FirstBank, Zenith, UBA, GTB okay as FX dealers

•P.35 •P.21

Taxes payable by manufacturers up from 39, now 61

By Franklin Alli

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AGOS — IF indications are anything to go by, there is no relief in sight yet for manufacturers in the

country as their tax burden is being increased.

This is because the Federal Government has increased the number of taxes collectible by the

Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, from a previous 39 to 61 items.

Some of the new taxes as contained in the schedule to the taxes and levies (Approved list for

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63052

collection) Act (Amendment Order), 2015 , include: “ National Information Technology Development Levy, Economic Development Levy, Environmental

**

(Ecological) Fee or Levy; Inter-state Road Taxes; Mining, Milling and Quarrying fee; Infrastructure Maintenance Charge; Social Services

Contribution Tax, and Wharf Landing Fee where applicable.

Others are

Continues on page 21

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

FirstBank, Zenith, UBA, GTB okay as FX dealers •Others are Access, Diamond, FCMB, Fidelity •CBN meets with dealers to fine-tune take-off •Unveils N500bn fund to boost non-oil exports •IMF welcomes new forex regime

Bloodbath: 11 gunned down as cult killings resurface in Rivers 7

Calm returns as hijab-wearing persists

See inside

C M Y K

AGOS — AS banks begin to settle into the dynamics of the flexible foreign exchange regime, which will take effect from Monday, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is set to name the lead players in the foreign exchange market

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer, quizzes Inde, ex-Customs CG, over N40bn cash diversion 5

Mr & Mrs MEETING: President Muhammadu Buhari (right) and All Progressives Congress, APC, Leader, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, during a meeting in London, yesterday.

COLUMNISTS: OSUN RELIGIOUS FACE-OFF:

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Jonathan falls short of $5m Mo Ibrahim Prize 12

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor, Babajide Komolafe & Nkiru Nnorom

NDA blows up NNPC pipeline in 3 A-Ibom

Abdelaziz: Great Good news for a change! •As new militant group leader, Great •P.19 nation •P.17 threatens Utorogu gas plant

2—Vanguard, FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2016

FG raises alarm over ISIS indoctrination Mobile App targeting children

By Emmanuel Elebeke

T

HE FEDERAL Government has alerted Nigerians to the existence of a new mobile application developed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, for propagating Jihad to children.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the mobile application, tagged ‘Huroof’ (Arabic alphabets or letters), is to be used by ISIS to teach children the Arabic alphabets with the aid of guns, military tanks and cannons.

He urged members of the general public and parents in particular to be vigilant and prevent their children and wards from being indoctrinated.

Sex scandal: Reps set up panel to investigate 3 members

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives has set up a panel to unravel the alleged sex scandal involving three of its members, who were accused of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes in Ohio, U.S.A, during an international leadership programme.

The United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, had last week, petitioned Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, accusing three lawmakers - Gololo, Mark Gbillahs, and Samuel Ikon - of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes during the trip to the US. The affected lawmakers had denied all the allegations and threatened to sue the ambassador and the US government for character defamation, describing it as a calculated attempt to ridicule the National Assembly.

The speaker, Yakubu Dogara, reportedly forwarded the letter from the to the affected lawmakers for their responses.

Certificate saga: Court adjourns case against Buhari

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, okayed indefinite adjournment on a suit challenging the educational qualification of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was a legal practitioner, Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, that filed the suit before the high court.

At the resumed sitting, trial Justice Ademola Adeniyi adjourned further hearing on the matter sine-die (indefinitely) to await the decision of the Court of Appeal on an appeal President Buhari lodged against the suit.

Cited as defendants in the substantive action which the

plaintiff initiated before the 2015 presidential election, were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the All Progressives Congress, APC. Already, President Buhari has engaged a consortium of lawyers, comprising of 13 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANS, to defend him both at the high court and the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

The legal team of the President is headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN. Specifically, the plaintiff, in his amended concurrent originating summons, is seeking “a declaration that the averment/ statement by the 3rd defendant, General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd), GCFR, in his affidavit sworn

to on November 24, 2014 at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, that all his academic qualification documents as filled in his Presidential Nomination Form No. President APC/001/2015 are currently with the Secretary, Military Board as at the time of deposing to the affidavit, is false.

“A declaration that neither the Nigeria Army nor any of its organs is in possession of the Primary Six School Certificate or the West African School Certificate of the 3rd defendant, General Muhammadu Buhari, Rtd, GCFR. “A declaration that the false averments/statements by the 3rd defendant in his affidavit in support of personal particulars

DIALOGUE: From left, Mr. Yves Nicolet, Consul General of Switzerland; Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; Chief Nike Akande, President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI; Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Lagos State, and Mr. Ingo Herbert, Consul General of Germany, at the LCCI Dialogue Session on Nigeria's International Relations, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Alleged N4.8bn fraud: EFCC lines up 7 witnesses against ex-CDS, Umar As trial begins Oct 12

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, fixe d October 12 to commence trial of the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, retd., over alleged N4.8billion fraud.

Umar is answering to a sevencount criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. He was head of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, from September 9,

2010 to October 4, 2012.

EFCC alleged that he used funds that was siphoned from accounts of the NAF between September 2010 to December 2012, and purchased six choice properties in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna State.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/ CR/92/ 2016, EFCC alleged that Umar transferred N66million into the Stanbic IBTC account No. 9202077424 belonging to Capital Law office from NAF operations account domiciled at UBA Plc, for the renovation/improvement of a house at No 1853 Deng Xiao Ping Street, Off Mahathir Mohammed

Street, Asokoro Extension Abuja.

EFCC alleged in count-four that Umar, between September and December 2012 in Abuja, used the Dollar equivalent of N500m removed from NAF account to purchase a four Bedroom Duplex with Boys Quarters at Road 3B Street 2, Mabushi Ministers Hill, Abuja.

The ex-NAF boss was further alleged to have in year 2011, used the US Dollar equivalent of N250m to purchase a property situated at No 14, Audu Bako Way, G.R.A. Kano State.

FG’s N90bn loan: 5 states meet conditions As Excess Crude Account scales up to $2.261bn

By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA—AT least five states are now ready to access the Federal Government’s N90 billion budget support loan facility for states, the Federal Government said

yesterday.

The facility, announced by the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Tuesday, was to assist the states to pay workers' salaries and take care of statutory obligations.

The loan, which would attract 9% interest rate, also has 22 fiscal

conditions which much be met by the individual states to access it.

The minister also stated that the current balance in the Excess Crude Account, ECA, as at June 15, 2016, stood at $2.261 billion, against the previous balance of $2.25 billion as at April, 2016.

(INEC Form C.F. 001) that he has fulfilled all requirements for qualification to the office of president and also in his affidavit sworn to on November 24, 2014 at the High Court of the FCT Abuja, to the effect that all his academic qualification documents as filled in his presidential nomination form No. President APC/001/2015, are currently with the Secretary, Military Board, disqualifies him from standing election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to the provisions of section 31(5) & (6) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

“A declaration that the 3rd defendant did not provide any proof or evidence in his INEC Nomination Form for office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [Form E.C. 4B (i)], its accompanying documents and affidavit in support, submitted by him to the 1st defendant (INEC) that he is qualified to contest for election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in line with the qualification criteria set out in section 131(d) of the 199 constitution, as amended."

Besides, the plaintiff is seeking an order invalidating the candidature of President Buhari in respect of the 2015 general elections, as well as an order directing INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to him.

He equally wants “an order directing INEC to issue a new Certificate of Return to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, being the candidate who came second in the 2015 Presidential election.”

Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe contended that there was no organ, institution, agency, department or authority known as and called the “Military Board” existing in Nigeria as at November 24, 2014, when President Buhari deposed an affidavit before Abuja High Court.

Meanwhile, spirited effort by the plaintiff who represented himself, yesterday, to move the court to hear the amended summons, was vehemently opposed by Kola Awodein, SAN, who led President Buhari’s legal team.

Awodein, SAN, persuaded the court to suspend hearing on the matter to await the outcome of President Buhari’s appeal.

Specifically, President Buhari had gone before the appellate court to challenge a ruling Justice Ademola delivered on May 26, 2016, wherein he held that the suit was properly served by the plaintiff.

Meanwhile, the appellate court is yet to fix a date for hearing of the appeal in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/110/2015.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—3

Avengers blows up NNPC pipeline in A'Ibom •It is not true—Police •Kachikwu brokers peace in Delta •IYC, others accuse military of breaching truce

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, SouthSouth, Egufe Yafugborhi, Perez Brisibe, Akpokona Omafuaire & Chioma Onuegbu

W

ARRI—THE fragile ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and militants in the Niger Delta region, came under threat, yesterday, as Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, blew up a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline in Oruk Anan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

It will be recalled also that in breach of the ceasefire, soldiers on Wednesday, swooped on Tebijor, also known as Okpelama, an Ijaw community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, in five gunboats hunting for militants.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, yesterday, refuted the alleged explosion of pipelines at Ikot Osutek, OrukAnam Local Government Area of the state by the NDA. Mani said in Uyo that the alleged vandalism was an accident caused by a leakage in the gas pipeline.

He said that it was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt were working to rectify the leakage.

NDA’s later attack came hours after the Minister of State, Petroleum and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, managed to secure an understanding for total peace in a closed-door session with strategic stakeholders meeting, Wednesday, in Asaba, Delta State.

NDA claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred at 4a.m., and which many see as a reprisal for the invasion of Tebujor, an Ijaw community in

Warri South-West Wednesday, by soldiers.

on

Soldiers continue patrol

A Tebujor villager called Vanguard on phone at 12p.m., saying: “Soldiers are still patrolling our area with several gunboats, but unlike Wednesday when they entered and molested people, they have not entered today (yesterday).”

Kachikwu’s diplomacy in Delta Vanguard gathered that the

meeting in Asaba, which had Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, spokesperson of Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs, GCC, and Chief Mobilizer of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama and another Gbaramatu leader, Chief Daniel Ekpebide in attendance was eye-catching.

Also at the meeting were Itsekiri leaders and All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Chief Ayiri Emami and Okerenkoko leader, Chief Michael Johnny, also an APC stalwart, who with Emami, have

W

ARRI—MINISTER of State, Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, paid an impromptu visit, yesterday, to the permanent and temporal sites of the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko and Kurutie, in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Delta State, to assess facilities on ground.

IYC, others finger military

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, yesterday, expressed doubt about the sincerity of the Federal Government to dialogue with the Niger Delta people.

IYC spokesperson, Eric Omare, cited Wednesday's military invasion of Tebujor community

VISIT: Minister of State, Petroleum and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, (3rd left) and some resdents of Okerenkoko, during the minister's visit to Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday.

....As new militant group threatens to blow up Utorogun gas plant

By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

W

ARRI—A secessionist group, Utorogun Liberation Movement,

ULM, surfaced, yesterday, in Delta State, vowing to destroy the Utorogun Gas Plant, Ughelli, which supplies gas to Egbin Power Station, Lagos, and other facilities under Oil Mining

Kachikwu visits Maritime varsity

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

not wavered in their battle against Avengers and other militants bombing oil and gas installations in the state.

Kachikwu at the gathering stressed the need for all sides to reach out to the perpetrators to halt the current bombings and allow the oil companies to repair damaged pipelines for oil to flow again.

The visit is coming after Kachikwu fell out with the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, who suspended the take-off of the university, four days ago, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Kachikwu visited the institution after a stakeholders’ meeting, Wednesday in Asaba.

It was gathered that Kachikwu first stopped over at the temporary site, which is the former Mieka International Diving Institute, Kurutie, acquired by government from ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo,

alias Tompolo, and marveled at the standard of the facilities, which he noted was comparable to structures in other universities in the country.

He conducted an over-fly of the permanent site at Okerenkoko, where he saw the buildings springing up at the permanent site and wondered why some people were misinforming PresidentMuhammaduBuharionthe status of the university.

A source confided in Vanguard that two Gbaramatu leaders, Chief Daniel Ekpebide and Piniki Azaiye led the minister to Kurutie and Okerenkoko.

Lease, OML 34 in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

The agitators operating in alliance with another group, “Outgas Force,” in a proclamation by its leader, Gen K. Omoudu, addressed to the host communities in OML 34, said: “My good people of Utorogun community, OtuJeremi, Otor-Udu, Iwkrekan, Ekakpamre and all oil and pipeline communities within this region, this is the voice of ULM in collaboration with Outgas Force.

“It is a secessionist move. The awareness of things happening in our environment has forced us to outline our cause of action. The awareness is an agitation for economic balance. We have a common enemy, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and ND Western who hate our progress and wish us to die in poverty."

Jonathan falls short of $5m Mo Ibrahim Prize

A

BUJA—FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to win the prestigious $5 million Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership despite meeting a key criterion.

The announcement was made, yesterday, that no former African leader met the requirements for the 2015 version of the yearly award following a meeting of the independent Prize Committee chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim.

The prize, largest annually awarded prize in the world, which was instituted in 2006

by Sudanese telecoms entrepreneur, Mo Ibrahim, rewards former African leaders who demonstrated sterling qualities while in office, served their constitutionally mandated term; and demonstrated exceptional leadership.

“The Prize recognises and celebrates African executive leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity,” it said.

The award is also “a standard for excellence in leadership in Africa, and not a ‘first prize’" the foundation said.

A winner enjoys $ 5 million over 10 years and another $200,000 yearly for life and can also ask for another $200,000 for good causes he or she supports.

So far, only the former presidents of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano; Botswana’s Festus Mogae; Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba; and Pedro Piers of Cape Verde have clinched the award.

Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary prize in 2007.

Although, Jonathan seems to have met the Prize criteria which include former African Executive Head of State or Government, left office in the last three years, democraticallyelected,servedhisor herconstitutionallymandatedterm, demonstrated exceptional leadership; it was unclear why he wasn’t given.

Allegations of massive corruption under his administration presently being investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC may have cost Jonathan the prize.

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

POCKET CARTOON (FXPD) Guidelines.

"There will be no predetermined spread on foreign exchange spot transactions executed through the CBN intervention with primary dealers, while all foreign exchange spot purchased by the authorized dealers are transferable in the interbank foreign exchange market."

CBN meets banks’ treasurers

MOU: From left, Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Chairman, Tuns Farms Nigeria Limited, Asiwaju Olatunde Badmus; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Shehu Ahmed and Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, during the signing of MoU on National Egg Production Scheme (NEGPRO) between Ministry of Agriculture and Tuns Farms Limited, in Abuja.

FirstBank, Zenith, UBA, GTB okay as FX leaders weekly forex market regime due to be phased out today.

have been leading in volume of bids and today. allocation of foreign exchange from the CBN The lead players would FirstBank, Zenith, weekly foreign exchange be known as Foreign UBA, GTB qualify trading since last year.

Exchange Primary Dealers, for FXPD Industry observers believe FXPD. The four banks that have Though CBN’s fully met the criteria are that other banks expected guidelines indicated that FirstBank of Nigeria to jostle for the ninth and about eight or 10 banks Limited, Zenith Bank Plc, tenth positions should would be registered as United Bank for Africa Plc CBN decide to move up the FXPD, Vanguard and Guaranty Trust Bank list, include Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc investigations showed that Plc. only about four banks are Further analysis of the top and Sterling Bank Plc, but fully qualified, considering 10 banks in the country, their financial positions their audited financial going by CBN’s criteria, could not be ascertained positions as at end of 2015 shows that about four others due to non-availability of and first quarter of 2016. may have also qualified with their financial reports as at The apex bank would additional four close to end of 2015 and first quarter of 2016. consider shareholders meeting the benchmark.

Also, Ecobank Nigeria is funds, liquidity ratios and The banks are Access volume of foreign currency Bank Plc, Diamond Bank expected to make the top 10 assets of banks in arriving Plc, FCMB Plc and Fidelity but their financial reports US dollar at top 10 that would be Bank Plc, which have some were registered as FXPDs. of the key requirements as denominated and could not Additional requirements at end of 2015 and are be immediately translated may include capital expected to have qualified into Naira due to the adequacy ratios and by the first quarter of 2016. transitional exchange rate historical volume of bids Access Bank, GTB, as at today.

While announcing the recorded in the CBN FirstBank, Zenith and UBA new foreign exchange regime two days ago, CBN had indicated a two-level trading structure where the apex bank would deal on

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192 wholesale basis with some HE truest test of integrity is in its blunt refusal to be compromised. Integrity is what gives you an banks that would in turn identity. You will never climb the ladder of success transact with other banks to be known as non-primary if people cannot trust you. dealers, and other dealers at lower retail volume.

In this connection CBN stated: "To improve the

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 dynamics of the market, the I like kindness. Who doesn’t? Life is definitely apex bank will introduce too short for being with self centred abusive people Foreign Exchange Primary —Ellen Greene Dealers (FXPD), who would be registered with TAY centred in love. Keep your thoughts and the CBN to deal directly sights on divine love, and you’ll notice beauty with the apex bank for large and attract positive experiences. No matter what, trade sizes on a two-way keep faith and embrace an optimistic attitude quotes basis towards life. Instead of allowing other people to "These primary dealers pull you down, stay centred in peace and lift them shall operate with other up with your bright shining light and words. dealers in the inter-bank market, among other obligations that will be stipulated in the Foreign HE food that is given to a slave is not for body Exchange Primary Dealers building but for survival.

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Also, the CBN will today meet banks’ treasurers to clarify issues relating to the operations of the flexible exchange rate regime.

A CBN source told Vanguard: “We are going to meet with bank treasurers in Lagos tomorrow (today) to discuss operations of the new system. The meeting is to provide further explanations on how the new system will operate and also respond to questions and concerns over the guidelines released yesterday.”

In the same vein, Vanguard learned that the Financial Market Dealers Quote, FMDQ, met with foreign exchange dealers of banks, yesterday.

A source with knowledge of the meeting told Vanguard on condition of anonymity that the meeting was to discuss parameters for interbank trading in the new foreign exchange regime commencing Monday.

The source said: “The meeting was to agree or to determine the spread between the offer and bid rates as well as the standard volume of trade. The standard volume of trade is the volume of dollars, whether $100,000 or $200,000, banks will bid and offer to trade among each other.

"This will be determined by the total volume of dollars in the system. At the commencement of the new system on Monday, dollars in the system will be determined by how much the CBN sells to the Primary Foreign Exchange Dealers (FXPDs)."

Ecobank projects N280-N320/$ interbank rate

Analysts at Ecobank have projected that the Naira will depreciate to between N280 and N320 per dollar in the interbank market in the short term.

In a comment on the new foreign exchange regime, they stated: “While the CBN did not announce any exchange rate, it is our opinion that a new exchange rate will emerge from the interbank exchange market, which will likely be above the current rate of $1:N197, at

which the CBN has been selling dollars to banks.

“We think this rate is initially likely to be around $1:N285-320 as pent-up demand for dollar is released onto the market.

Over time, the move is likely to increase the supply of US$ liquidity to the interbank market as remitters and exporters are likely to be more willing to sell dollars at the interbank rate.

“Similarly, we believe that investors, who have been sitting on the sidelines for fear of not being able to get dollar out of the economy, will now be more willing to commit. Overall, this greater flexibility will be positive for the economy as it will improve access to foreign exchange (albeit it at a higher rate) for firms which have been struggling to buy hard currency.

“The inflationary impact, we believe, will be fairly limited because many importers who were accessing dollars were already doing so on the inefficient parallel market.”

It’s good for manufacturers —CardinalStone Partners

Irrespective of the exchange rate, financial analysts at CardinalStone Partners, a Lagos-based investment house, said the take-off of the long-awaited flexible foreign exchange regime is a positive development as it will improve accessibility and supply of forex.

According to them, “local manufacturers will be able to source forex to purchase the requisite inputs and this will have a corresponding positive impact on economic growth, particularly the industrial sector.

“Secondly, this move will attract capital inflows as foreign investors, who were on the sidelines, will return to the market. We are also likely to see a return to the JPMorgan and Barclays Bank Government Bond Indices.”

Stock market continues rally with

N206bn gain

The Nigeria stock market, yesterday, maintained its upward trend as total value of listed shares rose by N206 billion, indicating continued positive reaction by investors to the adoption of flexible exchange rate policy by the CBN. Economists and investment bankers had said the market would continue to rally in the days ahead as local investors take position ahead of return of foreign portfolio investors.

Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, benchmark indicator, the All Share Index, ASI, rose 2.2 per cent to 28,489.89 points from 27,891.96 points, on Wednesday, while the second key performance indicator, the market capitalisation (or total value) of listed equities rose by N206 billion to close at N9.78 trillion from N9.6 trillion the previous day, also representing 2.2 per cent increase.

The rally, yesterday, cut across all sectors in the market with the exception of Alternative Securities Market (ASEM) that fell by 0.2 per cent. The banking sector recorded the highest increase of 7.3 per cent to finish at 295.34 points on the back of gains on the shares of mid cap banking stocks like Unity Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc, as well as 5.58 per cent gains on the shares of Zenith International Bank Plc. The consumer goods sector followed, rallying 2.8 per cent as a result of appreciation on the shares of brewery giant – Nigerian Breweries Plc and Champion Breweries Plc, while industrial sector rose 2.1 per cent to settle at 2,040.95 points. The NSE 30 Index was up 2.2 per cent to 1,265.73 points from 1,238.02 basis points.

The insurance sector recorded 1.6 per cent increase propelled by surge in Mansard, Custodian and Allied Insurance and Continental Reinsurance, which rose by five per cent, 4.86 per cent and 4.59 per cent in that order.

For every two gainers in Continues on page 5

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—5

Continues from page 4

the day, there was a loser.

Champion Breweries Plc led the advancers with 9.87 per cent increase to close at N3.34, followed by Unity Bank Plc with 8.33 per cent gains to close at N1.17.

Lafarge WAPCO appreciated by 7.29 per cent to close at N74.01; Wema Bank rose 6.33 per cent to close at N0.84, while NB closed as the last on top five gainers table with 5.99 per cent increase to close at N141.76 per share.

Market breath also closed higher with volume traded stood at 618.25 million shares valued at N5.41 billion in 6,757 deals.

IMF welcomes new forex regime Meanwhile, The International Monetary Fund, IMF, yesterday, welcomed the decision by the CBN to abandon its currency peg and adopt a flexible exchange rate policy, saying this was important to reduce fiscal and external imbalances.

According to Reuters, IMF spokesman, Gerry Rice, told a weekly news briefing the Fund wanted to see how effectively the Naira exchange market functions once the new float system is put into effect on Monday.

Reuters also indicated that CBN governor, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, said the apex bank expected the Naira to settle at around N250 to the dollar, as against the peg of N197 to the dollar it had held for 16 months now.

“I think the announcement yesterday (Wednesday) to revise the guidelines for the operation of the Nigerian interbank foreign exchange market is an important and welcome step,” Rice told reporters.

“It will provide greater flexibility in that market, the foreign exchange market,” Reuters quoted IMF. Senior IMF officials, including Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, have urged Nigerian officials to allow the Naira to fall to absorb some of the shock to the economy from a plunge in oil prices and revenues. OPEC member, Nigeria, is a major oil producer. IMF officials have said that Nigeria had not requested IMF financial assistance, but had been in consultation with the Fund on dealing with budget shortfalls.

Rice said: “As we have said before, a significant macroeconomic adjustment that Nigeria urgently needs to eliminate existing

imbalances and support the competitiveness of the economy is best achieved through a credible package of policies involving fiscal discipline, monetary tightening, a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reform. Allowing the exchange rate to better reflect market forces is an integral part of that."

CBN unveils N500bn fund to boost non-oil exports Meanwhile, the CBN, yesterday, unveiled a N500 billion low interest rate credit fund designed to boost non-oil exports.

Announcing the introduction of the facility, the CBN said: “The NonOil Export Stimulation Facility, ESF, was established to diversify the economy away from oil and to expedite the growth and development of the non-oil export sector.”

According to the guidelines for operating the fund, “the CBN will invest in a N500 billion debenture to be issued by Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) in line with section 31 of CBN Act. The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) shall be the managing agent of the Non-Oil Export Stimulation Facility (ESF).

It shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the facility and rendition of periodic reports on the performance of ESF to CBN." On the interest rate to be charged on the loans, the guidelines stated: “Facilities with a tenor of up to three years would be granted at a maximum allin interest rate of seven and half percent (7.5 per cent) per annum; facilities with tenor of over three years would be granted at a maximum all-in interest rate of nine percent per annum."

The fund can be accessed to fund export oriented activities including, “Export of goods wholly or partly processed or manufactured in Nigeria; export of commodities and services, which are permissible and excluded under existing export prohibition list; Imports of plant and machinery, spare parts and packaging materials, required for export oriented production that cannot be produced locally; export value chain support services such as transportation, warehousing and quality assurance infrastructure; Resuscitation, expansion, modernization and technology upgrade of non-

CLOSING GONG: CLOSING GONG: From left, Chief Finance Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Anders Kristiansson, Communications Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, DG/CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema and Group MD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos during the closing gong ceremony of Lafarge Africa Plc at the NSE, Wednesday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

FirstBank, Zenith, UBA, GTB okay as FX leaders oil exports industries and; Stocking Facility/Working capital.”

On the duration and limit of loans accessed through the fund, the guidelines stated: “The facility shall not exceed 70 per cent of the total cost of the project or transaction subject to a maximum of N5 billion.

“The ESF shall have a tenor of up to 10 years and shall not exceed December

28, 2025. Stocking facility shall be for a maximum tenor of one year with the option of roll-over not exceeding twice.

"However, this shall attract an additional fee of 0.25 percent per annum of the loan amount and is subject to approval of CBN. Working capital facility shall be for a maximum tenor of one year with the provision of roll-over not

exceeding twice. However, this shall attract an additional fee of 0.25 percent per annum of the loan amount and is subject to approval of CBN.” The CBN has also extended the Export Rediscounting Facility of the Nigeria Exim Import Bank, NEXIM, by N50 billion.

This, according to the apex bank, is to “to ensure

continuous flow of credit to the export sector at competitive rates, especially against the background of declining export loans and the need to promote sustainable non-oil exports, and also to support the Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, in the provision of pre-and post-shipment finance to exporters to undertake export transactions.”

EFCC probes Ortom over N4.29bn transfer •Quizzes Inde, ex-Customs CG, over N40bn cash diversion

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA — BARELY a year in office, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under the searchlight of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following allegation he caused the transfer of the state’s cash amounting to N4.29 billion from banks to unknown recipients.

This came as the immediate past Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, was also arrested by the EFCC for questioning over alleged fraud and abuse of office.

On the strength of the three petitions fired by insiders in Benue State government, the EFCC has already swung into action by questioning some persons close to the government in relation to the cash transfers.

A top official of the commission confirmed to

Vanguard, last night, that the agency received two petitions against the governor and some top officials of the administration and had already commenced investigation into the matter, even though the governor is covered by immunity while in office.

He said: “I can confirm to you that the commission has received petitions against Governor Ortom and other dramatis personae over alleged diversion and other financial infractions. We have also commenced investigation into the veracity of the petitions.

And I can also tell you that the commission will soon take necessary action on the matter.”

Some of those named in the petitions as arrowheads of the scam are members of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

The official said only those not covered by immunity were being interrogated in connection with the cash movement, adding that the outcome of the commission's probe

would soon be made public.

Governor Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, said the report was not only false but also a demonstration of mischief and ignorance by the authors of the petitions.

Quizzes Inde, exCustoms CG, over N40bn cash diversion Inde, who had been on the radar of the anti-graft agency for the past one year, was arrested and taken into the commission’s facility in Abuja for interrogation.

A top official in the commission confirmed to Vanguard that Inde, who arrived the head office of the commission around 10 am, was still being quizzed at press time.

According to competent source in the commission, the interrogators picked up Inde in connection with N40 billion, which he allegedly pocketed while in office.

According to the source, Inde allegedly diverted the

huge sum of money from the purse of the NSC. The source added that the amount accrued from the seven per cent cost of collection of Customs revenue and another one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, which generated billions of Naira in revenue, but was largely diverted.

Beyond the N40 billion said to have been diverted

by Inde, EFCC is also questioning him on how he came about the over N2 billion, which he used in building what the commission described as a ‘palatial mansion’ located at 1, Audu Ogbe Street, Jabi, Abuja.

The commission believes that Inde lived above his means as a public servant and might have abused his office for personal gains while serving as Customs boss.

For that reason, the commission is likely going to charge Inde to court for criminal conspiracy, theft, abuse of public office and diversion of public funds, among others.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

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Suspected child abductor nabbed in Ijanikin, Lagos

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE IJANIKIN Division of the Lagos State Police Command is currently investigating a suspected child abductor, who was caught in the act.

Vanguard gathered that a 17-year-old girl, Chizoba Maduegbunam, was caught by residents, yesterday morning, while attempting to abduct a child at Oto-Awori.

It was gathered that the community members took the suspect to the OniIjanikin palace.

Confirming the report, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, said a woman was caught in Ijanikin attempting to steal a child.

She was taken to OniIjanikin palace.

Teacher who defiled 4-yr-old female pupil arraigned in court

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE SCHOOL teacher, Violet Emu, that allegedly defiled a 4year - old pupil of Light Bearers Private school located at Isashi, was yesterday arraigned in court by the Police.

Vanguard had reported that the mistress, who is the class teacher of the nursery two pupil, reportedly defiled her last Thursday, during school hours.

Emu reportedly raised the victim’s uniform and put her fingers inside her bum-bum in the class, while others were sleeping.

It was also reported that the girl, who relayed the incident to her parents, was taken to a nongovernmental organisation, Mirabel Centre, where she was tested.

The medical result had revealed that the toddler was violated.

Emu, who was arraigned before Magistrate Osunsanmi on one count of defilement, pleaded not guilty.

Osunsanmi ordered that Emu should be remanded at the Kirikiri prison until her bail terms were perfected.

The matter was adjourned till September 8, 2016 for trial.

Ritualists kill 12yr-old girl, pregnant woman in Ilorin

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—A pregnant woman and a girl of about twelve years old were brutally murdered and dismembered by yet to be identified suspected ritualists at Gboroko village via Alapa, an out skirt of Ilorin in Asa Local

Government Area of Kwara State.

Vanguard reliably gathered that the corpse of the pregnant woman, Raheemat Akata, was found dismembered and her eight months foetus removed, while the remains of the girl, who accompanied her was also reportedly butchered into

pieces.

The spokesman of Kwara state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the incident, said the command has commenced manhunt for the killer, though no arrest has been made.

“We are aware of the dastardly act and we have commenced

An accident scene on Umoru Musa Yar'adua Road, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

manhunt for the suspected killers. We will inform you when we make breakthrough “he stressed in an interview with Vanguard.

Sources told Vanguard that the deceased was a popular patent medicine seller in the area, who was going for business transaction in the next village, accompanied by her neighbour’s daughter, when the duo were viciously attacked by the suspected ritualists.

Sources in the village disclosed that the woman was reportedly way laid, ambushed and then murdered alongside the twelve years old girl.

When Vanguard visited Akata’s compound at IsaleBanni Alore area of Ilorin, the family compound of the deceased, scores of sympathizers were seen in groups discussing the incident as parents of the deceased were in mourning mood.

Efforts to speak with the deceased Parents proved abortive.

Robbers kill bank customer, colleague in Lagos ...injure police

By Evelyn Usman

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SIX- MAN robbery gang yesterday shot a bank customer, who had gone to withdraw an undisclosed amount from one of the new generation banks at Odunade, Alaba area of Lagos, dead, carting away the withdrawn amount.

The suspects as gathered stationed their operational bikes

close to the bank. On sighting the male customer coming out of the bank, three of them reportedly accosted him and shot him at close range, before collecting the money from him A mobile policeman, who attempted to rescue the bank customer, was reportedly shot in the hand, just as it was reported that the mobile policeman also shot one of the bandits in the leg as they were

fleeing the scene.

When news of the incident filtered into the Police command headquarters, the state commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoswni, signalled divisions under area ‘B’ Apapa command to be on red alert.

On reaching Orege in Ajegunle, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer in-chage of Ajeromi, Aminu Gusau, had laid ambush

Marketer, 32, jailed 5yrs for stealing N2.9m

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33-YEAR-OLD marketer with a micro-finance bank, Ossai Azuka, was yesterday at an Ikeja High Court, jailed for five years for stealing N2.9 million belonging to the bank’s customers.

Ossai, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was jailed by Justice Kudirat Jose following his guilty plea to a charge of fraudulent conversion.

“The defendant is sentenced to five years in prison; time spent in custody should be excluded from the sentence.

“This sentence should deter other youths from venturing into a life of crime, the judge said.”

Earlier, counsel to Azuka, Mr Victor Okpara, in his allocutus, told the court that the convict was a first time offender, who used the stolen money for his sick mother ’s

treatment.

“My Lord, the defendant read Zoology at the Delta State University, he plead guilty to the charge and as a result he did not waste the time of the court.

“He used the money for the treatment of his mother, who was ill.

“He has been in custody since April 2013 and has not had a previous conviction for any crime,” Okpara pleaded.

The lead counsel to the EFCC, Mrs Anita Imo, had during the trial told the court that Ossai had between Dec. 31, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2012 at Corestep Micro-Finance Bank, Isolo, committed the offences.

She said the accused abused his position as a marketer and fraudulently converted N2.9 million which were deposits of customers of the bank.

According to her, the offence is a violation of Section 285 (9), (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

for them . Sighting the policemen, the robbers reportedly ordered their injured colleague to get down from the motorbike and released volleys of bullets on him.

Unfortunately, one of he bullets hit a road side mechanic identified as Idris Taiwo in the hand. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital.

They suspects, reportedly, opened fire on the policemen in their bid to escape but were overpowered.

Three of the suspects, according to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police, Oladapo Badmos, were arrested and had been transferred to the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS for further investigation.

Online scam: Man, 25, bags 2yrs for defra

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N IKEJA High Court yesterday sentenced a 25-year-old, Patrick Ezeji, to two years imprisonment for defrauding a Canadian woman, Sheila Griffiths, of $32,220 .

The convict, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of conspiracy to steal and stealing, had entered a plea bargain.

He had promised to refund the woman’s stolen money.

Ezeji has only refunded $2,220 out of the $32,220 .

Justice Kudirat Jose, while sentencing Ezeji, said his

punishment should serve as a deterrent to youths who might want to toe the path of crime.

“I have listened to the allocutus of Mr. Victor Okpara and I have considered that the defendant has promised to pay the outstanding balance of the money.

“I am of the view that young people should desist from deceiving people to part with their hard-earned money.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to two years in prison; the sentence starts from the first day of the judgement.

“This should serve as a deterrent to other young people considering a life of crime,” she ruled.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—7

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Bloodbath: 11 gunned down as cult killings resurface in Rivers

By Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT—AT least 11 people were Wednesday gunned down at Omoku town, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, ONELGA, of Rivers State by suspected cultists, who invaded the area.

It was learnt that two people, including a popular medical doctor in the area, Dr. Erike, were kidnapped by the invaders during the raid.

There has been series of killings

in Omoku following the battle between two rival cult groups in the area, the Icelanders and the new Greenlanders.

Vanguard gathered that one of the cult groups believed to be members of the Greenlanders, Wednesday night, invaded the area unleashing mayhem on the residents, and killing 11 people.

A source in the area, Mr. Michael, who related the development to Vanguard, said that the Greenlanders invaded the area with heavy gunfire, adding that several people including the

Special Adviser to the Caretaker Chairman of ONELGA on Sports and Youths Affairs, Mr. Smart Igwe, sustained bullet wounds.

Michael disclosed that the gunmen stormed Dan Street, Omoku, where they killed four persons and abducted two of their victims, before heading for Obigwe community where three people were killed.

He also disclosed that the killers later yesterday morning revisited Omoku, killing four more people.

Meanwhile, the CTC chairman of the LGA, Mr. Isaac Umejuru has described the renewed attack in the area as regrettable.

At Press time, the Rivers Stat Police Command said it was aware of the incident but said it was purely cult related.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Ahmad Muhammad confirmed that three suspected cultists died in the clash.

6 perish, 24 survive, in Lagos auto crashes

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Bose Adelaja

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IX PEOPLE were reportedly killed while twenty three others injured in two separate auto crashes in Lagos, Wednesday night and yesterday respectively.

Five persons were confirmed dead when their vehicle rammed into a stationery truck, late Wednesday, night, at Third Mainland Bridge, inward Oworonshoki area of the state, while one person died yesterday in the accident involving a Volkswagen commercial bus with 18 passengers on board which somersaulted on its way to Mile 12 from Lagos Island at Alapere inward toll-gate.

General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, Mr. Micheal Akindele, who confirmed the incidents, said six victims in the Third Mainland Bridge accident, survived with injuries.

According to an eyewitness, the accident occurred when a Mazda commercial bus with number plates , AKD 292 XL, coming from Aja Lekki, en route Oshodi, rammed into a broken down MAN truck at about 10.24 PM on Wednesday, at Third Mainland Bridge inward Oworonshoki area.

Akindele explained that further,

“Investigation conducted by the Agency’s Emergency Response Team, ERT, at the incident scene, revealed that the commercial bus rammed into the broken down truck while on excessive speeding.

“In the process, five victims (male adults) were trapped and the vehicle extricated by the ERT, their bodies recovered dead, while six other victims male adults were

Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, to Mainland Hospital Mortuary, while the remains of the commercial bus driver was released to his family as requested through intervention of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who was present at the scene of the accident.

Stranded Nigerian immigrants, who opted to return home from Libya with assistance from the Swiss government, on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

auding Canadian woman $32,220 Earlier, Counsel to Ezeji, Mr Victor Okpara in his allocutus, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

He said:”My Lord, the defendant did not waste the time of the court, he is 25 years of age and he has just been admitted to study Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

“He is a first time offender and he is doing restitution as contained in the plea bargain arrangement.

“He has been incarcerated since Dec. 3, 2012, in the prison environment, he is well known as a talented graphic design artist, he will use his skill more productively and with the fear of God if he is released into the

rescued alive with severe injuries and were taken to Accident and Emergency Centre (Trauma Centre) and Gbagada General Hospital by Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS.” The remains of the deceased, according to him, were also evacuated by Lagos State Environmental Health

society.”

The EFCC, represented by Mrs Anita Imo, had alleged that Ezeji and an accomplice, Anthony Okpara, conspired to steal $32,220 online from Sheila Griffiths.

She said the victim upon realising that she had been scammed, contacted the Canadian High Commission which in turn petitioned the EFCC. The offences contravened Sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

Justice Jose fixed Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 for the trial of Anthony Okpara, the accomplice of Ezeji.

'My hubby attempted to rape my younger sister several times'

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45-YEAR-OLD trader, Mrs Cecilia Ayayi, has approached an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to end her 20-yearold marriage over her randy husband’s attempt to rape her younger sister.

Cecilia told the court , yesterday , that her husband, John Ajayi, for who she had three children, had on many occasions attempted to rape her younger sister.

“My sister left our house without any notice, when I called her to know why she packed out she told me that my husband had been trying to rape her whenever I am not at home.

“That she had to leave because my husband may succeed in raping her one day,” a discomfited wife said.

The petitioner also accused her husband of infidelity.

“My husband is a womaniser; he brings girls, nursing mothers and divorcees into our matrimonial home.

“On many occasions, he and his lovers had beaten me up wherever I tried to prevent them from entering our room.

“He even impregnated one of the women,” she alleged.

Cecilia said that her husband sent her packing because she was an illiterate.

She added:”My husband sent me packing that he can no longer cope with an illiterate.

The Court’s President, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, after listening to the couple, adjourned the case to July 12 for further hearing.

Businessman loses part of home to fire in Benin

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ART OF the residential building on Textile Mill Road, Benin city, belonging to the Chairman/Managing Director of Tomline Industrial Company Limited, Prof. Tes Sorae was, weekend, gutted by fire.

Although the cause of the fire was not known at press time, it was said to have started from Prof. Sorae’s bedroom and spread to that of his late wife where the roof and concrete structure were burnt down.

The upper floor of the building and Sorae’s private library were also not spared.

Prof. Sorae told newsmen that as soon as the fire wa noticed, he made distress

calls to the Edo State fire serve, University of Benin fire service and the University of Benin Teaching hospital, noting that these outfits fought the fire for about five hours before it was put out.

He said that his furniture

and other electrical appliances, a number of documents including property title documents, business files, professional books and bibles, international passports and academic and professional certificates were lost to the inferno.

Part of the home destroyed in Benin.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—9

PDP CRISIS: Name my APC sponsors, Sheriff

challenges Makarfi As Makarfi likens Sheriff's supporters' protest to early days of Boko Haram

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By Ben Agande

BUJA—EMBAT TLED national chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has challenged chairman of the care taker committee of the party, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, to provide the names of All Progressives Congress, APC, governors as well as the date and venue he allegedly met with them to discuss the destabilization of the PDP. This came as chairman of the caretaker committee of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, yesterday, warned that the forcible possession of the national secretariat of the party by Senator Modu Sheriff through the use of thugs, smacked off the early beginning of Boko Haram insurgency.

Makarfi’s committee had alleged through its spokesman, Prince Bayo Adeyeye, that Senator Sheriff was planted by the APC to destabilize the PDP. But in a statement yesterday, Special Adviser to Senator Sheriff on Media and Publicity,

Inuwa Bwala, accused the caretaker committee of taking instructions from some unnamed forces to work against the interest of the party.

He claimed that since leaving the APC at its formative stage, Senator Sheriff had no dealings with the party or any of its stalwart.

He said: “At a press conference yesterday, one Dayo Adeyeye, speaking on behalf of Senator Makarfi alleged that, the National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is being sponsored by the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress, APC, and that there

was no court order granting him leave to operate his office.

“Ridiculous as it may sound, given the fact that right thinking Nigerians know that, Makarfi and the cabal that has been sponsoring him are merely crying wolf, where there was none, having come face to face with the truth, law and reality, it is imperative to state some facts, for the records.

“Makarfi and his sponsors want to create the wrong impression that Sheriff is not reliable, whereas it is an open secret that Sheriff has given credible and honest leadership to his state, to Nigeria and to the PDP, even for the short period he has been in

the saddle of leadersip than Ahmed Makarfi."

Meanwhile, chairman of the caretaker committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmed Makarfi, has warned that the forcible takeover of the national secretariat of the party by Senator Modu Sheriff through the use of thugs, smacked off the early beginning of Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking after a meeting of PDP leaders which ended in the early hours of yesterday, Senator Makarfi said Nigerianswouldnolongeraffordtostand aloof and watch the activities of Senator Sheriff and his group as these activities posed dire threat to the country’s democracy.

Dasuki set for S-Court over FG's denial grounds for his client to of freedom after bails approach the Supreme Court to Says ‘I'm not afraid of trial'

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BUJA—FORMER National Security Adviser, NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd) is set to storm the Supreme Court to press for his freedom denied him by the Federal Government after three

different High Courts in Abuja had admitted him to bail in the criminal charges filed against him by the government.

The ex-NSA had on Wednesday at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, lost his bid to enforce his freedom after he had secured bails on all the charges against him.

Dasuki’s lawyer, Mr. Ahmed Raji, S A N , confirmed that appeal papers had been put together to be filed at the apex court to challenge the judgment of the Court of Appeal and the High Courts that g a v e judgment to government on the rearrest after bail.

He said there were sufficient

seek the enforcement of his freedom from detention ordered by the federal government after he had been granted bail by three judges who prosecuted him on the charges.

Dasuki said he was not afraid of trial in the charges against him as a former National Security Adviser but added that the proper thing must be done by government by respecting the bail granted him lawfully but courts.

He claimed that since government had approached court in his matter, the same government must be fully ready to abide by court decisions in the interest of justice and the rule of law.

The ex-NSA had been admitted to bail by three high courts in Abuja but was rearrested on December 29, 2015, by operatives of the Department of the State Service, DSS, on the alleged order of the Federal Government and had since been held incommunicado.

But the government in its defence in a motion on notice filed in court, claimed that Dasuki, being a Crown Prince of Sokoto Caliphate, had large sympathizers across the length and breadth of the country who might jeopardize his trial if allowed on bail.

N1.5BN FRAUD:

EFCC files 17-count charge against Fani-Kayode

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed a 17-count charge against a former Aviation Minister and spokesman for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Mr Femi FaniKayode over an alleged N1.5 billion fraud.

A former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, a firm, Joint Trust Dimensions Limited, one Danjuman Yusuf and another Olubode Oke, said to be at large, were also charged alongside Mr Fani-Kayode.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos as soon as the case is assigned to a judge.

A copy of the charge showed that while Mr Fani-Kayode was named in all 17 counts, the former Finance Minister was only named in the first four counts of the charge.

In the first count, Usman, Fani-Kayode, Yusuf And Joint Trust Dimensions Nigeria Limited on or about January 8, 2015, within the jurisdiction of the court, conspired to indirectly retain the sum of N1.5 billion, a sum the EFCC said they reasonably ought to have known, formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of stealing.

“They, therefore, committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012,’’ the EFCC stated.

The Offence is punishable under Section 15(3) & 4 of the same Act,” the charge read.

The EFCC had listed 17 witnesses to testify against the defendants including representatives of some banks.

Senate passes mandatory buying Earlier, Senator Joshua of Nigerian goods Dariye said the bill, when

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Ernke

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BUJA—IN its determination to make the patronage of locally made products mandatory, the Senate,yesterday, passed the Public Procurement Act Amendment Bill.

The passage of the bill was sequel to the consideration of report of the Senate Committee on

Public Procurement, sponsored by Senator Joshua Dariye, PDP, Plateau Central.

The bill, titled “A Bill For An Act To Amend The Public Procurement Act To provide for and Adopt A Local Content Policy and Timely Completion of Procurement Processes and Other Related Matter,” passed third reading at the Senate.

assented to, would amend certain relevant sections of the 2007 Procurement Act to favour local manufacturers and ensure speedy completion of projects.

Dariye said: “Similarly, the issue of disposal which is an integral aspect of procurement has been aptly captured by the amendment in the new sub-clause 1(e)."

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY JUNE 17 , 2016

SHIPPING POSITION: Petroleum products lead imports at Lagos port

By Godwin Oritse

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AGOS—SEVEN more vessels laden with various cargoes including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), arrived at Lagos ports waiting to discharge.

According to the yesterday’s shipping position of the Nigerian Ports Authority made available to Vanguard, showed that three other ships waiting to berth would discharge containerladen goods and bulk gypsum.

In the ship data document, about 27 other ships containing petroleum products, food items and other goods were being expected at the ports from between now and end of t he month.

NPA explained that other expected ships brought in general cargoes, bulk sugar, buck wheat, petrol, frozen fish and base oil.

Besides the expected arrival of the ships, 21 other ships are currently at the ports discharging wheat, bulk fertiliser, bulk rice, trucks, general cargoes, petrol, sugar, aviation fuel, diesel and crude palm olein.

Bulk rice and bagged rice had not been coming into Lagos ports for over a month.

Meanwhile petroleum products have continued to dominate imports in the Western zone of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA) as a total of 469,837 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS) were imported in June.

NURSES' STRIKE: LUTH presents case, wants Nigerians' intervention

By Gabriel Olawale

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A G O S — T H E management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, IdiAraba, Lagos, yesterday, appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the hospital’s striking nurses to embrace dialogue and return to work.

Mr Kelechi Otuneme, LUTH’s Head of Corporate Services, made the plea in Lagos.

According to reports nurses and midwives in the hospital, under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, had on June 10 commenced an indefinite strike.

“We call on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on our nurses and midwives to let them embrace the tested democratic norms as the only means of conflict resolution in the present dispensation,” Otuneme said.

According to him, the reasons the striking workers gave in a letter they wrote to the hospital management for the strike are not tenable.

“Some of the reasons include non-promotion of 71 members of their association in the 2015 promotion exercise and nonpayment of teaching allowance to LUTH nurses,” he added.

Otuneme said the hospital management had made several entreaties to the nurses to embrace dialogue, but they were not yielding.

“In 2015, LUTH interviewed and recommended for promotion over 200 nurses, including many that had been stagnated for several years due to various policies of the previous governments.

“A list of 600 successful LUTH workers, including these nurses, was forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) for approval, with suitable recommendations that they should be promoted.

Group demands MKO Abiola’s portrait on N50 currency

By Monsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—A civil society group, June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations, J12CODEF, has demanded that the Federal Government approve the portrait of late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, on the country’s N50 currency or future currencies.

The group made the demand yesterday, at a briefing in Lagos, lamenting that 23 years after the Presidential election, the central Government has not immortalized the late business mogul.

The group chairman, Mr. Alfred Ilenre, said; “The Federal Government should posthumously recognize late Chief M.K.O. Abiola as the President Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria based on the June 12, 1993 Presidential election and immortalize the memory of the custodian of the mandate and the day by declaring June 12 every year as M.K.O. Abiola day.”

Ilenre attributed the state of insecurity in the country to lack of successive governments since 1999 to address issues pertaining to the annulled elections.

“The ministry, however, excluded 71 nurses without the BSc Degree in Nursing because of the existing provision made by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

He said: “It stipulates that a nurse must possess a BSc Degree in nursing to advance beyond Level 12 of the current salary scale.

“The association stridently insisted that LUTH management should ignore the directive of the FMOH and promote the 71 nurses.

“They were advised and assisted to seek direct and further clarification from the ministry.”

Otuneme said the ongoing strike was basically because officials of the association were among the 71 people who failed to obtain the requisite degree.

“It was due to the fear of being

overtaken by their better-qualified younger colleagues, especially now that the 2016 promotion examinations are about to commence.

“However, LUTH management cannot and will not disobey constituted authority to pacify striking nurses who know very well that the final decision to promote our workers or not rests with higher authorities.

“Non-payment of teaching allowance to LUTH nurses is a mischievous allegation as everyone knows that nurses are paid directly from Abuja through the IPPIS government platform.

“Salaries and allowances such as uniform, teaching and so on are computed and paid directly to each nursing staff by the Federal Government.

“The Federal Government recently requested for a compilation of all outstanding salaries and allowances from all

institutions and our figures were promptly submitted,” he said.

Otuneme said that LUTH management was committed to the maintenance of an enabling environment for the provision of service to citizens who expect nothing but the best.

Reacting, the chairman of the association, LUTH chapter, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, said that their action was due to inadequate equipment which had affected the operations of nurses and care for the patients.

“Nurses are ready to work, but there must be provision of adequate equipment, electricity, regular water supply, provision of consumables, stationeries, motivational incentives, and arrears of legitimate benefits must be paid.

“The allegation that 71 nurses concerned are union officials who failed to obtain the requisite degree is not true,"' she said.

Ambode honours 555 public servants with Merit Awards

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—THE Lagos State Government yesterday honored no fewer than 555 workers in the state’s public service with the Long Service Merit Award.

Governor Akinwumi Ambode, at the event in Ikeja, reiterated his commitment to workers’ welfare, saying that he would always reward exceptional performance and sanction erring workers.

Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola OkeBenson, enjoined workers to be more proactive, diligent, responsive, innovative and timely in service delivery.

“This is the desired goal of the various reforms and restructuring that we have introduced and implemented in the last one year,” Ambode said.

He commended the awardees for their long years of service,

saying it had all contributed to the success story of the state.

“Spending 30 years or more of one’s lifetime contributing to the growth or development of any organisation, particularly the public service, is worthy of commendation,” he said.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola, said the objective of the award was to honour public servants who had served the government a n d people of the state diligently.

Ademola said it was b e i n g done with

the belief that it would spur both recipients and nonrecipients to put in their best.

She advised the recipients not to rest on their oars and continue to exhibit a high sense of responsibility, commitment to duty and unwavering loyalty.

Vanguard, FRIDAY JUNE 17 , 2016 — 11

Ogun govt, NULGE disagree over alleged diversion of N9.1bn bailout fund

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — OGUN State government and the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in the state, yesterday, traded blames over alleged diversion of Federal Government’s N9.1 billion bail-out fund.

While the President of NULGE in the state, Comrade Ayuba Olatunji insisted that none of the local governments' workers benefited from the N9.1 billion bail-out, the state government said every worker in the state's employ benefitted immensely.

The state government had announced that it got N9.1 billion bail out from the Federal Government and had paid backlogs of emoluments owed the State workers .

But, the President of NULGE in the state denied the claim at a press conference held at the union secretariat in Abeokuta , saying, most of the workers in the state benefited, except local government workers.

NDIC files debt recovery suit against bank’s ex-chairman

By Innocent Anaba

N

IGERIA Deposit I n s u r a n c e Corporation, NDIC, has filed a debt recovery suit against former chairman of defunct Fortune Bank Plc, Mr Henry MacPepple, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

NDIC, in the suit in arguing that an oil firm, Suffolk Petroleum Services Ltd, a member of Adamac Group of Companies owned

by MacPepple, owes the bank N17,632,119,929.44.

It said that the N17.6billion include outstanding balance on the principal loan sum, crystalised guarantees and accrued interest.

According to NDIC, efforts to reconcile the accounts with the debtor was unsuccessful, hence the debt recovery action.

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—AS a result of the dwindling federal allocation to Ekiti State and its attendant negative effects on the economy of the state, Governor Ayodele Fayose, has said the state will soon convoke an Economic Summit where solutions are expected to be proffered to the economic challenges facing the state.

He said the summit has become necessary in view of the huge debt burden inherited by his administration and the dwindling statutory allocations from Abuja.

He stated this in OyeEkiti during a Village Square Meeting with people and leaders of communities in Ekiti North Senatorial District.

In a statement on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, the summit would hold after the resolution of the ongoing industrial action by workers in the state.

According to the governor, participants in the summit would be drawn from all the sectors cutting across organised labour, various trade groups, politicians, academicians because the money coming to the state and the money generated by it is meant for all Ekiti people not only a particular group.

“During the summit,

Ekiti convokes economic confab everybody will have the opportunity to bring ideas on how to navigate the pool of huge debts the previous administration has put the state and what to do with whatever we realise as income or statutory allocations. This is necessary because whatever we have is for all Ekiti people.

“We are sensitizing the people of the state on our financial situation and the realities we need to face.

The strike embarked upon by workers is uncalled for. ''They are aware of what comes to the state on monthly basis.

A committee, of which labour leaders are members, shares the monthly allocation that comes to the state. There is nothing hidden from them.

“It is not that we have not been meeting with the workers to resolve the matter. Government team have met them seven times. ''Veteran labour leaders have met them four times.

Traditional rulers have also met them a couple of times on the same issue.

“If the strike has no political undertone, why are the workers behaving as if they don’t know the facts on ground? Some states are even owing more than Ekiti and workers there are still on their beats. I plead with them to know that we have no other state than Ekiti and we

OBJ, Ajimobi hold secret talks in Ibadan

By Ola Ajayi

I

B A D A N — F O R M E R President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday had a closed-door meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State in his office.

Though, the details of the private visit was not disclosed, it may not be unconnected with the ongoing tussle between the state government and the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state over backlog of unpaid salaries and alleged privatisation of secondary education in the state.

In his usual character, the former President did not respond to several questions put to him. He just smiled and said the visit was a private one.

Meanwhile, a sevenhour meeting between labour leaders and Governor Ajimobi over the

face-off was deadlocked as no concrete agreement was reached.

The NLC was led by the Deputy President of the union, Peters Adeyemi, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, and the State Chairman of the NLC, Waheed Olojede and other labour representatives from the national headquarters of NLC and NUT. Though Adeyemi described the meeting as fruitful, he added that the parties were yet to reach a conclusion on the matter following the request by the labour representatives to be given 24 hours to allow them brief the congress on the outcome of the meeting.

must protect her interest.

“Money that came for local governments is available for the payment of workers' salaries but because they are on strike that can’t be processed yet.

Let them call off the strike for us to chart a way forward,” he said.

Responding to a question that he ought to have opposed the screening of

former Governor Kayode Fayemi as a minister based on the huge debts he left behind, Fayose said he did not need to play politics of bitterness against anybody, adding that posterity would judge all.

In his contributions, the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju said the two parties must come to the round table

and dialogue to resolve the matter.

He noted that the state was losing revenue internally as a result of the strike and that it would have negative effects on the economy of the state.

The meeting was attended by people from Ikole, Oye, Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido/ Osi local government areas of the state.

OBJ VISITS AJIMOBI: From left; business magnate, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during a courtesy call on the governor by the ex-president, at the Governor's Office, Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: Oyo State Government.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Avengers blows up NNPC pipeline in A'Ibom •It is not true—Police •Kachikwu brokers peace in Delta •IYC, others accuse military of breaching truce

By Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, SouthSouth, Egufe Yafugborhi, Perez Brisibe & Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—THE fragile ceasefire agreement between the Federal Government and militants in the Niger Delta region, came under threat, yesterday, as Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, blew up a Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline in Oruk Anan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

It will be recalled that also in breach of the ceasefire, soldiers on Wednesday, swooped on Tebijor, also known as Okpelama, an Ijaw community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, in five gunboats hunting for militants.

Meanwhile, Akwa Ibon State Commissioner of Police, Mr Murtala Mani, yesterday, refuted an alleged explosion of pipelines at Ikot Osutek, OrukAnam Local Government Area of the state by NDA. Mani said in Uyo that the alleged vandalism was an accident caused by a leakage in the gas pipelines.

He said that it was a technical problem and that some engineers from Port Harcourt were working to rectify the leakage.

Kachikwu brokers peace

NDA’s attack came hours after the Minister of State, Petroleum and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, managed to secure an understanding for total peace in a closed-door with strategic stakeholders, Wednesday, at Asaba, Delta State.

NDA claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred at 4a.m., and which many see as a reprisal for the invasion of Tebujor, an Ijaw community in Warri South-West on

Wednesday, by soldiers.

Soldiers continue patrol

A Tebujor villager called Vanguard on phone at 12p.m., saying: “Soldiers are still patrolling our area with several gunboats, but unlike Tuesday when they entered and molested people, they have not entered today (yesterday).”

Kachikwu’s diplomacy in Delta Vanguard gathered that the meeting in Asaba, which had Governor Ifeanyi Okowa,

spokesperson of Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs, GTC, and Chief Mobilizer of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama and another Gbaramatu leader, Chief Daniel Ekpebide in attendance was eye-catching.

Also at the meeting were Itsekiri leader and All Progressives Congress, APC chieftain, Chief Ayiri Emami and Okerenkoko leader, Chief Michael Johnny, also an APC stalwart, who with Emami, have not wavered in their battle against Avengers and other

W

ARRI—MINISTER of Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, paid an impromptu visit, yesterday, to the permanent and temporal sites of the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko and Kurutie, in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Delta State, to assess facilities on ground.

The visit is coming after

IYC, others finger military

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, yesterday, expressed doubt about the sincerity of the Federal Government to dialogue with the Niger Delta people.

IYC spokesperson, Eric Omare, cited Wednesday military invasion of Tebujor community in Gbaramatu clan to buttress the council’s position.

VISIT: From left: Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Oyo State Command, Mrs. Victoria Isang; Business magnate, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during a courtesy call on the governor by the ex-president, at the Governor's Office, Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: Oyo State Government.

....As new militant group threatens to blow up Utorogun gas plant

By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

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ARRI—A secessionist group, Utorogun Liberation Movement,

ULM, surfaced, yesterday, in Delta State, vowing to destroy the Utorogun Gas Plant, Ughelli, which supplies gas to Egbin Power Station, Lagos, and other facilities under Oil Mining

Kachikwu visits Maritime varsity

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

militants bombing oil and gas installations in the state.

Kachikwu at the gathering stressed the need for all sides to reach out to the perpetrators to halt the current bombings and allow the oil companies to repair damaged pipelines for oil to flow again.

Kachikwu fell out with the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaehi, who suspended the take-off of the university, four days ago, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Kachikwu visited the institution after a stakeholders’ meeting Wednesday in Asaba.

It was gathered that Kachikwu first stopped over at the temporal site, which is the former Mieka International Diving Institute, Kurutie, acquired by government from ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and marveled

at the standard of the facilities, which he noted was comparable to structures in other universities in the country.

He conducted an over-fly of the permanent site at Okerenkoko, where he saw the buildings springing up at the permanent site and wondered why some people were misinforming President Muhammadu Buhari on the status of the university.

A source confided in Vanguard that two Gbaramatu leaders, Chief Daniel Ekpebide and Piniki Azaiye led the minister to Kurutie and Okerenkoko.

Lease, OML 34 in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.

The agitators operating in alliance with another group, “Outgas Force,” in a proclamation by its leader, Gen K. Omoudu, addressed to the host communities in OML 34, said: “My good people of Utorogun community, OtuJeremi, Otor-Udu, Iwkrekan, Ekakpamre and all oil and pipeline communities within this region, this is the voice of ULM in collaboration with Outgas Force.

“It is a secessionist move. The awareness of things happening in our environment is a means to outline our cause of action. The awareness is an agitation for economic balance. We have a common enemy, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and ND Western who hate our progress and wish us to die in poverty."

Jonathan falls short of $5m Mo Ibrahim Prize

By Jimitota Onoyume BUJA—FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to win the prestigious $5 million Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership despite meeting a key criterion.

The announcement was made on Thursday that no former African leader met the requirements for the 2015 version of the yearly award following a meeting of the independent Prize Committee chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim.

The prize, largest annually awarded prize in the world, which was instituted in 2006

by Sudanese telecoms entrepreneur, Mo Ibrahim, rewards former African leaders who demonstrated sterling qualities while in office, served their constitutionally mandated term; and demonstrated exceptional leadership.

“The Prize recognises and celebrates African executive leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity.” It said.

The award is also “a standard for excellence in leadership in Africa, and not a ‘first prize’, there is not necessarily a Laureate every year,” the foundation said.

A winner enjoys $5m over 10 years and another $200,000 yearly for life and can also ask for another $200,000 for good causes he or she supports.

So far, only the former presidents of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano; Botswana’s Festus Mogae; Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba; and Pedro Piers of Cape Verde have clinched the award.

Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary prize in 2007.

Although, Jonathan seems to have met the Prize criteria which includes Former African Executive Head of State or Government, left office in the last three years, democraticallyelected,servedhisor herconstitutionallymandatedterm, demonstrated exceptional leadership; it is unclear why he wasn’t given.

Allegations of massive corruption under his administration presently being investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC and his mostly incompetent presidency may have cost Jonathan the prize.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—13

Edo Assembly grants Oshiomhole's request to source N14.bn devt fund

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY—EDO State House of Assembly has passed a resolution authorising Governor Adams Oshiomhole to source the sum of N14.6billion from the Federal Government as budget support facility.

This was sequel to a letter from

the state government requesting the state Assembly’s approval which was discussed at an emergency session of the House.

Resolution of Parliament is a condition required by the state government to access the funds expected to support development and running cost

of governance in the state.

Majority Leader of the House, Foly Ogedengbe explained that the fund was similar to a bailout which interest and repayment will be statutorily deducted from source.

Other lawmakers while supporting the request described the budget support

fund as timely as that will not only enable the Governor Oshiomhole finish well “but finish strong.”

Speaker of the House, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie commended members for their contributions and emphasized that the fund was needed for development in the state.

Modu Sheriff was validly removed as acting chair, PDP tells court

By Innocent Anaba & Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, told a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that former acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, was validly removed by the legally constituted May 21, 2016 National Convention of the party held in Port Harcourt.

The PDP told the court that the Caretaker Committee of the party headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi was duly appointed in line with the Constitution of the

party.

The party stated that the National Convention was convened by the National Executive Committee headed by the former National Acting Chairman, Senator Sheriff, who himself participated in preconvention events including his participation in the screening exercise.

Making the submission on behalf of the PDP before the trial judge, JusticeAbdullahi Liman, counsel to the party, Oladejo Laminkanra, SAN, argued that: “Modu Sheriff submitted himself for screening at the Port Harcourt

National Convention. Realising that he has lost his bid to be national chairman, Modu Sheriff alone without consent and consultations with the National Executive Committee claimed he postponed the convention.

Modu Sheriff had no such powers to postpone a convention approved by the National Executive Committee. “ According to the party, “Modu Sheriff is not the chairman of PDP. He was never elected at any convention and he is subject to the extant judgment of A.B. Mohammed J of the Abuja High Court, which he is curiously seeking to enforce.

“The Abuja High Court judge had in judgment of May 18. 2016 in FCT/CV/ 1443/2016 rejected M o d u Sheriff ’s argument that he is PDP Chairman until 2016."

The PDP argued that no court stopped the party from holding its national convention, adding that the National Constitution of the PDP was also never suspended, hence the National Convention derived its powers from the party’s constitution.

The party stated that the interim order of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt stopping Modu Sheriff from parading himself as PDP Chairman was still subsisting.

Earlier, Sheriff urged the court to dismiss the originating summons.

Sheriff through his counsel, Ajibola Oluyode filed an applications asking the court to set aside the interim order directing him to stop parading himself as acting National Chairman.

The former acting national chairman also urged the court to strike the name PDP from the suit and subsequently strike it out.

Justice Liman adjourned the matter to July 4, 2016 for judgment.

Bayelsa begins payment of 50% salaries to workers

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State civil servants have started receiving 50 per cent of their salary, while the backlog of arrears would be cleared, whenever funds are made available, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite has said.

He made the clarification in an interview with journalists on the outcome of the 59th State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Seriake Dickson.

According to him, the payment of the May salary was in line with the agreement the government had with joint-labour.

Obuebite, who spoke alongside his counterparts of the Ministries of Agriculture, Local G o v e r n m e n t Administration, Trade, Industry and Investment, assured that, workers would be paid their June salary at the end of the month, adding that, depending on the available of funds, the government might decide to also pay another one month arrears.

Group tasks NDA on ceasefire

By Gabriel Olawale

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ARRI—NIGER Delta People’s Community under the umbrella of SouthSouth Community Association of Nigerian, SOSCAN, has called on the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to ceasefire and surrender for brotherhood discussion on how to forge ahead beyond oil and gas as a major strength.

National Coordinator of the association, Rev. David Idabor in a statement said that the mindset of NDA was understandable but the peace in the region must not be pushed aside and the lives of innocent people needs not to be wasted.

Idabor pointed out that Nigerian as a nation needs focus and any distraction or digression will not do the country any good, saying “Truly, we have lost political power, but we have not lost our place in the Nigeria project. It is time we met to discuss our future as a nation in the federation, beyond politics, oil and gas as our major strength."

Buhari urged to ignore opponents of Amnesty programme

By Innocent Onoja

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OMADI—NIGER Delta ex-militants under the amnesty programme, have reacted to the purported demand of Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta, calling for the sack of the coordinator of the amnesty programme and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), over alleged inexperience in effectively coordinating the programme.

They said that the call “sounds political and ill thought out” by detractors of the programme.

They, meanwhile, frowned at the plan by Boroh to exit 5,000 beneficiaries of the amnesty programme at the end of this month, saying that the decisionwasill-timedanddetrimental to ex-agitators and the programme.

The ex-militant leaders under Phase2oftheprogramme,risingfrom an emergency meeting in Delta State by the state chairman, Mr Kingsley Muturu, urged President Muhammad Buhari not to yield to the demands of detractors of the programme,notingthatbeneficiaries oftheprogrammeweresatisfiedwith therunningoftheprogrammeunder Boroh.

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY JUNE 17 , 2016

Vandalism of oil facilities threatens Nigeria’s ranking on global business — CBN

By Prince Okafor

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AGOS—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned that vandalism of oil facilities might worsen the country’s ranking on the global ease of doing business.

The Head, Research and Development, CBN, Dr. Musa Olasupo, made this known at the interactive forum on the National Collateral Registry, NCR, and Credit Reporting System in Lagos.

He stated: “In 2013, on getting electricity, we were ranked 184 out of 189, and with the current drop in production due to militancy activities, there is no argument that the country will be ranked 201 this year.

“Nigeria is ranked 138 out of 189 countries in the world for doing business report of 2013, if you need a construction permits, we are ranked 146 out of 189 countries in the world with ease for you to get the permit. ‘’Also in enforcing contracts, we are at 138. This indices, though negative, it’s a true reflection of where we are.

“We are throwing a world of opportunity through repositioning the economy so as to benefit the micro small and medium enterprises through collateral registry. This will allow you to update the financial statement.”

On access to finance, he said only one percent of Nigerians actually got credit from banks. ‘’To start a business, is either you are going to leverage, or you are in pay earning which is your savings or you have to run to family and friends or you’re actually going to have a supplier credit, some who have to give you a lifeline before you can start.''

President Buhari'll return on Sunday — OSINBAJO

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari would be back to Nigeria on Sunday, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

Recall that President Buhari left Nigeria for London, United Kingdom, on Moday, June 6, 2016, on a-10 day medical trip to treat an ear infection.

He was due to return to Abuja at the expiration of the 10-day leave today but Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday he would stay back in London to rest for a while.

Speaking to State House correspondents shortly before the commencement of the National Economic Council, NEC, meeting on Wednesday, Osinbajo said the President would come back on Sunday, adding that the President was in good health.

“The President will be back on Sunday. I spoke with him yesterday evening and I think it is just the best that he takes the weekend off. I am sure he will certainly be back on Sunday.

“I think the most straightforward thing is when he

LAUNCHING: Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (middle), Minister of State in the Ministry, Mr. Mustapha Baba Shehuri (right) and the German Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E Micheal Zenner shortly after the Minister's remarks during the launching of Building Energy Efficiency Guideline (BEEG) for Nigeria at the Transcrop Hilton Hotel, Abuja yesterday. will be back. He will be back on Sunday. There is no point rushing back on Friday or something like that.

“He will just take the weekend off and be back on Sunday. He is

S

MALL and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN, with the Sokoto State Government has commenced the training of 100 youths on entrepreneurship skills.

This was flagged off by the Director-General, SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Radda, in Sokoto.

Radda, who was represented by Director, Engineering Technology and Infrastructure, SMEDAN, Mr Abu Ozigi, at opening of the training said the agency has been

off in London and rest a bit and come back hale and hearty on Sunday and be ready for work on Monday. So, gentlemen, we expect him back on Sunday,” the Vice President said.

Reps tackle FG on N500bn intervention fund Call for stoppage of disbursement without framework As members boo House Appropriation Committee chair

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday told the Federal Government not to disburse the N500 billion social intervention fund captured in the 2016 budget until a framework and detailed information about the scheme was made available.

The House at the plenary presided over by the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, mandated its Committee on Legislative Budget and Research and Poverty Alleviation to compel the Senior Special Adviser, SSA, to the Vice President on Social Protection Programmes to make available the framework and details of the programmes and advise the

House within three weeks.

The House in a one-point resolution, after debate on the motion, titled, “Urgent need for the framework and details of the 500 billion Naira social intervention fund”, sponsored by Abubakar Chika Adamu, representing Shiroro, Rafi, Munya Federal Constituency of Niger State, noted that the social intervention fund was a good policy but had no framework to guide its implementation.

But the motion also attracted criticisms from the Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, who stated that it was not a motion for the House to look into, contending that the motion only intended to kill development programmes of the government.

SMEDAN, Sokoto govt train 100 youths on entrepreneurship

By Gabriel Ewepu

in perfect health and ready to resume work on Monday morning.

“Mr. President is in good condition, he is fine, he is very well. He should take a day or two

repositioned to ensure young people were adequately trained on entrepreneurial skills to be self-reliant and positively contribute to the development and growth of the economy.

Radda also expressed optimism that with the collaboration between the agency and Sokoto State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, the training would go a long way to solve unemployment in the state as those to be trained will also become employers of labour and pay

tax to the state government.

He said: “SMEDAN is now set to reposition itself for a focused delivery of business development services to micro, small and medium enterprises in the country, with particular emphasis on micro enterprises.

“Training of 100 youths on various entrepreneurial skills and productivity, the youth under the programme will be self-employed and also empowered to start their business, and other youth will be employed by them.''

Besides, the House Chairman on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, was booed when he attempted to explain the position of the committee over the social intervention fund captured in the budget but without the necessary details.

The sponsor of the motion stated that Nigeria at different times, had introduced similar programmes, such as the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, but failed woefully due to mismanagement and lack of strong institutional structure.

He explained that the National Assembly had approved N500 billion as a social welfare fund domiciled under the Service Wide Votes of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning to be implemented by the Senior Special Adviser, SSA, to the President on Social Protection under the office of the Vice President.

He said it was not the right structure to handle such social intervention fund to mitigate the plight of the poor and vulnerable by providing concrete and recognisable social protection programmes that would provide a lasting legacy in Nigeria.

Adamu stated that there was an urgent need for the Federal Government to stop the disbursement of the fund until a framework was provided for the disbursement.

According to the lawmaker, most

developing countries are investing in social protection to improve the lives and welfare of the vulnerable.

He added that the World Bank Group and International Labour Organisation have a vision of social protection for all where anyone who needs social protection can have access at anytime.

Adamu said: “N500 billion has been appropriated in the 2016 budget for social intervention programmes in five key areas.

These are job creation opportunities for 500,000 teachers and 100,000 artisans across the nation.

“Also 5.5 million children are to be provided with meals through school feeding programmes, conditional cash transfer schemes, financial support to one million vulnerable beneficiaries and complement the enterprise programme which will target up to one million market women; 400,000 artisans and 200,000 agricultural workers nationwide.’’

In his contribution to the debate on the motion, Uzoma NkemAbonta, said there should be a framework that would specify the beneficiaries of the intervention fund, adding that it should be made available within the shortest possible time.

He noted that if the details were not provided, the money earmarked for the intervention could end up being wasted.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—15

FG shuts NERFUND over staff protests

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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HE Federal government has shut the National Economic Reconstruction Fund, NERFUND. A terse letter by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhajii Mamoud Isa Dutse cited protests by staff of the organization, as reason for the action. By the letter, the Permamnent Secretary who is also the chairman of the Interim Management Committee sent all staff on indefinite leave, pending further instructions from the ministry.

The letter reads in full, “Following recent developments in your organization and failure to reconcile the differences between the executive management, senior management and the entire staff, in spite of the ministry ’s intervention, the Federal Ministry of Finance has decided to close down your agency with immediate effect to forestall the breakdown of law and order. All staff should proceed on indefinite leave pending further instructions from the ministry.”

The staff of NERFUND protested, yesterday, over the continued uncertainty of the organisation’s status and urged the federal government to make a definitive policy statement and recapitalize it. Yesterday ’s demonstration was the second in two weeks as the staff had, at the beginning of the month, demonstrated at the gate of the

Federal Ministry of Finance, to draw the minister’s attention to the plight of the organization and its staff.

Established in 1989 with a seed money of N350 million (Deposit Money Banks’ capital requirement then was N15m) NERFUND was a big player as a national Development Finance Institution (DFI), giving loans to medium and small enterprises and dominated that sub-sector until 2000 when the then President Olusegun Obasanjo decided to merge organizations doing similar jobs. The Alhaji Ahmed Joda committee was empowered to merge poverty alleviation organizations and it recommended the merger of the then Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, National Bank for Commerce and Industry

(NBCI) and NERFUND. While NBCI, which was already moribund and NIDB merged to form the current Bank of Industry, NERFUND was left because it was the creation of an Act which needed to be repealed if it was to cease to exist. Before the Obasanjo decision, the NERFUND board had been dissolved in 1993 and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance made chairman of an interim management committee. That was the beginning of the once thriving DFI in the country.

The Fund never had a substantive board since then, until it was shut yesterday. The permanent secretary of the ministry continued as its IMC chairman. Even the executive management as at yesterday,

consisted of the managing director and executive director who were on secondment from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The request for a substantive board and executive management was one of the key prayers of the peaceful protests by the staff, which however, led to the closure of the organization by its parent body, the Ministry of Finance. The Organisation’s annual reports showed that it was running at a profit until 2004 after which the uncertainties surrounding its status began to take heavy tolls on its fortunes. Even at that it has remained in business, providing micro finance facilities to members of the public until its closure.

Winners of consolation prizes, GOtv decoders with Mr Chike Okeke, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Awka Zone, at FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 3 draws for the South East/South South Region which held in Oko, Anambra State

ECCIMA blasts FG over its ‘directionless’ economic policy

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture, ECCIMA, yesterday, slammed the Federal Government, describing the administration as lacking in economic policy direction. The chamber said this has induced avoidable hardship on the people since the advent of the President Muhammad Buhariled All Progressives Congress, APC government.

This came on a day, Secretary of Persons Living with Disability, Enugu State Chapter, Mr. Jacob Okereke, urged the Federal Government to implement the National Building Code which stipulates that high rise buildings should be built in a friendly manner to enable persons with disabilities have access to parts of the building.

While addressing newsmen at the end of the first phase of the Enugu State Business Agenda Findings and Recommendations on Policy, ECOBPA, at ECCIMA Secretariat, yeserday, ECCIMA Secretary, Emeka Okereke said,

"the multiple economic policy statements emanating from Federal Government officials have put investors on the run and it is dangerous. People can longer put food on the table for their families as a result.

“The Federal Government is directionless in all ramifications in terms of economic policy. This has affected the business climate nationwide. Forget about the free feeding of primary school pupils. What we

are saying is that, there is no economic direction policy.

Everybody is apprehensive.

This trend has scared away prospective investors.

“The economy should be given a direction before we start analyzing whether it is slow or fast. There should be clear cut economic policies to buoy up the economy. For the past one year since Buhari’s government came in, it has been motion without movement. The industrial capacity is below five

percent. Can we say we have an economy with such situation?

"Now, power supply is at its lowest even though we are in the rainy season using hydro powered plants. What will happen during dry season?

Investors are confused. This government has spent one full year and they only have two years to go because by 2018, it will politics all over. We are in a vicious circle”.

Abia probes abandoned housing estate

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—ABIA State Government has set up a high powered cabinet committee to look into the lingering conflict between Union Homes and Federal Mortgage Bank which has stalled the completion of Unity Garden Housing Estate, Osisioma, near Aba. The housing estate, started over 13 years ago, was abandoned due to a conflict of interest between the companies.

Worried by the continued abandonment of the project in

the face of accommodation problems in the State, the government during its weekly executive council meeting, Wednesday, set up a cabinet committee to find out what actually is the bone of contention.

Headed by the commissioner for housing with four other commissioners, the committee was mandated to wade into the issue with a view to seeing how the government can assist in resolving it. The state commissioner for information, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, who disclosed this while briefing

journalists on the outcome of the council meeting, also announced that another committee was set up by the council to oversee the upgrading of the Ariaria Market in Aba to an international standard.

The committee, Iwuoha explained, would supervise activities related to the provision of modern facilities in the market. He assured that no trader in the market would lose his shop on account of the market upgrade which will be done be in phases.

Doctors’ strike paralyses medical activities in govt hospitals

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA — HEALTH care services in various government hospitals in the country, including Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Asaba, Delta State and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hosptal, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, are currently suffering a setback following the ongoing strike embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD. Consequently, patients on admission in those hospitals are now dying for lack of adequate medical attention, while others are left to their fate. However, only medical consultants are currently attending to patients but given their figure, not all the patients are privileged to receive adequate medical attention.

Among those who have so far died for lack of adequate medical attention at the FMC, Asaba were seven of the 12 victims of May 3, 2016 bizarre gas explosion which rocked Karach Market, Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, near the commercial city of Onitsha who were critically injured by the explosion and were admitted at the hospital.

Five other victims, including a 22-year old Alexander Ezenwa from Ogbaru area of Anambra State are currently lying helpless on admission bed at the FMC, even as his health condition in gradually deteriorating as a result of the horrendous degree of burns he sustained from the gas explosion. At the antenatal unit of the FMC, over 50 percent of pregnant women lining up to see the consultants could not succeed, while the accident and emergency unit and outpatient department, OPD where the gas victims were admitted, are desolate.

Another victim of the industrial action, Mrs. Ifeoma Okolie, lamented that her husband was on admission at the FMC when the strike started and he was discharged prematurely, adding that two days after his discharge from the hospital, he developed complications and died at home.

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

C M Y K

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 —17

Good news for a change! exchange I have with folks back home is unremittingly gloomy because they are immensely upset about the lousy economy, the multiple security challenges in

I

’VE been in London for the past five months, but I read Nigerian newspapers online every day and I am in regular contact with Nigerian friends, colleagues and relatives.

Seriously, positive news items are very thin on the ground; and almost every phone conversation or email

When we came in, many local governments in the North-East were under the control of Boko Haram different geopolitical zones, the rising prices, the crazy foreign exchange rates, the

annoying p o w e r outages, the stressful fuel shortages, etc.

Even from this distance, I frequently descend into d e e p depression about the state of our beleaguered country and w o n d e r w h e t h e r things will ever get better.

However, once in a blue moon, I hear something that gladdens my heart and lifts

my spirits; and I can’t tell you how mightily relieved and grateful I was when I came across the following

statement that Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister for Information and Culture, made at a recent Town Hall Meeting in Abuja.

“When we came in, many local governments in the North-East were under the control of Boko Haram. They hoisted their flags, they were even collecting taxes, but today not even a single local government is under the control of Boko Haram…and we’ve been able to liberate 16,000 captors from Boko Haram enclaves.”

This achievement is considerable and something to celebrate. And I think that we should all congratulate the army for gradually making the North-East a safer place.

trapped in terrible situations and are desperate to survive or escape from extreme discomfort.

And there always have been – and always will be – predatory men of all nationalities who are only too eager to jettison chivalry and take advantage of suffering women.

The Daily Trust interviewees did not accuse their seducers of coercion. But it is obvious that they wish they hadn’t been enticed into succumbing to blackmail; and I do not regard sex that is exchanged for

necessities as entirely voluntary.

As far as I’m concerned, the guys who roam around camps like wolves, abusing their positions of power by using food as bait to lure impoverished, hungry, homeless, emotionally stressed, pitifully fragile female IDPs into their beds – and spreading sexually transmitted diseases - are almost as bad as rapists.

They are very lucky that I am not in a position to punish them because, left to me, each and every one of them would be publicly disgraced and jailed for 20 years.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

A disgusting abuse of power

T

ALKING about the North-East, I was very alarmed by a recent report in Daily Trust newspaper. Written

by Shehu Abubakar, it highlighted the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women who have been transformed into refugees by Boko Haram attacks and live in camps for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Maiduguri.

Apparently, several female IDPs told Daily Trust, on condition of anonymity because they were afraid of being stimatized, that they are pregnant as a result of “nonmarital sex” with male camp officials, including security personnel.

Most are widows, divorcees or youngsters who have never been married before. A case involving a 12-year-old girl is mentioned.

Various inducements And some of these unfortunate females have already had babies for whom no man is claiming responsibility.

A single 19-year-old nursing mother at Dalori Camp told Daily Trust that she was not forced to have sex with the three camp officials who “befriended” her…and that she chose to sleep with them because they offered her various inducements.

According to her: “[There are] about 32,000 IDPs here, so it is difficult for anything meant for us to go round….So if a soldier or Civilian JTF personnel promises you soap, milk and C M Y K

*Female IDPs...Susceptible to sexual abuse food items, if you agree to go out with him, the temptation is high. But before you realise it, you’re pregnant. When I told the first soldier that took me out

The guys who roam around camps like wolves, using food as bait to lure impoverished female IDPs into their beds are almost as bad as rapists

that I was pregnant, he almost slapped me.”

When she told another camp custodian about her predicament, he assured her

that he’d help; but he just seduced her and took off when her pregnancy became visible.

The President of the National Red Cross Society, NRCS, Elder Akpan Anani, is quoted and describes the problem as “rampant” and says that NRCS staff advise female IDPs to avoid liaisons that will damage them psychologically and socially.

But these warnings are falling on deaf ears; and the problem is escalating. It is said that the sex that takes place in these camps is usually unprotected (no condoms) and that many IDPs now have Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, infections.

This sad and sordid story appalled me. But it didn’t surprise me.

Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world; and a significant percentage of women have, throughout the history of the human race and in every country on the face of the earth, sold their bodies when they find themselves

Please think again!

L

AST week, a gay 39year-old Belgian man called Sebastien announced, on a BBC Television programme, that he wanted to die because he doesn’t want to be gay.

He was brought up Catholic and has submitted himself to 17 years of counselling and medication, in the hope of eliminating his preference for men.

But these attempts to force himself to be attracted to women have not worked and he says that he no longer wants to stay alive because he feels “like a misfit and prisoner in my own body” and experiences “a constant sense of shame.”

Most Nigerians are strongly opposed to homosexuality, regarding it as an immoral lifestyle choice. And our draconian anti-gay laws reflect this widespread prejudice.

But I happen to know many

wonderful gay people and have always said that they should not be vilified for sexual instincts that are beyond their control.

Some religious leaders, including Pope Francis, the paramount leader of the Catholic church, have also recommended compassion on this front. And I hope that Sebastien’s tragic tale will persuade Vanguard homophobes to think again!

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 RECENTLY, there have been reports of plan by the Federal Government to evacuate about 1, 934, 765 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, who are living in formal camps, host communities and satellite camps in the country.

The intention is to return them to their respective liberated communities in the North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Adamawa.

Relocation and resettlement programmes are said to be in progress and they have received the Senate’s backing and a financial approval of N10 billion.

While the evacuation arrangements are in top gear, an estimated 80,000 displaced Nigerians taking refuge in the Republic of Cameroon are about to be repatriated to Nigeria. The Federal Government had for the purpose of the voluntary return of the refugees to Nigeria signed a

Caution on IDPs return tripartite agreement with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR and the Republic of Cameroon.

Obviously, the 80,000 displaced Nigerians will swell the ranks of those in different camps across the country. But it is unclear if Government has changed its policy to decamp the IDPs. We are concerned because of a statement credited to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, who said Nigeria has “moved from the emergency response stage to

recovery and resettlement of the IDPs”.

We acknowledge that the Federal Government and governments of states affected by the insurgency, the United Nations Organisations, International Non-Governmental Organisations as well as the private sector had done a lot in the last four years to manage the large numbers of Internally Displaced Persons in the North East, more still needs to be done to significantly mitigate the plight of the IDPs. While we share the NEMA boss’ sentiment and concern for the

welfare of the IDPs, we recommend that their safety, and indeed continued protection, should be the basis for any policy change, including whether to decamp them or not. Also, while we have no doubt that the military has significantly degraded the Boko Haram insurgents and liberated most of the communities previously under their occupation, we do not think that these places are safe enough for the IDPs to return to now, especially given the spate of suicide bombings and intermittent attacks recorded in recent times in some of the liberated areas.

There should also be thorough screening of refugees returning from Cameroon and elsewhere to ensure they have not been infiltrated by insurgents from other countries so as not to compound the problem we are trying to solve.

OPINION

Obama: A study in leadership ByIsa Ismail

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ET me be quick to say that, I know some basic two things that may come to many minds while reading this copy. Firstly, the choice of the heading, and secondly what is new about the subject matter?

Indeed, there is nothing new about Barack Obama's leadership style but when placed along side the arrogance and display of brute power by our political leaders then Obama's style becomes a study in leadership. One begins to wonder when leadership style would change in the country.

I watched with keen interest on TV, president Obama’s historic visit to Cuba on the 21th March, 2016.

Seeing the most powerful man in the world coming down from a plane, holding an umbrella for his wife Mitchell and walking some 50 metres in the rain to where other dignitaries, including the Cuban president were waiting for him truly strikes me and left me wondering if our leaders saw this.

The TV footage reminded me of my January encounter with a convoy of

my local government chairman what almost ran my car into a ditch because

Nigerian leaders from the lowest to the highest rank love a show of power. They need to be assisted to hold their speech papers, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and writing pens and even clean their shoes even while sitting at public functions I didn’t park by the road side to give way to his over speeding convoy of about twenty cars. It was truly a horrible and scary experience. The political jobbers, Civil Defense Corps and the Police were all aggressive.

That also quickly reminds me of the story we read of how a particular lady and her family were molested by

Governor Almakura’s convoy for what the governor’s press secretary described as “being rude and disrespectful” by not making way for the governor’s convoy. Then the story of Kogi Governor convoy’s brutality to ASUU members in December 2013, and many similar other cases are food for thought.

Obama, as many leaders of the developed world, was seen doing almost everything on his own, being a husband, a father and leader of his country. Can anyone imagine a governor in Nigeria holding even his file in his hand at the airport, how much more an umbrella in the rain?

I guess his armoured car will have to be brought close to the plane. Prof.

Umaru Pate of Bayero University Kano, returned from an academic conference in Finland recently. He narrated how the prime minister of that country who was the special guest of honour came to the event with just a car which he drove himself, and walked to the podium alone without any security aid, brought out his speech from his pocket and presented it and quietly left the venue.

Countless incidents such as these abound for our leaders to emulate. But their “big manism and arrogance” would not allow for a change of

attitude and style. This is rather unfortunate.

Our leaders from councilors up to the president copy Europe and America in terms of language, dressing, education, life style, etc.

Yet, they failed to copy these important elements; humility, simplicity and leadership by example.

Yesterday, today and probably tomorrow, Nigerian leaders from the lowest to the highest rank love a show of power. They need to be assisted to hold their speech papers, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and writing pens and even clean their shoes even while sitting at public functions.

In most cases, even ward councilors go around events in convoys, local government chairman with multiple securities, not to talk of state and federal legislators and worst still our state governors. The case of the president can only be imagined.

This copy is not aimed at ridiculing our leaders , far from it, but a patriotic call to our leaders to be servant leaders. This way, they can show compassion, respect and humility to their followers. Thus, leading by example. *Mr. Ismail is a Level four student of Mass Communication at the Bayero University, Kano.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016— —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com country entered into negotiations for independence with the POLISARIO Front led by EL-Ouali Mustapha Sayed.

It was the period of the Cold War, and while the West could not stop the independence of the radical Portuguese colonies, it had a different agenda on Western Sahara. Besides, the country has an Atlantic Ocean coastline, iron ore and

Abdelaziz: Great leader, Great nation

I

T is the Biblical story of David and Goliath enacted on African soil.

More appropriately, it is the case of two Goliaths against a tiny David. Western Sahara is a tiny African country which may be one of the reasons it was bypassed during the so called ‘Wind of change’ that swept through Africa in the 1960s decolonising most of the continent. In 1960 alone, 17 African countries became independent.

The independence movement in the world was further propelled when on December 14, 1960 the United Nations, UN, General Assembly adopted Resolution 1514 (XV) “Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples”. In the Resolution, the UN proclaimed that “The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.”

It therefore declared that “All peoples have the right to selfdetermination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

Under the prevailing circumstances, Western

Sahara, Sahara Arab Democratic Republic, SADR,made a determined bid for independence from colonial Spain. But Spain was under the fascist dictator, General Francisco Franco who had ruled that country since his overthrow of democracy in 1939.

Another colonial European country at the time, Portugal was also under dictatorship. The early 1970s witnessed bloody wars of decolonisation which saw Portugal given serious bashing

by African liberation fighters led by men like Amilcar Cabral, Aghostino Neto, Eduardo Mondlane and Samora Machel.

With military defeat staring it in the face, Portugal off-loaded its dictators into the dustbin of history and sued for peace. With that, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe became independent in 1975. France joined that year, in granting independence to the Comoros.

Spain had also been under pressure in Western Sahara with a mass-based liberation movement called the Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro (POLISARIO Front) founded by resourceful, vibrant and politically clearheaded youths.

They began a guerrilla warfare against the colonialists. Franco, the last of a long lineage of fascists, died that 1975 and the

With many of his people in occupied territories, some in liberated territories, a large number in the diaspora and the bulk in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, President Abdelaziz ran one of the most difficult Presidential Offices in human history phosphate. So rather than complete the decolonisation process, Spain entered into an unholy alliance with the two neigbours of Western Sahara; big Morocco to the North and large Mauritania to the East and West. Both countries eyed their tiny neigbour and its resources which included fishes used for sardine.

On October 16, 1975, the International Court of Justice, IJC, which sat on the historical territorial claims of Morocco and Mauritania to ownership of Western Sahara, dispelled such claims and declared that the Sahrawi people have a right to self-determination. Rather than accept the IJC's position, the triumvirate; Spain, Morocco and Mauritania met on November 14, 1975 and signed the infamous Madrid Agreement under which two thirds of Western Sahara was

sliced off to Morocco and the remaining to Mauritania.

Rather than accept enslavement, the Saharawi declared independence on February 27, 1976 and courageously took on the two neigbouring Goliaths and their Western backers. What the Saharawi lacked in population, military hardware, funds and international support, they made up in fine military tactics and strategy so well that they not only held off the two large armies, but also became a study in modern warfare.

The most spectacular military victory of the POLISARIO was when it took the fight to the heart of Mauritania by attacking its capital Nouakchott. The humiliation was too much for Mauritanians; it led to national crisis, the ousting of President Mokhtar Ould Daddah in a coup and that country in 1979, renouncing all territorial claims to Western Sahara. Unfortunately, the Western Sahara President, Sayed who personally led that audacious attack on Nouakchott, was killed. He was replaced on August 30, 1976 by one of the POLISARIO founders, Mohammed Abdelaziz Ezzedine.

Abdelaziz was born in Marrakesh to Khalili, a soldier in the Moroccan Army. He attended the Mohammed V University in Rabat and became noted for fighting the countries invading his homeland.

Morocco took the territory vacated by Mauritania and the war went on causing Morocco major economic problems enough to bring it to its knees, but the United States, France and Saudi Arabia came to its rescue. In 1982, Abdelaziz scored a major diplomatic victory when the African Union offered it a seat at its Heads of State Summit in 1982. Morocco stormed out of the African Union and has not found its way back.

In December 2015, Abdelaziz succeeded in getting the European Union to repudiate the Morocco-EU Partnership under which both sides helped

Ogoni clean-up and matters arising

By Joe Baridakara

I

READ with a little bit of amusement Donu Kogbara's article in her column in the Vanguard Newspaper of Friday the 3rd of June , 2016, titled " An Historic Event", coming less than 24 hours after the launch of the Ogoni clean-up. It was a nice article and I ordinarily would have commended Donu for her prompt appreciation of the historic event, and despite the criticism of my party and the veiled skepticism over the entire event.

We the Ogonis have learnt to take Donu in our stride. As a member of the board of Greater Port Harcourt, we know the efforts Ogoni youths made to reach out to her for involvement at the recruitment stage at the agency without success, yet, running down and disparaging the efforts of other Ogoni sons and daughters has been her known stock in trade. Anyone who knows Donu Kogbara and has had the misfortune of listening to her endless rants over the past few years knows her unjustifiable resentment against the Ogoni APC leader, and only Donu Kogbara and her group know why they cannot find any space however small in their sky for another star to shine in Ogoni. But the "Ogoni APC leader" is a leader of the Ogoni people respected and revered by Ogonis across party lines.

Donu's article and indeed similar statements by some short-sighted political elements actually represent "the politicisation of the implementation process". I will deal with the four issues raised by Donu in her article.

Everybody knows that the warning against the " politicisation of the UNEP report" as well as effusive praise of C M Y K

Governor Wike is nothing but an extension of the ongoing PDP campaign in Rivers State to stop the APC from harvesting any political capital from the implementation of the UNEP report in the rerun polls in the Ogoni Local local Government Areas of the senatorial district. They want the report implemented without any reference to the fact that it is being executed by the APC government, without any reference to the fact the programme is the fulfillment of a campaign promise of the APC. No APC member has asked for, or requested for the clean -up contract to be awarded to a laundromat belonging

Scavengers are beginning to gather, planning to exert pressure on the fund to the APC. How does acknowledgement of the contribution of the APC politicise the process?.

Indeed, Senator Magnus Abe is the only politician who has publicly pledged not to accept or make any material benefit from the implementation process. He said so more than three years ago and he has repeated it severally. We are challenging other political leaders to make the same commitment but no one has accepted that challenge.

All the APC in Ogoni is asking for is the recognition and acknowledgement of its role in bringing the Ogoni clean-up to the fore of national debate, making it a campaign promise of their party which has now been fulfilled in their victory.

They have not asked for any preference in any thing, they have not asked to determine the process or the technology to be used in the clean-up. Pray, how does

recognising that President Buhari has kept a campaign promise to the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta politicise the clean up?

President Buhari himself in his address read by the Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo made it clear that the launch of the implementation of of UNEP report on Ogoni land on June 2 was a fulfillment of his campaign promise. The President said: "on Thursday the 8th of January 2015, in the course of our presidential campaign, we made an unscheduled stop in Ogoni land. After listening to the address presented on behalf of the Ogoni people by SENATOR MAGNUS NGEI ABE, we made a solemn commitment that if given the opportunity we shall implement the UNEP report on Ogoni land. We are determined to put right the wrongs of the past where the people of this land were treated unfairly and their environment unduly degraded and polluted" The attempt by Rivers PDP, under the guise of the state Governor to shut out the APC, and shut it down in Rivers state, to the point where a party is not allowed to celebrate the fulfillment of its own campaign promise is the politicisation of the UNEP report implementation.

Indeed, Senator Abe recently replied one critic where he said : "what is going on now is the politics of don't acknowledge the contribution of APC because if you do they will use it to campaign in the rerun election. That is the real politicisation of the the UNEP report, to the extent where a governor will make a broadcast directing that any politician saying he contributed to the success of the report should be arrested. Well, I was not arrested, Rotimi Amaechi was not arrested, and President Buhari was not

themselves to the riches of Western Sahara.

Seven years ago, President Abdelaziz made a State Visit to Nigeria and the humble man visited the Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, where I worked.

Unlike many African leaders I have met, he was quite approachable and we were free to hold discussions with him. His aides also seemed very free relating to him like his children.

When I subsequently visited Western Sahara, another surprise in humility awaited me. As part of the programme, my colleague from NLC, Nuhu Torro and I held discussions with a cross section of the country’s leadership including Ministers.

While reviewing the day’s activities with the country’s proactive Ambassador to Nigeria, Ould Bachir, he mentioned our discussions with the wife of the President. Taken aback, I asked when did we have such a discussion? I had not been aware that the Minister we met that afternoon and discussed women and cultural issues with, was the First Lady!

President Abdelaziz steered his country towards a peaceful resolution of the colonial issue by agreeing to a UN-supervised referendum which Morocco and its backers have frustrated todate. He had a tough time restraining the more youthful population from re-igniting the war against Morocco even with the latter carrying out UNdocumented crimes against Saharawi people in the occupied part of the country.

With many of his people in occupied territories, some in liberated territories, a large number in the diaspora and the bulk in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, President Abdelaziz ran one of the most difficult Presidential Offices in human history. On May 31, 2016, the Lion of the Desert, one of the best African leaders in contemporary history, succumbed to cancer. We’ve lost him.

arrested because in Nigeria you cannot be arrested for telling the truth".

Continuing, Abe said, "those who are doing everything possible to ensure that the contribution of others to the success of our journey is covered up and buried under the carpet are the ones playing politics with the Ogoni people and they will not only fail, but they will fail miserably" The second point made by Donu about Bodo community is indeed laughable. As an international journalist, to what extent has Donu kogbara identified with Bodo, how many people in Bodo has her phone number, who complained to her?

In all the crises that had rocked Bodo community, what interest has she shown in Bodo? Has she been home to visit or condole with the bereaved families or solicit for peace in the community? If Ogoni APC leaders had so much power over the event to point of deciding that the Chief of Bodo should not speak, why has she not deemed it necessary to thank the APC for the choice of Bodo? There are one hundred and eighty villages in Ogoni, any one of them could have been chosen as the launch site. Yet the joy of the community over the historic choice of Bodo was not reflected in her write up.

The choice of Bodo has forever placed the community on the international map and yet all Donu could see is the chief that was not allowed to speak. The event was an Ogoni event, nobody from Eleme Local Government Area got a chance to speak at the event, yet two people from Bodo community spoke.

Finally Nigerians must be put on notice that having heard of the one billion dollars trust fund for the clean-up of Ogoni land the scavengers are beginning to gather, planning to exert pressure on the fund from different directions. *Mr. Baridakara, a public affairs analyst, wrote from PH, Rivers State.

20—Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Kidnap threat over traditional stool:

Community leaders go into hiding

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Palace of the traditional ruler However, of all the ten kindred clans, only Umudike is deemed qualified by tradition to produce the Ezeala Dike to represent Uzoakwa at the palace of the traditional ruler.

Consequently four Umudike kindred clans contested for the seat, namely: Ojinkeya, Anabi, Eleke and Akwaozo, and they had each elected their candidate for this purpose.

Crisis, however, erupted when two of the contestants were disqualified during the Umudike General Meeting held at Iba Okpara in Umudike, one from Anabi Clan, a former member of House of Representatives and the other from Ojinkeyeyeme. They were alleged to have emerged by proxy. In the event, only Chief Uchenna Nsofor from Eleke clan and Chief Eugene Izuora from Akwaozo clan were left in the race.

However, following the crisis, a meeting of the Umudike General Assembly, UGA, was convened for April 1 this year.

At the meeting, Chief Nsofor was allegedly chosen as the C M Y K

By Ebele Orakpo

‘I

F

EAR, indeed tension, has gripped Uzokwa community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State over alleged kidnap threat arising from the tussle for who occupies the Ezeala Dike stool which entitles the occupant to represent the community at the palace of His Royal Highness, Dr Cosmas I Okechukwu, Oluoha XVI of Ihiala. The tussle has pitched prominent sons of the community, including a former member of the House of Representatives, against each other.

Following the development, residents now claim that some stern-looking strange individuals have recently been seen patrolling the community in Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs. Consequently, most of the prominent people in the community, including those in the race for the Ezeala Dike, are said to have gone into hiding for fear of being kidnapped.

The community has, therefore, appealed to the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for protection of lives and property.

Uzoakwa Ihiala is made up ten kindred clans, namely: Umudike, Umummeri, Umuduru, Umuarugwu, Umuosobe, Umuezeotutu, Okpanugbo, Umuegorom, Umuogbunaofo and Umudumbiri.

Hunger in the land

•HRH Dr Cosmas Okechukwu, Oluoha XVI of Ihiala(c) Ezeala Dike, having been considered to be the longest Ozo title holder of all the contestants, while Chief Izuora was selected to handle Nzeobo of Uzoakwa, an assemblage of Ozo title holders in Uzoakwa, because he could not be left out, being the oldest man among the contestants.

The community was said to have arrived at the choice of Chief Nsofor based on the selection criteria which he was said to have met. The position of Ezeala Dike, according to Chief Nsofor, the Ezeala of Eleke, goes to the longest Ozo title holder, irrespective of his age, but on condition that he has

We could not have manipulated the process because there are laid down rules and regulations; if anybody tries to cut corners, such person can be killed by Aladike

no blemish, is straight forward, honest and not involved in any illicit activity.

“Being the longest Ozo title holder, I can give somebody white chalk(Nzu) to empower such person to run the race; we call that empowerment (Itunye Nzu Aja). Apart from that, in the olden days somebody can be empowered through divination, but the person will only be considered when other contestants have shown that they are not interested.

“However, some people wanted to politicise the race for

Ezeala Dike by imposing those who are not qualified on the community; they want to hide under civilization to change the procedure of emerging to the prestigious seat, and if you prove to be an obstacle to them they come after you, including kidnapping you,” he said.

Chairman of UGA, Chief Augustine Okafor, said it took Umudike a long time to arrive at the decisions because the contestants are considered important in the community, adding that the contest was tough, which is unexpected because of the personalities involved.

“We could not have manipulated the process because there are laid down rules and regulations. If anybody tries to cut corners, such person can be killed by Aladike.

People used to go to shrine in the olden days to swear an oath on who is the longest Ozo title holder. But we stopped that aspect to avert endangering the lives of the contestants,” he said.

When Vanguard Metro visited the community, the entrance gates into the homes of the contestants, the Chairman of UGA and other stakeholders who participated in the alleged selection of the Ezeala Dike, including those who served as witnesses, were under lock and key, with the occupants peeping fearfully through the slats before opening for visitors.

Chief Nsofor, whose selection as the Ezeala Dike is still a subject of disagreement, Chief Okafor, and other indigenes of the place, confirmed that their lives are in danger and, therefore, are hiding in their houses for fear of being kidnapped by the suspected fellows seen patrolling the community since the beginning and end of the selection process. This may explain why though the Ezeala Dike has been selected, his installation slated for April 9 could not hold A visit to the house of the traditional ruler of Ihiala, Igwe Dr Okechukwu, to get his reaction to matter was abortive as he was said to have been sick and was having bed rest.

SWEAR wahala dey. No money, no food, no light, no water,” lamented Julie, passenger in the CMS-bound commuter vehicle. “A derica cup of rice is now N250 up from N150; small paint bucket of garri is N650, tomato nko? No go area. God please we need your intervention before we perish oo.”

Replied Rose: “We are complaining of hardship in the land and that food is so expensive now? We haven’t seen anything yet. With the rampaging Fulani militia going about with AK-47 rifles, sacking villages, killing and maiming people and destroying farmlands, the Mother of all Hunger is coming. Farmers who have not been sacked from their villages are afraid to go to the farms for fear of herdsmen and their cattle.”

“Hmm, it is true. We will realise the extent of the damage done to our food supply by the herdsmen/ farmers crises at harvest time when there will be nothing to harvest. Na that time we go know say khaki no be leather. Have you noticed that people are more aggressive now? They are hungry and angry,” said Julie.

“It’s one day, one trouble in today’s Nigeria. When will all these end?” asked Dom. Continuing he said: “From Boko Haram, to Islamic fundamentalists beheading an unarmed woman, to kidnappers, to IPOB and now, Niger-Delta Avengers. President Buhari is just so unfortunate. I pity the guy. Indeed, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown!”

Said Rose: “But he brought it upon himself with his divisive tendencies. If I were the man, immediately I won election, I would have called together all those who lost in the primaries and those in the opposition and pleaded with them to join me to make Nigeria great again. But no, he did the exact opposite. First, with his famous 97% and 5% quote, his cutting down the Amnesty allocation and promising to stop it in 2018, revoking the pipeline protection contracts and trying to stop the Maritime University. Again, little or nothing has been done to criminal Fulani militia while full force is deployed against peaceful demonstrators and cattle rustlers are killed and cows rescued. So what do you expect?”

“But what is wrong with It’s one day, the Niger-Delta Avengers? I see them as one trouble in a group of self-seeking today’s individuals pretending to fight for the Niger-Delta Nigeria; when people just as Asari will all these Dokubo, Tompolo and the rest had done before end? them,” stated Dotun.

“Exactly my thoughts!

They are polluting their already polluted environment the more by blowing up oil facilities.

It doesn’t make sense,” said Dom. Replied Rose: “That is the only way government will pay attention to them. Look at their grievances and see how to deal with the grievances instead of the force being used. It has been tried before and it did not work.”

“I think they should face their leaders and state governments who have been collecting 13% derivation apart from other allocations. All those would have been enough to develop the place,” argued Dotun.

“Of course they had done so in the past but since government and oil companies disburse monies to certain individuals without involving the grassroots, they will continue to suffer these interruptions. What stops them from calling Town Hall meetings in each community, find out what they need and employ people to carry out the projects? Does China give cash to borrowers? No! You tell them how much you want to borrow and what it is to be used for. They mobilize their experts and local people to carry out the project while they pay as the work progresses. So why won’t the government and oil companies adopt the same strategy? I am sure they share a percentage of whatever cash they give those corrupt community leaders and that is why they have continued to toe the same line,” said Rose.

22—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Synagogue crisis: Hoteliers lose N3.9bn in one year

By Jimoh Babatunde

Before the collapse, the hotels as gathered, recorded 100 per OTELIERS in the cent occupancy rate due to the Ikotun-Egbe area of Lachurch programmes which hold gos State are at the moment bethree times a week. Sadly, the moaning their losses due to low occupancy rates now fluctuate occupancy rate in most of the between 10 per cent and zero hotels in the axis. all week long.

The hoteliers blame the situSpeaking further on the issue, ation on the Synagogue Church one of the hoteliers, Chief Jerry of All Nations building collapse, Omorodion said: “ We have which in turn affected influx of been crying for a long time and worshippers and miracle seekgovernment does not seem to ers to the church. Before the understand our plight. It is a incident, thousands of Nigeriserious issue for us because our ans and foreigners alike means of sustenance is being thronged the church, headed by wiped out. Before the unfortuPastor T.B. Joshua, in search of nate incident at the Synagogue miracle healings for various afChurch of All Nations, cumulaflictions. The miracle-seekers, tively, we have a total of about all of whom could not see Pas3,500 hotel bed spaces. I am not tor Joshua in one day, took acadding some of these hotels in the process of coming on board but had to stop since the accident.

“The hotels have different categories of rooms, but for you people to understand the enormity of our loss, let me peg the room rates at just N5,000 which is the cheapest room rate in any decent hotel in Ikotun. Before the accident, we were having 100 per cent occupancy rate on at least three days in a week, but Harmony of the Seas, the current world’s largest cruise ship, homeport in Barcenow, the oclona, Spain last week from where it will embark on the first of 34 seven-night cupancy sailings in the western Mediterranean on Tuesday, exploring some of Europe’s most rate in these beautiful locations. Harmony of the Seas is redefining vacations and intriguing a three days is new generation of travelers with a bold and unexpected line-up of first at sea innovaless than 10 tions, while enticing them to explore the world from a new perspective. Above: One per cent. of the Wonderland onboard Harmony of the Seas.

H

commodation in hotels in the area. Thus, the presence of the church and its activities are major spur for the hospitality industry in the area, as many hotels opened shop mostly to provide accommodation for Synagogue worshippers coming from afar.

But since the collapse of a sixstorey structure in the church’s complex, the throngs have thinned out to a trickle, while the hotels have lost revenue running into billions of naira.

Speaking to journalists, the hoteliers, under the aegis of Pilgrims Hotels Association of Nigeria, said the total number of bed spaces of different categories for all the hotels in the Ikotun area was about 3,500.

Harmony of the seas costs $1.5bn, 3yrs to build CRUISE

N

IGERIA has been described as a growing market for the intercontinental cruise line by the President/Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean International, Michael Bayley , who has assured that the company would work continually with sales agents and other stakeholders to grow the market.

Speaking at a press briefing in Barcelona aboard the company’s latest cruise ship-Harmony of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean boss added that Nigeria is doing better within the West African sub-region.

“The Nigerian market is small but it is growing.

We’ve continued to see more and more bookings and guests from Africa and particularly in C M Y K

Nigeria. “We’ve an office in Nigeria. Our intention world over is to work with a variety of partners and General Sales Agents (GSA) and International Representatives in different countries. We build the markets together and that’s what we’re doing in Nigeria”, he explained.

Bayley also revealed that plans are afoot to market the cruises to more African nations using the agents as well. “Travel agencies are a major part of our operations and we’ll always work with them. 80-90% of our sales come through them.

Travel partners explain the complexities of our operations. It’s something you need to let people know what you’re offering them. You need to understand their concerns and yearning and meet these yearning.

“Many of my colleagues have reduced their staff to the barest minimum; some of us are doing the jobs we used to employ and pay workers to do, since we can’t afford to employ now due to bad business climate.

“With a 10 per cent occupancy rate only about 350 rooms are sold by our members every night. Many have zero occupancy severally. What it means

The Synagogue accident happened on September 12, 2014, since then we have been deprived of our livelihood due to the hostile signals from the government and we are forced to suffer is that 3,150 empty rooms, at N5,000 minimum per night, we are losing about N15,750,000 per night.

He added: “In a month the loss is at N189,000,000, and in one year, you have a whopping

N3,969,000,000 revenue loss, and this is money that is injected directly into the community. Think about the multiplier effect on the economy of the area. You can understand why we are shouting loudly. I am just talking about three days that we were sure of patronage.”

Asked what the hoteliers expect from government, Omorodion cuts in: “Look, this is a tourist destination. No area in Nigeria has a steady inflow of inbound tourists like Ikotun in Lagos. Go and do your research. We insist that government should understand that being a destination, all over the world, when there is accident, they should put machineries in place to get to the root of the accident, take action where necessary without portraying the destination as unsafe and also overtly discouraging people from visiting there.

If I may ask, how did other nations manage accidents at destinations? This is something we should learn to do. The stampede in Saudi Arabia happened on September 24, 2015.

More than 2,000 pilgrims lost their lives. The country, knowing the importance of religious tourism, has taken the necessary steps and quietly moved ahead.

The Synagogue accident happened on September 12, 2014, since then we have been deprived of our livelihood due to the hostile signals from the government and we are forced to suffer.

Gidan Makama, Kano DESTINATION:

G

IDAN Makama Museum or Kano Museum is situated in Kano. This building served as temporary palace of Kano before the current palace, Gidan Rumfa was constructed in the 15th century. It has significant collections of arts, crafts and items of historic interest related to the Kano area.

Located in a 15th-century historical building which is rec•Gidan ognised as Makama a National Monument by government, the museum is divided into many galleries, each with its own centre of focus. Galleries include the Zaure in the main entrance with displays of traditional materials, city walls and maps of Kano, the history of statehood, Kano in the 19th century, the Civil War, economy, industry and music. Gidan Makama Museum is one of the thirty-two museums under the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. It is located in the heart of Kano Old City, opposite the Emir’s Palace. Gidan Makama (Makama’s House) is both a National Monument and a Museum. It is known for its traditional architectural excellence. It has superb historical and ethnographic collections on Kanawa civilization and Hausa land in general. Gidan Makama was built in the 15th Century A.D by Emir Abdullahi Burja as residential complex for Rumfa, his grandson. Prince Rumfa was later appointed Makaman Kano, heir apparent to the Emir. This explains why the house is referred to as Gidan Makama, though some prefer to refer to it as Gidan Rumfa.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

— 21

Taxes payable by manufacturers up from 39, now 61 Continues from Page 1 Entertainment Tax, Produce Sales Tax, Property Tax (where applicable); Fire Service Charge; Slaughter or Abattoir fee, where state finance is involved, etc.”

Vanguard investigations reveal the decision by government to widen the tax net is to make taxation a major source of revenue in the face of dwindling incomes from crude oil.

Currently, manufacturers are paying corporate income tax of 30 per cent which they said is a disincentive to their investments and are imploring government to reduce it to 20 per cent.

Similarly, they are also complaining of 10 per cent on Value Added Tax; Education Tax (2 per cent), 5 per cent Stamp Duty, Withholding Tax on companies (10 per cent), and the latest, according to Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), is the imposition of taxes by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission on companies for conducting promotion activities to boost their sales as part of effort to respond to challenges of competition.

Vanguard learned that although the collection of the taxes and levies listed in the schedule have not yet been harmonized among the Federal, states and local Governments, yet the FIRS is poised to go tough on its implementation and compliance.

It was further learned that the incidence of multiple taxes have been on the increase since 1996 when the then military administration of General Sani Abacha introduced exter-

Nigeria’s tax contribution to the GDP is the lowest in the world being three percent compared to United States 19 percent; China 21 percent and in Japan, tax contributes 35 percent

Source: Pwc presentation to LCCI.

nal consultants to collect taxes in the wake of what was termed ‘Accelerated Revenue Generation’ (ARG).

In response to the astronomical rise in the number of taxes and levies, and the numerous complaints from economic actors in the country, the Federal Government directed the Joint Tax Board in 1997 to publish a list of the approved taxes and levies collectible by each tier of government. The list compiled by the JTB was thereafter enacted into law in 1998 as Taxes and Levies and Approved List for collection) Act No 21 of 1998.

The purpose was to eliminate multiple taxes and levies across the three tiers of government and to facilitate inter-state trade. However, the problem of multiplicity of taxes and levies still persists.

Recently, World’s tax expert, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) rated Nigeria’s tax contribution to Gross Domestic Products, $139.70 1.50 GDP, lowest in the world.

Partner/Head, Tax Regu$3,147.00 -13.00 latory Services, PwC, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said: “Ni$ 20.00 0.24 geria’s tax contribution to the GDP is the lowest in the world being three percent compared to United States $48.25 -0.72 19 percent; China 21 per$47.28 -0.73 cent and Japan, tax contributes 35 percent.

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING Similarly, he said that in Germany tax accounts for US DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 276.0848 278.7942 279.5036 45 percent of GDP, France POUNDS 52 percent, Ghana 22 220.2256 220.7874 221.3492 EURO 203. 5306 204.0498 204.5691 percent; South Africa 27 FRANC 1.8463 1.851 1.8557 YEN percent and Kenya 17 0.3163 0.3263 0.3363 CFA 274.9019 275. 6032 276.3045 percent.”

WAUA According to him, being 29.7682 29.8446 29.921 RENMINBI 52.2583 52.3916 52.5249 RIYAL aware is not enough; 29.6095 29.685 29.7606 KRONA proactive tax risk manage275.6152 276.3183 277.0214 SDR ment and continuous tax CBN Exchange rate as at 16/06/2016 risk assurance should be

C M Y K

the mantra of every forward looking tax function.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Services, FIRS, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, disclosed that FIRS has identified several opportunities to improve their collaboration with taxpayers especially in the area of data and knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement.

“We recently appointed state co-

ordinators to cover a maximum of three states to bring tax administration closer to the people and reduce span control. We also recently commenced a policy giving taxpayers an opportunity to choose a tax office nearest to their place of business for their tax affairs,” he stressed.

The president of LCCI, Chief Nike Akande, noted that taxation has been a major source of revenue for the nation in the past decades and given the severe revenue challenges faced by governments at all levels as a result of the sharp drop in oil price; the focus of government on taxation has been increased.

“We will situate the current drive for tax revenue and internally generated revenue by the state governments in the context of current investment environment challenges. Ensuring a balance on these issues is worthy of engagement with tax authorities.

Documentation for taxation

In the light of these developments, it has become necessary to bring stakeholders together to share perspectives on the current status of the Nigerian tax system as well as educate and enlighten business owners on proper documentation for taxation” she said.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Frank Jacobs, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, who spokes for that manufacturers who will pay the taxes, said: “I haven’t got the new taxes list. But if the additional taxes and levies are allowed to sail through, it is going to destroy manufacturing in this country; I hope it is a mirage. I hope it is not true because it will be very hard on all businesses in Nigeria; it is going to stifle more businesses and the idea of creating employment and diversify the economy will be a mirage.”

CBN hopeful Naira’ll settle at N250 per dollar T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN is “ reasonably optimistic” the naira will settle at around N250 to the U.S. dollar after an initial period of weakness following a flotation on Monday, the bank’s governor has said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari. Central Bank said on Wednesday it would begin market-driven foreign currency trading next week, abandoning the peg of 197 naira per dollar that it has supported for 16 months.

Foreign investors and economists have called for months for a devaluation as chronic foreign currency shortages choked economic growth and deterred investment.

The naira is expected to fall sharply when inter-bank trading begins on Monday, but the central bank said it did not have a target for the currency and the price would be “purely” market-driven. The naira was trading on the black market at around 370 to the dollar on Thursday.

Giving the first indication of

a target, Governor Godwin Emefiele said in a June 3 letter to Buhari — seen by Reuters — that the central bank hopes the naira will eventually trade at around 250 per dollar, a level the president has “approved”.

“I must assure Your Excellency that we are indeed reasonably optimistic that at some point the rate will settle around 250 naira,” Emefiele says in the letter.

The letter, which briefs Buhari on the foreign exchange plan announced on Wednesday, says it could take three to four weeks to clear a $4 billion backlog of foreign exchange demand.

Buhari has for months said that he does not want the naira to be devalued, but backed a more flexible exchange rate policy when the central bank outlined its plans in May, without elaborating.

The presidency has not commented on the new regime, with Buhari’s spokesman declining to comment when Reuters called on Wednesday.

The central bank could not be immediately reached for comment. Africa’s biggest economy, which contracted by 0.4 percent in the first quarter, faces its worst crisis in decades after the decline in oil prices since 2014 and last year ’s introduction of a currency peg, which prompted a large-scale capital flight.

With a likely sharp fall for the naira, Nigerian products will become relatively cheap and imports more expensive, which should stimulate the domestic economy but also lift inflation.

Buhari has previously raised concerns about the inflationary impact that a weaker currency will have on Nigeria’s poor.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude exporter, has resisted devaluing its currency for more than a year despite other major oil producers, including Russia, Kazakhstan and Angola, allowing currencies to fall after crude prices collapsed.

VOL. 1: NO. 17

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016

By Gbenga Olarinoye

T

ENSION was yesterday doused in Osun State after two days of what could have developed into religious crises following an Osogbo High Court judgement which allowed female Muslim students in public schools in the state to wear hijab along with their uniform.

Specifically, It was gathered that normalcy has returned to Baptist High School, Adeeke Iwo which for two days was at the centre of attraction as the students of the school attended classes in both hijab and Christian robes.

Meantime, a statement signed by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, denied the report that the school at the centre of the controversy, Baptist High Chool, Iwo was ordered shut by the government.

According to her; ‘’What the Government did was to ensure adequate security of the students and teachers while security men ensured there was no threat to peace while teaching was in progress.’’

The development in the school on Wednesday nearly led to physical assault between Muslim and Christian leaders at the gate of the school before the intervention of the traditional ruler of the town, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi who mediated in the rift.

Our usually reliable source told Vanguard that only female Muslim students of the school appeared in their usual hijab yesterday in the school while their Christian colleagues came into the school in the normal uniform.

It was further learned that the Christian body shifted their position after a marathon meeting with security operatives in the state on Wednesday to find away out of the crisis before it snowballs into religious war between the Muslims and Christians in the state.

According to the source, the meeting which was held at the office of the state Director of Security Services,DSS, Mr. Ike Madagwana had in attendance the state police commissioner, Mr. Femi Olanipekun, representative of the state government who were the immediate past commissioners for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere and that of Justice and Attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Afolabi.

Also present at the meeting were representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and other relevant security agencies in the state .

Commenting on the development, the state police Commissioner, Mr. Femi

OSUN RELIGIOUS FACE-OFF:

Calm returns as hijab-wearing persists •No school shut over hijab — Osun govt Olanipekun told newsmen that there was a peaceful meeting between the Christian body and the security agencies in the state to restore peace between the Christian and Muslim communities in the state.

He stated that the Christian body was also advised to live in harmony with Muslims in the state .

Also,representatives of the All Progressive Congress APC in the state, government officials on Wednesday night held a meeting with the state Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on how to resolve the issue of hijab wearing by female Muslim students in public secondary schools in the state.

Government has shut no school in Osun over hijab The state government’s statement on whether the school was shut or not reads; ‘’ The

attention of the Government of the State of Osun has been drawn to a publication in the Vanguard edition of today, June 16th, 2016 where it was reported that the Baptist High School, Iwo, had been ordered shut by the Government.

"This, we must state categorically, is false in all respects. ‘’The Government got the report of moves by some people to cause crisis in the school as their own reaction to the judgment of the court which permitted female students to wear hijab as part of accessories to their school uniform. ‘’What the Government did was to ensure adequate security of the students and teachers while security men ensured there was no threat to peace while teaching was in progress. ‘’While investigations are ongoing, we have been briefed

IN THIS EDITION SOLE ADMINISTRATORS FOR LAGOS LGs:

Ambode’s decision receives knocks •Page 24

by the school Principal who stated that not all those who posed for photos with choir robes were students of the school. ‘’Those who wanted to pose for photos for the media sensation have gone away from the school.

That could not have been a reason for the government to shut down the school. ‘’We are miffed by the report in the Vanguard which stated that the school had been shut. Till this moment, students of Baptist High School, Iwo the school where this instigated drama has taken place are in their classrooms. ‘’We are not unaware of the desperate moves by some misguided elements of our society to cause mayhem using the decision of the court on the hijab matter as a tinder box. But we feel that a reputable news organization like yours should be wary of the activities of such people for news is ethically meant

Lagos-based hotel tasks FG on tourism devt •Page 24

to be factual, responsible, and unbiased. ‘’We therefore wish to inform Vanguard Newspaper of the urgent need to correct this misinformation.’’

NSCIA, MSSN declare open support for Osun Muslims Meantime, the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria have expressed disappointment over the reaction of Christian Association of Nigeria after a court judgement granting Muslims the right to wear hijab (Muslims headscarf) in public schools in Osun State.

While the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof.

Ishaq Oloyede, described the action of CAN as malicious, MSSN National and Lagos State Amirs (Presidents), Mallam Jameel Muhammad and Saheed Ashafa respectively tagged it an attempt to cause violence.

They spoke at the Grand Finale of the 14th Biennial Qur ’an Memorisation Competition organised by MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit in honour of late Alhaji AbdulLateef Adegbite in Lagos.

Oloyede accused CAN of plotting to make Muslims illiterates in the country by allegedly asking them not to cover their heads.

He said: “I do not see how hijab being worn by a Muslim lady is offensive to others. If our sisters in the catholic could go out in their own dress and it is not offensive to Muslims, then they (Christians) should tolerate Muslims too.

“I think we are having anti religion tendency. I am aware that there is a case against National Youth Service Corps by a catholic lady who was asked to wear what was not acceptable to her. So, it is not just Muslims. As far as NSCIA is concerned, we cannot because we are Nigerians be deislamised.”

Oloyede said neither Christians nor Muslims have the right to resort to violence in a bid to get their rights.

On his part, the National Amir of MSSN, Mallam Jameel Muhammad, urged Muslims in Osun State to resist the ‘provocative’ actions of CAN, saying, “We don’t need to be violent with them. As Muslims, we should be law abiding and not be distracted with statements that are capable of causing chaos.”

He also faulted the decision of some judges to refer Muslim students in Lagos State to a special court for constitutional interpretation on whether or not Hijab should be allowed in Lagos State public schools.

24 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

LAGOS STATE

:

SOLE ADMINISTRATORS FOR LAGOS LGs

Ambode’s decision receives knocks

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

ONGUES seem to be wagging over the decision by the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to dissolve the Lagos Caretaker Committees, overseeing the affairs of 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs, and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs. The State House of Assembly had on April 22, 2016, passed into law a bill recommending afour year tenure for elected council chairmen instead of the three years that they had hitherto obtained.

The Caretaker Committees headed by Executive Secretaries, were inaugurated by the former Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on January 5, 2015.

Last week Wednesday, the state House of Assembly, passed a resolution advising Governor Ambode to relieve the erstwhile Executive Secretaries of the 57 councils of their responsibilities and replace them with Sole Administrators.

While on June 8, 2016, Ambode acceded by dissolving the caretaker committees, two days later, he approved the appointment of new Sole Administrators to take charge of the council administration in the state pending the conduct of council elections.

Subsequently, the governor, on June 13, inaugurated the Sole Administrators at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja after being sworn-in at a ceremony attended by dignitaries.

Ambode, shortly after conducting the swearing-in ceremony, charged the Sole Administrators to see their appointments as a call to service to the people and eschew any act of abuse of office.

Feedback process His words, “Let me seize this opportunity to warn that we will not hesitate to remove and replace any Administrator who fails to serve the people diligently or abuses his/her office. A strict monitoring, control and feedback process will be put in place to ensure that there are no excesses or excuses. “Strict accountability must be your watchword.

Lagosians will be watching you and we will be watching you too,” he warned.

But the news of the appointment of sole administrators has met with divergent views.

Ambode not committed to fair council polls-PDP Kicking against the move, the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described it as the apparent indisposition of the governor to allow credible council polls in the state.

•Cross section of the newly appointed Sole Administrators of 20 Local Governments and 37 Local

Council Development Areas in the State taking Oath of Office before Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the swearing-in, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja

The APC in Lagos cannot demand for the council polls at this time because the party is not fashionable to the people at the grassroots. They rather support illegal composition of the council’s by APC appointed executive secretaries or sole Administrators The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, alleged that the Sole Administrators will occupy the councils in proxy for the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the unspecified period in office instead of allowing the LASIEC, to announce date for the immediate holding of council polls.

The party spokesperson accused the governor and APC of being apprehensive of going for grassroots elections because they are unpopular, “thus the dishonourable decisions to control the councils by executive secretaries and sole administrators; nomenclature which is alien and offensive to the provisions of our Constitution, under section 7, guarantees only democratically elected local government council; and administrations.

He said: “We are not convinced that the imminent council polls in Lagos State would be free, fair, credible considering governor Ambode’s control and manipulation of the processes expected to lead to the imminent elections. We reiterate imminent because Lagos cannot be another Osun State where there have been no council polls.

“Ambode is obviously jittery about any grass roots elections and now adopting various excuses to delay democracy at that level. Lagosians are presently patient, but we can tell you that very soon the governor will be compelled to speedily allow council polls in the state.

“The APC in Lagos cannot demand for the council polls at this time because the party is not fashionable to the people at the grassroots. They rather support illegal composition of the council’s by APC appointed executive secretaries or sole Administrators.

“This is unfortunate and a big threat to our Democracy. Indeed Nigerians should watch out for the APC in the 2019 general elections. Using this Lagos observation, we are not sure of free, fair, credible 2019 general elections”, he noted.

NCP kicks: Also, National Conscience Party, NCP, expressed its disapproval on the appointment describing the development as a “rape and coup-de’ tat” on democracy and rule of law.

NCP’s National Secretary, Comrade Ayodele Akele, said “it is another step in the direction of illegality. What the court says is that Lagos State Government should conduct proper and popular council polls immediately and stop all these shenanigans. The dissolution of caretaker committees and replacement of sole administrators is unacceptable to us, it’s an aberration on the Constitution of Nigeria and the rule of law.”

Falana reacts: Another mixed reaction that greeted the decision of the state government came from Lagos based lawyer, Femi

Falana who described the development as “unconstitutional,” urging all lovers of true federalism to condemn the action because it is illegal. The social critic, who said the government went contrary to section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, added that “Ambode has just appointed 57 sole administrators in Lagos, it is wrong and it is unconstitutional. We must not allow visionless people to rule us again.”

Lagos ready for council polls—Speaker In an attempt to allay fears of the decision, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, at a parley with Civil Society Organisations said work was in progress to ensure a smooth conduct of the council polls in the state.

Obasa said “on occupation of Executive Secretaries in councils, we are working on conducting proper elections to have the voted chairmen in office. We have just passed Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC law three weeks ago, and we are still waiting on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the release of voters’ register, delineation of constituency of wards, without all these exercises completed there is no way we can hold the polls.

We politicians are always interested in elections. I assure you that in no distant future we will conduct the council poll.

“LASIEC is tackling the issue of voters register which they are yet to receive from INEC, issues of composition of the gab, four of the members are not there presently, vacant because of they have actually fulfilled their two term tenure. I think, one or two people actually passed on and the house has screened and cleared four other nominees of the governor, but they are yet to be sworn-in."

Lagos-based hotel tasks FG on tourism devt

A

S a way of diversifying the ailing nation’s economy, the Group Managing Director of a Lagos-based hotel, Nanet Hotel and Suites, Mr. Ini Akpabio, has called on the Federal Government to look towards boosting the tourism sector.

Akpabio said that building up the tourism sector can lead to it taking over oil sector's lead position in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, Akpabio noted that the nation‘s economy would have risen beyond this level if the government gave the sector the needed preference.

He said: “The federal government is not yet convinced that the tourism sector can take the position of oil by fetching the country`s huge revenue. As a key player in the industry, I strongly believe that tourism sector can be

used as an alternative to the oil sector if the necessary measures are put in place.”

Akpabio said that tourism rebirth remains the reliable means of repositioning Nigeria in the comity of nations, adding that we could build a resilient economy with our tourism potential.

Suggesting that adequate measure should be taken for the protection of tourism and national monuments across the country, he said that man-made tourism should also be created to attract investments.

Stating the importance of tourism, he said that in 2014, tourism contributed 1.7 percent of Nigeria’s GDP while in South Africa, it contributed over 12 percent of the GDP in the same period.

Besides, he said in 2015,

tourism in Nigeria contributed about N1.6 billion, which is about 1.8 percent of the annual GDP. According to him, “I think that is a huge number. When translated, about 800,000 jobs were created for people that work in hotels, travel agencies and airlines, the industry can do more.”

Advising government at all levels to boost the tourism potentials, he said: “Nigeria’s music and film industry are huge potentials that could be harnessed and turned into a tourist attraction.

“These sectors alone can be developed and turned into a huge money spinning for the country. If the right people are not appointed in the right position, it will be a set-back for the economy,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—25

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17,

2016

OWAMBE

•Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, addressing members of the state's chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who were on what they called 'Work for peace around Ibadan,' at the Governor's Office, Ibadan.

•Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass (right), cutting tape to formally commission the La Roche Leadership Foundation at Gbagada, Lagos, on Saturday, June 11, 2016. With him are Director, La Roche Leadership Foundation, Mrs. Marina Osoba (left) and members of staff of the Foundation.

• Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde

Onanuga, leading the June 12 Walk organised by the Ogun State government to commemorate the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election in Abeokuta.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, with Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Jim Ovia (2nd right) and Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc., Mr. Peter Amangbo (right) during a Special #GivingTuesday organized by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nigeria) to mark the Governor’s 53rd birthday, at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja

THE TEAM

•Group Managing Director of Nanet Hotels and Suites, Mr. Ini Akpabio (near left ) and others during a press briefing on tourism development in Lagos.

EDITOR: Adeleke Adeseri 08054682557 (sms only)

•(L-R) Alternate Permanent Representative of Nigeria to IMO, Mr. Dikko Bala; Member, International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Hakon Stohaug; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Head, IMSAS team to Nigeria Captain Yalscin Cahit and another member, Wei Song during the submission of the preliminary audit report at the Head Office of he Agency in Lagos.

CORRESPONDENTS: Dapo Akinrefon Lagos Ola Ajayi Ibadan Gbenga Olarinoye Osogbo Dayo Johnson Akure Daud Olatunji Abeokuta Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos Rotimi Ojomoyela Ekiti Monsuru Olowoepejo

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 —27

Highs and lows of 2016 AMAA

By Benjamin Njoku

* Nollywood stars at the event

A

LTHOUGH there were a few outstanding mo ments as well as a few complete pitfalls,this year’s edition of the prestigious African Movie Academy Award, AMAA, will not go down in history as incredibly memorable or better still, one of the best that ever have been organized in the past 12 years.

Unlike the previous years, the journey to this year’s AMAA was not complicated. The organizers did well this year to ensure that they blocked all possible loopholes in terms of logistics and other human errors.

In the past five years, while it has become a major problem moving stars, journalists and several other practitioners to the event venue, this year’s experience was different. As early as Friday morning, the organizers have started moving celebrities to Port-Harcourt ahead of Saturday’s awards night. While in the garden city, it was also a different experience.

Contrary to speculations that the Garden city would not be conducive for such a big event as AMAA, following the deadly activities of the militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta, reverse was the case as Port Harcourt was as peaceful and safe as ever, while the event lasted. Kudos to Governor Nyesom Wike who earlier promised to make the guests have a good and exciting experience of the state.

*Preside 2016 Ju nt of AMAA Husseinry, Shaibu envelop i presenting th names o containing the e Peace A f winners to Osigwe nyim-

Richard Mofe-Damijo, O.C. Ukeje, Segun Arinze, Fred Amata, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Saheed Balogun and Felix Duker, Eniola Badmus, Paul Obazele among others, it was night of stars. They were everywhere, fraternizing and posing for shots.

However, a number of big actresses including Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Ekeinde-Jalade, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo among others were conspicuously missing at the night.

But in their absence, the show went on unstopped.

Pete Edochie, RMD and RIvers First Lady, Eberechi Wike.

*Olu Jacobs and wife, Joke Silva receiving their Lifetime Achievement award The highpoint of the night was the presentation of awards to the winners. But one award that drew thunderous applause from the crowd, was AMAA Lifetime Achievement Awards which went to veteran actor, Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, Richard Mofe Damijo and star of the now

Exciting experience Expectedly, under the spotlights of Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, venue of the show, hundreds of Nollywood stars took turns to walk the red carpet, smile for the camera, while entering the expansive auditorium. Leading the packs of the government functionaries was Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State, who was accompanied to the awards ceremony by his wife, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mahommad, House of Representative member, Femi Gbaja Biamila and several top government officials from in and outside the state were also in attendance.

From Pete Edochie to Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva, C M Y K

*Kcee and Harrysong performing on stage

rested New Masquerade, Tony Akposhore a.k.a Zakky,for their immense contributions to the growth of the African film industry.

When these veterans mounted the stage to receive their awards, the auditorium erupted in excitement. RMD’s

moving speech was indelible.

He paid a glowing tribute to late movie producer, Amaka Igwe before dedicating the award to ‘every child that is born in an unknown street in Warri,’ Also, Kcee and Harysong added fun and style to the awards night.

But it was Joe Brown Ubaka’s acceptance speech that caused a stir among the audience.

Receiving the Ousmane Sembene award for Best film in African Language, which his film, “Missing God” won, Ubaka screamed, “Thank Goodluck Jonathan for empowering Nollywood.”At that moment, an air of emotion filled the night.

Many of the speeches were good, especially by some of the early winners who were carried away by the euphoria of their victories.

AMAA founder and president, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe’s opening speech was *Governor Wike of short and concise. Rivers State at the She thanked the Riv- speaking event

AFRIMA pays tribute to OJB Jezreel

T

ers State government for accepting to host the awards ceremony this year.

As the president of AMAA 2016 Jury, Shaibu Husseini explained, they received about 485 entries from over 60 countries, mostly within Africa and also from around the world out of which they only considered about 65 in different genres for nomination in about 26 categories.

“We commend the work done by the Academy’s College of Screeners and at the other levels of pre-selection. We salute their professionalism and thoroughness and note that the selection of films and nominations truly reflects the Pan-African vision for the future of the African film and media industry that AMAA promotes.

Indeed, we are encouraged by the ever increasing number of entries being received from a larger geographic sphere and we look forward to the continuation of this trend,”Husseini said.

HE International Committee of the All a.k.a OJB Jezreel who died on Tuesday.

Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partWe deeply mourn the departure of an icon nership with the African Union Commission, who played a very significant part in the evoAUC, have joined other Nigerians to pay lution of the Nigeria music industry. tribute to Babatunde Jezreel Okungbowa The renowned music producer in the contemporary Africa passed on at the early hours of Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at Isolo General Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. The shocking news of his demise came barely a month to his 50th birthday.

Jigga as he was fondly called by his Gbaja cronies was passionate about showcasing the arts, music and culture of contemporary Africa to Africans at home and in the *OJB presenting award to a winner diaspora. He was very resourceful in the 2014 at AFRIMA last year edition of the All Africa Awards, AFRIMA, by presenting the first two awards with

Davina Green (Zimbabwe) to the winners of best female artiste in Eastern Africa (Vanessa Mdee) and West Africa (Angelique Kidjo) respectively. Reacting to the death of OJB Jezreel, Project Director, AFRIMA, Ms. Kemi Ashefon said, “All of us at AFRIMA deeply mourn the shocking demise of OJB. He was voice of contemporary Africa, an epitome of hope for many emerging African music artistes.

He was one of the renowned music icons that was passionate about the successful fulfilment of the AFRIMA vision.”

Ashefon further bemoaned that OJB has left a huge vacuum in the leadership and mentorship bench of African music. “His demise is a colossal loss to the Africa music space. We are immensely impacted by his devoted and enormous contribution to the growth of Africa contemporary music narratives.

28—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

ANAMBRA 2017:

Nwoye’s defection resets plans

•Nwoye: Defects to new found love

MEDICAL doctor, politician and former student activist, Dr. Tony Nwoye’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, is laced with much intrigues that could soon inflame the political landscape in his native Anambra State.

By Vincent Ujumadu

force?

But instead of rewarding his hard work, Nwoye faced conspiracies from various quarters, culminating into his being removed as the state party chairman of the party even before the expiration of his tenure

after the primaries apparently came as a rude shock to other contestants and subsequently triggered conspiracies and sponsored litigations by chieftains of the party in contravention of the earlier

that there was an agreement between the leadership of APGA and PDP that the PDP would leave Anambra State governorship for APGA, while APGA would support Dr. Jonathan for the PDP presidential

W

HEN the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and other top officials of the PDP vowed to unseat Dr. Nwoye in the House of Representatives, it only reflected the hostility Nwoye had felt in his dealings with his former party.

Recall that Nwoye became the Anambra State chairman of PDP in 2006 and due to his political sagacity and mobilization prowess, his leadership produced all the 30 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly, the three senators, 10 out of the 11 members of the House of Representatives and the state governor. Indeed, the primaries conducted under Nwoye’s watch are still adjudged as the only free, fair and credible primaries of PDP since the present democratic dispensation.

During that primaries, there was no rancor as all the candidates that emerged campaigned freely and PDP won almost all elective offices then.

Parallel primaries But instead of rewarding his hard work, Nwoye faced conspiracies from various quarters, culminating into his being removed as the state party chairman of the party even before the expiration of his tenure.

In 2011, Nwoye contested and won election into the House of Representatives to represent Anambra East and Anambra West constituency without the support and backing of his party, the PDP. However, because of the parallel primaries deliberately conducted to undermine him, Nwoye was not sworn-in as a member of House of Representatives that year.

Again in 2013, he contested the governorship primary of PDP along with such notable contestants like Dr. Andy Ubah and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and won.

Vanguard recalls that before

•Ngige: Welcomes Nwoye to

APC

that primary, there was an understanding among the contestants and the party hierarchy, that whoever emerged as candidate must be supported by the rest. His emergence as the PDP governorship candidate

undertaking.

In fact, due to litigations and deliberate efforts by the PDP leadership, Nwoye could not campaign until 10 days to the election. Besides, there was no formal presentation of the PDP candidate to the electorate by the party, neither was there financial or materials support to him.

Those who were present at the Holy Trinity field in Onitsha where the PDP campaign flag off took place never forgot in a hurry, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement urging Anambra people to vote according to their conscience for the governorship election, even when his party’s governorship candidate, Tony Nwoye, was there in the field. It was alleged

•Uba: Lost a formidable

election.

Some supporters of Nwoye recalled that before the infamous flag off at Onitsha, the party was busy extorting money from its candidate. A chieftain of the party confided in Vanguard that the party collected N30 million from Nwoye on the flag-off day, as a condition for party chieftains from the national headquarters to show presence in Onitsha.

After the governorship election, due to the irregularities that took place, Nwoye went to the tribunal and, again the party did not show any interest or concern.

Instead, negative comments aimed as frustrating the case were dished out by the party chieftains.

In spite of the obstacles created for him in the party, Nwoye still kept faith with PDP. In 2015 when Nwoye wanted to contest for the House of Representatives election, he was surprisingly advised by the national leadership of the party not to contest because, as was the case during the governorship election, the Anambra East and West Constituency was reserved for Governor Willie Obiano who is from the same constituency.

The bargain was that the governor would in turn, support the then President Goodluck Jonathan for his second tenure.

When Nwoye insisted on contesting based on pressure from his people, he was again abandoned by the party which even created hurdles for him such that on the day of the election, he was seriously attacked and some of his

Continues on page 29

Why Nigerians should be patient with Buhari — Parker, ex-commissioner DR. Samson Parker served as the Commissioner of Health in the Rotimi Amaechi administration. In this interview, Parker appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in delivering the dividends of democracy. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HE Buhari-led administration and other state governments recently celebrated one year in office. Do Rivers State people share in that cheer given the current economic conditions of the people?

The essence of leadership is primarily to create a vision that enables the people to be motivated enough to abide good and bad times.

Therefore, it is my view that we must get down to do more and talk less, when we talk it should be to give our people strength and hope that tomorrow will be a better day. When the current administration at federal level took over, there were clear decline in economic variables, we should expect a period of healing and weaning before that turn of events reverse, that bridging

period will come with different experiences for different people, but we must strive to build a society that supports people with their differential needs under such conditions.

In Rivers, can we say there is cause to cheer in terms of development?

The gloomy outlook of the national and indeed the global oil price and the effects on our economy are self-evident. So, for the current government, we must reserve such judgement until such a time as we can truly weigh the decisive indicators, such as the availability of funds, issues of security, law and order, the accessibility of health and distribution of good health equally and equitably in society, financial and geographic access to education, housing, transportation and other basic services for all, opportunities for enhancement of economic

•Parker

capabilities and the ability of people at different levels to generate opportunities for better household income as well as the opportunity to acquire household assets that improves their quality of life, making life more meaningful for them.

The last government in Rivers state did all that it could to lay the foundation for delivering such benefits to the people.

What are your assessments on

the current and future expectations for Rivers State?

Expectations border on potentials whether current or future and in that regard Rivers state is one of the states with the highest potentials.

The only way the state cannot be greater than what it is now is if we fail to apply the proper human agency to enhance the derivable from these potentials.

In terms of governance, what will you say most administrations in Nigeria, at all levels, often fail to do that limit development?

In my view, what has limited our development is the unwillingness to follow the basic expectation of governance. To solve problems having been elected, we need to follow the policy formulation and implementation process and respect the rules of interactions between the people and the state.

If leaders or the citizens identify a problem or opportunity, we prepare a green, then a white paper to make it very salient, we then formulate policy and alternative options to solve the problem.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—29

By Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke

T

HE sacking of 57 Executive Secretaries of Local Government Areas, LGAs, and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs in Lagos State and the inauguration of a new set, is generally seen as a move preparatory to the conduct of local government elections in the state.

The news served to rouse the various political parties especially the leading parties, All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the traditional battles grounds.

Of the known flashpoints where the parties often engage in supremacy battle, Amuwo Odofin is poised to be a key ground during the exercise the way it had lately been.

Interestingly, the demographic composition of the area , which is predominantly inhabited by none indigenes, who are known supporters of the PDP, distinguishes the LGA as a place of interest.

•Oghene

•Adegeye

LAGOS LG POLL: APC, PDP to rekindle old rivalry in Amuwo Odofin unpopular in the area.

Hence, they noted that the formula for defeating the APC during the exercise had been adopted while their members are being sensitised in that regard.

Speaking to Vanguard at the event, Egho noted that the newly inaugurated LGA executive members would in addition to their functions, drive the sensitisation required to defeat

Numeric strength In addition, its numeric strength which the 1996 census pegged at 1,5 million further makes it one of the areas to watch out for.

Another issue that may define the exercise is the poor state of the infrastructure in the LGA especially roads, which many claimed was neglected by the past and present APC leadership given that the inhabitants don’t vote massively for the party.

Instructively, Amuwo is made up of seven wards and 224 polling units while Oriade LCDA which is under Amuwo LGA also has seven wards and over 200 polling units.

From 1999 till date, the APC has successively produced the elected chairmen in the 23-year old LGA, thereby giving itself some kind of hegemonic status

•Map of Lagos State in the LGA. However, the hegemony is poised to be frontally challenged by a PDP that seems reinvigorated by the successes recorded by its candidates in the LGA at the 2015 general election.

One of such is the victory of Mr. Oghene Egho, against Mr. Ganiyu Olukolu of the APC during the election into the House of Representatives.

Vanguard gathered that the party is drawing on these in its bid to emerge victorious at the poll.

For instance at a recent inauguration of the LGA executive of the PDP which was held in FESTAC Town, party faithful expressed optimism that poor infrastructure in the LGA and PDP’s popularity in the LGA had already made the APC

ANAMBRA 2017: Nwoye’s defection resets plans Continues from page 29 campaign vehicles were seriously vandalized. Again, his party, PDP, did not show any concern.

During the collation of the results of the poll, the entire results from his home town, Nsugbe were removed, as some of his supporters said, to enable the APGA candidate to emerge.

Not satisfied with the outcome, he proceeded to the election petition tribunal to seek the inclusion of the results of the two wards in Nsugbe. Again before going to the tribunal, he consulted the party leadership, but the party declined to be involved. Nevertheless, he went to the tribunal without PDP legal representation, which could have lent more weight to the suit.

Rather, what he experienced

•Idris

were negative comments, and subsequently, expulsion through the state leadership headed by Prince Ken Emeakayi and the national publicity secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh.

Despite the tribulations, Nwoye still felt that Anambra PDP could be salvaged and he advised that the only way to strengthen the party and unify it was to conduct credible congresses at all levels.

Credible congresses His advice was not heeded; hence, the traditional method of writing lists as seen in the last exercise that produced three parallel leadership of the party, with resultant litigations and counter litigations.

It is therefore not surprising that Nwoye had to succumb to the pressure from his supporters across the state to leave PDP and join the APC. Shortly after his defection last week, there was jubilation by his supporters in all parts of Anambra State. Some of the people who spoke said PDP supporters had been taken for a ride for too long, adding that enough is enough.

With the 2017 governorship election in Anambra State drawing near, speculations are rife that Nwoye might contest the next governorship election on the platform of APC. Though Nwoye declined to discuss the issue of 2017 governorship poll, he said his main concern is to empower his constituents who have remained faithful to him even during difficult situations.

Another issue that may define the exercise is the poor state of the infrastructure in the LGA especially roads, which many claimed was neglected by the past and present APC leadership

the APC in Amuwo Odofin.

“These crops of people elected are generally accepted, and everybody is happy which shows their acceptability in the constituency. I want to assure every constituent that with this crowd, we can defeat APC,” he stated.

Notwithstanding, findings showed that the APC could still be the party to beat when the chips are down.

The party, it was gathered, is not jittery over what analysts describe as the seeming strengths of the PDP in the LGA, as it is known to boast of structures and men with incontrovertible

grassroots electoral value.

At the moment, some aspirants have commenced preparations towards the election of a new chairman following the exit of Comrade Adewale Ayodele who served on the platform of the APC. They include a grassroots mobiliser and Administrative Secretary of the APC in Lagos West Senatorial District; Mr. Segun Idris and a former member representing Amuwo Odofin in the House of Assembly; Mrs. Riskat Adegeye and Comrade Engineer Valentine Buraimoh.

Popular juju musician Of the three, Idris, is believed to be the frontline aspirant as a result of what observers termed his popularity across the various communities in the LGA and deep knowledge of grassroots politics.

His appeal is reputed to be across party lines, a situation that could turn things against the PDP at the polls if he gets APC’s ticket.

Idris, a prince of the popular Fakeye family in the Abule-Ado part of the LGA, has been a major player in the affairs of the LGA for decades.

While Adegeye, who is married to popular juju musician, King Suny Ade represented the constituency for four years at the House, Buraimoh is being promoted by Ayodele on the platform of the Consolidation group.

The aspirants had at different fora expressed confidence that the APC’s grip on the political leadership of the LGA would be further strengthened by the outcome of the forthcoming poll.

30—VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Barka Jumah

Ramadan 12, 1437 A.H.

Hijab: It's Allah's commandment

T

HE recent outburst

by Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has again fuel another round of confusion in the state as students turned out in their church garments to their schools in obedience to the religious body order. CANs order, in reaction to the the court judgment that permits the wearing of hijab by Muslim girls to school showed that it was not ready to tolerate the wearing og hijab in public schools in spite of the judgement of a competent court. Even before the judgment of the High Court delivered by Justice Saka Oyejide Falola, CAN has not hidden its paroxysm of hatred and rage for hijab. To them, hijab is another type of abomination, an anathema that is detrimental to other religion.

If not, I do not see how wearing of head cover, a religious identity by Muslim girls will affect the spread of gospel of Christ. What can be more than this if not intolerance, hatred and attempt to decimate the practice of Islam. Although a few of the students complied and wore different apparels in the form of Boys Brigade, Choirs dresses, Girls Guard, Urshers dresses and flowing white gowns, by this singular act, I wonder what seed would have been sown into the minds of these impressionable kids. What kind of society are we building?

It is worrisome that a competent court of law ruled on an issue, then the executive body of a religious group issued out threats against the judgment, thereby breeding anarchy in the state. How else do we describe fanaticism and extremism? Yet, when anarchy is let loose, they will turn around to blame it on the Muslims calling them all sorts of names.

Aparrently realising a better way to reject a court judgement; it states that: “the association finds itself unable to agree with the judgment in its entirety as we have reasons to believe that it represents a study in premeditated adjudication that runs against the printed grain of legal submissions made before him. We have unanimously decided to appeal the judgment.”

The body would have taken a step further to wait for the decision of the appealate court on the matter instead on arrogating to itself the power of the judiciary. Since religions do not teach the same things, we cannot have

the same ways of life.

Dressing in Islam is part of the religion, not only when a Muslim is going to Mosque, it is a dress code, a mandatory for all female Muslims.

Therefor, it is wrong to conflate hijab with the act of terrorism or find any alibi to stop its usage by female Muslims. CAN has always situated the hijab with terrorism even when there are clear evidences that genuie Muslims are peaceful and tolerants.

Well meaning Muslims, associations and bodies have said ad nauseam that act of terrorism is not about Islam, and those who perpetrate the act cannot be said to be Muslims or speak for Muslims. So, rationalising the protest against the use of hijab as a ground for breeding terrorism, is to say the least enervating, ridiculous and unacceptable. But because those who want to hang the dog will never relent in ascribing bad names to it, they find pleasure in condemning and protesting against the use of hijab. Even after a High Court judgment allowing the Muslim the free will to practise their religion, they are yet fanning the embers of anarchy in the state. Where is the tolerance they exclusively seem to profess? The Hijab is a commandment. It signifies religousity, devotion, and obedience to Allah. Do we disobey God and obey CAN? God forbid!

Nothing, absolutely nothing can stop Muslims not to obey their Creator. If this is another antic by those who profess to be tolerants against the peace loving Muslims, then their plots agaisnt Islam will end the way Abraha and his armies ended when they tried to destroy the Kaaba for nothing but envy.

For us, there are copious Quran injuctions and hadiths that made hijab mandatory for Muslims

The Muslims never played up the wearig of hijab, in developed countries where Christianity was taken, inspite of the few number of Muslims especially in UK and America, the use of hijab is allowed in government owned schools. The right to practice the religion of your choice is respected.

Secondly, Apart from the freedom to practice one’s religion as enshrined in Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hijab is divinely commanded and failure to abide attracts Allah’s wrath. For us, there are copious Quran injuctions and hadiths that made hijab mandatory for Muslims.

“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women.

And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment.

And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Quran 24:31).

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.

And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 33:59).

However, Muslims in the state are enjoined to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding and shun all acts of provocation. Remember that your religion is yours and their religion is theirs as said in the holy Quran. The only way to prove the mettle of your religion is to eschew all forms of violence even when they provoke you. This is what the unbelievers are wont to doing and then turn around to blame you for your reaction. Let us in the spirit of Ramadan show kindness and good manners to even those who offend us.

That is the basis of ihsan and that it Islam. Ramadan Kereem!

Fasting is adoration of faith and the highest expression of fear of Allah in the doing of His will. For when we heed His commands, we beget His love and hugest favors. May our worship find the joy of real faith that march us to peace here and perpetual bliss in Aljanna Firdaus. Our rectitude at Ramadan delightfully honour Allah the most. May Allah accept our worship and lend to us mercy, and protection always. Be Ramadan strong! Ramadan Kareem.

—Adewale Adeeyo, OON

Ahmadiyya graduates 11 Missionaries

Principal, Jamia’at ul Mubashireen Missionary School, Maulvi Nadeem Ahmad Jaweed; Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Nigeria, Dr Mashuud Adenrele Fashola and Missionari Incharge, Maulana Abdul Khalique Nayyar, during the graduation ceremony of Jamia’at ul Mubashireen, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at School at Ilaro, Ogun State.

Cross section of grandaunds with Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria and other Executives during the graduation ceremony held at Jamia’at ul Mubashireen, Ilaro, Ogun State.

Late Muhammad Alli receiving a copy of the Holy Quran from Maulvi Naseem Saifi, the Chief Ahmadiyya Missionary, West Africa, when the late boxer first visited Nigeria in the 60s.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—31

NASF AT Ramadan Lecture in pix ASFA Photo: Akeem Salau

Ramadan 12, 1437 A.H.

Fast, tto o gain taqw a taqwa W

ITH our unflinching resolve to make the best out of the month, carry out all the required ibadah, actively involved in acts of devotion, prayers, Tarawih, tahjud, Quran recitation, and other forms of worship, we have to work towards realising these goals. We will go into details of all these one after the other insha Allah.

We also have to bear in mind that these ibadah are geared

Lipton bonds, consumers

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IPTON Yellow label from the stable of Unilver Nigeria Plc said it's bonding with its Muslim consumers as they embark on the Ramadan.

The brand, which said it's taking time out in the spirit of Ramadan to share and do good in line with the preaching of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

Alhaji Abdulwahid Ariyibi, Admin Principal, Markaz Arabic and Islamic Training Centre, Agege, said with the coming of Lipton to the school, it means the brand is helping in increasing the knowledge of the Muslim faith and the Ramadan.

“It is a month of doing good to people, love and sharing. Lipton has taken a good step, it is a good idea for Unilever to reach out to Muslims at this fasting period. It’s a good step in the right direction," he stated.

On the love of sharing and giving, Ariyibi said the Ramadan love had no bounds to the country or religion, but that religion is a boundless tie that bounds everyone which is manifested in this holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking, Category Manager, Tea and Spreads, Vivian Ihaza, said the Ramadan period which is a very

toward increasing our fear and love of God, Allah. Quran 2 vrs 183 clearly states that fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you in order to have the fear of Allah. The fear of Allah is a point that has to be emphasised. Fast in such a way that your heart and soul remember and love Allah, not only during the day but even when doing other thing during

fetes

Muslim

important one for Muslim Lipton consumers across Nigeria.

She said: “It’s not only a time of reflection and prayers but also a time to reach out to someone in need. It is a fundamental human truth that we all have good intentions and thoughts that are related to social goodness but most times, our busy lives get in the way of turning these thoughts into actions.”

The Lipton mobile Ramadan lounge will also be stationed at select mosques across Nigeria to provide refreshment after IFTAR prayers to Muslim faithful.

the night. In one of the hadiths, the Prophet said (s.a.w) Allah creates the individual—his soul and his heart—in such a way that his natural tendency is to love Allah. However, as a person’s heart is gradually intruded upon by doubts, worldly desires, and temptations, that love and nearness to Allah has to be rekindled from time to time through faith, knowledge and worship.

Ramadan provides us with the perfect opportunity to increase the fear and love we have in our hearts for Allah by devoting this period to perfecting our Ibadah.

Pick up your Holy Quran, get a translated copy of your native language or better still English translation. Read with the determination to digest and internalized up to a juz a day.

If you can’t cover up to one juz, never bother, what is important is to understand and digest the lessons. Then go according to your daily plan as you had clearly mapped out before now with the fear of Allah. Broaden the scope of your good deeds and strive to do more that you had done earlier; do it with the fear of Allah.

From left: Alhaji Remi Babalola, BoT Secretary, NASFAT; Chief Missioner Nasfat,Alhaji Abdullahi Gbade Akinbode and Alhaji Olalekan Salisu, Chairman of the occasion during the 2016 NASFAT Ramadan lecture, in Lagos.

From left; Iman Mustapha Bello, Secretary National Mission Board, NASFAT; Prof Muslih Tayo Yahya, Guest Lecturer; Dr Luqman Adedeji, Moderator and Alhaji Sharafadeen Abdulsalam Aliagan, Zonal Missioner, NASFAT Abuja Zone at the occasion.

Criterion holds lecture on good family home

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ORRIED by the moral decadence in the society, the Criterion, an association of Muslim Women in Business and Professions, will hold its maiden Ramadan lecture on Marriage in Islam.

In a statement by the Oyo District Amirah, Alhaja Medinat Akanni said the lecture slated for Saturday June 18, will hold at the Islamic Centre, Housing,

Bodija, Ibadan from 11. a.m.

Akanni said the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad will deliver the lecture entitled: “Marriage/Good Family home: Panacea to Moral Decadence”.

She said Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Iya Adeeni of Yoruba land will be the mother of the day, while Justice Mistura Bolaji –Yusuf of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, is the Chairperson.

From left: Alh Muhammed Abdullahi Mijinyawa,VP 1; Alhaji Abdulazeez Onike, Deputy Chief Missionary Nasfat and Alhaji Remi Bello,Member Elders' Council at the occasion.

Cross section of men at the occasion

From left: Dr Femi Hamzat, Commissioner for Housing, Lagos State; Gbolahan Lawal and Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa during the 8th day Fidau prayer for Alhaja Amudala Kehinde Hamzat, in Lagos.

Cross section of women at the occasion

32 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money SCORPIO: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

SAGITTARIUS: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

CAPRICORN: EVERYBODY needs other people’s co-operation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE greatest resources of any nation is the human resour c e s . Ye t , m a n y people do not realise this great truth.

S o , t h e y c o m plain about lack of

The sufficiency of man capital. The truth is that your capital will be sufficient the moment you realise who you are. Who are you?

TERROR MUDA

What do you want to be?

Once you have found answers to the above questions, then go ahead and do

in “Never say goodbye”

research on what you want to become. Everything in life has its secret to success.

The secret to becoming what you will be is in you.Think about it

By Kola Fayemi

AQUARIUS: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently.

Don’t allow sex to distract you.

PISCES: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

ARIES: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner tomorrow. Be loving.

TAURUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it. Be more family minded.

GEMINI: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more loving

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CANCER: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

LEO: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

VIRGO: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances.

Don’t try to buy love with money.

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 me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Samson, Lagos.

Dear Samson, What space can take will be given to you here-under.

Scorpio and Libra that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signs-health wise.

Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability.

That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues. Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urino-genital organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever.

Always take care of the stomach. Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—33

FG urged to commence clean up of Ogoniland after flag off P

By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT—THE Federal Government has been enjoined to breath life into the flag off programme it did in Ogoni, Rivers State for clean up of the area with the immediate commencement of the exercise.

Making the appeal, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Secretary, Waste Management Society of Nigeria, WAMASON, Mr Anthony Oyedeji, described the flag off of the clean up exercise recently by the Federal Government as a demonstration of a strong political will to tackle environmental challenges in the Niger Delta region.

The group in its communiqué after its roundtable on “Ogoni oil Spill,” advised government to ensure transparency during the clean up, stressing that it will help achieve the overall objective of the exercise.

“Government must synergise with stakeholders through periodic advocacy and a transparent process to achieve the overall objective and aim of the clean up exercise.”

The communique by chairman of the roundtable, Mr Chris Ogidi, advised the Federal Government to set up an effective

communication system during the exercise to acquaint stakeholders and others with all the developments, adding that

best standards and guidelines should be put in place by NOSDRA in collaboration with other independent experts and relevant government agencies.

VISIT: Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Uguru Usani Uguru (left) and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, when the minister paid him a visit at Government House, Uyo.

militants

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ARRI—PRESIDENT of Niger Delta Communities Intercessors Forum, Rev. PereEgbe Odogbo has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to continue with his decision to use dialogue as means of resolving the renewed attacks on oil installations in the region.

Odogbo who made the call in Warri, Delta State, also appealed to Niger Delta Avengers to stop the bombings to allow time for dialogue to achieve peace in the region.

Odogbo who is also the chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Airport Road Unit, Warri, said that dialogue remains the answer and negotiation was the key but not violence, gun or death, stressing that the Federal Government should look at the suffering of the masses and negotiate with the people over the oil that is being milked from Niger Delta soil rather than the use of guns. “ We are not part of Niger Delta Avengers. We are known as Niger Deltans. We have suffered oppression, marginalization, intimidation but dialogue is better than violence.”

He noted that the Niger Delta situation and suffering have become unbearable for them as the river water they defecate on is the same water they drink.

“We are worse than slaves in our nation yet the region is the economic nerve centre of the

By Festus Ahon

A

N-DELTA ATTACKS: Buhari tasked on dialogue with

By Fredrick Okopie

Oguma donates computers to DELSU, asks students to shun violence

country. We are deprived of eating the good of our land.

“Anyone who echoes his voice against the oppressors is either

jail, silenced or killed such as Isaac Adaka Boro and Ken Saro Wiwa among others. We as Christian leaders appeal to the

Niger Delta Avengers to stop the vandalization now, because it affects us and it scares away international investors and ruins our economy.”

Family gives village 30 days to quit property COURT RULING:

S

By Godwin Oghre

APELE—FOLLOWING a recent Delta State High Court sitting in Sapele judgment in suit by Chief Mukoro Mowoe and Akpoisi families, both in Okirighwre-Sapele, in which the court adjudged a parcel of land known as Okufuoma village in Okirighwre-Sapele, measuring 50.952 hectares, in favour of the

Mowoes, the latter has issued a 30-day notice to occupants of the said property, within which to quit.

The notice by counsel to the family, F. Agboroh, said: “The ownership of the Okufuoma land by our client (Mowoe family) has been unsuccessfully challenged by so many people through various suits. In the last case,

judgment was delivered in favour of our client on 26/2/2015. ‘’From the foregoing, we have our client’s instructions to formally direct you (occupants) to leave the land within 30 days from the date of the receipt of this letter. If this is not complied with, we shall be compelled to sue to recover the premises you presently occupy.”

Army warns smugglers against illegalities

By Godfrey Bivbere & Favour Elioku

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AGOS—NIGERIAN Army has warned smugglers to abandon their illegal trade or face the law, as the renewed collaboration between the security forces will ensure that they were caught and prosecuted.

Brigade Commander of the 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General, Bulama Biu, who disclosed this in Lagos at the completion of a four-week training for 64 Customs officers, said that the collaboration among security agencies in the country will make it difficult for

smugglers to operate.

Biu explained that the collaboration between the Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Airforce and the police will lead to better coordination of operations against smugglers from the land, sea and air when called upon by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. The army chief charged the trainees to put the new skills acquired into use to ensure that the Customs fulfils its responsibilities to the goverment and people.

He assured the management of the Customs of continued support from the army in the

fight against smuggling in the country.

In the same vein, Comptroller General of NCS, Hameed Ali, who was represented at the event by the Coordinator in charge of zone “A”, Assistant Comptroller General, ACG, Charles Edike, said that the training of the officers was one of several efforts being undertaken by the army as a result of the collaboration that existed between both bodies.

The Customs boss said that the officersweretrainedinanti-smuggling patrol, weapon handling, armoury management and both physical and mental fitness.

SABA—MANAGING Director of Obakpor Engineering Limited, Olorogun John Oguma, has donated 20 sets of brand new HP computers to the Law Faculty of the Delta State University, Oleh Campus.

Making the donation during the commissioning of the Law Faculty complex by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Oguma said that the donation was his contribution to the advancement of education in the state.

Noting that the governor was committed to the overall development of the state, he said the gesture was in support and appreciation of the good works the governor was doing in the state.

He insisted that government alone cannot address all the needs of the people, calling on well meaning individuals and organisations to partner government in its development effort.

Urging the students to take advantage of the conducive learning environment being provided by government to study hard to secure a better future, Oguma appealed to both students and management of the school to put the computers into good use.

Appealing to the students to shun all forms of violence on campus, he stressed the need for all Deltans to assist government and security agencies in keeping peace in the state.

ICAN appoints Delta monarch as Patron

By Godwin Oghre

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GHARA—THE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, Warri and District Society, has appointed Delta monarch, HRM, Noble Eshemitan, Orefe III, the Ovie of Oghara, Delta State as its first Patron.

Handling its instrument of appointment to the monarch in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, its Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Aforigho, said: “This king is the first traditional ruler in the country to be so honoured by this body.”

The monarch, a Fellow of ICAN, promised to discharge his duties “in accordance with the ethics of the accounting profession,” adding “I will not disappoint the body.”

34—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Enugu Massacre: Nimbo community sues for N17bn compensation

LG boss to declare war against touts in revenue collection

By Francis Igata

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MUAHIA—THE new transition committee chairman for Umuahia North Local Government, Chief Okezie Ezeigbo said he would declare total war against touting in his council, just as he warned all illegal revenue collectors to stay clear of the council.

Ezeigbo said he would work hard to expand the revenue base of the council to enable him provide amenities to the people.

Speaking in his office, shortly after resuming, Ezeigbo explained that with an increased revenue base, he would explore the opportunity of setting up cottage industries in the council so as to provide jobs for the people.

According to him, he would explore the possibilities of setting up large scale poultry and sachet water company which would engage the youths.

NUGU—FOLLOWING the slaughter of 11 natives of Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu last Aprilby Fulani herdsmen, the Federal Government has been asked for a N17 billion compensation for the losses incurred during the invasion of the community.

They also asked Enugu State government to build a traumatic centre or hospital to rehabilitate the people of the community, saying herdsmen have constantly attacked the area for over two decades.

While testifying Tuesday at the 17-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by Enugu State government on the recent attack by herdsmen, the traditional ruler of the community, Chief John Akor, said his people need adequate protection.

Speaking on how the N17 billion compensation would be shared, he said: “My community demands that N5 billion is paid as compensation for the loss of lives and permanent deformity; N2 billion for the women who were raped and abused and N10 billion for economic losses.”

Akor said 11 persons died

during the attack while several others were injured.

“The evidence of deaths recorded during the incursion stands at 11. The economy of our community has been ruined. Part of our prayer is for a combined team of police, DSS and the military to investigate why the invasion was not contained in

spite of prior information to the effect.

“We equally request the Federal Government to establish security presence in Nimbo, being a border community,” he said.

Akor said he did not collect any form of gratification from the herdsmen to allow them graze in the community, adding that the

SON raids Imo markets, closes 12 shops

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—OFFICIALS of the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, yesterday stormed some markets in Owerri and it’s environs, with a view to mopping up substandard goods displayed for sale to unsuspecting citizens.

The operation lasted for several hours, when the officials discovered that the market was flooded with suspected

substandard iron rods, even as they took samples of iron rods from 12 closed shops.

Explaining the reason behind the raid and locking up of some shops at the Owerri Building Materials Market, Naze, Owerri North local council area of Imo State, the South East Regional Coordinator of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mr. Charles Emeka Nwagbara, disclosed that the exercise was a Federal Government directive to rid the market of substandard iron rods.

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N A bid to alleviate the plight of the internally displaced persons, IDPs, the Oasis Association will conduct tests and counsel about 200,000 people in Nigeria on various diseases and conditions.

Air Vice Marshal Olufemi Soewu (retd), President of the Oasis Association disclosed this at the their Annual General Meeting at Gasterof Restaurant, Grailland, while noting that there

are over three million unofficial IDPs in the country.

According to Soewu, the 2016 outreach programme of the association will be in the health sector in collaboration with Rotary Club in September this year and will effectively sensitize, mobilize and engage the community to ensure significant participation in HIV Counselling and Testing. HCT. “We had a health outreach in 2014 and it was very revealing.

A lot of people were not even

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has charged members of the newly reconstituted State Board of

Internal Revenue to raise their performance bar and develop strategies that would achieve substantial increase in the internally generated revenue in the state.

Ugwuanyi who made the

aware that they had diseases.

We had the health outreach in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research.

That gave us the impetus in doing it again this year.

“Last year and currently, the issue of IDPs was a major concern in the whole country.

We reached out to IDPs of Borno state. We decided to go back to healthcare. Because of the economic hardship, a lot of people are not well-fed and cannot afford medical check-up.

“Before we embarked on the IDPs project, data research showed that officially, Nigeria will have about one million IDPs, but unofficially, there could be close to three million, if not more.

We gave out 100 mattresses and the liaison officer of Borno IDPs considered our little effort great.

“She said that 10 people can sleep on one mattress. So I should never think that what we did was little. So, you can imagine the amount of people that would have benefited from the little effort."

his appears to be one of those policy inconsistencies of government.

Can't JAMB registrar announce to Nigerians that with effect from next academic session post-UTME would be phased out to avoid taking parents and students unawares? -Mr. Stanley Olisa, Graduate

charge during the formal inauguration of the reconstituted Board, noted that the Internal Revenue Service in the state was crucial to the economic wellbeing of the government to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state, especially “in these days of severe national economic depression that is threatening the solvency of government at all levels” The governor also charged the Board, which has a seasoned banker, financial expert and luxury real estate operator, Mr. Chukwuemeka Anthony Odo as Chairman, to ensure the effective collection of all the revenue accruable to the government as well as checkmate all avenues of leakages and wastages in the process.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08051019450) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

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“Apart from carrying out Federal Government directive, the raid is sequel to the incessant collapse of buildings all over the country, largely caused by the use of substandard building materials. This is therefore an effort to get rid of substandard products in the markets”, Nwagbara said.

He also explained that the exercise, which was taking place simultaneously in the 36 states and Abuja, was to sensitize the people on the need to be very careful when buying iron rods.

IGR: Ugwuanyi repositions to boost generation

Over 3m unofficial IDPs in the country- Soewu Dotun Ibiwoye

economy of the community had been greatly affected due to the activities of herdsmen.

Also testifying, the President General of Nimbo Town Union, Mr. Ekere Matthias, said the community had coexisted peacefully with the herdsmen for over 30 years.

On FG’s scrapping of post-UTME

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nough of all this policy reversals and inconsistencies, tomorrow another administration will reintroduce the post-UTME and people will be taken aback.

One step forward and ten steps backward is the movement of a confused nation. -Miss Ikeri Zinny, Model

R

ather than mere cosmetic surgery of scrapping post-UTME, the FG if it is really desirous of reforming the education section, especially, tertiary education, should embark on a total overhaul of the system by scrapping JAMB. Mrs. Assumpta Ebere, Businesswoman

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hat is the difference, either you adopt UTME or continue with the post-UTME. The interview and oral test will breed more corruption than as obtained. Most qualified students will be edged out through corruption. -Mr. Peter Omelazu, Worker

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crapping post-UTME is good. Mr. minister, don’t succumb to pressure because the beneficiaries of it will come with different reasons this scrapping will not hold. They may come up with another name to continue the fraud. -Miss Tracy Karo, Self-Employed

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his scrapping is very welcome provided there would be a monitoring taskforce/team to ensure that universities don’t illegally exploit helpless students/parents by collecting money from them before admission. -Miss Amanda Nwoye, Broadcaster

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 — 35

APC panel summons Bello over alleged anti-party activities …Gov says Melaye, others driven by personal interest …As court stops 5-man House members from legislative duties

By Henry Umoru, Ikechukwu Nnochiri & Boluwaji Obahopo

By Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

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B U J A — FOLLOWING alleged anti-party activities against Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, a panel set up by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, has summoned the governor to appear before it on Monday, June 20, at the party secretariat in Lokoja.

According to the committee, the letter of invitation was in pursuant to Article 21 of the constitution of the party.

In the letter by its Chairman, Senator Dino Melaye and its Secretary, Mr. S.T. Adejo, APC said Bello was invited to appear before the meeting in relation to allegations of anti-party activities against him, which it claimed had brought huge embarrassment to the party.

The governor was also accused of creating parallel party organs, sowing seed of discord, flouting court orders and also using soldiers to invade the state house of assembly complex among others.

The letter read among others,: “Pursuant to series of reports received from various Local Government Areas in Kogi State, the party in the exercise of her power as contained in Article 13.7 (v) of the Party’s Constitution, the State Executive Committee under the auspices of the State Party Chairman, summoned a meeting of the State Executive Committee of the party, to consider reports from Local Government Area Chapters, and take such decisions that are necessary to protect, advance and consolidate the gains and interest of the party within the state, resolved to invite you to explain before a factfinding disciplinary committee on the following allegations, pursuant to Article 21 of the Party Constitution:

Bello's reaction

Reacting through his Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Awwal Imam, the Governor berated some APC stakeholders from the state calling for his probe over alleged anti-party activities.

According to him, “Melaye’s grudges started

KEDC laments vandalism of power installation

VISIT: From left; Senator Olamilekan Adeola; Senator Babajide Omoworare; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Managing Director, Volkswagen Nigeria, Mr Tokunbo Aromolaran; Senator Jeremiah Useni and Senator Ali Wakili during the visit of Volkswagen Nigeria's team to the National Assembly on Wednesday. when he (Melaiye) asked other members of the party.'' made the order following favour on May 19. the governor to allow him Meanwhile, the Federal complaint by counsel to the Ruling, Justice produce all local High Court in Abuja, reinstated lawmakers, Mr. Dimgba ordered government caretakers from yesterday restrained the Emeka Etiaba, SAN, who parties in the suit to the district, which the warring factions in the Kogi told the court that his clients stay away from the governor refused. This House of Assembly from had not been allowed House of Assembly action of the APC conducting legislative access into the House, pending the stakeholders in Abuja is duties pending despite the judgment that determination of never a surprise to us determination of an was delivered in their the case. because their interest is how application challenging the they will corner all the judgment that voided the political appointments to impeachment of the themselves without Speaker and others. considering the interest of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba

N23BN POLL SCAM: EFCC grills Amb Adamu ...Signs detention warrant for Ngilari over fund

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—IN its quest to recover the N450 million said to have been given to Adamawa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to influence the outcome of last year ’s presidential election, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC yesterday quizzed the former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, for hours.

Adamu’s name appeared as a co-signatory to the collection of the state’s share from officials of Fidelity Bank, but he denied any knowledge of how the money was eventually shared, saying it was done at Government House, Yola.

A team of investigators handling the campaign slush fund interrogated the elder statesman who arrived EFCC’s Zonal Office in Gombe around 9.30 am, and was grilled for several hours before he was allowed to return home.

Adamu was abroad when his name appeared as cosignatory to the collection of the share of Adamawa State from Fidelity bank.

He admitted his involvement at that level but said the money was taken to Government House in a bullion van by the officials of the bank.

Adamu added that the Chief of Staff to the Acting Governor, Mr. James Ngilari, Alhaji Hamman, and Accountant to Government House, Mrs. Aisha Waziri, counted the money and confirmed the figure.

According to him, the duo became custodians of the fund, based on the directive of their boss, the governor.

Meanwhile, Ngilari, who also was at the commission’s office, denied authorizing his former aides to take custody of the fund. At the time of this report, a detention order had been signed and most likely, he would spend the night in EFCC custody.

ADUNA Electricity Distribution Company, KEDC, has decried increasing cases of vandalism on power installation in Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.

According to the Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, “Available statistics reveals that more than 20 cases of vandalism and theft of incomer cables, cross arms, HT poles, transformer oil, pot insulators, aluminum conductors and other equipment were recorded by the company this year. The resurgence of the vandalism of power supply installations in our franchise area. These criminals specialize in destroying and removing armored cables from our distribution sub-stations.

KEDC who called on the general public to be more vigilant and apprehend anybody caught tampering with, or removing any item from a power transformer.”

36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

VISIT: From left, Mr Bolu Obawole, Kaduna Breweries Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, MD/CEO, Nigerian Breweries Plc; and Chief Kola Jamodu, Chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during a courtesy visit by NB Plc to the governor, in Kaduna, yesterday.

FORUM: From left, David Venn, Chief Executive Officer, Spectranet 4G LTE; Anaekwe Obumneme, CEO, Fibre Path Ltd; Pankaj Manan, Head of Sales, Spectranet and Mike Ogor, Head of Marketing, during Spectranet Dealers’ Forum, in Lagos.

UNVEILING: From left, Vice President, South, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Dr Bartholomew Brai; Marketing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Girish Sharma; Assistant Director, Standard Organization of Nigeria, Fred Akingbesote, and Group Public Relations and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr Tope Ashiwaju, at the unveiling of the new Indomie bellefull noodles, in Lagos.

LAUNCHING: From left, Prof Muyiwa Sanda, Chairman of the occasion; Baale of Ekotedo, Chief Taiye Ayorinde; Father of the day, Chief Bode Amoo; author of the book, Chief Gbade Sanda; Princess Ayooluwa Osunfisan and former Commissioner for Information, Oyo State, Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun, during the launch of a book "YOU ARE ONCE YOUNG" written by Gbade Sanda, in Ibadan.

VISIT: From left, Mr. Tim Akano, Vice Chairman, Winigroup; Mrs. Chika Balogun, Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), during a courtesy call by NIHOTOUR and WiniGroup to the JAMB Registrar, in Abuja.

INAUGURATION: From left, Head, Retail Marketing, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Ekwere Ekpenyong; Forte Oil dealer, Rotimi Olowo; Managing Director, Forte Upstream Services, Mr. Seye Alabi and General Manager, Operations, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Tunji Rabiu, during the inauguration of Forte Oil Iwaya Road retail station in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

INDUCTION: From lef, Regional Sales Manager, Middlebelt, Unilever PRESENTATION: From left, Suraju Adekunbi, Speaker, Ogun State House Nigeria Plc, David Ebah; Principal, Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa, of Assembly; Bez Idakhula, Glo Ambassador; a winner of N100,000, Ukachi Juliana with her daughter, Anabel, and husband, Chidozie; and Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, at the presentation of prizes to the first set of winners in the Glo Hamma Millions promo, in Lagos.

C M Y K

Abuja, Aderinto Margaret; Vice Principal, Academics, Bello Ajekunle; Project Manager, Knorr Force For Good, Titi Ajagbe and Home Management Teacher, Bilikisu Ibrahim, during the induction ceremony of the Knorr Social Mission in Government Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—37

UGBAJA

WALIHIS

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eunice Ugbaja, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eunice Omife. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Balogun Salami Walihis, now wish to be known and addressed as Balogun Salami Wahidi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

LULAR

EKENE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akuirene Uliyemi Lular, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpara Uliyemi .L. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Ekene Augustine Amadi and Ekene Amadi is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Ekene Augustine Amadi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKAFOR

FRANCIS

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Okafor Patience Uchechi and Okerafor Patience is one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Okerafor Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Francis Omejevwe Ewherido and Francis Jevwe Ewherido is one and same person.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OK ODEVU OKODEVU

ILONA

EKE

OHAI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ilona Maryjane Ifeyinwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okeke Maryjane Ifeyinwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Nkeiruka Janet Eke, now wish to be known and addressed as Nkeiruka Janet Onyewuenyi.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mary Ngozi Ohai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mary Ngozi Adegunloye.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OK OR O OKOR ORO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sylvia Chika Okoro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sylvia Chika Kanu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAD AYIN ADA

EKWUEME

We, formerly known and addressed as Femi Fadayin, Fadayin Agnes Ektous, Fadayin Folaranmi Gloria, Fadayin Emmanuela Ayomide, Fadayin Sophia Darasimi, and Fadayin Isaac Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwafemi Fadayin Femi, Oluwafemi Agnes Ektous, Oluwafemi Folaranmi Gloria, Oluwafemi Emmanuela Ayomide, Oluwafemi Sophia Darasimi, and Oluwafemi Isaac Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OK ONKW O OKONKW ONKWO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkeiruka Rita Ekwueme, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkeiruka Rita Okolie.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss E m m a n u e l l a Okonkwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emmanuella Okoye.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Uchenna Orieke Amogu, now wish to be known and addressed as Amogu Uchenna Dickson. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDOKWU

BENAIAH

EKWULUGO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Udokwu Chioma Chizoba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwubuya Chioma Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Benaiah Rebecca now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obukohwo Rebecca.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekwulugo Nwogo Ernestina now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. N w e n e m O g o c h u k w u Ernestina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ESE

ABIYE

CLEMENT

BASSEY

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okodevu Constance Uyono now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emurohwareho Constance Uyono. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLUWAFEMI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwafemi Naomi Temitope now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Temitope Naomi Udoh.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ederhehwevwe Ese now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojaide Ese Judith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Armstrong Abigail Abiye now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emmanuel Armstrong Abigail. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known as Miss Nathaniel Clement Happiness, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Henry Cherish Happiness. All former documents with the previous name remain valid. General Public please take note.

I, formerly known as Miss Bridget Nyong Bassey, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bridget Uduak Ekpeowo. All former documents with the previous name remain valid. General Public please take note.

KADIRI

ORIEKE

ABELE

AWOJI

NWADINIGWE

OGUNDEJI

ILOZUE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kadiri Aishatu Deborah, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ogun Aisha Deborah.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abele Onome Eseoghene , now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Eribo Onome Eseoghene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vivian Chimezie Awoji, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Vivian Chimezie Okonkwo-Eje. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Nwadinigwe Sandra Chukwugozie, now wish to be addressed as Unegbu Sandra Chukwugozie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Olubusayo Olateju Ogundeji, now wish to be addressed as Olubusayo Olateju Ifabumuyi. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission and general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ilozue Uzoamaka Anastesia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Blessed Udoh Uzoamaka Anastesia. All former documents remain valid.

National Film and Video Censor Board and general public please take note.

OBUM

OYEB ANJO YEBANJO

RASAQ

GIWA

CHIKWENDU

EBISIKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obum Elizabeth Amara, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Madu Elizabeth Glory Amara. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyebanjo Oluwakemi Damisola, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Odole Oluwakemi Damisola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Correction of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Adeleke Ajayi Rasaq, now wish to be addressed as Adeleke Ajayi Rasaki.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwadamilola Akinduro Giwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwadamilola Adenike Akinduro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chikwendu Udodirim Christiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwunali Felix Udodirim Christiana.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Ebisike Izuchukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Ebisike Izuchukwu Irenus. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME DURU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Duru Ogechi Precious, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Donald-Ihesiene Precious Ogechi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ALLAH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Allah Abia Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esther Chioma Nonyelu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MAJOMI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Yugbovwre Majomi Bojero, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bojero Yugbovwre Asina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SOLOMON I, formerly known and addressed as Stella Solomon Ebhohimen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Solomon Azikiwe (Nee Ebhohimen).

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWANNA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwanna Gloria Chidinma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kalu Gloria Chidinma.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOJO I, formerly known and addressed as Jojo Allwell, now wish to be known and addressed as Adagba Ojor Allwell. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGBEBOR I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbebor Evelyn, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Momoh-Levis Evelyn.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AMADI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lucy Chinyere Amadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lucy Chinyere Nwanna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IFIANYI I, formerly known and addressed as Raphael Ifianyi Nosike, now wish to be known and addressed as Raphael Ndulaka Nosike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORITSUWA Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that Elizabeth Oritsuwa and Elizabeth Eloho Oritsuwa is one and same person.

Henceforth wish to be known as Elizabeth Eloho Oritsuwa. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank, Ecobank Plc and general public please take note.

RAMONI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ramoni Iyabo Ganiyat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abdwasii Ganiyat Iyabo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSEGHALE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oseghale Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Oseghale Oamen.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOHNSON I, formerly known and addressed as Johnson Judith, now wish to be known and addressed as Uzomah Judith Ogechi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGHENEDE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Margaret Onoyovwiri Oghenede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Margaret Diamond Koyor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ELOAGU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Ogechi Eloagu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Ogechi Chinonso Anaebonam.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAYUWAME I, former Miss Osayuwame OsatoAideyan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs O s a y u w a m e Robinson-Agboiyi.

All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

USIADI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Usiadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Akpahwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADETIMEHIN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adetimehin Blessing Queen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fatoyinbo Blessing Queen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

WALTER I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Asuodam Walter, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Asuodam Walter Ahmed.All former documents remain valid. General please take note.

EGBUNNE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gloria John Egbune, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Egbune. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

GBADEBO

UDOH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Comfort Matthew Udoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Comfort E. Oka Ewah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ENEHUWA

UMEGBU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Ifeoma Umegbu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Victoria Ifeoma Ezeoka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGWUAGU

I, formerly known as Miss Gbadebo O m o s h a l e w a Aderonke, now wish to be known as Mrs Omitade Omoshalewa Aderonke. All former documents remain valid. General public and NYSC, please note.

I, former Miss AbdulMalik Enehuwa Mariam, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. AbdulJelil E. S. Mariam. All former documents remain valid. General public and NYSC, please note.

ONOITA

EGWEBE

I, formerly known and addressed as Onoita Randol Nkponiwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Onoita Randol Ajerukuyoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iroroghene Jane Egwebe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iroroghene Jane Gabriel Ohain. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ogunleye Samuel Kolawole, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwaleye Samuel Kolawole. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OPARAUGO

NWACHI

OKPA

I, formerly known and addressed as miss Oparaugo Chiagozie Obum now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ogbu Chiagozie Obum , all former documents remain valid.

I. M. T Enugu state ,A.I.F.C.E. Association of Certified chartered Accountant and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwachi Chinwendu Prisca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Esonwanne Chinwendu Prisca. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okpa Charity Echiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amadike Charity Echiana. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BLESSING

EBIANGA

ATIMISE

I, formerly known and addressed as Kaisa Precious Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Kasia Precious Akpughe. All former documents remain vaild. General public please take note.

I, Ebianga Tuke Ezonb Timiyami do hereby confirm that the names Ebianga Tuke and Ezonb Timiyami refers to one and same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Ebianga Tuke Ezonb Timiyami. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank PLC and general public please take note.

I, Atimise Maxwell Ayebakuro do hereby confirm that the name Atimise Maxwell Godspower refers to one and same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Atimise Maxwell Ayebakuro. All former documents remain valid. Brass Local Government Area and general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Vivian Adaeze Egwuagu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Vivian Adaeze Ani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGUNLEYE

OMAWUMI

DAFE

NSING

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Judith Adaobi Onugbolu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Judith Adaobi Onwumere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Emmanuel Omawumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Onoriode Egosue. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name I, Alexander Ejeroghene Dafe hereby state that the names Alexander Ejeroghene Dafe, Alex Isaac Dafe and Alexander Isaac Dafe refer to one and same me. I now wish to be known and addressed as Alexander Ejeroghene Dafe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nsing Mfah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agbe Fabian Mfah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

RUKEVWE

OMOSODOWA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rukevwe Onojighofia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rukevwe Onojighofia Sagen. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Regina Gberevbie Omosodowa and Omosodowa Igbinoba now wish to be known and addressed as Omosodowa Igbinoba Regina Gberevbie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONUGBOLU

OLADAPO I, formerly known and addressed as William Emmanuel, now wish to be known and addressed as Williams Emmanuel Oladapo.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKEHI I formerly known and addressed as Okehi Victoria Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ilochonwu Victoria Ngozi. All former Documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016—39

CHANGE OF NAME LANIPEKUN

OGEDEGBE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Chidiogo Angel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Romaine Chidiogo Angel. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lanipekun Imoleayo Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Eshiet Imoleayo Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogedegbe Omone Susan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Ijiekhuamhen Omone Susan. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

OL OK O OLOK OKO

OLUWAFEMI

DESTINY

FRANCIS

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ochulor Glory Chinonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Eguzoro Glory Chinonye. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oloko Ibiso Lawman, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edrah Ibiso Vera. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EkoOwiroro Stephen Oluwafemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Stephen Oluwafemi-Eko Osabuase. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

Reconciliation of Name That the name Odagwe Destiny Azuka and Odagwe Azuka Destiny refer to one and the same person – me. I opened my savings account with ECOBANK with the name Odagwe Destiny Azuka, while in another account also with ECOBANK with the name Odagwe Azuka Destiny. The general public and to whom it may concern to please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names Maureen Enuma Francis, Maureen Onojaefe and Maureen Onyeka Onojaefe, belong to one and the same person – me. All former

QUEEN

OK ONKW O OKONKW ONKWO

AGB AVWE GBA

OLISEMEKE

MALIKI

AIKPONOR

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names, Queen Elizabeth Oritseweyinmi Umukoro, Queen Elizabeth Oritseweyinmi, Umukoro Queen E., Queen E.O. Umukoro (Dcns), Deaconess O. Umukoro And Umukoro Queen E. belongs to one and the same person – me, but I will like to remain known as Queen Elizabeth Oritseweyinmi Umukoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known, addressed and called as Miss Okonkwo Adiba Stephanie, now wished to be known, addressed and called as Mrs. Etumudon Adiba Stephanie. All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

I, formerly known, addressed and called as Agbavwe Mark Ese, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogheneovo Mark Ese. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olisemeke Uche Augustina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Osiatuma Uche Augustina. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Maliki Joy Ayoasiegbe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogoke Chukwuma Joy Ayoasiegbe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aikponor Akhere Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adah Akhere Kehinde.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ENEH

EDEH

OK ONKW OR OKONKW ONKWOR

ADODO

OLUWASEYI

OSHIOKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eneh Blessing Chizoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwafor Blessing Chizoba. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edeh Joy Nneamaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ehiedu Joy Nneamaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwor Onyeisi Jennifer, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Treasure Onyeisi Okoro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adodo Orighomisan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O r i g h o m i s a n Omatsone. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwaseyi Grace Olukahunsi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwaseyi Grace Fadaka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names Abdulkadir Hibet and Abdulkadir Hibatullah Oshioke refer to one and the same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Abdulkadir Abdulkarim Hibatullah Oshioke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KOYOYO

EDOGA

TAB ANSI ABANSI

UJUNWA

IGBENU

ELUKHU

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names Prince Koyoyo Uhrorho, Prince Uhrorho and Prince Koyoyo Uhrorho Avwomakpotor refer to one and the same person, but now wish to be known and addressed as Prince Uhrorho. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Edoga Blessing Chinonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpe Blessing Chinonye. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

I, formerly known and and addressed as Prince Iyke Reuben Tabansi wish to inform the public that Prince Iyke Reuben Tabansi and Prince Ikechukwu Reuben Tabansi are one and same person.

All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eziamaka Catherine Ujunwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifedigbo Catherine Ujunwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Igbenu Ogechi Prince, now wish to be known and addressed as Igbenu Ogechi Maria. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Elukhu Edith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oni-Ero Edith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FAJOBI

UZOMA

IKUME

EDUZALA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fajobi Esther Oyelola now wish to be known and addressed Mrs. Agu Sunday Esther Oyelola.

All documents bearing former names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mbaocha Uzoma Queen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oriaku Uzoma Queen. All documents bearing former names remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Franca Ikume, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Franca Oghenerume.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names Blessing Eduzala Aimayo, Eduzala Aimayo Iyangbe, and Aimayo Blessing refer to one and the same person.nd addressed as Prince Uhrorho. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

AYEY OMI YEYOMI

PAULA

OGWU

EKA

OK ORIE OKORIE

NWANKWO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Destiny Onyemazuwa Ogwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Destiny Onyemazuwa Ossai.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Eka Bassey Owolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Sifon Bassey. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorie Nneamaka Royal, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akpaka Nneamaka Royal. All former documents remain valid. Frist Bank, Diamond Bank general public please takes note.

BILL Y BILLY

OCHULOR

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Billy Idongesit Enoabasi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs.Idongesit Ime Christopher.

All former documents remain valid. The general public please takes note.

AKABUEZE We, formerly known and addressed as Chukwujekpe Ibeh Akabueze family: Mr Chukwujekpe Ibeh kabueze, Mrs. Elizabeth Uchenna Akabueze, Miss Onyinyechi Mary Akabueze, Miss Ukamaka Juliet Akabueze, Echezona Leonard Akabueze and David Odinakachukwu Akabueze, now wish to be known and addressed as Chukwujekpe Ibeh family: Mr Chukwujekpe Ibeh, Mrs. Elizabeth Uchenna Ibeh, Miss Onyinyechi Mary Ibeh, Miss Ukamaka Juliet Ibeh, Echezona Leonard Ibeh and David Odinakachukwu Ibeh. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OKP ALA OKPALA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okpala Ukamaka Jacinta Anastasia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Madumelu Ukamaka Jacinta Anastasia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EHIAGUINA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ehiaguina Omonigho Brenda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Inedegbor Omonigho Brenda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayeyomi Patience, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ududah Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Paula Olufunke ShittaBey, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Paula Olufunke Omolara Adedoyin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANY A ANYA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anya Abigail Udodirim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Anyaso Abigail Udodirim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

documents remain valid. The general public and to whom it may concern to please take note.

UMUNADI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Umunadi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Chukwu Umunadi Blessing O.E. all former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME ETUETUE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Etuetue Eguono Benedicta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onaiwu Eguono Benedicta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SALAU

UDOH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joyce Godwin Udoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Joyce Godwin Awah.

All former documents remain valid. NNPC Retail and the general public please take note.

EGOYUN

MUSA I, formerly known and addressed as Adam Maryam Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Alhassan Maryam Salisu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CATHERINE

OMORINOI, formerly LAknown and

addressed as Miss Omorinola Maria Orungbamila, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Omorinola Maria Peters. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank and general public please take note.

AGESERE

SERA

I, formerly known and addressed as Temidayo Sera Onadipe, now wish to be known and addressed as Onadipe Sarah Temidayo. All former documents remain valid.

Guaranty Trust Bank and general public please take note.

ARUBASA I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Ruth Aziakpono Arubasa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ruth Aziakpono Shingle. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Catherine Chiduziem Igboecheonwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Catherine Chiduziem Justus-Ikpunuekhai.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, Formerly known and addressed as Agesere Oghale Divine, now wish to be known and addressed as Onomereroso Oghale Divine. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University Abraka, Oleh Campus and general public please take note.

EGU

EDIRI

OWOBU

I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Onodjike Onajite Clara now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Idibie Onajite Clara. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Egu Sunday now wish to be known and addressed as Egu Sunday Ogbonna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to certify that Onobrakpeyan Ediri,Onobraekpeyan E n d u r a n c e , Eyovwerhuvwu Emuesiri Lyr and Eyovwerhuvwu Emuesiri Lyris is one and same person now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eyovwerhuvwu Emuesiri Lyris. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Owobu Osimennor Portia Nkem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okpoji Nkem Osimennor Portia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADDA’Ú Salisu, now wish to be known and addressed as ADDA’Ú Ibrahim.

All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Obajana and general public please take note.

ASONYE

EBIMIERE

SEABOY

OSAZE

AFFE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sandra Chinegbo May Asonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sandra Chinegbo Nwangaji Mgbeahuru.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the names Kajothan Ebimiere Marian and Duo Ebimiere belong to one and the same person, now Kajothan Ebimiere Marian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mark Seaboy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mark Ifeye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edosomwan Osaze Emily, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Osaze Emily Ogudu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Affe Edore, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Edore Watite. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that I, Salau Sakirat Oluwayemisi is also the same person as Salau Sakirat Adeparusi. I now wish to be known as Oshin Oluwayemisi Princess. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabisi Olufunto Egoyun, now wish to be known and addressed as Olabisi Olufunto Badewa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONAJITE

AFENGBAI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Cynthia Olohitare Afengbai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Cynthia Olohitare Osanebi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AWHIN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oghenefejiro Awhin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oghenefejiro Awhin Okpako. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NKIRU

AYOGU

I, formerly known and addressed as Onah Patience Nkiru, now wish to be known and addressed as Onah Patience. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayogu Faith Ogochukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Faith Ogochukwu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMEJE

RUKEVWE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omeje Lilian Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Koroye Lilian Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rukevwe Jennifer Irayomarun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Rukevwe Jennifer Joshua-Akasi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SALISU

PAUL

OJEI I, formerly known and addressed as Sheila Nneamaka Ojei, now wish to be known and addressed asnow wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Sheila Nneamaka Ojei-Udofia. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Paul Vivian Isy, now wish to be known and addressed asnow wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Eminne Vivian Isy All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

KELLY

BEBENIMIBO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Amaye Bebenimibo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Brisibe Amaye Stella.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Kelly Gagha, now wish to be known and addressed as Twemy Ghagha. All former documents remain valid. General

Cleric wants children’s education rights assured

By Etop Ekanem

A

CLERIC, Pastor Segun Idowu, has called on governments to ensure that the right of every child to qualitative education was upheld and a conducive environment provided.

He disclosed this at the presentation and launching of a book “You Are Young Only Once” written by Mr Gbade Sanda, a former Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to him, getting it right means that children would benefit from proper upbringing, qualitative education and with more commitment to the future and target goal, adding: “Once a child gets it right from childhood, the society will be better for it.”

Idowu said education was not religion, politics, cultural indoctrination, elearning or certification but a fundamental human right of every child.

He called on stakeholders in the education sector, namely parents, teachers, owners and government to play effective roles in the advance of education in the country.

He said: “Parents should protect and guide the children aright. The teachers should give adequate and quality training, while deemphasising certification in

Dosunmu for burial MRS. Mary Adetokunbo Dosunmu, nee Oniyide, is dead, aged 55. The late Mrs Dosumu until her death was an assistant comptroller, valuations at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.

She will be buried at Ebony Vaults, Ikoyi, Tuesday, after wake keep at the Vinning Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja and funeral service at the same venue on Tuesday, June 21, 2016

public please take note.

SPACE FOR SALE Late Mrs. Mary Adetokunbo Dosunmu

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016 — 41

British opposition lawmaker dies after being shot

J

O Cox, a member of the British parliament, died after being shot in northern England, UK police have said.

West Yorkshire Police said on Thursday a 52year-old man had been arrested following the incident, which prompted the suspension of campaigning for next week’s EU referendum.

One witness told the Press Association that Cox had intervened in a scuffle between two men, one of whom pulled a gun from a bag and then fired twice.

“She was taken by air ambulance from Birstall library near Leeds.

Witnesses say she was shot and stabbed and taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary,” Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Phillips, reporting from London, said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The whole of the Labour Party and Labour family - and indeed the whole country - will be in shock at the

T

•Cox horrific murder of Jo Cox today.”

“The death of Jo Cox is a tragedy. She was a committed and caring MP. My thoughts are with her husband Brendan and her two young children,” Prime

Minister David Cameron said on Twitter.

A mother of two, Cox was a leading campaigner for Britain to remain in the 28-member bloc and chaired the allparty parliamentary committee on Syria.

‘Clinton considering Warren for running mate’

H

ILLARY Clinton is considering U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for her running mate for the Democratic presidential ticket, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing several people familiar with the process.

Warren, a leading

progressive voice among Democrats, is among those Democratic presidential candidate Clinton is vetting for the vice presidential position, the newspaper reported. Clinton’s rival Bernie Sanders is not, it added.

Sources told Reuters

earlier this month that Warren, who represents Massachusetts, is considering the potential role.

Representatives for Clinton, Sanders and Warren did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the report.

ISIS formidable despite setbacks, CIA warns

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HE Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) remains “formidable” and “resilient” despite efforts to defeat it militarily, the director of the CIA has warned, adding that the group has tens of thousands of fighters around the world - far more than al-Qaeda had at its height.

John Brennan told the US Senate intelligence committee on Thursday that ISIL was losing ground in Syria and Iraq but the group retained its ability to conduct attacks around the world.

“Unfortunately, despite all our progress against ISIL on the battlefield and in the financial realm, our efforts have not reduced

the group’s terrorism capability and global reach,” he said.

“In fact, as the pressure mounts on ISIL, we judge that it will intensify its global terror campaign to maintain its dominance of the global terrorism agenda.”

Brennan said that ISIL

has a “large cadre of Western fighters who could potentially serve as operatives for attacks in the West”.

His comments came a few days after an attack at a gay nightclub in the US city of Orlando left 49 people dead - the worst mass shooting in US history.

....UN says group committing genocide against Yazidis

U

N human rights investigators have for the first time accused socalled Islamic State of committing genocide against Yazidis in Iraq and Syria. A report says IS has subjected members of the religious group it has captured to the “most horrific of atrocities”, killing or enslaving thousands.

The group’s aim is to completely erase the Yazidi way of life, it warns.

The report says major powers should do more to help the Yazidis, at least 3,200 of whom are being held

by IS. IS, a Sunni jihadist group, regards Yazidis as devil-worshippers who may be killed or enslaved with impunity.

Body of boy seized by alligator found

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OLICE searching for a young boy seized by an alligator at Walt Disney World in Florida have recovered a body.

Divers found a body “intact” that they believe to be the two-year-old, who was dragged into the water on Tuesday evening

EGYPTAIR: Voice recorder of crashed plane found

in front of his family.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said the missing boy’s name was Lane Graves from Nebraska.

After the attack, five alligators were seized and killed in an attempt to find the boy’s remains.

The body found in the water has yet to be formally identified but police are confident it is Lane’s.

Earlier on Wednesday, police said there was “no question” the boy was dead.

HE cockpit voice recorder from the EgyptAir plane that crashed last month has been found in the Mediterranean, Egyptian investigators say.

The “black box” was damaged and had to be pulled out in several stages but its memory unit was intact, they said.

A search vessel with an underwater robot has been scouring the crash site and has sent back images of wreckage.

Flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo crashed on 19 May, killing all 66 people on board.

It is not clear yet what caused the aircraft to go down.

In a statement, investigators said: “The vessel’s equipment was able to salvage the part [of the recorder] that contains the memory unit, which is

considered the most important part of the recording device.”

The recorder will now be taken to the Egyptian city of Alexandria to be studied.

The plane’s manufacturer, Airbus, previously said that finding the black boxes was crucial to understanding what happened when radar lost track of MS804.

Electronic messages sent

Facebook founder makes first major investment in Africa

F

ACEBOOK Inc founder Mark Z u c k e r b e r g ’ s philanthropy venture has made its first major investment, leading a funding round in a startup that trains and recruits software developers in Africa.

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative LLC, created by

Ugandan soldier shoots seven dead in Kampala barracks

A

Ugandan soldier has killed seven people, including three children, in a shooting spree at a military police barracks in the capital, Kampala.

The soldier, Sgt Isaac Obua, was then shot dead himself.

Military police spokesman Maj Edward Birungi said Sgt Obua had had a dispute with his wife.

He is reported to have got drunk and then started shooting while searching for his wife, who managed to escape.

As well as the three children, Sgt Obua killed a female soldier and three soldiers’ wives. Two others are said to be injured during the shooting at Makindye barracks in the south of Kampala.

India marks YOGA day

By Vera Anyagafu & Prince Okafor

by the plane revealed that smoke detectors went off in the toilet and the aircraft’s electrics, minutes before the radar signal was lost.

According to Greek investigators, the plane turned 90 degrees left and then 360 degrees to the right, dropping from 11,300m (37,000ft) to 4,600m (15,000ft) and then 3,000m (10,000ft) before it was lost from radar.

Army spokesperson Lt Col Paddy Anku n d a tweeted “Sgt Obua... has just gone bonkers killed seven people”.

He then tweeted: “We are all mourning.”

Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, led a $24 million Series B funding in Andela, the startup said on Thursday.

Alphabet Inc’s GV, previously known as Google Ventures, was also part of the funding round.

Andela selects the top 1 percent of tech talent from Africa, trains them and places them in e n g i n e e r i n g organizations.

The startup, which has nearly 200 engineers currently employed by its Nigeria and Kenya offices, will use the funds to expand to a third African country by the end of 2016.

Niger says 34 migrants found dead in Sahara Desert

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By Faith AGBI

IGER Republic has said that bodies of 34 migrants, including 20 children, have been found in the Sahara Desert near the border with Algeria.

A statement by the government said they were found near the small desert town of Assamakka.

Interior Minister Bazoum Mohammed said it appeared they had died of thirst after being abandoned by their smuggler.

Niger lies on a major migrant route between subSaharan Africa and Europe.

Mr Mohammed said

nine of the adults were women and five were men.

He said members of the group had died between 6 and 12 June.

Two victims have been identified as Nigerian but the nationalities of the others are not yet clear.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says about 120,000 people crossed through Niger ’s arid northern Agadez region last year.

Thousands of illegal migrants have travelled to Algeria in recent years, most of them via Mali and Niger. People smugglers have largely avoided Libya since it descended into political chaos.

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HE Vice President, Indian Cultural Association, Chief Sanjay Jain has described cultural exchanges between India and Nigeria as encouraging, saying that Indian citizens in and outside Nigeria often relish Nigeria's culture.

Mr. Jain who spoke ahead of this year’s World Yoga Day celebration, which is expected to pave the way for the adoption of Yoga in daily life activities, said the event will take place at the Indian High Commission both in Lagos and Abuja, on June 19, 2016.

•Church members pray for victims of the June 1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa as they mark the 40th anniversary of the incident. ÿþThe day was a key moment in the long campaign to end South Africa’s harsh apartheid system of white-minority rule.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016—43

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44— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

Durban 2016: Ogba cries out for help

By Ben Efe

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THLETICS Federation of Nigeria president Solomon Ogba has revealed that Nigeria risks missing the African Athletics Championships in Durban, South Africa, if the athletes don’t travel on Saturday.

The championships is billed to start Wednesday June 22 and run through June 26, but as at yesterday only four athletes were sure of getting their visas. There isn’t any discussion yet about air tickets for the list of 26 athletes that have been pencilled down to represent Nigeria.

“I have just arranged for four athletes to get visas. As for the others I have no idea yet, we are just waiting. I have been working the phone to get funds but no one seem to be ready to help.

“Right now I am appealing to Nigerians to help us out. Anyone who can give or lend us money to make the trip will be highly appreciated.

“We have only Saturday left for us to make the journey, otherwise it will be too late for us,” Ogba lamented It was gathered that Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung ordered his lieutenants to source funds at all costs to get the Nigerian team to the event, but so far nothing is forth coming from the ministry and the AFN seems to have resigned to fate, unless a miracle happens this weekend.

“The competitions start on Wednesday and we have athletes coming from the US. How will they cope with the difference in time and travel arrangements?

“Right now the pressure is so much. I can only hope that we will make it to the Championships. “Otherwise it will not be very good for our image especially as we are going to host the next edition in 2018,” Ogba lamented.

W

*Hayatou

Yusuf Continues from BP 2010-11 with the Super Eagles and at the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup in Egypt.

Last month, he was in temporary charge of the country’s team for two friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg last month.

“I am through with assisting any coach because I believe I can do the job now after assisting Keshi, Oliseh and Siasia,” declared the 54year-old Yusuf, who has

FTER a minor controversy over plans for the burial of late soccer legend and coach, Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi, the first daughter, Jennifer Keshi has arrived the country from the United States to coordinate the burial plans with members of the larger Keshi family.

With the Federal Government through the Sports Ministry showing a lot of interest in the burial plans, family sources say the only controversy at the moment is whether Keshi should be buried in Benin City his adopted home or Illah, his ancestral stead. “That will easily be settled”, the source declared.

There is also a tentative burial date of July 28, that has not been totally agreed upon.

There are already indi-

Jennifer Keshi takes charge of burial plans *Says it ‘ill be all-inclusive cations that many state governments, the NFF on both sides and the Federal Government have indicated interest in the burial schedule of the man fondly styled ‘the Big Boss’. The Keshi family has already given an assurance that the burial will be all-inclusive as Keshi during his life time had no foe.

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*Ogba

2018 World Cup qualifying tournament African zone on June 21 following complaints from several of the teams.

Egypt are among the countries who have complained about the seeding which put them in Pot 2 along with Nigeria. They have argued they should be Pot 1 which is reserved for the top seeds.

According to a memo to the 20 teams in the final rounds of the qualifiers signed by FIFA received support from players and officials to be appointed the country’s next coach.

“I have a good idea of the country ’s players both at home and abroad and I believe with a group of willing experienced players and youngsters we can go on to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.” Yusuf ’s declaration comes against the background that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are reportedly in talks with three Serbian coaches in respect of the vacant Eagles top post.

al Marco Villiger, a new special ranking will be released on June 21, which is three days before the draw for the World Cup qualifiers.

The 20 teams will be drawn into five groups of four teams with the overall group winners qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The qualifiers are from October to November 2017.

MZ Sports has ob tained exclusive photos of boxer, Floyd Mayweather ’s new private jet. The jet purchased two weeks ago is the second of the wealthy boxer. “It’s a 12 passenger Gulfstream III with gold cup holders,

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HE recently held internationally acclaimed Okpekpe Road Race, which has been receiving accolades from the IAAF and other athletics bodies globally

gold sink, gold accents throughout. It has all white leather seats and a fully stocked kitchen.

He now has two jets.

Air Mayweather 1 and 2.” Floyd’s rep told TMZ The private jet is said to be worth around $35 to $40million.

has assumed a new vista with international pay TV channel, SuperSports set to beam the highlights of the event on Saturday, June 18.

The special highlights which will run from 2000-2030, that is 8pm to 8:30pm Nigerian time will feature special and the future prospects of the now IAAF certified event and should give Nigerians a special treat on how the event ran in the course of the time.

The channel for the event is SL2G on the said date.

Event initiator and organizer, Chief Mike Itemuagbor, says he is excited at the international accolades being poured on the event.

Hodgson

*Mayweather displaying his new jet.

Chelsea retain Mikel Continues from BP Omeruo spent time on loan at Turkish top-flight side Kasimpasa last season and he has since returned to Chelsea where he is touted to get a chance with new manager Antonio Conte at the helm of affairs.

Omeruo has also been rumoured to be on the radar of newly promoted Middlesbrough, who want the centre-back at the Riverside on loan after he spent time with the then Championship side two years ago.

Moses is also in the mix for the new season,

*Keshi

Okpekpe on int’l radar

Mayweather acquires second private jet worth $40million

FIFA to announce new World Cup seeds for Africa release new seeding for deputy secretary generORLD football governing body FIFA have said they will

A

but it is not certain yet if he will be part of Conte’s plans. The winger was on loan at West Ham United last season and at Liverpool the previous season.

The former Wigan ace is likely to be farmed out yet again to another club for next season as he struggles to replicate the form that saw Chelsea splash out to acquire him from Wigan Athletic.

Mikel has also been retained and may likely see out another season at Chelsea.

The Nigeria captain

has been linked with Chinese and Turkish clubs, but it remains to be seen if he will end his 10-year association with the London side or stay put for another season.

Other players with Nigerian heritage retained in the Chelsea squad include Dominic Ayodele Solanke, who played at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem last season, Ugbo Ike and Tomori Fikayo while negotiations are still ongoing with Olu Aina for a new contract.

Chelsea finished the 2015/16 in 10th place with 50 points from 38 matches.

Continues from BP 30-yard free-kick to creep in and put Wales ahead just before the interval in Lens.

Manager Roy Hodgson’s side were jeered off at the break and, with England’s campaign and arguably his future - on the line, he gambled by introducing Jamie Vardy and Sturridge for the struggling Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.

The roll of the dice worked as Vardy scrambled in an equaliser from close range after 56 minutes before constant England pressure saw Sturridge work his way into the area and poke past Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey at the near post.

England move top of Group B and need a point against Slovakia on Monday to earn automatic qualification into the last 16, while Wales must beat Russia to guarantee a top-two finish.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016—45

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46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

EURO 2016

•Bailout... Wales striker Gareth Bale kept under watch by England defender Kyle Walker.

Bale feels proud despite Wales “Obviously it is Wales currently occupy defeat massively disappointing second place behind

G

ARETH Bale insists he is “proud” of Wales despite yesterday’s chastening 2-1 defeat to England at Euro 2016.

The Real Madrid forward’s stunning free kick appeared to have ended Roy Hodgson’s side’s hopes of progression but the Three Lions came roaring back in the second half.

Substitute Jamie Vardy slammed home a scrappy goal before Daniel Sturridge netted a winner in injury time to send England to the top of Group B. Bale, who had been noticeably outspoken in the build-up to the game, was disappointed not to have seen the game out but refused to be critical of his team-mates.

but I am very proud of everybody,” he told the BBC. “We gave everything like we always do and I have said before if we go out but have given 100% then we can’t do any more.”

Pogba denies insulting second group game. journalists But after a goalless first

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AUL Pogba has denied claims that he insulted French journalists whilst celebrating Dimitri Payet’s goal in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Albania.

After a poor performance in the Euro 2016 opener against Romania, the Juventus midfielder was benched by Didier Deschamps for France’s

Northern Ireland nets historic win, beats Ukraine

G

ARETH McAuley’s 49th-minute header and Niall McGinn’s strike deep into stoppage time secured Northern Ireland’s first victory at a major tournament since the 1982 World Cup and first ever in a European Championship, as a 2-0 win over Ukraine puts the side in better position to qualify for the knockout stage. Both Ukraine and Northern Ireland lost in their opening matches of the competition, and it looked like they’d split the point after a fruit-

less first half. McAuley’s clinical header off Oliver Norwood’s long free kick broke the deadlock, though, and Northern Ireland defended resolutely to keep Ukraine scoreless through two matches.

McGinn tacked on the latest goal ever scored in regulation at a European Championship–a day after Dimitri Payet had set the mark for France–and that strike could prove to be valuable should a place at the knockout stage come down to goal differential.

Excel PH lift 18th NNPC/Shell Cup

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HE golden boys of Excel Education Centre, Port Harcourt yesterday clinched the 18th edition of the NNPC/Shell Cup beating Fosla Academy, Abuja 3-2. A whopping N8.2million was shared among the winners– N3.5m for the 1st position; N2.3m for the 2nd position; N1.3m and N1.1 for the 3rd and the 4th

England but remain well placed to secure a spot in the knock-out stages.

Chris Coleman’s side face Russia on matchday three and Bale is adamant Wales will do everything in their power to advance.

positions respectively.

Kelvin Amadi of Excel school and Joseph Ejeh of Fosla were selected by the coaching crew from Feyenoord Academy, as the two best players of the 2016 tournament and would be sponsored for a training tour to The Netherlands.

In the match played at Teslim Balogun Stadium,

half, Pogba and Antonione Griezmann, who was also dropped, were brought on to secure a victory which put the host nation into the last 16.

Pogba has been accused of using the ‘bras d’honneur ’ or ‘umbrella gesture’ in response to criticism from journalists, a claim which the midfielder has denied.

“I want to say sincerely, but very firmly, that whatever interpretation you want to take from these images, I never had any intention to make a gesture towards someone or take my revenge on anyone.

•Pogba Surulere Lagos, Joseph Tari of Excel opened scores in the 13th minute of play when he beat the Fosla defenders and the goalkeeper to lob the ball in the net. The thunderous applause from the team’s supporters was short-lived as Solomon Abraham of Fosla Academy equalised in the 14th minute. Jacob Bamaiyi shot the Excel boys back to the lead in the 33rd minute of play.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17 , 2016—47

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

I deserve Eagles job – Yusuf N

IGERIA caretaker coach Salisu Yusuf has maintained he has paid his dues to be named the country ’s coach on a permanent basis and as such he would not consider another position in the Super Eagles.

In the past one year, Yusuf, a former El Kanemi and Ranchers Bees midfielder, has assisted Stephen Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia in the Super Eagles.

He has also assisted Siasia on two other occasions – between Continues on Page 44

FIFA to announce new W/Cup seeds for Africa — Pg. 44

•Mikel

•Omeruo

•Moses

Euro 2016: Hodgson’s Chelsea retain gamble pays off Mikel, Omeruo, D

ANIEL Sturridge struck an injurytime winner as England came from behind to beat Wales and secure their first victory at Euro 2016.

England keeper Joe Hart’s dreadful blunder allowed Gareth Bale’s Continues on Page 44

Moses T

HE Premier League have announced players released and retained by their clubs for the 2016/17 season.

John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Kenneth Omeruo have all been

retained by Chelsea for next season.

The news represents a silver-lining for Moses and Omeruo, who have had different loan spells since joining the Blues.

Continues on Page 44

Results England Ukraine Germany

2 0 0

Wales N/Ireland Poland

1 2 0

Today’s matches CELEBRATION: England players jubilate after Sturridge scored the winner over Wales.

Durban 2016: Ogba cries out for help — Page 44

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

•ANGUISH: Bale

Italy Czech Rep Spain

v v v

Sweden Croatia Turkey

2pm 5pm 8pm

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Gregarious (6) 5 Scrutinise (4) 8 Sum (5) 9 Spoil (3) 10 Stove (4) 11 Huge (4) 12 Performed (5) 13 Outrage (6) 16 Expensive (4) 18 Spoken (4) 20 Wager (3) 22 Cask (3) 23 Yelp (3) 24 Prophet (4) 25 Stretched (4) 28 Determine (6) 30 Zest (5) 32 Cot (4) 33 Thought (4) 34 Entrap (3) 35 Spate (5) 36 Companion (4) 37 Purloined (6)

DOWN 1 Sign (6) 2 Happy-go-luck (8) 3 About (6) 4 Interested (9) 5 Sausage (7) 6 Clothed (4) 7 Observe (4) 8 Beverage (3) 14 Confinement (9) 15 Breach (3) 17 Sea-bird (3) 19 Reasonable (8) 20 Plead (3) 21 Worry (7) 26 Leave (6) 27 Defeated (6) 29 Dross (4) 30 Present (4) 31 Uneven (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 5, Ditch 9, Reason 10, Ousted 11, Evade 12, Acid 15, Rife 17, Modesty 20, Dad 21, Eeric 23, Idle 25, Exit 26, Tarry.

DOWN: 1, Dream 2, Rabid 3, Doe 4, Invite 5, Code 6, Hue 7, Staid 8, Added 11, Comical 14, Dealt 16, Fastest 18, Yearn 19, Vie 22, Extra 24, Ear 27, Yelped 28, Scamp 29, Dirge 31, Elite 32, Torch 34, Plea 36, Sit 37, Try.

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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