2015: I'm stillconsulting — Jonathan

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61862

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

BOSTON ATTACK:

Bamigbetan, Lagos •Pg.6 Council boss kidnapped

It's terrorism, says Obama

2015: I'm still consulting — Jonathan •P.54

• I'm consulting too — Atiku Abubakar •President distances self from aide's guber ticket in Anambra

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & BEN AGANDE

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AGOS—FOR the umpteenth time, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said he was yet to take a decision on whether or not to seek the 2015 presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic

Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

DEAR BUNMI •P.48

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

OGAGA IFOWODO

•P.19

Mr & Mrs

AWARD—From left: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, receiving the award of Leadership Newspaper's Governor of the Year, presented by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar in Abuja yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

•P .9

Stop corruption with impunity, Sultan, Onaiyekan tell Jonathan

Two Leadership reporters charged with felony Pg.16 •

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 3

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

THE BOSTON ATTACKS—The Police keep watch at Times Square in New York, yesterday, after the Boston bombings that killed 3 and injured over 150 people on Tuesday. Inset: The US flag flies at half mast atop the White House, yesterday. Photos: AFP.

2015: I'm still consulting — Jonathan Continues from Page 1

Party, PDP, dismissing as ill-founded reports that he has empanelled trusted loyalists to strategise on a campaign.

Besides him, former vice-president Atiku

Abubakar, another probable candidate for the PDP presidential ticket, also insisted, yesterday, that he was still making wide consultations on a third bid for the Presidency.

Besides dismissing reports that he was already

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

A persuasive conversation has a structure which will be clear to you but invisible to the person you are persuading. The ball is in your court.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HERE is an expiry date on blaming your par ents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you. Certainly background and circumstances have influenced who we are, but who is responsible for the person we become?

— J k Rowling A mother heard the family cat yowl in pain. She knew where to look – she looked for her son, Mike.

“Stop pulling the cat’s tail, Michael!” she chided.

“I’m not pulling his tail,” the boy retorted. “I’m just standing on it. He’s doing the pulling.”

He, of course, is no different than any of us. Often, our first impulse is to blame someone or something else for our problems. It’s the cat’s fault. Or the school’s fault. Or my parents’ fault.

Steve Goodier says it aptly in one of his writings: “An important decision I made was to resist playing the Blame Game. The day I realized that I am in charge of how I will approach problems in my life, that things will turn out better or worse because of me and nobody else, that was the day I knew I would be a happier and healthier person.

And that was the day I knew I could truly build a life that matters.

Remember this too, an important step in gaining mastery over your life is to resist the urge to make something or someone else responsible.

in the race, President Jonathan also washed his hands off the gubernatorial aspiration of one of his key aides, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Special Adviser on Technical Matters. The assertions by the president conveyed by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati followed report of the constitution of a 21 man committee to strategise on a Jonathan bid for the 2015 presidential election by a national newspaper (not Vanguard) and an advertorial in Saturday Vanguard of April 13, 2013, where Dr. Jonathan was portrayed to have endorsed Nwankpo for the Anambra election due in November, this year.

Nwankpo who is a long-time friend of the president is reportedly vying with former presidential aide, Senator Andy Uba for the Anambra PDP gubernatorial ticket.

Besides the rebuttal by Abati, sources close to the presidency insisted, yesterday, that it would be foolhardy for the president to constitute a panel on the presidential election insisting that it would only be a distraction.

“There is nothing like that for now and the closest to it is the fact that some people are just talking on the issue but there is nothing for-

mal,” one source close to the presidency told Vanguard yesterday.

Rebutting the report of the constitution of a committee to strategise on the president’s re-election, Dr. Abati said: “In spite of clear and unambiguous pronouncements by President Goodluck Jonathan that he remains fully focused on the implementation of his Administration’s agenda for national transformation and not the politics of future elections, the Presidency has noted with concern that some individuals, groups, organisations and sections of the media have continued to foster the myth of a President and Administration solely concerned with jostling and self-positioning for the 2015 elections.

“This is totally untrue and without any basis in reality. As he has truthfully declared on several occasions, President Jonathan has not yet taken a decision on whether or not he will seek re-election in 2015 and has therefore not mandated any individual, committee or organisation to start working on his behalf for the 2015 elections.

"President Jonathan’s wish to be left alone to focus on delivering on his promise of good governance and national transformation without

unnecessary distractions should be respected. Political jobbers and their collaborators in the media should stop heating up the polity with baseless speculations and falsehoods revolving around imaginary plans and schemes by the Presidency for the 2015 elections.”

Endorsement of Nwankpo On alleged endorsement of Nwankpo, Abati said: “The Presidency has also observed what seems to be an emerging trend whereby persons with their eyes fixated on political opportunities in future elections are beginning to use President Goodluck Jonathan’s name to promote themselves and their vaulting ambitions.

It was clearly in this regard that some unscrupulous persons began to print 2015 campaign posters with President Jonathan’s photograph whereas the Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to announce the commencement of campaigns and political parties are yet to conduct any primaries for the selection of candidates.

“For the benefit of the unwary, the Presidency emphatically states that President Jonathan has not endorsed any candidate for any position whatsoever ahead of the 2015 general elections neither has he commissioned persons to start campaigns for his own candidature.

“As a leader who respects the rule of law, President Jonathan respects the fact that there are laid down procedures, defined by INEC and the political parties, for the selection of candidates for any election.

As a law-abiding citizen, President Jonathan will

not engage in any act, symbolic or direct, that runs counter to laiddown procedures. As a loyal party man, he will equally not do anything that will amount to the usurpation of the party’s structures and powers to conduct primaries and choose candidates for elections.

“We, therefore, disown the claims and allegations of Presidential endorsements or the commencement of 2015 campaigns. The general public and affected stakeholders are advised to be wary of the kind of opportunism, misrepresentation and mischief that usually arise ahead of elections in general,” the president said as he warned political office seekers and their sponsors not to exploit the president’s name in their campaigns.

I am consulting too — Atiku Meanwhile, erstwhile Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has also claimed that he is yet to make up his mind on contesting the 2015 presidential election.

Atiku who contested the 2007 presidential election on the platform of the Action Congress, AC and vainly sought the ticket of the PDP in the 2011, said that he is presently consulting widely among stakeholders on a possible bid.

Speaking through his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, the former vice-president said: ”Turaki is still consulting widely on the issue.

It is neither here nor there, and a decision would only be reached after the ongoing consultations that he is making with friends and associates across the country.”

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, EVELYN USMAN, ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS — GUNMEN, Monday night, abducted the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, chairman, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan, in Lagos.

He was said to have been kidnapped by four gunmen on his way home after the close of work as he was about entering his street, Ona Iwa Mimo Street, Ori-Oke, before Egbe bridge in Ejigbo, at about 11pm.

The Lagos State Police Command said, yesterday, it had recovered Bamigbetan’s vehicle where it got stuck in the mud.

There were indications that the gunmen were actually kidnappers, following a call reportedly made to his wife, Fatima, demanding a ransom of $1million, approximately N158 million, for his release.

Information available to Vanguard revealed that Bamigbetan and his driver, Abiodun Olayiwola, were the only occupants of his black Sports Utility Van with customized number plate, Lagos KOK, when the incident occurred.

Immediately the chairman‘s vehicle was reportedly intercepted by the gunmen, his driver made frantic effort to escape by engaging the reverse gear. The effort was, however, abortive as the vehicle reportedly hit a pole while trying to avoid potholes on the road, and eventually got trapped in the mud.

Olayiwola was said to have managed to escape. But his boss could not, as the gunmen reportedly released volleys of bullets, threatening to shoot him dead if he made any move.

Eyewitness account An eyewitness who was along the route at the time of the kidnap said he hurriedly made a uturn, apparently thinking the abductors were robbers.

The motorist simply identified as Mr Nnamdi was seen at Jakande Estate, some 500 metres from the kidnap point, at about 8 a.m yesterday, explaining what transpired.

He said: “I did not know the victim was our chairman. In fact, it was God that saved me because I ran into them when they were firing. I hurriedly reversed and informed other road users to turn back that robbers were operating. I had to go through Ijegun road. It was this morning that I learnt our chairman was the target.”

Police on the trail of perpetrators Contacted, the Lagos State Police Command Deputy Public Relations Officer, Mr Damasus Ozoani, said the command was making effort to en-

Gunmen kidnap Bamigbetan, Ejigbo LCDA chairman Abductors demand $1m (N158m) ransom Police on the trail of perpetrators OPC joins manhunt for kidnappers

Bamigbetan's Ford Sports Utility Vehicle after his abduction at Iwa Ona Mimo Street, Ejigbo, Monday night. INSET: Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan.

sure he was rescued.

Ozoani said: “His safety is important to us. We are managing the situation to ensure he is rescued safely. At this point, all hands are on deck.

All men are on ground doing what is expected of us.”

Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko, said they were monitoring the situation and would ensure the abductors were arrested.

According to him, “we are monitoring the situation. The kidnappers are using the telephone of the victim to call the family. We will get them."

At press time, all known Bamigbetan’s phone lines had been switched off even as the wife was still in shock to speak with the media but rather focussed on solemn prayers for the return of her husband.

Friends, party leaders, well wishers and staff who thronged the residence of the chairman at 21, Ona Iwa Mimo Street, Ejigbo, were prevented from entering the house.

The exact motive behind the incident is yet to be ascertained.

But it was gathered that he was not involved in any political crisis with anyone.

Driver recounts experience

The lucky driver, Olayiwola, who escaped with minor bruises, told Vanguard that three armed men came down from their vehicle but the driver did not, in an operation that lasted about three minutes.

Recounting his experience during the kidnap, Bamigbetan’s driver said: “I am Abiodun Olayiwola, I have been working with Bamigbetan for many years. We left office at 8 p.m on Monday.

“My boss called me that we were going to Ikoyi on appointment. After the event, we left the place. I wanted to pass through Third Mainland Bridge, but he said he preferred we passed Funsho Williams Avenue. That was about 11 p.m.

“We never suspected any danger was lurking on the way. My boss was chatting with his friend on the phone as we entered the street leading to his house when I noticed a black saloon car with the driver blocking my way in a suspicious manner.

“Two guys alighted from the car and pointed guns at us. At this point, my instinct told me to escape that they might be robbers and in the process, I quickly put the vehicle in reverse with the full headlamp on, at least to act as a blinder to the assailants who gave us a hot chase, shooting sporadically into the air.

“I managed to cover some distance but the vehicle got stuck in the mud after hitting an electric pole which fell on top of the car. I ran away immediately, hoping that my boss would follow suit but I later found out that they whisked him away.

“When I returned from where I hid, I saw his slippers on the road and noticed that his laptop and phones were missing, apparently taken away by the abductors.

“I saw some residents holding a young man who was said to have been dropped by the abductors and I pleaded with them not to let him go as he could be one of them.

“The unidentified man who is currently being quizzed by the police, claimed that he was a victim of the kidnappers just released after his family paid N400,000 ransom. He claimed he was abducted four days earlier and was dumped in the middle of the operation.

OPC joins manhunt for kidnappers Founder and President of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, yesterday, directed his members in Lagos and the South-West to work with security agents to launch a manhunt for the ikidnappers.

A statement by Fasehun warned those behind Bamigbetan’s abduction to release him unharmed.

He said: “Kehinde Bamigbetan is our son, a Yoruba man. Whoever touches any Yoruba man touches the apple of OPC’s eye and will pay dearly.”

According to him, already, the leadership of the congress has summoned meetings with the organisation’s leadership in Ejigbo area for information, to ensure that Bamigbetan returned to his family safe and sound.

Lagos ACN lampoons kidnappers Reacting to the kidnap of the council chairman, the Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, berated the kidnappers for the act.

In a chat with Vanguard, the state publicity secretary of the party, Mr Joe Igbokwe said: “Lagos is not a safe haven for kidnappers and they know this very well. I am using this medium to ask these criminals to leave Lagos because nobody steals or kidnaps here without being caught and the consequences are better imagined. The kidnappers have few hours left to release the council chairman or face the strength of Lagos security outfit.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—7

Three feared dead as container falls off truck

BY CHARLYNE IKPE & CYNTHIA MGBEOKWERE

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An articulated vehicle with number plate XG 616 UWN fell at the Otto Wharf bus stop along Apapa/Oshodi expressway, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Man allegedly kills friend over lover

BY EMMA UNA

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ALABAR— ONE Abraham Bepeh of Betukwel community in Obubu Local Government Area of Cross River State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly killing his friend identified as Richard Beshel Mashok with whom he had been having a running battle over a lover, Miss Anna Ushie.

Abraham is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, at the Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill in Calabar, where the Officer-inCharge of homicide, Mr. Joseph Inuyashe, said he was to explain why he killed the deceased.

According to the police, “during interrogation, Abraham described his victim as ‘my close friend’, alleging that 'Richard was the first who attempted to eliminate me over the girl both of us are in love with, Miss Anna Ushie, a student of Immaculate (Annunciation) Secondary School, Ohong'.”

To convince the Police, Abraham who displayed some scars on his neck, legs, hands and chest alleged he had a lingering faceoff with Richard, whom he said regularly inflicted him with machete cuts.

Abraham dropped out of school at JSS3 because of cult activities,

while the deceased was said to have recently graduated with a degree in Education and was attached to Immaculate (Annunciation) Secondary School Ohong, Obudu as a teacher.

Reports have it that Richard hailed from Betukwel village, a nearby community to the Ohong village where Abraham hails

from.

On the day of the incident, Richard was said to have left a barbing salon and was taking his clothes to a dry-cleaner when he ran into Abraham who accosted him, saying they should finish what they had started some weeks back.

A fight was said to have ensued

JTF destroys 22 illegal refineries in Edo, Delta

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ENIN — MEN and officers of the 4 Brigade, Benin, yesterday, set ablaze 22 illegal refineries in Edo and Delta States communities used by vandals who engage in crude oil theft on the right of way of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, to perpetrate their illicit oil deal.

The discovery of the illegal refineries located in Oben, Oriowon Local Government Area of Edo State and Iroro-Jesse in EthiopeWest Local Government Area of Delta State, were made possible through intelligence gathering by the soldiers attached to Abudu pumping station in Edo State, who had been keeping vigilance on the the vandals in the area over a period of time.

Speaking to newsmen in one of the locations where the destruction was carried out, the officer in charge of the Abudu pumping

station, Captain Deinyefa Miebaike, explained that the breakthrough was made possible due to his friendly disposition and regular interactions with the indigenes of the affected communities who saw reason to divulge useful information on the activities of the vandals in these areas.

“My men and I made it mandatory to establish a cordial work-

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AYELSA — THE Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta has arrested a fishing trawler converted into a bunkering vessel and used for conveying stolen crude.

Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, Media Coordinator of JTF Operation, Pulo Shield, said the arrest was made on the notorious Akassa waterways in Bayelsa during raids between April 1 and 10.

According to him, “the fishing trawler, DALLAL, was

laden with stolen crude oil when it was intercepted by operatives of NNS Delta, a maritime component of the Joint Task Force. The trawler has been towed to Brass terminal pending further investigations. Two barges laden with stolen petroleum products have also been arrested by operatives of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force.

“The barges, COASTAL 22 PEACE RIVER and MUDIGBA 1, are now berthed at the AGIP Brass Terminal pending their hand over to prosecuting agencies at the completion of

ing relationship with the locals in our area of coverage and this was the result of what you are seeing today (yesterday)," he said.

Garrison Commander of 4 Brigade, Benin, Lt. Col. Abubakar Wase, noted that there was no going back on the on-going war against pipeline vandaliastion under the command.

One killed, several wounded in fresh Umuode, Oruku clash

BY EMEKA MAMAH & TONY EDIKE

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NUGU — AN uncle of former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, Mr. Chijioke Nnaji was reportedly killed while several others were injured during the renewed clashes between the

...Impounds fishing trawler with stolen crude

BY GODWIN ORITSE

and Abraham reportedly brought out a dagger and stabbed the deceased on his neck and took to his heels but some boys went after him and caught him.

Efforts to save Richard’s life failed as he died before reaching the Obubu General Hospital where he was rushed to for medical attention.

preliminary investigations,” Nwachukwu said He said that 20 pumping machines, one Lister generator and one cargo pumping generator were also seized by the JTF during the operation.

The JTF spokesman said 35 illegal refineries discovered in Rivers and Bayelsa coastal communities were destroyed within the period.

According to Nwachukwu, JTF also destroyed 150 large plastic tanks and 23 pumping machines used by the oil thieves in another camp at Ogidigben village at Escravos in Delta.

Umuode and Oruku communities in Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State, weekend.

Late Nnaji was killed at the burial ceremony of a prominent indigene of Umuode Community, Chief Uwadiegwu Moses Edeh in the attack said to have been started by Oruku community.

The Umuode community which made this known in a statement jointly signed by Chairman and Secretary of Umuode Town Union, Emmanuel Omaba and Paul Chukwudi respectively, alleged that Nnaji was killed by attackers from the neighbouring Oruku community.

In a statement entitled, "Attack on Umuode Community during burial,’’ the community said: "Mayhem was again let loose on Umuode community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State by the neighbouring Oruku community during the burial ceremony of late Chief Uwadiegwu Moses Edeh at his compound in Eziobodo Village, Umuode, on Friday, April 12, 2013."

AGOS — NO fewer than three persons were feared dead, yesterday, when a container fell off an articulated truck along Apapa/Oshodi expressway and landed on commuters waiting for buses at Otto-Wharf bus-stop, killing three of them. Others reportedly sustained injuries.

According to reports, the driver of the truck with number plate XG 616 UWN attempted to overtake a vehicle at the busstop, at about 2.30pm, and suddenly the empty container fell off, landing on unsuspecting commuters.

When Vanguard arrived the scene, a Federal Road Safety Corps official who identified himself simply as Chigbo said the truck driver was on high speed and could not control it when he got to the bus-stop.

The driver of a car and two other persons waiting to board buses to their respective destinations, according to him, were affected, adding that the container was removed and the victims rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

Man docked for swindling, impersonation

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS— A 42-year-old civil servant, Kolawole Olabode, was yesterday, arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly swindling one Adekunle Ajewole of N65,000 and also impersonating as a staff of Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.

Olabode, who resides at 154, Dopemu Road, Agege area of Lagos, is facing a four-count charge bordering on false pretence, stealing, forgery and impersonation. Olabode, who was arraigned before Magistrate Oshodi Makanju, was said to have committed the said offence on April 5, 2013.

The police prosecutor, Samson Ekikere, told the court that Olabode committed the crime on April 5,2013, at Alausa, Ikeja secretariat area of Lagos.

He said the defendant, with intent to defraud, stole N65,000 from one Adekunle Ajewole under the pretence of selling auctioned vehicle to him.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

21st century belongs to African women — Cherie Blair

Boko Haram: FG tasks Northern leaders ...wants them to take a cue from Niger Delta leaders

Hails Nigerian women

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—THE wife of former British Prime Minister Mrs. Cherie Blair has hailed the crucial role of African women in developing the continent, saying that the 21st Century belongs to them.

Cherie, who is in Abuja to attend a seminar on Equity and Venture capital told the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who hosted her to a lunch at the State House that Nigeria has continued to make progress since her first visit to the country.

According to her, “I have noticed since 2003 during my first visit to Nigeria that Nigerian women were a force to reckon with. The more I meet with Nigerian and African women, the more I become absolutely confident that the 21st century belongs to the African woman”.

She commended the progress made by Nigerian women, saying they have been fully accommodated in the political arena of the continent which would enable them change the world.

Mrs. Blair commended the First Lady for her work in empowering Nigerian women, saying “We share common interest in the issues of women, coming from backgrounds that did not believe that women could make any difference”.

In her response, the First Lady commended the wife of former British Prime Minister for her kind words, noting that Nigeria and Britain have had a very fruitful relationship which she says would continue to blossom.

She urged the visiting Mrs. Blair to enjoy Nigeria and always work in the interest of Nigerian women.

“I believe and appreciate you and the Cherie Blair Foundation which you have used to encourage women. I also wish to acknowledge your works in Africa which is duly recognised”, Mrs Jonathan said.

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA—THE Federal Gov ernment, yesterday, asked Northern leaders to take a cue from the Niger Delta leaders who went to the creeks at the height of insecurity in the region to persuade militants to drop their arms and accept the amnesty programme.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Labaru Maku, gave this challenge at a briefing on the forthcoming stakeholders’ conference and maiden meeting of the council on Niger Delta in Uyo, adding that northern leaders have vital roles to play in halting insecurity occasioned by activities of Boko Haram in the region.

He said the relative peace in the Niger Delta today was realised because some leaders in the region risked their lives to go to the creeks, pointing out that peace could be realised in the north if the leaders meet members of the Boko Haram to capitalise on the current dialogue and amnesty offer by the government.

Noting that the amnesty programme in the Niger Delta did not come easily, Maku further tasked the leaders to put in more efforts to ensure that peace prevail in the north.

Maku said the revenue from the Niger Delta region accounted for over 80 percent of the nation's resources, adding, Nigeria as a nation wouldn’t have made any remarkable achievement or development without the resources from the region.

In his own remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, explained that the essence of the stakeholder’s conference was to open doors of opportunities to communities, local government councils and the state governments.

“The ministry’s objective for the National Council on Niger Delta is to launch the Niger Delta Action Plan, set development milestones to be achieved in the next few months and years and create a shared ownership for delivering tangible results among stakeholders.

“We have seen the relative peace and stability in the region and the subsequent return of economic and social normalcy following the implementation of the amnesty programme. This peaceful state provides us the window of opportunity to intensify development intervention measures in the region.

“Our objective is to consolidate and sustain current security situation by addressing the devel-

opment challenges in the region in a way that is coherent and coordinated".

Orubebe added that, “the approach proposed in the Niger Delta Action plan will challenge and change our ways of doing development work in the re-

gion. It will require strategic convergence, coordination and collaboration in the development policies and programmes by stakeholders and partners operating in the region".

“To achieve the expected success demands, we will involve

the people of the Niger Delta in a participatory development process so that development strategies will reflect their aspirations and priorities. The people of the Niger Delta are both foundation and beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Action Plan".

CONSULTATION—Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III (right) and some traditional rulers from the North after holding consultations with President Goodluck Jonathan at the First Lady's Conference Hall, Aso Villa, Abuja on Monday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Energy sector reforms stagnated— Experts Say intra-govt conflicts impeding success

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

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IGERIAN Association of Energy Economists, NAEE, yesterday, expressed concern over the protracted reforms in the energy industry, notably power, oil and gas, saying that these reforms, which are over 10 years now, should have been concluded and yielding results.

The association also said the development has led to loss of confidence in governance by the people and prospective investors, who would have brought in funds to boost econimic development.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos, President of the Association, Prof. Adeola Adenikinju, identified several factors mitigating the progress of the reforms to include: lack of political will to see reforms through due to varied special interests, which have been used to either slow down the processes or reverse them completely; alienation of Nigerians and other stakeholders from the reforms, leading to resistance in imple-

mentation, especially the power privatisation, deregulation of the downstream and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB; intra-government conflicts with those for and against the process working to undermine one another’s interests, which for instance, have kept the PIB in the National Assembly for more than 10 years.

Also, this is indicative that the reforms may not have the full support of those in government’s top hierarchy. Policy swings and disruptions of timelines leading to credibility gaps among investors and target misses and loss of confidence in the process. Lack of sanctions for missing targets has ensured continuous policy somersaults and lack of commitment to set targets, notwithstanding the institution of performance bonds by the current administration.

Adenikinju noted that the resultant effects of the above is that even where some progress had been made like in the area of power privatisation, the major international players shunned the process, leaving

only the second and third level companies bidding for the electricity assets.

For the reforms to progress as desired, the Professor of Energy Economics, argued that “there must be some confidence building measures, which must precede such a major policy.”

He added that in the Nigerian environment such confidence has been taken for granted, leading to lack of understanding and mistrust of government policies and subsequent resistance, as has remained the case with fuel pump price increases.

He maintained further, “we need sufficient evidence and data based on adequate research to back up such policies. There is a dearth of data, so most policies are based on intuition. There is no evidence to support, drive and effectively guide the path of the policy reforms.

"For instance, during the last public hearing on fuel subsidy, there were no data to show how much fuel come from the refineries, how much is the daily consumption and how much is imported or exported, everything was shrouded in secrecy.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 9

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH & INNOCENT ANABA

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BUJA—THREE Nigerian leaders, yesterday, examined the problems facing the nation and concluded that corruption with impunity was the major challenge stifling the country’s socio-economic advancement and stability.

The trio of Muhammad Sa ‘ad Abubakar 111, the Sultan of Sokoto, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and the Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, spoke at the 2013 Annual Conference and Award of Leadership Newspaper in Abuja.

While the Sultan and the Cardinal presented a joint address on how to rebuild Nigeria, Governor Aliyu served as the guest speaker at the ceremony, which conferred awards on eminent Nigerians, among them, Governor Godswill

Stop corruption with impunity, Sultan, Onaiyekan tell Jonathan We should return to parliamentary system of govt to check corruption — Belgore Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who bagged the Leadership Governor of the Year.

The two clerics who frowned at the pervasive influence of corruption in the nation’s polity, asked the government to take urgent steps to halt the malevolent trend if the nation must make progress in the comity of nations.

The joint address, which was read on behalf of the two clerics

by Onaiyekan, noted that the government has been rather too soft on corrupt persons and institutions thereby making it appear as if the monster was being celebrated.

They said, “This stealing must stop. Furthermore, stolen resources of the nation must be

CONFAB—From left: Capt. Henry Omeogu, Director, Ministry of Aviation; Mr George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and Mr W. S. Michael at the Africa conference organised by Airports Council International, ACI, at Agadir, Morocco. recovered and used for the common services for the poor because the stolen money from government treasury belongs to us and not the government. ‘’There is nothing wrong in granting pardon to those who have committed offences, but the government must first of all recover our stolen wealth from corrupt persons before pardoning them.

While acknowledging that there was a religious dimension to the Boko Haram saga, the two religious leaders pleaded with political forces to lend a hand towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

Religion, an asset not instrument of destabilisation They also admitted that the country’s Muslims and Christians share a lot in terms of common values and interest and urged that religion should be used as an asset in rebuilding the country rather than an instrument of division and destabilisation.

The Niger State Governor, who was the lead speaker at the event, noted that Nigeria’s political process had been characterised by deficient and largely unprepared leadership

foisted on the nation.

Nigeria's problem is inefficient leadership — Gov Aliyu

The governor said, “Our leadership recruitment process is disturbing. Often, we get leaders who are self-conceited, unwilling, unprepared or merely opportunistic and become desperate, choosing to amass wealth through corruption and becoming dictatorial to survive in power.

“Such leaders manipulate electoral voting along ethnic, religious or sectional sentiments, which have destroyed the linkages between politics and nation-building, creating room for mutual distrust, rivalry, violence and truncation of nation-building agenda.

The governor also condemned the growing graft in the oil sector, which he noted had ravaged the gains that the nation could have derived from the sector in the past five decades of oil exploration and production.

He said: “Instead of economic gains for the ordinary Nigerians, crude oil discovery in Nigeria appears to be more of a problem as it has killed agriculture, which was the mainstay of our economy".

As a way out of the problems confronting the nation, the governor suggested the review of the country’s revenue allocation formula, the establishment of the right economic, social and economic perspective to put the county on a sound footing.

“While the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council is doing well, everybody must be genuinely involved in promoting ethnoreligious harmony in this country," he added.

Don't blame present leadership for our woes—Gov Akpabio Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, stressed the need for Muslims and Christians to work together to strengthen the bond of unity among Nigerians and facilitate development.

Akpabio cautioned Nigerians to desist from blaming the leadership of Nigeria, saying that the current problems plaguing the country did not start with the present administration.

According to him, Nigerians were merely suffering from the accumulation of the failures of the past, which the administra-

tion was battling to overcome.

“We cannot politicise insecurity in Nigeria. Corruption and violence can be eliminated if we as parents start the war from the home by restoring our moral values.

“My message for rebuilding Nigeria is that we should start from the spiritual realm, provide the needed infrastructure, rebuild the media to be more responsible in providing its services and refrain from churning out negative reports all the time”.

Let's return to old National Anthem — Tinubu Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, called for the restoration of the former National Anthem, which he said, was more nationalistic and more appealing to most Nigerians.

“I believe that if that is done, we would have achieved some level of commitment from Nigerians to national ethos,” the Action Congress of Nigeria leader, said.

While Akpabio clinched the Governor of the Year, Onaiyekan and the Sultan, went home with the Leadership Persons of the Year.

Olusegun Adeniyi, Editorial Board Chairman of Thisday Newspaper, claimed the Author of the Year while the Spokesman for the ACN, Lai Mohammed was named the Politician of the Year.

Parliamentary system of govt Meanwhile, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, yesterday, called for the adoption of a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria to solve the problem of corruption affecting the country.

Belgore, who spoke on ways to check corruption said a radical approach should be adopted towards tackling the problem, suggesting the reversion to a parliamentary system of government, which he noted would change the endemic corruption in Nigeria.

He spoke at the 2013 PUNUKA’s yearly lecture organised by PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors, in Lagos, on the topic Wealth Management and Succession Planning: Best Practices, Anti Corruption Compliances and Red Flags.

Justice Belgore said, “If people who are going to decide matters in this country are elected, you know today, your ministers, commissioners are not elected and it has created problems for us because they can be removed at anytime. Whereas in parliamentary system, if a minister or commissioner is a legislator, he will be there for the constitutional term of office.”

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Minister makes case for Nigerian youths

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

M

INISTER of Fi nance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala has said that youths are the engines of economic transformation.

She said this at the 2nd edition of Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders in Ekiti State.

Speaking on The Cost of Involvement: Why your Generation Must Get Involved, she said: “As engines of economic transformation, the involvement of our youth is crucial to sustaining the achievements made by this government through its transformation agenda.

“Nigeria’s youth, if properly harnessed, can empower economic activity over the next 30 to 40 years.”

She said that getting involved would start with youths believing in themselves and in Nigeria, doing the right things and encouraging others to participate in government.

Lagos employs 1,000 for residents' registration

Advocates of amnesty for Boko Haram're enemies of Nigeria— Anglican Bishop

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

B

ISHOP of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, yesterday, said anyone demanding that the Federal Government grant amnesty to the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, was an enemy of Nigeria.

Adebiyi, who made the remarks in an interview with Vanguard in Lagos, said the activities of the sect would have been reduced in the Northern part of the country if there was outright ban on activities of commercial motorcycle operators popularly called Okada riders.

He said: “Okada is not meant to be a commercial means of transport. It is not meant to be used in any civilised country.

“It is only in Nigeria that you find this on the roads. I think those who are asking for amnesty for Boko Haram are enemy of our country.

"If we grant them amnesty, what will the government do for a man whose wife and five children were lost due to their illicit acts?”

AGOS State Government, yesterday, said it had employed over 1,000 trained personnel ahead of the commencement of its compulsory resident’s registration exercise in the state.

It would be recalled that Governor Babatunde Fashola at the event marking its 1,700 days in office, assured residents that the proposed compulsory registration for all residents of the state, tagged Lagos State Residents Registration Programme, would soon begin.

General Manager of Residents Registration Agency, Ms. Yinka Fashola, spoke at a sensitisation forum.

ing and they are in the best position to talk to the child.

“They cannot expect another person to help them out on such issue. Unfortunately, the people we are seeking amnesty for have rejected it.”

On how to end the activities of Boko Haram, the Bishop said Northern leaders had the solution to end the activities of the sect, de-

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

F

ORMER Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, yesterday in Lagos, urged Nigerian journalists to remain fearless

in the course of news reporting in spite of harassment and intimidation in the hands of security agents.

Osoba insisted that it was only by remaining undeterred that the primary objective of information dis-

Lagos begins road safety campaign

BY OLASUNKNAMI AKONI

L

AGOS State Government, yesterday, stressed the need for motorists to regularly go for medical check-up to determine their health status as part of measures to ensure safety on roads.

Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, gave the advice while flagging off the 2013 Safety Campaign Week of the Vehicle Inspection

Service, VIS, Monday.

Speaking on this year’s campaign with the Drivers’ Health-Key to Safe Driving, the commissioner said most accidents on the roads were the results of avoidable human errors if necessary precautionary measures were put in place to address health-related issues.

He explained that this year’s VIS week was meant to check the mental alertness of drivers.

semination by journalists to the people could be achieved.

The former governor, who spoke at the turning of the sod of Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, multimillion naira guest house in Shomolu, said journalists owed the public a duty to report the truth as professionals, irrespective of the odds.

Describing journalism as a respected and decent profession, Osoba argued that the only way to make sure it remained so was for journalists to allow professionalism to reflect in the reportage of issues as they unfolded regardless of whose ox was gored.

Osoba said Lagos was the centre and headquarters of journalism in the country.

Foreign airlines get 2-week ultimatum on revenue automation eign airlines operating into Lagos.

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

N

IGERIAN Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria, NCAA, yesterday, handed a two-week ultimatum to for-

claring that “I remember the Ife/Modakeke crisis.

“The leaders in Yorubaland never called on the Federal Government to settle the issue. The leaders did it themselves.

“Why can’t they (Northern leaders) do that in the North.

I believe that they are trying to make Jonathan administration irrelevant. And the President is also afraid.”

VISIT: From left— Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Peter Adebiyi, outgoing Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, and Rt. Rev. (Dr.) James Odedeji, new Bishop of the Diocese, during a visit to the governor, yesterday. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Remain fearless, Osoba urges journalists

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

“What about thousands of families that have been rendered homeless? And we are giving amnesty to such people?

“Their leaders know members of Boko Haram, that is why they are asking for amnesty for them.

“If you have a child that is causing unrest in the neighbourhood, the parents know what their child is do-

Nigeria to comply with its revenue automation requirements or faced sanctions.

Director-General NCAA, Dr. Joyce Nkemakolam read the riot act during a meeting with foreign airlines in

In a statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, NCAA boss lamented that some airlines were not complying with the agency’s revenue automation requirements.

OPC faults MEND's threat

BY DAPO AKINREFON

N

ATIONAL Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, has described the threat by Movement of for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, to attack mosques, clerics and other muslims as a call to anarchy.

Otunba Adams, in a statement, condemned the threat by MEND, warning that such statements will no longer be tolerated.

He said: “The recent statement credited to MEND to attack mosques, clerics and other Muslim targets has come to the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, as a big shock.

“The said plan by MEND, coming at a time when our nation is still struggling to put an end to the violence unleashed on some parts of Northern Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect, is a sure call to anarchy."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—11

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

Olayinka for burial in Ado-Ekiti April 26

A

BEOKUTA—INDICATION has emerged that former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and his estranged political son and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, may have reconciled their differences.

Vanguard gathered that the two gladiators resolved to put their differences behind them in the interest of the party ahead of the 2015 elections.

It was gathered that a cousin of former President Obasanjo, Alhaji Sheu Oladunjoye, led some party stalwarts in the state, including Chief Niyi Adegbenro, former Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Joju Fadairo, Mr. Tony Ojeshina, Mrs. Labo Ogunsan, Okanlawon Soboyede, among others, to Obasanjo’s hilltop residence in Abeokuta, where peace was brokered.

Confirming the reconciliation, Oladunjoye told newsmen, yesterday, that pressure was mounted on Obasanjo on the need to forgive those he had issues with within the party.

He said Obasanjo quoted Luke chapter 7 verse 47 in the Bible to buttress his genuine desire to forgive all those who trespassed against him in Ogun Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before and during the 2011

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

INSPECTION: From left— Sir Nath Okechukwu, MD, Interbau Construction Nigeria Limited; Mr. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works; Mr. Anietie Effiong, Director Highway (Bridges), and others during the minister's inspection of Utor Bridge between Delta and Edo states, yesterday.

Obasanjo reconciles with Daniel, others general election.

He said: “Chief Obasanjo said that he had genuinely

Rape: Zonta tackles stigmatisation

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—NINETY-FOUR years old Zonta International has set machinery in motion to convince rape victims to forget the issue of stigma and come forward so that culprits would be dealt with.

This emerged at a briefing organised by District 18, Zonta International in Ibadan yesterday.

According to the District 18 Governor, Mrs. Gloriastene Agboola, Zontians campaign against all forms of discrimination against women and the girl-child, and raise funds for their programmes.

She said: “We will try to do something that would make rape victims come forward. We will see if we can eradicate the issue of stigma.

"If they feel nothing would happen to offenders, they would not see reason why they should come forward.”

Mrs Agboola explained that as part of activities marking the commencement of district conferences, held every odd numbered year, “this year, District 18 is holding its conference here in Ibadan.

“We shall meet from April 17 to 20 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.”

She noted that delegates would come from the 16 clubs in the district, saying the countries involved are Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Fasso, Benin Republic and Nigeria.

Agboola noted that there was no surge or reduction in violence against women and children.

At the event were Dr. Sade Ajasin, President, Zonta Club of Ibadan; Mrs. Stella Ladipo, past President, club 11, among others.

LOSS OF DOCUMENTS This is to notify the public of the loss of original Federal Housing Authority documents in respect of Flat 7, Block 1, C Close, 401 Road, belonging to me, Akindele Akangbe Kelani. If found contact the nearest police station.

Signed: Akindele A. Kelani

forgiven Daniel and all the people he had issues with within Ogun PDP. The internal wrangling in Ogun PDP has come and gone.

“It took the grace of God and unrelenting efforts of Chief Niyi Adegbenro and I to persuade Baba Obasanjo to bury the hatchet and allow the storm ravaging Ogun PDP to calm down.

“Chief Obasanjo then gave

them his word and quoted from the Bible that he has forgiven all those he had issues with within the party.”

Efforts to get comments from Daniel’s camp was unsuccessful, but one of his loyalists, who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard that the former governor would soon pay Chief Obasanjo a visit where the whole issue would be laid to rest.

ACN faults Jonathan's comments on 2015 elections

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO-EKITI—ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Ekiti State chapter, yesterday, said the statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan that Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, would capture 32 states in the 2015 general election, was an invitation to anarchy.

Briefing newsmen in Ado Ekiti, state ACN chairman, Chief Jide Awe, described the statement “as an invitation to anarchy and a serious concern to all rightthinking Nigerians,” argu-

ing that “the words ‘capture’ and ‘ war ’ have serious meanings and both are tendencies for destruction.”

Awe urged well meaning Nigerians not to take the statement lightly since what the president said was a sensitive matter that should be taken seriously.

She lamented that the President had indicated that the 2015 elections might not be free and fair.

He said: " Action Congress of Nigeria demands serious explanation from the President for referring to Nigeria as a captured nation."

Aregbesola tasks FG on youth employment

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday, called on Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency in the country to curtail the spate of unemployment among the youths to stem the insecurity in the country.

Governor Aregbesola gave the advice in Osogbo during a visit by the President/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Baptist Convention.

Speaking on efforts of his administration in tackling insecurity, the governor called on religious leaders to prevail on the Federal Government to urgently activate the emergency security centres.

DO-EKITI—CONTROVERSY surrounding the final resting place of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka, has been resolved as the state government said she would be buried in AdoEkiti, her hometown, on April 26.

Until now her husband, Mr. Lanre Olayinka’s family had earlier insisted that she would be buried in Lagos where the family resides, while others, including the politicians and Ewi-in-Council, the traditional rulers, had argued that Mrs Olayinka should be buried in Ekiti State.

Commissioner for Information and Civil Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, at a briefing, said the issue of the final resting place of the deceased had been laid to rest.

According to him, the week-long burial programme would commence on Monday, April 22 with a service of songs at De Haven in Lagos.

MPPP sets up merger c'ttee

M

EGA Progressive People’s Party, MPPP, has set up a seven-member committee to work out an alliance with other progressive-minded political parties interested in working with the party.

This decision was taken at the end of the party’s extra’s ordinary meeting held recently and was attended by leaders of the party from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Launch

T

ANTALIZERS Plc has opened a new outlet at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The brand’s locations are now three in Abeokuta.

Brand Manager, Mr. Gilbert Atsenokhai, said the decision was to fulfill the yearning of students for the brand.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

EFCC arrests Edo Labour Party Deputy Chair

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN— WITH bareley three days to the 20, April local government elections in Edo State, operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from Lagos State, yesterday, in Benin, arrested the state Deputy Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Patrick Eholor, over an alleged land dispute.

Vanguard gathered that Chief Eholor was arrested at his residence by four armed EFCC operatives, who took him to the office of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folusho Adebanjo, before he was taken to Lagos in a white Toyota Hiace bus marked Kaduna ZAR448AA. It was leant that Chief Eholor had been critical of the state government and urged his people of Utoka Community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state to boycott this weekend’s local government elections.

Reyenieju assures on Ode-Itsekiri housing units

W

ARRI—THE Itsekiri nation has been urged to be hopeful over the proposed housing units for Ode-Itsekiri, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, which the ministry is yet to execute.

House of Representatives member, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, when a women's group, Warri Federal Constituency Women, who paid him a courtesy call, said: “I am in constant touch with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs over the proposed housing units and there are signs that the ministry will do something within a short time to make the project a reality.”

In her address, spokesperson of the group, Mrs. Tosan Nanna, expressed disappointment over the delay by the ministry to execute the Itsekiri share of the housing units proposed for both the Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic groups by the former minister, Chief Uffot Ekaete.

Sacked Rivers PDP exco: Lawmakers, stakeholders kick

BY HENRY UMORU & JIMITOTA ONOYUME

A

BUJA—FEDERAL lawmakers from Rivers State, stakeholders and leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, Party, PDP, of the state chapter, yesterday, kicked against Monday’s sack of the state Executive Committee that is loyal to Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The group, which said that the ruling will not stand the test of time, described the judgment “a travesty of justice and a broad day light judicial robbery,” vowing to exhaust all legal avenues to seek redress in the matter.

Similarly, the Rivers State Government has described as a miscarriage of justice, the ruling of the court, which sacked the Chief Godspower Ake led PDP in the state.

Addressing newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja, Chairman, Rivers State House of Representatives Caucus, Mr. Asita Honourable, stated that they were appealing the judgment of the Abuja High Court.

Flanked by other members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Andrew Uchendu and Sokonte Davies, other stakeholders, leaders, Commissioner of Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda;

Power Commissioner, Austin Wokocha; former commissioners and other chieftains of PDP, he wondered how a judge could have delivered judgment in favour of parties who did not stand nomination in the March 17, 2012 Rivers State congress that produced the executive committee, nor participated as delegates in the said congress.

He said they were in “shock” at the judgment, noting that despite the submission of the national secretariat of the party as to those duly elected into the Rivers State

executive committee and persons inaugurated and accredited as bona fide delegates to the national convention, the court went ahead to give judgment in favour of “mere interlopers.”

“We are particularly worried that this group of impostors, who openly boasted of having the support of Oga and Madam at the top, did not even purchase nomination forms nor were they anywhere near the venue of PDP state congress on the date in question.”

He wondered how the court could turn down Independent National Electoral Commis-

THANKSGIVING: Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, (middle), South South Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa (right) and the Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Matthew Ediri Egbi, Owahwa II, during the Ughievwen Annual Thanksgiving/ Prayer Day.

Court restrains IG from arresting Delta lawmaker A

DELTA State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, has restrained the Inspector-General of Police and his agents from further arresting and detaining the member representing Aniocha South Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs. Joan Mrakpo.

Meantime, the lawmaker, in another suit, is claiming N2 billion as damages for her illegal imprisonment.

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till

April 22.

The court granted the leave sought by the applicant, Mrs. Mrakpo, to serve the originating processes and all other processes on the respondent through the office of the Commissioner of Police, Delta State.

Also joined as respondents in the suit are Emmanuel Ejiofor and Michael Ejiofor.

The lawmaker, in a petition to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, alleged that on March 31, ASP Dada Garuba, 4th respondent, arrested and detained her

over allegations of kidnapping and malicious damage to property.

She claimed that Emma Ejiofor, who raised the allegations against her, had on October 1, 2011, entered Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area, with his supporters and proceeded to install Prince Edward Ofulue as the Obi of Ubulu-Uku in an attempt to unseat the reigning Obi, Edward Ofolue III. The community, Mrakpo said, resisted the attempt to install Prince Okwuchukwu, a situation that resulted in serious crisis before her attention was drawn to it.

USCIRF expresses concern over Muslim, Christian violence in Plateau

U

NITED States Commis sion on In-ternational Religious Freedom, USCIRF, has expressed concern over ongoing attacks and retaliations by Muslims and Christians in Plateau State, which have left more than 100 persons dead and dozens of property destroyed since March this year.

The commission’s chair, Dr. Katrina Swett, said: “The recent Muslim-Christian vi-

sion's report on the said congress and assume jurisdiction on the matter even when it involved a federal agency and on a matter that took place in Rivers State.

“This travesty of justice leaves much to be imagined and casts doubt in our minds over the much talked about reforms in the judiciary, now ably championed by the respected Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council, NJC. “This injustice will surely not stand the test of time as the triumph of evil over good is usually temporary,” he said.

olence in Plateau State exposes the Nigerian government’s failure to effectively deal with a history of religiously-related violence that threatens the country’s stability. Religiously-related violence has led to more deaths in Northern Nigeria than have Boko Haram attacks. The Nigerian government needs to end this entrenched violence and the culture of impunity,” USCIRF had recommended, since 2009, that Nigeria be

named a “country of particular concern” (CPC) due to the government’s failure to hold accountable, perpetrators of religiously-related violence.

The statement added that, “while since 1999, more than 14,000 persons, both Muslims and Christians, have been killed, USCIRF has been able to document that only one per cent of the perpetrators have been prosecuted."

IRDC boss tasks c'ttee members on leadership

W

ARRI—CHAIRMAN of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has cautioned members of the newly sworn-in internal committees of IRDC that the leadership position bestowed on them was one of responsibility.

Emami spoke during the inauguration of the seven IRDC internal committees in Warri.

Represented by Vice-Chairman of IRDC, Mr. Austin Oniyesan, he advised members of the newly inaugurated committees to be assiduous and steadfast in their assignment as well as purpose driven, if they intend to succeed.

Secretary of IRDC, Deacon Daniel Odonghanro, explained that the seven committees: Employment/Labour, Community Development/ Project, Sustainable Development/ Project, Local Content, Project Monitoring, Peace Reconciliation as well as Education/ Skill Acquisition and Training, are to complement IRDC executive and Community Engagement Management Board, CEMB, sub-committee.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—13

COMMISSIONING: From right: Governor Godswill Akpabio Akwa Ibom State; Senator Helen Esuene and other guests, during the commissioning of a ward at Emmanuel Hospital, Eket, renovated

by Late Brig. Esuene's family in remembrance of their father .

Delta Muslim Council apologises to Uduaghan over accusation

A

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

S A B A — D E LT A State Muslim Council, yesterday, apologised to the state government over its earlier accusation in the media, that Muslims were neglected in the scheme of things while their Christian counterparts were holding sway.

The U-turn followed a peace meeting, which the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Affairs, Dr. Godspower Agbuduta, held with the Muslim council in his office.

Oil firm gives Delta community free eye treatment

S

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Limited, a Sapelebased oil exploration company, in conjunction with National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, yesterday, in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, offered free eye treatment to over 3,000 indigenes of the community.

Base Manager of the company, Dr Chukwumah Igelenyah, said that the programme, was part of the company’s social responsibility to the people of its area of operation.

Edo PDP alleges state govt's spending of LG fund

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that the over N130 billion received by local government areas in Edo State from the Federation Account was mismanaged by the state government under the state/local government joint account.

State Chairman of Edo PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, at a campaign rally, yesterday, in Okada town, said: “We have it on record that local government areas in Edo State have received over N130 billion since the inception of this administration with nothing to show for it in terms of infrastructural development in their respective domains.

“They did nothing with the money, but only paid salaries of workers and gave the rest to the state government.”

He introduced the party’s flag

bearer for the area in the election, Mrs. Elizabeth Edomwandagbon and presented the party’s flag to her.

Insisting that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN-led administration could not be trusted with the money accruing to the councils, he said councils under the PDP administrations would use whatever was due to them to develop their areas.

He said that the road blocks and obstacles placed on its path by ACN would not deter the party from contesting this weekend's local government elections in the state.

Orbih, who accused his opponent of sending a list of ACN card carrying members to the state electoral commission as electoral officers to conduct the elections, said that his party had written to the electoral body, Department of State Security, DSS and the state police command over the matter.

Oba of Benin meets with Edo South LG chairmanship candidates …condemns Fugar mayhem

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—AHEAD of Saturday's local government elections in Edo State, the Oba of Benin, Oba Erediauwa, has met with chairmanship candidates in Edo South senatorial district of the state and advised that they should reside in their respective council headquarters when they are voted into power.

The Oba, through the Esogban of Benin Kingdom and Chairman of Benin Forum, Chief David Edebiri, also condemned what he described as the senseless destruction of lives

and property in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state, when supporters of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, clashed in the area. He warned candidates against violent acts in Edo South.

Chief Edebiri explained that the Forum, the mouth piece of the Oba, decided to meet with the candidates in the seven councils in Edo South to warn against violence and also to urge them to replicate the developmental strides of the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration in their respective councils if voted into office.

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Boko Haram: Pay compensation to victims before amnesty — Ikedife

A

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

WKA —FORMER President of Oha naeze Ndigbo in Anambra State, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to consider compensating the families that lost their loved ones to the attacks of violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the carnage the group carried out before granting amnesty to the sect.

Ikedife, who was the presidential liaison officer for Anambra State during the Second Republic, spoke at the inauguration of Anambra State chapter of Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI) at Nnewi.

According to Ikedife, if granting amnesty to the Boko Haram Islamist sect will bring From right: Dr. Uche Udeani, consultant; Yetunde Adesanya, trustee/keynote speaker; the three awardees; Dr. Sola Majekodunmi, founder of Adesola Solarin Majekodunmi Foundation, ASMAF; Dr. Oyewusi Ibidapo peace to Nigeria, it should be considered and Obe, chairman at the occasion; Dr. Modu Denloye, trustee and Prof. Soga Sofola, chairman BoT of ASMAF, at the people who claim to be Boko Haram group must be identified and the carnage they have the Foundation's third scholarship awards, in Lagos

ASUU moves against VC over senate members of governing council

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has threatened a showdown with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Boniface Egboka, over alleged violation of the directive of the visitor, President Goodluck Jonathan, on the appointment of Senate members into the Governing Council of the institution.

Vanguard gathered the institution’s ASUU had, at its emergency meeting on April 9 resolved to boycott all Senate meetings until it was properly constituted according to law, those opposed to ASUU had continued to attend Senate meetings and elect internal members of the Governing Council.

The institution’s chairman of ASUU, Prof. Ike Odimegwu, maintained that the composition of the university’s Senate has been a contentious issue.

Gov declares zero tolerance for kidnapping in Abia State

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has restated the determination of his government to ensure that kidnappers never returned to Aba in particular and the state generally.

In fact, the governor boasted that the state was fully prepared for armed robbers and kidnappers.

The governor said it was because the government fought criminals, especially kidnappers, out of the state that roads and other developments were being witnessed in the state.

Orji, who spoke yesterday in Aba during the commissioning of seven of the 16 roads he flagged-off in January, said if the kidnappers were still terrorising people in the state, the roads would

not have been done.

Recalling the bad state of Aba, both in security and infrastructure before now, Orji said better days awaited Aba residents, but urged them to always pay their taxes to enable government do more.

He announced that the state had introduced a single tax regime against the old system where all manner of people demanded for different taxes from residents, most of which ended in private pockets.

“We have introduced single tax regime. We are not happy with double taxation.

Pay your tax and leave the rest for me. My job is to give you conducive environment and ensure that you are comfortable.

“First, we have to thank God who helped us to fight kidnappers. If they were still here, we would not have

5,000 Abia youths petition NASS over non-inclusion in amnesty programme

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — NO few er than 5,000 repentant Abia youths have petitioned the National Assembly, complaining of non-extension of

amnesty to them after they had dropped their arms.

The youths were those previously involved in criminal acts, including kidnapping, who voluntarily surrendered their arms in 2010 when the state government offered them

Commuters stranded as bus drivers, task force clash

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — TRAVELLERS passing through Awka, Anambra State, had an ugly experience yesterday as members of the state task force on the registration and branding of commercial vehicles clashed at the popular Aroma junction in

done these roads and other things we are doing in Aba. “When I came here in 2010, Aba people, all fled.

But today, everybody is back. We have flagged-off 16 roads and we have done 10 roads under two months.

“I want Aba people to believe in government that tells you the truth, my yes is my yes and my no is my no. When we say we will do something, we will do it. I never told Aba people that I will do work on all Aba roads. I told you I will work on some roads.

“Any politician who tells you that he will build all the roads in Aba is not sincere, because it is not possible.

We are bringing new things in Aba. “This is a working government. I am not interested in praises, but I know that I'll be celebrated," Orji said.

carried out equally evaluated.

His words: “If granting the Boko Haram group amnesty will bring peace to Nigeria, let us consider it. But whom do you grant amnesty to? You must identify the persons and then evaluate the carnage they have carried out.

“Those people who lost their loved ones, husbands, wives, children must be compensated because they have lost souls for no reason or mistakes of their own except that they lived in the North.

“In this country, the constitution allows free living and free enterprise in any part of the country. Is it then an offence that these victims lived in the North? Why should you go and annihilate them, destroy their property and businesses? So compensation should come before amnesty.

“The second thing is to identify who they are. They appear to be faceless, but they must be some people, because the effect of their presence is visible everywhere. And then what are their objectives and what are they really fighting for?

the state capital over alleged non-compliance with the payment of the prescribed levies.

One of the bus drivers had allegedly packed to pick a passenger when members of the task fore pounced on him and impounded his vehicle.

Noticing what happened to their colleague, other driv-

ers blocked the expressway and for several hours, movement was virtually hampered.

According to the drivers, members of the task force have been making things difficult for them. They added that they were forced to pay all kinds of levies while passing through Anambra State.

amnesty.

Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, Chief Uzor Azubuike, disclosed this, Monday, in Umuahia when he led members of his committee on a courtesy call on Governor Theodore Orji shortly before they began to hear the youths' petitions.

Azubuike said: “We are here because of petitions received

from over 5,000 Abia youths previously involved in criminal activities.

They are complaining that they were not included in the Amnesty programme of the Federal Government.

“If they are not listened to, it has the capacity to engulf the nation into crisis. There is danger of a backslide if the youths abandoned their criminal acts and nothing is done to resettle them.

Dangote plans 400,000 bpd oil refinery

A

FRICA’S richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to invest up to $8 billion to build a Nigerian oil refinery with a capacity of around 400,000 barrels a day by late 2016, the

tycoon told Reuters on Tuesday.

It would almost double Nigeria’s refining capacity currently 445,000 barrels per day among four refineries.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 15

Leadership Newspapers Awards in Abuja

Sam Nda-Isaiah, Leadership Newspapers Publisher (right) and Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, during 2013 Leadership Newspapers Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony entitled, 'Rebuilding Nigeria,' in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Alhaji Abubakar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, Shehu of Borno (right) after presenting Leadership Politician of the Year to Alhaji Lai Raufu Mohammed

From Left: Chairman of the occasion, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Awardees, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Sultan Muhammad Abubakar III, receiving The Leadership Awards For Peace from Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark. Photo: NAN.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State governor and Leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, chatting with Mallam El-Rufai (left), former FCT Minister, and Hon. Ayo Omidiran (middle)

Alhaji Muhammad Bashir, Emir of Gwandu, presenting Leadership CEO of the Year to Mrs. Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director /CEO of Bank of Industry

How I escaped assassination attempt —Melaye '...attempt on my life has strengthened me'

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — THE EXECUTIVE Secretary, Anti-corruption Network and

Jonathan’s aide, Ben Obi, loses wife

S

PECIAL ADVISER to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, has lost his wife, Deaconess Colette Ojirhomu Ben Obi. Mrs Obi died before midnight on Sunday at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

According to a statement by Special Adviser to the Senator, Mr. Onyema Nrabalu, funeral arrangements would be announced by the family soon.

former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dino Melaye, Monday night, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said he escaped assassination attempt as unidentified men in a black Golf car shot at his car.

Melaye, it was gathered, was coming from the National Hospital, Central Area, Abuja about 9:30 p.m. when suddenly the Golf car which had overtaken him, parked ahead of him and started shooting sporadically.

The sound of the sporadic gun shots, it was gathered, made him to increase the

speed of his car as he immediately drove to the nearby Police check point for safety and also to report the incident with the windscreen of his Bentley car badly shattered.

In an interview over the alleged attempt on his life, Melaye who expressed indignation over the alleged cold response by the Police at the check point towards his complaint to them, said it was the FCT Director of the Department of state security and an Assistant Commissioner of Police that came to his rescue.

He said that there were threats to his life before the incident and that he had reported the threat to the Inspector General of Police and had sought for police protection; though his letter was acknowledged, nothing had been done.

Giving account of what happened the Monday night, he sai: “Basically, I was coming from the National Hospital and I noticed shortly after the bridge before the ICPC, a certain black Golf car which got close and overtook me in a very dangerous manner.

Security tops agenda as Jonathan, Zuma hold closed door meeting

A

BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, yesterday, held a closed door meeting where they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the security situation on the African continent.

President Zuma, who addressed State House correspondents after the one and a half hours meeting, said: “Some of the issues raised were issues of security of the continent. As you know there have been some difficulties in a number of countries. We touched upon those issues and will certainly

take the issues further when we meet in South Africa.

“We are here to consult on matters related to the two countries and the African continent. As you know, very soon His Excellency, the President will be in South Africa on a state visit and, therefore, a lot of other issues will necessarily be dealt with.

“I had to stop for the car to drive far ahead before I continued. Shortly after ChurchGate Building I noticed the same car from afar parked by the end of the road with all the four doors opened and there was light inside but no one was inside.

“I was approaching a bend that will take you to the twin towers of the NNPC. At that point I just heard sporadic shooting, maybe to the air or whatever. I accelerated my drive. As I was approaching the last bend I just heard gun shot at my car.

“At that point, I ran to the next police checkpoint. I told them to make a radio call that I had just escaped an assassination attempt and that the assailants were in a Golf car and that they should block all routes.

“Unfortunately, the police said where the incident happened was not their beat.

I said you are a federal police, okay, make a radio call that this is the complaint so that the police around there can cordon that area off, but they did not."

16 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

2015: Niger PDP zones guber candidacy to Zone C

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

M

INNA—THE Ni ger State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has zoned the 2015 governorship to the Niger North Senatorial District otherwise known as "Zone C," saying it was not perturbed in any way by the merger of some political parties in the country to ensure a formidable opposition against the party.

Addressing journalists soon after the reconstitution of the PDP Elders Committee in Minna, yesterday, Chairman of the Committee, Col. Aminu Kontagora, rtd, said that with the development, Zone ‘C’ which was the Hausa speaking area of the state would produce the next governor.

“The resolution today which the party chairman has also upheld is that zoning in Niger State remains.

That means, the next governor should come from Niger North and by that definition, Kontagora and Borgu Emirates will produce the next governor unless the situation dictates otherwise." Kontagora, a one time military administrator of Kano state who is also from the zone said “my appointment as chair of a committee in the party does not affect the emergence of any candidate and so, the zoning remains.”

Speaking on the merger of some political parties to unseat the PDP in the next general elections, Kontagora described the development as the beauty of democracy which would however not make the party to be jittery.

“The PDP has been contesting elections in the past 15 years at the local, state and federal levels and we have never been jittery in any of such elections. We faced every election with the seriousness it required.

Merger or no merger, there must be an opposition and PDP is ever ready to confront squarely, any opposition no matter how little it is in any electoral process,” Kontagora added.

Also commenting on the several aspirants already showing interest in the coveted governorship seat from the zone, the chairman said that he even expected that more people would come, which also showed the beauty the electoral process."

Southern Mandate group cautions Boko Haram

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

PRESSURE group, the Southern Mandate said, yesterday, that the sustained explosions by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in the northern part of the country were targeted at discrediting the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and urged the sponsors of the sect to stop forthwith in order not to plunge Nigeria into disintegration.

The group in a statement signed by its President-General and South/South Coordinator, Tito Zuokumor and Dr. Wilson Omene, respectively said, “we foresee that there are no two ways about it - the consequence of Boko Haram’s present activities is the disintegration of our dear country

Kwara advises labour leaders

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

I

LORIN—GOVERNOR Ab dulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, yesterday, urged labour leaders in the country to partner with the three tiers of governments for the attainment of economic growth.

Ahmed made the call in Ilorin when the newly-elected executive council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, paid him a courtesy visit.

He noted that virile unions like the NURTW must play critical roles in nation building as it required collective efforts to achieve the desired objectives, adding:“NURTW has a critical role to play in building Nigeria as a country; we have critical roles to play because by the very nature of our activities we have social and economic and of course political roles to play in driving the system."

Ahmed described NURTW as one of the most important unions in the country as its members are in charge of the movement of goods and services which he described as germane to economic development.

in the near future.

“In the circumstances, we wonder why some Nigerians could still regard Boko Haram as an enemy only to President Jonathan and his government. However, it is time to tell ourselves the bitter truth: the earlier all Nigerians from the North and South realize and confront Boko Haram as a common enemy, the better for the unity of Nigeria.”

The group condemned those who blame President Jonathan for the prevailing insecurity without considering the attendant result of sitting on the fence and allowing sectional violence as a tool to score political goals, with which some political figures have been identified.

It said: “Let the truth be told that there is no region or ethnic nationality in Nigeria that is weak.

The West, East and South-South all have the capacity to create a similar scenario of deliberate insecurity in their zones to make any administration ungovernable just to score political points.

“And if such acts of artificial insecurity are perpetrated by a

group or groups of persons from a part of the country without resolvable aims and objectives other than to waste innocent lives just to deny a particular region the right to attain the presidency or complete the constitutionally stipulated tenure of office, then we have got to check ourselves, apply restraint in whatever we do, and not acting with impunity as is presently the case with some self-seeking politicians fuelling the Boko Haram activities.

Otherwise, we are all heading for the doomsday.

“We are all not unaware of the political aim of Boko Haram, but we fail to see beyond the kite which the group and their sponsors are flying in the air and progressively piloting us to disintegration."

The Southern Mandate added that “the serial bomb explosions and death of innocent Nigerians are receiving applause from certain quarters today because those behind the barbaric acts believe they are winning the battle against Dr.

Jonathan’s presidency, unmindful of the fact that they are laying landmines for the nation’s disintegration. The determination of a few selfish individuals seeking the highest political office to “do everything possible, whether good, bad or terrible to unseat President Jonathan” for fear of becoming too old to occupy the presidency if Dr. Jonathan is allowed to remain in office for two terms, must be stopped”.

The group urged all goodspirited Nigerians to support the Federal Government in tackling the present menace to avoid similar bombs exploding from other parts of the country tomorrow.

It claimed that Nigeria’s unity was being preserved by the petro-dollars from crude oil in the Niger Delta region and that the people of that region had borne the brunt of oil production for several decades in the interest of the entire nation.

Leadership Editors in Court : Group News Editor, Leadership Newspaper, Tony Amokeodo, with Political Correspondent, Chibuzor Ukaibe, after their arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, over the publication of a Presidential Directive. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

Two Leadership newspaper reporters charged with felony

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Federal Government, yesterday, dragged two reporters of Leadership Newspapers, Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzor Ukaibe before a Federal High Court in Abuja, over alleged vexatious publication.

In a 10-count amended charge against the media outfit and embattled

reporters, the government alleged that they committed felony to wit: “forging of document titled Bromide of the Presidential Directive and place same on the front page of Leadership Newspaper of April 3, 2013.”

FG alleged that the accused persons knew that the said document was false, but published same, “with the intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence

punishable under section 467 of the Criminal Code Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

Besides, the court was told that the accused persons conspired between themselves and committed felony by forging/making a false document, having on it the Seal, Signet or Sign Manual which purports that it was a presidential directive from the President of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516, 461 (1) (b), 467 (3) (a), 468 of the Criminal Code Act Cap ‘C’ 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

However, Justice Adeniyi adjourned the case till April 23 to take plea of the accused persons, and sequel to an application by counsel to the accused persons, the court released them yesterday

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 —17

C M Y K

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 THE National Film and Video Censors Board, NFVCB, is the national agency with legal powers to vet, classify, and approve films and videos that are for distribution and exhibition in Nigeria. It has exercised those powers in banning the airing and distribution of a 30-minute documentary, Fueling Poverty, which treats poverty, cor r uption, and the mismanagement of oil and gas resources.

NFVCB rated the documentary pegged on the 2012 fuel subsidy riots “highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security.” In its letter to the producer, it warned that, “All relevant national security agencies are on the alert.

A copy of this letter has been sent to the Director-General, Department of State Services and the Inspector-General of Police for their information”.

Fueling Poverty details public anger over corruption and government’s alleged duplicity on fuel subsidy. It has views from all sides - the streets, the mass protest grounds, which are balanced with government positions presented at

BY NORBERT CHIAZOR

W

HEN the Transworld Airbus began its final descent, trepidation trailed human expectancy. Then the Luxury Qartar Plane enroute Doha, Landed safely at Heathrow Airport, ending the second trunk of a 14-hour flight that started in Lagos on a warm bright Saturday, 7:45pm. Tired but excited, I seized the moment in my first step on British soil.

The mind wandered in random thoughts.

London and the Queen. Ancient history and ethereal Royalty. Two phenomena interlaced in mythic destiny. I remembered colonialism, that eerie word that sounds like a poem. I first heard of it from my village headmaster. As little pupils fascinated by moonlight tales and nursery rhymes, our teacher’s story of British colonialism was always awe-inspiring.

He taught us to sing at special occasions like independence anniversary or visit of a VIP from the city: “1960 Nigeria Nwelu Independence (x2). Ada Oyibo ana, Ochi chi oyibo ana. Anyi Ekene Azikiwe”. This translates in English: “1960 Nigeria gained independence (x2) The Queen has gone. Colonialism has gone.

We salute Azikiwe”.

Some times when our bespectacled head teacher disappeared from school, he would return days later to announce to a captive audience. “I travelled to London to see the Queen”.

Forty years after I left Ikeke Primary School in my Idumuje-Unor homeland, here I am in

Assault On Freedom engagements with civil society groups.

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka gave a pithy description of fuel subsidy which he called a scam. Government’s strong position that subsidy hurts the poor more was proven at the various probe sessions the House of Representatives held, but ironically, the sessions also established that government though unsure of how much fuel was imported, or used, it paid billions of dollars as subsidy.

Companies were paid subsidy when they supplied no fuel. People were angry that government unleashed the fuel price increase when it said the idea was still being considered. Using a lot of secondary data from the media, government positions and those of civil society groups the

documentary articulated weaknesses NFVCB is relying on Section 45 of the Constitution, which seems to counter the freedoms granted individuals and groups in Sections 39 and 40 to express themselves, hold and impact views, to argue that the ban is “ reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons.”

Can a film that talks about corruption be against public interest, especially in a democratic society? Is the ban not capable of fueling the culture of impunity which is a mark of corruption in Nigeria?

The position government has found itself in is not new. In 1983, BBC aired Squandering of Riches, which Onyeka Onwenu anchored, on NTA. It was a stunning criticism of the Shagari administration. Are we less tolerant of discourse 30 years after?

NFVCB – since the documentary is available on the global social media circuit – appears to approve corruption.

OPINION London, Queen and a journalist London! Will I see the Queen? I mused, recalling in ever green memory, the earthy fun of Oyibundu, my good old elementary Teacher (God bless his soul).

Samuel, a calm Indian mini bus driver was our guide on my first day in London. As he ferried me along with some of my colleagues from Delta State, he appeared too busy on the wheels of his gleaming Roomy Volkswagen.

All through our over half an hour drive from the airport, he was generally taciturn to my restive enquiries.

We stayed at Britannia International Hotel, an iconic resort that stood shoulders high beside JP Morgan Towers, controversial financial firm touted to be the managers of Nigeria’s foreign reserves.

Ten minutes walk from Britannia sat O2 Arena, a magnificent theatre, where legendary Michael Jackson was billed to have his last dance. But death cancelled all that. A shouting distance from the Hotel lies Canary Wharf Train station, London’s busiest underground terminals, conveying over one million commuters to various destinations daily.

Directly opposite Canary Wharf Train station stand in majestic splendour, the object of my London trip. Welcome to Reuters!

The Reuters building is shaped like SilverBird Galleria, in Victoria Island Lagos but far bigger in size and grandeur.

Reuters is a tall beautiful dome of polished steel and the finest of glass architecture,

almost kissing the skyline.

With its stunning outlook, Reuters London headquarters sat delicately by the scenic courtyard of Docklands Canary Wharf station, like the Egyptian goddess Cleopatra on the doting embrace of Roman Emperor, Julius Ceaser. When I eventually set my foot one cold Monday morning on the largest news room in the world, with 12 other Nigerian journalists, a life long feeling of fulfillment welled my entire being. With all modesty, I have travelled the world as a Journalist and pageant connoisseur: Norway, Cayman Island, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Kenya, Ghana, Gambia…….

S

ave for South Africa, where I had nurtured enduring acquaintances and deep personal attachment to inimitable Madiba (Nelson Mandela), no journey would fascinate me like the Reuters experience.

Established by a British Entrepreneur, Paul Julius Reuter, it has a 160 year history trailed by land marks.

With age-old reputation for excellent journalism, most of the defining moments in global news break came through Reuters. The Titanic shipwreck of 1912, assassination of America’s Abraham Lincoln and America in Orbit, 1968 were delivered first to the world

by Reuters.

Also it broke the news of 1989 fall of the

Berlin wall, capture of Saddan Hussein in 2003 and killing of Libya’s Muamah Gadaffi in 2011, among other more recent events.

Every news story that shook the world since the past 100 years had the signature of Reuters.

The one week engagement was open, frank and interactive as the duo joined us to share revealing individual experiences in the world of journalism. While we proudly informed our London hosts about the vibrant character of the Nigerian press, even in the face of socioeconomic and political odds, their lessons on ethical journalism was a bitter pill to swallow.

But did I see the Queen? We arrived there to meet thousands of tourists from across the world.We came right on time to watch the royal sentries change guard in a solemn but lavish parade. The atmosphere was glorious in the sprawling Buckingham palace arena. The amazingly colourful spectacle I saw on TV years back during the elaborate wedding of Lady Diana to Prince Charles was unfolding before my very eyes. A dense sea of human heads swarmed the surroundings. I had to stretch my neck to catch a glimpse of the proceedings with animated concentration.

Every now and then, my camera was clicking away. Oh no! I was disappointed to learn shortly that Queen Elizabeth II had retired into her royal chambers and would not be coming out any longer for that day.

Then it suddenly dawned on me that I had to move on briskly, to prepare for a long flight home ward bound. *Mr. Chiazor, is NUJ chairman, Delta State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013— —19

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N its holistic appraisal of corruption in Nigeria, from the individual through family and up to different larger sectors of society, the ICPC Report conservatively estimates that between $4 billion to $8 billion is stolen from the national treasury yearly and goes on to cite the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index for 2011 which ranked Nigeria 143 among 183 countries. The compromised conduct of our leaders is the reason why "most of our national social and physical infrastructures are decadent". The earlier cited Nigerian Tribune editorial echoes this point in its condemnation of the complicit and corrupt conduct of university administrators in the rot plaguing university education.

Although established in 2000, the ICPC in its latest initiative of preventing and or reducing corruption in the Nigerian university system aims to reengineer itself under its new leadership as part of its Strategic Action Plan for the next five years.

This much the report says. And although the ICPC’s concern was for the entire education sector, it chose the university system as its special focus following reports of flagrant abuse of laid down rules

and procedures.

Such disregard of rules has resulted in "admission and examination records mismanagement, delays in students’ timely graduation, all kinds of victimisation, admission racketeering, high level examination malpractice, graduation of unqualified students, financial impropriety with regard to project and infrastructural development, distortion in enrolment/carryingcapacity/ admission quotas, and misappropriations in the application of funds leading to inadequacy or outright absence of requisite learning/teaching facilities amid substantial provision of funds by government and other stakeholders". It is debatable to what extent the identified anomalies in our universities can be blamed on irresponsible leadership alone.

Indeed the reported claim of substantial provision of funds by government and other stakeholders is so much blather where these so-called stakeholders and especially government in the executive and legislative arms consume the largest chunk of the national appropriation in extravagant personal displays that

,

cripple the entire country and the universities which in terms of revenue allocation are adversely affected by government falling far short of the UNESCO recommendation that 26 per cent of the national budget be set aside for education.

H

ow about admission quota: how much of available spaces in the various admission lists (‘merit’, ‘catchment’ and ‘discretionary,’ etc) go to persons in government (president/ governor/LG chair/first ladies, etc); legislators (speaker/ ‘honourables’), their families, cronies and ‘other stakeholders’, forcing university administrators to devise alike legitimate and illegitimate stratagems to create space for better qualified candidates? Talking of contract allocation, how many of these go to government functionaries and members of university councils nominated by persons in government or are in fact the ‘face’ of these government functionaries in the councils?

It is these internally and extraneously induced anomalies that account for the "present state of affairs (of dilapidation, low

Bok o Haram’s tw o-stat e solution tto o Boko two-stat o-state Nigeria

E

VEN before the offer of amnesty was made, it was rejected out of hand. In words dripping with scorn and disdain for constitutions and the rule of law, two leaders of the terrorist group Jamâ’a Ahl al-sunnah li-da’wa wa al-jihâd (Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad), better known as Boko Haram (Western education is forbidden), spat in Jonathan’s eye. The leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, is “surprised” that Jonathan would consider granting amnesty to him and his followers. Such presumptuousness! Expressing his bemusement in an audio recording, Shekau proclaimed his terrorist organisation as more sinned-against than sinning. They have “not committed any wrong to deserve amnesty,” he said. And then he seized the moral ground together with its prerogative of mercy. “Surprisingly, the Nigerian government is talking about granting us amnesty. What wrong have we done? On the contrary, it is we that should grant you pardon,” he said, then listed the government’s “atrocities” against Muslims.

A few days earlier, one Abu Dardam, spokesman of a faction of the sect, told the BBC’s Hausa Service just why amnesty was out of the question: They do not recognise democracy as a form of government, nor constitutions. There can be justice only in the Holy Quran and under Sharia law.Yet, in spite of these declarations of absolute opposition to the basic principles of our existence as a nation, of peaceful coexistence in any polity, I still hear people imploring Jonathan to find a way of imposing amnesty on Boko Haram, whether

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its members want it or not. He should, they say, ignore not only their unmistakable scorning of the mere prospect of amnesty but also the outrageous claim that they, not the President, are the ones to render that office when Allah instructs them accordingly.

In the name of peace, apologists for what at best would be a resultant “peace of the graveyard” still find it possible to urge dialogue with individuals whose very mission is the abolition of reason and civil discourse. I have looked for a credible argument in support of this call and found nothing but worn-out platitudes: dialogue, peace. Even from our anti-corruption “hero,” Mr Nuhu Ribadu, whose improvement on the mantra — other than begging Boko Haram to reconsider and accept amnesty — is something about “the feelers and body language” of sworn jihadists. “The feelers and body language of the sect,” he says, are “not encouraging, but that does not mean that we should abandon (amnesty) or give up. We should pursue the direction of peace.” It is as if the more than 3000 dead, the countless maimed physically and psychologically, many of whom shall never recover from their trauma, and the homes and livelihoods destroyed, have all resulted from “feelers and body language”.

Governor Aliyu Babangida of Niger State comes closer to a coherent strategy for ending Boko Haram’s terrorism, but he merely advocates a more comprehensive approach that includes amnesty as a major prong and greater responsibility on the part of his fellow Northern governors. No one is asking, But dialogue over what? I ask: What is unclear about the cold contempt for

institutional esteem and poor quality products)" identified in the ICPC report- anomalies which for the agency send danger signals for the future "when the factory [that is the universities] for producing present work-force and leaders of tomorrow became greatly compromised in its natural role".

In conducting its pilot study, the ICPC had before its six specific objectives/ terms of reference informed by the petitions it received from the public and the veracity of each of which was to be tested in the course of the study.

The ‘findings’ from this pilot come under eight broad headings with appropriate remedial/ preventive guidelines, namely: ‘admission, enrollment and registration of courses’; ‘examination administration, award of degrees and graduation of students; ‘teaching and learning services and facilities’; ‘appointment, promotion and discipline of staff’; ‘departmental administration and faculty governance’; ‘contract award’; ‘management of funds’ and ‘ research and research administration’. The Report is far more detailed than space would permit but it is sufficient to say none of the findings reported comes under the rubric of ‘sexual harassment’ to justify the statement attributed to the ICPC chair or The Punch editorial that followed from it. Nor was ‘sexual harassment’ one of the briefs of the ICPC pilot. And in as far as findings go, the ICPC’s are more in the mold of extrapolations arrived at from general observations/ conclusions it made on the basis of its interactions with diverse people in three university sites.

Under ‘examination administration, award of degrees and graduation of students’ the rubric under which issues related to ‘sexual harassment’ could likely have come up, the ‘associated

democracy expressed by Shekau and Dardam?

Where is the possible meeting place between an I s l a m i c theocracy (any theocracy) and a democracy?

,

The ICPC Report on the Nigerian university system (2)

It takes a chairman unaware of his brief to gloss over the material rot in this space of postsecondary scholarship in all its prominence and elevate sex as its central concern

By all means, let there be dialogue, but of a different kind: the sort that progressives have been calling for since 1989; in other words, a sovereign national conference

,

What is the proviso to Section 10 of the Constitution — which states curtly: “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion” — that would permit a middle ground in any purported dialogue with men who recognise only the law and government of God and are prepared to kill or die for that belief? Isn’t it clear by now that Boko Haram’s goal is an Islamic Republic of the old Northern Region? Has the amnesty-andpeace crowd endorsed Boko Haram’s implicit two-state solution to Nigeria?

Admittedly, Ribadu wants Boko Haram to “understand” that their goal of a fundamentalist Islamic republic “has not worked anywhere in the world and ... will

corrupt practices’ identified by the ICPC include ‘gratification and inducement to manipulate award of marks/grades’, ‘delay of students from graduating due to poor record keeping and deliberate victimisation by officials’ (my emphases) among others.

The Report stipulates preventive action that the concerned university, the ICPC and NUC could take to address the problems- remember it’s all about collaborative effort. For the university, suggested steps include ‘provision of a platform for students to report any form of victimisation’ and ‘enforcement of the university’s code of conduct for examination’ which implies there are extant regulatory provisions for dealing with such problems.

But the ICPC, the Report advises, can in addition take the following preventive steps among others: establish anti-corruption units to serve as whistle blowers and prosecute offenders; while the NUC is enjoined to invigorate its regular oversight function over universities as well as ensure enforcement of stipulated sanctions even as it makes effort to formulate policies that call for stricter sanctions.

All told, the point can’t be too loudly or frequently made that the critical issue confronting Nigerian universities today is that they are poorly resourced in extremities in terms of human and physical capital. These twin problems account for the myriad incongruities in various aspects of university life and administration, including problems of discipline and associated misdemeanours.

It, however, takes a lazy or poorlytrained reporter or indeed a chairman unaware of his brief to gloss over the material rot in this space of post-secondary scholarship in all its prominence and elevate sex as its central concern or attribute such claim to a phantom report. Concluded

not work in Nigeria”, so why does he not call for a real solution? By all means, let there be dialogue, but of a different kind: the sort that progressives have been calling for since 1989. In other words, a sovereign national conference. The unbearable itch for a Sharia republic in the old Northern Region will not be salved by dim-witted, knee-jerk, measures that only treat the symptoms of Nigeria’s “genetic” disease.

Before Boko Haram there was Othman dan Fodio’s jihad, the Sharia debacle at the 1978 Constituent Assembly that almost aborted the Second Republic, and Maitatsine riots that made the North as bloody and ungovernable in the 1980s and 1990s as now. And although their grievances are well within the ambit of constitutional resolution, it is nevertheless true that every other part of the country feels marginalised and oppressed in one palpable form or another.

If you add to each geo-political group’s recitations of atrocities — not to mention class, gender and youth-specific injustices — the massive, systemic and life-draining corruption engendered by a warped federalism, there can be no greater urgency than of a sovereign national conference NOW. Instead, the air is rife with calls for dialogue with the political variety of deluded men-of-God out to establish his government through murder and mayhem. In the name of peace, we are being goaded into Boko Haram’s two-state solution.

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 17 , 2013

Day of tears as road accident victims get mass burial

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, BENIN

T

HE anguish was palpable as tears flowed freely from the eyes of relatives of the victims of the recent accident which occurred at Ugbogui village along the BeninOre dual carriage way as they were given mass burial at First Cemetery along the First East Circular in Benin metropolis Saturday morning.

It would be recalled that the accident which claimed the lives of the victims involved a luxury bus belonging to the Young Shall Grow Motors, an articulated vehicle belonging to the Dangote Group and a fuel-laden petrol tanker occurred at about 1:30 pm on Friday April 5 2013.

As the remains of the unfortunate victims wrapped in cellophane bags by officials of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, were brought to the cemetery by a tipper lorry, relatives and friends of the victims broke down in tears. They were inconsolable. Pictures of some of the deceased victims were conspicuously displayed just as most of them were attired in black to mourn the victims.

Officials of the FRSC and policemen drafted to the scene to provide security had a hectic time controlling friends and relatives of the victims who were very anxious to pay their last respects to their beloved ones.

,

•Mourning relatives at the burial site

while properties worth millions of naira got burnt.

Speaking at the scene of the mass burial, the Chief Mortician of the UBTH, Mr. Wilfred Aikhonogie, disclosed that 51 out of 53 bodies of the accident victims were given mass burial as their bodies could not be identified, while two victims, who were recognised were released to their families for burial.

At the scene of the accident, family members and friends of the accident victims, clad in

I had accompanied him to Ekene Motors that day and not to Young Shall Grow; what happened and how he ended up at Young Shall Grow, I don’t know but God understands everything that happens in this world

In all, over 51 bodies of the victims were buried after a memorial service conducted by Rev. Barnabas Chukwukere of the End Time Soul Ministry, Benin, although investigations carried by Vanguard Metro, VM, indicated that those who lost their lives in the multiple accident were more than 80 persons, including passers- by, C M Y K

•Crowd of sympathizers at the burial site

,

black attires, cried and wailed, bemoaning what became of their people.

A friend of one of the victims, who identified himself as Billy Anyaji, said he was shocked to find out that his friend, Chika Nwafor, had died.

“I had accompanied him to Ekene Motors that very day

and not to Young Shall Grow. What happened and how he ended up at Young Shall Grow, I don’t know but God understands everything that happens in this world,” he said mournfully.

Others who spoke appealled to the Federal Government to ensure that trucks, trailers, fuel tanker and other articulated vehicles were not allowed on the road during daytime, while condemning the attitude of the owners of the luxury bus involved in the accident for what they described as an ‘act of irresponsibility ’ and for not showing up at the burial site.

The accident has once again brought to the fore the need for the Federal Government to pay

attention to rehabilitation and construction of the railways system of transportation.

According to Mr. Atuma Livinus from Abia State who lost his brother and friend in the accident, Joachim: “We are in a country where people have no respect for traffic laws and regulations; the only way out is for trucks to travel at night and the FRSC should prevail on government that would implement this order.

Transportation by railways And also, Nigerians have been crying that they need the railways means of transportation. If our railways are working, you will not see cement being transported on the road and it is these trucks that destroy the roads and they cannot last up to 15 years even if

they are being rehabilitated by the government”.

While praying for the repose of the souls of the victims, Apostle Barnabas Chukwukere of End Time Soul Winners Outreach, Benin City, said a time has been apportioned for every man to die, appealing to the relatives of the deceased to accept what has happened.

Zonal Commander of the FRSC in charge of Edo, Delta and Anambra states, Mr. Wale Olaniran who spoke with VM shortly after the mass burial, advised travelers to always prepare for their journeys to arrive on time instead of being in a hurry and end up in hospital mortuaries.

Hospital mortuaries “Some people give economic reasons for always being in a hurry to get to their destinations to transact their business and go back. We have always told people that it is only those who are alive that can transact business, so, don’t hurry to go to the grave, don’t be in a hurry and end up in hospital emergency ward or mortuaries,” he admonished.

He also advised passengers to always watch the conduct of their drivers, saying that the driver holds the key to their lives or death, adding that passengers should disembark from such vehicles if the drivers would not accept cautions or warnings from his passengers.

He attributed some of the accidents on the highways to over speeding as some drivers throw caution to wind owing to the smoothness of the road after its recent rehabilitation. “Even articulated vehicles now over speed; ordinarily they are not expected to go beyond 70 or 80 kilometres, but you see some of them maintaining 130-140 kilometers which is a very dangerous,” he noted.

He disclosed that the FRSC would continue to audit the roads being constructed to ensure that safety contents were put on the roads by the Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA and others.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 21

IMF forecasts slowdown in Nigeria’s economic growth

UNIDO to spend N31.8bn on industrial sector in Africa

By FRANKLIN ALLI, with Agency report

U

NITED Nations Industri al Development Organisation (UNIDO) plans to inject another $200 million (about N31.8 billion) towards industrialising Nigeria and other African countries over the next six years, said Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, its Director-General.

In Nigeria, the organisation is working with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the private sector to implement rice husk fuel plant project in Ebonyi, an $820,000 shoe factory in Delta State; mini hydro power stations, among other projects across Nigeria.

In a speech on “Hope, Opportunity and Responsibility” delivered recently during African Union Summit, the DG said since 2008 till date, the organisation has spent $100 million (about N15.9 billion) on the industrial sectors in Africa, with another $200 million (N31.8 billion) in the pipeline.

He stressed that the money would be spent on the organisation’s various industrials projects such as energy, trade capacity – building, pharmaceutical manufacturing and the Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (3ADI) initiative.

“During my tenure at UNIDO, there has been a significant increase in the number,

types and quality of programmes that we have delivered in Africa. All of these activities fit within the overall framework for Africa’s industrial development – the African Union Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA), formulated by the African Union Commission with UNIDO’s assistance, and endorsed by your Excellences’ at the 2008 Sum-

mit. We have worked with various Commissioners to consolidate the economic pillars of AU’s Mandate.

Citing examples of what UNIDO has delivered for Africa, Yumkella said, “We supported the AU to institutionalise the Conference of African Ministers of Industry. The Secretariats of NEPAD, the RECs, and the governments of Egypt, South Africa and Algeria, provid-

ed significant political leadership and technical support to ensure that CAMI becomes a viable organ of the AU. Major focus on agribusiness development, with your support, the Accelerated Agribusiness and Agro-industries Development Initiative (3ADI) initiative endorsed by the AU Summit in 2010 has gained momentum and is being implemented in over 13 countries with over 10 more in the pipeline.

From left: Managing Director, ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Mr. Hassan Musa Usman; MD, Federal Housing Authority, Mr. Terver Gamade; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple, representing President Goodluck Jonathan and Hon. Nya-Etok Ezekiel, Chairman, Sub-Committee on Low Income Housing, Ministerial Implementation Team on Housing Delivery in Nigeria, and Vice Chairman, Forum of Africa’s Advocates For Affordable Social Housing, at the opening ceremony of 3rd ASO Housing Exhibition & Conference, in Abuja.

BY HANAH ISIBOR, With Agency Report

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HE International Monetary Fund, IMF, yesterday, forecasted a slowdown in the growth of Nigeria’s economy by 2014.

The IMF, according to its World Economic Outlook, said Nigeria economy is expected to grow by seven per cent, down by two basis points from 7.2 per cent at which it forecasted for this year.

According to the IMF, Nigeria’s economy growth will only be bested in Africa, by the economies of Ivory Coast and Mozambique, which is expected to expand by eight per cent, compared to South Africa which is expected to expand by 3.3 per cent.

Also, the IMF stated that, Growth in South Africa, will probably accelerate to 3.3 percent from 2.8 percent this year as mining production rebounds.

“A main driver of growth in 2014 will be the strengthening of activity in South Africa and other middle-income countries, predicated on improvements in the external environment,” it state.

According to the report, “Similarly, some low-income and fragile countries are expected to do better, including those currently experiencing internal conflict.”

The report stated that, the economies of Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer of cocoa, and Mozambique, the site of the world’s biggest gas discovery in the past decade, will both expand 8 percent next year, the fastest pace in the region.

NDIC seeks protection of small investors in capital market 134.9

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for the need for the establishment of an explicit investor protection scheme to protect the interest of small investors in the capital market and to boost public confidence among the investing public.

This call was made by the NDIC Managing Director, Alh. Umaru Ibrahim, yesterday when he hosted the Executive Council of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) who paid him a courtesy call in his office.

Alh. Umaru said the creation of an explicit Investor Insurance Scheme is imperative to the development of a stable capital market, adding that the Corporation has been advocating for a framework for the Investor and Small Insurance Policy Holder Protection

Schemes in collaboration with the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) study group.

The NDIC Chief Executive also lamented the over-concentration of stock-broking firms in certain parts of the country, which he said did not augur well for financial inclusion.

Alhaji Ibrahim therefore advised the institute to mobilise resources for securing licences to spread such opportunities to all the nooks and corners of the country. He further suggested that in line with Agent Banking model by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the institute could engage the services of some agents in various parts of the country to reach out to small investors.

Alh. Umaru also reiterated the need for partnership with the Institute in capacity building,

particularly for the Corporation’s Bank Examiners to acquire more skills in capital market operations which would assist them in conducting consolidated risk-based supervision.

On the proposed amendments of the CIS enabling Act No. 105 of 1992, the NDIC MD/CE assured the Institute of the Corporation’s support. He however, advised that the Institute should reach out to key stakeholders, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other Members of the Financial Services, Regulation Coordinating Committee (FSRCC) in order to avoid misinterpretation and jurisdictional issues. He added that the regulators of the financial services industry would harmonize their positions on the proposed Bill.

-1.9

2,267.00

+33.00

18.06

0.22

102.95

-1.32

91.50

-2.01

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.75 POUNDS 237.8353 EURO 202.0107 FRANC 166.0408 YEN 1.5597 CFA 0.2905 WAUA 232.5413 RENMINBI 24.9894 RIYA 41.2634 KRONA 27.0864 SDR 232.9452

155.25 238.6037 202.6634 166.5773 1.5647 0.3005 233.2927 25.0706 41.3967 27.1739 233.6978

SELLING 155.75 239.3722 203.3161 167.1137 1.5697 0.3105 234.044 25.1518 41.53 27.2614 234.4505

CBN Exchange rate as at 16/04/2013

22 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

The Ogun State Government and Oyan Dam

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From left: Wife of former British Prime Minister, Mrs. Cherie Tony Blair; Head, Corporate Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Bola Adeeko; founder and Chief Executive Officer, Henshaw, Barbara James; and Head, Corporate Communication, NSE, Mr. Dante Martins, during a courtesy visit of the former British Prime Minister’s wife to the Exchange, in Lagos.

DaarCom records N33m Q1 profit

By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

D

AAR Communications Plc has reported a N32.84 million profit after tax in its 2012 first quarter result, representing a 12.65 percent decline when compared to N37.59 million recorded in same period of 2011.

In its report filed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the company recorded 12.65 percent decline in profit before tax to N46.91 million in 2012 as against N53.70 million in corresponding period of 2011.

It recorded a gross profit of N287.02 million, showing a significant fall of 38.1 percent from N463.71 million in 2011. The company’s turnover also witnessed a sharp fall of 32.40 percent, declining to N887.86 million in 2012 from N1.31 billion in 2011.

However, its other income rose significantly by 528.93 per cent, with N1 million recorded in 2012 in contrast to N159,000 in same period of 2011.

The company was able to minimise its cost of sales by 29.28 percent as it reported N600.84 million as cost of sales in 2012 as against N849.59

million in 2011; while its finance cost was also reduced by 61.01 percent to N50.89 million in 2012 from N130.53 million in 2011.

DAARCOMMS managed its distribution cost effectively, reducing the cost significantly by 80.6 per cent, with N4.55 million recorded in 2012 as against N23.44 million in 2011.

The company ’s balance sheet information showed that its property, plant and equipment stood at N21.09 billion in first quarter, 2012, falling by 0.08 per cent, from N21.1 billion in 2011. Its total assets rose marginally by 0.19 per cent, as it recorded N24.70 billion as against N24.65 billion in 2011. It paid N379.83 million as tax in 2012 as against N365.76 million in 2011, which represents 3.85 percent increment.

Its total liability grew by 0.10 per cent to N15.28 billion from N15.26 billion in 2011. The company’s net assets rose to N9.42 billion during the period from N9.39 billion in corresponding period of 2011. The company ’s stock is currently trading at its nominal value, closing at N0.50 on Monday. Its market capitalisation currently stands at about N4 billion.

Fidelity Bank records N21.6bn profit …Skye Bank grows profit, dividend

F

IDELITY Bank yesterday, said its full-year pre-tax profit jumped to N21.62 billion ($136.92 million), from N161 million in the previous year, the bank said in a statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

It gave no reason for the increase, but Fidelity is one of several banks that have posted strong results for 2012, after a lacklustre 2011 mostly caused by write offs of bad debts across the sector.

Gross earnings rose to 78.99 billion naira, from 49.53 billion naira in 2011, the bank said.

It also declared a dividend of 0.21 naira per share, compared with 0.14 naira per share previously.

Meanwhile, Skye Bank’s fullyear pre-tax profit jumped to 16.51 billion naira ($104 million),

C M Y K

compared with 2.84 billion naira the previous year, the bank said in a filing with the local bourse.

Gross earnings rose to 127.73 billion naira from 104.36 billion naira a year earlier, the bank said.

The bank said it will payout 6.61 billion in dividends to shareholders from the profit, compared with 3.3 billion paid out the previous year.

PZ Cussons Nigeria, a unit of the UK-based soap and shampoo maker, also said its nine month pretax profit to February rose 85.8 per cent to N3.91 billion ($24.76 million), from N2.1 billion a year ago.

Revenue declined marginally to N51.54 billion, compared with N51.85 billion in the same period a year ago, the company said in a filing with the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

PZ said the report covers the period from June 2012 to February 2013.

HE River Ogun system has the River Ogun and the River Ofiki starting in Oyo North. River Oyan has its origins in Oyo North and the northwestern part of Ogun State. It is joined by the River Ofiki west of Igbo-Ora and it flows into the River Ogun north of Abeokuta. There are a number of tributaries of the River Ogun such as River Ogbara, River Opeki, River Ose, River Oso and River Awon which join the River Ogun at various locations north of Abeokuta. River Onigbongbo and River Ewekoro are the major tributaries south of Abeokuta.

The major infrastructure of significant economic value within Ogun State and on the River Ogun system is the Oyan Dam. This dam, which was built by the Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, OORBDA, is located on the River Oyan 20km north west of Abeokuta.

Ogun State is not deriving optimum benefits from this dam and the lake created behind it. Rather, in recent years, water releases from the dam have been used to create destruction and disruption of livelihoods and economic life in communities downstream of the dam contrary to the operational principles adopted for the design and construction of the dam.

The primary economic benefit that can be derived from the dam and its lake is the generation of 9MW of hydropower. This benefit has hitherto been neglected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN. The Ogun State Government OGSG should take this economic benefit by entering into a joint venture arrangement with the FGN and a hydropower operator for the installation, operation and maintenance of turbines to generate 9MW hydropower. The OGSG should dedicate the power produced to the Ogun State Water Corporation/ Abeokuta Water Scheme. This would make the project readily feasible as loans can be obtained at lower interest rates for water supply projects.

The lake at Oyan Dam has a capacity of 270million cubic metres, cu.m., and 9MW power generation would require the release of about 2million cu.m. of water from the dam each day. 730 million cu.m. of water would have to be released from the lake in a year, about 2.7 times the lake capacity.

Records for the period 1992 to 2002 show that the maximum quantity of water released from the dam in one year was about 546.9 million cu.m. in 1992. 522.7 million cu.m. of water was released during the months of January through to July and 24.2 million cu.m. in December while there were no water releases in August, September, October and November. Average water release in January to July was 2.45 million cu.m. per day while the December daily average was 0.78 million cu.m.

The floods observed downstream of Oyan Dam in 2007, 2010 and 2011 took place during the months of August, September and October. It is evident

that if power is being generated from Oyan Dam and 2 million cu.m. of water is being released from the dam everyday, there would be no floods in places like Abeokuta close to the dam and in places like Punchplace, Warewa, Riverview Estate, Opic Estate, Lonex Gardens, Riverbank Estate and Guinness Cooperative Estate which places are close to Lagos State and the Lagos Lagoon.

The list of major tributaries of the River Ogun has been provided above such that the OORBDA can identify the tributaries that are making significant contributions to the flow in the River Ogun and which tributaries the OORBDA believes should be controlled to prevent flooding in Abeokuta and in communities downstream of Abeokuta. Buffer dams on the River Ogun tributaries identified by OORBDA can be considered for flood control purposes.

H

owever, it would appear that the operational aspect of the OORBDA that requires attention is the provision of power for the gates at Oyan Dam. The gates are currently being powered by diesel generators and the OORBDA should be prevailed upon to apply its funds such that the gates are powered everyday and as an interim measure, one million cu.m. of water should be released from Oyan Dam each day.

The National Emergency Management Agency had in late March 2013 organised a consultative workshop – the 2013 Flood Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Responses. In line with the aims of this workshop, the OORBDA should make public the quantity of water currently available in the lake at Oyan Dam, their estimates of the quantity and timing of water inflow into this lake during 2013 and their estimates of the quantities and timing of water releases from the dam during 2013. I have indicated on 27 February 2013 while writing on Climate, Climate Change, the Dry and Wet Seasons in West Africa that current rainfall levels are not higher than what has been observed at various times over the last 100 years. The designs for the dams on the River Ogun system were based on these higher rainfall figures. I reiterate that if the operational principles used when the dams were designed and built are adopted today, there should be no floods in Abeokuta and in other communities on the River Ogun downstream of Abeokuta.

The secondary economic benefit would come to Ogun State when the OGSG is able to direct development in the flood-free estates close to Lagos State. These estates would serve as an anchor for an Ogun State Metropolitan Area stretching from Redemption Camp to Isheri North and on both sides of River Owuru as discussed in this column last week.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 23

DIARY Select ICT events z5th Mobile Backhaul Asia conference. Holds 23-26 April 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.

2013 Imagine Cup: OAU, LAUTECH students to showcase at world finals

zMVNO World Congress 2013.

Holds 23-25 April 2013 in Rome, Italy. zThe Internet Show. Holds 24-25 April, 2013 in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

A

zTelecoms Customer Experience Management (CEM) World Congress.

Holds 23-24 April 2013 in London, UK. z SatCom Africa 2013. Holds 27-30 May 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

,

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

3-D printed skeleton from live animal

WINNERS OF MICROSOFT 2013 IMAGINE CUP: Olayinka Oni, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa congratulating Team Life Saver, 1st place winner, 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup Nigeria final in Lagos, last week.

We must bend policy lines to compete globally — BINDIR, NOTAP BOSS

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

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I N S I D E C M Y K

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SCIENTISTS have successfully printed a 3D model of a skeleton from a live animal, an achievement that could have applications in both human and veterinary medicine.

The plastic skeleton was created from a CT scan of an anesthetized rat that was then sent to a commercial MakerBot 3D printer for printing.

The ability to print a 3D model of a living creature’s skeleton or organs could be used to create less expensive learning models for anatomy students, and could also be used to help surgeons prepare for particularly tricky operations.

HE National Office for Te c h n o l o g y Acquisition, NOTAP was established in 1979 as an agency to register industrial property in Nigeria and then make sure that it contributes to the process of narrowing the gap between Nigerian academia and industry before they go can international. In this interview, Director General of the agency, Dr. Umar Bindir bared his mind on some of his activities of

Mobile number portability as multi-edged sword

the agency, his agenda and challenges facing the industry as well as the regulatory functions of NOTAP. Excerpts.

What NOTAP was set to do?

NOTAP is not a new agency, it is a 32 year old agency established to register industrial property in Nigeria, then not an agency under the ministry of science and technology but in 1986 it was moved to make sure that it contributes to the process of narrowing the gap between Nigerian

To us, policy making is a straight line, every ministry doing what it likes and each going on its own. We have not found a way of bending policy lines so that we can converge at the top

Your thought is the password

academia and industry before they go international.

How has NOTAP positioned Nigeria in terms of technology advancement?

Countries of the world are classified into developed, emerging countries and developing countries.

Developed countries remain developed because they are consistent in their process of building a critical pool of highly skilled, qualified educated manpower to drive their youths to the highest level. They are very strong in technology and very strong in innovation and so, they remain there. The second level of countries is the emerging countries.

They learn gradually from the developed countries.

We are seeing this in Asia, manufacturing knowledge infrastructure, producing fantastic prod-

ucts and so many technology devices. They come up with construction companies, vehicles, helicopters, trucks and industrial equipments. Therefore, they are slowly following the footsteps of the developed countries that they are now emerging, meaning that they will soon develop.

The next level is the rest of us. We have made the difference not because we do not have polytechnics and universities but because we do not have the culture of building highly skilled critical mass, educated and well educated man power and using technology to fly, we are yet to do that. The agenda of NOTAP commencing from 2013 is a short term agenda. So, we try our best in this institutions with other partners in the institution that are willing to come into the cluster of committed patriotic Nigerians to make sure that we too can

Continues on page 30

HP in new plug and play flatbed scanner

FTER competing with 11 teams from other tertiary institutions around the country at the Nigeria challenge finals held last week in Lagos, four software incubators from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ilefe, (OAU) and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (Lautech )Ogbomoso, Oyo respectively will fly Nigerian flag this summer in St Petersburg, Russia this summer at the worldwide finals.

Having won the national finals in Nigeria, Team Life Saver will join the brightest young minds to compete on the world stage in July this year.

Like Team Gravity from Obafemi Awolowo University that represented Nigeria at the Worldwide finals in Australia last year, the 2013 competitors would gain real life experience, make new friends, and harness the power of technology to take on the world’s toughest problems.

Imagine Cup is the world’s premier technology competition designed solely for students which centers on the use of imagination, creativity and technology to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

However, 30 teams had submitted their entries after which 12 teams were shortlisted for the national finals held yesterday in Lagos.

Interestingly, any team that did not make it for the global finals has the opportunity to be returned for online portal competition.

With supports from Na-

Continues on page 30

CWG, IBM, Infosys introduce IT solutions for financial service

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

A

Mobile number portability as multi-edged sword

B

Y the time this further became cementcolumn comes ed. Before, if a number your way next begins with 0803, you week, Mobile Number know that’s MTN, no Portability (MNP) serv- mistake. If it’s 0802, it’s ice would be live in Ni- Airtel, 0805 is Glo, and geria. The service was 0809, Etisalat. Now all of supposed to be launched them have number plans a month ago, but for starting with 081, it’s a some reasons, the indus- bit more difficult to know try regulator, Nigerian which network it is, unCommunications Com- til it rings.

Therefore, the Mobile mission forwarded the planned launch from the Number Portability Servinitial March 22 date to ice will enable us to migrate away from a netApril 22.

Many of our people work whose services we still do not understand are no longer pleased what the service is all with to that of another about; all I can say is that one that thrills us. The goodness they should of MNP keep faith But I think is that with their fayou revourite news as far as tain your media — be helping raise number. it radio, Further, newspaper, quality of or television. if you want to Suffice to service, MNP say however will be a mulm o v e a w a y that MNP is ti-edged a service that from a network, allows a subsword that scriber to nobody will cut in change netcan stop works with- any direction, y o u , out changing while the n u m b e r . depending on network Magic? No! you wish the situation

By August, it to join is would have equally been some 12 years that duty bound to accept the Nigerian telecom you. revolution took off when But I think as far as MTN and Econet rolled helping raise quality of out services. Many of us, service, MNP will be a having rediscovered the multi-edged sword that capacity to talk, hitherto will cut in any direction, stifled during the years depending on the situaof military rule, rushed tion. out and bought lines.

If for instance, because I remember with nos- it is felt that a network’s talgia that many of us services are bad it suffers bought lines with hand- an exodus, it could actusets for as much as a ally happen that the rewhopping N30,000, maining number of subwhich came with N6,000 scribers are the optimal airtime! And at the time, for the network’s infrathere was this thing structure, and it suddencalled “validity”, remem- ly begins to offer “good, ber? That meant if you reliable services.” Condidn’t use your airtime versely, networks that within a set period of receive migrants from time, you lost it. All that others may suffer “overseems far away now, not loading”, and the qualiso? Over the years how- ty of their services may ever, all of us have be- thus drop. Meanwhile come associated with at before MNP, these could least one number, be networks hailed for though most of us carry good QoS! So, migrating at least two or three lines subscribers are advised about. That’s Nigeria for to look before they leap; you, not so? The line we the frying pan they are have been associated running away from in with most of these past their network may be12 years have thus be- come an inferno that will come part of our identi- burn them in the new ty. With SIM card regis- network. The next few tration, the role and months will show whethplace of our phone lines er MNP will help QoS or in identity management not.

,

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team of researchers at UC Berkeley School of Information has developed a device that verifies a user’s identity with brainwaves, or electroencephalograms (EEGs). This new device uses a “pass-thought.”

The team developed the system with a Neurosky Mindset headset that uses Bluetooth technology to authenticate a person to the computer.

While wearing the headset, volunteers performed seven mental tasks while researchers measured their brainwaves. First, participants performed the same three tasks: focusing on their breathing, imagining their finger moving up and down, listening for an audio tone and then responding by focusing on a dot on a piece of paper once the tone was heard. Taking EEG measurements of these tasks created a brainwave baseline of sorts for each individual.

In last four tasks, participants could choose a thought that represented

Your thought is the password a more “personalized secret.” They could imagine performing a repetitive motion from a sport of their choice, like kicking a ball or swinging a baseball bat. They could think about singing a song or imagining a set of objects with a distinct color scheme, or choose their own thought and focus on it for ten seconds.

By measuring the subject’s unique brainwaves during this personalized cycle of tasks and cross referencing them with their baseline measurements, researchers were able to glean a unique EEG signature so that each “pass-thought” could identify individual users and distinguish them from other participants. In the unlikely event that

volunteers thought of the same “choice” tasks, their unique EEG signatures would prevent others from hacking their “passthought.”

By customizing each participant’s authentication threshold via the headset, researchers reduced error rates below

one percent, which is comparable to methods for measuring multi-channel EEG signals. Researchers outlined their techniques and findings in their paper “I Think, Therefore I Am: Usability and Security of Authentication Using Brainwaves.”

Source: DVICE

IXPN, NIRA rue revenue loss on local •Cause 2-day stakeholders internet content discourse on way out

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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PPARENTLY try ing to plug the loss in revenue from local internet contents hoisted outside the country, the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, IXPN and its counterpart, the Nigeria Internet Registration Association, NIRA have caused a two day stakeholders forum tagged Local Internet Content Forum, LICF, to arrest the ugly trend.

The forum has already received the blessing of MTN Nigeria who has been announced as the Platinum sponsor.

The two -day forum is scheduled to hold in Lagos from April 25 through 26 at the Muson Centre Onikan .

Briefing the media in Lagos, Monday, Chief Executive Officer of ,IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman explained that Nigeria was losing lots of money because most telcos are not hoisting contents locally but outside the country.

From his estimate, about 90 percent of local internet contents are hoisted outside Nigeria which means creating wealth to foreign countries with local Nigerian resources.

Rudman tipped the event to facilitate discussions on the issues surrounding local Internet content with the aim of reversing current trends that are not favourable to the Nigerian economy.

From left: Outgoing Head of Region, Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Lars Linden; Managing Director, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Kamar Abass and New Head of Region, Ericsson Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Frank Jejdling at a press briefing during Jejdling's visit to Nigeria as part of a pan-African familiarization tour.

He also said that the event would bring together key stakeholders in the Internet ecosystem in Nigeria to dwell on the theme, “Sustaining Local Internet Content, the way forward for Nigeria.”

Also adding views to the issue, chief operating officer, NIRA, Mr. Ope Odu-

san said that expectations are high as they look forward to welcome Nigerian content community, including those players from the government ministries, departments and agencies, NIRA registrars, telecom companies, financial institutions, tertiary institutions, various professional and

trade organizations as well as non-governmental organization (NGOs).

Odusan stressed that there was this patriotic feeling when carrying the Nigeria’s flag in the cyber space which can only be achieved with identifying with the country’s code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) .ng.

IDEA to revolutionize Nigeria’s software industry

BY JOY OBOMASE

T

APPING from the economic impact of software development in advanced counties, some local software developers have teamed up to set up an Information Technology Developer Entrepreneurship Accelerator, IDEA, to

help boost the skills of young talented Nigerians in software development.

Speaking during the launching of the IDEA programme in Lagos, the Vice Chairman, institute of software Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr. Pius Okigbo, said that software as far as information technology

is concerned will soon drive the Nigerian economy. He regretted that while America and china have developed policies in software, Nigeria was still foot- dragging in developing a local policy.

He said that “IDEA will help Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs create a successful business idea".

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 , 2013 — 25

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,APRIL 17, 2013 — 27

CWG, IBM, Infosys introduce IT solutions for financial service

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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T the just conclud ed business technology summit held in Uganda, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) in collaboration with IBM and Infosys have introduced IT transformation solutions for the financial services sector in East Africa.

Organised by CWG Uganda, a member of the pan African Systems Integration Company, CWG., the summit which attracted participants from all the major financial companies in Uganda and the East African region with the theme “Driving Finacle core banking application on IBM Power7 and storage” provided a forum to discuss and create awareness about “Finacle core banking application on IBM power systems and storage”.

The Client Technical, Architect, IBM MEA, Somas K Balasubramanian in his a presentation

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titled “IBM STG Solutions to accelerate the Banking Transformation Projects with IaaS Cloud” spoke about the key challenges in the banking industry ranging from operations integration, service operations to market share demand/ Growing revenues.

He spoke on how banks can align their IT services with business objectives and how they can improve the quality of their service while reducing long term costs on IT. He also touched on the topic of governance, policies, processes and methodologies with regards to Cloud computing, and how IBM can support banks in their journey in the banking industry where IBM has partnered with banks to achieve Smart cloud objectives.

Similarly, Neeraj Bajpai, ISV & SI’s Architect, IBM & Open Group certified IT Architect in his presentation titled

“Why Power Systems are Important: Transform your business with IBM Power Systems” spoke about factors that banks should consider when choosing a hardware platform for their Core banking application.

Neeraj explained how IBM’s systems high performance, energy efficient servers are ideal for multiple applications and infrastructure workloads while providing one architecture design that supports banking transactions at optimum

performance and cost.

He further talked about the IBM/ Finacle value proposition to the banking industry where IBM is the number 1 Unix server maker in the world.

Also how Finacle integrates and uses IBM technologies such as websphere, Infosphere, Filenet and Rationale.

He also highlighted some of the benefits derived from deploying your core banking application on IBM power servers such as: TCO,

Scalability, optimized computing resources, improved server utilization rate, enhanced workload request, approve, capture, deploy process management and control while reducing image deploy time from 2-4 weeks to a few hours for the development and testing workloads amongst other features and benefits.

Michael Manzi, Country Manager, CWG Uganda who spoke at the summit said that, “The trend in the industry today is that customers increasingly

feel more comfortable to engage a Single Responsibility Partner (usually the software provider, who has impeccable credentials in hardware as well). This significantly increases the success factor, and drastically reduces the points of failure in the project by eliminating the resort to finger pointing by many vendors and CWG has over time proved herself as such a Partner with leadership skills and resources in Software, Hardware and Database”.

Spinlet appoints Neil Schwartzman new CEO

S

PINLET Group, a digital media download platform bringing media distribution to emerging markets in Africa has appointed Neil Schwartzman as the new Chief Officer of the company.

With this, Neil will be focusing on the distribu-

tion of digital content across Africa through its music and television business. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Neil studied Computer Sciences at the University of Manitoba. He started his Internet career in 1995 launching a successful Internet solu-

tions company. He sold the company in 2002 and moved to South Africa where he worked for the Naspers Group from 2003 to 2013 in various Internet businesses across Africa. Before joining Spinlet Neil was CEO of MIH Internet Sub-

Saharan Africa responsible for Naspers’s Internet businesses in the region.

Neil brings over 17years cognate experience in media & distribution, e-commerce and mobile business which will be an asset to the company.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

CAN U-17:

Cote d’ Ivoire

Nigeria

Eaglets’ ll qualify for World Cup as champs — Garba A

*Enyimba

Enyimba, Ismaili to play in President’s Cup

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nyimba are being lined up to feature in the President’s Cup. Footyghana.com understands that the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) is set to rebrand this year’s President’s Cup with the inclusion of two foreign clubs to compete with two domestic Clubs for the coveted award.

Sources say former African champions Enyimba FC and Ismailia from Egypt could be the two foreign clubs that will participate in this year ’s Presidents Cup. The President’s Cup which is played annually to honor the sitting president of the country will see local clubs competing with foreign clubs for the first time in GHALCA’s history.

The Chairman of the President’s Cup Committee, John Ansah, told footyghana.com that plans are far advanced to secure the services of the two clubs to arrive in time for the President’s Cup, adding nothing is concrete as at now.

“We have started negotiations and we have spoken to the two clubs and that is how things stand now. We want to rebrand the President’s Cup this year, and we want to give to Ghanaians what they want in terms of football,” he said.

In a related development, South African giants Orlando Pirates have also been contacted with reference to playing in the President’s Cup.

Boston bombings:

London Marathon reviews security O

’s London RGANIZERS for Sunday security ing iew rev Marathon are bombings at the arrangements after the day. on Boston Marathon on M Executive Nick London Marathon Chief that “We are ent Bitel said in a statem shocked by the d an d ne de sad ly ep de r im me di ate Ou n. sto ne ws fro m Bo op pe le there and thoughts are with the very sad day for a is their families. It r fri en ds an d ath let ics an d for ou ning. run n colleagues in maratho veloped jointly de is n pla “Our security lice and we were with the Metropolitan Po n as we heard soo as in contact with them the news. fully expects at “The London Marathon go ahead as ll wi e rac this stage that the ugh we are ho alt ay, nd Su planned on ty with the uri sec continuing to review e. lic Metropolitan Po n wi ll be in “T he Lo nd on M ara tho of its runners all th wi continuing contact y will hear from through their emails, the t way. us on a daily basis in tha C M Y K

•Golden Eaglets on duty

S Nigeria play Cote d’ Ivoire today, Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba has said that his target at the ongoing competition in Morocco was to qualify for the forthcoming FIFA U-17 Championship in the United Arab Emirates as African champions Garba, who is still savouring the 6-1 bashing of Ghana, said that he has troops were primed for success in the CAF organised tournament.

“We enjoyed this victory against Ghana because they a good side and are our traditional rivals,” Garba said at the post match conference. “It is a good start for us but we will remain focussed because we have not won anything yet. This is not the first time Nigeria is winning by a big margin at this level. When we won the tournament in Togo in 2007, we beat Eritrea 8-0 but this is the first time we are beating Ghana with this wide margin.

“We are happy and we are looking forward to a good tournament and by the grace of God, we shall qualify for the World Cup as African Champions,” he noted.

Congo eye three points against Ghana A

FTER seeing his team play out a 1-1 draw against Cote d’ Ivoire in Group B of the 10th CAF U-17 championship, Congolese coach, Ekariki Basile, said he was still optimistic of doing well in the competition The coach gathered his troops and gave them a battle-cry of a speech. “We remain committed to our goals, we have made ??a good start by avoiding defeat and we must build on this point in order to qualify for the semi-finals and the World Cup. The rest will follow if we reach the semi-finals. “ Despite the fact that Ghana were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat by Nigeria, the Junior Red Devils coach believes they will not •Starlets be deceived to think the Black Starlets will be easy prey “They will play against us like that blow against Nigeria and Marrakech and have been wounded lions to remain in the race, which is will be ready for their next meeting in the corridors and at why it should not be assumed that Congo will match. Interestingly both meals but today, they will battle it have it their own way. Another loss for Ghana teams are sharing the hotel in out on the field in a crucial match. would end their semi-final hopes while victory for us would take us closer to ours so, it is an important match for both sides, but ma na ge r Nd ub uis i EA RT LA ND FC tea m we must play without too is to win the 2012/13 Ndubueze says their aim much pressure. “ Le all ague title.

Nigeria Professional Footb Congo won the bronze to media following the 3s thi Ndubueze confirmed medal in Rwanda 2011, on Sunday.

0 victory over LobI Stars with Ekariki as assistant es ieves that a lot of chang bel r ge na The team ma coach to Eddie Hudansky. the d lan art He at s ne sce the have taken place behind Ekariki wants to go better t of 18-players from the en tm rui rec the ing lud inc than that and the journey ad. amateur ranks into the squ to achieve that starts with ely good during the Lobi rem ext re we s “The player a must win game against to win because they were game and they deserved Ghana today. ir opponents,” Ndubueze obviously better than the Meanwhile Ghana seems h the League standings wit said. Heartland are 7th on to have recovered from s.

10 points from seven game

le tt a b e gu a Le r fo y d a re d n la rt ea H H

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 29

RONALDO: A

ccording to Greek mythology, Atlas the Titan was given the task of bearing the heavens on his shoulders as a punishment by Zeus, being depicted with the globe on his back. According to Real mythology, Cristiano Ronaldo is responsible for bearing the weight of Real Madrid on his shoulders.

The Portuguese Titan has taken on the challenge of guiding the best club in history to success. His latest performance, in the football temple that is San Mamés, is nothing more than the umpteenth confirmation that the Portuguese forward is the best thing to happen to Real Madrid for a long time.

The ‘Los Blancos’ number 7 conducts himself like a leader.

A titan among footballers

When his team is struggling, he picks them up and carries the weight of his teammates, the team’s shirt and its history, resolving problems in the Mou squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 50 goals in 48 games this season, with over 50 goals in each of the last three consecutive campaigns. A statistic signalling that Ronaldo is no longer human and has ascended to the ranks of the footballing gods.

Real no longer know what to do if CR7 is not on the field. Los Blancos have scored 126 goals during the season so far. Almost 40% of those were courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo. The results are stacking up. Just like those which made him top Real Madrid goalscorer of all time, with more than a goal a game.

AVID Platt says Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell could return to first team action against Wigan Athletic tonight.

The Blues’ assistant manager is hopeful both players will feature at some stage against Roberto Martinez’s side, though says David Silva is likely to be given more time to recover from his hamstring injury.

“The game on Sunday came a bit too early for David, though if we’d have pushed it, he probably could have played some part and had it been the last game of the season, we may well have done - but we felt the risk was too great,” said Platt.

“I think playing him in the game with Wigan could also be a risk so we’ll probably be pragmatic and give him a bit more time.

IR Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Man chester United are taking down to West Ham United the same squad that traveled to Stoke City.

“We have no injuries from Sunday against Stoke.

It was a tough game, certainly. But there were no injuries and that is a blessing of course” “We have a good, strong squad. We took 20 players with us to Stoke and those 20 players will go with us again on Wednesday night.”

I asked my doctors to put me into a coma —Abidal

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•Cristiano Ronaldo

“That risk diminishes each passing day, but if he plays against Wigan and it’s too soon, he could miss the trip to Spurs and other games so we’ll see how it goes and how he feels. He’s training again but not with the main group just yet.”

With Richards and Rodwell only lacking match fitness now, both players may see some game time against the Latics, but Platt doubts either of them are ready for a full game just yet.

AFAEL Benítez is expect ing Fulham to provide a stern test of Chelsea’s top-four credentials when the Blues travel to Craven Cottage tonight.

Chelsea head into the London derby on the back of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City, which left the Blues with the Europa League as their last remaining shot at silverware this season.

And Benítez is braced for a testing clash against Martin Jol’s men, who are 10th in the league, as Chelsea look to secure Champions League qualification.

“Fulham are a very good team, you can see the level they ’ve

been at in the Premier League for a while,” the Spaniard told a news conference on Tuesday.

“Derbies are different, anything can happen but hopefully we can do well and keep history with us.

“After the [City] game and on the day after we were really disappointed and a bit sad as were very close, but it’s now the day before the Fulham match and we are ready, focused, and thinking about this game.”

The Chelsea interim boss also revealed that defenders Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill are set to miss Wednesday’s clash through injury, while Marko Marin is a doubt for the game.

RIC Abidal talked about the rough time he went through during his illness in an interview with the French television network ‘TF1’.

“The doctors wondered how I could put up with it all. We talked about a transplant, but in fact, I had four or five operations in a very short space of time.

I lost 19 kilos. I never thought about dying, because I know that’s God’s decision,” he assured.

“I’ve suffered. I remember one Sunday I couldn’t take the pain. I asked my doctors to put me into a coma. After the fourth operation, those same doctors said I had a large amount of fluid in my stomach and wondered how I could take the pain,” he confessed.

Real dreaming of 10th UCL crown—Marcelo

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arcelo has said that Real Madrid players were dreaming of winning their tenth European title.

The Brazilian spoke at a publicity event for Real Madrid’s official Adidas shop at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. “We’re in high spirits and things are great in the dressing room, and that can be seen from performances on the pitch”, he said.

“We’re dreaming of the tenth European crown.

Let’s see if we can get to the final. Everyone’s talking about the tenth title. Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are similar sides”, he said. He also talked about the ‘Copa del Rey’ final: “It’ll be a special game at the Bernabéu. We’ll try our very hardest to win”, he added.

Regarding his injury, Marcelo talked about how he’s feeling: “It has been a difficult year. I’m doing much better now. In Brazil people are talking about the Confederations Cup all the time.

Vilanova ready for more

T

Benítez wary of Fulham R

Ferguson unleashes strong squad on West Ham

S

Richards, Rodwell available for Wigan clash D

BRIEFS

ITO Vilanova will remain in charge of Barcelona next season. The Barça manager has made a good recovery after cancer treatment in the U.S. and aims to fulfil the remaining year he has left on his contract at the Catalan club, and possibly for even longer.

Vilanova’s recovery has gone according to plan.

The coach knew full well that it was not going to be easy, but he is said to be currently feeling a lot better and has the intention of remaining at the helm of the first-team.

While Vilanova was in the U.S., club president Sandro Rosell said that the coach would be Barça manager as long as he, Rosell, led the entity.

Rosell’s comments are now backed up by the fact that the club wants to offer Vilanova an extension

Today’s EPL Fixtures •Moses

Man City West Ham Fulham

v v v

Wigan Man Utd Chelsea

19:45 19:45 20:0 C M Y K

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

2013 Imagine Cup: OAU, LAUTECH students to showcase at world finals Continues from Page 23 tional Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Lagos State Government, Dell, Nokia and mainOne, members of Team Life Saver including Afolabi Olamide, Oluwole Michael, Akinlaja Solomon and Adewale Adeyinka had competed in the category of World

Citizenship.

Their solution titled CardioLife was designed to tackle heart attack by monitoring heart reading on the fly via the Microsoft Windows Phone.

The solution also provides a rehabilitation programme for stroke patients using the kinect sensor. The team will be joining other students across the world thi July

to compete in the Imagine Cup Worldwide finals.

Nokia, Dell support: In addition to winning the ticket to the global finals scheduled for St Petersburg, Russia in July 2013, Nokia as part of their support would be giving each member of Team Life Saver its innovative smartphones,

Nokia Lumia 920 devices while Dell Nigeria would present them with Dell Vestro laptops.

“This is a great opportunity for us. Our empowerment has just started.

Our destiny lies in our hands. We are now our boss. Microsoft and and their sponsors have really empowered us with IT knowledge. We will take

our solution to the next level. We not disappoint our schools and Nigeria.

And we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to compete with students from around the globe who, like us, are passionate about making a difference in the world.”, the team’s spokesperson, Oluwole Michael said with excited.

Projects showcased: Windows on Wheels, a car navigation and personal driving assistant by Team Eagle Inc from FUTA The Compventure, a text-based role playing game solution by Team Golympus from OAU EasyRetailer, a solution that eases up buying process for clients, by Team Linfix from Redeemers University were among the projects showcased, Course Trail, an electronic tutoring platform that teaches illiterate users to read and speak correctly by Team Team Mercury from OAU. Other participating teams included Team NIKAO from OAU, Team Pearl from LAUTECH and Team iAce from FUTA. Each team is a winner: Yinka Oni, National technology Officer for Microsoft Anglophone West Africa before announcing the result told the gathering that, “Each team that competed in the regional finals is deserv-

ing of the highest recognition for the creativity and imagination applied to some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re proud to honour these young students who we believe truly exemplify the spirit of the Imagine Cup competition, and we’ll be cheering Team Life Saver on as they compete on the world stage in St Petersburg.

More work to be done: Also speaking, Developer & Platform Evangelism Lead / Microsoft Anglophone West Africa, Shina Oyetosho while commending the competitors for their innovative solutions said that this is just the beginning of work for the wining team.

“Your team will need more work so as to challenge other peers at the worldwide finals. Iam g oing to engage you. You will do more work on your solution. We really have to work hard to bring the cup to Nigeria. All of you are winners” he said.

In his remarks, Partner Manager, Developer Experience Nokia West Africa, Olumide Balogun applauded the winners on their victory.

“We are proud of Team Life Saver for developing such an innovative solution which fetched them the ticket to showcase their talents on the world stage" he said.

We must bend policy lines to compete globally Continues from Page 23 show the world that we know why we are establishing universities. The generic agenda of NOTAP is to make sure that the gap in the Nigerian industrial sector are addressed and that is the only techniques that we know will drive the industry and close this gap.

Nigeria’s stands on technology, thirty two years after the creation of NOTAP? Knowledge infrastructure-wise, Nigeria is not short. Since the establishment of the University of Ibadan in 1948, I can tell you that we have 128 universities established in Nigeria. But if we really know why we establish universities, then things have to change. We establish universities because we want knowledge to come out, so that we can use them to build our inC M Y K

dustries and then expand gradually. Now we have 128 universities, the question that we must tackle is how to manage this pool of higher institutions because even with this number of universities we are still in abject poverty. I think that when we got oil, we got confused and abandoned agriculture. After all, with our agricultural potentials, how come that we are still importing rice, importing tire and Nigeria is still a net importer of medicinal products?

Where did Nigeria got it wrong?

I don’t think we have decoded the process of synergizing policy making. To us, policy making is a straight line, every ministry doing what it likes and each going on its own. We have not found a way of bending policy lines so that we can converge at the top.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 , 2013 — 31

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Cut your medical bills with health insurance

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

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hat Is Health Insurance?

Health insurance protects you by covering much of what you would be expected to pay should you need medical care, it spares you, in most cases, the burden of paying the full costs for your care. You purchase health insurance by paying a monthly premium, which may be covered completely or in part by your employer. Even if you don’t get insurance through your work place, you can generally still buy individual coverage for yourself and your family.

Health insurance covers you not only for the unexpected, like a trip to the emergency room, but it can also cover preventive care like routine mammograms and doctor visits for annual checkups.

Why do you need health insurance?

The purpose of health insurance is to help you pay for medical care. It protects you and your family financially in the event of an unexpected serious illness or injury that could be very expensive. In addition, you are more likely to get routine and preventive care if you have health insurance.

You need health insurance because you cannot predict what your medical bills will be. In some years, your costs may be low. In other years, you may have very high medical expenses. If you have health insurance, you will

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have peace of mind in knowing that you are protected from most of these expenses. You should not wait until you or a family member becomes seriously ill to purchase health insurance.

We also know that there is a link between having health insurance and getting better health care. Research shows

that people with health insurance are more likely to have a regular doctor and to get care when they need it.

W

hy you should have health insurance Having health insurance will give you access to a primary care provider who is a more

appropriate provider of regular care than the emergency room. Perhaps more importantly, this doctor will know you and your medical history well, and with your insurance coverage, he/ she can give you regular care at a better value than the emergency room, if you do not

have health insurance, you will have to pay for all of your health care costs.

When you have health insurance, though your premiums may seem expensive, they don’t compare to the full cost of major medical procedures. Medical bills can leave you in debt and may lead to difficulty paying your other bills.

Medical coverage for one accident, emergency, or surgery - especially if it involves specialist or follow-up visits - can cause the insurance coverage to pay for itself.

The money you save in medical bills is often well worth the up-front costs of the insurance policy. You are more likely to seek a doctor ’s care if you know you have insurance coverage to help make it more affordable, those without insurance are less likely to get regular screenings, or prompt care for conditions that will become more problematic over time.

According to a study, delaying or foregoing needed care can lead to serious health problems, making the uninsured more likely to be hospitalised for avoidable conditions.

The uninsured are also less likely to receive preventive care.

Passing sound inheritance to your loved ones

By CYNTHIA MGBEOKWERE

H

AVING insurance can mean passing inheritance on to the next generation. There are different reasons for buying health, life, home, auto and other insurances and a good insurance insulates you against many of the risk factors that are inherent in our world.

The Value of inheritance Inheritance is a way one passes on things from one life to the next, putting the best of ourselves into our children.

Inheritance simply put is passing on material possessions from one person to another.

Accordingly, financial inheritance is very important in one’s life. Building to leave for the next generation is part of a sound plan for your finances. At the end of a long life of hard work, saving and wise investing, you have some wealth to show for all of your financial diligence. When the wealth is passed on to the next generation, it gives them an increase in their hard

work, and allows them to be more generous and to continue the financial legacy that the dead began. If you don’t have good insurance, the unanticipated disasters of life can steal that inheritance right out from your children.

Helping your family to help you If you get a horrible ailment, or are involved in a terrible car accident, teams of doctors and hospital workers may work zealously for a long time to try to save your life. If they succeed, you are expected to have a long expensive recovery in the hospital. In the case where by you don’t survive, your family will be billed for the medical care you received. If you don’t have health insurance, those bills can very easily add up to hundreds of thousands of naira, bankrupting your family and leaving them both bereaved and financially desperate.

Is Your Inheritance Protected?

If your inheritance is not protected, the truth is that smaller emergencies and expenses can do great damage to

your net worth over time, deeply reducing the amount of wealth that you have to pass on at the end of your life. Perhaps you can absorb the cost of a few surgeries, a small number of cars, and a few home repairs. In fact, if you have a good emergency fund, you probably can absorb some of those costs. In a situation one continues to dip into ones cash reserves to cover big expenses like this; it’s going to significantly hinder your wealthbuilding potential. Smaller expenses can add up to big totals over time.

Remember, disasters will happen in life and you never know whether the next emergency is going to be a minor expense or a bankruptcy-causing catastrophe.

A Good insurance protects your wealth against the unfortunate events that happen to us in life. No one like buying insurance or thinking about the possibility of having to use it, but if you protect your wealth well, your financial legacy will continue far into the future even if your own life does not.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 33

Will.

Also, people that have retired and relocated from where they used to live to places where their Pension Fund Administrator, PFA, cannot reach them should inform their PFA accordingly.

There is also the issue of those that have retired but did not submit their documents even though their money is ready. Such people should go to their PFA to complete their documentation and collect their money. In the pension industry, once someone completes the documentation, he or she would be paid in earnest.

Tell your beneficiaries about your savings

BY ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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NCLAIMED benefits from investments or savings are a reoccurring phenomenon in the Nigerian financial sector. A lot of people die without letting their nextof-kin or relatives know that they have one form of investment or savings somewhere.

In the banking sector, dormant accounts are on the increase. In the capital market, unclaimed dividend is growing on daily basis. In the insurance sector, there are matured policies which nobody have come to

claim. And now, the pension sector is beginning to witness such occurrence.

Some contributors in the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, whose retirement benefits have matured are nowhere to be found.

There are various reasons why investments and savings eventually become dormant, but a major reason is that a lot of people fail to tell their next-of-kin or relatives about such investments. Unfortunately, when they die, such investments are left in the vaults of the banks.

A major challenge of the CPS

FROM OUR MAIL BOX M y Father worked with Delta Steel Company before it was privatised and bought over by another company which was run by the Indians until its demise. After sometime, LEGACY PENSION FUND, which my father and his colleagues had been paying their monthly pensions contribution to started paying to them their pension contribution, which they later stopped after paying some of my father’s colleagues. What is really the matter, why did they stop the payment, is there any way you can be of help?

Otobrise Aghogho

Your letter is about your father’s pension contribution, however, you did not state if your father is still alive or not. If your father is still alive, he has to forward his Retirement Savings Account, RSA, pin number to Legacy Pensions Managers so that the issue can be resolved.

If your father is late, are you the next-of-kin? This is important because Legacy Pensions Managers will not divulge your father’s information to anybody that is not the next-of-kin. So if you are the next-of-kin and you have a Letter of Administration to that effect, then Legacy Pensions Manager will let you know what the issue is.

Sadly, this development is now a major challenge of the Contributory Pension Scheme. As part of measures to see that the volume of unclaimed benefits does not skyrocket as is obtainable in the banks and capital market, Pension Fund Operators have been advising contributors to tell their next-of-kin or relatives about their pension savings.

Next-of-kin are normally the spouse, but some people use their children. If a child is below 18, he/she needs a legal guidance to get the benefit.

People should also prepare their Will, so that when they die, the benefits would be disposed according to the

Safeguard your contribution Your contribution in the CPS is not money that you need for day to day living. Hence, there is need for you to give accurate information to your PFA so that when you finally retire, controversy won’t arise. Moreso, if a retiree is not around to enjoy his/her pension benefits due to death, his/her real beneficiary will not be in doubt.

Since pension remittances are made by employers and not even by individuals, there is need for the individual to update his/her PFA on recent developments, which the employer might not be aware of.

The desire of Pension Fund Operators is to grow the subscriber base of the CPS from about 5.2 million at present to over 20 million in the future. However, the desire is that every subscriber enjoys his pension and retirement at the end of the day.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACCOUNT, RSA

A

Retirement Savings Account is a requirement under the Pensions Reform Act 2004. It is the account used to capture information of the contributors as well as the monthly pension contributions of the contributors from all sources- employee, employer, etc. It also shows the return on investments over time. Contributors can access this account via Internet, SMS, telephone etc to check their balances, view last few transactions, request a statement and amend or change details.

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION The Pension Reform Act 2004 allows contributors to save funds in excess of their mandatory 7.5 per cent contributions thereby maximising his/her resources for retirement. It should also be known that such contributions can be withdrawn after five years tax free.

PenCom promise The National Pension Commission, PenCom, assures pensioners of timely payment of their pension as well as security of pension assets. PenCom also assures contributors of security of assets; compliance of employers to the scheme as well as effective service delivery by operators.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Women urged to pray for Nigeria

Edo LG polls: Akhigbe predicts more bloodshed

BY EVELYN USMAN

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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IGERIAN women, irrespective of their faith, have been urged to intercede in prayers for the nation, following the worrisome dimension internal security had assumed.

Pastor Lanre Kosoko of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mercy Place Parish, Lekki, Lagos, made the call during the 6th Women Cry Out conference in Lagos.

The conference was jointly organised by the parish and Razela Foundation, a non-government organisation, which provides educational opportunities for financially-disadvantaged Nigerians.

Kosoko said the conference was to gather women from all denominations with the purpose of interceding for the general well being of families and the nation.

Noting that the efficacy of prayer could never be over- emphasised following the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria, she called on women to rise up to their divine assignment by standing in the gap for their families in particular and the nation in general.

ENIN—FORMER Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd.), has warned that there may be more bloodshed in his home town, Fugar, if the police drags Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, chairmanship candidate in Etsako Central Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Momoh, to court on the eve of the council elections.

Momoh was arrested by the police and whisked to Abuja following the death of two persons and destruction of houses and cars after ACN and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, youths clashed in the area.

Leaders of ACN in the area had accused the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadohme, of masterminding the arrest.

Vanguard gathered, however, that Momoh was flown back to Benin, yesterday, while the police had per-

fected arrangement to charge him to court over the killings and destruction witnessed in the area.

However, Akhigbe, who condemned the police for what he described as biased handling of the matter, queried the decision to arrest the ACN candidate alone, when he was not “even at the scene of the incident."

He added: “And I strongly kicked against taking him to Abuja. What is the interest of the Presidency in this matter?

“They want to cook up charges against Momoh, but that will be dangerous because our people will react. I am appealing to the President to deploy a competent Assistant Inspector-General of Police to monitor the elections."

Lack of funds stalls Lekki Port project

BY IFEYINWA OBI

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EKKI Port, Lagos, may remain the mere wishful thinking of the promoters, as banks and major financial institutions in the country have continued to shun proposals for its funding.

Investigations revealed that due to growing skepticism over the viability of the proposed Lekki Port Project, coupled with the inexperience of its promoters, Tolaram Group, in port operations, banks are wary of providing it with much needed financial life-line.

While Tolaram Group, founded in India by one late Khanchand Vaswani, has been in existence since 1948,

it is not known to be involved in developing any port project or involved in the running of a port terminal in any part of the world.

Since inception, Tolaram Group has been involved in manufacturing, marketing, distribution, sales and services, according to information posted on its website.

Dickson's aide faults planned amnesty for Boko Haram

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—SPECIAL Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters, Chief Fred Agbedi, has

Onicha-Ugbo monarch denies report of crisis

BY HUGO ODIOGOR & EVELYN USMAN

O

BI of Onicha-Ugbo, Agbogidi Chukwumalieze I, has denied reports of rancour in his domain over the choice of Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu as Odogwu-designate of OnichaUgbo in Aniocha North Local

Government, Delta State.

Speaking at the Ida Nzu ceremony of Dr. Kachikwu, in his Ezechime Palace, Chukwumalieze said: “The joyous mood in the town and display by the family of the recipient of the title contradicts reports that the town was experiencing any form of crisis over the

About four years ago, the management of the proposed port had promised that the facility would commence operations in 2012, but that has failed to happen.

Two years ago, 2013 was touted as the commencement date, but, again, that failed to materialise.

choice of the Odogwu-designate, who is eminently qualified for the office.”

Ida Nzu, or the chalking ceremony, is the first step towards the official conferment of the title, which is the third most powerful cabinet title in Onicha-Ugbo’s traditional political institution.

faulted the planned amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.

Agbedi argued, in Yenagoa, that amnesty cannot be given to faceless groups, who are not prepared to sheathe their swords.

He said it was the responsibility of all to help defeat the Boko Haram scourge, which had led to total break down of law and order in some parts of the country.

He said: “I don’t believe that they have the right to amnesty because as far as I am concerned, amnesty is not a thing you just give out to somebody who decides on his volition to destroy lives and property."

N

IGER Delta Network for Good Governance, NDNGG, has condemned the killing of policemen by ex-militants in Bayelsa State and called on Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts at fighting crime.

NDNGG, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Felix Okomunu, described the killing as wicked and barbaric.

He said: “Government at all levels should ensure that these perpetrators are brought to book.

Amnesty cannot be a panacea to hostility in Nigeria, and we urge all well-meaning Nigerians to support Mr. President to tackle the insecurity problem confronting the nation.”

He noted that Henry Okah could still appeal the court judgment, and whoever wants to assist Okah could do so through legal means, instead of killing innocent people, destroying property and breaching security.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

... as NDNGG advocates support for Jonathan on security

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On scrapping UTME, NECO (2)

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ECO should be scrapped. There is no point using the same mode of examination to test the ability of students, when one of them (GCE, WAEC & NECO) will do for same purpose. UTME should be allowed to stay for testing academic ability.— Mrs Cynthia Eze, Lawyer.

U

TME should be left alone. The only thing is for the system to be restructured so that when you do well in JAMB, schools will be ones sending letters of admission to the students.

NECO is not necessary. It is a distraction.—Mr. Osakuade Seun, Student.

N

ECO should be scrapped, since we have WAEC and GCE. It is a duplication of duty. Let UTME remain, because it presents a level playing ground for everyone aspiring to gain admission into the university.— Miss Tosin Solanke, Lawyer.

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OING through POSTUME, after making JAMB, is a waste of money and time. It should be either UTME or POST-UME. One of them has to go.

NECO creates room for competition at O’level examinations, so it should stay.— Mr. Israel Dawari, Student.

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IRST, UTME is not a true test of knowledge, so it should go. A continuous assessment would have been preferred since students these days get to know the questions ahead of the exam. NECO suffers same fate. So it too should go.— Mr. Adegboyega Erinle, Lawyer.

J

AMB should go.

JAMB’s function is the same with POSTUME, so why the repetition? Then on NECO, it is obvious that many who write the exam end up not using it. Many schools, even in Nigeria, accept only WAEC and GCE.—Miss Adaobi Adigwe, Student.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—35

Burutu PDP leaders get confidence vote

Edo Assembly to probe N50m abandoned electricity projects

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OUSE of Representatives member, Mr. Frank Enikorogha; Chief Solomon Funkekeme, Commissioner for Works, Delta State; Chief Peter Biakpara, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Delta State and other notable leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, have passed a vote of confidence on the Chief Kenneth Ogeibiriled PDP executive in the area.

The leaders, during a meeting of PDP leaders and executives in Effurun, Delta State, said that the meeting was convened to discuss matters of interest to the party, especially because of the perceived rumour of factions, with one allegedly loyal to a serving minister.

“We are brainstorming on how the party can become stronger in the area. There is no faction in the party as we speak because the perceived faction cannot wrestle power from us," they said.

INC condoles with CP over officers' death in Bayelsa

I

JAW National Congress, INC, has condemned the recent killings of police officers on official assignment by suspected militants in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

President of INC, Senator Tari Sekibo, when the body paid a condolence visit to the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State, noted that it was unfortunate that the dastardly act occurred in Ijaw territory, saying that his leadership would not be deterred in its quest for peace and unity despite the current development.

He called for speedy investigations to be carried out into the matter, expressing the hope that perpetrators of the hideous crime would be brought to justice.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE ENIN—EDO State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Energy and Water Resources is to probe how the N50 million appropriated for the completion of abandoned electricity projects at IkiranOke, Ayaran-Ikakumo in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state, was expended.

The probe is sequel to a petition to the Assembly by the chairman and secretary, Ikiran-Oke, Ayanran, Ikakumo Electricity Completion Committee, Chief John Obasoro and Mr. Oyewole Samuel.

The communities, in the petition, alleged that the project which had attained 80 percent completion, was awarded during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, adding that the National Assembly, via a presidential directive, approved the said amount for the completion of the project in the 2012 fiscal year.

The petitioners alleged that apart from the few electric poles dumped on the site,

the project contractor, Generale Ventures, since December 2012, was yet to be fully mobilised.

They equally accused Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Benin Zone, of diverting the fund to finance other projects in neigbouring states.

However, responding to questions from members of the committee, Managing Director of Benin Distribution Electricity Company, Mr. Effiong Umoren, said the project in question was handed over to him as a new project.

Meanwhile, Chairman of

CONDOLENCE VISIT: President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Senator Tari Sekibo (left), with the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command,Mr. Kingsley Omire, during a condolence visit by INC over the recent killing of police officers in the state.

FG assures on completion of 2nd Niger Bridge

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—MINISTER of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, has assured that the second Niger Bridge and other abandoned major federal roads across the country would be completed and commissioned before the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2015.

Onolememen, during an inspection tour of the N4.4 billion Ebu-Utor link Bridge project at the boundary of

Edo and Delta States, said the Federal Government was committed to the completion of some abandoned road projects that have direct impact on Nigerians.

Emphasising that the 400 metres bridge project, which was revived last year, would be completed soon, he charged the contractor handling the project, Inter-Bau Construction Company Limited, to expedite action on the project.

Saying that the Federal Government was interested

in the completion of the bridge project aimed at reducing the journey from the Northern part of the country to the Southern region with about two hours, he commended the contracting firm for the job done so far.

According to him, the bridge project was abandoned in 2007 after N2 billion had been sunk into it, adding that the original contract cost was N4 billion as at the time of its award, which had been reviewed to N4.4 billion.

Edo LG polls: Police warn against thuggery

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—AHEAD of this weekend's local government elections in Edo State, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, has warned politicians in the state against engaging thugs and resorting to other foul means during the elections, saying that police would deal ruthlessly with those who would do anything to disrupt the polls.

He warned that the ugly

the Committee, Mr. Michael Ohio-Ezomo, directed Mr. Umoren to furnish the House within one week with relevant documents on the contract, adding that the Committee will embark on an assessment of the electricity project to ascertain the veracity of his claim.

incident in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, during which two persons were killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed, should not be allowed to happen again.

The commissioner gave the warning while briefing journalists. He also paraded four suspects, arrested for various offences by operatives of the command from different parts of the state.

He said that all police Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers had been

given instructions, insisting that the police would not tolerate any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt the forthcoming elections in the state.

He said politicians and their members will be held accountable for violent acts that may lead to violence in any part of the three senatorial districts.

He said: “Nobody should encourage thuggery in any part of Edo State. It will not be allowed and we will not take it.”

LEDAP warns against execution of condemned prisoners in Edo

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EGAL Defence and Assistance Project, LEDAP, has written to Edo State governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, warning of the consequences of executing two condemned prisoners in Edo State, whose cases are still pending in court, challenging their execution warrants signed by the governor.

LEDAP said it got reliable information from Oko Prison in Benin City, that there were plans to executive the duo this week.

National Coordinator of LEDAP, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, in a statement, said: “In October 2012, Edo State governor signed execution warrants of Daniel Nsofor and Osarenmwinda Aiguokhan, who were condemned to death for armed robbery and murder by the state high court.

“The governor at the same time pardoned two other condemned prisoners, who were also convicted for armed robbery and committed the death sentence on another prisoner to terms of imprisonment.

"Nsofor and Osarenmwinda filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Benin City, claiming that the signing of their execution warrant was arbitrary, and seeking injunction to stop their execution."

36— Vanguard ,WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Micro-finance bank: Labour commends Obi

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA— ORGAN ISED labour in Anambra State has commended the state governor, Mr. Peter Obi for approving N70 million for the revival of the moribund Ndiolu Micro- finance Bank.

In a statement in Awka, state branches of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC and the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC described the approval of the money as good news, considering the central role the bank would play in handling the pension scheme of retired workers.

The organised labour however urged the state government to do something to improve the morale of workers, which it observed, is at its lowest ebb in view of their low take home pay.

Polytechnic student arraigned for gun possession

BY ONOZURE DANIA

LAGOS — A 30-yearold student of the Ibadan Polytechnic, Shomolu Adetutu, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ikeja, for unlawfully being in possession of a double barrel shot gun.

Adetutu, who is facing a count charge of unlawful possession of double barrel gun with live cartridges preffered against him by the police, was docked before Magistrate Demi Ajayi.

The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Barth Nwaokoye, told the court that Adetutu, was found with a double barrel shot gun with two live cartridges on March, 30,2013, at about 10p.m.

He said the crime was committed at Kadara Street, by Herbert Macaulay Road, Lagos.

May 20, 2013 has been fixed for trial.

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IGP, CP & PSC dragged to court for contempt “The Federal High Court presided over by Hon. Justice F. A. Olubanjo heard the matWERRI — CITIZEN ter on merit and entered judgEteobong Polycap has ment in my favour on May 28, dragged the Inspector Gen2012. On July 30, 2012, the eral of Police, IGP, the Police judgment order was served on Service Commission, PSC, the IGP,” Eteobong stated. and Imo State CommissionHe recalled that Imo police er of Police to the Federal boss and the PSC were served High Court, Owerri, for conwith the judgment order retempt of court. spectively, but the former deIn a 13-paragraph affidaclined having adminisvit filed in support of his motrative power to implement the court order and was waiting for directives from the IGP. “The IGP ignored the court order. Form 48 had already been served on the respondent, which is a notice of consequence of disobedience to court order,” Eteobong stated.

The aggrieved police officer lamented that he had “been out of salary since March 2008 and this occasioned great financial hardship” on his entire family.

Vanguard recalls that Justice Olubanjo in his judgment ordered that “the defendants have no justification whatsoever to terminate the employment of the Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia State (3rd left) commissioning the newly completed Geometric Power plaintiff without reStation access road at Osisioma. With him, from left: Hon. Kingsley Mgbeahuru, Commissioner course to due process of for Works; Sir Leo Okoye, M/D, Grandstar Construction Company and Sir Emeka Ananaba, law occasioned by fair hearing.”

Abia State Deputy Governor.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

tion in suit number FHC/ OW/CS/26/2011, Eteobong stated he was a police officer with force number 198062 until 2007 when he was dismissed on an allegation of his alleged involvement in a murder case.

“I was charged with the offence of murder of Sunday Igwe and was arrested over same in 2006, but the trial court discharged and acquit-

ted me from the allegation on June 29, 2010”, Eteobong stated.

He also averred that further to his discharge and acquittal, he served the IGP a letter of demand for his reinstatement, stressing that on February 7, 2011, he proceeded to the Federal High Court, Owerri for an order to reinstate him in the police force.

Abia govt probes State Universal Basic Education Board

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — ABIA State government has inaugurated a seven -man judicial panel to look into the activities of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, since inception till December 2012.

Inaugurating the panel

which has Justice Kenneth Nwosu as chairman, Governor Theodore Orji insisted that the panel was set up due to pressures from the people.

He explained that the panel was self-motivated as it would also probe part of his own administration, adding that that the panel was not

for witch-hunting.

He said if he refused to accede to the request of the people who elected him, it would seem as though he was covering up something.

Urging the panel to do a thorough job, the governor promised to implement the report once the white paper was out.

President Jonathan, IGP Abubakar urged to immortalise slain CP Asadu

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

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SUKKA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar have been asked to, as a matter of necessity, hasten action to immortalise the slain Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Chinweike Asadu.

Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Council, Chief Tony Ugwu, made the call while speaking in an interview with Vanguard after Asadu's burial at his Onuiyi Nsukka country home, weekend.

Ugwu said the late Asadu

was killed less than two months to his retirement, having served the country meritoriously for over 30 years in several capacities. ’’As a matter of necessity, honour and respect for Asa-

du for his service to his fatherland, he should be immortalised by naming a police barracks or police headquarters or any police training college after him," he said.

According to him, “ we are not witch-hunting people; I am doing what people want me to do”.

Orji outlined the terms of reference of the panel to include ascertaining the total sum of money received by ASUBEB since inception till December 31, 2012; identify the projects executed from inception, the costs and extent of work done on them.

The panel was also charged with the responsibility of determining if the funds to the board within the period were properly managed.

It will also identify all the assets of ASUBEB, their location and if there was mismanagement, to find out those involved.

FCTA inaugurates committee to resettle Jabi-Yakubu residents

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA — THE Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has constituted a committee for the resettlement of Jabi-Yakubu community from its present abode to a new town at Shere-Galuyi in Bwari Area

Council.

The community, which comprises about 500 households, had earlier written the Minister of State for FCT, Olajumoke Akinjide, on March 5, 2013, requesting to be moved to the new town earmarked for them.

The Technical Committee is chaired by the Deputy Direc-

tor of Planning & Resettlement in the Resettlement and Compensation Department, FCT, Mrs. Helen Obiechina and the Special Assistant (Legal) to the FCT Minister of State, Mr. Festus Tsavsar, is the Secretary of the Committee.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 , 2013 — 37

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 —39

PRESENTATION—From left; Director, PMO & Operational Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria, Ndidi Okpaluba; Nigerian Idol Season 3 winner, Moses Obi-Adigwe and Director, Marketing Segment & Strategy, Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa, during the presentation of SUV car to winner in Lagos.

CARNIVAL—From right: Winner, Carnival Queen; Babatunde Raji Fashola, Governor of Lagos State; Runner up; Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor, Lagos State and Mr. Disun Holloway, Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Affairs, Lagos State, during the fourth edition of the Black Heritage Carnival in Lagos.

CONDOLENCE— From left: Past President of ACAMB, Lanre Alabi; Mr Lanre Olayinka, ACAMB President; Tunde Shofowora and Treasurer, Mrs Morin Adeyemi during the association's visit to the Olayinkas over the death of Ekiti Deputy Governor, Mrs Olayinka.

MEETING—From left: Chief Fola Amure, Publicity Sec; Mr. Remi Omosowon, Ass. Secretary; Chief Felix Aiyegbusi; Chief Tunde Adefarati, President; Mr. Akin Daramola, Secretary; Chief Joseph Sanusi and Chief Sunday Ehindero, former IG at the meeting of Akoko Development Group in Lagos.

SAFETY—From left: Integrated Supply Chain Director, Cadbury Nigeria Plc. Mr. Nasir Malik; Sales Director, Mr. Paul Udochi and Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Emil Moskofiah, at the Cadbury Nigeria Safety week at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

PRESENTATION—From left: Mr Lalu Sudirham, Knorr Taste Quest Season 1 winner; Tolulope Agiri, HR Director and Mr David Okeme, Brand Building Director both of Unilever, during the presentation of prizes to winners in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

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SYNOD— From left; Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Sunday Ajayi, JP; Lay President, Diocese of Lagos West, and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Motor Vehicles Administration Agency, Otunba Morakinyo Hanson and Bishop Isaac Ayobami at the 77th annual synod of the Opeibi, Ikeja circuit of the church.

FLAG-OFF— From left: Dr. Ejiro Umerri, President, MWAN Delta State; Esther Icha, Manager, SEPLAT; Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Commissioner for Special Duties, Oil and Gas, Edo State; Lucky Obiuwevbi, Deputy Base Manager, Sapele and Ada Omeugo, CRO NPDC at the flag off of the 2013 edition of SEPLAT Eye Can See Programme.

Barrister Bolatsi Dudu and his daughter, Dr. Omajuwa Urowoli Dudu, graduand and recipient of the Harry Sawyerr prize for best overall student in Child Health (Paediatrics) from the University of Ghana medical school, Accra.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Woman lives with VVF for 60 yrs in Adamawa

Bauchi govt, WAEC to fight exam fraud

BY SUZAN EDEH

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OLA—THE wife of Adamawa State Governor, Dr Halima Nyako, said that she has discovered a woman living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula, VVF, for more than 60-years.

Nyako made this known at the opening ceremony of a one-week free medical treatment for women living with VVF at Adamawa Specialists Hospital, Jimeta, Yola on Monday.

“It is unfortunate to find an aged woman living with VVF for the past 60years in the state and the development is quite alarming,” Nyako said.

According to her, available records from the state Ministry of Health reveals that VVF infection is on the increase.

Nyako said that the records also indicated that about 218 women were infected with the disease in 2012 in the state.

ACN raises alarm over state of Kaduna finance

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

K

ADUNA — KADUNA State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has said that the state government was going bankrupt, following alleged wasteful expenditure of government resources on ‘’white elephant’’ projects.

Chairman of the party in the state, Mohammed Soba who made this known in a statement in Kaduna alleged that Governor Mukhtar Yero was concentrating on unproductive ventures, while neglecting the citizens of the state.

The party said it was "disturbed by the imminent slide of the state towards bankruptcy due to lack of prudence and accountability in the management of state funds."

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CONDOLENCE—From right: Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, presenting a letter of condolence to Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, over the death of his late Deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti.

Kebbi govt to expand scope of girl-child education programme B

IRNIN-KEBBI—THE Kebbi Government has said that it will expand the scope of the state’s girl-child education programme this year.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Farouk Maiyama, made this known in Birnin Kebbi on Monday. Maiyama said the review would ensure that women completed their education through strategic and operational plans.

The government has also procured drugs worth N120 million for distribution to 158 Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, clinics established by it. Alhaji Samaila Augie, the Special Adviser on MDG’s to Gov. Saidu Dakingari, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Birnin Kebbi, that the money was also used to equip the clinics.

Augie said the clinics had already commenced operation, with staff recruited to ensure health care delivery in rural areas, pointing out that the government would collaborate with local government councils to ensure the maintenance of facilities and provision of drugs to sustain full operation of the clinics.

However, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Maiyama said that more women continued education centres would be established for school drop-outs and married women to enable them com-

plete their education.

According to him, the selection of Kebbi among beneficiaries of the UNICEF programme of Girl-Child Education Project, GEP, will be utilised to improve women education.

He said the ministry would ensure that the policy was achieved, through prudent utilisation of funds, establishment of infrastructure and employment of qualified teachers.

“A Ministry of Science and Technical Education has

been established to improve science and technical education in 14 pioneer schools, while 101 Junior Secondary Schools, JSS, have been established from 2007 to 2013.

“A total of 63 JSS are upgraded to senior secondary schools with boarding facilities, while free feeding are provided for day students.

He said the ministry oversees the four state-owned tertiary institutions, 1,617 primary schools, 181 senior secondary schools and 107 detached JSS.

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State government has said that it would collaborate with the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, to punish secondary schools which violate the rules and regulations guiding WAEC examinations in the country.

The State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim stated this, yesterday, when he led a team of officials to inspect the ongoing WAEC examinations in both private and public schools in Bauchi metropolis and environs.

Ibrahim said that “there was remarkable improvement in the performance of the students in WAEC examinations compared to what we experienced last year, when we recorded many irregularities.

"This year, we only recorded problems in the registration of external candidates in private schools.

"The situation has improved in public schools because last year, we reprimanded the principals that were found wanting. We have taken adequate measures to ensure that examinations are conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations of WAEC."

Plateau threatens to blacklist non-performing contractors J OS—THE Plateau State Government has threatened to blacklist non-performing contractors, saying that it is no longer prepared to tolerate “unserious people”.

Mr Solomon Maren, the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, gave the warning while inspecting ongoing projects in Langtang on Monday.

“We are tired of revoking contracts and will soon start collecting a data of non-performing contractors to shut our doors against them,” he said.

Maren warned contractors

handling government projects to improve in delivering quality jobs on scheduled time.

He warned that government would not tolerate a situation where some firms frustrate its desire to improve the living standards of the people. “It is either you perform or you are simply blacklisted,” he said.

Maren decried the slow pace of work on the fivekilometer Langtang Road and declared that the job was being delayed.

According to him, this road has taken too much time. I can’t see how a five kilometer

road will take you more than two years to finish.

“This administration is determined to deliver the dividends of democracy to its people, so your task as contractors is to assist us to achieve that mandate by delivering a quality job and on time.”

The commissioner said that the slow pace of most of the projects was forcing government to take charge, and promised to make such supervisions regular.

Earlier, Mr Khalil Iyad, the Project Manager, Forest Engineering Ltd., blamed the slow pace of the work on communal clashes experienced in the area.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 41

Nigerians must know what to do when stroke happens S

• Shaving requires technique and patience

How to get the best shave

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

S

HAVING is a daily chore most men have to contend with almost for the rest of their lives. There are no rules about shaving, but there are basic shaving tips that can make it quick and easy. Shaving is more that just picking up a razor and dragging it across your face until the stubble’s gone. A really good shave, requires a little more effort and know-how.

Even if you've been shaving for years, you might learn something new about what you need to do to get the best shave possible.

The first rule in shaving is patience. Don’t rush through a shave. A rushed shave is a good way to abuse your face. Rather, spend the necessary time prepping your skin for the razor.

Start by washing your face. Facial cleansers work best because they help soften the protein in the hair. Avoid harsh soaps, and wash away hair-softening oils. Leave the cleanser on your face for one minute before rinsing.

Next, lather up with shaving cream or gel. Choose one labeled "for sensitive skin" if you need it. Then let it sit for two or three minutes. You can comb your hair or brush your teeth to pass the time.

This is an important step that really softens the hair and makes a one-pass shave possible. The longer you let it sit, the better, although spending the time is not always practical.

When you are brushing up the lather, don't rely on your fingers to lather your shaving cream. Get a brush.

A good brush really pushes the cream into the hair and makes it much easier to shave. Use a badger hair brushto lift the hairs and really coat them with cream.

When it comes to razors, there's no need to fool with multiblade razors. Multiblade razors are okay, but a single blade will work just as fine.

The important thing to keep mind, that the blade you use must be sharp. Discard it if you see a nick in the blade; otherwise, if you shave most days, change blades every week or two.

How often you must change blades is another good reason to stick with inexpensive single blades rather than three- or five-blade razors, which can be quite costly. The more expensive the blade, the less likely you may be to change them as often as you should.

BY KINGSLEY OBOM-EGBULEM

TROKE, most times occurs in form of an attack. But in some parts of Nigeria, that attack is believed to be spiritualrequiring ferocious prayers, application of anointing oil, holy water, burning of incense and candles obviously to ward off or cast out the demonic spirits responsible for this so called attack.

Gloria Ekeng, Care Director, Winnexcare Limited feels stroke should (and can) be handled medically and the patient helped to live a normal post-attack life if attended to early.

“We need to know exactly what has happened to the patient in order to render the kind of help that can reduce or eliminate disability and get the patient back to work in good time”, says Ekeng who is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for TIA/Stroke at Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London.

A UK accredited health and medical trainer, Ekeng, a neuroscientist and • Gloria Ekeng. specialist in stroke care and management with several years to its physical, psychological of practice in the UK, has a and mental consequences) master’s degree in Advanced until we can strengthen our Neuroscience Practice. capacity to identify stroke early, She notes that stroke happens diagnosed it appropriately and like an emergency and treat it promptly. handling medical emergencies “Stroke related disability has professionally and getting the reduced significantly in most best outcomes haven’t always parts of Europe and the UK been our way of life. especially and I feel we can Even though some diagnosis achieve that feat in Nigeria if is required to confirm it, stroke we know what to do and how happens when there is to go about doing it. That is stoppage of blood flow to the precisely why I’m here and I brain-usually a sudden think we can all work together blockage or rupture of a blood to make that needed change to vessel in the brain resulting in improve and prolong the life of loss of consciousness, partial stroke patients in Nigeria. loss of movement, or loss of “Our stroke burden is speech. alarming even though it’s not For many Nigerian stroke a public health or patients, the partial loss of communicable disease I think movement or loss of speech it should be on our health becomes permanent and they emergency list given the fact are bedridden, incontinent or that too many Nigerians are confined to a life in a currently living with wheelchair. That is the undiagnosed hypertension and challenge most stroke patients diabetes-including people as have to live with (in addition young as 35 and 40. So what is

•Children being immunised with the pneumococcal vaccine at one of the flood-displaced persons camps in Asaba, Delta State.

the future of a country when its young people are potential stroke cases waiting to happen and those affected can’t get the right help?

“Your life literally shuts down if you have a stroke and that’s why we need to do something so that people can quickly go back to work irrespective of stroke”.

Knowledge of what to do in this case and the skill to do it in good time are two critical factors Ekeng believes is needed to address to help patients with stroke. There is also the need for collaboration between several specialists within health systems if stroke patients can live a better life after stroke.

Another strong component of the capacity building plan for stroke response within our health system is for health professionals to try and prevent stroke from occurring in the first place. It begins with training doctors, nurses and even radiologist regarding early detection of Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) which in turn will help prevent and reduce disability resulting from full blown stroke.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) also known as mini-stroke is a sudden loss of function in one region of the brain.

“We need stroke support groups in Nigeria as a means of expanding the treatment and care continuum. I also believe it will sustain the quality of care, serve as resource pool for capacity building especially around social care and this will ultimately reduce strokerelated mortality.”

Ekeng is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for TIA/Stroke at Kings College Hospital, Denmark

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

WEST Africa is known to be one of the world’s major sources of resources such as gold, uranium, diamond, bauxite, coal, oil and gas, cocoa, among others. It is also a volatile region characterised by poor governance, weak state structures, poverty, war, stagnant economy, corruption and disease.

For years, it has become a major transit for narcotics from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as well as Latin American countries of Mexico and Columbia to enter Europe and America.

Most West African governments have neglected the national security implications of these activities, which are now haunting the region which Al-Qaeda wants to set up its operational base, to promote terrorism, hostage taking, drug trafficking, and export international jihad. Not less worrisome is the War in Mali where the United Nations Security Council had to invoke Charter 7 on use of military force, to restore the political unity of Mali, its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It is against this background that the security, peace and development have become the focus of the Vanguard Conference of Nigeria and other West African countries. To discuss issues are: Professor Ogaba Oche, Director of Research and Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos; Associate Professor, Victor Ariole, Lecturer at the Department of Modern European Languages, University of Lagos; and Associate Professor , Fred Aja Agwu, Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. They are joined by the Vanguard Conference Hall team led by Foreign Affairs Editor, Hugo Odiogor, Kunle Kalejaye and Mrs. Nkiruka Nnorom, both of the Business Desk of Vanguard Newspaper, Lagos. Excerpts:

P

ROF. Oche let me start with you Sir, how can the situation in Mali be dealt with, so that we can have peace and development in the West African region and in Nigeria?

Well, this is something that is not within the ability of Mali to do. I think that so far so good, the region of West Africa has been assisted by the international community to beat back the Islamist rebels and I believe that it is on the right track.

I think that when peace is eventually restored in the troubled northern part of Mali, then, further steps should be taken in consonance with international forces and ECOWAS, to make sure that terrorist forces are rooted out. Again, terrorism is not something that you can fought through one tactic or strategy. It has to be fought through a multiplicity approach.

the state is another. When fundamentalism mixes with the weakness of the State or state contradictions and racism, that is when you have rebellion, as you can see in Nigeria,Mali or even in Algeria.

I say this because even in Afghanistan where it all started, when the Soviet invaded the Asian country in 1980, the West came and virtually fought against the

Multi-facet approach I think the Malian state will have to adopt a multi-facet approach, but central to a long term strategy battle terrorism, is the need to strengthen the Malian state. I think the weakness of the Malian state, along with other states in Africa, are essential factors in the virtual success of the Tuaregs, who are fighting for liberation or independence. To deal with the crisis, a multiplicity approach has to be adopted against terrorist groups.

Prof Agwu: What is your perspective on this? You see, fundamentalism is a problem on its own; then the weakness of C M Y K

*Map of West Africa Soviets in a proxy war,they made their mistakes. There were some things that they did which they were not supposed to do. For instance, there was over reliance on Arab militants that flooded Afghanistan, to fight the Soviets, then there was over-reliance on Pakistan intelligence to deal with the Soviets but aboveall, the uncoordinated exit of the Soviets in Afghanistan was like abandoning the country to its devices. This

*Cross section of participants during the conference

*Prof. Fred Agwu

*Prof. Ogab Oche

* Prof. Victor Ariole

created the vacuum which was filled in It is an approach that will not only deal by people like Osama Bin Laden. I talk with those socio-political contradictions, about this vacuum within the context of but it is also an approach that will address state weakness. the fundamentalist part of it, which is not Now, it also happened in 1991, when found in the socio-political and economic another incident of state weakness, or contradictions. When we talk about the Alpolitical contradiction. That was the case Qaeda, that is the main Al-Qaeda, or the of Algeria; where the military leadership Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, we must in that country cancelled a general look at the synergy in the world of election that the Fundamentalist political terrorism, a synergy which is prompted forces were poised to win.

This The Malian state, like many other cancellation caused states in Africa, is essential factor a civil unrest that shook the country to in the virtual success of the its foundation. The Tuaregs, who are fighting for Mujahedeen fighters from the liberation or independence Afghan war infiltrated into the North African country by aspiration or inspiration to establish a and started the Al-Qaeda in Islamic theocratic state that is operated on Islamic Maghreb. Now the thing has moved legal codes. That is why any attempt to down to Mali. The Tuareg insurgency has resolve terrorism problem, the onslaught been on for many years, but with the of the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb in Mali emergence of Al-Qaeda, with its or the local incident of Boko-Haram must i n t e r n a t i o n a l take the socio-political dimension into jihadist agenda, consideration as well as addressing the coupled with the fundamentalist idea. kinship relation What is your reading of the matter? between the Prof. Ariole:The military approach Tuaregs and the could not be the total solution because other national even before Mali got into its present state, groups in the Sahel, AFRICOM has been in Mali; there was poverty and bad American presence in Mali, trying to train governance, have Malian officers, on how to handle terrorist made it possible for activities. How come AFRICOM was not the Al-Qaeda to able to get these soldiers and officers to have a footing in tackle the Islamists as they came? It shows Mali. The initial that there was a missing gap that I don’t focus of liberation quickly understand yet. struggle was The military approach is not likely to yield d i s t o r t e d , a lasting solution. As you just mentioned, especially, when the cultural and human intellectual aspect one of the leaders of have not brought in, to get the Malians to the Movement for understand who they really are, and how National Liberation of Mali decamped to best to face enemies coming against their form the Ansar Dine, which is the nation. Mali is a country that is dominated fundamentalist arm that hijacked the by Malinkes, somehow called the Azawad movement.

Mandingos depending on how you Now in Nigeria, the problem we had on pronounce it, and where you are from. ground was mis-governance and perhaps They are confronting other ethnic groups poverty.This was before it was mixed up who want to also dominate in Mali, but with fundamentalism. My position is that, they are not the majority ethnic group. for us to solve this problem, I align my Groups like the Fulanis, the Tuaregs, the self with the position of Prof. Oche that Continues on page 43 we have to adopt a multiplicity approach.

,

Weak states, poor governance cause of insecurity in West Africa

,

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 —43

*Nikiruka Nnoromof Vanguard and Prof. Ogaba Oche

*Prof. Fredd Agwu and Prof. Victor Ariole

Mali's conflict requires multiplicity approach not stopped now.

What kind of multiplicity approach Shua-Arabs, they are all there and they should be brought into this situation now need to be incorporated into the running that we are already in a military combat?

Prof. Oche: That is a comprehensive of Mali or to be left alone, to run their own question, I will go back to what I said course.

Do not forget that the Saharawi issue is earlier on. The use of intellectual means also within the periphery of Mali, Morocco of trying to at least reduce the intensity of and Algeria and that issue has separated violence caused by terrorism in that part Morocco and Algeria, because they don’t of West Africa. I think it is very important seem to agree on establishing Saharawi to counter the means whereby the fundamen-talist, extremist, the terrorist as an independent nation.

The same has become the fate of the spread their views, ideas at that level; I Tuareg who are not completely supported think it is important to wage battle.

I am thinking of institution such as in terms of having their own independent state in West Africa, but they are supported religious institutions, that is, mosques by the Maghreb states who feel that where they do their Friday preaching, having a belt that covers the Saharawi where they carry out incendiary form of people in between the Maghreb country preaching. We must monitor those means and the black West Africa, could be a lee- whereby extremist ideas and attitudes, are way into getting in to the West African spread in the society. We must watch out for those channels whereby they sell their territory.

So, it is a very dicey issue that cannot be ideas to other members of the society, a resolved by military approach. The place where individuals who were neutral Maghreb States will always support the are converted to fundamentalism and Tuaregs, fighting to liberate themselves extremism. It is essential to cultivate a kind from West Africa just as Algeria did for the of counter-narrative to views that contain Saharawi and Morocco was against it extremism and fundamen-talism ideas and because Morocco felt that they ought to I think that will be long lasting.

Although it is necessary to use force, it be with them. So it is a long intellectual is necessary; to a short term The moment terrorists plan a move wedge battle, but the long to strike, if you don’t intercept them term battle has to be the level of ideas at the planning stage, you will surely at and thinking. If you can covert the more need the application of force to fundamentalist and counter them extremist ideas into pacific ideas or battle and it has to be solved by bringing pacific ideologies, pacific variance of Islam everybody on the table to discuss how best then, I think we will be heading to settle them, not necessarily, by allowing somewhere then, it will be easier for the them to infiltrate the Malian nation and various ethnic groups that were make it a useless nation, in terms of mentioned earlier, to live peacefully terrorist bargain , getting it and taking it together if they embrace ideas that contain out of West Africa blacks, which is basically peace, and not necessarily extremism and what Gaddafi would have loved to see. combat.

Whether we like it or not, Gaddafi was After the Second World War, there was in support of the Tuaregs and he had a Marshall Plan which was put in place to covert agreement with them to see that rebuild Germany and reconstruct the something happened , that is to ensure entire Europe, not only in terms of that they get a country of their own. infrastructure, but also to ensure that the We have to be thinking along the line ideology of fascism was contained and of how best to stop that mind set, so that defeated, but here in Nigeria, our West Africa, will be in peace because it politicians don’t seem to realize that there will touch the whole of West Africa whether is an ideology that drives the Boko we like it or not, when the insurrection is Haram insurgency and the politics of

Continues from page 42

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terror that is ravaging the country as well as the state of insecurity that is engulfing the Sahel region. Gentle men what are your views on this?

Prof. Agwu: I think the most effective approach that can be used to counter terrorism is intellectual means. Fascism is a kind of terrorism. In the Marshall plan, the whole main fit even though the Marshall plan was a material intervention, that material intervention went side by side with intellectual intervention which was propagating the message against fascism and that message was democratization and opening the political space for more inclusive participation.

But now that we are confronted with terror, I think our policy maker must focus on the issues which falls into three levels.

One, you cannot wash away military dimension; terrorism uses military means and it must be countered militarily. After all, United States of America, for instance, used military strategy in Afghanistan; Russia used military strategy in the Caucuses, and many other places.

Second level of intervention The second level of intervention, to counter terrorism, is the application of intelligence, which is the most effective, because when you apply intelligence appropriately, you may not need military force. Even if you are going to need military force, the use of intelligence will make for proper application of military force. I think it was the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, who once visited us in NIIA, under our diplomatic briefing; who told us that if you have an effective use of intelligence, you surely don’t need the military approach.

For example, the moment terrorists plan a move to strike, if you don’t intercept them at the planning stage, you will surely need the application of force to counter them, but if you can interfere in their activities at the planning stage with intelligence, you will neutralize them Part of democracy is the ability of people to follow whatever faith they deem fit, but the content of what is preached is very important. Rather than directly going to counter those incendiary infringement, it is important at the level of civic education,

to teach the importance of secularization such that people will have an alternative world view that is rational, not a world view that is physiological, where somebody will tell you that when you die you are going to heaven to have virgins around you and that there is an entourage waiting for you.

Counter message We have to put a counter message that this is not a possibility or way of life or where any society can gain salvation. So that is the important of have a program of secularization or massive civic education in countering terror. That is the third point I think should be applied in addition to the military and intelligence level.

What is your take on our concept of formal and civic education, but more importantly, the religious education fuelled by indoctrination?

Prof. Irele:The world has known some models of moving from geography to secularity. France at a given time was known to be the mother of Catholic. Their military personnel were fighting war everywhere to get everybody proselytized to be a Catholic. We have had wars going to Spain, the French people were going everywhere but at a given time in the 16th and 17 centuries, they have to come to reality that theocracy cannot be used to govern a nation, so they changed.

That is in the issue of theocracy. Now, in West Africa, Mali is an Islamic state, Senegal is an Islamic state, even Cote d’ lvoire would have been an Islamist state, if not for the approach of Houphouet Boigny. He provided the model that can contain theocracy. He is Catholic and even built a Basilica in his own village, Yamoussoukro, which is the capital of Ivory Coast, but he was not willing in ruling Cote d’ Ivoire in a Catholic way. That is why the war that happened in Cote d’ Ivoire was not so devastating.

The killings were not too much there.

People just saw it not as a north and south divide. What am saying is that he was able to put in place values that are Ivoirians but not to see himself as a theocratic leader but as a citizen that believe in running Cote d’ Ivoire as a secular nation that will profit everybody.

Don’t forget that Cote d’ Ivoire is bordering Mali, they are very close.

To be continued

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44—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, APRIL 17, 2013

who take care of patients in Nigeria and the patients also should have a high index of suspicion so that if there is such a symptom of either leg swelling, chest pain, rapid heart rate, from one who has been immobilised or has travelled for a long period of time or has a cancer, heart disease or kidney disease diagnosis, they should be tested for DVT by carrying out Doppler Ultrasound of the lower extremities, looking at the lower extremity veins or a Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT) scan of the chest where they can discover whether there are blood clots in the blood vessels in the lungs. This can help diagnose quickly and can help treat patients with this life- threatening medical condition.

“Also, patients, their families and doctors should be warned prior to taking on such long trips

PULMONARY EMBOLISM:

The silent killer

T

By EBELE ORAKPO

HE culprit: According to Dr. M. Obinna Nwaneri; “Recently, with the increased number of people travelling from Nigeria and back with things like cancers, kidney disease and heart diseases, there has been a upsurge in people dying suddenly a few hours, days, or usually less than a week after they either got to the place of treatment or back from the place of treatment such as India for example. Currently, a lot of people travel outside the country for health care and the most common reason these days is for cancer care and major medical problems like kidney problems. However, this travel entails air travel and sitting in an airplane immobilised for several hours. Some people go to South Africa, Egypt, Europe, North America and most recently, a lot of people have been

going to India which entails 1016 hours flight and people on these trips are usually sick and tend not to move around in the airplane which results in their suffering from the condition called Deep Vein Thrombosis, DVT, which is a blood clot in the veins.

The clot can then break up and go to the blood vessels in the lungs and cause Pulmonary Embolism (PE) which can be fatal.

It has been known to kill a lot of people. Pulmonary Embolism has also been associated with air travels and it used to be called euphemistically the Economy Class Syndrome because people in economy class are usually sitting in a cramped position and don’t move very much and the thought is that it could be associated with having blood clots.” Corroborating, Dr. Johnson said; “Deep Vein Thrombosis is a much more common problem than people

*Dr. Yemi Johnson

*Dr. M. Obinna Nwaneri

think and it can lead to pulmonary embolism which can be fatal.”

Signs and symptoms: Dr. Johnson said he has seen a lot of such patients in his hospital. “We have seen a lot of patients, some straight from the airport. These patients who go abroad, are already sick, they have various illnesses that put them at risk of deep vein thrombosis and then they embark on a long journey without taking any precaution and then when they get to where they are going or when they are coming back, they develop DVT and PE and some of them die from a purely preventable case.

that this is a possibility so that patients will know the kind of risk they may be taking and ask to have preventive measures put in place before starting the long (sometimes lasting from 8 to 24 hours) journey to the UK or India for much needed medical care,” advised Nwaneri.

Shortness of breath So after a long journey, you discover you have developed swelling on your legs or you get short of breath, it is a sign that something is wrong and you should check it.”

Said Nwaneri: “These blood clots usually go into the heart and lungs causing PE and end up presenting symptons like shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, severe tiredness, dizziness, chest pain and all of these tend to be confused for the primary illness that the person has and if the doctors do not check, patients can die suddenly.”

Solution/Precautions: “Doctors

Significant heart disease There are drugs that can be given to reduce the chances of getting blood clot. These are blood thinners, called unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin which are injected some hours before the long trip. And if it happens, you can get a treatment if you come on time.”

Asked whether they are advocating discouraging patients from seeking health care abroad, they answered in the negative.

Drs. Nwaneri and Johnson are not against persons receiving health care in any part of the world; however, patients who need to travel for health care should be aware of this risk factor.

Said Johnson; “No. No. No! Not at all but it is important the doctors involved and the patients should all be aware and take adequate precaution to prevent DVT and or PE - which can be fatal, if untreated. “May be why it was not thought of much in the past was because it was difficult to diagnose but these days, there are

Pulmonary Embolism has also been associated with air travels and it used to be called euphemistically the Economy Class Syndrome because people in economy class are usually sitting in a cramped position and don’t move very much

,

MR Ahmed was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate and decided to go to India for treatment. A few days after he came back to Nigeria, he complained of dizziness, headache, swollen legs which the family attributed to the long flight. When he kept complaining, they decided to take him to see his doctor but before they could get to the hospital, he gave up the ghost. His death was attributed to the prostrate cancer. There have been many such cases in recent times especially with the upsurge in the phenomenon termed Medical Tourism.

This phenomenon is not new in Nigeria, what is new, however, is the risk for the patient who sits immobilised in an airplane for hours. This, experts say, kills more than the main sickness for which medical attention was sought in the first instance. In this chat with Dr. M. Obinna Nwaneri, a US-based oncologist/ haematologist and Dr. Yemi Johnson, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of First Cardiology Consultants Lagos, they spoke on the need for patients to be well informed on the risks involved in such long trips. Excerpts:

clots in your lower leg veins; called deep vein thrombosis. When this breaks up and goes to the lungs; it is called pulmonary embolism (which can be fatal if unrecognised, undiagnosed and untreated on time.) And when you are sick, especially with illnesses like cancer or orthopaedic problems, you are more at risk of developing a blood clot.

It is very important someone with a broken leg, after orthopaedic surgery, or kidney problems, advanced cancer or receiving cancer treatment or significant heart disease, who is travelling long distance, talk to their doctors about DVT prophylaxis.

On his part, Johnson noted that between the patient, the receiving doctor and the sending doctor, there should be some understanding of the risks involved in the patient embarking on such long trips.

“There are precautions you can take to prevent it from happening. Number one thing is to make sure you don’t sit down on the plane for 12 hours without moving around. You should get up at least every two hours; just walk up and down the airplane aisle, then back to your seat. Also, while sitting down, you should move your legs and keep moving the legs periodically because if you don’t, the blood could clump or develop

,

simple radiological tests that can be done if you go to the appropriate places. There are tests like D-dimer test (a blood test), Venous Doppler ultrasound of the lower legs to look for DVTs can be done. These are all currently available in Nigeria. So may be 10 years ago, they were not but now, they are all available.

“For someone with a broken leg who cannot move around, he is at very high risk, so he should be given heparin to prevent blood clot from developing. You are given enoxaparin once every 12 hours so for a 12-hour journey, all you need is one injection before you leave.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013—45

BOKO HARAM AMNESTY:

It's legalising terrorism, Christian youths tell Jonathan

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2015: Bombings'll stop moments Jonathan declines to contest —Cleric

BY DAYO JOHNSON AKURE

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HE President of the Ondo State Unification of Cherubim and Seraphim, Primate Ademisokun Turton, has said that the killings by the dreaded Boko Haram religious sect will come to an end if President Goodluck Jonathan speaks out on his 2015 ambition.

Primate Turton said in Akure at the inauguration of the Unification of the Churches in the state that the insecurity in the country will come to an end ”the moment President Goodluck Jonathan make it public that he is not re-contesting in 2015.

According to him, “amnesty or no amnesty, the activities of the sect will continue until our President speaks out on his political ambition come 2015.

The religious leader who heads the Success Cathedral of the Church in Akure, Ondo state alleged that Northern leaders are behind the insecurity in the Country believing that they can make it a campaign issue.

He said that it is part of the plan of the North to regain power in 2015 adding that he was against the granting of Amnesty to the faceless group who are bent on

breaking up the country.

Describing the activities of the dreaded religious as political, the President of the churches said

that “in the first instant how can amnesty be given to faceless sect of people whose purpose of fighting is unknown.

Ehimika announces 2013 Jesus Dream prayer event

C

OME June 30, Christians worldwide are expected to observe a special Thanksgiving and Praise programme, lasting no more than one hour and fifteen minutes.

Announcing this at a press conference was a cleric, Emmanuel Oje Ehimika, who said that the June 30 thanksgiving prayer event “is the most unifying Christian experience since the Pentecost.” Ehimika explained that the annual event is actualised under the banner of The Jesus Dream, and the Holy Spirit is the Convener.

On that date, Ehimika, who preferred to be called Preacherman, said “Christians shall arise with joy and give thanks and praise to God, at the same hour between, 8pm and 9pm, Nigerian time, and in corresponding time in other continents of the world, in unity, in

one body, for reconciling us unto Himself.”

Going down memory lane, Ehimika said The Jesus Dream (TJD) yearly event was birthed in 2010 when on a morning I asked the Lord: “What would you want your grace in my life to accomplish?”

The Lord said to me “Mobilise believers worldwide to pray same hour in unity.”

"Without a church congregation or any business venture to generate funds, I trusted God and called for the first TJD meeting.

With the support of a few Christians and selling all I had that could be quickly bought, I invested in the maiden edition. "'By 2011 edition I could not afford to pay even for an advert as there was no help from anywhere but I kept marching on with the instruction from the Lord; though very discouraged."

NCPC establishes Family Pilgrimage to Jerusalem

By JOSEPH ERUNKE

T

HE Nigerian Christian Pil grims Commission, NCPC, has established, what it called, "Family Pilgrimage" to Jerusalem, a novel move to enable families to pray together in the Holy Land.

The idea, according to the commission, was to "build a holy family for a greater nation".

A statement from the commission Wednes-day, in Abuja, through its head, Media Unit, Mr. Celestine Ogugua, said the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Mr Kennedy Opara disclosed this during the first 2013 Conference of States meeting with chairmen and secretaries

of states Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards, SCPWB, in Abuja.

But Mr. Opara, according to the statement, hinted that the exercise that will see both spouses and their children perform pilgrimage in holy land, would only commence in July 2013.

"He stated that the family pilgrimage would last for only one month which would kick off from July to August, 2013", the statement explained.

The statement emphasised: "The NCPC boss explained that the idea of family pilgrimage is to build a holy family for a greater nation as it would afford families to pray together in the Holy Land".

Mr. Opara said the modalities for the pilot scheme were still being worked out by the commission, saying it would be communicated to the chairmen and secretaries of the states Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards in due course so that they could enlighten their people.

"The Family Pilgrimage is fixed between July and August which is summer period when children are expected to be on holidays", the statement clarified.

It said already, the commission had introduced bi-annual pilgrimages in one calendar year, precisely between October and December as well as between March and April, otherwise known as Easter pilgrimage.

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From right: Mr Ados Momoh, member, Publicity Committe,Lagos Shift Initiative; Mr Kayode Ladele, in charge of auditioning; Mr. Charles Kpandei, Convener of SHIFT 2013; and Bisi Akande, Chairman, Shift Committee at press conference to announce SHIFT 2013 Creativity Uncensored, in Lagos.

HE Youth Wing, Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), and Anglican Youth Fellowship, Nigeria have warned that the proposed amnesty to the deaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram by the Federal Government is nothing but the legalisation of terrorism in the country, reports CALEB ANYANSINA. President of YOWICAN, Dr. Simon Dolly and the president of AYF, Wuse Archdeaconry Council, Barrister Isaac Harrison, speaking at different fora in Abuja, explained that granting amnesty to Boko Haram “would have been given more muscles to deal with Christian youths”, who in the North had all along been marginalized by the same advocates of the pardon.

Dolly therefore appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan “not to be cowed by politicians and few misfits and naturally rebellious persons in the North, who are attempting to use the Boko haram insurgency as a bait to correct what they have failed to do, while they were in power”.

He noted that those citing injustice, poverty and unemployment to justify the violence by the sect were not sincere, wondering if the poverty and unemployment were peculiar to Muslims in the North alone.

According to him, “are Christian youths in the North and indeed all over Nigeria not affected by growing unemployment, injustice and poverty? Would President Jonathan accede to requests for amnesty from MASSOB, OPC, Middle Belt and other groups with legitimate complaints against the Federal Government, if tomorrow they pick up arms to advance their causes?"

The cleric added that “the Federal Government should be prepared to face perhaps more deadly and sophisticated response, if amnesty is granted “to willful murderers masquerading as political and religious insurgents, who do not respect the basic tenets of humanity and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

If Boko Haram YOWICAN was of the view that the actually need peace government should consolidate they will not be killing on the progress those that are moving made so far by security operatives towards that peace by arresting political leaders whose utterances and actions have implicated them.

He also maintained that “it is injustice if Almajiri schools are built for the Muslim youths alone and funded by tax payers' money, demanding unconditionally, “the immediate return of all missionary schools to their rightful owners as well as the building of Christian Vocational Centres in all the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

“Furthermore, the continued lack of employment of Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) teachers in most northern states should be reversed immediately,” he stated.

Speaking to Vanguard during a workshop organised for the Anglican youths with the theme; “Empowered to impact the world”, Barrister Isaac Harrison said: “We cannot grant amnesty to people we do not know, we cannot also grant amnesty to people who had already made up their minds that whether there is dialogue or not they will go on with whatever they are doing, if Boko Haram actually need peace they will not be killing those that are moving towards that peace."

It will be recalled that, the Federal Government has set up a committee to consider proposals for granting amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect to end the uprising that had left thousands of people dead. The committee is to be coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“So, I am not as a person and the Anglican Youths Fellowship members are not in support of the amnesty granting to Boko Haram. If you grant amnesty to a terror group, you should remember that some months ago, US listed Nigeria as a terrorist country, it was by the grace of God that we were able to release ourselves from that situation, so, if we grant amnesty to Boko Haram, it will mean that Nigeria is a terrorist country, so we are legalizing terrorism.

“For a country like Nigeria to think and grant amnesty Boko Haram, I think that will be legalizing terrorism, it cannot be allowed,” he added. Harrison also noted that some groups were using the present insecurity in the country to call for regulation of preaching, adding that the idea was targeted at the Christian faith, therefore, people should rise against it. The group canvassed for capital punishment for corruption, because “the future of our youths have been mortgaged."

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46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Ebonyi LGAs:

Fulfilling all righteousness

TO the ordinary eye there is a flourishing democratic culture at the local government level in Ebonyi State. But the more you look the less you see those tangible essentials that define a true democracy.

BY PETER OKUTU

election twice and in each of these elections, equal level playing grounds were provided for all the political parties.

The problem we have with the opposition political parties is that they are not on ground; they appear not to be existing and it is not the fault of the ruling party, the PDP. It is the fault of the opposition that they are not able to oppose.

They only present candidates during elections but are not able to put up a strong campaign to convince the masses to vote for them.”

“As I’m talking to you now, I’ve not seen any opposition party campaigning.

Meanwhile, Local government election is coming up and anybody that wants to participate seriously in the field should at least start talking to the people and presenting manifestoes. PDP has already started campaigning.”

L

OCAL government administration in Ebonyi State has almost always been through democratically elected administrators.

However, the local government elections in the state have always been shadowed with controversy as opposition parties have consistently found fault in the conduct of the elections.

The State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, had always conducted local government elections using the Open Ballot System of voting which some opposition parties had always kicked against.

Even worse, opposition parties, have also consistently accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration of regularly amending the state Electoral Act days to the election in order to suit clandestine tendencies.

Now months ahead of the next election, Vanguard gathered that the state House of Assembly recently commenced moves to again amend the law

•Elechi: Fully in charge! each local government area has a particular number of development centres under its control which serve as points

within a given period.

Accordingly, the Development Centres by implication report to their mother LGA. It is an interesting mode of administration which has over the years reduced friction among local council areas as it concerns disbursement of funds to all the council’s area across the state.

The distribution or allocations of funds are also dependent on the size of each development Centres across the state.

Problem with joint accounts

governing the conduct of local government elections.

Ebonyi state has 13 constitutionally recognized LGAs not minding the unfruitful efforts by the former Governor of the State, Dr. Sam Egwu to increase its number to 34.

Local government administration in the state is modeled in such a way that

of development within the LGAs. When local government allocation from the Federal government arrives the state, chairmen of all LGAs meet with coordinators of the Development Centers for the redistribution of funds depending on the projects each development centre had mapped out for execution

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Chief Celestine Nwali notes that the system does not make room for the present governor, Chief Martin Elechi to interfere.

“I must be sincere with you; the Governor has nothing to do with local governments in terms of interference. No, he is not interfering at all. This you will verify by asking the local government chairmen.

You know there is this Joint Account and that is what is causing problem in some states but in Ebonyi it is different.”

On the conduct of local government elections in the state, Chief Nwali added: “We have held local government

Interparty dialogue “It is worthy to state that in the last election, the inter-party dialogue department, office of the Governor made funds available to help opposition.

And so if the ruling government gives money to the opposition during election, I don’t know what else should be done for them.

We cannot take our votes and give to them. The truth is that as far as Ebonyi state is concerned, PDP is 100% on ground and there is nothing anybody can do about it”.

Conversely, the State Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Mr. Alphonsus Nwali noted that “previously nothing like election had taken place in Ebonyi; what we have is more of selection; if anybody is not preparing for the 2013 LG election, it is PDP. They are waiting to write names and send it to the state Independent Electoral Commission, EBSEIC, for documentation and approval.

We in the opposition parties are preparing for the election even though people are saying that there is likelihood that the election would be marred with irregularities, imposition of candidates and voters’ apathy”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 —47

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HEN hopefully on June 2 nd , 2015 the eight senate is inaugurated, Senator Godswill Akpabio would be the cynosure of many eyes. Three days before his inauguration, that is on May 29, 2015, Senator Akpabio would have handed over the governorship to his chosen successor and relocated to Abuja, having drawn the curtain on his eight years of uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State.

Senator Akpabio would not be the only one to be relocating from the Government House to the red chamber. A number of other incumbent governors also reportedly eyeing the senate would also have transformed from ‘His Excellency ’ to ‘Distinguished Senator’.

However, while a number of other incumbent governors including Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, who has Senator Barnabas Gemade to contend with, would find it difficult, Akpabio’s entry into the senate would be a smooth sail.

Indeed, so confident was the uncommon transformation agent of his senatorial bid, that when the senate held a retreat in Uyo last year, that he told ‘fellow ’ senators of his

APC:

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN detritetradetoxifiedpolitics@gmail.com SMS 08052201189

The coming of Senator Akpabio eagerness to join them as senator representing Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. It surely would have been one of the most embarrassing political outings for Senator Alloysius Etok, the incumbent representing the senatorial district. Even more remarkable is that Etok was the chairman of the organizing committee for that retreat.

However, if Senator Akpabio hopes to gain the ascendancy among other 108 equally ambitious senators, or bring an uncommon transformation to the senate the way he has been publicized to have done in Akwa Ibom, he would surely be in for a shock. The senate is a chamber that easily cuts down hard earned reputations.

But then Akpabio’s transformation into a senator would also depend on certain other variables surrounding the 2015 contest. If Jonathan drops out of the contest and pushes for a northern Muslim presidential candidate, it could also change the political calculations and make room for Akpabio’s consideration as a possible vice-president.

It is something Senator Etok obviously would be praying to happen as it would save his seat! It would be recalled that ahead of the 2007 presidential contest that Senator Abubakar Sodangi became one of the champions of the presidential aspiration of his then outgoing governor, Abdullahi Adamu both of whom are from the

experiment,” he submitted.

Whereas many other governors have turned the senate into a retirement abode, one prominent productive exception is the case of the diligent and dutiful Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the former governor of Kaduna State. Even as he made a landmark as governor of Kaduna State, Makarfi has also established a legacy in the Senate through his duties as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance.

Despite his personal friendship with President Umaru Yar ‘adua, Senator Makarfi was the one who insisted that budgets of the Federal Government should come with a revenue profile, an action that reportedly put the federal administration to check on its application of its income terms.

Besides him, virtually all other former governors in the senate have laid low in seeming retirement in the red chambers.

Senator Akpabio’s apparent ascendancy would certainly not change the practice. That is where his message of uncommon transformation would surely come to a full stop!

We will reclaim our stolen identity — Ikeagwuonu warned the day we had the hint that some people had wormed their way into INEC. We will go and seek court redress that is the position now.

CHIEF Onyinye Ikeagwuonu is the National Chairman of All peoples Congress which was recently refused registration as a political party by the Independent national Electoral Commission, INEC. In this interview, he argues his case for registration, insisting that the group would get justice in the courts. Excerpts:

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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same constituency.

However, it was believed in many quarters that Sodangi’s support for Adamu was meant to keep the then governor away from the senate! After failing in his 2007 presidential bid, Adamu came out hard to successfully wrest the senate seat from Sodangi in 2011.

Indeed, many former governors have successfully relocated from the government house to the senate, but regrettably, many of them have been swallowed up inside.

There were, however, some momentary flashes of brilliance from that exponent of the Ebeano Phenomenon, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. Your correspondent remembers at the peak of the intrigues of the Aso Rock cabal in February 2010, when Senator Nnamani came out to discountenance the practice of the Nigeria senate having a spokesman.

“With all due respect, I would not shy away from contributing to the issue of the Senate spokesman, Ayogu Eze,” Senator Nnamani began.

“What we are practising is constitutional democracy. The issue of senate spokesperson is local and may be specific to the Nigerian democratic

HY are you insisting on the acronym APC? What is important here is who first of all thought of that name. Is it somebody who started jumping around the press or somebody who thought of it some two years ago and decided to find out how does one go about registering a party.

But I was never bothered because I was sure that nobody can register a political party on the pages of newspaper so nobody will say having known that somebody is trying to use that name, nobody wrote us to say gentlemen never think about any other name or never think about APC because we shall eventually register APC so it is not true to say we chose APC having known somebody has already started thinking of it. We thought about it before them.

The alliance of opposition parties claim that they gave constructive notice of their ownership of the acronym through their press conference on April 6 before anyone heard about your plans?

The provisions of the Electoral Act is very clear on the notice to INEC when you want to register a political party, it is very clear in Section 78, you have to notify INEC formally, there is noting like constructive notice, it is very explicit that there must be a formal application which we did, so there is no how they should be talking about intellectual property, intellectual property can only arise when there is a right. In this case there is no right and right can only arise if you have made a formal application.

After our own application, another group made an application to INEC and INEC notified them that we

•Ikeagwuonu have already written them so that will show you that we complied with the provision of the Electoral Act. Now that INEC has refused your application, what are your options?

The situation is just like we

Is it true that some of the addresses your national officers presented to INEC do not exist?

It is not and I am sure INEC did not say that.

They even said that we have no address that the national officers had no address.

Of course we have address. At our press briefings we disclosed those things and INEC have the copies of these addresses.

How can this controversy be resolved?

I don’t think that there is any controversy there. I have never been bothered because I know this intellectual property they are claiming, lawyers know more about

that, even the Jega who comes from the academia should also know more than some of us on intellectual property. You don’t talk about intellectual property when there is no right already granted.

Before ever we pushed in our materials, we did search and discovered that there was no APC anywhere and of course you know, INEC couldn’t have even accepted our application, they couldn’t have even supplied us with the materials with which we filled the forms.

You have vowed to contest the 2015 general elections.

What gives you the confidence?

We have the confidence because we believe that the court will vindicate us and when they do that we will still go to the polls.

If INEC still refuses to register the African Peoples Congress, what will you do?

I think the ball game has gone beyond INEC wanting to register or not registering, what we are talking about is what the court will say.

I know the kind of court we have today will not say another group has the intellectual property of the acronym APC.

48—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Can you tell by the size of his nose?

Our marriage vows mean nothing to him!

Dear Lola, He may think he’s all sophistication by being honest about his sexcapades, but I

believe he’s cruel and his involvement of his son is downright disgusting. I think you have to take stock of your marriage and give real thought to whether or not you want to live with this forever.

Involving a respected third party will let him see how hurt you are. In the meantime, you should talk to your doctor

’

Dear Bunmi, My husband’s job entails he works away from home from time to time. I know he goes with other women because stories of his escapades get back to me and he’s not made an effort to deny them.

He says all men sleep around and the only difference is that he is honest about it.

Now he’s encouraging our teenage son to “be like your old man and sow some will oats.” The poor boy is upset by all this sex talk.

He says I’ve always been a prude and going out with other men might do me a lot of good. Is it too much to expect one’s husband to behave like a responsibly married man, and to have a bit more respect for our marriage?

Lola, by e-mail.

about a test for sexually transmitted infection unless you practice safe sex with him. If he’s sleeping around, he is putting you at risk.

Have a talk with your son as well on the consequence of reckless sex. The poor boy is at an impressionable age— thank goodness he’s not taking his dad’s advice!

There’s no link between a big nose (or big hands or feet for that matter) and any other part of a man’s anatomy

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I need to make peace with my family Dear Bunmi, For close to 10 years I was married to a man, who was in control and very abusive to me and my family. It got so bad that he threatened to kill me if I saw my family or attended any of their functions. I was so terrified of him that I took his threats seriously and cut off all contacts with my family and friends.

Now I’m divorced from the brute and for the first time in a long time recognise him for the spineless coward he is. I

will very much like to get back in touch with the people he forced me to cut off contact with.

But I’m worried about what they will think after I’ve ignored them for so long.

Dorothy, by e-mail.

Dear Dorothy, It is almost certain your family and friends understand exactly why you stopped seeing them. They had seen a flash of violence in your marriage and knew you had to save your life. If,

however, they seem not to understand, then you need to explain.

Tell them how abusive your ex-husband was. Make it clear you’ve always loved them but were just too afraid to make contact until now because of his threats.

I’m pretty sure that once they really appreciate the situation you were in, your family will be happy to have you back. So get in touch now.

You’re now out of the clutch of the monster that alienated you from them.

I’m desperate to give up drugs Dear Bunmi, I’m in my 20s and have a fairly fulfilling job. I have smoked cannabis for over four years, and heavily in the last two. I would very much like to give it up but it has come to the stage where I feel I can’t function without it.

I get out of breath just playing football in our backyard with my youngest brother and I have mood swings when I’m smoking. I often become paranoid and find myself shouting at my mum. But when I’m not smoking, I feel really depressed as if I want to cry for no reason.

How do I kick this habit? I

learnt it could be really difficult to give it up. Yet I need to know that there’s light at the end of this scary tunnel.

Samuel, by e-mail.

Dear Samuel, It’s been confirmed that changes in the way cannabis is cultivated mean that a joint may now be far more potent than those of your parents’ day.

In addition to anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations are more likely with these high doses. Feelings of panic and restlessness may persuade users to smoke more.

Yet unless the drug triggers long-term psychosis, say

experts, unpleasant symptoms fade when the smoking stops.

The lethargy and depression that heavy users often experience eventually lift.

Although you may suffer temporary discomfort, you have everything to gain by giving up this drug. Sit out your distress and avoid those who may encourage you to resume smoking it.

Confiding in your mum will bring you comfort. If the pain seems too great or the idea of quitting too scary, seek medical help. Having a problem coming off a drug is not something we ought to conceal and your doctor, hopefully, will be pleased to help.

Dear Bunmi, There is this new manager in my bank, who has a real big nose.

He’s friendly and I can’t stop wondering if it’s true what they say — that men with big noses always have big bits!

He’s been flirting outrageously with me and I’m tempted to find out if this belief is true!

Justina, by e-mail.

Dear Justina,

Sorry to be the one to break it to you, but I’m afraid that if you do check this one out, you may be disappointed! There’s no link between a big nose (or big hands or feet for that matter) and any other part of a man’s anatomy.

So get together with this banker friend of yours only if you like his personality. But don’t bank on getting an extra-big surprise in the bedroom department!

He made nasty remarks behind my back Dear Bunmi, I have been with my boyfriend for close to three years now. Our relationship has been tense over the last few months and even though he is in his early thirties, he was treated for a testicular problem, which the doctor said might impair his sperm count.

He felt really depressed about it and we agreed we should try for a baby right away. Only the other day, I overheard him on his mobile to a girl, asking her if she missed him. He said he had tried to phone her while I was out. He also told her I was a menace always watching his every move!

You can imagine how devastated I felt. He was in the bathroom when he was making the call. I’m sure he thought I was still in the kitchen. I want to confront him

but if it means I might lose him, then I don’t want to hear the truth.

Pricilla, by e-mail.

Dear Pricilla, You may feel you can’t confront your man, but you have to. You can’t go on suspecting he is having an affair, and not saying anything about it. Things will get worse between you and your relationship will eventually fall apart.

It will help to realise there may be a reason for your man’s affair. He may have panicked after his operation and rushed into a fling to assure himself he’s still virile.

Ask him to explain why he strayed, and try to understand, then talk about what you need in order to get back together.

Too young to be impotent Dear Bunmi, I have been married for over six years with a lovely daughter. We’ll love more children. But in the last three years, my husband, who is 38, has not had an erection! He’s a very fit man in spite of this failure and has refused to see a doctor because he says there’s nothing the doctor can do.

He’s a wonderful husband, my soul-mate, but I miss love making so much. We would also want to have more children. Can a man as young as he is simply lose his libido.

Hilda, by e-mail.

Dear Hilda, Most men

experience

impotence at one time or the other. The tragedy is that they see this as a failing on their part and not the medical or psychological condition it is.

If your husband refuses to seek medical help, you should get someone with similar problems to have a word with him.

A lot of cases of early impotence turn out to be temporary and treatable.

The sooner your husband realised that neither of you can go on like this, the quicker he would agree to finding a solution.

Thank goodness he was your lover as well as your friend. If anyone could make him seek professional help, that person is you.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

—49

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: THE Moon fluctuates as it moves out of your star . That is why you will need to guard against confusion likely to be caused by others.

GEMINI: THE Moon makes an ingress into your star sign and INFLUECES YOU TO BE COME AGGRESSIVE which is capable of bringing unnecessary argument and avoidable confusion. To before warned is to be fore armed.

CANCER: EARLY morning blues will affect many people today (yourself inclusive) but luckily for you, things will go according to your plans. And you will need to be more careful with money.

LEO: THE moon fluctuates early in the morning. And if care is not taken you would promise more than you can actually deliver to the resentment of others. Yet, you’ll win.

VIRGO: BEHIND-the-scene-activities are sources of avoidable trouble especially before mid-morning period when influence of the moon’s fluctuation will last. Avoid inordinate ambition.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

RE you in good term with your landlord? I mean, do you have an excellent relationship with your landlord? If yes, congratulation!

Are you a senior tenant?

I want to ask you a simple question: how many years have you lived in the house - ten years, twenty years, thirty years etc? How many

years? I was discussing with a neighbour the other day and he told me he has lived in a house for a whooping twenty eight years, twen-

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

ty eight years, I exclaimed! That’s long enough to build your own house. That’s long enough to be your own landlord or is it a crime for you to have your own house? ...

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: IT’S important you don’t allow your thought for and/or about the future derail your plans for the present so that success will not elude you. Romantic attractions along your career/business lines may become stronger sooner than you think.

SCORPIO: EARLY morning blues will affect many people around you meaning that not everybody-morning period especially along your career/business lines.

SAGITTARIUS: MAKE sure you perfectly understand what you are doing within your working arena before midmorning period or else costly mistakes would be made. Be tolerant.

CAPRICORN: TOMORROW is your day. Therefore you are advised to leave some important decisions and/or action till tomorrow when the heaven will smile at you. Your love life is favoured.

AQUARIUS: TOMORROW will prove more challenging. Thus, if there are things you should do now, you better don’t contemplate procrastination as you are likely to be fully stretched tomorrow. Watch with you tell others early in the morning.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: AS the moon fluctuates early in the morning some people may promise more than they can actually deliver. And if you take them for granted, you would be disappointed.

ARIES: CERTAINLY some people will get on your nerves yet you must not over-react at least because of the immediate future. Truly thus is the wrong time to gamble with love.

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,

How do I succeed?

Dear Joshua, KINDLY analyse my star and tell me about myself especially my luck.

I want to know about my love life, social life and how to become successful in life. I have seen people who are close to me became big success without much struggle from them. Would my own be like them too?

Titilayo- Kaduna Dear Titilayo You are different to those you said came by success: in your own case you will need to work hard and earn success.

It is important you watch and take practical precaution about inability to hold on to your gains for long. Some times unexpected assistance use to come your way at 11th hour.

Your being friendly with the influential personalities especially WOMEN will help your finance greatly speculative (and) venture is not the best for you.

Your magnetic personality makes it difficult for members of your opposite sex to the betterment of your love life.

Luckily for you, you know how not to allow your rugged/ rigid personality to harm your love life; you are a sweet lover, although can be argumentative some times. Love happiness indicated for you.

If you can analyse both your environment and social situation, you will have more to gain from social activities more than it’s attendant pressure.

You will need to drop unnecessary rebellious approach when dealing with your social life; although what looks like radical approach can earn you a few number of friends who may not be in position to assist you.

Many people love your gentle approach and will be willing to assist you especially the more influential personalities. Once again women can be helpful here YOUR LUCK If you expect easy success, you would be frustrated because Saturn-the planet of delay, frustration but greater reward after much struggles, was with the sun (basic-selfhood) when you were born. Thus it will not allow easy success. And at the same time will not deny you whatever you deserve.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Boston Bomb: An act of terrorism — Obama •Bombs made from pressure cookers

•Police say no foreign link

HUGO ODIOGOR AND UDUMA KALU, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

this attack or why, whether it was planned and executed by a terrorist organization, foreign or domestic, or was the act of a malevolent individual,” he said, adding that

T

•US President, Barack Obama runners even as spectators suffered severe injuries, including severed limbs as the bombs sent shrapnel flying.

Obama, speaking to reporters at the White House, said authorities still don’t know who was responsible and officials said no one had claimed responsibility.

He called the bombing “a heinous and cowardly act” used to target innocent civilians.

“If you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil,

that’s it: selflessly, c o m p a s s i o n a t e l y, unafraid,” Obama said.

“This was a heinous and cowardly act, and given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is

HE explosions have caused many US cities to go on high alert from New York to Los Angeles as measures have been put in place to prevent further attacks, which conjured up memories of the September 11 2001 attacks.

Two passengers and their bags were removed from a United Airlines flight before departure from Boston’s Logan airport yesterday, a source with direct knowledge of the action said, one day after two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

It was not known if the removal of the passengers were connected with the investigation of the

bombings, which left three people dead and dozens injured. The identities of the two passengers were not disclosed.

“I can tell you that two passengers and their bags were removed from the flight,” said the source, who asked not to be identified. United Airlines flight 636 from Logan International Airport was scheduled to depart at 6:04 a.m. EDT for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, but was delayed about three hours, according to the United website.

According to United spokesman Christen David, the crew requested that passengers and their bags be screened again

Police Bomb test

T

HERE are however reports that Boston bomb squad was running “controlled explosion” on the same day as the marathon explosion. The Boston Globe tweeted yesterday “There will be a controlled explosion

opposite the library within one minute as part of bomb squad activities.”

But Bloomberg news said , “This is very likely a terrorist attack.” It remained unclear if the bombs were the work of a homegrown or foreign threat.

Taliban denies role

R

ELEVANCE seeking terrorist group, Te h r e e k - e - Ta l i b a n Pakistan (TTP) told AFP that the attack was not carried out by the group.

According the spokesman of the group, Mr. Ehsanullah Ehsan: “We believe in attacking

“Clearly, we are at the beginning of our investigation. It will take time to follow every lead and determine what happened—but we will find out.”

Security alert, flight grounded

U

NITED State President Barack Obama yesterday described the Boston Marathon blast as “Evil.”

“Heinous.”

“Cowardly.” and sharply denounced it as an act of terror. “The American people refuse to be terrorized. Because what the world saw yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions were stories of heroism and kindness and generosity and love,” the president said in the White House briefing room in Washington, he said.

Similarly, the Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel also called the attack as an act of terrorism. “Any time bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror,” Obama said.

Reports yesterday said there was no immediate link of the twin bomb blast to foreign terrorist group, but there were reports that the explosions came from pressure cookers packed with metal and ball bearings, a person briefed on the investigation said yesterday.

Already, an 8-year-old boy was among the casualty and several

investigating it as an act of terrorism,” Obama said.

“Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror.”

“What we don’t yet know, however, is who carried out

US and its allies but we are not involved in this attack,” Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP).

“We have no connection to this bombing but we will continue to target them wherever possible,” Ehsan added.

A heartbreaking picture of unknown young man mourning over his girlfriend’s dead body. He was waiting at the finish line to propose to her and she died.”

before departure. The aircraft was swept and cleared for takeoff without the two passengers, the source said.

A second flight, US Airways 1716, which arrived from Philadelphia, was taxied to a far corner of the airport while a bag on board was examined, airport officials said.

Passengers were transferred to the airport by bus while this inspection was carried out.

Pressured Gas Cooker bomb in and the central person briefed on the attack, which left the streets splattered with blood and glass, said the explosives were in 6-liter pressure cookers and placed in black duffel bags that were placed on the ground. The person said the duffel bags contained shards of metal, nails and ball bearings.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. These types of pressure cooker explosives have been used in Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, according to a July 2010 joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence report.

A

Thatcher’s body arrives Westminster ahead of today funeral a ceremonial funeral with Henry Kissinger will also

T

HE body of Baroness Thatcher is at the Palace of Westminster, ahead of today funeral.

A short service has been held, with around 100 MPs, peers and parliamentary and Downing Street staff taking part.

The former prime

minister’s coffin, draped in the Union flag, arrived in an escorted hearse.

MPs were expected to vote later on whether to cancel Prime Minister’s Questions today to enable them attend the funeral.

Lady Thatcher, who died, at the age of 87 on 8 April, has been accorded

military honours, one step down from a state funeral.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are among more than 2,000 people expected to attend the service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Former US VicePresident Dick Cheney and ex-Secretary of State

be among the guests, while 4,000 police will be on duty.

Barack Obama’s official presidential delegation will be led by George Shultz and James Baker, who both served as secretaries of state during the Thatcher era.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 51

Eaglets face Elephants with World Cup ticket in sight

G

OLDEN Eaglets would for the second time at the 2013 Morocco CAN Under-17 be wearing green jerseys against orangeshirted Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday.

The land was truly green for the Nigerian youngsters on Sunday when they thrashed Black Starlets 6-1 and it’s no secret that the lads enjoy playing in this traditional home colour. Though they are designated as the away team this time, they would enjoy the privilege of wearing the green colours since it’s in sharp contrast with the Ivorians that would be wearing their orange jerseys.

C

HAIRMAN of Delta State Sports Commission Amaju Pinnick said last night that Warri Wolves have not demanded any transfer fee from Enugu Rangers on embattled Sunday Mba and would not do so until the case over who truly owns the player is settled.

Rangers were reported to have said that Wolves demanded N12m on the player.

“Nobody can tell us how much and when to sell our player. This is a gimmick. If they are contesting ownership of the player why are they issuing press release that we have agreed to sell the player for a

ON THE PROWL: Flying Eagles hitman Isaac Success.

Mitchell Obi takes over AIPS Africa

N

IGERIA’S Mitchell Obi has been elected as President, AIPS Africa at the elections held in Sochi, Russia The assembly backed proposals for a consensus to pick the 13 members for the AIPS Africa Executive Committee following the withdrawal of three candidates Kabulo Muana Kabulo(DR Congo), M a m a d o u Koume(Seneh) and Morad Moutaouakkil (MOR) in favour of Mitchell Obi(Nigeria).

After reports of AIPS Africa meetings in Innsbruck 2012, and

Dakar, coordinated by AIPS Treasurer Jorge Ribeiro the assemblyendorsed members proposed by Mitchell Obi and also co-opted others who had been nominated for various posts.

The newly elected AIPS Africa President who will also sit on the AIPS Executive Board as one of the Vice Presidents said that he is committed to work closely with the present members and get more countries to join AIPS. “Together we can bring back a voice of AIPS Africa that stands for the future of Sports. Together we can build a treasure

BoyFriends 8 held a vigil

Continues from BP death after he walked out to embrace his father Bill Richard at the finishing line, according to local reports.

But Martin, from Boston’s Dorchester suburb, then returned to his mum – at which point the first bomb went off.

His mother is in hospital after undergoing brain surgery and his sister had a leg blown off. His older brother is said to be uninjured.

Wolv es den 2m olves denyy N1 N12m tag on Mba

Monday night at local Tavolo Restaurant for Martin and his mother and sister, who suffered “grievous” injuries.

America is today on terror alert after the twin bombing attack.

Boston police closed off the city as a “danger zone” as witnesses described the “unspeakable horror” of body parts flying through the air and shoes that “still had flesh in them”.

that can take care, sincerely the growing needs of a blossoming field of sports journalists in the continent.

•Mitchell Obi

Milo Basketball flags off

T

HE zonal finals of the 2013 Milo Secondary Schools Basketball championships dunk off tomorrow in the Atlantic Conference which is being hosted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

According to the organisers, participating teams and officials will arrive the Coal City today while screening of players and competition begin tomorrow.

Continues from BP Eagles, which has led to the sacking of some backroom staff and reduction of bonuses was a ruse to frustrate Keshi out of the Eagles post.

Adokiye said that he was not surprised with the current plot to unsettle Keshi, noting that the NFF was envious of the fame and fortune made by the former Eagles captain after the Nations Cup triumph in South Africa last February.

“Ordinarily, the NFF can hire and fire but the circumstances here make the situation rather unfortunate. How do you sack an assistant coach, without reference to the chief coach, especially when he was recommended by the chief coach? The chief coach must have seen something in him that he considered to be useful. So it bothers me that Keshi was reportedly not consulted.

“The critical question here is why was Keshi not consulted; that is very suspicious and very unfortunate. But I am not surprised because the so-called NFF are not happy that Keshi won the Nations Cup.

certain amount? Do you sell who belongs to another club? We want the matter settled first.

We may even decide not to sell Mba. The talk about Wolves agreeing to sell Mba for N12m is a mere antic which we shall not fall to. It is not true,” Amaju said.

• Mba

Adokiye They are not happy and they want him out so that they will go ahead and appoint their foreign coach, no matter his calibre.

“And I wished that Keshi had stuck to his guns and resigned after the Nations Cup victory.

The so-called NFF want to see Keshi’s back.

They do not want him to even be there. This reformation they are carrying out is a ruse. I am not surprised too that they have sacked some backroom staff .

These backroom staff got millions from State Governors. They were given gifts and money and do you think that the guys in the NFF are happy? They are not happy that these people have become millionaires. Nigerians don’t know the people they are dealing with.

“There is envy in it. I am telling you that they are envious. They are not just jealous but envious. They are not happy that Keshi has made so much money, that his backroom staff have made so much money. That is why they are doing all these things.

Nigerians should read between the lines. These are people who had gone to the NFF to make money.

They are there to make money for themselves, they are not there to run football, in the first place.

“When they are there and Keshi and his backroom staff are making millions, do you think they are happy?”

They are not. That is why they want Keshi to fail”, added Adokiye, who appealed to the Sports Minister to intervene by calling the NFF to stop pursuing vendetta against Keshi.

“I want the Sports Minister to intervene because for now, he is the one running football courtesy of the NFA Act of 2004. They want to discourage Keshi. They want him to fail. How can you sack someone like Sylvanus Okpala, who we know is a very competent tactician, without reference to his boss. They do not want Keshi to be happy”, he said.

He said that it will be very difficult for the Eagles to do well in their subsequent World Cup qualifying matches if the situation in the team is not arrested now.

Watch out for the details of the interesting interview with Adokiye in SportsVanguard on Friday

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 53

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013 — 55

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

Siasia applies to coach Uganda F

Why NFF is not happy with Keshi – Adokiye "How can you sack someone like Sylvanus Okpala, who we know is a very competent tactician, without reference to his boss. They do not want Keshi to be happy”

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

1

980 Nations Cup winner, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka yesterday said that the Nigeria Football Federation was wrong to sack the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Sylvanus

Continues on Page 51

A

CAF U-17 vs vs

Nigeria Congo

4 : 30 p.m.

7.30 p.m.

EPL Man City vs West Hamvs Fulham vs

Wigan Man Utd Chelsea

7:45 p.m.

7:45 p.m.

8 p.m.

AND HE GETS AWAY WITH IT... Man City striker, Sergio Aguero stamps his boots on Chelsea defender, David Luiz in the FA Cup semi final match, Monday. No charges were raised against him by the FA.

PUZZLE

N eight-year-old boy waiting at the finish line to give his father a hug was among three people killed and more than 150 injured when two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon.

Tragic Martin Richard

was standing with his mother and six-year-old sister, who both suffered horrific injuries, when bombs hidden in rubbish bins exploded within seconds of each other.

The lad may very nearly have cheated Continues on Page 51

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

•Siasia

BOSTON BOMBINGS:

Okpala, without the consent of Stephen Keshi.

Speaking in a phone chat with Sports Vanguard, the former Attorney-General of Rivers State, also said that the ongoing reformation process by the NFF in the Super

FIXTURES CIV Ghana

ORMER Nigeria Super Eagles head coach Samson Siasia is among the top applicants for the vacant Uganda Cranes coaching role.

According to our reliable sources, Siasia, who lost only once as the Super Eagles manager between 2010 and 2011, has reportedly dropped his CV at FUFA for consideration for the job that was left vacant after immediate former head coach Bobby Williamson was shown the door.

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Heathen (5) 7 Charm (6) 9 Network (3) 10 Label (3) 12 Fish (5) 13 Shoot (4) 15 Clear (5) 17 Trial (6) 19 Simple (4) 20 Weird (5) 22 Furrow (3) 24 Gruesome (7) 27 Managed (3) 28 Fragrance (5) 31 Fall (4) 33 Coma (6) 35 Change (5) 37 Omen (4) 38 Fashion (5) 39 Ovum (3) 41 Mournful (3) 42 Flag (6) 43 Pale (5)

DOWN 1 Fight (6) 2 Younger (6) 3 Spurt (3) 4 Fairy (4) 5 Dwelling (5) 6 Habituate (8) 8 Story (4) 11 Assure (9) 14 Stern (4) 16 Cudgel (4) 18 Expensive (4) 21 Huge (8) 23 Snare (4) 25 Throw (4) 26 Cupid (4) 29 Source (6) 30 Canopy (6) 32 Hesitate (5) 34 Impel (4) 36 Slender (4) 40 Antelope (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Proof 5, Valour 8, Dodge 10, Smudge 11, Seam 14, Tenure 15, Canteen 18, Let 19, Nab 21, Deft 23, Acted 24, Zero 27, Ear 29, Ebb 31, Levered 32, Pealed 34, Rite 35, Varied 38, Exert 39, Redeem 40, Thorn.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Rum 3, Oddity 4, Fog 5, Vest 6, Leaned 7, Resent 9, Defence 12, Eel 13, Mute 16, Axle 17, Natal 20, Bereave 22, Fate 24, Zephyr 25, Rear 26, Oblige 28, Dearth 30, Bet 33, Deem 36, Art 37, Err.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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