Crack in militants camp widens

•P.35 •P.21

Banks shut doors on BDCs, politically-exposed persons

By Omoh Gabriel.

Business Editor

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AGOS — AMIDST intensified anticorruption siege on banks by the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission, EFCC, Bureaux de Change, BDCs, may have come under severe vetting by the banks with indications that some of them would have their accounts closed.

Vanguard investigations

also reveal that bankers are now keeping close watch on their marketers with a view to compelling strict adherence to the banks’ Know-Your-Customer, KYC, rules where abuses may attract a sack.

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63048

Industry operators say the developments were sequel to recent revelations in some of the corruption probes which indicted about seven banks as active collaborators in the fraudulent transactions

involving some public officers.

The BDCs were also said to have been heavily involved in several foreign currency denominated corruption

cases currently under investigation by the EFCC, with some banks alleged to be working with the BDCs.

Details in Financial Vanguard —Page 17

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

**

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Crack in militants camp widens

N200

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South, Ben Agande & Perez Brisibe

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•Reformed Egbesu Boys suspends hostilities •Disagrees with Avengers, JNDLF on Kanu, Dasuki •Warns Tompolo, Ateke Tom, Boyloaf to stay off negotiations •MEND appoints Ajumogobia, Rewane, Ita-Giwa, others to dialogue with FG

•South-South monarchs meet in Uyo

ARRI—THE noticeable crack in the camp of the militant groups bombing oil installations in the Niger Delta widened, yesterday, as one of them, Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta, unilaterally declared cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, Movement

Ekwueme, Adebanjo, Gana, Ezeife, others 15 advocate regional govts

for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, last night, raised a seven-man provisional team, tagged Aaron Team 2, to negotiate with the Federal Government just as it charged the Niger Delta Avengers to drop its defiant posture and embrace dialogue.

This came as traditional rulers from Niger Delta, under the aegis of the Continues on Page 5

SALARY DELAY:

Dickson queries HoS, A-G, others

COLUMNISTS:

12

NPFL lands international sponsorship as LMC seals Sport Drink Supplier deal

Merchants of anarchism •P.33

47

Mr & Mrs

Collegiate presidency and national harmony •P.32

The long road Alex Cruz Chairman/ CEO, British Airways

•P.35

•See story on page 9

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 3

4— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—5

POCKET CARTOON

BURIAL SERVICE: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (left); Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (2nd left); former governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim (3rd left) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu at the burial service of HRM, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze of Owerri at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (CATOL) Owerri, Friday.

Crack in militants camp widens Continues from page 1 Forum, have scheduled a meeting in Uyo next week to discuss ways of finding solutions to the increasing spate of destruction of oil and gas assets in the region.

The Joint Revolutionary Council, JRC, of the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, JNDLF, had, Friday, indicated it had accepted the window created by the Federal Government for dialogue, but the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, maintained that it was not part of the negotiations.

Vanguard learned, yesterday, that government negotiators had penetrated many of the militant groups and many would likely declare cessation of hostilities during the week and embrace dialogue with government.

Many of the militants were furious that some powerful forces have hijacked the struggle to the detriment of the region and were merely using them as bargaining tool.

The Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta is at loggerheads with the NDA and JNDLF over their positions.

While it is on the same

page with JNDLF on cessation of hostilities, it disagreed with it on the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), and other conditions.

Warns Tompolo, Ateke Tom, Boyloaf to stay off negotiations

The group warned those it described as old generation of Ijaw activists, namely Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, Ateke Tom, General Boyloaf, General Africanus Ukpaparasia and others, “not to meddle in this ongoing process.”

Leaders of the group, General Tony Alagbakeriowei and Commander Ebi Abakoromor, in a statement, said: “We align ourselves with the unilateral declaration of cessation of hostilities on oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta by various militant organizations.

“We are in total support of the Federal Government option of dialogue, taking into cognizance the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192

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EARN to stamp your feet on your field of expertise. Dominate so much when you are around that they miss you so much when you are gone.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes — Carl Gustav Jung

T

O love deeply is like making a masterpiece of art, loving is constantly unfolding, there is always room for improvement. It comes with an awareness to know what really is...for me, it’s beyond being beautiful, beyond success, beyond the everyday striving to just being and learning to live life in the moment with joy and gratitude.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

H

OWEVER far the stream flows, it never forgets its source

numerous appeals from both local and international platforms. In as much as we have considered this option, we wish to reaffirm that the Ijaws have never been a conquered people.

“The Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta wishes to state that we are not comfortable with some aspects of the demands contained in the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Forces as published in the mass media and the Avengers.

Disagrees with Avengers, JNDLF on Kanu, Dasuki

“The Niger Delta agitation is not about persons as portrayed in the said publication. The Ijaw agitation has always been issues of resource control and true federalism and inequality where our farmlands have been divided into oil blocks among Nigerians to the exclusion of the Ijaws.

“Therefore, the legitimate agitation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality has nothing to do with Sambo Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu, though we sympathize with them.”

The militant group differed with the inflexible stance of the Avengers on former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

It stated: “The former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, is one of the symbols of our struggle.

“We strongly recommend that a political solution be explored by the negotiation team to resolve his issues with the Federal Government.”

Reformed Egbesu

demands

For peace to hold, it tabled seven demands before government, including commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State

and restructuring of the Amnesty programme with upward review of funding to accommodate more beneficiaries.

The militant group called for the sacking of the Coordinator of the Amnesty programme and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), saying he lacked the experience to effectively coordinate the programme. "We, therefore, pass a vote of no confidence on him," the group said.

Other demands made by the group include increase in derivation to 50 per cent and payment of 50 per cent directly to the communities through appropriate structures; release of all persons currently in detention facilities, dropping and pardoning of persons detained and creation of Niger Delta Investment and Development Bank.

It said: “Pipeline surveillance contracts should be reserved for the current agitating youths because Nigeria cannot safeguard these facilities; and the oil majors and related agencies, such as NNPC, PTDF, NPDC and NSPIMS should create 6,000 job slots.”

True federalism

“In conclusion, we wish to reaffirm the Ijaw position of true federalism within a restructured state and the Federal Government should immediately activate the necessary platform. We warn the Federal Government to be sincere and committed to the peace process and to state that any deviation would lead to resumption of hostilities."

NDA still maintains ‘no negotiation’ stance

At press time, Niger Delta Avengers had not reviewed its ‘no negotiation’ stand, but had refrained from bombing more installations.

Its last outing was on June 9 when one of its strike teams blew a major trunk line, Obi Brass, belonging to Agip ENI in Bayelsa State.

On May 12, spokesperson of the Avengers, Brig General Murdoch Agbinibo, said: “By October 2016, we will display our currency, flag, passport, our ruling council and our territory to the world.”

Not many militants and Niger Deltans share such aspiration. However, other demands of the group include implementation of report of the 2014 National Conference, 60:40 percent ownership of oil blocs in favour of oil producing communities, proper funding of amnesty programme, trial of APC members allegedly indicted for corruption, unconditional release of Kanu and take-off of

Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, yesterday, said the fusion of the various ethnic nationalities in the Nigeria marriage was no longer compatible, adding that except the country was restructured, it would drift into major crisis in the nearest future.”

National President of the assembly, Austin Ozobo, said: “Nigeria cannot afford to survive the myriad of problems threatening its peaceful co-existence, ranging from Boko Haram, Biafra, herdsmen and NDelta agitation for selfdetermination.

MEND raises 7-man team to dialogue with FG

Delta struggle is beyond attacks on oil installations.

Indeed, prior to the MEND ceasefire, the group had, among numerous daring attacks, on Thursday, June 19, 2008, successfully carried out the spectacular attack on Royal Dutch Shell’s offshore Bonga oilfield which is located at a distance of 120 kilometres (75miles) south-west of the Niger Delta.

“However, with the benevolent benefit of hindsight, the group realized that, after the initial euphoria of each successful attack, the gargantuan problems which confront our region, including environmental pollution and political corruption, increased geometrically."

South-South monarchs meet in MEND, in a statement by Uyo

its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said: “Members of the MEND Aaron Team 2 are by no means members of MEND. The provisional list of members of the team, who have already accepted to serve, include: Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN (Rivers), Bismark Rewane (Delta), Sen. Florence ItaGiwa (Cross River), Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa), Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Ledum Mitee (Rivers) and Lawson Omokhodion (Edo State).

“Following useful exploratory discussions held with high ranking officials of the current administration, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has constituted ‘Aaron Team 2’ to dialogue with the Federal Government on the immediate, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta.”

It explained that the team was made up of patriotic and selfless men and women of proven track record, integrity and character; and drawn from different parts of the Niger Delta.

MEND said: “Other members of the team shall be made public in due course after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

“Our message to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is simple: The Niger

Meanwhile, traditional rulers from the Niger Delta, under the aegis of the South-South Monarchs Forum, are to meet in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, next week, to discuss ways of finding solutions to the increasing spate of destruction of oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta Region.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman of the forum, Dr Edmund Daukoru Mingi XII, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, explained that the decision to convene the Niger Delta Traditional Rulers Security Summit was taken after an emergency meeting of the forum in Port Harcourt, weekend.

According to him, the security summit, with the theme: “Institutionalizing an Integrative Architecture for Systemizing Domestic Security Management in the Niger Delta Region,” will hold at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel & Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from June 27-29, 2016.

The royal father said: “The summit will leave no stone unturned to provide an avenue to fashion out a holistic blueprint to check the triggers of the crisis with the objective to stem further escalation and lay a proper foundation to consolidate the unity and prosperity of the region and, indeed, Nigeria, for the present and future generations."

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

08023019505 08034073107

7 die, 2 injured in Bauchi road crash

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—ABOUT seven persons died, while two others sustained injuries, in a motor accident along Bauchi-Jos Road.

The accident, according to the spokesperson of Bauchi Zonal Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSCý, Corps Commander, Daniel Sayi, involved a Dangote truck with number plates TYW 24 XA and a Peugeot J5 pick-up, with number plates ALK 165 XA. He said that the truck collided with the pick-up at Dungal village, killing the seven people on the spot.

The Corps Commandant added that a rescue operation was carried out by FRSC personnel at the accident scene.

He said that the bodies have been deposited at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, mortuary, while the two injured are receiving treatment.

LASU student suspended over Indian hemp

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AGOS State University, LASU, has suspended a second year Computer Science undergraduate (name withheld), for being in possession of a substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian hemp).

The suspension, contained in the university’s bulletin, said the university ’s ViceChancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, suspended the student in line with the powers conferred on him by Section 28 of the law establishing the institution.

According to the bulletin, the suspension will subsist until he appears before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee of the university to defend himself.

It said the institution’s security men apprehended him on May 3, with the suspected substance.

COMMUNAL CRISIS: Decomposing body of pregnant woman found in Delta

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—SECURITY operatives have recovered the decomposing body of a 38-year-old pregnant woman, Mrs. Afor Sammy, who was allegedly killed in the intercommunal crisis between Igbide and Okpolo-Enwen communities, both in Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, over land dispute.

Sources said the decomposing body of the deceased, a mother of six, was

recovered along the bush path behind OwodokpokpoIgbide Grammar School by members of a local vigilante team.

A source, who sought anonymity, alleged that the deceased was attacked and killed in her farm, where she had gone to harvest groundnut, adding that “family of the pregnant woman had raised an alarm when they discovered that she did not return home from the farm.

“Consequently, the vigilante team organised a search party, who, after four days, recovered the decomposed body near a bush path behind Owodokpokpo-Igbide Community Grammar School.

“The community President was quickly informed and he, in turn, went to inform the police authorities at Oleh.”

It was learned that Police immediately sent two operatives to the spot and they were reported to have invited members of the deceased

family that identified the corpse to be that of Mrs. Afor Sammy.

The source added that a medical doctor from a hospital in Oleh was also brought in to conduct an autopsy, “and, thereafter, the corpse was released to the family for burial.”

Contacted on telephone, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Oleh Division, declined comments on the incident, saying he had already sent signals to the state command headquarters in Asaba.

Magistrate assaulted, as Customs officers clash with Lagos Task Force personnel

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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HERE was a mild drama, weekend, when officers of the Nigerian Customs Services, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, allegedly attacked a magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court, Magistrate Lekan Aka-Bashorun, and carted away court exhibits.

Head, Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this yesterday.

According to Taofiq, “A fullyarmed Nigerian Customs officer, Mr. Yusuf S, with service number 48730 and a card number 368, attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, slapped Magistrate Aka-Bashorun for ordering his court officials to impound Nigerian Customs officers’ private vehicles for traffic offence.

“His colleagues beat up two para-military officials and rough handled two Superintendents of Police (SP Sunday Ikharere and SP Adeloye Okunola) attached to Lagos State Task Force in front of the gate of their premises at Ikeja.

“Other officers trooped out, claiming that as officers of a Federal Government agency they were exempted from any of Lagos State Government’s laws, particularly traffic laws.

“The operatives of the court commenced its operations from Allen Avenue at Ikeja, impounding both commercial and private vehicles for various traffic offences down to Nigerian Customs Operations Unit, Ikeja area, where private vehicles were parked along the walkways beside an illegal car wash despite the ‘No Parking’ signs installed by the Management of Nigerian Customs on the walls of the premises.

“It was after the vehicles

Customs Officers, Goyit Bulus and Olugbogi Sunday, of the Federal Operations Unit ‘A’ Ikeja, were arreted over the clash but later released. beside Nigerian Customs premises were impounded that its officials barricaded the highway with heavy stones and used tyres, and descended on court officials, carting away two mobile phones (Samsung Tab ‘A’ 2016 and Samsung A5) with a Sony camera used for recording evidence before court proceedings.

“The fracas, which saw two Customs officers arrested, would have turned out to be bloody because many of them came out with weapons, including guns.

Tension was later doused by the Chairman of the Task Force, Superintendent of Police Olayinka Egbeyemi, who came to the scene and moved away officials of the court and policemen.”

However, three of those operating the illegal car

wash, who refused to disclosed their names, said they were paying security charges/levies to some NCS officials, Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, for protecting them from any of the state law enforcement agents.

The assaulted magistrate, however, called on security chiefs across the country to call their respective officers to order and that they must subject themselves to civil

rule or face consequences for disobeying any law.

Aka-Bashorun said: “The era of military rule is gone. I, therefore, implore the management of the Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, ‘A’, Ikeja, to immediately compel their officers to return all court exhibits, including the two phones and a Sony Camera in their possessions, without any further delay.”

Pot of stew stolen in Delta

By Festus Ahon & Ochuko Akuopha

A

SABA— A food vendor, simply identified as Mrs. Agnes, got what she did not bargain for, weekend, in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area, Delta State,

when the pot of stew she was preparing was stolen.

It was learned that she went in to have her bath in preparation for the day ’s business when the thieves made away with the N6,000 pot of stew that was still on the fire.

The source said the thieves

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—7

08023019505 08034073107

Kidnappers of Rev Sisters arrested in Ondo

Flood wreaks havoc on Abakaliki

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—FLOOD, weekend, destroyed food crops and properties worth millions of Naira in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

The flood, which submerged houses, vehicles, roads and farmlands, was caused by a downpour which lasted till the early hours of yesterday.

Many residents, especially those living close to water channels within the metropolis, were forced from their homes, following the down pour, while some homes had their roofs blown off by wind that accompanied the rain.

The locations affected were Ogbaga Road, Udensi Street, St. Patrick Road, Hill Top, Mile 50, Nkaliki, Ogbe Hausa, Ogoja Road among others.

Some new generation churches, located at the bank of the river close to Water Works Road, were also affected.

Also, owners of shops and residential houses at Ogboaga Road, Iyiokwu Avenue, Onwe Road and Hilltop Avenue also lost properties to the flood.

When Vanguard visited most of the affected areas, many were seen in groups discussing the disaster and losses resulting from the flood.

By Dayo Johnson

A

FOULED BY FLOOD: Dead fowls in a poultry farm after the flood in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO. The Iyi-Udele River, which runs through the middle of the town, overran it banks, as buildings located 30 metres away from the river were flooded, leading to some walls and buildings almost caving in.

Speaking to Vanguard, one of the victims, Mr. John Oke, said that he has lost everything in his house, including his vital documents, to the flood.

He said: “We woke up to

see everywhere submerged in water. In fact, I had to smuggle my children out of our compound. We were lying on top of water as our mattresses were soaked with water.”

5 die during cult initiation, 7 arrested

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu NEWI—FIVE suspected cultists were, weekend, killed while scores sustained various degrees of injuries during initiation at Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, which took place behind community secondary school, Obosi, when they were having their initiation in the wee hours of the fateful day.

The incident became public when the school’s security men informed the principal, Mrs. Ada Efobi, that a corpse was dumped close to the school gate when it was raining.

It was learned that the corpse

was reportedly dumped by unidentified persons in a black SUV, who sped off when the security men were moving closer to know what was dumped.

Speaking with newsmen, the principal said when she got the information, “I, in turn, alerted the community chief security man, Mr. Arthur Ilongwo, who immediately informed the Obosi community and the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Musa.”

Contacted, Musa confirmed the death of one and arrest of seven, adding that investigation was ongoing.

Meanwhile, the principal said with the concerted efforts of the local vigilance group, the corpse was deposited in a morgue after

spared the pot of rice that was on a separate fire nearby.

“They left the rice because it was still boiling,” the source said, adding “times are hard and incidents of petty robbery are on the rise in our community. Just last month, four small power generating sets, popularly known as I-pass-my-neighbour, were stolen in different places.

“In one of the incidents, family

members and friends were watching the UEFA Champion’s League final between the Madrid clubs, when power supply from the generating set was suddenly cut.

“They discovered too late that the generator had been moved.

Most people now put their generators inside, even when it is working. This is dangerous to the health of the people.”

N

they had paid N1,500 for embalming.

It was gathered that the seven suspected cultists were arrested on a tip-off and on interrogation, they revealed that the corpse was dumped by them and others now at large.

A source informed that a new member died on the spot during initiation and the corpse taken from the initiation arena, while another died later in the hospital where he was taken for medical attention.

The would-be new

members, some of who came from Okoh and other communities for the initiation, were said to have been beaten to stupor, resulting in the death of another three after initiation.

Reacting, the traditional ruler of Obosi, HRM Igwe Chidubem Iweka, said: “When it dawned on me that hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and others, can be got in Obosi, I knew that cultists have taken over our community because they act based on the influence of the hard drugs.”

KURE—FIVE s u s p e c t e d kidnappers of two Reverend sisters in Ondo State have been apprehended by detectives.

The suspects reportedly participated in many of the kidnap cases that happened in the state.

Meanwhile, one of the kidnappers, Phillip Isiga, confessed to receiving N50,000 as his share of the N2.5 million ransom.

The two sisters, Rev. Sr. Perpetual Apo and Rev. Sr. Roseline Familade and their driver, Mr. Zwugwa Zibai, were abducted on May 15, on Benin-Ijebu Ode Expressway.

They were rounded up when their vehicle broke down and they were waiting for assistance from their associates, who resided at a nearby site at Kajola village in Odigbo area of the state.

Vanguard gathered that the sisters were released a week after abduction.

Although the kidnappers had demanded for a ransom of N20 million, the Catholic Church reportedly coughed out N2.5 million to secure the release of the sisters.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev Jude Arogundade, confirmed that the kidnappers had requested for N20 million ransom during the negotiation.

Isiga, 25-year-old from Delta State, said he was introduced to the business by one Ufoma, who was also arrested.

I target motorists using phones in traffic, says jailbird

By Esther Onyegbula

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PERATIVES of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos State Police Command, have arrested an ex-convict for allegedly robbing a Portuguese couple in traffic at Marine Bridge, Ijora, Lagos State.

The suspect, Samuel Meme, 22, from Delta, an erstwhile scrap metal collector, said he targeted and robbed cars whose occupants are busy on their phones while in traffic.

He said: “My plan was to operate alone that night.

Luckily for me there was heavy traffic, which extended deep into the night in Marine Bridge. Just as I was planning to strike, I ran into Wasiu (still at large) and we decided to rob cars together.

“When we spotted a Toyota SUV, Wasiu and I positioned ourselves on both sides of the car and broke the two rear glasses. I collected the man’s phone, while Wasiu took his wife’s phone and her purse containing N60,000.

“The lady pleaded for her drug from the purse and I asked my colleague to give

her and we left for another car.

“The next car was a Toyota Corolla, with a lone occupant.

We broke the two side glasses too, but the lady insisted she had no phone so we collected her bag and jewellery.”

Recounting how he turned a robber, the suspect said: “Wasiu taught me how to rob in traffic and I have mastered the act. I operate alone.

“Occasionally, when I run into like minds, we rob whenever there is traffic on Marine Bridge. We sleep under Ijora Bridge and we are many that sleep there.”

8—Vanguard, MONDAY JUNE 13, 2016

ANNIVERSARY: Hussey College Warri Old Students Association, Lagos Branch, held its 69th Founders Day Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Merit Award Ceremony at The Metropolitan Club, VI, Lagos. From left, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President, in handshake with Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (rtd), former governor of Lagos State and Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (rtd, rigth). Photo:Shola Oyelese

NPL ratio jumps to 10.1%

By Emmanuel Elebeke

A

BUJA—THE Nigeria’s Non Performing Loans, NPL, ration stood at 10.1% as at April, 2016, the Central Bank of Nigeria has said.

The sudden rise in the NPL is said to be well above the prudential limit of five per cent.

This was contained in a presentation by the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, to the Bankers’ Committee meeting last week, entitled: State of the Economy and Update on the Regular Monetary Policy Committee.

According to the deputy governor, the rise in NPL is a result of the Risk Assets Examination of deposit money banks, DMBs, conducted in December last year.

The sustained low price of crude oil, supply constraints at the Forex market as well as other macroeconomic conditions were also said to have impacted negatively on the quality of bank loans.

Group launches N100m reward for patriotism

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E D O L A INITIATIVE Ltd, TNIL, a leading sustainability management firm, has announced the commencement of the ‘Nigeria Prize for Patriotism’ (NPP).

A N100 million prize money awaits the overall winner of the initiative, which is targeted at celebrating Nigerians who espoused the ideals of the country’s founding fathers, while fostering national unity.

The prize is structured to reward patriotic Nigerians in the area of education, health, civil service, business, agriculture, sports, and entertainment amongst others.

The overall winner of the prize is expected to receive N50 million in winnings and another N50 million in a grant to further the cause for which they were nominated.

According to the Chief Responsibility Officer, TNIL, Abidemi David Edmond, the project is designed to bring Nigerians together behind a unified purpose.

Abiola sowed the seed of our present democracy —Tinubu

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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LL PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, leader and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has paid glowing tributes to the late Chief Moshood Abiola for sowing the seed of the democracy Nigerians are currently enjoying.

In a tribute to the late businessman and democracy icon, Tinubu, nevertheless, urged Nigerians not to forget the sacrifice of the activists, who paid in various ways towards the enthronement of democracy.

Tinubu made the assertions in a statement on the 23rd anniversary of the June 12 presidential elections largely believed to have been won by Abiola, who was the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in

that election. The election was, however, nullified by the military regime at that time.

Tinubu, who was a senator in the Third Republic and subsequently became a rallying point for advocates for the affirmation of the results of that election, said yesterday: “Because a few courageous ones across the broad spectrum of the Nigerian society formed a coalition and led from the front, the military was unable to get away with its constitutional impunity.

“Fired on by patriotism, resistant of years of oppressive military dictatorship and willing to do something about the situation, Nigerians pushed the limits of civil disobedience against tyranny. By so doing, Nigerians pushed the military out, demanding for democratic governance and since then, there has been no looking back.

“The seed of democracy that was sown during the June 12

struggle of which Chief Kashimawo Abiola remains the spirit and the moving force is the fruit we now enjoy.

Nigerians sustained the fervour and the patriotic disposition necessary for a new political culture to take root.

However, 16 years after that struggle ended and the military departed, a new kind of struggle began. With a government of the people, by the people and for the people, the desire for rapid development and a disciplined and accountable leadership became an agenda item. In the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led government, Nigerians got a raw deal.

“But again, desirous of a change, Nigerians were again galvanized into voting the PDP out and voting in the All Progressives Congress, APC, with its message and philosophy of change.

Banks move to limit over-the-counter withdrawals to N10, 000

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

C

USTOMERS OF Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, may be faced with a new across-the counter cash withdrawal limit to be pegged at N10, 000.

It was learned,weekend, that the DMBs, under the aegis of the Bankers Committee, have already approached the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to propose the limit.

Sources said the measure being contemplated would drastically reduce the number of customers that would need to physically visit banking halls for transactions.

The DMBs, sources said, wanted to achieve two objectives via this strategy, if approved by the CBN. The objectives include greater

use of electronic banking and smaller workforce - as a means of cutting cost of operations.

Already, some banks had laid off many workers, citing operational losses, especially as the Federal Government Treasury Single Account Policy, TSA, has deprived them of federal government deposits.

It took the intervention of the Federal Government, which even had to threaten banks with severe sanctions, including the withdrawal of their licences, to pull back on the gale of mass sack.

A 'State of the Economy' document of the apex bank presented to the Bankers’ Committee in Abuja, last Thursday, showed that unaudited Profit Before Tax of banks for the period ended April 2016 indicated a decrease from N222 billion in April last year to N198 billion, representing a 10.8 per cent or N24 billion

decrease.

“The decline was driven largely by a decrease in both interest and non-interests income which decline by 6 per cent or N50 billion and 54 per cent of N259 billion, respectively,” the document read.

It explained that the banking sector was still faced with a lot of pressure points, some of which it listed as resurgence of inflationary pressures in the face of negative output growth, continuing low oil prices, and lack of fiscal buffers.

In addition, the apex bank said capital flow reversals, rising pressure on exchange rate in the face of declining external reserves, huge growth in credit to the government to compensate for declining oil receipts were other major challenges confronting the industry.

“But beyond the historic mandate given to the APC is the urgent need to have every citizen be part of the change we want to see. From the streets and crannies, from the classrooms and boardrooms, from the lecture halls and the corridors of power, from the lawmakers, ministers and leading politicians, this is a season that demands our contribution, requires we make sacrifice and seeks that we work together towards building a critical mass that will see to the processes of the change vision now unfolding.

“Nigerians must exact from its leaders performance and accountability.

“Just like in the moving spirit of June 12, Nigerians must speak up against any form of ` financial recklessness and corruption in high places, in their states or local administration and wherever this is found. Beyond speaking against and exposing corruption, Nigerians must speak for and in support of the on-going concerted efforts being coordinated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The lessons of the June 12 struggle abides. To June 12 we must return to rekindle our love and devotion for democracy and Nigeria.

“We know that no change comes easy and we must be mindful of the fact that the success of the APC led government is the success of all of us.

“On this occasion, I shout out to all my colleagues from the days of the June 12 struggle encompassing the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, foot soldiers still alive today, the pro-democracy activists, the civil society and the professionals who stood up to be soldiers in defence of the democratic rights of Nigerians. With the new converts and company that have joined our rank and file, let us again stand guard and be vigilant to ensure that disgruntled elements and the powers of yesterday, who we overthrew with our votes, do not destroy our democracy.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—9

ONE YEAR OF BUHARI: States, LGs gulp

N2.8trn from Federation Account Akwa-Ibom, got N173bn, Gombe and Ebonyi N49bn each

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BUJA—A new report has disclosed that the 36 states and the 774 local government councils in Nigeria shared N2.8 trillion from the Federation Account in the one year of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

An exclusive report by the Economic Confidential, an intelligence economic magazine, disclosed that the total figure was payment made to the two tiers of government between June 2015

and May 2016 at the monthly meetingf of the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC. In the report, Lagos State is ranked first as the highest recipient of gross allocation with N178 billion in the twelve months. It is followed by Akwa Ibom State with N173 billion, Delta State N144 billion and Kano State N117 billion. The five states cornered 25 per cent of the total allocation for the States

and local government councils in Nigeria within the period.

Among the 10 highest recipients from the Federation Account are Bayelsa State which got N95bn; followed by Katsina State N88 billion, Oyo State N84 bn, Kaduna State N83 billion and Borno State N78 billion.

The lowest recipients are Gombe and Ebonyi states that got N49 billion each followed by Ekiti and Nasarawa states N50 billion each and Kwara N52 billion.

The report further disclosed that Edo and Ondo which are oilproducing states got N66 billion and N71 billion respectively while another state in the South-South, Cross River State merely received N59 billion.

The Economic Confidential gathered that factors that influence allocations to states and local government councils from the Federation Account include population, derivation, landmass, terrain, revenue effort, school enrolments, health facilities, water supply and Equality of the beneficiaries.

Nigeria fails to defend self at ILO over allegations of child labour

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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ENEVA—NIGERIA has failed to defend itself at the International Labour Conference, ILC, over allegation of increasing breach of Convention 138, which deals with cases of the worst forms of child labour for which it had been indicted in the past years.

According to report, there are over 168 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 involved in child Labour globally.

Of this number, over 11 million children in Nigeria, the highest in West Africa, are said to be involved in what the International Labour Organisation, ILO, described as the worst forms of child labour, including being used in arm conflicts.

It was gathered that Nigeria and about 19 other countries, mostly African countries, were ordered to appear unfailingly before the Committee on Application of Standards of ILO, after being reported for continuous breach of convention 138 of ILO by civil rights groups and international agencies.

At the meeting of the committee, while representative of government of other countries defended themselves when called upon, Nigerian government was conspicuously absent.

Though Organised Labour, represented by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, as well as employers represented by Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, attended the meeting and made efforts to launder Nigeria’s image, the committee was unhappy that Nigerian government failed to attend, despite being invited to attend unfailingly.

However, solidarity from friendly labour leaders, employers across the globe and few representatives of African countries softened the committee from taking hard decisions on Nigeria.

Ayuba Wabba speaks

Speaking on the decision reached at the meeting, head of organised labour delegation in Nigeria, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said: “The decision is that child labour should be seen as a serious evil, especially on the issue of ILO convention 138 which is to protect the children

and ensure that they are allowed to go to school and not be on the street selling or working. ‘’Another decision is that the law should be strengthened, including the Child Right Act. The Act should be adopted, implemented and enforced.

Lastly, that the social partners should work together and ensure full domestication and

implementation of convention 138.”

NECA's D-G

On his part, Director General of NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, lamented that it was unfortunate that the committee on application indicted Nigeria for breaching the ILO convention on the worst form of child labour.

VISIT: From left: Ms Ivana Tsvetkova, CSR Project Manager; Ms Irene Quist Mortensen, Head, Corporate Responsibility, both of Arla Foods International; Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development; Mr Kasper Thormod Nielsen, Director, Trade Policy and Mr Flemming Larsen, Senior Agricultural Specialist, Arla International, during a visit to the Minister in Abuja, at the end of the field visit by Arla's team to local dairy farms in Nigeria.

MASS SACK: NECA faults planned picketing action was being emboldened by of banks by labour the ill-conceived recent

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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AGOS—NIGERIA Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, weekend, condemned plans by Organised Labour to picket banks that recently retrenched workers, arguing that such picketing if allowed, could endanger the stability of the banks.

The umbrella body of employers in the country, called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to rise to the security challenge of ensuring that Nigerians were not

prevented from access to their banks by the planned alleged illegal labour action.

Recall that the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, had issued the banks a picketing notice, which has already received the backing of several unions, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and civil society allies.

NECA in a statement by its Director General, Mr. Segun Oshinowo, claimed that labour’s

pronouncement and directive by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on retrenchment in the banking sector, which infringed on the rights and prerogatives of Employers in Nigeria.

NECA insisted that the labour law recognized the right of employer to determine the manning level for their operations, without approval from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, while respecting the provision of Section 20 of the Labour Act, where and if a labour union exists in the organisation.

May inflation to hit 14% —Experts  As NBS releases data this week

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By Peter Egwuatu

AGOS—FINANCIAL experts have predicted that May inflation might likely hit over 14 per cent as the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, prepares to release inflation figure for May 2016 this week.

The Economic Intelligence Group of Access Bank Plc in a report weekend projected that the headline inflation for May increased to 14.7 per cent from the 13.7 per cent level in April even as the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, FDC, also estimated a spike in year-on-year inflation to 14.5 per cent for May. Access Bank’s Economic Intelligence unit based the methodology they adopted in arriving at the projection on an autoregressive analysis of past prices, while recognising all the assumptions used by the NBS in its computation of monthly composite consumer price index, CCPI. The Intelligence Group expects upward momentum in headline inflation in May reflected increases in both food and core components of inflation, adding that with a 51.8 per cent weighting in the inflation basket, the food component has been responsible for a sizeable amount of overall price pressure.

It was specific that increases in the prices of cereals, fruit, meat, fish, dairy, tubers, tomatoes, and vegetables were expected to be the main culprits behind the anticipated CPI acceleration.

According to the report; “The review of petrol pump price is likely to have mounted further pressure on May inflation numbers, driven by the transport component and the electricity, gas and other fuels components, which together contribute 23.2 per cent to the CPI weighting.

“Continued weakness in the naira, following the announcement of the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector has also placed significant pressure on the inflation rate.

"This will have filtered into consumer prices as some firms may have sourced scarce foreign exchange from the parallel (black) market to import intermediate goods to maintain operations.”

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY JUNE 13 , 2016

Family wants Abiola declared winner of June 12 poll

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B E O K U TA—THE family of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, has called on the Federal Government to declare him the winner and pay presidential entitlements to his family.

The request was made yesterday by the head of the family, Alhaji Muritala Abiola, at the commemoration of the June 12, 1993 election.

The event, which was organised by the state government, started with a Democracy Walk from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta to the Oke Ido ancestral home of the Abiolas.

Muritala, who is the younger brother of the late business mogul, said he deserved the entitlement for dying for the enthronement of democracy in the country.

“First, we want the Federal Government to declare June 12 as Democracy Day. It should do even more than that.

“Ken Saro Wiwa died fighting over Ogoni oil spillage, the Federal Government is doing the cleaning up of the oil spillage in Ogoni land.

“MKO was killed because of an election he won. Maybe it is you journalists or the Nigerian government calling him the acclaimed winner.

“He is not acclaimed winner, they should confirm him as slain president of Nigeria.

“MKO should be declared president. Although slain, all the entitlements belong to the family,” he said.

Murtala, however, thanked the state government for keeping the memory of the late Abiola alive by staging a Democracy Walk for the past five years.

He appealed to the state government to return the school established by the late Abiola; Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele, Abeokuta to the family to administer.

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, in his

JUNE 12: Ambode, Kanu, Opadokun advocate restructuring Afenifere group wants results of June 12 election published

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, former military Administrator of the state, RearAdmiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd), and Convener of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, CODER, Ayo Opadokun, yesterday, unanimously, stressed the need for the restructuring of Nigeria and practice of true federalism.

They canvassed this position at a public forum held in Lagos to mark the 23rd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by late business mogul, Chief Moshood (MKO) Abiola, which was annulled by the military.

The event was organised by Office of Civic Engagement, themed; ‘Democracy and Inclusiveness: Basis for good governance,’ which had in attendance; Sen. Biyi Durojaiye, Mr. Jamiu Abiola, Abdul-Azeez Abiola, sons of Chief M.K.O Abiola and wife of the late philanthropist, Mrs. Olayinka Abiola, and others.

They lamented that the federalism currently practised in the country was far from the true federalism that could help address the nation’s challenges.

In his address, Ambode, represented by Secretary to State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, affirmed that the June 12th anniversary is a day the country must continue to remember because it is currently enjoying democratic rule.

Meantime, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, has called on the Federal Government to release the official results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was presumed to have been won by late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

In a press statement signed by its chairman, Mr Olawale Oshun, to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of June 12, ARG said President Muhammadu Buhari, was the beneficiary of a ballot revolution that mostly mirrored that of 1993, and he owes Nigerians the duty of declassifying the results, particularly now that 23 years have elapsed and the Official Secrets Act can no longer be

binding on the document.

It’s the 23rd anniversary of June 12 election. ARG, according to the statement, believes this will “reverse the stigma occasioned by the foolish act of cancelling that election, adjudged to be the most peaceful in the history of Nigeria.

“June 12 is no longer a struggle but now an obligation. The people have played their own part. It is now the obligation of the beneficiaries of that struggle to set

the country on a truly democratic path by deliberately replacing every stamp of military rule on Nigeria’s nationhood, including the imposed governance structure and constitution, through democratic rights and tenets.

There is no alternative way to deepen democracy in Nigeria,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described

the June 12, 1993 presidential election as the fountain from which the present democratic dispensation derived its source.

Obasa gave this assessment in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, on the 23rd anniversary of the election.

According to Obasa, perhaps without June 12 election and the struggle to actualise it, the country might still be under military dictatorship.

LECTURE: From left; Dr. Micheal Omolayole; National President, University of Ibadan Alumni Association, UIAA, Dr. Kemi Emina; Guest Lecturer and Obi of Onitsha, HRM Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe and Vice Chancellor UI, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka during the 3rd National Public Service Lecture with the theme: Change and The Nigerian Traditional Institution, organised by University of Ibadan Alumni Association on Friday. Photo by Dare Fasube.

Ekiti'll not co-fund school feeding programme — FAYOSE school feeding programme was conduct a proper study on the

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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D O - E K I T I — GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described as fraud, the request by the Federal Government that states should provide 40 per cent counterpart funding for the school feeding programme.

Fayose insisted that the School Feeding Programme of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government must be done without the proposed 40 per cent counterpart funding from the states, saying; “The Federal Government is already looking for excuses for the impending failure of the programme by asking states to contribute 40 per cent to the scheme.”

The governor, who said the

purely a contract between the APC-led Federal Government and Nigerians, asked; “Were the states consulted before the APC made the promise during the presidential campaign? How can you make a promise and win election on the basis of that promise and now expect states to help you to fulfil the promise?

That to me is fraud!”

Governor Fayose said in a statement issued yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka that Ekiti and other states in the country deserved to benefit from the programme without assisting the Federal Government with any 40 per cent counterpart funding.

The governor said the APC-led Federal Government should rather blame itself for failing to

practicability of the scheme.

He said; “Apart from the fact that Ekiti State lacked the financial wherewithal to provide counterpart fund for such a programme, it is the duty of President Muhammed Buhari and his APC that won election on the basis of their promise to give free meals to school pupils to fulfil the promise without placing any burden on other tiers of government.

“As for us in Ekiti, we are interested in the programme because Nigeria belongs to all of us. But we won’t contribute any counterpart fund because the programme is solely an electoral promise of the APC and we were never consulted before the promise was made. We don’t even have the capability to make any financial contribution.''

Nigeria's democracy rickety, adulterated, say Falana, Akinfeleye

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, Prof Ralph Akinfeleye of University of Lagos, among other prominent personalities, yesterday, called for a democratic restructuring of the polity for the country to move forward.

They spoke at the public lecture organized by Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, to mark the 23rd anniversary of the annulment of

June 12, presidential election.

Falana, who was the guest speaker at the event, described the present democratic dispensation as “rickety”, even as he faulted the appointment of sole administrators by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the 57 councils in the state.

According to him, “We have been experiencing series of restructuring in Nigeria since 1999 and all we have gotten is a rickety democracy.

“Restructuring of Nigeria should be

decided by Nigerians and not by charlatans. An there can not be restructuring without democratization and the Federal Government from Abuja should shelve power to the states for even development to take place.”

Akinfeleye, who spoke in the same vein with Falana, described Nigeria’s democracy as adulterated.

He therefore, charged the judiciary and Nigeria's media to take up the gauntlet in restoring Nigeria from the brink of total collapse.

Vanguard, MONDAY JUNE 13 , 2016 — 11

Ogun doctors begin strike today

By Daud Olatunji & Gabriel Olawale

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B E O K U TA — DOCTORS under the aegis of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ogun State chapter have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike from today.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference held at the secretariat of the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, the Chairman of the association, Dr. Oladunni Adetola, said the doctors would be on strike every Monday and Tuesday of every week, and this would continue indefinitely unless the state government acceded to their demands.

Meantime, to improve the quality of healthcare services in the state, Ogun State government has adopted the PAF SafeCare Standards as its state quality improvement standards.

The initiative is aimed at monitoring progress in quality of healthcare services enjoyed by the people as well as help both private and public health facilities to improve their service delivery.

UK firm powers 49,000 homes through solar energy

By Prince Okafor with Agency report

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N a bid to increase electricity supply in Nigeria. United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, UKAID, has provided solar energy to 49,000 homes within the Nation.

This initiative is an innovative programme that helps solar suppliers and financiers scale up and allow households to access this equipment on full commercial terms. It has also approved additional N4, 75 billion for the programme to help scale the market for solar home lighting and power in Nigeria through to 2020.

According to the group Communication Manager, Solar Nigeria, Genevieve Bosah, “these homes now enjoy bright light and reliable power at lower cost than kerosene and generators.

June 12 remains Democracy Day — AREGBESOLA

By Gbenga Olarinoye

Says May 29 is an off-shoot of June 12

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has described June 12, 1993 as the most suitable and proper day to mark democracy day in Nigeria.

Aregbesola, in his address marking the 23rd anniversary of June 12, said it was the date Nigerians freely expressed their choice on whom to be their leader and a day of unequivocal affirmation of the unity of the country by Nigerians across all divides.

He said Nigerians and lovers of democracy will remain committed to June 12 as a political watershed in the annals of the nation, saying May 29 only symbolises the day the military handed over the affairs of the country to a democraticallyelected government.

He said June 12, in 1993 was a day Nigerians united to vote the acclaimed winner of the presidential election, late MKO Abiola without recourse to religion, ethnicity or ideology.

He stated that the unity with which the multi-ethnic groups spoke and acted was what is being celebrated till today.

He however noted that since the annulment of that election 23 years ago, Nigerians waited another 16 years for a leader that would take them to the Promised Land until the emergence of President

ALL FOR JUNE 12: Lekan Abiola, son of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late MKO Abiola, speaking during the special prayer held at the Abiola Family house at Oja-Agbo, Abeokuta, while sitting from right, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunmbi; Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, Ogun State Deputy Governor; Chief Muritala Abiola, Head of the Abiola Family and others listen, yesterday. Photo by Wunmi Akinola.

Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

“We will never drop our commitment to June 12.

Nigerians, in their heterogeneity, on June 12, 1993, voted for Chief Abiola in a pattern that defied ethnicity, religion, ideology and locality,’’ he said.

Oyo declares public holiday

Meantime, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has declared today June 13, as public

holiday in commemoration of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election.

A statement by the Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to the Governor, Mr. Yomi Layinka, conveyed the governor’s decision, yesterday.

According to him; ‘’June 12 remains a watershed in the history of the country, because of the significance of the day in the nation’s democratic journey, having broken all

ethnic and religious barriers. ‘’The annulled election is yet to be matched in terms of freeness, fairness, transparency, openness and widespread acceptability. ‘’Much as the electoral umpire that midwifed subsequent elections had tried, the annulled election remains the best in terms of organization and no system adopted for the conduct of subsequent elections is yet to match Option A4 used to conduct the June 12 election.’’

Fayemi’s huge debt crippled Ekiti — FAYOSE As APC asks DMO to clarify Ekiti debt profile

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has blamed his inability to pay workers salaries on the huge debt inherited from the immediate past administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

According to Fayose, the N25 billion bonds from the Capital Market and another N31 billion commercial loans, by the Fayemi’s administration are responsible for the poor financial condition of the state and the challenges faced in the payment of workers’ salaries.

Fayose, who stated this while reacting to the no-shift-ground stance of the striking workers, said about N1.2 billion is being deducted monthly from the state’s allocation to service the loans which the Kayode Fayemi administration took in its four years in the saddle.

The governor said if the N1.2 billion being deducted is added to the state’s monthly allocations, his administration will not owe workers.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in AdoEkiti yesterday, Fayose took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress, APC, which he said had been encouraging the labour not to call off the strike action.

He said it was quite unfortunate that the Fayemi administration also

the governor had been giving inconsistent figures on different occasions that had cast doubts on the integrity of the state’s financial application.

On Fayose’s claim that the Fayemi administration borrowed another N31 billion commercial loan apart from the N25 billion bond, nothing could be farther from the truth.

Olatunbosun challenged him to provide evidence of this loan and what it was used for as records are there in the office of the APC asks DMO to clarify Ekiti Accountant General.

The truth of the matter debts profile Perturbed by the claim of the Governor, APC in Ekiti State has pleaded with the Debts Management Office (DMO) in the Federal Ministry of Finance to make another public clarification on the status of the state’s debts to put to rest inconsistent debt figures being presented by Governor Ayodele Fayose to the public to justify nonpayment of workers’ salaries and pensions after taking 20 months federal allocations and N9.6bn bailout cash.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party said this became imperative as diverted the N850 million meant for the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board and thereby leading to the suspension of the state from the Universal Basic Education Commission programmes since 2012.

Fayose said he was surprised that when Fayemi took the loans which now made payment of workers’ salaries difficult, the labour did not kick against the moves.

The governor said the strike had been politicised because of his criticism of the bad policies of the Federal Government and his fight against tyranny.

is that Fayose has resorted to blatant lies to cover up his many shady financial transactions and misapplication of state funds, Olatunbosun said.”

12 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—13

From left: All Progressives Congresss (APC) Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi From left: Rivers State deputy governor, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Gbajabiamila, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and wife of the governor, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Banigo, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister of Information, and Culture at the event.

Nyesom-Wike, at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, in Port Harcourt, weekend.

Olu Jacobs, wife, RMD honoured as Nigeria leads again at AMAA

By Benjamin Njoku ORT HARCOURT— DESPITE losing two of the major awards of the night, Best Movie of the Year and Best Director awards to Burkina Faso and Ghana, Nigeria's Nollywood, weekend, reaffirmed its solid place as Africa's biggest film industry at this year's African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA. The country carted away 10 of the 24 awards given out this year, beating South Africa, which won five awards while fast evolving Burkina Faso film industry also won four awards. Ghana came fourth, clinching three awards; Best Director award, won by Nana Obiri-Tenoah for his film, "The Cursed One," Best Cinematography and Best in Production Design in Africa.

The glamorous awards night held, weekend, at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The films that made the country proud at the awards night were Stephanie Linus-Okereke's advocacy film, " Dry" which won two awards, Rivers State Government award for Best Nigerian film and Zubaidat Ibrahim Fagge(Best Young/ Promising Actor award) for her role in "Dry", Best First Feature Film by a Director, which went to

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Greg Odutayo for his film, "Beyond Blood." Also, rising actor and model, Daniel Kanayo Daniel, who is best known for his portrayal of the heroic yet antagonistic Oviawe in the Amstel Malta Box office, won the award for Best Actor in a leading role for his performance in the movie, " Soldiers Story" while Mo Abu's 'Fifty' won the Best Achievement in Sound Track.

The categories won by South Africa were Best Actress award, which was won by Fulu Mugovhami for her role in "Ayanda", Best Actress in a supporting role (Thishiwe Ziqubu) for her role in , "Tell me Sweet Something."

The event, which many described as another great outing for Nollywood and indeed, the African continent, also honoured veteran actor, Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, Richard Mofe Damijo and star of the now rested New Masquerade, Tony Akposhore a.k.a Zakky, with AMAA Lifetime Achievement Awards for their immense contributions to the growth of the African film industry.

Speaking at the event, Governor Wike of Rivers State, who was accompanied to the awards by his wife and several

top government officials said his government decided to host this year's AMAA as a way of showcasing not only the tourism potentials of the state but also, to use the platform to tell the story of the state to the rest of the world.

The event was attended by movie stars, industry players, drawn from over 40 countries, government officials, socialites and the media. Among top government officials that graced

the occasion were the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammad, Femi Gbajabiamila, leader of the House of Representatives and the state government officials.

Also, celebrities in attendance were, Segun Arinze, Opa Williams, Juliet Ibrahim, Omoni Oboli, Saheed Balogun, Ifeoma Okeke among others. The night climaxed with the coming on stage of Limpopo crooner, Kcee and Harrysong who delivered an upbeat performance.

Ijaw leader hails Gbaramatu chiefs on peace

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By Tare Youdeowei

B A R A M AT U — A prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Beck Hitler, has appreciated all traditional chiefs of Gbaramatu for being united and contributing towards a sustainable peace in the kingdom considering the current challenges in the kingdom.

He commended out the Ibibenimowe (Chief Mobilizer) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, for his unrelenting efforts, commitments and manner he is handling the present challenges in the kingdom.

Hitler, yesterday in Warri, also

sympathised with Gbaramatu chiefs and others allegedly mishandled and brutalized during the invasion of Gbaramatu communities by the military.

Hitler appealed to the Federal Government to give more attention to addressing the hardship and sufferings of the people of Gbaramatu, adding that the kingdom was a major oil producer, yet the kingdom was seriously under developed.

He pointed that the people of Gbaramatu were peaceful and law abiding, and would continue to sustain the enabling environment for the desired development and adequate investments.

UFUK Dialogue wants end to violent of Peace and extensively on the origin of extremism Institute Conflict Resolution in

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BUJA—UFUK Dialogue, an international nongovernmental organisation based in Abuja has called for an end to violent extremism in Nigeria through love and tolerance.

This was the resolution reached at an international conference on Love and Tolerance organised by UFUK Dialogue in collaboration with the

Abuja.

The conference which had speakers such as Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, Dr Rachel Rudolph, an international expert on religious extremism and a host of other international speakers, stressed the need for tolerance.

Minster of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, who was among the panellist, spoke

the Boko Haram insurgency and how the lack of tolerance gave steam to the insurgents to continue to cause havoc and pitched Christians against Muslims through their activities and make it look like a religious crisis.

“Boko Haram insurgents tookadvantageofourimpatience and intolerance to cause havoc.

The Koran does not encourage killingandlikewisetheBible,”he stated.

CSOs slam foreign, local NGOs over C-River superhighway

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ALABAR—A frontline prodevelopment group, Coalition of Civil Society and Media Executives for Policy Stability, COCMEP, has described as neocolonialism and imperialistic, the ridiculous anti-people position being canvassed by an International Green Foundation, the Henrich Boll Stiftung, a foreign nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, NGO and its local collaborators against the 260 kilometre superhighway project being embarked upon by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State.

The coalition urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to disregard the position of Henrich Boll Stiftung and conclude the approval process of the Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, for the project.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, President of COCMEP, Mr Innocent Okadigbo said, “The argument that the project would distort conservation is weak, porous and illinformed because for every one tree affected, two trees would be planted and the state government has established the Green Police made up of 1,500 young Cross Riverians to protect the state’s rich and vast forest reserve.”

Okadigbo deplored the mischievous alarm by those he described as “selfseeking critics.”

14— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—15

Ekwueme, Adebanjo, Gana, Ezeife, others advocate regional govt

By Emeka Mamah

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NUGU—FORMER Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Prof. Jerry Gana, were among other eminent Nigerians, yesterday, in Enugu, who asked the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the 2015 National Conference to minimise crises in the country.

Others, who spoke in the same vein, included the former governors of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Mr. Peter Obi as well as the founder of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, Evangelist Elliot Uko, the National Chairperson of the Igbo Women Assembly, Chief Marie Okwo and the National Leader of the Niger Delta SelfDetermination Movement, NDSDM, Mrs. Annkio Briggs.

They spoke during the 17th Annual Convention of the IYM at Nike Lake Resort Hotel with the theme, 'Nigeria still in pursuit of true fiscal federalism.'

Adebanjo and Gana, who were given the 'Great National Icon' in recognition of their consistent contribution for national growth, said that the country should go back to the 1963 Constitution, which provided for independent regions annexed to the Federal Government at the centre. Others who were also given awards included Mrs. Briggs, and the detained Nnamdi Kanu, among others.

Briggs said that the country was so-lopsidedly run that the Federal Government, which should depend on taxes from the regions was giving the crumbs to the very regions which fed it fat.

She also lampooned the Federal Government for threatening to

destroy Gbaramatu community in the Niger Delta Region if the people of the area failed to produce Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. General Tompolo over alleged civil offence of contractual agreements while turning a deaf ear to those, who beheaded an Igbo woman in Kano for alleged blasphemy.

According to her, the Federal Government should ask both the governor and Emir of Kano to produce the killers of the Igbo woman in their domain instead of purportedly arresting suspects for the heinous offence.

“A governor blasphemed Jesus Christ in the north, but he is still serving in that office today.

Blasphemy is not part of our national law. How can the ruling

government say that it will work for 95 per cent of Nigerians, who voted for it with the resources from the five per cent that did not vote for it? We are asking for resource control.

“They are angry that the Avengers are blowing up oil pipelines while IPOB is demonstrating, but Boko Haram and herdsmen are killing people.

In their various speeches, both Adebanjo, Ekwueme, Marie Okwo, Prof Gana and Ezeife said that the last National Constitutional Conference recommended the creation of 18 more new states because of their belief that the country should run on six geographical structures based on equity and fairplay.

Ekwueme said it was wrong for

the old Kano State to have 72 local governments while Lagos which was the most populated had 24, adding that it was time to go back to regional government as bargained by our leaders before independence, pointing out that the six zonal structure took care of the big tribes and the minorities equally.

According to him, even the defunct regional governments had agents-general in London, to enable them attract foreign investors.

Peter Obi in his contribution debunked the notion that most of the existing 36 states were not viable to pay salaries, pointing out that the main reason why states cannot pay salaries was because the governors were living beyond

N

NEWI: FORMER Chairman, Police Service Commission, PSC, Chief Simon Okeke, yesterday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to find the level of involvement of soldiers on the alleged shooting of members of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and other Biafra agitators.

He said the shooting of Igbo youths under any guise and without any provocation by security agents had become very unacceptable and must stop because it is not acceptable in any civilized society that people, who were protesting over an issue should be shot dead extra- judicially, and

By Ediri Ejoh

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ANAGEMENT OF

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, weekend said it has concluded plans to deploy additional 200,000 smart meters to its customers across all business networks in the South East region.

This according to the company, is in response to overwhelming customers’ demand for pre-payment meters and the regulatory mandates by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC. In a statement made available to Vanguard, yesterday, Head, Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the massive metering programme is in fulfilment of its commitment to meter all its customers.

The company stated that “to this effect, EEDC has awarded contracts to three companies, which are: Mojec International Limited, MBH Power and Genus Power Infrastructure Limited.”

Every state in Nigeria can pay salaries —Obi AWARD: The former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi( right), receiving from Dr. Alex Ekwueme (left), the Igbo Youth Movement 'Best Governor Ever' award, at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, yesterday.

Biafra Day killings: Ex-PSC boss calls for judicial commission of inquiry

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Metering: EEDC to meter 200,000 customers

somebody would be talking about extant Rule of Engagement, ROE. Addressing newsmen yesterday in his Akathar Lodge, Amichi, Chief Okeke expressed shock over what he called criminal silence of Igbo elders on the incident of May 30, 2016 in Nkpor and other parts of Onitsha.

He said it was the second time Biafra agitators were allegedly killed in Anambra state and the Igbo elders were keeping quiet, while some who called themselves South East Group for Change, went to Abuja the next day as if nothing happened, to have hand-shake with the President, without mentioning anything about the killings or registering their displeasure.

“I was in New York when I heard about the killing and I was so angry that I had to call the

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igarewey to ask him what they had done and I was happy with his answer on that incident, including the action they took over the beheading of the Igbo woman in Kano State and the other one in Niger State.

“But I was shocked that a day after the shooting in Anambra State, an elder statesman of Igbo extraction led a group called South East Group for Change to meet with the President and was dumb on the killing,” he said.

Chief Okeke said that there was no war going on in the South East and South South states, just as the IPOB and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, were not violent groups and do not carry arms.

“In the civilized world, the

military does not come out to check the activities of people protesting. It is the police that is responsible for that. They use water cannons to ensure that there is no break-down of law and order and not deploying the armed forces to open fire on innocent people who are protesting, forgetting that in some cases, some non-members show solidarity to the protesting group and in the process, members and non-members may be killed,” he said.

He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mr. Nnamdi Kanu in order to stop further killings of Igbo youths, because the continued detention of the IPOB leader and Director of Radio Biafra had paved way for the soldiers to shoot protesting people in the South East and give flimsy reasons for their action.

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HE FORMER governor of Anambra State has disagreed with the notion that said Nigerian states are incapable of paying salaries, insisting that with prudence and prioritizing, state could pay salaries and engage in other developmental activities.

Obi was speaking yesterday at the 17th Annual Convention of the Igbo Youth Movement at the Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu.

Obi, who bagged the 'Best Governor Ever,' award said that those in government spent a lot of money on things that were not necessary, while running out of money for projects that would enrich the people.

Using himself as an example, Obi said that when he was the governor, that he did not keep guest houses, charter planes, travel with more people than necessary, fly Business Class or use bullet proof vehicles, among others.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 WE are delighted to throw our full weight behind the campaign for our federal, state and local governments to adopt concrete/ cement for the construction of roads throughout Nigeria as opposed to the current emphasis on asphalt/bitumen.

The Dangote Group has recently been at the forefront of this campaign, with one of its Directors, Mr Devakumar Edwin, making several media rounds sensitising the nation on the need to make this technological switchover, especially at this period of dire economic distress when we need to conser ve scarce funds. They demonstrated what they preached by constructing a 24-kilometre road from their factory in Ibeshe to Itori, Ogun State, free of charge and in record time.

A cursory glance at the checklist of advantages of concrete over asphalt leaves one wondering why the hordes of top engineers employed in the various federal and state ministries of works have not thought of championing this

A vote for concrete over asphalt for our highways hugely more durable and costsaving innovation before now.

For instance, concrete roads last between 30 and 40 years compared to asphalt roads which require major resurfacing within the first ten to fifteen years. Concrete roads are also cheaper and faster to construct.

According to America’s Federal Highway Administration Advisory, it takes five times more diesel to construct a kilometre of asphalt roads than concrete ones.

Devakumar disclosed that a German-built construction machine has proved capable of constructing one and half

kilometres of roads per day using concrete technology.

Asphalted roads soon develop potholes, which is not the case with concrete ones. It has been proved that motorists who use concrete roads spend far less on fuel, tyres and general maintenance costs.

Concrete roads are also environmentally-friendly, as damaged concrete roads can be uprooted and recycled for further road construction unlike bitumensurfaced roads. Also, asphalted roads, because they are dark, absorb more heat from the sun.

They not only require more fuel to operate the cooling systems in

vehicles plying on them but also predispose weaker tyres more to bursting at top speeds. Concrete is, therefore, safer for motorists.

Fortunately, Nigeria has now become a net exporter of cement, the main raw material for concrete construction, which means there is no limit to job and wealth creation if we adopt concrete for road construction as a state policy. We would be looking inward and saving foreign exchange.

The Lagos State Government has already switched to concrete in reconstructing the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) lanes, as most developed countries in America, Europe and Asia have long ago done.

We call on governments to look into this advocacy for a shift to better, faster, cleaner, cheaper, easier-to -maintain, more environmentally-friendly and abundant resource as a strategic means of closing the infrastructure gap in our economy.

OPINION Between Buhari and Fulani herdsmen

By Godwin Etakibuebu

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari broadcast to the nation on May 29th 2016; a day dedicated to the celebration of democracy in Nigeria, once again brought to the front burner the question of where Mr President’s loyalty lies between the Nigerian Nation and the dreaded Fulani Herdsmen terrorising the whole country.

On the day, Mr President spoke to Nigerians, ditto the whole world; as the broadcast live to the whole globe through satellite , about the challenges facing his one-year administration and how he was tackling them. He brought Nigerians up to date on the war against Boko Haram. He touched on the new threats to our economic survival by the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta and told us how his government would deal with the Niger Delta Avengers. But surprisingly the President was silent about the most notorious Fulani Herdsmen’s activities, in a broadcast that went for almost an hour. Yet, the criminality of these Herdsmen is most likely to wipe the name of Nigeria out of the world map in the not-toodistant future if care is not taken.

Many people around the world who listened to that broadcast would not understand why Mr. President would chose to keep silent at a time of tyranny of the Fulani Herdsmen.

Questions and more questions would arise from the president’s action. Is he afraid of the Fulani Herdsmen? Is he deliberately

refusing to speak against their nefarious activities because of tribal affiliation? Is his silence his own way of encouraging the domination of the Fulani oligarchy to subdue the whole country? Or is this the quickest means of taking Islamic religion across the Sahara desert of the North to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean of the South? Even above all, the most famous question is who are these Fulani Herdsmen?

Permit me to submit that these are not the Fulani Herdsmen who have been around with us in this country for the past one

Where is Mr.President’s loyalty hundred years. I grew up in my village with good knowledge of those sweet and friendly Fulani men with their sticks over their shoulders and enjoying the hospitalities of their host communities. They never carried any Dane gun, which every local hunter of those days possessed. They had with them only daggers, bow and arrows. No cutlasses and no swords.

They were at peace with every one and everyone was at peace with them. But today, the story is different as this new generation of Fulani Herdsmen are expert in both the usage and functionality of AK 47; a very sophisticated military weapon that is most deployed in every modern war because of its light flexibility, accuracy and rapidity in operation. This is what they carry about these days. Where did they get it from and

who trained them to so efficient in its usage?

Again, who are these Fulani Herdsmen whom Mr. President would rather not talk about? The Chief of Army Staff, Lt- General Tukur Buratai, in a recent statement, disclosed that “these heavily armed ‘herdsmen’ had links with the world’s most murderous terror group; Boko Haram”.

Here is the genuine unmasking of the Herdsmen by a most high ranking military officer who has helped in no small measures in dealing terribly with the Boko Haram insurgency. Officially and militarily he ought to be in the know of what Boko Haram and its affiliate are.

By this revelation, Fulani Herdsmen are more dangerous than the newly resurrected militants of the Niger Delta, far more dangerous that the IPOB of the South/East.

Any affiliate of Boko Haram shall always remain the greatest threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria than any other entity – corruption inclusive. The reason being that in the recent past, Boko Haram has been classified as the number one bloodiest [this was March last year as it has dropped to number four position by March this year] of all the five most dangerous terrorist groups in the world. Others after Boko Haram are the Islamic State (ISIS), the Al Qaeda, the Taliban and Al Shabaab. In one word, Fulani Herdsmen is that ruthless and deadly branch of Boko Haram the same way the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force is to the Islamic State [or ISIS].

Why is the President not confronting this group if he knows that it is as deadly as analysed above? The answer could be found

in one or two reasons. One, a few days ago, the Governor of Ekiti State; Ayo Fayose, revealed that Major General Muhammadu Buhari “led delegation of Cattle Owners Association of Nigeria to Ibadan in Oyo State, sometimes in the year 2000 to demand for explanation for the killing of herdsman in that State”. Major General Buhari did this, according to the Governor, “in his capacity as Grand Patron of the Cattle Owners Association then”. If that allegation can be proved that the President went on that errand [he was a private citizen then anyway], then one would really be very curious when the same man; now as President of the country, will not say a word when the same Herdsmen he represented at a time are now killing, maiming, raping and even kidnapping innocent people all over Nigeria.

Let us not forget in hurry that Mr. President, while being sworn-in on 29th May, 2015, disclosed his resolve to tackle “cattle rustlers” without mentioning the “Herdsmen”. Going through that speech again raises one naughty question. Was it deliberate that the President mentioned “cattle rustlers” as against “cattle [Fulani] herdsmen”. Rustlers are thieves or armed robbers whose speciality is stealing cows. Mr. President knows the difference between the two. Yet, he chose, in that speech, to tackle the cow thief instead of the murderous herdsman.

Where is Mr.President’s loyalty – to his kinsmen; the Fulani Herdsmen, or to Nigerians?

•Mr.Etakibuebu, a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos.

JUNE 13, 2016

Banks shut doors on BDCs, politically-exposed persons

By OMOH GABRIEL, Business Editor

I

ndications emerged weekend that banks have started to close the accounts of suspect Bureaux de Change (BDCs) and some politically exposed persons to avoid Economic and Financial Crime Commission's (EFCC) raid on them. Top bankers said that in some of the banks, both registered and unregistered Bureaux de Change are facing the risk of having their accounts closed by banks.

Financial Vanguard learnt that banks' internal investigations have

shown that funds being traced by the EFCC is after, have either passed into the system through BDCs or through politically exposed persons. It was learnt that banks' managements are cleansing their operations to rid their system of unwanted funds.

Investigation also revealed that bankers who have in one form or the other compromised the “Know Your Customer ” (KYC) policy of banks, have been silently relieved of their duties.

Some of the sacked staff in recent times, for which the government has asked banks to halt further

retrenchment, are among those found to have compromised the KYC policy of the banks. In one of the banks last week, a senior manager was sacked for foreign exchange deals that was detected to be connected to money laundering.

Bankers also said that banks are now very sensitive to sources of funds.

In one of the top banks, it was gathered that every fund transfer received by banks now are being carefully scrutinised and those found suspicious are rejected and returned to senders.

A marketing staff of one of the banks

VISIT: Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi; Acting Managing Director, Bank of Industry( BoI), Waheed Olagunju, and Executive Director,Corporate Services, BoI, Mr. Tobin Jonathan during the Governors visit to the bank's head office, in Abuja last Friday.

C M Y K

said: “It is no longer about getting funds but what kind of fund it is.

Marketers' worry now is how to identify clean funds that will not land them in trouble”.

It was learnt that most of the funds laundered by politicians were mostly through BDCs. It would be recalled that the recent discovery of N12 billion in the bank accounts of two directors in the federal civil service, allegedly diverted from pension funds, prompted the EFCC to raid some banks. The commission was searching to fish out top bank officials who aided corrupt government officials to launder funds stolen from the public purse.

It was gathered then that the seven banks involved in the practice, whose names were not disclosed, were on top of the commission’s list of notorious banks whose top managers were already under the radar of the anti-graft agency.

A senior EFCC source had told Financial Vanguard that “the inquiry into the banking sector was connected with the recent discovery of the looting of pension funds by two senior officials of the federal civil service.” The source added: “The Pension Fund scam which saw the diversion of over N12 billion every year by some handlers of the scheme was an inter-bank arrangement where the affected top managers working in a syndicate filtered the money with the connivance of the government officials who have been talking with EFCC officials since the investigation took shape.

“No financial crime can take place without the support of the banks. Most of the banks in one way or the other are involved in such acts, but seven banks are fully involved and their managers are in the know.”

In the last three or four weeks, operatives of the EFCC have raided several banks. The operatives have Continues on page 18

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Cover

How to overcome challenges and obstacles as an entrepreneur

PRESS CONFERENCE - From left: Professor Pat Utomi, Member, Board of Trustee, Zik Leadership Award; Mr Emeka Obasi, Secretary and Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor, GM, Business Hallmark Newspaper at a press conference addressed by Prof Pat Utomi to announce recipients of 2015 Zik Leadership Award held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele.

Banks shut doors on BDCs, politicallyexposed persons Continued from page 17 raided Access Bank, Sterling Bank and interrogated their managing directors, quizzed an executive director in First Bank and arrested the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank.

The visit of the anti-graft agency is connected to ongoing investigations into alleged bribery of election officials ahead of the 2015 presidential elections, to the tune of N2.3 billion.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has justified the raids being carried out on some banks by the EFCC. Deputy Governor of the apex bank, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, said in Kaduna that the EFCC has the right to investigate any organisation or persons suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities.

He said such raids were justified as long as there were sufficient reasons to believe that the affected banks were engaging in questionable dealings. The EFCC recently raided the head office of Sterling Bank in Lagos, allegedly in search of documents relating to certain questionable transactions involving the defunct Equitorial Trust Bank (ETB) which it acquired some years back.

If banks carry through their ongoing internal reforms on funds transfer and deposit, it may become very difficult for politicians to use banking service to launder funds.

Former CBN Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had said that corruption in the build-up to

Nigeria’s 2015 election was partly responsible for the increase in the number of bureaux de change in the country. He added that it is “absolutely wrong” for bureaux de change to buy hundreds of millions of dollars without accountability.

“We have seen evidence of huge demand for dollars by bureaux de change, huge purchases of cash that are not accounted for and that signals

money laundering and we’ve got to deal with it.

“It is a small class of people that has access to huge rents, and that rent has been dollarised,” he said. Sanusi added that the bank had been monitoring portfolio outflows and imports and found that neither could explain the surge in dollar demand.

Politicians in Nigeria often spend heavily on patronage to secure seats or pay off rivals, with at least some of this money acquired through corruption or links to crimes such as oil theft or kidnapping.

Miners reject increment in cadastral charges …MCO says upward review will boost mining sector

By GABRIEL EWEPU

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iners Association of Nigeria, MAN, has rejected the recent increment in cadastral charges effected by the Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, and called for downward review.

This was stated by the National President, MAN, Sani Shehu, in Abuja, at a media briefing on mining development in Nigeria.

Sani said the association demanded the downward review due to various challenges faced by miners in the sector, and to ensure that the diversification of the economy will be successful.

He said: “The Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, is also a product of the mining reform project in the sector. It is set up to administer mining titles in accordance with the international best practice and guided by first – come, first-

serve principle.

“Perhaps MCO is the most critical agency of government in terms of lawful mining practice and being the closest agency to the operator. It is in this regard that, we first of all, appeal to the ministry to decentralize the agency as provided for, in the Minerals and Mining Act, 2000 “The MCO has an outstanding culture of occasional consultation and information dissemination with the Miners Association of Nigeria, MAN, especially on issues that border on policy review. Hence the Association was consulted before the determination of minimum working capital. We commend the MCO for limiting the issuance of Small Scale Mining Lease to Indigenous operators. This is what is obtained in Ghana, Mali, Central Africa, Mongolia and many emerging mining jurisdictions."

OVERCOME Obstacles the day you make up your mind to start a business, that’s the day your name will be written in the ‘’book of world changers”.

Being an entrepreneur isn’t as easy as some people think. If it was, we would have a high number of job opportunities.

If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner reading this content, congratulations!

You’re indeed a blessing to the world.

Without mincing words, here are 8 ways to overcome obstacles and limitations as an entrepreneur.

Move with positive thinkers If you’re surrounded with positive minded people, you’ll focus more on achieving your dreams even when the going seems tough. If you move with negative minded people, your mind would be corrupted, and soon enough you’ll lose zeal and focus.

Ignore” no” Sayers and build a network of positive minded people. Don’t make ‘’anyhow” friends, build relationships with people that share the same goal and vision.

Go back to your roots It’s easy to lose focus and start doubting your mission as an entrepreneur. Anytime you feel like you’re discouraged, don’t give in. Go back to your roots and re-think (or re- analyse) on why you started the business at the first place.

Write down your goals and put them on the wall (a visible area), and meditate on it.

Soon enough, you’d be energized and more determined to face any obstacle.

Don’t give up, keep trying Do you think we would have been able to have all the nice and beautiful things we have today if people like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs had given up their businesses?

Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page started from a University dormitory but today, they control the biggest firms in the world. I know it’s not easy to be an entrepreneur but, you must understand that it is not where you are that matters, but where you’re going.

Keep trying even when the going seems tough. Never give up!

Be persistent,

Keep trying and with time, you’d experience that breakthrough you’ve always wanted.

Change your thoughts– meditate on the right things Thoughts are pictures or images of the mind with constructive or destructive meaning. They are machines of the mind that can either grow or destroy your business. Your thoughts determine whether you’re gone far in business or not.

If you desire to become a worldcelebrated entrepreneur, change your thoughts!

Re-frame your thoughts by moving with positive thinkers, reading inspirational and motivational books, listening to inspirational messages, and meditating on the right materials.

Change your thoughts and become a successful entrepreneur.

Change your Perception Towards Challenges Challenges are your best business partners so, don’t see challenges as a personal affront; see it as a stepping stone to your promotion.

Don’t Overwork Yourself– Outsource As an entrepreneur, you like doing everything 24/7. Not only are you doing what you love, you’re also working on projects you’re not good at. If you’re someone like this, my advice to you today is to outsource the areas you’re weak at to save your time.

This may sound absurd but it’s the truth, you’ll be more productive if you outsource your weaknesses (the things you’re not good at).

Make Tenacity your Friend ‘’Where there’s a will, there’s a way”…

My top tip for overcoming limitations as an entrepreneur is to believe in YOU. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one will!

Believe that there’s nothing you can’t achieve.

Stand up tall and say, “I believe in the possibility of a bright future”.

The universe does not support small dreams; make your dream big so that the universe would be part of it

Think BIG! The universe does not support small dreams. Make your dream big so that the universe would be part of it.

For more on this, get my books: Success in your business, How to Identify and fund your business. Note: Peter Osalor is always available for public speaking.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 19

We reproduce this article that was first published in March last year.

We warned the nation of the tough times ahead in the foreign exchange market, banks sacking workers and the economy at large. In view of what is happening in the economy and readers' demand, we re-publish this article as a reminder.

T

he 2015 election will certainly come and go but the after effect may linger for a long time. Whether it is PDP or APC that eventually wins the presidential election, the party that will come to power post-election had better get prepared for the handling of the economy. As it stands, the nation is on a financial cliff that can fall off any time except a miracle happens. The one commodity that provides life support for the economy has seen its price at the international market fallen to as low as $58 per barrel.

The International Energy Agency has predicted that crude oil prices may fall to as low as $20 per barrel. Oil prices might have stabilised only temporarily because the global oil glut is worsening and U.S production shows no sign of slowing, the United States may soon run out of spare capacity to store crude, which would put additional downward pressure on prices. That process would last at least until the second half of 2015, when growth in U.S oil production is expected to start abating.

Combined with an increase in global demand, the expected U.S production slowdown would give some support to oil prices and respite to oil producers’ group, OPEC. On the face of it, the oil price appears to be stabilizing.

Behind the façade of stability, the rebalancing triggered by the price collapse has yet to run its course, and it might be overly optimistic to expect it to proceed smoothly.

If that happens, the incoming government will have a Herculean task to run the country effectively. Many states will not be able to pay their

Tough times ahead in post 2015 elections bills, same with the Federal Government. As it is now, money that would have been judiciously used is being frittered away in foreign currency in the name of election.

Right now, politicians have invaded the foreign exchange market to buy up the available dollar to pay the electorate for votes. Indications are that the pressure on the naira now is as a result of political activities in the country. Post-election, the naira may see some level of stability at N197 to the dollar.

The usual use of dollar in political campaign has led to further depletion of the nation’s foreign reserves as money is carried around in sacks to people whom the politicians believe have some influence over a certain section of the populace and their presidential voting choice. As a result of the mopping up of the dollar from the system for non-productive use, a less than 3 per cent differential between the bank naira-dollar rate and the black market rate after the November 2014 devaluation is now about 13 per cent in less than five months. This is not in the best interest of the economy and after the election, if prices of crude continue its southward journey, things will become worse as fewer dollars will be available at the foreign exchange market.

This will give rise to hyper inflation which is already rising and will continue to rise. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last week released the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

report for February 2015 saying that prices of goods and services rose slightly by 20 basis points, which is about 0.2 per cent. It said that rise in prices headline inflation — measured Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) was estimated at 8.4 per cent, 20bps higher than 8.2per cent reported in January 2015.

This is largely in line with analysts' expectations, as they anticipated the inflationary pressure to intensify in February due to the weakness of the domestic currency over the past

More companies will close or reduce operations due to stifling business environment wreaking havoc on their businesses: higher power prices, naira devaluation, less power from the national grid which means more expenses incurred to run generators and insecurity

six months. This had a knockon impact on prices of both imported food and non-food items. This was attributable to the faster movement in the prices of imported food items, as reflected in the faster pace of growth in the Imported Food Index in February to 8.8 per cent - a 12-month high.

After the election, whichever party comes into power, Nigerians should expect a rough time going forward.

There is no doubt that with dwindling oil prices, Jonathan or Buhari will have no option than to remove fuel subsidy completely. It will not be a matter of choice, it will be a matter of survival for the government to continue to meet its internal financial obligations. The first shot at raising revenue will be subsidy removal. Nigerians should not be deceived. This will certainly come into play early in the life of the new administration. None of the political parties has made it an electoral issue and Nigerians have not asked either Jonathan or Buhari what they intend to do with subsidy on petrol.

Subsidy on petrol will likely be fully removed after the election.

The Nigerian banking sector will feel the heat as they are likely to lay off employees after the election is successfully concluded. Many companies may not be able to service their facilities and non-performing loans may mount. Banks may be tempted to stop giving out loans due to high cost of funds.

In a bid to tighten monetary

policy after the election, the CBN may demand to sterilise public funds in the banking system or demand that all public sector funds be placed directly with it. The private sector deposit in banks may see some increase in the amount the CBN will withdraw from banks. The banks will be under extreme pressure to perform post-election 2015.

The Federal Government under pressure to raise money may after the election allow the naira to further depreciate to raise more money for government as crude oil prices probably falls below $53 which is the 2015 budget benchmark.

More manufacturing companies will close or reduce operations due to stifling business environment wreaking havoc on their businesses: higher power prices, naira devaluation, less power from the national grid which means more expenses incurred to run generators and insecurity.

Like one analyst said: “When a party not in power is trying to win power, you can only rely on their promises and the character of the presidential candidate of that party to determine how well you should trust their word.

For the party already in power, you need to assess what they have done over their first four years in office against what they said they would do. It is a choice between what a party says they will do and your perception of the character of their presidential candidate and what the other party has visibly done in the four years they held power and not what they intend to do in the second term when they can no longer be held accountable for their dos and don'ts.

Business & Economy

$200bn W/Afrian market in need of capacity building — Jadesimi

By GODWIN ORITSE

A

S world business leaders gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark to rub minds on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Managing Director of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics base (LADOL), Dr. Amy Jadesimi, has called for sustained capacity building by investors.

This, according to her, is in order to adequately service a $200 billion growth market opportunities in West Africa.

The event organised by Global Green Growth Forum (3GF) which took place in Copenhagen, Demark , also saw others speak on how to achieve greener global transformation.

Jadesimi who was one of the two prominent Nigerians at the event, focused on the need to proliferate a new social contract.

She said: “International banks and investors need to re-define bank ability to enable them to participate in the highly lucrative opportunities for investment around the world.”

This, according to her, “will also help to sustainably and more rapidly achieve the Sustainable Development Goals” for Nigeria and West Africa in which she put the largely untapped growth market potentials at $ 200 billion. She said her organisation has since keyed into the goals mantra hence it is poised to creating no less than 50,000

jobs in the nearest future through her private investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Jadesimi also featured in a press conference with the Danish Foreign Minister, Kristian Jensen, where she was specifically asked to discuss her role on the Global Commission of Sustainable Development, with reference to how LADOL has so far fared as a prime example of a new economy sustainable company.

In her intervention, she revealed that: “SDGs have been part of LADOL’s DNA for a decade, our success comes from the fact that we private invested in building capacity to service a clearly defined and drastically underserved US$ 200 billion

market in West Africa.

“SME’s (Small and Medium Enterprises) and other companies in high growth markets need to do their part to attract investment by being FCPA compliant and better quantifying the private sector opportunities they have identified.

“Respecting and empowering local communities and civil societies is one of the first things investors should do to identify and tap into these opportunities – even the poorest people in the world will invest in healthcare and education given the option.

In many cases, they are paying for these things already. The role of government and NGO’s is to facilitate and define opportunities, the role of private

sector is to execute and sustain.

“Over the last ten years, LADOL was developed in line with the SDGs, even before their existence, we proved that private sector can derive significant profits while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by pursuing opportunities in growth markets like Nigeria and West Africa,” she added.

Other panelists who featured at the session were,Prime Minister of Denmark, Lars Lokke Rasmussen; Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam, Mr. Tran Hong Ha and the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella, among others.

20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 21

E-Commerce Stories By NWOKPOKU

JONAH

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preliminary research report from an ongoing study on Digital Financial Services, DFS, in Nigeria being undertaken by the Lagos Business School’s Sustainable DFS project has revealed that adoption of DFS in Nigeria remains critically low among the under-banked and the unbanked population.

Presenting the research feedback report during a Business Leaders Dialogue meeting held at Lagos Business School last week, a member of theresearch team, Mr. Ikechukwu Kelikume said the research identified the inhibitors of reaching the under-baked and the unbanked to include: Lack of awareness, unemployment, complexity of financial products and services, access to finance and the proximity to financial service providers.

He also noted that the research also showed that cost of financial services such as bank charges constitute a sigbnificanthindrance to financial inclusion, adding that the unbanked and the under-banked have zero utility adoption of digital financial services.

Explaining the demographics captured in the research process, Kelikume said that the research showed that most of the under-banked and unbanked population are

‘Why adoption of digital financial services remains low in Nigeria’ found in the South West, North Central and North West geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The research showed the demographics as mostly female, both employed and unemployed, married and above 35 years of age. The group also had primary and secondary education and all live within the rural areas.

The research feedback which focused on the research analysis of the Nigerian customer, also noted that adoption of mobile money, a very relevant tool in driving financial inclusion and digital financial services, has remained very low despite

Nigeria boasting the highest number of mobile money operators in Africa.

This is as the research showed that Nigeria still maintains the smallest number of active mobile money accounts compared to other countries in the continent with significantly marginal mobile money operators.

The research showed countries in emerging markets, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe Democratic Republic of Congo and Philippines beating Nigeria in active mobile money

accounts despite having fewer mobile money operators.

The research therefore recommended targeted awareness campaign focusing on gender, youths and on separate regions of the country, as an antidote to the apathy in digital financial services adoption in the country. It also recommended creating products that are mobile ready, SMS capable with multilingual capabilities, including affordable and low value transactions.

It also noted that DFS operators require proper business models to harness the immense opportunities in

Infinix to roll out wearable technology, emerges best mobile brand

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igeria’s smartphone maker, Infinix Mobility, has said it will, later this year, begin a roll out of wearable technology, the X-band smart watch.

Marketing Communications Manager, Infinix Nigeria, Olamide Amosu disclosed this in Lagos at the Beacon of ICT award, where the device maker emerged the best mobile phone brand in Nigeria, beating other contenders in the same category, such as Samsung, Lumia, Huawei, etc.

According to her, “This year, Infinix will launch more smartphones alongside introducing its wearable technology category with Xband smart watch, which will soon be available for purchase for all customers in Nigeria.”

Speaking on the award, Regional Manager for Infinix, Bruno Li Said, “This is a historic moment for us with all the efforts we have put into growing our brand in Nigeria. I can assure Nigerians that Infinix is here

to stay with the aim to provide the best smartphone experience.”

Presenting the award to Infinix, the Deputy Editor-inChief, Nigeria Communications Week, the organisers of the award, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi said Infinix was at the forefront of the market with their smartphone ranges and “we are happy to recognize the effort they have put into promoting the mobile phone industry in Nigeria.”

the digital financial space.

Earlier in a presentation, Executive Director and CoFounder, Digital Frontiers Institute, Dr. Ignacio Mas while speaking on the global view point of DFS, said digital financial service solutions are still lacking the required traction because they are only useful if there is scale. But to achieve scale, he said, they need to be interoperable and relevant.

According to him, a DFS solution like mobile money should be seen as a money management tool to be deployed in helping people manage their money in order to make payments consistently, instead of serving simply as a channel for intermittent transactions.

Deliberating on the supplier view of the customer, Dr. Olayinka David-West who is the Academic Director and Project Lead, Lagos Business School said banks need to adjust their business models to accommodate trends that will lead to growth in the DFS space.

Participants at the Business Leaders Dialogue session who included operators in the financial services sectors and mobile money operators advocated collaboration among players, leveraging economies of scale by reducing cost of transactions to drive increase in volume of transactions and the need to standardise transaction tools, to boost DFS adoption in the country.

Aviation

NAMA, NAF to collaborate on safety of airspace Stories By LAWANI MIKAIRU

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HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, and the Nigerian Air Force ,NAF, are collaborating to make Nigeria airspace safer. The two institutions are deliberating in the areas of security of navigational infrastructure, calibration of navigational aids, training of personnel and exchange programmes.

Speaking when he led a highpowered delegation on a courtesy visit to NAMA headquarters in Lagos, the Director of Air Traffic Management Services, Nigerian Air Force, AVM. C. T. Gudi said that as a dependable ally, NAMA has always collaborated with NAF in critical areas like strategic airspace surveillance, air traffic control, airspace security and training of Air Force personnel.

AVM. Gudi added that the professional and technical expertise provided by NAMA in Air Force operations and training remained invaluable, stressing that their visit was therefore “to deepen this existing cordial relationship and operational synergy especially given the numerous benefits accruing to the nation in terms of safety and C M Y K

security of the airspace.”

He specifically appreciated NAMA for providing on-the-job training for Air Force personnel who graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, and also appealed to the agency to

always consider the Air Force while planning for ad hoc trainings and seminars on Performance Based Navigation (PBN) and other such programmes which fall in between the major courses at NCAT, Zaria.

According to him, “the aviation world is very sophisticated and dynamic and is all about who has superior training. Given that NAMA is more acquainted with ICAO calendar and programmes, it has become imperative that the

Dana: AIB to release final crash report after harmonisation of suggestions

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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ccident Investigation Bureau , AIB, has said the final report on investigations into the crash of Dana Airlines MD 83 aircraft with registration 5N-RAM, which occurred at IjuIshaga area of Lagos State, on 3rd June, 2012 will be released after the harmonisation of suggestions and comments of aviation stakeholders.

According to the press statement issued by the Bureau’s spokesman, Mr Tunji Oketunbi, the Interim Statement marking the fourth anniversary of the unfortunate incident is already on the Bureau’s website (aib.gov.ng). Giving an update on the investigation into the accident, which claimed 153 lives, Oketunbi said that the final reports of the investigation will

be released to the public very soon. He added that the draft Final Report was sent to relevant stakeholders for comments and suggestions as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 13 chapter 6.3. “Efforts at resolving and harmonising the issues raised by the stakeholders’ comments and suggestions have however delayed the release of the report”, he said.

The Bureau, in the interim statement stated: "The issues raised by the Stakeholders, which required further scientific testing have almost completely been addressed and the Final Report will be made public very soon.”

Recall that on the 3rd of June, 2012, at about 15:45hours, a Boeing MD 83 aircraft, 5N- RAM operated by Dana Airlines on scheduled domestic flight crashed

into Iju-Ishaga, a densely populated area on the outskirts of Lagos, following a loss of power on both engines while on Approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigerian Air Force be carried along in some of these trainings so that we can all be speaking the same language.” In his remarks, the Ag. Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Emma Anasi said that the complimentary role played by NAMA and NAF in ensuring safety and security of the airspace requires that a coordinated and harmonious civil/military collaboration has to be sustained and improved upon. While appreciating NAF for providing security around navigational facilities across the nation’s airports, Anasi called for uniformity of Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure between the two organisations.

VISIT: From left, Deputy Director, Air Traffic Services, Gp. Capt. S. Peter, Commander, Nigerian Air Defence Corps, GP. Capt. M. N. Onyebashi, Ag. NAMA MD, Engr. Emma Anasi, Director, Air Traffic Management Services, AVM. Christopher Gudi and Military Airport Commandant, MMIA, Wg. Cdr. I. E. Imoke during a visit of NAF team to NAMA hqtrs, Lagos.

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Banking & Finance

Union Bank accelerates repositioning with new branch in Lagos

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nion Bank has opened a new branch in Lagos to accelerate effort to attract cheap funds to improve its financial performance.

Last year, the bank recorded 14 percent decline in gross earnings which fell to N117 billion from N136 billion in 2014. The bank’s profitability also fell to N14 billion from N27 billion due to losses occasioned by bad debts. In order to reverse this trend, the bank launched a new brand identity last year and embarked on a remodeling of its branches.

In a statement announcing the new branch, the bank said, “The branch is situated at MuriOkunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and it is part of efforts to deliver simpler and smarter banking to its teeming customers. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa said, “What we are doing today is a reflection of the journey to modernize the bank and get ready for the future.

“It’s important that as the environment evolves and as the market evolves, we should remember to re-fashion our heritage and our values. Union Bank has been automated which is part of what we have worked through over the last few years."

Skye Bank to showcase epayment products at Card Expo

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kye Bank Plc will delight delegates, exhibitors and members of the public with its vast array of retail and epayment products at the ‘Card Expo Africa 2016’ being organized by Intermac Consulting Limited in Lagos.

Skye Bank which is one of the leading exhibitors at the exhibition which starts on Tuesday in Lagos, will showcase its retail and ecommerce products such as Skye Mobile, internet banking and card products.

According to a release issued by the bank, about 3000 delegates and 70 international exhibitors will attend the annual exhibition which has as its theme; ‘Retail payment and E-Commerce’.

Card Expo Africa 2016 will focus greatly on the future of retail payment and e-commerce and how innovation will drive the process.

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AGM - From left, Olubunmi Popoola-Mordi, Company Secretary, Total Nigeria Plc; Momar Nguer, Outgoing Chairman; Stanislas Mittelman, Incoming Chairman; and Jean-Philippe Torres, Managing Director at the 38th Annual General Meeting of Total Nigeria Plc in Lagos, at the weekend. Photo by Akeem Salau.

Banks deposit N613bn with CBN as inter-bank lending declines Stories by BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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anks deposited N613 billion idle funds with the Central Bank of Nigeria last week, indicating apathy for lending to each other in the interbank market.

Vanguard investigation revealed that the amount of idle funds banks deposited with the CBN, through its Standing Deposit Facility (SDL) rose by 23 per cent last week from N498 billion the previous week to N613 billion last week.

Meanwhile, the CBN

lending to banks, through its Standing Lending Facility (SLF) rose sharply by 97.9 per cent to N102.89 billion.

This, according to Cowry Asset Management Company, indicates that banks with idle funds are unwilling to lend to banks in need of funds.

Presently, the CBN pays 7.0 per cent interest rate on deposit from banks, while it charges 14 per cent on lending to banks. The interest rate paid by CBN on banks deposit is limited to maximum of N7.5 billion deposit per day. Hence the apex bank

doesn’t pay interest rate on deposit above N7.5 billion.

According to a market analyst, who spoke to

Presently, CBN pays 7.0 per cent interest rate on deposit from banks, while it charges 14 per cent on lending to banks

Vanguard on condition of anonymity, banks still prefer to place their idle funds with CBN despite the N7.5 billion daily limit due to the low interest rate in the interbank market.

Last week, interest rate on overnight lending in the interbank market rose to 6.2 on Thursday before falling to 3.2 per cent at the close of business on Friday. This implies difference of 3.8 per cent when compared with the 7.0 per cent banks earn as interest rate when they place idle funds as deposit with CBN. Hence it is more profitable for banks to deposit their idle funds with the apex bank than lend to each other.

From October, 2014 to September, 2015, banks earned N10.3 billion as interest on idle cash placed as deposit with the CBN. This was however 62 per cent lower than the N27.25 billion earned in the preceding period from October, 2013 to September, 2014.

Vanguard analysis of various Quarterly Economic Reports of the CBN revealed sharp reduction in the amount of idle cash placed as deposits with the CBN from October, 2014 to September, 2015. Analysis revealed that idle cash placed as deposits with the CBN by banks during this period fell by 70 per cent to N24.77 trillion from N81.85 trillion in the preceding 12 months period from October, 2013 to September, 2014.

However, the amount of money borrowed by banks from the CBN through the SLF rose by 33 per cent to N6.86 trillion from N5.14 trillion.

Heritage Bank begins implementation of CBN’s N3bn youth fund *Adjudged fastest growing bank

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eritage Bank Limited will this week commence the implementation of the N3 billion Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YIEDP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN selected Heritage Bank Limited as its pilot partner bank to unveil, administer and manage YIEDP. The programme, according to CBN, was designed to provide timely and affordable credit to assist youths in implementing their business ideas, thereby providing the mechanism of stimulating growth, reducing unemployment as well as addressing youth restiveness.

The programme focuses dependable job creating sectors such as Agricultural Value Chain (fish farming, poultry, snail farming), Cottage Industry, Mining and Solid Minerals, Creative Industry

(Tourism, Arts and Crafts), and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

To be eligible for the YIEDP funding, youths must be within the age bracket of 18 and 35 years old, serving National Youth Corps members or NonNYSC members (not more than five years post National Youth Service.

In a statement announcing the implementation of the YIELDP, Heritage Bank said, “Following the inauguration of the initiative by CBN, the business application portal was launched on the 15th March 2016, and over 4,000 business applications were received within the first two months as the first phase. Out of the 4,000 applications, the bank has successfully shortlisted 1,547 business applications to proceed to the phase 2; being the first batch

of the initiative.

“At phase 2, CBN Enterprise Development Centres (CBNEDCs) across the six (6) geopolitical zones will conduct a 3-Day business development training workshop for the shortlisted youths. Shortlisted youths will be contacted via SMS and Email on the details and modalities of the CBNEDC training. After the training workshop, the youths will be required to write a comprehensive and viable business plan in order to access the YIEDP funding.

“At phase 3, all business plans will be submitted on the application portal for the Business Review Committee to screen, review and select the eligible and viable business for YIEDP funding.”

Meanwhile, Heritage Bank has been adjudged as the fastest growing bank in the country. Speaking after receiving the Pilot Newspaper Leadership Award, naming

Heritage Bank as the Fastest Growing Bank in 2016, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo said that Heritage Bank will leverage on its retail banking network to drive profitability this year.

Represented by bank’s Executive Director, Service Bank, Niyi Adeseun, Sekibo said, “We feel very delighted and happy that some people are watching what we are doing. We thank you for recognizing us as the fastest growing bank in 2016. We started with the first office before we had the opportunity to buy the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) bank, Enterprise Bank Limited. Before the buying of Enterprise Bank, we had 15 to 16 branches. But it was after the business combination with Enterprise Bank that we started building more new branches”.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 23

Corporate Finance

Fuel importation: Forex access remains huge challenge — TOTAL

By PETER EGWUATU

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otal Nigeria Plc has stated that access to Foreign Exchange (forex) remains a huge challenge in its petroleum marketing business despite the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.

The company has also declared a N12.00 per share dividend, having paid an interim dividend of N2.00 per share, thus making it a total of N14.00 per share dividend declared for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

Speaking at the company’s th 38 Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, weekend, Chairman, Total Nigeria Plc, Mr. Momar Nguer said “The year under review was fraught with difficulties as we faced several hurdles both prior to and post importation of petroleum products in Nigeria. We are still not free from difficulties, as access to forex remains a huge challenge despite the removal of subsidy, which has made the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS to increase to N145 per litre.”

According to him “Government has opened the market as anybody can import PMS by sourcing forex at the parallel market and not through official window. This is still a huge challenge for the industry.

Notwithstanding, the challenging circumstances, At 60 years of our operations in Nigeria, we believe that we

have the capability to succeed.

This of course can only be achieved with the support of all stakeholders.”

Commenting on the financial performance of the company, Nguer, who presided the meeting being the last for him as a chairman said “Because of the challenges that the company faced during the year under review, turnover reduced by 13.5 per cent from N240.6 billion in 2014 to N208 billion; Profit After Tax, PAT reduced by 23.5 per cent from N5.3 billion to N4.05 billion; Interest expenses was N1.8

billion and 31.7 per cent lower than the previous year

We are still not free from difficulties, as access to forex remains a huge challenge despite the removal of subsidy

mainly due to lower overdrafts utilised in comparison with 2014.”

In their comments at the meeting, shareholders that spoke commended the effort of the company to declare dividend despite the harsh operating environment.

They further advised the management to be proactive in the management of its resources and cautioned that impairment should be curtailed as well as expenses of all kinds. The shareholders commended the outgoing Chairman for his contribution towards the growth of the company.

AGM - From left: Berger Paints Nigeria Plc’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Folikwe; Chairman, Dr. Oladimeji Alo and; company secretary, Mrs. Oluseun Oluwole at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

Elumelu canvasses for listing of public entities

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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he Federal government has been advised to list public entities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and as well come up with measures that would encourage the common man in the country to invest in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Chairman Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, gave this advice at a twoday stakeholders’ forum on “Realising the full potentials of the Nigerian economy through proactive capital market legislation” held in Abuja. He lamented that “presently, the Nigerian public feel excluded from the Nigerian oil and gas sector as only a small percentage of the elite have so far managed to gain access through processes that

are stringent and highly capital intensive.”

According to him “There should be participation of the middle class through the listing of privatised and Systematically Important Entities (SIEs) , since the middle class is the engine of growth of modern economies.

Elumelu urged both the executive and legislature “to evolve innovative ways of meeting the aspirations of Nigerians for participation in the oil and gas sector.” He said “One of such innovations is to make it possible for the Nigerian public to invest in the oil and gas sector by evolving a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which can be floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange for the investing public.”

The shares in the SPV, he said would be coordinated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

(NNPC), seeding a small portion of the equity that it holds in the Joint Ventures (JVs) that it has with International Oil Companies (IOCs) while the IOCs also chip in a small equity “say NNPC six percent, IOCs four percent.”

He added that if approved by the government, the shares of the SPV would be floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) such that the public is free to buy, and the revenue realised from the sale of the shares would be able to continuously fund a substantial portion of the JV Cash Call while at the same time meeting the yearnings of the Nigerian public to participate in the oil and gas sector. According to him, for this to happen “the National Assembly must enact laws that would be investor- friendly to the common man.”

UBA consolidates CSR as winners emerge in arts competition

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nited Bank for Africa, UBA Plc has consolidated on its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR with its commitment to youth development on the continent, as winners emerged in its sponsored school performing art competition.

Students from more than 30 primary and secondary schools took part in the annual FCT Interschool Performing Arts Competition (FIPAC), which was held in Abuja recently.

The schools competed in dance, music, theatre and drama performances with three winners emerging in both the secondary school and primary school categories.

Grace Garden International School, Abuja emerged winner in the secondary school category with Glisten Academy, and Divine Mercy Secondary School coming second and third respectively.

In the primary school category, Royal Family Academy, Abuja emerged first while Titsall Global School, Abuja and Nigerian Turkish International School, came second and third respectively. A statement from the bank stated that winners will get up to N2, 000,000 in cash prizes, trophies and much more.

Speaking on the competition, Olamidun Majekodunmi, the CEO of the Performing Arts School Nigeria, initiators of FIPAC, said “The competition is helping build cultured, multitalented children in Nigerian schools that will grow up to become well-rounded Nigerian leaders in the future”.

CIBN holds annual lecture

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he Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN has concluded plans to hold its free annual lecture. The lecture is scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 16, 2016 in Lagos. The theme of this year’s edition is “Sustainable Development Goals and the Financial Services Sector: The Meeting Point”,which would be addressed by Mrs. Amina Mohammed, Minister of Environment/Former Senior Special Adviser to the President on MDGs; Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban KiMoon on Post-2015 Development Planning.

Professor Eyitayo Lambo, Former Minister of Health will be the Chairman of the occasion, while Professor Segun Ajibola, FCIB, President/Chairman of Council is the Chief Host.

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24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Corporate Finance

ETI aims to be one of top 3 banks; targets 75% NPL coverage Stories by NKIRUKA NNOROM

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c o b a n k Transnational Incorporated, ETI, the parent company of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, said its target is to be one of the top three banks in half of the markets where it operates, including Nigeria.

The bank also aspires to achieve Non-performing Loan, NPL, coverage of 75 per cent for 2016 financial year end, as against 71.3 per cent NPL coverage achieved in quarter one 2016.

Addressing stockbrokers and the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, at the bank’s Facts Behind Figure presentation, on the Exchange, the Group Chief executive Officer, ETI, Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, said the bank would invest where it has sustainable competitive advantage in order to capture more market shares.

He noted that the bank would revisit its operational strategy in the high potential markets, while considering constructive exit from low potential markets.

“Our aspiration in Kenya is not to be one of the top three because we don’t actually have to be one of the top three to win

in Kenya. If we can get return-on-equity higher than cost-on-equity in that market, our system will be better. We want to look at Kenya as the fulcrum through which we hold the whole Central, Eastern and Southern Africa and we believe that if we could do that, we will get an economic of scale.

“Now, there are certain markets where we need to revisit our investment strategy. Like we said, it is about the form of presence because the technology, innovation these days and telecommunication just allow us to be able to participate in the market not all along the day, but if we can participate in the market electronically and

FMDQ, NMRC sign MoU to bridge housing deficit

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MDQ OTC Securities Exchange Plc and the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company, NMRC Plc have entered into agreement to facilitate the federal government’s efforts of bridging the 17 million housing deficit in the country.

The partnership further reinforces NMRC’s drive to raise long term funds

Cashless Policy: First Bank’s commitment in e-business yielding fruits

By PETER EGWUATU

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he investment of First Bank Nigeria Limited to ebusiness has started yielding fruits as the number of its customers that have keyed into the system continue to increase.

The bank’s investment in e-business reflects its commitment to promoting financial inclusion which is widely regarded as a lever for sustainable economic growth and development as well as e n h a n c i n g entrepreneurship.

First Bank has been officially recognised as the first financial institution in the country to achieve a transaction volume of 100 million transactions in a month by Interswitch Transnational -Africa’s leading integrated

with technology, it will make it possible for us to connect with customers and people that are buying and selling for various purposes. It does give us enough advantage and that is what I mean when I say that we will revisit our investment strategy,” he said.

Ayeyemi assured that the bank would commit to creating shareholders’ value by ensuring that its cost-on-equity is lower than return-on-equity going forward. “As we recognise places that generate returns below cost of capital, we need to take action”, he said, adding “if we don’t take action, then we are not good custodians of assets that were given to us.”

payment and transaction processing company.

This milestone feat was achieved in the month of December 2015 and represents the total transactions processed

by First Bank’s Front End Processor running on the Interswitch transaction switching platform which seamlessly links all financial institutions in Nigeria to facilitate better and quicker transactions across all platforms.

As one of the leading Nigeria’s financial institutions with over 10 million customers, this achievement by First Bank clearly aligns with its strategic intent to promote financial inclusion, support the cashless policy drive of the Central Bank of Nigeria and boost economic growth via epayments across Nigeria

from the debt capital market towards the development of the mortgage industry, ultimately bridging Nigeria’s housing deficit through the provision of affordable housing finance.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, FMDQ, in partnership with NMRC and other key stakeholders, will engage in relevant initiatives and campaigns to educate the market on mortgage-related debt instruments such as Mortgage-Backed Securities, Real Estate Investment Trusts, among others, in readiness for the ensuing housing revolution which the Nigerian market is positioned to experience.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony at Abuja, Managing Director/CEO, NMRC, Prof. Charles Inyangete, commended FMDQ for its immense contribution to the development of the Nigerian debt capital market (DCM) and noted that the MoU executed with the Exchange demonstrates NMRC’s commitment to deepen the debt capital market.

Also speaking, Managing Director/CEO, FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele Koko, said the need for effective cooperation and collaboration between FMDQ and NMRC cannot be overemphasised.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 25

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26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Commodity Prices

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 27

People in Business

•Students in session

ISLS: School of language laboratory

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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r. Owolabi Oladejo is Pr esident/Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Impact School of Language studies, Impact Business School, IBR and Impact Business Radio, IBR , (92.5FM), based in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria among others. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria.

He has served in various capacities in many organizations. Beside his career in Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Engineering with Nigeria Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Limited, NITEL, he has over Twenty (20) years experience in Public Revenue Consulting, Accounting, Finance and Management.

Highly cerebral, Mr Oladejo fits into many modes and has been involved in many human capital development programme.

Modern developments such as social media, the internet, and affordable air travels are transforming the world into a global community.

In this community, we routinely encounter other cultures and other languages, and so the desire to achieve fluency in a second language –or even the third language –is stronger than ever.

The way to learn: The best way to learn a new language is to move to a country where your target language is spoken, and immerse yourself in the local C M Y K

culture or you can work with an expert tutor on a one-onone basis.

However, in these days of tight education budget, sending one abroad or hiring tutors is rarely practical, as now in Nigeria a school that teaches several languages now abounds, precisely in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

The school, the language laboratory of Impact School of Languages Studies, ISLS, is a brain child of Impact Business School, IBR, headed by Mr. Owolabi Oladejo, President/Chief Executive Officer, CEO. The school include other branches of educational/ Media sections, which are Impact School of Professional Education and Executive Development, iSPEED, Impact School of Broadcasting, i-SBC, and Impact School of Entrepreneurial and Economic Development, iSEED, which is part of “The Knowledge Group”, the other arm of the knowledge group include Impact Business Radio, IBR, (92.5FM), Nigeria’ first business radio station.

Speaking at the unveiling/ familiarization tour, the CEO said the school offers instruction in local and foreign languages as second language, while stressing that a better communication skills lead to a better world, and successful communication include s not only languages proficiency, but also intellectual competence, as well as an open and inquisitive mind.

“For this reason, all our programmers’ teach intercultural communication and critical thinking skills.” He stressed.

He went further to say that the goal of ISLS program is to make students proficient in the types of oral and

written communication required in modern business, diplomacy and career world.

The CEO also reiterated that the language school offers instruction in Nigerian and foreign languages for individuals, companies, nonprofit organisations, NGOs, and government agencies.

According to him, “ we offer flexible scheduling to accommodate professionals who must learn a specific language for their job, businessmen /women whose business involve traveling/

The goal of ISLS program is to make students proficient in the types of oral and written communication required in modern business, diplomacy and career world.

interactions with foreign buyers/ sellers and full time students.”

“Our foreign languages classes include English, French, Italian, German, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi/Urdu, Latin etc and many Nigerian languages like Yoruba, Hausa Igbo and others.

The role of technology: The school would not have achieved this goal without the aid of a specialist in the field language translation and transmission with assistance of smart class technology installed by Robotel Incorporated.

How teachers overcome these conflicting needs for larger class sizes and more student speaking practice is basically turning to technology to help them manage their classes and ensure students have sufficient opportunities to practice and hone their listening and speaking skills.

Language learning platforms, like smart class enable teachers assign in-

class activities such as pairing and recording where all students are able to speak concurrently.

However, new technologies play key roles in research, imparting knowledge and transformation of Nigeria’s ailing education sector.

But some of our educational institutions in Nigeria and West Africa have paid little attention in harnessing the potentials of the Internet and new technologies to uplift learning, teaching and research.

Meanwhile, the increased Broadband access in the region, paves way for Robotel to birth its innovative products in Nigeria and West Africa in 2014.

The West Africa Manager for Robotel Incorporated, Olu Babatunde, had argued that higher education in developed world has gone beyond using the black or white boards with either white chalks or markers and the conventional teaching aids.

According to him, “today, we have installed Language Laboratories in Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, which is the pioneer Robotel installed Laboratory in Nigeria with 10 +1 workstations; Babcock University, Ilisan, Ogun State with 30+1 workstations. We recently delivered the Redeemer ’s University Language Laboratory ,also 30 + 1 workstations.

Continuing, “we also have some, which are work in progress. Some of them are Uthman Fodio University, Sokoto; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka; Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State and host of others within the country. We are also expanding our tentacles beyond the shores of Nigeria. We have received orders from University of Sao Tome & Principe and many others from Ghana.

IGP commissions Police housing estate in Umuahia

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he Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has commissioned a 100-unit housing estate named, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro Housing Estate, for the Nigerian Police Force in Umuahia.

Speaking at the ceremony Arase said the estate which is a project of the Nigerian Police Force Corporative Society comprises of two bedroom flats for officers and members of the Nigerian Police Force.

He said similar projects have been completed and handed over to inspector and rank and file cadre in

Katsina, Adamawa and FCT. “This project was made possible through the engagement of direct labour, using our assets in logistics and supply department to construct the houses. In addition, the Force has also been partnering with some private developers, the 1004 housing units in Dutsen Town, FCT, is being built by the MPL Property Development Company in collaboration with Shelter Afrique and just recently Brick City Housing Poject in Kubwa was also commissioned under Public Private Partnership(PPP)

Initiative.

Arase further explained that the estate was named after the Chairman of Police Service Commission, Mike Mbama Okiro, in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian Police Force.

“Under his tenure as the Inspector General of Police, the force was able to reclaim its lost glory, he recruited and ensured quality training of officers as well as advanced the welfare of officers and men of the force. As the chairman of Police Service Commission, he continues to fight for the interest of the police.”

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Homes & Housing Finance

Housing loan board to partner NMRC

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he Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board is set to partner with Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC) to refinance outstanding loans of federal public servants.

Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Hannatu Adamu Fika, said the management in its quest to address the backlog of housing loans applications had on behalf of federal public servants, sought the partnership with NMRC for the refinancing of the outstanding loans applications approved by the governing board.

In a statement by Head of Press and Public Relations of the Board, Akinwale Adegbola, she said the partnership will follow all the existing due process and in line with the Act establishing

Falling house prices, mortgage rates threaten UK banks

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cocktail of falling houses prices, rock bottom interest rates on mortgages and a weak global economy will put a serious squeeze on Britain’s banks, analysts have warned.

The long boom in the housing market – particularly in London – is starting to slow down.

Higher stamp duty rates and extra property taxes for landlords are putting off buyers, while demand from Chinese investors is declining because of a government crackdown on transferring capital out of the country and slowing economic growth.

Property transactions have fallen sharply since March, when landlords scrambled to beat a stamp duty hike that came into force in April. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) believes prices are on track to dip over the next few months, partly as a result of that taxdriven distortion in the market. Banks rely on strong house prices to spur demand for mortgages from buyers and to act as a security buffer against those mortgages - if prices fall, then the banks’ safety net is diminished. Falling interest rates are also a problem for banks, because it means they make less money on the loans they give out.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Deputy Governor,Abia State; Solomon Arase, Inspector General of Police and; Engr. Emmanuel Mbaka, CEO Platinum Mortgage Bank at the commissioning ceremony of Sir Mike Mbama Okiro Nigeria Police Housing Estate, Umuahia developed by Platinum Mortgage Bank.

Nigeria needs sustainable housing policy — FASHOLA Must be government-led, private sector-driven Stories by YINKA KOLAWOLE

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n a bid to effectively tackle Nigeria’s housing problems, the country requires a consistent, measurable and sustainable housing policy that must be led by government and subsequently driven by the private sector.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this at the th recently concluded 35 Annual General Meeting and Housing Symposium of Shelter Afrique held in Abuja.

He noted that government has over the years embarked on series of housing initiatives which proved not to be sustainable, adding that there was an urgent need for a change of strategy based on a sustainable and well thought out initiative. “The Federal Government would continue to prosecute overall housing policy stand which recognises the government as active facilitator of private sectordriven housing sector,” he added.

The minister cited the housing initiatives in other climes, noting that they were targeted majorly at housing the working class people.

According to him, the public housing initiative of the United Kingdom was started by government in 1918 and that as of 2014, 64.8 percent of UK’s 53 million people were home owners. He added that

the Singaporean initiative was started by government in 1960 and that it has provided housing for 80 percent of its 3 million people.

“What is common to both model, is that there was a uniformity of design, a common target to house working class people, and not the elite, standardisation of fittings like doors, windows, space, electrical and mechanical, and also a common concept of neighborhood,” he asserted.

Fashola noted that many of the PPP housing initiatives

entered into have either stalled as a result of funding, lack of capacity, land disputes or court cases, adding that “this is not the road to sustainability.” He said after the federal government announced plans to build houses, many people have come up with proposals to build 10,000 units of housing.

However, our interrogation of these proposals shows that none of the people who want to build 10,000 houses can show us where they have previously built 500 houses to

show their capacity. One of them who had signed a contract to deliver a 1,000 housing unit estate since around 2013 has run into difficulty after building 84 units,” he stated.

The minister said the first key to the roadmap in housing was proper planning, adding that it was crucial to successful execution, project completion, to cost control and reduction in variation requests and financial calculations. “Our plan requires first a clear understanding of who we want to provide housing for.” He said those being targeted by government in its plan are not people who want land to build for themselves, who want town houses and duplexes but those in the majority and those who are most vulnerable. Our plan requires us to conduct a survey of these people to determine what they expect and what they can pay.

Our plan requires us to evolve agreeable housing types, between 2 to 4 designs that have a broad, national cultural acceptance. Our plan requires us to standardize these designs so that we can then design moulds to accelerate the number that can be built.

Our plan requires us to standardize the size of our doors, windows, our toilet and bath fittings, our lighting fittings and other accessories so that our small and medium enterprises can respond to supply all the building materials, create diversification and jobs; and ensure that projects are completed with a steady supply of materials. Our plan requires us to ensure that the designs reflect our behavioural patterns, such as adequate storage, and other lifestyle needs.”

Surveyors move to regulate estate agency practice

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he Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has reiterated its commitment to uphold high ethical and professional standards by regulating the practice of estate agency in the country.

NIESV President, Dr. Bolarinde PatunolaAjayi, said the move is to check the infiltration of estate agency practice by quacks, adding that the regulation would be carried out through its project, Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), in conjunction with the government.

Speaking at the inauguration of the executive council of the institution in Lagos, PatunolaAjayi said the incursion of other professionals, such as lawyers, accountants and others not trained to practice estate agency is creating negative perception about genuine professionals.

“Good image is very essential in the professional ratings of any profession. The perception of the public and the clients about our services is one of the strong yardsticks to determine the level of patronage to our

services. Profession negligence is a breach of duty or care between the professionals and their client. Our advocacy to members on professionalism will be intensive to ensure that we maintain the enviable standards required by the users of our services.

“The incursion of many professionals and individuals into our Institution is giving the profession of estate agency a bad name. Estate agency is an important service, and should be practiced with full adherence to the code of conduct. We have commenced the programme to control estate agency in Nigeria with the establishment of Association of Estate Agents and collaboration with Lagos State Government on the commencement. At the end of the day, estate agency will become regulated and give room for practitioners in the new Association to receive the training and start to practice,” he stated.

Patunola-Ajayi called for capacity building, professional development and strategic partnership with government, noting that these are the determinants of professional competence, relevance and success.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 29

C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 “Buhari’s economic management team must sit up – Experts” PUNCH, May 30, 2016, p 21.

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he news report then went on to mention various individuals making the suggestion.

It is the sort of report which makes one to wonder if it is intended to be taken seriously or as a joke. But then, one is reminded of the Hubert Humphrey, 1911-1978, late Vice President of the United States, who in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 23, 1965, left the world with the gem: “The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously.”

The experts were wasting their time for several reasons. But before going into those reasons, it is vital to remind Nigerians Africa and black rulers replaced of a new phenomenon in our fit for the dustbin.

It is to be assumed that white men. The change has economic landscape. anybody appointed to the largely been for the worse – For the first time since the exalted position of Vice even in South Africa which illegal Excess Crude Account President, Minister, Special came much later. The problem was created by President Adviser or Governor of the of economic management Obasanjo and Okonjo-Iweala, team, such as Nigeria’s, is crude oil is trading at far in Central Bank of Nigeria, made more difficult than it unless a saboteur, does not excess of the benchmark price should be because most African need anybody to ask him to sit used in our budget. Yet, the leaders are economic illiterates. country is not generating any up. If anything, given their It is bad enough that they don’t generally busy schedule, their excess revenue. Why? The know a thing about economics, individual and collective need answer is simple, and it is one it is worse that they don’t want is to find time to sit down and of the paradoxes of known to “so to know. think – particularly when the called economists” (to use Irrespective of who Buhari’s dismissive words for economic environment is so constitutes the members of the dynamic.

When Harold Wilson, my fellow professionals), but Economic Management Team, unknown to so called African British Prime Minister including instances when one leaders, that the price of a vital announced that “A week in person is tagged the Economic politics is a long time”, commodity might go up, yet the Czar, the variables that can be (VANGUARD BOOK OF country responsible for the price manipulated are very few, QUOTATIONS, VBQ p 271), increase would not benefit from the world had not yet it. Nigeria’s increasing failure to produce and export has experienced the upheaval induced a global supply caused by the Organisation of shortage of crude oil. And, as Petroleum Exporting Countries, The problem of every so-called economist OPEC, when in 1973, the price economic knows when supply goes down of crude oil, hitherto relatively prices go up. Nigeria is not, and stable changed several times in management will not, benefit from the global one week of embargo. team, such as At the risk of being accused price recovery as long as Nigeria’s, is made pipelines continue to get of defending Buhari’s economic team, who all have more difficult bombed. That is the greatest their paid defenders, the truth challenge facing Buhari’s than it should be economic management team – is, the managers of the because most which is also largely out of their economies of weak nations control. Is the advice to them today have less control over the African leaders wise or even needed? Let’s destinies of their nations than are economic examine the issue in light of the those of the 1960s when the illiterates 2016 budget which is now only wind of change blew over

Forget the 2016 budget; it's no longer realistic(2) although the combinations are infinite. The economy stands on two pillars – the fiscal and the monetary policies. Generally, the elected national leader is in charge of fiscal policy – even if the function is delegated – because it is mainly through the deployment of fiscal policy that he attempts to fulfill his election policies and to establish his legacy as a leader. Monetary policy largely is determined by an autonomous or semiautonomous Central Bank. The mandates of Central bankers worldwide are the same. They struggle to maintain stable exchange rates, interest rates and to achieve full employment.

But, those mandates presume the economy is productive and competitive with other economies. Once a country loses competitive advantage, with respect to other nations, and imports more than it exports, it faces enormous challenges.

Possible devaluation of the currency is one of the options as well as one of the challenges that must be addressed. Elected officials abhor devaluation during their tenure of office – even if it is inevitable and the best approach according to the monetary policy managers.

Invariably, when the President,

like Idi Amin in Uganda, is adamantly opposed to devaluation, he has removed from consideration one of the variables that need to be considered for maximum result.

The repercussions are almost always negative on the economy.

The Nigerian economy, depending as it does on the production and export of crude oil for a large proportion of its export earnings was in trouble from as far back as 2014 when the price of crude oil first dipped below the benchmark price. In addition, actual production and volume of crude exported were below projections for 2014. The decline continued and accelerated in 2015 and that resulted in the gradual depletion of the Excess Crude Account and the External Reserves. By the time President Jonathan conceded victory to Buhari, his world class “socalled economists” must have told him to go home and leave his successor holding to the empty bag.

Okonjo-Iweala must have engaged in some forecasting and told her former boss “It’s time to go”. The 2016 budget is a now a worthless document and none of us should expect it to be implemented.

Micro-Finance

Economic downturn: Opportunity to invest in Nigeria’s future — AMfB Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

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ccion Microfinance Bank (AMfB), weekend, said that the economic downturn opens up opportunities to invest further in the future of Nigeria.

Chairman, AMfB, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, said this at the bank’s 10th Annual General Meeting for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, stating, “We see the challenges, we face it but we are quite reassured that it is indeed an opportunity for us to demonstrate value to our customers and to invest further in the future of Nigeria.

“The macro economy have been challenging but that reinforces the opportunity for institution like ours to provide support for our micro entrepreneurs across Nigeria. Whilst those macro contractions come up, it challenges the country to realise its internal potential, C M Y K

with over 180 million people, we believe strongly that we have the human capital in Nigeria to take us through the storm. What is required is the operating environment and the support and active participation of players like our bank to support Nigerians.”

Akinwuntan added that despite the economic challenges, the bank deepened its market in Lagos by opening about seven branches, having its first foray outside Lagos with the commencement of Mile 1, in Port Harcourt. He said, “2015 started on a challenging note for the Nigerian economy and was characterised by several highs and lows. By end of 2015 the economy was experiencing a slow-down.

Micro entrepreneurs were not left out of the challenges witnessed in the environment as inflation rose, with the cost of electricity, transportation and other essential commodities rising as well.”

In spite of this, he said that

the banks key performance indicators remained positive as active borrowers grew by 27.9 percent from 34, 243 in 2014 to 43,788 in the year under review.

To further enhance operational efficiency, he said that the bank intend to commence its digital field application project in 2016 so as to improve loan process and guaranty easy access to customers, thereby saving time and cost.

To this end he said, “innovation and the use of technology which has helped us operate at more efficient levels will be leveraged on in 2016 to enable us continue to serve our customers more efficiently. The first sets of our ATMs were commissioned in 2015 and we envision that by the end of 2016, we should have over 50 ATM machines functioning in every state that we have a presence.”

Managing Director, AMfB, Ms. Bunmi Lawson, said that the banking industry like other sectors of the economy

was not immune from hash economic realities with microfinance sub sector being worst hit. She pointed out that this led to a significant decline in income margins of many banks and MFIs, adding that despite the challenges, the bank’s loan disbursement which stood at

N10.33 billion in 2014 grew by 33 percent to N13.77 billion in the year under focus.

According to Lawson, “the bank has deployed the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) to enhance better data warehousing and management, pilot run of digital field application initiative to create efficiency in our data capturing in the loan process and central credit process centre with a centralised processing loans.”

‘Proper use of social media critical to organisational growth’

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articipants at the 2016 New Media Conference have said that proper use of social media is important for organisational growth.

Over 300 key new media players, Nigerian brand custodians, agency representatives, social media influencers, celebrities, and other digital marketing experts participated at the second edition of the conference put together by Ms. Tosin Ajibade.

The New Media Conference themed: “Business Unusual: Nurturing a More Vibrant New

Media Industry in Nigeria” is a platform for aggregating the views of key New Media players and stakeholders in order to chart growth in marketing and advertising standards in the Nigerian online/digital media space.

In her remarks, Ajibade said, “This year’s conference is particularly important, we converged to articulate interests and inputs from stakeholders in the Nigerian online/digital media space and seek to turn the results of that conversation to real-world uses.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 31

Advertising & Media digital television platform of which we have in the past secured broadcast right to some major sporting events and international football competitions, we would from June beam to Nigerians the Copa America competition which starts from June 3 through 26.

We have also signed a fresh deal to beam the much anticipated Copa America Special Centenario edition live all over Africa.

The landmark edition which commemorates 100 years existence of Copa America and slated for US will definitely glue viewers to their seats and have them thrilled as most of the superstars playing in European clubs will be in live action at the championship with 32 countries competing in games across 10 cities.

‘We are developing contents for more market shares’ — StarTimes Marketing Director Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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he pay-tv market is e x p a n d i n g exponentially,and StarTimes which officially launched in 2010, saw Nigeria’s huge population, and rising middle class as a market hard to ignore. Six years after, it has maintained a steady growth on account of combined consumer insight market strategies.

Marketing Director, Oludare Kafar spoke to Princewill Ekwujuru.

Quality programming\ Content In addition to low fee for subscribers, we operate in 13 African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. We are progressively acquiring contents that would bond it with Nigerian consumers.

One of such contents is football and this is based on the understanding of love of the game in Nigeria where many are really obsessed by the game.

Football as a game has dominated other sports in Nigeria and the love of it has over the years

•Oludare Kafar grown tremendously in the hearts of Nigerians. Today, European Premier League, Laliga and Bundesliga and to a lesser extent Nigerian Premier League have dominated viewership on Tv among Nigerians. Various names of foreign players are easily mentioned in Nigerian circles and sometimes streets and roads experience less traffic when there are popular matches in Europe.

It is also not different when Nigeria is playing major international matches. Football is to men what movies are to women.

We are assuring Nigerians on quality sound and picture delivery.

We currently have more than 60 transmission base stations across Nigeria. After the Copa America, StarTimes which has about 150 channels in its bouquets has plans to keep exciting Nigerian sports

loving community with plans to acquire other top notch sports contents for its subscribers.

We also have plans to associate with some local sports. We are also in discussion with other grassroots football. As we finalise details we will make them official. In addition to other contents, including movies and documentaries, the gradual and steady acquisition of sports contents, especially football, largely followed by many subscribers is giving StarTimes an added advantage alongside the investment of over N20 billion in the Nigerian market, this gives us the vigour to want to cut more market share in the pay television market.

Broadcast rights Based on the understanding that

Objective Our objective is to excite viewers by bringing Copa America Special Centenario edition into the platform and we believes the various matches will provide sport loving subscribers with some high quality entertainment. This is a historic moment for the championship and will contribute greatly to the development and followership of professional football within the African continent. We are excited to feed the appetite of football lovers all across Africa and are particularly glad that our viewers can enjoy all the games in its HD glamour and be a part by participating in our prediction games and winning fantastic prizes on StarTimes App and social media platforms.”

Participatory viewership The participatory viewing means the broadcast of the football competition would be interactive because StarTimes would be providing live studio where the audience can participate to win exotic prices.

Every match day N300,000 would be given out for 23 days including recharge cards and StarTimes TV. The matches will be played at late hours, in the night for Nigerian audience because of time difference but viewers would also enjoy analyses by Nigerian sports analysts. There will be predict and win which would be displayed on the screen and viewers can participate in it. ”This is a big one for us because we know how important sports are to Nigerians. Therefore we are going all out to give full football content to our subscribers. He said broadcasting the competition to Nigerians means democratizing watching football content because as little as N1,200 on StarTimes bouquet, a subscriber could watch all the matches live. “We are giving value for money, top notch football content at very affordable price. This is because most of the best footballers would be at the competition, Lionel Messi, Suarez, Aguero, Sanchez and many more.

Promo Aside enjoying superstars like Lionel Messi, Luiz Suarez, Sergi Aguero, Sanchez and many other notable players in action, StarTimes viewers stand the chance to predict and win prizes like cash, LED Digital Television with inbuilt decoders, Projector Television sets and other prizes.

Economy

Oligopoly emerges as market dynamics pressures diesel, kerosene prices … Threatens petrol product line

By EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

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ast month’s price adjustment and quasi- liberalisation of downstream sector of the oil and gas industry may have started throwing up unpleasant challenges even before the policy fully takes root, following the adverse developments in the diesel and kerosene product lines in the past few weeks.

Prices of Automated Gasoline Oil (AGO) or diesel and household Kerosene have skyrocketed across the country with dealers and industry observers pointing to foreign exchange constraints, international crude price dynamics, freight cost increases and overall cost of funds in the Nigerian financial market.

Consequently, price of

diesel and Kerosene which have been deregulated long ago, have risen over 30 and 50 per cent since the 68 per cent price mark up was effected in the petrol product line. Industry observers are now projecting that all the factors that have pressured prices upwards in the

deregulated products would come on petrol following the deregulation except if government subsidizes the price differential.

Moreover, they are also worried about what they see as emerging oligopoly in the product lines as a result of deregulation.

Oligopoly is a market structure in which a small number of firms have the large majority of market share. An oligopoly is similar to a monopoly, except that rather than one firm, two or more firms dominate the market.

Diesel dealers told Vanguard that only about six companies, less than 10 per cent of the operators

(importers) in the product lines control over 80 per cent of the market.

They said the market dealers dictate both supply and price of diesel while and another set of dealers control Kerosene though the dominant importer is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Industry analysts believe this situation would likely play out in the petrol product line where not only upward pressures in prices would be expected, market dominance and price manipulation by a few dealers would also come into play.

CBN cashless CardExpo to focus on future of retail payment

By AYO ONIKOYI

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midst upswings in the retail payment industry as e-commerce is already capturing a larger share of sales than ever before, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, cashless card expo Africa 2016 will focus on the future of retail payment and e-commerce and how innovation will drive the

industry.

New trends in e-commerce shows that purchase of goods and services can occur with payment made on the point of sale (POS) at a merchant location through the internet, or by telephone.

E-commerce has been one of the major catalysts’ for the retail industry across Africa and globally. However, the huge factor to the growth of

retail sector and e-commerce in Africa lies in the usage of the internet. The conference and exhibition which holds on 14 – 16 June 2016 in Lagos, will focus on new users as well the service delivery strategies that would deliver the future of retail payments and e-commerce.

Top retail payment and ecommerce experts will provide strategies on how to position

and enhance businesses to guarantee success in the ever changing retail and ecommerce industry.

Young entrepreneurs who are developing solutions for ecommerce and epayment will also be featured during the event This CBN expo continues its tradition of showcasing the most exciting development in the payment industries.

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

(08052201997)

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here can be no end in the foreseeable future to a do-or-die fight to be President of our nation. The unbridled struggle for the position of top dog is seemingly motivated by the prospect of exercising almost absolute power over our lives and our nation’s resources, particularly the oil proceeds from the Niger Delta.

Indeed, if income derived from oil is removed from the federal purse, the federation may have to survive on less than 30% of annual budgets. Furthermore, the underbelly of the arbitrarily created 36 states and 774 local governments would also be exposed, as most of them would literarily collapse without, what some people have described as ‘blood money’ from the Niger Delta.

“However, if only modest resources and power devolved to the centre for the exercise of its exclusive responsibilities, there would probably be less attraction to capture the Presidency at any cost for one’s political club”.

“Our political godfathers, in their wisdom, attempted to bring some sanity to the acrimony and insecurity generated by the struggle for the lucrative centre, with rotation of the presidency along North and South axis or less rigidly, amongst six generally accepted geopolitical zones. However, this solution has not brought with it much comfort because the current constitutional provision for a maximum of two – four year terms also means that each geopolitical zone would produce a president every 48 years (that is, assuming that each zone’s president controls the treasury for eight years)”.

“In the above political dilemma, particularly where the plunder of resources takes precedence over service and wealth creation, Nigerians have become victims of the

have a member in the collegiate presidency in every government. Nigerians would also be able to enjoy the advantage of the contribution of more eminently qualified and socially committed presidential materials in each six-year term of office. With such a model, the collegiate presidency would play as a team of stars to achieve their individual party ’s declared manifesto rather than the rule of a lone star President for 4 years, as is presently the case”.

“At the state and local government levels, the same collegiate system of administration, comprising ethnic nationalities will also be put in place to ensure cohesion and harmoniously carry along majority of communities in each state. However, very cogent arguments can also be made for the abolition of the rather wasteful and unviable 36 states structure, with its oppressively huge operational costs that make little or no contribution to the well-being of most Nigerians, while providing opportunities for more political adventurers to loot the treasury. The choice is ours to make; do we want to live in apprehension and sustain acrimony in our body polity or do we truly want to break the chains of our bondage and release our true God given potential as a nation?”

This article was first published in June 2006 in response to the abiding calls for political restructuring; the same article has been regularly published, since then, to commemorate October st 1 and the aborted, widely accepted, transparent democratic election of June 12, 1993 which Moshood Abiola won.

SAVE THE NAIRA, SAVE NIGERIANS!

Collegiate presidency and national harmony greed of a parasitic political class – invariably championed by both brazen and veiled autocratic leadership for over four decades. Indeed, since the greatest threat to our contrived democracy is dictatorship, if peace must prevail, our constitution should ensure that the best presidential materials from each geopolitical zone, at any one time, have unfettered access to contest for and attain the highest post in the land.

Furthermore, our constitution should also guarantee that no one person remains in power long enough to become so formidable as to successfully engineer term elongation and perpetuate a dictatorship!

“The National Assembly, demonstrated great courage in throwing out Obasanjo’s third term bid, and they appropriately received the commendation of all patriots; however, discerning Nigerians have warned against complacency. Clearly, if poverty deepens and injustice and disrespect for the rule of law by the executive arms of government remain unchecked, we can still end up with a National Assembly, made up of surrogates, as witnessed in some states, visà-vis the godfather syndrome, in the recent past. Ultimately, we would transmute to a constitutional dictatorship and our people would tumble into real bondage, as the dark days of insecurity, instability and absolute rule would be with us once again!

“So, how can we prevent such an ugly scenario in our nation’s political life and reduce the vicious grip of

irrepressible ethnic/regional aspirations for Presidency?

Indeed, some eminent Nigerians have argued that the first requirement for a just, stable and egalitarian nation should be the adoption of a truly fiscal, federal constitution, where the centre devolves more of its powers to the states/regions, as the engines of growth, so that the states/regions can freely exploit their internal human and mineral resources and pay appropriate dues to the centre.

It is argued that such a structure would motivate each region to look inwards and develop its natural resources endowment to the best of their ability, rather than wait for monthly handouts from government. Thus, all regions would become actively engaged in putting their citizens to work and commercially exploit their natural resources to increase wealth and improve social

We may also consider a sixyear collegiate presidency to douse tension and attrition created by the usual battles to install an all powerful ‘one man'’ presidency

welfare”.

“Additionally, we may also consider a six-year collegiate presidency to douse tension and attrition created by the usual battles to install an all powerful ‘one man’ presidency, as well as the incessant clamour and grandstanding by each geopolitical group for their turn, when an incumbent’s tenure ends.

Under such arrangement, each political party would field a team, comprising six candidates selected from each of the six geopolitical zones, for the post of President, to jointly implement each party’s manifesto.

Thus, every member of a victorious collegiate will serve as president for only one year, while the other five members of the collegiate would serve as vice presidents with direct oversight responsibilities for a discrete set of ministries and/ or parastals in the same administration. Similarly, the five Vice Presidents would also be rotated annually from one set of ministries to the other, so that in a six-year term, each member of the collegiate would have served for a year in every segment of federal administration with one year as defacto President”.

“Consequently, it will become impossible for one person to consolidate and hold on to the seat of power, long enough to constitute a dictatorship; in such political ambience, Nigerians can afford to sleep comfortably with both eyes closed! Furthermore, the abiding desire of geopolitical groups to see their own person, up there, would be realized as each zone would perpetually

Business & Economy 386,000 MSMEs ready for NEDEP

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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ver 386,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and 7,568 business plans have been made ready for National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) for access to financial assistance under the programme.

The Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Dr Umaru Dikko Radda at a recommitment with all the stakeholders at a meeting of NEDEP in Abuja on Thursday C M Y K

said a total of 386,000 new enterprises have been established under the programme.

Dikko also revealed that 7, 568 business plans have been made available with 55,605 cooperative formed and registered under the NEDEP. Speaking on the challenges facing the programme, Dikko lamented lack of proper synergy among the implementing institutions with the inadequate funding for the programme coupled with stringent conditions for accessing finance by the MSMEs. He further regretted that poor

packaging of business plan, lack of effective coordination; low operational capacity of MSMEs and slow buy-in by State governments.

On the deliverables of NEDEP, the Smedan DG expressed the programmes has been able to institutionalised restructuring of the programme; formation and registration of cooperative; enterprise development, job creation; policy selection, value chain analysis and base line survey. He said training and capacity and has been able to engage business development service providers in each of the geo-political zone.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—33 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com State House of Assembly ‘impeached‘ the Speaker, Hon. Momohjimoh Lawal and the House leadership. Later, the five legislators ‘sacked ’ ten of their colleagues.

Don’t ask me how in a democracy, five is a majority over fifteen. But Africans say if a dog has human

Merchants of anarchism

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HE Enugu State Government refused to pay workers, Minimum Wage in 2011.

The then Executive Governor, Sullivan Chime had in response to workers agitations, won or bought over some labour leaders in the state and intimidated then Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Chumaife Nze who refused to sell out.

The NLC national leadership decided to relocate to Enugu and lead the workers strike. I was then NLC Acting General Secretary. On the morning of the strike, we woke up to find our hotel sealed off by armed soldiers and policemen who prevented any exit or entry. Governor Chime thought the best response to a planned protest, was to put the leadership under house arrest! It was an invitation to anarchy.

I put a call to then Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. He laughed, and said “Owei, are you serious?” I replied that from my hotel window, I could see the armed soldiers and wondered how a State Governor could unconstitutionally, deploy soldiers. Anyim laughed almost uncontrollably, and when he

caught his breath, he muttered “Chime! Chime!!” He asked that I gave him time to cross check. Shortly afterwards, our unwelcome guests could be seen rushing into their vehicles and disappearing. I called Anyim who merely laughed.

Not one to accept defeat, Governor Chime, the supposed Chief Security Officer of the State brought armed thugs to replace the police and soldiers. But workers easily put the Chime thugs to flight, arresting a number of them.

Admittedly, things were far better five years ago than now. It is therefore not surprising that with the state of the economy, unpaid salaries and hyper-inflation, there are various Chime-like elements who prefer to promote anarchism in the country.

One of them is the handsome Governor of Kogi Sate, Yahaya Bello whom the House of Representatives, has in an unprecedented move, summoned to appear before it. It is interesting that a man who has recently been confirmed governor by the Electoral Tribunal, would be endangering rule of law and promoting anarchism.

The issue runs from a Kafkaesque story; five of the 20-member Kogi

A judge who advocates the violent rape of a nation’s constitution including the abolition of citizens fundamental human rights and the rule of law, no longer deserves a seat on the Bench backing, it can kill a monkey. The five have the backing of the State Government which is employing their services to illegally pass laws.

The National Assembly exercising its constitutional powers on March 16, 2016,took over the functions of the State Assembly, but the five fingers of anarchy and their backers remained recalcitrant; they even went ahead to pass the Appropriation Bill. Rather than engage in duels, the fifteen majority members went to court, and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba sitting in the Federal High Court on May 19, 2016 delivered judgment in their favour restoring Speaker Lawal and his leadership

to power. When the victorious legislators returned to the House, the police declared that ‘thugs’ had taken over the Assembly.

At about 2am on May 31, armed men reportedly invaded the legislative quarters of the majority group and shot into the air for half an hour The latest in the drama is the report to the House of Representatives by Honourable Chukwuemeka Ujam alleging that on that same day, armed soldiers invaded the Kogi State Assembly and stopped the legislators from meeting. House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila fumed “The governor has no right to deploy the military to the State Assembly, so the question arises as to who deployed the military?’’ While the House of Representatives is investigating, anarchism is gaining the upper hand.

It is not only those carrying illegal weapons and explosives, sowing death and destruction that are spreading anarchism, elite with a stake in the system are also involved.

The latest call for lawlessness came last Tuesday, from the Bench when the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar regretted that the hands of dictatorship are tied in the country.

Claiming to be reacting to false media reports that the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki had been postponed indefinitely, Umar regretted “If not that we are under a democratic setting, I would have advocated for the return of Decree 2” of 1984.

The abolished decree Umar is craving for is the State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree Number 2 of 1984 which suspended human rights and constitutional freedom, and empowered the Vice

Ayakoromo and Niger Delta Avengers

By Ekanpou Enewaridideke

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HE Niger Delta, once calm like Matthew Arnold’s ‘Dover Beach’ after the formal commencement of the 2009 Amnesty Programme created by Late President Umaru Musa Yar ‘Adua which made Tompolo and other freedom activists embrace absolute peace unambiguously, now boils kodokodo. The Niger Delta boils; the Niger Delta boils because the Niger Delta Avengers, stuck to a new development ideology of their own creation, opposed to Tompolo’s revolutionary philosophy, has made the destruction of oil installations and facilities in Nigeria their pastime.

Stuck to this ideology of destruction for reconstruction, crippling the already dwindling Nigerian economy, their touchlight constantly beamed on the motivations behind this new-fangled ideology of destruction and the antidote to this oil-installation bombardment, when resources should be deployed towards the emasculation of this visible virus, some vindictive, blood-thirsty ethnic champions in Delta State have worked out a strategy to link communities and personalities they had long penciled down for destruction to Niger Delta Avengers. This is why communities like Ayakoromo, Ogulagha and Ogbe-Ijoh have been vindictively linked to Niger Delta Avengers just as personalities like Chief Boro Opudu, Hon. Frank Omare and Chief Aribogha Johnny who have been similarly caught up in this rampaging fever of linkage to Niger Delta Avengers. To get these communities and personalities entrapped and destroyed by the Nigerian Federal Government is the

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motivational stimulant for these ethnic champions who daily manipulate intelligence to galvanise Government into military bombardment of Ayakoromo, Ogulagha, Ogbe-Ijoh and these personalities.

One would not have been perturbed by this vindictive intelligence-manipulation by this disgusting cabal of ethnic champions against targeted communities and personalities but for the fact that the Nigerian military could unprofessionally VALORISE this clearly doctored intelligence and rhythmically MAMBO to

The rampaging cabal of ethnic champions has even become more dangerous than the dreaded NDA the deafeningly tempting drums of ethnic champions as it has often happened in the Niger Delta. It was on the strength of dangerously manipulated intelligence that the 1999 ODI MASSACRE was perpetrated against Ijaw people. In 2009 Gbaramatu Kingdom was militarily bombarded on manipulated intelligence just as Ayakoromo community was bombarded in 2010 by JTF on the doctored intelligence that Late John Togo was using Ayakoromo as an operational base to wage war against the Nigerian Army over his claimed disenchantment with the postAmnesty programme. In all the suffocating experiences of these communities when

they were bombarded by the Nigerian army, it was the cabal of ethnic champions who manipulated the intelligencegathering mechanism to the macabre, unprofessional exhilaration of the Nigerian soldiers who correspondingly descended militarily on these communities. Sadly, these blood-thirsty, cannibalistic, vindictive, manipulative cabal of ethnic champions is at their game of instigation and destruction through intelligencedistortion mechanism.

Currently, Aladja, an Urhobo community in Udu Local government Area, and OgbeIjoh, an Ijaw community in Warri SouthWest Council of Delta State, are at war; this is purely a communal war between brothers and sisters which would be settled in no distant time considering the prompt intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Rather than channel resources towards the end of the communal war, the shameless ethnic champions have begun to create SPIRALLING TENSION through intelligence-manipulation.

To this shameless cabal of ethnic champions, the communal war between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh is indeed a war between Urhobo and Ijaw to which both nationalities should deploy all resources towards execution. For a war everybody knows is over land dispute, the cabal of ethnic champions has rhetorically cast it as a war sponsored by Chief Boro Opudu, Hon. Frank Omare and Chief Aribogha Johnny through the engagement of the services of Niger Delta Avengers. For Chief Boro Opudu, the current chairman of DELTA WATERWAYS and LAND SECURITY COMMITTEE, Hon. Frank Omare, the Director-general of SPECIAL PROGRAMME, Delta State, and Chief

President to detain indefinitely anyone suspected of "acts prejudicial to state security...or the economic adversity of the nation." Under that dreadful law, leaders were empowered to throw people whose faces they do not like, into dungeons and throw away the key. Detainees under it, lost their right to be human beings as they are presumed guilty of unstated crimes and have no right to trial.

I was a journalist when that decree was enacted and implemented, and I know many innocent souls who were locked up and forgotten in detentions centres like the Inter Centre, a dungeon under the Ikoyi Cemetery. Justice Umar, being a 13year old when that decree was enacted, might have been too young to know its implications , but I would have expected him as a lawyer and former Chief Magistrate to err on the side of constitutionalism and justice.

The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates said “Four things belong to a magistrate/judge – (1) To hear courteously (2) To answer wisely (3) To consider soberly and (4) To decide impartially.”

The famous British Judge, Alfred Thomson ‘Tom’ Denning, better known as Lord Denning said “When a judge sits to try a case He himself is on trial before his fellow” citizens.

A judge who advocates the violent rape of a nation’s constitution including the abolition of citizens fundamental human rights and the rule of law, no longer deserves a seat on the Bench.

I have heard that Justice Umar claimed he did not mean what he said on the Bench; he should know that words are like eggs, once broken, they cannot be retrieved.

Aribogha Jonny, a resourceful businessman, what would actually profit them to sponsor a communal war in which they would be equally impacted?

Beyond the tendentious disparagement of Opudu, Omare and Johnny by linking them to NDA, the cabal of ethnic champions has also drummed up a propaganda that members of NDA are strategising in Ogulagha community in Burutu Local Government Area to attack Aladja. Dangerous and fictitious as this propaganda is, the cabal worsened it by another verbally embellished explosion that the members of Niger Delta Avengers are now hiding in Ayakoromo, a community in Burutu Local Government Area. Where would be the communities of this cabal of ethnic champions if the Nigerian Army is most unprofessionally instigated to launch attack against these communities on the basis of manipulated intelligence? Would their communities be able to withstand the backlash from these communities when attacked by JTF? Wouldn’t this instigation trigger off a continuum of communal wars in Delta State?

The cabal of ethnic champions had better been reawakened to the fact that Ayakoromo is a community of intellectuals, Christians, Muslims and African traditional religionists which has an unfathomable repulsion against criminality and so can never be associated with NDA. In the turbulent days of Late John Togo, Ayakoromo mystically carried out PURIFICATION RITES and intelligently partnered with JTF on intelligencegathering, intelligence-analysis and intelligence-harnessing mechanism towards the annihilation of the inglorious era of John Togo. *Mr. Enewaridideke, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Akparemogbene, Delta State.

34—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

ANNIVERSARY OF JUNE 12, 1993 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

From left— Guest speaker, Mr. Shina Loremikan; guest speaker, Mr. Olumuyiwa Noah, and wife of Abiola, Mrs. Olayinka Abiola, at the event.

From left— Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina; lawyer, rights activist and guest speaker, Mr. Femi Falana; Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, and former Editor-in-Chief, Newswatch Magazine and chairman of the occasion, Mr. Ray Ekpu, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council, lecture in commemoration of June 12, 1993 presidential election on the theme 23 Years After June 12 Presidential Poll: Whither Nigerian Politics, in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTOS: Bunmi Azeez.

From left— Son of late MKO Abiola, Abdul Abiola; Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, and another son of Abiola, Mr. Jamiu Abiola, at the event. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

June 12 democracy walk and rally that started from June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, to Chief MKO Abiola's family house at Oja-Agbo, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday.

PHOTO: Wunmi Akinola.

Fasting without Salat

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ASTING is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of the less-fortunate. It’s seen as a way to physically and spiritually detoxify by kicking impulses like overeating and concentrate on how to reach the creator. A time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on one’s prayers. Muslims are expected to spend more time on religious activities than worldly affairs.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the belief in Allah which is the first, the daily salat, Zakat and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Makkah.

Salat, as the second pillar, is the most fundamental pillar of Islam; it is the hallmark of faith and the key to paradise. We cannot overemphasise the importance of daily salat in Islam. It is the fulcrum on which all others rest. Therefore, no Muslim can afford to neglect

the salat whether before, during or after Ramadan. If one does not pray the daily salat, how then can he fulfil the other aspects of the pillars? Salat is only the basis for salvation.

Again, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stressed the crucial nature of salah when he said: “The covenant between us and them is marked by salat; so whoever abandons it is guilty of the breach of covenant.”

In another hadith, it was also related that no good deed will be accepted from one who does not pray – no zakat, no fasting, no Hajj or anything else. AlBukhaari (520) narrated that Buraydah said: The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: “Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.”

There are two types of people here: (1) those who do not pray at all but fast in Ramadan – their activities will be annulled. (2) those who do not offer a

particular prayer on a particular day, yet fast in Ramadan, which annuls the good deeds of that day. So annulment of all good deeds happens to those who forsake all the prayers, and annulment of the good deeds of a particular day happens to the one who omits a particular prayer.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen was asked in Fataawa al-Siyaam (p.

87) about the ruling on the fasting of one who does not pray.

“The fast of one who does not pray is not valid and is not accepted, because the one who does not pray is a kaafir and an apostate, because Allah says in Quran 9: 11: ‘But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism], perform Salat (Iqaamat-as-Salaah) and give Zakaah, then they are your brethren in religion’.”

On the other hand, those who usually miss their salat are rather considered as Muslims, albeit sinful, and their fasting is acceptable. They are those who try to cheat Allah by recognizing him only in Ramadan by observing the fast but refused to offer their regular salat as at when due; they are guilty of great sins. As you fast, observe your salat regularly.

Ramadan Mubarak!

From left— Guest speaker and Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Duro Oni; National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams; Chairman of the occasion, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), and President, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, at a June 12 anniversary event on the theme, The Spectre of June 12, Change Agenda and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria, organised by OPC in Ogba, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

PDP: Obi sues for transparent convention

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HE National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Care taker Committee, Senator Ben Obi has said that a perfect antidote for bringing calm to the party was to ensure that a transparent and acceptable convention is held.

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Dr Obi noted that the PDP has rebounded in full force. Adding that all hands are currently on deck to re-build the party and re-position it for the political challenges ahead.

According to him, “The Caretaker Committee under the able leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi is working round the clock to stabilize the party’s key institutions and deliver a very successful national convention in about three months’ time. ‘’The support and assistance the committee is getting in this regard, and also in the urgent task of getting back most of its members that deserted its ranks because of the defeat it suffered, from the Board of Trustees (BOT), the National Assembly (NASS) caucus, the Governors’ forum and its zonal, state, local government and ward leaderships, is tremendous and heartwarming.

He stated that as painful as it is, there is truth in the saying that failure is an orphan; in essence, that when you are down you lose friends, especially the fair weather ones. ‘’The crisis in the PDP occurred as a result of its defeat during the 2015 presidential election. The party is now substantially resolving stems. Had the PDP won that election it would be celebrating its unity of purpose, sense of mutual solidarity and togetherness,” he added.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 35

The Long Road B

RITISH Airways is the oldest running airline in Nigeria. The company commenced operations into Nigeria February 9, 1936 under its predecessor’s operating name: Imperial Airlines. At the time, it was intended for flights to terminate in Lagos, but because there were no airports which were suitable for operations, the flights terminated in Kano, and passengers connected to Lagos by train. A year later flights from LagosAccra were commenced utilizing a four-engined passenger aircraft known as de Havilland Express. It was reported that traffic on the route was held back by health issues, but Imperial Airlines overcame these concerns by installing an apparatus capable of killing mosquitoes in the aircraft.

In 1967, the British government established a Civil Aviation committee to look at certain aviation concerns and one of the recommendations was for the formation of a National Board to control finances and policies. The recommendation came into force in 1971 and Imperial Airlines changed its name to British Airways. Alex Cruz is the new Chairman/Chief Executive of British Airways.

Distinguished history He came on board in March this year and given the airline company’s distinguished history in Nigeria, he is quick to attribute BA’s accomplishment to the consistency with which it has served the Nigerian market.

He says, “British Airways’ predecessor airlines were among the first to develop air routes to Africa.

“Ensuring that these could continue operating successfully meant gaining a good understanding of customers’ requirements at both ends of the route and providing a network, schedule, products and services that customers found attractive.

These principles have endured, as competition has increased enormously from established international airlines as well as African carriers, both privately owned and state supported.

We’re very proud to have served Nigeria for 80 years and also that the families of some of our loyal customers today have been flying with us for three generations. ‘’Given that air travel seems to be here to stay, it’s at least encouraging to note that more C M Y K

Alex Cruz Chairman/CEO, British Air ways and more airlines are trying to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s true that, to a large extent, airlines have been motivated by the rising cost of fuel. Still, the good news for conscientious travellers is that airlines are beginning to realize that their sustainability policies are being closely monitored, and that the greener they get, the more likely we are to fly with them.’’

Making known what he thinks has sustained BA in the Nigerian market for such a long time, Cruz thinks: “It has to be understanding and adapting to the needs of our customers. If we were not doing that well, we wouldn’t still be operating. Every market in which we operate has its challenges.

“Successful carriers find ways to adapt or manage these. Those that don’t won’t continue operating or at least not profitable.”

British Airways is one of the few carriers serving destinations across all six inhabited continents. Route performance is competitively confidential just as all of its routes in Africa and elsewhere are important.

Comparing B A ’ s operations in Nigeria with the other

countries where it operates, Cruz finds that Nigeria is obviously a place “ we believe has a lot potential.” The potential the airline company sees in Nigeria is largely responsible for it’s long-term operational plans.

“We’ve currently got a good schedule to Nigeria, serving both Lagos and Abuja from London.

We have some of our most up-todate cabin product on board and we’re constantly looking at ways to improve the offering, such as catering by increasing use of local suppliers.

“We’re constantly evaluating our routes and looking to take opportunities when they arise. For example, we are increasing capacity to Nairobi from July and Cape Town from October. Beyond that, we’re aware that in African economies, it is often small and medium-sized businesses that drive growth. Through initiatives such as On Business, which offers these sorts of companies’ discounts and special offers, we are still looking to serve their needs m o r e effectively,” he disclosed.

Very few businesses are as brutally competitive as airlines.

Alex Cruz

BIO BRIEFS

Name: Alex Cruz Position: CEO, British Airways.

Date/Place of Birth: Spain, 1966 Education: Degree in Industrial Engineering, Central Michigan University, MSc, Ohio State University.

Degree in Management and Administration, Cox School of Business, Dallas Texas.

But because the competition is tough is not good enough a reason for airlines to be tough on customers. Because of the fact that travellers care mainly about price, many airlines seem to have made cutting costs the top priority at the expense of their service quality. But Cruz doesn’t think it has to be that way.

“It’s about every aspect of what we offer to customers: thoughtful service, onboard product, schedule and network. Customer service is more than just getting a good meal and something nice to drink when you’re on board.

It extends to offerings such as ba.com and the BA app, which give customers more control over every aspect of their journey from check in to changing flights.

We’re continuously evaluating every aspect of our offering from before you travel to when you arrive. We’ve recently introduced some of our most modern onboard products on the Nigerian routes and we are constantly looking for ways to improve the experience. We’ve worked long and hard to get the schedule we want to Nigeria and the daily services from Lagos and Abuja to Terminal 5 provide good connections to Europe as well as to services across the Atlantic,” he explained.

With his talk of thoughtful service, filling customers’ valuedriven needs is part of the deal.

As a full service airline, Cruz lists out some of the airline’s value driven offerings. His words: “Our Nigerian customers can choose from four cabins: First; our Club

British Airways’ predecessor airlines were among the first to develop air routes to Africa World business class; our premium economy cabin, World Traveller Plus; and World Traveller economy. I previously mentioned On Business, which provides small and mediumsized companies with benefits when they travel regularly with us. Of course there’s also the Executive Club, which rewards loyal individual travellers. Both of these add value in terms of recognition and benefits during and after travel.”

Airlines compete in complex ways and yet offer a largely undifferentiated service. For example, most of the major airlines compete with one another in separate markets.

While the overlap in markets is not perfect, oftentimes several major airlines compete on routes between major cities (markets).

When that happens, reductions in fares by one airline in specific markets or, more generally, across the board are often met with swift responses by other airlines. As a result, airlines generally find it difficult to reduce prices. Alternatively, it is uncommon to match price

increases, primarily because of multimarket competition between the major airlines. The situation suggests major rivalry. “We’ve always been in favour of fair competition. It’s good for the industry and for customers.

Regrettably, we still see some uneconomic carriers that are propped up through subsidies and bailouts, which skews the competitive landscape.

“Nevertheless, we’re interested in everything the competition, does. And we are always looking to innovate so we can keep up with customers’ changing needs and preferences, and making sure we beat the competition,’’ he said.

Air travel is essential to the prosperity of Africa as it opens up opportunities that did not exist before. Fostering the African aviation industry may be one of the driving forces of regional integration on the continent.

Better connected African countries and regions through a viable air transport industry could be the catalyst that can boost intra-African business, trade, tourism as well as cultural exchange, he posited: “The African aviation industry is certainly getting more competitive.

Connectivity and infrastructure “That’s good for Africa and good for consumers. As connectivity and infrastructure within Africa improves, air travel will become easier and more affordable. This should encourage international demand from business travellers seeking opportunities in Africa and tourists wanting to explore its natural beauty, wildlife and many cultures. It will also increase the opportunities for African enterprises to expand to international markets and make it more convenient for outbound tourists or people wanting to visit friends and relatives overseas”.

Alex Cruz who is 50 years old is clearly an iconoclast in the airline industry. In 1995, he started his career at the American Airlines, where he spent a decade at group’s travel arm, Sabre in London. In 2000, he anchored as a partner at Arthur D Little, an international management consulting firm before leaving in 2002 to establish his own aviation consulting firm. In 2005, he joined Accenture as it head of aviation. In 2006, he founded clickair-a Barcelona based Airline Company which later merged with Vuelling, a Spanish low cost airline which was later acquired

by International Airline Group in 2013.

In April 2006, he was appointed Chairman/CEO of British Airways. Sounding off on what he sees as the next step in global aviation, Alex Crux explains that the global economy has not recovered at the pace many hoped. “Across the industry as a whole - margins are still under pressure. Despite this, many governments still regard the industry as a source of income, ignoring the fact that punitive aviation taxation constrains one of the most important sectors for facilitating economic growth,”he said

36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 Edited by EMEKA AGINAM

Patrick Onwuka President Jonathan, if the treasury was not empty, why did your government owe teachers, workers and failed to pay some contractors? Or they looted it without you knowing. That may be the case with all these revelations.

Chuckdeni Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan inherited $35billion in Excess Crude account from YarAdua, but President Buhari inherited $2Billion in Excess Crude account. Remember that Former President, late YarAdua inherited $25billion from former President,

Buhari did not inherit empty treasury — Jonathan General Olusegun Obasanjo.

From $25b to $35b to $2b, is it not a virtually empty account? The bailout fund, isn’t it $1.7b from Excess Crude Account + proceeds from LNG and soft loans sourced from special intervention funds. What is Jonathan talking about? . Buhari, for the records, inherited a virtually empty treasury.

Kunzy Let the present government

challenge former President, Jonathan Goodlcuck’s statement.

Pastor Taiwo The important thing here is that President Buhari till date refused to publish the extract of the hand over note handed over to him by the last administration.

President Buhari has refused to disclose how much was the cash at hand when he took over... That is against best practice .

challenged on several occasions President Buhari’s government to publish the handover notes for Nigerians to see and be the judge on exactly how much was left behind for the present government. One would have thought that the govt would hurriedly publish the handover notes to prove that they indeed met an empty treasury or a virtually empty treasury.

Isibor Keu4Success The PDP has publicly

Militants split over FG, Avengers’ negotiations Shehu-shehu1960 What are they avenging for?

Are they more supreme than the Constitution of this great nation called Nigerian? Agreed, oil is found in a region called Niger Delta as far back as 1957.

Other minerals resources were also found in other regions as well. If Nigeria is not one nation, where did the so called Niger Delta got money from to develop what we now called oil in the region, which few ethnic groups are now claiming as God’s given resource that they wants to control their resources themselves.

•President Buhari with former president Jonathan

Delighto The division will surely bring their operations to a halt.

Negotiation will help the Federal Government to know the sponsors of the militants

and possibly prosecute them if dialogue fails Milosavage Milo If Nigerian military cannot protect our national assets it shows gross incompetence.

Promise chris Nigerians should try to be truthful. Military power cannot end this struggle. If Boko Haram, who are terrorist have religious and tribal sympathy, how much more freedom fighters, buhari.

Would have been the right person to make Nigeria better because he has people’s support, but his utterances is very local to be a leader, a religious bigots and tribalism leader can’t archives much in a country like Nigeria.

Germany begins supply of military hardware to Nigeria Menyinnah Nigeria is suppose to be producing such military hardware now, having been in war for over six years Nigeria must change before it too late and should remember that Germany produced every military equipment to fight world war 2 from 1939 to 1944.

Modern Joseph Keep your weapons and give us technology/machines for Agriculture and pharmacy. We have enough weapons.

Poverty is killing our people

in millions.

Obum Our leaders are not wise.

How many military hardware did late President Musa Yaradua bought ? I cannot remember any. Yet he was able to win war with intelligence and dialogue.

The western world will sell arms and ammunition to Nigeria government and sell to NDA. We will use the military hardware to kill ourselves. This government should stop talking tough and using military to stop unrest.

•Germany military hardware

TRENDING ISSUES ON TWITTER ‘Gbénga Sèsan @gbengasesan What if we agree that 11am-1pm every Monday, job seekers tweet their skills while employers tweet jobs Dele Momodu Ovation @DeleMomodu Jun 6 My prayers are with our very dear President as he travels for a medical treatment; may Allah give you total C M Y

healing.

JJ. Omojuwa @Omojuwa Jose Mourinho makes surprise appearance at Eva Carneiro’s hearing over Chelsea dismissal WHO @WHO Thousands of people are fleeing #Fallujah #Iraq as fighting intensifies. Health needs growing

Ben Murray-Bruce @benmurraybruce Airlines leaving Nigeria shouldn’t scare us. Its a crisis, but there’s opportunity in crisis. We can benefit.

AmnestyInternational @AmnestyOnline Malawi: Killing spree of people with albinism fuelled by ritual practices/ police failures

Primate Ayodele: God is angry with Nigeria Terry4brandy the great Of course, who does not know that God is angry with Nigeria? He is definitely angry with Nigeria because “His house in Nigeria that is meant for worship and prayer has become the den of thieves”, (Matthew 21:13) where Pastors acquire wealth, use the convoy of fleet of exotic cars moving from one place to another.

How 11-yr-old girl became my sex slave — Ogunlade, suspected serial rapist Alexander There must be something in the water in South West that makes them to be behaving this way.

Computer Virus Eradication of cultism is the answer to all these crimes.

Nigerian police, take note.

If you defeat cultism, you have reduced crimes by 70%.

Master’s students drown during birthday party in Lagos beach Kizitop people know the danger, yet they keep going there for swimming. Well, let them go and rest. If others like, let them learn their lesson. Nigeria is already over-populated.

Imperial Ebony The deadly blue see doesn’t recognize any pros in swimming. Any day it wants to strike, the best swimmer could fall victim of it. Amazingly, after the sea has taken away it’s prey, it will return the body ashore after three days, floating.

This is devilish. Diverse marine spirits dwell in the deadly Atlantic ocean but a lot of fun-seekers don’t realize this.

Tr ust only God Imperialebony I wonder what kind of fun one can get from playing in the beach. To me, playing in the beach is like diving from the plane without a life jacket.

Ed imperialebony Everyone should stay ashore and be mindful of mini tsunami. But the devilish part is superstition

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—37

PENCOM: Kashim Imam, Duru in war of words

By Soni Daniel & Abdulwahab Abdulah

A

BUJA—FORMER Presidential Liaison Officer, and key director of First Guaranty Pensions Limited, FGPL, Alhaji Kashim Imam, and Nze Chidi Duru continued their war of words over ownership of Fisrt Guaranty Pensions Limited.

While Imam said Duru was not an investor in the company, Duru, a former member of the House of Representatives, dismissed the fomer’s claims, saying Pencom, which ought to be a regulator, was unduly intefering in the affairs of the company.

Addressing a media session in Abuja at the weekend, Kashim Imam said that unknown to the public, Duru, who was removed from office by the Pension Commission of Nigeria for series of fraud, never invested a kobo in the company since its formation.

He said at the formation of the company, Duru did not have the initial N100 million share contribution required of each of the promoters but presented three cheques totalling N30 million which were later returned to him by the main shareholders.

business. The Board was commended for setting industry standards with the structure and organisation of the business. ‘’Additionally, FGPL had the person of Frank Nweke JNR as its independent director whose appointment in 2009 was approved by the National Pension Commission. Frank Nweke, in accepting his nomination, said on March 23, 2009, that he would like to thank the Board and shareholders for appointing him as independent

director to work with us to achieve the dreams of shareholders of First Guarantee Pension Limited.”

'Secret plot to remove me'

He said to actualize the secret plans of removing him from the company, the duo of Kashim and Pencom, without the approval of the Board of Directors and ordinary resolution of Shareholders of FGPL and in clear disobedience to the order of Justice D U Okorowo,

authorised Nneka Amobi, a staff of the company to appoint Ms Funmi Olowo as company secretary.

He said this was the point the share holding of the company was illegally altered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, through the removal of Novare and Genoou as shareholders, thereby reduc ing his shares and interest by 50 per cent, from N249,000,000 to N123,000,000.

Kashim blasts

Kashim said: “Technically speaking, Duru, cannot even be said to have invested a dime in the business. But we did not know this, until much later. ‘’He did not contribute a dime to the initial deposit of N500 million which was required to set up the company. Let me say that it was my papers and other documents that were filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission for the registration of the company, which Duru fraudulently claimed as his own because we the real owners had kept quiet over the matter, hoping that he would see reason and behave responsibly.

“I have the copies of the three cheques from Guardian Express Bank and Diamond Bank, which he presented for N30 million he brought, which was promptly returned to him and he cannot deny that. We only allowed him to be part of the company based on trust which he had since squandered.

“As if his atrocities were not enough, Duru also converted the shares of other shareholders who pulled out of the company to himself, issuing cheques in the name of the company to such persons, yet fraudulently appropriating their shares, as his own.”

Duru debunks allegation on non-performance

In his response, Duru debunked the allegation that FGPL was not performing under his watch.

He said: “In confirming FGPL as the most improved PFA on February 22, 2011, we are confident that the above infractions could not have been true and impacted on the

CONFERENCE: Cross section of participants and organizers of the Teenagers Conference

by Teenagers Educational Platform at the Zoological Centre, Garki, Abuja. Photos: Abayomi Adeshida

Saraki orders suspension of work on new PIB

A

By Joseph Erunke

BUJA—A few weeks after the long pending Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, passed second reading in Senate, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has ordered the indefinite suspension of further consideration of the bill.

Saraki’s directive, according to Vanguard source, is in reaction to a staunch opposition mounted against the treatment of the bill by senators of southern extraction who argued that exclusion of vital areas of the bill, one of which is the host communities fund, from the new bill was, not in the best interest of their region.

Saraki, who had boasted that the bill, which the Senate, in harmony with the House of Representatives, have re-christened Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB, would be passed in Senate, for subsequent assent by President Muhammadu Buhari, under his leadership, was stunned on April 13 when it was presented for first reading, as southern senators insisted that the bill must be treated in full without any portion excised.

The source said it took the senate president time to convince the senators to support the bill to pass first

reading during a closeddoor meeting held prior to its introduction.

Reps blame AGF for FG's non compliance with NASS's resolutions

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives has accused the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Abubakar Malami, of being responsible for the federal government’s noncompliance with some of the resolutions made by the National Assembly.

Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Emmanuel Orker-Jev, APCBenue, made the allegation, weekend, while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the legislative activities of the 8th House in its one year anniversary.

But he also stated that the House recorded an improved executive compliance to resolutions in its first legislative year, unlike the past when public officers demonstrated poor compliance to implementation of

resolutions by securing restraining orders from courts.

He pointed out that in the past, some resolutions passed by the legislature were ignored by serving ministers or members of the executive arm of government.

He said instead of the executive members obeying the resolutions of the National Assembly, they would prefer to proceed to the court to get a restraining order or run to the Presidency for protection.

He, however, blamed the serving AGF for noncompliance of some of the resolutions of the National Assembly, such as the resolution on Kogi State, on the AGF, stressing that instead of the Attorney General to advise the Presidency accordingly on some of the resolutions, he would do the contrary.

NBC pays N40.3bn in taxes

By Princewill Ekwujuru

L

AGOS—NIGERIAN Bottling Company, NBC, bottlers of the Coca- Cola brand, said weekend it paid N40.3 billion tax between 2008 and 2015.

The Director, Legal, Public Affairs and Communications, Mrs. Folasade Morgan, disclosed this during the tour of the company’s Ikeja new PET facility, in Ikeja, Lagos .

He said NBC was also partnering communities on shared values by providing livelihood for over 15 million Nigerians.

According to her, the company, in partnership with its host communities on shared values, has between 2004 and 2005 reduced water shortage by 54 per cent.

Morgan stated that with this process, NBC had made water accessible to 8,000 households in 14 communities, adding that it had had over 7,000 community water ambassador programmes between 2010 and 2015.

On youth development, the company said it had supported 8,000 students in public primary schools with back-to-school items since 2011.

Why Oronsaye is being prosecuted, by group

By Barth Madukwe

A

BUJA—A nongovernmental organisation, Integrity Group, has ascribed the ongoing trial of former Head of Service of the Federation, HOS, Mr Steve Oronsaye, to persecution over a report which sought to merge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with other anti-graft agencies in the country when he was still in service.

According to the National Coordinator and Secretary of Integrity Group, James Alo and secretary, Aliu Sanni, a report written by the Oronsaye committee when he was HOS and chairman,PresidentialCommiteeon the Rationalisation and Restructuring of the Civil Service, had sought the merger of the EFCC with the Independent Corrupt PracticesCommission,ICPC. The report also sought the autonomy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, in line with Nigeria’s agreement with international anti -graft and antimoney laundering agencies.

38—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

SALARY DELAY:

Dickson queries HoS, A-G, others

By Samuel Oyadongha ENAGOA—BAYELSA State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson has expressed dismay over the delay in the payment of workers salaries in the state, despite his directive to that effect.

The governor, who frowned at the development, has, therefore, directed the Head of Service, the state Accountant-General and the Accountants of all the Ministries, Departments and Parastatals to ensure that, the directive was carried out, not later than today.

He, however, warned that, failure to carry out the directive will attract stringent disciplinary action against the erring officers.

Dickson in a statement, weekend, by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, said that he had queried why the salaries were delayed, despite the fact that, money was released to all the MDAs, since last Thursday, when the directive was issued.

The governor, according to the

statement also demanded an immediate explanation from the Head of Service, the Accountant-General and other relevant officers “on what

Y

necessitated the delay.”

Regretting the unfortunate situation, he commended workers in the state for their patience, sense of maturity and

understanding, adding that, the government remains committed to the welfare of workers at all levels in the state.

By Elizabeth Uwandu

A

INAUGURATION: From left: Former Senate President, Senator David Mark; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; his Deputy, Mrs Ipalibo Banigo; former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deputy National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus, And Former Rivers State governor, Mr Celestine Omehia, during the inauguration of Ozuoba-Ogbogoro-Rumuolumeni Road in Obio/Akpo Local Government, in Rivers State. Photo: NAN.

Okowa calls for sober reflection as DTHA holds anniversary thanksgiving Why I endorsed Okowa for second term —Igbuya

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—AS Nigeria grapples with the present economic downturn occasioned by sharp fall in oil revenue, Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, called for sober reflection on what should be done to put the country on the irreversible path of progress.

Okowa at the first anniversary thanksgiving service of the 6th Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly at the Divine Way Baptist Church, Asaba, said that the country was having difficulty in meeting her financial obligations, since the price of oil nose dived in 2014.

He said: “In the midst of plenty that we had, within a space of one day, the price of oil started going down and it has continued. We are not only grappling with poor oil price, but, we are even unable to produce 50 per cent of our allotted capacity. It is time to return to God, only God can heal the land and deliver us, He is able to unite us, bring the glory back, if genuinely we call on His name, the Lord will definitely bless us but, we need to present our hearts to Him to turn things around.”

Speaker of House, Mr Monday Igbuya who took the first reading at the service which was attended by top political office holders, traditional rulers, clergy men, among others, commended Governor Okowa for effective management of resources to deliver democratic

NigerianTurkish Hospital to commence open heart surgery

dividends to the people despite the tough economic situation.

Meanwhile, Mr Igbuya has said that he owes no one any explanation for his early endorsement of Governor

Okowa for a second term in office.

The Speaker also said that the suspension of the member representing Ughelli South Local Government constituency

at the state House of Assembly, Mr. Reuben Izeze had nothing to do with his alleged involvement in an alleged attempt to impeach him, noted that his suspension was as a result of parliamentary misconduct.

RENEWED ATTACKS: Ex-Deputy govs' forum tasks N-Delta elders

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY—THE Forum of Former Deputy Governors, FFDG, weekend, called on elders and leaders from the Niger Delta to rise up against the continuous bombing of oil facilities in the region, saying that the devastating effect of pollution may haunt the people of the region for years to come.

Commending President Muhammadu Buhari over his efforts to find solutions to the problem in the Niger Delta and his war on corruption, the forum stressed the need to strengthen Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, with a view to apprehending all those who looted the nation’s treasury.

The forum made the call in a communique in Benin City, Edo State after their general meeting which saw the emergence of Edo former Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Imasuen as the new Chairman of the body and Abubakar Armayau (North East) as the Secretary General to run

its affairs.

Immediate past chairman of the body, Abdulmalik Mahmud who read the communique, said any violence aimed at destroying the nation’s assets must be condemned and discouraged.

According to him, “We condemned the current spate of

vandalism and destruction of our national assets by the Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in the Niger Delta; the Boko Haram sect which has traumatised the North East and other parts of Northern Nigeria, MASSOB, BIM, and IPOB in South Eastern Nigeria and the menace of herdsmen across the country."

BUJA—THE NigerianTurkish Nizamiye Hospital, a pristine medical facility in Abuja is set to commence services for heart valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting otherwise known as open heart surgery in Abuja.

According to a statement by the management of the hospital in Abuja, “The Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital decided to commence this service after a careful analysis of the spate of heart diseases prevalent in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.”

The statement added that “the focus would be coronary artery bypass grafting as well as heart valve replacement.”

The hospital said that it “has put in place all the required equipment and a team of experts from Turkey with a track record of excellence.”

The statement by the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, said that the hospital in its tradition of delivering quality services spared no expense in the composition of the team.

The five-man team is led by Dr Mustafa Kirman, a reputable cardiovascular surgeon from Turkey who is credited to have performed over 15, 000 heart surgeries with 99 per cent success rate.

In a chat with the Deputy Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Atilla Emiroglu, he said that the open heart surgery procedure being introduced was arguably the first of its kind in Abuja going by the quality of the surgeons andthemedicalfacilitiesonground.

ILoT faults NDDC on Ogheye-Ugbege-Araromi canal dredging misplaced in relation to pressing encroachment. Thereafter, canalization

By Egufe Yafugborhi ARRI—ITSEKIRI Leaders of Thought, ILoT, has kicked against the contract awarded by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the dredging of a canal to link Ogheye/Ugbege/ Araromi and other neighbouring coastal communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, citing irregularities and associated dangers.

In a letter by its Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, to NDDC, ILoT faulted the project with out conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA, while also judging the project as

W

needs of the affected communities.

ILoT said: “From media reports, the communities are held together by a fringe of land about 60 metres between the Atlantic and the Benin River, and they are resisting same. Any person or agency contemplating dredging such a canal without an EIA duly carried out, without guaranteeing their safety and security must have a motive other than the development of the communities.

“The canalization/dredging in the absence EIA will just wash off these coastal communities into the sea. What these communities need urgently is a fore-shore protection/reclamation and sand filling to protect them from ocean

can follow. To do otherwise, as we are now seeing, is like putting the cart before the horse.

“What is the reason for prioritizing this ‘unnecessary' project, as though the heavens would fall without it? What has NDDC done about the Ugborodo Shoreline Protection Project at N10 bilion awardedsince2004whenabagofcement was not dropped there, yet the entire contract sum was collected?

“And the Koko Shoreline Protection Project at N3 billion in 2006? No work has been done, but money collected. The Presidential Monitoring Committee on NDDC in 2012 had reported and directed thatNDDCshouldrecoverthemoneypaid in respect of Ugborodo Shoreline and “recallthecontractortositeincaseofKoko project."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 39

Oshiomhole seeks review of policy on varsity education

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN CITY— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, weekend, called on the Federal Government to review its policy on university education with a view to subsidising tuition fees for indigent students, emphasizing that intelligent but indigent students should be encouraged to acquire quality university education.

Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony for the pioneer students of the Edo University, Iyamho, Oshiomhole said parents of the rich should be made to pay for quality university education for their children while the government should give subvention to children of the poor for same quality education.

He said: “Nigeria has to engage in a serious national conversation on the appropriate educational policy with particular reference to higher education. Just now, this conversation is taking

place in an informal way.

The system seems to have collapsed. Governments at all levels simply do not have the capacity to provide the level of funding which universities require to produce first class graduates.

“Right now, Nigeria is

running a system which is highly deceptive and is not sustainable, a system that I like to describe as a generalized system of suffering, a system that subsidizes the children of the rich just as they subsidize the children of the poor.”

Ijaw forum lauds Oshiomhole

By Tare Youdeowei

T

HE South-South Ijaw Youth Leaders Forum, SSIYLF, has said the Ijaw of Edo State fared better under Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who they described as “detribalized and nonpartisan in the governance of the state.”

In a statement by Comrade Wilson Godspower Alatubo, Victor Nelly and Seifegha John, President, Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively, the group said: “Governor Adams Oshiomhole has shot the Ijaw into political limelight and equation of Edo State, thereby giving them a sense of belonging

long denied the Ijaw in the state.”

The group said Oshiomhole was the first to visit the Ijaw communities of Edo State, adding: “Oshiomhole renovated schools, built boreholes, graded roads in the Ijaw areas of Edo State and appointed an Ijaw son of the state, Don Okubo Robert, as Executive Director, Surveillance Security, Edo State”.

Claiming that over 500 Ijaw youths got employment in the present administration, the SSYLF said Governor Oshiomole was a democrat that walked and lived the change mantra.

40—VANGUARD, MONDAY,

JUNE 13, 2016

Confusion in PDP over delegates' list

By Simon Ebegbulem

S

OME leaders of the PDP are kicking against the alleged decision of the party to use the list of delegates earlier used in electing the new state executive for the party ’s governorship primaries.

The protest follows the decision to use the same list of delegates which was reached at a meeting held weekend at the residence of the former chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, Chief Tony Anenih.

The furore in the PDP follows a similar protest in the APC where aspirants had alleged a plot to foist one of the aspirants through doctoring the list of delegates to the advantage of an aspirant.

Some leaders of the PDP led

by Okharedia Ihimekpen who addressed journalists

yesterday, narrated that the decision to use the same list of delegates as that used in the

election of party executives is unconstitutional. “It is criminal and it is unacceptable. And

that whoever that will emerge from this primary will be unacceptable to the party and the public because it will be contested in court.

“We should go back to our constitution to go back to the rules. You don’t carry over a delegate that was used for chairmanship election for governorship primaries. What some PDP leaders wants to do was to rig the primaries before the exercise. The PDP constitution is very explicit on this matter. Section 25 sub section L stipulates that every delegate election is for a particular election and after that it cannot be used again.

“So any attempt to use the old list of delegates is an attempt to rig the primaries and it will be resisted” he stated.

My husband will project women — Betsy Obaseki

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

M

RS. Betsy Ifueko Obaseki, wife of APC governorship aspirant, Godwin Obaseki has told women leaders and delegates that her husband is best positioned to sustain the achievements of the outgoing Adams Oshiomhole administration.

Speaking during an interactive session with the

female politicians, Mrs. Obaseki said the successes of the Oshiomhole administration should not be left in the hands of a novice.

Remarkably, among those present at the session was Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, wife of the outgoing governor.

Noting that women would have prominent roles to play in an administration formed by her husband, she said: “Women under the

administration of my husband shall stand beside our men to build a vibrant and prosperous economy for the state. Looking around here today I am convinced that we have capable and talented women who will stand their own in the next dispensation to ensure that the women take their rightful place.

“It is against this background that I urged all the delegates here present to

•Obaseki cast their votes for Mr, Godwin Obaseki on June 18th at the party’s primaries”.

I will end tax oppression — Ize-Iyamu

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN – PDP governorship aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has promised to bring the milk of human kindness in the taxation programme of the government if elected as governor.

Ize- Iyamu, who spoke following his collection of interest form lamented that revenues presently generated are not being used for the good of the people.

“The taxation and wealth

•Ize-Iyamu: I will lessen your burden

creation policies will be implemented with great compassion, humanness, accountability and transparency. In particular, we will avoid multiple and oppressed taxation. One of the reasons that people are averse to taxation is the fact that many

do not seem to see the purposes for which they pay tax.

“We shall review the present tax policy which is harsh, punitive and discriminatory and stop unnecessary duplication of taxes as a simpler tax regime will encourage compliance. We will be

innovative, transparent, and fair in our tax policy. Our government will abolish all illegal tax and levy collectors including ticketing officers and ‘Agberos’ in public places such as markets, parks, roads and stores, etc”.

I am not Oshiomhole’s mole — Arigbe-Osula

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

A

PC governorship aspirant and erstwhile deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula has castigated assertions that he had been recruited by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to divide the Benin vote towards enhancing the chances of Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the APC primaries.

Arigbe-Osula who entered the fray just before the closure of the nominations said such assertions did not take cognisance of his pedigree.

“Those who are saying that don’t know or haven’t bothered to look into my antecedents. I am one of the proud Edo people that don’t have a price. I know they

say everyone has a price, but some of us still conscientiously don’t.

“No one can pay me to support a cause that I do not believe in.

You also do not have to pay me to support a cause I believe in nor can you stop me from defending such cause.”

N16m fee too high for PDP form — Agbonayinma

By Simon Ebegbulem

T

HE member representing Ikpoba Okhai/Egor Federal constituency of Edo state in the House of Representatives, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma says the N16million nomination form for governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state was too exorbitant.

The PDP chieftain said that the cost of the form would scare

qualified candidates out of the governorship race and therefore urged the leadership of the party in the state and the national level to reduce the amount.

He stated this weekend, shortly after escorting a governorship aspirant of the PDP, Mr Matthew Iduoriyekemwen to pick his expression of interest and nomination form at the state secretariat of the PDP.

I'll bring sincerity to govt — Edebiri

By Gabriel Enogholase

P

DP governorship aspirant, Chief Solomon Edebiri has promised to bring sincerity of purpose and trust into the governance of the state if elected.

Edebiri made the pledge while addressing journalists weekend in Benin.

While insisting that he used his hard earned resources to purchase the form out of his conviction and belief in serving the people, he said, “It is not also nice for us to deceive people consistently in politics and live on the vague assumption that one did this or did that.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I am a straightforward and a sincere person and I will speak the truth at all times. We want to bring sincerity of purpose to governance where accountability and transparency will be the hallmark.

Esele promises teaching of indigenous languages

By Gabriel Enogholase

A

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Peter Esele has promised to ensure that the dominant languages in the three Senatorial zones of the state are taught in all primary and secondary schools if he is elected.

Esele noted that if the children were not taught their indigenous languages, their history, culture and mores would disappear, adding that these must be preserved for the sake of the present generation.

On Education, Esele said that he will adopt the German model of education where after primary six the child will enter secondary school but when he becomes ten years old, “he will have to go somewhere to be an apprentice from 1pm to 4pm for three years.

Following the apprenticeship, he said “he will now write his SSCE and then decide whether to use his hand work or go to the University to learn the theory.

The party chairmen of Ovia North East Mr. Benson Edosomwan, Ovia South West Peter Ajayi as well as that of Egor Local Government Council, Benjamin Omoregie congratulated Comrade Esele for the bold step taken.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 41

Christians in 19 northern states seek Buhari, govs' protection against attacks

NAF graduates 77 intelligence personnel

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

...To aid fight against militancy, insurgency

J

OS—CHRISTIANS in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the respective state governors to stop paying lip service to their security.

Consequently, they have called on the federal and state governments in the north to put adequate measures in place to protect them and their places of worship and bring to an end incessant attacks and killings of Christians in the region.

Chairman of CAN in 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Rev. Yakubu Pam, who made the call, against the backdrop of recent killings of two Christians in Kano and Niger states, said it was unacceptable that some groups of persons operating under the guise of defending their religion could hack to death a woman, Mrs. Bridget Agabahime, in Kano and another Christian male, Chimaije Emmanuel, to death in similar fashion under the guise of blaspheming against Prophet Mohammed.

Rev Pam in a press statement issued at the weekend in Jos, charged northern governors to face up to their responsibilities as chief security officers of their states and provide adequate security to the lives and properties of Christians in their states.

He noted that Nigerians had equal rights to live in any state of the federation to carry out their

SIGNING: Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), N i g e r i a n Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar G. Danbatta (left) and the Chief Executive of MTN, Ferdinand Moolman during the signing of agreement to stagger MTN's fine in Abuja

lawful businesses without anyone causing harm to them.

He said: “The recent ugly incidents in Kano and Niger states are regrettable and uncivilized and should not be tolerated by people of good will in this country. ‘’The perpetrators of these evil acts must be fished out with their

I

MPORTERS in the country have accused the current leadership of the Standards Organization of Nigeria, SON, of inflicting unnecessary losses on them as a result of the refusal of the agency to certify their goods and services on time for clearance by the relevant agencies.

The importers in a strongly worded protest letter sent to Vanguard, blamed the Director General of SON, Dr. Paul Angya, of sitting on their SONCAP certificates for months, thereby making them incur undue demurrhage on their containers.

SON boss kicks, denies claim

But Angya in a swift reaction, denied the claims, saying he had not done anything to slow down the certification of genuine papers for the clearance of goods at the ports.

SONCAP is a product

grazing route for cattle herders without going into consultation with the people of their respective states who own the land.

He warned that unless the interests of the people they govern are taken into consideration before embarking on any policy, it might be counter-productive at the end of the day.

IDPs now dying of starvation — BBOG

NIgeria, Cameroon, UNHCR plan return of 80,000 IDPs

By Kingsley Omonobi & Omeiza Ajayi

A

BUJA—THE Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group has warned the Federal Government against playing politics with the humanitarian situation in the

Importers blast SON over delayed clearance of goods It's not true — SON DG

By Soni Daniel & Favour Nnabugwu

gangs and made to face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrence to others who might be nursing such ambition to carry out dastardly act in the nearest future.”

Pam also cautioned northern governors not to rush into committing parts of land in their states for grazing reserves or

conformity scheme with the aim of helping to ensure that products exported to Nigeria meet minimum safety requirements to ensure Nigerian consumers are not exposed to potentially unsafe and sub-standard goods.

As a result, it is compulsory for all importers to present SONCAP certificates at the point of clearance of their goods before such could be released to them by the relevant ports agencies, such as Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Customs Service and the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control.

However, the importers alleged that since his appointment, Angya had been subjecting them to untold hardship by not paying attention to their applications, many of which have been on his table for months.

The complaining importers said: “Since assuming office, Dr. Angya has not been treating importers with the attention they deserve.''

North East, saying the fortunes of the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs, in the country have not improved.

Specifically, the group said many of the IDPs were at present dying as a result of starvation, in apparent response to reports that the African Union had given the government a pass-mark in its handling of IDPs. This came as the Federal Government weekend signed a tripartite agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugee, UNHCR, and Cameroun for the return of thousands of Nigerian refugees currently taking refuge in that country.

Commissioner for Political Affairs and Head of the AU Humanitarian Mission, Dr Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, who visited the Yola IDP camp in Adamawa State also at the weekend, was quoted as expressing delight at government’s handling of IDPs. However, spokesman of the #BBOG, Sesugh Akume said: “The report does not represent the true situation of IDPs in northeast Nigeria.

“Reports reached us that only yesterday (Saturday) the IDP camp in Biu was flooded by rains.

IDPs at Teachers’ Village, Maiduguri, have died of starvation. Our compatriots from Damasak, who are refugees in Niger are in a horrible condition.

We’re now resettling the IDPs — NEMA

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said the

Federal Government was now at the stage of resettling the IDPs. Director General of the agency, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, disclosed this when he received the Commissioner for Political Affairs and Head of the AU Humanitarian Mission, Dr Aisha Laraba Abdullahi in Abuja.

A statement signed by thee Senior Information Officer of NEMA, Sani Datti, quoted the DG as saying: “We have moved from the emergency response stage to recovery and resettlement of the IDPs.” He said there were about 80,000 displaced Nigerians currently taking refuge in Cameroon and that the federal government had been making efforts to cater for all their basic needs.

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—AS the armed forces take steps to combat insurgency in the North East and militancy in the South-South, the Nigerian Air Force School of Air Intelligence, NAFSAINT, Makurdi, weekend, graduated 77 military intelligence personnel to aid the fight against aggression in any part of country.

Addressing the joint graduands of the Young Intelligence Officers’ Course, Intelligence Supervisors’ Course and the Basic Intelligence Course, the Commandant of the institution, Group Capt. Raymond Nwankwo, said the training was aimed at boosting the capacity of the graduands.

Nwankwo noted that through capacity building initiatives, Nigeria’s national security challenges, insurgency and terrorism would become a thing of the past.

He said it was for that reason that the institution introduced new courses as intelligence analysis and improvised explosives awareness as part of its curriculum for optimum performance of intelligence operatives in the field.

He lamented that successive terrorist activities carried out so far in Nigeria, clearly indicated poor intelligence network, hence the need for regular training of military personnel in the bid to end insurgency and militancy in the country.

Also speaking, Director of Air Intelligence, NAF headquarters, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman, charged the graduands to use the knowledge gathered during the training to better the operations of the armed forces.

23 arrested over illegal cutting of trees in Kogi and indiscriminate felling of trees.

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—KOGI State Forestry Taskforce has apprehended 23 trucks loaded with logs of wood cut without the permission of the state government.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, disclosed this at the weekend during the parade of the suspects by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. Osikoya said activities of the suspects were contrary to the stand of the state government which placed a ban on burning

She said the state governor, Yahaya Bello, had in March placed the ban on illegal forest activities and as well set up the forestry taskforce in April to enforce the ban on deforestation in the state.

She pointed out that the taskforce, in collaboration with men of Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC, was able to apprehend the 23 trucks loaded with wood.

“Before May 20, 2016, 17 vehicles were arrested by Police, while five others were arrested by men of Civil Defence; and one truck was also apprehended at Okpo in Olamaboro local government area of the state,” she said.

42—VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

•Mitee...paying people without work is not a step in the right direction

Niger Delta crisis: How government missed it — Mittee •Says it is wrong to appease militants with contracts LAWYER, environmentalist and social activist, Ledum Mitee was one of those who founded the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, who later became president of the body until recently.

He was also until recently Chairman, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI and has also chaired several civil society groups both locally and internationally.

Mitee in this interview in Port Harcourt speaks on burning issues in the Niger Delta, the ugly mindless killings in his Rivers State and some other topical issues.

By Jimitota Onoyume

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HAT is your reaction to the renewed insurgency in the Niger Delta?

It is a very unfortunate situation considering the economy, the security and overall situation in the country. To have a situation boiling as it is, does not tell well of us. Everybody of good conscience should know it is a matter that calls for concern.

People like us have a sense of concern, we have been here before, we have seen it, and we are coming back to the same situation.

I have advocated peaceful resolution of conflict all my life.

Almost all who have been reading the Niger Delta can’t say they did not see this coming.

Since the day we submitted what people refer to as the Ledum Mitee Technical Committee report we made it clear that this is not the way to go. The government has thought of peace in the Niger Delta as

when oil flows.

So as soon as in 2008 and 2009 we had a situation where our oil production dropped to between 500,000 and 1 million barrels of oil daily. It was a thing of concern.

The whole attitude of government then in spite of the issues and solutions we proffered was to go on an appeasement exercise, to appease the most violent segment of the community just to make sure oil flowed in the region. This was different from the solutions we raised and proffered.

Disarming process The amnesty thing as it is was not what we recommended. What we recommended at the level of the Niger Delta Technical Committee was that within six months, complete initial steps to support a disarming process for youths involved in militancy should be taken. The process

should begin with some confidence building measures on all sides.

These measures include

There have been too much politicisation of issues in the area that some very key elements have been sidelined or blackmailed into silence ceasefire on both sides, pull back of forces, open trial, and bail, with a view to an eventual negotiated release for Henry

Okah.

What we looked at was that there would be an amnesty where you will negotiate, and that will bring about disarming of militant groups.

You will enter into an undertaking. We had detailed steps. What the government did was to run with amnesty as if it is a stand-alone thing. Even the important question of asking who a militant was for the purpose of the amnesty was overlooked.

Have we collected all the guns from those who have the guns?

So if a person had raped a woman and brought gun is that why he should be registered in the amnesty program and be paid.

Again paying people without work is not a step in the right direction. If you are going to pay people, then you have to tie it to a work. When they finish training, they look for work. You can say if you have a hotel, and you were taking three staff you

can take six staff, and we pay the three.

The basic thing is that you get paid for what you do. But what we see are people paid for almost doing nothing. Contracts were given for what you call security to some which I think is not proper to do.

But will some employers of labour have wanted these exmilitants around them because it was an issue at a time?

Why not. If you actually defined who is a militant. Now our suggestion to government was that the programme should not just target only militants because there are many people who were involved in those struggles who did not go out to say they were militants So when you called the programme a thing for militants some key people were left out, and many people were brought in who ought not to be there Now if you target a youth programme, deliberately you involve everybody. To just say you are ex-militants, we pay you, does not integrate them. It still keeps them aloof.

But guns were collected at a time from the insurgents?

Did you not see where a governor with fanfare said they were going to collect arms from a militant leader. On that day the man brought 25 and the governor called it off, telling him he could do more.

The next day the man made it fifty. Are you sure it was only fifty the man had?

There was an occasion at a stage when I was chairman of the Technical Committee; there was a particular militant leader who called me that he wanted to hand over his guns, at that time they had not pronounced the amnesty.

Declaration of amnesty He said he was tired, and all he wanted was that they should leave his boys alone. When he told me the number of guns, I was shocked. Myself and a few persons went round talking to people at the presidency; they said we should talk to the governor of Rivers State and when I called him, he said the militant was a very notorious person.

The militant kept on calling me yet I had no power to do anything. I was only on a committee to make recommendations. That person got frustrated that our Committee could not help he went to his king and told him the same thing that he wanted to hand over his guns. I understand the king got to the governor to say this was the person and what he wanted to do. What did government do?

They arranged troops to arrest the man. The next day it was in all the papers. Not too long after, amnesty was declared. The man came back; now you did not get all the guns, but he got paid.

Continues on page 43

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016—43

It's wrong to appease militants with contracts Continues from page 42 All these are instances that you can’t equate peace in the region to just the flow of oil. Militancy was not the problem of the Niger Delta. The problem was that people felt they were undeveloped, marginalised. The resources of their lands were taken to develop other places, they were living in poor conditions, basic necessities of life were not in their communities. These were their problems. They wanted affirmative actions to get to enjoy the basic comfort you find in other areas. There was also the environmental problem.

Now when we raised these issues, I and Ken (late Ken SaroWiwa) and others they killed us, threw us into jail. About 2000 Ogoni were killed in the military occupation of Ogoni. There was an uproar in the whole world, Nigeria was suspended from the Common Wealth, we became almost a pariah. Noting happened. So another group came up and said, this time, we are not going to wait to be killed, they carried guns reflecting the extreme expression of anger and frustration in the area.

The attitude of government to the whole thing looks like a situation where people protest over a bad road, cut a tree to block the road because government ignores them.

Situation in the region The government comes to bribe them to remove the tree. So the road is not repaired but vehicles still allowed to drive through.

This is the situation in the region.

With all the protest, agitation s of the past in the region nobody redressed the issues of Niger Delta; nobody touched them, they just allowed them. They just say let’s bribe them.

Now the problem has grown into many other ways, there is now a lot of illegal bunkering. a whole lot of illegal refining going on as part of the problem. People Now felt we can make money from the situation in the region.

Now It got to a situation the price of oil came down. These are natural reactions people must be prepared to face.

How should the amnesty programme be strengthened to achieve more result?

There must be a very good conversation. There must be a honest study of what is happening, approach to the issues. How many, militants are there, where are they, what are they doing, are there some already integrated? We must look at what can be done to make it better instead of it just being appeasement.

How can we make people work for what they earn? How can we see that government is not only rewarding those that carried guns

•Mitee...too much politicisation of issues because there are several people out there who are equally angry and have never felt the only option is carrying guns.

In so far as you continue to appease those who carried guns you are saying to others that the only way you can also benefit is to carry guns.

I believe that that conversation must be there which should involve key stakeholders.

There have been too much politicisation of issues in the area that some very key elements have been sidelined or blackmailed into silence. I have not been amused by the level of engagements I see. You find out that after the election more of the

It is wrong to put the whole Ogoni thing in a match box called UNEP report which came just yesterday Niger Delta states are controlled by the PDP and the federal government is led by the APC. I do not see the engagement. I was amused the other day that it was a big news in the papers that Wike met with Buhari. Wike is governor of a very important Niger Delta State. So it meant

that the rapport that should exist between the state and federal government is not there on how to solve the problem.

You were absent at the flag off of implementation of the UNEP report by the federal government in Bodo, Gokana local government area recently.

People have been wondering.

Why? I was not invited to the flag off.

There have been engagements on the issue and I have not been invited.

Who should have invited you?

The state government or federal government?

The process has been driven by the Federal Ministry of Environment. They have been engaging those they want to but I have not been invited.

Are you a member of any of the political parties?

No. The mere fact that I was chairman of NEITI under Jonathan some had said I was part of this or that. I am not a member of any political party.

When I was chairman of NEITI we were accused of being too critical. My concern is that people should see my pedigree.

Bargaining for anything I have been accused several times that we were overheating the polity. I did not bargain for anything. I was at home when I was announced for NEITI. But those things do not give me any worry. My concern is that at my age and position in life if people ask my view I should be clear about it. People can see what I stand for.

Given that the UNEP report captures part of your struggles should you not be involved in its implementation?

Unfortunately, that is the problem I have, the misconception. Ken and let me say the Ogoni 13 were not killed because of UNEP report. They were killed because the Ogoni went out to say that the manner of oil exploration in their land was threatening their existence, that they were marginalised both politically and economically by the Nigerian state. And they made certain demand from the federal government.

Only one of such was on the environment. It was just around 2010 or 2011 that the issue of UNEP came up by which time people had died. UNEP was not part of our agitation as Ogoni.

UNEP report It is wrong to put the whole Ogoni thing in a match box called UNEP report which came just yesterday. I think it is most unfair to both Ken and all others to say that all we were fighting for was just UNEP report. UNEP is good, but it should not be taken that that was what the Ogoni were fighting for.

Any passing comment on what happened in Bodo?

No comment. Even before that flag off, the Minister of Environment, had been coming here (Rivers state ) they never felt that I and several others had a view, they never asked for our comment on any of the issues.

Did you see any of the Wiwa’s in that place, was any of the Orages there (at the flag off) Go to Ogoni and ask communities directly affected if they have been engaged? Go and see how they are projecting the report to the ordinary Ogoni people in the street, telling them that they are going to get money, money will

be shared to them, they will get contracts, there will be job for all, to the extent that the people are being exploited, they tell you that to benefit from UNEP come and buy a form for one thousand five hundred naira.

Now let’s look at the Niger Delta Avengers. What advice do you have for the federal government?

Government should not begin the whole process of appeasement all over again.

Government should not provide divide and rule in the region, don’t pitch the former militants and the new groups because it will be counterproductive. Don’t politicise solution or conversation on the issue.There should be real conversation among some real key stakeholders in the region on how we can go forward if it means reviewing the reports of the past on how to redress challenges in the region. We should not stand on the premise as in the past like, let’s go appeasing people for the now.

Allocation of oil wells seems to be part of the issues on the front burner in the ongoing insurgency. What do you have to say about that?

I am not a great fan of oil licences and oil wells. The reason is that you are not allocating them to communities but to business men and elites.

Patronage contract What I will call community identity theft, either some people will come and say my people want this, for us to be happy give us minister yet what you mean is give me minister. This does not solve the problem of the ordinary people. I am more concerned about what will get to the ordinary people.

When you do things that touch the ordinary people the community become actively involved in resolving the problems. When I was in NEITI we suggested that government should not do patronage contract.

You give contract to Mr A to guide pipelines he pays his boys peanuts. Then eventually they are not able to do anything. Use funds for pipeline contracts to employ people in the communities and pay them living wages and then pay some things to the communities as well.

How do you react to the spate of violence in Rivers State?

My view is that part of the problem has political connotation. What I see that has been quiet nauseating is what I call the appropriation by politicians of crime and criminals.

If a known criminal today is arrested, you find that one political party will issue statement saying our staunch member has been killed by the other party.

What this has done is that the criminals have been appropriated to the political parties.

44 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

SCORPIO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

SAGITTARIUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

CAPRICORN: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

AQUARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

L

IFE is all about relationship. It is all about how you relate well with the other man or woman. For example, a success-

About Relationship? ful father should be able to relate well with his children, a successful leader should be able to

TERROR MUDA

relate well with his followers.

Similarly, a good manager should have a good rapport with mem-

in “Never say goodbye”

bers of his workforce.How well you relate with people could determine how far you will go in life.Think about it.

By Kola Fayemi

PISCES: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

ARIES: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

TAURUS: Promise made to genuine personalities should be kept if not because of today but for better tomorrow. Be reasonable and clean.

GEMINI: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

CANCER: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others. Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

VIRGO; Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my horoscope?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.. Please tell me my full horoscope Anonymous. Nigeria.

Dear Anonymous, You were born on a Sunday.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you.

Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 45

50 dead, 53 injured in Orlando gay club shooting •'Gunman motivated by homophobia’

•Omar Mateen, the suspected gunman who killed 50 people in a gay night club was killed after taking hostages.

IFTY people are now It is the worst mass known to have died in shooting in recent US a shooting in a gay history. Florida governor nightclub in Orlando, Rick Scott said it was Florida, and a state of “clearly an act of terror”. emergency has been Officials said the declared, the city’s mayor killings were likely to be Buddy Dyer has said. ideologically motivated, The gunman, named by though there was no officials as Omar Mateen, information that the was killed after taking gunman was associated with a particular group. hostages.

However, US Another 53 people were Alan injured in the shooting at Congressman Grayson said it was “no the Pulse club.

F

coincidence” the attack happened in a gay club.

“It may be we’ve seen the commission of an awful hate crime,” he added.

Mateen’s father Mir Seddique said the incident had nothing to do with religion, but may have been triggered by the sight of a gay couple kissing in Miami.

French President Francois Hollande condemned the mass killing “with horror” and expressed the “full support of France and the French with America’s authorities and its people in this difficult time”, a statement by his office said.

It is believed that the suspect, who was a US citizen from the Florida town of Port St Lucie and was of Afghan descent, was not on a terrorism watch list, although he was being investigated for an unrelated criminal act.

Relatives have been gathering at local hospitals desperate for news of their loved ones.

Many had received calls and texts from loved ones inside the club as the siege began, and some have heard nothing since.

Secret US report on 9/11 ‘ll absolve Saudi—CIA also central to a dispute has said that Saudi

T

HE probable publication of classified parts of a 2002 congressional report into the 9/11 attacks will clear Saudi Arabia of any responsibility, CIA chief John Brennan has said.

Keeping 28 pages of the report secret has sparked speculation that the attack had received official Saudi support.

The classified pages are

over whether the families of 9/11 victims should be able to sue the Saudi government.

Saudi Arabia denies any involvement.

Fifteen out of the 19 hijackers in 2001 were Saudi citizens.

Former senator Bob Graham, who headed the Senate intelligence committee that compiled the classified report in 2002,

officials did provide assistance to the 9/11 hijackers. But Mr Brennan said this was not the case. “So these 28 pages I believe are going to come out and I think it’s good that they come out. People shouldn’t take them as evidence of Saudi complicity in the attacks,” Mr Brennan said in an interview with Saudi-owned Arabiya TV.

Muhammad Ali’s ex-girlfriend attempts to sell sex tape of boxing legend Speaking to the paper,

A

WOMAN who claims that she is the former girlfriend of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Barbara Mensah, has made a sick attempt to cash in on the star’s death earlier this month by offering the sale of tapes that she alleged show the star at sex parties.

She wanted a six-figure sum for the footage.

Barbara also claimed that her daughter Kiiursti is the lovechild of Muhammad, and has spoken to The Mirror just two days after Muhammad was laid to rest at his funeral.

Venezuela’s President rules out referendum till next year

V

E N E Z U E L A’ S President Nicolas Maduro has insisted no referendum on ending his term will be held until next year, amid mounting pressure as the country teeters on the brink of economic collapse.

Maduro’s opponents are racing to call a referendum before

January 10, as a successful recall vote before that deadline would trigger new elections rather than transfer power to the vice president.

If the opposition meets all requirements with their bid to oust him, “the recall referendum will be held next year.

she said: “I know the value of the footage. No one has anything like this.

I’d like to get as much as I can for it.”

The 70-year-old is also attempting to get the film transferred onto a CD to make it easier to sell, admitting that she’s looking for around $100,000 to make the sale.

Speaking about the contents of the footage, Barbara claimed they were taken after fights at “Gumbo parties”, explaining: “There would be Ali and a few of his guys and then about a dozen or more girls.

“All of them were stunning. Muhammad couldn’t keep away from a pretty girl whether he

Chad’s former leader Habre appeals conviction for atrocities crimes committed country’s domestic courts HAD’S former ruler during Habre’s rule. have prosecuted the C Hissene Habre has New judges will be former leader of another appealed against his conviction for crimes against humanity and war crimes, a spokesman for the Special African Chamber that conducted his trial in Senegal said on Saturday.

Habre, 73, an ally of the West during the Cold War, was sentenced on May 30 to life in prison for rape and ordering the killing and torture of thousands of political opponents during his eight-year rule.

“The lawyer ’s commission have submitted the paperwork for Habre’s appeal,” said Marcel Mendy, a spokesman for the Chamber, a tribunal created in 2013 by Senegal and the African Union for human rights

appointed and the appeal will take at least seven months with no start date set, Mendy said.

So far, the court has only tried Habre and the case marks a milestone for African justice. It is the first time in modern history that one

Libyan forces ‘retake Sirte port from IS militants’

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IBYAN forces say they have retaken control of the port in the city of Sirte, after fierce fighting with militants from so-called Islamic State.

Sirte is the most significant IS stronghold outside Iraq and Syria.

Benin steps up security in face of militant threat

B

ENIN stepped up security patrols and roadblocks and increased border security on Saturday in the face of a threat from Islamist militants, the army chief of staff and a senior security official said.

A statement by the army chief of staff gave no details of the threat.

We s t Af r i c a n countries are increasingly concerned about al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its allies. The groups have expanded a campaign in northern Mali in the last year to stage high profile attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

At the same time, Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which is based in the northeast of Benin’s eastern

country on rights charges. Other such cases have been tried by international tribunals.

The verdict capped a 16-year battle by victims and rights campaigners to bring the former strong man to justice in Senegal, where he fled after being ousted in a 1990 coup.

neighbour Nigeria, has killed thousands in an insurgency that began in 2009. It has also launched deadly a t t a c k s i n N i g e r, Cameroon and Chad.

Air and missile strikes have hit IS positions this week, officials said. A spokesman said troops were moving closer to the city centre.

The forces, aligned to the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli, began the battle to retake the city last month.

A spokesman, Ahmed Hadia, told the BBC IS forces had weakened, but “not totally broken down”.

Clashes centred on the Ougadougou conference centre, which was once a venue for international summitsbuthasnowbecome an IS command centre.

UN, Nigeria agree to Cameroon’s return of 80,000 refugees

BY FAITH AGBI

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IGERIA says it has agreed to Cameroon’s voluntary return of 80,000 Nigerian refugees who have fled the Boko Haram Islamic insurgency.

Nigerian officials had said Cameroon was threatening to force the repatriation. Cameroon previously has dumped thousands on the border.

Nigerian emergency agency spokesman Sani Datti says Sunday that an agreement for their return “voluntarily and

in a dignified manner” has been signed by the UNHCR refugee agency, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Last month, Nigerians who had returned home were blocked from returning to Cameroon though they complained they did not have enough water as temperatures soared over 100 degrees (42 degrees Celsius).

A new influx will tax Nigerian officials struggling to cater for 2.1 million people displaced within the country. The U.N. says another 600,000 are displaced in the region.

From left : Filiz Toprakkar, Intensive Care Unit Nurse, Huseyin Toprakkar, Perfusionist, Dr. Mustafa Kirman, Cardiovascular Surgeon, Dr. Goksel Bahadir Specialist of Anesthesiology, and Zafer Elbistan, Surgery Nurse, all members of the Open Heart Surgery Team of the Nigerian Turkish Nizamiye Hospital Abuja upon arrival to the country from Turkey.

46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

Hazard prepared for Conte audition E

DEN Hazard is determined to get Belgium’s Euro 206 campaign off to a winning start and hopes to impress his new Chelsea manager in the process.

Belgium take on Italy, led by Antonio Conte, in the teams’ Group E opener in Lyon today.

The former Juventus boss will leave the Azzurri to take over at Stamford Bridge after his country’s involvement in the European Championship comes to an end.

If Hazard gets his wish, Belgium could have a hand in sending Italy home as early as possible, with the playmaker aiming to make a fast start at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. “[I’m] very happy to play against my future manager tomorrow. I hope that I’m going to be able to show him everything I’m capable of producing and that next season he’ll be able to rely on me,” he told a news conference when asked about the meeting with Conte.

•Eden Hazard

And the 25-year-old was not averse to giving Conte some advice on potential transfers, offering a ringing endorsement of international team-mate Radja Nainggolan, who has been linked with a switch from Roma to Chelsea.

“I think Radja Nainggolan is one of the

best in the world in his position,” he said.

“So of course [Chelsea and Belgium goalkeeper] Thibaut Courtois and I would love him to come to Chelsea, but we’re not going to get involved in that situation. He’s focused on the European Championship and we’ll see what happens after that.”

O´Neill lauds ´overrated´ Ibrahimovic R EPUBLIC of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has dismissed his own claim that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was overrated and heaped praise on the Sweden captain ahead of their Euro 2016 opener today.

O’Neill labelled Ibrahimovic “probably the most overrated player on the planet” in 2006, a quote that has been regurgitated several times in the build up to the game at the Stade de France.

Speaking on Sunday, the former Aston Villa and

Sunderland manager admitted he had changed his mind over the intervening period.

“Ten years ago that might have been the case,” O’Neill said, “but a lot of things can happen in that time. I can remember feeling that Henrik Larsson was overrated and then after three-and-a-half minutes I changed my mind.

“He’s a top-class player, one of the best in Europe, if not the world. He’s their talisman and he will be hard to keep quiet during the game. All world-class

Lagos Seasiders, Grasshoppers, ASPAC shine at Sam Ocheho-InnJoo Handball tourney

By Solomon Nwoke

A

SPAC of Benin Re public Handball sharp shooter, Aliyu Shehu provided nine goals to see his side beating the hard fighting Sokoto Rima by 26 -24 in the last game of the morning session of the 3rd Sam Ocheho-InnJoo international Handball Championship yesterday at Rowe Park Handball Courts, Lagos.

The Benin Republic side were leading the scoreline before the Sotoko Rimas leveled up at the nick of half time at 15-15.

Speaking at the end of the game, the match winner, Shehu of ASPAC expressed happiness for his exploit in the game.

“The game is good and we enjoyed ourselves. I am very happy helping my team to win the match against a Nigerian side, it is my desire to help my team lift the trophy at the end of the championship”, he said.

Also Speaking was the coach of Sokoto Rima, Abdulhakeem Yakubu who blamed their loss to Ramadan fast. Rima lost their first game at the weekend to Eko Utd of Lagos 2030.

He said, “We lost our first game due the Ramadan fast most of the players are engaged in. All the players are fasting and it affected them.

Out of 14 of them only one is not fasting, so that reduced the strength of the players and their game as

well. But we are picking up our normal tactical game. In our next game we shall continue to improve insha allah” In some of the matches played earlier yesterday in the male category, Idah Pillars and Civil Defenders ended their tie in a draw with both sides scoring 28 goals apiece.

Lagos Seasiders beat Flowers of Benin Republic 27-21 in the female category, while Defence Babes inflicted the second defeat on Edo Dynamos, winning 2523. On the the opening day, Idah Lions defeated Delta Force 29-27, ASPAC OF Benin Republic beat Eko United 32-21 in the male category.

In the female category, Imo Grasshoppers defeated Delta Force 33-23, Edo Dynamos lost to Flowers of Benin 21-22, while ASPAC defeated Lagos Seasiders 29-23.

Sponsors of the event, Innjoo Mobile Technology, has called on the fans to

come out in large numbers to cheer their teams to victory.

Innjoo’s Country Man-

ager, Rakesh Rocque, who made this call, stated that the presence of the fans would boost the perform-

ance of the teams as the organiser, Sam Ocheo also enjoined the teams to eschew violence and play according to the rules of the game.

•Ibrahimovic players, regardless of how closely they are marked are able to do things throughout the course of the game, and he’s one of those players.”

Modric fires Croatia past Turkey

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SMILES . . . From left, Mike Obiku, coach Feyenoord Academy, Holland, Sola Abule communications manager SPDC and gido Vader, Manager international Relations, Feyenoord academy

EAL Madrid midfielder Luka Modric scored a brilliant volley as Croatia defeated Turkey 1-0 in their Euro 2016 Group D opener on Sunday.

Ante Cacic’s Croatia dominated throughout, twice hitting the bar in the second half, but it was only Modric’s 41stminute strike – his 11th international goal – that separated the teams at the final whistle.

Victory gave Croatia revenge for their elimination on penalties by Turkey in the quarterfinals at Euro 2008, although they had previously beaten them in a qualifying play-off prior to Euro 2012.

“What can I say about the goal?” said Modric, the man of the match. “I hit the ball perfectly and thank God I scored.

Shell Cup: Two top players for Holland T

WO outstanding players of the 18th edition of the annual NNPC/Shell Cup football competition organised for secondary schools in the 36 states of the country will have the opportunity of visiting Feyenoord Rotterdam’s Football Academy for further training.

The communication

Manager of Shell Petroleum, Sola Abulu, who represented the General Manager of the company, Igo Weli, made this declaration during a media briefing ahead of the semifinal of the competition in Lagos on Sunday.

“We are happy to announce the introduction of

a new reward for the two most outstanding players in the tournament,” Abulu said.

“The best two players in this year edition would be sponsored to Feyenoord Football Academy for a short further practical sessions and exposure.

“Scholarship rewards will also be given to some

other outstanding students while the semifinalists players and their coaches will be rewarded with a total cash of N3.4m while their schools get a total of N4.8m in cash for the development of facilities and infrastructure in their respective schools.”

Former international, Mike Obiku, who was a

member of the visiting Feyenoord Academy team to the country applauded NNPC/Shell for their decision to send two students to the academy.

He said some of the things lacking in most players in the country are their level of intelligence which has to do more about coaching.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016 — 47

Wikki maintain top spot, Rangers, Enyimba slip

Yesufu calls for foundation in Keshi's name

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F

IKKI Tourists have remained top of the Nigeria league after they held hosts Heartland to a goalless draw in Owerri on Sunday, but title chasers Enugu Rangers and Enyimba lost ground with away losses.

The Bauchi club now 40 points from 21 matches, same as Rivers United, who trounced MFM FC 4-1 in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

Rangers and Enyimba slipped in the title race following losses on the road.

Rangers were beaten 2-0 at Plateau United and Enyimba were upset 1-0 at Shooting Stars.

In other results, Kano Pillars played out a 2-2 draw with Warri Wolves in Kano, Akwa held hosts Ikorodu United to a 1-1 draw, Sunshine Stars pipped Lobi Stars 1-0 and Nasarawa United defeated IfeanyiUbah 42.

•Action recorded during Sunshine Stars versus Wikki.

LMC seals sport drink supplier deal N

I G E R I A Professional Football League (NPFL)

Rovers robbed

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LAYERS and officials of Rovers Football Club of Calabar were at the mercy of a 15-man armed robbery gang Friday night as they were on their way to Omoku, Rivers state to honour a National League game against Go Round FC of Omoku.

Technical Director of the club, Etta Egbe told Sports Vanguard that the incident which happened at about 8 pm at Omoku-Port Harcourt Road, saw the bus conveying the players attacked by the robbers

who were brandishing dangerous weapons including AK 47 riffles, cutlasses among others.

“They carted away all the bags that contained players personal effects which included their playing kits, jewelries and other prized items,”Egbe said.

He however said apart from the driver and the chief coach who were manhandled and ended up with some bruises, there were no major injuries.

Pinnick’s position Continued from BP the premises housing the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja.

In the same vein, the House also ordered Chris Giwa and his group to put a stop to their parade and allow Nigeria football to be administered in peace.

At an executive session inside the Green Chamber last week Wednesday, the House considered the report of its Committee on Sports and approved its recommendations which among others stated that the Minister of Youth and Sports Development and the Federal Government

OR resource sports administrator and Director, Corporate & Government Affairs(West Africa), Cadbury Mondelezi International, Bala Yesufu, the passage of former Eagles coach and captain, Stephen Keshi has left a big void in Nigerian football.

Paying his tribute to the former New Nigerian Bank of Benin towering centre back, Yesufu, whose firm are the official candy sponsors of the Eagles described the deceased who passed on at 54 as the sports minister that Nigerian never had.

Speaking last night, Yesufu said “Keshi was the sports minister we never had. His death has

of Nigeria shall continue to recognize, work and support the NFF under Amaju Pinnick’s Presidency.

That the InspectorGeneral of Police and other Security Agencies shall give full security protection to the NFF under the presidency of Mr. Amaju Pinnick and both the Federal Government and the security operatives should call Chris Giwa and his group to order to ensure that Nigeria football does not continue to suffer and or incur the wrath of FIFA. The recommendation also stated that the Inspector-General of Police and all other security agencies shall

broke into the international sponsorship market with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the League Manage-ment Company (LMC) and United Kingdom’s leading global sport drinks maker, iPro Sport International Limited (ISIL).

Isotonic fluids are known to have six to eight percent carbohydrates, including glucose, the human body’s preferred energy source for exercise The MoU was executed in London on Wednesday, June 7 with the LMC represented by the Chairman, Shehu ensure that whosoever creates problem in NFF or Nigeria’s football be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung had, at several fora (including a session with the House Committee on Sports), stated clearly that there was no court order sacking the Amaju Pinnick Board or asking Giwa to take over the NFF. Giwa and members of his group have wilfully and severally misinterpreted court orders, shunned genuine peacemaking efforts and caused distractions in Nigeria football.

Dikko and iProsport represented by the Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Garrad. The deal is said to be the biggest natural ingredients sports drink football sponsorship in the

African continent and NPFL is the first league on the continent to be associated with iProsport all natural ingredients Sports drink.

The tenure of the MOU is for 5 years.

left a big void in our football, nay sports as he was very patriotic, jovial person, a goal-getter and a mentor to many people scattered the world over “He was an accomplished footballer, coach, manager, husband and a father, whose strides would remain with us forever.

His achievements spoke for him. He was very successful. We are already missing Keshi, the sports minister we never had”, added Yesufu, who was close to tears as he spoke to us.

On the lesson from Keshi’s death, Yesufu said “we should imbibe the boys scout motto, be prepared . Don’t leave whatever you can do today for tomorrow.

Basketball Olympic Qualifier Venezuela v China 11.30 am Cameroon v Argentina 2 pm Belarus v Nigeria 5 pm Cuba v France 7.30 pm

Our parents are together now—Keshi Jnr.

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HE family of the late Stephen Keshi has responded to the amazing outpouring of grief that followed the football icon’s surprising death early last week.

Speaking from Atlanta Georgia, Stephen Keshi Junior spoke on behalf of the family.

“We’re still mourning our father, we’re still shocked and confused.

Words can’t describe our feelings right now, but we want to remain joyful, remain happy, because he was a joyful

and happy person. For us what helps is our parents are together now; they were together on earth for 33 years. It soothes us that they are together in heaven,” said he said.

“He was our loving father, widow, grandfather, brother, friend, pioneer, mentor and hero. Our father was a joyful person, he hated sadness with a passion.

We are grateful for all the love, support and condolence from everyone on the loss of

UEFA

respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again.”

UEFA had earlier charged Russia with misconduct over the role of its fans in the unrest.

Russia was charged with crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and letting off fireworks.

The result of the inquiry and sanctions are to be announced on Tuesday.

England supporters were caught up in violent clashes for three days in Marseilles, where the country took on Russia in their opening Group B game.

Continued from BP three days of carnage in Marseilles as rival supporters clashed.

The UEFA executive committee said in a statement it has warned both countries that on top of any sanctions over trouble in Marseilles this weekend, “it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFU), including the potential disqualification of their

such an iconic African.

“We appreciate all the phone calls, texts, messages and posts on social media."

Burial Continued from BP strata of government.

Amodu was buried on Saturday according to Muslim rites.

Indications have already emerged that Keshi will be buried in his ancestral home of Illah, in Delta state, with the Federal Government, Edo, Delta and Cross River state governments already indicating interest to be part of the burial ceremony. More states are expected to indicate interests.

Family sources said Abuja, the Federal Capital will be the first port of call, with players of the national team expected to be led by Super Eagles Skipper John Mikel Obi to play a part in the burial ceremony.

His children are also expected to start arriving from the United States later this week as arrangements peak for his burial.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

LMC seals sport drink supplier deal P.47 —

NFF crisis: Reps affirm Pinnick’s position •As Giwa, others risk arrest, prosecution

T

HE House of Repre sentatives has called on the federal government and, in particular, the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate security in and around Continues on Page 47

UEFA threaten to expel England, Russia from Euro 2016 •SCUFFLE: England fans embroiled in third day of violence in Marseille.

Keshi: Burial plans out

A

FTER a torrid week in the history of Nigerian football during which two greats,

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu passed on, burial plans for Keshi is

expected to commence this week with meetings to be held with various Continues on Page 47

NPFL: Wikki maintain top spot, Rangers, Enyimba slip —p.47

TODAY'S PUZZLE

FRIDAY'S ANSWERS

U

EFA have warned England and Russia could be thrown out of Euro 2016 if their hooligans continue to cause trouble.

The governing body say they will consider the ultimate punishment after Continues on Page 47

PARTNERSHIP . . . Iprosports Chairman, Clive Garran exchanging the MoU with chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Shehu Dikko after the signing in London

RESULTS NPFL Heartland Ikorodu Utd Kano Nasarawa Plateau Rivers Utd Shooting Sunshine

0 1 2 4 2 4 1 1

Wikki Akwa Warri Ifeanyi Ubah Rangers MFM Enyimba Lobi

0 1 2 2 0 1 0 0

EURO 2016 Turkey Poland

0 1

Croatia N. Ireland

1 0

COPA AMERICA USA 1 Colombia 2

Paraguay Costa Rica

0 3

TODAY’S MATCHES EURO 2016 Spain Ireland Belgium

v v v

COPA AMERICA Mexico v Uruguay v

Czech Swed Italy

2pm 5pm 8pm

Venezuela Jamaica

1am(Tuesday) 3am(Tuesday)

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 3 Intended (5) 9 Culmination (6) 10 Sick (6) 11 Liability (5) 12 Finished (4) 15 Lake (4) 17 Maybe (7) 20 Allow (3) 21 Taut (5) 23 Volume (4) 25 Bucket (4) 26 Come in (5) 28 Sphere (3) 30 Revoke (7) 33 Breed (4) 35 Stagger (4) 36 Fruit (5) 38 Beast (6) 39 Dirty (6) 40 Stuck (5)

DOWN 1 Ladle (5) 2 Jockey (5) 3 Insane (3) 4 Free (6) 5 Spike (4) 6 Bird (3) 7 Emulate (5) 8 Representative (5) 13 Dare (7) 14 Verse (5) 16 Hermit (7) 18 Cut (5) 19 Serpent (3) 22 Keen (5) 24 Finish (3) 27 Rest (6) 28 Harmonium (5) 28 Fundament (5) 31 Prompt (5) 32 Evade (5) 34 Vend (4) 36 Dawdle (3) 37 Raw (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Affair 3, Ascent 9, Tacit 10, Asleep 11, Mascot 12, Miser 14, Leer 17, Did 18, Seal 20, Ended 22, Badge 23, Solicit 24, Genie 26, Tenet 29, Iron 30, Pat 32, Deer 33, Lurid 35, Timber 36, Ranted 37, Asset 38, Delude 39, Decree.

DOWN: 1, Arable 2, Folded 3, Item 4, Rapid 5, Aimed 6, Star 7, Exceed 8, Tattle 13, Similar 15, Enter 16, Resin 18, Sated 19, Agree 21, Doe 22, Bit 24, Gifted 25, Normal 27, Neuter 28, Trudge 30, Purse 31, Tired 33, Lead 34, Date.

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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