US joins war against Boko Haram, Ansaru

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62014

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

IYAYI: ASUU postpones

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NEC meeting indefinitely

US joins war against Boko Haram, Ansaru

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & VICTORIA OJEME

•Declares them Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) •Decision for declaration taken Nov. 8 — Adefuye L •Agbakoba, Ndoma-Egba, Itse-Sagay, MURIC, others react

AGOS—AFTER years of diplomatic patchwork and footdragging, the United States, yesterday, formally declared war on Boko Haram, classifying the Nigerian-based Al

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COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17

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Mr & Mrs

TEARS FOR IYAYI—Relations and sympathisers console Mrs Grace Iyayi (4th L), widow of former president of ASUU, Late Prof. Festus Iyayi. Inset: ASUU members walking into the residence of Late Iyayi at Ekosodin in Benin City, Edo State to pay their condolence. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

ANAMBRA: Nwoye, Ngige, Obiano in showdown 53 C M Y K

2014 BUDGET: Senate, Jonathan disagree on oil benchmark 9

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

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4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER14, 2013

POCKET CARTOON

President Goodluck Jonathan (M), speaking at PDP governorship rally in Onitsha yesterday. With him are Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (R); Anambra PDP Governorship candidate, Comrade Tony Woye (3rd R), and other party chieftains.

US joins war against Boko Haram, Ansaru Continues from page 1 Qaeda affiliate, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The declaration would make Washington mobilize resources and intelligence to combat the ninth deadliest terrorist group in the world.

A statement issued by the US State Depart-

ment, yesterday, in Washington, said the US government was invoking Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 to designate Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

The Federal Government which had hitherto mounted pressure on

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

W

HEN people are not aware of the blessings in their lives, they become ungrateful, and envy is a direct result from ingratitude —Ella Randle As a young girl growing up, I use to ponder on this African proverb which best illustrates the principle of non-interference- “one man’s meat another’s poison”. Of course the interpretation of this proverbial saying for me comes with more deep understanding and perspectives in maturity and in my every day dealings with others. Sometimes, people will want to impose their way of thinking on others, a person finds a new faith and he/she believes that everyone should abide by their new found beliefs, another may have found a new way of doing business and so he imposes these ideas on others through his influence, and often on family members and close associates, and if they don’t comply, they will be subjected to ridicule, subtle insults and even indifference.

People who do these kinds of things are just power hungry people they may appear meek and calm until you really find out who they are, they live by the principle, “my will or nothing else” and often will disguise these attitudes in subtle ways to make a person comply to their whims and when this fails, the true power of control is unleashed on the individuals who allow themselves to be victims.

It is easy to recognise these traits which are often hidden, but like a smoke cannot be hidden from the burning flame; so is anger, gossip, envy undue attachment to material things and an intense desire to interfere in others people’s private lives. Everyone has a calling and the best we can be is to excel at ours and focus on our own journey to excellence and be of assistance to others too.

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the US against taking such action, also issued a statement through Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US to explain why it accepted the US classification of Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist groups.

Decision taken November 8, 2013 According to Ambassador Ade Adefuye, the decision to declare Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, was taken at a meeting at the State Department on Friday, November 8, 2013, and they took immediate steps to inform the authorities in Abuja.

He said: “For the past couple of months, this embassy successfully countered pressures from religious organizations and politicians both in Nigeria and the US on the American government to make this declaration. Our belief then was that the twintrack approach of enforcement and dialogue adopted by the Nigerian Government would make Boko Haram see reason. Regrettably, the continued intransigence of the sect compelled our government to proscribe the organization on June 4, 2013.”

The Federal government said its earlier opposition of the designation of Boko Haram and

Ansaru as FTOs by the US was “because of the wider implication and exposure to stringent measures that such actions will impose on ordinary Nigerians”. But the State Department said its assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. It said designation of these groups as FTOs demonstrates U.S. support for the Nigerian people’s fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru.

Ambassador Adefuye said: “We have taken note of the statement by host authorities that the latest action is meant to enhance further co-operation between Nigeria and the US in tackling this issue. The Government of Nigeria remains committed to bringing to an end the atrocities of Boko Haram in collaboration with our foreign partners.”

Activities of the radical Islamic sects have become worrisome to the United States and other countries that are uncomfortable with Boko Haram, which has been responsible for the death of thousands of civilians and security personnel across religious divides in North-East and central Nigeria since it commenced its campaign in 2002. Also operating in Nigeria, Ansaru is a Boko Haram splinter faction that earlier in 2013 kidnapped and executed

seven international construction workers.

Diplomatic sources said the designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as FTOs is “an important and appropriate step, but just a step in a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts, as well as military engagement, to help root out violent extremism.”

Global FTOs With this designation, Boko Haram and Ansaru would be treated like other terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, Salafis movement or AlQaeda, Al- Shabbab in the Horn of Africa, Taliban in Afghanistan, Haqqani in Pakistan and Hamas in the Middle East, including Mujoa and Ansar Dine in Mali.

These are global networks of jihadist organizations that want to institute orthodox theocratic states based on Islamic tenets and doctrines. They have relied on criminal activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling and kidnapping to raise funds for their campaign of terror worldwide.

The United States has been concerned about the link between Boko Haram and Ansaru and Al-Qaeda in Magreb AQIM and the AlShabaab Islamic sect operating in East Africa from where the group gets its training and logistics support. AlQaeda in The Maghreb stretches from the North African nations of Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, to Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Cameroon and Northern

Nigeria.

Implications for Nigeria The consequences of these F TO and E.O. 13224 designations include a prohibition against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide material support or resources to, or engaging in transactions with Boko Haram and Ansaru, includes freezing of all property and interests in property of the organizations that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.

These designations will assist U.S. and other law enforcement partners in efforts to share intelligence, training of security operatives in counter intelligence strategies, investigation and prosecution of terrorist suspects associated with Boko Haram and Ansaru.

Security and Intelligence experts said this declaration would require the US Congress to enact relevant legislation to back the antiterrorism campaign in Nigeria. “ There are also strong beliefs that the US might use its controversial drone programme to attack leaders of these radical groups which have declared that they would attack the US and her interests in Nigeria.

Dr. Dan Mou, a retired director in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja told Vanguard that designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organisations

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER14, 2013—5

tified, isolated and taken out.

But Rep Kyari Gujbawu, PDP, representing Maiduguri Federal constituency in Borno said the declaration may close all windows of further negotiations though the Federal Government had tried in so many ways to ensure this tag is not placed on them.

He explained that “ what has happened is simply calling a spade a spade," stressing that it has lingered on for too long.

Sagay

VCs CONFERENCE—From left: Chairman, Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), Prof M.H. Muhammad; Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof Adebiyi Daramola and the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Modupe Adelabu, at the opening of the 28th Conference of AVCNU, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, on Tuesday.

US joins war against Boko Haram, Ansaru Continues from page 4 means that America will now treat Nigeria as a terrorist country and Nigerians travelling to the US, would be singled out for special attention. It would mean that Nigerians applying to travel to US would face a stringent visa regime.”

Special security scrutiny Foreign Affairs Ministry sources further told Vanguard that “the classification affects members of Boko Haram sect would of course, affect innocent Nigerians while the issue of who is innocent is purely subjective so we as citizens of Nigeria will have to pay the price.”.

Vanguard learnt that Nigerians who have visited countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, Niger, Yemen, and Chad where Al-Qaeda and its affiliates are known to operate are marked out for special security scrutiny in the United States.

Among its most lethal attacks, Boko Haram carried out indiscriminate attacks in Benisheikh, Nigeria in September 2013 that killed more than 160 innocent civilians, including women

and children. Boko Haram has also conducted attacks against international targets, including a suicide bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja on August 26, 2011, that killed 21 people and injured dozens more, many of them aid workers supporting development projects across Nigeria.

Ansaru’s attacks have focused on Nigerian military and Western targets. In November 2012, Ansaru raided a police station in Abuja, killing Nigerian police officers and freeing detained terrorists from prison. Also in January 2013, Ansaru attacked Nigerian security services when its members ambushed a convoy of Nigerian

peacekeepers. Ansaru has also conducted several kidnappings of foreigners living and working in Nigeria.

Nigeria-US relations Ambassador Adefuye further said that the action of the US State Department would not affect relations between the two countries negatively.

He said “The Embassy wishes to assure American investors and tourists that our country remains a favourite destination for investors and tourists”.

He said “Every nation has its security challenges in one section of its geographical entity.

The threat of Boko Haram

exists in some parts of the 36 states of Nigeria.

According to the envoy, there are “many American investors who are presently in Nigeria and we have received firm assurances from the host authorities that the declaration is only to speed up the process of ending Boko Haram atrocities.

The intensity of USNigeria relations will not in any way be adversely affected: The Nigeria-US Bi-National Commission will continue to be implemented with vigour. Our citizens will not be subjected to unnecessary harassment at Immigration border posts. The economic, social and political ties with the United States will continue to wax stronger”.

Agbakoba, Ndoma-Egba Itse-Sagay, MURIC, others react

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, WAHAB ABDULLAH, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS—REAC TIONS, yesterday, trailed the declaration of Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist organisations by the United States.

While some people commended the United States, others rejected it

MURIC

Professor Ladi Akintola, the executive director of Muslim Rights Concerns said: “We object to the designation with reasons. We know Boko Haram is a terrorist organisation but not an international terror

organisation. Its activities so far have been localised. The US by designating Boko Haram as terrorists can now use that as a reason to be attacking innocent Muslims or Islamic organisations. This type of move we all know has resulted in the killing or attack of innocent souls which has been condemned by international and developed world.

“This can be used to now attack Islamic conferences anywhere Muslims assemble.

Also, this will enable them to arrest or seize anybody bearing Muslim names or who they unduly suspect at will. This may also enable them to send drones anywhere, which in effect may lead to the death of innocent souls.

Reps react Members of the House of Representatives who spoke on the declaration of Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist organisations by the United States yesterday were divided in their views.

While some saw it as a welcome development others felt it could close the door for further negotiations with the insurgents.

Chairman House committee on Anti-Corruption and Ethics, Rep Abiodun Faleke, APC, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency simply said “it is a welcome development”.

Deputy Chairman of House committee on Ethics and Privileges, Rep Toby Okechukwu, PDP, representing Aninri/Oji Federal Constituency, Enugu also spoke in the same vein saying: “It is a confirmation of a defacto situation. It never required rocket science to do so. That’ s why we have the state of emergency. What we need is support from the international community so that foreign elements amongst them are iden-

In his reaction, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) said the US declaration was one that needs attention in terms of attack on wherever they are located and by shutting down their source of funds from organizations that sends them funds. Such organizations are subject to US sanction. What this means is that the source of funds for Boko Haram should be subjected to direct attacks.

Agbakoba Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) in his reaction said, “ yes, I support the US view on Boko Haram that the sect is a foreign terrorist group. A terrorist organization is the one that has unlawful objective. And it is designed to use unlawful method to achieve its goal. Nobody needs to be told that the sect is terrorist group, with its activities in Nigeria.

Ndoma-Egba Senate Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, yesterday said that the recent declaration is a welcome development.

Reacting to this in a telephone chat with Vanguard, the Senate Leader said with the development sources of funding of the sects would be tracked internationally. He said that Nigerians should welcome this because terrorism has become an international problem.

However, senators from the Northern part of the country where the groups mostly operate could not comment on the development as they neither picked their calls nor replied to text messages sent to their mobile lines.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

3 youths remanded in prison over armed robbery

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS— THREE young men were, yesterday, remanded in Kirikiri Prison custody, pending the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, by an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court, over alleged armed robbery.

The suspects, whose names are Joshua Muha 20; Tope Oladunjoye, 23; and Emanuel Egbelo, 19, were ordered to be remanded by Magistrate Miss A. Akinde.

The defendants are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of fire arms, preferred against them by the police.

The plea of the defendants was not taken as the Magistrate ordered that they should be remanded in prison.

She further adjourned the matter till December 16 for mention.

... driver, too

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS— A 25-yearold driver, Nnachi Cyrian, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ikeja, over alleged robbery.

The defendant, who resides at 34, Alamu Salami Street off Saint Mary Governor Road Ikotun, was docked before Magistrate Margaret Dan-Oni. The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and robbery, preferred against him by the police.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the alleged crime on August 22 at about 5:55p.m. at Bungalow Junction, Jakande Estate, Ejigbo.

The magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the matter to December 12 for mention.

RAZED: Katako Market, Jos, after the fire. NAN PHOTO.

255 shops burnt, scores injured as fire guts Katako market in Jos

BY TAYE OBATERU & MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS— NO fewer than 255 shops were burnt and scores of people injured, when the grains section of the popular Katako Market in Jos, the Plateau State capital, was Tuesday night gutted by fire, destroying valuables worth millions of Naira.

The cause of the fire was not known, but Mr. Kabiru Lawal, the Chairman of Grain Traders Association, said that the inferno resulted from a power surge.

He said: “The fire started immediately power was restored. The voltage was extremely high and this resulted into flames from some machines in some shops.”

Lawal said that most of those injured were visitors who volunteered to put out the fire.

He said: “I was particularly happy that the volunteers were

people who had no particular stake in the market. Their total commitment was just amazing.”

The chairman appealed to Plateau State government to assist the traders, some of whom he said lost everything.

“Many have lost everything they laboured for all their lives,” he added.

Mr. Musa Ishaka, a victim, who described the incident as a “massive disaster,” called on the government to come to their assistance as they had no one else to turn to.

Mrs. Juni Dabin, a representative of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, who visited the scene, expressed shock over the massive destruction and prayed against a recurrence.

She said that SEMA had assessed the damage and would send a report to the Plateau Government.

She said: “We shall do everything within our powers

to cushion the effect of the disaster.”

Eyewitnesses’ accounts

Another eyewitness blamed the fire on an electrical spark after power was restored around 9.30p.m.

The witness said: “There was a spark from an electric pole after electricity supply was restored. It dropped on inflammable items on the ground, which ignited the fire adding.

“Within seconds of the spark, the whole place was covered with smoke and then fire.”

Another said it took the fire service and concerned members of the public several hours to bring the fire under control.

The eyewitness said several residents, that were attracted by the siren of the fire service and the blazing fire, which lit up the night, rallied to contain the fire which was eventually brought under control at about

midnight.

Mahmud, a second hand clothing seller, told Vanguard: “Many residents came out to assist the fire people because the fire was spreading rapidly.

They helped in getting more water.

“The cooperation of the people helped to ensure that the fire did not spread to other parts of the market.”

Many of the victims were seen going through the rubble of their shops, yesterday morning, and lamenting their losses.

One of them, Yahaya Mohammad, said he lost several bags of maize and beans to the fire. He said he also lost money he had hoped to take to the bank.

The Director of Fire Service in the state, Mr. Michael Dung, had in a recent interview with Vanguard, warned the people to be safety-conscious in view of increased incidents of fire during the harmattan.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—7

2 soldiers, 2 others killed in gun battle with kidnappers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— TWO soldiers were among four persons feared dead, yesterday, when gunmen engaged security operatives attached to Saipem in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State in a fierce gun battle on the Agip/Saipem waterside.

Vanguard gathered that the gunmen were coming from a kidnap operation. They had allegedly attempted to abduct a top management staff of Agip.

The situation was reportedly foiled by a Police orderly attached to the target, who engaged them in a shootout.

Eyewitnesses said the Mobile Policeman sustained severe gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The kidnappers reportedly fled in a Toyota Camry car to the Iwofe River.

They poured fuel round the vehicle, and then set it ablaze before hopping into a waiting boat. Sources around the River said 10 minutes after they left, two policemen raced to the jetty.

One source said: “If the

Policemen had been here earlier, they would have caught up with the fleeing gunmen.

They set their vehicle on fire before speeding off in a boat.”

Vanguard gathered that it was the fleeing gunmen that ran into a security boat on escort duty for Saipem staff. In the ensuing gun battle four persons, among whom were two soldiers, reportedly lost their lives.

IMT's exams offices burnt, 3 arrested

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU— THREE persons have been arrested by men of Enugu State Police Command in connection with the fire outbreak at the examinations offices of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu.

No life was lost in the inferno as there was no worker in the building at the time of the incident.

Vanguard gathered that the inferno was noticed at about 8.30p.m. at Asa Block housing

N7M FRAUD: Ex-council boss jailed 6 months

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

T

HE former Chairman of Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State, Enesi Jimoh, has been sentenced to six month imprisonment over N7 million fraud.

He was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, presided over by Justice I. E. Ekwo.

Enesi, who was found guilty of converting N7 million belonging to Adavi council for personal use while in office, was convicted without an option of fine.

The money was said to have been budgeted for provision of borehole for communities in the council area.

Enesi was arraigned alongside one Samuel Ojo, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture in March 31, 2010.

However, Ojo was discharged by the court after a nocase submission filed by the defence counsel, H. O. Agumbiodun in June 2012.

One of the charges for which Jimoh was convicted

read: “That you Enesi Jimoh Suleman, while serving as executive chairman of Adavi Local Government Area converted the sum of 7 million naira property of the council,

When contacted for comment, the acting spokesman of the 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Army Barracks, Major Yusuf, said he was going to investigate and get back to this reporter.

Also, spokesman of the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta, Col Onyema Nwanchukwu, said he had no hint of the incident, adding that he was at a ceremony.

concealing its illicit origin and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 14 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2004, and also punishable under Section 14 of same Act.”

the examination coordination office of the institution.

An eyewitness said that all the examination scripts written by students on Tuesday, November 12, were burnt to ashes, and that nothing was rescued from the office.

Men of the Enugu State Fire Service, who were alerted by security men on duty, were said to have responded to the call but were unable to put out the fire which had engulfed the entire building before their arrival.

Although the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, the Police said the three suspects, whose identities were not disclosed, were picked up to enable them determine their roles in the incident.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the arrest of three suspects, adding that operatives of Ogui Police Division rushed to the scene when it got notice of the fire outbreak.

Ondo youths protest killings by drivers

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE— FOR the second day running, hundreds of youths blocked the Iju/ Itaogbolu-Ado Ekiti Expressway, protesting the alleged killing of three persons, including two youths and an aged woman, by hit-and-run drivers within three days.

The irate youths, who dug a trench across the expressway, vowed to remain on the road until speed guide, in form of bumps, are made on the road by relevant government agencies.

Reports had it that no fewer than three persons have been killed within the last one week in the town by fast moving vehicles.

All the pleas by the Police chiefs, who visited the town late on Tuesday to pacify the irate youths fell on deaf ears.

Vanguard gathered that even appeals by leaders of the town that they should vacate the road were rebuffed as the youths stood their ground.

Speaking with newsmen, the Police image-maker, Wole Ogodo, said that the State Police Command was on top of the situation.

It would be recalled that recently the same scenario played out in Ogbese area of the state, when youths protested the killing of people in the town by hit-and-run drivers.

They vacated the road after speed guides were hurriedly constructed by government agencies.

As at the time of filling in this report, the youths are still on the road vowing to continue to sleep there until all the speed guide have been put in place.

The leader of the youths, who spoke in confidence, said: “As

you can see, we are protesting the incessant killing of our people by those who drive past our town on daily basis.

“Two youths were crushed to death, while an aged woman was knocked down last night.

“These three killings happened within three days.

That is why we are here.”

26-yr-old accused of raping, strangulating 10-yr-old cousin

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO— AN Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded a 26-year-old man, Rufai Idowu, who allegedly raped and killed his 10-year-old cousin, at Ilesha Prison custody.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Abiodun Fagboyinbo, told the court that the accused allegedly committed the offence on November 4, at about 5p.m. at Oosa Compound, Ile Ogbo, in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the accused allegedly forcefully and unlawfully raped the minor when the victim, who was on a visit, came to his room.

Fagboyinbo said the accused, after raping the victim, later strangulated her with the Hijab she wore because she was calling for help.

According to him, the offence is contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun, 2003.

The plea of the accused was, however, not taken because of the nature of the offence.

The presiding magistrate, Mr. Adebayo Lasisi, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ilesha Prison custody.

He subsequently adjourned the matter till January 7, 2014 for mention.

PROTEST: Youths on the expressway.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

‘Baba Omojola’s contribution to Nigeria’s devt unquantifiable’ L

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

AGOS — EMINENT Nigerians and activists, yesterday, in Lagos, declared the contributions of late activist, Baba Omojola to social justice, economic and political development of Nigeria were unquantifiable.

Professors Akin Oyebola and Femi Obayori, chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition and promoter of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms, Chief Ayo Opadokun, among other speakers and groups, at a symposium in honour of the late activist, poured encomiums on late Omojola.

Also at the event were National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Joint Campus Committee Lagos, Asekun Ekundayo, Coordinator of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, among others.

Speaking, Chief Opadokun, said late Omojola was at the forefront in the clamour for the Sovereign National Conference,

arguing that President Goodluck Jonathan had won the hearts of many activists agitating for National Conference by his planned national dialogue.

According to him: “Babarinde Omojola was at the epic centre of the campaign for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference. He died while on active service after he had submitted his memo to the first meeting of the advisory committee of the National Conference in Abuja.

“So we have come to honour him because he deserved our honour and respect. He worked tirelessly to make life better for all of us.

“I believe President Goodluck Jonathan, at least, won the hearts of most of us who have been agitating for National Conference.

We are not going to say anything except there is a Sovereign National Conference.

“Once Nigeria can respond to these two questions, then it would be possible for us to write a body of laws on the basis of our real Nigerian constitution. The British

Land scam: How two NSCDC officers swindled Nigerians

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

BUJA — BARELY one week after the Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, denied complicity in the sale of lands at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, an official of NSCDC, yesterday, testified that a couple, Edike Daniels and his wife used the name of the corps to sell plots around FCT to unsuspecting members of the public.

The couple who run a private company called Dynamy Nigeria Limited were both directors in the company.

The NSDC official, Mrs. Nnenna James with the rank of DSC who testified before the committee investigating land racketeering in Abuja, said she had personally written payment receipts to over 50 individuals who paid for their plots of land in the NSCDC commandant’s office.

She said the then FCT commandant, Rabe Sa’idu reposted her from the Operation department to the Housing, to facilitate the transactions.

However, when ACG Rabe Sa’idu was asked by the committee chairman, Rep Bimbo Daramola (APC, Ekiti) whether Mrs. James was re-posted from her previous department to the Housing, he admitted approving her relocation, as requested by Edike Daniels, whose company was selling the lands.

Similarly, the solicitor of

Dynamy Nigeria Limited, Mr. Benard Ben confessed to the committee that the company has Edike Daniels and his wife as the sole directors even as they were also staff of the NSCDC. The solicitor pointed out that ACG Rabe Sa’idu gave “tacit approval” to three companies to start selling lands on behalf of the corps.

He further stated that Dynamy liaised with one of the companies in selling the lands to the public.

Mr. Ben listed the Christian Fellowship of NSCDC, the Faith Winners Properties Limited and Bescolak, TNT as the three companies that were directed to take up the Corps name in selling lands. But when asked to produce the copy of the approval by the NSCDC, the solicitor insisted that it was issued through a “tacit approval,” a claim that was out rightly rejected by the committee.

He maintained that the land, located at Goze, on Airport Road, upon which the FCDA demolished roofing-level buildings of the victims, was duly registered with AEGIS, after Dynamy purchased the property from one Alhaji Sharif’s Clifton company.

Acording to him, after the demolition, the Solicitor, the FCT department of Compensation and Resettlement had written the company of their readiness to pay compensation, since the land was acquired by the Federal Government for a centenary edifice.

This was even as some victims had earlier given their accounts of how they bought the lands within the FCT commandant office.

PROCESSION: From left, late Baba Omojola's son, Akinola; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy, CD; his daughter, Eyinade; Funmilayo Ajayi, Solomon Sobade, Secretary-General, CD; Mr. Gbenga Soloki, CD Human Resources, and others, during a procession for late Omojola have it, America has it. They have what they called Magna Carter in Britain, and Bill of Right in America.

“The 1999 constitution we are operating here was imposed on us by the military and agents of the military. It is owned and controlled by the Nigerian military, that is why it has not responded to our aspirations.”

For Ekundayo, Baba Omojola was an icon of democracy and the struggle for liberty, saying, “Baba Omojola championed and ensured that there was harmony and collaboration among ethnic nationalities to proffer solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the Nigerian state.

“He was a strong advocate of true federalism and democracy which was one of the reasons he

joined ranks with progressive forces of like minds such as late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Beko Ransome Kuti and Wole Soyinka.”

“He mid-wifed the Pro National Conference Organisation, PRONACO, whose draft constitution he vigorously propagated till he answered the ultimate call of his Maker.”

IYAYI: ASUU suspends NEC meeting indefinitely zAs Oshiomhole, NLC, Wogu, others mourn

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE, VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG, ABDULSALAM MUHAMMED &, SIMON EBEGBULEM

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EADERS OF the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday, suspended indefinitely the union’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting planned to hold in Kano over the tragic auto-crash that claimed the life of ASUU former President, Professor Festus Iyayi, on Tuesday morning.

Thousands of students who had kept vigil, waiting for the outcome of ASUU NEC meeting, therefore went home disappointed following the announcement of the suspension of the meeting.

The accident which involved the convoy of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State on Lokoja-Abuja Road also left two other officials of ASUU - Dr. Ngozi Ilo, National Welfare Officer, University of Benin, UNIBEN; branch chairman, Dr. Anthony Emina, and their driver, critically injured.

President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, who

announced the suspension of the NEC meeting in Kano, explained that the union had to suspend the meeting following the sudden and tragic death of Professor Festus Iyayi.

The NEC meeting was widely expected to make a decisive statement on the five-month old ASUU strike that has crippled academic activities in the public university system.

At a briefing, Fagge told reporters in Kano that “ we are compelled to postpone this meeting in the light of the sudden death of one of our strongest pillars who died yesterday (Tuesday).

“As you can see for yourself, we are mourning the departure of this great scholar and you would agree with me that in this circumstance we cannot look at issues objectively.”

The ASUU President who looked visibly shocked by the unfortunate development, described Iyayi “as a strong pillar of the union,’ stressing that “this is a great loss to the entire country.”

Over 50 universities were represented at the botched Kano NEC meeting which was to deliberate on the

outcome of the branch meetings held recently that was key to the decision on suspension of the strike.

No new date has been fixed for the NEC meeting.

However, labour watchers are of the opinion that ASUU may not reschedule the NEC meeting until after the burial of the late professor.

Thousands of students that had kept vigil waiting for the outcome went home disappointed following the announcement of the suspension of the NEC meeting.

A student who spoke with Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said, “this is a clear indication that we have more days to spend at home because the figure that passed on was an icon and a respected voice.”

He expressed disappointment that the Federal Government had not arrested those that caused the fatal accident, stressing that “the only thing that can cool frayed nerves is to put on trial all those that played infamous roles in the accident.”

Meantime, more Nigerians have continued to mourn late Professor Festus Iyayi, former President of ASUU, who died Tuesday.

Continued on Page 15

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—9

2014 Budget: Senate disagrees with Jonathan over oil benchmark zRaises it from $74 to $76.50 per barrel

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—THERE is a brewing showdown between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate, as the latter has rejected the president’s oil benchmark of $74 per barrel and instead, raised it up to $76.50 per barrel.

The upper legislative chamber also directed that details of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Pro gramme, SURE-P, projects expected for execution in the 2014 budget be attached as addendum to the annual budget estimates for approval by the National Assembly.

But unlike the above, it approved the oil product daily oil production of 2.388mbpd, 2.5007mbpd and 2.5497mbpd for 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively as proposed by the president.

These formed parts of the recommendations of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s led Senate Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriations on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, which was passed yesterday, preparatory to next Tuesday’s 2014 budget presentation by President Goodluck Jonathan before the joint session of the National Assembly.

As seen in the MTEF and FSP, the 2014 Budget is predicated on crude oil production of 2.3883mbpd with a benchmark price of $74pb and a projection of aggregate expenditure of N4.77 trillion of which the capital expenditure is N1.45 trillion.

New borrowing of N572 billion projected for 2014 would increase the total of local and foreign debt to N8.25 trillion from N7.11 trillion in 2013. The status of bad loans absorbed by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, was not stated, and the details of the number of projects completed that have rate of returns were not also available. The contingent liability of AM-

CON could be in trillions of naira.

The Senate also approved that a total of N666.9 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, be distributed to the tiers of government as proposed by the executive just as it okayed augmentation from the Excess Crude Account, should the projected crude production fall below the budget, provided there are funds in the account.

The Green Chamber gave the president the nod to peg Corporate Tax and VAT rate of 30 percent and 5 percent respectively, just as it approved average exchange rate of N160 per dollar for the next three years.

It urged the government to strengthen and consolidate its fiscal strategy to narrow the gap between projected and actual revenue for the period of 2014 to 2016 curtailing oil theft and diversifying the economy to increase tax bases so as to increase tax revenue.

It noted that oil theft came into prominence in 2012 with a daily loss of about 150,000 barrel per day, regretting that by July 2013, the loss had risen to about 400,000 barrels per day, saying government needed to take some drastic steps to halt the development.

“Furthermore, government needs to work seriously on some of the key macro-economic indicators such as the growth of GDP and its impact on unemployment, inflation rates, interest rates, the status of the Sinking Fund and Debt Sustainability Analysis of 2013 and 2014, the alarming rate of uncompleted projects, debt profile and their status and the future of AMCON equally of concern.

“If these issues are not effectively looked into or controlled, the economic and infrastructural development aspirations of the nation would remain a mirage.

“As can be observed, the key indices contained in the current MTEF/FSP do not show significant improvement in terms of their contributions to economic growth and development.

“Moreover, the continuous building up of the nation’s external reserve above the internationally recognized standard of three months national import, at the expense of the provision of critical infrastructure whose multiplier effect on GDP would boost national development, should not continue unchecked,” the Senate observed.

SURE-P projection for 2014 is the N180 billion annual allocation plus the N94.34 billion unspent in 2013, bringing the total allocation for SURE-P in 2014 to N274.34 billion.

In his remark after the passage of the 20142016 MTEF and FSP, Senate President, David Mark, however, cautioned his colleagues that discarding the report subjectively would imply rejection of the document which he noted was instrumental to the Senate’s input in the consideration of the much expected 2014 Appropriation Bill.

The Senate President admonished them to avoid regional and party sentiments as the document in question affects the economy of the nation.

He said: “We need a document that will help us make our input when we consider the budget.

That is what this paper is all about. And it has given us all the highlights that we need when we are making our own input into the budget. So if you say ‘reject this paper’, then, you are saying ‘ reject looking at this input when you are looking at the budget'.

“So, there is no question of rejecting the paper. It is a report from our own committee and it is saying that we should look at these issues when considering the budget.

“If you are saying that when we are looking at the budget, we should not look at the shortfall in oil production, it is saying, ‘look at the shortfall in oil production, remedy it when you are making your input’.

“It is not a matter of assumption. It has looked at all the figures."

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Over 200, 000

passengers travel by BRT daily in Lagos

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — The Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Management Authority, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, yesterday, said over 200,000 passengers rode the Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, system buses daily.

Mobereola also said BRT had reduced transport fare by 40 percent.

Mobereola made the remarks during a talk-shop at the State Secretariat, Ikeja.

Mobereola said: "Gradually, people of Lagos have been abandoning yellow commercial buses, called 'Danfo' and 'Molue' for BRT. "We have been reducing waiting time at bus stops, the travel time within the metropolis and we equally reduced transport fare by 40 percent compared to the service being rendered by yellow painted buses."

Hijab controversy: Lagos requests for more time

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS — Lagos State Government, yesterday, before an Ikeja High Court pleaded for more time to settle out of court its ban on wearing of Hijab by female Muslim students in the state's primary and secondary schools.

Praying for time to resolve the issue, an official of the state government, Mr. Samuel Ajanaku told the court that the delay from the government to work out a reasonable term of settlement and present same to the court was due to bureaucracy in the system.

He urged the presiding judge, Justice Modupe Onyeabo to grant further adjournment to enable both parties conclude on the settlement terms.

The Muslim Student Association of Nigeria, MSSN, had dragged the state government to court over the ban, maintaining that the ban by the state violated their fundamental human rights.

8 students injured, as school railing collapses in Lagos

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — Eight students of Ajangbadi High School in Iba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos went into coma after the railing of the two-storey building in the school collapsed.

The incident which caused pandemonium n the school premises occurred at about 10:00 a.m. as the students were leaning on the rail on the second floor of the building.

Vanguard gathered that the rail had shown signs of rust but was not replaced.

Miss Rofiat Ademola, a Senior Secondary School, SSS1 student, said the rail finally gave way on Monday and injured eight of the SSS 3, students.

According to Ademola: "We were in the classroom at about 10:00 a.m. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise.

"We rushed out to see what was happening and we saw the students that fell were all SSS3 students; they fell from the second floor of the building."

Another student, Mr. Samuel Olasunkanmi, said the rail started showing signs of rust since last school term.

"Despite the bad state of the rail, the students still used to lean on it before it collapsed on Monday."

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the council, Mrs. Ramota Oseni-Adeyeri who spoke to Vanguard, said only

eight students were affected when the rail gave way.

Oseni-Adeyeri said: "The students were rushed to the Iba LCDA Primary Health Centre, PHC, where the medical officers gave them appropriate

treatment.

"Of the eight students, only one is still in critical condition at the moment and she was transferred to the Igando General Hospital, Igando, for treatment."

CONFERENCE: From left, Chief Tola Adeniyi, former Chairman/MD, Daily Times; Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chairman YETFUND Governing Council, and Professor Wale Omole, former VC, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, at press conference of Yoruba Education Trust Fund (YETFUND), at Elizade Plaza, Anthony Village, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Lagos collapsed buildings: How police frustrate us— Govt

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AGOS — THE delay in prosecuting owners and developers of collapsed buildings in Lagos State was, yesterday, blamed on the police, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye, has said.

Briefing newsmen in Ikeja, Ipaye said the state was worried about the spate of collapsed buildings across the state, but that its effort at prosecuting offenders had been frustrated.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that a five-storey

shopping complex collapsed on November 4 at No. 9, Muri Okunola St., Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

Three persons were reportedly killed, while 12 others were injured in the incident.

Ipaye said: “It is the duty of the

Tolling is a necessity for standard roads — Fashola

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU & NKIRUKA NNOROM

LAGOS — LAGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has said tolling is a necessary means of attaining standard road infrastructure in Nigeria.

He spoke at a forum organised by Bank Directors Association of Nigeria, BDAN in Lagos.

Represented by his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayodele Gbeleyi, Fashola said: "Tolling provides a stable and timely source of funding for road maintenance, which allows for prompt and adequate maintenance of roads and frees government from the long bureaucratic process of obtaining approval for the release of funds for same."

He cited the Lekki-Epe

Expressway which is a userbased toll-road as an example, saying, "it has significantly lowered congestion, reduced travel time, accident rates and other crimes along the corridor."

On 'Public Private Partnership Innovations in Public Sector,' which was the theme of the event, he noted that it was important for public and private sector to come together to address the challenges of infrastructure in the country.

He explained that the infrastructure challenge "is even more critical in Lagos State, the economic nerve centre of the country, which houses about 2, 000 industrial complexes, 10, 000 commercial ventures, 22 industrial estates, as well as seaports and airports.

"All these contribute to attract the influx of people into the state in search of a better life, thereby putting immense pressure on the existing infrastructure."

police to arrest and investigate such incidents. In the ones that have happened in the past, we have taken action by writing to the police to send us the case files.

“The problem we have is that we do not have control over that process because the police force is a Federal Government agency.

“Until we get the reports of the investigations from them, we cannot take the people to court.”

The Attorney General threatened that such buildings would henceforth be forfeited to the government by their owners if culpable negligence was established.

According to him, the forfeiture was backed by Section 74 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of 2010.

Ipaye urged residents to comply with the provisions of relevant legislations in the building industry and to engage professionals in developing their property.

He added that the State

Why Lagos MPPP is joining APC —Chieftain

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AGOS — THE Lagos State House of Assembly candidate of the Mega Progressive Peoples Congress, MPPP, for Surulere Constitutency I in the 2011 General Elections, Temitope Shitta-Bey has given

reasons the party is joining the All Progressives Congress, APC. Shitta-Bey gave the reasons while addressing MPPP faithful at its Leaders consultative meeting in Lagos.

According to him, "As party

faithful you will agree with me that our great party's four cardinal objectives of good governance, Social Services, Infrastuscture and Wealth creation are in line with that of the APC.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—11

Oyo police to arrest sellers, users of fireworks

I won’t shield anyone linked to Emure-Ekiti murder —Fayemi

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI — EKITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has vowed not to shield any of his aides or supporters found connected with the murder of 34-year-old Foluso Ogundare in EmureEkiti recently.

Ogundare was killed by yet to be identified gunmen while attending a political meeting at Ward 3, Emure Ekiti.

Speaking to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, Fayemi decried the current political upheavals in parts of the state and particularly the politically motivated killings.

The governor recounted the harrowing experience he went through while on the trenches for three and a half years, saying he would never support or sponsor the shedding of blood of any Ekiti man or woman, not even as he aspired to retain his position as governor.

He said he had every opportunity to foment trouble while struggling to reclaim his mandate from the former Governor, Segun Oni at the Election Petition Tribunal, but always cautioned his followers to maintain peace and allow the rule of law to prevail.

Fayemi said he could not afford to support killing in the

name of politics, something he did not consent to as a leader of opposition in the state.

He appealed to members of his party, All Progressives Congress, APC, to allow peace to reign, even in the face of provocation from the opposition.

On the insinuation that the Governor may shield those allegedly indicted in the

murder, he assured: “I will not shield anybody, but what I don’t want is persecution in the name of trying to get at me because one person in Abuja doesn’t like my type of politics.

“What I know is that, those that were arrested, including a serving member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Boluwade can only be tried in Ekiti because

that was where the crime was committed.

“Some people said those arrested cannot be diligently prosecuted here in Ekiti; who said whoever commits crime cannot be convicted here?

“I am not going to interfere with the procedure just like I will not allow any persecution because it is only a competent court that can adjudicate on the case of this nature.”

A

KURE — ONDO State Gover nor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said winning the 2012 Bill and Melinda Gates 2012 Challenge is an added impetus to pursuing more aggressive health-care projects in Ondo State.

BADAN — THE Police in Oyo State, yesterday, said it was ready to arrest sellers and users of fireworks in the state during the yuletide.

The acting spokesperson of the command, ASP Inyang Ignatius, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Ibadan that the ban on fireworks was still in force.

He said: “Fireworks such as knockouts, bangers and other explosives, which were traditionally used in celebrating the yuletide remain banned.

“This is because the use of these fireworks might constitute a threat to security, thus allowing hoodlums to perpetrate their criminal acts.

Ajimobi appoints new aides MEETING: From left, Dr. Jide Idris, Lagos StateCommissioner for Health; Dr. Yewande Adesina, Special Adviser to Gov. Fashola on Public Health; Dr. Tayo Bello, Chairman, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, HFMAA, and Dr. Jimi Asuni, Executive secretary,HFMAA, during the 2nd Stakeholders' meeting 2013, organised by Lagos State Ministry of Health and HFMAA, in Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Ondo tops in polio eradication effort in Nigeria

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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Mimiko received the award for the best performing state in polio vaccination in the South -West and Nigeria in general.

The award was presented to him by Bill Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote at an event in Abuja.

About 100 per cent coverage achievement was recorded for oral polio vaccination in

the last concluded integrated measles campaign exercise in the state.

Also, 95 per cent was achieved in measles vaccination across the state.

Mimiko, who spoke at a forum to appraise the extent of work done in the area of polio vaccine administration and award of winners of the 2012 Bill and Melinda Gates Polio Challenge in Abuja, yesterday, said “the support of Bill Gates and Nigeria’s own Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote are well thought-out interventions that all Nigerians appreciate.”

The Governor said his government had taken noticeable pro-poor steps in ensuring good life for the people of the state.

Part of these steps he mentioned, included interventions in infant and maternal health-care, improved vaccination and immunisation spread and providing free and

qualitative primary education, among others.

At the award presentation, President Goodluck Jonathan and Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, in separate speeches, renewed commitments to make the country polio-free next year.

President Jonathan said the political era would not deter the focused attention on the eradication of polio in Nigeria.

Gates, while renewing the commitment of his foundation to the project, said he looked forward to the possibility of total eradication of the virus in Nigeria in the coming year.

He asked government and other stakeholders to make more commitments to the cause.

Gates urged the winners in the face of tough range of indicators to do more to win again in the 2013 challenge.

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN — GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State four days after swearing in 12 commissioners, yesterday, appointed 15 Special Advisers to join the State Executive Council.

He also re-appointed five commissioners from the dissolved cabinet and some of the former Special Advisers.

In a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. ‘Wale Sadeeq, the newly-appointed Special Advisers include Mr. Abayomi Oke, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, Hon. Fatai Buhari, Dr. Festus Adedayo, Engr. Ganiyu Fawole, Mr. Gbolagade Busari and Mr. Toye Arulogun.

Others are Hon. Adeyemi Aderibigbe, Mr. Matthew Oyedokun, Mr. Segun Abolarinwa, Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo, Ms. Olubunmi Amoo, Mr. Tope Fajana, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle and Olunfunke Olunloyo.

The swearing-in of the new Special Advisers came up at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor ’s Office yesterday.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

OSHIOMHOLE’S 5 YEARS ANNIVERSARY: Nothing to celebrate —EDO PDP

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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E N I N— B A R E LY 24 hours after Governor Adams Oshiomhole marked his five years anniversary in the governance of Edo State, the state Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, said that the anniversary celebration was self aggrandizement, insisting that there was nothing worthy of celebration in terms of achievements.

The party alleged that the administration of Governor Oshiomhole had received over N400 billion from the Federation Account since its inception in 2008, and also collected loans worth several billions of naira, lamenting that the administration has not been able to justify the monies with developmental projects in the state.

State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, who addressed newsmen in BeninCity, said: “The Governor Oshiomhole administration has collected over N400 billion since 2008. This is apart from the N33.4 billion he has collected in five years as cost of running the government. He has collected N19 billion as security votes alone.

“What is on ground to show for all these monies? The government had spent N47 billion on drainages alone. They also went to the capital mar-

ket to raise money for the Benin Storm Water Project. However, it is difficult to move from one point to another anytime it rains in the state. The roads are in terrible shapes and lives and property are daily lost to flood in Edo State.”

However, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, countered PDP’s claim, saying: “We would have been surprised if PDP was happy when the good people of the

state and indeed all lovers of democracy, gathered in Benin City, Tuesday, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the liberation of Edo people by Oshiomhole from the toxic bondage of PDP. “I don’t know where the PDP got their figures from. It is on record that we got only N25 billion bond in the last three years for various capital projects, one of which is the Benin City Master Water Storm Project. So far, we have

paid back more than half of the money.

“Even though the drainage projects have not been completed, residents of Benin are already enjoying the benefit as flooding has now become history in the Ugbowo axis, Teachers’ House, Five Junction, Mission Road axis and other quarters. The people are happy but PDP is sad. Talking about bankruptcy, I think it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.”

INSPECTION: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right), addressing workers on site, when he inspected the ongoing construction of the Warri Mall, yesterday.

N-Delta among world’s 10 most polluted places —GREEN CROSS, BLACKSMITH INST

BY SEBASTIN OBASI & ONYEGBADUE AMAMDI

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IGERIA’S oil-rich Niger Delta region has been listed among the top 10 most polluted places in the world.

The report also placed the people of the region among the 200 million in the world at high risk of being affected by toxic chemicals, according to a report.

Nigeria’s listing follows a recent report by Blacksmith Institute, and Green Cross, The World’s Worst 2013: The Top Ten Toxic Threats.

According to the report, accessed by Vanguard: “The strikingly high number of people at risk established toxic pollution as a public health threat equivalent to more highly publicised public health problems such as malaria and tuberculosis.

“Even though toxic pollution remains a far less well-known problem, it is believed to have a similar impact on death and disability in developing coun-

tries (of which Nigeria is one) as many well-known and well-funded diseases.”

The 2013 report, which is the 8th in an annual series

by Green Cross and Blacksmith Institute, also looked at the cleanup, progress and ongoing challenges.

Verdict on Niger Delta The report said the Niger Delta is heavily polluted by oil and hydrocarbons as it has been the site of major petroleum operations since the late 1950s.

The report also stated that as at 2012, about two million barrels of oil were extracted from the Niger Delta every day.

Groundwater said the soil has been heavily polluted in the process, which devastated aquatic and agricultural communities.

Crisis rocks CAN as pastors move against Oritsejafor

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—CRISIS is brewing in the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, as members from the Niger Delta, under the aegis of Global Peace Relief Initiative, led by Prophet Jones Erue, yesterday, faulted President of the association, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over what they described as the unacceptable comments made against them, following their

attempts to reconcile the G-7 governors with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a statement by Prophet Erue, the Niger Delta pastors described Oritsejafor ’s comment to the effect that CAN was apolitical, as laughable, accusing the CAN President of getting involved in politics of calumny and name dropping.

They said that they might not be as rich as the CAN President or own a private jet,

but were men of integrity.

The statement said: “We are disappointed that a leader could sit and watch his two children fight while the rest of us suffer only to come and blackmail those who take their time to seek solutions to the crisis.” They warned that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would deter them from the noble mission of rescuing the country from imminent collapse.

Make Investment Tribunal superior court, stakeholders task N’Assembly

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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TA K E H O L D E R S in the Nigerian capital market industry, have called on the National Assembly to thinker with the Constitution to recognise the Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST, as a superior court of records.

This, they said, was to empower IST to be better placed in dealing with market infractions and restore investors’ confidence in the market.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ summit organised by IST in Lagos, yesterday, Chairman of the Capital Market Solicitors’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Uche Obi, lamented that despite the clear provisions of Section 274 of Investments and Securities Act (ISA) of 2007, and Section 315 (4) (b) and 316 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), some practitioners have continued to question the constitutionality of the tribunal.

Obi, who spoke on The Nigerian Capital Market: Institutional Framework for Justice Delivery and Development:- IST Perspective, advocated an urgent amendment of the ISA to expand the jurisdiction of the IST.

Musdapher, Suswan, for 7th SLP confab

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ORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher (rtd) and Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswan, are billed to attend the 7th annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Section on Legal Practice, SLP, slated for Makurdi, Benue State from November 18-20, 2013.

The conference will be declared open by Governor Suswan under the chairmanship of Justice Musdapher. The theme of the conference is Justice delivery, the challenges and opportunities for stakeholders.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 13

C M Y K

14—Vanguard , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Obiano’s double registration: Court hears motion today

Anambra: APC slams INEC over 22-hour no-movement order

BY CHARLES KUMOLU & PROVIDENCEOBUH AGOS—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has slammed Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over its 22hour, no-movement order in Anambra State.

INEC placed the ‘’no movement’’ from 12 midnight tomorrow to 10 pm on Saturday to ensure free and fair governorship election in the state on Saturday.

However, in a statement signed by the Interim National Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in Lagos yesterday, the party wondered why such an extended curfew should be imposed because of an isolated election.

Mohammed said: ‘’Even during general elections, people are allowed to move around freely from 4 pm on election day. Election is not war, but a celebration of democracy. Declaring a 22-hour curfew for an election in only one state raises serious questions: What is INEC hiding? Is the curfew meant to give riggers enough time to write and collate their cooked-up results? ‘’Are elections and free movement of people incompatible?

Why does INEC need a 22-hour curfew to conduct a ‘peaceful and successful’ election in one state?

Where in the world is a 22-hour curfew imposed during an election? ‘’In any case, Anambra does not have the kind of terrain or riverine communities that will justify waiting for hours for election results to be taken from polling

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BY OKONKWO EZE

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NITSHA—A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State, will today, hear an ex-parte motion for substituted service on the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate for tomorrow’s governorship election, Chief Williie Obiano, over his alleged double registration as a voter.

Trial judge, Justice I. Gafai, adjourned the case till today, in the suit by the plaintiff, an Onitshabased lawyer and President of Conference of Nigeria Registered Voters, Jezie Ekejiuba, seeking to serve the court processes on Obiano and APGA, by substituted means.

At the hearing in the matter, yesterday, in which Ekejiuba is seeking to have Obiano disqualified from the Saturday’s election, the court bailiff complained that he could not serve the defendants, because they evaded service, though they were still not in court.

It was at this point that the plaintiff filed the exparte motion for substituted service, since the bailiff had only served the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with the originating summons.

The plaintiff is in the substantive suit, praying the court to set aside, nullify and, or void the election of Obiano as governorship candidate of APGA, even if he contested and won the election on Saturday.

He is asking the court to restrain Obiano from parading himself as a candidate and, or as the governorship candidate of APGA and,or contesting the election in the state and or INEC, its agents, officers, privies or by any means howsoever from recognising and or continuing to recognise him as the governorship candidate of APGA in the said election or issue him with any Certificate of Return if he contested and won in the said election.

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units to the collation centre, hence there is no reason to turn Anambra into a ghost state just to hold a governorship election. ‘’We therefore call on INEC to reconsider this overstretched curfew if it has no underlying motive for declaring it in the first instance. After all, information at our disposal has it that some decent INEC officials have rejected being part of the Anambra election because they do not want to be tainted by the shenanigans of some of their

unscrupulous colleagues who are colluding with do-or-die politicians for ‘thirty pieces of silver’.’’

APC further said that ‘’the creation of 1,973 extra polling units by INEC, apart from the original 4,608 units, the election should even be faster as it will take voters less time to complete the accreditation and voting process.

Meanwhile, the party has warned security agents against harassing and intimidating

PRESENTATION: Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (4th left), Chief Victor Umeh (left), Chairman, Technology Distribution, Mr. Leo Stan-Ekeh (2nd left), Uju Okeke (3rd left), representative of Galaxy Backbone, Gerald Ilukwu (middle), representing, HP Worldwide, Richard Sminforth (4th right), representative of Microsoft Worldwide, Marc Israel (3rd right), Elizabeth Ogeabuchi of Community Secondary School, Oraukwu, and Nzedigwe Chiemeli of Boys’ High School, Nteje, during the presentation of the N2.65 billion cheque for the procurement of 25,000 computers, INTERNET Connectivity and Microsoft academy to all the secondary schools in Anambra State by the governor, at the Women Development Centre, Awka, yesterday

....Monarchs endorse Obiano

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voters on Saturday, as they did during the infamous Delta Central Senatorial District bye-election last month.

Meantime, sensitive and non sensitive materials needed for the Anambra State gubernatorial elections, have arrived the state capital, Awka.

As at the time of filing this report, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC was taking delivery of the materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Awka.

Efforts to speak to the INEC officials proved abortive.

WKA—THREE days to the gubernatorial election in Anambra State, the state Council of Traditional Rulers, adopted the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Willie Obiano as their candidate for the election.

According to Obiano’s media aide, Mr. James Eze, the adoption took place at the Secretariat of the Council in Awka, the state capital. The Eze Nri, Obidigbo Onyeso assisted by the zonal Chairmen of the council in the three Senatorial zones of the state, including Igwe of Okpuno, Simon Okafor, Igwe Rowland Odegbo and Igwe Cosmas Okechukwu, Oluoha XVI gave their blessings to Obiano on behalf of their colleagues, asking God to give him the wisdom to lead Anambra State into a prosperous future.

Eze Nri who is the supreme custodian of the ancestral heritage of the Igbo race said the royal fathers had come to a conclusion that Obiano was the best choice for Anambra after a carefully objective assessment of all the candidates in the race.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14 2013 — 15

Iyayi: ASUU suspends NEC meeting Alleged N13bn scam: Reps indefinitely an irony that a man who spent summon SGF, AG, others continues from page 8 Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and Joint Action Front, JAF, among others, described him as a true and committed Nigerian who gave up his personal comfort and joined the masses in the trenches in the fight for a better society.

Oshiomhole speaks

Governor Oshiomhole in a condolence message through his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr. Peter Okhiria, said: “Iyayi was a distinguished Nigerian who served not only ASUU, but the whole Nigerian academic community. He had a passion for education and I am proud that he came from Edo State. I found him so resourceful that I appointed him a member of the Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University.

On its part, NLC in a statement by its President, Abdulwaheed Omar, blamed his death on “federal government’s act of criminal negligence on the one hand and executive lawlessness/impunity on the part of the Kogi State Governor who is fast acquiring for himself an

accident-prone reputation.”

On his part, Chief Emeka Wogu, who described his death as shocking and a colossal loss to the trade union movement in Nigeria, lamented Iyayi died at a time when his struggle for improving the standards of education in Nigeria was about yielding positive results in the country.

His words: “I received with shock the sudden death of the former President of ASUU, Professor Festus Iyayi in a fatal motor accident on Lokoja Abuja Expressway. I share in the pains and identify with ASUU and the family of the deceased in this moment of grief.”

JAF, in a statement by its Secretary, Abiodun Aremu, while describing his death as a monumental tragedy inflicted on the working and oppressed people in Nigeria, said: “Indeed, this is a tragic loss for Comrade Professor Festus Iyayi to have been wasted by the Kogi State Governor’s reckless convoy on November 12, 2013.”

Also, Bamidele Aturu, Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, said Africa and indeed, the “world, has lost one of the most passionate believers in social justice and equity. He was one of the most honest and dependable ally. We have lost a dogged advocate of decency and consummate teacher. It is indeed

his entire life campaigning against impunity should be murdered so recklessly.

Iyayi’s death regrettable

— Amosun Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also expressed profound shock and regret at the death of former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Prof. Festus Iyayi who died at the age of 66.

The governor condoled with the government and people of Edo State, ASUU and the academic community over the death of the late lecturer, writer and dogged fighter for academic and social reforms.

In a press release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun recalled the late professor ’s struggle in the education sector as ASUU president in1986 which led to his incarceration in1988, describing his death as unfortunate.

He said: “The late professor profoundly influenced progressive policies in the nation’s education sector and he will forever be remembered for his selfless service towards resolving the on-going ASUU/ government face off. Indeed, the country has lost another brilliant mind and true patriot.”

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—HOUSE Committee on Public Accounts, yesterday, summoned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adokie, Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Lands and Housing, as well as members of the former and current technical boards over alleged N13 billion scam in Federal Housing Authority.

The committee also fixed 27-29 of this month for an investigative hearing on the various roles of those alleged to have disbursed the funds.

Chairman, House Committee on Pubic Accounts, Rep Adeola Olamilekan made this known in a meeting when the Federal Housing Authority, FHA management team led by the MD, Mr. Terver Gemade could not explain how N13 billion of tax payers money was spent.

The breakdown of how the

money was expended is as follows: N7.21 billion granted as loan from the Federal Government for the construction of housing units to accommodate civil servants at the Gwarinkpa 2 Estate in Abuja, between 2007 and 2009 financial years.

But this money according to the Auditor-General to the Federation, allegedly was diverted into the construction of infrastructural facilities which was not budgeted for and the loan remained unpaid despite reminders to the Managing Director of FHA for payment.

Another N1 billion said to be an interest for a period of 24 months which the FHA claimed was not the practice of the Federal Government to give its agencies loans on commercial basis for interests.

The FHA was also accused of another N3.72 billion as deficit operating surplus which the MD of FHA attributed to a large board that had contributed to the high operating cost over the years.

The agency was also accused of obtaining unapproved loan of N1.038 billion from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria as against the Act setting it up which limited its loan capacity to only N200,000.00.

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO LATE IYAYI’S FAMILY

Mr. Omoleme Iyayi, son with the members of staff of UNIBEN. Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, UNIBEN, Professor Godwin Oshodin, consoling late Prof. Iyayi’s wife, Mrs. Grace Iyayi.

From left: Professor Obehi Okojie, Deputy ViceChancellor, UNIBEN, the V-C, Prof. Godwin Oshodin, and other members of staff praying for the family.

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Pastor Peter Agaga (middle) and others condoling with Mrs. Grace Iyayi, at their residence in Benin.

Professor I.O. Osamwonyi, signing the condolence register.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Kwankwaso, Lamido, Nyako condole with Gov Shema over father's death

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AT S I N A — GOVERNORS Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa states have condoled with Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State over the death of his father, Alhaji Shehu Shema.

Alhaji Shema died on Monday after a brief illness.

Other dignitaries that condoled with the governor were, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and former governors of Gombe, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, Alhaji Adamu Aliero and Alhaji Mahmud Shinkafi, respectively.

Former Minister of Information, Alhaji Ikara Bilbis, younger brother to late President Umaru Musa Yar ’adua, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Musa Yar’adua, former Economic Adviser to late President Yar ’adua, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, also paid condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

The Sarkin ZamfaraAnka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, and renowned Kano businessman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, equally condoled with the bereaved family.

Renowned Islamic scholars, Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, Sheikh Yakubu Musa and Sheikh Yakubu Yahaya also commiserated with the governor All the visitors described the death of Alhaji Shema as a great loss and prayed God for the repose of his soul and to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

APC leaders visit IBB, Abdulsalami

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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INNA—FORMER Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday, justified his romance with the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying that he was “Nigerian first before the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.” Babangida spoke when some stalwarts of the APC, visited his hilltop residence as well as that of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, another former military Head of State separately in Minna, Niger State.

Gen. Abdulsalami who also spoke to journalists shortly after the visit ,however, said: “I cannot be wooed by the APC as I have never been a politician. I am not a politician, and I don’t need to be wooed.’’

Those who visited the former leaders included the Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari; former governor of Lagos State, Chief Bola Tinubu, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, a former Minister, Alhaji Hassan Lawal and the party’s National Woman Leader, Mrs. Sharon Ikeaso among others.

The closed-door meeting with Gen. Babangida lasted for about 30 minutes while the one with Gen. Abdulsalami lasted for about 40 minutes.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Babangida said there was nothing wrong in fraternizing with any party in the country as long as it was for the progress of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Nigeria is bigger than PDP. They came to talk about Nigeria and how to move the nation forward and there is nothing wrong in opening my doors for them because my door is always open to anyone that comes to consult with me on how to move the nation forward and the APC leaders are concerned with the welfare of the nation,” he remarked.

Babangida further said that, “the APC leaders visited me to discuss the welfare of the country which should be the responsibility of every Nigerian,

whether you belong to a party or you do not have a party. You have an assignment to protect the integrity of the country.

People who come to talk about Nigeria and the way forward will always be welcomed by me.

We have to find a way forward for this generation, what we are doing is for this generation.”

He explained that the meeting centred ‘’on the

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minister from the state.

The PDP members including Babagana Zanna of Shehuri North said that Wakil who hails from Azir town in Damboa Local Government Area has contributed immensely to the development of the party not only in Borno State, but the country at large.

He said that Wakil who served during the Gali Na 'Abba era as Speaker was a

had the progress of the country at heart.

He said his own meeting centred on the amalgamation of the new party, how they were doing, how far they had gone and how things were moving, adding that he only used the opportunity to advise them on how to move the country forward devoid of violence.

VISIT: From left: Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, Sheik Sheriff Bin-umar, from Morocco and Chairman, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi Foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Dahiru, during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Bauchi, yesterday.

Appoint Wakil minister, Borno PDP committed party man tells Jonathan adding that he had also

BY NDAHI MARAMA AIDUGURI— PROMINENT members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint the former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil as the

welfare, well-being, education, security and economic wellbeing of the country,’’ adding that ‘’anything that would promote and move the country forward would be encouraged by me.”

Similarly, Abdulsalami said after the meeting that though he was not a politician, he was, however, free to discus and fraternise with politicians who

helped the less privileged in terms of employment generation and human empowerment, irrespective of tribal, religious or political consideration.

His words: ‘’Wakil has remained as one of the influential Borno men that is ever ready to spend his last kobo for PDP activities in the state. He deseserves to be the minister from Borns State."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013— 17

“…Before anything else, let me tell the leaders of the APC that we have a structure called ‘Election Winning Machinery’ here in Kwara State. We are one big family here…” Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State

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AST week, the ‘aggressive recruitment’ train of the APC finally chucked into Ilorin, Kwara State. The team was received by Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who had been corralled into the nPDP Seven, presently at loggerheads with President Goodluck Jonathan’s mainstream PDP. The APC team arrived with high expectations of recruiting the governor, along with others they had visited in Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto and Niger; but in Kwara, they received a political lesson that must have shocked them. Governor Ahmed told his visitors, according to media reports, that “only his predecessor, Bukola Saraki, can negotiate on behalf of the state chapter of the PDP on whether they should join the All Progressive Congress, APC, or not”.

Gov. Ahmed went further, that “given the prevailing political structure in Kwara, only Mr. Saraki, a serving senator, could determine the next move

Kwara’s ‘election winning machinery’ and related politics our leader Dr. Bukola Saraki.

He has given all of us joy and comfort that he can lead us well”.

A friend noted, in reaction to the news report, that Fatai Ahmed aptly described their contraption an “Election Winning Machinery, EWM”. It is neither a political party nor a political tendency as known around the world, but merely an “election winning machinery”. Winning is all that matters, fair or foul; and over the decades, they’ve won foul and ruthlessly, as befits a monstrosity: an “Election Winning Machinery, EWM”!

There are two interesting dia-

,

The hawks on Jonathan’s side of the divide are getting the upper hand and it cannot be good news for Bukola Saraki and his sidekicks in Kwara, because Jonathan seems poised for their total demystification

of the PDP members in the state”. The people of Kwara he posited, belong to a political dynasty and would not give away the structure at any cost: “It is an existing structure for the past 40 years with assured election winning machinery”.

The APC team was sufficiently shocked into a realisation of who the ultimate hegemon in Kwara was, underlined with gusto by Governor Ahmed, just as he tediously massaged the ego of the Tin-God of Kwara politics, Bukola Saraki: “We are one big family here, under a political structure inherited by

,

lectical connections in the picture so generously painted by our dear governor, His Excellency, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

Firstly, it is representative of the dynastic platform inherited by the young man, Bukola Saraki. And secondly, it paints the true nature of the PDP and its nPDP clone. Bukola Saraki’s nPDP wants equity from Jonathan’s PDP, but deny same in Kwara. For Example, the ‘EWM’ made landfall, like Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines, a couple of months ago, claiming the votes of the people of Offa Local Government, that

Good news from Borno

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AM writing these lines on the eve of a trip to Borno State. I have not been back in months, but everybody confirms the relative peace that has returned to the state. I do hope to be able to report on this page about my trip next week.

It is remarkable just how much effort has continued to be put in the development effort by the government of Governor Kashim Shettima, despite the crisis of the Boko Haram insurgency. I have reported the visit to China and procurements to develop several sectors of the economy.

These efforts are highly appreciated by the Borno people and it is looking like even the international community also recognises the valiant work being done in Borno State. This week, GoverC M Y K

nor Shettima of Borno received an award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as Best Governor in the North East of Nigeria on commitment to the eradication of polio. It was well deserved!

On our way back from the trip to China and Vietnam, we stopped over in Dubai and one of the evenings, we, Kashim and I, visited the Dubai Mall, to purchase books. The titles he chose covered political economy, philosophy, literature to biographies and Islamic political thought.

Not for him a vain and irresponsible shopping for valueless consumer items, but books to enrich the mind, to find guidance for committed leadership and responsible action. That is how it should be.

•Gov Abdulfatah Ahmed the whole world knew didn’t vote for Bukola Saraki’s candidates. And two weeks ago, they organised the charade of a statewide local government election, massively boycotted by people, but which had over 800, 000 alloted votes. The entire affair was a structured and calculated response to Bukola Saraki’s plight in the overall political calculations in the country. Further to his address to his APC visitors, Governor Ahmed revealed that: “PDP was taking the necessary measures to resolve the crisis within its ranks”. In other words, there are no issues of principles involved in the Kwara nPDP’s

standoff with Jonathan and Bamanga Tukur. It is really about securing Bukola Saraki’s position; Abubakar Kawu Baraje and Governor Ahmed are merely receiving political blows on behalf of their hegemon, Bukola Saraki!

Let’s recall that Bukola Saraki was central to the conspiracy which sidelined Peter Odili after originally emerging as Umaru Yar ’Adua’s running mate in 2007. They used Nuhu Ribadu’s EFCC to hound Odili; they then prevailed on Obasanjo to accept Goodluck Jonathan who they wrongly calculated was easy to manipulate. As vice president, Bukola Saraki and his partner, James Ibori used to give Jonathan a short shrift in the presidency, when the two were some of the most powerful people under Yar ’Adua. The lingering resentment seeped to the surface when PDP’s congress sidelined the nPDP elements. Bukola was given his comeuppance! He is in deep political crisis now, because the much-vaunted “Election Winning Machinery” succeeds only when Bukola Saraki is safely within the ruling party.

That is why they prefer a ne-

gotiated solution that will allow him to retain Kwara as his prebendal estate. Bukola Saraki cannot function in the opposition because in reality, he is merely a giant with feet of clay. If Jonathan heeds the advice of hawks like Chief EK Clark and goes for his jugular, he will be completely demystified. The hastily conducted local government election was to demonstrate control for the purposes of negotiation.

They are telling Jonathan that if Bukola Saraki is rehabilitated, he can deliver over 800, 000 votes in the 2015 presidential election.

Election winning machinery That way, he can continue to sit tight on Kwara’s resources and play the leader in complete control. It has never been about the interest of Kwara’s people.

Far from it! Abubakar Baraje’s suspension by the PDP this week, complicates issues for the “Election Winning Machinery” in Kwara. The hawks on Jonathan’s side of the divide are getting the upper hand and it cannot be good news for Bukola Saraki and his sidekicks in Kwara, because Jonathan seems poised for their total demystification. Those, like Bukola Saraki, who felt President Jonathan was a clueless weakling that can be used and dumped as they thought fit, now have to fight for their own political lives. And without the assurances of the state repressive apparatus behind them, there is serious danger ahead. Kwara’s “Election Winning Machinery” has perched perilously at the edge of the political precipice, things are not looking comfortable for Bukola Saraki’s camp at the moment!

Uncle Sam Amuka and the Lagos social scene: A respectful tribute

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SPENT last weekend in Lagos, attending Uncle Sam Amuka’s son’s wedding ceremony. The ceremony drew the cream of Nigerian society, from all walks of life. Uncle Sam is one of the most decent human beings I have ever met and everybody else that I have spoken with about this unusually humane gentleman has confirmed my feeling.

I do not want to over-eulogize the man, but you cannot come away from the man, not feeling delighted about his personality; his incredible modesty and his ability to appreciate the good in other people. He just has that charm and magnetism that inspire.

My becoming a columnist for VANGUARD newspapers from May 2011 was largely as a result of his ability to draw people from all kinds of backgrounds to work with him in his newspapers. He is the quintessential Nigerian patriot at a time when many intelligent people have withdrawn into ethno-religious laagers, preaching all kinds of divisiveness and hatred.

It was no surprise that these qualities of the man drew so many of us to the wedding ceremony last weekend. And I learnt an extra lesson about the Nigerian condition, from the array of people who turned out, but especially how the vibrant Lagos social scene can be such a magnet for revelry and so much enjoyment. I saw the way that Nigerians of all backgrounds, who have made Lagos their home, danced with so much gusto to the music of the band at the reception ceremony.

In my mind, it became a bit clearer that there was so much that tied our people together from all over Nigeria. The Lagos social scene has always been one of the greatest inventions and expressions of modernity and the evolution of the urban space in the late colonial period in Nigeria.

By the 1940s, Lagos had become the pre-eminent urban setting that drew everybody into a colonial and later, a post-colonial economic and social existence. It was instructive that leading newspapermen have always helped to define and enrich the Lagos social scene, and the

roots of that must be located in the work of the cosmopolitan Jackson family of journalists, with the LAGOS WEEKLY RECORD, in Nineteenth Century Lagos.

But from the 1940s, journalists became central in the nationalist movement: The Great Zik, Ernest Ikoli, Obafemi Awolowo, Ladoke Akintola and even Anthony Enahoro, were not only journalists but trend setters in a most socially significant manner.

People like Uncle Sam Amuka, who as SAD SAM, was one of the most engaging columnists of all time, with his arched bowler hat, drank in the same fount and also burnt his own unique imprimatur on that remarkably vibrant Lagos social scene.

Last week’s wedding ceremony conveyed the very best of that Lagos social scene and I was so happy that I could be there to see Uncle Sam Amuka at one of the happiest moments of his life as a parent: the wedding of his son.

Thank you, sir, for inspiring so many people to be the best of themselves. I belong in that sensibility!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 THE Golden Eaglets of Nigerian have, once again, proved that Nigeria is the undisputed king of world youth football.

The U-17 world youth championship team on Friday November 8th 2013 at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) walloped their counterparts, Mexico by 3 goals to nil, thus lifting the trophy for a record fourth time. It was the latest of such The advantage of this was that the flawfeats, which started in 1985 during the less talent, raw fighting spirit and hunger maiden edition of the tournament in Chifor achievement drove the lads from the na. The valiant Nigerian youth also folfirst blast of the whistle.

By the time the lowed up by winning the 1993 and 2007 deed was done, the Eaglets not only won tournaments. the cup but also defeated the defending The unique attribute of the team assemchampions, Mexico twice and set a new bled by Coach Garba Manu, was that everecord of twenty six goals to consign Gerry effort was made to ensure that only very many’s former record of twenty four goals young men who have not tasted professional football were included in the team. to the dustbin of history.

We join millions of ecstatic soccer lovManu and his technical crew went round ing Nigerians to applaud the coach for the country’s many football academies putting performance above politics in seand schools and selected a crop of young, talented lads confirmed to be well within lecting the team. We have always advothe age range by Magnetic Resonance cated that the nation will be the better for it when the right kind of people are put Imaging (MRI) technology.

Celebrating the Golden Eaglets

on the job without settling for nepotism, political consideration or kowtowing to the interference of people in high places.

We also give kudos to the young men for doing their nation proud. Already, they are reaping the benefits of their contributions as the nation, through President Goodluck Jonathan, has given them national honours and a generous handshake to the tune of two million naira for each player. Some of them are already on their way to an early start in rewarding professional football outside the country.

We hope that the authorities will regard this crop of players as a great future treasure trove from which to tap in bringing back the golden age of Nigeria’s soccer at the highest level. It is important for the nation to be attentive and help in focusing these boys to both their educational and professional careers to give them a life of fulfillment and more services to a country that eagerly yells for more laurels.

Once again, congratulations, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria!

OPINION

BY KAYODE ALIU

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HEN the story of the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets' success at the continental and global stage is being written, a chapter will definitely be devoted to the contributions of the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

Since Mallam Abdullahi was named the head of sports in December 2011, our football has not only known peace, we have won laurels, and other sports have also benefited from Abdullah’s leadership which has led to success on and off the field.

Ironically, if the great seer Nostradamus had predicted today’s success when President Goodluck Jonathan named Abdullahi Sports Minister less than two years ago, many would have called the seer a prophet of doom.

At the time Abdullahi was named head of sports, our football, indeed sports generally, was in turmoil. Our senior football team, the Super Eagles, had just failed to qualify for the African Nations Cup championship, the qualification which we normally regard as mere formality. We were edged out of the Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012 Championship by Guinea in front of the home crowd in Calabar.

Off the field, the football family did not know peace either.

There were series of litigations in court in Lagos and Abuja instituted by members of the football family.

Our football league was in a terrible state, with court cases between sponsors and would-be sponsors, marketing companies, crisis over television right contract, crisis among members of the league board, the secretariat staff- one could go and on listing the crisis that had engulfed our football then.

For a minister who also had to run the Federal Ministry of Youth in addition to the many problems that bedeviled sports, Abdullahi was not deterred; rather he saw the problems as challenges to overcome.

Convinced that success can only be attained in a peaceful atmosphere, Abdullahi travelled to all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria, preaching the message of peace. The search for peace in Nigeria’s football took the Minister as far as Zurich, C M Y K

How Abdullah’s magic revived our football Switzerland where he met with President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter.

He also sat long hours on the round table with all shades of aggrieved persons in search of peace.

Before anybody could say Jack, harmony returned to the hitherto troubled football house. All parties, one after the other sheathed their swords, cases were withdrawn from court and former enemies sat down to work together for the first time in a long time.

The peaceful atmosphere enabled the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to plan for success on the field. The first task was qualification for the South Africa 2013 Africa Nations Cup. From a team that failed to qualify less than a year ago, the Super Eagles qualified for the South Africa 2013 in style, beating Liberia 6-1, our best win ever.

Abdullahi ensured that money was not an obstacle to the Eagles’ success in South Africa as he made provision for successful camping in Faro, Portugal. While the Eagles were in Portugal, Abdullahi visited our boys, and when the championship started in South Africa, Abdullahi was with our boys all the way to witness their success at the Rainbow Nation.

With the ghost of our failure to qualify for the Germany 2006 still haunting us despite the fact that we qualified for the South Africa 2010 edition, the Minister gave the Eagles all the support they needed to qualify for the group stage of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, topping their group. He also gave the NFF all the assistance they need to ensure that we qualified for CHAN, the home based nations cup slated for January 2014 in South Africa for the first time.

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o ensure success in the knockout stage of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Abdullahi presented the NFF and the Super Eagles with all the support they need. They have successfully won the first leg with a 1-2 defeat of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, a win for the Eagles in Calabar this weekend will land the Eagles in Brazil.

The Eagles are not the only beneficiary of Abdullahi’s reforms that led to the revitalization of our football, the new world

champion, the Golden Eaglets’ success in the United Arab Emirate would not have been possible without the turnaround that our football administration and management has witnessed in the last few months. The Minister gave the Eaglets the same level of support and assistance he gave the Eagles. Without his support, it is doubtful if we would be celebrating today.

The national football teams are not the only beneficiaries, Abdullah’s planning and vision has led to a new era in our football league.

Before now, our league was nothing to write home about with no finish date, terrible officiating, crowd violence, allocations of points in the board room as the order of the day.

But Abdullah worked tirelessly to set up the League Management Company, which has now taken our football league out of the woods. Now, we have a start and finish date, the sponsorship crisis has been resolved, the television right has not only been resolved, there is now more money on the table to be shared by the clubs.

Unlike some of his predecessors, Abdullahi is not just a football minister, but a minister for all the sports, no wonder other sports like athletics, basketball, and others have recorded success under his tenure.

Abdullahi is the first Sports Minister to follow the nation athletics team to the IAAF World Championship and it is not a surprise that they broke the 14 years jinx of no podium appearance at the Moscow 2013 Championship winning Silver and a Bronze medal.

Team Nigeria’s track team is the current African Champion at senior, youth and junior levels. Abdullahi was with the team in Porto Novo and Warri where they won the senior and junior crown.

Abdullahi is one minister that has been implementing President Jonathan’s transformation agenda to the fullest and the success story is there for all to see.

*Mr Aliu, an active football fan, wrote from Abuja

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013— 19

, Governor’s wife in Government House

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RDINARILY, it might be unethical, or at least seemingly immoral, to be prying into a man’s life; except that the moment a man accepts public office, he also accepts to subject his total being to public scrutiny in which case, his life becomes an open book or a farm that cannot be hidden.

This explains why some men who are sensitive in nature may sometimes decline public office, because between the various screenings and confirmation hearings, there is no telling how many touchy questions that could be raised.

The second executive Governor of old Kano State, in the Second Republic, Alhaji Bakin Zuwo, was the first to expose us to the open nature of a public office when he espoused his theory of “Government money in Government House; what’s the problem?” His quarrel was not that security operatives who entered into Government House

while he was away in detention found some quantity of cash in his house but that they were under-reporting the actual amount he left there.

Similar theatricals are currently playing out in the Enugu State Government House where Governor Sullivan Chime may be quietly asking the question: “Governor’s wife in Government House, what’s the problem?” He is getting appropriate answers to his question and within each answer lie bundles of problems.

Chime’s youthful appearance gives him away. But for his wretched moustache, he could easily pass for a fag at the Immaculate Conception College. When he first became Governor of Enugu State in 2007, he was single, having divorced his first wife before then, when he was the State Commissioner of Health.

He married his present wife, Clara, in 2008. A year later, the couple was blessed with a baby boy.

We hear that trouble started for the First Lady soon after the birth of

There is the mistaking belief that the marginalisation of women begins and ends with their inadequate placement in government positions

,

her son. Sources close to the family inform that: “Not long after the birth of her son, about a year into the marriage, Clara suffered a bout of depression. Doctors felt these were occasioned by childbirth and she was treated accordingly. After a while, she came out of it and continued with her life”.

The situation at hand is beginning to look more like a poorly organised return match.

Governor Chime was diagnosed for cancer of the nose in early September 2012. From that time to February 8, 2013, he was in Britain where he sought and received the best possible medical attention.

Clara is now down with what increasingly looks like a case of manic-depression. Her current travail may have started when her husband’s case first came to the fore.

Perhaps the pressure of seeing her husband battling with something as serious as cancer caused her to relapse.

Consequently, when the Governor

Health insurance: Lessons from Ghana

T

HERE are two African countries Nigeri ans like comparing their country with: Ghana and South Africa. While South Africa is industrialised and is easily Africa’s largest economy, Ghana is reputed for law and order as well as its entrenchment of democratic ethos and practice. Since 1992, when former President Jerry Rawlings transmuted from military to civilian president, Ghana has been able to alternate political power between political parties without bloodshed. That is a feat Nigeria has not been able to achieve. It is not a matter of pride: we have a lot to learn from our neighbours. I am not suggesting in any way that the Ghanaian example is near perfect. But they are making progress in so many areas that Nigeria is still lagging behind. One of such is the health insurance coverage for Ghanaian citizens.

In 2005, our own President Olusegun Obasanjo launched the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS. To me, that is one of the best things the Nigerian government has conceived in decades. While there might be imperfections here and there, the concept is unassailable. It is meant to make healthcare delivery available to every Nigerian no matter his or her status.

Millions of Nigerians are denied medical treatment because they do not have the cash. It is either they are too poor to pay or circumstances restrict their access to immediate cash. The ATM could fail at critical times. Medical emergencies can happen at odd hours. With the social health insurance scheme, the general idea is to make medical services available to NHIS enrolees anytime, any day and anywhere without cash transaction.

But as good as this scheme is, the snag is that less than 5% of the Nigerian populace is covered by the NHIS. Most of the enrolees are Federal Government workers (and their dependants) and a few employees in the organised private sector. Some communities have also keyed into the scheme. Federal Government employees were practically coaxed into enrolling some

years ago. The then Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, issued a directive making it compulsory for them to enrol. Initially, there was natural resistance from workers, who justifiably received the scheme with scepticism, having not had a pleasant experience with the housing contribution scheme. Up till today, states and local governments have refused to participate in the health insurance scheme, thereby denying millions oftheir workers and dependent-

,

BY YEMI JOHNSON

The tragedy is that our political elite would not consider social health insurance as a desirable good for the poor, unlike the Ghanaian elite

,

sthe benefits.

I think there is so much we can learn from Ghana if we can swallow our pride and take a cue from an obviously smaller nation. The health insurance scheme in Ghana was conceived by Mr. John Kufuorwhen he was campaigning for the presidency in 2003. He personally felt there was no point continuing with the regime of cash-and-carry healthcare system being practised in the country at the time. In fact, it was in the manifesto of his party, New Patriotic Party, NPP. The manifesto was so detailed that it covered those diseases that were common to 90% of Ghanaians. To make the scheme outlive those who conceptualised it, in order to ensure its continuity, two major lists were made. One had all the conditions the scheme could cover, while the other had the excluded conditions.

The government came out with a minimum

left the country for treatment abroad, the First Lady was also being managed for her manic-depression.

Although Clara was with the husband in the United Kingdom while he was undergoing treatment, it was, no doubt, a trying period for the family as she was also being treated by the side.

After they returned to Nigeria, the Governor’s health improved by the day while the wife’s condition began to deteriorate inversely. Governor Chime’s immediate reaction to his wife’s deteriorating situation was to place her on solitary confinement in Government House. This is the soul of the problem.

There is the mistaking belief that the marginalisation of women begins and ends with their inadequate placement in government positions. But if the situation is such that when a man is ill, he seeks the best treatment anywhere in the world, but when his wife falls sick, she is locked up in solitary confinement, what greater proof of marginalisation would anyone be looking for?

S

uch a wife is simply considered a personal property, perhaps less precious than other pieces of furniture in the house! In other climes, lower animals are already being treated humanely. Less than a month ago, an elephant died in Toronto Zoo in Canada. It was thought that the conditions in Toronto Zoo were no longer conducive to elephants. A surviving elephant was quickly transferred by train to another zoo in the USA at millions of dollars to the Canadian authorities.

What Clara is currently going

benefit package of diseases which every districtwide scheme was to cover for Ghanaian citizens . This package covered malaria , diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infection , skin diseases , hypertension , diabetes , asthma . However, all district-wide schemes were given the right under the law to organise their schemes to cover as many diseases and services for Ghanaian citizens as they desire, provided it was approved by the National Health Insurance Council.

Certain diseases were excluded from the benefit package because they were considered to be too expensive to treat. Other arrangements had to be considered for treatment. Diseases currently not covered are optical aids, hearing aids , orthopaedic aids, dentures , beautification surgery , supply of AIDS drugs , treatment of chronic renal failure , heart and brain surgery , etc. Interestingly, these constitute only 5% of diseases afflicting Ghanaian citizens .

Having been able to overcome this issue of coverage, which was meant to ensure that the scheme did not become the exclusive preserve of those with sicknesses erroneously considered as those of the rich, Ghana moved to the next stage: the critical issue of funding. When the NPP won the Ghanaian presidency in 2004, the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDP, criticised the scheme, saying it was meant for members of the new party in power, the NPP. Hence, NDC did not encourage its members to register for the scheme. Even members of the ruling NPP erroneously thought too that it was for them alone. The controversy that initially surrounded the scheme at its inception was revisited in 2009 when the NDC now took over power and saw the benefits of the scheme beyond politics.

To fund the scheme, Ghanaians were made to register and pay according to the income of the enrolee. Like all insurance schemes, there were different types of contributions (private insurance talks about premiums, social insurance talks about contributions). To ensure that all Ghanaian citizens made some contribution to the scheme, a 2.5% Health Insurance Levy on selected goods and services was passed into law so that the money collected could be put into a National Health Insurance Fund to subsidise fully paid contributionsto the District Health Insurance Schemes.

through is worse than the old demonological approach to crime control, which has since been abandoned as atavistic. In ancient times, it was thought that criminals were demon-possessed. Criminals were, therefore, locked up in solitary confinement, equipped with the Bible for them to read and confess their sins, while they sought repentance. In the case of Clara, she was said to have been denied access to everything – no Bible, no telephone, no lap top and she has, indeed, been cut off from all means of communication with the outside world! In a very subtle tone, she claims that they want her dead.

It will be unfair to totally ignore the dilemma of Governor Chime.

We are possibly looking at a mental case. What does a man do if his wife has gone totally berserk? How does he export her abroad — cage her or crate her, the Umaru Dikko style?

We saw real agony in the face of the Governor when he said: “Na me get my wife. Na me know how to treat am”. On Chief Femi Falana, the embattled Governor quipped rather angrily: “I won’t join words with him.

Has he met this client of his as he claimed to assess her state of mind and determine if she can give him the right brief to guide his case?”

In all this, the buck stops with Governor Chime. Our concern is that his wife is entitled to the type of treatment, which he received during his own challenge. How he gets her there is his business. After all, he allowed the situation to aggravate to this level! That good health facilities are still lacking in Nigeria is a crime for which every leader of this country, past and present, stands accused.

While the Ghana version of social health insurance has been a story of success, the same cannot be said about Nigeria’s. A major difference is the structure of the country. Ghana runs a unitary system, meaning there is a central government that controls the affairs of the country. It was, therefore, easier to make every Ghanaian comply with the health insurance law. Nigeria runs a federal system, which means power is shared between the central government and the states. While the former head of service could direct all federal government employees to be part of the scheme, he had no such powers over state and council employees. With the current struggle over “true federalism”, the struggle to spread health insurance across the country is an uphill one. It is not surprising that no state is part of the NHIS programme yet. Millions of Nigerians are still receiving medical attention on a cash-and-carry basis.

The NHIS cannot cater for all Nigerians even as it seeks universal coverage. The fact is that it cannot muster the funds. Ghana has devised creative ways of funding the scheme, but NHIS still depends largely on federal government contributions. NHIS may have done well in enrolling over four million Nigerians, but there are over 100 million still waiting to be enrolled. Most are vulnerable and unable to pay contributions on their own.

Somebody will have to pay on their behalf so that they can benefit from the package. Several suggestions are on the table to cater for those who cannot afford to enrol: a “sin tax” (on cigarettes and alcohol consumption), mobile phone call tax (one kobo per second), redistributionof VAT, and so on. The tragedy is that our political elite would not consider social health insurance as a desirable good for the poor, unlike the Ghanaian elite.

Political will has seen to the success of social health insurance in Ghana while we are still dragging our feet in Nigeria. It is something to be ashamed of, if we ever decide to take stock.

•Dr. Johnson, a social health reform activist, wrote from Lagos.

20— Vanguard ,

THURSDAY THURSDAY,, NOVEMBER 14 , 2013

UNWANTED PREGNANCIES:

Beware of male advances —Mrs Imoke tells adolescent girls

BY AZEEZ SANUSI

p r e g n a n c y, T was a day these young especially with people, especially the adolescent regards to the role girls among them, will want to they play.

“If you respect remember and cherish. The Cross your mothers at River State First Lady, Mrs. Obioma home, then you’d Liyel-Imoke was their host. But the respect the girls story is not about the fact that she around you”, she used the opportunity of the said.

She also combined stakeholders rally for the 2013 State of the World Population highlighted the SWOP Report Launch and the negative effects commemoration of the International of teenage pregDay of the Girl Child on November nancy on young 4, 2013, in Calabar to charge them males, even if to be focused on their studies and they were not dito set priorities and boundaries for rect bearers of the their lives, so as to grow into pregnancy, along responsible and career-driven with the attendant adults in future. The fact is that effects of engagwhile speaking on the rally’s ing in early and theme of “Adolescent Pregnancy” u n p r o t e c t e d Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke and “Innovating for Girls’ sexual activities, as Education”, the Cross River First such contracting sexuLady who is also the Founder and schools, Government and the sociBoard Chair of Partnership ally- transmitted infections. ety at large, on the need to address In the same vein, the United Opportunities for Women issues that affect adolescent girls, Nations Fund for Population Empowerment Realization, especially teenage pregnancy and Activities, UNFPA Country POWER, freely shared her personal child-marriage. life experiences, especially of how Representative for Nigeria, Ms. She said that child marriage was Victoria Akyeampong in her she withstood male advances while a criminal offence, and called for remarks, encouraged the young growing up. On this basis, she the empowerment of the girl-child, students to take their studies urged the girls to respect their stressing that when you empower bodies and to make responsible seriously so that they could become the girl-child, you empower the choices that would shape their great men and women in the funation.

Speaking also at the occasion, the She urged the girls to respect their bodies and Commissioner for Health, Prof.

Angela Oyo-Ita, while sharing to make responsible choices that would shape some organisational experiences their lives, both now and in the future she has had on teenage pregnancy, charged the girls to say ‘No’ to lives, both now and in the future ture, and advocated for girl-child early sexual activity, emphasizing, and to avoid situations that would education by calling on all “In every girl lies the power to resist make them vulnerable to the abuse. stakeholders to join hands in and overcome any man. You have She disclosed her personal fighting teenage pregnancies. what it takes to become what you Earlier in her welcome want to be. Your future is in your mobile number to young girls as a help line when faced with the remarks preceding the take-off of hands…” danger of sexual abuse and the rally, the Commissioner for She encouraged them to follow molestation even as she cautioned Social Welfare and Community in the footsteps of MalalaYousafzai, them against abusing the Development, Barr. Patricia the Pakistani girl who advocated privileges. On young male Endeley, said the rally was aimed for her rights when denied, and students, she elected to raise their at sensitizing all stakeholders, today has gained world awareness on issues of teenage including parents/guardians, recognition.

The road walk, which commenced at the Federal Secretariat and ended at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, with a brief stop at the Millennium Park, also featured a short speech by the Carnival Calabar Queen who reiterated her campaign slogan to girls to close their legs and the boys to zip up, as well as speeches from adolescent girls from Girls’ Power Initiative, GPI.

I

*Pregnant teenagers...Mrs Imoke has a word for them

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Debate of the masses

Eaglets: Golden feat, poor reward?

BY MIKE EBONUGWO

N

IGERIANS are still celebrating the rare feat achieved by the country’s cadet football team the Golden Eaglets in winning the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for a record four times. The Eaglets did not only win the championship hosted by the United Arab Emirates but also dazzled with their football artistry, leaving many wondering where they learnt to play football. Indeed their play was described by many as simply out of this world.

As expected, most bus-stop parliamentarians had a a lot to say about these wonderful Eaglets and their amazing World Cup victory, showering them with superlative accolades. In the same vein expectations were high that the Federal Government would be very generous in rewarding them.

Players and officials Last Sunday, President Goodluck Jonathan duly received and hosted the players and their officials. And while thanking them for a job well done in doing the country proud, he announced a cash reward of N2 million for each player, while the officials received between N2.5 million and N3 million.

The President’s financial gesture to the team became the topic of a heated discussion among parliamentarians at the Cele Bus-stop along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway on Monday.

In fact parliamentarians were sharply divided over whether the N2 million given each player was sufficient appreciation for the honour the team brought to the country through their uncommon feat.

“Although the N2 mil-

lion given each player may seem like big money, but I think these boys deserve more because winning the World Cup no be moin-moin. Apart from that, they played the kind of football many of us I have not seen in a long time, especially any of our national teams which made the entire world to praise them. So I had expected government to have given each player at least N5 million,” declared parliamentarian Alfred Wayas.

Another parliamentarian, Sunday Igwe readily concurred, adding: “Yes, they deserved more than the amount they were given. Imagine that each time the Super Eagles play a qualifying match and win, they collect up to $5000 and sometimes $10,000. If you convernt this into Naria, you’re talking about some millions of naira, just for playing an ordinary qualifying match.

“Even the way they played is enough for them to be given up to N10 million each. In fact, watching them you will think it’s Barcelona playing. Abeg, those boys deserve more”.

But parliamentarian Festus Attah was quick to object. According to him: “No, we should not over-celebrate these boys now. The money the Federal Govrnment gave them is okay. After all, they are just under 17. So we should not spoil them with too much money...”.

Festus was still speaking when he was interrupted by Dele Azeez who quipped thus: “Which one be too much money? At least they deserve it more than all these politicians who have been stealing billions in the name of public office. Whereas these boys brought us great honour, all politicians have continued to bring is nothing but shame”.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 21

Fashola tasks banks on PPP projects financing, monitoring

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

L

AGOS State governor, Raji Babatunde Fashola has called on banks to be actively involved not just in financing Public Private Partnership projects, but in ensuring that the projects they commit depositors’ fund to are properly executed.

Fashola made the call at the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN) stakeholders’ forum in Lagos. Speaking through his Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Ayodele Gbeleyi, the governor said the task of monitoring PPP projects should not be left to government (public sector) alone. According to him, the concept of public private sector partnership in project development is still evolving in Nigeria and as such, all key stakeholders must evolve with it.

“Bankers do not rise to the occasion in terms of monitoring of these projects. Monitor projects that are financed with depositors’ money. This market is evolving and we need to evolve with it. We need to see better understanding of PPP projects and better structuring of proposals. As banks, we need to manage risk optimally; we need to build capacity for long term funding. There should be continuous market infrastructure that will rise up and support PPP projects,” he stated.

Fashola added that assess to long term finance relative to the life span of any project is a key factor to any successful PPP

initiative. He listed other key success factors to include enabling policy and institutional framework for investment purposes; the need to establish a working relationship towards the joint fulfillment of the general public’s infrastructure needs, as well as need to communicate government expectation regarding responsible business conducts to private partners among others.

The governor emphasised the

2,616.00

+9.00

17.82

-0.05

107.12 +1.31 +1.18

BUYING

DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.71 155.21 245.6176 246.4114 207.1412 207.8107 168.0169 168.5599 1.5511 1.5561 0.2969 0.3069 235.368 236.1286 25.3939 25.4764 41.2516 41.3849 27.7681 27.8578 236.1339 236.897

form of PPP proposals from both government and financial institutions. According to her, “Nigerian banks are already assessing proposals from private sector operators who are exploring funding options from local and international financial institutions.” Explaining the role of BDAN, she said that the association provides a forum for improving the knowledge and competence of bank directors, thereby promoting honourable practice within the banking sector.

Expatriate quota abuse, casualisation denying us jobs — Construction workers

-1.75

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an enabler, facilitator and regulator, focusing on coownership and co-responsibility, while the private sector drives the economy.”

In her welcome address, VicePresident of BDAN, Mrs Foluke Abdulrazaq, said up to date, Nigerian banks have a cumulative balance sheet of over N7 trillion invested in the economy.

She noted that it is expected that a fair share of future funding requirements would come in the

From left:1st Vice-President, Otunba Debola Osibogun; President/ Chairman of Council, Mr. Segun Aina, both of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, and former Governor of Central Bank Chief Joseph Sanusi during CIBN 2013 Public Presentation of Practices Licences and Seal to beneficiaries held at the Institute’s House, Victoria Island, Lagos.

104.05

94.22

need for both the public and private sector to familiarise themselves with the PPP concept and international best practices, assuring that Lagos State is committed to improving the general level of awareness and understanding of PPP among all stakeholders in order to facilitate sound policy development and constructive discussion and debate. “Rather than being the sole driver of the public enterprises, we are of the view that government should be

SELLING 155.71 247.2052 208.4801 169.103 1.5612 0.3169 236.8893 25.5589 41.5182 27.9476 237.6602

CBN Exchange rate as at 13/11/2013

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

O

RGANISED labour in the nation’s Construction sector has raised alarm that expatriate quota abuse and casualisation of jobs have been denying Nigerians of jobs in the construction and wood industry.

National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, lamented that while foreigners were increasingly taking over Nigerian jobs in the name of expatriates, casualisation of jobs is denying Nigerians decent employment in the industry.

President-General of the union, Mr. Amechi Asugwuni, stated this in Ibadan, Oyo State, while welcoming members and other guests to the 11th Annual national

Education/Industrial Relation Conference with the theme, “Organisational Changes and Challenges for Trade Union Leaders”.

“We demand that the government put in place definite regulatory framework to revive the wood and furniture industry. The regulatory framework should be enacted into law by the government with political will to implement the framework with the accompanying punitive measures for violators. Our position on contract and casual employment is that it is exploitative and degrading jobs in the country and the industry in particular.

We are reiterating here that we will continue to resist casualisation and ensure fair, sufficient compensation, and good welfare for all categories of our members through unrestricted legitimate rights to union activities, collective bargaining and other

statutory provisions for interactions, engagements and resolution of issues with other social partners in the industry.

“Another issue plaguing our industry is expatriate quota abuse, noncompliance with the Nigeria Content Development Act and refusal by some employers, especially contracting firms from China, Korea and other parts of Asia to respect our labour laws and rights to freedom of association and assembly as provided in the Nigerian Constitution. We request that government, especially the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity step up efforts to check influx of the so-called expatriates into Nigeria. We have resolved to take whatever labour actions legally deemed appropriate to end this and other anti-labour practices in our industry,” he stated.

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

L-R: Chief Financial Officer International Commercial Bank, West Africa; Mr. Sivakugan Thambirajah, Chairperson International Commercial Bank, Ghana; Ms. Josephine Sivaretnam, Chairman First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. Prince Ajibola Afonja and CEO/GMD First Bank Mr. Bisi Onasanya at the official signing ceremony of FirstBank’s acquisition of International Commercial Bank.

Revive market for commercial papers market — Sanusi charges FMDQ

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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OVERNOR, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi has called on the board of the Financial Market Dealers Quote to revive the market for commercial papers in Nigeria.

Commercial papers are unsecured promissory notes with a fixed maturity of about nine months. They are usually issued by companies to raise money to meet short term finance obligations. The notes are backed by the promise of

the issuing organization to repay based on the agreed terms.

Speaking at the official launch of the MFDQ PLC, Sanusi said that, “The FMDQ should also look at the revival of the Commercial Paper market and its regulation. With FMDQ, a fixed income securities exchange, the registration process is expected to be established to kick-start this segment of the money market which is useful in promoting the culture of companies in the issuance of instruments and securities”.

He also called for the review of the Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR). “The inter-bank interest rate benchmark (NIBOR) definitely remains an area for development. FMDQ is expected to look at this in light of IOSCO’s standards on benchmarks”, he said.

Sanusi said though the establishment of FMDQ is commendable and in line with other reform initiatives of the CBN, he said that there is however huge expectation of the group to further restructure and give depth to the Nigerian

Financial Markets.

He said, “The efforts of the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), a professional body for banks, discount houses and other relevant financial institutions, in fostering financial markets development in Nigeria is commendable and has complemented the efforts of government and regulatory authorities. The launch of the FMDQ OTC PLC is yet another indication of the association’s persistence and quest to play a catalytic role in the development of the Nigerian financial markets.

In recognition of the important role to be played by the FMDQ OTC the Central Bank of Nigeria provided the necessary support for its formation. CBN will continue to collaborate with FMDQ on strategic initiatives that will support Global competitiveness, Operational excellence, Liquidity and Diversity (GOLD) of the market. We are also keen to see that FMDQ upholds the highest standards of market governance.

“I would like to use this opportunity to implore the FMDQ to uphold its commitment to ensure that its operations are continuous and transparent to ensure the flow of liquidity; as well as ensure that appropriate risk management measures and systems are put in place. It should also provide acceptable conditions for the admission of other securities such as commercial papers, bankers’ acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposits, etc.; and, foster adherence to rules and regulations by participants at all times in order to maintain and sustain market integrity and confidence.”

NDIC pays N73.5 as liquidation dividends to failed banks’ depositors

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

N

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has paid N73.58 billion as liquidation dividend to depositors of 14 failed banks.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Corporation, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim disclosed this at the NDIC special day at the 27th Lagos International Trade Fair.

Speaking on some of the achievements of the Corporation, Ibrahim said, “Despite the daunting challenges in the nation’s financial market, it is on record that the NDIC had paid cumulative insured deposits of N6.82 billion to 528,212 insured depositors of closed banks as at June 20th 2013 as against N6.68 billion paid to C M Y K

527,942 insured depositors as at December 31, 2011.

“Similarly, a total sum of N2.520 billion was paid to 75,520 depositors of 95 out of 103 closed Microfinance Banks, MFBs as at June 30, 2013. In the same vein, the sum of N73.589 billion had been paid as liquidation dividend to 250,209 depositors of Deposit Money Banks, DMBs as at June 30th 2013. It is pertinent to indicate that a total of 14 out of the 34 banks-in-liquidation prior to 2006 had declared a final dividend of 100% of their total deposits, indicating that all depositors of the affected closed banks had fully recovered their deposits.”

Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon Omo’lola Abiola-Edewor, said that the Corporation has

begun to implement measures to build on this achievements.

He said part of these measures is the launching of the Corporation’s new corporate identity.

The new identity, he said, “represents the NDIC of our dreams, the NDIC of the future that is geared towards consistent provision of enhanced service delivery to our insured depositors and other stakeholders. Understandably, the logical question is, why does the NDIC need to rebrand? The re-branding initiative was part of our strategic reengineering to review the process, procedures and systems of the Corporation in order to effectively discharge its mandate. As you may be aware, re-branding is not just a mere change of colours and logos, it is about distinguishing

oneself from the rest in service delivery. The bedrock of the NDIC rebranding initiative is our passionate commitment and desire to achieve qualitative service delivery.

The NDIC Family has recorded laudable achievements, but we must keep improving in terms of propelling the NDIC towards achieving the Corporation’s vision of being amongst the top 20 Deposit Insurers in the world by the year 2020.

“We are confident that our rebranding package will help us to construct fresh and positive perceptions among our numerous depositors and major stakeholders across the country.

By so doing, the Corporation shall occupy a prime spot in the hearts and minds of our depositorsandotherstakeholders

Skye Bank employees donate books to Rivers’ school

A

s part of the activities to commemorate the 2013 ‘Global Literacy Day ’, employees of Skye Bank Plc have donated books worth millions of naira to a public school school in Rivers State, Community Secondary School, Nkpolu.

The bank employees partnered with a nongovernmental organization, Chamagne Foundation, to champion the worthy initiative.

Speaking at the presentation of the books and the official launch of the Book Reading Club in the school in Port Harcourt at the weekend, the Olu Obasanjo Branch Manager of Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ania Umoh, said the initiative was a social responsibility scheme designed to promote the reading culture among students across the country.

According to her, the books comprised motivational books, literature and others that could expand the worldview and horizon of the students and make them better individuals since education breaks the cycle of poverty.

Umoh said continuous learning was one of the cardinal values of Skye Bank, noting that the bank would continue to help people acquire education through various programmes and schemes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Chamagne Foundation, Mrs. Abimbola Ojosipe, told students of the school to embrace reading as it remained the best way to acquire knowledge and know what is happening around them.

She explained that the partnership with Skye Bank was designed to encourage students to search for knowledge and broaden the horizon of young people across the federation.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Collins Amah, thanked Skye Bank and the foundation for choosing his school in Rivers State, promising that he would ensure that the students put the books to good use.

Amah expressed happiness for the launch of the book reading club in his school, noting that people who read are the ones who distinguish themselves.

Readings from Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ and ‘And still I Rise’ were done by the bank’s representative and the foundation’s boss.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 23

N180bn new sugar factories, 50,000 jobs underway — Dangote

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

D

ANGOTE Sugar Refinery PLC has concluded plans to invest N180 billion in four new sugar factories spread across Sokoto, Kebbi, Kwara and Kogi state.

The employment prospects for host communities is put at 50,000 A statement from the company said already 150,000 hectares of land has been allocated for the project to take off in the affected states.

The statement further said the company is actively pursuing a backward integration master plan with a target of producing a total of 1.5 million tons of sugar per annum locally from its subsidiaries.

Savannah Sugar, one of its subsidiaries at present is capable of producing 50,000 metric tons of sugar per annum.

This move is part of the company’s strategies of meeting the national sugar master plan, to grow the company both locally and globally via exports to West African countries in the first quarter of 2014.

Recalled that Dangote acquired the moribund Savannah Sugar Com-

From left: The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kigbu; Nigeria’s Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom; Benin Republic Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMEs, Madame Naomie Azaria Hounhoui, Deputy Chief of Staff, Seke Tikande, and Benin Ambassador to Nigeria, Mouftaou Laleye during the signing of a joint communiqué on the consideration of the lease Agreement of Onigbolo Cement and Save Sugar Companies in Abuja, recently. pany in 2002, the buyover midwifed by the Bureau of Public Enter-

prises (BPE) was the fallout of the failure of several attempts by the

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HE government of Ghana wants Nigeria to cooperate with them so as to remove existent and emergent technical barriers between the two countries.

Speaking recently in Lagos, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, said, in harnessing trade and trade opportunity between the two countries, there is need to mutually work together and cooperate so as to remove existent and emergent technical barriers between the two countries.

He said the two countries must carry through the long overdue seamless rail

“To put the company back in shape, Dangote spent N12 billion as

Exhibitors’ lament change of venue, epileptic electricity

BY WALE OSHIKOYA

E

XHIBITORS at the just concluded 27th Annual Lagos International Trade Fair have lamented the low

turnouts of buyers at the fair attributing it to change of venue from the initial Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway to the new venue Tafawa Balewa Square.

Ghana seeks Nigeria’s cooperation to remove trade barriers

BY NAOMI UZOR

Federal Government to reposition the sugar company.

core running expenses into the business after the take-over in the first five years.

“The areas that gulped the money were factory and estate rehabilitation; purchase of vehicles, trucks and heavy duty equipment; salaries and wages; farm inputs like fertilizers and chemicals, among others; spare parts for factory and heavy duty equipment and payments in the form of Sugar Development Levy.

“Dangote has embarked on expansion of the plant enhancing the integrated sugar cane farming and sugar milling through increased plant capacity from 50, 000 tons per annum to 200, 000 tons.

This necessitated procurement of new machinery and new factory. This is to enhance the integrated sugar came farming and milling,” said the statement.

line project connecting Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Cote D’ Ivoire and operationalise it for free and swift movement of persons and goods across our borders and unto our markets.

This, he said, will drastically reduce the incidence of loss of perishable agro produce meant for subregional markets, as well as the high cost of transporting such goods by road. ”We must sincerely and consistently implement the initiatives of the borderless trade project co-sponsored by the West Africa Trade Hub and other development partners to ensure that the delays and outrageous high cost of

movements of persons and goods across West Africa regional market are reduced. We must jointly and consistently review and modify our customs regimes to make imports into and exports from our custom territories more competitive compared to global benchmarks and best practices in trans-national trade” he said.

The Minister urged the two countries to sincerely and conscientiously uphold the WTO rules and policies so that investor confidence in the economies will rise and draw in capital investments that would help to create more productivity, increased employment and larger markets between the countries.

The exhibitors also decried the erratic power supply and the over-zealous attitudes of security personnels during the fair which lasted for ten days.

They have swiftly advised the organizers of the fair to improve on these areas subsequently.

According to a Viju Milk Sales Marketer, who simply identified himself as Chinedu, “Since the venue was shifted two years ago, sales have dropped at the annual tfair .The market here is low keyed. At the former venue we had manyforeigners coming to patronise us; also there are ready markets around the complex such as Balogun market, ASPAMDA market among others.”

On her part, a customer care attendant with Dangote Dansa Foods who identified herself as Ruqayyat said: “The change of venue has affected sales at the trade fair negatively, the former venue along Badagry Express way was better, in the sense that we had more people coming to the trade fair, it was on the mainland and we had people from Badagry and its environ coming to patronise us, but now that the venue is on

the Island people find it difficult to locate this place and that has been affecting sales.”

Decrying the erratic power supply and the over-zealousness of the security personnels at the fair, which was described as other factors behind the low turnout, Chinedu said: “The organizers must subsequently ensure a stable power supply at the fair to boost sales, and also the security personnels lack manner of approach, they talk to customers who come to patronize us anyhow, forgetting that without exhibitors there would be no trade fair.”

Criminal activities For Rukayat, “I want the organisers to re-orientate the security officers so that they can treat people more gently. I understand that they are doing this to reduce criminal activities but at the same time they need to be soft on people.”

However, at the Akwa Ibom stand, Godswealth Henry of Jekon Integrated Farms however, said his outing was impressive.

“Visitors to our stand and patronage in terms of sales and prospective investors

are encouraging. I am happy to be at the 2013 Lagos Trade Fair. The idea of the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Commerce bringing us to participate is being achieved,” he said.

Another exhibitor at the Cameroon stand and managing director, GIC Laboratoire Gefeh, manufacturers of herbal medicine, Ngwei George, said visitors had been enlightened on the efficacy of herbal products. “Our products are made from tree roots, leaves or seeds and we work with Ministry of Health, Cameroun. All the products on exhibition are certified by the Cameroun Government laboratories,” he said.

An exhibitor at the Abia State stand, Cosmos Onyeibe, however, said sales were poor and that the stand was too small to accommodate about 17 exhibitors that came with the state government.

“We are not happy with the 2013 Lagos Fair. See, this stand is too small; we are 17 exhibitors and we do not have enough room to exhibit our goods. Besides, we came to sell and we have not done that. So, we are not happy at all,” he said.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Rescue claim: NIMASA, NLNG set for showdown STORIES BY GODWIN ORITSE

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HERE are indications that the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Company may be heading for another showdown with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency following the former’s claims of rescuing NIMASA’s personnel from a distress vessel.

This is coming on less than three months after its row with the gas company.

The apex maritime regulatory agency said in a statement last Saturday that a report in a section of the media purporting that its personnel were rescued out of distress by NLNG was false.

According to NIMASA, the story which stated that, “NLNG rescue NIMASA men from drowning”, and which indicated that “the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited rescued NIMASA officials and Navy personnel on board a tugboat, MT Bori, was not only false and misleading but obvious to any discerning mind that it was premeditated to embarrass the Agency.”

NIMASA in the statement which was signed by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, and made available to newsmen, explained that: “It is pertinent to state that MT Symphony registered by the Flag State Authority of Panama was illegally being

towed by MT Bori when NIMASA was contacted to stop the operation, a request that was promptly granted”.

“It is also necessary to state clearly that there was no NIMASA staff or Navy personnel from the Maritime Guard Command of the Agency on board the said MT Bori as alleged in the report”, the statement concluded.

The duo had earlier in the year been locked in legal battle over payment of some revenue to NIMASA, leading to a three-week blockade of some NLNG tankers from exiting the export terminal.

The matter was later resolved at the Federal High Court when the NLNG agreed to pay the disputed levies.

The New CAC PTML Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Shina Odumbaku (Middle) addressing the press shortly after taking-over control of the command.

Lack of budgetary allocation stalls ISPS implementation N

ONE budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code may stall the project NIMASA was appointed as Designated Authority (DA) to implement ISPS Code in May of this year, but at the time of appointment, there was no

budget for it to implement the code.

The paucity of fund for the project has resulted in the increase of pirate attacks on vessels berthed at facilities in and around the Lagos ports area.

At the last meeting of

C

OMPTROLLER Shina Odumbaku has been appointed as the new area controller in charge of the PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Taking over from Comptroller Tajudeen Olanrewaju who left PTML yesterday, after barely six months as the helmsman, the new area controller promised to hit the ground running and to surpass the achievements of his predecessor.

At a brief ceremony held at the command head office at Tin Can Island port, the new Customs Area Controller

(CAC) while soliciting the support of officers and men of the command, promised to put in his best and to work towards building on the legacy of Comptroller Olanrewaju who has been redeployed to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.

Odumbaku told the gathering of senior officers of the command that beating the record of N7.2 billion monthly revenue which his predecessor set would be his desire, even as he urged the command’s personnel to work harder to meet the command,s 2013 target.

took over as Designated Authority, the Presidential Committee on Maritime Security and Safety (PICOMSS) was responsible for the implementation of the Code.

Some of the terminal

ANLCA sets up committees on insurance and secretariat

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

Odumbaku takes over as new Customs Controller at PTML

the Port Facility Security Officers Forum in Lagos, it said that the waterfront of the Apapa and TinCan Island ports are still very porous and prone to attacks.

It will be recalled that shortly before NIMASA

T

HE Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has constituted two committees for the sustenance of its group life insurance policy and the construction of a permanent secretariat for the association.

The two committees were constituted at the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Port Harcourt. The insurance committee which is headed by a former Vice President of ANLCA, Dayo Azeez, raised N5 million following appeals by the National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, for contribution from members.

A statement sent by Joe Sanni, Personal Assistant to the National President on Publicity, noted that

members of the NEC were in agreement that the scheme is a worthy project and therefore charged the committee to work hard to ensure that it continues.

According to Sanni, the NEC resolved that the association should have its permanent secretariat in Lagos and an annex in Abuja.

He said, “acting upon earlier decisions to have a National Secretariat, a combined effort of the National President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Henry Njoku, ensured that initial funds was deposited for the imposing structure in the heart of the maritime city of Lagos. Possession of the property, which is already in the name of ANLCA, depends on the payment of the total sum negotiated.”

He noted that right at the venue, almost twenty

million Naira (N20m) was raised, towards completing the payment for the building which includes redesigning, renovations, internal and external décor, furniture, landscaping.

He said the total amount needed for the above is about N200 million, adding that Stanley consulting firm who are expected to handle the construction, in conjunction with the building committee headed by chief Njoku, has committed N68 million (Sixty million Naira) already.

He further noted that the owner of the property, who is also an ANLCA member, promised to handover the property once a certain amount is realised by him.

Sanni added that it was decided that each corporate member of ANLCA should pay N50,000.00 before December 2013.

where vessels were attacked by pirates are Port and Cargo Handling terminal ‘C’, Tin-Can Island. A vessel ‘MV Atlantic Pioneer ’was attacked there sometime in September, while at the Capital Oil depot, an attempt on another vessel was foiled by security officials. Reports of the minutes of the PFSO meeting showed that at MRS depot was attacked on the 7th, 8th and 31st of October by pirates.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, a Deputy Director and Head of Public Relation said that the lack of budgetary allocation has in no way affected the policing of the waterfront.

He explained that the acquisition of three patrol boats by the agency was part of the measure to checkmate the activities of these criminals.

He also said that with the inclusion of ISPS code implementation in next year’s budget, NIMASA as Designated Authority will acquire more capacity to provide wider security. ”We cannot spend unappropriated fund, even my salary is appropriated so any expenditure outside the law is an offence” Isichei added.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 25

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, DAYO ADESULU & IKENNA ASOMBA

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WO days after the news of the death of one-time President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, filtered into town, rains of eulogies have continued pour in for the don, who died in an auto-crash that happened at about 11.00am, Tuesday, at Banda village, along the Lokoja-Abuja highway. Prof.

Iyayi died on the spot, when a rear vehicle in the convoy of the Kogi State Governor Idris Wada rammed into the Toyota Hilux car with plate number ED 357 USL belonging to ASUU, UNIBEN branch, which was conveying the former ASUU boss, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter ASUU Chairman , Anthony Monye-Emina, and two

others officials to Bayero University Kano, BUK where they were billed to attend a National Executive Council, NEC meeting in a bid to decide whether to call-off or continue the 4 month ASUU strike after ratifying the decisions of the 61 chapters of the union.

IYAYI: UNIBEN VC pays condolence

Leading other management staff yesterday, to pay a condolence visit to the family of Iyayi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Professor Osayuki Oshodin, who addressed the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Grace Iyayi who is the Director of Personnel at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), said the news of the death came as a shock to him and other members of the UNIBEN community,

FUTO students cry to govt to fix bad roads leading to the school

— Page 31

C M Y K

lamenting that his death was even more painful due to the way and manner that he died.

The VC, whose emotions almost betrayed him, narrated that “when I heard the news, I did not believe I said there must be a mistake somewhere until I started receiving calls from all over the country. I am still in shock and honestly don’t know how to describe him now.

We all knew what he stood for. A man that always speaks the truth no matter whose ox is gored. Unfortunately, there is nothing we all can do now than to pray to God for his soul and family.

“The UNIBEN community will always remember Prof Iyayi for his great contributions to the growth of the university and ASUU as a whole. May his Gen-

Continues on page 26

Educationists, employers of labour should de-emphasise on paper qualification — Expert — Page 32

NUC charges private varsities to improve corporate governance

BY DAYO ADESULU

T

HE Executive Secretary, Na tional Universities Commis sion (NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, has called on private universities to improve on their governance structure which, he said, was a panacea for growth and development.

He made the call while delivering a keynote address at a workshop organised by Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, for its reconstituted Board of Trustees and Governing Council on “University Governance, Revenue Generation and Prudent Financial Administration in the NUS: Challenges and Prospects for Improvement.”

Professor Okojie stated that universities were international communities, Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

SCHOLARSHIP

I

OERL offers $150,000 Indian scholarship

n its bid to boost the ac ceptance of India university education in the country, Oredian Education Resources Limited (OERL) has concluded plans with her Indian partner institutions to offer $150,000 worth of scholarships to Nigerian students who wish to study in India.

According to the Managing Director, OERL, Mr. Michael Adebayo, the tuition free scholarship is for the 2014 academic session and would be awarded to students based on their per-

formances in OERL study in India scholarship examination.

Pointing out that OERL has concentrated its efforts in the promotion of Indian education in the country as a veritable alternative to the costly European and American education, Adebayo said “over this period of time, OERL has recruited about 1,000 students to Indian varsities, both on its yearly OERL scholarships/direct admission process”.

Ahead of the 2014 admission exercise which starts in June

2014, the scholarship valued at $150,000 would be available and distributed to winners in various courses as provided by the approving institutions stressing the scholarship would cover tuition fee only while students are to take care of other expenses.

He said for the 2014 academic session, 101 scholarships would be available and that the scholarship examination would hold on January 18 in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Kaduna, Warri, Jos and Ado Ekiti, and information regarding the ap-

plication is available on the company website www.oredianeducation.com The MD of OERL revealed that there are plans to extend its student recruitment drive and scholarship scheme to China, Japan and Canada in 2014, noting that his outfit is also in the forefront of training and development of youths in entrepreneurship education as well as an advocate of strong educational tie between Nigeria and India.

Iyayi: ASUU's loss, a nation's loss Continues from page 25 tle soul rest in perfect peace Amen”.

A monumental loss

In his tribute, Dr. Idris Adekunle, Chairman of ASUU at the Lagos State University, LASU described Iyayi’s death as a monumental loss to the union, the entire country and the international community at large.

He said: “Prof. Iyayi’s death is a monumental loss, not only to the union and nation, but to the entire international community. We all know that this is a man who has always stood for the emancipation of the poor and the down-trodden. Prof.

Iyayi was a man who always ensured that the poor and downtrodden are never denied their rights to access to quality education. All his life, he did this even to the extent of sacrificing his life for the cause he stood for. We must not forget that Prof. Iyayi, while the President of ASUU in the 80’s fought for the provision of quality education in this country, and for a better welfare for university lecturers. In the course of this, he suffered incarceration from the then Military administration.

“Honestly, I must confess that only God can heal the pains that his exit has left on us. You need to see what the atmosphere looks like in Benin, as I speak. Everybody is unhappy, including students, lecturers, friends and well-wishers of Prof. Festus Iyayi.”

A great leader

For Prof. Florence Banku Obi, Head, Department of Education, University of Calabar (UNICAL), Iyayi will be missed as one of the greatest leaders that ASUU has ever had in the country.

She said: “Prof. Iyayi will be missed by all, because he was a great leader in the period he served as ASUU national president. We are going to miss him as the brain behind ASUU’s successful struggles for a better and quality education in the country. As I speak with you, the mood in UNICAL is absolutely sorrowful. What I can say is that may all that he stood for

come to pass; may we have a listening government and I pray that stability will be restored to our education’s sector by this death of Prof. Iyayi,” adding that “the pertinent question we are asking is what is the next move. By this great loss, I don’t think anyone will be willing to call-off this strike because we are all in mourning mood.”

The immediate-past ASUULASU Chairman, Dr. ‘Wunmi Oluwatokin, in an emotion-laden voice said: “Prof. Iyayi was an imaginative literary writer,

true patriot, consummate humanist, patient leader and very clear about how to get us out of the doldrums of our situation as a people.

He symbolized the crop of astute leadership that ASUU relies on to make our education sector and indeed our Nigerian system a haven of productivity and creativity. He has fallen in the gallant battle to save Nigeria. He lives on in our hearts and in generations yet unborn. I commiserate with the Iyayis, his immediate family. But we all are his family. May God repose his really gentle, brilliant and humane soul!”

In the same vein, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obadan, and former Chief whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie, have also lamented the death of Iyayi.

Hold our leaders accountable Meanwhile, the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ has called on Nigerians to hold the nation’s leaders accountable for the death of Professor Iyayi.

Vanguard observed that the entire UNIBEN community was thrown into mourning, as people were seen discussing the death in groups, while skeletal activities were observed in offices.

However, ANEEJ in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Reverend David Ugolor, described the death of Iyayi as a rude shock and another sad news that make Nigerians take action to end culture of impunity that is breeding bad governance.

According to ANEEJ, the death marks a negative legacy for the nation’ leaders led by President Goodluck Jonathan in the current democratic era in the country.

“Our leaders must be held accountable for the colossal loss. The death of Prof Iyayi marks a negative legacy for our leaders led

by President Jonathan in this regime. All those who makes it impossible for the likes of Prof Iyayi to enjoy the fruit of their labours will one day pay the price, if not now, certainly in the future”.

ANEEJ said Professor Iyayi in his writing do have a tough and radical stance on social-political issues in Nigeria, adding that his death is a big loss to the teaching profession and Nigerians at large.

Profile Born 1947, in Ugbegun in Ishan, Edo State, Prof. Festus Iyayi started his education at Annunciation Catholic College (ACC) in the old Bendel State, finishing in 1966, in 1967 he went to Government College Ughelli, graduating in 1968.

Iyayi left Nigeria to pursue his higher education, obtaining an M.Sc in Industrial Economics from the Kiev Institute of Economics, in the former USSR, and then his Ph.D from the University of Bradford, England.

In 1980, he returned to Benin and became a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at the University of Benin.

He was ASUU president in 1986, but in 1988, the union was briefly banned and Iyayi was detained. In that same year he won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for his novel, Heroes.

At the time of his death in a road accident, Iyayi was a member of different Nigerian literary organizations and worked in the pri-

vate sector as a consultant.

Airtel fulfills ‘Goal for Education’ pledge

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

F

ollowing the successful hosting the Airtel Rising Stars National Championship, a major grass root Under-17 soccer tournament for boys and girls, Airtel Nigeria has fulfilled its pledge of offering $100 for every goal scored during match regulation time at the championship.

Announcing the ‘Goal-forEducation’ initiative during the tournament, Airtel said participating teams will receive aggregated monetary value for the number of goals scored during regular match time and they will have liberty to choose charity homes or schools in home states that will benefit from the donation.

In fulfillment of this, Airtel has donated 4,000 exercise books and 6,000 pens to 11 primary schools across the country.

The Goal-for-Education initiative is aimed at furthering the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility spread with particular focus on empowering students with quality education materials.

At the end of the championship, a total of 20 goals were scored from 14 matches played by both male and female teams.

Speaking about the initiative, Director of Corporate Communication and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah, said it is one of the tie-back benefits of the Airtel Rising Stars Tournament which focuses on discovering talented football youngsters and giving them opportunities to hone their skills and become renowned stars.

The Airtel Rising Stars U-17 Tourney, in its third year running, is a pan-African initiative of Airtel Africa, designed to provide support for the development of football talents across African markets. It is aimed at discovering talented students (male and female) of secondary school age and providing them the opportunity to polish their football skills and develop into renowned stars.

NUC charges private varsities to improve governance structure Continues from page 25 therefore their administration should not be localised.

He advised that the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and other Principal Officers should be based on merit not tribal or religious considerations.

To ensure quality and standards, he stressed that varsities must be all-encompassing, both in scholarship and management structure, in line with global best practices.

He pointed out that good governance structure entailed the

effective regulation of the entire university system, as university regulations were drawn from the university laws.

He stated that whereas the Council made statutes, the university Senates regulates the university. The NUC Scribe informed the gathering that, in line with constitutional provisions, federal universities were established by presidential pronouncement, state universities, by an Act of the State Assembly, while private universities were licenced by the Federal Executive Council, after they

had, satisfactorily, met the requirements for their establishment.

To ensure that the law protected private proprietors, the BoT was designed to have a maximum of 10 members and a minimum of seven. He added that while it was proper for the proprietors to advise Council or Management, it was unlawful for them to remotely control the system.

According to Professor Okojie, “the Board has the responsibility of appointing the Governing Council, while the

Council appoints their Management.”

He advised that in appointing the Board, it was important to consider those with relevant knowledge of the programme focus of the institution, in order to ensure proper implementation of the Academic Brief.

“The University Senate, which comprises all Heads of Departments (HODs) is the engine room of the university and it determines the programme focus and direction of the Institution.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 27

FUTO students cry out over bad roads

By PRECIOUS ONUOHA, FUTO

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N the heart of Africa, a country of contrast, the Eastern heartland, heartwarming technology, rich culture, renowned art, abundant natural resources, feel the unity, feel the affection, feel the peace, welcome to Imo state, to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, and the uniqueness of its students.

The best higher institution nationwide with students of diverse colours, cultures and backgrounds.

These undergraduates now take FUTO to be their second home since they spend almost a year in school for an academic year.

In FUTO, our host communities include: Ihiagwa, Eziobodo and Umuchima villages.

Transporting ourselves to school every morning from our various lodges is an added financial burden.

Regarding it as a financial burden is an under-statement as we are now faced with the challenge of paying double the amount what we used to pay, getting soiled before we get to school, having to beg the bikemen to go our way, being attacked on lonely track roads by hoodlums during late evenings, “travelling” to Owerri town for about an hour against the conventional 20 minutes to get to town.

The deplorable state of our FUTO roads is quite pitiable.

Its mere sight is an eyesore.

Before now, everyone was plying our motorable FUTO roads- students, lecturers, villagers, non-indigene inhabit-

ants, visitors, passers-by, nonacademic staff, the university’s vice-chancellor, his entourage, other senate colleagues and many others.

Everything was okay because the roads were still motorable and manageable. We sang a different song altogether even before the rains came this year, precisely during our first academic semester of year 2013.

All hands were crossed, awaiting the rehabilitation of the de-

OOU Alumni institutes legal action against varsity mgt

By DAUD OLATUNJI

T

HE National Alumni As sociation of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has threatened to drag the university management to court over the non-rec-

ognition of the association since 2009.

To this end, the association has given a 30-day ultimatum starting from October 14, 2013 for the management to admit convocation representative into the governing council of the

varsity and to remit alumni dues illegally diverted by the management into the Alumni Association bank account.

According to a release signed by the President, Vice President and the General Secretary, Oladejo Moruf, Adewoye and

Femi Joseph, respectively, at the expiration of the ultimatum, the association will approach the court for the reversal of the decisions taken by the varsity management since 2009 without the involvement of the association.

I earnestly covet God’s grace in the life of Apostle Paul.

Cut your coat according to …

Many Nigerian users of English often say Cut your coat according to your size. This is a Nigerian variation of the English idiom Cut your coat according to your cloth. An idiom is a combination of words that have a figurative meaning that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Though idioms

Frequently confused words

enough to mark the difference between one word and another. The presence or absence of ‘r’ marks the difference between the two words. Covert means ‘secret or hidden’. The opposite of covert is ‘overt’ which means ‘done in an open way not secretly’. Covet means ‘to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else’. Do not confuse covert with covet.

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It got to a point that we were now making use of long lonely track roads to and fro school.

Hell was let loose as students had so many challenges to contend with: exhorbitant bike fares, getting soiled while on bike and having the extra stress of going back home to change, lengthened time/duration on the road, missing the first part of their lectures every day, trekking and sweating to school each morning for those who

One of the participants at the programme, Mr Muyiwa Adekunle who is an assistant marketing manager with Pomat Peters Limited notes that the programme has been life transforming for him. He added that the sessions had offered positive insights into improving professionalism. He takes away actionable strategies to overcome self-limiting habitsthat will ultimately promote his professional and personal effectiveness and unlock his true leadership potential.

Also another participant Mr Kayode Olubajo, who is the business development manager for Consolidated Business Holdings, commended JSK Etiquette Consortium for offering the opportunity to young professionals to gain exposure and possess the capacity for high impact productivity.

JSK Etiquette Consortium has a corporate vision to create permanent value and to promote the ‘Panache Advantage’. The objective is to synchronize the importance of protocol, image, life skills and leadership in today’s technically savvy economy with the hybrid culture we live in, for all organizations, professionals, individuals and youths that will distinguish them fromthe fierce competi-

Failed portion of the road leading to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.

Errata The following error has been found in last week’s publication of this column: Correction ‘Are you a staff here?’ for ‘Are you a member of staff here?’

Note that a unit of staff is not referred to as ‘a staff ’ but as ‘a member of staff ’ (British English) or ‘staff member’ (American English). The correct expression is ‘Are you a member of staff here?’ A staff may refer to a long stick used as a support for walking or as a symbol of authority.

Covert covet Covert and covet are two different words. A single letter is often significant

teriorating roads not knowing that we were wasting our precious time. All we saw were mounds of red mud that made the roads sticky and worse. After the break in-between the two semesters, students came back to school for the final lap of the 2013 academic year, with high hopes that the roads must have been worked on. To our greatest surprise, the reverse was the case. Infact, they were worse than before.

JSK empowers graduates

Examples: When I was in the secondary school, I had a covert hatred for our Mathematics teacher.

He stole a covert glance at the lady across the table.

You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. (Exodus 20 vs 17) Is there anyone who does not covet long life and prosperity?

are often metaphorical and make the language more colourful, the words constituting them are fixed. The standard British equivalent of the Nigerian variation of the idiom is Cut your coat according to your cloth not “size’. Cut your coat according to your cloth means ‘to do only what you have enough money to do and no more’. In other words, ‘Let your expenditure be determined by your resources’.

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Educationists, emplo employyer erss of labour should de-emphasise paper qualification — Expert

Highflyer reality show to change the face of education in Nigeria

By JAPHET ALAKAM

Ben Akintelure is the Principal of Phidel College, a post primary school at Isheri-Olofin, Idimu, Lagos, that prides itself as an all-round educational institution with an express mandate to develop students to become next generation of world leaders. In this interview, Akintelure speaks on how educationists and employers should de-emphasise paper qualification. Excerpts:

By DAYO ADESULU

H

ow do you think ex amination malpractices can be curbed in Nigeria?

Exam malpractice can be curbed when educators and employers do not place much emphasis on paper qualification. The desire to obtain certificate by every student at all cost forces students to go to any length. If technical colleges are facilitated and well funded, students that do not excel at junior secondary level will be encouraged to go to technical school having known that they can get good jobs.

When teachers are well paid, they will not be tempted to be involved in any misconduct such as exam malpractice. Also, when we imbibe the culture of online exam, those involved in exam malpractices will not have means of hijacking or buying exam questions.

The CBT, as adopted by JAMB and NECO, can curb the menace, but the 2015 deadline should be extended so that every school is compelled to have adequate computers for the exam.

Why do some schools use more than one curriculum to teach their students?

Exposing the students to various curricula is good because it provides them with different opportunities. In the British curriculum, students are trained to finish in five years.

There are some topics that are not found in British syllabus but are treated in WAEC and vice-

versa. There are some topics you don’t need to go into details for the British curriculum, but in WAEC or NECO, you are expected to teach.

Another fundamental difference is that the British curriculum requires logic and thinking while WAEC and NECO questions are too direct. So we have situations whereby students who can memorize notes very well can easily pass WEAC or NECO, but in the British curriculum, if you are not intelligent, you will fail.

At Phidel College, we prepare students using Nigerian, British and American curricula.

We have certified teachers who can handle all these and this set our students apart from their peers. You can’t, however, say one curriculum is better than the other and preference for one curriculum depends on if you want your children to study here or abroad.

Basic languages of the world such as French and Chinese are made compulsory for students at some point in their education here. The types of the exams we undertake here include WAEC, NECO, International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

What’s your take on the clamor for vocational subjects to be made compulsory in secondary school syllabus?

The truth is that when you teach students vocational subjects, you are actually nurtur-

I

•Ben Akintelure

ing them to not just be future leaders but leaders that can be self-reliant and contribute to the society. The point is that students should be taught some vocational subjects so that if they cannot get white collar job at the end of their education, they can think of particular vocational jobs that they have already learnt and develop on them.

At Phidel College, we teach our students vocational subjects. We have a standard Home Economics room where the students can put to practice what they have learnt.

There is clothing and textile room with various sewing machines. We do tie and dye here.

Our music studio is fantastic.

There is no musical instrument that can’t be handled by our music teachers.

To guarantee a brighter future where we have knowledgeable, principled and respectable citizens, education has to be total for the students. There are

other values that need to be inculcated in students. That is why in Phidel College, we are also training the students in the areas of phonics, diction, etiquette and courtesy. Another important aspect is training the children in the way of God because no matter how you equip a school, if the students are not trained in the way of God, there is no way their minds would not be corrupt.

What measures do you have in place to check anti-social behaviours, particularly among the boarding students?

That is the essence of giving students total training. We impact adequate academic, moral and social values in our students. The moment you are registered as a student of this college, you are trained to imbibe values that are expected of a responsible citizen in the society. With the orientation you are given, you can’t do otherwise.

FG should regulate, not own schools — Atiku Abubakar

By EBELE ORAKPO

F

ORMER Vice-President and Founder, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has said that Federal Government should regulate, not own schools.

Speaking on the lingering ASUU strike at the 2013 Homecoming at the AUN in Yola recently, Atiku said “I don’t think the Federal Government should own schools; they should only regulate.

I’ve tried to push for more government funding and we need more teachers’ training and better infrastructure. My blueprint for education in Nigeria was given to every state.

Someone with the vision, courage, and insight needs to C M Y K

fix education in Nigeria.”

At the occasion, Abubakar was inducted into AUN Alumni Association, thus joining other renowned personalities, including Nobel prize-winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African President, Jacob Zuma, former European Union Ambassador, David MacRae, and celebrated journalist, Charlayne HunterGault in the membership of the association. He also told the alumni how they can use their AUN education to benefit the nation and world.

Reflecting on AUN’s beginnings, Atiku said “When it started, AUN was like something that would never happen. We started with the North campus, and now we have the main campus. The

experience and education you all have gained here is the best you can get anywhere. It can take you places.”

Urging the youths to be focused, Atiku said “When I was young, I created a plan for my life. I wanted to be at a certain place by the time I reached 40. I stuck to that plan and almost made it- if not for politics. The most important thing is knowing what you want to do. You need to plan your life.

“The truth is 25 to 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population is between the ages of 25 and 40.

You all should be working with these young people to collaborate on projects. Find people with experience and bring the ideas to the table.”

AUN President Ensign, also

speaking to the alums, encouraged them to make their contribution to their communities and country and discussed the possibility of establishing business incubators at AUN. A 2011 AUN graduate, Okechukwu Anyanwu, spoke of a leadership curriculum which he and some partners are developing for use in Nigerian schools.

The Coordinator of AUN Alumni Relations, Abubakar Radda, said that he hoped the interactive session would be the first of many more to come. He advised the alums to ask as many questions as possible and make suggestions that will lead to improving the university and the nation.

n the face of the lingering crisis in the educational sector ,President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Femi Adesina has called on all tiers of Government to collaborate to revamp the nation’s education sector. As according to him, failure to address the issues is a call for anarchy.

Adesina spoke at the launching of the Highflyer reality show and presentation of academic excellence awards held recently in Lagos. Adesina who lauded the Highflyer initiative stated that such should be supported and encouraged. “This would not be more auspicious at this time because we all know the state of our education.

Our education is in a perilous state, so any style, format or procedure that we can go through to change what is on ground is welcomed and accepted,” he said.

In his lecture titled: Revamping the Educational Sector: whose responsibility, Mr Adesina said that the revamping of the educational sector must be a team work.

Oshiomhole, Osunbor to grace Alma matar fund raising Saturday

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he present and past gov ernors of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Professor Osunbor Osareme are expected this Saturday at the school premises to grace the N150 million fund raising for their Alma-matar to equip the school laboratory. While, Governor Adams Oshiomhole is expected to be the special guest, Professor Osunbor Osareme will be the chairman of the occasion as Tony Ezekiel, Chairman, CEO, Itex Furniture will stands as the chief launcher.

The Trio who attended Holy Trinity Grammar school, Sabo Ora, Edo State lamented the present decadence in the school in terms of infrastructure and education standard and decided to bring transformation.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Chairman, Fund Raising Committee, Barr. Godwin Dudu Orumen noted that in spites the five million naira injected into the school by few old boys, Holy Trinity Grammar school, the pride of Sabo Ora is still lacking in science equipment, hostels, borehole and sport facilities.

He urged the old boys of the school to rise to the task by donating generously to revamp these areas.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013— 29

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30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Lagos approves new curriculum for senior secondary schools

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

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AGOS State Commis sioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, has disclosed that the state has approved a new senior secondary school curriculum for all public senior secondary schools in the state.

Oladunjoye noted that the highlight of the new curriculum include the fact that all SS I- III students in public senior secondary schools are expected to offer nine subjects made up of five compulsory subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Civic Education, Biology and one trade subject, adding that Civic Education is, however, optional for present SS III students in the 2013/2014 academic session.

The Commissioner pointed out that the new curriculum expects all senior students in public senior secondary schools to also offer three subjects from the various specialization groups made up of Science and Mathematics, Business Studies, Humanities and Technology as well as one elective subject chosen from any subject group other than the subject of specialization.

The Commissioner listed the ten trade subjects being offered in public senior secondary schools out which one must be offered by students

in SS I – III as including Catering Craft Practice, Garment Making, Dyeing and Bleaching, Data Processing, Store Keeping, Book Keeping, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Marketing and Salesmanship.

She said “Teachers in related subject areas are been encouraged to teach Civic Edu-

cation and the trade subjects.

The District’s Guidance and Counsellors have already been informed of the guidelines in the new curriculum and the information has been communicated to School Counsellors and Year Tutors in all Public Senior Secondary Schools.”

She averred that seminars and workshop would be organized at all the six education districts in the state to educate teachers on the new senior secondary school curriculum adding that two periods should be allocated to each Trade Subject on the Schools’ Time Table.

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HE American Universi ty of Nigeria (AUN) has scaled another hurdle by receiving full accreditation from the National Universities Commission, NUC, the statutory agency responsible for setting quality university standards.

Pursuant to its mandate, the NUC reviewed AUN programs in April and gave all the programs a clean bill. Accreditation is held after two years of inception of a program (2008 in AUN’s case), and reviewed every five years thereafter. NUC’s focus was on academic program content, employer ’s rating, funding, staffing, and physical facilities including library.

Announcing the results of the accreditation, President of the institution, Professor Margee Ensign said “It was a very thorough evaluation conduct-

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By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

I

T was indeed an educat ing and informative experience for students and teachers drawn from the six educational districts in Lagos State and other participants of the just- concluded Teenage Festival of life, held at the main Auditorium of University of Lagos, Akoka.

Themed ‘media and the promotion of youth sexual and reproductive health’, this year’s edition focuses on the effects of media on the sexual reproductive health of teenagers, and had in attendance 917 student and 291 teachers from 291 schools.

Focusing on the effects of media on the sexual reproductive health of teenagers, the event was to raise awareness on the various media available to young people, explore ways by which youths can be empowered using media as well as showcase youth creative skills on the use of media to promote their sexual and reproductive health.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Action Health Incorporated, AHI, Dr. Uwen Essie, said “in this information age and cultural globalisation, the mass media has a big role to play in the area of young people’s health and development.

Redeemer’s Varsity wins research grant Winners of the drama category, Tomia Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, at the just concluded Teenage Festival of life

AUN earns NUC’s full accreditation

By EBELE ORAKPO

Students, teachers showcase talents at 2013 TFL

ed by serious, competent academics and professionals.

Congratulations to everyone, and a very special thanks to the faculty and members of the accreditation working group who worked so hard to ensure that we receive the highest marks possible.”

University Librarian, Amed Demirhan and Chief Information Officer, Julius Ayuk Tabe, were among top management officials who were the driving force behind accreditation efforts.

“Accreditation is very important for every institution; therefore, everyone, from President Margee Ensign down to individual faculty, students, and staff, has a role to play in the accreditation process. This process has been a great learning opportunity for AUN. It has pushed us to maintain high standards,” noted Demirhan.

The accredited programs are:

Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Management & Entrepreneurship, Marketing, English Language & Literature, Telecommunication & Wireless Technology, Information System, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Economics, International & Comparative Politics, and Mass Communications (Communication & Multimedia, Advertising, Print Journalism, Television/Film, and Multimedia Design).

Meanwhile, AUN has announced the resignation of Alhaji Ahmed Joda, CFR, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, effective November 5, 2013.

Ensign expressed her regret and deepest thanks to Alhaji Joda for his vision and guidance during his chairmanship of the Board for nine years.

Vice-Chairman, Mr. Akin Kekere-Ekun, has been appointed Interim Chairman

until the Board chooses a new substantive Chairman.

The Board members all expressed their gratitude to Alhaji Joda for his outstanding leadership.

Paying tribute to Joda, a board member, Professor Robert Pastor of American University, Washington, said: “All of us on the AUN Board or who have worked and devoted themselves to AUN owe a very deep debt of gratitude to Ahmed Joda, who has led us since the beginning as chairman.

“In a quiet, wise, and determined manner, he allowed all of us to help shape both the board and the university into the first-class operation that we had hoped, and it has become under its current President.

The Founder’s great support, together with the Board’s efforts, and the support of American University gave him the ballast to create an institution with which we are very proud.”

By DOTUN IBIWOYE

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edeemer ’s University, has won a grant of $1.5m over the next four years to support genomic research and training of African genomic scientists and building scientific infrastructure under H3Africa Programme which is funded by a partnership between the United States National Institutes of Health and the United kingdom’s Wellcome Trust.

Speaking at a press conference, Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Zachariah Debo Adeyewa, said the Redeemer’s belongs to an A class and has arrived as a research university which can compete with others in the world.

Adeyewa also stated that the grant was made possible to the the university because of the focus of the disciplined workforce, holistic approach to life and the Dean of the post graduate college, college, Prof.

Christain Happi.

Adeyewa thanked God for His grace and glory over the university and commended the Principal Investigator and Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Christian Happi and his team for a job well-done.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013— 31

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32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

MultiChoice avails more students of learning resources, launches new centres in Osun Libraries: The Centres Of University Education –2 “Contemplating a library, one feels as though in the presence of vast capital silently yielding incalculable interest”. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 129).

AUN LEADS WITH AFRICA’S FIRST DIGITAL LIBRARY

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ola, Adamawa, Nigeria, August 13, 2013: As the American Univer sity of Nigeria prepares to unveil its new smart library this fall, Library Director Amed Demirhan is proudly describing how the University is leading the movement toward digital libraries around the world.

AN recently a Presidential Citation from the American Library Association for its International Innovative Library Projects. As Director of Africa’s only global library, Demirhan was interviewed in a recent issue of one of the UK’s most important newspapers, The Guardian: Higher Education Network, (see link: http:www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2013/aug/07/university-libraries-10-global-portraits.

“Since the Library was established in 2005, AUN has greatly expanded its services for the University community and pushed forward its goal of developing an e-learning strategy,” say Demirhan.

“In 2012, we decided to change the library’s traditional focus to the elibrary. This year we are focusing on becoming a ‘mobile’ library. This includes the use of more mobile applications and better use of space, including the arrangement and shape of the library’s furniture. For example, all the following pieces of equipment have been replaced by a smartphones: scanner, desktop computer, laptop, photocopy machine, and telephone. This is providing a new level of efficiency and effectiveness. It saves money, is more environmentally friendly, consumes less electricity, and takes up less space.

“This focus on the latest technology has dramatically increased the library’s e-collections, both in subscribed and open access resources, which has increased user access 24/7, regardless of location.

“In 2013, the library has subscribed to more than 210,000 ebooks. This is more than most university libraries e-book collections in America.”

According to Demirhan, the AUN library has been actively collecting open access sources and promoting usage of these resources. “Open access is the best investment for expansion of global education and development. Our library also uses open collections to help other Nigerian universities and independent researchers. In 2012, the library trained 147 faculty and administrative staff from the Federal College of Education in Yola and 20 faculty members from Modibbo Adama University of technology, Yola,” he added.

Obviously AUN has established the new standard for Nigerian university libraries. Henceforth any university building anything else will at best be considered inferior and at worst totally inadequate.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com

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BY DAYO ADESULU

TUDENTS of ten public schools in Osun State will now be able to access world-class learning facilities courtesy of an intervention by MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading provider of premium pay-TVservices on the DStv and GOtv platforms. The intervention, which comprises a TV set, a HD PVR decoder, satellite dish, a power generator, uninterrupted power system (UPS), a set of chairs and desks for the laboratory, among others, enables school children access educational TV channels that include: Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC Knowledge, BBC World, History Channel, Animal Planet and Mindset Learn, at no cost.

The novel intervention has been introduced to 245 schools in 24 states of the federation and been proven to impact critically on the knowledge levels and understanding especially of technical subject areas by students. It is now being extended to students of 10 public secondary schools in Osun State, bringing the total to 255 in 25 states across the country.

A commemorative commissioning ceremony of the10 new MultiChoice Resource Centres (MRC) in Osun State held at Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, on Thursday, November 7. The launch in Osun marks the commencement of the Phase Nine of the MRC project, which include scheduled

launches in some select states which will soon be announced by the company.

In her address, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori, who doubles as the Commissioner for Education in the State, lauded MultiChoice and its implementing partner, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited, for the initiative which she described as a veritable tool for the provision of valuable learning resource components for public schools across the country. “The MultiChoice Resource Centre project, which provides valuable learning resource components for 10 selected public schools in the State of Osun to support the government efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria’s education sector, is a welcome one,” she said.

“The launch in Osogbo put Osun as the 25th beneficiary state in Nigeria from the laudable project funded by MultiChoice in several African countries. This partnership is to reaffirm the commitment of our administration to providing qualitative education to the entire students of the state and to sustain the high level of educational development attained through innovative project like the MRC. By this achievement, our students are guaranteed to be kept abreast of happening on the global scene through methodical teaching and learning introduced by the resource centre project,” Mrs Tomori added.

Cross section of students and teachers at the launch of MultiChoice Resource Centre in Osun State.

JSK empowers graduates with leadership skills J

AUN's President, Dr. Margee Ensign and Library Director, Amed Demirhan, jointly holding the Presidential Citation for Innovative Library Projects from the American Library Association. AUN Founder and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar is in the middle.

C C M M Y Y K K

SK Etiquette Consortium has em powered graduates and young Professionals with skills training in Lagos.

The essence of the empowerment is to have a successful training that is essential to young graduates and young professionals.

Speaking at the occasion, the company’s Chief Executive officer Mrs Janet Adetu noted that young people acquiring the skills will portray the image of authority, respect and professionalism and advance their career.

She said: “Manners, poise, image, style and Leadership distinguish us from the rest. Our daily lives are encompassed in the way we behave, relate to others and conduct our team spir-

it.” According to her, the panache advantage is the way to go this 21st century adding that confidence and selfesteem are necessary for growing children, maturing teenagers, promising young individuals and established professionals.

Adetu who disclosed that business development and training of the company via workshops, seminars, keynote speaking events are essential to graduates pointed out that customized one on one coaching cannot be overemphasised. ”We are certified and specialize in the areas of polished business interaction, professional etiquette, international protocol, business brand development and image enhancement,” she said. continues in pg 27

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 33

CSR, sustainable education in Nigeria: matters arising

By AMAKA ABAYO-

F

OR decades now, it has become the norm for major corporate organisations to assist communities in which they operate through the provision or upgrade of critical infrastructure that contributes to better living.

Such assistance, which has come to be widely referred to as corporate social responsibility, CSR, represents the corporate world’s way of ensuring peaceful co-existence be-

tween organisations and host communities on one hand and guaranteeing a steady source of quality manpower that will help to drive organisational policies and processes far into the future in a sustainable manner, on the other.

CSR has taken the centre stage globally because it is now recognised that governments are unable to provide all the needs of the populace. Even as this scenario plays out differently in developed and developing countries, the

intervention of corporate organisations in the provision of basic needs like food, health and education in developing countries like Nigeria has been significant.

The contribution of CSR to the education sector is fairly high because the Federal Government has consistently failed to implement the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, recommendation that member-countries should dedicate a minimum of 26

percent of their annual expenditure to education.

While other countries are busy improving on their educational system and repositioning their economies to be able to effectively compete in the increasingly knowledgedriven global economy, Nigeria is regrettably moving backward through inadequate funding of the sector. The situation is aggravated by incessant strike action on the part of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

In recognition of the potential of CSR in gaining competitive advantage, contributing to development and in brand building, many corporate brands have channelled considerable effort towards the development of education in their respective host communities and incorporated education into their respective CSR budgets.

A good example is the recent initiative by Ecobank where members of staff of Africa’s No. 1 bank brand engaged in various forms of community services as part of activities to mark the maiden Ecobank Day celebrated simultaneously in 34 African countries where the bank’s parent company, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has presence.

In Nigeria, the bank’s workers celebrated the day by taking part in the renovation and construction of classroom blocks in selected schools, donation of educational materials and cleaning the immediate environment in

some schools.

Schools that benefited from Ecobank’s gesture include C&S Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos; Government Secondary School in Kubwa, Abuja and Eastern Academy in Onitsha, Anambra.

According to Group Chief Executive of ETI, Mr. Thierry Tanoh, the group will spend about N400m on the project in 2013.

Tanoh said “by helping to ensure that they have the best possible education, we believe that we contribute in harnessing the enthusiasm, creativity and talent of young people and that we give them a better chance to take charge of their future and that of Africa.”

Speaking at the C&S Primary School, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku , said the newly inaugurated Ecobank Day is part of Ecobank Group’s initiative to contribute to the community where they live and carry on with their business.

We need to invest in Science/ Technology education to attain Vision 20-20:20 — Loral Principal

BY IKENNA ASOMBA & FORTUNE ANYANWU

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HE need for the nation to commit huge investments towards promoting the teaching and learning of Science and Technological education in basic schools, towards producing great number of scientists, and thus attaining the vision 20-20:20 has been sued for.

Mrs. Mariam Uzuegbunam, Senior Principal, Loral International Secondary School, Lagos, made this charge, at the grand finale of the school’s annual Science Week, at its Igbesa campus.

According to Uzuegbunam, the need to promote programmes like this has become imperative as the Nigerian students can only achieve technological breakthrough and innovation towards uplifting the nation, if well guided in a virile and functional school system with modern technological equipment.

In line with activities marking the event, students from Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Lagos, Faith Academy and The Ambassadors, both in Otta, Ogun State, coloured the day by showcasing some of their technological inventions. While Loral International School showcased excavators, traffic light, wind vane, locally-made stove with resistant wire; Faith Academy showcased locally-made perfume, even as Corona Secondary School and the Ambassadors showcased light security alarm respectively.

She said: “It’s worthy to note that first world countries which are technologically and scientifically advanced owe their breakthrough and success to the field of science and technology derived from robust and functional educational system. Indeed, science has opened the doors of modern technological development across the globe, so a programme like this is aimed at helping Loral students to develop keen interest in Science, Maths and technological subjects."

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34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

School without library not a school

By DAYO ADESULU

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r Tony Marinho has stat ed that a school without a library is not a school and a home without one form of library or the other is not a home.

He said,“If 20 million parents in Nigeria buy books for their children, we would have solved the problem of dwindling reading culture."

Marinho who has authored over ten publications urged parents to sit with their children on Saturday and Sunday to read books with them to enhance their reading habits.

Speaking with journalists during the secondary school reading programme organised

by Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries ZODML, Lagos, Marinho said instead of students reading, many have taking delight in sending text messages.

He urged parents to buy books as present to their children during birthdays, Christmas and new year adding that this will help them to value books and read them.

“I bought a book for my grand child that is zero year old because I know that one day he will grow up to read the book or the parents will read it.

“Wole Soyinka is going to be 80 next year, how many Nigerian children have read his books. We should see it as imperative that every parent and even the government buy Soyinka book for their children to mark his 80th birthday.

"If he dies, you will give 20 cows and say you are given him a befitting burial. A befitting burial is that every child has shoule read his book in Nigeria because people read his books in Japan, Germany, Ghana.”

According to him, he came for the programme so that students could love reading literature and to improve their writing talents.

He disclosed that by discussing the book together, students will meet each other for live. “I expect them to share what they have gained here today with others, because if you dont talk to other of what you have gained, you have scored zero over eleven,” he said.

Also speaking, Co-chairperson and member of ZODML’s Board of Trustees, Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri said, “The essence of the reading programme is to meet the author of the book and also for students to engage him in understanding how he got to be writing being a qualified medical doctor. How he got the idea of writing the book and how he develop the characters of the book."

SUCCESS RECIPE WITH

Udeme Archibong successrecipe2009@gmail.com

What’s driving your life?

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ife is a driving force that is constantly in motion. Two questions can be posed: Are you headed in the right direction? And what is driving your life? The answer to these two questions determines if you will live a fulfilled life or an empty life.

When you are on a journey, three things can happen: you can be headed in the right direction to your destination; you can be going the wrong direction but expecting to arrive at the right destination; or you can be on a journey to nowhere. And for the most part, the direction in which you are headed is determined by what is driving you. What drives your life controls, guides and directs your journey through destiny. As a matter of fact, what drives your life determines the quality of every aspect of your life.

Many lives are driven by personal gratification. Anything that “feels good” is pursued at the expense of the things that are right. Long-term benefits and lasting rewards are forfeited for short-term pleasure. It pursues gain for only self and shuts other people out in the process. Selfishness is at the root of this drive; “If it feels good..., “What I want”, “What I need”, “What’s in it for me” becomes the motives for every behaviour and actions. This drive for personal gratification spills every aspect of life; it Money and materi- into diffuses finances; it wrecks al possessions is one businesses; it tears relaof the common driv- tionships apart; it mars the unity of the home; it ing forces of life. destroys peace of mind Undoubtedly money and makes life empty.

Money and material is an important part possessions is one of the of life and its impor- common driving forces of tance cannot be un- life. Undoubtedly money is an important part of life dermined. and its importance cannot be undermined. However, when we over-rate the importance of money and make it the sole purpose of our lives; viewing money and possessions as an end in itself rather than the means to an end; we lose control over our destiny. Greed is at the root of this drive. Money becomes the lens through which the world is seen. Any help that is rendered to someone is motivated by a reward. Money-driven people seek relationship with only those from whom they stand a chance of making a financial gain. They are fair-weather friends who rally around people when the economic conditions of their lives are booming. But when there is a temporal hitch and the economic condition declines, they withdraw and leave the relationship. Living in a society where things are valued more than people, there is an insatiable desire for the accumulation of money and possessions both in the tangible and intangibles. Fashionable and extravagant clothes, homes, cars, jewellery, fame and glory are the central pursuits of life. In many cases, in order to acquire these things and social prominence, money-driven individuals may mortgage other peoples’ lives, success, freedom, or happiness to gain their lustful desires. In order to rise to the top, they may pull somebody down in order to get to the top. Their translation of life is that of competition, and an unhealthy one at that. This leads to a life without meaning.

Another common driving force of life is the survival instinct. Scarcity mentality is at the root of this drive. We are living in a world of abundance of every good thing we can ever require and acquire. However, evidentially it appears that there is not enough for everybody because of scarcity mentality and the mismanagement of our resources. As individuals we mismanage our time and our minds; the very assets that bring abundance. Survival instinct thrives on “ whatever it takes” mind-set. This mind-set produces only short-term outcome which lacks the capability of graduating into sustainable long term outcome. When your “vision” in life is to pay the bills and make ends meet, you are motivated by the survival instinct. However, if you want to go beyond the ordinary from where you are to living an extraordinary life you must driven by a higher force that will be disclosed in the next edition.

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Students of some public secondary schools in Lagos with Dr Tony Marinho during a group reading programme organised by ZODML held at the Community Library, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Covenant Varsity launches software to check illegal arms possession

BY LAJU ARENYEKA (with Agency reports)

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OVENANT University has developed a software that can help to check the menace of illegal possession of arms and its proliferation in the country.

The software is known as the “Radio Frequency Identification (RID) Enabled Ammunition Depot Management System’, was on display at an exhibition organised by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Research and Development centre to showcase NAF’s efforts in equipment maintenance and management, in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the institution, Prof. Aderemi Atayero, who presented the product, told newsmen that the software had a human tracking capability and could be useful to security agencies in the country.

Atayero said the software was developed at the university in C M Y K

August and was the result of the institution’s efforts in the area of research and development.

According to him, the technology is already in use at the university to track the movement of staff and other key members of the university com-

munity.

In her remarks at the event, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, reiterated the commitment of the present administration to support innovations by the nation’s armed forces.

Foundation organizes Maths competition

By SIMON ADEWALE

T

he Our Generation Foundation (OGF), a non- profit mak ing Christian Organization held the grand finale of Mathematics can be solved without the use of calculator which was tagged ‘ Mathematics is Simple Competitions’’ among Secondary Schools pupils in Owode, Yewa, Ogun State.

The competition started on the 5th Oct, 2013 at The GEM Int’l School with 58 students from 12 schools( 5 students from each school) in Owode, 42 students qualified for the knock- out stage which was staged at the Able God Int’l School Auditorium, followed by the final written which was done at Great Grace Science School with 23 students in attendances.

At the grand finale that was held at the GEM Int’l School, Master Akinjole Oluwasola Samuel, a Science student from the GEM’ Int’ l school came 1st position. Master Durojola Olabode Stephen of Owode Secondary School, also a Science student took 2nd position, while Taiwo Lateefah Ololade and Amosun Caroline from Army Day Secondary School, Owode came 3rd and 4th positions respectively.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—35

I N S I D E

Fashola, Uduaghan to honour Uwechue at book presentation — Page 36

How Supreme Court decided Osapa land tussle — Page 37

National Conference will bring about true federalism — Sagay, SAN and autonomous, having full powers controlling their resources, who then out of those resources sent a proportion, a fraction to the federal government who doesn’t have its own resources. Federal government is an artificial entity created by the federating units. So, there should be no federating account. If I have mine, then you have yours. There should be no single account. There should be no local government in the constitution.

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) is a respected constitutional lawyer and public affairs commentator. In this interview he spoke on the controversy generated by the proposed national dialogue, the scandal rocking the Ministry of Aviation, extension of emergency rule in some states in the north and related issues.

Excerpts:

Are you advocating the cancellation of local government as the third tier of the government?

S

OME Nigerians have hailed the proposed national dialogue while others including the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his party have criticized the move.

What is your position on the issue?

I must confess that I am a little bit taken aback by the reaction of the APC on this issue. I am not even little, but very taken aback because Asiwaju Tinubu comes from a political zone which has been in the forefront for the struggle for sovereign national conference. It is in fact, the template that they have established that most of us have been following on this issue. So, suddenly, to turn around volte face, straightaway that they are not going to accept the national dialogue, to me is not done in good faith. To say the dialogue is fraudulent is a shock to me.

To start with, even if the person planning the conference is not instituting it in good faith, nothing stops you from taking part and taking it over yourself and instituting the right thing that you

*Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) way. So, in my view, priority should be given to the conference by all wellmeaning Nigerians who have the interest of the country at heart. For me the 2015 elections are secondary to the issue of the conference and the future of the country.

There is the fear that the conference may not lead the country to anywhere except disintegration, especially while considering what happened between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and a member of the panel, Tony Nyiam.

What is your view about this?

,

The way Nigeria is structured now is so bad that the country cannot survive if things continue this way. So, in my view, priority should be given to the conference by all well-meaning Nigerians

feel should be done. They have the personnel, they have the intelligentsia, they have the number and everything required to do it. That is number one.

Number two, on this issue of the closeness of the dialogue to the elections, having heard everybody on this matter, which is their greater concern of the APC led by Tinubu. That is that. Elections are due for 2015. We in the APC can see ourselves almost taking over government.

So, any other thing happening now can constitute a distraction from our taking over the government, regardless of the fact that we have been fighting for this national conference for decades, we will wave it aside. The way Nigeria is structured now is so bad that the country cannot survive if things continue this C M Y K

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No, I don’t. I think all the speeches I have read so far and the symposia I have attended ever since the establishment of this conference by Mr. President. So far, the unanimous view of all those present is that question one will be answered in the affirmative. What is question one? Do you want to remain together as one nation? So far, everybody says yes. And what I am saying now is not just from likeminded people, like people from a particular zone. I am talking of different ethnic groups like Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, Yoruba, Kanuri, Niger Delta. Nigerians want Nigeria to remain as one, as Nigeria.

Nobody wants to leave because it is in our best interest to form a multinational country, a productive country full of hardworking people who are diverse in

culture, skills and various attributes.

Everybody wants Nigeria to remain the same. The only area of challenge is question two, how do we relate with one another politically? And I think we can resolve it. Even the North that seem so much in love with the terrible unitary system of government we have now which they think they are benefiting from are beginning to have a rethink. They are now saying if you have a police that is controlled by one government, then they can be chased up and down as they are being chased in Abuja. They can’t hold any meetings anywhere, it will be disrupted. We also saw what is happening in Port Harcourt. Everybody has seen that one source, which is the centre should not be the only one in control of police.

And there are so many other areas like that. My belief is that the present structure in which all the resources, all the federating units are pumped into the centre is wrong.

What gave you that impression?

The centre does not have a resource on its own. From Niger Delta oil, to Lagos VAT, to Customs Duties from the coastal states, everything is pumped into the centre. And having collected all these, at the end of the month, it begins to distribute to the states like beggars. Then you begin to hear state governors complaining that ‘we have not gotten our allocation for this month’. It is so humiliating.

We shouldn’t hear a thing like that in a federation. Is the state a civil servant that gets salary every month? It never happened in the First Republic because when you say federation, what you have is federating units which are independent

No. by that I mean every states should create the number of local governments it wants and fund them. It is not the business of the centre. Unless we do those things we can never develop. What is happening now is that the culture of productivity is dead in most of these states because the governors don’t work for money but only receive at the end of every month. What they do is collect the money, divide it and finish it and next month, they are trekking back to come and collect more. That is not good for the morale of the federating units and the existence of the country. If we had sustained what we did in the First Republic, by now we would have been far developed compared to where we are now.

Let me give you an example, in the North where they have a lot of things that they themselves are not appreciating again.

Look at the cattle, by now there would have been cattle ranches. There would have been a beef industry in which they will rear cows, slaughter, chill it and even export it abroad. Argentina was making $12bn a year from exported chilled beef and there is demand for it all over the world. But all we are focusing on is oil.

The whole country is gradually dying because of lack of productivity and we can’t continue like that. So, the

Continues on page 36

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

36—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

National Conference will bring about true federalism — Sagay, SAN Continues from pg 35 conference is absolutely essential. There are no two ways about it.

Do you in anyway share President Goodluck Jonathan’s position during his last presidential chart that the corruption ravaging the country presently is not one of its problem?

I don’t know why he said that. I may not say corruption is number one but certainly, it is amongst the most terrible problems we have in this country.

So, for the president to say it is not number one problem is to say that it is not important. But in fact, it is a critical problem, it may in be our number one problem. I always say this, from the evidence we have seen in the last few years, I can name up to

Sure-P, they raised the price of petrol from N65 to N67 and the government promised us that the N32 realized on every litre of fuel will be used for infrastructural development, that roads will be built, adequate healthcare services will be provided an so on. Everyday now, we keep hearing stories that SURE-P cannot carry out a project because it is broke and the Senate just raised alarm that N500bn cannot be accounted for.

So, you see what is happening? In other words, we cannot rely on Nigerians anymore to handle anything involving funds. And if we cannot do that, who then is going to handle our funds? Are we going to bring back the British and give them funds to

,

One thing I have found in this country, is that we have degenerated to a level that when two or three Nigerians are given a project to execute and money is sent for that project, the first thing they do is to divide that money amongst themselves and then leave out a little which cannot effectively carry out the project

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thirty different scandals that we have had in this country, Siemens, Halliburton and numerous others. One thing I have found in this country, is that we have degenerated to a level that when two or three Nigerians are given a project to execute and money is sent for that project, the first thing they do is to divide that money amongst themselves and then leave out a little which cannot effectively carry out the project. That is why we have so many uncompleted projects in the country today. Look at

C M Y K

implement our projects for us? So, I think corruption is our number one problem. Because if we cannot be trusted to hold and operate our funds, we cannot make significant progress. But that is the situation now. It is that bad. You think of any level of government, once a person is in office, the next thing he thinks of is how to loot and suck the government dry. And that is why you have a lot of ugly things happening these days. You have kidnapping, you have illegal oil bunkering and so on. Kidnappers will

say ‘these are the people who access to our national patrimony, so let me take my share from him through ransom. There is no morality in the country anymore, it is dog eat dog and the survival of the most well armed and violent. So, corruption to me is our worst enemy.

Majority of Nigerians are of the view that nothing may come out of the government’s probe into the N255 million aviation cars scandal due to the perceived closeness of the aviation minister, Stella Oduah to the president. How would you react to this?

That is the issue we are talking about. When it comes to something that is serious, especially when it has to do with public funds, question of rapport shouldn’t arise anymore because we are talking now of national interest. So, what he president needs to say is ‘ I am sorry, given the gravity of what has happened, I have no choice but to take the appropriate steps to cleanse the system and assure Nigerians that certain things will not be tolerated’. That is very important. So, issue of rapport or party affiliations should not arise. If it arises, then of course, it means that national interest has been compromised and it will have a disastrous effect on the morale and morality of the country. If you look at what has happened, I have listened to the defences, it shows that those involved have no respect for the intelligence of Nigerians including members of the National Assembly.

N240m was approved for you. Then you took N250m and bought two

*Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) vehicles that were rejected. One, those two cars have exceeded the approved budget by N10m. Two, the House positively, clearly rejected those two cars when they were put forward. There are two offences there already. Then they compounded it more by allegedly borrowing money of over N600m from First Bank with interest which will bring it to over a billion which they will now pay over a period of three years.

Now, government has

approved only N240m for this year, you have a commitment of over N1bn for three years. In other words, you are now mortgaging allocation in the future which has not yet been approved. That is an offence in law.

Supposing they didn’t approve the allocation, how will you pay back the money? You cannot spend money that has not been approved in advance. So, for me all those clever words of ‘do the needful’ is meaningless words.

Instead of apologizing, to

be playing smart and think the whole nation is made up of fools make me very sad.

Already the National Assembly has approved the extension of the emergency rule in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states. Are you in support of this?

It is a welcome development and I am fully in support of it. There has been a clear improvement since the state of emergency was declared.

There is no doubt about it.

Those insurgents don’t have freedom to roam about freely and do whatever they like unlike before. Of course, they still come out occasionally and do some damages but not every day and not so brazenly anymore.

They have been curtailed, they have been wounded and their numbers have been decimated. If we continue like this, the whole disease of terrorism will be totally eradicated.

As long as Boko Haram is unrepentant and going about committing mass murders, I think we should continue with the emergency rule.

Fashola, Uduaghan to honour Uwechue at book presentation

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, and his Delta State counterpart Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan ,will be special guest of honour and book presenter respectively at the unveiling of a book of essays written by jurists in celebration of the legal luminary and former chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Goerge Uwechue (SAN) The event will also

attract leading jurists including foremost lawyers and law professors to honour George who was also the former Chairman of second Republic House of Representative Committee on Public Petitions.

Titled “Law in Motion: Nurturing Democracy and Development – Essays in Honour of Chief George Uwechue (SAN, FNIALS)”, the compelling literary

work will be presented to the public on Thursday, November 21, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

With a Foreword by Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher (GCON), immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, the over 700-page book is a rare festival of ideas on such diverse subjects as human rights, money laundering, witness protection, victim remedy, collective agreements, elections, oil pollution, maritime boundaries and judicial activism, to name a few.

Renowned diplomat Chief Arthur Mbanefo, is expected to be chairman of the occasion while His Majesty, the Obi of OgwashiUkwu, Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo is the Royal Father of the Day. Edited by Professor M. O. U. Gasiokwu, the book is a fitting compliment to the consummate jurist who is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and the Owelle of OgwashiUku.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 37

How Supreme Court decided Osapa land tussle

BY DELE FAROTIMI

T

HE Lekki axis of Lagos has over the years blossomed from a dirt stretch of forested swampy land into one of the most expensive real estate corridor in West Africa. The return on investment in the axis has over the years been phenomenal and almost incomparable to other areas of Lagos.

There is therefore no gainsaying that any conflict in relation to properties around this neighborhood is big trouble that must not be treated with kid-gloves because of the economic interest involved.

It is therefore not surprising that the Osapa area of Lekki has become a theatre of the absurd of sort since the Supreme Court Judgment of July 12, 2013. This judgment is in relation to disputes that have festered for decades between the Ojomo Chieftaincy

to the dispute, which was resolved by the Supreme Court in suit No. SC/146/2005 are as follows: The Gbadamosi Eletu family claimed to have acquired 254.558 hectares of land (we would refer to this land in the remaining part of this write up as the “Eletu Land” for ease of convenience) within the Osapa area of Lekki from the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family in 1977 and entered into a Deed of Conveyance dated August 23, 1977 (registered as no 36 at page 36 in volume 1648 at the Lands Registry Lagos) with the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family to document the purchase of the land and evidence the interest acquired by them.

In 1981 the Lagos State Government compulsorily acquired a vast area of land consisting of many villages and settlements in the Lekki axis, this vast area of land included the Eletu Land.

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The question therefore is: what is the basis of the Appellant’s claim of 254.558 hectares instead of the 10 hectares clearly awarded

and the Gbadamosi Eletu Families over ownership of a large expanse of land situated within the Osapa area.

The Supreme Court in the judgment, in the case of Major Muritala Gbadamosi (rtd) and Ors v. HRH Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye and Ors (we would further refer to this case as the “Eletu Case” for ease of convenience), which lays to rest the decade long land dispute, ruled in favour of the Gbadamosi Eletu Family and ordered that they are entitled to 10 hectares of land.

The judgment has since assumed some organic attributes, cultivated and stretched to accommodate sundry interpretations by the Gbadamosi Eletu Family. It has formed the basis for their claim of ownership over large expanse of land without the actual or formal execution of the said judgment.

As a law firm that represent interest of several clients within the Lekki axis, who may be affected directly or indirectly by the judgment of the Supreme Court and the claims of ownership now being asserted by the Gbadamosi Eletu Family purportedly based on the judgment, we have painstakingly studied the judgment with a view to determining the scope of interest conferred on the Gbadmosi Eletu Family by the judgment and how the interest of the Gbadamosi Eletu Family impacts on the interest of other land owners within the axis.

We would proceed in our analysis of the judgment by examining the background and preceding facts that gave birth to the instant litigation and the Supreme Court decision which necessitated this write up.

The background facts that led

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In 1989 the Ojomu Chieftaincy family and other land owning families through their accredited representatives filed Suit No. ID/ 1883/89 (Alhaji Fatai Ajetunmobi & Ors vs. A.G of Lagos State) at the Lagos State High Court challenging the acquisition of their land by Lagos State Government. The Claim of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family covered the Eletu Land, which had been acquired by Lagos State Government.

Suit No. ID/1883/89 was fully litigated at the High Court of Lagos State and the High court ruled in favour of the land owning families.

Following the success of the land owning families at the High Court of Lagos State, the Lagos State Government entered into negotiations with the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family and it was agreed that some of the acquired land would be excised by the Lagos State Government and ownership rights over the excised land vested in the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family. This agreed excision was published in Lagos State Official Gazette No. 24, Vol. 27, dated June 23, 1994.

In 1993, the Gbadamosi Eletu Family brought an action against the Lagos State Government in Suit No. M/779/93 ,Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu & ors vs. A.G of Lagos State &Ors, relying on their Deed of Conveyance from the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family. Whilst the suit was on going, the Gbdamosi Eletu Family entered an agreement with Lagos State Government to settle the dispute before the Court, the terms of this settlement was adopted as the consent judgement of the High Court of Lagos State in that suit.

The terms agreed are as follows:

*CJN Aloma Mukhtar 1. the Gbadamosi Eletu Family would relinquish all rights of occupancy over the Eletu Land; and 2. they would accept 10 hectares of land and the sum of N358,080.00 (three hundred and fifty eight thousand and eighty Naira) as full and final compensation for their extinguished rights in the Eletu Land in consideration of the relinquishment of their rights.

Whilst this matter was ongoing, the Gbadamosi Eletu family entered into and began acts of trespass on the portion of land excised and granted to the

Ojomu Chieftaincy Family.

Their claim being that they are entitled to a portion of the land the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family was granted as part of the settlement with the Government of Lagos State, which was published in the Lagos State G o v e r n m ethe nt Gazette. Consequently, Ojomu Chieftaincy Family instituted an action at the Lagos High Court in Suit No. LD/2642/ 95 against the Gbadamosi Eletu Family claiming that they were trespassing on their land. The Ojomu Chieftaincy Family was successful at the Lagos State High Court and judgment was entered in their favour on October 11, 2000. The Gbadamosi Eletu Family then appealed to the Court of Appeal and on May 12, 2004 the Court of Appeal also ruled in favour of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family. The Gbadamosi Eletu Family not satisfied with the ruling of the Court of Appeal

further appealed to the Supreme and the Supreme Court on July 12, 2013 made the instant ruling, which is the subject matter of this write up. A cursory look at the order would reveal that the totality of the of the Appellant’s interest as encapsulated in the Supreme Court judgment is 10 hectares.

However the Appellant have claimed and continues to Claim that it was awarded 254.558 hectares, instead of the 10 hectares mentioned in the judgment. The question therefore is: what is the basis of the Appellant’s claim of 254.558 hectares instead of the 10 hectares clearly awarded.

The question therefore is: what is the basis of the Appellant’s claim of 254.558 hectares instead of the 10 hectares clearly awarded. As pointed out earlier, the original measurement of Eletu’s Land is 254.558 hectares, however the Gbadamosi Eletu family’s claim to 255.99 hectares is not predicated on historical facts and antecedents, it is however seemingly and erroneously predicated on the Supreme Court judgment. *Farotimi is a Lagos based legal practitioners.

IBA Conference advocates more foreign investments in Nigeria

BY DAYO BENSON

F

OREIGN investors have been called upon to make Nigeria the destination of their choice on accounts of growing profile of the country as a strong emerging modern economy.

This was the view of participants at The International Bar Association IBA conference in Lagos with the the theme “Mergers, acquisition and inward investment in Africa”. The conference which was declared open by Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, also had in attendance Nigerian Bar Association President Chief Okey Wali, SAN, and dignitaries from legal profession both within and outside the country.

In his address, Fashola said Lagos, which was the economic hub of West Africa is well positioned to welcome foreign investors on accounts of her economic dynamism, infrastructure and proven sustainable growth posted over the years.

He added that the city had economic diversity with over ten thousand thriving commercial ventures, stressing that Lagos had far more capacity for entrepreneurial activities.

The governor said “As the fastest growing economy in subSaharan Africa, Nigeria is therefore a key player in the African economy, having also been identified as one of the “Next Eleven” – eleven countries that have a high potential of

*Mr. Supo Shasore, SAN, Gov. Babatunde Fashola, SAN,and NBA President Okey Wali, SAN at the IBA Conference on Merger and Acquisition.

becoming, along with the BRIC countries, the world’s largest economies in the 21st century.

“Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial capital and the largest sub-national economy on the continent, is a strong contributor to these statistics.

“Lagos is the smallest state in Nigeria with a land mass of barely 3577 square kilometres and yet the most populous with almost 21 million residents.

“Our human capital in Lagos exceeds several European nations and of the 54 countries on the African continent, only 18 of them have higher populations than Lagos State. This means that Lagos is more populous than 36 African countries.

“Lagos is home to about 2000 industrial concerns; 10,000.00 commercial ventures and counting, and 22 industrial estates. Lagos accounts for over

60% of Nigeria’s industrial and commercial activity, 70% of the national maritime cargo freight, over 80% of international air traffic into Nigeria and 58.30% of domestic air traffic.

Lagos accounts for over half of Nigeria’s energy consumption and is the leading contributor to the non-oil sector GDP.” In his own speech at the occasion, Wali, said his association was working to ensure that Nigerian investment climate was more attractive through advocacy for the justice sector bills pending in the National Assembly which would ensure speedier and more efficient administration of justice.

The NBA president said “The International Monetary Fund sees Sub-Saharan Africa’s projected economic growth of 5.4% in 2013 and 5.7% in 2014, as evidence that African economies are thriving at sustainable growth rates.

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Global Rights tasks FG on human rights

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

G

LOBAL Rights Nigeria has said that oil companies in Niger Delta are losing $56 billion annually on security and other sundry issues, calling on the government and extractive companies to ensure that human rights of people living in the region is taken serious.

Speaking during a two-day workshop held in Lagos, tagged “Governments and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights”, its Country Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, explained that $53b was spent on securing facilities and in the first 7 months of 2013 $3b was lost to oil bunkering.

Baiyewu pointed out that the ability to assess accurately risks present in a company’s operating environment is critical to the security of personnel, local communities and assets, success of the company’s short and long term operations; including promotion and protection of human rights.

She urged Federal Government to abide by the voluntary principles on security and human rights in Niger Delta, saying that more than 50 attacks was carried out on oil installations in 2012.

According to her, in 2015, the government may find itself in a situation where every criminal will be receiving a form of payment through an amnesty.

“We hereby express our support for the following Voluntary Principles (VPs) regarding security and human rights in the extractive sector, which fall into three categories, risk assessment, relations with public security and relations with private security” Baiyewu stated.

She explained that Voluntary Principles on Security and human rights are a set of principles designed to guide companies

in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within an operating framework that encourages respect for human rights, while helping companies work effectively with governments that seek to protect human rights.

Baiyewu added: “The Voluntary Principles are useful tools for all governments with interests in the operations of the extractive industries and can help contribute to the protection of human rights and the prevention of conflict.”

The workshop had in attendance representatives from Centre for Rights and Development, HURILAWS, Alliances for Africa, Baobab for Women’s Rights, Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), NBA Section on Business Law, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Future Projects, including members of the press.

One of the participants, Endurance Uhumuavbi, described the event as an eye opener for the public to understand issues of the Niger Delta, adding “understanding that governments have the primary responsibility to promote human rights and that all parties to a conflict are obliged to observe applicable international humanitarian law, we recognize that we share the common goal of promoting respect for human rights, particularly those set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Humanitarian law.

He noted that governments of the United Kingdom, Norway and Netherlands companies in the extractive and energy sectors, and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), all with an interest in human rights and corporate social responsibility, have engaged in a dialogue on security and human rights.

IBA Conference International Bar Association, IBA held a one day conference in Lagos with the theme: Mergers, acquisition and inward investment in Africa. Below are some of the participants.

Co-Chair, IBA Africa Regional Forum and former NBA National Treasurer, Mrs Funmi Oluyede

From left- Former IBA Secretary General and Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Idowu Sofola, SAN and former NBA 1st Vice-President, Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN

From left- Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Supo Shasore SAN, Conference Co-Chair, Mr Gbenga Oyebode, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN and NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN

From left- Mrs Dorothy Ufot, SAN, Conference Co-Chair, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode and Head, International Policy, The Law Society of England and Wales, Mrs Nankunda Katagaza

SAN calls for establishment of new laws over economic crimes

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, has called for new laws to be enacted, in a bid to place the burden of proof in matters of economic crimes on the accused person once there is reasonable suspicion.

Pinheiro made the call while delivering a speech on the title “Using the InterPlay between Civil and Criminal Remedies to Maximise Recovery Opportunities in Nigeria” at the International Litigation and Asset Recovery Forum, held in Muson Centre, Lagos.

He stressed the need to pass the Special Courts Bill as well as the Non-Conviction Based Asset recovery Bill, saying it is in full conformity with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

In his word: “New laws should be enacted. The new laws should incorporate in them a provision that places a proof in matters of economic crimes on the accused person once there is reasonable suspicion. ”Stiffer penalties should be imposed. Rigorous enforcement of these laws in an open, transparent and even handed manner. Regular training of investigators to meet technological advancements.”

The senior advocate also called for the establishment of a Financial Service Commission, sequel to better tracing, repatriation and forfeiture of proceeds of

crimes.

According to him: “The need to establish a Financial Service Commission is for the purpose of tracing, repatriation and forfeiture of proceeds of crimes. The assets forfeiture unit of EFCC should be an independent commission. In the United Kingdom, UK, the Proceeds of Crimes Act (POCA) establishes the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) for the recovery of proceeds of crimes by way of an action in the High Court.”

A Solicitor Advocate of the Supreme Court of England & Wales, Paul Onifade, explained that POCA was designed to prevent the enjoyment of the proceeds of crime, adding that the primary obligation of the Enforcement Authority was to prosecute crime “and not just recovery of assets.”

Speaking on the topic “Maximising Recovery Opportunities: The Interplay between Civil and Criminal Remedies in the United Kingdom” Onifade asserted that since the advent of POCA and UNCAC, United Kingdom had prosecuted a number of high profile Nigerian cases such as Dariye, Alamieyeseigha, Waya and James Ibori.

The event, which was organised by Law Digest, brought together legal icons from the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

Other speakers were Andrew Legg, Senior Litigation Partner- Eversheds LLP, Anthony Idigbe SAN, Gregoire Mongeat and Dr. Stuart Dutson.

From left- Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN and NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN

From left- Mr. Soji Omole, Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch, Mr. Alex Muoka and Mr. Dolu Segun

From left- NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN and Mr. Asue Ighodalo

From left- Ms Abisola Oladosu, Publisher ESQ, Mr. Lere Fashola, Law Editor, BusinessDay, Ms Theodora Kio-Lawson and Ms Mary Ekhemesie

Gov.Fashola, SAN and Co-Chair of the Conference, Sergio Sanchez

A cultural display at the conference.

Vanguard, THURSD AY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 —39 THURSDA

Foods that calm upset stomach

I

T can happen to anyone, but for women symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and other digestive upsets happen about six times more frequently than they do for men. So what do you do?

Try this food prescription when that queasy feeling takes root in your tummy.

Pawpaw

Often used to treat digestive upsets such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea and heartburn, papaya's natural digestive enzyme, papain, breaks down foods that may be irritating to the stomach. A half of thinly sliced fruit will do the trick.

system, which moves foods along the digestive tract smoothly. Sprinkle cinnamon on other stomach-settling foods like apples, bananas or in herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger.

You can also make a plain cinnamon tea by adding half teaspoon cinnamon powder to one cup hot water; let stand for five minutes before drinking.

Ginger

Anyone who's ever had

an upset stomach may have heard that ginger ale was the remedy to settle an upset stomach and for good reason. Ginger is believed to reduce nausea and inflammation. If you don't like "the fizzies"that come with the carbonation of ginger ale, try ginger tea or fresh ginger soaked in hot water for a few minutes.

Mint and thyme

Both herbs stimulate digestion and move food

smoothly through the digestive tract. Each can be used to make a simple tea to ease stomach cramps and to relieve pressure caused by gas and bloating. You may also chew on mint leaves for relief.

Plain crackers

Unless you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, these work well to settle an upset stomach because they are low in fibre and easy to digest.

Apples

These fall favorites are good for fighting a queasy stomach because they are rich in enzymes and the soluble fibre, pectin, that help to break down stomach irritants from other foods and as a bonus, also lower cholesterol.

Cinnamon

This spice can treat a number of tummy problems from morning sickness to diarrhea gas. It stimulates the digestive

• Pawpaws and apples are ideal for calming upset stomachs.

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“Sexual Dysfunction is the difficulty during any stage of the sexual act that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. Although It is a psychogenic problem, its social and psychological effects on the wellbeing of its sufferers are as worrisome as the problem itself, if not more”, he said.

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40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

National Assembly will give legitimacy to the confab resolutions — Sen Osakwe

BY BEN AGANDE

W

HAT do you think informed the decision by the President to set up a committee to plan for a national conference?

It’s a very laudable decision.

You see, in this country when you act they criticise you, you don’t act, they criticise you.

This is a very harmless, progressive, forward looking decision. We cannot just sit down and want God to come and bring stability to the nation.

You must be seen to be doing something and I think the setting up of that committee

by Mr. President is very commendable, I support it whole heartedly and I am also very sure that Nigerians if they are patient, something very positive and progressive will come out of it. We will not say because we did something yesterday and you didn’t succeed, therefore you won’t do something today.

Some people base their criticism on the pessimism that the earlier conferences did not yield desired results.

That is not enough for us not to do something. So from that

a different ball game.

As far as I am concerned, it is only the National Assembly that can give legitimacy to it, rightfully or wrongly, that is the way I look at it that at the end of the day it is the National Assembly that has elected members of the people.

But let us see how the representatives are going to emerge, the people who are going to be in the conference let us see how they will emerge because already the people in the National Assembly have already been elected, they were not selected therefore they have the legal basis, it is a legal structure as far as the constitution is concerned to give legitimacy to whatever is going to come out from that conference.

But let’s wait until we get there.

I don’t want us to just start thinking of what is going to come out of it. Let us go, it may bring this country closer and the frictions that are trying to tear this country apart they could be solved through the conference but at least the conference members are going to come from the

,

I think the setting up of that committee by Mr. President is very commendable, I support it whole heartedly and I am also very sure that Nigerians if they are patient, something very positive and progressive will come out of it

stand point, I would say that Mr. President’s decision to set up a conference should be commended and is commendable and it is a very laudable approach.

As a for mer legislator, don’t you think this will conflict with the role of the national assembly?

I suppose that when they finish they will also seek through the National Assembly to look at what they have done and give it a backing. One person cannot know everything; I feel that we should not put a cart before a horse, let us not condemn it and think that it is an action in futility.

I think that if when they finish, they seek the approval it goes through the mirror of the National Assembly, I think something positive will come out of it but if they just do it and think it will have legitimacy on its own, that’s

,

whole part of the country so I don’t think one person is going to come and lord over others the outcome of the conference.

Why do you think many people are agitated about the President’s seeming inclination to serve another term?

It is craze for power. Some people feel that he has had enough but the most important thing is for Nigerians to believe that Mr. President has the legal right to contest or not to contest.

That is the basic thing Nigerians should accept. Mr President as a Nigerian is legally qualified if tomorrow he says he wants to contest.

He is legally qualified to contest. He has not come out to tell us he wants to contest but if tomorrow he comes out to say I want to contest, nobody should criticise him because he’s just exercising

his inalienable right as a Nigerian just like you and I. It is only Nigerians, through the ballot paper that can say no but to say he cannot contest, I think that is putting the cart before the horse and it is not fair on him because as a Nigerian, he has the same right which every Nigerian has.

Can we say that he has done enough to justify a reelection?

He has done enough. What do Nigerians want? You can see those who are criticising him are just calling the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

I don’t see anything they expected him to do which he has not done.

Mosaic differences The insecurity in the country is worldwide, there’s insecurity all over the world, all these crimes, you go to United Kingdom, it is happening; if you go to America it is happening and in Nigeria, the president is tackling it. I am of the opinion that he has done his best and his best is good enough for him to seek re-election if he so wishes.

Nigeria is a country of variegated, mosaic differences and tribes and each of this mosaic tribes want to assert their own voice and their own ways of doing things. I think the president should be given a chance if he so declares that he wants to run, I will personally support him.

Some people have predicted that the way tension is in the country, Nigeria may not be able to survive as one indivisible country. Do you nurse this fear too?

Pessimists only dream of doom. This country has come to stay, we may have our problems but all these are all human problems, they are not insurmountable. There are problems meant for human beings to solve and I don’t think the problems are such that it will bring the end of our unity. I think some people are just agents of doom and there are so pessimistic that they don’t see anything positive in anything that one thinks of, so I feel that the country will survive it; we will survive as a people, we have been put together as a people, we should not use our hands to

•Osakwe: Only Nigerians can determine Jonathan's future

kill this unity.

Yes, things may be happening but show me a country that is problem free, there is none. Even countries that are not heterogeneous as Nigeria; you know countries that are homogenous, countries that speak one language, countries that have

one culture they still have problems within themselves.

Even the Soviet Union when they were having one party, they were still having problems, it wasn’t a multi party state it was a one party state but the fighting was within individuals. So I think that we will survive it.

Abia: Strength and paradox “One of the greatest tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying”Martin Luther King Jr. , Strength to Love

I

BY EKEKWE EGU

AM a great admirer of Reverend Martin Luther King, the late leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement who is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.

King, it was in his masterpiece, STRENGTH TO LOVE, and via the above quoted statement pointed out the many paradox of our modern day professed Christians and leaders.

Reverend King’s statement is still apt in our modern day nation state, where vindictiveness is elevated to statecraft, by those privileged to sit in deciding authority over the Nigeria masses.

In modern America, a young black African American, who was barely seven years when the Late Reverend King died, debuted and seized the American political space by storm. Barack Obama, the 44th and current President of the United States of America, who like Rev. King is of African descent, in clear submission to King’s assertion, displayed uncommon reconciliatory efforts, when he appointed Hilary Clinton, the former American

First Lady as American Secretary of State. Hilary, the wife of Williams Clinton (Bill), ran against Obama in a very bitter campaign for the Democratic Party presidential ticket in 2008.

In Abia State, the present Governor towed the path of reconciliation after over a cumulative eleven years (19992010) of battle with opposition elements in the State. It is on record that the Governor and his opponents (including the author who was at the vanguard of the opposition, before he quit when it became obvious that they had lost focus/direction), fought bitter wars and battles of acrimony, starting from the days of the governor’s predecessor in Office.

The cumulative effect of the battle led to the incarceration of the then Chief of Staff by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), between February and May 2007. It was while in incarceration that he contested and later won the election as Governor of Abia in 2007.

Even after being sworn in, he was between 2007 and early 2010, subjected to tortuous and rigorous litigations at the tribunal, and exhausted all levels

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—41

National Confab: Nothing should be off-limit — Bishop Udogu RT. Reverend Paul Udogu is the Bishop of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Afikpo Diocese, Ebonyi State. In this interview the cleric bares his mind on key national issues in the country especially the proposed national dialogue, saying that ethnic nationalities must answer the question as to whether they still want to continue as a nation. EXCERPTS:

BY PETER OKUTU

W

HAT is your reaction to the initiative by President Jonathan for a National conference?

It is a welcome development that is long overdue. We salute the initiatives of Mr. President at inaugurating the advisory committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Femi Okurounmu that will work out the modalities for the national dialogues or conference. We are aware that the advisory committee is busy visiting the six geopolitical zones and collecting memoranda from the

general public on what should be the modalities of the national dialogue.

What should be the structure of the conference?

The space called Nigeria was negotiated by the colonialists with the various ethnic nationalities that inhabit the space. Each of these ethnic nationalities has a position with respect to their interest and expectations from the entity called Nigeria. They must therefore form the key groups in any discussion about Nigeria. Participation on basis such as local government, state, geopolitical zones should be

•Udogu: Nigeria was laid on a faulty foundation de-emphasized.

However, to accommodate contemporary realities, the structure of any discourse should transcend an assembly

in reconciliations of litigations and even beyond, back to back. By July 2010, after the Court of Appeal, Owerri, had re- confirmed him as the Governor for the second time, that the opponents gave up and reluctantly too. By then, both sides had become war weary and thoroughly depleted in human, material and time resources.

The vintage Nigerian politician will take the WINNER TAKES ALL stance, and run away with the spoils of war for themselves and their lackeys only. But not Governor Orji.

Total reconciliation He not only sought for a truce, but went further to reach out for total reconciliation with the Leadership of the oppositions in an act of exceptional magnanimity even to the chagrin of his lieutenants, and to the shock of both the leadership and the hawks that cunning sneaked in, invaded and derailed the opposition group from its original noble cause(s).

And of course Governor Orji acted, not by returning hate for hate, but by loving, accommodating and rehabilitating his enemies. Today, and at every cabinet reshuffle, since 2010, the hitherto opposition members and/or their nominees are being given at least

•Orji 50% slot in the cabinet and other positions of power and authority in Abia State Government. In spite of most of them (majority of whom still harbor unmitigated hate towards the original members and proponents of the hitherto focused and selfless Abia opposition group), they are on daily basis being allotted several juicy Cabinet and Board positions both in Abia and at the Federal levels, by a Governor who surprisingly decided to go in opposite direction with the above apt representation of Dr Martin Luther King. In so doing, he drew strength and raised the bar to operate devoid of rancor free administration, devoid of hate.

The paradox however of this great and commendable move is that the beneficiaries of his largesse and accommodation are

daily finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate accommodate and ‘forgive’ those of their former colleagues in the trenches, who bluntly refused to and rightly so, join them in their various disingenuous divisiveness of extending the war of attrition against the person, personality and Government of Theodore Orji to unacceptable limits, prior to this reconciliation.

They shrink and are united even in their disunited state, at the thought of ever accommodating such people anywhere and anyhow in the scheme of things in the Government and Party in the State and at the Federal Level, whilst employing several devious unused and unusable to blackmail, blacklist and exclude those erstwhile colleagues or even benefactors of theirs in the hey days of the jungle.

They block all space that could have been effectively utilized to accommodate young, vibrant, best and brightest brains, who long to contribute their quota to the socio-political and economic development of the State. When they are not appropriating to themselves key positions in Government, they are recommending one of their own, even if obviously unqualified for such position(s).

•Biafrana Ekekwe Egu, otimkpujesus@yahoo.comwrote from Amaokwe Item, Abia State

of nationalities to cater for other interest groups from government MDA’s (Ministries, departments and agencies) to professional and trade associations, religious bodies, to activists on human rights, self-determination, gender sensitivity and pro democracy.

In addition, credible international organizations such as the UN (United Nations) should be invited to sit as observers.

We are of the opinion that each identified ethnic nationality should have five representatives while other interest groups have two representatives each.

Does the national dialogue require any legal frame for it to be operational?

Yes, the process must be conducted in tandem with the operating manual of the entity called Nigeria. For now that document is the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Credible information In this regard, an act of parliament is required to give the conference (the necessity for it) and its modality (representation, scope, duration, implementation) the force of law. It should also be subject to the United Nations Charter of Equity.

What about the duration of the conference?

With elections due in early 2015, discussions should not last beyond June 2014 (six months). To this end, a recourse to credible information must

form the basis for discussion.

A collation of reports of all previous National conference reports (the first was in 1966 under Gen. Gowon) must be made available to all participants prior to commencement of actual discussions. The rationale is that most of the strongly held view points of the different interest groups are already well enunciated in previous confab reports.

What do you think should be the key issues to be discussed at the national conference?

In 1920, barely six years after the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates of the entity called Nigeria, Sir Hugh Clifford who was then Governor General of Nigeria under the British colonial administration described Nigeria as a collection of “independent native states, separated from one another by great distances, by differences of history and traditions and by ethnological, racial, tribal, political, social, and religious barriers”.

This supports the argument that the space called Nigeria is a negotiated arrangement between the colonialist and separate groups of widely different peoples and tribes with clear disparities, divisions and sometimes hatreds.

Economic interest These diverse entities were lumped together to advance British economic interest and subsequently amalgamated for administrative convenience.

This suggests a faulty foundation for the entity called Nigeria and so makes it imperative that to capture the true position of every ethnic nationality and other interest groups, nothing should be considered off limits.

The original partners in this unintended marriage of sorts must first agree on the terms of their continued co-habitation.

In fact, these ethnic nationalities, must answer the question whether they want to continue as a nation.

Frank discussions will engender trust and foster mutual agreements amongst the groups on what constitutes political justice, social justice, economic justice cultural justice and religious justice.

What do you suggest should be the legal procedure of the conference?

Agreed positions from the discussions by representatives of interest groups should be subjected to a referendum to ascertain general will. hereafter, it should be sent as a “People’s bill” to the National Assembly for passage and incorporation into the constitution.

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Issues before national confab (3) HIV/AIDS: Stigma, discrimination and helplessness of victims

BY ELDER UMA ELEAZU & ARC UCHENNA NWANKWO

I

T will be the business of the national conference to pronounce on what constitutes the federating units of the country - whether it is the zones or states but it will then be the business of the federating units to deal with the actual creation of provinces, divisions or whatever the second tier of government under the federating units is called and what number of these each of them wants.

Form of government: Do you want a presidential form of government with executive powers outside of the elected assembly (as in the 1979 Constitution) or a parliamentary system under which the executive (Cabinet) is formed from elected members of the House of Assembly as in the 1960/1963 Constitutions, with the leader of the majority party becoming the Premier or Prime Minister?

Devolution of Powers: What powers should be devolved to the Central Government (Federal Government) and what powers should be reserved to the federating units? Which level of government should levy and collect which kind of tax?

How are the proceeds to be distributed among the various levels of government?

Here the delegates to this level will have to do a thorough study of the existing legislative lists in order to answer the above questions.

Judicial Powers and the Criminal Code: Should any federating unit be allowed to

•Nigeria

•To prepare the position of the zone for presentation at the National Conference; • To elect 60 delegates to represent the zone in the National Conference, a leader of the delegation, a secretary and a legal adviser.

At the National Conference, the first question to be put to the House is “Given our common experience in the last fifty-three years, are we ready to stay together as one Country?” If yes, do we want a unitary, federal or confederal country? Depending on the answer to these questions, then the burning issues will be tabled for discussion, negotiated and agreed to before lawyers are asked to draft the constitution, incorporating what has been agreed upon.

Burning issues: Basic principles to which all must subscribe; • Sanctity of human life; and • Basic freedoms and inherent rights.

Should the country adopt one Religion or should each Federating unit adopt a Religion or should we live the issue of religion to individual choices? Consider the implication of each.

What rights has a citizen or resident or indigene of Nigeria. Should we define these precisely in the constitution? Who owns the minerals found underneath the surface of the earth and what rights have the people who live on top of such mineral If we all come to the table in good bearing land? What of other natural resources rivers, faith to do a deal for our national sea, lakes, forests, etc? survival, we should not be bugged • Legal Procedures and down with debate over words. Let us Options for integrating the outcomes of the dialogue/ do the talking first conference into the adopt sharia or customary law? What Constitution and laws of the nation. The draft protection should be accorded to people not National Constitution will be published covered by sharia or customary law within nationally and subjected to public scrutiny for such States or zones? To what extent should sixty days and thereafter subjected to a this be allowed to operate? What happens national referendum. Thereafter, the National in case of conflict with the received Common Assembly is to be suspended to enable the and Statute laws and the Constitution? How national conference delegates to promulgate many levels of court should be established? the Constitution, repealing Decree 24 of 1999 Armed Forces and Police Formations: that put the present constitution into operation.

Should we have a professional Army, Air •Other matters that may be related or Force and Navy under the Central (Federal) incidental to the proposed dialogue/ Government with a unified Command or conference. The dialogue/conference exercise should each Zone or federating unit be has budgetary implications. Government allowed to maintain its own Regiments? should make funds available for the project.

What are the implications? Should we have Finally, for security and other reasons, we a unified federal police system and/or zonal/ suggest that the national conference be held state police formations? How should law in the old House of Representatives Building enforcement be organized for effectiveness? in Lagos, more so now that Bashir Tofa has What safeguards should be put in place to reportedly warned that the conference could ensure that politicians do not misuse the law be bombed. His words: “And then, how do enforcement agents to intimidate ordinary you protect the conference from a terrorist citizens or non-indigenes? attack?” – The Punch, Wednesday, October 9, Regional Constitutions for local 2013 (page 27). We believe and we affirm that peculiarities: This will come after the if we all come to the table in good faith to do national conference,but the zones have two a deal for our national survival, we should tasks to perform before the national not be bugged down with debate over words. conference; Let us do the talking first.

,

family, peers and the wider community, poor treatment in healthcare and educational settings, tampering with fundamental human rights, psychological damage among others.

In addition, stigma not only makes it difficult for people to come to terms with HIV and manage the illness on a personal level, it also interferes with attempts to fight the disease. Instructively, the World UMAN Immune- Health Organisation, WHO, in Deficiency Virus/ a report cited fear of stigma and Acquired Immune Deficiency discrimination as the main Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has reason people are reluctant to spread to every nation since it be tested, to disclose their HIV was reported two decades ago. status or to take antiretroviral Africa, and indeed Nigeria, drugs. has suffered the devastating Corroborating this, an effect of the ravaging virus. But International Centre for more devastating is the Research on Women, ICRW, psychological effects of the report found the possible disease on victims and the consequences of HIV-related stigma associated with it. stigma to be, loss of income/ Recently, Senate President, livelihood, loss of marriage and David Mark, called on childbearing options, poor care Nigerians to stop within the health sector, stigmatisation and withdrawal of caregiving in the discrimination against people home, loss of hope and feelings living with HIV and AIDS. He of worthlessness and loss of stressed the need for reputation. legislation to curb In Nigeria, a lot of efforts have stigmatisation and been put in place to stem the tide, but it like It was a horrible experience at appears a little drop in a mighty first when I discovered I was Both HIV positive. When my wife got ocean. governments, to know about my status, she corporate organisations separated from me because of and nonthe situation governmental organisations, discrimination against people NGOs, are still trying hard to living with the virus. Stigma handle the issue of which is defined by Oxford stigmatisation and dictionary as a mark of disgrace discrimination against people associated with a particular living with HIV/AIDS. circumstance, is mostly at play Despite all these efforts, the when discussing the pains and treatment meted out on this helplessness the carriers of this group of people, has continued ailment pass through. unabated. However, there AIDS stigma and should be a way forward. First, discrimination exist worldwide, the United Nations should do although they manifest more to encourage health differently across countries, research institutions across the communities, religious groups globe to find a cure to this and individuals. malaise, while governments at Narrating the trauma which all levels all over the world victims of stigmatisation face, should as a matter of urgency Mr. Salisu Ahmed, a resident devote a substantial part of their of Lagos, said, “It was a annual budget to ministries horrible experience at first of health to help tackle all when I discovered I was HIV HIV/AIDS related issues. positive. By the time it In Nigeria, the Federal happened, I was already Government should not leave married with children. When people suffering from the HIV/ my wife got to know about my AIDS epidemic in their status, she separated from me helplessness, just as they because of the situation.” should take a cue from Accordingly, the Botswana which has the consequences of stigma highest prevalence of the include being shunned by pandemic in the world.

Stigma remains the ugliest aspect of being a HIV/AIDS patient. It is the main reason many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine their status. It made AIDS a silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace attached to it.

For this reason, AIDS epidemic has continued to devastate societies around the world— Ban Ki-moon, SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations

H

,

This is the concluding part of this memo to the presidential committee on the proposed national dialogue by the Ndi-Igbo Council for National Coordination

,

,

Vanguard Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEO; This is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded.

VIRGO; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured.

LIBRA; Recent challenges notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause.

SCORPIO; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers.

— 43

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

CANCER; Here is a day when things are meant to go according to your plans and record success. Yongat-heart may be in for a romantic day. You just have to take the initiative.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

believe we all think of one thing or the other. I also believe that we either think of ourselves or others.

Where the world is today and where it

Think less... will be tomorrow, is a function of our thought. The world is where it is today and how it is today because of the way we think and what we think about.

TERROR MUDA

If I may ask you what do you think about most of the time? Do you think more of yourself?

Do you think more of your personal

in “Never say goodbye”

gain? Do you think often of what is in it for you?

For a harmonious world, think less of yourself, think more of others, and think of the general good.

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health.

CAPRICORN; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

AQUARIUS; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving.

PISCES; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously.

ARIES; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded;

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

TAURUS; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change tomorrow. Respect your spouse.

GEMINI; Better than yesterday. Happenings within your working arena will not give you cause to worry but situation may change tomorrow. Your finance are favoured.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my birthday ruler?

According to the date I was born I should be a Libran by my star but most of the time when I read horoscopes written by both yourself and foreign Astrologers Scorpio always applicable to me, why?

Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.

Laja, Asaba.

Dear Laja, You were born on a Sunday meaning that mighty Sun rules your birthday. You were wrong to have taken Libra as your Sun sign because the Sun was placed in early degree of Scorpio together with many other heavenly bodies. Then with the Moon in Libra when you were born will equally be influential in your characteristics build up but, you are mainly a Scorpio born person.

You are both an intelligent and emotional person.

And as there was no planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your innerself is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Moon (your sub-conscious self) in Scorpio and Libra respectively are indications of your being mainly Scorpio born person and partly in Libran. And that is to say basic characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pronounced in you. Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you don’t develop it is another thing.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD Lawrence Akapa

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Rivers Assembly shutdown, affecting our people— Dep Speaker

Leadership Award for Aziza, Igho, others

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RESIDENT-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, Chief Patrick Aziza, has been shortlisted for the 2013 Leadership and Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria at large.

The award, courtesy of the Leadership and Achievement Initiative International, is scheduled for Sunday, November 17 in Abuja.

A statement by the convener of the organisation, Efe Thelma, said that others listed for the award include HRM AVM Ochuko Lucky Ararile, the Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom; Dr. Bright Okogu, DirectorGeneral, Budget, Federal Ministry of Finance; and Chief Peter Igho, former Director-General, National Lottery Commission, among others.

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, has said the suspension of legislative business in the House has been impacting negatively on the people of Rivers State as development is driven by lawmaking.

Kwanee, in Port Harcourt shortly after returning from an African Legislative Summit in

He added that the legislature was such an important and sacred institution of democracy that any threat to it could derail the country’s democracy.

“Had the National Assembly not taken over the state Assembly, the Obuah-led PDP would have turned the House into a theatre of war with hoodlums, which could have spilled into the larger society and anarchy would have been the order of the day.”

He urged the Obuah’s PDP to learn from President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent speech, tasking African countries to avert threats to the legislature and that the party should henceforth refrain from overheating the state Assembly.

Why we need to take over in 2015,

by APC

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN— THE national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the party was interested in fixing the economy and ending terrorism and general insecurity if it wins

Delta monarch seeks govt's intervention in boundary tussle

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

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Abuja, blamed the Felix Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state for masterminding the dislocation in the state Assembly, whose functions had currently been taken over by the National Assembly.

He said: “The Obuah-led PDP just targeted the Rivers State House of Assembly to create uncertainty and political imbroglio, to give the impression that there was no stability in the state.”

HIEF Collins-Afuwah, the lyase of Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, has appealed to the state government to intervene in the boundary dispute between the three communities of Issele-Azagba, Issele-Uku and IsseleMkpitime.

Afuwah said that the people of Issele-Azagba had encroached on the Otulu and Edo communities, which are satellite villages of Ogwashi-Uku.

According to the traditional Prime Minister, the two communities formed parts of Ward I in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state and wondered why the IsseleAzagba of Aniocha council would want to take over the two agrarian communities.

He called on the state boundary committee to intervene in the matter, adding that courts of competent jurisdiction had declared as null and void the chieftaincy title of Odozi Ani of Otulu.

the 2015 presidential election.

The party leaders, including General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Aminu Masari, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among others, stormed Benin, Edo State, Tuesday, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the formal launch of APC. Governor Oshiomhole, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium venue of the rally, assured the people that his administration would focus on the economy in the second term.

Buhari, who addressed party faithful, said: “APC is only after two things: firstly the security of Nigerians and then the economy.

“We are determined to secure this country, so that people can move about in the country at anytime and go about their businesses.

“We are determined to stop terrorism and abduction of people, to reconstruct the

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infrastructure and to make sure that Nigerians enjoy the riches bestowed on us as a country and as a people.”

“It is very important that you, who are here, pass the message to your neighbours, your relatives and the rest of the people that APC is here to take over in 2015 and manage this country efficiently.

“It is very important we get your cooperation, because nobody will do the voting, nobody will make sure the vote counts except you.”

Oshiomhole on his part, said: “I am happy at the response we are getting. The private sector, with interests in agriculture to palm oil, are all coming to Edo State to set up business.

“We have people coming to Edo State to set up fertilizer plant. We are refocusing on security and appreciate the role of our security agencies.

“Our House of Assembly has risen to the occasion and had approved death penalty for kidnappers and Edo State is no longer safe for criminals.”

HE National Teachers’ Institute has assured its students of its commitment to quality teacher training programmes with a view to equipping its graduates with requisite capacity for effective professionalism in the education sector.

The institute said in a statement, yesterday, that its students were usually put through very rigorous training programmes to enable them compete.

Seminar

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ENSHAW Capital P a r t n e r s , organisers of the Nigerian National Private Equity Initiative, will host its 15th seminar on private equity fund registration today in Lagos.

The seminar is partly sponsored by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, will feature Agusto & Co., Nigeria’s foremost credit rating agency and K & L Gates LLP, a leading US law firm.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

NTI assures on quality

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Golden Eaglets' rewards

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OD bless your heart, President Jonathan.

And congrats my heroes.

I wish to see you lift the senior World Cup in a few years. Nigeria has won this very trophy for the fourth time, and I think we do better at junior competitions than senior. — Miss Fola Balogun, Student.

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HILE we celebrate, may we for once pause and in all sincerity ask ourselves a question: are these boys really under 17 years? If yes, in the next 20 years some of them can see still be active and doing great like Zidane of France. — Mr. Hakeem Adewuyi, Worker.

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T is common in this part of the world that people make promises and fail to fulfill them.

But I believe that whoever that is promising the Golden Eaglets anything, such person understands that the young boys need to be appreciated. — Mr. Mustapha Alaro, Businessman.

I

watched the match and was quite convinced that these Eaglet are world class materials and will do well at professional level. What a bundle of talents they are.

Congratulations to the boys and the team managers, you have made Africa proud. — Miss Eniola Carew, Student.

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AIJA got talents!

Imagine what our country would be if we can put away corruption, greed and tribalism? America, China and the rest of the world would be afraid of us even when we do not have nuclear weapon.

— Mr. Kabiru Bankole, Footballer.

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E saw real football in the Under-17 World Cup. These boys are our national confab.

With this, Nigeria can win an Olympic gold medal one day because the young are hungry and they are not stopping at anything but the best.— Miss Adebola Adesida, Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013—45

Contractor abandons project over rift with community

SEC seals off illegal fund manager's office in Rivers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ORT HARCOURT— SECURITIES and Exchange Commission, SEC, has sealed off the Port Harcourt office of an illegal fund manager, Women in Oil. Deputy Director of the Commission, Mr. Eric Elujekor, who led a team of security operatives attached to the commission on the operation, explained that the body had to close the outfit to secure the funds of investors, adding that the Sokoto offices of the illegal fund manager, had also been sealed off by the commission.

He said SEC acted on complaints of the operations of the illegal fund manager, adding that with the action carried out by the commission, the firm ceases to exist.

He said: “In the discharge of the mandate of investors' protection entrusted to it by the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission, has sealed off the Port Harcourt and Sokoto offices of Women – In – Oil, an illegal fund manager and Ponzi Scheme.

“The action, was in response to complaints against the organisation by members of the investing public.”

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STOPOVER: From right: President Goodluck Jonathan; Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama and Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, at the Asaba International Airport when the President was on his way to the Anambra PDP governorship campaign rally, yesterday.

Edo LG boss alleges plot to invade council

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THERE is tension in Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North- East Local Government Area of Edo State, as the new chairman of the council, Mr. Sam Oboh, has raised alarm over alleged plans by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youths to unleash mayhem in the council.

PDP youths in the area, it was gathered, had warned that the council would be made ungovernable if the PDP candidate in the recent re-run election, Mr. John Yakubu, was not sworn in as chairman of the council. They

insisted that Yakubu won the election and called on Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, to declare Yakubu the winner.

However, Oboh who addressed newsmen, vowed that All Progressives Congress, APC, would not tolerate any form of violence in council and admonished those aggrieved over the conduct of the election to seek redress in the law court.

He said: “My attention has been drawn to statements by some elements in the PDP to the effect that they are going to unleash mayhem on

N-Delta ex-militants accuse FG of betrayal on ceasefire agreement lence.

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—FORMER members of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of breaching an agreement reached on the ceasefire deal on their planned attacks on oil installations and facilities in the Niger Delta region.

Though they ruled out violence over the alleged breach of trust, the aggrieved former MEND members, nonetheless handed the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to honour the agreement reached on December 19, 2011 with the former National Security Adviser, NSA. The former MEND confederates, under the aegis of Third

Phase Amnesty Programme, noted with sadness that though they honoured the agreement reached with the Federal Government to sustain the peace in the region, stopped kidnappings, incessant protests and road blocks, vandalisation of pipeline and disarmament, the Federal Government had breached the deal and adopted divide and rule tactics through the office of the Amnesty Implementation Committee.

In a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by 19 former MEND leaders, led by Henry Gomeromo (Delta), John Government (Delta), Asenkiri Oyile and Trydi Okpeke, the group lamented that “instead of honouring the ceasefire agreement, the Amnesty Committee colluded with two of our colleagues to deliberately confront our outstanding agreement with si-

“Despite what we were told as reward for ceasefire that an ample of welfare packages and reasonable chances that would be given to us during the time of allotting chances to the disarmed exmilitants of the Third Phase amnesty, the amnesty committee had adopted nepotism and favouritism in allotting slots to friends and relations.

“Having seen how the amnesty committee had turned the office to personal business and treated our agreement with disdain and dishonesty, we are furious and have decided to give them seven days ultimatum to make a deliberate effort to reach our agreement. Otherwise, we will see ourselves in court and in the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta.”

the peace loving people of Esan North-East where, by the grace of God, I am the chairman.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn all those plotting such mayhem with a view of causing crisis that I have the constitutional responsibility to discharge my duties without fear or favour and as the chief law officer, I have the responsibility to ensure that there is law and order and to say in very clear terms to those who are thinking of causing mayhem here, that we intend defending our selves within the ambit of the law.”

ARRI—THE renovation of six classrooms in Ibrede Grammar School, Ibrede, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, has been abandoned, following a disagreement between the community and the contractor executing the project.

The abandonment of the contract was discovered when the Commissioner for Special Duties and Project Monitoring, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr Timi Tonye, toured some projects in the state.

Also, the water project at Egbedi Primary School, Egbedi, in Ndokwa East has been stalled following the demise of the contractor.

Mr Tonye, who held a closed-door meeting with the agitating Ibrede community leaders, urged them to sheathe their swords, saying that the contractor would return to site.

President of the community, Mr. Finbarrs Onomenie, had told the commissioner that disagreement between the contractor and the people was centred on the block of classrooms to be renovated.

Ex-NBA VP warns against arbitration of disputes abroad

BY PATRICIA NWOSU & WINIFRED AMAGWULA

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SENIOR Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, has stressed the need for disputes involving Nigerian companies and interests meant for arbitration to be handled in Nigeria.

Mrs. Adekoya spoke at a conference organised by International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute, ICSID, at the Regional Centre for International, Commercial Arbitration, RCICAL, in Lagos.

The former First Vice-President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA and Chairman of NBA Committee on Branch Capacity Building, explained that arbitration hearings, which have been taking place in Washington DC, Paris, among others, were too expensive for the Nigerian arbitrators, adding that it was cheaper and more convenient for such arbitration disputes, involving Nigerians and busi-

nesses in the country to be heard and determined in Nigeria.

She said: “If you are a foreign investor, who has a claim against Nigerian investor on the basis of his investment, the two parties can actually decide that it is cheaper for everybody to use this venue in Nigera to hold the arbitration hearing rather than spend a lot of money going to Paris or Washington DC to hold the arbitration hearing.”

Noting that the essence of arbitration is by consent, she added that RCICAL, which compromises of Nigerians, has its panels, though parties can select either from the members of panel or elsewhere.

“The whole essence of arbitration anyway is by consent. The parties will appoint their own panel. Parties can decide to select from the members of the panel or bring their people. but one of the things we have learnt is that if you are doing ICSID arbitration, you must not have a member of your country to ensure that it is impartial and independent."

46—Vanguard , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Loud in Nigeria tours Nigeria

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HE MTN musical concert, tagged Loud in Naija, was held in Ibadan, last weekend, at the Adamasingba Stadium.

MTN ambassadors and artistes such as Wizkid, Davido, Kcee, Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Sound Sultan, Waconzy, Praiz and many more, entertained the large crowd.

MTN Project Fame, company’s platform for nurturing young talented musicians, made an invaluable contribution to the concert.

The concert will hold in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos in the next three weeks.

Prince Nnama dies at 120

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E T E R A N JOURNALIST and Uthoko Na Eze Achalla, Igwe Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi, has lost his uncle, Prince Ugonwa Odukwe Nnama, aged 120.

A statement by the Uthoko Palace, yesterday, said: “The eight villages in Achalla community have been thrown into a deep mourning with the death of the oldest man in the community, Prince Nnama. Nnama has since been buried in accordance with Achalla customs and tradition. Furtherburialriteswill be announced later by the palace.”

Mushin LG builds modern market

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AGOS—MUSHIN Local Government Area of Lagos State, has commenced the construction of a multimillion naira ultra modern Market as part of efforts to boost the economy of the local government.

Performing the foundation laying ceremony at the Mushin Bus Stop of the project, which would be completed in the next one year, Chairman of the council, Hon. Babatunde Adepitan, said: “One of the cardinal objectives of a responsive government is to provide a conducive environment for buying and selling devoid of filth and unnecessary distractions.”

According to him, “through the advice of concerned citizens of the local government, we decided to embark on the modernisation of this market which happens to be part of the history of this council area.”

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Police arrest 3 suspects over IMT fire outbreak

BY TONY EDIKE NUGU—THREE persons have been arrested by the Enugu State police command in connection with the fire outbreak at the examination department of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu.

No life was lost as no worker was present in the building at the time of the incident.

Vanguard gathered that the inferno was noticed at about 8.30pm at Asa Block housing the examination coordination office of the institution.

An eyewitness said that all the examination scripts written by students on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 were destroyed, adding that nothing was rescued from the office.

Men of the Enugu State Fire Service who were alerted by security men on duty were said to have responded to the call but they were unable to put out the fire which had engulfed the entire building before their arrival.

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Although the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained, the police said the three suspects, whose identities were not disclosed, were picked up to enable them determine their roles in the incident.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest of the three suspects, said that operatives of the Ogui Police Division rushed to the scene after being notified of the fire outbreak.

He said that investigations into the incident have already commenced, explaining that the presence of the policemen and fire service personnel prevented the fire from spreading to other buildings.

AWARD: From left: Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Bill Gates, when the governor received the Best Performing Governor Award on Polio Eradication from the South East, at the meeting of Presidential Taskforce on Polio and Recognition Award, at State House, Abuja.

Jega promises credible guber election in Anambra

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BY ENYIM ENYIM

NITSHA—CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, yesterday, declared that Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State would be the best election so far in the country.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum at the Women Development Centre, Awka, Jega said the commission had made adequate preparation

to ensure a credible, free and fair election.

However, he appealed to political parties and their candidates to cooperate with the commission to actualise the goal, as INEC would give all the parties and candidates a level playing ground.

He said INEC had corrected the errors in the controversial voters’ registers earlier given to political parties, adding that the mistakes were computer errors.

Presenting the corrected copies

of the voters’ register to political parties, Jega asked them to carefully study them and raise objections where necessary before the election.

“We are transparent and we will continue to be transparent and fair to all the parties. We are human beings and we can make mistakes and correct them.

“We have concluded the training of our staff, we have introduced security features to protect our ballot papers and ballot boxes for every polling unit

....CLO expresses fears over fair poll

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BY IKENNAASOMBA

WKA—THE Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has expressed concern that the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State may not be credible and violence-free, in line with the popular democratic will of the people.

Executive Director of CLO, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, made this known at a news conference in Lagos, yesterday.

Ezike said the acrimonious

atmosphere under which the political parties have been conducting their electoral campaigns, pointed to the fact that the election would not be free and fair.

He also denied allegations that the CLO had thrown its weight behind the APGA candidate in the election, Chief Willie Obiano.

According to him, the bitter rivalry, accusations and counter accusations among the parties, present a frightening foreboding that all may not go well come

Saturday, the election day.

Ezike particularly pointed at the November 2, Holy Ghost Adoration crusade stampede at Uke in the state, allegations that some political parties were sewing fake police, military and NYSC uniforms to commit electoral fraud as well as the troubling reports that a local government council caretaker committee chairman was detained by the police for being found with fake electoral materials, describing the situation as frightening.

Oji River LG to build new health centres, schools

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JI—THE newly-elected Local Government Chairman of Oji River Local Government, Enugu State, Hon. Jideofor Onyemaechi, has promised to work in line with the transformation agenda of the state governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, when he eventually assumes office in January 2014.

Hon. Onyemaechi who spoke shortly after receiving his certificate of return at the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, pledged to deliver the dividends of

democracy to the people of Oji River whom he said voted overwhelmingly for him.

His words: “New health centres will be constructed in the communities while renovation and upgrading of other facilities with new quarters for midwives and doctors will top our priority.

We shall also establish four model primary schools as a pilot scheme and construct classroom blocks in each community.”

Jideofor said that it was his resolve to consolidate existing gains made by successive

administrations, build synergy with relevant stakeholders, statutory and corporate bodies and expand frontiers towards addressing the developmental needs of Oji-River such as linking ofallcommunitieswithasphaltedroads, erosion control, provision of potable water and construction of lockup and open shops for economic expansion.

He backed the recently inauguratedPDPdisciplinarycommittee by the state chairman of the party, Hon.Vita Abba, which he said will enforce discipline within the rank and file of the party.

with a unique code number for each unit so that you can not take a ballot paper from one unit to another,” he said.

On multiple registration, the INEC boss said that the commission had already arrested some defaulters and were concluding arrangements to prosecute them and warned voters in the state who had double registration not to go to the polling units on Saturday as security agents had been directed to arrest any offender.

NDDC awards 477 contracts in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI MUAHIA—THE Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, said it has so far awarded about 447 contracts for various projects in Abia State since inception in 2000.

The Commissioner representing the state in the commission, Mr. Aloysius Nwagboso who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, said that the state benefited as one of the nine oil producing states.

Nwagboso further said that each of the 17 local government areas of the state had not only benefited but would continue to benefit from the commission’s projects and programmes.

He listed the projects and programmes as roads, electricity, health, water, scholarships, employment, among others, saying “thisCommissionhasalsobeendealing with the issue of restiveness that had todowithagitationthatledtomilitancy and insurgency in the past.”

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 47

GRADUATION: From left, Executive Director, Marketing, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Benson Evbuomwan; Best Graduating Student, Mr. Jamiu Oke; Production Director, Honeywell Flour Mills, Dr. Nino Ozara, and Chairman, Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, AMBCN, Prince Jacob Adejorin, at the 23rd Honeywell Baking School Graduation, in Lagos.

COMMISSIONING: From left, HRH, Wheno Aholu Toyi, Oba Akran of Badagry, Lagos ; royal father of the day and chairman of the occasion, Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), former Minister of Transport, Aviation, and FCT, and Mr. Ezioha Vincent, senior pastor, Assemblies of God Church, during the official commissioning of the International Training Centre of the Institute of Transport and Management Technology, in Badagry, Lagos.

LECTURE: From left, Engr. Ogiso Ovie, Engr. Asa Pokima, Engr. Benson Okah-Avae, ARRIVAL: Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji; wife, Mercy, Engr. & Mrs. Wilson Ogubere, Engr. Gracious Omatseye, Mr. Fredrick Evah, Engr. yesterday, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Ajiri Ogedegbe, Engr. Joseph Eghwrudje, and Engr. Musa Abdulhamid, during a public during their arrival from an oversea trip. lecture, organised in Effurun by Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Warri Branch.

PRESENTATION: From left, Professor Alaba Akinsete; Mr. Muyiwa Osho, Chief Launcher; Dr. Tunji Funsho, Publisher; his wife Aishat, and Engr.

Adeniji Raji, during the presentation of the book, 'Let Go and Let God,' authored by Dr. Tunji Funsho, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

DONATION: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development, Mr. Olatunde Agoro, donating gift items to the Principal, Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disability, Owutu, Ikorodu, Mrs. Modupe Bello, to commemorate the year 2013 Community Day Celebration. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

COMMISSIONING: From left, Franchise Manager, East/Central, Coca-Cola Nig Plc, Mr. Felix Ofolue; Commercial Manager, Benin Commercial Territory, Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, Ltd, Mr. Felix Falebita; General Manager, Kada Cinema and Entertainment Centre, Mr. Garth Young; Commercial Director, Central Region, NBC, Mr. Tunji Akinseesin, and National Key Accounts Manager, NBC, Femi Oshinlaja, at the official commissioning of the Kada Cinema and Entertainment Centre, in Benin.

BRIEFING: From left, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, British Standard Institute, Mr. Mark Basham; Managing Director, Global Infoswift, Mr, Solomon Edun; Executive Director, Global Infoswift, Mr. Afolabi Oke, and Chief Operating Officer, Cutler Communications, Ms Laura Oloyede, during a Global Infoswift media briefing to announce British Standard Institute Certification, in Abuja.

OPENING: Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Nicolaas Vervelde (right); Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Ngozi Nkwoji (middle), and wife of the Managing Director, Clementine Vervelde, at the opening of the Society for Performing Arts of Nigeria Festival, SPANFest 2013, sponsored by Maltina, in Lagos.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

8, 232 Kano pilgrims return from Hajj

Bauchi Govt awards scholarship to 40 students of Giwo Science Academy

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ANO— THE Na tional Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Kano zone, says all the 8,232 pilgrims who travelled for the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia from the zone have returned.

Alhaji Mohammed Yola, an official of the commission, announced this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Kano.

He said the last flight from the zone that brought the officials of NAHCON and the state Pilgrims’ Welfare Board returned to the country on Tuesday through a Meridian Airline.

“The last batch of over 400 Kano pilgrims returned on Tuesday on board Meridian Airline with all the state and NAHCON officials from the zone,” he said.

According to him, only one pilgrim who came from Tofa Local Government Area of the state died during the Hajj operation.

NAN recalls that out of the 8,232 pilgrims that performed the Hajj through Kano zone, 5,648 are from Kano State while the remaining 2,584 are from Jigawa.

Inspirational books'll reduce crime among youths, says cleric

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AGOS—NIGE RIAN youths have been urged to show interest in reading books that can provoke their ambition to achieve good things in life and be a source of joy and pride to their parents and the society at large.

The advice was given

by Prophet Joyce Osula at the launching of The Vision Driven Personality, a book written by Mr Irewole Ajayi. Represented by Rev. Adetona, the cleric said reading will also help to reduce the temptation to get involved in crime and other unholy activities.

BY SUZAN EDEH

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DECORATION—Chief of Accounts & Budget, Army, Major General Abdallah Muraina (left) decorating Lt. Col Emmanuel Jonah with his new rank, supported by Mrs. Rita Jonah in Abuja.

Niger gov urges CBN to explain shortfall in federation account M

INNA—GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, yesterday, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to account for the shortfall being experienced in the federation account since May. Aliyu said this at the 3rd MBA International Literary Colloquium with the theme: Creativity, Youth and National Development, to mark his 58th birthday.

He expressed regrets that nobody had been able to say how much was actually accruing to the country from oil daily.

He said the CBN as custodian of all monies accruable to the Federal Government, should say what was responsible for the decrease in the income of the country.

Aliyu said the NNPC had in the last six months returned less the actual income due to be shared between the local, state and federal governments.

“We don’t know how much we make but the outside world knows what we sell, and how much we make.

“Since May, a lot of money has not been paid into the national purse; we should hold the CBN responsible for this,” he said.

Aliyu said the nation should lay more emphasis on agriculture, to generate more money for the country and provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

He said Nigerian youths deserved credible role models and system where older generations must mentor the younger ones.

“We must, however, work towards reliving the period 1960 to 1980 when Nigerian youths had considerable opportunities.

“It is indeed our collective duty to provide compulsory and free education, create jobs, instil moral instructions in our youths.

“We should discourage desperate politicians from engaging youths in thuggery, ban-

ditry and terrorism,” he said.

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, who was a guest at the forum, challenged Nigerian writers to publish books and journals on the serial corruption going on in the country.

Former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association, Prof. Atukwei Okai, attended the ceremony.

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State Government has awarded scholarship to 40 students of the newly established privately-owned Giwo Science Academy, Bauchi.

State Governor, Isa Yuguda announced the scholarship award yesterday while formally inaugurating the academy built by an elder statesman and the Waziri of Bauchi, Alhaji Mohammed Kirfi.

According to Yuguda,”my administration has invested so much in the educational sector of the state since its inception in 2007, so I will support any move to improve the sector. If you empower the sector by educating one child, you have saved the entire nation, because the dividends will be harvested tomorrow.’’

Yuguda then asked both the management and governing council of the academy to leave legacies in all the departments of the academy for the benefit of the younger generations.

Bauchi Govt pledges 10-yr development plan for state poly

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AUCHI—THE Bauchi State Government, yesterday, pledged to implement a 10-year development plan for the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi to reposition it to meet global standard in technology education.

Gov. Isa Yuguda made the pledge when he inaugurated 24 classroom blocks for the School of Management Studies of the polytechnic in Bauchi.

Yuguda said that the plan, which was designed by the Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Prof.

Andrew Haruna, was to place the polytechnic among the best in the country.

He promised that his administration would do its best to ensure that the 25-year-old polytechnic achieved its mandate of producing the needed middle level manpower.

“We have provided funds, facilities and other infrastructure to ensure that all courses offered in the institution are accredited.

“This is in addition to the 24 courses already accredited by the regulating bodies since the coming of this administration. ‘’We will continue to do so particularly in implementing the laudable 10-year development plan, which when effectively implemented, will transform the institution into a world class polytechnic," he said.

He commended the governing council, the lecturers and the students for their contributions in making the institution one of the best in Nigeria.

Alhaji Sani Burra, the state Commissioner for Education, commended the governor for his efforts in transforming the

education sector in the state.

He said that the new structure was specifically constructed to accommodate the school of management studies of the polytechnic.

Burra said that the structure was also executed in compliance with the requirement for accreditation of courses in the humanities namely Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Banking and Finance.

He commended the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, National Communications Commission, NCC, and other donor agencies for their support in the development of infrastructure of the polytechnic.

The commissioner said that TETFUND alone spent more than N2 billion for the construction of lecture theatres, academic staff offices, central library, staff development centre and the provision of vehicles to the school.

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V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 51

BRIEFS

Rwandan resolution in the works to delay Kenya trials

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S Africa urges the U.N. Security Council to take it more seriously, Rwanda plans to put to a vote this week a draft resolution to defer International Criminal Court trials of Kenya’s leaders for one year, despite lacking sufficient support.

The 15-member Security Council is split, diplomats say, over an African Union request to postpone the trials of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto so they can deal with the aftermath of the Nairobi

Morsi accuses military of treason E GYPT’s deposed president, Mohamed Morsi, has said he was kidnapped by the military and accused those who removed him from power of committing “treason against the whole nation”.

A group of volunteer lawyers, not Morsi’s defence lawyers, read the message from Morsi at a news conference yesterday, a day after they met him in prison.

Morsi said he intended to sue the army-installed authorities, and that there can be no stability in Egypt unless “the military coup is eliminated and those responsible for shedding Egyptians’ blood are held accountable”.

In the letter, Morsi said he was “kidnapped” and held by the Republican Guard on July 2 — a day before he was formally re-

moved by the military. He said he was held at a naval base for four months.

Morsi was moved to a high security prison in Alexandria on November 4 after the first session of his trial on charges of incitement to murder protesters in December 2012.

Mohamed al-Damati, one of the lawyers Morsi met, said: “The president plans to take legal measures against the coup, and this will be up to the defence team in the near future.”

Morsi has so far not agreed on which lawyers will represent him at the trial, which is set to re-

•Mohamed Morsi, sume on January 8.

Rory Challands, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Cairo, said: “He is still saying essentially that the court is illegitimate and that it doesn’t have the

authority to do what it’s doing. “In taking a defiant tone, not naming legal counsel, he’s leaving hismelf essentially defenceless in the courtroom.”

Filipinos struggle to bury dead storm victims

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ANIC is mounting in the Philippines, with minimal food and medical

supplies reaching areas worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan, reports of civil order

breakingdownandthenumber of unburied dead threatening the health of survivors.

Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendrasyesterdaysaidthe government had been overwhelmed by the sheer number of victims that need to be buried. The UN estimated that 10,000 people may have died in Tacloban alone, where five-metre waves flattened nearly everything in their path. President Benigno Aquino, however, said the death toll was no more than 2,500 people.

Israel to halt settlement plans

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ENJAMIN Netan yahu, the Israeli prime minister, has ordered a reassessment of plans to build nearly 24,000 settler homes, saying he feared an international outcry that would divert attention from Israel’s lobby against a nuclear deal with Iran.

The right-wing Israeli leader announced the reversal on Tuesday in the face of stiff US opposition to settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Palestinian anger that threatens three-month-old peace talks brokered by Washington.

Before news of Netanyahu’s change of course, President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the Palestinian leadership to hold “an urgent emergency meeting in the coming hours, with all options on the table”, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported.

mall attack in September by the al Qaeda-linked group al Shabaab, in which at least 67 people died.

Kenyatta and Ruto face charges related to the violence after Kenya’s 2007 elections, in which 1,200 people died. Both deny the charges and have tried to have the cases adjourned or halted. Ruto’s trial began last month, while Kenyatta’s trial is due to start February 5, 2014 after being delayed a third time.

Low ratings for US Congress in Gallup poll

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MID weeks of re ports about slumping polling data, the last major polling group that didn’t say Congress was at an all-time low in popularity confirms what we all know: Congress is in a slump.

The Gallup organization is the granddaddy of political pollsters, and even during the government shutdown, its approval ratings for the House and Senate stayed at about their historic low of 10 percent.

That number was hit twice during 2012.

But in data released on Tuesday, only nine percent of Americans approved of Congress in a Gallup survey taken last week. It is the first time that the Gallup congressional approval rating has hit single digits in the 39 years that Gallup has been asking the question.

And in a rare act of consensus, folks of all political stripes seem to agree with their opinions of Capitol Hill.

Putin in Seoul, pushes new ‘Silk Road’ via North Korea

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USSIAN President Vladimir Putin was in South Korea yesterday, pushing a pet project for a new trading route linking Asia and Europe by rail that requires prying open North Korea.

The ambitious scheme envisages an “Iron Silk Road” uniting the rail networks of South and

North Korea and connecting them to Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway.

But it faces huge political obstacles, given the volatility of inter-Korean relations and the international community ’s struggle to contain the North’s nuclear ambitions through UN sanctions.

Syrian Kurds make fresh gains after declaring self-rule

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URDISH militias seized another seven villages in northeastern Syria, activists said, after the fighters’ political wing announced an interim administration that aims to carve out an autonomous Syrian Kurdish region.

Kurds, often described as the world’s largest stateless ethnic group, number about 30 million, concentrated in parts of Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. While they have had partial autonomy in Iraqi Kurdistan since

1991, nationalist movements have long been suppressed in Turkey, Syria and Iran.

In the chaos of Syria’s two and a half years civil war, Kurds there have captured most Kurdishdominated cities. They have made major territorial gains in recent weeks, driving out the mostly Arab Islamist rebel units in their areas and paving the way for their long-declared plans for independent governance.

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Anambra needs Nwoye’s youthful energy— Jonathan

BY GBENGA OKE & ENYIM ENYIM

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave a ringing endorsement of the PDP candidate, Tony Nwoye saying that he would use the energy of youth to transform the state.

Speaking at the grand finale of the PDP rally in Onitsha, President Jonathan commended the people of the state for coming out to show support for the PDP candidate.

The president was escorted to the rally by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and

prominent chieftains of the PDP from within and outside the Southeast. ‘’What Anambra state needs today is a good leader, young and dynamic to drive the economy of the state and the best candidate for the job is Tony Nwoye’’. ‘’I can see the commitment and the zeal in Tony Nwoye to transform Anambra state for the better and I am urging the people of the state to vote for a candidate that will further change the fortunes of the state for better,” he said.

“If Tony Nwoye is voted as the next governor of the state, I can assure you that he will

use his youthful and very vibrant energy to make Anambra one of the best states in the South-East while the sky will be his limit’’.

Nwoye on his part pledged that if elected he would use the office to enhance the welfare of the people and address the many challenges facing the people including insecurity.

Nwoye who chided the Peter Obi administration of failing to conduct local government election in eight years, pledged to conduct local polls within six years of entering office. “Our message is a message of hope, our

message is the message of transformation. The first thing that we are going to tackle is youth empowerment,” Nwoye said yesterday.

Nwoye flayed what he described as Obi’s lackadaisical attitude towards youth employment, saying that that was the basis of insecurity in the state.

“One of the greatest undoings in Anambra State is insecurity. You cannot tackle insecurity without employment. If elected, insecurity will be tackled. Our youths will be reoriented. The Anambra man is known for being hard working,” Nwoye

•Nwoye: I will do LG polls said as he pledged to tackle unemployment through mechanized agriculture among others.

Obiano will continue Obi’s bad ways -- Ngige

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

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HE campaign for continuity on which Willie Obiano is hinging his campaign is one built on false assumptions, Dr. Chris Ngige, the APC candidate said yesterday.

Ngige in a statement yesterday said another term in office by APGA would mean subjecting the people of Anambra State to another four years of “the locust characterised by socioeconomic retrogression, insecurity and degradation of infrastructure.”

Ngige in the statement issued on his behalf by Mr. Tony Icheku, of the Media and Publicity Committee of the

•Ngige: Obi reckless campaign urged the electorate to reject Obiano upon what he claimed as the economic failures of Mr. Peter Obi, the incumbent governor who is in the frontline of the Obiano campaign.

League of voters roots for Obiano

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COALITION of 7000 professionals on the banner of The League of Voters has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Candidate in Saturday ’s election, Chief Willie Obiano.

The group said its decision was based on the assessment of the 23 candidates standing for election and the need to take Anambra State to the next level after Governor Peter Obi. The group’s Chairman, Mr. Okey Nzegwu, said Obi’s successor must be an individual who Can protect our liberties, heal the wounds and divisions of the past, build bridges of trust, friendship and co-operation across the communities of the state, have the fear of God and empathy for the under privileged, have unimpeachable integrity and executive experience among others.

His words: “A serious look at all the parties and candidates contesting for that office, gives cause for wariness. For instance there seem to be desperation on

•Obiano: Gets more backing the part of some candidates to hold office at all costs - a kind of chronic obsession to be governor as if being governor is an end in itself. There are some good candidates of course, in the fringe parties, but they have neither the financial resource nor political structure to win such an election.

“We don’t know how they intend to impose their ideology on an APGA legislature. We do not want a divided government.

We need cohesion not dysfunction. This leaves us with one party and one candidate - APGA and Willie Obiano.” Reasons why you should reject Obiano by Ngige

“Fiscal rascality, and ineptness defines Mr. Peter Obi’s eight years in office.

Besides flouting constitutional provisions, he failed to excel in any single department of governance,” Ngige deposed.

“Despite a huge monthly budget of over N500 million as security vote, Mr. Obi had been unable to secure the lives and property of Anambra people, he probably does not

know that the 1999 Constitution, section 2.14, describes security of lives and property as the cardinal and fundamental objective of government. One therefore is at loss how Mr. Obi expends N500 million monthly and yet Anambra is not garrisoned against kidnappers and armed robbers. Our former thriving commercial cities of Onitsha and Nnewi are now ghost towns because of insecurity, as

both indigenes and investors alike had been scared away by kidnappers.”

“For eight years, Mr. Obi refused to conduct elections to the Local Government Areas, LGAs and cornered the allocations due to the 21 LGAs. Anambra people demand explanations how their money was spent as there is nothing on ground to show any investment in socio-economic infrastructure.”

Return APGA 'cos of Azikiwe, Okwu begs

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & CHRIS OCHAYI

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N SPITE of his squabbles with the Chief Victor Umehled All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Maxi Okwu, who is also laying claims to the chairmanship of the party, has urged Anambra electorate to return APGA to power.

Noting that Governor Peter Obi has had an impressive eight-year reign during which he restored “sanity to the state from the halcyon days of the PDP, through the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS) juxtaposed with fiscal frugality if not discipline,” he said: “It is important that the people of

•Okwu: Backing Obiano Anambra state do not go back to the days of mayhem and anomie. To do this they must return APGA to Government House Awka with an overwhelming mandate. This

is critically important so as not to lose momentum and ensure the follow through of stability, and consolidation in all sectors.”

In a statement yesterday, Okwu, said: “It was he (Azikiwe) in his heydays in politics that had the Cock as the symbol of the party he led; the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). It would the greatest disservice to this great son of Africa from Onitsha in Anambra State not to vote for his symbol on his birthday, even if posthumously. I therefore urge any one who does not wish to commit ‘nso ani’ (abomination) to stay home if you cannot vote for the COCK symbol,” he said.

Obiano camp not bothered by Keyamo ultimatum

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

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S the deadline given by Lagos lawyer Festus Keyamo to INEC to prosecute Willie Obiano for alleged multiple voter registration lapsed yesterday, the camp of the APGA candidate was apparently defiant.

A source embedded in the Obiano campaign rebuffed the insinuations of multiple registration charging the

campaign of one of Obiano’s major rivals for instigating the allegation.

“How can it be possible that a man of his reputation and learning, a former deputy managing director of a bank would indulge in such an act?” the source said on the condition of anonymity.

“These APC people are becoming too desperate and would go to any length to manufacture accusations to

push themselves through,” the source said.

As at press time yesterday Mr. Keyamo was yet to react to the unwillingness of the election body to dabble into the issue.

Mr. Keyamo who was retained by APC on the case had accused Obiano of registering in at least three points with voter’s cards from the three registration points.

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

MINILS annuls labour submit holds Nov 28 THE Ninth edition of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin, Kwara State, annual National Labour Relations Summit and Fellowship Award will hold on Thursday, November 28, 2013. A statement by Mr. Wale Ibrahim, Deputy Director/Public Relations, on behalf of the Director-General/ Chief Executive, MINILS, said the theme of the year’s Summit is “Labour Laws, Institutional Reforms and the Development Process in Nigeria” According to the statement “This year ’s edition of this important annual gathering of critical stakeholders will be focusing on the impact of legalinstitutional frameworks and instrument(s) on labour relations and development efforts in Nigeria, as well as the contribution of critical actors in the Nigerian Industrial Relations system in terms of defining theses processes.

An erudite law scholar and eminent jurist, His Lordship, Justice Benedict Kanyip, PhD of the National Industrial Court will speak on “Labour Laws, Participatory Democracy and the Development Process in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects”.

Unionist condemns planned centenary anniversary

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LANS to celebrate the na tion’s centenary has received knocks from veteran trade unionist, Comrade Sylvester Ejiofoh.

Ejiofoh who spoke at annual Kolagbodi Memorial Lecture held in Lagos said, “ Nigeria existed before 1914 “, besides he said, “ No African country at least in the West Coast ever had such a celebration”.

He made it clear: “ You don’t celebrate a colonial history. Nigeria existed before 1914”. He asked “ Where was Zik (Nnamdi Azikiwe) born? The audience replied: Zungeru. Comrade Ejiofoh asked, “ what lesson is there to learn from celebrating Nigeria’s centenary?” He advised those in the labour movement not to “ join the Federal Government to celebrate a colonial event”.

Comrade Ejiofoh popularly called Head of Service in the labour movement said, it should be noted that labour unions were more vibrant under the military than now. In his opinion, “ Nigeria has been retrogressing”.

He said the expansive political structure that the country has now, is not the vision of the founding fathers of this nation.

How to pursue a successful career in public service Prince Adesegun Olusola Ogunlewe

— retired Lagos HoS PRINCE Adesegun Olusola Ogunlewe, recently retired from the Lagos State civil service after 34 years. A prince from Igbogbo in the Ikorodu area, he formally bowed out as state's Head of Service, HoS. He was appointed HoS in May 2010, a position he occupied for three years before retiring on October 10th, 2013. Ogunlewe, in this interview with OLASUNKANMI AKONI, shared his experiences with Labour Vanguard . Excerpts:

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HAT attracted you into the public service of Lagos State, 34 years ago?

I deliberately joined the public service of Lagos State in 1979 because I was brought up in public administration at the traditional level. I have the privilege of being the last child of late Oba Festus Molaja Ogunlewe, the Adegoruwa of Igbogbo in Ikorodu Division. The post of a traditional ruler in itself is a public service.

I witnessed public administration at the traditional level all through my childhood.

I had my primary and secondary education in Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

That gave me the opportunity of being at home till about 16 years when I eventually completed my secondary education and got admission into the university.

From my childhood, I learnt that the best place to touch lives was to work in the public service. That was what encouraged me to join the public service of Lagos State after I completed my university education.

Was there a time you regretted joining the public service?

The public service career is always challenging. There is no end to human needs. As public servants, we are expected to make lives more meaningful for all citizens at all time. I joined the public service after my university education as a GL-08 officer in the administrative officer’s cadre in 1979. There are values in public service. Once you understand and uphold those values, you will not find it difficult to move up consistently and gradually in your career.

What are these values?

First, you all went to school to acquire knowledge. You must be

able to apply that knowledge appropriately to your duties. Second, you must be hard-working because the load of responsibilities in public service is very huge.

Except you are very hard working, you may not be able to cope.

Third, you must be honest in the course of discharging your responsibilities. You must be able to endure because the salaries are nothing to talk about, even till date. Fourth, you must be able to render selfless service with a mindset that you are rendering service to God and humanity.

Then, what is your remuneration will be secondary once what is uppermost on your mind is your belief and readiness to service the people.

Getting fulfilled These are the principles that guided my intention, and I did not find it difficult progressing in service and getting fulfilled at every point of my career.

Are there differences between when you joined public service and now?

Of course, the whole essence of having a good government is to make progress. There must be changes. When we started in the public service, there were no computers, even though we had typewriters.

Service now different with technology Some of them were manual type writers to type letters; prepare minutes; roll stencils and so on. But in this age, we have computers that work faster than typewriters. We now have software that we use in our human resource management procedures.

By mere clicks of the mouse, we get information that will ordinarily take two or three weeks to get within minutes.

All these have made the system better than what it used to be.

What it used to be was that our communication system was not functioning well. Rather than phoning somebody, you may go and deliver letters. But today, things have changed a lot. You can take advantage of short message service (SMS) or information and communication technology (ICT) through which you can send information out, not just to the public servants, but also to the general public. So, these are things that have made the difference between then and now.

Was there any conflict between public service and your family?

As I said earlier, you have to be

,

BITS Bits

8:00 a.m., I should be back at my desk in the office. There was a particular child christening we had then; the governor did not even know about it because I was already in the office before 8:00 a.m. Once you know your responsibilities, you must be able to manage them with your home affairs, as a responsible officer.

The public service creates an opportunity to take a two-day leave. What stopped you from getting a one-day leave, just for the purpose of your child christening?

No, it is not always like that. It depends on the nature of work you handle. As a private secretary, I was in charge of the daily assignment of the governors. I mean daily assignment. It was not something I could hand over to somebody else. If I did, I would create a gap. The gap could be

,

You must be able to render selfless service with a mindset that you are serving God and humanity

very hard-working to cope with the responsibilities of public service. Once you have an understanding wife who is ready to fill the gap when you are not around, you will not find it difficult to manage your family. Let me give an example. I was in the Governor’s Office for five and half years, serving as a private secretary to three governors. Then, before I got back home in the evening, my children must have slept. By the time I was leaving in the morning, they would still be sleeping. But then my wife was there to take care of those gaps. She would prepare them for school. She would also bring them back from school. She always made sure they did not feel my absence.

It was during that period that I had three of my children. I have four children. Whenever we wanted to do child christening, I normally pleaded with the Reverend to be in my house by 7:00 a.m. By 7:30 a.m., we were done with the child christening. By quarter to

very embarrassing to their excellencies. That was why I must manage and ensure that there was no gap at all. It was not enough for me to give an excuse that I had a child and would not report at my duty post. When the governor is embarrassed, the whole state is embarrassed. So, that was the reason I did not give room for any gap.

I served as a Private Secretary between August 1987 and March 1992. I first served under the administration of Navy Captain Mike Akhigbe between August 1987 and August 1988, with Colonel Raji Rasaki between 1988 and 1991, and finally, Sir Michael Otedola between 1991 and 1992.

After 34-years experience in the civil service, how do you advise civil servants?

It is important for upcoming public servants to know that the service requires selflessness. It also requires demonstrable application of knowledge acquired and the need to serve the people with all sense of purpose.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, NOVERMBER 14, 2013—55

South-east states yet to embrace contributory pension scheme •As PenCom opens zonal office in Awka

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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EARLY ten years into the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS following the Pension Reform Act, PRA, 2004, none of the five states in the South-East zone has implemented CPS for its workers.

In fact, Imo State that enacted its law on CPS in 2008 and appointed Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, to register its employees, has allegedly suspended implementation of the Scheme Acting Director-General of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, Mrs Chinelo AnohuAmazu, at the official opening of the South-East Zonal Office in Awka, Anambra State, regretted that the South-East zone, known to be peopled with highly industrious and possessing enterprising intellectuals was yet to take its rightful place in the adoption and implementation of the CPS. A statement by Emeka Onuora, Head, Communication Unit, quoted the Acting DG as saying: “Three states namely, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu are yet to enact the law on the CPS. Imo State enacted its law on CPS in 2008 and appointed Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, to register its employees but information available to the Commission shows that Imo State has suspended implementation of the scheme.

Administrative structure

Anambra State only recently enacted its law on the scheme and is still expected to carry out the next necessary steps like setting up administrative structure, appointment of PFAs, registration of employees by the PFAs, remittances of pension contributions and determination of accrued pension liabilities of workers, among others.”

She appealed to states in the South-East Zone not to be left out of a national success story which the CPS had become.

The Acting DG reiterated that the commission was exploring the possibility of allowing contributors to utilize part of their Retirement Savings Account, RSA, balance to part-finance the acquisition of homes, pointing out that these facilities would be availed to states that have fully embraced the scheme.

PenCom, the South-East Zonal Office in Awka, Anambra State, located opposite Government

realised. Such achievements include the consistent payment of retirement benefits to employees who retired under the scheme since 2007 without the characteristic bottlenecks experienced in the past, the generation of investible funds of more than N3.72 trillion invested in various financial instruments and the registration of about 5.82 million contributors into the CPS." According to her, the commission had made an input into the process of a major amendment to the Pension Reform Act , PRA, 2004 currently at the final stages of consideration by the National Assembly.

The commission, she disclosed, had also established a “Call Centre” to enhance its service delivery through an efficient complaints resolution process.

Follow-up

COMMISSIONING: From left, Dr Alloysius Etok,Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, Acting Director-General,National Pension Commission, PenCom, during the commissioning of PenCom zonal office in Awka, Anambra State.

House, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway was declared open by Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. The zonal office is the fourth to be formally opened among the Commission’s Zonal Offices in the six geo-political zones of the country. Three zonal offices had earlier been commissioned at Calabar for the South-South States, Ilorin for the North-Central States and Lagos for the South-West States.

The statement said PenCom embarked on the establishment of zonal offices in the six geo-political zones of the country to decentralize its activities and bring it

closer to contributors and retirees.

According to the statement “With the Commission’s presence in the South-East Zone, stakeholders in the pension industry can now avail themselves of the commission's services by visiting the zonal office to make enquiries, lodge complaints, and seek education on the CPS and request for sensitization and awareness on pension and pension related matters. Due to the commission’s renewed focus on efficient service, it seeks to reduce the need for contributors and retirees to travel from various parts of the country to Abuja for the singular reason of accessing the

commission’s services.”

“In addition, the presence of the commission will facilitate closer interaction with the states’ pension offices by assisting them to comply with the Contributory Pension Scheme. The South-East zonal office in Awka has the mandate to effectively extend the commission’s services to all the five states in the zone namely; Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia.”

Mrs Anohu-Amazu noted that the commission had remained steadfast in the implementation of the CPS such that within its few years of existence, “some modest achievements have been

Commissioning the office, Governor Peter Obi thanked PenCom for establishing the South-East zonal office in Awka and assured that the state would follow-up on embracing the scheme.

In his goodwill message, Senate Committee Chairman on Establishments and Public Service Matters, Dr Alloysius Etok, restated the National Assembly’s commitment to reforms in the pension industry.

He added that the report on the proposed amendment of the PRA 2004 had been submitted to the National Assembly for further consideration.

Similarly, a Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and General Secretary of the National Union Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Mr. Issa Aremu, represented by NUTGTWN’s’ Deputy Secretary, Chimezie Sylvester, commended the commission for establishing zonal offices that would bring it closer to contributors and retirees.

Why we encourage workers to join Trustfund —Labour

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC have said the prudent management of the workers fund, experience and competence of the management of Trustfund Pensions Plc, led by its Managing Director, Mrs Helen Da-Souza is s the reason why labour encourages workers to join Trustfund.

Speaking after the confirmation of the appointment of Mrs. Da-Souza by the National Pension Commission, PenCom, President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar said that a lot of progress had been recorded by the fund since the emergence of DaSouza.

Omar said, “We are progressing and I hope this trend will continue. I am expressing my views both as a director representing NLC and shareholders. What we are seeing in Trustfund today is a direct result of peace and harmony in the organization.”

Also commending the feat so far recorded by the fund, the immediate past president of TUC, Comrade Peter Esele, said the performance Trustfund over the years was an indication that “Trustfund is indeed a PFA to trust.”

Esele explained that both the NLC and TUC had often encouraged their members to open their Retirement Saving Accounts, RSA with Trustfund pension because of its track record of efficiency and effectiveness in the man-

agement of pension funds in the nation’s financial services industry.

Similarly, the Director General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, said the Board could not have taken a better decision than to confirm Da-Souza as the substantive Managing Director, According to Oshinowo she had turned the company around since she took over leadership of the company in acting capacity, saying “her confirmation has shown that Trustfund is on the upward swing since she came on board. She is competent, experienced and the performance of the company in these two years is an evidence of the quality she has brought to the organization.”

56 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Achebe in focus as Anambra partners NBF in maiden literary festival

By JAPHET ALAKAM & EBELE ORAKPO

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HE Nigerian Book Foundation (NBF), a non-governmental, non-profit book development organisation with a commitment to indigenous book development, in conjunction with the Anambra State Government led

by Governor Peter Obi, held its maiden literary festival at the Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State .

Convener of the festival and President of Nigerian Book Foundation, Professor Chukwuemeka Ike said the festival was part of activities lined up to immortalize late literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe through the revival of literary creativity amongst Anambra people as NBF believes that books build the nation.

The event which was funded

by Anambra State Government has as its highlight, speeches

*A cultural dance by students of Metu memorial secondanry school at the festival (Unizik Primary School) and in Igbo, by Chidera Okoli of Community Secondary School, Ndikelionwu, kept the audience clapping as tomorrow’s broadcasters shone.

Distinguished Anambra writers including Eze Ndikelionwu, Eze Prof.

Governor Obi called on today’s writers to impact creative excellence on the Anambra child as the society we abuse today shall take revenge on us tomorrow from different writers, parade of Anambra literary stars and presentation of books by different authors to Gov. Peter Obi. Day One of the festival was essentially a strategy session, with speakers working around the theme, ‘Sustaining the Legacy of Literary Creativity’ in Anambra State.

Key Note Address was by Prof.

Alex Asigbo, Dean, Unizik Faculty of Arts. Papers were also presented by Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Prof. Rems Umeasiegbu and Dr. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh

Traditional dances The festival also featured traditional dances and acrobatics by Metu Memorial School, Onitsha, and Paul University Primary School, Awka.Exciting debates between Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha and St. John of God Secondary School, Awka, showed that Anambra has tremendous youth potential waiting to be harnessed. The second debate featuring Christ the King College, Onitsha, was hot, albeit one-sided since opponents DMGS failed to turn up.“Mock News in English

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Chukwuemeka Ike, Ikelionwu XI, Igwe Obosi HRH Chidubem Iweka, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Peter Nwankwo, Chimalum Nwankwo, Odili Ojubuonu, Osita Ike, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Rems Umeasiegbu, Obu Udeozo, Greg Mbajiorgu etc interacted with hundreds of school children in attendance each day at the Women

Development Centre venue, of the well-received festival. They were all presented Certificates of Recognition as Anambra Literary Stars, by Gov. Peter Obi, who specially commended Eze Prof Ike for being an excellent, untiring role model and mentor to many people in the state and globally.

The event also had in attendance notable writer, Prof.

Nwosu, Nollywood actor, Wasky Oguegbu, Rev. Father Joe Barth Abba among others.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Nigeria’s first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the festival had the capacity to revive the dwindling culture of reading among the people.

Governor Peter Obi in his speech extolled the creative qualities of Anambra people both at home and in the diaspora and urged for sustenance. He described Igwe

Iweka as a rare personality who combines the leadership of his people with creativity and called on today’s writers to impact such creative excellence

on the Anambra child, saying that the society we abuse today shall take revenge on us tomorrow.

He regretted that the society was suffering from misplaced values; hence, those who ordinarily should be regarded as dregs of society are seen as role models. He explained that this was part of the reason he made value re-orientation an integral part of his administration.

Obi said that for Anambra State to regain its greatness, conscious effort must be made to rediscover those that had made epochal contributions to the advancement of civilization in all sectors.

Obi recalled how he looked for people like Prof. Chike Obi and how the Government continued to assist them till they died.

Prof. Ike expressed hope that the person to succeed Gov. Peter Obi would continue offering support to literary creativity and ennobling activities as Obi was doing.

*Gov. Obi of Anambra State presenting the books to the public

Nigeria for rebrand at Macmillan Literary Night

BY PRISCA SAM DURU

A

LL is now set for the 11th Macmillan Liter ary Night which comes up today at the Agip Recital Hall of the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

This year’s literary feast which commences at 6pm is themed “Fix it: The Nigerian Character” and according to the Executive Director, Operations, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Limited and Acting Chairman Macmillan Literary Events Committee, Mr Yinka Olaniyan, it is chosen to address the lingering perception of Nigerians as cheats, ritualists, dupes, drug traffickers and terrorists by nationals of other countries.

Mr Olaniyan lamented that a country that was conceived as giant of Africa has descended far down the ladder due to character deficiencies in some of her citizens stressing that “this is why the Macmillan Literary Events Committee with the usual backing of the Board and Management, has resolved to pay closer attention to the solutions instead of focusing on the Problems. We are well aware that factors like endemic corruption, violence, collapse of the family institutions, among others are partly responsible for the present bad image of the country.”

With the resolve not to bemoan the people’s fate any longer,

Olaniyan noted that his organisation through the literary event, is calling on Nigerians , to recast themselves towards the desired change in character which entails that the average citizen of Nigeria plays a prominent role in order to move the country forward.

“Macmillan Nigeria Publishers wishes to use this event to make a clarion call to all citizens to be patriotic and imbibe the spirit of togetherness in building a great and prosperous country where every Nigerian can live with utmost dignity.”

A total of 18 items in the selected genres of Literature; Poetry, Prose and Drama that will be fea-

tured, will appeal to Nigerians’ sense of Patriotism. It is also expected that it will go beyond the appeal to highlight some practical result-oriented options in the organisation’s quest to re-build the country’s image in a positive light.

The dance drama will be performed by Crown Troupe of Africa led by Segun Adefila, Songs are to be rendered by Jumoke Oke, in the Poetry category, 8 poems will be rendered by 5 artists to include Theatre icons,Tina Mba, Joke Sylva, Nobert Young and, seasoned writer and international culturalist, Taiwo AjayiLycett, while Prose will be handled by the duo of Nobert Young and Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 57

Exploring art with infusion of two cultures

By JAPHET ALAKAM

A

fter participating in many international art fairs including the Jo'burg Art Fair , 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair, London etc, Omenka gallery, a leading gallery in Nigeria reputed for its policy of promoting international and Nigerian artists last Saturday opened another exhibition tagged Having Travelled Far, an exhibition of remarkable paintings by five leading contemporary African artists, all of whom are based in Germany.

The exhibition, organised by Omenka Gallery in collaboration with German-based gallery, ARTCO, will run from November 9-29, 2013 at the gallery’s house in Ikoyi. The exhibiting artists are; Owusu Ankomah , Godfried Donkor ,

lected for this show, only Godfried Donkor focuses entirely on mixed-media collages.

Here, his collages combine symbols of 18th century slave trade with images of Trinidadian girls placed on a background fashioned from the pages of the Financial Times a metaphor for the commercialization of people, a theme that runs through his oeuvre.

In his work Hanging Madonna,Donkor juxtaposes halos and soft-porn imagery to suggest the inclusion of the Christian church in the exploitation of female slaves. Originally a Medieval Italian word for noble woman, Madonna, today is used to refer exclusively to the images of the Virgin Mary.

Ransome Stanley does not stray far from his peer in reflect-

,

,

Although they live and work outside the continent, a look at their works reveals that they have remained true to their roots

*Hanging Madonna, one of the works by Godfried Donkor

Angola. Sambo’s recent work adopts this strategy as well as integrates European elements dating back to the Medieval Ages. Importantly, the bodies of her figures are decorated with ornamental pieces taken from historical paintings and successfully balanced with the shapes of eyes and mouths painted to bear semblance to Africans.

Similarly, OwusuAnkomah’s figures are naked, bold, and powerful but differ from Sambo’s figures by a covering of complex symbols in a manner that renders them almost invisible. Owusu Ankomah is influenced by the philosophy of his Akan-speaking people of Ghana, reflected in his frequent use of the adinkra symbols each representing a particular proverb in his Microcronseries, well represented in the show.

EL Loko employs the use of symbols as he strives to develop a unique language through the use of his own personal pictorial alphabet. In the works, each alphabet embraces ornamental colour blends, figurations, primaeval symbols and cryptic signs to constitute a homogenous whole. EL Loko’s Cosmic Alphabet 47 is a result of an intensive preoccupation with the traditions of his native Togo and Christianity.

The exhibition is an infusion of two worlds, it shows that despite their stay outside they are rooted in an ancient and distinctive cultural heritage yet shared by exposure to the artistic expression of other regions of the world.

Manuela Sambo , EL Loko and Ransome Stanley, all who share one common feature of being born in the diaspora.

Although they live and work outside the continent, a look at their works reveals that they have remained true to their roots, a tendency and initiative which Omenka Gallery upholds through its programmes.

ing on colonial clichés of exoticism and images of Africa rooted in Western concepts of rusticness and innocence. He creates planar pictorial spaces whose stark narrative painting style he then disrupts by contrasting it with the two-dimensional.

International artistes

Hugh Masekela, Somi, others for Bayelsa International Jazz Festival

Oliver Enwonwu, CEO of Omenka Gallery said that Having Travelled Far is part of the gallery’s way of promoting international artists, it aims to stimulate the Lagos exhibition circuit, while encouraging cross-fertilization of ideas between African artists who define their practices on the continent and those in diaspora.

On display are about 30 works that tend to create a new visual vocabulary for Nigerian collectors.

The overwhelming majority of works are paintings, as most African artists choose painting as their principal medium in contrast to many contemporary artists in other parts of the world. All of the artists included in this exhibition have studied and travelled across Africa, Europe and North America and have experienced exposure to international contemporary forms of artistic expression, including alternate media prevalent in Western countries. It is just about art that retains the Afro centric elements and still imbibe a different culture.

Among the five artists se-

BY SAM ANOKAM

I

N line with the vision of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State to transform the state into a tourism hub in Africa ,the first ever Bayelsa International Jazz Festival slated for December 7, was unveiled recently inYenagoa, the state capital.

This was disclosed by Dr. Enokie Bribena, Managing Director, Bayelsa Hotels and Tourism Development Company Limited. Bribena who spoke on behalf of the state’s Commissioner for Information

Speaking about his works, Stanley said, “In my paintings there is no reason to recount a linear plot; rather I utilize the design experience to create complex spaces. I move across the border between two worlds playing with different forms of

and Orientation , DN. Mackson Fefegha, said that the maiden edition of the jazz festival with the theme: Rhythm of Life is packaged as part of plan to market the tourism potentials of the state. According to him, “Africa Movie Academy Awards, the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant, and the National Festivals of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and the resultant effects of these events have been tremendous to say the least.”

Zeroing in on the jazz festival, Director General of Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency,

conscious perception.”

Manuela Sambo is wellknown for her depictions of nude female portraits and figures. Her work, Nadine and Rosa Lilie employ stylistic elements of the body painting traditions from her home country,

Mrs. Ebizi Ndiomu Brown stated that the choice of jazz music as a genre to drive this process is informed by the rising profile of jazz music locally and internationally.

She explains further, “Jazz music is enjoying quality patronage by the elite and even the upwardly mobile young men and women climbing the corporate ladder.

On hand to thrill fans at the festival are Hugh Masekela, the African Jazz music icon and Somi, the Rwandan-born, America-based Jazz music superstar. On the home front, several other jazz artistes and a brass band from Cotonou will also en-

tertain jazz music lovers.

Mrs Brown also stated that the jazz festival will help to deepen and expand the tourism bouquet of Bayelsa State by promoting sustainable and responsible tourism in the state. “There is no gainsaying that an event such as the jazz music fiesta we intend to organise will without doubt expand the economic fortunes of the state due to the multipliers effect that the event will generate. What we are doing today with the Jazz Festival is laying a solid foundation for global acceptance of Bayelsa State as a tourism destination in Africa.” She added.

Prof Ikulayo's biography for presentation

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*A thrilling performance from 2013 Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

HE public presentation of a book on the former Acting Dean of Education and former Head of Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education at the University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba, Professor Philomena Bolaji Ikunlayo, will take place at 10.30am on Thursday, 21st November, 2013 at UNILAG. The book according to the 85

year old Ekiti State born Lecturer and writer, “is about my life, work and achievements, but particularly, to bring to limelight my contributions to my environments and the extension of my service to the National and the International World Sporting Organisations and the academic world at the tertiary education level.”

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Full camp excites Keshi E

MMANUEL Emenike, who plays for Fernabahce in Turkey and Lazio of Italy ’s Ogenyi Onazi, were the last two players to make it to the Transcorp hotel camp of the national team on Wednesday to the relief of Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his crew.

As preparation heightens for the final round, second leg qualifier against Ethiopia on Saturday in Calabar, Keshi said he was initially angry at the late arrival of the players but reasoned that it was not their making as connecting flights from Lagos to Calabar and Abuja to Calabar was a bit of a problem to the players.

“I am relieved now that all the players are here and we can start serious preparation for the game against Ethiopia, which is still a threat because they are a very good side and have been together for up to five years unlike our team which is relatively young and new ”, he said at the media interactive session in Calabar on

yesterday.

He again reiterated the fact that the game against Ethiopia will be played as if there was never a first leg encounter. “We have not qualified but on the verge of doing so and we must not let down our guards at this crucial moment”. When asked whether Nigeria can win the World Cup in Brazil, looking beyond Ethiopia, he said it was a possibility. “Nothing is impossible in football and we can win in Brazil but the immediate task at hand is to qualify first for the World Cup”.

Team skipper, Vincent Enyeama, who also spoke at the fora said he was still pained at the goal the Ethiopians scored against him in Addis Ababa. “That goal never crossed the line, because I knew where I stood to catch that ball, even the one that Godfrey Oboabona cleared out also did not cross the line as some people were insinuating and the referee got that right but got the other one wrong”.

T

HE Chief Servant (CS) of Niger State, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu on Tuesday doled out a total of N20M to players and officials of the Golden Eaglets as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for winning the FIFA Under17 World Cup for an unprecedented fourth time.

The Talban Mina at a dinner banquet in honour of the team at the Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi

Enyeama

Hodgson tips Nigeria, Ghana to win “They play in the top 2014 World Cup European leagues and

E

NGLAND manager Roy Hodgson thinks an African nation like Nigeria or Ghana have more chance of winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup than the traditional heavyweights from Europe due to climate similarities in Brazil.

Writing in the programme notes for the friendly game between Italy and Fulham that is due to take place at his former club Fulham next week, he said: “I think

(African teams) may have a stronger chance than any of the European teams, to be perfectly honest, because of the climate.”

Hodgson believes the continent’s leading sides are equipped to make an impact at world football’s showpiece event. “There are many African players out there of excellent quality now,” he added.

were made in his memoir ‘Undisputed Truth’ which was published on Tuesday, in which he disclosed startling details of his turbulent career.

‘Iron Mike’ admitted in the book that he spent most of his career addicted to cocaine and marijuana and described

Emenike Continues from BP against Ethiopia in Calabar to be tougher than the first leg fixture played last month.

Nigeria carry a 2-1 aggregate advantage into Saturday ’s encounter, and Emenike the scorer of both goals in Addis Ababa disclosed that although the African champions hold the aces, he expects the Ethiopians to put up a tough challenge.

“The game in Calabar will be tougher for us than the one in Addis

Ababa,” Emenike told Fifa’s official website.

The Fenerbache striker admitted that he and his teammates would have to approach the secondleg encounter with caution, adding that Super Eagles still had a bridge to cross.

“We have to be careful and get ready for another big business in Calabar.

“Ethiopia are very good and they will be coming here with more tricks. So, we shouldn’t see the first victory as the end of road.”

in painstaking detail his ferocious appetite for drink and drugs.

“I was a full-blown cokehead,” Tyson, now 47-years-old and retired, said.

Akinyele begs Jonathan’s support for Ultimate Commander

F

ORMER Minister of Sports, Alex Akinyele, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to give his executive backing to Osita Offor aka De Ultimate Commander, in his bid to retain the Universal Professional Wrestling Federation (UPWF) world heavyweight wrestling title.

De Commander will be meeting United States (U.S.) Bobby Lashley in his title defence on December 6 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

that makes the African nations very strong.

Nigeria have traditionally been one of the strongest, with some famous names in their team.''

“Whoever is at the game on Monday night will see two very good teams and it will be an exciting outcome. Who knows, we may even see a little pointer for how things will go in Brazil.”

International Conference Centre in Minna on Tuesday as part of activities marking his 58th birthday anniversary said Nigerians should be proud of the Eaglets’ stellar performance in the UAE. He said it was gratifying to note that the team was exemplary throughout the competition and therefore deserved to be celebrated. ”We are very proud of what these youngsters have done in lifting the image of the country through their collective efforts,” said The CS who doubles as chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum.”With their performance, these young boys gave us a positive image throughout the world and they showed the resilience of being Nigerians.”

Apart from the cash gift of N12M and N5M respectively to the players and technical crew, The CS also gave N3M cash gift to accompanying NFF’s board members and officials; he also offered to gift a plot of land to each member of the team.

FIFA Invites Iheanacho, Alampasu

I was high on drugs — Tyson G F

O R M E R heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has admitted to both being high on drugs during major bouts and to using a fake ‘whizzer’ penis with someone else’s clean urine to avoid detection at tests.

The remarkable and shocking revelations

Babangida splashes N20m on Eaglets

OLDEN Eaglets’ duo of striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Goalkeeper Dele Alampasu have been invited by world’s soccer ruling body, FIFA as part of dignitaries to witness the annual Ballon d’Or to be hosted in Zurich next year.

FIFA noted that the duo who emerged on top of the honours’ rack at the just concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE have been chosen to be part of the select crowd that would witness the gala after for winning the Adidas Golden Ball Award and Golden Gloves Award. ” On behalf of FIFA, I would like to congratulate you once again on winning the Adidas Golden Ball Aw a r d ( I h e a n a c h o ) ; Golden Gloves(Alampasu) at this year’s FIFA’s U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates for the best player of the tournament,” wrote Sandra Marfurt,Head of Special Events and Guest Management.

“We would like to end this successful year with you and your companion

as our guests of honour at the annual FIFA Ballon d’Or gala at the Zurich.

Kongresshaus on Monday, 13 January 2014.”

Blatter Continues from BP took place in the United Arab Emirates between 17th October – 8th November.

In a letter addressed to the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and dated 11th November, 2013, world football’s supremo heaped plaudits on the general performances of the teams at the finals and noted that the Eaglets were worthy winners in a record-setting fourth triumph.

“The FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 lived up to all of its promises with some thrilling matches, fantastic goals, incredible emotions and unbelievable twists and turns, all of which combined to keep the fans on the edges of their seats on the final day in Abu Dhabi last Friday.

“In the end, the Nigeria U-17 team saw off the challenge of their Mexican counterparts to claim an unprecedented fourth world title following previous triumphs in 1985, 1993 and 2007.

“On behalf of the international football family, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the Golden Eaglets, to their coach Manu Garba, to the entire technical, administrative and medical team, and to all your fans.

“Victories such as these are always based on hard work, professionalism, and attention to detail, as well as passion and a love for the game. I have no doubt that all of this bodes well for a very bright future, and wish you continued success with your work in the years to come.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 59

6000 students ready for National School sports festival •NSSF unveils logo

S

IX thousand stu dents across the country are expected to compete in 23 events, consisting of 17 scoring and six demonstration sports.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos to unveil the event logo, the President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Mohammad said this year’s edition which would have been held by Akwa Ibom State had to be shifted to Kwara State for logistic reasons.

He said the main objective is to encourage determination in children in all their endeavours and instill mutual respect and discipline in them, adding that the edition is unique considering the presence of cooperate sponsors unlike the others.

Chairman, National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu (left); Director Sports, Kwara State Sports Council, Tunde Kazeem; President, Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Muhammad and Group Head, Strategy and Communications, Sterling Bank, Shina Atilola at the unveiling of logo and mascot for the 6th National School Sports Festival tagged ‘Kwara 2013’ in Lagos…yesterday

“The first edition was hosted by Cross Rivers State and the Champions represented Nigeria in an African competition in Ghana. Same may be done this year. Over six thousand children will be represented in this event and 23 sports will be competed for.

Seventeen of these sports

will be scoring while six will be demonstration sports. “This year’s edition is Unique because of the presence of cooperate sponsorship. While we got 35 million naira from Sterling Bank, Milo is giving seven million naira for the U-13 football competition.

The National Sport Com-

mission (NSC) will also be giving twenty million naira for the competition. With all these I can say we are indeed very grateful. I will not forget the contribution of the Chairman of NASCOM, Yemi Idowu for his immense support in facilitating these sponsorship deals,” he said.

Fashola boys bomb Ikuforiji FC

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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HE Lagos State Gover nors Office Correspondents, LAGOCO, late Tuesday evening defeated their House of Assembly counterparts with two goals to one in a local derby played at Agidingbi Grammar School Ikeja football pitch.

The match was part of activities lined up for this year’s Press Week of the Governor ’s Office Correspondents.

Captain of the Governor’s office press corps, Taiwo Olapade, opened scoring in the seventh minute with a powerful shot outside the eighteen yard box.

Yussuf Owonla made it two for Governor Fashola’s boys in the 21st minute in the first half.

The consolatory goal for the Ikuforiji bombers was scored by their playmaker Pelumi Ganiyu seven minutes later.

Opportunity for the Iku-

foriji bombers to level the score during the last minute of the match through a penalty kick was

lost by Pelumi as the ball hit the far end of the post.

Pelumi Ganiu emerged the man of the match, while Taiwo Olapade of Inspira-

tion FM was awarded second best player in the match.

UPDC backs Ikoyi club tennis grand slam Ikoyi Club 1938 because

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HE final of the 2013 edition of the annual Ikoyi Club 1938 grand slam tennis tournament comes up this weekend the tennis section of the club.

The tournament which is sponsored by UAC Property Development Company is featuring member of the club who use the event to express themselves and show off their skills at playing tennis.

This is the third edition that the company will be sponsoring.

Explaining their partnership with the tennis section of Ikoyi Club, the Managing Director, UACN Property Dev. Company Hakeem Ogunniran said they chose to partner with

both organisations were well known for their impeccable pedigree and track record in human capital development over the years.

“It is a known fact that the main objective of the founding fathers of Ikoyi

club 1938 is to foster global harmony through recreation; and we are glad to note that this goal remains the focus of the club and it continues to remain relevant particularly in the hustle and bustle. of life today,” he said.

L-R: Managing Director, UPDC Plc, Hakeem Ogunniran; Chairman, Tennis section, Ikoyi Club, Billy Ekwunife and Technical Operations Director, UPDC, Brain Greenway at a UPDC sponsored press conference on Tennis Grand Slam.PHOTO;AKEEM SALAU

Lagos International Squash Classics gets new date Following the inability of some of the foreign players to make it to the Lagos International Squash Classics, the organisers have postponed the tournament by two weeks.

According to the Chairman, Lagos State Squash Association, Sanya Akindele, the shift in date became necessary following the inability of the expected foreign players to arrive for the commencement of the competition earlier scheduled to kick off on Wednesday at the

Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

“We wish to state that the Lagos International Squash Classics has been postponed due to the inability of the invited International players to arrive on time for the tournament.

The international players from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia had flight issues, which could not be resolved before the commencement of the championship,” Akindele said.

WEIGHTLIFTING:

Lifters face open trial The 33 weightlifters in the Abuja camp of the nation’s weightlifting team would tomorrow (Friday) face a one day open trial that would be used by the coaches to select the final squad for the Commonwealth w e i g h t l i f t i n g championship billed to kick off later this month in Malaysia.

Head coach Emmanuel Oshomah disclosed yesterday that the open trial is being put together as a way of giving the lifters a level playing field to prove their mettle ahead of the Malaysia outing.

“We are taking the very best to Malaysia. The open trial is an opportunity for

the lifters to prove themselves after several weeks of camping,” Oshomah said.

The coach said he intends to reduce the number of lifters in camp after the open trial as he would thereafter concentrate on those that would be flying the country ’s flag in the competition billed to run from November 24 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur.

Oshomah expressed confidence that Nigeria would do well in Malaysia as the lifters in camp have been doing well.

“The lifters have been doing well in training. I am sure we will have a good outing in Malaysia.”

Chukwu, Sinclair light up SPDC Gov’s Cup final •As Eleme beats Bonny to lift the trophy Nigerian managers, Eleme Local Government team emerged champions of the 2013 Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) sponsored Rivers State Governor ’s Cup decided at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The side defeated hard fighting 10-man Bonny side 5-3 on penalties after full time score stood at 1-1 in a thrilling encounter watched by capacity crowd as well as notable coaches in the land namely former

Christian Chukwu and Monday Sinclair. Others include former Nigerian defender and coach of Abia Warriors, Emeka Ezeugo, Sharks coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, Dolphins coach, Stanley Eguma, among others.

Tamuno Koko who was later sent off on accumulated yellow card offence scored Bonny opening goal while Onwuka Ebube restored parity for his side, Eleme ending first term on 1-1.

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2013

Walya Antelopes hit Nigeria tomorrow Adepoju wary of Ethiopia F

...say we’ll shock Eagles

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HEAD of this weekend’s crunch 2014 World Cup qualifier with the Super Eagles, the Walya Antelopes, as the Ethiopian national team are called have confirmed that they will be arriving Nigeria tomorrow for the match holding at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The team, presently camping in Addis Ababa, we gathered last night, will fly into Lagos tomorrow and take the connecting flight to Calabar.

According to Coach Sewenet Bishaw, the 22man team was determined and poised to deliver the goods that may see Ethiopia overturn the tables and why not win and qualify for the Brazil showpiece.

Eagles have the advantage courtesy of a 21 away win in Addis Ababa last month and fancy their chances of doing the double in the Canaan Land.

According to a Star Africa report, the players were visited by the President of the Ethiopian Football Federation, who came to extend the warm encouragements of the government to theplayers and to reveal the special package they have for them in case of any potential qualification The players on their part have promised to do their best to qualify and to bring honour to their country since it will be the very first time that country will do so.

AERIAL BATTLE.....Salahdin Said of Ethiopia and Godfrey Oboabona contest for an aerial ball

ruguay took a giant step towards Brazil with a comfortable win over Middle Eastern minnows Jordan in their World Cup qualification play-off.

Maxi Pereira and Christian Stuani got the South Americans up and running in the first half before goals from Nicolas Lodeiro, Cristian Rodriguez and

50% foothold in Brazil but there is another 50% to be decided on Saturday.

“I know football is played for 90 minutes and within that time the unimaginable could happen so the Eagles must take the Ethiopians serious from the blast of the whistle till the time the whistle sounds signaling the end of the game.

“No team is 100% perfect that includes the Super Eagles as well as the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia .''

Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic battle for World Cup spot T HE story of the 2014 World Cup will inevitably be written without one of the best players in Europe after Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden do battle for a playoff berth.

Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic are both in scintillating form ahead of the two-legged qualifying

GLADIATORS.... Ibrahimovic, Ronaldo set to rumble for World Cup ticket.

Maigari: Saturday’s match not a formality

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FF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari has stated that the Super Eagles will play with their hearts when they confront Ethiopia on Saturday in their 2014 Fifa World

WORLD CUP

Uruguay Jordan 5-0 U

ORMER Nigerian attacking midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has said it will not be a walk-over for the Super Eagles against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the final qualifying match of the 2014 Fifa World Cup on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

“Of course, it won’t be a walk-over for the Eagles even though I agree they’ve played the most difficult game in Addis Ababa.

“The victory in Addis Ababa has given the side

thrash a late stunner from Edinson Cavani made next week’s second leg in Montevideo a mere formality.

The win was overshadowed somewhat by a shocking attempt to win a penalty

by Luis Suarez in the first half as the Liverpool striker fell theatrically in the box.

Cup final qualifying match, not thinking of the result of the first-leg in Addis Ababa last month.

But Maigari said: “It is not good for us to start thinking of the return leg match as a formality.

Irrespective of the result of the first leg, we take this match in Calabar on Saturday very serious.

“As far as the NFF is concerned, it is not over until it is over. We have faith in our African champions that they will deliver, but we have also secured assurances from them that they will play with their hearts.”

“We are almost at the tape for the ticket, so once that shoe is behind us, we will plan for how to positively stun the football world in Brazil.

We have the players that can do it, and they also have the passion.''

playoff but only one of their teams will end up in Brazil next year.

Both men scored hattricks at the weekend: Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s 5-1 rout of Real Sociedad and the Swede netting all of Paris St Germain’s goals in a 3-1 victory over Nice.

“We are talking about two world-class stars, living an

excellent moment,” said Portugal winger Silvestre Varela ahead of Friday’s first leg at Lisbon’s Luz stadium (1945 GMT).

Portugal captain Ronaldo tops La Liga’s best scorers’ list with 16 goals while Ibrahimovic, with eight, is one behind Ligue 1 top marksmen Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013 — 61

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V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013

England Manager tips Nigeria, Ghana to win 2014 World Cup

Full camp excites •As Emenike, Onazi Keshi beat deadline

Roy

2013 Ballon d’Or

FIFA Invites Iheanacho, Alampasu

I was high on drugs — Tyson

Blatter hails Golden Eaglets

"I had to use my whizzer, which was a fake penis where you put in someone’s clean urine to pass your drug test"

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Details Inside

Emenike: Ethiopia will be tough

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UPER Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike says that he expects this weekend’s World Cup qualifying encounter Continues on Page 58

Onazi

Keshi

Babangida splashes N20M on Golden Eaglets

...plus landed property

Tyson

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

IFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter has praised the triumph of the U-17 National Team of Nigeria, Golden Eaglets, at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup which Continues on Page 58

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Heat (6) 5 Apportioned (6) 9 Squander (5) 10 Mend (6) 11 Religious festival (6) 12 Avarice (5) 14 Cheese (4) 17 Yelp (3) 18 Season (4) 20 Proportion (5) 22 Cogent (5) 23 Of weddings (7) 24 Nugget (5) 26 Wanderer (5) 29 Asterisk (4) 30 Skill (3) 32 Nothing (4) 33 Cancel (5) 35 Canopy (6) 36 Sickness (6) 37 Lukewarm (5) 38 Blacker (6) 39 Pedalled (6)

DOWN 1 Guard (6) 2 Iterate (6) 3 Branch (4) 4 Harass (5) 5 Soak (5) 6 Chief (4) 7 Sell (6) 8 Rushed (6) 13 Oriental (7) 15 Discourage (5) 16 Lesser (5) 18 Claw (5) 19 Couch (5) 21 Unconscious (3) 22 Vehicle (3) 24 Isle (6) 25 Collect (6) 27 Titbit (6) 28 Require (6) 30 Wrath (5) 31 Garment (5) 33 Stake (4) 34 Gentlewoman (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Shove 7, Manual 9, Vie 10, Pup 12, Laugh 13, Laud 15, Donor 17, Repose 19, Tube 20, Melee 22, Tab 24, Reputed 27, Pal 28, Needs 31, Arms 33, Sadden 35, Haste 37, Mill 38, Endow 39, Eat 41, Cry 42, Layman 43, Perky.

DOWN: 1, Emblem 2, Unfurl 3, Sap 4, Silo 5, Heart 6, Vagabond 8, Ludo 11, Postulate 14, Deer 16, Neut 18, Peep 21, Entrance 23, Bend 25, Pass 26, Deem 29, Enigma 30, Silent 32, Shock 34, Deal 36, Awry 40, Tan.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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