Fuel price hike: Labour insists on reversal

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63029

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N200

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

FUEL SCARCITY FALLOUT:

Inflation hits 6-year high •P.9

FG to shut PDP BOT urges Abuja airport over Sheriff to quit dilapidated runway in 2018 •P.14 •P.7

Fuel price hike: Labour insists on reversal

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief, Victor AhiumaYoung, Emman Ovuakporie, Michael Eboh, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

•As condition to suspend strike •Reps in rowdy session; ask Labour to shelve strike BUJA — THE A Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and •DSS boss, IGP meet labour leaders its affiliate body, Trade Congress,TUC, •Vandalism: Crude output down from 2.2mbpd barrels to 1.4 Union yesterday, vowed to press ahead with its industrial action scheduled to •Another price hike likely as crude hits $48.82 per barrel commence tomorrow if the

Federal Government failed to revert to old pump price of petrol.

This came as the House of Representatives started its special plenary on fuel price hike on a rowdy note.

Also, labour leaders and others met with the

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Lagos gets first oil sample from Badagry •P.6

Mr & Mrs ROWDY SESSION: House of Representatives in a rowdy session over hike in fuel price, at the National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Don't revive National Shipping Line, Obasanjo tells Buhari COLUMNIST : ESE ORURU, 14: Now severed from friends, classmates after abduction, marriage See Inside C M Y K

Fuel hike price: Sorry, I won't be at Ojota •P.17

•P.8

Attack on Benue's Tarfi village: Death toll rises to 60 •P.35

2—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

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POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu (2nd

left); Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang (2nd right) and other executives of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, when the minister visited the House, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Labour insists on reversal Continues from Page 1 leadership of Department of State Service, DSS, and Nigeria Police Force, NPF, over the security implications of the planned industrial action billed to start tomorrow.

NLC and TUC also asked the government to not only put all the nation’s refineries to optimal use, but also increase minimum wage, besides putting all necessary palliative measures before deregulation of oil.

Leaders of NLC and TUC spoke before the formal commencement of the meeting with the government over May 11 increment of fuel price.

But the government pleaded with the labour organisations to see reasons with its action and shelve its planned strike, saying it was opened to dialogue with the bodies.

This was even as the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, who was at the meeting to mediate between labour and the federal

government, opposed agitation for wage increment, saying it was not sustainable at the moment.

Factional NLC president, Ayuba Wabba and President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, said there was need for government to revert to old pump price of fuel, given that the development was taking a toll on the masses.

At press time, both government and labour had not shifted ground.

Dr Chris Ngige, who presented government’s position, said the government was opened to dialogue, urging the labour leaders to consider the proposed industrial action as the least possible option.

Among those that were at the meeting included factional Presidents of NLC, Ayuba Wabba and Joe Ajaero; General Secretary of NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson; NUPENG P resident, Igwe Achese; PENGASSAN President, Francis Olabode Johnson; President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigma; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Minister of Labour &

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO OMMITTED people believe they can achieve their goals. They can visualize and are confident of crossing the finish line. It’s up to you.

C

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must remember that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them —John F Kennedy

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RATEFUL people have a higher sense of selfworth. I think that’s because when you’re grateful, you have the sense that someone else is looking out for you. Once you start to recognize the contributions that other people have made to your life, once you realize that other people have seen the value in you, you can transform the way you see yourself. Just because gratitude is good doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Practicing gratitude can be at odds with some deeply ingrained psychological tendencies but if we focus on gratitude, we’ll attract our heart desires.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

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F the owner of a calabash calls it a worthless, others will join him to use it to pack rubbish.

Employment, Dr Chris Ngige; Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

Others were Ministers of State, Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu; of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi.

Before the meeting dissolved into a technical session, newsmen were asked to leave.

Uproar in House of Reps over petrol price

The rowdy session which lasted about 35minutes, eventually led to a one and half hours closed door session by the lawmakers where their differences were ironed out and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, ushered in.

The House also resolved immediately after the minister’s presentation that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, should shelve its proposed industrial action tomorrow. Consequently, a 17-man committee, led by the Majority Whip, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, was set up to mediate with the apex labour body in the country.

However, at about 12.15pm, trouble started when the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, immediately after prayers, read the proceedings of the previous week and moved for the admittance of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Kachikwu, into the chamber but shouts of No! No! No! greeted the speaker’s declaration.

But after the speaker ended his comments, allowing the leader to move the motion, there was a resounding ‘nay’ from opposition lawmakers, mostly PDP, in rejection of the motion.

Dogara, however, ignored the strength of the ‘nay’ prayers by ruling in favour of the ‘ayes’. This was immediately after the majority leader moved for the admittance of Dr Kachikwu.

Some members, waving the national flag, started shouting "All we are saying, save Nigeria," while others started chanting "Change."

Another set of lawmakers, predominantly PDP Reps, started shouting "Shame!", "Shame!"

At this stage, the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, at about 12.19pm, approached the speaker and after a brief chat with him, joined his fellow lawmakers.

Also the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, and some of the lawmakers approached the speaker but the noise continued as all attempts by the Majority Whip, Ado Doguwa, to calm the lawmakers failed.

Suddenly, frayed tempers cooled and the speaker gave the minority leader the floor and he immediately moved for a closed door meeting.

After a two-hour closed door session, the lawmakers admitted the minister, who immediately read his presentation and a question and answer session ensued.

We’ll export fuel in 2019—Kachikwu

In his presentation, the minister explained that the sale of petrol at the price range would help to get all the nation’s refineries working by 2018, adding that Nigeria would begin exportation of refined petroleum products by 2019.

Kachikwu boasted that the new price regime had gone into effect, adding that “the market has stabilised in matter of days, in terms of product availability."

He also noted that the queues had virtually disappeared and that smuggling and diversion would diminish substantially.

Subsidy removal to earn Nigeria $1bn quarterly

He said: “We first looked at the number of litres on which subsidy was being paid, the new policy is to address those subsidy issues as well as product availability and distribution which is saving Nigeria about $1 billion quarterly,” Kachikwu, also condemned the incessant attacks on oil installations in the country, noting that Nigeria had lost over 800,000 barrels of crude oil in recent attacks.

According to him, because of the incessant pipeline ruptures that have happened in incessant attacks in states in those areas, Nigeria has lost over 800,000 barrels of oil.

“We declined from 2.2 million barrels, which was the focus of the 2016

budget, to 1.4 million barrels as of today,” he said.

Kachikwu, however, expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that affected facilities were repaired and effectively protected.

“We are going to work hard to see how we will get these issues resolved and get our production back,” the minister said.

Infrastructure development

Kachikwu further restated the need to develop infrastructure which he described as key to promoting increased and efficient crude oil production.

He said: “There is still a whole lot of things we need to pay attention to; infrastructure is key but we have not as a country over the last 20 years invested in infrastructure in the oil sector.

“Our pipelines are 35 years old and none has been replaced. We have not been able to put gas infrastructure in place, our refineries are next to comatose and old and we are working hard on them.

“Our critical facilities are at a breakdown stage, so no serious development of infrastructure has taken place. No country in the world would expect that the price system in the country will benefit its citizens if it doesn’t invest in infrastructure.

“So rather the energy we put on PMS, we need to begin to focus on building massive infrastructure all over the country. I know how much efforts it has taken to pump products from the South to the North, to the East and to the West.

“It has been one battle after another, but the time has come to invest in proper pipelines, proper tracking, proper buried levels and begin to move with the world,” Kachikwu said.

DSS boss, IGP, meet labour leaders, others over strike

Meanwhile, labour leaders and their civil society counterparts met for over four hours, yesterday, with the Inspector-General of Police and Director of Department of State Service, DSS, over the security implication of the strike scheduled to start tomorrow.

The meeting, which started at 11 a.m. and terminated at about 4 pm, was a prelude to the meeting between the Federal Government and labour leaders over the proposed strike. The meeting started at about 7p.m.

Vanguard was informed that the meeting, which lasted about four hours at the office of the DirectorGeneral of DSS, Mr. Musa Lawan Daura, was also attended by the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase.

A source said those who turned up for the meeting included the President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, factional President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba; leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG; petroleum marketers, among others.

It was gathered that the security chiefs discussed with the labour leaders and others on how to ensure that the planned strike did not degenerate to violence or breach the security of the nation.

Further fuel price hike looms

However, the rebound in the price of crude oil in the international market continued, yesterday, fuelling fears of a further hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, in Nigeria.

Specifically, the price of Brent, the benchmark crude oil, rose to $48.89 per barrel, yesterday, from $45.52 per barrel recorded last Wednesday, when the Federal Government announced the hike in the price of fuel, representing an increase of 7.2 per cent.

To this end, the Department for Petroleum Resources, DPR, has warned petrol station owners to be vigilant, as unscrupulous individuals were on the prowl, cashing in on the fuel crisis and new pump price to defraud station owners.

The rebound was attributed to the shutdowns and disruption in crude oil export in Nigeria, with Goldman Sachs saying the market had ended almost two years of over-supply

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6 — Vanguard, TUESDAY MAY 17 , 2016

N838M LOAN: Bank files winding-up petition against firm

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—FIRST Bank of Nigeria Limited has filed a winding up petition against a limited Liability company Omatek Computers Limited, which deals in computer accessory, seeking to recover a loan of N838,337,562.69, granted the firm.

In the winding up petition before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, counsel to the bank, Mr Ade Oyebanji is alleging that Omatek Computers Company between May 20, 2014 and November 12, 2015, applied for and was granted various type of loans in the sum of N 743,224,440.

He stated that in respect of the loan granted the company, Mrs Florence Seriki, who is the Director and alter ego of the company, issued Personal guarantee while Omatek Ventures Plc and Omatek Ventures Distribution Limited which are sister companies issued corporate guarantee.

Meanwhile, Omatek company in an objection to the petition by its counsel, Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, is urging the court to dismiss the petition on the ground that it was incompetent.

He is further contending that the petition did not comply with company winding up rules, because as at the time of filing the petition, the tenor of the loan had not expired.

Lagos receives first sample of oil from Badagry ...As firm says oil was found after $400m exploration

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday declared that Lagos has officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos.

Ambode, who made the declaration when the management of the company led by the Group Managing Director, Mr. Tunde Folawiyo paid him a courtesy visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, commended the firm for their doggedness to achieve the feat after 25 years of hard work, saying that by the provision of Section 162 SubSection 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos has become an oil producing state.

Folawiyo, at the occasion presented Governor Ambode with a sample of the crude oil discovered by his company in the state, after committing about $400 million dollars to the exploration.

The governor, in his remarks said; “I want to thank you very much for this and I say it with all conviction because I know that based on section 162 Sub-Section 2 of the Nigeria Constitution, Lagos becomes an oil producing state and by virtue of this, the 13 percent derivation that is due to oil producing states, Lagos will start to partake from it by your very good gesture. So we officially declare Lagos State as an oil producing state, we also notify the Federal Government by this action that we would be sharing out of the 13 percent derivation.

So all we need do is to apply and then we join.”

Governor Ambode also said the feat has not only placed Lagos in the history books as the first state outside the Niger Delta to become an oil producing state, but has also opened up a new page for

Why Lagos jerked up subvention to LASU, others — AMBODE

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, said that the increase in subvention to the Lagos State University, LASU, and others tertiary institutions in the state was to make them citadel of excellence that could compete favourably with others worldwide.

This came as he commissioned 32 classrooms in Badagry, worth over N20 million.

Ambode disclosed this in an interview after commissioning the three blocks of 32 classrooms in three schools- Badagry Senior Grammar School, Methodist Primary School and Local Authority Primary School, which also had in attendance the former Head of Service in the state, Mr. Sunny Ajose and others.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said, “Everyone can see what we are doing in LASU and others. The aim is to transform all our tertiary institutions to compete with their peers outside the country.''

BOOK LAUNCH: From left, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ile-Ife; Dr Newton Jibunoh, Chairman of Roland Igbinoba Foundation; Mr Roland Igbinoba, Vice Chairman, Roland Igbinoba Foundation; Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Housing, who represented Governor of Lagos State and Olori Adeyeye Ogunwusi, wife of Oni of Ife, at the launch of the book, "The State Of Lagos Housing Market Report 2nd Edition", in Lagos. revenue generation in the state.

“It also means that by the additional revenue coming from this action, we would have more resources to provide infrastructure for Lagosians. And this is what we want other investors and businessmen to emulate, so that beyond the issue of profit, you are actually creating impact on people without them necessarily knowing that it is actually coming from a venture

like this,” he said.

Earlier, Folawiyo said the discovery of crude oil in Lagos, which has taken over 25 years to achieve, has gone a long way to show the possibilities achievable if government continues to lend support to indigenous investors and companies.

Asked how much has gone into the investment, he said the current status of the oil well has the capacity to produce at

least 12,000 barrels per day, with a possibility to increase to 25,000 to 50,000 barrels per day in the nearest future.

Lagos earmarks N36bn to combat ocean surge

Meantime, the state government has earmarked N36 billion to proffer lasting solution to the incessant ocean surge being experienced along the Lagos coastline.

STRIKE: LCCI calls for dialogue between labour, govt

By Naomi Uzor

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HE Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry [LCCI , yesterday, called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to dialogue for more effective communication following the proposed national strike by NLC. The President of LCCI, Mrs.

Nike Akande, said the chamber notes with concern NLC's decision to embark on a nationwide strike from tomorrow, adding that, Nigerian economy is already in a very fragile state with very little capacity to absorb the shocks of any major dislocations.

“The resultant hardship from a strike action at this time will be excruciating, especially for the

majority of the citizens, micro and small businesses as well as the informal sector players of the Nigeria economy. This makes the dialogue option imperative. We welcome the offer by the federal government to immediately engage the leadership of the labour unions in dialogue for more effective communication on both sides,'' Akande said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 7

Osun hails EFCC’s invitation of Aregbesola’s accusers

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—THE Osun State government yesterday said invitations to fake petitioners and paid agents of destabilization will put an end to frivolous petitions in Nigeria.

Citing Friday’s invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun, CSCEO, over its petition alleging diversion of funds belonging to local councils in the state by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Bureau of Communication and Strategy in the Office of the Governor in a statement signed by its Director, Semiu Okanlawon, said the selfappointed civil society group is a group that had been making bogus claims against Governor Aregbesola and his government without producing evidence to substantiate any of the allegations.

For instance, this was the group that accused Governor Aregbesola of embezzling the N34.988 billion bailout loan obtained last year as part of the Federal Government’s intervention to assist states meet their salary obligations.

The same group had accused Governor Aregbesola of borrowing over N750 billion, which, according to it, has not impacted on the socio-economic lives of the people of Osun.

The government had also been accused of planning a mass sack of civil servants in the state, especially in the wake of the challenges to meet salary obligations by the state.

“It is instructive that none of these allegations and others from this same group has been proved to be true,” the Bureau stated.

The Bureau described the CSCEO as dubious two-man contraption put together and masquerading as a pro-people

organization.

“We must remind Nigerians lest they take this group serious at all that Mr. Sulaiman Adeniyi who claims to be the leader of the group and Seun Adeoye, have been no more than two hired hands of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun and its allied opposition elements.''

Describing the step taken by the EFCC as a welcome

development, the Bureau stated, “This is a welcome development as perhaps this will put an end to frivolous activities of the likes of hired groups like this and their cohorts in the trade of making allegations that they cannot substantiate.

“The Osun example in local government funds administration is a study in transparency and accountability. Perhaps, it is only

in Osun that the governor introduced Heads of Local Government Administrations, HLAs, to the monthly allocation meetings. The HLAs have full knowledge of how much is received and other allied information. A governor with a plan to divert council funds would not bring such a novel addition to the way funds are administered.”

VISIT: From left; Head of Operations, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) West Africa, Charles Kyalo; Area Head, Legal and External Affairs, West and Central Africa, BATN, Freddy Messanvi; His Royal Highness, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Olubadan of Ibadanland; Managing Director, BATN, Chris McAllister; and Area Head, Human Resources, BATN, West Africa, Tosin Akinyemi, during a courtesy visit by the BATN Management to the Olubadan

Kwakwanso appeals against Mile 12 market's relocation

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A G O S — S E N AT O R Rabiu Kwakwanso has appealed to Governor Akiinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State to reconsider his administration’s stand on the relocation of the Mile 12 Market to Imota, an outskirt of Lagos metropolis.

He spoke yesterday at the Mile 12 Market while addressing the affected traders and their leaders, stressing the need to be law abiding and maintain the peace.

The market was shut last March following unrest between the Hausa traders and the Yoruba

locals in what led to the decision by the state government to relocate the market to Imota, near Ikorodu.

The decision has however not gone down well with the Hausa traders who felt it would affect their economic interest as Imota is seen to be remote.

Kwakwanso, who noted that Hausas and the other tribes had co-existed in different parts of the country over the years, called for continued unity of purpose among the people in the market.

He recalled his relationship

with former governors Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola, whom he described as brothers and urged Governor Ambode, to follow their steps by rescinding his decision to relocate the Mile 12 Market to Imota.

He also underscored the contributions of the affected traders in the victory of the All Progressives Party (APC) during the last election, stating that such collaboration should not be undermined by any action of the government, which could be misinterpreted as lack of gratitude.

FG threatens to shut Abuja airport over safety concerns

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BUJA—THE F e d e r a l Government yesterday dropped hints of closing down Abuja airport as a precautionary measure because of the bad state of the runway.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who dropped the hint at the 2016 Aviation Stakeholders Summit in Abuja, also said the government would concession the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano international airports in the first phase of its concession programme.

He said that government was committed to upgrading

the existing facilities at the airports as well as developing new strategy for repositioning the sector.

Sirika said: “The thinking is that just like every other place in the world, we will concession our airports and we are beginning with the big four, Lagos, Abuja, Port

Harcourt and Kano.

“It would have been ideal to take them to some level of acceptance for them to attract more. But I think we just get those guys who believe that in Nigeria they can create a hub geographically given by God.

“To come and put in their money and create this hub, build these airports, concession them, run them and make money out of them.”

He said that the current facilities at the airports did not meet international standards and best practices

in the aviation industry, adding that private sector involvement was the way forward.

FG accused of abandoning women smallholder farmers

By Josephine Agbonkhese

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HE Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, has said that women smallholder farmers have constantly been sidelined in the various agricultural policies of successive governments.

According to the centre, the group constitute over 80 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural labour force.

According to the Founding Executive Director, WARDC, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, who spoke in Lagos at a one-day workshop organised for women farmers’ leaders from Benue, Enugu, Kwara, Osun and Lagos states on successful policy mobilisation, there have been zero inclusion of women smallholder farmers in local, states and national decision-making processes on agriculture.

Akiyode lamented that although several governments have made public pronouncements concerning the eradication of poverty and hunger, none had addressed poverty amongst women smallholder farmers even though they were key to ensuring increased food production and security in the country.

Also speaking, Mrs Folake Kuti, WARDC Project Director, said the relegation of women farmers is surfacing again in the Buhari-led administration also as, as at February when the 2016 budget was reviewed in Abuja by WARDC before the copy went back to the Senate, there was not a single mention of women smallholder farmers.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Niger Delta Avengers:

Gov Wike meets Buhari in Aso Rock

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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B U J A — GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, reportedly over the activities of Niger Delta Avengers.

The governor, who arrived the villa at noon, spent about 20 minutes and left, but declined to answer newsmen's questions as to his mission to the Villa; he even refused to exchange pleasantries.

However, there were indications that his visit was in connection with the ongoing disturbances in Niger Delta, where a group, Niger Delta Avengers, is blowing up oil installations.

It will be recalled that Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State paid a similar visit to the Vice President last week, where he said government would not tolerate the bombing and vandalism of oil installations and other national assets in coastal states.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Dickson had said: “First, we are here because the VicePresident took time to invite the state government and the representatives of oil companies that are operating in Bayelsa State because of the issues the government has with them in respect of taxation principally.

“However, we have also used this opportunity to talk about the need for an enabling, secured environment for the oil companies to continue with their operations.”

Don't resuscitate national Shipping Line, OBJ tells Buhari

By Godwin Oritse

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ORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday advised the Federal Government against resuscitating the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line, NNSL. Obasanjo, who gave the advice in his address as Chairman of a two-day stakeholders’ conference on the maritime industry in Lagos, blamed the demise of NNSL on the lack of professionalism and high level

corruption at the time.

He said: “NNSL had been liquidated; they tried Nigeria Unity Line, it collapsed. 19 brand new ships were specially built for Nigeria and we did not take delivery of some of them until I left office in 1979.

“When I came back in 1999, NNSL had been liquidated with all 19 ships and the five already in existence gone.

“Two of the ships were missing for almost two years and it was discovered that one military man was using

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HE National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, yesterday, asked bank workers to comply with the directive by organised labour to stay at home from tomorrow should government fail to reverse the hike in the pump price of petrol.

NUBIFIE, in a statement by its

would provide safe environment for both foreign and indigenous investors to reap returns on their investment without compromising the nation’s economic benefits.

In a welcome address, the Minister of State, Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, said that the forum was holding at a time there was a need to identify the challenges and opportunities in the maritime industry.

Sirika said the conference would proffer solutions on challenges affecting the growth of the maritime industry.

CONFAB ON MARINE TRANSPORT: From left—Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, and Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Yerima, at a stakeholders’ conference on the maritime industry in Lagos, yesterday.

ALLEGED N5.6bn FRAUD: EFCC files fresh charge against Kalu

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, filed an amended 34-count criminal charge against the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu.

The charge, marked FHC/ ABJ/CR/56/07, was entered before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a day trial Justice Anwuli Chikere was to commence hearing on an initially amended 112-count charge the anti-graft agency preferred against Kalu and

two others on February 11, 2008.

The development, yesterday, made it the third time EFCC is amending the charge against the defendants.

Kalu was hitherto answering to a 107-count corruption charge alongside his alleged accomplice, Udeh Jones Udeogu and his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited.

The charge against them borders on conspiracy, money laundering and illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.6 billion.

The fraud was allegedly perpetuated while Kalu was

Financial sector workers urged to obey NLC on strike

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

them all over the world without accountability.”

Obasanjo urged the present administration to “think out of the box” and come up with what should be done to grow the maritime industry.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the Federal Government was ready to create an enabling environment for steering the maritime industry to its rightful position.

Amaechi said government

President and General Secretary, Danjuma Musa and Mohammed Sheiki, respectively, also called on management of banks to comply with the sit-at-home directive “in the interest of our organisation and the masses of Nigeria.”

According to the statement, after an emergency meeting of the union, where the current hike in the pump price of petrol by the government was discussed, the union, having

reviewed the implications of such action on the already impoverished Nigerians, had resolved to join hands with the organised labour and all civil society allies to resist the hike.

It said: “We condemn the unilateral increase, as we have seen before that the solution to perennial scarcity of petroleum products can never be addressed by merely increasing pump price of petroleum products.”

governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007.

EFCC had, at the last adjourned date, April 11, secured leave of the court to arraign the defendants on the previously amended 112count charge.

Justice Chikere adjourned to take fresh plea of the defendants after she was furnished with judgment of the Supreme Court, which on March 18, held that the defendants have a criminal case to answer.

Pending appeal

Meanwhile, at the resumed sitting yesterday, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolagbe, told the court that he had just filed “a further amended charge” against the defendants.

However, counsel to the second and third defendants, Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN), notified the court that his client, Slok Nigeria Limited, still has an appeal pending before the Supreme Court.

Akuma explained that what was previously determined by the apex court were two separate appeals marked SC/

215/2012 and SC/264/2012, which were lodged by Kalu and Udeogu.

He said: “The third appeal, SC/ 264a/2012, is still subsisting. As at today briefs have been filed and exchanged by all the parties.

“We have gone further to apply to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Director of Litigation at the Supreme Court to give us a date.

“It is our submission that the commencement of hearing on this trial will prejudice the pending appeal. In the circumstance we humbly ask for an adjournment.”

His adjournment request was supported by Kalu’s lawyer, Chief Awa Kalu (SAN).

Although EFCC’s lawyer confirmed the pendency of the appeal, he, however, stressed that issues raised by the third defendant were similar to what was earlier determined by the Supreme Court.

Efforts by the prosecution, who placed reliance on Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to persuade the court to proceed with the trial, failed as the court subsequently adjourned the matter till June 30 for mention.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—9

We don’t support NLC on strike over new fuel price—OPS

By Franklin Alli

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WORKS MINISTRY MEETS CONTRACTORS: From left— Minister of State, Alhaji Mustapha Shehuri; Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abubakar Magaji, all of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, during a meeting with contractors in Abuja, yesterday.

FUEL SCARCITY FALLOUT:

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor, & Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE skyrocketing prices of goods and services across the country have reflected in Nigeria’s inflation rate climbing to a near six-year high of 13.7 percent in April, 0.9 percentage point higher than the previous month’s level of 12.8 percent.

The cost-push inflation is driven primarily by the severe scarcity of petroleum products, which had forced increases in transportation cost and consequently, arbitrary increases in cost of all other commodities and services consistently for several months now.

National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, in a report yesterday, said the April inflation reading, the highest level since August 2010, reflected increases across all sectors, unlike the previous months which had one or two sectoral exceptions.

“Lingering structural constraints continue to manifest spill-overs in April as electricity rates, kerosene prices, the impact of higher PMS (petrol) prices and vehicle spare parts were the largest contributors to the core sub index during the month,” NBS stated.

These items, as well as other imported items, according to NBS, continued to have ripple

Inflation hits 6-year high

...… as pressure mounts for review of CBN's benchmark effects across many divisions that contribute to the core consumer price index.

Fish, vegetables

Food index reflected tighter supplies across most groups that contribute to the subindex. The sub-index increased by 13.2 percent in April, up by 0.4 percentage point from March as all major food groups increased at a faster pace driven by higher prices in fish, bread/cereals and vegetables groups.

Year-on-year, the urban and rural indices recorded marked increases for the third consecutive month. The urban index rose by 15.1 percent, 1.6 percentage points from 13.5 percent in March, while upward pressure on prices were relatively less severe in the rural areas as the index increased 12.8 percent yearon-year, 0.7 percentage point from 12.0 percent in March.

Increases in imported and domestically produced foods resulted in a higher increase in the food sub-index in April, adding that all groups which contribute to the index increased, with the exception of the fruit and potatoes, yams and other tuber groups.

Implication

The latest inflation report indicates worsening economic conditions in the country, where gross domestic product, GDP, growth was just 2.8 percent as at last quarter of 2015, its lowest rate since 1999, and speculation of a further decline in the first quarter and first half 2016 is popular among economy analysts.

With the current inflation rate the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, appears to have been pushed to the wall once again on its benchmark interest rate, as the existing Monetary Policy Rate of 12 percent is now grossly negative.

The apex bank had shifted the benchmark rate to 12 percent from 11 percent

PDP lawmakers divided over Sheriff’s 2019 presidential bid

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

A

BUJA—A proposal that the embattled National Chairman of Peoples

FIRS seals Abuja firm over N276m tax liability

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BUJA—THE Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has continued with its enforcement of tax payment, sealing the office premises of Tak Continental Group in Abuja for failure to pay taxes amounting to N276,378,212.45 million.

The tax liability is made up of Company Income Tax, CIT, Education Tax, and Value Added Tax from 2008 to 2010.

A director of the company, who declined to identify himself, claimed he had no information on the firm’s tax liability.

He subsequently agreed to order the staff home to enable him get information about the company’s tax profile.

Consequently, the FIRS team, led by Miss Ruth Maundeun, ordered the staff out and sealed the office, which she said would not be reopened until the company paid the entire tax liability.

In Lagos, the FIRS team visited the office of Boron Oil and Gas, Lekki. However, the company’s office was not shut.

Mr. Emeka Obiagwu, leader of the enforcement team,

previous month when the inflation rate surpassed it, a situation which renders interest rates not only negative but a disincentive to savings.

Also, the present inflation rate has surpassed the apex bank’s inflation target maximum of 9.6 percent by a huge gap of 4.1 percentage points, thereby complicating the inflation targeting strategy of its monetary policy measures.

With this development many financial analysts would be expecting next week’s Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, meeting of the apex bank to fundamentally overhaul its policy framework.

RGANISED Private Sector, OPS, said, yesterday, it was not in support of strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, over the new petroleum price regime fixed by the Federal Government.

Chief Bassey Edem, National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, arm of OPS, said: “We commend the Federal Government for finally taking the bold step to remove subsidy on petrol.

“This is an attestation to the political will of this government to put an end to incessant fuel scarcity, while reducing the pressure on our foreign reserve as a result of huge demand for petrol import.

“In view of the expected reduced pressure on our foreign reserve, which this policy will bring about, it is also important that the resultant benefit on our foreign exchange allocation be directed more towards the real sector to hasten the development of our economy.”

explained that the company was not sealed because it already had an arrangement with the tax office to defray its N259 million tax liability.

According to Obiagwu, the arrangement involved payment in installments. The company, he explained, attempted to pay N40.2 million on Friday, but was thwarted by banking transaction hitches. Obiagwu said the team saw correspondences between the company and its bank as regards the failed transaction.

Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, sign an undertaking not to contest the 2019 presidential ticket in 2018 threw a meeting of the party ’s National Assembly members into an uproar yesterday.

The lawmakers, at the end of the meeting, remained divided over the candidature of Sheriff for the office of National Chairman and constituted a committee to resolve differences within 24 hours.

Instead of having Sheriff as the single candidate for the position of National Chairman, a sizeable proportion of the PDP lawmakers sought for the contest to be made open to all.

The meeting, which started at about 4p.m., ended at 6p.m. in Hearing Room 0.28 of the House of Representatives wing.

The stalemate ensued when

it was proposed by the antiSheriff lawmakers that whoever submits to contest for the office of National Chairman should sign an undertaking not to contest the presidential primaries of the party for the 2019 election.

Following the stalemate, the caucus constituted a 12-man reconciliatory and congresses committee to meet with the National Working Committee, NWC, and the governors to find a lasting solution to the problems ahead of the convention.

A source told Vanguard that the reconciliation committee has six members each from the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.

Among those from the Senate are Senators Danjuma La’ah, Kaduna South; Biodun Olujimi, Ekiti South; Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia South; Ogola Foster, Bayelsa West. From the House are Tajudeen Yusuf, Kogi; Sunday Karimi, Wole Oke, among others.

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 11

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12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

FUNERAL SERVICE: From left: Mr. Gabriel Taire, Mr. Chuchs Akabike, Dame Damola Akran and Mr. Tonte Ojogbo, during the funeral service for late Pa Victor Adetokunbo Williams, at Yaba Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday.

From left: Mrs. Adefemi Taire, Mr. Olayinka Folarin and Dr. Adetunji Williams, at the funeral service. Photos: Bunmi Azeez.

Siege to Gbaramatu: Hunt for me pointless —Tompolo I won’t succumb to Tompolo’s blackmail —Ayiri

By Emma Amaize

W

ARRI—EXM I L I TA N T leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, yesterday, cautioned that the current siege to Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State and manhunt for him by the military would not guarantee the desired peaceful atmosphere for uninterrupted oil exploration activities by the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, Itsekiri leader and Niger Delta activist, Chief Ayiri Emami, insisted, yesterday, that he would not capitulate to the intimidation of Tompolo.

Responding to comment against him by Tompolo, who accused him of fabricating lies against him, Emami said: “Whatever I am saying is the truth. It is the right thing I am saying.”

Tompolo, in a statement, said he was dismayed at the nonstop siege to Gbaramatu Kingdom and manhunt for him by both the Federal Government and Nigerian military under the guise of looking C M Y K

for members of Niger Delta Avengers, despite his numerous statements that he had nothing to do with the militant group.

He berated Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami and others for allegedly giving bogus information about him, saying: “It baffles me that the Nigerian military has refused to believe me that I am not part of the group and its activities as contained in several media statements.

“I am obviously a victim of circumstances in this matter because of my case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. How can I resort to destruction of oil facilities because of those trumped-up charges against me by EFCC, when my lawyers are already challenging the faulty process of legal service on me?

“If not for the common insinuation that the Nigerian judiciary is on trial, why would my case with the EFCC become the greatest issue in Nigeria today when there are so many important things to talk about?

“I am greatly touched and disappointed with the manner the Nigerian government and the military are being armtwisted by the unfounded claims of Ayiri Emami and others that I am behind the Niger Delta Avengers group when there is no single proof to back the claim.

“May I once again point out that Ayiri Emami and others accusing me of the destruction of oil facilities in parts of the Delta State are simply looking for relevance, recognition and pipeline surveillance contracts. If anyone doubts what I am saying, they should find out from the GMD and Minister for State for Petroleum because Ayiri and his likes have been troubling the Minister for pipeline surveillance contracts for some time now."

Reacting, Chief Emami said: “If I am lying, why did Delta State Government set up an Advocacy Committee to stop pipeline vandalism in the creeks of the state?

Who is the committee, headed by the deputy governor, going to meet in the creeks? Is it Itsekiri militants or Ijaw militants?"

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—13

Hunt for Avengers: Soldiers invade Kokodiagbene As Otuaro woos Delta monarchs to stop militants Delta bans speedboats, vessels in 6 LGAs

By Emma Amaize, Samuel Oyadongha, Akpokona Omafuaire, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

S

OLDIERS invaded Kokodiagbene, another Ijaw community in Gbaramatu clan, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, weekend, in search of members of Niger Delta Avengers who went underground after their meeting in Bayelsa State, last week.

Chairman of the community, Mr Sheriff Mulade, told Vanguard, yesterday: “We condemn strongly the invasion of Kokodiagbene on Saturday by the military Joint Task Force, JTF. Some people were beaten up, while others were harassed. It was uncalled for.”

Arrested Ijaw, Itsekiri youths were surveillance workers, not militants

Meanwhile, an Ijaw leader in Delta State, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, yesterday, faulted the arrest of five Ijaw and Itsekiri surveillance workers by the military on Friday, in connection with the bombing of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, pipeline at Makaraba community, Gbaramatu clan, Warri South-West Local Government Area, saying they are not militants.

He gave the names of the two Itsekiri workers of a CNL contractor working in the area as Samuel Emiko and Alfred Timedi, and the three Ijaw workers as Isaac Edinde, Henry Arogboritse and Kelvin Mordi (Ijaw), saying they were on surveillance patrol when the soldiers picked them up.

He said: “The so-called Avengers arrested by the military are not militants but Chevron workers who were working under a Chevron Pipeline and Facility Surveillance Programme. They are both Ijaw and Itsekiri surveillance workers in the Utunama Flow Station axis.

“The Itsekiri and Ijaw Regional Development Councils under the platform of CNL, know about their engagement and the soldiers, who arrested them, saw their identity cards and other things. They know they are not militants,” he added.

Also, the people of Kunukunuma community and Gbaramatu Political Forum, GPF, in Delta State, yesterday, warned those who have disagreement with former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to refrain from stirring the Federal Government against Gbaramatu Kingdom over the recent destruction of pipelines by Niger Delta Avengers.

The group handed down the warning, just as ex-militant leader from Rivers state, Chief Ateke Tom, berated the Niger Delta Avengers for its resort to militancy and destruction of oil installations C M Y K

in Delta State in particular and other parts of the Niger Delta region.

IYC blames FG

Similarly, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, has blamed what it described as “the combative and insensitive posture” of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to issues affecting the Niger Delta for the renewed hostilities in the region.

President of IYC, Mr Udengs Eradiri, who addressed newsmen, yesterday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, to commemorate this year's Isaac Boro Day celebration, lamented that issues that gave rise to Boro’s agitation, such as marginalisation and underdevelopment among others, were yet to be addressed.

Also, National President of Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Austin Ozobo, yesterday, said former President Goodluck Jonathan did not set up the Niger Delta Avengers to destabilize the Buhari government as alleged recently by an ex-militant leader and national coordinator of National Coalition of Niger Delta ExAgitators, Israel Akpodoro.

Ozobo, who berated Akpodoro in a statement, however, urged President Buhari to address an alleged marginalisation of the region and end the attacks by the aggrieved Avengers.

He said: “Jonathan never set up any Avengers to fight for him.

Before the elections, Jonathan always said his ambition was not worth the blood of innocent Nigerians. Jonathan even congratulated Buhari before the final announcement of the presidential election results.”

Otuaro woos Delta monarchs

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Delta State and Chairman, Delta State Advocacy Committee against Oil Facility Vandalism, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, has urged monarchs in the riverine areas of the state to use their privileged position to assist the state government with intelligence to stop militants from further vandalizing oil and gas facilities.

He spoke when he led the committee on a visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli and Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, at their palaces in Warri and Ogbudugbudu, Warri South and Warri North Local Government Areas, respectively.

Otuaro told the Warri monarch that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, worried by the spate of oil facility vandalism in the state, directed

him to ask the royal fathers to assist government to apprehend the perpetrators.

“As a nation and as a state, we are already in deep economic crisis by virtue of the fall in oil prices in the world market. Any further attacks on oil facility will worsen our already bad situation,” he said.

In his reaction, the Olu of Warri said: “I will send my chiefs to all nooks and crannies to help resolve the problem. The fact that the governor had to send you, his deputy, to the creeks, shows that the thing is touching.”

The Olu recalled that first, it was Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, and now, the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, whose activities have crippled the economy and hampering government capacity to deliver projects to the people.

“What are they avenging?

Vengeance belongs to God. Man’s vengeance is limited. The spate of vandalism is giving the state a bad name,” he added.

D e l t a b a n s movement o f speedboats in 6 LGs

Also, to rein in Niger Delta Av e n g e r s , Delta State Government has banned the movement of speedboats and vessels in six riverine l o c a l government areas of the state between the hours of 10p.m. and 5a.m The affected councils are Warri North, Warri South, Warri SouthWest, Patani, Bomadi and Burutu.

Meanwhile, a youth activist in Delta State, Mr Jackson Timiyan, has urged the JTF to stop arresting innocent residents of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West council, and go for the real members of Niger Delta

Avengers involved in wanton destruction of oil installations in the creeks of the state.

The activist, who is a former Secretary, Kokodiagbene community, said those arrested by JTF include Gbaramatu indigenes engaged by Chevron in lawful duty as Pipeline and Facilities Surveillance Programme, PSFP, workers, now under the Ijaw and Itsekiri Regional Development

Council, RDC, respectively for over a decade now.

“Those affected, Alfred Timadi (current Youth Employment Chairman, Kokodiagbene), Samuel Emiko (immediate past Assistant Secretary) and Isaac Edende (Kokodiagbene) as well as Kelvin Mordi and Henry Arogboritse from Omadino community, are responsible young men committed to their lawful jobs without any criminal record," he said.

Two Fulani herdsmen bag 20yrs jail in Delta

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—A Delta State High Court, sitting in Asaba, yesterday, sentenced two Fulani herdsmen, Hassan Abidu and Yakubu Salem, suspected to be members of a group of armed nomads terrorizing indigenes of Ibusa and its environs, especially farmers, to 20 years in jail with hard labour.

The court pronounced the guilty verdict on the two Fulani nomads, who were prosecuted on a twocount charge of unlawful possession of firearms preffered against them by the Attorney-

General of the state, punishable under Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R.II, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010, and were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment each with hard labour and without an option of fine on the two counts.

According to prosecution, on or about February 23, 2015 at 6a.m., the Ibusa Police Division received a distress call that a group of suspected Fulani boys numbering about six were sited around Power Line, Ibusa armed with dangerous weapons including firearms.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Jaiz Bank obtains national licence …To open branches in all states

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

J

AIZ BANK Plc is set to spread its operations to all state of the federation, as it has obtained a national banking licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Its Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, disclosed this at a meeting with the President-General of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar IV, in Abuja, yesterday.

Mutallab said, “As a regional bank, Jaiz has operated in 12 states (in Northern Nigeria) but with the new licence we can now spread to all parts of the country. We will open branches in the 36 states of the federation.

PDP BOT urges Sheriff to quit in 2018 ....appoints substantive chairman, secretary Modu Sheriff drops proposed constitution amendment Sole candidate for the chairmanship position

By Ben Agande

A

FTER SERIES of horse trading and compromises, the Board of Trustees, BoT, of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday agreed to the extension of the tenure of chairman of the Party, Senator Ali Modu, by two years.

He is to now quit office in 2018 to allow for the emergence of a chairman from the southern part of the country, while the north produces the party ’s

presidential candidate for 2019 election.

On their part, the chairman of the party and its governors dropped the proposal to amend the party’s constitution at the forthcoming convention in Portharcourt, while also promising to revisit the conduct of state congresses that were contentious in some states.

The Board also confirmed the position of its chairman, Senator Jibril Wali, who had been in acting capacity, while also appointing Ambassador Ojo

Maduekwe as secretary of the board.

While Jibril was appointed unanimously, Ojo Maduekwe’s appointment followed the stepping down of his sole challenger, Senator Stella Omu. Addressing journalists after a marathon meeting of the board that lasted for more than six hours, the Secretary of the board, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, said the decisions arrived at the meeting were borne out of the over all interest of the unity of the party.

According to him, the decisions

MEETING: From left, Group General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Garba Muhammad; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, during the minister's meeting with Media Bureau Chiefs on the fuel situation in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

arrived at by the Board were done after ‘intensive and heated arguments’ which he said had helped in moving the party “away from the brink.

He said “inspite of the well articulated reservations by some members of the board calling for postponement of the forthcoming convention in Portharcourt, we have decided to support the National Executive Committee of the party that the convention should hold.”

He added that the Board arrived at the decisions based on consensus, since a divided BoT would portend a “divided conscience of the party”.

It would be recalled that members of the BOT had been stridently opposed to the continuation of Senator Sheriff in office, while faulting the process of his emergence which they said did not agree with the principles of equity and justice that the party professed.

Addressing the meeting earlier, the National Chairman, Ali Modu Sheriff, who spoke shortly before the party’s BOT went into a closed door meeting, said the proposed constitution amendment which he said he inherited from the former leadership of the party had been suspended while states and zones where the outcome of congresses had been controversial would be reviewed by the party.

Lagos State re-opens Lekki Gardens

By Tare Youdeowei

A

FTER THE buildings passed Structural Stability and Integrity Tests, the Lagos State government approved the re-opening of buildings belonging to Lekki Worldwide Estates Limited, owners of Lekki Gardens which were recently sealed after an uncompleted building collapsed at one of their construction.

Subsequently, the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory was mandated to carry out integrity tests on all the houses built by the real estate giant to ascertain their structural stability.

Reports indicate that the buildings passed the integrity tests and have now been re-opened to the occupants.

According to a statement credited to Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Wasiu Anifowoshe, the buildings were unsealed and the tenants granted permission to return to their houses after results from the tests carried out were examined by a team of construction experts.

According to him, the integrity test carried out on the Lekki Gardens buildings was conducted by the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory and the results had been forwarded to the Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who reserves the right to announce the results. He also revealed that

investigations are still on to ascertain the exact cause of the March 8 building collapse.

It would be recalled that on March 8 an uncompleted building collapsed at one of the construction sites belonging to Lekki Gardens and in the aftermath occupiers of all buildings erected by the company in Lagos State were evicted from their houses to allow the government ascertain their structural stability. This move affected thousands of families, who currently occupy the housing units in the over 30 estates managed by Lekki Gardens in Lagos.

The families, who had had to endure several weeks of hardship brought about by the eviction can now look forward to re-occupying their houses with assurance that their property are in good shape.

The results of the integrity test will also go a long way to bolster the reputation built over the years by Lekki Gardens as a company committed to upholding standards in all facets of its operations.

Lekki Gardens prides itself as a force in Nigeria’s real estate sector through the provision of affordable housing for clients in choice locations with a flexible payment structure at major cities in Nigeria.

The company which began operations in 2011 had delivered about 6,000 home in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—15

FUEL PRICE HIKE: Labour insists on reversal Continues from Page 5 and was now in deficit.

DPR warns The warning of DPR came on the heels of the arrest by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, of one Sadiq Umar, for allegedly posing as a staff of DPR. Umar was arrested while trying to extort money from the Manager of A.Y.M. Sharfa Filling Station, along Mararaba Road in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

In an interview in Abuja, Head, DPR Zonal Office, Abuja, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, said the suspect would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

Speaking on the arrest, Mr. Robert Ibuh, Divisional Officer, NSCDC, confirmed that the suspect had committed a criminal offence and would be prosecuted.

Also speaking, Mr. Shehu Idris, the manager of the affected station, regretted that extortions from different illegal oil regulators negated the growth of their businesses.

‘No alternative to deregulation’ The Federal Government, yesterday, insisted that there was no alternative to the new petrol price regime and appealed to the leadership of labour unions and Nigerians for understanding, arguing that the current hardship would not last for long.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the paucity of foreign exchange had made it impossible for Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to continue to solely import petrol.

According to Mohammed, “many have been asking why this would happen at this time and what triggered the decision concerning the new framework for petrol products supply, distribution and pricing.

“We have no choice than to liberalise the price of petrol, if we are to end the crippling fuel scarcity that has enveloped the country, ensure the availability of the products and end the suffering of our people over the lingering scarcity.

“With the drastic fall in the price of crude oil, which is the nation’s main foreign exchange earner, there has also been a drastic reduction in the amount of foreign exchange available.

"The unavailability of forex and the inability to open letters of credit have forced marketers to stop product importation and imposed over 90 percent supply on NNPC since October 2015, in contrast to the past where NNPC supplied 48 percent of national requirement.

“The truth is that NNPC does not have the resources for, nor is it designed to meet this increase in supply. The result is the crippling fuel situation across the country. Pushed to supply 90 percent of the products required for domestic consumption, NNPC has continued to utilise crude oil volumes outside the 445,000 barrels/day allocated to it, thereby creating major funding and remittance gaps into the federation account.

“In the absence of available forex C M Y K

lines or crude volumes to continue massive importation of PMS, it is clear that unless immediate action is taken to liberalise the petroleum supply and distribution, the queues will persist, diversion will worsen and the current prices will spiral out of control.”

No return to subsidy Mohammed explained further that even if the nation’s forex exchange earnings improved in the future, government would not return to the subsidy regime.

He said: “As of today, NNPC is forced to dip its hands into the federation crude. The main reason for this price regime is that the country does not have enough foreign exchange to open Letters of Credit for all those who want to import products.

"It does not mean that if tomorrow our foreign exchange improves that we will reverse the policy because we can use our foreign exchange for better things— roads, railways and power.

“We must never be tempted to go back to the regime where we will have to pay subsidy because what we will see is that the cost of, if we are lucky today and crude goes to $100 pbl, products

will be higher because the cost of crude accounts for 80 percent of total cost of refined products.”

He noted that there was no basis for comparing the current liberalisation with the botched attempt of the administration of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to remove fuel subsidy in 2012.

He argued that at that time, the nation had a good foreign exchange base, with high crude oil price which had become the opposite.

He said that the new policy was in national interests, adding that “at some point in life, you have to take hard decisions and those decisions you are taking are in the long-term interest of everybody.”

The minister said the policy was not a removal of subsidy, as there was no provision for subsidy in the 2016 budget, in the first instance.

He said: “As I said earlier, there is no provision for subsidy in the 2016 Appropriation. The erstwhile PMS price of N86.50 gives an estimated subsidy claim of N13.7 per litre, which translates to N16.4 billion monthly. There is neither funding nor appropriation to cover this."

On Niger Delta militants On Niger Delta militants, the minister said the current administration was ready to listen to whatever grievances the people of the Niger Delta had, but that it must be properly channeled and that vandalism of infrastructure should not be an option as it can only further create development challenges.

His words: “The attacks on critical infrastructure in the region has led to the loss of over 500,000 barrels per day; it has led to the loss of over 1000 mwts of electricity.

“Our appeal to our brothers in the Niger Delta is that you do not piss into your own house. If you blow the critical infrastructure, it will slow down the development you are asking for. It will hurt the same people whose interests you want to protect.

“So there will be dialogue but no government would like to be held to ransom. This government is a listening government. It is ready to listen to everybody. But they must be conducted within the parameters of law and decency.”

Imo govt cautions monarchs against media war

By Anozie Egole

I

MO State government has read the riot act to traditional rulers in the state against inciting media publications, following the expected election into the state council of traditional rulers in five months time.

The Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, who stood in for Governor Rochas Okorocha, told the traditional rulers at a meeting yesterday, that government would no longer tolerate a situation whereby the traditional rulers would throw caution to the wind by engaging in media war against themselves because of election into the Ezes’ Council.

According to the DeputyGovernor, the traditional rulers should show good example by avoiding actions that would create wrong impressions about them and the ezeship stool in the state because of election.

No ammunition in Aba mosque —Police NEW PS: From left— Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; State Solicitor-General, Victor Emeribe, and the newly-appointed Permanent Secretary, Edwin Eze, signing the instrument of his office, yesterday.

Anambra councillor allegedly kills nephew over phone

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE Anambra State Police Command has arrested the councillor r e p r e s e n t i n g Nsogwu Umunze Ward 2 in Orumba South Local Government of Area of the state, Mr. Chidiebere Onyema, for allegedly killing his 19-year-old nephew, whose name was given as Nnanyere, over a missing mobile telephone.

The mother of the deceased, Mrs. Gloria Onyema, said her son died following beatings he received from the councillor.

According to her, Chidiebere came to their house and asked after the deceased, adding that

when her husband, Okwudili, opened the door, he saw Chidiebere fuming.

She said though her husband promised the councillor that he would pass his message to Nnanyere, who was not at home then and pleaded with him to be patient, they were surprised on their return from the day’s business to be told by their younger son, Tochukwu, that the councillor came back in their absence and beat Nnanyere to stupor.

She said: “I went to look for Nnanyere and met him at the councillor’s house lying down helplessly. I was told that my son stole the councillor’s cell phone.

“I offered to pay N20,000 as

part payment of the N35,000 the councillor claimed was the cost of the phone so that my son can be released to me to enable me take him to hospital for treatment.

“On getting to the Immaculate Hospital, Umunze, with my son, he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ali Okechukwu, confirmed the incident, saying that the councillor had been detained at the State Investigation Bureau, SIB, Awka, for questioning.

Okechukwu said that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—POLICE in Abia State have dismissed reports making the rounds that a cache of ammunition was evacuated in a mosque in Aba. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, who stated this in an interview with Vanguard attributed the development to the activities of rumour mongers and advised them to stop causing panic among residents of the state.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Habila Joshak, had assured residents of their safety and urged people to report suspected persons to security agencies.

He said: “I want to assure the public that police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have the capacity to respond to distress call anywhere.

Security agents are working 24 hours.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Man, 25 rapes girl, 4, to death in Adamawa

By Umar Yusuf

G

U R U M — N O N G VA N village, Timdore District in Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State has been thrown into mourning and confusion as a 25-yearold man allegedly raped a four-year-old toddler to death.

The accused, who is a nephew to the father of the girl, is said to be fond of the little girl, Aisha Ali, and always played with her.

The alleged rapist was said to have visited the parents of the victim’s residence, weekend, and picked her out as usual, while the mother was busy attending to some domestic engagement only to be welcomed with the lifeless body of her daughter by villagers.

Confirming the incident, Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, said the incident occurred in Ganye area of the state and that the suspect, simply called Nenekenso, is currently cooling his heels at the Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

Abduction of toddlers: Mother fasts, prays for their return How

apprentice attempted to abduct two other children

By Esther Onyegbula

M

RS. IJEOMA Opara, mother of the two toddlers, aged four and 27 months, who were abducted by an apprentice four days after assuming at a hair dressing salon in Ajegunle area of Lagos, has resorted to fasting and prayer for the return of her children.

Vanguard gathered that the suspect identified simply as Rose, took the two children; Chinasa, 4, and Chikamuso, 27 months, out of their mother’s shop, on the pretext that she was going to buy food from a local food vendor around the area.

Efforts by Mrs. Opara to locate her children on arrival from the market failed, as they were nowhere to be found.

Also, searches conducted on all the buildings located on

Chikamuso, 27 months

Chinasa,4.

Ijeoma, mother

Turner Street, where Rose purportedly gave as her address, yielded no positive result as nobody appeared to know her.

With the assistance of a family friend, Mrs. Opara was traced to a church at Ago Hausa, where prayer sessions were reportedly being held since the

disappearance of her children.

In an interview with Vanguard, the distraught mother narrated how the unofficial assumption of Rose in the hair dressing salon has brought pain to the family.

Narrating in tears, she said: “On Tuesday afternoon, a lady in her mid-20's, who introduced herself

as Rose, came to the salon and said she, wanted to be an apprentice. She said she lives in Turner Street. I told her that I was not the owner of the salon and that the owner had travelled for a burial. I asked her to come back later in the week when the owner would have returned, to discuss the modalities for her apprenticeship. But she insisted on assuming, saying she wanted to start working before the owner returned.

“The next day (Wednesday), she came in the morning and stayed until we closed, she did same the other days too.

"I didn’t know she had an ulterior motive until Saturday. At about 11:45a.m., I went to buy food stuffs from a nearby market and left my children in the shop with Franca, an adolescent who is mentally challenged and the new apprentice, Rose. When I returned, I didn’t see my kids and Rose. When I asked Franca, she said that Rose took them to buy food around Babani Street immediately I left for the market.

“I quickly ran to Babani Street, but there was no sign of them anywhere. I called my husband to notify him, some neighbours, who were around immediately joined in the search. Later we went to report at the Police station, but we were told to wait for 24-hours before they would be declared missing, the Orlu, Imo State mother, stated in tears.

Lagos school principal docked for stealing N1.2m

A

42-YEAR-OLD school principal, Michael Diekola, who allegedly defrauded his school of N1.2 million, was yesterday, docked at an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The accused, who lives at 8, Alirat Badejo St., Oke Odo, Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.

The prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu told the court that the offence was committed sometime in July 2014 at a private school — Queen Diana College, Oke Odo, Abule Egba.

Ogu said the accused collected N1.2 million from students under the pretext of enrolling them for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE. “The accused bolted with the money and all efforts to locate him were unsuccessful until he was sighted by one of the teachers and was i m m e d i a t e l y apprehended.”

C M Y K

Iyana Itire Road under constructions by the Julius Berger. Photo Shola Oyelese

Gunmen kidnap wife of ace comedian in Rivers Church announces N500,000 rewards over missing banker

By Evelyn Usman & Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—WIFE of popular comedian in Rivers State, Mrs. Chime Mike Ogbolosingha, has been kidnapped in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

The husband, Mr. Mike Ogbolosingha told Vanguard that the gunmen stormed their Elenprawon residence on Sunday and abducted her.

While pleading that her wife be released, he said the kidnappers had not established contact with any member of the family, adding that the Police had been alerted on the development.

Ogbolosingha, who was a former Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Area in Bayelsa State said: “I was returning to Port Harcourt from Bayelsa , when I got a call that

my wife had been kidnapped.

They broke into my house, took away every valuable and still went away with my wife.

"I am begging for the release of my wife. The kidnappers have not called me or any member of the family since the incident on Sunday. They should please release my wife, I am begging those holding her,” Ogbolosingha pleaded.

Meanwhile, tension, has heightened over the whereabouts of Mrs. Bukola Olowookere, the banker who was declared missing last week.

Olowookere was last seen Thursday last week in the company of her colleagues identified as; Henry Ejimofor, Bayo Ogunrinyo, in a car driven by a senior colleague identified as Itar Muktar. She was reportedly dropped off at Canoe Bus-stop, in Oke-Afa area of Lagos, at about 8.30p.m., from

where she was expected to board a bus to her Okota home.

Apprehension, however, set in after her husband raised the alarm when she did not return home midnight and subsequently reported the case at the Ejibo Police division. Vanguard gathered that when her telephone number was dialled, someone picked, but did not speak.

So far, those that were last seen with the 33-year-old Ondo Stateborn missing woman had been interrogated by detectives at the State Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS, Ikeja, where the matter was transferred to.

The church where she worshiped, the Redeemed Church of God, Place of Mercy Parish, Area 26, zone three of Lagos Province 61, has announced a N500,000 rewards for anyone with useful information that could lead to the whereabouts of Mrs. Bukola Olowookere.

Attempt to abduct more children A neighbour, who simply gave her name as Ngozi, revealed that for providence Rose would have abducted her daughter and her cousin.

Expressing shock over the incident, she said: “It is usually in movies that we see such things happen. But for God’s intervention, Rose would have taken my daughter Muna and her cousin alongside those two siblings that Saturday afternoon.

"A neighbour, who saw the four kids with the apprentice asked my daughter and her cousin to go back home. We are praying for the missing kids to be found unharmed."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17 17, 2016—17

Fuel hike price: Sorry, I won't be at Ojota W

HILE I join other wellmeaning Nigerians to condemn in the strongest terms, the recent insensitive,wicked and punitive increase in the price of petrol to officially N145 per litre,I have to tell all those who have called on me to be part of providing leadership for resistance to the measure to perish the thought.

My heart is with the conned people of Nigeria as they fight this unpopular act of government but my body will not be in their midst. Having spent 30 years of my life in the struggle against the manipulation of the people on this issue of "fuel subsidy". I am fully persuaded that I have to deploy my energy to a nobler cause.

I have to take public stand in view of the various calls, messages, and verbal requests that have come to me since the Federal Government decided to sentence Nigerians to more hardship by increasing the pump price (don't soak the "deregulation" lie). My provoking encounter with a gentleman I never knew at an intersection in Abuja on Friday whom I asked for direction is the last straw. The man entered his car and offered to lead me to the road I asked for and then said "Mr Odumakin,please we are waiting for your leadership against this fuel price regime. Help me tell Madam too..."

The 1986 Ife protest I recall vividly December 21,1986.Then University of Ife was to have its convocation and the Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida was expected as the visitor. He was not there physically but sent the Chief of Naval Staff,Patrick Koshoni to represent him.

The convocation arena at Oduduwa Hall was filled to capacity before we marched at the gate to start protest songs against Babangida's regime and demanding especially the release of then Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, President , Mr. Paschal Bafyau and some of his officials who were detained over Labour's opposition to the plan by the military junta to increase pump price of petrol from 42kobo a litre to 70k. It was called "subsidy removal", a prescription from the the International Monetary Fund,IMF. Such was the protest that by the time the convocation was over, Koshoni had to escape in the car of then Military Administrator of Oyo State, Col. Tunji Olurin C M Y K

abandoning the helicopter that brought him at the sports complex. Security details in their convoy shot teargas into the air with protesters 'replying' with pebbles.

The Students Union was under ban at the time.The following day, the University Management under Prof. Wande Abimbola took the names of the ten editorial members of PETALS, the fiery campus magazine I edited with two other students for suspension accusing us of being the brains behind the protest.We were suspended indefinitely.The legal firm of Mr. Alao Aka-Bashorun assigned Mr. Femi Falana to tell the court that the University rule book empowers the ViceChancellor to discipline any student who has been "found guilty" of an offense but that we were not tried not to talk of been found guilty.The judge agreed and asked us to return to school armed with a "perpetual injunction".

After leaving school,I have participated in so many protests against "subsidy removal". I recall

A man should learn to choose his battles and that I do henceforth. I insist the battle we must fight to solve all these problems is to restructure the days of Obasanjo when Adams Oshiomole as NLC President would ostensibly have agreed with the government on pump price and they would fix something higher.

The demagogue would then led the country to protest.Whenever it was time to decide on strike,he would allow us radicals to speak without inhibitions but after two or three days of protest he would go for "negotiation".By the time he summons the meeting to call off the strike to accept the offer from government,he would ensure that only his henchmen are allowed to speak in favor of strike "suspension."The most memorable of the anti-fuel hike protests for me was "Occupy Nigeria" in 2012 when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan increased pump price to N140 per

liter on New Year day.

Pastor Tunde Bakare who joined us on the street for the first time in 2010 when he convened the Save Nigeria Group,SNG, to rattle the cabal that would not allow power transfer to Jonathan in spite of the incapacitation of President Umaru Yar'Adua had asked me to call a meeting of the fighters. We met at the SNG secretariat with Femi and Seun Kuti, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, Ras Kimono and Dede Mabiakwu in attendance. We agreed to have a rally at Ojota on January 9,2012.

January 12, 2012 protest: We expected good turn out based on the mobilisation we carried out but the turn out surpassed our expectations.The second day doubled the first day.The third day spilled out of control. The fourth day communicated to us that a stampede was in the offing if we did not do something .We had to ask the crowd to go home for the weekend on the fifth and return on Monday. Our suspension allowed Labour to cut a deal and Ojota was taken over before we could come back on Monday by troops.

A lot has been written about Ojota and how Fashola and

Tinubu "funded" the big movement.The truth is farther from that lie.Pastor Bakare and I met Fashola once during the protests where he appealed that we should not allow a breakdown of law and order so that the Federal Government would not declare an emergency in Lagos.We didn't take a dime from him.We had no interaction with Tinubu in anyway. A Nigerian billionaire who lived abroad who offered to support the movement was told by Pastor Bakare that we could afford to sponsor what we were doing. All we spent for the five days that shook the world was N7.5million and not one kobo of it came from any external source.

Dysfunctional system It was a moment that proved clearly that social mobility is not frozen in Nigeria, if the right leadership is provided .

It was clear to me after that movement that we were not going to get out of this bind of a dysfunctional system where we have to engagie in these useless battles on fuel price in a country that is the sixth largest producer of crude in the world. It was crystal clear in my mind that we have to restructure Nigeria to be able to solve any of the problems confronting us as a people.

At the 2014 National Conference, I warned this country about the crises we would get into if the price of crude were to crash in the international market. It was with deep conviction I took the position in 2015 that no "change" would come to Nigeria either from Jonathan or Buhari if we fail to change this structure. I would not have voted for either if it was all about "change" and

"transformation". I backed Jonathan who made commitment to implement the 2015 confab report. It was the same position that made me support Buhari in 2011 when the Buhari-Bakare manifesto had restructuring of Nigeria as the first item,although it was only Bakare who raised and spoke to that manifesto.

All hell was let loose . A lot of intimate "friends" became instant foes! But when you are listening to a distant drummer your dance steps would be different from the folks around. A man of deep conviction would not flow with the mad crowd. It is now one year after and All Promises Cancelled is the name of the game and there is now gnashing of teeth.

However like Lisabi of Egbaland, I will stay on my lane.

Lisabi worked in a thrifty arrangement that involved working with members in any chore of their fancy. When it became his turn he asked all to sharpen their cutlasses as he takes them to where they would work for him. It turned out that all he wanted them to do was to severe the heads of the tax enforcers terrorising the Egba.That was the only battle he fought that made him their hero till tomorrow. A man should learn to choose his battles and that I'll do henceforth.

I insist the battle we must fight to solve all these problems is to restructure. If we devolve powers to the federating units, there won't be any Kachikwu or PPPRA forcing these pills down our throats from Abuja. Some sections would get their refineries right while those who can't may buy from such zones at reduced costs.Until we get to that point,the strikes this week may force the regime to back down a bit but it is a present continuous. A terminal crisis!

...Adegboruwa and corruption of anti-corruption war

W

HEN a friend sent me the "breaking news" from Sahara Reporters that Lagos lawyer, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa had been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over some fraud allegation, I had trepidations on what would make Big Sam whom I had known for over three decades become a financial criminal overnight.

I frantically called his line but didn't get any response confirming that he was already cooling his heels in detention .

It took about 36 hours after before I received a mail from his chambers detailing what happened. A client of his owed a man from his village some money and the cheque he issued bounced.The creditor reported the matter and a criminal charge was filed. When Adegboruwa's law firm got involved,they mediated between the two parties and agreed that the debtor's house be leased or sold to offset the debt.

A property belonging to the debtor was therefore leased and the creditor and the owner of the house paid. Adegboruwa got only N2.5 m as professional fees.

The creditor was asked to withdraw his criminal charge

upon payment which he did and Justice D.O Oluwayemi was reported to have dismissed the criminal case. But the EFCC is claiming it has an interim order on the property upon which it has been collecting double rent from the client who leased the property.

The legal firm insists this legal transaction of 2013 has now been turned into a criminal act in 2016 because the anti-graft agency is uncomfortable with Adegboruwa criticism of the present administration and his standing as counsel for Tompolo and Aziabola Robert.

Familiar lines in Abacha days I spoke with Adegboruwa on phone on Saturday and what he told me is a clear indication of the present danger in the land. "I WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE WHAT AM DOING IF I LIKED BUT SHOULD KNOW WE ARE BACK IN THE ERA WHEN PEOPLE CAN DISAPPEAR WITHOUT TRACE AND ANYBODY CAN BE FRAMED FOR ANYTHING" Those were familiar lines in Abacha days! Some were taken down but most survived him.

Abacha is a sad history today.

While we wait for the court to determine whether the interim order EFCC claims over the property is superior to an order of the court quashing the criminal charges, we are worried how a section of the media is cooperating with this scheme of damaging citizens reputation in the name of anti-corruption. This is corruption in itself. At this point, I have to call out my friend Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters to exercise some restraints in allowing those bent on tarnishing people's reputation on the flimsiest ground to use his platform. He should be careful with people who have only one public life like Adegboruwa when smear artists are unleashed.

Those of us who cherish his rich contributions (at a time people were disappearing without trace) reluctantly have to make this call.

He is the only one I think deserves being called out on this.

The SR has history behind it and whatever is going on now will become history. It should not put itself in a position to give unnecessary explanations when all this is over. I hope people being maligned here and there would deposit their law suits in court.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 Nigerians finally heaved a great sigh of relief on Friday, May 6, 2016, when President Muhammadu Buhari gave his assent to the 2016 appropriation bill as passed by the National Assembly. With the budget now law, stakeholders are looking forward to its implementation to stimulate the economy and realise the objectives of the administration.

The assent which came more than forty days after it was first transmitted to the President has, for now, taken attention away from the grossly outrageous anomalies that bogged down the budget between the Executive and Legislative arms of government, which lasted for nearly six months.

We must learn our object lessons once and for all as we look forward to the next cycle of budget preparation and processing. We must learn from the pitfalls of this year and ensure we get it right from next year moving forward.

The APC Federal Government now

Avoiding future budget rows has enough time to put its acts together, working in harmony with the two chambers of the National A s s e m b l y, t o d e l i v e r g o o d governance devoid of the friction, scandals, tensions and groping for direction, which characterised the past one year it assumed power.

The distortions we experienced in the process of preparing the 2016 budget stemmed mainly from the fact that the regime was new, and it did not have enough time to harness all its organs as a ruling party. To make matters worse, President Muhammadu Buhari was

very slow in putting together his cabinet. He initially dwelt heavily on the bureaucrats, and by the time the ministers had been assembled in November 2015, there was little time for them to take charge and curb the excesses of the entrenched interests of civil servants.

Nigerians are willing to overlook this chaotic beginning, if only the situation will not be repeated in the next three years they gave President Buhari to implement his campaign promises.

Another area the APC Federal Government must resolve before we

embrace the next budget cycle is the perennial power tussle between the Executive, which proposes the annual Appropriation Bill, and the Legislative arm, which approves it for assent by the President.

This problem has always reared its ugly head every year under successive administrations. After seventeen years of uninterrupted democracy, we should have been able to overcome this problem. The Executive must be allowed to draw out and implement the visions and missions of governance promised Nigerians. At the same time, the National Assembly must be allowed to perform its legislative, appropriation and oversight functions to ensure checks, balances and more accountable governance.

Undue power tussle between both arms always leads to avoidable waste of time and resources, and this must stop.

OPINION

Politics of fuel subsidy (2) Continued from yesterday

By Sunday John

R

EACTING to the statement made by then president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan while speaking at the 17th Nigerian Economic Summit (NSE) in Abuja in November 2011, Buhari was said to have “thrown his weight behind the anti-people measure called “subsidy removal” which the then PDP government wanted to force down the throat of Nigerians”. If the president denied that there was subsidy, what then has he removed that pushed up the pump price of fuel to N145 per litre?

What was anti-people measure then is now pro-people simply because Buhari is the president.

The major concern in the whole politics of subsidy is not its removal but the insincerity, hypocrisy and dishonesty of the leaders (both past and present) towards it as demonstrated by Ahmed Tinubu, President Muhammedu Buhari and their colleagues. It is dubious for a leader to support what he had earlier condemned just because he is now in power. That is selfishness and opportunistic. If removal of fuel subsidy was allowed in 2012, Nigerians and the

economy would have adjusted to it long ago. It wouldn’t have been as painful as it is today.

The insincerity extends to all the homilies on the benefits of the removal of fuel subsidy to which the people have been awash over the years. I

The major concern in the whole politics of subsidy is not its removal but the insincerity, hypocrisy and dishonesty of the leaders both past and present started following the politics of fuel price increase and subsidy removal from the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. He adjusted pump price five times during his eight year rule as head of state, each time inundating us with the fairytale of infrastructures the money saved from increase in pump price of fuel would build. Ernest Shonekan, even as short as his tenure as the Chairman, Interim National

Government, was had his own experiment with pump price adjustment. General Sani Abacha played chess with it. First, he reduced it from N5 to N3.25 in 1993, pushed it up to N15 on October 2, 1994 and reduced it to N11 two days later.

General Abdulsalam Abubakar tampered with it twice and Olusegun Obasanjo seven times.

Despite all these, there are no visible benefits of these price adjustments on infrastructures in the country. Rather, the corrupt rulers have had deeper till to steal from. Nigerians have come to believe that reduction or removal of fuel subsidy is to make more money available for the ruling class to siphon.

That is the simple reason the political class oppose it when outside government but accept it when inside.

I am not against the removal of fuel subsidy. No, not because of any socioeconomic jargon bandied about by selfcentred and dishonest politicians, but for psychological reasons. I want to be free from incessant harassment, intimidation, torment and lies arising from the politics of fuel subsidy. I want to hear new vocabularies from our halfbaked leaders instead of the worn out subsidy. I want to see how smart they are by devising new conduit pipe of pilfering our commonwealth. Those who rule us have made us cowards –

dying many times before our death – just because of fuel subsidy. They have blackmailed us, they have maligned us, they have robbed us our joy, our peace, all because of fuel subsidy. Let us call their bluff this time around and refuse their temptation to push us to the streets for protest. Let us all decide to die to fuel subsidy and its deceptions.

After all, the only difference between the past and what Buhari government has done is that while the governments of the past nibbled at the subsidy issue and offered the citizens euthanasia, Buhari has hit the nail on the head without fearing the reactions of the people. Now, we need not react because it is the era of change. After all, we asked for it. Change is change, whether good or bad. The last administration tried to do it but met the brick wall of protesting Nigerians. Even when the government succumbed to the wish of the common man, the then President Jonathan maintained at a Summit in Lagos that his administration would still remove fuel subsidy after due consultations with Nigerians. But he did not have the lever to do it. Now, President Buhari has all it takes to do it with the wild West behind him.

Concluded *Mr. John , is a research Fellow in Mass communication at the Amity University , India.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016— —19

Fulani herdsmen and others

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HE delicate nature of Nigeria was brought to the fore after the election of Goodluck Jonathan to the Presidency in year 2011, when some of us vowed not to allow a so called infidel to rule them and promised to make the nation ungovernable for him. This mission was pursued with so much doggedness until Jonathan lost the re-election in 2015. It is a clear fact that Jonathan did not live up to his full potential as President but when the story of his government will be told by unbiased historians, it will be on record that his government was greatly sabotaged, with the active connivance of propagandists who surpassed Goebbels standards. It became so clear to many people that Jonathan must leave for peace to reign. At the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, not a few people were of the views that Jonathan should just go, if that was the price for peace to be restored in the land. There is also another school of thought that held the view that since Buhari is their son, his coming as president will make the northern hardliners sheath their sword but what have we witnessed since his coming?

A new wave of insurgency caused by the rampaging Fulani herds men. From the Middle Belt region they have now infiltrated the south, killing, maiming and kidnapping with so much effrontery. It is amazing that our security personnel are taking this long to contain them. Some are now of the view that they are another arm of the Boko Haram masquerading as herds men.

Have you noticed the great influx of a particular blend of 'northerners' into the south region recently? Some say they are Malians, Chadians and other West Africans but what are our intelligence agencies doing about it? It is expected that with the experience of the Boko Haram these past years and the activities of militants and criminals in other areas, our level of intelligence gathering would have been up graded by several notch but, it appears we are still in the doldrums. The way and manner the so called herds men have carried out their genocidal missions suggest that they are truly professionals in the guerrilla warfare action. You sneak in, ravage a whole village/ community and sneak out quietly with no trace of your where about. It is too much to comprehend. The question now is: Why has the coming of President Buhari failed to put a

stop to the nefarious activities of these herds men? Have they forgotten that it is their brother that is in power? Or, like it happened with the Niger Delta militants, have they out grown the voices of their elders?

Another question to ponder is: Are our security agencies complicit in the whole set up?

Every community must begin to set up Security committees that will gather information, prepare for defence and stand up to defend their land against any threat How can a group of people come into an area, inflict so much destruction and vanish without any trace within our shores?

From the north, they are now ravaging the south, what is to be done?

If these herds men are foot soldiers of the Boko Haram, it is

clear that the south and Christians are there for the picking, should they decide to strike and institute their kind of government. That is why one asks again: What should we do to ensure that our generation and those coming behind us do not get wiped out? It is obvious that the various ethnic groups in this country are not united on a common purpose, if we are, the Fulani herds man will not carry his cows into the farmland of a fellow Nigerian and watch the cows destroy the farm crops. It is a fact that the activities of these herds men did not start today.

But, in those days, what they do is to steer the animals towards those grasses that are of no use to the farmer. In fact, they use them to clear large expanse of over grown weeds in the area. So, it was a mutually beneficial project for both parties, the cows are fed and the land owners have their over grown weeds cleared.

But, the situation now has changed, the open grazing lands are no more there due to the growth/expansion of towns and cities, coupled with the increasing awareness of the people in the agriculture farming potentials, so the cows can no longer feed comfortably along the bush paths without causing havoc unless they go far into the forest where they might be exposed to danger.

A lot of arguments have been put forward for the herds men to change to the ranch method of

Emefiele and the economic crisis burden

By Olubukayo Jamiu

L

ET us assume I do not like Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Let us also assume that I believe every public officer in Nigeria deserves nothing but abuse, name-calling and scandalisation.

Let us then say that by default, I am happy that Mr. Emefiele has been under severe media attacks since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29th, 2015. The simple conclusion I would have reached by now is that there is more to what I am reading than I am reading. It would no longer matter if I like Mr. Emefiele or not. I would now be getting concerned that some people are hell bent on getting rid of the CBN governor. I would now be asking myself if there is something else behind the anti-Emefiele emotions.

In less than one year, Emefiele has come under attacks for so many things. He has been criticised for not devaluing the naira; for restricting Forex, FX, access to 41 imported items, including toothpicks and private jets; for making FX available to a "privileged few"; for making money available to the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Rtd. Colonel Sambo Dasuki, based on a presidential directive; for secretly employing the children of the rich and the powerful; for flying private jets "used by Diezani Alison-Madueke"; for making FX available to the wife of the president; and so long a list I have virtually lost count. It is now appearing as one week, one accusation against the CBN governor. While I am not in a position to say if these allegations are true or not, I am getting worried as a Nigerian that these attacks are unending. Are they mere coincidences? Or orchestrated?

I do not hold any brief for the CBN governor. Indeed, I have never been his fan. It is nothing personal or ideological.

My problem with him from the beginning was the manner of his appointment by the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Simply because Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,SLS, raised issues of accountability, Dr. Jonathan illegally C M Y K

removed him as governor of the CBN and appointed Mr. Emefiele to replace him.

For that reason, I did not like the new governor. I thought he was a beneficiary of an unholy decision by the former president. I have therefore found it very difficult to warm up to Mr. Emefiele. I cannot deny that he had a great banking career, rising to the very top at Zenith Bank Plc, but that has never swayed me.

As far as I am concerned, he benefitted from a dubious decision by Jonathan and he must pay for it.

Ironically, as an accountant, I should ordinarily have a tribal feeling for Emefiele. But this is not about sentiments; it is about my own moral persuasions. Dr. Jonathan took a political decision in removing Sanusi. That is my ground of dissent. I never agreed with those who said

It is early in the day to conclude that the policy has failed, especially when the alternatives offer no magical returns because Emefiele is an accountant he should not be a CBN governor, or that only an economist should be appointed as CBN governor. That is absolute rubbish. In the first place, there are several examples of reserve bank governors across the world who did not major in Economics. But that is beside the issue. That someone is an accountant does not mean he knows nothing about economics. Apart from studying Economics up to university level, even if not as a major, Emefiele has had a 26-year banking career which we cannot easily dismiss. What do economists know that an Emefiele does not know, either in theory or practical? We don't have to make a fetish of Economics.

Let us dissect some of the issues at stake.

The first storm Emefiele ran into was the exchange rate. With crude oil prices crashing and FX reserves falling, the logical action was to allow the naira to depreciate in line with the new market

realities. Unfortunately, some of these policy prescriptions are easier to make than to implement. Today, we are buying fuel at N145 (official price, bar scarcity).

If the naira is devalued to N300 as many people want it, the pump price of petrol will move to at least N150 per litre (again, bar scarcity). If petrol is selling for N200 in the black market because of product scarcity, it follows then that even if you devalue the naira to N300, fuel could go for N600 per litre in times of scarcity. It is not as if we have found the solution to the multifarious problems facing us and that the CBN is the only thing holding us back.

Our problems are rooted in historical structural and policy challenges that we are yet to address.

The bigger problem, however, is that some experts think they have the solution to the challenges Nigeria is experiencing.

But things are not as easy as they appear.

At no time in our history have we depended on imports as today. With a monthly bill of over $4 billion and FX revenue less than $1 billion, it would take magic to meet the need of everybody. If President Buhari fires Emefiele today and appoints somebody else, I still do not see the magic that will grow our FX reserves when crude oil prices are low and we cannot do anything about it. The notion that devaluing the naira will automatically attract FX inflow is also exaggerated. Emerging economies are taking a hit in the current global recession. It is not a Nigerian problem.

Countries that have devalued are yet to start reporting an enormous flow of foreign investments. Some of these things are easier said than done.

The alleged secret employments by the CBN should be cause for worry, but the reports of "secrecy" and lack of regard for "federal character" have been denied by the Central Bank. This puts an analyst in a tight corner. Who should we believe?

The CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, was quoted in the press as saying: "In the last two years, we have had cause to recruit specialists, and what the law says is that if we are going for that kind of recruitment

rearing cattle. But, from their activities so far, will the herds men agree adopt this style of animal husbandry? Are we going to allow them to force us out of our farms which is our major source of livelihood? These are the issues.

Unless a people can defend themselves, their future is not guaranteed. The government has shown that it does not have the capacity to rein in these people. So, everyone will have to fashion out ways of survival.

Every community must begin to set up Security committees that will gather information, prepare for defence and stand up to defend their land against any threat.

These committees must work in tandem with our various security agencies, so that the latter can offer back up support at short notices. We recall the assistance given by the Civilian JTF in the fight against Boko Haram in the north east of Nigeria. We cannot fold our hands, sit down and hope for miracles to happen. We must take our security in our own hands and every community must begin to do that now. Unless you take yourself seriously, nobody takes you seriously.

The defence of your land is your responsibility. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos. www.southsouthecho.com

we should apply for waiver, so that we can do targeted recruitment. The other issue is that there are states that are not well represented in the CBN, and in this case we focus on those states to recruit people of certain classes that we used to cover the shortfall in those states."

Okorafor's explanation suggests that no law was broken in the process since waivers were duly secured. I am at a loss on what the real facts are. This is where journalists need to help us out.

However, if it is true that the necessary approvals were secured for the recruitment, the accusation will again fit perfectly into the conspiracy theory that there is more to the criticism of Emefiele than the eye can see. There seems to be a frantic search for evidence to nail him and remove him as CBN governor. An online medium recently wrote an editorial campaigning for the replacement of Emefiele with a serving or retired deputy governor. For someone who is yet to complete the second year of his five-year tenure, canvassing that he be replaced with a deputy governor is very curious.

The impression you would get, even if you are not a fan of Emefiele, is that there is certainly a well-oiled campaign against him. This cannot be ordinary. It can't be routine.

The irony surrounding Emefiele, however, is that he may still emerge the real winner at the end of the day. His position on the exchange rate has been well defended by President Buhari himself. The FX allocation ban, like every policy, is producing winners and losers.

Just as there have been reports of factories closing down because of FX scarcity (which, it must be noted, was caused by falling oil prices and not the CBN), we are also hear encouraging stories of the gradual development of the agricultural value chain. We read reports of the benefits being enjoyed by local farmers who are getting fully supported on different fronts, including access to cheap finance provided by the CBN through the Bank of Agriculture. It is early in the day to conclude that the policy has failed, especially when the alternatives offer no magical returns. *Mrs. Jamiu, a policy analyst, wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

— 21

Struggling Naira appreciates by N10 to N350 per Dollar

By Babajide Komolafe

T

HE Naira, buffeted by market forces reacting to policy pronouncements yesterday appreciated by N10 to N350 per dollar in the parallel market.

Vanguard investigation revealed volatility in the parallel market exchange rate Friday when it closed at N360 and the close of business yesterday.

Bureaux De Change operators who confirmed this development to Vanguard attributed the volatility to speculation.

Investigation revealed that the parallel market exchange rate rose to N360 per dollar on the average on Friday following rumours that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had officially devalued the Naira to N290 per dollar. The apex bank however debunked this rumour, leading to appreciation of the Naira on Saturday to N350 per dollar.

The appreciation was reversed in the early hours of yesterday, prompting the parallel market exchange rate to rise to N355 per dollar by 12 noon before retreating to N350 by the close of business.

According to President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the volatility was driven by speculation.

“When people hear about any government policy they make interpretations and take position.

The report by Sahara Reporters triggered the depreciation on Friday but the denial by CBN calmed the market. Today there is a report that the CBN will on May 24 make a pronouncement on its foreign exchange policy and this caused a sudden lull in trading hence the appreciation in

the later part of today.”

Last week Thursday, the twomonth stability of the Naira in the parallel market was shattered by the announcement of deregulation of importation of petroleum products. Under the new dispensation, fuel importers are allowed to source foreign exchange from secondary sources to import petrol. While announcing the de-

When people hear about any government policy they make interpretations and take position regulation of petroleum importation, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA said that with the deregulation of petrol importation, importers will henceforth be permitted to source for their foreign exchange re-

quirements from secondary sources. This triggered increased speculation in the parallel market due to expectation that the

new policy will increase demand for dollars in the market. Consequently, the parallel market exchange rate which had been sta-

ble at N320 per dollar since February rose sharply to N341 per dollar the day after the policy was announced.

Zenith Bank, French firm sign $100m pact to boost power

Z

ENITH Bank Plc and the French Development Agency (Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), operator of France’s bilateral development finance mechanism, over the weekend in Abuja, signed a $100m power sector credit facility to boost new investments in the capital expenditures of Distribution Companies (DISCOS).

The signing of the facility which took place in the inner chambers of the Aso Rock Villa in the shadow of the security summit was witnessed by the visiting French President Francois Hol$ 128.75 -0.05 lande and the Nigerian President, General Mu$2,984.00 17.00 hammadu Buhari.

The facility will be a re$ 16.59 -0.15 prieve for the DISCOS that are currently weighed down by debt burden with historic $48.82 0.99 debtors made of mainly government establish$47.17 0.96 ments, including the military and security CURRENCY BUYING SELLING agencies alone accountUS DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 ing for over N93bn.

283.6316 284.3552 285.0787 POUNDS Leading the team of the 223.44 224.01 224.58 EURO bank’s top executives to 202.0619 202.5773 203.0928 FRANC 1.7952 1.7998 1.8044 YEN the bilateral session 0.3218 0.3318 0.3418 CFA where the pact was 276.3174 277.0223 277.7272 WAUA sealed was Chairman of 30.0651 30.1422 30.2194 RENMINBI Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. 52.2597 52. 393 52.5263 RIYAL Jim Ovia, while Mrs. 30.0227 30.0993 30.1758 KRONA 276.9284 277.6349 278.3413 SDR Laurence BretonMoyet, Chief OperatCBN Exchange rate as at 16/05/2016 ing Officer and Mem-

C M Y K

AWARD: From left, Dr Nike Akande, President, Lagos Chamber of Comerce and Industry, LCCI; Alhaji Remi Bello, former President, LCCI; Mr Dare Kafar, Marketing Director, Startimes Nigeria; Mr Israel Bolaji, Head, Public Relations and Mr. Biodun Osidele, Marketing Executive, during the presentation of award for Fastest Growing Pay TV to Startimes Nigeria

by LCCI at the 2016 Commerce and Industry Awards, in Lagos.

ber of the Executive Board from the AFD Headquarters in Paris, led the agency’s team.

Under the loan arrangement, a maximum of US$50m can be onlent to any single borrower at single digit interest rate for a tenor of between seven and 12 years, with a moratorium of 2 – 3 and half years, depending on the project’s cash flow.

The AFD facility is aimed at reinforcing, rehabilitating and modernizing the existing distribution networks with the sole target of stabilising the grid. The loan arrangement also provides for tech-

nical assistance and other advisory services, both to the benefiting DISCO and the partnership bank.

Zenith Bank Plc has remained, not only a leading financier of investments aimed at developing the power/energy sector in the country, but also a key player in many other sectors of the economy including; oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, communication, transportation, real estate and construction, among others. In the financial year ended December 31, 2015, Zenith Bank reported a profit after tax (PAT)

Julius Berger appoints Sunmonu as new chairman

of N105.66bn - the highest in the Nigeria banking industry for the year; with total assets at over N4trn.

AFD, a public industrial and commercial institution with the status of specialized financial institution, is working in consonance with France’s framework document for development cooperation to combat poverty and promote sustainable development by financing and supporting projects that improve living conditions for populations, promote economic growth and protect the planet.

Only 9% of Nigerians make purchases online —Udeji

By Godfrey Bivbere

F

OLLOWING the growing population of online shoppers across the country, a top player in the e-commerce industry, Chris Udeji, Chief Executive Officer of adiba.com has disclosed that only 9per cent of the shopping class in Nigeria do purchases online.

Access to internet on mobile has created massive awareness and players have taken advantage of this platform to launch out several platforms to sell to Nigerians and other shoppers.

Udeji, who spoke to the media at the launch of Adiba.com offline

store in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos said despite the fact that the future of shopping is online, most Nigerians still prefer to touch and feel their goods before they purchase them, dding that “this is the reason we are setting up physical stores to create convenience for our customers.”

Online is well defined, said the Adiba.com boss. “We found out that a lot of people have no facility to shop online. Only 9per cent of Nigerians are really shopping online. As a result, you cannot rule out the traditional shoppers and that is why we are giving our online shopping customers the opportunity to interface and know

where Adiba.com comes from.”

Since online really do not address the issue of customer complaints, Adiba.com has provided a channel. Customers of the ecommerce platform can now lodge their complaints of whatever form at the physical stores, which would set up in Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Ikota to complement the Lekki’s pilot store.

According to him “If a customer shop at our platform online and he or she is dissatisfied, such customer con visit any of our stores and complain and his or her problem will be addressed appropriately.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 Despite the stronger than expected Q1 16, investment analysts have remained cautious on MRS’ outlook, hence the stock

,

INVESTOR' INVESTOR'S

,

MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC:

Apathy greets a good 2016 start ...New petroleum pricing policy may rev up interest

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

M

RS Oil Nigeria Plc (MRS) released its first quarter 2016 (Q1 2016) unaudited financial statements, throwing up some positive surprises as most performance indicators went up amidst major hiccups in the subsector, the lingering availability crises of petroleum products.

Of significant flip, and surprising note is the sales which rose 17.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) to N25 billion majorly as a result on a strong PMS sales of N21billion (+25% y-o-y) which offset a 6.0% y-o-y decline in AGO and a massive 38% y-o-y decline in ATK sales.

The upswing in PMS receipts reflects solid volume growth of 242 million litres (+26% y-o-y) and, perhaps, affirms industry observers’ view that major marketers were less impacted by petroleum products shortage experienced in the latter part of Q1,16 In particular, despite forex shortage, MRS’ import finance facilities remained elevated at N15 billion, almost same level with its full year 2015 figures of N16 billion, suggesting the company utilised most of its 30,000 metric tonnes Q1, 16 PMS allocation.

Product sales Also significant was the Profit Before Tax (PBT) and Profit After Tax (PAT) of N626 million and N363 million respectively, relative to losses in the corresponding period in 2015 thus beating analysts’ expectations of N163 million and N101 million, respectively, with deviation primarily due to higher than expected product sales, strong other operating income and reversal of the net finance charges.

Margins remain below peer average: The positive turn in the income has, however, been with cost pressures as profitability margins contracted y-o-y. Input costs which rose 18% y-o-y to N23.3 billion resulted in gross profit rising only 8.5% higher yo-y to N1.8 billion with gross margin compressing 60 basis points y-o-y to 7.0%. Gross C M Y K

margin pressures must have been as a result of the predominance of the thinner margin PMS in MRS’ sales mix.

PMS with sub - 8% gross margin accounted for more than 86% of total Q1, 16 sales compared to only 4% of total sales for diesel with gross margin in excess of 30%.

Apparently the cost pressures may have put MRS’ operational efficiency below industry average. Core operating profit of N240 million (-4% y-o-y), implies related margin of 1.0%, 250 basis points below industry average.

In the same vein, though buoyed by other operating income of N382million, beating analysts’ expectations, operating profit rose to N625 million (+5% y-o-y), related margin of 2.5% (30 basis points y-o-y) is 200 basis points below industry peer average.

Similarly, the Q1, 16 PBT and PAT margins of 2.2% and 1.4%, though impressively, nearly double the company’s average of the last 16 quarters, are also 150 basis points below peer average.

Efficiency issues subdue outlook: Despite the stronger than expected Q1 16, investment analysts have remained cautious on MRS’ outlook, hence the stock. According to analysts at ARM Investment, “our cautious stance is hinged on somewhat blurred industry outlook, but more pertinently, MRS’ volatile and below peer operational efficiency”. This position was taken before last week’s government’s policy change in the industry. The basis for the ARM industry outlook have been overtaken by the events of last

•Chairman, MRS Oil, Sayyu Idris Dantata week when the federal government liberalised petroleum marketing allowing not only more operating space for petroleum marketing companies such as MRS, but also widened their profit margins in the new pricing template.

However, ARM maintained that for MRS, even if there is minimal supply disruption, like in Q1 16, MRS’ weak operational efficiency is likely to limit impact on core operating profit.

Against this backdrop, ARM retained its 2016 revenue and

Positive turn in the income has, however, been with cost pressures as profitability margins contracted y-o-y

input cost estimates, but revised operating costs higher to N6.1 billion (vs. N5.1 billion previously) in line with recent run-rate. The above analysis

•MD, MRS Oil, Mr Andrew Gbodume

appears to be dominant as at last week reflecting in the investor behavior towards petroleum marketing stocks after last week’s liberalization policy announcement by the petroleum industry authorities.

In the overall price index for the week the NSE Oil/Gas Index climbed 512 basis points or 5.1% northwards, the second highest in the stock exchange last week and about the highest so far this year. But the renewed buying interest was not extended to MRS. While major petroleum product marketers, Mobil Oil Nigeria, Total Oil Nigeria, and Forte Oil, appreciated by N14.34, N10.40 and N4.50 to close at N175.00, N170.00 and N225.00 per share respectively, MRS depreciated the most by N4.36 to close at N40.47.

New petrol marketing policy gives hope However, ARM stated, “following fairly robust other income, driven by higher storage cost, our other operating income forecasts is now double prior at N1.3 billion (-12% y-o-y).

“Furthermore, given sizeable cash balances which has averaged N20 billion over the last three quarters, we have revised our 2016 estimate for finance income higher to N600 million as against N200 million

previously. “Net adjustments drive our 2016E PBT and PAT 27% higher to N1.4 billion (-3%) and N964 million (+3.1%), implying respective margins of 1.7% and 1.1%”.

Moreover, analysts at Vetiva Capital are indicating optimism across the subsector. They stated last week: “For years, Downstream Majors had lobbied for the deregulation of the sector in a bid to rid themselves of huge subsidy receivables that had stifled profitability. “We think the liberalisation of the sector will allow Majors leverage economies of scale to dominate the fuel import market.

“We note that in the revised pricing template, retailer, transporter and dealer margins were increased from N5.00, N3.05 and N1.95 to N6.00, N3.36 and N2.36 respectively”. They were optimistic this would resonate positively on the earnings and benefits to investors in the stocks of quoted oil marketers, hence their upwards review of the target prices (TP) According to Vetiva, “following from this, we expect to make upward revisions to our coverage Majors: Total (TP: N208.77 BUY), Mobil (TP: N150.46 SELL) and Oando (UNDER REVIEW).

“We expect consensus ratings on FO (Not Covered), Conoil (Not Covered) and MRS (Not Covered) to be revised upward as well.

MRS Oil: SEGMENT REVENUE AND COST OF SALES

VOL. 1: No. 91

TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

ESE ORURU, 14: Now severed from friends, classmates after abduction, marriage ...in stable health, pregnancy in 3rd trimester

By Samuel Oyadogha & Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA- FOURTEENyear-old Miss Ese Oruru, aka “Government Child,” looking wild, March 2, when she returned to Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from where she was abducted, six months earlier,

by Yunusa Dahiri, aka Yellow and taken to Kano and forced into early marriage, has reclaimed her serenity, and is now in the third trimester (40 months)of her pregnancy.

Yunusa is a commercial tricycle operator, who claimed that he and Ese were lovers and said their relocation to Kano, his home state, without the say-so of Ese’s parents was mutually decided by both of them.

Investigations by Niger Delta Voice showed that Oruru, whose domicile has remained the Police Officers’ Mess, located some distance away from the Federal Medical Centre and the headquarters of the Bayelsa State Police Command in the Ovom suburb of the state capital, is due to deliver anytime from now.

Life in her new home has helped to stabilize her greatly after her abductor-lover converted to Islam under duress and the Bayelsa state government has re-registered her for the Junior Secondary School, JSS III Examination, later in the year, which she could not write, last year, because of her kidnap.

Our source disclosed: “Ese

Ese Oruru's parents

Ese Oruru has been living a reticent life since she returned because the police barred her classmates and friends from her. Only her parents and siblings are allowed to visit her, but that in a way has assisted in her recov-

ery.

Ese, from Uwheru, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has not been staying with her parents since her liberation.

At her new abode in the Po-

lice Officers’ Mess, Yenagoa, the place is out of bound to visitors, including her former schoolmates and teachers.

Those authorized to see her are her parents, siblings and medical team.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Ogunyawo and his wife, it was found out, were of tremendous assistance in the rehabilitation magic that Ese has undergone so far.

A security source, who spoke anonymously, asserted: “She is still under police protection with the consent of her parents.

The decision to accommodate the minor at the police facility

Ese, from Uwheru, Ughelli South local government area of Delta state has not been staying with her parents since her liberation

Police officers mess, where Ese is currently sheltered under police protection

was to facilitate her healing process and enable her pick up the pieces of life. This measure, I must say has paid off as she has regained her composure unlike when she was rescued.”

It was also gathered that aside

from the Police and the Bayelsa government's help, non-governmental organizations and civil society organisations as well as her Urhobo folks have marvelously supported her well-being by way of ante-natal materials.

Third trimester Indications have emerged that Ese’s pregnancy is in the third trimester, meaning she is near delivery. This was collaborated in court, last Thursday, when the prosecution counsel urged the court to delay the private trial of the victim, as her present condition would not allow her to give evidence following the ruling by the trial judge granting the prosecution request for private hearing for her.

Her elder sister, who refused to disclose whether Ese was living with the family or otherwise, confirmed her stable health condition as an expectant mother.

She said the family was still residing in their former residence in Opobo hamlet of the capital city, but independent sources said the Orurus have relocated from their Opolo residence to a two-bedroom apartment in another part of Yenagoa, which he refused to disclose. Attempt to get the father, Mr. Charles Oruru on phone to speak with NDV proved abortive, as he was not picking his calls.

Life before now Ese, daughter of Mr. Charles Oruru, a jobless wood merchant

Continues on Page 25

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 —25

CROSS-RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

By Ike Uchechukwu economic C recession has struck the sex market in Paradise City, Calabar, ALABAR - THE

capital of Cross River State, forcing working girls to slash their charges to an all-time low of N400 per insertion and N1, 500 – N2, 000 per night for home service due to diminishing patronage.

An operator of one of the popular red light districts in the city, Madam Becky (not real name), who spoke in Pidgin English, told Niger Delta Voice since February, the girls have been complaining of “bad market.”

“Why you dey ask me all this kind JAMB question sef, u sure say u no be police? Na because you buy me drinks, wetin I fit tell be say Buhari government no favour us at all, if na before, u no go see girl plenty like that for here, except say Ekelebe people dey disturb. We dey settle them well well, but since February, the business don bad well well,” she lamented.

At some of the brothels and spots in Calabar South visited by this reporter, the story was the same.

A street walker, Princess, who spoke to our reporter after much haggling, and the purchase of a bottle of beer and food for her, said: “I finished My WAEC before I joined these runs oo, my father died that same year and my mother is not too strong to take care of all of us.

“My father’s people accused

FINANCIAL SLUMP: Scarlet women cut charges, tempt men in Paradise City

•Lecherous women on the streets.

Recession has struck the sex market in Paradise City, Calabar, forcing the girls to slash their charges to an all-time low of N400 per insertion and N1, 500 – N2, 000 per night for home service due to diminishing patronage

our mother of our father’s death, so life has indeed been difficult.

I actually came to Calabar in November, 2015. I am from Orlu in Imo state but I started this business in Owerri before I moved to a joint in Obiagu in Enugu. Then for a change of environment, I decided to come to Calabar , last year, because I heard that there is usually a boom during the Calabar Carnival and I witnessed it, but things started changing around February,” she said.

According to her: “We used to collect a minimum of N500 for a round of sex but it started going

Women at Calabar festival

down after that Valentine celebration. My customers in a day before used to be between 20 –35 when business was good, but as I am talking to you, my highest in a day is no longer up to 18 or 20 when there is a boom.”

“Upon say I be slim-fit, the only time we have business now is when they pay salaries, during festivities and public holidays,” she asserted.

At a spot on Lugard Street, one of the call girls accosted our reporter, saying, “No be N500 again oo, Buhari don make us bring down the price, port one and get one free “ she said.

“If you want home service, just tell me na only 2k I go collect but you go buy be drink and suya ooo with Indomie, but if you want sharp sharp, na N500 I go collect for one round ooo, “ she added.

According to her, “We just dey manage to survive, wetin man pikin go do, people no dey patronize us like before again, de only hope wey we get some time na some of our regular customers and during some weekends and holidays, but we no get choice than to reduce wetin we dey charge before.” she asserted.

ESE ORURU, 14: Now severed from friends, classmates after abduction Continues from Page 23 and Mrs. Rose Oruru, a food vendor, was relatively unknown until the sad turn of events in her life, last August, when she reportedly left home to see her injured classmate at Tombia and never returned.

Before she was allegedly abducted August 12, 2015, Niger Delta Voice gathered that Ese was an obedient and dutiful

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Theresa Ugbobu Ochuko Akuopha Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

girl, always assisting the mother at her Opolo restaurant where Yunusa was a regular caller.

Her friends described as a brilliant student whose ambition is to become a nurse, a noble professional known for its compassion and selfless service to humanity.

However, fate appeared to have dealt a cruel blow on the ambition following her supposed abduction, which denied her the opportunity of sitting for the the JSS examination, last year, a first step to actualizing her ambition of becoming a nurse.

Ese’s education rekindled Ese’s dream might have been temporarily altered by the turn of events in her life, but the Bayelsa State government has promised to keep her dream of becoming a nurse alive by taking care of her education whenever she is fit to return to school.

Though Ese could not return to school immediately to join her classmates, who were eager to see her, Niger Delta Voice gathered that she has since been re-registered as a JSS III student at her old school where she is expected to write the JSS III Examination, later in the year. Miss Oruru was to sit for the same examination

where the sad incident occurred.

Principal of Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area, the school where Ese Rita Oruru was attending before her abduction saga, Mr. Matthias Banigo, confirmed the development.

Banigo said: “Ese Oruru is now a state government student, the state government has re-registered her for the junior WAEC. If she is in good condition, she will join others to write the examination.”

However, Banigo hinted that since Ese Oruru returned from Kano, she was barred from seeing her friends and classmates, who went to her parents’ house to see her upon her return.

“Ese Oruru has been cut-off from her school. She has not made contact with us and they will not allow us to see her because they say that she is in government protective custody.

When her friends and classmates visited her home, they could not see her and they were told that she is not at home,” the principal said.

Her classmate and friend, H. Ozikime, said: “I have known Ese for four years now, we became close friends because I wanted to learn math-

ematics from her and she wanted to learn science subjects from me. I was able to meet her mother, her brother and sisters and even knew her house and mother’s shop.”

Science subjects Another classmate, Adama Miebimo, added, “I met her the first day I started school, I happened to share the same seat with her and from then we became friends. She is very intelligent; her favourite subject is Mathematics, English and Integrated Science. She wanted to concentrate on science subjects because she wants to become a nurse in future."

Ese’s alleged abductor still in custody Kayode Olaosebekan, the lawyer representing Daihiru Yunusa, aka “Yellow ” , standing trial on a five -count charge of criminal abduction and sexual exploitation of a minor, Miss Ese Oruru, said the media blitz, which the matter generated has adversely affected his client.

“The condition the court gave us is that all the sureties must be resident here and this is with no thanks to you the media

guys. Everybody here is against our client, when we get somebody and we are perfecting the bail, once you say, it is for Yunusa Dahiru, they would say that boy that kidnapped our daughter? That is the problem we are facing,” he said.

Lawyer files motion for review Olaosebekan disclosed that he had filed a motion to review the bail conditions as they were having challenges securing bail for the accused person.

According to the legal practitioner, they want the court to expand the territorial jurisdiction of the sureties, stressing that the demography of the sureties, which provides that the sureties must likely be traditional title holders from Bayelsa or from a South-South state, was posing a serious bottleneck, as no one was willing to stand as surety.

Justice H. Nganjiwa of the Federal Court, Yenagoa, had, March 20, granted the accused person bail in sum of N3 million and two sureties in like computation. The sureties must be resident in the jurisdiction of the court with one of them as a renowned titleholder in the community and the other a public servant from level 12 and above.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

PANORAMA Rhesus disease experts visit Delta

Mr. Kasper Juul Hedegaard of Eldon Biological, Denmark (right), a foreign health expert on elimination of Rhesus disease, a major cause of child mortality, showing a home kit card to the Commissioner of Health, Delta State, Dr. Nick Azinge, during a visit to Asaba.

From right; Mr. Hedegaard, Prof. Angela Okolo of Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Azinge and Dr. Akpoveta

A’Ibom gov's wife empowers families

Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, wife of Akwa Ibom governor (left) empowering 150 families across the state

with business start-up capital and vocational training facilities under her pet project, Family Empowerment

and Youth Re-Orientation Programme, FEYReP , in Uyo, and in the second picture, participants.in the programme

Old students donate bus to FGC, Warri

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

A R R I — T H E Chairman, Parents Teacher Association, PTA, Federal Government College, Warri, FGCW, Delta State, Dr. Mike Oberabor, has urged Nigerians to support government efforts to upgrade infrastructure in educational institutions across the country.

Dr. Oberabor gave the charge in Warri when the FGCW Old Students’ Association, Class of 1988, provided a bus to the school.

His words: “Things have changed. Government is unable to take care of all the responsibilities in this school. It behoves us as individuals, old students and parents to contribute to what government has to offer to make this place conducive and produce students that can compare favorably with their counterparts all over the world.”

Presenting the bus, the set of 1988, led by Mr. Austin Egbemhonkhaye, noted that the bus was among priority needs listed by the school three years

ago as an imperative to providing the needed conducive learning environment for students of the college.

Principal of the college, Mr Fabiyi Abiodun, who received the keys of the bus, commended the set for the gesture, stating that they had touched the college in a special way.

Government is unable to take care of all the responsibilities in this school. It behoves us as individuals, old students and parents to contribute to what government has to offer to make this place conducive and produce students that can compare favorably with their counterparts all over the world

Mr. Pakribo Darego (left), presenting keys and particulars of the vehicle donated to FGCW principal

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

,

S FORUM

In the week ahead, we expect some profit taking on counters that witnessed significant rally in recent sessions, but we believe gains will outweigh the losses

Investors weigh in prospects for petroleum stocks

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

T

HE Federal Government, last week, announced the stoppage of petroleum subsidy payments to marketers, effectively ending years of fiscal drain, a move viewed as a step closer to a deregulated market environment. The price adjustment was motivated by the need to improve availability and allow for a more costreflective price for oil marketing companies.

According to the new product pricing template, a new retail

price band of 135-145 has been set, the midpoint of which is 62.8% higher than the old pump price.

The new regime allows marketers to source foreign exchange outside the CBN window. Notably, the revised pricing template now reflects a higher forex impact on the landing cost of petrol, as well as wider margin for downstream players. For equities, select downstream oil and gas players are likely to benefit from this development.

Investment analysts believe this move is the beginning of a

more competitive terrain for the downstream petroleum sector, and will tilt advantage more towards industry players with scale, robust distribution network and access to capital as well as forex at a competitive price.

In this regard, they favor

— 27

players with foreign parentage and affiliations, specifically.

However, in the medium term, the entrance of Dangote refinery in 2017 will also create an interesting dynamic, and will likely further accelerate the pace downward adjustment to pump prices as supply

,

increases.

For the Fix Income market, higher inflation expectations and the possibility for further policy tightening should push yields further higher in the near term, although should events around the forex policies play out like anticipate, re-entrance of the foreign money managers will likely see a higher demand for sovereign notes which will ultimately moderate yields.

SOME OF THE 2016 DIVIDENDS ANNOUNCED

Ashaka Cement has underperformed NSE Index – FBNQUEST Research

By Peter Egwuatu

F

BN QUEST Research, an arm of FBN Merchant Bank, has stated that Ashaka Cement shares have underperformed the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index this year, even as it did not recommend any upward nor downward review of its estimate for the share price .

According to FBN QUEST Research report released last week “ The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE published Ashaka Cement’s (Ashaka) first quarter, Q1 2016 results which showed that Profit After Tax, PAT declined by 75 per cent Year on Year, y/y to N221million . Similar to the two prior quarters, the results came in weak across the Profit and Loss, P&L. Sales were down by 21 per cent y/y to N3.6billion.

Negative surprises “On the back of the weakness on the topline, gross margin contracted by -2,592 bases points, bps to 11.9 per cent , resulting in PBT & PAT both declining by 75 per cent y/y. sequentially, sales grew by 26 per cent Quarter On Quarter, q/q. However, PBT and PAT improved markedly over the pre-tax and after- tax losses of N1.2bn and -N935m that the company reported in the prior quarter. In addition to sales growing q/q, earnings improved q/q thanks to a gross margin expansion of 577bps to 11.9 per cent. Compared with our forecasts, sales missed by 20 per cent. However, PBT and PAT missed by 69 per cent and 70 per cent respectively because of the

negative surprises in sales and gross margins.

FBN Quest further stated that the company’s unit volumes grew by 12 per cent y/y, implying unit volumes of around 0.16mmt. As such, the weak topline was driven by lower pricing y/y, largely on the back of the pricing actions of market leader Dangote Cement.

According to the report “We estimate that average prices declined by 7 per cent q/q to around N22,606 (US$113) per tonne. That said, we would be looking to get more clarity from management as to the drivers behind the severe gross margin contraction, beyond the impact of the sales decline.

“When annualised and adjusted for seasonality, Ashaka Cement’s Q1 2016 PBT is tracking behind consensus 2016 PBT forecast of N4.0bn. As such, we expect to see marked downward revisions to consensus.

"However, given the readacross already provided by Lafarge Africa’s Q1 2016 results, which were published last week, we expect to a muted reaction from the market to these results.

Ashaka shares have underperformed the index this year. They have shed -22.4 per cent. Year to Date, ytd vs. the 9.7 per cent return delivered by the ASI. "At current levels, on our published estimates, the shares are trading on a 2016E P/E multiple of 13.0x for 21 per cent EPS growth in 2016E. These compare with the 12.6x multiple for 11 per cent, Earning Per Share, EPS growth that Lafarge Africa is trading on. Our estimates are under review. We rate the shares Neutral.”

Stock Market Outlook (May 17-23)

T

HE stock market continued bullish streak across most sub-sectors into the 4th consecutive week. Banking sector index chaired sector gainers as the sub-index surged 8.8% W-o-W against the backdrop of bargain hunting in Access and Zenith bank.

But more significant was the surge in petroleum stocks, apparently a reaction to the last week’s Federal Government’s liberalisation of the key trading line of the sector, the premium motor spirit, otherwise, petrol.

Consequently, the renewed buying interest in Total, Seplat, Forte and Mobile drove the Oil & Gas index 5.1% northwards.

Afrinvest sentiment for the week settled at 4.7x from 3.4x last week, indicating that market sentiment strengthened during the week.

According to analysts at Afrinvest, the recent reforms by the government is boding well for the market judging by performance last week.

However, they stated ‘’in the week ahead, we expect some profit taking on counters that witnessed significant rally in recent sessions, but we believe gains will outweigh the losses. ‘’While we keep the likely standoff between labour and Federal Government during the week under close watch, we advise investors to trade cautiously and maintain early bird positioning in value stocks’’.

But analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited stated that they envisage more bargain hunting activities this week in the light of a renewed interest for risky assets.

C M Y K

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

PPPRA explains role in new petrol price Says increase inevitable as NNPC loses N12.5bn/mth Militancy slashes crude production to 1.65m b/d

By Clara Nwachukwu

A

S the furore over the new pump price of premium motor spirit, PMS or petrol heats up, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, has said the recent increase was inevitable, given the acute shortages the market was thrown into for more than two months.

Not to mention the fact that militant attacks in oil-rich Niger Delta, have cut Nigeria’s crude production to 1.65 million barrels per day, from the 2.2m b/d anticipated in the 2016 national budget, leading to attendant huge losses and constraints in funding the budget. Scarcity was further compounded by the inability of fuel importers to access foreign exchange, Forex/ FX, at the official exchange rate of N197/$1.

This is even more so as the PPPRA estimated that theNigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was losing about N12.5 billion monthly for being the sole importer of the scarce commodity.

Last Wednesday, the Federal Government, through the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, unceremoniously announced up to 80 pecent increase in the pump price of petrol from N86.50/Litre to N145/L, a development that drew a lot of criticisms from Nigerians in all walks of life. Specifically, the PPPRA argued that there was a need to liberalise the foreign exchange, FX market, as the fuel subsidy regime remained “(un)sustainable in the face of flagrant disregard by the marketers of the set PPPRA ceiling price of N86.50k/ltr.”

Price hike In discussion points with journalists,PPPRA offered the following reasons for increasing petrol pump price: *Pricing trend in the past 1 year demonstrates that citizens in areas other than Lagos and Abuja have consistently paid 20 - 50% more for fuel purchased at the pumps. *Survey by NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) indicates that apart from the Federal capital and Lagos, citizens continue to pay for fuel at an average price of N150/ltr. *The survey establishes that the subsidy benefits only a few (urban – metropolitan / few higher income groups) as C M Y K

Gasoline pump prices across the world as at 2nd May, 2016

opposed to the larger citizenry. *Expectedly market trend indicates that the current approved pump price of N86.50/ litre for PMS does not assure marketers of over-recovery if crude oil price continues to trade above $40/bbl. Thus, an unrealistic price in view of market realities. *As of today, 80percent of the downstream operators are still unable to carry out their business due to unavailability of Foreign exchange at the prescribed (Central Bank of Nigeria) CBN rate. PPPRA’s pricing template, as approved, only recognises prevailing CBN Interbank rate which averages N197/$ in Quarters Q1 and Q2.

Investigations revealed that the alternative source of FX available to Marketers is the autonomous market rate which presently averages N285/$1 2016. *Therefore, to explain the prevailing high prices in certain states, marketers who source FX independently of CBN in order to carry on participation in PMS supply will continue to sell at prices that enable them achieve full cost recovery. *As such, the false assumption that the current ceiling price adequately covers cost needs to be addressed by providing marketers an alternative to the primary FX market (CBN). The consequence of disregarding this solution will lead to the

unsustainable development of NNPC maintaining the role of sole supplier to the detriment of federation revenues.

NNPC losses The Pricing Agency further noted that the two months of scarcity was at a huge premium to the Federal Government, especially the NNPC, which it said bore the burden of import

The Federal Government continues to incur N13.79/ltr under recovery, while states fail in their fiscal responsibilities

100 percentdue to the FX challenges faced by other marketers licenced to import petrol. It said: “For a Corporation historically known to be

inefficient and unprofitable, NNPC maintains 100 percent responsibility of fuel importation at subsidised pricing using Crude oil as a means of exchange. Estimated loss for NNPC is approximately N12.5bn/month.

“To sustain supply, NNPC extended its crude source for products importation from outside the traditional refinery requirement of 445BbLs/day for petroleum products imports, to the use of federation cargoes further reducing the ability of the government to earn FX. “Similarly, at an import bill of $600m/month for PMS, CBNs liquidity to support the importation of PMS is challenged in the face of dwindling crude oil for exports.

The limited crude oil output caused by the spate of renewed vandalism and sabotage of oil infrastructure in the Niger Delta ( now 420,000bbls/day lost) and increased participation of NNPC in products supply continue to imply limited ability to earn FX for the Federation and potential crippling of the economy.

“An immediate solution is the reduction of this crude to products control by NNPC in order to free up crude for federation revenue. Also the movement of marketers to the autonomous FX market will make available approximately $600m of FX via CBN to be used in other sectors of the economy.”

N13.79/L subsidy PPPRA further noted increases in crude price above $40/bbl band at the International oil market had wiped out the over-recovery of the past months when prices were lower, leading to subsidy levels of about N13.79/L as at April 29.

According to the Agency,”The Federal Government continues to incur N13.79/ltr under recovery, while states fail in their fiscalresponsibilities.

“Growing subsidy differential is a threat to state debt profile.

As at 29th April 2016, underrecovery of N13.79/litre was recorded in the price of PMS, thus the need to urgently address the trend, as Government has no budgetary provision for subsidy payment in the 2016 Appropriation Bill. “Deductions from (Federation Accounts Allocation Committee) FAAC payments of N13.61bn recorded monthly while State debts accrue to N34bn/month. If subsidy was removed, a deduction of the estimated subsidy claim will reduce governmental exposure and support States in their fiscal obligations.

“Clearly continuation of under recoveries in any form for PMS limits the ability of the Federation to deliver its statutory functions such as power generation, security, education, health etc.”

Pricing framework In defence of the new pump price regime, the PPPRA in a, “New Framework for Petroleum Products Supply, Distribution and Pricing – May 2016,” made available to Vanguard at the weekend, insisted that unavailability of forex and inability of open letters of credit, LCs, “forced marketers to stop product importation and imposed over 90% supply on NNPC since October 2015, in contrast to the past where NNPC supplied 48% of the national requirement.”

Apart from pointing out that NNPC neither had the resources nor designed to carry such import burden, thereby creating glitches in funding and remittance gaps into the Federation Account, PPPRA also noted that “There is no provision for subsidy in 2016 budget.” As such the N13.79/L subsidy accruable has no appropriation to cover it.

Against this backdrop, PPPRA argued that “In the absence of available forex lines or crude volumes to continue massive importation of PMS, it is clear that unless immediate action is taken to liberalise the petroleum supply and distribution, the queues will persist, diversion will worsen and current prices will spiral out of control.”

Petrol prices worldwide The PPPRA went further to justify the increases as it benchmarked pump price of petrol in Nigeria to other countries of the world as shown in the table above.

Presumed benefits Despite the widespread criticisms against the new pump price, PPPRA identified the benefits accruable from the exercise, which include: *Elimination of subsidy, estimated at N1trillion in 2015 and N16.5billion from April till date; *Ensuring 100% FAAC payment on allocated 445,000 bpd and potential additional revenue stream, which can be tailored towards palliatives; *Elimination of fuel scarcity through products availability nationwide; *Reduction of hoarding, smuggling and diversion substantially and price stability; *Encouraging potential investments of up to $3billion in refineries and retails, and; *Provision of more revenues to government to address social and infrastructure needs and a host of others.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 —29

Oando tackles electricity challenges in the Nor th

By Ediri Ejoh

I

N line with fulfilling gas supply requirement for power supply, Oando Gas & Power Limited, OGP, has commenced development of a mini liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, facility.

The company said the facility through its Transit Gas Nigeria Limited (TGNL) subsidiary in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, will also address challenges ranging from embedded generation and industrial clusters in the Northern region, as well as stranded customers in the South.

In a statement Oando said the facility, will bring about a significant reduction in energy costs by up to 40 percent, while significantly decreasing carbon emissions.

The statement also said that the company’s 20 million standard cubic feet per day, mmscf/day liquefaction plant will commence operations in the second quarter of 2017, as it is primarily directed towards fulfilling the gas supply requirement for power supply.

The statement read in part: “It is directed towards fulfilling the gas supply requirement for captive power plants, embedded generation, and industrial clusters in the Northern region, as well as stranded customers in the South.

“Also, off-takers, particularly, power plants and industrial customers who currently utilise liquid fuels such as diesel and LPFO, will be able to lower energy costs by up to 40 percent, while significantly decreasing carbon emissions.”

Commenting on the initiative, Oando’s CEO, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, said in the statement: “The establishment of the Ajaokuta mini LNG project is in firm alignment with our mid-to-long term gas conversion strategy.

“This venture further emphasises our push to broaden our asset portfolio and strengthen our market play within the gas sector; and by providing the gas advantage, we will help spur the development of self-sustaining industrial clusters to bolster the country ’s socio-economic growth,” he added.

He said further: “LNG is a viable provisional solution and an industry game-changer for the development of gas markets ahead of the actualisation of a far-reaching nationwide gas pipeline network as stipulated by the Nigerian Gas Master Plan.

Nigeria loses N5.724trn annually to crude theft, piracy, vandalism — CHATHAM HOUSE

By Ediri Ejoh with agency reports

L

ONDON think-tank, Chatham House, has reported Nigeria’s economy may be heading for harder times, as it loses over N5.724 trillion annually to oil theft, fraud and piracy in the country’s oil industry.

Quoting the report, the United States’ Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, UN, Ms. Michele Sison, put the overall damages incurred by Nigeria’s oil industry at about $1.5 billion each month, translating to N5.724 trillion annually.

According to the ambassador, the report revealed that the country is currently losing 400,000 barrels of crude daily to pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, depressed oil prices, rampant corruption, and pipeline vandalism, the equivalent to the entire daily export capacity of the country ’s Forcados terminal.

She stated that attempts by local governments and the U.N. to put a stop to piracy have met with some success, but the practice continues shifting location and adapting to new security measures.

As such, the U.N. Security Council is calling for a comprehensive framework of

measures aimed at eradicating it. According to the U.N., piracy has increased at an alarming rate in the Gulf of Guinea since 2014. “In the first quarter of this year alone, there were six recorded pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, and six attempted attacks.

Nine of those were off the coast of Nigeria, while one was off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, and two were within the territorial waters of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

Last year, there were 100 similar incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, the U.K.’s

ambassador to the U.N., Mr. Peter Wilson, added. Last Monday the United States cautioned that piracy and maritime crime is on the rise in the Gulf of Guinea, noting that there have been 32 attacks off the Nigerian coast so far this year.

Failed operations

Sison blamed ineffective government operations, weak rule of law and inadequate maritime law enforcement all contributed to the increase in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a major route for oil supplies shipped around the world.

Scene of an illegal oil operation in the creeks

She added that dealing with pirates required an international effort, and particularly a coordinated effort by those countries near the Gulf of Guinea. “There isn’t much Nigeria can do on its own. Without a major overhaul of intelligence sharing and local law enforcement collaboration and training, the piracy scourge will continue to worsen.”

The dip

In March, Nigeria pumped 1.677 million barrels of crude, which was a decline on the previous months 1.744 million. According to a Financial Times analysis, the decline is set to continue over the coming years, largely because the reforms at the NNPC, pledged by President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle long-time corruption and inefficiency, have so far not yielded any actual results.

In addition to dealing with corruption as part of the reforms, the President plans to change the terms of the production-sharing agreements it has with foreign oil companies operating in the country. Oil majors with a Nigerian presence said such a move could deter investments and ultimately have a negative effect on oil revenues.

Delta power consumers issue 7-day ultimatum to BEDC

By Gabriel Ewepu

A

BUJA — AS power supply in the country continues to worsen, electricity consumers in Delta State under the auspices of Electricity Consumers Forum, last week gave the Federal Government a 7-day ultimatum to restore power supply in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Udu Chapter of the forum to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Aru Mumakai-Unagha, told journalists in Abuja that the entire local government area with a population of over 500,000 people, with 350,000 electricity consumers have been thrown into darkness for the past three years. He added that the people have also suffered lossesin excess of N500 million due to dwindling business activities.

The letter reads in part: “We, the undersigned Udu

Electricity Consumers Forum on behalf of the electricity consumers in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State of Nigeria wishes to present our protest letter to you as the Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

“Sir, it is pertinent to draw your attention to the ugly development electricity consumers in the area have been passing through since the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

“Sir for the past three years, Udu Local Government Area has not witnessed steady power supply. This, the people have been enduring with hope that the situation would improve. We made several representations to the management of the company (BEDC) for which they said they have no solution.

“Take notice that in the event of your failure to address this petition we shall

seek redress in the appropriate quarters.

Therefore, you are given seven (7) days ultimatum to

restore light to the entire Udu Local Government Area.”

BEDC to conclude migration to new billing system

B

ENIN Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, has said it is set to complete the migration of its customers to a new billing systemto enhance billing efficiency.

BEDC, which disclosed this in a statement,also said the new billing format had commenced for customers in Edo since March for all Maximum Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customers.

BEDC said: “In order to provide better billing information to customers, BEDC has commenced migration to a new billing system named Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS).”It added that customers in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti, will be moved to the new

billing format effective April 2016.”

Sensitising customers on the new billing system, the BEDC said reading of customers’ meter is expected to be done monthly or at least once in three months. It added that whenever a reading is not done in any month, an adjustment will be used with the subsequent reading.

Also, where a customer’s meter is found to be obsolete or incorrect, the meter reading will be suspended and direct/ estimated billing will be utilised prior to the replacement of the meter. Such suspension will be notified to the customer via a letter. “All customers under estimated billing will have their estimation done based on NERC approved cluster billing average methodology.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—31

Who is the thief?

UNILAG Genius: Any unveiling in sight?

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N this era of persistent com plaint about the standard of education in Nigeria, no one expected this feat. But Ayodele Daniel Dada, a graduate of the University of Lagos achieved it.

In one of those few campus narratives that will always inspire hope and good aspiration, this UNILAG genius set a new national record with a 5.00 CGPA. Unconfirmed reports have hinted that, indeed, no one has achieved this feat globally before now.

Despite various levels of disappointments and hardships, this student of UNILAG Department of Psychology defied the odds to create one of the biggest storylines from an African university.

Even our political class leaped beyond their consistent insensitivities and distractions. In an unusual twist worthy of emulation, the House of Representatives suspended its rules to permit the entry of Ayodele Dada into the hallowed chambers for the purpose of holding a commendation session in his honour. It was an emotion laden occasion for Ayodele when the whole House stood to honour him for his record-breaking feet.

He could not hold back his deep sense of gratitude when he relayed his experience with journalists. His words: “I was just standing there, feeling it was a dream and wishing it didn’t end.

Given my humble background, I never envisioned receiving a standing ovation from people I watched on TV.”.

Standing ovation Most observers were also expecting brands to fall over themselves to court this outstanding achiever. The closest we had was MTN inviting Ayodele to their office where he was given the latest Samsung device, special phone number and free airtime for 2016. No leading organisation has so far had any serious brand a s s o c i ations with the young m a n. Now, weeks and months have passed and it is obvious that brands are maintaining their focus somewhere elseentertainment, sports and to some extent fashion. As we all know, the latest rave of the market is the compelling story of Olajumoke Orisaguna as crafted by popular photographer, TY Bello. The narrative of this bread seller turn super model has gained so much attention, with endorsement deals lining up for her signature.

Olajumoke’s case and previous ones confirm that Brand ambassadors are not a new concept for our marketers. Most brands have used one or more types of brand ambassadors in one way or another. However the conscious use of social media brand ambassadors (or SMBA as they are called) has not been massively deployed on our marketing terrain. With Dada’s

UNILAG announcing Ayodele Dada best graduating student sharp rise in popularity among youths, this is an area a visionary brand can utilize him for The Brand’s long-term benefits.

Imagine Dada as SMBA of Bic pen, Eleganza, Milo or even Glo. The usage of brand ambassadors, especially with the explosion of social media has skyrocketed in many climes.

Through social media, brands have been getting the benefit of positive contributions from their fans and followers without even having a formal brand ambassador programme. A social media brand ambassador is someone who provides credible, trustworthy promotion and visibility for companies on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other platforms and they are gold to many brands globally. Dada’s feat, if cultivated and projected has the capacity to provide these and more for any youth-oriented brand on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and can effectively become a goldmine.

Brands can identify similar personalities even from their existing customers, social audience and influencers and recruit them as their SMBAs. Stephanie Booth wrote in Psychology Today that “Humans mimic other’s expressions and behaviours, creating emotional contagion.” This means if a brand engages an appropriate personality that is emotionally

Olajumoke’s case and previous ones confirm that Brand ambassadors are not a new concept for our marketers engaged with the brand promise and value, he could become the greatest marketing communications tool and sales person in the brand’s arsenal.

The key is the brand ambassador ’s capacity to humanize the product. Today, thanks to the social media, the demand for product knowledge and excellence in customer care is greater than ever before. Now, it’s not enough to equip salespeople with sheets of marketing collateral, or the communications team with a wallet-sized card of key

messages.

Competition is fierce, and the battle for market share, profit and share-ofvoice is no more an easy one for companies. Businesses are no more 9-to- 5, so they cannot be relegated behind office walls.

Just as social media has enabled real-time marketing and branding, it has also necessitated realtime customer service and community management.

Having an “army” of Social Media Brand Ambassadors at a brand’s disposal can help any brand win the war. Another fact that would enhance the relevance of Social Media Brand Ambassadors is that consumer scepticism is growing about advertising, and trust in radio or TV commercials is massively eroding. At the same time, mass advertising no longer reaches as many people as cost effectively as it did previously. This is due to both the fragmentation of media and the growth of online and social media. In a recent Nielson survey, only 33% of consumers said they trust paid advertisements, but a whopping 92% trust peer recommendations.

Purchase decision In a recent Crowdtap survey, 70% of people responded that a suggestion from a friend, social media groups, trusted online influencer, or family member directly lead them to a purchase decision. There are tons of researches globally showing that Word-of-Mouth is the most impactful and trusted form of marketing around. What’s most important is that SMBAs are extremely cost-effective. Most of them are happy to be compensated with a basic fee, perks, and discounts, and some will even go the extra mile for free, just because they truly enjoy what your brand has to offer. It’s no secret that word-of-mouth has power. Research shows that it’s at least five times more effective than traditional advertising and other marketing tools. With the average person’s “connectedness” being much greater than in the past, empowering a select number of SMBAs to refer their friends or help bring brands new business is not just a nice marketing tool, it’s critical for success in business today.

Courtesy: The Advertiser, a marketing information publication of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

I

By Babafemi Ojudu

T’S on days like these that I miss the magnetic personality of Fela Anikulapo Kuti. I can see him now, pounding the piano with tunes that will colour the “unforced error” dribbling out of the mouth of the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. I can hear the music tumbling out of the stereo and filling the breezy evening air. “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense”.

It’s on weeks like this that makes me long for the days of my youth in the blissful countryside of Ado Ekiti. We didn’t have much but we had hope. My father preached hard work. He taught me that my future lies in my hands and sweat. I believe the Holy books even backed that up. It says, reap where you sow. I wonder if Cameron sometimes takes the time to read that Holy book since it’s written in his own language. If he does, I wonder what he thinks about the banks under his sphere of control who reaps the bloodied loots ferried into their vaults from impoverished nations that are “fantastically corrupt”.

Frustrating endeavour It’s seasons like this that fills me with the bile that threatened to drown us in my days as an active journalist. We would pound the streets trying to expose the rot in the country.

As young me, our one dream was to make our country better.

It was a frustrating endeavour because the closer your nose gets to the stench, the wider your eyes open and you realize the thieves of Nigeria have a safe harbour in Britain and other developed nations.

You can write all you care and expose the high and mighty.

The British embassy is busy stamping their passports with visas so they can go spend the looted funds in London. And, you wonder – who is the thief?

Any day Cameron takes a stroll from his hallowed 10, Downing Street residence, down the pricey streets of London, he knows most of those mansions are owned by men and women who have bled their country dry.

Some of them are Nigerians.

Anyone who cares knows their names. Some of them are even in the Panama Papers that Cameron is very familiar with.

You wonder what Cameron does about the thieves strolling his streets?

Does he care about the impoverished people in the lands where the funds were stolen or does he care about the property tax flowing into British coffers? Why hasn’t Britain joined other European Union states in imposing sanctions against British overseas territories and crown dependencies that continue to act as tax havens for the wealthy. I can hear Fela again,

shouting – “authority steal past armed robbery”.

Go to the museums in London and you’ll see artifacts stolen from Nigerian cities. The museums make millions of pounds annually from tourists eager to see these amazing works of our forefathers. What does Nigeria get from these exhibits? Nothing. Would Britain do the honourable thing and return the artifacts to where they rightly belong?

Or, would it be business as usual with uppity rhetoric tumbling down from the bloodstained mountains?

Is Nigeria corrupt as a nation? Yes. Are we as a nation trying to correct the ills of our recent past? Even a man lost in space knows the answer is a resounding yes.

We have a president in President Muhammadu Buhari who has had opportunities to be one of the world’s silent billionaires but resisted the temptation. We have a leader who wakes up every morning thinking of how to get the looted funds overseas back into Nigeria so we can develop our country.

We have a man who goes to bed at night wondering if any child went to bed hungry because of the mismanagement of past leaders. We have a patriot traversing the globe in search of a way to move his country into the league of advanced nations.

Now you know what they mean when they say talk is cheap. It’s cheaper when you hold a glass of wine in one hand and force errors out of your ministerial mouth, all to impress her majesty.

Cameron’s error I serve at the pleasure of a president who is not afraid to ruffle feathers. But, I was exceptionally proud of his stance on Cameron’s error. “I am not going to demand an apology from anyone, what I will demand is the return of our assets,” the president said.

The ball is firmly in the court of Saint Cameron? What does the Prime Minister do?

Does he take up President Buhari’s challenge and help return the stolen wealth back to Nigeria where they belong? And, that makes me wonder – who really is the thief?

Is it the man or woman who steals from his country and flees overseas with his loot?

Or, is it the country who stashes that money in the bank, shelters the looter and provides him safe haven?

Now, if you can answer that, you would have stumbled on something truly fantastic.

•Babafemi Ojudu, former Senator, is Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari.

32 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Take note that others may break promises made before early afternoon period; that is to say you should not take anybody for granted before 12.43pm.

SCORPIO; Although friends are willing to assist you circumstances may not allow complete help as expected. 9.46am to 12.43pm can be a bit sensitive…..

SAGITTARIUS; Emphasis will continue to be on career related issues. However you will not be wrong if you take matters-of-the-heart more seriously now. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN; Mid-morning till early afternoon period may bring more promises than it can actually deliver; your being clever will see you through. Be very practical.

AQUARIUS; Continue to attach necessary importance to your family values. Here is a day when joint ventures can bring you under pressure between 9.46am and 12.43pm.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

NE of the greatest O fallacies mankind is saddled with is the belief that the rich don’t cry. But my questions are:

So, The Rich Also Cry? why should the rich cry? Is the rich not a human being? Has he no feelings?

Does he not eat?

Does he got not

TERROR MUDA

go to the toilet? has he no blood running in his vein? Does he have more than one head?

I pity the rich

in “Never say goodbye”

man. He wants companionship, yet, no one is ready to offer h i m a n y, b e cause, everybody sees him as self-sufficient in everything.

By Kola Fayemi

PISCES; Other people will continue to feature in your activities; that is to say you will need to be as co-operative as reason permits. Watch it between 9.46am&12.43pm ARIES; You will be in good position to consolidate on progress made yesterday. However you will need to watch your mood from 9.46am to 12.43pm.

TAURUS; It is important you don’t take things for granted around mid-morning and early afternoon period so that you will not run into avoidable disappointments.

GEMINI; If you are in position to control your actions you would fare better if you can wait till after 12,43pm before you make an important move. Be family minded.

CANCER; Your being receptive can enhance your prospects but that is not to say you have to be naïve, especially during mid-morning and early afternoon periods.

LEO; Success is boldly printed on your cards and like yesterday if priority attention is given to money the scope of your success will be wider.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Although things may be happening around you, you are the right person to make things happen and give others opportunities.. Be wise.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What about Sagittarius?

Dear Joshua, I want you to tell me characteristics of my Star; Sagittarius as you have done to others.

Lucky, Ibadan.

Dear Lucky, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SAGIT TARIUS Sagittarius is a mutable sign by its quality. It‘s element is fire, symbolised by half horse half man and/or an Archer aiming at the sky. Mutable means changes and experimentation, while fire is all about enthusiasm, taking of the initiative and leadership ability. Thus, you are the type that will exhibit strong interest in an important project that catches your fancy and you will not mind to experiment with ideas just to achieve your objectives and aims. Sagittarius is the 9th sign of the Zodiac that rules philosophy, RELIGION, law, foreign land, higher mind/higher institutions, lawyer, long (distance) travelling, in-laws, future, optimism and bluntness. Major problem or weak points of Sagittarians are excessive openness/ bluntness and sometimes fanatical approach to religion.

Being a born adventurer, you are not afraid of exploration and new beginning. Sagittarians are incurable optimist and ever ready to listen to and eager to believe others; you are not an exception. Honesty is truly in your inner self You are a tolerant person but you are not ready to compromise your FREEDOM Sagittarius as a fire sign can make you a quick tempered person. Half horse half man as the symbol, of Sagittarius indicates dual (double) personalities known in different circle with different personalities. Yet, you are not a pretender. As the Archer aims arrow into the sky also Sagittarians have many lofty ideas and ambition. But sometimes their ideas and/or ideals are not practical enough for realisation. Many times, they start too many things at a time only to either forget or lose view of their original targets.

Development of practical approach is more important for Sagittarians, this is in order to make success of many of their brilliant ideas, otherwise they tend to become dreamers. In reality, Sagittarians are dreamers (by this 1 mean real dream many use to have at night) and many of their dreams usually come to pass. Sometimes their dreams are vividly prophetic.

Sagittarians are born philosophers, that is why they have well developed minds indispensable to rare wisdom. Then, you are humorous, lively, sports loving out going, energetic, good hearted, in love with experimentation, ever willing to co-operate, socially inclined, enthusiastic and highly intelligent. As intelligent as you are, you can surprisingly appear fanatical about your believe and/or views.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—33

Edo 2016: It's Esanland’s turn to produce next gov

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A socio-cultural group, Ikolo Esan Organisation, in Edo Central senatorial zone, Edo State, has said that in the interest of equity and fairness in the state, it was now the turn of Esanland, as bonafide citizens, to produce the next governor of the state.

Already, four Esan sons from Edo Central senatorial zone are aspiring for the September 2016 governorship election in the state on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. They are Prof. Oserhieme Osunbor, Ken Imansuangbon, Casley Omo-Irabor and Austine Emuan.

The group, in a communiqué by its chairman Prof. Gabriel Oteze, at the end of its meeting in Benin, urged Esan political leaders to extend their hand of fellowship and remain friendly with all contestants in the coming governorship primaries with a view to explaining the Esan agenda to them.

It described as shameful, attempts to deny a level playing field for all persons vying for the ticket of a particular political party by sponsorship of hooligans and street urchins, who lock up the party offices and

try to deny other aspirants the opportunity to interface with party functionaries.

On the alleged marginalisation of Esan people by the Adams Oshiomhole administration, the group urged the people of Edo Central to counter any attempt to marginalize, side line and relegate them to the background being the second largest ethnic group in the

state.

The group noted that the construction of the Teaching Hospital for Ambrose Alli University Medical School should not be compromised at any cost, adding that the refusal to build a teaching hospital for the institution, whereas another is being built for the university at Iyamho even before its formal opening, was the height of

injustice by the state government.

It frowned at the disregard and disorderly behaviour of agents of the state government to embarrass and humiliate Esan people, saying that the Esanman has never been successfully intimidated and will never be intimidated but will be fully mobilised to counter any insinuation of weakness.

FACTS BEHIND THE FIGURES: From left: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema; Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Mr Austin Avuru and Chief Financial Officer, Seplat, Mr. Roger Brown, at the presentation of Facts Behind the Figures, by Seplat at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, yesterday.

Conclude Rivers re-run polls, PDP chieftain urges INEC

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— FORMER National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, SouthSouth zone, Dr Cairo Ojugbo, has called on the Independent

National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conclude the re-run elections in Rivers State.

Ojugbo, who spoke in Port Harcourt at the zonal congress of the party, said that the loss of the PDP at the

presidential level in the last general election has not reduced the confidence of Nigerians in the party.

Expressing the hope that the party will win the governorship election in Edo State, Ojugbo urged party

Abe Campaign Organisation alleges PDP's plot to discredit Tai LGA result

M

EDIA Committee of Senator Magnus Abe Campaign Organisation has claimed that it had uncovered another plot by the Rivers State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to discredit Tai Local Government Area result by organising a protest march.

It will be recalled that the PDP in the state had alleged surreptitious moves by some chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyigbo, Eleme, Tai federal constituency and Rivers South-East senatorial district, respectively, in the March 19 re-run elections to stampede Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, into releasing results for the four Ogoni local governments, where the elections did not hold on account of their suspension by the INEC, even before the commencement of accreditation of voters on March 19, 2016.

Abe Campaign Organisation, C M Y K

in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by Mr. Parry Saroh Benson, chairman of the committee, alleged that Governor Nyesome Wike had set aside millions of naira to fund the protest.

The statement alleged that Wike had, before this time,

spent a lot of money to produce a documentary of falsehood and distortion, which he aired on television stations to discredit the result but could not convince right thinking citizens of Rivers State.

members and leaders across the zone to extend a good measure of support to the new zonal officers.

“I quickly emphasise that the last election at the federal level has not diminished the confidence of the party. Let us not only reclaim what we lost but work to capture Edo State.

The election in Bayelsa State was a war. We congratulate our governor in that state. In Rivers State, we call for immediate conclusion of the re-run elections so that our members can go back to their duty at the national level,” he said.

Okowa’s aide urges stronger ties with stakeholders on security

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—SPECIAL Adviser to Delta State Governor on Waterways/Land Security, Mr. Isaac Onyesom, has stressed the need for stronger partnership between security agencies, local government chairmen and the state security committee in tackling security challenges in the state.

Onyesom, when he led

members of the committee to a joint meeting with the Chairmen of Ndokwa East and Ukwuani Local Government Areas as well as Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, from the two councils, said that the partnership was necessary for all parties to share ideas on how best to handle security situations in their areas and to seek better understanding between members of waterways/land security,

security agencies and the people for a good working relationship.

He explained that the meeting was also aimed at getting to the people at the grassroots to enlighten them on the need for sustainable peace in achieving the SMART agenda of the state government, adding that only peace can guarantee meaningful development for the people.

Delta PDP faults Ominimini on state congress

P

By Tare Youdewei

EOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, has faulted the description of its recent state congresses as the worst ever in the state, noting that the comment was unfortunate and a misrepresentation of what transpired during the exercise, across the state.

Delta PDP Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Esiso, who responded to comments by Chief Obiuvwebi Ominimini, National Chairman, PDP Aggrieved Group, that the congresses were the worst since the inception of PDP in the state, described the just concluded PDP state congresses, as the freest, fairest, most transparent, credible and overwhelmingly accepted process, which was conducted without rancour and produced officers who were acceptable to majority of the party members.

He took over from the immediate past chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor.

Esiso questioned the loyalty of Obiuvwebi and his ilk as true members of PDP and advised them to desist from making inflammatory comments that tend to jeopardise the rebuilding process of the party.

Fuel subsidy removal: Apologise to Jonathan, CITA tells Save Nigeria Group

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

A R R I — CONCERNED Ijaw Transformation Ambassadors, CITA, has said that Prof. Wole Soyinka, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the leadership and members of the Save Nigeria Group should tender an unreserved apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan over the role they played when he announced the removal of fuel subsidy on January 1, 2012.

President of the group, Amb. Arerebo Peters, in a statement, yesterday, said that these professed patriots incited and led Nigerians to protest against the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS (Petrol), while they have all kept quite with the same move by President Muhammadu Buhari, who announced a N145 price for the same PMS.

34—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2015

Uwazuruike lauds emergence of Niger Delta Avengers

Aqua Rapha opens new depot in Enugu

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

By Tare Youdeowei

O

NITSHA—THE Leader of Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, weekend, restated his pledge to support any selfdetermination group which has preferred to carry out its activities without violence, even as he described the emergence of Niger Delta Avengers in the SouthSouth to agitate for its own republic and not resource control, as a step in the right direction.

According to Uwazuruike, MASSOB/BIM is willing to support any self determination movement provided they are not killing people.

Speaking through the Biafra Director of Information, Mazi

T

HE HIGH-FLYING Aqua Rapha Investment Nigeria Ltd, producers of Bottled Drinks have opened their first major depot in Enugu.

Declaring the depot open, the Group Managing Director of the company Engr. Sunday Nwankwo, noted that the opening of the depot at the strategic area of Enugu, is a dream come true as the numerous distributors and consumers of the various brands of the company’s products have been yearning for an outlet that will bring the products closer to them.

Speaking further, Engr.

Nwankwo said that "today the company has not just the most trusted table water, but also soft drinks, vegetable oil, farm products on high demand and affordable with quality certified by various agencies tasked with the control of food and beverages in the country."

The occasion witnessed unprecedented patronage from both the invited guests and passerby’s who were thrilled to have the depot located at the ever busy Shop-rite area of the city.

Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike disclosed that the anger which led him to demand for Biafra since September 13 1999, was not necessarily provoked by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime or President Muhammadu Buhari’s latest assault on the Igbo but rather, it had to do with the relationship between Ndigbo and the rest of Nigerians since the January 15, 1966 Chukwuma Nzeogwu-led military coup.

While also lending his group’s support to the British Prime Minister, David Cameron who classified Nigeria as a 'fantastically' corrupt nation, Uwazuruike added that the insurgency in the North, herdsmen menace in South East, high rate of corruption

by Nigerian political leaders, inflation, disrespect for the rule of law, devaluation of the naira, fuel

hike which have brought hardship, among others, make Biafra actualization more easier.

He rubbished the stand of the Nigeria’s President on Biafra, stressing that the United Nations, UN which Nigeria is signatory to

APC'll take over Ebonyi in 2019, says S'East APC Chairmen

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—THE leadership of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the South East geopolitical zone has expressed the determination to takeover power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi state in the 2019 general election.

The Chairmen of the zone led

Fuel crisis: Probe PPMC —Nkameme

O

By Enyim Enyim

NITSHA—A member of the national management/ reconciliation committee of the Independent Petroleum Markers Association of Nigeria,IPMAN created by the Federal Government, Dr Leo Nkameme yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, probe the officers of the Petroleum Products Management Company, PPMC,

for alleged fraud.

The PPMC is a subsidiary of the NNPC that manages the oil and gas depots in the country.

Speaking to reporters in his Okija country home, Nkameme who is currently the national organizing secretary of IPMAN alleged that the officers of the body had been and still are sabotaging the ministry of petroleum headed by Buhari.

He accused the PPMC officers

of diverting fuel from the NNPC depots to areas other than where they are meant to be dispensed. “ The president should probe the PPMC because a good number of the officers there are sabotaging the ministry which incidentally is under him( Buhari ).”

According to him, the officers prefer to sell the products to the tank farms where they sell in premium and make more money for their private pockets.

by the Imo state chairman, Dr. Hilary Eke who spoke in unison during a stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki affirmed that with collective effort from the zone, APC would take power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP without stress.

The stakeholders called on members to stand up to the task ahead of them and criticized the present administration with a view to securing the future of Ebonyi people.

In a remark, the national coordinator of Buhari/Osibanjo Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria, Comrade Chinedu Ogah who cautioned members against sycophantic disposition and greed, made it clear that there was no infighting between the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and the APC governorship candidate in the last general election.

West African women urge speedy rescue of Chibok girls

By Dotun Ibiwoye

W

ITH THE escalating rate of insecurity, the West

African Women Association, girls without further delay, to cut WAWA has urged the Federal down the excruciating suffering of Government to rescue the Chibok the children, women and the communities affected.

WAWA will also be start of this initiative, the key implementing number 345 of the objective remains, the provision Sustainable Development Goals, of a recreational and fun-loving SDG, 2030, for Nigerian children platform that allows all MIPAN which encourage families and agencies’ management and staff governments to be responsible for members to interact and have fun their protection and education.

Speaking at a briefing for the in an environment devoid of the usual competitive business maiden 2016 Children’s Day celebration by WAWA, the pressure.”

Media Practitioners holds Patron’s Day

T

has superseded that of his personal opinion, adding that a relevant charter of UN had recognized the right of indigenous people to self-determination, urging his MASSOB/BIM to disregard such archaic statement.

HE MEDIA Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MIPAN, has concluded plan for the fourth edition of its annual Patrons’ Day. The initiative which aimed at bringing media gurus and friends under a fun, relaxed and sporting atmosphere will hold on the 30th

of May. In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the association, Eki Adfuzeh noted that the event will create an environment devoid of the usual competitive business pressures.

“This year’s event will be the fourth edition and as stated at the

association’s country focal person, Mrs. Beatrice Ubeku, stated that the plans for Children’s Day’s celebration in Nigeria will not be the usual static rally and addresses but rather,it will be to enrich and discuss issues relating to the lives of children.

“We add our voice to the call for the CHIBOK girls to be found without further delay, to reduce the suffering of the children, women and the communities."

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On FG’s increase of pe tr ol pum p price tto o N1 45 per litre petr trol pump N145

l

am not convinced that the best way out of current fuel scarcity was recent increase in pump price. The primary duty of government is the welfare of its citizens, they could have found a way in funding subsidy. -Mr. Richard Akinnola- Activist

C M Y K

W

hy, any logical reason? This is nothing, but sheer wickedness! President Buhari is only proving to Nigerians the stuff he is made of, especially those who were not around in the early 80's, when he ran a military junta. -Mr. Onyx Mark- Worker

I

am an ardent supporter of PMB administration, but I am against the removal of subsidy because it came at an ill time. This increase of petrol pump price to N145 per litre should have waited. Nigerians are really suffering. -Mr. Yahuza Biwai, Self Employed

P

lease, let us remain calm and learn how to bear the situation comedy or whatever we call it. We voted for change and here it comes either good or bad we are bound to take it like that for now, after all it is what we voted for. -Mr. Allen Gordon, Businessman

I

do not want to know the reason; APC deceived us, that is all I know. The same thing they criticised the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan for is the same thing they are doing. Miss Joy Amos, Unemployed

H

ypocrisy is if Pastor Bakare, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Joe Igbokwe, ex-Gov Amaechi, ex-Gov Fashola, Sen. Melaye and the rented musicians, who protested against subsidy removal in 2012, do not lead another protest. -Mr. Kenneth Ochiabuto, Communicator

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 35

ATTACK ON TARFI VILLAGE: Death toll rises to 60 — ORTOM

By Peter Duru

M

A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State, said the death toll in last Friday night's attack on Tarfi village, Binnev Ward in Buruku Local Government area of the state by suspected herdsmen had risen to over 60, lamenting that Benue was a state under siege.

According to him, his government was helpless and could not contain the activities of the herdsmen who he said were killing, maiming and raping women in Benue villages.

Ortom said, “after committing the atrocities they sacked the locals from their abode after which they occupy the ‘captured territory’.”

The Governor, who fought back his emotions, urged the herdsmen to either live in peace with their hosts communities or vacate the state immediately in the interest of peace.

He said he had continually restrained the people from carrying out reprisal attacks on the marauders, but cautioned that the people might resort to self help if security agencies could not prevent the massacre of the innocent farmers.

He said: “It is a bad situation, everyday you hear how my people are being killed, raped and maimed by these mercenaries. They do not have respect for the rule of law or security personnel. The situation has gotten to a point where we contain the crisis in one community, they move quickly to another to massacre the people just like the Buruku case where over 60 innocent persons have been killed. These are wicked mercenaries under the guise of herdsmen attacking us and taking over our farmland. I have said it several times that we do not have land for grazing in the state, let

them move out of the state if they cannot respect the rule of law and the sanctity of human lives. There is a limit to which I can appeal to my people to restrain themselves from reprisal attacks, if all of them are killed then I might be the next target. I will have to represent the matter to the President because we are helpless and if nothing

M

INNA—NIGER State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has canceled the sponsorship of pilgrims by the state government to Mecca and Jerusalem with immediate effect.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace in Minna said the decision was due to the economic challenges in the country.

The Governor through the statement said, ”In view of the present national economic challenges - a situation well known to all, sponsorship of pilgrims to holy land to perform C M Y K

people rustled their cows and they went ahead to kill 50 of my people and took over the land.

This is genocide. Enough of these killings.”

The Governor wondered why security operatives stationed in these areas were unable to arrest the herdsmen who perpetrated the heinous crime.

He accused them of failing in their responsibilities.

KATSINA STATE ECONOMIC INVESTMENT SUMMIT: From left; Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria, Ms. Amina Oyagbola; Minister for Agriculture and Rural Devt, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Media and Communication Consultant, Kastina State Economic Summit, Ms. Safiya Muhammed Adamu at the opening ceremony of the 1st Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit in Kastina.

Govt workers consume 90% of Kaduna State resources, says El-Rufai

By Luka Binniyat

K

ADUNA—GOVERNOR Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday said 90% of the state revenue was being spent on public servants in the state, saying there was an urgent need to raise more funds internally.

This came as hundreds of physically-challenged and street beggars, stormed the state

No more state sponsorship to Hajj, Jerusalem — BELLO

By Wole Mosadomi

urgent is done we might have a major crisis in our hands.”

The Governor, who debunked allegations that the crisis was sparked by rustlers in the affected communities said, “those behind cow rustling are the herdsmen themselves because they are the only ones that speak the language that cows understand. For instance, even at my village in Gums they claimed that my

pilgrimage has been put on hold with immediate effect.

Government is committed to supporting our people in fulfilling their religious obligations but the dwindling economic fortunes of the state, in the face of other equally people oriented demands, sponsorship of pilgrims to Hajj and Jerusalem is hereby suspended,” the governor stated.

He however said government would continue to be responsible for the sponsorship of officials to the holy lands to facilitate and ensure hitch-free pilgrimage to both lands.

Bello assured the people of his administration's resolve to meet its obligations to the governments of Israel and Saudi Arabia for a hitch-free pilgrimage.

Government House, protesting against a law passed by House of Assembly banning begging and hawking in the state.

The governor, who spoke while inaugurating Boards of five newly created Agencies and Parastatals in the state, said: “We promised to make this state attractive to private investors who can create multiple of the few direct jobs. Less than 100,000 persons are employed in the public service of Kaduna State, out of a population that is between 8 million and 10 million. ''The wages of these fewer than 100,000 workers are relatively low, but together consume about 90% of state resources. In March 2016, Kaduna State got N2.4 billion from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee. That same month, our wage bill was N2.2 billion. ''That leaves only N200m. When you add overheads to this, you get a full picture of the dire financial situation that low revenue and public service expenses have placed the state.

Meanwhile, the protesting beggars thronged the gate of Government House, displaying placards with various inscriptions and chanted anti-government slogans.

The protesters, who were prevented by armed policemen from gaining access to the Government House, expressed

disappointment that alleged an agreement reached between Governor El-Rufai before and after he won election, was betrayed with the enactment of the law, without palliatives.

“We are saying that a Commission for disable persons be formed first before El-Rufai should make begging and hawking illegal in the state,” said Ahmed Saidu, a cripple who spoke in Hausa to Vanguard at the scene of the protest.

Ortom signs N150.7bn Benue budget into law

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday signed the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill of N150.7 billion into law, promising to ensure strict application of its provision in the fiscal year.

The signing of the bill came after its passage last Thursday by the Benue State House of Assembly which increased the original sum from the N133.

3 billion to N150.7 billion.

Speaking after the signing, the Governor urged lawmakers to ensure strict monitoring of the the budget’s implementation through oversight in order to check wastage.

Ortom said the Executive arm of government would continue to maintain its cordial relationship with the other arms of government to ensure smooth implementation of government policies and programmes.

He cautioned the Director of Budget to ensure that extra budgetary expenditure did not arise in the fiscal year, warning that he should be informed for necessary approvals if such need arose.

Earlier, while presenting copies of the budget to the Governor for his assent, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, explained that the total estimate was increased from the initial N133. 3 billion to N150.7 billion due to few uncaptured expenditure in ongoing projects in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

CORRUPTION CHARGES: Badeh’s hands are clean — CWN

C

ITIZENS Watch Nigeria, CWN, has reiterated its earlier view that the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Marshall Alex Badeh’s hands are clean in the 10-count charge of corruption preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the Federal High Court Abuja.

A release by CWN Executive Secretary, Kenneth Aigbegbele, claimed the conclusion was arrived at because othersaccused were not incarcerated, but given soft landing through bail conditions based on selfrecognition by the court, whereas Badeh was

incarcerated for over one month and given stringent and near impossible bail conditions because he is a Northern minority.

The CWN further referred to the on-going trial of the former Defence Chief at the Abuja Court, where the two principal witnesses against Badeh allegedly made incoherent, inconsistent, contradictory, unsubstantiated and baseless statements. ''The presentation by the star witnesses does not stand the test of judicial scrutiny. The most ridiculous was the failure of the witnesses to produce any single document to substantiate their testimonies, rather they posited, they spoke from their residual of knowledge,'' CWN added.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

TECH MEETS ART: From left— Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas; Founder and Curator, Rele Gallery, Ms. Adenrele Sonariwo; ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi; Head, Product Marketing, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu, and Banky W, Samsung Ambassador, at a Samsung's TechMeetsArtNG initiative What’s Cooking, in Lagos.

OLAJUMOKE: From left— Ojuolape Amodu; Mrs Janet Adetu, Managing Director/CEO, JSK Etiquette Consortium; model, Olajumoke Orisaguna; Kemi Onadiran and Sarah Wusu, when JSK sponsored Olajumoke for an etiquette and personal development programme in Lagos.

FUTA'S 76TH INAUGURAL: From left— Former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Adewumi Abitoye; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, Professor Olatunde Arayela; lecturer, Professor Abayomi Adebayo, and Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, Ogooga of IkereEkiti, shortly after Adebayo delivered FUTA’s 76th inaugural lecture entitled The Monster and its Hosts: A Matrimony of Survival of the Fittest.

ADIBA: From left— Chief Operating Officer, Samuel Udeji; Human Resource Manager, Nengi Niyi-Oseni and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Udeji, all of Adiba Supermarket, at the launch of Adiba.com, an online mall, in Lagos.

President, South-East South-South Professionals, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju (middle) cutting his birthday cake with some survivors of the recent Fulani herdsmen massacre at Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State, during a visit to the community by a delegation of Nsukka Professionals Group, led by their President,Charles Nwodo, Jr.

NUTRITION WORKSHOP: From left— President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Professor Ngozi Nnam; Chief Executive Officer, Private Sector Health Alliance Nigeria, Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; Deputy Director, Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Dr. Chris Isokpunwu, and Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, panelists at a nutrition workshop in Lagos.

WAIFEM: From left— Director, Debt Management Department, Mr. Baba Musa; Director General, Professor Akpan Ekpo; Director, Macro-economic Management Department, Mr. Chris Kedze, all of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, WAIFEM, and Dr. Kwasi Osei-Yeboah of the Central Bank of Ghana, at the opening session of the regional course on basic econometric methods for policy analysis, organised by WAIFEM in Lagos.

WAMCO'S AGM: From left— Engr. Mustapha Bello, Rev. Isaac Agoye, Mr. Bob Steetskamp, Ms Bolade Olowu, Company Secretary and Chairman, Mr. Jacobs Ajekigbe, all of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, at the company's 43rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

VISIS:

LAUNCH:

GMD, Aqua R a p h a Investment Ltd., Engr. Sunday N w a n k w o ( h o l d i n g microphone); Dr. Francis Ogbu (on his right) and others at the launch of the firm's depot in Enugu.

C M Y K

C L O U D CONFAB: Head,

Public Relations, West Africa, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Martin Lihao (left) and Public Relations Director, Huawei Nigeria, Joey Pan Haiyang, at the recentlyconcluded Huawei Cloud Conference in Lagos.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 37

By Theodore Opara

Jaguar joins luxury SUV class with F-Pace

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HE competition in the luxury compact Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, segment has continued to heat up as Jaguar finally launched its all new F-Pace into the market.

The much anticipated SUV was unveiled for the first time in Mauritius. The all-new Jaguar F-PACE is a performance SUV designed and engineered to offer the agility, responsiveness and refinement that all Jaguars are renowned for, together with unrivalled dynamics and everyday usability.

It is built on the company’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture and retains bold styling cues that make it undeniably a Jaguar. On the road it will have tremendous presence thanks to the slender full-LED headlights, short front overhang, powerful rear haunches, distinctive taillight graphics, and a sleek aerodynamic design that delivers a drag coefficient of just 0.34.

Legroom for rear passengers With seating for five occupants – including best in class legroom for rear passengers – the luxurious interior is a perfect blend of premium materials and finishes, as well as exquisite detailing.

Passengers will have access to heated and electrically reclining rear seats, while drivers benefit from cutting-edge technologies like the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, a 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster, and a laser headup display. F-PACE will also introduce Jaguar’s revolutionary Activity Key – a wearable accessory that also serves as a key fob, designed for those with active lifestyles.

“The F-PACE is our first SUV, and latest addition to the growing Jaguar range. We are committed to developing high-performance luxury vehicles that cater to the needs of our customers all over the world,” said Nigel Clarke, Operations Director of Jaguar Land Rover sub-Sahara Africa. “Sports cars are part of Jaguar’s DNA, and we’ve used this expertise to develop the FPACE to be engaging to drive, while offering excellent interior space and superb practicality,” he added.

Jaguar is distributed in Nigeria by Coscharis Motors and the all new F-Pace is expected to join other Jaguar siblings in Nigeria before the end of the year.

CFAO Yamaha assembly plant targets 70,000 bikes

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HE just commissioned CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited assembly plant will be producing 70,000 motorcycles by 2018. Olivier Levigne, Managing Director, CFAO Yamaha Ltd, stated this while answering questions from the press shortly after commissioning the plant in Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria should expect quality products from the company, which Yamaha is known for across the globe. The new plant and show room was commissioned

by the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who described the unveiling as a good development for the people of Lagos State and Nigeria in general.

The governor noted that the commissioning of the CFAO Yamaha assembly plant in Lagos brings to 10, the number of such plants commissioned in the state since the new Federal Government’s automobile policy came to effect in 2015.

Hyundai, Diamond Bank launch vehicle finance

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YUNDAI Motors Nigeria Limited, HMNL in collaboration with Diamond Bank Plc, has launched an imaginative vehicle finance scheme to inspire perceptive customers and fleet buyers to purchase made-inNigeria Hyundai vehicles.

The scheme, which is ongoing, is designed to encourage local patrons to own and drive Hyundai vehicles, using convenient bank credit with low interest rates from 14% without commitment and management fees.

Announcing the scheme in Lagos, the duo of Hyundai Motors Nigeria, manufacturers and distributors of Hyundai

C M Y K

vehicles and Diamond Bank Plc explained that the scheme has convenient monthly repayment tenor of 12 months to 36 months.

While also adding that a comprehensive insurance of 3.5% of the vehicle cost will be borne by the customer, the facilitators of the scheme said customers would in addition be offered free registration, free service for six months or 10,000kms and five years or 100,000kms.

Both establishments brokered this agreement in Lagos at the launch of the scheme aimed at easing challenges associated with accessing low interest bank credit to procure choice cars.

“The credit initiative is a seamless plan for desiring

patrons and fleet managers to access low interest bank credit for the procurement of discounted Hyundai vehicles without necessarily paying commitment and management fees,” they explained.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Motors Head of Sales and Marketing, Jatin Nadkarni said: “The joint credit initiative is in line with Hyundai’s strategy and direction of making vehicle acquisition a seamless experience and essentially assists prospective customers to buy new Hyundai vehicles and experience Hyundai inspiring technology.”

Conducive atmosphere He emphasised the leadership status of the state as the most attractive location financially and socially for investment in Africa, just as he reiterated the commitment of his administration towards putting in place policies to attract investment and facilitate conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive. “Lagos, with the population of over 21 million people, which comprises of the middle-class with strong purchasing powers remains the best place for business in Nigeria,”he said, and called on other international business conglomoretes, who were yet to establish their businesses in Lagos to consider doing so.

In their remarks, the Chairman, CFAO France and the President, Yamaha Motors Company

Limited, Messrs. Richard Bielle and Hiroyuki Yanagi, respectively, while speaking separately at the event, said that the joint venture was strategic as it will boost their capacity to deepen their operations in Africa.

The duo, who expressed their belief in Lagos as the business hub of Africa and also pledged their commitment in using their business expertise to better the lot of Nigerians, thanked the government of Lagos State for the support.

They said the joint venture between CFAO and Yamaha will strengthen the transport sector as well as boost employment opportunity in the country.

They described Lagos and Nigeria as their main focus because of the country’s rapid economic growth and existing business opportunities.

Mr. Yanagi declared that Yamaha, which closed in Nigeria 10 years ago was back in Lagos with new and quality products that will meet the desire of the people.

Earlier, Chairman of CFAO Yamaha Motor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, said apart from the commissioning of the CFAO Yamaha assembly plant, CFAO Group as a whole has a lot to offer the state and the country in general.

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 39

40—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

OYINLOLA'S PEACE MISSION:

When Oshiomhole opened up on Odubu T

By Simon Ebegbulem

HE Prince Olagusoye Oyinlola led peace committee sent to Edo State by the national leadership of the party, met with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the weekend to find a lasting solution to the problem confronting the party in the state ahead the governorship election.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu and other leaders were all at the meeting. Though journalists were barred from covering the peace meeting, Vanguard nevertheless learnt that Governor Oshiomhole accused supporters of the Deputy Governor of sponsored attacks on his person.

It was learnt that the governor gave a detailed account of the root cause of the crisis and asserted that despite the fact that loyalists of his deputy were creating the impression that they may lose the state if the crisis is not resolved, he dismissed such fears, saying that he was prepared to lead another onslaught against the PDP. Oshiomhole was said to have

told his deputy that he had been riding on his back politically and that the impression being created that without him, Odubu, they will lose the state was false. He stressed the fact that without his name, Oshiomhole and performance in office none of the aspirants in the APC would contemplate running for governorship. He also wondered why he should be accused of supporting Godwin Obaseki which according to him was his right.

Hearing from all stakeholders Speaking to journalists, Prince Oyinlola said “My belief until I came was that nobody had done anything to surpass the achievements of Samuel Ogbemudia. That was my belief, and when I said so, and I kept hearing from all stakeholders that nobody has done what Comrade has done in this state.

I asked the question, ‘you mean his achievements have surpassed that of Ogbemudia?’ They told me that it was Ogbemudia

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chairman of the fact-finding and reconciliation committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during a visit to the governor. himself that said so. And that gladdened my heart.

“If we have a performing Governor who has done so much credit to our party, why then do we not want to continue with this kind or this trend of achievements by making sure that we go into battle united and deliver Edo State to APC. It is the only state that is under our control in the South-South zone, and it is an open secret that some of the governors in other states of the South-South have gone to do a meeting on how to wrest power from us in Edo State. Our

good Lord will not allow that to happen.”

Noting the general clamour for a level playing ground from aspirants and all stakeholders, he said: “All of them are talking about a level playing ground, and I said, yes, there is no any other sensor that we have on the ground both from the Governor and from the National Chairman of the party; we must allow a level playing ground. So, be rest assured that that is what is going to happen.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Mr.

Anselm Ojezua said the APC Peace Committee from Abuja was in the state to bring peace to the party. “They have come to Edo State in search of peace. So, on this note, I want to welcome you, Mr. Chairman and your distinguished members. I believe at this stage; you have a fair idea of the situation in Edo State. I am also very happy that a member of your team in making his comments has observed that things are not as bad as they seem and that in matters like this, there is nothing without solutions.”

Aspirant wants Oshiomhole expelled for ‘insulting’ APC leadership

By Omeiza Ajayi

A

PC governorship aspirant Blessing Agbomhere has taken his bitterness against Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to new heights with a call on the national party to suspend the comrade governor for allegedly trying to impose an aspirant as the candidate.

At a press conference in Abuja, the aspirant also accused the governor of dancing to the tunes of his wife, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, who Agbomhere said is fanatically backing Obaseki for the governorship project.

“Adams Oshiomhole must apologise to the national leadership and members of the APC or be expelled from the party”.

“If Adams is a member of the APC, he must know that loyalty to the party must be appreciated.

He cannot blackmail the loyal party members who have contributed sacrificially to the development and victory of the party because he wants to impose someone on the party”, said Agbomhere.

He listed Oshiomhole’s “sinful” utterances to include; “that there is no problem with the APC in Edo state; that the national leadership of the party had not solved their problems at

the national level, and they are shedding crocodile tears for Edo state and that there is no need

for the national leadership of the party to come to Edo state."

According to him, the governor

has made the leadership of the party in the state redundant and

incapable of taking independent decisions.

....PDP govs vow to show Oshiomhole

By Simon Ebegbulem

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HE five South-South governors elected on the platform of the PDP may have decided to take up Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on his claim that he would defeat all of them in their respective states in one on one popularity contests.

Oshiomhole had made the boast after the governors at a meeting in Asaba resolved to ensure that their party emerged victorious in the forthcoming governorship election.

Taking up Oshiomhole, the five governors at the end of the party’s zonal congress in PortHarcourt weekend reiterated their determination when they met the four major aspirants on the platform of the party.

The four PDP aspirants include Chief Solomon Edebiri, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Osaro Onaiwu.

Vanguard learnt that the aspirants were advised to continue to mobilize for the party irrespective of who picks the ticket, while they were assured of funds for the election.

Vanguard learnt that the PDP South-South governors equally

discussed the declaration by Governor Adams Oshiomhole

that he will defeat any of them in their respective states.

EQUITY: Osifo says only Imansuagbon is qualified

By Rufus Ike

D

R. Isaiah Osifo, who served as chief of staff in the Oserheimen Osunbor administration, has called for the application of zoning in the determination of the APC governorship candidate as a way of bringing the needed political balance to the state.

Osifo himself from Edo South, however, said that the Edo Central Senatorial District, which has not produced a substantive governor of the state should be given the opportunity of producing the candidate.

Living to his word, Osifo, a former chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state has endorsed the aspiration of Mr. Kenneth Imansuagbon, the only declared aspirant from Edo Central in contention for the ticket of any of the major parties.

“Those who put federal character into our constitution are

not fools. They had an intention because they realised that Nigeria is a heterogeneous state and that if you don’t have federal character, the major tribes could dominate the entire society, and that would lead to imbalance. To balance a society, there is the need for federal character and balancing.

“I believe that we in Edo State must not ignore the importance of political balancing in our society, and that is reflected by the principle of zoning. By zoning if it is the issue some are canvassing, I think Ken Imasuagbon is the only one that is qualified to have the governorship because of zoning because Edo North has had eight years, Edo South has had eight years; it is really now the turn of Edo Central Senatorial District.

“Although some will say that the first eight years was not on the ticket of the APC, but I believe

we don’t have PDP or APC governor of Edo State, what we have is governor of Edo State, so the argument that the previous ones were not produced by APC is not really tenable. So, I believe that the zoning formula really favours Barrister Ken Imansuagbon as the senatorial district that is next in turn.

I believe in merit too, but we are not sacrificing merit for zoning, we are saying that in respect of the two factors, zoning, and merit, he has the two factors that are important,” Osifo said.

•Imansuagbon: Backed by Osifo

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—41

LIBYA: World powers ready to arm unity government

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ORLD powers have said they are ready to lift an arms embargo on Libya and equip the unity government in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and other groups.

The joint decision, announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday, followed a meeting in Vienna which was Democratic frontrunner in the race for the White House, Hillary Clinton and husband attended by diplomats from Bill, who she plans enlistiing to revitalise the US economy if elected. more than 20 countries.

US ELECTION: Clinton enlists husband Bill for help •As Cameron defends attack on Trump

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HE Democratic frontrunner in the race for the White House, Hillary Clinton, says she will enlist her husband Bill to revitalise the economy.

She has previously hinted that the former president would “have to come out of retirement” if she won.

Outlining her plans at a campaign rally in southern state of Kentucky, she pointed out the economic success of Bill Clinton’s presidency.

Kentucky will vote in a Democratic primary on Tuesday, along with Oregon.

Campaigning at a rally ahead of the primary, Mrs

Iran arrests female models for posing without hijabs

A

T least eight people have been arrested in Iran in a crackdown on women posing for fashion photos online without a headscarf, Iranian media report.

Monday’s arrests included seven female models allegedly involved in posting on the photo-sharing platformInstagram,according to Khabar Online news website.

The state media’s television report included footage of modelElhamArab,knownfor her portraits in wedding dresses, speaking before Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi in a conference room, her blonde hair hidden under a black chador.

“All people love beauty and fame,” Arab said. “They would like to be seen, but it is important to know what price they will pay to be seen.”

Sweden sentences man to life imprisonment for genocide in Rwanda

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SWEDISH court sentenced on Monday a 61-year-old man to life in prisonforgenocideinRwanda in 1994, the second such case brought by the Nordic country overcrimesduringtheconflict.

TheStockholmDistrictCourt said Claver Berinkindi, a Swedishcitizenoriginallyfrom Rwanda, was convicted of genocideandgrosscrimeunder international law consisting of murder,attemptedmurderand kidnapping in Rwanda.

“This relates to participation inalargenumberofmassacres

during the 1994 genocide where the defendant had an informal role as a leader,” the courtsaidinastatement.

Under Swedish law, courts can try Swedish citizens and other nationals for crimes committedabroad.

The court said fifteen crime victims had been awarded damages ranging from 3 million Rwandan francs ($3,781) to 10 million francs ($12,602).Itwasthefirsttimea Swedish court had awarded damagestovictimsofgenocide.

Clinton made her case why she thought he could help.

“My husband I’m going to put in charge of revitalising the economy because, you know, he knows how to do it,” she told the crowd.

“Andespeciallyinplaceslike coal country and inner cities and other parts of our country that have really been left out.”

Hinting at bad times ahead for the coal mines alienated manyworkersinthatstateand cost her votes in the West Virginia primary.

But on Sunday she said, “We can’t and we must not walk away from them. I feel such a sense of obligation.”

Hillary Clinton hopes to earn a convincing victory over her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders on Tuesday, having lost West Virginia to Mr Sanders last week.

This came as the Downing Street said David Cameron stands by his criticism of Donald Trump but will work with whoever is elected US president.

The UK PM has called the Republican hopeful “stupid, divisive and wrong” over his call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US. Mr Trump replied by warning he may not have a “very good relationship” with Mr Cameron if he enters the White House.

Meanwhile, Trump has called on Muslims to work with the Police and “turn people in.”

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travel to Turkish nationals, describing the move as like storing gasoline near a fire.

Earlier, UN special envoy AngelinaJoliePittwarnedthe humanitarian system for refugees was breaking down.

She spoke of a “fear of migration” and a “race to the bottom” as countries competed to be the toughest to protect themselves.

Rwanda expels over 1,500 Burundians as relations fray

R

WANDA has ex pelled more than 1,500 Burundians in the past week after they refused to move to refugee camps, according to Burundian officials.

Monday’s move is the latest of the signs that a political crisis is testing the already tense relations between the neighbouring central African countries.

Seraphine Mukantabana, Rwandan minister of disaster management and refugee affairs, said on Monday the expulsions were part of regular crackdowns on those living illegally in the country and were not targeting Burundians specifically.

“We had a number of Burundians scattered across the country who had no documents,” she

said.

Rwanda has been hosting tens of thousands of people who have fled more than a year of political violence in Burundi and others who have been there for work, often without formal permission.

Committee to procure necessary lethal arms and materiel to counter UNdesignated terrorist groups and to combat (ISIL) throughout the country,” Kerry said.

“We will fully support these efforts while continuing to reinforce the UN arms embargo.”

The conference was cochaired by Kerry and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni.

While the statement spoke of intentions, the fact that all five permanent Security Council members back the plan to arm the internationally backed government means that it is unlikely to face significant opposition from any quarter.

The Libyan unity government has said it will submit an arms embargo exemption request to the UN, to be able to gain the necessary arms to combat ISIL throughout the country.

Tanzania removes over 10,000 ghost workers from govt payroll

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ANZANIA has removed more than 10,000 “ghost workers” from its public sector payroll after a nationwide audit found their fraud cost the government over $2 million a month, the prime minister’s office has said.

Government officials say the payroll audit is continuing and more nonexistent workers are expected to be found.

“We will identify those

behind this payroll fraud and take them to court ... the fight against corruption is top priority for the government,” Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa was quoted as saying in the statement issued late on Sunday.

Purging the “ghost workers” from government payrolls would save more than 4.5 billion shillings ($2.06 million) a month, the statement said.

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni is seen here with his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba who was promoted to the rank of Major General in a move believed to be preparatory to plans of making the latter succeed the veteran leader.

Museveni promotes son to rank of Major General

Europe faces uprising over migrant crisis ORMER MI6 head Richard Dearlove has said Europe faces a “populist uprising”ifitisunabletoshow its citizens it can control the migrant crisis.

He was speaking on the BBC’s World on the Move day on migration issues.

Mr Dearlove also warned against offering visa-free

The US, four other permanent UN Security Council members and the more than 15 other nations participating in talks on Libya said they are “ready to respond to the Libyan government’s requests for training and equipping” government forces.

“The Government of National Accord has voiced its intention to submit appropriate arms embargo exemption requests to the UN Libya Sanctions

A range of speakers, including the UNHCR’s special envoy Angelina Jolie Pitt, and former British secret intelligence chief Sir Richard Dearlove, have been setting out the most important new ideas shaping our thinking on economic development, security and humanitarian assistance.

U

GANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has promotedseniorandjuniorarmy officers including his son MuhooziKainerugaba.

According to a May 16, 2016 statement, Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) under General Museveni as the CommanderinChiefpromoted Muhoozi from the rank of brigadiertoMajorGeneral.

MajorGeneralMuhooziisthe commander of the elite Special Force Command (SFC) which

providessecuritytothepresident, members of the first family and othersensitiveinstallationsinthe country.

Otherofficerspromotedinclude MajorGeneralJoramMugume to Lieutenant General, Colonel Charles Lutaaya to Brigadier, ColonelStephenMuzeyiSabiti to Brigadier, Col James B Mugabetobrigadier.

Thepromotionscomefourdays after Mr Museveni was sworn in as Uganda’s president for the nextfiveyearsfollowinghisvictory

inthehighlycontestedFebruary 18elections.

GenMuhooziwasbornon24 April 1974 in Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaMrMuseveniwhohas beenPresidentofsince1986.

As a child, Gen Muhoozi attended schools in Tanzania, Kenya and Sweden. After his father became President of Uganda,heattendedschoolslike Kampala Parents School Kings College Buddo for a while and St. Mary’s College Kisubi. He graduatedin1994.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Grenadines Homes unveils phase 2 luxury 3-bedroom apartments

By Kingsley Adegboye

I

N SPITE of the global economic melt down, performance of real estate sector across the globe has remained very strong and firm, as a recent global real estate report has put the value of global property at the end of year 2015 at 217 trillion US dollars, which amounts to 2.7 times the world’s GDP. Similarly, statistics in Nigeria also revealed that the real estate sector has grown over the years, making significant contributions to national GDP, underscoring the importance of real estate in addition to the above in the provision of platforms for our homes, businesses and places of leisure among others, thus impacting our built environment, and ultimately our living.

In the light of these revelations, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Propertygate Development & Investment Plc, a Lagos-based foremost real estate development company, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi, has emphasised the need to ensure quality of real estate products and service delivery.

Capacity challenges Admitting that operators in the sector are facing capacity challenges, funding constraints, harsh operating environment and pressure to deliver on bottom line, Ajayi insisted that the status of real estate as a major asset class, store of wealth and strong economic driver should be overpowering in operators’ consideration.

Making this observation at the weekend during the tour of housing projects embarked upon by his firm, Propertygate boss said quality of products and service delivery has remained

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*Newly completed apartments at Propertygate Estste, Lekki

Developer emphasises quality service delivery, cautions govts on direct housing construction the secret of his company’s value to its teeming customers, insisting that acquisition of real estate is typically the biggest investment made by individuals, and may represent significant portion of corporate assets. “We therefore view quality delivery as a non-negotiable part of our products and services”; he said.

Reacting to the federal government’s decision to partner the various state governments to build at least 250 houses in each state, the Propertygate boss said the government’s zeal to ensure housing provision for the citizenry is commendable.

He however, cautioned against the pitfalls of governments returning to direct housing construction, advising that governments should

concentrate on providing the enabling environment in terms

All attention should not be devoted to increasing housing stock without addressing critical issue of overall living quality of infrastructure and policies for the private sector, which is better suited to run such enterprise.

Nigerite introduces Kalsi craft

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N a bid to consolidate its leadership role as a complete component building solutions provider, Nigerite Limited, a Lagosbased company has introduced a new product into the market known as Kalsi craft. Kalsi craft, the latest addition to the company’s range of products was displayed at the recently concluded Lagos Architects’ Forum known as LAF 7.0.

Speaking on the new product, Mr. Jesse Onovre, an architect and Nigerite’s marketing officer noted that though Kalsi craft is a ceiling board, it could be used as a 3D wall partitioning.

According to Onovre, the product will consolidate the company’s grip on the market in addition to some of the ceiling boards the company already has, pointing out that Kalsi craft can be used in different colours but it doesn’t come painted or pre-textured, insisting that the buyer is at liberty to texture

or paint it to his taste.

Explaining that the product has some advantages over traditional masonry construction, he said it was designed to cater for those that require affordable housing construction materials without compromising on quality, especially because it is affordable.

He said Kalsi craft is not for the high-end market, adding that although it can conveniently fit into that segment. Disclosing that Kalsi craft was the only new product on display at the forum, Onovre said all other products of the company on display at the exhibition were products that people were familiar with such as Alurr-shingles, Siniatplaster board, light gauge steels truss systems, dry wall integrated building solutions.

They also include Crowntile for roofing, Ultra span steel profile for roof truss, Kalsi parts for external and internal walls, Kalsi Ceil for internal ceiling and Fascia board.

According to him, “All attention should not be devoted to increasing housing stock without addressing critical issue of overall living quality. It is regrettable that basic enforcement of traffic and environmental rules have made living in our cities rather hellish.

What will be the point when our land mass is populated by houses, but living becomes a major concern. People do not just want to have a place to lay their heads, but in addition want to live in comfort and convenience”.

Comfort and convenience He said “Our base level today, where majority of our people are still preoccupied with basic survival may tempt our decision makers to focus solely on shelter.

We should however remember st that this is 21 century, an increasingly globalized world, with highly mobile investments and workforce”, Ajayi noted.

Commenting on the clusters of residential houses recently completed by the company, he said “These are well conceived and well built units of diverse designs, with adequate regards for standards, beauty and living.

The joy of development is seeing a conceived idea come to birth, with the pains of elongated development period, cost volatility and other challenges forgotten. The company believes the units, which are value for money to investors, will in a modest way add to housing supply”, Ajayi stated.

RENADINES Homes, an arm of the Palton Morgan Group dedicated to reinventing the concept of home ownership in Nigeria, has launched its phase 2 3-bedroom apartments after the successful buy out of the phase 1 scheme.

The phase 1 which has been totally sold out is situated on 6.85hectares of land comprising 24 units of 3-bedroom detached heights, 111 units of terrace duplexes and 48 units of 3-bedroom apartments.

Speaking at the launch of the phase 2, the Marketing Manager, Grenadines Homes, Ms. Francisca Dyegh said the Grenadines Homes’ apartments are a landmark property that offers one of the most opulent living experiences in the neighbourhood, stressing that all bedrooms feature ensuite bathrooms and fully fitted kitchen.

She added that the project is strategically located, and five minutes drive from the prestigious Lagos Business School LBS. Dyegh said it is a walking distance to the new Lekki Mall comprising Shoprite.

Iconic learning institution “The beautiful thing about this estate is that it is built for a vibrant and diverse community that values cosmopolitan living. Its close proximity to some of the Lagos business hub like the iconic learning institution such as the Lagos Business School and the new Lekki Mall, has made it an ideal home for the discerning mind”, she said.

Ms. Dyegh disclosed further that the launch of phase 2 of the 3bedroom scheme further demonstrates Grenadines Homes’ unique leadership in the real estate sector, leading a quiet revolution of the sector’s landscape with the bespoke luxury apartments. She added that the new apartments offer state-of-the-art amenities such as recreational facilities including outdoor swimming pool, gym facilities, 24-hour security service, underground cable, children play ground, green area, tennis court and paved road network among others.

The Marketing Manager said the launch of the phase 2 is also part of the company’s commitment towards reducing the housing deficit in the country since it has been established that government cannot do it alone.

Ms. Dyegh revealed that Grenadines Homes has put in place a flexible payment plan ranging between 12 to 18 months to make life easier for prospective home owners .

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 43

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

WHO unveils rapid TB diagnostic test Stories By Chioma Obinna

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RESH hope rose last week for Nigerian Tuberculosis, TB, patients as the World Health organisation unveiled a novel rapid diagnostic test and a shorter, cheaper treatment regimen that would speed up detection and improve treatment outcomes for multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB).

At less than US$ 1000 (N300,000) per patient, the new treatment regimen can be completed in 9-12 months. Not only is it less expensive than current regimens, but it is also expected to improve outcomes and potentially decrease deaths due to better adherence to treatment and reduced loss to follow-up.

Speaking on the new regimen, the Director of WHO's Global TB Programme, Dr. Mario Raviglione described it as a critical step forward in tackling the MDR-TB public health crisis. "The new WHO recommendations offer hope to

TB LABORATORY - The new treatment regimen can be completed in 9-12 months.

At less than US$ 1000 per patient, the new TB treatment regimen can be completed in 9-12 months

hundreds of thousands of MDR-TB patients who can now benefit from a test that quickly identifies eligibility for the shorter regimen, and then complete treatment in half the time and at nearly half the

cost." The conventional treatment regimens, which take 18-24 months to complete, yield low cure rates: just 50 percent on average globally. This is largely because patients find it very hard to keep taking secondline drugs, which can be quite toxic, for prolonged periods of time.

The shorter regimen is recommended for patients diagnosed with uncomplicated MDR-TB, for example those individuals whose MDR-TB is not resistant to the most important drugs used to treat MDR-TB, known as "second-line drugs".

It is also recommended for individuals who have not yet been treated with second line drugs.

With the new rapid diagnostic test to identify second-line drug resistance, the most reliable way to rule out resistance to second-line drugs is a newly recommended diagnostic test for use in national TB reference laboratories.

The novel diagnostic test called MTBDRsl - is a DNAbased test that identifies genetic mutations in MDR-TB strains.

Our goal is to provide free health to 2.5m Nigerians annually — Yakubu Gobir, CEO, INVIVO Nigerians don’t have access to it.”

T

HE spate of drug abuse, poor diagnosis and lack of access to quality healthcare among Nigerians leave much to be desired. Today, it is no longer news that most Nigerian youths have taken to drug addiction while self medications have become the order of the day in almost every home. Experts say these have resulted to untimely deaths and severe medical complications.

Worse still, the non availability of health information has almost made it impossible to prevent even the commonest disease.

However, in what seems like a rescue mission to improve the quality of health care in Nigeria by working within the core principles of primary health care as recommended by the World Health Organisation, INVIVO Health & Beauty stores introduced a one-stop destination for all health and beauty needs with over 10,000 Nigerians treated free of charge within one year in its three stores located in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan.

Facility tour

Speaking during a tour of its facilities in Lagos and Ibadan, the Director, Mr. John Onyeoguzoro, who disclosed that plans are underway to have 500 stores across Nigeria said the goal of the company is to treat 2,500,000 Nigerians free of charge annually.

C M Y K

Mr. Yakubu Layi Gobir, Founder – INVIVO Health + free Clinic.

“Already two more outlets are currently in the pipeline and these will run a pharmacy and treatment room with a resident doctor offering free consultations on daily basis.”

Onyeoguzoro noted that INVIVO, a subsidiary of Smartmark Limited, was established to address social problems such as lack of easy access to primary healthcare; the menace of counterfeit and fake dugs; self-medication; and lack of early diagnosis of potentially fatal disease conditions.

The Founder – INVIVO Health + free Clinic, Mr. Yakubu Gobir, in line with the company’s objectives, said INVIVO is determined to be a patientcentered and health focused business, to support the government towards achieving its primary healthcare goals.

He said the free health check facility allows patients to walk-in; get their vitals checked and a resident doctor or nurse to consult free of charge.

“Health is one of the basic rights of life, but unfortunately a lot of

Gobir explained that the organization is managed by seasoned professionals who have spent years of their careers in the pharmaceutical sector and understands where gaps exist and to offer solutions.

Narrating their experiences since inception in 2014, he noted that the incidence of drug abuse is on the rise among young people. “There was a time a young boy came here to ask for codeine based cough & cold syrup. We walked him out because he didn’t come with prescription, because they are regulated products and subject to abuse”.

Also conducting journalists round its facility in Ibadan, Dr. Funto Ogundapo said 3,000 patients have been treated free of charge in the last 10 months.

He said the clinic offers host of tests and collaborates with Ibadan South West Local Government Primary Health Care Department to provide free immunization for children aged 0-59months and offer vaccination for Hepatitis B. Noting the importance of health promotion, Ogundapo hinted that the clinic is into preventive, health promotion services and awareness on tests available for each age group and sex.

“Reproductive, maternal and child services are also available with counselling and information are given on family planning and contraceptive use.

Surgeons announce 1st successful penis transplant in the USA

By Sola Ogundipe

S

URGEONS at the Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, have announced the first successful penis transplant in the United States of America.

The surgery, reputed to be the third penile transplant in history, was performed on 64year-old Thomas Manning, who received the transplanted appendage from a deceased donor.

The 15-hour surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital, to restore self confidence and sexual functionality to males with traumatic injuries or amputations.

Surgeons say the patient would have normal urinary function within a few weeks, and could regain sexual function in weeks or months.

Following the first penile transplant surgery carried out in South Africa in 2014, a healthy baby boy was born in 2015, and surgeons are confident there are potential beneficiaries for the procedure from botched ritual adult circumcisions.

In the US, it's presumed that soldiers — increasingly suffering from devastating genital injuries in explosions — will be the main beneficiaries of penile transplants.

Johns Hopkins University had announced intentions to perform the country's first surgery on a soldier this year and has a long list of veterans waiting for the procedure.

Head of the Massachusetts General surgical team that performed the procedure, Curtis L. Cetrulo, said attempts will be made to avoid veterans as a patient base until the techniques are perfected.

As the technique continues to be perfected, it could even be used to give transgender males more natural urinary and sexual function.

The teams from Mass General and Johns Hopkins have cautioned that this won't be attempted until the surgery has proved safe and effective for injured cisgender men.

Manning is doing well, but faces a potentially life-long regimen of drugs designed to keep his body from rejecting the donation as a foreign object.

Penis transplants also carry psychological risk. A technically

Continues on Page 45

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016—45

FOREX: Pharmacists worry over impending drug shortage

By Chioma Obinna

D

RUG experts have expressed worry over an impending scarcity of essential drugs if urgent steps are not taking to address the current lack of foreign exchange.

The experts under the auspices of National Association of Community Pharmacists, ACPN, warned that persistence of the problem may endanger the health of Nigerians.

At a press conference, in Lagos, National Chairman, ACPN, Dr. Albert, Alkali Kelong, posited that to prevent the looming danger, the Federal Government should provide adequate foreign exchange to critical sector to import essential raw materials necessary for drug productions, and intervention fund for the sector.

“There is a sharp drop in capacity utilisation of our existing manufacturing industries due to lack of foreign exchange to import materials. In view of this , we implore government as a matter of urgency to provide adequate foreign exchange to the critical sector so that they can bring in necessary raw materials.”

Announcing its forthcoming 35th National Conference billed to hold from 29th May through June 3rd, 2016, Kelong, said the situation if unchecked, would lead to increase in price of drugs, low drug circulation as well as unemployment.

The conference which will hold at Nike Lake Resort Enugu, wuld be avenue to

address issues and the challenges affecting the pharmacy profession.

The ACPN also urged the government to constitute the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, and appoint a pharmacist as NAFDAC Director General.

“Recent happenings in the field of pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria indicates that two agencies need to do more. These can be measured by the numerous illegal pharmaceutical premises and patient medicine stores scattered all over the 36 states and FCT Abuja, and the unprecedented increase in the number of fake and substandard pharmaceutical products all over the country”, the group said.

The conference with theme, ‘Manpower Development in community pharmacy practice-Adopting Global Best Practice’, which will open with a walk against cancer, and tackle various pharmacy issues.

1st penis transplant Continues from Page 44 successful operation performed in China — ended with the recipient asking doctors to remove the organ because of his discomfort with the unfamiliar body part.

Doctors in the US have been cautious about the effect these surgeries might have on organ donation.

Non-life-saving organs require consent of living family members, however, researchers from Johns Hopkins are worried that a misunderstanding of the practice might keep people from donating any organs at all. Meanwhile, research is on to create lab-grown penises, that would theoretically have a lower likelihood of rejection and carry less stigma than organs from deceased donors.

WORKSHOP: From left - President Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Prof Ngozi Nnam; CEO, Private Sector Health Alliance Nigeria, Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq; Deputy Director Nutrition, FMOH, Dr Chris Isokpunwu; MD/CEO, Dangote Foundation, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou, in a panel discussion during the Scaling Up Nutrition Workshop held in Lagos, weekend

Rotary Club of Palmgrove targets 1,500 for free cataract surgery in Lagos, Ogun

By Gabriel Olawale

U

NDER its free eye surgery exercise, Rotary Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, District 9110, no less than 1,500 people in Lagos and Ogun State wil be treated.

Announcing this plan during the presentation of Plantinum Award to a philanthropist, Naranbhai Patel, President, Rotary Club of Palmgrove, Pradeep Pahalwani, said their commitment to save less privileged Nigerians from avoidable blindness necessitated the project.

“There are about a million people in Nigeria suffering from preventable blindness, so in Rotary Club we are set to offer free cataract eye surgery to at least 1,500 people. This exercise is going to be holding concurrently in Lagos and Ogun States in August and September.

“We are commencing the screening exercise this month to identify those who really need the surgery from those that only need glasses. Since inception of the project 10 years ago, Rotary Club and Indo eyes Care Foundation have successfully restored the sight of over 20,000 people in different parts of the country including Kano, Yola, Abakalike, Ogun and Lagos.

“Most of these surgeries cost up to N200,000 in private hospitals but we are doing it free. We realised that many people don’t go to hospital for surgery because they don’t have money and they become blind.”

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46 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

European Season Overview:

Neymar Continues from BP

Fairy tales, record-breakers and turnarounds

With the curtain falling on domestic action across Europe, there have been records set, titles retained, the most unlikely of champions crowned and some fallen giants suffering relegation.

FIFA.com guides you through the key twists and turns over the rollercoaster 2015/16 in Europe’s most-followed leagues.

English Premier League Champions: Leicester Relegated: Newcastle, Norwich, Aston Villa The remarkable tale of the Foxes made international headlines after they secured the Premier League title with two games to spare. Their title glory was made all the more extraordinary considering their miraculous escape from relegation in the 2014/15 season. Claudio Ranieri earned plaudits from across the globe in winning Leicester City’s, and his, first top flight title – making Premier League Player of the Season Jamie Vardy, captain Wes Morgan and PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez part of the first squad to win their maiden top-flight crown in England since Nottingham Forest in 1978.

Champions League Teams *Leicester *Arsenal *Tottenham *Manchester City *Europa League Teams *Manchester United *Southampton West Ham United, in seventh, need Man Utd to win the FA Cup on 21 May to earn a UEL place, in the third qualifying round. Crystal Palace can spoil the Hammers’ hopes if they win the FA Cup on Saturday. That would earn them a place in the UEFA Europa League group stages for 2016/17.

TOP SCORERS Name Harry Kane Jamie Vardy Sergio Agüero Romelu Lukaku Riyad Mahrez

Club Goals scored Tottenham 25 Leicester 24 Man City 24 Everton 18 Leicester 17

BUNDESLIGA

Champions: Bayern Munich Relegated: Stuttgart, Hannover (Eintracht Frankfurt v Nürnberg in relegation/promotion play-off)

Pep Guardiola concluded his spell in charge at Bayern Munich by guiding the Bavarian giants to a record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title, making Guardiola the first coach to win three titles in their first three years.

Bayern won the title by conceding a record-low 17 goals, with Manuel Neuer playing all but 40 minutes of the record-breaking defensive season.

At the other end of the pitch, Polish forward Robert Lewandowski became the first player in almost four decades to hit 30 goals in a Bundesliga season, becoming the first non-German to do so.

Champions League teams Bayern Munich Dortmund Bayer Leverkusen Borussia Moenchengladbach Europa League Teams Schalke Mainz

Robert Lewandowski Pierre Aubameyang Thomas Müller Chicharito Anthony Modeste

Bayern Munich Dortmund Bayern Munich Leverkusen Cologne

30 25 20 17 15

SPANISH LA LIGA Champions: Barcelona Relegated: Getafe, Rayo Vallecano, Levante With much of the attention usually focused on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the battle at the top in Spain, a new face emerged to help Barça seal the title this year, with Luis Suarez taking centre stage. The Uruguyan was in superlative form throughout the season, plundering 40 goals and beating both Messi and Ronaldo to the Pichichi, with his hat-trick at Granada on the final day sealing the La Liga crown.

LA LIGA Champions League teams Barcelona Real Madrid Top Scorers Atletico Madrid Luis Suárez Villarreal: Europa League Teams Athletic Bilbao Celta Vigo C M Y K

Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Neymar Karim Benzema

SERIE A

Champions: Juventus Relegated: Carpi, Frosinone, Verona Many may have expected I Bianconeri to be crowned champions of Italy at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, but Massimiliano Allegri’s side certainly did it the hard way.

A 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo on 28 October left Juve in 11th place in the Serie A standings, with 12 points from ten games and 11 points off then-leaders Roma. Juventus then showed the spirit of champions. In the 25 games that followed, they claimed 73 points from a possible 75, with Roma’s defeat of Napoli confirming Juventus’ fifth consecutive title a day after they had defeated Fiorentina.

Champions League teams Juventus Napoli Roma

•Lewandowski

Top Scorers

•Vardy

Europa League Inter Milan Fiorentina AC Milan can qualify by beating Juventus in the Italian Cup final. If Juventus win, Sassuolo will qualify after finishing in sixth place.

Top Scorers Higuaín -Napoli 36 P. Dybala -Juventus 19 C. Bacca -Milan 18 Icardi -Inter Milan 16 M.Salah -Roma 14

FRENCH LIGUE 1

•Luis Suárez Barcelona Real Madrid Barcelona Barcelona Real Madrid

40 35 26 24 24

Champions: PSG Relegated: Stade de Reims, GFC Ajaccio, Troyes It proved to be a fitting swansong season for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the French capital. The super Swede smashed 38 goals in 31 Ligue 1 games to help PSG canter to a fourth consecutive title. His final game for the club (in which he scored a brace in a 4-0 win over Nantes) saw a minute’s standing ovation from all at the Parc des Princes.

striker might just have helped his club claim yet another La Liga title but his mind has already shifted focus to the football competition at the upcoming Rio Games.

While some may consider the Olympic event among a lower class of international tournament, Neymar cannot wait to be involved as he targets the one FIFA honour that has evaded the Selecao.

‘I am ready to take responsibility,’ he told Globo Esporte.

‘Not only the Brazilians want this medal, but they know nobody wants it more than I do.’

The 24-year-old will not play in the Copa America in June after having to pick between

the two competitions this summer.

Asked whether he was upset at having to miss the continental championship, as part of an understanding reached with Barca, Brazil’s talisman stressed he was happy to adhere to his club’s wishes.

‘I was not frustrated, because I will play a tournament my country has yet to win, and in Brazil,’ he said.

‘Of course I wanted to compete in both competitions, but I understand the desire of my club and I respected the agreement that everyone came to.’

The Olympic football tournament is due to start on August 3, two days before the Games’ formal opening ceremony, with the final scheduled for August 17.

Anichebe Continues from BP struggled for first-team football.

The West Midland club are yet to release a statement to that effect, but Anichebe took to Twitter on Monday to lift the lid on his future with West

Brom.

Anichebe stated on Twitter: “Thank you to all the @WBAFCofficial fans for the support during my time at the club!

I wish you all the best for the future. God bless.”

FIFA president Continues from BP who did not disclose his source for the information, Infantino is upset that FIFA’s remuneration committee determined his annual salary at 2 million Swiss francs ($2 million, 1.8 million euros) without the prospect of

Baraje Continues from BP Baraje was in his third spell at Plateau and has handled various other clubs including Enyimba, Nasarawa United and Akwa United.

Plateau, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home on Sunday by El Kanemi, are back in the Nigeria top flight after five seasons in the lower league.

They are 13th in the league table with 21 points.

Wickadason has been promoted from the club’s youth team.

a bonus.

Under reforms passed

by FIFA in February the salaries of top officials are to be released.

Blatter always kept his wage a secret, but FIFA revealed in its annual report that he received 3.63 million Swiss francs ($3.7 million/3.3 million euros).

Pieth, who is close to Scala, also indicated that the FIFA boss pushed Scala to resign following a dispute over Infantino’s proposed salary.

Scala sat on the remuneration committee tasked with recommending Infantino’s pay which is still to be decided.

Scala stepped down on Saturday, voicing concern over a measure that gave the FIFA Council control of the nomination of members of independent oversight bodies such as its ethics committee and audit and compliance committee.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 — 47

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016

Baraje fired N

IGERIA premier league club Plateau United have sacked coach Zakary

Rio Olympics: Neymar vows to stop Nigeria

Baraje and replaced him with former skipper Victor Wickadason, according to officials.

According to a statement by the Jos club, the experienced Baraje has been booted out due to a run of poor results, adding that there was “a communication gap between the coach, his assistants and the players” .

Continues on Page 46

T

HE draw for the football tournament of the 2016 Olympics made it possible for coach Samson Siasia and the Dream Team to avoid Brazil in the group stage.

The story is bound to change should Nigeria progress in the competition as there is every likelihood that they will come face to face with the Selecao.

Neymar is desperate to win Olympic gold in his home country this summer. The Brazilian Continues on Page 46

FIFA president angry over pay cut – Swiss Prof F

IFA president, Gianni Infantino is reported to be angry with the body’s remuneration committee for recommending for him

VICTORY PARADE....English Premier League champions, Leicester City had a victory parade round the city yesterday. Victoria Park was the destination, as each City player was welcomed on the stage to raucous applause.

Anichebe to leave West Brom V

•Anichebe

•Baraje

ICTOR Anichebe has revealed that he is leaving West Bromwich Albion this

summer.

The Nigerian striker’s contract at the Baggies runs out in June and he

is not expecting a renewal following a season in which he Continues on Page 46

•Infantino

an annual pay less than that of his controversial predecessor, Sepp Blatter.

A Swiss criminal law professor, Mark Pieth made the disclosure to the AFP after the head of the world body ’s independent audit committee, Domenico Scala, quit in protest at what he called an attack on FIFA’s reforms.

Pieth who has led reform drives at FIFA accused the new FIFA boss of using the same authoritarian tactics adopted by Blatter.

According to Pieth, Continues on Page 46

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Vision (5) 7 Stank (6) 9 Epoch (3) 10 Noise (3) 12 Performer (5) 13 Trampled (4) 15 Edge (5) 17 Face (6) 19 Sketch (4) 20 Fat (5) 22 Circuit (3) 24 Frisked (7) 27 Resin (3) 28 Respond (5) 31 Hide (4) 33 Said (6) 35 Following (5) 37 Method (4) 38 Trolley (5) 39 Immerse (3) 41 Vehicle (3) 42 Undress (6) 43 Cap (5)

DOWN 1 Cave (6) 2 Expel (6) 3 Guided (3) 4 Haul (4 5 Rushed (5) 6 Spicy-smelling (8) 8 Prima-donna (4) 11 Disregarded (9) 14 Record (4) 16 Breed (4) 18 Closed up (4) 21 Spine (8) 23 Saucy (4) 25 Over (4) 26 Consider (4) 29 Worshipped (6) 30 Agreement (6) 32 Innocent (5) 34 Parched (4) 36 Achievement (4) 40 Mine (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Disc 4, Sip 6, Rock 8, Stance 9, Recent 10, Mat 12, Freed 14, Groom 15, Duped 18, Recede 20, Ironed 24, Wager 26, Stole 28, Dirty 30, Try 32, Battle 33, Animal 34, Stir 35, Men 36, Echo.

DOWN: 2, Inter 3, Concede 4, Stem 5, Part 6, Recur 7, Condone 11, Ace 12, For 13, Duel 16, Pew 17, Dig 19, Entrant 21, Red 22, Orifice 23, Day 25m Air 27, Later 29, Teach 30, Team 31, Yawn.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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