Withdraw fuel subsidy

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62100

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Confab: FG rejigs delegates' list, Itsekiri get slot P.15 FG to UN: No going back on same-sex marriage law P. 13

RICE PYRAMIDS: Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; Minister of State, Mrs. Asabe Ahmed (5th and 4th from right respectively), Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, M u h a m m e d Monguno with Chairman, Umza Farms, Kano and others on one of several rice pyramids at Umza Rice Mill, in Kano

Withdraw fuel subsidy •36 state Finance Commissioners tell FG

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF & FATIMA KAREEM

•Say NLC, Nigerians were deceived •Want review of 75% cash reserve ratio (CRR) A •FG pays petroleum marketers N41bn •FG, states, LGs share N641bn

BUJA — FINANCE Commissioners from the 36 states of the federation rose from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting in Abuja, yesterday with a

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

P.17 RIGHT OF REPLY:

Saraki: Kawu Modibbo's fantasy P.19

Mr & Mrs From left: Mr Foluso Philips, Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG); Mr Dayo Israel of Gleed Foundation; former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon; His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, second son of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II; Olori Ojuolape Ojora, and her husband, former UK's Special Envoy on International Trade and Investment, Chief Otunba Adekunle Ojora; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Hon Oma Djebah, Senior Adviser (Foreign Relations) to the Governor of Delta State, during a high-level business and investment meeting at the Buckingham Palace, London.

Fulani herdsmen sack I was fed garri mixed with palm oil, says P.6 Suswam's village, freed Jonathan's cousin kill 22 P.9 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 - 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State (middle); flanked by the Chairman, South-East Governors' Forum, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State; Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State (left); Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Emeka Sibedu (right) and other South-East delegates to the National Conference, shortly after a meeting at the Government House, Enugu, yesterday.

Withdraw fuel subsidy Continues from page 1 resolution asking President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw fuel subsidy.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Finance Commissioners Forum, Mr. Timothy Odaah, told journalists that fuel subsidy had failed to achieve its objectives and had become a source of massive fraud which must be discontinued in the interest of the Nigerian public.

His words: "We looked at subsidy on oil and see that it is more or less a solution worse than the problem you intend to solve. You would remember that during the Na-

tional Conference on Economic Development, NACONFED, meeting in Niger State, it was one of the issues we presented.

"Looking at it, you discover that it is not solving the problem it is meant to solve.

"But you discover now that it is the average poor man that suffers.

For example, stand by the street, most of the transporters are not applying any benefit from subsidy in what they charge because we know of course that the Federal Government had a good intention to subsidise transportation so that it will be to the absolute

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world. —Oscar Wilde.

Always have a way to look ahead.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We try to express the love of God through who we are and how we live — Harold Klemp I have been observing my friend’s Cat Nubi for a few days now, and I notice that this really beautiful cat, acts like most people do. They live life at its whims and until they learn that pride or the gift of riches and material advantage does not make them better or superior than anyone but rather to their own previous self.

Every time, I go downstairs in the kitchen, its lying in the basket telling me a story in its own way, sometimes, he sits regal like a king and seems to be saying this is my palace, and you all are my subjects, so you must do as I say.

Others times, especially when it's hungry, it looks humble, subtle, and I could hear his silent cries to me: cuddle me, feed me, love me and other times when it's full with cream and cat food, you’ll definitely know it’s a cat who knows where it’s at, and without a care in the world, would purr with love and satisfaction.

Naturally, I smile at the picture that Nubi presents ... but there is so much to learn from this cat. The lesson here is that no matter our status in life, the virtues of humility, compassion and love to others, should be a way of life.

benefit of the poor man and every Nigerian.

"But you discover that there is no reflection of that subsidy benefit. Besides, it is like a system that robs Peter to pay Paul. It makes the rich to get richer and the poor to get poorer.

"For example, look at this simple analysis of econometrics: If a poor man uses a motorcycle that uses five litre-full tank then you look at the subsidy granted at 50 kobo, for example, the 50 kobo on five litres will give you N2. 50k.

"Then you look at a big man that has 10 cars.

Each of his cars has 100litre tanks. That will be 1,000 litres. Then multiply it by 50 kobo and you will see the worth of subsidy the big man enjoys.

"Then subtract the poor man's subsidy of N2.50 kobo, what do you have?

The same thing applies to the states.

"There are some states that are fully industrialized. You have many industries, factories and you use this subsidy in that place. The people who benefit more are those states that are fully industrialized because the fuel consumption of those factories use more of the subsidies, unlike the states that are under-industrialised.

"What we are advocating is that the subsidy should be removed so that every state or any member of the federating units sharing from FAAC will take its own money then decide to use it or grant subsidy at a level that it will be able to afford.

On marketers

"Then you look at the

issue of subsidy as it applies to some individuals.

The marketers are not truly showing the intention of the Federal Government because they have created a very great and big market for themselves in certain ways. I said in certain ways because transparency is not coming up.

"There are some people who are eating on the subsidy to the disadvantage of others. It is because of this that we passed a resolution at FAAC and that is the opinion of the Forum of the Finance Commissioners: that a call should be made to his Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, so that he will reconsider the position of this subsidy."

NLC, Nigerians were deceived Mr. Odaah said the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Nigerian public were deceived into agitating for the sustenance of fuel subsidy, thinking it was meant to serve the interests of ordinary Nigerians but the contrary has been the case.

He said: "In the first place, the NLC and the Nigerian populace appear to have been deceived into clamouring for subsidy because syndicated pressures and programmes were put in especially to ease transportation problems and likewise tariffs on electric power."

The forum's chairman said the commissioners had set up a committee which would write a letter to the Nigerian Governors' Forum and make

a presentation to President Jonathan on the matter and that each of them would return home to properly brief their governors.

He said: "A committee has been constituted to look into the impact of the subsidy — whether it should be actually allowed. But I want to tell you that the resolution we took is that subsidy should be withdrawn.

"The committee will formulate a letter that we will send to the Nigerian Governor's Forum and we are going to brief our respective governors.

They have to be informed. We know it will be very difficult considering the critical period of this time. But Nigerians will need to be told and convinced that they were deceived by some people into agitating for subsidy. The committee is to present its report by next FAAC."

Subsidy eating into crude reserves Odaah disclosed that many states have been grumbling over the subsidy as they considered themselves cheated in the subsidy arrangement.

His words: "Many states are grumbling.

The subsidy is eating too much into the crude reserve. You have heard that what we have today is $3.5 billion and it is because certain approaches were followed.

Otherwise, by the month of April, you will have a situation where the states allocations will have to be deducted in order to pay subsidy.

Where is the subsidy going to?

"You will be better employed in the states, the states will grow their own industries, there will be much more employment. A situation where subsidy alone takes away much of what could be

used for the purpose of industrialization, there will be no investment, there will be no employment. In that aspect, you will discover that the vicious cycle of poverty will come in."

According to the commissioner, sensitization campaigns would be required to sufficiently convince the NLC and the Nigerian public on the advantages of withdrawing fuel subsidy.

On CRR The FAAC, he added, also considered the interest rate regime as well as the Cash Reserve Ratio on public deposits which CBN raised to 75 per cent before Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was suspended, saying it was stifling the economy. The FAAC, therefore, called for a downward review.

He said: "We also took the case of the Sanusi monetary policy into consideration which is the Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR. You discover that as at today, 75 per cent of public deposits in the banks are taken to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

"This is a deliberate creation of artificial scarcity of funds. Then states, local governments and even the Federal Government cannot borrow because the coupon rate of interest rate has gone so high and there is a plan that the CBN equally wants to increase it to 100 per cent.

Lower the rate "We are calling on the Federal Government to bring the rate down so that cash will be available because the cost of funds has risen too high and because of that states cannot meet up. You go to borrow from international market, it is not possible, you want to bor Continues on page 52

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

9 in court over Indian hemp

I was fed garri mixed with palm oil, says freed Jonathan's cousin

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS— A 40-yearold man, Hassan Asade and eight others, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, over alleged unlawful possession of Indian hemp.

The other defendants are, Samson Odeh, 28; Samson Aremu, 23; Ifeanyi Okereke, 28; Monday Obafemi, 27; Eyonojo Johnson, 32; Samsideen Ayansola, 18; Yisa Adeyinka, 22 and Ademola Adegbola, 18.

The defendants, were arraigned on a five count charge, bordering on conspiracy, attempt to steal, unlawful possession, indecent act and breach of public peace.

All the defendants, who reside at Agege area of Lagos, were docked before Magistrate Margaret Dan Oni.

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA— THE kidnapped Chief Inengite Nitabai, cousin to President Goodluck Jonathan, has been rescued from his abductors. He said that his captors fed him garri mixed with palm oil and made him to sleep on wet bare floor during his 21-day

incarceration.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan's maternal cousin, Miss Patience Agbani, survived a kidnapp attempt yesterday at Akepelai, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Nitabai was rescued at 12 midnight, yesterday, following a dusk operation launched by men of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Bayelsa State

Chief Nitabai... I was fed garri mixed with palm oil.

Police Command.

Six suspects, including a chief believed to be the father of the alleged leader of the kidnap gang, were arrested in connection with the abduction.

According to the state Police Commissioner, Mr. Hilary Opara, no ransom was paid to secure the release of the septuagenarian. Nitabai was a lecturer at Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

Reliving his experience, the septuagenarian said he was blindfolded all through his incarceration and made to sleep on the wet, bare floor.

He said: “I was blindfolded.

I did not see anything they were doing and didn’t know where I was. I thank God for keeping me stronger because I was sleeping on the bare ground. When rain comes it touches me everywhere.

“I am a retired lecturer from the university and I mind my own business. So I don’t know what actually made them to carry out this action on me. I was really

Housewife stages own kidnap, husband pays N1.5m ransom

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA— A housewife is Delta State in presently in trouble for allegedly stage managing her own kidnap in a bid to obtain money from the unsuspecting husband, who coughed out N1.5 million as ransom.

Already, the woman’s comrade-in-crime, said to be a close relation of her husband who allegedly collected the ransom for onward handing over to the phony kidnappers, has been arrested.

State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, in a statement in Asaba yesterday gave an account of the incident.

She said: “On March 7, one Obi Jude living behind Markvia House Ekete Inland Udu, reported to Area Commander ’s office Warri that in the early hours of the same date his wife, one Grace Obi, was kidnapped along DSC Express Road.

“Sequel to the report, the Police commenced investigation and advised the complainant (husband) to play

along with the hoodlums, who had agreed to accept N1.5 million as ransom.

Consequently, the sum was given to a close relation and confidant of the victim, one Ogonna Onu, male, of 4 Ikukum Ogene Layout Ovwian and one Gift Erah, male, by the complainant to deliver to the supposed kidnappers.

Paying the ransom

“The two went in a Toyota Highlander with number plate SMK 370 AZ belonging to the victim to deliver the said ransom.

The victim was released on Sunday, supposedly after payment of the ransom.

“However, when the Area Commander ordered the search of the victim’s Highlander Jeep, N1,189,000.00 being part of the ransom money, was found concealed in the spare tyre compartment of the Jeep.

“As this was going on, Erah and one Fred Akpvita, both tenants to the complainant, realising that the game was up, took to

flight, while Ogonna Onu was arrested.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the purported kidnap was stage managed by the victim and the suspects to obtain money from the complainant, while efforts are on to arrest the fleeing suspects.”

Kidnap in Asaba

Meanwhile, an unidentified expatriate

working with a construction firm has been kidnapped by gunmen in Asaba, Delta State capital.

He was reportedly kidnapped along Ezenei Avenue, Wednesday night.

When contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed the incident, saying the command had spread its dragnet to rescue the kidnapped expatriate.

tortured. They used their gun butts to hit my body.”

Speaking on the rescue operation, the elated Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara, said utmost professionalism was applied by men of the state antikidnapping squad.

He specifically commended the family of the victim for believing in the police and other sister agencies all through their travail.

Nitabai was abducted at his Otuoke residence in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on February 23 by 10 gunmen.

Another cousin escapes

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, yesterday, foiled an attempt by some unidentified gunmen to abduct the maternal cousin to the President, Miss Patience Agbani.

Agbani, aged 35, was rescued from her abductors at her business outlet at Akepelai in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state by soldiers attached to the Setraco Construction Company.

According to a community source, the lady was in her shop when she noticed strange movements and quickly alerted the JTF operatives at the construction firm who rushed to her rescue. Security, it was learnt, had been beefed up in Ogbia axis.

Confirming the development, the Media Coordinator of the JTF, Colonel Oyenma Nwachukwu, said a distress call was received from Miss Agbani by the soldiers at the Akepelai site of road construction work and rescue operation activated by the soldiers.

13 cultists docked for wrongful assembly,

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

L

AGOS— THIRTEEN suspected cultists were docked in an Ebute Metta court for allegedly belonging to and managing an unlawful society, involving in cult activities and breaching peace.

The accused names were given as James Jackson, Oluwatosin Olumide, Suleiman Abolaji, Ayomipo Sanni, Rilwan Saludeen, Tosin Jacob, Babatunde Fashola,

Adebayo Ojomo, Ogunsholu Oladimeji, Ademuagan Muraina, Tola Abaniwonda, Adedeji Adekunle and Ibrahim Shakiru.

The prosecutor, Inspector Nwosu George said Jackson, Olumide and the other members of the Supremost Eiye Confraternity were arrested at 3:35am on March 1 at Fifty-Fifty Hotel located in Igbokusu area of Ajah, where they were holding a meeting, having told the hotel manager they wanted

to hold a birthday party.

George also mentioned that their acts contravene Sections 409, 41, 42(a) and 166 of the criminal law of the state.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Ali Abba, said one of the accused, Babatunde Fashola, should not be mistaken as the governor of Lagos State.

He applied for the bail of his clients on the ground that Sections 40 to 45 of the federal constitution of Nigeria gives citizens the freedom to belong to any

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 7

Caretaker claims landlady's property

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

L

SEIZED: Area Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Nigeria Customs Service, Zone C, Mr. Victor Dimka, displaying seized bags of rice and other items to newsmen in Owerri, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA— THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it had nabbed a 38-year-old man, Adelani Ayomide, with a bag containing 18 human skulls.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the suspected ritualist was arrested at 6:48am, yesterday, on Ado-Odo, Owode Road by policemen attached to a division in Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of the state.

Adejobi said: “Policemen attached to Ado-Odo Division, while on a stop-andsearch exercise along AdoOdo Owode Road sighted a pedestrian, Adelani Ayomide, 38, of Ilaro, Ogun State with a bag containing 18 human heads.

“The suspect will be transferred to the state

38-year-old caught with 18 human skulls in Ogun department of investigation, Eleweran Abeokuta, for discrete investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye has assured of a thorough investigation and that he will make sure the suspect faces the full wrath of the law and assist in getting other suspects in connection with the crime.”

Meantime, four Policemen have been honoured by Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, in the state.

Those honoured yesterday, include Muyiwa Adejobi; Officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state, Ahmed Tijani,

and two Police Officers at Agbara and Ogijo, Ayodele Sonubi and Toyin Afolabi, respectively.

Speaking at the event, which was held at Police

Gunmen attack tugboats, kidnap 2 captains

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA— GUNMEN operating along the waterways of the Niger Delta have attacked two tugboats belonging to an oil company,

breach of peace 3 docked for N20.7m theft association of their choice.

However, the magistrate, Mr. O. Olatunji, said citizens are only entitled to belong to lawfully registered associations and not unrecognised societies.

Therefore, the one the accused belong to is “an unlawful society.”

Meanwhile, the 13 suspected cultists were granted bail in the sum of 50,000 each, with two sureties in like sum, one of who must be a gainfully-employed blood relation.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS— TWO security guards, Daniel Alih, 29, and Matthew Ugberaeze, 27, said to have burgled a shop under their watch and stolen phones worth N20.7 million, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.

The two defendants were arraigned alongside 25-yearold Michael Opara on a twocount charge of conspiracy and burglary, preferred against them by the police.

Officer ’s mess, GRA, OkeIlewo, Abeokuta, the state Chairman of PCRC, Chief Moshood Sule, commended the command and its officers’ performance in the state.

The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence at 2am on February 10 at 144, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

He said the defendants broke into a Samsung shop and stole different phones valued at N20.7 million, property of one Mohammed Khulid.

Okoi said the offences are contrary to Sections 305(c) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

The gunmen were said to have abducted the captain of the two vessels during the attack that took place in the early hours of Wednesday.

The tugboats were identified as MV Ebizar and MV Smoke, but the identity of the victims could not be ascertained.

A security source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “The captains on board both vessels were taken away to unknown place.”

The source said the incident occurred at an area known as Peter’s town in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The tugboats, it was learnt, were in transit from Nembe to Port Harcourt when they came under attack.

When contacted, the state police public relations officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, said he was yet to be briefed on the incidents.

AGOS— O N E Samuel Soyombo, who works as a house caretaker, was docked for alleged document forgery and destruction of a landlady ’s property.

Soyombo, who lives at Satellite Town, is facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, threat to life, willful damage to property, breach of public peace, forgery and breaking.

Inspector Cyril Ejiofor, the prosecutor, said the crime was committed about 3pm on March 12, 2012 at 38,Alaba Kiri St., Satellite town, Oriade.

According to Ejiofor, the accused and the complainant, one Mrs Veronica Nwawuhie were friends, and she had entrusted her property in his care.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. D. Ajayi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to April 14.

4 dead as cult groups clash in Anambra

A

BOUT four persons have been killed when two warring cult groups engaged each other in fierce battle in Obosi, Idemili North, Anambra State. Police said they have made some arrests.

According to reports, the cold war between the two unidentified cult groups came to limelight, weekend, when two persons suspected to be members of the opposing cult groups were allegedly gunned down by their rivals at Ozuda Market in Obosi community.

According to a source, the incident occurred when the two warring cult groups clashed at a function, which led to bloodshed.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Confab: Tight security at NJI, venue of confab ...Transport, lodging to be monetised

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—AHEAD of inauguration of the National Conference on Monday next week, venue of the Conference, National Judicial Institute, NJI has been beefed off by armed security personnel to avert any security breach.

When Vanguard visited the place yesterday which is located along Jabi Junction, Umaru Yar ’Adua Way Junction, also known as Airport Road, Abuja, men of the State Security Service, SSS were seen moving round the premises as a Pick-up van was stationed outside the gate of the premises while another one was right inside the Institute close to the hall that has been designated as the place for the inauguration.

Besides the Pick-ups, there were security men armed with guns, who did not station themselves in one place.

While some Secretariat staff were busy yesterday vetting the list of accredited journalists from various media houses, some were in the hall arranging the chairs ahead of the inauguration which has been slated for Monday.

Speaking with Vanguard yesterday, the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, James Akpandem who noted that all was set for the delegates, however disclosed that there were no plans to change the Conference venue which is the National Judicial Institute, NJI, adding that the event will take off at 4 pm with delegates expected to be seated at 3.15 pm.

When asked whether accommodation will be provided for the delegates, Akpamdem explained that both accommodation and transport for the delegates would be monetized, adding, “everything is monetized”

Gunmen attack 4 Katsina villages, kill 69 ...Lawmaker, Police give conflicting figures G

UNMEN on motorbikes have killed no fewer than 69 people in Katsina state in attacks on four villages, Abbas Abdullahi Michika a member of the State House of Assembly has said yesterday.

The state’s Commissioner of police Mr Hurdi Mohammed, who gave a lower toll of 30 dead, told newsmen the violence was perpetrated by ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who have been blamed for scores of deadly raids.

“So far, 69 bodies have been recovered from the attacks carried out by a large group of gunmen riding on motorcycles,” Michika said of the violence, which first broke out late Tuesday.

According to him, “The victims include men, women and children. Rescue teams are still combing nearby bushes in search for more bodies” .

He specified that 47 people were killed in the village of Mararrabar Maigora while seven deaths were recorded in

both Kura Mota and Unguwar Rimi. Another eight people were killed in Maigora, according to Michika.

The police chief insisted the

attacks were not linked to Islamist group, Boko Haram, whose insurgency has killed more than 500 people in the northeast already this year.

While there is no religion element to the conflict in Katsina, tension between the Fulani and Hausa farmers has worsened in recent months.

LECTURE: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, receiving a plaque of honour from former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, during a lecture organised by the Akanbi Foundation in Ilorin.

Missing $20bn: Senate forensic report ready next week ...As NNPC insists no money is missing

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA—THE Senate Committee on Finance investigating the alleged failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to remit $20 billion into the Federation Account said yesterday that the forensic report of consultants the committee hired to look into the account of the NNPC on the missing fund would be ready next week.

He however clarified that the forensic audit was carried out on the $2.1 billion which was the third party financing as the senate does not have the required financial resources to hire a forensic expert that would conduct audit of the entire account of the corporation.

Speaking at the investigative hearing on the alleged unremitted fund, Chairman of the Senate Committee Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has also given the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, two weeks to submit details on certification of subsidy for Kerosene and fuel from July 2013 to December 2013.

Makarfi said, “We found out that they (Ministry of Finance)

don’t have the legal basis to hire forensic experts. As a committee we cannot appoint auditors to go into the executive arm but we can go anywhere and ask anything.

“But if we go, do we have the financial capacity to do that. No! but there must be forensic audit. and since we are all interested in this forensic audit, the president can direct that forensic audit be carried out” He added that the Auditor General even though the constitution says he cannot appoint the auditor he can recommend auditors from corporations and he can do this special investigation which technically is the same thing as auditing.

He said, “We have to find a legal and constitutional way of doing something so that someone would not challenge it on the basis of law because you don’t know what you are going to find out that’s why we demanded that the report of the auditor general on the forensic audit should be made directly to the National Assembly.”

Makarfi therefore said that the outcome of the probe being carried out by the Auditor General would form the basis for whatever action that the National Assembly may wish to

take because it can rely on the auditor general’s report.

The Senator Ahmed Makarfiled committee has also given the Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, two weeks to submit details on certification of subsidy for Kerosene and fuel from July 2013 to December 2013.

The authorities of PPPRA had requested that the senate committee should give them three weeks to get all the necessary information on the certification of subsidy for kerosene and fuel for six months, but the committee gave the agency two weeks to that affect.

Speaking at the investigative hearing on the alleged unremitted fund, Chairman of the Senate Committee Finance, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said the committee was waiting for the report of the independent consultants appointed by the committee to carry out forensic examination and audit of expenses incurred by NNPC which would be ready next week.

Senator Makarfi who said that the committee had decided to stand down any other assignment so as to conclude investigations on the alleged missing funds further said that

the Auditor-General of the Federation had written formally to the committee confirming he was conducting forensic checks on the said unremitted funds.

No money is missing, NNPC insists But the Group Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Yakubu insisted that there were no missing funds, adding that each business is governed by different business arrangement.

He said, “We have given a detailed account, no money is missing, each business is governed by a different business arrangement, if you do not trace it to the business arrangement and the governance structure, you will not understand.

“Now you heard here, we had under lifting and reconciliation are held quarterly, when you say to reconcile, you will be able to balance your books and come up with the true position of things.

“The fact that money is not seen in the Federation Account does not mean the money did not go to other beneficiaries.”

The Group Managing Director said the misunderstanding about the industry was so wide and expressed happiness for the opportunity he had to explain issues.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 9

Fulani herdsmen sack Suswam's village, kill 22

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—FEW days after Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue state escaped death when his convoy ran into an ambush by suspected Fulani mercenaries at Tse-Akanyi in Guma local government area, his entire village at Anyii in Logo local government area has been sacked by the suspected mercenaries.

The invaders also slaughtered over 22 persons whose corpses, Vanguard gathered were still trapped in the farms at Anyii and Ayilamo where the fleeing locals believe the mercenaries have set up their camps.

Governor Suswam who, yesterday led Journalists, the Benue State Police Commissioner, Mr. Adams Audu and a team of Police officers and men on an assessment tour of his village and neigbouring communities was physically moved when he saw that his entire village had been sacked and deserted.

It was discovered that from Anyii, Suswam’s ancestral home to Ayilamo, a stretch of about 25 kilometers, all the inhabitants of the close to 29 villages had been sacked by the rampaging herdsmen who struck less than 24 hours before the governor ’s visit.

It was also discovered that all of the governor’s kinsmen, extended family members, elders, women and children

have been sacked from their ancestral homes by the marauders, leaving the entire village deserted.

One of the fleeing locals who gave his name as James Terzungwe, told Vanguard that the invaders came to their communities from neigbouring Nasarawa state.

“They came from Nasarawa state after crossing River Benue and stormed our communities in their hundreds, when people were

already in the farms. That was why many of the people were killed because they were caught up in the farms where it was very difficulty for them to escape or jointly defend themselves.

“That attack left over 22 of our people dead, those are the ones we have seen, many are still missing and nobody knows about their condition because we gathered that so many corpse are still in the farms and bushes near the river, but no one can go near there for now because the Fulanis have completely taken

over those areas.” he said.

While addressing the displaced persons who came out of their hiding at Ayilamo, Governor Gabriel Suswam urged them to be security conscious, and assured them that the state government was partnering the federal government to ensure that the crisis was brought to an end.

The governor also promised to establish displaced persons camps in parts of the state to cater for the Internally Displaced Person, IDPs, in areas affected by the crisis.

FLAG-OFF: President Goodluck Jonathan (4th right) cutting the tape to inaugurate Katsina Ring-road during his state visit yesterday. With him were Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State (3rd right); Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku (right), Minister of State for Works, Amb. Bashir Yuguda (5th right) and others.

Boko Haram: Bombardment will be sustained until terrorism is eliminated — Defence HQ

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

A

B U J A — M I L I TA R Y authorities in Abuja have declared that the bombardment of Boko Haram camps and hideouts in the forests, hills and border areas of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, to ensure total elimination of terrorists who have been killing and maiming innocent Nigerians will be sustained The Defence headquarters’ made the declaration just as it warned prominent Nigerians who have continued to make inciting statements tailored towards bringing down the morale of troops or portraying Nigerian security forces as weaklings in the war, that ‘at the appointed time, anyone found to be undermining morale of the men will pay dearly for it but through constitutional procedures’.

Speaking during a Joint Security Information Committee briefing on security developments in the country, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade noted that there is no truth whatsoever that soldiers prosecuting the war are running from insurgents neither was there any issue of poor welfare package for troops.

According to him, “during operation to rid the camps of terrorists, if the terrain is a difficult one and there is need for air bombardment, the pilot would of course advise troops to evacuate the location which is normal strategy. For someone or mischief makers to now say that troops are running from insurgents shows attempt at misleading the nation and demoralising the men”.

Emphasizing that the allowances for troops in operation cannot be stolen as the structures

put in place for payment of such allowances were fraud proof, General Olukolade said, “Right from the beginning of our training in Academy days and others, the issue of welfare of the men has remained paramount to leadership training. So we don’t need a spokesman of terrorists to tell us how to take care of the welfare of our men”.

He explained that aside the allowances for troops, there were two levels of insurance schemes for the soldiers involved in the war on terror, one from the Army headquarters and another one from the Defence headquarters.

His words, “The onslaught of terror is ongoing in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. In the wake of relentless bombardments of their bases by the security forces, fleeing terrorists resorted to attacking soft targets including the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi and other

areas with a view to maintaining a false sense of invincibility”.

“There is no respite yet for the terrorists as the security forces have continued to launch air raids on their suspected bases while mop up operation by the ground forces are being intensified. Consequently, scores of terrorists have either being killed or apprehended and assorted weapons recovered”.

“Useful information are also are also extracted from the confessions of those in the custody of the security forces while patrols are sustained”.

Emphasizing on soldiers morale, Olukolade said, “This committee has noted with great concern the orchestrated attack on the morale of the Nigerian Security forces engaged in the fight against terrorism by a section of the political elite.

Shell loses N160bn to crude theft in Nigeria

BY MICHAEL EBOH & GRACE UDOFIA

R

OYAL Dutch Shell, yesterday, said it lost about $1 billion (N160 billion) to crude oil theft and various disruptions in its oil and Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, operations in Nigeria in its 2013 financial year.

Shell, in an update to investors on its strategy, declared that the risks associated with working in Nigeria had worsened, stating that crude theft is costing Nigeria a significantly larger amount, while security in the country is a daily challenge.

Shell’s Chief Financial Officer, Simon Henry, further stated in a conference call, yesterday, that the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has curbed investment in the Nigerian oil sector and is hindering production.

Henry maintained that Nigeria is important for Shell because it accounts for almost 10 per cent of the company’s output and is seen as a source of future growth.

He said, “There are at least three to four different versions of the PIB and most of them have been unhelpful to supporting future investments in the country.

“Therefore, the industry at large has taken almost no significant investment decision in that six, sevenyear period. So the country’s four million barrel-aday target has effectively become actual production of less than two million barrels per day.

“The theft is very material.

Figures have been quoted up to a billion dollars a month being stolen from the government, in effect, and that figure is probably accurate.”

Shell’s profit dipped by 37.96 per cent to $16.75bn (N2.68 trillion) in 2013, from a profit of $27bn (N4.32 trillion) recorded in 2012.

The company attributed the decline to an oversupply of global capacity, lower demand and the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

The company outlined its recovery plan, which includes a more detailed segmentation of the business into performance units, which it said would increase accountability and drive hard choices on capital allocation for selective growth, and divestment of non-strategic positions, to improve cash flow and return.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Fashola commissions Lagos version of Opon-Imo

BY MONSURU

OLOWOOPEJO

L

A G O S — G O VERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, commissioned the first Solar and Electronic classroom, E-Classroom, to boost learning ability of public secondary school students in the state.

The state government also in collaboration with Tanus Book Limited, unveiled its own version of the Opon-Imo, computer tablets, to boost students Information Technology, IT skills.

Fashola who handed over the project at the Ayedere/Ajibola Junior Secondary School, Ketu, Lagos, said that the initiative was to ensure that schools in the state depend less on electricity for their academic activities.

The governor stated that the idea to start in the school was as a reward to the school for winning the year 2013 ‘Power kids’ energy initiative competition for public schools in Lagos.

The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Taofiq Folami

added that the state government has concluded plans to deploy this initiative to all the schools across the state.

Explaining the components in the E-classroom, Fashola said:

“The installed system comprises of 55 units of 185 watts, 10KVA inverter, four units charger and 16 units of batteries.

On the tablets, the governor said “This is similar to the oponimo because they both use

computer tablets. And the only addition to this is that we are deploying renewable energy to power the facilities. It is to help the students reduce the number of text books they carry about daily.”

PRESENTATION: From left: Heineken Ambassador, Mr. Ruud Gullit, Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Nigeria International Football Legend, Mr. Sunday Oliseh, at the presentation of the UEFA Champions League Trophy to the Governor at Alausa, Lagos, yesterday.

....As state sets up special commercial court BYABDULWAHABABDULAH &ONOZUREDANIA

L

AGOS—LAGOS State Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips, yesterday, revealed that the state government would soon commence the construction of a special court to address disputes arising from commercial matters to safeguard investments in the state.

Justice Phillips who spoke the mind of the state government at a Stakeholders Forum on “Fast Track Rules and Procedure” by the Lagos State Judiciary in collaboration with Justice for All, a project of the British Council, noted this will go a long way to diabuse investors’ mind on delay of justice delivery system in Lagos State.

This was coming as the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye advised lawyers to shun practice of filling frivolous application, only to delay court proceedings.

Justice Phillips in her address said when the court finally commence proceedings, it will solely adjudicate over commercial disputes in order to attract more foreign investors to the state.

Phillips said the idea behind the fast track court was to reduce the time spent on litigation to a period not exceeding nine months from the commencement of the action till final judgment.

According to her, the government is locating the court

in Tapa, in Lagos Island, the heart of the Lagos commercial hub where it will adjudicate over matters relating to revenues, mortgages and other commercial cases.

She solicited the support of all stakeholders in the justice sector,

especially lawyers to partner with the judiciary towards making it a success.

In his take, Mr Ipaye, noted that speedy resolution of commercial disputes was important for economic development.

He said: “Investors are looking for a justice system that works. They are looking for where they can confidently invest with the expectation that when there are disputes, those disputes can be speedily addressed.”

16m Nigerians suffer from kidney disease —EXPERTS Dr. Ebun Bamboye who identified

L

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

AGOS—AS the world marked World Kidney Day yesterday, experts have said that about 16 million or 10 per cent of Nigerian population are suffering from Kidney disease even as they blamed the surge on growing incidences of High Blood Pressure and Diabetes among Nigerians.

Speaking in Lagos, Clinical Director, St. Nicholas Hospital,

high blood pressure and diabetes as the predisposing factors of kidney disease said 10 per cent of the country estimated 160 million people may be suffering from the disease.

Bamgboye who spoke during a programme organised by the Hospital to mark the World Kidney Day with the theme: “Chronic kidney disease, CKD, and ageing,” stressed the need for people to pay more attention

to their kidneys.

Stating that kidney disease can be prevented if the predisposing factors are controlled, he advised Nigerians to take enough water as it helps the kidneys.

“Prevention is better and we advise people to take enough water, avoid bleaching creams because studies have shown that people who bleach are more prone to kidney disease."

NIMASA: Omatseye didn't conspire to inflate Trial judge, Justice Rita Ofilicontract, witness tells court Ajumogobia adjourned after a

BY INNOCENT ANABA AGOS—A prosecution witness, E. Aliyu in the ongoing trial before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos of a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Raymond Omatseye, has said from the documents he saw, there was nothing to suggest that Omatseye conspired to award the

L

inflated contract to a particular company.

Meanwhile, the court, yesterday, adjourned further hearing on the matter till March 31, 2014.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, rearraigned Omatseye on an amended 27-count charge bordering on contract splitting and scam.

prosecution witness E. Aliyu told the court that he did not see any file for the award of the contracts.

Under cross-examination by Omotseye’s lawyer, Aliyu, who works at the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, said he didn’t have the privilege of perusing the contract files, and so, could not safely conclude that advertisement by NIMASA were in the file or not.

15,000 Lagos pupils suffer visual defects —REPORT

BY OLASUNKANMI

AKONI AGOS—AT least 15, 000 pupils of public primary schools in Lagos state have been discovered to have various level of visual impairment after thorough screening.

According to the state government, 91,000 pupils of public primary schools were recently screened for eye test, out which 76,000 have no visual impairment.

This was disclosed at the launching of the Lagos State Expanded School Eye Health Programme and Vision corridor, aimed at addressing eye defects among pupils, at the Olusosun Primary School, Ojota, Lagos.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, speaking at the launching of the programme, said that was why the state government launched the vision corridor to help detect students with eye defect.

According to him: “We started with the building of classrooms and training of teachers and now, we are going into the classrooms to see what is happening inside. This is part of the things that we discovered was wrong and we have device measure to correct it immediately."

L

Iponri market inferno: Shop owners seek govt's assistance

L

AGOS—A L H A J A Mulikat Adufe, the market leader of the Abibatu Mogaji Model Market, Iponri, Lagos State, yesterday, attributed Tuesday’s fire outbreak in the market to power surge.

The fire razed 17 shops and destroyed goods worth several millions of naira.

She said: “It was discovered that the cause of the fire was from high voltage."

She appealed to the state government to assist the shop owners whose shops were affected by the incident.

A shop owner, who pleaded anonymity, called on the relevant authorities to put in place proper electrical installation to power the market.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 11

Aregbesola gives scorecard at school commissioning

O

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

SOGBO—OSUN State governor Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has declared that a total of 1,724 classrooms have been completed in 39 schools throughout the state since the present administration came on board about four years ago.

He disclosed this during the the commissioning of another state of the art elementary school in the state capital.

According to Aregbesola, the new school has capacity that can accommodate about 1,000 pupils, with 28 classrooms, hall, sickbay, staff room, grassed courtyard, recreational toys, basketball court with an area fitted with swings, and other toys.

Aregbesola noted that as far as education in Osun was concerned, government was on a mission to develop the greatest asset in nature and the human mind.

The governor stressed that his administration was aware of the fact that leadership is empty without vision and that vision without action will not lead to any transformation and development.

He pointed out that the commissioning of another new model school building is another sign of the administration’s serious intent to completely remake the public education system in the state.

Omisore alleges threat to life

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore has said that some individuals were after his life, alleging that he had received several threat messages lately.

Omisore who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Diran Odeyemi in Osogbo, yesterday, alleged that he had received several phone calls and threat messages threatening his life.

Odeyemi said the threat to the life of Omisore had been reported to the law enforcement agencies, asking the police to investigate the allegation.

The allegation of threat to Omisore’s life was coming on the heels of violence allegedly perpetrated by members of both the All Progressives Congress APC and those of the PDP over the voters’ registration exercise.

It would be recalled that cases of violence were reported in IleIfe, home town of Senator Omisore and Ilesa, home town of Governor Rauf Aregbesola during the voter’s registration exercise on Wednesday.

Odeyemi who lamented the desperation of some Politicians in the state stated that the threat to

Omisore’s life may not be unconnected with the August governorship election in the state.

He said: “We don’t want Omisore to be assassinated that is why we are calling on the federal government and all the security agencies in the country to provide security for him.”

He also appealed to members of the PDP and supporters of

Omisore to remain calm and be law abiding, urging them to fight only with their votes come August 9 this year.

Meantime, the state chapter of the APC has alleged that members of PDP caused violence in most parts of the state, saying that the PDP was hell bent at destabilising the peace of the state.

The party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr Kunle Oyatomi said in a statement issued in Osogbo yesterday that some members of the party in different parts of the state were allegedly injured by PDP members.

He called on security agents in the state to be vigilant to ensure peace in all parts of the state as the governorship election approaches.

SUMMIT: From left: Head of Service, Ekiti State, Mr. Bunmi Famosaya, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu, keynote speaker, Prof.

Dipo Adamolekun, Head of Service, Ogun State, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle and her Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, during the 5th Summit of Heads of Service from the South West Geo-Political Zone, in Ado-Ekiti.

Jonathan lauds Ogun's industrialisation

BY DAUD OLATUNJI BEOKUTA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has recognised the high level of industrialisation being experienced in Ogun State which he said resulted from the economic plan of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.

The President further expressed the readiness of the Federal Government to partner with the state government in its rebuilding mission.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Procter and Gamble multi million dollar plant in Agbara, Ogun State, Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, affirmed that the Amosun-led administration is creating a conducive environment for business to thrive in the state.

The President revealed that the contract for the construction of a

A

standard guage fast train that will connect Lagos through Ogun State to Ibadan has been awarded, adding that, “Olorunsogo Power Plant in Ogun has been successfully completed and

A

BEOKUTA—THE Awori people in Ado-Odo-Ota and Ifo local governments areas of Ogun State yesterday, condemned the exclusion of their people from the proposed national conference.

The Awori people in a statement signed by the coordinator of April Solidarity Movement, Chief Kayode Odunsi described their

stating that the newly commissioned multi million dollar investment would create 2000 direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of the state.

APC flays poor voters' registration exercise in participating in the June 21 ground.

Ekiti governorship election.

Some of the noticeable, yet

A

DO EKITI—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State has expressed worries over some noticeable but avoidable defects and deficiencies in the handling of the ongoing Continuous Voters' Registration, CVR, exercise in the state.

A statement by the Director of Publicity and Media of the party in the state, Segun Dipe, described the exercise as shoddy, tardy and a deliberate attempt at disenfranchising the enthusiastic people of Ekiti state from

Confab: Awori alleges marginalisation exclusion as “a systematic

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

privatised.”

In his remarks, Amosun disclosed that the commissioning was the 43rd he would be performing in less than three years of his administration,

marginalisation occasioned by the balkanization of our people.”

The Federal government had published 492 names of the delegates across the country without the Awori ethinicity.

Reacting to the exclusion of their people, the group said out of 13 delegates chosen from Ogun State, all the ethnic groups in the state representatives except Awori extraction.

The party observed that the defects and deficiencies observed in the handling of the registration exercise in most of the designated centres shows either lack of adequate preparation on the side of INEC or deliberate attempt to shortchange the people. It is not about crying wolf where there is none. It is about the facts on

avoidable deficiencies and defects in the exercise include poor preparation for the exercise

by INEC, use of obsolete or faulty systems, inadequacy of staff and materials, among others. This runs contrary to INEC’s promise to begin to get it right with the Ekiti election, and if the morning shows the day, then, it is not yet Uhuru for INEC.

S-West federal tertiary institutions account for N82bn

BY OLA AJAYI

I

B A DA N — F E D E R A L universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education in the South West yesterday presented details of how N82 billion, the Tertiary Education Fund allocated to them was spent.

The presentation was done at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting, at the University of Ibadan.

The institutions that gave the account of their stewardship include the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Federal University of Agriculture,

Abeokuta, Yaba College of Technology, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, among others.

According to the Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, who was the chairman of the programme, the institutions that benefited from the high impact fund are University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Yaba College of Technology, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta and the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

12 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Amaechi still free to come back to PDP —Oru

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—NATIONAL Vice-Chairman, South-South zone of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Steve Oru, has said that Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State will be welcomed back to the party.if he chooses to dump All Progressives Congress, APC. He added that PDP will secure landslide victory in the next elections in the state, adding that Rivers State was a PDP state.

Oru, who spoke, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said it was the resolve of the South South zone of the party that President Goodluck Jonathan should contest next year ’s presidential election.

“The South South zone of our party urges Mr. President, based on his excellent performance, to contest the 2015 presidential election. The PDP in the South South zone is in full support of aspiration,” he said.

He condemned the Boko Haram insurgency in the northern part of the country.

Oru, who led other members

of the South South executive of the party to pay a courtesy visit to the state leadership of the party at the party's state secretariat, lauded the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

Earlier, the state Chairman of

the party, Mr Felix Obuah, said they were not disturbed by the exit of Governor Amaechi from the party. According to him, the party was firmly on ground in the state.

Meantime, the people of

Ikwerre have expressed support for President Jonathan.

Speaking under the aegis of Ikwerre Stakeholders, Prince Paul Wonodi said the Ikwerre nation will continue to pursue issues that will strengthen the unity of the country.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

FINANCIAL LITERACY: From left: The Zonal Head, Calabar, of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Limited, Mr. Ime Ette; Deputy Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Segun Odusanya; Principal of Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Jehu Obobikpe and the Regional Director, South-East/South-South of the bank, Mr. Okey Ezeala, at the Financial Literacy programme organised by FCMB for the students of the school, in Uyo, yesterday.

Nigeria, a profitable haven, Uduaghan tells investors in UK W

ITH the deepening of the privatisation of state enterprises and investment in the development of critical infrastructure, Nigeria now offers the best destination for investments in Africa, Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said.

Speaking in London, where he addressed British investors at the Institute of Directors, IOD, Uduaghan said that the Nigerian government had affected a paradigm shift from reliance on crude oil as the driver of her economy.

According to him, investment in power sector, agriculture and manufacturing offer investors new vistas with yields that may not be obtainable anywhere else.

He spoke at an event to mark the Commonwealth Day Observance Service and the Nigerian Centenary celebration in London and asked British investors looking to invest in Africa to come to Nigeria.

He said: “There are strong reasons for anyone to invest in Nigeria at this time, because the country is a haven for profitable investment.

There is a bright future for Nigeria in terms of investment. The environment is right and is truly a destination for those investors head-

Army destroys 98 illegal refineries in Edo, Delta, Ondo states

ing to Africa.”

Uduaghan who spoke on “Perspectives on Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Delta: The

Delta Beyond Oil Initiative” said while oil remained a major resource, “ we recognise its finite characteristic

and that dependence on it in the way we have done, since it started to create wealth in the country would deny us other opportunities.

Argungu tasks Police on crime fighting in N-Delta zAs Police promotes 34 in Zone 5

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Benin City, Edo State, Mr. Salihu Argungu, yesterday, said that a total of 34 officers benefited from the recent promotion exercise in the zone, urging police officers from the zone to either key into the on-going reforms in the police or bow out.

He spoke while decorating 34 promoted officers, whom he said were promoted due to their hard work.

Admonishing officers to fight crime “ruthlessly” in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country, Argungun pointed out that part of the reforms in the police force was to ensure that hard working and dedicated officers were compensated while the lazy ones are advised to look for other jobs.

He said: “We are here to celebrate reward for hard work. A total of 35 personnel are beneficiaries of the recent promotion exercise in the zonal headquarters alone. One Assistant Superintendent of Police was promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, 19 Inspectors to Assistant Superintendent of Police, eight to Chief and Senior Inspectors, two Ser-

geants to Inspectors, two Corporals to Sergeants and two Constables promoted to the rank of Corporal.”

He reiterated the commitment of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammad Abubakar, towards improving the welfare of officers, urging the newly promoted officers to give their best to the force.

Confab: Voice of Urhobo nation'll be heard —Oyovbaire

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

W

ARRI—FORMER Minister of Information and Culture, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, has said that despite the minimal representation of the Urhobo in the forthcoming national conference, the people were glad that they have a representative among the state’s del-

egates list.

Oyovbaire, who made the remark at a function in Delta State, said: “The complaint not withstanding, at least there is an Urhobo man representing the Central senatorial zone. Incidentally, there are two other Urhobo men among the delegates, but from different angles. We are glad that the Urhobo voice will not be lost."

ENIN—NO fewer than 98 illegal refineries have been destroyed in Edo, Delta and Ondo states within the last 30 days, the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, in Benin, Edo State, said yesterday.

The Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Captain Abubakar Abdullahi, while supervising the burning of one tanker and one truck intercepted with 33,000 litres of illegally refined diesel and 13,000 litres of crude oil respectively, said that about 75 persons were arrested while 15 trucks, 141 boats used to convey petroleum products were also destroyed.

He said that 40 illegal fuel reservoirs and 1,709 drums of illegally refined petroleum products were destroyed within the same period.

Abdullahi said that a truck with registration number URM 298 XA was intercepted on Oyemwonsa Street in Benin while the tanker marked XA 490 USL was arrested at Ugo in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

Igogo for burial

T

HE Patriarch of Igogo family of Igbide in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Pa Samuel Igogo, is dead, aged 93.

Burial will take place on April 4, 2014 in his hometown, Igbide.

Pa Igogo is survived by 10 children, many grand and great grand children including Hon.( Mrs) Beatrice Igogo-Oyibotha, Mr. Emma Igogo and Mrs. Christiana Atagbo.

Late Pa Igogo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—13

Tax Board boss task state govts on Tax Identification Numbers

JTF foils another kidnap attempt in Bayelsa

T

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE acting Chairman of Joint Task Board, JTB, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, has urged state governments to embrace the Tax Payers Identification Number, TIN, currently in operation in the country, to boost the socioeconomic development of their respective states.

Masha, in Benin City, Edo State at a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on TIN, organised by the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board, commended Edo State Government for the positive steps taken so far in sensitising its people on the benefits of TIN. He said that the country’s economy and businesses would improve in the states if the TIN was embraced.

Mashi, represented by the Programme Manager, TIN, Oduba Oduba, cited the uniqueness, reliability and centralised nature of tax information as some of the reasons for the introduction of TIN, adding: “The TIN enables you to do all your tax business from anywhere in the country. We are already making progress in Edo State because the state remains the first to have ordered for additional biometric data equipments.”

Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, said TIN was put in place for the purpose of unifying all eligible tax payers in the country, adding that with the introduction of TIN, all obstacles, particularly multiple taxation, which posed challenges to the growth in the tax administration would be removed to set the tax system on the path of accelerated transformation.

FINANCIAL LITERACY OUTREACH PROGRAMME:The Acting Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Alade, explaining some points to students of Model Secondary School, Maitama, Abuja, during the Financial Literacy Outreach Programme.

FG to UN: No going back on same-sex marriage law

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, told the United Nations that no amount of pressure would force it to reverse the law that criminalised same-sex marriage in Nigeria, insisting that such sexual orientation was “contrary to our cultural beliefs and will not be tolerated.”

Addressing a delegation of the UN, led by its High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, maintained that if President Goodluck Jonathan had not okayed the anti-gay bill, Nigerians would have taken laws into their hands by lynching suspected homosexuals and lesbians in the country.

He said: “I wish to re-emphasise that our laws do not criminalise individual sexual orientation. The focus of the Act is, therefore, discouragement of same-sex marriage which is a reflection of the overwhelming beliefs and cultural values of the Nigerians people as demonstrated by a 2013 opinion poll which showed that 92 per cent of Nigerians reject samesex marriage.

“It is a very thorny and sensitive issue and if we go back to history, we will find that 60 to 70 years ago, in several parts of the world, the issue of same sex marriage was very appalling and not acceptable.

“So, it takes time, it is not an issue that we can force on the people. It is an issue that the majority of the people at the moment do think is contrary to our cultural beliefs and it will

not be tolerated.

“And I can make bold to say that if the government had not taken the pragmatic step to put in place the punitive mechanism to this conduct, perhaps vast majority of the people would have taken laws into their hands and it will be more harmful for people with same sex sexual orientation.

“So it is a win-win situation at the moment because it is capable of bringing down any government should the government toy with opinion of the vast majority of the people.”

On security situation in the country, Adoke said: “To address the current security challenged in the country, government had set up many committees, the reports of which are being considered and implemented.

“The Federal Government has also adopted other constitutional measures which include the declaration of a state of emergency over Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. While the war on terror currently being waged by our security agencies is undoubtedly a difficult and challenging one in view of the guerrilla tactics adopted by the insurgents, our forces have been under strict instructions to ensure that the war is waged with due regard for the human rights of residents of the affected areas.

“As a government, we are however aware that despite our best efforts, there have been some allegations of excesses by some security operatives engaged in the op-

erations.

“As earlier indicated, we shall continue to deal with all reported cases strictly in accordance with our laws and the commitment of the current administration to the rule of law,” the AGF stated.

Meantime, in her earlier remarks, leader of the delegation which visited the Federal Ministry of Justice, Pillay, while commending Nigeria for being on the forefront in the fight against human trafficking, urged the Federal Government to reverse the anti-gay law.

“I am concerned with the implication of the recentl y passed sames e x law It is a violation of the Afric a n Charter on Peo p l e s Rights a n d even the Nigerian constit u tion”, Pillay said. saying the law w a s capable of

HE Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, yesterday, said it had foiled a kidnap incident in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The JTF Media Coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, where he presented the alleged victim, Patience Agbani, to newsmen.

Nwachukwu, who said the JTF troop rescued the woman, attributed the feat to the timely information received from the victim.

He urged members of the public in distress to contact the headquarters of the JTF on 0803220 2684 for prompt intervention.

Narrating her ordeal, Agbani said that members of the kidnap gang, numbering six, trailed her on Wednesday night.

She said the suspected kidnappers continued to chase her until she ran into an uncompleted building from where she placed a distress call to the JTF. According to her, the timely response of the JTF troops compelled the kidnappers, who were on her trail, to retreat.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

FG to compel oil companies to guarantee safe environment The Vice President who was represented by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, BUJA — WORRIED by the degree NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, at the lecture with of environmental degradation suf- the theme, 'Oil and Ggas in a Century of fered as a result of oil exploration in the Nigeria'sExistence: Sstatus and Outlook,' Niger Delta areas, the Federal Govern- said, however, that oil and gas has brought ment has taken a drastic step to compel great developments to the country.

According to him: "While oil and gas has companies involved in the oil and gas exploration to adhere to rules and regula- brought great developments to our nation, it has also been accompanied by some chaltions of safe environment in the future.

Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo lenges, principal of which is concern for who stated this at the 2014 Nigeria Annu- the environment. It is my belief that the al Oloibiri lecture and energy forum or- most profitable companies in the future will ganised by Society of Petroleum Engineers be those that can develop oil and gas rein Abuja, said oil and gas exploration has sources in an environmentally friendly and left the country with a lot of challenges, socially manner.

He said: "Global energy demand continespecially, in the area of environment.

Arch. Namadi, who called on the stake- ues to rise and so is supply. There are many holders in the sector to draw from the suc- new discoveries everyday in different parts cesses and lessons learnt from the explo- of the globe, in traditional plays and most ration of oil and gas in the last century to recently, shale, so called unconventional shape and enhance the future of oil and plays. The dynamics of oil demand and supply is changing rapidly, bringing new gas industry in Nigeria. challenges to meeting the ever growing world's energy needs.

"Our nation Nigeria has played a key role in meeting this energy demand in

BY EMMAN OVUAKumented evidence of the the last century and will PORIE & LEVINUS disbursement of the funds continue to do so in the fuNWABUGHIOGU from the Service Wide Votes ture. Oil and gas activities from 2004 to 2012 and re- in Nigeria have now exBUJA — MEM- ceived by the Office of the tended into the deep offBERS of the House Head of Service. shore environment, as well of Representatives ComBudget Office told the as into deeper highly presmittee on Public Accounts committee, led by Adeola sured hard rock reservoirs, were shocked, yesterday, Olamilekan, that the OHSF so called deep drilling, and when the Office of the Head received well over N52 bil- Nigeria will most likely join of Service of the Federa- lion within the period un- the Shale gas revolution in tion, OHSF, said N35 bil- der investigation. the next decade." lion received from the BudThe Budget Office said in get Office of the Federation 2004, the OHSF received over a period of nine years N2.7 billion; 2005, N9.8 could not be accounted for. million; 2006, N701.7 milThe Permanent Secretary lion; 2007, N896.3 million; of the OHSF, Mr. Yemi 2008, N5.3 billion; 2009, Adelakun, who appeared N612.9 million, plus anothbefore the committee, er N70 million, and 2010, claimed they received only N17.6 billion.

N17.6 billion over the periBY TONY EDIKE Other releases, according od, but the Budget Office to the Budget Office, are declared the figure was N13.6 billion in 2011, and NUGU—Former wrong by reeling out doc- N8.5 billion in 2012.

Minister of External Chairman of the Commit- Affairs, General Ike was tee, Adeola-Olamilekan, Nwachukwu noted that the OHSF doc- yesterday appointed as uments only referred to the leader of the South East delegates to the National N17.6 billion it received in Conference billed for IGH CHIEF Alfon 2010. inauguration by sus Onyejiaju (OkoHe said based on the fig- President Goodluck siosi 1, Ugbo Oyanuba 1 ures given by the Budget Jonathan next week. of Awoidemiri, is dead, Office, there was a dispari- Monsignor Obiora Ike aged 75. ty of almost N35 billion and was appointed the He is survived by wives, requested for the docu- Deputy Chairman of the children, grand children. ments for the rest of the d e l e g a t e s .

Late High Chief OnyejiaAlso, a secretariat that years in question. ju's burial arrangement, coordinate However, following the would according to the family, will activities of the delegates inability of the OHSF to has been set up at Abuja be announced later. satisfactorily answer the with former Nigeria’s queries of the committee Ambassador to United over Service Wide Votes states, Prof George disbursement, the commit- Obiozor as the head.

Chairman South East tee chairman advised the OHSF to return to its ar- Governors’ Forum and chives and, if necessary, Abia State Governor, reconcile its records with Chief Theodore Orji, the Budget Office and re- made this known while briefing newsmen at the turn on March 27, 2014, to end of a joint closed door the committee with evi- meeting of the forum and dence. the South East delegates to the conference.

Late High Chief Onyejiaju

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

A

SWV: OHSF can’t give account of N35bn

A

Gen Nwachukwu leads S-East delegates to confab

E

High Chief Onyejiaju dies

H

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—15

Politics is about development, not insults —Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, told political leaders in the country that politics was about infrastructure development and creating an enabling environment for business to thrive, not trading insults in the media.

He stated this in Katsina where he is on a two-day visit to commission some projects executed by the Governor Ibrahim Shema’s administration.

The President, who commissioned the three-lane 48-kilometre Katsina Ring Road, hailed the foresight and infrastructure drive of the governor, saying he deserved commendation for completing such a massive project at a time of paucity of funds. ”Shema is a great supporter of the administration. He is also a great member of the party.

This project is being commissioned at a time most states and even the Federal Government lack funds to carry out big projects. ”I commend you for your efforts. Politics is all about devel-

opment. It’s not about insulting ourselves and shouting in newspapers. Politics is about

providing infrastructure for the people and creating the enabling environment for busi-

VISIT: Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (right), and the leader of the Nigeria-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group, in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Hon. Shin Hak Yong, comparing notes, during a courtesy visit to Senator Ekweremadu, by the group, in Abuja, yesterday.

ness to thrive,” the President said.

He expressed appreciation to the people of the state for the love and cooperation he had enjoyed since he took over as President.

Speaking earlier, Governor Ibrahim Shema commended the President’s efforts in power, railway and water, saying that his administration had also done a lot to transform the state.

The governor revealed that since inception, his administration had constructed 49 roads across the state and dualised seven local government roads at the cost of N74 billion.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works in the state, Abdulaziz Kaita, noted that the three-lane, 48-kilometre Ring Road was started in 2009 and completed in 2013 by the state government without borrowing.

20 15: INEC 201 pledges adequate security ffor or Corps members

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA — INDEPENT National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reaffirmed its commitment to provide enhanced security for National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members and others engaged for electoral exercises.

Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, made this known during INEC courtesy visit to the DirectorGeneral of NYSC, BrigGen Johnson Olawumi, in Abuja.

Jega said the commission was working hard for greater security to avert a replication of the suffering encountered by Corps members in past electoral duties.

Confab: FG rejigs delegates’ list, Itsekiri get slot

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

F

OLLOWING one week of sustained disquiet from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality and some

•Appoints Jemide, Ozekhome, Mitee, others •Delegates to be inaugurated Monday evening stakeholders over the composition of the 492 delegates to the National Conference, the the Federal and state governments have taken practical steps to address the anomalies. While the Itsekiri flayed the noninclusion of the nationality, others picked holes in the nomination of some delegates and sought their replacement.

Responding to the protests, the Federal Government, yesterday, appointed some new delegates. Among the new delegates are Lagos-based lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, Mr. Ledum Mitee. The rest are Hon. Wale Oshun, Barr. Anthony Akika, Alhaji Sule Iyaji and DIG (Amb) Abdulmumuni M. Abubakar (rtd).

This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. The first list was also amended to include some new names, based on the request of the affected states and stakeholders. The adjustments include: Elder statesmen: Dr. Kunle Olajide from Ekiti State replaces Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, who has rejected his nomination.

Traditional rulers: His Royal Highness,

Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, the Etsu of Bwari replaces His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ismail Danlami Mohammed, Sarki of Karshi on the request of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.

Women Groups: Mrs. Millicent Okoronkwo replaces Mrs. Love Ezema on the request of the National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria.

Political Parties: The nomination of Chief Chris Ejike Uche and Dr. Sagir Auwal Maidoya to represent APGA was withdrawn to allow the party resolve the issue of its nominees.

Socio-Political/Cultural and Ethnic Nationality Groups: South West Geo-Political Zone •Prince Rabiu Oluwa replaces Supo Sonibare.

•Oba Kehinde Olugbenle replaces Barr.

Niyi Akintola, SAN whose name is retained in the Oyo State delegates list.

National Academies Professor Layi Erinosho was nominated by the Academy of Social Sciences to fill the one slot allocated to the Academy.

Former Political Office Holders (Former Governors) The former Governors Forum nominated Alhaji Mohammed Goni from Borno State to fill the slot for the North East Geopolitical zone.

State Governments and FCT Five states which still had a slot to fill having nominated two delegates each earlier also filled their remaining slots.

State governments that submitted a nominee each to fill the vacant slot in their respective delegates’ list include, •Delta State - Chief Isaac O. Jemide (an Itsekiri) •Edo State - Prof. Eddy Erhagbe;

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

252 promoted Adamawa police officers decorated with new ranks

BY UMAR YUSUF & JOHN MKOM

Y

OLA — ABOUT 250 police officers and men in the Adamawa Police Command, who benefited from the recent nationwide promotion exercise have been decorated with their newranks.

This was even as 185 officers were decorated with various ranks by the Taraba State police command by the Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalapite Adeyemi with a charge to adhere strictly to police norms.

Altogether, about 438 officers were promoted in both states.

Mrs Adeyemi also charged the newly promoted officers to accept their new ranks not just as a promotion but as an increase to challenges on their shudders as they agree to serve their father’s land through police force.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Abakasanga,who,decorated the new officers, charged them to be hard working as their elevation was based on dedication to duty.

Wada hails UBA for its educational supports

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

L

OKOJA — GOVER NOR Idris Wada has commended the United Bank for Africa, UBA, for partnering with the state in its development strides, through the donations of instructional materials and computer accessories to schools in the state.

Wada made the commendation yesterday in Lokoja, during the Financial Literacy Day lecture organized by UBA for students drawn from various schools in the state, adding that the knowledge gained by the students through the lectures would go a long way in helping them to become financially prudent.

He promised that the state government would continue to manage its meagre resources prudently as the officials were now better informed on financial discipline.

Ralph Uwechue is dead

BY EMEKA MAMAH, AUSTIN OGWUDA & LEVINUS NWABUCHIOGU

F

ORMER PRESIDENT Gen eral of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Ralph Uwechue, 79, is dead Chief Uwechue, OFR, died at the National Hospital, Abuja, yesterday afternoon. He was said to have been ill since November last year.

Uwechue, former Ambassador to Liberia, and a former Publisher of the defunct African Today, was born at Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State in 1935. He attended St. John’s (Rimi) College, Kaduna from 1949-1954, as a foundation student and was retained as a teacher in the school for 18 months before proceeding for further studies.

He obtained a BA (Hons) degree in History from the University College, Ibadan, 1960 and a Diploma in International Law and French language, 1964, from the Geneva African Institute, Switzerland.

A career diplomat, Uwechue joined the Nigerian Foreign Service at its inception in 1960, and served in a number of countries, including Cameroun, Pakistan and Mali. He was Nigeria’s first diplomatic envoy to France, where he opened the Nigerian Embassy in Paris, 1966.

He also served with UNESCO in Paris as Consultant on “general History of Africa” project between 1967 and 1970, before he retired to private business in 1970, as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

of magazines and books on Africa, published in both English and French.

He was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the KNOW AFRICA books- a three-volume encyclopaedia comprising, Africa Today, Africa Who’s Who and Makers of Modern Africa.

He later lectured on African Affairs for 10 years at the Royal College of Defence Studies, London, United Kingdom. As Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary, Uwechue has, since 1999, been the Special Presidential Envoy on Conflict Resolution in Africa to the Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo. He played a key role in the peaceful settlement of the decade-long Sierra Leonean civil war, which cul-

INSPECTION: From left,Works Minister, Mike Onolememen; Chairman and Managing Director of Interbau Construction Limited, Sir Nath Okechukwu, and Controller of Delta State, Chukwudike Nwankwo, during the minister's inspection of ongoing works on Utor Bridge, in Delta State, after the flag-off of 2nd Niger Bridge, in Onitsha, by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Late Amb. Uwechue minated in free and fair elections in 2002.

In recognition of his “meritorious service to Black and African Peoples worldwide”, Uwechue was awarded an honorary membership of the “American Conference of Black Mayors” in 1982. In 2003, he was a recipient of the Order of Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR, conferred on him by then President Obasanjo.

He also held the prestigious Delta State ancient traditional titles-the Ogwuluzame of OgwashiUku Kingdom and the Ochudo of Asaba and had five children.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, have reacted to the deatH of Chief Uwechue.

In his tribute, Ihedioha, haD described Uwechue as a "quintessential statesman," adding that his death was ‘’painful, unfortunate and regretful."

Elumelu also said that ‘’the entire Igbo race has lost a great man and son,’’ saying he would be remembered for his mission to unite Igbo.’’

ACF condemns attack on Suswan convoy

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA — THE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, yesterday condemned the attack on the convoy of Governor Gabriel Suswan by suspected Fulani

herdsmen in Benue State last week.

It also lamented the high level of insecurity in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF,

Mallam Mohammed Ibrahim in Kaduna.

The statement read, “The recent attack on the convey of the Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam while on assessment tour of villages destroyed as a

Corps members to Bauchi, Yobe to be immunised against cholera, meningitis

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI — THE 2014 Batch A members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, deployed to Bauchi and Yobe states are to be immunised against cholera and cerebral meningitis prevalent in the hot season.

The NYSC members are currently undergoing their orientation programmes at the Adult and Non-formal Education Institute, Kangere in Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

This was made known by the Coordinator of the NYSC, in the state, Mr Nuhu Kwaghe.

Kwaghe explained that the vaccination was aimed at ensuring that the youths remain healthy and free from the deadly diseas-

es through out their stay in the states.

He spoke yesterday during the swearing-in ceremony of the corps members in the state.

His words, ‘’the NYSC management in the state has concluded arrangements with the state ministry of health to immunize the corps members before the end of their orientation course at the

camp against the two diseases. ’’The scheme has also supplied adequate malaria drugs in the camp clinics in order to stem any case of malaria infections.

“Vaccination of the corps members will be administered within the duration of the orientation course against cholera, a disease presently prevalent in the state and cerebral meningitis.

result of communal clashes between the Tiv and some suspected herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area ,was most shocking and unfortunate. If the convey of a state governor with all the paraphernalia of security details could be so attacked by some bandits, what hope does the common man have in the Government that is primarily responsible for his security and welfare? ”The ACF once more wishes to urge the federal and all the northern state governments on the need to re- double their efforts and be proactive in tackling security challenges in their domains. Communities must also be vigilant and monitor suspicious people within their midst; get involved in intelligence gathering and alert security agencies in good time.

Orji‘ll lead Igbo to prosperity — Onyechere

T

HE ELECTION of Gover nor Theodor Orji of Abia State as the chairman South East Governors’ Forum has been described as a trail blazer and a development long foretold.

According to Mr. Ben Onyechere, a former aide to the governor, Orji is a personality who

is widely acceptable with the requisite charisma and amiability all of which add to the power of negotiation because time has past for exhibition of brooks and brash attitude as a stand point and as a n identity of a big and respectable race like the Igbo not minding the mistakes of the past.

Onyechere said: “With his assumption if leadership, Igbo will no longer have to struggle to get whatever are their dues, judging from what he has been able to achieve already as a result of his closeness to the seat of power, irrespective of what ugly feelings some people may be harbouring

Vanguard, FRIDAY,MARCH 14, 2014 —17

VIEWPOINT NUMBER ONE

I

WAS very pleased when I heard that Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, had been appointed Vice-Chair of the upcoming National Conference. I know Akinyemi personally and respect him enormously and have long regarded him as one of Nigeria’s best human resources.

But I have grave doubts about the Conference per se for the following reasons: *Nigerians already know what their problems are – tribalism, corruption, lousy leadership, etc, etc, etc! - and have already discussed these problems at great length on thousands of occasions and in multiple venues in the 50-plus years that have elapsed since Indepen-

,

Prof Bolaji Akinyemi

President Jonathan

National Conference VIEWPOINT NUMBER TWO Atedo Peterside is one of the credible participants I hold in high esteem.

Peterside, a National Conference delegate, has a stainless reputation, bags of integrity and a dizzyingly impres-

Nigerians already know what their problems are – tribalism, corruption, lousy leadership, etc; I strongly suspect that we won’t gain any concrete benefits from yet another talking shop in which these problems are picked over for the umpteenth time

,

dence; and I strongly suspect that we won’t gain any concrete benefits from yet another talking shop in which these problems are picked over for the umpteenth time. *Any conclusions or demands that National Conference delegates arrive at or present to the authorities will have no legal weight, so why bother?! *Some of the National Conference participants are credible people whom I hold in high esteem. But far too many are the same-old undesirables who have totally messed this country up with their ethnic chauvinism, greed, incompetence and selfishness, so why on earth would anyone sane and well-informed regard them as worthy representatives? *The National Conference will cost N7 billion – a fortune by any standards.

C M Y K

Atedo Peterside

sive CV. He once risked his life, his career and his business by protesting against the annulment of the June l993 presidential election and is the Founder/President of the ANAP Foundation, Founder/Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria PLC and a Member of the National Economic Management Team.

After I’d outlined my reservations about the National Conference above, I took a break to catch up on some reading and chanced upon an article that Peterside had written for another newspaper. And it gave me a lot of food for thought.

I still have grave doubts about the National Conference but Peterside made several valid points that have inspired me to be less opposed to it than I was before. And I think that some of his views deserve to be repeated here.

In response to those who insist that the National Conference is usurping the role of the National Assembly, he ac-

cused Federal lawmakers from all parties of greed, of paying themselves more than President Obama, of conspiring to conceal the massive benefits they gain from the Treasury “under various guises” and of being incapable of objectively recommending crucial reforms. “…Turkeys,” he scathingly pointed out, “will never vote for Christmas and nobody trusts the National Assembly to properly address issues like the huge cost of governance which threatens to strangulate the Nigerian economy over time…

He added that: “If the national polity is dysfunctional, it is because the National Assembly is an integral part of the problem…[and] the nation no longer expects progress on any serious piece of draft legislation, much less an altruistic constitutional amendment from them…”.

Peterside also lashed out at the “kleptomaniacs within the Executive arm” and at “corrupt judges” and assured them that: “Some of us aim to use this National Conference to build a grand coalition against all of you and what you stand for.”

Then he invited citizens who feel unrepresented or under-represented to reach out to him and other like-minded delegates who are genuinely concerned about all Nigerians, regardless of their social standing, religious affiliations or geographical origins.

Stirring words indeed! More grease to his elbow. If his type of mindset dominates the National Conference and strengthens the reformists hands, the N7 billion will have been well-spent.

VIEWPOINT NUMBER THREE A PDP Senator friend who wishes to remain nameless totally disagrees with me.

He thinks that the National Conference will be extremely effective, but not in the way the government expects it to be. Let

me paraphrase his argument: President Goodluck Jonathan thinks that the National Conference is a mega-smart move that will placate several disgruntled interest groups and have a cathartic effect on a general public that is sick and tired of the status quo.

Mr President should be applauded for his democratic instincts. But he is taking a huge and unnecessary risk because things are not likely to go as planned…in the sense that the whole exercise is likely to acquire a dangerous, divisive and uncontrollable life of its own and become more revolutionary than conciliatory.

According to my friend, the Jonathan Administration is not in good shape, thanks to factors such as five governors recently walking out on the ruling party and widespread complaints about NNPC’s poor stewardship of oil revenues.

According to my friend, Mr President should therefore have avoided a high-profile grievance-articulating scenario in which his personal shortcomings and government’s failures are likely to be humiliatingly highlighted to the point where most onlookers will conclude that he should be booted out in 2015. *I would love to know which of these three viewpoints Vanguard readers agree with.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 IT is obvious the Nigerian economy is in a precarious situation. Is it anything new?

Even oil theft, and the unclear accounts of oil receipts, coupled with corruption that are speedily draining resources available to governments, are not new.

Nigerians do not need a warning from outsiders to know that an economy founded on one product, the proceeds of which are wantonly stolen, is doomed.

Years of contemplating what to do with the economy has not thrown up solutions that governments are willing to implement.

Every government’s interest is limited to resources it immediately needs for its projects, most of which are short-term.

A May 2013 World Bank’s Nigeria Economic Report noted that, “Despite the recovery in oil prices, Nigeria expanded its fiscal stimulus significantly, increasing consolidated spending by an estimated 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and drawing down the remaining balance of the Excess Crude Account at the same time that many other oil exporters were building back their reserves.”

Nigeria Without Oil Thef ts Thefts Nigerians see it differently. While the World Bank worries about Nigeria’s ability to meet its international obligations, Nigerians are bothered that their country has no plans to create an economy away from oil.

All the talks about diversifying the economy, some dating more than 40 years, have remained talks, recycled the same way they recycle politicians for appointments, some dating almost that far back.

The saddest aspect of the patch Nigeria is passing through is that once oil revenues climb to levels that can fund budgets, managers of the economy would happily return to their spending sprees.

Oil accounting for 95 per cent of exports and 75 per cent of consolidated budgetary

revenues in Nigeria, is a bigger danger than the volatility of oil prices and thieves who are exploiting weaknesses in the oil production chain.

The end of oil theft, which some see as the elixir to the economy, misses the point again about the importance of the future. Stable oil prices serve the West’s interests. A stable Nigerian economy, with a broad manufacturing base to serve Nigerians would not benefit from the West’s help, which wants Nigeria to be a net importer.

Nigerian authorities should be planning an economy above oil thefts. The only way that would be possible is by diversifying the economy. Oil would still be useful by providing the resources to redirect the economy.

The current practice of consuming all the money the country makes each budget season is another version of oil theft. Indifference to the future is new slavery awaiting Nigerians. Our governments owe us a responsibility to rescue Nigerians from that blight instead of rejoicing that oil theft is ending.

OPINION

BY ONOTHOJA UTOBORE

O

VER the last few weeks I have seen increasing claims and calls by Ndokwa leaders agitating for power shift to Delta North and at the same time calling that the next governor should under the powershift arrangement come from Ndokwa land of Delta North.

Ndokwa leaders like Chief Paul Enebeli and General Philip Onyekweli have both came out strongly for Ndokwa people to be allowed to govern the state. What is their ground for this posture? They cite amongst other reasons the location of Ndokwa land, the cultural affinity and the oil and gas producing status of Ndokwa land as justifications.

Comments by Chief Paul Enebeli, the president of Ndokwa National Union, NNU, in marketing Ndokwa as representing the best location for Deltans to consider the governorship of the state, goes like this: “Ndokwa epitomises all the ethnic nationalities in Delta North, that is why it is a peace centre. It is not against the interest of Delta North. If anything, the interest of Ndokwa for the governorship is positive for Delta North because there is not going to be the fear of marginalisation by any group.

"When you vote any Ndokwa person to be governor of Delta state, you have peace of mind. Without peace, there

C M Y K

Is Ndokw a the best place ffor or Delta 20 15 go ship?

Ndokwa 2015 govvernor ernorship? cannot be progress. Ndokwa people are the fairest people you can have in the whole universe. I just want to assure Deltans that once you give an Ndokwa person the governorship, they can go home and sleep.”

Considering the peculiarity of Delta State, the ethnic configuration, the politics of oil production and location of capital city, it can be understood why Chief Enebeli would seek to position his ethnic place as the best place to have the governorship. It is obvious that Ndokwa has the distinctive characteristic of being positioned such that it has linkages with most parts of the other ethnic enclaves. It is Igbo speaking, but an Igbo speaking that the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos and Isokos inter-marry and relate to. It is oil producing as well. Not in the same quantity as others but enough to constitute an income stream into the state revenue, something others in the Delta North may not have.

I was also able to read another interview by another prominent Ndokwa leader, former provost of Nigerian Army, General Philip Onyekweli, who spoke in similar vein and perhaps the only additional point he made, if you look at it, was to canvass marginalisation of Ndokwa people. His comments goes like this:

“The Ndokwa people have not been given the opportunity to govern the state, to provide leadership for the state. We think we are qualified. We think that nature has made it in such way that the old Aboh division is in the middle of all ethnic groups in the state. We live together, inter-married and our culture is the same with that of Isoko, Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaws. So you see how Ndokwa people connect with other areas and the Ika is our next neighbor.”

Obviously, General Onyekweli’s point if you interpret it seems to be saying to the effect that we are naturally located to be centre of the state but we have always lost out. We do not have capital as we should naturally have by the location of Ndokwa area. We have what some of our neighbours have—read oil—we share a lot in common with them and because this has happened over time, we believe we have earned everyone’s trust to be considered for this which is why they trust us to intermarry with us.

Instructively in the interviews that were published in The Nation and Vanguard, both leaders insist they are not backing anyone but will encourage any Ndokwa son and daughter to run and that they are giving them their blessings.

Since reading these interviews, I have made some efforts to test these theories with friends and associates across the different divides of Delta State. Without wishing to mention names or ethnic origins of those I spoke with, it is obvious that the postures of these leaders are generating interesting responses. While some people are sympathetic, viewing it as a good position and should be supported because the Ndokwa people have suffered, others fear that Ndokwa leaders’ kind of politics will divide Delta North and can even sabotage powershift. One person in particular dismissed their position by saying: "We knew that Ndokwas have never accepted they are Igbos. They are more aligned with the people from the other zones than with us. We know they will sell us out eventually".

Comments like this gave one some feeling of the undercurrents in Delta polity as 2015 approaches. The Ndokwa leaders' position is interesting and can either be a deal maker or deal breaker in the convoluted politics of Delta State.

Time will tell whether this is smart politics. *Mr. Utobore, a political analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014— —19

,

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

T

HE need for a national conference to address all the nagging issues and the attendant problems or challenges confronting this nation in order to avert the collapse of the country seems clear to all now.

While many see the conference as an opportunity to correct the ethnic imbalance threatening our existence as a nation, many others see it as an opportunity to redraft our legal basis to continue as a nation. The variety of clamours for changes in the delegates and representatives at the conference from too many quarters, confirm that it cannot all be just for the good of the people they claim to be fighting for. Some simply want to line their pockets with Naira from the Confab, and why not? Who would not want to pick up about N4.0million with all the honour and dignity of being a representative of the people at such an epoch-making gathering.

However, the super-importance of this conference underscores the reason why the FG must painstakingly address the complaints and cries for justice and fairness in the representation formula at the conference,

bearing in mind that some may want to come to the conference just to stall it! This conference must therefore succeed, unlike the past two that failed because of the motive of their conveners at that time. While General Sani Abacha’s conference was essentially to achieve his perpetuation in power, that of OBJ was aimed at his third term ambition, hence the two crashed.

With the expiration of the Lord Lugard’s 1914 Amalgamation Treaty last year, GEJ must do everything in his power to ensure the success of this national conference in order to give the North and the South of Nigeria, the basis to continue to exist in a peaceful and prosperous nation.

Why did I say a prosperous nation with all our woes? Yes, because to exist for over 43 years without a war in a country like this is prosperous for those of us who saw and lived in Biafra as children. Many of our leaders who beat the drums of war and try to intimidate us at every corner, and whenever they feel they are not getting what they want, do so because they never really saw or experienced the pains war inflict on the vulnerable like women and

,

children. Any man from Umuahia to Borno, and from Sokoto to Abakaliki, who sees war, bloodshed, insurgency as a means of power negotiation is an enemy of the Nigerian people. This is why this conference is key, and is also why the South Easterners (Ndigbo) must do everything possible to sink their differences and come to the conference with a unified bold position. They bore and are still bearing the brunt of that wicked and heartless, genocidal, fratricidal war against poor innocent persons.

T

hat Ndigbo were not completely wiped out in that war was because God was on their side, and they owe God that duty to see that this Conference and the unity of this nation is preserved.

RIGHT OF REPLY

Saraki: Kawu Modibbo's fantasy

BY ABDLKADIR BOLAKALE

P

UBLIC commentators are remarkably good listeners, great learners and very humble species. Usually driven by objectivity and never assuming to know everything, the public commentator will never dabble into a matter where he or she is bereft of the basic facts. Instructively, anytime there is a strong reason to doubt, their unmistakable traits of humility and readiness to learn come into play. Invariably, this helps in asking the right questions and treating the information so obtained, sacredly. Obviously, it is this very part that separates a thorough-bred journalist from a mercenary, paid to rein-in someone, good or bad.

Graciously, the media anywhere in the world knows its own, including when an opinion is aimed at defacing the facts of a matter. While many, out of personal choice and conviction, will not compromise their integrity for filthy lucre, it is not in doubt that a few public commentators have achieved legendary status doing such dirty jobs. After reading Isaq Kawu Modibbo’s opinion of Thursday March 6, 2014, in the Vanguard newspaper, last week, I can only but sympathise with him. The opinion showed how lowly in reasoning and the extent hate, especially for the Sarakis and the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in Kwara, has driven him to the cliff of insanity.

More than anything else, it exposed his mental state and the havocs the gourmand spirit has done to his sense of objectivity.

For, anyone who has followed Kwara politics right from the days of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, the Waziri of Ilorin, whose openness and generosity earned him tremendous goodwill and support, to today, would easily notice Modibbo’s hideous hypocrisy and economy of facts and figures. Curiously, despite the fact that even the blind can easily decipher that Modibbo shoulders the C M Y K

discomfort of a jaundiced mind, he still expects people to trust and believe him to know what he is saying.

Ordinarily, one would have ignored him knowing that such lies hardly stand the test of time, but for the danger of misleading unsuspecting persons. This explains why I have found this exercise necessary as well as expedient, particularly in the face of his sheer delusion and reckless audacity to dress falsehood in a saintly garb.

Really, it cuts like a knife that Modibbo could queue behind men who are short of their bests; men who have rabid taste for greed and treachery, but contempt for people-focused policies and accountability, to attack the person of Dr Bukola Saraki, who as governor of Kwara State, singlehandedly opened up and built the solid foundation that has engendered development in the state at all levels, today.

Though Modibbo’s behaviour is remotely an affliction of those on a vengeance mission, one would have expected him to dignify his medium and the characters he is defending by separating facts from fiction, as well as do well to balance his arguments with facts that are verifiable.

Indeed, that Modibbo did not see anything wrong with a band of politicians, a government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that have combined to maroon the nation in poverty and hopelessness, wanting to continue ruling the nation shows his pitiable poor reading of the mood in Nigeria.

In the last four years, the image of Nigeria has been on a free fall, following the lack of willpower to address head-on, the growing corrupt practices of government officials, accounting for the bestial treatment of Nigerians abroad and discontent in the land.

It is even worse to think that President Goodluck Jonathan, who surrounded himself with oldies, tired and over-recycled

,

2014 National Confab, the new opportunity

Ndigbo must rise and give all they can muster to safeguard the unity and peace of this country, for they have more at stake, and this conference offers them and others an opportunity

Ndigbo must seize this opportunity and every subsequent one in the future to chart an acceptable destiny in Nigeria for their people.

The reasons are simple: Without provoking any one, they started killing us in the North in 1966, and when we decided to go our own way, they descended on us like a ton of bricks. For three solid years, we were hunted down like forest rats and rabbits and killed in millions, and were subsequently defeated and dragged back into their Nigeria.

They said it was no victor and no vanquished; we had no choice, and we lived and started our struggles till this date, and having accepted this Nigeria as ours, no one should be allowed to dictate to us how we shall fare in this nation after over 43 years.

Ndigbo must rise and give all they can muster to safeguard the unity and peace of this country, for they have more at stake, and this conference offers them and others an opportunity. The discordant voices from Ndigbo on their position must be harmonised now because as we say, a man who makes haste avoids disaster.

This conference will offer Nigerians the opportunity to tackle headlong, the four tormenting horns of this nation, namely elections and power sharing, security, and corruption.

The first two will use the last to destroy this nation if we do not tell ourselves the truth and shame the devil. Oil has become like the opium of the Nigerian leadership. Everyone from the

Modibbo lacked a sense of history to know how the average Kwarans behave, to delude himself into interpreting the presence of those who came to have a glimpse of the President to mean endorsement

,

men and women, who are part of the morass the nation has been battling with, and who, after three years in office, is yet to have a clue where he is taking the country to, holds a passionate attraction to Modibbo. This, perhaps, is why I took pity on Modibbo after reading his article.

For, if the PDP leadership in Abuja, yes, Abuja, since PDP is dead in Kwara, had the ability to make things happen or were convinced that they posed any threat to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State, the party would not need a rally where the President, the Senate President and all hangers-on, would abandon urgent matters of national interest, including but not limited to the growing unemployment, massacre of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram, and corruption, among others, looking it directly in the face, to be in Kwara.

It all attests to the reason things are bizarrely bad at the federal level.

K

warans are peace-loving people and will not welcome the rascality of imposition common in PDP. Regrettably, Modibbo lacked a good sense of history to know how the average Kwarans and by extension, Nigerians behave, to delude himself into interpreting the presence of those who came to have a glimpse of the President to mean endorsement. Curiously, he forgot, too, that

governors, representatives, to the common criminal in the Niger Delta creeks, is angling to share from the oil money with the only difference being in their chosen methods. It is time to consider at this conference the breakup of the NNPC into a minimum of three organisations to address the multiple interests of the zones constituting this country as well as exploiting the resources in the illegal refineries that exist in the Niger Delta region to the advantage of this country.

The Conference should help us to address the issue of national security from the standpoint of the state police, to ensure the use of home grown security arrangement, apparatus and systems. Nigerians must be assured of the safety of their property and investments in all parts of this country, especially in the North of Nigeria, with acceptable and adequate compensations for victims of communal and religious crisis.

The conference must produce an arrangement that will engender free and fair elections by curbing all variants of rigging in order to make them things of the past in no distant future. To curb corruption, all leaders and government agencies must be held accountable to the people.

The annual audit of every government department must be published for all to see. We surely need this conference.

*Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

no one would have resisted the band of cultural dancers that came in tow with the President and the Senate President, more so, when there were lots of pecks and monetary kickbacks for the over-hyped crowd most of whom were rented.

Probably, Modibbo was too blinded to forget that history has never recorded one case where the house owner left home because a stranger arrived through the back door. As always the case, it is the stranger who would try everything within his or her powers to win the friendship of the house owner, which was what the PDP did by bringing in leaders that are so disconnected from the people, to, for once, make them feel loved.

Yet no one is fooled, not even by the perfectly rehearsed and well-practiced legendary deceit craft put up by the PDP in the said rally. Not when it is still too fresh the hurried manner these individuals discarded with a bill and moves aimed at introducing a monthly stipend for the unemployed youths across the country.

Really, for those who know the PDP and its anti-people policies, that rally could be likened to a passenger arriving at the departure hall of an airport after the aircraft is airborne. The PDP delegation to Kwara State arrived too late, for, already Kwara people have made their choices. Not from the likes of Muhammed Dele Belgore who, nudged on by unbridled governorship ambition, abandoned ship to the PDP, or Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who would not care about what happens to the man, her own father of blessed memory, who gave her a political lifeline without having to put up a fight, or Bilikisu Gambari, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq or the late former Governor Lawal’s son, Abdulhakeem, all desperately seeking rehabilitation. Understandably, the PDP having the stomach for gangsterism, lawlessness and imposition, it was no surprise it opened its doors for these poor fellows, who would rather make war than wait patiently for their time.

Talk is cheap. Efficiency is not in words, but in action. Not in billboards but in how it directly affects the people.

*Mr. Bolakale, a public analyst, wrote from Ilorin, Kwara State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Church fire tragedy: How three worshippers died

BY OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

O

NE may be tempted to ask if the angel of mercy guarding the Mercyland Prayer Ministries, Alaro, Ibadan, was on another divine assignment the day a mystery fire suddenly issued from nowhere and killed three members of the church. Or could it be that prayers of the church were not enough?

These were some of the numerous questions on the lips of sympathisers who thronged the church on March 10, 2014, few hours after the fire tragedy.

Tears flowed freely from the eyes of residents in the area, including school pupils, when they saw the lifeless bodies of the victims waiting for evacuation.

When the trio decided to sleep in the church after service that day, they obviously had no premonition of their tragic demise.

Unfortunately, death came knocking around 2:00am in a painful way.

According to some residents in the area, the fire started from the back of the church and before those sleeping could wake up, thick and suffocating smoke had engulfed the whole building.

As at the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire was not yet clear. Some claimed that the fire started from a generating set, while

*The charred remains of the Mercyland Prayer Ministries, Alaro Ibadan after it was razed by an inferno. another account has that it started from the home of a fellow living behind the church. What is now left of the beautiful church is a mere rubble and burnt remains of sewing machines, drum sets, ceiling fans, plastic chairs, pulpit, and many other items.

Pathetically, a man who was identified as Big Daddy died in the process of trying to save others from the fiery furnace. After successfully rescuingsomepeople,hewentback to save others but ended up being consumed by the inferno. Some of the victims were burnt beyond

,

We buy arms fr om Camer oonfrom Cameroon--Nabbed Bauchi arms dealer

BY SUZAN EDEH, BAUCHI

B

ELLO Dankogol who hails from Kwalla village in Quan-Pan Locla Government Area of Plateau State probably thought he was a cat with nine lives. So when the opportunity came, he did not hesitate to make a sixth attempt at supplying arms to his clients in Plateau State. But he is now ruing that move as he ended up being arrested by the state security service based on intelligent report from the police and the military. This was on February 28, 2014.

On that fateful day of his arrest, VM gathered that Bello embarked on his usual trip of trafficking fire arms from a town called Gambari in Cameroun via Maiduguri/Bauchi road to Plateau State. Bello said most criminals purchase fire arms from Cameroun, in the border town as all manner of illegal business transactions take place in the country.

When asked how he was able to beat security checks, he said: “I neatly conceal the fire arms in a particular location of the boot of my car so that when I get to security check points, the security only check the surface

of the boot while some do not bother to check at all.”

According to the State Public Relation Officer of the Service, Kabiru Abdulsamad, the suspect, Bello was in possession of 15 AK 47 riffles when he was arrested in Bauchi metropolis.

He said: “The suspect concealed the fire arms in the boot of a Navy blue colour of Toyota Solara with registration number HM 605 EKY . We arrested the suspect during an initiated operation by the service and while conducting the search on his vehicle, it was discovered that the 15 AK 47 rifles were neatly concealed in the boot compartment.”

Kabiru disclosed that the suspect had supplied 47 AK47 rifles between July 2013 to January 2014 to members of his criminal groups. “The whole syndicate groups has been clamped down by the service but for security reasons, the details will not be disclosed since investigation is still on going,” he said.

The DSS spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he used to supply arms to criminal groups in Jos, adding that he t ransports the fire arms from

recognition.

About five persons ran outside and escaped. But two others, a woman and a 92-year-old man were not that lucky: They were said to have suffered stroke. Vanguard Metro gathered that the two of them had been ill for quite sometime.

Also, another pregnant woman, Mrs. Sade Oyediran who is the mother-in-law of the owner of the

Bello Dankogol with fire arms found in his car.

Gambari town in Republic of Cameroun via Maiduguri -Bauchi Road to Plateau State. “The suspect further confessed that this is the sixth time he was transporting fire arms from Maiduguri to Plateau state, “ he said.

He called on general public to support security operatives in its fight against criminal activities, saying that parading the suspect before newsmen is to make Nigerians know that crises rocking many parts of the country have nothing to do with religion or politics.

In his confession, Bello said that he was forced into trafficking arms because he was unemployed and had a family to cater for. He said even though he was still believing God for a child, he loved his wife and will go to any length to satisfy her needs.

He said the criminal group he works for pays him N100,000 for each successful operation..

Tears flowed freely from the eyes of residents in the area, including school pupils, when they saw the lifeless bodies of the victims waiting for evacuation

,

church, Pastor Joshua Oyediran, had swollen legs and could not move. It was a man called Damola who reportedly dragged and pulled her out to a safe place.

Speaking with VM, one of the pastors in the church, Pastor Akinrodolu Samuel Tope who joined the church about two years ago, said he was not around when the fire started but a member called him on phone to inform him.

He said: “I wasn’t in church.

Someone called me on phone and said the fire started from the back.

He said Big Daddy came out unhurt but because of the people who were trapped inside, he went

back to save them. We held a service here just yesterday.”

One of the survivors, Mrs. Sade Oyediran said: “I was sleeping.

When I woke up, I moved to the toilet and went back to bed. It was the noise of somebody shouting fire! fire!! that woke me up. I shouted but I could not move. By this time, I did not see anything again. Smoke had enveloped the whole church.

A man came and dragged me out to safety”.

Narrating how she got the bad news, the daughter of the owner of the church, Miss Comfort Oyediran, said her father was not around when the fire started. “My father was far away at the time the fire broke out. He came around 11 am today when we called him. He was not okay when he saw everything in ruins. In that trauma, the police took him away”.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Oyekunle Kareem, said at midnight, a distress call was made to them that “there was a fire incident at Alaro and we rushed there immediately. We put out the fire but three bodies were recovered.

Only the doctor can certify them dead”.When VM got to the scene, bodies of the burnt members of the church and a coffin were in the church. Scores of sympathisers, including school children, gathered in clusters discussing the incident.

When VM called the police for comments, the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Olabisi Ilobanafor, confirmed the incident and added that the police did not arrest Pastor Oyediran as claimed by his daughter but he was only invited for documentation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 21

Nigeria’s advertising expenditure for 2013 hits N125bn

By PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

T

HE Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN has disclosed that advertising expenditure for 2013 has grown to N125 billion from N91 billion in 2012, explaining that the figure represents advertising spent from the organised private sector alone.

The Association said that Nigeria’s economy can do better with sectors like the power, Agric, tourism and ICT operating at full potential, whilst the advertising industry is positioned for expected growth.

According to the association, the above figure was the advertising spend in 2013 from Television ad which amounted to N66,250billion, Radio N22,500billion, Outdoor N23,750billion and the press N23,500billion which totaled N125,000 billion.

The Chairman, Publicity Committee of AAAN, Dr. Celey Okogwu, made this disclosure at a press briefing which addressed major issues in the economy tagged: Advertising and the economy, with sub-heads, AAAN contribution to the national economy, and how the

conference will affect the advertising industry in Nigeria, as well as the Association’s nomination to the forthcoming National discourse.

The Chairman noted that there is a proven link between advertising and the economic growth of a country which, he

said will be the major focus of the association at the conference.

He said that the association’s business analysis projected that political campaigns in 2014 will greatly increase advertising spend, while the telecom and the banking

sectors are expected to increase over the last year’s figure, as a result of projected increase in the banking sector spend due to new banking regime and rebranding exercise.

He further pointed out that over N20 billion will be spent on political campaign, which may, however not pass through the organised private sector.

Okogwu also noted that the licensing of the new DISCO companies will increase advertising spend in the energy sector, while stating that Fast Moving Consumer Goods, FMCG and Small Medium Enterprise, SME. The association went on to project that the business outlook for 2014 portends some potential for practitioners and agencies.

•From Left: General Secretary,Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria(OAAN),Mr. Emmanuel Ajufo, Chairman Poster Award Committee, Mr. Kole Ademulegun, President of the Association, Mr. Charles Chijide and Vice President Alhaji. Lawal David Yaro during OAAN press briefing on 18th edition of Poster award held in Lagos.

Privatization: Standard Chartered Private Equity supports Nigeria, Zambia power sector

By PETER EGWUATU

S

TANDARD Chartered’s Private Equity Africa division support for Nigeria’s power sector and other African economies got a boost with the injection of USD57 million into Zambian Energy Corporation (“ZamEn”), the controlling shareholder of Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) Plc . This structured equity investment equates to an effective 25.8 per cent equity stake in CEC Plc. In a statement made available to Vanguard, the bank stated that its investment supports CECA’s pan-African expansion strategy, and is the first investment within the Bank’s USD2billion commitment to ‘Power Africa’,

a public-private sector partnership launched by US President Obama on his trip to Africa last year.

In Nigeria, CEC has already acquired a controlling interest in the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and a 20 per cent stake in the 600MW Shiroro hydro plant. Nigeria’s power privatisation initiative is expected to increase systemwide generation capacity and connectivity, while reducing costs and technical losses, thereby facilitating a selfsustaining power sector which supports Nigeria’s economic growth.

Michael Tarney, Managing Director for Corporate Development at CEC Plc commented, “Our success in Zambia has given us the

experience and capability to generate, transmit and distribute power in other African markets. We are excited about our two strategic acquisitions in Nigeria. Over time, we expect that the Abuja Disco will deliver consistent and reliable power to more than 750,000 customers in Nigeria. Capital investment of more than USD180 million is anticipated in the business plan covering our distribution operations in Abuja, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa States..

With Standard Chartered’s valuable support, we look forward to building significant business scale and delivering sustainable benefits to Nigeria’s economy.”

Diana Layfield, CEO Africa for Standard Chartered

reiterated, “This is our first contribution towards the Bank’s USD2 billion commitment to ‘Power Africa’ – a public-private partnership which is set to double Sub Saharan Africa’s access to electricity over the next 5 years. ‘Power Africa’ enables us to live our brand promise and be Here for good, making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals.

By financing the real economy, investing in the continent‘s infrastructure and supporting trade and its people, banks can really help transform Africa’s prospects.”

202.55

+0.75

3,025.00

+71.00

17.83

+0.16

97.92 -0.07 107.16 -0.86 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR YEN

154.74 155.24 258.6015 259.4371 215.9242 216.6219 177.6171 178.191 0.3087 0.3187 238.8749 240..4186 25.2158 25.2978 41.2585 41.3918 28.9261 29.0195 239.6304 240.4047 1.497 1.5022

155.75 260.2727 217.3196 178..191 0.3287 240.4186 25.3797 41.5251 29.113 241.179 1.507

CBN Exchange rate as at 13/03/2014

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Dangote Refinery to create more jobs via backward integration — CLARK

By PETER EGWUATU

T

HE Managing Director of Dangote Sugar Re finery (DSR) Plc, Mr. Graham Clark, has said that its company will stimulate rural economy of Nigeria through backward integration programme and create many jobs.

Speaking on the Lagos floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) during a bell ringing ceremony, Clark said the company is embarking on backward integration plan to reintroduce sugar production to Nigeria and ultimately to make the product sufficient in the market.

“We will increase our capacity significantly. It will enable us reach our retail market easier. We are bringing agriculture back to the rural areas in order to remain as the largest commercial farmers in Africa. We will bring new skills to rural Nigeria and employ many people,” he said.

Clark, who has over 30 years of experience in African sugar industry promised to bring his experience to bear and ensure that DSR delivers better returns to shareholders in the years ahead.

In line with the backward integration programme of DSR, the company recently acquired farm machinery worth $35 mil-

lion from Panafrican Equipment.

According to Clark, “ The equipment acquisition, was in line with the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) of the Federal Government of Nigeria and National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

“This is yet another milestone in the Dangote Sugar journey

as we work towards the achievement of our strategic sugar master plan to produce 1.5 million metric tonnes of sugar per annum, locally.”

Dangote Sugar is actively pursuing a backward integration master plan with a target of producing a total of 1.5 million tons of sugar locally per annum.

The subsidiary, Savannah

Sugar Company Limited, Numan, Adamawa State is geared to meet this target.

Savannah Sugar is located on 32,000 hectares of land with a 50,000 MT/PA sugar production capacity. Currently, the company has 5,000 hectares on cane which is now being harvested for sugar production.

From left: Deputy Group Managing Director, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr. Abdullahi Sule; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Group Managing Director, Mr. Graham Clark and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Suleiman Yusuf, both of Dangote Sugar, on a courtesy visit to introduce the company’s new management and also ring the Trade Closing Bell at NSE.

ANALYSIS Transcorp: Delivering shareholders’ value

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

OR the first time since its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in 2007, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, Transcorp Plc, has indicated readiness to reward its loyal shareholders with gross dividends of N1.93 billion, which translates to five kobo per share for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The dividend, which is subject to shareholders’ approval at the next Annual General Meeting, has been receiving applause from the investing public. For the shareholders, who had waited through the capital market crash that nearly wiped out their investment, not just in Transcorp, but in the entire market, the dividend proposition and the amount to be paid is ‘a good start.’

Commenting on the dividend and the accompanying result for the year, Ambassador Olufemi Timothy, President, Renaissance Shareholders Association, hailed the company’s management for the decision, saying, “It is a good start; we thank God that at last, our investment is yielding returns.

Thanks to the Board and man-

agement. It is okay; it is a breakthrough.”

Olufemi, however, called for an increase in the amount to be paid in subsequent years.

Also, Gbadebo Olatokunbo, a founding member, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity, Association, said the take-over of majority shares in the company

by Tony Elumelu, was the tonic the company needed to pick up.

He said, “It wasn’t a surprise that it was unable to perform before now because it was established by the Federal Government with very good intention but was made to look and be like a government agency while it was administered or handed over to non-tested hands in business management.

“The positive changes came about with managers of business taking charge of the company and several good things were initiated. Though the result might take time to materilaise because positive changes require long time planning and execution, but for Transcorp, the sky is the limit.”

Transformation initiatives In the last one year, the management of Transcorp, chaired

by Mr. Tony Elumelu, has increased attempt at changing the

fortune of the company through adoption of some initiatives.

As part of efforts to accelerate the growth strategy, the company in 2013 undertook a rights issue to the existing shareholders of N13 billion, which was later over subscribed by 32.08 percent. The proceeds of the offer, according to rights circular, was meant to refinance the company’s investments in the acquisition of Ughelli Power Plc and deepen its play in the hospitality and oil and gas sectors.

Following the successful rights issue, it completed acquisition of the 1000MW capacity Ughelli Power Plc through its subsidiary – Transcorp Ughelli Power Ltd (TUPL) with a plan to raise output from the current 160MW to at least 1,500MW, over the next three to five years.

Also, during the year, it signed agreement with Hilton Worldwide, to commence the development of a 300 room five-star hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos, to complement the flagship Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. It also completed the acquisition of a site in Port Harcourt for the development of another 300 room five star hotel. The management agreement is expected to be signed in Q1, 2014, while construction will commence by the

second quarter. Additionally, it began the renovation and upgrade of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Nigeria’s premier fivestar hotel, a project that would see the addition of a 5,000 seat capacity conference facility and 200 serviced luxury apartments to the hotel. The TeragroBenfruit plant in Makurdi, Benue State, which commenced operation two years, received the ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) and FSSC 22000:2005, thereby reinforcing the quality standard, while it continued to develop its oil and gas strategy, with our existing oil block, OPL 281, expected to begin production before the end of 2014.

2013 financial statement Transcorp ended the year 2013 with revenue growth of 42 percent to N18.8 billion from N13.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2012. Profits before tax rose by 129 percent from N3.9 billion in 2012 to N9.0 billion in 2013.

Profit after tax rose to N6.957 in comparison to N2.527 billion achieved in 2012, while earning per share for the period rose to 12.17kobo from 4.04kobo in equivalent period of 2012. Total assets grew to N149.464 billion as against N99.557 billion.

Vitafoam pays N245m dividend, laments harsh operating environment

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

V

ITAFOAM Nigeria Plc has declared N245 million dividend for the financial year ended December 2013. just as it decried harsh operating environment for the year under review. The total dividend payment translates to 30 kobo per share.

Speaking at the Vitafoam 52nd Annual General Meeting in Lagos, Chairman of the company, Dr. Bamidele Makanjuola, said that high cost of funds was a major bottleneck to the profitability of its business in the year.

Makanjuola explained that the company’s reliance on short term facilities to fund raw materials procurement and other expansion projects amid a high interest regime, exerted pressure on its profit margin, coupled with the impact of other vagaries such as soaring global oil prices and foreign exchange rates, made the year challenging as year on year growth fell short of target.

According to him “ Business remained resilient and continues to offer promises for growth and our expansion goals are tailored to position your company to take advantage of the emerging opportunities. The main thrust is to diversify operations into other areas that are potentially lucrative and less vulnerable to extraneous factors while reinforcing our position in the industry through innovation.”

Continuing, he said “Most half a decade after a crippling global financial crisis, the Nigerian economy has slowly recovered but conspicuously fell short of its medium term potential.

“For Nigeria to achieve vision 2020 objectives, government at all levels must rise above rhetoric. If the truth must be told, the country’s quest to join the league of industrial economies in the near term will remain an illusion unless a focused programme of action is developed and dutifully implemented.”

Meanwhile, the company’s turnover increased from N14.1 billion in 2011, 2012 to N15.6 billion in the year under review. Operating profit experienced a decline from Nl ,35 billion in 2011, 12 to Nl .30 billion in 2012, 2013 while profit after tax similarly reduced from N562 million in 2011/2012 to N414 million in 2012/2013.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 23

W

ith over 40 years experience in agriculture with special interest in animal husbandry, Alhaji Isa Tafida Mafindi, Yerimam Muri, has finally set up an abattoir of an international standard in Abuja.

In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, Mafindi who is the CEO, Famag-jal, discloses that a documentary on a foreign media on how meat processing was badly handled in Nigeria gave rise to the idea of the state of the art abattoir. Excerpts: On what gave rise to the idea of a modern abattoir It began after after watching a very nasty program on Al Jazeerah on how bad we are doing in the world in processing meat. In the documentary, they were airing the state of abattoir in some states in Nigeria, including Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja and Enugu.

They were making mockery of the hygiene of the meat we consume. They said we have the best of cattle and every resource, but the general hygiene of our meat was appalling.

We were rated zero in terms of condition under which we produce this meat for consumption. I was really touched, and an idea occurred to me that instead of selling my cattle all the time to butchers, why can’t I also come up with something like a modern slaughter house where the quality of our meat can be appreciated?

So, I decided to set an example since I know the way of producing animals and growing them to a very high level, so I decided to key into the federal ministry of agriculture’s livestock value chain. Under the value chain, you grow the cattle, kill, and process in the north and move

Why we need investment in livestock sector — MAFINDI them to anywhere else in Nigeria.

Instead of loading the cattle in trailers, with the animals suffering all the bad weather, check points among others, we just process the meat here into high quality beef and other addictives before moving them to other parts of the country.

On challenges of a modern cattle farmer One of my challenges is modality. As people are increasing in number in Nigeria, the fallow grass reserve is being reduced. So we have to get land and plant grass, harvest the grass and settle our cattle in one place.

Another one is modernising the cattle by bringing across breeds from different countries like Brazil, Australian.

Lack of infrastructure challenge is also there in terms of power and roads from our farm to the market place.

You have to become a veterinary doctor or engage the services of one at a cut throat price and you are not even certain of the medicine you use, because of lack of standardization. So, in short, developing livestock and developing meat industry is not different from developing every industry in Nigeria.

So, everything is not in favour of developing an industry and yet, you are expected to employ workers and pay taxes to the authorities.

On funding We borrowed from banks. We

•Tafida Mafindi are into rural mobilisation. We entered into agreement with First Bank whereby soft loans are given to farmers like N500, 000, and then we manage the money for them.

This allows the farmers to expand their farms.

We monitor them to get the right equipment, the right crops to plant, we monitor them till harvest and we help them to store, also market

their products and pay the bank loans. When we started, there were people who started with N500, 000. Today, they are worth over N10 million. It all depends on individual effort; because we are moving with the trend.

Through the programme, some farmers upgraded to commercial agriculture. Then, with that status, we went to the First Bank, got some

Rice duty: Operators laud NASS’ inter vention R

ice dealers in the country have expressed satisfaction over the National Assembly intervention on the lingering rice duty, stating that the development will no doubt augur well for the nation’s quest towards selfsufficiency in food.

Congregating under the auspices of Rice Millers, Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RiMIDAN), they said the recent meeting with the House Committee on the current duty of $190 per metric ton of imported rice.

The committee intervention is with the hope to review it downwards which would definitely boost the sector. In a statement by Secretary General of RiMIDAN, Mr Tunji Owoeye. President of the association maintained that any downward review of import duty on rice would facilitate both the Backward Integration Policy as well as the C M Y K

agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government and National Assembly . The association have therefore pledged to key in to the Government’s efforts towards ensuring food sufficiency, eliminating smuggling of the products as well as creating adequate value chain for economic revitalisation.

RiMIDAN opined that government’s heeding to its call would be healthy to the nation’s seaports and check the influx of smuggled rice into the country. “ RMIDAN is thanking the House for wading into the lingering rice problems by inviting us for a presentation “ This is highly welcome development, though long overdue as the country has lost revenue of a whooping three million tonnes to Benin Republic which is smuggled into Nigeria,” he said Recently, the Federal Government gave approval for the implementation of the $190 duty per metric tonnes of rice,

following series of appeals by the dealers that the policy was driving most of their members out of business.

Over 20 vessels of legally imported rice were stuck at the high seas due to the high tariff. RiMIDAN has been collaborating with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the rice sector operates within a conducive business environment for the good of all. Early last year, the Government imposed a new tariff on imported rice ostensibly to cut down imports, estimated to be N1billion a day, encourage local production of the commodity and offer incentives for investors in the sector. However, the measure became counter-productive as the Government lost over N300 billion revenue due to high incidence of smuggling of the commodity into the country via the borders with the neighbouring countries.

money to put into our system, to build one of the largest abattoirs in Africa.

On the estimate of what it has taken to get the abattoir to where it is now Something that would have taken us six months since we opened the letter of credit to bring in the equipment.... In the port only, these equipments stayed for one year because there is no customs sub head for abattoir equipments , so they have to start to give you different cost and you challenge it.

So, it took us long time to get all the cool rooms in, because they were being classified by customs as fridges, you have to be charged at 30% when it is an agricultural item that is zero percent. Then the equipment, they thought you are assembling a vehicle instead of an abattoir.

So, in short, the challenges are real and it took us all these hurdles to reach where we are today.

On what he got from the ATA value chain When the ministry came up with the Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA), we were really clapping because if the value chain has taken off fully that means there will be value chains on crops like maize, guinea corn, sorghum , groundnut, cotton.

It means all the excess production of cotton, groundnuts, maize can be processed into livestock feeds which exactly are what we cried for, because today, if you want to get it, you don’t know where to get bulk of it.

But with the livestock, if there is a processing zone for production of groundnuts we know we have the groundnut cake and we have the groundnut leaves that can go into our livestock feed processing.

The same thing goes for sugar. If they develop full sugar production, we have the by-products as molasses, which goes into the livestock.

But today we are suffering, because we are going at par with the value chain as the value chain is starting and we are starting.But since we have a dynamic minister who is focus on seeing the value chain materialize, we hope very soon, it will come to pass and we are going to be the beneficiaries of other byproducts, but as at today, the condition is very difficult.

This is so, because there is no culture of processing left over, the farmers burn them up and they keep fighting cattle rearer, the cattle farms have not established permanent cattle breeding places that you can determine the history of a particular cow,

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

IKEJI FESTIVAL: A boost to Nigeria’s culture

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

I

n most villages in Nigeria, festivals are quite inevitable because they go a long way in entertaining and uniting the villagers. Some festivals, on the otherhand, have the capacity to draw attention from neighbouring villages or far beyond. One of such is the Ikeji festival.

Ikeji festival is an annual festival of all Aro towns spread alongside the South eastern part of Nigeria. Arondizougu autonomous community as it is called has the largest concentration of Aro settlers/ elements which makes her the preferred hub for propagating Aro culture and tradition.

Ikeji festival is however an annual home coming ceremony and gathering of the Aro descendants from home and abroad to give thanks to God for making them see a new year, Ikeji.

It is a long held tradition passed down through the ancestry of the Arondizougu clan emanating from Arochukwu in Abia state. It is an eight day festival of merriment and spectacular display of masquerades coming out in their glamour to thrill the ever teeming crowd that converge in the village to witness the occasion.

One of the masquerades is the ‘Pericoma’, a masquerade known for its acrobatic displays and prowess. It is multi-cultural, multi-racial and cuts across all gender.

Ikeji festival literally transforms the serene scene of village life to a commercial hub driving a swamp of tourists, researchers, fun seekers, businesses and brands to one location for eight days.

This time around, the Ikeji festival would be held in April, and a pre-festival gathering was held to this end. Speaking at the prefestival gathering, the spokespersons Mazi Christian Okoha Okoro, President General, Arondizuogu Patriotic Union and Mazi Chimezie Nwankwo, Secretary of town union, pointed out that Nigeria’s strong culture is one of the great attributes that has kept Nigeria strong, and they are committed to promoting Nigerian culture through the

Ikeji festival .

The first four days of the festival, the Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwo are also named after the four native market days of Igbo culture.

On the Eke day, everybody turns up in the market to buy and stock up their homes in preparation for the next day; Orie in which all the livestock bought on the Eke are killed and made ready for merriment and fasting on the Afor and

Nkwo respectively. The merriment and feasting spans the remaining four days as visitors and dwellers alike go about from home to home participating in the feast.

On each of the eight days, the masquerades come out and tour the village in a long procession of enthusiasts singing their praises as they thrill and put on spectacular displays. They later converge on the market square before

calling it a day but the merriment proceeds into the wee hours of the day.

Ikeji festival is a big time festival which is now gaining international attention and repute, which is has adequate security in place for lives and properties, and could also be a huge source of income from tourism if managed well.

Managing Director, Dees Travels, Olotu Oluwadaisi(left); Regional Manager, Emirates Airline; Senior Sales Executives, Emirates Airline; and Managing Director, Wakanow.com, Ekezie Obinna shortly before their departure for the Emirates Airlinesponsored familiarisation tour to Dubai and Singapore for their Outstanding Travel Agents award.

Tourism integral part of Delta beyond oil — UTUAMA

By CHARLES KUMOLU

D

elta State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, SAN, has said that the state government is determined to make the state a leading tourism destination in the country, adding that tourism is an integral part of expanding the economy of Delta State Beyond Oil. Prof. Utuama said this at Commissioning of the Enquiry Office of the Nelson Mandela Garden, Asaba International Airport, Asaba, describing the Mandela Garden as a fitting icing on the cake to mark the last birthday of the late great Icon, Nelson Mandela.

He noted that the Garden is partly a fulfilment of a life -long passion of tree planting and a contribution towards environmental preservation by Dr Newton Jibunoh, a renowned conservationist. The Deputy Governor added that “given the

adversity of climate change, preserving the environment is a duty we owe to all and the future generations.”

The state deputy governor urged every member of the public to seek information about the Garden from the enquiry office in order to achieve the overall multiple objectives of the Mandela Garden, adding that through the Garden, “Asaba has joined other prestigious cities like Washington, Johannesburg and London where they have Mandela Gardens”.

While commending Dr. Newton Jibunoh for his vision in initiating the project on the 95th birthday of Nelson Mandela when he was alive, he noted that the garden is a multipurpose facility that is designed to serve the recreational, tourism, educational, environmental and historical needs of mankind, and that it is a collaborative project of the Delta State Government and the Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE).

Emirates Connects Nigeria to A380 Network

L

agos, Nigeria, Emirates, which flies twice daily, direct from Lagos to Dubai, is offering its passengers from Nigeria a growing number of opportunities to connect to the world through its expanding fleet of A380 aircraft.

The airline now has 45 of the world’s largest passenger planes, which have 517 seats: 14 seats in First Class, 76 seats in Business Class and 427 seats in Economy Class.This means that passengers from Nigeria can connect through Emirates’ dedicated A380 terminal in Dubai to 25 destinations from Auckland to Zurich that is served by the A380.

“The A380 is a truly remarkable aircraft and is a travel experience in its own right. Since Emirates began flying to Nigeria ten years ago, customers here have been able to link into a growing network of cities served by the A380, while making overseas trips as exciting and fun as the final destinations,” said Emirates Country Manager for Nigeria, Mr. Manoj Nair. “Our customers love the A380 - from the quieter cabins and spacious layout on the main deck, to the on-board lounge and shower spas in our premium cabins. It is a beautiful aircraft which we have packed full of the best inflight comforts and products.

Lufthansa presents premium economy class

L

ufthansa’s new Premium Economy Class was presented to industry experts at the just concluded ITB 2014 in Berlin. The new travel class seats which are initially on the Boeing 747-8 will gradually be fitted on the entire long-haul fleet within twelve months.

“Our Premium Economy Class will create a completely new travel experience that combines affordability with greater comfort. The seats offer up to 50 per cent more room than Economy Class and will position us in a premium segment within the international competitive environment,” said Jens Bischof, the Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board in charge of Sales, Product and Marketing, during the presentation.

The new product will enable Lufthansa to meet the requirements of many business and private passengers who travel with other airlines in a similar travel class or who fly Economy Class due to travel specifications.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—25

I N S I D E

Boko Haram may break this country — Eferakeya PAGE 26

Credible government and responsible opposition in a democratic environment PAGE 27

As Peter Obi leaves office PAGE 27

Boko Haram: Day Reps remembered massacred Yobe students, others •Say we’ve run out of excuses MEMBERS of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday suspended legislative duties and deliberated on the perennial killings by Boko Haram.

•House of Representatives in session

T

HEY had returned, somewhat rejuvenated, from a two-week break embarked upon to give accelerated attention to the 2014 Budget estimates.

Apparently, most of them had their minds on the usual legislative duties which also included the anticipated submission of reports by some committees that had concluded their budget defence exercises.

But lo, it was far from that. The Order Paper contained just a lone motion which was to be deliberated upon. And that was the recent massacre of over 59 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State and indeed other Nigerians by the Boko Haram Islamic Sect.

That was how most members of the House of Representatives reacted to the call by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal to suspend all other issues and dedicate the day to mourning the deceased and chart new ways of ending

terrorist attacks and insurgency against the Nigerian state.

Said Tambuwal: “It is to remember these innocent children and other victims of violence in this country, that the House has declared today “a day of mourning” to express our collective outrage on these killings that have gone on for too long.”

How it all started The session began when the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Mulikat Akande- Adeola moved a motion that the House should hold '''a Special Session to deliberate on the incessant killings and maiming of people and residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states by the Boko Haram insurgents.”

The motion which was seconded by Hon. Friday Itulah (Edo, PDP) then paved the way for the speaker.

Tambuwal’s moving speech In a moving speech, the Speaker while commending the

various committees that have been working assiduously on the budget, said that welcoming back members was rather on a sad note to him.

He condemned the brutish killing of the “ innocent” students and other victims, saying that it was on that note that the House had to dedicate the day to mourn the departed.

He said: “I welcome you back to the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives. In the last two weeks, various Committees of the House had been working assiduously on the 2014 Appropriation Bill. The House is grateful to the committees for their hard work and dedication. Our reunion at times like this has always been one of joy for accomplishment of a civic responsibility. However on this day it is with the greatest sense of anguish that I welcome you back.

“On February 25, 2014, the very day the House adjourned Plenary, Nigeria suffered a horrendous terrorist attack that

struck a fatal blow at the heart and soul of the Nigerian nation and desecrated values that decent people of all nations hold dear. On that night, about 59 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State were killed in the most heinous manner. Some of our future

,

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

heartless murderous bandits; when the lives of sleeping children are so callously snuffed out, it becomes clear that these agents of terror have murdered sleep and they henceforth deserve none.

“Whatever grievances the terrorists harbor against the government of Nigeria, Nigeria’s innocent children have nothing to do with it. Nigeria’s children bear no responsibility for either policy making or policy implementation in Nigeria. It is therefore an act of cowardice worthy of ringing condemnation to target the children, to strike at those who are not only innocent but are also unable to strike back or defend themselves. There can be no reason, no justification and no acceptable excuse for this act of mindless brutality. Whatever message the terrorists set out to send to the Nigerian government has been drowned out by the cries for justice by the blood of these innocent martyrs.”

An imaginary journey to Yobe Tambuwal evoked unprecedented emotion when at a point in his speech he took his colleagues on an imaginary journey to Yobe State to have a feel of the students at the verge of death.

“My dear colleagues, please travel with me on an imaginary journey to Federal Government College, Buni Yadi. Picture the scene as the terrorists creep into the hostels and the children begin to wake up one after the other, with their eyes heavy with sleep, each of them convinced that this is some nightmare. Picture the chaos in the rooms and the terror on the faces of the children as they watch the murderers attack

The Nigerian government must rise to the occasion. And by government I do not mean only the Executive. We in the Legislature are also part of government. And we cannot therefore merely join in the chorus of lamentations. Our duty is to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of the citizenry national leaders were mowed down in gruesome circumstances in their sleep.

Some were shot dead while many were burnt beyond recognition. That day was a day that will live in infamy in the history of this nation.

“When innocent, harmless and defenseless women and children become the targets of these

,

the first set of students, the ones nearest to the entrance, and the students begin to realize that what is happening is not a nightmare but a reality far harsher than any nightmare the mind of a child can construct.

“Hear the panic in the voices of the children as they begin to scream for help, from God, their Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Boko Haram may break this country — Eferakeya SENATOR Adego Eferakeya, a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Benin was in the Senate between 2007 to 2011, representing Delta Central Senatorial District. He is an APC stalwart in Delta State. In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke on sundry burning issues in Nigeria and Delta State. Excerpt:

BY GODWIN OGHRE

On the activities of insurgents in Nigeria?

Insurgents in the Niger Delta region were fighting for their rights before they were given amnesty by the Federal Government. I must tell you, however, that given amnesty to some of the youths, leaving others who do not want to carry arm, has far reaching implication. That was why it was not the original intention of President Yar‘Ardua to grant them amnesty.

When those of us who were Senators from South-South met the late President , I specifically pointed out the challenges of granting amnesty to him but he

Boko Haram will split this country.

What they want is their own country. But why should they slaughter innocent people for it? I believe there would be truce one day and they shall come together to state what they want. No war is settled in the battle field but in the house and on a round table.

On claims that the suspension by the CBN governor is politically motivated.

There is always politics in many things that happened in this country. As for the suspension of Sanusi, you have heard people say he is both in politics and banking. They have asked him to be involved in one - if he is in politics, let

,

What they want is their own country. But why should they slaughter innocent people for it? I believe there would be truce one day and they shall come together to state what they want. No war is settled in the battle field but in the house and on a round table was pressured to give it to them. Since then insurgency has not abated in the South South. As for the Boko Haram, I feel they are fighting guerrilla warfare.

They are not insurgents, their operation has shown that clearly. When President Jonathan was to give them amnesty, because they were guerrilla fighters, they did not show up and the President could not have granted amnesty to faceless people.

Again there is political undertone in this Boko Haram thing. Years back people made some sensitive statements which you, the press and I know. Those statements should not be taken for granted. At a point during the military regime, this country should have been made an Islamic country but God intervened and saved us all from it.

I advise them to sheathe their swords because the human carnage is too much. I must suggest that they should handle it properly to avoid civilian casualty.

Boko Haram activities have become inter-country affair rather than intra-country. If you were in the Senate at the time the amnesty was granted to the southern insurgents, you will know that the northern senators were not happy. Like some people say, if care is not taken,

,

him be there, if he wants to be in his banking profession, let

him be. He can’t be on both sides. If he was not getting involved too much in politics, which people do not want him to be, I don’t think he would have been suspended. The President who suspended him is a politician.

On leadership disagreement in Delta APC, like every other political party can have disagreement.

The important thing is that such disagreements are settled amicably. In APC, our disagreements are usually settled amicably. We have never had peculiar challenges, we are a united family.

On whether APC legislators could shut down as they were advised by their leaders, which they threatened recently What you need to arrive at a decision in the National Assembly is two thirds support.

So if the APC had two thirds majority in the National Assembly, they could halt the passage of the budget and since the government has a limit to the funds it can spend outside the permission of the National Assembly, it means that the National Assembly can

•Eferakeya: Confab too close 2015 elections shut down the government and APC lawmakers would have been able to do it. It is fund that sustains government, without fund, government is shut down.

On the forth coming National Conference For me, the timing of the National Conference is too close to the 2015 general election. People should think ahead in the way they plan.

Are they going to arrive at decisions and hang them somewhere? Will INEC not be

affected in some of the decisions they will take at the National Conference? The North and South dichotomy is there. The North has its agenda, the South also has its agenda. Recently the South has its meeting in Calabar; the North is also having its meetings, all with different agenda. I wish them good luck. I do not want to be pessimistic. I just hope that something good will come out of it. You know that the underlining factor in the conference is resource control.

Day Reps remembered massacred Yobe students, others Continues from page 25 parents or security. But no help will come tonight. Feel the unbearable horror of this night, and hear the fading cries of these children as they finally succumb to the murderous onslaught.

Finally, my dear colleagues imagine that it is your own child in the hostels at Buni Yadi on this hellish night,”he said.

Govt has no excuse to fail According to Tambuwal, it was no longer a time to apportion blames but a time to seek enduring solutions to the problems. Citing Section 14 of the Constitution, he warned that the Nigerian Government may not boast of any records of achievements if it fails in protecting the lives of the citizenry.

“Today is not a day to apportion blames. It is a day for the expression of our sense of personal and national loss. But it is also a day for us to look for concrete solutions. In my brief statement immediately after that attack, I warned that Nigeria is running out of excuses for our failure to live up to our responsibility to protect our citizens.

Today, I wish to amend that comment and declare that we have run out of excuses. We no longer have any excuse for our inability to protect our innocent defenseless children from gratuitous violence.

“In recent times, it seems the nation wakes up every morning to the sad news of one gory tale of bloodletting and killing of innocent Nigerians or another: in the North East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe; in the North Central states of Benue and Plateau; and in other parts of Nigeria.

“In Maiduguri for instance, expensive military aircraft and equipment and whole military barracks have been lost in addition to the loss of men and women of our Military and other law enforcement agencies. We wake up to the chilling news of the total annihilation of innocent, law abiding families and entire communities in the most callous, reprehensible and bizarre fashion. This cannot continue. We must rise up collectively and decisively to stop these orgy of deaths, destruction and waste.

“Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria provides that the security and welfare of our people is the primary purpose of government. In making this provision, the Constitution places a duty on all of us here and everyone else entrusted with the mandate of governance and representation to place a high premium on the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

By this parameter, the Nigerian government must rise to the occasion. And by government I do not mean only the Executive. We in the Legislature are also part of government. And we cannot therefore merely join in the chorus of lamentations. Our duty is to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of the citizenry.”

20 national security Resolutions The speaker also hinted that the House of Representatives since the inception of the current 7th Assembly had passed 20 resolutions on national security, amended the anti-terrorism law and appropriated monies for security agencies to strengthen the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country, regretting that despite all these

the killings have persisted.

“In the past, this House had initiated and supported all measures needed to combat terrorism in the Country.

Since active terrorism started manifesting itself, the House has taken the following steps: We have passed over 20 resolutions on the issue of national security.

We amended the Anti-terrorism Act, 2011 to strengthen the Security Agencies.

We have appropriated huge sums of money for the Security Agencies. “Only recently, January 30, 2014 the House in making its recommendations for Constitutional Amendment voted to include the National Security Agencies and the Nigerian Police on the First Line charge for purpose of ensuring their financial independence and timely release of funds when appropriated.

Way forward Articulating solutions on the matter, Tambuwal recommended an all-inclusive strategy which included a better equipped and motivated military personnel currently on the ground in the north east as a new approach that will pay off.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—27

T

HE general and acceptable meaning of Democracy anywhere is that of government of the people by the people for the people.This simple meaning has been elaborated to include the provision of good things of life for the greatest number of people and if possible, for all people.

In the Western World, especially in Britain, (our past colonial masters), the concept of Democracy has been ennobled by the art of multi-party system. This has bred the Government, the Opposition and the Independents – to be determined by periodic fair and just elections.

The party system enjoins a group of people (politicians in a party) to educate the people (electorate) on its programmes for governance. Any party favoured by the majority of the people forms the government of the day while the less favoured party becomes the Opposition, waiting for its own turn at the next opportunity. Simply put, the Government will always have its way and the Opposition, its say. This is the acceptable norm in any civilized and democratic environment.

However, in multi-racial states, a suitable political system could be made that the final results are based on percentages of votes received by each party for the purpose of sharing of offices. In such a situation, there is no room for “winnertake-all” mentality, which is a bane of all fragile democracies in many African countries, Nigeria not exempted.

Although, Democracy is deemed to have returned to Nigeria in 1999, the reality on ground (until recently) is that of absolute dominance of a single party, ruling at will, often with impunity. The tragedy of the democratic experience is that the first President, though apparently a born-again democrat, did not believe much in democratic principles, like multi-party system. To him, “multi-party bickering is definitely a luxury we cannot afford”, since the Greek who bestowed democracy did not decree the party system.

BY ZIGGY AZIKE

O

N March 17, 2014 a new Governor will be sworn into office in Anambra State, outgoing Governor Peter Obi would ordinarily have become history, but that won’t happen not in Anambra, not in Nigeria simply because by his incredible footprints Peter Obi has made history in governance nay politics in Nigeria. The norm is to praise people when they come into office; but this write up is a testimonial I could have titled it “Testimonial to Peter Obi.” As I write this, I am staring at a picture that was syndicated in several newspapers, it shows Governor Obi flanked by, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Suleiman Dikko, Archbishop Valerian Okeke of the Catholic Church and Archbishop Christian Efobi of the Anglican Church displaying blow-ups of Bank drafts in Billions of naira.

The picture was captioned “Obi presents N5 Billion cheques for continued rebuilding of Anambra schools.”

As a valedictory, the typical politician will be cleaning out, Peter is cleaning up, Peter is “sharing” money, Peter is commissioning projects after projects; Peter is working, Peter is finishing not just strong but powerfully strong. He is intimidating nay sayers by stellar delivery on democratic

Credible government and responsible opposition in a democratic environment The country, to many analysts, has become a one-party state with a strong central government and a cluster of economically weak states. It has become a country whose main economic pillar depends on the export of crude oil. The monthly allocations (part of oil revenue) to states by the Federal Government signifies overall supremacy of the central authority in what is supposed to be a federal system of government. The federal government, as the paymaster, dictates the political and economic tunes.

The dominance of a single party (PDP) in the politics of Nigeria has affected the progress of democracy and the formation of a virile opposition group until the recent appearance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has been swelled by the renegades from the ruling party.

The appearance of the Opposition (APC) has thus, brightened the hope and also deepened the practice of democracy in the country. However, the future and growth of democracy would depend on the maturity of the ruling party in allowing the opposition to thrive and also on the responsibility of the opposition to let the government rule in peace.

The present political situation seems to be in a flux, with each party issuing empty threats in a volatile dangerous

environment. There are terrible insurgency (war) in the North, armed robberies and kidnappings in the South, and general unemployment all over the country.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a general concern of the politicians only on the 2015 Elections ignited by INEC‘s untimely ‘time-table‘. Could any meaningful elections (in February 2015) be held when a part of the country is under a ‘War‘ situation and the electoral system itself, subject to some specific reforms? Many patriots believe, and justifiably so, that the pursuit of peace and prosperity is more important than the idea of the expensive and probably more dangerous experiment of 2015 elections.

Some of the invited guests to the Centenary Celebrations harped on ‘Unity‘ as the essential ingredient for the prosperity of Nigeria as the giant of Africa and that unity could only be achieved if all citizens deserve it.

It is not impossible for President Jonathan at this moment of insecurity and little ‘war‘ to call on all Nigerians to put politics aside and face the imminent danger that could affect the present political and economic stability of the country and its future prospects.

With the war situation in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, with the rest of the

country under siege by armed bandits and the freely roaming assassins, the rising rate of unemployment seems to be driving the agile youths into desperation and prostitution, something must be done, and fast too.

It has been noted in this column many times that when Britain was faced with grave economic crisis in the 1930s, it formed a National Government to save the British Pound. It has been noted that Nigeria‘s economic, political and security crisis are too complicated and complex to be left solely‘ in the hands of the ruling party.

Unfortunately, President Jonathan (perhaps because of political exigency) does not feel the passion for a truly national government in the reconstruction of his government. Old and seemingly tired hands are being recycled to join the motley crowd of political sycophants.

The motto seems to be: do little as much as possible in an atmosphere of conscientious mediocrity. To many, it is doubtful if many Nigerians at this moment have a sense of joy that a progressive government is in power. But President Jonathan could change that mood of political depression.

APC‘S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT As if to answer the charge that all political parties have no different political ideology or economic postulation, the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced its economic Blueprint last week.

The major thrust of its economic policy is Employment and Creation of Wealth.

While the methodology of achieving this is left to detailed analysis, one point remains striking, i.e. continuous payments to unemployed graduates after their Youth Service.

This is an innovation that should be widely supported. It is advisable and necessary for unemployed graduates after their Youth Service not to be left destitute before they gain employment.

As Peter Obi leaves office dividends.

After a battle to reclaim his mandate which took longer than three years, Peter Obi who won the election in 2003 only assumed office in 2006; he quickly settled down to business by first presenting a well packaged and visionary development plan called Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

This was his work plan.

In a nutshell, ANIDS was conceived and executed to service the entire gamut of socioeconomic life of the Anambra person; from physical infrastructure to services, education health, environment, agriculture, civics, and even moral orientation.

Anambra of 2006 lacked basics, no running water, no functional hospital, education in the doldrums, name it, if it elevated the man it was lacking or absent, save for an improved network of road by the Ngige administration Anambra had nothing to showcase in 2006. So Peter started from the basics.

It was this derelict and almost hopeless State that Peter Obi came to work. Male school enrolment was at the abyss when Obi became Governor. Obi set to work, today, tap water yes municipal water system runs in Onitsha; Anambra has the best

•Obi network of roads, Anambra is number one in national school enrolment, Anambra has UNICEF certified operational health system in several state general hospitals; Peter’s most novel and creative engagement is the strategic partnership with the churches who are now running their originally owned schools and hospitals with funds and logistics generously provided

by ANSG under Peter Obi. Anambra is not just work in progress, under Peter Obi, Anambra is working.

Peter Obi will leave a memorable legacy with the traditional institutions in his state

as he has respected them and catered for their welfare in a very dignifying manner.

As is very well known, Peter Obi’s political party is APGA; and in recognition of his outstanding service to the party, he was elevated to the status of National leader and Chairman Board of Trustees at the NEC meeting of the party on January 18, 2014.

Making him National Leader was a very good and logical decision by the party because Governor Obi has shown remarkable leadership qualities; he has been the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum for seven years and was Deputy Chairman of the NGF before trouble started; his political alliances with key political partners across party lines has protected and preserved the integrity of APGA. His background as a key player in the banking and economic circles of our nation has made his contribution as a member of the Presidential Economic Management Team invaluable.

A very successful and very wealthy man in his own right: don’t be deceived for one second by his simplicity and disdain for official protocol, Peter Obi is a thorough bred stallion, who belongs to the acme of high net

worth technocrats in key areas of our economy.

As Peter Obi leaves the Governorship seat of Anambra State it gladdens the heart to hear President Jonathan reassure that he will remain a member of the Economic Management Team; but Obi has far greater contributions to make to governance and political management in Nigeria both at the macro national level and the State level.

Hitherto Governors of non-oil producing States like Anambra (used to be) lamented that they could not develop their States because of the paucity of funds, Peter Obi has today made all such people liars; because, by revenue allocation from the Federation Account, Anambra ranks one of the lowest, but Peter Obi’s stellar achievement has earned him plaudits by even men whom we thought only relished in criticism; today such men like Archbishop J. V. A Obinna of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province who is the moral beacon of the South East celebrate Obi for the peerless achiever he is. So Obi has work to do after this office. * Chief Chibuzo Ziggy Azike, lawyer/politician, wrote from Lagos

28 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—29

Re: An elitist sermon

BY SEHINDE OMONIYI

L

AST Sunday March 2, 2014 editorial of The Nation newspapers with title: An Elitist Sermon, is yet another in the growing series of poorly thought out and betrayed emotions that is characterising the media in recent time and one that calls for an urgent transformation if the media is not to lose its historic place of value in Nigeria. The incident of that piece is further worsened when it is coming from a critical tool of the media which an editorial comment represents, the newspaper’s opinion; this

makes the situation at hand more worrisome and needing quickfix.

Describing the well thought-out and elaborate suggestions of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu and the Chief Executive of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Momoh as an elitist sermon can only paint a vivid picture of how ossified the editorial team of this newspaper may have become. What Messrs Yakubu and Momoh have done

so far is exactly what we have failed to see in our public service for a long time and which many Nigerians of good intentions have craved for in such a long time – that public servants should think out of the box and seek solutions to nagging national problems.

Castigating the suggestions made by these two respectable Nigerians that the nation should critically consider liquefied petroleum gas as an alternative to kerosene, only amounts to urging Nigeria to remain stuck to kerosene and the many years of abuse to which the commodity has been subjected to due to its

Gas...viable alternative to kerosine myriad uses. From that editorial, it is ironical that The Nation tion editorial fail to educate its which has remained critical to the readers, instead of embarking on huge amount expended on ker- a vindictive mission on the perosene subsidy over the years (re- sons of the leadership of the member that this newspaper ded- NNPC and PPMC, that Nigeria icated five days of its editorial with its huge reserve of 187tcf of comments on this subject last De- gas ranks the lowest in per capita cember), would be LPG consumption standing at a the one opposed to mere 1.1kg among African naan alternative to tions! If this huge wastage does not put any public office holder kerosene. in the capacity of Messrs YakuSimply put, the bu and Momoh thinking consid‘pull him down’ ering the enormous amount the syndrome that has country spend on subsidy for become characteris- kerosene, then they are not worth tic of contemporary occupying those offices. media practice in Consumed by the sentiment the country has eaten so deep that an that has coloured the thinking of editorial that is sup- managers of The Nation’s editoposed to enlighten rial since the sudden outbursts readers of the ad- over the bogus claims of missing vantages and disad- petroleum funds, the newspaper vantages that this only ended up insulting the good suggested option people of Nigeria when it presents, turned out averred that fear of fire and cost to be an attack on as reasons LPG cannot be a viathe two men who ble substitute to kerosene. dared make a differ- Substitute ence where others before them have to kerosine failed. Whatever is That in itself is insult taken too the crime in asking far. At the present cost of keroNigerians to switch sene, how many Nigerian famito an option which lies spend less than N2,000 per the newspaper itself month for their cooking and what described as safer, difference in margin would that cleaner but only op- be even with the current price of posed to its current a 12kilogram of LPG which sells cost? for N3,200 for the same period One had expect- for kerosene that is heavily subed that what The sidised and LPG without Nation editorial subsidy? Considering the critishould seek in that cal roles of supply and demand, comment would the more Nigerians use LPG, have been on how chances are that even without best to mitigate the subsidising the commodity, its cost of the most ex- cost is most likely to drop pensive component sharply. What papers like The of LPG as of today Nation should canvas is a way in Nigeria, which is by which government at all levthe cylinder. As the els and politicians should museditorial pointed ter the political will to make the out, LPG is fast be- necessary sacrifices that will coming the cooking bring Nigeria to where it rightfuel of choice in fully belongs in adopting LPG as countries where it is cooking fuel. in abundant supply If citizens of Morocco, Brazil, like Brazil and Mo- Indonesia and Ghana can use rocco that it rightly LPG and they have not all been identified, so why consumed by fire, the suggestion would Nigeria with that fire incident is a good reaan estimated aver- son for staying hooked unto kerage production ca- osene is a hog-wash that must pacity of over 3 mil- not be tolerated by Nigerians. lion Metric Tonnes If the editorial team of The Naof LPG per annum tion must know, by 2012 alone, fail to explore this the consumption of LPG inready alternative to creased in the country by almost kerosene?

36.8 per cent within one year from Why did The Na- Continues on page 31

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—31

L-r: Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association; Mr Fela Bank-Olemoh, MD, Mediavision and Mrs Lolade Fadoju, Assistant Manager, Corporate and External affairs, GTBank at the Season 5 GTBank Principals Cup 2014 Annual draw held in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

Re: An elitist sermon Continues from page 29

125,000MT to 171,000MT and the figure for 2013 shows that more than 250,000MT was consumed. These figures clearly indicate that consumption of cooking gas (LPG) in Nigeria has more than doubled its demand five years ago. Therefore, there could not have been a more pragmatic solution to the present wasteful insistence on kerosene than the suggestion for LPG made by the headship of NNPC and PPMC before the House of Representative Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), recently.

As the newspaper pointed out itself, “The fact is that deliberate government policies account significantly for the much progress made in countries like Brazil and Morocco, where LPG consumption is high”; the only impediment to this transition is only government to muster the necessary political will for change.

Except if as a nation, we have concluded that our

government at all levels are incapable of mustering this much needed political will to effect change, otherwise if the countries identified above have achieved between 54 million population usage (Indonesia) and 56 million population usage (Brazil), why would it be impossible for Nigeria to achieve?

Only cynic opinions such as canvassed by The Nation editorial will make it an uphill task to make the sacrifices that could bring about such changes, that is if we really desire it. If and when editorials become critically objective, proffering workable and better alternatives without recourse to abusing the sensibilities of Nigerians because it wields the power of the pen, then we are nearer to solving our common national problems.

Let The Nation editorial team think up a better option otherwise, the way to go is what has been canvassed by those two gentlemen.

•Sehinde Omoniyi, a media professional writes from Abuja

Leventis Motors launches new models of JCB and FOTON

L

EVENTIS Motors has launched two new FOTON truck models and two new JCB Equipment in Lagos.

Leventis Motors is the authorized Dealer for Foton Trucks and JCB Equipment for PAN Nigerian with dedicated sales and after sales team and support facilities in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Benin, Port Harcourt, Aba, Kano and Kaduna.

JCB is one of the top three manufacturers of construction equipment and operates in six continents, and 150 countries with a full range of 300

models. It’s also having 22 factories in UK, USA, Germany, India and China.

At the occasion, Leventis Motors presented to the Nigerian market its new FotonDaimler Single Axle Tractor and the new 25 ton Tipper at its facilities in Apapa, Lagos.

In 2009 FOTON & Germany’s DAIMLER AG established a joint venture for the production of trucks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended the signing ceremony.

L-r: Chief Joseph Akpieyi, Chairman, Arco Meteorological Engineering Co; Mr Luke Anele, representing Group Managing Director, NNPC;n Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, FOC, Western Naval Commander, Apapa; Eng D Paul, Monitoring Manager, Nigerian Content Development Board and Mrs Julie Okoigun, Director, ARCO Metorological Engineering co during the commissioning of MV ARCO FCB 4 and MV ARCO FCB 5 at Naval Base, Off Ahmadu Bello way, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 33

My journey has been satisfying, frustrating...

— Keira Hewatch

Keira Hewatch, one of the ‘Lekki Wives’ hasn’t ridden to prominence in the movie industry on the back of a horse of chance, the beautiful, voluptuous actress has paid her dues,and what makes her stand out isn’t just her ebony beauty but her zest for life and depth in her ability to interpret roles.

Keira has shown what she can do in movies like Kajola, Two Brides and a Baby, Lekki Wives, among others. Here,she opens up on her journey so far and on what has helped her on the way. Excerpts:

By KEHINDE AJOSE

H

ow has your acting career been so far?

My acting career has been a journey; an experience, where I have learnt who I am as an actor; where I have evolved ,and grown into the artiste that I am now. It has been tough, exhilarating, frustrating, satisfying, sometimes a struggle, most times, triumphant and I am grateful for every single second I have lived to experience it. I have been truly blessed in what I do and I don’t have to complain. But don’t get me wrong, I complain a lot; about certain work situations and some of the things that are at the fringes and the mechanics with which the industry operate but I can never complain about the fact that I’m an actor!’Yes, I’m not where I want to be just yet, that will happen soon enough,but I’m not where I started from.

That’s saying something and I’m grateful about it.

Are you into acting for the money or for the pleasure?

I am in it for both. I am very passionate about my craft.

Passion is the only thing that can make a five-year-old decide on something and then pursue it as a twentysomething-year-old woman.

I am an entrepreneur, which means that I am also about C M Y K

the business Any successful person who says they went into their career solely because of the passion for their work is probably lying because when you love what you do, the best thing in the world is being able to be financially secured as a result of it. Sure, you can start out on something because you love it with a fierceness that defies everything else, but you are also hoping that you can pay your bills as well.

Tell us about your most challenging movie role?

I think that would be Kajola. First of all, it was a movie that flopped in the cinemas. Kajola was said to be a work of imitation; we were said to be aiming or shooting above our station,

trying to copy Hollywood , Instead of our people to encourage the unconventional film, they were out criticizing it. When Lekki Wives first came out, some Nigerians took to social media sites and tore us to shreds. We were copying Desperate Housewives, we were copying Hollywood reality shows, we weren’t original, and we were crap. They watched it, when it was released, and some of these people came back to apologise. For me, it was heartbreaking the reception I got for Kajola especially as it took such a toll on me physically, emotionally, and otherwise. It was challenging in a way I would’nt love to experience again. There are people who loved it and Continues on page 36

INSIDE Michelle Bello’s moments at AMVCA

•Keira Hewatch

How Flavour, Davido stole the show

Tech lessons from Apple’s Wozniack for Nigerian kids

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 35

36— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Synopsis When dreams fall apart

W

hen dreams fall apart is an intriguing story of love, betrayal, murder and pain.

It is a story about a girl on the run, to save her life. When her uncle whom she’s living with died, the death was framed on her so she ran away to stay with a group of friends who are into big time runs and …..

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK ABOUT LAST NIGHT ROBOCOP BESTMAN HOLIDAY BROTHER’S KEEPER DEEP INSIDE Exhibition Schedule from MAR, 14 — MAR, 20, 2014

My journey has been satisfying, frustrating... applauded our efforts after they saw it, but others who didn’t even bother to see it just narrow-mindedly trashed us because it didn’t look like a Hollywood sci-fi film. We will get there one day but we have to start from somewhere.

Whose advice has been instrumental to your career, and who gave it?

Over the years, I have received a lot of advice concerning my career. Sometimes some of them have been pointless, others, practically perfect! A few have stayed with me. My mum said to me once: ‘Always remember your beginnings, where you come from, who you are on the inside; keep those memories with you and you won’t stray,’ those words are held close to my heart. Kate Henshaw said to me the first time I ever met her: ‘keep your head up and work hard, be humble because your attitude will take you farther than just the talent alone. Never give in to pressure, no matter what and you will get there!’. My dear friend and producer, Blessing Egbe, said to me the year I met her: ‘Don’t try to be like anybody else! Be who you are and never pretend because you want to ‘fit in’ with the rest. People will take note because they will see the difference in you and will recognise that, as well as your talent!’. I’ve held these words dearly and I reflect upon them regularly. It’s a great way to pick myself up on a low day What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done to you?

A particular guy who was a contact on Facebook discovered I live on the street next to his. One day, he waited around and followed me to my house, of course, I didn’t realise he was following me because he stayed well back, but the gate-man saw him and asked why he was lurking about .I

heard about this a lot later in the evening of that day, and he began to gush to the gate-man that he was a big fan and he liked me and that he was crazy about me. The gate-man told him he was just plain crazy! I got scared about that a little. I moved a few months later.

Have you ever been heartbroken?

Yes! I have been heartbroken. Of course I have, I’m a human being. I know there are some people who may claim they’ve never experienced that. I just think that is weird. Seriously though, I think getting hurt helps you grow stronger and more mature emotionally, so that you can handle life and love and relationships better. It could be with the same person; it could be with a new person. Either way, what doesn’t kill you, can only make you stronger!

Isn’t that right?

What new projects are you working on in 2014?

This year, I have Lekki Wives, the new season is hitting DVD stands pretty soon! This second season is bigger and better! Lekki Wives just blew up and I’m so happy about all the rave it’s getting.

Also, I’m gearing up for the next instalment of Murder at Prime Suites. I also have some straight to DVD films coming out that should be hitting market stands very soon. One of it is titled ‘Ghetto Paradise’, I am actually looking forward to that film being released.

How do you handle negative comments on the social media?

I don’t bother reading them anymore.

Few years ago, I used to feel really bad if I read a comment about me that was derogatory and hurtful. Now I don’t give a hoot.

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND About last night : 2:15pm,4:15pm,6:35pm,8:35pm Deep Inside : 11:30am,4:20pm Robocop : 11:35am,1:50pm,4:05pm,6:25pm,8:45pm Brother’s Keeper : 12:40pm,6:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA The Nut Job : 10:40am,12:00pm,4:20pm When dreams fall apart : 10:40am,7:00pm Paranormal Activity : 8:25pm Apaye : 12:35pm Anchorman 2 : 6:05pm About last night : 1:45pm,6:30pm,8:35pm Labor Day : 9:00pm Robocop : 6:00pm Jack Ryan : 2:35pm 47 Ronin : 11:00am,1:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC When dreams fall apart : 2:10pm,6:10pm,8:10pm Paranormal Activity : 9:30pm Apaye : 6:00pm,8:00pm About last night : 12:20pm,2:30pm,4:50pm,7:10pm,9:25pm Deep Inside : 12:10pm,4:10pm, Robocop : 11:40pm,2:00pm,4:20pm,6:40pm,9:00pm Best Man Holiday : 1:00pm,3:30pm,5:50pm,8:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA When dreams fall apart 4:50pm,6:50pm Apaye ; 12:50pm2:50pm About last night : 12:30pm,2:30pm,4:40pm,6:40pm,8:40pm Robocop : 11:10am,1:30pm,3:50pm,6:10pm,8:30pm Brother’s Keeper : 8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT When dreams fall apart : 12:20pm,4:40pm,8:50pm Apaye : 12:50pm,4:50pm, About last night : 11:45pm,2:00pm,4:10pm,6:25pm,8:40pm Paranoia : 4:00pm,8:40pm Deep Inside : 2:50pm,6:55pm Robocop : 11:35am,1:55pm,4:15pm,6:35pm,8:55pm Brother’s Keeper : 8:50pm Best Man Holiday : 8:20pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, UYO When dreams fall apart :12:10pm,2:10pm4:10pm Apaye : 11:30am,3:00pm,7:00pm About last night : 12:05pm,2:25pm,4:40pm,6:55pm Jai Ho : 6:15pm Deep Inside : 1:00pm,5:00pm Robocop: 11:45am, 2:05pm,4:25pm,6:45pm Brother’s Keeper : 11:50am,2:15pm,4:30pm,6:40pm Paranoia : 12:00pm,2:10pm,4:35pm,6:50pm OZONE CINEMAS LAGOS The Nut Job : 10:00am,11:35pm, Paranormal Activity : 1:35pm,3:15pm Anchorman 2 : 11:50am, About last night : 2:00pm Robocop : 1:10pm Best Man Holiday : 10:15am FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, SURULERE About last night : 6:10pm,8:30pm The Nut Job : 10:20am,11:05am,12:45pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS, IBADAN About last night : 6:00pm (Mon-Thu),8:30pm The Nut Job : 10:35am,12:20,2:05pm FILM HOUSE CINEMAS,CALABAR About last night : 2:20pm,4:25pm,6:30pm,8:40pm The Nut Job : 12:35pm,2:55pm

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 37

AMVCA 2014: Inside story

OC Ukeje begs Genevieve Nnaji

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

of the night

Waje’s moment of fright C

ontrary to general belief that artistes always have their acts together during shows, beautiful singer, Waje confessed on Instagram how frightening her voice got at the AMVCA. Though most of the people in the audience didn’t know the diva was losing it but to her, it was a •Waje shocking moment that almost ruined her.

“On yesterday’s performance”, she wrote on Sunday “my voice was in a very bad condition, like really cracked. That’s how you know God’s singing through you”

F

AST-rising actor and winner of last year’s AMVCA Best actor award, OC Ukeje was visibly overwhelmed last weekend when he climbed the stage to present an award alongside Genevieve Nnaji at this year’s edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, which held at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Upon climbing the stage, Ukeje was on top of the world as he presented an award in the company of Geneiveve. He could not hide his feelings, as he muted, “I am here to present an award with Genevieve Nnaji.

Though, I have not been on a movie set with her before now.”

Immediately, Genevieve responded, “ You better watch out.”It was indeed, an ‘openrequest’ by the rising actor to star in the same film alongside the star actress.

Drama, as Mr Ibu, Monalisa present award at AMVCA

Majid Michel’s confession of love to Genevieve

I

I

T was drama, and fun filled moments at this year’s AMVCA. One of the dramas of the night that those who graced the occasion have not stopped talking about is what happened when John Okafor a.k.a Mr. Ibu and actress Monalisa Chinda were up to present the award for ‘Best Actress in a Yoruba movie’ as announced by Mr. Ibu. Somehow, what flashed on screen were the names of the nominees in the Hausa category, which got the audience mumbling in confusion.

The presenters, however, announced the winner as Mercy Aigbe without noticing the mistake or not knowing what to do after a typical Naija live ‘awkward moment’. Expectedly, John Okafor professionally switched to his ‘Mr Ibu’ alter-ego by saying “They gave us Yoruba’ which got the audience laughing their hearts out. Earlier, Mr. Ibu had accompanied Pawpaw, joined by Aki to receive his Best Actor in a comedy award.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

•OC Ukeje and Genny

N every big pond, there are big fishes and small fishes, and nobody reflects the cliche more vividly than Ghananian actor, Majid Michel who purred like a small kitten at the sight of all mighty, beautiful, mannequin-like Genevieve Nnaji.

All the star acts and ego about the actor melted like butter under the sun and he went all gooey and syrupy “ Red lipstick, rose petals, she was my Marilyn Monroe...i was her James Dean... never seen such magnificence in a Black Princess. I felt like love struck me on that night. I pray that love doesn’t strike twice. B***os got audacity to say they were like you” he poured out his heart on Instagram.

•Majid with Genevieve

How Flavour, Davido stole the show

H

•Pawpaw, Aki and Mr. Ibu

IGHLIFE exponent, Flavor N’abania was in his best elements during the awards night.

The ‘Ada Ada’ crooner performed some of his hit songs and, while the performance lasted, Flavour held his own and took the audience to another level with other hit songs such as “Asewo” and “Kirikata”.

Actresses, actors and other dignitaries at the event took to the floor, dancing, and singing

along with the hit maker. After his solo performance, he was treated to a thunderous applause as he walked off the stage. Also, thrilling the audience was Davido. He stormed the stage and started with his hit song ‘Skelewu’ backed by a live band. His performance was greeted with a standing ovation as the youthful singer jumped from end of the stage to another. But what got the audience reeling was his next track, ‘Aye,’ which is the latest hit song from the OBO exponent.

38— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

NGO offers free health screening for widows, distributes mosquito nets to aged

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI

F

ounder of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Hydra Edge Foundation, HEF, Mrs. Abiodun Opeifa, wife of Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has offered free medical screening for widows and the aged residents of Agege in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, LCDA. The NGO which recently, also distributed mosquito nets for patients in Orile-Agege General Hospitals, however, urged over 300 women in the community to undergo breast and cervical cancer screening regularly in their own interest.

Addressing hundreds of beneficiaries of the free health screening, Opeifa, who noted that the organisation was poised to make life better for the downtrodden and the neglected ones in the society, said apart from supporting the widows, the NGO was equally

THE TONE Testimony of Divine Grace reads like a work of fiction from the very first page, catapulting the unwary into scenarios thereby evocated. Its flavour is immediately reminiscent of literary works of that genre set in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, a period that represented a phase of our nation’s development that straddled the old and the new; the known and unknown worlds.

Little Raymond grows up in a rural, agrarian society in South-eastern Nigeria, where value was placed on western education, but not so much that it was regarded as being affordable. Schools were mainly missionary efforts, as they were in other parts of the country at the time.

To these humble beginnings, the first two chapters are devoted.

Those first two chapters were to set the tone for the rest of the book in more ways than one, most prominent of which is the unabashed honesty with which the author recounts events, conversations and even thoughts both involving himself and acquaintances throughout his lifetime.

Sometimes, he is a little too honest.

Later on ( page 133), he writes in his account of the Central Bank’s attack on Intercontinental Bank whose board he chaired: the fact remains that the CBN governor succeeded because our bank did have liquidity problems and there were questions about the mismanagement of the bank.

In addition, the author ’s trust and faith in the superiority of God’s plan

interested in the health of the downtrodden in the society.

According to her, most women die of preventable diseases because they lack the wherewithal to undergo health screening to enable them to detect their health challenges early enough, saying that the beneficiaries would also be advised accordingly after the screening.

She said:”The medical screening for the elderly people in the community. The screening is to diagnose the beneficiaries and advise them on what they are supposed to eat and what they are supposed to abstain from. The screening machine will detect anything that is abnormal in their body system. The secreening will also tell whether their cholesterol is

high or low. Their sugar intake will also be examined. They will be advised on the kind of medication they need should they found out they need any.

“It will be a regular thing. We started last year. It is a way of telling people out there that we are human being, cancer is real, once they detect some of these diseases early, it would help them in finding a lasting solution. The 1,000 mosquito nets were distributed in collaboration with Rotary Club of Agege. “ Several other programmes had also been held in different parts of the state by the NGO.

Speaking with Vanguard, one of the beneficiaries, Chief Shakirudeen Adelani, commended the NGO for the initiative, urging more NGOs to embark on peoples-oriented project to assist less privileged society.

While also appreciating the kind gesture, another beneficiary, Mrs. Shobodu Kayode stated: ”In this laudable initiative, we have been able to know some of the practices that are unsafe for our health. I used to take soft drink every night after my dinner. But the medical expert has just told me that it is dangerous to my health especially at the age 68".

BOOK REVIEW TITLE: TESTIMONY OF DIVINE GRACE AUTHOR: RAYMOND CHUKUGOZIE OBIERI GENRE: NON_FICTION (AUTOBIOGRAPHY) LENGTH: 256 REVIEWER: MORENIKE TAIRE STOCKERS LANTERNA BOOKSHOP is the thread that runs through the entire narrative, where his hopes of gaining grammar school admission were dashed for not presenting a birth certificate, an event which was to work out in his favour in the near future.

Raison D’être The story of Raymond Obieri’s life is of essence for more than one reason. By far the most obvious and acknowledged is that it is a proverbial grass-to-grace story, wherein the author rises from a rural, limited circumstance of life, to one of renown, privilege and honour.

Secondly, this rise does not come on a platter of gold, as the protagonist, it is recorded, has had his own share of disappointments, betrayals and tragedy. The author recalls in heart-wrenching accounts, the loss of his beloved younger brother, friend and first daughter.

The Relevance Obieri, as portrayed in the book, is as much a technocrat as an entrepreneur, a thinker as much as a doer; one of the Nigerians that made the transition effortless, from banking

of the colonial era to banking by Nigerians for Nigerians.

For the outsider to the financial world, the book is a peek into the fascinating processes which constitute banking and finance in Nigeria. A rare insight is afforded, in chapter 15, into the inner workings of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where Dr. Obieri was president from 2003, overseeing the largest share issue in its history following the

The book’s value as a documentary work is also enhanced by his description of how the Nigerian Civil War affected his career, and indeed, life on the whole

recapitalization of banks imposed by the former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo (page 117).

Another seemingly latent significance is the peek afforded by the book into a controversial and still contemporary episode in the Nigerian economy: government’s takeover of five Nigerian banks in 2008, spearheaded by Central Bank Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and which saw to the eventual acquisition of Intercontinental Bank by Access Bank in October 2011; a most tenuous period of our national life.

The book’s value as a documentary work is also enhanced by his description of how the Nigerian

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—39

Civil War affected his career, and indeed, life on the whole.

Socio-political Relevance Testimony of Divine Grace is as rich a social commentary as an exposition in the author’s idiosyncratic style of critique. One subject the book addresses in this subtle way is heathen practices, first in the earlier chapters (page 5960) when the author ignored the village soothsayer ’s opinion in the choice of a wife, sticking to his choice of the beloved Bethy; and then in the last section at the burial of Ebele, the author ’s mother (page 218), where he shunned masquerade displays as being “heathen”.

He critiques certain government institutions including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which refused to comply with a court order with “impunity”; and the judiciary, which did nothing about it. In page 137, he identifies our nation’s biggest problem as the dearth of the rule of law It was only natural that he would then take up the role of a kingmaker, as it were, in the politics of his home Anambra state, backing the candidate he believed to most credible, while ensuring as much as he was able that the state’s funds were used for the state’s development during the tenure of Governor Peter Obi. Conclusion The way the book is organized is a testament to the author ’s organized lifestyle. Prefaced by Dr. Emma Okey Udoye, the print is clear and readable, though the ‘devil’ shows up now and then; and there is more than enough pictorial illustration.

The index is impeccable.

Indeed, without ever meeting the protagonist in person, Testimony of Divine Grace leaves the reader in no doubt as to the personality of the author: Raymond Obieri is a detribalized Nigerian. His marriage to his wife, Bethy, is a classic example of this.

Recounting the recruitment of the single founding shareholder from the north for Intercontinental bank (page 110), he writes of how he instinctively ‘fell for ’ Alhaji Isyaku Umar at first contact.

Up till today, he stresses: Isyaku has remained one of the most supportive family friends I ever had.

Testimony of Divine Grace might constitute a redeemer for the dying art of the autobiography. Proceeds from the sales of this book goes to the Living Fountain orphanage, Victoria Island, Lagos

Funke Akindele, Uche Jombo, Rita Dominic and Kate Henshaw.

EbonyLife takes war against domestic violence to the screen with New Horizons …as Married to the Game also premiers

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

E

bonyLife TV has added its voice to the global fight against domestic violence with the launch and premiere of its long-awaited short film, “New Horizons”, while also opening its doors to victims of the scourge for free legal aid and counseling.

A powerfully emotional and pulsating flick that spotlights the plight of women across Africa who have to bear the pains of domestic abuse- a crime far too familiar but rarely spoken about, New Horizons tells the story of triumph over abuse, featuring four of Nollywood’s hottest divas, Funke Akindele, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw-Nuttal and Uche Jombo.

Spotlighting how sufferers of domestic abuse could triumph by forming a bloc, the short-film produced by top female producer cum director, Tope Oshin Ogun, gives blow by blow account of these four women’s ordeal and how they

eventually helped each other arrive at a new horizon in their individual lives, through a self-help women’s group.

The film was premiered in Lagos alongside a new drama series, Married to the Game, MTTG, a suspense-filled, cutting edge drama thriller and family series now airing on EbonyLife TV, narrating the tale of two newlyweds who turned out to have said ‘I Do’ to total strangers, leading to a messy marriage.

Speaking on the two new feats, Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, said it was a season of all new shows and premieres for the first ever global Black TV network.

“I feel a huge sense of accomplishment at the premiere of New Horizons. MTTG was entirely produced by EbonyLife TV and was created/directed by Walter “Waltbanger” Taylaur whose short film “The Wages” is nominated for the Best Short Film at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. We

dedicate New Horizons to all the women of Nigeria, Africa and the world at large who may be going through the terrible scourge of domestic abuse. We are happy to put this dark subject on the table for discussion so that there can be hope for many. For us, it may be the premiere of the movie; but for all women of Africa, it may just be the beginning of a new era; an era of self-discovery, awareness, belief, hope and confidence”, Mo Abudu said.

Challenging women to repent from the culture of silence which has over the years made justice impossible, Laila Saint Matthew Daniel, Executive Director, ACTS Generation, urged abused women to take advantage of the opportunity flung open to them by EbonyLife to report cases of abuse to the cable network where they can meet with counsellors and get legal aid immediately.

40— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

I

By MIMI UCHEAGWU

was not surprised, when Co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak who MTN Nigeria last week brought to Nigeria, advised Nigerian leaders to develop economy with technology. There couldn’t have been a better advice considering how technology has turned many economies around.

Wozniak who was a guest at this year’s MTN Leadership series, spoke at a media session in Lagos, to kick start the Leadership lecture. He noted that computer has made it easy for people to do most things that were not possible twenty years ago. According to him, the only challenge is how to think deeper and use the offerings of the personal computer to improve life and businesses. The future Wozniak sees is the future of machines where machines would try to mimick the human behavior and probably be able to serve the humans or solve problems for them. He contended that any country that takes advantage of the new future as it unfolds would have mileage than others that didn’t take the opportunity.

Much as this concerns economies, it concerns the youths more.

The interpretation of Wozniack’s advice is that not only economies but even the youths should dare. Daring is innovation in itself.

The success of Apple’s epochdefining products speaks apartment was always filled volumes of his ingenuity. with computer monitors and all Though no longer actively sorts of devices he had involved with the day-to-day invented. running of Apple, the company genius and prankster, is ranked as the sixth biggest Steve, popularly known technology company in the as Woz, together with his world today.?

Born Stephen Gary Wozniak partner and namesake, Steve on August 11, 1950, in Jobs, invented the first digital Sunnyvale, California, Steve blue box, a device which from a tender age showed signs allowed two friends and their of his future greatness. He mates to make toll free and displayed deep interest in prank calls, which was a gadgets and electronics and violation of the law. It was even spent most of his free time as a said that Steve almost woke the child fiddling with computers Pope up when he called the and eventually developing them. His father, who was an engineer for Lockheed played a huge role in his life, encouraging his curiosity in learning about electrical circuits and assisting Steve in his

BY LAJU ARENYEKA science-fair projects.

Building and developing AVE you ever been stuck gadgets became a past-time in serious traffic? The and together with his friends, sweat incensed, heat induced, they had fun playing pranks bladder tormenting, thief and also building wired infested, time wasting intercoms from house to house, hopelessness that makes you and a sound-maker with parts wish you could fly, walk on bought from the local water or simply pull a electronics store. Because of disappearing act. Though his genuine love for these could be impossible, engineering, it was no surprise there is an app that comes close then that in 1971, Steve gained to saving the Nigerian admission to the University of Berkeley, California, to study commuter from being stuck in engineering where he met and traffic.

The Trafficbutter mobile app, became friends with Steve Jobs unveiled recently, is motivated who later became his business partner. In a dramatic twist, by the need to deliver to Wozniak left the University one Nigerian road users the best road traffic viewing and year after his admission.

An inventor, a programmer, reporting experience possible an electrical engineer and a using a cross-platform mobile lover of gadgets and application. Uche Okafor, computers, Steve spent all of founder of Traffic butter says the his spare time inventing initiative was birthed out of his electronic devices, computers own dislike for being stuck in and computer games, and his

Tech lessons from Apple’s Wozniack for Nigerian kids A

Vatican on his blue box as part of one of his pranks.

With his friend Steve, they orchestrated a variety of pranks and according to Woz, they were both placed on probation for ‘computer abuse’.

After his short stint at the university, Woz began working on a computer prototype but took up a summer job with Hewlett-Packard in 1973,

working on a mainframe computer. He eventually designed the Hewlett-Packard calculator. During that period, Woz and his partner Jobs were

working to impress a group of electronics hobbyists interested in computing known as the Homebrew Computer Club.

Unlike other Homebrew designs, the Apple had an easy-to-achieve video capability that drew a crowd when it was unveiled and this gave Jobs an idea to sell the Apple 1 as a fully assembled printed circuit board. Though skeptical, Woz later agreed to Jobs’ idea and they pooled their resources, worked from Jobs’ bedroom and later moved to his parent’s garage.

It’s from this garage, a new era was born.

On April 1, 1976, Woz and Jobs, at 26 and 21 years old, respectively, formed Apple Computer, the company.

Apple 1 was a resounding success.

After the success of Apple I, Woz designed Apple II and it became the first personal computer that could display colour graphics with basic programming language built in. Apple II was sold as a complete, ready to use personal computer which also had a cassette recorder for data storage. It was the first home personal computer. This feat brought the tech-savvy friends closer to Wozniak’s vision of one day making everybody own a personal computer. He wanted to change the world in a positive way.

As an attestation to his ingenuity, Steve Wozniak has acquired a large number of awards and accolades, including the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his Apple II, among others.

As Trafficbutter makes life easier for road users… to create a system where people can help one another by providing traffic information from different locations. That’s how we began traffic butter in 2010. We’ve been able to grow a system on twitter and facebook with nearly 60,000 subscribers, and then we realized than building an app would help us reach a wider audience and be more effective for subscribers.”

H

U

traffic. “I used to have an office on Lagos Island and I would get stuck in traffic a lot,” he told Glamtech, “but one thing I realized was that drivers would call one another to share information on the situation of the roads per time so that they could take routes that were less traffic prone. So I was inspired

pdates are crowd-sourced by users as well as by the Trafficbutter team in real-time, for everyone to enjoy. The primary feature is the precise presentation of traffic updates on the homepage and the map landing pages.

Other secondary features include Geo Location, chat, comments with location stamp for credibility on traffic reporting, and keyword search. Users can choose to follow roads that interest them,

and receive notifications when there are new incidents on the roads they follow. The community-driven mobile App, which is free and available for use on Android, BlackBerry, and Ios devices, is available for download in each of those app stores.

Although, Trafficbutter currently covers the Lagos metropolis alone, the developers believe that the app would expand its frontiers pretty soon. Gone are the days when you wish someone had told you about the fallen tanker at Mile 2, or the road repairs at Maryland. Now, you can control the sights, sounds and feel of your commute with the click of a button. Just be sure to keep your attention on the road!

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 41 YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES; Unless you are more careful mattersof-the-heart may cause avoidable trouble the way your career/business can suffer temporarily.

ARIES; It is important you don’t exhibit aggression unnecessarily. Here is a day when secret love is capable of bringing serious pressure.

Try to be very diplomatic.

TAURUS; Your concentration level is not perfect and if you take bad advice from friends you would be misled. The more practical you are the better for you.

GEMINI; Unnecessary aggressive approach on your part along your career/business lines will back-fire more than you imagine. Graceful expression is what you will need.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

W

HY do some persons move from one church to the other? Why do some workers give out their best under one manager and perform poorly under another? Why do some footballers

What Do You Like...? play exceedingly well under one coach and perform very badly under another coach? Why do some soldiers fight the battle of their lives under one commander and fall

flat under another commander?

Why...?

The answer to the above lies in just one word – likeness.

But the question is likeness for what?

Most people

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

change churches, schools, work etc because of love of individuals e.g. the head. However, this does not augur well for the person and the institution. What you are doing now, is it because you like it or because you like an individual?

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; Happenings within your working arena can bring minor provocation but it is just a passing trend. Travelling for love will bring more challenges than expected.

LEO; Male members of this Star sign will need to watch their libido while female must not ignore their sex-life. Beware of joint ventures with those you don’t know.

VIRGO; It is not compulsory you take to aggressive re-action to those within your base of operation who are not as perfect as you. Protect your spouse.

LIBRA; Watch what you eat and drink today. This is the wrong time to engage in unnecessary heated argument.. Romance at work may bring disappointment.

SCORPIO; Trying to influence matters-of-theheart with money will not give you the desired result. Any way it is a day you will need to be more careful with money.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you are more careful while trying to pass judgement on people within your base of operation because you too may be wrong.

CAPRICORN; Taking a pleasure drive or movement may bring more than anticipated responsibility. Keep away from whatever can not be placed above board today.

AQUARIUS; If you allow friends to force their ideas on you financially or on matters-of-the-heart, you would be the loser. Express yourself gracefully.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

Where was my moon

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me where the Moon was placed when I was born and other things I should know about my star.

Makinde, Lagos.

Dear Makinde, What space can take will be given here-under. Your natal Moon was in Aries.

ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Preponderance of cardinal quality in your chart is an indication of GREAT LEADERSHIP QUALITY together with innate ability to attain prominence on one hand, on the other hand, exaltation of intellectual related Mercury in Aquarius at positive angle to both lucky Jupiter and Uranus (the planet of genius) in Libra pointed to a person with higher pitch of intelligence.

Action loving Mars as the final dispositor of your horoscope ( that’s most influential planet at home when you were born) will most times induce you to strongly desire importance with likeness for quick results; actually long promise without concrete action will bore you easily. Equally 60 percentage of push-full influence in your chart means that the best for you is to go after your needs and wants.

Combination of all the placement and aspects formed within the planets when you were born are pointers to you as a person with balanced personality with little bias for good spiritual life. And you believe in disciplinarian life style.

Placement of your natal Sun and Moon in compassionate Pisces and self conscious Aries respectively are indications of your being mainly a Piscean and partly an Arian, however as Aries is also your Stellium sign, both basic characteristics of Pisces and Aries are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

42— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 LL praise is for Allah the Mighty the Exalted, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His final Messenger Muhammad Ibn Abdullah and upon his family and companions.

The rights and obligations of Muslims with respect to one another are derived from the love of Allah and that of rosullulah that we share. That is why the spirit of brotherhood in Islam is stronger than even the family ties. As thick as family bond, once a family member becomes a deviant religiously or better still professes another reasons that will bring about religion other than Islam which love for the sake of Allah which the rest of the family hold dearly is a cause of true faith (Iman) to, there is that tendency that the and could result in the love between them wane. individual gaining paradise, Naturally, those who practice just as the Messenger of Allah same religion will interact better stated: “I swear by the One who and operate on the same spiritual hands my soul is in! None of plane than others who hold you will enter into paradise until different spiritual ideals. But that you believe and you will not does not mean interaction with truly believe until you love one brothers of different faith will be another. Shall I not direct you closed. It may not be their fault to an action that, if you perform entirely, it is Allah who gives it, will cause you to love one guidance and whoever is not another? Spread the greeting of guided by Allah, no one can peace between yourselves.” bring to the right path. {collected in Sunan Abu Dawud} Duties and This greeting is one of the responsibilities beauties of the religion of Islam and it signifies that when two The focus therefore is not about Muslims meet one another, one guidance but about the duties of them supplicates for the other and responsibilities of one to be protected from every evil Muslim to another. The and for him to be showered with connection however is basically mercy and for him to be blessed because Islam endeavours to with every form of good. And strengthen ties and relationship he should follow this up with a between one Muslim and the pleasant demeanor. If you other. The Prophet said a notice, every phrase in this Muslim is a brother to another. greeting is pertinent enough to He went further to establish bring about unification and love some rights of a Muslim over between the two and to remove another. These rights include any alienation or separation such things as aid and between them.

Thus the greeting of peace is assistance, affection, generosity, respect, justice, equity and the right of the Muslim and it is an obligation upon the fairness among others.

On the authority of Abu Muslim whom it is conveyed to Hurairah (r.a) who said that the that he returns the greeting with Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: one similar to it or better than it, “ The rights of a Muslim over as Allah says: “When a greeting another Muslim are six.” These is offered to you then return it are: (1) Saying salamun with one like it or better than alaikum to him when you meet it…” (4:86) Again, note that the better of him. Indeed sending the salutations of peace is one of the the two, is the one who initiates the greeting first.

A

The essence of brotherhood in Islam Secondly, the if he invites you, respond to his invite. It could be an invitation for a dinner, for merry making, visit or other form of halal socialisation, you should make your brother feel happy by obliging him, respond to his invite and make him happy.

This is become a wajib except you have an excuse to turn it down and this must be well communicated to him.

Thirdly, advise him if he seeks your advice. Although advice is an absolute obligation, it

“Whoever deceives us is not from amongst us,” don’t deceive your fellow Muslim, no matter the situation.

And if in fact a Muslim deceives his brother Muslim by offering advice to him that he wouldn’t value for himself then he has abandoned the religious obligation of sincere advice.

Fourthly, You have a responsibility to pray for him when he sneezes and says Alhamdulilah. Then you should say: “May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamukallah). This is

,

...the greeting of peace is the right of the Muslim and it is an obligation upon whom it is conveyed to that he returns the greeting

,

becomes even more emphasized when the individual actually asks for it or requests your honest opinion.

So, it is incumbent upon you to advise him most sincerely. If he wants to participate in any action, and wants to know whether he should go forward with it or not, then you should advise him with the same advice that you would value for yourself. If the act is actually beneficial from all angles you should encourage him to go forward with it, however, if the act appears to be detrimental, caution him against it. But if the act is inclusive of both benefit and detriment, explain this to him and measure the pros and cons of the situation accordingly.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said:

because sneezing is a blessing from Allah. Allah allows this air, which has accumulated in the body of the individual, to be released with ease so that the sneezing person can loosen up.

Therefore it is necessaryfor him to praise Allah for this blessing and it is important that his Muslim brother say to him “May Allah have mercy on you” and it is obligatory for the Muslim to reply with “May Allah guide you and rectify your affair!” And he who sneezes and does not praise Allah is not deserving of this supplication and he has no one to blame except himself. For he was the one who forfeited these two blessings from himself; the blessing of praising Allah and the blessing of the du’a (i.e.

supplication) of his brother for him, which is a direct result of him praising Allah.

Fifth, visit him when he is ill.

Visiting the sick and offering prayers for him is one of the rights of a Muslim, especially if he is someone whose right over you is emphasized, like a relative or a close companion or others with close consanguinity. This is also one of the greatest righteous deeds that an individual can perform, as the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Whoever visits his sick brother will continue moving towards Allah’s mercy until he sits next to him, and when he sits next to him, he will be immersed in it (i.e. Allah’s mercy).” {Sunan Ibn Majah} The Prophet also said: “There is no Muslim who visits his brother Muslim in the morning except that seventy thousand angels supplicate for forgiveness for him until nightfall and he will be given a garden in paradise.

And if he visits him at night seventy thousand angels supplicate for forgiveness for him until morning and will be given a garden in paradise.” {Collected in Sunan At Tirmithi} It is also appropriate for the one visiting his brother to supplicate for him to get better and try to remove any difficulty or hardship from him and to ease his mind by giving him glad tidings of good health and to remind him about his responsibility of repenting to Allah and to return back to His obedience with the best possible advice in the best manner.

Lastly, when he dies, honour him and follow his funeral procession.

For the one who follows the funeral procession until the prayer is performed over the deceased will be rewarded with a Qiraat which is like a tremendous mountain.

Again, if he follows the procession until the deceased buried then he will be rewarded with two Qiraat.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Whoever follows the funeral procession until the prayer is performed over him, he will be given a Qiraat and whoever follows the funeral procession until the deceased is buried, he will be given two Qiraat.” {Saheeh Muslim}

Gbadamosi hails Humuani Alaga ...calls for study of history, culture in schools

A

Professor of Histor y, Tajudeen Gbadebo O. Gbadamosi has called for the restoration of Nigerian History and women studies at all levels of our educational system.

The retired University of Lagos don made the call at a book presentation on late Humuani Amoke Alaga, a renowned social crusader and founder of Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School, in Ibadan recently.

Prof Gbadamosi stated that the youths have been alienated from the rich historical heritage as a result of the neglect of History in schools. “Our youths are taught how to dance and wear different attires of the nation, but they have little or no idea of the history of the dresses and songs they sing. We are fast loosing the younger generation to the influence of globalisation and many of them seem more familiar with history and culture of foreign lands that with their own country, Nigeria.”

He surmised that the study of our history and culture will help to foster unity as well

as help in the quest for nation building.

Describing late Humuani Alaga who founded the Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School, Gbadamosi stated that in spite of her inability to go to any formal school, yet she became a leader among leaders.

“She was from a distinguished family; a great achiever; a business tycoon; a progressive social reformer; a distinguished player in the educational sector; a protagonist of feminism and an international figure.”

The first lady of the state, Mrs Florence Ajimobi who was represented by the wife of the deputy Governor, Mrs Janet Adeyemo said the late Humuani Alaga contributed immensely to the socioeconomic development of the society.

While urging other young women to share the vision of the late Amazon, Mrs Ajimobi stated that the establishment of Isabatudeen and other achievements of the Humuani Alaga were enough to propel young women to do greater things.

Alhaja Silifat Oyewola; Mrs. Laide Ogunmuyiwa; Alhaja Sidiqat Shobo; (Children of late Humuani Alaga) Prof Tajudeen Gbadebo Gbadamosi and Mrs Titilayo Sanusi, one of the Children) during the 21st anniversary of the school, and Book Launch on the founder, late Humuani Alaga held in the school premises recently.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—43

Isabatudeen 2 1st anniv er sar 21st anniver ersar saryy

Boko Haram: It's a delibrate attempt to misrepresent Islam — Capt Joji

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

C

aptain Mohammed Joji, a former Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian Airways, is one of the Arewa Consultative Forum leaders. At his home in Kaduna, Joji expresses concerns over politicisation of security challenges suggesting ways out of the doldrums. Excerpts: HOW do you feel seeing the country the way it is?

You see, the difference between a man and an animal is law and order. Without law and order, a man is worse than an animal.

That is what is happening now because, those people who have put the country in the tumultuous situation that you rightly mentioned believe there is no law and order and that so, they can do whatever they like. That is the problem!

But you see, there is reward and punishment. If there is no punishment for deviation, all these things you see would not have happened.

Recently, Asari Dokubo said in an interview, that if the South didn’t win the presidential election in 2015, that this country would collapse. I think such statement is unfortunate. What does he know about war? I observed and witnessed the civil war myself in 1967 to 1970 and so, I never liked to see any other civil war again. I had seen it. It was terrible. I didn’t like it and I don’t want to ever see it happen again.

Unfortunate utterances I saw and participated in it. I pray to Allah that we should never ever have to go through another version of civil war again in Nigeria.

People like him should be held responsible for these unfortunate utterances. If these utterances have come from somebody like me, especially from the North, I would be behind bars the following day.

Recently, one of the political parties was tagged an Islamic party, why do you think Islam has become a subject used to show the negative side of a group?

It is unfortunate. If you are going to lose election, lose election but don’t overheat the polity. They knew that 75 percent of the land is Muslim. The population, if you look at the registered voters last elections, over 35 million registered in the North alone and only about 31 million registered

in the entire South. Now that there is this alliance, let me say, between ACN, CPC and the ANPP, out of the 31 million registered in the entire South, about 17 million come from the South West alone. So, it means that three quarters of the registered voters are now for this alliance called the APC. And what they think they can do to discredit that alliance and portray the

Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano and Wamakko of Sokoto. I read the papers and somebody in the person of Labaran Maku said ‘Kwankwaso, Wamakko shameless” and I said, what? Are you saying that the nomads, the Fulanis are bad people? This kind of utterances heat up the polity and they should be checked!

Under the present leadership of CAN, the first thing they did was to campaign against Islamic Banking. They don’t want to hear anything Islam. Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of Britain, I watched and read him making a

•Capt. Joji APC bad in the eyes of the Nigerian people is to say the party they want to vote for is an Islamic party. And unknown to them, they are only working based on what is going on currently in America whereby they link Islam to terrorism whereas, to them, it is a deliberate policy to misrepresent Islam. And this policy is one that will backfire on them eventually because you can never ever destroy the religion. This religion of Islam, Allah has perfected it by Himself and he knows who can remain a Christian and He knows who can remain a Muslim and who can remain a pagan till death. You can be a Muslim today, towards the end you die a Christian. Likewise you can be a Christian today, towards the end you change to Muslim and you die as Muslim.

But why do you think that some people could go the extent of using religious dimension as a tool to fight political cause?

Well, I have said it before that the CAN is creating religious problems in this country.

Archbishop Cardinal Onaiyekan is a gentleman. Onaiyekan doesn’t look at you as whether as a Muslim or Christian. He looks at you as a human being and Nigerian. During his time as CAN President there was religious harmony. But the present CAN has been co-opted into politics.

Leadership is very important but you have a lot of cronies and sycophants who work around the leadership, telling them, “You are the best. Nobody can be President.”

Look what they are saying about

statement that, “I would like to have the centre of Islamic banking established in the heart of London.” This is a Christian from the western world where probably only ten percent of their population believing in God, anyway. But the guy went up and said he wanted the centre of Islamic banking to be in the United Kingdom. Cameron, the current Prime Minister, is now going to borrow money from Islamic banking system and has adopted Islamic financing. He said it is the best place to go and borrow money.

During the time of Obasanjo, what happened? He looked at our currency and saw that there is Arabic inscription on N10 note.

They wrote ‘ten naira’ in English; and ‘naira goma’ in Arabic letters.

Continues next week

Mrs Janet Adeyemo, wife of Deputy Governor of Oyo State representing the First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; (left) and Alhaja Modupe Silifat Animasaun during the 21st anniversary of Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School, and Book Launch on the founder, late Humuani Alaga held in the school premises recently.

From Left: Chief K.O Olatunji; Rtd Diplomat Babatunde Akande; Chief Oladiti Oladapo, former SSG, Oyo State, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, former Editorial Board Chairman of Vanguard Newspaper and High Chief Omowale Kuye, OFR, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland during the occasion.

Students of Isabatudeen Girls Grammar School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan during the 21st anniversary of the school and Book Launch on the founder, late Humuani Alaga held in the school premises recently.

Expert advocates awareness on sleep disorder

A

S the “World Sleep Day” is observed today, a sleep disorder specialist, Dr. Obafemi Akinjobi of Marvina Sleep Disorders Centre, Lagos, has urged government at all levels to embark on massive enlightenment of Nigerians on treatment and management of life-threatening sleep disorder.

He said: “It becomes necessary to talk on the alarming rate of sudden deaths in Nigeria occasioned by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) because of its adverse medical and public

health effects. About 51 million are estimated number of Nigerians who snore and are at the risk of OSA, yet the medical disorder is alarmingly underrated and generally underdiagnosed in Nigeria.

“There is therefore, a need for proper enlightenment of people on the medical disorder. It is time for public health authorities to embark on accelerated awareness campaign for the public basic signs, symptoms, treatment and management of the medical problem.”

Expatiating further, Akinjobi

said: “There are about 77 sleep disorders and what most people in Nigeria know is insomnia. But there is also snoring which many people attribute to stress but is a major cause of Obstructive Sleep Disorder; it is common with hypertensive and diabetes.

Sleep disorder can cause a variety of chronic physical and mental health problems. There is a direct link between sleep disorders and medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, obesity, erectile dysfunction among others.”

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Ozalla people eulogise Oshiomhole

T

HE Onotare of Ozalla land, chiefs and people of Ozalla community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, have thanked Governor Adams Oshiomhole, for his prompt response to their cries for assistance to areas in the community that were devastated by a rainstorm on February 7, 2014.

The governor visited the disaster areas on March 3, 2014 and donated the sum of N10million and 200 bundles of roofing sheets to the victims of the rainstorm disaster.

It will be recalled that the Ozalla community suffered a widespread disaster caused by a powerful early night rainstorm that left over 70 houses and farm lands planted with food and cash crops worth millions of naira destroyed. In the ensuing rage of the severe rainstorm, the palace of the traditional ruler was not spared as a part of the roof was blown off.

Chief Aienloshan Irivbogbe, Okpamen VII, the Onotare of Ozalla land, who spoke on behalf of the community, said that his people were overwhelmed by the governor’s intervention to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the unfortunate rain-storm.

Urhobo HOSTCOM leaders want impostor arrested

T

HE Urhobo chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, led

by Mr Efe Okovwurie, has called on relevant law enforcement agents to arrest and subsequently prosecute a man, who has been telling people that he is the chairman of Urhobo chapter of HOSTCOM. The Urhobo HOSTCOM leaders in a statement by its chairman, Mr Okovwurie other leaders of the group, including the 10 chairmen of local government chapters in Urhobo land, said the impostor, had in a publication, claimed to have been inaugurated as the new chairman of Urhobo chapter of HOSTCOM, thereby, misinforming the general public.

They also accused the imposter of trying to instigate crisis into the oil and gas producing communities in Urhobo nation.

Warri community laments oil firms’ disregard for MoU T

HE people of Tekedor Kusimi community (Egwa 2 Oil Field) in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on the state government and relevant security agencies to quickly intervene in the dispute between the community and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and Nest Oil in connection with the on-going dredging work on some of the oil wells in the community.

According to the Chairman of the community, Deacon Clement Tekedor, NPDC had refused to honour the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU entered with the community.

Frowning at the attitude of NPDC, Tekedor said that all efforts to get the management of both NPDC and Nest Oil to dialogue had proved abortive.

He said; “Rather than dialogue with us, NPDC and Nest Oil have resorted to engaging the Army to harass and intimidate us, threatening to deal with any opposition from the community.

It is very important for parties to dialogue to avoid violence and break down of law and order in Tekedor Kusimi

FORUM: From left—Managing Director Resources, Accenture Nigeria, Abayomi Olarinmoye; HR Lead Accenture Nigeria, Ronke Akpata and Guest Speaker, CFO Cadbury Plc, Oyeyinka Adeboye, at the annual forum to mark the International Women's Day organised

by Accenture Nigeakinloria in Lagos yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi community.”

He called on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to wade into the dispute by directing NPDC and Nest Oil to stop further work in the community

and come to a roundtable for a proper dialogue.

The community also demanded among others, the reversal to the oil MoU, immediate stoppage of the dredging

activities going on in the community and the withdrawal of the Army from the area to enable the people go about their legitimate businesses without intimidation.

Delegate's list: Afemai people protest replacement of Ozekhome’s name with Braimoh's

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—THERE is tension in Edo North senatorial district of Edo State, due to what youths and elders of the area described as the mysterious removal of the name of the activists and lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN and the subsequently replacement of his name with that of Senator Yisa Braimoh as delegate for the national conference.

The Afemai people from the Edo North senatorial district, under the aegis of the Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network in a statement by its President, Theophilus Ibodeme, expressed shock over the nomination of Braimoh, whom they alleged did not represent them well when he was in the senate.

Questioning the rationale behind picking Senator Braimoh, rather than Chief Ozekhome, the group expressed concern that the proposed conference had been politicized, as same may not produce the desired result at the end of the day.

It said “Senator Braimoh failed us as a senator and that was why he lost re-election.

Besides, this conference is not a tea party or a jamboree, it is where we are to discuss issues affecting each ethnic group.

We are aware that a Peoples’

Democratic Party, PDP god father from the South South tactically removed Ozekhome’s name but that is unacceptable to us.

“We cannot be cowed to allow

Senator Braimoh represent us because we have a very sound lawyer in the person of Chief Ozekhome to represent us.

The inclusion of Braimoh’s name on the list is illegal. We

want quality, credible and competent representation in the forthcoming national conference, a square peg in a square hole and not a man who did not represent us well.”

Alleged threat on Tompolo: suspects to remain in prison custody till April 30 prison till April 30, 2014.

W

ARRI—A Warri South Chief Magistrate, Mr E.Odjugo in Delta State, has further directed that the eight

accused persons, alleged to have threatened to kill Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) to be remanded in

Olejeme fetes Nigerian women on International Women’s Day

A

frontline female governorship aspirant in the 2015 general elections in Delta State and chairman of the Nigeria social insurance Trust Fund, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, has said that the significance of the International Women’s Day celebration was to highlight the achievements and challenges in the promotion of gender equality in the world at large.

Mrs Olejeme said violence against women and girls had been recognised as a form of discrimination and a human rights violation, noting that states in the country have the obligation to take appropriate measures to prevent violence and protect women and girls from all forms

of violence.

She added that various legal and policy instruments aimed at protection of women and girls from all forms of violence had been developed at the global and regional levels.

Dr Olejeme, who is also the only female governorship aspirant in Delta State, commended President Goodluck Jonathan for standing on his affirmative action.

She describe this season as the best time to reflect on the role of women in peace building.

Speaking on ''Equality for Women in Progress for All'', Olejeme urges the women folk to take the destiny of the country in their hands by playing frontline roles.

Magistrate Odjugo also ordered the amended case file to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

The accused, Mr. Michael Johnny, Mr Anthony Ikpesan, Mr Moscow Johnny, Mr Imole Johnny, Mr Messio German, Mr Bullet Otuaro, Mr Alex Governor and Mr Christmas Ikare, were first arraigned on February 24 and 25, 2014 in two batches. The two charges have however, been consolidated.

This development was sequel to the application for substitution of charge by the prosecuting counsel.

Prosecution said that the purpose of harmonising the charges into one was for convenience sake.

The accused and others now at large are being tried on a threecount charge of conspiracy, threat to life and breach of peace.

The prosecution alleged that the accused persons, conspired to kill Ekpemupolo on Janruary 23, 2014, adding that a text message was sent by the suspects on February 3, threatening to kill the complainant.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 45

2015: Majemite drums support for Jonathan

No dispute between Edo, Delta over boundary, says Orogho Dukedom Chair

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—POLITICAL Adviser to Delta State governor, (Delta Central), Chief Fred Majemite, has urged Nigerians to support the second term quest of President Goodluck Jonathan, applauding what he described as the effective implementation of the current administration’ transformation agenda.

Majemite, during his 50th birthday celebration in Ughelli, Delta State, said: “In Delta State, we are fully for Jonathan. He has done well and all he needs is our support.”

Noting that Nigerians were facing challenging times, he advised the people to be prayerful.

“Nigeria is a circular community and as such, we should tolerate ourselves. We should support Jonathan for a second term.”

2015: Delta Nor th backs Adigwe for senatorial seat

T

HE people of Delta North senatorial district have appealled to Chief Pascal Adigwe not to relent in his aspirations to contest the 2015 senatorial election, assuring him of their support.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Asaba, Onowu Nnabundo Halim, described Adigwe as a man of the people during his tenure in the House of Representatives, adding that Aniocha/Oshimili witnessed tremendous development in the various communities of the federal constituency.

Halim added that for the people of Delta North to benefit more from the dividends of democracy, the people should support Adigwe to ensure his victory at the poll.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

T

COMMISSIONING: Former UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw cuts the tape to inaugurate Modern Primary School I, Elele. He is flanked by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Mr. Welendu Amadi, Chairman Ikwerre LGA (left), Mr. Minabelem Michael West, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Mr. Ali Orutemeka.

Gunmen abduct journalist in Rivers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—A JOURNALIST with Wazobia FM in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mr. Anthony Akatakpo, was, yesterday, abducted at his residence in Rumuekini area of the metropolis.

His wife, Mrs. Candy Akatakpo, told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the kidnappers demanded N10 million when they stormed their residence at 2 a.m., yesterday, adding that they shot the husband on the leg before fleeing with him.

She appealed for his uncon-

ditional release, adding that the kidnappers bundled her husband into his vehicle, a Mitsubishi Endeavour, with plate number LSD 871 CM. Journalists in the state have condemned the abduction, noting that it was sad that anybody could kidnap a journalist.

“It is sad that anybody could contemplate such an act. We don’t have money. They should please release Akas Baba, as he is commonly known, unconditionally,” Osinachi Samuel pleaded.

Other journalists, appealed

for the immediate and unconditional release of the journalist, so that he can attend to his wounded leg.

The state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Opaka Dokubo, enjoined the kidnappers to release Akas Baba. ” They shot him on the leg. They should please release him so that he can take care of his health. He needs to treat himself. It is unimaginable that this could happen to a journalist. They should please release him,” he said.

Ugborodo crisis: Tonwe begs military to save his people

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—THE factional leader of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. David Tonwe, has called on the Federal Government to be proactive, and not treat any security breach in Ugborodo with kid gloves.

Speaking to Vanguard in Lagos, Tonwe said that the whole of Ogidigben axis in Ugborodo, during the week, was subjected to series of bombardments with high calibre arms and ammunition, with inhabitants forced to flee into the swamp.

He said: “I left for Abuja on Monday on the invitation of one of the branches of the military institutions, which has put in much efforts to find solution to the crisis in Ugborodo. We had the scheduled meeting for Tuesday and left the venue by 2p.m. It was at 8p.m., that I started receiving calls from my people that had fled into the

swamp and were calling on me to inform government that Ogidigben had been invaded by armed groups and the uniformed personnel on ground were allowing the invaders to have a free day.”

He blamed the security agencies in the area for looking the other way, while a community was being subjected to armed attack with unspecified numbers of persons either injured or fleeing into the swamp.

He explained that “as at

now, I cannot give any concrete information, but to appeal to security officers in the area to come to the rescue of my people, who are now being driven from their lands.”

Tonwe appealed to the high command of both the Nigerian Navy and Police to direct their personnel on ground to be professional and neutral, particularly in preventing further armed invasion of the commnity.

HE Chairman, Orogho Dukedom Communities Development Association, Mr Efe Agbonson, has said that there was no iota of truth in the allegation by one Chief Joseph Ukueku, that there was a dispute between Edo and Delta states, over boundary issues.

It will be recalled that Chief Ukueku had claimed that there was a renewed tension between Overe Eku community in Agbon Kindom, Ethiope East Local Government area of Delta State and Orogho Community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State, over boundary dispute.

He had stated that the Enogie of Orogho, Agbonson, in a letter, dated September 20, 2013 wanted to introduce the Bini tradition to his people.

But Agbonson in a statement, yesterday, said that the dispute referred to by Ukueku over an area where a petroleum company, NewCross Petroleum Company Limited, was exploring oil, was untrue.

He called on relevant authorities, to call Ukueku of Eku and his sponsors, to order to refrain from further provocation.

FOC NAVTRAC makes case for better Naval training

BY SIMON ADEWALE

T

HE Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral G. Anyankpele, has stressed the need for the continuous training and retraining of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy, to prepare them to efficiently combat the various criminal activities taking place

on the country’s waterways, the maintenance of peace, law and order and protection of the country’s territorial waters from external invasion.

Admiral Anyankpele, who made the call at the Nigerian Naval Engineering College, Ogorode, Sapele, Delta State, during his first familiarisation visit to the col-

lege, implored the Federal Government to boost the morale of men of the Naval force by upgrading and renovating all failed portions of their barracks, particularly the Sapele Naval Barracks, which he said had not been renovated since 1985 when the Command came to Sapele, where families of Naval officers are living in disrepaired structures.

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Union vows to ground lectures over Fed Poly, Oko, rector

N30m rent fraud case involving 100 tenants adjourned

...As Governing Council denies sack of 400 staff

AGOS — A Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere, has adjourned the case of Alhaji Ishola Salaudeen, who defrauded over 100 prospective tenants of N30million to March 14, 2014.

Justice Candide Johnson adjourned the case after the complainants’ counsel, O. Ojo, told the court that the defendants were not serious about settling the claimants.

He said that at the last adjournment, the defendant’s counsel, Mohammed Adamu, told the court that he needed time to prepare for the case which the court

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE & ENYIM ENYIM

T

HE JOINT Action Committee on Trade Unions, JACTU, of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, yesterday, said the institution would remain shut, even after the ongoing nationwide strike

by Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, was over, unless a new rector was appointed from within the school.

The tenure of the incumbent, Professor Godwin Onu, expired on March 10, 2014.

This came as the Governing Council of the polytechnic denied sacking about 400 staff of the institution, saying, ”Council desires to mention further that the unfounded rumour about the laying off of 400 staff is false."

IBC pensioners protest again

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — AGGRIEVED pensioners of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, yesterday, disrupted activities of the station in protest against nonpayment of their 40 months arrears of pensions by the state government.

The peaceful protest almost turned sour when one of the bouncers on the entourage of the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Anwuka, pounced on a journalist and a retiree of IBC, Mazi Anthony Okoroigwe, and snatched his camera.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

R

C M Y K

hended later. ”We filed this civil action in order to recover those sums, for the claimants to be able to use the money for other purposes.

“Some of them don’t have where to stay up till now; they struggled to get this money to pay for the

apartment, which they didn’t get,” the claimants’ counsel said.

Justice Johnson adjourned the case for ruling on the application for summary judgement, since the defence counsel was not in court and did not get any notice for his absence.

380 dead bodies abandoned in Anambra mortuaries

A

BY ENYIM ENYIM

TOTAL of 380 unclaimed dead bodies have been abandoned in mortuaries in Anambra State since 2006.

A break-down of the corpses showed that most of them were victims of religious crisis in the Northern parts of Nigeria, accidents and those killed by armed robbers.

To this end, mortuary owners in the state have raised alarm over possible out-break of epidemic in towns, such as Awka, Onitsha and Ihiala respectively.

They contended that government had abdicated its social responsibilities of giving the corpses befitting burial, adding that it would be improper for the out-going administration to hand over the unclaimed and unidentified dead bodies.

At Amaku General Hospital mortuary, Awka, scores of dead bodies were found stock-piled in their numbers and same is the case at Onitsha General Hospital and Regina-Callie Hospital in Awka, the state capital.

Speaking with reporters in Awka, yesterday, one of the owners, Chief Frank Igboka, lamented that government had been unfair to the corpses.

He added that the state government should expedite action in disposing the bodies bePRAYER: HRM Professor Chike Edozien, Asagba of Asaba (right), offering prayer fore handing over power to Willie Obiano. for Hon. Amb Gabriel Oyibode, at his palace, in Asaba.

Insecurity: Experts want industrial guards armed

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

S

ECURITY EXPERTS in the country have canvassed arming industrial guards to enable them deal decisively with violent crimes.

Their recommendation came against the backdrop of the high level insecurity in the country, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the 2014 Securex West Africa Exhibition coming up in Lagos March 18 through 19, Colonel Raphael Oju kadiri, Consultant to Halogen Security Ltd, an industrial security firm, blamed the rising insecurity in the country on lack of intelligence gathering and information management on the part of security personnel.

“That is what is missing in the

South West non-indigenes meet EPRESENTATIVES OF all non-indigenes resident in the South West of Nigeria met recently at the palace of Eze Hyacinth Ohazulike, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, where they discussed matters of common interests.

Those who met were representatives of all non-Yoruba ethnic

granted him.

Ojo said that they had filed application for summary judgement before the court on November 6, 2013, and that the court was aware of the case.

The counsel stated the case was about the defendant, a developer, who claimed to be the landlord of 13 flats, some shops, collected various sums and issued receipts to prospective tenants.

He also said he gave the complainants the same date to take possession of the property.

According to him, they all arrived at the same time and the defendant was nowhere to be found, though he was appre-

groups including, Ndigbo, Hausa, Igala, Fulani, Efik, Ijaw and Itsekiri, among others. They agreed to hold a cultural festival for all the diverse groups to showcase themselves in Lagos soon.

Another meeting of the tribes will hold on Saturday, March 15, according to the Secretary General, Professor Nwose Chukuma.

fight against the Boko Haram insurgents. I don’t think we manage information the way it should, and that is the problem we have.

“There is need to have avenue to gather information, which will be passed on to people that will manage it,” he said.

He said that already, a bill seeking to authorise industrial security guards to be armed had been sent to the National Assembly.

He said: “Government should allow industrial guard force to be equipped; if it is happening in South Africa and Egypt, I don’t see why it will not happen in Nigeria.”

For Ms. Tori Abiola, Managing Director, Montgomery West Africa and organisers of the exhibition, Securex West Africa had, in its fourth year, served as a converging point for security players

Abia govt frowns on Gov Orji's campaign posters rently dot every nook and cranny of Umuahia, the state capital, and other parts of the state, parMUAHIA — ABIA State ticularly the Central senatorial government has warned zone. groups and individuals printing and posting Governor Theodore Orji’s campaign posters and billboards for 2015 senatorial election to desist from it henceforth.

HE MONTHLY meeting of According to the government, Ijebu-Ode Grammar Governor Orji had not declared School Old Boys Association, his intention to contest for any JOGS, 1974/79, is billed for Sunposition in 2015 and had, there- day, March 16, 2014. Venue is fore, not mandated any person or No. 14, Akinbaruwa Street, Off group to print and post campaign Ishaga Road, Surulere, Lagos. posters for him.

A release by General Secretary Thousands of campaign post- of the association, Adeola Adelaers and billboards urging the gov- na, said the meeting would hold ernor to run for Abia State Cen- at 2p.m., with Ayo Orekoya as the tral senatorial seat in 2015 cur- host.

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

JOGS 74/79 set meets

T

in the public and private sectors to brainstorm on security trends in Nigeria.

She explained that their major challenge had been infrastructure and harassment from Customs over equipment needed for purpose of the fair.

Burial

L

ATE MRS. Josephine Ekwujuru, (Nee Anusie), aged 76, who died January 30, will be buried on March 20, 2014, after a wake-keep at her residence in Umudim Umuele, Amazano, Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State, on March 19, 2014.

Late Mrs. Ekwujuru is survived by sister, grand children and children, among whom is Mr. Princewill Ekwujuru, a member of staff of Vanguard Newspapers.

Late Mrs. Ekwujuru

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 —47

BUDGET DEFENSE: From left: Member, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Vice Chairman, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Minister for Lands & Housing, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, member, Senator Simeon Ajibola, after the 2014 Budget defense session at the National Assembly, Abuja.

INAUGURATION: From left, Mr. Gboyega Oyekanmi,Mrs. Uche Okwechime, Mr. Chris Nezianya, Director, Coporate Affairs, Spurmore International Limited Chief Fidelis Osammor, Director General of National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, Sir Peter Idabor, CEO, Spurmore International Ltd, Dr. Anthony Okonkwo and MD, Spurmore International Ltd, Mr. Henry Dunkwu, after the inauguration and contract signing between Spurmore International Limited and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Acting CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Willsher (left) and Mr. Pang Jimin, MD, Huawei Nigeria, during the signing of agreement between Huawei and Etisalat on First IT Outsourcing Programme in Africa at the just concluded GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

COMMISSIONING: Vice President Namadi Sambo (2nd right), Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2nd left), Minister of State for Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortum (right) and Group President, Procter and Gamble, P&G, Mr. Laurent Philippe, during the commissioning of a new state of the art P&G manufacturing plant in Agbara, Ogun State, yesterday.

VISIT: From left: Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth, Chairman, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN, Awards Committee, Mrs. Yomi Ifaturoti, MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde and 2nd President, ADVAN, Mr. Lampe Omoyele, during the visit of ADVAN team to Nigerian Breweries Corporate Headquarters, Iganmu, Lagos.

From left: Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Director, Mr. Freddy Messanvi, Area Operations Director, West Africa, British American Tobacco Nigeria, BATN,and Senator Adeniyi Ademuyiwa, at the 2014 British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy, BATIA, award ceremony, at Iseyin, Oyo State.

VISIT: Pupils and teachers of the Candid Private School, Preparatory, Nursery, Basic & Secondary, Egbe, Lagos, during a visit to Vanguard Media Ltd Corporate Headquarters, at Kirikiri, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Diran Oshe .

From left: District Governor, Rotary Int'l District 9110, Nigeria, Rotn. Gbemiga Olowu,Mrs. Funke Adelaja, Rotn. Tayo Adelaja, President, Rotary Club of Gbagada and Hon. Sodiyan Kayode of Ogun SUBEB, at the commissioning of the reconstructed block of four classrooms donated by Rotary Club of Gbagada to St Aloysius Catholic Primary School, Iloti, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

AWARD: From left: Akapo Faith (1st), Area Community Junior Secondary School, Durojaiye Bukola (2nd), Royal Eagle Model College, Omninyi Blessing (3rd), Atlantic Academy, Oladokun Ayomide (4th), The Gem International School and Fawoye Cynthia (5th) Great Grace Science School, all winners, at the grand finale of the second edition of Mathematics is Simple by Our Generation Foundation, at Able God International School, Alagbon, Owode Yewa, Ogun State. Photo: Simon Adewale.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Salvation Army World leader, Cox to visit Nigeria March 20

Why FGCs were closed, by Yobe govt

D

AMATURU — THE Yobe Government has said that the closure of Federal Government Colleges in the three north-eastern states would help the students and their parents overcome fear and phobia arising from armed attacks.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Federal Government ordered the closure of unity colleges in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in February following attacks on the colleges by gunmen.

Alhaji Ahmed Goniri, Commissioner for Justice, stated the government’s position in an interview with NAN yesterday, in Damaturu.

Goniri, who is also Chairman, Federal Government College, FGC, Buni-Yadi Relief Committee, said: “Parents and students are still in a state of phobia and fear. The temporary closure will give them the opportunity to overcome fear.”

He noted that the closure would also provide government with time to reconstruct the damaged schools and re-strategise its security measures around them.

He said the state government had donated N100 million to rehabilitate the staff quarters and assist teachers who lost property in the attack, families of deceased students, and those who sustained injuries.

Goniri advised that the colleges should be reopened by next academic session when security in the three states might have improved.

Honour THE Onojie of Ekpoma Kingdom, Edo State will today honour Chief Monday Onuwabhagbe (Evergreen), with another chieftaincy title.

Chief Onuwabhagbe is the Osula of Irohi Kingdom and also the Aigbugbakheeni of Ujiogba Kingdom.

Sources say these recognitions are testimonies to his contributions to the development and progress of the different kingdoms in Edo State.

Chief Monday Onuwabhagbe C M Y K

L

From left: The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago; Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State; The Emir of Lapai, Engr Umar Bago Tafida and Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Mr Adamu Usman, during the investiture of the governor as a Fellow of the West African College of Pharmacists, in Accra, Ghana.

2015: We will improve on past mistakes —Jega

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN— CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has pledged that the commission would conduct a more credible election in 2015, by improving on its past mistakes.

He said: ”We are convinced that the prospects of having remarkably much better elections in 2015 are very bright.”

Jega spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday, at a lecture entitled: “Challenges of fraud free elections under a democratic dispensation.”

The event was to mark the official launch of a book on fraudulent election by the Mustapha Akanbi Foundation, MAF. According to Jega, “there are some key challenges confronting efforts to conduct fraud-free elections in an environment like ours. ”These challenges are not insurmountable and we will spare no effort to ensure that the aspirations of Nigerians for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections are actualised in 2015. ”As far as INEC is concerned, the 2015 general elections will see Nigeria take its rightful place in the comity of nations where electoral democracy is being consolidated.”

Challenges

He listed the challenges to include insecurity, funding as processes that guarantee fraud-free elections cost money, which is hard to come by, attitude of political class, apathetic and inactive citizenry, delay in amendment to the legal framework as well as completion of the review of electoral constituencies and prosecution of election offenders.

On the preparations, Jega said: ”A comprehensive reorganisation and restructuring of the commission has been completed, drawing from the recommendations of

a highly rated management consulting firm.

On preparation

“The consolidation and deduplication of the biometric register of voters had been completed, as a result of which the register of voters now has tremendous integrity; much better than the one with which the 2011 elections were conducted.

"Indeed, it compares favourably with any register of voters on the African continent. ”Plans have been finalised to roll out a programme of Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, nationwide, which offered fresh

opportunity to get more citizens onto the electronic register ahead of 2015 general elections, as INEC had stopped using addendum register for elections. ”We are commencing the CVR in Ekiti and Osun states and we hope that citizens in those states will make good use of the opportunity."

The INEC chairman, however, said INEC alone would not guarantee free and fair polls and then enjoined stakeholders to change attitudes and mind-sets as well as strengthen partnerships and collaborative efforts to bring about the desired improvement.

Catholics urge Jonathan, Suswam to end killings by Fulani herdsmen

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA — THE Catholic community in Benue State has asked President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Gabriel Suswam to find solutions to the on-going killings of innocent people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the state to prevent further loss of lives and property.

Catholic Bishops of Gboko, Otukpo, Makurdi and KatsinaAla Dioceses, Most Reverends Williams Avenya, Michael Apochi, Athanasius Usuh and Peter Adoboh respectively made the call at joint news conference yesterday in Abuja. ”We call on both the President and Governor of Benue State as Chief Security Officers, CSOs, to take responsibility of security in Benue State,” they said.

Avenya particularly recalled the affinity between government and the Catholic Church in Nigeria over the years, adding that the present situation in the state

needed some decisive action to avoid further loss of lives.

His words: “The Catholic Church and the government have over the years collaborated effectively in the areas of education, health, social services and the moral moulding of the citizenry.

"The present situation of insecurity and blatant destruction of lives and property in some parts of our state call for prompt, effective and decisive action on the part of all. We hope that our collective efforts will help end this crisis. ”Most worrisome among other issues was the protracted conflict between the Fulani pastoralists and Tiv, Idoma and Agatu farmers in some parts of Benue.”

The Bishops stated that hundreds of thousands of lives had been wasted since the crisis began some years ago, asking the “ leadership of the Fulani community in Benue State to actively engage genuinely and openly in the course of dialogue to bring this situation to an end.”

AGOS— THE Salva tion Army ’s World leader, General Andre Cox, is expected to embark on a four-day visit to Nigeria, beginning from March 20 to 24, 2014.

This was made known by the Territorial Commander, Commissioner Mfon Akpan, during a press conference to announce General Cox’s visit in Lagos.

According to Commissioner Akpan, during the visit, “Cox will lead a threeday congress in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital for thousands of Salvation Army members from across the country. The itinerary of his visit includes paying a courtesy call on President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja; leading a three-day congress for all Salvationists and friends in Nigeria Territory at the Ibom Hall ground, Uyo and commissioning of a new hall of The Salvation Army in Ejigbo and a quest house at Igbobi in Lagos.

“In the Salvation Army, any time a new General is elected, he tries as much as possible to visit countries where the Salvation Army exists. General Cox is the 20th General of the Salvation Army, and he with his wife, Commissioner Silva Cox (World President of Women Ministries) will be visiting Nigeria being one of the countries of their choice.”

1,296 police officers promoted in 3 northern states

B

BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI — ABOUT 1,296 police officers and men have been promoted in Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 12, comprising the three states, Mohammed Gana, made this known during the decoration of the newly promoted officers including an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, in Bauchi.

Speaking while decorating the new officers in Bauchi, Gana asked the beneficiaries not to use their position to intimidate and violate the rights of their subordinates in the course of their official duties.

Vanguard, FRIDAY,MARCH 14, 2014 — 49

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bosede Felicia Ojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bosede Felicia Ajakaye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGHOLOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lovina Oshiri Agholor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lovina Oshiri Nwanze. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

M A D U B A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Juliana Nkiruka Maduba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkiruka Anslem Dike.

All former documents remain valid.

University of Port Harcourt and general public please take note.

Addition of name ORISAGBEMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Janet Taiwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Janet Taiwo Orisagbemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N W U K A — I , formerly known and addressed as Onwuka Nkechinyere Benice, now wish to be known and addressed as C h u k w u k a Nkechinyere Benice.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emu Oghale Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oliseyenum Oghale Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EBEBEINWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebebeinwe Uyoyou Joy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mogun Uyoyou Joy. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UNUMERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenetejiri Unumeri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghenetejiri Wilson Egoh. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

KEHINDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Grace Oyenola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunlade Grace Oyenola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MADUEKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ulari Fiona Chidia Maduekwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ulari Fiona Nwaogazie. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and general public please take note.

ENEBELI— I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Enebeli Nwamaka Eucharia Daniela, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Joseph Nwamaka Eucharia Daniela.

A l l former documents remain v a l i d .

NYSC and general public take note.

OKOLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dominica Amarachi Okoli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dominica Amarachi Osum. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

IKEJIOFOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Josephine Nkem Ikejiofor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Nkem Vincent Udegbunam Ejiofor. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OKEREKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Okereke Violet, now wish to be known and addressed as Joshua Rita Akudo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EFETOBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Queen E. Efetobor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Queen .E. Akpojaro.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OCHELLI—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Anthony Israel Ebubechukwu Chinedu Ochelli, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Anthony Israel Ebubechukwu Chinedu. All former documents remain valid. FUPRE, other relevant authorities and general public please take note.

EHIAGWINA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joy Ehiagwina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joy Patrick Ejedawe.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okoro Thelma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Njoku Thelma C. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and general public take note.

A S U Q U O — I , formerly known and addressed as Nkanga Datti Asuquo, now wish to be known and addressed as Nkanga, Datti Asukwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

T I M O T H Y NZENWA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Ezihe TimothyNzenwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Ezihe David Onyeonoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ILOBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Linda Anofu Iloba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Linda Anofu Onwudike. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyinye Nkechi Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onyinye Nkechi Edebeatu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANOAYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Chioma Anonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Elizabeth Chukwuka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DICKSON—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sokka Rita Dickson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sokka Rita Gabriel Umaru. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SHOWUNMI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Basirat Oluwatoyin Showunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Basirat Oluwatoyin Ogunleke. All former documents remain valid. I.T.F and general public please take note.

FAJOBI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fajobi Yetunde Omosolape, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idowu Yetunde Omosolape.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOJOWHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elohor Omojowho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpako Elohor Sheila.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IMOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Miracle Erinma Imoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Dr. Mrs. Miracle Erinma Chukwuonye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Akpevwe Egboye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Akpevwe Egboye-Okonjo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogwu Alex Sarah Onyinye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kasim Sarah Onyinye.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UZUHAI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sonia Nkemdilim Uzuhai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sonia Nkemdilim Orieji. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

OKEREKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okereke Jessica Nneoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwuemeka Jessica Nneoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DIBIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Emilo Dibie, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Onyemaechi Joseph.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

DOYN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Molly Doyn, now wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Ibinabo Molly. All former documents remain valid. NPF (031817) and general public please take note.

O K O N J O — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss O k o n j o Ogechukwuka Winifred, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. W i n i f r e d Ogechukwuka Okonjo-Ojeogwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ASABO —I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Asabo Busola Rhoda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Samuel Busola Rhoda. All former documents remain valid. NMCN, Lagos State Government, First Bank of Nigeria and general public, please note.

DAFESE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Dafese Franca Ogheneruro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ohwofaria Franca Ogheneruro.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWAKAJI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwakaji Isioma Ethel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ethel Isioma Omobo.

All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

OKONKWO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Lilian Ijeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwughalu Lilian Ijeoma. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note.

EMECHEBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Emechebe Victoria Chioma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Clark Victoria Chioma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UGWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ugwu Jacintha Uchenna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Jacintha Uchenna. All former documents remain valid. University Of Nigeria Nsukka and general public please take note.

ANICHEBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Obinna Anichebe, now wish to be known and addressed as Obinna Chukwuchebe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 —51

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ONYEGBULE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyegbule Chioma Julia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chioma Julia Nwankwo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGHOGBEFAI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Erezitome Denise Ighogbefai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Denise Erezi Kalu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NJOKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogechi Immaculeta Njoku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogechi Immaculeta Ogo-Odiah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IKANONE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ediri Ikanone, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ediri Ikanone Imoh.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of name This is to confirm that the name Aridon Endurance Ochuko, refers to one and the same person as Paul Ogheneochuko, now wish to be known and addressed as Paul Ogheneochuko. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbo Linda Elakeche, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onuh Linda Elakeche.

All former documents remain valid. Benue State University and general public please take note.

EZERIBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukamaka Precious Ezeribe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ukamaka Precious Onoriode. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

YEIGAGHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Yeigagha Emotonghan Cyprian, now wish to be known and addressed as Orugagha Perelade Emoton Cyprian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUDU —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Ighogboya Ogudu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Ighogboya Osahon. All former documents remain valid. Bay Flower International School and general public please take note.

OMOSIGHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omosigho Winifred Muwahen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ebaretonbofa Winifred Muwahen.

All former documents remain valid. The authority to whom it may concern and the general public to please take note.

OJUGO—I, formerly known as Miss Akpevwe Stella Ojugo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Apevwe Stella Benikurukuru. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OVWEMEJEPHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ovwemejepha Akpos Freeda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esisi Akpos Freeda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EHOHO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Betty Eke Ehoho, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Betty .E. GeraldNgwumaohaike All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKOLOSI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tega Okolosi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tega Atigbiolaye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGBO — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eunice Egbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eunice Enamiriewan.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EREKAKE — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Erekake Eserifa Jennifer, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Torubiri Eseripade Jennifer. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGGREH — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Aggreh Boluwa Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Tonwe Boluwa Helen.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWEKE—I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Nweke Onyinyechukwu Angela, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edeh Onyinyechukwu Angela. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MELA—I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Mela Joy Onyiyechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egbomuche Joy Onyiyechi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri and general public please take note.

C M Y K

FOR ENQUIRY CALL REGINALD ON 08029714705, 08062824241

FESTAC BOAT MISHAP: How I cheated death — SURVIVOR

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

S

URVIVORS of the boat mishap, which capsized at 6th Avenue Canal, FESTAC Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, yesterday, recounted how they cheated death and how other passengers died in the ill-fated canoe.

The residents, however, demanded that the council construct a link road from 6th Avenue to 4th Avenue, to easy their movement to the Lagos Badagry Express Road.

About 13 persons died in the boat mishap on Tuesday night, with only five persons surviving the tragedy.

The survivors are Samuel Ochina, Joseph Essien, Mene Temisan, Daniel Peter and Etukufot Godfrey.

When Vanguard visited the survivors, Temisan was gloomy and all he could do was sigh.

Speaking to Vanguard, Joseph Essien, who was mourning his friend, blamed human error for the accident, saying “if the passengers had taken the boat boy’s warning, maybe the tragedy would not have occurred.”

He added that what also hindered the victims of the boat mishap was the state of the canal: it is very deep and swampy.

While explaining how the boat capsized, Joseph, who is in his late 20s, said: “When we were about leaving home on Tuesday, there was an early morning downpour; which I could say was a sign of what would happen.

“We were contemplating not to go to work. But the owner of the work we were about going for called my boss several times, demanding that the job be done that day.

“So we waited for the rain to subside

then we left.”

Joseph, a water treatment expert said: “After completing the work, we all packed our tools and left for home.

“On our way home, my friend Ochuko, as if he knew what was about to happen, was at this time full of joy and we all joined him in giving thanks to our Creator.

“At the river bank, we met the illfated canoe waiting for passengers.

Rather than enter, we allowed those who came after us to board the canoe.

The canoe left and returned to convey me, co-workers and my boss.

“Originally, the boat boy demanded that he wouldn’t pick more than 13 passengers. But he yielded to the demands of the passengers because they jumped into the canoe and begged him.

“Some of the new passengers claimed they wanted to go home on time and they couldn’t wait for the canoe to return.

“After they all entered, the canoe failed to move and all efforts by the canoe boy proved abortive. He sought the assistance of those still at the 6th Avenue shore to push the canoe to make it sail.

“Few minutes after the canoe sailed it begun to swing and water entered inside. Within seconds, the boat had capsized.

“I knew I wasn’t a good swimmer.

All I relied upon was the little knowledge I had gained while swimming in pools.

“I would have drowned because I had a bag on me where I kept my tools. Immediately I discovered that the bag was hindering me from gaining access to the shore, I removed it and swam to the water’s edge where the bystanders assisted.”

‘How our son died’

BY EVELYN OISA & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

T

HERE was wailing at the 22 Road Festac Town residence of parents of one of the victims of Tuesday night boat mishap.

The 62 year old father of one of the deceased, Mr. Emmanuel Okubor, described his late son, Uyi Okunbor, as an amiable and level-headed person.

Wishing that the hand of the clock could be taken back, Okunbor, a native of Uhumkwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, revealed that his late son relocated to Lekki in December.

He said: “If he had known, he would not have come home that day.

I call him Uyi. His other name is Festus.

“He was a computer software engineer. He announced his relocation to Lekki when his friend who lived outside the country decided

to establish an electronic shop which my son was managing.

“On that fateful day, we were not aware he was coming home because that was his own way of surprising us.

“After staying for a while, he said he was going to see some friends, promising to be back. But he never did.”

A survivor, said to have visited the Okunbor ’s family, revealed that Festus drowned because he could not swim.

He said: “Immediately the canoe capsized, everyone struggled to hold the canoe. But those who could swim, swam to safety. Uyi’s body was among those brought out that night.”

It was also gathered that the late Uyi was asthmatic. His elder sister, who gave her name as Blessing, described him as her favourite sibling.

The bereaved mother, who later joined her husband, cried all through that her son be brought to her.

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

Continues from page 5 possible, you want to borrow within Nigeria, it is not possible.

"You discover that even the facilities you accessed previously at 12 per cent, the banks are now raising them to 25-28 per cent. By the time they increase the CRR to 100 per cent, you will discover that nobody can borrow money from the banks again at all.

Who is this policy serving? We see it as a policy that is serving only to confuse."

He added that the commissioners demanded that the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, should attend the FAAC meetings and clarify issues, especially as they concern the NNPC. "They don't come before us here but they feel it is wise to go to the National Assembly and make statements concerning NNPC. It is statutory. It is not a matter to be debated. Therefore, we demand that they should be present here," he said.

FG pays petroleum marketers N41bn Meanwhile, the Federal Government, yesterday, paid N41.074 billion to 27 petroleum products marketers.

Paul Nwabuikwu, Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said in a statement in Abuja that the payment was for claims that have been successfully verified.

Those paid were: A-Z Petroleum Products Limited; Acorn Petroleum Plc; Aiteo Energy Resource Ltd; ASCON Oil & Gas Co Ltd; Avidor Oil & Gas Company; Conoil Plc; Dee Jones Petroleum & Gas Ltd Others were: Dozzy Oil & Gas Ltd; Folawiyo Energy Ltd; Gulf Treasures Ltd; Hudson Petroleum Ltd; Hyde Energy (Nig) Ltd; Ibafon Oil Ltd; Masters Energy Oil & Gas Ltd; Matrix Energy Ltd; Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc; MRS Oil & Gas Company Ltd; Nepal Oil and Gas Serv. Ltd. NIPCO Plc; Northwest Petroleum & Gas Ltd; Oando Plc; Obat Oil & Gas Services Ltd; Rainoil Limited; Shorelink Oil and Gas Services Ltd; Techno Oil Ltd; Tempogate Oil & Energy Company; and Total Ni-

geria Plc were also paid.

Mr. Nwabuikwu said the payment was made public "in continuation of the ministry's focus on transparency and accountability in the management of the subsidy regime."

He added that claims by some marketers that they were being owed subsidy for nine months supply was incorrect.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, had earlier in the week, alleged that its members had not been paid since last September.

Addressing a press conference, Tuesday, President of IPMAN, Alhaji Abdulkadir Aminu, blamed the lingering nationwide fuel scarcity on the failure of the Federal Government to pay marketers for petrol imported into the country in the third and fourth quarters of last year.

According to him, "we are being owed Q3 subsidy payment, which is last year, another Q4 and Q1 pilling up to about nine months unpaid subsidy to marketers. We need to be paid this money because we are in business."

Aminu warned that the current fuel scarcity would persist because, according to him, there was a supply gap due to the fact that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, which it claimed was the sole importer of fuel, could only supply 50 per cent of the country's needs.

He explained that why NNPC could continue to import was because it was an agency of government but private marketers could not do so because of liquidity limitations.

The IPMAN boss, who called on the Ministry of Finance to commence immediate payment to allow marketers import the product, insisted "shortage in supply today is as a result of non-payment of marketers' oil subsidy; partly Q3, Q4 completely not paid and we are in Q1.

For our national consumption today, NNPC supply 50 per cent of the national consumption."

FG, states & LGs share N641bn Also, the three tiers of government, yesterday, shared N641.299 billion,

Minister of Communications & Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson and the Principal and students of the Federal Government Girls College, Bwari at the launch of the Digital Girls Club in Bwari, Abuja, yesterday.

Withdraw fuel subsidy, state Finance Commissioners tell FG representing revenue that accrued to the Federation Account as well as proceeds from the Value Added Tax, VAT, in the month of February.

Statutory Federation Allocation stood at N531.332 billion; N64.129 billion from Value Added Tax , VAT, proceeds; SURE-P distribution stood at N35.549 billion, while

the NNPC made a refund of N7.617 billion.

Jonah Otunla, Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, told journalists at the end of the FAAC meeting in Abuja, that total statutory federation account revenue was N666.745 billion which was N125. 875 billion higher than January statutory revenue of N540. 870 billion, while

VAT total proceed was N66.801 billion, representing a N15.476 billion fall from the N82.277 billion earned from VAT in the preceding month.

The improved revenue profile of the month under consideration reflected in the amount each tier of government received for March expenditure.

The Federal Govern-

ment took a total of N257.152 billion, the states got N157.617 billion, while the local governments were given N119.24 billion.

In addition, the oil producing states got N56.384 billion. They include: Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Edo and Cross River.

Over 800 fuel tankers stranded in Lagos as depots run out of stock

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS— IF the claim by Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, Association is anything to go by, there is likely to be another round of scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, otherwise known as petrol, as most tankers are currently stranded in Lagos due to unavailability of the product in Apapa depots.

Comrade Tayo Aboyeji, South West Public Relations Officer of PTD, raised the alarm yesterday, while commenting on the influx of tankers along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, despite the presence of special taskforce comprising men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA. It will be recalled that

PTD earlier said that it had commenced move to check further movement of tankers, especially from northern parts into Lagos for awhile as part of measure to reduce the traumatic traffic gridlock in Apapa axis Aboyeji lamented that due to lack of the products at the depots in Apapa, tanker drivers, numbering over 800, had remained at a spot for about two days now, worsening the chaotic traffic situation in Apapa area and environs while more tankers were still heading for Lagos.

According to PTD's spokesman, "The information reaching us is that there is no more products to dispense at the depots. The only depot still discharging is Capitol Oil which will soon be out of stock. This can lead to another scarcity

of the product in the next few days if the product is not available soonest.

"Some of the tanker drivers are also on hunger strike as most of them who arrived about five days ago waiting to load had been out of cash to feed and are now begging for food in Lagos as they did not expect to spend up to two days."

According to Aboyeji, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, had not been truthful on the current fuel situation.

"NNPC has been issuing out tickets to dealers to come to Lagos to load even when they knew that there are no enough products to go round. Now, without any parking space provided, our members are stranded and will have to wait for the next consignment to arrive and load be-

fore going back to their various destinations.

"That is why you see the large number increasing by the day. If there are enough products to load, all these tankers you are seeing would have reduced drastically but Lagos is the only state discharging product as directed by NNPC. "Like I said earlier, the on-going construction of Oshodi-Apapa road by Julius Berger has compounded the traffic situation. We implore citizens to appeal to NNPC to do the needful and save the nation from unnecessary hardship."

Aboyeji, however, told Vanguard that an emergency meeting had been summoned by the leadership of the union to quickly assess and address the situation before it gets out of hand.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—53

TREBLE CHANCE Aston V. Man Utd. Stoke

v Chelsea v Liverpool v West Ham

Sunderland

v Norwich

Huddersfield Ipswich Millwall Sheff Wed

v Blackburn v Wigan v Charlton v Birmingham

Guest Forecaster BAYO AKINWAMIDE BET ON – 1, 13, 17 HIBERNIAN 49 AWAY - STAR: Scotland and HIBEES 2013/201, guaranteed perfection for 4-times ! By simple appearance of Hibernian on away game Coupon No.49 made Jacpot. Simply have its opponents 2nd letter by left-angle and 3rd letter by right-angle subtracted, as fraction made multiply ‘4’ ,and that multiplication made subtracted “49” for a sure draw automatically. Research and presentation

by Bayo Akinwamide. 0803317164. Facebook: b a y o d u s p o r t s @ y a h o o . c o m WEEK06-2013/2014- Fixtures Saturday August24,2014 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.49 with Kilmarnock as a match. That’s I-O 9-1=6x4=2449=2banker. [ Void though, Colchester (1) Carlisle (1) ].

WEEK35-2013/2014- Fixtures Saturday March15,2014 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.49 with Partick as a match. That’s A-I=1-9=8x4=32-49=17banker.

Checked for Week35 matches to be played Saturday Match15,2014 to NAP-17,35,29,30.

Fantastic going, Saturday Matrch8,2014 as fans nationwide made it 3/4 - [ 7,15,18,33 ]. That good, encouraging.

And coming up as distinctive draws Saturday March15,2014 are Bristol City vs Swindon, Crawley vs Colchester, Plymouth ve Scunthorpe. TIPS * * * NAP:15,16,17.

NAP:1,13,17.

NAP:24,27,43.

NAP:17,29,30,35. NAP:48,39,29. NAP:2,17,40.

FOUR HOMES

HIBERNIAN – 48 – AWAY CLASSIFICATION. English Football, Scotland and The HIBEES ! With simple appearance of Hibernian on away game Coupon No.48 made Jackpot, that by multiplication of 4. And, Double-Multiplication: 4,3,2,1 respectively. Have first and last letters its opponents subtracted, as fraction added ‘14’ for Point. And Point by multiplied, as that multiplication made subtracted “49”, and fraction made subtracted the Date-Matches-Played for Pointer. Finally, Pointer be multiplied by Double-Multiplication for a sure draw automatically. Research and presentation

by Bayo Akinwamide. 08035317164. Facebook: LATE bayodusports@yahoo.com

TIPS

2X9X 13 X16 FOUR AWAYS PAIR 27 4 X 24 X 42 X X 43 PERMUTATION 49 1 X 5X8X 17 AVOID X 21 X 27 25 TIPS RISKY 30X32X 38 35 CREDIT Partick Tottenham Reading Crewe Dagenham Rotherham Milton KD Crawley

EXCELLENT 2 Aston V. 2 Hull 2 Stoke 3 Sunderland 3 Huddersfld 3 Ipswich 3 Millwall 3 Sheff Wed

7 7 7 5 5 5 5 5

WEEK16- Fixtures Saturday November2,2013 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.48 tie Motherwell as a match. That’s M-L/N. =13-12=1+14=15point. Therefore, 15x4=6049=11-2=9pointer.And 9x4=36banker. Checked for Week16 matches played Saturday November2,2013, Napped-36.

WEEK32- Fixtures Saturday February22,2014 appeared Hibernian at an away game Coupon No.48 tie Kilmarnock as a match. That’s K-K/N. =11-11=0+14=14point. Therefore, 14x4=5649=7-22=15pointer. And, 15x3=45banker.

Checked for Week32 matches played Saturday February22,2014, NAPPED-45.

Give us your views about our Guest Forecaster

X-RAY OF THE DRAWS WEEK 35 Barclays Premier League 1 Aston V. 2 Everton 3 Fulham 4 Hull 5 Man Utd. 6 South'Pton 7 Stoke 8 Sunderland 9 Swansea 10 Tottenham

v Chelsea XX v Cardiff 1 v Newcastle 2X v Man City.

2 v Liverpool XX v Norwich X1 v West Ham XX v Crystal P. XX v West Brom 1 v Arsenal X2

Sky Bet Championship 11 Bolton 12 Bournemouth 13 Burnley 14 Huddersfield 15 Ipswich 16 Leicester 17 Millwall 18 Nottm For. 19 Q.P. R. 20 Reading 21 Sheff Wed 22 Watford

v Brighton X2 v Middlesbro X2 v Leeds 1 v Blackburn XX v Wigan XX v Blackpool 1 v Charlton XX v Doncaster 1 v Yeovil 1 v Derby X2 v BirminghamXX v Barnsley 1

Sky Bet League One 23 Bradford C. 24 Bristol C. 25 Carlisle 26 Coventry 27 Crawley 28 Crewe 29 Leyton O. 30 Milton KD 31 Preston 32 Rotherham 33 Tranmere 34 Wolves

v Gillingham X1 v Swindon 2 v Stevenage 1 v Port Vale X1 v Colchester XX v Oldham X2 v Brentford 1 v Peterboro XX v Sheff Utd. 1 v Walsall XX v Notts Co. 1 v Shrewsbury 1

Sky Bet League TTw wo 35 Burton A. 36 Cheltenham 37 Chesterfield 38 Dagenham 39 Fleetwood 40Hartlepool 41 Newport Co. 42 North'pton 43 Plymouth 44 Rochdale 45 Southend 46 York

v AFC Wimbl'dn1 v Torquay 1X v Oxford 1 v Morecambe XX v Portsmouth 1 v Bristol R. 1 v Exeter 1 v Mansfield 2 v Scunthorpe 2 v Accrington S 1 v Bury 1 v Wycombe X1

47 Dundee Utd 48 Kilmarnock 49 Partick

v St. Mirren 1 v Celtic 2 v Hibernian XX

Scottish Premier League

1 7 27 38

8, 14, 15, 17, 21 Revised Pairs 1 x 5, 7 x 8 17 x 27,38 x 49

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

L-r: Mrs. Nkiru Nnorom, Victor Omoregie, George Etomi, Hugo Odiogor, Michael Faloseyi, Joe Ajaero, Charles Ilofulunwa and Kunle Kalejaiye

Privatisation of power sector compounds nationwide darkness N

ORMALLY, electricity comes out between N11 and N14, so you can see the band in which people play (between N11 and N90). I wish the benefit is going to Nigerians, but it is not.

It is going to a cartel that will ensure that we live or die in darkness as long as they are making their money. So, we must break that circle! I tell most of my colleagues today that the investment is massive in electricity but I am sure Nigerians are willing to pay a bit more in getting steady power supply.

Oppressive power situation Who creates jobs in Nigeria? It is the SMEs. Those are the ones that reel most under this oppressive power situation. So, this is a clarion call. We must all align and I take his point that people will start to sue and we are aware. So, the days in which the government gives cover for PHCN officials will not happen because if a client gets electrocuted, the investors will be held responsible for it. We will slowly get there. So, I don’t want us to be too hard on ourselves.

Yes it will take a long time to achieve this but it is good that we start this because whatever we do, our children will either benefit or suffer as a result.

Those of us who felt that Nigeria was on a take-off from the 60s,

70s and 80s, we are now in 20s, but trust me, few years from now, we will fix power. Power is at the basis of everything we do; even the telecom sector depends on power. Once we fix it, trust me, Nigeria will be on the forward march.

Joe Ajaero: The point I want to make is in respect of what he said about telecommunication sector. For the purpose of this conference, I want to state that NITEL has not been privatised even as we speak now. What happened was a kind of deregulation of the sector, which made new players to come in. The deregulation of the telecom sector brought in players like Glo, MTN, Airtel and others in the field to compete.

When this issue came up in the power sector, some of us insisted that all the players that showed interest should come with proven evidence of their capability to set up their infrastructure. You will recall that from 2005 till date, some investors were given licence to operate power stations.

About 25 companies were licensed and as at today, none of them has generated one watt. I am happy that the NERC is represented in this conference.

The same people that said that PHCN was obsolete were the ones that lined up to buy the meager 2,500 megawatts or the obsolete PHCN. It is good for us to understand that we are still on that 2,500 megawatts even with the whole name given to it. If you look at the electronic media sector, government did not have to sell Radio Nigeria or NTA before Ray Power, AIT or

Channels were allowed to came on board. If you do that, you will short change the people. That is to say transferring public monopoly to private monopoly.

But in the case of the power sector, if there was three or four companies that were already generating 4,000megawatts, it would have made a difference in terms of promoting competition and giving the consumers alternatives.

The power sector is different and I want to say that I have never seen any country that does not have base power. The South Africa we are mentioning is entirely government generated.

In the United States of America, which is the centre of capitalism, 250,000megawatts of electricity is generated by the government as base power.

National security This is important for national security. If the investors in the power sector come up to say there won’t be power in the US, that 250,000megawatts would be there for the critical sectors of the economy and the society to operate. It is not a situation where you will say that the American government is not interested.

The other segments of the society such as the municipal governments, state governments and private investors contribute to the national target of one million megawatts of electricity in the United States of America.

Now what is Nigeria electricity base power? I was among the people that suggested that

4,000mw of electricity would not be enough for us to hold firmly.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company for instance, can do well. Like what someone said here, even what is currently being generated can be consumed by Lagos metropolis alone. This is a virgin market.

With all the somersault, we created 18 successor companies around 3,000 megawatts and

,

The first part of this conference hall was published in our Wednesday edition

everything to God. But now, if they do that, people will revolt.

Confronting the issue of prepaid meter: Now that brings us to the issue of pre-paid meters.

How can a country privatise its power sector without having at least four to five companies that manufacture and supply prepaid meters. We should have made sure that these things are available before we embark on privatisation of the power sector to help the new investors to recoup their money. Now, if they had four to five companies that manufacture pre-paid meters, as well as repair them, that would generate employment.

Consumers would be able to pay their correct bills, they would be assured that if they are not satisfied with their power supplier, they could switch to another provider, but now it is private monopoly. These are some of the things that I mentioned, not because we want to be hard on our nation, but we have to tell ourselves some home truths.

George Etomi: He is correct but bear in mind that government still owns 40 percent stake in the power sector. The privatisation was only done for 60 percent and in five years, they are expected to go public. All the issues you raised are true. The thing is that government is the most inefficient vehicle to get a lot of these things done. So, let us start now that we have moved them to a point so that we can begin to empower ourselves to bring about change.

Secondly, each of these companies is committed within the next five years to invest at least $250 million. That is going to make a significant difference.

We should empower some states, let them generate, feed their states and then feed the national grid. So, we have to open up this issue one after the other to look at areas we can address

handed over the same 3,000megawatts to private investors and we expect magic to happen. If we expect magic on the same 3,000megawatts, we are not being fair to the people that have taken over. I was among the people that said that there should be a bridge between availability and affordability. That is to say, before privatisation, we should have ensured that there is availability of power so that the people coming in should have something to manage.

The challenges they are facing have been there. So, what effort was made to address these challenges before they arrived?

The new investors have more challenges, especially in recovering their debts. Before now, we can say that the the power company, PHCN, was giving us crazy bills and we kept mute and handed over

,

Thirdly, you will notice that there is significant interest in power investment worldwide in Nigeria now. This is because the Electricity Reform Act has created the enabling environment for investors to come into the country.

You talked about telecom sector, that one was virgin and the other was not. There was several attempts to privatise NITEL, but each time they put a bate and the people went in there, they see a different thing. Because power is a utility, it could not have gone the same way telecoms did. What you want to look at is the overall concept. If we use all our oil money to put into power, it won’t be enough. It is investment funds worldwide that makes the difference because investors are looking for the best places to put their money. So, what we should

Continues on page 55

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014—55

George Etomi

Kola Balogun

Hugo Odiogor

Joe Ajaero

Charles Ilofulunwa

Privatisation of power sector compounds nationwide darkness Continues from page 54 be doing is creating the enabling environment for investment to come in.

The bulk of investment in telecoms far outstrip whatever NITEL spent throughout its 50 years of existence before it went into extinction. Investment funds are coming from outside. What we want to see is a similar thing in power where new and better jobs will be created, most of these companies will be modernised, youths will become more vibrant and the metering business will flourish.

Hydro power plants Talking about metering, there is no way it is not going to happen. I know they paid lip service to it in the past because among the things, corruption did not make it to happen, but now it is going to happen because people are going to distribute bills. So, some of these things are true, what we need to do is take a look at the what the future holds for us and understand that our destiny is now in our hands. It is left for us to play the ball the correct way.

Engr. Kola Balogun (CEO MOMAS): I will like to make a distinct point about what comrade Joe Ajaero mentioned. Enough of all these stories that we have been telling ourselves, let us dissect the main issue. Firstly, why has government not invested in hydro? We have the Mambila free energy for us and it is hydro. If we have all these hydro power plants working, it will be sufficient for us. It is not going to be capital intensive like

that of the gas.

When the Niger Delta crisis happened, they cut off gas supply and we had nothing left.

Why have we not re-invested in our transmission network? Why have we not done segregation in our off-grid system? Why can’t a state generate its own electricity, supply to the state before adding it to the national grid?

Moderator: Electricity is still on the exclusive list in the constitution……

Engr. Kola Balogun: That is part of the problem. We should empower some states, let them generate, feed their states and then feed the national grid. So, we have to open up this issue one after the other to look at areas we can address.

Michael Faloseye (NERC): Let me add this. Before 2012, It would be right for you to say that electricity is the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government. But now, we have the regulation that permits other states to generate their own electricity. That is why you can see what Fashola is doing in Lagos, a lot of power plants are coming up. Even before him, Tinubu tried his hand on some of them although he got his finger burnt. Rivers State is doing something similar.

Captive generation We have what is called IEDN; we have regulation on captive generation. Captive generation allows these distribution companies to enhance their supply in a particular location.

Take for instance, if there is no supply across this river and Ikeja

or Eko which has the franchise in this area says they cannot supply, people residing in the area can come together and go for a new supplier. The only thing they have to do is to sit down with the person that has franchise in the area and ask how they can connect from this point to the next? How much are we going to pay for using your wire to connect from this point to the next? They will work out the economics, approach the regulator and if the economics works out fine and there is a ready market, then it is fine and good.

Moderator: Etomi made a point which is what Nigerians are suffering. 99 percent of Nigerians are ignorant of what their right is as regards electricity use.

Whatever bill is given to you, you can’t contest it rather you just pay.

In any case, if you are going to contest it, it is the man that gave you the bill that you will still go and meet. It is like reporting yourself to a police that arrested you in the first place.

Pre-paid meter There is no escape route for you, they are holding you by the jugular. I have been told that the pre-paid meter has been stopped and that the entire system has gone back to the old NEPA system, old NEPA technology, and old NEPA tactics of collecting revenue. Like what you said about leakages, if I recharge my electricity the way I recharge my phones, I will know what I consume. If I use DSTV and I run out of credit, they will cut me off, but electricity in Nigeria is

,

Michael Faloseyi

that you are paying for what you are not using.

So, we have issues to find out from the regulators. Have you taken the consumers into confidence in the sense that we have to defend the right of consumers? We should be able to hold consumer’s forum and let them know what their rights are.

You talked about going to court, it is when you know your right that you can go to court, if you don’t know, how then will you go to court.

Even as we talk today, Nigeria still funds electricity companies.

So, you begin to ask question like, why are we still using public fund to support private investors.

Now that you are telling me that government still has about 40 percent of the business, we need to get a lot from the regulatory body because they are the eyes of the government. They are the ones that will set the limit an operator cannot go. I want you to really break it down for us, where do we really stand as consumers of electricity and those who are in this electricity business, to ensure that we have electricity because it is a utility that we can no longer do without.

Michael Faloseyi: It will be simplistic for me to say that the responsibility of a regulator is to protect the customers. The responsibility of a regulator include that and much more, such as ability to read in between the lines, ability to ask question and ability to do cost benefit

urging the federal government to give them power. Do a content analysis and check that report and ask yourself ‘When last did I see that headline? It will interest you to know that you will never find such headline again simply because they now know that it is their responsibility, that they also have a stake to generate electricity for their citizen.

Before now, what we used to have on ground is that you see a state governor who wants to grandstand, but because of the regulations that we have put in place it has been pushed back to them and they are now aware that they have a responsibility and even as a local government chairman, you can generate electricity for your people. In South Africa, distribution of electricity as a matter of fact is a source of revenue for the government.

Distribution of electricity It is only in Nigeria that you find a local government chairman going to buy transformer with public fund and tell the community to meet PHCN to install whereas by the time PHCN was submitting its budget for the year, there was no budget to connect that community.

Meanwhile he or she has wasted public fund, he has not asked question as to how he can recoup the money he has spent on the transformer. At the end of the day,

,

Electricity power consumers are the set of people we need to empower, we need to get them to be aware of their right and responsibility

analysis. For instance, if someone says he wants to build a power plant, I should be able as a regulator to read between the line. What is the cost benefit analysis of it, what is the impact on the environment.

Those are the responsibilities of a regulator. Having said that, you talked about power consumer assemblies. Nigerians are becoming aware of it gradually just as the man from Eko DISCO said that we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. We have been doing the same things for over 50 years and we are now talking about change, which is less than two month or let me limit it to the activities of the Commission for seven years. Change is a gradual process and if you drive the people too hard, you will not be able to get a desirable result and if you run faster than your leg can take, you are likely going to collapse.

I mentioned the ability of an individual or resident association, local government or states government to generate their own electricity. If you check your energy page about two years back, you will see some headlines like state government

somebody in the community will take away the transformer.

Last year, we talked about the issue of awareness on the side of consumer. Electricity power consumers are the set of people we need to empower, we need to get them to be aware of their right and responsibility. It is easy for us to say that government is bad, but it takes two to tangle.

Sometimes, when I go on power consumer assembly, I used to tell people that it is very easy to say that PHCN staff are bad, but don’t forget that they are your uncles, aunty and if you accuse them of corruption, it takes two to tangle.

When they want to play such game, they will ask you how much you have and you will say N10,000. Then they will ask you ‘Do you want to pay? That is usually the first question.

If you say you want to pay, am sure that worker will be scared of you but if the consumer asks for help, then it has taken two to tangle. At the end of the day, you will be at the receiving end. So, we have a platform that is called ‘Power Consumer Assembly ‘ through which we have moved throughout the length and breadth of this country.

To be concluded

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY,MARCH 14, 2014 — 57

C M Y K

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

NEWS BRIEF

Egypt ex-PM: Presidential poll will be fixed

Russia facing UN showdown over Crimea

W

ESTERN diplomats are preparing a draft resolution against Russian actions in the Crimea in an attempt to isolate Moscow over its action in Ukraine, Al Jazeera has learned.

Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor, James Bays, said he was informed by diplomats that the US was to circulate a draft at the end of a Security Council meeting on Syria. “The plan is, I’m told by diplomats, is that Western countries want to bring this to a vote before the Crimea referendum on Sunday.

He said that while Russia would use its permanent council status to veto any resolution, the draft would be significant if it gains support from member of the council and shows Moscow is isolated in the international community.

“It is about showing the world where the members

W These pro-Russian members of a self defence unit swear an oath of allegiance to Crimea’s regional government. stand. The kep player is the Chinese,” he said.

“A lot of the diplomacy right now is focused on China. Making sure China doesn’t side with Russia and abstains.

The resolution comes after the US secretary of state, John Kerry, threatened “serious steps”

against Russia if a referendum was held in the Ukraine region of Crimea this week.

Kerry said on Thursday that the EU and the US would prepare a response against Russia if he could not agree a compromise with his Russian counterpart, Sergei

Lavrov, at talks in London on Friday.

“If there is no sign of any capacity to be able to move forward and resolve this issue there will be a very serious series of steps in Europe and here with respect to the options that are available to us,” Kerry said.

•China debris images not connected HINESE satellite pictures of debris in the South China Sea are not connected to the missing Malaysian airliner, Malaysia’s transport minister has said.

Hishammuddin Hussein also denied a US report that Flight MH370 might have flown for hours after contact was lost.

Chinese state TV is still treating the pictures as relevant and says a

warship is continuing to hunt for the debris.

The plane went missing early on Saturday with 239 people on board. The search now includes the Indian Ocean.

The minister said the disappearance of the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft was unprecedented.

Mr Hussein told reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport that the Chinese embassy in

the Malaysian capital had said the satellite images were released by mistake and “did not show any debris from MH370”.

The grainy satellite images were released by China’s State Administration of Science on Wednesday.

Despite the denial, state TV in China says a warship is continuing to search for the debris spotted in the South China

Sea. One commentator dismissed Mr Hussein’s comments, and the report said China would continue to analyse new satellite images.

‘Everything was normal’ Meanwhile, the Indian army has confirmed it is joining the search for Flight MH370 after focus was extended to Andaman Sea, in the Indian Ocean.

Pope Francis marks first year in office A

S Pope Francis is celebrating his first year in office, the Argentinean-born pontiff is currently on a week-long spiritual retreat with cardinals and bishops in the Alban Hills near Rome.

Italian opinion polls give

NE of Egypt’s top politicians, the former prime minister Ahmed Shafik, has pulled out of the country’s upcoming presidential election saying it will be fixed in favour of the army chief.

In a leaked recording broadcast by Al Jazeera yesterday , Shafik described the forthcoming poll as “a comedy show” that no candidate other than Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has a chance of winning.

Shafik had previously said he would back Sisi if he ran for the presidency. In the recording, however, he says: “I know very well they will fix all the ballot boxes. I have taken myself out of this loop because the election is going to be a farce.”

Karachi gang warfare kills at least a dozen

No clue on missing Malaysia plane C

O

Pope Francis the highest popularity rating of any recent pontiff.

However, the BBC’s David Willey in Rome says that Francis’s papacy so far has shown a change of style rather than of substance.

Pope Francis is the first

Latin American - and the first Jesuit - to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

Since taking office, pilgrims have been arriving in Rome in unprecedented numbers.

He is also riding high on social media, with 11 million following him in nine

languages on Twitter.

Our correspondent says Francis’s approval rating has remained high despite a recent UN report accusing the Catholic Church of systematically covering up for tens of thousands of child-abusing priests reported to the Vatican.

S/Sudan army battles rebels as leaders meet

S A 90-second look-back at the Argentine Pope’s first year in charge

OUTH Sudan’s army said it was battling rebels in the strategic oil city of Malakal, the latest clashes in the nearly threemonth-long conflict. “There has been fighting between our forces and the rebels in and around Malakal town for the last two days,” army

spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP yesterday , adding the clashes were sporadic.

The northeastern town of Malakal, capital of oilproducing Upper Nile state, has been one of the hardest fought battlegrounds in the conflict, in which thousands have been killed.

OMEN and children were among those killed and injured after rival gangs in Lyari used grenades, guns and RPGs in fighting.

The attack took place in Lyari, one of the poorest and most violent areas of Karachi.

Gang warfare in the Pakistani city of Karachi has claimed the lives of at least twelve people, including women and children, with the death toll expected to rise.

Wednesday’s clashes between feuding gangs left 15 people dead in the Lyari area of Karachi. Dozens more people, including security personnel, were also injured. The incident has left members from both gangs dead and wounded.

Russia Lenta.ru editor fired in Ukraine row

T

HE chief editor of popular Russian news website Lenta.ru has lost her job over an interview it published with a far-right Ukrainian nationalist.

Galina Timchenko was fired after the state media regulator issued the website with a warning for publishing material of an “extremist nature”.

She will be replaced by Alexei Goreslavsky, who until recently headed a staunchly pro-Kremlin website.

Her departure comes after several recent attacks on independent media.

The decision to dismiss Ms Timchenko was made

by Lenta.ru’s owner Alexander Mamut. It was immediately criticised by the website’s editorial staff who complained of direct pressure being placed on them and a “dramatic decline” in the scope for free journalism in Russia.

Life term sought for Rwanda genocide suspect

F

RENCH prosecutors in the trial for genocide of a former Rwandan army captain have requested life imprisonment for the defendant, in the first such case being heard by a French court.

Pascal Simbikangwa denies the charges but prosecutor Bruno Sturlese asked the jury on Wednesday to declare him guilty of “genocide”, and not only of complicity, the charge brought against him during the trial. A verdict is expected on Friday, within weeks of the start of commemorations of the 1994 massacres that claimed an estimated 800,000 lives, most of them from the minority Tutsi ethnic group.

Venezuela protest: Death toll rises to 28

V

ENEZUELA’s state prosecutor said yesterday that the death toll from a month of violent protests had risen to 28, after the nation’s top court ordered opposition mayors to dismantle barricades set up by street protesters.

State prosecutor Luisa Ortega Diaz, speaking on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, also said 1,293 detainees had been released and 104 remained in custody accused of serious crimes during the antigovernment demonstrations.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014 — 59

Mexican coach heaps plaudits on Enyeama, Ejide putting up a great

BY DAN IKPECHUKWU, Atlanta

O

NE week after Nigeria and Mexico played out a goalless draw in a preWorld Cup tune up match in Atlanta on March 5, comments by

the Mexican Coach on the performances of the Super Eagles, particularly the two Nigerian goalkeepers, are still fresh on the minds of those who watched the encounter.

Mexican coach Miguel Herrera praised the Nigerian team for

•Enyeama

performance during the match but quickly added, “nobody can be deceived that the level of play of Nigeria is even close to what we can expect of them in Brazil this summer because it is too early to predict any country with just a friendly match as the final squad is yet to be picked.”

Coach Herrera, however, admitted that his players have not been together for a while after qualifying for Brazil 2014 hence the cautious exhibition by his team during the match.

Herrera went on to add, “Nigeria from this match is blessed with two great goalkeepers and they pose a threat to any team without fierce attacking squad whose duties will be continuous harassment with constant shots at goal as a way of weakening and disorganizing the entire defense.”

TROPHY TOUR: From left Former Nigeria international, Sunday Oliseh, Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries PLC; Ruud Gullit, Heineken Ambassador; Hans Erik Van Tuijt, Global Sponsorship Director, Heineken and Mr Edem Vindah, Corporate Media and Brand Public Relations Manager, NB PLC at the Heineken and UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour 2014 held in Lagos on Thursday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

S/Africa bid for 2019 Women’s World Cup

S

OUTH Africa will bid to host the 2019 Women’s World Cup as they turn their search for success from their failing men’s side to the women’s arena.

The country has already won the right to host the 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cup - the first time a major women’s world championship will be hosted on the African continent - and now want the senior event as well.

They are expected to face stiff face competition, however, notably from

City fans’ plane from Barcelona diverts to Newcastle

H

UNDREDS of Manchester City

Munich boss Continues from B/P ing German tax authorities of millions of euros.

The former World Cupwinning Germany striker, 62, had kept the funds in a secret Swiss bank account.

His lawyer had argued he should escape punishment because he gave himself up. But judges ruled his confession fell short of full disclosure.

Hoeness was initially charged with evading 3.5m euros (£2.9m; $4.9m) in taxes but he then admitted to dodging another 15m euros. It finally emerged in court that he owed a total of 27.2m euros.

‘Not valid’ On Thursday, the court in the southern city of Munich found Hoeness guilty of “seven serious counts of tax evasion”.

supporters must have wished they’d stayed at home as their flight back from Barcelona ended up in Newcastle. Manuel Pellegrini’s men exited the Champions League last night as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp.

And for the fans who had forked out to watch them, the dream of a treble was over, as they headed back to Manchester in the early hours.

However, there was more drama of the unwanted kind, as thick fog caused two planes to divert their landing and after circling above Bolton for 30 minutes, passengers were

told they were heading to

Zabaleta slams referee Lannoy

M

ANCHESTER City defender Pablo Zabaleta has hit out at French referee Stephane Lannoy accusing him of making “shocking decisions” in City’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

Argentine defender Zabaleta was sent off at the Nou Camp for two bookable offences, picking up his second booking for his protests to Lannoy over his failure to award City a penalty when Edin Dzeko appeared to be felled by Gerard Pique inside the box.

Dreadlocks

Continues from B/P asked about life without his identity.

He smiled and said that he needed to close the books on the Ruud Gullit that on the field and a Ruud Gullit that was no longer playing. ‘’It’s not been easy without the locks but I needed to carve a different image different from when I was

Leeds-Bradford.

playing. I’ve lived 14 years without my trademark locks. At times, it makes it difficult for people to recognize me. It is indeed good as the book on Ruud Gullit with the dreadlocks has been closed for an entirely different life outside the pitch”, he said to a thunderous applause.

•Zabaleta Continues from B/P Ambassador of the Heneiken trophy tour to Nigeria spoke yesterday at the presentation of the trophy to the media at the Eko Hotels. ‘’Indeed, I watched the Eagles when they won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Since then, they have grown in confidence and understanding. And Coach Stephen Keshi has been doing a very good job on the team”, he said to a sporadic applause from the audience.

The former European footballer of the year, World footballer of the year, Dutch Sportsman

reigning world champions Japan.

But South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan said the country’s track record as hosts of major events would stand its bid

in good stead.

Jordaan also announced the appointment of former Dutch international Vera Pauw as the new coach of the women’s side, Banyana Banyana.

FIFA ranking: Continues from B/P place) but moved up one place in CAF ranking, by overtaking Cameroon.

Ivory Coast and Algeria are still on top of CAF ranking, but Egypt moved up two places to the third spot, above Cape Verde and Ghana, while Tunisia remain sixth. There are no major changes in the top 10 of world ranking, with Spain, Germany and Argentina still occupying top three positions. Uruguay climbed up to the sixth place, by overtaking Switzerland, while Belgium also moved up by one spot, to the 10th

place, pushing the Netherlands out from the top 10. Nigeria’s World Cup rivals Bosnia/ Herzegovina slumped four places down to the 21st spot, just like Iran who dropped down from 38th to 42nd place.

Top 10 African sides in Fifa’s rankings for March 1. Ivory Coast 2. Algeria 3. Egypt 4. Cape Verde 5. Ghana 6. Tunisia 7. Nigeria 8. Cameroon 9. Guinea 10. Mali

Eagles of the year said that the warm weather in Brazil during the mundial would also be an added advantage to the Super Eagles. ‘’It’ll be difficult for European teams to handle the hot weather.

That will be an advantage to African teams and this is where the Eagles come in. The weather will be to their advantage and I think that Nigeria is always blessed with talents.

We had great talents like Sunday Oliseh(pointing to him), Jay Jay Okocha, Finidi George, Christian

Chukwu and many others.

He said that he has had beautiful time in his first visit to Nigeria.

Speaking on Nigeria’s chances in the World Cup, Oliseh said that Nigeria had nothing to lose other than to do well in the World Cup. ‘’Keshi won the African Cup of Nations and has been doing well. The Confederation Cup did not go down well and nobody should be blamed. I think that our Press should be positive in their write-ups because their writings have a way of impacting on the payers.

60 — Vanguard,FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

W

Understanding Keshi on Ike Uche and Osaze the management of players. Some of them eventually sabotaged him and according Kashimawo Laloko one of them played a vengeance game in the match that resulted in Siasia’s sack. And do you know that when Keshi played his first competitive match in Rwanda in

,

HEN calls for the invitation of Mikel Obi to the national team became loud and pressure on Keshi was evident I was compelled to reveal, in this column, why Keshi left out Mikel at that time.

Keshi has always said that he would only invite those who are hungry to play for Nigeria. This makes sense going by the behavioural problems of some players.

I supported Keshi on Mikel because I was privy to what happened before he took that action.

Immediately Keshi was engaged he faced Botswana and Zambia in two friendly matches already packaged before he was signed. Botswana was in Benin and Zambia in Kaduna.

Keshi had a plan to improve Mikel’s game. He wanted Mikel to be more adventurous and make attempts at goal. He didn’t believe what some fans said about Jose Mourinho destroying his attacking qualities. We were in the same school of thought as I had maintained same position for long. Will a coach tell a player never to score goals even if he wants the player to be defensive? Defenders, midfielders and, even in few cases, goal keepers have scored goals. How can a player play as a midfielder for over five years as at that time and never scored or even given one assist? You don’t sit back, play over 60 per cent of your passes backward or diagonally and expect to contribute to goal scoring which matters in football. Who has seen Mikel take on two or three defenders, hit a shot at goal and be running back to cover his area like many footballers do?

Michael Essien and a host of other defensive midfielders do so and score goals, not our Mikel. And that’s why some people say he is very lucky to be playing for a big club like Chelsea. However, Mikel has some qualities that you can’t take away from him. And his back passes have reduced. He has even scored for Chelsea.

Keshi wanted more from this man when he came on board. In a chat two or three days before the Botswana match Keshi bared his heart to Mikel and told him that he would offer him a free role in Eagles so that he could express himself – defend, create and attack at his will – and enjoy his game in Eagles. Keshi told him he could do better than he was doing. Mikel thanked him for his great words but the following day he complained that he had pains and left the camp for England where he played for Chelsea few days later. He simply lacked the confidence to accept Keshi’s challenge. My dear readers, how would you feel if you were in Keshi’s position? Many did not know about this and were mounting pressure on Keshi to invite Mikel. Invite a player who wasn’t hungry to play for the country? The man simply left him out and said that he would only call him when he needed him. Keshi was diplomatic. He never announced any ban or suspension but that was actually what he did. It paid off because when he gave Mikel chance to return to Eagles the Chelsea man became more serious. It wasn’t the Mikel we saw under Samson Siasia who was another good coach but who made some mistakes about

Uche must convince Keshi that his team spirit is now high and that he is ready for team work

,

a Nations Cup qualifier and substituted some players who didn’t play well those players took offence and one in particular audibly grumbled that what happened to Siasia could happen to him.

Do we remember that, in spite that, Keshi wanted to recall one of those players months after.

We are all witnesses to what happened between Osaze and Keshi too. The coach called him on phone to discuss to discuss his return to Eagles. Osaze told Keshi he would like to return to the team but that he would not like a repeat of what happened in Rwanda. Indirectly, he was giving conditions under which he could return to the national team. Keshi closed the chapter on him although he has never said so. It was typical of him. He would invite him when he needs him.

I have given this background because of the recent clamour for the return of Ike Uche to the Eagles.

Keshi appears adamant on this. I think that he has his reasons. If he, however, finds out that Ike Uche has changed and ready to adopt the team spirit in the Eagles under his care he would invite him. Whether this will happen before the World Cup in Brazil this summer is what I don’t know. But on the grounds of my privileged information Ike Uche needs to call Keshi, discuss and convince the coach that he would abide not only by camp conditions but also exhibit great team spirit. Team spirit is about team work. You will understand better shortly.

The Segun Adeniyi Panel that investigated the bo-

nus crisis in Eagles came out with a Code Of Conduct for national teams because of the findings that bordered on indiscipline in camp. I served in that panel. The Code Of Conduct which will be introduced before the World Cup will help the general conduct of the entire team from the administrators to the players and coaches. Bonuses were not even the major issues. However, to avoid further crisis the Code Of Conduct states that the football federation should determine and inform the team officially what their entitlements will be for every competition. And this will be communicated formally to the team on or before commencing camping for competitions.

The Code Of Conduct is against players discussing technical matters with administrative officials. It rather wants them to discuss such matters with their coaches and make suggestions if necessary.

Ike Uche, I gathered, was always advocating the adoption of the tactics of his club and would easily make remarks about “how things are done in my club and how they should be done here.” Sylvanus Okpala, then with the Eagles, reportedly once asked Uche that if all players in a national team insist on adopting their club tactics what will the confusion be like? Okpala advised him to stick to the game plans of the team and that he needed to respect the national team too. I also gathered that Ike always did things his own way. But there were times his goals covered up tremendously for his tactical indiscipline or idiosyncrasies as the case may be. At the last Nations Cup in South Africa, Ike Uche didn’t have a good tournament. His matter, I gathered, was compounded by the fact that he bluntly refused to obey instructions especially the one that had to do with marking. As a second striker, Uche was always asked to fall deep to mark. But he was always failing to do so after repeated warnings and opponents were exploiting the space he was creating by his action. It was so bad that even his fellow players complained, I gathered. And this was why Keshi somehow believed that Uche was working against the team. You don’t go to the media to tell such a coach to invite such a player like some top federation members have done lately.

Uche must convince Keshi that his team spirit is now high and that he is ready for team work. I think this is the only way Keshi may consider Ike Uche whose club performance lately has been encouraging although the national team may be a different ball game. But Uche has been there before. Again, invitation to camping does not guarantee final selection for the World Cup. Every player must fight it out and justify his place. I think we still have time to make amends in all areas.

God be with us in Brazil, I pray although I know that God is never partial. He will be with all teams. We, therefore, need to work hard and earn good results, noting that GOD IS FOR ALL. This is for those who will not do the right thing but who will always call for prayers in sporting events. Let me tell them now that God is for all.

Messi back at his brilliant best L

IONEL Messi’s Wednesday’s performance for FC Barcelona against Manchester City was a proof that when at his peak, the Argentine is unstoppable.

Barcelona booked their spot in the Champions

League quarter-finals for the seventh straight year after beating Manchester City4-1 on aggregate. If Barca’s yesterday’s has anything to go by, it was that the ‘Azulgranas’ may not be favourites, but they remain firmly in the run-

ning to lift the trophy for the fourth time in a decade.

On the back of a difficult spell for the Argentine, his stunning individual performance in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City should finally see talk of his on-off form and injury

Nasri expects loss to inspire squad

S

•Nasri

AMIR Nasri believes Manchester City will emerge a stronger team from their disappointment in Barcelona.

City bowed out of the Champions League as they slipped to a 4-1 aggregate defeat to the Spanish champions with a 2-1 loss at the Nou Camp. City did rise to the occasion and applied pressure as they sought to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit, but a 67th-minute strike from the brilliant Lionel Messi effectively ended

their challenge. They battled on, even after the sending off of Pablo Zabaleta in the 78th minute, but Vincent Kompany’s late equaliser proved mere consolation and was immediately cancelled out by Dani Alves in the last minute.

Barca were the better side but City can take encouragement from their performance and, after premature exits at the group stage in the past two seasons, progress is being made.

woes put well and truly behind him. Following Barcelona’s recent mediocre performances and especially after defeat to Real Valladolid at the weekend, Messi was the target for criticism, but on another big European night he again showed how ridiculous it is to write off a player of his class.

Though it was Dani Alves who made it 2-1 in stoppage time, a sucker punch that rendered City’s 89th-minute consolation effort even hollower, Messi was the star of the show.

BLOCKING . . . Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi (L) vies with Man. City’s striker Sergio Aguero during their UEFA League match Photo:AFP

PSG captain wants Barcelona revenge

A

FTER being eliminat ed from the Champions League by the Catalan outfit last year, the Brazilian defender is seeking retribution this time around.

Paris Saint-Germain last

Wednesday night sealed their passage through to the quarter-finals of European football’s finest competition with a 6-1 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The Parisian club reached the same stage of the competition last year but a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes and a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp saw Barcelona progress on away goals.

Vanguard, FRIDAY,MARCH 14, 2014 — 61

C M Y K

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY,MARCH 14, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2014

INSIDE CENTRE SPREAD

2014 World Cup: Eagles ‘ll do well in Brazil — Gullit STORIES BY TONY UBANI

D

UTCH legend, Ruud Gullit has tipped African Champions, Super Eagles as one of the teams expected to do well in the forth-coming Brazil World Cup. Gullit who is an Continues on page 59

FIFA ranking: Super Eagles remain 47th HE Super Eagles Tdid not improve its Bayern Munich boss jailed

•Gullit . . . Then

•Now

•••Why I cut my dreadlocks R UUD Gullit was the cynosure of all eyes yesterday at the Eko Hotels during the

unveiling of the Heneiken Champions League trophy to the media. He was looking

smart but his trademark dreadlocks made him look strange. He was Continues on page 59

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

position from last month’s in the latest FIFA global ranking published yesterday in Zurich.

Despite the draw with 20th-placed Mexico Super Eagles did not change their position in global ranking (47th

Continues on page 59

A

GERMAN court has sentenced Uli Hoeness, president of European football champions Bayern Munich, to three years and six months in jail for tax evasion.

He admitted defraud-

•Hoeness

Continues on page 59

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1Abrupt (6) 5 Discharge (4) 8 Disgrace (5) 9 Curve (3) 10 Shrewd (4) 11 Relax (4) 12 Long (5) 13 Swore (6) 16 Dale (4) 18 Revise (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Charged (3)

23 Lair (3)

24 Bearing (4) 25 Orient (4) 28 Choose (6) 30 Remedied (5) 32 Penniless (4) 33 Near (4) 34 Brown (3) 35 Calm (5) 36 Rush (4) 37 Span (6)

DOWN 1 Short (6) 2 Ornament (8) 3 Surpass (6) 4 Dull (9) 5 Appeared (7)

6 Intend (4)

7 Fastened (4) 8 Pig-pen (3) 14 Reverence (9) 15 Can (3) 17 Meadow (3) 19 Abandoned (8) 20 Sicken (3) 21 Ascertained (7) 26 Tie up (6) 27 Posture (6) 29 Box (4) 30 Manage (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS 31 Expire (3) ACROSS: 3, Arise 9, Pierce 10, Afraid 11, Event 12, Edam 15, Ache 17, Delayed 20, Her 21, Women 23, Over 25, Pair 26, Rover 28, Jet 30, Negated 33, Eden 35, Line 36, Panic 38, Musket 39, Gather 40, Paint.

DOWN: 1, Speed 2, Pedal 3, Ace 4, Review 5, Sane 6, Eft 7, Match 8, Adder 13, Devoted 14, Maker 16 Hearten 18, Dozen 19, Rep 22, Naval 24, Rot 27, Resign 28, Jemmy 29, Tease 31, Tight 32, Decry 34, Data 36, Pep 37, Cat.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-4544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.