Amaechi-led NGF calls for resignation of Okonjo-Iweala

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61971

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Amaechi-led NGF calls for resignation of Okonjo-Iweala

BY HENRY UMORU

A

•For non-adherence to Appropriation Act

BUJA-GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday called for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to as a matter of urgency resign her position if the Federal Government can not adhere to the Appropriation Act of 2013.

The governors at the end of their 7th meeting held at the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, however, frowned at the nonimplementation of the Act which they described as a direct breach of the provisions of the Appropriation Act, even as they have slated November this year for a Nigeria Governors’ Forum Retreat.

Reading a communique at the end of the meeting, Chairman of

Continues on Page 4

Mr & Mrs

ROWDY REPS—Members of the House of Representatives during the brawl in the House, yesterday.

Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 3

4—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

POCKET CARTOON

G7 GOVS VISIT MARK—Senate President, Senator David Mark (centre)in a group photograph with the G7 Governors of Sokoto, Aliyu Wamakko; Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Kano, Musa Kwankwaso; factional Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu-Baraje; Niger, Babangida Aliyu; Adamawa, Murtala Nyako; Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Bukola Saraki, during a visit of Baraje and the nPDP governors to the Senate president, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Amaechi led NGF calls for resignation of Okonjo-Iweala Continues from Page 1 the forum and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi said, “the non compliance with the revenue projections of the Federal Government of Nigeria 2013 Budget is a direct breach of the provisions of the Appropriation Act 2013. Members expressed concern in the management of the economy by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and called for a strict adherence to the

Appropriation Act 2013, failing which she should resign. Forum observed that National Economic Council, NEC is constitutionally responsible for the management of the economy and should be used for that purpose as opposed to the Economic Management Team, EMT constituted by the presidency.

The governors at the end of the meeting also commiserated with wife of President Goodluck Jonathan over the death of her mother, Governor

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When it comes to identifying a real leader…the proof of leadership is found in the followers. Dear Leader, who are your followers?

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T can be difficult to accept others and to accept I ourselves. I should be better. I should be something different. I should have more. All of this is

conception; it’s all mental fabrication. It’s just the mind churning up “should,” “ought to,” and “supposed to.” All this is conceptual and irrelevant, and yet we believe it — Thubten Chodron

If we recognize that these thoughts are conceptual and trivial and not reality; this gives us the mental space not to believe them. When we stop believing them, it becomes much easier to accept what we are at any given moment, knowing we will change in the next moment. We’ll be able to accept what others are in one moment, knowing that they will be different in the next moment.

Ecclesiastes tells us that for everything there is a season. Apples do not ripen after the first frost because we want them to, but because their time has come. Where others are concerned, what we want only rarely happens according to the schedule we desire, if at all. The consequences of our actions mock our control, affected as they are by unknowable factors beyond our horizon, and short-term failures and reversals allow us to grow in faith while we await the final outcome of events. Visible results may be long delayed or may never attend our actions, presenting us with situations in which the exercise of patience teaches us to do what is good and right for its own sake. Remember everything happens for us and not against us. - Ella Randle-

C M Y K

Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, over the death of his father and mourned the death of former Governor Segun Agagu of Ondo State.

The governors also reiterated the call for the separation of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government for accountability and better management of the economy.

Meanwhile, governors loyal to Jonah Jang’s faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday boycotted the meeting called by the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi. Three of the governors, who supported Amaechi during the NGF election also shunned the meeting.

The governors were those of Imo, Kebbi and Yobe, while the 16 governors that attended the meeting were that Kano, Zamfara, Lagos, Sokoto, Kwara, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Jigawa, Rivers, Ekiti, Adamawa, Borno (Deputy), Nasarawa (Deputy) and Edo (Deputy).

The governors loyal to Jang that boycotted the meeting were those of Plateau, Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Delta, Ondo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Taraba, Benue, Abia, Kogi and Gombe.

The governors loyal to Amaechi were expected to discuss the issue of sovereign wealth fund, oil theft, post election disagreements, fresh and subsisting litigations among other issues.

The full text of the communique, “The non-compliance with the revenue projection of the Federal

Government of Nigeria 2013 budget is a direct breach of the appropriation act of 2013. Members expressed concern in the management of the economy, by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and called for a strict adherence to the Appropriate icy of 2013 failing which she should resign. The Forum expressed that the National Economic Council is constitutionally responsible for the management of the Economy and should be used for that purpose as opposed to the economic management team as constituted by the Presidency.

“We reinstate our earlier call to the National Assembly for the separation of he office of the accountant General of the Federation from that of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government for the accountability and better management of the economy.

“After review of polio situation in the country, members recognized some progress have been made in 2013 compared to 2012. Forum enjoined all governors to remain focused and continue to drive the programme in their respective states until polio is completely eradicated.

“Members expressed condolence to Dame Patience Jonathan for the loss of her mother, Goverrnor Fashola for the loss of his father, and the family of the late Dr.Olusegun Agagu, former Governor of Ondo State “Finally, it was resolved that the forum will hold a Nigeria Governors Forum retreat in November 2013.”

Reps fight as Baraje's nPDP visits Tambuwal

BY HENRY UMORU, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA —THE crisis ravaging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, surfaced in the House of Representatives, yesterday, as members of the old PDP disrupted a scheduled meeting between the leadership of the House and the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led new PDP (nPDP) and the G-7 governors.

No sooner had the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal announced that ‘this communication I am going to read concerns only the PDP members”, than a rumpus erupted on the floor of the House.

This came after he had read and reviewed proceedings of the last session in July, 2013 before the House went on vacation.

Tambuwal also read a letter from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on the 2014/2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework as well as another one from Ondo State which officially communicated the death of former Governor of the State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu to members.

The development attracted one minute silence in honour of the deceased by the House.

Afterwards, the Speaker announced that the Abubakar Kawu Baraje-led nPDP had sent in a letter signed by its National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola to pay a courtesy call on the leadership of the House.

Immediately, Rep Henry Ofongo representing Bayelsa State raised a point of order

during protocols, which other Reps considered unusual and pounced on him.

Chairs and all available objects were used to hit Ofongo.

However, the hefty Ofongo, who is about 6ft, 3 inches tall retaliated by throwing blows at the aggressors. His colleagues came to his aid and immediately shouts of No!No!! No!!! rent the air, followed with thunderous claps that further disrupted the meeting.

The whole House suddenly became rowdy as chants of ‘No, No’, ‘PDP’ and corresponding ‘Yes, Yes’, from supposedly members of the nPDP rent the air. The chants persisted for more than 30 minutes with members pacing about.

While some legislators went round the chamber chanting, some approached the seat of the Speaker in apparent cacophony of acceptance and disagreement.

Disruption in the House Not even the shouts of ‘ Order, Honourable Colleagues!” and the banging of the gavel by the Speaker to arrest attention of members could calm frayed nerves. This went on until the Speaker started calling members by their first names, to settle down.

Chief Whip of the House, Rep Isiaka Bawa in a bid to restore order almost shouted himself hoarse.

When order was eventually restored, the Speaker cleared the air, saying that the letter was not supposed to be read on the floor but in the PDP caucus meeting of the House.

Continues on Page 8

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6—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

‘Prophet' docked over N4.7m fraud

Alleged undergraduate serial rapist nabbed

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AGOS—A 22-year-old undergraduate of Caleb University, Lagos, Ugochukwu Agudosi, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly raping a lady in an uncompleted building in Ikeja metropolis.

Agudosi, who is facing a four-count charge bordering on rape, preferred against him by the Police, was docked before Magistrate Sule Hamsat, Monday.

Prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe, said that the offence committed is punishable under Sections 260, 261,262 and 258 of the criminal laws No 11, Vol 44 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

However, when the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Hamsat granted him bail in the sum of N100,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He was unable to meet the bail condition and was remanded in prison custody.

The undergraduate, who was arrested by Policemen at

self-styled prophet, Adeola Bankole, who allegedly collected N4.7 million from a businessman to stave off “death” hanging over his family, was, yesterday, arraigned in Lagos.

Bankole, 43, who resides at 12, Olorunda, Iyana Coker in Ifo, Ogun State, is facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing before an Ebute Meta Magistrate Court, Lagos.

He allegedly collected the money on the pretext that he could avert impending deaths of the businessman’s wife and child.

The prosecutor, Insp.

Frank Inah, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime between April 13 and August 15 in Ojokoro area of Lagos.

He said the accused conspired with others still at large to defraud Mr. Tosin Jacob.

Inah said: “The accused collected the money with a promise to use spiritual powers to avert the `tragedy.’

“He threatened that if nothing was done in three months, the wife and child would die,” but disappeared after collecting the money.

BY EVELYN USMAN & ONOZURE DANIA

L

Area ‘F’ Command, Ikeja, Vanguard, gathered, had been remanded in prison custody over a similar offence.

It was gathered that Ugochukwu’s first victim was a 22-year-old lady (names withheld), who was his senior in school.

‘How he operates'

His modus oparandi, it was gathered, include chatting up his victims on Black Berry.

Along the line, he would invite them for a date, a plan his victims usually fall for because of his posh car.

Rather than take them to an eatery as anticipated, he would take them to an uncompleted building in Ikeja Government Reserved Area, where he allegedly raped them.

Police sources said: “Immediately he raped any of his victims, he would delete their contacts from his BB chat.

“Nemesis caught up with him after one of them, who turned out to be his senior in school, reported to the Police, leading to Agudosi’s arrest.

“He was charged to court and remanded in prison cus-

tody because he could not meet his bail conditions, but was later released.

“When the case came up for hearing, the lady said she wanted to withdraw the case.

This made it difficult for policemen to continue with the prosecution, since there was no direct witness.”

Just after his release, he reportedly attacked another 22year-old lady. The incident reportedly occurred on August 27 at 8pm.

The lady was said to have reported the case at the Area F Command, which led to the re-arrest of Enugu State-born Agudosi.

Drunken soldier kills 3

BY EMMA UNA

O

GOJA—A drunk soldier (names withheld) attached to a Brigadier in Ogoja, Cross River State, last Sunday, killed three persons and shattered his own legs, when he drove his Honda Accord car recklessly.

Sources said the military man took his girlfriend (names withheld) to Okuku, the town close to brigade for the Yala new festival celebration and allegedly got drunk.

He decided to return to the barracks located a kilometre away against the advice of his host.

A source said: “He was

drunk and we advised him to allow someone drive the car to the barracks but he refused.

“It was while he was speeding back that he hit an Okada (commercial motorcycle) and the car ran into a tree, killing the two boys on the Okada and his girlfriend.”

The woman, a mother of two, was said to have lost her husband, a soldier, to the Boko Haram violence in Maiduguri, Borno State. in 2010.

Her younger brother said she was the one sustaining the family.

He said: “We don’t know what to do, because we feed from the profit she made from selling drinks.”

Farmer accused of kidnapping 13-yr-old boy

A

N IlorinMagistrate Court, Kwara State, yesterday, remanded a middle-aged farmer, Abu Oseni, for allegedly kidnapping a 13-year-old boy, Abdulra-sheed Abdulsalam.

The accused, a neighbour to the victim’s father, was said to have kidnapped the boy on May 5 at Busam Village, Moro Council.

Prosecutor, Sgt. Baliqees Adu, said the victim’s father was told on September 6 from the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Akure, Ondo State that his son was with them.

Adu said the accused took the victim to Ore in Ondo State, where he subjected him to hard labour without the consent of his parents.

ACCIDENT: Scene of an accident on Minister's Hill Junction, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Abuja, yesterday.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—7

Fire razes Warri Maciver Market zAll my life savings gone— Widow zAnother victim accuses petrol sellers

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—POPULAR Maciver Market in Warri, Delta State, went up in flames, yesterday.

It was gathered that about 40 stores were burnt in an early morning fire that consumed property worth over N50 million.

A source alleged that the fire emanated from an illegal petroleum dump site in the market.

Traders wept openly as they saw their stores reduced to debris.

Fire fighters were only able to put out the fire after much havoc had been wreaked.

A widow, Mrs. Esther Usiebe, who said she lost her entire stock, pleaded with the state government to come to the rescue of the affected traders.

She said: “I have been in this business for 10 years; selling snail and fish. But today, all my life saving is gone.”

It was learnt that the market had been gutted by fire about five times in the last few years.

Another victim, Mrs. Anthonia Dugbe, also appeal for financial assistance, saying that they were taken unaware by the disaster.

She said: “We appeal to government to check the illegal sale of petroleum products, which has been the cause of fire incidents here.

“We are all traders and so we do not have power to stop those selling petrol inside the market. But they cause us problems every time.”

BACK-TO-SCHOOL: School children boarding a bus in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as

schools resume.

Police nab fake doctor in Ilorin

Police arrest bizman for allegedly stripping female officer naked

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA—ANAMBRA State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ballah Nasarawa, yesterday, arrested the businessman that allegedly molested and stripped naked a female police officer (names withheld).

The suspect, whose identity was withheld by the police, was, however, released on bail immediately after visiting some important offices at state police headquarters, Awka.

Police authorities, however, admitted that the incident occurred as a result of amorous advances allegedly made by the businessman to the police female officer that created the scene, saying that nobody was actually stripped naked.

Pandemonium had erupted at Bridge Head, Onitsha, weekend, when the female police officer was allegedly molested by the wealthy suspect, who was said to have allegedly slapped a top police officer last year.

Police statement

The statement from Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, Police Public Relations Officer read: “At no point was the female officer attached to Divisional Police Headquarters, Fegge, Onitsha, and posted to Head Bridge, Onitsha, where she was stripped naked by the socalled big man.

“The said police officer continuously refused ceaseless amorous advances made to her by the so-called big man, who promised to teach her the lesson of her life for daring to say no.

“The man in question, a stark illiterate, and a tout, who manages one of the parks in Onitsha, on sighting the officer in her duty post, alighted from his car and held her uniform.

“This drew the ire of other

policemen on duty, who made efforts to arrest him before he quickly disappeared from the scene.

“The other story that he once assaulted a commissioner of police in the state is baseless, unfounded and contains no iota of truth and the Anambra Police Command has arrested the so-called ‘big man.’

“He is currently in our custody, while investigation into the matter is ongoing.”

CD’s ultimatum

On an ultimatum to the po-

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

lice by Campaign for Democracy, CD, Coordinator, Dede Uzor, to arrest and prosecute the businessman before seven days, the police spokesperson Chukwuemeka said: “CD has no business giving the police ultimatum as police is a responsible organisation that knows which action to take at any given situation.”

Meanwhile, the female police officer is being taunted by colleagues for speaking to the press on the issue, saying she had reduced their esteem by her action.

I

LORIN— KWARA State Police Command, yesterday, paraded a fake medical doctor, Oroware Omololu Adebayo, 31, who had been practicing in Ilorin, Kwara State since 2012.

The suspect was arrested last Friday, by the men of the State Criminal Investigation Department following a tip-off by the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA. State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Fabode, paraded the suspect before journalists.

Oroware told journalists that he graduated as a laboratory scientist from College of Health Technology, Offa.

He said that he was forced to parade himself as a medical doctor because people usually addressed him as 'Doctor'.

Teacher accused of defrauding policeman of N690,000

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

A

39-year-old Arabic teacher, Yusuf Kalmaldeen, was, yesterday, arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a police officer of N690,000, under the pretext of procuring him hajj visa.

The accused, a resident of 2, Dare Adelowe Close, Idiya, Agbado, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and theft.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Emby Ingobu, informed the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in July 2012 in Ikoyi area of Lagos.

He added: “The accused collected N690,000 from one Mr. Sarafadeen Abdulraheem, a police officer, under the pretext of procuring him hajj visa,” but failed to do so.

According to the prosecutor, “the accused presented himself as a travel agent, a representation he knew to be false.

Investigation is still ongoing as more evidence will be brought to the court in the next

adjourn date.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offences and was granted bail by Magistrate I. Omotosho in the sum of N150,000, with two sureties each in like sum.

Omotosho adjourned the case till November 11 for trial.

27-yr-old in court for rape, theft

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—A 27-year-old man, Oluwatosin Olapade, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, Lagos, over alleged rape and stealing of phones.

Olapade, who was docked before Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe, is facing a fourcount charge bordering on rape and stealing preferred against him by the police.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Iranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on August 29 in Ojodu area of Lagos.

He said the defendant unlawfully had canal knowledge of his victim, aged 20, without her consent.

He told the court that on August 30, at 6am, Olapade stole one Iphone, five handsets and a BlackBerry worth N350,000, belongings of his victim.

He said that the defendant stole cash sum of N160,000 from his victim.

Olapade pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge.

The Magistrate granted him bail in the sum of N100,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till October 29 for mention.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

CYBER SECURITY—First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (3rd L); flanked by former Israeli

Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak and his wife, Mrs. Barak (L) and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark, while wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Ike Ekweremadu and the Minister for Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson (R) look on during the opening session of the 2013 World Cyber-Security Conference at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Reps fight as Baraje's nPDP visits Tambuwal Continues from Page 4 Continuing, Tambuwal revealed that alongside Baraje’s request was also a letter from the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur who he said had “also written to address the PDP Leadership in the House but only withdrew his letter this morning.”

He then upheld the visit of Baraje’s nPDP. At about 3.45pm when Baraje stood up to deliver his speech, claps and shouts of Tukur!

Tukur! rent the air, making it virtually impossible to hear his speech.

But immediately the Speaker, Tambuwal mounted the rostrum to deliver his speech, peace and order were restored.

As soon as he mentioned “leaders of our great party”, the old PDP lawmakers took over again, but this time, the chant was” PDP Goodluck!

PDP Goodluck!!"

We musn't treat democracy with levity – Tambuwal Tambuwal, however, continued with his speech saying “the recent development in our country has exposed our vulnerability. All Nigerians fought to have this democracy and many died to get it restored, let us not treat democracy with levity.

“We must all conduct

ourselves within the confines of our constitution.

Nigerians need a peaceful atmosphere to conduct their businesses.

“Therefore, we must not by our conducts treat this supreme price of our heroes past with levity.

While acknowledging that political parties are vehicles through which we pursue our ambitions and aspirations, we must all conduct ourselves strictly within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law. I wish to caution also that Nigerians need a peaceful atmosphere to conduct their lives and business endeavours. I make bold to say that within the allowable era, we card-carrying members of political parties contribute not more than 25 per cent of the population of this great country.

“We must, therefore, abstain from heating up the polity unnecessarily.

We must not take the rest of Nigerians for granted.

We must not over-stretch our goodwill and we must not over-task the patience of Nigerians.

Let us therefore make conscious efforts to allow national interest take the driving seat and not our personal ambitions."

Leader of the House of Representatives, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, welcomed the visitors and hoped that their visit would help resolve the PDP squabble.

“We welcome our

leader and his entourage to the House this afternoon on a courtesy call to the PDP caucus of the House of Representatives. It is our hope and prayer that your visit this afternoon will be the beginning of the end to the crisis in the party,” she said.

It’s unfortunate we allowed Baraje to come –Arusi Reacting to what happened, Arua Arusi, PDP, Abia (old PDP) said: “In fact, in the first place, it was very unfortunate to have allowed them to come, they shouldn’t have come at all. If they want to discuss with the party, they should have gotten in touch with the leader of the PDP not the Speaker. The Speaker is for everybody.

Old PDP members not ready to listen to reason – Nwuke

Similarly, Ogbonna Nwuke (PDP, Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency, nPDP) said: “I think that what happened today has shown you the two sides of the PDP. The side of the PDP that is rational, reasonable and intellectuallybased and the side of the PDP that is rowdy and uncontrollable.

“In a democracy, there is only one way forward: The fact that people are capable of expression,

the fact that people are able to hear the grievances, the fact that people are able to associate.

Now, you saw that a handful of people came in here totally unprepared to listen to reason.

If you say that you are a democrat, then you must behave in a manner that shows you understand the need to be democratic.

“Now, what we saw was a rowdy bunch, a group of people given to impunity. A group of people given to rowdy behaviour and a group of people who have nothing to present. So, today, the lines are drawn between the PDP that is rational and reasonable and the PDP that is irrational and noisy.

“Impunity has become the order of the day. Men who ought to guide our footsteps within the party have lost direction. The Speaker didn’t come here to speak either for the new or old PDP. What they wanted here was chaos but rational lawmakers, rational PDP members refused to be drawn into it.”

The meeting ended at precisely 4pm and Baraje in company of Governors Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano), Ahmed Abdulfatah (Kwara), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and Aliyu Babangida (Niger) filed out of the hall.

Ofongo after the meet-

ing told reporters that he raised a point of order “because I wanted to know why the meeting was summoned.”

Meanwhile, the nPDP members at a press briefing claimed they are now the authentic PDP and have over 108 members in their fold.

Chairman of the nPDP members, Rep Andrew Uchendu, who acknowledged that talks were ongoing among the warring parties in the PDP, wondered why the proTukur group couldn’t exemplify the spirit of tolerance and negotiation in line with the tenet of democracy.

He explained that when the crisis started, “most of our members were abroad and to our greatest consternation the situation degenerated to this level."

Nigerians still uncared for — Tambuwal Earlier in his opening speech to welcome members back, Tambuwal observed that the Nigerian populace was still uncared for by the government as most rural dwellers still grapple with poverty, poor health system, education and portable water.

He urged members to brace up for the days ahead and charged them to always be on the side of the people even though they would be hated in some quarters of the society.

“I have no doubt that we are returning more reinforced with constituency duties arising from the expectations of our constituents as well as the needs which we have become aware of through our observations, interactions and experiences.

“We should therefore be now guided more than ever before given that, the conditions of our rural dwellers has witnessed only marginal improvements. Most of our people still can’t afford to live decently.

They still can’t afford quality education for their children or good healthcare for their families. They still don’t have those basic needs of lifefrom clean water to adequate security and regular power supply that other nations take for granted. This means there remains a whole lot more to be done.

On the PDP crisis, Tambuwal commended

the maturity exhibited by the members and cautioned them not to lose sight of their mandate.

"The proper timing for 2015 will surely come and at that time, we shall do the needful.”

He added that the Electoral Act will be amended to prevent rigging and other sharp practices during elections even as he spanked the Federal Government on poor implementation of the 2013 budget, stressing that the House will embark on massive oversight functions to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government .

....Slams budget inplementation His words: “We also hope to amend the Electoral Act again to see how we can ensure that no one takes unfair advantage of the existing loopholes to rig elections. The fact is that until we can ensure that each vote counts in this country, the people will always be taken for granted by their leaders.

We therefore want to produce a solid Electoral Act, comparable to any in the world and able to stand the test of time.

“Budget implementation still remains a sore point of governance. The level of implementation of the 2013 capital appropriation is way below expectation given the early submission by the Executive and equally early passage by the Legislature.

We have consistently advised that the procurement process be employed in a value-added manner rather than the slavish adherence to and unproductive worship of procedures. It would appear that not much progress has been made in that regard.

“So far, by the information and statistics at our disposal there would appear to be no justification for this state of affairs.

However in order to be comprehensively guided, all the Committees of the House will proceed on one week of oversight to ministries, department and agencies, at the end of which they shall submit their reports to the Committees on Legislative Budget and Research and that of Legislative Compliance, the two Committees will collate

Continues on Page 57

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10—Vanguard WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Ikuforiji stresses need for state police

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PEAKER OF the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji said, yesterday, that the recent incident where the police prevented Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State from entering the Government House through one of the gates portends serious danger to the country’s democracy and has reinforced the agitation for state police.

The Speaker, who said this when the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Peter Carter paid a courtesy visit to his office, then solicited the support of United Kingdom in the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.

In his speech, Ikuforiji said: “I want to solicit the continued support of United Kingdom for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

“The world must have noticed some of the infringements of our constitution and that of human rights especially by government at the centre. particularly, the denial of access to residence of Rivers State governor by the police.

“The government should be called to order.

Federal Government needs to respect our constitution and the situation in Rivers has reaffirmed the need for state police.”

BHS, Iwo 83 set to celebrate 30th anniversary

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APTIST HIGH School, Iwo Old Students Association (1983 Set) will kick start its 30th anniversary reunion from Thursday September 19, 2013.

According to a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Dele Oyadotun, the three-day event will start with morning assembly with students and a novelty match between the school team and class of ‘83 later in the day.

The second day, Friday, will witness career talk, recognition and presentation of award/ gift to their former teachers, Jumat service and gala nite.

My campaign expenses N30m, not N2bn suggested — Pat Utomi

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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FORMER presidential candidate and renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, yesterday, told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that his presidential election campaign between 2006 and 2007, was not funded by loans from Bank PHB. Utomi, who is a former Vice Chairman of Bank PHB Corporate Governance Committee, told Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court that the total sum of his campaign expenditure was N30 million against the N2 billion being suggested by the prosecution.

The EFCC counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had suggested that Utomi’s campaign was funded by the bank while crossexamining Utomi on the testimony he had earlier given at the on-going trial of the former

Managing Director of the bank, Francis Atuche, his wife, Elizabeth and the bank’s former Chief Operating Officer, Ugo Anyanwu over alleged theft of the bank’s N27.5 billion.

The prosecution had alleged that the bank had advanced a N2 billion credit facility to Baywood Continental Limited, a company whose board was chaired by Utomi.

The EFCC’s counsel also al-

leged that the loan was secured from Bank PHB within the same time Utomi was going around the country soliciting votes from Nigerians for his presidential ambition.

The professor denied the allegation, saying that Baywood Continental never collected any loan from the bank.

He explained that the company was actually indebted to Spring Bank Plc long before he became the chairman of the

company and the eventual acquisition of Spring Bank by Bank PHB. According to Utomi, it was public knowledge that he never exceeded the sum of N30 million during his presidential campaign and would therefore amount to a misconception that the indebtedness of Baywood to Spring bank Plc before its acquisition could be linked to his presidential campaign.

Shelle, Maina, Salvador emerge Lagos ministerial nominees

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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OSTLING FOR one of the nine vacant ministerial slots has begun with three leading members of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples

Democratic Party, PDP, emerging as the party’s ministerial nominees from Lagos.

They emerged after a committee of the state chapter of PDP concluded a screening at the KI Hotel, behind Etiebet’s Place, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday,

COMMISSIONNING: From left, Rt. Rev. John Aniagwu,Vicar General, Archdiocese of Lagos Parish Priest;His Eminence Cardinal Anthony Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos; Most Rev. Alfred Martins, Archbishop of Lagos, and Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman at commissionning of Parish Social Service Centre of St. Leo's Catholic Church, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

amid rumours that former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, had handpicked an anointed candidate to fill the position.

However, George was said to have summoned an emergency meeting of the party on Sunday where it was agreed that three nominees should be democratically elected from the three senatorial districts.

Before the enlarged meeting, Vanguard learnt that all interested party members were asked to indicate interest and appear before a screening committee at the senatorial district level.

Those who were said to have indicated interest in Lagos Central included Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Hon. Tunji Shelle, Mr. Tolagbe Animashaun and Mr. Lanre Towry-Coker. Shelle and Dosunmu emerged tops at this level.

For Lagos East, there were Mr. Bode Oyedele, Mrs. Aduke Maina and Prince Oyebola.

In Lagos West, there were Dr. Segun Ogundimu, Mr. Deji Doherty and Hon. Setonji Koshoedo. Salvador and Koshoedo won at this level.

Agagu’s death is big loss to PDP — BODE OLAJUMOKE

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — SENATOR Bode Olajumoke has said that the death of former governor of Ondo State Olusegun Agagu is a big loss to the PDP political family in the country.

He said that the PDP in Ondo State and the country have lost a formidable member, an intellectual and a great tactician and organiser.

This was contained in a statement he signed and distributed to newsmen in Akure, weekend.

“The news of the death of the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Segun Agagu came as a rude shock.

“Initially it was very hard to believe until it appeared on the Internet, and only then it dawned on all that Segun Agagu has indeed truly gone to the great beyond.

“His death has come too soon at 65, and the PDP political family of Ondo State and Nigeria have lost a formidable member, an intellectual and a great tactician and organiser.

“During his tenure as Governor, he left indelible marks in every local government and ward of Ondo State.

“May the good Lord accept him in His bosom and give all of us, but in particular his dear wife, Funke and the children, the fortitude to bear this loss.

May his soul rest in peace.

Also the Director-General of

National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye joined numerous Nigerians expressing shock and grief over the death of the former minister and governor.

Hon. Elegbeleye who described Agagu as an egg-head, said the late politician contributed immensely to the development of his state, Ondo and the nation.

“It is sad that Dr. Agagu, a scrupulous and brilliant politician would pass on at a time the nation required his service most. I pray that the Almighty shall give his family and close associates the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Meanwhile, the state government has constituted an 11man burial committee for

Agagu who passed on last Friday.

This was made known through a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade in Akure.

Akinmade said the high-powered State Committee in conjunction with the family of the deceased has been constituted to plan a befitting state burial in honour of the late former governor.

The statement named the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Dr. Kola Ademujimi as the Head of the Committee with Mr. Kayode Akinmade and Mrs. Nike Ademujimi, both Commissioners for Information and Commerce and Industry respectively as members, among others.

Vanguard WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—11

Women task Jonathan on gender balance

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

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MEETING: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, (right), discussing with Interim State Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Otunba Henry Ajomale (2nd right); former State Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Mr. Ajibade Emiabata (left) and the former state Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Lagos, Mr. Kabiru Oriowo (left), during a meeting with the Governor led by the APC Chairman, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, yesterday.

Our society rewards corrupt people, Jonathan laments

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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R E S I D E N T G O O D L U C K Jonathan, yesterday, expressed his frustration in the fight against corruption in the country, over what he described as a retrogressive sys-

tem through which the society rewards corrupt people, rather than punish them.

Addressing the Nigerian Economic Society’s 54th Annual Conference, in Abuja, President Jonathan lamented that corruption has permeated both public and private sectors and has continued to hamper the nation’s desired accelerated development because members of the society were used to celebrating corrupt people.

President Jonathan who admitted fear of being attacked, said he would not mention names, but urged all goodspirited members of the society to join the fight against corruption which he said must not be left to the government alone.

His words: “When you talk about corruption, the private sector is involved; the public sector is involved; even the individuals, including other societies, and I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked.

“But I know that if collectively all of us don’t reward corruption, people would not be attracted to corrupt practices, but when we all reward corruption, then of course, we will be tempted to go in that direction.

“I want a society where all of us will frown against people who come up with what they are not supposed to have.

“If a young man who just started a job and within six months or a year comes up with a car of N7m to N15m and you clap for him, then you are

rewarding corruption.

“So for us as a nation to bring corruption down in Nigeria, it’s not just blaming government or blaming police, but all individuals must frown at people who have what they are not supposed to have, who live in houses they supposed not to live in; who drive cars they are not supposed to drive and who wear suits more expensive they can afford.

“And until we, as Nigerians are able to do this, then invariably we are all rewarding corruption and until we stop that, I don’t think we will get to where we want to go .”

The President promised to pursue policies under his transformation agenda with a view to making corruption unattractive to public officers.

Customs intercepts arms, ammunition at Lagos port

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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HE PORT and Ter minal Multipurpose Services Limited, PTML, Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, yesterday, intercepted arms and ammunition concealed in one of the two vehicles loaded into a container.

The Command’s Comptroller, Mr. Taju Olarewaju disclosed that the container was shipped in from the United States, adding that a suspect, who is the clearing agent to the importer, has also been arrested.

Speaking to newsmen Olarewaju said one Smith and Wesson short gun, one Bushnel Sniper

rifle, a revolver and two empty magazines were found inside GMC Jeep upon examination of the container.

He explained that Nigeria is currently experiencing security challenges and the Command is therefore determined to ensure that containers that get to the terminal are thoroughly examined before being allowed to leave the port.

The Command boss further explained that the agent only declared the vehicles in the container as a GMC and Chrysler without declaring the arms and that such items are highly regulated and prohibited .

“We believe that we should not create an environment where people would be tempted to take what belongs to the public because that is why even in the fertiliser business we talked about electronic wallet, e-Wallet, so that funds are not exposed to corrupt people,” he said.

According to him, his administration was strengthening anti-corruption institutions and Federal Government policies under which it has become easier for workers to own cars and their own houses were targeted at reducing corruption by eliminating the pressure for the acquisition of those properties on civil servants.

IGERIAN WOMEN under the aegis of National Coalition on Affirmative Action, NCAA, have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure gender balance in his on-going cabinet reshuffle.

While applauding the target of 35 per cent the President had set for himself in line with the National Gender Policy 2006, the women urged him to implement it in his new cabinet.

Oby Nwankwo, Chair, NCAA, who appealed to Mr. President to continue in his determined path of ensuring women had the opportunity of contributing to Nigeria’s development, said what was notable about the ministers’ sack was that five out of the nine ministers were women.

In a statement by the Gender and Constitutional Reform Network, GERCON, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA and Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, amongst others, the women applauded President Jonathan for almost meeting the 35 per cent target of women’s representation in cabinet positions and other appointments.

Court adjourns trial in banker’s murder

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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HE TRIAL of Akolade Arowolo, who allegedly murdered his banker wife, Titilayo, could not continue, yesterday, as the defence failed to file their final written address.

When the case came up before Justice Lateefa Okunnu, of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, the defence counsel, Olarenwaju Ajanaku told the court that he could not file his final written address because he had been very ill.

Akolade Arowolo, who is 32 years old was charged to court on June 24, 2011 for allegedly stabbing his wife to death, at their residence located, at 8, Akindeinde Street Isolo, Lagos.

However Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter to October 2, 2013 for the defence to file their written address.

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—13

Communal clash: Three feared dead in Rivers ...as residents flee Buguma Town

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— THREE persons are feared dead in Buguma, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, after a clash between two groups.

Vanguard gathered that most residents have fled the community for fear of their lives.

Trouble, it was gathered, started in the area, weekend, when a group identified as Kegema Unity Forum went for the funeral of a member ’s father. During the funeral, another group, identified as White Chesea allegedly stormed the venue, harassing members of Kegema Unity Forum.

The situation allegedly got out of hand, leading to a free for all. The figh, which continued till Monday, reportedly left one Princewill dead while two other youths are allegedly still missing.

Community sources, who did not want their names in print, said that after the first clash at the venue of the funeral, one of the groups allegedly mobilised its members to attack members of the other group at their homes.

Continuing, the sources said that there was tension in the community on Sunday, when one of the groups reportedly exploded about seven dynamites in the community, an action that further heightened the already tensed situation in the area.

A former militant leader in

the community, Mr. Sobomabo Jackreece, aka Egberipapa, who spoke to Vanguard on phone on the development in Buguma community, lamented the situation. He said that he was in Abuja since last week Friday, when the crisis started.

He fingered a top politician in the area as being behind the fight, adding that security operatives had also not

been alive to their responsibility in the face of the crisis because of the alleged involvement of the politician.

He said that as a Peace Ambassador, he had often appealed to youths in the area to remain calm and shun violence.

He said: “I have been in Abuja all this while. It is really sad to hear of the ugly stories from my community. I

was told that the politician (name withheld), is responsible for the crisis. He wants to force everybody in the local government area to be in his camp. He sent thugs to harass innocent people at a funeral. The security men, I have also been told, have been partial in the handling of the crisis.”

The Police could not reached for comment.

POWER AFRICA OFF-GRID: From left: United States Africa Development Foundation Economic Adviser, Douglas Climan; Chief Executive of General Electric (GE), Dr. Lazarus Angbazo and Communication Manager, Mr. Osagie Ogunbor, addressing journalists during call for entries for the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemig Olamikan.

Delta Central PDP passes confidence vote on Jonathan, zAs Utuama says nobody has been endorsed for Delta CenTukur, others tral senatorial poll

BY EMMA ARUBI & FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—DELTA Central senatorial district chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, rose from its enlarged executive committee meeting, Sunday, with a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan and National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), and the leadership of the party in the state, were also commended for their respective endeavours in moving the state and the party forward.

PDP Delta Central has also set up a committee to look into the party’s senatorial aspirants, pick the best candidate and advise on how to go about the senatorial election.

In the same vein, Prof. Utuama has said that the party was yet to pick a candidate for the Delta Central senatorial bye-

election.

Chief John Obofukoro, who moved the motion, observed that President Jonathan and Tukur have provided credible leadership despite the current crisis at the national level of the party.

He motion was supported by Chief David Siakpere and unanimously adopted by the people at the meeting, held at the residence of the deputy governor in Udu. Meanwhile, the meeting raised a seven-man advisory committee on the forthcoming senatorial bye-election in Delta Central, occasioned by the death of Chief Pius Ewherido.

The committee chaired by PDP South-South Zonal Chairman, Dr. Steve Oru, has former Information Minister, Prof.

Sam Oyovbaire, as deputy. It is to submit its report in two weeks.

Utuama, who announced the composition of the committee, listed its terms of reference to include: interacting with all

relevant stakeholders; interfacing with the state governor, Dr. Uduaghan, who is the leader of the party in the state.

He also urged the committee to interact with the state chairman, the various senatorial aspirants with a view to producing the most credible candidate for the race.

He said: “No candidate has been endorsed. The governor has not endorsed any candidate neither has our national

leader endorsed any. Only the best is good enough for us as a people. The time of imposition is over. I have pleaded with everybody concerned that they should leave Delta central for us.”

Utuama observed that PDP’s victory in the senatorial poll was critical to the relevance of the Urhobo in 2015, both in the state and at the national level and urged everyone to work towards archiving that goal.

Urhobo youths endorse Omo-Agege for Senate

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GROUP, Urhobo Youth Forum, UYF, yesterday, endorsed Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege for the Delta Central senatorial seat, saying that Omo-Agege, if elected, would be a vibrant, vocal and people-oriented senator.

The group, in a statement

by Friday Udumebraye, President, said that their decision

to endorse Omo-Agege arose from the massive support he enjoys from the people.

He said: “Lawmaking requires intelligence, diligence, political clout and the courage to do the wish of the electorate. As the voice of the Urhobo socio-political milieu, we have no doubt that Omo-Agege is a man to beat.”

We’ll continue to pay special attention to tourism —Jonathan

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said that the Federal Government will continue to pay special attention to the development of the country’s tourism sector.

He specifically cited the success of Nollywood, which he said, “is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena and has become a potent tool of national rebranding.”

President Jonathan, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, while declaring open the 27th National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, hosted by the state, said: “As we are gather for the official opening of NAFEST 2013, the clips of what we have seen during the march past constitute an exciting display of our rich cultural heritage in a convivial atmosphere.”

He was represented by Governor Seriake Dickson. The President lauded the theme of this year’s festival, Culture, Peace and National Transformation, which, he noted, was geared towards promoting peace and national unity in addition to growing the culture industry for economic empowerment.

Expedite action on workers’ village—Delta commissioner

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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S A B A — D E LTA State Commissioner for Housing, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, has directed the engineer handling the workers’ village, comprising 150 housing units, being built by the state government for civil servants on owner-occupier basis in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area, to expedite action on the project.

Chief Akpeki gave the charge when he visited the project site recently to assess the progress of work.

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14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Anambra 2013: Nwoye drags INEC, PDP to court zUba, Ukachukwu beg to be joined in suit

BY IKECHUKWU

NNOCHIRI BUJA—THERE ap pears to be no end to the crisis rocking Anambra State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as one of its factional governorship candidate, Tony Nwoye, yesterday, applied for an order of injunction against both his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. In a fresh originating summons filed before

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Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, Nwoye, who is currently enjoying the support of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP, insisted that having emerged victorious at the party’s governorship primaries held in Anambra State on August 24, 2013, INEC had no power to reject his name or recognize any other person as the authentic PDP flag bearer for the gubernatorial contest billed for November 16.

Specifically, Nwoye, through his counsel, Chief Yusuf Ali, SAN, prayed the court to, among other things, determine” whether the plaintiff, having emerged victorious at the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries conducted by the 2nd defendant on August 24, 2013, to elect its flag bearer for the Anambra State 2013 governorship election, in line with the provision of its constitution and the Electoral guidelines for

primary elections 2010 and the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and his name presented, forwarded and nominated to the 1st defendant by the 2nd defendant, then 1st defendant, had the vires, power and authority to accept and recognize any other person as PDP’s governorship candidate for the said election other than the plaintiff.

“Whether having regards to the 2nd defend-

ant (PDP’s) constitution and its electoral guidelines, the 2nd defendant, having issued certificate of return to the plaintiff as the winner of its governorship primar i e s for Anambra state and forwarded, presented and nominated his name to the 1st defendant as its governorship candidate for the November, 2013 Anambra state governorship election, the 2nd defendant, has the vires/power, to present/ nominate or forward the name of any other person to the 1st defendant as its candidate for the November, 2013 Anambra state governorship election.”

Besides, he is seeking “A declaration that having regards to the provisions of the 2nd defendant’s consti-

tution and its electoral guideline for primary election 2010, the 1st defendant is without power or authority to reject his name, accept, receive or recognize any other person, other than the plaintiff as the 2nd defendant’s governorship candidate for the November, 2013 Anambra State governorship election.

Listed as 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit, were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the PDP. Meanwhile, two other governorship aspirants in the state who are equally laying claims to the gubernatorial ticket of the party, Senator Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, yesterday, sought to be joined as interested parties in the suit.

Ecobank chairman, Lawson cleared by AMCON, CBN

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AGOS — CHAIR MAN of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Mr. Kolapo Lawson, has debunked allegations of wrong doings concerning alleged insider loan facilities obtained by Agbara Estates, a family-owned firm, which he chairs, saying that the N1.3 billion loan had been repaid since July 26, days before it was due.

He also disclosed that the regulatory authority, CBN and Asset Management Company had cleared him of all liabilities concerning debts owed the defunct Intercontinental Bank.

The allegations stemmed from leaked memos, which had suggested that there was a boardroom crisis in the bank concerning the said loans, which the bank itself has dismissed and reaffirmed its confidence in Lawson’s leadership.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the ETI chairman also dismissed allegations contained in a petition sent by the bank’s suspended Head of Finance, Ms Laurence Do Rego to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are being investigated.

Do Rego, who has been axed for failing to present certificates of professional accounting qualifications, which she claimed to have lost 10 years ago, had alleged that she had been facing harassment since the new Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Theirry Tanoh came on board last year and that the chairman unilaterally increased Tanoh’s bonuses. She had also claimed that the chairman

and MD had tried to sell bank assets below the market value.

Lawson, however, dismissed the allegations as trash. He said Do Rego’s problems began when she was unable to perfume routine duties assigned to her by the CEO which raised doubts about her qualifications, hence a demand was made for all senior managers to produce their certificates.

According to him, Do Rego has failed to make specific reference to the harassment she had faced while the board had, on the record, resolved not to dispose of the assets in question – a high value building and shares in Airtel Nigeria – in order to preserve value.

On the CEO’s remuneration, the Ecobank chairman, said that the decision to negotiate bonuses was his prerogative as chairman but the special committee of which Do Rego and the head of the bank’s legal department are members, had knowledge of the agreement. He said the CEO’s bonuses were raised in the spirit of fairness based on the new circumstances in the bank including its expansion after the acquisition of Oceanic Bank Lawson pointed out that he had been associated with the bank for more than 31 years having written the business proposal in 1982. He said he joined the pioneer board in Togo in 1987andwasappointedtoEcobank Nigeria’s board in 1989.

He said that on the death of his father, late real estate mogul, Chief Adeyemi Lawson in 1993, he was invited to chair the board and has since then led the bank through various stages of growth and expansion.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—15

FG summons NIMET mgt over strike

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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BUJA—THE Fed eral Government has waded into the looming strike by workers of Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, by summoning leaders of the workers’ union and management to Abuja for a crucial meeting today to avert an industrial action slated to commence same day.

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, had directed its members in NIMET across the country to begin an indefinite strike from Wednesday to force management to pay staff’s arrears of salary relativity of 26.68 per ent which accumulated since 2011.

Conscious of the implication of such industrial action to the nation’s aviation industry and other sectors that depend on NIMET for weather reports for operations, the government, through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, called for the meeting to address the immediate grievance and others still pending.

Polytechnics, technical colleges get N21bn lifeline

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA—THE Fed eral Government has approved N15 billion for the development and rehabilitation of 51 federal and state polytechnics and N6 billion for the same purpose in technical colleges.

Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, stated this, yesterday, while declaring open the Regional Forum, on Advancing Technical Vocational Education and Training, TVET, for Youth Employment and Sustainable Development, organized by Federal Ministry of Education, United Nations Education and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, UNEVOC, and National Board for Technical Education, Kaduna, Nigeria, in Abuja.

Arrest war drummers now, Mark tells security agents zSays Nigeria greater than any individal's interest zTasks Jonathan on early presentation of 2014 budget

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU& JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—SENATE Presi dent, David Mark, yesterday, directed security agencies to track down those beating the drums of war towards the 2015 general election, saying such actions were treasonable and should be treated seriously.

Mark, in a speech delivered at the resumption of the Senate from a two- month recess, said it was disheartening that politicians with vested interests were overheating the polity which was capable of derailing the nation’s democracy.

He said: “It is disheartening that even though the general elections of 2015 are two years away, political jobbers, sycophants, and hustlers have prematurely seized the political space, and are being allowed to set the tone of national discourse.

“This is an unnecessary and avoidable distraction by characters or hirelings who are desperately in search of relevance. They are only out to feather their own nests and in the process unduly overheat the polity.

“Beating the drums of war, chanting war songs and blackmailing the nation with fire and brimstone are outdated and unacceptable tools of political brinksmanship.

“But like I have said in the past, Nigeria is greater than any of its parts, and it is in our collective interest to promote her unity based on the ideals of love, peace, patriotism, faith, compromise and sacrifice. And Nigeria is certainly greater than any position any politician will ever occupy.

“I, therefore, strongly advise the security agencies to take any threat bordering on treason very seriously and to thoroughly investigate such and take appropriate measure irrespective of who the culprits are.”

While welcoming senators back from recess, he said: “I trust that our interactions and interface with our various constituents were meaningful, constructive and insightful.

“We return to our legislative task with a keener appreciation of the expectations, aspirations and hopes of our various constituents– as well as their fears.

Mark explained that the Senate would be “confronted with a legislative agenda filled to the brim with crucial activities among which he noted, was the 2014 budget.

2014 Budget “Soon to be dealt with are the 2014 budget, the Petroleum Industry Bill, Customs (Amend-

ment) Bill, Pensions Reforms (Amendment) Bill, Further Review of the Electoral Act, and harmonization of the Senate and House positions on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“You will recall that the 2013 budget estimates was laid before us in October last year. Let me call on the Executive to improve on that record this year. Because the 2013 budget estimates was laid early enough, we not only scrupulously, meticulously and robustly debated it, we also ensured that it was passed before the commencement of its operative financial year.

“We are poised to do likewise with the 2014 budget estimates, if presented early. Not only shall we give it the needed scrupulous consideration before passage, we will also deploy the weapon of oversight to ensure that its developmental goals are fully realized, through full implementation, once it is signed into law,” he said.

Convocation of National Conference Commenting on the recent call by eminent Nigerians for a Sovereign National Conference, Mark said: “Let me counsel that we make haste slowly, and operate strictly within the parameters of our constitution as we discuss the national question.

“We live in very precarious times, and in a world increasingly made fluid and toxic by strange ideologies and violent tendencies, all of which currently conspire to question the very idea of the nation state.

“This sense of discontentment and alienation has fueled extremism, apathy and even predictions of catastrophy for our dear nation."

ASUU crisis The Senate President urged senators to spare a thought for

the plight of the youths who, he noted, were idling away because of the closure of universities, due to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, strike.

He said: “The morass in the education sector is deeply troubling not only because it is retarding the educational progress of millions of our children, but also because it arrests the intellectual development of our nation, with grave consequences for the future.

“While appreciating the tremendous merit in the case put forth by ASUU, we call on its leaders to return to class, while pragmatic negotiations to address their grievances continue.

“The Senate will invest the full weight of its moral and constitutional authority to nudge both the Federal Government and ASUU towards a comprehensive settlement that addresses, in a realistic manner, the problems afflicting tertiary education in our country.”

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

USADF, General Electric commit $2m to electrify communities off national grid

Middle-Belt Forum cautions el-Rufai against inciting ....As CAN declares 7-day fasting comments

BY SAM EYOBOKA & CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—A REGIONAL socio-political group that promotes the interests of the people of the Mid-

dle Belt region, the MiddleBelt Forum, MBF, yesterday, admonished former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to display every sense of responsibility and patriotism in his

comments on national issues and figures.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in 17 Southern states of the country, has declared a seven-day fasting and prayer for God’s intervention

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

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BUJA—DETERMINED to help address power inadequacy in the country, the United State Africa Development Foundation, USADF, and General Electric, GE, have committed $2 million to supply electricity to rural and urban communities not covered by the national grid.

This came on a day the French government promised to assist Nigeria to build capacity in all critical areas that will increase power generation in the country.

Nigeria President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, who disclosed news of USADF and GE’s plans at a joint press conference in Abuja, yesterday, officially announced the call for entries for the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge.

Besides, the Economic Advisor at the United States Embassy in Nigeria, Douglas Climan, who represented the USADF, explained that the initiative was part of President Barrack Obama’s Power Africa initiative, which is aimed at doubling generated power across the African continent with a $9 billion grant.

Dr. Angbazo noted that there was still a huge segment of the rural population either grossly underserved by the national grid or not on the grid at all.

He said: “The Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge is a $2 million initiative to promote innovative off-grid energy solutions development by African-owned and-operated businesses. It will award 20 or more grants up to $100,000 each to innovators that further develop, scale-up or extend the use of proven technologies for off-grid energy.

“This initiative rewards innovation but the monetary reward should be viewed beyond the value to the much deeper motivation to positively touch

lives of eventual beneficiaries of the off-grid solutions in communities and corporations where they are needed.”

In his address, Douglas Climan, who stood for USADF, declared that, “through President Obama’s Power Africa

Initiative, the United States is committed to expanding the grids and helping to ensure transparency in the large scale energy sector.”

Meanwhile, the French government has promised to assist Nigeria to build capacity in all criti-

cal areas that will increase power generation in the country.

French Minister of External Trade, Nicole Bricq, who made the promise, said her country would participate actively in all power related development projects in

Nigeria.

Describing the relationship between Nigeria and her country as good, Bricq said France was prepared to assist Nigerian in all critical areas that will increase power generation capacity.

to resolve the multi-dimensional socio-economic problems.

The regional forum representing over 250 ethnic groups speaking over 400 languages, noted that as a former minister, who was given the opportunity to serve in a responsible position elRufai is expected to act and talk responsibly, especially on issues concerning national challenges like insecurity.

The National Youth Leader of Middle Belt Forum, Jonathan Asake, in a statement, argued that for a person like ElRufai to be taken seriously in the country, he should talk with decorum.

El-Rufai, last weekend, described Pastor Oritsejafor as the chief propagandist of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and a person lacking in credibility.

In a statement issued by the forum in Abuja, Asake decried the attitude of some politicians as El-Rufai, who are bent on destroying the government, just because they lost out of power and political relevance.

The Forum noted with dismay that the recent comments credited to ElRufai over Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and its national president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, was nothing but ‘libelous’, stating that PDP knew who its national publicity secretary was.

He said: “Definitely, he is not the CAN President, definitely not Oritsejafor. So, I don’t know how people like El-Rufai will make on such comments.”

Meanwhile, worried by the several socio-economic problems facing the nation, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in 17 Southern states of the country has declared a seven-day fasting and prayer for God’s intervention to resolve the issues.

Rising from an emergency meeting, CAN urged all Christians in the South, irrespective of denominations, to commence fasting and prayers from September 13, saying the period should be used to seek the face of God for His release and for the nation.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 17

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 HOW will Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State address the parlous result of the State’s primary schools audit? The solutions would be more challenging than the report.

Anyone who is aware of the neglect of primary school education would have expected the report which reflects a nationwide decay. Many States give no thought to the morass in primary school education. Their officials could be among those expressing surprise about Edo State schools.

Summaries of the findings are: x Only 1,304 or 9 per cent of the State’s 14,484 teachers have accurate records x 91 per cent or 13, 180 teachers have various forms of discrepancies in their records x1,379 teachers were employed without primary school certificates x Some teachers got primary school certificates only about two years ago x In some cases, they obtained the certificates while teaching in the same schools x 789 teachers had primary school certificates before the age of 8 or 9 Years of consigning primary school education to the “unimportant matters list” has resulted

So w Nothing, R eap Sow Reap Nothing in what Edo State discovered. It is not a recent phenomenon. Governments in Ekiti, Kaduna, Kwara and Ogun had the same results when they put a searchlight on their primary schools.

In one State, primary school teachers could not pass the same tests they administered on their pupils. Others had cases of certificate forgery as is evident in Edo State. More commonly, the pay rolls were inflated, and had names of teachers who died years back.

A lethargic nation momentarily mulled these deficiencies in its future and turned to more interesting matters like oil revenue allocation and quotas to fill juicy federal appointments.

We missed the point then, as we are about to do it again in Edo State, the issue is national.

Education – you can wonder what is - is not important to the Nigerian state. The distracted attention it gets is the evidence.

Our individual solution to the problem has been to patronise private schools which, for many reasons, cannot provide the answers to the mass education of our peoples.

Education is under the control of the same syndicates that control many aspects of government operations. Organised criminal groups have taken over education; governments’ actions fail to tackle this dimension.

Who are issuing the fake certificates? Who are falsifying employment documents? How do unqualified teachers get into the system? Why are governments paying for more teachers than they employed?

Urgent measures are required to manage the issues. The current concerns about higher education, without a care about primary and secondary education, are duplicitous. We have invested minimally in education, we cannot reap differently.

When punishments for frauds are effected, education would be a big beneficiary.

OPINION

BY TONY EKE

W

HENEVER we take a cursory look at democracy, we hardly fail to see the visionary import of the philosophy and precept of liberal democracy which makes it tower above other models because of self-evident advantages. It is indeed a credit to the clairvoyance of the originators who fittingly gave the legislature a prime position as the first arm that is pivotal to the optimal functioning of democracy. What probably makes it so critical is that when it efficiently performs its constitutional duty, the legislature could provide the compass to the executive and judicial arms of government.

This feature has largely characterised the operation of the Delta State House of Assembly, DTHA, since the proclamation of the First Assembly in 1992. It can be recalled that the premier assembly sought to find the rhythm of its existence by providing the legislative framework that guided the administration of the pioneer governor, Olorogun Felix Ibru, despite the limitations which arose from the usurpation of power by the military cabal at the centre.

Shortly after its proclamation by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on June 6, 2011, the Fifth Assembly quickly moved to tackle the challenges of effectively legislating for a state where the people are yearning for all-round development.

Inspired by a peculiar mission and determined to build on the achievements of preceding assemblies, the leadership

As 3rd session of DTHA's 5th Assembly begins headed by the Speaker, Victor O. Ochei, promptly unveiled its vision of reinvigorating the DTHA to facilitate the performance of its function as spelt out in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

By last June, the House went on a recess after a fruitful engagement in legislation, representation and oversight, and undertaking what has become a phenomenal physical transformation of structures in the Assembly ground. While the break lasted members of the House utilised it for a capacity building programme in the United States of America which, despite the jaundiced views of critics, exposed them to international best practices and further enriched their legislative skills With the resumption of plenary for the third session of the Fifth Assembly there are expectations and challenges. While the constituents would crave to have more laws that would widen the frontiers of socioeconomic benefits to them, the legislators are conscious of the fact that this is the most auspicious period to attend to issues they might have unknowingly glossed over or left undone in the past two years.

Unarguably, the readiness of the Fifth Assembly to deepen the course of good governance through its lawmaking function is not in doubt. For one thing, the legislature has acquired some experience after an uninterrupted existence for 14 years. In ad-

dition, there is a general consensus that this current assembly is one of the most vibrant in the history of Delta State due to its proactive handling, consideration and passage of bills from June 6, 2011 to date. If the mid-term progress of the house is anything to go by, then we would see some sort of fireworks as it attends to numerous bills to promote the orderly development of the state.

Flowing from the above, the House is likely to witness robust sessions of lawmaking procedures, particularly at the committee stage, which is the engine room of legislative activities where the Committee of the Whole engages in meticulous examination of bills, clause by clause. This was one of the vital factors that accounted for the passage of 23 out of 31 bills received by the Fifth Assembly from June 6, 2011 to June 5, 2013. Of that number, 18 bills were assented to law by the Governor of Delta State.

In furtherance of its legislative role the House will receive many motions (though perceived as intangible vis-a-vis bills), which would be transformed into potential resolutions on issues it wants the authorities to address. It could surpass the feat of last session in which it adopted 31 resolutions, amongst which were the Rules of the DTHA, dissolution of DESOPADEC Board and its reconstitution with the same number, screening and confirmation of statutory

commissions such as the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, confirmation of the Clerk of the House, and members of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, ACPM. It will also carry out its oversight function by looking at petitions and providing redress to them through recommendations informed by the merit of each case as well as the extant provisions of the law. Last session alone received a total of 18 petitions, 10 were processed and six already acted upon. In the same vein two petitions are awaiting report while two others are still being investigated.

Similarly, the House will organise public sittings, probably in greater number than last session in which nine committees held such sittings that provided opportunities to Deltans to contribute to the process leading to the consideration and passage of bills.

The House would certainly sustain its capacity building programmes at home and abroad because, as one of the defining features of the Fifth Assembly, it has considerably improved human capital and enhanced productivity of legislators and staff of the Assembly. Between 2012 and 2013, tangible gains accrued to the House as a result of the training programmes for the 29 members, firstly at the Oxford University, London, United Kingdom, and secondly, at the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, United States.

*Mr Eke, a political observer, wrote *from Asaba, Delta State

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013— —19

, I

T’S been many weeks in speculation that President Goodluck Jonathan intended to effect a change in the roll call of his ministers. During these weeks of speculation every other meeting of the ministers with the President presented the press another opportunity to speculate on which of the ministers would not make it back into the President’s cabinet. Yet nothing happened to the ministers in this period of anxiety but there can be no doubt that life must have been quite enervating for those among the President’s men and women not sure of their standing with the man whose present hold on the levers of his own party, the PDP, couldn’t have been more tenuous. But in what must amount to their own 9/11 attack, President Jonathan finally chose to put the anxious public officers out of their misery and sent nine of them back to

where they came from- hopefully far richer and better connected than they were before they got their own invitation to join the Abuja gravy train ‘to come and chop’.

Of course the ‘discharged’ members of the Jonathan administration must have more to their profile than merely adding to the forbidding cost of the President’s bloated bureaucracy of 43 ministers to say nothing of special advisers and assistants with their own hangers-on.

But they won’t be Nigerian politicians if they didn’t do their own damage to the country’s purse in this regard. The true technocrats among them with jobs to return to should have nothing to worry about. Only the professional politicians would see this order to return home as something of a personal affront that should cost the President their support of his administration. In this time of intra-party squabbles, a time

,

when the PDP falcon can no longer hear the falconer, the President could do with fewer enemies. It’s by no means certain indeed, how much of the President’s decision to shake up his cabinet so suddenly had to do with the skirmishes among members of his party.

It’s not impossible, in fact probable, that some of the newlysacked ministers belong in the wrong faction of the riven PDP or are persons whose loyalty the President could no longer count on. This would have strengthened the President’s resolve and steeled him in his move against them.

Which is also a way of saying some of the sacked ministers might have been no more than victims of circumstance. In other words, their position in the current crisis rocking the PDP rather than failure to effectively discharge their ministerial remit could have led to the determina-

The Olu as Daddy Overseer

W

HAT does the storm fomented entirely out of a “born again” king’s tea cup tell us about our rulers, “spiritual” or “temporal?” By a proclamation, the Olu of Warri, Ogiamen Atuwatse II, sought to abrogate the ancestral title of Ogiamen on the ground that it implied worship of a false god, Umalokun the Itsekiri deity of the sea. It was an attempt to rewrite Itsekiri history and folklore according to the Pentateuch.

Yet there had been no conflict between the personal beliefs of Itsekiri monarchs and the tenets of their monarchy, as he was promptly informed by his outraged “subjects.”

“I solemnly confess and testify that there is only One God,” the crusading king began his public confession of Christ as his Lord and personal saviour, seeking thereby to also make that confession on behalf of all Itsekiris, irrespective of their individual convictions. It happens, however, that he means the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the fathers of Israel,” the “Creator of all people and things . . . all worlds and realms, kings, thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, seas and abyss.”

It matters little to me what religious dogma a person chooses to believe.

After all, one goes to “heaven” or “hell”or simply rots alone. If one person believes in an almighty God that lives in the sky, a concept borne of the old belief in Sun-worship— incidentally, Moses borrowed the idea from sun-worshipping in Egypt, hence the never-ending battle to impose this

God on the previously heathen and polytheistic Jews after the exodus — and another believes in an almighty power beneath the earth, the realm of dead-but-living ancestors, while yet another espouses no religious convictions, all should, so to speak, have their day under the sun. The problem arises when one dogma seeks to denigrate and dominate the other.

As in the shocking instance of the Olu’s inability to distinguish between his role as a ceremonial monarch and his personal quest for eternal life through a foreign religion.“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar ’s; and unto God the things that are God’s,” Jesus enjoined his disciples. But in his frenzy, the zealous Olu gave no ear. Thus, no indication that he has ever thought about the proper relations between the spiritual and the secular, or heard of the doctrine of separation of state and religion. Consequently, he yearns to be priest, prophet and king; a potentate whose personal whims and caprices must be adopted by everyone.

H

E could not even say, like Joshua, to his people: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . as for me and my house, we shall serve Jehovah, God of the fathers of Israel!” With no faith in his people’s history, ethical values, or metaphysical system, he deems them unworthy of his confidence.

Hence, his troubling premise: that he was exercising his power “as a priest in the Order of Melchizedek” and

tion of their membership of Jonathan’s government. It’s curious most of the sacked ministers are from one or two major regions in the West and North with politicians opposed to the President or perceived as such and thus not in his good book.

Whatever the reasons are for the presidential headbutt, the next few weeks would only be period of more jostling, horse trading and conspiracies in the PDP. Beyond any intra-party bickering, the change in ministerial guard should be opportunity for President Jonathan to breathe life into his administration and show himself a better politician than one fixated on prosecuting closet battles with real and imagined enemies of his wife whose input in the crisis that has engulfed his party, one that is proving beyond his ability to manage, cannot be underestimated. At the best of times Nigeria has more ministers than it genuinely needs. Many of these ministers with known, even cloned designations, but no more responsibility than one would expect of court jesters are persons in government for no greater reason than the wish of political godfathers who needed godchildren to serve as their ‘eyes’ in government.

Although Labaran Maku, the Information Minister who now oversees the Defence Ministry, wants Nigerians to believe that Jonathan’s cabinet shake-up was not a witch-hunt but a move to energise his administration but many would beg to disagree.

Some of the ministers spared the axe can hardly justify their retention. The likes of Nyesom Wike who takes control of the Education Ministry now probably has new responsibilities

to justify his inclusion in the Executive Council. But there is little to look forward to from Mr. Wike if his recent occupation as the Jonathan family’s warriorin-chief in Rivers State is anything to consider.

It’s a matter of mystery what this man’s contribution has been to resolving the strike embarked upon by university teachers in the last two months. He was the ‘junior minister’ in the Education Ministry under Ruquayat Rufai and all through the Governor Suswan-led botched negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Wike’s voice was only to be heard in Port Harcourt even when his supporters told Nigerians he was part of the Federal Government negotiating team. If Rufai got the boot, Wike deserves the boot with a presidential reprimand for dereliction of duty. But rather than such reprimand what the aspiring governor got is ‘elevation’. It remains to be seen what confidence his appointment would inspire in the restive education sector. Perhaps to deflect attention from his erstwhile task of presidential agent provocateur, Jonathan would accede to the demands of ASUU or show himself more attentive to the teachers’ grievances.

The bottom line of this is that President Jonathan needs to show beyond mere claims that his sack of nine ministers and the elevation of Wike and Co has greater motive than the need to settle scores with perceived or real trouble makers in his party. Nigeria deserves more from her public officers than blind allegiance to presidential whim and/or execution of extra-ministerial duties.

using “the authority . . . name . . . and . . . power of the Blood of Jesus to destroy all ancient and new altars in Iwere(Warri) land not raised up to the Lord by the laws governing the new covenant of life in Christ.” A charitable response to this

,

Jonathan’s head-butting of ministers

President Jonathan needs to show beyond mere claims that his sack of nine ministers has greater motive than the need to settle scores with perceived or real trouble makers in his party

A king symbolises the collective memory of his people, the “unbroken” connection of his people to their font of being and to humanity at large

,

sort of Sunday school drivel might be that the Olu would rather be a miraclepeddling pentecostal pastor than a monarch. For then the miracle of transformation of the king of a riverine community in Africa into a priest of the tribe of Judah might be understandable. Even then, one might wonder why he professes Christianity, and not Judaism.

Still the question: Why did the Olu feel compelled to publicly renounce his history for that of another nation, to pledge his people to “the fathers of Israel?”A king, the pious Olu ought to know, symbolises the collective memory of his people, the “unbroken” connection of his people to their font of being and to humanity at large. I do not know what DNA tests convinced the Olu that he is not only a scion of Noah but, specifically, a son of Shem who was Melchizedek.

A part of me is shamed by the price of self-abnegation that His Royal Highness had to pay for this coveted identity. Yet there is holy precedent for it, and on the authority of Christ no less. The gospel of Mark at Chapter 7 tells the story of a gentile woman who beseeched Jesus to deliver her daughter of “an unclean spirit.” But “salvation is of the Jews”as a birthright, not for gentiles! “Let the children first be filled,for it is not meet to take the children’s bread,and to cast it unto the dogs,” said Jesus. And the distraught woman? “Yes,Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.”

Only then does Jesus relent and deliver her stricken daughter. “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter,” said Jesus.

20— Vanguard ,

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 18 , 2013

Debate of the masses

Education for sale!

BY EBELE ORAKPO

•Mr. Dominic Ezerioha (Inset) Mike Ozekhome

I died seven times — Lawyer abducted while negotiating Ozekhome’s release

T

HE spate of kidnapping in Nigeria and the involvement of youths in the criminal act have become a source of grave concern. More worrisome is the fact that abduction is fast becoming more than a trend; it is now an industry thriving on funds received from the families of victims.

The latest of their victim is popular human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Mike Ozekhome who was abducted on August 23, along the Benin –Auchi express way after a shootout which left four police men dead.

Following weeks of negotiations for ransom, Ozekhome was finally released.

Strangely Mr. Dominic Ezerioha, a lawyer in Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers was also abducted on September 6, while trying to negotiate the freedom of his boss. Mr. Ezerioha and Mr. Ozekhome’s son, Ilugbekai, also a lawyer, were both saddled with the responsibility of delivering the ransom to the kidnappers.

Mr. Ezerioha recounted his ordeal in a chat with Vanguard Metro, VM. His words: “The situation was very tense; the kidnappers kept calling me. We tried to negotiate with them and after such negotiations I will call

my contacts who gave me tips on how to negotiate with them.

They (kidnappers) were convinced that I’m close to Mr. Ozekhome and that I should bring the money. Unfortunately, when we got there, I was kidnapped because they believed that they could get some money by so doing”.

Describing his trauma, Ezerioha narrated thus: “I died seven times and I woke up. We drove in a Jeep with the ransom to the place where they directed us to. When we got there, they promptly kidnapped us

‘

The visibly elated lawyer gave glory to God for making their release possible. “The atmosphere since our release has been very nice. My stay with the kidnappers was a very strong omen. We give God the glory,” he said.

Asked to explain his relationship with Mr. Ozekhome he declared: “Chief Mike Ozekhome is my mentor, my boss and my father. He is a man of the people; he is a man who touches the lives of people. Even while the abductors were holding him, he touched their lives. He told

‘

By AZEEZ SANUSI

When we got there, I was kidnapped because they believed that they could get more money by so doing

and took away the vehicle we came with. They drove us, blindfolded, for about two and half hours until we arrived at the destination, a building located right inside a thick forest. That was where we were kept”.

Mr. Ezerioha who spoke at Mike Ozekhome’s house at Igando in the Ikotun area of Lagos state, told VM that he was yet to see members of his family.

“I am on my way to the airport now to see my family. When I get to the airport, I will go to Abuja to see them.”

them the right things to do as human beings. He is solidly a nice man”.

He threw more light on the negotiation process but could not state categorically confirm the amount paid as ransom. “When we were there, a lot of negotiations were going on. As I am talking to you now, I don’t know what happened but I know that ransom was asked and ransom was paid. But we don’t know how much; maybe at our convenient time we can address the press on it.”

“GONE are the days when teachers believed that their reward is in heaven. They want their reward here and now or they take it by force,” commented Bassey this Monday morning as the commuter bus crawled along with other vehicles in the early morning showers along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. “Why should their reward be in heaven when they work on earth?

They have been deceived for so long but now, they know better having seen the way politicians spend our money,” replied Abe. “Bassey, what do you mean by teachers taking their reward by force? asked John. “Haven’t you noticed the extortions going on in our schools?” asked Bassey.

He continued: “Ah, with enough money, you can buy university degrees now. I was shocked when a lecturer boasted that three of his students were going to make second class upper division in their degree exam.” “Big deal! Of course as their lecturer, he should know the capability of his students so he should know those who can make what grade,” noted Joy. Answered Bassey: “The issue is that the three candidates are not even students and they don’t live in Nigeria.”“That has been going on for a long time. Recently, a friend told me that during one of their exams, she saw so many new faces in the class and she began to ask if they were part of the class. Her friend hushed her, telling her to mind her business.

It was later she learnt that they were part of the class but never attend lectures.

They only come during exams to register their presence,” said Tony.

“So how do they make it when they don’t attend lectures?” asked Chioma.

“That is a small matter. The lecturers know how they do it. Those students make very good grades and the lecturers smile to the bank.

It’s big business,” stated Tony. “Oh God! I weep for

this nation. Any wonder then that some of our socalled graduates know next to nothing about their supposed field of expertise?” lamented Joy. “That is why this overdependence on paper qualification will be our undoing. Imagine such persons carrying such certificates to an employer, of course, they will get the job ahead of those with lower grades, yet they know absolutely nothing,” said Dayo.

“I think our education sector needs total overhauling. In fact, it needs fumigation. So many anomalies are going on there. A friend told me that his project supervisor during his master’s programme was so hostile, always canceling his work and asking him to start afresh without telling him what he did wrong. At a point, he decided he will only show him the end-result. He complained to a friend about his supervisor and the friend asked if he was ‘seeing’ the man and he replied in the negative. He was advised to ‘see’ the man if he wanted to graduate. He ‘saw’ the man with N5,000 and his project was instantly accepted!” narrated Tony.

“So ‘seeing’ him means bribing him?” asked Chioma Said Abe: “In my school, if you want to write your project yourself, you pay N50,000 and if you want the lecturer to do it for you, you pay less and each time you go to meet with your supervisor, you pay N2,500. Honestly, if you go back to school now, you will weep.” “Ha! So why should I pay more for doing my work by myself?” asked Joy. “Because you wan show lecturer say you over sabi.

You are telling them you are too intelligent,” replied Abe. “Of course, if you want to see your supervisor, you pay consultation fee of N2,500,” joked Bassey.

“So is it that they are not well paid?” asked Chioma to which Tony replied: “Not really. But the politicians earn so much but then, are the students they are extorting earning salaries?”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 21

Bird flu viruses could re-emerge in upcoming flu season — FAO

By JIMOH BABATUNDE

F

From left: Ed Glassman, Group Executive, Global Commercial Products & Solutions MasterCard and D.J. DiDonna, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of EFL during the partnership announcement at Sibos 2013 in Dubai, UAE.

OOD and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has committed $2 million of emergency funding supplemented by over $5 million from USAID to kick-start H7N9 response efforts as it warns the international community that the H7N9 and H5N1 avian influenza viruses continue to pose serious threats to human and animal health, especially in view of the upcoming flu season.

In the warning issued Tuesday in Rome, FAO said “The world is more prepared than ever before to respond to bird flu viruses in light of a decade of work on H5N1 and the recent response to H7N9,”

CIBN seeks special intervention fund for real, agric sectors

By PETER EGWUATU

the 7th Annual Conference of the Institute held in Abuja, the President, Mr. Segun Aina, noted that diversification of the country’s economic base had become more imperative in view of the increasing uncertainties in the international oil market and the quest by countries for alternative energy sources.

While noting that the government has done fairly well in areas of appropriate policy frameworks and reforms in the power, financial services

T

HE Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has called on the Federal Government to intensify the implementation of infrastructure development programmes and provide special intervention funds for real and agricultural sectors in order to ensure the success of the ongoing economic diversification agenda.

In his welcome Address at

115.7

-0.55

2,635.00

+34.00

16.94

-0.15

110.09

-1.61

107.06

-1.15

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.76 245.4184

155.26 246.2113

SELLING 155.76 247.0042

206.0939

206.7597

207.4256

166.6057

167.1439

167.6822

1.5552 0.2934

1.5602 0.3034

1.5653 0.3134

234.4369

235.1943

235.9517

25.2908

25.373

25.4551

41.2638 27.6283

41.3971 27.7176

41.5305 27.8068

235.0804

235.8399

236.5994

CBN Exchange rate as at 17/09/2013

and agricultural sectors required to attract investments and re-position the economy on the path of sustainable growth, he said that there is still more to do in areas of translating the transformation plans to assets in terms of adequate infrastructure, cheaper, long term funds and other critical needs.

He said “ In the year 2009 and 2010, the c o n f e r e n c e recommended the fasttracking of the proposal for the development of a Competency Framework and you are all aware that in November 2012, the Central Bank released the guidelines for the implementation of the competency

Framework for the Nigerian Banking industry with the Institute as the sole accreditation and certification agency. ‘’However, there are other key recommendations for which we are expecting positive outcomes. These include issues related to the diversification of the economy away from oil, given the uncertainties of the oil and gas sector globally.

“This has become imperative especially with the threat posed by the quest for alternative energy sources and the discovery of shale oil and gas .Also ,the issue of the unique and coordinated National Identification Programme is yet to be completed while provision of adequate infrastructure still remains a major challenge ‘’, Aina added.

said FAO Chief Veterinary Officer, Juan Lubroth, at a joint meeting with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Heads of FAO Reference Laboratories in Australia, the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America were also in attendance, along with representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Department of Agriculture.

“However, constant vigilance is required,” Lubroth said.

“Bird flu viruses continue to circulate in poultry. Efforts must continue and be strengthened, not only in affected countries, but also in neighbouring states and areas with strong trade linkages. This is especially true for H7N9 since it causes no clinical signs in birds and is therefore very difficult to detect in poultry.”

Along these lines, USAID support has enabled FAO to help countries at risk dramatically improve surveillance capacities.

“Several at-risk countries previously unable to pick up the virus can now accurately detect H7N9,” explained Lubroth.

“Identifying the virus with consistency is critical to targeting control efforts and reducing spread.”

FG clears air on Zungeru power project cost

T

HE Federal Government has described as “unfair” insinuations that the contract awarded by the Ministry of Power for the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project was excessively high.

While responding to a recent newspaper publication which attempted a cost analysis of the contract and concluded that the contract price was unusually high compared to the cost of similar projects in other parts of the world, the ministry stated that “The selective benchmark pricing of three projects in Ethiopia, China and Brazil is over simplifying the complexity of three hydropower projects.”

The ministry said “It is important to note that the cost of such projects depend on the details of the design, topography, geo-technical conditions of the site and the availability of supporting infrastructure to deliver the project”.

It added that “it should be noted that the cost of dams worldwide further depends on the specific social and environmental issues and ancillary structures that are to be provided along.” Citing the 2012 Worldwide Survey of the cost of large hydropower projects by the

International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), which indicates that a cost of $1.05m to $7.65m per MW of installed capacity, the ministry stressed that “The Zungeru project has a projected cost of energy at five US cents perkWHr, a very favourable figure when compared with the IRENA survey of a worldwide average cost of 2 – 19 US cents for large hydropower.”

The ministry insisted that contrary to insinuations that the cost of the contract was over bloated, “The Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) cost of the Zungeru hydroelectric project approved by Federal Executive Council is $1,293million including transmission lines and substations indicating a cost of $1.847million per MW. It is obvious that the benchmark price per MW for the Zungeru project falls at the low end of average world pricing. It is also to be noted that the Bureau of Public Procurement had, in its Due Process Review Report, indicated the average cost of similar large hydropower projects and accepted the competitively tendered price for the project.”

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

BRIEFS

How ‘no premium no cover’ affects you (2)

Law Union & Rock develops microinsurance products

Continues from last week

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ome of these militating factors would include - drastically low per capita income, unemployment & high incidence of job losses, poor and or dwindling economic environment and activities; poor pay and reward system within the Nigerian landscape including failure or ignorance of insurance buyers to appreciate the essence of premium payment and the implications of non-payment under an insurance contract among several other factors.

Above all, most people are yet to fully embrace the values of insurance, hence the few that are buying insurance are either compelled under a contract or statutory requirement.

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

By Dr. Wole Adetimehin, Managing Director, Jully Insurance Brokers and Immediate Past President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN

4. WHAT PROMPTED NAICOM TO COME UP WITH “NO PREMIUM NO COVER” POLICY? firms invalid except where For the avoidance of any premium has been paid by the misconception, it must be insured or collected by the made clear that NAICOM broker handling the the insurance industry transaction. In cases where regulator is not just brokers are involved, the introducing the ‘No regulation allows the broker Premium No Cover ’ access to policy documents regulation.

Rather, from the insurers on the NAICOM has been issuance and delivery of a enforcing more than ever Credit Note for the premium before compliance with this already collected but awaiting provision that has been in the remittance to the insurers insurance Act and its within a period of 30 days. A Regulations that were meant breach of the above regulation to guide the operators and in any form will attract a their operations in the penalty ranging from Nigeria Insurance Industry imposition of fines to for the benefit of all revocation of operating license stakeholders i.e. the of the offending insurance insurance buying public, firm or broker. investors in the sector, and the Nigerian economy at 6. HOW CAN THE POLICY large.

The need for NAICOM embarking on the stringent Insurance enforcement of the “No consumers Premium No Cover ” – a should strive to statutory provision in the comply with the insurance Act at this time, can also be better appreciated regulation to when the adverse effects of enable them non-compliance over the enjoy and sustain years are reflected upon in the benefits the following areas: The unimaginable (earlier magnitude of debtors and advanced above) receivables in the balance inherent in its sheets of insurance firms that have eroded assets values compliance. over the years, and that have consequently affected adversely their solvency, BENEFIT THE contribution to GDP, ability to I N S U R A N C E meet claim obligations under CONSUMER? contracts, and satisfying the The consumer stands to investors yearnings for benefit tremendously from returns on their investments. compliance with the

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5.

WHAT IS NO PREMIUM NO COVER? The meaning and interpretation of No Premium No Cover as it applies to all stakeholders operating in the insurance industry is simply to forbid or render the granting of cover or issuance of any insurance policy or contract documents by insurance

regulation by all stakeholders, as obligations or policy benefits under insurance contract can be accessed in good time without any undue delay, while benefits payable can be a lot more generous and satisfying. And to a large extent, the trust and confidence of insurance consumers will be strengthened.

7. WHY INSURANCE CONSUMERS SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE POLICY. Insurance consumers should strive to comply with the regulation to enable them enjoy and sustain the benefits (earlier advanced above) inherent in its compliance.

By its compliance, consumers will have unlimited access to investing in the sector at the stock exchange as the value of their stocks are bound to appreciate while returns (i.e dividends) will equally grow. Also the consequent growth in the sector and its gains will be to the advantage of all consumers as this will not only facilitate but enhance overall economic growth of the Nation.

8.

THE GENERAL BENEFIT OF THE REGULATION ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY. No doubt, compliance with the regulation by all operators is bound to yield good dividends, some of which include: Building and sustaining a more viable and robust insurance sector that can rank and effectively compete with counterparts globally.

Insurers in particular can present better and attractive balance sheets with strong reserves to meet commitments and obligations The insurance sector will be better placed and empowered to secure their rightful ranking and recognition within the Nigerian economy in terms of contribution to GDP, Employment opportunities, investment outlets and investible fund channels.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

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aw Union & Rock Insurance Plc has setup a microinsurance unit to provide policies to meet the needs of different segments of the society.

Managing Director of the firm, Mrs. Toyin Ogunseye said that this was part of efforts to support the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, to drive insurance to the grass roots.

Ogunseye said “We have already started our microinsurance unit with its product and channel development initiatives.”

The Law Union & Rock boss commended NAICOM’s efforts at developing the sector through MDRI. According to her, the measures introduced by the commission-creating more awareness and increasing government support for the industrywas increasing the appreciation of insurance in the country.

Ogunseye pointed out that microinsurance has the potential to significantly improve the lives of the world’s poorest people and positively impact the development of the

informal sector. She explained that it is one of the instruments that is being used to bring the poor into conventional financial systems and at the same time improve their wellbeing to give them a better standard of living.

The Managing Director further explained that microinsurance can also be seen as an instrument to actualise the much needed financial inclusion of the population at the bottom of the pyramid. She said that this is because the conventional insurance does not by nature cater for the poor or the low income earners in the society.

She said that the firm was interested in meeting the needs of the insuring public through the provision of innovative products which would be affordable to the retail market.

Ogunseye said that with microinsurance, the policyholder would be encouraged to build a savings culture and create wealth for himself. She also said that when the policyholder has insurance against an insured occurrence, he would not have to go through any hardship because his insurance company will pay him his claims when such need arises.

From left; CIIN Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Joseph Obah; AGM/Head,Corporate Communications & Brand Management, Mr. Segun Bankole; Miss Insurance 2013/14, Sefiya Sadiq and MD/CEO, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olawale Onaolapo during Miss Insurance courtesy visit to Sovereign Tr ust Insurance Plc to solicit for management’s support for her pet project tagged ”Say yes to life and education and say no to HIV/AIDS”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 23

BRIEFS N.M. warns against potential auto insurance fraud

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From left: Managing Director, Trancit Security Ltd, Mr Feyi Dinto; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Purpose, Power and Lifestyle Design International (PPLD), Mr. Tunde Makun; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Fineprojects ltd, Mr Lekan Ogunyemi and Managing Director, Danidar Ltd, Engr Niran Daramola at the official dedication of PPLD in Lagos.Photo;By AKEEM SALAU.

Insurance should be people’s priority — Olawoyin M

r. Gbenga Olawoyin is the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Wema Insurance Brokers Ltd. In this interview with ROSEMARY ONUOHA, he spoke on the challenges confronting the insurance sector since the commencement of the ‘No premium no cover’ policy. that but let us concentrate on the fact that it is alien to our culture.

When you are selling a product that is alien, the issue is that it is not on the front burner of everybody’s needs. When you are checking your needs list it can’t be number one, it wont even be number two. So people that are managing to buy are just buying on the basis of ‘I will buy and pay later’ or ‘ok, ok, I will buy just give me, you know I will pay you later.’ This is what has been going on over

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No premium no cover mandate Recall that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) recently embarked on enforcement of the ‘No premium no cover’ section of the Nigeria Insurance Act of 2003, section 50. In that section, the Act says that if you are buying insurance, the premium must have been paid in advance or agreed to be paid. But over the years, the regulator found out that we are having huge amount of receivable debtors.

Now if the Act says that the premium must have been paid before the contract of insurance is considered or the amount is agreed to be paid by the insured, there shouldn’t be huge receivables. But instead of the receivables coming down, it was just going up continuously. So the regulator now said ‘you know what, I think we are going to be strict with this aspect of the Act.’ So the ‘No premium no cover’ policy started.

Everybody was aware of the direction that NAICOM is going. And by December last year, it took effect. So now the question will be ‘where are we? because that is what set the tone for 2013.

Insurance is not part of our culture, when we talk about insurance penetration and we say it is low, the first question should be why? So the reason why insurance penetration is low in this part of the world is because it is alien to our culture. It is very alien to our culture but is not actually alien to us. I will come back to explain

We are doing pretty well in terms of performances, however, the growth might not be exponential but we are not doing badly.

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time.

So by January 1st, NAICOM said ‘No premium, no cover.’

The reaction of some insurance consumers when they got wind of the new development was to laugh and say “We were only helping you before by patronising you, now you come up with this, ok, don’t worry too, when I have money, I will come to you.” So some consumers have not come back and that has slowed down activities a bit in the insurance sector.

But the question is ‘Is insurance really about, we are helping you?’ It is not. Insurance should be number one on the priority list of everyone.

Recall that I said earlier that one of the challenges of low penetration is that insurance is alien to our culture but it is not.

Our culture is a social net and that social net is what I call affiliation, family ties and many others. Before now, if anything happens to a family member, the other family members will gather and contribute money to solve that issue. If somebody’s child is sick to the point of death, a family meeting will be called and they will take it up from there. If somebody is ejected from his house, a family meeting will be called and the issue will be resolved. So that is family ties or affiliation. I mean community associations.

You see this kind of meeting coming up and people just put hands together, put resources together to build people up and provide support, so that is our own way of meeting challenges, fortunes and misadventure.

That is what insurance is all about.

So sometimes when we take matters as if they are alien to us, it is probably because we decided not to look at it critically. But we should put it side by side our culture and see whether it is actually alien to us.

Why insurance is important Now what insurance is telling you is that you really don’t need your family members to bail you out. Also, you don’t

really need your community members to sort you out when misfortunes arise or spread.

What insurance is saying is that ‘This misfortune can be calculated, measured and can be planned for. All you needed to do is the payment of a token premium and that burden will be taken off your community members. Besides, not even all of them are wishing you well anyway. You might have offended them so it will be time for them to take a pound of flesh. So insurance is saying ‘nobody needs to take a pound of flesh against you.’ Just come, walk into any insurance company or brokerage outfit as the case may be, sit down with them; they profile you, look at your issues and provide advice. So any broker working with you is providing advisory service. So we will profile and could say ‘look, this is what you bought, you have a house, what’s the value?

For some time now, the Nigerian Meteorological Center has been giving warnings of expected flood this year. So when we heard all the warnings, what did we do with it? Well, I think Lagos State Government has been encouraging people living in flood areas to move.

he New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue has said that New Mexico residents receiving automated phone calls claiming to be from the Motor Vehicle Division offering cheaper auto insurance rates are being warned against potential insurance fraud.

“New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division does not sell auto insurance and anyone who receives these calls should be highly suspicious and ignore them,” said Demesia Padilla, Cabinet Secretary for the State Taxation and Revenue Department that oversees MVD. “We recommend that anyone who is planning to get new auto insurance or change their existing policy contact a certified insurance agent or company.”

MVD has received several calls and complaints from residents about receiving these calls from an unknown company claiming to be MVD. The automated message also asks residents to call back 575-446-1594.

The State Taxation and Revenue Department’s Tax Fraud Investigations Unit has also launched an investigation into this issue.

Join with brokers to fight online platforms, underwriters told

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nderwriters can help counter the threat from online insurance platforms by cultivating stronger relationships with brokers, the Australian Professional Indemnity Group’s recent national conference in Sydney heard.

“When insurers put their business online, they lose one of their most effective points of differentiation – their underwriters,” WR Berkley Insurance National Facilities Manager Christian Garling said.

“Unlike online systems, underwriters don’t just produce a premium; good underwriters also create a relationship with a broker.”

With acquisition costs increasing, insurers’ attention is being drawn to the level of brokerage they pay, he told a debate on the threat from online platforms.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Deloitte records $32.4bn in revenue for 2013 I

ncreased demand for a broad range of client services saw Deloitte grow for the fourth consecutive year, with Deloitte member firm network posting revenues of $32.4 billion for the fiscal year ending 31 May 2013.

The network experienced healthy growth across all businesses and regions – in local currency – due to the strong demand for Deloitte’s capabilities and services.

“Our continued growth is a true testament to Deloitte’s client-centric approach. Deloitte has made strategic investments in important markets, the right businesses and talented people.

As a result, Deloitte is helping many more clients navigate the changing business environment,” said Barry Salzberg, Global CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL).

“Despite major economic fluctuations in some regions, clients are seeking the full range of Deloitte’s services and advice as they invest in innovation and other catalysts of growth.

Growth in consulting and other advisory services was particularly strong in the period as priority markets contributed nearly one-fifth of revenue” Salzberg added.

Nearly 30 strategic acquisitions were also made in 2013, marking significant investment in the future by Deloitte.

Americas led growth by regions with a growth rate of 6.3 percent in local currency, with the strongest growth

experienced in Chile (18.1 percent) and LATCO (14.3 percent). The United States, the largest member firm in the network, produced particularly strong growth, contributing more than 80 percent of the network’s total revenue increase.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) grew by 5.6 percent with the UK member firm experiencing solid growth of 8 percent, despite a challenging economic climate.

The Middle East and Turkey firms posted strong double-digit growth, largely driven by their tax and advisory businesses. Together, the Southern and East African member firms grew by a solid 8.3 percent.

Asia Pacific experienced growth of 3.1 percent in local currency with India, Mauritius, Southeast Asia, Korea and Japan registering solid growth, each at or above 6.5 percent.

Consulting growth in 2013 was particularly strong across all regions, and signals willingness by companies to explore and invest in business opportunities. Within Consulting, demand for Human Capital and Strategy & Operations services was strongest.

Financial Advisory grew by a total of 6.7 percent while Audit and Enterprise Risk Services grew by an aggregate 2.9 percent.

Tax and Legal grew by a total of 5.6 percent, experiencing solid growth in each region and sub-function. Most notably, a majority of Asia Pacific member firms were strong, led by Japan, India, Mauritius and Korea.

Guinness declares N10.5bn dividend

BY PETER EGWUATU

G

uinness Nigeria Plc has declared a dividend of N10.5 billion dividend for the financial year ended June 2013. This translates to 700 kobo per 50kobo ordinary shares The Board of Guinness approved the company’s audited results last week, which revealed a five percent top line growth year on year. Operating profit declined by six percent and profit after tax by 17 percent when compared to the previous year.

Speaking on the results, Mr. Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said the company’s strong brands were a factor in the revenue growth.

“Our growth was bolstered by the strength of our brands, our successful innovation launch and our continued investment in capacity and improving route to market strategy. Having said this, our profitability and margins were been impacted by higher finance charges arising from the current interest rate environment. In addition to this, the market remained

challenging with continued decline in beer volumes.

“We are also positive that our improving interest expense management will be reflected in a more efficient net interest margin in the coming period. Guinness Nigeria is a business with strong fundamentals and growth strategy and we will continue to focus on our route to market and delivering great consumer experiences to strengthen our position going forward.”

In the period under review, Guinness Nigeria launched new products like Snapp, a ready-to-drink beverage targeted at the women, increased the national footprint of some of its existing brands like Malt Guinness Low Sugar and refreshed the packaging for regional brands like Top Malt and Dubic.

Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc., said, “The company strategy and the investments in the business and communities give the Board confidence that we have the right brands, the right people and the right structure to win in Nigeria. This confidence is what has led to the proposed dividend.”

Dangote Flour Mills Plc 2012 Results T

he 2012 annual report and accounts of Dangote Flour Mills Plc, DFM, show that on a turnover of about N58.67 billion the company made a loss after taxation of about N2.26 billion.

During 2012, Tiger Brands Limited of South Africa acquired 63.35% of the issued share capital of DFM and have assumed management control of DFM. The company indicated that there were losses arising from fraudulent trading in customers’ accounts and that the cases have been reported to the relevant law enforcement agencies.

DFM has also strengthened internal controls so as to prevent recurrence of the fraud while internal recovery efforts are ongoing.

The major proposal placed before the Annual General Meeting of the company was for the sale to Dangote Industries Limited of the shares held by DFM in the issued share capital of D a n g o t e Agrosacks L i m i t e d .

D a n g o t e Industries Limited holds 10% of the issued share capital of DFM. Also, the financial year end was changed from 31 December to 30 September with the current financial year having a nine-month period ending 30 September 2013.

The major trading lines of DFM are flour products, pasta products, noodles product and agrosacks. During 2012, flour products, pasta products and noodles products recorded losses after taxation of N3.13 billion, N0.47 billion and N0.73 billion respectively while the agrosacks business was the only profitable line with a profit of N2.08 billion. It is of some concern that the only profitable part of DFM is being sold at this time. The other lines have input cost inflation pressures brought about by the rise in the cost of wheat and the 15% wheat levy imposed from July 2012. There is also a more intense competition amongst the companies in the flour milling sector given the overcapacity of the production lines in the sector.

DFM commenced its operations as a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited and in 2007, 25% of the issued capital of the company was sold to the public. 2008 was the first full year of operations of DFM with the additional shareholders. The annual report for the financial year ending 31 December 2008 gave the total number of shareholders as 386,335. Of this total, there were 384,755 shareholders each of whom held 50,000 units and below accounting for 15.79% of the issued shares while 1,580 shareholders each of whom held 50,001 units and above accounted for 84.21% of the issued shares. For the financial year ending

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BY PETER EGWUATU

31 December 2010, the total number of shareholders was 358,302. Of this total, there were 356,649 shareholders each of whom held 50,000 units and below accounting for 14.26% of the issued shares while 1,653 shareholders each of whom held 50,001 units and above accounted for 85.74% of the issued shares.

The total number of DFM shareholders as at 31 December 2012 was 337,290. Of this total, there was 335,847 shareholders each of whom held 50,000 units and below accounting for 13.17% of the issued shares while 1,443 shareholders each of whom held 50,001 units and above accounted for 86.83% of the issued shares. Over the years from 2008 to 2012, the average number of units held by a shareholder in the 1 – 50,000 units range has been about 2000 units.

The analysis of the shareholding has been carried out to provide a background for a consideration of the unclaimed dividends due to shareholders.

DFM has provided with the 2012 annual report and accounts the list of unclaimed dividends for 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 financial years.

The lists show that dividend 1 for 2008 has 208,824 unclaimed dividend warrants, dividend 2 for 2008 has 250,657 unclaimed dividends warrants, dividend 3 for 2009 has 227,554 unclaimed dividend warrants, dividend 4 for 2010 has 273,989 unclaimed dividend warrants and dividends 5 for 2011 has 236,878 unclaimed dividend warrants. On the average, about 66% of dividend warrants issued remain unclaimed.

This is a very large number and it seems unlikely that these shareholders with unclaimed dividends did not provide their correct addresses in 2007.

DFM should make an effort to reach all its shareholders. If there appears to be a problem with unclaimed dividend warrants, there must also be a problem of unclaimed share certificates. Most of the shareholders are in the category where the average number of units held is 2000 units. In 2011 when a dividend of N0.10 was declared, most of the dividend warrants issued would have been less than N200 in value. There was a huge demand for DFM shares during the offer in 2007 and refunds were made to shareholders for shares they asked for but which shares were not allotted to them. Shareholders generally have what could be considered as a small number of shares and the Registrars may be having problems dealing with a larger number of very small payments.

If there appears to be a problem with u n c l a i m e d dividend warrants, there must also be a problem of unclaimed share certificates

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—25

DIARY

Select ICT events zDesign & Manufacturing Midwest 2013. Holds 10-12 Sep 2013 in Chicago, USA.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

Vconnect harps on success factors for SMEs growth

zMiddle East Telco World Summit 2013.

Holds 23-24 Sep 2013 in Dubai, UAE. zP & T EXPO COMM CHINA 2013. Holds 24-28 Sep 2013 in Beijing, China. zCRM-expo 2013.

Holds 24-26 Sep 2013 in Stuttgart, Germany.

BY EMEKA AGINAM

crimes in cyber space.”

Besides the revelations of the Minister, other actions of relevant agencies are beginning to underscore the seriousness of government to plug waste by fully putting technology into use in governance.

Recently, the Nigeria CommunicationsCommission (NCC) recently signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding, MoU, with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to establish a regional cyber security centre in Nigeria.

The centre, according to NCC, will facilitate collaboration and efforts on measures to combat cyber threats at national and regional levels, help in the protection of citizens’ online activities and save the country’s economy

UNLESS Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria retool for online directory, targeted SMS, website design & optimization, among others, growth rate may be at low ebb, the General Manager, VConnect Global Services Limited , Deepankar Rustagi has said.

VConnect is one of the Nigeria’s largest local search engine, providing information about various products, services and companies in the country.

With about 17 Million Micro, Small and Medium Scale businesses in Nigeria, a sizeable number do not have online presence, Rustagi in a press conference at the weekend told IT Journalists that the first success factor for any SMEs is to register their business with an online directory or local search engine like VConnect.com.

Accordingly, Rustagi disclosed that more than 700,000 businesses are currently listed with Vconnect, adding by listing businesses online, global visibility would be achieved.

By doing this, he said that organisations can manage their business profile including products, services and even the brands they deal on.

Priority listing, display advert banners Another success factor for SMEs growth in the

Continues on Page 28

Continues on Page 27

zDMS EXPO 2013.

Holds 24-26 Sep 2013 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Shaking Wash hand-held washer, dryer

*L-R: Sales Director, Nokia Middle East and Africa, Patrick Dravet; Group Channel Producer, Olamide Adedeji; Public relations Manager, Giditraffic, Bethia Idoko, and Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts during the launch of Nokia Lumia 625 at the Nokia/Soundcity LiveLumia Concert held at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island at the weekend.

Nigeria edges closer to strict legislation on cyber security, ICT vandalism •as governance goes automated

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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esigned for travelers, the thermossized Shaking Wash is a mini-washing machine/ dryer able to discreetly clean a pair of socks or few pieces of underwear.

A step up from washing small items in the sink, the Shaking Wash needs only water and a willing hand to operate.

Once the clothes have been put into its compact pod, the user sends them through the wash cycle by shaking the device. A built-in net catches the clothes as the water is poured out, and the dry cycle can be powered either by batteries or by plugging in the retractable plug. During drying, a light will indicate how much time remains until the cycle is complete.

FRESH indications have emerged that the Nigerian state would stop at nothing to hand in very stiff penalties to vandals of telecom infrastructure as well as to those whose activities bridge the country’s cyber security.

From recent pronouncements and activities of relevant government officials and agencies, proper and strict legislation on these areas could as well be regarded as finalised waiting for official pronouncement.

For instance one of the critical issues, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson kept reiterating at the just concluded Edo state Technology day event last week, was that government is desirous to no end, to protect the over

I N S I Endless wait for the D National ID Card E

$25 billion investment in the nation’s Information and Communications Technology sector.

She stated that to that extent the National Assembly has also realized why the pressure that it legislated upon the protection of ICT facilities, as well as the county’s cyber security, should be given prime attention.

Specifically, Johnson announced that the Federal Executive Council has already approved a comprehensive cyber security bill that will soon be passed into law by the national assembly, having received due considerations of relevant stakeholders.

For her, “having such a bill which addresses the

In many areas that government has introduced digital budgetary and financial management system, there are evidences of transparency Reading the lips of the Minister, there is no way the soon to be passed law on these issue, would be kind on telecom facility vandals and cyber criminals.

BlackBerry tickles mobile phone ecosystem with 9720 series

designation of ICT infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, passed into law, should serve as a major deterrent to individuals who are perpetrating atrocious

Main One talks Wholesale communications at Capacity Africa

Why Nigeria must acquire space, innovative technologies

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

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Endless wait for the National ID Card

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ORE than three sion for the one-stop card years ago in June which Nigerians can use 2010, the Adams Oshiom- in the global marketplace hole administration in either in travel, business, Edo State somewhat con- leisure, e-commerce, efounded the entire nation government or what have when it launched a citi- you. zens registration and What is noteworthy is identity card project. The that as we continue to launch of that initiative wait for NIMC, other was the high point of the states are generating and Edo Technology Day implementing similar inwhich held at the Oba itiatives. Ondo State has Akenzua Cultural Centre is implementing the Kaain Benin City. di Igbe Ayo, which is a Much earlier, the Edo bio-metric card that will government had set up an aid the targeted delivery ICT directorate to imple- of social-economic servicment the project and over- es to citizens. see the speedy uptake of And the latest, LASRRA ICT in governance. A re- (Lagos State Residents markable development Registration Agency), is concerning the entire ini- from Lagos State. For tiative was the hiring of weeks now, jingles have about 400 graduates by been runthe Edo ning in the ICT Direcelectronic The nation is torate, unmedia urgstill waiting derscoring resiing the dents of the for the Naelastic cational Identity burgeoning pacity of metropolis ICT to to register.

Management tackle unBy way of Commission employinformament. tion, the for the oneI recall Lagos State stop card at the ocResidents casion Registrawhich Nigerithat Govtion Agency ans can use in Bill was ernor Oshiomhole passed and the global said that signed into marketplace “ we lack law on the the data 27th of that we require to plan for June 2011, and according citizens of Edo State as a to information on its porwhole and for specific tal, the data “collected and segments such as women, collated by the Agency children, students, people with the residency card iswith disabilities or specif- sued would provide for a ic occupational groups.” reliable method of authen“From today, we would ticating and identifying commence a process of residents. It will likewise enrolment of citizens and avail the e_services facilthe issuance of ID Cards. ities provided by the The smart card to be is- State.” sued meets international That’s where we are. standards in terms of the Given the trend, it is not wide variety of informa- unlikely that other states tion it contains. The smart will follow with registracard contains a wide tion programmes of their range of information that own. It is unlikely that the can be used across sever- 36 states and FCT can do al transactions and for sev- that in the next 10 years eral purposes. Indeed, we given the peculiarities of are the first state in the our operating clime. But federation to develop a cit- if they do, NIMC’s job izens’ ID card with will be harmonization of these sophisticated fea- the databases to produce tures. a national one. Since that “The ID Card Project is is far-fetched at the modesigned to interface with ment, Barrister Chris our e-tax solutions, which Onyemenam’s NIMC has have been adopted to im- the challenge of deliverprove tax administration.” ing the National ID Card Oshiomhole said more within the shortest possiat that occasion. Three ble time thence. This is years from that event, the because, as they say, “Afnation is still waiting for rica is in a haste, Nigeria the National Identity is in a hurry.”

Management Commis-

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C M Y K

espite its merger and takeover talks that made world headlines recently, the Canadian phone maker, BlackBerry did not give up in re-inventing new devices in the mobile phone ecosystem just as it introduced into the market, BlackBerry 9720 smart phone.

Built for communications centric experience, the new product was designed for a premium look and available in a variety of vibrant colors, and parked packed with all favorite social apps available in the mobile phone ecosystem.

Unveiling the product recently, Robert Bose, Regional Managing Director for EMEA at BlackBerry said: “We are very pleased to bring the BlackBerry 9720 to customers in Nigeria, which delivers all the essentials of the BlackBerry smartphone experience.

Updated BlackBerry 7 OS According to him, the product comes with an updated BlackBerry 7 OS, offering a great keyboard and dedicated button for BBM to help you live a communications centric lifestyle.

The new BlackBerry 9720 smartphone comes with BlackBerry 7 OS version 7.1, which features an updated interface that lets you swipe to unlock the phone or access the camera from

BlackBerry tickles mobile phone ecosystem with 9720 series the lock screen, as well as additional enhancements.

“This really is an ideal smartphone for customers looking to upgrade from a feature phone or entry-level Android or Windows Phone device, as well as for existing BlackBerry smartphone customers looking for an upgrade in style and performance.” he explained.

Keyboard The BlackBerry 9720 smartphone, he further explained features a spacious BlackBerry Keyboard with distinct keys for optimal typing, a 2.8” touchscreen and trackpad for easy navigation, offers generous battery life, and numerous enhancements including: BBM The new BlackBerry 9720 smartphone features a dedicated BBM key that makes it quick and convenient to access the globally popular mobile social network, and with its BlackBerry Keyboard, messaging your BBM friends is easy and

,

accurate.

It also includes BBM Voice, which lets you chat over Wi-Fi for free.* The latest version of BBM, which features BBM Channels, will also soon be available for download on the BlackBerry World storefront, letting you tune in and connect with the businesses, brands, celebrities and groups you are passionate about.

Built-in FM Radio For music lovers, BlackBerry 9720 smartphone is the ideal one as you can listen to local FM stations, and automatically let your BBM friends know what sta-

tion you’re currently listening to.

Multicast to make yourself heard in an Instant.

For one thing, the refreshed BlackBerry 7 OS lets you quickly type your message once and post it simultaneously and instantly to your friends on BBM, Twitter and Facebook. You can even snap a picture and post it to multiple social networks all at the same time, right from the camera app.

Discover new possibilities With access to BlackBerry 7 apps and games on BlackBerry World, the BlackBerry 9720 smartphone can make you more productive and better informed, and keep you well connected and thoroughly entertained, while on the move.

Smart for business With BlackBerry Enterprise Server or BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, the BlackBerry 9720 smartphone offers superior business productivity features.

With EMEKA AGINAM

Celltick partners Akede media for mobile solution in Nigeria

BY EMEKA AGINAM

C

elltick, a global leader in mobile initiated commerce, Monday announced its partnership with Akede media, a leading mobile marketer and advertiser in Nigeria to provide mobile solutions for operators.

Going by the agreement, Akede media will work to promote celltick’s solutions to operators in the fast growing Nigerian market which is over 110M subscribers.

Celltick’s livescreen platform is designed to provide operators, marketers and advertisers the ability to offer intuitive interactive experiences across all devices from the home screen of the device.

The platform intelligently targets services based on a user ’s location and context. Celltick’s active ecosystem addresses the lockscreen on Android devices providing consumers with the opportunity to personalize their device with their most frequently used apps, contacts and

PRESENTATION : From left: Omoware Ajoke of Fate Foundation, Richard Edet, Managing Director, SAP West Africa and Afinni Eniola also of Fate Foundation at the presentation of desktop computers by SAP West Africa to Fate Foundation during SAP’s Walkathon at the weekend. messages for easy ‘We are very happy to partner with cellticks to bring to market their proven solutions in Nigeria, Yemi Dada, Director and CEO of Akede media, said, adding that ‘as more and more consumers turn to mobile devices, it will be necessary for operators and marketers to create unique value propositions to build

their brands, while fostering long-term relationships with users. We look forward to working with Akede media to provide these benefits for the Nigerian market.’

With this partnership, cellticks continues to expand its reach in the African market. In 2012, cellticks powered billions of mobile initiated commerce transactions

for virtual and physical goods serving more than 140million active consumers across 25 countries.

Akede media is opening the mobile market in Nigeria to a new experience and is adding value to the entire mobile ecosystem from consumers and operators to advertisers and content providers.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—27

Vconnect harps on success factors for SMEs growth Continues from Page 25

Why Nigeria must acquire space, innovative technologies

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

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MINENT scholars and technology experts, who converged at the NigcomSat auditorium during the official launching of the book, “ Why Run Before Learning to Walk”, written by Professor Turner Isoun and Miriam Isoun last week in Abuja, challenged Nigeria to embark on acquisition of space and innovative technologies for global competitiveness.

Their argument was that if Nigeria is to protect its interests in global equity and peace, it must be in a position to contribute fully to international discussions about the future management and exploitation of space.

The book focuses on science and technology innovation, STI, could generate millions of jobs and offer solutions to a myriad of national problems.

Professor Turner Isoun said he was optimistic that STI will enable the Nigerian public, especially the youth access to jobs and solutions.

The book specifically cites examples of jobs already created by the STI revolution in the telecommunications sector with its multiplier effects, saying that the adoption of STI in the country will take the revolution to the next level in many critical development sectors.

For them, Nigeria’s quest to attain sustainable development must be anchored on deliberate policies, systems and conditions.

The 620 page book chronicles Nigeria’s science and technology strides during Isoun’s tenure as Minister of Science and Technology between October 2000 and May 2007, top of which was Nigeria’s launch of its first satellite.

It will be recalled that as a result of the roadmap he charted for the country ’s science and technology sector, the nation has been able to launch three earth observation and two communication satellites, a feat said to have been achieved by Nigeria in the whole of Africa.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Nimi Briggs and Vice Chancellor of University of Portharcourt said that the impact of industrial

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revolution and current global realities revealed that knowledge, based essentially on science, technology and innovation, STI and not crude mineral resources, had become the key driving force for national development and called on readers of the book to commit their reflection to building the nation and the transformation on STI. For this to happen, he said that Nigeria must acquire versatile technologies that will deliver multiple and diverse products and services that are owned and implemented by Nigeria.

Key among these are: space, information, and communication technol-

ogy, biotechnology, energy technology and climate change adaptation technologies.

According to him, the inability of successive administrations in the country to achieve development and decent quality of life for Nigerian through different paradigms impelled the country to rethink her strategy.

He further advocated the application of technology to biological systems, reputed to be the next major global growth axis after the current ICT revolution, as it can lead to increase in food security and sustainable forestry practices.

He noted that Nigeria had made some advanc-

es in acquiring and domesticating a number of high technologies for the country’s development and also put in place some of the needed policies, systems and conditions that should enable theses technologies to serve the needs of the people without necessarily grinding through the obsolete systems.

While calling for a nationals commitment to education in science and technology as well as pertinent research to support industrialization, the UNIPORT Vice Chancellor advocated for mastering of cutting edge science and technology concepts and tools that can lead people to innovate and also apply their knowledge to appropriate technologies, insisting that the beneficial multiply effects of high technology that is owned and properly managed, far outweighs the cost.

ever challenging business environment , according to him is visibility via priority listing and display advert banners “Merely listing business is not just enough..

Say you open new Salon, you don’t expect customers to start coming without any efforts from you. You will do basic things such as printing call cards, fliers and word of mouth marketing.

“Similarly for online business directories; it does not just end at business listing. millions of people make different searches everyday; so wouldn’t you want your business to appear tops if someone searches for a salon in your area?

That is called priority listing.

Winners emerge in NX300 Guerrilla photo challenge

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GLO PROMO WINNERS IN ENUGU: Winners of N25,000 in the ongoing Glo “Recharge to Stardom” promo, Magnus Duruigbo, a trader, Oliver Ndubiusi, a carpenter and Prince Favor, a fashion designer, collecting their cheques from the Enugu state Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Nnaemeka Chukwuone during the prize presentation ceremony held in Enugu recently.

hree lucky winners of the Samsung NX300 Guerrilla Photo Challenge, a photographic competition designed for amateur and professional photographers who told the “Lagos Story ” with their camera lens have emerged Joseph Olayinka Elliot emerged the first prize winner with his entry, a panoramic capture of the National Theatre, Lagos.

He received a Samsung NX300 Camera while Mbiedabasi Ekpo Etim, winner of the second prize received Sam-

Etisalat picks winners in Geek Force internship contest

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

T

HE search for the top five Etisalat Geek Force Interns came to an end recently with Muyiwa Iyowu, Victor Alayande, Onyemaechi Okafor, Peter Ndirpaya and Valentine Ubalua emerging as winners of the competition. After six weeks of intense trainings and tasks set up to test their individual knowledge, speed and responsiveness, these tech-savvy youths proved their mettle by beating other contestants to qualify for the one year paid internship with Etisalat Nigeria.

According to the company, the Etisalat Geek Force Internship was designed to recruit innovative and technologically inclined individuals that will be trained in the

core areas of innovation and customer service.

The search began with a call for entries via a 23minute youtube video upload and Tumbrl page voting. The Top 20 videos selected out of thousands received were further reviewed by a panel of judges with 10 finalists emerging for the competition.

The race to the top five intensified week after week with the would-be Geek Force interns trying to outdo each other on various tasks assigned to them.

They were trained by top Etisalat staff as well as professionals in various fields in areas such as product and service deployment, customer care, developing unique marketing propositions, and sales.

Speaking on the outcome of the contest, Director, Retail Sales, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Charles Ogunwuyi, expressed satisfaction at the level of determination, knowledge and demonstration of skills exhibited by all the contestants, saying that the five Etisalat Geek Interns will live up to expectations.

“The contestants were drilled in core areas of the business from technology-related issues, customer care to brand communication, and were tested to ascertain their level of comprehension and execution. We went through the rigors of mental, physical and emotional training to ensure we maximise their potentials with the aim of churning out a solid work force,” he said.

One of the contestants,

“A business gets priority listing on VConnect website when they enjoy premium visibility. They appear tops when any search is done in their category of business.

Hence people find them easily and they enjoy huge footfall and traffic” he explained.

SMEs, according to him should promote their businesses via display advert to create better online visibility, thereby generating more prospects.

Targeted SMS Explaining how targeted SMS will not only reach the right people, he said that there is high chance of getting new ones too.

“Organisations think that by sending bulk SMSs, a business will get lot of customers.

Okon Etim, who got eliminated in the last week of the competition said that although he was sad to leave, the experience was nonetheless exciting and enriching as he learnt and acquired skills set that will be useful to him in future. The programme, he said, has set him on the right path to pursue his career.

The Geek Force Internship contest was designed by Etisalat to offer its customers, particularly the youth, a chance to join the Etisalat workforce as interns for one year training on mobile application development. The contest is part of Etisalat’s commitment not just to provide products and services to its customers, but to also avail them a platform of career opportunities in

sung NX1000 Camera and Ademola Ajayi who clinched the third place, got WB250 Camera as prize.

Recall that the online call for entry in the Samsung NX300 Guerrilla Photo Challenge opened in June 8, 2013 and climaxed with online voting which started Tuesday, 6th August and closed on Friday, 16th August, 2013. Joseph Olayinka Elliot garnered 1,404, Mbiedabasi Ekpo Etim received 1,250 votes and Ademola Ajayi came third in the voting exercise.

Speaking at the prize presentation held at SEWA office in Lagos Emmanouil Revmatas, Director, Hand Held Devices, Samsung Electronics West Africa, who spoke at the presentation ceremony held in Lagos recently said that Samsung NX300 Guerrilla Photo Challenge was an initiative designed to jazz up creative-photographic lifestyle of photographers in Nigeria.

“Samsung NX300 Guerrilla Photo Challenge received overwhelming response from both amateur and professional photographers during the competition which is a demonstration of Samsung NX300 brand love due to its super-fast ability to capture life’s most fleeting moments as well as share them instantaneously”, he explained.

Meanwhile, over 300 contestants had submitted their best shots for the Samsung NX300 Guerrilla Photo Challenge

28—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—29

Nigeria edges closer to strict legislation on cyber security Main One talks Wholesale communications at Capacity Africa

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

O

NE of Nigeria’s frontline Cable companies, Main One, is billed to join over 460 decision-makers from 130 different carriers and service providers representing 50 different countries across the continent, to discuss the future of wholesale communications in Africa at the annual “Capacity Africa” event holding at the Hyatt Regency, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Next week.

Speaking ahead of the event, which is now in

its seventh year, Main One’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Folu Aderibigbe, said that the conference would provide vital perspectives on strategies that will enhance broadband penetration in Africa, and the continent’s role in global telecom development: “Main One has led the broadband penetration revolution in West Africa with the development of quality broadband products, at competitive prices. We believe that this remains the fulcrum of the drive to increase broadband access in Ni-

geria, and indeed all of West Africa. Our annual sponsorship of the Capacity Africa conferences contributes greatly to birthing innovative strategies and investment initiatives that will accelerate the growth of broadband across the developing countries of Africa.”

The Capacity Africa 2013 will also provide an avenue for Main One to showcase its growing portfolio of connectivity solutions to potential partners from different parts of the world. The two-day

conference will feature keynote interviews, presentations, roundtable and panel discussions as well as extensive opportunities for networking.

*Funke Opeke

Continues fromPage 25 from collapse as many world economies have nosedived due to activities of cyber criminals.

Meanwhile, experience has shown that besides massive investments required in systems, software, hardware and skilled personnel to bring this to fruition, not much of positive result would be recorded without robust cyber security laws that would also respect privacy.

Governance goes automated Another evidence the government was relying upon to have the National Assembly surely do the needful,is the increasing successes of the public sector in handling finance functions, leveraging on ICT. In many areas that government has introduced digital budgetary and financial management system, there are evidences of transparency.

For instance, it was recently made public that over N34 bn was recovered from illegal accounts in just 60 percent of Federal Budget executions that were allowed to apply the recently introduced Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) package. GIFMIS is an automated account platform that manages budget execution process and helps identify and address sources of leakage.

Customs deploy e-service portal Also, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, recently introduced the single window e-services portal which provides a one -stop shop where its rules and regulations are easily accessible. The NCS said that besides helping to enhance ease of compliance for businessmen and women who operate within its area of jurisdiction, the portal will also enable a more effective and efficient allocation of resources.

IPPS flush ghost workers In the same vein, in some of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies where the recently introduced Integrated Personnel & Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a biometric-based systems, has been deployed, reports are that federal government has recouped approximately N119 bn that were hitherto wasted even as about 46,000 “ghost workers” were also discovered.

This has given FG, the confidence to promise that all MDAs must be captured by the payment system by year end. e-Wallet saves farmers The Federal Ministry of Agriculture &Natural Resources (FMARD) also stands out in the automation of governance, with its recent roll-out of E-wallet program under its Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme. The Wallet is meant to allow subsidies on seeds and fertilizer to be received directly by the intended end-users.

This cuts out the middle men and speculators who previously lived off this transaction.

Sources close to the ministry said that over N25bn on conservative estimate, was saved by this implementation in 2012 alone.

CT ministry flaunts portal To appreciate all the efforts, perhaps, the Communications Technology Ministry itself, had launched a portal, www.services.gov.ng., which provides a single window through which existing e-government services such as drivers’ licence, passport issuance, visa procurement for non-nationals and a limited number of new online services from the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health as well as Industry, Trade & Investment can be accessed.

Over time, several individuals, advocacy groups and associations in the Information and Communications Technology industry have condemned the country’s porous cyber space and the impunity with which telecom facilities are vandalized without commensurate punishment or action. prominent groups like the Nigerian Cyber Security Group, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators in Nigeria, ALTON and its affiliate group, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, as well as ICT media advocacy group, The Joint Action Committee for ICT Awareness and Development, JACITAD, have at one time or the other challenged the government to automate its activities and see reasons to provide adequate legal backing to the country’s burgeoning technology developments.

30 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Beauty and the bleach in deadly romance

By SOLA OGUNDIPE

‘Y

OU dey bleach O, you dey bleach, yellow fever.

You dey bleach O, you dey bleach, yellow fever…” This was the way the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti expressed his own reservation about African women, particularly Nigerian women, who indulge in the controversial habit of skin bleaching.Fanta face, CocaCola body”, is one derogatory expression often used to describe the habitual skin bleaching individual. Today, maintaining lighter skin tone has more or less become the norm for the average Nigerian woman. From Lagos to Maiduguri and Sokoto to Port Harcourt, the story is the same.

There are so many instances of popular and respected women (and men too) from all walks of life who indulge in the habit of bleaching their skin in order to get a fair complexion.

The incontrovertible fact is that in Nigeria, people use skin bleach products a lot.

Recently, the World Health Organisation, WHO, declared that 77 percent of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products - the world’s highest percentage. It was a daunting report. But it may not be a surprising outcome considering that the quest for fair skin is an

My complexion is what you can describe as middle-tone, not really dark and not really light, but I do not mind being light-skinned, not because it is better, but as a matter of choice

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obsession within the black race that dates far back in time just as the history of society placing a high premium on lighter skin tone is as old as the hills.

It is not uncommon for a man to brag about his wife’s beautiful fair complexion or for a woman to make claims of being “beautiful” based on her light-coloured skin. Almost communally, there seems to be an unwritten agreement that a woman with lighter skin is the epitome of beauty. At times like this when there is something captivating, arousing and exotic about being fair skinned, the expression “black beauty” seems almost inappropriate and obsolete.

Worried by the heightening dangers and abuse of skin lighteners in Africa, a task team on the Prevention and Education on Skin Lightening Abuse C M Y K

in Africa, recently called for sustained public advocacy programmes on the dangers of using skin-bleaching cosmetics. Rising from the 4th African Ethnic Skin and Hair in Nairobi, Kenya, the team tasked African government agents to take appropriate steps to restrict access to bleaching products containing harmful components such as hydroquinone, mercury, phenol, resorcinol, and all forms of corticosteroids.

In a statement, a member of the team, Dr. Frances Ajose of the Dermatology Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Lagos, described skin bleaching as a major challenge to all dermatologists in Africa and deserves

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urgent political action due to the devastating consequences of skin cancer, ochronosis, fungal infections, acne, and striae.

Governments were urged to implement strict measures to remove all known skin-bleaching cosmetics from over-thecounter shelves in addition to educating the youth about the dangers of skin lighteners while heavy penalties were recommended to be imposed on companies that continue to manufacture the implicated products and advertorials promising fair skin as a symbol of beauty and use of fairskinned models to promote cosmetics that target the black market should be restricted or at least discouraged. On July 4, 2013, Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., the Japanese cosmetics colossus and one of

Asia’s largest manufacturers of skin lightening products, announced a massive recall of its products that were designed to lighten skin tone but, instead, caused a blotchy complexion.

Concern about this incident becomes paramount when it is considered that the bulk of skin bleaching creams on sale in Nigeria are smuggled into the country from Asia. Yet regulatory agencies tasked with regulation and controls of these products appear helpless to redress the situation.

At open stalls in Ikeja, Oshodi, Ojuelegba, Yaba, Idumota and Obalende all in Lagos, the market for bleaching creams booms. Popular skin toning products such as Top Gel, Skin Clear, Skin Light, Skin White, Crusader, Tura, etc., are selling like hot cakes.

Even lesser known but cheaper brands are up for grabs. Unlike Caucasians and other Westerners who have an affinity for tanned skin, Nigerian women, and to a much lesser extent, men, are perpetually on the hunt for the best skin bleaching products.

Indeed, the quest for a milky while complexion is an obsession.

Why do people bleach their skin? VF went to town to seek random responses from people on the streets of Lagos. Responses varied; however, what stood out was the perception that almost every person that bleaches the skin does so because they want to look attractive and well-groomed.

Blessing, an unmarried 27year-old banker, uses skin toning creams to give her skin a lighter tone and brighter complexion. “Life is about choices and I have chosen to become light skinned. My complexion is what you can describe as middle-tone, not really dark and not really light, but I do not mind being light-

skinned, not because it is better, but as a matter of choice,” she argued.

Kemi, a 41-year-old mother of three, has been using one particular brand of skin bleaching product for over a decade.

“I don’t know about others, but I’m naturally fair-skinned as you can see, I only use the creams once or twice a week to remove unsightly skin discolourations such as age spots, melasma, and things like that from my face, arms and legs. That is not bleaching is it? I do not bleach, please,” she noted with a laugh.

Feyi who suffered acne problem as a teenager feels justified. The acne left her face full of small brown spots which she hates with a passion. The saving grace is a skin toning product that hides the blemishes by making them lighter.

Now she feels a lot more comfortable among others. Toyin was planning to get married when she began “toning” her skin. “In the world of matrimony, there are demands.

I did not have any particular skin issue, but I desired a smooth and good complexion.

I needed to look my best. Any

girl looking out for a bridegroom wants to be attractive. A good skin toning cream gave me what I wanted, so what’s the big deal?”

Vera’s story is no different.

Even as a middle-aged mother of three who works hard for a living, her dream is to remain desirable as a mother and wife, and yet be as eye-catching as she can get on the professional front. Vera bleaches her skin, and has no problem with the result. Her excuse for this indulgence is that it effectively hides the tell-tale wrinkles and fine lines of ageing.

However, the reality is that relatively safe skin bleaching agents are hard to come by.

Dermatologists say using a skin bleaching treatment or cream makes the skin much more sensitive to the sun and sun exposure, raising the risk of skin cancers and other adverse reactions. While most skin bleaching agents can effectively reduce the appearance of all types of skin discolorations, not all skin bleaching or skin toning creams are the same.

A survey by VF showed that skin bleaches can be obtained in all price ranges – from the

Continues on page 31

Public awareness is key — Dr. Paul Orhii , NAFDAC DG

By CHIOMA OBINNA

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ONCERNING regulation of bleaching products in Nigeria, the Director – General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhiii said that the Agency has actually banned certain bleaching products and presently, many of them

have not received approval from NAFDAC. “Before we approve, there must be certain levels of hydroquinone in some of the creams. I think it should be about 0.2 percent. We have a certain level of the bleaching material and once it exceeds the limit, we do not allow it in because we believe that becomes injurious to the skin,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 31

Beauty and the bleach in deadly romance Continues from page 30

•Ernest Madu, Henry Mere & Don Ogu

Renewing the offensive against sleep disorder G

ETTING a world class healthcare system is a tall order for many Nigerians. And this has made many to patronise countries like India, SouthAfrica, United States, amongst others, for quality services. Travelling outside the country for healthcare does not come cheap as several researches have shown that the super rich spend fortunes for treatment overseas.

It is evident that the healthcare system in Nigeria has not been able to cater for millions. This has led to a situation where some who could afford it travel outside the shores of this country to get things done.

The good news is that two Nigerian United States-based physicians and a medical equipments expert, Don Ogu, Ernest Madu and Henry Mere, have decided to put together SleepMedix, a diagnostics centre to treat sleep disorders. The Centre also offers a wide range of services which include complete diagnostics and special pharmacy services.

State of the art diagnostics VanguardFeatures gathered that SleepMedix is the first ultra-modern, fully equipped state-of-the-art diagnostics and treatment center for sleep disorders in Nigeria.

Conducting VF round the facility in Lagos, the duo, alongside Professor of Medicine, Ernest Madu, said: “The mission of SleepMedix is to increase public awareness of sleep disorders and provide comprehensive high quality care in the field of sleep medicine in Nigeria.

We also strive to provide the best diagnostic testing and consumer access to specialty drugs that are not readily available in the market and we focus on patient outcomes and deliver the highest quality care possible”.

Continuing, they said: “We offer educational services to allied health professionals as well as ongoing lecture series for our patients and the community at large. Both of these services are completely free of charge and you can be sure that we will not merely treat the symptoms, but will always strive to optimise therapy and improve quality of

may alter your test results and your life”.

Expatiating further on sleep study, physician and the technician should they maintained that sleep disorder if be aware of what you take prior to the unchecked can lead to other life threat- test. Bring a list of all your medicaening conditions.“A Sleep Study or tions with you for review by the facilPolysomnogram is used to help diag- ity.’’

What to expect during and after a nose sleep disorders. Sleep studies generally take place in a sleep lab during a Sleep Test Procedure: Also explaining person’s normal sleeping hours and the procedure of Sleep Study, Ogu sleep test uses various instruments to said: ‘’Most sleep test last throughout gather information about a person’s sleep the night and a patient should prepare stages, body position and physiological to shower and go to work the next conditions such as brain wave activity, morning from the testing facility if eye movement, muscle movement and needed.

Once you arrive at the testing facility possibly even the electrical activity of the heart. This data is then evaluated by the you will be asked to change into your pyjamas and remove any jewellery or physician,” they noted.

They further explained that “Obstruc- clothing that may interfere with the tive Sleep Apnea, OSA, which is the test. The test technician will then attach most common type of sleep disorder, is small metal discs or electrodes to your a potentially life-threatening condition head and body for the EEG, ECG, that requires immediate medical atten- EOG, and EMG equipment cables.

The test technician will also attach an tion”. “ The risk of undiagnosed OSA in- oxygen measuring device to a finger cludes heart attack, impoMost sleep test last throughout the night tence, irreguand a patient should prepare to shower lar heartbeat, high blood and go to work the next morning from the pressure, testing facility if needed heart disease and inter-personal relationship problems. Early treatment can prevent cessation in breathing tip and your face to measure the oxyduring sleep, help patients stay awake gen level in the blood vessels and air throughout the day, increase energy, flow while breathing respectively.’’

Accordingly, he said: ‘’ The temperalower blood pressure, control snoring and even avoid premature death,” they ture of the room may need to be maintained at a certain level but blankets clarified.

They gave this piece of advice. ’’Ask can be adjusted as needed. Lights will your doctor if the Sleep Test will require be turned off and monitoring will begin an overnight stay. Most do and if so make before you fall asleep. For multiple sure you pack a bag with your pyjamas, sleep latency testing, MSLT, short nap pillow, and hygiene products like a periods will be assigned at intervals. toothbrush. If you have kept a sleep For multiple wake testing MWT, you journal make sure to bring it to your test. will be asked to try and stay awake for Try to reduce the amount of caffeine or certain periods of time. When the study sugar you consumer the day prior to your has been completed, the electrodes and other devices will be removed. Once Sleep Test.

Try to avoid excessive sleeping, naps, the procedure is complete, you will be the day before your test. Avoid tobacco, able to change and leave the facility. alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants a Your sleep study results will be studied few days prior to the test in that they and the results should be ready in two may affect the results of your test. Avoid to three business days.

“Most people in Nigeria do not ususkin oils and lubricants prior to the test ally invest in their health, instead they in that they may inhibit the test electrodes invest in stocks, land, houses and busifrom sticking to your skin. Discuss all medications or herbal supplements you nesses, but not often in their own are taking prior to the test. Some of these health”.

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BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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dirt cheap to the exorbitant.

Most skin lighteners promise lighter skin tone, contain approved skin-lightening agents and claim effectiveness at “preventing blemishes.

However, several less expensive skin bleach products often contain harsh or, what could even be considered dangerous, chemicals, notably hydroquinone and mercury.

These are chemicals universally banned from being used in skin lightening products because of their often disastrous side effects such as allergic reaction, “greying” of the skin, and actual skin darkening - the opposite goal of the cream. But shady companies continue their use illegally.

Toxic heavy metals A dermatologist confirmed to VF that these toxic compounds have been indicted the the incidences of cancers of the skin, blood, liver and kidneys.

“Hydroquinone in particular lightens the skin by eroding the melanin-making cells called melanocytes in the skin.

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal which use in skin products is banned internationally. However, mercury-based creams remain popular as the “default” skin bleaching agents.

Some creams contain lethal amounts of mercury that result in mercury poisoning.

Most skin toning brands that do not contain hydroquinone and mercury cost a bit more, but are much safer and more effective in the long run.

Cheaper brands are often less safe because they lack a strong sun block even tough they make bogus claims of fast and permanent results.

Further investigations reveal that high-end bleaching creams come packaged in high quality airless dispensers or glass jars with tight-sealing caps. Some brands even include storage pouches to protect the product from exposure to sunlight that can degrade its effectiveness. It was gathered that the most preferred skin lighteners are the ones that can be quickly and discreetly applied without any sticky residue or unpleasant odour.

In some circles, it is argued that skin bleaching creams, if used appropriately, enhance natural beauty – eliminating or reducing blemishes which reduce confidence.

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34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

PLAY-OFF: Do not underrate Ethiopia, Law 2014 WORLD CUP Amiesimaka warn Eagles QUALIFIERS

By Solomon Nwoke

E

x-Internationals, Adokiye Amiesimaka and Garba Lawal have charged the Super Eagles not to lose focus in the final stage of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier which pitched Nigeria against Ethiopia.

Reacting to the draws released Monday, the ex- Eagles wingers shared the same opinions that Eagles should not underrate the Ethiopians as they could be a clog in the wheel of their (Eagles) to Brazil. They advised that Eagles should be professional and aim to win the twolegged encounter.

Said Lawal in a telephone chat Monday night, “Eagles should be focussed. There are no push-overs in African soccer anymore. Countries like Ethiopia, you never can tell, can be spoilers, they can be difficult playing with.

So we have to remain focussed, not underrating them because they too, want ton be at the World Cup.We saw what countries like Cape Verde did at the Afcon 2013 in South Africa and inn the World Cup qualifier before they were disqualified by FIFA, Ethiopia was also a hard nut crack even though we beat them 2-0 on our way winning the African trophy The Eagles players have to give their 150 percent performance while the coaching crew have to take their responsibility and select the best, if they can remain committed and focussed, I don’t think Ethiopia can stop Nigeria from going to Brazil for the World Cup” In his submission, Barrister, Amiesimaka said, “Eagles should play purposefully to accumulate as many goals as possible.

“The Eagles should approach the game with all the seriousness they can muster. In fact, their target should be to annihilate Ethiopia. That will be the best approach.

They have to adopt the attitude of the new Brazilian team, not losing concentration or focus and winning their matches”.

Amiesimaka, a former team manager of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, urged the Eagles not to make the mistake of underrating the Ethiopians, because there were no more minnows in African football.

He said the present Eagles team have the potential to qualify for the Mundial and urged them to continue the fine run they started early this year, when they won the Africa Cup of Nations in January in South Africa.

Amiesimaka, however, urged the team to thread carefully, because any result was possible in football.

“In football, you do not underrate any team. Surprises are possible, though I do not see that in this game. I am confident our team has the professional attitude to carry the day,’’ he added.

Caption Ethiopia’s Alula Girma (left) tackles Nigeria’s Ikechukwu Uche during their Africa Cup of Nations ma Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg.

Ibenegbu to win for baby The baby girl was delivered on Friday. eartland attacking midfielder, The Naze Millionaires will host struggling 3SC Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has promised to in today’s Glo Premier League Matchday 32 duel dedicate his side’s anticipated win against at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

3SC to his newly-born child, Chimamanda. Ibenegbu said though his side are sympathetic to the plight of the Oluyole Warriors he insisted 3SC will not get any reprieve as his teammates owe him an emphatic victory to dedicate to his bundle of joy.

“3SC are like a wounded lion fighting for survival but they won’t get it in Owerri. We won the first fixture in Ibadan and will surely pick another win in Owerri.

“We need the three points more than them as we’re positioning ourselves to grab a continental ticket.

“Continental ticket is still achievable with seven matches to end the season. We only need to win our available four home matches and strive for points in the three away games.

“More so I’ve already pleaded with my colleagues to win the match for me as I intend to *Ibenegbu dedicate the victory to my newly-born baby girl named Chimamanda.

H

Startimes unveils new

sports channels A

s part of its efforts to give its subscribers variety, Startimes yesterday added two new sports channels to its stable.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, NTA Star TV Network Limited, Joshua Wang said it is imperative for the organization to satisfy the yearnings of its over 1.5million subscribers, adding that the new sports channels as well as others were created to expand the channels in its stable.

The NBA TV, Wang said is exclusive to Startimes and it is a dedicated channel that shows the best of live basketball matches.

“The NBA TV is exclusive to only Startimes as basketball lovers can enjoy over 200 matches from the 2013/2014 season, while WNBA is also not excluded from what NBA TV has to offer,” he said.

Wang added: “Setanta action is another addition from the sentata family. You can enjoy live and delayed events featuring extreme sports, kick boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts and boxing, while others are action series and magazine shows.”

He however, said Startimes has been launched in 16 states across the country, while there are plans to move to 15 states before the end of the year.

Being the biggest paid TV in Nigeria, Wang said the organization would switch to digital from analogy by January 1, 2015.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 35

wal,

Chelsea v Basle: Celtic star Lustig: We can

Mata desperate for action

defy the odds and grab the points at Milan M

J

*Mata

uan Mata is desperate for some Champions League action as Chelsea look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season by beating Basel today.

Everton forward Steven Naismith scored in first-half injury time on Saturday to tear up Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten record since he returned to Stamford Bridge.

Mata has endured a difficult start to the season under Mourinho, starting just two games despite being named player of the season for the previous two campaigns.

Indeed the 25-year-old playmaker, who has recently been dropped from the Spain squad, is yet to finish a game for the Blues this season and has been an unused substitute on three occasions.

Part of the reason behind Mata’s absence has been because of a niggling thigh injury he suffered at the Confederations Cup, but he is now fit and ready to help Chelsea begin their quest to win their third European trophy in as many years.

“I can confirm that I’m feeling good after the muscular problems I’ve been suffering since preseason,” the Chelsea midfielder wrote on his personal blog.

Messi predicts tough game against Ajax

atch at the Royal

L

ionel Messi concedes Barcelona face a tough task progressing from Group H

ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener with Ajax.

Today’s game at the Camp Nou pits together two of European football’s most successful teams as both clubs have won the tournament – whether in its current format or previously as the European Cup – a total of four times apiece.

Lining up along with Barca and Ajax in arguably the toughest group in this season’s competition are seven-time European champions Milan and Celtic, winners in 1966-67.

Given the Spanish champion’s pedigree in the Champions League, victorious in 2006, 2009 and 2011 and semi-finalists in the past two seasons, Gerardo Martino’s men will be expected to qualify for the knockout stages, but Messi - who has scored 59 goals in the tournament - feels it is far from a guarantee.

“It’s a difficult group, but we knew that would be the case.

It’s very difficult to win the Champions League – it’s already hard from the start,” he told UEFA.com.

“I think the groups are very even, very balanced, so there will be some great games. We hope to play at our best level to be able to qualify.

“There are top-class, historic teams in our group – big names.

Teams that we’ve faced before, so we know them a bit. Maybe not so with Ajax, but we’ve watched them. It’s an exciting group.”

Barcelona will be without Jordi Alba for their opening game after he picked up a hamstring injury in 3-2 win over Sevilla on Saturday, while Carles Puyol (knee), and Ibrahim Afellay (thigh) are unavailable.

*Balotelli

IKAEL LUSTIG is adamant Celtic can once again defy the odds in Europe and achieve a positive result against Italian giants AC Milan as well as keep Mario Balotelli quiet tonight. Neil Lennon’s side, who overcame a two goal deficit to defeat Shakhter Karagandy in their Champions League play-off last month, travel to the San Siro for their opening Group H match.

Despite a group which also contains Barcelona and Ajax, Lustig feels he and his teammates are more than capable of achieving a positive outcome.

“Of course we are going to be there to play some good football,” he told Sky Sports.

“But we’re not going to be happy to go there and play some decent football and go back home to Glasgow with zero points.

“We will go there and of course we want to take if possible three points if possible but maybe one point.”

Lustig is aware of the threat that Milan pose having already come up against star striker Balotelli in his career.

The Swedish international was in his nation’s under-21 side that lost 2-1 to Italy in the European Championships in 2009, in which Balotelli netted.

TODAY’S CHAMPIONS Chelsea v v AC Milan A/ Madrid v Barcelona v Marseille v Austria Vienna v Napoli v Schalke v

*Lustig

LEAGUE MATCHES Basel 7:45pm Celtic 7:45pm Zenit 7:45pm Ajax 7:45pm Arsenal 7:45pm FC Porto 7:45pm B/Dortmund 7:45pm S/Bucuresti 7:45pm

Ajax should not fear Barcelona, says Moisander

T

*Messi

he Finland international feels the Amsterdam giants face an impossible task if they show their opponents too much respect Niklas Moisander has insisted that Ajax must try and play their own game against Barcelona in today’s Champions League encounter at Camp Nou. The Eredivisie champions start their European campaign with an away game against the Spanish giants and the Finland star feels they don’t stand a chance if they travel to Spain with fear on their mind.

“We shouldn’t show Barcelona too much respect and must try and get a good result,” he told De Telegraaf. “We cannot afford to be afraid of them, because you will definitely lose if you show fear.”The Finland international then went on to stress that Ajax must improve on their performance against PEC Zwolle at the weekend if they are to stand a chance against Barca. “If we allow Barcelona as much space as we allowed Zwolle, Lionel Messi will have 10 one-on-ones with our goalkeeper.

“If we defend at Camp Nou like we did against Zwolle, every chance will be a goal.” Today’s match will be the first time Ajax and Barcelona meet in an official game.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

VANGUARD BOOK SERIALS YESTERDAY.....

YESTERDAY you read of Alabi-Isama's recruits into the Army who were yesterday's boys that are now today's big men, as in David mark becoming Senate President, Ogbeha and Afakirya as senators after being state governors, and others. You also read of Biafra's military blunders as in Alabi-Isama wondering what Biafra attacked the Mid-West for as he thought there were better military objectives. READ ON.

O

,

N Monday 11 th March 1968, Adekunle ordered that he would like to see my plan for the advance to PH in 48 hours. He gave me all the maps needed for the plan.

They were the 1965 colonial map of Eastern Nigeria; and that the debate was scheduled for 0900hours on 14th March 1968 in his office rather than at his house.

Adekunle worked anywhere, even in his toilet, his work papers and map and reference books; pencils, crayons, erasers, blades, reams of papers and packets of cigarettes were everywhere. I felt that If there was any war anywhere in the world in which Adekunle would fight, he could count on me. Right or wrong I would be there with this man, I thought.

I have been deputy to many commanders all my military life – from Major Hoyle, a British officer in 1961/62, to Major Wakeman, another British officer in 1962/63, Company commander at 4th Battalion at Ibadan in 1963/64 with Lt Col. Abogo Largema, tactics instructor at NMTC (Nigeria Military Training College) at Kaduna in1965, with Lt Col. Ogbugo Kalu, deputy to Major Igboba in 1967 at 4th Area Command at Benin City, deputy to Adekunle 1968/69 at 3MCDO, deputy to Col Oluleye in 1971/72 at Ibadan 2Division, deputy to Obasanjo at 3MCDO and I was deputy to Danjuma in 1976/ 77. Each one of them went on leave but never me. In my entire military career from 1960 to 1977, I went on leave only once in 1966, just before Major Nzeogwu’s coup. I know these people very well and how their minds work; but there was none like Adekunle. He has presence of mind, and more so today that he has also learnt the lessons of life.

Debating the Port Harcourt attack

ON the morning of Thursday March 14 th , 1968, the debate started and of course, Adekunle had made his own plans.

My plan was different from his, and out of the way. Fair enough, he was ready to listen. He was not convinced at first, but as I continued, he sat up and got more interested in my points. Akinrinade, who was based at Bonny Island had given him all the intelligence reports of the area, and since he (Akinrinade) was on the ground, his facts and figures were correct. His maps were more accurate than mine and so was his appreciation of the situation from his point of view of being based at Bonny Island.

The war proper: 3MCDO's 30-day march on Port Harcourt discussed how the troops would be paid their allowances while their full salaries were to be paid to their families back home as allotments. Even little details like change of socks, supply of raincoats and “housewives” did not escape attention.

“Housewives” in the army means needle and thread; should we have torn shorts or shirts or lost buttons.

Adekunle was still not fully convinced. He ordered that my final plan be discussed the next day as early as 7am. I was ready. Adekunle had given me 10 maps for my plan since Monday 11th March. I had always briefed him on one map.

This time I came with all the maps fully prepared with crayons in different colours. I was more in-

plans. Then I asked if he needed more time and he said yes. I was happy about that, as I needed more time myself to put some finishing touches to my plan as well; especially that he had started to see my plan as feasible.

However, I also understood his points about using Bonny Island as the base from where to launch the attack on PortHarcourt.

How can anyone, especially a military person want to believe that a 300

zEvery inch of the way, during the planning stages, Col. Adekunle followed Lt. Col. Alabi-Isama’s explanations until he was convinced and gave approval. From left, Aliyu, Adekunle, Shande, and Alabi Isama on the map.

50 miles vs 300 miles

Adekunle‘s counter-option was to capture PH through Bonny Island which was only 50 miles away. My plan was to capture PH from Calabar, a distance of 300 miles which was termed the biblical Israelites journey.

Well, the debate continued; and the more I explained the strategy rather than the tactics, the more Adekunle was convinced to accept my plan.

However, he had some reservations, naturally, as to how the plan would work.

For example, he came up with questions about the food supply for about 40,000 men and women advancing over 300 miles.

That took a whole day to debate. I had thought of everything including the terrain, inclement weather, the rivers overflowing their banks at that time of the year; with particular reference to the crossing of the Opobo river which was the biggest, longest, and widest in the area. We

zCol. Adekunle (sitting) with his unit commanders shortly before the 30day march from Calabar to Port Harcourt began. From left, Arinye, Adagboyi, Alabi Isama and Kunle Elegbede.

I have been deputy to many commanders all my military life – from Major Hoyle, a British officer in 1961/62 to Danjuma in 1976/77, but there was none like Adekunle terested in discussing the strategy. Although I was also convinced that the 50 mile approach from Bonny Island could succeed, I presented the pros and cons of both options.

This meeting was at his house and at 1300hrs; we had to break for lunch. We resumed our discussions at 1500hrs. Adekunle had not had his lunch, but why?

He was going through our discussions and the pros and cons of the two

,

mile journey across mangrove and swampy forest would be preferred to one of 50 miles, especially when we were not on picnic or sight-seeing exercise, but were pursuing the same objective and the same aim? It was a tough sell – I knew, more so because time was of the essence, especially when we needed to achieve all these in just 30 days.

Instead of attacking Port Harcourt town, with all troops getting lost inside

the town, each brigade had its objectives. Shande was to hold blocking position at Obigbo. Eromobor would capture and defend Port Harcourt Airport for Adekunle’s flight to land at 1400 hours, on18th May, 1968.

One of his Battalions was to hold the Airport, while another Battalion was to take Igrita and hold it. Ola Oni would take Chokocho and hold it.

Yemi Alabi, former deputy to Akinrinade was then commanding 15th Bde of Akinrinade and 19th Bde of Boro when Boro died.

He was ordered to take Elele and Ahoada and hold both locations. Ayo Ariyo, Akinrinade and myself were to advance from the airport with the commander for eight kilometres towards Elele, Thereafter, Ayo Ariyo would hold Port Harcourt.

His responsibilities included the telephone company, water-works, radio, ECN (Electric Corporation of Nigeria), wharf, and Port Harcourt Airport. All sectors were to expect massive counterattack thereafter. RV for commanders would be at the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt with Adekunle, the commander, at 1600hours, 18th May 1968, with the exception of the following officers: Ayo Ariyo, Eromobor, Shande and Aliyu, who were holding strategic positions.

How Boro, Fashola were killed

We lost one officer from the main body, Captain Fashola at Bori Ogoni.

Captain Fashola was to arrange for security for the meeting of the main body commanders, after crossing Opobo River. He was also to arrange for breakfast. The meeting at Bori was attended by Lt Col Ayo Ariyo, Eromobor, Abubakar, Aliyu, and I. Just as we were seated for breakfast, there were some exchanges of shots fired between our troops and Biafran troops close to the conference centre.

Fashola asked for, and obtained permission to see what was happening out there. In a few seconds, he was hit by a stray bullet and only his dead body was brought

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—37

VANGUARD BOOK SERIALS

zAbove: Swimming and boat training exercises — we trained divers and canoe paddlers. It was an incredible beehive of activities. The training fascinated Col. Adekunle

Fall of Port Harcourt and the death of Isaac Adaka Boro ÍÍÍ back. The breakfast was his last; may he rest in peace. Amen.

Our casualties so far were eight soldiers wounded and two dead, which occurred during the landing at Oron beach head; there were no officer casualties, either wounded or dead, before Fashola. We all had stories to tell. Then I organized a drinks party to toast our success so far. We then reorganized and regrouped the sectors into brigades for the final push into Port Harcourt. We issued ammunition mainly, and everyone was given his new objectives and tasks.

There were no questions as morale was sky high; and while I had it in my mind, that the Biafrans must have lured us into Port Harcourt as a killing ground, my fears were wrong. Akinrinade and Boro were to be in reserve, with their two brigades, having had a rough time with Biafran troops at Onne just a few days before.

The main body would take Port Harcourt not later than 1200 hours, on Saturday 18th May, 1968.

Everyone got back to his station and reported “Battle Ready,” except Isaac Adaka Boro. On his way back from the meeting of “O Group” at Aletu Eleme, Boro was shot by one Biafran soldier who was hiding in an empty house by Okrika water side. The Biafran had only one rifle and only one round of ammunition. As Isaac Boro opened the door to look at what was in there, the man fired and right on the spot Boro was dead.

We were all shocked and annoyed.

Everybody just went to their units and ordered immediate advance, which they did all night.

That was why Port Harcourt was captured by 0600hours on Saturday 18th May 1968, instead of the scheduled 1200hours.

Little did we know that the drinks party we had was a send-off party for Isaac Adaka Boro. May his soul rest in peace.

Amen.

PH captured!

Adekunle arrived war front from Lagos

In Port Harcourt, since Biafran troops were routed, pursuit as occurred in Oron, Uyo and Opobo would not be necessary beyond Igrita, Elele, and Chokocho; as we were then frontally facing the Ibo heartland. We must, however, hold all grounds. We must have aggressive, offensive and defensive tactics by daily patrols with the aim of holding no man’s land but not beyond Ahoada, Igrita, Elele, and Chokocho axis, as assigned; no opportunity targets whatsoever; POWs were to be taken for interrogation. All to regroup for next advance shortly, but not before 1400hours, May 25th,

1968, and the organogram and tactics must change away from our, Calabar/ Port Harcourt mangrove and marshy land advance, tactics and strategy. By 1400hours on 25th May, all commanders reported all situations correct, holding their positions and digging in.

Adekunle in Port Harcourt

Adekunle landed in grand style with the world press, and inspected a Guard of Honour. The Air Force flew in with Capt Gbadamosi King, Dan Ato and some Egyptian fighter pilots, who flew their jets into Port Harcourt as part of the arranged Guard of Honour for the Commander. In seconds, the Russian MiG fighters went into action, strafing and bombing Igrita, Owerri and Ahoada. The commander, who came in a civilian flight with the world press went straight into the attack for the mopup of the airport area. It was a beautiful day, the troops were very proud, and morale was high. It was a day of joy indeed; we were all proud to be Marine Commandos. Lt Col Ayo Ariyo came and hugged me and said “Congratulations” many times, and so did all the officers. I had to brave it, as I was close to tears.

People trooped out as our troops marched past down town Port Harcourt, with three jet fighters roaring past in arrow head formation. I heard some of the troops saying proudly that the commander, Adekunle, had arrived.

The Navy was not left behind, as they too with their two frigates came up from Bonny and started a rapid rate of fire as the Air Force gave a wonderful show and display of our air power. The civilians had never seen anything like it before. In fact, most had never seen a jet fighter before. I looked at Akinrinade’s face, he had tears running down his cheeks; he did not know until I asked: “Jimmy, (that is the name we call each other) are you alright? You are crying!” He did not know that tears were running down his cheeks, as he was still looking up at the Air Force display. It was tears of joy. It was then that we hugged, held hands, and went to the RV at the Presidential Hotel.

In the meantime, Obigbo was already blocked by Shande. The main body of 3MCDO troops led by Lt Col Ayo Ariyo, advanced into Port Harcourt.

We all knew that there will be no fighting inside the city; there will be no street-to-street or houseto-house fighting inside

At Aletu Eleme, Boro was shot by one Biafran soldier who was hiding in an empty house by Okrika water side. The Biafran had only one rifle and only one round of ammunition. As Isaac Boro opened the door to look at what was in there, the man fired and right on the spot Boro was dead

,

zMajor Isaac Adaka Boro

Port Harcourt either. The encirclement would be complete when all troops are in position at Ahoada, Igrita, Elele, Chokocho, and of course Shande was already in his blocking position at Obigbo.

Meanwhile, some Biafran troops that neither died nor drowned at Okrika, but were trapped facing Onne finally escaped, but they did not know that Aba road was blocked.

They ran into Shande’s fire at Elelenwa junction; the casualties were heavy with dead bodies all over the place. Artillery was pounding all day and all night. It was the final battle for Port Harcourt, and there was no kidding.

After three days of resistance, Biafran defences capitulated. Their troops fled. The mop up was completed by morning of D+31=18th May 1968 when we had secured Port Harcourt and were within the 6-10 kilometers security zone around Port Harcourt Airport as planned. My heart and soul moved with joy.

I had promised to be worthy of my Commander’s trust and we made it. We went into the RV at the Presidential Hotel for the meeting with our GOC (General Officer Commanding) 3MCDO Division Col Benjamin

zThe Biafran soldier that killed Isaac Boro Adekunle. It was a party indeed, rather than a meeting. We all had so much to talk about, and we had time. The party went on all day and all night, every officer came in turn to congratulate me, Adekunle himself shouted the nick name he called me several times, “Kokoro” we shook hands and hugged; troops waved proudly, and shouted with joy.

Emotional upheavals in 3MCDO The end had justified the means; we had captured our objective and the aim of establishing the Rivers State Government on the ground with its HQ at Port Harcourt was also achieved. Akinrinade had cleared all the towns in the riverine areas of River State of Biafrans‘ presence. Papa GrahamDouglas, who later became the chief judge of Rivers State was brought back to Port Harcourt, as were Saro-Wiwa, Napo

Douglas, the musician Rex Lawson and Mr. FineCountry. Many more were brought out from their hiding places to Port Harcourt to start the new government of the Rivers State. Within days, SaroWiwa had started a civil defence organization for the defence of the towns and to ensure that Biafrans did not infiltrate Port Harcourt, and the riverine areas. That was helpful indeed, and I went to see

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38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

VANGUARD BOOK SERIALS

ÍÍÍ

,

some of his organizations on the ground. A joint patrol with our Military Police was set up at places. All hands were on deck, as people came out in hundreds to volunteer for one job or the other.

Saro-Wiwa went to Bonny Island with two lady scouts, but their boat capsized and the two ladies drowned, while he swam back to Port Harcourt the same night.

What had happened was that, while Adekunle went back to Lagos on Tuesday 21st May, 1968 with the World Press, he granted interview to the press and he was asked that, having done so well with his Marine Commando Division that had almost captured everywhere; and having liberated two states (the South Eastern State and Rivers State) where next would be his target? Adekunle‘s answer was that he would capture and give Owerri, Aba and Umuahia (OAU) as Independence Day, October 1st 1968 celebration gift to General Gowon and the people of Nigeria. That was how he ended the first meeting with his officers who advanced, fought, got shot, carried dead and dying comrades, had no food, drank blood-reddened water, had cold, dysentery, malaria and blisters on their feet on the way to Port Harcourt.

The meeting lasted only 15 minutes! The commander, Adekunle, then informed us that we would all hear from him shortly; and that we should all get back to our offices and stations. The shock was total. What a day that was!

In the presence of all the officers, I was almost in tears when I turned to Adekunle and said, “These officers and men have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave us to do, and I pray that God in His mercy will reward you and us accordingly.”

I was thinking of the words in the Holy Book, John 17v4.

Just as we were all so downcast from Adekunle’s bombshell, Kunle Elegbede reported from Calabar that Biafrans had broken through Ikot Okpora, captured it and were heading to Odukpani about 30 miles or so north of Calabar, the seat of the new government of the South Eastern State. The counter plan for that was for Lt. Col Obeya with 18Bde at Itu to counter attack while the battalion with Capt Ekpo at Ugep

would attack from the rear of the Biafran forces in a double envelopment. The usual thing was that, all the staff officers – including Alabi Isama and Akinrinade — would rush to such a place and get the job done, but in this case, nobody budged. Adekunle then called me for the last time as his Chief of Staff to brief Lt Col Godwin Ally who had just been transferred to 3MCDO and to hand over to him, and that I was transferred to 3 sector at Uyo with 12Bde, 13Bde, and 18Bde under my command stretching from Imo River to the west to Calabar River to the east. The reorganization had started.

How Shande died

WHILE other officers were waiting for their postings, Akinrinade remained as GSO1 (General Staff Officer) at 3MCDO HQ at Port Harcourt, and Lt Col Philemon Shande was ordered to attack Aba within seven days; so, after studying

Lt. Col. Philemon Shande, 17 Bde Comd, 3MCDO. If Adekunle had listened, this officer might not have died when he did.

zMap of OOAU Plan

OAU, Shande's death and the unravelling of 3MCDO Shande said that Adekunle called him a coward and he told him that he was not a coward and went for the attack. Only an hour or so after talking to me on radio, he continued with the attack and was shot dead, with an enemy bullet straight to his forehead through his steel helmet

,

his map and the conditions of his troops, he gave his shopping list to the commander, and requested to discuss the details with him. When Adekunle was not listening, he requested to discuss with Akinrinade and I at my new HQ at Uyo. He arrived at about 6pm; Akinrinade had arrived earlier at about 4pm. He did not tell me what the meeting was about as we spoke on the operational radio.

When Akinrinade arrived, he then briefed me on what was happening at the 3MCDO HQ and Shande’s orders to attack Aba. We discussed all night even without dinner. He did not have causalities during the advance to Port Harcourt, but many of his troops like the others were hospitalized for dysentery, cholera and malaria, not gunshot

wounds. In this map, 3MCDO positions as held at Ahoada, Igrita, and Ikot-Ineme before the OAU plan were about 100 miles equidistant. It would definitely be difficult to defend the whole area after capture, as we would then be in the core Ibo land, and every inch of the land must be occupied, or there would be many infiltrators between our positions. Adekunle did not see it that way, unfortunately.

All the same, Shande’s men of 17 Bde were battle-ready but definitely not enough for the attack into core Ibo heartland and also not enough to hold it; with Owerri to his left and Umuahia to the right.

I therefore opted to advance for 5 miles to help with his right flank on Azumini River to enable him to enter Aba without

having to bother about his right flank. All these were coordinated; he then went back to Port Harcourt to discuss his shopping list with Adekunle. Well, Adekunle told him that he could do it, and capture Aba with the troops he had. When Shande continued to complain and his arguments became louder, Adekunle called him a coward. Shande then sent me a note that Adekunle called him a coward and that he would go ahead and attack and will not need 13 Bde at his right flank anymore as had been planned. The note was sent to Uyo at my HQ but I was at Azumini with my troops preparing to support his advance into Aba as I had promised to advance to Aba on his right flank as soon as he would let me have the details of his attack plan; so, I did not receive the note.

Shande just took his troops and advanced, capturing Aba on September 4th 1968; and did not coordinate with me anymore. I broke his radio silence and called him, he asked if I received his note to me which he sent to Uyo, “Negative” I said.

Then he said that Adekunle called him a

coward and he told him that he was not a coward and went for the attack.

Just, only an hour or so after talking to me on the radio, he continued with the attack and was shot dead, with an enemy bullet straight to his forehead through his steel helmet and into his head. He was killed instantly.

3MCDO went into flames. Lt. Col. Philemon Shande was Tiv from Benue, and more than fifty per cent of our men were from Benue; but it was only then we realized that. Most of them had monitored his complaints and his command and control situation on the radio. There were protests

everywhere; Lt. Col. Godwin Ally, the new Chief of Staff (from Ogoja) and Lt Col Obeya (from Benue) had to go round the units to talk to Benue troops. 3MCDO was in trouble and it took over two weeks to settle the situation. His troops of 17 Bde withdrew to Obigbo where they started from. Most of his troops from Benue deserted and so did the Benue troops from most of the other units. Shande was our friend and classmate of Akinrinade and I. We mourned him deeply and kept away from Adekunle as much as we could.

Then, as was usual whenever the Division was in trouble somewhere, Akinrinade and I would be sought out to solve the problem, but that was when we were the staff officers at the 3MCDO HQ.

TOMORROW.....

IN the next take of this serial, read of how two soldiers who were jolly friends, then wearing the same rank — Lt Cols Akinrinade and AlabiIsama cheated death and subsequently parted ways with the GOC of 3 MCDO, Col Benjamin Adekunle.

Eventually, Adekunle was relieved of his command, and Col Olusegun Obasan- jo took over as 3MCDO commander....

The Tragedy of Victory is available in bookstores nationwide, and online at amazon.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 39

40— Vanguard ,

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 18 , 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 41

42— Vanguard ,

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, SEPTEMBER 18 , 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—43

Searching for fortune or misfortune in foreign lands

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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EPORTS show that Nigeria has witnessed a terrific rise in the level of youth migration in the last few years. This has been precipitated by a desire to either run away from the overwhelming challenges of insecurity, joblessness, lack of adequate social amenities and quality education, etc, or to make money through international trade.

It is impressive to note, however, that a large number of Nigerian nationals have gained identities today by reason of migration, while many others became worse off than they were prior to their trip abroad due to several bitter encounters.

It is, however, regrettable that few travel to countries where they are most likely to adjust quickly while a good number of the population that make such trip, do so to countries where they hardly find shelter or meaningful jobs due to lack of adequate

information prior to embarking on such travel.

In conceptualizing the incessant quest behind Nigerian youth migration to different countries across the globe, Consular Advisory gathered the views of individuals resident in those countries on the rate at which Nigerians travel out of the country in search of what they term greener pastures.

Electronic gadgets Renowned chartered accountant and importer, Mr. Eze Ejiofor, who is also a frequent traveller to China and dealer on electronic gadgets, said “A large number of Nigerian citizens, especially the Igbos troop to China in thousands almost on a weekly basis to engage in several demeaning jobs. On each of my visit to China, I often had to condole with the fact that home is still the best, because some of these Nigerians who parade Chinese markets as agents,

may have lost their identities and have no hope of returning to Nigeria. A lot of them sold all they had to travel to China with high hopes, but unfortunately have turned notorious, in the mist of lack.

“I know that Nigeria has serious challenges, it is still better than many other countries across the globe and I feel it is most unbecoming for Nigerians to run away from their responsibilities to countries where they are viewed only as nonentities. In fact, the conditions of these Nigerians in China are worse than what it should have been, even in a worse situation here in Nigeria.”

Eze on his part, lamented the inability of the Nigeria government to resolve several economic and political disagreements, which have contributed to continued unrest in the country today, stressing that, Nigeria government should be urged among other remedial measures, to ensure

Map of Nigeria

that the youths are not provided the platform on which they would make excuses to migrate.

Another speaker Carol told Consular Advisory that she was embittered with the Nigerian government over its inability to provide the necessary infrastructure needed to keep the youths within their home country.

She, however, noted that the needed infrastructure will assist in curtailing the alarming number of Nigerian youths who migrate to various countries abroad. She said, “These youths capitalize on the fact that the Nigerian government has failed to provide them with jobs after graduating from different

universities across the country, to cross over to countries in search of better prospects.

“I condemn activities of our corrupt leaders, who have selfishly diverted funds allotted to development of infrastructures, which has made it impossible to empower youths to solve their own problems through empowering them to create enterprises, find jobs and voice in the future of Nigeria.

In as much as the Nigeria government has a part to play in chasing our youths to grow other countries economies, the youths also, should realise that all that glitters is not gold and endeavor to desist from migration syndrome.”

44—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Youths' leader commended

Oil firm's largesse causes crisis in Edo

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YOUTH leader and indigene of Ibusa, Delta State, Chief Austine Ndinwa, has been commended for his numerous contributions to the development of youths in the area.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in the area, a community leader, Onowu Ajufo, described Ndinwa as an illustrious son of the community, whose immense contributions to Ibusa and other neighbouring communities had made an impact in the overall development of the people, especially the youths.

Ajufo cited the recent Youths Sports Tournament sponsored by Ndinwa, adding that it gave many youths of the area hope.

Transition

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R. Julius Ilo, alias Oje na Nwanyo, 64, is dead. Ilo was a retired staff of NITEL. He is survived by his widow, Chizoba, and four children.

Vigil is tomorrow. Lying in state is on Friday by 6am, followed by burial service at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Umuowahia, Nawfija, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, and interment.

Condolence visits are on Saturday.

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM ENIN—THERE is tension in Okomu community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, after three buildings were razed by armed men, suspected to be ex-militants, who attacked some community leaders over youth empowerment materials donated to the community by Okomu Oil Palm Company operating in the area.

Community members fled their homes to neighbouring communities following sporadic gun shots fired by the armed men.

One of the community leaders, Mr. Rickson Nanagha, who spoke to Vanguard from his hiding place, said that the suspected ex-militants stormed his house on Monday morning, demanding for the skill acquisition materials donated to the community by Okomu Oil Palm Company.

He said that his house, that of the Headmaster of Okomu Primary School and other buildings, were set ablaze when they found out he had escaped.

Nanagha said: “These boys started this problem in 2011, when we asked them to disarm and accept amnesty. They came to my house then and started fighting me, asking why they must disarm.

“Luckily for me, I got over that incident but they were not happy with some of us because we insisted that they must drop their arms.

“Just last week, Okomu Oil

Palm Company gave our people bursary and skill acquisition materials. I was directed to give the materials to the community, which I did.

“But they came to my house

on Monday morning, demanding for the materials. I escaped from the community and went to report the matter to the police and the Army.

“When they heard that I re-

ported the matter, they set my house and that of others ablaze.

“They used machete on some community members and people have fled. They have taken over the entire community.”

Nigerians 'll hold Atiku, 6 northern govs responsible if...—Urhobo youths

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—URHOBO youths, under the aegis Urhobo National Youth Council, UNYC, have said that former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, and the six Northern governors opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan, would be held responsible if there was a breakup of the country.

Speaking with newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State, yesterday, National President of the group, Mr. Monday Oyeghe

urged Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF “to call these set of persons to order because a fight against President Jonathan is a fight against the people of the South-South region, whose resources are the economic mainstay of the country.

“Some people boasted that they will make the country ungovernable for the President and since then, there has been the insurgency of the Boko Haram Islamist sect, which led to the killing of innocent citizens and destruc-

tion of property.

“Now that Mr. President is winning the war against terrorism, others have come up with another ploy to divert his attention from the transformation agenda.

“We urge Mr. President to stand firm in his fight against corruption and ensure that all those found to be corrupt are arrested and brought to book.

“We assure Jonathan of our support in his 2015 re-election aspiration, which the constitution of this country guarantees and nobody can stop him.”

Delta to fire under-performing revenue consultants tive. “there would be no need keepBY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—CHAIRMAN, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR, Mr. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has said the state government would sack revenue consultants performing below expectations in the march to sustain the Delta Beyond Oil initia-

He disclosed this at a meeting with heads of government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, in Effurun.

He said that information available to the Board indicates that some of the consultants were under-performing, adding that the purpose of engaging them was to improve revenue collection in the state and that if the aim was defeated,

ing such a consultant.”

He said: “The intention of appointing a consultant is to improve our revenue status and if that environment is not improved, there is no need to keep them.

“The intention of government in appointing the consultant is to improve the collection of DBIR, so we have a stake in it.”

2015: NDD, DCI back Olojeme for Delta guber

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Niger Delta rights group, Niger Delta Democrats, NDD, has pitched tent with a a political pressure group, Delta for Change Initiative, DCI, to support Dr. Ngozi

Olojeme in her ambition to govern Delta State in 2015.

NDD, in a statement by its National President, Ozumo Furo and Secretary, Ken Agbegha, said that their sup-

port was borne out of the fact that Mrs Olojeme has the political and administrative acumen to transform and take Delta State to another level of development.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

According to NDD, in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, Delta North should have the governorship seat in 2015 as Central and South have produced governors.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Education Minister's sack

HE is not the President to approve funds, but just an adviser to coordinate.

What can she do when she has not been given the opportunity to dialogue with the so-called ASUU? Good job Hajia and best wishes at Bayero University.— Mr. Olakunle Johnson, Worker.

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NYBODY that wants to condemn this woman should think twice. She was only an adviser with no ultimate power of her own. She did her best for the sector but for bad eggs in the administration. Ma, I wish you success in your future endeavours.— Mr. Sarumi Adams, Worker.

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heard the minister said that she will return to the university.

Nonsense! Which university? The ones on strike? The issues between the Federal Government and ASUU still lingers and she is talking about going back to school?— Mr. Polycarp Didam, Businessman.

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HE tried her best to resolve the Federal Government/ASUU crisis. The only problem in this issue is the socalled Minister of Finance and the likes. The required funds were not released to Hajia. We need God's intervention in this crisis.— Mr. Olayanju Misterdude, Student.

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S she going back to lecture ghosts? Is she not aware that all state and Federal universities are on strike? Maybe Bayero University has been converted to a private university. Please, wake up and face reality.

Aluta continua.— Mr. Ugochukwu Nwachukwu, Engineer.

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ER sack was not for non-performance, but political.

Could you please ask your President why he refused to settle ASUU? The excuse that we do not have the money to settle ASUU is rubbish, when they are busy mismanaging our economy.— Mr. Dele Abiola, Student.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—45

UN marks International Peace Day

Group drums support for Obielum's guber ambition

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BY DAPO AKINREFON

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group, Delta Progressive Movement, DPM, in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, has resolved to support Chief Godwill Obielum to contest governorship position of the state, saying that he would be a blessing to the state.

At a meeting in Umuagu quarters, Asaba, leaders of the group said that it was a “thing of joy that politics in the state has got to a stage where the people are speaking with one voice concerning who should govern them at the expiration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration in 2015.”

Chief Obidi Amagwulu, chairman of the group said “for once, we are speaking with one voice in Delta State that we want Chief Obielum to be our next governor. We know Chief Obielum to be a hardworking man, experienced and he does not hold grudges rather, he is a progressive man, who believes in a united and progressive state."

274 Edo pilgrims depart for Hajj

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

INSPECTION— Dr. Christy Atako, acting MD/CEO, NDDC (2nd right); Mr Henry Okhuarobo, Edo State NDDC representative (left); Mr. Akenwa Alexander, Edo State NDDC Director (middle) during inspection of road project built by NDDC at Eso-oheze-Evboehighae in Edo State.

Bye-election: Delta Central APC leaders defend adoption of Keyamo

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—LEADERS of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta Central senatorial district, Delta State, yesterday, faulted the National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Tom Ikimi, who challenged the adoption of Olorogun Festus Keyamo, as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming senatorial byeelection.

The leaders, among them, Chief Victor Sota, former ACN chieftain in Ethiope East; Igubor Johnson, former ANPP, Okpe; Andrew

“We see nothing wrong in giving our support to one aspirant over another. We are not saying this is the final outcome of party primaries or selection process, but an internal political choice.”

They said that the choice of who emerges as APC candidate in the district was strictly a Delta Central affair, adding “we, as leaders of the party that gave birth to APC are major stakeholders in this zone and do not expect imposition from any other zone."

Don't truncate Jonathan's 2015 ambition, ex-militants tell Northern leaders

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ENIN CITY—TWO hundred and seventy four Muslim pilgrims from Edo State, will today, depart for the Holy lands of Mecca and Medina for the 2013 Islamic pilgrimage tin Saudi Arabia.

Chairman of the state Pilgrims Welfare Board and Eghiegbai of Ekperi, HRH Dekhe Kanoba made this disclosure, yesterday, during a send-forth organised for them by Governor Adams Oshiomhole at Government House, Benin City.

According to the royal father, who assured the governor that the state pilgrims will do the state proud in the Holy Land by shunning evil devices. He said the pilgrims are made up of 142 males and 132 females.

Governor Oshiomhole commended the Muslim community for their contributions to the peace, security and development of the state. He urged the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the state.

Agoyo, former CPC chair, Ughelli South and others, in a resolution, insisted that their choice of Keyamo was “unequivocal.”

Chief Ikimi had refuted the purported adoption of Keyamo

by APC, saying “For the avoidance of doubt and the benefit of Nigerians, the said reports and publications are neither true nor authorised.

They should, therefore, be disregarded completely.”

However, APC stakeholders in Delta Central maintained,

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—LEADERS of Amnesty Phase II, yesterday, warned Northern leaders to desist from their attempt to truncate the 2015 re-election quest of President Goodluck Jonathan in the interest of peace in the country.

Briefing newsmen on the resolution of the phase II amnesty

leaders, after their meeting in Ughelli, Delta State, National Vice President of the group, ‘General’ Collins Arigo reiterated that the president has the right to contest for a second term as provided for in the constitution of the country.

Commending President Jonathan for the giant steps he had taken in the implementation of his

transformational agenda, they urged the Northern leaders to join hands with the president to take the country to the next level.

They also applauded the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, for his effective management of the amnesty programme.

Customs arrests suspect with fake documents

BY UDEME CLEMENT HE Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oyo/Osun Command has arrested a suspect with fake Customs documents for smuggled vehicles. This came on the heel of recent interception of 56,750 rounds of live ammunition in the state.

Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, who paraded the suspect before newsmen in Ibadan, explained that the arrest was made

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possible through the intelligence network of his officers.

He said: ‘It is important for people to know that the current system of operations in Customs is intelligence driven, which makes it easier for us to detect crime in various places.

Investigation is ongoing and we must ensure thorough findings to uncover the syndicate that specialises in forging Customs

documents. This would help in reducing incidence of smuggling of imported vehicles and other forms of economic sabotage."

Richard added, "aside from other strategies mapped out to curb smuggling in the state, we have positioned competent officers at the borders to check influx of offensive items, especially ammunition into the country."

S the United Nations celebrates its 30th Anniversary of International Peace Day, the International Friends of Peace will host a public forum titled: “The Power of Peace” on Saturday, September 21, 2013, in Lagos.

The organisers said "the forum serves as an avenue for remarkable thinkers and doers to inspire people to the highest value of peace. As we see the rapid deterioration of the world around us through corruption, violence, diseases, poverty war terrorism, disillusionment and hopelessness, we feel there is a need to find a better way."

The event will be hosted by Mark Eddo, World Africa Business Reporter, with five diverse speakers, which include Founder of Nehemiah Youth Empowerment Initiative, Mr Tonye Cole, Director of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and representative to the United Nations, Geneva, Sister Jayanti, renowned international cardiologist, Dr Yemi Johnson, Consul General of Italy, Stefano De Leo and renowned Islamic scholar, Imam AbdurRahman Olanrewaju Ahmed.

Former special adviser lauds Oshiomhole

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HE former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Public Affairs, Mr. Henry Okpamen has lauded the governor on his developmental strides and feat in the provision of roads and other social amenities to boost the economy of the state since he assumed office.

Addressing newsmen, Okpamen said that Governor Oshiomhole, was determined to make life better for the people of the state, stressing that the governor has been able to do a lot in the state because of his administrative qualities.

Okpamen described the alleged rumour that the Oshiomhole-led administration was tampering with allocations meant for the local governments in the state as untrue and baseless.

He commended the governor on his effort to move the state to greater height by his developmental strides and people oriented policy, which have benefitted the people of Edo State.

46—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Traditional ruler advises Ukwa/Ngwa politicians on 2015

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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BA—A prominent traditional ruler in Abia State, Eze Love Wogu has advised the Ukwa/ Ngwa political class not to allow the 2015 governorship tussle break the agelong bond between the Ngwa and Ukwa people.

Eze Wogu, who is the chairman of Aba North Traditional Rulers Council, spoke on the heels of the raging issue of where power could be shifted in 2015, saying Ngwa people had been working as one with their Ukwa brothers.

Speaking to journalists in his Palace in Aba, Wogu admonished politicians from the Ukwa/Ngwa (Old Aba Division) to work in harmony.

He maintained that Ngwa people were one, irrespective of the local government or senatorial zone they belonged.

Wogu, who commended Governor Theodore Orji for his consistent promise to cede power to Ukwa/ Ngwa people in 2015, however, reminded the governor that “a promise is a debt.”

Mrs Anna Obinna for burial

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RS. Anna Iheakara Obinna, 72, of Umugota, Oritshieze in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State is dead, aged 72.

She died on August 11, after a brief illness.

A statement by Mr. Magnus Obinna, said her remains will be laid to rest on September 21, at her residence after a funeral service at the Redeemed Apostolic Church, Umugota.

She is survived by five children and other relations, 10 grand children and three daughter inlaws, including, Mrs Chioma Obinna of Vanguard newspapers.

Late Anna Obinna

Police nab 4 over alleged impersonation of ABON’s official

BY EVELYN USMAN

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BUJA—FOUR persons have been been arrested by policemen at the Federal Capital Territory for impersonating officials of Association of Bureau de Change Operators of Nigeria.

The suspects identified simply as Osuagwu,Balogun, Bashir and Agidi were reportedly arrested, following several complaints issued against them by the First Information Report.

The suspects, according to the FIR, are alleged to have made forged letter head of the association which they reportedly used to write letters to some financial institutions in the country. “ They have used that means to defraud innocent Nigerians.”

In the letter head, Osuagwu who acts as the association’s chairman, board of trustees, manipulated the appointment of Bashir as chairman of the caretaker committee of the association.

One of the suspects connived with a staff of the association to steal vital documents from the association’s secretariat which were kept in the cus-

tody of one of the suspects.

This offense, according to Police, “is tantamount to criminal conspiracy, impersonation, theft,criminal breach of trust,

forgery and using as forged documents contrary to sections 97 (1) 179, 321, 289, 311, 364 and 366 of the penal code as applicable to the FCT.”

CONFERENCE: From left: Mr. Taopheek Babayeju, Programme Director , Project Management Conference, Dr. Lawal Zakari, Director, Monitoring and Planning, National Planning Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Gusau, Chairman, House Committee on ICT and Mr. Tomi Davies, Chairman, Steering Committee Board, PROMACON, during the PROMACON’s 5th annual conference in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Monarch settles rift between MASSOB leader, AIYO founder O

BY OKONKWO EZE

NITSHA—THE tradi tional ruler of Nri Ancient Kingdom, in Anambra State, Igwe Obidiegwu Onyesoh, has at last brokered peace between the leader of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and founder of Association of Igbo Youths, AIYO, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka.

Followers of the duo had been engaged in fratricidal war, which resulted in deaths and injuries.

Igwe Onyesoh who conferred the chieftaincy titles on both personalities, charged them to lead Ndigbo in peace and harmony.

However, barely a year after the duo moved about together and charted Igbo course, misunder-

standing crept in and they parted ways in acrimony.

At a stage, they even used their individual groups to engage each other in a bloody battle.

But during a courtesy call on the monarch in his palace at Nri, Igwe Onyesoh counseled them to sheath their swords and work together in the interest of Ndigbo, adding that they merely had a

case of misunderstanding and communication gap brought about by sychophants.

The monarch, who counseled them in the presence of the leader of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo; leader of Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, Chief Fredrick Fasehun; former Chief Security Officer, CSO, to the late General Sani Abacha, Major

Cleric condemns indecent dressing by women

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—THE Anglican Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Cyril Okorocha, has frowned on the manner women and young girls go about in skimpy dresses.

He also flayed people, in-

cluding government officials, who add women in hospitality arrangement to their guests.

Bishop Okorocha, who spoke at an interactive session with journalists in Owerri, also frowned on violence

NIPP: Property owners raise alarm over non-payment of entltlements

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—THE hope of ac tualizing the National Integrated Power Project, NIPP, in parts of Imo and Abia states, has remained a mirage, following the feelings of property owners allegedly shortchanged by agents of government.

Vanguard investigations revealed that property owners along the right of way between Alaoji, Abia State, and Egbu in Imo State, claimed they had not been given their due.

Hamza Al-Mustapha, and Abacha’s first son, Mohammed, charged them to regard the reconciliation as real and total.

The monarch said he would continue to monitor their relationship from time to time.

In his response, Ezeonwuka commended the monarch for his timely intervention in the misunderstanding.

All the respondents expressed serious reservation that despite their protests to government, including the National Assembly and the professional body of the estate surveyors (names withheld), who allegedly short-changed them, nothing had happened.

“We are suffering untold hardship as a result of the activity of this estate surveyors.

Government is yet to act on our petitions.

“The same is also true of the Nation Assembly and the pro-

fessional body of estate surveyors. We don’t see this person as bigger than any of these establishments”, the people lamented.

They have, therefore, vowed that they would not part with any bit of their property until they received their complete entitlements.

Vanguard equally gathered that the Federal Government valued the property of Mr. Frank Nneji, the boss of Associated Bus Company Plc, at over N200 million but was only paid N90 million.

against women.

He said: “It is sad to note that even government officials programme women as part of the hospitality arrangement for their guests. This denigrates the pride of womanhood.”

He described as “most unacceptable”, the practice of visiting all manner of violence against women.

“When we legislate abortion on demand, it amounts to violence against women. A woman is the matrix of human life. Women should not be treated like a piece of furniture,” the Bishop said.

“Asking a woman to abort her baby on demand is worse than beating her with a stick.

If a woman goes further to destroy or sale her own child, something has definitely gone wrong with her and society.”

Bishop Okorocha said Ndigbo had always had value for life and gave a litany of Igbo names relating to life.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 —47

SEND-FORTH: From left, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, HRH, Dekhe Kanoba, Eghiegbai of Ekperi; Chairman, Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Board, and Mallam Abdul Enabulele, Aminurul Hajj, during the send-forth of Edo Muslim Pilgrims to the Holy Land, at the Government House, Benin City.

REVIEW: Nigerian Navy ship, THUNDER' arrived at Freemantle Harbour, Australia on Sunday, September 15, 2013 on her way to participating in Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review, in Sydney from October 3 – 11, 2013. The ship departed Nigeria on August 8 as the only African participant in the naval review.

FUNERAL: From left, Mr. Albert Talabi, Otunba Olumide Talabi, Mrs. Dupe Talabi, Dr.Tosin Talabi, Mrs. Ukachi Talabi, Mrs. Remi Talabi, Barrister Tope Talabi, and the children, at the CONFERENCE: Governor Godswill Akpabio, receiving 'Dis- funeral of late Madam Comfort Talabi, at All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos. Photo: tinguished Manager of the Year' award from the President Shola Oyelese and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, (Chartered), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, at the 52nd Conference of the Institute, in Uyo

PARLEY: From left, Ms Benedicta Molokwu, member, Board of Directors, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC; Hon. Omolola Abiola-Edewor, Executive Director, Corporate Services, and Mohammed Ahmed, Director, Human Resources, at the NDIC's first female parley with the management, at Muson Centre, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

DEDICATION: From left, Managing Director, Trancit Security Ltd, Mr. Feyi Dinto; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Purpose, Power and Lifestyle Design International, PPLD, Mr. Tunde Makun; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fine-projects Ltd, Mr. Lekan Ogunyemi, and Managing Director, Danidar Ltd, Engr. Niran Daramola, at the official dedication of PPLD, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

HOSTING: Delta State Deputy Governor, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN (2nd right), Professor Sam Oyovwaire (right), Chief Steve Oru, PDP South-South Chairman, and Chief Tom Amioku, Chairman, PDP Delta Central, during the hosting of Urhobo Political leaders, elders, groups and senatorial aspirant, at Prof. Utuama's residence, in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State.

WORKSHOP: From left, the National President, Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union, SOKAPU, Dr. Ephraim Goje with Dr. Zuwahu Bonet, guest speaker, and Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Amb. Nuhu Bajoga, at the SOKAPU seminar and workshop on: 'Peace and Reconciliation - Key to Development,' at the Women's Multipurpose Hall, Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi

EVENT: CEO/MD, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya (left), discussing with Nike Animashaun (right), representing Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Adejoke Adefulire. With them is Mr. Stephen Kola-Balogun, representing the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, at Airtel Nigeria event.

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Three policemen dismissed over alleged killing of Pastor's son

Don advocates better funding of education sector

BY PETER DURU

BY NDAHI MARAMA

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AKURDI —Edu cationist and former Visiting Professor at the National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor David Ker, has advocated better funding of the education sector in the country to check security and economic challenges.

He said some of the security and economic challenges facing the nation was a function of inadequate funding of the education sector.

Ker, who spoke yesterday in an interview with Vanguard in Makurdi, Benue State, said: “It is common knowledge that education is the key to galvanize sustainable growth in every society.

‘Alternative medicine deserves more recognition’

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AGOS—ALTERNA TIVE medicine practitioner in Ogun State, Chief Hammed Musibau, has appealed to the Federal and state governments to give adequate recognition to alternative medicine in the nation’s health care system.

He made the appeal during a press conference at his clinic to mark his 10th year of practice.

“Though they have tried, but what I am suggesting is a situation where traditional medicine would be given its rightful place in the scheme of things, considering that the potency of our medicine has been proved beyond reasonable doubt,” he said.

The traditional healer added that “if government should give recognition to traditional medicine, there will be patronage, not only from Nigerians but also from outside the country and this will contribute to economic development.

“It is because the Chinese government gave recognition to acupuncture that people from other parts of the world are today patronizing Chinese medicine. If government can do the same here, our alternative medicine will go places,” he added.

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NCP CONVENTION—From left: Former civilian Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa; with the National Chairman of the National Conscience Party, NCP, Dr Yunisa Tanko and his deputy, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed at the NCP Kaduna State Convention, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Vigilante youths nab 19 Boko Haram suspects in Borno

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI—FORTY Eight hours after the killing of a vigilante youth by a policeman in Maiduguri, Borno State, members of the state’s Vigilance Youth Group, BVYG, have arrested 19 Boko Haram terror suspects in five villages of Konduga Local Government Area.

The arrest of the suspects last Monday, according to a vigilante youth, Ibrahim Yakub, was made in a three-day “search and hunt” of fleeing Boko Haram sect members at Konduga town and neighbouring villages of the council.

Konduga, which is 40 kilometres East of Maiduguri, the state capital, was where 55 people, including eight policemen and soldiers, were killed in August by the insurgents at a place of worship.

Speaking on the arrest yesterday in Maiduguri, one of the youths, Abubakar Goni Adam, said the 19 terror suspects were pursued to the villages of Konduga and communities bordering Sambisa Games Reserves Forest.

“The fleeing Boko Haram sect members had been hiding in the forests, but with the destruction of their training camps and hideouts by Special Operational Forces of Nigerian Army in June, the sect members fled to towns and villages bordering the forests.

“Our members had to intervene and act in tracking down these people that attack and kill in affected areas of the state.

With the assistance of soldiers and the police, we are able to arrest 19 suspects along with some rifles and ammunition at Konduga at the weekend,” he said.

Vanguard also learned that the arrested suspects were tied with their hands behind their backs before they were transported to Maiduguri and handed to soldiers of 7 Division of Nigerian Army yesterday.

Borno State Police Com-

missioner, Lawal Tanko, also yesterday confirmed the arrests of the terror suspects by the youths.

He said some rifles and ammunition were recovered by youths from the fleeing Boko Haram sect members.

Tanko said: “Our attention now has concentrated on the patrol of these towns and villages on market days; as the gunmen take advantage of market days to launch attacks on innocent people."

AIDUGURI—THE Nigerian Police Force has dismissed three policemen for killing a pastor ’s son in Gwoza, the headquarters of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

State Commissioner of Police Mr. Lawal Tanko, disclosed this, yesterday, in an interview with journalists in Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said: “In line with the Inspector General of Police's transformation agenda and zero tolerance for indiscipline and corruption, they should face the consequence of their action”.

The CP stated that the dismissal of the officers was to serve as deterrent to others, adding that they had already been charged to court.

It could be recalled that the boy was allegedly killed by the police when he beat their dog. They arrested him and allegedly beat him to death.

The commissioner said he was seeking the cooperation of journalists in all efforts to restore peace in the state, stressing that both police and journalists were working for the good of the society.

Tanko said that his doors were openned and called on journalists to always confirm any information before going to press.

RISE IN RIVER BENUE: Govt advises residents to vacate flood-prone areas

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI —WITH the noticeable rise in the water levels of River Benue, the state government has urge those living in flood-prone areas to vacate such areas to avert a looming disaster.

The government further cautioned those putting up structures at the river bank to desist in their own interest.

Benue State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Justin Amase, who sounded the warning while fielding questions from journalists in Makurdi, regretted that “de-

spite repeated warnings, people were still putting up structures by the bank of River Benue.

He said: “Others have also gone back to live in homes that are located very close to the river against the advice of experts and the state government. ”People seem to be taking the predictions of another flooding of parts of the state for granted and have refused to adhere to the several warnings and advise of government of an impending flooding of the state. ”Though the state government has taken steps to mitigate the effect of the flood-

ing of any part of the state the people must also assist the government to check any devastation in the state. ”At the moment, the state government has embarked on the construction of new drainages and water channels which are presently going on in parts of the state in order to mitigate the effects of future flooding in the state. ”These projects cost the state government huge funds; that is the more reason why the people must adhere to the several warnings by the government because the efforts of the government would not yield desired results if the people fail in their own responsibilities.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013— —49

C M Y K

50—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

I don’t want her to see me naked

His teenage daughter is an addict Dear Bunmi, A few years ago, I met a wonderful man and we’re very happy together. There’s just one problem— his teenage daughter. She’s almost 18 and sleeps around, smokes and drinks.

Her mother is currently battling cancer so her dad lets her get away with murder. He gives her a generous weekly allowance, which she uses to fund her bad habit. Her socalled boyfriend is supposed to be on hard drugs.

Her tear-away habit is putting a strain on our relationship and some friends have advised I keep out of it.

Others say I should let her dad know what is really going on and not give her so much money. Do you think I should speak to him or keep my mouth shut?

Ireti,by e-mail.

Dear Ireti, If this young woman’s behaviour is having a direct impact on your life and the man

you love, you should offer constructive support where appropriate.

You can’t leave your partner to deal with this alone. If the girl’s mother is very ill, she may not be up to helping him raise their child and he’s probably confused as to how to raise a teenage daughter.

I don’t think your man will be offended if you advise him.

But don’t make this all about you and your relationship.

Tell him you want to do what is right for his daughter.

Does his ex want him back?

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend and I started living together barely a year ago but his ex-girlfriend won’t leave us alone. She has started calling him, obviously trying to get him back although he refused to believe it.

I am fed up with answering the phone only to have her hang up on me. I confronted him and he confessed she often calls him on his mobile.

He said they like to chat — just as friends. But a few days ago, I overheard a conversation and he sounded flirtatious and very pleased with himself.

I was furious and went into the room, tore the phone out of his hand and gave her a piece of my mind. But he refused to promise not to talk to her again. He says he can’t stop her calling and why should he?

Now I feel as though it’s me in the wrong. Do you think I am jealous and insecure as he’s making out? Is it true that most people keep in contact with their ex-partners?

Lara, by e-mail.

there’s nothing wrong with an occasional private phone chat with an ex. But it’s bad manners to flaunt flirting phone relationships with expartners in front of your present one.

It’s no good him saying he can’t stop her calling— of course he can; all he needs to do is ask. But why did he give her the number of your new house? And why let you overhear a conversation?

This man is obviously enjoy-

ing the drama of making you jealous and/or is totally disrespectful of you. He hasn’t got much of an opinion of the other girl either, letting her make a fool of herself with ‘anonymous’ phone calls.

Don’t waste your time blaming her— the issue here is his commitment to you. If he intends to be faithful, he needs to prove it. You deserve a faithful, considerate partner to maintain your self-esteem and peace of mind.

‘

If, on the other hand, he bought something that ultimately was for his own pleasure, you’d be entitled to tell him he’s mean and must mend his ways

Dear Lara, It’s true that some do, and

Was is all about intimacy with him?

Dear Bunmi, I’ve been seeing a married man for over three years and while he never promised to leave his family or run down his wife, I didn’t want to stop seeing him.

He was a considerate lover, who told me point blank he wasn’t interested in kids outside wedlock. For three years we met mostly in my two-bedroom flat.

I rationalised what I was doing with the belief that as long as no one knew, I wouldn’t harm his family.

Because of the type of man

he is, I haven’t been able to tell my friends and family the truth. When I realised the best I could ever be with him is ‘the other woman’ I ended the relationship some four months ago. But I miss him terribly.

He said he respected my decision and has not contacted me since we split. If he really loved me, shouldn’t he at least make an effort to win me back? I feel rejected.

Habibat, by e-mail.

Dear Habibat, It’s obvious what this man

’

wanted was a fling. Three years is too much time to waste on a man that was upfront with you on what he wanted from an affair.

He must have been relieved himself when you called it off and doesn’t want to give you any false hopes by begging you to take him back.

The end of his relationship has freed you to look for a man whom you can openly spend your time with.

Give yourself time to get over your last romance, then keep an open mind about the next prospective man you meet.

Dear Bunmi, I’m in a loving relationship with a very pretty and intelligent girl. I pinch myself at times to believe my good luck.

She’s visited my flat a few times and we’re eager to make love. But I have a problem— I have really nasty eczema on my leg and they look horrible because I am light skinned.

It will certainly be embarrassing to me if my girl should see it. I have told her about it and she said it wouldn’t make any difference to how she feels about me. But what if she feels repulsed?

Rex, by e-mail.

Dear Rex, The crunch will come when you do sleep together— when you will be most nervous of

rejection. Why don’t you make love with the lights very low?

The best idea is a dimmer switch, which you can use to control how much of your body your girl gets to see.

When you’re naked, focus on giving your girl as much pleasure as possible and don’t draw attention to your legs.

As you gradually gain confidence, it will be easy to let go of your sense of embarrassment.

Over time you’ll certainly relax. As you do you will be encouraged to turn up the light a little more. Your girl will end up seeing your leg quite clearly— and you’ll finally realise there’s no problem and nothing for you to be afraid of.

I want him to be more than a friend Dear Bunmi, I’m great friends with a man I’ve known from our secondary school years. Unfortunately, one or the other of us has always been in a relationship ever since we met and there’d never been any question of romance.

Only now we’ve broken up with our partners and are single at the moment.

I know it’s never occurred to him that there could be an attraction between us, but I see the possibility. I’ve always fancied him but buried my feelings because one or the other of us wasn’t available.

Now that we’re both free, should I declare my feelings?

I’m so afraid that if it’s not there for him, he’ll be embarrassed and it will spoil our friendship.

Mary, by e-mail.

Dear Mary, If you do nothing now, you’ll spend the rest of your life thinking: what if? Don’t try to be subtle— he could miss your hint or, worse, worry you’re beginning to ‘stalk’ him and, as you say, get very embarrassed.

I suggest you comment on how long you’ve been friends and say lightly, ‘Hey! Do you think we could have a proper date now we’re both free?’ If he says immediately, ‘No, we’ve been friend too long now,’ or something similar, just say, ‘yes, you’re probably right, just a thought’.

You never know, he might ponder on the thought and realise later that he does like it. If not, no problem— you can get on with your friendship.

Hubby bought me a porn video Dear Bunmi, My husband’s sex drive is a bit on the high side and he’s more adventurous that I am in the bedroom.

Recently, he bought me a video of young male strippers and their romps with various women and I found it disgusting.

I told him that most women aren’t excited about porn. But he said they must be or films like the one he brought home wouldn’t be made. Is he right?

Ekaete, by e-mail.

Dear Ekaete, I suspect many women would prefer a night out with their men rather than a porn film! The thing is, did your husband really buy it for you or did he just want to see your reaction to it?

If he genuinely thought that you’d appreciate it, he’ll know better next time!

If, on the other hand, he bought something that ultimately was for his own pleasure, you’d be entitled to tell him he’s mean and must mend his ways.

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 51

C M Y K

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

UN powers discuss Council resolution on Syrian crisis T

HE five permanent UN Security Council members are meeting to discuss a resolution on making safe Syria’s chemical weapons.

A resolution is seen as a key step in a US-Russia brokered plan under which Syria will disclose its arsenal within a week and eliminate it by mid2014. However, there have already been key disagreements over the wording.

France, the UK and US want a resolution carrying the threat of military action but Russia opposes this.

The US and Russia hammered out their plan last weekend after Washington had threatened the Syrian government with military action over a chemical weapons attack in the Ghouta area

•Ban Ki-moon of Damascus on 21 August.

A UN report on the at-

tack published on Monday confirmed that the nerve agent sarin had

been used in a rocket attack there, although it did not apportion blame.

France, the UK and US insist the report clearly backs their stance that only the government forces were capable of carrying out the attack.

Russia rejects this argument. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday that Moscow had “serious grounds” to believe the attack had been a provocation by rebel forces. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad also says the opposition forces were to blame.

Yesterday’s meeting of envoys of the so-called P5 - France, the UK, the US, Russia and China - was confirmed in an email sent by Erin Pelton, a spokeswoman for the US mission to the UN. It will discuss a draft resolution

...Russia, France disagree on accord R

USSIA and France disagreed radically yesterday over a report by U.N. investigators into a chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of people in Syria, highlighting the problems agreeing on action at the United Nations Security Council.

Sitting beside French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at a news conference in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the report had produced no proof that President Bashar al-Assad’s troops carried out the August 21 attack and that Russia still suspected rebels forces were behind it.

Fabius took the opposite view, saying the report left no doubt that Assad’s forces were to blame for the attack which Washington says killed more than 1,400 people. The United States has also blamed Syrian government forces.

Lavrov acknowledged that the investigators’ report proved that chemical weapons had been used but that “there is no

answer to a number of questions we have asked,” including whether the weapons were produced in a factory or home-made.

“We have very serious grounds to believe that this was a provocation,” Lavrov said after talks in Moscow between two countries with veto powers in the U.N. Security Council.

He said there had been “many provocations” by the rebels fighting Assad’s government and added: “They were all aimed, over the last two

•Lavrov

•Fabius

years, at provoking foreign intervention.”

Lavrov said the U.N. report should be examined not in isolation but along with evidence from

sources such as the Internet and other media, including accounts from “nuns at a nearby convent” and a journalist who had spoken to rebels.

Navy Yard killer had mental disorder

A

lone armed man with reported mental-health issues carried out Monday’s attack at Washington DC’s Navy Yard, killing 12 people and injuring eight, US authorities say.

According to police, military contractor Aaron Alexis, 34, of Texas, launched the attack on Monday inside a building at the navy complex, shooting people in a cafeteria and hallway.

He was eventually shot by police.

Alexis carried three weapons in the attack: an AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun that he took from a police officer at the scene.

Cathy Lanier, police chief, said that investigators were confident they had the sole person responsible.

Reports from Washington DC yesterday, said: “A picture is emerging of someone with a very troubled past and a history of anger-management is-

sues.

“He had been treated for mental health issues, including sleeping disorders and paranoia.”

Alexis also served as a navy reservist from 2007 to early 2011. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released the photograph of Alexis, who held the rank of an aviation electrician’s mate 3rd class and had served full-time in a logistics support squadron in Forth Worth, according to the US Navy.

Brazilian President calls off US trip over espionage

B

RAZILIAN Presi dent Dilma Rousseff has called off a state visit to Washington next month over allegations of US espionage. The US National Security Agency (NSA) has been accused of intercepting emails and messages from Ms Rousseff,

her aides and state oil company, Petrobras.

The allegations were based on documents leaked by fugitive former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

President Barack Obama had promised to investigate the incident.

The White House said Mr Obama had telephoned Ms Rousseff on Monday to discuss the matter.

“The president has said that he understands and regrets the concerns [that] disclosures of alleged US intelligence activities have generated in Brazil and

made clear that he is committed to working together with President Rousseff and her government in diplomatic channels to move beyond this issue as a source of tension in our bilateral relationship,” the White House said in a statement.

put forward by the UK, France and the US. “In order to respect the integrity of these negotiations, we will not be reading out the details of today’s meeting or the draft resolution,” she said. Syria believed to possess mustard gas and sarin, and also tried to develop more toxic nerve agents such as VX gas .

Syria has not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) or ratified the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

(BTWC) Earlier, the disagreements were highlighted at a meeting between Mr Lavrov and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Moscow.

Referring to the UN’s findings, Mr Fabius said: “When you look at the amount of sarin gas used, the vectors, the techniques behind such an attack, as well as other aspects, it seems to leave no doubt that the regime [of President Assad] is behind it.”

Archeologists discover Biblical town

A

town dating back more than 2,000 years has been discovered on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee, in Israel’s Ginosar valley.

The ancient town may be Dalmanutha (also spelled Dalmanoutha), described in the Gospel of Mark as the place Jesus sailed to after miraculously feeding 4,000 people by multiplying a few fish and loaves of bread, said Ken Dark, of the University of Reading in the U.K., whose team discovered the town during a field survey.

The archaeologists also determined that a famous boat, dating to around 2,000 years ago, and uncovered in 1986, was

found on the shoreline of the newly discovered town. The boat was reported on two decades ago but the discovery of the town provides new information on what lay close to it.

The evidence the team found suggests the town was prosperous in ancient times. “Vessel glass and amphora hint at wealth,” Dark wrote in an article published in the most recent edition of the journal Palestine Exploration Quarterly, while “ weights and stone anchors, along with the access to beaches suitable for landing boats — and, of course, the first-century boat … all imply an involvement with fishing.”

Homeless man returns $42,000 in Boston

A

Boston homeless man turned over to police a backpack stuffed with nearly $42,000 worth of cash and travelers checks shortly after he found it at a shopping mall, police said on Monday.

“The Good Samaritan could only provide officers with his name and the address of the shelter where he currently lives,” according to a police press release.

The man, identified by police as Glen James, found the bag Saturday

evening at the South Bay Mall in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester.

He gave it to police, who later found the owner - a Chinese national whose passport was also in the bag, police said.

The owner ’s name was not released.

James was given a special citation from Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis on Monday afternoon “for his extraordinary show of character and honesty,” the police department said.

Nigerian warship arrives Australia

BY EVELYN USMAN

N

IGERIAN Navy Ship THUNDER, has arrived Freemantle Harbour, Australia , ahead of next month’s Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review in Sydney.

The voyage to Australia according to the Director of Information, Commodore Kabir Aliyu, would afford the crew “the opportunity to train and bond together as an effi-

cient and effective fighting unit , in line with the vision statement of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba which is: “to emplace a robust and combat ready Navy that is capable of effectively combating the security challenges in Nigeria’s maritime domain including the Gulf of Guinea for Nigeria’s economic prosperity and national development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

Power Oil debuts from Dufil Prima

Amaechi tackles eye ailments

C

R

IVERS State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has stepped up the healthcare campaign in the state with a US-based health mission of experts to attend to people with glaucoma, cataract and other eye problems.

In a statement, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, said the US - based health mission, Hospitals for Humanity, was in the State as part of a special manpower development initiative instituted as a programme to enhance healthcare delivery .

Through the programme, the Amaechi administration brought in medical experts from all over the world to assist the Rivers State government medical personnel deliver quality healthcare.

The foreign medical experts are providing quality medical care praticularly for patients who suffer eye problems. The administration recently procured drugs to the tune of N1 billion. The Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor said the Mission demonstrates the Governor’s passion for free and quality healthcare delivery to the people.

The administration recently procured over N1 billion drugs for HIV treatment in the State.

SEPTEMBER 18 18,, 2013— 53

• Free eye screening organised by Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate in collaboration with Indian Community in Lagos

Free eye care for Lagos, Ogun residents

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

R

OTARY Club of Lagos, Palmgrove Estate, in collaboration the Indian Community is offering free eye screening and surgery for over 13,000 Nigerians afflicted with cataract and pterygium as well as distribution of spectacles.

President of the Club, Venegopal Jajoo, said the target is one million Nigerians affected by cataract.

Regretting the poor level of understanding of the importance of eye care, he said the Club would ensure no

Nigerian child below five goes blind.

The exercise runs on September 21, 27-30, 2013.

Over 600 persons were screened on the first day.

The free eye surgery and medication would begin October 1, 2013 in Lagos and Ogun States. The surgery is being sponsored by Rotary Foundation, USA, J.T. Chanrai & Cp (PH) Ltd., Indo Eye Care Foundation, Indian Community in Nigeria. and a national newspaper, would take place in Lagos and Ogun States.

A team of dedicated doctors

Health services in Nigeria - time to walk the talk M

OST people agree that there has been improvements in certain aspects of life in Nigeria; IT and communications for example. As we wait for stable and constant electricity, attention is now being drawn to healthcare.

Newspapers and radio commentaries these days are intensifying age old questions about health services for Nigerians. The FMOH Ministerial Committee on tertiary services is busy working on its mandated objectives. The various State Commissioners are busy reevaluating, reappraising and updating their services, some with more apparent success than others, but all with the intent of improving the health of Nigerians. Simultaneously, different groups are lamenting the shortage of specialists like anaesthetists, eye doctors, pain doctors, oncologists......

A Nigerian female doctor heads the O & G dept. of one of the best private hospitals in Dubai. The Medical Director of a major London hospital is a Nigerian. Nigerians head many departments across the United states.

These doctors did not achieve these high positions of leadership and responsibility by political affiliation, by nepotism or old boy networks, but by merit and hard work in excess of their

"local" peers. They have risen above prejudices of race, colour, and culture.

How can Nigeria be lagging behind in health infrastructure and indices, with many of its doctors in high positions in developed countries?

Whilst sorting some old documents a few days ago, I discovered emails from 1999. I was a Consultant at Newham Hospital and had asked some Nigerian friends and colleagues about "how to improve healthcare in Nigeria".

Here are four responses: "We need good communication. The telephone system is currently unreliable and ancient. We need to educate the general public about basic need for healthcare. Our people need a better access to quality healthcare which is currently available to the rich. I think we need to develop a public emergency care service…and retrain the current healthcare worker. We need to regulate the pharmaceutical industry and get rid of quacks!”

Dr WW is a successful plastic surgeon in the USA. “ 1. Improving the basic infrastructure i.e. water supply, roads, electricity and food supply.

2. Health education on nutrition, basic hygiene, vaccinations, etc.

3. Universally accessible healthcare

with expertise to treat eye problems, is due to arrive for the procedure scheduled to take place at the General Hospital, Marina, Lagos and Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta.

Former President of the Club, Mukesh Bhah, disclosed that 15,000 Nigerians have regained their sight thanks to the Club’s eye surgery project.

He said blindness is a major health disaster and urged Nigerians to come out enmasse to benefit from the exercise.

Cataract and pterygium surgeries cost N100.000 to N150, 000, respectively, in private hospitals.

w h i c h includes b e i n g affordable to all, services within easy reach of all and provision of services the people need.

4..Upgrading of facilities at all levels of healthcare.

5. Improving health services staff morale through adequate remuneration for improved performance and relevant job training.

6. Food subsidies especially for families with young children and possible all below the poverty line.”

DR XX is a Consultant Psychiatrist just outside London! "...we need to start recruiting the right people from abroad and within the country to sit down together and brainstorm.. This will satisfy both parties as those out of the country are not likely to know what is reality, whilst those in the country are likely to be out of touch with how things are done (outside Nigeria).

The important thing to remember is that the major thing needed will be MONEY.” Dr KB is a renowned pathologist in the UK. "From my layman's POV it all boils down to funding: a lot of churches now

HIEF Executive Officer, Dufil Prima Plc. Mr. Deepak Singhal, has urged Nigerians to desist from consuming adulterated and unbranded cooking oil.

“The people in the lower economic stratum don’t have access to branded oil because it is very expensive. We identified this gap and decided to launch a healthy and affordable cooking oil,” he stated last week during the formal launch of Power Oil. Singhal said adulterated oil, which usually contains fat, causes obesity, heart disease and cancer; and high cholesterol that increase risk of stroke and blocked arteries.

“Power Oil will check all of that by giving consumers quality at affordable price, unlike jeopardising their health by purchasing vegetable oil from unreliable sources.”

Endorsed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Power Oil is cholesterol-free and safe for consumption.

Fred Akingbesote, Head, MANCAP, SON, observed that the product scaled a very demanding tripartite process and is now a product that can be reckoned with in the market.

operate maternity wards because people can scarcely afford to go to hospitals; private is expensive and at state hospitals you’re never sure if they are going on some industrial action or something. I guess in a place like Saudi where money is no problem healthcare is neat. So I think the Govt.'s got to reassess her priorities….."

Mr RJ was a Church Minister in Nigeria but has since relocated his Church to the UK.

Food for thought, 14 years ago.

Yes, healthcare is in the spotlight once again. Let us hope and pray that, this time, the attention may gain some traction.

•Dr. Femi Ogunyemi, FRCA, FWACS, is a member of the British Pain Society, American Pain Society, the North American Neuromodulation Society and the Aerospace Medical Association. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and a Fellow in Pain Medicine from Emory University.

54 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

PDP crisis alters political calculations (2)

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

Continues from yesterday

O

BSERVERS believe that for Uba to win the election, he must work with the Emeakayi group who controls the grassroots of the party as could be seen in his recent outing before the controversial governorship primaries of the party.

For instance, the group has all the ward and local government officials, as well as all the candidates for the postponed local government election.

What happened in 2010 when the party forced the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo on the state as the PDP candidate is still fresh in people’s minds and a repeat of such would be a mistake too many for PDP. Already, most of the people who were with Chief Chris Uba in his hey days as the political godfather in the state have abandoned him for other political parties. One of them, Dr. Emeka Eze, is presently the running mate of Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, while many others are mobilizing for the LP candidate.

One of them wondered recently how Chris Uba would achieve his objective in the November election since those of them who were actually doing the abracadabra during the past elections have deserted the family.

For APGA, the wounds inflicted on the party during the leadership crisis between the national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Maxi Okwu have not been properly healed.

Okwu is still feeling left out and that was why he flew a kite recently by saying that his group had nominated one of those screened out by the party, Dr.

•Nwoye

•Uba

Chike Obidigbo, as his candidate for the election.

No further action has however been taken either by him or his candidate since he made the nomination in Awka a fortnight ago, fueling speculation that he may have decided to bury the hatchet.

However, some of the some who were in either sides of the divide during the crisis became victims of the resolution of the crisis and some of them finally decided to decamp to other political parties.

Also, some of those who lost at the party primaries simply vamoosed and have not been responding to the overtures being made to them by Chief Willy Obiano who won the ticket.

Unless something is done urgently, the subdued acrimony may cost the party some votes in some parts of the state.

In APC, there is a lot of manipulation going on and unless the situation is handled with utmost care, the lid may soon blow open with its attendant consequences.

For instance, a former

governorship aspirant, Senator Annie Okonkwo and deputy national chairman of APC, who appointed his cronies as officials of the party in the state, is no longer getting the support from

many members of the party, including the governorship candidate, Senator Chris Ngige.

With the haphazard manner in which the state congress was held in a hotel in Awka, some members of ANPP and CPC, the two parties that merged with ACN to form APC, have either pulled out or are threatening to pull out of the merger arrangement in the state.

CPC, led by its former chairman, Prince Chuba Ikeagwu has since left APC to join the newly formed PDM, while the former state chairman of ANPP, Chief Pat Orjiakor, who at one point, acted as interim state chairman of APC, is being wooed by the governorship candidate of Accord Party, Mr. Hygers Igwebuike, to be his running mate in view of what the Accord Party candidate described as his

Pick neutral candidate for PDP — Group

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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GROUP, the PDP Forward Forum, has asked the national leadership of the party to pick a neutral person from those that participated in the party ’s primaries as the candidate of the party for the November 16 if PDP hopes to take part in the election.

In a statement in Awka yesterday, the group’s chairman, Mr. Bertram Okonkwo described as unfortunate a situation whereby members of the party in Anambra State have not known their governorship candidate two months to the election.

He said: “It is now left for the PDP to go back to the drawing board and restrategize on the way forward.

One of the options left to the party is to revisit the list of its primary aspirants and pick a candidate who appears to be neutral and unaffected in the power-play.

“Political analysts are of the opinion that one of the aspirants who contested but were not successful, such as Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Senator Emma Anosike and Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, could be a possible consensus candidate for the Anambra PDP. “We believe that Ugochukwu Okeke stands tall among all of the aspirants because he is

Why we want to deliver Anambra workers — Omar

BY CHRIS OCHAY I

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FTER defending its hold on Ondo State and helping its former national president, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to retain Edo State, organised labour is seeking to make Anambra State its third staging post in the country.

The irony is, however, not lost on many that organised labour is frolicking with one of the country ’s leading capitalists in the Anambra gubernatorial contest, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah.

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC national president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar is, however, unapologetic over the alliance between

bourgeois capitalist and the working class.

Defending labour ’s endorsement Ubah, Omar at the end of the recent National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the NLC said labour would ensure that all votes are counted as it did in Ondo and Edo States.

“We have now resolved that we will not only go and cast our votes and fold our arms after sensitizing the workers and other Nigerians, but we will monitor the collation, the counting up to the declaration of the results.

We will encourage every worker to ensure he or she will be part of the monitoring.

Noting the unique political culture in Anambra State and

wonderful mobilization ability.

Also, some APC members in the state are complaining that most of the national officers of the party were picked from Ngige’s senatorial zone, adding that such appointments did not give the people from the other two zones a sense of belonging.

In addition to this is the Ezemo factor. Mr. Godwin Ezemo, who contested with Ngige for the ticket of APC, is still angry and it would require the intervention of the national leadership of the party to persuade him not to decamp to another political party as being speculated.

It was gathered in Awka that another political party may field Ezemo during the period of the substitution of candidates and if that happens, the ranks of APC would be further depleted.

Concluded

the need to salvage the working class in the state, he said:“if you go and ask Anambra workers if they are fully enjoying their minimum wage, you will hear their answer; whether they are very comfortable in their various places of work, you will hear the answer. Not only workers, even market women and other people, therefore I think Anambra people are desperately looking for a change and a change for the better.”

He said that the Labour Party will campaign in Anambra state the way it did in Edo and Ondo states, “ we will even do more, we will tell the sceptics that Labour is the party that Nigerians need

if they want development as is being witnessed in Edo and Ondo states.”

•Ubah

visible on both sides of the divide. beyond."

Okonkwo enjoined the major players in the current dispute to put personal interest aside and work for the oneness and togetherness of PDP.

Obiano becoming more visible

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OVERNORSHIP candidate of APGA in the November election, Chief Willy Obiano is becoming more visible in the state as he has been appearing in public functions where many people stretch their necks to have a glimpse of the man believed to be the anointed person to succeed Governor Peter Obi. Since he entered the race, Obiano has consistently been adorning APGA dress and once he is spotted at functions, people begin to discuss him and wondering if he will be as humble as Obi. At the weekend, he was at the APGA ceremony where Governor Obi received an award and he was also at the closing ceremony of the state’s sports festival in Onitsha.

Already, the 21 local government areas of the state have mapped out a programme for his visit to their areas. The planned visit is expected to be completed before the official flag off of his campaign.

Except for one or two persons, all the people that contested with him during the party primaries have been incorporated into his campaign team.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 55

Ondo:

Politicking without Agagu

NO doubt the sudden death of the immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu is a big minus to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, not only in the state but also in Nigeria.

BY DAYO JOHNSON

his Ikoyi residence, Lagos before he could be rushed to the hospital The late Dr Agagu was to scheduled meet with President Goodluck Jonathan with some PDP elders from the South West next week on the PDP crisis, which has led to the formation of a new PDP (nPDP).

Agagu’s big shoes: Director of Publicity of the party, Ayo Fadaka said the issue of who steps into Agagu shoes “is a question coming to early,” adding that the party is still mourning its leader and would not want to comment on that now because the party is yet to get out of the shock.

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Incumbent governor They were said to have even asked the incumbent governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to return to the PDP. Agagu was said to have opposed Mimiko’s return to PDP because automatically he would relinquish the leadership and play the second fiddle.

But Agagu’s aides have consistently denied that their mentor was averse to Mimiko joining PDP and insisted that the governor was yet to make up his mind. Now that Agagu has left the stage after doing his best for the party and the people of the state, the stage is now set for the campaigners of Mimiko within the PDP to bring him on board.

Only time will tell whether or not he will agree.

PDP without Agagu: If improperly many managed, some observers fear that Agagu’s demise may widen the cracks in Ondo PDP and give the ruling Labour Party an edge in coming elections. In fact, it is being rumoured that aside some known names that openly supported

Pillar of support

•Agagu Governor Mimiko in the last election as against the party’s choice Olusola Oke many more are said to be talking with the Labour Party administration.

To these party chieftains the demise of Agagu has left them without a formidable leader.

However, some chieftains of the PDP said that Agagu’s demise will rather reunite the factions which will see the ugly and unfortunate incident as a way to settle their past differences, move the party forward and make it more formidable ahead of the 2015 election. Both the LP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state are angling to benefit from the demise of this political colossus.

Agagu used his connections as a former deputy governor, minister and a governor for six years to worm his way into the hearts of decision makers in the party especially during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was known as one of the foot soldiers of Obasanjo in the South West and he did not hide his preference to always go the way of the former president no matter whose ox was gored.

Not all those who were aggrieved by the influential role that Agagu played in the emergence of Oke as the party’s governorship candidate in the last election had the courage to challenge him because they feared that they might have to pay dearly for it.

Members mourn Agagu: On hearing the news last Friday, PDP members expressed shock and disbelief. Some shed tears not knowing what the future holds for the party without the politician.

Disciplined and meticulous Many of them said they are now stranded and wedged between the devil and the blue sea as regards either remaining with the PDP or aligning with Mimiko and the APC.They said that not many of the so called leaders of the party in the state is as disciplined and meticulous and command the kind of respect given to Dr Agagu.

How he died: Agagu died less than 24 hours after returning from a trip to United States. He reportedly slumped and died at

State Chairman of the party, Hon Ebenezer Alabi, said: ”It is on record that Dr Agagu was the founder of the PDP in Ondo State, its mentor and absolute pillar of support for the party in every ramification. He was a steadfast politician whose motive for political participation was to effect a development in the quality of life of his people.”Alabi said the party will be more united now in a bid to honour the consummate politician.

His footprints: Born on February 16, 1948 at Iju Odo in Okipipupa Local Council of Ondo the State, Agagu

,

HE unsettled PDP family in Ondo has been thrown further into a dilemma, over who will play Agagu’s stabilising role in the party. After the Court of Appeal sacked him from the Government House five years ago, Agagu returned to the role of leading the PDP, a task he had been shouldering since the formation of the party in 1998.

Even when the PDP was balkanized into three factions, he made efforts to ensure that the party had a foothold in the Sunshine State.

The polarisation took its toll on PDP’s chances at elections held after Dr Agagu left the Governor’s office as even his bid to go to the Senate was frustrated by his party members and he lost the election.

Then, the likes of Professor Olu Agbi who was Agagu’s campaign Manager during his re election bid; the former Works Commissioner and former Secretary to the State Government, Hon Isaac Kekemeke; a four term Senator Gbenga Ogunniya; and his former Special Adviser on Political Matters Chief Segun Adegoke were among those who wanted Agagu to relinquish his hold on the reins of power in Ondo PDP.

Certificate examinations.

He was admitted to the University of Ibadan in 1968 to study Botany but later changed to Geology in which he graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree Second Class Upper Division in 1971. As an undergraduate, his academic record was replete with laurels and prizes.Agagu went to the University of Texas between 1973 and 1974 for his Masters degree in Geology. Returning to Nigeria, he obtained a Ph.D degree in Petroleum Geology from the University of Ibadan in 1978.

The late Agagu was appointed

by President Olusegun Obasanjo as his first Minister of Aviation in 1999. As deputy governor and later governor, Agagu left an indelible mark across the three senatorial areas of the state in the provision of life impacting and enduring projects.

In the North, central and southern parts of the state, the landmark projects initiated and completed have endeared him to the people. If you had a superior argument on any issue you will win the heart of Agagu and he would not mind going an extra mile to cultivate you.

Given his contributions to the PDP, the warring factions would be honouring him after death by burying their hatchet.

He was known as one of the foot soldiers of Obasanjo in the South West and he did not hide his preference to always go the way of the former president no matter whose ox was gored

commenced his elementary education at St. Luke’s Anglican School, now St. Paul’s Anglican School Okitipupa, in 1954.

In January 1958, he moved to live with his cousin, Edward Fagbohun in Ibadan, Oyo State where he continued his primary education at Ebenezer African Church School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

In 1959 he was transferred to Kano where he studied at the Ebenezer Methodist School and Baptist Primary School SabonGari, Kano State. He then moved back to Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan where he completed his primary education in 1960. Thereafter, he was in Ibadan Grammar School between January 1961 and 1967 where he passed his West African School Certificate and the Higher School

,

They need to come together in the interest of the party ahead of the 2015 general election otherwise the party will remain in the opposition in the state for many more years to come.

No matter what his critics say about Agagu, the downtrodden see him as a forthright, humane, transparent and not a caring politician, who did not believe in corrupt acquisition of wealth.

Ocean of tributes: Since his death the polity has been awash with tributes forAgagu. Governor Olusegun Mimiko in a statement in Akure expressed great shock and disbelief at the news of the death of his predecessor.

In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, Dr Mimiko described the death as most unfortunate and hard to believe.

56—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

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HE African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights sitting in Arusha, Tanzania, has granted the request by Amnesty International and two others to join as amici in a suit by the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, asking the court to “consider the effects of corruption on the poverty level, and whether poverty violates specific human rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

The amicus brief dated August 1, 2013, was filed jointly with the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria and the Human Rights Implementation Centre of the Bristol University, UK. The court’s order granting permission to the three groups was contained in a letter dated September 10, 2013, and signed by the court’s Registrar, Dr Robert ENO. The letter with reference number AFCHPR/Reg./ ADV./001/2013/011 states in part: “I write to forward to you for your kind attention a copy of the

Corruption: African Court grants Amnesty International, others permission to join SERAP's suit request to submit amicus curiae and the submission that accompanied the request by Amnesty International, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, and the Human Rights Implementation Centre, Bristol University. The Court has decided to grant the request.”

In their submission before the court, the groups said that, “We submit that on the proper interpretation of article 4(1) of the protocol of the court and article 68 of the rules of the court, the court has jurisdiction to provide advisory opinion upon request of African NGOs such as SERAP.” According to the groups, “The court has subject matter jurisdiction under article 4. The court has the power to issue advisory opinion on any legal matter relating to the African Charter on

Human and Peoples’ Rights or any relevant human rights instruments.

This particular request

by SERAP involves an interpretation of article 4 itself. The only exception to the advisory opinion jurisdiction of the court is if the issue is being examined by the African Commission. We confirm that this particular request is not related to any matter pending before the African Commission.

SERAP “We submit that SERAP is an organisation located in Africa, more specifically, in Lagos, Nigeria. It is also an organisation with a predominantly African management structure and membership.

SERAP thematic focus on transparency and accountability relates to

Africa. Therefore, SERAP qualifies as “African” in terms of article 4(1). The use of the word ‘organisation’ in the protocol does not lend itself to an interpretation that excludes NGOs such as SERAP. Thus, SERAP is a non-governmental organisation in terms of article 4,” the groups also argued.

According to the groups, “The use of different affixes to the word ‘organisation’ in two provisions that come next to each other clearly indicates that the difference was deliberate.

As such the phrase ‘African organisation’ includes but is not limited to ‘African Interg o v e r n m e n t organisation’. It also includes NGOs like SERAP. “With respect to the requirement of ‘ recognition by the

African Union’, it is submitted that recognition of an NGO by any of the organs or agencies of the AU should suffice as recognition. It is trite in modern international law that an agent is authorised to act on behalf of his principal within the mandate of the agents.

SERAP was granted observer status by the African Commission in 2008, and the organisation therefore meets the requirement of ‘recognition by the AU’ under article 4,” the groups further argued.

Consequences of poverty It would be recalled that SERAP has sent a request for advisory opinion to the court asking it to “assess the legal and human rights consequences of poverty, including whether increased

poverty breaches the right to equality and nondiscrimination, right of the people to socioeconomic development, and their right to natural wealth and resources.”

In the request, SERAP also said that: “The question for determination has been framed in terms of law, and raises problem of human rights law as established by the African Charter.

The request by its very nature is susceptible of a reply based on law; indeed it is scarcely susceptible of a reply otherwise than on the basis of law. As such, the request is not affected by the provisions of article 34(6) of the African Court Protocol, requiring declaration by states as a condition of access to the court.”

Hearing in the case continues.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013—57

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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rmy authorities disclosed, yesterday, that 15 soldiers and a lieutenant have been killed

by Boko Haram terrorists along the Baga-Maiduguri Road in Borno State, while 150 sect members were killed by troops of the 7th Division during a fierce battle with the insurgents last weekend.

Defence sources, however, contradicted the casualty figure, saying at least 40 soldiers were killed and 65 others missing in a deadly ambush by the suspected members of Boko Haram.

Confirming the incident, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim, stated that on September 12, 2013, troops from 81 Battalion under 7th Division of the Nigerian Army acting on intelligence report gathered that the insurgent had regrouped at Kafiya forest and were planning to launch an attack.

“Following the information, the troops launched an attack and destroyed the enemy camp, and during the encounter that lasted several hours, the troops killed 150 insurgents while one Lieutenant and 15 soldiers lost their lives”.

According to the Army spokesman, the enemy camp was well fortified with anti-aircraft and antitank guns mounted on vehicles.

The Army spokesman also disclosed that one Abba Goroma, one of the most wanted insurgent commanders, on whose head the sum of N10 million was placed as bounty, was killed in the encounter. The Federal Government had last year placed a N10 million bounty on Goroma for any information leading to his whereabouts.

Asked to comment on reports on social media that about 40 military personnel were killed and 65 of them were missing as a result of the ambush, General Attahiru dismissed the report, saying it was a fabrication insisting that only 15 soldiers and an officer were killed.

An online publication quoting multiple defence sources, however, claimed that 40 soldiers were killed by the sect members while 65 others were missing. The report stated that the army authorities were miffed by the incident and have ordered an investigation into the suspected operation blunder that gave the militants such an upper hand. It quoted army officials as saying that the commanding officer of the unit that carried out the operation has now been removed from his post.

The casualty, one of the heaviest for the military in its campaign against the militant group in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, was considered a classic case of operational and communication failure.

According to the report, a detachment of soldiers under the 134 Battalion of the 12 Brigade under the Multi National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, stationed in Kangarwa village in Kukawa local government, had conducted a reconnaissance to gather intelligence around the area, during which they established the presence of previously unnoticed Boko Haram camps.

The soldiers were said to have returned to their base and filed a report recommending aerial bombardment of the area, preparatory for a ground operation by troops. But that plan was cancelled

16 soldiers killed, many missing in fresh Borno attack

CONFERENCE— From left: Chairman, Nigeria Economic Society. NES, Professor Emmanuel Edozien; CBN Deputy Governor, MRS Sarah Alade; Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; President Goodluck Jonathan; NES President, Professor Akin Iwayemi; Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and Guest Speaker, Professor John Ohiorhenuan at the 54th annual conference of the Nigeria Economic Society in Abuja, yesterday.

at the final minutes by an unnamed top official without formal communication to the more than 100 troops that had already advanced on the area.

“Due to lack of communication, the troop ran into the terrorists with-

out knowing that the aerial bombardment had been cancelled and they were caught unawares,” one of the sources said.

The soldiers were trapped in the ambush under heavy fire from the militants who had sur-

rounded the area, leaving at least 40 soldiers killed. 65 others have remained missing, other sources said.

The insurgents reportedly confiscated a huge cache of weapons from the soldiers after the

attack.

The attack came less than two months after a similar one on August 4, which also resulted in heavy casualty following a surprise attack by Boko Haram on a camp at Malam Fatori.

Reps fight as Baraje's nPDP visits Tambuwal Continues from Page 8 same and submit a joint report to plenary for consideration. This report will guide the House in the consideration of the 2014 budget proposals.”

The House, upon a motion by the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajagbiamila (APC Surulere II) to officially recognize and address as such members of opposition parties under the recently registered All Progressives Congress (APC) mandated the Clerk of the House, Sani Omolori to open a Register in the name of APC members.

After entertaining motions arising from killings in Yobe State by Boko Haram as moved by a member from the state under issues of urgent importance, the House adjourned plenary to Wednesday (today).

Kano: Our condition for peace —Kwankwasiyya group

The Kwankwasiyya group, which is loyal to Governor Kwankwaso of Kano State has listed respect for the governor and neutrality on the part of the newly inauguarated caretaker committee as its condition for support.

The immediate past publicity secretary of Kano chapter of the PDP, yesterday welcomed the decision of the national leadership of the party to set up a caretaker committee for the party in the state following the expiration of the Adamu Sumaila-led executive.

Briefing newsmen on the stand of the party, Sale Jire stated that “the emerging trend is in line with national reconciliation embarked by the national leadership

of our party and we would not say no to that.”

Alhaji Sale Jire noted that “in these circumstances, we want to assure that we would welcome them to Kano, we would work with them to ensure they succeed in their primary assignment here in Kano as long they maintain their neutrality.”

The Kwankwasiyya stalwart further said that “those that have been chosen by the national leadership should seek to know the terrain so as not to fall victim to selfish individuals who might try to feed them with wrong information.”

Prophets of doom ‘ve failed —Emordi

Reacting to what played up in the House, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, expressed delight that members of the National Assembly lived above party politics.

In a statement, she noted that those who had wished that there was going to be crisis in the National Assembly had been disappointed as the members of the Senate and House of Representatives placed the interest of the country above ethnic or party interest.

She said: “Those prophets of doom underrate the patriotic spirit of the members of the National Assembly and their commitment to preserving our democracy, knowing very well that Nigeria is bigger than any narrow group

ambition. The legislature itself has always been at the receiving end of every truncation of democratic governance. I am sure that the National Assembly is ever committed to preserving our democracy,” she stated.

On the 2014 Budget, Senator Emordi said that President Jonathan was committed to his promise to ensure that budget estimates were submitted and passed early with the target of implementation commencing right from the beginning of the new year.

Don’t write off old politicians — Tukur Meanwhile, National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, pleaded with younger politicians especially the aggrieved ones not to write off old politicians in the country or describe them as spent political forces because experience counts.

In his 78th birthday message to the nation yesterday, Tukur said: “I have benefitted tremendously from the Nigerian society. At my age, I feel obliged at this point to give back to the society the benefit of my experience. Experience, they say, is the best teacher and experience is a commodity of inherently high value.

Experience counts. I want to appeal to younger politicians to show deserved respect to their senior compatriots. We, the older politicians, should not be written off yet or regarded as spent political

forces. We are still relevant to the nation and the younger politicians will benefit greatly from our experience, wise counsel, guidance and discipline.

“Our dear country will progress more rapidly with the right blend of old and young politicians. This will facilitate cross_fertilization of ideas and frank exchange of views on how to move the country forward. No young generation which treats her old and experienced statesmen without respect and decorum ever succeeds.

“I preach peace to all politicians and Nigerians alike. Peace is invaluable. It is the minimum condition for development. It is the foundation for friendly and mutual concourse. It is perhaps the most important element requisite for meaningful and sustainable progress of any nation. Nigerians should eschew violence, terrorism, brigandage and lawlessness. Politicians should embrace peace so that we will all enjoy the dividends of our democracy in full. I also call for unity in Nigeria. We can achieve nothing in an atmosphere of disunity. United we stand, but divided we fall.”

“I pray for a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria. I call on all leaders in Nigeria to think more about the Country than themselves. We owe our Nation a duty to make her peaceful.

Afterall, we have no other home.”

Thanking God for long life, he said his “birthday gift to my beloved country Nigeria is a prayer that Nigeria will be great, strong, prosperous and a veritable giant in the comity of Nations the world over.”

58 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

Illegal demolition of building in Lagos •Chinese firm, CCECC, crane driver, others in Police net taing whoever sent him top wreck that havoc. I suspect foul play at Ago-Okota Police Station.”

Meanwhile, a petition had been written to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State asking for the transfer of the case from Ago-Okota police station to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Panti Yaba, for thorough investigation.

The petition which was signed by Evans Duru Chambers, on behave of Messrs Ugochukwu Obi and Godwin Ihezue and dated 11 September, 2013, stated that building located at No. 28 Ago Palace Way,Okota, was peacefully in their possession since 1989 when a mortgage loan was paid off by Pastor Godwin Ihezue on behalf of Francis Olaseinde.

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

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ESIDENTS of Ago-Okota, a suburb of Isolo Local Government Area in Lagos State, are yet to unravel the motive behind the demolition of a one- story building located at Number 28, Ago Palace Way, Okota by a gang of hoodlums.

The building which was being used for both commercial and private purposes was brought down allegedly by a crane belonging to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, rehabilitating the Ago Palace Way at the early hours of Tuesday, September 10, 2013.

Although, the building has been a subject of controversy between one Pastor Godwin Ihezue, a tenant in the building and Frances Niyi Olaseinde, who resides in the United States of America and claims to be the owner of the building, the circumstamces surrounding the demolition is still shrouded in mystery as the contending parties seem not to be aware of the demolition exercise. Other tenants told Crime Alert that they do not know who carried out the demolition between the warring parties as none of the parties had secured a court judgement over the property to the best of their knowledge.

The son to one of the contending parties, Ihezue Princewill told Crime Alert that some armed men, who identified themselves as members of the out-lawed, Oodua Poples Congress, OPC, stormed the building around 2:am and ordered everyone out of the building before they commenced demolition. “They didn’t allow us carry out any of our

Subject of litigation

•Pastor Godwin Ihezue, standing in front of his demolished building

•Demolished Building lost all my properties even my school certificates and that of my siblings.”

Another resident, Ugochukwu Obi, the Managing Director of Golden Touch International and Citro

,

They didn’t allow us to remove any of our property. In fact, my sisters were still sleeping when they demolished our building with a crane belonging to the construction company reconstructing our road

properties. In fact, my sisters were still sleeping when they demolished our building with a crane belonging to the construction company reconstructing our road. We alerted the police but before they could get to us, the people had all gone. But by dawn, we took the police to the crane that was used for the job and they arrested the driver.

As I speak with you, I have

,

Ventures, who operates an office and a show room in the building told Crime Alert that he lost property worth millions of naira and he also accused the police of failing to investigate the matter properly before charging the suspect to court.

According to him, “ I wonder why the police would hurriedly arrest all the suspects fingered in the matter and

charge a case as huge as this to court without proper investigation. I was told that the arrested crane driver confessed that he was given the sum of N 200,000, and at the time I was informed about the demolition, I called my landlord, Mr. Ihezue and inquired what may have happened. He told me that the building couldn’t have been demolished by any government official because government don’t work at night but he suspected that the demolition may have been sponsored by his opponent who was in court with him over the said property. But the police after hearing the crane operator’s confessions didn’t bother to apprehend the people that contracted him for the job, all they did was to hurriedly charge him to court on a minor offence.”

He, however, added that, “all my documents, office equipment, machines were all de-

stroyed. I run a furniture company, I couldn’t pick any of the materials I use. There were very valuable documents and it has been a big battle trying to salvage them. No crane man will work without someone’s instruction. What we did not understand was the reason why he was quickly charged to court without police ascer-

According to the petitioner, “ Prior to this time, the said property has being a subject of multiple litigation between the parties. Until September 10, 2013, the suit has being before Hon. Justice Coke of Lagos State High Court, in Suit no.

ID/676/2010 and MCY/387/ 2013, respectively before Magistrate court No. 4,Isolo. It is on record that Mr. Francis Olaseinde the major suspect in this drama did not destroy the said property by virtue of any court order from a court of competent jurisdiction in Lagos State. His only claim to legitimacy in destroying the said property was the use of naked power and the culture of impunity. “ When Crime Alert made efforts to get Olaseinde’s account of the story, his lawyer, Mr. Soga Dairo, refused to make comment claiming that it will be subjudice to speak on a matter that is in court.

My husband uses my menstrual

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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housewife, Mrs Iyabo Odewunmi, has told an Osogbo Customary Court in Osun State to dissolve her 10-year-old marriage to her husband, Ojo, over his habit of using her menstrual pads for ritual purposes.

Iyabo, while complaining that her husband was a threat to her life and that of her children, said “I noticed that my menstrual pads had been missing as well as my bras and pants.

When I complained to my husband, he said nothing. He later promised to buy me new pants and bras.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

— 59

Pandemonium in Onitsha as bizman strips female police officer naked

By OKONKWO EZE, Onitsha

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HERE was pandemonium, weekend, at the Bridge Head area of the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State when a female police officer, Inspector Tochukwu Ofoegbu accused a notable businessman (names withheld) of molesting and almost stripping her naked.

Inspector Ofoegbu who narrated her ordeal to Crime Alert alleged she was on duty when the big man who owns a park in Onitsha approached her threatened that he would facilitate her removal from Onitsha as he did to one officer named Archibong.

An eye witness who simply gave his name as Tunde, said as soon as the female police officer demanded what she did that would warrant her removal, the furious businessman slapped her first for daring him before commanding his boys to tear her uniform to almost naked situation.

It was gathered that she ran for her dear life into a nearby police post to avoid the peering eyes of the public before the Area Commander, Benjamin Wordu allegedly asked all of them to come to the police Area

command headquarters, Onitsha.

In his reaction, another eyewitness and the Coordinator, Campaign for Democracy, Dede Uzor A Uzor, demanded for the immediate arrest of the accused and thorough investigation into the matter with a view to punishing the offender to deter future occurrence. He stated that his organisation has given the commissioner of police seven days to arrest the man or face protests by human rights groups for his immediate removal from office if he cannot protect the men and women of the force under his command.

Protests by human rights groups Efforts to get in touch with the accused businessman to comment on the matter proved abortive yesterday as his phone rang several times without response. However, the victim, Inspector Ofoegbu, confirmed on phone that the businessman actually assaulted her with his boys.

When contacted, the DPO Fegge where the Inspector works, Muikdi Shehu, said he would not speak on the matter that the PPRO is the only person authorized to speak. The

PPRO, Emeka Chukwuemeka also declined to comment claiming that he was in Onitsha Area

Commander’s office and would get back to this reporter on the issue. The State police boss,

Court dissolves 17yrs marriage over constant beating of husband by wife

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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N Osogbo Magistrate’s Court in Osun has dissolved a 17-year-old marriage over complaint by the husband that his wife beats him up mercilessly for go-

ing to church. The petitioner, Mr. Asimuyu Oladosu, told the court that his wife, Kehinde, beats him whenever he goes to church or vigil and urged the court to dissolve the marriage.

Asimuyu hinged the dissolution of his marriage blessed with three

Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese opens information box against kidnappers, robbers

By OKONKWO EZE, Onitsha

T

HE Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Maduka Okeke, has urged the general public to always feel free to expose kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements in the area by giv-

ing useful information that could lead to their arrests. One way of doing this, he said, is by scribbling their piece of information in a paper and dropping it at the newly opened Archdiocesan information box, for onward transmission to the appropriate government authorities, for prompt action.

Archbishop Okeke who spoke at the dedication service of St

pads for ritual— wife alleges She accused her husband of being diabolical, adding, “my husband has been behaving in a mysterious way in the last few months and I see this as a threat to my life and that of my children.”

In his response, Ojo informed the court that his wife lied against him because she was looking for flimsy

excuses to abandon the marriage.

However, President of the court, Mrs Temilade Agboola, advised the couple to find means of resolving their dispute rather than dissolve the marriage and adjourned the case to November 5, 2013 for judgment.

Balah Nassarawa was also said to be out of the state as at the time of going to press.

Alphonsus Catholic Parish, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, advised the masses to shun thuggery, kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities that are inimical to God and humanity.

Flanked by the Parish Priest, Rev, Fr. Peter Obidi; the chairman of the occasion, Barrister Raphael Asha Nnabuife who is also chairman of Idemili North Local Government Transition Committee; a prominent parishioner from Nkpor community and a gynaecologist attached to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, Dr. Obi Azuka and the immediate past chairman of Umusiome Village, Nkpor, Prince Augustine Udo, Archbishop Okeke wondered why the criminals, majority of who are of Igbo extraction, have subjected their fellow Igbo to ridicule.

According to the cleric, “In the North, there is Boko Haram killing Ndigbo, in the West, there

is deportation of Ndigbo and in the South, there is abandoned property of Ndigbo. Here in the East, we are kidnapping ourselves, robbing ourselves and killing ourselves and we don’t want it to continue that way. So, anyone who knows any of these kidnappers, robbers or killers should write a memo to me, send it to our information box and I will take it up from there to the appropriate authority, for prompt action.”

The gynaecologist, Dr. Azukah urged the government to provide employment opportunities for the youths, to minimize criminal activities in the country, since joblessness is the major cause of crime. Prince Udo, the exNkpor village boss expressed satisfaction that God used him to restore relative peace between the neighbouring Nkpor, Ogidi and Umuoji communities which had been enmeshed in communal land squabbles, over the years.

children on the ground that he is tired of the marriage due to frequent beating by his wife, as well as her nagging nature. He said: “She does not go to church and whenever I go to church or vigil, she will not allow me into the house and if she does, she beats me mercilessly. And based on these facts, I want the court to dissolve this union.”

Pleading with the court not to dissolve her marriage, Kehinde admitted beating her husband, but claimed she does that only when some unknown spirits comes into her.

She pointed out that some unknown spirits push her to beat her husband, adding “what my husband said is true. I always beat him but I do not know what usually come over me whenever I did that. Some unknown spirits push me to do it. I still love my husband and I want the matter to be settled amicably. I don’t want to leave him and I promise that I will never beat him again.”

After listening to both parties, President of the court, Mrs. Temilade Agboola, urged the husband to consider the plea of his wife and forgive her. However, the husband insisted that he was no more interested in the marriage and urged the court to grant his request.

Left with no option but to grant the request, Agboola subsequently dissolved the marriage and ordered that the wife should take custody of the three children. She also ordered Oladosu to give N9, 000 monthly for the upkeep of the children.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 — 61

Champions League Group F

Wenger: We have toughest task A

rsene Wenger says Arsenal are in the toughest Champions League group as they launch their campaign at Marseille tonight.

Napoli and Borussia Dortmund make up Group F and Wenger believes all four have a chance of making it into a knockout stages.

“If you look at the group, I would say yes it is the hardest group because all the four teams have a chance to qualify,” said the Arsenal boss.

“That means the every game is basically a very important one. On average you need 10 points to qualify so that gives you the task - 10 points in a group is difficult as that could be a reasonable number to get through.

“Away games will play a big part because it is difficult to predict that you will absolutely win your three home games.

“But anyway, you need points away from home and as you know, like in every competition, the start is very important for the confidence of the team and to put you in a good position so on Wednesday we start".

Nadal to play again in S/America

R

afael Nadal is returning to South America to play early next year in the inaugural Rio Open.

Nadal began his comeback from a left-knee injury seven months ago in Chile.

This time he’ll be playing in Brazil under far different conditions as the defending U.S. Open and French Open champion.

The February 15-23 clay-court tournament is a combined ATP and WTA event and will be played at the Jockey Club Brasileiro. David Ferrer is also in the field.

Hopkins ready for Mayweather T

*Mayweather

here wasn’t any misinterpretation of his statements from this past Saturday night. IBF light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins is ready and willing to drop down by two weight divisions to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26KOs) on May 3rd, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather, regarded as the pound-for-pound king, is the WBC champion at 147pounds and the WBC/WBA champion at 154-pounds.

“If I have time, I know my body, I know myself, I’ll hire the best coaches,” Hopkins told BoxingScene.com. “Yeah, if I got time and I’m not talking about this year, but if I got time after the 26th of October - and if they are serious about putting it together and the conversation becomes more serious - then yeah. I’m not just talking or rambling to get my name in the press. I mentioned it [this past weekend] because it was mentioned to me.

*Ayew

Renard predicts Black Stars win over Egypt

Z *Nadal

ambia coach Herve Renard is backing Ghana to edge past seven-time African Champions Egypt in their crucial 2014 World Cup play-offs.“All the best to the Black Stars; all the way to Brazil,” Renard told goal.

“Egypt is the toughest opponent you could draw, but you will do it.”

SPORTS AWARD....From left, Chairman, Award Panel, Nigerian Sports Award, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Ejiro Omonode, G.M of Unmissable Incentives Limited, Kayode Idowu listen as Mitchel Obi speaks during the unveiling of the nominees for the second edition of the Nigerian Sports Award in Lagos yesterday.

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

We’re too much for Ethiopia — Nwosu

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

1

980 Nations Cup winner Henry Nwosu (MON) has insisted that the Super Eagles would not have had a better chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup than now that they face Ethiopia in the final playoffs for the 2014 Brazil soccer fiesta.

The African champions confront Ethiopia in a two-legged match-up between October and November, and have the advantage of playing the second leg in Calabar, which has been a good hunting ground for the Eagles since the African qualifying series for the Mundial started.

While some exinternationals like Tajudeen Disu have cautioned the Coach Stephen Keshi-tinkered side to be watchful of

their foes, Nwosu has dismissed any threat of the Ethiopians upsetting the Eagles.

Nwosu told Sports Vanguard on phone that “Ethiopia are a good, talented and determined side but their quality cannot withstand the superior firepower of Nigeria. We are just too much for them and I see us beating them convincingly home and away.

“It is now or never for the Eagles. Honestly, they would not have a better chance of reaching the World Cup finals than this present opportunity against Ethiopia. We are the African champions and the players are playing with so much purpose.

That makes me have the double assurance that we are through to Brazil 2014”, added Nwosu.

Imoke Continues from BP Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

Imoke is delighted Nigeria will be playing the first leg away from home and hopes the job of securing Nigeria’s fifth World Cup participation will be completed in Calabar in November. ’I am really delighted the Super Eagles have been handed a fair draw and can now focus their attention on mapping out strategies to ensure Nigeria gets one of the five FIFA World Cup slots for Africa for Brazil 2014'’,said Imoke in a statement.

The governor is particularly thrilled that Calabar,a city that has become the sporting capital of Nigeria, will play host to another epoch making event in Nigeria’s sporting history. ’We played host to the team on their way to conquering the rest of Africa last February in South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations.We also hosted the Golden Eaglets to secure the ticket to next month’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in

United Arab Emirates.In track and field we hosted the trials for last month’s IAAF World Championships where Blessing Okagbare made history by winning an unprecedented ,100m, 200m and long jump trebble enroute her equally historic double medal winning feat in the World Championships in Moscow..We are ready again to ensure we fulfil the expectations of all Nigerians by guiding the Super Eagles to book their flight to Brazil.Calabar has proved to be a lucky ground for Nigeria’s national teams’’,said Imoke.

The governor has called on the people of Cross who have always played the good host since the qualification series began over two years ago to double their support for the team when the second leg of the play-off game against Ethiopia is played at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar.

Ethiopia will host the first leg of the two-legged affair between 11 to 15 of October in Addis Ababa while the second leg will hold in Nigeria between November 15 and 19.

Channels TV begins Athletics Classics

O

Sitting Left To Right: Mrs Akeem-Adesina Omolara, HR Director GSK, Dr Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, CEO / Founder Friends Africa, Mr Emmanuel Babayaro, Friends Africa Goodwill Ambassador, at a press conference for the 2013 World AIDS Day Play for Life Campaign.

Debut goal thrills Moses V

ICTOR Moses says it was a great feeling to score on debut during Monday ’s 2-2 draw against Swansea City.

The 22-year-old joined the Reds on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea on the last day of the transfer window.

He was handed his first start and linked up well with Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge before scoring Liverpool’s second goal of the night. ”It’s always great to get on the scoresheet. It was a great goal for me,” he told the club’s website.

“They made a mistake in the middle of the park, I took the ball, cut in and watched the ‘keeper - I gave him the face and put the ball in the back of the net.

Nigerian Unity Cup set for unveiling

A

LL is set for the unveiling of the Nigerian Unity Football Tournament on October 30, 2013.

This was made known recently, when the National Organising Committee of the Nigerian Unity Football Tournament paid a visit to Chairman, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, in Abuja.

The tournament will be used to discover talents at the grassroots level and also to promote peace and unity within the country.

Babayaro Continues from BP Musa’’. We did not do well at the Confederations Cup because most of these good players were absent. If they were present, Spain would have seen the real Eagles”.

He however admitted that the game would not be a stroll in the pack. ‘’Ethiopians will make Eagles sweat. They can knock the ball around but at the end, they will fall’’.

Babayaro also reckons that if Eagles don’t qualify for the World Cup, it would be a bad omen for a country that

many tip that could be the first African nation to win the world cup.

“Keshi will take a walk or be sacked and we will start afresh. That will spell doom to Nigerian football. There are no ifs in the last world cup qualifier.

The first leg will be played between 11-15 October with the host choosing on the exact date while the return leg will be played between November 1115th.

Ethiopia finished top of Group A despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player against Botswana.

FFICIALS of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and Nigeria’s leading broadcast medium, Channels Television are putting finishing touches to a major youth championship aimed at identifying trainable young Nigerians in all parts of the country.

A statement by AFN’s Olukayode Thomas said the Championship will be called Channels TV Athletics Classics. It is the vision of Mr. John Momoh, the proprietor of Channels Television.

According to Thomas, the Championship will start at the state level where athletes will compete to represent their zones at the zonal level.

The zonal cham-pionship will be held in all the six geo-political zones.

Winners at the zonal level will then compete at the national final.

Thomas says the championship is open to all secondary school students in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. President of AFN Solomon Ogba commended the vision of Mr. Momoh. Said he: “We are grateful to Momoh. He started with football, now he is embracing athletics. This championship is national and will give opportunity to young trainable athletes who will be trained to become world beaters in a few years, and the credit will go to Mr. Momoh and Channels TV for giving this opportunity to young athletes.”

Ethiopia Coach Continues from BP them but the secret will be to work extremely hard and use the home ground advantage before going away which is always a difficult hunting ground.”

“I am optimistic that if we can begin our preparations as soon as possible then we will get positive results. We have drastically improved since we last played Nigeria at the Afcon. We have a huge task ahead of us and as you know the entire country is expectant of good results and we cannot afford to let them down at this important time,”

Bishaw said “No one dreamt of Ethiopia being at this stage but now we remain with two important matches that will help shape our destiny and determine if we will qualify for the World Cup which is every player and coaches dream,” Bishaw added.

The first leg will be played between 11-15 October with the host choosing on the exact date while the return leg will be played between November 11-15th.

Ethiopia finished top of Group A despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player against Botswana.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 , 2013

Imoke happy with Eagles draw, wants to complete World Cup job

C

ROSS River state gover nor,senator Liyel Imoke wants the Super Eagles to remain focussed on the qualification job for next

year ’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil following the draw Monday that pits the team against the

Continues on Page 62

. It’s a walk-over How we can beat Eagles .—. Babayaro — Ethiopia Coach A

BY TONY UBANI

E

THIOPIA’S national team coach Sewnet Bishaw is not fazed despite being drawn against African champions, Nigeria in the upcoming World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Sewnet said that they will not underrate the African champions whom he described as a very good team and intimated that the Ethiopians will embark on early preparations as they have an advantage because the bulk of their players are based at home.

“This is not the time to lament on the opposition we have since all the 10 teams that qualified were equally good and up to the task. Nigeria are a very good side and we cannot underrate Continues on Page 62

JUBILATION . . . Super Eagles players jubilating after winning the 2013 Afcon trophy in South Africa early this year. Eagles have one hurdle in Ethiopia to cross before they land in Brazil for the World Cup proper.

PUZZLE

Today's matches on page 35

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

S Nigerians continue to celebrate Monday ’s draw that pitched the Super Eagles against Ethiopia despite fears that unknown teams produce shocking results at the end, Emmanuel Babayaro has further dismissed such fears of Ethiopia posing a problem for the Eagles to be in Brazil.

“It’s a walk-over!”, he screamed yesterday insisting that the Eagles are already in Brazil. ‘’There is not nothing that will stop Eagles from beating Ethiopia. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. Do you want us to draw Egypt? Or do you want to draw Cameroun?. We prayed for this and God answered our prayer. We should be thankful to God. “It’s a pity that many Nigerians underate our

team. Do you know that the Eagles are on a winning streak? The way they are, it will be difficult for any team in the world to beat them. We are champions of Africa and we have the champion’s stuff”.

Not wanting any argument over upsets, Babayaro who was in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games winning squad said; ‘’my brother, we pass dem’’.

Reminded about the over confidence that saw Angola edging Eagles out of the African Cup of Nations, Babayaro retorted; ‘’forget Angola.

We knew what happened and God also punished us.

Look at the Eagles attack with Emenike, Moses and Continues on Page 62

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Aspersion (4) 4 Droop (3) 6 Throw (4) 9 Possess (3) 10 Timetable (8) 11 Mask (4) 14 Nothing (3) 16 Short (5) 19 Diligent (8) 21 Group (5) 23 Cadge (8) 24 Late (5) 27 Crone (3) 31 Rise (4) 33 Aspiration (8) 34 Pose (3) 35 Depend (4) 36 Fasten (3) 37 Inter (4)

DOWN 2 Dearth (4) 3 Stagger (4) 4 Fake (8) 5 Valley (4) 6 Lid (5) 7 Wonder (3) 8 Game-bird (5) 12 Possession (5) 13 Purchaser (5) 14 Pen-point (3) 15 Meal (5) 17 Silly (5) 18 Lobby (5) 20 Clamber (8) 22 Pig (3) 25 Got up (5) 26 Soiled (5) 28 Walked (4) 29 Stump (4) 30 Bitter (4) 32 Sicken (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Callow 5, Thrill 8, Christen 9, Rude 10, Arm 12, Shock 15, Yet 17, Ore 18, Nee 19, Emu 20, Whole 21, Alb 22, Lie 23, Ass 24, Dud 26, Dared 29, Two 33, Idea 34, Indicate 35, Verify 36, Remark.

DOWN: 2, Abhor 3, Lair 4, Watch 5, Tonic 6, Rare 7, Lodge 10, Amend 11, Mould 12, Sewed 13, Odour 14, Knead 15, Yeast 16, Taboo 25, Undue 27, Amity 28, Elder 30, Water 31, Taxi 32, Scum.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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