17102013a by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people

VOL. 25: NO. 61994

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

LAGOS-BENIN EXPRESSWAY: ASUU Strike: We're yet to Highway receive N100bn of horror •P. 26, 27 •P.8 from FG —VCs NATIONAL CONFAB:

Why NASS must ratify report—Senators, Reps •G7 govs, Baraje hail Jonathan's move •It’s another wasteful exercise —Masari •It’s too early to be pessimistic —Adebanjo •1.785 million voters to decide next governor•P.55

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, TONY EDIKE, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, HENRY UMORU, GBENGA OKE, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

AGOS—FEDERAL lawmakers, yesterday, gave reasons the report of the proposed na-

tional conference must pass through them to become law. They spoke as mixed views heralded President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that the outcome of the conference would be forwarded to the NaContinues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

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•P.19

Mr & Mrs

EID EL KABIR: 1.Holiday makers at the Bar Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. 2. At the Millennium Park, Abuja. 3. Children at the Fun Factory Centre, Lagos. 4. Ministry of Education Roundabout, Bauchi. 5. Celebration at Ibadan 6. Children celebrating at Maitama, Abuja. Photos: Shola Oyelese, NAN

Fitch Ratings blames Nigeria's woes on weak governance

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POCKET CARTOON

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, flanked by Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (right) and his wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, during the Eid-el-Kabir visit of the ex-President to the Governor's family house at Akin Olugbade, Abeokuta...yesterday

Why NASS must ratify report—Senators, Reps Continues from page 1 tional Assembly for consideration. While some opinion leaders and members of the National Assembly saw the comments as necessary and in tandem with legal requirements for the dialogue, others felt that the move would defeat the aim of the dialogue and amount to waste of scarce and direly needed resources. Some legislators also said the conference amounts to re-inventing the wheel because it was not different from the constitution amendment exercise they have embarked upon. This came as the Presidency is set to announce the name of an eminent citizen from the SouthEast as a replacement for Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, in the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference/Dialogue headed by Senator Femi Okurounmu. Nwabueze declined his nomination on account of ill-health and suggested Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN, a member of The Patriots, as his replacement. The Presidency quietly rejected Nwabueze’s nominee and opted for an erudite scholar, who has served in various government panels in the past to step in and boost the work of the PAC. Presidency sources told Vanguard, yesterday, that the favoured nominee has been given his letter of nomination and the announcement is expected after the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.

President in tune with Senate's posi-

tion—Abaribe

Indeed, the Senate said that President Jonathan’s statement was in tune with the Senate position that the National Assembly is the custodian of Nigerians’ sovereignty. Chairman, Senate Committee on Media, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said that President Jonathan stated the obvious, when he said the National Assembly would decide the final outcome of the National Conference. He said,“For the President to declare that the final outcome of the proposed national conference would be subjected to National Assembly’s ratification is in recognition of the fact that there cannot be two sovereigns at the same time.” Abaribe said the Senate was consistent with the fact that it welcomed national dialogue of any kind, but that in doing that provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended must be taken into cognizance. He noted, “the Senate welcomes the President’s pronouncement and, however, assures that the wishes of majority of Nigerians would always determine the constitutional review process, which is ongoing. The Senate still believes that whatever will be done to uphold the unity of Nigeria will always be welcomed.”

Reports of Confab’ll be subjected to public hearing —Ndoma-Egba Senate Leader, Chief

Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, told Vanguard that what the president said was the logical thing to do. He said, “That is the logical thing to do because some recommendations might require legal backing. Some might require constitutional amendment. That is the logical thing to do.” Told that the resolutions might be what the generality of Nigerians want, he said, “until we know how those that will be participating in the constitutional conference will be elected, will they be more representative than the National Assembly? It is only the National Assembly that can make laws and they were elected by the people so the power to make laws has not been transferred to the conference by any stretch of the imagination. So, at the end of the day, it is how the National Assembly views it. “Remember that the process also in the National Assembly will require public hearing. We usually subject our processes to public hearing. People can make inputs which could be reflected in the constitution, the essence of the conference in my view is for people to dialogue more than just making recommendations.”

Presidency’ll send it to NASS as Executive Bill — Ita Enang

On his own part, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Ita Enag said, it was a good development and attributed the failures of similar exercises in the past to inabilities of their handlers to bring them before the National As-

sembly for consideration. Enang added that what was expected of the Presidency, regarding the input of the National Assembly, was for it to forward the various areas arrived at, in form of bills as well as the White Paper of the conference to the National Assembly. His words: “It is a good thing for the President to have said that the result of the National Conference will be sent to the National Assembly to assist in the on-going constitution amendment. What they are expected in this regard is that at the end of the day, they will present the White Paper of the National Conference and the various areas arrived at, in form of bills to the National Assembly for consideration. “Why other ones in the past did not see the light of the day was because they were not presented to the National Assembly, not even in form of bills. So, for the President to have said this, I think he needs to be commended and I will use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to support him towards achieving this and not to oppose him.”

Reps speak

Members of the House of Representatives that spoke on the issue, said it is a legal requirement for both legislative houses to approve the outcome of the dialogue and that it was not negotiable. Some, however, argued that the constitutionality of such a conference under normal circumstances should rest squarely on shoulders of the National Assembly. Minority Leader of the

House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, Surulere Federal Constituency, Lagos; said, “Ratification by National Assembly makes it no different from the constitutional amendment exercise we just went through. It removes the sovereignty from the whole conference. If National Assembly does not ratify, then what? That is the downside of it.” Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Rep. Toby Okechukwu, PDP, Aninri/Oji Federal Constituency, Enugu; argued, “it is clear that it is our responsibility to make laws for the country, so it becomes mandatory for us to ratify it.”

National Assembly, another national conference—Jagaba Rep. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, Chairman, House Committee on Narcotics and Financial Crimes said, “The National Assembly itself is a national conference. Can we do another national conference that has no constitutional provision substituting it with a legal national conference? To me, in the first place, something is wrong with it. Anything outside the National Assembly is not known to the constitution. I cannot say that the proposed national conference by the President is illegal, all I am saying is that there is no constitutional provision for it. “The only constitutional provision is that people should have representatives in the National Assembly, States Assembly and the Local Government Councils. Now, the President has said he will commit the outcome to the National Assembly, it’s good that he remembered the National Assembly has a role to play. But now, until we get to the river, we cannot determine how to cross it.”

Chairman House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Ethics, Rep. Abiodun Faleke, APC, Ikeja Federal Constituency, Lagos; told Vanguard, “I can’t comment on the outcome that I’ve not seen because I will like to know the direction and to ascertain whether they were guided or unguided before I can comment. “

Critics can't decide for the President —Abia

To Hon. Dan Abia, PDP, Akwa Ibom; the President has power to convene the confab. He noted, “To say that President lacks power to convoke national conference is ignorance. For me, that is a very sound statement. It is founded on law, very constitutionally proper. After the deliberations at that level, it’s only but a wish. It cannot be made into law, except of course, it passes through due process, that is the constitutional process. For those issues that will require constitutional amendment, there is a procedure for amending a constitution. Whatever decision taken, there is need to enshrine them into the law. “The people stirring controversy with this can never decide for the president. I am a constitutional lawyer for over 25 years in active practice. There is nothing on earth that prevents a group of people from carrying out a dialogue to say this is how we are going to move forward. There is nothing illegal about any such setting. The only problem is that you cannot call it a sovereign national conference. But to say that a national conference cannot hold, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The issue now is, what will be the constitutional value of the report of such conference? It amounts to almost nothing except of course the National AsContinues on page 49

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

NLC to fight firms over sexual harassment, child labour

SALLAH: Entertaining with Hyenas in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

AGOS— THE Women’s Wing of Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said that it was mobilising to fight sexual harassment against women, child labour and under-age marriage. Ms Olubunmi Abikoye, the Chairperson of Lagos wing of the congress, told newsmen: “We are working on a programme to move against women’s sexual harassment and child labour, including under-age marriage, before the year runs out. “We are mobilising support to show that we are not in support of all the sexual harassment that is going on at an alarming rate, both in the public and private sectors. We also frown at child marriage and say no to it.” Abikoye said that the union was partnering with some

Kidnappers of Augusta Douglas-Ayam yet to make contact zPlease, release her on health grounds, family begs zWe'll get them soon— Police BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

ENAGOA— TWO days af ter her abduction, the whereabouts of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam, sister of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, is still unknown. Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam, 49, was taken Monday night from her shop at gunpoint in Ogbia town, some distance from the community jetty by nine armed men clad in military uniform. The said armed men arrived at the Ogbia market jetty and asked those within the waterside to lie-down, according to a family source. The source said: “There was a brief argument between them and those asked to lie-down. Within seconds those of them that were already in her shop started shooting sporadically. “Afterward, they dragged her to a waiting speedboat and took her to an unknown destination.”

Family's concern

A family spokesman, Romeo Douglas said, yesterday, that the gunmen were yet to establish contact with them just as he expressed concern over her state of health. He said: “We are deeply concerned over the development,

especially considering her poor state of health. Augusta Douglas-Ayam visited the hospital few days back over her health challenges. “The family, therefore, wishes to appeal to the kidnappers to release her unconditionally on humanitarian grounds.” A security source told Van-

guard that it is either the kidnappers were deliberately refusing to contact the family for fear of being tracked down or to fuel their anxiety with a view to demanding huge ransom. He, however, stated that security agencies in the state are combing all the nooks and crannies of the creeks adding, “it is just a matter of time, we will unmask the perpetrators of the heinous act.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, also confirmed the deployment of a special unit of the anti-kidnapping squad of the police and the maritime components of the special security outfit, Operation Door Akpor and the Joint Task Force. “We are after the kidnappers and very soon, they will be apprehended and the woman rescued,” he said.

Robbers operate with wooden AK-47 in Enugu

OME of the robbers that had been terrorising Nsukka and adjourning communities, operating with wooden guns, met their waterloo when a combined unit of Counter Terrorism Unit of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and the Military responded to a distress call, Sunday. They killed one and injured another. Others allegedly escaped with gun-shot injuries at Ohodo, in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state, along Enugu-Nsukka Expressway. It was alleged that the robbers were robbing the occupants of two buses with number plates AA 623 JAL and XB 396 BSA, before the operatives intervened. Items recovered from the

hoodlums were four wooden guns, carved in form of AK-

47 rifles, two torch-lights and a hand-set.

non-governmental organisations and women’s groups in various organisations, market women and the grassroots, to carry women from all cadres along. She called on the Federal and state governments to revert maternity leave for women to 84 working days, instead of the current 84 days that included weekends. She said: “The 84 days with weekends are not enough for a woman, who has carried a pregnancy for nine months, to take care of herself and her baby after birth. “Government should, therefore, revert to the 84 working days maternity leave.” Abikoye advised women in the private sector to watch out for clauses that peg maternity leave at one month and reject them, while signing employment contracts. She said that the wing was working with various women’s groups to identify other areas where women’s rights were being violated and to tackle them. She expressed concern about the violation of women’s rights in the banking and insurance sectors, adding that the union had identified some local and international firms that employed children, and would picket them.

Lives, property BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI— TWO persons were reported dead, while property estimated at about N1.5 billion has either been damaged or completely burnt, in an intra-communal strive that has engulfed Umueke Ebeowerre autonomous community, Ehime Mbano local council area of Imo State. Vanguard investigations revealed that the crisis started last Monday, following what some

CDHR wants probe of Delta NURTW clash BY EMMA AMAIZE

GBOR— THE Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, Delta State, has called for a thorough investigation into penultimate Thursday clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Agbor, which left one person, Isa Alika, dead. The group, in a statement by CDHR’s Chairman and Secretary, Benefit Orugbo and Chief Fred Omereyone, respectively, said it was suspicious that while the deceased, a personal

assistant to Mr. Amechi Igunbo, the NURTW chairman in Agbor, was killed, his master, who reported the incident to the police was arrested and detained. It said: “We believe and expect the Divisional Police Officer and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of this heinous crime that resulted in the death of Mr. Isa Alika. “However, and sadly enough, Mr. Amechi Igunbo, who was the complainant of the said attack that led to the death of his

personal assistant, both at the Agbor Police Station and the SCID, Asaba, has been kept in detention at the SCID, Asaba since October 3. “We strongly believe that this is not healthy for the criminal justice system in the country. The CDHR, therefore, calls on the police not to sweep the facts of this case under the carpet. “CDHR gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had warned them to desist from acts capable of causing a breakdown of law and order at the Agbor Unit of NURTW. Nobody took him seriously.”

Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—7

FUTA staff stabbed to death BY DAYO JOHNSON

KURE— A middle aged man, Udoh Johnson, a staff of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, has been stabbed to death with a broken bottle at a drinking joint over a minor argument, Tuesday night. Report said that Udoh had gone to a drinking joint not too far from his house at Adinlewa Street to charge his phone, when he met his untimely death. Vanguard gathered

that the incident occurred at 11:30p.m. Udoh was said to have gone back to pick his phone, when one of the joint’s customers claimed that Udoh stepped on his leg and did not apologise. The suspect, simply identified as Wale, who is still at large, reportedly removed the phone from the charger and flung it away. An argument ensued and this was followed by fisticuffs and Udoh was allegedly stabbed by the suspect with a

broken bottle. He was said to have bled to death. Others were said to have fled while the fight lasted. Police sources said that the owner of the joint and some family members of the suspect have been picked up for questioning. The state Police imagemaker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that the deceased was stabbed by one Wale, now at large, during an argument. Ogodo, however, explained that Udoh was stabbed on the

leg and was immediately rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for medical attention before he died while receiving treatment. He said the body was deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy. According to him, the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for thorough investigations. Ogodo assured that the police detectives in the state would soon nab the suspect.

‘500 Nigerian youths in Japanese prisons' N

O fewer than 500 Nige rian youths are languishing in Japanese prisons over alleged drugs and other related offences, a Nigerian-born cleric, Bishop Enoch Adebayo, has said. Adebayo, who is the President of the Nigeria-Japan Chamber of Commerce based in Japan, told newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, that the Federal Government should take immediate action to save the lives of the youths. He said: “But the Chamber has been educating more than 3,000 Nigerians among them and the youths resident in Japan, that the future of Nigeria is very rosy and bountiful,

which will propel Nigeria to come a world power in the next 10 years. “Nigerian youths should be honest, hardworking, resourceful, faithful and be able to plan ahead. We have been educating them not to cross the ‘red line’ in order not to fall into the same temptation and mistakes our past leaders found themselves.” He urged Nigerian leaders to live by example because the youths and their children are watching their footsteps.” Bishop Adebayo disclosed that the Nigeria-Japan Chamber of Commerce was working to attract many manufacturing companies, including vehicle

manufacturers, to Nigeria. He added that government should provide an enabling en-

Police probe death at wedding

OLICE in Enugu State are investigating the circumstance surrounding the incident that marred a traditional wedding at Ibagwa, Ezimo-Agu in Udenu Local Government Area of the state. A guest, identified as Ozor Obodo Ezenwa, who tried to stop one of the bride's brothers, Chukwudi Adonu, from shooting another, Obinna Adonu, during a scuffle, was allegedly

destroyed in Imo community crisis people called “the factionalisation of the natives. At press time, several houses, cars, motorcycles, documents and historical monuments have reportedly been burnt, while scores of people were injured. Similarly, scores of families have been rendered homeless, while others have fled to neighbouring villages. A villager, who simply gave his name as Chijioke for security reasons, lamented that the intra-communal battle has left many people seriously injured. He said: “About two persons have been reported dead, including one Chinedu. Also, so many building have been burnt to ashes. “The same is true of cars, motorcycles and other valuables. Countless people have been seriously injured and others homeless.” Although Chijioke refused to reveal the story behind the clash, he said: “The carnage and arson is senseless, especially as this was happening between people who should ordinarily regard themselves as brothers and sisters.” Another villager, who spoke on grounds of anonymity,

linked the incident to what he termed “the excesses of the traditional ruler.” He alleged that the royal father had been denying a section of the community their traditional rights by employing a divide-and-rule

vironment for Nigerian businessmen to operate, so that they will stop relocating.

administration style. Meanwhile, the state Police Command has sent a detachment of policemen to the troubled community to keep the peace, while investigation into the matter is reportedly on.

killed. It was gathered that on October 10, during the traditional marriage, an argument began between the two brothers, which led to a fight. Chukwudi Adonu was said to have rushed inside, picked up a single-barrelled gun with the intention to shoot his brother. The deceased (Ezenwa) intervened and held Chukwudi Adonu. The gun went off, allegedly killing Ezenwa, who is said to be about 22 years old. Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, mortuary. A police statement assured “members of the public that the Police will leave up to its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property.”

Rain wreaks havoc in Uyo U

YO— A downpour, yesterday, rendered hundreds of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, homeless and destroyed property worth millions of naira. Residents of Anua, Nsikan Eduok and Atan Offot on Olusegun Obasanjo Way were mostly affected as some of them lost household items. Some residents of Eniong and Mbiabong Housing Estates said the downpour had destroyed their household items worth millions of naira. The rain, which started on Monday night, lasted several hours. It submerged many houses and obstructed vehicular movements in some parts of the state capital. Mrs Affiong Udoh, a house wife at Atan Offot village, said in Uyo that she had a hectic day salvaging some property from the flood. She lamented that her rug, refrigerator and other electrical appliances were completely drenched and may not be useful again. Udoh, who called on the state government to come to their aid, blamed the flood on indiscriminate development of the state capital.

Security agents lock in protesting ASUU members in Ebonyi BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI— OVER 100 armed policemen, yesterday, prevented members and executives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki chapter, from protesting the crisis in the education sector. The policemen, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, tear gas and other security accessories, closed the gate leading to the College of Agricultural Science Campus of the university. Vanguard gathered that the policemen were also at the institution’s Ishieke and Presco campuses because of fears that the rally might be hijacked by hoodlums. Operatives of Department of State Services, DSS, were also on ground. The EBSU-ASUU members,

who walked round the university environment, were seen carrying placards with the inscriptions such as “FG: save university education,” “FG: do not kill university education,” “FG: agreement is agreement,” “Poor university education makes every sector fake,” “Nigeria: Fight poor education,” “FG-ASUU Agreement! FG has reneged,” “Say no to beggarcracy,” among others. They also chanted solidarity songs. The policemen were said to have embarked on a stop-andsearch action at the gate of the campus and collected all the materials and flyers from both academic and non-academic staff of the university. The Chairman of the union in EBSU, Professor Ndubuisi Idenyi, accused the Federal Government of playing politics

with the future of Nigerians. Idenyi said: “In a democratic setting, people should have their right of association and movement. I think it wrong for the Nigerian Police to restrict our movement. “It is more pathetic that we were locked inside our campus and were not allowed to leave our gate. I asked whether our

gate was locked by our university security people and the information we got was that the police ordered their men to lock the gate. “They should be more civilian-friendly because the issues we are talking about borders on education and they have their children in our schools, while some of them are our students.”

SALLAH: Games in Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Weak governance, volatile oil prices hinder Nigeria's rating upgrade — FITCH REPORT BY MICHAEL EBOH, with agency reports

lOBAL rating agency, Fitch Ratings, yesterday disclosed that Nigeria’s chances of a rating upgrade are constrained by weak governance, low per capita income and vulnerability to oil price volatility. However, Fitch, in its latest report, affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency, Issuer Default Ratings, IDR, and senior unsecured bond ratings at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’ respectively, with a stable outlook. Fitch also affirmed Nigeria’s short-term foreign currency IDR at ‘B’ and country ceiling at ‘BB-’. The rating agency expressed concern that strong vested interests will make structural reform in Nigeria a continual struggle, especially with elections in 2015, adding that data weaknesses hampered the monitoring of economic and fiscal performance and reform progress in the country. On the factors that hindered Nigeria’s chances for a rating upgrade, Fitch noted that the country witnessed a sustained period of lower oil prices or oil production, coupled with an inappropriate policy response, which led to serious reserve loss and deterioration in the fiscal position. On the positives, it said, “The stable outlook reflects the fact that in Fitch’s view, upside and downside risks are well balanced. The main factors that individually or collectively might lead to rating action are as follows: “Continuing structural reforms that brought faster, more diverse and inclusive growth and higher employment and per capita incomes; longer track record of low single-digit inflation; Improved external buffers, either in the ECA or the new Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSIA); Improved governance as reflected in World Bank and anticorruption indicators. “ Fitch further stated that Nigeria’s current rating is driven by the resilience of its Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth in the face of exogenous shocks, despite slowing to 6.4 per cent in first half 2013. It said, “the non-oil economy has slowed but still grew by 7.9 per cent in 2012 and 7.6 per cent in the first half of 2013. Non-oil growth should pick-up in second half 2013 as normal weather has

resumed and the authorities have responded to security problems. “Reforms in the electricity and agriculture sectors could start to boost potential growth. Inflation has been in single digits all year - the lowest in five years and the longest stretch of single digit inflation since 2008. Policy rates are unchanged. “The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has the twin aims of achieving single-digit inflation and maintaining exchange rate stability. Public finances remain comfortable. “Fitch estimates a general government deficit of around 1.8 percent of GDP this year and next. Both oil and non-oil revenues are under-budget and the Excess Crude Account, ECA, has been tapped to compensate. “Capital spending also remains under budget. The draft 2014 budget plans ambitious fiscal consolidation, with lower oil production and benchmark oil prices and lower spending than the 2013 budget. “However, Fitch expects that oil production will likely fall

short again, and the final budget that emerges from the National Assembly is likely to be more expansionary.

“Nevertheless, Fitch expects government debt to remain stable at just over 20 per cent of GDP, barely half that of peers. Nigeria’s

sovereign and overall external balance sheets, current account surplus, debt service ratio and external liquidity are all stronger than ‘BB’ category medians.”

CONFERENCE—Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (right) and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha (left) at the Standard Bank power sector investors’ conference in New York, United States.

ASUU STRIKE: We 're yet to receive N100bn from FG — VCs BY IKENNA ASOMBA

EVEN weeks after the Federal Government announced that it has commenced implementation of the agreement signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, by disbursing N100 billion to each of the 59 public universities, the affected tertiary institutions have raised alarm that they are yet to receive the fund. The Governor Gabriel Suswan-led Presidential Implementation Committee on Needs of Nigerian Universities was said to have sourced the fund within 16 days of its inauguration from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and other government agencies. The committee thereafter adopted a sharing formula for each of the university based on student population and the depth of infrastructural decay. The money was meant for the refurbishment/renovation and provision of new facilities such as hostels, lecture theatres and lecture rooms, laboratories and

libraries in the universities. Reacting to report that the money has been released to the universities, Vice Chancellor of one of the universities in the South East said “the Federal Government has only sent us a memo through the Ministry of Education that we are getting N650 million from the funds. Until we get alert into the university’s account, we will know how sincere the government is but presently we are yet to receive the money.” Similarly, the Vice Chancellor of another university in the South West disclosed that the N1.2 billion earmarked for his university has not been paid either as cheque or cash into the university’s account. It was gathered from the committee that 13 Federal universities have been left out of the initial disbursement. They are Federal University, Gashua; Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State; Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina; Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State; Federal University, Lafia,

Nasarawa State; Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State; Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State; and Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Others are Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State; Federal University, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State; Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State; and Police Academy, Wudil. Vanguard learnt that these universities were left out because they have just been established by the present administration between 2011 and 2013 which committed trillions of naira in their establishment and that there was no need for additional funding. Five state universities that were also unlucky are: Bukar Abba Ibrahim University, Damaturu, Yobe State; NorthWest University, Kano State; Sokoto State University; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode; Ogun State; Technical University, Ibadan, Oyo State. Top five Federal universities that got the

lion’s share of the money were: University of Ibadan, UI, with students population of 33,481 which got N3.250 billion; University of Benin, UNIBEN, with students population of 56,501 got N3.200 billion; Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, with students population of 49,436 got N3.200 billion; University of Port-Harcourt, UNIPORT, with students population of 53,288 got N3.050 billion; while University of Lagos, UNILAG, with students population of 49,179 also got N3.050 billion, Also, the state universities that benefitted are: Ebonyi State University, EBSU, with students population of 23,437 got N3.050 billion; Niger Delta University, NDU, Wilberforce Island with 12,793 students population received N2.800 billion; Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua University, Katsina with students population of 4,753 received N2.450 billion; Gombe State University, GSU, with students population of 4,383 got N2.450 billion, whereas the Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo with the highest students population of 90,885 among all the considered universities got N1.300 billion.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—9

No cause for alarm over divestments by oil majors — NNPC boss zSays Nigeria ready to tackle Shale Oil threat

IGERIAN National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, dismissed insinuations that the recent spate of divestments by some international oil companies, IOCs, from some onshore oil blocks may lead to crisis in the nation’s oil and gas industry. The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, told newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing World Energy Congress in Daegu, South Korea, that the divestments are not only healthy for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, but would also go a long way in promoting effective indigenous participation in core upstream activities. He said: “These are not withdrawals in the real sense of it. The fact is that a number of these IOCs are moving into more challenging frontiers in the deep offshore and are leaving the onshore blocks which they consider less challenging.” The NNPC boss noted that the major players that are divesting have actually been sitting on those acreages for years, and have allowed them to go fallow without significant development. “So it is only fair for them to release these blocks so that others, especially the indigenous operators can have the blocks and grow in the upstream business. This, indeed, is a good development and I think we are moving in the right direction,” he said. He also hinted that the divestment offers immense opportunities for the nation’s indigenous flagship upstream operator, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to grow its capacity and capability, especially as it strives to meet the aggressive target of daily crude production of 250, 000 barrels by 2020. Yakubu, who is leading a team of Nigeria’s oil and gas experts to the global energy meet, also maintained that the advent of the shale gas and oil revolution in America, would not immediately have serious negative impact on the Nigeria’s crude oil fortunes as earlier projected by some petroleum analysts. He said: “No doubt the shale gas phenomenon poses a pushback on our oil and gas. But the good news is that as we speak, the impact is going to come a very long time from now because a close examination of the various discoveries of shale gas shows a huge misalignment between what was projected and the actualisation of most of the gas projects that would bring shale

gas into full maturity.” He explained that though the shale gas revolution is real, its availability in the global energy market is being hampered by high cost and other infrastructure challenges thus making conventional crude oil a cheaper energy source. He, however, stated that while the NNPC takes comfort in this development, the Corporation is moving to initiate measures to ensure that the country is not caught napping if and when shale gas achieves the projected global penetration. Yakubu said: “Once again, the good news in this regard is that Mr. President, through the

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. DiezaniAlison-Madueke, has made it clear that the maximization of our various energy resources is central to the reforms in the oil and gas industry. And back home, we have since channeled our energy to the development of petrochemicals, fertilizers and other gas-based industries that would maximise the utilisation of our gas resources. So far, our interactions and engagements with various global energy leaders in this Congress have reassured us that we are moving in the right direction.” The 22nd World Energy

Congress which endedn today (Thursday), had in attendance over 6,000 delegates from prominent energy jurisdictions across the world. The Congress, which has the central theme: “Securing Tomorrow’s Energy Today,” was focused on the challenges posed by the globalisation of energy demand, how energy supplies can be protected against disruptions and how efforts to mitigate climate change affect access to future energy resources. These were summed up in the concept of the “energy trilemma” by the World Energy Council, organisers of the Congress.

EXHIBITION—Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu (right); Managing Director, Korean National Oil Corporation, KNOC, Oh-Kyeu Baek (left); and others at the World Energy Congress in Daegu, South Korea.

American comedians, others arrive for Glo Laffta Fest

HE stage is set for weekend’s Glo Lafftafest event tagged Invasion LOL, as the international comedians billed to perform at the mega show arrive Nigeria today. Among the international stars expected to arrive today are two prominent American comedians, Tony Roberts and Deeray Davis and two of Africa’s foremost comerians, Ndumiso from South Africa and Salvado from Uganda. The show will hold at Eko Hotel, Lagos this Saturday. The foursome will join Nigeria’s best stand-up comedy acts and musicians such as the legendary Ali Baba, Basketmouth, the sensational twins, PSquare, Wande Coal, the great saxophonist, Lagbaja and a host of other talented comedians to delight Nigerians as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of Globacom. Basketmouth said that before the Glo Invasion LOL, “the practice has always been for Nigerian artistes to travel abroad to perform while these foreign artistes hardly come to perform in Nigeria. I cannot even recall in my experience in the industry where any A-list American comedian has come to perform in Nigeria. So, this is a big plus to Globacom, a company that has done so much to promote entertainment in this country."

Oil revenues up by N2.57bn as Shell reopens TNP BY MICHAEL EBOH

IGERIA’S crude output and oil revenue is set to increase by 150,000 barrels per day and $16.05 million, about N2.568 billion daily, as Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, yesterday, reopened a section of its Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, gutted by fire three days ago. According to a statement by Mr. Precious Okolobo, spokesperson for Shell, the reopening was as a result of the completion of repair works on the 28-inch line of the TNP, following the earlier reported fire at Patrick Waterside in Bodo, which a joint investigation team has confirmed was due to a hacksaw cut by unknown persons. He, however, stated that while the 28-inch line which was shut

on October 14, has been reopened, the 24-inch line which was shut on October 9 following leaks at B-Dere and Nonwa-Tai, remains closed. He also noted that the force majeure that was declared on Bonny Light exports on October 9 will be lifted as soon as possible. He said: “While investigations showed that unknown persons had drilled a hole on the 24-inch TNP at B-Dere, the joint investigation on the Nonwa-Tai spill is continuing and expected to be concluded soon. “However, preliminary findings indicate that the spill may have been caused by a failure on the pipeline. SPDC had quickly mobilised its oil

spill response team to the site and contained the spread of spilled oil. “Further remedial measures, clean-up and repairs are continuing. SPDC regrets this operational spill and is investigating the root cause of the failure. “SPDC will continue to monitor the situation and the force majeure that was declared on Bonny Light exports on October 9 will be lifted as soon as it is operationally possible to do so.” Shell, had on Monday, shut down a section of its Trans Niger Pipeline, TNP, due to a fire outbreak along the pipeline’s right of way. In a statement announcing the closure, Shell said, “The entire

TNP system, comprising the 24inch line and 28 inch line had been closed on October 9 as a precautionary response to the spills, but the 28” TNP was reopened after investigations established that the leaks were on the 24 inch line only. “However, the 28-inch TNP has now been shut in again due to the fire at Patrick Waterside. The fire has now gone out but the 28-inch will remain closed until checks are carried out. “This means that the entire TNP is shut-in, resulting in production of 150,000 barrels of oil per day being deferred. The force majeure on Bonny Light exports remains in place.” Shell, had a couple of days ago announced plans to sell off its Nembe Creek Trunk Line in the Niger Delta region.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Court restrains late OnyeadorMayson’s siblings from estate BY ONOZURE DANIA

STATE High Court sitting in Lagos, has restrained the siblings of the late Mrs. Angela Onyeador-Mayson, from tampering with her real and personal estate on 29, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos and Plot 167, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, pending the hearing and final determination of a suit by her son, Mr. Ikem Onyeador. Trial judge in the matter, Justice I. Harrison, who also ordered the parties to maintain the status-quo, granted leave to the claimants, to serve all the court processes on the defendants, through their counsel, G. Obute in Lagos. The son of the late Lagos socialite, Ikem, had asked the court to declare that he, as the eldest child and son of the late Angela, his step sister, Adaora Maiyaki Onyeador and step-father, Captain Samuel Mayson, were entitled as beneficiaries to the real and personal estate of his late mother. The plaintiffs are the surviving husband, son and daughter respectively of the late Mrs. Angela Onyeador-Mayson. Defendants in the suit are Mr. Alexander Onyeador, Mr. Martin Onyeador, Thomas Onyeador and Miss Nkemdilim Onyeador, who are siblings of the deceased. Ikem is also asking the court to determine whether it is legal for the defendants, to question the status of the claimants, who are the surviving husband, son and daughter respectively of the late Angela. Ikem in an affidavit in support of the suit, averred that shortly after the death and burial of his mother, they applied for a Letter of Administration over her assets through their counsel, Mr. Onyebuchi Aniakor from the Probate Registry of the court and after paying necessary fees, they were served a notice to prohibit grant and caveat. “The defendants proceeded to file and serve on us through their legal practitioner, not only a caveat and a notice to prohibit grant but equally a letter by their said legal practitioner to the probate registrar of the court reasons for entering caveat.” “The defendants also

BRIEFING: From left, Agba Akin of Itireland, Alhaji Abdul Aremu Dauda; Onire of Itireland, Oba Lateef Dauda, and Otun Oba of Itireland, Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Odubiyi, briefing the press after prayer section, during Eid-El-Kabir celebration, at his palace, in Itire, Lagos.

Sallah: Lagos residents attribute low-key celebration to lack of funds L

AGOS — A low turnout of revelers, yesterday, characterised most of the fun-spots in Lagos, including the beaches and National Arts Theatre. Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN,who monitored activities on the second day of the Eid-el Kabir celebrations, reported that only a few merry-makers visited the fun spots. NAN reported that most

roads in the metropolis were also devoid of the heavy traffic that usually characterised Lagos highways. Alhaji Hassan Sharafadeen, a software consultant, who spoke at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, said that the economic situation in the country was responsible for the low key celebration. In Nigeria, we do not know how to relax, so this is an opportunity for me to relax and

spend time with my family. “But economically, the situation is not encouraging; spending during this period is hard. Last year, the economy was a little bit better. “Last year, the parking area was filled up and there was hardly any space to park, but today, cars parked here are few,” he said. Sharafadeen, however, appealed to the government to breathe life into the economy

One dies, 2 cops injured as police, hoodlums clash in Lagos BY IFEANYI OKOLIE & ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — One yet to be identified person died, yesterday, while two policemen were also injured. at Oko-Oba area of Lagos State, following a bloody clash between policemen and hoodlums in the area. Vanguard gathered that the crisis started when policemen from Oko-Oba Police Division stormed a street in the Abattoir area in search of a sus-

pect who allegedly stole a motorcycle. Eyewitnesses from the area told Vanguard that the faceoff was triggered by the alleged killing of an unnamed resident of the area by policemen. But the police claimed that trouble started between them and the hoodlums around 7.30a.m., when an armed robber, who was being chased, for stealing a motor-bike, ran to his friends for protection. It was said that the policemen chased the alleged rob-

ber to Abattoir area where he ran to for refuge. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the policemen were beaten up but refused to retaliate.

Don’t sack Aviation Minister, group urges FG BY ONOZURE DANIA

AGOS — THE National Committee of Yoruba Youth, NCYY, has said that the call for the sack of the Avia-

Nigeria’s inflation rate slows to 8%

IGERIA’S INFLATION rate declined to eight per cent in September, the lowest level since March 2008, as the harvest season constrained food-price increases, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Inflation in Africa’s largest oil producing country slowed from 8.2 per cent in August, the Abuja-based statistics agency, said today in an emailed statement.

The median estimate of nine economists surveyed by Bloomberg was 7.9 per cent. Prices rose 0.75 per cent in the month, the NBS said. “The recent harvest season continues to constrain rising food prices,” the NBS said. Inflation has stayed within the Central Bank of Nigeria’s target of less than 10 per cent this year, as an increase in fuel prices in 2012 fell out of the calculation and the Central

and make the standard of living better. Also, John Richard, a teller at the Box Office, Silverbird Galleria, said that the turnout at the centre was encouraging. “The crowd has been encouraging since yesterday that the Sallah celebration began. We have competitions and I know that some people will be visiting other places. “Last year was better because we did not have many competitions, compared to this year,” he said Hajia Barakat Yusuf, a business woman, who was at the Bar Beach with her family, said that she usually travelled to the village during Sallah, but could not, this year. Yusuf said that her family did not travel because there was no money. “To me, last year was better because we travelled,” she said.

Bank regularly sold dollars to support the naira. The bank has kept its policy rate at a record 12 per cent since 2011 to bolster the currency. Governor Lamido Sanusi has said that high rates are helping to contain prices. He said last week that inflation is under control and will probably come down to below eight per cent by December.

tion Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, is mischievous, uncalled for and unpatriotic. This was said in a statement issued by its national president and registrar Odeyemi Oladimeji and Oyewole Olurin respectively, the group who said that the criticisms being hauled at the minister on aftermath of the crash of the Associated Airlines plane that was conveying the remains of former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, was uncalled for. “As an organisation, we are seriously disturbed that some people in the name of politics want to go all out to destroy the legacy of an ‘Amazon of Democracy,’ Princess Stella Oduah,” the group said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—11

Oshiomhole, Aregbesola, Fayemi appeal to aggrieved Ekiti APC members zBamidele absent at event BY GBENGAARIYIBI

DO EKITI — THREE All Progressives Congress, APC, governors, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and their Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi have pleaded with the aggrieved members of the party in the state to sheathe their swords and come back to the fold to ensure victory for the party in next year’s governorship election. They made the plea at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, during the ‘Meet the People’ mega rally to mark Fayemi’s third year in office. Fayemi came to office on October 16, 2010 after a long drawn legal battle which saw the ouster of his predecessor, Engr. Segun Oni through the Appeal Court judgement in Ilorin, Kwara State. At the ceremony which witnessed a mammoth crowd which included virtually all members of the National Assembly in the state led by Senator Babafemi Ojudu and other groups. Fayemi's arch rival, Hon. Bamidele Opeyemi of the House of Representatives, who has expressed his ambition to dislodge the incumbent governor in the forthcoming guber election, was, however, conspicuously

absent. The governors, who spoke in turns, insisted APC remains the best option for the people of the country, even as they used the forum to dispel the insinuation that the party came into being by political exigency. Apparently referring to the protracted feud between him and Bamidele, over the 2014 governorship ticket, Fayemi said he

was extending hands of friendship to others who are still nursing some animosity. Fayemi, who likened those that were threatening defection to the biblical prodigal son, said: “Nobody should be harassed over the current crisis in APC. But I want to say that I am ready to forgive and embrace those that are aggrieved because Ekiti belongs to all of us." In their own speeches, both

Oshiomhole and Aregbesola noted that the three years of Fayemi had brought a paradigm shift in the state, saying Ekiti people have moved away from the era of lamentations to a period of abundance due to the commitment of the incumbent Governor Fayemi . Also, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and the legal icon and senior citizen of the state,

RALLY: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; founder, Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN; Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshimhole, and Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, at a mega rally, in commemoration of the 3rd anniversary of Governor Fayemi administration, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday.

Why we merged, re-classified schools, by Osun speaker

JIGBO (OSUN) — MR. Najeem Salaam, Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, yesterday, said that the merger and reclassification of public schools by the state government was aimed at improving the

standard of education. He said this in Ejigbo when he paid a courtesy call on the Elejigbo of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin. Salaam appealed to the people of the state to support the gov-

ernment in efforts to actualise the goals of the policy. He also appealed to religious leaders in the state to refrain from politicising the schools’ merger and reclassification.

Police arrest fake Colonel claiming to be Jonathan's ADC BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Com-mand said, yesterday, that it has arrested a 50-year-old fake Colo-

nel Hassan Ayinde for claiming to be ADC to President President Goodluck Jonathan. The suspect, who claimed to have come from Ifelodun Local Gov-

ernment Area of Osun State was reportedly nabbed while using the name of the President to beg for money to purchase ram for the Eid-el Kabir in Agbado, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement made available in Abeokuta. Adejobi said “the suspect was arrested in the palace of Alagbado of Agbado, His Royal Highness, Oba Adedayo Shyllon on Monday, October 14, at about 1400hrs."

“There is nothing wrong with merging Christian and Muslim schools. “This is a new government policy aimed at improving the standard of education; I think we need to give government the opportunity to experiment this new idea,” he said. The speaker said that the government was only trying to use its meagre resources to improve the standard of education. In his remarks, Oba Oyesosin urged the people of the state to cooperate with government in efforts to implement the new policy. He said that the policy was to improve the standard of education and not to relegate any religious organisation.

Why our projects are delayed — Amosun BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA — OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has attributed the recent rainfall and inadequate fund to the failure of his administration to complete some major projects in the state. Amosun, however, said that next February is deadline for completion of the projects, which according to him, in-

cluded the road and bridge constructions in Sagamu and Ijebu-Ode. The governor had pledged several times that all the roads projects would be ready before Eid-el Kabir. “We were taken aback by the rains and inadequate funds. You know there is little or nothing that we can do during the rains, despite the very tight work schedule of the contractors. The projects will be ready now by February 2014.

Deji, my late son hated flying — Falae BY DAYO JOHNSON

KURE — FORMER secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, yesterday, said his son Deji, who died in the recent Associated Airline plane crash, had phobia for air travel. Falae said the late Deji was afraid of travelling by air because he believed that all domestic airlines are in a state of disrepair. He spoke in Akure when the Akure Division Unity Forum, ADUF, led by the Ojomu of Akure, Chief Ayo Oluyide paid him a condolence visit on the death of his son. According to him: “Most of the time that the late Deji travelled to either Abuja or Lagos for official assignments he travelled by road because he did not trust Nigerian airlines. “The journey he made by air which happened to be his last was because it was compulsory for him."

We've completed over 600 community projects — Ondo govt BY DAYO JOHNSON AKURE

NDO STATE government, yesterday, said it has successfully completed over 600 community-driven projects across the 18 council areas of the state. Commissioner for Community Development, Clement Faboyede said this while speaking with newsmen in Akure. Faboyede said that the projects were done through participatory governance. According to him the projects were suggested by the communities and government established them to alleviate poverty across the state. The commissioner said that the state government will embark on structural consolidation of all projects done in the last four years.

12— Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—13

Police, suspected Kelvin gang in gun battle …2 killed, 4 arrested BY EMMA AMAIZE

ARRI—A GUN battle between the police and a gang of robbers believed to be members of arrested kidnap kingpin, Kelvin Oniarah’s gang, yesterday, left two people dead, in Delta State. Two of the gangsters were gunned down by the police during the battle, while others fled with bullet wounds. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, who confirmed the death of two suspects, said that four supposed members of the gang were apprehended. Among them were those that cut off the finger of a high court judge, kidnapped in Edo State. He said they were rounded up during a mop up operation by the police. One AK-47 rifle, number 5825006074 with 19 rounds of live ammunition, one pump action gun with seven live cartridges and a Toyota car were recovered from the suspects. During yesterday’s battle, he said, members of the kidnap/ robbery gang parked their vehicle, a Toyota Camry, at the premises of a haulage compa-

ny, Warri, at 11.00 am. “The attention of 31 Police Mobile Force, personnel on duty at the company premises was drawn and as the policemen were approaching the vehicle, the suspects

zoomed off. “They were given a hot chase and the criminals suspecting that the police were closing in, opened fire. There was an intense exchange of gun fire and two of the sus-

NIM CONFERENCE: From left: Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management,NIM, (Chartered); Lady Valerie Ebe, Deputy Governor, Akwa Ibom State, representing, Governor Godswill Akpabio and Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, representing, President Goodluck Jonathan, at the annual National Management Conference of NIM at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

A-Ibom civil servants agonise over delayed salaries BY TONY NYONG

YO—CIVIL servants in Akwa Ibom State are lamenting delay in payment of salaries, particularly that of September. The delay, which the civil servants said was as a result of the state government failing to save for the rainy day, has been partly attributed to the Federal Allocation Account Committee’s inability to remit allocations to states. Three weeks ago, the state Ministry of Finance said that civil servants should not expect payment of salaries regularly due to delay in the remittances of federal allocation. State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Unyime Usoro, condemned the statement, saying that the position was unacceptable to workers in the state.

pects were killed. Mopping up operation by the police on the remnants of the gang is yielding fruits and the haulage company’s case has been referred to Enerhen Police Station for further investigation,” he added.

Defending labour ’s decision, Usoro said that the statement by government would not only send out wrong signals, but implied that either the administration was not saving for the rainy day or was not generating internal revenue. The reaction of the state

NLC, culminated in the Office of the State AccountantGeneral taking a position that the state will pay workers salaries as they continue to receive in piecemeal, what comes in from FAAC. Just last week, some ministries and agencies were paid their September salary according to what the state gov-

ernment claimed was piecemeal remittance of the state’s allocation. Other workers have been left at the mercy of when the next FAAC allocation will come to the state. The state Finance Commissioner, Mr. Bassey Albert, and spokes person of the government, Aniekan Umanah, could not be reached as they neither picked their calls, nor responded to text messages.

Edo PDP, APC chieftains in war of words BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN—CHIEFTAINS of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and those of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State, yesterday, engaged themselves in a war of words over the proposed sale of Edo House in Lagos by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The governor had explained that the state Executive Council took the decision, because the property was abandoned by previous PDP governments,

when they were in power in the state, adding that the government will use the proceeds to build a five star hotel which will generate revenue and employment for people of the state. But a PDP governorship aspirant in the 2012 governorship election in the state, Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, described the action as shameful, saying: “Why will a cabinet that has the likes of Idahagbon and Professor Ihonvbere allow that? This is not about Oshi-

omhole, it is not about who is the governor, it is about our history, it is about our tomorrow and our children.” But a chieftain of APC, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, who flayed PDPs’ criticisms, said “PDP government sold all the government houses and plots in GRA and they never even advertised it. Oshiomhole advertised the Edo House for sale because he means well for the people and we are confident that the money will be used to develop Benin City.”

NAIG fracas: Congress urges truce BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ARRI—CONGRESS of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, has called for truce over divisions generated by a fracas at the association’s August meeting in Warri. In a communique at its September congress in Ugbuwangwe, Warri, the body condemned the crisis in the association and implored the NAIG President, Ms. Tenumah Naomi Alero to seek an amicable settlement. The congress passed a vote of confidence on the president and nominated three members, Collins Edema, Toju Ben and Tosan Omaghomi to assist her in the interim pending a by-election.

Pa Nkwocha passes on at 92

HIEF Michael Nkwocha of Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State, is dead, aged 92. He was a former Chairman of Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP, and later National Party of Nigeria, NPN, caucus in Anambra Central Senatorial District and Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area of the party, in the Second Republic. His remains will be laid to rest in his residence at Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State on November 8.

Late Chief Nkwocha

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 —14

Abia moves to make Aba great again

Guber poll: Apprehension in Anambra over non-display of voters’ register

BY ANAYO OKOLI

M UA H I A — A B I A State Government has said that it was working round the clock to ensure that the old glory of Aba, the commercial capital of the state is restored. Chief Press Secretary to G o v e r n o r Theodore Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, made this known in Umuahia, yesterday. According to Emezue, there are visible evidence on ground like good security network, roads, beautification of the Osisioma junction as well as the Central Park project, among others to show that the government had the development of Aba as one of its priorities. He also said that Governor Orji had engaged in Public Private Partnership, PPP, development programme to ensure that the decayed infrastructure in the state were revitalized. Emezue said the governor recently signed a PPP agreement with American and Canadian firms for the development of a mall at Osisioma, Ngwa and Aba, saying that the project would help expedite expansion of the commercial city.

Ebonyi farmers benefit from GES scheme

B A K A L I K I — NO fewer than 57, 000 Ebonyi farmers have benefited from the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support scheme, GES, in 2013. Chief Romanus Nwasum, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this in Abakaliki, yesterday, during the celebration of this year’s World Food Day in the state. The GES is the flagship programme of the agricultural transformation agenda of the Federal Government under which farmers receive fertiliser and seeds through an electronic system known as the e-wallet. Under the programme, a registered farmer receives two bags of fertiliser and maize seeds free of charge. He said: “In 2013, 114, 092 bags of fertiliser were distributed to farmers in the 20 redemption centres across the 13 local government areas of the state."

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & IKENNA

ASOMBA

WKA—THERE was appre hension in Anambra State, yesterday, over the conduct of the November 16 governorship election following the non-display of the voters’ register by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, less than 30 days to the polls contrary to the Electoral Act 2010, as amended. The 30-day statutory requirement ended yesterday. The amended Electoral Act 2010 stipulates that INEC must display the voters list not later than 30 days before the conduct of any election it is statutorily empowered to organise.

The legal provision for display of the voters register a month before any election was designed to facilitate the process of claims and objections which is also an integral aspect of the registration exercise. According to the Act, voters’ registers must be displayed in every polling unit, at least 30 days before the polls to enable would be voters check if their names were correctly spelt and written or even included. Vanguard sources indicate that the display of register which is one of the indices for a free and fair election was yet to be carried out. However, INEC said in Abuja that the public display of the list of registered voters in the state was

expected to have begun yesterday. Although, neither Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman of the commission, Professor Attahiru Jega nor the acting director of public affairs, Mr. Nick Dazang could be reached on phone for comments. But an authoritative source at the commission’s headquarters who spoke on condition of anonymity said the display of the voters list was expected to have been in progress at Awka, the state capital. Those raising concerns over non-display of voters' registers told Vanguard that similar problems were encountered by vot-

BRIEFING: From left: Chief Olisaemeka Akamukali, All Progressives Congress, APC, Interim National Auditor; Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, APC Delta Central Senatorial candidate; Mr. Festus Keyamo and Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu, during a briefing at Warri, Delta State.

Imo gov to settle tussles over traditional stools O

WERRI—GOVER NOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, reiterated his administration’s determination to resolve all traditional stool tussles for the smooth take-off of the Community Government Council, CGC, initiative in the state. Okorocha made the declaration in Owerri, while settling some of the cases brought before him by the Ministry of Community Government Council. He said that the CGC had not gained the needed grounds because some communities do not have traditional rulers. Okorocha described disputes in the affected communities as a setback

to the fourth tier of government, adding that his involvement was to ensure that justice prevailed in the selection of the traditional rulers. The governor regretted that stool tussles in some communities had caused some persons to sell their land and property. He stressed that his administration would put an end to such practices. The governor said: “The traditional stool should not be by election, but by divine mandate.” Okorocha urged those who emerged as traditional rulers to carry everybody in their communities along, for the sustenance of peace.

Communities whose cases were settled included Umualumaku Umuihim in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area; the Awara Community and the Asa Community, both in the Ohaji/Egbema local government. Others were the Ozuzu Community in Ngor Okpala local government and Agbala Community in Owerri North local government. Responding, traditional ruler-elect of the A w a r a C o m m u n i t y, C h i e f Nwakolam Ezenwoke, thanked the governor for resolving the tussles and promised to carry others along, to bring development to the community.

ers in 2010 when many eligible voters could not find their names on the register because many foreign and alien names displaced theirs on the register. A resident of Onitsha, Mr. Bonaventure Okeke, who spoke on the issue said that most nonindigenes in Anambra State, especially Hausa, Yoruba and other non-Igbo speaking people could not vote in the 2010 governorship election due to alleged distortion of the voters register, expressing concern that the same problem was rearing its ugly head again. Okeke said: ’’We suspect foul play in this matter because it is certain that certain officials of the electoral body may have been compromised by some people in the state to distort the voters’ register in order to disenfranchise many people, especially Hausa and Yoruba and even non-Igbo residents who registered to vote. “This was how many people, who registered for the elections in Anambra in 2010, could not find their names on the voters’ register on election day,” Okeke added. A business man, Mr Anozie Okoye, who seethed with anger over the development, condemned the failure of INEC to ensure that nobody was ‘’disenfranchised.’’ He warned: “Thousands of these Yoruba and Hausas and other non-natives live and do their businesses here. These peace-loving Nigerians should not be stopped from voting. Stopping them will be very, very bad.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—15

Ex-Pension boss begs for release zSlumps in Prison BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA—ERSTWHILE Di rector of Pension Accounts in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, Dr. Sani Teidi Shaibu, has begged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, to order his immediate release from Kuje prisons where he has been for the past four months.

Sends SOS to CJ In a save-my-soul request he sent to the CJ through his team of lawyers led by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Sani Ameh and Jubril Okutekpa, Teidi, who was said to be receiving medical treatment at the intensive care unit of the prison facility after he was allegedly found unconscious in his cell, urged the CJ to probe why trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola refused to sign his bail document despite the fact that he had perfected all the conditions since July. It will be recalled that the expension director was on July 12 granted bail by the high court after he had spent thirty-nine days in detention. The court had ordered him to deposit the sum of N500 million and produce two sureties in like sum. Justice Ademola maintained that the sureties must be owners of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, adding that the title deeds of the property be deposited with the deputy chief registrar of the court.

Ruling In his ruling, the trial judge stressed that, “The accused persons should equally deposit their travelling documents with the court registrar and must not travel without permission of the court. If the travelling passports are already with the court, they should be transferred to the registrar of this court.” Before adjourning hearing on the substantive case against the accused person till October 23, Justice Ademola directed that in the event that he failed to meet the bail conditions, he should be returned to prison. However, Teidi, through his lawyers, lamented that though he had fulfilled all conditions, he said the trial judge, without adducing any reason, declined to sign his bail application. The court had initially suspended ruling on his bail ap-

plication indefinitely sequel to a previous petition the ex-pension boss wrote to the CJ. Teidi, had in his earlier petition, alleged bias against Justice Adeniyi, saying the judge not only has personal vendetta against him, but bent on frustrating any attempt to secure his release. Consequent upon that petition, the CJ queried the trial judge, an action that led the court to grant him bail. Specifically, the former pension director was alleged to have connived with a former manager with the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Mr. Udusegbe Omoefe Eric, and diverted about N5 billion meant for pensioners across the country. The duo who are answering to a 22-count criminal charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, breach of public trust and obtaining by false pretense, were on June 7, arraigned before the high court by the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. EFCC had maintained that the accused persons used nine companies and siphoned pension funds. It gave names of the companies accused of complicity in the pension scam as Gozinda Enterprises, Bashinta Nigeria Ltd, Haleath Enterprises, Uthatak Nigeria Ltd, Krasiva Nig. Ltd, Badawulu Ventures Ltd, Ebunu Attah Investment, Muha Millennium Motors Ltd, Ribaile Petroleum Ltd.

EFCC’s revelation EFCC had earlier revealed

HOMAGE: Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu (left) receiving a Sallah gift from the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago, during the monarch’s traditional Sallah homage to the governor in Government House, Minna. before the court how the accused persons used seven bureaux de change operators and stole pension funds, adding that during the investigation, one Mohammed Muhamud, owner of Muha Motors, who it said volunteered statements on 16/2/2011 and 31/5/ 2011, confessed that Dr. Shaibu, at various times, used his bank accounts to transfer huge sums of money to another account operated by one Chief Anthony Azewaputa, who EFCC said facilitated the purchase of “Brifina Hotel,” for the first accused person. The agency told the court that the offence which it said ran contrary to Sections 1(1) (a), 7(1) (b) (i), 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Sections 1(3), 7(2) (b) (i) of the same law, was committed be-

tween 2009 and March 15, 2010.

Allegation

More so, EFCC, alleged that the remanded pension boss, siphoned money from the pensions department and purchased plot B59 Dawaki Extension Layout in Abuja from one Stanley Obioma Iwu, with the intent to disguise the ownership of the proceeds of the illegal transaction, as well as looted monies and purchased 100 units of Lifetime 32-LCD Television, 100 units of Samsung Refrigerators, 70 units of Samsung 1.5 HP AirConditioners, 30 units of Samsung Split unit 1.5 HP Air Conditioners, 15 units of 3HP Package unit Air-Conditioners from Iwu, Chikwado Ezenwoye and Essential Gadgets Ventures.

2015: Go to court, PDP stalwart tells Jonathan’s opponents BY BEN AGANDE

BUJA—A member of the Peoples Democratic Party National Reconciliation Committee, Chief Dosu Fatokun, has advised those challenging President Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2015 election to go to court if they feel that he will be breaking any law if he contests. In an interview with journalists in Abuja, Hon. Fatokun said the Jonathan administration is working assiduously to transform every sector and urged the people to be patient for the results. According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan should look inward before he fills the vacant ministerial seats in his cabinet in order to meet the aspirations of the people.

He said that rather than looking for technocrats from the diaspora who knows nothing about Nigeria’s political terrain and less of the yearnings and aspirations of the masses, the President should look inward. He added that in deploying ministers to respective ministries, the President should consider educational background and experience to ensure round pegs are in round holes. “I urge the President to look inward in picking ministers and aides. The country is blessed and there is no part of the country that you cannot get competent people; people who know the feelings of the people and who will always give objective advice. “It is not people who will be bringing World Bank econom-

ics and theories to our environment. “That is why some people criticise the administration that yes, there is growth but no physical development. “These people are aloof and alienated from the masses,” he said. Fatokun identified “inadequate internal democracy, ego, lopsided rewards system and inordinate vested interests” as among the various reasons for the crisis in the PDP. He said some party stalwarts also fuel crisis when they discover they were no longer visible in the scheme of affairs and running of the party. Fatokun decried the situation where aggrieved members take extreme measure of dividing the party instead of applying internal crisis resolution mechanisms.

APC carpets First Lady over honorary doctorate zAs Nigerian varsities remain shut

BUJA—THE All Pro gressives Congress, APC, has described as the height of insensitivity the decision by First Lady Patience Jonathan to receive a honorary doctorate award in South Korea, even as public universities here have remained shut for months under her husband’s watch. In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said if the First Lady and her advisers had been perceptive enough, they would have known that embarking on such a jamboree at this time is an assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians in general, and the students who have been marooned at home for almost four months in particular. ‘’In their eagerness to gobble up one spurious award after another, they forgot that if the Hansei University in South Korea had been shut by a strike because the government there has repudiated an agreement it willingly signed with the teachers, the institution would not have been able to give any honorary degree to anyone. ‘’A government that is unwilling to spend the nation’s resources on the education of its youth has no qualms about wasting the same resources for a junket by the First Lady and her cheerleaders halfway around the world for what is nothing more than an egomassaging award,’’ it said.

16 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

We’ve curtailed terrorism in Yobe —Col Abdullahi BY BALA AJIYA

AMATURU—NEWLYAPPOINTED Commander of 3 Division Special Battalion, Damaturu, Colonel Aliyu Abdullahi, has said that the spate of attacks by terrorists has been curtailed by the special forces in the area. Abdullahi, who spoke with Vanguard in Damaturu, pointed out that the special battalion’s task, was to rid the state and its environs of insurgency. The commander pointed out that it was through the repelling of insurgents by the brigade that residents of the town, who had fled their homes, were able to return in droves to their abodes. In spite of the relative peace in the area, Abdullahi promised that his men would not relent in their fight against insurgency until the terrorists were flushed out. He said: “The return of peace is evident in the mas-

C M Y K

sive return of people to the major towns and villages across the state and the resumption of commercial activities. “We have, therefore, stepped up our intelligence and acquisition efforts. This requires greater collaboration and cooperation from the people, who are expected to supply us with credible and timely informa-

tion to be able to defeat the insurgents." The commander dismissed as rumour, the claim by insurgents that the battalion lost an armoured tank to them, saying that nothing of such happened. Abdullahi pointed out that being an intelligence-based warfare, it was not possible for

the terrorists to seize an armoured tank from the troops, who are using both aerial and ground forces for their operations. The commander said that the operations so far carried out had yielded positive results and that the activities of terrorists in the North East would soon be contained.

PDP crisis: I'm undisturbed, focused —Tukur BY UMAR YUSUF

O L A — N AT I O N A L Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said that he remained undisturbed and focused as verbal attacks and criticisms only make him s t r o n g e r and well balanced in his quest to reposition the party for better results. He said: ”Every state or nation has a ruling party and I feel that as countries of the world begin to embrace true democracy, there is the need

for Nigeria not to be left out.“ Tukur, who spoke in an interview in Yola, yesterday, adding that one of the tenets of true democracy was fairness. He, however, pledged to ensure genuine reconciliation in the party. ”One of the challenges I have been facing among some of our party members is because I want to effect positive changes in the party. As much as I am committed to the 3Rs, which are reconciliation, rebuilding and restructuring of the party, as clearly stated in my 12- point agenda, the era

of imposition of candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, governorship positions and what have you, are over. It can no longer be business as usual for those who want to be dictators.” On the PDP crisis and plans by the G7 governors to quit the party, Tukur noted that the situation was normal in any party that had grown big, stressing that he was not yet convinced that the aggrieved governors wanted to quit the party as they still enjoyed all the rights and privileges available to them.

Land use, security top agenda at town planners’ confab BY SEBASTINE OBASI

S the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP, holds its national conference, issues pertaining to land use planning and national security will take centre stage. Vanguard learnt that this year’s conference will take an overview of the security challenges facing the country with a view to exploring the application of physical planning strategies to minimise them and thereby facilitate growth and development in the various aspects of our national life. According to Mr. Nathaniel Atebije, National Secretary of NITP, “This issue, we believe, is of paramount importance to this nation particularly in the face of our current experiences."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013— 17

Serious deficits In short, what the Kano NYSC chief was saying is that Nigeria’s “generation next” is ill-equipped for the business of building our country. They neither possess the basic tools of communicating their thoughts nor are they able to write sensibly to get a look-in, in the very competitive world of work! Most employers of labour, today, quietly lament the serious deficits in the quality of young graduates entering the job market. The quality is so bad that one doesn’t know how to recruit. Let me illustrate. This situation that the NYSC chief was lamenting in Kano last week, has been with us for many years. When I worked as GM at KWTV, I once asked a youth corps member attached to my office to do a draft letter for me, which I was to take to government, because I was working on a much larger document. A few hours later, I asked for the draft and what I got did not make sense whatsoever! The writer could not have attended a university as far as I was concerned but the candidate was on national service! As Editor of a newspaper, I also saw the level of deficiency in the quality of reports that reporters would file. We would have to get much more experienced people to re-write basic copies that made no sense. I had lamented the situation for years, until I started receiving reports that a lot of these individuals actually purchased their ways through school. They will offer money and other gifts to lecturers, while Professor Okello Oculli, once told me of the prevalence of STDs in Nigerian universities, but he had actually meant: “Sexually Transmitted

When 89% of corps members cannot write a letter DEGREES”! A lot of the young people do not even have the basic background of learning to be in school in the first place, while they are often loathe to doing the hardwork which intellectual exertion entails. And because this trend has been with us for a very long time, there is a gradual erosion of ability to communicate all around us. In truth, the level of spoken and written English (and other languages) has dropped dangerously in Nigeria. It is not unusual to meet top people speaking very outlandish English; they mix up basic tenses, revealing the depth of illiteracy around us. During the 2011 elections, INEC employed intellectuals as returning officers and on television professors were announcing that: “My names are…”.

Nigeria is hurtling through a sorry pass in practically every area of endeavour. We seem to go for the lowest common denominator in many choices we make, and the 89% of youth corps members unable to either communicate properly in the official language of education and of work, only reflect the national malaise while underlining the dim future the country faces! In the past five years, there has been a steady build-up of failure in schools’ certificate examinations. Such a serious deterioration should have been at the heart of a national endeavour of restitution, but those whose responsibility is to lead action for change don’t seem bothered. We can ask many pertinent questions about the morass we are in today. For instance, how can students work

that signs agreements but reneges in implementation? Why are academics complicit in the systematic subversion of processes by passing students who have no business in the schools system? And don’t parents assist in inducing teachers for their children to get degrees they haven’t truly earned? The questions are many indeed! We face the danger of not having the requisite levels of human development to win the battle against underdevelopment and it is clear that the problem is

*Corps members on parade...How literate are they?

and learn adequately within decayed university systems where facilities have remained literally in a time warp? What about the incessant strikes by academics occasioned by the irresponsibility of a government

already suffocating our social space. When 89 percent of youth corps members cannot write a decent letter of application for employment, then something is truly wrong with our country!

The Nigerian economy of Aliko Dangote I HAVE had cause to write a couple of articles in the past on the larger-than-life image of Aliko Dangote, and the place he occupies in Nigerian society, but especially the economy. When the media began to celebrate his accession into the exclusive rank of billionaires, I had argued that it was wrong, because he had taken so much from our country, but had not given back to society, through foundations dedicated to philanthropy. In the period since the criticisms, Aliko Dangote has made even more money from our country; has become almost THE

AST week, the Kano State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mr. Sanusi AbdulRasheed, lamented that 89% of corps members in the country, could neither write a good letter of application nor communicate effectively in the English language. According to AbdulRasheed, “the NYSC researched into what (the corps members) were writing in the form of applications for one thing or the other. The management noted that about 89percent of NYSC members could not write a good application”. The situation is so pathetic that the Corps chief advised that the corps members he addressed (who were actually passing out from the year-long programme), should “not feel too big”, but should “go and buy primary and secondary school books”, in order to learn the rudiments of how to write good applications. These frightening outcomes of a research had been released to corps members preparing to enter the jobs market in the country. Mr. AbdulRasheed cited an instance when “a majority of (the corps members) start writing application with their name like: ‘I, Sanusi AbdulRasheed, hereby…’. It was also noticed that the majority of the corps members “were more at home with the use of ‘broken English’, as a means of communication”.

Is’haq or Abubakar, etc. Obasanjo said the smart young man decided he wanted to be named Aliko Dangote! Last Saturday, LEADERSHIP WEEKEND newspaper did a cover story, which underlined the essence of the Dangote phenomenon. The story said that in the next five years, Aliko Dangote would outstrip the Nigerian Federal Government, as the largest employer of labour in the land. The Dangote Group plans to create 750, 000 jobs in the next five years and that will eventually reach one million. The

Aliko Dangote has changed the face of African capitalism forever; he moved from being just a Comprador to a genuine national (and in fact, a Pan-African) bourgeois!

MAIN factor in our national economic life, in tune with the desire of our ruling class to make this a capitalist society, willy-nilly. Dangote looms larger than ever in the stock exchange; in governmental panels and in diversified investments in nearly every area of our economy. If Dangote sneezes today, the Nigerian economy will certainly catch a cold! For the Nigerian bourgeoisie, Aliko Dangote is the poster child of capitalist success. I recall that once we went for a media briefing with President Obasanjo, and at the dinner table, he told the joke of a young Igbo man who converted to Islam, and was told that his conversion would be incomplete, unless he took a Muslim name, like Muhammad,

report added that the Group presently employs 26, 000 workers, “spread across its subsidiaries in cement, salt and sugar manufacturing and packaging plants”. On the other hand, the report said the FGN has roughly 90, 000 civil servant, “but the figure will come up to at least 600, 000 when added to those in the military and paramilitary organizations”. Aliko Dangote long recognised as Africa’s richest individual, “…has in the pipeline, a 300, 000 hectare sugar plantation in Kebbi State, rice plantation in Kwara State, and a fertilizer plant and a refinery in the OKNLG Free Trade Zone in Ogun and Ondo states”. That is not all. There is “the planned expansion of its three cement

plants in Obajana in Kogi State, Ibese in Ogun State and Gboko in Benue State, and the planned Independent Power Plant, IPP”.If we are still finding it difficult to wrap our heads around these incredible forays into several areas of the national economy, the Dangote Group recently signed a $3.30billion loan with a consortium of local and foreign banks, “to finance the construction of a petrochemical and petroleum refining plants at the OKNLG Free Trade Zone in Ondo State” and that plant will be largest of its kind in Africa. Aliko Dangote has changed the face of African capitalism forever; he moved from being just a Comprador to a genuine national (and in fact, a Pan-African) bourgeois! Capitalism is without doubt the most radical development process in human history. It tore asunder the sloppiness associated with all hitherto existing forms of organisation of human society. Modernity and post-modernism are both products of the radical impact of capitalism. By investing in different sectors of the Nigerian economy and in all parts of the country, Aliko Dangote has made a definitive statement of confidence in Nigeria and its people. His contribution to the making of the Nigerian nation is very significant because it is located at the level of the political economy. There are always criticisms that can be made, especially at the moral level, about the waivers and advantages that Dangote has taken from Nigeria. The Nigerian state, especially

since Obasanjo, seemed to have bent backwards to accommodate Dangote, Femi Otedola and a whole cabal of stupendously rich individuals who were also often financiers of the political agendas of those in power. But staying within the ambitions of the ruling class to create a capitalist society, Dangote has made a remarkable contribution and continues to do so! At a time when some members of the political elite and intellectuals pooh-pooh the idea of Nigeria or when some lamenting that we have not become a “nation” (whatever that means!) almost like the absurd intellectual in Diogene of Sinope’s painting, who carried a lamp in the afternoon searching for the “righteous” man, a capitalist entrepreneur, Aliko Dangote, is helping to create a Nigerian working class, or more appropriately, a Nigerian industrial proletariat. These working people are his greatest contribution to our country and they demystify the insulting nonsense that reduces us to just a collection of warring “tribes”; the fixation of certain intellectual and political circles, especially in Southern Nigeria. And to crown it all, Aliko Dangote has also discovered the métier in philanthropy. I have NEVER met Aliko Dangote in my life and I am an eternal critique of capitalism. But as Lenin used to say, facts are stubborn things! The fact here is that Aliko Dangote is making a huge contribution to the capitalist development of Nigeria.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 HE recent sad crash of Associated Airlines plane just outside the perimeter fence of the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammad Airport, Lagos exposed, once again, an ugly side of our society, which has become a regular occurrence. As soon as the crash took place, people rushed to the scene. Majority of them al processing of accident scene. were genuine sympathisers eager to lend Time has come when the authorities spea helping hand to save fellow Nigerians, cially set up to deal with these sorts of dead or dying, from a most traumatic ac- emergencies engaged the public to partcident. ner with them in securing crash sites But among these were hoodlums, whose against the invasion of thieves and lootprimary agenda was to rob the victims of ers, whose activities invariably comprotheir material belongings. These are usu- mise investigation that helps to prevent ally the first to arrive accident scenes be- future occurrences. cause it ensures they would be able to loot There is also need for the government, as much as possible before the law en- the media and civil society to debunk the forcement agents and well-meaning res- notion that air travel is a pastime, which cuers would arrive. It is a pity that it is the rich and the corrupt engage in to show these evil people that always get there off their affluence. Views being expressed first rather than the law enforcement per- by many commentators in the social mesonnel and other specialised agents dia networks give the impression that trained and equipped for rescue opera- plane crashes are like judgements protions, who ought to get there first and se- nounced on the rich and corrupt. It is this cure the scene to enable full, profession- mentality that drives urchins, who invade

Crash-site robberies

crash sites to commence orgies of looting of victims. Our people must be made to understand that air travel is part and parcel of modern society; just another means of transport. Every person, irrespective of their social standing, will have the opportunity or need to travel by air some time in their lives. They must also understand that the wealthy people are not necessarily the enemies of the poor and vice versa. Not every so-called wealthy person is corrupt or achieved that status by oppressing the poor. We live in a society, where social mobility is free. Nigeria is not one of those societies, where the poor have no hope. The truth is that those, who engage in this evil act also practise it upon road accident victims, which shows the act for what it really is: Evil criminality that every right thinking member of society must shrink from. The law enforcement agents, on getting to crash sites of any sort, must be prepared to apprehend culprits, parade them and visit the full weight of law on them.

OPINION BY DR. ROMANUS UWA

T was David Gemmell in his book, Shield Of Thunder who said: “I may be stupid, as you say, to believe in honour and friendship and loyalty without price. But these are virtues to be cherished, for without them we are no more than beasts roaming the land.” The above aphorism is axiomatic and factual. One cannot attract friendship, honour and loyalty without paying a price for it. The price for it is personal sacrifice and selfless service to humanity at all times. That is what attracts an honour to be cherished by all. It was this personal sacrifice that Governor Theodore Orji has made right from his days as a renowned public servant and still making now as the Governor of Abia State. With an outstanding track record in public service that spanned over two decades, Gov Orji on assumption of office in 2007 made the reformation of the state civil service a top priority. This was not only because the sector was his primary constituency, but because he had always known and believe that a strong and refined civil service is a pillar for successful and good administration. Appreciating and eulogizing Orji’s remarkable achievements in the state civil service and other sectors of the economy so far, the Abia civil and public service workforce under the aegis of Consolidated Abia State Public Service, CASPS, recently rolled out drums in grand style in Umuahia, the state capital, to honour him for a job well done. The event which was well-attended by the workers in the state took off with an interdenominational service and ended with an award of “Icon Of Public Service” to Governor Orji by the workers. And one may ask or wonder what has the Governor done for the civil servants in the state to deserve such honour which is rare and unprecedented in government-civil servants relationship in the country. C M Y K

Pertinent questions on Abia workers award Having been part of the civil/public service before becoming governor of the state in 2007, there is no doubt that Orji has deep knowledge of the sector and the problems bedeviling it in the state which in most cases were politically-motivated. Tackling the rot and internal squabbles in the state civil service orchestrated by its politicisation and lack of transparency, Orji’s government introduced core values, merit, transparency and professionalism. To start with, several workers that were due for promotion over the years, but had their promotions stunted for tribal and political reasons, were expressly and meritoriously promoted and paid their entitlements by the state government without discrimination. Those that were due for retirement, but have continued to manipulate their records to remain in the service illegally were properly investigated, retired and paid their entitlements without delay or victimization. Workers in the state started attending periodic training and workshops, that were being sponsored by the state government, to acquire more skills and improve on service delivery. Although the national minimum wage of N18,000 has been signed into law, some state governments across the country have failed to pay their workers the stipulated amount till date, citing lack of fund as excuse. Though Abia is not among the richest states in the country, the state government has since been paying its workers N21,000 as minimum wage as against N18,000, thus making Abia the first state in the country to do so. he state government tackled the menace of ghost work ers which was an age-long tradition and a conduit pipe in the service by introducing compulsory biometric data capturing of all workers in the state civil service. Major beneficiaries of the rot in the service, who wanted the status quo to remain, tried everything possible to resist the reforms by inciting other workers against accepting the

innovation. But the state government remained undaunted. And soon people were left wondering why supposedly genuine workers in the state civil service should be opposed to biometric data capturing, especially as it has become a global trend for easy identification of individuals? What were the fears if they were qualified and genuinely employed? But the resistance was a clear picture of how corrupt the civil service has become in the country over the years. It was during the process that the state government discovered that in different council areas of the state no fewer than 1, 727 workers were ghost workers. This number represents the workers who did not show up or report for capturing during the biometric verification that lasted for months, whereas they have been receiving salaries and allowances for years. According to the Chairman of the Biometric Data Implementation Committee and Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Cosmos Ndukwe, Aba South Council area with 245 ghost workers topped the list, followed by Isiala Ngwa South with 153, and Osisioma Ngwa with 138 ghost workers. Others were Ikwuano, 117; Umuahia North, 123; Umuahia South, 101; Isiala Ngwa North, 92; Umunneochi, 65; while Ugwuanagbo Local Government Area had the least with 28 ghost workers. That was how the government plugged all the loopholes that encouraged ghost workers practice in the service. The development also tackled the problem of truancy in the civil service as most workers especially in the commercial city of Aba before now do not come to work regularly, only to come to collect salary at the end of the month. Today workers in the state receive their salaries and entitlements as at when due. *Uwa, a medical practitioner, wrote from Aba, Abia State

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013— 19

, F

EW companies can boast of playing the partnership role that construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, has played in the infrastructural development of Nigeria. The advent of this company of German origin (which was originally a specialist in bridge building, and hence the moniker of its disbanded football team as “the Bridge Boys”) reads like a Cinderella story. In August 1965, the Federal Government, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and officials of Julius Berger Tiefbau AG, Germany, signed an agreement, which enabled German banks to loan Nigeria the funds to build the Second Mainland Bridge, which later came to be popularly known as Eko Bridge. The Bridge connects Surulere at Alaka Bus-stop with Apongbon in Lagos Island. It was a major architectural marvel then (and even now) as it stretches about four kilometres over the mighty Lagos Lagoon. Julius Berger became an instant hit. As soon as the Biafra –

Nigeria war ended, Berger was also saddled with the task of rebuilding the River Niger Bridge blown to bits by Biafra’s daredevil warrior, Col Joe Achuzia (Air Raid) to slow down the federal forces invading Onitsha from the Mid West. It took Julius Berger only seven weeks to repair the Bridge. The company thus warmed itself into fond embraces of Nigerians, both the high and low. It was during the oil boom years that Julius Berger started reaping bountifully from its extension of goodwill that led to the birth of Eko Bridge. By then, the company had diversified to virtually every section of construction activities. The oil boom led to the rapid increase in the population in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. The traffic nightmares began, especially after the Udoji Award, when a lot of people acquired their own cars. The Federal Military Government under General Yakubu Gowon had to figure out how to ease the traffic gridlock. The lot fell

on Julius Berger to construct the Lagos Inland Ring Road networks. These included the Lagos - Ikorodu Road, Apapa – Oshodi – Oworonsoki Express, Lagos – Badagry Express, and the Agege Motor Road that branched off into Agege with the left leg moving on to Ota in Ogun State. All the beautiful flyover bridges in Lagos were built by JB nearly 40 years ago and funded by the Federal Government. It was the recognition that Lagos was simply no longer viable as a permanent capital that the idea of Abuja as the new capital (an original idea of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe) was approved in 1976. The then military Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, on February 5, 1976, signed the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) Decree No 5.For Julius Berger, there was no stopping. From that moment on, it became the construction company of choice, so prized that top members of the ruling class be-

Still on the shame of our pensions I

T is barely two months now since we wrote the article, “Pension: Waiting for the Dead man’s Shoes”. The reaction to that work has been absolutely overwhelming; hence we are impelled to return so soon to the issue, as an up-date to our readers. In our type of situation, salient points cannot escape being repeated. We have not stopped being worried that the pension fund in this country has become the easiest money to steal. Last time, we reasoned that the only language that our system understands is that of strike and service withdrawal. Since the retirees are too feeble to embark on any strike and they have no service to withdraw, the system can afford to deal with them with impunity; hence we recommended stiffer penalties to discourage the reckless embezzlement of pension funds. It is also becoming clear that those who loot the huge sums are perhaps not the real owners of the loots. They are mere commission agents, acting on behalf of the big bosses, hence a man can openly confess to stealing “only N23 billion” and you hand down a fine of just N750,000 on him (.00032% of his loot), which he pulls out of his back pocket, throws at you and he is a free man forever. Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina has finally resurfaced. It would be recalled that he was the Acting Director of Customs, Immigration and Prison Pension Office. When the National Assembly smelt a rat around the close to N200 billion in his care, they invited him to come and shed some light on the issue. When he failed to honour their invitation, a warrant of arrest was issued on him by the Senate but the Inspector General of Police was reluctant to execute the warrant. We saw how the Executive branch of our national government dilly-dallied on

the issue until Maina fled from the country, or so we thought. Maina now says he didn’t go anywhere. We believe him. And history is on his side. James Ibori was a free man until he stepped out of this country. Why would any wise man travel the same route? Does the Senate still want him? Or has his offence expired? For all we know, it is only in this country and it is only with the pension fund that this type of hide and seek game can be played. Enter Dr. Teidi Shuaibu, Former Director, Accounts and Finance (Pension), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation who is being prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged involvement in an N18.3 billion pension fund scam. Shuaibu says he gave N1 billion to Senator Aloysius Etok (PDP/Akwa Ibom) to cover his tracks. The Senator denies the allegation. Meanwhile, the actual owners of the money are dying on the pension queue. Since our last outing, many entries have come in but because of space constraint, our readers will permit us to call only two witnesses: One, Mr. Muftau Baruwa retired from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing as a Senior Foreman. That was more than 11 years ago. Hear him: “I served for 35 years and received merit awards twice by the Federal Government through two different level 14 officers. I joined the service on May 19, 1967 and I retired May 25, 2002. As we speak, I have not been paid a kobo, both my gratuity and pension. I have been to the hospital twice since my retirement… I think death is better than this suffering. Most times, I will go into the streets to beg for money to feed. Severally, for two days, I will not feed.” Two, Mrs. Imakop’s case is equally pathetic. She retired from the National Bureau of Statistics in 2007. She narrates

came interested in it personally. In the early 1990s it became a Nigerian company and was later floated on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In fact, today, a Nigerian is the single largest stockholder of the company though the Germans still have a commanding presence on its board. Julius Berger ’s reputation spread nationwide. In 1987, I had just started my working life in a newspaper in Minna, Niger State. Julius Berger came to town, apparently to prepare Minna for the eventual homecoming of the then military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. Berger completed the Chanchaga Bridge leading into Minna within three weeks. hey simply piped away the river, brought the pre-cast bridge parts and assembled them over the river bed. They worked day and night. It took the company less than a year to transform Minna from a sleepy rural railway town to an infrastructurally sufficient city where two former presidents and other retired generals now feel truly at home. Anywhere Nigerians saw the big “B” of Julius Berger on a project site, it was automatically concluded that government was serious not only in ensuring high quality job but also speedy execution of the contract. However, in recent years, it would seem as though the magic of Berger is beginning to leave it. The company seems to have slowed down. The horrendous experiences of users of the Apapa – Oshodi – Oworonsoki Express, which the company is reconstructing, are simply unspeakable. The reconstruction,

her ordeal: “Since we were retired, no kobo was paid to me. Every time, we would be called to come to Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, to fill one form after another. Sometimes, we sleep at Awolowo Road, on the bare floor, for us to be attended to. In spite of that nothing has come out of

Julius Berger: Lost the magic?

At this pace, it may take Julius Berger up to 15 years to complete a road that leads into the nation’s highest source of nonoil revenue; a road that services more than six industrial estates, two seaports

I think death is better than this suffering; most times, I will go into the streets to beg for money to feed; severally, for two days, I will not feed

it. It was only in 2010 October that I was paid, since then no payment. My children are in school, I can’t provide for them. Anytime they come back, we will starve and they will cry all day till they go back. There is nobody to help me except God. My husband died since 2003.”

e have observed earlier that the Pension Reforms Act, 2004 may only have succeeded in increasing the volume of lootable funds available to the system. Meanwhile, Government has succeeded in removing the burden off its neck and handing same over to private companies organised under Pension Fund

which started over two years ago from Berger Yard Bus-stop, is just getting to Cele Bus-stop, barely six kilometres away, and that is only one side of the express. At this pace, it may take Julius Berger up to 15 years to complete a road that leads into the nation’s highest source of non-oil revenue; a road that services more than six industrial estates, two seaports, and numerous security and military installations and zones. In fact, the former headquarters of the company (before it was moved to Abuja) is on this road. I do not know if this company has a functional media or public relations unit because efforts to find out why the work on this all-important Express by newsmen either hits the brick wall or produces little effect. All we know is that a company known to work day and night in its heydays now works only during the day, at the height of economic bustle. It does not turn up for work on this site during weekends and public holidays. Sometimes the express is totally sealed for hours and nothing moves. And all complaints by the members of the suffering public and the many media houses on this stretch simply fall on deaf ears. Julius Berger is beginning to exhibit streaks of impunity as if it is now entitled to do whatever it likes without explaining to anyone why it is putting members of the public to such dehumanising ordeals on its worksites. The Federal Ministry of Works must wake up and remind Julius Berger that the public is their main customer. And customer is still the king.

Administrators, PFAs and Pension Fund Custodians, PFC. These private companies are made up of bankers, politicians and big businesses, all within the same clique of the ruling elite. Essentially, the Act provides a very good example of a bad law. The law sets off having the retiree as its main target but in the end, the same retiree is left totally unprotected. In a very loose form, it provides a “penalty of not less than two percent of the total contribution, which ought to have been remitted” for late- and non-remittance of contributions. Whichever way it goes, the retiree suffers: head he loses, tail he does not win! Many contributory pensioners are already groaning under the pains of unpaid pension arrears by pension managers. All available information point to the negative direction that many employers are already defaulting on their remittances. The most offending aspect is that some employers are arm-twisting their worker into virtually converting the workers’ entire salaries to pension contributions as a way of atoning for the contributions, which the employers should make. The future begins today. We wonder for how long labour unions will watch on as the labours of our heroes past are being pushed into the mud. After all, they, too, will soon be wearing these tattered shoes.

20—Vanguard, THURSD AY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 THURSDA

Rotary, Cycology Club ride against polio A

• Chairman, Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, Dr. Tunji Funso, unveiling Funke Akindele (a.k.a Jenifa) as Rotary Polio Eradication Ambassador at the Bike-A-Thon press conference to commemorate World Polio Day in Lagos.

Cancerous chem ical found in cosmetics MAGINE being doused with a can thickener or foaming agent in many

cer-causing chemical everytime you shower, shampoo your hair, cream your body or use any other cosmetic product? This piece of hair-raising news is what the Center for Environmental Health, CEH, revealed recently following independent tests that discovered presence of a cancer-causing chemical known as cocamide diethanolamine condensate (cocamide DEA) in dozens of branded shampoos, soaps and other personal care products sold by major national retailers. Cocamide DEA, a chemicallymodified form of coconut oil used as a

products, is listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, cocamide DEA) as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, which identifies the chemical as possibly carcinogenic to humans, and in 2012 was outlawed in California as a known carcinogen. Among products tested with high levels of cocamide DEA include shampoos made by Colgate Palmolive, Colomer, Paul Mitchell and many others. In addition, products marketed for children and a product falsely labeled as organic were found with the chemical, in violation of California law.

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

S part of the resolve to eradicate polio from Nigeria, Rotary International in collaboration with Cycology Riding Club of Lagos, is organising the Bike-A-Thon, a one-day programme of exhibition and fun cycling to generate interest, increase awareness and raise funds towards the total eradication of polio. The Bike-A-Thon is a charity campaign and part of programmes commemorating the annual World Polio day, October 24, to create awareness on the high child mortality rate of polio in Nigeria. Dr. Tunji Funso, Chairman, Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee, notes that there is no cure for polio. “It can

Already, the CEH has sued companies selling products containing the chemical, while legal notices have been sent to more than 100 other companies that produce and/or sell products containing the . Michael Green, Executive Director, CEH. “Most people believe that products sold in major stores are tested for safety, but consumers need to know that they could be doused with a cancercausing chemical every time they shower or shampoo,” said Until things are resolved, it seems like getting shampoo in your eyes may have become the least of your concerns.

only be prevented. Polio vaccine, given multiple times, can protect a child for life. As long as a single child remains infected, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. “Failure to eradicate polio from these last remaining strongholds could result in as many as 200 000 new cases every year, within 10 years, all over the world,” Funsho observed. Through the Bike-A-Thon, funds will be raised to contribute to the $500million required for the total eradication of polio in the country. The event kicks off at 7.00am on Saturday October 19 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Lekki Phase 1, featuring exhibition cycling, cycling stunts, colourful displays, physical displays, expert lecture etc. “Participants are free to enter on payment of a N5,000 registration fee. Riders will choose from a variety distances ranging from a 5-km, 10km or a 50-km loop originating and terminating at Lekki.” Polio cases have decreased by over 99 percent since 1988, from an estimated 350,000 cases then, to 223 reported cases in 2012, but Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain polio-endemic. The reduction is the result of the global effort to eradicate the disease. Funso Rotary Nigeria is part of the Rotary International, a worldwide network of over 1.2million inspired people committed to translating their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

VER since my sister got married, she has stopped working and does not come outside. We never see her. She says her husband does not want her to go outside because men will chase her. She is a prisoner in her own home and her husband beats her. She is so scared of him – Chinyere Dear Chinyere, the relationships we have with people don’t happen by accident. Every relationship in life is negotiated. What I mean by this is that the way people treat us is the way we allow them to treat us and that is why at the beginning of every relationship, we must set the tone by spelling out how we want to be treated. Never assume a husband or boyfriend will treat you right all the time because they say, ‘I love you’. Yes your sister is a victim and while I sympathise with her, it is also important that you understand that she has also invited this kind of treatment by not standing up for herself. Fixing her problem is quite simple. She needs to stop tolerating it. She needs to put her foot down and say, ‘I have had enough and I will not be treated like a slave anymore otherwise I will leave’. And she needs to report her physical abuse to the authorities. Until she does this, nothing will change. Yes it will not be easy and it might cost her the marriage but she has to stand up and negotiate a better relationship for herself, otherwise this will continue or worse still, he may beat her to death one day. She must stand up and fight. I know you want to help her but you and your parents cannot move into her house and fight her battles for her. She is an adult and a married woman. Being an adult means taking responsibility and taking care of your business - Uche Uche do you still have Max Width instant penis enlarger? I bought it from you guys three years ago and then moved to Kano. I really liked it and I need it badly. Thanks – Michael Yes we do Michael. Men like it a lot so we always try to have it – Uche I just wanted to tell you that I have received my Sex Voltz and it is working too well. My erections are powC M Y K

erful. How do you know all these things? Edward Thanks Edward. It is our job to know what works. I am glad you like it. Many people do - Uche Years ago, my wife had this orgasm that was so good that she ejaculated. It was spectacular and hasn’t happened again. My wife says it was the best sexual experience of her life. How can I get her to experience this again? Next week is her birthday - Barrister Edmond Hi Edmond. What you need is a good orgasm gel, a wonderful G Spot Vibrator and lots of patience. G Spot stimulation is the key to squirting orgasm. Of course the G spot is the spongy tissue located on the vaginal roof, about an inch deep. Call the numbers below for more details. You can also learn more about this with real life demonstrations of how to make a woman have a squirting orgasm from the movies Guide to Female Ejaculation and Big O Erotic Guide to Better Orgasms – Uche Please I have erection problems and my doctor says that I cannot take pills of any kind because of my blood pressure. Do you have anything else that can help me? Thanks – Babayaro Hello Baba. There are two other options to enable you to get an erection. The first is the use of an arousal cream or gel, an example of which is the Max for Men Arousal Excite Oil. It is one of our new products and men like it a lot. Your second option is the use of a penis pump to get an erection. When you pump the penis, two things happen. Blood is drawn into the penis to give you an erection and the tissues of the penis expand to lead to a bigger and thicker penis as well. So that will be two huge results for the price of one. The Jack Pump is very good for this – Uche That’s it for this week. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. You can call us on 08027901621, 07038845262 or 08051924159 to order or you can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com . We deliver to you wherever you are. For enquiries, email custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 21

Shipowners decry FEC’s involvement in Cabotage Fund disbursement BY GODWIN ORITSE

“We are not aware of any appropriation into the CVFF by the National Assembly since it was created, thus, virtually every single penny accruing to and currently in the purse of the Fund has been raised from operators one way or another. “The Funds are to be collected by the Nigerian Mari-

HE Nigerian Ship-own ers Association (NISA) has decried the involvement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in approving the disbursement of Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to intended beneficiaries. Speaking at the House of Representative Ad- hoc Committee to investigate the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, Chairman of NISA, Chief Isaac Jolapamo said that principal challenge in administering the CVFF under the extant regime has been the involvement of both the Presidency and the Federal Executive Council. Jolapamo explained that the recommendations for the disbursement of the Fund have severally been made by Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) to successive Ministers who have simply failed to issue their approval reasons that are not made public. “While it has been suggested that approval for the disbursement has to be obtained from the Federal Executive Council before the disbursement can be made. We respectfully disagree. “Interestingly,. There is no statutory provision for the Presidency or Federal Executive Council to be directly or indirectly involved in the administration of the CVFF. “It is useful to summerise the statutorily established modus operandi for the Fund’s administration

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

UNILEVER CARE DAY: From left: Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; Nutrition and Health Manager, West Africa, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Dr. Victor Ajieroh; and Assistant Category Manager, Skin Care, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Aniyikaiye, during the Unilever Global Handwashing Day Celebration in Osun State.

2,765.00

+52.00

18.68

-0.37

102.02

154.77 210.0384 209.968 170.4515 1.5737 0.3003 236.4638 25.285 41.2665 28.1554 237.4791

155.27 210.7169 210.6471 171.0022 1.5787 0.3103 237.2277 25.3671 41.3998 28.2463 238.2463

TechnoOil to create 2,000 jobs with new mega stations

-0.2

B&E CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL Data

rooned in the murky waters of government bureaucracy, inefficiency and daresay lack of transparency. “The very issues currently militating against the disbursement of the Fund is the mischief meant to be cured by the provision requiring that the CVFF is administered profes-

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

116.8

110.38

time Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), deposited in Commercial Banks and administered in line with the CVFF guidelines. “It is not the intendment of the Act nor the CVFF guidelines that applications for loans from the accrued Funds should be permanently ma-

sionally by banks”. Jolapamo added. He noted that the involvement of the both the FEC and the Presidency will only end up in frustrating the entire process of disbursement.

-0.66 -0.39 SELLING 155.77 211.3955 211.3256 171.5529 1.5838 0.3203 237.9916 25.4493 41.5331 28.3373 239.0135

CBN Exchange rate as at 15/10/2013

Traders decry local market incursion by foreign traders BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

raders under the auspices of Traders’ Rights Protection Initiative have decried the negative impact resulting from increasing influx of foreigners and their goods into Nigerian markets. The association made this known through its National Coordination, Comrade Christopher Okpala, who spoke to news men at a Business Award organized by the association in Lagos. He said traders in the country have continued to face several challenges

ranging from unfavourable import policies to multiple taxations and presently has to contend with unbridled invasion of the local markets by foreigners who are in desperate need of viable markets. According to him, “The challenges traders face are enormous, from bad import policies to local and state government’s multiple taxations and then market invasion. This is because, presently we found there has been steady foreign incursion on the Nigerian local markets and I am surprised that policy-makers see this is as good development but it is not. “Let me give an instance with Shoprite, I hear they will develop 700 outlets in Lagos alone, but then nobody has cared to ask

what government is doing to empower all the small scale businesses to make sure they survive because if Shoprite should open 700 outlets, so many of these small businesses would be forced to shut down and the owners thrown into the labour market. and of course that is not what we want at this time as a country. “So this is what some of our policy makers do not consider, they think that stifling the trading community is part of pursuing development agenda. So I think they should come out with well spelt out policies and articulate plans to empower traders because they contribute so much to the nation’s economy.”

N a bid to boost the economy by reducing the level of unemployment, Techno Oil has concluded arrangement to open 20 new mega stations across the country. The Head of Strategy Department of the company, Mr. Ken Abazie who revealed this said the introduction of the twenty new stations is a concerted effort by the company to boost supply of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS also known as fuel and as well create jobs to reduce the level of unemployment. According to him, Lagos would have the lion share of the number of outlets because of its position as the nation’s economic hub followed by Abuja. Other cities include Ibadan, Enugu, Onitsha, Port Harcourt among others. He explained that each of the stations has a capacity to dispense over 30,000 litres of petroleum products daily, using automated pumping facilities adding that most of the stations would not only dispense white products but would also be a one-stop shop for cooking gas refilling, lubricants, LPG cylinders and stoves. Vice Chairman of the company, Mrs. Nkechi Obi said “The new mega stations are strategically located across the different geo-political zones of Nigeria and are positioned to deliver premium value to our esteemed customers. This development would also boost the leadership position of Techno Oil in the downstream sector.” “The filling stations would be a veritable channel for the distribution of Techno Oil range of lubricants nationwide.”

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

From left: Group Executive Director, Domestic Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Patrick Akinwuntan; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku; Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Anthony Okpanachi and Company Secretary, Adenike Laoye, taking part in CSR activity to mark ‘Ecobank Day’ in Lagos.

Global Finance rates Ecobank 20 13 w orld’s 201 world’s bes et bank bestt frontier mark market By PETER EGWUATU

Global Finance, the worldrenowned magazine that focuses on emerging market insights and intelligence, has named the Ecobank Group as its first-ever ‘World’s Best Frontier Markets Bank’ in 2013. Additionally, the Group has won the magazine’s ‘Best Bank in Africa’ award for the second year running. In a statement from the Bank, it was revealed that Mr. Albert Essien, Ecobank’s Deputy CEO and Group Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, accepted both awards on the Group’s behalf at a ceremony held in Washington DC at the weekend, timed to coincide with the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF. According to the statement

from the bank, “In light of the uncertainty facing developed markets, and with emerging markets struggling to maintain their

growth rates, the corporate world is beginning to take notice of frontier markets as a new area of opportunity,” said Global Finance’s

publisher, Joseph D. Giarraputo. “These markets are in a position comparable to where emerging markets were 20 years ago and they are poised for serious growth. Ecobank has demonstrated vision and confidence in Africa’s long-term growth potential, bringing mobile banking services to previously unbanked frontier markets.” Global Finance also named five Ecobank affiliates as “the Best Emerging Market Banks in Africa”, namely Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea (Conakry), and Togo. Criteria for choosing these winners included growth in assets, profitability, strategic relationships, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative products. Group CEO, Thierry Tanoh, commented: “Strong economic growth, a youthful population and increasing consumption make Africa an attractive investment proposition and Ecobank is strategically positioned to benefit from many of these growth drivers. These awards are testament to the success of our pan-African vision and we continue to invest for the long-term, with a focus on customer service innovation which, we believe, will shape the future of banking in Africa.”

MasterCard partners JAN on entrepreneurship, financial literacy

asterCard

has

announced its partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) through its Girls’ Enterprise Programme (GEP) to provide experiential education and training on financial literacy and entrepreneurship to Nigerian youths. 600 secondary school students across 20

schools in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja will benefit from the programme. The Girls Enterprise Programme is part of JAN’s Leadership Empowerment Achievement and Development (LEAD) camp which recruits and trains senior secondary level 2 (SS2) students on different aspects of setting up and running a business, including writing business plans, selling shares to raise capital,

electing officers, managing a business and financial records as well as returning profits to shareholders as dividends. Speakingaboutthepartnership, Omokehinde Ojomuyide Vice PresidentandAreaBusinessHead for MasterCard in West Africa, commented: “MasterCard is privileged to work with Junior Achievement Nigeria to turn around the lives of young people in the country.

Renaissance Credit opens new outlet A

S part of the activities leading up to its one year anniversary, Renaissance Credit, has opened a new shop on Broad Street, Lagos Island, to join its existing shops at Surulere and Opebi, in addition to its Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Branch office. The shop which is located within the popular Western House on Broad Street, Lagos Island; will cater to the teeming population within the Lagos Island axis who form part of the company’s core target i.e. employed male and female between 22 to 55 years old, who live and work in Lagos

C M Y K

State. Renaissance Credit, the international consumer finance company which commenced operations in Nigeria on October 17, 2012 having received a license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, has within a year of operations recorded a number of milestones which include offering unsecured cash loans in 24 hours; receiving its state license in June 2013 and rolling out three fully operational shops barely three months after.The company which remains committed to making consumer loans more accessible to the middle to low income

class, offers unsecured loans between N50,000 and N500,000 in 24 hours and requires minimal documentation from customers to apply for loans. Renaissance Credit has also gone a step further to simplify this process by disbursing directly into the customer’s preferred bank account. customers. The first shop was opened in July, 2013 at Kings Plaza, Adeniran, Ogunsanya, Surulere. This was closely followed by a second shop which was opened in August 2013, at the Pentagon Plaza, Opebi Road Ikeja and most recently, the Lagos Island shop, located within the Western House, Broad Street Lagos.

Enterprise Bank gets new Chairman

ollowing the recent resignation of Mr. Emeka Onwuka as Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Bank Limited, the Bank has announced the appointment of Sir (Dr.) Ogala Osoka MFR, as the new Chairman. Onwuka resigned his appointment on October 1, 2013 to enable him work with a group of investors who intend to acquire AMCON’s shares in the three nationalised banks. Sir (Dr.) Ogala Osoka MFR has been a Non-Executive Director of Enterprise Bank since November 2011 and also Chairman of the Board Credit Committee. A highly experienced manager of human and material resources, Sir Ogala was trained at the City of London College (London Metropolitan University) and University of Nottingham. He also currently chairs a good number of organisations and sits in others as a Board member. Sir Ogala was Managing Director/Chief Executive, National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NICON), Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation as well as President, West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA), among others. He is currently Chairman of Housing Fund, Methodist Church of Nigeria, International Insurance Company, Liberia, International Insurance Company, Guinea, Beco Petroleum Products Plc, Vision Africa Radio (104.1FM), Umuahia and Pearl Insurance Brokers. Sir Ogala is also a Director at Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Frenchies Limited, Western Holding Limited, Sovereign Trust Insurance Company Plc, Member of Council, Abia State Univeristy (ABSU) and First International Bank, Liberia. Sir Ogala has received several local and international awards and honours in different areas of human endeavour. He was winner of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN); winner, Federation of AfroAsian Insurers and Reinsurers (FAIR), Egypt; 1993 Man of The Year by the Association of Senior Staff of Banks and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) as well as 2008 recipient of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) of Nigeria. He is married with children.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 23

Eighty per cent of SMEs fail within 5 years — FINANCE EXPERTS BY FRANKLIN ALLI & WILLIAM JIMOH

and proper record of the company’s activities, adding that these will determine if the bank will be able to help. “Banks are also business enterprises and are in business to make profit too. So there is no way you can prove you operate a business without a bank statement

which most businesses lack. Also, before you can seek and get bank funds, you must have ran the business for about six months with your personal money. Security is one other thing needed and you should have market for the service you tend to provide. Though, SMEs

are the largest employers of labour, insufficient capital, improper inventory record, poor management practices and lack of adequate financial records are factors that mar their access to finance,” he said. Also speaking at the event, Victor Bisong,

INANCIAL experts say about 80 percent of Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, in Nigeria fail within the first five years of their existence due to lack of experience and other wrong business practices. Ugochukwu Chris-Aladum, Lawanson Branch Manager, Stanbic IBTC Plc, stated this at a bimonthly business networking event for young entrepreneurs and business professionals, organised by BizKonects Mega Corporate Limited. He attributed inability of SMEs to access finance from banks and other financial institutions to lack of proper structures. According to him, there are certain requirements that must be met before young business owners SEMINAR: Cross section of participants listen to Benjamin Kalu, MD/CEO, could enjoy bank finance Bende Export-Import Limited, during a seminar organised by the company for including; bank statement exporters.

Manufacturing remains most troubled sector — LCCI BY NAOMI UZOR

ANUFACTUR ING has remained the most troubled sector of the economy, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, said in its 4th quarter 2013 aggregate Business Confidence Index (BCI) report. The report which was released this week to the media stated that all the sectors except manufacturing sector reported positive business confidence levels. “We are mostly worried by the negative (-2 percent) confidence level reported by operators in the manufacturing sector at this time. Over the last one year, the manufacturing sector has consistently remained at the bottom of BCI league table by trending between negative and neutral confidence levels,” the report stated. “The most disturbing factors affecting the sector negatively range from influx of imported and substandard products, poor access to credit, high cost of doing business and inhibitive activities of government regulatory monitoring agencies. “The story so far suggest that while operators in the agricultural sector are hopeful of better days ahead, expansion and new investments in the Nigerian manufacturing sector will potentially remain held down by the lingering challenges confronting business environment in the country.” The report further not-

ed that the ongoing systemic challenge in the discount houses, the prolonged consideration of the Petroleum Industry Bill and the newly introduced 50 per cent cash Cash Reserved Ratio (CRR) on the public sector deposits by the CBN may have triggered some level of uncertainty in the finance and oil & gad sec-

tors. LCCI said the story suggests that expansion and new investment in the most sectors/regions of the Nigeria economy may be soft in the months to cone. Notwithstanding, the final takeover of the nation’s power companies by the new private owners is a succor to our yearnings for improved power supply, adding that,

they look to see how the end of the year festivities increase political activities and sustained tightening by the monetary authorities will impact business confidence in Q1-2014. The release indicated that the agricultural sector remains impressive at 19 per cent from the adverse business confidence it posted in Q1- 2013. Source: LCCI

Head Corporate Finance, Cowry Asset Management Limited, noted that in spite of the fact that the environment for doing business in the country is very difficult; the company supports small businesses in two ways — debt financing and equity funding. He urged operators of small businesses to run their outfit for a while before approaching the company for advisory, linkage and funding service. On his part, Sunday Daniels, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Aqui-

la Leasing, told participants that the company finances start-ups. “What we can do for you as startups is to identify with your idea, develop the idea and seek financiers to fund the business. Get a lawyer, an accountant, get your bank statement; all these show that you are ready,” he said. Jonah Ubong, Projects Director, Bizkonects, said the essence of the platform was to promote and encourage young entrepreneurs and business professionals in the country to network, develop and share ideas.

Promasidor provides borehole to Isolo community BY WILLIAM JIMOH

ROMASIDOR Ni geria Limited has donated a borehole and water treatment plant to Isolo community in Lagos, as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility. Speaking during the commissioning of the borehole situated at the new palace of the Osolo of Isoolo, Chief Keith Richards, Managing Director of the company said they was to ensure availability of clean water in the area. He added that the company is trying to build up innovation and relationship with the community by understanding and identifying with their needs, just as he pledged continuous support to the development and empowerment of the youth in the community. “We want to demonstrate that Promasidor is a good corporate citizen, drinking

water is a fundamental human right of any citizen hence we will be committed to the monitoring of the project in a bid to keep the water running. We have always been very socially responsible organisation and we have been engaging with our host communities. “We also work with communities around the federation; we have worked with people that had been impacted by disaster, those affected by floods in the middle belt and the in southern part of Nigeria,” he said. His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Kolawole, Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, commended the company for its support to the cause of empowering the active poor in the community, describing the company as greatest financier, supporter and source of inspiration due to its passion and concern for the downtrodden.

Teddy Baby products hit market

Oputu addresses LAPO conference today

HE Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, is addressing LAPO Microfinance Bank conference today as guest speaker. The event is taking place at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. In a statement, Managing Director, LAPO, Mr. Godwin Ehigamusoe, stated that LAPO is using the event to launch a new initiative called “SUFEN”, acronym for Supporting Female Entrepreneurs. “SUFEN aims at support-

ing female entrepreneurs with potentials for growing business by providing funds of an appropriate size, management and counseling support. This occasion is a dream comes true. “Since inception of LAPO in the late 80s, the mission of empowering the active poor in the society, and improving lives has been a pointer to greater height attained by LAPO in its avowed mission. LAPO has become one of the most formidable development

organisations in Africa, its has grown from a mere desire into a vibrant system of self-re-enforcing institution delivering financial and social empowerment services in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. According to him, in commemoration of the World Poverty Day, LAPO is also set to celebrate her two major milestones of 1 million customer bases and cumulative disbursement of 1 billion US Dollars to customers.

NGEL Commodity Industries Nigeria Limited has introduced a range of baby friendly products into the market under the brand name Teddy Baby Diapers. “We did not go into the manufacturing and distribution of Teddy Baby range of diapers by mistake, but out of a strong concern and commitment to produce diapers that will be unique, easy to use and ameliorate the inconvenience experienced by mothers who have little or no time to wash, maintain and change napkins,” said Mr. Ndubuisi Ukonu, Executive Director Media, Bigben Communications, Consultant to Angel Commodity Industries. He stated that as far as locally manufactured diapers are concerned, Teddy Baby products are best suited for babies in

terms of quality packaging and price consideration. Mr. Ndubuisi Ukonu assures that the diapers are manufactured to international standard and under the most hygienic condition at the company’s factory in Lagos by technical experts who ensure quality control during the manufacturing process. “Teddy Baby Classic is uniquely manufactured in such a way that any baby can wear it throughout that day before disposing it without any side effect. It is always dry and thinner, baby friendly and comfortable. It is also manufactured as triple-layered absorbent diapers in other to quickly and evenly absorb fluid and effectively prevent rewet and to keep the baby’s skin dry and healthy,” he said.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

LADOL to construct N57bn Egina FPSO platform BY MARIAM EKO

HE Lagos Deep OffShore Logistics (LADOL) base has concluded plans to commence the construction of a Floating Production Storage Off-loading (FPSO) integrated platform for Egina project. Already, LADOL has earmarked a sum of N57billion for the construction of the platform at its base in Apapa Lagos. Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Managing Director of LADOL, Dr Amy Jadesimi said that her company’s competence in handling the first-of- its-kind project in Africa, is no longer in doubt as government has granted the JV all necessary approvals to commence work in earnest. The project which is being handled in a Joint Venture (JV) partnership between Korea-based world acclaimed Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and (LADOL) is expected to be completed in early 2015 The JV seeks to undertake the integration of a world class FPSO platform. Dr Jadesimi who led newsmen on a facility tour of the fabrication site at LADOL base in Lagos, noted that the choice of her organization for the

unique project was informed by its track record in servicing major oil and gas companies’ logistics requirements one of which was the final integration of the famous Agbami oil field facility. According to her, series of findings and vessel simulation carried out along the Apapa ports coastline has revealed that apart from being the only fully indigenousowned body of its kind in the country, LADOL base is most ideal site in Nigeria for berthing a vessel the size of an FPSO. She revealed that LADOL which is an International Ships and Ports Security (ISPS) certified facility has all relevant government agencies’ permanently present in the Zone. They include the Nigerian Export and processing Zones Authority, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). “LADOL is already servicing oil and gas majors, contractors and service companies. The largest FPSO in Nigeria – Agbami – was supported by and from LADOL”, she said. Describing the process of getting government’s nod to commence the project as “a long, costly

Customs takes inventory, evaluates scanning machines ahead of takeover BY GODWIN ORITSE

HE Nigeria Cus toms Service (NCS) has begun an inventory and evaluation of the scanning machines with a view to ascertaining the state of the machines ahead of the December 1, take over date. In an exclusive interview with Vanguard at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, service spokesman, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs said that consultants and experts including the manufacturers of the scanners (Smith of France) were all brought to carry test of the machines. Adeniyi also said that more than 500 of the newly recruited men and officers of the service will be deployed to both the information technology and scanning departments. He disclosed that in the course of evaluating the machines, it was discovered that maintenance of

the scanners had been compromised. He added that the development will not in any way stop the take over of the scanning machines by the Nigerian Customs Service. The Customs spokesman disclosed that the maintenance of the machines were sub-contracted to other consultants other than the manufacturers. Adeniyi further disclosed that the integrity of the machines in terms of maintenance have been compromised. “We had to go to the manufacturers. The Comptroller-General led the delegation to Smith in France. Since the machines will be inherited by Customs, we want to validate the state of these machines. “They were quite open and that was when we learnt that so much has gone on in compromising these machines in term of maintenance.”

and difficult road to success”, Dr Jadesimi listed the various approvals to include: Designation as Deep Offshore Logistics Base, part of Apapa Port, NPA Approval for SaNTA - Training Facility in LADOL which was ob-

tained on 17th January 2013, as well as NPA’s Preliminary Approval for FPSO Facility in LADOL, also gotten on14th of December 2011. She disclosed that other approvals includes NEPZA Planning Approval for

FPSO Facility which came on 28th Nov 2011; NPA Planning Approval for FPSO Fabrication Yard on 2nd August 2013; NPA Planning Approval for FPSO Quay for Integration. Besides the series of approvals, she said her orga-

nization had to sign nineteen separate agreements with Samsung over three years with the active involvement of seven separate world class Nigerian and International Lawyers, Financial Advisors and Consultants.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Director-General , Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi; Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Engr Nebolisa Emordi and Mr. Calistus Obi Nwabueze, at the commissioning of some patrol boats acquired by NIMASA.

CVFF: Six indigenous firms seek N21.28bn for vessel acquisition BY GODWIN ORITSE

S applicants to the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) await presidential approval for the disbursement, a total of the N21.288billion has been requested by six indigenous shipping firms to acquire various sizes and model of vessel. A breakdown of the figure showed that Stazs investment Company requested for N3.566billion as against the N3.874billion requested by Aquashiled oil and marine services limited. While Nkrah investment requested for N5.482billion as against the N3.44billion requested by Zomay marine and logistics limited. For UTM dredging and seabulk Off-shore operating Nigeria limited, N960million and N4billion were requested respectively. This was contained in the presentation made by the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar during an investigative hearing on the CVFF by an Ad-hoc Committee constituted by the House of

Representatives last week in Abuja. In the presentation, the Minister said that the four Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) have also recommended that the requested amount be given to the applicants for the purposes stated. In the presentation, it was stated that the four PLIs namely Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Skye Bank and Sterling Bank will participate in the disbursement of the fund to the various applicants. A further breakdown

also showed that Diamond will disbursing the highest amount of the Fund as both Stazs and Seabulk will be receiving a total of N7.566billion to part finance the acquisition of one Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) and to finance the construction/ purchase of one new 90 ton Damen Azimuth Atem Drive Tug 5113. For UTM dredging and Zomay Marine and logistics, Sterling Bank will disburse N4.4billion for also the part financing of the acquisition of three

new vessels and the procurement of an Anchor Handling Tug Vessel for Vessel hiring services to NAOC. The N5.482billion requested by Nkrah is meant to finance acquisition of a Platform Support Vessel and AnchorHandling Tug Boats named MV Vega progress and MV Varada Queen, while Aquashield will use its N3.566billion for the acquisition of PSV Dynamic Position Vessel, MV Mariner Sea.

Somali most notorious pirate leader arrested BY GODWIN ORITSE with agency reports

OVES by European authorities to arrest Somalia pirate ring leader, Mohamed Abdi Hassan, have yielded result as the man behind most the vessel hijacks and kidnapping of crew members. His involvement if pirate activities in the Somalia axis has also netted in million of dollars in the coffers of these sea criminals. The alleged pirate king-

pin thought he was going work in the movies. Instead he landed in jail. In a sting operation worthy of Hollywood, Mohamed Abdi Hassan was lured from Somalia to Belgium with promises of work on a documentary about high-seas crime that would “mirror his life as a pirate,” federal prosecutor Johan Delmulle said Monday. But rather than being behind the camera as an expert adviser, Abdi

Hassan ended up behind bars, nabbed as he landed Saturday at Brussels airport. “He’s one of the most important and infamous kingpin pirate leaders, responsible for the hijacking of dozens of commercial vessels from 2008 to 2013,” Delmulle said. Abdi Hassan — whose nickname, Afweyne, means “Big Mouth” — was charged with hijacking the Belgian dredger Pompei and kidnapping its nine-member crew in 2009, Delmulle said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—25

Omenka Gallery takes Ojeikere, Iroha, others to London African art fair STORIES BY JAPHET ALAKAM

T will be a vibrant exhibition of colour, emotion and passion, as London gets set to host the first international, contemporary African art fair tagged Contemporary Realities: Shifting Identities this month. The exhibition which is organised by African media house IC Publications in partnership with the 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair is the first international contemporary African art fair and is scheduled to hold at Somerset House in the city from 14th - 20th October. Founded by Touria El Glaoui, daughter of celebrated Moroccan artist Hassan El Glaoui, 1:54 will be the first international art fair dedicated exclusively to contemporary African

participated in many solo and group exhibition where he exhibited a thousand pictures of different African women hairstyles. Uche James Iroha is an award winning young photographer who has carved a niche for himself. Regarded at the beginning of the 21st century as someone that has broadened the horizon of Nigerian photography through his support to young photographers and the passing of his knowledge to them. Dominique Zinkpè from Cotonou in the Republic of Benin is unarguably one of the most recognizable contemporary artists to emerge from his country. His strongly personal style and versatility as a painter and sculptor have secured him increasing international recognition. He has participated in

1:54 is a platform for galleries, artists, curators, art centers and museums involved in African and Africa related projects to promote art

art and will run concurrently with the world-renowned London Frieze Art Fair. The fair will be held in the historic settings of Somerset House in central London and will be designed by award-winning Ghanaian/British architect, David Adjaye - the man responsible for the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo and the forthcoming $500m National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C As part of its determined efforts of taking African arts and artists to international limelight, Omenka Gallery will participate in exhibition. 1:54 is an independent fair designed by architect David Adjaye as a platform for galleries, artists, curators, art centers and museums involved in African and Africa related projects and aims to promote art by established and emerging talents amongst an international audience. The exhibition will showcase works by leading three contemporary African artists, Okhai Ojeikere, Uche James-Iroha and Dominique Zinkpe. Their works will be displayed at booth 10B Somerset House, West Wing Strand, London. Pa Ojeikere is a Nigerian photographer who is known for his work with unique hairstyles found in Nigeria. The widely acclaimed photographer has

numerous exhibitions workshops and residences in Africa, Europe and South America. Founder of 1:54, Touria El

*Uche James-Iroha, Looking Down Still Shocked, 2012

Glaoui, said: “ We are very excited to have IC publication as our media partner for 1:54, the first fair dedicated to Contemporary African Art. The fair aims to promote on an international level established and emerging talents from Africa and the African Diaspora.” Omar Ben Yedder, Managing Director of IC Publications said: “African art is finally getting the attention its artists and art de-

serves and 1:54 will be a showcase for a lot of what is good in African art today. We are truly excited about 1:54 I am delighted as this is something that is very close to me personally. Touria has put together an impressive and highly talent-

ed team to lead this initiative. I think that all lovers of art have something very exciting to look forward to later this year and African art, thanks to 1:54, will have its deserved place on the international stage.”

Divas Tussle tackles breast cancer on stage B

REAST cancer is a scourge that claims the lives of many women every year. As part of efforts aimed at reducing its devastating effects, each year, WHO and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) came up with measures to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Here in Nigeria, many organisations have come up with different ways of tackling the menace and as part of her contribution towards alleviating the plight of breast cancer victims, Chinasa Ariole, a professional film maker and producer with her Hadassah Studios’ Pink Crusade came up with a play tagged Divas Tussle, a stage drama aimed at creating awareness about Breast Cancer. The drama which highlights the emotional journey women go though while battling breast cancer is scheduled to hold at Terra Kulture, Victo-

ria Island, Lagos between October 18 and 19.There will be five shows , the first day will have two shows by 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm, while the second day will have three shows, 12.00 pm,3.00 pm and the command performance by 5.00 pm. With a strong message that will capture the audience and make them relax and enjoy, the play opens with the visit of three women to a Pink Hospice after being diagnosed of different stages of breast cancer, with the hope of getting answers that will help them deal with the emotional journey of fighting breast cancer. There they meet other women who also have their own battle with breast cancer. We see seven women each with a story to tell. They discover just how much breast cancer binds them together and yet threatens to keep them apart in death if they don’t win the battle. According to Chinasa,

*Chinasa Ariole

who doubles as the writer and producer said the play was inspired by a relative’s travail. The drama goes on to show that breast cancer affects women physically and emotionally, loved ones included. “ You cannot stop breast cancer from happening to you or your loved ones but the only key to survival is early detection and proper medical treatment.” In it the audience’s connect with the play starts with the initial reaction the news brings out of the women.

Starring core proffessionals who have given many years on the stage like EdremodaUgbeye, Obiageli Molobe, Eruku Ivie Okujaye, Lara Akinsola, Jennifer Osammor, Inna Erizia and Bariyah James to sell the message to the larger public. Diva’s Tussle is directed by Joseph Ofili, with Ibeh Ugochukwu as stage manager. The play also has the benefit of the experience of Lufadeju Damilola, a writer and Eryka Henry-Obike, a renowned make-up artist.

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 2013

LAGOS-BENIN HIGHWAY:

Motorists, commuters tell By JUDE NJOKU & KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

RAFFIC snarl on the Lagos-Shagamu-OreBenin highway due to deathtrap potholes on the ever-busy road, has become a recurring decimal. Under normal circumstances, the journey from Lagos to Benin should be covered in three hours but due to the dilapidated state of the expressway, commuters spend almost the entire day on the road. It was against this backdrop that a contributor to one of the presidential media chats, last year, told President Goodluck Jonathan that whoever fixes that road and power would be regarded as the best President

prompt presidential attention. But one year after, the road, particularly the section from Ore to Ijebu -Ode has gone from bad to worse, hence commuters now get stuck in the traffic gridlock for several hours. Harrowing experiences The last Saturday of September 2013 will not easily be forgotten by commuters who passed through the Ijebu-Ode - Ore section of the expressway, which some of them likened to the valley of the shadow of death. It was a harrowing experience that began early in the morning for most of the passengers who had left their homes to catch the next available vehicle, ostensibly to beat the restriction that goes with the monthly

It took almost seven hours to get to Ore from Ijebu-Ode, a journey that should have lasted only one hour

Nigeria has ever produced. In a swift response, President Jonathan said he would fix the road before the end of his current four-year term. The President who also promised to review the concession agreement with Messrs BiCourtney on the reconstruction of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, matched his words with action when the following day, the concession contract was revoked. The revocation raised the hope of stakeholders that the Lagos-Shagamu -OreBenin Road, would also receive

environmental clean-up exercise. While some of these passengers were lucky to beat the 7am time for the commencement of the restriction, others failed. But whether they left so early or much later, they were to go through hell on the Ijebu Ode /Ore end of the expressway. Unknown to so many of these passengers, there was a failed portion of the road and commercial transporters who are known for their impatience had boxed themselves into a cul de sac by forming five lanes

* BLOCKED...Part of the failed section of the road presently under rehabilitation from both sides and opposite ends of the road, thereby getting into a gridlock that could have been created only by insane minds.

To worsen the situation, none of the security or traffic enforcement officials were around to control the situation. It was indeed anarchy unleashed on humanity as the road became a living hell for all those trapped in the gridlock.

Living hell

*Slow-moving traffic on the pothole-ravaged road

Trust nature to take its course. Women who needed to answer the call of nature were badly constrained and exposed. The vehicles and their overzealous drivers were overstretched and hunger punished the travellers. It took almost seven hours to get to Ore from IjebuOde, a journey that should have lasted only one hour in normal circumstances. As night fall approached, many of the passengers started nursing another fear – attack of armed robbers who have made the expressway a haven to carry out their devilish

activities. Some of the commuters who spoke to Vanguard Metro, VM, stated that it is only God’s intervention and mercy that spared the lives of those who developed health problems during the journey. “Any asthmatic person, pregnant woman that went into labour or a cardiac case that developed at that point was bound to be life threatening,” a passenger who did not give his identity said. “The pattern of road construction in Nigeria is such that there are no transit medical facilities that could take care of emergencies. In most cases accident victims are taken through long distances before help could be got, hence most of them fail to make it”. An Nsukka-bound commuter who simply identified himself as Emeka, told VM that he boarded a luxury bus at Jibowu as early as 4am to enable him arrive Nsukka early enough. But the driver of the bus owned by Ifesinachi Transport

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 27

tales of woe

Company had to go through Ibadan and Ife before hitting Ore, an additional distance of about 250 kilometres because they learnt that the road was blocked and traffic was at a standstill. “We had to pay higher fares because of the 250 additional kilometres. At the end of the day, I arrived Enugu around 8pm. When I was coming back to Lagos, I had to sleep over at Onitsha in order to leave early and get to Lagos in good time. But I still arrived Lagos around 8pm because the traffic was not just flowing,” he said. Politics of Benin/Ore Road: Most of those who have followed the unending saga of the Benin Ore road believe that it is a political project for the ruling political party at the centre, which budgets billions of Naira for its rehabilitation. Mr. Jude Agbi who was a victim of robbers at that section of the road in June this year alleged that “this road which serves as the gateway to the South East,

South-South and Northern states is a political project”. He did not stop there. “The road is left to degenerate every election cycle because 50 percent of the budget for repair works goes into their electoral fund,’’ he alleged. A n o t h e r commuter, Mr. *An East-bound goods lorry going through a heavily eroded section of the road Tony Nwokobia who has also gone through Commenting on the consistent ure of road projects across the fact that this road has to be rebuilt. Yes, we welcome the rough times on the road, failure of the dual carriage road nation”, Akinsowon said. Previous experiences: rehabilitation that is going on argues thus: “The at the Ijebu-Ode-Ore axis, recalls that but ultimately, this road must engineering solution required Kayode Akinsowon, an Vanguard for the road is beyond FERMA, engineer and former Julius exactly four years ago, the be rebuilt”. A year before this incident, the the agency responsible for the Berger Nigeria Plc staff who Ondo State Governor, Dr maintenance of Federal roads. worked as a site engineer Olusegun Mimiko and the then then Minister of Transportation, during the construction of Works & Housing Minister, Dr. Mrs Dieziani Allison Madueke Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Hassan Muhammad Lawal, reportedly wept uncontrollably Fortification with the seventies, attributed it to the inspected the reconstruction after a facility tour of the road. hardcore stones high level of corruption in works on the ever-busy LagosMrs Madueke who Ore-Benin expressway. The empathised with the sufferings “For instance, the soft soil governance in the country. According to him, kick-back traffic gridlock on that day was Nigerians go through on that and swampy land surface needs to be unearthed and syndrome in contract awards by so frightening that Governor road, gave reasons for fortified with hard core stones the government is responsible Mimiko and Dr Hassan Lawal betraying her emotions. “I weep at the sight of before grading and tarring of for shoddy completion of road became emergency traffic everything that shows failure the road as was done at the projects across the country, add- wardens. Speaking to newsmen after of government in Nigeria. Ofosu to Okada end of the same ing that rampant failures of newly constructed or reconstructed that harrowing experience, Lagos-Shagamu-Ore-Benin road”. With Christmas fast approaching those who plan to roads, as the case may be, Governor Mimiko said: “We Road is a clear picture of Nigerian state abandonment of travel during the period must its responsibility to its citizens”. We must do something about this road; be ready for the unexpected on this road. people sleep here for two, three days; there is Responsibility Works Ministry reacts: Efforts to reach the Minister no question about the fact that this road has to to citizens of Works, Mr. Mike be rebuilt; yes, we welcome the rehabilitation Onolememen, an architect, to Continuing, she promised to comment on the development that is going on but ultimately, this road must remedy the situation by fixing failed as his cell phone was be rebuilt the road. “The challenge for us switched off. But a top official is to act wisely in dealing with of the Ministry who spoke on across the nation as being re- have all been witnesses to the this matter. The errors have condition of anonymity, told ported in the media on daily harrowing experiences that our been made but I think we can VM that work is ongoing on the basis, are due to shoddy com- people go through on this road still correct the problem by reconstruction of the road. He pletion of road projects by con- on a daily basis. We cannot run looking for what will ensure a attributed the present snarl to tractors who are usually friends away from the fact that this road renewed government what he called a “wash out or of government agencies and is congested, hence the road relevance not for self-serving or mini-slide” that occurred along are awarded contracts on the has broken down completely. the good of a few but the good the Ijebu-Ode -Ore section. He basis of this. The solution I see is simple: of all”. Despite the weeping explained that FERMA moved “For a particular portion of an From Lagos to Benin, this road and hopes raised by the in to provide palliative repairs expressway to fail all the time has to be reconstructed. The Minister, nothing was done to but when the Minister realised means that contractors han- palliative that is going on is fix the road until she was that the scope of the work was dling the road have been do- okay for this season but deployed to the Petroleum beyond FERMA, he directed ing shoddy jobs. Every road ultimately, the Federal Ministry. Messrs Reynolds Construction project has its scope of work Government must commit itself Dr. Hassan Muhammad Company, RCC, to return to site and contract terms. But in most to rebuilding this road. This is Lawal who later took over as to bring permanent solution to Minister of Works & Housing cases, contractors handling our a very important atrial road in the problem. He explained that road projects do not adhere to this country. made similar pledges on the what is causing the present contract terms, and this results We must do something about road but nothing concrete was gridlock is the blocking of one done until he bowed out of in shoddy delivery of jobs. The this road; people sleep here for of the lanes by the contractor. reason for this, is that govern- two, three days and you know office. Successive Works The source advised motorists to ment officials who are sup- what that means in terms of loss ministers after him equally be orderly, assuring that in no promised to fix the 250 posed to certify the job at the to the economy of this nation distant time, the failed section point of handing over, have not to talk of the psychological kilometres road but these would be rehabilitated. been compromised. The result torture that people go through. promises were never actualised An expert’s view: till date. of the compromise is the fail- There is no question about the

28—Vanguard, THURSD AY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 THURSDA

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 29

5th from right: Commissioner for Special Duties and Chairman NYSC Governing Board, Dr Wale Ahmed, State Coordinator NYSC, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi (6th right)and the six corps members of Batch C receiving state honour from Lagos State.

Osun school reforms in the eyes of the storm By AMAKA ABAYOMI & GBENGA OLARINOYE

ollowing the educational reforms in Osun State, which led to the reclassification and mergers of schools, introduction of one school uniform and the alleged introduction of ‘Ifa’ as a school subject, concerned educationist have questioned

the workability of such reforms, especially as it has caused an uproar among students, teachers and parents. Osun State government had claimed that these reforms are the results of an earlier organised education summit, chaired by Professor Wole Soyinka, which recommended that the reclassification of

INSIDE

Govt asked to get private sector's involvement in education — Page 31 SALLAH MESSAGE:

MAN wants FG to parley with ASUU, NMA — Page 35

How we tackle rot in Oko Poly — Rector — Page 32

C M Y K

schools and the other components of the reforms were the best ways to reposition the educational sector of the state. According to the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, stakeholders at the summit agreed on having three structures of basic education that is elementary, middle and high rather than the existing

primary, junior and secondary levels, and a comprehensive overhaul of physical and human component of the education system.

Implementation Implementation of the O’School initiative commenced with the

inauguration of the Salvation Army Middle School in Osogbo, the state capital, by Governor Aregbesola, which is one of the 100 elementary, middle and 20 high school being built under the initiative. “The Elementary Level, comprising pupils aged 6 to 9 corresponds with primary 1 to 4 in the existing system. The Middle Level is from primary 4 to Junior Secondary School (JSS III) for pupils aged 10 to 14, now classified as Grades 5 to 9. The High School Level covers ages 15 to 17 and corresponds with the Senior Secondary School III (SS III), known as Grades 10-12”, government said. New uniforms & introduction of Ifa as a subject The reclassification and merging of schools comes with the burden of parents buying new school uniforms for their wards as the old uniforms have been rendered unwearable. To this end, all categories of schools now have unique school uniforms which differentiates each school. Though government is bearing the cost of the first set of uniforms to all the students, but parents would have to bear any additional cost should their ward(s) uniforms need changing. Also, the merging of same sex and faith based schools have continued to generate controversies as some students, old boys associations and proprietors of these schools have protested the merging. Notable are the

Continues on page 30

ASUU STRIKE:

ERC welcomes NUT, NUPENG and NUEE’s decision to call solidarity strike BY LAJU ARENYEKA

he Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has said that it welcomes the decision of three trade unions - the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) - to embark on solidarity strike actions to compel the Federal Government to honour agreements signed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The National Coordinator of the ERC, Mr. Hassan Soweto said this in a statement to newsmen recently. Soweto urged the three unions to take this beyond the realm of threats and immediately name a day on which the solidarity strike would take place. He

said that the unions should begin “active mobilisation of their rank and file members as well as students who are frustrated at home and concerned Nigerians to come out en-masse for mass protests and demonstrations on this day.”Adding, the ERC Boss said: “We commend the three unions for taking this decision which we believe is in the best interest of the education sector and the Nation at large. We agree that the ASUU strike has gone on for far too long and the plethora of strikes in the education sector are just too many. Slowly the entire public education sector is grinding to a halt. For instance, the public polytechnics are equally closed and it will not be too long before the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) follow suit. The Colleges of Education

lecturers had recently held a 7-day warning strike. Indeed, the Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) had to resume the strike, they had suspended in July after three months, due to the insensitivity and insincerity of government to their demands and terms of the suspension of the last strike.” Soweto argued that such a solidarity strike would be in the best interest of the education sector and the country at large. He said: “The three unions come from key sectors of the Nation’s economy. As such their decision to embark on solidarity strike if given full and practical effect could help pile pressure on the recalcitrant anti-poor Federal Government to meet demands of striking education unions so that Continues on page 30

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Osun school reforms in the eyes of the storm

Scrapping of preschool On September 5, Aregbesola announced the cancellation of ‘pre-school’ education in all public schools in the state because, according to him, it was wrong for mothers to dump their babies in the name of building careers. What he has failed to realize is that Pre-Schooling such as crèche, kindergarten and nursery education, are so fundamental to Early Educational Development because this is when they learn the art of socializing

Educationists react Describing the reforms as another example of the failure of the policy, the Education Rights Campaign, ECR, has called on the state government to immediately reverse the counterproductive policy. “We must quickly point out that as a group involved in education campaigns over the last 10 years, the ERC is very much aware that to revamp Nigeria’s collapsed and degenerate public education system, radical, painful and perhaps inconvenient changes and alterations might be necessary. However this has to be done by democratically involving people in the debates leading to such decisions. “This is missing in the Osun State school reclassification policy which is why the ERC considers the policy as undemocratic. We are also concerned about the untold hardship this merger will mean for parents, students and teachers as there would be increase in drop in school attendance and truancy rate among students due to the placement of the new schools at long distance from the residence of the students and

ASUU STRIKE: Continues from page 29 public Universities and Polytechnics can be reopened for academic activities to resume. This would also serve as an example for other unions and the entire labour movement to follow. We want to stress that the solidarity actions which the NUT, NUPENG and NUEE have envisioned should also cover and back the strikes of ASUP, COEASU and all other unions in the education sector that have any ongoing dispute with the government over pay, conditions and education funding. This is the best way to ensure that all the outstanding disputes in the education sector are resolved and all public Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Educations are opened for full and undisrupted academic activities.” Soweto added that the ERC understands the C M Y K

position of Nigerians who believe that the entire sector will crumble if such a union as the NUT goes on strike. In response to this, he said: The point that must be made is that with or without strikes, the entire education sector including secondary and primary education has already been destroyed and shutdown in terms of standard and quality that it is simply a pipe dream to imagine any serious learning is going on at any point in time in any of our public schools.”

We are yet to distribute the N100 billion ——VCs

fter Seven full weeks of the widely reported announcement of the distribution of N100 billion to 59 public universities, as part of Federal Government’s

transfer of students schooling at schools close to their neigbourhoods to schools which are very far from their residence.” The ERC tasked the government to rather, concentrate its efforts into renovating and expanding the

For schools to be functional, the classrooms must be well built, have qualified teachers that are well trained and paid, quality materials and conducive environment to boost learning and improve students’ performance

existing schools and furnishing them with libraries and laboratories so as not to reverse the little gains made in the sector. Pointing out that it wasn’t consulted before the policies were made public, the Osun State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, OSCAN, said it is against any educational programme that will obliterate the mission schools and affect its tenets of faith. “OSCAN is not against any new educational policy being put in place by either the

commitment to fund the implementation of identified needs of the nation’s public universities, there are indications that red-tapism or perhaps, insincerity of purpose has hindered the funds from getting to universities. Grapevines from universities authorities, comprising of Vice Chancellors reveal that the monies have been gotten

protests by the students of Baptist Girls High School who kicked against being merged with an islamic school, and Fakunle Comprehensive High School, founded in 1965, merged with Osogbo Grammar Schoool, while the junior students were moved to different schools. Probably considered the biggest controversy is the alleged introduction of Ifa (which is about the Yoruba divination and belief about Olodumare (God))as a new school subject. The controversy is heightened as the Opon Imo (tablet of knowledge) that was recently given to the students came pre-loaded with learning materials, textbooks, the Bible, Quran and Ifa.

which is so important to normal development, activate their gross and motor skills, begin to gain numerical recognition and also develop other associated skills.

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federal or the state governments but we vehemently kick against any educational programme that will obliterate the mission schools and affect our tenets of faith particularly in the state. “We have maintained this stand from inception and we will continue to defend lawfully what belong to us as Christians in the state. As a major stakeholder in the state, the leadership of CAN expects the state government to invite us to discuss this issue and other related one without delay.” Also, retired Directors of Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Awoyinfa and Mrs. Amosu, both called on the state government to rather renovate the existing schools and get qualified teachers to improve the standard of education in the state. “For schools to be functional, the classrooms must be well built, have qualified teachers that are well trained and paid, quality materials and conducive environment to boost learning and improve students’ performance”, they said.

Government’s stand When contacted, the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, All Progressive Congress, APC, Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, said the governor has thought it wise to give the students a better future with these reforms. “When he assumed office, what he met were appalling billion was shopped from acclaimed sources like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other government agencies, within 16 days of round-the-clock work; if the sharing formular which will be presented below was

FG has only sent us a memo through the Ministry of Education that IMSU is getting N650 million from the funds. Until we get the alert into the university’s account, we will know how sincere, government is

through the usual official policy statements and memo, but not in cash or cheque. For the avoidance of doubt, this said money was ‘gallantly’ shopped by the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led Presidential Implementation Committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities within 16 days of its inauguration (July 26August 1, 2013). If this whooping N100

arrived at within 16 days of heated debates and counter debates, should there be any, then the expedient question is why the delay in implementation, that is disbursement to the nation’s decrepit universities after the ‘nice’ sharing formular, which has been made available to Vanguard Learning. In the words of one of the revered sources contacted, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Ag.

as the school buildings were collapsed, low students performance and poor teacher orientation. He immediately called for a summit and the outcome is what we are seeing today. The reclassification is not different from the 6-3-3-4 system of education. What we have done isn’t different from what is obtainable in developed climes. Government has committed a lot of resources in toe sector and we are sure to reap the benefits soon.” Describing the alleged introduction of Ifa as a subject as the handiwork of mischief makers, Oyatomi said one quarter of Osun indigenes ore traditionalists, thus the Opon Imo came pre-loaded with the Bible, Quran and Ifa, “Instead of carrying book about, the tablets come loaded with reading and learning materials and also has the holy books of the various religions in it. The Ifa on the tablet is just for information purpose and doesn’t mean those that are not traditionalists must read or meditate on it. Despite the believed advantages of the educational reforms, many questions, such as: when would primary school pupils write the common entrance examinations? At what stage would students write their junior WAEC? What happens to NECO, UTME and WAEC exams for the senior secondary students? These questions, among others, are still begging to be answered.

VC, Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, who was the immediate-past National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU): “FG has only sent us a memo through the Ministry of Education that IMSU is getting N650 million from the funds. Until we get the alert into the university’s account, we will know how sincere, government is...” Similarly, Prof. John Obafunwa, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo disclosed that the N1.200 billion earmarked for the university has not been paid as cheque or cash into the university’s account. After about one month, what is preventing universities official accounts from getting the ecredit alerts. According to the allocation, which grapevines say was based on “students’ population and the depth of infrastructural decadence

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MTN Education Tour Bus: An enlightening trip into the digital future BY LAJA THOMAS

he pace of innovation has grown faster than previously imagined. With human manual effort giving way to more advanced and precise technologies, the future of commerce, science, banking, telecommunications, entertainment, education and even government will be driven by digital technologies. Evidence of that future is located in the innumerable mobile apps, continuous research into our mode of transportation and many digital resources that can predict weather conditions and ensure we make transactions within the comfort of our locations— home, work, or at leisure. Responsible governments worldwide are working hard daily, devoting more financial and human resources to ensuring that youth populations are brought up to speed with the slightest discoveries in micro-chips – the essential brains of the computer system. The belief here is that if the young generation are given the right exposure to daily advancements in sciences and technology, they will be able to adapt to global changes, subscribe to scientific details and improve on them to help their respective nations build the necessary competitive edges to remain relevant. In Nigeria, there is a human-capital-building initiatives currently running in the country. The initiative, meant to introduce Nigeria’s

people onboard, at strategic attaining their aspirations. youth population to locations and enlightening For her, "what MTN has technological advancements, them, via audio-visual done is to open our eyes to latest mobile apps, intricacies technological equipment possibilities, which I think are of social networks and while providing endless and really vital for us familiarise them with entertainment to the to bring Nigeria at par with elements of technological participants that flock to its the technologically-advanced researches and original locations. countries." inventors, is the brain-child According to Okundola Also, the digital age has of the nation’s largest mobile Bamgboye, MTN’s Event and allowed rapid global telecommunications network Sponsorship Manager, communications and service provider, MTN and it ‘Because of the imperative of networking to shape modern is called Education Tour Bus. digital education and its society. Essentially, the campaign aims to build the passion for creativity and s u s t a i n government and corporate effort t o w a r d s innovation a m o n g Nigerians, especially the y o u n g generations. From Lagos to Ibadan, Akure, Ado-Ekiti, Ile-Ife and Abuja, the campaign has already helped over 2,000 Participants registering to participate in the MTN Education Tour Bus digital campaign, in Abuja, recently. youths gain insight into the latest digital advancement, mobile telecommunications services and social network operations. Participants range from elementary school pupils to secondary school students and undergraduates from Nigerian universities. Frequently, trendy adults have also been part of the campaign, craving digital enlightenment. With a state-of-the-art digitally-equipped facility, the MTN Education Tour Bus travels around Nigeria, taking

relevance to our collective aspiration, as a nation, MTN is using its Educational Tour Bus to enlighten Nigerians, especially youths, about the latest global development in that area’. Moreover, participants have been showering encomium on MTN. Opeyemi Fiyinfoluwa, a student and beneficiary of the Educational Tour Bus digital enlightenment, in Akure, admitted the relevance of the initiative to fostering youth capacity-building and

Considering the ambition of Nigeria to become one of the world’s largest economies, in the next seven years, with regards to the core concern and focus of Vision 20:20, ICT companies, most especially MTN Nigeria, are ensuring that Nigerians keep pace with other developed nations in the world, through its digital innovation. With a huge premium placed on innovation, MTN Nigeria is making sure it takes Nigerians into a whole new digital world.

Expert asks govt to get private sector's involvement in education BY DAYO ADESULU

HE Federal Government has been urged to drive the education sector by focusing on either primary, secondary or tertiary education and allowing private sector to do the rest. This was the position of Prince Abimbola Olashore, Chairman, Board of Directors, Olashore International School, Iloko-Ijesa, during an interactive section with the media to mark the school’s 20th anniversary. He said “Nobody, be it, government, private sector can run the entire education sector alone, it is a joint effort of all stakeholders.” According to him, education has been underfunded over the

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years in Nigeria because it is not what government or the private sector can do all alone adding that money is important in education. Olashore who asserted that even if we devote 100 per cent of Nigeria income to education, it will not solve the problem said, government and individuals should ask themselves where they should intervene. “As a government, what can you do and as private sector, what can you do save the downward trends,” he asked. The Director, however pointed out that even if the government starts funding education properly, it cannot be involve in everything, reiterating that government should think of how they can get the

involvement and attention of private sector. "About 1.6 million students seek admission space every year, only 800,000 admission spaces are available every year. In the next two years, the 800,000 un-admitted backlog of students will be 1.6 million without hope of admission space the following year. Olashore, who expressed his reservation on why private sector might not be willing to invest in school business, noted that the fear from the private sector will be what if the government tomorrow come up with a law that will seize the investment? He therefore urged government to be concern with how those in charge of education can have minimum

standard while it allow private hands to run it. Besides, he noted that to ensure that students are successful in their various careers, training and retraining of teachers cannot be overemphasised. “That is the reason Olashore International School ensure that all its teachers receive continuous staff development to improve their standard and keep them at the forefront of educational thinking. "Our school teachers exchange programme with colleges and universities in the United Kingdom has assisted Olashore students excel in academic performance over the years.

BACK TO SCHOOL:

Lagos Assembly trains workers on English Language BY EBUN SESSOU

n its bid to improve the skills, efficiency and make its workers compete favourably with their counterparts, Lagos House of Assembly has embarked on intensive training programme on English Language and effective speaking for its workers who are involved in legislative and administrative departments. At a three-day workshop organised by the House, the Clerk of the House, Mr. Ganiyu Abiru disclosed that the management of the Assembly will not relent in the training and re-training of its workforce to improve their skills, efficiency and proficiency. The theme of the retreat: Language proficiency training, according to Abiru, is packaged to sharpen the language proficiency skills of all ranks of officers in order to improve on the standard of usage of the English language. Abiru who was represented by the Director of Finance and Administration of the Assembly, Mr. Azeez Sanni, training of workers is highly neglected by management but added that any organisation that would function effectively is saddled with the responsibility to train its workers in the acquisition and usage of language skills, especially in English and related skills that promote effective composition, editing and improved speech writing. According to Abiru, “It is no gain saying that the demands of modern management dictate the need for human capital development, and the Lagos State House of Assembly cannot afford to be found wanting in this regard in order to maintain its position as a fore-runner amongst the comity of Houses of Assembly in Nigeria. “Put simply, presentation skills can positively transform an organisation both internally and externally. “This language proficiency exercise amongst others, targets the users of English language in documenting the records and proceedings that culminate in the entire process of lawmaking at every level in our society as well as other officials involved in legislative and administrative assignments,” he said.

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

The Federal Polytechnic Oko has over the years been labeled with various appalling names, ranging from a glorified secondary school, occult school, infrastructural decay institution and school where its students can not speak simple English beside vernacular and Igbo. However, in this interview with journalists, the Rector, Professor Godwin Onu disclosed what led to the turn around of the rot in the system. Excerpts: By DAYO ADESULU

OW has the journey been for the past three

Executive key projects It also affects other institutions. No institution has enough to execute key projects. what makes the difference is the ability to manage what you have. That accounts for all you have been seeing here. I am an environmentalist. That is why we brought in a lot of aesthetics. I am in love with plants, trees and grasses and nature. The whole essence of technology is man’s ability to conquer, exploit and make use of nature. Others are instruments of accomplishing technological innovations. To a large extent, we have been able to achieve that. How did you address the rot in OKOPOLY? You cannot build human infrastructure without making the staff happy. One of the issues we tackled was clearing over three years arrears of promotion of our staff. They were not promoted for more than three years. some even had more than nine years without promotion. When we came in, we cleared all of them. We have finished the 2012 C M Y K

How we tackle the rot in Oko Poly — Rector promotion already and everybody got letters before the end of the year. For that of 2013, we are working to ensure that before the end of the year, every qualified staff would be promoted. When we came in, we met a lot of dilapidated classrooms, offices, broken windows, empty classrooms without chairs. Students stand up during lectures, some offices had rickety window blinds, broken

years? It has been quite challenging and a little rough in some cases, in some other cases excruciating. We came in with my team. The Registrar was my PRO before he became the registrar. Ever since then, we have been working together, trying to build a future for the institution. In giving that institution to a large extent, we tried not just to be creative and innovative but also remodel the behaviour and build human infrastructure. We invested a lot on physical infrastructure. We believe too that physical infrastructure cannot be sustainable if there is no human infrastructure. it takes human infrastructure to sustain the physical structures. In trying to do this, one cannot say we had all the instruments we needed to execute these laudable objectives. We had financial challenges. It is common to this institution.

intervention, we will make air condition available in all the classrooms. If you see the new structures we are putting up, each classroom has inbuilt toilet. That should be a standard toilet, the type you find in the airports, that is the direction we are going. My first day in office, I saw workers hitting hard on Olympus typewriter and I was surprised.

We have agreed that every other department will join in the CBT exams in the second semester. if we can succeed in hosting 40,000 students, why cant we succeed in handling the thousands we have here

windows, water coming in from outside and destroying files, leaking roofs and ugly ceiling boards. We had to embark on serious renovation. We made it a policy that every office must be tiled. We succeeded in doing that. Every classroom must be tiled. We replaced the windows and gave the institution a facelift. We changed the broken wooden windows with sliding windows. We removed the rusting corrugated roofing sheets and replaced them with long span of high quality. We pulled down the sagging ceiling and replaced them with PVC in all the offices and classrooms. We made a policy that every classroom must be fully air conditioned. To a large extent, we have succeeded. Most classrooms do not have air condition but we are making the arrangement to do that in all the classrooms. If we get this year’s

I asked them what they were doing and they said they were typing. We cleared all of them and replaced them with computers. We are computerising everywhere, both the registry, bursary and the rectory. You can see the new structures, the CBT, where our post-UTME examination is going on. We have over 40,000 students, taking the post-UTME. Every day, we take not less than 5000 students and before 2.00pm, they have finished the computer-based test. This is the first institution in this country doing this. I can boast of that and beat my chest that this is the first institution, both university or polytechnic, having over 1000 computers for computer-based Post-UTME examination and we are succeeding. We started the CBT semester examination last semester. We

*Prof Godwin Onu started with the department of Public Admin. The beauty of the whole thing is that students get their results that same day for the semester exams. When they finish the exam, before they get home, they will see their results alert in their phones and the phones of the sponsors. That helps the parents to monitor the performance of their wards in the institution. it saves a lot of time. It saves a lot of money that could have be spent on printing answer scripts. It adds credibilility to the process and the system. Students cannot cheat because the questions in a particular row are joggled. The computers are timed, such that at the expiration of the allotted period, the system shuts down. There is no harassment, no missing script, no missing results. No complain that this lecturer did this to me or that. Lecturers also had enough time to look at other angles, like research. A situation where lecturers spend all their time marking scripts, year in year out, leaves them stressed out, such that at the age of 60, the person will die.With this, we removed a lot of academic load on them. They submit their questions and go home to do their research or even go on holiday if they want. We have agreed that every other department will join in the CBT exams in the second semester. If we can succeed in hosting 40,000 students, why

can't we succeed in handling the thousands we have here. It is an innovation and I pray that other institutions would follow suit and join what OKOPOLY is doing because we don’t want to be second to any other institution. How did you generate fund for to execute those projects? Some of them are projects carried out with internally generated revenue. Some of them are projects supported by TETFund special intervention and normal intervention. Some of them are capital projects. If you add the projects together, I know they are not less than 16 two-storey buildings that are going on at the same time, with some of them already completed. Even at this, I didn’t count the Medical Centre. It was started in April and it is already completed. it will be commissioned this October. We completed it within six months. Mass Communication Department initially had a dilapidated bungalow before we came in. I came in and demolished it. The Exams and Records was also one dilapidated bungalow but I demolished it and erected a new structure. We suffer the problem of land space so we have to emphasise on high-rising building. More of them are still in the process because we have new programmes coming up that require spaces. Very soon, our full energy will be channelled to the main site. Does your institution have any linkages with other academic institutions? When I came in here, we didn’t have any linkages at all. But, we adopted the slogan Going Beyond Borders and that is why we have been reaching out to other institutions. Our first point of call was India, as a fellow commonwealth state.

Indian institutions We signed MoUs with several Indian institutions. We had a collaborative conference recently at Sharda University, India and about 15 of our staff attended that conference. More Indian universities are also asking us for collaboration so we will be going to India again in November to sign another MoU with another school. About three weeks ago, we signed an MoU with the Galilee Institute, Israel, for collaborative research with our staff. We are going beyond that to the United Kingdom to Waterford Institute, Ireland. They selected about six polytechnics to collaborate with and OKOPOLY was among the chosen. We are also about to sign an MoU also with the School of Aviation, Zaria. so, we are spreading in various areas.

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SALLAH MESSAGE: MAN wants FG to parley with ASUU, NMA BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

resident of the Muslim Association of Nigeria, (MAN), Alhaji Sulayman Yusuf, has called on the Federal Government to bring a lasting solution to the strikes embarked upon by the Academic Staff union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA). He also charged the striking Unions to come to terms with the government so as to restore credibility to the country educational system and ensure safety of lives. “MAN is not happy with these strikes. Our schools and

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hospitals are paralyzed; what kind of graduates do we intend to produce if our ivory towers remain locked? What message are we passing on to the international community? Nigerians will be sidelined for international job because our graduates would be considered half-baked. People are dying because doctors are not on ground to attend to them. We need to show love and mutual understanding to one another. The parties involved should provide long term solutions to these crises as soon as possible.” Yusuf also called on the Boko Haram sect to sheath

their swords and imbibe the good culture which Islam is noted for. He said: “We

request that Boko Haram reach a ceasefire agreement with Federal government. If we

show love to one another, it would help check insecurity in the country.

Why education standard is falling—Oladinni

he Proprietress of Dia dem College, Ifako, Mrs. Abimbola Oladinni has attributed fallen standard of education in the country to attitudinal problems both on the side of the parents and the teachers. She stated that while some parents are not committed enough to the education of their wards, our teachers and lecturers are not also getting enough motivation to do their

jobs. Mrs. Oladinni spoke in Lagos during a commendation ceremony organized to celebrate some pupils of Diadem College, Ifako, who performed excellently well in the 2013 Basic Education Certificate Examinations. The pupils being celebrated include Deborah Tolulope Abilawon who scored 13 A’s, Mayowa Adeboye 8A’s and Victoria Bankole 8A’s. The Proprietress attributed the outstanding performances

of her students to the total education approach being adopted by Diadem College in their teaching methodology, as well as in preparing their pupils for examinations and future educational attainments. She said another reason why their students excel in their academics was traceable to cordiality in relationship between parents and the school management and high motivation to their teaching staff.

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PAU students give scholarship to orphan BY DAYO ADESULU

he joy of James Aninyem knew no bound as hope to further his education came alive on Friday when the Senior Management Programme 47 class, Lagos Business School, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos took over its sponsorship from SS1 to SS3. James 14, lost his father when he was four. After the sudden incidence, hope to further his education proved abortive until the elder sister who was a factory worker took up the challenge to sponsor him through her meagre earnings. Miss Tonia Aninyem, James elder sister earns N25,650 monthly yet, she was able to save large percentage of her income every month to pay her brother fees to JSS3. Tonia breathed a sigh of relieve when the SMP 47 class came to her rescue at a verge of calling it a quit when James finished JSS3 at the Ansar-UdDeen Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos. Speaking at the presentation of N165,000 scholarship cheque for the first session to James, the President of Senior Management Programme set 47, PAN, Mr Ubong King, said that the gesture is part of his class' responsibility to their community. He noted that SMP 47 is looking at where it can add values to our community. "In our class, we have identified that education is a limiting factor in the country as a lot of people do not have opportunity to go through

school because of funding. Therefore, students of the class have decided to put together resources under our CSR and go out to identify schools and students who really needed help. Once the class gives the approval, we support such children to ensure that they further their education. “Statistics have it on record that 70 per cent of Nigerians are youth, and 40 per cent are untrained because their education is not working. If 40 per cent are untrained, this will defeat the future of Nigeria which will lead to crisis in future. “Our choice of Ansar-UdDeen School was because the need came before us at the time we were searching for such to help. We discovered that if we do not do it in time, James will have to leave school for lack of

fund. Irrespective of the religion, we had to come to save the situation. Ubong urged the federal government and ASUU to be responsible to our children adding, “If they do not decide quickly on the present ASUU strike, not only will they miss the target of themselves, but will also lost a country of potential youths. Nigerians have talents and we need to fuel those talents to turn around the country and the economy. He pointed out that the way out of our education backwardness is for corporate Nigerians to come out and help the children. If the government are not doing what they should do, then corporate individuals have to come in and rebuild this broken walls by sponsoring less privilege children to schools.

From right: James Aninyem, student of Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammer School, Surulere, the Principal, Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammer School, Mr Badru Habeeb Adeniran, Mr Ubong King, President, SMP class 47 of Lagos Business School, PAU presenting a scholarship cheque to James at Ansar-Ud-Deen hall and Miss Tonia Aninyem elder sister of James looks on.

Bobo searches for best singer amongst pupils BY DAYO ADESULU Determined to grow the education sector, Bobo Food and Beverages Limited BFBL, has announced the commencement of ‘BOBO Kids with Voices’ an annual music competition among pupils of primary schools in Nigeria. The ‘BOBO Kids with Voices’ which is the maiden edition begins this month in Lagos State. Speaking at the launch of the initiative held at Protea, Ikeja, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing, BOBO Food and Beverages Limited, Mr Lawrence Chimezie represented by Mrs Serah Agha, Business Director Inside Communication said: C C M M Y Y K K

“The initiative aimed at growing the musical talent of primary school children as well as teaching them the beauty of teamwork.” He said that Lagos is the test location for the project and will afterwards be taken to other parts of the country. Chimezie who explained that the theme of this year edition is ‘The Nigeria of my Dreams’ pointed out that children are the future of the country and it is important for them to have an attitude of patriotism and a sense of belonging. He said, “Primary schools in Nigeria who are sure of their pupils singing talents are expected to enroll pupils between the ages of five to eleven for the competition.

“Each participating school is to enroll a minimum of five to ten pupils as schools are to obtain entry forms from their local education secretaries and submit with 200 wraps of 200ml size of BOBO and a cd/ tape of their recorded song.” According to the General Manager, the entries will be collated and judges will screen the songs according to some predefined parameters to select the best 20 schools that will proceed to the grand finale in December, 2013. His words: “Contestants can sing in any language of their choice because we will be working with film producers to get the best children for the prizes. There will be prizes for schools that emerge first, second and third.

Teaching staff scarcity, major problem for universities By DELE SOBOWALE “When about fifty higher institutions were approved to take off within six years, where were the faculties expected to come from? In 2004, when I was a PGD student of the School of Communication of the infamous LASU, we had a prominent lecturer who also lectured at Babcock University, Ilisan, Remo. I think he spends every Wednesday there. He was simultaneously running his doctorate too somewhere. He was always looking harassed. We had a lecturer too who taught a law course. One day during a two hour lecture, he excused himself as if to go see another lecturer in another classroom or to urinate. But, he was away for about an hour. Unbeknown to us he was a lecturer in another school as well and there was a clash of timetables and he just had to go to the other school. Even the government schools battle with the problem of inadequate teaching staff. This is because, and usually, members of the faculty in an old government school migrate to newly established ones. The consequence of setting up more government schools is the promotion of poaching, nepotism and lower standards. Nepotism, because they are usually enticed to their state government tertiary institutions – nonindegene faculties never feel a sense of belonging – and low standards, because just about any inexperienced lecturer ends up becoming a dean or HOD”. Oluseun Olufunwa eagle_02003@yahoo.com First of all, I want to express my appreciation to ‘Seun for this message which came through my email box. He is the first commentator since this series started who has got a good grasp of what this focus on universities is all about. It is meant to be an interactive medium. Granted, I started it all by persuading VANGUARD that this is an abiding issue which requires everlasting attention by all stakeholders – which means virtually all adult Nigerians. Certainly, if you are not a student, you are a parent or grandparent or Uncle or Aunt of a university student. Perhaps you are a lecturer or the relative of a lecturer. One way or another our fates individually and as a nation are inextricably linked with the quality of our universities. It is not a personal crusade; it is a national endeavour which I have simply chosen to place on the national agenda for as long as we exist. Second, he touched on several issues in his message to me. I had extracted only two out

of the five or six for discussion today. And I have quoted him, at length, because he was a “victim” of staff scarcity of which some of us are aware – but not as intimately. I think the better is best told in the first person. Unfortunately, Seun was only one of several hundred thousands of graduates who had suffered the same fate in the hands of Nigerian universities and lecturers – both public and private. However, let me assure Seun and our other readers that I was well aware of the problems he described so well as far back as the early 2000s. One of our colleagues, at VANGUARD, resigned his appointment to join one of the first three universities to get established in 1999 – Babcock, Igbiniedon and Madonna. His was a non-academic staff and he did not last long. When we met, shortly after his departure from the university, one of my first questions to him was: “does the university actually employ all those professors and lecturers advertised in its brochure”?

Tactics of dishonest salesmen His answer was shocking. “Don’t mind them; most of those academics just lend their names for a fee. Most of them don’t teach there or they just come occasionally”. This was education 419 at its worst; it reminded me of the “Bait— and—switch” tactics of dishonest salesmen in the United States, which resulted in the Truth in Advertising Laws. Those laws made it illegal for anybody offering anything for sale or subscription to makes false claims about what is on offer. What universities offer basically is education and one of the ways to determine what the students will receive is to know who will do the teaching. For a university to claim to have a Nobel Prize Winner on its faculty when the laureate never teaches any class at the university would have been regarded as fraudulent under those laws. Universities are also expected to teach high ethical and professional standards to their students. How then does a university which falsifies its faculty list, even where professional courses like law and medicine are involved, promote high professional and ethical standards when the university itself is enmeshed in academic corruption of the worst sort? Consequently, some of the universities have got their students and graduates into deep trouble.

To be continued

38 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Caleb holds third convocation Saturday

aleb University, Imota, Lagos State, will on Saturday hold its third convocation ceremony. The event, which is slated for 10.00am at the University’s multipurpose hall, will be for 157 graduands drawn from 13 degree programmes under the three Colleges in the University. Speaking with journalists at a press conference to herald the convocation of the University, the ViceChancellor, Professor Ayodeji Olukoju, disclosed that three of the graduands with first class, 42 with second class (upper division), 70 with second class (lower division) and 32 with third class will be awarded their certificates. The Vice-Chancellor stated that activities for the convocation will commence on Thursday with a one-hour special prayer programme to be led by a guest minister while on Friday, there will be a pre-convocation luncheon by the graduands. Olukoju stressed that the highlights of the convocation ceremony will include the convocation lecture, conferment of honorary doctorate degrees, award of first degrees and presentation of prizes to deserving graduands.

Covenant varsity appoints Pro-Chancellor

he Governing Council of the LivingFaithChurchWorldwide, the Proprietor base of Covenant University has approved the appointment of Pastor Abraham Ojeme, as Pro-Chancellor of the University. His appointment takes effectfromSeptember2013. This was announced by the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents, Dr David Oyedepo at a Chancellor’sspecialmeetingwiththe University’senlargedManagement teamonSeptember23,2013. The Chancellor said the appointment will facilitate decision making and approval process in the Universityaswellasspiritualoversight oftheUniversitycommunity. According to the job description read by the Chancellor, the ProChancellorwillrepresenttheinterest of the proprietors on behalf of the Chancellor by providing visionary, spiritualandadministrativeoversight fortheUniversitythroughqualitative pursuitofhervisionandmissionwhile servingasthecustodianofherculture and values. C M Y K

LASTVEB Ex Sec, Engnr Olawumi Gasper, Mr Olaolu Oguntuyi, Director, Technical and Vocational Services, Mr Olayiwola I.O, Director, Apprenticeship Training Programme and Mr. Afolabi Kolawole, a teacher from GTC Ikorodu explaining what he has learnt from the training Dekoolar Nig. Ltd, Arepo Ogun State.

LASTVEB exposes teachers to engineering techniques BY DAYO ADESULU

N its quest to boost the technological skills of teachers, the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board (LASTVEB) has given teachers from Government Technical Colleges, Ikorodu, Ikotun and Agidingbi specialised training to enhance productivity. Speaking during the training exercise held at Dekoolar Nigeria Limited Arepo, the Executive

Secretary, LASTVEB, Engr. Olawumi Gasper urged the teachers to practically share the knowledge they have obtained with their students when they return back to school as was the essence of the one week training programme. He noted that the major reason they were brought for the special training was to acquired appropriate training and exposure. Gasper explained that the teachers could have been

taken to other places for the training, adding that choice of that place was to enable them learn from the scratch because at Dekoolar, they build their own devices. Gasper who tasked the teachers to create a good network among themselves as Association of Refrigerator and Air conditioning teachers saying, it will help them see the Dekoolar as a mentor. The Scribe who reiterated that the training was also meant to empower them

towards their retirement, however urged them to equip the students with the 21 st century skills they have learnt from the training centre. On his part, Mr Afolabi Kolawole, a teacher from Government Technical College, Ikorodu, said he feels very excited and grateful to Lagos State Government for giving them the opportunity to add to their skills through the training. “As undergraduates then, we were only taught theory and were not exposed to the real practical aspect of refrigerator and air conditioning but through this training we have been taught different processes like using power tool to cut before now we thought cutting machine is used for metal alone but now we have learnt how to use grinding machines to cut also and also the idea of assembling tools by ourselves we can boldly say we can handle the cutting machines to perform mutual functions”, the Kolawole said He maintained that teachers have been equipped with the proper ways of handling engineering tools , how to make ice block making machines as well as installation of split air conditioners. “In our various institutions where we passed through we were only taught the diagrams and the fear of damaging the tools made us not to touch them but now we can handle them properly, we have the control panel being handled by each of the teachers and we have also known the various components we should expect in the control panel”, he said.

Implement environment friendly policies —CEHG to FG BY LAJU ARENYEKA

he Concerned Environmental Health Graduates (CEHG) has called on the Federal Government to implement policies that help promote environmental health. The Group spokesperson, Mr. James Abraham, made this call at an event to mark the World environmental health day at the College of Health Technology in Lagos recently. “Even if we have the best policies in the world, without proper implementation it is tantamount to having none at all. To this end, the Federal Government must familiarize itself with environmental health challenges and take appropriate steps to address them,” he said. Continuing, Abraham said: “Besides the advice of the

International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) encouraging the celebration of World Environmental Health Day (WEHD) worldwide, the increased number of avoidable undesirable incidents attributable to poor sanitation makes this celebration compelling and essential. The current state of environmental heath in Nigeria leaves much to be desired. That is why necessary to employ environmental health officials who are armed with the complex knowledge to provide viable solutions to these emerging and reemerging challenges. These professionals are needed to provide and maintain the desired healthsupportive environment through actions in detecting public health nuisances.”

Expounding on these challenges, the CEHG spokesperson noted that while developing countries like Nigeria are still struggling to address the existing environmental health problems, new challenges and risks are emerging which require complex solutions. He added: “The causes of these can be traced to advances in technology, population growth, increase in industrialization, and climate change.” One of such challenges, he argued, was the collapse of houses/building both existing and those under construction are gradually becoming an epidemic in Lagos State. The first storey building in our country is still in Badagry sound and strong. Records of avoidable building collapse, killing people and damaging

properties within the state are due to deviation from standard practices. To nib this menace in the bud, there should be a re-introduction of professional synergy amongst the Environmental Health Officers, Civil Engineers and the Town Planners to ensure strict adherence to various buildings laws/regulations. There should also be constant monitoring of manufacturers of building materials.” Also speaking at the event, the Student Union President of the College of Health, Mr. Moses Onolapo admonished graduates and students alike to be worthy ambassadors of their profession. His words: “We must learn to promote further the aims and objectives of our profession. We must further enlighten those on the outside about the essence of environmental health.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—39

I N S I D E

NBA President, others condemn human trafficking

P. 40

How lawyers can file cases with new Lagos JIS

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Most calls for Sovereign National Conference are not sincere —Prof Oditah,SAN while some have described as a possible threat to the country’s unity. What is your position to these calls? I think dialogue is very good. What I find strange in Nigeria is that there are, in many cases, no genuine attempt to move the country forward. When you investigate the calls for Sovereign National Conference, you will find that in many cases, it is politically motivated. People are trying to advance their selfish interests, which have nothing to do with your interest and mine, and also do not have the interest of the country at heart. So, I don’t have time for all these nonsense calls for Sovereign National Conference because it is quite cynical.

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

PROFESSOR Fidelis Oditah, a Nigerian lawyer is a Queen’s Counsel, QC and also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. This first class scholar and an alumnus of the Universities of Lagos and Oxford, United Kingdom, has an extensive legal practice in Nigeria and UK. In this interview, he posits that most of the calls for Sovereign National Conference were not motivated by the desire to move the country forward. Excerpts.

RITISH rule ended in 1960 and Nigeria became an independent country on October 1, 1963. How would you describe the country’s journey so far? It has been a mixed success. At a level, we have not done too badly. As a people, we are a very happy people. And not withstanding the challenges and adversity which we are faced with, both individually and collectively. On the whole, people seem happy and cheerful. However, we have been poorly served by our leaders. Poor governance, corrupt leadership, profligate leadership have characterised our journey so far. How do you resolve the progress that one would have expected of a country of about 150 people, which is supposedly endowed with enormous human and natural resources, to have made? There is very little to celebrate,

Desire to move the country forward

Professor Fidelis Oditah, SAN, QC kidnapping. Initially, it began in the Niger Delta area. It was suppose to be a protest for the environmental degradation experience by the inhabitants of that area, for oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities. For kidnapping, everyone is a potential target because it has become a very lucrative criminal activity. Recently, a high court judge was kidnapped in Edo State, though he

We have been poorly served by our leaders. Poor governance, corrupt leadership, profligate leadership have characterised our journey so far

other than people being happy for themselves because they are alive. What is your position on the security challenges in the country? It has all the characteristics of a failed state. Not quite long, we were all informed that Boko Haram went to a Collage of Agriculture and killed at least 50 students, injured over a hundred. Some days later, they killed at least 30 students in another school in the North. And of course, one can continue reading out the statistics, it is just a catalogue of killings almost on a daily basis. In addition to the Boko Haram scourge, we also have the problem of

has been released. This was after Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was kidnapped and released. But just pausing there, the idea that a judge with all the authority can be kidnapped and ransom demanded by the hoodlum, it tells how badly we have been able to deal with the security issue. Any geographical area that calls itself a state must be able to secure life and property of its people. But here, hoodlums kidnap and damage at will. And yet, the so called leaders will congratulate themselves that Nigeria is 53. I am not sure there is any reason to celebrate, but they had to put up a show. Yes, people were in attendance;

it was not celebration because we had no cause to celebrate. On the contrary, there are very substantial issues confronting the country and what is required is a meaningful dialogue to bring solution to these problems. It is not for them to go on television in a self congratulatory wasteful mood and dissipate the resources we have. Following the heightened Boko Haram activities, the late Lt-Gen Andrew Azazi was removed and replaced with Col Sambo Dansuki. What is your reaction to this? When they changed General Andrew Owoye Azazi as the National Security Adviser, NSA and appointed Col. Sambo Danzuki, it was supposedly to handle the insecurity challenge. But without undermining the efforts of Dansuki in any way, we have experienced more insecurity under his administration than we did under Azazi. No doubt, people congratulated themselves as Nigeria turned 53 years of independence. But at the leadership level, people are underachieved. No one can celebrate the debacle that has faced us in the past several months at least, probably in the past few years. There have been calls for a Sovereign National Conference,

We have seen enough to come to the conclusion that very few of the calls for Sovereign National Conference are motivated by desire to move this country forward. In many cases, people are just taking positions, trying to advance themselves politically or economically. And I am not going to support such efforts by adding my voice to the call for Sovereign National Conference. Do you agree that kidnappers should be granted amnesty? Absolutely not. I do not even know who the kidnappers are. Have they become a trade organisation or identified as a group that we now offer amnesty or is it for all sorts of criminals? I do not see how that can be a responsible thing to do. The reason that amnesty was offered to the Niger Delta militants was that initially, they pretended to be freedom fighters, in the mode of Major Isaac Continues on page 40

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson (Editor) Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

NBA President, others condemn human trafficking the question of human trafficking, which is today in our view a modern day slavery. It is worrisome that people can be trafficked like goods and merchandise in this age and time and certainly, I am a former chairman of the board of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP and it was my mandate to fight against trafficking in persons, so I made it a priority to attend this session, it was indeed a very good session, a very enlightening session, nothing new was said, because as far as the issue of human trafficking is concerned, the world truly knows the various dimensions, what is crucial at this point is the commitment of governments to the efforts, not only to prevent it, but to make sure that it is eradicat-

the agency and my appeal to government is now that this crime, for which Nigeria has become notorious and as national embarrassment, it is time for the government to give greater attention with the active participation of men of good will and corporate organisations that will help in the fight to bring this ugly incident to an end.” On his part, Prof.

RESIDENT of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Okey Wali SAN, has condemned the practice of trafficking in human beings, which is seen as modern day slavery. Speaking at the just concluded International Bar Association, IBA conference in Boston, US, Wali said “This is a very bad and highly condemnable act, it is indeed a terrible issue that requires urgent steps to address. "It should indeed be a matter of concern to all humanity and governments, we must galvanise our efforts and resources to fight it, I am very proud of Prof. Ezeilo, who was the key presenter at that session and what she is doing in the United Nations.” Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Damian Dodo, on the same issue, said “I am very passionate about

* Mr Okey Wali, SAN ed. “All over the world, this is a major challenge and more so for us in Nigeria, the government must be commended for taking the first step to establish an agency with the specific mandate and I know that while I was the chairman of the

board, certain suggestions were made to amend the law so as to give more powers to the agency to discharge its mandate. What is crucial now is the political support from government in terms of funding, funding was a major challenge for us at

Most calls for Sovereign National Conference are not sincere Continues from page 39 Jasper Adaka Boro (fondly called Boro) and Ken Saro-Wiwa; fighting to protect their environment. Of course, we know that overtime that the movement became largely criminal and had nothing to do with the yearnings of the people. But however, one looks at it, it cannot be compared or equated to kidnapping, which is a naked, unpretentious activity by criminals, who are there without any course whatsoever. They are just there to

make money. You might as well give amnesty to armed robbers, to all the thieves. How do you identify kidnappers who have no cause, they have not released anyone without taking money. So, what is the cause they are fighting for? For their pockets for sure. We should then give them amnesty and pay them from our resources, to congratulate and part them on the back for their criminal activities, which is completely unmotivated by any iota of idealism? It is just pure greed that has

characterized that specie of criminal activity. If you look at the broadcast in 1966, when they have the Aguiyi Ironsi coup, the reason they gave was corruption, and that was just when the country was six years old as an independent country. Yet 53 years after, we are still talking about more corruption. So, what progress have we made? How is the National Sovereign Conference going to address this type of problem? The basic problems have to be solved first, before we begin to tackle

grandiose projects because that is why we have wasted a lot of our resources in pursuing white elephant projects. In this regard, I have no doubt at all that the calls for Sovereign National Conference are not actuated or motivated to any significant degree by the interest of the country. Having said that, our experience tell us that it is always good to talk because dialogue and diplomacy are always useful tools in ensuring peaceful co-existence of any set of people.

So, the showcase session on human trafficking, apart from the fact that I have done work in this area and I know that because of this discontent, because there is a link between all these things and poverty, our country always feature negatively in the global reports. Our country has been a tier two country, the USA as a country classifies countries into tiers and

Our country has been a tier two country, the USA as a country classifies countries into tiers and Nigeria has not been able for a while move out of the range of high risk countries

Bolaji Owasanoye, said: “ It is highly important for Nigeria, because the average young Nigerian is totally discontented with our society. I work with young people, because of that they always think that anywhere else but Nigeria is better and so, our citizens, the young ones, the women, the children are highly prone to trafficking, to smuggling, to illegal migrations and they become case studies for a lot of the negative things that we see in these international meetings. For example, you will be shocked to learn that Nigerians get trafficked to places like Mexico, Nicaragua, Colombia, just to come to the United States of America and sometimes unfortunately for them, they end up in those places.

Nigeria has not been able for a while to move out of the range of high risk countries. “ This affects us in visa regulation, even though the countries that you interact with will not directly link your position in the human trafficking metrics with the visa regulations, but once they see a large number of citizens from a country who are being illegally and criminally trafficked, of it is an indicator that many more who are not going that way will likely falsify documents, papers and try to emigrate through official channels. So, there is a link which officially may not be discussed but it is always there. The third reason is very important for us as a country, we also need to know how to market the positive values concerning our country.” Marc Enamhe, on his part said: ''The lessons are multi-dimensional, it is not the way we think about it, it has taken such a dangerous dimension that we are all happy that the IBA has made it a show case session. It transcends all areas, school, the church and like the contributors said: the major problem is poverty, because of poverty, most people are lured into it and the will power by the government to attack this problem frontally, punish the perpetrators as a deterrent to others. We must not fight this modern slavery with kid gloves."

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D;41

Justice Alagoa Valedictory section Valedictory session for Justice Stanley Shenko Alagoa, who retired as a justice of the apex court having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years, held recently at the Supreme Court Complex , Abuja.

From left: Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, Prince Kayode Adetokunbo, SAN and Chief Thompson Okpoko, SAN

From left: Mrs Seki Alagoa (wife) and His Royal Majesty King A.P. Diefe-Spiff.

From left: Justice Chidiuwa, JSC ; Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, JCA; Justice O. Adekeye JSC (rtd) and PCA, Justice Zainab Abbulkachuwa.

From left: Iyabode Ogunseye, Mr Bello Fadile and Kukoyi Tinuola.

From left: Prof Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN and Charles Obishai ,SAN.

From left: President Customary Court of Appeal Justice A. Ayah,Chief Judge Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri and High Court Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye.

Nigerian participants at the just concluded International Bar Association, IBA Conference in Boston, United States of America

From left: Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN, of Lagos State, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, standing and NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN.

From left: Tare Yeri, Secretary NBA Section on Business Law, SBL, Mr. Olu Akpata, Ozim Ifeoma Obasi and Ngozi Okonkwo.

From left: Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wogu Bums, Mr. Rickey Tarfa, SAN, Wunmi and Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN.

From left: Funke Aboyade, SAN, Nike Animasaun and Funmi Falana.

From left: Mr. Godwin Obla, SAN, and Mr. Femi Fajolu.

From left: Dr. Ccklaimz Enamhe, Chairman Ogoja branch NBA, Mr. Emmanuel Ubua and Mr. Aniedi Akpabio.

42—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

How lawyers can file cases with new Lagos JIS BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

HE Judiciary Information System, JIS, has been launched as part of activities marking the 2013/2014 legal year of the Lagos State Judiciary. The launch in Lagos reflects the desire of the incumbent state Chief Judge, Justice Ayotunde Philips to make the state judiciary, one that will boast of current Information Technology formations. Recalling her comment, while she was being sworn-in as the Chief Judge, Justice Philips said she would ensure that the affairs of the state judiciary were conducted in line with modern information technology. This perhaps explains the introduction of the Judiciary Information System. With the launch of the JIS, the state judiciary can compete favourably with leading judiciaries across the world. Apart from creating an avenue for stakeholders, especially lawyers to do so many things in comfort of their chambers, including the management of their clients’ cases, the new technology will ease “the strenuous case management workflow and ensure transparency in the judiciary system.” The initiative is to assist the personnel of the Judiciary and lawyers to transact their businesses without stress.

Justice Ayotunde Philips, Lagos State Chief Judge and e-mail. Apart from the workflow, the Once registered, “a lawyer JIS has the advantage of ecan file his case from anywhere filing, online research and in the world, upload docuonline report among others. ments and make payments Discussing the mordalities of using his or her debit or credit usage, Eniola told the legal card, which must have also practitioners that all they been registered on the system needed to do was to simply from the very first time it was enter the website of the Lagos used.” Judiciary and fill out a user The good thing about the registration form, create and initiative, he said was that the register a username, password

JIS had been configured to accommodate all activities of lawyers for defence and plaintiffs and even judges, as it “enables parties in a case to gain an instant access to judgment of the courts by a registered user, as it will be delivered because the system operates realtime online.” He noted that various security measures had also been built into the software to accommodate the various suits a laeyers might want to file in court, such as criminal, civil, commercial, land matters, among others. He said that data fed into the system are secured and cannot be accessed by anybody not authoriseed to do so or who has not subscribed for the programme, because they are encrypted as soon as they are fed into the system. Enumerating the advantages to be gained from the new package, the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, at the Mosque services held for the legal year, implored lawyers,

especially those practising in the state to get involved in the JIS to avoid delay in the administration of justice delivery. Fashola, who spoke through the state Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said: “Everybody must be involved if the administration of justice must not be delayed. They should comply with new court rules and ensure adherence to e-filing and the digitalisation of the judicial system.” The initiative was also lauded by eminent jurists, who graced the event, including retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice George Oguntade, who congratulated the Lagos State Judiciary for setting the pace in e-filing, while urging all stakeholders in adjudication of justice to ensure that cases were speedily dispensed with, with the JIS. Mr Ipaye, has, meanwhile, called for speedy dispensation of civil actions inline with the rule of court now that JIS is being implemented.

The concept of amnesty and its place in human rights discourse BY PROF. EPIPHANY AZINGE, SAN

MNESTY is a pardon extended by the government to a group or class of Boosting persons usually for political offence, the act of a sovereign revenue base power officially forgiving certain classes of persons who are This accordingly, will enable subject to trial but have not yet lawyers file cases and make being convicted. It is the action payments over a secured web Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN portal with a credit, debit card or of a government by which all persons or certain groups of direct bank payment from the only later made into law, the comfort of their offices as well as persons who have committed a amnesty proclaimed the acts of criminal offence usually of a get acknowledgement of their both warring factions officially political nature that threatens transactions. According to the forgotten . The amnesty which the sovereignty of the governconsultant to the project, First was also known as the Act of ment are granted Immunity High Tower Info Tech Limited, Oblivion was specifically to heal from prosecution. Examples of JIS, is capable of boosting the the wounds resulting for the such offences are treason and revenue base of the state civil war between democrats sedition. judiciary, since the system and oligarchs. The amnesty Amnesty allows the governcharges automatically, while prevented the prosecution of ment of a nation or state to incoming revenues are better those whowere considered “forget” criminal acts, usually accounted for. political enemies having Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. before prosecution has ocsupported the reign of the curred. Amnesty has traditional- thirty. Athenians jurors were Sanni Eniola, said lawyers who ly been used as a political tool have registered on the portal required to swear “We will of compromise and reunion can keep track of their cases remember past offences no following a war. An act of from anywhere in the world via more.” The amnesty of 403 BC amnesty is generally granted to the internet, using a secure was passed by majority vote a group of people who have login user name and password. and affected almost everyone committed crimes against the He said “the judiciary manthat participated in the war. state, such as treason, rebellion, power can effectively and The Effect of amnesty are as or desertion from the military. efficiently be utilised, case follows The history of amnesty dates management is streamlined, • Immediate release of all back to 403 B.C. according to resulting in a higher number of political prisoners Greek and Roman law. One of cases being processed • Right of political exiles to the documented ones was the annually.” return According to him, JIS also has long-term civil war in Athens • Relinquishment of civil the advantage of a standardised which was ended after a group and political rights dedicated to reuniting the city workflow that would be utilised • Reinstatement in their took over the government and across the Lagos Judiciary jobs of persons dismissed for divisions, noting that “the use of arranged a general political political reasons the system will ensure resolution amnesty. The amnesty which • Right of victims of was effected by loyalty oaths of conflicts fairly, timely, transinhuman treatment or their taken by all Athenians, and parently and economically.” families to compensation

Reasons for amnesty Laws • Subsidiarily the authorities sometimes see in amnesty laws a means of dealing with the overcrowding of prisons, a situation which may prejudice the human rights of prisoners. • In some cases, the purpose of an amnesty is strictly humanitarian. For instance, in Zaire, the Act of 17 November 1981 covers disabled persons. In Syria, Act No. 26 of 12 March 1978 covers incurable or chronically ill prisoners. In the Eastern European countries, each humanitarian measure appear to be traditional, particularly in respect of children, women, the aged and the sick. In the USSR (Decrees of 19 October 1979 and 14 October 1981), in Bulgaria (1979) and in Hungary (Acts of 29 March 1975), measures of this kind have been adopted -in particular, to mark the International Year of the Child - for the benefit of minors, pregnant women and mothers of very young children . • Amnesty can also be granted for political reasons during transitions of government. During the transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy, authoritarian regimes usually grant themselves amnesty in order to avoid prosecution during the approaching democratic dispensation. In Argentina, by promulgating an amnesty law known as the “pacification law” on 25 September 1983, the Argentine military junta attempted to obviate any possibility of criminal or civil proceedings being constituted against those

responsible for serious violations of human rights committed during operations designed to restore public order . • Amnesty can also serve to neutralize opposition groups. The purpose of amnesty is to seek social tranquility less by consensus than by a reduction of tensions, and thus of the opposition’s scope for action by forcing it to adopt a passive role. The aim is normalization rather than reconciliation through both persuasion and dissuasion. Such was the aim of the Polish amnesty law of 20 September 1984, enacted after the lifting of martial law, whose effects it was designed to alleviate. The goal of reducing tensions was achieved given the large number of individuals benefiting from the amnesty. RECOGNITION OF AMNESTIES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW It would be noticed that the application of amnesty by a State in some situations, transcends domestic crimes into the sphere of International law. This happens where the offence for which immunity against prosecution is provided are so atrocious that they deeply shock the conscience of humanity and are regarded as being of concern to the International community as a whole. The Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court in Article 5 lists the offences regarded as being of concern to the International community as crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression. To be continued.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—43

National confab: President Jonathan’s best master stroke BY BAMIDELE ATURU

HE decision of President Jonathan to set up a committee to work out modalities for a National Conference shows that he is not quite what his critic suppose he is. The President certainly is not the political novice that some professional politicians, in his party and the opposition, portray. The President may not have shown that he understands how to solve our multi-dimensional crises, but he sure understands a thing or two about power, self-preserving power that is. The fact that the President who had openly resisted the demand for a National Conference, sovereign or otherwise, should be ready for it now when agitation for it has really died down except for one or two organisations still clamouring for it shows clearly that this is a strategic move and, in my view, it is the best masterstroke from the President and his advisers. They deserve to congratulate themselves for outwitting the

opposition this time around. Why do I think that this is a masterstroke? First, there seems to be no activity among the ruling elite in general and in the ruling party in particular. Given the crisis of ideas that typifies the ruling class no serious activity is or can be in the horizon. So, why not generate one. The idea of convening or planning towards convening the national conference is therefore handy. Second, the way and manner the President is going about the conference would help him deepen and broaden the antagonism and in-fighting among the Yoruba establishment. The choice of Chief Okurounmu could not have been more strategic in that regard. Making him the chair of the committee will surely garner some support for the President among conservative Yoruba leaders. But whether that would translate into electoral gains for the President is yet to be seen and would depend on how the conference is eventually managed and

controlled. Third, the proposed conference also has the potential of intimidating some conservative northern elements and whipping them into line. The intimidation here is to dangle the conference as a possible sword of Damocles that may cut the string tying Nigeria together. Of course, no one is certain that the President and his advisers do not have the ultimate balkanization of Nigeria as one of their main jokers. Some of the utterances of his supporters from the Niger Delta show that many of them do not really care if Nigeria shatters to pieces tomorrow.

Third term elongation Fourthly, who knows a third term or elongation of the current term may just happen somehow as a consequence of the confusion that is bound to happen at the conference. Fifthly, some people may just vote for the President for him for ‘listening’ to the demands for the National

President Goodluck Jonathan Conference. The conference is therefore intended to shore up his democratic credentials. While one cannot rubbish any attempt to dialogue or discuss our crises, it is clear that the conference like other attempts before this one is likely to end as a mere talk shop for the masses of Nigeria, but as a major negotiating platform for the ethnic jingoists who are positioning themselves to continue to grab ever-increasing proportions of the national cake. The ethnic champions will hide under true federalism, resource control et cetera. Their real ignoble aim is to continue to be relevant so they can loot without end. Nigerians should not be deceived at all. Any conference that is not produced as a result of the struggles of the people for equity and social justice but that

is gifted to them by a calculating oligarchy is not going to produce the fundamental restricting in terms of redistributing the wealth of Nigeria in such a way that the people are in control of politics and economy. That is the conference that we need, not the talk shop of ethnic warlords. Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that the National Conference being proposed is self-serving and selfish, Nigerians should use it as an opportunity to define an agenda of change and to show that the ruling class is incapable of solving the crises it has foisted on our people. History teaches that people who set up conferences of this nature may not be able to tell how it ends. This is why we genuine patriots cannot afford to ignore the conference.

44—Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Isoko communities petition Senate over divestment of OMLs 26, 30

IMG faults Tinubu on amnesty programme

BY EMMA AMAIZE

ARRI— OIL and gas pro ducing communities in Isoko ethnic nationality, Delta State, have disputed the divestment of OML 26 and 30 by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, to First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited, respectively, in 2010 and 2012, saying that it was done in breach of extant provisions of the Petroleum Act. In a petition to the Senate President, David Mark, Isoko Leaders of Thought, led by Major-General Paul Omu (rtd), alleged that the assets and prospects of both OMLs were grossly undervalued. According to the leaders, OML 26, located about 63km North-East of Warri, covering an area of about 485sq/km was credited with an average production capacity of 5,500/bpd by Shell before divestment, but less than a month after, the production was put at 12,000/bpd. In the case of OML 30, located onshore in Delta State, approximately 45km East of Warri, covering an area of about 1,095sq/km, which lease include eight producing fields,

HE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described as unfortunate the statement credited to the national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, that the amnesty programme is a drainpipe, saying that it showed he lacked knowledge about the impact of the programme. In a statement by Mr. Andrew Elijah, the Chief of Staff to IMG National Coordinator, Mr. Joseph Evah, the group lamented that it was a shift from Tinubu’s position about the neglect of the Niger Delta over the years. It noted that Tinubu supported the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s proclamation of amnesty for the former militants in the region to avert the total destruction of oil production facilities, during the crisis. IMG said that the APC leader’s comments showed that he failed to follow-up on what led to the rise in oil production in the region and its attendant effect on the country’s economy, which, it noted, was the result of the impact of the amnesty programme. IMG said: “We challenge Tinubu to compare the nomadic education programme for northerners, which commenced in 1988 with the amnesty programme that took off just four years ago. “We appreciate the amnesty office for taking the pains to publish its achievements within a very short period. We ask Tinubu to also take the pains to verify the facts.”

associated infrastructure, and ownership and operation of a segment of the Trans-Forcados pipeline, they said the NPDC estimated its production at 45,000/bpd, but the average production presently was 200,000/bpd. The oil and gas communities urged the National Assembly to urgently investigate their

complaints and reverse the divestment exercise carried out in the OMLs in question and “bring to book all those found culpable, either by their acts of commission or omission.” They asked the National Assembly to order the assignors and the assignees to “commence immediate negotia-

Attorney-Gen takes over prosecution of Natn'l Insurance commissioner BY INNOCENT ANABA

HE Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, has taken over the prosecution of the Commissioner for Insurance of the National Insurance Commission, Mr. Fola Daniel, before a Federal High Court, Lagos for offences of malicious misrepresentation of facts. At the resumed hearing in the matter, before Justice Ibrahim Buba, a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. C. Enembo, said that the AGF’s

office had filed an application to take over the case. A private prosecutor, Mr. Chijioke Ndubuisi, had filed the information, alongside a six-count charge against Daniel before the court. Ndubuisi had prayed the court to enable him formally commence the prosecution of the accused on the basis of the charge. It is the charge that the AGF has taken over after communicating his intention to do so to Ndubuisi. Defence counsel had argued that there was no case before the court and asked that same

Rivers factional PDP threatens Agric Commissioner with criminal charges BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

ORT HARCOURT— THE Felix Obuah faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has said that it would institute criminal charges against the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Emmanuel Chinda, over alleged stashing of millions of naira in his resi-

dence. The party in a statement by Jerry Needam, media aide to the Chairman of the faction, said it was interested in taking the legal action, following report that the commissioner’s security man stole N1 million from his house. It said: “The PDP will press charges against Emma Chinda

for keeping several millions of naira in his private home, an action that tempted the security man to tamper with the funds. “If within seven days, Mr. Chinda does not provide authentic information, disclosing the source of such money, PDP will not hesitate to initiate criminal charges against him.”

be struck-out. But the court adjourned to allow the AGF regularise the process, following which a formal charge would be brought against the accused. In the said charge accompanying Ndubuisi’s motion, it was alleged that Daniel deliberately made a number of misleading and malicious misrepresentations against an insurance company, Alliance and General Insurance Ltd to a number of public officers and agencies with the intention of damaging the reputation of the said insurance company. It was further alleged that Daniel committed the same offences against Fidelity Bond Group, by representing that the Group had infracted the Insurance Act 1997. Part of the six-count charge against Daniel read that Daniel “did present information to Minister of Aviation that there is no subsisting court order against the commissioner prohibiting the commission from enforcing its regulatory functions which information you (Daniel) knew to be false inevery material particulars and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 89 (1) and (2) of the Insurance Act 2003.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

tions with the affected communities through their recognised or accredited representatives.” They also asked the Minister of Petroleum to ensure that “there is total compliance with the relevant provisions of Act and its Regulations by the assignors, the assignees and the relevant government agency.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Eid-el-Kabir celebration

S I wish all my Mus lim brothers and sisters a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, let me use this medium to also call on our Muslims brothers in government to please see that this ASUU strike comes to an end. Students are tired of staying at home.— Miss Ogunwale Nofisat, Student.

ALLAH is one day that is equivalent to Christmas for Christians. So Muslims at such times are happy. My major fear in the midst of the celebration is that there should be no Boko Haram killings or kidnappings. We should all embrace dialogue.— Mr. Hakeem Adewuyi, Worker.

HINGS are just too hard in this country. There used to be a ram to kill for Sallah celebration. But now, not even goat was slaughtered by many. Go and find out how much a small ram is sold, then you will wonder where we are heading for in Nigeria.— Mr. Mustapha Alaro, Self-Employed.

am a Christian. How ever, I still celebrate Sallah with Muslims because whether Muslim or Christian, being alive is worth celebrating. So I join the Muslim community in Nigeria to thank God for today, and I wish all Muslims a happy Eidel-Kabir.— Mr. Solomon Bombata, Pensioner.

will urge all Muslims to take out time to pray for this country, because I cannot really interpret what is happening. The cost of things keep going up in the market, basic amenities have nosedived and corruption is like a crown on Nigeria.— Mr. Kabiru Bankole, Student.

HAT can I say. Almighty Allah should lead our leaders right and give them wisdom to rule this great country that is endowed with natural and human resources. I still believe in one Nigeria and I wish all Muslims a splendid celebration.— Mrs Funmi Omisesan, Judiciary Staff.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—45

Delta PDP woos aggrieved former members

Group blames PDP crisis on Ogbulafor, Baraje-led leadership

BY GODWIN OGRE

APELE—DELTA State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has extended an olive branch to aggrieved former members, who left the party for other parties and are currently involved in power show with the party, to come back and join the fold, saying that the party was big enough to accommodate all of them. Notable among those who have been implored to come back to the party include leader of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in the state, Chief Great Ogboru, the defeated candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the just concluded Delta central senatorial by-election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, his counterpart in DPP, who was also defeated in the byelection, Chief Ede Dafinone, and Mr Andi Osawota, who also contested the election for Labour Party, LP, and was equally defeated, among others.

Chevron trains drivers, harps on safety BY EMMA AMAIZE & AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

ARRI—TO ensure safer driving on the roads, particularly during the ‘Ember’ months, Chevron Nigeria Limited, has embarked on a training programme for drivers. General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Deji Haastrup, said in Warri, Delta State that “the programme is aimed at teaching people the best driving practices and also offers opportunity for interaction with road safety and traffic enforcement agencies. “Safety is a core value in Chevron and the company ensures employees and its contractors perform their work safely to go back home to their spouses and dependents the way they came. Chevron also continues to show commitment to safety by taking this initiative outside the workforce. This is seen in our different Arrive Alive programmes,” he added. C M Y K

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B BRIEFING—From left: Ndbor Innocent; Mbakpone Okpe, member representing Tai Oyigbo Eleme Federal Constituency; Barinada Mpigi, Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor; David Iyorfor and Hycinth Dike during a briefing by some Tai political leaders.

Landowners call for sharing formula on petroleum fund BY EMMA AMAIZE

ARRI—ASSOCIATION of Families of Oil and Gas Producing Communities, ASFOGAPCOM, in Niger-Delta, has called on the National Assembly to put in place, an appropriate sharing formula to determine what percentage of the 10 per cent Petroleum Host Communities, PHC, fund that will go to oil and gas land owners in the proposed Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. ASFOGAPCOM in a memorandum to the Joint Senate Committee on PIB, by its President, Mr. Joseph Abinogun, said a

distinct sharing formula was necessary to avoid clash of interests and crisis in the future. The group said that there was a clear need to recognise and integrate oil and gas landowners as a separate interest group from the “nebulous” host communities in the proposed PIB because the two were not the same. The land owners also called for an unambiguous definition of the term, ‘host communities’ in the Petroleum Host Communities Fund Management, as distinct from the political structure of that community, which has nothing

to do with ASFOGAPCOM. According to it, “administration and management of the Petroleum Host Communities Fund should include landowners, as no one can provide better security to oil facilities more than the land owners. “Oil and Gas Landowners PHC Fund Management Board should be set up to enable oil and gas landowners manage their own affairs,” it said. ASFOGAPCOM also urged the senate to enact an enabling law to restrain community leaders from interfering with oil and gas landowners’ interests.

Delta amnesty chairman blasts Tinubu over comments BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—CHAIRMAN of the Delta State chapter of the Phase II of the amnesty programme, ‘Gen’ Kingsley Muturu, yesterday, berated former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, for statements credited to him that the amnesty programme was a drain pipe. Muturu described the comments “as mischievous, baseless and another attempt by Tinubu and his cohorts in All Progressives Congress, APC, to divert the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan from implementing his transformation agenda.” Reacting to the comments in an interview, Muturu said: “rather than applaud the presidency for the successful implementation of the amnesty programme, which has gone a long way in restoring peace to the Niger Delta region and paving way for increased revenue for the country, Tinubu is orchestrating baseless allegations against the programme. “For the avoidance of doubt, the

amnesty programme, under the Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, is being properly managed as attested to by the over 30,000 youths that have been enlisted into the programme out of which over 16,000 have been trained in various fields and over 2,299 are

presently participating in skills acquisition within and outside the country. “We use this medium to tell Bola Tinubu to steer clear of the amnesty programme because he is not from the Niger Delta region and should not speak on matters that concern the region.”

ENIN CITY—THE Save PDP Group, a political group in the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said yesterday, that the “visionless” administration of the Vincent Ogbulafor/ Kawu Baraje-led National Working Committee of the party led to the failure of the party to win elections in some states which are controlled today by opposition All Progressive Congress, APC. The group said that those loyal to Baraje do not mean well for PDP, adding that the leader of the new PDP lack the morals to attack the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, whom the group said was doing his best to reform the party. A statement in Benin City by the group's Publicity Secretary, Dr Omo-Osunde Iyasere, said “states like Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and Nasarawa were lost to the opposition parties due to the sightless leadership of Ogbulafor/Baraje National Working Committee.” He said that it was an embarrassment that members of nPDP, were fighting the party that made them. “This is anti-party and they are ingrates. The Save PDP Group is completely opposed to call for the cancellation of the recently conducted national convention. The call and conditions put forward by the group are totally out of tune with the present reality because nobody can stop a Nigerian citizen from aspiring to any office, no matter how high that office might be, except through judicial process."

8 orphanages get N500,000 donation each

LPHA Circle Club of Nigeria has donated N500,000 each to eight orphanages in the South-East. President of the club, Chief Sam Ubachukwu, assisted by the Vice President, Chief Vitalis Udeagbala, presented the money to the eight orphanages. Chief Ubachukwu, said his association has been doing charity work in the past 20 years, adding that the club each year, embarks on an annual Alphacare

programme, aimed at visiting the poor and needy, and spending time with them. He added that cash and other materials are also donated to the needy for their upkeep and development, noting that the club had visited the six geographical zones of the country in the past 20 years with the Alphacare programme, and has donated millions of naira to help in the upkeep of the

less privileged. He noted that Alpha Club conducts research in every state of the country, to select authentic homes, which are really working for the orphans and the needy. “In other not to fall prey to charlatans, we always feel better working with homes that are government owned or run by churches and other religious organisations. That is also the reason we find time out of our tight schedules to make physical contact with the homes,” he said.

46—Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Enugu dissolves pilgrims boards

BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—ENUGU State Governor, Sullivan Chime has approved the dissolution of the state Christian and Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards with effect from October 14, 2013. The two boards have consequently been reconstituted with effect from same date of their dissolution. The former Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board was headed by the Anglican Bishop of Enugu, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, who had lately spoken against some policies of the state government. A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Patrick Okolo, named Rev. Fr. John Nwafor as the new Chairman of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board while Alhaji Salih Garba Abugu heads the Muslim Board. Other members of the Christian Welfare Board include Dame Chinasa Nwebiem (Executive Secretary), Mrs. Rose Onah, Evangelist Ifeanyi Nwonye, Mrs Cordelia Chime, Rev. Nnamdi Nsude, Dr Edwin O. Omer and Pastor Chijioke Nwachukwu. The other members of the Muslim Welfare Board include Alhaji Yakubu Eneh (Executive Secretary), Hajia Salamatu Aminu, Alhaji Mohammed Onyeama, Alhaji Suleiman Haruna. Others are Alhaji Ahmed Ugwuanyi, Alhaji Suleiman Okenwa and Alhaji Adebayo Kamuridin. The statement directed that all handing over exercise must be completed before the close of work today.

ASUU strike: Police stop Ebonyi varsity teachers protest A

BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI—OVER 100 armed policemen dispatched under the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Maigari Dikko, yesterday, prevented members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki chapter from peacefully protesting against Federal government’s inability to address critical issues surrounding the education sector in the country.

DSS Apart from the armed policemen, some officials of other security agencies including the Department of State Services, DSS, were also, deployed at strategic corners in the institution to stop the protest. The policemen who were armed with AK 47 rifles, cannisters of tear gas among others, closed the gate leading to the College of Agricultural Science, CAS, Campus of the university, thereby obstructing members of the union from matching through the streets of Abakaliki, the state capital. Vanguard gathered that the policemen were also drafted to both Ishieke and Presco campuses of the university under the guise that the rally might be hijacked by hoodlums in the state.

HE CHAIRMAN of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, has lost his mother, Mrs. Paulina Omadaja Eze, (nee Agashi). Mrs Eze died on October 2, 2013 in her village, Umuida, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State. A statement by Senator Eze on the death read: ‘’With gratitude to God, I convey the news of the sudden death of my beloved mother. Until her death, she was a devout Christian, a community leader and an entrepreneur. She was a pillar of industry who traded in food items and tobacco.” C M Y K

Prof Ndubuisi speaks Addressing newsmen at the Campus Gate, the Chairman of

the union in EBSU, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi accused the Federal Government of playing politics with the future of Nigerians by not fulfilling the agreement it reached with ASUU in 2009. Idenyi who stressed that the union would not relent in its effort to ensure that the education sector was fully funded and condition of service of lecturers improved upon by the government added that no amount of intimidation from any quarter would deter them from pursuing their objectives.

Peoples right “In a democratic setting, peo-

ple should have their right of association and movements; I think it is wrong for the Nigeria Police to restrict our movements. It is even more pathetic that we were locked inside our campus as we were not allowed to move out of the gate. ’’I asked whether our gate was locked by our university security personnel and the information we got was that it was the police that ordered their men to lock it. “They should be more civilfriendly because the issues we are talking about borders on education and they have their children in our schools while some of them are our students.”

Placards The EBSU-ASUU members who walked round the university campus carried placards with the inscriptions: “FG: Save

HIGHWAY OF DEATH: A failed portion at Ajebamidele junction on Lagos-Benin Highway. Photo: Wumi Akinola.

Alleged double registration: APC wants Obiano prosecuted BY CHARLES KUMOLU WKA—THE All Progres ives Congress, APC, in Anambra State has called for the

Sen Ayogu Eze loses mum

University Education,” “FG: Do not kill University education,” “FG: Agreement is Agreement;” “Poor university education makes every sector fake,” “Nigeria: “Fight poor education.”, “FGASUU Agreement! FG has reneged,’’ and ‘’Say no to Beggarcracy” among others as they chanted solidarity songs. This was even as the anti-riot policemen apparently, embarked on stop-and-search at the gate of the campus as they tried to confiscate all the placards and flyers from the protesters.

Her remains will be laid to rest on Friday, November 29, 2013 in her family home, at Umuida. She is survived by a widower, Chief Eya Nweze, three children, grand children and other relatives.

Late Paulina Eze

arrest and trial of the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in the November 16 governorship election in the state, Chief Willie Obiano over alleged double registration in the voters register. Spokesman for APC, Mr. Okelo Madukaife, who made this known in a statement in Awka yesterday said that it was an offence under the electoral law to register twice, adding that the issue was a sad commentary on the quality of candidate of APGA. The statement entitled, ‘’Arrest, prosecute Obiano now,’’ read, ‘’The news that the name of Chief Wilie Obiano appears twice in the voters’ register of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is a sad commentary on the quality of candidature that has thrown his hat into the rings in a contest involving men who should ordinarily live above board. ’’We hereby demand the apprehension of the candidate for this

criminal offence and full-scale investigations by INEC and all security agencies, with a view to applying the full weight of the Electoral Law 2010 as spelt out in Section 12 (2)(3) of the Act, as amended. The cited sections read as follows: (2) No person shall register in more than one registration centre or register more than once in the same registration centre. (3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection two of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both. ’’It is extremely worrisome that at a time when we thought that standards and moral standing of men and women who offer themselves to serve in public office have risen for good, the nation is faced with an embarrassing situation where a candidate who wishes to lead a state as complex

and dynamic as Anambra State has turned out to. “We are convinced that if APGA, a wing of PDP, as presently constituted had broadbased structures covering at least the entire South East Nigeria, and was properly run as a political party, instead of a closet store, the latest incident would have come to light before the primaries. ’’Beyond the nature of this sad occurrence, it is also noteworthy that one of the six candidates who were disqualified before the stage-managed primaries in which Obiano was hand picked by his business partner was supposedly axed for not being in possession of an INEC voter’s card. “Once again we, demand on behalf of Anambra State voters and the nation, a thorough, professional and speedy investigation into the APGA candidate’s double registration saga.”

Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D;47 ,

PROMO: Mrs. Olayebi Obafemi, winner of N5m (left), receiving her dummy cheque from Mrs. Brenda Akhigbe, Head, Gloworld as Glo presents prizes to Recharge Stardom Promo winners, at the Glo Headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

PRAYER: Chief Imam, Shababul Hujaj Society of Nigeria Central Mosque, Alhaji Bamidele Sauban (front); Chairman, Agege Local Government Council, Jubreel Abdulkareem (3rd right), and other Muslim faithful, during the Eid-El Kabir prayer, at the Shababul Hujaj Society of Nigeria Central Mosque, Fagba, Lagos.

CELEBRATION: Cross-section of picknickers on the peak of the Olumo Rock as part of activities marking the 2013 Sallah Day celebration, at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

LECTURE: From left, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal, Otunba Gani Adams, Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation; Dr. Adeogun Olufemi, Guest Speaker/ Assistant Director, Lagos State University, LASU, and Chief Kayode Balogun, Advert Manager, National Mirror Newspapers, during the 2013 Olokun Festival Lecture, entitled, 'Olokun, Fostering Global Peace and Unity,' organised by Olokun Festival Foundation, at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

SCREENING: President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Dumebi Owa, administering worm expellers to children, during a screening exercise, organised by MWAN, in collaboration with Dana Pharmaceuticals, at the Falomo Police Barracks, in Lagos.

VISIT: From left, Prince Jumoke Agunbiade; Dr. Adedamola Dada, both members, Ultimate Circle; HRH, Oba Ayorinde Faboro, Olojudo of Ido Faboro Ekiti; Dr. Kayode Akinlade, Chairman, Ekiti State Health Management Board, and Adelaja Adeleye, President, Ultimate Circle of Nigeria, during Ultimate Circle's courtesy visit to the Olojudo of Ido Faboro, Ekiti State

BY-ELECTION: Chief Christabel Obiuwevbi, Executive Assistant to Delta Deputy Governor, casting her vote in Oghara Agbarha-Otor, her country home, during the Delta Central senatorial by-election.

ELECTION: From left, Mr. Tunde Awobiyi, publicity secretary; Mrs. Oghenetega Aiyenuro, 1st national secretary; Mr. Tunde Fadahunsi, WEDDING: Archbishop George Amu, Chairman, Police Community Relations Com- national secretary, and Mrs. Charity Iriebe, 3rd national president, mittee, PCRC, Zone Two, Lagos and Ogun states (left), and his wife, Bishop Modupe at the general meeting and election of the president of University of Amu, during the wedding ceremony of their son, Emmanuel to former Miss Tanya, in Lagos Alumni Association, Olorogun Sunny Kuku (right), and other executive members. Minnesota, United States, weekend. C M Y K

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Yola muslims mark Sallah amidst tight security

500 Nigerian youths languish in Japanese prisons over drugs —Bishop

BY SUZAN EDEH

OLA—MUSLIM faithful in Adamawa, Tuesday, observed the Eid-el- Kabir amidst tight security, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports. Adamawa is one of the three north eastern states affected by the emergency rule proclaimed by President Goodluck Jonathan due to terrorist activities. Security operatives, comprising soldiers, policemen and men of the Department of State Services, DSS, manned strategic places in major towns across the state. NAN further reports that air force jets and helicopters flew across the state’s sky on surveillance mission. Sniffer dogs were also deployed by both the police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for close quarter checks at prayer grounds in Yola, Mubi and Ganye. However, the heavy presence of the security operatives did not in any way affect attendance at prayer grounds. In Yola, Gov. Murtala Nyako, national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha, were among the faithful at the prayer ground. Nyako advised the people to eschew bitterness and work toward enthroning lasting peace in the state.

Telecom firm records 17m subscribers

TN Nigeria has achieved another milestone as its callertunez service has grown to become the largest distribution platform for music in Nigeria, with more than 17 million subscribers - a record in the telecommunications industry. Launched in 2008, MTN Callertunez has been found to be one of the unique solutions to the distribution problem in the Nigerian music industry as it is impossible for the service to be pirated or duplicated. Nigerian artistes are thus provided with a credible means for monetizing their content. The service currently offers Nigerians a library of over 12,000.

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Resident of Abuja celebrating Eid El Kabir in Abuja, yesterday. Photo:Gbemiga Olamikan

FCT minister urges 76,000 muslims to pray for Nigeria A

BUJA—FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday urged the 76,000 Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia to pray against insecurity in Nigeria. A statement issued from Saudi Arabia by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr Muhammad Sule, said the minister gave the advice when he addressed some Nigerian pilgrims in Mount Arafat. It said their prayers would go a long way to ameliorate the current security challenge in the country, adding that several strides had been recorded in rebuilding the nation and appealed to them to put the country first in their prayers. The statement said, “As Nigerians, we need to pray for our country, we don’t have another one and its development remains the resposibility of her citizens.”Wife of the minister, Aisha, also urged female pilgrims to pray for the country, adding that as mothers they had a lot to do for the nation. Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, urged FCT

residents to remain fervent in prayers for the sustenance of democracy, adding “We need to use this festive period to reflect on those societal values of humanity and selfless sacrifice that will enable us contribute meaningfully to the development

of the nation.”Sen. Philip Aduda, FCT, congratulated the Muslims faithful and urged Nigerians to pray for the development of the country. He stressed the need for Nigerians irrespective of their religion, to live together in harmony.

Rep lauds late Solomon Lar

BUJA—REP. Beni Lar has described the death of her father, Chief Solomon Lar, as a great loss. Beni, the first daughter of the pioneer chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja on Wednesday that “the pillar of my life is gone”. Beni, who is chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Human Rights, said she shared a lot of memorable moments with the late Lar, who was the first executive governor of Plateau. She said, “My father taught me that there is no difference between a male and a female

(child). He taught me to be hardworking; so, I trained as a lawyer just like him. He wanted me to succeed him in his career; he taught me the value of love for people, not only for those related to us by blood, but for everyone. "My father said that I should strive to leave indelible footprints on the sand of time and that I should aim for the highest position in life.” The late Chief Solomon Lar, who was born in Pagna, Langtan Local Government Area of Plateau, in April 1933, was a nationalist politician who has held various offices at the national level for over 50 years.

Agatu killings: Idomas seek FG intervention BY PETER DURU

AKURDI—THE Idoma National Forum, INF, has urged the Federal Government to take decisive steps to end the recurrent killings in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Few days ago persons suspected to be Fulani marauders invaded Oguchi, Ankpa community killing 15 people with many women and children still missing and unaccounted for. A statement issued yesterday by the INF’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Daniel Ekah in Makurdi, regretted that “despite the incessant mayhem and kill-

ings of Idoma natives in Agatu Local Government Area and parts of Nasarawa State by suspected Fulani mercenaries and efforts by Governor Gabriel Suswam to stem the bloodbath, the Federal Government has not shown enough commitment to check the crisis. "Our helpless people are frequently left at the mercy of the invaders who come with sophisticated weapons such as AK47 rifles in the night. And these attacks are coming at a time when the Agatu people are still brooding over the pains of last year's flood disaster and are in the process of rehabilitating and re-adjusting their lives especially in the face of

limited support from the Federal Government. ”The incessant mayhem directed by the Fulani against same people is an additional pain too much to bear. We also appeal to the Federal Government and her agencies to come to the aid of the Agatu people and also take decisive action to stem the recurrent bloodbath and incursions into Benue State.” He however, asked the Leaders of Thought in Agatu to come together and convene an all stakeholders conference, irrespective of political, religious or other interests to deal with the persistent invasion.

T least 500 Nigerian youths are languishing in Japanese prisons over alleged drugs and other related offences, a Nigerian-born Bishop, Enock Adebayo has said. Adebayo who is president of the Nigeria-Japan Chamber of Commerce based in Japan, said while briefing newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, that the Federal Government should take immediate action to save lives of the youths. The bishop claimed that the youths must have engaged in the unholy businesses because of lack of jobs and the belief that they had no future in their country, Nigeria. He said, ”the chamber has been educating more than 3,000 Nigerians among them, the youths resident in Japan that the future of Nigeria is very rosy and bountiful, which will propel Nigeria to become a world power in the next 10 years. Nigerian youths should be honest, hardworking, resourceful, faithful and be able to plan ahead. We have been educating them not to cross the ‘red line,’ in order not to fall into the same temptation and mistakes our past leaders found themselves.”

Foundation seeks support for dialogue

ATIONAL Co-ordina tor of a non governmental organisation, Searchlight of Hope Foundation, Barr. Offiong Ekanem, has called on the political class to give unconditional support to President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to solve the country’s socio-economic and political problems through the proposed national dialogue and conference. Ekanem who disclosed this while interacting with Journalists in Abuja to mark the Eidel-Kabir festival, said the need for support by Nigerians became imperative to provide the golden opportunity Nigerians have been yearning for to sit down and resolve the numerous differences plaguing the nation’s growth and development. He argued that there was no better time to discuss the issues than now when the nation was being threatened by issues of ethnic nationalities, political differences, boundary conflicts, religious crisis and revenue formula and others.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 49

Why NASS must ratify report—Senators, Reps Continues from page 5 sembly adopts it and knits it into law. That is one way. The second way is: if we all agree that they should be one, then we now give them sovereignty by amending our laws to say the outcome of that conference will automatically become part of our laws which is very, very dicey because under that circumstances, we don’t have any power on checks. If the people will sit down and talk. It is legitimate. “

No alternative to NASS ratification – Ciroma

Former Minister of Finance and elder statesman, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, threw his weight behind President

Jonathan’s move to get the federal lawmakers ratify the outcome of the confab as couched in a text message to Vanguard. Mallam Ciroma simply texted: “No alternative.” Also reacting, the Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Barajeled new Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP described the action of the President as a wise decision. A text message to Vanguard by the nPDP national Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze read: “I think it was a wise decision considering that NASS is the only elected body that can ensure implementation of the recommendations of the confab through consitution amendments.”

Money wasting

venture – Masari

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Bello Masari, in his submission said the Jonathan-led administration has just engaged itself in another money wasting process. He said, “Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo did something like this, he called a conference and the report was sent to the National Assembly, the report never saw the light of the day. This government has been taking diversionary tactics and trying to create a situation leaving the real issues that concerns the performance of government. “I can tell you that this national conference report will not see the light of the day because presently, the National Assembly members are so

busy preparing for their elections. Looking at any report coming from the national conference is out of it. I feel this government has just embarked on another money wasting conference that will not achieve anything.”

Pessimism too early – Adebanjo

However, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said it was too early for anyone to be pessimistic about the national conference. He noted, “We pestered Mr. President and he eventually agreed to the convocation of this conference and we will continue to pester him to ensure the report of the conference is carried out.”

Nigerians must insist on what is right – Osunbor

Also, former governor of Edo State, Senator Oserhiemen Osunbor said, “Nigerians must insist on what is right which is that the National Assembly only has the power in Nigeria to amend the constitution subject to approval by a minimum of 24 states. The National Assembly is not a rubber stamp and is not obliged to accept any recommendation. However, it must give due consideration to views expressed and recommendations reached at the dialogue. It should be ready to do what will promote national unity, equity and development “

Confab is dead on arrival – CNPP

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, submit-

Fitch affirms Nigeria's ‘BB' rating BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

ITCH Ratings has, once again, affirmed Nigeria’s BBrating and a stable outlook for the economy. The rating, which was announced by the global rating agency in London yesterday, came a few days after another respected international rating agency, Standard & Poor’s also affirmed a strong and positive rating for Nigeria's economy with a BB-. The agency retained Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency, International Depository Receipts, IDRs, and senior unsecured bond ratings at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’, respectively. According to Fitch, Nigeria economic outlook is stable, with very strong macro-economic index, as the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, growth rate has remained in the region of 6 and 7 percent, and single digit inflation rate. The stable outlook reflects the fact that in Fitch’s view, upside and downside risks are well balanced.

Ratings' factors

The ratings agency explained that its affirmation reflected its opinion on the true position of the Nigerian economy. It said: “The affirmation reflects the following key rating drivers: GDP growth slowed to 6.4 percent in H113, but has shown resilience in the face of exogenous shocks such as severe floods in 2012 which hit agricultural output; security problems especially in the north earlier this year; and increased oil theft and vandalism

and the consequent repair shutdowns which have caused oil output to contract for the second year in a row. “ The non-oil economy has slowed but still grew by 7.9% in 2012 and 7.6% in H113. Non-oil growth should pick-up in H213 as normal weather has resumed and the authorities have responded to security problems. Reforms to the electricity and agriculture sectors could start to boost potential growth. “Inflation has been in single digits all year - the lowest in five years and the longest stretch of single digit inflation since 2008. Policy rates are unchanged. The central bank (CBN) has the twin aims of achieving single-digit inflation and maintaining exchange rate stability. “Public finances remain comfortable. Fitch estimates a general government deficit of around 1.8% of GDP this year and next. Both oil and non-oil revenues are under-budget and the Excess Crude Account (ECA) has been tapped to compensate. “Capital spending also remains under budget. The draft 2014 budget plans ambitious fiscal consolidation, with lower oil production and benchmark oil prices and lower spending than the 2013 budget.” The agency said it expected that “oil production will likely fall short again, and the final budget that emerges from the National Assembly (NA) is likely to be more expansionary but it expected general government debt to remain

stable at just over 20% of GDP, this year. It added, “Nigeria’s sovereign and overall external balance sheets, current account surplus, debt service ratio and external liquidity are all stronger than ‘BB’ category medians. Foreign reserves rose steadily in early 2013 but have been falling since May due to reduced oil output, prompting ECA drawdown, and global market turbulence, which has reduced foreign appetite for NGN paper (though net inflows have continued). “CBN intervened to support the naira when it came under pressure mid-year after Fedtapering turbulence, although reserves have held up much better than many large emerging markets. Nigeria effectively re-opened the Eurobond market in July, raising USD1bn in its second issuance”. Mixed reform programmes Fitch viewed the nation’s reformed programmes as having mixed results, “electricity privatisation has passed a key milestone with generators and distributors now in private hands. “Output seems to be on a rising trend, although it has been affected by gas pipeline damage and an impact on GDP growth is hard to discern. “Agricultural reforms are also gaining traction. The most obvious benefit to the economy has been a fall in imports last year, due to reduced oil subsidy payments, a crackdown on fraud in the oil subsidy system and substitu-

tion in the agricultural sector”. The agency noted the failure of the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, owing to it described as “strong vested interests” which would make reform in that sector “a continual struggle, especially with elections in 2015”. It also said that the Nigeria’s ratings remained “constrained by weak governance, low per capita income and vulnerability to oil price volatility” and that “data weaknesses hamper the monitoring of economic and fiscal performance and reform progress”. It acknowledged the security challenges posed by insurgents and said that “the government is responding to the Boko Haram insurgency mainly with security measures”. Reacting to the rating by Fitch, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said it demonstrated the resilience of the nation’s economy which was a reflection of the resilient Nigerians. Her words, “this confirms that Nigeria’s economy is resilient just like the Nigerian people are resilient. What’s important about the ratings is that while acknowledging all the challenges the economy faces, it points to and applauds the strengths such as progress in the power sector, increased focus on agriculture, strong investment in local manufacturing and other areas”

ted that “the Jonathan conference is dead on arrival” stressing that whatever decision reached at the conference would not give the nation the much desired solution to her numerous problems. It said that any conference that was not sovereign in nature with its outcome subjected to a national referendum would amount to a sheer waste of resources and would be regarded as diversionary. The group which made this known in a statement signed by its National Publicity secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, yesterday, said, “Whereas we support national dialogue; however, it is our candid opinion that any national conference that is not sovereign, where the outcome of the conference is subjected to a national referendum at this point in time is a sheer waste of resources, time and hence diversionary.” Recalling its earlier warning that President Jonathan might not muster the political will to set the ball rolling for a Sovereign National Conference, the group noted that it had been vindicated by the president’s statement that the outcome of the dialogue would be handed over to the National Assembly. The statement said, “CNPP recalls that since our return to democracy in 1999, the National Assembly at various times had embarked on the process of amendment of the 1999 Constitution and at no time was any of the fundamental issues amended. We stand to be corrected, so as to reassure Nigerians that handing over the outcome of the present national conference report to the National Assembly instead of convening a Sovereign National Conference will pass to our children a far better country than we now have. “In other words the present National and State Assemblies lack the political will to insert in a new constitution critical issues like devolution of powers to the regions, unicameral legislature under a parliamentary system, truly independent INEC, EFCC, ICPC, creation of additional state for the South East, and fiscal federalism among other issues.” C M Y K

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US Shutdown: Parties strike deal

S Senate leaders in both Democratic and Republican parties last night reached agreement to temporarily raise the nation’s debt ceiling and fully reopen the government as lawmakers raced to resolve their budget stalemate and calm anxious financial markets. The expected Senate deal would avoid a potential US debt default, but it would only set new deadlines for lawmakers to make decisions about the long-term course of fiscal policy. As outlined by aides, the deal would fund federal agencies through Jan. 15 and extend the nation’s borrowing authority through Feb. 7. A negotiating committee would be charged with devising plans for longer-term solutions. Lawmakers have been hoping to pass legisla-

tion—or at least set Congress on a clear path to doing so—before Thursday, which many officials and investors view as a landmark moment. The Treasury says that on that day it will exhaust its emergency borrowing powers and be left with only about $30 billion to pay the nation’s bills, enough to last for a week or two. House GOP leaders on Wednesday were contemplating taking up the expected deal from the Senate for a vote later Wednesday, according to aides from both parties. That would send the bill to the Senate in a fashion enabling the Senate to skip some of its time-consuming procedures to ensure a quicker final vote. “What I’m hearing is they may move first,” Sen. Kelly Ayotte said of the

cess weeks earlier in the fiscal fight, but his office made no indication Wednesday of whether he would do the same this week. Senate Democratic aides said they were optimistic lawmakers would agree to hasten consider-

Darfur: UNSC condemns attacks on UNAMID

Democratic leader Harry Reid: “Our country came to the brink of disaster” the chamber’s rules allow House. If all 100 senators the objections of even a agree, the bill could po- single senator to drag out tentially come to a final debate. Sen. Ted Cruz vote in the Senate later had prevented the Senate Wednesday. However, from speeding up the pro-

EMBERS of the UN Security Council have condemned, in the strongest terms, the attack by unidentified armed assailants on the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) peacekeepers. In a brief statement, obtained by PANA in New York on Tuesday, the Council cited the attack on 11 October, in which a Zambian military observer was killed, and another attack by

UK PM: Snowden leaks harmed nat’l security B

RITISH Prime Minis ter David Cameron said on Wednesday that the publication by the Guardian newspaper of secrets leaked by Edward Snowden had damaged national security. Cameron’s comments were the highest profile intervention by a British official in a debate about whether the left-leaning daily was right to publish Snowden’s revelations about US and British spy programmes. ”I think the plain fact is that what has happened has damaged national security,” Cameron told parliament. And in many ways

Snowden

the Guardian themselves admitted that when they agreed — when asked politely by my national security adviser and cabinet secretary to destroy the files they had — they went ahead and destroyed those files. “So they know that what they’re dealing with

is dangerous for national security.” Cameron was replying to a question by former defence secretary Liam Fox, who said it was “bizarre” that “the hacking of a celebrity phone demands a prosecution, but leaving the British people and the security personnel

more vulnerable is ‘opening a debate’?” Meanwhile, the father of Edward Snowden has left Russia after meeting the US intelligence leaker at a secret location, the fugitive’s lawyer said on Wednesday. Lon Snowden had an “emotional” meet-

Malaysian politicians speak out against ‘Allah’ ruling Ming, the decision shows

ALAYSIA’S top pol iticians and academics today termed as “very disturbing” a court ruling that barred non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” to refer to God in the Muslim-majority nation. A unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal on Monday allowed the government’s appeal to set aside the 2009 decision of a High Court which had allowed ‘The Herald’, a Malaysian Catholic newspaper, to use the word “Allah” to refer to God. A member of the ruling Malaysian Chinese Association party, Heng Seai Kie, said she was surprised and disappointed with the judgement, adding that the jurisdiction of the law

ation of the bipartisan deal expected to be unveiled later Wednesday. Senate Republicans were expected to be briefed on the deal at an 11 a.m. meeting. The Senate was scheduled to convene at noon Wednesday.

should be consistent and should also protect the rights of minority groups, the Star Online reported. According to another parliamentarian Ong Kian

a “complete lack of understanding” of the practise of Christians in Malaysia, who have used the word in worship and liturgy for generations.

Lao plane crash kills 44

Lao Airlines plane flying in stormy weather crashed into the Mekong river in southern Laos on Wednesday, killing all 44 people on board, among them nationals of 10 countries. The ATR-72 turboprop plane flying from the capital Vientiane crashed at about 4.10 p.m. (5.10 a.m. ET) just eight kilometers (five miles) short of its destination Pakse, which is near the borders of

both Thailand and Cambodia. The airline said in a statement it had yet to determine the cause of the crash, in which a senior aviation official said the tail end of Typhoon Nari may have been a factor. Those killed were mostly Lao nationals. But seven French nationals were also killed, the country’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

ing with his son, who is wanted by US authorities on espionage charges for spilling secrets about Washington’s secret surveillance programmes, after arriving in Moscow on October 10, Russian news reports said.

unidentified armed assailants on a UNAMID convoy near El Geneina, West Darfur, on 13 October. In the second attack, three Senegalese peacekeepers were killed and one wounded. The Council members called on the Government of Sudan to swiftly investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice. They also reiterated their full support for UNAMID and called on all parties in Darfur to cooperate fully with the mission. They further expressed their condolences to the families of the military observer and peacekeepers killed in the attacks, as well as to the Governments of Zambia and the Republic of Senegal, and also to UNAMID.

BRIEFS Suicide attack kills Pakistani minister, 7 others

ESHAWAR: A senior Pakistani provincial minister was among eight people killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosive laden vest at the politician’s home in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, police said.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister

Israrullah Gandapur was greeting people on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha when the attack took place. Police said 20 people were also injured in the bombing. They said the suicide bomber entered the residence of Gandapur in the Kolachi area and detonated his explosive laden vest.

UN launches multilingualism essay contest through the agreement

HE UN and USbased ELS Educational Services have signed an agreement to foster multilingualism among the youth, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Tuesday. Nesirky, said that

the organisation was showcasing a contest between college and university students to write an essay in one of its six official languages on the role of multilingualism in a globalized world.

54— Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

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55—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

1.785 million voters to decide the next governor BY VINCENT UJUMADU

HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday announced that

1,784,536 persons were registered in Anambra State for the November 16, 2013 election. The figure was presented at the INEC State headquarters

Nollywood actors storm Anambra for Obiano STORIES BY CHARLES KUMOLU

NOLLYWOOD members yesterday urged Anambra voters to vote for the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Candidate,Dr Willy Obiano, saying that Governor Peter Obi’s performance had guaranteed automatic victory for the party. The actors, who were at the party ’s gubernatorial campaign in Onitsha took turns to state why APGA must emerge victorious at the polls. Present at the event which was held at All Saints Anglican Cathedral feild

were; Bob Manuel Udokwu, Emeka Muonagor, Tony M u o n a g o r, E m e k a Obasi,Ejike Methusela among others. Udokwu, who led the actors to the podium, thanked the governor for providing good governance in the state. Similarly, Emeka Muonagor commended the governor for involving Nollywood in his government. “We are proud of what Obi is doing in Anambra that is why we are here to support APGA to have a good successor.

•Jega in Awka by Mr. E. Akem who came from Abuja and the ceremony took place in the

presence of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof Chukwuemeka Onukaogu and the supervising National Commissioner, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku. All the 23 political parties involved in the governorship election were represented by four of their members each and were given copies of the voter register. According to INEC, at the completion of 2011 voter registration exercise, the Commission released tentative total registered voters of 2, 011, 746 adding that since then, the data capture process had gone a series of processes. Altogether, there were 4608 polling units in the state.

Details of the registration showed that 18-35 years were 52 percent, 36-50 persons of the registered voters were 25 percent, while those in the bracket of 51-69 years were 18 percent with those above 70 years were 5 percent. Also, the number of females that registered in Anambra was 900, 701 which accounts for 50.5percent, while the males reduced in number and accounted for 49.5 percent. Ogbaru Local Government Area had the highest number of voters with over 139,000 The Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu in his address congratulated the political parties on the way they had conducted their campaigns so far in the state.

Obiano'll surpass my achievements —Obi

HIETAINS of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, were unanimous in their call on the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Willy Obiano to avoid squandering the confidence reposed in him if he emerges victorious at the polls. Disclosing this yesterday in Onitsha at the party’s governorship campaign, the leaders insisted that the choice of Obiano as candidate was a popular decision. Those at the event include; Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Chief Victor Umeh, Chief Tim Menakaya, Senator Chris Anyawu, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, Chief Emeka Ojukwu (jnr) among others. Speaking at the event, Obi urged the electorate not to be deceived by promise being made by other parties, adding

that Obiano would surpass his achievements. ”We have done much to secure Anambra and to guarantee a better future for our people. It is to our credit that the state is now safe. Because of my believe in continuity, we presented a worthy successor. Obiano will continue from where I stopped,” Obi stated In the same vein, Umeh said, “from what Peter is doing it is obvious that Obiano will do well and more. He has no reason to fail.” Similarly Senator Anyawu said: “I am here to support what you are doing. We are glad that you have a bold and worthy candidate. He will continue the wonderful works of Obi. With him there will be progress. I am calling on Anambra people to hold on to Obiano. Ensure that he is elected. The world is watching you.”

*APGA ONITSHA GRAND CAMPAIGN: Governor Peter Obi (left), with Chief Victor Umeh(right), raising the hands of APGA candidate, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano (middle), in Onitsha, yesterday.

Obiano takes campaign to Onitsha, promises to uphold APGA tradition

CTIVITIES in the commercial city of Onitsha literally came to a halt yesterday as the people of the state assembled at the expansive All Saints field for the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. Before going to the venue of the campaign, the leaders of the party paid courtesy visit to the traditional ruler of Onitsha. Though the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe was absent as he traveled out of the country, his Cabinet received the APGA team. Shortly after the APGA

candidate, Dr. Chief Willie Obiano was introduced by Governor. Peter Obi and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, he pledged to continue to serve the people of the State in the best APGA tradition. He based his speech on what he called the four Cs: continue, complete, commission and commencement of new projects. Obiano promised to continue equipping selected hospitals in the state, free medical care for those above 70 years, free education in primary and secondary schools, eradication

of kidnapping, beautification of the areas already worked on by the Governor, execution of mass housing for civil servants and middle and Low income earners, free vocational education, free ante- natal care, among others. Speaking further, Obiano, who enumerated the projects being executed by Governor Obi assured the people of the state that he would continue and complete those projects. He mentioned specific projects he said were dear to his heart because they would touch the lives of the people, namely: Ndiukwuenu, Ebenebe,

Atani, Ozubulu roads, as well as bridges, malls and water projects under construction and many others. Obiano who described Gov. Obi’s policy of disbursing money directly to the Church and other credible organizations as yielding tremendous fruits, assured that he would not only continue, but would expand on the practice since it had proved very effective in the distribution of resources for the good of the people of the state. Earlier, Umeh who introduced all those that contested the APGA primaries and are united

in their support for Willie Obiano, urged the people of Anambra State to reject the attempt to impose candidates on the state as represented by Dr. Chris Ngige. Describing what was happening as “Operation Osmosis”, Umeh said that light as represented by APGA would certainly triumph against darkness. In his own remarks, the Governor, Mr. Peter Obi said that seeing the crowd and the response of the people to APGA in Anambra State that he was convinced that the campaign was a mere formality.

56 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

•Aguariavwodo: Delta Central senator-elect

•Uduaghan: Got feuding PDP leaders to sink their differences

•Emerhor: APC flagbearer

Delta Central by-election: A harvest of mixed fortunes THE outcome of the Delta Central Senatorial bye-election of last Saturday is stoking different drumbeats among major stakeholders

HE glee on the face of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan last Sunday could hardly be missed by anyone within an earshot at the thanksgiving service hosted by the governor in his private residence in Warri, Delta State. The ill-wind that had shadowed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in recent times in Delta Central had been banished the day before when the party ’s candidate, Hon. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo beat other major contenders from the opposition to win the byelection to fill the seat left by the death of Senator Pius Ewherido. Seated beside him on the high table were Aguariavwodo, Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Utuama, state party chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and party leaders from the Central district, who honoured the governor ’s invitation for the thanksgiving-cum-reception. Uduaghan’s contentment stemmed not just from the fact that Aguariavwodo won but also that the PDP made a statement by overwhelming the Democratic Peoples

Party,DPP which had until now held sway in district wide elections in the area. It was also instructive that the election and the thanksgiving that followed had some of the more prominent party chieftains from the senatorial district who until now had worked at cross purposes. Among those present were the chairman of the state PDP Campaign Council, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire.

Senatorial election “After the victory of the early hours of this morning, I thought it was necessary for us to gather to thank God and congratulate ourselves for winning the senatorial election,” Uduaghan said. The governor, whose imprint was etched in the conquest, said he was surprised that even while the election was still on one of the political parties, which unmistakably saw the handwriting on the wall, wrote a petition and rejected the outcome of an

election that was yet to be concluded. ”I called for this thanksgiving because we all know that PDP has regained our lost territory, which is Delta Central. For over a year now, we embarked on reconciliation and the result (election result) shows that our reconciliation is total, it has been very successful. We spoke with one voice,” the governor said. Reason for past defeat: Looking at why PDP lost the district in 2011, he said, “The problem was that as PDP members, we were fighting ourselves and some of us moved to other parties. Those who moved to other parties got their tickets and worked against our party.” He said: “It is PDP people that went to the opposition that made them to start feeling that they have strength,” adding, “Now that we have taken our strength back, I want to know where the strength they are boasting about is.” Uduaghan noted that practically everybody that won election on the platform of the opposition before now in the state was a member of PDP, saying, “The so-called opposition has collapsed.”

Dismissing the complaints of the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC and the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, the governor said: “If you are not on ground, you will always complain, but if you are on ground, you will win the poll. I appeal to PDP members to remain united. What happened is that we have

BY EMMA AMAIZE

political rivals that the governor is unforgiving of his foes, Nwaoboshi said what happened in the just concluded bye-election and the things he saw the governor do have shown him that the governor forgives. His words, “People say you don’t forgive, but I have seen you forgive, Uduaghan is a committed leader.” The party chairman commended the governor for the leadership he gave the party to win the Delta Central election and also praised Urhobo political leader, Chief Ighoyota Amori and other senatorial aspirants that withdrew for Aguariavvwodo, saying, “If there was no PDP, we would not have been able to deliver Aguariavwodo. Whoever is the party ’s candidate, support him, power

The unity in PDP today must not be allowed to die and with this unity, I cannot see any party in Delta State that can rival us. Any person not in PDP is not a politician in the state

built strong ward structures and that is what I have been advocating all along. We should strengthen the ward structure,” he said. No rival Chief Nwaoboshi, who corroborated the governor ’s claim that opposition has been decapitated in the state, said, “The unity in PDP today must not be allowed to die and with this unity, I cannot see any party in Delta State that can rival us. Any person not in PDP is not a politician in the state.” Dismissing insinuations by

belongs to God, not man, we are only instruments in the hand of God.” Aguariavwodo pledges to serve Aguariavwodo, who thanked the governor and various leaders of the party for their support said, “I want to pledge that I will serve with humility, to the best of my ability, I will do my best at all times, my office and doors will be open. I will enter into Abuja to bring dividends of democracy, as His Excellency has advised.”

Vanguard Vanguard,, YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEO; Some of you who are travelling purposely for love are in for a rewarding day. All of you will need to take your social life more seriously. VIRGO; Unusual co-operation may come your way today but if you are carried away by this the whole thing may change soonest. Respect your spouse. LIBRA; Tomorrow will prove more rewarding financially but you will have good opportunity to do things rightly within your working arena. Be loving. SCORPIO; Although tomorrow may be your best day good opportunity to enhance your financial prospects will come your way even today. Try to be more practical however.

— 57

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Professional advice may be needed over your finances but if you are sure of what you are doing you can go ahead. Be more family minded.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Never be less

By Richard Eromosele

AN has only one enemy in his life. I guess you want to know who that enemy is? Supposing I ask you to tell me who your enemy is, who would you point your finger to? I am pretty sure your next door

neighbour will be your target. Supposing I tell you, your answer is far from the truth, what will be your reaction? The truth is that you are your own worst enemy. Even if the whole

TERROR MUDA

world is against you, If you don’t surrender to them, you will maintain your greatness and dignity even in death. Only two things can happen to a man in life — he is either greater

in “Never say goodbye”

or lesser, bigger or smaller, in peace or in pieces, but if he keeps the good fight, remain loyal to his cause, he will never be diminished. Truly, he will be counted among the great. Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; This is your day when both your personal efforts and element of good luck will bring you much desired result. The more self assertive you are today the better for you. CAPRICORN; Tomorrow is your day; although there will be some challenges within your base of operation today, eventual success will be yours. Be more family minded. AQUARIUS; Even if friends have failed to live up to expectation in the recent days you will need to leave the past behind you and forge ahead. Lovers are fairly favoured. PISCES; Business challenges of yesterday notwithstanding pleasant surprises are possible. The more financially ambitious you are today the better for your cause. ARIES; Better opportunities indicated for those of you willing to be as self assertive as possible, and it could turn out to be a happy day to be remembered by real lovers. TAURUS; Although you will need to keep your secrets for the next few days that is not to say you should not pursue your financial interest. Take care of your health.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make an important move because good luck and success are closer to you today than you image. Be hopeful.

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

Who am I? Dear Joshua, Please keep my birth data secret, but I want you to analyse my horoscope bluntly so that I can know who am I; talking about my personality. Who am I ? Tayo Kaduna.

Dear Tayo, What you will find here under will prove useful if you take them seriously and utilise them. ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lensMercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both. It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you the timid type but yours is a balanced personality. You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action. Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively meant that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

VIRGINIA

Home and abroad

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

IndustriALL Global Unions, allies, in protest march against unfair labour practices

Bits Textile union commends NASU's return to NLC

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

Precarious employment The protesters led by IndustriALL Global Union, African Region Chairman and General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu alongside civil society allies in a road show, called for a stop to all forms of precarious employment in Nigeria. The protesters marched from Acme Road through Aromire Avenue, Oba Akran, Niwil Close to Allen Avenue in Ikeja. They carried various placards with inscriptions such as “Stop casual and contract work”; “respect workers rights”; “Equal pay for equal work”, “Just and humane conditions of work”, “Improved health and safety conditions. ‘There should be respect for freedom of association”, “Respect for collective bargaining”, among others. Addressing the gathering at the Textile Labour House on

ON THE MARCH: Front row; Comrade Issa Aremu mni Chairman, IndustriALL Global Union, African Region/General Secretary (NUTGTWN). From his immediate left is Abiodun Aremu, Secretary JAF and from his right; Vice Chairperson NUTGTWN Women Committee, Comrade Sai’dat Oshodi, Oladele Hunsu, President NUTGTWN, and Comrade Babatunde Yusuf ACME Road, Ogba Lagos, before the mass rally, Comrade Aremu, reminded the gathering that the struggle for decent work was historical. He recalled that workers in colonial employment in the mines, railway and colonial public service were not only poorly paid, they were discriminated against and denied the right to unionism. He stressed the sacrifices of the heroes of trade union movement like Pa Michael Imoudu, H.P Adebola, S.U. Bassey, Wahab Goodluck and others, in negotiating freedom, improved pay and the right to form unions during brutal colonial record. According to him, ”workers and trade unions are concerned that there is a new form of colonialism in which employers are destroying the many gains of workers struggle. Employers now engage workers on temporary basis without good pay, good conditions of work, good health and safety provision, social protection and very important without the right to the union.” Other speakers including CANMPSSAN’s President Comrade A.G. Mohammed and the Secretary of JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, stressed that the campaign to stop precarious work was critical in the struggle to restore the right of workers to organize and join the union as the basis for collective bargaining and social dialogue. Dura Pack, Majestic PP Woven Sack picketed The march continued through the Ikeja industrial area and

descended on two companies said to be “notorious for not allowing unions”; Dura Pack and Majestic PP Woven Sack Ltd. Speaking at the picketing of Majestic Manufacturing Sack, Comrade Aremu maintained that Nigerian employers were now reinventing colonial antilabour practices. He urged the Federal government to reverse the situation with a view to promoting sound labour practice. Also speaking,

N Monday October 7, 2013, IndustriALL Global Union marked World Day for Decent Work. For IndustriALL Global Union, the Decent Work day provided a critical platform to further strengthen its Stop Precarious Work Campaign and remind employers and Governments to act responsibly on workplace issues for workers and also mobilize and call workers to action against all forms of violations of the rights of workers. In Nigeria, affiliate unions and civil society allies, took to the streets of Lagos to protest increasing casualisation of workers, outsourcing, contract staffing and anti-union posture by employers among other perceived unfair labour practices. The affiliates are National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Chemical and NonMetallic Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, CANMPSSAN, and National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non Metallic Products Employees, NUCFRLANMPE. Civil society allies under the Joint Action Forum, JAF, Democratic Socialist Movement, DSM, and Campaign for Workers Democratic Rights, CWDR were also part of protest.

agement of Majestic PP Woven Sack signed an agreement to allow workers join the union. Workers of the two companies expressed gratitude to the unions and the civil society allies for the unionization and an end to alleged culture of impunity from employers who subjected workers to compulsory 12 hours work a day without a clear contract of employment in clear violation of labour laws and International conventions.

They demanded for a stable, secure workforce, respect for and enforcement of labour rights as they marched through the Ikeja industrial area and descended on two companies said to be “notorious for not allowing unions" Secretary of JAF Comrade Aremu decried the degrading work environment in the country, and urged the Federal government to use the Decent Work celebration to implement agreements reached with labour in the country Similarly, President of NUTGTWN, Oladele Hunsu called on employers to ensure that workers got the minimum guaranteed standard of reward, saying “We are picketing some of the anti-workers’ companies today as a note of warning to other employers of labour in the country that do not have regard for their workers." The unions and their allies got the management of the two companies to allow their workers to belong to union by immediately constituting a sevenman executive in Dura Pack and ensuring that the man-

Dura Pack workers on strike Meanwhile, Labour Vanguard gathered that the workers of Dura Pack Industries are currently on strike following alleged refusal of the management to recognize the union and its officials. Workers had joined NUCFRLANMPE on October 7 and elected their leaders. However, the company which produces different types of packs/nylons with about 500 workers, is said to have refused to accept the union. It is owned by a Chinese businessman. Workers are demanding better working conditions, increment in wages, right to join a union of their choice, an end to victimization of workers’ and the regularisation of employment by issuing employment letters to all staff among others.

ATIONAL Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has commended the leadership of NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU for resolving to resume relationship with Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, fully. It will be recalled that the last National Executive Council of NASU in Ilorin, Kwara State, resolved to resume full participation in NLC activities. NASU withdrew from NLC after the crisis that followed NLC delegates’ conference in 2011. NUTGTWN in a letter to Comrade Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU, said On behalf of the National Executive Council (NLC) of the Union and the generality of our members, we hereby commend the bold decision by the National Executive Council (NEC) of your union to resume participation in all organs meetings and activities of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) including payment of affiliation dues to the Congress.

NUPENG delegates’ conference opens today

HE 3rd Quadrennial Delegates Conference, QDC, of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, opens today in PortHarcourt, Rivers State. With the theme “Reforms in the oil Gas Industry: Catalyst for national growth and development. (What prospect for the attainment of decent work agenda?), is under the chairmanship of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President Dangote group of companies. While President Goodluck Jonathan will be the special guest of honour, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State will be guest honour. Similarly, Dame Patience Jonathan will be the mother of the day, while NUPENG President Comrade Achese Igwe will be the chief host. Ten governors including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other eminent Nigerians will receive different awards.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013—59

Pension Act amendment must include gratuity — TUC AS the contentious issue of gratuity payment con tinues to generate divergent views by concerned stakeholders, President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, in this interview with Pension and You, said the planned amendment of the Pension Reform Act, PRA, of 2004, must clearly make the payment of gratuity compulsory and unambiguous. Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, TUC President

HERE are plans to amend the 2004 Pension Reform Act, PRA. What will be TUC’s input? My predecessors have already made our position public, so I do not want to belabour the matter. However something we all know is that, we must stress the issue of gratuity. We want it to be clearly incorporated in the amendment, because when you make it very loose that government or employer can choose to pay or not to pay the gratuity, you are giving them the opportunity not to pay gratutity. So, we want it made mandatory. It is something that we are hoping the amendment will state clearly because without the gratuity aspect, I am telling you we are being paid piecemeal and it is not the wish of any retiree to earn his or her pension piecemeal. What are the benefits in gratuity payment? The benefit is that you get a chunk of your benefits and choose what you want to do with it. But situa-

tired at the age of 60 years, I mean tions where they tell you that bewhat do you need loans for? That fore they give you 25 percent of will give you stress. You see, life your accumulative contributions, should be sweet after retirement and and then later another 25 percent, not talking of stress that will make how would that sustain you? you start thinking of how to repay When you are retiring, you need such loan. One should simply invest, to make yourself comfortable; probrelax and enjoy the dividends of your ably you want to go into a very investment. heavy investment, get your money Are you in support of the plan to in bulk then invest in whatever increase the contribution ratio? profitable venture you want to go The government should increase into. Then you go back and relax the contribution ratio. The employthinking of after 25 percent. But in ers’ contribution should be doubled. this case, when it is paid piecemeal, Right now it's 50:50. We want a situsay 25 percent, retiree will ask, how ation where if the employee is condo I get my balance of 75 percent ? tributing 50 percent of such equity, That is is another stress on the retiree. Corruption should be viewed People have talked about situentirely as another topic of ations where discussion because when you get some kind of soft loans should be into that, a lot of things are given to retirees. considered What is your take on it? the employer should contribute I don’t believe in loans. Let he 100%. or she be given what is due to that What about private sector emperson, because after serving merployers who will argue that they itoriously for 35 years or being redon’t have as much money as gov-

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE & VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

ernment? In fact with due respect, benefit accruable to retirees of the private sector is much higher than those in the public sector; theirs is even better. You can imagine a director retiring, particularly in the civil service, there is no director that will retire and get more than five million Naira. Does this not give room for corruption? In fact, Comrade Adams Oshiomole would say, if you do not pay a living wage, what people cannot get on the table, they will take under the table. Corruption should be viewed entirely as another topic of discussion because when you get into that, a lot of things are considered. So, for now let us just address the issue. Yes, public sector workers particularly are not getting a fair deal from their employers. So, let us see how we can improve on that. People are sometimes corrupt, because of poor remuneration and perhaps in order to secure their future especially after retirement. It is assumed that by the time adequate payments are made to them, if “corruption” is tied down to that, corruption will be mitigated one way or the order. But again, you know that corruption is a matter of the heart, it is somebody ’s orientation, somebody ’s attitude to life. If you choose to live beyond or over and above your livelihood, that is up to you. If you want to live a very comfortable life, cut your coat according to your size. So, that is the basic truth, it has to do with our own orientation. It does not have to do with the kind of leaders who are not leading by example. If you want to really address this monster called corruption, leaders should lead by example to make sure that wherever you are, no matter the level of your office let’s try to minimize corruption, I am assuring you that Nigeria will be better off.

NPA meets 2006/2007 retirees on pension scheme issues T HE Nigeria Ports Au thority, NPA, will meet with its 2006/2007 retirees on October 24, to resolve contentious issues in its Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, DPS. The scheme takes care of retirees whose benefits have not been fully paid by NPA. NPA General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Iheanacho Ebubeogwu, said the management and the retirees had agreed to meet to resolve the contentious issues on the said date. Ebubeogwu said that the NPA management had written to the Federal Government of its intention to include the retirees in its pension scheme. Mr Charles Binitie, chairman of the retirees’ group, while confirming the date, said the meeting was im-

NPA retirees protesting unpaid benefits portant because the retirees and Lagos protested non-paywere facing a lot of hardship. ment of their rbenefits and Binitie said that most of the crippled activities at the ports retirees had not received any where they barricaded the gates to the ports, lamenting benefit since they retired. It could be recalled that the that they had been suffering aggrieved retirees in Warri since retirement in 2006.

They claimed that series of petitions to the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA had not yielded results. The National Chairman of the 2006\2007 retired staff of the agency, Mr Charles Ayo Binitie, who who spoke on the plight of the retirees in Lagos, explained that the protests would continue until the management of NPA address their request. He said the pensioners would form a human barricade along the ports access road in a bid to stop evacuation of cargo from the port. Mr Binities, said the same action would be replicated in Onne port, Warri Port and Calabar port, declaring that that they were denied benefits by the NPA through the presidential task force.

“For the purpose of prosperity, what shall we tell our children and those to come that we worked in NPA for 10 to 35 years and the Presidential Task Force denied us our pension” he lamented. The pensioners said they were entitled to pension for life because they fell in the old pension scheme, especially the Federal Government circular of 3rd, August, 2009, stressing ‘We are demanding the 10 per cent gratuity and pension as compensation for premature retirement. We are also demanding for one year salary as compensation for those disengaged employees who did not complete the minimum qualifying period for gratuity and pension”, the pensioners declared

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 17, 2013

Emenike, the new goal-machine of Eagles E MMANUEL Emeni ke could well be the goals machine Nigeria have long waited for as he now averages a goal every other game for them. Nigeria have long waited for a striker who will take the responsibility of scoring goals for the Eagles since the days of the late Rashidi Yekini. The likes of Julius Aghahowa, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins at some point were regarded as the men to take on the Eagles goalscoring responsibilities, but none of them could match the exploits of the legendary Yekini. With nine goals from 18 matches for Nigeria, Emenike has emerged as the country’s new king of goals, who if he maintains his scoring rate could outdo the 37-goal milestone set by the great Yekini. He is strong, a cool head in front of goal and has already proved he is a prolific scorer at his various clubs. He is only 26 and if he only he could stay free of injuries and on form, he will plunder many more goals for the African champions. His confidence has been boosted by his exploits at his Africa Cup of Nations debut earlier this year in South Africa, where he emerged as top scorer with four goals to help Nigeria win a third continental diadem. Incidentally, his Eagles debut against Sierra Leone in February 2011 had gone horribly wrong when he was forced out of the game by injury midway through the first half. But like he has shown at his various clubs, his resolve to defy the critics has since seen him become the toast of a country of 160 million football fans. His first Eagles goal was pure class as he lobbed the ball past a stranded Argentina goalkeeper as Nigeria thumped the two-time world champions 4-1 in a friendly in Abuja two years ago. Emenike began his career with Delta Force in

Emenike Nigeria before he moved to South Africa, where he featured for Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Cape Town. His stocks rose considerably when he joined a modest Turkish club Karabukspor where his goals catapulted them to the top flight. He then netted 14 goals for Karabukspor in the top flight to catch the attention of giants Fenerbahce. In the summer of 2011, Fenerbahce signed him for £7 million, but didn’t play a single game for the Istanbul giants before he was on the move again amid a match-fix-

ing scandal that rocked the club. He moved to Russia, where he teamed up with Spartak Moscow for a fee of £9 million and was an instant hit, he scored his first goal in Russia in a 1-1 draw against city rivals CSKA Moscow and went ahead to score a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow in another derby. He scored 21 goals in 42 games, again an average of a-goal-a-game. He has yet to score for Fenerbache since his switch in the summer, but you cannot bet against him to come good yet again.

Emenike’s Goals for Nigeria International Friendly Nigeria vs Argentina in 2011 4-1(1 goal) 2014 World Cup qualifier Nigeria vs Malawi 2 - 0(1 goal) 2013 AFCON Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 1 - 1(1 Zambia vs Nigeria 1 - 1(1 Cote d’Ivoire vsNigeria 1 - 2(1 Mali vs Nigeria 1 4(1

goal) goal) goal) goal)

International Friendly Nigeria vs Burkina Faso 4-1 (1 goal) 2014 World Cup Playoff Ethiopia vs Nigeria 1 - 2(2 goals)

Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 17, 2013 — 61

Yobo seeks Eagles focus, hails Keshi F

ENERBAHCE of T u r k e y defender,Joseph Yobo is confident Nigeria has taken a major step towards a fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup next year but warns his colleagues in the Super Eagles that the ticket is not signed, sealed and delivered yet. Yobo, the most capped Super Eagle praised the team that defeated Ethiopia last Sunday in Addis Ababa for displaying the never say die Nigerian spirit in the rarified air in Ethiopia. ‘I think the Eagles have shown they are worthy champions of Africa. That the feat they achieved at the 2013 AFCON was not by happenstance. I am indeed proud to be associated with the crop of dedicated and committed players we now have in the national team,”said Yobo who singled out the team`s gaf-

fer, Stephen Keshi for special praise. ‘No matter what anybody says, coach Keshi has done a tremendous job of building a team most Nigerians are now proud of. I have been in the national team for over 10 years and should know better. He (Keshi) has moulded a team that can be better than the team he captained to our first world cup appearance in 1994.”. Yobo however wants all hands to be on deck towards the second leg against Ethiopia and for the players not to lose focus. `If I am not there personally to be with the team as their leader, I will be with them in spirit because the team’s success is also mine and that of Nigerians,”he further said and praised Cross River state governor, senator Liyel Imoke for his contribution towards the success of the team..

Egypt Continues from BP second leg in Cairo because of fears over his safety. Airport security was increased for the team’s return from Ghana and many fans were angered by the humiliating result. Allam believes those angry supporters will not allow Bradley to lead the team - and is looking at the possibility of assistant coach Diaa El Sayed taking charge of the return match on November 19, with Egypt’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Brazil all but over. “It is not logical to sack

him [Bradley] and pay a big fine for the last match of his contract,” said Allam. In the last two days, the police and the army have clashed with with Ahly Ultras, a fans’ group who tried to attack the Ahly handball team after they were beaten to the gold medal in the Champions Handball League by a Tunisian side. Last week, Ghana wrote to Fifa to ask for the second leg tie to be moved from Egypt because of safety fears and Fifa has given the Egyptian FA until 28 October to provide security guarantees.

Imoke Continues from BP road work for the 2013 Calabar Carnival on the day the Eagles were tackling the Antelopes in Addis Ababa, that the Ethiopians will be well taken care of but there will be no compromise in terms of the results. “I trust the Super Eagles to get the job done and done quickly and after that we will give all our visitors including the Ethiopians the typical Calabar hospitality because we remain the preC M Y K

ferred tourism destination not only in Nigeria but in the entire African continent”, he said. Ugbe said Governor Imoke has other plans in stock for the Nigerian side on the day but prefers to keep it close to his chest at the moment. “When the time comes we will unveil other things we have in stock for the national team but in the meantime, we wish to say that Calabar will be no hiding place for any Antelopes come November 16”.

Champs City FC embark on screening exercise

EWLY formed Champs FC , the latest addition to the growing football academicals industry in the country is embarking on a recruitment drive. The three-stage screening exercise to recruit young talented male footballers, aged 14 to 18 years, into its J-Champs Academy which was originally planned to hold in Lagos at the Union Bank Sports Club on the 4th and 5th of October, 2013, will now hold in Enugu at the Rangers FC Training Pitch on 25th and 26th of October, 2013. The screening in Enugu is

•Yobo

NTF endorses CCSF Taekwondo Open

HE Nigeria Ta e k w o n d o Federation (NTF) has endorsed the yearly Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open, as teams and athletes arrive Abuja for the tournament holding this weekend. According to the President of NTF, George Ashiru, the federation has sanctioned the tournament, as the quality of organization of the tournament has indeed been impressive. “The CCSF is an affiliate of the NTF, and so the tournament is sanctioned by the NTF. Beyond this, the NTF provides support equipments and licensed referees and technical support to make this a world-class event. It is in our vision to partner with affiliated Taekwondo NGOs to organise quality programmes to meet i n t e r n a t i o n a l standards,” Ashiru said. He however, expressed optimism that

the CCSF would soon receive the backing of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The NTF boss added: “I think my expectation is to improve on last year’s superlative event as we have amassed more than 85 personnel both technical and administrative to make this an even greater championships. With more prizes at stake and eight countries, we are gradually getting to the point that we can organise official i n t e r n a t i o n a l championships sanctioned by the WTF. That’s our ultimate goal with this tournament, to host WTF sanctioned events like world and c o n t i n e n t a l championships.” Listing the gains for Nigerian athletes, Ashiru said: “Exposure! Our athletes, especially the ones who can’t afford to travel abroad to compete, will have the opportunity of matching their skills with their counterparts from other nations and therefore influence their preparation for the

Ethiopia FA Continues from BP bus was attacked and a player was injured. “Tuesday was a holiday in Ethiopia so we couldn’t do anything about it, but we will work with the security forces

to investigate what has actually happened and hopefully respond soon.” The two teams will meet in Calabar for the second leg of the playoff on 16 November.

major events like the All Africa Games.

targeted at talents within and around South-East region. Afterwards, the screening train comes back to Lagos for another round of screening exercises, from November 1st to 4th, 2013 at the Union Bank Sports Club, Surulere, Lagos to capture talents within and around South-West region. Based in Lagos. Champs City FC is incorporated with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and is in the process of finalizing the affiliation with the Lagos State Football Association. The pioneer coaching crew is spearheaded by Mr. Jude Agada, Nigeria’s ex-international who captained Rangers International and Udoji Utd during his heydays.

Keshi

Continues from BP

and it effectively kickstarts preparation for the CHAN 2014 championship that will be hosted in South Africa in January, thus praising the NFF for the vision of quick preparation. Keshi spoke through team scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor. Achor also advised all players that in the spirit of non-partisanship in selection, they should come to the Bolton White Apartment camp of the team in Abuja with their valid international passports as only the best will be picked for the Jordan trip. By the team’s programme, the Eagles are expected to stay in camp for the next ten days before jetting out by October 26 for the friendly against Jordan in the capital city of Amman. Keshi has listed 28 players for the 10-days camp but only 18 players will make it to Jordan and the Achor has said the team’s management is excited with the support that it is getting from the Nigeria Football Federation in the early days of preparation for the CHAN tourney. “We must thank the NFF for this early call to start camping for the tournament because at the end of the day, this is what counts and the coaching crew and the entire staff of the

Super Eagles are totally excited about the development”, Achor said. Invited Players: Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Okemute Odah (Warri Wolves) Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Ebenezer Odunlami (SunshineStars); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Brigh Esieme (Enyimba FC); Solomon Babatunde (Nasarawa United) Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves); Christian Oghiozor (Enugu Rangers); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Osuchukwu (Enugu Rangers); Mohammed Garuba (Abia Warriors); Dougla Achiv (Lobi Stars); Olayinka Oyeleke (Crown FC); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC) Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Barnabas Imienger (Lobi Stars); Osadiaye Joseph (Warri Wolves); Sani Mohammed (Gombe United); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Victor Namo (Nasarawa United); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United)

62 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 17, 2013

Appiah: We must forget our five-goal lead G

HANA coach Kwe si Appiah has told his players to forget their 6-1 win over Egypt in the 2014 World Cup play-off first leg on Tuesday. Appiah wants the Black Stars to stay focused for the return leg in Cairo on 19 November and to not get carried away by their performance in Kumasi. “We must prepare well for the return match and forget we have a five-goal advantage,” Appiah said. “My team dare not underestimate Egypt and their strengths after this result.” However, Appiah did concede that his team had put in a good display and he commended them on their efforts. “We were much quicker and the boys played very well tactically,” he added. “I knew that if my players had a good day, Egypt would have no chance of containing them.” For Egypt coach Bob Bradley, the result was a crushing blow and led to speculation, since dismissed by the Egyptian Football Association , that he was to be sacked. The American had been confident his side - who went into the game with a 100% record in qualifying - would make it very hard for Ghana. It turned out not to be the case and Bradley admitted: “The dream of going to the World Cup is what kept our team united for the past two years. Now we have seen that dream become nearly impossible. “I say ‘nearly impossible’ because the situation that we have put ourselves in is a very difficult one. We know this and we feel this. “Ghana is a proud football nation. The talent of the players and the emotions of the supporters came through in Kumasi for them and they can be proud.” Egypt were the lone country to reach the play-offs with a perfect record, only to discover that Ghana were on a different level to secondround rivals Guinea, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Abu Dhabi Prince rallies support for Nigeria

KICK.....Ghana’s striker Abdul Majeed Waris © kicks the ball close to Egypt’s Sayed Moawad (L) and Mohamed El-Nenny, during their match on October 16 at Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi. Ghana won 6-1. PHOTO: AFP

ETERMINED to make the 2013 UAE FIFA Under-17 World Cup a spectacle, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in AlAin has been given the carte-blanche to bring as many fans as possible to watch the matches here. Al-Ain, the host city of teams in Group F comprising Nigeria, Sweden, Mexico and Iraq; is under the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the LOC here has reportedly enjoyed the support of His Highness,

FCMB Gov’s Cup: End of the road for Nigerians BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

HE tale of woes at the First City Monument Banksponsored Governor ’s Cup Futures I, reached its height yesterday following the ouster of the three Nigerians left in the men’s singles draw. The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, venue of the ITF-sanctioned was devoid of its usual vibrancy because of the exit of Clifford Enosoregbe, Christian Paul and Joseph Umeh in the second round of the event. In what has become Nigeria’s worst outing in the 13 years old tournament, yesterday’s ouster ofg the last trio further raises questions on the state of Nigerian tennis, a game which once produced sueprb players like Nduka Odizor, David Imonite and Sule Ladipo, who won the maiden edition of the Governor’s Cup. Enosoregbe can take come positives from his 36, 3-6 loss to top seed from Japan, Hiroki Kondo. But for Christian Paul, his 06, 0-6 thrashing by Borna Coric from Croatia, has fuelled claims by many that Nigerian tennis was in a recession. Joseph Umeh late tried to put a gloss to the Nigerian parade here when he confronted India’s Mithun Murali in the last singles match on the Lord |Rumens Court.

After losing the first set 4-6, Umeh won the second 6-4 to send the match to a deciding third set, which he tamely lost 0-6, to mark a disastrous end for Nigerians. Reacting to the failure, national coach Ishicheli Benson said it was depressing that the players failed to raise their game when the ovation was loudest. “It has been the same old story. I feel bad because the NTF and the LOC called the players for camping but the senior ones did not attend."

Reuben, Aluko, Haruna return to Eagles

•OUT— Enosoregbe

NFF defends Ogunjobi ban BY JACOB AJOM

HE Nigeria Foot ball Federation has debunked claims by its former Secretary General, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi that his 10 year ban from all football related matters by the football house was a ploy to scuttle his ambition to contest the next elections into the board of the federation. In a chat with Sports Vanguard yesterday, Executive Committee member and spokesman for the board, High Chief Emeka Inyama said that Ogunjobi’s claim that he was being witch hunted was “baseless and lacked merit.” Continuing, Inyama said, “this board believes

Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan -the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces. This much was disclosed by the Al-Ain LOC Venue manager, Ahmed Woldghamail even as he revealed that the organisers would be providing not less than 10 buses to convey Nigerian fans particularly from Dubai to watch the all important Group F opening match between Nigeria and Mexico on Saturday. “We want to have as many fans as possible in the stadium for all the matches and we are making arrangements to bring Nigerian fans who are many in Dubai to come and watch the Golden Eaglets and we have the blessings of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi,” said the amiable Ahmed, a retired referee who has been a frequent traveller to Nigeria since 1998.

•Inyama

•Ogunjobi

in playing according to the rules and we are a very responsible board.” He recalled, “there was an issue, a clear cut case against Ogunjobi and the board set up a panel which went to work immediately. The panel made its findings and recommendations to the board. It was based on this that the board established a case against Chief Ogunjobi. ”It was discovered that he compromised his high

offices as Secretary General of the federation, a development we found unacceptable,” he said, adding, “like I said earlier, we want to make sure football is governed by the rule in accordance with the best international practices.” He also rubbished Chief Ogunjobi’s allegation that he was being victimised because of his ambition to contest in the forth-coming board elections.

UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has hinted on a recall for Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna, Gabriel Reuben and Sone Aluko. The players are expected to return ahead of next month’s friendly against Italy in London. ”In every department of the Eagles, we need competition and we need players who can bring that competition. If Lukman is doing so well, we will bring him in,” Keshi disclosed. ”We have people like (Gabriel) Rueben and Sone Aluko, who are doing well too, so why not we will bring all of them in? They are all Nigerians and they want to play and it’s a blessing for me and for the team.” Lukman, who has represented Nigeria at U17, U20 and Olympic team levels, has been on fine form this season, averaging a-goala-game for his Ukrainian club this season.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013— 63

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2013

Jordan Friendly: Keshi says no sentiments

Imoke: Calabar will be too hot for Ethiopia C

ROSS River state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has said the Canaan city of Calabar, will be too hot for the Waylain Antelopes of Ethiopia, when they come for the return leg match against the Super Eagles on November 16. It was generally assumed that the Ethiopians used the high altitude to advantage in the game against Nigeria last Sunday but still lost, but the Governor who spoke while watching the game between the Antelopes and the Eagles has now said there will be no hiding place for the visitors in Calabar. Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe quoted the amiable governor as saying during the Continues on Page 61

•Keshi

Ethiopian FA to investigate ‘attack on Nigeria team bus’ T HE Ethiopian Football Association has said it will investigate Nigeria’s claim fans attacked their team bus after the countries’ World Cup play-off in Addis Ababa on Sunday. Nigeria said midfielder Nosa Igiebor was in-

jured when the bus windows were shattered as the team left the stadium after their 2-1 win - and they have reported the incident to Fifa. Newly-elected Ethiopian FA president Juniedin Basha said: “We saw the reports that Nigeria’s Continues on Page 61

•Igiebor

Egypt 'll not sack coach after Ghana defeat

UNSTOPPABLE — Emenike on rampage in Ethiopia.

PUZZLE

GYPT will not dis miss coach Bob Bradley after Tuesday’s 6-1 World Cup play-off defeat to Ghana in Ku-

masi. The American would be owed $366,000 (£230,000) in compensation and Egypt Football

Association chairman Gamal Allam said a sacking is “not logical”. But it is understood Bradley may not take charge of November’s

Continues on Page 61

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

UPER Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has said there will be no sentiments in the selection process of the players who will make the final cut for the international friendly against the Jordanian national team between the old and the new invited players. Keshi, who spoke in Abuja, said the match to him is like a World Cup qualifier or even a final Continues on Page 61

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Response (6) 5 Aviators (6) 9 Sound (5) 10 Objective (6) 11 Toboggan (6) 12 Freshly (5) 14 Grumble (4) 17 Rabbit (3) 18 Step (4) 20 Hell (5) 22 Declined (5) 23 Cucumber (7) 24 Rot (5) 26 Animal (5) 29 Paradise (4) 30 Nourished (3) 32 Cipher (4) 33 Broader (5) 35 Portion (6) 36 Swifter (6) 37 Allude (5) 38 Respected (6) 39 Return (6)

DOWN 1 Join (6) 2 Scatter (6) 3 Flat (4) 4 Assessed (5) 5 Passage (5) 6 Lazily (4) 7 Mid-point (6) 8 Required (6) 13 Concerned (7) 15 Ranted (5) 16 Started (5) 18 Confusion (5) 19 Yielded (5) 21 Timid (3) 22 Intelligence (3) 24 Scarcity (6) 25 Heart (6) 27 Beard (6) 28 Rue (6) 30 Penalised (5) 31 Postpone (5) 33 Sported (4) 34 Unusual (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Climb 7, Sinner 9, Ale Tee 12, Avoid 13, Slope 17, Rector Rite 20, Piano 22, Nag 24, Dangled Tea 28, Arena 31, Rota 33, Stored Risen 37, Wing 38, Depot 39, Due Men 42, Severe 43, Steam.

How to Play Sudoku

10, 19, 27, 35, 41,

DOWN: 1, Asleep 2, Angora 3, Bet 4, Clap 5, Lever 6, Maintain 8, Rest 11, Elongated 14, Send 16, Oral 18, Coat 21, Insolent 23, Gear 25, Ness 26, Drew 29, Edited 30, Angler 32, Aroma 34, Onus 36, Item 40, Eel.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

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. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Ag. Editor: EZE ANABA. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.