GOC redeployed after soldiers' mutiny in Borno

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62145

APC begins search for Akande's >9 replacement

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Jonathan visits Chibok, troops >8 today

FORUM: From left, President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service,FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi at the FIRS Stakeholders Engagement Forum in Lagos, yesterday.

GOC redeployed after soldiers' mutiny in Borno

BY NDAHI •Defence HQ institutes military panel of inquiry MARAMA •Says one officer, five soldiers killed, many wounded in attack AIDUGURI— FEW hours after M •P9 •Shettima to FG: You should negotiate with Boko Haram some troops deployed to

Borno on counter insurgency operations fired shots at the official vehicle of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Maiduguri, Major General Ahmadu Mohammed as he attempted to address them, Defence Headquarters, yesterday, announced his immediate redeployment.

The Defence HeadContinues on page 5

COLUMNIST: Donu

Beyond embarrassing •P.17

•P.8

FOR CHIBOK GIRLS—A young South African pupil at a primary school in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province writes a message on a paper reading: "Be a Man Boko Haram, Bring Back Our Girls!" during a "BringBackOurGirls" school project calling for immediate release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. AFP photo.

Ibori has case to answer — Appeal Court

>13

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—President Goodluck Jonathan welcoming the Amayanabo of Bonny, King Diette-Spiff; while the Paramount Ruler of Onna, Dr. Akpabio Udoukpa (2r) and the Paramount Ruler of Mgbichi, HRM, Akunueze Ikegwuruka who led members of the Traditional Rulers from Oil Producing States on a courtesy visit to the President at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

morgue.

“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) was touched by the incident, so he wanted to sympathise with the troops by addressing those present. In the process some soldiers became unruly and began to fire some shots into the air. The situation was quickly brought under control and normalcy restored as there was calm in the cantonment and all normal operational activities are ongoing."

Announcing the setting up of a military inquiry to investigate the incident, Olukolade said: “It is not in the character of the Nigerian soldier to be unruly. The inquiry will come out with the exact situation of things upon which the military authorities will take the next action. The ongoing

inquiry will provide a lasting solution to what happened on May 13”.

The Defence Spokesman, however, did not disclose the composition of the panel of inquiry or when the panel is expected to conclude its investigation. He said it was an internal affair

that will be handled internally. Vanguard gathered that Major General Ahmadu Mohammed has been replaced with Brigadier General Mahmud Yakubu Ibrahim as Acting GOC and that Ibrahim’s appointment is with immediate effect.

GOC redeployed after soldiers' KIDNAPPED GIRLS: Negotiate with mutiny in Borno Boko Haram, NBA tells Jonathan Continues from page 1 quarters, which described the shooting incident as sad, has also launched a military inquiry.

It will be recalled that last Wednesday, some soldiers were reported to have fired shots at the official vehicle of the GOC when he came to the Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri on a sympa-

thy visit. There were also reports that the GOC’s aides who tried to protect him during the shooting incident were injured in the process.

Confirming the GOC’s redeployment yesterday, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, at a briefing in Maiduguri said: “The GOC has been redeployed based on the decision of the headquar-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When you encounter rejection, shake it off and move on. Sooner or later you will succeed if you don’t quit. Don’t personalise it; because someone rejects what you have to offer doesn’t mean you are being rejected.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness and the state of joy is ever lasting when it comes from within— Take Heart Quotes

U

NHAPPINESS lies in that gap between what we have now and what we think we need. But the truth is, we don’t need to acquire anything more to be content with what we already have. We don’t need anyone else’s permission to be happy. Your life is magnificent not because someone says it is, or because you have acquired something new, but because you choose to see it as such. Don’t let your happiness be held hostage. It is always yours to choose, to live and experience.

And from the experts of wisdom notes, Mack and Angel Hack comes this beautiful saying. “As soon as you stop making everyone and everything else responsible for your happiness, the happier you’ll be. If you’re unhappy now, it’s not someone else’s fault. Take full responsibility for your own unhappiness, and you will instantly gain the ability to be happier. Stop seeking in vain to arrange conditions that will make you happy.” Simply choose to appreciate the greatness that is yours in this moment, and the right conditions will start to line up around the contentment you seek.

ters."

He assured that the redeployment of the GOC will not affect the ongoing anti terrorism war of the Nigerian military.

“Let me assure that the military will sustain the current tempo in the fight against insurgents.

The training of the Nigerian Army is such that this kind of change will not affect negatively the disposition of the troops in the fight against agents of insurgency in the country," Olukolade said.

He denied media reports that the GOC was wounded during the incident. “The GOC or his aides were not wounded during the incident. Let me say again that nobody was injured during the incident,” he said.

He described the incident as sad saying, “the Nigerian Army is poised to uphold its principle of discipline and loyalty to service."

Explaining how the incident took place, Olukolade, said: “On May 13, our troops who had been on an assignment in Chibok and had been patrolling were returning to Maiduguri when they were ambushed in Dalwa few kilometres to the city.

One officer and five soldiers were killed, while a number of others were wounded. The division embarked on the normal recovery processes to recover the wounded soldiers for treatment and to evacuate the bodies of those killed to the

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI BUJA—THE Nige rian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to foreclose the option of dialogue with the Boko Haram Islamic sect, with a view to securing the release of over 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State.

The association, at the end of an executive committee meeting in Abuja, insisted that Jonathan should not sleep with his two eyes closed until the problem of terrorism is dealt with conclusively.

“There is something called burden of leadership, and it is by choice.

Once you have chosen to seek to serve at any level, and more particularly, at the level of the presidency of a great country like Nigeria, with its good, bad and ugly, I am sorry to say that you have bid sleeping with two eyes closed, good night”, the National President of the association, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, stated.

Besides, NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, commended all the foreign governments that have so far offered their assistance towards securing the release of the school girls, even as it noted that terrorism is an international phenomenon that has no borders.

According to NBA: “While we agree that the

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terrorist sect Boko Haram should be routed out, we also advise that no option should be foreclosed in enthroning peace.

“History has taught us that constructive engagement of such insurgents has sometimes yielded dividends. All the years of terrorism in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland were brought to an end by the 1998 Goodfriday Agreement, brokered by the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Tony Blair. Many of us in the Niger Delta will tell you that we did not believe that the amnesty programme of the Federal Government would bring any peace in the region, but it did.

“If as a nation we had paid this much attention to the activities of Boko Haram and terrorism generally, we definitely would not be where we are today, but like they say, it’s better late than never. This is no time for buck-passing or attribution of faults or blames.

“This is a moment of solidarity, patriotism and support for the efforts to deal with a national problem, no politics or religiosity. Terrorism, as Nyanya bomb blast has shown, does not know religion, tribes or political party membership.

“We also do not think that this is a time of setting up of panels of enquiry; let us bring back the girls first, and then we can start with our usual rituals of panels to

find out the circumstances of these abductions. In the midst of International collaboration, to find the girls and bring them back home, such enquiries may very well be a distraction.

“No wonder some of those on the panel from Borno State had boycotted the inauguration of the Committee. Some of the military personnel involved in the search for the girls, may very well be those to appear before such panels.

“We believe that the military has its methodology of dealing with such issues via the court marshal system if proven. We also believe that Service Chiefs and the Military High Command still have our confidence, unless of course, if they have lost the President’s confidence, then, we trust that he surely knows what to do.

“The NBA calls on the Federal Government to pay more attention to our borders with a view to securing them.

“The NBA calls on the government to review its strategy on terror. This current strategy is not working in spite of Trillions of Naira being expended on security. In March, 2014, the National Security Adviser rolled out the soft approach to counter terrorism, which comprehensively weaves multistakeholder engagement strategies. The Bar hopes that this strategy works."

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

House wife docked over N3m fraud

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NUGU— THE Eco nomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a housewife, Mrs Chika Ugwuaja, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over alleged fraud of N3 million.

The accused was arraigned on a three-count charge of fraud, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

The prosecution counsel, Mr Innocent Mbachi, said the accused, who impersonated a member of staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), promised to procure admission into the university for her victims at a certain amount.

Mbachi said the accused committed an offence contrary to the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-related Offences Act No 14 of 2006 and punishable under the same Act. The accused also connived with some people and defrauded the victims, thereby committing an offence contrary to the Act. He alleged that the accused collected N200,000 for medicine, law and engineering courses while management, social sciences and other courses cost N100,000 for each candidate.

Mbachi said the accused collected N3 million since 2008 and when the candidates did not get the admission she urged them to wait for the following year.

He said the victims paid the money into two bank accounts belonging to the accused.

Mbachi said up till now, the accused had not given the victims either the admission or their money.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Ogbonna Aleke, said her client was not a house wife but a business woman who sold second-hand clothes.

He said the accused gave out some clothes on credit to her customers which they paid into her account.

According to him, the money paid into her client's account was the money she was being owed by her customers.

“My client is not even a graduate not to talk of involving herself in admission deals," he said.

Justice Dorothy Agishi adjourned the case till June 12.

Police nab member of 6-man robbery gang in Lagos

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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AGOS — A MEMBER of the six-man armed robbery gang said to be terrorising Ajangbadi, Shibiri, a Lagos suburb and its environs, has been nabbed by security operatives.

The suspect was arrested following a tip-off by residents, when the gang operated along Imude road, Shibiri.

Although five members of the gang escaped, four locally-made shotguns and cartridges were recovered from the arrested suspect, simply identified as Kabiru.

Vanguard gathered that the gang began operation at 9 p.m., robbing residents and shop owners in the area, including one Alhaja Musura Haziz.

However, when the gang retired to share loot at an uncompleted building close to Kabiru's mother's house, a resident (names withheld) alerted Neighbourhood Watch members who were on routine patrol.

Kabiru was arrested while the others escaped. He was handed over to Policemen at Ilemba Hausa police station.

The suspect, Kabiru with his gang's operational motorcycles. (INSET): Locally-made short guns and cartridges recovered.

Victim’s account

One of the victims simply called Alhaja said: "Two commercial motorcycles with two passengers each, stopped in front of my shop. One of them brought out a gun and said I should co-operate or he would shoot my seven-year-old child.

I got really scared because he was pointing the gun towards

my child. The other three also had guns.

"I brought out my sales proceeds of N17,000 which they took, in addition to my gold necklace worth N35,000 and my mobile phone handset.

"While they were still operating, my friend who had a bar opposite, noticed the

unusual movement, walked in and asked what the problem was.

"When she got close, one of the robbers threatened and ordered her out."

Vanguard learnt that the suspect has been transferred from Ilemba Hausa police station to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja.

EFCC arraigns Anambra ex-commissioner, over N108m theft

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BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Anambra State, Okey Aroh, over an alleged N108 million theft.

Aroh appeared alongside an alleged accomplice,

Abimbola Oluwaniyi, before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court.

The defendants are facing a six-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and uttering.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Omeiza Adebola, alleged that the defendants conspired to steal the money belonging to their former employer, an old genera-

Court remands 2 siblings, another for murder

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BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — A magis trate's court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, yesterday, remanded two siblings and their friend for allegedly killing a man identified as Yusuf Jubril.

The two brothers, Abdulahi Aliu and Sheu Aliu were arraigned alongside their friend, Musa Ahmadu, before the magistrate's court for allegedly macheting Jubril to death.

The prosecutor, Sunday

Eigbejiale told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 30, 2013 at Rounder area in Abeokuta.

Eigbejiale said the accused are facing two-count charge of conspiracy and murder which he said are contrary to and punishable under Sections 324, 316 and 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The Chief Magistrate, Martins Akinyemi, remanded the three accused in prison pending the advice by the Ministry of Justice.

Akinyemi, however, adjourned the case till October 8, 2014.

tion bank, between June 2008 and July 2009.

Adebola said Aroh was the manager, while Oluwaniyi was a Relationship Officer of the bank's Oke-Arin branch in Lagos, when they allegedly committed the offences.

According to him, the defendants also forged two certificates of deposit purportedly issued by the bank to facilitate the theft.

He said their offences breached Sections 390 (7) (9), 467,468 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

The offence of stealing attracts between seven and 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.

Both defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Moving the application for bail filed by Aroh, his counsel, Mr Vincent Nwana, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms.

Nwana argued that the charge arose out of loans

granted by the defendants when they were employees of the bank.

In her ruling, the judge granted Aroh bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties paying N2 million each.

She said the money should be paid by a bank draft drawn in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court and should be deposited into an interest-yielding account.

According to her, one of the sureties must be a blood relation while both sureties should be resident in Lagos State.

Ipaye further directed that the sureties should be gainfully employed and must produce three years tax clearance payable to the state government.

The judge also granted Oluwaniyi bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties who must be resident in Lagos State.

She said one of the sureties must be a blood relation, while both of them must also produce three years tax clearance payable to the state government.

The matter was adjourned till July 3, 8 and 11 for trial.

Vanguard, FRDAY, MAY 16, 2014—7

Gunmen kill one, injure five in Bauchi

BY SUZAN EDEH

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DANGER: An overloaded boat whose passengers were not wearing life jackets at the Marina area of Badagry, Lagos State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Bomb scare on Lagos Island

BY EVELYN USMAN, MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO & ESTHER ONYEGBULA

Ogun Police arrest 45 suspects over ‘jungle justice’

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AGOS — BUSINESS activi ties were disrupted on Lagos Island, yesterday, following an alarm that an explosive had been planted in a market on the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Street.

Alarmed traders and residents ran in different directions for fear of being caught in the explosion.

However, the Lagos Police Command has described the alarm as false.

Reports had it that the substance suspected to be a grenade was discovered in front of a company along Nnamdi Azikiwe Street.

An unconfirmed report also said the combustive substance was programmed to explode in three hours time from the time it was discovered.

It was also gathered that the substance was sighted barely after a man had finished giving alms to beggars around the area, after which he advised them to immediately leave the place before he zoomed off.

Calls and text messages were sent to loved ones to avoid Lagos Island.

During the confusion, some policemen attached to banks around the area were said to have advised people to vacate the scene.

Just then, a foreigner was reportedly seen attempting to go to the barricaded area. An official of the Central Business District, CBD, according to eye witnesses, apprehended the unidentified man and handed him over to the police.

No cause for alarm —Police

However, when spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, was contacted, she stated that there was no bomb at the Island, explaining that when the substance was taken for analysis by officials of

AUCHI — GUNMEN, yesterday, killed one person and injured five others in Koro Dodo and Gobiya village in Bauchi State.

The gunmen, whose number could not be ascertained, killed a motorcycle rider with a machete just as they critically injured the driver of a Peugeot 806 who was returning from a market in Bogoro Local Government Area along with four other people in the vehicle.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said three expended live ammunition of 7.62mm was recovered at the scene and investigation is on top gear to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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Anti-bomb Police Squad preparing to remove a strange object suspected to be an explosive device at Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Idumota, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN. analysis, where it was discovthe Anti-Bomb Unit, it was dis- nothing like bomb in Lagos. ered not to be a bomb afterall. covered to be a sealant (indus- What happened was that some There was nothing suggestive trial glue). She, however, appre- people saw an object abandoned of combustive substance. ciated the person that raised the on the floor and alerted the PoIt was discovered to be a sealalarm, saying it showed that lice. We deployed operatives from ant.

They are used in industries Lagosians were being security the Anti-Bomb Unit who went to and for fixing ships when there the scene, cordoned off the area, conscious . is leakage. Lagos is safe. There According to her: "There was got the bag and took it away for is no cause for alarm."

One dies, 3 injured as vehicle plunges into canal

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — TRAGEDY struck in Lagos, Wednesday night, as an unidentified person was confirmed dead and three others injured when a vehicle plunged into a canal at Pleasure bus stop on Abeokuta expressway, Agbado-Okeodo Local Council Development Area, LCDA. While this was happening, two houses at 27, Odunjo Street, Aguda in Surulere and Court Estate, Alagomeji in Yaba Local Government Area, were engulfed by fire, destroying property which worth could not be quantified.

Vanguard gathered that the

Nissan Sony car with number plate, PST 496 CD, plunged into the canal at about 11:47 pm during the downpour which lasted for over four hours across the state.

Eyewitness said the vehicle which was on high speed could not wade through the heavy flood which took over the road during the downpour which started at about 7:30 pm.

It was further learnt that efforts by the driver to manoeuvre through the flood proved abortive, causing it to plunge into the canal.

Confirming the accident, Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasak Fadipe, said "when we arrived at the scene,

we couldn't rescue the occupants of the vehicle immediately because the car was covered by the flood.

"Immediately we noticed this, we embarked on search and rescue operation. This was because at that time, it was still raining heavily. And part of our search and rescue operation was to excavate the water. This was when we were able to recover the dead person and rescue three others,” he added.

On the fire, Fadipe explained that both houses were engulfed by fire but with the quick intervention of the fire-fighters, the fire was curtailed from spreading, adding: "We were able to save a lot of property."

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, read the riot act over the incessant killings of suspected kidnappers and ritualists by mobs in the state.

It, however, said no fewer than 45 suspects had been arrested in connection with the alleged killing of people suspected to be kidnappers and ritualists in the state since April.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, stated these during a press briefing at the state Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Okoye, who condemned the act which he described as jungle justice, vowed that "anyone caught will not be spared and will be made to face the full wrath of the law."

The CP also lamented that the command had recorded seven incidents in various places in the state including Adigbe in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ijaye, Lafenwa and Kugba in Abeokuta North Local Government Area.

Other places where such incidents occurred, according to the Commissioner were Igbeba in Ijebu-Ode, Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ilese-Ijebu in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area and Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Jonathan to visit Chibok, troops today

BY BEN AGANDE & DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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BUJA— PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to visit Borno State today to assess the security situation and possibly visit troops deployed there.

The President is expected to leave Maiduguri for France, where he is expected to attend a regional security summit that involves France, Chad and Niger.

There were reports that the President may also visit Chibok, where the abduction of over 200 girls from a

z Insurgency affecting economy — OKONJO-IWEALA secondary school sparked international condemnation and outrage.

The incidence has attracted multinational support from USA, Britain, France, Israel and China to assist Nigeria’s rescue efforts.

A statement by Dr Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity said President Jonathan will be joined at the summit by heads of state and government of Benin

Republic, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

The statement added that Britain, the United States of America and the European Union will be represented at the talks which will give special attention to the coordination and intensification of efforts to curtail the destabilising activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

It said: “President Jonathan, who will be

Service chiefs vow to bring back Chibok schoolgirls

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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HE service chiefs, yesterday, said the abducted Chibok schoolgirls will be rescued and the war against insurgency won, while endorsing the Presidential Fact Finding Committee on the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

They noted that the committee, by its terms of reference, would help reveal to the world an accurate account of the mass kidnap that had roused global outrage and precipitated the offer of help from some major powers.

The service chiefs spoke when members of the committee held an intensive interaction with the top brass of the military in Abuja yesterday.

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, at the occasion thanked members of the committee for taking on the assignment, saying that the task of the committee would give them some relief if it could deliver on its mandate.

He said: “It will give us respite if you are able to get to the root of all that has happened.

“Everybody thinks this war is for the military alone. It is a war for all of us. Soldiers do not fight wars on their own. It is a nation that goes to war.”

He expressed the hope that with current efforts and support, “we shall win the war and bring back our girls.”

While thanking the service chiefs for the insight provided, the Chairman of the Fact finding Committee, Gen. Sabo (rtd.), frowned at the disparagement of the country’s Armed Forces, and commiserated with the services on the officers that

lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.

In a separate meeting with the Department of State Services, DSS, its Director General, Mr.

Ekoenyong Ita, gave a detailed brief on the department’s anti-terrorism efforts, which he said had led to several arrests and the bust of terror threats and plots.

accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Lt Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd.); National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and other principal aides and advisers, will return to Abuja at the conclusion of the summit on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has admitted that the current Boko Haram insurgency is a problem and a challenge that is adversely affecting the economic growth of the country.

Okonjo Iweala said, however, that with the current efforts of the Federal Government and foreign assistance, the war against terrorists would be tackled and Nigeria would experience the desired development it deserved.

The Minister said this yesterday while fielding

questions from newsmen in Ilorin, shortly after unveiling the distribution of PC Tablet to 100 students of the University of Ilorin and the official flag off of the oil palm plantation for the institution.

According to Okonjo Iweala, “this is a global problem and we must come together as a country to tackle this problem. We have to admit that insecurity is a problem and challenge which we must grapple with and deal with, but remember that majority of the country is functioning and let us not lose sight of that.

“That gives those of us who are not directly affected an opportunity to think of our brothers and sisters in areas where there are security challenges; to pray with them, to support the government and our military who are putting their lives on the line to end the menace.

“We should also be hopeful; we are not alone.”

STATE OF EMERGENCY: From left— Mr. John Onyeriri; Zakare Mohammed, Chairman; Victor Ogene, Deputy Chairman, both of House of Representatives Committee on Media and Publicity; Ibrahim El-Sudi and Imam Imam, Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker, briefing newsmen on the outcome of the House's meeting with service chiefs at National Assembly in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

FG to release white paper on polytechnics, COEDs

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HE Federal Government has said that it would soon release the white papers on the last visitation panels on federal polytechnics in the country and the reports of Needs Assessments Committees on polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.

The Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, made this known during a meeting of the committee set to bridge

the gap between Higher National Diploma, HND, and first degree with other stakeholders in Abuja yesterday.

Wike said with the release of the two documents, members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, would “appreciate the Federal Government’s position,” and call off their 10 months old strike in the interest of the nation.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant, Media,

to Wike, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, the Minister also assured that the strike actions by ASUP and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union are resolved in the shortest possible time.

Those who attended the meeting chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education were representatives of ASUP, National Board for Technical Education, NBTE; National

Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE; National Universities Commission, NUC; Federal Ministry of Labour and the Director, Tertiary Education Department in the Federal Ministry of Education.

Nwakaudu said the committee, which was charged with the responsibility of addressing one of the key demands of ASUP to end the strike, was already working out the required framework to achieve the goal.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 —9

CBN bans banks' charges for withdrawal

VISIT: PresidentGeneral, Ogoni Democratic Movement, ODM, Godwin Bazari (middle), the One-eh Eleme, King Samuel Ejire, during a courtesy call on the king, yesterday.

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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SHETTIMA TO FG: You must negotiate with Boko Haram zDescribes insurgents as bunch of lunatics zWe’ve lost much to political infighting— EZEKWESILI

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OVERNOR Kassim Shettima of Borno State has said that if negotiating with the Boko Haram sect would bring back the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, the Federal Government should not ignore the option.

He also regretted that it took President Goodluck Jonathan three weeks to reach out to him on the matter.

Shettima, who said this in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour yesterday, decried the decision of President Jonathan not to go into negotiation with the insurgents, noting that the nation had no option.

He said: “Do we have any other option? If I have to talk to the devil to secure the release of the girls, I will do so. President Jonathan did not act on time and did not talk to me over the kidnappings until 19 days after.’’

The governor, who belongs to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, described Boko Haram militants as a “bunch of lunatics.”

Also speaking to CNN’s Aisha Sassay, a former Education Minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili, supported negotiating with the insurgents, but cautioned that the goal of the conversation should be to bring the girls back.

She said: “In many ways we hear about the conversation about negotiation.

Understanding the kinds of options that are available, the downside of the options among others will enable us see the options open to us.

“Despite all these, the bottom

line is that we want the girls released. We should be engaged in the negotiations.

It should, however, be favourable to us. Whatever we do should result in an end game, which is that our girls should be brought back

alive.”

She further regretted that the matter had assumed a political dimension, noting that the Federal and Bornu State governments were working at cross purposes.

She said: “When we

interacted with officials of the Federal Government and Borno State, it became clear that we are dealing with a situation where there is a complete breakdown of trust between them.

“We have lost so much to political in-fighting.

Everyone should insubordinate their infighting and concentrate on bringing back the girls.”

APC begins search for chairman as Akande steps down

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

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HE interim national chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande, is to remove himself from seeking the office in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

His decision not to contest despite appeals from senior party figures, including a prominent national leader, would open the way for the implementation of the recommendation of the party ’s governors that the office be moved out of the South-West to the South-South or South-East.

Already, party elders, it was learnt, are canvassing two prominent figures from Edo State— Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun— as replacement for Akande, who has been commended for his stabilising role in the merger of the former Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, into APC. It was the first successful

merger of registered political parties in post independent Nigeria.

Akande, who has successfully steered the affairs of the party towards becoming the opposition party, sources in the party say, would step aside based on age.

Chief Akande was, however, reticent yesterday saying that the issue is not for the press.

“What I have in mind to do for now is not for the pages of the newspaper,” Akande, a former governor of Osun State told Vanguard yesterday.

Akande, it was learnt, had even before the merger inclined himself to only serving as an interim national chairman.

Aged 75, he had served as deputy governor to the late Chief Bola Ige who was governor of the old Oyo State between 1979 and 1983 and was eventually elected governor of Osun State in 1999.

With Akande out of the way, party sources revealed, shopping for a new chairman has begun with Ikimi and

Odigie-Oyegun topping the list.

However, chances of Ikimi receiving the open support of the influential South-West wing of the party narrowed on Tuesday after the shouting match between him and a national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, has banned banks from charging customers for making cash withdrawal of any amount over the counter.

The apex bank also clarified the directive that banks should destroy trapped automated teller machines, ATM, cards.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum, NeFF, in Lagos yesterday, Director, Banking and Payment System, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, said: “Charges for cash withdrawal has been abolished.

“There is a circular abolishing charging customers for cash withdrawal of any amount. That guideline came with the circular that we issued last year.

“That circular said that cheques to third party customers above N150,000 cannot be cashed over the counter.

We came out with that regulation last year.

“By third party we mean somebody that is not the owner of that account. It is in that same circular that we abolished charging customers for withdrawing cash of any amount over the counter.”

PENGASSAN suspends strike

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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BUJA—FOLLOWING a meeting with officials of the Federal Government, leaders of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has suspended the planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin yesterday over oil theft, vandalism, state of the nation’s refineries, among others.

The meeting, summoned by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, was attended

by Permanent Secretaries, ministries of Petroleum

Resources and Labour, Mr. Danladi Kifasi and Dr. Clement Illoh, respectively; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, among others, in Abuja, on Monday.

PENGASSAN had, on April 9 and 22, petitioned the Minister of Labour, detailing some issues of concerns to members and demanded that they be addressed before May 15, or it would declare a nationwide strike.

The letters centred on execution of the refineries maintenance, joint venture, counterpart funding, among others.

10— Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Fashola tasks children on climate change

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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A G O S — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday urged children worldwide to join hands in the fight against climate change, saying such would engender shared knowledge and best practices in tackling the challenge of climate change.

Fashola, while reiterating the vulnerability of the state to the negative effects of global warming, urged residents especially, the young ones to be part of the strategic and complementary efforts by the state government at correcting the mistakes of the past.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Fashola spoke at the sixth anniversary of Climate Change Clubs in Lagos State Schools, with the theme: “Children across boundaries unite to combat climate change” at the Nigeria Police College.

According to him, “Climate change is a global challenge that transcends borders as a result of which it has become collective responsibility among global players. The theme is timely wake up call inviting all our young ones globally to join hands in the fight against climate change.”

Oba of Lagos endorses Ambode as Fashola’s successor

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AGOS—THE Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday said Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was a suitable successor to Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Akiolu spoke at the launch of a book on the biography of Ambode, “The Art of Selfless Service,” written by Maria Osoba, a book that tells the story of Ambode and the need to leave an enduring legacy.

At the event, Akiolu urged other governorship aspirants of the APC in the state to give Ambode a chance, saying "when the APC leader, Bola Tinubu, chose Fashola in 2007 to succeed him,

it was met with stiff opposition but today Tinubu has been justified.

We see a similar character like Governor Fashola in Ambode.”

“You people know me well that I do not hide my feelings on where I stand on issues. We the royal fathers have consulted widely within the state with the sons and daughters of Lagos and have come to the conclusion that the best person to take over from Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the iconic governor of Lagos State is Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

“We cannot have a man like this and allow somebody whose father is an Oba in Ewekoro, Ogun State be the Governor of Lagos.

Although Lagos State belongs to all Nigerians and the state will

continue to offer opportunities to every Nigerian to actualise the Nigerian dream, Ambode remains the best man with the required pedigree and character to take Lagos to the next level.”

Akiolu said that all other aspirants of the party were great but God and the elders had chosen Ambode, stressing that “the APC can go ahead with their primaries but the elders of the state have met and agreed that Ambode should be the next governor of Lagos.”

Speaking, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by Mrs. Arthur Worrey, the former commissioner of Lands in Lagos, described Ambode as an industrious public servant who developed the

template for the re-engineering of the financial sector of Lagos.

He recalled with nostalgia that Ambode did not only re-engineer the finances of Lagos, but also develop the blueprint on how Lagos survived when former president Olusegun Obasanjo, unconstitutionally seized the local government funds from the federation account.

In his speech, Governor Fashola, represented by Dr. Oluranti Adebule, the Secretary to the State Government, commended Ambode for his selfless service to Lagos. He noted his exemplary dedication to duty while he served under him as the state Accountant General, describing him as a diligent and hardworking administrator.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode appreciated the Oba of Lagos and other royal fathers; the retinue of guest and important dignitaries for not only gracing the occasion but for their kind words for him.

No plan to enforce marital HIV test —NACA

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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COMMISSIONING: From left—Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela, Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Chief Muftau Ajibola and Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government Council, Mr. Taofeek Olabode, during the cutting of the tape to commission a block of toilets donated to Oke-Ona United Primary School, Ikereku, Abeokuta, donated by Olaniyonu, a former pupil of the school.

NIWA pegs locally-made boats’ age at 10 years

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & GODWIN ORITSE

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ATIONAL Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, yesterday banned locally made boats above 10 years old from operating on the nation’s inland waterways.

Announcing the ban in Lagos at a seminar on “Safety and Awareness Campaign,” NIWA's Managing Director, Inna Ciroma, said it was one of the measures being introduced by her management to curb increasing cases of boat mishaps on the nation’s waterways.

According to her, "other measures

are; operators and passengers must wear life jacket before boarding a boat, canoe or ferry; all boat operators should avoid carrying excess passengers; only trained and certified captains should operate ferries and boat and that standard regulations allow boats/ferries to move from 6am to 6pm.

"Others include, ban on consumption of alcohol before and during boat ride, all passengers and the captains must be safety-conscious and alert; boat operators should avoid over speeding and others."

Lagos records reduction in infant mortality

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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HE Lagos State government yesterday announced a reduction in its under-5 and infant mortality rates from 157 per 1,000 live births and 75 per 1,000 live births in 2008 to 65 per 1,000 live births and 45 per 1,000 live births.

This came as the government said

it would begin its 2014 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, MNCH, Week next week.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, who released the breakdown to herald the MNCH Week to begin Monday, May 19, said MNCH was aimed at meeting the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs 4 and 5 in the state.

HE National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has refuted reports insinuating that the new National HIV/AIDS Prevention Plan compels intending couples to carry out mandatory HIV test, as a precondition for marriage.

In the refuttal, Chief Communications Officer, NACA, Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, said the new National HIV/ AIDS Prevention Plan did not have any part that stipulated or recommended compulsory HIV testing for intending couples or any group or individuals.

“We wish to clarify that, no part of the newly developed National HIV Prevention Plan stipulates or recommends compulsory HIV testing for intending couples or any group or individuals.

“The national HIV prevention Plan is essentially a strategic document designed to provide direction for HIV prevention programming in the country. It focuses on ensuring that the prevention priorities and goals set by the country and the President’s comprehensive response plan, PCRP, are achieved,” Aderibigbe noted.

She recalled that following a stakeholders meeting to validate content of the National Prevention plan, Director of Bauchi State Agency for the Control of AIDS, BASACA, Dr Yakubu Abuabakar, was allegedly quoted to have said an intending couple would be made to undergo compulsory HIV test before getting married.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—11

Armed men storm ‘deposed' Ado-Ekiti chief's house

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI—SOME armed men yesterday stormed the palace of the allegedly deposed Edemo of Ado Ekiti, Chief Bamidele Aduloju in Odo-Ado area of the state capital.

Although the circumstance of the invasion was unclear at press time, it will be recalled that the Ewi last Wednesday installed a 27-year-old Dayo Fajemilua as the new Edemo of Ado Ekiti Yesterday’s development led to the high chief taking refuge in police station.

Vanguard gathered that armed youths, in the early hours stormed Edemo’s palace, shooting indiscriminately into the air and attacking anyone sighted.

The embattled chief was not at home when the incident occurred, as he had gone to follow up his earlier complaints about the incident to the police and state government.

But, one of his sons, Sunday told Vanguard that he was with his father when the attack occurred and he and his father had to take refuge at Okesa police station.

“We were going for a meeting when we saw at least 40 armed men marching towards our place and by the time we were going back home, we heard sporadic gunshots coming from our compound. I had to take my father to Okesa Police Station where we slept,” he said.

According to Sunday, the incident might not be unconnected with the refusal of his father to trade the family land in Ago Aduloju, a suburb of the town Aduloju was still at the police headquarters as at the press time, while the state government was said to have waded into the matter.

Meanwhile, the police has vowed to deal with anybody trying to cause crisis in the state.

According to the police image maker in the state, Mr Victor Babayemi said police would not take side with any group in a matter he described as “purely chieftaincy matter which is not being properly managed.

From left, DHL Country Commercial Manager, Chrysanthus Okere; Wecyclers CEO, Bilikiss-AdebiyiAbiola; DHL Country Manager, Randy Buday at the donation of a van to Wecyclers by DHL in Lagos.

Don’t rig Osun guber polls for me – AREGBESOLA

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN–AHEAD of the August 9, gubernatorial election in Osun State, governor Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday told the people of the state not to rig for him, but allow the achievements of his administration influence their judgments during the election.

Governor Aregbesola spoke in Ibadan at the monthly guest forum organised by the Oyo State Correspondents’ Chapel.

Represented by Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Professor Olubukola Oyawoye, the governor advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to use card reader to check multiple voting, urging the federal government not to interfere in the election.

He said based on the performance of his government, Osun State indigenes were wise enough to decide who they wanted as their governor in 2014.

Ekti PDP faults reinstatement of sacked council workers

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO EKITI–THE Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday faulted Governor Kayode Fayemi, over the reinstatement of council officials sacked by his administration two years ago.

Fayemi had laid off some council officials, including Directors of Administration, treasurers, engineers and other top officials of local governments in the state about two years ago.

PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole in Ado-Ekiti, urged Fayemi to explain why they were sacked in the first place.

Terrorism, a social menace – AMOSUN

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OVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has described terrorism as a social menace.

Amosun said this while receiving the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson in his OkeMosan, Abeokuta office yesterday.

He also said insurgency was a bane to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, especially in the North Eastern part of the country.

The governor, while calling for a united force to fight the menace, appreciated the Australian government’s collaborative efforts with the international community to fight terrorism, praying for quick restoration of peace in troubled areas.

Amosun told his visitor that Ogun is presently the most industrial-based state in the country and it had established significant existing relationship with reputable firms, adding that the state was in talks with partners to engender capital investments and viable developmental programmes for the state.

Reacting, Richardson said his countryis ready to join forces with other countries to fight international terrorism and ensure development in Nigeria and Ogun State.

Ondo to partner OPS to develop non-oil business

BY SEGUN OLATUNJI

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KURE–ONDO State government yesterday promised to work with the private sector in promoting businesses in the development of non-oil sector of the state economy.

Commerce and Industry Commissioner, Adenike Ademujimi said this in Akure at a one-day Export Awareness seminar organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.

The seminar is entitled “Non-oil export as a catalyst for economic growth.”

Ademujimi explained that the state government would continue to provide necessary enabling environment to encourage the private sector to lead in economic development.

The Commissioner decried the nation’s dependence on crude oil as its major source of revenue.

12 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—13

FIRS FORUM From left: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group Plc; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Mr. Kabir Mashi, Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service; Mr. Babs Omotowa, MD/CEO, Nigeria LNG Limited and Frank Nweke-II, Director General, Nigeria Economyic Summit Group, during the Federal Inland Revenue Service,Stakeholders Engagement Forum, Lagos 2014 Collaborating with Stakeholders to Improve Nigerian Tax system, in Lagos yesterday.

From left: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group Plc; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance; Mr. Kabir Mashi, Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service and Mr. Babs Omotowa, MD/CEO, Nigeria LNG Limited, at the occasion. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Money laundering: Ibori has case to answer —Appeal Court

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—SIX years after Justice Marcel Awokulehin of a Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State,

struck out the 170-count charge of money laundering preffered against former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Com-

mission, EFCC, the Appeal Court, sitting in Benin, Edo State, yesterday held that the former governor has a case to answer.

It will be recalled that

Justice Awokulehin of the trial court, had on December 16 2009, discharged and acquitted the former governor over allegation of money laundering.

2015: Hausa community, Orashi region in Rivers back call for Ogoni gov

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HE Hausa community and people of Orashi region in Rivers State have declared their support for the clamour by Ogoni ethnic nationality to produce the governor of the state, come 2015.

Leader of Hausa community in Eleme Local Government Area, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani, and the President, Orashi Ethnic Nationality Council, OENC, Mr. Kingsley Frank, made the declaration at the inauguration of Eleme council chapter of Ogoni Democratic Movement, ODM. “On behalf of the Hausa community from the 19 Northern states and Abuja, we give our total support for the emergence of an Ogoni as the next governor of Rivers State. We stand by ODM. Whatever your programme is, inform our office and we will mobilise 100 percent in support of same,” Tijani said.

On his part, OENC President, Mr. Frank, described the clamour by Ogoni to produce a successor to Governor Rotimi Amaechi as noble, saying that allowing an Ogoni to emerge as governor in 2015 will serve as compensation for the sacrifices they made to bring the Niger Delta region to international scene, including the killing of Ken SaroWiwa and others.

“In 1999, in order to compensate the Yoruba over the

June 12 issue and the death of Chief Moshood Abiola, all political parties in Nigeria fielded a Yoruba presidential candidates, leading to the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as president. There is the need to compensate the people of Ogoni for the sacrifices they have made, including the death of Saro Wiwa and others, there-

by bringing the Niger Delta struggle to international attention.”

In his address, PresidentGeneral of ODM, Mr. Godwin Bazari, said it will take the people of Ogoni another 20 years to demand for governorship, should they fail to actualizing it now, regretting that the Eleme axis

of the East-West Road had remained unattended to, because it was on Ogoni soil.

Earlier, Chairman, Eleme council, Mr. Oji Ngofa, represented by his Supervisor for Works, Abusemi Ngei, assured that the government and people of Eleme will do all within their power to ensure that an Ogoni takes over from Amaechi in 2015.

Warri South LEA donates teaching aids to 37 schools

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ARRI—THE Warri South Local Government Local Education Authority, LEA, Delta State, has donated teaching aids worth over N400,000 to the 37 public primary schools in the council.

Speaking shortly before the presentation, the Head of Personnel Management, LEA, Warri council, Mrs. Ekpe Rhoda, described the gesture as one put together to complement the state government’s developmental strides in education.

According to her, the transformation of public schools in the state to international standard by the Uduaghan administration has led to 100 per cent increase in admission into public schools.

Expressing optimism that the teaching aids will be judiciously used by the 37 benefiting primary schools, Mrs. Ekpe said that by September 2014, the Warri South LEA will also distribute diaries and registers to

public primary schools in its renewed vigour to boost the standard of basic education in Warri South.

The Head of Department, Quality Assurance, Warri South LEA, Mrs. Enaregha Queen, expressed belief that the donation of the teaching aids would improve teaching and learning in the schools.

The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT,

Warri South council, Eburajolo Ada Vero and the Head of Head Teachers in Warri South, Evangelist Lori Patrick, in their responses on behalf of other teachers, described the gesture by the LEA Warri South as the first of its kind in the local government area and promised that the teaching aids would be put to judicious use.

DESOPADEC commissions water project in Ndokwa

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HE Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Develpoment Commission, DESOPADEC, Sir Ken Okolugbo, has charged the people of Innam Abbi to remain grateful to Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the water project commis-

sioned in their community on May 14.

He noted that every household has a tap point from the 40,000 litre capacity solar powered bore hole.

The project has brought joy to the people of Innam Abbi who had before now complained of lack of government presence.

But the EFCC, which arrested Ibori in 2007 after accusing him of embezzling over N140 million while in office, appealed the judgment, which it described as “hazy.”

However, in a unanimous judgment, read by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the appellate court set aside the ruling of Justice Awokulehin of the Federal High Court.

The Appeal Court held that the Federal High erred in law when it declared that Ibori has no case to answer, saying that the allegations levelled against him should be re-tried by the court.

EFCC had insisted that the proof of evidence adduced before the court clearly showed that a prima facie case had been established against the accused/ respondent and that the trial judge erred when he held that no case was disclosed against the accused/ respondent.

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

UNN workers' unions despise VC’s litigation threat

BY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU — THE three workers’ unions at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, have described as laughable plans by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, to drag them to court for alleged libel.

The unions have also announced plans to shun every activity lined up to mark the end of Okolo’s administration by next month.

Chairmen of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Abada, Comrade Geoffrey Ugwu and Comrade Paul Erua, respectively, who briefed newsmen, yesterday, chided Okolo for leaving substance to pursue shadow.

APC wants Obiano to clarify N74bn Obi 'left' in Anambra's coffers

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA — DRIVEN by the need to clarify the current financial status of Anambra State, the state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday called on Governor Willie Obiano to publicly confirm or debunk the state of finances in the government’s coffers pronounced by the immediate past governor, Peter Obi. Obi had within a few days to his exit, told Ndi-Anambra at a town hall meeting in Awka that his administration was leaving about N74 billion in the state coffers, including cash, investments and materials.

But in a press statement issued, yesterday, by state Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife, APC explained that the clarification became imperative, in view of the fact that speculations were rife all over the state that between the past Obi’s and present Obiano’s administrations, there had been something deep to hide about the state of the finance.

Lake Resort Centre, Agulu and the Orient Petroleum Company at Aguleri ”It is our firm view that seven days are substantial enough for a sincere government to avail the public of these facts, particularly where the information sought to be clarified is within the public domain, insisting that nothing less than a prompt response within this time frame would be acceptable to Ndi Anambra, in the best interest of both the leaders and the led,” the parMEETING: From left, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chief of Naval ty stated.

APC also challenged the state government to clarify the investment status of the state as corporate entity in some of the major existing investment companies in

the state, including the SABmiller Breweries, Onitsha; a shopping mall on old Ikenga Hotel site, Onitsha; another shopping mall at GRA, Onitsha; the Agulu

Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin; Chief of Army Staff, Major General, Kenneth Minimah, and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, during a meeting with legislators on the proposed extension of state of emergency rule, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

8 docs, 4 nurses, 5 health workers affected by Lassa fever in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — NO fewer than eight doctors, four nurses and five health workers were, yesterday, feared to have contacted Lassa fever after they participated in operating a pregnant woman at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA. The pregnant woman and her baby (names withheld) who later died few days after they were discharged from the hospital, were suspected to have died of the deadly disease.

At a press conference, the state Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Chidi Esike, stated that the affected medical personnel had been moved to Specialist Hospital, Irrua, in Edo State for diagnosis and immediate medical attention.

According to him, the refusal of the Federal Government to provide a virology centre in the South East geopolitical zone of the country, in the face of overwhelming evidence of the need for such facility, had threatened the gains in the health sector.

He said: “The sad aspect of this whole saga is that since all these times that this woman and her child were

managed with several doctors, nurses and all kinds of health workers exposed to the risk of the deadly Lassa fever virus, we are still suspecting that we have cases of Lassa fever in our land. ”It is not sheer insensitivity to the plight of not just the medical doctors, but also other health workers in

Ebonyi State that today, 15th May, 2014, 17 health workers in the Federal TeachingHospital Abakaliki are suspected to be affected by Lassa fever; out of this number, we have eight doctors, four nurses, seven others have been rushed to Edo State for treatment.

Journalist becomes monarch of Idumuje Unor

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NDIGENES OF Idumuje Unor are set to welcome a new monarch as His Royal Majesty, Charles Chukwunwike Anyasi III receives his Staff of Office from Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State.

The coronation of Agbogidi Obi Anyasi on May 5, 2013 after the demise of his father, His Royal Majesty, on April 29, 2013, was remarkable as his father who was crowned in 1946, reputed to be one of the world’s longest reigning monarchs, in his life time.

The new monarch was reputable for his humour writing for the Concord Group which his famous Concord Laff column enjoyed large readership. According to a member of the Coronation Committee

Chief O.O. Biose: “His cutting-edge witty appearances, sometimes in satire, endeared him to many, particularly in intellectual circles.”

He said “as a prolific writer, Obi Anyasi’s writings span a broad literary spectrum. He has edited many journals and books. The Anioma nation is particularly enthralled by the coronation of a man they respect so highly.”

Chief Biose added: “The people of Idumuje-Unor have been excited as their many sons and daughters who have not seen the coronation of a monarch for over 60 years are trooping home to participate in the event and begin the process of relocating home to participate in the development of the town.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—15

Emergency rule: Senate to approve extension next Tuesday ...As Reps yesterday gave approval

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA — THE National Assembly looks set to approve President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for extension for another six months the state of emergency declared by the Federal Government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in May last year.

While there are strong indications that the Senate will approve the President’s request next week, the House of Representatives, yesterday, approved the President’s request after a three-hour closed door meeting with service chiefs in Abuja.

The Senate said, yesterday, it would have more consultations with relevant stakeholders on whether the extension should be approved after about three hours closed door session with the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Minister of Defence, Director General of Department of State Service, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector-General of Police.

Speaking after a closed door session, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said senators had a fruitful deliberation with the relevant security chiefs, adding that the Senate analysed the deliberations after they (security chiefs) left.

Ekweremadu said: “As responsible and patriotic Nigerians, we are looking at it from very diverse angles to ensure that the security situation in those states improve at the shortest possible time. ”Apart from that, the Senate

also agreed to do further consultations with all the necessary stakeholders to ensure that everybody could buy into whatever that is needed to be done to secure those states and defeat insurgency there. ”This is what transpired at our closed door session. So by Tuesday, we will continue our deliberation on the state of emergency and insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”

Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West, said that after meeting with the nation’s security chiefs, the Senate needed to ask more questions, especially as the senators representing the affected states where state of emergency was imposed, had raised fundamental issues which should be verified.

Also speaking to journalists, Senator Ahmed Lawan, representing Yobe North, said: “We have met to enable the senators rub minds and look at the situation and fashion a way forward.

What we have decided at the closed session even though I am not speaking for the Senate, I am speaking for myself, is that we should go for wider consultation and also that the President should also consult with the governors of the three states that are under the state of emergency at the moment which will expire.

“Also it is critical that communities where such activities of insurgency are taking place should continue to identify and support the military.

“They don’t have exactly what they need but yet they are doing their best and, therefore, what we need is not an extension of the state of emergency but giving

more resources to our forces to ensure that everything is brought under control.”

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who presided at plenary before putting the issue to a voice vote, said “we agreed yesterday,Wednesday, to vote on the extension of emergency rule and after an exhaustive meeting with the service chiefs on their operations so far, we agreed to vote on it.”

When he eventually put it to a voice, a thunderous ay carried the day.

Asked to respond on whether the welfare of the military was one of the issue discussed, spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, said”those who lost their lives in the operations that do not deserve gratuity were given because they paid the supreme price.“ However, before giving approval to the President’s request, members of the House of Representa-

tives were told by service chiefs that next year’s election might hold, saying Nigeria was at war.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who presided at plenary before putting the issue to a voice vote, said “ we agreed yesterday,Wednesday, to vote on the extension of emergency rule and after an exhaustive meeting with the service chiefs on their operations so far, we agreed to vote on it.”

When he eventually put it to a voice, a thunderous ay carried the day.

Briefing journalists after plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Media, Zakari Mohammed said: “In our meeting with the service chiefs we demanded for the progress report so far and from the feedback we got from them we decided to unanimously vote for the extension of the emergency rule."

Dangote warns against low quality cement

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — APPARENTLY disturbed by incidences of collapse buildings in the country, Dangote Cement Plc has warned of an imminent danger if Nigerian manufacturers were to be allowed to continue to produce low-grade cement.

Speaking at the Public Hearing of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on composition and pigmentation of cement product, Wednesday, Group Managing Director/ CEO of Dangote Cement, Mr. DVG Edwin, said Nigerians must choose between profit and saving lives.

Nyanya bombing: Sadiq’s father'll be prosecuted for terrorism, if... —FG The National Coordinator of National Briefing Centre on SeBUJA — FEDERAL Gov- curity, Mr Mike Omeri, stated ernment, yesterday, made this while briefing newsmen in it clear that it would not visit the Abuja, along side representasin committed by the alleged mas- tives of security agencies.

Omeri said: “Considering that termind of the Nyanya bombing, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, on his the extradition processes take father, Col. Agene Ogwuche, some times to conclude, the terunless the latter was found want- ror fugitive, Sadiq Ogwuche’s ing of terrorist related activities. arrival in Nigeria is still being The government also gave rea- awaited. ”Meanwhile, the relevant offison for the delay in extraditing cials are working round the clock the suspect, Sadiq Ogwuche, arto conclude the process and bring rested, Wednesday in Sudan, by Interpol to Nigeria, attributing it him back to the country. Further developments on this will be comto procedural matter.

BY CALEB AYANSINA

A

municated.”

The arrest was through the collaborative efforts of Interpol, DSS, Nigeria Police and the Military Attaché to the Nigerian High Commission in Sudan.

Ogwuche, who is a student of Arabic Language at the International University of Africa, Sudan, is a British born Nigerian who deserted the Army in 2006. His service number was SVC 95/104.

He served in the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos, between 2001 and 2006.

Ogwuche, a native of Orokan, Ogbadibo council of Benue State, was allegedly involved in terrorism, leading to his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on November 12, 2011, on arrival from the UK. However, he was released on bail to his father, retired Col. Agene Ogwuche, on October 15, 2012, following intense pressure from activists who alleged human rights violations.

Spokesperson of Department of State Service, DSS, Marilyn Ogar, noted that Sadiq' s father had been arrested, following his failure to produce his son, who he took on bail. ”The father who took him on bail, the day we could not get him to produce Ogwuche was taken also,” she said.

Asked why his father had not been dealt with by the government, the Police Image Maker, Frank Mba explained that Ogwuche’s father, Agene Ogwuche,

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Taraba govt procures 35 Toyota vans for police

BY JOHN MKOM

J

ALINGO — TARABA State government has procured 35 Toyota vehicles for the state police command to assist to enable it contain the ongoing communal crisis between the Fulani, Tiv and Jukun in the Southern and Central zones of the state.

Presenting the vehicles to the police at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, the state capital, the Acting Governor, Garba Umar asked the police to swing into action to ensure the return of peace.

Umar said that the state had so far provided 56 vehicles to various security agencies to help them eradicate crime and criminalities in the state.

However, this was even as some unidentified gunmen suspected to be Fulani helmsmen at Gazabu village in Bali Local Government Area allegedly macheted the Catechist of St. Paul Catholic Church Parish and him to death before burning his house.

JTF kills 60 B/Haram insurgents

BY ALIYU DANGIDA & NDAHI MARAMA

D

UTSE — NO fewer than 60 persons suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents have been confirmed dead, during a fierce battle between them and members of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, Wednesday night in Jigawa State.

The incident reportedly took place at the Lamba Forest in

Gwaram Local Government Area of the state.

This was confirmed by the Director of Press to Governor Sule Lamido of the state, Malam Umar Kyari in Dutse the state capital, yesterday.

Kyari said that the insurgents had earlier planted a bomb on the road leading to the forest, Monday night which exploded, killing three members of the JTF, inside a Toyota Hilux vehicle with many others sustaining serious

injuries.

However, in a reprisal attack on Wednesday night, soldiers attached to the JTF otherwise known as operation Salama were said to have surrounded and bombarded the forest which consequently led to the mass killing of the insurgents.

His words:-”Around 11 o’clock on Wednesday night, the military commander who led the operation, told Governor Lamido that over 60 corpses of the insurgent

Suswam accuses APC of making mockery of democracy

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI — GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has accused the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, of making mockery of democracy in the country.

Suswam said that the APC was being run by a cabal from their bed rooms, thereby deriding democratic tenets.

He spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday in an interview with newsmen yesterday, shortly after receiving the interim report of the Gen-

eral Lawrence Onoja (rtd.)led Benue South Senatorial Zone, Peace and Reconciliation Committee on the Benue farmers/Fulani herdsmen crisis.

His words, “ what you see happening in the APC is outright deceit and a mockery of democratic tenets; that is why you see the mass decamping ceremony across Benue state. ”The truth is that APC is a party that is owned by one person which accounts for why a single individual will sit in his bedroom and manufacture names that ought to

have emanated from a properly conducted congress. ”Our people are now wiser, we have very many prominent sons and daughters who saw deceit and have all decided to come back to the PDP where everyone is an equal joiner and also has a say.” ”They are decamping to the PDP across the state in large numbers, because every discerning mind, including the young ones know that the PDP has kept faith with the Nigerian Project.’’

Suswam then urged Nigerians to continue to support of President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to ensure an egalitarian society in the country.

were found scattered in the forest.”

In a related development, a group of gunmen suspected to be terrorists riding on four motorcycles invaded the Alau Ngawo Fatoye Village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State yesterday, killing two residents and injuring nine others after setting ablaze many houses and shops.

This was the second time Ngawo Fatoye village was witnessing deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram sect. The first attack occurred in January this year when scores of residents were killed and property worth millions of Naira destroyed by the insurgents.

Alau, Ngawo Fatoye in the south east is about 10 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A resident of the village, Mallam Bukar Mustapha who spoke on the attack said that the ‘’gunmen numbering 12 and using four motorcycles, with each carrying three invaded Ngawo Fatoye at about 9pm on Wednesday and opened fire on residents. ”The insurgents who were all armed with AK47 rifles and petrol bombs killed two residents (names withheld), burnt several houses and shops, before carting away foodstuff and livestock”.

Mustapha said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 —17

Beyond embarrassing

HE World Economic Forum, which took place in Abuja last week, was supposed to highlight the good things about our nation and be an image-enhancing, investment-attracting triumph for the Nigerian Government and People.

But it was totally overshadowed by the ongoing missing schoolgirls saga.

Many officials had regarded the World Economic Forum as a golden opportunity to divert attention from the Chibok abductions and boast about our economic potential to a global audience. But they wound up being ambushed by foreign journalists demanding straight answers to awkward questions about the Jonathan administration’s failure to rescue the teenage captives.

Needless to say, the interviewees couldn’t provide any credible explanations.

Meanwhile, angry protestors, including big shots like American Congresswomen, were taking to the streets in

crocodile tears.

Then, as if things could get any worse, Chibok community representatives accused The Dame of showering abuse and threats on them…and of refusing to believe their tale of woe and arranging for one of their

,

T

various Nigerian and overseas locations. Waving placards and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with slogans like “Save Our Girls”, they made it clear that they regarded Jonathan as callous.

Simultaneously, foreign celebrities and dignitaries galore, including Michelle Obama and various Hollywood movie stars, joined the “Save Our Girls” campaign.

The resulting international press coverage was excruciating…with countless respected publications and TV channels adding negative analyses of the government’s overall performance to their comments about the kidnapped kids and saying that Jonathan and his team were corrupt as well as unfit to rule.

And let’s not forget the equally injurious impact of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, which were ablaze with mocking and scathing criticisms of President Jonathan and his spouse, Dame Patience…who added fuel to the already raging Chibok fire by allowing herself to be filmed making VERY unwise remarks in pidgin English and sobbing in a somewhat theatrical manner.

Within hours, the video of her performance had gone viral on the Internet; and she became the butt of a thousand jokes and insults, with foreign as well as Nigerian viewers describing her as a Nollywood actress who was shedding

We should remember that even Western nations have also found it very difficult to outwit terrorists; so let us thank God that they are willing to share (their) substantial experience with us

,

leaders to be detained.

I don’t know why a whole First Lady cannot be more diplomatic or sympathetic…or why Jonathan insisted on hosting a big event at a time when he was under siege and struggling – unsuccessfully - to deal with a crisis.

The World Economic Forum?

As a friend of mine said, during a gloomy discussion about Nigeria’s ruined reputation last week: “This situation is Beyond Embarrassing.”

Boko haram – a couple of observations

Regarding the video released

by Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram’s leader – the one in which he said that Allah had commanded him to sell his victims: The thing that struck me when I was watching this twitching, grinning, psychotic beast talking is that he is obviously mentally unstable and probably on drugs.

Boko Haram has claimed that it abducted the female Chibok students to punish them for seeking Western education, which it regards as anti-Islamic.

Many people have asked why an organisation that is virulently opposed to Western education frequently uses items that are products of Western education cars, weapons, phones, audiovisual equipment, etc.

My favourite comment on this matter came from a Facebook post in which a Nigerian guy wryly wondered whether the machine gun that Shekau was brandishing during his video appearance was made by a native herbalist!

Even in the midst of tragedy, there can be moments of humour.

A sensible move

I was extremely relieved when I heard that President Jonathan had finally admitted that he needs foreigners to help him rescue the Chibok children.

He should ignore those who are berating him for seeking external support, on the grounds that he has, by doing so, shamed us and made himself look weak.

My view is that there is nothing shameful about humbly acknowledging your limitations and reaching out to counterparts like David Cameron and Barack Obama who have superior resources, especially when fragile young ladies are at risk of being raped, murdered and sold like chattels and slaves.

Of course, it’s unfortunate when a leader comes across as bewildered and paralysed, rather than as dynamic and confident.

But I and many others would have been even more fed up with Jonathan than we are at the moment if he HADN’T put his hands up and said: “I can’t sort out this mess on my own”.

As I said in last week’s column: While bitter complaints about the government’s inadequate handling of this nightmare are legitimate, we should remember that even Western nations have also found it very difficult to outwit terrorists.

So let us please just thank God that they are willing to share the substantial counter-insurgency experience that they’ve gained over the years with us.

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OPINION

BY OSA DIRECTOR

I

T was a matter of time before the cook ies crumbled. The political tsunami threatening the fledging assemblage of men and women of disparate and indeterminate character under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State is not strange to watchful political observers and actors. The reason for such fears is simple. The defunct ACN which was the dominant party in the marriage was a party subsumed under the thumb of a man desperate to be a political godfather at all cost, in spite of his media and public posturing to the contrary.

However, it was also inevitable that his ambition was soon to clash with the vision of the founders of ACN. The truth be told, the political group, Grace Movement with the motto: “No man is God”, owned and provided the structure that metamorphosed into ACN in Edo State. It was led by the former secretary to government, SSG, under former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, a grass root mobiliser and cerebral politician, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. He has nurtured and sustained the group with loyalists across the state.

Therefore, when Adams Oshiomhole, then President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, almost turned into a political normad, searching for a political platform to actualise his dream, having been frustrated and rejected by PDP, ANPP and unable to organise the Labour Party, which he founded, the Ize-Iyamu group offered their

C M Y K

A ventriloquist at work platform when he approached them.

Obviously such offer was not without conditionalities. Hence, for those who know Governor Oshiomhole in his heydays at NLC, it was obvious a clash of interests occasioned by backstabbing, deceit and hypocrisy would rock the political marriage between him and Ize-Iyamu.

The current crisis of confidence between both gladiators was delayed till now largely due to the reticent, savvy and astute political husbandary of Ize-Iyamu, a clear departure from the vacuous ideological pontifications and overrated oratory-cumsophistry of Governor Oshiomhole.

That matters came to a head between both political captains is not a surprise.

What is shocking perhaps is the ventriloquist approach of Governor Oshiomhole in explaining the issue. Hacks and faceless writers, who are nothing but paid agents of Edo State government, have suddenly emerged, attempting to twist logic on its head and rewrite the known political history of Edo State.

Instead of attempting to control the political implosion in APC, Governor Oshiomhole chooses to sleep like the Roman emperor did when Rome was burning.

One such writer in his article claimed to be a retired Permanent Secretary at a Federal Ministry, an obvious lie. His pedestrian, if not gutter language, shows the traits of a half baked semi-literate unionist who em-

ploys duplicity, hypocrisy and chicanery as a way of life.

While not holding, and indeed cannot hold brief, for Lucky Igbinedion’s administration as actors in that regime are alive to do so, it is untenable as a journalist, lawyer and insider in APC to refuse to correct the falsehood being peddled by quislings. I stand in a vantage position to make informed commentary having known too well Governor Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu and APC. It is an open secret that in 2007, Oshiomhole could not muster neither the financial resources nor political structure to run a governorship election in Edo State.

Hence, he approached but was rejected by PDP and then ANPP. Frustrated, he went and floated Labour Party which he abandoned and went crawling to Igbinedion and his main man, Ize Iyamu to rescue him from looming shame. They offered him the ACN platform which was anchored on the membership of the Grace Group. The rest is history.

Today, Oshiomhole prances around as a messiah who was head hunted to run for Edo governorship. But that is very far from the truth. We know our history no matter the sophistry, empty oratory and sophisticated charlatanism employed by any one. Again, Governor Oshiomhole pretends to be an apostle of openness and accountability in governance. But, if we may ask, where did Igbinedion get the money he used to finance

Oshiomhole’s campaign in 2007? Was Oshiomhole ignorant of the source of the money? Therefore, as a lawyer, I am strongly of the view that if Igbinedion is accused of looting Edo State, then Oshiomhole should face trial as an accessory to the fact of looting.

Indeed, is Oshiomhole really a democrat and fighter for democracy and the rule of law as he is made to appear by his hirelings?

If Governor Oshiomhole is such a democrat, the civil society and vibrant section of the media which I proudly belong to and which fought the military tyranny of Generals Babangida and Abacha is yet to credit any role to Oshiomhole in those dark days.

Perhaps, it is time for the critical media and civil rights activists to rise up and document the roles of some people at various levels of government today who now masquerade as crusaders of democracy. When in fact and indeed they were smart paid agents and informants of the state, who waltz their way to relevance through sheer oratory without epistemology.

Lest we forget, Governor Oshiomhole was the Deputy President of NLC under the late Pascal Bafyau, a union which supported and sustained the annulment of June 12, 1993 election. Now that the chickens are coming home to roost in Edo State APC, it is better for a Daniel to come to judgement as the media must have the courage to examine Governor Oshiomhole and his true role in the political history of Nigeria as a classic ventriloquist at work.

*Osa, a journalist and a lawyer, lives in Lagos.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 WITH 62.15 per cent of the popular vote, the African National Congress, ANC, extended its 20year hold on power, amid allegations of scandals and economic malaise afflicting South Africa. It was the first election after the death of iconic Nelson Mandela last December.

The hold is slipping 62.65 per cent (1994), 66.35 per cent (1999), 69.69 per cent (2004), 65.9 per (2009), 62.15 per cent (2014), the lowest ever. A seeming revolution ended as an anti-climax as Julius Malema’s challenge for Jacob Zuma’s job ended in defeat.

The main opposition party, the centrist Democratic Alliance, DA, got 22 per cent of the votes, a 5 per cent gain from its 17 per cent in 2009 while Malema’s eight-monthold Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF, scored 6.1 per cent.

Again, the results re-established the dominance of the 102-year-old ANC as the ruling party since the

BY OLIVER IFEDI

A

S the British are preparing to have a general election anytime soon, Labour Party leader, Ed Miliband, has just published a simple but comprehensive contract with his people. The contract is more or less his manifesto. In a way, it reminds observers of American erstwhile House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Contract With America published in the 1990s.

But whereas Gingrich’s is a rightwing agenda, Miliband’s is an attempt to recreate Britain in such a way that the economy will work for the overwhelming majority of the people, rather than a handful of highly privileged and wealthy people. In other words, the Labour Party seeks to return to its historical base or constituency. Britain may well be on the way back to ideological electoral politics.

Miliband’s Contract contains a 10-point agenda, but two-related issues in the agenda strike me in a distinct manner as a Nigerian because of the close parallel with the second-term performance of the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, in respect of housing. The two issues are Miliband’s pledge to save tenants from the Shylock practices of landlords and assist them plan for long-term tenancies as well as the

South Africans Vote ANC Again end of white minority rule 20 years ago. It also shows the gratitude of South Africans to late Nelson Mandela, the face of South Africa’s liberation struggles and democratic renewal.

Hopes for sustenance of a democratic South Africa abound.

Without the two-thirds majority it requires in parliament to push its legislations, ANC will depend on alliances. A testy proposal would be a constitutional amendment to shield ex-presidents from prosecution. Some believe it is meant for Zuma.

Other controversial legislations, most notably, to protect state

information and the traditional courts would try ANC’s hold on power. South Africans believe that protecting state information impinges on freedom of expression while the traditional courts would give enormous power to un-elected traditional chiefs and suppress rights of women.

Corruption charges arising from using tax payer ’s money to renovate his Nkandla private estate trailed Zuma throughout the campaign.

The Malema phenomenon indicated the dissatisfaction with ANC’s political and economic policies. Zuma would face these challenges in the

next five years as he tries to push for more reforms to reduce poverty and inequality in the black community. Signs of economic discontent emerged in the Marikina mine shooting and series of strikes in the mining sector.

The peaceful and orderly conduct of the elections in South Africa has maintained a tradition of periodic auditing of its elected leaders without rancour and disruptive tendencies. It is commendable. We expect Zuma with his new mandate to fight corruption, which has become a major issue in his country.

Allegations of malfeasance in the party and government vitiate his economic policies.

A stable South Africa is expected to play more robust roles in regional and continental issues as Africa faces renewed wave of crisis on different fronts. Nigerians look forward to improved relations with South Africa, for the benefit of our peoples.

OPINION Between Fashola and British Labour party leader promise to build 200,000 homes yearly in the United Kingdom by 2020.

Governor Fashola had on August 24, 2011, signed into law the Tenancy Bill. The law bars landlords from collecting more than six months rents from a sitting tenant and also prohibits landlords from taking more than a year’s rent from a new tenant. This law is, indeed, a milestone in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre with a population of some 18 million with a housing deficit of one million, a situation which makes it easy for landlords to demand two years rents in advance from sitting tenants and three years from prospective ones. Interestingly, rents in places like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are so high that it is difficult for most families who depend on their legitimate income to live in good houses in decent neighbourhoods. The housing crisis is worsened by the near total absence of mortgage facilities across the country.

And this now brings us to the second issue: that is Fashola’s home ownership scheme which could well be regarded as the precursor to Miliband’s vision of an annual 200,000 homes in the United Kingdom by 2020. Last February

3, the Lagos State government launched an ambitious scheme to make over 4,000 Lagosians landlords within the next one year. Under the scheme, at least 200 homes are given out every month. All a person need do to qualify is fourfold: demonstrate an ability to make 30% down payment of the monetary value of the property he or she wants; provide evidence that he or she does not have a home in any part of the state; provide evidence of having lived in Lagos for at least six months; and produce evidence of prompt and appropriate tax payment in the last three years.

When the programme was launched, some people thought it was the usual political promise by another Nigerian politician, a phenomenon Nigerians derisively refer to as “earmarked”, rather than “eyemarked,” for projects and programmes. But a month later, clusters of state-of-the-art homes in different parts of the state were unveiled. The first set of at least 200 monthly winners emerged in a process which both ordinary and highly placed individuals described as transparent. To shield the process from undue influence, application forms are filled only online unless where absolutely

necessary that it be done manually. The interest rate on each home is 9.5% in a country where the rate is at least 12% for a mere four-year tenor; the minimum period for mortgage for the Lagos State Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme, better known as Lagos HOMS, is 10 years. There is a 25% discount on every property so as to make it more affordable.

Unknown to quite a number of people, when a government anywhere decides on a massive housing scheme the mere provision of shelter to the people at an affordable cost is not the sole consideration. It has been demonstrated right from the time of President F.D. Roosevelt, who heroically steered the American economy away from the course of the Great Depression, that the provision of social services and infrastructure has a huge multiplier effect on every economy, thus helping to keep millions of people in both direct and direct employment. Fashola, for instance, has provided useful data on the beneficial economic impact of the construction of the first 1,104 homes.

One hundred and thirty four construction companies and 459 subcontracting firms employing 1,168 persons were involved as well as

seven consultancies and 5,442 suppliers of food, sand, woods, gravel, cement, etc. With over 3,000 new houses at various completion stages, more individuals have since been gainfully employed.

There is an important point about the Lagos HOMS which should attract the attention of policymakers and analysts. Not even a kobo has been borrowed from any source, as all the money has come from internally generated revenue and what the Governor has described as prudent financial management. The government started with saving N200 million monthly for this purpose but later increased it to N500 million. Since the programme is planned to outlast the present state administration, it is likely that the number of homes delivered every month could increase from 200 to 800 if beneficiaries do not default in their mortgage payments. Not to be overlooked also is the government’s strong resolve not to compromise the integrity of distribution of the homes.

Preference is not given to supporters of the ruling party in the state or to Lagos indigenes. *Dr. Ifedi, wrote Manchester, England.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014— —19

T

HE ship of state of Nigeria is adrift for some key reasons.

The Northern elders, elites and political leaders seem to be determined to either intimidate, harass or force GEJ not to run in the 2015 presidential election.

The merger of the ACN, CPC, and others to form the APC, which was the joy of many earlier, have just turned out to be more of a gang up to the disappointment of those who thought our democracy was shaping up.

But following the Chibok incident and the expressed willingness of the international community to assist Nigeria, some of them have seen the need to change their stance. They were blinded all these past four years and did not see the danger of Boko Haram as the nation’s number one enemy. Then they did not seem to care if the country was blown to pieces, aware that they will never be able to beat GEJ in 2015; thus, they told lies to themselves that the failure of Nigeria was only the failure of GEJ. We cannot trust APC with a leader like Governor Nyako who has called for war against Igbos of the South East on the erroneous premise that GEJ was an Igbo

man. Same for General Buhari who threatened that blood would flow if he failed in 2011.These are men who fought to keep Nigeria one, yet they are with Malam ElRufai who thinks that he will be a better Northern champion by fighting dirty with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and others who at different fora vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable.

Never mind their recent grand standing with the involvement of the civilised world in the Chibok girls matter.

They have succeeded in politicising every aspect of the Nigerian life such that GEJ cannot afford to make certain mistakes if he wants to keep the stability of Nigeria.

First, GEJ must contain the spread of insurgency by restricting it to the North East till it is wiped out. It must not get to the South.

Full state of emergency should therefore be proclaimed in the three states of the North East, with the suspension of their legislative houses for the next six months. It will remove any likely sabotage or discouragement, or frustration of the efforts of the international forces now with us.

If the State Houses of Assembly were not in synch with their Governors, they would have made it known to the world before now.

Second, all those who have

Full state of emergency should be proclaimed in the three states of the North-East, with the suspension of their legislative houses for the next six months; it will remove any likely sabotage

,

made seditious comments and publications that threatened the unity and stability of this country must be prosecuted no matter how highly placed they may be. The full state of emergency will strip those who are serving Governors of their immunity so as to face the law of the land. Politicians and leaders must be deterred from making incendiary comments capable of undermining the stability of the country. If they are tired of Nigeria and begin to hate us, we should just be tired enough of them to send them to prison. No man should be above the law if we will move forward. Power should go to the systems and structures not individuals.

T

hird, GEJ must make round the clock electric power available to Nigerians to stimulate production and

Oshiomhole, good governance and the weak links

BY EDWARD ONAIVI

A

LMOST six years on, close watchers of the Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole persona, in relation to his politics and twoterm governorship of Edo State, point to his radical but result-oriented administrative style that is predicated on his almost fanatical and unwavering commitment to the best ethical practices of accountability, efficiency, due process, good quality and utility value and standards, prudent use of available human, financial and material resources, etc.

Considering the glaring fact that the depth of rot and “arrested development” that was prevalent when he was first swornin on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 was monumental, Comrade Oshiomhole was neither deterred, fazed or cowed by what he met on the ground.

As a prelude to his acclaimed “turning Edo State into a giant construction site” mantra, the Comrade-Governor assembled a core team of Commissioners and other relevant appointees to assist him in actualising the sustainable development programme he envisaged will bring the state out of the woods, the main reason why he sought the mandate of Edo people in the first place.

As is the ‘fashion’ in Nigerian politics, many factors came into play in assembling the team of Commissioners, Special Advisers, Executive Directors, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, etc, who were to man the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs. The Governor had to defer to many party chieftains and some apolitical but influential persons and groups in knocking together the team that will power the planning and execution of his roadmap for Edo State.

Human resources experts tie the cumulative functionality of a group of workers (or staff) in a particular programme or project to the contribution(s) of each and everyone in the

chain, coupled with vision, doggedness, grit and resilience of the leadership set-up if success will count in all aspects of evaluation.

In governance, the successes (or failures) of an organisation (in this case, Edo State Executive Council) are invariably aligned to the inputs of the various core links in the chain of implementation of set policies, guidelines and objectives. Any weak link(s) in the decision–making, executive or implementation of the key objectives of government will have a domino effect that will slow down or outrightly scuttle and truncate the overall objectives of government in the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

One would have expected that all persons who work in close quarters with the ComradeGovernor will imbibe and adapt his innate knack for efficiency, judicious and proper use of scarce resource and materials, creativity, tenacity of purpose, transparency, due diligence, etc.

The opposite seems to be the order in some MDAs which have jettisoned those pristine values Comrade Oshiomhole stands for.

In their stead, they have created, albeit, surreptiously, oases of non-performance, lack of creativity or vision, lack of credibility, financial recklessness, diversion of revenue due to government through third parties and insider dealings, etc.

Due to the larger-than-life image and pedigree of the Comrade-Governor, many Edo State indigenes, and even other Nigerians, virtually expected those working under him to display and adapt some of his ideal in the running of Edo State that has survived 15 years nightmare.

It is true that no genetic scientist has succeeded in cloning Comrade Oshiomhole or creating any variant there from!

Some people expected a proto-typical political and administrative behaviour from all those who are opportuned to work with the

manufacturing which will create jobs, at all cost. It should be ‘a do or die’ matter to the presidency.

Banks must be made to provide initial venture capital for agriculture, producers and manufacturers with lenient and generously low lending rates and conditions. The confusion in the banking sector created by SLS must be cleansed out. Sanity and bankers confidence must be restored. We must stop viewing and treating our bankers as thieves and untrust-worthy persons.

Fourth, GEJ must not allow his advisers to estrange his party from the voters by foisting increased hardship on them few months to elections through poorly timed and thought out policies that the opposition will capitalise on the during campaigns. Such policies include the motor vehicle policy which will ban or increase the tariff on imported vehicles, the new plates policy and the driver ’s license administration. Many motor companies are flooding back to Nigeria, attracted by the generous conditions created by the FG. Most of them have plans to build certain number of vehicles even though their plants and equipment are not here yet. Some are just acquiring land; it will take them a minimum of about 24 months to start production. Yet government have increased tariffs on imported vehicles and may ban some out rightly in a few weeks or months time. This will only drive the market to our neighboring countries, increase smuggling and put more money into the pocket of Customs men and their contacts,

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BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

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Mistakes GEJ cannot afford to make now

One would have expected that all persons who work in close quarters with the Comrade-Governor will imbibe and adapt his innate knack for efficiency, judicious and proper use of scarce resource and materials

,

ex-labour leader. Though not realisable in accessing these core values the Governor used as a platform to etch his name in the heart of Edo people in the 18 local government areas of the state, any government official worth his salt will imbibe and adapt some of Governor Oshiomhole’s attributes and evolve into a success-focused administrator in his/her ministry, department or agency.

I

n his first cabinet (Executive Council), Comrade Oshiomhole did not hesitate to discard any Commissioner found wanting or grossly incompetent in the discharge of his/her duty(s). In the current second stanza of his governorship, the Comrade-Governor has tightened the reins on those Commissioners presumed to be lackadaisical, complacent and corrupt in the implementation of government’s policies, projects and programmes.

Early this year, Comrade Oshiomhole without prevaricating, sacked his Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development over an alleged gross dereliction of duties over the long blackout and other sundry issues that occurred during a state-sponsored musical concert it organised in honour of those who attended a youth summit earlier in the day, in the state capital.

In his first tenure (November 12, 2008 to November 12, 2012), Comrade Oshiomhole actually turned the 25 local government areas

while we groan under increased hardship. This policy should be dropped until we are sure of the quantity of vehicles we can and have produced over a period of time. These companies seem to be building their factories on the pages of newspapers, positioning for importation for now. While the new number plate is a multibillion naira scheme to extort money from Nigerians, as they bring no added value to users, the confusion in the issuance of driver’s license is a complete mess.

It takes about six months to obtain a driver ’s license from Lagos today, providing fertile grounds for fraud and extortion.

Fifth, GEJ cannot afford not to restrict the herdsmen to areas with large expanse of land in the North.

This will reduce friction and violence associated with these men.

The South, especially the South East, does not have the land, and this should be respected. The herdsmen palaver can be used by enemies to create avoidable schisms in the fragile unity of our country.

Finally, GEJ, must not allow the North, or anyone to make him not give the South East another state and a befitting sea port, not an inland Barges-Port like is being built at Onitsha. A seaport that has direct link and access to the ocean like in Apapa and Igbokoda.This is because the South East will ride with him all the way, and friendship with them is wisdom. *Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

of the state into a gigantic “construction site” through massive and programmed activities in the areas of works, roads and bridges; healthcare delivery; education; agriculture; transportation; commerce and industry; tourism development; youth and women empowerment, power and energy development; potable water supply; ICT (especially in government’s MDAs).

The second term was flagged-off on November 12, 2012 and in his inaugural speech, Comrade Oshiomhole restated his resolve to complete all ongoing projects and programmes before his current tenure expires in 2016. The Comrade-Governor said that one of the core areas that his administration will turn its search light on, is the attraction of reputable industrialists and entrepreneurs to come and invest in Edo State. He emphasised that his administration has prepared and deployed the enabling environment for commerce and industry to thrive as those factors that had repelled prospective investors from Edo State have now been constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, supplied and installed. It was envisaged that the revenue base of the state will be enhanced, considering the huge financial outlay that made those interventions possible.

Before this time, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry formed a Task Force whose main work is to collect gratifications from hapless Edo indigenes and this has continuously been used as an ATM by some persons in the top hierarchy of the Ministry whose profligacy in the spending of these monies from the Task Force is legendary. The monies collected by this Task Force are never receipted for to acknowledge the payment for the various levies by the hapless citizens of the state.

With the plethora of quality infrastructure and facilities, Edo State would have attracted investment overflow but for the failure of human capability that has jettisoned policy generation and execution at the top echelon of the Ministry that is being sustained by monthly imprests and budgetary allocations. *Mr. Onaivi, a policy analyst, wrote from Igarra, Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

NEGLECT:

This school will shock Okorocha toned in unison.

Armed with T is no longer news that the this clerical Rochas Okorocha administraand sincere tion in Imo State prides itself as advice, this operating a free education polireporter carecy. Indeed this was Okorocha’s fully parked most touted electioneering camhis car at paign selling point that eventuOrieagu ally got him the voters mandate.

Market and On assumption of office, the in no particuGovernor equally promised free lar person’s uniform, sandals, school bags, care! Further books, pens, pencils, chairs, desks enquiries and other materials needed to from people make teaching and learning eas*School building or chicken coop? Welcome to Union Comprehensive Secondary School, Nzerem in and ier. around the Uniforms, desks and some othm a r k e t er essentials were imported by square showed that only commer- use this road on a daily basis, obOkorocha. But today some are cial motorcyclists would take VM viously experience more life wont to grumble that nearly four to the community. threatening falls in the road. years into the life of the adminisThe fare was quite high. It was On arrival at the school, no stutration, not all the students in all N1,000 either way. We left the dent or teacher was found in the public schools were lucky to have market square at 12.25pm and institution. A shabbily dressed all the items promised by the Govheaded to Nzerem. young man, who was obviously ernor.

Like the Anglican clerics and in his own world, was the only Beyond these promises, Gov fellow there. He was busy puffing his huge wrap of Indian There are no chairs, desks and no proper hemp! Greetings was not in his learning going on; the Principal’s Office is dictionary and VM was very mindful of the entire scene. worse than a market master’s office The entire school compound looked unkempt, abandoned and Okorocha announced that govern- traders predicted earlier, the road ment had commenced the build- was indeed awful. It was hilly at in very bad shape. Many of the •What a classroom! ing of classrooms in all political some points and water logged classrooms looked worse than an wards in the state. Truth is that and swampy at other points. The abandoned abattoirs. The dilapition for only God knows how long. master’s office in any market in people living in typical rural ar- trip went on fine until the motor- dation was real and palpable. It There are no chairs, desks and Owerri. Whether Okorocha will eas of the state are not that lucky. cycle skidded off the road and we was real shock for VM that this no proper learning and teaching take a trip to this school to see school still admits students.

It is Recently at a get-together, an found ourselves in muddy waters! going on in them. The Principal’s things for himself remains any argument raged about the trans- VM remained undaunted in the also most probable that no school Office is worse than a market person’s guess. formation of schools in the state. face of hazards. Villagers, who inspector has visited this instituA friend and colleague raised the issue that rural schools in the state were in very bad shape. He went on to challenge Vanguard Metro duction. to take a trip to Union CompreBY BOSE ADELAJA areas, are some of the obstacles hamThe Beijing symposium which was hensive Secondary School, Nzerpering implementation of hazard idenHE National Emergency co-organised by United Nation Interem, Ehime Mbano Local Governtification, assessment and mapping Management Agency, NEMA, has national Strategy for Disaster Risk ment Area of the state. He also programmes. decried low institutional capability in Reduction UNISDR, and Peoples’ mentioned some other schools in The Director General also identified data generation, risk analysis, early Republic of China focused on the isIkpem and Ikperejere, where the inadequate equipment for critical warning services and gross inadequate sues of government and governance infrastructure had degenerated to stakeholders for effective preparedness funds at the state and local government in DRR from different perspectives, an almost irretrievable point. and response as a major challenge levels, saying this hampers effective including political institutions, ecoVM eventually took a trip to whereby fire service stations are far and efficient disaster risk reduction and nomic development, science and Nzerem, a typical rural, below the recommended numbers in emergency management in the countechnology, culture and social particsleepy community in Ehime various communities. try. ipation.

Mbano LGA on a fact finding tour Among other things, the symposium The Director General of NEMA, AlAlhaji Sani-Sidi revealed that Niof the state of schools in the area. was convened to bring together inhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi who disgeria through NEMA, has been workWhat was seen was most disturbformed government officials and sciclosed this at the International Sympoing in all the prioritised areas, most ing. entists to share their achievements and sium of Integrated Disaster Risk Govespecially in the institutional frameGetting to Nzerem community experiences, identify challenges and ernance held in Beijing, China, also work for DRR; risk assessment, monwas a serious problem. Some bottlenecks in the implementation of the said poor implementation of the few exitoring and early warning; disaster Anglican clerics who knew about current Hyogo Framework for Action isting disaster action plans and mitigaeducation and capacity building as the trip pleaded with this reportand also provide recommendations and tion strategies as well as the weak enwell as preparedness – disaster er not to go in his car. Reason? inputs for the formulation of the Postforcement of the land use planning, plans, drills and stakeholder “The road is awful,” the clerics in2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Rewhile structures are built on risk prone engagement\coordination.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA,

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Owerri

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NEMA decries low capabilities in emergency management

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 21

40,000 lose jobs over FG’s indebtedness to construction firms —Labour

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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RGANISED Labour in Nigeria’s construction industry has claimed that no fewer than 40,000 members have lost their jobs in the last one year due to nonpayment for jobs done and certified by governments.

Under the aegis of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, the union warned that the situation may be worse in 2015 Speaking to Vanguard, General Secretary of NUCECFWW, Mr. Babatunde Liadi, said: “In the last one year, a lot has happened in the Nigerian labour movement and most especially in my union.

The major challenge is the non-payment of our employers by government for jobs already done. This has been making them to declare our members redundant and put some of them on ‘stood-off’ (a term used for workers who have not been sacked to stay at home sometimes without pay). We call on the government to do more and pay for the jobs done since development can been seen by the level of construction and infrastructural going on in the country. We are involved in most of the construction and infrastructure development in the country. So, we want government to pay more attention to the sector especially by promptly paying for jobs done.

“We have been adversely affected by the insecurity in the country, leading to job losses among others. In fact, the issue of insecurity is really serious. If you look at it, you cannot find any meaningful construction work going on in

the North East of the country.

Not just construction, but every other industry. Most of the companies have withdrawn their workers and in most cases, these workers are laid off. In our case, both foreign and local employees

have been withdrawn. This is a big minus for the economy and also a big minus for the workers that have been displaced because if the job is not there, and they are not going to be paid.

“In our industry, it is only when the job is there that you are engaged, when the work is not there, you are fired. So, it is a great pain in the neck of our union because as a union we are losing revenue since we do not have members in those states. It is a national problem that must be addressed by all well meaning Nigerians.”

On the number of job losses, he said “we have lost between 35,000 to 40,000 members. The most painful thing is that 2015 is an election year. There will be a lot of politicking and when they are politicking, definitely, less attention is given to governance and this also affects jobs. Because politicians will be busy canvassing for votes, traversing the length and breadth of the country.

Sidel secures new bottling line contract from Coca Cola

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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From left: Divisional Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Dr. Nino Ozara; General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni; Managing Director Designate, Mr. Peter Amangbo and Managing Director, HFM, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, during Zenith Bank’s team courtesy visit to Honeywell, in Lagos.

Nigeria’s merchandise trade stands at N5.2trn — NBS

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ational Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has said that the total value of Nigeria’s external merchandise trade stood at N5.2 trillion in the fourth -2.7 180.95 quarter of 2013.

The figure is 2,881.00 -13.00 contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr 18.25 0.45 Yemi Kale, the Statistician-General of the Federation.

110.13 +0.89 The statement quoted Kale as saying the 102.13 +0.43 figure was N495.3 billion lower than the CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING N5.6 trillion recorded in the previous quarter, DOLLAR 154.73 155.23 155.73 representing an 8.8 per POUNDS 259.6369 260.4759 261.3149 EURO 212.3205 213.0066 213.6927 cent decline.

FRANC 173.9908 174.553 175.1153 He noted that the YEN 1.5199 1.5249 1.5298 observed change was as CFA 0.3043 0.3143 0.3243 a result of decline in the WAUA 238.315 239.0851 239.8552 value of imports and YUAN 24.8386 24.9193 25 RIYAL 41.2547 41.388 41.5214 exports by 19.1 per cent KRONA 28.4336 28.5255 28.6174 and 2.7 per cent SDR 239.0269 239.7993 240.5717 respectively from the CBN Exchange rate as at 15/05/2014 previous quarter.

“The value of imports

declined from N2.1 trillion in the third quarter to N1.6 trillion in the fourth quarter, while the value of exports declined from N3.5 trillion to N3.5 trillion over the same period.

“The resulting trade balance of N1.7 trillion presented an increase of N302.2 billion or 20.3 per cent from the preceding quarter compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year.

The fourth quarter of the previous year revealed that the value of the nation’s total merchandise trade declined by 28.2 per cent, or N2.1 trillion.’’

The NBS boss said that total trade stood at N21.3 trillion in 2013, 24.3 per cent or N6.8 trillion lower than the N28.1 trillion recorded in 2012, as a result of decline in exports by 36.5 per cent.

He said the crude oil component of total exports stood at N2.9 trillion for the fourth quarter, while non-

crude oil accounted for N495.2 billion.

He noted that the value of Nigeria’s imports amounted to N1.6 trillion in the fourth quarter, representing a decline of N398.7 billion or 19.1 per cent from the N2.1 trillion recorded in the third quarter.

Year on year, the value of imports were N393.2 billion or 30.4 per cent greater than the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2012.

“The decline in imports can be attributed to the fall in the value of imports of beverages and tobacco by N202.1 billion or 93.8 per cent, a N25.0 billion or 56.7 per cent decline in the value of crude inedible materials.

“Classified sections like boilers, machinery and appliances accounted for the largest share of imports, with N355.9 billion or 21.1 per cent of total imports.

IDEL International AG has secured a contract from Coca Cola HBC to install a new bottling line at the Ikeja plant of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc. Olivier Fraisse, Regional Commercial Director in Africa, Sidel, said the company won the contract because of its track record of providing optimal services to its customers globally.

Fraisse said the installation of the equipment is scheduled to start this month (May) with the first saleable products to come off the new bottling line in early July 2014.

He stated that the new bottling line will be dedicated to the extra production of carbonated cola at the Ikeja plant which is responsible for the production of all formats of the Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Cappy, Five Alive and Eva brands.

“The new bottling line will be producing PET bottles in 500ml format at a capacity of 42,000 bottles per hour, and in 1,500ml format at a capacity of 22,000 bottles per hour,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria is one of our biggest markets in the Greater Middle East and Africa zone, and we are very delighted to be selected as a solution supplier for this strategic project in Ikeja plant.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Corporate governance critical to competitiveness — Osunkeye

By WILLIAM JIMOH

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he President of Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN), Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, has enjoined companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to imbibe the tenets of good corporate governance.

He said that it brings about competitiveness and helps businesses to be more efficient.

Osunkeye made the observation while addressing stockbrokers during a courtesy visit to the stock exchange in Lagos. He, however, noted that there has been significant improvement in compliance to corporate governance rules by quoted companies over the last few years, attributing the development to mutual partnership between the society and the NSE management.

According to him, the Nigerian Stock Exchange is benchmarking itself with global best practices and SCGN is working in the same direction to attain the desired result. He said this is to ensure that companies not only observe the regulations, but also imbibe tenets of corporate governance, transparency, accountability, probity and honesty in their dealings.

Speaking further, Osunkeye noted that SCGN currently has persuasive codes, rules and regulations while the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the NSE see to sanctioning of erring companies through their

oversight functions.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange is benchmarking itself with global best practices and we are getting there with significant compliance on the part of the companies. The new management has put a lot of rules and regulations in place to help companies embrace tenets of corporate governance and this has resulted in significant improvement in the system.

“The rules are there for people to observe but more importantly, we want people to imbibe it rather than just observe them, to make it part of their corporate life, businesses and personal life. This

is because when they improve on their corporate governance, it will bring about competitiveness and help businesses to be more efficient.

“Observing the rules is what we want; we want to ensure that companies comply with corporate governance principles and that is why we run training courses in order to help improve the practice in the boardroom and also to lead the practice as individual directors of companies.

“If your quarterly or annual reports are delayed, you will be penalised and sometimes, you may have to pay fine. This has also helped the system a

lot since companies now know that the regulators are very serious with their regulations,” he said.

He added that just as embracing corporate governance codes is good for the system in general, it is also good for companies as it gives them competitive edge, attract investors and results in additional premium.

Apart from the training for companies, SCGN also holds conferences where they invite companies both listed and unlisted to round table where corporate governance issues are discussed for better enlightenment of the operators.

Mrs. Nkechi Obi (middle), Executive Vice Chairman, Techno Oil, being presented with the Techno Oil’s award as “the most innovative and impactful company in the downstream oil and gas” by Chief Nike Akande (right), Deputy Vice-President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, during the 2014 Commerce and Industry Awards in Lagos.

Ashakacem proposes 42 kobo dividend

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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shaka Cement Plc has disclosed plans to pay 42kobo dividend to its shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2013.

This is contained in a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. According to the company, the dividend, which is subject to shareholders’ ratification at the next annual general meeting, will be paid to those whose names appear on the register of members as at June 27, 2014, while the register will be closed from June 28 to May 2nd, 2014 for the purpose of the payment.

The company had penultimate paid 40kobo as dividend, while promising better return in the coming years.

The chairman, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, had at a meeting with shareholder assured them of better return, saying that his optimism was

hinged on the cost cutting measures the company was adopting.

He explained that Ashakacem would intensify efforts in the acceleration of projects that would improve costs and production volumes, adding that the company was set to fully participate and enjoy the benefits of deficit in the nation’s housing sector and a large percentage of unpaved road network present in the cement industry.

He stated that a key element of the company’s cost reduction effort was focused on increasing the substitution rate of local coal for expensive low pour fuel oil (LFPO) as fuel for firing of its kilns.

Kwairanga also assured that the company would tap from the experience of the parent company Lafarge WAPCO - to improve its leading position in the Nigerian cement industry, saying that it is set to increase its market share from the

current five percent.

“I want to assure investors that the board and management will work hard to deliver better returns on their investments. Our other stakeholders will equally benefit from the positive results of the strategies Ashaka Cement is putting in place.”

A peep into the first quarter unaudited financial statement for March 31, 2014 showed revenue growth of 7.74 percent to N6.505 billion from N6.038 billion in the same period of 2013.

The profit before tax for the period rose by 74 percent from N1.618 billion to N2.816 billion, while profit after jumped to N1.919 billion as against N1.133 billion in the corresponding period in 2013.

The basic earnings per share rose to 86 kobo from 51 kobo in 2013, representing 68.6 percent improvement.

BITS Briefs US stocks fall from record as small-caps sell-off resumes

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NITED States stocks fell, after benchmark indexes closed at all-time highs for a second consecutive day, amid renewed selling in small-cap shares.

Fossil Group Inc. fell 8.7 percent after the maker of watches and accessories forecast earnings that trailed analysts’ estimates. Deere & Co. (DE) slid 2.5 percent after cutting its full-year revenue projection. International Business Machines Corp. lost 1.6 percent to pace declines among large companies.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 0.2 percent to 1,894.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 53.11 points, or 0.3 percent, to 16,662.33, halting a five-day rally. The Russell 2000 Index of small stocks fell 0.8 percent after sliding 1.1 percent.

“The indices are hitting alltime highs, but underneath that, there is a big divergence happening with individual stocks,” Patrick Spencer, London-based head of equity sales at Robert W. Baird & Co., which oversees more than $100 billion, said in an interview. “There are concerns about the market having rallied so far, the underlying weakness in some of the momentum stocks, and there is also some underlying worry about earnings and economic data.”

Unilever expands product line

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nilever Nigeria Plc, a fast moving consumer company, has expanded its product line with addition of two new products into the rapidly growing personal care market in Nigeria–Vaseline Total Moisture and Vaseline Cocoa Glow.

The launch of the Vaseline brands is an extension and upgrade of the company ’s Vaseline range, said the Brand Manager, James Inglesby.

According to him, Vaseline was launched in 1859 by Robert Cheesebrough, a chemist who discovered a 100 percent naturally-derived product from deep within the earth which had remarkable skin-healing properties, and named it the Vaseline Petroleum Jelly.

Continuing, he said that nearly 140 years later, Vaseline is still dedicated to healing skin, and Unilever has gone on to develop a range of the products with healing properties at their heart to help skin heal beyond the surface, making it healthier every day.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 23

Agric: Nigeria woos investors •As govts, private sector pledge support for SCPZ

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

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HE Minister of Agricul ture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi, has called on foreign and local investors to consider the current scientific best practices, availability of land, and good climatic conditions as reasons to support and invest in agriculture in Nigeria.

Akinwumi made the call at a meeting organised by the ministry as part of the just concluded World Economic Forum in Abuja, where state governors and private sector industry leaders declared their support for, and readiness to implement the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) scheme.

The scheme established by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Transformation Agenda of the present administration is aimed at drastically reducing post-harvest food wastage as well as creating job opportunities that would develop the rural countryside.

It is also designed to boost food production and drastically reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food import while creating business and job opportunities for investors. Today, the zones are located within 14 states or corridors to provide services and interventions to mitigate risks at every step of the value chain by linking players from inputs to end markets to streamline the process for investors.

The 14 states and corridors are Anambra/Enugu Bayelsa, Benue; Borno, Cross River, Kano Kogi, Kwara Lagos, Nasarawa,

Agric Minister, Adesina Akinwumi Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba and Kebbi/Sokoto.

Adesina told participants that Nigeria has transformed from largely agriculture to one where agribusiness will dictate the pace of economic activities.

He said that a tremendous transformation has taken place in the sector since the government launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2011, which set a target of adding 20 million metric tons of food to the domestic output, and about 75 percent (15.7 million metric tons) was achieved about by 2013.

Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Country Director for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Abuja, noted that Nigeria is reputed to be the largets producer of cassava, yam and food sorghum worldwide, at 54 million metric tons (MMT), 38 MMT and 6.9 MMT respectively, while the country places

second and third globally in citrus and ground nut production.

Yet, according to him, processing remains rudimentary, with post-harvest losses for various commodities remaining high as these are associated with inability to meet market requirements.

To overcome the challenges to agro-processing, Komowa,

said provision of support for infrastructure has been identified as a key intervention that requires urgency.

Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, expressed the readiness of his state to ensure the operation of the zone allocated to it.

In Kogi, the Alape SCPZ largely focuses on providing a conducive business environment for the production and processing of cassava and additional crops.

Under the partnership arrangement between the federal and state governments, the Niger State government has prioritised infrastructure investment, actively seeking publicprivate partnerships (PPP) for the SCPZ in that state, with the state planning to invest $103 million in zone development in addition to any investments through partnerships with the private sector.

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HE Federal Government has urged the six South-West states under the auspices of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN, Commission, to consider floating a fund called Cocoa Investment Fund, CIF. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi said Cocoa fund should have the components of the federal and state governments, and including the private sector, in order to resuscitate cocoa production in a sustainable way.

Dr. Akinwumi, who made the call at a meeting with the six Commissioners of Agriculture from the states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti recently in Abuja, promised that the FG will support the efforts of the region’s rapid agricultural development as a way of complimenting what the states were doing to transform the sector from a development concept to a business driven one.

“The region is most important when it comes to cocoa production; we are doing a lot in your state in cocoa production. We said that that we were going to distribute 3.5 million pods of high yielding cocoa seedlings, we registered 74, 664 cocoa C M Y K

farmers in the South-West, which is 74 per cent of the entire number of cocoa farmers across the country.

“In terms of the distribution of cocoa hybrid pods, and these are the cocoa that gets five times what farmers are currently getting and it matures two and half years instead of five years.

We have done 1.1 million and 85 per cent of it had gone to the South-West States, and all free of charge.”

While calling for the establishment of a fund called Cocoa Investment Fund, CIF, Akinwumi promised that 1.4 million of sprouted palm oil nuts will be distributed to the South-West, adding that silos of various capacities were being constructed across the region.

The Minister decried the neglect of the farm settlements in the South-West and called on the governors to revive them with social infrastructure that will make them attractive to the youths who were unemployed, as it will further increase productivity and income generation.

Adesina, maintained that the federal government was determined to ensure that the agricultural sector receives a boost in the region as it was in the

BY SALIMAT GARBA

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PROFESSOR of Plant Breeding & Genetics, David Ojo, has recommended tissue culture as means to avert food crisis and hunger in the country. He said this has become necessary as access to quality seeds have remain major challenge facing Nigerian agriculture, leaving farmers with options of either planting grains or buying adulterated seeds.

Prof. Ojo of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, explained that with tissue culture, plants could be produced under unavailability of seeds and any climatic condition.

Several seeds producers have complained of non-availability of adequate resources to produce enough improved seeds for the nation and with the rising population of the country, other alternatives must be explored aside conventional and molecular breeding.

He defined tissue culture as a collection of techniques used to maintain or grow plant cells, tissues or organs under sterile conditions. Also identifying it as the technique or process of keeping tissue alive and growing in a culture medium, he explained that tissue-culture-produced-crops are an exact replica of the genetic potentials of parent crops and so are genetically pure.

Asceptic conditions

South-West states urged to float Cocoa Investment Fund

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

Scientists identify tissue culture as panacea to seeds inadequacy

early years of Nigeria’s independence.

Adesina made it clear that the South-West states were not neglected in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA, following government’s intervention policies that had already revamped the sector in the region as it made serious commitments to revitalise agriculture as a way of complimenting what the state governments were doing.

He said, “I am particularly excited for the fact that at the World Economic Forum, WEF, the most successful, impactful, visible sector all the leaders talked about was agricultural interventions, but not only in Nigeria also in other several African countries. What was clear was that what Nigeria is doing in agriculture is seen as the way other African countries should invest in agriculture.”

“You can be assured of the strong support of the Federal Ministry of agriculture, and we will do agriculture as a business in your states.

I will mandate my directors to work with you to achieve some of the mandates of DAWN. “What I want to say here is that for the South-West Agriculture Commissioners, agriculture in this country is being done differently from as the way it was done before. It was seen to be a development programme but we have changed that, because it is not a social sector but must be grown as a straight line business.

The Don ascertained that with this technique, farmers needed not panic about infections or infestations since the crops are usually produced under aseptic conditions. “It gives room for production of many copies of a plant with desired traits and saves time as the farmer does not have to wait for a new plant to grow from seeds which may take longer period.”

He, however, urged the Federal Government to provide needed equipment for mass production of plant tissue culture in the country and train experts in the field since it required special precautions to be successful and effective.

Earlier, Dr Sunday Abimiku, a Deputy Director at the National Agricultural Seeds Council, stated that unlike Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), tissue culture needed no special law in place and did not need to be regulated since it was widely used to produce clones of plants through a method known as micro-propagation.

Defining GMO as an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques, he said genetic modification involves the insertion and movement of genes.

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Why Okomu National Park is magical, natural — Oladipo OKOMU National Park “The pride of our natural heritage” is the smallest of the seven National Parks in Nigeria. The Park is a rainforest ecosystem gazetted from the former Okomu Forest reserve in 1935.

The Park which is a good habitat for numerous endangered flora and fauna species is today threatened by illegal logging and flora and fauna scavengers. Our correspondent spoke to OLADIPO OJO CORNELIUS, the Conservator of the Park of this nature wonder on various conservation issues.

ON general overview of conservation UNFORTUNATELY, we all seemed to forget easily where we are coming from. In the old days of our fathers, it is a taboo to invade forests either for farming or hunting. Things were organized and done in a sustainable manner. We grew up to see and know that certain type of fish are not to be harvested at their young age and when mistakenly done, they are thrown back to the river and this formed path of conservation even though we may claim that our old people are not educated.

It has even been proved that the earth national resources received more protection during those periods than now and this is what gave birth to an organisation such as National Parks Service (NPS) which today effectively promotes within all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, the preservation and protection of the country’s forests and animal resources.

Climate change Indeed, with the obvious effect of climate change, increase in population and its attendant urbanisation and industrialisation, Nigeria needs to wake up to protect our resources from extinction.

On changing the perception of Nigerians to protected areas We design message deliberately targeted at Okomu National Park stakeholders. To our local communities, there is the continuous need to explain why we occupy their lands and hold it in trust for them.

Process of engagement We need to explain why trees cannot be harvested and why elephants need not be hunted.

This process of engagement has reduced conflict between the people and our forest rangers.

On our own part, we dedicate our resources to assist in grading their farm roads, health cen-

tres, schools, give seed money to farmers and hunters to engage in business that will keep them away from invading the forest and depleting the resources therein.

It should also be noted that the communities around us take up about 80% of the job openings in Okomu National Park. To your question, we have for sometime given the availability of funding, tried to engage the media to see what we are doing towards explaining the benefit to stake holders which includes policy makers and our host, the state government.

On challenges I will want to itemize them because of their impacts. The first and most important is lack of understanding of what we are doing here. Though the concept of protected areas management is not too recent with us, we however still grapple to explain to majority of the policy makers why certain acres of our land mass need to be set aside for protection and conservation.

To change their perception, we need a huge publicity fund to which we don’t have and to which corporate organisations can help us endorse and assist.

Our location in the south-south region also provide challenges, particularly at the height of militancy in the region which has gone down now and we pray for total elimination so that visitors within and outside Nigeria can

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By JIMOH BABATUNDE

With the obvious effect of climate change, increase in population and its attendant urbanisation and industrialisation, Nigeria needs to wake up to protect our resources from extinction

find it a worthy experience to visit and behold Mother Nature.

Also, population increase begets logging and over exploitation of forest resources. Within and around Edo State, the growth saw – millers are on the increase and with massive industrialization; illegal logging definitely threatens this frontier.

However, through aggressive conservation enlightenment and

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prosecution, we drive the process of mitigating the danger.

Other challenges are poaching, infrastructural needs and communication.

As you may be aware, the demand for bush meat is on the increase despite the growth of animal farming. Within our park, we have elephants, white throated monkey and these cannot be seen anywhere else

Delta can survive on economic benefits of tourism —Prest

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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GOVERNORSHIP as pirant in Delta State, Mr. Tony Prest has said that he would ensure that the tourism potentials in the state are harnessed if elected governor, noting that the state could survive on the economic benefits of tourism.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos, Prest stated that beyond oil, tourism would make Delta the number one destination in Nigeria, adding that the state is blessed with tourist and research centres that can attract scholars and visitors from different parts of the world.

He further said that tourism would ensure the movement

of money into local economies from other parts of the country.

His words: ‘’Proper investment in tourism will bring income into many communities.

Economic benefits resulting from tourism can take a number of forms including job creation. Employment may be

except within our ranges, so hunters tends to target us for attacks and poaching.

Remember that we are in a rain forest ambit, therefore the roads here posses a great challenge to us and our communities. And to share boundaries with Okomu Oil Plantation creates issues as we are sometimes mistaken for our millionaire Palm Oil producing neighbours.

associated directly, with tourism, such as tour guides, managerial positions, support industries like food production or retail suppliers.

“It can also bring about the diversification of the states economy. Tourism operators can play a role in highlighting the broad prosperity that it can bring to a community and will contribute to a greater understanding and respect for the value of tourism.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—25

I N S I D E

The humbling of the nation: Time for realism

2015: Will INEC's constituency delimitation deepen democracy?

2015: How Yuguda reconciled with Sayawa people PAGE 27

PAGE 26

PAGE 28

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HE frenzy in the quest for succession to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has suddenly turned cold. But it is not as if the about two dozen aspirants in the race have dropped out of the contest to manage the oil rich state.

Two months ago, the authorities in a carefully scripted political manoeuvre humbled Chief Victor Ochei, one of the leading aspirants on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Ochei who was speaker of the State House of Assembly was forced to resign his position following the discomfort of top associates of the governor about his quest and allegations that he was passing off the governor as his backer in the race. With a network of paid and unpaid volunteers across the state, Speaker Ochei had in time become a phenomenon in the governorship contest.

Indeed, Ochei’s support network on the field just few weeks ago matched that of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, a politician he, Ochei, canvassed for in the 2007 contest that was eventually won

by Dr. Uduaghan.

With his eyes set on the ultimate throne, the office of Speaker became a good platform for Ochei to canvass his aspiration. Given the momentum that his aspiration generated, it was not surprising that many believed that he was the governor’s man for the job.

Indeed, many of his colleagues in the State House of Assembly believed as much.

“We all thought that the governor was behind him and that was why we deferred to him,” a vocal member of the

•Okowa

•Olejeme

Delta 2015: It is all quiet again FOR a people known to be boisterous in all that they do, the seeming lull in the 2015 governorship contest in Delta State is unusual. Why? Government House official in Asaba, were reported to have entered the race, many of them claiming to have received the governor’s backing.

It was as such not surprising that as the crowd of aspirants from within his circle swelled, the governor about two months ago gave a marching order to all those interested in taking over his job to resign and proceed with their campaigns.

Since the order, several of the canvassers for the aspirants still in government have gone underground.

Even if he is known to be politically savvy, Uduaghan’s reticence as a person had compounded the political permutation of observers

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House told Vanguard.

Even if he is known to be politically savvy, Uduaghan’s reticence as a person had compounded the political permutation of observers. However, the governor after a trip abroad with some trusted political associates, gave Ochei the backside, a development that forced Ochei to step down from office.

Following his resignation, Ochei was quoted as saying that he would continue in the race.

However, there is no doubt that the strength and swagger that pushed his aspiration have been considerably toned down.

Given Ochei’s problems it was not difficult that some aspirants saw it as an opportunity to step into the race. A number of serving officials in the administration including one top

•Orubebe

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In Delta State, permutations about the succession and fables are indeed unending. In one case, the governor has been quoted truly or falsely to have claimed that his successor’s name starts with an 'O'. That is, however, no help given the fact that some of the most formidable aspirants including Senator Okowa, Ochei, Godsday Orubebe, Chief Godswill Obeilum and the Abuja based Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme all have their surnames starting with an 'O'. It is, however, believed that the governor would be decisive in the election of his successor.

That assertion is backed by claims that Dr. Uduaghan in directing aspirants to leave his cabinet told them that the time for campaigning is not yet at hand, and that essentially, because of his own determination to strengthen the arms of

governance and imprint his vision of Delta Beyond Oil in the consciousness of the citizenry.

Given the governor ’s quiet and sometimes seemingly aloof posture, only fools would believe the governor does not have a framework on who would succeed him. He is reported to have told champions of power shift to Delta North of his backing for their objective. It was nevertheless stressed to leaders of the region that they should not expect the office on a platter of gold and as such urged them to go and work for it.

With the notable exception of two former ministers, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and Elder Godsday Orubebe, most of the other top aspirants are from Delta North. Gbagi who has been a recurring contender in the Delta governorship contests has the latitude of tapping from the huge Urhobo vote.

That window, however, could be limited by the determination of one influential commissioner from Delta Central to enter the race. If the commissioner, who is also known to have the governor’s ears enters the race it would be a setback for Gbagi.

However, Gbagi or any other commissioner of Urhobo stock would be seriously challenged if Uduaghan’s loyalists from Delta Central forge ahead to pursue the governor ’s agenda, whatever it is.

Chief Monday Igbuya, the national vice-chairman of the Urhobo Political Forum, UPF and majority leader of the Delta State House of Assembly has said as much.

Reacting to claims by Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, that the Urhobo nation

would present a governorship candidate irrespective of the political permutations set by PDP and Governor Uduaghan, he said that support for an Urhobo person would only come if such a person comes out from the PDP and is endorsed by the state’s political leader, Uduaghan.

“I am a member of PDP and also a member of UPF and I speak for UPF and members of PDP in UPF. No member of UPF or PDP has denied the fact that Governor Uduaghan is the leader of the party in the state. No member of PDP in Central senatorial district has denied the fact that Uduaghan is our leader.”

The prospect of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, the highest elected political office holder from Urhobo land entering the contest still remains in the realm of speculations.

Realm of speculations However, outside the PDP, the chances of the All Progressives Congress, APC fielding a candidate from Delta Central is increasingly looking brighter.

After the death of Senator Pius Ehwerido who was generally believed to be in good position to win the governorship, the party has been desperately working to find a suitable replacement. The increasing presence of a multi billionaire, Otega Emerhor in the party some say could be an answer to the prayers of Delta Central for a formidable candidate. However, some top APC leaders have raised concerns about a parallel structure that is pushing

Continues on page 27

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

2015: Will INEC's constituency delimitation deepen democracy?

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has repeatedly told Nigerians and the international community that it has set for itself the goal of conducting Nigeria’s most credible election next year.

The commission’s leadership has seized every opportunity to drum it into the ears of the people that its commitment to organize a highly credible poll is anchored on the belief that it would go a long way to deepen the nation’s democracy.

Indeed, section 73 of the amended 1999 Constitution empowers INEC to review electoral constituencies after an interval of not less than 10 years. For now, the 2015 general elections remain a veritable opportunity to test INEC’s preparedness to give Nigerians something to cheer in the conduct of elections.

Already, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega has made it clear that part of the efforts to fine tune the procedures that will, ultimately, deliver a credible electoral contest in 2015, is the plan by the commission to embark on constituency delimitation this year. The objective is to create a fair balance of the voting population.

In mid-March, 2013, the INEC

•Jega:Exercise will ensure fair representation can do is to do a reallocation of boundaries of electoral constituencies with a map. As part of doing that, you would have to do some ground treating.

This is like a physical assessment of the population distribution.

We would also do geo-spatial mapping and sensitization. The Commission has planned for all

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Prof. Attahiru Jega has made it clear that part of the efforts to fine tune the procedures that will, ultimately, deliver a credible electoral contest in 2015, is the plan by the commission to embark on constituency delimitation this year

boss held discussions with representatives of about 20 political parties on its plan to embark on the exercise ahead of the 2015 polls.

Jega had told his audience that the commission had already worked out a plan for the exercise, and that it would strive to achieve this before the 2015 election. He also briefed the relevant committees of the National Assembly about the commission’s work plan. Ever since, the INEC boss has not looked back while working towards accomplishing this goal.

Re-allocation of constituency boundaries: Speaking to Vanguard, last Thursday, on how far INEC had gone in realising its objective of conducting the exercise, Mr Kayode Idowu, the Special Adviser on Media to the INEC Chairman said: “The exercise has actually commenced. It is not as if we would go to the field and begin to dig the ground in order to delimit constituencies. What we

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these aspects of the exercise.”

Idowu further disclosed that last Tuesday, the National Committee on Constituency delimitation met as part of the process adding that they considered proposals, action plans, strategies and programmes for the execution of the exercise.

According to him: ”Very soon, there would be visits to some communities to sensitise them.

This is part of letting the people know about the process and ensure that they see it as scientific. A lot of the work has to do with mapping and then sensitising the public about the rationale for the exercise.”

Idowu further explained that when experts involved in conducting the exercise go to the field, “they would be going there to do an assessment of the exercise,” adding ”we would also sensitise the people whose communities we would visit in order to get them involved in the exercise.”

Earlier, Jega had reportedly said that the electoral agency would not create new senatorial districts and federal constituencies because that is a constitutional matter.

Equality of representation: According to him: “I think we should understand that even the powers that are given to us to delimit constituencies by the constitution and the Electoral Act are limited. For example, senatorial districts are already known. They are three per state, so we cannot create additional senatorial constituencies because these are constitutionally defined, but what we can do is that we can look at the relative sizes in terms of the population of the senatorial district and we can seek to adjust them in order to have equality of representation or near equality because you cannot have perfect equality of representation.”

Equality of representation He further stated that all INEC could do is to redraw boundaries of constituencies in accordance with population quota and other variables adding that it is important for people to understand what the Commission could do and the limitations imposed by the law.

“If you want to have more than 360 federal constituencies, it has to be done through a constitutional amendment. If you want to have more than 109 senatorial districts, it has to be constitutionally amended. Our job is to ensure that the sizes of constituencies in terms of population are as nearly equal as possible in order to achieve

the ideal representative democracy.”

The current constituency structures were carved out 18 years ago by the defunct National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON) under the military junta of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Experts have argued that the growth in population and demographic shifts warrant a review of constituencies.

They have also argued that the current constituency structure has manifested features that are at variance with international best practices, including mal-apportionments and other inequalities that challenge, in a fundamental manner, the principle of equal representation.

It has also been argued that if the principle of one man, onevote in a single member representative system, which is practiced in Nigeria is to be indeed enthroned in our democratic culture, conscious and deliberate effort must be made to review the constituencies in order to eliminate, or at least reduce to a minimum level, the current imbalances that have been noticed.

Population criteria Experts have also pointed out that in addition to the population criteria other variables that have to be put into consideration include geographical location, socio- cultural affinity and physical barriers like mountains, rivers and so on.

Jega had observed that ”In the case of Nigeria, because of population dynamics which were noticed even in the last census that was conduced in 2006, there are now remarkable inequalities in terms of the size of constituencies. So, it is important, therefore, that electoral constituencies are delimited.”

Nevertheless, watchers of the nation’s political landscape have opined that one of the major challenges INEC is likely to face in its effort to conduct the exercise is skepticism on the part of the public and the tendency of political actors to manipulate the process.

The INEC boss is aware of the situation and has expressed concern that similar exercises in the past had been politicized, saying “unfortunately in Nigeria, delimiting constituencies has been politically volatile and

controversial because it is confused with administrative boundaries.”

He explained that constituency delimitation is different from adjustment of administrative boundaries adding that the latter are used for resource allocation, political or even traditional authorities.

Anticipating these challenges, the Commission has resolved that to successfully carry out the exercise, “the commission must continually engage with stakeholders, with a view to building confidence and mutual trust and disabusing mindsets likely to be imbibed by key stakeholders, particularly, politicians who have vested interests in the exercise.”

Furthermore, INEC would have to ensure that the criteria to be adopted for the exercise is “rational, transparent, impartial and non-partisan” while it “continues to carry its stakeholders along through continuous briefings, enlightenment, consultations, voters’ education and public hearings.

So far, the Commission seems to have adhered to this plan.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, which comprises all registered political parties in the country, spoke along this line when he granted an interview to Vanguard last Thursday.

Welcome development He confirmed that the electoral body had constantly intimated the council about the planned exercise and “we have attended about two or three meetings with the commission on this matter” and “ we feel it is welcome development, which is designed to bring democracy closer to the people of this country.”

He further stated that IPAC had offered some useful advice to INEC on how the exercise should be handled adding that the commission needs to embark on a massive enlightenment campaign to avoid the exercise being misconstrued since it is taking place close to next year’s polls.

Jega had earlier explained that INEC also needed to work with other government agencies. “We have to collaborate with the National population Commission because we need to have accurate officially approved population figures. We have to work with the National Boundaries Commission because we need maps and their technical input. We have to work with a number of agencies that can bring additional value to the work that we will do, and in addition to the boundaries commission and the NPC, we have engaged and interacted with many other federal government agencies.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—27

2015: How Yuguda reconciled with Sayawa people

BY SUZAN EDEH

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WELVE months from now, the eight years administration of Governor Isa Yuguda will be over and another administration will be ushered in. The governor is not oblivious of this fact as seems bent on making the remaining few months count.

Thus, it is not surprising that Yuguda is mending fences with his political associates and aggrieved minority tribes in the state.

It is no longer news that the Sawaya communities, made up of predominantly minority tribes of Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local councils have been relegated to the background in the affairs of the state.

Apart from the fact the Sayawa have contending issues with the state government such as relocation of Tafawa Balewa Headquarters to Bununu, they are also plagued with insecurity problems by alleged Fulani herdsmen who are bent on dispossessing them of their land.

Located in the southern part of Bauchi State, Tafawa Balewa local council is about 83 kilometres away from Bauchi metropolis and the major inhabitants are Jarawa, Fulani, Hausa, Sayawa, Kanuri, Tapshinawa (Angas) and other tribes. The town has been a

who was represented by Air Commodore Ishaku Komo, led a delegation to the Government House to discuss some pending issues affecting Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro communities.

The governor ’s invitation came as a surprise not only the Sayawa but also many observers in the state because such a development had never occurred before.

Political undertones: However, some political pundits in the state claim that Yuguda’s gesture has political undertones. They are of the view that the governor is eyeing Bauchi South Senatorial seat come 2015 and he needs the support of the Sawaya people to realise his senatorial ambition.

Yuguda is from Alkaleri local council, which along with Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro, Toro and Dass makeup Bauchi South Senatorial District.

Mixed fortunes: Following Yuguda’s efforts to mend the broken relationship with them, the Sawaya people have rolled out their drums for celebration, believing that the long-awaited staff of office would be presented to their chief, Gung Zaar at the Government House, but their hope was dashed when Yuguda said: “We can’t be talking about chief now because your people have taken the matter to court.

Therefore, talking about it now

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Since the relocation of the headquarters to Bununu, peace has returned to the area as people now go about their normal businesses and development is gradually coming back to the area due to the peaceful atmosphere in the area

hot-bed of communal crises that have lingered for over 50 years. The area witnessed violent crises in 1948, 1959, 1977, 1991, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2012 with hundreds of lives lost and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

Govt insensitivity: A host of Sayawa elders have accused the state government of insensitivity towards their plight, saying that the crises in Bogoro and Tafawa Balewa local councils had worsened over the years.

Yuguda’s reconciliation move Listening to the complaints of the people, the governor has begun moves to mend the broken fences with the Sayawa people by resolving all the grievances they have against his government.

Recently, Yuguda invited Sayawa leaders to the Government House for dialogue.

The Sayawa Chairman of Council of Chiefs, Gung Zaar,

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will amount to violation of the constitution. But I will see to the end of the matter.

“For so many years, there was no water in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro until I came and if it is the will of God that your chief will be given his staff of office during my tenure, then so be it. But if it is not, then there is nothing we can do about it. My prayer is that those who sued the state government for the creation of the Sayawa chiefdom which was signed and gazetted, God should touch their devilish hearts and let them withdraw the suit,” Yuguda said Responding to the Governor, Gung Zaar said: If I am not mistaken, this is the third time we are meeting face to face with you, but we know the difficulties you are going through as a governor. We had wanted to roll out drums in celebration for what you have done for us long before now but situation would not permit us until now. We are ready to

Fulani dominated axis as a result of the persistence clashes.

Why I relocated council headquarters –Yuguda Responding to the relocation of Tafawa Balewa Headquarters to Bununu, Governor Yuguda said that the relocation was to avert further bloodbath and to restore peace in the area. “The relocation has halted the spate of destruction of lives and properties, which was almost spreading to neighbouring states. Since the relocation of the headquarters to Bununu, peace has returned to the area as people now go about their normal businesses and development is gradually coming back to the area due to the peaceful atmosphere in the area,” he said.

Federal lawmakers kick •Yuguda support you 100 per cent in any way, for you to succeed in the task ahead of you.”

Other sons and daughters of the Sayawa chiefdom endorsed the senatorial ambition of Governor Yuguda saying they would give him all the necessary support.

Origins of soured relations It could be recalled that the Yuguda had declared the Gung Zaar –elect, Komo wanted for impersonating and parading himself as the Gung Zaar.

Sayawa elders went to court to challenge the action of the government and won.

Following the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom by the Yuguda Administration, which the Sayawa had been struggling to have for several decades, there was need for them to elect their paramount traditional ruler and the Council of Chiefs elected Komo as their Gung Zaar awaiting the presentation of staff of office.

However, the presentation of the staff of office suffered a serious set-back because Yuguda, after fulfilling his campaign promises to the

Sayawa by creating the chiefdom, another conflict ensued between him and the people over the choice of the headquarters of the chiefdom.

This also denied the Gung Zaar the staff of office. Before then, the Sawaya and Yuguda enjoyed good working relationship and they voted for him because he promised them their long desired Sayawa chiefdom which he gave them but the relationship turned sour with the election of the Gung Zaar.

Relocation of council headquarters Apart the Gung Zaar, another misunderstanding Yuguda wanted to resolve with the Sayawa is the headquarters of the local council. He sent an Executive Bill to the Bauchi State House of Assembly seeking the amendment of the law establishing Local Government to enable him relocate the headquarters of Tafawa Balewa council to Bununu town which is a

On the purported relocation of the Tafawa Balewa council headquarters to Bununu town, a member representing Bogoro-Dass-Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Barrister Yakubu Dogara said that the State Assembly lacks the power to relocate the headquarters of a local government area it did not create because the law creating Tafawa Balewa council with headquarters in Tafawa Balewa is a Federal Law which is protected by Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

He continued: “In addition to the above, every action of a State Assembly, from relocation to creation, boundary adjustment etc of a Local Government Area is subject to Section 8 (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended. It is subject to an Act of the National Assembly as provided for in Section 8 (5) above referred to.

The action of the State Assembly is clearly in violation of the constitution and to that extent void and of no effect whatsoever.

Delta 2015: It is all quiet again Continued from page 25 forward Emerhor’s aspiration.

A pointer to this is the deadlock that resulted from the state congresses in Delta State.

Party elders have also noted the presence in the APC of some diehard loyalists of former Governor James Ibori in their party. The Ibori boys made their presence known during the recent congresses of the APC where they overwhelmed many of those who came into the APC from the

legacy parties.

The belief in some circles is that the Ibori boys could be preparing to use the APC as a platform to actualise their goals should they be shut out from the PDP by enemies of their patron based in Abuja.

Meanwhile, with the incumbent governor reportedly constituting a team of core loyalists to monitor and ensure that members of his cabinet do not violate his injunction to stop political hustling, it is not surprising that on the surface

that there is a lull in the contest for the governorship of Delta State. Indeed, those outside the cabinet would seem to be having a field day.

Almost daily a few of them assert themselves in the public space through one activity or the other. But for the likes of Senator Okowa who missed it by whiskers in 2007 and Ochei who have endured thus far, they can only continue on the waiting game until push comes to shove!

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

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HE last few weeks have shown the strong resolution of Nigerians to withstand the shock of the abduction of more than 200 girls from Chibok in Borno State; the World Economic Forum was also successfully held in Abuja under strictly controlled atmosphere of peace. Agreed, it was not a normal situation when an important business discussion would be held in a situation where shops and offices remained closed for three days.

It is admirable that the Boko Haram notoriety in Nigeria because of the Western World (led by USA) has expressed support for Nigeria‘s belated efforts in curbing the raging inferno.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is at war with itself. A fact recognized by our foreign friends but not by majority of Nigerian politicians whose main interest lies in the capturing of power in 2015, with its opportunities of squandering the national wealth. The diverse offers of help by many nations and the condemnation of wanton destruction of lives and properties in the country is an indication that Nigeria is held high in the world.

There is little doubt that the seemingly successful Boko Haram insurgency has challenged the high efforts of our security outfits. The bandits were not only able to abduct female students in a crude fashion, but also could provide their victims with uniforms and organize Quaranic classes undisturbed within three weeks, in a supposedly civilized state under the Rule of Law. At the moment, this great nation seems to be on its knees, at the mercy of its international friends for necessary gadgets (experts and materials) to tackle insecurity problems in three out of the 36 states of the country. Also, the country is throwing its doors open to foreign investors to maintain economic growth and create employment.

On our part, this is the time to implement the test of soul searching and examine critically the conscience of political leadership which is based

The humbling of the nation: Time for realism principally on the survival and perpetual succession, and this at any cost. The root of Boko Haram insurgency, some have argued justifiably, is firmly rooted in the operation of the “Sharia” system in some Northern states.

It is observed that in some Northern states, Sharia laws are being implemented by some local officials (not personnel of the Nigeria Police) with impunity. The flagrant disobedience of some provisions of the Nigerian Constitution which harp on the freedom of worship and freedom to live peacefully in any part of the country has encouraged the rise and spread of religious bigotry.

In many parts of the country, lives had been lost, properties were destroyed without compensation – all had resulted in forced migration of people from the Northern to the Southern parts of the country.

Many analysts have argued in vain that the inability of some state governments and the federal authorities to tackle successfully the growth of political violence and religious intolerance have aided the growth of insecurity and insurgency.

It is firmly believed that this is the right time for Nigeria and its political leaders to face the reality of the present

situation. It is the right time because the country‘s foreign friends (out of enlightened self-interest) are prepared to help us combat the forces of insecurity (through the provision of security experts and equipment) and mass unemployment (through direct investments) in the real sectors of the economy. The challenge is at our doorstep so that President Jonathan could re-echo that Winston Churchill‘s famous saying – “Give us the tools and we will finish the job”.

At this grave moment when the powerful nations of the world are united in helping the country out of its many problems that might affect its existence, Nigeria‘s political leadership must accept the intriguing challenge of statehood.

What could and should be done at this moment of crisis? The President of the country must start to wear the toga of statesmanship. He should be seen as a National Leader and not a reluctant 2015 Presidential candidate of a ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Inspite of the many magnificent efforts by the party, its reign of over fifteen years have not brought steady electric power for the growth of domestic economic activities or has the copious production of crude oil and gas transformed the country into one of the

economic giants of the world; though we have promoted our country to the position of having the largest economy in Africa.

The late President Yar‘Adua fought the battle of resource control in the Niger Delta and won the battle by peaceful negotiation. Today, the battle is on oil theft and destruction of pipelines – a more dangerous problem of economic sabotage. This has been compounded by the introduction of unnecessary subsidy on some oil products because the nation, through lack of good planning, could not meet its domestic demand from its local refineries, and has to resort to importation of refined products.

It is gratifying that a national dialogue is going on to determine the future of the country, even if some are doubting the success of such debates that might result in the perpetuation of the ‘statusquo‘.

However, the reality of the present precarious situation requires absolute unity of all Nigerians, while a special appeal is being made to the Northern political leaders to show more interest in bringing Boko Haram insurrection to a quick end; to support full federalism which allows for state police and other security arrangements. The alluring prospects of power returning to the North in 2015 should not obliterate the necessities of survival today.

The mood, therefore, is the formation of a genuine National Government to tackle the prevalent problems of Insurgency, Power, Kidnapping, Armed robbery and Unemployment.

The ultimate sacrifice that the politicians at this moment of political instability and economic uncertainties is to forget the elections of 2015 and concentrate on winning the war within the country.

This would require all politicians holding offices in the states and federal governments to return to their bases and work successfully with the security agents in their areas of conflict. This is the way we can win the war.

Pension bill: The 'fit and proper person' test

BY OBIORA OBEAGU

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HE National Assembly Joint Committee on Pension Reform took the war against corruption in pension administration to a higher level with the introduction of the “fit and proper person” test in the Pension Reform Bill, 2013.

The proposal in Executive Bill to reduce the 20 years of experience for the appointment of the National Pension Commission’s (PENCOM) Director-General and the introduction of the ‘fit and proper person” test by the National Assembly are recognitions by both arms that 20 years experience requirement is flawed and has not served any useful purpose in pension administration. Not with the chilling revelations of looting of billions of pension funds mostly by persons with over 20 years experience.

The debates about pension reform bring back memories of the gory pictures of pensioners I constantly saw some years back under the Zone 3 pedestrian bridge in Abuja.

The poor old men were hit by the sun and beaten by the rain.

They lived, urinated, defecated, ate and slept under the bridge. They were then alleged to be military pensioners. Many of them starved and fell sick, and some were said to have died. It was a glaring case of man’s inhumanity to man!

Today, however, the Pension Reform Act (Amendment) Bill recently passed by both chambers of the National Assembly gives one hope that better days are here for pensioners. The Pension Transition Administration Department (PTAD) arrangement, under the Pension Reform Bill 2013, will, among other things, ensure the security of pension funds and direct payments of pensioners’ money into their accounts. In fact, I commend President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the audacity of the Acting DG of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu in activating the PTADs and pushing through further legislative steps to properly establish them.

Back to the “Fit and Proper” requirement, it is a great

masterstroke from the House of Representatives. In the wake of the massive fraud, scam and looting of billions of pension funds, which the Senate President, Senator David Mark, rightly termed “Blood Money”, we need “fit and proper ” persons to run PENCOM. Those who opposed it and insisted on 20 years expereince argued either out of ignorance, mischief, or selfish interest.

Selfish interest The concept of “Fit and Proper Person” is applied all over the world; from Europe, Asia to America, etc, to select those that will run sensitive financial institutions like PENCOM. From the 1860’s when the British colonial administration introduced the English legal system in Nigeria, one of the criteria for being admitted as a lawyer, solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, beyond having academic qualification, is that you must be a “Fit and proper person”. This requirement has been sustained and held sacred

over the years by the Council of Legal Education and the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Fit and proper” means that you must maintain standards of honesty, integrity and professionalism, and must not pose a risk to the public. The aim of the fit and proper test is to prevent unsuitable people from running a Financial Service Business or a Trust.

Around January 2013, the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the biennial “fit and proper” test for Bank CEOs as part of its efforts over the years to ensure that only “fit and proper persons” are appointed into top management positions in banks and other financial institutions. Therefore, you can be fired at any point you are found unfit and improper.

In Nigeria’s contributory pension scheme, the fit and proper test will exist to protect the interests of contributors, investors or beneficiaries whether actual or potential because fitness and properness encompasses honesty, integrity, reputation, experience, competence and the ability to conduct business or pilot the affairs of an

organization.

Instructively, those who allegedly looted billions of pension funds in the Head of Service had over 25 years experience! While I praise the Senate for heeding the clamour by pension stakeholders to lower the years of experience for the position of PENCOM DG, it is surprising that it retained the 15 years proposed by the executive. Luckily, the House of Representatives plugged the loophole. The House version states that “ persons to be appointed to the office of the Chairman of the Board of PENCOM, the DG and Commissioners shall be fit and proper persons with adequate cognate experience in pension matters”.

I advice both chambers to retain the House’s version during harmonisation of the Bill to raise the stakes in pension administration and give further teeth to President Jonathan’s efforts to rid pension administration of old pension thieves.

*Obiora Obeagu, a lawyer, wrote from Abuja

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014— — 29

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30— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA udith Audu has come J a long way to be counted among those who matter in Nollywood.Having featured in many flicks and sitcoms, Judith tried her hands at producing her own film and she made a big impresssion with her short film ‘Not Right’, an expose on domestic violence.

Born and bred in Lagos with a Masters degree in Public and International Affairs and a B.A in French, both from the University of Lagos,Judith has more than enough to succeed anywhere but chose acting because that is what makes her happy. She speaks with WG on her career, marriage and her passions. Excerpts: How did you get into acting?

I thought I was going to be a broadcaster but as I was growing up, I realised I had a flair for acting. At first, I was too shy to join theatre groups until I made up my mind and took the step when I gained admission into the University of Lagos.

And my first

I can’t put up with domestic violence

— Judith Audu experience was fun. I have recreated and acted plenty films in my head so when I had the opportunity to do so in front of people, it felt really cool.

ever on screen was on Tajudeen Adepetu’s One Love in 2004. Denrele Edun and I were in the same Theatre group, T15, and he invited me to come over to Alpha Vision and read for a role instead of just staying at home because University of Lagos was on strike at the time. I went and got a role.

Though it was a small one, I was happy about it and was advised by a friend to go register with the Actors Guild of

How did the journey begin to where you are today?

My first appearance

Nigeria (AGN) which I did.

I then started attending auditions and finally got my first role in a movie titled Tears of the Ghetto(Life is Beautiful) by Femi Ogedengbe. I then featured in another movie titled Hammer by Izu Ojukwu.

When the strike was called off, I returned to school to resume my final year. I realised I couldn’t cope, combining acting, modeling and schooling so I stopped acting totally.

The only screen programme I was still part of was a kiddies TV series Funtime where I was playing a

major in the series and also doing voice-over for the cartoon segment that continued till 2006. In 2010, I heard of Tinsel audition and attended it, got a recurring role as a gynecologist and since then I have been acting professionally fulltime. I have since featured in several series and movies like Huzzel, Emerald, Seekers, Comfort Zone, House Apart, Switch, Yes I Don’t, Love is Overrated, Alpha Mum, Stopping Kloe, Out of Fire, 4 Walls, Olorogun n Company, just to mention a few. I also recently tried my hands at producing and did a short movie on domestic violence titled Not Right.I wrote it myself and it features outstanding actors like Omowunmi Dada, Ani Iyoho, Philip Festus and I. It is directed by Uduak-Obong Patrick.

Were you a victim of domestic violence and why did you choose the topic?

I choose the topic because it is beginning to eat deep into our society. These days, we hear stories of husbands beating wives to death and Continues on page 31

•Judith Audu

Club Quilox to go on Ramadan break

On Solange and Jay-Z: Uti vows to divorce Beyonce

Between information, privacy and judgment against Google

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—31

Synopsis The movie Devil In The Detail is releasing on Friday, attached is the art work.

Synopsis: The movie tells the story of a suspicious affair which almost ruins a perfect marriage as husband and wife take a wild goose chase into the world of sex, lies and betrayal, risking everything in one of the craziest love triangles ever.

I can’t put up with domestic violence — Judith Audu Continues from page 30

so on. It is provoking when I hear stories like that because I don’t believe anybody should do that to a fellow human being they claim to love. Such things should not be tolerated or accepted.

Communication should be the only medium to resolve issues and not violence. I have never experienced it but I have met and spoken to people who have and I hope the movie will throw more light and make them see reasons to stop battering their wives. There have been movies on this same topic but I believe a topic like this can never be over emphasised.

How would you react if you find yourself in a domestic violence situation?

I wouldn’t accept it. My reaction would depend on a lot of things but I am hundred percent sure I would never put up with it and sit quiet to become anybody’s punching bag.

With this production, is it good bye to acting?

Never! Acting is my first love. I will never stop acting. Every other job is secondary.

After this, what other production are you putting out?

Currently, I am working on a TV show. You will get more information about it as it unfolds.

What other productions have you been part of this year?

So far, I have shot two movies with Mnet Original Movies. I have also featured in Stopping Kloe, Out of Fire, Alpha Mumand Antique.

Also, I am back on the set of Emerald .

Tell us what you don’t like about the industry?

There is a lack of professionalism which runs deep in the industry.

There is also the lack of respect for actors. Sometimes, people address us like we are desperate, jobless and offer almost nothing that can cover even transportation and expect us to be excited. If not for the love I have for acting, I have been

tempted several times to get a regular job but then I always find myself coming back to the industry.

Could you tell us about your life as a married woman and what the attraction was for you?

July 1st this year will make it three years I got married. I would say the chemistry we had when we met for the first time was very strong, we had great laughs together, had intelligent conversations and the friendship built up over time. We dated for three years before we got

He understands me and always pushes me to accomplish things I have never thought I could do because he made me learn to leave my comfort zone and set high standards for myself. married.

The attraction for me was the friend I found in him. He understands me and always pushes me to accomplish things I have never thought I could do because he made me learn to leave my comfort zone and set high standards for myself.

Married to a foreigner, do you have issues adapting to a foreign culture?

It really doesn’t make any difference to me really except he has a white skin and I have a dark skin. It would have been same if I married anyone outside my tribe in Nigeria as we all have different cultures.

Adaptation happens naturally. I am still learning to speak the language though.

Does he relish our local cuisine?

Yes he has few he loves.

Exhibition Schedule from MAY, 16 — MAY, 232014

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK The Amazing Spider Man 2 FROZEN GROUND SINGLE MOMS CLUB HEAVEN IS FOR REAL ENDLESS LOVE

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Devil in the detail : 3:00pm,7:00pm The Amazing Spider Man 2 : 12:30pm,3:10pm,6:00pm,8:40pm The Frozen Ground : 7:00pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Devil in the detail : 3:00pm,5:20pm Endless Love : 1:10pm,7:15pm Amazing Spider Man 2 :10:30pm,12:55pm,5:40pm,8:20pm Frozen Ground : 2:35pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Devil in the detail : 12:40pm,2:30pm,4:30pm,6:20pm,8:10pm Amazing Spider Man 2 : 12:30pm,3:10pm,5:50pm,8:40pm,9:10pm Finding Love : 12:10pm,2:10pm,4:10pm,6:10pm,8:00pm, The Frozen Ground : 11:45am Heaven is for Real : 2:40pm,6:40pm,8:45pm Knocking on Heaven’s Door :12:00pm,4:20pm The Single Moms Club : 3:20pm About last night : 8:05pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Devil in the detail : 2:45pm,6:45pm The Amazing Spider Man 2 : 12:50pm,3:30pm,6:10pm,8:50pm Find Love : 8:40pm

SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Devil in the detail : 12:50pm,2:40pm,4:50pm,6:50pm,8:50pm The Amazing Spider Man 2 : 12:10pm,3:00pm,5:45pm,8:30pm The Frozen Ground : 12:40pm Heaven is for Real : 8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Endless Love : 11:20am,7:05pm, The Amazing Spider Man 2 : 3:15pm,6:00pm,8:40pm The Frozen Ground : 12:55pm,5:10pm The Single Mom Club : 2:55pm, The Nut Job : 11:20am

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Stories By AYO ONIKOYI

Half of a Yellow Sun opens in New York

T

HE most anticipated film in Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adiche’s bestselling and award winning novel is presently screening at the New York African Film Festival and opens on Friday, 16th of May in New York and Friday 23rd of May in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, a major character in the movie, Anika Rose Noni who played the character of Kainene said in a recent interview that she was excited playing the role of an Igbo woman Speaking on the partial ban in Nigeria she said “I say it’s disappointing. You can’t hide history. We want to see history and share history and talk about history so that you don’t get caught in the cycle of repetition because we are human and it is our tendency to repeat. We are at times wonderful, giving and kind and then at other times,we are atrocious and awful and inhumane. Those are the things we don’t want to repeat”.

Anika is a Grammy award winner and an American singer cum actress. She starred in “Dream Girls”, “The Princess and The Frog”. She is presently nominated for a Tony award.

The cast of the film directed by UKbased Nigerian playwright Biyi Bandele and produced by winner of an OSCAR and three BAFTAs, Andrea Calderwood and Yewande Sadiku include Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, John Boyega, Wale Ojo, Tina Mba, Zack Orji Anika Rose Noni and Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

Terry G G Terry shows shows off off dollar dollar bills bills

T

HE social media has suddenly become a platform for celebs not just to show off their music and push their brands, it’s also a medium for them to show off their wealth. Street hop crooner Gabriel Amanyi a.k.a Terry G took to instagram this week to show off his crisp dollar notes for his fans to savor. The picture inscription reads:’ Counting my blessings, thank you lord’

‘Star The Winner’ berths in Lagos after regional auditions

A

FTER one week of rigorous regional auditions, the search for the most vocally talented Nigerians to take part in Africa’s first ever music talent and game show ‘Star The Winner ’ came to an outstanding finale in Lagos on the 8th of May 2014.

The regional auditions which took place in five major cities, kicked off on the 29th of April 2014 in Benin and ended in a two- day vocal talent extravaganza on May 7 and May 8 drawing thousands of hopefuls with a recordbreaking turnout converging at Acquatic Hotels in Ikeja Lagos.

In the midst of the colourful multitude that thronged the venue, 29-year old singer, Henry McJohn stood out.

Henry who had been on several musical talent hunt shows impressed the selectors with his rendition of Gerald Levert’s I’d Give Anything. Nonso Iwuchukwu also wowed the selectors with his flawless rendition of Beyoncé’s Love On Top. Others who made the bill are 23-year-old Micheal Achu from Enugu; Jahtell Ilem from Benin City; Bigwan Faith from Abuja;Desmond David from Portharcourt;

On Solange and Jay-Z: Uti vows to divorce Beyonce

U

ti Nwachukwu is not married to Beyonce but he puts himself in Jayz’s shoes after the brawl Beyonce’s sister had with Jay Z last week.

There has been various opinions about the brawl between Solange and Jayz and a lot of Nigerian celebrities have been expressing themselves on the issue through various social media medium. The actor cum model Uti Nwachukwu simply said in his tweet:”Unless Solange caught me cheating on Beyonce,or I toasted Solange behind Beyonce, I swear I will divorce Beyonce,” he says.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 —33

Wizkid, Tiwa Savage renew Pepsi deal

F

By Iyabo Aina

AST raising hip-hop artist Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid and ytop female music crooner Tiwa savage now have more reasons to smile, as reputable beverage

company , Pepsi have reportedly extended their contracts.

Recall, two years ago, the duo were signed with Pepsi as brand ambassadors. The multi million Naira deal was initially for a year, but was extended for another year in 2013. Pepsi took the risk of

signing Tiwa in 2012 when she hadn’t even released an album, making her the first female act to represent the global brand in Nigeria.

The two Pepsi ambassadors have just had their endorsement deals renewed for another five years.

Club Quilox to go on Ramadan break N

igeria’s first purpose built and luxury nightclub, Quilox is set to proceed on a one-month break towards the end of June 2014.

According to sources at the club, the break will likely take place during the Holy month of Ramadan, as

Quilox boss and owner, Shina Peller is a Muslim who observes the Holy month of fasting with strong religious principles.

The club has a unique schedule in place that includes seasonal breaks occurring annually during

Biodun Okeowo out with Ore part 2

A the Holy month, and other special events spread across the various seasons of its calendar Quilox is expected to reopen after the break in grand style as it is customary for the elegant and exclusive nightclub.

FTER a moneyspinning outing and rave reviews of her latest movie Ore, sexy Yoruba actress, Biodun Okeowo is back with the part two of the movie.

According to Biodun Ore teaches women keeping friends and sharing deep secrets with them to be cautious as these same friends may turn around to be their worst enemies. “In this movie, you will see how ladies can betray the trust of

their friends just because of their own selfish interest”.

The movie which was shot in the United States of America, Lagos State and Ogun State features Iyabo Ojo, Doris Simeon and Biodun Okeowo as close friends,. Other cast members include Yinka Quadri, Aishat Abimbola, Kunle Adegbite, Remi Surutu, Tayo Adeleye, Tayo Odueke (Sikiratu Sindodo), Tayo Adeniyi, Allwell Ademola and Rafiu Balogun (Baba Balogun

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014— — 35

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36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

I

t is often said that where one person’s right stops is where another person’s begins. This truth rings true in the digital world more than anywhere else. If an app is legally created to distribute music for free, how do you protect the talent’s copyright?

How do you confirm information already dancing around the internet when you do not have direct access to sources? And if you’re simply a search engine like Google, what right do you have to ignore links to information on the web?

These issues have become paramount as top EU court has ruled that Google must amend some search results at the request of ordinary people in a test of the so-called “right to be forgotten”.

The European Union Court of Justice said links to “irrelevant” and outdated data should be erased on request. The case was brought by a Spanish man

Between information, privacy and judgment against Google who complained that an auction notice of his repossessed home on Google’s search results infringed his privacy. Backers of the “right to be forgotten” are celebrating this ruling. EU Commissioner Viviane Reding told international media that it is “a clear victory for the protection of personal

I-deals for your new iPhone E

veryone knows that getting an iPhone should cost a small fortune.

After all, even the elders say that any soup that comes out well had a lot of money spent on it. But with recent developments in Lagos, getting an iPhone has become a stress-free affair. iStore, an Apple Authorised Reseller based in Ikeja Mall, has launched iDeals, the first official finance deal for iPhone, which gives customers the option to finance their iPhone purchase over 12 months. iDeals makes owning an iPhone more affordable than ever before by providing a cost effective solution of interest free monthly instalments, starting at just 9500 Naira a month.

The iDeals announcement follows the recent news on the 2nd of May that iPhone was launched officially for the first time in Nigeria through Apple Authorised Resellers. iStore is the first Apple Authorised Reseller to sell iPhone and to offer iDeals. “We are thrilled to launch iDeals and offer a finance option for iPhone and give Nigerians the opportunity to purchase at an affordable monthly rate. iDeals is genuinely interest free - if you divide the cash price of iPhone by 12, this is the monthly payment you will make, there is no additional interest,” says Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, iStore

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Director. iDeals is available for both iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s through a StanbicIBTC salary account starts at just 9500 Naira per month for the iPhone 5C 16GB model, 11 300 Naira per month for the iPhone 5s 16GB model, 13 000 Naira per month for the iPhone 5s 32GB model and 14 800 Naira per month for the iPhone 5s 64 GB model. Additionally, those iStore customers that would prefer to do a straight cash purchase, will have the option of cash pricing as well.

data of Europeans”. But the judgment could have huge consequences for anyone who publishes material online about individuals, and they will urgently be asking their lawyers exactly what it means.

Can anyone who does not like an old story about them simply demand that it is wiped away?

It would seem so - the ruling Customers can apply for iDeals* at iStore, any StanbicIBTC branch nationwide or online at www.ideals.com.ng.

Once the application form has been submitted, processed and approved, customers will be contacted to collect their iPhone.

Furthermore, when purchasing an iPhone from iStore, customers can rest assured that they are buying from an Apple Authorised Reseller that is officially approved by Apple to sell iPhone and therefore offers local warranty support and services.

The warranty on iPhone is valid for a year and if any repair issues** arise during the warranty term, customers can claim for free warranty support. This is the first time, iPhone customers will have the convenience of local warranty in Nigeria from a partner approved by Apple.

Customers who either purchase from unauthorised resellers or who travel frequently and buy product outside of Nigeria, should consider the benefit of purchasing iPhone from iStore and having the advantage of local warranty support.

says the rights of the individual are paramount when it comes to their control over their personal data, although there is a public interest defence when it comes to people in public life.

Google, having won at earlier stages of this legal battle, is both surprised and furious at this outcome.

Google said the ruling was “disappointing”. As it does not control data, it only offers links to information freely available on the internet.

It has previously said forcing it to remove data amounts to censorship.

The EU Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, welcomed the court’s decision in a post on Facebook, saying it was a “clear victory for the protection of personal data of Europeans”.

“The ruling confirms the need to bring today’s data protection rules from the “digital stone age” into today ’s modern computing world.”

On one hand, this could mean that individuals, who have had their privacy infringed upon, can finally find a way to get it back. On the other hand, what happens when Google is asked to pull down videos of the Chibok Girls, My Oga at the Top, or There is God ooo?

Then, what happens to our right to information in this information driven world?

New Dell series blend comfort and power I n its new laptop series, Dell is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to give customers a perfect blend of power and comfort. Dell’s new Inspiron 14, 15 and 17 5000 Series laptops and its Inspiron 14 and 15 3000 Series laptops, just in time for the Back-to-School season, are aimed at helping people achieve their best through every phase of their lives.

Powerful Intel 4th Generation processors, massive hard drives, and responsive 10finger touch displays up to Full HD resolution are some of the options designed to meet the needs of consumers’ diverse lifestyles. New features that make life easier include 20GB of Dropbox cloud storage for

sharing, saving and collaborating, and facial recognition software to make using passwordenabled web sites safer. All of these products seamlessly fit into your life on your terms.

“Students and parents alike want technology that helps them to be successful in their personal and educational pursuits,” said Ray Wah, vice president, Dell Consumer PC Group.

“Our new Inspiron laptops are a smart investment for families, providing the latest technology for productivity and entertainment in thin, space-saving designs.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014— —37

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA; Happenings within your working arena’ll give genuine cause to smile and with efforts on your part you’re in for a rewarding day. Take advantage of your sex-appeal to enhance your love life. Experiment with ideas creatively.

SCORPIO ; Creativity may take front in what’s happening within your base of operation and the best for you is to join them. Lovers are fairly favoured.

SAGITTARIUS ; Tomorrow is your great day. Yet your being creative today can earn you un-expected good result at the end of the day. Be family minded now.

CAPRICORN ; Needed solution to challenges along your career/business lines will come through your being creative. Prepare to take good advice on your finances.

AQUARIUS; If you take unusual ideas coming to your mind today more seriously, thins’ll work favourably for you. The more financially ambitious you’re the better.

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE strength of every tree lies in its root. And the solidity of every building lies in the foundation. As it is with tree and building so it is with the society.

The family is the bedrock of every so-

The Nigerian Family ciety. And at the peak of the family are the father and the mother of the home. What Nigeria is today is the aggregate of what the families in Nigeria

TERROR MUDA

wants it to be. That is to say what Nigeria is today is the totality of all the fruits produced by every family in Nigeria.

Painful as it is the truth must be told.

in “Never say goodbye”

Our fathers have failed Nigeria, ditto our mothers, our uncles, aunts etc.

If our nation must survive, fathers and mothers and all our elders must get their families right, for the right family, pro duces the right society.

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; The Moon in your Star sign favours aggressive approach in a favourable way. Here is a day Artist among you can create master piece. Be stead-fast.

ARIES You’ll have much to gain if you’re more co-operative and embrace creative ideas of your close associates. And it’s good to be friendly, loving and caring.

TAURUS ; Aggressive approach is not what you need at work now, but creative approach. You’ve got nothing to lose if you take good advice from your friends.

GEMINI ; Whatever anybody says about your ambition and desire success will crown your efforts today. The more creative you are the better for your cause. And lovers can make it an exciting and happy day. Show your sex appeal and be loving.

CANCER; Your ideas are brilliant and if you blend them creatively the sky’ll be the limit. Let people within your home base know that you truly care for them.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO; It does not matter who initiates creative idea that lead to success what is important is you should not be left in the cold all alone. The more co-operative you are the better for you. Don’t ignore your magnetic se-appeal.

VIRGO.; Good luck and happiness indicated for you today. But then, the scope of your success’ll depend on how co-operative and creative you are both with your loved one and at work. Prepare to take good advice especially from younger person(s).

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,

Basic characteristics of Capricorn Because they rarely day dream, Capricorn natives are set of practical people. This is because Capricorn is ruled by Saturn - the planet of career, sceptical and material things Although, the spirit of pessimism often times tempt the Capricorn born people, to succeed they will need to develop strong will that is indispensable to achievements of higher order because, series of challenges will come his/her way before he/she finally makes it to the top. Most natives of Capricorn are forced to shoulder many responsibilities early in life. Career building comes first in their priority lists which often leads to enviable career achievements that guarantee recognition. And another name for Capricorn is PATIENCE. Yet, he/ she can appear mean in the business circle. And tell you that seriousness and business are synonymous.

Above all, they are endowed with leadership capacity.

Capricorn ‘s quality is cardinal, element is the earth.

The cardinal aspect makes a natural leader with strong ability for hard work. Natives of cardinal signs crave for action and strongly desire prominence and often times make success of their love of action and desire for importance through relentless efforts.

The earthly connection with Capricorn further confirms innate ability for hard work and practicality .

Saturn is the planet of hard task, delay, depression, frustration, frustration but reward after so much struggles. Being a difficult teacher, Saturn usually takes its natives through many different tasks, challenges and delay. All these are meant to teach them virtues of patience and hard work. However, Saturn usually brings its natives recognition and reward.

The cautious side of Saturn always manifest in all Capricorn born people thus, but it is necessary for them to watch that side of their characteristics as they often push their cautious side too far and most of the time it results to black mood.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014— —39

40—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

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Etiquette of Rajab

BY HARUN RAZAQ

R

MUSWEN charges Imams on peace,unity They 're Satan in cloak of Islam perpetrating evils land.

They should champion the cause of peace through their minds, their utterances and their physical being, knowing full well that any silence in the face of heresy is a conspiracy not only against the divine trust of Allah but also against His will. They should stand up to evil doers today as a way of preserving tomorrow for the coming generations. They should condemn heresy and heretic acts in all ramifications and call on the Almighty Allah to uproot the evil tree of heresy as well as the evil hands that plant it.

At this precarious moment in the life of Nigeria, when lives are being lost in droves, when school pupils are being devilishly abducted, when women and children are either being kidnapped or raped, all gen-

uine Imams should rise and mount their pulpits with powerful sermons and prayers in beseeching the Almighty Allah against the diabolical venom of Satan and his evil forces. They should organize public and private prayers at Eid grounds and imbue the nation with the blessings of Allah as divinely promised in their faith.

MUSWEN, like most Muslim organizations has randomly but severally condemned evil deed and evil doers especially those who are masquerad-

ing in the cloak of Islam to perpetrate heinous crimes with impunity. But prayers and admonitions can never be enough in a mazy circumstance. Now, Nigerians of all tribes, religions, genders and ages are at a crossroad. They are gripped by the trap of fear.

They are yearning for peace and tranquility. The prayers of Imams and their counsels are badly needed.

This is the time for qualified

,

T a time like this in the life of a country like Nigeria when things are not what they seem; when problems overwhelm the citizenry and life becomes uncertain; when confusion reigns almost supreme in the land and the falcon can hardly hear the falconer, there remains only one way to solution: and that is the way of the Almighty ALLAH. This is expository in Qur’an 2: 155-156 thus: “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and crops; but give good tidings to those who can exercise patience. Those who, when afflicted by a calamity, will say we are surely from Allah and to Allah we shall surely return”. They are the ones to be showered with divine blessings after forgiveness from their Lord and they shall remain the rightly guided ones”.

The current problems staring Nigerians on the face are not peculiar to Nigeria or to this particular era in the annals of human history. The people of yore had their challenges and trying moments just like Nigerians of today.

They had their time of endurance and perseverance in the face of un-foretold hardship and tribulation. Yet, they kept faith in God and never lost hope because they believed in the omnipotent and omnipresent power of the Almighty Allah to overcome any seemingly insuperable problem. And with faith and steadfastness, they surmounted their problems.

The God that guided them in those days is the same God of today. He begets not nor is He begotten. He neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is capable of anything at any time. To Him we pray. From Him we make all our requests. Onto Him alone we give all glory and show app r e c i a t i o n .

At a crisis time like this, Imams, being spiritual leaders of congregations, should have a vital role to play. Their role should not be spiritual alone. It must be social as well.

Thus, the Muslim Ummah of the Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) hereby calls on all Imams not only of the Southwest region but throughout Nigeria to rise up and lead the Muslim Ummah against the apparent calamity that is currently threatening to afflict Nigeria.

They should mobilize their congregations and rally them round the authorities in the land to defend the people and the nation against any evil machinations of satanic forces. They should counsel those congregations and lead them in hearty prayers for the nation and for Islam against heresy and the heretics who are hiding behind the name of Allah to ravage the sacredness of Islam while committing untold atrocities in the

Imams to prove their spiritual mettle. This is the time to rescue the nation and its people from the claw of Satan. “…..Allah does not change the situation of any nation or people until they have changed their way of life for the better. But when Allah wills punishment for (evil) people, there can be no turning back from it and they will not find a protector besides Him.”Q.13:11.

This is the time for qualified Imams to prove their spiritual mettle. This is the time to rescue the nation and its people from the claw of Satan

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AJAB is the seventh month of Islamic-Hijrah calendar. It is one of the four sacred months (Al-Ashurul hurum). Others are Dhul-Qadah (11th month), Dhul-Hijjah (12th month) and Muharram 1st month). During these months, Muslim are encouraged to move away from all sin and increase in acts of goodness such as iman (faith), ibadah (act of worship), kindness to others etc. The month of Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer and ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the EidulFitr. The prophet (s.a.w) did not recommend any special Nawafil for the month or special fasting or fasting all the days. There is no denying the fact that fasting in some of its days more importantly the recommended days of fasting in Islam such as Mondays, Thursdays or Ayaamu bi’id (i.e. 13th, 14th and 15th days of Islamic month) is one of the acts of worship which a Muslim could engage in during the month. However, it is bid’ah (innovation) to fast the whole of the month or attribute special reward for its fasting or Nawafil as believed and practiced by some Muslim today, according to the scholars of hadith there no authentic report from the Prophet (SAW) that states that (i.e. fast the whole of the month Rajab or attribute special reward for its fasting or Nawafil). All that has been related concerning it is not strong enough to be used as a proof. In fact, they were regarded as fabricated. Ibn Hajar says: ‘’There is no authentic hadith related to its virtues, not fasting during it or on certain days of it, nor concerning exclusively making night prayers during that month’’. Other scholars who are of this view include: asShaikh Nasrudeen Al-banni, Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (in Majmu Al-Fataawah 25/290), Ibn al-Qayyim (in almanaar al-Munif p.96), Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (in Tabyin al-Ajaib p.11), Shaikh Sayyid Sabiq (in Fiqhu Sunnah 1/ 282), Shaikh Uthaimeen etc.

Muslims, Christians urged to unite against Boko Haram

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USLIMS and Christians have been urged to continue to unite against the Boko Haram group in order to put an end to their activities.

The Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Fuad Adeyemi, made the call at a news conference in Abuja recently.

Adeyemi also urged religious leaders and politicians to desist from politicising the abduction of school girls in Chibok, Borno.

“We are very saddened by the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok.

“Many of our members have been fasting from that day.

We don’t care if the girls are Christians or Muslims, they are Nigerians and most importantly, they are human beings”, he said.

Adeyemi stressed the need for all Nigerians to rally round the federal government in the bid to rescue the girls.

The Imam called on the Fed-

eral Government to continue to explore all meaningful ways to end the insurgency.

Adeyemi said that both Muslims and Christians were always the target of the terrorists, adding that nobody should be deceived by the antics of the terrorists and their cohorts.

He held that the call by some individuals for the removal of Governors of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, was unconstitutional and retrogressive.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—41

Penckers kids visit Saudi for Umurah

Don’t accept prisoners swap, Ahmadiyya warns FG A

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

HMADIYYA Muslim Jama’at Nigeria has urged the Federal Government not to accept the condition by Boko Haram sects to swap the over 200 abducted female students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State with the captured Boko Haram militants.

They gave the charged at a media briefing held at their Headquarters, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, saying, “swapping the abducted girls for the captured militants would further empower the Boko Haram sects.”

The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Fashola, said that swapping abducted person for militants is totally against the tenet of Islam.

According to him: “We shouldn’t accept it. Islam doesn’t accept negotiating with criminals. Boko Haram has nothing to do with the true teaching of Islam. To have kidnapped someone who didn’t fight you and demand for negotiation. It is out of the question.”

Fashola noted that rather than negotiating with the Boko Haram sect, the Federal Government should further allocate more funds to provide the necessary logistics to the se-

curity apparatus in the country to rescue the abducted girls and capture the members of the sect.

He added: “this was why we have applauded the central government for accepting the support of foreign countries that have the technical logistics to locate the whereabouts of the girls.”

Fashola however, said that as foreign countries arrive to provide the required logistics to aid the immediate rescue of

the abducted girls, the central government should monitor their activities.

He explained: “When developed countries go to anywhere, they are looking for the gains they will get. They are coming into the country not to lose. They aren’t coming into the country to spend citizens’ tax where they will not receive any gain. That is what is called rationale behaviour in economics.

Muslim group holds prayer session for abducted girls in Ilorin

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USLIM Women Char itable Association, Ilorin recently organised a prayer session for the safe return of some school girls abducted in Chibok, Borno.

The prayer session which featured recitation of several portions from the Holy Quran was held at the palace of the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari.

The founder of the group and wife of the emir, Hajia Rafat Sulu-Gambari, urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in securing the country’s security.

She also charged the country’s security agents to collaborate with their foreign coun-

terparts in securing the release •Penckers kids and some staff during tawaf in Kaaba. of the abducted girls.

The emir’s wife appealed to Nigerians to provide the security agents with useful information in fighting terrorists.

The founder also advised Nigerians to love one another irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation, saying this would promote peace and harmony.

Hajia Fatimoh Saheed, who had earlier led members of the association in prayers, prayed to God for quick and safe recovery of the school girls.

Saheed also prayed for peaceful co-existence in the state and the country at large.

•Penckers kids and some staff of the school in Muzdaliffa

Al-Hujaaj tours three holy mosques T

HE foremost hajj and Umurah services company in Nigeria, Al-Hujaaj International has taken another giant step in travels and tours industry.

The company recently embarked on a tour to three holy mosques in the world - Masjid Haram in Makkah, Masjid Nabawiy in Madinah and Masjid Qudus in Jerusalem.

The holy prophet said in his famous hadith, that “No one should travel for the purpose of visiting (any mosque) except the three mosques.

The basic wisdom underlying the command and guidance of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) is that other than the three Holy Mosques, there is no other place, or masjid, or shrines, or tombs,

•Penckers International School , Isolo in Madinah.

or graves, etc., the visiting of which has any merit or special rewards from Allah Subhanah!

The first pligim that visited these holy mosques performed it in Rabiul-awwal while another performed in Rajab, from 30th of april to May 9.

According to one of the visitors, the places visited in Mekkah, Madinah and other normal umra rites. They later proceed to Isreal to visit the Mosque in Jerusalem as well as the point of ascension of Prophet Muhammad and descension during which he got the commandment of five daily prayers.

The Imam of the mosque, Sheik Al-Imam Abbas prayed for Alhaji Abdul-Jeleel Ani-

masaun, Dr , Lanre Bidmus of Department of Islamic & Arabic Religious Knowledge, University of Ilorin who led the delegation and other members of the delegation.

For any intending visitor, other places of important note are where the Prophet (s.a.w) leads all the Prophets in Salat; Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon); where Jesus spoke in the cradle as well as place of birth of his mother, Mariam. Other places include Mount Nebo, where Prophet Musa (a.s) broke the slate of testament in angry with his people, who chose to worship calf in his absence; the wall of Jericho, wailing wall tomb of Prophet Shuaib among other places.

"Do not set out on a journey except for three Mosques i.e. Al-Masjid-AI-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Apostle , and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, (Mosque of Jerusalem)." Pro. Muh (s.a.w)

•Memebers of Al-Hujaaj Travels and Tours Services at the Holy Mosque in Jerusalem.

42—V anguard 42—Vanguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MAY 16 , 2014

Toward a more productive Nigerian federation (2) This is the second and concluding instalment of this response. The first part was published in yesterday's edition of Vanguard

BY KIMSE OKOKO HAT the North has natural resources endowment that are more sustained which, if harnessed, would evolve a new and balanced federation that is productive, progressive and prosperous. This way, the morbid desire on the part of the predatory class to continue to appropriate and expropriate the resources of the Niger Delta will no longer be as compelling.

Alhaji Yakasai’s statistics were selective configured to convince himself that the North had always been the big brother financially in the Nigerian arrangement. Opinions are free but facts are sacred. Let me start by quot-

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the Northern Protectorate was an economic liability to the British Colonial Administration. This view was aptly captured by Lord Harcourt, the Colonial Secretary, when the boldly stated: Unification of Nigeria demanded both ‘method’ and ‘a man’. The man was to be Lord Lugard and the method was to be the ‘marriage’ of the two entitles. We have released Northern Nigeria from the leading strings of the treasury. The promising and well conducted youth is now on an allowance on his own and is about to effect an alliance with a southern lady of means. I have issued the special licencee and Sir Frederick Lugard will perform the ceremony. May the union be fruitful and the couple constant.

Furthermore, in European Scientific Journal, October 2013 edition volume 9 No. 29 ISSN 1857-

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Right from the beginning, the Northern Protectorate was deficit ridden and could not, therefore, have been a source of financing any developments in the South

ing from Michael Crowder, the great historian, in his article titled Lugard and Colonial Nigeria - Towards an Identity? which was taken from his book “History Today”, February 1986, Vol. 36, pp 23 – 29, wherein he stated “the Colonial Office ruled that the rich Southern Protectorate should provide the deficit-ridden Northern Protectorate with the funds to finance its Baro rail line.”

PR OF OK O PROF OF.. KIMSE OK OKOK OKO Right from the beginning, the Northern Protectorate was deficit ridden and could not, therefore, have been a source of financing any developments in the South. On the contrary, evidence abounds that the South had been the source of sustenance of the North long before the amalgamation in 1914, as shown from the records of the colonial office.

The Sir Sydney Philipson, made available by Alhaji Tanko Yakasai runs contrary to the irrefutably established fact that the Northern Protectorate and the colony and Southern Protectorate were amalgamated because

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7881 (print) e-ISSN 1857-1731, Usman Mohammed also stated.

In appointing Lord Lugard to plan and direct the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, the Colonial Office was concerned to combine the North’s financial deficit with South’s surplus and to unify competing railway networks.

Exercise in humour The poetic use of the terms, ‘Youth’ (man) for the North and ‘Lady’ (woman) for the South was neither an accident nor an exercise in humour. It was a serious matter, with the game plan being to bring the two parties together in order to give the North political power over the South and permanent control over Southern resources.

In the section of his presentation entitled ‘Revenue Allocation’ (pp. 4-8), Alhaji Yakasai provided comparative analyses of revenues and expenditure of Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria for the period 1914 to 192526. My doubts about the authenticity of the data notwithstanding, I proceed to examine them as presented.

Schedule 1 shows that the Actual Revenue and Expenditure (in British Pounds Sterling) for Northern Nigeria (in 1914) were 770, 979 and 737, 437, respectively. In sharp contrast, revenue and expenditure for Nouthern Nigeria for the same year were

200,778 and 888,651 respectively.

For the years covered in the other two schedules, the northern provinces were consistently awash with surplus while the southern provinces were purportedly in deficit. Let it be noted, however, that the revenues so reflected were largely from ‘Direct Taxes’ collected by the North’s Native Authority under the tax policies instituted by Lord Lugard.

Comparative attitude The Warrant Chiefs of the southern provinces were less successful in collection, given the lessthan-cooperative attitude of citizens within their jurisdictions.

Revenues imposition of tax by the colonial administration is instructively in this regard. Now, we all know that the direct taxation is only one of several sources of public revenue and that it would be misleading to project an economy as sound or otherwise on the basis of receipts from a limited set of revenue heads. That precisely was the glaring inadequacy of the aforesaid schedules.

For some insight into the relative economic strengths of southern Nigeria and northern Nigeria, we can look at sections of the ‘Colonial Annual Report on Nigeria (No. 878) of 1914. On page 4, we find a comparative table for 1913 as follows: Given the relative strengths of the regions in the production of these exports, we should have little difficulty making out who got what in revenue terms. A complete picture of sector-by-sector performancecovering Agriculture, Fisheries, Manufactures, etc- and trade could be gleaned from pages 7-15 of that publication. The data in the table above reminds us that every part of Nigeria has the natural resource base for sound economic performance and sustenance.

The unfair treatment of the South in relation to the North continues to this day as evidenced in the monthly ritual of revenue sharing in Abuja.

Whereas the Local Governments in the North receive collectively 54.9 per cent, the LGAs in the South receive only 45.1 per cent.

Similarly, while the States in the North collectively receive 56.98 Continues on page 43

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MAY 16 , 2014 —43

Toward a more productive Nigerian federation (2) Continues from page 42

per cent, the States in the South receive only 43.02 per cent. See analysis below derived from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation as published

by Federal Ministry of Finance: For purposes of brevity, I am aunable to present the ananlysis of Federal Government expenditure Ministry by Ministry, but I cannot resist the temptation to draw attention to the expenditures of parastatals under Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources with weigh heavily in favour of the North.

Revenue generation figures This is reflective of the pattern in virtually all sectors. When the above figures are juxtaposed with the revenue generation figures attributable to the North vis-a-vis the South, the picture becomes saddening.

The South’s petroleum production accounts for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s export earnings and more than 80 per cent of total government revenue, yet it receives less than the North from the common pool. For example, in 2010, Nigeria had export income of $82.54 billion, out of which $78.41 billion was attributable to petroleum.

Furthermore, much noise has been made about the 13 per cent derivation that the oil producing states have been receiving since 2000 but these antagonists deliberately refuse to relate this meagre allocation to: •The incalculable environmental damage: To start with, the United Nations Environmental Programme has put the initial cost of cleaning up Ogo-

on average is twenty six times the cost in the North. See analysis in the table below: I have highlighted these figures not to sadden Alhaji Tanko Yakasai. The figures are merely to demonstrate that the South has been a magnanimous big brother in the last hundred years. Instead of focusing on revenue allocation, Alhaji Yakasai will help the North if the exploitation of the vast resources in the North is given greate r priority. Benue State has proven reserves of 305,204,045 m e t r i c tonnes of Iron-ore that is presently valued at about $41 billion, while Kwara State has proven reserves of 250,900,445 metric tonnes of the same mineral with a current value of about $34 billion. And this is just one of the many minerals that abound in these and other states of the North.

Considering the enormous employment opportunities that the exploitation of these resources will unleash on the indigenes of these States, and the knock-on effect on other parts of the country, Conferees are implored to focus on the enthronement of true federalism which is the master-key that will open the door of prosperity for every nook and cranny of this great country.

Alhaji Yakasai has stated that royalties and mineral rents

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Much noise has been made about the 13 per cent derivation that the oil producing states have been receiving since 2000 but these antagonists deliberately refuse to relate this meagre allocation to the incalculable environmental damage

ni land at $1bn for the first five years, which is only a trickle when compared to the projected cost of cleaning up of the Niger Delta, that has been put at $500bn US dollars, (as at 2010), the equivalent of N82.5 trillion. At the current rate, it will take close to 40 years to clear up the physical environment if all the derivation funds are directed to the clean-up exercise alone. The cost implication to human health, life expectancy and socio-economic dislocation have not been factored into these figures.

•The relative cost of infrastructure development which

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were the basis for the application of the principle of derivation in the 1963 Constitution.

He also stated that the funding of the Niger Delta Development Authority was from the Federation allocation not from the Mid-West and Eastern Regions.

The claim that the North contributed more to the Federal Government fund as indicated in the three schedules of the “Actual Provincial Revenue Contributions to the Central Funds and Expenditure on Provisional Services” which he provided has been proven to be

misleading. We have also established that a lot more narratives as quoted in this paper has shown that the South preindependence posted a surplus and post independence have borne the burden of the country.

Deficit position One wonders how the North as reported by Yakasai made sacrifices through its contributions to fund the South and NDDB from its deficit position. However, on the clever assertion by Alhaji Tanko Yakasai that the principle of derivation only applied to the royalty and rents, he deliberately omitted the provision in Section 140 of the 1963 Constitution to wit: “For the purpose of this section, the continental shelf of a region shall be deemed to be part of the region."

These revenue source in favour of the East also contributed to the funding of NDDB. Added to the above revenue source were all import duties on petrol and diesel which were 100 per cent retained including excise duty on tobacco. It is an established practice in federalism, by the principle of equity, that States financially disadvantaged are taken care of by the Federal Government through equitable financial policies to mitigate their developmental challenges.

The discovery of oil in Oloibiri in 1956 and the first shipment in February, 1958 also swelled the revenue of the South and by extension the federal purse. And this was before the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) in 1962. In the

circumstance, the North could not have funded the NDDB. This erroneous argument has also been extended to the early phases of oil prospecting activities in the South. for the avoidance of doubt, let it be known that the oil companies used their recourses to prospect for oil, discovered it and exploited same. The Federal Government only issued mining licences and received royalty, mining rents and taxes.

Good governance: Thus far, I have had to contest the viewpoint of a respected citizen and colleague out of my conviction that facts are sacred and must be so handled.

My joy, however, is that Alhaji Yakasai and I, just like many other distinguished Delegates here, are believers in the ultimate good of our country. He addressed the subject of good governance - because he cares about the well-being of our country - and I believe his standpoint is unimpeachable. I am happy, too, that in this national undertaking called National Conference, good governance is in evidence. Political debates, particularly in this structured format as we have here, is a critical benchmark.

Critical benchmark Again, as we look around us and notice the composition, the representativeness of this august body and the procedural rules, gender equality and social inclusiveness are in evidence. These are hallmarks of good governance. Kudos, therefore, to the great thinkers who put this body and agenda together.

Beyond these, however, we have to address ourselves to the eight critical elements of good governance established by the United Nations and routinely practicalised by the World Bank and associated agencies. The UN has recommended that governance has to be: •Consensus-oriented •Participatory •Submissive to the rule of law •Effective and efficient •Accountable •Transparent •Responsive

•Equitable and Inclusive, to be adjudged as good.

I recall that in his inaugural address to this august assembly, Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, had pointed out, and I quote: “...the most compelling task before us, as we move ahead and contemplate what our nation will be at the end of its second century, is to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development.”

To get there, we must focus on the benchmarks that the world body has articulated to guide all forward-looking nations. I believe we are here just for that purpose - to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development - and that Nigeria could not have had a better assemblage of citizens for that task than what we have here today.

Concluding remarks: The task before us is enormous, given the many tough questions about our statehood that have to be dealt with and the expectations of our citizens here at home and abroad.

Economic under-performance We cannot even discount the expectations of our well-wishers - international organisations, foreign nationals, etc who want to see that muchtalked about potential as ‘giant of Africa’ materialise. We all have lamented the economic under-performance and the associated socio-political convulsions our country has witnessed in its history. Our resource endowment - human and natural - points to levels of developmental performance that we have yet to attain. And we cannot pretend that we do not know where the problems lie, that in the faulty foundation bequeathed by military adventurers since 1966 lies our nation’s greatest undoing.

We can no longer play the ostrich - we must show leadership. We must rise above base sentiments, above those primordial impulses that have inclined us to mutual distrust and self-destruction. Our revered Chairman, my distinguished colleagues, I rest my case.

•Professor Kimse Okoko, delegate, Abuja

Concluded

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Maritime workers allege plot to destabilise ports operations

INSURGENCY: Lawyer advocates African Military High Command

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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ARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday alerted the Federal Government and security agencies of plots by some individuals, including some former labour leaders, to cause mayhem in ports formations across the country.

MWUN said the former labour leaders have been recruiting disengaged dockworkers and miscreants and have been circulating false information that terminal operators are owing each of the disengaged and current dockworker N3.63 millon.

According to MWUN, the former labour leaders are alleging that the money is payment owed since 2008 based on a purported agreement with organised labour that dockworkers would be paid from N33,000 monthly, whether they

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AGOS-based lawyer, Chief Atiemo-Gyan, has called for the establishment of African Military High Command in anticipation of any Boko Haram insurgency in any part of Africa.

Making the call in Lagos yesterday, he warned that Boko Haram had enough international connection to destabilise African nations, using Nigeria the biggest, most powerful and most populated country in the continent, as a test case.

He accused some Arab nations of having sinister motive to Islamise Africa, not just Nigeria.

Burial

worked or not with a 10 percent increment every year.

President-General of MWUN, Mr. Nted

don of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Dr. Ayoola Olalusi, of the Department of Agricultural Engineering in the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, has won a N10.2 million World Bank Research Grant.

Olalusi’s proposal, entitled Development and Evaluation of a Floating Fish Feed Extruder, which won the grant was routed through the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme,

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EACONESS Beatrice Azeez, aged 104, is dead. Her remains will be laid to rest after the funeral service and outing today at Enuwawa, Ijebu Abigi, Waterside Area Local Government, Ogun State.

Entertainment of guests will take place tomorrow from 12 noon at Obaruwa Multi-Purpose Events Centre, Hall, Itamogiri, Ijebu Imushin.

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ONTRACTORS handling projects for Delta State Primary Education Board, SPEB, have appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to pay them their money for contracts executed for the board.

The contractors, in a statement by Mr. Iwetan Solomon, said they had resorted to appealing to Governor Uduaghan because

employed by them had yielded no result.

The statement said: “We are pained that we have been unjustly treated these past years, because we believed in the educational transformation embarked by the government.

“Hence we decided to partner government by doing our part in building primary schools embarked upon by the current government. We

of responsibility that no completed school was abandoned because of lack of pupils.

“We note also that there was no form of mobilisation given to us to build these schools.

Every penny spent on these schools was from our private sources. It is therefore, very disheartening that these jobs have not been paid for more than 12 years after the project execution.”

UPN vows to ‘liberate' Edo from ‘locusts'

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN— EDO State chapter of the newly

WAAPP-Nigeria.

A letter by the National Project Coordinator, WAAPPNigeria, Prof. D. O. Chikwendu, confirmed the award.

The institution’s ViceChancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, said the grant further confirmed FUTA’s leadership and competence in cutting edge research.

He congratulated the recipient, adding that FUTA, which is a World Bank Centre of Excellence in food security, will continue to strengthen its capabilities and structures.

registered Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, has pledged to recapture the glorious destiny of Edo people by rescuing the state from the clutches of “caterpillars, locusts and canker worms that have enslaved it as politicians.

“Today, we have appeared on the scene like the good Samaritan in response to the cry of the wounded and sufferings of the Edo people.

“We have come to bind up their broken, bleeding and disappointed dreams. Dream of a state where no man is oppressed.”

State chairman of the party, Prince Sylvester Eweka, who addressed journalists in Benin, yesterday, said the coming of UPN was a response to the cry of the wounded, as the party will address the sufferings of Edo people with a government that will create jobs, provide

affordable housing and ensure free education for its citizens.”

Bank backs couples event

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TERLING Bank Plc, in its bid to enrich the lives of its customers, is supporting an event tagged Emotional Intelligence, designed to cater for the needs of married and engaged couples.

In a statement, the bank’s Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola, said the bank was supporting the initiative because of its objective which was to provide the skills to improve their relationships and deal with salient issues.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

State, had spread across all the port formations in the country and called on security agencies to act.

SPEB contractors appeal to Uduaghan over every other medium say with all sense payments

FUTA don wins World Bank N10m research grant

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Emmanuel, in a statement, said inve-stigation revealed that the plot, which started in Port Harcourt, Rivers

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On the Chibok schoolgirls

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AY God bring them home safely. At least we have seen the video as was shown by Boko Haram and about 130 girls of the supposed WAEC candidates of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.— Ms. Ubani Blessing, Worker.

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VEN though I believe President Goodluck Jonathan is doing his best, I am still wondering why he has not declared a total state of emergency in Borno State and other Boko Haram-stricken states.

He has to act.— Mr. Goodwill Ebizugbe, Businessman.

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call on the Federal Government to arrest the Governor of Borno State and also declare total state of emergency in that state. This issue Boko Haram insurgency must stop and it must stop right now.

Enough is enough.— Mr. Gbande Michael, Worker.

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RING back all our girls now. I was moved to tears when I watched the video. What kind of religion tolerates this level of violence for goodness sake? My heart is so heavy. Who will help these girls? God please hear us.— Mr. Kolawole Fasheun, Businessman.

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HEY should arrest the governor of Borno State first. After all, there was state of emergency in Borno before Boko Haram went to Chibok and abducted the girls that were writing WAEC. First thing first.— Mr. Akindele Adebisi, Worker.

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OW come we are hearing of negotiation for the first time from a group that hitherto vowed never to negotiate with Federal Government?

Just wondering if the ladies in the video look like between 14 to 18 years.— Mr. Chibuzor Ogbonna, Officer.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 45

How Nigeria can become world’s 2nd biggest rice exporter —Eruotor

I'm a political field marshall —Ogboru

BY GODWIN OGHRE

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BY IKENNA ASOMBA

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ROFESSOR Peter Eruotor of the Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, has called on the federal and state governments, corporate bodies and other stakeholders to boost investments in rice production in order for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in rice production and become the world’s second biggest exporter of rice.

Delivering the 34th Inaugural Lecture of the university, Eruotor pointed said the call became imperative as rice is eaten as a staple food by about three billion people around the world daily, adding that Nigerians consume over 4.5 million tonnes yearly.

NHIS flags off community health insurance

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HE National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, has flagged off its community based Social Health Insurance Scheme, promoted by the Emoriko Mutual Health Association, in Emoriko, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas, said that the scheme was working assiduously to address the health challenges of the vulnerable groups in the society, those who do not have the financial ability to contribute to any prepayment plans.

He noted that Nigeria has a very large informal sector, as over 70 per cent of the population is caught in this bracket, which, according to him, necessitated the recent convening of a presidential summit on universal health coverage in Abuja, to develop and implement strategies for ensuring that all Nigerians enjoy access to effective health care without the constraints of physical and financial barriers.

WEF: From left: Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director/CEO of NEPC; Mr. Gerald Lawless, President/CEO of Jumeirah Group of Companies Dubai and Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, at the just concluded World Economic Forum on Africa, Abuja.

Most IOCs not adjusted to local content law —Nestoil boss

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

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ROUP Managing Director of Nestoil Group, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, has said that most international oil companies in the country have not fully adjusted to the local content law, put in place by the Federal Government to develop local capacity in the oil and gas sector.

Obiejesi, who spoke at the just concluded Offshore Technology Conference, OTC, in Huston, the United States of America, said there was need for government to fully implement the law to make it more beneficial to local companies.

He said: “We are one of the beneficiaries of the Local Content Act, but unfortunately most of the international oil companies have not re-adjusted or adapted to the law. Outside that, it is a very good law. It has started gathering momen-

tum and I will tell you that we benefitted from it and are still benefiting.

“I still see the law as something that will help majority of Nigerian companies, if it is implemented to the letter. Government needs to enforce it; it has to be a policy. If you go against the law, you go to jail or you lose your licence. That is the only way companies will adhere strictly to it. Once they do so, Nigerian companies will grow, because it is a very good policy.”

On the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, the Nestoil boss noted that the bill should have become law by now but for politics being played with it by some stakeholders. He said that there will soon by light at the end of the tunnel, following efforts by legislators, executive and operators working tirelessly to see its passage.

“Whether you do politics with it or not, PIB must be passed.

There must be a frame-work written out, under which oil investment can happen in Nigeria. One of the major problems we have in Nigeria is that most people who want to invest in the oil business are not told how they are to take their money out.

“You want somebody to come and invest, but there is no enabling law or policy that will allow the person take out his investment after some years. So, the law has to be approved and it has to help the oil and gas business to grow and create employment and contribute to the economy.”

On gas flaring, he said most companies were complying with the law prohibiting the practice, but noted that if past governments had implemented the policy before now, it would have ended.

Security operatives urged to step up operations on waterways

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—SECURITY operatives have been urged to step up their operations on the waterways in the Niger Delta, so as to achieve results in the crusade against oil theft.

Speaking, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State under the aegis of National Coalition on Gas Flaring and Oil Spills in the Niger Delta,

NACGOND, Mrs. Tracy Adole wondered why there was rise in oil theft in the region despite government’s huge investment in security to police the waterways.

Former National Coordinator of NACGOND, Mr Inemo Samiame, who also spoke, said there were six exit points on the waterways for oil thieves to ferry illegal crude out of the Niger Delta, adding that security operatives should have

been able to tackle the problem from the exit points.

He urged government to deal decisively with any high profile Nigerian caught in the act of oil theft, as it would serve as a deterrent.

According to him, 80 percent of crude stolen from the region was pushed into the international market, adding that only about 20 percent of the crude is consumed locally.

APELE—CHIEF Julius Ogboru, who few months ago dumped the Democratic People’s Party, DPP, led by his younger brother, Chief Great Ogboru, and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said that he is a political field marshal in Nigeria, particularly in Delta State.

Julius Ogboru, Special Adviser on Community Matters to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, said in Sapele that he stood behind his younger brother, Great, during his younger brother ’s four times fierce gubernatorial contest against former Governor James Ibori and Uduaghan, noting that the political popularity his younger brother is enjoying within and outside Nigeria was because of his (Julius) hard work and that of his followers, who worked assiduously with him.

He said that DPP in Delta State led by Great Ogboru, was dead, following his exit from the party, adding that all his political followers had defected with him to PDP. leaving DPP a dead party.

Asked if his defection to PDP has affected his relationship with his brother, he said he had no regret over his defection to PDP.

Nwokonta for burial

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R. Godwin Nwokonta of Ohiya village, Umuahia, Abia State, is dead, aged 85.

Christian wake-keep was held yesterday at his residence in Ohiya village while interment comes up today at the same venue in Egbeada, Umuahia, Abia State.

Late Godwin Nwokonta

46— Vanguard , FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Boko Haram: 3.2m people directly affected — FG

Ohakim’s Owerri residence bombed ...As Imo govt describes bombing as dastardly, despicable

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

BY LAIDEAKINBOADE

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BUJA—THE Federal Government yesterday said over 3.2 million people were directly affected by terrorists’ attacks in the North East zone of the country since 2006.

The government also said about 9 million others suffered indirectly from the impact of the attacks.

Director General, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Mohammad Sani-Sidi, disclosed these when he received United Nations, Special Representative for West Africa in relation to abducted school girls in Borno State, Ambassador Sa’id Djinnit, in Abuja.

The NEMA boss, urged the UN agencies to support victims of insurgents, in view of the dire humanitarian needs required by them Sani-Sidi said: “The assessment report indicated that more than 9m persons have been indirectly affected by the crisis while 3, 161,887 others are directly affected and are in dire need of humanitarian relief assistance."

Commissioner commends Foundation for sponsoring 152 indigent students

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Monica Philips, has commended the Agwu U. Agwu Education Foundation for sponsoring 152 indigent undergraduates currently studying in universities across the country, describing the gesture as marvelous.

The scholarship scheme, initiated by the former speaker of Abia State House Assembly, Chief Agwu U. Agwu, caters for brilliant, but indigent students from Arochukwu State constituency.

The commissioner, who spoke at the 4th edition of the scholarship award, commended the Foundation for steadily increasing the number of beneficiaries from 60 in 2009 to 152 in 2014.

O

WERRI—THE immediate past governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, narrowly escaped death yesterday as unknown hoodlums bombed his Prefab Housing Estate home in Owerri.

Although no life was lost, household furniture, documents, historical artifacts, electrical and electronic equipment as well as personal effects were all lost in the inferno.

Vanguard investigations gathered that the former governor, who returned to Owerri through the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Wednesday afternoon to a tumultuous welcome by his friends and associates, on a second thought, decided to sleep in his Okohia, Isiala Mbano country home.

It was also gathered that the hoodlums scaled the perimeter fence from the back of Ohakim’s residence at about 1.05am and carefully removed bits of the ceiling before dropping the incendiary bomb into the parlour.

Narrating his ordeal to newsmen, Ohakim lamented that the three-bedroom building was the only property he acquired in 1991, when he served as commissioner in the state.

“The security men told me they heard a loud sound. On their arrival, everywhere had gone up in flames. They tried to battle the flame the much they could. They tried to get the fire service but were told it was not functioning.

“They sent people there but there was no functional equipment. The security men tried their best and fortunately for us, nobody died,” Ohakim recounted.

While noting that the security men called to inform him about the ugly incident at about 1.30am, Ohakim also disclosed that the State Security Service, SSS, and police had visited the scene, stressing that the effect of the explosive was very devastating.

Asked to place a value on the property lost, Ohakim simply said: “You can see the entire interior and its content is gone with the flame. Where will I begin and end? It is a huge loss but God is fully in charge.”

He recalled that throughout his days as governor, there was no political assassination or burning of any person’s house, adding that “from what we are now seeing. It looks as if the whole thing is changing for the worse.”

He promised to allow the security agencies do their job, even as he reminded the perpetrators of the sordid act that nobody would deter him from going ahead with his planned political outing next Saturday.

When contacted on phone, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdulmajod Ali, confirmed the

incident, adding that the police had commenced investigation to unravel the perpetrators of the crime.

Reacting to the development, Imo State government described the bombing as “dastardly and despicable.”

The government, which spoke through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “For the former governor’s house to be burnt barely 40 hours to his reported declaration of his intention to run for the 2015 governorship of the state calls for concern.

“Imo State government condemns the act in its entirety.

It is an act of cowardice; it is barbaric and unfortunate, in all ramifications,” adding that Governor Okorocha had been preaching politics without bitterness among Imo politicians.

“So, the burning of the former governor’s house for any reason is condemnable and unacceptable. The former governor has not done anything

to constitute a threat to anybody since he left office, or to warrant anybody or group of persons burning his house,” he said.

The government also made it clear that Ohakim had the right, as an illustrious son of Imo State, to vie for any position he desired, stressing that anybody who felt threatened by his interest should either quit the race.

While calling on the Police and other security agents in the state to dig into the ugly incident with

the aim of bringing those behind the wicked act to book, government also warned that it would not fold its arms and watch those who did not love the state and her people to import political violence into the state.

“The government will deal decisively with anybody or persons trying to blackmail the state and her people by engaging in actions that are foreign to the people of the state, in the name of politics,” government warned.

Pic (Above) shows Chief Ikedi Ohakim shedding tears at the blast scene. (Left) Relics of bombed properties in one of the rooms.

Jonathan to commission 324-housing unit in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE

E

CWG selected as WEF global growth firm

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AN African Systems Integration company, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG, has been selected as a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company.

CWG was selected for this recognition based on her phenomenal growth, global corporate citizenship, executive leadership and impact on the competitive landscape of the ICT industry in Africa.

According to David Aikman, Managing Director and Head of the New Champions at the World Economic Forum, “When choosing entrants to our Community of Global Growth Companies, we assess companies on their business model, annual revenues and growth rates, executive leadership and market position.

CWG Plc is a dynamic group with clear potential to shape the future in its relevant business sector and so, is a perfect fit to our GGC community.”

This recognition, coming on the back of the recent listing of the company’s shares on the Nigerian

Stock Exchange, and becoming the largest security in the ICT sector of the NSE, assures CWG a place in a vibrant community of the world’s most dynamic and influential companies.

Reacting to the recognition, Austin Okere, CWG Chief Executive Officer & Entrepreneur in Residence at Columbia Business School, New York, said that his company has gone through tremendous transformation in business model since inception in 1992, and is now focusing on providing services in the Cloud on a subscription basis for her teeming customers; a project he tags CWG 2.0.

According to him “Statistics show that there are about 17.7m Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Nigeria today. If we could help each of them to build sufficient capacity to employ one more person, we shall create 17.7m additional jobs, enough to absorb all the 16 million unemployed youths in Nigeria with a generous surplus to spare”.

NUGU—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will on May 23 commission the 324-unit Elim Housing Estate in Enugu.

The Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, disclosed this during the final inspection tour of the estate.

Managing Director of NBP Projects Limited, developers of the Estate, Rev. Ugochukwu Chime, said the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria funded the project.

Chime said the estate was designed to meet the needs of middle and low-income earners.

He also said that the types of units delivered range from onebedroom and two-bedroom terrace flats to three-bedroom fully detached bungalows, and disclosed that each of the units cost between N3.5m to N10m.

He noted that prices of the houses were fixed by the FMBN, saying the bank had made provisions for easy purchase of the housing units with minimal initial deposits as low as 10 percent.

“Besides, there is also a stable mortgage loan repayment rate of six percent per annum (on the balance) for an extended period of up to 30 years subject to the applicant’s age,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—47

CONGRATULATION: Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, congratulating the new Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo, shortly after he was sworn-in at Government House, Minna.

PRESENTATION: From left, Professor Noah Yusuf, member, Intellectual Development Initiative of Nigeria; Professor Tunde Adeniran, representing General Ibrahim Babangida, Father of the day; a guest; Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chairman of the ocassion; Dr. Pius Akhimien, Secretary of Intellectual Development Initiative of Nigeria; and Professor Bola Akinterinwa, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, host, at the presentation of a book, Centenial Epoch: Memories and Legacies of the Nigerian State by the Ideas Group, at NIIA, Lagos.

EXPERIENCE: From left, Ernest Favour Nzelu, Okon Sampson, Nwala Simon, Victor Jubilee, Aliuhuo Chinasa, Friday Peter, winners of the Legend Extra Stout Unique Dubai Shopping experience, Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Legend & Life, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Femi Atanda, Sadiku Gbenga, and Bishara Yohanna, other winners of the Legend Extra..., at the Dubai Shopping mall, in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

PRESENTATION: From left, Head of Delegation, Professor Olu Obafemi; Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams (middle), being presented with a plaque by a participant at the closing ceremony of a week study tour of Lagos State by participants of the Senior Executive Course, SEC, 36, 2014 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

PRESENTATION: From left, Chairman, Nigerian Flour Mills Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros, presenting a plaque and the key of a brand new Ford Explorer to the National overall winner of Nigerian Flour Mills Plc 2014 Customer forum, Mr. Ademola and Mrs. Elizabeth Ajibola Chief Executive Officers of MT Olive Nigeria Limited, and Group Manging Director, Nigerian Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Paul Gbededo, during the Golden Penny Food 2014 Customer Forum, at Eko Hotels.

MEETING: From left, Pastor Kunle Obadin, MD; Mr. L. WentzeL Chairman, Mr. Odinachi Nwaoha, secretary and others, at the annual general meeting of Greif Annual, at the RockView Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

SUBMISSION: Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right), receiving Report of the Special Committee on Discipline in Osun Public Schools, from the committee Chairperson, Alhaja Mulikat Bello, during the submission of the report to the governor in his office, Osogbo, Osun State.

CONFERENCE: Overall Best Distributor 2013, Mr. Chizoba Okeke, of Jonaco Phaarmacy, Onitsha, flanked by his wife, and MC Senator, during the SKG Pharma Ltd's annual trade partners conference, and rewards for distributors.

CALL: From left, Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, Mr. Habib Abudulahi; representative of Minister of Transport, Mr. Nebolisa Emodi; General Manager, Eastern Ports, Mr. Sonny Nwobi, and Harbour Master, Bonny, Capt. Sylvester Owobu, at the inaugural call of Waersk Wafmax vessel to Onne Port in Rivers State.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Aliyu appoints five new commissioners, drops three

We lost over 500 members to insurgency in N-East —Catholic Church

BY NDAHI MARAMA

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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INNA — GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has appointed five new commissioners and and a new Head of Service and dropped four commissioners from his cabinet.

Aliyu asked the new commissioners to work towards the completion of all ongoing projects started by his administration.

Those appointed include former Director General, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Danladi Ndayebo who now becomes Commissioner of Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abubakar Tukur who was Accountant General is now Commissioner of Finance while Alhaji Abbas Muyan, former Adviser to the the Governor is now Commissioner for Mining and Solid Mineral Resources.

Others include the former Chairman of Edati Local Government, Alhaji Isa Kantigi who is now Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs while Alhaji Abdullahi Maza Kuka was appointed Commissioner for Water Resources.

Those dropped from the cabinet were Mr. Daniel Shashere (Sports), Alhaji Ibrahim Matene (Agriculture) and Alhaji Mustapha Lemu, former Commissioner, Science and Technology as well as the former Commissioner of Health, Dr Ibrahim Baba Sule.

ITF pledges to train INEC staff on report writing

BY UMAR YUSUF

Y

OLA — THE Industrial Training Fund, ITF, has promised to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, train its staff on effective report writing as the commission gears up for the 2015 general election.

The Director-General of the fund, Prof. Longmas Sambo, made the pledge in Yola, yesterday, at a three-day workshop for electoral officers of the commission.

He said the workshop was timely as it was aimed at sharpening the skill, knowledge and work ethics of the trainees in gathering and writing reports, especially during elections.

The Yola Area Manager of the Fund, represented by Alhaji Jibrin Bukar Sambo noted that the workshop was aimed at equipping INEC staff with the requisite knowledge ahead of the 2015 general elections.

C M Y K

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AIDUGURI — THE Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri has said that it has so far lost more than 500 members and property worth over N400 million due to the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

The Diocesan Secretary,Very Rev. Father John Bakeni Bogna, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri, yesterday.

He said: “We have records right from 2006 and we have met with the government and we are still discussing the issue of compensation in collaberation with other Christian brethren.”

Also giving details of the loss from 2009 to date, the Diocesan Director, Rev. Fr. Gideon

Obasogie, said more than 500, including 170 children of their members were killed, while over 50 churches were burnt and 90,000 people displaced, with about 300 women made to become widows.

According to the church, 1,500 orphans had also been recorded within the period while 34 parishes were completely destroyed in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

On education and health sectors, the Project Manager of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Bature Joseph, said: ”33 schools, including 23 primary and 10 secondary were destroyed with three completely burnt down."

He said nine schools were also

closed down in Madagali, Michika, Shuwa and Mubi, stressing that the massive exodus of teachers was affecting the stability of education in the diocese.

Joseph further said health facilities owned by the church in Pulka, Bazza, Shuwa, Potiskum and Mubi were vandalised.

He urged everybody to pray for the sustenance of unity schools because their existence was one of the things binding the country together.

On the abducted Chibok girls, the Rev. Father said the church had never been silent as it was constantly praying for their release to re-unite with their families.

Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (right);Elder statesman, Shiek Ahmad Lemu (middle)and Mr Abraham Yisa, during the inauguration of members of Board of Trustees of Religious Centres in Government House, Minna.

Mixed reactions trail Jonathan's request to extend emergency rule in N-East

BY UMAR YUSUF & PROVIDENCE OBUH

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OLA — MIXED reactions, yesterday, greeted President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for the extension of state of emergency for another six months in Adamawa State.

Most people who spoke to Vanguard in Yola condemned the proposed extension and urged National Assembly not to grant the request.

This was even as the Middle Belt United Forum, MBUF, has asked the Federal Government not only to extend the period of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States, but to remove their governors to ensure sanity in the area.

The forum in a statement signed by its spokesman, Alhaji Abdullahi Danjuma, said the call had become necessary because of the alleged inept handling of the security situation in the affected areas

by Governors Murtala Nyako,

Kashim Shettima and Ibrahim Geidam.

Danjuma said: "These governors behave as if they are members of Boko Haram. Governor Nyako, a former senior military officer, is the most insensitive. President Goodluck Jonathan should summon the courage for the first time and deal decisively with the situation. This bad rubbish must end."

However, Rev. Phineas Padio, the state Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, condemned the proposed extension, saying it was totally unnecessary, particularly in Adamawa State.

He said: ”Adamawa is okay and even the Chief of Defence Staff, not long ago, said the military had succeeded in clearing Boko Haram in the state. ”Why do they want to extend it if not for political reasons.

Adamawa, in the first place, was included for political reasons.”

Lawal Habu and Idris Mai

Mota, both drivers, also kicked against the extension, saying it was uncalled for with the level of security now being enjoyed in the state. ”The problem is not that serious in Adamawa to warrant a state of emergency. If you talk of the recent kidnap in Chibok, it has no link with Adamawa,” they said.

Mallam Abubakar Damare, the North-East Coordinator of Interfaith International, in his response, described the proposed extension as a welcome development.

Damare said the issue of security is something serious, adding that measures taken to tackle it, including the extension of state of emergency were welcome by the public. ”We have international community coming to assist us. USA, Britain, France and Israel are here to help us, so there is need to create the enabling environment for them to operate,” Damare added.

We’ll obey court judgment on South-West PDP — Metuh

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BUJA — THE National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has said that the party will respect the court judgment restraining it from appointing a new caretaker committee in the South-West until a valid congress is held.

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos had, Monday, held that the current members of the caretaker committee in the South -West be recognised by the PDP as the valid officers of the party in the zone, saying: “I hold that the plaintiffs can remain in office until a valid congress is held.”

Metuh, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent said: “The PDP is a law-abiding party and as a result of that will obey the court judgment.”

He, however, added that the party would follow up to ensure that the zonal congress was organised as soon as possible in accordance with the tone of the judgment.

Speaking on what had delayed the congress, the PDP’s spokesman said it had to do with logistics, noting that the party was prepared to hold the congress as soon as possible.

He said: “The working committee met today (Wednesday) and this matter was one of the issues discussed. We want to hasten the process of holding the congress. The committees responsible for this are already working on it.”

Group holds national prayer meeting

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CHRISTIAN group will be holding a national prayer meeting tagged: “National Peace Prayer Rain in Abuja" next month.

The National Peace Prayer Rain is being packaged by the Christian Ministers Welfare Initiatives (CMWI-MOG) which will have prominent Christian leaders and top government officials in attendance.

In a statement signed by the president of the group, Apostle Daniel Aderemi Adebiyi said he believed that with fervent prayers, Nigeria will overcome the security challenges facing the country.

He noted that the peace prayer meeting is being put together in response to the call

by President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigerians should intercede for the nation over the insecurity situation.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 49

Again, massive seizure of hard drugs hit Oyo •Suspect in Customs net

BY UDEME CLEMENT

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HE Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded massive seizure of hard drugs and rice brought into the state by smugglers during operations.

This is coming few months after the Command intercepted a Toyota Sienna Bus, with number plate, EPE 39 AY and chassis number U224803, fully loaded with 29 sacks of Indian hemp. The suspect, identified as Mr. Wasiu Raji, residing at Challenge area of Ibadan, was arrested along with the hard drugs. The operation was carried out by one

of the Command’s antismuggling teams led by SC Okoi A. U. In a chat with Vanguard, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, said the arrest of 60 packages of hard drugs was made along Saki Iseyin axis of Oyo state, as the prohibited items were fully loaded in white 504 Peugeot, With registration number JND 20 XA. He said, “The hard drugs were concealed with yam flour by the suspect to escape security checks but our officers uncovered the criminal act. The seizure was

facilitated by intelligence network and effective strategies put in place in the Command to suppress smuggling. The items have been handed over to Oyo State Commander, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Faboyede Omolade, in the spirit of interagency collaboration.

"The legal advisers of both NCS and NDLEA are to file separate charges against the accused person. The charges are to be filed in on the same day.

We shall continue to build on the robust relationship with other government agencies to rid the society off criminals working

L-r: Public Relations Officer Oyo/Osun Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Ijeoma Nwala, Commander of NDLEA, Oyo State; Mrs. Faboyede Omolade, suspect: Wasiu Raji and a senior Customs officer during the handing over of 60 packages of Indian hemp to NDLEA by Customs.

against the interest of the country.

The Command will not relent in

its war against smuggling till it is reduced to its barest minimum.

I want to use this medium to warn all unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in this illicit business of smuggling unwholesome goods into Nigeria, that it is no longer business as usual. The Command has been well equipped by the Comptroller General of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Dikko Inde, with the provision of AK 47 riffles and new Hilux patrol vehicles, which greatly enhanced our performance.”

Obeng Apori bags Integrity award

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HAIRMAN of Nana Apori group of schools, Adiyan, Ogun State,Evangelist Obeng Apori, has won this year's Global Leader of Integrity merit award, GLIMA, for honesty, educational development, transparency and accountability in leadership.

Apori whose award was announced by Newsbreed Communication and Research Team International (Global Legend Achievers), was conferred with the award

by Proven Integrity Communication Networks Limited Publisher of Integrity International Magazine at Accra Ghana.

The event attracts accomplished professionals across Africa and beyond, and according to the Head African Operations of Integrity International, Mr. Ipada, will be attended by heads of State, top governmental functionaries, envoys business personalities, educationist, eminent African state men, religious leaders, traditional leaders and State Governors among others.

Ipada said the lead paper on the theme “African’s Industrialization in the 21st Century, issues, options, challenges and Prospect” will be delivered by a renowned speaker and academia fellow, Africa centre for human development and administrative leadership Dr. Tony Foloki.

50

— Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Kick out the Skinnies like the Divas S

KINNY jeans and pants have dominated the high streets, wardrobes and outfits for so long now it appeared they would never leave the scene but finally, a sigh of relief: skinnies are becoming sooo passé and all the better for the pear shaped woman who had been cheated out of the trend all this while.

Now, flared pants dominate, and rock whatever time of the day it is whether day, afternoon or evening. There are some general rules. Buy them long. They are not nice too short. It’s nice when your pants hide your high heels.

Flared pants look particularly good if you define your waist with a belt. Try to balance the total look and wear something slim fitting on top. Flared pants can make for

a very classical look so they will look great with a well fitted shirt.

Although a slim fitting top is the easiest and most flattering way to wear wide pants, I also like to combine them with short dresses and wider tops. It’s a tougher look to pull off, but it creates a tough look. Short people can also wear flared pants. Just make sure they are more fitted at the top and the pants don’t flare too much.

Although wide legged pants can be perfect for the pear body shape, make sure you don’t have any side pockets as that will add extra bulk. Pear shapes also benefit from flat front pants, as opposed to pleated ones.Want even longer legs? Try flared pants with vertical stripes. Wear them with heels ALWAYS!

How to wear flareds: Flared Casual

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HE reason skinnies reigned for so long is probably their easy wearablityeasy to combine, can be tucked in or out and very easy on the shoes whether ballets or heels.

Flares are notoriously difficult to wear, particularly when it comes to shoes.

Do it like Eku Edewor on this red carpet with white flareds as the canvas and combined with a pastel top and a clutch bag to unclutter the look. Very few people can look casual and glamorous at the same time and this is it!

The Pantsuit

A

Eku Edewor

nother red hot trend is the elegant classic, the catsuit which has reigned intermittently through the ages. Now it’s taken centerstage once more and this time they are flared. There is absolutely nothing like a hot black pantsuit to translate a woman from frumpy to fabulous and who can do that better than

Ifeoma Williams

DIY queen Zainab Balogun?

Do monochrome pantsuit with high, high heels. Keep the hair neat and flat, splash out on the bold jewelry.

Flared Natives

W

ith Ankara dominating now not only the Nigerian fashion space but clearly international creativity has risen to a hilt and everything from boubous to blouses, trousers to trains have been made out of them.

A growing trend worth tapping into is making flared trousers with yours. Borrow a leaf from Azuka Ogujiuba, keeping it neat and simple at the top, yet stylish and using the peplum trend.

For Office

I

t is easy to translate catwalk to high street and red carpet, but it’s been said before that if you can translate it to office, you can then be called a true woman of style.

It’s exactly what Folake Coker did with this look. Turn out cool with the flared pants topped with the unobtrusive tweeds for that dominating power look that does not detract from your style.

The Spectacle

S

Clutch

ometimes you need to make a style statement, and what better to make it with than with flared pants. Deliberately shop out one that stands out for all your fun events but be careful!

It’s not so easy to wear.

It is rare for Ifeoma Wiliams to turn out anywhere looking anything other than dapper, and so in this case; but the exaggerated look while not being her style has worked well in this instance. Borrow a leaf

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

— 51

A New Picture of Holiness debuts in Lagos

- Do flared

•lambasts judgemental Christians

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

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Folake Coker

Tiffany Amber

Azuka Ogujiuba

Over 100 women benefit from free health service in Lagos

By PRISCA SAM-DURU

M

ore than 100 women benefited from the Succour For Women’s Care Foundation’s (SWCF)maiden free health care outreach which held last week at DOD centre, Ajah, Lagos.

The health exercise was put together by the Daughters of Destiny (DOD) Interdenominational fellowship in collaboration with Lagos State Aids Control Agency (LASACA), PathCare, Citimart HealthCare, Citadel Optics and

Screening in progress at the event

a team of doctors from the United States of America led by Dr. Olujoke Jones.

The team of health providers carried out various diagnostic tests ranging from Pap smear, Breast Examination, HIV/Aids, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure to Visual (Eye) Screening on the participants. Also, free eye screenings as well as drugs for the treatment of some basic eye diseases, were made available to the women while a counseling team was on ground to counsel women who tested positive to HIV as well as those who needed support.

The US team gave a detailed presentation on causes, symptoms and prevention of breast and cervical cancer and advised every woman in Nigeria to make herself available for examination so as not to be taken unaware.

DOD’s founder, Apostle Busola Jegede said that the exercise was borne out of the need to create awareness so that women get adequate information regarding their health and then directed on how to get remedial solution to their health challenges adding that this will go a long way in reducing the number of women who die daily due to cancer and other deadly diseases.

HE overblown definition of holiness, as popularly held by most Christians, has over the years made holiness appear the exclusive preserve of a few anointed men of God and an almost unattainable height for worshippers.

A new book presented recently in Lagos has however adulterated this widespread notion.

Titled ‘A New Picture of Holiness’, the 240-page book written by renowned cleric, philanthropist, entrepreneur and prolific writer, Pastor Mark Osereme, Founder and Senior Pastor of New Frontiers Church, and which was first released in the United Kingdom, gives a human face to holiness.

According to Osereme, it explores both the old and new picture of holiness in its attempt to address the question of holiness amongst Christians.

“There was an old picture of holiness before the advent of Christ. But when Christ came, he brought a new picture. But a lot of Christians who do not understand that holiness is simply God’s unconditional love towards mankind, mistake it for their righteousness and therefore treat with contempt those they feel judge to be “unholy”, he said.

Osereme further urged Christians not to think of holiness as a title attached to one man standing on the pulpit, adding, “Holiness is simply God’s unconditional love. The book of John tells of a woman caught in sin but told by Jesus to go and sin no more. That was Jesus redefining holiness.

Holiness is your unworthy nature, acceptable and blameless before God. Jesus touched Simon the leper despite his uncleanliness, but do you know it was in the house of same man that Mary the prostitute went to anoint Jesus’ feet and was condemned by observers, including Simon who should know better?”

Holiness a mystery “When you understand holiness, your anger that people are not living in accordance with your judgement of God, will fade out, and you will begin to see fellow humans in a new way”, Osereme further explained.

Reviewing the book, Pastor Anthony Amalokwu of the Redeemed Christian Church of God noted that every chapter held ideas that must be treasured.

Amalokwu who emphasised that holiness is a mystery, said: “God’s love is beyond human comprehension. That is why he goes ahead to love us even when some humans think we do not deserve his love probably due to our past.

“That’s why the Bible is full of people like Apostle Paul, who, humanly speaking, did not deserve God’s love but yet were greatly used by God. Imagine what would have happened if someone like Michael Jackson was born again. The church would have raised all sorts of condemnation even when God did not consider him that way ”, Amalokwu said.

Eulogising the author, Chairman at the event, Engr.Stephen Omoniyi Okin, said that Osereme was a diligent man who would stop at nothing to enlighten the body of Christ and enhance the Christian faith.

Proceeds from the book, according to Osereme, would finance some of the ministry’s new projects designed towards promoting the body of Christ.

These include Breaking News which is its UK church’s project, evangelism outreaches, market place Christianity lectures aimed at addressing unemployment among Christians and then the Fragrance of Christ Outreaches/Missions UK.

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 53

Dutch nationals' abduction: I didn't offer N3.4m bribe to Police —Community leader

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—CHAIRMAN of Dodo River Regional Development Association in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Mr. Berry Negrese, yesterday, denied claims by some politicians that he was forced to pay N3.450 million as bribe to the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hilary Opara and the security aide to Governor Seriaka Dickson, Col. Bernard Kenebai, for the rescue operation of the abducted Dutch nationals and bail bonds for the detained Nigerian journalists.

An online news medium had, in a report on Wednesday, alleged that the duo of the Bayelsa Police Commissioner and the Security Adviser to the state governor were involved in the extortion of N3.450 million from the Chairman of Dodo River Development Foundation for security mobilisation to facilitate the release of the abducted Dutch nationals.

Mr. Negresse, who briefed newsmen, yesterday in Yenagoa, said the claims that a bribe was given to the police was false and a calculated attempt to rubbish the pro-

fessional effort adopted in the rescue operation that led to the rescue of the Dutch nationals.

He said: “The report by the online news medium is untrue and a fabricated report targeted at rubbishing the efforts of the police and the state government. The police, the state government and the Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, should be commended for their effort in the

rescue operation. The report is a ridiculous lie. I speak as the Chairman of Doddo River Regional Development Association and as a man who followed the rescue exercise from the beginning till the end. At no time did anybody demand money from us.

“The police only asked me for the phone number which

the kidnappers used in contacting me. While I was still trying to negotiate and find a way to pay the ransom to the kidnappers out of fear for the safety of the Dutch nationals, the police called me that they had secured their release. I was surprised at the speed and professionalism they adopted in the operation.”

TRAINING IN SOUTH KOREA: 60 Nigerian technicians sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited’s subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport, BGT, to South Korea for a training on ship construction at the Hyundai Heavy Industries, HHI, Technical Education Institute.

Tension in Delta community over leadership tussle

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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GHELLI—THERE is tension in Ekakpamre community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State over an attempt by a rival faction in the town to

force the President General, Prince Victor Bighoro, to hand over power to the group.

Vanguard learnt that the opposing group allegedly hired the services of some policemen to confiscate the community's bus and other official docu-

ments from Mr. Bighoro.

Bighoro, in a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Benin City, Edo State, by his lawyer, Mr. Ikimi Oghenejabor, alleged that policemen from the Area Command, Ughelli,

led by an Inspector, purporting that he was a kidnapper, chased and attempted to kill him on April 7.

He called on the AIG to call parties and policemen to order as the subject matter was before a Delta State High Court sitting in Otu-Jeremi.

Edo LG boss, councillors deny plans to dump APC

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE Chairman of Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Joseph Ikpea and councillors of the council, yesterday, denied insinuations that they had perfected plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Addressing newsmen in Benin City, Ikpea, who said that he believed in the leadership qualities of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, described as misleading, reports that he held a meeting with his councillors, where they concluded plans to dump APC for the PDP. He said: “There was no

such meeting in my council. I believe in the ideologies of our governor and it is because of his leadership qualities that we have achieved all we have today in Edo State. So, I don’t know the basis of the insinuations that we want to join the PDP, a party that brought hard-

ship to the people of Edo State.

“Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is a family friend, but I do not intend to follow him to the PDP. We are lucky as a state to have a person like Oshiomhole and I prefer to be a student of the gover-

nor ’s political college than joining the PDP. So, the report is untrue. My councillors and I are committed to bringing development to our council which is the gospel of Oshiomhole and we cannot sacrifice that responsibility for politics.”

Anioma Congress deliberates on restructuring

A

NIOMA Congress, the umbrella body of the nine local governments that make up Delta North senatorial district, Delta State, has summoned traditional and opinion leaders from the area to an important meeting to review the on-going national conference in relation with the interest Anioma nation.

Secretary General of Anioma Congress, Sir Dan Okenyi, in a statement, said the meeting which will take place at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, HRM, Obi Chike Edozien, on Saturday will deliberate on the position of the confab on restructuring of the Nigerian federation and the political activities in Delta State ahead of the 2015 elections.

Pa Osagie for burial

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HE Oka-Egbe and Odionwele of Idumodugbo, Igueben, Edo State, Pa Augustine Osagie, is dead, aged 85.

A requiem mass will hold at St. Cyprians Catholic Church, OkoOba, Lagos on May 26.

Christian wake-keep will follow on May 27, at his residence, Plot 40, Jibowu Estate, Abule Egba, Lagos.

On May 29, body departs Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in a motorcade for Igueben, while lying in state will follow at his residence, Osagie’s compound.

On May 30, funeral service will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Igueben, followed by interment at his compound.

Orubebe told to be a servant leader

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HE Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikechukwu, Keagborekuzi I, has urged Elder Godsday Orubebe, a governorship aspirant in Delta State, to be a servant leader at all times.

He spoke while welcoming him to his palace during his consultation visit to the community.

The Dein said that he had studied the profile and charac-

ter of Orubebe and had taken cognisance of the sacrifice and contributions he made to find solution to the Niger Delta crisis and his achievements as a minister.

The traditional ruler argued that the restiveness in the nation today was a product of bad leadership and the only antidote to same was for

leaders to be responsive to the needs of their people.

Speaking earlier, Elder Orubebe thanked the monarch for receiving him and his entourage in his palace and giving him an opportunity to consult him on his next political action. He said that God has deposited much in him and should impact same on Delta State.

Late Pa Osagie

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

C’ttee recommends removal of immunity clause

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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HE National Conference Committee on National Security has recommended the removal of immunity clause from the 1999 constitution to tackle the menace of what it called “impunity” among office holders in the country.

Co-chairman of the committee and former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alhaji Mohammadu Gambo Jimeta, in an interview with newsmen, yesterday, added that the measure was aimed at ensuring that no citizen of Nigeria is above the law.

He identified immunity enjoyed by political office holders in Nigeria as the bane of the war against graft, which he noted gave rise to insecurity in the country.

He said: “We have recommended that immunity should be removed from our statute books. No citizen of this country should be above the

*Cross-section of participants at the ongoing National Conference law. The issue of national security is all-embracing and touches on everybody’s life. We decided to take the central

issues: Good governance, corruption, impunity of rulers and the way and manner our laws are being made, which is

totally abnormal from what happens in a civilized society, that is why there is a grave revolt.”

Alhaji Gambo disclosed that the panel addressed bad leadership, corruption, deliberate neglect and total insensitivity to the laws of the land among others and proffered appropriate recommendations to deal with the issues.

He added: “Having reviewed all the areas and the pitfalls we have gone through, we have made recommendations on the various subjects that are necessary to prop up good life for the citizens of Nigeria.

“But we limited discussions to the national security architecture.

Looking at what the state has put on the ground to ensure that Nigerians can go to bed and sleep with both eyes closed, to ensure that Nigerians can do their business without let or hindrance, to ensure unlimited access to the remedy of the law courts and other arbitrating bodies.”

Why space agency can’t rescue Chibok school girls —Izuogu

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

D

EPUTY Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu, has said that lack of facilities has hindered the Nigerian Communications Satellite from tracking and rescuing the abducted Chibok school girls.

Izuogu, who is known as the first Nigerian to manufacture a car, said the agency was incapacitated to perform the task expected of it by many Nigerians because it is underfunded.

Going down memory lane, he gave a brief account of how he succeeded in manufacturing a Nigerian car, regretting that the government had not done anything to encourage that invention.

Necessary manpower He said: “They (agency) have the necessary manpower but they don’t have the facilities.

Their problem is money. I went there with my committee members to interview him (director-general) and he spoke very well but then the problem is funding.

There is no funding for science and technology in Nigeria. And I keep giving myself as an example that 17 years ago, I did the first car in Africa, the managing director of Peugeot and other executive directors chartered a plane to fly down to Port Harcourt and then to Owerri, just to come and

see what we did and they made us wonderful promises that we should produce a type of Peugeot for them and they would pay us well but I said ‘no.’

I was not interested in doing anything for Peugeot. I want to do something that will benefit Nigeria, something that is done

by Nigerians with things that were around Nigeria. They did everything to entice us but I

said ‘no.’

“Thereafter, I now took it up to do the Nigerian car and we did not talk to anybody until we finished. We invited Abacha who sent his deputy to us in Owerri. A crowd of 50,000 including diplomats and five governors were there to see physically what we have done and the whole world was celebrating. Thereafter, there was no support. Nigeria

government probed the car and found it worthy, they confirmed that everything was well done but till today no support I don’t have one Naira from the government instead people were making effort to blackmail us. They are saying this is Igbomade.

“So, the Nigeria public has no problem. Nigerians are good people, every Nigerian will want to use his or her hands to

manufacture things but a few policy makers who are sitting up there are ready to sabotage everything to make sure that we don’t really have anything.

Izuogu also gave insights into his committees’ efforts to come up with recommendations that will industrialize Nigeria and regretted that Nigeria pays lip service to science and technology.

Insecurity: C’ttee rejects emergency rule extension

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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O N F E R E N C E Committee on National Security has rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposal to further extend the one-year state of emergency imposed on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

The committee, which described the move as “undesirable”, asked the president to explore other avenues of tackling the insurgency plaguing the northern part of the country, saying emergency, since its declaration a year ago has rather strengthened the activities of the insurgents.

Chairman of the committee and former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta (rtd), at a news briefing at the National Judiciary Institute, NJI, said the state of emergency has outlived its usefulness.

Gambo, who insisted that the

state of emergency was no longer desirable in any state of the world, said there was no total breakdown of law and order to necessitate the president’s action. ”It is not desirable in any state in the world.

A reporter asked me yesterday why Chief Awolowo’s Western Region government was put under emergency, why did Obasanjo declare emergency in Plateau. These are circumstances that happened.

In the case of the Western Region, I was alive and I knew what happened.

There was a total breakdown of law and order, people were being burnt in their cars, houses and so on, it was necessary for the Federal Government to step in and stop that and it did not last more than necessary,” he recalled.

“We have been under emergency rule for how long now? One year in the three

states affected, and there is no improvement. So we have to now review the whole thing, reassess the whole thing, there is something more than just declaring emergency rule.

If you declare an emergency rule in such disturbed states,

you should have enough resources to revamp the architecture of security in those states immediately and for a long time to come while you also bring the other states into consideration so that this thing will not happen again,” he said.

Channel your grievances to Confab, delegates tell Boko Haram

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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ELEGATES representing National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have asked the members of dreaded Boko Haram Islamist sect, to forward their grievances to relevant committees of the Conference.

This is just as they condemned in totality the abduction of some female students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok by

members of the dreaded sect.

The NANS delegates, in a statement yesterday, in Abuja, signed by Comrade Clifford Abur, called on Nigerians to join hands in taking part to secure lives and property through what they called “the neighbourhood watch.”

NANS also advocated the establishment of vigilante club in all universities and other schools to report issues on security to appropriate agencies.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014—55

Power supply: Nigeria to get $6 billion nuclear plant in 2022 — NAEC

BY HENRY UMORU

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HE Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC disclosed yesterday that plans have been concluded to procure a $6 billion nuclear plant in 2022 to ensure stable power supply in the country for a period of 60 years.

In its presentation before the Rashidi Ladoja-led Committee on Energy at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, Director, Human Resources of the commission, Prof Simon Mallam, urged the Federal Government to explore and develop all sources of energy available in the country, adding that the best thing to do if we must have sustainable energy is to develop all the available energy sources including nuclear, gas, hydro, coal and

solar.

He though the country wasted a little time in the nuclear arena, the commission would be able to deliver nuclear power by 2022 if the enabling environment and support were given, adding that nuclear power may be expensive, but can endure for a very long time even if it starts with a small plant.

Professor Mallam, who noted that all the available sources can exist side by side, said that what will be generated from nuclear energy can be used to feed into others and it becomes a basic supply. While dismissing its expensive nature, he explained that the country can embrace the principle of “Build and operate” option where private individuals with the skill and finance can develop and manage it for some

*Cross-section of participants at the ongoing National Conference time and recoup their money and then hand over to the government. He explained that the option gives room for a country to provide the enabling environment and other frameworks needed and the partner will be concerned with the development and operation which leaves the two bodies with

a win-win situation.

He said: “I believe that although we wasted time, but we are not arriving late on the scene.

All the administrations right from Chief Obasanjo have given their commitments in this regard. We also hope that subsequent administrations will key into it, there is no reason they will not

key in. We want to be sure of what we are doing as far as the technology, safety and environment is concerned. That is why we are taking our time and collaborating with the international community; we will meet our target with the support we are getting.”

Civil service: No job evaluation since 1976 – C’ttee •Says FG never prescribed minimum wage •Defends NASS on jumbo salary

BY HENRY UMORU THE Director-General, National Wages and Income Commission, Dr. Richard Egbule disclosed on Wednesday that the last review and evaluation exercise carried out in the civil service was done in 1976 by the then Chairman, Civil Service Commission, late Jerome Udoji just as he alleged that the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission, RMFAC was encroaching into the commission’s constitutional duties.

Speaking when he appeared before the Senator Adamu Alieroled Committee on Public Finance and Revenue, Egbule wondered how a country like Nigeria would use the job evaluation carried out 40 years ago to evaluate the civil service now. He said his commission has put in place a process of carrying out a review of job evaluation in the civil service as a follow up to the one carried out in the 70s by Chief Udoji On the controversial issue of jumbo salaries for members of the National Assembly, the Wages Commission boss, who noted that legislators’ salaries and allowances were not on the high side as being perceived, said that what the government pegged as salaries for them is not outrageous.

According to him, what is outrageous that the law makers spend and which is not in the Act are other allowances and benefits they get from constituency allowances,

furniture allowances, among others which are usually abused by the lawmakers.

He said: “Honestly speaking, the salary and allowance of members of the National Assembly is not high, it is not outrageous; what they spend is not part of the salary like constituency allowances, there is an abuse. The 2008 amendment

did not repeat the conditions that furniture is once in one year. The jumbo earnings are not from the legitimate earnings of National Assembly members; additional income is what is outrageous which you will not find in the law.”

On minimum wage, Egbule who noted that the Federal Government has never prescribed minimum wage as there is always a tripartite arrangement involving the Federal Government, governors,

the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, among others before agreements are reached on a minimum wage for Nigeria. He added that Minimum wage was not about the states nor targeted at the state governments, but meant to help the voiceless.

On special salary scales he said it was done through collective bargaining, adding that the special salaries being collected by NNPC, CBN and

NCC, were not patterned along the civil service and that their salaries did not increase the national wage bill. In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Adamu lamented that it was sad that the country set aside 80 per cent of its budget for recurrent expenditure, saying that the committee wants a situation where 60 per cent of the budget would be for capital expenditure.

Resource Control: North to enjoy 4.5 % on solid minerals

BY SONI DANIEL

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HE Northern part of the country may soon begin to enjoy 4.5 percent of derivation from revenue derived from solid minerals exploited from the region.

Vanguard learnt from impeccable conference sources that the approval was part of the decisions reached by the Devolution of Power Committee headed by the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah.

A member of the committee told Vanguard that the decision was partly taken to douse the tension generated by the move by the North to press for the reduction of 13 percent derivation on oil being enjoyed by the oil-bearing states in the South.

The source said that it was the approval of the derivation formula for the North that made the delegates from the area to back down on their initial demand to scale down 13 percent derivation.

It was further gathered that the approval was responsible for the

committee not making any move to raise the 13 percent threshold higher.

The approval by the committee, which is seen as a mere proposal, is expected to be subjected to vote when the delegates reconvene next week. “What I am telling you has already been approved and will be made public at plenary,” a member of the committee on devolution of power, said.

It will be recalled that the attempt to jerk resource control above 13 percent had sparked a serious debate at the National Conference and raised concern among Southern and Northern delegates.

Even as the committee had left derivation at 13 percent, a member of the committee and Niger Delta activist, Ann Kio Briggs, is unhappy with the development, describing it as ‘completely unacceptable’.

According to Briggs, the South deserves to earn more from their oil resources, which have caused a lot of environmental challenges for the people of the area.

Meanwhile, former Special

Adviser to President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly Matters, Alhaji Tanko Yakassi, has advocated a drastic reduction of government expenditure so as to free funds for job creation and capital projects.

Yakassi, who is a delegate to

the National Conference, said that it was unacceptable for the Federal and state government to expend more of its budget on recurrent services leaving little or nothing for capital projects and empowerment of Nigerians.

Committees rush to meet deadline

BY HENRY UMORU

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HE 20 standing committees yesterday rushed to end their deliberations and preparation of reports for deliberation next Monday when delegates would reconvene at plenary sessions to discuss the reports.

While some committees rounded off their jobs before yesterday, some were able to put their reports together yesterday, with plans to discuss the recommendations today.

Committee on Political Parties and Electoral Matters which has former Senate Presidents Iyorchia Ayu and Ken Nnamani as cochairmen could not finish the line by line reading as members will

reconvene for that today.

At press time yesterday, the Religion Committee was yet to finish.

Committees that have completed their assignments included Public Service; Land Tenure and National Boundaries; Economy, Trade and Investment; Energy; Immigration and Related Matters, among others.

The National Secretariat in its extended time frame for the conference, had given yesterday for committees to conclude their work. The Secretariat is expected to receive reports from Monday when plenary on the deliberations of the reports will begin.

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

V anguard anguard,, FRIDAY, MAY 16 , 2014 — 57

NEWS ON BRIEFS

UK, Nig, in high level meetings on Chibok abduction

Ukraine crisis: Kiev talks open without rebels U

KRAINE’s political and civic leaders have held a first round of talks to end the crisis in the country - but separatists were not represented.

Correspondents said talks were heated although there was a consensus that Ukraine must remain a united state.

The interim president said Kiev was prepared to listen to rebels, but said they must lay down their arms first.

The meeting took place one day after pro-Russian militants attacked government forces, killing seven.

The seven soldiers were killed when rebels ambushed an armoured personnel carrier near the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region. One rebel is said to have also died.

Donetsk and the neighbouring region of Luhansk have declared themselves separate from Ukraine after referendums deemed illegal by Kiev, the US and EU, but Russia said it “respected” the votes.

The struggle for control of Ukraine, where the elected pro-Moscow president was deposed in February, has set Russia at loggerheads with Western powers.

In other developments: • The interim government said the annexation of Crimea by Russia earlier this year cost Ukraine at least 1tn hryvnya (£49.3bn; $83bn; 60.5bn euros) • Russian Deputy Prime

The talks in Kiev, brokered by international monitors, were held in full view of the media Minister Dmitry Rogozin said he would not support a US and European proposal to extend the international space station be-

WO Palestinians, Mohammad Abu Al Thaher and Nadim Nuwara, were shot dead by Israeli soldiers yesterday during Nakba Day commemorations near the Israeli military base of Ofer just outside Ramallah.

Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip were observing what they refer to as the ‘Nakba’ or ‘catastrophe’ that befell Palestinians in the 1948 war.

At noon, an eerie silence fell on the West Bank city of Ramallah as sirens wailed for 66 seconds. Following a march from the late President

had not yet received any official notification on changes in space co-operation.

Turkish mine disaster: Unions protest

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RADE unions in Tur key are holding a one-day strike in protest at the country’s worst mine disaster, which has claimed at least 282 lives.

Thousands have taken to the streets in cities across the country, with clashes breaking out in Izmir.

President Abdullah Gul visited the scene of the disaster in Soma, as Turkey holds three days of mourning.

The first funerals of victims have been held in a crowded town cemetery, as excavators dug new graves.

Palestinians mark ‘Nakba’ day amid violence

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yond 2020 but US space agency Nasa, which relies on Russia to ferry astronauts to the station, said it

Yasser Arafat’s mausoleum, hundreds stood at the city centre.

Meanwhile a survivor of the disaster described what happened.

“We smelt the smoke and we went upstairs and heard the explosion,” Tac Feratay told the BBC. “I went back down to rescue my friends. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t go back.”

Harrowing stories about victims continue to emerge, with Hurriyet newspaper reporting a note found in the hand of a dead miner which read: “Please give me your blessings, son.”

Excavators have been digging new graves in the town’s cemetery, as funerals are held for victims in quick succession and loudspeakers broadcast the names of the dead.

Women cried and sang improvised songs about their relatives as the bodies were lowered into the graves.

Rescue efforts continue at the mine in Soma but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive.

Eight bodies were recovered overnight, bringing the death toll to 282. Correspondents saw another body taken away during Thursday. Up to 150 miners remain missing.

The disaster triggered a wave of anger around the country.

Several unions are reportedly taking part in the 24-hour strike, and blame the privatisation of the mining sector for making working conditions more dangerous.

Egypt asks for US help against terrorists

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BDEL Fattah al-Sisi, the general who ousted an elected Islamist president and is set to become Egypt’s next head of state, called on the United States to help fight jihadi terrorism to avoid the creation of new Afghanistans in the Middle East.

In his first interview with an international news organization in the

run-up to the May 2627 vote, Sisi called for the resumption of U.S. military aid, worth $1.3 billion a year, which was partially frozen after a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Asked what message he has for U.S. President Barack Obama, Sisi said: “We are fighting a war against terrorism.”

“The Egyptian army is undertaking major operations in the Sinai so it is not transformed into a base for terrorism that will threaten its neighbors and make Egypt unstable. If Egypt is unstable then the entire region is unstable,” said a quietly spoken Sisi, wearing a dark civilian suit.

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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HE United Kingdom’s Foreign Office Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds has expressed the need to intensify efforts to ensuring that the abducted Chibok school girls are rescued from the Boko Haram extremist group, following high level meetings with responsible Nigerian authorities.

Simmonds who made this statement, also indicated areas of assistance and advice, which the UK can provide in support of Nigeria’s efforts to secure the girls’ release and to deal with the threat posed by the extremist group Boko Haram, also assured a close co-operation with the

Nigerian Government and other international partners to provide assistance to Nigeria in dealing with the abduction and addressing longer term challenges.

He said, “This is an horrific and heartbreaking situation and the UK wants to do all it can to offer support to the Nigerian efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped girls. We condemn the actions of Boko Haram and all that they stand for. The callous and shocking video of some of the missing school girls will only make it harder for their families to deal with this agonising ordeal. This shows exactly why the UK and others have sent teams to help the Nigerians in their efforts to find them and bring them home.”

Pope Francis shuns bullet proof vehicles on Middle East tour

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OPE Francis is shun ning bulletproof vehicles during his trip to the Middle East this month, insisting that he use a normal car and be allowed to be as close to people as possible, the Vatican said yesterday. The Vatican, briefing reporters on the trip, also confirmed that a rabbi

and an Islamic leader will accompany Pope Francis on his trip to the Middle East in a gesture of the importance he attaches to inter-religious dialogue.

Francis will visit Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and Israel during the May 24-26 trip, his first as pope to the region.

Cairo court rejects Elshamy’s appeal

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GYPT’s Cairo Crimi nal Court has rejected an appeal by Al Jazeera Arabic’s Abdullah Elshamy against a May 3 decision to extend his detention, as his family refutes claims that he has quit a hunger strike he started more than 110 days ago.

Earlier yesterday , the eighth session in the trial of three journalists at Al Jazeera English was adjourned to May 22.

Elshamy, who has not been charged with any crime despite being incarcerated for 266 days since last August, was transferred to solitary confinement in Tora prison’s maximum security Scorpion unit. His hunger strike, which he staged to protest his captivity, has left him frail, while his family and lawyers said recent blood tests showed failing kidneys and “critical” health conditions.

South Sudan seeks US, UN verification of truce

S

OUTH Sudan yester day asked the United States and the United Nations not to slap warring parties in the country’s conflict with sanctions for violating a peace deal without verification from independent monitors.

South Sudan Information Minister Michael Lueth said that independent monitors have to be deployed to verify who among the warring factions is violating the deal.

“If we agree and you attack, am I in violation if I

fight back?” Lueth asked.

“The agreement does not say I should not fight back.”

New fighting broke out in South Sudan on Sunday, less than 48 hours after the country’s president and the rebel leader agreed to a cease-fire that the U.S. secretary of state and U.N. secretarygeneral both worked to forge. Both sides in Sudan have blamed the other for violating the deal.

58 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 59

Vanguard CLASSIFIED

R-l: Head, Research and Insight of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, plc, Mrs. Yemisi Faleye; Divisional Head of Retail Banking of FCMB, Olu Akanmu and President of Nigerian Marketing Research Association, NiMRA, Lanre Fasakin, at the Breakfast Summit of the Association in Lagos.

US, UK forces yet to locate Chibok girls —Report

By UDUMA KALU with agency report

C

OALITION of UK, US and Nigerian forces hunting for the Chibok schoolgirls have no idea where the girls are, a month after the abduction, a report

by Reuters news agency has said. The report also said that hunt for the more than 200 abducted schoolgirls may not be successful, quoting terrorism experts and government officials The United States and Britain are helping Nigerian forces to liberate the girls from the Boko Haram Islamist militants. Michelle Obama, film star Angelina Jolie, British Prime Minister David Cameron are supporting a social media campaign operating under the Twitter tag #BringBackOurGirls. US has sent surveillance aircraft as well as assigning medical, intelligence, counter-terrorism and communications advisers to the mission. Reuters said, yesterday, “Officials have little idea where the girls are, and acknowledge that if they are found, any rescue attempt would be fraught with problems.

Rebels clutches On top of that, morale is shaky among some of the Nigerian troops involved in the hunt who already have experience of Boko Haram as a formidable foe. Two U.S. national security sources also said initially the girls were separated into around three large groups but were subsequently scattered in smaller groups. Other experts said they could be in mountains near Gwoza on the Cameroon border.”

The report also said some girls might be found before others, posing a dilemma for would-be rescuers. Foreign experts, it went

on, are also pessimistic that the girls can be extricated from the rebels’ clutches and returned to their homes in Nigeria’s remote northeast where Boko Haram operates. “I

think a rescue is currently unlikely and unfeasible,” said Jacob Zenn, a Boko Haram expert at U.S. counter-terrorism institution CTC Sentinel. Until Monday, nothing had been seen of the girls since they were snatched from the village of Chibok near Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Then Boko Haram released a video showing more than 100 girls together in a rural location.

In it, rebel leader Abubakar Shekau offered to exchange them for captured militants.

The video raised hopes that their location

could be found using ground forces, stateof-the-art intelligence and surveillance planes. Then an operation could be staged, perhaps with forces swooping from the sky like a British raid in Sierra Leone in 2000 to free soldiers held by militiamen, or Israeli commandoes’ rescue of passengers from a jet hijacked to Entebbe, Uganda, in 1976. The report also listed time as another problem. Britain’s minister responsible for African affairs, Mark Simmonds, said on Wednesday that it was “early days” in the rescue operation, yet the abduction happened on April 14 so rebels have had ample time to prepare for an international response. A senior U.S. Defence Department official criticized Nigeria on Thursday for being too slow to adapt to the threat of Boko Haram.

The report said recent shooting in the Maiduguri barracks, by soldiers sent to confront the rebels highlights another problem. Defence headquarters quickly stated that the situation had been resolved, but soldiers told Reuters they remained angry. “These Boko Haram have special forces. They know how to shoot and maintain their grounds more than us. What is making it worse is our superior officers who are insensitive to the plight of the troops,” said a soldier, who declined to be identified.

Nigeria kidnap families want ‘unconditional’ release Relatives of more than 200 schoolgirls held hostage by Boko Haram, Thursday, called for their unconditional release, after President Goodluck Jonathan ruled out a prisoner swap with the extremists. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau indicated in a video this week that he could release the abducted girls now held for more than a month in exchange for militant fighters in custody in Nigerian prisons. But Britain’s Africa minister Mark Simmonds said after meeting President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday he was adamant there “will be no negotiation that involves a swap”. Ayuba Chibok, whose niece is among the hostages, said the girls’ detention was taking its toll on parents and families in their remote town from where the teenagers were abducted on April 14.

“For me, I want these girls released without any negotiations. Even if Boko Haram wants to request something from the government, let them request something else,” he told AFP by telephone from Chibok.

“Let him (Shekau) release these girls unconditionally,” he added.

UNUEROH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Unueroh Loveth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugwuneke Loveth.

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Correction of name That my correct names are Egbadon – Eremionkhale Osemudiamen Norbert.

That my native name was wrongly spelt as Osamudiamen in my school certificate. That I now wish to be known and addressed as Egbadon – Eremionkhale Osemudiamen Norbert.

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60—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2014

We’re ready for Ekiti guber poll — INEC STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Ekiti State has said barring last-minute changes.

It is prepared to conduct rigging-free election on June 21.

Speaking with Vanguard, the Head of its public relations in Ekiti State, Mr Gbadegeshin Taiwo, said: “We have had all arrangements in place to ensure that we have a successful election in Ekiti State. I am assuring you that non-sensitive materials have

arrived and we have distributed same to local government offices.”

“The commission”, he added, “has embarked on voters’ sensitization programmes on radio and television. We do not anticipate any logistic problems. We have trained the youth corpers and we are still retraining them, that does not mean when it is time for elections we will not train them. We will still train them because we do not want them to mishandle the documents.

INEC has embarked on series of measures to ensure security

•Jega

of the process.”

He further dispelled speculations on the possibility

of the commission using card readers to conduct the June 21 governorship elections saying, “like it has been rumored that we are going to use card readers, we are not going to use card readers to conduct elections in Ekiti and Osun states but we are going to use card readers during the 2015 general elections.

These are part of the measures to arrest misconduct in the process. We are going to get there one day. On our part, I am assuring you that we are providing a level playing ground for all political parties and candidates.”

APC, PDP trade words over Ekiti TV

T

HE People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed displeasure over the partiality shown by state broadcasting station, EKTV. While it accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration for allegedly prevailing on the station not to air its programme, the party said it may petition the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. We may petition NBC –PDP Speaking with Vanguard, the state publicity secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole said: “The broadcasting corporation of Ekiti State has been bad against the PDP; the station has been turned to the broadcasting service of Fayemi and not of Ekiti State. It has been an embarrassing situation.

Embarrassing situation Anytime you tune to the station, it is nothing short of praising Fayemi and the APC; they no longer balance their stories. We are even thinking of reporting them to the higher authorities, that is, the NBC because it has been so terrible.Even when we take our press releases there, when they are supposed to charge N15,000, they charge us N30,000.

They do that to scare us away.

That was why we bluntly refused to participate in a debate called by the station because it was meant for personal aggrandizement.”

PDP’s trying to draw attention— APC In its defence, the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, picked holes in PDP’s allegations, saying the party is only trying to draw attention to itself. Spokesperson of the organisation, Dimeji Daniels,

•Fayemi

•Fayose

said: “It is surprising that the PDP could make that claim because all the political parties

in Ekiti State have been displaying their programmes on EKTV including their jingles.

Just last week, all the directorsgeneral of the campaign organisations, including that of Ayo Fayose was invited for a debate at the station.”

According to him, “the directors-general of both the PDP and LP did not show up for the programme, the same thing happened when chairmen of political parties were invited, the PDP chairman was not there. ”Besides he said “EKTV has been covering their campaign rallies. This did not happen during the administration of the PDP, especially during the administration of Ayo Fayose.

The PDP is just trying to draw attention and it is just of lack of what to say.”

I’ll make pension payment first line charge— Bamidele

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

L

ABOUR Party Candidate, Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has promised to place pension on first line charge, to make payments regular, if elected governor of the state.

He made the promise yesterday, in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting with the members of the Ekiti State chapter of Nigeria Union Pensioners.

Currently, the state government is said to owe pensioners an arrears of one billion Naira. To achieve prompt payment of pensions and make delay in the payment of pension and gratuities a thing of the past in the state, Bamidele said he intends to inject it into the budget.

The lawmaker, who decried backlog of pension arrears owed the senior citizens said they would be accorded topmost priority in the Labour Party government. Bamidele said about N112 million would be committed to the cause within the first 11 months of his

administration. He said: “We will run programmes and policies that will make you proud pensioners again. Delay in the payment of pension will be addressed budgetarily by making it a first line charge.” The LP gubernatorial candidate who described pensioners as critical

stakeholders in the state, said he will tap their advice to develop the state. “I will work with you as stakeholders and tap into your sincere advice,”, adding that children of the pensioners would be given special consideration in all employment process.

PDP pick holes in Fayemi’s reinstatement of council officials

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

T

HE Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has questioned the moral justification for Governor Kayode Fayemi’s reinstatement of council officials he sacked two years ago.

Fayemi sacked some council officials which included Directors of Administration, treasurers, engineers and other top officials of local governments in the state about two years ago, a move has now reversed.

Picking holes in the U-turn, the PDP in a statement by its Publicity

Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, in Ado-Ekiti in Ado Ekiti yesterday, urged Fayemi to clear the air over the issue relating to the sack of the LG staffers in the first instance.

“Let the governor tell Ekiti people whether the circumstances surrounding the sack of the council officials have changed. This is a governor who had labeled these people as thieves and incompetent. Have these people become competent overnight when he needs their votes? Are they no longer thieves? What will happen to their salaries that they have not collected since three years now?”

Fayemi’s new romance with Ekiti teachers, a hoax— LP

BY DAPO AKINREFON

T

HE Labour Party in Ekiti State has described the recent romance between the APC governorship candidate, Dr Kayode Fayemi and teachers of the state as laughable.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Bolanle Olatunde-Bruce, the party said: “When the Federal Government approved the 27.5 per cent Teachers Pecuniary Allowance (TPA) for teachers all over the country, little did Ekiti teachers know that it would take them not just months of waiting to get the state government’s approval, but that they would not have been able to get it but for the fast approaching gubernatorial elections.”

She continued: “We therefore watched with amusement on the state owned television station when Governor Kayode Fayemi addressed a cross section of the teachers and “approved” this allowance that has caused a ding dong affair between them. Not only this, Fayemi also canceled the Teachers Needs Assessment Test (TDNA) which his government had insisted the teachers must write and finally gave them a Hiace Bus as parting gift.”

Describing it as a Greek gifts, the party said it is “another of his desperate moves to secure a second term by all means possible.”

The LP stated that “this is not just laughable but a mere pack of lies meant to confuse and cajole Ekiti teachers who have been the worst hit by his draconian rule. It is nothing but a facesaving measure by the outgoing administration to paint it as people-oriented having spent over 42 months witch-hunting the same teachers with series of doctored tests meant to downsize their population and neglecting the welfare of these largely acclaimed custodians of knowledge.”

The party, however, advised the teachers “to reject an antiteacher government by voting it out on June 21 and usher in a truly workers-friendly and people-oriented Labour Party.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014 — 61

62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY MAY 16, 2014

I

T may not be proper to call on Mr. President for most things the ministries and other government bodies can handle especially when they are yearly budgeted for and monetary allocations paid to the relevant bodies.

I’m bringing this to the attention of the Presidency because of the failure of all our past sports ministers, for more than 15 years now, especially from the Olusegun Obasanjo era to date.

In their budgets, there’s always a vote for stadium maintenance. But they rarely maintain any stadium.

And this brought us international disgrace two weeks ago when VPRO, a Dutch television came to Lagos to do a documentary on Nigeria’s football, especially during the Clemence Westerhof era when we were ranked number five in the world, the best any African country ever attained.

Westerhof told the story of their visit to the National Stadium, Lagos himself: “VPRO wanted to do a documentary on Nigeria and I came with them here, proud of Nigeria and the work we all did here. We went to the stadium where we played great matches.

They wanted to capture the scene and have a nice background. But we were not allowed in. It’s a shame.

I’m very disappointed that we cannot take pictures of where the action took place because the stadium is said to be in bad shape. I assured them that we are here for positive story on Nigeria and that we will not go for any negative thing. It will not even be good for me to paint Nigeria in bad light because I had great moments here and that’s why we are here. We’ll go again tomorrow with Stephen Keshi, Peter Rufai, Daniel Amokachi and others and may be they will change their mind when they see these great stars of Nigerian football.”

The crew left Nigeria without shots from the main bowl of the National Stadium. The stadium authorities bluntly refused, saying they had orders from the National Sports Commission, Abuja.

The crew formally applied to take shots at the stadium and their application was not granted, the main reason being the bad state of the stadium which they felt would portray Nigeria in bad light if it was captured by foreign television. But they simply said that their application did not get to Abuja. I really understand the NSC but why have they left such great edifice to rot away for years especially when they have a vote for maintenance every year? The first thing sports ministers do on resumption of office is usually a tour of national facilities. They all lament and make a public show of the rot and their determination to correct the mistakes of their predecessors. One almost came across as a

of foreign exchange from sports if we do the right thing to develop them. Part of the development process will be building and maintaining our sports facilities. This is an appeal to the President since all the past ministers have failed in this regard.

08053068728

Readers' reactions Yes, let’s swim with Keshi

BY M. O. UDEH

T

An appeal to Mr. President

Like others before and after him, he did nothing on the stadia before he was disengaged as sports minister.

And that’s why a television documentary that could do our country a lot of good was being frustrated and the news about the stadium brought us international disgrace.

It is time we did something about our facilities. It is wasteful to allow them rot away and athletes cannot train in them. Some of the foreign trips for training could be avoided if our facilities were in good shape.

We know that these are difficult times for our Presidency but President Goodluck Jonathan appears to have interest in sports. I’m encouraged to ask him to do more for sports development in addition to hosting and recognising those who win in international events.

Many more will be winners and they will earn a lot

HE contributions by all and sundry to the provisional list of 30 players for the World Cup have been useful.

Keshi’s criteria for team selection are well known, and he is likely to stick to them to the letter.

A player must possess technical discipline, and display it on the pitch by playing to instructions to preserve the chemistry of the team.

Above all, a player must be physically, mentally and psychologically fit in order to be fielded to play a competitive match.

Keshi defined this final litmus test in his own words “Before I put a player on the pitch, I know what he can do. I know his confidence level. I know how prepared he has been. Some other people might see it as a risk because they are unknown names, with no experience, but I have worked with these players for a period of time. I know what they can do and I believe in them.”

When the list of the final squad of 23 is released, what is required of all Nigerians is to give Keshi and his crew total support and to pray for the team’s success.

The issue of drafting a foreign coach to lead Keshi and his team to the World Cup has been laid to rest.

During the brick bats on who should be selected to play in the World Cup, a columnist posed the question whether Nigerians should swim or sink with Keshi, because he is Keshi.

An answer to the above question may be attempted at this stage of our preparation. “Let us swim with Keshi, not because he is Keshi, but because he is a performing Keshi. His records of achievements constitute his sole testimonial.”

We may not expect Keshi to win the world Cup in 2014. What we expect of him and his technical crew is to attain the quarter final stage.

Any level beyond that will be a welcome miracle and bonus.

Barr M. O. Udeh, writes from Enugu.

Stay away from drugs, NAFDAC DG urges athletes

World Cup: OSMI Signs Olofinjana, Alabi, Okeleji as analysts

comedian when, in less than five months to the 2011 elections, he said that all the national stadia will be renovated with a five star hotel to be built in Lagos, Ibadan and Kaduna premises to yield revenue for NSC and for camping of athletes. I remember asking if the elections would no longer hold for the man to be speaking in that manner.

,

The crew formally applied to take shots at the stadium and their application was not granted, the main reason being the bad state of the stadium

,

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

O

T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has advised Nigerian athletes to stay away from drugs and embrace hard work and honesty in order to attain their goals in life.

The Director- General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii who spoke when he received in his office in Lagos, the Commonwealth Heavy Champion, Mr.Osita Offor, a.k.a De Ultimate C o m m a n d e r , maintained that true success was the only sure way to hard work.

Orhii, while eulogizing the wrestler who came to present his World Heavy Weight Championship Belt to the Agency, described him as symbol of hard work.

The NAFDAC boss also stated that De

TEAM NIGERIA . . . Nigeria’s Women Relay team at the last International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Athletics Championships in Moscow Ultimate Commander who is also The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) 2011 Ambassador for the Campaign Against Corruption as honest sportsman, who has excelled in wrestling through hard work devoid of performance enhancing drugs.

PTIMA Sports Management International (OSMI), the exclusive 2014 FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners for the Nigerian territory, has appointed Nigeria’s former Super Eagles player, Seyi Olofinjana as a guest analyst, and ace broadcasters, Jide Alabi and Shina Okeleji, as presnters for its 2014 FIFA World Cup broadcast.

Olofinjana, a defensive midfielder who played 44 times for the Super Eagles between 2002 and

Midwestern Oil & Gas Tennis gather steam

A

heavy downpour which lasted over three hours Wednesday in Lagos interrupted the ongoing Midwestern Oil & Gas Junior Tennis Championship but did not dampen the enthusiasm of the young tennis players who took

to the courts thereafter to exhibit some fine skills.

In some of the matches decided,Omolayo Bamidele from Ekiti beat Osarume Ehimwenma from Edo 9-5; Asoso Ehimwenma made up for her sister ’s loss by beating Toyin Osoba

from Lagos 9-7.

Also making good progress are Yussuf Abeeb (Lagos) who beat Godwin Odey from Kaduna 9-2 and David Amusu (Lagos) who defeated Owen Chiekwe from Edo State 9-2.

2010, began his career with the domestic sides Crown FC, Ogbomosho and Kwara United of Ilorin before moving to Europe with Norwegian side SK Brann. The combative player also played in England with Wo l v e r h a m p t o n Wanderers, Stoke City, Cardiff City, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday. He also holds a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Aberdeen University.

Jide Alabi is the Manager, Sports on both Rhythm 93.7 FM and Silverbird Television while Shina Okeleji has about a decade experience in sports reporting for BBC World Service. Both of them have covered various domestic and international football events including FIFA World Cup, African Nations Cup, and CAF Awards, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY MAY 16, 2014 — 63

08053068728

C’Wealth Games: Ogunkoya slams govt Complaints hit CBN over Team Nigeria tennis tourney

BY JACOB AJOM

A

FRICAN record holder in the womens 400 metres event Chief Falilat Ogunkoya has questioned the federal government’s commitment to the development of sports in the country.

Using the poor funding of athletes’ preparation for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games as a case in point, Ogunkoya said, “Nigerian sports administrators concentrate on one sport,” ostensibly, referring to football. “Sports such as athletics, boxing, shooting, wrestling, among others are not given serious consideration by policy makers.”

The former quarter miler who is a member of the Nigerian Sports Award panel spoke with Sports Vanguard in Lagos during the week asked, “What has become of the recommendations of the Presidential Retreat organised after the country’s poor showing at the 2012 Olympics?

Thrown to the winds?”

Ogunkoya said sports have done too much for the country to be allowed to suffer neglect from government.

“When you go outside this country, the only time you hear Nigeria’s anthem is during international sports competitions. Some of us were so proud to wear the green-white-green

Continues from BP broadcasted a recording of the Chelsea boss criticising his players during a private conversation.

“I have a team but no striker. The problem at Chelsea is that we are lacking a goalscorer. I have one [Samuel Eto’o] but he is 32, possibly 35, who knows?,” Mourinho said.

Following the conclusion of the season Eto’o has again hit out at his manager in a

colours of Nigeria.

They(government) should appreciate what we (sportsmen and women) do for this country. Why are they saying there is no money for Team Nigeria for the Commonwealth Games?

There is supposed to be a sports lottery, what is going on?”

She charged government to ensure the various sports federations are given adequate money to prepare their athletes for the games coming up in Glasgow, Scotland in July.

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Nigeria’s Samuel Okon, competes in the men’s 110m hurdles final at the New Delhi Games.

Youth Games: Write your name in gold, Danagogo urges athletes

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N a bid to ensure that Nigeria places tops at the 2014 Africa Youth Games holding in Botswana from May 20 – 31 perform to their optimum, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo on Wednesday urged the athletes in camp preparing for the competition to redouble their effort in training as that was a sure way for them to win medals.The reassurance came as the minister led a delegation of top sports administrators and NSC Directors which included the Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye, AFN president, Chief Solomon Ogba, Secretary General of the NOC, Mr Tunde

Popoola to visit the camps and watch the athletes training at the Abuja National Stadium.

The visit started from the Velodrome at the Abuja National stadium and took the minister to the Indoor Hall, Swimming pool,

Eto’o move that will comprimise his future at Stamford Bridge.

Questioned about his future at Chelsea in an interview with African Football, the striker said: “Thanks for informing me that it will be my last World Cup.” “Today, I am 33 years old. And it is not because a fool called me an old man that you must believe it. And you may have noticed that the

old man was better than the youngsters.”

“Some believe I am going to retire in the United States or in the Middle East, but I have regained the joy of the Champions League and I am going to carry on playing in the Champions League.

Where? I am not going to tell you. But I am going to carry on playing because physically and mentally I feel great,” he added.

Continues from BP

Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Scrabble, among others.

Continues from BP

World Cup

World Cup. A lot of reactions have trailed the announcement, particularly on the omission of some players Nigerians had considered worthy of making the list. Players like Vilareal striker Ikechukwu Uche, arguably Eagles’ most prolific forward in Europe with 13 goals, Brown Ideye who was part of the AFCON 2013 winning squad who has been loyal to Keshi, recuperating Leon Balogun, among others.

But coach Stephen Keshi has revealed that throughout his career, he has never been put under such immense pressure like he experienced before

arriving at the 30 he eventually picked as provisional squad.

While the dropped players, although disappointed, have all thrown their weights behind the coach with some solidarity comments, Keshi is still reflecting on the decision he made.

“I wanted the best for the initial camping list, but sadly we cannot take everybody along, we have to drop some of our best and committed players,” he said “I am happy that the players understand that fact.”

He also said he is thrilled by the responses of some of the players who were not picked for

gymnasium and the FIFA Goal Project, all at the Package B of the stadium where athletes in Judo, cycling, Karate, taekwonda , swimming, wrestling, gymnastics, badminton and football were all training.

some of them into confusion and hardship.

“We had banked on that money, believing that it could help us offset some our expenses incurred in the course of the competition,” he said, adding, “it is sad.”

As if that was not enough, the organisers have also scrapped one of the traditional categories in tennis, the mixed doubles. Some of the players who travelled to Lagos with the mixed doubles as their target have been made to just seat and watch others play.

Okagbare a fortnight ago, who won the 100m race at the2014 Jamaica International Invitational said, “I’m very happy to make my season best in Doha but I’m not satisfied because I want more and I know I can achieve it.”

“Though it is not what I wanted but I’m glad I came out of the competition without an injury.”

The African Long Jump champion however revealed that

DAWN Games begin in Lagos The maiden edition of South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games begins today in Lagos with over 2,000 athletes and officials in attendance.

The DAWN Games, which will be competed by athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States, is a 12 sports tournament of Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF. The sports are

ARTICIPANTS in the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria Tennis Open in Lagos are complaining over some late decisions by the organisers which they said were tantamount to abuse of trust.

Players were startled by the sudden decision to reduce the hospitality fund from N10,000 to N5,000.

One of the players who pleaded anonymity told Sports Vanguard at the National Stadium, Lagos, venue of the tournament that the decision had thrown

she is still considering participating in two events at the Shanghai Diamond League with her focused being the 200m race.

“I’m set for the 200m race but will check the schedules at Shanghai to see if I will be doing the Long Jump,” she added.

On the rivalry between her and Fraser Pryce, Okagbare said, “I don’t go into competition thinking about someone else but I focus on myself and what I can do and what I will do. the World Cup. Out of the present 30, Keshi will still have to pick 23 that will eventually make the final squad for the Mundial in Brazil.

The Eagles handler, while declaring his unalloyed loyalty to the NFF, called on the media to support him and the NFF in the task of making Nigeria great through football at the 2014 World Cup. “They create imaginary disputes between me and my employers, but I dare say there is no disagreement between us. All I want is for all including the players who did not make the initial 30-man list to support us, so that we can excel at the World Cup,” he declared.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014

Shangai Diamond League: Okagbare eyes better result

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Brazil World Cup.....Confessions of Stephen Keshi

Naming World Cup squad was tough A

FTER weeks of waiting, an expectant Nigerian football community was Tuesday last week given more than it expected when Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi announced a 30-man provisional list for the Continues on Page 63

INSIDE Eight pages of Sports Vanguard pull-out •Keshi

IGERIA reigning a t h l e t i c s champion, Blessing Okagbare has expressed determination for a better outing at the Shanghai Diamond League billed from this weekend in China.

Okagbare returned a personal best of 11.18 seconds to finish second behind Fraser Pryce at the 2014 Diamond League opener in Doha at the weekend.

The African champion

Continues on Page 63

•Okagbare

Mourinho a ‘Fool’ – Eto’o

C

HELSEA striker Samuel Eto’o has called his manager Jose Mourinho a ‘fool’ after the Portuguese boss questioned the C a m e r o o n international’s age earlier this season Earlier this year French television channel Canal Plus after

Super Eagles celebrate at Afcon 2013.

Continues on Page 63

•Eto’o

C’Wealth Games: Ogunkoya slams govt over Team Nigeria — P.63 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Waterway (5) 5 Easy (6) 8 Temptress (5) 10 Pure (6) 11 Press (4) 14 Corsair (6) 15 Least (7) 18 Jewel (3) 19 Mouthful (3) 21 Notch (4) 23 Renovate (5) 24 Fete (4) 27 Fellow (3) 29 Era (3)

31 Emit (7)

32 Lower (6) 34 Nimbus (4) 35 Rough (6) 38 Lived (5) 39 Gossip (6) 40 Demise (5)

DOWN 2 Tree (3) 3 Attack (6) 4 Illuminated (3) 5 Cut (4) 6 Tied up (6) 7 Scope (6) 9 Declined (7) 12 Equipment (3) 13 Title (4) 16 Jot (4) 17 Lesser (5) 20 Expiation (7) 22 Tidy (4) 24 Sea-bird (6) 25 Slat (4) 26 Astounded (6) 28 Swell (6) 30 Fish (3) 33 Travelled (4) 36 Elderly (3) 37 Drunkard (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Solace 5, Risk 8, Hoped 9, Vat 10, Maim 11, Poke 12, Small 13, Garret 16, Left 18, Evil 20, Ate 22, Rot 23, Din 24, Diet 25, Meet 28, Devise 30, Trend 32, Plan 33, Aura 34, Ire 35, Paste 36, Reel 37, Staged.

DOWN: 1, Savage 2, Literate 3, Compel 4, Committed 5, Replied 6, Idol 7, Keep 8, His 14, Terminate 15, Tin 17, Foe 19, Visiting 20, Aim 21, Eternal 26, Tenant 27, Defend 29, Spar 30, Tape 31, Due.

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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