TRAGEDY IN RIVERS: 100 killed in petrol tanker explosion

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61665

Gov Adams Oshiomhole and Enigie (Traditional rulers) from Edo South who gave him an award of Best Governor since the creation of Edo State, yesterday.

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N150

FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

DANA PLANE CRASH:

How Captain battled with failed engines mid-air — Probe Report

•P 51

TRAGEDY IN RIVERS

100 killed in petrol tanker explosion

EMMA AMAIZE, JIMITOTA ONOYUME, BEN AGANDE & EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

•Pregnant women, children among victims •Jonathan orders prompt medical help for survivors

ARRI —OV E R 100 persons, including pregnant women, youths and children perished, yesterday, on the East-West Road, at Okogbe community in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, when a petrol tanker from which Continues on Page 5

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MD Abubakar confirmed IGP•P.8 Mr & Mrs

Controversy trails Patience Jonathan's MEND leadership: •P.46 appointment as Perm Sec •P.8 Boyloaf blasts Tompolo

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

100 killed in petrol tanker explosion Continues from Page 1 they were scooping fuel exploded with the content.

The ill-fated tanker, according to eyewitness accounts, was trying to avoid a head on collision with a commercial vehicle at about 7am. It subsequently lost control and ran into a ditch, falling on its side.

Several other persons sustained various degrees of burns while sympathizers rushed survivors to the hospitals.

No fewer than five buses and scores of motorbikes were destroyed in the inferno, which also affected a section of a filling station, some distance away from the scene of the tragic incident.

The development caused gridlock on the usually busy East-West Road as vehicles from the Port Harcourt and Warri ends were stranded for hours. Most motorists, who could not bear the trauma, were forced to make u- turn.

Commercial vehicles from Yenagoa, heading to Port Harcourt, were also forced to beat a retreat when news of the tragic incident filtered

into town.

According to witnesses, when residents rushed to the scene, the fuel in the tanker was gushing out and they swooped on it with jerrycans.

Just as the residents were helping themselves with petrol from the tanker, it exploded in a huge flame and consumed those in the ditch scooping fuel.

The raging inferno spread rapidly to the main road cutting off the route and also engulfed those on motorbike carrying the scooped fuel in jerrycans.

The helpless residents were forced to use their motorbikes in conveying burnt victims to hospitals at Ahoada and Mbiama in Rivers, a border town between Rivers and Bayelsa states.

Men of the Nigeria Police Force and soldiers who arrived the scene helped in controlling traffic and restored sanity on the chaotic route.

A resident who simply gave his name as Francis said though he counted 98 bodies burnt beyond recognition, the number could be more given the number of residents that thronged the scene in

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

B

Y the time a man realizes that maybe his fa ther was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong – Unknown The Elders have a saying, it is the horse in the front that the ones in the back use to set the pace for the race. What you sow is what you reap, live a good life, set the right example.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren’t any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn’t be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person — B. Fuller

T

HIS is a sweet story about a conversation be tween two hares. One starts out with a problem, while the other one listens and then cleverly presents a solution. “I can’t solve my problem ... what must I do to get what I want?” asked the hare.”It seems to me that you are getting exactly what you want, and that you are solving your problem at every instant.

You have to be conscious of how you think, or what you allow your thoughts to dwell on. For the universe may respond by giving you exactly what you think!

their desperate attempt to scoop fuel from the tanker.

He added that there might have been spark during the stampede for the product by residents some of whom were carrying steel containers to scoop the fuel.

Jonathan orders prompt medical help for survivors Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, expressed deep sadness over the loss of many lives as a result of the petrol tanker explosion.

In a statement the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said the President has directed federal relief and

health agencies to do everything possible to ensure that all those who survived the explosion with burns and injuries receive prompt and effective medical attention.

While conveying his condolences to the families of the victims, and the government and people of Rivers State over the unfortunate incidence, the President expressed distraught that so many Nigerian lives have been lost in an avoidable fuel fire disaster.

Amaechi mourns, rushes back from Abuja Meanwhile, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State has ex-

pressed sadness over the accident. The governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dave Iyorfor on phone to Vanguard said he was devastated by the development.

Amaechi who was in Abuja when the incident occurred said he had cut short his trip to rush down to the scene of the accident. “We are on our way from Abuja. The

governor was really devastated by the incident.

He has cut short his trip to Abuja so as to get to the scene of the accident”, Iyorfor said.

This tanker explosion came barely two months after a similar incident at Igwuruta roundabout in the state that consumed a family of four and burnt about 50 houses.

N3M SUBSIDY BRIBE SCANDAL:

Jagaba threatens to sue Lawan if...

•Warns him to stop mentioning his name

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE BUJA— C H A I R MAN of the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Adams Jagaba, has threatened to drag the former Chairman of the House Adhoc Committee on Petroleum subsidy management, Hon.Farouk Lawan to court should he continue to mention his name in the $3 million bribery scandal Addressing newsmen at the Media Centre of the House yesterday, Jagaba alleged that Lawan had admitted that he decided to implicate him (Jagaba) in the scandal in order to strengthen his (Lawan’s) case in court.

Commenting on Lawan’s allegation that he gave him part of the money he allegedly extorted from oil magnate Femi Otedola, Jagaba vehemently denied the claim.

He said: “Hon. Farouk Lawan alleged that he wrote a letter to me attaching $500,000. That is callously untrue and in fact, calculated to smear my hard-earned reputation; a reputation I painstakingly built since 1999. I never received any letter, or money, or any other exhibit from Farouk

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Lawan.”

He continued: "I saw for the first time the purported letter on a page of the Leadership Newspaper, of 14th June, 2012; and the closest copy which I saw and touched, was the copy he presented to the Police Special Task Force”.

Explaining further on what transpired between him and Lawan at the Police headquarters, yesterday, he said: ”Farouk, in his opening remarks, stated that he reported the matter to me because of my position as the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes and not because I was involved in the bribery saga. He also told the Police that he involved me in the matter because he thinks that, that would enhance his case in Court. We faced each other before the Police STF. I then put the question: “Hon. Farouk, did you give me $500,000 or any money for that matter?” This was a question the out-spoken Farouk could not answer. He kept mum till I left.”

Responding to the letter Lawan claimed to have written to him, he raised several posers.

He siad: “The following were the features of the purported letter: The copy published by the leadership Newspaper of 14th June, 2012

on page 6, had the following curious features; It was dated 24/4/2012 and had a time of 03:47am on it.”

He queried: "Is it the normal practice to indicate time on an official letter? Is it humanly possible to write a twopaged letter within or in less than one-second?”

He also observed that on the second paragraph of the purported letter, Farouk Lawan stated that “attached is the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars only...”

He asked: "Is it practically possible to attach money of that quantity to a sheet of paper?”

He also observed that the purported letter was written on a clean sheet of paper.

His poser: “An official letter written about an issue of this magnitude should have, in my opinion, appeared on the official Letter Headed Paper of the Adhoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Investigation or at least, Hon. Farouk Lawan’s Letter Headed Paper”.

In his concluding remarks about what probably happened to Lawan on the day he wrote the letter he said: “The embattled Hon. Farouk Lawan was rather rattled by the revelation of the bribery scandal, hence, in his confused and highly tensed state,

picked up his pen and paper at an un-godly hour of 03:47am, wrote a letter (or so he claimed), as an afterthought, to the effect that he forgot to deliver the letter to the intended recipient, but rather chose to give it to a newspaper reporter and the Police Special Task Force (STF).”

He recalled that Hon. Farouk Lawan initially denied ever demanding and collecting any bribe but later owned up that he actually took the bribe money as an “exhibit.

“Until and unless Hon. Farouk Lawan produces an authentic acknowledged copy of his letter, he should stop dragging my name in the mud. It will be recalled that I displayed the sum of N4,500,000 bribe money on the floor of the House in 2001 when I was the Committee Chairman on AntiCorruption. I did that as an act of patriotism, an act that truly laid the foundation for the War Against Corruption in Nigeria. I cannot and shall never be involved in an individualistic act that runs antithetical to national interest.”

He warned Lawan "to stop this blackmail forthwith or else, I will have no option than take the appropriate legal action against him and to seek compensation befitting my status. Enough is enough!”

6—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

BUJA — TO demonstrate its resolve to embark on full fledged deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, the Federal Government has approved the scrapping of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and its sister company, Petroleum Equalisation Fund, PEF, through which oil marketing and trading companies committed the biggest subsidy and reimbursement scam in the history of the country.

The approval followed the adoption, on Wednesday, of the new draft Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as recommended by the Senator Udoma Udo Udoma-led Special Taskforce on PIB, established by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, in January.

There was also no room for the National Petroleum Research Centre, NPRC, in the new draft bill, as originally proposed by the respective committees in the 2004 and 2009 draft PIBs. Although it is not clear why the new bill did not see the need for the research centre, but with regard to the PPPRA and PEF, analysts have continued to wonder about the relevance of these agencies in a deregulated downstream economy, even as their respective managements argue otherwise.

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Industry structure The new PIB proposes only eight governing institutions for the petroleum industry, as opposed to the 10 proposed in 2009 or six proposed in the 2004 bills.

The regulatory institutions proposed under the new dispensation in addition to the office of the petroleum minister include: The National Petroleum Directorate; The Nigerian Petroleum Inspectorate; The National Frontier Exploration Service; The Petroleum Technology Development Fund; The Petroleum Host Community Fund; Incorporation of the National Oil Company and Incorporation of the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company.

Function take-over Under the new proposal, the Inspectorate will be responsible for all regulatory functions, hitherto performed by various agencies.

Accordingly, “the Inspectorate shall be

successor to the assets and liabilities of the Petroleum Inspectorate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department of Petroleum Resources of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency.”

In line with the above, the Inspectorate will, among others, enforce the provisions of any enactments or regulations applicable to upstream petroleum operations and downstream petroleum operations made prior to the commencement of this Act; *Enforce the provisions of any regulations referring to or formerly administered by the Department of Petroleum Resources of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources or the former Petroleum Inspectorate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; *Modify, extend, renew, suspend and revoke any licence issued by it pursuant to the provisions of this part; *Make recommendations to the minister for the issuance, amendment or revocation of any regulations relevant to the provisions or requirements of this Act *Monitor and enforce the application of tariff and pricing framework by licensees in the midstream petroleum operations in accordance with the provisions of this Act; *Institute legal proceedings against any licensee, lessee or permit holder for failure to comply with licence, lease or permit conditions or other requirements of the Act; *Ensure adherence to environmental standards approved in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Environment or any other relevant agency, by all persons and companies involved in petroleum operations *Establish, monitor and regulate health and safety measures relating to all aspects of petroleum operations within the onshore and offshore territory of Nigeria, including the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Future job cuts It is uncertain what will become of the staff of the PPPRA and PEF, as this was not indicated in the new draft PIB, thus pointing to future job cuts, in which hundreds may lose their jobs.

There was no mention of the transfer of employees, as with the case of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to the National Oil Company, NOC, and the Nigeria Petroleum Assets Management Company in

President Goodluck Jonathan (right); former President Shehu Shagari (2nd left); former Interim National Government, ING, Chairman, Chief Ernest Shonekan and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar after the meeting of the National Council of State at the Aso Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

NEW PIB:

FG scraps PPPRA, PEF Oil communities get 10% profit fund which “the transfer of employees of the NNPC to (these companies) shall be in accordance with provisions of this Act (Savings and Transitional Provisions Relating to Employees).”

Host Community Fund Among the industry governing institutions, the only new body that was not previously proposed in other bills is the Petroleum Host Community Fund, through which government seeks to get oil communities more involved in oil and gas revenues.

Although the PHC Fund, which will be derived from 10 per cent contributions from companies’ net profit, is a deviation from the original concept in which 10 per cent equity was proposed for host communities in all oil and gas assets.

Under the proposal, “the PHC Fund shall be utilised for the development of the economic and social infrastructure of the communities within the petroleum producing communities.”

Entitlements under the fund Each upstream petroleum company shall remit on a monthly basis 10 per cent of the net profit (net profit defined as the adjusted profit minus the Nigerian Hydrocarbon Tax and minus the corporate income tax) as follows: *For profit derived from petroleum operations in onshore areas and in the offshore shallow water

areas, all of such remittance directly into the PHC Fund; *For profit derived from petroleum operations in deepwater areas, all of the remittance directly in equal shares to each state government of the eight littoral states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

At the end of the fiscal year, each upstream petroleum company shall reconcile its remittance pursuant to subsection (1)

of this section with its actual filed tax return to the service and settle any such difference.

The contributions made by each upstream petroleum company pursuant subsection (1) of this section, will constitute an immediate credit to its total fiscal rent obligations as defined in this Act. However, communities risk losing their share to the fund if they indulged in

acts of vandalism or civil unrests, as “where an act of vandalism, sabotage or other civil unrest occurs that causes damage to the upstream facilities allocated to a community, such community shall forfeit its entitlement to the portion of the PHC Fund determined by the Inspectorate to be sufficient for repair and remediation of the damage.”

Fuel subsidy: Govs to drag FG to S-Court Set up economic and security c'ttee

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA — THE 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, are poised for legal battle with the Federal Government.

The governors during a meeting at the Rivers State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja have concluded arrangements to drag the Federal Government to the Supreme Court over deductions from the federation account.

Also, yesterday, the governors, as part of moves to address the security challenge in the country, resolved to set up an Economic and Security Intervention Committee with governors of Rivers, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Abia, Plateau, Adamawa and Zamfara states as members, just as the committee will meet with

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President Goodluck Jonathan on an emergency economic intervention plan focusing initially on agriculture and other economic regeneration programmes for employment generation in the Northern states.

Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Rotimi Amaechi, said the governors, however, condemned the recurring insecurity in the country, even as the governors sympathised with the governor and people of Plateau State over the recent loss of lives and property and called for urgent recruitment, training and equipping security agents across the country.

According to a source at the meeting, the governors are not comfortable with what they described as over deductions by the Federal

Government to fund the fuel subsidy.

The governors, the source said, are approaching the apex court for final explanation on the formula for withdrawal from their account.

The Federal Government in this year ’s budget earmarked N880 billion to finance fuel subsidy, but after seven months, the said amount has been exhausted.

The governors are also arguing that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is not transparent in the remittance of its account because the corporation ought to operate a zero account by remitting what it gets into the federation account.

The governors will also at the Supreme Court address other areas of conflict between the states and the Federal Government.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 7

8—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Falana, Jacobs, 23 others emerge new Silks

BY IKECHUKWU NNO-

CHIRI BUJA—OUT of 71 senior lawyers that applied to be elevated to the revered rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, yesterday, selected only 25.

Among the new SANs that were named at the Supreme Court, yesterday, were Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, lead prosecutor for Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, two professors from the academia, Yemi Akinseye-George and Dakas Clement James Dakas.

Others are Mrs. Joy Okungbowa Adesina, Chief (Mrs) Connie-Jean Aremu, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, Ogwu James Onoja, Garuba Usman Tetengi, Henry Oghogho Ogbodu, Selekeowei Larry, Abenny O. Mohammed, Charles Nwanne Obishai, and Luke Chukwudi Illogu.

Also elevated were, Francis Chuka Agbu, Paul C. Ananaba, Akinlaja Dayo Moses, Ahmed Raji, Adekunle

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CONGRATULATIONS, SIR!: Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and police officers, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after the confirmation of his appointment as IGP, yesterday.

Controversy trails Patience Jonathan's appointment as Perm Sec ACN, CPC, SNG flay appointment

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN,

POLITICAL EDITOR SAMUELOYADONGHA & DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS—REAC TIONS have continued to trail the appointment of the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, as a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State Civil Service.

While Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, described the appointment as sycophancy carried too far, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, argued that with the development, no one could be shocked with any inanity from Peoples Democracy Party, PDP-led Federal Government.

Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, in Bayelsa State, said the appointment was a slap on the people of the state, and challenged the state government to disclose the work that Mrs. Jonathan had done to warrant the appointment.

Mr. Yinka Odumakin, spokesman of Save Nigeria Group, SNG, described it as the height of absurdity.

He said: “It is absurd. It is also trivialisation of governance for a governor to appoint the First Lady of a country as a Permanent Secretary. It is the height of idiocy.

“This is part of the nonsense that the Jonathan presidency has brought to our nation and we have reached a sorry state where anything goes,” CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashikin, said, yesterday.

CPC spokesman said

there was nothing that the administration would do that would surprise the party anymore, saying it was the height of impunity.

ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: “This is sycophancy carried too far.”

In a statement, CLO's spokesman, Mr Alagoa Morris, described the appointment as unacceptable and urged the governor to rescind the decision.

He said: “The news of the appointment of Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, was received with disbelief and shock.

Ordinarily, there wouldn’t have been anything wrong with Mr. President’s wife being appointed a Perma-

nent Secretary in any state of her origin or by marriage; as is the Bayelsa scenario.

“While those who are claiming that Mrs. Patience Jonathan had been a civil servant in the state may be right, most Bayelsans are just hearing this for the first time. ''Following her appointment as Permanent Secretary, the questions begging for answers from concerned Bayelsans are; was she on secondment or leave of absence all these years?

“Has her name been featuring in the payroll of the Bayelsa State Government?

Has she been part of the several staff audits that had taken place since, including the biometrics conducted by

the office of Due Process and e-Governance Bureau during Sylva’s administration? Bayelsans would want to know because Mrs.Patence Jonathan must not be allowed to eat her cake and have it. Again, has she been going to work as a state civil servant?

“These questions are very important because we know that when General Abdusalami Abubakar was Head of State, his wife was working before then. When Dr. Peter Odili was governor of Rivers State, his wife, Justice Mary Odili, was working. So, where was Patience Jonathan working when her husband was deputy governor?.”

Abukakar confirmed 16th IGP

BY KINGSLEY OMONO-

BI & BEN AGANDE BUJA—AFTER five months and 21 days in office as Acting Inspector-General of Police, the Police Council comprising the 36 state governors, Chairman of Police Service Commission and chaired

by President Goodluck Jonathan, has confirmed Mr. Mohammed Dikko Abubakar as the 16th indigenous Inspector-General of Police.

When news of the confirmation hit the Police Force headquarters, yesterday, there was jubilation among senior police officers, junior officers as well as civil-

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ian staff who said Abubakar deserved the confirmation for the pragmatic leadership and revolution he has brought to the force.

Speaking with State House correspondents after his appointment was confirmed, the InspectorGeneral pledged to up the fight against security threat in the country, pledging he was committed to bequeathing a police force that Nigerians would be proud of.

He noted that the police force was committed to checkmating crime and criminality.

He said: “We were aware of the situation before we came on board.When we came on board you are aware that police stations were being attacked, police-

men were being killed, banks were being attacked, money were being stolen without any action taken.

“Today, the situation is different and you will see more action, you will see more vigour, you will see more efficiency and effectiveness in police service and performance.”

The Inspector-General, who did not mention Boko Haram,said“Iwillputeverything humanly possible and I will put in my best to ensure the safety and management of security in the country.''

He assured police personnel that he would “ give the right leadership,qualityleadershipthat they expect to get without fear or favour to anybody and will do justice to all at every given situation.”

Theophilus Oyesanya, Rotimi Oluseyi Oguneso, Oluseye Samuel Opasanya, Aduroja Claudius Olumuyiwa, Aliyu Umar, Illo Katune Sanusi, and Ndukwe A. Nnnawuchi.

Announcing their names, Chief Registrar of the apex court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, also Secretary of LLPC, said their swearing in date would be announced later.

It is the responsibility of LPPC which is headed by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, to scrutinize applicants with a view to ascertaining their suitability for the prestigious rank of SAN. The rank accords a lawyer the privilege of sitting on the first row in courts and to wear a silk gown. Besides, Judges give SANs the preferential treatment of allowing cases they are interested in to be called first, except when there is a pending judgment or ruling.

Among those that were dropped by LPPC were the erstwhile legal adviser to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olusola Oke.

Infrastructural decay worries Kwara Gov

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LORIN—GOVER NOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has condemned the attitude of leaders in the country which has led to the present level of decay in infrastructure, describing such attitude as a crime against humanity.

The governor stated this while addressing indigenes of the state under the auspices of Kwara State Association of Nigeria, in North America, Washington DC. The North America Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the group was celebrating its 6th National Convention with representatives of its UK chapter in attendance.

Ahmed said the government had commenced the repair of vital infrastructure such as roads throughout the state to fast-track devel-

opment and growth.

He also informed the residents that the state had brought an end a situation where parents send their children abroad in pursuit of quality education as a result of lack of infrastructure.

According to him, the opportunity of continuity in governance in the state had made it possible for him to build on the foundation laid by the for mer governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

He said: “The current administration in Kwara State has refused to break-off from the past government in the state and so continues to pride itself as ‘a government of continuity.”

He said the government’s investments in infrastructure, plans to cluster cooperatives along value chain, educational reform and upgrades had set the state on the path of progress.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—9

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA AGOS—THE Coro ner, sitting over inquiry into the June 3 crash of Dana Airline in Lagos, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, has threatened to order the arrest of the airline officials if they failed to appear before it at the next sitting.

Komolafe, who commenced an inquest into the crash, condemned the failure of the airline officials to appear before the court.

He said: “I don’t think Dana Air is here. The Sheriff has been to its office several times, to serve the company but without success.

“Don’t forget, if you are summoned and failed to come, you can be arrested.

A publication had also been made so that no one will claim not to know what we are doing.

“Nigerians should come forward and testify. They shouldn’t hold anything back so that we can have a safer airspace. It has happened to some people and we don’t want it to

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Dana Coroner: Judge threatens to arrest airline officials happen again.”

The threat followed the court's decision to ask interested parties to forward written disposition, while those who wanted to give oral evidence would also be welcomed.

The coroner called on members of the public and those at the scene of the incident to give useful information to unravel the circumstances of the crash.

It would be recalled that the Chief Coroner-Judge of the state, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, had ordered the Coroner of Alimosho District in Lagos State, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe to commence an inquest into the crash.

At the proceeding, yesterday, lawyers, who appeared as interested parties and those who represented some agencies, expressed their confusion on modalities to adopt in the proceedings and the targets of the inquest.

This led to serious arguments and counter-argu-

ments on how the coroner should handle the inquest.

It was later agreed that counsel to interested parties should forward written disposition while those who wanted to give

oral evidence can also make an appearance.

Among those who made appearances through their counsel were Minister of Aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities,Federal Avia-

tion Authority of Nigeria,Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, two ground victims, one of the crash victims and 19 other ground survivors, who are either landlords or tenants.

Briefly

Man, 37, defrauds 106yr-old Baale AGOS—A 37-year-old car dealer, Adams Adei, was, yesterday, arraigned before an Ebute- Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly duping a 106year-old traditional ruler of N2.5 million.

Adei, who appeared before Magistrate O. Olatunji was alleged to have defrauded Jimoh Abaoba, Baale (traditional ruler) of Okere town in Ikeja.

The accused was said to have on June 8 presented himself as someone who could help the traditional ruler buy a car, a representation he knew to be false.

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Impersonation

BY ONOZURE DANIA & DONALD ARJI

KEJA—TWO middleaged men, Ajewole Femi, 54, and Fadolamu Julius, 48, were, yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly impersonating police officers.

The defendants were docked on a sixcount charge of conspiracy, pretence and impersonation before Mr. Olufemi Isaac.

The prosecutor, ASP Barth Nwaokeye, said Femi and Julius, between May 20 and June 22 wore uniforms of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Nwaokeye told the court that Ajewole on June 22 obtained N30,000 from one Tope Adebayo under false pretence of being a DSP.

I INAUGURATION: From right, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Governor of Lagos State and Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, at the presentation/ commissioning of Lagos State Cooperative College, Oko-Oba, Agege.

Crowd witness Lagos, Cross Country boss' N595m case

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

AGOS—THE legal battle between Lagos State Government and Chairman, Cross Country Transport Limited, Mr. Bube Okorodudu, yesterday, drew a large crowd at the Lagos State High Court.

The celebrated case had generated considerable public interest as counsel to both parties argued in a suit over an alleged fraudulent sale of property worth N595 million.

Lagos State Government had in the criminal suit with reference number LCD/91/ 2012 filed before Justice Candide-Johnson alleged that the defendant

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(Okorodudu) defrauded Chief Executive Officer of Tetrazini Food Limited, Donatus Okonkwo.

The count reads: “David Bube Okorodudu, some time in April 2008, at Victoria Island, Lagos in the Lagos Judicial Division, did obtain the sum of N595 million as full purchase price of his property situates at Plot A14, LekkiPennisula Phase 1, from one Prince Donatus Okonkwo by fraudulently misrepresenting to the purchaser that he had paid to the Lagos State Government the full price and obtained deed of occupancy, knowing full well that such representation was false.”

NPA retrenched workers turn down benefits

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AGOS—WORKERS of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, retrenched in 1991, said they would not receive benefits based on the 1991 retrenchment guidelines.

Mr. Andrew Okon, leader of the affected workers, said in Lagos, yesterday, that their benefits were not in compliance with a court judgment on the matter.

Okon claimed that the judgment said workers, who served for five years,

should be paid their gratuity in full, while those who served more than 10 years should get pension and redundancy benefits.

He told NAN that the workers had waited for 21 years to be paid their benefits.

“We have suffered and about 500 out of 3,000 of us have died due to frustration. Some of us have been ejected from their homes, while many cannot afford their children’s school fees.''

2 killed

BY RUTH CHUKWUEMEKA

AGOS—AN eightman robbery gang, yesterday, allegedly engaged a team of policemen in a gun duel that lasted 20 minutes in the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos.

At the end of the gun duel, two suspected members of the gang were killed while others escaped.

Report said the robbers had stormed Jebba/Ondo streets, dispossessing motorists and commuters of cash and other valuables, when a team of policemen from Denton division on patrol swopped on them, resulting the shoot-out.

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10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Briefly

Pepple to deliver Iju Public Affairs Forum lecture

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KURE—MINISTER of Housing, Land and Urban Development, Hon. Amal Pepple, is expected to deliver this year's Iju Public Affairs Forum lecture on Saturday, July 21.

The lecture, entitled, ”Relationship Between Higher Civil Servants and their Political Masters,” will be chaired by Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka.

The event will hold from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, at Top of the Hill Auditorium of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State.

Alleged witchcraft: Woman, 70, lynched over step-son's ordeal

How she was tortured in Ekiti palace, by daughter

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

DO-EKITI—A 70year-old woman, Mrs. Rebecca Adewumi, was, yesterday, lynched by a mob in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State, over alleged witchcraft, even as the deceased family petitioned the police, asking for justice.

Narrating the ordeal her mother passed through to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the first daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Grace

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Smith, said her mother was invited to the palace of Olomuo, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, some time last May on allegation that she used her witchcraft power to harm her step-son, one Ola. “On getting to Olomuo’s palace, the family was asked to come the following day at 6a.m. and on the said day, the palace was full to the brim.

“She was then asked to undress to the pants, after which a series of ques-

tions were asked. My mother was then given a concoction (Obo leave)said to make witches confess and die.

My dear mother was told that she would die within seven days if she was involved in Ola’s matter.

Woman forced to drink concoction “Nine days passed and nothing happened and I left for my base in Lagos.

“Three weeks after, June

Corpse missing

YES-O: Ajimobi admits flaws

BY OLA AJAYI B A DAN —G OV E R NOR Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, admitted that the Youth Empowerment Scheme, YES-O, he initiated months ago was marred by serious challenges.

He was, however, happy that the initial challenges had been surmounted.

He also hinted in Oyo town that his administration had provided 66 new patrol vans for the security outfit, Operation Burst, which he set up to check crimes in the state.

Ajimobi noted that plans were in the offing to launch state Security Trust Fund next week.

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Appointment

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AGOS—SEBASTINE Academy/Emekuku High School Old Boy Association, Lagos Branch, has constituted a caretaker committee with Mr. Paul Ogazi as chairman and Mr. George Nnodi, secretary.

Other members are Josiah Anatune, Boniface Kemakolam and Henry Amaeshi.

The committee was charged to plan for next election and work out strategies and programmes on how to make the association formidable.

Ogazi urged old boys of the school to participate actively in in effort towards upgrading facilities in the school.

26, some youths in the town went to our house and brought out my mother and forced her to drink a poisonous item. They then took her outside into the rain where she was beaten and subjected to serious torture. When she was almost dying they took her back into her room and laid her on the bed. She died on June 30. ''While she was being beaten, some youths went to the house of her younger sister, Mrs Anike Orojo, who was also beaten for daring to cater for her.''

VISIT: From left, Officer in Charge, Ado-Ekiti Prisons, Mr. Akinyanju Ajayi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Comptroller of Prisons Ekiti State, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller to the governor in AdoEkiti.

Court orders EFCC to release Daniel's passport on medical ground

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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B E O K U TA — A N Ogun State High Court, yesterday, ordered Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release the International passport of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governor of the state.

This is to enable the former governor travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention.

Daniel is standing trial before the court on a 38count charge by EFCC. Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, who ordered the release of the document, said he did so in pursuant to the order of April 16.

Professor Taiwo Osipitan, lead counsel to Daniel, had reminded the court of the pending motion of Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, lead counsel to EFCC, who

sought for an adjournment of the case.

Osipitan added that the prosecution was yet to file a counter-affidavit since the defence had filed the motion.

He supported his motion with an X-ray report and a medical report by Daniel’s doctor, referring him for treatment abroad.

According to him, a right to good health is a fundamental human right.

The defence counsel also said granting of the prayer

of his client would be in the interest of the defence for it to have a healthy defendant to answer questions.

EFCC's counsel did not object to the motion, explaining that the court would be on vacation between August and September.

He said: “It is unwise to object to such prayer now so that adjournment will not be sought by the prosecution on the same ground when the court resumes in October.”

Grace said of the family members knew the whereabout of the corpse of her late mother.

Commenting on the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama, said the police got report about the incident and the petition by the family.

The police boss narrated how the state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, contacted him about the issue on the said day. He said nobody had

been arrested because no eyewitness to the alleged crime had come forward to identify any suspect.

Wakama said police could not rely on the names listed by the lawyers in their petition because they were not at the scene of the alleged crime.

Wakama said the command would send an ambulance to Omuo-Ekiti to bring the corpse for autopsy at a government hospital in Ado-Ekiti.The police boss said a member of the deceased’s family, who was reportedly an eyewitness, had agreed to come forward and identify the suspects.

He promised that justice would be done in the matter.

When contacted on phone, Oba Omonigbehin asked reporters to come over to Omuo-Ekiti along with the persons who said they were witnesses to the incident.

Meanwhile, the family's lawyer, Mr. Dele Omotoso, in a petition dated July 5, to the police, claimed that Mrs. Adewumi was subjected to trial by ordeal.

He urged the police to investigate the circumstances leading to her death.

Oni, ex-LP, ACN chieftain defects to Ondo PDP

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—FORMER Labour Party chairman in Ondo State, who defected to Action Congress of Nigeria,ACN, months ago, Chief Olaiya Oni, yesterday, defected to People Democratic Party, PDP, with two other aggrieved gubernatorial aspirants of ACN. The gubernatorial aspirants include, Saka Lawal and Jamiu Ekungba, who was absent at the press conference in Akure.

Addressing newsmen, PDP state Chairman, Ebenezer Alabi, said sup-

porters of two other governorship aspirants, Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Senator Ajayi Boroffice, had joined the party while Ekungba could not be present because he travelled out of the state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 —11

Orodje, Okpe union leaders to parley on Ag. President General “We can tell you that the outdevt and leader of the delega- come of the meeting will APELE—THE Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM, Major-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), will tomorrow, meet with the leaders of Okpe Union Worldwide.

In a statement by its Secretary General, Mr. Henry Ebireri, the union said the meeting was aimed at resolving the misgiving by members over the leadership of Okpe Union Worldwide.

The meeting called by Mujakperuo is also to douse the tension arising from the impeachment of Mr. Ralph Karieren as well as appraise the union’s role as an agent of development.

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From left: Professor Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohamed Abubakar and others after the stakeholders' meeting on tomorrow's Edo State governorship election in Benin, yesterday. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

Police rescue accountant from irate teachers over alleged N2m theft

BY GODWINOGHRE

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APELE—THE timely intervention of the Divisional Police Officer of Sapele Area Police Command, Delta State, Mr. Kenneth Akubue, and his men, saved a middle-aged man, an Assistant Accountant in Sapele Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Austine Erhurhu, yesterday, from being lynched by over 200 irate primary school teachers of the council.

The aggrieved teachers, who claimed to be members of a co-operative society, which they called, Staff Multipurpose Co-operative Society, had dragged the accountant from his office at Sapele council on New Ogorode Road in Sapele to the Sapele Police station, a distance of over three kilometres, where they insisted his arrest, as they alleged that he embezzled their

over N2million, due to them as loans from the cooperative.

It took the police over an hour to calm the teachers, as many of them were continuously shouting, arrest and jail him, he has embezzled our combined funds, until the police were able to rescue him from been lynched.

The teachers, led by Mrs. G. Osikorobia and the Secretary, Mr. Austine Ologhoejebi, told Vanguard that Erhurhu was chairman of the Staff Multi-

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ENIN CITY—THE Benin Consultative Group, BCG, has urged the people of the state not to allow monetary inducement force them into voting a governorship candidate that will take the state back to the dark days.

This comes as medical practitioner, Dr William Utete, admonished the PDP in the state to take advantage of the presence of the two time governor of old Bendel

ing part in important decisions affecting the body and its finance. They further alleged that their exchairman had obtained a loan of N1.8 million from the bank without the knowledge of other executives and members of the body, and that the embattled exchairman had been ded ducting sundry sums from their salaries for the past seven years without given loans to members as required by their constitution.

Auditor-General petitioned over alleged forgery

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—A legal practitioner, Mrs Edith Nenty, has petitioned against the Delta State Auditor-General for Local Gov-

Group to Edo electorate: Vote your conscience not money

BY SIMONEBEGBULEM

purpose co-operative society from 2007 to March, 2012, until he was impeached due to what they described as “offence of gross financial impropriety and refusal to conduct Annual General Meeting for seven years that he held sway in the co-operative.”

They also alleged that Mr. Erhurhu had also refused to render account of his chairmanship to the body and equally sidelined other executives and members of the body from tak-

State, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia in the party so as to garner votes for the party ahead Saturday governorship election in the state.

In the statement by the BCG, signed by Efosa Aguebor, made available to Vanguard, it recalled that the people of the state suffered lack of infrastructural development during the ten years reign of the PDP, stressing the need for Edo electorate to vote their conscience for the interest of the state.

ernment, Mrs Mary Njokanma, alleging that she falsified her date of birth and date of resumption in the civil service.

Nenty in the petition alleged that Mrs Njokanma, ought to have retired in 2008, adding that she was employed in November, 1973. She called for the immediate investigation into her date of employment, describing her refusal to retire as fraud.

The petition further alleged that Mrs Njokanma had deliberatelyremainedinofficeofthestate service above the stipulated period of 35 years, adding that Mrs Njokanma joined the service of thedefunctBendelDevelopment and Planning Authority as Miss Mary Aizebioje by a letter with reference number CP 1064/7, dated November 13, 1973 and a letter of confirmation of appointment referenced CPA 315/9 of February 16, 1976.

According to the petition, the confirmation letter was the instrument used to effect her promotion in 1992, alleging that MaryNjokanmafalsifiedherdate

of her birth from December 12, 1956 to December 12, 1957 as wellasherfirstappointmentfrom November13,1973toMarch14, 1981.

tion, Mr. John Ekpoke is expected to brief the monarch on the activities of the union in the last one year.

Tinapa builds N1bn Int'l conference centre

BY JOHNBOSCOAGBAK-

WURU ALABAR—THE man agement of Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Cross River State, has built an International Conference Centre, with the sitting capacity of 600 and modern communication facilities, that will host international organisations and events of international standard.

Managing Director of Tinapa, Chief Bassey Ndem, who disclosed this when the executive members of Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, paid him a

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Lagos H i g h Court sitting in Igbosere, yesterday, dismissed the suit for breach of contract

by Statoil Nigeria Limited against a businessman, Dr John Abebe and his company, Inducon Nigeria Limited.

Trial judge, Justice O. A. Adefowope-Okojie in her judgment, held that the suit lacked merit and was an abuse of court process.

The court further held that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit and consequently awarded a cost of N200,000 against Statoil for unnecessarily subjecting the defendants to litigation.

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courtesy visit in his office, said that it took over N1 billion to put in place the befitting edifice that could host any international event.

Chief Ndem noted that Tinapa had hosted many events, which included the World Tourism Organisation conference, adding that the new conference centre, which was fully air conditioned has banquet chairs and exhibition hall.

He said that there was an air of confidence at the resort and that between January and March this year, about 173 containers entered into Tinapa and that many more investors had indicated interest in doing business with the resort.

CDC chair lauds Uduaghan on LG poll ARRI—THE Chair man, Ode-Itsekiri Development Committee, CDC, Mr. Ebobo Araye, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State’s commitment and plan to conduct council elections in the state.

Araye who spoke to newsmen in Warri, yesterday, on the state government preparedness to conduct the council elections, maintained that Governor Uduaghhan had indeed shown that he was committed to the plight of the people at the grassroots.

According to Araye, “the recent pronouncement by the governor that council

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Court dismisses firm's suit against bizman Recently, the Court of AGOS— A

bring cheers to Okpe people at home and abroad,” the statement added.

Appeal, Lagos, had dismissed the appeal by Statoil, challengig the judgment of a Federal High Court, Lagos, which ordered it to pay Abebe and his company, 1.5 per cent of its profit accurable from the three oil blocks allocated to it by the Federal Government It was learnt that the money was in the region of about $3billion and was to compensate the businessman for bringing the oil firm into the country to do business in the early 90s.

The appellate court, held that it would be unjust, if Abebe and his company were not paid the amount, knowing that he (Abebe) brought the oil firm to Nigeria to exploit crude oil.

elections will be conducted soon has again proved that Governor Uduaghan was passionate to the people’s plight," adding that the governor’s readiness to conduct council elections must be commended.

Delta IGR rises to N4.2bn

BY EMMAAMAIZE

ARRI—THE Inter nally Generated Revenue, IGR, of Delta State has increased from N1.2 billion to N4.2 billion monthly, following the vigorous revenue drive of the state Internal Revenue Board, DSIBR. DSIBR chair, Mr. Joel Thomas, who spoke to newsmen during an interactive session in Warri, said, “We had made tremendous progress in IGR. When we assumed office, it was less than N1.2 billion monthly and that was between N14.4 billion and N15 billion yearly, but now, we are talking of N4.2 billion monthly, that is a difference of N3 billion.”

He attributed the success to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who gave the board “his full support” to enable it perform, adding that the media also contributed to the success.

He defended the engagement of tax professionals by the board, saying it helped in the improved revenue base of the state.

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12—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Southern leaders urge sovereign B confab

Group to Jega: Handle Edo election yourself

BY SAMUEL OYADONG-

party.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of the ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, it arguedthatfromthearrangements made so far as regards the monitoring of the election, INEC through the National Commissioner in charge of Election Monitoring and Observation Committee, Mr. Ishmael Igbani, hadperfectedplanstorigtheelection by ensuring that local observers do not participate in the monitoring.

He said that “First, during the

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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AGOS—SOUTHERN Nigeria Peoples Assembly, SNPA, have called for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference, to address the problems militating against the growth and unity of the country.

SNPA in a statement by Chief Edwin Clark, leader of South South; Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, leader, South West and Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, leader, South East, read by Mr. Ledum Mitee, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at the meeting of the Assembly, warned against posting of graduates from the Southern part of the country for National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in the volatile and life-threatening areas of the North.

He said, ‘until the security situation in volatile and life-threatening areas of the country improves, we insist that none of our youths should be posted to serve the compulsory one-year national service in any part

of these volatile and lifethreatening areas in the North.”

The Assembly called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack from his government and the nation’s security forces,all persons of dubious loyalty and to treat the activities of Boko Haram sect as treason and apply the relevant laws on the culprits and their sponsors.

It urged the President and other organs of government, especially the ju-

diciary to firmly prosecute the war against corruption without fear or favour, with no sacred cow spared, to serve as a deterrent to other, saying ‘’In particular, government should fast-track the prosecution of all those identified culprits in the probe reports according to law. In repositioning the country for the attainment of Vision 20:20:20, the leadership must sanitize the economy of fraudsters and economic saboteurs."

ENIN CITY—CIVIL society organisations in Edo State have appealed to the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to personally handle tomorrow's governorship election in the state ito ensure a free and fair election.

The request followed the refusal of INEC to accredit the civil society organisations in the state to monitor the Saturday's election, which the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, described as a sinister plot by INEC to rig the election in favour of a particular

Sylva denies alleged complicity in October 1 bombing doubt, we wish to state that

BY IKECHUKWUNNO-

CHIRI

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BUJA——FORMER governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday, denied allegation against him by State Security Service, SSS, witness, that he had a hand in the October 1, 2010, Abuja bomb blast that marred Nigeria’s independence anniversary.

Sylva in a statement, said he was shocked that the said witness, who was sim-

ply identified as “Mr. X,” accused him of knowing about the twin bomb blasts that resulted in the death of 12 persons.

Sylva’s media aide, Mr Doifie Ola, in the statement, said: “We have read with utter shock, reports about a statement in court by a state witness in the October 1, 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja, claiming that Sylva had foreknowledge of the blast.

“For the avoidance of

the so-called testimony is completely false, mischievous, and misleading.

Sylva knows nothing about the independence-day bombing. He has nothing to do with it.

“It is public knowledge that the alleged mastermind of the October 1, 2010 Abuja bombing, Mr. Henry Okah, who is currently standing trial in a South African court, had deposed to an affidavit in which he did not mention Sylva as having any links to the blast."

April 2011 general elections, ANEEJwasnumber93inINEC's list of accredited observers in the country. That was the third time ANEEJ was being accredited by the same INEC as Domestic Observer for election in the country.

We carried out the exercise dutifully and with all sense of patriotism in Edo and Ebonyi States."

“We,therefore,callonPresident GoodluckJonathan,theNational Chairman of INEC to consider removing him from Office before he brings opprobrium and disgrace to the reputation of INEC."

Activist alleges threat to life ARRI—A human rights activist and writer, Efemena Agadama has alleged threat to his life by unknown persons.

Agadama, who is currently doing his post graduate in the United Kingdom, UK, said the threat started when he was still in Nigeria but he did not take it serious, as he had not offended anyone.

He said: “Initially, I didn’t take the threat serious because I felt I had nothing

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against anyone than my writings against the terrorist acts of Boko Haram and the incessant kidnappings and attacks against oil companies, foreigners and innocent Nigerians.”

Agadama noted that he had taken the issue seriously, following the kidnapping of a vendor and family friend, who supplied him and other family members with newspapers at their home in Warri-Sapele Road, Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—13

Students on rampage, wound 4 LASTMA officials, abduct one

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, EVELYN USMAN & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—PANDEMO NIUM broke out yesterday at Ojuelegba, Surulere area of Lagos State when students allegedly from Yaba College of Technology, YABATECH, took to

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major highways and went after officials of the Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, wounding at least four and abducting one in the process.

The students, numbering about 50, and armed with various kinds of weapons, blocked major highways at

about 11: a.m in protest against the seizure of one of their union buses for driving on the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT lane, the previous day.

The incident led to a traffic jam along the axis, one of the alternative routes designated by the state government as relief for traffic

LECTURE—From left: Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Guest Speaker; Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council and Mr. Eluem Emeka Izeze, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian Newspaper Ltd. during the Nigerian Institute of Management 2012 lecture at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

gridlock that resulted from the on-going repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge.

LASTMA General Manager, Engr. Babatunde Edu, who confirmed the development, revealed that one of his men Mr. Obasanmi Oladimeji was abducted in the process at his duty post at Jibowu, Yaba by the irate students. He was later released.

He explained that, “the student’s union red Mazda bus with no registration number but inscripted with “Yaba College of Technology students Union Government Aluta bus” around 1.45pm on Wednesday violated the BRT law by taking the dedicated lane and was stopped at post office bus stop towards Oyingbo.

“The eight occupants including the Union leader, Comrade Adesola Ademola became unruly and resisted arrest when stopped by the head of the operation Zone 15, Mr. Kayode Odunuga but with the intervention of the Anti Robbery Squad attached to Denton Police Station who were at the scene of the incident, arrested the offenders and later remanded them, insisting that the vehicle should be taken to the LASTMA yard.

“On getting to the LASTMA yard, the students union leader who was remorseful and pleaded for the release of the bus, saying they were in a hurry to get to a meeting at Marina, hence they decided to take the lane."

The union leader, in his undertaking, expressed regrets for the union action and pledged not to repeat such undesirable act in the future and the bus was released on compassionate ground with no fine charged.

“But, only yesterday, the students went violent , disrupted LASTMA officers from carrying out their duties by invading the zone and attacking them. A commercial bus and the controversial union bus that was earlier seized were used in carrying out the attack this morning, (yesterday).” Edu explained.

But the quick intervention of the joint efforts of the Nigeria Police at Iponri and LASTMA police saved the situation and restored normalcy to the charged atmosphere.

According to Edu: “Four impounded vehicles were vandalised and injury inflicted on officials on sight at the LASTMA yard".

$300,000 start-up capital: Ghana exempts ECOWAS citizens

BY VICTORIA OJEME

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BUJA—GHANAIAN authorities yesterday clarified that only nonECOWAS citizens doing business in Ghana are expected to have proof of start up capital of $300,000 before they are allowed to go into wholesale trading business.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Ghanaian Embassy, on behalf of the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, however insisted that ECOWAS citizens wishing to go into trading business in Ghana must register their businesses with the Registrar General’s Department, as well as Ghana Revenue Authority and obtain valid Residence Permit.

The statement made available by the Deputy Head of Mission of Ghana High Commission, Mrs Irene Maamah, also stated that the directive by the InterAgency Taskforce requesting ECOWAS traders to relocate out of the markets to commercial areas have

been put in abeyance for one month, after the authorities met with a delegation of ECOWAS parliament.

According to the statement, “the taskforce is making some exceptions for ECOWAS citizens in recognition of the ECOWAS protocol on the right of residence and establishment.

Specifically ECOWAS citizens are not being asked to have invested $300,000.00 neither are they being asked to employ 10 Ghanaians in their businesses.

“They are however expected to meet the same conditions that Ghanaian citizens who start businesses are expected to comply with. This means that they are required to register businesses with the Registrar General’s Department, they are required to register with the Ghana Revenue Authority and pay taxes in the same way as Ghanaians are expected to do, and because they are not our nationals, they are expected to properly apply for residential status in Ghana”, the statement added.

Sacked LG bosses in Imo: Group asks Okorocha to implement A-court's ruling

BY CHRIS OCHAYI BUJA—A pressure group, Imo Coalition for Change Initiative, ICCI, yesterday called on Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to implement the Court of Appeal judgment reversing his dissolution of the 27 local government areas in the state without further delay.

Director-General of ICCI, Dr Fabian Ihekweme who addressed newsmen, enjoined the state government to obey the court’s judgment ordering it to reinstate the sacked council chairmen.

It will be recalled that the councils were dissolved by Okoroccha in his maiden

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broadcast to Imo people on June 6, 2011.

Ihekweme, said the group had watched with keen interest, the retrogression of Imo State into lawlessness and executive recklessness, adding “the deliberate refusal of Governor Okorocha to obey the Court of Appeal’s ruling is only a tip of the iceberg in the rule of executive recklessness, which the administration of Okorocha had imposed on Imo State.

“The Okorocha administration operates outside the borders of due process and good governance standards. For instance, in his administration, contracts are awarded indiscriminately for capital projects without job order, no bill of quantity, no costing and no agreement.

Transition RS Dorathy Ul umma George, 42, who died on Monday, June 25, 2012 will be buried in her compound, Ezi George, in Ezemata-Lorji, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State on July 16, 2012. She is survived by four children, aged mother, and widower, Joachim George.

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Late Mrs George

14—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

From left: Arc.Ladi Lewis, Vice President; Mr Kingsley Essien 1st Vice President; Mr. Feyi Dinyo, President; Lagos Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye; Perm Sec, Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo; and Engr. Gbenga Adudiore, Director of Projects during a visit by Birch Freeman High School Old Boys Association to the Commissioner of Education. Photo: Diran Oshe.

7 wounded, 70 houses destroyed as 2 communities clash over land in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—SEVEN per sons sustained various degrees of injuries, through gun shots and 70 buildings at various stages of construction were destroyed, when youths suspected to be from Ogidi in Anambra State, invaded a disputed land between the community and Nkpor both in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

Most of the buildings located in an area known as Abor Akuzor, Umusiome, were said to belong to nonindigenes, who allegedly purchased plots of the land from Nkpor people.

Though no lives were lost during the invasion, tension is mounting, prompting the police to beef up security in the area.

The rampaging youths, allegedly invaded the disputed area, armed with dangerous weapons, forcing people, mainly workers at the construction sites to run for their dear lives.

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Four persons had been arrested and quizzed by the Ogidi Divisional Police Station in connection with the attack. The police said they were on the trail of the remaining suspects, who fleed the area after the incident.

It was gathered that tussle for the disputed large expanse of land had gone up to the Supreme Court,

Constitution amendment: Speakers of State Assemblies set up c'ttee

BY JOHN BULUS

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BUJA—CONFER ENCE of Speakers’ of State Legislatures of Nigeria, yesterday, constituted a six member Adhoc committee to collate proposals and memoranda from the State Houses of Assembly and the public for the planned constitutional amendment of the 1999 constitution by

Anambra to re-organise revenue collection

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—ANAMBRA State Government, has said it was set to reorganise and strengthen its revenue collection machinery for better efficiency.

Governor Peter Obi, who spoke when a team of the Unique Taxpayer Identification Number Programme of the Joint Tax Board, paid him a courtesy call at the Governor’s Lodge, regretted that the revenue office

which gave judgment in favour of Nkpor people, but this did not assuage the warring parties.

President General of Ogidi Town Union, Dr. Eric Obiakor, feigned ignorance of the attack, saying the issue had not been brought to the attention of the town union.

He said the matter was still being handled by the chairman of the affected village.

had performed below expectation and needed to be reinvigorated for better results.

Despite what had been described as the great revenue potentials of Anambra State, its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, had remained very low, hovering between N400 million and N500 million monthly, even when experts believe that the state was capable of generating up to N2 billion revenue monthly from internal sources.

the National Assembly.

Chairman of the Adhoc Committee is Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo, while the Secretary is the Administrative Secretary in the Conference Secretariat, Mr. Busari Sarafiddin.

Other members of the Committee are Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr David Iorhemba for North Central; Akwa Ibom Speaker, Mr Samuel Ikon for South South zone; Kano Speaker, Mr Gambo Sallahu for North West Zone, Yobe State Speaker, Mr Adamu Dogo for North East zone and Mr Adesina Samuel, the Ondo State Speaker for South West zone.

Briefing newsmen after a meeting yesterday, Chairman of the Conference and Speaker, Gombe State House of Assembly, Mr Inuwa Garba, said the proposals will form part of the amendment process, which will be submitted to the main committee for scrutiny before they are presented to the National Assembly.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—15

ACN Senators mourn Dantong

States not doing enough, says NACA

CTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, caucus in the Senate has expressed regrets at the sudden and untimely death of Senator Gyang Dantong, who was killed by unknown gunmen alongside many of his kinsmen last Sunday.

It described the late Senatoras“asoft-spokenseasoned professional, an indefatigable soldier of democracy and a committed, magnanimous brother and friend.”

In a statement, yesterday, it said the sudden and untimely loss of Dantong was too painful to comprehend.

The statement, by the Chairman of the caucus, Chief George Akume; Vice Chairman, Mr. Ganiyu Solomon; 2nd Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Ngige; and Secretary, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa, the ACN senators said they shared in the shock, agony, pain and bewilderment of all Nigerians and pray to God to give his immediate family and the people of Plateau State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

BY PETER DURU

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Court halts Guarantee Pension's AGM

BY INNOCENT ANABA

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, restrained Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim, Mr. Terngu Tsegba and other shareholders of First Guarantee Pension Limited from convening or holding any annual general meeting of the company.

Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, also restrained them from acting on the directive of the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated July 5, 2012 and adjourned till July 24, hearing in the substantive suit.

The court also ordered that the application for the discharge or variation of the order could be heard by any of the court’s vacation judges.

Mr. Derrick Roper and Novare Holding Proprietary Limited, who had brought the suit, also gave an undertaking as to damages in the event that it turns out that the order ought not to have been made.

The company was to hold its annual general meeting in Abuja, today.

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VISIT: From right— Mr. Mathieu Delmas, Area Manager, PIAGET Branch of Richmont International; Miss Jennifer Obayuwana, Executive Director; Mr. John Obayuwana, Chief Executive Director; and Mr. Michael Eze, National Sales Manager, all of Polo Limited, at a media interractive session in honour of visiting Mr. Delmas from Switzerland, in Lagos, Wednesday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Reps divided over late Dantong

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives, yesterday, failed to debate the activities of Boko Haram in certain villages of Plateau State, which claimed the lives of a serving Senator and many others.

It became apparent that the House had deliberately avoided a division of members along tribal and religious lines, which often occurs whenever the Islamist group’s debate comes up on the floor for debate.

Considering the mood among the legislators, who wanted to speak on the matter, Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who presided, insisted that the House would not entertain any extensive debate on the Plateau killings, which almost claimed the life of a member of the House.

Ihedioha said rather than debate the issue, the House would engage in discussions that will keep them united as Nigerians.

He said: “We should not take positions that will worsen the current situation. We will rather do things that will sustain our unity.”

Ihedioha took the decision shortly after the House received a survivor of Sunday’s attack and one of its

members from Plateau State, who was in company of other victims when the killings occurred.

Mr. Mvadkwon Davou, representing Barkin/Ladi Riyom, appeared before his colleagues, yesterday, to narrate his experiences, but was disallowed.

Only five requests in his motion were adopted by his colleagues, despite stiff opposition by another group of lawmakers.

The lawmakers’ demanded that the Federal Government set up a factfinding mission to the affected areas in Plateau State was initially opposed, but later taken.

The other demand was a call on President Goodluck Jonathan to reappraise the security situation in Plateau in the area of funds and other resources.

When it was put to vote, the House was further divided along religious lines.

Ihedioha again expressed concerns, saying “nothing in this motion hurts anyone dear colleagues,” thereby cooling tempers.

He said: “We have just heard from our colleague who survived the attack.

Our position is that we are doing everything possible to ensure that peace returns to Plateau State. But it is not the wish of this House to

further debate this motion.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has condoled the Senate on the death of Senator Gyang Dantong from Plateau State.

Senator Ita-Giwa said: “News of the dastardly slaying of a two-term serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came to me as perhaps the rudest shock in my life.

“In my career as a politician, I never contemplated a time when the life of the average Nigerian will count for so little. These are indeed perilous times.”

Why RMAFC can't disburse solid minerals revenue— Minister

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—AS the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, awaits the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to furnish it with information on states, which generated the N1.7 billion from solid minerals currently in its possession, the latter has given reason why the former cannot share the revenue now.

The commission had, last

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week, hinted that it could not share the N1.7 billion solid minerals fund in its possession to the federal and state governments because the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development was yet to furnish it with information on states, where the resources were generated, so that the states can get their 13 percent derivation.

However, Minister of Mines, Mr. Mohammed Sada, yesterday, in Abuja, said the commission would

have to wait because the ministry was still collecting data with a view to determining the states where the resources were generated.

He explained that it was difficult to get detailed data in respect of the issue as expected by the commission and assured that the ministry would soon provide the commission with necessary information that would assist it in its statutory assignment in this regard.

NUJ gives FG ultimatum over weigh-in allowance

BY CHRIS OCHAYI BUJA—NIGERIA Un ion of Journalists, NUJ, has issued the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to commence implementation of weigh-in allowances for federal media establishments or face industrial action.

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The union accused the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, of not doing enough to implement the allowances, which was approved by President Goodluck Jonathan since July 1, 2011.

NUJ, FCT Council Chairman, Mr. Chuks Ehirim, in a statement for the National

Secretariat of the union, said N68 billion was made available in the 2012 budget for the payment of the allowances and wondered why the implementation was yet to take effect.

Ehirim said the union was against any piecemeal payment, stressing

that the backlog of the arrears should be paid en bloc, warning that if nothing was done by August 31, the union would be forced to withdraw the services of its members and enjoined the ministers of Finance, Labour and Information to resolve the matter speedily.

AKURDI—DIRECTOR-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Prof.

John Idoko, has expressed disappointment at noncommitment of state governments to the fight against the dreaded HIV/AIDS. He spoke, yesterday, at a three-day North-Central Zonal meeting for State AIDS Control Agencies, SACAs, and selected Local Government Areas AIDS Control Agencies, LACAs in Makurdi, Benue State.

Justice Musdapher bows out

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI BUJA—THE Supreme Court will, today, conduct a valedictory court session in honour of outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who is bowing out of the judiciary upon clocking the 70 years mandatory retirement age.

Chief Registrar of the apex court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, told Vanguard that the ceremony would take place at the ceremonial court of the Supreme Court.

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FG orders probe of tertiary institutions

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, ordered the audit of all tertiary institutions across the country.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, gave the matching order at the formal presentation and distribution of Postgraduate Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards, PG BMAS, at National Universities Commission, NUC, Abuja.

The minister said the Federal Government will use the documents as a guide to ensure quality in postgraduate education in the country’s universities.

16—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

VISIT: From left— Hajiya Zainab Isah, State Coordinator, NYSC, Taraba State; Brigadier-General Nnamdi Okorie-Affia, NYSC Director-General; and Captain Anthony Nze, Camp Commandant, during the DG’s visit to 2012 Batch “B” orientation course at the temporary orientation camp, Government College Jalingo, Taraba State.

Abuja bizman drags FRSC to court over number plate

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—AN Abujabased businessman, Mr. Okon Samson, has dragged the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for allegedly issuing him a fake plate number.

The plaintiff is contending in the suit that the Commission, on February 20, issued him with vehicle particulars and a new plate number for his Honda CRV Jeep 2001 model at the cost of N40,000, only for him to be subsequently arrested and detained by the Vehicle Inspectorate Office, VIO, on allegation that he

Inmates empowerment programme holds 3rd graduation, 4th matric

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

RISON Fellowship of Nigeria, PF Nigeria’s Life Recovery Pre-release Empowerment Programme, a.k.a. Onesimus Project, has held the 3rd graduation and 4th matriculation of 43 inmates at the Kirikiri Medium Prison, Lagos.

Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. Benson Iwuagwu, said it was the desire of government to see a reformed penal and prison system, hence the need for the society to provide the enabling infrastructure and environment for the inmates.

He called on individuals and stakeholders to be actively involved in the reformation of inmates so that they can be better citizens

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outside the prison walls.

Iwuagwu also noted that crime and justice should not be influenced by wealth or social standing. He said it will be grievous oppression and injustice to hold followers accountable if leaders were not accountable stewards.

On the life recovery programme, Iwuagwu revealed that almost 63 inmates had benefited from the project.

He said: “The project is to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate the near-broken products of our excruciating and castrating criminal justice system.

“It is not just concerned with giving hope to the inmates, but also to campaign for a safe and receptive society for their re-entry.”

was in possession of a fake plate number.

He said it was one Bukar Mai, a staff of the FRSC, the second defendant in the matter, that processed the said plate number, marked GWA-79AE, for him.

The plaintiff said he was arrested by VIO on March 7, after he tendered his vehicle papers, which were discovered to be fake.

He said: “When we got to the VIO office in Mabushi, Abuja, the VIO opened thief system, it discovered that the new plate number the defendants issued to me was fake, same having been issued to someone else whose address was given as Lugbe FCT, Abuja.

“The VIO then collected my original particulars and the new plate number given to me by the defendants and impounded my vehicle.

“I was also handed over to the police over allegation of forgery, detained and was later released on bail while the case against me is still pending at the police station.”

Consequently, the plaintiff is asking the court to order FRSC to pay him the sum of N100 million as general damages, for loss of business opportunity and for the embarrassment caused him by the issuance of fake new plate number to him by the defendants.

Delta partners pension firm on CPS

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ELTA State Bureau of Local Government Pensions (Governor’s Office), Asaba, has signed an agreement with Diamond Pensions Fund Custodian Limited for the remittance of pension funds deducted on behalf of local governments’ employees in the state since April, 2011, when the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, commenced at the council level.

Chairman of the Bureau, Mrs. Patience Ikomi, said: “This event is significant to

us in that it is a demonstration of Delta State and, in particular, the bureau’s commitment to the provisions of the relevant law, and to allay the fears of workers on the state of their funds.

“I want to assure you that the workers’ contributions are intact and few weeks from today, the purpose of establishing this bureau will be fully realised.”

She said the choice of Diamond Pension Fund Custodian was in strict com-

pliance with Sections 4143 of the Delta State Pension Reform Law, 2008.

She added that the Custodian will adhere strictly to the terms of the agreement, while keeping faith with Section 44 of the law.

Mrs. Ikomi and Mr. Patrick Okoh, Secretary, signed on behalf of the Bureau, while Messrs Chinedu Ekeocha and Tonie Nwume signed on behalf of the Lagosbased pension firm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 17

Sweet & SOUR

Donu Kogbara

A reader’s response of existence to put a stop to their further ruination of our country with their filthy

itching fingers!

This is the only option that will instill fear in our ruling

class, curb their looting propensities and penchant for primitive acquisition of

obscene wealth for their generations yet unborn and compel them to give us good governance by providing us with the basic necessities of life with the abundant resources at their disposal.

Donu’s response to reader

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AST week, I wrote about a recent trip to Singapore and complained about the fact that Singapore, which has no natural resources, is much better than Nigeria, which produces millions of barrels of lucrative oil a year. A Vanguard reader who shall remain nameless responded thus: Donu, if we are to wait until our present crop of politicians die and are banished to the hottest part of hell for ruining our country through their greed and bad governance, our country will never develop like Singapore, the Asian Tigers or the Western countries, period.

We should rather adopt the quick-fix method advocated by a Nigerian Professor based in the USA who stated that all of our country’s problems will be solved if all of our politicians are invited to a Town Hall Meeting in Abuja and if a bomb is then thrown into the hall to wipe them out

ADLY, I have heard many Nigerians bitterly expressing similar views in recent months; and I’m frequently reminded of something John Kennedy said when he was President of America: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

Pleading for better governance never got anyone anywhere in a country where most of our leaders are laws unto themselves and routinely

get away with various crimes and aren’t seriously committed to progress.

When you can rig your way into a juicy job, you are answerable to the power brokers who helped you rig and not to the poor impotent suffering voters you claim to represent. When you can steal and collect bribes without going to jail, there isn’t much incentive to be honest.

When your income exceeds your official salary to the point where you can afford to

purchase huge state-of-the-art generators and to pay for endless supplies of costly diesel and to educate your children abroad and to cure your ailments in expensive foreign hospitals, you are less likely to go out of your way to seek solutions to local problems.

In a floundering country in which average citizens have been comprehensively cheated for decades by the big boys and girls who run and milk the system, the

Painful truths or insulting lies?

OMEONE sent me a transcript of a speech that was made by the former South African President, P.W. Botha, to his Cabinet in August l985.

Botha was a diehard believer in apartheid, the racist doctrine that elevated whites above blacks and inspired Nelson Mandela and others to protest. Please tell me what you think of the excerpts below. “…[We have demonstrated that we are superior to Blacks]…in a thousand and one ways. The Republic of South Africa…has not been

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created by wishful thinking.

We have created it at the expense of intelligence, sweat and blood… “…We do not pretend, like other Whites, that we like Blacks. The fact that Blacks look like human beings and act like human beings does not necessarily make them sensible human beings.

Hedgehogs are not porcupines and lizards are not crocodiles simply because they look alike. If God wanted us to be equal to the Blacks, he would have created us all of a uniform colour and

intellect. But he created us differently…. “…The Blacks cannot rule themselves. Give them guns and they will kill each other.

They are good in nothing else but making noise, dancing, marrying many wives and indulging in sex. Let us all accept that the Black man is the symbol of poverty, mental inferiority, laziness and e m o t i o n a l incompetence….[and that] the White man was created to rule the Black man...the black man is a creature who lacks foresight...”

victims of ruthless exploitation are bound to start feeling like despised slaves who have bleak futures and no rights.

Many ordinary folks feel as if they have been forced into intolerable or scarily precarious positions by greedy, corrupt, insensitive oppressors.

President Jonathan needs to keep President Kennedy’s quotation firmly in mind because when millions of people feel betrayed - and as if their backs are against the wall - they can start to think dangerous thoughts and make dangerous statements that can lead to dangerous actions.

Mr. President is already battling the Boko Haram menace. And he certainly doesn’t need any more violent anti-Establishment rebellions.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

OPINION DANA crash and aviation industry

BY CHINEDU BOSAH

HE Dana Air crash brings to the fore the level of decadence in the aviation sector like other sectors of the economy and our national life. All is not well with the state of the aircraft, airports and disaster response mechanism. Most of the aircraft, particularly the ones flying domestic routes are nicknamed ‘airmolue’ (rickety Lagos commercial buses is popularly called molue) because of their old and rickety state. Disaster response is not only slow but ineffective- a situation wherein fire fighters do not have enough water to combat the raging fire. Moreso, it puts to question how organised is Nigeria if we don’t have a laboratory to conduct DNA and will wait for almost a month before families could claim the bodies of their loved ones.

One aspect of the Dana crash is that the problems of the aviation sector could affect those who may not have visited the airport all their lives. Not just that the Dana plane crashed, it also killed those on ground, destroyed properties and have rendered some homeless. It proves that all sectors of the economy are intertwined.

In the last eight years, we have had five crashes. Just five days after the Dana Flight 0992 Boeing MD-83 crashed, the Nnamdi Azikiwe ‘International’ Airport runway

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light went off forcing flights to be diverted, while some airlines had to delay or cancel their flights. Hence, we are presently confronted with a widespread state of paralysis in the aviation sector. Nigeria’s prostate situation best suits Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, but in Nigeria’s case, there is the absence of a centre let alone being able to hold anything. The rate at which deaths and destruction of properties are recorded in Nigeria is in no way different from a war- torn country. Just recently on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a petrol tanker fell and exploded causing multiple destructions. The sectarian violence leading to killings is a daily occurrence, while buildings, including the ones still under construction, are collapsing like a pack of cards. Our roads are deathtraps, while people die as a result of poverty and poor health care, etc. Ordinarily, all these are avoidable given the huge human and material resources the country is blessed with.

Many have argued that corruption is the reason for the prevailing state of decadence.

This is correct but it is a half-truth.

Corruption itself only thrives in circumstances of disorganisation, lack of democracy in the running of activities, policy geared towards private interest as against overall public interest and institutionalisation of official secrecy, etc.

So, corruption cannot thrive where public interest is the guiding principle and workers, experts and consumers democratically manage the sectors. It is the long years of pursuit of private interest in public companies that is responsible for the collapse of Nigeria Airways, NITEL, Nigeria Railway, the educational sector, the health sector, etc.

What is Nigeria’s ruling class cure for this prostrate situation? Their cure is to further consolidate private pursuit for profit, wealth and power at the expense of the working people. Apparently, there is no lesson to learn since their interest is still being protected. For instance, the ruling elite response to the aviation sector is to buy or hire expensive private jets; response to the decadence in the educational sector is to send their children to very expensive private schools in the country or abroad; their response to a collapsing health care is to fly abroad for medical attention even when they have cough; response to epileptic power supply is to hike tariff in order to guarantee profit for those yet to invest a kobo and also to make more money available to privileged office holders to play with, including buying expensive generators to guarantee round the clock power to their private houses; their response to the chaotic housing sector is to buy expensive houses in Nigeria and abroad; their response to the very poor state of the roads and traffic gridlock is to buy expensive posh cars, using sirens and escorts

to chase people off the roads, hand over road maintenance or reconstruction to business men to collect toll for many years, thereby ripping people off and also laughably, to set up traffic radio (96.1 FM) by the Lagos State Government in order to inform the people which part of the bad roads is better to ply. When banks collapse as a result of corruption, expensive lifestyle of managers and dislocation in the economy, government was too quick to use trillions of Naira belonging to the public to bail the banks and still claims that there is no money to invest in basic infrastructure, etc.

Since governments at all levels have programmes and policies hinged on profitfirst outlook as a means of moving the economy forward, the development is threatened. This is more so in the face of the fact that the ruling capitalist class in Nigeria is relatively financially weak and culturally backward, and thereby cannot compete successfully with counterparts in advanced countries. As a result of this, they are always tied to the apron string of imperialists (big brother capitalist in advanced countries) such that the interest of imperialism is primarily protected. This explains why our ruling elite are hoping that big private investors or better still imperialism will come and develop the economy.

Continues on Monday page 18 *Mr. Bosah, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 THE stand-alone gubernatorial election in Edo State is another opportunity for politicians to show how democratised they are after 13 years of continuous civil rule, the longest stretch of elected governments that Nigeria has had in its 52 years.

Concerns are high about violence. The preelection violence created these concerns. The series of meetings the electoral authorities had in the past few weeks with contestants could temper tendencies politicians have nurtured.

Whatever the outcome of the polls, the conduct of politicians would be the determining factor for peace in Edo State. Elections in Nigeria have been elevated from contests for political power to quests for access to vast resources that States draw from the federation account.

In the search for access to resources, the stakes are higher than most people imagine.

The corruption that bother many Nigerians, and denies the country resources that could be used in developing it, has roots in high costs of elections.

Candidates see elections as businesses in

Plea For Peace In Edo which they invest billions of Naira. They must recoup their expenses, in addition to making profit. The profit motive results in huge deployment of funds into elections, way beyond the limits that the Electoral Act permits.

The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, consistently fails to pay attention to sources of funding for candidates. Section 221 states, “No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election.”

INEC watches as candidates amass funds from all sources for their campaigns without

applying the law. It is the same where thuggery and abuse of electioneering campaigns are involved. These are causes for concern.

Other areas that expose INEC’s poor handling of elections are the management of electoral materials, from the voter’s card to the ballot paper. After huge investments in acquiring the biometrics of voters, INEC’s failure in using them to identify voters leaves room for use of fake voter’s cards. Allegations are rampant that fake voting materials are in circulation in Edo State.

The grounds have been prepared for the usual post-election protests that attend almost every election in Nigeria. We appeal that the protests go to the election tribunal and should not result in violence.

Politicians, if they control their supporters, can ensure peaceful polls. INEC should deliver on its promises of free and fair elections.

It is the best way to do justice to the wishes of voters.

The deployment of soldiers for electoral duties is government’s admission of the unaddressed inadequacies of the police. Everyone should support peaceful polls, it is important.

OPINION

BY FRED AKUNNE

T was Winston Churchill who once said: Between the truth and the lie, there is what they call terminological inexactitude” Since he lost the Abia governorship seat to Governor Theodore Orji in the last general election, Chief Regean Ufomba, the candidate of the crisis-ridden All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election has continued to mix lies with truths in a desperate bid to rewrite history of the state and portray the present government in the state as a non-performer, where it is obvious that it is not so.

In as much as Nigerians especially the people of Abia State understand the frustration and desperation of Ufomba to clinch unto power by all means, he should be made to realize that it is God and the people that give power.

Before now, Ufomba has been making claims on pages of newspapers that he won the governorship election in the state last year. He and his allies had once published fabricated election results in their godfather’s newspaper which they claimed was the authentic governorship election result in the state, just in a bid to hoodwink some uninformed members of the public. But to the greatest surprise of many, Ufomba and his cohorts even with their claims of being in possession of the authentic election results failed to approach the tribunal to challenge governor Orji’s victory in the election.

An indication that even Ufomba and his allies are not sincere to themselves and they appear to be drowning men who are looking for whom to go down with, failing to realize that it is not a must for the drowning men to go down with anybody.

With his various subterfuges, tricks and scheming exposed, and subdued following governor Orji’s double victory in court on his pre-election and post-election cases, Ufomba was back to his known tricks again with his interview with The Saturday Sun newspaper of June 16, 2012 where he hinted that there was no need for Governor Theodore Orji to build a new

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As Ufomba fumbles again International Conference Centre in the state, since Damgrate Hotel which is close to Government House has aconference hall and that the Michael Okpara Auditorium which he claimed was constructed by Chief Orji Uzor Kalu is there in Government House.

A statement that lacked substance and many had described and seen it as a mere display of ignorance and height of hypocrisy by a man who had been angling to rule the state, but has shown that he had no knowledge of what the state needs for rapid development like its counterparts across the country.

Why didn’t Ufomba disclose to the world the sitting capacity of Damgrate Hotel and Michael Okpara auditorium which he claimed to have been built by former governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and how will such places serve the purpose of an international conference of global standard as being constructed by the present government in the state? How can an auditorium inside the Government House that is normally used for minor government events be seen as an international conference hall?

Before now, Ufomba has accused the present government in the state of non-performance, but instead of acknowledging the ongoing developmental strides across the state, especially in the state capital, Umuahia that has remained a glorified village before now, Ufomba was busy trying to rewrite the history of the state to be in tandem with his whims and caprices and that of his godfather, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu and their cohorts. This has shown how myopic and clueless, the man aspiring to rule the state could be. This is enough for one to know the kind of leadership he would offer the people of the state, if his delusion of leading the state had sailed through.

These are people who had always wanted status quo to

remain in the state, so that they will continue to impoverish and suffer the people, but the present government has put a stop to the nonsense called godfatherism. As it is today, the state can never go back to government of godmother and godfather enmeshed in idolatry and looting spree. It is known that Ufomba was part of Chief Orji Uzor Kalu’s administration in the state where he served as Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects. Can he tell the people of the state how many tangible projects were constructed by the administration for eight years, especially the state capital, Umuahia, and what was Ufomba’s positive contribution to good governance within the period.

It is public knowledge that some government property including a car is still in his possession, even when he is no longer an official of the state government.

That was the kind of leadership they provided for the state when they were in-charge that brought the state to its knees before now and created too many challenges for the present government.It is often said that a man whose house is on fire does not chase rats, but it seems thatUfomba does. So he should be reminded that 2015 is fast approaching, and he is still busy chasing rats while his house is burning.

His party APGA is into another round of fresh crisis over who controls the party structure ahead of 2015 between Governor Peter Obi and Governor Rochas Okorocha and Chief Victor Umeh. No one knows how long the crisis will last considering that the previous leadership tussle between Umeh and the founder of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie lasted for eight years before Okorie left the party recently. The best bet for Ufomba now is to first of all put his crisis-ridden house (APGA) in order and stop making baseless criticisms against the present government in the state that has redefined governance for the betterment of the people.

•Mr. Akunne, a clergyman, wrote from Aba, Abia State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 19

, Passion as a political resource (2) F I had the “leaders” in one room, I would also try to make them understand and appreciate the importance of symbols—subtle but powerful communication media, to which we pay little attention in this country.

Symbols represent beliefs. They are, therefore, clues to what goes on in the psyche. They are abstract indicators that cue us into what course of action we ought to take in a given situation.

It is ironic, and somewhat amusing, that many Nigerians— including me—wince when biologists and anthropologists remind us that we are “primates”.

We don’t like to be told, for instance, that we are, genetically, 98 per cent chimpanzee!

I’ve never read W.S. Gilbert. But I recently saw these two lines from one of his poems, quoted in a book on primates: “Man, however wellbehaved/At best is only a monkey shaved”!

The author is, of course, taking more than a little poetic license.

But beneath this hyperbole is a very important point. It is that we

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are, indisputably, primates. And we are governed by the same natural laws as them.

You may have figured out, by this time, where I’m headed. But before I proceed, permit me to digress and clear up a widespread misconception.

“Primate” is a taxonomic category, which the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus created in 1753, as a way of distinguishing higher mammals from lower ones, like dogs, cows, cats, etc. It simply means “first among mammals”.

The term “primate”thus places us above other animals in the kingdom, rather than putting us down, as most people mistakenly believe.

Anyway, symbolism has long been observed among primates. In fact, many archaeologists and anthropologists believe that symbolic communication, the use of signs and gestures, is the creation of our primate ancestors—not us.

Respect and reverence for symbols is a crucially important survival mechanism. Symbols

National symbols should reflect the history, culture, ideals, ambitions and psychic orientation of the people; I don’t need to tell you, that this is hardly the case in Nigeria

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extend communication beyond the spoken word—passing on important ideas from one generation to the next, without resorting to speech.

Nationalism and symbolism are interrelated. Symbols such as flags, coats-of-arms, uniforms, insignia, national attire and music are the fuel that feed the eversimmering emotional fires that burn in the heart of every nationalist.

But this is not automatic. The power of symbols, their ability to fuel nationalist fervor, is learned.

The meaning of national symbols ought to be taught, along with the language and the history of the state system.

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ore importantly, national symbols should reflect the history, culture, ideals, ambitions and psychic orientation of the people—their outlook on war, peace, sexuality, love, hate, etc.

I don’t need to tell you, that this is hardly the case in Nigeria.

Indeed, this is a country in which

“History” is not taught in most schools! Consequently, we don’t know who we are or where we came from or how we got to where we are—not to mention where we are going as a nation.

This certainly needs to be corrected. History should be taught in every educational institution, public or private, and at every level, right up to university.

In certain situations, for example, the mere sight of the U.S. flag (“Old Glory”) or the sound of the Star Spangled Banner (the national anthem) can send an American’s emotion soaring and even elicit tears. Notice they have names to symbolise unique identifiers?

That’s because national symbols, the flag in particular, express, in concise terms, the history, values and collective goals of U.S. citizens. The bald eagle on U.S. currency and in the Presidential Seal, for example, is not there just for embellishment.

The bald eagle is from the North American environment, a fixture from the past but it tells a story; and it makes a statement about the future. The aggressive and predatory habits of this bird expresses American ideas about trade, diplomacy and national defense.

Nigerians care next to nothing about symbols, whether our own or somebody else’s. We are simply too literal in our outlook—too practical and pragmatic for our own good. The meaning that is implied in art or symbolically expressed escapes us.

Consequently, we don’t really know who is a threat to us and who is not, who is friendly or who is hostile and have aggressive intent.

We remain in a state of “ever sceptical”. Yet such moods,

emotional postures and political outlooks, are usually indicated by the symbols a nation, individual or interest-group adopts.

The Nigerian coat of arms says a lot about our level of symbolic awareness. It contains two white horses! Not only is the colour “white” anomalous in a nation that is entirely black, but the horse is alien to our environment-having evolved in North America.

It apparently matters little to our policy makers, that everybody rides horses! Maybe that’s why the whole worlds sometimes seem to be on our back, including our leaders who to all intents and purposes have ridden off into the sunset on many an occasion with all our loot!

Another anomaly is our national flag. It contains no indication, whatsoever, that Nigeria is a Black country. We are not represented symbolically on our own flag!

“Black” should be on the Nigerian flag, not only to represent the racial group that owns the land but also to connect us symbolically with our Brothers and Sisters elsewhere on the planet.

This includes the ancient African explorers who migrated to Europe, Asia and other places as early as 120,000 years ago. The Nigerian flag could have been forgiven for containing one or more “stars” , to indicate that we have a cosmic vision and a sense of presence in the universe. If we felt it right to change our anthem, one would have thought it right to extend the symbolism that little bit further to a symbol above all symbols – our National Flag.

the ordinary citizens, the tax payers, were left at the mercy of armed robbers and kidnappers. The end of his tenure also marks the ascendancy of some‘ new Sheriffs’ on the block whose lives are now more precious, so the former public officer has to face the insecurity that ordinary citizens have come to accept as their lot. He ended by asking wistfully: “Does Citizen John have a right to complain about insecurity in the State after his tenure?”

crack men of the force, about 20 percent of the total are on guard duty protecting less than one percent of the population consisting of public officers in the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, including top bureaucrats. Other wealthy citizens are catered for with some having upto 10 per persons, depending on their financial disposition. In this category are, of course, 419 kingpins who also need to be protected by the police. He said the Commissioner then turned to him and asked: “How many policemen are left to protect the remaining 99 percent of citizens and carry out other policing activities such as crime investigations?”

As the Senior Advocate rounded off, I told him that perhaps my visit could mark the beginning of the process of change because it is evident something proactive has to be done as we cannot continue like this. The security and welfare of the citizen is the main reason for the institution of government. Security of the citizen cannot be misconstrued to be the protection of one percent of the population. We agreed that we aretoo smart to continue with this order and we left on a note of renewed determination that we can collectivelymake a change.

OPINION

Security and insecurity

BY CLEMENT OFUANI

E said to me that for him and a whole lot of successful private sector professionals, partisan politics and indeed politics generally had never been their thing.

However, in recent time, he had begun to question such indifference and whether they still have any right to complain when things go so terribly wrong. I chuckled to myself as I reflected on what he was saying and the immortal words of Socrates in the Republic came rushing to me that: “Now the worst part of the punishment is that he who refuses to rule is liable to be ruled by one who is worse than himself ”.

The spate of kidnapping for ransom had finally brought home the point that it is defective thinking to leave politics to those whose perception of security, for instance, is merely in the number of gun-toting mobile policemen at their beck and call when they are in office. The learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria proceeded to give me a rather hilarious but graphic illustration of the classic security conundrum that our public officers have created. He said that he had seen this so

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many times and no one seemed to have learnt any lesson from the experience of the previous officers.

He said that a common trait among public officers has been that as soon as one got elected or appointed to public office, the officer is assigned a number of mobile policemen. The typical public officer drives to the airport with two mobile policemen in his car and four in the hilux escort car on his way from his state to Abuja. One of the policemen, of course, has to fly with him. The policeman dutifully surrenders his rifle to the cabin crew as required by aviation regulation to be collected at disembarkation. In Abuja, he reckons that he needs only one policeman to play guard even when he settles into a five-star hotel.

The life of the public officer is now too important to be toyed with that the full complement of half a dozen policemen must protect him at all times within the state. All too suddenly, the Senior Advocate continued, the tenure comes to an end, but there is still a hangover. The detachment of policemen reduces to two, which the officer has to pay for from his pockets.

The former public officer sustains this for the first three months before reality kicks in

The security and welfare of the citizen is the main reason for the institution of government; security of the citizen cannot be misconstrued to be the protection of one percent of the population

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as monthly income has ceased to flow in. In fact, for the three months since the end of tenure in office, there had been no income. The officer had simply been drawing down on reserve and the rate of depletion is alarming. It is time to begin adjusting to reality. The former officer drops one policeman and still manages to fly with one to Abuja. By the sixth month, even the lone policeman is finally dropped as the former officer is having difficulty paying air fare for himself alone. The former officer is finally, once again Citizen John, a regular Joe, without frills or thrills.

While the officer held swayin public office and appropriated several policemen to himself,

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mazingly, this encounter with the Senior Advocate was shortly after a conversation I had with a former colleague in government. We were riding in my car on our way to a funeral of our deceased colleague and invariably, our discussion drifted to the spate of kidnappings and general insecurity and he said to me: “My brother, let me tell you, recently, I challenged the Commissioner of Police over their failings when my in-law was kidnapped and what he said to me was instructive.”

According to my former colleague, the Commissioner of Police provided him with the rough statistics of police deployment in the state. He said that out of a complement of about 10,000 officers, investigators and rank and file policemen deployed to the State with a population of 3.3 million people, more than 2,000 of the

*Mr. Ofuani, a political analyst, wrote from Asaba, Delta State.

20 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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New electricity tariff: PHCN customers protest hike ...Official asks customers to pay N25,000 for pre-paid meter

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE S the new tariff regime by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) commences, customers have protested arbitrary increase in their electricity bill for the month of June 2012.

The customers are also complaining that they are being asked to pay N25,000 for a pre-paid meter, as a way of avoiding the arbitrary charges, contrary to government announcement of providing the meters free.

Residents of Jakande Estate in Mile Two, Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State protested on Tuesday, July 11, 2012, when they stormed the PHCN office complaining of unwarranted hike in their bills, ranging from N7,000 to N11,000 for those who used to receive average monthly bills of about N2,000.

This represents an increase of more than 300 percent.

Investigations revealed that apart from the tariff which has been increased from N7.30 to N12.45 per unit of consumption for residential rate (R2), the monthly energy consumption was arbitrarily increased for all the affected persons. For instance, a customer, Mr. A. Ganiyu whose average energy consumption over the past six months has been in the region of 200 units, was credited with about 600 units of energy consumption for the month of June. This is despite the fact that there was no noticeable improvement in power supply during the month over the previous months.

This same trend was discovered in the bills of all the protesters who spoke with Vanguard on the matter. It took the intervention of some officials of the Residential Association of the estate to calm the nerves of the protesters, when

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they asked them to pay the amount they used to pay before pending the resolution of the matter.

When Vanguard visited the office of the Marketing Manager of the PHCN Undertaking Office in Mile 2, Mr. Ogunshile, he was explaining the situation to some aggrieved customers.

According to him, they were also in the dark on the development as the billing was done from Abuja. He said they have been inundated with complaints from customers since the bills were distributed, adding that they are filing their reports back to Abuja, with the hope

of a resolution. He however noted that if the higher authorities are adamant at maintaining the charges, there is nothing they can do at their level but to insist that the customers continue to pay the arbitrary charges.

The PHCN official further tried to explain the technicalities of the new tariff structure, noting that it is in two parts – tariff increase and tariff change.

According to him, the tariff increase is reflected in the change from N7.30 to N12.45, while tariff change affects consumption. He also said that those affected by the bogus increase are people

with faulty meters.

He then advised customers to procure a pre-paid meter by paying N25,000, promising that within one month the meter will be made available. When reminded that government promised to provide the pre-paid meters free of charge only to pay for installation charges, he said that may be long in coming.

When Vanguard visited the office of the Senior Manager, Public Affairs of the Oshodi District of PHCN, Mrs Haastrup, for official response to the matter, she was said not to be in the office.

From left: Regional Manager, Commercial Banking, South East Region, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Dennis Amadi; Divisional Head, Public Sector Group, South East, Raymond Nnah; Divisional Head, Commercial Banking, South South/South East Region, Mr. Darlington Lawson, and Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Mrs. Sally UwechueMbanefo at the bank’s South-South customers’ forum, in Asaba, Delta State.

Lubricant producers advocate 5% reduction on base oil tariff

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU UBRICANT producers under the aegis of Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN) has called on the Federal Government to review downwards the duty tariff on base oil, as Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) partners to stem influx of substandard products.

Base oil is chief raw material used in the production of lubricants.

Mustapha Mohammed, Vice President of the Association said in a meeting with SON, that duty tariff on base oil in Nigeria was the same as imported finished lubricant at 10 per cent. He said also that LUPAN as a body had appealed to the Federal Government through the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, to urgently review duty tariff on base oil downward to five per cent.

This, he said, would protect the local industry, as base oil was the chief raw material required in the production of lubricants. His words, “With the combined installed capacity of the existing lube plants in Nigeria presently,

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if fully operated, it will exceed local demand. So there is room for increase in the utilisation which will generate more employment, boost our economy and check capital flight.”

Mohammed further said most of the products in question were produced with recycled oils that had little or no additives. He said, “Most of the lubricants do not comply with the standards set by SON. Hence, the importers sell these products at cheaper prices than genuine products in the market. Our association is very much concerned at the rate by which import permit is granted to these economic saboteurs to bring in these lubes without control at the ports during points of entry.

“We should bear in mind that the effect of over dependence on foreign finished products is always at the expense of the local industry.” He however noted that the continued import of substandard lubricants might lead to the closure of existing plants in the country, unemployment, regular breakdown of machineries, environmental pollution, economic loss to Nigeria, and lack of

technological transfer and development in the industry.

Responding, Mr. Joseph Odumodu, Director-General, SON, said the influx of substandard and adulterated finished lubricants into Nigeria has reached an alarming proportion, whilst stressing that the organisation would partner the association to combat the menace of substandard lubricants in the Nigerian market.

Odumodu said, “In fact, we see this as an indictment that we have not been doing our jobs thoroughly as expected, especially to this sector of our economy.

SON will henceforth focus on this sector and we will partner other government agencies as well as LUPAN to make sure that sanity is brought to this industry.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Emeka Obidike, Executive Secretary, LUPAN, urged the government to partner indigenous lubricant producers in order to curb the menace posed by adulterated and substandard lubricants. He said, “The current government economic blueprint to achieve vision 20:20 will be a mirage if the manufacturing sector which is the bedrock of the economy and the highest

employer of labour is not given priority attention in Nigeria’s economic policy.

183.15

+0.80

2,296.00

-23.00

22.50

-0.20

97.94 84.19

-2.38 -1.80

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

0.2712 25.5852 190.3352 240.3737 41.2932 233.1258 158.4348 154.87 232.2653 1.9488 24.3252

0.2812 25.6678 190.9497 241.1498 41.4265 233.8785 158.9463 155.37 233.0152 1.9551 24.4042

0.2912 25.7504 191.5642 241.9258 41.5598 234.6311 159.4578 155.87 233.765 1.9614 24.4832

CBN Exchange rate as at 12/07/2012

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

NSE: Shareholders applaud court ruling voiding SEC’s audit report

By NKIRUKA NNOROM HAREHOLDERS in the Nigerian capital market have risen in support of the latest Federal High Court’s judgment that set aside the audit report ordered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), on the affairs of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) under its former Director-General,

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Professor Ndi OkerekeOnyiuke, saying that it was commendable.

Reacting to the development, Mr. Olufemi Timothy, said, “The judgment is well deserved because the audit and everything surrounding the sack of the former NSE DG did not follow due process. It is good for our country. All the wrongs that have been done in the capital market must be cor-

rected.

Speaking in the same vein, Sir Sunny Nwosu, National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, said the judgment was expected since the report was not transparent.

He noted that the audit report which was carried out under the leadership of Arunma Oteh at the SEC did not follow due process.

On the possible impact on the capital market in the remaining part of the year, he said the economy would determine the performance of the market.

The National Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Mr. Boniface Okezie noted that the judgment was for the good of the generality of investors, adding that the former Di-

rector General of NSE was not allowed to defend herself before the audit report was made public.

He said the ruling would not erode the confidence in the market, but rather, will strengthen it.

A Federal High Court

Ecobank signs N7.8bn loan deal

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C O B A N K Transnational Incorporated said it had signed a N7.8 billion (40.7 million euro) sevenyear loan facility agreement with PROPARCO, the Development Financial Institution arm of the French Development Agency (AFD) and BIO, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries.

The loan will be invested in developing Ecobank’s systems and t e c h n o l o g y

From left: Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, Director of Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills PLC; Mr. Folahanmi Odunayo, Executive Vice Chairman; Mr. Nino Ozara, Production Director and Mr Benson Evbuomwan, Director of Marketing during the Honeywell Flour Mills annual customers' forum, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

CIS gets new Registrar, introduces professional diploma

By PETER EGWUATU HE Chartered Insti tute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has appointed a new Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in person of Mr. Emmanuel Omoniyi Ajayi following the voluntary retirement of former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. O.A Olorunleke The President/Chairman of the Council of the Institute, Mr. Muritala A. Olushekun, on Wednesday in L a g o s revealed the appointment of the new Chief Executive.

According to him, “Mr Olorunleke joined CIS in August 2004 as Assistant Director and Head of Membership and Student Affairs and was promoted to Deputy Director in June 2005. He was subsequently ap-

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pointed as Registrar and Chief Executive in March 2007. Over the years, he served meritoriously in various capacities and as member of several committees of the Institute.”

The CIS President further commended the invaluable contributions of Mr. O.A Olorunleke, who helped in contributing to the growth and development of the Institute.

He further disclosed that Mr. Emmanuel Omoniyi Ajayi assumed duties as the Registrar/ Chief Executive of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers on 02 July 2012.

In another development, the CIS has introduced professional diploma in securities and investment.

While briefing newsmen, Olushekun, said, “ In line with the Institute’s mandate to

continually provide world-class training, and internationally recognised professional qualifications for individuals working in the finance and investment industry, the Governing Council of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, at its meeting of Thursday, March 15, 2012 approved a new programme: CIS Professional Diploma in Securities and Investment.

The CIS President stated that the new Professional Diploma is a foundation course for anyone wishing to start or progress his or her career within the financial services industry.

According to him, “It has been designed to meet the needs of new entrants in the industry, providing an overview of all key areas of Securities and Investment.

With a minimum entry

infrastructure, which serves nine million retail, local corporate, public sector and microfinance customers, through 1,180 branches, 1,632 ATMs and 2,744 POSs. Commenting on the facility agreement, Arnold Ekpe, Ecobank’s Group CEO said, “The investment demonstrates our on-going commitment to enriching Ecobank’s customer experience through investments in systems, technology and processes.”

Honeywell plans 162% increase in production capacity

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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requirement of five (5) ‘0’ level credit passes including English Language and Mathematics in WASCE/GCE/SSCE/ NECO (and equivalents), the new programme indeed has opened the doors of opportunity to millions of aspiring and promising Nigerians looking for the right career opportunity.”

He further highlighted some of the benefits of the programme to include : Opening the doors of opportunity to all those who aspire to work in the financial services industry, irrespective of their background and previous work experience; Providing basic qualification with an attractive terminal value for employees working in, or aspiring to work in, the financial services industry, among others.

sitting in Lagos had through Justice Charles Archibong overruled the report which indicted the former DG of misappropriating funds belonging to the NSE, noting that it did not follow due process and was in breach of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

ONEYWELL Flour Mills Plc said its ongoing expansion project, when fully commissioned in September, will boost its production capacity to 2,600 metric tonnes per day from 1,000 metric tones, representing an increase of 62 per cent.

Speaking at the its annual customers’ forum in Lagos, Mr. Babatunde Odunayo, Executive Vice Chairman, Honeywell, said the increased capacity will enable the company provide consumers with more quality products.

He added that the company ’s annual turnover for the 2011 financial year increased to N38 billion from N34 billion in 2010 which indicates a 12 per cent i n c r e a s e ” Odunayo, however explained that, “Government, with very good intention of providing a viable market for cassava flour, has enacted a policy that

require flour millers to use ten per cent cassava flour in its production, hence, increasing the price of wheat by 15 per cent. The problem with this arrangement is the lack of cassava flour ”.

He, however, lamented the harsh business e n v i r o n m e n t characterized by rising cost of inputs, high energy cost, infrastructural decay and security challenges has made business activities very difficult.

His said, “Despite the state and Federal government’s effort, the deteriorating and congested road network within Tin Can Island port- Apapa Axis has led to difficulties experienced by transporters and its attendant negative impact on product delivery timing. “No doubt, with a strategic direction the company over the years has remained focused on providing a wider range of quality products in the food sector for the complete satisfaction of valued customers.”

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Energy cost, major threat to business sustainability — LCCI STORIES BY NAOMI UZOR HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry (LCCI), Tuesday, said the power situation is still a major problem for business across all sectors and expectedly, energy intensive sectors are worst hit as energy cost remains a major threat to business sustainability.

Speaking at the second quarter press conference on the economy, the President of LCCI, Mr. Goodie Ibru said the chamber is aware of the power sector reform being currently implemented by government, but can only pray that the outcome begins to manifest sooner than later.

“Meanwhile, let me reiterate our opposition to fixed charge componentofthenewelectricitytariff

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which ranges from N500 to N100,000, which would be paid by consumers, whether there is power or not. It is not equitable and should be reviewed” he said.

He said the chamber have continued to be inundated with complaints about the activities of regulatory agencies. These complaints bother on frequent harassment,duplicationofoversight functions, extortion, excessive documentation and unwarranted closure of factory premises with limited avenues to seek redress.

“Toomanyagenciesinspectingor certifyingmanufacturingfirmsforall mannerofcomplianceissues.These agencies include NAFDAC, SON, LASEPA,NESRA,FederalMinistry of Environment, State Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, WasteWaterManagementAgency etc.Wecallforcoordinated action at

the states and federal levels to streamline the activities of these

regulatory agencies and minimize the burden they pose to

manufacturers and give investors somebreathingspace.”

SON creates help desk at Computer Village S part of its effort to save members of the public from the incessant loss of hard earned resources through the purchase of sub-standard products, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) at the weekend, created a market help desk at the popular computer village,Ikeja.

Speaking at the commissioning of the help desk, the Director General of SON, Mr. Joseph Odumodu informed members of the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDA)

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that the decision to float the help desk was informed by the need to flush out dealers of sub-standard products from the market.

Besides, he said the desk would equally furnish customers with details of genuine dealers who are only in the business of the sale of quality products, thereby discouraging the activities of touts.

Odumodu noted that a country can witness meaningful development in an environment where substandard product sales thrive,

adding that each time an unsuspecting member of the public purchase a substandard item, it’s the nation that is losing resources.

Odumodu who was represented at the ceremony by the Director in charge of Technical Services, Mr.Damian Agbanelo said the efforts of SON to rid the country of substandard products was in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda aimed at ensuring that the country does not become a dumping ground for all manner of products.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

BY DANIEL GUMM N continuation of the battle against smugglers, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Lagos, effected a massive seizure and destruction of over 6,000 cartons of assorted poultry products with a duty paid value (DPV) of N25.2 million, thus completely sustaining the batlle agaisnst smugglers.

The Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Comptroller Dan Ugo, made this disclosure while conducting the press round the seized goods.

While reacting to questions from the press, the Controller stated that the unit has no choice other than to carry on the battle to ensure strict compliance with the marching order of the Customs Comptroller General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde (CFR) and his management team on zero tolerance for importation of poultry products.

The CAC reiterated the determination of the unit to remain on top of this campaign through intensified intelligence

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FOU Zone ‘A’ impounds, destroys poultry products with N25.2m DPV in 2 days networks which have proved very effective in the actualisation of the objectives.

In his words: “The CGC has provided the platform for these successes through his various capacity building programmes aimed at equipping officers with the necessary skills for better performance.”

He remarked that the unit will do everything within its powers to nip in the bud the activities of these unpatriotic and unscrupulous elements that have constituted a clog in the economic wheel of progress of the nation.

*Workers at the destruction site at FOU ‘A’ Ikeja.

*Poultry products in flames during destruction.

Africa brainstorms to fine-tune NEPAD trade objectives S the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the blueprint for the continent's development marks 10 years, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has convened a panel to reflect on the agency's achievements and challenges in advancing Africa's trade and other

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areas of development.

Speaking at the panel discussion on trade and development in Africa, Chief Executive Officer of the NEPAD Agency, Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, explained that NEPAD has played a crucial part in the steady progress made by the continent, both in terms of democratisation and development.

Participants at the

conference, who included Ambassadors from Gabon, Rwanda, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria called on NEPAD to accelerate regional integration, technology, economic progress, peace and mobilise local funds to deepen gains recorded in the past 10 years.

In his remarks, UNCTAD Special Coordinator for Africa,

Mr. Kamran Kousari, stressed that NEPAD must reduce aiddependency and focus on domestic resource mobilisation for s u s t a i n a b l e development. Africa's leaders must renew their commitments to mobilise adequate financial resources for NEPAD, he said.

At the end of the session the participants

agreed that the relevance and success of NEPAD depends on the extent to which African leaders, the African people and particularly civil society and development partners are involved in the process of implementing NEPAD. The NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (the NEPAD Agency), is a technical body and development vehicle of the African Union (AU).

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D’Banj, Davido rock Apollo theatre

P-Square loses mum T

HE mother of Paul and Peter Okoye of PSquare fame, Mrs. Josephine Okoye, is dead. She died five hours after a heart surgery in an Indian hospital at about 11pm (3am Indian time) on Wednesday.

The deceased, who was a devoted christian and church minister in Jos, Plateau State, died after a protracted battle with illness.

The late Mrs. Okoye was first admitted at St. Nicholas hospital, Lagos, but when there was no assuring development on her health, she was transferred to another hospital in Kolkata, India, where she eventually died last night.

Mrs. Okoye, who is popularly known as a major pillar and source of inspiration to the singing twin brothers (P-Square), had been in and out of the hospital for about four months before she eventually died.

She is survived by her Jos based husband, children; Ifeanyi, Henry, Jude, Lilian, Tony, Peter, Paul and Mary. She also had grand-children, one of which is Cameron, the son of Peter.

A condolence register has been opened in her honour at P-Square’s Omole Phase 1 residence. Friends and colleagues of the multiple award-winning singers have been visiting the house to commiserate with the Okoye family.

Some of the early callers in P-Square’s Square Villa resident this morning include their marketer, T-Joe, Flip Tyce, Samklef and Helen Paul-Bamisile.

Peter, a better half of the P-Square twin brothers, said their mother would be greatly missed, not just because she was their mother, but because she played a vital role in the success story of P-Square. ”You know that she was a prayer warrior, so I don’t need to tell you how she stood by us spiritually.

Besides, she was the only one that believed in us when we decided to make a career out of music. ”I can remember that she used to sneak us out at night then to attend shows without the consent of our father who insisted that we must quit music to face our education,” Peter said.

•Mrs. Josephine Okoye,

INSIDE

Afro-beat celebrates 15 years of post Fela C M Y K

•Davido

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ARD work they say pays. So come August 27, sensational musician, D’banj popularly called Koko master raises his ante as he rocks the interior of the famed HMV Apollo theatre in London.

He is not going to be alone in the show which promises all the trappings of an A-list concert.

Davido, the self confessed Omo Baba Olowo and who is also the first artiste signed on

by D’Banj’s D Koko Master (DKM) records will be on hand to lend his support.

For Davido, live has made a positive 360 turn as he can no longer be referred to as up and coming. He has fully blown even without dropping an album yet.

With hit singles like Back

When, Dami Duro and the latest video drop – Ekuro banging hot on the airwaves, Davido is proving that 2012 is his year of revelation.

The young MTN ambassador is due to drop his first album at an elaborate concert planned for the Eko Hotel and Suites in July 2012.

Meanwhile, D’banj is currently in the United Kingdom still promoting his Oliver Twist single. The song ended up at Number on the ITunes top singles downloaded charts its first week.

Since then, he has been working very hard, with so much in the pipeline. This summer has big things popping as he (Dbanj) will be starring in Kanye West’s new movie - Cruel Summer.

Banky W, Wizkid, Skales kick off North American

In case you’d forgotten, Kanye dropped by last year, at the Koko concert. So the qustion on the lips of buffs is ; will it be more of the same?

Will the other Good music acts be supporting their label mate? (John Legend, Big Sean, Kid Cudi to name a few.....Whatever the case, it’ll be a show not to be missed.

THE TEAM Ogbonna Amadi, Group Entertainment Editor Correspondents Ben Njoku Ayo Onikoyi Yemisi Suleman Opelowani Ogunjimi

Igbinedion splashes millions on home video

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Movie of the week

The Amazing Spiderman comes to town SYNOPSIS

T

Banky W, Wizkid, Skales kick off North American E

ME artistes, Banky W, Skales, Rotimi and Wizkid kicked off the NorthAmerican tour with an amazing performance in Houston.

Three days later with the exception of Banky W, the EME boys also hit Dallas.

On Thursday July, 20 Wizkid and Skales will perform in Toronto. The tour heads back to America with Banky W, Wizkid, Skales and Rotimi performing in New York City.

EME associate and rapper XO Senavoe joins the train on Saturday August 18 in Atlanta. The EME crew performs in Washington DC, Chicago and New York which wraps up the tour. The NorthAmerican involves two of the Empire Mates Entertainment associates; Rotimi and XO Senavoe.

XO Senavoe is a half-Nigerian, halfGhanaian rapper who has been making a name for himself thanks to his unique and rapid wordplay. The upcoming rapper has gotten huge co-signs from established acts

such as Banky W and M.I. Last year he featured in the historic Nigerian BET Awards Cypher which included Mode 9, Sauce Kid, M.I, Ice Prince and Naeto C. This year he was one of the promising acts that featured on M.I Abaga’s Illegal Music 2 mixtape.

Rotimi is an American singer with Nigerian heritage. He was born in the city of New Jersey 22 years ago. His love for music started when his father started exposing him to the music of the late great Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Reggae icon Bob Marley. At the age of 15 Rotimi wowed the Apollo Theatre crowd and won the first place position on Amateur Night. Later on he joined a group called NBH made up of two of Jay-Z’s cousins. He is presently recognized as one of the brightest upcoming multi talented artistes in the American entertainment industry.

The label is also working on a panNigeria tour, with details to be announced this summer.

Ex-model Nina drops new single ETERMINED to make her dream come true, beauty queen and model, Nina David has released into the market a brand new single entitled Player.

Player is a beautiful piece currently blasting the air wave with hot hip-pop vibes and soothing rendition that leaves any music lover with no choice than to respond to its rhythm.

The song which was released on some notable internet sites is a romantic piece about a lover boy playing on a girl’s emotion, and leaving her on the losing end.

As the Player becomes favourite among music lovers in clubs, bars, restaurants and some social relaxation spots, many are uncertain whether the pretty face model-turned singer is singing about herself.

But Nina, a 2007 contestant at the Miss World Model in China, was quick to deny the insinuations saying ‘the message in the Player was purely

D

an enactment of my artistic prowess.

According to the former Miss World beauty pageant contestant, the girl in the song was a creative work, an artistic imagination, and had nothing to do with her.

The soft-spoken Nnewi, Anambra State born singer is not new to the industry. She made her debut in 2010 with the single Sisi Eko which was followed up with Sugar Daddy.

“I will be dropping more singles and a few videos before making plans to release an album”. For now, I can’t exactly tell when my my album would drop”, David who also had a brief stint in Nigeria film industry stated.

HE highly anticipated film, “The Amazing Spider-Man” by the Marvel Entertainment, LLC, which pulled $35 million into its web, after its worldwide premiere on Tuesday, July 3, has hit the Nigerian box office with a bang.

The $230-million production, starring Andrew Garfield commenced showing today at the Silverbird Cinemas and Genesis Deluxe Cinemas. And it is expected to run for twelve days.

Directed by Marc Webb, the movie is a 3D action game that incorporates characters, environments and an immersive storyline.

With numerous missions, rich gameplay and comprehensive battle systems, the film also promises several hours of action-packed entertainment and fun.

It explores the story of a teenage social outcast, Peter Parker who spends his days trying to unravel the mystery of his own past, and also, trying to win the heart of his high school crush, Gwen Stacy.

He discovers a mysterious briefcase belonging to his father, who abandoned him when he was a child, which leads him to his father’s former research partner, Dr. Curtis Connors.

The discovery of his father’s secret coupled with an encounter with a genetically altered spider, will ultimately shape his destiny to become spider-man and bring him face to face with Connors, who becomes the Lizard.

ovies Top 5BM lack 3

•Men in ip •Battlesh Bind t a th s •Tie •The Vow ger Games n •The Hu

Movie Schedule Cinema Schedule July 13-15, 2012 GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, LEKKI Snow white and the Huntsman:10:10am, 12:50pm, 3:25pm, 6:00pm, 8:35pm, 11::10pm.

Madagascar 3: 2:30pm.

Amazing Spiderman: 10:00am, 5:00pm, 7:45pm, 10:30pm.

Think like a Man:10:20am, 12:50pm, 3:20pm, 5:50pm, 8:20pm, 11:50pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Snow white and the Huntsman: 10:00am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm, 10:30pm.

Madagascar 3: 12:05pm, 2:05pm, 5:35pm.

Amazing Spiderman: 9:45pm, 12:20pm, 2:55pm, 5:30pm, 8:05pm, 10:40pm.

Think like a Man: 1:45pm, 8:00pm.

GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Amazing Spiderman: 10:20am, 12:45pm, 3:10pm, 5:50pm, 8:30pm.

Madagascar 3: 10:00am, 12:30pm, 4:25pm.

Think like a Man: 10:00am, 12:40pm, 3:20pm, 5:45pm.

Ties that Bind: 2:30pm, 9:05pm.

Men in Black 3: 11:55am, 9:10pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, LAGOS Snow white and the Huntsman:11:20am, 2:00pm, 5:30pm, 8:00pm, 10:30pm.

Madagascar 3 3D: 1:10pm.

Amazing Spiderman 3D 6:00pm.

Amazing Spiderman:11:30am, 2:30pm, 5:10pm, 7:50pm, 10:30pm.

Think like a Man:8:40pm.

•Nina

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC, ABUJA Snow white and the Huntsman: 11:10am, 1:40pm, 4:10pm, 6:40pm, 9:10pm.

Madagascar 3: 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:10pm, 8:10pm.

Amazing Spiderman: 12:40pm, 3:30pm, 6:20pm, 9:00pm.

Men in Black 3: 12:10pm, 2:20pm, 4:20pm, 7:20pm, 9:30pm.

Ties that Bind: 2:40pm, 7:10pm.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, CEDDI PLAZA, ABUJA Amazing Spiderman: 11:00am, 1:35pm, 4:10pm, 6:45pm, 9:20pm.

Think like a Man:11:20am, 4:25pm, 9:10pm.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—33

Igbinedion splashes millions on home video S preparation peak for the September 11, 78th birthday of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, arrangement continues to ensure the Esama of Benin, Chief Igbinedion has a befitting birthday celebration.

Highlight of the surprise in this year edition of his birthday is a new Nollywood flick that will premiere at the cinemas and Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre in Benin City Edo State.

The story line is based on the humble beginning of Chief Igbinedion and how he survived against all odds to become a pathfinder and trailblazer in business world.

The event will also unveil a special birthday song composed by the Etsako Boys.

The new film which is untitled yet is directed by the President of Director Guide of Nigeria Andy Amenichi and is jointly produced by Nollywood Network International limited and Treasure Search Entertainment.

All the cast and crew were lodged at Guinness guest house in the heart of Benin

A

•Igbinedion City. The movie is bankrolled by the Esama.

Afro-beat celebrates 15 years of post Fela HE New Afrika Shrine located at NERDC Road, Agidingbi, Lagos, comes alive on August 2, 2012 as fans of the late great Fela Anikulapo Kuti and lovers of Afrobeat convene to celebrate 15 years since the demise of the Abami Eda. Afro-beat Fiesta, the event is a celebration of the greatest legacy of Fela otherwise known as the Abami Eda and Afrobeat music.

The event will feature 15 acts comprising contemporary afro-beat musicians as well as those with afro-beat influences.

The spectrum of music will cut across Afro HipHop, Fuji, Contemporary Afro-beat and Highlife.

T

•Fela

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

We will make the nation proud — Vivian Chukwuemeka I

f someone had dropped a bomb on the venue of the powerful send of ceremony last week by which the Nigerian contingent to the London 2012 Summer Olympic games was handed over to the president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (represented by the Minister of Youths and Sports Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi), Nigerian sports might have suffered a severe setback. The public as well as the private sectors were well represented, with government officials exhorting and encouraging the athletes that were sent off side by side with heads of sponsoring corporate bodies, notably CEO Promasidor Mr. Keith Richards and the First Bank of Nigeria CEO . Also notably present were track Olympic veterans Mary Onyali and Falilat Ogunkoya.

Of the enthusiastic athletes present was 36 year old Vivian Chukwuemeka a Nigerian shot putter and two-time Olympian. The graduate of Azusa Pacific University won the gold medal in the shot put at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and has won three consecutive titles at the All-Africa Games from 1999 to 2007. She was the African Champion in the event in 2002, 2006 and 2008. She also competes in discus throw and hammer throw, but not on world level.With her personal best throw before this year as 18.43 metres achieved in April 2003, she holds the African record. She competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the World Championships in 2003 and 2005 without reaching the finals, but won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.Vivian Chukwuemeka emerges from controversies of the past as one of the contingent to the London 2012. She speaks to Lipstick about her hopes for the immediate future.

What are your hopes for the Olympics?

I hope to qualify. If I did the same as I just did hopefully I will qualify after three or four weeks then go to plan B. What's the plan B? Remembering all the stuff I've been taught by my coach (Ken Onuaguluchi), sleep well, or otherwise won't be able to go beyond three throws. Right now, I'm number 15 Would you say you are prepared?

Like I told you I just threw far.

I compete on the sixth of August, I have about a month exactly so hopefully I'll be ready.

What are your hopes for team Nigeria generally?

I hope we do well. Everybody can do well and make the nation proud. We have set a goal for ourselves.

After the Olympics, what next?

Soji Akinkugbe, Motol

Vivian Chukwuemeka

Going back to the US. I'm going to take a break, relax and start training in October.

Do you have a day job?

I am a therapeutic behaviour specialist providing intervention for children with emotional/social disturbances. I teach them coping skills to avoid violence in order to reduce chaos.

Which one do you enjoy most, your job or your sports?

I love working with kids. This is my career but I love both of them equally. I meet a lot of people at my job, I need people who look at me as someone who wants to help them but in tracks and field I am always meeting people too. I mean, everybody wants to talk to you…

How are you feeling right now?

In the beginning I was doing 17/20. I was number 40 or 50 and I knew it would take me a while. Feeling really relieved right now. Everything is connecting. I'm feeling really good.

Xpressions

June/July flooding floors Lagos W

hen the Governor of La gos, Babatunde R. Fashola, refers to the State as the centre for excellence as he did last week at the unveiling ceremony of the National Sports Festival logo, LASGIDI, he says it like he means it. It bears emphasis, the fact that Lagos of late has become a totally different place than it had been. It is a

living place; one that suggests the presence of not just any government, but one that cares about the people it presides over.

There was therefore no warm blooded Lagosian anywhere who has had any doubt that the present administration is dead serious when it pledges- as it has done often in the past- to get rid of the worsening flood menace that has proved to be the bane of life in the city in more recent years.

Massive resources have been deployed, in the clear view of all, towards achieving this aim, with canals and whole roads being constructed

and reconstructed in order to allow for proper drainage.

But with Lagosians taxed to within an inch of their lives and getting frustrated about this major cramp to their lifestyle, it was actually a relief to hear government has run out of promises concerning this disconcerting phenomenon. What it means, at least, is that when people expect the major flooding, the scale of which we saw last year, the can actually plan for it.

Global warming is a global reality and we might begin by looking to the long term and actually put our mind to reducing our vast rate of carbon emission. Lagos has the most number of people per square meter in Africa perhaps the worldindividually and daily burning fossil fuels for domestic electricity. This is the part that can change.

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 35

Pomp, as Colours in Africa opens Lagos showroom T

he heavy rain did not de ter the over 300 guests comprising family, friends and professionals and so many more from attending opening of the Colours in Africa's flagship showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event was kicked off as the special guest of honour, Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Mrs Sola Oworu.

CMC Connect's Yomi Badejo- Okusanya the M.C for the day went through the

event in his usual humorous way.

The opening prayer was said

by Mr Fusi Akinkugbe, and afterwards, the National Anthem was sung backed up by Ayo Bankole's band.

In his opening remarks, Dr 'carpenter' Soji Akinkugbe, owner of Colours in Africa, took the guests through his entrepreneurial journey which started with the sale of ethnic t-shirts while he was in medical school in Ibadan.

He said his training in medi-

a Sowemimo & guests

Eje Coker and Eyo Effiong

Deola Adewumi

Guest admiring items

Summertime!

H

urray, it's summer again, and you have a right to rock it! Here are the enabling tools

Isaac Ofu & Bimpe Adebambo

3.Legs Mini, mini, mini will equal legs, legs and legs this summer. A-lines, pencil and even gathered minis are all welcome.

1.Colours Colours will continue to dominate the scene this summer.

Gone are the days when bright, bold colours were left for kids. Block and Neon colours are here for the time being, so!

4.The Glam Glasses 2.Thongs Yes, the underwear too, but that's not new. Thongs on your slippers are going to be the footwear of choice this summer, either in the bold colours of the day or loads of glitter and bling.

C M Y K

cine has helped him in his 'carpentry' as one cannot make a mistake with a human being.

This has driven his quest for perfection.

Also in his speech he talked about the challenges in the manufacturing industry in Nigeria and the lack of Infrastructure and power, bemoaning the fact that his company runs seven generators.

He also challenged all present to take pride in what is ours and buy Nigerian to support our own industry. According to him, people usually asked if the business was owned by a Nigerian.

Mrs Oworu praised his perseverance in forging ahead in spite of the so many odds facing manufacturing, mentioning some of the projects carried out by the Lagos State government in skills acquisition and the set up of a furniture village in Lagos that would benefit manufacturers like him as she would like him to return his factory to Lagos. Thus, she formally declared the showroom and exhibition opened to the glory of God The Colours in Africa factory is in Ibadan, Oyo State and over 160 members of staff work there.

Glasses have rotated back to the aviator days; the more reflective, the better.

A seven minute documentary on the company factory was aired, highlighting the production stages of the pieces of furniture. Guests were taken through all the different departments from weaving to carving and everywhere in between.

Guests included Mr Isaac Ofu GM bank of Industry, Muni Shonibare of Interior options, Kwabena Smith of Orun Energy, Jide AdeniyiJones, Olaseinde Odimayo art dealer and owner of Treasure House galleries, Biola Alabi, MD Multichoice, Eyo Effiong, Eje Coker, Ijeoma Agbo of Installations Ltd, Titilola Pitan of Protea Hotel Kuramo waters, Idowu Senbanjo the Senior special assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Poverty eradication and so many more.

The guests were treated to music by the Ayo Bankole band, cocktails and also a visual feast of the well finished pieces on display comprising doors, beds, bars, outdoor and patio furniture, as well as construction furniture. There was also wine-tasting, for indulgers.

The Victoria Island flagship store remains open to the public.

Motola Sowemimo Yomi Badejo Okusanya & friend

5.Flowers Flowers will be showing up everywhere, including on jeans, a brand new fashion that has taken hold.

6.Maxi The maxi will continue to reign supreme this summer with options to bare-or not to bareshoulders and backs. Go with the flow

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Some of the victims of the Dana Air crash in Lagos last June

Why our planes crash (3)

,

The Task Force observed that airport security measures are not adequate. The screening of passengers and cargo is not rigorous enough, while miscreants are still present at the airports

,

motorcycles due to the porous nature of the airport. For Akure airport, there is no water supply for fire fighting purposes. The nearest water source is a borehole, about 12kilometres away. The only fire vehicles available did not have competent staff to operate it.

43. FAAN should urgently train fire and rescue personnel. The Task Force observed that fire and rescue personnel lack the requisite skill to effectively discharge their duties. Most of them have not gone for re-currency training for as far back as 15 years ago.

44. FAAN should review its airports’ master plans for the medium (five years) and long term (20 years).

This would forestall encroachment, and ensure compliance by successive airport administrations with development programmes.

45. NCAA should develop and publish requirements for the licensing of aerodromes and assess airports accordingly. One of the requirements should be Safety Management System (SMS) for the airports.

Licensing requirement

This would ensure that airports of the same category are developed to the same standard, and that the same criteria are used in The summary of the final report of the Presidential Task assessing airports. The licensing Force on Aviation Industry submitted by the Task Force team requirement should include a safety management system for the headed by Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd) on March 2006 airports. This would ensure that all licensed airports (i) Conduct detailed investigaContinues from yesterday are well equipped to 38. Placements of aviation risks tion to establish the reasons why carry out timely, exabroad must be preceded by the the ERP Accounting Package, peditious and coordiwhich was procured in year 2000, express approval of the Commisnated response to airhas not been implemented and sioner of Insurance as required port incidents and acput to use; by the 2003 Insurance Act. cidents. (ii) Assess the functionalities of The NCAA should conduct an 46. FAAN should inthe existing Information Commuannual verification of insurance stitute a ramp/airfield nication Technology (ICT) syscover of all airlines from the unsafety committee, inderwriters to ensure authenticity. tems (software, hardware and volving all stakeholdIn addition, the NCAA should communication) against the user ers, at all airports. requirements to identify gaps and mandate all airlines to submit This would ensure solution options; complete copies of the policy docthat all stakeholders (iii) Implement the best-fit souments for all insurance contracts are abreast of current rather than the cover notes given lution option. safety procedures 41.

NCAA should provide sets for each aircraft. The Task Force and requirements to of regulations and standards for recommends an annual audit of prevent incidents •Air Vice Marshal Paul Dike (rtd), the insurance covers of all airlines all Maintenance Repair Organichairman, Task Force on Aviation Industry and accidents on the and agencies to ensure that they sations (MROs) in Nigeria. ramp and airfield.

There are a number of mainteconstantly meet both the local and The incidence of carnance facilities already existing, international requirements. current best practices in the in- rying out ground handling func39. The NCAA should include while a few others are currently dustry. tions outside IATA standards local insurance covers for em- being developed.

42. Government should ap- would also be reduced. ployees in the guidelines to the prove the immediate rehabilita47. FAAN should carry out a Certification airlines. tion of Akure and Owerri airports magnetic variation survey for all Most airlines do not have in- criteria at a cost of N727,919,808.10 and its runways. surance cover for their ground N336,033,404.67 respectively.

This is to take care of earth The relevant certification critestaff as required by law, concenThese airports are grossly defi- movement which may, with time, trating instead on the flight crew; ria for MROs should be defined cient in fire fighting and other change the orientation of a runand therefore should be robust and widely circulated by NCAA safety requirements that their con- way. Affected runways should be enough, noting the perils associ- so that intending investors would tinued use is considered risky. At re-designated as appropriate. ated with working in an airport avail themselves of the require- Owerri airport, there is no visible 48. FAAN should augment the ments and work towards them, water source for fire fighting and environment. primary power supply to airports.

40. NAMA should automate right from the out set. This will no water hydrant. The nearest Adequate secondary sources/ and integrate its entire operation- ensure that once such facilities source of water supply is 30 km sub-stations of power supply al processes to provide a single come on steam, they would be away. There is a fire truck which should be provided at the airports. focal point for transactions pro- certified without delays and be is not appropriate for aviation fire This would ensure that safety critcessing, data storage, archiving available for immediate use. The fighting and the personnel lack ical services are automatically reexisting MROs should strive to requisite professionalism. Moreand report generation. stored in the event of public powPrior to the automation, the fol- meet the standards within a spec- over, while the Task Force was on er outage. The details of this reified time frame. Such a standard inspection, people could be seen lowing tasks should be done: should be comparable with the crossing the runway on foot and Continues on page 37

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—37

Why our planes crash (3)

Loss of revenue to airlines Long period of closure of airports creates unsafe situations as the risk of aircraft running out of fuel or bumping into each other is heightened. It also causes huge loss of revenue to airlines.

57. NAMA should train enough personnel to man the radars at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) on 24-hour basis.

Currently the radars at these airports are not manned at nights and on weekends due to low requisite manpower disposition.

These radars should be manned 24 hours for the safe direction of aircraft and for monitoring purposes.

58. NIMET should set up a Web-side, and provide telephone lines for weather inquiry. NIMET should also create meteorology (MET) briefing office at local airports. This is to ensure availability of information as and when needed. An office has already been set up at Ikeja. This should be extended to other airports.

59. All aviation agencies should

develop in-house maintenance manuals. This will serve as a standard against which maintenance performance levels could be measured at any given time.

The Task Force established that most of the agencies did not have their own maintenance manuals.

These manuals spell out clearly the type of maintenance task to be undertaken, when or how frequently it should be undertaken, and how or the correct way of

agencies complained of lack of training and poor conditions of service.

62. NCAA should enforce the regulations as published in the Air Navigation Regulations by ensuring that crew/operators that exceed their operational limits or operate outside minimum equipment list (MEL) are appropriately sanctioned.

A stringent sanction would serve as deterrent and thus help

for aviation personnel on duty.

Alcohol and drugs impair human reasoning and could lead to adverse behaviour. It is thus necessary that all aviation organisations address and guard against all factors that constitute negative tendencies in human efficiency.

66. The agencies should be restructured for optimum performance by injecting qualified core professionals with relevant academic qualification into their avi-

,

Continues frompage 36 quirement for all the airports are contained in this report.

49. In concert with NAMA, remote control monitoring systems for nay-aids and airfied lighting should be made available urgently for all airports by FAAN. This is to ensure that air traffic controllers can operate these services from the control tower as required by ICAO. 50. NCAA should urgently implement a comprehensive oversight programme for airport security inspections and patrol.

The Task Force observed that airport security measures are not adequate. The screening of passengers and cargo is not rigorous enough, while miscreants are still present at the airports. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of effective area security at the airports. It is thus necessary that NCAA specifies standards in terms of personnel and equipment for airport security and ensure compliance.

51. NCAA/NAMA should create a joint office at the airport where clearance of aircraft will be made and ensure requisite staff can be reached on 24-hour basis.

It is observed that the process of obtaining civil clearance or filing of flight plan for unscheduled flight into and out of Nigeria is cumbersome. There is an unduly long and delayed bureaucratic process, which stretches the process unnessarily. Most airlines thus lose charter offers that are required urgently.

52. NAMA should ensure that air traffic controllers comply with the approved time of 10 minutes before arrival and 10 minutes after departure for closure of airport during VIP movements.

Relics of a plane crash doing the tasks. Maintenance manuals are, therefore, necessary and they serve as a standard against which performance levels can be checked.

60. Aviation agencies should develop a careful mix of in-house and out-sourced maintenance of their equipment/facilities.

Over dependence on either in-house, or out-sourced maintenance should be avoided. Accordingly, while routine preventive maintenance tasks such as cleaning and grass cutting should, as much as possible be done in-house while higher order maintenance should be outsourced preferably, to the manufacturer or the manufacturer’s representative.

In the case of periodic main tenance, a proper, balance between in-house and out-sourced maintenance should be achieved.

The tasks should be organised to facilitate development of inhouse, middle-level, maintenance capability which can be deployed with greater flexibility.

Where maintenance is outsourced, it should be on competitive basis, to ensure transparency, and value for money.

61. All aviation agencies should dedicate the required 10 per cent of annual budgetary expenditure towards technical manpower development and training.

Manpower training and development is the key to aviation development. The staff should be re-trained regularly, properly motivated, and adequately catered for. Not to do so can only jeopardise/compromise delivery of the desired quality service. Staff of the

check the observed malpractices of crew and airlines that operate below safety standards. NCAA’s enforcement of relevant regulations would also ensure that the industry inculcate a culture of standardisation.

63. NCAA should introduce human factor and Multi-Crew Concept (MCT) training for licensing. Flight crew errors are probably the most frequent causes of air accidents. Human factor and crew resource management training are meant to orient the flight crew on the limitations of man, cockpit behaviour, and on human-machine interface.

Human-machine interface It is a new field of study to which most Nigerian crew are not exposed, hence the need for a crew to undergo the training, and subsequently conduct refresher courses. Facilities for the training are present in Nigeria, so the financial strain may not be too much on the airlines.

64. NCAA should ensure that foreign pilots joining the Nigerian aviation industry for the first time undergo additional training on local flying conditions in Nigeria.

This is a familiarisation course necessary to acquaint the crew with the general environment, that is, climate, terrain/topography and language of the country. Some pilots may not be English speaking and thus will have communication problem.

65. NOAA should conduct random test for drugs/alcohol levels

ation departments.

The current dearth of qualified professionals is a limiting factor to effective performance. This would re-position them for quality service delivery.

67. Government should re-visit the recent retrenchment exercise carried out by the agencies.

The Task Force received many cases of premature and unjust retirement of personnel in the ministry and agencies. This has the potential of demoralizing the staff as some are not sure of their fate.

It also robs the agencies of trained hands that would otherwise be available.

68.FAAN should upgrade all the local airports to meet the desired CAO standards. The estimated cost as compiled by the Task Force is as follows: a) Bauchi N214,846,127.25 b) Benin N493,066,745.00 c) Calabar - N612,243,302.50 d) Enugu - N637,278,832.63 e) Ibadan N690,133,680.43 f) Ilorin N892,346,615.00 g) Jos N557,828,085.63 h) Kaduna - N975,171,328.37 I) Katsina - N749,801,477.80 j) Maiduguri - N646,956,336.00 k) Minna N494,007,676.13 l) Sokoto N775,592,842.00 m) Yola N524,457,600.50 This would improve the safety and security of the airports. It would also renew/upgrade infrastructure at all the airports and facilitate development on new routes as the necessary facilities would be readily available. It will be an incentive for route re-alignment to reduce pressure on the lucrative routes.

To be continued

NCAA should ensure that foreign pilots joining the Nigerian aviation industry for the first time undergo additional training on local flying conditions in Nigeria.

This is a familiarisation course necessary to acquaint the crew with the general environment, that is, climate, terrain/topography and language of the country

,

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 Bismillahi Rahamani Raheem.

Wasalatu wasalam ala seyidina Muhammad, wa ala alihi, wa ashabihi, wasselim.

ARHABAN ahlan wa sahlan ya shahra ramadan, Marhaban ahlan wa sahlan ya shahr al-nur, ya shahr al-tawbati wa al-ruju, marhaban ahlan wa sahlan ya shahr al-du‘a’i wa al-wuquf alruju, ya shahr al-fuqara’i wa al-du‘afa’, marhaban ahlan wa sahlan ya shahr al-munajati wa al-tasbih, ya shahr alghufran, ya shahr ul-suhur wal-iftari. Mar haban ahlan was sahlan.

Greetings and welcome O month of Ramadan, welcome O month of the Qur’an, month of light, month of repentance and return. Welcome O month of invocation and standing in supplication, month of the poor and the weak, month of victory, success and glorification. O month of forgiveness, O month of breaking of fast and You are welcome.

It is very likely that by next Friday, we will be in Ramadan.

Except the month of Sha’aban becomes 30, we may start counting our much expected Ramadan on the 20th of July.

But like the practice, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar will announce the commencement of the blessed month.

Ramadan as one of the pillars, offers a comprehensive program for our spiritual overhaul.

Aside from the five-timesdaily prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadan is the most recognizable of Muslim acts the world over. No apology because Almighty Allah made it so. During the 30-days of Ramadan, the focus is on humility, spiritual oneness with God and social oneness with the umma, or Islamic community, across the globe. Ramadan is the most important month of the year. It is the month that the believers await with eagerness. At the beginning of Rajab - two full months before Ramadan Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w), used to supplicate thus: “O Allah!

Bless us during Rajab and Sha’ban, and let us reach

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Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

Welcome O Ramadan!

•On Sheikh Kola Animasaun voluntary nawafil, tilawa (recitation of Qur’an), dhikr, charity, feeding of the poor and the fasting Muslims.

Let us leave the affairs of this world for a while and hold on to Allah; let us remind ourselves that none but He is worthy of worship and this month, we have to do so much in worshiping Him to reap the bounteous rewards.

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Ramadan in sound health.

“Anyone who fasts during this month with purity of belief and with expectation of a good reward (from his Creator), will have his previous sins forgiven,” said Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w) “Anyone who stands in prayers during its nights with purity of belief and expectation of a reward, will have his previous sins forgiven.” As other hadiths tell us, the rewards for good deeds are multiplied manifold during Ramadan.

But along with the possibility of a great reward, there is the risk of a terrible loss, if we let error creeped in carelessly.

We just cannot afford to loss any day of the month. The person who misses just one day’s fast without a legitimate reason, cannot really make up for it even if he were to fast everyday for the rest of his life. And of the three persons that Prophet, (s.a.w) cursed, one is the unfortunate Muslim who finds Ramadan in good health but does not use the opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy.

It also includes one who also fasts and prays but makes no effort to stay away from sins or attain purity of the heart through the numerous opportunities offered by Ramadan. The Prophet, (s.a.w) warned us: “There are those who get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst.

There are those who get nothing from their nightly prayers but loss of sleep.” So, the question is how prepared are you for the spiritual exercise?

Let us be reminded that in addition to fasting, mandatory salat, and extra tarawih salat, we need to spend the whole month in acts of worship like

the tagging of his column Voice of Reason. Langston Hughes said: “When people care for you and cry for you, they can strengthen out your soul.” undoubtedly, the column has strengthened out some souls. That is more than anything else, a massive success.

To some of us in the profession, he is a role model.

We just cannot afford to loss any day of the month. The person who misses just one day’s fast without a legitimate reason, cannot really make up for it even if he were to fast everyday for the rest of his life

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Watch out for the moon on Thursday July 19.

On Sheikh Kola Animasaun E cannot close the sermon without reminiscing the great achievements of Alhaj Kola Animasaun. At 73, with two great books, wielding the pen more mightily and justly informing the people, he is undoubtedly a fulfilled man.

He has distinguished himself as one of the few who is not only passionate about the job but also strives for a change in our failing political situation. This is reflected in

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Alhaji Adam Adedimeji, Law Editor, Daily Independent Newspaper, and his wife, Hajia Riskiah Adedimeji, Sururah Adedimeji, (graduand), Hajia Balqees, Nazif Adedimeji (graduand) and Alhaja Mariam Hussein during the Wolimatul-Qurán held at Ahmadiyya College, Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos.

“a journalist of repute, a man you could always trust.” succinctly put by Exgovernor Olusegun Osoba.

Like those of us who learn from the depth of his knowledge, the column is like a page of prancing exhortation, rich in wisdom but brutally frank. For those who are tired of newspapers cuttings of his column, they could only express their happiness for giving them in a book form.

Even as encomiums poured from different angles, that day, he remained calm; an expression of one who has run a great race and crossed the finish line. Now, no more race to run but more medals to win. For anyone who has served like he did, it is time to reap the fruit of labour. The Qur’an says: “That man can have nothing but what he strives for; That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight: Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete.” (An-Najm 53:39-41) Besides, not many know that he was one of the founding fathers of Vanguard Muslim community, making it possible for a Mosque and Jumat prayers with another veteran Alhaji Femi Abbass as the first Imam. The community is proud of them.

Prayer: Allahuma laka li hamdu shukran,Wa alaka munu fadlan, wa anta robunna haqan. Anta-mar tana bi dua’hika, wa aditana bihijabatika, da aonaka, kama amar tana, fa ajib naa Yaa Allahu, Kama wa aditana, ya zallijallaali wal-ikraam, inaka laa tukh-liful-miaad. Amin.

How to commence Ramadan

By Harun Razaq HE obligation of fasting the month of Ramadan becomes incumbent on Muslim with exception of those that are permitted to leave fasting according to Shariah e.g the sick etc. Before the commencement of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to do the following: (i) Sight the crescent of the month of Ramadan after sunset on the 29th day of Sha’ban. (ii) if the crescent is not seen, then Muslims are expected to complete the 30 days of Sha’ban. So, the beginning of the month of Ramadan, as well as the end is determined by sighting the crescent. This is in line with the hadith of the Prophet related by al-Bukhari and Muslim: “…Start the month when you see the crescent and end the month when you see the crescent. If you are blocked from seeing it, complete Sha’ban thirty days.”

So, on the 29th day of Sha’ban and after sunset, Muslims should look towards the western horizon, and if the crescent (of the new moon) is seen, the following day will be the first day of Ramadan. If not, then the next day will complete 30 days of Sha’ban.

In addition, the 30th day of Sha’ban is regarded as Yau mushakku in which a Muslim is expected to observe imsaq (refrain from eating etc.) from fajr till around noon. And after confirming that the

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moon was not sighted, he is allowed not to fast; while the following day becomes first day of Ramadan.

Using modern calculation to determine the arrival of the month is gross innovation. Also holding any sort of meeting for choosing a specific date is not the practice of the prophet.

It is apparent from the guidance of the prophet (SAW) that, he (SAW) had the authority to call all his companions and fix a day for the commencement of Ramadan but he never did.

Also the prophet (SAW) was never hell-bent on sighting the moon himself, because some people might not have the opportunity to see it as a result of visual impairment or otherwise.

Muslims in Nigeria should endeavour to commence fast as recommended by the Prophet (SAW), without any tribal, political and ethnocentric sentiment. We should take the confirmation of a just and trustworthy Muslim that has seen the moon and has been endorsed by a Muslim leader. This can be done by listening to announcement on the night of 29th day of Sha’ban usually sponsored

by Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, under the leadership of the Emir of Sokoto. May Allah let us witness the fast in sound Iman, good health and prosperity.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 39

40—Vanguard , FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Edo: Group asks Jonathan to respect wish of elec torate

NBA election: Mid-West bar dissociates self form Ukiri

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BY VICTOR AHIUMA YOUNG ARELY a day to the gov ernorship election in Edo State, a group, Vanguard for Better Edo, VBE, yesterday, called on President Goodluck Jonathan, to be true patriot and father of the nation by ensure that the wishes of Edo people are not truncated under any guise in the poll.

It will be recalled that an opinion poll released in Lagos by RMS, had said “As things stand, Adams Oshiomhole stands a 93 per cent chance of retaining his job as governor of Edo State.

VBE in the statement by its National Coordinator and Director of Grassroot Mobilisation, Mr Donatus Ossai and Mr Bernard Efosa, tasked the Acting Inspector General of Police, and other security agencies, not to take seriously, the allegation that one of the contending political parties plans to unleash terror on Friday (today) to scare away voters.

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From left: Mr. Sharman Jha, Marketing Manager, Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mr. Peter Eshikena, Deputy Managing Director, Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State, Special Guest of Hounor, Miss.

Feyijinmi Sodipo, Miss Nigeria and Mrs. Ore Famurewa, Coporate Affairs Manager, during a seminar organised by Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

OVERNOR of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has attributed the Boko Haram insurgence in the state and other states in the North East zone of the country to extreme poverty.

Condemning the incessant attacks on churches in the region, he said Nigeria is one indivisible country.

Governor Shettima spoke at the Government House, Maiduguri, while receiving the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Mr. John Opara and his team, that was in the state on a sensitization visit.

Shettima noted that it will be foolhardy for anyone to imagine that Nigeria would break up, saying “Nigeria is known for her lasting values of tolerance, good neigbourliness, being our brothers’ keepers and magnanimity.

“There is no religion that approves the burning of places of worship. We have to come to terms with the fact that God has brought us to live together as one people, we are one people,

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said in a media briefing relating to the visit, he had not been authorised to speak on the issue, being a presidential candidate in the 2012 NBA elections.

Mr. Ukiri was quoted to have said the essence of the visit was to discuss with the Egbe Amofi and get assurance that Egbe will support the emergence of a Midwestern bar candidate as NBA President in 2014.

He was quoted to have said that he, Ukiri will step down if the Mid -West Bar Forum gets the support of Egbe Amofi.

Wanogho accuses Ogboru of behind client's litigation

BY FESTUS AHON

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From left: Chairman, Board of Directors, The Apostolic Church LAWNA (TACLAWNA) Printing Press Limited, Overseer Ephraim Ojo; National President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria & LAWNA Territorial Chairman; Pastor Gabriel Olutola and Sales Manager, Hunter Penrose Supplies Ltd, United Kingdom during a partnership conference between TACLAWNA Printing Press and Hunter Penrose Supplies Ltd, in Lagos.

Boko Haram: Borno Gov blames insurgency on poverty

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE HE Mid-West Bar Fo rum, has dissociated itself from reports by Mr. Blessing Ukiri on the Forum’s expected meeting with the Egbe Amofin to discuss the Mid-West Bar Forum and Egbe Amofin becoming one zone in the zoning arrangement of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Presidency.

Secretary to Mid-West Bar Forum, Mr Robinson Esite, in a statement, in Benin City, Edo State, said contrary to what Mr. Ukiri

one nation with the same destiny.”

Mr. Opara, who thanked the governor, said that Pres-

ident Goodluck Jonathan had approved the calendar for the 2012 Christian pilgrimage, adding that the

process for the pilgrimage was on and the Commission is determined to have a hitch free exercise this year.

....As Balarabe decries FG's indifference

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE ORMER governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, yesterday said the indifference of the Federal Government, has made Sunday’s killing of Senator Gyang Dantong and Majority Leader, Plateau House of Assembly, Mr Gyang Fulani, to continue unabated.

Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for Sunday’s carnage, where Senator Dantong, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, representing Plateau North and Mr. Fulani, representing Barkin Ladi constituency, and 22 others died during the burial of victims of last Saturday’s attack at Matse, Riyom Local Government area of the state.

Musa said the insecurity of the Nigerian citizens had risen to a level where lawmakers can also be slaughtered anyhow and the nor-

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mal assurance continues to come from the government without a concrete plan of action.

“It is really unfortunate that a Senator and Majority Leader in the Plateau House of Assembly and other Nigerians, who can become Presidents, tomorrow can be killed like that. These people just went to sympathize with the dead and were killed at the grave-

yard. Why should sympathizers be part of the violence? It is really sad.

“These killings are an issue and my worry is the indifference exhibited by the government. I can say categorically that the government knows some of the people behind these killings. Why do they continue with the normal assurance that security will improve?

Foundation marks anniversary NON-Governmental Organisation, JOAN Agha Foundation, JAF, will celebrate its one year anniversay tomorrow. The foundation founded on the philosophy of selflessness and sharing with others, especially the poor and needy in the society has continued to provide succour to mankind.

President and founder,

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Mrs. Joan Agha, in a statement, said JAF since inception had executed many projects that touched lives in various ways, including 15 scholarships to brilliant indigent students.

She noted that 32 women had been empowered with loans to start businesses, while several youths and women had been given various vocational trainings/skills acquisition.

GHELLI—COUN SEL to member representing Ughelli constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Peter Wanogho, has accused the governorship candidate of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in the 2011 elections, Chief Great Ogboru of being behind litigations against his client, Mr Edoja Akpodiete.

Akpodiete had cases bothering on intra party matters over his election.

Wanogho, reacting to Fed-

eral High Court, Asaba, judgment in favour of Akpodiete, said Chief Ogboru was the architect of his own political misfortunes, alleging that he (Ogboru) “lack the capability to take firm decision when it matters most thereby causing crisis in his party.”

He alleged that: “All the litigations brought against Akpodiete before the Federal High Court, Asaba, was the handiwork of Ogboru with the intent to subvert or pervert justice against his own political follower.

NYSC DG tasks corps members

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IRECTOR GENERAL of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigr-Gen Nnamdi OkorieAffia has charged corps members on the need to impact positively on their host communities while the culture and norms of the people should also be respected.

Okorie-Affia said this during a visit to the 2012 Batch ‘B’ corp members at the temporary orientation camp, Government College Jalingo, Taraba State.

The DG encouraged corps members posted to

Taraba State to make the best out of their stay by improving the lives of the people of the state, noting that the security of corps members is paramount to the government and the NYSC. “Your security is priority to the government, Taraba is a secured and peaceful place but be security conscious, always follow the security tips we have given to you.”

He said the introduction of martial art training during orientation course was to enable corps members defend themselves during emergency.

Passage HE death has occurred of Mr Thomas Okpithe, 61. Christian wake holds on tomorrow at his residence No 1, Olajide Crescent, Idimu Tuntun, off Baba Titi Cele Church Idimu, Lagos. Burial takes place at his family home, No 50, NDC Road, Ozoro, Isoko North Local Council of Delta State on Saturday, July 28, 2012.

He is survived by wife, Felicia six children, three grandchildren and other re-

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lations among whom is Engr. Solomon Opithe, President OPU, Lagos State branches.

Late Mr Okpithe

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—41

How the battle will be fought •And the leg men WHILE the the incumbent, Adams Oshiomhole and Charles Airhiavbere, the main challenger, are regarded as the main contenders in tomorrow’s gubernatorial election, it would also be an opportunity for many entrenched political warhorses to settle old scores. There are expected to be pitched battles spread around the Heartbeat State.

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & SIMEON EBEGBULEM

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T is not difficult to see why many have reverted to ethnic considerations ahead of tomorrow ’s landmark gubernatorial election in Edo State.

With a voting population of an estimated 1.6 million, the Binis with an estimated voting strength of 58% of the total population could turn the tide were the people to vote as a bloc.

Remarkably, the Bini vote is restricted to only the Edo South Senatorial district. The second major ethnic division in the state comprise the Afemais in Edo North Senatorial District including Etsako (12 %), Owan, (7%) and Akoko Edo (6%).

Senatorial district The third senatorial district is Edo Central populated by the Esans who comprise about 17% of the total population of the state.

Given the ethnic configuration of the state it was not difficult for the political leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to incline themselves towards selecting a Bini man as the party’s nominee.

Charles Ahiavbere, a former Army General who emerged as the party ’s choice did so against the aspiration of some

*Ahiavbere: PDP candidate more other politically embedded rivals.

Among them were Ken Immasuagbon, famously known as the Rice Man, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere a former Presidential Adviser and Mathew Iduoriyekenwen, a former Commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Remarkably, the choice of a Bini man by the PDP did not significantly alter the permutations on ground.

The incumbent, Adams Oshiomhole who is seeking reelection on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN had almost sufficiently covered the grounds in Bini land before the emergence of the PDP candidate.

His developmental strides including roads rehabilitation and reconstruction sufficiently endeared the Binis.

It was as such not surprising that many Benin chiefs including some with direct links to the palace openly flaunted their support for Oshiomhole.

After some initial confusion as to the stance of the revered palace of the Oba of Benin, the palace on April 19 formally endorsed Oshiomhole’s aspiration for a second term on the basis of what a senior palace chief claimed as “one good turn deserves another.”

“We will not reward evil with good. The only way to thank you for what you have done is

*Jega: Edo will be our benchmark for free polls

through our votes. Whoever wants to contest this election should come and say what he has done,” the Iyase of Bini Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe said on that day when Oshiomhole visited the Oba. Confirming what the Iyase said, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin said: “You want to go into battle, you will return safely. Whatever the Oba has to say, he has said so many times. Some of us have spoken on behalf of the monarch several times. The Oba speaks through the Iyase

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*Oshiomhole: ACN candidate

that the Oba being the father of all could not have endorsed the ACN candidate.

“Unfortunately, the endorsement was a creation of the media, the revered Oba of Benin didn’t, at any time, say that he had endorsed Oshiomhole as the gubernatorial candidate,” Senator Odion Ugbesia, Director General of the Airhavbere Campaign Organisation responded during a press conference shortly after.

Burdened with the negative

Though many of them have in the past had issues to deal with Anenih, some of them came back to mend forces with him in order to deal with the common enemy they saw in Oshomiohle

and the palace chiefs.

“Adams Oshiomhole is the Bini candidate. He is the one who wants Benin-City to join other modern cities in the country, so he is our candidate.

Some people said the palace is playing politics. What is politics? The Oba himself is an embodiment of politics.”

Despite the inclinations of the palace, Airhiavbere, himself from a prominent Benin family did not give up.

The PDP’s response was to describe what happened in the Oba’s palace as a media fantasy as the party insisted

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image of its past efforts in government in the state and allegations of an autocratic party leadership, it was not surprising that many PDP stalwarts left the party. Many of the dissenters abandoned the party for the ACN alleging that the erstwhile Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, BOT, Chief Anthony Anenih refused to take alternative views.

Many of those who left would be on the frontline against their former party tomorrow.

Remarkably, the party in the last minute was able to rein in

some of the leaders who were thought of as good as gone.

Among those who have been kept back are Immasuagbon and Iduoriyekenwen who had expressed disgust over the conduct of the gubernatorial primaries.

EDO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT: Oshiomhole is expected to vote in Iyanomo village tomorrow, but his eyes would be on what would be going on in Benin even before he returns.

He would be depending on a number of trusted associates to counter the forces of the PDP in Benin.

Among his major forces would be his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu – the Deputy Governor and Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu: Director General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation and erstwhile Secretary to the State Government during the Igbinedion years.

Senator Ehigie Uzamere: Senator Uzamere is the first Senator from the district to be re-elected into the senate.

Senator Uzamere is presently the highest ranking elected political officer from Benin. He is marshalling the forces against Airhiavbere who is incidentally his nephew being that the PDP’s candidate’s mother is Uzamere’s blood sister.

Elder Sunny Uyigue Elder Uyigue was once a close ally of Chief Anenih but fell out with him few years ago over allegations of Esan ascendancy over the Binis in the party. Uyigue remained in the PDP for some time leading a parallel faction of the party before formally abandoning the party for the ACN.

Battalion commanders Other battalion commanders for the Oshiomhole army in Edo South include:Charles Idahosa, Samson Osagie, Goddy Edosa, Chief Osamede Adun (Bob Izua), Harrison Omagbon, Mrs Lucy Omagbon, Uyi Igbe, Amos Osunbor, Osarodion Ogie, Jude Ise Idehen, Elizabeth Edonwadagbon, Lawrence Okah, Presley Idiagbonya, Engr Isaac Osahon, Vincent Uwadia, Isaiah Osifo, Joseph Omorotionwan PDP: The PDP machine in Bini land is being marshaled by some of the major political old horses in Bini land.

Though many of them have in the past had issues to deal with Anenih, some of them came back to mend forces with him in order to deal with the common enemy they saw in Oshomiohle.

Among them are Lucky Continues on page 42

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Obende, Chief Francis Alimekhena, Pally Iriase, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere who has already promised a N 1million bounty for victory in each ward in his local government area, Rev Peter Obadan a former Deputy Governor of the State, Peter Akpatason, Abubakar Momoh among others.

Ihonvbere will be saddled with the responsibility of checking Johnson Abulagba the PDP deputy governorship candidate in ward 6, Owan West while Pally Iriase will checkmate Senator Yisa Braimoh in Owan East.

*Jonathan: Predicts victory for PDP

*Edebiri: Is it his time?

*Anenih: Has helped to install all past governors

How the battle will be fought Continues on page 41 Imasuen a former deputy governor of the state during the Osehreinmen Osunbor years.

Imasuen with his former boss fought against Anenih’s hold of the PDP who in turn reportedly sided with Oshiomhole in the court battle that eventually saw to the exit of Osunbor and Imasuen from office. But now, party loyalty has compelled Imasuen to join forces with the Anenih troops in the battle tomorrow.

Senator Rowland Owie He was one of the leaders of the PDP in Edo State and represented the party in the senate where he rose to the position of Senate Chief Whip.

He, however, left the party and sojourned outside before joining the ACN. He was one of the founders of the party at the national and state levels.

He reportedly exited the party on the allegation that those evils that drove him away from the PDP had crept fully into the ACN in Edo State.

Matthew Urhoghide: Matthew Urhoghide who is the party’s Publicity Secretary was a former gubernatorial aspirant of the party who left the PDP reportedly because of the godfather and went to the ACN. He, however, felt shortchanged after reportedly being denied the ACN senatorial ticket by the ‘godfather’ in ACN in 2011 and thus returned to the PDP. Urhoghide has wide mass appeal in Benin and would be a major factor.

Captain Hosa Okunbor A former leader and financier of the ACN in Edo State he last week returned to the PDP alleging that the Binis were being cheated out of reckoning.

Okunbor’s strength is in his wealth and philanthropic

gestures which would count for the PDP if he comes out wholly against the ACN. There are, however, suggestions that his declaration for the PDP was compelled by business interest in Abuja. That claim is supported by suggestions that he could not in reality go against Oshiomhole his friend.

Chief Gabriel Igbinedion: Igbinedion it was alleged had turned his back on the PDP because of Anenih, but he in the last days of the campaign made a remarkable reconciliation with Anenih.

He has now charged his followers in the two Ovia Local Government Areas not to disgrace him. A number of them could heed him given his immense influence in the region.

Other front men of the PDP in the South Senatorial District include Owere DicksonImasogie, Godwin Abbe, a former Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs, Clement EdoOsagie, Chief Emmanuel Igiebor, Levis Aigbogun, Douglas Usoh, Dr Oni Edigin, Amb.Emmanuel Imohe and Arisco Osemwengie EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT ACN

The contest in Edo Central Senatorial district would be marshaled for the ACN by some of its leading strongmen.

Among them are the national leader of the ACN and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi an old political rival of Chief Anenih.

Others include the state chairman of the ACN, Thomas Okosun, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Festus Ebea, Tony Omoaghe, Frank Erewele, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, Gabriel Oyibo, Victor Eboigbe and Theophilus Okoh.

PDP The PDP forces would be

marshaled by Chief Anenih himself ably supported by his lieutenants including Senator Ugbesia, a member of the House of Representatives, Patrick Ikhariale, Hon. Friday Itulah, Kenneth Imasuagbon, Felix Akhabue (Joefel) and Dr Anthony Aziegbemi. Others include Chief Tom Anuge, Herbettar Okonofua, Vincent Ogun, Francis Olifon , Col David Imuse and Okharedia Ihimekpen EDO NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT ACN In Edo North Oshiomhole with his eyes on what is happening in Edo South and Edo Central would leave the attack to his lieutenants including Senator Domingo

PDP The PDP attack understandably would be led

by Chief Dan Orbih the state chairman of the party coordinating with others with vested interests in seeking the downfall of the homeboy, Oshiomhole.

Among those coordinating with Orbih would be the Chief of Staff in the Presidency, Chief Mike Oghiadohme who is desperate to send a message to Abuja that he is no push over at home, the PDP gubernatorial running mate, Johnson Abulagba, former member of the House of Representatives and commissioner in the Oshiomhole cabinet, Dr. Tunde Lakoju who has an axe to grind, Senator Yisa Braimoh, former State Assembly Speaker, Zakawanu Garuba, former House Leader, Tunde Akogun and former House member, Abass Braimah.

Indeed, the two Tundes, Akogun and Lakoju would be leading a difficult PDP attack against an entrenched frenzy for Oshiomhole in his home ground.

Captain Hosa matches pledge for Airhavbere with cash

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ILLIONAIRE businessman Captain Hosa Okunbor is backing his vow to win Edo South for the PDP with millions of naira reportedly being pledged to drive out the votes for the party he only rejoined few days ago.

Hosa who was until recently a leading financier of the ACN and a strong friend of

Oshiomhole few days ago ditched the ACN for the PDP alleging that Binis were being left out from the scheme of things in the polity.

Hosa whose support base was in the past helped by his philanthropic gestures is reported to have strong support among the youths.

However, his present efforts are reportedly being challenged by the strong support for Oshiomhole in

Benin land. Indeed, two of his core loyalists, Osaro Obaze and Chris Okaiben, have refused to join him in his campaign against Oshiomhole.

Obaze is an ACN youth leader in Oredo and has been tipped to for the chairmanship of Oredo Local Government Council whenever council polls are conducted.

It’s half day for Edo workers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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DO State government has declared today a half working day, with a view to enable workers in the employment of the state prepare for tomorrow ’s governorship election.

The declaration was made in a statement issued by the

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Peter Okhiria.

The statement read: “This is to inform the general public that the state Government has declared a half working day for all workers in state civil service on Friday, July 13, 2012.

All workers in the state civil service are expected to

resume work at 8:00am and close at 12:00pm.

“This is to enable the workers take the advantage to prepare for the governorship election on Saturday, July 14.

“The Government urges the people to come out en masse on the election day and be orderly as they exercise their franchise” it stated.

*Airhiavbere

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—43

POLICE: All men are equal tomorrow, security details restricted

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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LL men are equal for tomorrow’s election, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adeniake declared yesterday in Benin in his first official pronouncement.

Addressing newsmen on the Command’s preparations for the election, Mr. Adenike insisted that no highly placed politician or government official would be allowed to go about with security details or be accorded VIP treatment in the course of voting.

While reaffirming the readiness of the Police

for the polls, Adenaike said: “The police is ready to help make the election fair, free and transparent” as he promised that policemen would be placed at strategic position across the state to monitor would be trouble makers.

Warning politicians and government officials not to go to polling centres with security details, he charged politicians not to see the election as a do or die affair.

“This is not a do-or-die affair. It is a game of numbers. Somebody must win and somebody must loose. Whoever looses should take it

gallantly and prepare for another time. Edo people are good people.

They are decent people.

I believe that Edo people are not ready to foment trouble. Whoever makes trouble is not from Edo. “We will ensure that there is peace before, during and after the election. We have been here before, and we will continue to be here during and after the election to ensure security of the people and their property,” Adenaike said.

The new Police boss equally stated the readiness of his men to handle any emergency that may emerge from the waterways.

Oshiomhole gets royal blessings from Enigies

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RADITIONAL rulers (Enigie) in Edo South have given Comrade Adams Oshiomhole an award as the “Best Governor since the creation of Edo State.”

The royal fathers who gave the Governor and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu the award during a courtesy visit on him yesterday said the state has not witnessed such t r e m e n d o u s infrastructural development since the days of the two-time Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Gen Samuel Ogbemudia.

Led by the Vice Chairman of the Association, HRH Edowonyi Ogiegbai, the Enogie of Siluko, the royal fathers said the Governor’s performance in three years has surpassed the expectation of people of the state.

The Enogie of Ehor congratulated the Comrade Governor for the successes achieved by his administration within four years, and wished him well for the next term. The Enogie said Oshiomhole has become the light of the state who will leave a lasting legacies with which the people will remember him.

The Enogie of Obazuwa on his part restated the royal fathers’ support for the

Governor, saying they will not play partisan politics, but will appreciate and encourage what is good for their people.

He said the Enigies in the state appreciate the

Governor for all he has done.

In his response, Governor Oshiomhole thanked the Enigies for the award, saying he sees it as an incentive to do more for people of the state.

How Oshiomhole brainwashed Nigerians — PDP

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alerted security agencies on the need to be alert alleging that Governor Adams Oshiomhole after sufficiently brainwashing Nigerians could do anything if defeated tomorrow.

Director of Publicity of the PDP, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, who raised the alarm in Benin, called on the army and police personnel deployed in the State for the election to be extra-vigilant.

Noting that Oshiomhole has brainwashed many people outside the state to believe that he is the most preferred choice of Edo people, he said “this is part of the propaganda and deception that that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government has foisted on the State.”

“But this is far from the political realities in Edo today. The governor has been able, to a large extent, demonized the PDP and created the impression that the PDP is not on ground and has thus planned to rig the governorship election.”

“Whereas, as a matter of

fact, Oshiomhole and his ACN are the ones that have perfected all manner of strategies to rig themselves to victory in tomorrow’s election.”

Ihimekpen said “credible pieces of information that have reached us indicate that these criminal elements would be kitted in security uniform and armed with weapons of destruction with which they will unleash mayhem on innocent electorate and citizens.

“They plan to disrupt voting in places considered to be PDP’s strongholds.

In fact, the purport of their mission is to undermine the integrity of the election so that they would be able to rationalize the imminent defeat of the ACN candidate.”

He, however, counseled that “we should not take the election as a do-or-die affair if we are really interested in offering service to our people and not that we are seeking power for personal aggrandizement.

“We should all be committed to a free and fair election."

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

I

N the last few months, many Nigerians have expressed genuine fears about the future of their country. Considering the perilous political situation of the country, many analysts were not unaware of the threats of eventual break-up of Nigeria.

Apart from those described as ‘prophets of doom‘, there are others, with genuine love for their country, who are not so sure about the future of a united country – peaceful and prosperous.

The dilemma of the 21stcentury world politics is the inability of Nigeria and the Nigerian p o l i t i c a l stake holders to understand the various problems confronting their country and the painful inability to find answers to their ills.

Europe had been able to come to terms with ethnicity and religion as factors of disunity, and have been able to come to terms with the realities of their situations. Yugoslavia, after series of political experiments had at last been broken into separate independent states recognized by the United Nations. This was done after much blood had been shed through genocide and ethnic cleansing.

The mighty Soviet Union (USSR) forcibly made up of European and Asian nations has now disintegrated into several sovereign states. Nigeria is the only country which has withstood disintegration, even when it is generally agreed that the amalgamation of many nations into a single country in 1914 was anomalous.

That the country has remained one after a devastating civil war and subsequent ethnic and religious killings, is a tribute to

Restructuring the polity for political and economic stability the resilience of the citizens and the faith in the good fortunes of the people whose first name of their President is, ‘Goodluck‘ At present, it has to be appreciated that the plunge into the civil war was a mistake of the head and not of the mind. The evolvement of a multi state structure as distinct from the regional setup after the civil war was the ingenious local response to the minority problems of the country, even if it was trivially overdone.

The present 36 states structure has its own problems of homogeneity and economic development. Some states harbor a domineering majorities and restless minorities.

The states are not evenly and economically endowed. All the states as at

present constituted rely on the sustenance and the support of the Federal Government for a meaningful budget. Thus, the emergence of Father Christmas in Abuja to dole out gifts every month. This, many people believe could not reflect salient aspects of true federalism.

Many analysts, therefore, believe that a return to true federalism would be a necessary step towards the achievement of political and economic stability in the country.

This concept could not be properly understood by the states and the local governments that are heavily dependent on the generosity of the federal government for their survival.

Inspite of the parrot-like sayings of a

return to true federalism, the message is barely understood and wished for in the existing states and local governments.

There lies the dilemma of wishful thinking and reality on the ground. If the present structure does not bring progress and does not give hope for a better future, it is absolutely necessary to assess that structure with the hope of looking for or examining a different structure that would guarantee lasting peace and prosperity.

What then are the realistic options open to us? It is reasonable to reexamine some valuable suggestions made after series of political or the riots in the past and the unfortunate civil war.

The first suggestion for a change to the existing structure of the country was made in 1953 after the Northern legislators were booed in Lagos following their rejection of the motion on Nigeria’s independence by the late Anthony Enahoro.

‘The North Eight-Point Programs‘ was essentially confederation in nature. It advocated that “Each region shall have complete legislative and executive autonomy with respect to all matters except the following: External Affairs; Defense; Customs and West African Research Institutions”.

Also, “that there should be no Central Legislative body and no Central Executive or Policy making body for the whole of Nigeria”. It suggests, “All the revenues shall be levied and collected by the Regional Governments except Customs revenue at the ports of discharge by the Central Agency and paid to its Treasury”.

The administration of the Customs shall be so organized

as to assure that goods consigned to the region are separately cleared and charged to duty. Each region shall have a separate Public Service. From the above, it could be seen that the ‘North Eight-Point Programs‘ tilted towards a strong Region and a weak Centre.

General Gowon, after becoming the Head of State in 1966, addressed the Ad Hoc Constitutional Assembly on 12thSeptember 1967 where he asked Nigerians to form any political associations the country should adopt. As contained in Raph Uwechue‘s Reflections on The Nigerian Civil War “A Call for Realism”, General Gowon said, “You will find to analyse, in the light of Nigerian circumstances, all the arguments for and against all the various types of political arrangements”.

Two things for the present exercise I feel should be ruled out, viz: (a) Complete break-up; (b) a Unitary form of government; I therefore put before you the following forms of Government for consideration:(a) Federal system with a strong Central Government; (b) Federal system with a weak Central Government; (c) Confederation or (d) an entirely new arrangement which will be peculiar to Nigeria and which has not yet found its way into any political dictionary”.

Unfortunately, the civil war and continuous army rule of the 1970s and 1980s did not allow for the choice to be made.

After the civil war, Raph Uwechue in his book quoted above suggested a six-state structure in a Loose Federation of United States of Nigeria.

Sms only 07059197616

Day Commonwealth parliamentarians praised Tambuwal

BY IMAM IMAM

W

HEN members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region gathered for their 43rd conference in Gauteng, South Africa last week, one thing was on their minds: to bolster legislative influence in the dayto-day running of governments in member-countries so as to ensure good governance, tackle poverty and deepen democratic norms and values.

For them, the gathering offered another opportunity to share experience, learn from each other and find solutions to the myriad of problems and development challenges bedeviling the African continent.

However, as with many things Nigerian, the enthusiasm shown by participants to the CPA conferences at the beginning of the millennium has since waned.

This can be seen from the attitude of Nigerians who show up at past conferences but depart almost immediately the opening ceremony was concluded without waiting to take part in crucial committee level sessions.

That was the norm at least until the emergence of Hon Aminu

Waziri Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the leader of Nigerian delegation to the CPA. The sign that things would be different with Tambuwal began to emerge during last year’s CPA conference in London. However, it was at last week’s gathering of the Africa Region of the association that Nigeria not only took its rightful place among sister nations, but left the stage with a positive impression not seen since 1999. By the end of the conference, and largely due to his insistence on attending all scheduled activities at the conference, a new picture had emerged on the person and character of Tambuwal, a sort that inspired confidence among participants, observers and other Nigerians who attended the forum.

From their utterances during and after the conference, Nigerians gathered at the Michel Angelo Convention Centre made it clear that a new dawn has befallen the country’s legislature.

To them, Tambuwal, like a General tasked with the mandate of leading his troops to battle, roused them into action in the most positive manner.

*Tambuwal Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, praised Tambuwal’s efforts which he said had ensured that Nigerian lawmakers participated actively in all the sessions of the weeklong conference. He said for the first time in many years, Nigeria made the necessary impact in the continental gathering due largely to Tambuwal’s influence.

“Our delegates took part in all the sessions and made useful

contributions many of which were adopted at various committee levels. This is instructive considering the fact that we were notorious for not showing up at such gatherings or if we do, we pack our belongings and return home early. ”This change of attitude was made possible by the leader of our delegation (Tambuwal) who took part in all the sessions and led by example. Due to his diligence, our country has reaped the benefit of its attendance. Our members from the National Assembly and various State Assemblies have enriched their legislative skills and I am sure we will benefit from it when we return home,” Ekweremadu added.

For the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Hon Bethel Amadi, Tambuwal’s pragmatic style of leadership not only at the CPA conference but also in the House of Representatives, has injected confidence into the operations of the lawmakers at international fora like the one provided by the Gauteng conference.

Speaking at a lunch attended

by Nigerian delegates, a member of the House of

Representatives, Hon Rafiu Babatunde Adejare, said the leadership provided by Speaker Tambuwal at the conference offered an opportunity for the lawmakers to retool and strategies for better service delivery back home. According to him, taking part in the CPA will play a big role in fostering unity and understanding among lawmakers from the continent and the entire Commonwealth as a whole.

“For the benefit of those who do not know the Speaker well, I must say that he is an exemplary leader whose love for Nigeria is deep. As you can see here, he has given each and every one of us a sense of belonging not minding the fact that some of us are from the National Assembly while others are from States Houses of Assembly. In our midst here are persons of different political leanings but in Tambuwal’s book, we are all one and the same people who are here to represent the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Adejare said. *Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 45

Syria: Defecting envoy calls for Assad's overthrow T

HE first ambassador to abandon Syrian President Bashar alAssad called on the army to “turn your guns on the criminals” of the government, as troops backed by tanks swarmed into a suburb of Damascus yesterday to flush out rebels. Nawaf al-Fares, who has close ties to the security services, was Syria’s ambassador to its neighbor Iraq, one of its few friends in the region.

Coming just days after the desertion of Manaf Tlas, a brigadier general in the elite Republican Guard who grew up with the president, his defection gave the antiAssad uprising one of its biggest boosts in 16 months of bloodshed. But Syria’s strongest ally, Russia, stuck by Assad on Thursday with a clear

Alexander Pankin made clear Moscow would use its veto if it had to. “We are definitely against Chapter 7,” he said. “Anything can be negotiated, but we do

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

B

•Putin

•Annan

warning to his Western and Arab enemies that it would not even consider calls for a tough new resolution by the U.N. Security Council in New York. Britain circulated a draft on Wednesday, backed by the United States, France and Germany, that would make compliance with a transition plan drafted by international envoy Kofi

Annan enforceable under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter. This would allow the council to authorize actions ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to military intervention.

But as council members began negotiations on a resolution to renew the U.N. Syria monitoring mission, Russia’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador

V

economy and cutting unemployment - at 14.4 percent for blacks compared to the national average of 8.2 percent.

IBYA'S PM wartime prime minister Mahmoud Jibril’s National Forces Allia-nce (NFA) was heading for a landslide victory in the national assembly election in the eastern city of Benghazi and surrounding towns, partial results show.

Jibril’s NFA won 95,733 votes in the constituency against just 16,143 for the Brotherhood’s party Justice

RITISH Foreign Secretary, William Hague has decried the lack of consensus among world powers in dealing with the crisis in Syria where he said “we are seeking tough, concerted diplomatic intervention, rather than a military response “ He said “ if the full weight of the Security Council put behind Kofi Annan’s plan for a political transition and then was enforced by the international community, it would lead to an end to the violence and a political settlement on the ground.” Hague disclosed the consequences of a divided international community as clearly seen during the crisis in Syria, noting that today,

“the people of Syria are paying the devastating price for the lack of i n t e r n a t i o n a l unity.”Delivering a speech at The Hague, the Netherlands, Mr. Hague noted that the Arab spring has shattered the idea that nations can maintain long term stability and prosperity without human rights, political participation and economic freedom for

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•Obama Senate Judiciary Committee.

Romney drew boos from the NAACP audience on Wednesday for blasting Obama’s healthcare overhaul and his leadership on the economy.

Romney promised he could improve life for blacks by turning around the

HE United States and China signaled a willingness yesterday to work together on “sensitive issues” in a move to cool tensions between rival claimants to the potentially oil-rich and increasingly militarized South China Sea. Long-simmering tensions in the waters have entered a more contentious chapter this year as the six parties who claim the territory search deeper into the disputed waters for energy supplies while building up their navies

and Constru-ction, tallies announced by the election commission showed on Wednesday, consolida-ting wins the NFA has seen in the west, south and east of the country. Benghazi, the cradle of last year ’s uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, is also a hub for the political wing of Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood and was a hotspot of protests against Saturday’s election by

easterners seeking more autonomy from Tripoli.

Saudi Arabia gave a lavish reception to Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi yesterday, in a gesture that analysts said indicated the willingness of Arab world’s wealthiest country, to put old tensions behind it to do business with the new Islamist president.

atory tone, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “the United States and China not only can, but will work together in Asia”.

N and Democratic Republic of Congo government troops have bombarded rebel positions in the country’s strife-torn eastern region of NorthKivu. Three helicopters belonging to the United Nations DR Congo mission - MONUSCO and two gunships of the

•Morsi In his first official foreign visit since his election in June, Mursi, who belonged to Egypt’s influential Muslim Brotherhood movement which had long had strained ties with Saudi Arabia, arrived in Jeddah on Wednesday.

German groups oppose circumcision ban •Clinton and defense alliances.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Beijing was ready to work with Washington “to expand our common ground, respect each other, properly handle differences on sensitive issues, and push forward” relations.

Echoing Yang’s concili-

A

GERMAN court’s ban on circumcising baby boys has provoked a rare show of unity between Jews, Muslims and Christians who see it as a threat to religious freedom, while doctors warn it could increase health risks by forcing the practice underground.

European rabbis meeting in Berlin on Thursday

UN troops shell DR Congo rebels

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their citizens.

He said that the United Kingdom alone cannot handle the issue of global conflict, but depends more on other countries abiding by international laws and agreements, to successfully bridge the gap in thinking and policy between Western democracies and some of the emerging powers on the protection of human rights.

Morsi visits S/Arabia

US, China to calm Sea tensions

Libya's NFA wins parliamentary polls

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opposition failed to comply with his plan, which has produced neither a ceasefire nor political dialogue since it was agreed in April.

UK blames Syrian crisis on global disunity

Biden defends Obama's record ICE President Joe Biden drew cheers from the country’s biggest civil rights group on Thursday with a fiery defense of President Barack Obama’s record, and warned that the election of Republican Mitt Romney could reverse years of economic and civil rights gains for blacks.

The day after Romney was booed during an appearance before the convention of the NAACP, Biden asked the crowd to imagine what a conservative Romney presidency would mean for the Justice Department, the Supreme Court and voting rights. “This is not your father’s Republican Party,” said Biden, the former chairman of the

not negotiate this, this is a red line.” Annan himself asked the 15-member council to agree on “clear consequences” if the Syrian government or

DR Congo army (FARDC) were seen and explosions were heard around the villages of Nkokwe and Bukima, where rebels from the M23 group are thought to have some positions.

Officials from the UN and the army confirmed attacks were underway, as

did the mutineers. “The FARDC are currently attacking our positions, but they don’t know where we are. There’s no problems,” a colonel from the mutiny told AFP. Nkokwe and Bukima are about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the Nord-Kivu capital Goma.

promised to defy the ruling by a court in the city of Cologne last month. They plan further talks with Muslim and Christian leaders in Stuttgart next week to see how they can fight the ban together.

“We urge the Jewish community in Germany and circumcisers to continue to perform circumcisions and not to wait for a change in the law,” said Pinchas Goldschmidt, Swiss-born chief rabbi of Moscow and organizer of the three-day meeting.In a country that is sensitive to charges of intolerance and discrimination, especially against Jews because of the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis during World War Two, many politicians including the foreign minister have criticized the ruling.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Boyloaf blasts Tompolo •Says Tompolo not leader of MEND •Henry Okah is our grand commander •Reveals the four masquerades behind MEND •Why Farrah Dagogo and I abandoned Tompolo •Yar’Adua visited me undercover in Yenagoa to discuss amnesty •They hoodwinked us to accept amnesty but I have no regrets •What we have now in N-Delta is negative peace Ebikabowei Victor (Boyloaf), in this interview reacts to Tompolo's previous interview in Vanguard, says Tompolo was not the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South-South

H

OW is life treating you?

We hear the ex-militant 'generals' are reaping huge benefits from the Federal Government since they surrendered arms in 2009?

I have to give thanks to God Almighty. Life is not that easy as most people think, because the responsibilities are enormous and it can be frustrating and painful.

This is particularly so when one cannot meet the responsibilities of catering to the needs of over 2000 boys is not easy, even though technically they are the government’s responsibility through the amnesty programme.

I receive hundreds of phone calls on a daily basis. You can imagine what this means. None of these calls is business related, but to solve one financial problem or the other. I developed high blood pressure and my doctor advised that I do away with my cell phones. Is that what you call reaping huge benefits? What the entire nation perceives is actual-

ly not true regarding reaping huge benefits from the Federal Government. To be honest maybe some are reaping huge benefits, but I am not. The government patronage is one sided for some obvious reasons.

What is security around you like? Other ex-militant ‘generals’ were given security by the government. What is yours like?

The best form of security is the one that is not visible to the ordinary eyes, the one that is proactive and efficient. That is the type that I have. Though, the government provided me with security details, I do not often use them because I drive myself around Abuja and I move freely. I do not have enemies to surround myself with security personnel, but I mostly use them if am going out of town (inter-state).

Has there been any threat or threats to your life since you dropped your arms and how did you handle it?

No, there has been no visible threat to my life.

Is the government failing the ex-militants in the promises made to them before they sur-

Ebikabowei Victor (Boyloaf) receiving his certificate in South Africa

crippling the oil economy and with the hit on the Bonga field, the government threw in the white towel and called for peace.

As you know in any struggle, there is always a time for peace.

And with the singular effort of the former President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua of blessed memory, who came incognito to Yenagoa to discuss the proposed amnesty with me, the then Vice President, now President Goodluck Jonathan, the then Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, Timi Alaibe and other concerned persons, I decided to give peace a chance as they say.

How will you describe your decision to accept amnesty?

It was one of the best decisions that I took and I have no regrets.

Your decision to cease hostilities led to a cold relationship Ebikabowei Victor (Boyloaf)...Henry Okah, not Tompolo was the grand between you and commander of MEND Henry Okah. Did both of you finally meet to iron struction site, with bridges springrendered arms?

The government till date has not ing up and the coastal road from things out after he was released properly addressed the fact of the Lagos to Calabar being construct- from detention in Nigeria?

I would describe it as a minor Niger Delta agitation as it con- ed. Therefore, the unfulfilled expolicy disagreement between Mr. pectation makes the difference in cerns critical infrastructural development of the region. People seem the way I feel, because we had Henry Okah and myself.

Did you have cause to to be overwhelmed and carried made up our minds speak to and offer him to live in the creek away by the feat recorded by some advice before he was arforever.

That is the Niger Delta indigenes’ in the rested once again in realm of politics. I can safely say reason why I develSouth Africa over the the government is failing in meet- oped my camp into Independence Day a modern planet. ing up the promises made prior bombing in Nigeria?

Everything to make to our surrendering of arms. In I did not have the opaddition, I fear for the future, as life comfortable is portunity to meet Henthe people inwardly are not hap- there, constant ry before his arrest in py with the style of this govern- electricity inclusive South Africa. I initially except motorable ment. thought it will be nice to road. see him during the You held the naHijacking of World Cup in South Aftion spellbound as amnesty process Tompolo rica, but I received a MEND Comstrong intelligence that Some individuals have hijacked mander, but you is defunct it may not be in my best later fell out with the whole amnesty process havMEND leadinterest to see him. the group when ing forgotten the root cause that You were initially deyou accepted amled to the agitation. Maybe they er! That is nied visa to travel out nesty in 2009.

Can think the amnesty programme is of the country by some the biggest you recall what exan end in itself and that with the foreign embassies in actly led to the deamnesty programme running, lie of the Nigeria, but you travcision then and the Niger Delta agitation has been elled abroad not too why you dumped 21st century. solved. Time will tell. long ago.

Why MEND? Looking back to your militant The issues of you denied visa?were And I never dumped days, what do you feel today where did you travel to MEND. As the arthe 'ex-genabout life in and outside the in your last trip?

What chitect of the oil war, creek? erals' cannot was the purpose?

Life in and outside the creek I had a clear vision of what was to be be addressed Yes, some of the emcannot be compared. We had a bassies were skeptical done and I was uncause to champion - that was why and taken at first. I want to believe der no illusion on we took to the creeks and also we the foreign embassies the sustainability of had our reasons to be out of the forward by were watching the amthe oil war because creek. But I do feel deceived by Tompolo.

He nesty process to see how fundamentally we the whole process, regarding the genuine it was, but now, are all part of a cause of our struggle the promisdoes not they are convinced with larger society.

Neves made and what is actually hapmy role in it and have have the ertheless, having pening today. I had thought that also seen that the amprosecuted the oil by now the entire Niger Delta capacity war successfully by Continues on page 47 would have been a huge con-

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—47

L-r: President Goodluck Jonathan, late President Yar'Adua and Ebikabowei Victor (Boyloaf)

Boyloaf blasts Tompolo Continues frompage 46 nesty process is for real. Mostly, I go to Europe for business. Since the government has neglected me, I still have to provide food for my family and help my people, so I cannot sit back and wait for the government.

What is the level of interaction among former militant leaders on challenges of the post-amnesty programme? Do you people talk?

Yes, we do talk and interact formally and informally. Formallyat the stakeholders platform provided by Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta.

Interaction with

former MEND leaders Informally, I interact with leaders such as Ateke Tom, Farah, Shoot At Sight and many others.

You were one of the first to proclaim that MEND was dead after you accepted amnesty. Tompolo has recently confirmed it in an interview, but do you not think it will still resurrect?

In as much as MEND surrendered arms due to amnesty in 2009, I made it clear then that the struggle was not over yet. You can refer back to history, the case of Isaac Boro fighting the Nigerian State for the same cause, Ken Saro-Wiwa, MEND, etc. What we are experiencing now in the Niger Delta is negative peace, peace without justice. For example, the East-West road has been there before amnesty. Till date, it is still under construction, under 40 per cent completion. Early this year, about five ministers went to China to beg to borrow money for projects, including the East-West Road. Is it not disheartening? Beg to borrow money to complete the East-West Road. If such project was to be in the western countries, the road would have been

commissioned for use long ago.

The Niger Delta Coastal road has been forgotten, nobody in government is talking about it. It is sad that projects that will develop Nigeria are politicized, politicians and top government officials position themselves as contractors and the projects are seen as money-making ventures, means of empowerment and least as developmental. I want to remind the Federal Government of the promises made; these promises need to be addressed.

Since Tompolo is the leader of the defunct MEND, why have you not reached out to him to discuss your problem with government handling of the affairs of ex-militant 'generals'?

Tompolo is defunct MEND leader! That is the biggest lie of the 21st century. The issues of the 'ex-generals' cannot be addressed and taken forward by Tompolo.

He does not have the capacity.

There is a right channel, which is through the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs. Hon. Kingsley Kuku is the occupant of that office.

You told me when I visited you in the creek in those days that you were one of the founders of MEND. Is it with Tompolo as the grand commander or Henry Okah as the grand commander?

Yes, I remember vividly, I told you I was one of the founders of MEND and MEND cannot have two grand commanders. Henry Okah is the grand commander. I would like to add that Tompolo is probably dreaming and seeing himself as the grand commander. Tompolo was just commander of the Western Zone; I, Boyloaf, commander of the Central Zone; and Farrah, commander of the Eastern Zone. MEND was formed by the following persons: Farrah Dagogo, Henry Okah, Ebikabowei Victor (Boyloaf) and

Tompolo.

Our information is that Tompolo founded MEND in his Camp 5 in Delta State and a former JTF commander; Major General Sarkin-Bello confirmed in 2009 that he stumbled on documents linking Tompolo as the leader of MEND? MEND should not be linked to Ijaw and Itsekiri war. Tompolo made name as a result of the unfortunate Ijaw and Itsekiri war, so by saying that Tompolo is the founder and leader of MEND, you are invariably saying MEND is all about Ijaw and Itsekiri war.

Crippling the economy Henry Okah invited Farrah Dagogo, Tompolo and I to his hotel room along PTI road, Warri to discuss how best we could tackle the problems of the Niger Delta people fuelled by the Nigerian government. We concluded at that meeting to cripple the Nigerian economy by blowing pipelines, oil installations, and platforms from Rivers State to Bayelsa State down to Delta State. Tompolo was only an observer; he made no input at that meeting.

We first used Farrah’s camp (Ellen Tombia) in Rivers State for our first mission. Farrah’s camp then needed reconstruction, so we decided to move to present day Camp 5, which was a popular bunkering camp.

Tompolo brainwashed to politicize MEND struggle We carried out our second and third missions from Camp 5 and thereafter I made the first publication, identifying the group as MEND. I, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, came up with this name MEND. In addition, ‘General’ Brutus Ebipade signed the first publication, which was my bush name. Google the name, ‘General’ Brutus Ebipade and you will see what I am talking. George, Joshua and

Bello started brainwashing Tompolo on how to politicize our cause for justice for the Niger Delta people due to their selfish interest of seeking political offices. (This reporter took up Boyloaf’s gauntlet and found, among other things, that a statement by MEND, announcing, “Operation Black February” in February 14, 2006, was signed by Brutus Epibade. In the statement, the militant group issued a fresh 96-hour ultimatum to expatriates to leave the region or face its wrath. It specifically threatened to launch fresh attacks on workers and oil installations after the expiry of the fourday dead line on a Saturday.

Also, in an internet post, entitled, “MEND’s Fluid Leadership Structure”, dated June 12, 2007,

by The Jamestown Foundation, the group wrote in part: “MEND’s leadership is highly amorphous, and various leaders - such as General Columbus Brutus Ebipade, Jomo Gbomo, General Tammo or Akpos Nabena frequently issue statements on behalf of the group.

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he above a m e s are believed to be pseudonymous, and MEND is careful not to reveal the identities of its various commanders.

MEND possesses hubs in various states across the Niger Delta area - primarily in Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Ondo states - which are in communication with each other.

“MEND draws combatants from existing militias and cult collectives. In Delta State, for example, the Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC, populates and controls MEND. Government Ekpemupolo, the director of mobilization for FNDIC, is a senior commander of MEND. His counterpart in Rivers State is Soboma George, who leads the Outlaws cult. In early 2007, Soboma George was arrested by security agents in Port Harcourt and detained at a police station in the city. In response, MEND constructed a rescue operation and freed him (The Midweek Telegraph, February 7-13). Groups such as the Niger Delta Strike Force, NDSF, led by Prince Farah Ipalibo, an estranged commander of Dokun

bo-Asari’s NDPVF who later founded NDSF, and others were involved in the Port Harcourt operation to free Soboma George on behalf of MEND. This incident demonstrates the overlapping identities of those fighting under MEND’s banner”.)

Why Farrah Dagogo and I left Tompolo’s camp Farrah and I left Tompolo's camp back to Farrah’s camp to focus on the cause of MEND. How dare Tompolo claim to be leader of MEND when Henry Okah is still alive...or even in death? Tompolo and his family, George, Joshua and Bello sold out Henry Okah’s identity to the SSS. They told the SSS, you catch Henry Okah, you have caught MEND, and MEND will be no more. Tompolo at that time denounced MEND.

Repartriation to Nigeria Henry Okah was eventually caught and locked up in Angola before he was repatriated to Nigeria. Tompolo, his family, Joshua, Bello and the Nigerian government set up the Gambari peace summit, but little did they know that Henry Okah, was never the backbone of MEND. That was what led to the attack on Bonga Field- to let them know that MEND was still on course.

Some supposed exmilitants are clamouring for inclusion in the amnesty programme even after the government had closed the disarmament and demobilization phases, what is your opinion?

There was a deadline. Where were they?

Did they travel out of the country? That stage of the amnesty programme is over, we are proceeding.

What is the most difficult decision you have taken in your life?

Staying in the creek for years without coming out, that is taking on the cause of MEND. What marked the turning point in your life?

Accepting the amnesty and mixing up with the larger Nigerian society again, because I was of the mindset that it will be a long drawn battle that may take up to 20 years or more.

What is the most bizarre thing that has happened to you in life?

It is taking up arms against the Nigerian state.

Finally, you relied so much on the power of Egbesu during your militant days. Have you converted to another religion as at now?

Egbesu is a god of war; Egbesu is not the Almighty God. Today, I am out of war, it is back to life as normal, I am a Christian and I serve the Almighty God.

The Niger Delta Coastal road has been forgotten, nobody in government is talking about it

48—V anguard, FRIDAY,

JULY 13,

2012

THT offers SureHealth Plan for low income earners

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

HE day began just like any other for Gabriel Udoh, a taxi driver and member of the Lagos State Taxi Driver and Cab Operators Association, LSTDCOA , Ishaga Road Unit, Mushin Branch.

He had set out for work at the crack of dawn moving his fares to their various destinations from the LUTH when he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the lower right side of his abdomen.

"Initially, I thought nothing about it, but when the pain became persistent and unbearable, I had to be taken to LUTH where I was admitted," Udoh narrated in a chat.

Series of tests later revealed the cause of Udoh's abdominal pain was an inflammed appendix. The doctors directed him to undergo an urgent abominal scan. "I had to raise money for the scan and other tests.

Actually I spent over N200,000 for my treatment."

Earlier, Udoh had enrolled in a health plan introduced by Total Health Trust Ltd., a Health Maintenace Organisation, HMO. "People from the company had been coming to tell us about their health plan called SureHealth, which they said was for low income persons like us. It sounded reasonable so I joined along with some of my colleagues and we started contributing N50.00 daily.

"I didn't expect that I would benefit from the plan the way I did because the company later reimbursed substantially from the amount I spent on my treatment,

T

• Mr. Udoh Gabriel, subscriber on SureHealth Plan, receiving his cheque from Mr. Tunde Aina AGM Marketing, THT Ltd. he remarked."

Udoh, who spoke at the cheque presentation ceremony held by THT in his favour, described the SureHealth as a good plan that had opned his eyes to the benefit of obtaining a managed healthcare plan.

In the view of THT spokesperson, Dr. Adeola Majiyagbe, THT developed Surehealth Plan as a unique product for the informal sector market called the

Okonofua decries poor understanding of RH issues ...As WHARC presents latest Journal MEDICAL expert has decried the dearth of information on reproductive health issues in Nigeria and the African continent, calling for entrenchment of systematic documentation of theses and concepts in reproductive health matters.

Making the call in Lagos recently during the public presentation of a special edition of the African Journal of Reproductive Health, with a focus on adolescent reproductive health, Professor Friday Okonofua, an experienced gynaecologist and obstetrician and Executive Director of the Women's Health and Action Research Centre in Nigeria, WHARC, said the poor understanding of reproductive health in Africa as a whole was worrisome.

His words: "The reason women die during childbirth surrounds many discourses, such as social and economic factors that are not normally discussed in medical literature, but we go beyond the medical domain to elucidate the factors we are finding such a as unsafe abortion, infertility into the state of scientific content in African literature "The very poor understanding of RH in the country extends to even the academics and we need to foster better understanding of this journal. Women need to know about the challenges they face, they need to have information about their bodies. They need to change behaviour.

"The journal provides that kind of forum to create better understanding. Youths are the most vulnerable hence the focus on youths, other factors that prevent proper integration. According to Okonofua, the lack of a systematic documentation of theses, concepts in RH has been a major bar-

A

rier for the subject of being properly entrenched, this is wshat the journal is trying to correct."

YNoting that youths are the most vulnerable to the stated risks, he argued the need for proper integration, and forum for this group to have access. "This was never taught as a discipline, not a medical discourse, not textbook on sexual reproductive heath in Africa. We can only provide infomation through the journal.

SureHealth Plan. "The informal sector is a segment that represents almost 75 percent of Nigeria's population, who because of nonengagement in the formal sector economy, lacks any form of financial protection from health shocks. The managed healthcare plan has an objective to extend access to affordable healthcare to segments of the population that have largely remained uncovered by most insurance health plans that have largely focused on the formal sector.

According to Majayigbe, "Mr. Gabriel Udoh is a taxi driver by occupation working from a unit of Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association, Mushin Branch.

He signed up with the Surehealth Plan at inception in November 2011 and was upto-date with his premium payment.

"He was rushed to the Accident & Emergency unit of LUTH on account of severe abdominal pains late April 2011and THT was subsequently informed within 24 hours of admission and assisted with coordinating aspects of his care whilst on admission at LUTH, even though the hospital is not part of the THT network and discharged after an admission of four weeks.

"He was later requested to submit a claim for reimbursement to cover the costs of hospitalization, and an approval of the bill

to the extent of coverage which amounted to 70 percent of the total costs incurred by him.

Further, Majiyagbe said the SureHealth Plan was designed to offer comprehensive health insurance cover providing primary care, specialist consultations, maternity care (including Caesarean Section), laboratory tests, immunisations, admissions/ hospitalisation, radiology, optical care and dental care., "The Plan is available nationwide at an affordable price of N50 per day, with options for N20/day and N25/ day. Each SureHealth member receives a customized membership card following a stipulated waiting period after commencing payment. The intended beneficiary can immediately begin accessing care at any of the designated hospitals listed under the THT network.

"Every SureHealth member freely accesses care at their hospital of choice without need to pay a single kobo out-of-pocket,provided the benefit is covered The SureHealth membership is available to members of existing trade, vocational, artisan and cooperative groups who will be required to enrol a minimum number of members to register for SureHealth. These groups must be economically active," she argued.

Health Bill: Panacea to achieving reduction in maternal deaths

By CHIOMA OBINNA

STAKEHOLDER in the campaign for safe motherhood has said that signing the National Health Bill into law was the panacea to achieving a huge reduction in maternal mortality in the country by 2015.Wife of former UK Prime Minister and Global Patron, White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, Mrs Sarah Brown who stated this during her working visit to Ikosi Ketu Primary Health Care Centre in Lagos to assess activities at the PHC, particularly on maternal and chil health said it has become necessary for President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the Bill into law.

Brown stressed that the provisions in the Health Bill for maternal health would help improve the health indices of the country.

She called for adequate provision of facilities, staffing and funding for better

A

healthcare services in the country.

“In the UK, we are very proud of our national health services, we have invested a lot over the years to enable us drive down maternal mortality. We are therefore looking forward to the passing of the National Health Bill in Nigeria for greater improvement in health services. I believe that from the day the Bill takes effect, maternal care would be improved in Nigeria.”.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, Mr Tonte Ibraye, hinted that the organisation had done a lot of advocacy especially to the National Assembly on the need to sign the Bill into Law. “We have done a lot of advocacy to the National Assembly and because the president has not signed the bill and according to them, the time has elapsed.

They are expecting it back and they have

assured us that it would be given speedy hearing and accelerated attention. So if the President is not signing the bill into law then we expect him to send it back to the National Assembly to make necessary amendments “Luckily, the president himself has accepted to help the United Nations Commission in life saving commodities for women and children. Therefore, we are prevailing on him to make the Bill get accelerated hearing so as to show the world that more work is being done in Nigeria,” On the activities of the organisation in Nigeria, Ibraye stated that White Ribbon Alliance had set up three working groups to ensure that funds were monitored and pregnant women who come to the health facilities were respected and well attended to so as to increase the number of women who attend pre-natal sessions, deliver in PHCs and attend post natal sessions also.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012—51

DANA PLANE CRASH

How Captain battled with failed engines mid-air —Report P

RELIMINARY report on the Dana plane that crashed on 3rd June 2012 at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos released yesterday by the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, said that the Captain tried starting the failed two engines mid-air when the engines packed up and after several failed attempt ‘’the Capt informed the Flight Officer, FO “we just lost everything, we lost an engine. I lost both engines”. This is coming as the report said the crash was not caused by contaminated fuel.

The plane, a Boeing MD-83, with registration no 5N-RAM on a domestic scheduled commercial flight, operated by Dana Airlines Limited as flight 992 (DAN 992), crashed into a densely populated area during a forced landing following a total loss of power in both engines while on approach to Muhammed Murtala Airport (LOS), Lagos, Nigeria.

According to the report, ‘’the airplane was on the fourth flight segment of the day, consisting of two round-trips between Lagos and Abuja. The accident occurred during the return leg of the second trip.

DAN 992 was on final approach for runway 18R at LOS when the crew reported the total loss of power. ‘’According to interviews, the flight arrived in ABV as Dana Air flight 993 about 1350. According to Dana Air ground personnel, routine turn-around activities occurred, including refueling of the airplane. DAN 992 initiated engine startup at 1436, taxied to the runway and was later airborne at 1458 after the flight had reported that it had a fuel endurance of 3.5 hours. Shortly after takeoff, DAN 992 reported 1545 as the estimated time of arrival at LOS as the flight climbed to a cruise altitude of 26,000 ft. DAN0992 made contact with Lagos Area Control Center at 1518 hours. ‘’According to the report,the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) retained about 31 minutes of the flight and starts about 1515 at which time the captain and first officer were in a discussion of a non-normal condition regarding the correlation between the engine throttle setting and an engine power indication. However, they did not voice concerns then that the condition would affect the continuation of the flight. The flight crew continued to monitor the condition and became increasingly concerned as the flight transition through the initial descent from cruise altitude at 1522 and the subsequent approach phase.

A non-normal condition regarding the correlation between the engine throttle setting and an engine power indication Captain attempted starting failed engines mid-air Plane had last undergone maintenance on 1st June 2012

•The crashed DANA plane ‘’DAN 992 reported passing through 18,100 and 7,700 ft, respectively, at 1530 and 1540 hours. After receiving a series of heading and altitude assignments from the controller, DAN 992 was issued the final heading to intercept the final approach course for runway 18R. ‘’During the period of 1537 and 15:41 the flight crew engaged in pre-landing tasks including deployment of the slats, and extension of the flaps and landing gear. At 15:41:16 the first officer (FO) inquired, “both engines coming up?” and the captain (Capt) replied “negative.” ‘’The flight crew subsequently discussed and agreed to declare an emergency. At 1542:10, DANA 992 radioed an emergency distress call indicating “dual engine failure . . . negative response from throttle.” ‘’At 1542:35, the flight crew lowered the flaps further and continued with the approach and discussed landing alternatively on runway 18L. At 1542:45, the Capt reported the runway in sight and instructed the FO to raise the flaps up and 4 seconds later to raise the landing gear.

“At 1543:27 hours, the Capt informed the FO “we just lost everything, we lost an engine.

I lost both engines”. During the next 25 seconds until the end of the CVR recording, the flight crew was attempting to restart the engines. ‘’The airplane crashed in a residential area about 5.8 miles

north of LOS. The airplane wreckage was on approximately the extended centerline of runway 18R. During the impact sequence, the airplane struck an incomplete building, two trees and three buildings.

The wreckage was confined, with the separated tail section and engines located at the beginning of the debris field. ‘’The airplane was mostly consumed by post crash fire. The

,

By LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIELETEGHE

At 1543:27 hours, the Capt informed the FO “we just lost everything, we lost an engine; I lost both engines” during the next 25 seconds until the end of the CVR recording, the flight crew was attempting to restart the engines.

,

tail section, both engines and portions of both wings, representing only about 15% of the airplane were recovered from the accident site for further examination. ‘’The two flight recorders, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) were analysed at the fa-

cilities of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington, D.C., USA. The solid state based memory in the CVR was in good condition and retained 31 minutes of audio information. The digital tape based memory in the FDR succumbed to the post crash fire and melted, consequently no data could be recovered.

The captain, age 55, held an airline transport pilot license with type ratings in the A-320, DC-9, FK-28, and SF-340. He had over 18,116 hours of total time, including 16,416 hours of pilot-in-command time (PIC).

The captain had 7,461 hours in the accident model airplane all of which was as PIC. He was employed with Dana Air on 14 March 2012. He began flying line operations for the company in late May 2012 and had since accrued over 120 hours of flight time. The captain had acquired about 3, 78, and 116 flight hours, respectively, in the preceding 24 hours, 30 and 90 days. ‘’The first officer, age 34, held a commercial pilot license he was type rated in MD-83. He had 1,143 hours of total time, including about 200 hours as pilot-in-command. The first officer had 808 hours in the accident model airplane all of which was second-in-command. He had been previously employed with Dana Air as the Director of Cabin Service before he was hired as a pilot about January 2011. The first officer had accrued about 3, 42, and 154 flight hours, respectively, during the preceding 24

hours, 30 and 90 days. ‘’The airplane was manufactured in 1990 and according to maintenance records it had accumulated 60,846 hours (35,219 cycles) of total time.

The left and right engines respectively had 54,322 (30,933 cycles) and 26,025 (12,466 cycles) hours of total time since new. A review of the aircraft technical logs did not reveal of the previous 30 days did not indicate a condition. The airplane had last undergone maintenance on 1st June 2012, and after a return to service flight on 2nd June 2012, it was operated on four revenue flights (two round trips between LOS and ABV) and another four flights on 3rd June 2012.

Fueling records indicated the airplane was uplifted with 8000 lbs of fuel before departure from ABV. The flight crew reported to ATC they had 26,000 lbs of total fuel. Preliminary analysis of fuel samples from the refueling truck and the supply tank at ABV were negative for contamination.

The investigative activities have included, in part, visual examination of the aircraft wreckage, review of maintenance records and other historical information of the aircraft, documentation of the training and experience of the flight crew, determination of the chronology of the flight, review of recorded data, reconstructing the aircraft refueling, and collection of related fuel samples, and interviews of relevant personnel. ‘’Future investigative activities will include, but is not limited to, the detailed examination of the engines, further testing of fuel samples, continued factual gathering of relevant historical, operational, maintenance and performance information of the accident airplane in addition to other similar airplane models, further development of the background of the flight crew, further analysis of the CVR audio recording and review of pertinent issues associated with regulatory oversight. ‘’As the State of Occurrence, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has instituted an investigation in accordance with the standards and recommendations specified in the provisions of Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization. As the State of manufacture of the airplane and engine, a US Accredited Representative has been appointed and assisted by US technical advisors from the NTSB, US Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing Airplane Company, and Pratt & Whitney Engines. ‘’In accordance with Annex 13, “the sole objective of the investigation of an accident or incident shall be the prevention of accidents and incidents.

It is not for the purpose of this activity to apportion blame or liability.”

52 —

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 53

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OKOBIEMEN—I, formerly known and addressed as Daniel Kamsy Odia-Okobiemen, now wish to be known and addressed as Daniel Kamsiriochukwu Osemudiame Tirenioluwa Odia-Joseph. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid. Post Primary Education Board, Asaba and general public please take note.

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don’t want to come between Stephen Keshi and Jay Jay Okocha over Mikel Obi but I will recall some facts I had written before about Mikel Obi. Okocha said this week that Keshi would need Nigeria’s best hands in future matches and singled out Mikel Obi as a player Keshi would have to recall to the Eagles.

Keshi, in his reaction to Okocha’s position, insisted that he never excluded Obi from his plans and that using the word ‘recall’ gave the impression that he shut Obi out of his team. Keshi insists that there are some players in his plans that he is yet to feature in his team because he did not need them in the matches that he has played and that, with time, he will invite them.

With your permission, may I recall the information I shared with you on this page few weeks ago.

After one training session for Keshi’s first match, a friendly with Botswana in Benin shortly after he was engaged, Keshi called Mikel and told him what he wanted from him. Going by Mikel’s status, Keshi thought he could be a leader in Eagles. And he called him aside and told him that he would have a free role which will enable him to express himself on the field, a role that will see him scoring goals, leading and commanding the team. Keshi wanted Mikel to impose his game and show strong character. Mikel thanked him and left. Before the next training session the following day, Mikel said that he was nursing an injury and would not be fit for the game. Keshi was shocked but he took it calmly.

Mikel left and never played. In subsequent ties, there were always stories of injury even shortly after the Champions League victory in which he played.

I don’t have anything against Mikel but we saw his input against Guinea in Abuja. And I strongly suggest two things. Any player who is not hungry to play for the national team should be left out.

Some players say pleasant things to the media about the country and their patriotism but act differently when it matters. They play politics.

Secondly, if Keshi invites Mikel let him be moved up to play behind the strikers. This will give him the free role that he wanted of him earlier.

This could make him score goals. I wonder how, as a midfielder, he has not scored for about six years that he has been

I

Of Keshi and Okocha! playing for Chelsea. I don’t agree that Jose Mourinho destroyed his game. It simply has to do with confidence which playing closer to opponents’ goal may boost.

I also say this because I don’t see Mikel doing a better dirty job that Gabriel Reuben. I don’t see him marking, fighting and playing for the team the way Reuben does.

Reuben, in just his second competitive match for Nigeria, scored. He did against Malawi.

May I also remind all that African football is a little bit different from football in Europe. That’s why some players shine there but ten minutes into a game in Africa they are gasping for breath and holding their waists. I have followed this game for years and I think that I know a few problems that people overlook but which turn out to haunt and hurt us. What surprises me is that few months after loud condemnations and outcries Nigerians forget so easily and go back to the ways that would still fail us. Otherwise how can people who were witnesses to the show of shame some players exhibited against Guinea and the trauma they subjected the coaching crew and entire Nigerians in Rwanda call for quick return of such players to the national team? This is not about Okocha’s call for the inclusion of Mikel Obi but the general attitude of Nigerians over matters that hurt them. It’s not only in football. People who were once found wanting in political life and contributed in raping our economy still returned to the scene to hold key positions in Nigeria and people hailed them and awarded them chieftaincy titles. Bizzarre.

I agree that Keshi should use our best to execute matches. He needs to play more friendly and competitive matches before he can achieve his dream of a solid team for Nigeria. It cannot be done in a year or two. I

repeat, it cannot be done in a year or two. Too bad if we cannot appreciate the level of the plunge our football had taken before this process of building a team. But Keshi must understand that our appeal for patience among Nigerians does not mean that we will accommodate failure.

Failure here is relative. If we fail to win Nations Cup in the process of building a team but people see where we are headed then one can understand. But if, for example, we fail to qualify for the Nations Cup Keshi and his crew must know that the game is up.

Therefore, I agree with the likes of Okocha who say that we need to field our best in matches. “Our best” is also relative. What determines our best should be result-oriented.

If a player shines in Europe and in a match against Guinea or Rwanda in Africa he fumbles and continues to fumble in an African setting will it be right to adjudge him as our best especially in prosecuting qualifiers in Africa?

My take is that Keshi should invite those who can help us qualify for the Nations Cup and World Cup. Not all our stars can help us achieve this.

More friendly matches and competitions can lead to one or two changes in the team after qualification.

This happens all over the world. Keshi must learn to be firm, focused and fair to all. He is the boss. If he cracks to pressure and fails he will be shown the way out. If he is firm and still fails he is out. So the only way out is to get results and only the BEST not STARS can give him results.

Glory to God

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give praise and thanks to the ONE above. I pray for His Grace to Love Him daily more and more.

Today is my birthday, and I pray in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

Nigeria needs new funding methodology for education — Okonjo-Iweala

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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OORDINATING Minister for the Economy and Minister for Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has called for a new method of funding education in Nigeria.

She said the country “needs a paradigm shift in the way we fund education in this country.”

Okonjo-Iweala who spoke in a keynote address entitled “Reforming Nigeria’s Education System: Paradigm Shift”at the 2012 Isaac Moghalu Foundation in Lagos said: “I believe that the allocation of resources to schools should be closely linked to performance to improve learning outcomes, as is the case with the World-Bank assisted Lagos Eko Secondary School Programme, which achieved dramatic breakthroughs in the first three years of operation.”

She identified inefficient use of resources as one of the five major problems confronting the educational sector in the country, adding that this was why

outcomes of the educational sector were not commensurate with the spending on the sector.

She said: “Federal government allocations to the education sector have averaged nearly eight percent of the total budget between 2004 and 2012.

The 2012 education budget is N409.5 billion. There is also the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFT) - a two per cent tax on the assessable profits of all registered companies in Nigeria to improve the quality of education in the country. TEFT raised N130.75 billion in 2011.There is also UBEC’s allocation of N63.12 billion.

Yet, the standard of education is not commensurate with this financial outlay. According to a World Bank study in 2008, federal and state governments aggregate spending on education, as a percent of GDP, is higher than the average of subSaharan countries, but on par with South Africa and Kenya. Yet learning outcomes in Nigeria are weaker than in these two countries, as I mentioned earlier. Much of this

IoD threatens to drag Govt to court over security vote •Security vote should be accounted for – EFCC

BY NAOMI UZOR

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HE Institute of Direc tors, Nigeria (IoD), yesterday, threatened to drag the Federal and State governments to court for non-accountability of security votes in their coffers and how the fund is being utilized.

This was even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said that, henceforth, public officers should be made to account for security votes in their possession.

Speaking during the Advocacy Roundtable on Security Vote, tagged “Security Vote in Nigeria: Whose Security and at what cost?” organised by IoD, President of the Institute, Arc. Thomas Awagu, said the Institute will lead the private sector to drag the governments to court for non-accountability of security vote.

He said: “There are situations where billions of naira are allegedly spent monthly and yearly by government officials under the

guise of security vote without transparency. Most worrisome is the fact that though huge sums of money were spent on security, there have been geometric increases in killings, kidnappings, cultism and other security threats across the length and breadth of the country. Security funds should have been strictly dedicated to addressing insecurity in the land in order to enhance the peace in our nation as well as to guarantee foreign direct investment.”

Mr. Iliyasu Kwarbi, Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, said: “Security vote is very important and there is need to account for it as several billions are being transferred into personal accounts in the name of security vote.”

He disclosed that investigation conducted by the Commission showed that security vote is not being accounted for, and huge amount of money is being moved daily but no voucher is raised or any document signed for these security votes.

inefficiency is the result of weak budget.

“Other problems confronting education in the country she are: Unclear existing framework for administering education; Stagnation and inequality in the access to primary and secondary education; poor quality of educational system and associated learning; dearth of qualified teachers; corruption and decay in moral values."

On the way forward, she said: “It is obvious that we need a paradigm shift, and the way forward is to educate to the needs of the economy. We need to educate our workforce to have the right skills and competencies in agriculture, in mining, and other sectors critical to our economic transformation.

We need to equip our workers with technical and vocational skills needed in the country.

"We need to another paradigm shift in gender education. Research has proven that when comparing potential productivity and economic contributions, women are the third largest “emerging market” in the world, after China and India.

Increasing women’s productivity through the right education can have a very dramatic impact on our

economies.

More importantly, we need a paradigm shift in our values and morals.

"We need to stem the moral decadence in our education system, and parents and guardians need to play an active role in this. We need to teach our wards the difference between right and wrong; we need to instill in them the will for selfdevelopment as the only path to success, so that they will not rely on others to take exams for them."

L-r: Director General, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Felicia Umenyi; and the Director General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri exchanging the signed documents during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Abuja

The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere (m), flanked from left by the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark; First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi; and former Labour and Productivity Minister, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, during a meeting of the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly in Uyo, yesterday

INEC declares readiness for Edo polls •1.65 million registered for Edo guber election — Dr Igbani •PDP, ACN raise mutual allegations of printing, circulation of fake voters cards

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor, GBENGA ARIYIBI & HENRY UMORU

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HE Independent Na tional Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday declared it was all set for tomorrow’s gubernatorial election in Edo State which it claims would set a new benchmark in free and fair elections in the country.

The commission’s declaration came as the major parties on the last day for campaign made mutual allegations of printing and circulation of fake voters cards against one another.

While the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Edo State of also importing and housing thugs including a visible Niger Delta activist to foment trouble, the ACN on its part charged securi-

ty agencies to prosecute PDP officials they claimed were alleged to have produced and circulated fake voters’ cards.

Chairman, Election Monitoring and Observation Committee of INEC, Dr. Ishmael Igbani, while restating the commission’s readiness in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday, said that no fewer than 1.65 million voters had been registered for the election tomorrow.

2, 627 polling units are to be sited across 192 wards across the state.

Igbani said each of the polling units would be manned by three ad-hoc staff drafted from the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC and students from only the Federal Government institutions in Edo State. He said collation cen-

tres were also created in the 18 local government areas.

He added that election materials had been delivered to the Edo State office of INEC while the sensitive materials were transferred to the state branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for protective custody.

Igbani said that to ensure hitch-free election, the commission has re-assessed all its operational strategies, working in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), adding: “It is the duty of the commission to secure the polling arena for the safety of all and we are bent on ensuring adequate security.”

He said that the commission held its last consultation with the stakeholders on Wednesday.

Igbani expressed the hope that the outcome of the forum would enforce a high standard of integrity and transparency to make the outcome of the election acceptable to all stakeholders.

The PDP meanwhile yesterday accused the ACN of importing thugs to provoke violence during the election. The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, alleged: "It has come to our knowledge that there are devious plans by the ACN to massively influence the outcome of the election, using unwholesome methods. We have received reports that the ACN has printed fake voters’ cards and imported thugs from neighbouring states to terrorise voters and precipitate violence on the Election Day. We urge our supporters to remain vigilant and bring to the notice of law enforcement agencies any suspicious activity.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012 — 55

Soccerex seeks partnership with Vanguard

BY JACOB AJOM LOBAL football promoters and facilitators of business aspects of football, Soccerex were in Vanguard yesterday to solicit the paper’s partnership in their plan to organise a football seminar in Lagos in September.

Daniel Krebes, a Director with the UK-based company called on the Editor of Vanguard Newspapers, Mideno Bayagbon and sought the paper’s cooperation in their bid to hold the event for the first time in West Africa. Krebes assured that the event would open up business opportunities to organisations that are in football business.

The Editor assured his guest that his proposal would be looked into as every avenue would be explored in the task of opening the business potentials available in Nigeria to the outside world.

“We will look at your proposal and hopefully, we could partner with you for the success of the project”.

Krebes said the Soccerex seminar which holds from September 27 to 29 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel would provide two days of networking and business with over 750 delegates from across the football world. These will include government representatives, club delegates and rights holders from around the world, including the English Premier League clubs

VISIT: From left: Mr. Tony Ubani, Sport Editor Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Mr. Daniel Krebs, Director Soccerex and Mr. Onochie Anibeze, Group Sport Editor, during Mr. Krebs' visit to Vanguard Newspapers yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez like Liverpool, Arsenal and Sunderland, international brands and agencies, amongst others.

The seminar will have world soccer icons like Brian Robson, George

Opong Weah, Nwankwo Kanu among others in attendance. The Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola will be the guest of honour while NFF President, Aminu

Maigari will deliver the keynote address.

Soccerex is working in partnership with the Lagos State Football Association.

Lucozade Sport storm Lagos Gyms, Jogging Clubs C S part GlaxoSmith Klime’s (GSK) community relations pilot program to support physical well being of Nigerians through participation in sports, Lucozade Sport drinks will be distributed free in Lagos this weekend at various centers hosting various physical exercise groups.

GSK’s Brand Manager Lucozade Sport, Tolu Odukoya said the free

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FIFA President Swiss prosecutor.

In a legal document published after lengthy court proceedings in Switzerland, Fifa, under the presidency of Sepp Blatter, Havelange’s successor, was found to have known about the bribes yet sought to have a prosecution of it and the two executives settled. Prosecutions were mounted for alleged embezzlement against Havelange and Teixeira, and “disloyal management” – a breach of its duties – against Fifa, but were stopped on 11 May 2010, after Havelange and Teixeira repaid a small proportion of the 41m Swiss francs (£27m) they had been paid in alleged bribes.

ICE Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe has stated that the proposed Nigerian Unity Cup would proffer a perfect solution to the country’s lingering security problems as it would engage the restive youth in some parts of the country positively and promote peace among the teeming youths who would cut across the length and breadth of the country.

Receiving members of the Local Organising Committee for the tournament led by the the chief executive officer of the of the Locl Organising Committee, Alfred

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Continues from BP

NOUN VC hails Unity football tourney

The court order documenting the settlement, published by the prosecutor in the Swiss canton of Zug, is a devastating indictment of Fifa, the culture of corruption under Havelange, and efforts to have the known bribe-taking kept secret and unpunished.

Havelange, now 96, was president of Fifa from 1974 until 1998, when he was succeeded by Blatter, who had been his loyal general-secretary. Teixeira, Havelange’s son-inlaw until he divorced, was a long-serving Fifa executive committee member, and president of Brazil’s football federation for 23 years, until he stepped down on the grounds of ill-health earlier this year.

M distribution of the sport Y activation team will visit drink is part of an enlight- K a number of sweat points enment campaign to ed- in Lagos with a target to ucate participants in reach 10, 000 persons. sports on the performance “Lucozade Sport activaenhancing benefits of tion teams will storm sport drink. sweat points in Lagos “We are embarking on such as the National Staan activation program to dium, Gyms and neighinduce trials through bourhood sports grounds product sampling and with a view to reaching educating the populace 10, 000 people. That on the proposition of the means we will be distribLucozade Sport brand uting 10, 000 bottles of the which is an isotonic drink Lucozade Sport drink this that rehydrates, weekend alone”. replenishes and refuels She also said the camduring sports and physi- paign which will be a concal exercise”, Odukoya tinuous exercise will seek explained. to educate both part-time Lucozade Sport is the sports persons on drinkOfficial Sport Drink of the ing healthily to enhance Nigeria Premier League the benefits of exercising and Odukoya says the their body.

IAAF Continues from BP arrived two days into the championships here in Barcelona. This was after the Spanish embassy officials delayed issuance of visas to the team.

“The IAAF was not happy with the situation.

President Lamine Diack has asked us to write a report of the incidence with a view of investigating it,” said AFN president Solomon Ogba.

He said that the behavior of the Spaniards in Lagos must be the last

time Nigerian athletes are so treated.

“They said that we didn’t get written permission from the athletes’ parents. They also said we submitted our applications late. These are all lies, because we had letters from the parents and we put in applications two weeks early, moreso, the law governing the issuances of Shengen visas stipulates 10 days notice.

“What happened should never be allowed to happen again,” Ogba said.

Ejugo, Professor Tenebe said that the tourney would be used to promote peace and unity in the country. “Football is a unifying factor that arouse passion and empathy among Nigerians, no matter their tribe or religion. The proposed tournament is a welcome development,” the VC said.

Impressed with their presentation, the NOUN Vice Chancellor, set up a 4-man committee to liaise with the Local Organising Committee to ensure the tournament was a success and promised that some of the participants would be offered admission into the institution.

Ellenwood Continues from BP yesterday in Lagos.

The former Team Nigeria captain insisted that Ellenwood was not contracted by the AFN to be part of the country’s team to the Olympic. “The American is a personal coach of Gloria Asumnu, just the same way we allowed some of our top athletes to also come to camp with their coaches as it is universal practice.

That was why they were listed as part of the country ’s team to the Olympic.”

While correcting the misconception in a section of the sporting press that the AFN was condoning people with questionable backgrounds in the track & field squad to the Olympic, Alli whose national long jump record of 8.27m remains unbeaten in over two decades, stressed that such reports were totally misleading.

“How can anybody say that? The current board of the AFN has zero tolerance for dope in track & field. This is the reason why since our preparations began for the Olympics, we have carried out over 50 dope tests on our athletes. The records are there for all to see,” revealed the AFN technical officer.

In line with the position of the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Alli insisted that Nigerian athletes were not going to the London 2012 to win medals with performance enhancing drugs.

“We share in the position of the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, that Nigeria will not go to the London Games

to win medals that are tainted with dope. And for this reason, we do not want anyone with a past that is not so clean to rubbish the good work all of us have put into preparing out team for the Games,” stressed Alli.

Ellenwood was cleared early this year by by the USA Track and Field. He is an erstwhile coach of Bethune-Cookman University who was sacked alongside one of his two assistant track coaches because of violations of university policy and NCAA rules. He and assistant Kia Davis were immediately relieved of their duties. For this, United States Anti-Doping Agency announced a two-year suspension on Ellenwood in January 28, 2010.

Team Nigeria Continues from BP Athletics, no doubt, stands out among others.

Without being immodest, I think that the crop of young athletes can stand up to any other athlete in the World at the Olympics. Blessing Okagbare is a leading light in the Olympics. I see her jumping into reckoning in the Olympics”, Onyali who hinged her optimism on the preparation of Team Nigeria said.

“The athletes have been busy and well prepared for the Olympics. The NSC and the NOC have shown tremendous understanding in helping the athletes. I feel strongly that Team Nigeria will soar higher than our attempts in the Olympics this time around”, Onyali said.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 2012

IAAF investigates visa denial row

BY BEN EFE, Barcelona ORLD athletics governing body IAAF has asked the Athletics Federation of Nigerian to write a report of

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•Ogba

what transpired between the Nigerian team to the World Junior Championships and the Spanish Embassy in Lagos.

The Nigerian juniors Continues on Page 55

Team Nigeria ‘ll shock Nigerians — Onyali Ellenwood sacked from Team Nigeria

BY TONY UBANI S the zero hour approaches swiftly for the Olympics, one of Nigeria’s most decorated female athletes, Mary Onyali Omagbami has dismissed fears that pressure on athletes may make them fumble at the London showpiece.

“I don’t think that there is any athlete that will succumb to pressure during the Olympics. Most of the athletes are not entirely new and are not going to run before a big audience for the first time in London. Before now, they have been competing in circuits and are used to mammoth crowd.

On the contrary, I think that massive audience will spur them into performing well at the Olympics”, Onyali said.

Onyali, looking at the strength of Team Nigeria ahead of the Olympics said that Athletics holds the trump card to Nigeria’s fine outing in the Olympics. “We’ve very good chances of winning medals in the Olympics.

Continues on Page 55

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TODAY'S

HE Athletics Feder ation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday announced the dropping of one of the track & field coaches, American Garfield Ellenwood, from Nigeria’s delegation to the London 2012 Olympics scheduled to begin on July 27.

Technical Officer of the AFN, Yusuf Alli, said in Lagos yesterday that the American who is a personal coach of 2012 African Championships 200m winner, Gloria Asumnu, was dropped following confirmation that Ellenwood previously served a ban for dope related offence.

“The American coach, (Ellenwood), has been confirmed by the federation to have recently been cleared after serving a ban for complicity in a dope related offence. For this, we cannot allow him to be part of our team to the Olympic,” Alli stated Continues on Page 55

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READY TO ROAR – Blessing Okagbare is one of Team Nigeria’s bright medal prospects in the London Olympics. Mary Onyali is optimistic that Team Nigeria will soar higher at the Games.

Former FIFA President João Havelange ‘received millions as bribes’ OÃO Havelange, the former president of football’s world gov-

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PUZZLES

erning body, Fifa, and a senior Fifa executive committee member, Ricardo YESTERDAY'S

Teixeira, were paid huge bribes by the company to which Fifa awarded the

2002 and 2006 World Cup TV rights, according to a Continues on Page 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS Across: 1 Legitimate (6) 5 Frustrate (6) 8 Keep (8) 9 Noisy (4) 10 Marsh (3) 12 Father (5) 15 Stitch (3) 17 Employ (3) 16 Irritate (3) 19 Tune (3) 20 Friend (5) 21 Tavern (3) 22 Spring (3) 23 Total (3) 24 Shelter (3) 26 Spoon (5) 29 Pasty (3) 33 Ignoble (4) 34 Learnt (8) 35 Hash (6) 36 Mat (6)

Down 2 Vigilant (5) 3 Tooth (4) 4 Animal (5) 5 Tint (5) 6 Gait (4) 7 Way (5) 10 Feeble (5) 11 Tend (5) 12 Cycle (5) 13 Fearful (5) 14 Wash out (5) 15 Stint (5) 16 Flinch (5) 25 Avoid (5) 27 Lithe (5) 28 Legal (5) 30 Perfect (5) 31 Gala (4) 32 Oven (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 1, Spot 4, Job 6, Flag 8, Sphere 9, Abrupt 10, Rig 12, Cloth 14, Began 15, Eager 18, Pledge 20, Amazed 24, Noted 26, Snoop 28, Naïve 30, Sly 32, Fettle 33, Entice 34, Stun 35, Tor 36, Dale.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

Down: 2, Pupil 3, Treated 4, Jeer 5, Brag 6, Forge 7, Appease 11, Ice 12, Cap 13, Hag 16, Gen 17, Rat 19, Lenient 21, Men 22, Adapted 23, Due 25, Oil 27, Often 29, Vocal 30, Seat, 31, Year.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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