course on Combating Money Laundering and other Financial Crimes organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, in Abuja, yesterday, she said that the involvement of banks in money laundering were in several respects.

According to her, “bank facilities are used knowingly and unknowingly to further the act of money laundering and in most cases to retain the proceeds of such crime,” in an address read on her behalf by the Director, Research of CBN, Mr. Charles Mordi.

She said: “Over 80 percent of the proceeds of money laundering are associated with banks, one way or the other,

all over the world.”

She explained that such activities included round tripping, financial fraud, capital flight, fake cheques, fake currency minting, advanced fee fraud and insiders abuse.

Those involved in those acts, she argued, cause distortions in the financial markets through misallocation of investment, warning that money laundering also has a dampening effect on foreign direct investment, FDI, “when a country’s commercial and financial sector are perceived to be associated with the incidence of organised crimes.”

According to the CBN boss, such practices have “deleterious macroeconomic consequences such as inexplicable changes in money demand, prudential risks to banks soundness, contamination effects of legal financial transactions and increased volatility of international capital flows and exchange rate due to unanticipated cross border asset transfers.”

Alade lamented that a

concentration of economic power by organised crime spells doom and could all too easily infect the political terrain of any nation.

The activities of money laundering and terrorists were described as borderless and they “form part of a large network operating across agencies and across borders.”

This, she said, has exerted more pressure on governments in the subregion to put in place adequate measures to combat this menace.

In view of the growing menace of money laundering, law enforcement, she said, “appears a needle in a haystack effort” but this should neither deter nor dampen the enthusiasm of law enforcers.

Speaking earlier at the event, the Director General of WAIFEM, Professor Akpan Ekpo, described money laundering as a key threat to financial stability in any economy, especially developing economies.

He urged regulatory authorities in the West Africa to close ranks.

B U J A — PERMANENT Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Mc John Nwaobiala, has said there is no budgetary provision to settle the arrears owed lecturers of federal polytechnics, who are currently on strike.

The Permanent Secretary made this disclosure during a meeting with the House of Representatives committee on education to resolve the 10-month old Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, strike.

He said the ministry, however, plans to request for special funds from the President to be able to take care of the about two years arrears.

Nwaobiala also explained that the white paper of the much agitated government visitation panel to federal polytechnics would be released “between this week and next week.”

Members of ASUP have been on strike since October last year after it had earlier embarked on a threemonth strike in April last year, calling on the government to meet certain demands.

The initial 13-point demands of ASUP were later reduced to four following series of meetings with government.

The four demands are upgrading the lower cadre polytechnic staff to CONTISS 15, release of white paper on visitation panel, constitution of governing councils for polytechnics and setting up a NEEDS assessment committee.

Government, however, met two of the demands earlier this year, which are the NEEDS assessment committee and the constitution of the governing councils.

10— Vanguard , TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Order FG to revive Peoples Bank, Falana tells court

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has been urged to order the Federal Government to re-establish the defunct Peoples Bank.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, was joined as defendant.

In an originating summons filed by Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the lawyer prayed the court to declare that the Peoples Bank Act Cap, P7, 2004, had not been repealed by the National Assembly.

He also prayed the court for an order directing the Defendant to continue to give effect to the provisions of the Peoples Bank Act, Cap P7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Besides, he prayed the court to grant an order directing the Defendant to provide loans to underprivileged Nigerians through the Peoples Bank of Nigeria.

Judgment in the case is fixed for July 2, 2014.

FG trains maritime-related agencies BYEVELYN USMAN

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N a bid to enhance quick response to disasters on the nation’s waterways, the Federal Government yesterday, began crisis training for agencies in the maritime sector.

The agencies include the Nigerian Navy, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and the Nigerian Police, among others.

Code-named Exercise Ajowa, the emergency training which was carried out at eight nautical miles South-east of the Lagos Fairway Buoy, was done in conjunction with the European Critical Maritime Routes in the Gulf of Guinea (CRIMGO) to enhance interagency cooperation in maritime crisis situation.

Chibok girls: Protests cripple activities in Lagos

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO &ESTHERONYEGBULA

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AGOS—COMMEERCIAL activities in the central business district of Lagos, were yesterday crippled as hundreds of protesting women, men and religious faithful from different organisations stormed the seat of government demanding immediate rescue of the abducted female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The protesters in their separate groups marched to the State

House, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja to register their grievances and delivered their protest letters to Governor Babatunde Fashola for onward delivery to President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

The groups were: Women Arise Initiative, led Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin; Association of Christian Leaders of Ikeja, led

by Pastor Wole Oladiyun and Victorious Army Ministries' Pastor Blessing Agboli, among others.

Displaying various placards, they chanted songs and prayed for God’s intervention to fasttrack the immediate release of

the girls.

Some of the placards reads: “NLC Women Committee says bring back our girls,” “NLC Women Committee says Enough of Boko Haram,” “NLC Women Committee says Federal Government must act now on Boko Haram,” “NLC Women Committee says our girls must return back to us safe and alive,” “NLC Women Committee says Federal Government must stop this insurgency,” “We say no to terrorism in Nigeria,” “Boko Haram, release the innocent school girls, mothers are crying,” “Boko Haram, stop terrorism,”

PROTEST OVER CHIBOK GIRLS: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (inset) yesterday adressing cross section of Churches and Apostolic leaders during a prayer rally to the Lagos House, Ikeja, over the abduction of 234 school girls in Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram. With him inset were: Secretary to the State Government, Dr (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (left) and the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Oyinlola Danmole.

among others.

First among the groups was the ‘Women Arise Initiative’ who wore white T-shirt, with the inscription, “Women Arise Against Terror.”

Afrobeat music maestro, Femi Anikulapo Kuti while addressing the protesters, said that there was the need to put pressure on the Federal Government to get the girls released, saying it was sad that it took government about three weeks to come to term that 234 girls had been kidnapped.

Speaking on behalf of the Nollywood actors and actresses, Jide Kosoko, lamented that it was sad that 234 girls had been kidnapped in the country with the government not doing anything to rescue them, while appealing to Boko Haram to get the children released.

Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, while reacting to the new video released

by Boko Haram, said “We will never support an exchange. I will not support this. All we want is the rescue of the girls.”

Also speaking, Pastor Agboli said it was high time the Federal Government and relevant agencies in country intensified efforts to rescue the kidnapped girls.

In their letter to the president, Odumakin said; “It is equally horrifying that this wickedness was carried out for hours without interruption by security forces. '' Responding, Fashola assured the protesters saying “I will pass this letter to the President Jonathan today. I am also sure that somehow, through the electronic platform of the media, the president will also see and hear your cry.”

Court stops FRCN from investigating Sanusi

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, stopped the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, from investigating suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Malam Lamido Sanusi, over allegation of financial recklessness.

Trial judge, Justice James Tsoho, held that the role played by the FRCN and the language of the briefing note by the defendant, revealed that the defendants had already decided the fate of the plaintiff.

The court said the fact that the plaintiff was not called to make representation in the matters contained in the briefing notes, connoted prejudice and granted all the reliefs sought by Sanusi in his suit.

Justice Tsoho also held that the FRCN acted ultra vires of its power to investigate the plaintiff, noting that although the FRCN Act conferred investigative power

on the FRCN, such powers should be limited to the object and purpose of the Act. The judge said the FRCN Act did not confer absolute powers on the FRCN and its executive secretary to investigate the plaintiff.

He said the FRCN Act should be for a professional accountant to relate any irregularity in the financial statement of the CBN to the FRCN.

According to him, such investigations must be conducted in line with the rules of natural justice.

Justice Tsoho said following the submissions of parties, the rules of natural justice and fair hearing were not complied with, adding that issues of bias was seen in the manner the investigation was conducted, therefore disqualified FRCN from

further investigating Sanusi.

Tsoho also held that the court had jurisdiction to determine the matter as raised in the preliminary objection made by the defendant counsel.

Sanusi had in the suit, prayed the court to declare that the FRCN, constituting itself into an investigating body in a manner contained in some newspaper publications of March 24, was ultra vires.

Osun security parley frowns at jungle justice

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HE Osun State Security Council yesterday described the jungle justice being meted to suspected kidnappers and ritualists as wicked, uncivilised and unacceptable to the government.

In a press conference jointly addressed after a meeting, all the heads of security agencies said the act of jungle justice was totally condemnable, warning that government would not fold its

arms and allow the society to descend into anarchy.

The security chiefs included those from the army, police, Department of State Security, DSS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Immigration Service , Head of Prison Service, and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. The meeting came on the heel of recent wave of summary arrest of suspected kidnappers and burning them

in some towns in the state.

The statement, read on behalf of the security chiefs by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maishanu, warned that any individual or group of people, found taking laws into their own hands by killing any suspect illegally would be made to face murder charge.

Maisanu said the security agencies had the capacity and network to track any individual or group that takes laws unto itself.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—11

Court reinstates S-West PDP caretaker committee

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, reinstated members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Southwest Zone Caretaker Committee.

The PDP zonal caretaker committee members had earlier resigned their positions to contest in a zonal congress, which eventually did not hold.

Plaintiffs in the suit are Ishola Filani (Ekiti State); Chief Pegba Otemolu (Ogun State); Adedeji Doherty (Lagos State); Rasak Akanni (Oyo State); Bolaji Jeje (Lagos State); Orimolade Olanrewaju (Ondo State); Olawunmi Yuba (Ogun State), Banji Obasanmi (Ekiti State); Shola Oludipe (Ondo State); Lawal Olatunde (Oyo State); Emmanuel Oladejo (Oyo State); Olalekan Abubakar (Lagos State); Seun Adesanya (Ogun State); Semiu Babatunde (Ogun State); Prince Tope Ademiluyi (Ekiti State); Tunde Olowofoyeku (Osun State) and Prince Omoniyi Alo (Ondo State).

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang held that the plaintiffs could remain in office until a valid congress was held.

The 17 members of the PDP had urged the court to hold that they remained the valid caretaker committee members by virtue of a court order, arguing that the PDP could not appoint other persons to replace them.

They had prayed the court to declare that based on judgment delivered by Justice Abang on April 9, 2013, following which they were appointed as the Caretaker Committee of the Southwest Zone until the conduct of a zonal congress to elect new officers, PDP was not at liberty to dissolve the committee until new officers had been elected.

Justice Abang in his judgment, said “I hold that the plaintiffs can remain in office until a valid congress is held.”

He ordered the PDP to recognise the plaintiffs as the

valid officers in the Southwest.

The court awarded the cost of N30,000 to the plaintiffs and also granted the plaintiffs’ prayers to the extent that they could remain in office until a zonal congress was held.

The judge said the plaintiffs were

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B E O K U T A — STUDENTS of the Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, yesterday, lauded the decision of Governor Ibikunle Amosun for reversing the planned merger of the institution with Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago Iwoye.

The governor, at the 80th birthday celebration of the Awujale of Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Adetona, had said that the institution would continue to exist and no longer be an institute

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE & DAUD OLATUNJI

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CONDOLENCE VISIT: From right—Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr Oba Otudeko, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and his wife, Olukemi, during Otudeko's condolence visit to the governor's wife over her mother's demise, at the Government House, in Akure, yesterday.

Ekiti 2014: Fayemi, Fayose again bicker over plot to rig

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI– GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and his main challenger in the June 21 governorship election in the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, again, yesterday traded words over plots to rig the gubernatorial election.

While the governor and All Progressive Congress, APC, candidate accused the PDP of making desperate plans to rig the June 21 governorship election by locking down communities with soldiers and policemen on the day of election, Fayose asked Governor Fayemi to stop

TASUED students laud Amosun over school retention under OOU.

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

cajoled, tricked and forced to resign their positions under the guise of conducting a Zonal congress.

According to the court, as part of the guidelines for the zonal congress, the plaintiffs, who were members of the caretaker

committee, could not contest for any office until they resigned.

To fulfill that condition, they had to resign, and since the congress did not hold, they ought to return to their positions.

The judge said appointment of any other person or persons into the caretaker committee of the PDP in the Southwest would be illegal and contemptuous of the subsisting orders of court.

Chibok girls: Protests, fasting programme in Ogun, Osun

The students yesterday paid a solidarity visit to the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, displaying various placards with inscriptions such as “SIA is indeed a Governor”, “SIA we appreciate your leadership spirit”, “TASUED says thank you” among others.

President, National Association of Nigerian Students, TASUED chapter, Okikiola Ogunshola, while speaking, said the assurance from the governor portrayed him as “a father and caring governor with interest of the young ones at heart.”

blackmailing him and his party, insisting that the PDP was more prepared for the election than APC. Speaking through the spokesman of his campaign organisation, Mr. Dimeji Daniel in Ado Ekiti, Fayemi alleged that “as part of the rigging plot, the party plans to lock down most of the communities in the state with soldiers and policemen who would be ordered to scare residents of the communities with

gunshots, thus preventing them from exercising their right to vote.''

However, Fayose through the Director of Publicity of his campaign organisation, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogan, said; ‘’This is sheer blackmail from the APC. The coming election is an isolated one and there is no way any political party, be it LP, APC or PDP will deny the fact that there is need for adequate security in the election.''

Osun APC guber aspirant sues Aregbesola platform of the party.

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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S O G B O — A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, Mr. Olalekan Banjo has dragged Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the leadership of the party before a Federal High Court in Osogbo, to challenge Aregbesola’s emergence as the candidate of the party in the August 9 Governorship election.

Mr. Banjo, who was a governorship aspirant of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, before the merger of the party with others to form APC, said he had since the formation of APC declared his intention to contest the governorship election on the

Joined in the suit are Chief Niyi Adebayo, the acting National Vice Chairman of the APC, Mr Adelowo Adebiyi, acting chairman of the APC and the Independent National Election Commission, INEC. Banjo told newsmen in Osogbo that both the governor and the leadership of the party had been served the court notice.

Reacting to the development, the APC’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said the party would be interested in meeting Banjo in the court, noting that he was only entertaining his loyalists through the legal action.

Oyatomi added that Banjo was not known as a committed party member, but only seeking relevance with his action.

UNDREDS of women under the aegis of National Association of Widows and Single Mothers E m p o w e r m e n t protested in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital over the abduction of the female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The protesting women, many of whom were aged, took off from Ibara roundabout through Lalubu street to the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, urging President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise his full authorities to ensure the release of the abducted girls .

They displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘bring back our girls’, ‘how long shall we be patient for the return of our precious girls?’, ‘our souls are troubled, we have lost appetite for food, the cries of our girls prevent us from sleep’, among others.

Osun embarks on 3-day fasting and prayer In a similar development, the Osun State government yesterday declared a three-day fasting and prayers in the state to entreat God to ensure safe return of the abducted students The government in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, urged the people to pray fervently for the release of the school girls.

Akere who noted that Friday, Saturday and Sunday had been set aside for special prayers for the release of the abducted students, said the government believed in prayers as a means of securing the release of the girls.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Edo IRS seals off 25 hotels in Benin

PHCN pensioners give FG, NELCOM 7 days utlimatum over arrears

BY BSIMON EBEGBULEM

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BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—MEMBERS of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Electricity Sector, have given a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited, NELCOM, to pay their pension arrears and other outstanding allowances or face street protests by the workers.

They cliamed that no fewer than 5,000 of their members who left the services of the defunct Power Holdings Company of Nigeria, PHCN, either through death or retirements, were still being owed their terminal benefits.

The pensioners who spoke to Vanguard, yesterday in Benin, through the Benin branch Secretary, Mr Monday Adodo, shortly after their meeting, alleged that over the years, successive managements of NEPA/PHCN failed to remit agreed allocations to the superannuation funds intended to cater for employees exiting service.

They lamented that whereas most of the disengaged workers from the PHCN, who retired from the company had been paid their entitlements, their members have not been paid, adding that death benefits of their members dating back to 1999 had not been paid, thereby subjecting the bereaved families to untold hardship.

The pensioners described as untrue, an interview by the Chief Executive of NELCOM, Dr. John Aigbogun, claiming that the pensioners had been paid their entitlements, insisting that they were yet to be paid the March and April arrears of their entitlements.

They accused the Budget Office in the Presidency and the National Assembly of refusing to reclassify PHCN pension fund from Capital Supplementation to Service Wide Vote, adding that pensions and salaries were recurrent expenditures.

TELECOM CONSUMER PARLIAMENT: From left: A Commisioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Michael Onyia; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management of NCC, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi; Director, Spectrum Admin of Ministry of Communication Technology, Mr. Festus Daudu, and Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, at a Telecom Consumer Parliament programme in Lagos.

Delta NLC tasks govt on social security for unemployed graduates

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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ELTA State council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the state government to introduce the payment of social security benefits to unemployed graduates and youths to lessen the pressure on them to resort to crime.

The state NLC, in a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Williams Akporeha, called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, saying: “In addition to your laudable programmes of payment of bursary to undergraduates and scholarships for post graduate students, to introduce the payment

of social security benefits to unemployed graduates and youths. The scheme can be developed with safety valves to make it possible for beneficiaries to start making gradual returns as soon as they secure employment with the state ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs. “We envisage that a scheme like this will not only check youth involvement in crime but also build confidence between the youth and state government.”

On ailing industries in the state, the statement, said: “Labour wishes to appreciate the bold initiative of the current administration as encapsulated in Delta Beyond Oil, which is targeted at cre-

Gbaramatu Marine Varsity, product of N-Delta struggle —Kuku

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ARRI—SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has described Federal Government’s location of the Marine University and Shipyard/ Dockyard in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, as a product of the Niger Delta struggle.

Kuku was on the entourage of President

Jonathan for flag off of the Marine University in Kurutie and groundbreaking for the Dockyard/Shipyard at Okerenkoko, both in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday.

He said: “I am one of the architects of modern Niger Delta youth struggle. We did not intend it to destroy the Nigerian nation. The intent was to draw government’s attention to communal land issues, justice in the area of environment and rights of our people to political space and economic opportunities."

ating more job opportunities. In this regard, Delta State NLC calls on

the state government to consider the revival of ailing industries in the state."

ENIN—EDO State Board of Internal Revenue Service, EIRS, has sealed off over 25 hotels and event centres in Benin City, over alleged non-remittance of consumption taxes owed the state government.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Director of Tax Intelligence and Enforcement, Mr. Victor Okube.

He said: “The hotels were sealed off following a court order granted the EIRS to restrain hotels and event centres found not to be complying with the Hotels and Events Centres Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Edo State, otherwise known as Consumption Tax Law.” He said that the Board will do “everything legal to ensure that all monies owed Edo State Government are collected."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—13

936 disengaged teachers in Edo beg Oshiomhole for reinstatement T

HE 936 teachers disengaged by Edo State Government, yesterday, appealed to the state governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, for reinstatement.

The teachers made the appeal when they protested to the Edo State House of Assembly in Benin.

Mr. Osaigede Omoruyi, a teacher, who led the protesters to the assembly, said their disengagement had brought untold hardship to their families.

“During the screening exercise, the governor promised that he was not going to witch-hunt any teacher. The screening was done in other ministries and the same problem discovered was addressed and nobody was sacked.

“Those who reduced their age in other ministries have been made to write their actual age, without their names being removed from the pay roll. We do not know why they are treating us like this.

“We are appealing to the governor to reinstate us so that we can take care of our families.”

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Uyi Igbe, told the teachers to send their petition to the House, adding that the issue would

be addressed if they had a genuine case.

Igbe urged them to go about the protest peacefully.

Meanwhile, the House has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently appoint a commissioner to represent Edo State on the board of the Niger

Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Moving the motion under matters of urgent public importance, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie said Edo was the only state without a commissioner on the board of the NDDC.

She said: “Several NDDC projects started by the former commissioner had been abandoned. Contractors have not been paid."

According to her, Edo people have been denied their rights and subjected to untold hardship.

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ARRI—THERE was tension in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, as the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, swooped on perceived illegal foreign traders in the city.

The NIS was joined in the operation, which lasted several hours, by the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corpse as well as operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, who raided Igbudu Market and the Warri Central Motor Park, where hundreds of immigrants, mostly from Nigeria’s neighbouring countries were arrested.

A Senior Immigration Official of NIS Warri Area Office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “This action is sequel to a directive from the state command to clamp down on illegal immigrants in the country as a way of checking the growing insecurity posed by Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen.”

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ARRI—FOLLOWING its congress on April 12, in Warri, Delta State, the National Congress Committee, NCC, and State Congress Committee, SCC, of All Progressives Congress, APC, have announced Prince Valentine Egbe as the Warri South Local Government Area Chairman.

A statement by SCC, said the ward executives in the area also elected Mr. Francis Ugbejevwu as Warri South chapter APC Secretary, among other elected officers.

NIWA begins safety campaign in Ondo, Lagos

T AWARD: From left: CEO National Identity Management Commission, Mr. Chris Onyemenam; Chairman Technical Committee, National Identity Management Commission Board, Mr. Ukashatu; MD/CEO Digital Jewels, Mrs. Doyin Odunfa; representive of Information Security Management System, Mr. Shahm Barom and Director I T/ IDD, National Identity Management Commission, Mr. Aliyu Aziz, during the Information Security Management System (ISO 27001: 2005) Award Ceremony, presented to National Identity Management Commission, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Jane Okeke.

Insecurity: NIS swoops on illegal immigrants in Warri

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

Warri South APC gets LG exco

The source assured that suspected strange elements with genuine work or stay permits as well as Nigerians arrested in error would be released immediately, noting that illegal im-

migrants without permits would be deported to their various countries at the appropriate time.

At press time, some of the illegal immigrants who

evaded the NIS raid were seen fleeing the target spots to safer hideouts from the operation which was also extended to the Uwangwe Market, where several immigrants also trade.

Keke NAPEP accident in Bayelsa: FRSC to set up panel on death of two infants

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, is to investigative the cause of last Friday's tragic incident, which claimed the lives of two pupils at the Swali suburb of Yenagoa.

The deceased, a two-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy of the same parents were reportedly returning from school on the fateful day in company of their elder cousin, aged 14, who is still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre when the accident happened.

It was learnt that a patrol team

of FRSC was pursuing a Keke NAPEP when tragedy struck, prompting a near riotous protest from the Keke NAPEP drivers.

One of the pupils was said to have died on the spot when the Keke NAPEP summersaulted while the second later gave up the ghost at the hospital.

Briefing newsmen in his office yesterday in Yenagoa, the state FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Vincent Jack, expressed regret over the incident.

He said a high powered investigative panel would be set up to unravel the circum-

stances surrounding the accident.

“It is on this premise that the corps marshal and chief executive had directed that a high powered inquiry should be set up. We are going to hear from all the parties, the Keke union, the driver, the only surviving child in the accident, and the people around so as to get to the root of the matter.

“We will not, at any point in time, mortgage our image.

We are well trained, we know what resources the Federal Government has committed to keeping this corps,” he said.

HE National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, will next week flag off the second phase of its national safety and awareness campaign in Igbokoda, Ondo State and also Lagos State.

NIWA will also organise a town hall meeting in Igbokoda at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Jetty tomorrow and at the NIWA ferry terminal, CMS, Lagos on May 15.

Delta 2015: Group backs Uduehi’s guber bid

U

DUEHI Solidarity Movement, USM, in Ndokwa nation, has commended Dr. Esther Uduehi for accepting to contest the 2015 governorship election in Delta State.

USM, in a statement by it’s Ndokwa chapter Chairman, Mr. Humphrey Uzuakpundu, urged Dr. Uduehi to declare publicly her aspiration, to enable Deltans make up their minds on who the cap fits.

It noted that Uduehi has all it takes to govern the state considering her track records in the service of the country.

It advised Deltans not to make the mistake of casting their votes for a candidate who will not be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to their door steps.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Ihiala pros demand cabinet slot from Obiano

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

I

HIALA GRASS ROOTS Initiative,IGI, has called on Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano to consider giving a commissionerhip slot to Ihiala Local Government Area.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, the President of IGI, Mr. Nsofor Chukwuemeka regretted that despite giving the party the third highest votes cast at the last gubernatorial election in the state, the LGA was not well represented in Obiano’s cabinet.

His words: ‘’Ihiala is a very strategic Local Government Area in Anambra State. And we ensured that APGA overwhelmingly won the election in our area.

It will interest you to know that this local government, gave APGA the third highest vote cast in the state But to our surprise, no body in the local government was made the list of the commissioners.

Operation Know Your Neighbour'll check crimes in Anambra — Rep

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — THE mem ber representing Awka South and North federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Chukwuemeke Nwogbo, yesterday, said that operation 'Know Your Neighbour' would be launched in Awka as part of measures to check the infiltration of criminal elements.

Nwogbo said in Awka that the operation is a joint programme which would involve himself,, the state government and other key stakeholders in Anambra politics.

He said that essentially, the exercise would be implemented in Awka South and Awka North communities.

Nwogbo who spoke against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by the federal government to locate and recover the Chibok school girls that were allegedly kidnapped by Boko Haram thanked God that the efforts so far made are gradually yielding some success.

C M Y K

Fuel subsidy probe: Court refuses to quash charge against Farouk

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA — THE Court of Appeal in Abuja, yesterday, declined to quash the criminal charge preferred against the former Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawan,

by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC. In its ruling, yesterday, the appellate court, held that there was enough prima-facie to warrant the trial of both Farouk and the erstwhile Secretary of the probe committee, Boniface Emenalo.

Consequently, the two lawmakers were ordered to return to the

lower court and defend themselves over the allegation that they demanded and collected $3 million bribe to pervert the course of an investigation that was instituted by the House of Representatives.

The duo were specifically accused of demanding and collecting bribe from the Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, Femi Otedola, as an inducement to re-

move the name of his company from the report of the Ad-hoc committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime.

ICPC alleged that they demanded an aggregate sum of $3 million, with a view to ensuring that the company escaped prosecution even though the probe committee had ab-initio found it culpable in the fuel subsidy fraud.

SERVICE: From left, Mr. Sunny Awevia, Operations Manager; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-inChief/GM, Publications; Mr. Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager and one of the sons of the deceased, and Mr. Victor Omorege, Corporate Affairs/Protocol Manager, all of Vanguard Newspapers, during the funeral service for late Nze Raphael Nkwocha, at the Holy Cross Catholic Parish, Emii in Imo State, weekend. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

Farouk was said to have pocketed $620,000 which was part payment for the illegal deal.

The anti-graft agency further alleged that Emenalo, while being a public officer, an Assistant Director and Clerk of the Committee on Education of the House of Representives, sometime in April 2012, while acting as the Secretary of the Committee, was offered gratification

by Otedola, but failed to report the offer to any officer of the ICPC or any police officer.

The offence, according to ICPC is contrary to Sections 17 (1) (a); 8(1) (a) (b) (ii), and 23 (i) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under Sections 8 (1) 17 (1) and 23(3) of the same Act. Meantime, the appellate court has ordered an accelerated hearing of the charge against them

Obiano orders removal of vehicles, political bill-boards in urban centres

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — ANAMBRA State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has ordered immediate removal of vehicles from all roads in the urban centres and removal of political billboards in a move aimed at restoring sanity in the state.

The special task force set up by the governor on the issue has swung into action in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha.

The task force includes members of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, the police and Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA. The agencies yesterday deployed heavy trucks to the cities, while the Anambra State Signage Agency has deployed its workers to begin the dismantling of the billboards.

Anambra State sector commander of FRSC, Mr. Hygenius Omeje warned that any impounded vehicle that stayed for six months without the owner claiming it, would be disposed of.

He said: “The high ways are not parking yard. We are going to place notifications and already we have notified some

individuals in the transport business in the state on what we plan to do.

“It is improper for the high ways to be littered with broken vehicles whether accidental vehicles or parked ones.”

The permanent secretary in the ministry of transport, Mr.

E.N.C. Ogbaji who represented the commissioner for transport, Chief Chuma Mbonu said the exercise would last for one month.

This according to him, the aim was to give Anambra State a look everybody would be proud of as directed by the

governor and to ensure that traffic flows well in the state.

For the billboard, government said the posters used during the last election was constituting nuisance, adding that it was part of the objective to ensure a healthy environment.

Obasanjo condemns abduction

BY ALIU DANGIDA

F

ORMER NIGERIA’S President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, condemned the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.

Obasanjo spoke in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the state government on the adoption of a junior secondary school and a primary school in Kudai, Dutse.

Obasanjo, however, faulted Federal Government for its lackadaisical attitude towards saving the lives of the abducted students.

Speaking shortly after the signing of MoU between Jigawa State government and Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, at Government House, Dutse, Chief Obasanjo said the delay by the government over the matter led to their being moved away from the school, adding that if urgent rescue action was taken, the girls could have been saved from their current hardship.

“The Federal Government could have acted quickly when the news broke so as to save the innocent girls, but nothing was done,” he lamented.

Obasanjo described the abduction of the girls as unfortunate and pathetic, considering the future of their lives.

“Their future is significant as such everything possible must be done to rescue them,” he said.

He, howeverm said that, “ whatever might have been the grievances of the group of people behind the adoption of these girls, whatever might have been their anger or objectives, it was uncalled for, considering the importance of these girls.”

He said his foundation has established itself in four countries in Africa among which Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana are beneficiaries.

Governor Sule Lamido thanked the former president for his wisdom in establishing of his foundation.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—15

NIRP'll save 100m Nigerians out of poverty —Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan A said yesterday that the Nige-

It will also served as ambassador to the larger private sector and the international community that Nigeria is on the path of economic reform and industrialisation.

The alternate Chairman of the committee, Aliko Dangote who responded on behalf of other members of the committee, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them.

He said their appointment is a call to national duty and to give back to the society parts of what they had benefitted from it.

Dangote commended the President for various initiatives and policies at developing the country.

He noted that the launch of NIRP was a step in the right direction to make the country a global power house in the near future.

On the challenge of poor infrastructure, Dangote said it was no longer a barrier because of a BRIEFING: From left, Foreign Affairs Director, Mr. Ogbole Amedu; Deputy Director Department of newly gazzeted State Service, DSS, Marilyn Ogar; Director, Defence Information, Major Gen. Chris Olukolade; Di- policy of governrector, NOA, Mike Omeri, and Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, addressing pressmen on ment.

poverty. With industrialisation, at least we can lift less than 200 million people out of poverty,” he said The President said that with half a trillion dollar economy which is the largest in Africa and the 9th largest workforce in the world, Nigeria possessed the entrepreneurial spirit.

“If China can do it I believe

we can also do it. To accomplish this however, we must do things differently, we must begin to add value to our resources through research development,” he said.

He gave the sectors which he identified with comparative advantages for NIRP to include agro- allied and agroprocessing, metals and solid minerals processing, oil and

ria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) will build strong manufacturing base and lift more than 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The president who said this while inaugurating the 25man Presidential Advisory Committee for the body at the State House said Nigeria was taking a cue from China which had successfully transformed to a global player through industrialisation.

The Advisory Committee that has majority of its members from the private sector is chaired by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the alternate- Chairman.

According to President Jonathan, “China has effectively through its industrial and manufacutring sector becomes the largest economy in the world.

“Nigeria can also do the same not necessarily be the largest economy in the world but our target is to be among the top 20.

“From the information I gathered, manufacturing and services in China have lifted abduction of Chibok School girls. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. over 500 million people out of

gas and related industries, construction, large manufacturing and services.

The Presidential Committee is expected to advise on NIRP and highlight the priority items the private sector required and bring in international perspective on industrialisation base on the experiences of other countries.

...asks state governors to lead fight against AIDS

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday challenged state governors to take the lead in the fight against HIV in their various states saying that the three tiers of government need to synergise to check the menace of HIV/AIDS. He spoke when he officially launched the ‘Protect the Goal’ campaign in Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja The president said “While we fully support the individual effort of our various states, I will like to reiterate my call on our state governors to own and take the lead in HIV response in their respective states. Effective coordination of this initiative is well in line with the agenda of transformation of a better health of our citizens.”

“Although there are encouraging signs of progress, we are not satisfied. It is in this regard that I’m inviting all key stakeholders at federal, state and local government levels to unite around a national plan, the President’s response comprehensive plan against C M Y K

HIV/AIDS in order to change the game.”

“I’m convinced that when this plan is implemented between now and 2015, we will have a more positive story, which the world will acknowledge. To you, our Super Eagles, I’m inviting you to become the goals ambassadors in our fight against HIV/AIDS and the improvement of sexu-

al and reproductive health because together we have the historic responsibility to protect our youths and the future of our nation.”

Jonathan also wished the Super Eagles in the forthcoming World Cup slated for Brazil next month, saying: “Let me again say clearly to our Super Eagles that we are with you and we will always be with you

because you are a pride and inspiration to our nation.”

Speaking at the occasion, the Senior Adviser to the Executive Director of the Protect the Goal Nigeria Launch, Dr. Djibril Diallo said: “The Executive Director of UNAIDS has a vision, a world with Zero new HIV infection, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS related deaths. The “Protect

the Goal Campaign” seeks to achieve this vision through the power of sports and culture.”

He noted that sports have the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that nothing else does. “It speaks to youths in a language that they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair.”

NNPC, The Presidency, responsible for delay in passage of PIB Bill —Rep

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA — CHAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Sylvester Ogbaga, yesterday, said Nigerians should hold the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and the Presidency responsible for the delay in the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Ogbaga also urged the public not to see the National Assembly as the stumbling block standing in the way of the bill

as it is being made to appear in several quarters.

Ogbaga ,PDP, Ebonyi, stated this while addressing participants at a one- day interactive session on investment in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector entitled; “Enhancing The Oil and Gas Value Chain”.

He said Nigeria as the largest market in Africa offers unique investment opportunities in refining, storage, transportation and marketing of petroleum, petrochemicals and allied products.

“The Nigerian oil and gas

value chain is undergoing a radical transformation following government’s commitment towards the key legislative reforms and aspiration towards firmly becoming the undisputed regional hub for gas based industries such as fertilizers, petrochemical and ethanol”.

He explained that although, the legislature would have passed the PIB, it however has faced issues of undue interferences from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as well

as the Presidency with regard to intermittent review in the composition of the bill.

“People always think that the delay being experienced by the PIB is caused by the National Assembly which is very wrong”.

“The Bill would have been passed if not for the way both the Executive and the NNPC kept recalling it for content update and modification, so it’s not solely on the part of the National Assembly as Nigerians are being made to believe,” he said.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Education for all, panacea for insurgency —-Buhari

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO — FORMER Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Federal Government to provide free and qualitative education in the country.

Buhari, who spoke at the second Progressives Governance Lecture Series in Kano, yesterday, identified lack of proper education as the bane of insecurity and political

unrest in the country and urged the government to review the policy in a way that there will be quality and standard to check insurgency in the country.

According to the former Head of State, such a step would go a long way to preventing insecurity.

“Until the fallen standard of education in Nigeria is fixed to engage out of school children, the incessant attack on innocent Nigerians, particularly in the North East may get worse.”

He added that there was the need for increase in

We're on rescue mission in Kwara —PDP chair

I

LORIN — THE Kwara State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Iyiola Oyedepo said, yesterday, that the party was on a rescue mission in the state, adding that the aim was to provide good governance for the depressed and oppressed people of the area.

Towards this end, he said all aggrieved members of the party had been reconciled and that the PDP was now one united family.

Oyedepo spoke at a news conference at the state secretariat of the party in Zango, Ilorin.

According to him, anybody who still thought that PDP in the state was mired in crises was living in the past.

He said, “the great assignment of the rebranded PDP is to democratically capture political power in the state in the 2015 general election.

”We are on a rescue mission and the vision is to provide good governance for the depressed and oppressed people of Kwara. ”We equally have a mission to use the instrument of government to provide a platform of unity, love, fairness and justice in the heterogeneous community of Kwara State. ”The party shall have as its core values, integrity, honesty, character, selfless service and hard work.”

He later unfolded the five cardinal programmes of the party in the state. They include: Education, Agriculture, Rural and Infrastructure Developments, Health and Empowerment of the citizenry. ”We shall soon turn Kwara State to a market place of ideas through our issue-based politics. We shall reach out to the people of Kwara State in all the nooks and crannies of state.

the budgetary allocation to the education sector. ”When we came to government in the 80's, we appointed Professor Fafunwa to review all the recommendations on education and identify critical points for immediate implementation. We must draw a clear road map of our education to achieve the desired success,” he said.

He, however, lamented that there was no solution yet in sight on the rescue of the missing Chibok girls.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu called on all stakeholders in the APC to shun personal interest and lift the flag of the party to victory during the 2015 elections.

He stated that the panacea to the lingering sociopolitical cum economic crisis in the country was a change of leadership at the centre in 2015.

“The ruling party has called our party, the party of one person; but it is clear that the APC is the party that belongs to all of us.

The APC is open to all Nigerians.

“APC is the only party that controls, at least, a state in the six geo-political zones of our country.

The ruling party cannot claim to have that, if they do, they should tell us the state they are controlling in the South-West.

“APC is the biggest opposition party in the history of our country; and ready to respond to the needs of our people. APC is no longer just a party; it has become a movement.

Minimum wage: Benue govt threatens to sack state workers

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI — THE Benue State government has said that it would soon sack 40 per cent or 34, 000 workers in the state to enable it pay the N18,000 minimum wage to primary school teachers, who had been on strike in the last seven months over non-payment of the minimum wage. The state’s workforce stands at 85,000.

State Governor Gabriel Suswam made this known, weekend, during the flag-off of the 2014 fertilizer sales, at Zaki Biam, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

Suswam said the decision to sack the workers became imperative in order to accommodate the upward review of primary school teachers salaries as well as save the government from imminent collapse. ”We will have to cut down the staff

strength of government by 40 per cent so as to enable us pay striking primary school teachers, who have been on strike for about six months now,” he said.

Suswam also said that downsizing of the state workforce would also safeguard the future of the state by ensuring the stability of the incoming administration.

The governor had, while addressing workers at the last May Day rally, proposed a five per cent cut in their salaries and a 25 per cent cut in his annual salary and those of other political appointees to augment teachers’ salaries, but this was rejected by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Simon Anchaver.

Anchaver had said at the rally, that workers would not accept the cut in the salaries and asked the state government to rather look inwards to find lasting solution to the lingering dispute with school teachers.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 17

T

HE Yorubas have a proverb. They say: “A witch cried out yesterday and a child died today. Who does not know that it was the witch who killed the child?” Some people have gone to great lengths to declare that if President Jonathan dares to run for re-election, they would make Nigeria ungovernable.

Some, like Murtala Nyako, have even gone as far as threatening a civil-war. It is, therefore, not far-fetched to conclude that with the election only a stone-throw away, much of the turmoil we are witnessing in Nigeria today is the handiwork of the anti-Jonathan brigade.

Goodluck Jonathan must be the most vilified president in the history of Nigeria. He is abused and bad-mouthed with ferocious intensity. This really has nothing to do with his record in office. He is by no means the worst president Nigeria has ever seen. As a matter of fact, he is one of the better ones. True; he has not been able to address the ageold problem of corruption.

Nevertheless, Nigeria has been making giant strides under his administration. The Nigerian government did not fool the world into having the WEF (World Economic Forum) in Abuja. It took place here because Nigeria is by all accounts an emerging frontier market in the world economy.

Obama’s Nigeria President Jonathan did not bribe U.S. President Obama to proclaim Nigeria as “the

same Buhari today: “Now is not the time to play politics.

Now is also not the time to trade blames and amplify our ideological differences. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and nothing should divide us as a people.”

New imperatives

W

A season of conspiracies against Goodluck Jonathan agriculture that the minister, Akinwunmi Adesina, was named Forbes Magazine’s African of the Year 2013.

Today, poor Nigerian farmers not only have access to fertilizer, they have cellphones so they can access the government for seeds, implements and vital information.

The administration is engaged in extensive rehabilitation of rail and road networks nationwide.

Travel by air today and you will discover that most Nigerian airports have been transformed.

The foundation has finally been laid for addressing the problem of electricity. A long-anticipated National Conference is currently underway.

Jonathan is not the object of so much attack because he is incompetent, but because he comes from the minority South-

There are well-placed Nigerians, especially in the North, sponsoring, aiding and abetting terrorism for the sake of political gain

,

world’s next economic giant” in 2012. Obama’s Nigeria is coming of age under Jonathan.

The United Sates rebases its economy every two years. The United Nations recommends every country should rebase every five years. Under this administration, Nigeria rebased its economy after 23 years, and yet some Jonathan traducers accuse the government of 419 for doing so.

That rebasing has now shown that the much-maligned Nigeria is by far the largest economy in Africa. This should not come as a surprise. Under Jonathan, the Nigerian economy has been growing consistently by nearly 7% per annum. That is one of the highest growth-rates in the world. For the past two years, Nigeria has become the number one destination for foreign investments in Africa, according to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. A Nigerian industrialist, Aliko Dangote, is now the 23rd richest man in the world and, by far, the richest African.

Jonathan has so transformed Nigerian

,

South. Moreover, a Northern cabal that has been out of power for 15 years is desperate to return. The next president will have the prerogative of allocating a new round of juicy oil-blocks. For example, the oil-block Sani Abacha allocated to Alhaji Mai Daribe of Borno in 1996 had over 500 million barrels of oil which translates to over $50 billion dollars at current prices. That is the kind of largesse available to just one well-placed Nigerian in our winner-takesall political-economy.

Political terrorism Accordingly, the determination is that power must be wrested from Jonathan by hook or crook.

Some are issuing threats: others are talking up impeachment in the legislature. These people are not averse to economic sabotage.

Therefore, gas pipelines keep getting vandalized in order to impede power-generation. Let us call a spade a spade. There are well-placed Nigerians, especially in the North, sponsoring, aiding and

abetting terrorism for the sake of political gain.

Bombs were placed in a motor-park in Abuja on the eve of the WEF. Instead of cooperating with the government to fight the insurgency, many leading Northerners have been accusing the government of using Boko Haram as an excuse for killing Northerners. The government has been placed in a catch-22 situation. If it moves strongly against the insurgents, some Northerners cry genocide, threatening to take the matter to the International Court of Justice.

If it pulls punches, the same Northerners accuse the government of incompetence in dealing with Boko Haram insurgency.

Self-defeating sabotage

T

his is tantamount to cutting off your nose to spite your face. Those who gave impetus to the Northern insurgency out of disaffection with a SouthSouth presidency now sleep with one eye open. What they promoted has gone out of their control. It is not the people of the South-South that are now being shot, bombed and kidnapped indiscriminately; it is the people of the North.

Those who feel that by creating instability they will provide a catalyst for Jonathan’s defeat have simply hardened the case for retaining him in power.

People like me never supported Jonathan until we saw the virulent conspiracy against him. We never cared for the mischievous PDP until we discovered that Jonathan’s opponents are so desperate for power, they are even prepared to destroy the nation in the process. They are so determined to seize power; they are threatening to “soak the dog and the baboon in blood” if they don’t get their wish. Therefore, the deafening answer to them must be: “Thy will shall not be done.”

These malcontents were having a good time of it until someone came up with a “brilliant” idea: “Let us kidnap 300 innocent school-girls in Chibok in one fell swoop.”

This scheme had curious pieces of detail. The head of WAEC National Office, Charles Eguridu, maintains they warned the Borno State

government that Chibok was unsafe and that the exams should be moved to more secure locations. But the state government refused. The few soldiers guarding the school were suspiciously re-deployed a few hours before the kidnapping.

It is therefore not surprising that the Northern Nigeria Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), noting that the Chibok girls are mainly Christians, maintains that the kidnapping is a grand conspiracy involving the state governor, the school principal and others. Our First Lady alluded to the same matter by declaring: “There is God o!”

Northern volte-face The Chibok kidnapping has become the biggest blunder of the Boko Haram. As a result, they are no longer just fighting against the Nigerian army. The whole world is now ranged against them. The Americans, the British, the French, the Japanese, the Israelis, the Chinese; everyone is now lining up behind the Jonathan administration, offering assistance for dealing with the insurgents.

Jonathan’s Northern opponents who have hitherto been sympathetic to the insurgents are now caught in a bind. Accordingly, they have started singing a different tune.

Murtala Nyako said Boko Haram is a “phantom” devised

by Southern Jonathan to conduct genocide against the North. Now, the Northern Governors’ Forum of which he is a member welcomes the assistance of the international community to fight Boko Haram “phantoms.” The chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu, says: “The current challenges facing our country demonstrate the importance of working together across geo-political zones, political party lines, and ethnic-religious affinities to defeat our common enemies.”

Muhammadu Buhari declared at Kano Government House that the Boko Haram was a “strategic plan” by Jonathan’s government “to destroy the North.” He insinuated that by declaring a state of emergency in the North-east, the president was waging war on Northerners. Listen to the

as Jonathan even planning to run for another term? Your guess is as good as mine. However, what the Northern blackmail has succeeded in doing is to ensure that Jonathan no longer has a choice: he has to contest. To back out now would be tantamount to succumbing to blackmail. The threats, sabotage and insurgency also mean Jonathan cannot afford to lose the election. Again, to lose the election is to succumb to blackmail.

The use of extraconstitutional means to fight Jonathan gives the lie to the posturing of his opponents. It shows they don’t believe in elections. Worst of all, they don’t have the interest of Nigeria at heart. They are even prepared to sacrifice Nigeria on the altar of their selfish, sectarian and regional interests. For these reason, they must be resisted by anyone who loves this country and believes in a united Nigeria.

In short, the issue is no longer about Jonathan. It is now about Nigeria. By a strange twist of fate, it is Jonathan of the discreditable PDP who now represents united Nigeria. To defeat Jonathan is to defeat Nigeria. To defeat Jonathan by a Northern APC presidential candidate is to hand over victory to the Northern insurgency. To accede to the defeat of Goodluck Jonathan by a Northern cabal is to promote the interests of the Boko Haram.

If the APC understand the signs of the times, they would field a Southern presidential candidate to challenge Goodluck Jonathan.

For this reason, the new Jonathan coalition created by the Chibok kidnapping cannot just include the international community. It must also include the rankand-file Nigerians: Southerners and Northerners; Christians and Muslims. This is a time of national emergency. We must forget our differences and join hands to ensure that Jonathan prevails in spite of all the stumbling blocks and minefields put in his way.

So doing, we would be able to make effective demands on the president. He would have to listen to us. With the added pressure from the international community, we will insist that the corruption that has gone through the roof under his administration must finally come to an end.

The time is long overdue: some malefactors must be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.

No more pussyfooting. Nigerians require a transparent government; and we require this “yesterday.”

18— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 THE longer the inconclusive journey of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, began in 2000 lasts, the more the concerns about more transparent management of the oil and gas sector result in the bill. The controversies are enough reasons to pass the bill.

Among the aims of the bill are •Enhancing the exploitation of oil and gas in Nigeria •Commercialising the government’s interests in the industry •Deregulating and liberalising the downstream petroleum sector •Optimising gas supplies to the domestic gas market (especially for power generation and industries) •Reforming the fiscal regime •Promoting openness and transparency in the industry •Encouraging the development of Nigerian content Noble as the objectives are, key issues for the oil majors are government’s control of the

PIB: Pass The Bill, Please industry with the role the bill created for the Minister of Petroleum Resources and possibilities of new tax regimes. The most strident oppositions however appear to be local.

The bill has polarised the National Assembly along sectional lines, hence its long neglect. There appears to be more concern with how provisions for a fund for the host community would affect resources that would remain in the common purse.

It would have been expected that with all the devastation of oil and gas explorations in their host communities, the proposed host

community fund that would be utilised in provision of economic and social infrastructure in areas, would have enjoyed the support of the rest of the country.

The National Assembly is more fixated on the uses of special funds for the oil producing areas. Instead of dealing with the issue on its imperatives, mismanagement of the funds is considered a reason for opposing the bill. We should punish mismanagement of funds instead of punishing the host communities.

Benefits of the bill include government’s divestments, more transparency in the industry ’s operations, and the protection of the

environment should be bigger considerations than the immediate benefits of more money for governments.

Oil and gas is so central to the operations of the economy that the over-dependence on it should not be the main issue in deciding the future of the industry. We expect managers of the economy would diversify, using resources from oil and gas. Governments have fallen into the easier option of waiting for shares of oil revenues for their activities.

Those opposed to the passage of the PIB are neglecting the impacts of delay in its passage on the industry. Investors have remained tentative in the 14 years of the bill’s journey, stalling new investments.

We ask the contending parties to place the interests of the country in context and pass the bill. Delays in its passage are hurting the economy and endangering its prospects.

OPINION

BY GBINIJE BOBSON

“The heart of a man is desperately wicked, who can know it”. - (Holy Bible)

T

HE unspeakable ghoulish and horrendous acts of wickedness manifested in man’s attitudinal orientation and hideous behaviour towards his fellowman betrays the level into which man’s mind is sunken. This type of mind is reflected in corruption, kidnapping, cannibalism, terrorism, homicide and assassinations, etc. The Holy Bible lends credence to this assertion, when it posited that “the heart of man is desperately wicked”. Why will a human being develop the stout guts to assassinate another human being?

An assassin is a contract and hired killer.

He or she is an eliminator, hatchet man, hit man, liquidator, murderer and a slayer.

He or she is a person who murders somebody important or famous for money or for political reasons, etc. Pedro Lopez of Colombia raped and killed three girls and dozens of politicians in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. He was sobriqueted the monster of Andes and sentenced to life imprisonment in Ecuador in 1980 on 57 charges.

The most prolific female murderer was Elizabeth Bathory (1598-1625) of Romania. She is alleged (1598) to have killed 650 girls in order to drink their blood and bathe in it, an act she believed would preserve her youth. It was established at the trial of Behram, the Indian thug that he had strangled at least 931 victims and dozens of wealthy men in uttar Pradesh, India, between (1790-1840). And for

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Politicians, 2015: Assassins and assassinations attempting to assassinate the former Afenifere leader, Abraham Adeesanya in 1997, a Lagos High court handed down a total of 59-year jail term to an aid to late Gen.Sani Abacha, Corporal Aminu Mohammed and Abdulateef. Aremu Shofolahan, personal Assistant to the late Mrs.Kudirat Abiola wife of the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola.

In the military putsch of January 15, 1966 and the counter-coup of July 29, 1966 many politicians and military officers where assassinated. The likes of Chief Okotie –Eboh, Chief Akintola, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello and General Aguiyi Ironsi, etc. In this one man’s assassin or villain could be another man’s hero. But in the assassination of Abraham Lincolin, J.F. kennedy, Alfred Rewane, Onagoruwa’s son , Kudirat Abiola, Young Harry, Martin Luther King (JNR), Chief Agbatutu, Bola Ige, Funsho Williams, Simbiat Abiola, attempts on Ibru, Obama and many others across the world too numerous to mention in this short article, unravels one basic truism that man has an intuitive and natural sanguinary tendency that borders on catatonic schizophrenia and psychotic asininity to seek vengeance, pursue his lunatic quest for fame, power, money and vanity by all means. The assassin in most cases has no personal grouse against the assassinated, but picks up the gun to kill because of pecuniary inducements.

The thematic thrust and quest of this writer is to try to unravel the conundrum

surrounding the mind of assassins and why the assassin who has no problem with another man chooses to kill him or her for monetary reward. Our investigations revealed that some do it out of poverty, some out of ignorance, some out of cerebral imbalance, some out of personal grudge and some out of an inexplicable bent for evil etc.

But Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) observed that “no man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expediency”. In his speech titled ‘the atomic future’ delivered at Hartford, Connecticut on 18 Sept, 1952 the statesman and essayist Stevenson Adlai said “there is no evil in the atom, only in men’s soul”.

It is clear therefore, that man naturally has a tincture of evil in him accentuated by greed and sadistic propensity. But solid education, religion-fear of god and the pursuit of the high ideals of integrity tend to assuage this innate instinctual; proclivity for evil. But in the universities or the academia they resort to assassinations and diabolical voodoos to achieve vice chancellorship position etc. In churches, they resort to assassinations and diabolisms to be head of the church, in poltitics it is a tradition, in families brothers, sisters, uncles, wives, cousins, aunts, nephews resort to assassination to become kings, chiefs and head of towns, clans and kingdoms etc. The assassin finds a readymade customer in his wicked trade because of the satanic ambitions of man.

The United Nations, African Union, the Commonwealth, the Arab league and all

nations on planet earth must declare the assassin an outcast and assassination a crime against humanity and apart from existing laws, there should be sterner penalties for assassins. The judiciary must bring all the muscle of jurisprudential canons to bear on these sons of perdition and workers of iniquity. The politicians and all fame, power and property mongers must be prevailed upon by their churches and such other bodies to play by the rules. The assassin should realise that for blood he spills and the blood money he collects he must give account to God. Finally, the race to 2015 has already started; our politicians must be prevailed upon to shun thuggery and assassination as weapons of politics. The assassins and their sponsors must be declared as moral and spiritual taboos, cranks and faddists and should be anathematised. They degrade humanity and take us back to the dark ages. The people of the world must rekindle their fate in the judicial process and democracy, and not the rule of the thumb and constitute a law unto themselves. The assassin must spare a thought for the millions of orphans and widows which they create through their brainless noodles and dunderheaded acts. The governments of the world must stop state sponsored assassination for our world is a global village and we constitute a common humanity under God Almighty. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—19

T

HE PDP has not been brilliant in the running of the country's affair, since the current civilian dispensation - 1999 till date. They have continued to wobble and fumble, becoming so arrogant and insensitive to the yearning of the ordinary Nigerian, most crucially; the inability to contain the monster of corruption.

It is my belief that if the issue of corruption is properly addressed, every other thing will fall into place. It will take a very focussed leadership to sort out the issue of corruption and funds will be properly channelled towards providing infrastructure and other life lifting projects, such as creating job opportunities. Hence, the need for an alternative platform, that will help actualise these yearning s of Nigerians.

The APC came with a lot of fanfare, much hype, expectations and hope. A country with a vibrant opposition is a blessed country as the activities of government will always be open to severe scrutiny.

The APC, to a large extent, has succeeded in making the PDP sit up to the responsibilities of governance. This is good.

The merger of the ACN with the CPC has created a strong propaganda machinery that is intimidating. They had and will continue to put the PDP under severe pressure, as 2015 draws close, but the question is, will their

strategy yield the desired goal of taking over the government at the centre from the incumbent PDP? Propaganda has a limit of usefulness, when people realise you are not truthful in your campaign, you begin to lose credibility. The Chairman of the House of Representatives finance committee, Hon Abdulmumini Jibrin, an APC man, has said that the party was doing some of its propaganda in excess; read 'Premium Times' of 19th April 2014.

When a party member questions statements emanating from the top echelon of the party, there is cause for concern.

The interest of the nation is above the individual parts, in the form of states and regions. So, where there is a clash of interest, that of the nation takes preeminence.

Recent events portray APC's campaigns tending towards polarising the nation, instead of unifying and building. Playing politics with the lives of innocent citizens is the greatest disservice to the people. Through their actions and in actions, they have emboldened the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents. Each time there is an impact, in the form of containment, they introduce the ethnic, religious and political cards, like we saw with Nyako and El Rufai. It is like ending the Boko Haram activities is not in their interest, check out El Rufai's

,

handle, he celebrates the activities of the Boko Haram sect.

E

very party must collaborate to address this issue of Boko Haram insurgency. I am happy that the president called up a bipartisan meeting of all parties, it is hoped that the result of their deliberations will mark the beginning of the end for Boko Haram. Only a concerted effort by all will solve the problem. It is in everyone's interest. According to Wole Soyinka, Vanguard newspaper of 17th April 2014, " If the people are not ready to offer information on the activities of the Boko Haram, there is nothing the president or anybody for that matter can do." If the North, collectively decides to put an end to the insurgencies, it will end within a month. As long as some

The scheme against Jonathan

BY CHUKS IIOEGBUNAM

T

HE longsuffering Nigerian moaned in grief: “Although I have borne this burden for many years, I am prepared to forgive and forget. My terror stems from the very absence of a clue regarding how much longer I am expected to groan under this deadweight.” The deadweight crushing Nigeria today is engineered political instability. Two categories of Nigerians are directly responsible for this invidious state of play. They are the fomenters of the instability, and their cheerleaders – those deliberately or unwittingly celebrating while the national homestead is being consumed by a conflagration.

In the eyes of the fomenters of instability, President Jonathan can do no good. He cannot do any good because in their thinking, he is not supposed to preside over Nigerian affairs, to begin with. That is why they claim he cannot seek reelection for a second term of office. If any of Atiku, Buhari, el-Rufai, or Ribadu were in power, today’s sworn enemies of the second-term would be singing a totally different tune.

A Port Harcourt-bound flight takes off from Katsina. Unfortunately, the Captain suffers a heart attack and dies in midflight.

Meanwhile, the Co-Pilot careers the aircraft to a perfect touchdown at its destination. In countries where reason takes precedence over skullduggery, it was a single flight that went from Katsina to Port Harcourt. But in Nigeria, Jonathan already lost the right to seek reelection because fomenters of instability count among his tenures in Aso Rock the period he served as Vice President of Nigeria. Now, Al Gore was Vice President under President Bill Clinton for two terms, and later contested the United States presidency against George W. Bush, without anyone suggesting, even in their wildest dream, that Gore had already enjoyed two terms.

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Those hectoring against Jonathan seeking reelection knew they woefully lost the battle even before it started. Therefore, they had to devise other means of stopping a man they fear would trounce them for the repeated time at the polls. Terrorism came in handily, despite its sanguinary imprint. Those unaware or unclear of how this insidious poison seeped into Nigeria’s essence are advised to read the telling interview granted

by Ambassador Bola Dada, a retired career diplomat, to The Punch of April 12, 2014.

Just one excerpt: “As far as I am concerned, Boko Haram is an offshoot of Sharia. Meanwhile, in 2001, I learnt from a Southern Sudanese while I was there that at Khartoum sometime in 1994, some Sudanese officials were lamenting that the then presidents of Nigeria were not radical Muslims; they were lamenting that the golden days of Islam had gone. They were not happy that General Ibrahim Babangida and Muhammadu Buhari did not follow in the footsteps of Ahmadu Bello. So they planned on strategising again. They went to Kano to do that. Whatever the strategy they made that time, there is a link to what is happening now. Meanwhile, Babangida compensated them by dragging Nigeria to the Organisation of Islamic Countries, still they were not satisfied. Also, there was a kind of covenant between Sudan and Libya to destabilise Nigeria to promote Islamisation. So, what is happening to President Goodluck Jonathan now may have something to do with that pact. They call it Afikaya, a doctrine that all African states must be governed by Muslims only.

Gaddafi fought for it rigorously before he died – that all African presidents must be Muslims and in any African country where by error a Christian is there, they should make life difficult for that person until he is deposed. I got wind of it in one document. I

people are benefiting from this madness, it will continue to fester.

There are so many positives from the opposition side to campaign on, like the performance of Fashola and Oshiomhole, instead of trying to bring the nation to its knees. With people like El Rufai and Nyako, the job of the APC winning the centre has become more difficult. Imagine Nyako's letter denigrating the whole Eastern region and Rufai's battle with CAN, that is bad and tactless politics, especially at this period of fishing for membership.

Let me repeat it here:, as long as the north is embroiled in crises of the type of Boko Haram and the Hausa/Fulani gun men, the opposition will not be able to win any election. Mark my word and remind me in May 2015.

It is less than one year to the presidential election of 2015 and the opposition parties have not decided on who will be their standard bearer, you cannot sow yam and reap cassava. The presidential election involves a lot of logistics, in terms of finance and manpower, it is not a tea party. You may be very popular in the north and maybe the west but if the other parts of the country refuse to accept, you have failed. You must be able to prove that the candidate you have will represent the people better than Jonathan. It is not by shouting or negative propaganda, this is reality.

Can the APC dislodge PDP in the 2015 elections? I doubt it. They will have to work harder at it.

The leadership of the party havs not handled the allegation of the Muslim/Muslim ticket properly, maybe they are still considering a proper response.

,

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

,

2015: How effective is the opposition's strategy

Recent events portray APC's campaigns tending towards polarising the nation, instead of unifying and building. Playing politics with the lives of innocent citizens is the greatest disservice to the people

The fomenters of national instability are aided by those who interpret and propagate every Boko Haram atrocities as a minus for President Jonathan. No, terrorism in Nigeria is a recurring minus for the opposition who see indiscriminate murder of innocent people as a shortcut to national political leadership

,

read it with my eyes that all African countries must be governed by Muslims and any country that is mistakenly being ruled by a Christian, they should make life difficult for him.”

T

he fomenters of national instability are aided by those who interpret and propagate every Boko Haram atrocities as a minus for President Jonathan. No, terrorism in Nigeria is a recurring minus for the opposition to the political status quo who see indiscriminate murder of innocent people and the attendant devastation of property/ infrastructure as a shortcut to national political leadership.

Media experts abound today interpreting only their folly and their blinkers, forgetting that once an abomination is allowed to hold sway, it automatically becomes a tradition.

They fail to reckon that if Jonathan is bombed out of office, explosives will replace the ballot box as the instrument for attaining political office. These expert journalists/commentators forget that

Many Christians have put their hearts and necks on the line for the success of the APC. But the leadership has been disappointing, with the El Rufai and Nyako's school of ethnic and religious thinking, it will be difficult to convince the people otherwise.

Where one expected proper democratic foundation at all levels of the APC structure, what one sees is arbitrary impositions and this has caused so many to decamp in states like Kwara, Sokoto, Adamawa and so on.

If the opposition cannot set the example for a true democratic arrangement, why take on the PDP? We have established in the past that electoral corruption is the foundation for all other types of corruption, if the leadership is not accountable to the people for political decisions, it will equally not be accountable in the way it dispenses finances.

This is our dilemma for 2015.

The APC and the PDP are obverse sides of the same coin. Politicians like Nyako and El Rufai are only promoting their selfish agenda, the masses are the poorer for it.

The final question I will pose here is: Is there no way we can get in a third party, free from baggage, with a clear ideology, focus and true progressives to move the nation forward?

We need a truly genuine third leg.

**The copy was sent before the Chibok girls abduction.

*Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

every Boko Haram attack is a stab at the heart of Nigerian democracy. These experts will recoil from examining, for instance, India and Pakistan, neighbours in the Indian sub-continent who both won political independence in 1948. India chose the democratic path. Pakistan opted for coups, bombs and bullets. India is in accent; Pakistan is mired in gore and blood. Why should Pakistan’s dismal scenario be replicated in Nigeria?

The journalist deserves his pay, of course. But all the gold in the world cannot justify writing from an inkpot full of the blood of innocent bomb blast victims.

Plainly, terrorists are criminals and murderers. The journalism that valorizes the kidnappers of school children and perpetrators of infanticide is warped.

President Jonathan imposed in three troubled states a state of emergency. But the Governors of those states remain in power, each collecting no less than N400 million every month in the name of security vote. The journalism that doesn’t ask these Governors to account for how they blow these vast sums in the guise of fighting terrorism is obscene. Certain politicians and traditional rulers have been making incendiary remarks, trying to pit sections of the country against each other, trying to disunite the military.

Any journalism not in condemnation of these traitorous acts is counterproductive.

Any journalism that does not doff its hat for our military and security agencies that have patriotically been making unquantifiable sacrifices in order that we may all live in peace deserves to be censured.

The journalism that conspires with fomenters of political instability schemes, not against Jonathan as an individual. It schemes not against Jonathan as President of Nigeria. This ruinous journalism is a blunderbuss wielded by a drugged felon and trained at the heart of our collective tomorrow.

*Mr. IIoegbunam, a former Commissioner of Information in Anambra State, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

A building marked for demolition.

Military personnel overseeing the demolition.

Benue communities, Air Force on warpath over demolition of houses •House of Assembly wades in

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

F

OR indigenes of Ugondo and Akpen, two communities on the outskirt of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Wednesday, 7th May 2014, is a day they would never forget for a very long time to come. It was on that fateful day that they witnessed the other side of the law; a day when men of the Nigeria Air Force swooped on the community with bulldozers and in a jiffy, pulled down about 500 houses which were earlier marked for demolition.

Vanguard Metro, VM gathered that the demolition exercise was a fallout of prolonged

In fact, the issue became a matter for litigation but the communities were later prevailed upon to withdraw the suit for an out of court settlement. This may have accounted for the hue and cry that trailed the unannounced decision of the Air Force to pull down the struct u r e s .

VM further gathered that when the “bulldozers went on rampage” in the communities, most of the inhabitants were either away to work or had gone to their farms.

The decision to pull down the structures sparked off angry reaction from the natives who made bonfire and took over the ever- busy Makurdi-Gboko

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The protesting youths who dared the arms- wielding Air Force personnel, took over the road for several hours, vowing to resist the action with the last drop of their blood

dispute over the ownership of the land on which the structures were erected. The Air Force had accused the affected communities of encroaching on the large expanse of land which allegedly belonged to the Tactical Air Command of the Nigeria Air Force.

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road, to protest the action of the Air force.

The protesting youths who dared the arms- wielding Air Force personnel, took over the road for several hours vowing to resist the action with the last drop of their blood.

A visibly angry landlord in

the area who gave his name as John Gbar told newsmen that they had few years ago taken the dispute to court but were persuaded by the Force to withdraw the matter from court to pave way for an amicable settlement. ”We were hoping that the matter would be resolved amicably without the resort to brute force to evict us from our community which in the first place, is our ancestral land. As you can see, we withdrew the case from the court, the Nigeria Air Force turned round and commenced the demolition without giving us any notice, which simply implies that well over 6,000 persons would be rendered homeless if this is allowed to continue,”he said.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CPRO, Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa told had earlier informed newsmen that the over 4,835 hectares of land in dispute belonged to the Air Force.

He noted that Ugondo and Akpen communities who initially instituted court cases against the NAF and the State government over the land, later resolved to withdraw the case. ”The legal process gave rise to a court injunction restricting further developments on the

land. While the injunction may not be said to hold any longer given that the cases had been withdrawn from the court, it is sad to note that fresh developments have since begun to come up on land,”he said.

Famuyiwa said the NAF decided to pull down the new structures in order to maintain the status quo ante and also check the flagrant disregard for the law.

But in a swift reaction to the unfolding drama, the Benue State House of Assembly, Thursday, directed the Nigeria Air Force, NAF, to desist from further demolition of houses and property in the communi-

ties to avoid an escalation of the security situation in the state.

The directive came on the heels of an issue of urgent state importance brought before the House by the lawmaker representing Makurdi South State constituency, Mr. Benjamin Adayi.

Adayi had tabled the issue on the floor of the house, warning that the exercise could lead to the displacement of thousands of families in Makurdi town which he said provides a safe haven for over 50,000 person who were displaced by the Tiv/ Fulani crisis.

Tensed situation The lawmaker cautioned that, if allowed to continue, the exercise could exacerbate the tensed situation in the state. ”The exercise has to be stopped, the state government must stop what the Air Force is doing because an exercise that could lead to a breakdown of order in Makurdi will not serve the best interest of anyone.”

This view was also supported by the entire House which decried the exercise and canvassed a concerted effort on part of the state government to resolve the ownership tussle.

In his ruling, Speaker of the House, Mr. Terhile Ayua urge the NAF to cease further action on the disputed land; advising that the state government stepped into the matter in order to finding lasting solution.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 21

Saudi, OPEC to cover for Ukraine-related oil shortage — Naimi T

OP global oil exporter Saudi Arabia will step in to cover any potential shortage arising from the Ukraine crisis, its oil minister said yesterday. Saudi Arabia, the only oil producer which can significantly alter output in response to changing demand, has in the past two years played the leading role in cushioning against supply disruptions from Libya, Nigeria, Iraq and South Sudan.

Russia, which output has almost doubled over the past 15 years to more than Saudi Arabia’s, has always pumped at full stretch. It has irked Riyadh several times by first agreeing to cooperate in output policy, but then doing very little to reduce production.

Riyadh feels the need to trumpet its unique supply role at a time of soaring U.S. output due to the shale boom, which has prompted politicians there to call for an end to the era of dependence on Middle East oil and the naval protection of sea routes in the region.

“We are willing to supply any shortage which may arise,” said Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi.

He said the kingdom’s current output is around 9.6 million barrels per day (bpd), while it has a capacity of 12.5 million bpd.

Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and violence in eastern Ukraine

201.0

-1.4

2,919.00

-2.00

17.19

-0.28

have rattled oil markets, keeping benchmark Brent futures near $108 a barrel after hitting $112.39 on March 3, the highest this year.

Naimi said that both Saudi Arabia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would meet any additional demand for oil.

“Wherever demand is needed, we and other OPEC members will supply,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Seoul, Naimi also said $100 a barrel was a fair price for oil. “Onehundred dollars is a fair price

CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL RONA SDR

154.73 260.8903 214.7343 176.3104 1.518 0.308 239.2928 24.7725 41.2547 28.765 240.0636

+0.44

CENTRAL SELLING 155.23 261.7333 215.4282 176.8801 1.5229 0.318 240.066 24.8531 41.388 28.858 240.8393

oil output from Iran and Iraq, both aiming to restore full output after sanctions and civil strife.

OPEC’s No.2 and No.3 producers respectively feel they are special cases because of production lost to sanctions - Iraq over decades under Saddam Hussein up to 2003 and Iran over the past two years for its nuclear programme.

FROM LEFT: Chief Executive Officer, Newlord Nigeria Limited, Vishal Daryanani; Chief Executive Officer, Carlisle Nigeria Limited, Shade Animashaun and Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman at the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) seminar organised by Sterling Bank in Lagos.

107.28 -0.44 99.92

for everybody - consumers, producers, oil companies,” he said. “It’s a fair price. It’s a good price.”

Naimi said OPEC should maintain its current output cap of 30 million bpd when it comes up for review at the group’s meeting on June 11 in Vienna.

“Supply is highly sufficient, demand is great and the market is fairly stable,” Naimi said.

“There is no reason for a change. Absolutely no reason.”

OPEC faces the problem of accommodating rapidly rising

155.73 262.5764 216.1221 177.4499 1.5278 0.328 240.8393 24.9336 41.5214 28.9509 241.6151

CBN Exchange rate as at 09/05/2014

Ogun’s monthly IGR hits N4bn, from N730m in 2011

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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GUN State’s monthly internally generated revenue has risen to N4 billion, up from N730 million in 2011.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this recently in Abeokuta at a media briefing to herald the second edition of the state’s Investors’ Forum slated for May 21 and 22, 2014 at the state capital. He said the investment drive of the state government under his watch has started to reap dividends as 45 companies with over $100 million worth of investments each have established industries in different industrial estates in the state within the last two years, amounting to about $4.3 billion in total. “”Ogun is the largest industrial base in the country. No state has the size and number of industries that we have,” he added.

Speaking on the forthcoming Investors’ Forum, he said the focus will be on agriculture and urban development in a new bid to attract investors into the state. According to him, the two sectors were chosen as the focus of the forum because, apart from the fact that they are interwoven, they serve as agents of change.

He noted that agriculture, in particular, gives the state edge over other states of the federation in terms of potentials and the gateway position of the state. The governor explained that the proximity of the state to Lagos and being entry/exit point to other countries of the West African region make it stands tall above others as far as commercial agriculture is concerned.

Labour cautions FG on standardisation of cement

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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RGANISED labour has called on the Federal Government to implement the standardisation of cement in the country with caution to avoid worsening the unemployment situation in the country President of the Chemical and Non Metallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, CANMPSSAN, Abdul Gafar Mohammed, said the union hoped present standardisation agenda was not aimed at institutionalising monopoly in the industry, warning that labour would resist such move.

He argued that cases of building collapse being experienced in parts of the country go beyond cement.

According to him: “There are

about 27 types of cement that exist all over the world. Each type of cement supports different purpose. We have the following grades - 12.5, 22.5, 32.5, 42.5, 52.5, sulphate-resistant cement, oil well, white cement and others.

None of the cement is inferior to others. No one size fits all.”

While insisting that labour as stakeholder in the industry would support any effort that would stop the incidence of building collapse, Mohammed said workers in the sector were prepared to partner with relevant government agencies to see that building collapse became a thing of the past.

He argued that loss of lives because of building collapse was not only disheartening but avoidable, explaining however that many reasons were responsible for building collapse.

These according to him, include poor application, site corruption - stealing

and compromises, soil test and lack of use of professionals on site.

The CANMPASSAN president noted that rather than pursue the agenda of forcing out the 32.5 grade out of the market, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, must rigidly ensure that standards were met in the chain of the construction industry. ”Cocoa House in Ibadan was built with 32.5, so likewise the Federal Secretariat complex in Ikoyi, including all the construction works in Abuja in the early 90s. All these structures are still standing. We believe that the right application of all the materials will eliminate the incidence of building collapse.

Besides, task force should be established comprising SON, government and professionals to track compliance.”

22— — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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-payment is good but it is vulnerable to fraud.

E-payment fraud is on the rise with many falling victims every day. But you don’t have to be one of the victims and you should not be.

The first step is to protect yourself from e-payment fraud, and critical factor to this is to acknowledging the reality of e-payment fraud and the fact that it is usually perpetrated by ‘insiders’, those who work in the financial institutions that offer e-payment services.

Three factors are necessary for e-payment fraud: Ignorance of the customer; carelessness on his part or that of the bank staff, and weakness or loopholes in the system of the organisation offering e-payment services.

The first two were discussed in the last two editions. Today, we focus on the third factorweakness or loopholes in the system.

As end user of e-payment, you need to realise that epayment systems or platforms are operated by human beings, who are not perfect, and hence the system they operate cannot be perfect. The ‘insider ’ e-payment fraudster knows this and always seeks to discover and exploit the

Beware of loopholes in e-payment system

weakness in the system.

In one of the Nigeria E-fraud Forum meetings, it was revealed that these fraudsters discovered that they can defraud an account holders by transferring negative values to

their accounts. In other words, the fraudster (bank staff now), transfers minus N20, 000 (N20, 000) from his own account to the account of another customer, via internet banking platform. Thus the

account of the customer reduces by N20, 000, while that of the fraudster increases by the same amount. It is amazing how they discover this method, but it shows that they are always seeking to identify inherent weaknesses in a system.

There is a standard for securing e-payment system from fraud and the CBN has mandated all the banks and epayment service providers to comply with this standard. The reality, however, is that because the system and the standard are operated by human beings, they can be manipulated to perpetrate fraud.

There are also honest mistakes or erroneous functioning of the e-payment system. For example, a bank customer may be receiving transaction alerts containing sensitive account details of another customer! If that former customer is dubious he might explore ways of using that information to defraud.

And the bank or the owner of

Top 10 performing stocks The top 10 per forming stocks were Custodian and Allied Plc, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc, National Aviation Handling Company Plc, Livestock Feeds Plc, Ashaka Cement Plc and Evans Medical Plc. Others were West African Provincial Insurance Plc, National Salt Company Nigeria, NASCON Plc and N.E.M Insurance Co (Nig.) Plc. Custodian and Allied, which has been one of the investors toast in the last few weeks, led the gainers chart with 21.07 percent or N0.51 price appreciation to close at N2.93 from N2.42 at the beginning of the week. Custodian and Allied is a new entity resulting from a merger of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc and Crusader Nigeria Plc, which was consummated in 2013.

Following the merger, it adopted a Group structure with four subsidiaries. Listed on Other Financial Sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Custodian and Allied, stands as one of the insurance firms to have complied with the International Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS. The first quarter unaudited financial statement for period

ended March 31, 2014, was a consolidation of 2013 performance as it showed significant improvement in all measurement indicators. The profit before tax for the period rose by 78.5 percent to N1.3 billion from N746.9 million in 2013.

Also, the profit after tax increased by 90.7 percent from N587 million to N1.1 billion.

While the gross written premium rose to N5.9 billion from N4.1 billion in 2013 representing 41.8 percent increase, the Group's asset base increased from 45.6 billion as at 31 December 2013 to N47.6 billion for the first quarter ended 31 March 2014, indicating 4.2 percent growth within the threemonth period. It recently announced changes in its Board with resignation of a Board member – Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Giwa.

Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc placed second with 18.15 percent or

the account would never know until money is lost. Another example is that of a bank, a subsidiary of an international bank. A systemic error made the bank’s ATMs to begin to give out money arbitrarily.

A customer discovered this, but instead of alerting the bank, he informed his friends.

By the time the error was discovered, the bank had lost huge amount of money. Such error occur from time to time in the banking industry, but they are not made public, so as not to scare customers.

They cannot be completely eliminated.

The fraudster knows this and hence, he is always on the look out for systemic weaknesses that can be exploited to commit fraud. As an end user of e-payment services, having this understanding will enhance your vigilance and compel you to be careful whenever you are making transactions via e-payment.

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

ter tax at N3.864 billion N20.87 price appreci- was 519 percent ination, closing at crease over N624.194 N135.87 from million recorded in the N115.00 per share. same period in 2013.

Listed on the petro- Meanwhile, the cost of leum and petroleum sales moved up to products distributors N19.378 billion as sector of the NSE, Mobil ranks as one of against N17.052 billion in the attractive stocks in Q1’13, representing 14 perits sector, having de- cent increase.

NPF Micro-finance Bank livered a 28.18 percent re- was the next with 11.76 perturn-on-investment to inves- cent or N0.10 increase from tors already in 52 weeks. It N0.85 to N0.95. In line with is also the third most highly its tradition of consistent divpriced stock in the sector just idend payment, the directors behind Total Nigeria Plc and have proposed payment of 10 Forte Oil Plc. Available first kobo dividend to shareholdquarter financial statement ers, whose names appear on of the company for the peri- register of members as at od March ending 31, 2014 June 6, 2014. It recently anshowed17 percent increase in nounced change of guard in revenue to N22.410 billion as top management position against N19.142 billion in the with appointment of Mr. Lacorresponding period in wal Akinwunmi Mohammed 2013. The profit before tax in- as the Acting Managing Dicreased by 414 percent to rector. Born in 1964, MoN4.747 billion from N924.097 hammed obtained the Highbillion in 2013. The profit af- er National Diploma (HND) from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos in 1996 before obtaining Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2003. It recorded gross income of N1.9343 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 as against N1.631 billion

in 2012 and profit before tax of N512.076 million. The post tax profit stood at N391.320 million as against N475.837 million posted in the same period of 2012.

NAHCo advanced by 11.18 percent or N0.51 from N4.56 to N5.07. The company recently announced that approval of Free Trade Zone (FTZ) licence was granted one of its subsidiaries - NAHCO FTZ Limited.

Livestock Feeds went up by 10.51 percent or N0.33 to close at N3.47 from N3.13; AshakaCem advanced by 10.51 percent or N1.19 to close at N20.09 from N18.18; Evans Medical appreciated by 9.76 percent or N0.24 to close at N2.70 from N2.46; West African Provincial Insurance rose by 9.72 percent or N0.07 to close at N0.79 from N0.72; NASCON advanced by 9.60 percent or N1.09 to close at N12.45 from N11.36, while N.E.M Insurance went up by 9.33 or N0.07 to close at N0.82 from N0.75 per share.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 23

•Boniface Okezie

Segun Owolabi

INVESTORS SPEAK

Why active stocks are experiencing sell-down

By WILLIAM JIMOH

I

nvestors in the Nigerian capital market lost N960 billion between January and March this year. The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, market capitalisation dropped by 7.3 percent to close at N12.27 trillion last Thursday from N13.23 trillion at the beginning of trading on 2nd of January, 2014.

Conversely, investors reaped more from their investment in the global capital market than in Nigeria in the first three months of the year.

The top 10 active shares including Oando, WAPIC, Conoil, May & Baker among others within this period experienced heavy sell-down activities and they are currently still under sell pressure, driven by weak fundamentals and dwindling financial performances. In this chat with Vanguard Investors’ Forum, some investors spoke on what could be responsible for this.

Excerpt:

S

EGUN Owolabi, Chairman, Western Zone Shareholders Association In the case of Oando, they have problem after bidding for Conocophilip and some of us retail investors were very skeptical about the step taken and so it is not surprising that shareholders are selling their stocks because there has not been much information from them on the state of the investment. The last time we heard from them, we were told that they were about obtaining the licence through the Minister of Petroleum.

But we know that where they are entering into is not the right direction

for now. The kind of investment they are making is too much for the company. And that is the reason why some investors are selling because they do not understand their plans.

In the case of WAPIC, we know that the market is information driven and if adequate information is not communicated to shareholders, it will cause the company ’s share price to decline. In other words, one thing WAPIC needs to improve on is their information dissemination to shareholders.

There are companies that are coming to the market now; one of them is Seplat, a company that has a lot of potentials for investors.

Seplat even has more potentials than Oando because it listed on two stock exchanges at the same time, an indication that the company has goodies in stock for its shareholders.

We have security problem in the market today and this has to some extent made foreign investors to be skeptical about bringing their money for investment in the country. And this is one thing that has also brought down the volume of business in the capital market.

Mr. Boniface Okezie, President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria: For me, in the case of WAPIC Plc, since they have embarked on repositioning, it will be wise on the part of investors to exercise patience and wait for what will be the outcome of their investments.

But for investors who are selling the stocks, they may be doing this because they are pressured and in need of money. This could also be due to the fact that by selling now, they will make some gains. Whether or not a shareholder will sell his share depends on the price at which he bought the stock.

If you bought at a lower price, below the current market price of

the stock, you can for this reason make a decision to sell since you have made some gains which is your motive for investing in the first place. In this case, the shareholder sells without being pressurised.

Still for me, this is not the time for them to begin to upload since the company is repositioning and the new owners are doing some adjustments. Contrary to this is what we often experience in the market where institutional investors don’t stay for very long in the market.

It is the retail investors that stay for long. The institutional investors come to the market today, make their gains and the next thing you see is that they are out, waiting for opportunities again from such companies; If the price is low, they move in.

As for trading, you cannot stop people from taking such step since they are in to make money. If somebody is buying, he/she knows the reason why he/she is buying the stocks. They may not be interested in dividend coming from such company and that is why once they are able to attain their objectives, they move out.

Companies in the insurance sector today are the ones lagging behind among the equities listed on the Exchange and that could be because of their lateness in releasing results to investors, which could hinder investors from making informed decision. Besides, some of them are not proposing dividend that can lure people to invest in them. You see, this kobo kobo dividend coming from them is disappointing.

For Oando, this is a company that has invested a lot and this should be the right time for people to reap dividend on their investments in the company.

For the people selling now, it depends on the price at which they bought the stock. If they can get 10 percent of that, they can exit and depending on what is happening to the stock, they can return. This is because the people that engage in this are not long term investors, because if they are, they will be patient for the gestation of the investment in those companies to reach, so that dividend can come from them.

But most of them are not patient enough, if the companies are not paying dividend, once they record little capital appreciation, they sell.

This could also be applicable to some politicians who want to offload some their investments in readiness for electioneering campaign, it may not be that something is threatening the company ’s existence.

Anybody investing in Oando is a long term investor and if that investment starts yielding profit for the company, I don’t see the reason why they should not pay their shareholders dividend.

For me, if you look at Oando in comparison with Seplat, I believe that Oando is stronger in what they have done and the businesses they have embarked upon are bigger than Seplat that trades at N600 or thereabout.

MARKET NEWS

MRS Oil, 8 others announce 2014 Q1 earnings report

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

L

AST week, nine quoted companies re leased their first quarter earning reports to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. The companies are MRS Oil, RT Briscoe, McNicholis Consolidated, Learn Africa, Aluminium Extrusion Industries, Julius Berger, Secure Electronics Technology and Dangote Cement Plc. MRS Oil Nigeria announced revenue of N24.16 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, a 54.67 percent increase over N15.62 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2013. It recorded profit after tax of N171.98 million compared to loss after tax of N271.97 million in 2013.

R.T Briscoe recorded mixed performance during the period. The result showed that revenue grew to N5.643 billion as against N5.247 billion in 2013, representing 7.5 percent increase, while the profit after tax fell to N8.587 million from N9.383 million in the corresponding period in 2013, also representing 8.5 percent decrease.

For McNicholis Consolidated Plc, it was a good beginning as both the revenue and profit for the period showed significant increase. While the profit after tax rose by 78.5 percent to N6.274 billion from N3.515 billion, the revenue grew to N108.481 billion from N99.854 billion, representing 1.63 percent increase.

It was also mixed performance for Learn Africa, which continued on its streak of losses in the quarter. While the revenue grew to N277.841 million in 2014 as against N149.850 million recorded in corresponding period in 2013, it recorded loss after tax of N10.286 million from another loss position of N65.440 million in 2013.

Aluminium Extrusion Industries on its part achieved 14.9 percent increase in turnover from N439.58 million to N505.13 million in the review period. The profit after tax grew to N16.37 million as against N11.94 million in the corresponding period in 2013, indicating 37.1 percent increase.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc’s revenue stood at N47.690 billion as against N39.646 billion in 2013, while it recorded profit after tax of N1.311 billion compared to N1.246 billion in Q1 2013.

Secure Electronics Technology Plc’s revenue grew to N1.6 billion from N1.2 billion in equivalent period in 2013, while the profit after tax rose to N27.5 million from loss position of N41.1 million in first quarter in 2013.

Finally, Dangote Cement recorded mixed performance with increase in revenue and decrease in profit. The gross earnings grew to N103.569 billion from N95.428 million in corresponding period in 2013. However, the profit after tax declined to N47.619 billion from N53.735 bllion in the first quarter in 2013.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATION

Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with (any company stockbrokers, registrar company etc) write to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com OR 07043855187. We will INVESTIGATE AD REPLY.

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Nigeria loses N133bn as crude production dips by 7.44mb

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

IGERIA lost $828.816 million, about N132.611 billion in one month, as the country’s crude oil production dropped by 7.44 million barrels in February 2014.

According to data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Economic Report for February 2014, Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, was estimated at an average of 1.86 million barrels per day (mbd) or 52.08 million barrels in February.

This is compared to production of 1.92mbd or 59.52 million barrels produced in January 2014, representing a decline of 7.44 million barrels for the month, 0.06mbd or 3.1 per cent.

Specifically, the CBN said, “At an estimated average of US$111.40 per barrel, the price of Nigeria’s reference crude, the Bonny Light (37º API), rose by 1.1 per cent above the level in the preceding month.

“The average prices of other competing crudes, namely the West Texas Intermediate at US$95.00 per barrel; the U.K Brent at US$109.77 per barrel; and the Forcados at US$112.26 per barrel also showed similar trend as the Bonny Light.”

The report further stated that deliveries to the refineries for domestic consumption remained at 0.45mbd or 12.6 million barrels during the month under review.

Also, Nigeria lost $678.426 million, as crude oil export for the month of February stood at 39.48 million barrels, dropping by 13.36 per cent or 6.09 million.

This is an average of 1.41 million barrels of crude oil per day, compared to an average of 1.47 million barrels per day in January,

Q1 review

Giving a review of the economy in the first quarter of 2014, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, said the Nigerian economy faced a hoard of challenges, ranging from limited oil output due to pipeline vandalism and decreased production activities and low power generation due to gas shortage, among others.

President Goodluck Jonathan (3rd left) inspecting the model of the proposed Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) shipyard, dockyard and Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, during the groundbreaking ceremony in Warri. With him are: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd right); Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State (2nd left) and other dignitries. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

On the outlook for the second quarter of the year, the analysts said, “Supply of foreign exchange is expected to come mainly from the central Bank of Nigeria, as current trend in supply from the oil majors’ monthly sales to commercial banks suggests a further reduction.

“However, we expect draw down on the external reserves due to import demand and payment for refined petroleum products, which were been delayed due to the late payment of subsidies and release of Q2 import allocation to oil traders.

“Inflation is expected to be

driven by both external and internal factors in 2014. Expected near to long term increase in crude oil supply from the re-opening of Libya’s export terminals, a slowdown in crude oil demand from Asia and increasingly growing importance of shale in the economies of former traditional im-

porters of Nigerian crude oil may result in lower oil revenue for Nigeria and decrease in its external reserves.

“This may limit Nigeria’s capacity to manage the exchange rate, resulting in pressure on the local currency and by extension, generate pressure on Inflation.”

Also, analysts at Asset and Resource Management (ARM) Limited, in their economic update for April 2014, disclosed that major disruptions along the Bonny and Forcados pipelines and its negative impact on crude export will weaken inflows into Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.

They said, “Oil prices are likely to remain supported at current levels by the continuing geo-political issues surrounding Russia and Ukraine and reports of fresh political unrest in Libya.

“Nonetheless, the sizable declines in oil production and the May loading schedules, suggest domestic exports are likely to remain pressured.

On the flip side, following the Quarter-on-Quarter contraction in recently released NNPC fuel import allocations for the second quarter, imports are likely to trend lower, driven by oil imports.

“As in recent years, the latter decline could work to limit the impact of the lower exports on trade surplus over second quarter 2014.”

Obama’s $7.5bn Power Africa initiative excites investors

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE Nigerian Power sector is set to benefit from the $7.5 bilion Power Africa Initiative launched in South Africa last year by President Barrack Obama.

This was the fallout of a recent trip to the United States by the Nigerian Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil.

The minister, at a Power Africa B2B Summit organised by the US Commerce Department in Miami, Florida, had listed many investment opportunities available in Nigeria’s conventional and renewable power sector.

The presentation was made under the overall auspices of the Power Africa Initiative which was designed to mobilise investment fund from the private sector to power the African continent.

Reports from the event indicated that investors were impressed with oppor-

tunities in solar, wind and other areas of the Nigerian energy market. Some of them had raised questions about renewable energy policy for electricity generation, incentives for investment and tariffs among others.

Some of the firms which attended the event and showed interest in the Nigerian energy market included Chadbourne & Parks, Global Energy group, Greenberg Traurig, M.Gill & Associates and business partners of MBD Business Centre, Miami as well as those of Global Business Resources, USA. A follow up business discussions were also held in New York, where many firms not able to attend the Miami event also engaged the minister on such issues as security of investment, waivers and tax issues as well as policy framework.

Speaking on the visit, Wakil said many of the investors he met at the Miami event were positively disposed to investing in Nigeria, especially in the

areas of renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydro power.

“I met many investors and I have been getting positive feedback from many of them. In the next few weeks, some of them will be in Nigeria for exploratory investment visits. Some are interested in establishing solar plants while others are interested in wind farms,” the minister said.

The minister said the prospective investors were impressed with existing incentives designed to attract investors such as risk guarantee, the waiver regime for renewable energy equipment, favourable policy framework among others, assuring that “ Nigeria as one of the six focus countries will benefit massively from the Power Africa Initiative.

“The visit has helped to further open up the Nigerian energy market to potential investors under the auspices of the Power Africa Initiative,” the minister noted.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 25

Pakistan, Iran agree to continue pipeline project

BY MICHAEL EBOH

G

ENERAL Electric, GE, has disclosed that the Nigerian economy is growing in the dark, in view of the recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, which put the country as the biggest economy in Africa.

According to Mr. Lazarus Angbazo, Chief Executive Officer, GE, in a paper titled; ‘How do we harness electricity to transform social infrastructure?” Nigeria’s current electricity consumption of 155 kilo watts per hour, kw/hr, is seven per cent of Brazil’s and three per cent of South Africa.

He noted that only 50 per cent of Nigerians have access to power, with the rural poor being the most affected.

Also speaking, Mr. Batchi Baldeh, Senior Vice President/ Head, Power, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), said Nigeria’s distribution facilities are aged, undersized and poorly maintained over the years.

Baldeh, in a paper titled: “Funding the power sector: Creating bankable projects/ companies,” also noted that Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses are higher than expected; inadequate and overloaded networks.

On the transmission side, he said, “Power generation capacity is available but transmission capacity is limited. In the area of transmission losses, it is higher than expected and poor redundancy provisions.

He said the generation segment is faced with gas supply constraints, as the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, is currently enjoying the monopoly of the transportation infrastructure.

He further stated that gas pricing is another constraint

I

World Bank Country Director, Ms Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly (left) and Mr. Opuiyo Oforiokuma, Managing Director, ARM Infrastructure addressing pressmen during the Azura transaction closure summit, in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Epileptic power: Nigerian economy growing in the dark — GE for the power firms, in addition to the unattractive local supply conditions for international oil companies.

He emphasized the need for an integrated approach to financing the power sector, especially as the physical challenges are leading to higher unit cost of power and higher losses all through the value chain.

He argued that despite the risks in the sector, it is important for knowledgeable investors with long term view to be involved.

He further stated that strong sponsors are required

for first few years, adding that once the market stabilises, new entrants and sources of funds will come in.

In his own view, Mr. Adeyemi Akisanya, Principal, Adeyemi-Akisanya Associates, said the new investors inherited inefficient equipment and Nigerians were fed inaccurate and incomplete information on state of power equipment and facilities.

He identified other constraints to include, “Lack of reliable and accurate operational and financial information, such as audited accounts, customer information

for metering, billing and collection data, technical and commercial loss levels, among others.”

He said investors were fed inaccurate/incomplete information on the capacity of purchasers to pay, and as to demand and consumption in addition to an inexistent credit check or sanction system.

He listed the major constraints as labour, human resources challenges, currency and general inflation challenges, and payment/revenue collection risks challenges.

Implementation of gas plan, key to Nigeria’s development — Okwuosa

BY SEBASTINE OBASI, Houston Texas

F

OR Nigeria to achieve rapid development, the gas master plan must be effectively implemented, says Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Oilserv Limited, an indigenous oil and gas servicing company.

Okwuosa, who spoke to journalists at the Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Houston, Texas, stated that the Gas Master Plan should be executed faster as Nigeria has the capacity to utilise five billion standard cubic feet, SCF, daily.

According to him, “Today, gas is the key resource that drives capacity building in terms of the economy in Nigeria. If Nigeria can articulate

and be in position and seriously go on to implement the gas master plan and take it beyond the original ideas, make gas available all over Nigeria, you can see that with energy available, it is possible to have things like power generation get easy.

“If we have power generation in a way that from generation to distribution, we are able to get it right in Nigeria, the country will change rapidly,” he said.

Okwuosa explained that gas is related to our ability to feed ourselves, as it is the main source of the production of urea, the main component of fertiliser. “The fertiliser you apply in order to have good yield in agriculture, comes from gas. Unfortunately the only fertiliser company we

have is NAFCON, built about 30 years ago, which has been privatised. How come a country that has so much resource has only one fertiliser plant?

“Today, some quantity of fertiliser out of the total need is still being imported into the country. Meanwhile we sell our gas as LNG. Countries that buy that, produce fertiliser and come back to sell to us,” he said.

The Oilserv boss also emphasised that for Nigeria to develop, it needs to be selfsufficient in energy production. “The energy source today is gas. If we cannot articulate clearly the commercial framework, the technical framework to be able to take issues and close the entire value chain, to give gas to Nigerians, at a price you can call

equitable, it means clearly that we cannot move forward to develop our country.

“Most of the power plants run on gas. Industries run on gas. We need to implement the gas master plan very well, implement the process whereby we match pricing, match the commercial aspect of it to give gas to Nigerians,” he added.

Also speaking on gas flaring, Okwuosa said that gas requires matching the production to utilisation. That means there has to be a defined price regime to encourage the owners of gas to be able to produce it, transport it and use it.

“For IOCs who own most of the gaseous products, they must have the right price regime. It means they must have the right price to invest,” he said.

RAN and Pakistan on Sun day agreed to go ahead with the gas pipeline project which was discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran.

An official statement said both the leaders agreed to continue with the project as it is beneficial for the people of the two countries.

Mr. Sharif said he was here with his team to resolve all matters which were creating a hindrance to the project. The gas pipeline has been hampered by US sanctions and while Iran has almost completed its share of the pipeline, construction in Pakistan has not yet begun due to lack of funds.

GE, Shell, others for LWI health fair

C

OMMISSIONER for Energy & Mineral Resources Lagos State and chief executive officers of General Electric Africa and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, are among over 3,000 delegates expected at the LiveWell Initiative, LWI, 2014 Grand Health Bazaar GHB. According to a statement by Mrs. Bisi Bright, Chief Executive Officer, LWI, the fair, scheduled to hold, between May 14 to 16, 2014, in Lagos, will focus on issues ranging from Local Content, Agribusiness and the Agricultural Sector and food and beverages among others.

She listed partnering firms in the programme, scheduled to hold at the Havilah Centre, Victoria Island Lagos, to include: SPDC, GE Africa, The Coca Cola Company, The Biostadt Group, Airtel Nigeria, Intrahealth USA, DFID, Nigeria Britain Association, Chellarams Group among others.

According to her, the threein-one multi-sectoral GHB 2014 is LWI’s contribution to the new innovative paradigm that will birth a new Nigeria and Africa, saying it is the organisation’s concept for bridging the gap between the corporate sector, industry, the academia and the health sector.

She said, “It is also a forum to address topical and innovative issues that could grow the business industry in Africa, as experienced and top notch industrialists, business entrepreneurs, specialists in their own rights, business and industry leaders and CEO’s who have great testimonies of growing businesses are invited as guest speakers.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

WAPCo considers expansion amid supply shortfalls

BY KAYODE AMOLEGBE, with Agency Report

T Locally refined diesel in Oteghele Forest, Warri, Delta State.

Photo: NAN

Shell opens bid for $12bn Bonga SW project

BY SEBASTINE OBASI, Houston Texas

I

N an era where foreign di rect investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector has not been forthcoming, AngloDutch Shell has started contract award process for the construction of Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO for its $12billion Bonga South West Aparo development.

The project, a single-point moored facility, which is expected to be the world’s biggest FPSO, has Samsung and Hyundai as bidders.

The General Manager, Shell Deepwater Nigeria, Mr. Jerry Jackson, who stated this in the official journal of the OTC 2014 in Houston Texas, said the Final Investments Decision, FID, on the field is expected to be taken before the end of 2014.

Bonga is located in oil prospecting licence, OPL 212, and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO, operates the field on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The project is under a production sharing contract, PSC, in partnership with Esso (20 per cent), Nigeria Agip (12.5 per cent) and Total (12.5 per cent).

According to the OTC 2014 Journal, the oil major “already was known to be well underway with plans to develop its estimated $12 billion Bonga South West-Aparo discovery via one new build FPSO vessel, with significant Nigerian content levels.

“Considering the local content law, selection for this project, spanning OMLs 118,

132 and 140, was performed in Nigeria.

“The tender process for the single-point moored facilitywhich would be the World largest FPSO unit-is still currently out to tender, with bidders including Samsung and Hyundai.”

Bonga also lies 120km southwest of the Niger Delta in a water depth of over 1,000m.

Former Managing Director, SNEPCO, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe, had once said that Shell achieved tremendous success in its Bonga deep water oil field, noting that as at December 2012, it had exported about 450 million barrels of crude oil.

The cost of the Bonga field

development, including the cost of the FPSO vessel built in 2004, came to $3.6billion Despite the fact that the drilling of the 19 oil wells would amount to $12.35billion, the Bonga extension project, according to Shell, may gulp around $33billion.

It was gathered that this might include a $21billion FPSO proposed for the new Bonga South West; $4billion Bonga East; $1.9billion Bonga North (Aparo); and $3billion Bonga North East.

The NNPC had in early 2013 directed International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in the country to drastically cut over $30bn proposed for new projects. But Shell argued that the Petro-

leum Industry Bill, PIB, if passed “the way it is” would drive away investment in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and might stall the 19 Bonga oil wells.

While calling for a PIB that would be “investment-friendly, it also noted that if the fiscal terms of the PIB were reviewed, about $3billion deep water revenues could be unlocked for the Federal Government.

Corroborating this, the Commercial Manager, SNEPCo, Mr. Stefan Vas de Wael, said the development of deep water assets in the country’s oil and gas could contribute $3billion to the country’s economy as well as generate about 200,000 jobs annually.

Abuja DISCO to engage 2,265 workers …Retains former PHCN employees

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

BUJA: As the six months employment contracts offered employees of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, expired, the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, has re-engaged 2,265 workers to reposition and strengthen the operational needs of the company.

The six month contract deal was part of the agreement reached with labour unions at the time of handing over the unbundled assets of PHCN to the new private owners in November 2013 In pursuit of this objectives, the company engaged hu-

man resources and change consultants to carry out a comprehensive and professional skills assessment of the company by interviewing all staff.

In general terms, staff retained have proven records with regard to their credentials, skills or qualifications for their assigned jobs and also on performance, which necessitated the consideration of 2,265, who would be issued with letters of appointment.

The AEDC management is optimistic that the staff it offered employment would help secure the viability and success of the organisation in meeting the goals of its establishment.

There are prospects to recruit more staff in certain key areas where specialist skills are required and more also, there are provisions for training of staff to ensure continued alignment between staff skills and organisational goals.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director AEDC, Mr. Neil Croucher, expressed joy for the re-employment of many of the former PHCN staff.

“We appreciate the cooperation, we have enjoyed from all the workers during these six months of transition and we are happy to be embarking on this journey going forward.”

HE West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) has announced plans to expand its pipeline capacity by 145 million from its current capacity of 170 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) making a total of 315 million capacities.

The company believes it can transport gas from Ghana or from other sources in Nigeria despite its shortcomings, as gas volume currently received in Nigeria are significantly low.

The Managing Director of the company, Walter Perez, told a meeting that discussed security of the pipeline in Accra that his outfit is “proactively moving forward with initial engineering” to facilitate expansion of the pipeline.

“Although gas volumes currently received in Nigeria are significantly below expectation, we envision increased utilization of the pipeline going forward with potential new sources here in Ghana and likely new sources in Nigeria”, he said.

The belief is that if it does not transport more gas from Nigeria to recipient countries, it may in the future transport gas from Ghana to Benin and Togo and perhaps La Cote D’ Ivoire, which has expressed interest in joining the pipeline consortium.

Saudi oil grants to Egypt to reach $2.8bn by September

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GYPT will have received oil product shipments worth US$2.8 billion from Saudi Arabia by September 2014, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum Sharif Ismail told Zawya.

“The grants started in the second quarter with an average of USD 1.2 billion in April, May and June and another USD 700 million will be distributed in July and August — for a total of USD 2.8 billion by the start of September 2014,” said Ismail.

The Saudi shipments include diesel, fuel oil and gasoline, which are needed to resolve frequent power outages and meet the growing needs of power stations in the Arab world’s most populous country.

Ismail said total oil grants to Egypt from Saudi Arabia for the period starting July 2013 and ending September 2014 would exceed USD 4.6 billion.

“Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates understand the necessity of securing supplies of fuel during this critical stage of Egypt’s political and economic development,” Ismail said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 27

30m households lack access to electricity — Nebo

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BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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HE Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has said that about 30 million households in Nigeria are still without access to electricity.

Nebo, who made the remarks at the sidelines of a forum organised by the Ministry in conjunction with the Standard Bank Group, at the ongoing 2014 World Economic Forum for Africa in Abuja, noted that there is huge investment potentials in the nation’s power sector.

The minister while expressing optimism that through the ongoing power sector reform Nigeria would achieve this feat by connecting an average of 1.5 million households every year said the country is hoping to achieve up to 75 per cent access to electricity by the year 2020.

Nigeria, according to him, needs to quadruple its 4000MW generation capacity to meet the huge demand for electricity in the country.

He said, “In Nigeria, access to electricity is way below 50 percent with about 30 million Nigerians households without electricity. I think it is important to mention all these, so that we begin to see why Nigeria is a veritable location for investment in the electricity sector.”

He said the demand for energy in Nigeria is so huge that the country needs quadruple its current generation of 4000MW, to service its teeming population of 170 million people.

Nebo, who lamented Nige-

From left: Capt Oluwole Adekola, Head of Flying School, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria; Mr Femi Collins, GM, Human Resources, Bristow Helicopter; Captain Akin Oni, MD; Engr. H. O. Toluhi, Head of Aircraft Maintenance School, NCAT and Engr.

Victor Nwobia, Head of Aeronautical Telecommunication Engineering School during a courtesy visit by the management of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria to Bristow Helicopter Aviation head office in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele. ria’s overdependence on gas for electricity supply, reiterated the need to encourage a robust energy mix, in form of development of coal to power, solar, wind, biomass among other sources.

“Our target is to achieve up to 75 per cent access to electricity by the year 2020, and by connecting an average of 1.5 million households every year.

“We will do that, the ongoing reform of the power sector will improve access through grid extension, and non-grid solutions using renewable energy which includes solar, wind, bio-mass, small and medium hydros are already on going. 70 per cent are thermal, gas-fired tur-

bines and then the rest hydro.

We need the coal, we need renewable energy, we need more hydros, we need solar, wind, we need bio-mass and all these are very critical” He stated that although Nigeria sits on the eight largest gas deposits in the whole world, it cannot continue to generate most of its electricity by gas, stressing that the economics does not favour gas dependent.

The minister noted that apart from the economic implications, the acts of vandalism of the gas pipelines have made dependent on gas not very reliable.

Nebo stated further that the privatisation process aims at solving several years of ne-

Power: FG applauds Japanese agency on capacity building

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA: The Federal Gov ernment said the Japan International Corporation Agency, JICA, has made positive contributions to the development of the nation’s power sector.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, who spoke when the Director, JICA’s Research Institute, Mr. Kato Hiroshi, led a delegation to his office in Abuja, said the agency has helped Nigeria in the area of capacity building and training of critical mass of professionals that would be required to run the sector.

According to him, as the sector advances in the implementation of its ongoing reform, the role of technical ex-

$4bn investment at risk over gas price revision delay — Reliance

perts, engineers, craftsmen as well as other artisans/operators in the industry, to bring to fruition the goals of the reform cannot be over emphasized.

Nebo also thanked the Agency for its upgrading of the Jebba Hydro Power Plant through its programmed repair works and rehabilitation.

He further commended the recent grant given to the sector by the Japanese Government for development programmes, describing it as a positive move in the right direction.

On the Lower Usman Dam 1MW solar power project sponsored by the agency for the provision of electricity in Bwari area council of the FCT, the Minister applauded the

feat, stating that if such miniature projects were replicated in smaller communities, it will ginger them into being more protective of their power facilities, as these infrastructure are meant to provide them with electricity.

In his comments, the Minister of State for Power, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, urged the Agency to play a more positive role in the area of renewable energy, to complement the already laudable developmental activities JICA is known for in Nigeria.

Earlier, Hiroshi the leader of the delegation stated that the country was developing systematically,, and expressed the Institute’s desire for continuous collaboration with the sector.

glect because for many decades as the population grew there was no corresponding development of infrastructure in the electricity sector.

He added that if the power situation is fixed, the GDP rate may grow to a double digit from 6.5 percent yearly average, and issues of unemployment and poor industrialisation would be addressed.

In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, assured that current power supply situation in the country will improve in the next few months through an incremental process.

Igali, who was responding to questions raised, said, “We are expecting improvement in the next few months. It will be incremental as it will be improving on daily basis.”

ITH the Oil Ministry indicating that a new gas price may be delayed by a quarter, Reliance Industries has said the postponement may stall USD 4 billion of investment in KG-D6 block’s second-biggest gas field.

RIL and partner BP plc of UK had completed front-end engineering design (FEED) for development of D-34 or RSeries gas field in the Krishna Godavari basin KG-D6 block in the Bay of Bengal.

They had floated tenders for sourcing equipment and were on the verge of awarding contracts for long-lead items so as to begin work in the five-month weather window that will become available from November and deliver gas in 2017.

“There is no clarity on what the gas price would be in the future, failing which all our current and future investment plans are in jeopardy,” the companies said.

In notes accompanying a press statement they issued announcing the slapping of an arbitration notice on the government for implementation of the gasprice increase, RIL-BP said they were getting ready for first major investment that would have brought new gas in 2017.

“The contractor group which was getting ready to sanction the first major project with an investment of USD 4 billion in June/July 2014 is now forced to halt activities,” they said.

Sources close to the consortium said the project being referred to was the Rseries field, which holds 2.2 trillion cubic feet of in-place gas reserves.

Oil production rises marginally in Oman

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IL production wit nessed a one per cent production growth during the first quarter of 2014, over the same period of last year. However, oil prices per barrel and total oil exports declined during the same period. Additionally, natural gas production including imports and local production declined during the first quarter of 2014, when compared with the same period in 2013, according to statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Breaking down the figures, oil production during the first quarter of 2014 rose to 85.3 million barrels compared with 84.5 million barrels during the same period in 2013. The overall rate

of growth is attributed to the increase in crude oil production by 3.5 per cent, recording 77.6 million barrels in Q1 2014, compared with 74.9 million barrels during the first quarter of 2013.

In addition, condensate production rose to 7.7 million barrels for the first quarter of 2014, compared with 9.5 million barrels during the same period in 2013, reflecting an increase of 18.3 per cent.

A quarterly report on crude oil and gas production issued by the NCSI reveals a one per cent increase in daily average crude oil production in the first quarter, recording 948,400 barrels per day compared with 938,900 barrels per day during the same period in 2013.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Interrogating FG’s transport sector privatization agenda

BY KABIR BELLO HE Federal Government’s recent disclosure of its plan to privatize the transport sector should gladden the hearts of Nigerians and potential investors alike. Considering the important position of the country as the largest economy and most populous nation in the African continent, which lately had the honour to be the first in West Africa to host the World Economic Forum (WEF), the direction that its transport sector is taking should be of interest in public discourse.

The decision of the Federal Government which was taken at

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the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja was specific in its objective: “to open up the transport sector to the public for private participation”.

According to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who highlighted the FG’s intention on this issue, four bills aimed at transforming the sector were discussed in detail: The National Transport Commission Bill; the Nigerian Ports and Habour Bill; the Nigerian Railway Bill 2014 and the National Inland Waterways Bill 2014.

According to Maku, government is working on an

economy that focuses on the future, and one that is not expected to rely on the government, but on private sector and its participation. Indeed, he was on point when he explained that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration would “involve the private sector in the development of the infrastructure in airports, seaports and waterways”.

The fact that he added that government could no longer continue to run the sector on its own and that the best way to further improve Nigeria’s economy is to create new policies for different sectors of the economy

that will drive private sector participation rather than for government to just continue to pour in money on investments really appears to have captured the essence of private-sector driven economy that most developing countries like Nigeria now subscribe to.

But keen analysts of the Nigerian economy, particularly how successive government’s policies tend to disrupt or even outrightly derails progress, will appreciate why Federal Government’s latest interest in transport sector privatization deserves to be discussed and interrogated. And perhaps no better way to engage the beautiful postulations from government, while we await the report of the committee working on the framework for the bills, is to remind government and the nation of a few courageous men in our land who had ventured into massive investments in the private sector but who have been made to suffer from either policy inconsistency or d e l i b e r a t e frustrations from government agencies. This is an important area to examine because public trust and interest of potential investors can only be convincingly won if those few individuals who have stood up to be counted for the right cause in the transport sector are seen to be treated fairly.

The case of Dr. Wale Babalakin’s BiCourtney Ltd comes handy as a reference point in private investment in the transport sector.

The company was the first to build and operate an airport – the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA) 2 in Lagos – which, seven years after, is still standing firm as a world-class infrastructure. It is important, therefore, that the experiences of the promoters of such a project, which did not have the luxury of the kind of legal framework and the assurance of removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks that the

Federal Government is now promising, ought to be taken on board if the intention of the Jonathan administration regarding these four proposed bills is to be taken to heart.

However, the stories that have trailed the success of MMA2 are sufficient to jolt investors and get the nation pondering.

Government has failed woefully to honour its agreement with MMA2. It violated the most important clause of the agreement which is exclusivity. It has gone ahead to compete with MMA2 next door. How can a government that is promising reforms in the transport sector compete with its own concessionaire?

As if that was not enough, government has refused to honour court rulings. Not only did BiCourtney win its arbitration against government, it has also won in the High Court. The Federal Government and other stakeholders have lost six appeals against this judgement and yet the FG is not complying with the Agreement. The same Babalakin’s BiCourtney is also being vilified over the LagosIbadan Expressway concessioning which the Federal Government curiously terminated in 2012.

Unbiased assessment But a careful and unbiased assessment of the issue would reveal that out of the three years and six months that BiCiourtney had the concession, direct delay by the Federal Government was two years, 10 months; rains accounted for another six months which showed that in effect, in a period of three years and six months, BiCourtney only had two months to work properly and did commence the work through Borino Prono.

I am aware of the level of work that is currently ongoing on that important Lagos – Ibadan road, but anyone who is knowledgeable about and sensitive to issues of law and legality would not miss the point that it might not be totally over as far as the legality of that purported termination of BiCourtney ’s concession is concerned. Like the MMA2 issues, investors and discerning public would be interested in seeing how the final resolution would go beyond the mere award of contract on the road to Julius Berger Plc and RCC. For example, when was the tender for that job done? If there was no tender, wouldn’t the contract be deem illegal? Again, it would be asked, if indeed there was a tender, then the process must have taken place while BiCourtney was being misled into believing that it had a concession with the Federal Ministry of Works.

The point of interrogating government’s recent interest in the transport sector is that if the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway concessioning ends in arbitration, wouldn’t the Ministry and its contractors be seen to have, all along, been working for the cocncessionaire who may likely find justice in court?

Dr. Bello, a socio-economic analyst, sent this article from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—29

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30— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

By Theodore Opara

Peugeot boss restates commitment to reposition PAN P

EUGEOT Automobile Nigeria Ltd, has restated its commitment to reclaim its position as the leading automobile provider in the country.

Chief Executive Officer of PAN Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi, said the company would begin the assembly of cars in its plant in Kaduna, next month.

Boyi stated this at the just concluded 9th Lagos Motor Fair & 3rd Autoparts Expo, Nigeria held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to Boyi, “By 2015 we will start full CKD assembly, and this will generate the most local content.”

He said they were already looking at the local auto component manufacturers and were ready to work with any serious investor in that sector.

“So, it is a great opportunity for people that want to ride on the back of this policy.”

PAN, he said, was already working with the association of auto component manufacturers to create clusters and that the Minister of Transport has been informed that “we are ready to work with auto component manufacturers that show enough seriousness in our cluster in Kaduna.”

He said the company would need to employ more people and expand its distribution and sales network.

He said the PAN would work hard to regain its customer-base that was lost when the company went under, adding that “all of these will bring opportunities for more people.”

PAN was established in 1972, he said, as a joint venture between the Automobile Company of France and the Federal Government of Nigeria and that when it was in operation it produced more than 500,000 cars, adding that it produced up to 90,000 cars in a single year and employed over 4,000 people.

He said the story has changed, unfortunately, explaining that “as at last year, the company had 300 staff and our projection last year was under a thousand cars and if you quantify that against the current tax, you see the amount of loss that the Nigerian economy has suffered.”

He said the workers that lost their jobs have suffered a great deal and that the company’s dealership across the nation also suffered.

Stating what was ahead in the plans of PAN with the auto policy, he said: “It will start to bring those benefits back to Nigeria. The objective of the new policy is to encourage local production; local development of skill and manpower for employment and creation of local opportunity. So, we are fully in support of the policy and we want to assure everybody, including those who may not like the policy, that the policy will only do one thing, naturally help improve the Nigerian people. Despite all the opposition and the fear that the policy will generate, we will be able to create more opportunities for our people and all will translate into better and cheaper products.”

Another crucial issue Boyi discussed was the proliferation of fake spare parts. He urged auto companies in the country to provide genuine spare parts to discourage the use of substandard parts.

He said the Lagos Auto Fair was an opportunity to meet with PAN’s critical stakeholders and, praised the orgnisers, BKG Exhibition Limited for putting up a good show.

Stressing the need for genuine spare parts and good after sales services, he said: “We as industry players must rise against the proliferation of substandard parts.

Personally, I will take up the challenge and our organisation will also take up the challenge.

We will speak with the regulators

and the enforcers and ensure that we minimise the incidence of fake parts in Nigeria.

“We are very much concerned that those customers, who buy

PAN vehicles, get full value from the vehicles. Strategically as an organisation, we are concerned about the provision of spares. A

lot of companies suffer this problem. Cost of ownership of vehicles has been so much mainly because of the incidences of fake spare part in the market.

On Wheel holds 9th Nigerian auto awards

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HE 2014 edition of The Nigerian Auto Awards (TNAA),is once again set to celebrate industry players and brand builders of note at its 9th edition in Lagos.

Disclosing this at a press meet with journalists in Lagos recently, the publisher of On Wheels magazine and Managing Director of MMQplus, organisers of the event Mr. Jabez Aina-Scott, said that plans have been concluded to host the event again at the Eko Hotels & Suites on Friday May 16, 2014.

As the event that celebrates and upholds the values of brands and personalities in the auto industry, he said that the annual event started out of the passion and drive of the organizers to standardize, celebrate and focus attention on the Nigerian automotive industry.

Aina-Scott noted that despite the annual nature of the award, the ovation still pervades the air as it

continues to set the bench mark for industry stakeholders. “We want the event to distinguish the ‘men’ from the boys, thereby setting standards for the industry in Nigeria” he said. He reiterated that the award is designed to encourage innovations, market leadership, management integrity, good corporate governance, creativity and customer satisfaction in the auto industry.

“We will achieve greater results and efficiency with this ninth edition as the event is expected to be partnered by brands of repute. In fact, major highlights of the event will include the unveiling of the ‘Car of the Year’, entertainment and fashion parade by a notable Nigerian designer” Aina-Scott said.

He further assured of excellent results from the event as a Board of Award Committee of carefully selected men of integrity, industry

exposure, knowledge and experience has been instituted to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the award.

The awards will come in three major categories - The Auto Support Services Awards, Tyre Awards, Logistics and Auto Awards with each set featuring a number of awards slated to be won by worthy and deserving industry players.

Further highlights, according to the organizers include dance, music and a host of other activities designed to add glamour and glitz to the event that has become a reference point for the Nigerian automotive industry.

It will be recalled that On Wheels magazine, the leading auto industry publication in Nigeria instituted “The Nigeria Auto Awards” in 2004 and held the maiden edition in the first quarter of 2005, promising at the time to make it an annual event.

Hyundai Motors opens multi-million Naira service facility H

YUNDAI Motors Nigeria last week commissioned an ultramodern 3s (service, sales and spare-parts) facility and skill acquisition centre valued at more than N500m in the Orile neighborhood of Amuwo - Odofin district in Lagos State.

The facility which is one of its numerous aftermarket midpoints in the country provide full-scale service support for the growing Hyundai clientele in Nigeria and render technical training assistance to dealerships across the West African sub-region.

Mr. Rama Subbiah, general manager, After Sales, Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited who

announced this standpoint at a media facility tour of the venture said the facility had been accredited by Hyundai Motors Corporation Korea as the hub for technical training support and spare parts depot in West Africa.

“We will from this facility in Orile – Lagos provide technical training support, using intensive classroom coaching and web-based modules to train and retrain technical personnel and supply the needs of dealerships across Nigeria,” Mr. Subbiah said.

He added that the facility will further allow existing and future customers to appreciate the con-

venience of complete one-stop shopping, covering all aspects of vehicle ownership and seamless access to quality service.

“We have concluded plans to expand Hyundai service network through the appointment of provisional agents to provide service support for Hyundai vehicles nationwide and our mobile service will offer unlimited technical assistance to distressed customers outside Lagos.”

The 100-staffed service centre has dedicated service technicians and engineers for corporate, retail and fleet customers, the after sales general manager affirmed.

Hyundai Motors facility Orile – Lagos is currently adjudged West Africa biggest with a sprawling architecture covering 22, 280 square meters (5.5 acre) with state-of-the-art equipment and storage facility for over N400m spare parts and about 100 working bays and 35 lifts.

The location of the facility in Nigeria is aimed at maximizing sales potential and enhancing Hyundai growing clientele, 14 years after the Stallion Group and owners of the franchise got the Korean automakers’ consent to market and distribute Hyundai products and services in Nigeria, Mr. Subbiah noted.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 31

By Theodore Opara

Kewalram Chanrai to build N10bn Foton assembly plant I

N response to the Fed eral Government’s new automotive policy, Kewalram Chanrai Group, a renown global conglomerate has moved to set up a N10 billion auto plant in Lagos with Foton Automobile company of China. Foton is the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in China and the second largest in the world, having produced and sold more than 850,000 vehicles in 2011 alone. Foton has joint venture companies with Dainler and Cummins, two highly respected auto companies across the globe.

Disclosing this to reporters in Lagos on Wednesday, the Executive Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr. Raju Sawlani commended the Federal Government for the new policy which he said would boost the economy and create employments for Nigeria youths.

According to him, “the new plant which is scheduled to be completed towards the end of the year will assemble the full range of commercial and passenger vehicles, as offered by Foton Group, including high quality trucks, buses, vans, pick ups, sports utility vehicles etc.

He disclosed that the initial capacity for the plant

is 15,000 annually and can be increased if need be.

The executive Director explained that the policy aims to encourage local automobile assembly, discourage auto imports and increase employment for Nigerians.

“The auto policy forms a part of the agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Nigerian industrial revolution plan and the National Enterprise development programme”, he stated.

The Executive Director who has close to 20 years experience in the Nigerian auto industry where he has managed over 25 brands, further noted that the new auto policy will be very successful and place Nigeria on the global automobile map.

Already, he said that the group has acquired 25 acres of land for the plant in Ikorodu Lagos, and is in the process of finalising designs, importation of equipment and other necessary requirement for the plant.

Sawlani also assured Chanrai Group partnership with Foton will ensure high quality and afford-

able vehicles for Nigerians and would create jobs in the country.

“The policy will transform the nation’s industrial landscape, leading to an increase in skills development, job creation and conserve valuable foreign exchange,” Sawlani said.

The executive whose company has a pedigree in production, disclosed

that the idea of an auto plant by his company was conceived few years ago, especially since the group is known for setting up local industries, adding that with the re-introduction of the auto policy, it has become imperative to set up local auto plants. To this end, he stated that numerous auto plants and accessories production plants

will be set up. According to him, his company is considering setting up such industries to boost the sector. The company he disclosed is planning to set up an automobile technical training school which will cater to qualifying Nigerians and resulting in more jobs.

Ford Mustang storms Nigeria soon F

ORD Mustang, the world’s favourite pony car, has been completely reimagined. Fans in Nigeria can look forward to seeing the completely redesigned and re-engineered Mustang on its roads, later this year.

The new Ford Mustang fastback and convertible models promise exceptional performance and refinement while embracing the

Mustang’s half-century of heritage and status as a global icon.

Ford Mustang inspires passion like no other car,” said Raj Nair, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development.

“The visceral look, sound and performance of Mustang resonate with people, even if they’ve never driven one. Mustang is definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of

Ford.”

More than nine million Mustangs have been sold since it was first launched in 1964 – one million of those in its first 18 months of existence. The world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook, Mustang has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and will now be available with modern technology and engines

for fans to experience firsthand.

“The Mustang’s formidable reputation for performance and its iconic status as a symbol of freedom and optimism precede it even in those parts of the world where the car has never been sold,” said Stephen Odell, Ford Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The new Mustang epitomises Ford’s aggres-

sive product acceleration; technologically advanced and forward-looking, but without forgetting the heritage that has inspired Ford customers for generations.”

The new Mustang has been developed with impressive performance, driving dynamics and usability in mind – and includes a significant amount of advanced driver convenience and driver aid technologies.

“After the Mustang’s global unveiling earlier this year we’ve been working hard to ensure that Nigerian fans will have the opportunity to be part of the Mustang journey going forward,” said Mark Kaufman, Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “ We crafted this car with the goal of creating a contemporary interpretation of Mustang, an American icon that symbolizes optimism and independence for millions of people around the world,” said Jim Farley, Executive Vice President of Ford Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln.

32— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

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US veterans: Heroes abroad, destitute at home

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F you go by how successive U.S presidents praise and celebrate the soldiers they send abroad to fight for the honour and defense of their fatherland, you would think that upon their return back home the soldiers who survived the carnage abroad would get the best of what the system has to offer at home. Well, not quite. A sizeable number of these war veterans come home only to be confronted by a life that is full of sorrow and tears; a tale of giving your life for the dignity of your motherland while your motherland cares little about the dignity of your person.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the country’s veteran population was 21.3 million as at 2013. This figure includes all living ex-service men and women who have fought in any of the wars the country has been involved in. The unemployment rates for women and men in the same period were 6.5 and 6.9

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percent respectively. Somehow, you would imagine that there is a near zero unemployment rate for the veterans. But, the figures tell a different story.

Homelessness. That is another hallmark about patriotic U.S. men and women who had fought in several wars on behalf of their country. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “there were 57,849 homeless veterans on a single night in January 2013. Sixty percent were located in shelters or transitional housing programs, and 40 percent were in unsheltered locations. Just under 8 percent (4,456) were female.”

The month of January is when the winter season is perhaps getting to its peak and you cannot imagine life in a situation of homelessness or wish it for your worst enemy. Yet, some of the veterans who survived the harsh climatic conditions abroad come home to face the same circum-

,

stance. Is it not shocking to find out that ex-U.S uniformed men and women can actually come home to find themselves living in the streets and being tormented by inclement weather? All they do is to pray for the arrival of occasional good Samaritans who will provide them with some food and some form of shelter. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Figures available from U.S. Congressional Research Service in February this year, indicate that in the year 2013, slightly over 15,000 diagnoses were made among U.S. veterans regarding the dreadful post-traumatic stress syndrome.

The figure was about 3,000 in the year 2000, and hit an all-time high of about 21,000 in the year 2012.

In a related case, an NBC news report in February this year cited a U.S. veteran’s administration study which showed that about 22 U.S. veterans committed suicide every day in 2010.

As you read this pathetic fate of some U.S. veterans, CNN is still investigating the horror that took place at a veteran’s hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Over there, the hospital management came up with a weird scheme that kept sick veterans on the doctors’ waiting list for several months. The CNN

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—33 report reveals that 40 veterans cated to the veteran affairs departdied while on this waiting list, of ment to take care of the former course without getting a chance soldiers. Besides by nominating to see a doctor. The White House Eric Shinseki, a veteran himself, is currently investigating this in- to head the veteran’s administracident. On its part, the U.S. tion, the president appears to put House committee on veterans’ premium on the welfare of the affairs has already subpoenaed soldiers. the Secretary for Veteran Affairs, But, it is evident that something retired General Eric Shinseki, to huge is still amiss. As some U.S. appear before it to answer ques- soldiers fight the enemy at war tions about the scandalous deaths zones abroad some ruthless mortof veterans on the hospital’s wait- gage entrepreneurs at home are ing list. busy selling off their houses.

If you are alarmed that a coun- When some of these soldiers try with such huge resources can come home, they discover that treat its veterans in such a shab- homelessness is the new war they by manner, you might not entire- cannot win. Some of them face ly be on the right track. The fact disjointed families, severe health is that the U.S. government has a problems, unemployment, vio-

,

Homelessness. That is another hallmark about patriotic U.S. men and women who had fought in several wars on behalf of their country

number of good things it does for these veterans. Education is one of the ways the government seeks to cushion the process of returning them to civilian life. A few years ago, President Obama came up with a program that encouraged employers to throw olive branches to men and women who had served their nation in wars abroad. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, wife of the U.S. vice president, have a long-standing programme that seeks to make life more comfortable for the ex-soldiers and their families. In his 2013 budget, President Obama proposed $157 billion to be allo-

lence and ultimately divorce.

Having killed U.S. enemies abroad, these soldiers come home to take their own lives. And now, CNN reports that 40 veterans have died merely by being on interminable doctors’ waiting list in their own country.

The fate of U.S. war veterans is another political issue. It only gains some traction whenever the next presidential election cycle is on the radar. Thereafter the warriors are basically left to fend for themselves by a country that sent them to war, only to practically look the other way when they come home.

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—35

NATIONAL CONFAB: Key issues before northern delegates (2) The first part of this presentation was published in yesterday's edition of Vanguard

N

ATIONAL Security.

Introduction: National security has to do with the protection of a country’s core national interests. and values, the wellbeing of its people and institutions, as well as its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The current threats to National Security have become too numerous.

Threat perception: Some of the threats to National Security include the following: Insurgency (terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and assassinations), cross border banditry, trafficking in persons and child labour, poverty and social exclusion, religious fault lines, small arms and light weapons, herdsmen/pastoralists conflicts, economic insecurity, health insecurity, the practice of federalism in Nigeria, leadership.

Institutions of national security in Nigeria The armed forces: It is important to note that recruitment, promotion and retirement criteria are increasingly becoming less transparent. They must be guided by laid down rules and procedures as specified.

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is to provide safety and enforce law and order. Nigeria, with population estimated at 167 million has a police force with a total strength of about 314,000. Thus the police-population ratio is one police to 531 people as against the

operations of Private Guard Companies. Maintain 24 hours security surveillance over infrastructure, sites and projects of the Federal, State and Local G.overnment. Monitor, investigate and take every necessary step to forestall any act of terrorism, rescue and providing emergency medical services and shelter during period of emergency.

It faces some of the following challenges: Shortage of manpower; inadequate funding; lack of synergy and collaboration among security agencies; distrust for security operatives thereby not volunteering information to arrest security problems. What is to be done? Should it maintain an armed unit? Should a National Guard emerge from the Armed

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Communities around the porous borders could be recruited as border guards and giving specific responsibility of patrolling the borders

UN standard for peacetime policing which is one police officer to 400 people.

The Federal Fire Service: There is need to reposition the Nigeria Fire Services for better service delivery.

Nigerian Prisons Service: It faces a number of challenges in its task: congestion, especially among those awaiting trial in urban areas; inadequate manpower to effectively manage the Prisons; weak and inadequate prison structures; poor logistic fleets to meet the courts needs of ATPs; inadequate and poorly equipped correctional facilities for identification, treatment and re-integration of convicted persons to become law abiding citizens on discharge; prisoners up keep; slow judicial process in deciding cases of ATPs and insufficient budgetary allocation.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC): Its objectives include the following: Licence, supervise and monitor C M Y K

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Unit? Should be under the Ministry of Interior (under the federal government or national government?)

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC): It is to regulate, enforce and coordinate all road traffic and safety management activities through: sustained public enlightenment; effective patrol operations; improved motor vehicle administration and stakeholder’s cooperation. It is the body that is responsible for the production of vehicle number plates and drivers licence in Nigeria.

Nigeria Immigration Service: It has only 22,300 staff performing all the immigration functions in the whole country. The country has 1400 illegal routes which are not manned. There are 85 routes in the Northeast with only five legal control posts. 80 illegal routes are unmanned. NIC is responsible for the issuance of various immigration facilities; implementation of multilateral and bilateral agreements; man-

ning of all airports, seaports and land borders for the purpose of control of admission and departure of persons from Nigeria; constant patrol of Nigeria's aerial coastal and land borders.

Nigeria Customs Service: The functions of the Nigeria Customs Service include, but not limited to the following: Collection of revenue (Import /Excise Duties & other Taxes /Levies) and accounting for same; anti-smuggling activities; security functions; generating statistics for planning and budgetary purposes; monitoring foreign exchange utilization etc; engaging in research, planning and enforcement of fiscal policies of government; manifest processing; licensing and registration of Customs agents; registration and designation of collecting banks; and working in collaboration with other government agencies in all approved ports and border station.

Border stations Should it be under a Ministry of Finance or Interior? How can its security function be enhanced and better projected?

Recommendations: There should be a dynamic but comprehensive national security policy and strategy for Nigeria. The military should introduce mobile active road blocks to control the movement of illegal arms and ammunition, criminals/terrorists/ insurgents.

The Federal Government should acquire more advanced technological surveillance equipment and infrastructure to respond more adequately to the issues of insurgency, including the excessive congestion at traffic check points. The ONSA should facilitate the introduction of more modern methods to replace current road blocks.

Agitations through insurgency in whatever guise should never

be rewarded in the Federal Republic of Nigeria by any level of government. While victims of insurgencies could be adequately compensated, the perpetrators should be sufficiently punished.

Amnesty as a mechanism for appeasing insurgents or militancy should be stopped henceforth.

Thus, the current amnesty programme in the Niger Delta, along with the Ministry of Niger Delta should be abolished forthwith. The Federal Government should implement the reports of all Presidential Panels/Committees on Security in the Northern states of the country.

Root causes of insurgency Counter-insurgency (COIN) should be a blend of comprehensive civilian and military efforts designed to simultaneously contain insurgency and address its root causes. COIN approaches must be adaptable and agile. At the strategic level, understanding is required of the population factors behind the insurgency, its stage of progression, the reforms required to address its causes, and the willingness and ability of the government to make those reforms.

At the operational level, understanding is required of the strengths and vulnerabilities of the insurgent strategy, the strengths and weaknesses of the government and the requirements of the population. Continuous feedback on the degree of success of ongoing COIN efforts is also critical. At the tactical level, understanding is required of the identity of active insurgents, their networks, logistics, capabilities and intent.

A special border patrol outfit (with similar role as coast guards) may be formed; a combined operation of military, immigration and customs may be trained to start operations immediately to curtail the influx of dangerous weapons and foreign insurgency elements into the country, particularly, the northern states. The Nigeria Immigration Service

should be authorized to recruit at least 8,000 personnel annually for the Nigeria Immigration Service for effective management of the entry routes into the country. Communities around the porous borders could be recruited as border guards and giving specific responsibility of patrolling the borders.

Incorporate modern surveillance devices and improvement of technical intelligence. Increase maritime and air domain intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) awareness of Nigeria’s maritime environment vis-a-vis the Gulf of Guinea. Provide sufficient radars, navigational aids, control tower/base ops equipment and meteorological equipment.

Community based intelligence systems such as stakeholder forums and interaction with the traditional rulers should be commenced by the security agencies in communities to empower the local communities in information sharing and’necessary actions.

Traditional rulers should remain insulated from partisan politics, in order to maintain their moral standing to play a mediatory role during disputes, and to safeguard the integrity of their offices and their independence. Traditional rulers should be accorded specific responsibilities with commensurate delegated authority for security management, among other things, in their domains.

Intelligence gathering The traditional and religious institutions should be integrated into the security system, particularly in the business of intelligence gathering. The traditional security arrangement should be re-invented to complement the formal security arrangement.

This action would give every Nigerian a sense of responsibility in the administration of national security. There should be more stringent laws against corruption, including a considerContinues on page 36

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

NATIONAL CONFAB: Key issues before northern delegates (2) Continues from page 35 ation of death sentence or life imprisonment to certain category of corrupt officials. Fighting corruption require effective legislation, regulations and codes of conduct.

The country requires a comprehensive security sector that takes into consideration the multiplicity of actors interacting on different levels and a new framework of decentralized law enforcement as well as security administration, while putting in place institutional measures to protect the system from being appropriated by politicians.

In this regards, multi-level policing should be given a firm consideration in a federal setting.

Federal Government should contribute more significantly to the maintenance and equipping of the security agencies in the north so that state government funds, which are meant for infrastructural, social and human capital development in the states, are used solely for that purpose

Social and human capital

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Nigeria and especially the Northern states need leaders that are knowledgeable - that have vision and have the ability to think of the future; in terms of what needs to be done now to cope successfully with what the future might bring; leaders that are fearless and are prepared to persevere and that are responsive and sensitive to the feelings and perceptions of its followers. Nigeria, especially the northern states need a leadership that is nationally accepted regardless of ethnicity, region, religion, and where he/she comes from. Nigeria needs a leader that could promote good governance, forge national integration through deliberate and articulated policies.

Government should ensure that each State should define its own

In order to stem the tide of threats to national security, Nigeria must take the challenge of youth unemployment seriously by generating employment and creating multiple access to income generating activities for the youths. There should be a fixed or reserved fund for youth empowerment activities on a larger scale.

States creation and geo-political zones: While one cannot doubt the contributions which the creation of states have done to the Nigerian project, it is also true that twoo many states have tended to convert them into mere cost or effort centres at the expense of socio economic development. It is against this backdrop that ACF believes that the creation of any additional states at this point in time is counter productive and, therefore, should be kept on hold until the need can be justified in future. The argument that creation of states should be on the basis of equality irrespective of population and land mass is inconsistent with elementary concept of justice, since injustice is jot only when equals are treated unequally but also when unequals are treated equally.

Factual data on States: On the basis of population and landmass, the 36 states structure of Nigeria brings up the following fact: Population Average Per State = 140,003,542 = 3,888,987 36 Landmass average per state = 983,776km2 = 27,327km2 36 How the geo-political zones stand: The South East has a population of 16,381,729 and total Land mass of 33,664km2. Meaning each of the five states on average has a population and land mass 3,276,345 and 6733km2 respectively.

Population Average per State in the South East is far less than the national average of 612,642 peo-

,

Population Average per State in the South East is far less than the national average of 612,642 people and, indeed the average Landmass per state in the South East is not up to 25 per cent of the National Average

cattle grazing routes which will then be harmonized with those of adjacent states. Governments should secure existing grazing reserves and also consider cattle ranches with a view to making the herdsmen less nomadic. State governments with capacity and who have need should create new grazing reserves and cattle ranches. The FGN should come up with a long term researchdriven framework of settling nomadic Fulani pastoralists and changing the methods of raising their livestock.

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ple and, indeed the average Landmass per state in the South East is not up to 25 per cent of the National Average. That is to say the total land mass of all states of the South East is just a little above the National Average per State.

On the Contrary, the North West has seven States, a population of 35,786,944 and landmass of 221,120km2. Average population per state in the Northwest = 5,112,421 which is 1,223,434 higher than National Average. Average landmass pe state in the

Northwest =31,589km2 meaning each state in the Northwest is almost equal to the entire landmass of the South eastern states landmass.

For the Southwest: Six states with population of 27,581,994, averaging 4,596,999 which is 1,320,654 far higher than the South east average. By land mass, the South west has 78,774, which is 13,129km2 or twice the South east average.

Implication of factual data: For additional state to be created in the South east, the South west must have up to nine states first, if population is the deciding factor. Also if land mass is the de-

ciding factor, South west must have as much as 12 states before any additional state is created in South east.

Geo-political zones as so-called federating units: This proposition, which formed the cardinal position of the South East since the 1994 constitutional conference, has been crafted to whittle down any political advantage the North could exercise in Nigeria's body politics despite its huge territorial size and large population. Yet the concept of geo-political zones in our constitution and it should remain so.

Federalism, fiscal federalism and revenue sharing Federalism: Prepositions being made in the name of operating "true federalism", "fiscal federalism" and the like, are borne either out of political maneouvres or political arrogance, or both.

Whatever is the case, now, the Northern delegates to the conference have a duty to expose this crude misunderstanding of the political history of Nigerian federalism, and therefore, they need to be well armed with knowledge-

able position to counteract the flow of political mischief and propaganda directed against the North.

It should be clear to all that the Nigerian federal system was not a classical example of a federating system such as the case of the United States of American where hitherto independent sovereign states decided to come together to form a united country. Rather, in the case of Nigeria, the 36 states are merely political 'provinces' as recommended by Selborne Report of 1896 which were later created by the Nigerian State at different historical times, and agitations for additional States are still ongoing.

Therefore, the 36 states of the Nigerian federal system are and have always been mere administrative units and not federating units as erroneously called by people who wish to re-write his-

tory. In other words, the 36 states do not have any pre-defined rights over any national resources of the Nigerian state. Any attempt by a part of the Nigerian federation to enforce the notion of states as federating unit is disingenious and is certainly unconstitutional and the rest of the country should ignore or fight it to its logical end.

Change of nomenclature Indeed, we suggest that Northern delegates should pursue a change of nomenclature of the second tier of government from 'State' to 'Province' so as to unambiguously avoid the misconceptions that the states are 'Sovereign' entitities.

Fiscal federalism: Regrettably, fiscal federalism is one of the most bastardised terminologies in Nigerian public discourse today, to the extend that its mention by many - including those in authority - is taken to mean 'a universally acclaimed structure of resource control and revenue shar-

ing manual.' To many others, these terms are (politically) synonymous with "true federalism" whatever this means. What, really is the meaning of fiscal federalism? Fiscal federalism is a theory originally propounded by Richard A Musgrave ad Wallace E. Oates that concern itself with the divisionh of public sector functions and finances among multiple layers of governments.

The theory aims at Improving the performance of the public sectors and the provision of their services by ensuring a proper alignment of responsibilities and fiscal instruments to carry out these responsibilities for economic efficiency and welfare maximization.

The theory itself lays out a general normative framework, and its precepts only provided general guidelines with no firm principles.

Generally, the theory of fiscal federalism was developed on the historical experiences of nations that emerged or unified by the coming together of independent territories to form larger political polities, such as the cases of Switzerland, Germany, Canada, or the United States of America. In its

classical theory, thus, central government of such a federal system is a creation of the regional provincial governments. But even among nations founded on such classical structure of federal system there is no universal structure of operating fiscal federalism.

At any rate, there are no two federal systems that are exactly the same. Rather, federal systems evolved and operate within the context of historical dynamics of the respective human societies operating them .A number of the countries operating federal system are non-classical federations, which adopted the system as an appropriate mechanism to manage political and cultural plurality. It is now being estimated that there are more than 25 countries, with 40 per cent of the world’s population practicing federal systems of government. There are also countries, such as Iraq, that are now regarded as on transition to federalism.

There is no universal definition of federalism or essential princi Continues on page 37 C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—37

Key issues before northern delegates (2) general government services that created and financed the developments of common national institutions and assets. Government had the power to enact taxation law but the responsibility for collecting the proceeds of direct tax from individuals residing with the jurisdiction of Native Administrations had been assigned to the individual Native Administrations.

The Native Administrations were allowed retaining 50 per cent of what they had collected and passing on the remaining 50 per cent to Government. While individual Native Administration expended the retained portion of the tax for various financial services including payment of salaries of their staff, the Government was responsible for executing some essentials services in the provinces. The Table below gives the actual annual revenue contribution from the Native Administrations of Northern and Southern Provinces to the central fund as well as the expenditure in-

are treated equally. On the basis of population and landmass, the 36 states structure of Nigeria brings up the following fact: Population Average Per State = 140,003,542= 3,888,987 36 LandmassAverage per State =983,776km2 = 27,327km2 36 Meaning each of the five states on average has a population and land mass 3,276,345 and 6733km2 respectively.

Population Average per State in the South East is far less than the national average of 612,642 people and indeed the average landmass per state in the South East is not up to 25 per cent of the National Average that is to say the total land mass of all states of the South East is just little above the National Average per State.

On the Contrary, the North West has seven States, a population of 35,786,944 ar landmass of 221,120km2 Average Population per State in

Fiscal arrangement Six months before this new Constitution took effect in January 1947 an elaborate study and planning for structure of fiscal arrangement for the Nigerian State was commissioned under Sir Sydney Phillipson with the following terms of reference: •To study comprehensively and make appropriate recommendations regarding the problems of the administrative and financial procedure to be adopted under the new constitution; and, •To examine, in the light of its historical antecedents, the problem of financial relations between the Nigerian Government and the Native Administration with a view to making recommendations as to the policy and procedure which should determine those relations in the future.

•Obviously true fiscal federalism in Nigeria would give full support to the on-going clamour for the abrogation of the Constitutional provision for the existence of the state/local government joint account. In undertaking his assignment, Phillipson made a detailed study of the revenue and expenditure profile of the Regions and their Native Administrations, which clearly show the contributions of the Regional Governments to the Central Fund as well as to the

East since the 1994 Constitutional Conference, has been crafted to whittle down any political advantage the North could exercise in Nigeria’s body politics despite its huge territorial size and large population .

Yet, the concept of geo-political zones has no place in our Constitution and it should remain so.

Prepositions being made in the name of operating ‘true federalism’, ‘fiscal federalism’ and the like, are borne either out of political manoeuvres or political ignorance, or both. Whatever is the case, now, the Northern delegates to the Conference have a duty to expose this crude misunderstanding of the political history of Nigerian federalism, and therefore they need to be well armed with knowledgeable position to counteract the flow of

,

Continues from page 36 ples but there are key features of federalism, which are the existence of a central government sharing power/functions with regional/provincial/sub-national/ territorial/local governments over the same citizens and each tier of government derives its own legitimacy from citizens under its jurisdiction.

As a result, therefore, scholars categorize different modes of federalism, from co-operate federalism to co-ordinate feieralism to organic federalism as a means to distinguish the variety of systems being practiced by different nations. Thus, federalism in reality is a continuum running from alliances and associated states through to centralized government with federal system lying at some point in between.

Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: The Nigerian State was born in October 1914. Nigeria’s mode offiscal federalism dates back to 1914 through colonial taxation policy and financial arrangement pioneered by the British Colonial Administration, which subsequently financed the development of all national institutions and assets that the nation holds today. After the splitting of Southern Nigeria into the Western Region and Eastern Region, the ensuring political developments necessitated new constitutional development that provided the Richard Constitution of 1946.

curred by the Central Government on the provincial service in the Northern and Southern Provinces: While one cannot doubt the contributions which the creation of states have done to the Nigerian project, it is also true, that too many states have tended to convert them into mere cost or effort centres at the expense of socio economic development. It is against this backdrop that ACF believes that the creation of any additional states at this point in time is counterproductive and, therefore, should be kept on hold until the need can be justified in future.

The argument that creation of states should be on the basis of equality irrespective of population and land mass is inconsistent with elementary concept of justice, since injustice is not only when equals are treated unequally but also when unequals

the North West = 5,112,421 which is 1,223,434 higher than National Average.

Average Landmass per state in the North West = 31,589km2 meaning each state in the North West is almost equal to the entire landmass of the South Eastern states in landmass.

Six states with population of 27,581,994, averaging 4,596,999 which is 1,320,654 far higher than the South East Average

By Landmass, the South West has 78,774, which is 13,129km2 or twice the South East average For additional state to be created in the South East1 the South West must have up to 9 states first, if population is the deciding factor. Also if land mass is the deciding factor South West must have as much as 12 states before any additional State is created in South East.

This proposition, which formed the cardinal position of the South

should pursue a change of nomenclature of the second tier of government from ‘State’ to ‘Province’ so as to unambiguously avoid the misconceptions that the states are ‘Sovereign’ entities’.

Regrettably, fiscal federalism is one of the most bastardized terminologies in Nigerian public discourse today, to the extent that its mention by many - includtng those in authority - is taken to mean ‘a universally acclaimed structure of resource control and revenue sharing manual’. To many others, these terms are (politically) synonymous with “true federalism” -whatever this means. What, really, is the meaning offiscal federalism? Fiscal federalism is a theory originally propounded by Richard A Musgrave and Wallace E. Oates that concern itself with the division

The 36 States of the Nigerian Federal System are and have always been mere administrative units’and not federating units as erroneously called

political mischief and propaganda directed against the North.

Federating system: It should be clearto all that, the Nigerian Federal System was not a classical example of a federating system such as the case of the United States of America where hitherto independent sovereign States decided to come together to form a united country. Rather, in the case of Nigeria, the 36 States are merely political ‘provinces’ as recommended by Selborne Report of 1896 which were later created by the Nigerian State at different historical times, and agitations for additional States are still on going.

Therefore, the 36 States of the Nigerian Federal System are and have always been mere administrative units’ and not federating units as erroneously .called by people who wish to re-write history. In other words, the 36 States do not have any predefined rights over any national resources of the Nigerian State.

Any attempt by a part of the Nigerian Federation to enforce the notion of states as federating unit is disingenuous and is certainly unconstitutional and the rest of the country should ignore or fight it to its logical end. Indeed we suggest that Northern delegates

,

of public sector functions and finances among multiple layers of governments.

The theory aims at improving the performance of the public sectors and the provision of their services by ensuring a proper alignment of responsibilities and fiscal instruments to carry out these responsibilities for economic effiCiency and welfare maximization. The theory itself lays out a general normative framework, and its precepts only provided general guidelines with no firm principles.

Generally, the theory of fiscal federalism was developed on the historical experiences of nations that emerged or unified by the coming together of independent territories to form larger political polities, such as the cases of Switzerland, Germany, Canada, or the United States of America.

In its classical theory, thus, central government of such a federal system is a creation of the regional/provincial governments.

But even among nations founded on such classical structure of federal system there is no universal structure of operating fiscal federalism.

To be continued

38— Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS State Waste M a n a g e m e n t Authority, LAWMA, again lost one of its street sweepers to the cold hands of death when a fast moving vehicle, last week dragged a sweeper to death while on duty along Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

According to L AWMA source, about 12,000 cubic metres of wastes are currently being generated daily in the state adding that there are 13,000 street sweepers with monthly salary starting from N12,000 . They work for six hours daily with one hour break. They work on shift basis.

This particular incident, like many others in the past, according to an eyewitness, Mr Akin Olalere, occurred mid morning around Anthony area, along Ikorodu Road.

Olalere recounted; “While the woman was sweeping, backing the traffic, all of a sudden, we saw the van (unknown registration number), dragging the woman who at that time was sweeping refuse close to the median along the road.

Apparently, unaware of what was happening, the van driver continued but later was forced to a halt after dragging the woman along for afew meters following persistent screaming from other motorists and pedestrians who called the driver’s attention to the reality.

“By the time help came the woman in her mid 40s had died. It was so unfortunate,

How reckless drivers sweep Lagos street sweepers to death Street sweepers on duty

subjected to , saying; “They are exposed to high risk that could take their lives. Our motoring public needs sustained enlightenment to reduce this kind of accident.”

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr Ola Oresanya, who confirmed the incident,

The programme serves as poverty alleviation as it affords the sweepers credit facility in terms of mortgage to assist them in their personal businesses, Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs

,

because if the driver had stopped immediately, the woman could have escaped possibly with injuries.”

It was later discovered that a protruding metal attached to the van hooked the uniform of the sweeper who was backing the traffic and in the process got trapped and dragged along the road .

The driver who was almost lynched by the mob that gathered quickly, was rescued by policemen and other security operatives who also raced to the scene.

Olalere, lamented the enormous danger to which the street sweepers are

,

described it as “unfortunate and sad”, saying the incident was the first to be recorded in this year and prayed that such does not happen again.

According to Oresanya, the victim, was a mother of four children who was highly dedicated to duty and friendly with her co workers.

“The L AWMA family is highly saddened by this unfortunate incident after series of campaigns and enlightenment by the authority on the need by motorists to be conscious of sweepers on the road.

“We will continue to educate and appeal to the public to

take it easy on the road especially where our sweepers are working. It is for the good of everybody that they (sweepers) are on the roads. They are somebody’s mother, aunty, sister, daughter. They are human beings.

“The programme served as poverty alleviation as it affords the sweepers credit facility in terms of mortgage to assist them in their personal businesses, Small Medium Enterprises, SMEs. There are graduates and professionals among them.”

As part of measures to prevent killing of the sweepers on highways, apart from their highly reflective vests, Oresanya said there is a supervisor attached to about eight sweepers to ward off any reckless drivers from hitting those on duty.

Oresanya commended the Lagos State governor for his personal interest in the welfare of street sweepers.

He added that the activities of the several thousands in the employment of LAWMA and the Highway Managers is not just about cleaning but job creation with a clear target at poverty eradication.

It will be recalled that Governor Babatunde Fashola , had at an annual Street

Sweepers Workshop organized by the state recently, expressed deep appreciation to the sweepers even as he tasked them to find inspiration to continue their good work of keeping the city clean against all odds because a slide to the past must never be contemplated.

On the menace of reckless

•A marked house

drivers, the governor recommended a high level engagement with transport unions in the state with the leadership of the state driver’s institutes towards improving driving culture and disposition.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

C

ONTROVERSIES continue to trail West Africa’s first suspension bridge, Lekki- Ikoyi link bridge,within its few years of existence, more than any other.

The 1,358-metre-long bridge, connects two highly frequented districts of Lagos and the construction was also conceived as a solution to the problem of the perennial traffic bottleneck on LekkiEpe road, particularly around the Elegushi round about and Lekki Phase I, since it was designed to serve as a strategic by-pass and to reduce the travel time along Falomo Bridge, Alfred Rewane road, Independence Bridge and Ahmadu Bello Way. Some months before the bridge was completed and formally opened ( June 1, 2013) several law suits were already filed against the tolling of the bridge.

That clearly depicts the issues ahead and the litigations kept compounding.

In the first quarter of last year, Mr Ebun- Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, filed a case challenging the proposed tolling on the bridge at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.

In his affidavit, Adegboruwa said that he personally went to inspect the bridge and discovered that five toll plazas had already been built on it, preparatory to the commencement of tolling, but for the case pending in court.

Lagos state government however claimed it promulgated a Waterways Authority Law, by which it claimed to have repealed the existing National Inland

The Ikoyi-Lekki link bridge of controversy Waterways Authourity, NIWA, Act which prohibitted tolling.

In his response, Adegboruwa said that no House of Assembly of any state in Nigeria has the power to make any law that will repeal an Act of the National Assembly. That it borders on legislative rascality and democratic impunity, for the Lagos State House of Assembly to claim to have repealed the NIWA Act, which is an Act of the National Assembly.

Under the constitutional doctrine of ‘covering the field’, once the National Assembly has made a law on any issue, then that law has taken care of that issue all over the Federation and a State House of Assembly cannot make any law on the same issue. That

in any case, if it is true that Lagos State has power over the Lekki Lagoon, there would have been no need for it to seek approval from the Federal Government to erect the bridge in the first instance.

Lagos State Government secured a judgement at a Federal High court on 24th April, 2013 for stay of execution of action over an earlier judgement that directed the stoppage of the tolling.

Last week, Lagos State House of Assembly gave approval for the Electronic Tolling of Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, saying with the passage of this resolution it would serve as legal backing and appropriate maintenance of the Bridge.

The Leader of the House,

Ajibayo Adeyeye had read a motion on the floor that on the "Concession Agreement for Electronic Tolling System (ETS) of the Lekki-Ikoyi Toll Bridge.

He said; "That pursuant to section 33 of the Lagos State Public Partnership Law, 2011 this House do resolve to approve the request for the ratification of the Electronic Tolling System Operations and Maintenance; Concession Terms and condition as forwarded by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State."

While asking for the speedy ratification of the governor's proposal, the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, noted that there had been a backlog of

The controversial Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge

— 39

infrastructural delay in Lagos. and the expected tolling is one of the ways to solve the problems.

Taiwo pointed out that there are two main benefits associated with the LekkiIkoyi Link Bridge. He said; "It serves dual purposes: apart from being the shortest route to Obalande, it also being used for exercises, going by the level of patronage on the Bridge."

The cable bridge has a length of 170 metres and a height of 87 metres from water level, and consists of two spans with an average of 85 metres.It is being constructed across the lagoon flowing towards Osborne in Ikoyi and Lekki Scheme1 Housing Estate and is also designed to have a maximum of 3.5 per cent vertical alignment and minimum radius of 350 metres horizontal alignment with 90 metres pylon height from water level.

Also, Sanai Agunbiade, representing Ikorodu I said the tolling motion has been with the House for a long time, saying since members had been able to do proper assessment over the tolling system, it would be appropriate to give the approval.

"Electronic Tolling System proposal has been with us for a long time. Now that proper assessment had been done, we should give the legislative approval to make it more functional," Agunbiade said.

Rotimi Olowo stressed that the electronic tolling system would ensure transparency and accountability, saying members should give the approval to enhance more development in the state.

Lagos shuts 776 unhygienic premises •Marks 225 structures for demolition

By MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS state government has in the past 12 months shut 776 premises and prosecuted the owners/occupiers for violating the sanitary standards in the state, even as it generated N5.12 million from the fines.

The state government has also in the same period marked 225 structures erected on the right of way of drainage alignment across the state for demolition while six properties were sealed in the last one year, for defeating the purpose of the

drainage system in the state.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello who disclosed this, said that these were part of the 6,071 premises inspected by the state Environmental Health Unit.

Bello said that 2,250 abatement notices were served by the unit. 1,474 of such complied with the agency directives.

The commissioner further said the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, LSWMO in the year under review identified 1,481 new private facilities, which included 250 high rise

buildings, 252 estates, 150 hotels, 50 banks, 334 schools, 265 hospitals and 180 eateries.

He stated that out of 552 high rise buildings, 500 estates, 556 hotels, 152 banks, 636 schools, 567 hospitals, 89 eateries, that were monitored, only 12 high rise buildings, 17 eateries, 29 hotels, 23 banks, 8 schools and three hospitals complied with the state’s policy on wastewater management for the year.

According to him, “In 2013, the office issued 282 court summons and 117 cases were prosecuted by the environmental court. While 20 facilities and 49 tenements

were sealed in 2013, 33 facilities and 126 tenements were sealed up.

“Also, 12 site inspections were carried out for certification and recertification in conjunction with the laboratory, reduce, reuse, recover, recycle office, 11 policy letters were served to government institutions and 1,057 properties were served with non-compliance letters,” he stated.

In a bid to achieve cleaner environment, the commissioner said the government served 752 abatement notices to property owners while only 52 of such abatement was complied with.

He however said; “We were

left with no other option than to shut down 144 structures.”

Bello warned churches and mosques to stop polluting the state and disturbing the peace of the public through noise, saying that a situation where six churches and four mosques would be in a street was not acceptable as residents of such streets would not sleep due to noise pollution. He warned that if the nuisance do not abate, government would soon begin massive clampdown on churches and mosques in the state over noise pollution, while appealing to them to comply with government’s standard.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

There was no money in Edo to loot — Igbinedion FORMER Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, has maintained a low profile since leaving office seven years ago. Ahead of his 57th birthday today, he broke his long silence in the public space during an interview session with journalists in Abuja last weekend. Igbinendion affirmed that he had been wrongly perceived by the general public, asserted that he exceeded the performance of all governors before him and also claimed that he left office a poorer man than when he entered. Excerpts:

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

W

HY have you maintained a low profile since your exit from power?

Out of my own free will. It is not because I was forced to keep quiet. I just felt that having served for eight years, it was good to give the new hands time to be their own boss. You do not want to start bringing down somebody. I did not even attend state functions, I decided to lie low.

I believe when the music is over, you should go home and wait for the next time when the concert is up again. If you see some states, you see strife between the former and the current (governors). The former still wants to have a hold or a say.

I guess everybody has his own style.

So, how has life been after power?

Just like it was before power.

You are back to the basics. You

What are the things you miss most outside power?

Nothing. You know I am not a siren person. The only times I ever used the siren were when I was traveling or going for official functions. Outside of that, when I closed from office, I drove home myself and other cars drove behind me. I used to play football.

Sometimes, I used to stop by the road side and buy roasted plantain. That is why I said I do not really miss anything. The only thing is that the stress and tension are not there anymore. That office makes one age quickly.

What have you been doing since you left office?

I come from a family with a business-oriented philosophy.

We have a lot of businesses my father started before I became a governor. Before I went into politics, I also started my own businesses. Some of them were mismanaged while I was in office because I could not pay enough

,

For you to loot, there must be something for you to loot. Edo State had no money to loot. I have just told you that I borrowed money from my father and from Chief Anenih

are back to yourself. Some people will abandon you for sure. You do not really know people until you give them a position of authority or you entrust them with wealth or power. That is when the real man comes out.

We have had a lot of betrayal. But then, your friends are still your friends, especially those who grew up with you. Like I always tell people, that first day of your inauguration, you have all these brilliant photographs and albums. You should always keep them so that towards the end of your first term, go back to the album and see how many of them are still around you. When you win the second term, take more photographs during inauguration. At the end of that tenure, go back and see who was with you throughout the eight years and ask yourself why or why not. There is no way you can satisfy everybody or meet their expectations of all.

,

attention. Some of them were sold out. So, I am trying to build back myself. I also happen to be the eldest child of the family. One has to keep an eye on things in the family. We have businesses spanning from education, aviation, sea, real estate and oil and gas. There is no shortage of what to do.

There was a quote attributed to your father that “if a child fails an examination for the first time, you give him another chance to rewrite it...” and that it referred to your performance in Edo State?

That was just a joke. There are jokes about leaders all around the world. My father never said anything like that. In terms of performance, I am glad history is beginning to reveal itself. I performed credibly well. The perception and expectations are two different things. In terms of performance, I stand to be

challenged that my performance surpasses that of every other governor before me. But a lot of people tend to forget things.

Where was the state before I came on board? This was a state that was run by the military for over 15 years. This was a state that was unable to pay its civil servants and pensioners.

Parastals were condemned to self-sustenance policy. The College of Education was nowhere. The university was producing criminals. Everything was completely dead. People do not look back and say this was a man that paid over 24 months of arrears. Institutions that were dead were revived.

They tend to forget easily because people are looking for the new day gratification. In my first hundred days in office, there were projects sited in every ward in Edo State. Civil servants were becoming civil again rather than being evil.

Ogbemudia stadium They were not looking like skeletons anymore. I revived the civil service. The Ogbemudia stadium, I revived it. Some people were even coming to me and asking me why did I not just build a new one and put my name? I told them that is not a legacy. As far as performance is concerned, nobody can underrate me because I touched each and every life in Edo state positively.

At what point did you lose touch with the masses?

I did not lose touch. That perception was from those gunning for office. That perception was from those vying for positions. We had an understanding that there must be power rotation in our state just as we believe there must be power rotation in the country.

Like the power was in the SouthWest for eight years. It is supposed to go back to a region in the north for the same period.

And by the time it comes back to the south, it should have gone to the South-South or the East.

That was the PDP arrangement

•Igbinedion: though. It was not in the Nigerian constitution. It was our own way of ensuring everybody had a fair share of power in the state.

So, what now happened was that we had the same arrangement in Edo State. We said after eight years of a Bini man, an Esan man should be the governor. I stood firmly on that ground. But some people in government, unknown to me, had different ideas. They started causing fractionalization within the party. People started calling some unholy names- politics is a very dirty game.

Did godfatherism tie your hands?.

My hands were never tired. If there is anything, godfatherism taught me and this is the first time I am saying this. But for the first time, two people that I owe a lot of gratitude to in Edo State that made my tenure successful were my father and Chief Tony Anenih.

Successful tenure In the darkest of days when the state was broke and could not pay salaries, I would run to these two people and they would borrow me money. They borrowed the state money. It is documented and you have it there. When the banks could not trust us, I went to them. My father just felt you have got to do what you have got to do. There were days the pensioners would cry to him or block the road to Government House. We had to run to them just to keep the government running.

Was it that the allocations from the Federation Account and

your IGR were too small?

I was more like an accountant and the allocations were definitely too small.

Were there moments when you had regrets of becoming a governor?

Yes, if not for family pressure, I contemplated resigning, especially during my second tenure. I just asked myself why was I going through all these troubles? First and foremost, you do not have the money to do some of the projects you wanted to do.

Money to pay salaries In situations where your Accountant-General goes to Abuja to collect money and two days later, he is running away from you because there is no money to pay salaries, what do you do?

President Obasanjo accused you of spending the state’s money on ‘owanbe’ How do you spend on owanbe?

He was having owanbes himself too.

Looking back, are there things you would have done differently?

I am so confident of what I did as governor of Edo State that if I have to do it all over again, I will do it. I believe whatever I did then was done with the best of intentions for the betterment of my people and to the best of my abilities. I have no regrets at all.

Do you think Edo people are enjoying a better deal than they did during your time?

That is up to them to decide and not for me.

What would you recall as the Continues on page 41

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—41

Anambra governorship: Not yet uhuru for Obiano THE judicial quest by those who lost out in the November 2013 governorship election to reverse the outcome is still ongoing

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

FTER over three months of sitting, the Anambra State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Awka adjourned to May 23, 2014 after the various parties in the petition closed their cases. The petitioners challenged the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano of APGA as the winner of the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State by INEC. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ishaq Bello, while addressing the parties, commended them for exhibiting maturity while arguing their cases on behalf of their clients.

Indeed, the parties adhered to his earlier plea to emphasize professionalism as there was no incident of abuses throughout the period, except few shouting matches during some of the sittings. He also promised that the tribunal would be fair to all the parties.

About 60 lawyers, including 16 Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, participated in the legal battle that kept the audience on their toes throughout the period.

The entire space in the massive judiciary compound of the Anambra State High Court complex, the venue of the

tribunal, was usually filled to capacity especially on the days star witnesses, such as Governor Wilie Obiano, Senator Chris Ngige, Dr. Chike Obidigbo and Sir Victor Umeh appeared in court.

Essentially, the petitioners prayed for the cancellation of the election over alleged non compliance with the electoral act as amended and the allegation of the involvement of Chief Obiano in double voter registration. Though the tribunal initially struck out the issue of alleged multiple registrations, Ngige took the matter to the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu, which directed that the issue should be treated by the tribunal.

With the resuscitation of the issue, it virtually took the center stage throughout the sitting of the tribunal.

The allegation was that Obiano registered in Lagos State as a voter and also registered twice in Anambra State thereby possessing three voter’s cards.

While testifying earlier, the governorship candidate of APC, Senator Chris Ngige told the tribunal that he tendered an extract of the INEC voter register for Lagos State showing the name of Chief Willie Maduabuchi Obiano as having

•Obiano voted in the governorship and presidential elections of April 2011.

But answering questions during cross examination, Chief Obiano insisted that he has only one voter’s card which was the one issued to him by INEC, following his application for transfer of his voting right from Lagos to Anambra State. He told the tribunal: ”I registered as a voter in Lagos State. When I returned to Anambra State to contest for the governor, I applied for a transfer of my registration. I went in the

morning of August 19, 2013 to ascertain the process of transferring my registration from Lagos to Anambra State and to make it possible for me to vote in a booth near my house at Aguleri. I applied on that August 19, 2013 and submitted it the same day.

“The electoral officer, Nsofor, asked me to write an application and attach my voter’s card. I did so the same day and when I submitted it to him, he told me to come back in two days time. I went back on the 21st of August, 2013, hoping to pick up the new voter’s card. I was told to fill a form and I also did my biometrics.

“He told me to pick the new card in two weeks time. On September 3, 2013, I went to the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Awka to pick up the new card. I did not, at any point in time, have two voters’ cards. The valid one I used in the election was the one given to me in Anambra State.”

Both Obiano’s application to

INEC and the voter’s card he used during the election were admitted in evidence.

According to the governor, as at 3rd September, 2013, his old voter’s card was no longer in his possession. He also said that he could not vouch for the picture found against his name in the voters’ register because he was never at Eri primary School for registration, but at the electoral officer’s office at Otuocha for the registration. He also faulted the age in the controversial Eri Primary School voters’ register, saying that he was 58 years then and not 56 as was shown.

According to him, he was 55 years old when he registered in Lagos. In answer to another question, Obiano said INEC had never accused him of engaging in double registration or possessing more than one voter’s card.

As the tribunal progressed, Ngige said he did not report the alleged multiple voter ’s registration by Governor Willie Obiano to the police because his political party was already handling the matter. Testifying under cross examination by the counsel to INEC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Ngige also said that he did not know if the voter’s card used by Obiano when he voted was forged, adding that it is the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to determine such.

There was no money in Edo to loot — Igbinedion Continues from page 40 high and low points of life for you in the last 15 years?

I am a man of stable emotions and I try to keep it that way. My wife has been married to me for close to 30 years.

A man that betrays his emotions either through excitement or anger is not a real man. You must learn at all times to control your tongue and maintain a calm disposition in order to be able to take the right decisions. A leader is that person that is not so conscious of praise or afraid of blame.

With the EFCC prosecutions, are you still emotionally stable?

Very stable. EFCC do not have sharks there. They are just doing their job. If they challenge you, you answer their question. I have nothing to fear.

I was outside the country when they said I was declared wanted.

I came back. If I had any fear, I would have been running, but I had the confidence that there was nothing to fear. If there is anything, it is the state that is owing me money and not me owing. ...The perception is that you looted the state.

For you to loot, there must be something for you to loot. Edo

State had no money to loot. I have just told you that I borrowed money from my father and from Chief Anenih. Chief Anenih is around the corner here, you can go and ask him whether I borrowed money from him or not.

Then what was this deal between you and EFCC on returning money to Edo State?

I did not return any money.

They found N3.2 million in my account. After my tenure, I went to Ribadu and told him I was going outside the country. I gave him my number. I asked him if it was ok for me to go and he said yes. So, I went with my wife. I needed to rest after leaving office.

That day I left office, it was as if ten trailers were removed from my head.

I was in America when I heard I had been declared wanted and I asked what I had been declared wanted for? You will not invite somebody and all of a sudden, you declare him wanted? Why will you declare somebody wanted without any justification?

After looking at the whole thing, I told my lawyers to write them that I was not running from anything. I even put a date for me to return. I just said let me finish the programme I am doing here so that by end if next week I will return. On that day, I

•Igbinedion: arrived here in Nigeria and the next day, I went to EFCC by myself.

Not that I was arrested. They said I was to appear in Lagos.

So, I said let us to go to Lagos. I got there and they started asking me all sorts of questions. In all of these, there was no place where they said I took money from a particular place or inflated contracts. Or that they found a certain money in my account.

Some of the officers came and told me everything was political and that they did not have anything on me. They said they were just doing their job because the orders were from above.

I said so PDP is doing this to a fellow PDP member. I said maybe

it is because of the fight we had in Edo State. That was what caused the whole problem. Later, they brought over 150 charges and I said I was not guilty. After all the arguments, I told them they were wasting my time. I asked them what they needed me to do so I could be free and they said we should find a winwin situation for all sides.

They said our both lawyers should sit down, craft something and save our faces. Considering that I knew where I was going, I needed to put all these behind me and face my business.

Forfeiture of money They searched all my accounts and found nothing. I told them if there is any money in my account, go and seize it. After a while, they went to Code of Conduct Tribunal and said I refused to disclose the amount in my account which was N3.2 million.

That was what I was charged for and asked to forfeit the money.

You can go to the courts and find out. They dropped all the charges and brought that. All these ones that you are talking about billions, I do not know where they got these billions from.

Are you saying you became poorer than the way you were before you became a governor?

I would have become richer if I had stayed outside of government.

Being in government made me poorer.

What is your relationship with Presidentt Goodluck Jonathan?

It is very cordial. I have tremendous respect for him. He is piloting the affairs of the state to the best of his abilities under the circumstances. It is tough being the leader of a country like Nigeria.

You spoke very fondly about Anenih, but many people believe he is the problem of Edo politics and that of Nigeria.

If you listened to me carefully, I told the truth about every situation and how Oshiomhole came on board. The quarrel was not between Anenih and myself.

It was those that were playing the intrigues of 2007 elections.

We were both used as puns. We never quarrelled.

Do you still relate with your friend, James Ibori? Do you see his prosecution as political?

Definitely, I do. I explained my own aspect to you that Edo state does not have the resources to play with. I cannot speak for Delta State. Ibori is in a better position to answer that.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 43 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER: Mercury has started going on backward motion in your Star sign, therefore you will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by others. Be family minded.

LEO: Avoided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

VIRGO: Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

LIBRA: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

SCORPIO: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

guess you know what the word ‘Retrieve’ mean.

This simply means to get back something from the place it is now, especially a place it ought not to have

Retrieve Yourself been.

Many of us have lost it all – our identity, our values, our self esteem, our personality, our vision, self worth

TERROR MUDA

etc. If you have lost all of this what can you do? Get back your personality.

Get back your selfesteem. Be the man or woman you are destined to be. Be

in “Never say goodbye”

the person you are created to be and unleash yourself on the world.

Be the best God destined you to be.

Retrieve yourself from whoever you have subsumed it before.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you.

Be more loving.

CAPRICORN: Success is boldly printed on your cards today.

Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you but mother nature.

AQUARIUS: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

PISCES: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today and if you demonstrate this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

ARIES: As mercury prepares to go on backward motion it is important you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree to do.

TAURUS: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you. Don’t neglect love.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What does future have for me Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born. And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ? When would my success come?

Adetutu, Ibadan.

Dear Adetutu,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday. You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN

ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final dispositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career. You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself.

Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable.

Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

WEFA: Nigeria unveils food production capacity

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

N

IGERIA has unveiled its food production capacity to the international community and asked major investors in agro business to take advantage of its vast potentials and generous conditions to invest in the country’s food sector.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who played host to the investors and some governors on the sideline of the just concluded World Economic Forum for Africa in Abuja, said the country had made tremendous progress in food production and was moving towards food processing for economic prosperity.

The minister pointed out that within the two years of the launching of the A g r i c u l t u r a l Transformation Agenda, Nigeria had achieved 75 percent of the 20 million metric tonnes of food target, which it set in 2011.

According to him, the country recorded an average of 15.7 million metric tonnes of the set target of 20 metric tonnes in 2013 and had made more gains in that regard ever since.

Thanksgiving

P

RESIDENT of the oilrich Ugborhen community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Anthony Amitaye has appealed to those who contested the position with him to forget the past and join hands with him to develop the community.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service in Effurun, Warri, Delta State, on his election, he said God had shown him (Amitaye) mercy.

Noting that he will serve his people with the fear of God, he promised to provide more developmental projects that will transform the community and appealed to Seplat Oil Company for assistance towards sustaining developmental projects.

FIGHTING MALARIA: From left— Assistant Head Teacher, Senior School, DHS, Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Rev Sister Rosemary Etim; Head Teacher, Senior School, Mr. Ajero Polycarp; Head Teacher, Junior School, Mrs Adedoyin Hannah, and Deputy Administrator, Rev Father Chikere Ugwuanyi, receiving some mosquito nets from Head, Client Service, Premium Health Ltd, Health Maintenance Organisation, HMO, Mrs Adaobi Gabriel-Igbare; Assistant Manager, Business Development, Ms Ijeoma Adigwu; Supervisor Client Services, Mrs Nkechi Okoye and Deputy Manager Business Development, Mr. Abdulmojeed Ibrahim, during the Premium Health Ltd mosquito nets donation to Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos to mark World Malaria Day.

CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS: Agbakoba tasks FG on space laws

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

S the search intensifies for the missing 276 students of Federal Government Girls College, Chibok, Borno State, abducted by members of Boko Haram, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has tasked the Federal Government to review its space law policy and satellite c o m m u n i c a t i o n programmes, to help check the activities of terrorists on Nigerian soil.

Agbakoba, at the presentation of Speed of Justice, a training manual on case management to ensure speedy dispensing of cases, said: “As we search for the missing girls, it is time to reflect on the inadequacies in our legal and physical infrastructure that countries have utilised to resolve problems of this nature.”

Represented by Mrs Bisi Akoju, he said: “The case of missing 276 Nigerian secondary school girls has attained an international dimension and attention.

“Military advisers, negotiators, and counselors from United State and other countries have arrived in Nigeria to join the search for the girls who were abducted by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

“The Nigerian government has been accused of lagging in their search efforts. The government says it is doing much which is less appreciated by the unimpressed public.

“Amid the myriad of challenges against the local efforts in the search of the

missing girls is the lack of advanced skills and infrastructure for space and satellite communication, a prerequisite for technological innovation for defence and national security.

“The outer space has become a highly important region, which holds the potential for both significant benefits and dangers.

“The primary goals of space law are to ensure a rational, responsible approach to the exploration and use of outer space for the benefit and in the interests of all humankind.

“To this end, we need to rethink our space law policy and satellite communication programmes, review laws as necessary, set up regulation and build infrastructures.”

Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu urged to reconcile

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN— FOLLOWING the crisis rocking All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, the Global Democratic Initiative, GDI, a group made up of grassroots politicians in the state, has expressed its desire to broker peace between Governor Adams Oshiom-hole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his loyalists.

Meanwhile, a leader of the party in the state, Elder

Patrick Igbinaken, has denied resigning from the party, saying he was deceived to attend a meeting where he and some others purportedly resigned their membership of the party.

Elder Igbinaken, Chairman of the defunct Action National Congress in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state, told newsmen yesterday that as a founding member of APC, nothing could make him leave the party.

Navy arrests 38 vessels over theft

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

W

ARRI— CHIEF of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, has said that the Nigerian Navy arrested 38 ships for oil theft and illegal poaching related offences since he assumed office.

Jibrin, who in January became the 19th indigenous CNS, said eight of the 38 ships seized are Chinese fishing vessels.

Jibrin, who visited the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS,

Delta, yesterday told journalists in Warri that “One positive thing about this arrests is that all these vessels are still in detention, so no one is out to commit more havoc.

“Two things can be deduced from this. First is the fact that they are illegally fishing on our waters. Secondly, they must have been getting the product to service their ships, talking about diesel, illegally.

So, technically, they are involved in illegal bunkering.”

Ugbomro youths raise alarm over communities crisis

Y

OUTH President of Ugbomro in Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Francis Obodo, has called on the state government to urgently intervene in the misunderstanding between youths of Ugbomro and Iteregbe communities both in Uvwie council, to avoid a major crisis that could disrupt the peace in the area.

Youths of Ugbomro had persistently warned that Iteregbe people should desist from encroaching into their land and stop harassing innocent members of Ugbomro under any guise.

Obodo, who is also the councillor representing Uvwie Ward 7, in a statement, accused a prominent chief of being behind the brewing crisis in complicity with the Police from the area.

Prayers

A

prayer meeting tagged National Peace Prayer Rain, organised by Christian Ministers Welfare Initiatives, CMWI-MOG, will hold in Abuja next month.

According to a statement by the president of the group, Apostle Daniel Adebiyi, with fervent prayers, Nigeria will overcome the security challenges facing the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 45

Jonathan'll not succumb to blackmail, Ekpebide tells critics

Uduaghan, lawyers demand monitoring of pension funds

T

HE Chairman, Phase II Presidential Amnesty programme in Delta State, Mr. Preye Ekpebide, has described as futile, attempts by critics of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration to take advantage of the current insurgency in the North-East to blackmail him into abdicating his authority.

Ekpebide, who fielded questions from journalists in Bomadi, Delta State, yesterday, maintained that no amount of intimidation, libel from any group could coax President Jonathan to relinquish power or stop him from vying for a second term.

The ex-militant leader particularly faulted Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, for describing Nigeria as being on autopilot, noting that, Mr. President was doing his best to ensure that Boko Haram insurgency was brought under control.

Delta taskforce evacuates refuse in Udu, Uvwie, Warri

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE Delta State Special Sanitation Task Force has commenced the evacuation of refuse and other materials generated from the demolished illegal structures in parts of Warri, Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.

Labourers, pay-loaders and tippers were hired by the taskforce to ensure that a proper job was done. Chairman of the task force, Chief Frank Omare, who led other members of the team to remove the rubbles, said the exercise was to further give the areas a befitting look.

He said the evacuation would pave way for the beautification team to map out their work plan and commence the planting of trees to give the cities the desired urban look.

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

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LAFARGE DIALOGUE SERIES: From left: Lafarge Executive Vice-President and Country CEO, Nigeria and Benin, Mr. Guillaume Roux and Managing Director/CEO, Unicem, Mr. Olivier Lenoir with some participants during the Second Lafarge Dialogue Series in Abuja.

Edo PDP, aggrieved APC chieftains meet over defection

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—A MEETING in Benin, Edo State, of some former leaders of the Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC and the executive and leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state has further fueled speculations that the former APC stalwarts were set to declare for PDP. The meeting which took place at the old campaign office of the arrow head of the former APC stalwart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had in attendance members of his group such as Chief Tony Omoaghe, Ehigie West-Idahosa, Chief Amos Osunbor, Chief Osaretin Edosomwan, Etiosa Ogbeiwe, Chief Sunny Omokaro, Dr. Philip Ugbodagha, Mr. Sunny Omokaro, Nosa Adams, Mrs.

Evelyn Igbafe and Mr. Frank Erewele, among others.

The PDP was led to the gathering by its Edo State Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, who was joined by Senator Odion Ugbesia, Chief Clifford Ordia, Mr. Matthew Urhogide, Henry Tenebe, Mr. Christopher Adesotu, Chief Joe Edionwele, Paschal Ugbomhe and some new party members, such as the lawmaker representing Edo South in the Senate, Senator Ehige Uzamere and Chief Solomon Edebiri.

Explaining the purpose of his visit, Orbih said he had come with his executive council to express their desire to have in their party members of the Ize-Iyamu group in order to fight tyranny and institutionalise internal and participatory democracy in Edo State.

Orbih, who said that it must have been difficult for the Ize-

Iyamu group to leave the APC because they built it, noted that by their action, they had placed the interest of the Edo people above theirs.

Receiving the visitors, IzeIyamu who spoke for his group, praised Orbih for the way he has piloted the affairs of Edo PDP since he assumed office as its helmsman, saying that while he was in the APC, he fooled himself into thinking that PDP in Edo State had been completely depleted of strong and reliable politicians.

“Today, I know better.

There is no way you can talk about leadership in Edo State without talking about the people here today. You have come to us and I want to say that we shall do the same. We will be meeting you as soon as possible,” he said.

EFCC Chair urges collaboration in anti-graft war

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— CHAIRMAN of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has appealed for cooperation between the public and the commission in the fight against corruption.

Lamorde, yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the opening of a workshop on Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes for Journalists in the South South Region, noted that the collaboration was necessary for the commission to succeed in the antigraft war.

He said: “Permit me to also

re-emphasise that the fight against financial corruption and economic crimes is not a task that the commission can surmount single handedly. All stakeholders, particularly the media, must collaborate with us to make the fight a success.”

Lamorde, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, of the Commission, Mr. Osita Nwaja, said that some crimes could have been prevented if timely and right information were available.

He said the workshop was to raise capacity and improve public consciousness in the anti-graft crusade, adding that 117 convictions were secured by the commission on corruption related cases last year,

while there could be increase in the figure this year.

He said that most of those arrested for financial crimes last year were already being prosecuted at various courts, adding that valuables were recovered from them.

On oil theft and other related crimes, Lamorde said that the commission was reviewing its strategy to achieve greater result in the fight.

“We recognise the fact that there is still a lot that we need to do. Consequently, we are reviewing strategies and recalibrating our processes to meet the challenges of the environment in which we operate,” he said.

ELTA State governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has called for greater scrutiny of the operations of pension fund administrators to forestall their insolvency and possible loss of workers' contributions.

Uduaghan said such close watch of the licensed pension fund administrators was necessary against the background of the misuse of depositors' funds by some banks and financial institutions which threw many Nigerians into financial jeopardy.

The governor made the remark at the 2014 Punuka Annual lecture held in Lagos, where he was represented by the Chairman, Delta State Bureau for State Pensions, Mrs. C. O. Siakpere, where eminent legal minds, stakeholders and business leaders were in attendance.

Cleric commends Imoke on rural transformation

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HE Bishop of Lutheran Church, Cross River State Diocese, and National Vice President, Lutheran Church of Nigeria, Bishop Matthew Okata, has commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on his rural transformation programme.

Making the commendation during a thanksgiving service to mark the second anniversary of the current leadership of the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Calabar, Bishop Okata said that as someone from the rural area, he could attest to Governor Imoke’s impressive transformation efforts in every aspect of the state.

Bishop Okata, who said he was not using the platform to sing praises of Governor Imoke, insisted that he was only commending the governor ’s transformation initiatives.

46— Vanguard , TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Anambra tribunal upholds election of 3 chairmen

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—THE election of the chairmen of Idemili South, Awka North and Awka South has been upheld by the local government election tribunal.

However, their opponents who lost at the tribunal have appealed the judgment at the local government appeal tribunal.

The state judiciary has already set up three election appeal tribunals to handle appeals that arose from the judgment of the lower tribunal.

The Chief Registrar of the Anambra State judiciary, Mrs. N.D. Ezeani said in Awka that 19 appeals have been filed after the winding up of the local government election tribunals, with eleven appeals filed in Awka zone, three in Onitsha and five in Ekwulobia.

The Chief Registrar also said that the appeal tribunals would be the final for the determination of the cases.

Prof Ahaneku may clinch UNIZIK's VC seat

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—THE race for who succeeds Professor Boniface Egboka as the next vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has narrowed to two professors.

Though over 20 professors began the race, only Professor Greg Nwakoby of the faculty of law and Professor Joseph Ahaneku of the faculty of basic medical sciences of the university are the two remaining contestants.

Until last week, Nwakoby was said to be on the lead, but the alleged sudden interest of certain government officials.

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‘Nigeria may experience widespread chaos if 2015 poll is rigged'

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—A Professor of Criminology, Femi Odekunle, has warned that the country may face widespread public disorder, chaos or a semblance of undeclared civil war if the forthcoming general election in the country lacks credibility and acceptability among Nigerians.

Odekunle, who was a guest lecturer at the ‘2014 Feast of Barracuda’ of the National Association of Seadogs (Pirates Confraternity) Enugu Zone, weekend took a critical look at the possible scenarios of the 2015 election from the most optimistic to the most pessimistic position.

He identified the major threats to the 2015 elections as lack of leadership ethos by the irresponsible political class, corruption before, during and after elections, partisanship of operatives of the electoral body among others, saying he envisaged a situation where elections do not hold at all.

He would not also rule out a situation where elections hold with minimal violence and/or rigging and qualifies as ‘relatively/grudgingly’ credible/ acceptable election.

“There is also a possibility where elections hold but

LAUNCH: From left —Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju; Acting Registrar, Caleb University, Mrs. Folake Okor; Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, and The Country Organisation and Human Resources Director, Lafarge Nigeria, Mrs. Fidelia Osime at the launch of the State of World Cities Report (SWCR) sponsored by Lafarge held at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi. excludes the North Eastern states and therefore considered inconclusive but situation saved by some contraption designed by the so called elder statesmen,” he said.

According to the don, the most critical situation would be where elections hold but are actually or allegedly massively rigged

resulting in post election violence on a scale that makes the 2011 violence a child’s play and/or resulting in blockage or sabotage of oil and gas facilities leading to widespread disorder or even a semblance of war.

Odekunle, who spoke on the topic ‘Security and Political Temperature of Nigeria:

Implications for 2015 General Elections called for a committed presidential leadership with the political will to do what is right and for deliberate re-education of the political class, INEC, the police and other security agents on the importance of free, fair and credible elections to the survival of the polity.

Stop witch-hunting South East ministers, Group warns Reps BYCHINENYEHOZOR

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SUKKA—MEMBERS of the South-East Youth Consultative Forum, SEYCOF, have asked the House of Representatives to stop alleged witch-hunting of ministers from the zone.

They said that members of the House of Representatives had been carrying out a well orchestrated campaign against ministers from the South-East, saying that this must stop.

Their call is coming at a time President Goodluck Jonathan equally accused the lawmakers of politicizing their activities.

A communique at the end of SEYCOF meeting and signed by its National Coordinator and Publicity Secretary, Dr. B.N Ogini and Nnamdi Anigbo, respectively read, “the attention of the SouthEast Youth Consultative Forum has been drawn to the campaign of calumny against the Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke by the members of the House of Representatives and some misguided members of the public for the wrong reason.

“Our observation shows that ever since her appointment, some anti-Igbo elements have not rested. In order to achieve their

personal and selfish reasons, the person and office of the minister have always been under attack.

“As a result, we are being forced to ask the Representatives why ministers of South-East extraction have remained their only object of probe.

“The House of Representaives carried out similar attack on former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah; now Diezani has become their target, and we do not know the next victim of this cleansing

exercise.

“The House should concentrate on how to make good laws for

Ex-gov Egwu blames past leaders for Nigeria's problems BYPETEROKUTU

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BAKALIKI—FORMER Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, weekend, blamed the current challenges facing the

Delegate flays FG over rising terrorism

BY SONI DANIEL

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South-West delegate at the National Conference, Salvador Moshood, has said that the Presidency was treating the rising wave of insurgency from the North with kid gloves thereby emboldening the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist organisation.

Moshood, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard, argued that to get out of the woods, President Goodluck Jonathan should take concrete and decisive steps to punish the financiers, collaborators and the members of the violent group to send a clear

the country instead of spending quality time summoning ministers under selfish motives.

warning to potential members.

The delegate, who represents Ethnic Nationalities at the confab, warned Jonathan not to rely on the core north for his re-election in 2015 but to work harder for the votes in the south and northcentral Nigeria as well as the Northern Christian communities.

Moshood said: “If he thinks the northerners are going to get him 2015 Presidency, I would tell Mr. President that he is making a big mistake. Even if President Jonathan gives the north all the appointments in Nigeria, they would still not back him because they are looking for his seat. So he should know that for now."

country in various sectors of the economy on the lack of foresight by previous administrations.

Egwu argued that if previous administrations had taken time to address the implications of a growing population like Nigeria vis-à-vis the provision of infrastructural facilities, Nigeria would not have been in such a disadvantaged position.

Egwu, who is also the leader of the state delegates to the ongoing National Conference, spoke in an interview with newsmen at his Umuebe farm, Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, “We should acknowledge that as a country we have failed in trying to address these issues confronting us.

Previous governments did not take time to address these issues. ‘’They have not planned ahead, knowing that with our country coming up with population explosion, we needed to plan ahead of these issues."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—47

LAUNCH: From left, Tolu Dima-Okojie, Asst. Category Manager, Oral Care; Mr. Shahzeb Mahmuud,Vice President, Customer Development; Mr. David Okeme, Brand Building Director; Oiza Gyang,Category Manager, Oral Care, and Mr. Robbert Deureede,VP, Brand Building, all of Unilever Nigeria, during Unilever Nigeria Plc launch of Close Up Naija Herbal Toothpaste, in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left, Sen. Annie Okonkwo, Deputy National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC; Barr. Sharon Ikeazor, National Women Leader; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Publicity Secretary; Chief Bisi Akande, National Chairman; at the background, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Lagos APC Women Leader, and Tijani Tumsah, National Secretary, during a press briefing on the state of the nation by the National Executives of APC, in Lagos, weekend. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

CONFERENCE: From left, Ms Mo Abudu (Ebony LiveTV); Miss Aisha, Miss Fatima, The Girl Effect Ambassador, Nigeria; Her Excellency, Ms Toyin Saraki, Founder/PresiCONFERENCE: CEO, Arthouse Contemporary, Mrs. Kavita Chellaram; dent, The Wellbeing Foundation; Miss Salamatu, The Girl Effect Ambassador, Nigeria, Founder, Rose of Sharon Foundation, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, and Founder/ and Ms Olukemi Williams, Country Director, Girl Hub, Nigeria, making a pledge at the President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, during the Women WIE 2014 Conference, in Lagos.

Inspiration & Enterprise Conference 2014, in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: Winner of Hyundai i10 car, Mrs. Kuburate Olanrewaju; Customer Marketing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Kalpesh Palmer, and winner of a brand new Hyundai i10 car, Mrs. Chinwe Nduka, during award presentation for the ongoing savoury Knorr & Royco sustenance offer for retailers, at Oke Arin, Apongbon market, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

FINALE: From left, Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas; Executive Director (Marketing), Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan, and Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sport and Social Development, Mr. Enitan Oshodi, during the grand finale of the Ibile Games 2014, sponsored by Honeywell, in Lagos.

PRESENTATION: From left, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Ltd, with the General Manager Air Conditioning and Energy Solution Divison LG Electronics West Africa, Mr. Junhwa Jeong, and nursing mothers, during LG Electronics' presentation of 'keep mosquito away air conditioners' and treated nets, to Ojokoro Primary Health Centre, in Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe C M Y K

CONFERENCE: From left, Lola Okojevoh, CEO, Sacred Beauty Artistry; Tara Durotoye, CEO, House of Tara; Sola Oworu, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, and Bolanle Feyita,BMakeuppro, at the first ever Makeup In Nigeria Conference, in Lagos.

DEFECTION: From left, Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation, Prince Buruji Kashamu; wife of Ijaw National leader, Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark, and Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Adebayo Dayo, during the defection of former members of the Labour Party, LP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ilaro, weekend.

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Benue water board accuses govt agencies of default in payment of bills

NEC hails Jonathan, int'l community over fight against insurgency

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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ADUNA — THE North ern Elders Council, NEC, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the international community for uniting against the murderous activities of Boko Haram and other terrorists in the country and asked Nigerians to join hands with Jonathan to combat the menace.

This was contained in a communique signed by the spokesman of the NEC, Ambassador Yusuf Mamman after its meeting called to review recent activities of insurgents in the country.

The communique read: "The NEC has reviewed the recent upsurge in the dastardly and murderous activities of Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists in our country, particularly the bomb explosions in Nyanya and abduction of more than 200 girls from their school in Chibok, Borno State, and hereby make the following statement: "NEC applauds the outpouring of concerns and support for Nigeria by countries and groups across the world in respect of the kidnap of the Chibok schoolgirls and bring the insurgency to an end.

"Calls on all Nigerians to rally round President Goodluck Jonathan and support the efforts that he and his government are making so that together our country may overcome the security challenges it is facing.

"Urges all Nigerians, particularly the political class, not to make any political capitals out of the current unfortunate situation, but rather should rise up to the task of defending our motherland so that our people will enjoy peace and posperity.

They should, therefore, join hands with President Jonathan in this patriotic fight against terrorism and insurgency in general.

"Reiterates our condemnation of terrorism in all its ramifications and salutes the resolve and determination of all Nigerians, especially our security forces in rising up against those that spread destruction and mayhem in our land. The security forces should re-double their efforts so that the abducted girls are re-united with their families.

"Urges all Nigerians to be extra vigilant and report suspicious movements to the authorities as security should be a matter of concern to all patriotic citizens."

M Governor Sule Lamido (left) receiving former President Olusegun Obasanjo (middle) at Dutse International Airport. Obasanjo will formally signed MoU with JGSG for the take over of Dutse Model Primary School Kudai. Photo: Aliyu Dangida.

Pray for successful rescue of Chibok schoolgirls, Kukah tells Nigerians S OKOTO — BISHOP Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has called on Nigerians to embark on fervent prayers for the successful rescue of the abducted Chibok school girls.

Kukah made the call, Sunday, when he led a peaceful protest in Sokoto to press for the urgent release of the girls.

He said the Nigerian and foreign security operatives needed prayers from all well-meaning

Nigerians to ensure God’s intervention in their ongoing rescue operations.

The bishop said the members of the diocese had been praying for God to expose all those that had hands in the current security challenges facing the country.

Kukah also called on Nigerians to offer intelligence reports to security agencies for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the senseless

killings of innocent souls in the country.

He added that such information would enable the security agencies to evolve more security measures that would nip the problem in the bud and restore peace to many dark spots in the country.

Kukah also called for increased funding of the security agencies to enable them to effectively confront security threats facing the nation.

4 killed as gunmen attack Taraba community JALINGO — THE Police in Taraba State, Sunday, in Jalingo said gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked Dinya village in Gassol Local Government Council of the state and killed four persons.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Taraba Police Command, ASP Joseph Kwaji, who confirmed the incident while briefing newsmen, said the gunmen also set 30 houses

on fire.

He said: “The police, on arrival at the scene of the attack, recovered 13 empty shells of AK-47 rifle, four cartridges and an assault rifle.”

The PPRO disclosed that detachments of the police and army had been drafted to the area, adding that investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Daniel Mbaterem, the Ward Head of Danacha, who also confirmed the attack, said the

gunmen stormed the village at about 8 a.m. and began killing the villagers and burning houses.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, recalls that the Jukun, Tiv and Fulani communities recently signed a peace deal to end hostilities in the state.

Violence had engulfed parts of Taraba for over one month, leading to the death of over 50 people and the destruction of property.

AKURDI — THE General Mana g e r, B e n u e Wa t e r Board, Mr Michael Dzungu, has accused most government agencies and organisations in the state of not paying water bills.

Dzungu told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Makurdi, yesterday, that although the bulk of water output from the Greater Makurdi Water Works was consumed by either government agencies or private organisations, they still defaulted in the payment of bills.

“The bulk of our water output is being consumed by government agencies, private and corporate organisations, yet they do not pay water bills.

“Such offices include state and federal secretariats, security agencies, Government House and ministries.”

He identified illegal connections, non-payment of water bills and power outage as some of the problems affecting water supply to parts of the state.

The general manager, who declined comments on the amount owed by the agencies, said paucity of funds hindered smooth running of water facilities in the state.

ASUP strike: Bauchi business owners count losses

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BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI — The host com munity of Bauchi State Polytechnic, Bauchi, is counting its losses following 10 months' strike by members of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, in the country.

Members of the community, who depend on the economic activities around the polytechnic for survival, are asking the Federal Government to resolve the industrial dispute with polytechnic lecturers, saying it was irrational for the Federal Government to close an important segment of the edu-

cation sector for almost a year without resolving the matter.

A visit by Vanguard showed that the whole environment was over grown with grasses even as there were fears that venomous snakes and other reptiles had taken over the place.

It was learnt that majority of members of the host community who were engaged in petty trading around the campus as well as landlords whose houses were being occupied by off-campus students were also groaning over lack patronage.

With the establishment of the

polytechnic, some residents of the area had cashed in on the inadequate hall of accommodation and erected buildings which had been yielding income for them.

Some of the houses were concentrated around Gwalameji, Rafin Zurfi and Yelwa.

However, since the strike started 10 months ago, landlords have been lamenting over non occupation of their houses some of which were deteriorating.

Alhaji Faruk Dahiru, owner of a building of a 20-flat of oneroom apartment each said the

rooms were hired for between N50,000 and N100,000 yearly.

Dahiru said business peaked each time students returned for new sessions, adding that life had been difficult with the ongoing strike.

“Through the students, landlords generate a lot of income to invest for the future.

Some of our children who are coming from poor homes and want to be educated, are engaged by the university and polytechnic students to render them services ranging from car wash, laundry, housekeeping among others."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 49

50—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

NDIGBO LAGOS 2014 MERITORIOUS AWARDS

From left: Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff; his wife, Nnenna; Prof. Barth Nnaji, former Power Minister; Princess Stella Oduah, former Aviation Minister; Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Chairman of the occasion; Mr Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State; Admiral Dele Ezeoba (rtd), former Chief of Naval Staff; his wife; Mr Reginald Ihejiahi, former MD, Fidelity Bank and Mr Reginald Chief (Mrs) Nkechi Obi, Chairman, Ndigbo Stanley, former Executive Secretary PPPRA during the Ndigbo Lagos 2014 Meritorious Awards and Grand Lagos 2014 Awards and Honours at the occasion.

Reception Night held in Lagos, Saturday. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele.

Rev. Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo (left) presenting the 2014 Ndigbo Lagos Meritorious Award to Princess Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation.

Prof. Anya O. Anya presenting award to Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.

SON approves new cement standards ...reduces 32.5r use to plastering of building only

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Prof Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Power (right) receiving his award.

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AGOS — THE controversy sur rounding the right quality of cement has been laid to rest with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegu Aganga reported to have approved new cement standards in the country.

Earlier, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Governing Council had met in Abuja and approved the recommendation on the new cement standards before it was sent to Dr Aganga for final approval A top official of SON confirmed in Lagos, yesterday, that approval which is already being conveyed to the manufacturers, showed that the new grade-strengths of cement production in Nigeria, NlS 444-1, automatically becomes the new composition and conformity criteria for common cement in the country.

The SON official said, however, that the industry operators will be given few months to enable them time to im-

plement the new rules.

Said he: "The standards were reviewed because the existing ones had attained five-year mandatory period for review as well as due to concerns over the quality of cement in the Nigerian markets. There are also fears over misapplication of the different strength classes of cement which was allegedly attributed to the frequent collapse of buildings in Nigeria.

"All the relevant stakeholders and experts in the cement sub-sector such as cement manufacturers, universities, research institutes, consumer associations, Block Moulders Association of Nigeria, non-governmental organisations, ministries, departments and agencies, among others, fully participated in the activities leading to the review of the standards."

According to him, the review incorporated information on the application of the various grades of cement as well as additional information and features on the bag of cement.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 51

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52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Why we are not building low cost houses — Fashola

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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HE people who elected me are not low-cost people and I will not give them low-cost houses. Whether rich or poor, they are not low-cost people and they deserve the best that their votes and taxes can give”.

With these words, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola explained why his government is not building low-cost houses for low-income earners in the state.

Fashola who was responding to criticisms that his administration is only building for the rich, further justified his stance on the construction of low-cost houses.

His words: “For cynics who say we have not done low cost housing, I want them to show me where low cost land is, low cost

cement and low cost iron rod and they must give us labour that is low cost and Naira that is low cost as well”.

The Governor spoke in Lagos last week at the third public draw of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, HOMS. During the draw, a total of 76 new home owners emerged lucky winners of one-bedroom, twobedroom and three-bedroom house types.

The Governor who said his government has delivered on its promise to provide affordable homes to the people, explained that the state government designed the house types to fit into the different income brackets for people who have a source of income.

He explained that what he promised Lagosians was an af-

One of the estates being built by Fashola in Lagos fordable housing scheme and not low-cost houses. He described the houses as affordable because allotees can pay over a period of 10 years instead of once.

“It is affordable because the interest rate will not exceed 9.5 percent whatever happens to the

Nigerian economy. Every mortgage payment you make every month is not into a bottomless pit but towards owning your own home”, he said.

He said the present administration has also taken practical steps to make the houses very

affordable by putting a 25 percent discount on it after calculating the cost of the building and the land.

Reiterating that the state Government believes that the citizenry irrespective of their social staContinues on page 54

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 — 53

Experts advocate use of mediation in resolving tenancy disputes

By JUDE NJOKU

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ATHER than recourse to litigation in the recovery of premises with the attendant waste of time and resources as well as the deep scar it leaves on the litigants at the end, estate surveyors and valuers and their colleagues in the legal profession have called for the use of mediation as an alternative means of resolving tenancy related disputes.

The setting was the launch last week in Lagos of a 66-page book on Recovery of Premises in Lagos State: The Multi-Door Courthouse Approach written by a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Michael Oyagha.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Lagos Multidoor Courthouse, LMDC, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke noted that majority of the cases in the Magistrate Courts in Lagos are related to landlords and their tenants. She noted that the Lagos State Government in a bid to find solutions to some prohibitive practices in the letting and leasing of accommodation, drafted and passed into law, the 2012 Tenancy legislation.

Justice Oke who also wrote the Book’s Forward, explained that a major consideration in advocating the use of alternative dispute resolution ADR in the process of recovery of premises, is that it affords parties the opportunities to resolve their dispute without subjecting themselves to the rigours of the courtroom.

Cost effective resolution She stated that with the establishment of the LMDC in 2002, litigants now have various options for the timely, efficient and cost-effective resolution of their disputes. “LMDC was created to offer alternative dispute resolution, ADR services for a range of disputes including landlord and tenant related disputes,” she said.

Speaking for estate surveyors, a former National Secretary of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Mr. Akin Olawore who said he has refrained from taking tenants to court in the last five years, enumerated the advantages of mediation over litigation in the recovery of premises. He noted that mediation is cheaper, less time consuming and more efficient than litigation. According to him, most distraught tenants, in a bid to cut their own pound of flesh from the landlord, vandalise the property before leaving. This, he noted, would not happen if such disputes are amicably re-

solved through mediation.

Speaking to Vanguard Homes & Property at the end of the book launch, Olawore identified the chief causes of disputes and why mediation is a better option in resolving landlordtenant related cases.

“Mediation by its process is a parties-led process, in which case it is the parties that have the opportunity to speak to each other. Dispute is natural but what leads to dispute? So many things lead to dispute...Now when we go to court, what they lawyers would be looking at are what are your rights and the technicalities but what has caused that dispute is still

there, unresolved. You may still be feeling hurt and I am still going to feel hurt. In a nutshell, that is what dispute and mediation is all about. Even before we started mediation here, what I have learnt is that if you are able to sit a landlord and a tenant down and they are able to talk, they will start to understand themselves better,” he said.

Author of the book, Mr Michael Oyagha noted that “parties submission to the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse or the Citizens Mediation Centre dispute resolution process, does not constitute an ouster of the jurisdiction of the courts. He

further explained that the introduction of this provision in the 2012 law for the resolution of landlord and tenant disputes at the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse and the Citizens Mediation Centre is aimed at providing parties with an alternative to the traditional monodoor system where their property disputes can only be resolved through recourse to litigation.

Oyagha who works with LMDC as its Training Coordinator, said the primary focus of his new book is the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse and its importance in the legal space. He appealed to other states of the federation to borrow a leaf from Lagos and establish a multi-door courthouse.

Lagos dares churches, mosques over noise pollution

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

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HE Lagos State Government last week, threatened to sanction places of worship for allegedly disturbing public peace with noise from their loud speakers. The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello who issued the threat at the 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Ministry of the Environment, decried a situation where about five churches and three mosques located on one street, disturb the peace of the residents with loud speakers during their programmes.

Bello said the government has been inundated with complaints from residents of affected streets and warned that it ( government) would no longer watch while the trend continues. He added that worshiping God does not have to extend as far as encroaching on the rights of other people.

“It is not right for mosques and churches to disturb other people with noise from their activities simply because they are worshiping God. Nobody says people should not worship God, but they don’t have to disturb residents within the neighbourhoods.

Disturbing the peace A tenement building in Lagos... Experts seek mediation in the recovery of such houses

Infrastructure development: COREN wants graduate engineers posted to engineering firms

By CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA - COUNCIL for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria COREN, has appealed to the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, to post graduate engineers to engineering firms for them to get practical knowledge of engineering work.

COREN President, Kashim Ali noted that the posting became imperative in view of its relevance to infrastructural development. The COREN president made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja.

He explained that over 80 percent of government spending was on engineering infrastructures “therefore it follows that engineering personnel, either in public or private sector will always be involved in the execution of these projects.”

”The quality of engineering personnel handling these projects is therefore very critical. The DG, from your background as an engineer, you will no doubt agree with me that a graduate engineer without practical experience is at best, half-baked.

Practical experience COREN aligns itself with your four-points agenda’ and wish to humbly appeal for your kind collaboration to ensure that engineering graduates are posted to engineering establishments only for their primary assignments, so that they can have the practical experience that is required for their future contributions to the growth of the nation,” Kashim pleaded.

He assured that the issue of engineering firms rejecting

corps members would be addressed by the Council, adding that there is need to return to old practice when engineering firms wait for corps members to conclude their orientation exercise in order to pick them for the service year.

Responding, the Director General of NYSC, BrigGeneral Johnson Olawumi explained that as part of its efforts to address youth unemployment, NYSC has instituted an entrepreneurship pro-gramme which covers the engineering sector for corps members to get knowledge.

Olawumi said he would look into the Council’s request, but noted that corps members are posted in line with the new posting policy.

“Worshiping God should not come with so much discomfort to others.

The ugly situation we have in some parts of the state is between four and five churches and mosques on one street blaring so much noise at the same time, thereby disturbing the peace of others. This is unacceptable and we can no longer tolerate this,’’ he said.

The commissioner who rendered the account of his ministry for the year under review, said the government is no longer comfortable with the disturbing noise emanating from markets, club houses and factories and would not hesitate to sanction operators of such places.

Bello who revealed that the government sealed no fewer than four churches, three hotels and one factory last year for noise pollution, also warned residents who are in the habit of defecating in open places to desist from the act or incur the wrath of the law.

He said open defecation and urination is becoming a problem in the state. According to him, the practice constitutes a threat to public health and the environment. “People just defecate openly anywhere and I think this is not good at all. Very soon, we will begin full enforcement of the law on open defecation and anybody caught will be dealt with”, Bello charged.

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Barbados picked to host 2014 World Environment Day B

ARBADOS, a Caribbean Island at the cutting edge of the fight against climate change, will host this year ’s World Environment Day, WED global celebrations on 5 June 2014, according to a joint announcement made weekend by the government

of Barbados and the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP. The theme for this year ’s celebrations is Small Island Developing States and Climate Change. Barbados, a 430-square kilometer nation with a population of 270,000,

is considered to be highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change - from agricultural impacts to the destruction of its coastal ecosystems. However, this small nation has taken big steps to reduce its climate impact and to provide clean,

Why we are not building low cost houses — Fashola Continues from page 52 tus deserved the best, the Governor said it would be unfair to describe any class as “low cost people. We did not promise low cost, we promised affordable houses. Our opponents are too preoccupied with the embarrassment of their own failures that they are accusing us of what we did not promise”.

Fashola was elated that young and old winners have emerged in the process with the prevalence of young winners who do not have to go through what his generation went through in terms of owning a home.

He maintained that the public draws process is just the beginning with a little over 31 emerg-

ing in the first draw and about 37 being successful in the second draw and that as the administration did promise to put 200 homes on the draws monthly, it is doing so without failing.

“We have unfailingly complied with our commitment. We will continue to do whatever it is not to break that commitment. So month after month for the third month running, we have held these draws and incrementally winners are emerging”, he added.

The Governor urged successful allotees to faithfully and diligently fulfill their obligations under the mortgage scheme.

He added that with the way the

scheme has been designed, in about seven or eight years, the State Government would not have to put any more money into the scheme because by then it would have become self financing by mortgage returns.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Director, Operations of the Lagos Mortgage Board, Mrs Bola Fashola said the board has handed over keys to some of the lucky allotees, adding that out of the 27 allottees at the March draw, 22 have made their 30 percent payments while for April, 11 allottees were successful and four out of them have closed the financial payments.

renewable energy - as well as opportunities for green economic growth - to its people.

Among other things, Barbados has pledged to increase the share of renewable energy across the island to 29 percent of all electricity consumption by 2029. This would cut total electricity costs by an estimated USD 283.5 million and reduce CO2 emissions by 4.5 million tonnes, according to the government.

“I would like to take this opportunity also to formally announce that in less than four weeks time, the global spotlight will again be focused on Barbados as we have been selected to co-host the global event for World Environment Day 2014, to take place on 5 June. This event will once again give Barbados the opportunity to showcase its rich culture and tourism assets to the world,” said Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel

J. Stuart. “Our target should be to place Barbados firmly on the world map in the context of the environment and sustainable development. This can only be achieved if all parties - public and private sector, NGOs and civil society - work together for a successful World Environment Day,” he added.

It is estimated that Barbados’ tourism sector, which contributes about 15 per cent of the island’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and its sugar industry, which contributes about 2 per cent, could both be severely affected by changing weather patterns.

In response to such threats, Barbados has made “Building a Green Economy: Strengthening the Physical Infrastructure and Preserving the Environment” one of six concrete goals built into its National Strategic Plan (20062025).

EU-Africa summit highlights importance of public space Based on the findings

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HE important relation between public space and culture and the significance that it has for people, prosperity and peace were strongly emphasised at the fourth European UnionAfrica Summit that took place last month. The comments were among several recommendations made at a side-event at the Summit, Visionary Urban Africa, organised by BOZAR – the Centre of Fine Arts in Brussels – and UN-Habitat with the objective of defining priority interventions that need to occur in cities to contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and creative urban environment.

presented in the State of the African Cities Report 2014, commentators found that urban development in Africa should focus on designing new and creative models of spatial planning to ensure viable, peaceful, and vibrant cities.

Several recommendations were made to the European Commission President as well as to policymakers and stakeholders for future initiatives on urbanisation and cultural spaces in African cities.

Participants worked towards identifying the needs and priorities of African cities to better inform the European policy towards Africa and to stress the

role of culture as a key element in the shaping of urban space.

Furthermore, there was a general agreement on the role of public space as a cultural exchange arena and a catalyst of democracy.

This event comes in the context of a renewed European Commission’s interest in the role of cities to support sustainable development. The President of the European Commission, J.M. Durão Barroso, stressed the pertinence of this event as a complement for the EU-Africa Summit and stated that “developing the connection between culture and urban development is a common goal in Europe and Africa.”

UN-Habitat director seeks new path to sustainable development

BY JUDE NJOKU

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university don and senior director with the United Nations Human Settlement Programme, UN-Habitat, Prof.

Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka has called for a return to the path of sustainable development which he said would guarantees improvements in the quality of life for all Nigerians.

Oyeyinka who is Nigeria’s first professor of Innovation and Industrialization Policy called on all and sundry to rise up to building a new Nigeria. The UNHabitat senior director who will on Thursday at the NECA House Ikeja, launch his 240-page book titled Rich Country Poor People,

regretted that Nigeria’s oildependent economy feeds perverse extractive institutions and breeds the Spoil System. Oildependence generates “enclave” activities, which limits employment and stunts industrial manufacturing. The book launch will be jointly chaired by the Executive Secretary, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu and Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe who is a past president of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences and ViceChancellor, University of Lagos.

Prof Oyeyinka explained that “a dysfunctional oil economy built on weak institutions, low-level industrialisation, has undermined

the development ideal. This convergence of factors has been at the root of widespread and rising poverty, and the unceasing trend of seemingly unbridgeable gap between the rich and the poor.”

“The book, he said, “over systematically analyses with an avalanche of data, a strong grounding of history and theory, the reasons why Nigeria evolved into a country marked by extreme social and economic paradoxes. It examines why a country rich in material wealth has large swathes of its people in poverty. Nigeria’s overall Gross Domestic Product, GDP has grown remarkably and its growth rate has been consistently high but its citizens suffer poor quality of life”.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, MAY 13, 2014 —55 TUESDA

It is risky to eat outside your abode — Iwu

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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PROFESSOR of pharmacology and former Chairman of the defunct Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Maurice Iwu, has called on Nigerians to consume food products produced within their immediate environment as a means of reducing and ultimately eliminating the risk of contracting Non Communicable Diseases, NCDs. Iwu, who is currently Chairman of a natural products and biological resources research outfit known as Bioresources Development Group, BDG, disclosed that consumption of simple, plant-based foods leads to a healthier life.

“If you are in Lagos, the food you eat should be produced nearby. The furtherest should be Ogun State. Beyond that, there is a lot of risk. Anytime you eat outside your environment, there is a risk. If you do not eat food produced in Nigeria, even if it is produced in Sao Tome, during transportation, there is tendency for it to pick up all sorts of pathogens.

“Even the whole idea of preservation is ultimately not beneficial as the food is likey to pick up chemicals. When packaging, it also picks up chemicals, so the best approach is to eat what you have where you are,” he remarked.

Growing menace of NCDs Lamenting the growing incidence and menace of NCDs on the in-roads being made by Genetically Modified Organisms, he blamed the trend on the existence of phytochemicals, and lack of dedication and focus on agriculture by government.

“When you want to solve a problem you move away from the mindset with which the problem was created. Government is mistaking agriculture for farming the way it is talking. Farming is important but not near what we can make from investment in science and technology at the next level.

We have a lot to offer in agriculture, and if we play it right, we can make Nigeria great in food production. Money that can be made from agric ulture can compete

favourably with the electronic age that we are in now.’

Iwu who said although a lot of people see natural supplements as an add-on, but it is indeed a whole different discipline in pharmacy, opined that rather than treating diseases, scientists are trying to prevent diseases from happening in the first place.

Investment: “I have calculated that if we invest N1 billion only in the secondary faculties of agriculture and the technology universities and give them a kind of challenge grant, we would be able to create millions of jobs and create wealth. As a bonus, an enormouis amount of food would be available for us all. People would be less dependent on crude oil and better things could happen.”

In collaboration with the US Military, Iwu, who worked at the US Army Centre for Diseases Control between1994 and 2003, from where he took up the INEC appointment, said the research centre recently teamed up with the University of Jos and won the centre of excellence of the World Bank to set up a phytomedicine research programme.

Nsukka laboratory: Prior to this, he helped set up a private laboratory at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, owned 100 percent by Nigerians, and carries out botanical research, processes medicinal plants, with a full library of formulated natural produts and is helping train graduates in the field. “We want to see if we can promote the cycle. We have developed a programme in which people are taught the epigenetic exercises, most discussion on health.

“Almost all NCDs have origin in the womb, this why it is necessary that the more you pamper the pregnant woman, the better the health of society will be.

It is important to realise that 90 percent of diseases suffered in old age are formed before birth, so whatever happens to a pregnant woman determines the life and fate of the child, Epigenetics does not affect the genetic makeup, rather it is an add on. If you have a pregnant woman exposed to chemicals, her children will bear the brunt later on in life. If you have a woman who takes GMO food which has been genetically programmed, you may

•L-R: Marketing and Communication Manager, Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF Ms.Joy Unegbu and Dr Kingsley Akinroye, Executive Director, NHF , during the media presentation of 2013 Nigerian Report Card On Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

• Professor Maurice Iwu, not see the effects immediately but it appears later in life because there has been a coding.

Food as medicine Arguing for promotion of the concept that some food substances can indeed be used as medicine, the former INEC Chairman said there are many foods that can be used for management of diseases such as diabetes, HIV, etc,.

“We are telling people to exercise because there are diseases that can be treatable by exercise alone without drugs, but that whole aspect is not being promoted. “Food as medicine is a concept we are promoting in the country. The father of modern medicine said ‘let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine thy food’, this is a concept we are trying to revive.”

Overprocessed foods: He recalled a 1983 Chinese study that found that the

smallest intake of meat increases cancer risk and raises cholesterol levels.

“Plant-based diet is healthy. In a normal African setting, meat is more of a garnish, but now, it is the opposite. There is change in the dietary patterns. The Chinese study found clear correlation between diet and health and also affirmed that certain diseases go along economic patterns. It was discovered that diseases of affluence include the cancers while diseases of poverty include infectious and metabolic diseases.

“What is bad for us as Africans and Nigerians is that after the China study, the West became more health conscious and are now eating differently, taking in more fibre and fruits, but our own rich people, now because they believe they have arrived, eat what the white man no longer eats. The reverse doesn’t happen in the West.”

Nigerian youths watch too much TV — Report

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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NEW report - the “2013 Nigerian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth” which focuses on physical activity as a major determinant of Non Communicable Diseases, NCDs, says Nigerian youths spend too much time watching TV. Modelled after the Canadian Report, the Nigerian Report Card showed that 90.9 percent of Nigerian children and youth in the urban and rural areas spend over three hours on screen time daily. Television viewing is 90.7 percent.

Presenting the Report to the media in Lagos last week, Executive Director, the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, Dr Kingsley Akinroye said consequences of the impact would will be that many Nigerians will be at risk of NCDs, due to decreased physical activity, unhealthy dietary patterns and increased tobacco use among others.

Akinroye observed that NCDs are becoming increasingly significant causes of disability and premature death in devel-

oping countries like Nigeria and called for research on the evaluation of the implementation of the Nigerian policy on sports and youth development at all tiers of government.

“The Report Card will provide for future research, advocacy and interventions on the promotion of physical activity in Nigeria and offer recommendations to governments, NGOs, International agencies and development partners in the public and private sectors,” he asserted.

In his view: “Public health scientists and professionals from the transportation and urban planning fields should be sensitized on the need for effective collaboration in urban development that support the participation of children and youth in physical activities in Nigeria.

Decrying lack of implementation of existing government policy on sporting activities in Nigerian schools, the Report recommended a policy of inculcating physical and health education activities in every school curriculum as a good way of teaching healthy living habits that would be carried into adulthood thereby preventing obesity and its consequences.

56—Vanguard, TUESD AY, MAY 13, 2014 TUESDA

Experts advocate clean hands policy

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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EDICAL experts in Lagos have identified hand hygiene as panacea to hospital acquired infections as well as a strong weapon to reduce the spread of infectious and respiratory illnesses.

Speaking at a seminar organised by Lagoon Hospitals, Lagos, to mark the World Hand Hygiene Day with the theme “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands campaign” in Lagos, the experts advocated the need for a workable policy on hand hygiene in Nigeria.

Professor Ade Elebute, Founder, Lagoon Hospitals, who said hand hygiene has become an important part of care in hospitals, observed that when patients go to hospital, it is to treat illness and not to get infected.

Elebute said the WHO inaugurated the Global Hand Hygiene Day to check this trend and that is why Lagoon has formally launched “Lagoon Hospital Antimicrobial

Stewardship Programme to improve patient safety with hand hygiene.

“Many hospital patients have compromised immune systems, so they are less able to fight off infections. In some cases, patients develop infections due to poor conditions at a hospital or a health care facility, or due to hospital staff not following proper procedures.

“Some patients acquire nosocomial infections by interacting with other patients.

Others encounter bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses in their hospital environment,” Elebute stated.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Michael Oji, said hand hygiene could provide a simple solution for complex problems.

“Regular hand-washing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others.

About one in about 25 patients sometimes ends up with a

Hospital-acquired infection in the course of accessing treatment for totally unrelated illnesses.

“These infections may occur within 48 hours after hospital admission, up to three days after discharge or within 30 days after an operation in a health care facility when a patient is admitted for reasons other than the infection.”

The World Health Organisation, WHO, says urinary tract infections are the most common type of nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection, while surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia are also common.

Consultant Surgeon, Dr. Jimi Coker, urged health workers to stick to the five moments of hand hygiene. “Before you touch a patient, clean hands and after touching, you wash your hands.

It is the most effective, simplest and cheapest way of actually preventing infection. It does not cost any money. All you need is a little bit of soap and water or at a further level alcohol hand rubs.”

•Dr. Sunday Oluseye.

I do not believe in strikes — Former CMD/CEO, Ajeromi/Ifelodun General Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Sunday Oluseye ERSTWHILE Chief Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer,Ajeromi/Ifelodun General Hospital, Dr. Sunday Oluseye, who recently retired from active service, is an ardent believer in leadership by example. Oluseye, who argues that health cannot be completely free says he does not believe doctors should go on strike.

In this interview with GABRIEL OLAWALE, he speaks on a number of related issues and the way forward for the Nigerian health sector. Excerpts:

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•Lagoon Hospitals, Apapa, Lagos, organised an event to mark theWorld Hand Hygiene Day in Lagos last week. At the event were the Chief Operating Officer , Dr. Mohammed Najeem; the Founder, Professor Emmanuel Elebute, and Consultant Surgeon, Dr. Jimi Coker.

Anytime, anywhere, I will preach immunisation for babies — Consultant Paediatrician, National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Shatima Richard • Continued Tuesday

from

last

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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eed for pneumococal vaccines: Before we used to think that people who are immune-compromised, particularly, sickle-cell anaemia patients, including the elderly were those who needed the pneumococal vaccine.

But recent findings and the surge in pneumonia as one of the common cause of death in children has made that idea to be changed because of the fact that pneumonia which is one of the top three killer childhood disease can be largely prevented using Pneumococal vaccine.

So with that background, it's now recommended for every child. Initially, they said in the

•Dr. Shatima Richard. first two years of life, then extended to five years. The American Academic of Peadiatrics recently recommended that it's still useful even to 18 years, even in the elderly also, it is recommended. In the elderly,

the antibodies production will . have to gone down. Therefore, you need to boost the antibodies. What that means is that everybody be immunised with pneumococcal vaccine.

Very important for the black race, it has been found that the incidence of infections in black people is higher than the general population Now you will naturally want to know why, because we have the largest reservoir of sickle-cell disease, it's higher in us than the white. So this vaccine becomes very imperative.

Adverse reactions: I will be wrong to tell you they're none.

But the major adverse reactions are usually things you find with almost all vaccines. You have some fever, swelling at the site

Continues on Page 57

XPERIENCE: In the beginning it was not easy and for me to peak in my career, but with God on my side, I rose to become Consultant and Chief Medical Director in two General Hospitals.

I had my disappointments, but I saw such periods as challenges that I had to overcome and I did.

To be a leader you must apply love instead of law. Making people to follow instruction is not a matter of stick alone, it is carrot and stick that need to go handin-hand. Apart from that, you must lead by example.

Most challenging period:It is not all the time you can have your wish, I remember the time I wanted to go for my Residency, I was only given permission to go but not actually sponsored. So I had to appeal to the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital that eventually intervened. I may be trying my best but my best may not be enough as judged by my superior.

Current state of health:

Before I became the Chief Medical Director about 13 years ago, the health sector was nothing to write about. Back then, we regularly experienced out-ofstock syndrome. Drugs would be prescribed to the patient but none was available in the hospital. We were unable to manage patients.

But since 2008 when Health Reform was put in place by the Former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, a lot has greatly improved.

We are not only getting

consultation but patients are getting drugs. They are being managed and there is discipline.

What also interests me is the commitment of Governor Babatunde Fashola in ensuring that all hospitals in the state are functioning well.

Area for adjustment: I am not totally in support of free healthcare. I believe health should not be free totally because there is a lot of responsibility on government. Rather, they should make people pay but the payment should be subsidised.

Strike in the health sector We are all human, so we have the right to complain when things are not the way we desire.

However, as doctors they have the right to complain. But for once I don’t believe in strikes because people’s lives are endangered.

Although, we also have a right to be comfortable, however there are various ways we can make the authorities listen to us, but when we go on strike as doctors, it is going to the extreme because life will be wasted.

Way forward: In developed countries, doctors hardly go on strike, rather, they employ other options of expressing their grievances. We should look forward to strengthening our capacity for negotiation and those in management should put the needs of doctors into consideration. It is only through collective collaboration that we can actualise the great Nigeria we are all praying for.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, MAY 13, 2014 —57 TUESDA

Volunteers flood NGO’s blood donation camp

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OWARDS mitigating the dearth of blood for patients requiring urgent transfusion in hospitals, a NonGovernmental Organisation, Sant Nirankari Mission, in conjunction with the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, recently held its Annual Blood Donation Camp in Lagos.

The event witnessed large turnout of volunteers who turned out in large numbers with the sole aim of helping to ease the plight of patients in desperate need of blood.

Coordinator of the NGO in Nigeria, Brig. Praveen Kapur RTD, lamented

the continuous loss of lives mostly due to non availability of blood for victims of urgent transfusion. “This became very worrisome for us, making it pertinent that we get involved to save lives through this effort which started five years ago.

“Today, Indian and Nigerian doctors volunteer freely to this course helping us attend to donors and also most importantly certifying if blood being donated is suitable for transfusion and also on hand just in case anyone falls ill.”

He said the NGO partnered with

the Red Cross Society of Nigeria to supervise the process, using the systematic process where in they test the blood pressure, grouping, weight, height etc. After all this is given the clear, the donor is then found suitable and fit to donate blood.

All donated blood samples were taken to the Lagos State blood transfusion bank for screening, of all other infections.

Red Cross Co-ordinator Mr. Eka Solomon, said creating an avenue for voluntary blood donation was a very

•L-R: James Inglesby, Category Manager, deodorant and skin care, Mojirola Emelideme, Manager, skin care and David Okeme, Marketing Director, Personal care all of Unilever Nigeria Plc at the launch of the new variants of Vaseline Lotion and Cream held at BNatural Beauty Spa GRA Ikeja.

noble effort that must be commended. “We need to encourage others to also toe the line of Sant Nirikari Mission in this worthy attempt of saving lives.

“Efforts are being intensified to enlighten people more, so as to ensure that we are on the same page with them in terms of the facts which we believe could help change their conception and in return inspire them to support the course of saving lives,” he avowed.

Vaccines Continued from Page 56 of injection, the baby may become irritable and all that. These are generally not restricted to pneumococal vaccines.

Role of pneumococcal conjugal vaccine for adults: I've said that in adults particular those that have lung infectious, those under treatment for cancer, those that have kidney transplant or liver transplant are particularly vulnerable to these organisms. The reason being that the medication they take also contain an immuno suppressor.

Synergy to ensure effective immunisation: We need to work on people. Public enlightenment is very important, this is one of the areas the Pediatric Association of Nigeria has actually been focused on.

A lot of people will tell you that immunisation is for children, which is not true. Look at Hepatitis B, it's one of the major killers. This condition can be prevented using vaccines. To say the least, it's not very optimal. This is what the Association has been doing, campaigning, creating awareness. It doesn't have to be done seasonal, it should be intensive. If we create awareness continuously, the whole population will key in.

One thing to change about immunisation: People’s perception about immunisation has done a lot of damage.

I want to change that. Imuunisation doesn't cause any adverse effect, it doesn't affect fertility. It's the best form of prevention.

I will definitely campaign for people to know that immunisation is the best for prevention of disease. It is much more cheaper than treating illness. It's an international product. They don't produce vaccines and say, this is for America, that is for Nigeria. I don't think anybody should have that fear that this vaccine will cause any negative effect.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13 , 2014

Fayemi, teachers make peace

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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OVERNOR Kayode Fayemi and teachers in the state finally made peace yesterday after the governor announced the abolition of the controversial competency test and raised the Teachers Pecuniary Allowance. In a reciprocity, the teachers union endorsed the governor’s reelection quest saying that teachers in the state had never had it so good.

State teachers had in 2012 rejected attempts by the authorities to make them participate in the competency tests organised by the state government which the administration said was packaged to strengthen the capacity of the state’s teaching service.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the sensitization programme organised by the state government on the State Education Programme Investment Project, SEPIP, Governor Fayemi said the test would be replaced with well structured capacity building programmes and administration of questionnaires to students.

These developments are coming barely two months after the state government commenced payment of car loans to primary school teachers in the state.

Speaking at the forum, Fayemi directed his deputy, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, to liaise with the leadership of the various teachers unions on the prompt implementation of the allowance.

The governor said “I want to thank all the teachers for their understanding in accepting the negotiated 16% of this allowance.

In our various meetings, they were made to appreciate the lean resources of the State but saw our genuine willingness to meet their demands if we were in a position to do. I am happy to inform you that you will now have the remaining 11.5%”, Fayemi announced.

Commenting further on the abolition of the TDNA, Fayemi hinted that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology would embark on capacity building of teachers through cluster school training programmes, local and overseas training, seminar and workshops.

The Governor stated that the committee on the advancement of graduate teachers in public primary schools had recommended a parallel career scheme as obtainable in the Civil Service so as to enable NCE and degree holders have different

•Fayemi

career progression.

While reacting to a rumour that his government is compiling the

list of workers for disengagement, Fayemi assured that his administration is not planning to sack teachers who have spent over 30 years in service.

He said he is not unaware of the politics being played by one of the candidates in the forthcoming election with the State’s performance in the last WAEC result, stressing that the 34th position claimed by the candidate is a farce which has no evidence.

The Governor also presented an 18-seater bus to the State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as earlier requested by the Union.

Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the Chairman of NUT, Mr Kayode Akosile commended the Governor for acceding to implement the 27.5% pecuniary allowance despite the meager resources that accrue to the State.

The chairman who thanked Fayemi for fulfilling the promises he made to teachers on the provision of the bus and the upgrade of the status of teachers from level 16 to 17, assured that Ekiti teachers are solidly in support of the Governor’s reelection.

Akosile added that Ekiti teachers have not had it so good since the creation of this State.

Allegation of rigging: PDP, LP fault APC’s claim

BY ADEDAPO AKINREFON It’s unfounded rumour—PDP he PDP has faulted the allegation by the APC that it intends to rig the June 21 governorship elections.

Speaking on behalf of the party, its publicity secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole said “that is an unfortunate and unfounded rumour. In the contrary, it is the APC that has been going about devising every manipulative method to rig the elections.”

Speaking further, the spokesman said: “they are the ones training observers to rig elections for them. We have also discovered that the APC has been buying voters cards from unsuspecting voters at the rate of N5,000 for each card. All is aimed at rigging the elections.

The masses in Ekiti State know who is going about soliciting and buying voters card, these are their tactics. They are ones planning to do it and we have discovered their tricks and it will not take

T

•Bamidele

them to anyway.”

APC is lying—LP On its part, the Labour Party reacting to APC’s claim, described the APC as pathological liars.

It’s media and publicity secretary, Mrs Bolanle Olatunde-Bruce said “APC should stop crying foul where there is none. It has become a daily affair for the Ekiti APC to

tell lies such that Ekiti people don’t expect anything less from them again.

It has become their stock in trade. The Ekiti APC for instance plans an attack, issues a press statement before the attack and as its hatchet men are carrying out the attack, documents are released to the media, presenting itself to the public as the victim. They are pathological liars.”

Continuing, she said: “Knowing fully well that theirs is a sinking, drowning government that is already rejected by the populace, it is actually the Ekiti APC, through the outgoing government of Dr Kayode Fayemi that is planning to heavily rig the forthcoming elections. Other political parties have accused it and we are also lending our voice by calling on the law enforcement agents not to treat this allegation with kids’ gloves. Ekiti people should beware of the apostles of “rig and roast.” In the real sense of it, are the master riggers.

Collapse of Fayose’s platform was act of God — Fayemi

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

W

HEN the platform on which the PDP candidate Ayo Fayose and others stood on collapsed last week some may have thought it to have been an accident. But not so, for the APC candidate who has described it as an act of God reflective of God’s rejection of Fayose and the PDP. Speaking during a fund raising dinner for his campaign in Lagos at the weekend, Governor Fayemi said the collapse of the platform was reflective of God’s anger on the PDP. Fayemi and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, have called on the Independent National Electoral

•Fayose

Commission (INEC) to rescind its decision not to use Voters Card Reader machines in the forth coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. Fayemi at the occasion said that irrespective of the plans and

plots, that the people of Ekiti would do everything to protect their votes after the election.

“We will go to any length not only to ensure that the votes of the people count but that the votes must be counted at the spot where they have chosen to elect the leader for themselves and we will do everything to ensure that INEC is forced, not just encouraged to use the card reader for these elections in Ekiti and Osun.”.

The APC candidate stressed that the difference made by his government in the lives of Ekiti people since 2010 is crystal clear and it is an evidence of his commitment to lifting up the weak and vulnerable section of the society.

Accord Party promises down town governance

BY ADEDAPO AKINREFON

A

CCORD party has promised a ‘Down Town Governance Policy’ if voted into power.

Its gubernatorial candidate, Mr Kole Ajayi said this while addressing state executive members of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employers NULGE. Ajayi said under this policy, the seat of government will be moving to each local government a week in every month for the governor to ensure that the people at the grass roots feel the impact of government the more.

Ajayi, who lamented the total neglect of the grass roots by the previous administrations explained that the down town governance policy will allow the governor to have on the spot assessment and take immediate action adding that this will promote a better synergy with the people.

EKITIPANUPO calls for free poll

BY ADEDAPO AKINREFON

A

group, Ekitipanupo has appealed to the respective political parties participating in the June 21 governorship election to ensure it is free and fair.

Coordinators of the forum, Prof.

Akin Oyebode and Mr Kunle Oladele said its call for a free and fair June 21, 2014 election is in conformity with the discharge of one of the fundamental roles of the forum.

“Ekitipanupo recognizes the fact that every qualified candidate is entitled to contest for the Ekiti governorship seat. It added that the forum is favourably disposed to the state being governed by the candidate generally considered as the best in relation to personality, track record, programmes and manifestos, especially relevance to the collective interests and aspirations of Ekiti people home and abroad and, more importantly, the ideals that Ekitipanupo holds highly vis-àvis the good and progress of Ekiti State.”

Continuing, the group said: “We recognize that the period of political campaign in a democratic process offers parties and candidates the opportunity to showcase their programs and manifestos with a view to winning votes of the electorate.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014—59

C’tee recommends unicameral legislature •Adopts 50 percent representation for states, population

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

I

F the recommendation of the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government sails through, the country will have a unicameral National Assembly and membership representation shall be 50 percent on the basis of equality of states and 50 percent on the basis of population of each state.

The decision was adopted yesterday after an exhaustive debate, however, it did not go down well with some members of the committee who had earlier in the debate proposed that representation should be anchored on 60 percent population and 40 percent for equality of state.

The members who were mainly northerners insisted that 60 percent representation by population and 40 percent through equality of states was a better option for the country.

Similarly, some delegates canvassed for 10 percent representation that would take care of interest of special groups like women, youths and

operated.

Commending the members for the decision, Co-chairman of the committee, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, charged those whose options were jettisoned by the popular vote to show understanding, stressing that it was necessary to put the interest of the nation first.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after the exercise, the *President of Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike (middle) and Emir of Gummi ,Justice Co-Chairman Lawal Hassan during the meeting of National Conference Committee on Law Reform, of the Judiciary and Human Rights in Abuja last Monday.

Committee, people living with disability. of government which was an Mohammed Kumaila said: “We But when collated and admixture of parliamentary agreed that there should be a subjected to vote, majority of and presidential systems of unicameral legislature with the members pitched tent with government adjudged suitable one House of Parliament at the the 50-50 percent options. for the Nigerian state had also national level as opposed to It will be recalled that the penultimate week what we have today.

In taking this decision, we committee while modifying and recommended that a adopting a presidential system unicameral legislature be took cognizance of the fact that

the Senate as we have today with equality of states as the guiding factor while population is what determines representation at the House of Representatives.

We have to reflect the two factors so that no segment of the State would feel neglected or undermined.

“The decision was based on the need to be fair, futuristic and building the country on a solid foundation because the issue of population is critical. There is no way we can compare Yobe and Kano when it comes to population, so, if we pick 100 percent representation on the basis of population, states like Kano would be disadvantaged as all would have the same number of representatives notwithstanding the number of their population.

“That is why we say the other half of 50 percent should be based on population because the parliament is about representing the people.

Moreover we are also of the opinion that the 50-50 option would be easier to adopt at the plenary as all interests would have been taken care of.”

Chibok girls: Buba Galadima embarks on solo protest •Tells Jonathan to accept blame for missing girls

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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ONTROVERSIAL politician and a delegate, Alhaji Buba Galadima, surprised his fellow members of the National Conference Committee on Devolution of Powers, yesterday, when he stormed out of the committee’s meeting to stage a solo protest over the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by members of the Boko Haram sect.

Galadima, who walked out at a time the committee was in a stormy session over the derivation principle, carried a placard with inscription: “Bring Back Our Daughters: President Jonathan, Stop Shifting the Blame, The Bulk Stops on Your Desk.”

The former National Secretary of the Defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, who could not draw media attention during the protest, went in search of journalists to capture his action.

Galadima has been a staunch critic of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over what he has consistently described as their misrule of the country since 1999.

He was quoted in some

national dailies as labeling the president as a tribal jingoist sitting and administering the disintegration of the country.

The politician, who was not

given attention by media men during his 10-minute action, even after attempting to attract journalists covering some committees’ sitting, returned to

rejoin members of his committee after walking round the Studies Department of the National Judicial Institute, venue of the his committee’s meeting.

Religion committee: Discordant tunes hamper debates

•Galadima

•May not meet Thursday deadline

BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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WENTY- FOUR days after delegates broke into committees, strong indications emerged yesterday that the Committee on Religion may not end its discussions on thematic issues before Thursday ’s deadline on account of irreconcilable differences.

At its resumed session yesterday at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, members of the committee were sharply divided on reports and number of memoranda received. Some members did not agree with Secretary of the Committee, Vincent Anigbo, who declared that the committee received 30 memoranda, saying the figure was less.

Apart from the consensus that government should hands off the funding of religious pilgrimages, Christmas carols, education and other privileges hitherto given to religion, the committee is yet to

agree on any other issue even as the time stipulated for committees to complete their assignments is Thursday this week.

Indeed, suspicion trailed a tentative report prepared by the secretary of the committee with some members accusing the cochair of using the secretary who is of the same religion to write report that favours one of the religions.

Members who spoke were either in support or against the tentative report, which the secretary explained was harmonisation of all deliberations into a guideline, to enable members produce the final report as time was no longer there for the delegates.

In his contribution, Barrister John Achimugu, who raised the suspicion, but later apologised to Prof Ishaq Oloyede, whose name was mentioned, wondered why the secretary prepared the report when members had not agreed

on some of the issues, especially on state religion.

To save the situation, the Cochair, Bishop Femi Ajakaiye, who frowned at the lack of agreement among members, observed that other committees had submitted their reports while the

religion committee has continued to waste time, adding that the secretary wrote the report as a the basis for taking decisions since the committee had touched on every issue but yet to harmonise them even when time was fast running out.

Members disagree over national prayer

M

EANWHILE, the committee is set to jettison the second stanza of the National Pledge as prayer, with members expressing divergent opinions as some accepted and others rejected the move.

In their contributions, two members of the committee, Prof Ishaq Oloyede and Barrister John Achimugu argued against the use of the second stanza of the national pledge as a national prayer at state or national events in the country.

Oloyede said national anthem serves the purpose of inspiring the citizens towards nationalism while prayer is a

communication and relationship between man and God. Oloyede stated that in search of a solution to a problem the country should be cautious not to enter into a bigger problem.

He further argued that the second stanza of the national pledge was aimed at inspiring the youth and urging the leaders to do what is right for the country, saying that turning it to prayer amounts to using the anthem for non-anthem purposes just as religion is used for non-religious purposes in Nigeria.

60 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, MAY 13 , 2014

Ukraine’s separatist leader woos Moscow O

NE of the leaders of eastern Ukraine’s separatist rebellion said yesterday that joining the Russian Federation would probably be an “appropriate step” following a weekend referendum on self-rule.

Separatist leaders said they had received over 80 percent support for selfrule in a referendum on Sunday that was denounced by Kiev as bogus.

“Joining the Russian Federation would probably be an appropriate step,” Roman Lyagin, head of the electoral commission, told a news conference in Donetsk.

Denis Pushilin, another senior member of the rebel leadership in Donetsk, said however that there were no plans for any follow-up referendum next Sunday. Some people in the east have said a second referendum should be held to determine the ultimate fate of Donetsk and neighbor-

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HE Chinese govern ment yesterday in Lagos, reinstated its commitment to assist Nigeria in securing the release of abducted students by members of the Boko Haram sect in Chibok, Borno state.

This is just as it has disclosed the donation of an escort boat to the Nigerian Navy with a view to assisting in the patrol of the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Flag officer Commanding,FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, the Chinese Defence attache to Nigeria, Senior Colonel Kang Honglin, was however silent on the measure the Chinese government was taking to ensure the students’ release.

He further revealed that China had dispatched a frigate to assist the Syrian government to destroy chemical weapons found in its arsenal,

E

GYPT’S top security official yesterday sought to build claims that the Muslim Brotherhood is backing terrorism, showing alleged confessions of militants saying they received funds from members of the group to attack police and the military.

The Brotherhood has denied any link to the wave of militant attacks on security forces, which escalated since last summer in retaliation for the military’s outer of Islamist

President Mohammed Morsi and the subsequent crackdown on his Islamist supporters.

Egypt’s interim government has branded the group a terrorist organization and moved to crush continuing protests by Morsi supporters, arresting more than 16,000 and killing hundreds. The Brotherhood says government accusations that it backs the campaign of violence are aimed at justifying authorities’ drive to eradicate it.

S/Korea threatens North Korea's annihilation

A Rebel leader Denis Pushilin said Ukraine’s presidential elections would not take place in Donetsk ing province Luhansk, now that they have voted for self rule.

“Which country we will join will be decided after consultations with experts,” he said.

The two regions have declared themselves to be the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and “Luhansk People’s Republic”, disavowing links with Kiev.

Separatist leaders have

accused Kiev of launching an armed onslaught against eastern regions and say any door to negotiations with the national leadership was closing.

Both Lyagin and Pushilin have in the past spoken of the possibility of union with Russia, which Kiev accuses of fomenting the rebellion in the east.

China re-states support toward Chibok students rescue

BY EVELYN USMAN

Egypt captures 40 militants’ cells

an action he said was done based on the United Nations Resolution.

In same vein, he stated that a Chinese frigate would be deplored to seven African countries among which Nigeria is one. The other countries are ; Tunisia, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Angola, South Africa and Namibia.

Aside this , he disclosed that China Liberation Army Naval Task group would be visiting Nigeria next week with a

combat vessel , for a joint sea exercise with both countries naval personnel, on maritime related trainings.

Responding, the FOC revealed that the country had a robust relationship with the Chinese government, disclosing that the navy was also expecting a warship from China in July.

He further explained that another vessel would be built in Nigeria with the collaboration of the Chinese .

rhetorical battle be tween the rival Koreas intensified Monday with a South Korean official saying North Korea “must disappear soon.”

The comments, which will likely draw a furious response from Pyongyang, followed a series of sexist and racist slurs by North Korea against the leaders of South Korea and the United States. Pyongyang’s state media likened South Korean President Park Geun-hye to an “old prostitute” and U.S. President Barack Obama to a “monkey” in recent dispatches.

South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok told reporters at a briefing in Seoul that

North Korea isn’t a real country and exists for the benefit of only one person, a reference to dictator Kim Jong Un. He said the North has no human rights or public freedoms.

South Korea has been highly critical of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, including recent rocket and missile tests and apparent preparations for a fourth nuclear test.

But the comments from Seoul on Monday are stronger than normal.

South Korea tries to avoid publicly talking about anything that could be interpreted as a collapse of the North Korean government because of worries that Pyongyang would raise tensions.

Israeli leader's visit sparks protests in Norway

I

SRAELI President Shimon Peres was met by political anger and protests over his country's policies in the occupied territories during a visit to Norway Monday.

The 90-year-old Peres, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for his role in trying to bring Israel and the Palestinians together in Norwegianmediated peace talks known as the Oslo Accords, is the first Israeli head of state to visit the country. Norway's King Harald, who plays a ceremonial role and is not part of the government, welcomed Peres to the royal palace on Monday as police dispersed demonstrators outside. More protests were planned by 24 organizations.

"When the government invites the Israeli president on a state visit, one can only ask what signal Norway wants to send," said Kathrine Jensen,

head of the Norwegian Palestine Committee. She demanded that the Norwegian government "condemn Israeli occupation policy and their human rights abuses."

Norwegian-Israeli relations have soured over the past decade as Norway's left-leaning governments took a critical stance against Israel.

Unlike many western countries, Norway refused to classify Gaza's Islamic Hamas rulers as terrorists, and the government's rich oil fund has divested shares in companies accused of contributing to building Israeli homes in the West Bank. Peres, who as foreign minister shared the peace prize in 1994 with the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, appeared unfazed by the protests.

14 die as migrants boat sinks off Libyan coast

A

T least 14 people died when a boat carrying hundreds of migrants sank in waters between Libya and southern Italy, navy officials said.

Some 200 others were rescued from the boat, which went down south of the Italian island of Lampedusa.

This comes a day after it emerged that 36 migrants drowned last week

when their boat sank off the Libyan coast.

Libya is used as a departure point by many African migrants trying to enter the European Union illegally.

Italy ’s Ansa news agency said that the boat sank yesterday about 185 km (115 miles) south of Lampedusa.

Some Italian media reports said 400 were on board. But a navy

spokesperson said it was not clear how many people were on the boat, so the number of missing passengers was unknown, AP news agency reported. The Italian navy has sent a frigate and a helicopter to help in the search for survivors, the BBC’s Alan Johnston in Rome reports.

Unseaworthy, overcrowded vessels are continually setting out from

Libya, carrying people who hope for better lives in Europe after fleeing war and poverty in various parts of Africa and the Middle East, our correspondent adds.

On Sunday, Libyan officials said at least 36 migrants from various subSaharan African countries drowned when their boat sank off the Libyan coast last week.

The numbers of mi-

grants leaving for Italy had increased in recent days but authorities did not know why, Libyan Navy spokesman Col Ayoud Qassem said, quoted by Reuters news agency. Late last year, hundreds of migrants drowned when two boats sank in waters off the coast of Lampedusa. Italy has since stepped up navy and coastguard operations.

Vanguard, TUESDAY MAY 13, 2014 — 61

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BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP COUNT DOWN.......

Ghana names 26-man provisional squad

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HANA’S national football coach, Kwesi Appiah, yesterday in Accra announced a 26man squad for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

Appiah told a news conference that the list would be pruned to 23 after the friendly match with Holland on May 31.

The Black Stars are in Group G at the World Cup, alongside former winners Germany, Portugal and the U.S. Their opening game will be against the U.S.

in Natal on June 16.

The following is the provisional 26-man list as published by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) website: Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams Defenders: Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, Jeffrey Schullp, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Jerry Akaminko, Rashid Sumaila Midfielders: Michael Essien, Rabiu Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari, Albert Adomah, Wakasu Mubarak, Christian Atsu, David Accam, Andre Ayew, Afriyie Acquah Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, AbdulMajeed Waris, Jordan Ayew.

Japan names Kagawa, 22 others in World Cup squad

J

APAN coach Alberto Zaccheroni promised the Asian champions will fear nobody at the World Cup as he named a fullstrength 23-man squad on Monday, spearheaded by Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda.

The 61-year-old Italian backed his Blue Samurai to give Ivory Coast a severe test in their opening game in Brazil on June 14, insisting that reputations will count for nothing.

“We will respect our opponents but certainly won’t be frightened,” Zaccheroni told reporters a little over a month before Japan square off against the West Africans, led by Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure.

“If you go into a game with fear, you’re in trouble. We need to go in prepared and bring our own qualities. We have a lot

•Michael Essien

England: Hodgson names World Cup squad E

NGLAND manager Roy Hodgson has named Everton youngster Ross Barkley in his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

He is one of eight players confirmed under the age of 24 along with Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Alex OxladeChamberlain Phil Jones, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.

“These youngsters have imposed themselves upon me and my thinking because they’ve been so effective and successful for their clubs,” Hodgson said.

“A lot has changed since we qualified back in October and you can’t ignore what they ’ve have been doing on a week-to-week basis.

Some of them may have been deemed fringe players last year but not any more.”

Hodgson also named

C M Y K

experienced internationals Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Joe Hart and Glen Johnson in the group, as well as 35year-old Frank Lampard.

Hodgson said: “Frank is still a very important part of our set-up. His leadership qualities and his ability means he fully deserves his selection.”

Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert also made the cut, while Celtic’s Fraser Forster was named as England’s back-up goalkeeper to Hart alongside Ben Foster.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury, joins Chelsea’s Gary Cahill in the defenders along with Leighton Baines and Chris Smalling, while Liverpool’s prolific goalscorer Daniel Sturridge joins the strikers.

•Kagawa of attacking players.”

Asian Cup-holders Japan also face Colombia and Greece in Group C, which on paper gives them a decent chance of progressing to the knockout stage, as they did in 2010.

“I’ve had the squad in my head a while but I wanted to have a look at as many players as possible,” said Zaccheroni, who expressed confidence that captain Makoto Hasebe and right-back Atsuto Uchida would recover from injury in time for the tournament.

“It was a struggle to get the list down to 23. I wanted to call up (FIFA president) Sepp Blatter and ask him to let me pick more. But this group of players knows how I want them to play tactically and understands the team ethic.”

•Joe Hart

CAF expresses sorrow over deaths in DR Congo

T

HE Confederation of African Football has expressed its “deep sorrow” after at least 15 people were killed in a stampede at a match in DR Congo.

The trouble occurred at a Congolese league

match between AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe at the Tata Raphael Stadium in the capital Kinshasa on Sunday.

Caf president Issa Hayatou said: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy over the

untimely deaths.

“I wish to re-emphasise that any acts of violence have no place in football.”

He added: “The violence must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.''

•Zacheroni

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY MAY 13, 2014 — 63

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Maigari, Eagles endorse ‘Protect the Control of Aids, the camGoal’ campaign paign has as partners

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RESIDENT of Ni geria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on Monday joined President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo and other prominent Nigerians in endorsing the new HIV awareness initiative tagged ‘Protect the Goal’ campaign.

The event, which took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, underscored Nigeria’s support for the programme, which aims at zero new

infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDSrelated deaths.

Coordinated by the National Agency for

Nigeria face Cup holders Thailand at Anfield

T

HE Nigerian team to the 2014 Standard Chartered international tournament taking place at Anfield, Liverpool on Tuesday will face defending champions Thailand in their first game of the round-robin first round after both teams were drawn together in Group A on Monday. Thailand won the 2013 tournament af-

Olympic course begins in Osogbo modern technicality of

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HE Nigeria Olympic Committee in collaboration with Olympic Solidarity Rugby is organizing a Coaching Course for Nigerian Rugby Coaches. In Osogbo, Osun State. The Instructor appointed by Olympic Solidarity and International Rugby Board is Mr. Bright Chivandire from Zimbabwe.

One of the objectives of the Coaching course is aimed at updating the coaches on the

coaching.

Since sport is involved in the ever-changing world of technologyandsystems,only those who are quick to adapt to changes can reach the heights.

It is the hope of the Nigeria Olympic Committee that coachesthatareparticipating in this programme will take fulladvantageofittoimprove their technical abilities.

The Project Officer of the Judo course is Augustine Odijie.

MTN Football Scholar audition thrills participants and experienced coaches

H

UNDREDS of youngsters that thronged the centres of the audition in the ongoing MTN Football Scholar season 4 were all ecstatic about the uniqueness of the initiative. The nationwide audition which started in Port Harcourt before taking place in other cities of Calabar, Akure, Enugu and Abuja, ended in Lagos over the weekend. The kids were unanimous in their declaration that the idea of combining schooling with active football is fantastic.

The audition which formed the process of securing tickets into the camp of this year’s edition witnessed display of excellent football skills and talents by the youngsters.

Apart from the well-tested C M Y K

the UNAIDS, UNFPA, the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation.

that drilled the boys, prominent exinternationals were also on ground at the centres to motivate them.

ter beating Dubai in the final. Thailand are again one of the favourites at this year’s edition. ”We know they’re good in Futsal (5-aside) football but we are ready for them,” Nigerian captain Demola Omitayo said confidently after the draw held at the famous Liverpool Boot Room at Anfield. “Our strategy is to win or get at least a draw in our first game, then take our chances in subsequent games. Our target is to qualify for the semi-finals. After that, anything can happen,” he said.

Other Group A teams in the order that Nigeria will face them are Kenya, Korea, MENA, Singapore and West African brothers Gambia. Group B is made up of Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Europe, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals from whence the tournament will be played out on a knock-out basis. The Standard Chartered Road to Anfield Trophy is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank to promote friendship amongst its major markets around the world.

Tartan Army Continues from B/P a test game for both sides as the African champions start their Brazil 2014 World Cup preparations.

Strachan has handed a debut call up to Derby County pair of Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin who have been instrumental in the Rams chase for a promotion slot to the Barclays Premier League.

Derby County captain Craig Bryson also made the cut as well as Gary Caldwell and Shaun Maloney of Wigan who return to the fold after injury lay-offs. Also includ-

ed in the squad is Watford’s exciting winger Ikechi Anya who has Nigerian ancestry.

Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi had earlier last week released a 30man preliminary squad that he hopes to prosecute the friendly matches arranged for the Super Eagles with the view of selecting the final 23 by the June 2 deadline.

The Super Eagles beat Scotland 2-1 the last time they meet in April 2002 prior to the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014

Ghana names 26-man provisional squad — Pg61

Tartan Army roll out squad for Eagles •Keshi

World Cup support for Eagles: Globacom’s Head of Operations, Mr. Bisi Koleosho (2nd left), ex-Internationals Kanu Nwankwo (1st left) and Jay Jay Okocha (2nd right) with Glo Sales Manager, Lagos, Mariam Onosode-Atseyinku, at the unveiling of a unique plan “Go Ahead Eagles” organized yesterday in Lagos to mobilize support for the Super Eagles in Brazil

S

COTLAND coach Gordon Strachan has announced his

squad for the May 28 international friendly with the Super Eagles at Ful-

ham’s Craven Cottage ground in London.

The Tartan Army will

square up against their Nigerian counterparts as Continues on Page 63

•Gordon

Three Lions name World Cup squad — Pg.61 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

DOWN ACROSS 1 Meal (6) 1 Oppose (6) 2 Greet (6) 5 Creased (6) 3 Betray (4) 9 Flutter (5) 4 Soar (5) 10 Cushion (6) 5 Foul (5) 11 Higher (6) 6 Spoken (4) 12 Danger (5) 7 Sweet (6) 14 Satisfy (4) 8 Swarthier (6) 17 Colour (3) 13 Performance (7) 18 Lake (4) 15 Fragrance (5) 20 Handle (5) 22 Measuring-device (5) 16 Consumed (5) 18 Fruit (5) 23 Local (7) 19 Send (5) 24 Colour (5) 21 Hill (3) 26 Bird (5) 22 Spoil (3) 29 Farm-building (4) 24 Silly (6) 30 Lump (3) 25 Supported (6) 32 Observe (4) 27 Reserved (6) 33 Heaped (5) 28 Tidier (6) 35 Undressed (6) 30 Broader (5) 36 Hamper (6) 31 Outcoming (5) 37 Animal (5) 33 Wan (4) 38 Totter (6) 34 Challenge (4) 39 Offer (6)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Share 7, Capped 9, Lea 10, Wed 12, Atlas 13, Area 15, Aisle 17, Averse 19, Duty 20, Lurid 22, Pat 24, Delete 27, Nor 28, Arena 31, Leaf 33, Usurer 35, Often 37, Want 38, Afire 39, Dip 41, Gnu 42, Talent 43, Edged.

DOWN: 1, Scrawl 2, Appear 3, New 4, Seal 5, Hated 6, Reaction 8, Dear 11, Dispersed 14, Avid 16, Seat 18, Eden 21, Underfed 23, Tear 25, Lout 26, Drew 29, Eraser 30, Astute 32, Forge 34, Unit 36, Feud 40, Paw.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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