CASH CRUNCH: Capital projects on hold in states

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61995

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Associated Airlines surviving crew face amputation

•P.6

Odimegwu quits as NPC boss •P.8

UN elects Nigeria, 4 others into Security Council•P. 4

CASH CRUNCH:

Capital projects on hold in states •Fashola says cash crunch distorts his plans •FEC to discuss issue next week

We're responding to deportees' court cases —Lagos govt •P.10

BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE, EMMA AMAIZE, ANAYO OKOLI, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, GBENGA OLARINOYE, DAYO JOHNSON, VINCENT UJUMADU, PETER DURU, AUSTIN OGWUDA, OLA AJAYI, MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO, EMMA UNA, BALA AJIYA. MARIE-THERESE NANLONG & BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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AGOS—CAPITAL projects are on hold in many states due to disagreements between the Federal and state governments over remittance of financial allocation due the states.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, lamented the cash crunch in the state say

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS: •P.17

•P.19

Mr & Mrs

African migrants, including many from Nigeria, gather on the deck of a Malta armed forces ship as they depart the Amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio, yesterday. The San Antonio rescued 128 men adrift from an inflatable raft that was threatening to capsize in rough seas in the Mediterranean, October 16, after responding to a call by the Maltese government. AFP photo

NNPC halts petrol importation •PPMC adopts fresh measures to decongest depots

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2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 3

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Glut forces NNPC to halt petrol importation

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU & PATRICIA NWOSU, with agency reports

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HALLENGES associated with disposing of existing fuel stock and congestion of depots across the country, may have forced the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to suspend further importation of

premium motor spirit, PMS, or petrol.

The glut in the market has forced the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, the marketing arm of the NNPC to adopt a number of measures including: Suspending further importation to reduce stock levels Reducing ex-depot price (unofficially) by N2/Litre,

quoted as N87.66/L as at September 10, on the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA official website.

Depot decongestion, and, Checking demurrage and depot throughput costs However, all of these measures have not helped the corporation in reducing the stock level by encouraging market-

CONFERENCE: From left; Mrs. Lolia Emakpore, Director, Policy, Competition & Economic Analysis, Nigerian Communications Commissions, NCC, Engr. Peter Igho, Chairman, NCC and Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, at the ongoing first conference of African Telecom Regulators on Consumer Affairs organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, yesterday, in Lagos . Photo: Emeka Aginam.

Jonathan set to name Dan Abia as NDDC MD but...

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan may soon announce the board of the Niger Delta Commission, NDDC, with Bassey Dan Abia, a former acting Chairman of the commission, as the substantive Managing Director.

A source close to the Presidency told Vanguard yesterday that the President Jonathan was favourably disposed to Abia’s nomination, which was made by Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum.

The source said that barring some petitions, which have been raised against the nomination of Abia and other nominees, the President could unfold the membership of the new board any moment from now.

Abia is said to have been picked by the governor and presented to the Presidency given his background as a lawyer and someone who had once served on the board of the NDDC before it was dis-

banded by Jonathan.

But as the information filtered to town that Akpabio had made a case for Abia’s appointment, some Niger Delta groups have kicked against it, faulting the governor for putting forth Abia’s name, having been part of the discredited board sacked by Jonathan.

One of the groups, Niger Delta Alliance, NDA, in a strong petition forwarded to President Jonathan, warned that they would resist Abia’s appointment with open protest and make it impossible for him to assume the headship of the commission given his link with the past leadership that mismanaged the agency.

NDA said in the petition jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Allen Chua Anga and Secretary, Orok Didi Pius, that Abia had lost the locus to serve as the MD of the commission having been earlier sent packing by the President over the misconduct of the former board.

The group said that while it was not opposed to Jonathan’s power to appoint people into public offices in the country,

they would nonetheless move against the appointment of persons who have nothing to offer to the NDDC. NDA said: “Mr. President, we have no quarrel with your right to appoint but we will certainly resist, in very strong terms and with all available resources, any attempt by selfish politicians who have mapped out their devious plans to take over the Niger Delta Development Commission for their selfish interest to the detriment of all of us.”

“We will march to the NDDC Headquarters and ensure that such people do not take over.

We will disrupt the commission’s operations until there is a reversal of that perverse thinking.

“We will march to the National Assembly to hear us. We will pray to God above to remove them from the path of progress.

“Mr. President Sir, a sound board is strategic to proper management of human and material resources that will translate to the development of the area.

“We therefore humbly request that Mr. President be

ers to lift more products.

Indeed, some retail outlets have also supported the move by reducing pump price of petrol from N97/L to N96/L to encourage patronage.

Although there was no official comment from the NNPC, but a top management source confirmed with Vanguard on the telephone yesterday night that: “In the light of all these factors mentioned above, it will be purely a commercial and economic sense to take such measures.”

Besides, our source noted, “It is to the credit of the NNPC that in the last three years there has been no scarcity of petrol in the market,” adding that “The stock levels we currently have are more than sufficient to support the period of the suspension until we are able to decongest the depots, and the vessels at sea waiting to berth are able to discharge their products.”

Furthermore, a source from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, who spoke to Vanguard in confidence on the telephone, also confirmed that “There are a number of vessels waiting to discharge. But I cannot confirm how many until I check the records tomorrow (today).’

He added, “For us (DPR) our concern is to monitor the stock levels, who is bringing what from where, and if there are issues, we can then raise concerns.”

Suspension of imports A Reuters reports quoting market sources said the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) has suspended the importation of gasoline (petrol) into the country.

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, others elected to serve on UN Security Council

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HE United Nations General Assembly, yesterday, elected Nigeria and four other countries to serve as non-permanent members on the Security Council for twoyear terms beginning on January 1, 2014. The other countries are Chad, Chile, Lithuania, and Saudi Arabia In his immediate reaction, President Goodluck Jonathan promised the international community that Nigeria will use the opportunity of its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to continue to make very significant contributions towards the achievement and sustenance of global peace and security.

In a statement in Abuja, yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, quoted the president as saying that Nigeria’s election is ”a glowing expression of support and encouragement for Nigeria’s active participation in the promotion of peace, security and political stability in Africa and other parts of the world.”

Harmonised telecoms regulations for Africa soon —ATU

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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HE Programme Coordinator of African Telecommunications Union, ATU, Alice Koech, yesterday in Lagos, said that harmonized telecommunications regulatory frame work for African countries would soon be put in place to implement consumer friendly policies.

Koech, in her presentation during the ongoing first conference of African Telecoms regulations on consumer affairs organised by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, which kicked off in Lagos yesterday, told the gathering that harmonised regulatory regimes for the continent would improve regulatory framework and policies of all participating countries thereby ensuring improved telecom consumer satisfaction.

Although she did not disclose when the harmonised policies would be put in place, she said that liberalization of the international (voice) gateways, converged licensing and technology neutral spectrum licensing were major de-

velopments in regulatory environment that have been observed in the past five years.

According to her, equitable access to marine optical fibre cables by all countries in particular landlocked countries, making available the digital dividend spectrum to foster broadband in particular in remote areas, market based spectrum licensing for better maximization pf spectrum utilization and service neutral licensing were areas that needed urgent regulatory harmonization within African continent.

For the Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. J. O. Atoyebi, in a round table on how multiple regulation impacts telecom expansion/penetration, said with optimism that if the harmonised regulation was approved by ATU, telecoms consumers will not only enjoy best quality of service but will have their interest protect.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

NATIONAL IDENTITY: President Goodluck Jonathan inspecting the National Identity Management Commission's Mobile Data Capturing Machine during the official launch of the National Identity Programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. With him are the NIMC Board Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus (right) and the Director General, Mr Chris Onyemenam.

Capital projects on hold in states Continues from page 1 ing the delay in remittances by the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, has continued to take its toll on completion of some major projects in the state.

Though a few state governments have struggled to pay salaries ostensibly to avoid conflict with organised labour, the same cannot be said of local governments where employees are being owed salaries.

Even states which have paid have not been able to to pay when due. Consequently, salaries have been delayed. The disagreement between the state governors and the Federal Government cut across party lines, as governors of the President’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have also been loud in their objection to the financial allocation from the Federal Government.

Vanguard investigations showed that although some state governments have been able to pay employees, they are indebted to contractors.

Lagos: Governor Babatunde Fashola whose state is the commercial nerve centre of the country said though his government has recorded 70 per cent in the third quarter's performance of its 2013 budget, “there is a lot of work that have been completed that we have not paid for.

The core reason for that is the revenue shortfall we have been experiencing and delay in revenue that

is coming from the Federal Government”.

Fashola while briefing the media on the quarterly review of budget performance at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday said, the performance represented a slight dip in the overall aggregate of 72 per cent mid-year to 71 per cent.

He said, “I think over two months now (between August and September), the FAAC payment did not come on time. The augmentation also did not come on time. As far as I am aware, not all of it has probably come from last report that I got. So, it distorts our plans.

Is 400,000 barrels of oil stolen every month?

“We hope that things will look upward and positive in the final quarter. We expect that as a country, we cannot continue to have this distortion in revenue collection and projection where the largest source of revenue comes from a single item. If we are reporting some of the excuses that we heard, 400,000 barrels of oil is being stolen. The story does not change. Some of the questions really are: Is it a fixed amount of oil being stolen every month?

Even if oil thieves do not change, is it still the same amount? We need to look at this thing more rigorously.

"I am happy to report that most of the infrastructure projects are making

progress. Roads are being completed in Epe, Ajah, Agege and Ajao. The Ajao link bridge has been completed now. We have completed the Iju road bypass from Capitol Road.

Road works are going inside Ikeja GRA, already approaching completion.

Drainage works, primary health centre, cardiac and renal centre in Gbagada as well as new schools have been completed.

“There is a lot of progress in terms of capital works, and service efficiency is improving. Today, we are going to commission our power plant in Alausa. We are going to hand over a primary healthcare centre in Oregun. These are the projects completed in the third quarter. In delivery terms, I am satisfied. In number terms, revenue shortfalls do not enable us to pay. As the payment comes now, they may have grown into the fourth payment.

“Budget is expenditure and revenue. If you do not earn it, you cannot spend it. It affects everybody, but of course in varying degree. If you look at it, our dependence on statutory allocation as a state is not as high as the dependence of other states.

Even then, what it simply means is that if the commissioners of finance, who go to Abuja, do not agree to accounts and remittances, it means money can not be transferred.

“During that period, we did not have strike here in Lagos that salaries

were not paid. What it simply means is that we use revenue from our IGR that we should have used to pay contractors to keep the public service going.

And of course, when the payment comes back, we will come and pay later.

So, that distorts so many things. In some cases, we had to go for short borrowing if we did not have cash. We do not keep cash really in reserve. Everything is planned against expectation and commitment that we have made.

It creates distortion and sometimes increases our deficit, because if we borrow, we pay some interest.

Allegation of theft of crude oil doesnt make sense “The question really to ask is where are these shortfalls coming from?

Where is this theft coming from? Is it the local crude oil that we should refine for consumption that is being stolen? If that is it, interestingly there has been no fuel queue in the country recently. It does not make sense to me. If it is what we sell for exports, I am not aware also that we have breached any of our agreements with our major buyers.

There is no reported incident because those are things that should be reported at the FAAC meeting. They should be able to tell at the FAAC meeting that because we did not sell this, that is why

we did not have this money. There are questions we will be taking up at the appropriate forum. It is just important that we get our hands off this and take ourselves as serious.”

Abia: In Abia State, government sources confirmed that "the failure of FAAC to fulfill its financial obligations to the federating units is actually affecting the state. As a result, the state has been experiencing some financial hiccups. It has led to salaries of the state workers being delayed. Also, government activities have generally slowed down with Governor Theodore Orji and his officials limiting themselves to running the government with internally generated revenue.

In Delta where the state has also paid its civil servants up to date as confirmed by state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan had complained loudly about the financial allocation.

In his address at a lecture marking the second anniversary of the fifth Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly, tagged ‘Legislative Issues in Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria’, Governor Uduaghan lamented that “States have to go to Abuja and struggle and beg for what is due to them. I am sure many of you know my thought on the issue of fiscal federalism especially as somebody from the oil producing area.”

Cross River: Governor Liyel Imoke in a letter to the state House of Assembly stated that “arising from shortages in projected revenue, certain revisions have been proposed for some capital projects and programmes to enhance the completion of some critical projects as some of these projects/programmes have been for upward/downward adjustments. Expenditure on infrastructure was slashed from N800m to

N700m while the rural electrification projects were also slashed from N3bn to N750m."

Although the state has been able to pay salaries regularly, it has been unable to to meet its financial obligations in the last three months. Consequently, the Cross River State government has been compelled to review the 2013 annual budget and also requested the State House of Assembly to release N800 million from the State Emergency Reserve funds.

Cross River not broke, though facing cash challenges A source at the state treasury told Vanguard, yesterday, that though the State may not be said to be “broke in the sense of the word, but we are experiencing very severe cash challenges and many obligations are not being fulfilled by the state because of the short fall in allocation from the Federal Government.”

Governor Imoke in his letter to the state House of Assembly noted that, printing of revised secondary education textbooks was slashed from N300m to N200m. He said, while “comprehensive renovation of 40 primary schools was also reviewed downwards from N900m to N650m and comprehensive renovation of 60 secondary schools was slashed from N750m to N250m. The governor also urged the State Assembly to approve a request for the release of N800 million from the State Emergency Reserve Funds to expedite work at the State Polytechnic under construction at Ugep, in the central senatorial district of the state.

Yobe: The state commissioner for finance, Alhaji Kaigama Umar has said that despite delay by the Federation Allocation Accounts Committee, FAAC, Continues on page 16

6—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Ex-council boss docked for bribery

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA— CHIEF Appolos Alozie, a former transition committee chairman of Aba North Council, was, Monday, arraigned before an Umuahia Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly offering bribe to influence his re-appointment as the council boss.

Alozie was remanded in prison custody by the court for the alleged offence alongside other persons said to be members of the syndicate that defrauded him.

They were being tried for alleged case of advance fee fraud, otherwise known as 419.

Alozie was last year sacked by Governor Theodore Orji after about one month in office as the transition committee chairman of Aba North.

The former council boss was arraigned for allegedly offering N4.45 million to one Uche Stanley and his group, who were said to have claimed that they would influence Governor Orji to re-appoint him as council chairman.

Members of the said syndicate include Uche Ogbusuo, 35; Henry Madubuike, 37; Joseph Imo Kalu, 36 and one Agwu Ukariwo, now at large.

They have been remanded at the Federal Prison Afara Umuahia till October 28 and November 4, for Alozie and the ‘419’ accused, respectively.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—7

Surviving crew of Associated Airlines crash face amputation

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

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AGOS— UNLESS the Federal Government urgently intervenes to fly Mrs Quinneth Owolabi abroad for treatment, she would have her toes and fingers amputated due to gangrene infection.

Mrs Owolabi is a surviving cabin crew on the ill-fated As-

sociated Airlines plane that crashed in Lagos two weeks ago.

But for her husband’s resistance, the amputation would have been done yesterday or today at Nigerian Air Force, NAF, base hospital in Ikeja, where she had been hospitalised since the crash.

Mrs. Owolabi survived the crash alongside six others, al-

though two of the survivors later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that the husband of the victim was making frantic efforts to reach the Federal Government for his wife to be flown abroad for treatment to stave off the amputation, especially as the government

was said to be responsible for her treatment thus far.

Efforts to reach him proved futile as his mobile phones remained switched off yesterday and it was also not possible to speak with the medical team at the hospital as movements in the victim’s ward was restricted by military personnel.

National President of Nigerian Airlines Cabin Crew As-

Kidnappers of Augusta Douglas-Ayam demand N500m ransom

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA— THE kidnappers of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam, sister to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, yesterday, demanded for N500 million ransom for her release.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who kidnapped the woman Monday night, contacted the husband, yesterday.

Though the husband declined comment when contacted on the alleged demand, a family source told Vanguard that the kidnappers allowed the woman to speak with him.

The source said: “Yes, the husband spoke with the kidnappers and he told us that his wife was crying, saying she was in pains.”

The source added that the husband pleaded with the kidnappers and asked them to reduce the ransom, “but they switched off the phone.”

According to the source, efforts by the family to contact the kidnappers again through the number proved abortive as

it was not going through.

The source said: “We tried to call the number they used in calling the husband, but it did not go through.

“The amount they asked for is outrageous. Where do they expect us to get that kind of money?”

Another family source said: “We are worried about her health condition and this could put her in grave danger.

“It is pathetic that this is happening to us as a family, at a time we are yet to recover from the multiple tragedy that occurred during the burial rites of our father.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, could not be reached for comments on the development.

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HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, claimed to have made contact

He said: “We are calling for referral for overseas treatment, a post-trauma stress assessment and de-briefing for Mrs Quinneth Owolabi, and her colleague, Miss Toyin Samson, currently on admission at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Lagos.

“We are appealing for government’s intervention be-

cause that is the only thing that can stop this amputation.”

Onuoha also called on the Federal Government to beam its searchlight on the regulation of the aviation sector to stop the frequent crashes and deaths of cabin crew that had trailed the industry in the last 10 years.

Onuoha said though Toyin

zStudied Marketing, practising medicine since 2009

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Mrs. Douglas-Ayam... Said she was in pains.

with the kidnappers of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam.

The group claimed the kidnap was a protest against alleged misuse of military helicopter during the burial rites of the father, Pa Douglas in Okoroba in Nembe area of the state.

MEND, in a statement by Gbomo Jomo, said though it declined to be an intermediary in the ongoing ransom demand, the kidnap was a protest action against alleged misuse of Federal Government facilities.

Though the authenticity of the statement could not be verified it read: “MEND have made accidental contact with the abduc-

tors of the sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas.

“The gang, in addition to seeking ransom, wants to use the kidnap to express their disgust at the ostentation they witnessed during the burial of Pa Douglas, which included the abuse of military helicopters that were used as a social shuttle service to ferry guests, when such could have been put to better use.

“As we do not wish to be dragged into playing the role of an intermediary with kidnapers, we have declined their request to get involved based on principles.”

Samson’s case had been stabilised at LASUTH, she needed further medical attention overseas.

He noted that post-trauma stress assessment and debriefing were a necessity for crash and hijack victims, and lamented the attitude of the management of Associated Airlines to the plight of the two cabin crew since the crash.

Police nab fake LUTH doctor

BY ONOZURE DANIA

… as MEND claims contact with kidnappers

BY EMMA AMAZIE & SAMUEL OYADONGHA

sociation, NACCA, Mr. Charles Onuoha, who confirmed the development, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently come to the rescue of the crash victim.

According to him, Owolabi’s 10 toes and the five fingers of the left hand have been marked for amputation because of the infection that had set in.

Fake Doctor Akintolure. INSET: Identity and business cards.

Casualties of Ilorin Sallah tragedy rises to 20

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN— THE number of deaths from the Sallah stampede, during the distribution of gifts to People’s Democratic Party, PDP, faithful in Ilorin Wednesday night, has risen to 20.

However, the figure could not be officially confirmed at press time, yesterday.

Former governor and party leader in the state, Senator Abubakar Saraki said he was deeply worried and sad about

the development and expressed condolences to the affected families.

Vanguard gathered that the Eid-el-Kabir carnival at Ile Arugbo, Ilofa Road, Ilorin, which started at 10a.m., Wednesday morning with lots of fun, turned sombre when the crowd became impatient.

The event reportedly got to its peak at 7:30p.m., when they were to be given yards of Ankara donated by the wife of the former governor, Toyin, and a stampede began.

AGOS— LAGOS State Police Command, yesterday, paraded a 40-year-old man, Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure, a suspected fake medical doctor, who claimed to be a staff of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, with card No. 13541, identifying him as a surgeon and gynaecologist.

The fake medical doctor was also said to have fraudulently obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe of 2, Adesanya Close, Ifeko-Gbagada.

Akintolure, who said he uses the wife’s car as a mobile clinic, said the money in question was borrowed from Umosekhaimhe, adding “actually, it was not N500,000.

It was N260,000 she lent me to use for my brother’s ailment.”

He said he is from Ondo State, studied Marketing at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, as a parttime student and graduated in 1997.

According to Akintolure, “I have not treated more than 10 people. I just treat them for malaria and typhoid and I also give injections too because of my experience at Rivic Hospital at Akure.”

When asked how he got the

identity card, he said he got it from a business centre and that the computer operator signed it for him.

He said that he charges between N3,000 and N4,000 per patient, adding that his wife was not aware of his trade.

Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ngozi Braide, said she received a petition at the area H Police Command Headquarters, Ogudu, on July 19, that one Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe.

Braide said that a letter was written to LUTH on July 23 to authenticate Akintolure claims of being a staff.

She said: “On October 10, LUTH replied that the suspect is not an employee of the hospital and was not issued the identity card.

“In view of the revelation, the suspect confessed that he is not a medical doctor, but has been practising for about four years, using his wife’s vehicle as a mobile clinic.”

She said his house and vehicle were searched and drugs, injections, syringes and laboratory coat were recovered.

Police arrest injured robbery suspect in hospital

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU— ENUGU State Police Command has arrested an armed robbery suspect at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, where he had gone to treat bullet wounds he allegedly sustained in a gun battle between his gang and security agents.

The suspect, identified as Chigozie Owoh from Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, police said, was picked up from the hospital by operatives from Nsukka Division, following a tip-off.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said: “The suspect had gone to Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, October 2, to treat his bullet wounds, when information got to the operatives of the Nsukka Division of the police, Enugu State Command.

“He was interrogated on the spot, where he told the operatives that he was robbed and shot. Not satisfied, the operatives searched a blue Fiat bus with number plate KRD 324 XD, which the suspect allegedly drove to the hospital, and two locally made pistols and a cartridge was recovered from the bus.”

He said victims and the owner of the bus had identified the suspect, who is now helping in police investigation.

ASSAULT: Complainant weeps, begs court to release accused lover

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WHITE CANE: The visually-challenged on a road walk to mark International White Cane and Safety Day in Lafia, Nasarawa State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

ADUNA— A complainant, Joy Dominic, yesterday, broke down in tears at the Upper Customary Court, Daura Road, Kaduna, when the court ordered her boyfriend to be remanded in police custody.

Dominic had dragged the boyfriend, Mohammed Ashafa, to the court for allegedly beating her and “causing grievous

hurt.”

She had initially gone to Kabala Doki Police Station, Kaduna on October 15, accusing Ashafa of beating and leaving her with a swollen face after an argument.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Dare Komolafe, told the court that the complainant had left her bag containing trousers, a shirt

and make-up kit, with the accused and that when she went to retrieve it, he allegedly beat her up.

When his plea was taken, Ashafa agreed to the charge against him, and the presiding officer, Mrs Dorothy Inwulale, granted him bail in the sum of N30,000.

When Inwulale ordered the

accused to be remanded in police custody until he meets the bail condition, Dominic broke down and wept, begging the court not to detain her boyfriend.

Her plea was, however, ignored by the presiding officer, who adjourned the case till November 20, for continuation of hearing.

BACK-TO-WORK: Traffic returns on Ahmadu Bello Way, after Eid-el-Kabir celebration, in Kaduna, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

6—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Ex-council boss docked for bribery

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA— CHIEF Appolos Alozie, a former transition committee chairman of Aba North Council, was, Monday, arraigned before an Umuahia Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly offering bribe to influence his re-appointment as the council boss.

Alozie was remanded in prison custody by the court for the alleged offence alongside other persons said to be members of the syndicate that defrauded him.

They were being tried for alleged case of advance fee fraud, otherwise known as 419.

Alozie was last year sacked by Governor Theodore Orji after about one month in office as the transition committee chairman of Aba North.

The former council boss was arraigned for allegedly offering N4.45 million to one Uche Stanley and his group, who were said to have claimed that they would influence Governor Orji to re-appoint him as council chairman.

Members of the said syndicate include Uche Ogbusuo, 35; Henry Madubuike, 37; Joseph Imo Kalu, 36 and one Agwu Ukariwo, now at large.

They have been remanded at the Federal Prison Afara Umuahia till October 28 and November 4, for Alozie and the ‘419’ accused, respectively.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—7

Surviving crew of Associated Airlines crash face amputation

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

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AGOS— UNLESS the Federal Government urgently intervenes to fly Mrs Quinneth Owolabi abroad for treatment, she would have her toes and fingers amputated due to gangrene infection.

Mrs Owolabi is a surviving cabin crew on the ill-fated As-

sociated Airlines plane that crashed in Lagos two weeks ago.

But for her husband’s resistance, the amputation would have been done yesterday or today at Nigerian Air Force, NAF, base hospital in Ikeja, where she had been hospitalised since the crash.

Mrs. Owolabi survived the crash alongside six others, al-

though two of the survivors later died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that the husband of the victim was making frantic efforts to reach the Federal Government for his wife to be flown abroad for treatment to stave off the amputation, especially as the government

was said to be responsible for her treatment thus far.

Efforts to reach him proved futile as his mobile phones remained switched off yesterday and it was also not possible to speak with the medical team at the hospital as movements in the victim’s ward was restricted by military personnel.

National President of Nigerian Airlines Cabin Crew As-

Kidnappers of Augusta Douglas-Ayam demand N500m ransom

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA— THE kidnappers of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam, sister to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, yesterday, demanded for N500 million ransom for her release.

It was gathered that the gunmen, who kidnapped the woman Monday night, contacted the husband, yesterday.

Though the husband declined comment when contacted on the alleged demand, a family source told Vanguard that the kidnappers allowed the woman to speak with him.

The source said: “Yes, the husband spoke with the kidnappers and he told us that his wife was crying, saying she was in pains.”

The source added that the husband pleaded with the kidnappers and asked them to reduce the ransom, “but they switched off the phone.”

According to the source, efforts by the family to contact the kidnappers again through the number proved abortive as

it was not going through.

The source said: “We tried to call the number they used in calling the husband, but it did not go through.

“The amount they asked for is outrageous. Where do they expect us to get that kind of money?”

Another family source said: “We are worried about her health condition and this could put her in grave danger.

“It is pathetic that this is happening to us as a family, at a time we are yet to recover from the multiple tragedy that occurred during the burial rites of our father.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, could not be reached for comments on the development.

T

HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, claimed to have made contact

He said: “We are calling for referral for overseas treatment, a post-trauma stress assessment and de-briefing for Mrs Quinneth Owolabi, and her colleague, Miss Toyin Samson, currently on admission at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Lagos.

“We are appealing for government’s intervention be-

cause that is the only thing that can stop this amputation.”

Onuoha also called on the Federal Government to beam its searchlight on the regulation of the aviation sector to stop the frequent crashes and deaths of cabin crew that had trailed the industry in the last 10 years.

Onuoha said though Toyin

zStudied Marketing, practising medicine since 2009

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Mrs. Douglas-Ayam... Said she was in pains.

with the kidnappers of Mrs. Augusta Douglas-Ayam.

The group claimed the kidnap was a protest against alleged misuse of military helicopter during the burial rites of the father, Pa Douglas in Okoroba in Nembe area of the state.

MEND, in a statement by Gbomo Jomo, said though it declined to be an intermediary in the ongoing ransom demand, the kidnap was a protest action against alleged misuse of Federal Government facilities.

Though the authenticity of the statement could not be verified it read: “MEND have made accidental contact with the abduc-

tors of the sister of Mr. Oronto Douglas.

“The gang, in addition to seeking ransom, wants to use the kidnap to express their disgust at the ostentation they witnessed during the burial of Pa Douglas, which included the abuse of military helicopters that were used as a social shuttle service to ferry guests, when such could have been put to better use.

“As we do not wish to be dragged into playing the role of an intermediary with kidnapers, we have declined their request to get involved based on principles.”

Samson’s case had been stabilised at LASUTH, she needed further medical attention overseas.

He noted that post-trauma stress assessment and debriefing were a necessity for crash and hijack victims, and lamented the attitude of the management of Associated Airlines to the plight of the two cabin crew since the crash.

Police nab fake LUTH doctor

BY ONOZURE DANIA

… as MEND claims contact with kidnappers

BY EMMA AMAZIE & SAMUEL OYADONGHA

sociation, NACCA, Mr. Charles Onuoha, who confirmed the development, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently come to the rescue of the crash victim.

According to him, Owolabi’s 10 toes and the five fingers of the left hand have been marked for amputation because of the infection that had set in.

Fake Doctor Akintolure. INSET: Identity and business cards.

Casualties of Ilorin Sallah tragedy rises to 20

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

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LORIN— THE number of deaths from the Sallah stampede, during the distribution of gifts to People’s Democratic Party, PDP, faithful in Ilorin Wednesday night, has risen to 20.

However, the figure could not be officially confirmed at press time, yesterday.

Former governor and party leader in the state, Senator Abubakar Saraki said he was deeply worried and sad about

the development and expressed condolences to the affected families.

Vanguard gathered that the Eid-el-Kabir carnival at Ile Arugbo, Ilofa Road, Ilorin, which started at 10a.m., Wednesday morning with lots of fun, turned sombre when the crowd became impatient.

The event reportedly got to its peak at 7:30p.m., when they were to be given yards of Ankara donated by the wife of the former governor, Toyin, and a stampede began.

AGOS— LAGOS State Police Command, yesterday, paraded a 40-year-old man, Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure, a suspected fake medical doctor, who claimed to be a staff of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, with card No. 13541, identifying him as a surgeon and gynaecologist.

The fake medical doctor was also said to have fraudulently obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe of 2, Adesanya Close, Ifeko-Gbagada.

Akintolure, who said he uses the wife’s car as a mobile clinic, said the money in question was borrowed from Umosekhaimhe, adding “actually, it was not N500,000.

It was N260,000 she lent me to use for my brother’s ailment.”

He said he is from Ondo State, studied Marketing at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, as a parttime student and graduated in 1997.

According to Akintolure, “I have not treated more than 10 people. I just treat them for malaria and typhoid and I also give injections too because of my experience at Rivic Hospital at Akure.”

When asked how he got the

identity card, he said he got it from a business centre and that the computer operator signed it for him.

He said that he charges between N3,000 and N4,000 per patient, adding that his wife was not aware of his trade.

Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ngozi Braide, said she received a petition at the area H Police Command Headquarters, Ogudu, on July 19, that one Adeyemi Stephen Akintolure obtained N500,000 from one Joy Umosekhaimhe.

Braide said that a letter was written to LUTH on July 23 to authenticate Akintolure claims of being a staff.

She said: “On October 10, LUTH replied that the suspect is not an employee of the hospital and was not issued the identity card.

“In view of the revelation, the suspect confessed that he is not a medical doctor, but has been practising for about four years, using his wife’s vehicle as a mobile clinic.”

She said his house and vehicle were searched and drugs, injections, syringes and laboratory coat were recovered.

Police arrest injured robbery suspect in hospital

BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU— ENUGU State Police Command has arrested an armed robbery suspect at Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, where he had gone to treat bullet wounds he allegedly sustained in a gun battle between his gang and security agents.

The suspect, identified as Chigozie Owoh from Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the state, police said, was picked up from the hospital by operatives from Nsukka Division, following a tip-off.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said: “The suspect had gone to Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka, October 2, to treat his bullet wounds, when information got to the operatives of the Nsukka Division of the police, Enugu State Command.

“He was interrogated on the spot, where he told the operatives that he was robbed and shot. Not satisfied, the operatives searched a blue Fiat bus with number plate KRD 324 XD, which the suspect allegedly drove to the hospital, and two locally made pistols and a cartridge was recovered from the bus.”

He said victims and the owner of the bus had identified the suspect, who is now helping in police investigation.

ASSAULT: Complainant weeps, begs court to release accused lover

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WHITE CANE: The visually-challenged on a road walk to mark International White Cane and Safety Day in Lafia, Nasarawa State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

ADUNA— A complainant, Joy Dominic, yesterday, broke down in tears at the Upper Customary Court, Daura Road, Kaduna, when the court ordered her boyfriend to be remanded in police custody.

Dominic had dragged the boyfriend, Mohammed Ashafa, to the court for allegedly beating her and “causing grievous

hurt.”

She had initially gone to Kabala Doki Police Station, Kaduna on October 15, accusing Ashafa of beating and leaving her with a swollen face after an argument.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Dare Komolafe, told the court that the complainant had left her bag containing trousers, a shirt

and make-up kit, with the accused and that when she went to retrieve it, he allegedly beat her up.

When his plea was taken, Ashafa agreed to the charge against him, and the presiding officer, Mrs Dorothy Inwulale, granted him bail in the sum of N30,000.

When Inwulale ordered the

accused to be remanded in police custody until he meets the bail condition, Dominic broke down and wept, begging the court not to detain her boyfriend.

Her plea was, however, ignored by the presiding officer, who adjourned the case till November 20, for continuation of hearing.

BACK-TO-WORK: Traffic returns on Ahmadu Bello Way, after Eid-el-Kabir celebration, in Kaduna, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Jonathan orders NIMC to register all Nigerians by Dec, 2014

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has issued ultimatum to the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, to register all Nigerians by the end of next year.

Launching the enrolment exercise for the issuance of the National Identification Number, NIN, yesterday, President Jonathan said the National Identification Number will go a long way in enhancing the work of security agencies in the country.

According to President Jonathan, "Nigeria cannot be an exception to the global trend towards Identity Management and Centralised National Identity Database, adding that there is already a growing quest for specific databases and identity verification by several government institutions and private sector organisations in our country.

“The growing identity verification needs, therefore calls for harmonization and integration of identity databases and development of a universal service infrastructure. To achieve this goal, the National Identity Management Commission should ensure that by December 31, 2014, all persons eligible for registration as provided for in Section 16 of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Act No. 23, of 2007 are enrolled into the National Identity Database.

“By this same date, all government agencies requiring identity verification and authentication services or involved in data capture activities must align their activities with a view to switching over to the NIMC infrastructure.”

The President said “If the work of law enforcement officers is to be enhanced; if consumer credit is to be accessible; if we are to reduce cost of managing the Naira cash component currently estimated at N192billion per annum; if we are to reduce the amount of currency in circulation; if we are to achieve a multiple pronged approach to fight against corruption; and if we are to introduce social security, then we must, first and foremost, establish and verify appropriately, the identities of individuals."

Odimegwu quits as NPC boss zAnya appointed as Nwabueze's replacement in confab committee

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & OKEY NDIRIBE

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OLLOWING controversies that trailed his recent comments that Nigeria has not had a credible census since 1863, National Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Eze Festus Odimegwu has resigned from the commission.

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, accepted Odimegwu’s resignation, according to a statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The statement further indicated that Dr. Sam Ahaiwe, the Commissioner representing Abia State in the Commission, will act as NPC chairman pending appointment of a substantive chairman.

This came on a day the President appointed erudite scholar and pioneer chairman of the National Economic Summit Group, NESG, Professor Anya O. Anya to replace Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, in the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference/Dialogue.

Nwabueze declined his nomination on account of ill-health and suggested Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN, a member of The Patriot, as his replacement. The Presidency quietly rejected Nwabueze’s nominee and opted for Anya, a versatile scholar, who has served in various government panels in the past, to step in and boost the work of the PAC. The Anyim statement further showed that Pius Osunyikanmi has been appointed as Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aids Corps, NTAC. Odimegwu stirred the hornet’s nest in an interview with newsmen in Abuja late August when he claimed that the country had not had any credible census since 1863.

Blaming the irregularity on distortion and falsification of figures for selfish and political reasons by politicians, Odimegwu had said: “No census has been credible in Nigeria since 1863. Even the one conducted in 2006 is not credible. I have the records and evidence produced by scholars and professors of repute. This is not my report. If the current laws are not amended, the planned 2016 census will not succeed.”

Odimegwu’s comments raised a quantum of dust in the polity with the Presidency firing him a query.

He also received an avalanche of attacks from many northerners especially, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, who during a visit to President Jonathan called for Odimegwu’s sack over his denigration of the 2006 census.

Indeed, Odimegwu’s comments stoked the fire of controversies that has always trailed headcounts in

NIGERIAN DELEGATION AT THE UN—Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Professor Joy Ogwu (left) and supervising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri at the UN headquarters in New York before the election of Nigeria into the UN Security Council, yesterday.

the country. The first recorded headcount was at the Colony of Lagos in 1863. Another one was held at the then colony in 1871. It was, thereafter, conducted every 10 years.

The first national census was in 1911. Of the 16.054 million persons counted, the Northern Protectorate had 8.12 million, about 50.1 per cent of the total population.

After the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914, another exercise was held in 1921. The population was put at 18.7 million with the South having 48 per cent of it. Other exercises were conducted in 1931, 1953, 1962/63, 1973, 1991 and 2006.

Except in the 1962 exercise, the North has always maintained an edge over the South, thus affirming the 1911 projections.

The 1952-53 exercises put the nation’s population figure at 31.6 million. This census was considered an undercount for a number of reasons: apprehension that the headcount was related to tax collection; political tension at the time in eastern Nigeria; inability to reach many remote areas; and inadequate training of enumerators in some areas.

The undercounting was estimated at 10 percent or less.

The 1962 and 1973 censuses were most controversial and were subsequently cancelled by the governments in power.

The mid-1962 exercise was cancelled after much controversy and allegations of over-counting in many areas.

Of the 45 million Nigerians counted in 1962, the South had 24 million, thereby “overtaking” the North, which

was allegedly favoured in past exercises.

A second attempt in 1963, which was officially accepted, was also encumbered with charges of inaccuracy and manipulation for regional and local political purposes. Indeed, the official 1963 figure of 55.6 million was inconsistent with the census of a decade earlier because it implied a virtually impossible annual growth rate of 5.8 percent.

The equally controversial 1991 census posted a figure of 88.9 million people with a projected growth rate of 2.9 per cent Before the 2006 headcount, intense bickering arose regarding the proposal to include ethnicity and religion in the questionnaires to generate the statistics of the various ethnic and religious groups in the country, given claims and counter- claims regarding their relative strengths. The North threatened to mobilize its people to work against the exercise should these two indices appear in the questionnaire. There was equally a counter threat from the South-East to boycott the exercise if they were not included. In the long run, the North had the upper hand and religion and ethnic group was excluded to the chagrin of Southeasterners.

Consequently, population figures had always been a subject of mudslinging between Southern and Northern politicians. For Southerners, the belief is that the population of the North had been “overcounted”.

They argue that going by simple demographic distribution pattern across the globe,

population increases as one move from the hinterland (desert or savannah regions) to the coast.

They wondered why in the case of Nigeria, the North which lies in the arid zone, is more populous than the coastal South.

For Northerners, their extensive landmass and population must not be taken for granted, facts that several head counts had confirmed.

The controversy continues.

Odimegwu’s comments belie Nigeria’s topsy-turvy experience with population census. Acclaimed as the most populous nation in Africa, the true number of Nigerians has always remained a matter of estimates. Currently, Nigeria’s population is between 160 – 167 million based on projections from the 2006 census that put the nation’s population at 140 million with the North accounting for 73.6 million and the South having 64.9 million.

Lagos complaints One state that strongly disputed the 2006 census was Lagos, which promptly filed a petition at the Census Tribunal and got a favourable judgment. At the 1991 headcount, Lagos had 5.686 million inhabitants while Kano had 5.632.

However, in 2006, Lagos recorded 9.014 million people compared to Kano’s 9.384 million.

The state government, whose parallel headcount recorded 17,553,924 people, described the NPC’s figure as too low. It prayed the tribunal to order a repeat headcount in 14 Local Councils, namely, Alimosho, Ojo, AjeromiIfelodun, Apapa, Lagos-Island, Lagos Mainland, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Mushin, Badagry, OshodiIsolo, Shomolu and Surulere and the prayer was answered.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—9

APC woos G7 govs, promises to hand over party structure to them zWe 're not averse to any ‘big fish' joining us — Lai Mohammed

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

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HE All Progressive Congress, APC, is pressing on with its campaign to woo the seven rebel governors in the breakaway faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, with the offer of complete control of APC structures in their states, Vanguard has learnt.

The offer nonetheless, the G7 governors were yesterday still holding out for possible changes in the PDP, asserting that defection to the APC or any other party remained an option that would be fully explored at the appropriate time.

The offer to the rebel governors was formally made by Umar Duhu, National Vice-Chairman of the APC, North-East, during an unprecedented Sallah visit by top party officials to Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, one of the rebel governors.

Sources present at the meeting in Yola told Vanguard that the APC officials told governor Nyako that it was the policy of the APC to offer any governor that defects to the party the complete structure of the new opposition party.

Meanwhile, acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the party would not be averse to any big fish, including any or all of the seven rebel governors joining the new opposition party.

The offer of the party structures which was formally tabled to the governors during the Sallah visit, it was learnt, was symbolized by the offer of kola to the governor on Wednesday.

“It is our party policy that any governor that joins us from the opposition would be given the party structure in his state,” the APC officials were quoted as telling Nyako.

By offering the structure of the party to the governors, the governors would automatically produce the executive officials of the party in the states. It was further learnt that the APC may have deferred the appointment of interim executives in the affected states based on the consideration.

“In Hausa culture, we have a practice that if somebody presents you with kolanut and if you accept it, you have automatically accepted the person, so it is not a matter of if, but of when,” an associate of the governor told Vanguard yesterday.

Reacting to the development yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of the nPDP, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze told Vanguard that defection to the APC was an option now being

forced on the nPDP governors.

“Let us face the facts. The fact is that it is our desire to take PDP back to the vision of the founding fathers, but what is our situation where we

fail? Do we as politicians continue with the impunity that is being perpetuated by a cabal in PDP where two or three persons gather and say sack

this person, suspend this person, revoke this land, seal up this secretariat, is that how to practice democracy,” he asked?

Electricity workers threaten shut down of power supply zWorry over payment of severance benefits before handover to new owners

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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CONFERENCE—From left: Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Aisha Muhammed Oyebode, CEO, Murtala Muhammed Foundation; Mrs Ajoke Murtala-Muhammed, Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, Murtala Muhammed Foundation; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State; and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education, at the Murtala Muhammed Foundation conference dinner in Lagos.

APC disagrees with Presidency on Fitch ratings

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN & HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE qualified approval given Nigeria’s short and long term economic prospects by the global rating agency, Fitch Ratings, yesterday, stirred different reactions from the Presidency and the leading opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC. While the Presidency immediately hailed the report as a vindication of President Goodluck Jonathan’s economic success story and correctness of its transformation agenda, the opposition APC flayed the hurray by the Presidency as crass ignorance of the harsh economic situation on ground.

Acting National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, told Vanguard that Nigerians are not daft for Fitch to let them know that their economy is improving.

Fitch, in its latest report on the country had affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency, Issuer Default Ratings, IDR, and senior unsecured bond ratings at ‘BB-’ and ‘BB’ respectively, with a stable outlook.

Fitch also affirmed Nigeria’s

short-term foreign currency IDR at ‘B’ and country ceiling at ‘BB-’.

The rating agency nevertheless expressed concern that strong vested interests ahead of the 2015 elections could make structural reform in Nigeria a continual struggle.

Reacting to the rating, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe stressed that the report and rating were clear indications that the administration of President Jonathan was moving the nation towards what he termed sustainable development, economic growth and stability in line with the promises made to the electorate during the electioneering campaign.

According to Okupe, “the latest rating of the Nigerian economy by Global Rating Agency, Fitch, which acknowledged the landmark reforms being undertaken by President Goodluck Jonathan's administration in the electricity and agricultural sectors, as well as growing investors’ confidence in the Nigerian

economy, is an attestation to the success story of the President's socio-economic blue print contained in the transformation agenda.

Countering the presidency, Lai Mohammed said: “If you read that report very well it does not contradict the position of the opposition. The issue is that as long as the rating does not translate to more jobs, better infrastructure, better security, food on the table of Nigerians, it is meaningless. It is like an operation being successful and the patient dies.”

“It also talks of weak governance which means lack of institutions. The position of the opposition is very clear; it is that you don’t go home and say I have just gotten promotion at work and yet you can't pay rent, you can't say that your brothers are so proud of you.”

“For the economy to grow and to be meaningful to the average person, you need to create more jobs, create wealth, create employment opportunities, provide infrastructure and as long as it does not do that, it would simply remain meaningless.”

EARS that workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, may not get severance benefits before the assets of PHCN are handed over to the new owners heightened yesterday as the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, accused the Federal Government of deploying troops to PHCN facilities ahead of the November 1 planned handover to new owners.

The union claimed that deployment of troops were attempts by the Federal Government to cow and intimidate workers and hand over assets to new owners without paying wokers entitlements .

They, therefore, threatened that the industry would be shut down immediately the assets were handed over to new owners without payment of workers severance benefits.

In a petition through its General Secretary, Joe Ajaero, to the Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, the union argued that the content of a circular by the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, to the ‘new owners of PHCN successor companies’ calling for a meeting with the National Security Adviser, NSA, today, had betrayed government intention.

The union warned that the November 1, 2013 handover date to the new investors would remain a mirage without conclusive resolution of labour issues.

According to the petition: “The circular, signed by one Ibrahim Baba Gana, acting Director, Electric Power Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, we believe is immature and in bad faith. We wonder why Baba Gana would want to aggravate the relative peace we are having based on the understanding that payments would be concluded before handover.

Could this be a way of getting back at his perceived enemies given the way he left PHCN?."

10—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Lagos Speaker’s case stalled

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AGOS — THE much awaited trial of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, was stalled, yesterday, following the absence of the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba.

The matter was however, adjourned till November 19, 2013.

EFCC had re-arraigned the Speaker alongside his Personal Assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, over alleged involvement in money laundering to the tune of N338.8million from the state House of Assembly without going through a financial institution.

Visually impaired protest high cost of white cane

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — Visually impaired individuals in Lagos State, yesterday, protested over lack of availability of the white cane, which they use as a walking tool for the visually impaired, even as they celebrated the annual World White Cane and Safety Day in the state.

The peaceful protest under the aegis of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Lagos State chapter, argued that the cost of the tool was too expensive for any visually impaired in the state.

They argued that the central government was not concerned about producing the cane within the country. And efforts to import the walking tool were thwarted by high import duties fixed by the Federal Government.

They lamented over the improper treatment they receive from the government and citizens of the country, saying “Nigerians were not according visually impaired the necessary assistance to make them live happily.”

FLAG-OFF: From left, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser to Lagos State on Public Health, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, and Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, during the flag-off of Oregun Public Heath Centre, Ikeja Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

We’re responding to deportees’ court cases — Lagos govt

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said she is responding appropriately to the N1 billion and N20 million suits against it by some of the Igbo indigenes deported out of the state to Onitisha, Anambra State in July, 2013, adding that it had begun preparations toward the challenge in court.

Seven of the deportees,

namely, Joseph Aniebonam, Osondu Mbuto, Osondu Agwu, Nnenna Ogbonna, Emily Okoroariri, Friday Ndukwe and Onyeka Ugwu sued on behalf of others, the Attorney-General, AG, of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police and Lagos State Government to the tune of N1 billion.

Two other applicants namely: Osondu Agwuogo and Dandy Eze, through their counsel, Lekan Odunsi and Associates, sued the Executive Governor of

Lagos State, AG and Commissioner for Justice as respondents for a N10 million each over damages they incurred through the illegal, forceful removal from Lagos State and infringement of fundamental right to freedom of movement.

The state Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, while speaking with Vanguard on the suits, said the government was not moved by the suits as it would appropriately respond to the challenge.

Court orders fresh 7-day restraint on late Onyeador-Mayson’s relations

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — JUSTICE I. Harrison of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has placed a fresh seven-day order on Alexander Onyeador, Martin Onyeador, Thomas Onyeador and Nkemdilim Onyeador the four defendants who are children of the late brother of late Angela Onyeador-Mayson, after the seven-day order issued on them on October 9, 2013 expired.

The court had ordered that the defendants be restrained from tampering with the real and personal estate of the late Mrs. Angela OyeadorMayson on 29, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island and plot 167, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Wusa Zone 2, Abuja, pending on the final determination of the matter.

The trial judge, also ordered that the parties maintain status-quo and granted leave to the claimants to serve the defendants all the court processes through their counsel, George Obute.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter, yesterday, the defendants and their counsel, were absent from the

court, making the court not to be able to hear the motion on notice as adjourned during the last sitting.

The counsel to the plaintiffs Onyebuchi Aniakor, told the court the defendants’ counsel along with some thugs are still in the house and have taken over the gallery of the late socialite even after they had served them.

Aniakor, who said they were ready to move the motion on notice, said that the proof of service with the photographs showing the court order was with the sheriff.

He said he did not even know if the defendants re-

ceived the order through their lawyer.

The Judge said: “The way my mind is working now is that I would place another seven days order and if they and their lawyer still disobey that order, then I would proceed to hear the motion on notice.

“I said the court believes that you should go the extra mile to place the order at the estate of the deceased.”

“If after the interim order of court granted the claimant, the defendants fail upon further notice, the court would proceed with hearing of the motion.”

Ipaye, confirmed that the state government had been served the court papers as government was ready to meet them in the court.

He, however, stressed that the suit could either be politically motivated or not, insisting that government was responding to it appropriately.

He explained: “We are not moved by the N1 billion suit.

The suit could be politically motivated or not. We are going to respond to it as we have been served the court papers.”

Ipaye, also, added that the decision to transport the affected persons to their home state was based on their request after due consultation with their state of origin.

In his own reaction, the State Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said: “We will meet them in court,” noting that the suit was politically motivated as those deported could not have garnered the power to sue the government.

According to Igbokwe, those behind the lawsuit should also sue Peter Obi for deporting several Igbo indigenes in his state to Ebonyi State in 2011, and accused the Anambra State Government of drumming up the issue because of the coming election.

EFCC closes case against octogenarian accused of N1.4m fraud

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KEJA — THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, closed its case against an 88-year-old man, Olusola Alaba, standing trial for an alleged N1.4 million fraud.

Alaba, a former member of the defunct Western House of Assembly in the First Republic, is being tried at an Ikeja High Court, Lagos Sstate.

The octogenarian was arraigned on January 23 before Justice Lateefat Okunnu on a five-count charge of obtaining money by pretence and forgery.

Reports say the court had granted Alaba bail in the sum of N1 million after he pleaded not guilty of the alleged charge.

At the resumed trial on

Thursday, the EFCC counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Bosede, called two prosecution witnesses, Sgt. Joseph Okezie and Taofeek Sokunbi.

Okezie, an EFCC investigative officer, told the court of how Alaba on June 20, 2011, in Lagos, allegedly obtained the sum of N1.4 million from one Mrs. Olutoyin Ogundipe by pretence.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—11

NATIONAL CONFAB: AD faults Tinubu,

backs Jonathan

BY OLA AJAYI & DAUD OLATUNJI

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BADAN — THE National Chairman of Alliance for Democracy, Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa has criticised the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for faulting President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of National Conference.

While giving the President a pat on the back for listening to Nigerians on the need to discuss the myriad of problems confronting the country.

He said it was unfair for Asiwaju Tinubu to turn his back on the President over the commendable step he took.

He described President's move as the first step to address the nation’s problems.

To Senator Akinfenwa, who

spoke in Ibadan, yesterday, the unstable nature of Tinubu over the issue leaves much to be desired.

He said: “My belief and that of the entire AD and by extension that of all patriotic Nigerians is that we must support the confab. It is the first step to the conference we have for long been agitating for.”

Speaking jovially, he said:

“I think why Tinubu did not support it is because his crony was not made the Chairman of the confab. With that he would have given it his 100 per cent support.”

The AD leader cautioned all politicians to face reality and set aside all ego-centric interests for the country to move forward.

President has no hidden

Ekiti APC, PDP accuse each other of plans to disrupt Jonathan’s visit

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — CONFUSION trails the planned visit of the President Goodluck Jonathan to Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, the first privately owned university in Ado Ekiti tomorrow, as the two prominent parties in the state, opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are accusing each other of plans to attack the convoy of the president.

The APC was the first to accuse PDP of planned mayhem designed to implicate it.

Meantime, Afenifere Chieftain

and PDP governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye has called on the Police and the Directorate of State Service, DSS, in Ekiti State to investigate claim by the APC Chairman, Mr. Jide Awe that the PDP was planning to cause chaos during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the state on Saturday.

Adeyeye, who said he was miffed that up till now, Jide Awe had not been questioned four days after he made the allegation, said it was only in Nigeria that people just wake up and make spurious allegations concerning the national security and security agents will not do anything.

The president is billed to pay a

visit to ABUAD Saturday where he is expected to commission certain projects including the College of Engineering Building where the institution is to present its first set of graduates for convocation.

Ondo seeks FG’s assistance on Ilesa-Akure-Owo Road

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE —ONDO State government, yesterday, called on the Federal Government over the urgent need to rehabilitate the Ilesa-Akure-Owo Express-road.

It raised alarm that some portions of the road are no longer passable.

The state Commissioner for Works Gboye Adegbenro said this while on inspection of on-going road projects in Ondo town.

Adegbenro identified the Akure-Igbara-Oke, particularly Ibule junction portion in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, lamenting that complete reconstruction work should be carried out on the portion.

Adegbenro also tasked the Federal Government on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of other federal roads in the state.

He said the state government had been speaking with the Federal Government over the possibility of constructing the Laje-Ajebandele road to link Lagos-Benin expressway and reduce traffic in Ore area of the highway.

He explained that the road, which would be constructed under Private Public Partnership, PPP, arrangement by a Chinese firm, might be constructed with tollgate to enable government recoup its investment.

agenda on confab —PDP scribe Meantime, the National Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof.

Wale Oladipo has said that President Goodluck Jonathan has no hidden agenda on the proposed National Conference, saying it is a machinery to enable Nigerians hold a national dialogue.

According to him, the president had demonstrated sincerity by taking the decision to organise a national dialogue without being pressurised

by Nigerians to do so.

Oladipo spoke during the Eid-el Kabir party organised, yesterday evening, by the Chairman of the South West PDP Organisation and Mobilisation Committee, Prince Buruji Kashamu for party leaders in the zone in his Ijebu Igbo country home.

Oladipo spoke in the presence of prominent leaders of the PDP in the South West, including acting Chairman of the party in the zone, Chief Deji Doherty; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; former Oyo State deputy governor, Hashim Gbolarumi; Ogun State PDP Chairman, Chief Adebayo Dayo; Chief Remi Adiukwu-Bakare and Senator Hosea Agboola.

The party scribe said President Goodluck Jonathan administration organised the confab because he believed in the indivisibility of the Nigerian nation.

US Navy rescues 128 Nigerian, African migrants in rough seas

BY UDUMA KALU with agency report

A

US warship has rescued 128 Nigerian and African migrants from an inflatable raft that was threatening to capsize in rough seas in the Mediterranean after a request from Malta, officials said Thursday.

The other migrants were from Burkina Faso, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

At least 363 bodies have been recovered from the first boat which sank on October 3, while 34 died and as many as 200 are missing after a second incident just over a week later.

The USS San Antonio, which is equipped with an amphibious transport dock that can help in rescue operations, was scrambled Wednesday after a Maltese military aircraft spotted the dinghy.

“We successfully transferred 128 men between the ages of 20 and 30 from an inflatable raft on the San Antonio,” a US Navy official in Italy told AFP.

Why we charge the least tuition fee at Ondo varsity — Mimiko

T

HE GOVERNOR of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has said the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, charges the least tuition fee in Nigeria because of his administration’s commitment to make quality education affordable for all.

The Governor stated this when Muslim leaders from the state, led by the Chairman of the League of Imams and Alfas in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Aladesawe paid him a sallah homage at the Government House in Akure.

He said this was part of his administration’s effort to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and ensure education is affordable for all.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Oil thieves Nigeria’s greatest threat —NLC President

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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ORT HARCOURT— PRESIDENT of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, warned that oil thieves were a greater threat to the corporate survival of Nigeria than any other thing. He called on the Federal Government to urgently arrest the situation before it became too late.

He spoke at the opening ceremony of the Third Quadrennial Delegates Conference, QDC, of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, with the theme, Reforms in the Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst for National Growth and Development, What prospect for the attainment of Decent Work Agenda?

Urging NUPENG to drive the reform process in the petroleum industry, Omar said: “The average oil worker is at risk, from hostile environ-

ment to the threat of kidnapping and assassination. Like other workers, workers in the oil and gas industry have the right to peace and security at the work place. This is even more so with the goose that lays the golden eggs, who the oil workers in Nigeria are.

Production output has substantially dropped for various reasons. Crude oil theft has risen to an unacceptable level.

“This theft, unfortunately, is perpetrated by a combination of dark forces in our polity.

These forces are more of a threat to our corporate entity than any other force that you may think of. The challenges therefore, are many and the tasks require our collective resolve to excel as a nation.

We must therefore, rise to state that our government must take the lead by acting rather than lamenting.

“Another challenge is the issue of domestic refining of our crude, which will guarantee availability and affordabil-

and Ondo States, in the next four years during construction period, would create no fewer than 25,000 jobs.

In his welcome address, NUPENG President, Igwe Ahese, lamented the increasing loss of jobs in the industry and the alarming cases of unfair labour and employment practices in the sector.

ity of products, and above all, haji Dangote, told the gathwill create jobs for our youths. ering that among others, the Today, local refining is car- proposed $9billion mega reried out in several illegal lo- finery/petrochemical /fertilizcal and improvised refineries. er complex in Olokola Free trade zone, between Ogun This underscores the dire need for domestic refining of the products.

That is why I am using this opportunity to commend the indefatigable business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for taking up the challenge of establishing a refinery in Nigeria.”

E a r l i e r, Chairman of the occasion, VISIT: Fom left— Founder, Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola; President of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Governor Kayode Fayemi of D a n g o t e Ekiti State, during a courtesy visit of the governors to the university in Adogroup, Al- Ekiti, yesterday.

ALUU 4: Paramount ruler, three others get bail

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT— FOUR accused persons, including the Paramount ruler of OmokiriAluu, Alhaji Hassan Walewa, were, yesterday, admitted to bail by a Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt.

The accused persons are standing trial over their alleged involvement in the murder and negligence to prevent murder in the community, of four University of Port Harcourt students.

The trial judge, Justice Latam Nyordee, granted

the four persons bail in the sum of N2 million and two sureties in like sum. The court also ordered that the sureties must be verified by the Registrar of the court and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and also have evidence of landed property and updated tax record in the past five

years.

However, the 1st to the 8th accused persons, were denied bail, as the court held that it did not find sufficient basis to grant their applications, as the charge of murder, carrying capital punishment, ordinarily was not bailable barring the discretion of the court.

Emiko condemns Delta senatorial by-election

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, stalwart in

Delta State, Prince Yemi Emiko, has described the recent by-election organised by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Delta Central as a political tragedy and a very sad event for Nigeria.

Emiko, in a statement, called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to tell Nigerians, whether his organisation remains an umpire, or a participant in the process.

He said that the election was a sham, characterised by massive diversion of voting materials to pre-arranged secret places, with the alleged connivance of INEC, spin doctors and security agencies.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—13

Alleged plot to kidnap Amaechi uncovered

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

A

PLOT allegedly directed at forcing Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State out of office in a way former Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State was subjected to in 2003 was unveiled, yesterday.

The plot, allegedly aimed at forcing Amaechi out of office through blackmail while being kept incommunicado, it was claimed yesterday, would also involve family members of the embattled governor as co-conspirators.

The plot was made known in a statement by the Rivers’ Peoples Forum, RPF, signed by its president, Mr. Charles Bekwele.

Central to the plot, as disclosed by Bekwele, is that the governor would be seized in the same way Dr. Ngige was held hostage on July 11, 2003, few months after his inauguration as governor of Anambra State and subjected to physical pressures to resign from office on account of alleged differences with his estranged political godfather, Chief Chris Uba. The point of the blackmail was, however, not detailed in the statement by RPF, which claimed that Amaechi would be seized and forced to record his resignation speech for sub-

sequent broadcast.

The chairman of People Democratic Party PDP fac in the state, Felix Obuah, who has led the campaign against the governor was in a meeting when Vanguard sought his reaction to the statement.

A text message sent on the issue had not received a response at press time.

RPF in the statement said: “This fresh plot to illegally remove Governor Amaechi from office is another desper-

ate move by the Abuja cabal that is desperate to remove the governor from office by all means possible. This Abuja cabal has hatched a four-part sinister plot that is planned to end with the governor being blackmailed and threatened to resign from office.

“Incontrovertible information at our disposal indicates that the Abuja cabal working with some expired politicians in the state has planned to

execute this plot within three weeks. The hatchet man of the expired politicians is a former Rivers State legislator, who was recently involved in the failed plot to remove the state Speaker Otelemaba Amachree, which led to the fracas in the state Assembly.

The said former legislator lobbied the state legislators with promises of huge sums of money to impeach the Speaker.”

NUPENG CONFAB: From left: Mr. Igwe Achese, President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG; Mr. Peter Akpatason, Immediate Past President of NUPENG and Engr Joseph Makoju, representative of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Occassion during the 3rd NUPENG Quadrennial delegates conference in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Edo LG by-election: Police, EDSIEC warn against violence

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—AHEAD of the local government byelection in Esan North-East Local Government Area and eight other wards in the state, scheduled for October 22, 2013, the Edo State Police Command and the state Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, have warned members of the public, political parties and other stake holders involved in the election to avoid any act capable of disruption the election.

Chairman of EDSIEC, Mr. Solomon Ogor, who addressed a meeting of stakeholders and security agencies in Benin City, said that the commission was prepared to conduct the rescheduled byelection in a ”rancour free environment,to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.

“Efforts being put in place will not yield result unless there is cooperation from members of the public, particularly the political class in the area,” he said, adding that the

people should conduct themselves within the “bounds of reason,” to enable them enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He said that the commission had procured collapsible ballot boxes to replace the FEDECO steel boxes to ensure that every eligible voter was free

to exercise his or her franchise without intimidation.

He said that with the new technology, EDSIEC was the only commission in the country to have the colour separation ballot papers per senatorial district to forestall rigging.

Meanwhile, Edo State Po-

lice Commissioner, Mr. Adebanjo Forunsho, has said that adequate security would be put in place during the election, warning that electoral violence would not be tolerated. He enjoined all stakeholders to ensure that the election was free, credible, and fair.

We’ve realised N140m from restoration cabs — Bayelsa Commissioner

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, yesterday, said that the ministry has so far realised N140 million from the restoration taxis.

The taxis were introduced last year, following the ban on the use of motorcycles popularly known as Okada in Yenagoa, the state capital and its environs by the state government due to the alleged recklessness of the operators.

Ebikake, in Yenagoa, at an interactive forum with the cab

drivers, said though the government spent over N500million to purchase the vehicles, it had nonetheless realised the sum of N140m since the take off of the scheme last year.

She said aside few of the taxis that were involved in accidents, others were in good condition.

“It is good that government could realise such an amount from the cab operators. We have to commend the governor for the transparency in programme he introduced.

Because of that transparency, we decided to follow up and all these vehicles you are

seeing today, all have trackers and nobody can escape with any of these vehicles,” she said.

The commissioner noted that the vehicles that were involved in accidents were insured, adding that the ministry would sanction the affected drivers.

She warned tricycle operators in the capital city to obey all road signs with a view to averting avoidable accidents and loss of lives.

On the planned training school for drivers, she said that the simulators and other equipment were on ground and assured that the institution would take off soon.

Orodje inaugurates c’ttee to end crisis in Delta community

BY GODWIN OGHRE APELE—FOLLOWING the return of peace to the 17 crisis ridden Amukpe communities in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orue I, yesterday, inaugurated a sevenman constitution drafting committee, charged with the task of producing a constitutional draft that will serve the interests of the people of the 17 villages that make up Amukpe Federated Communities.

Inaugurating the committee, the royal father charged the members to be of good courage and impartial in handling the assignment entrusted in their care with a view to ensuring that the final draft of the constitution reflects what will protect the peace that had just returned to the area.

The 17 villages had been engulfed in crisis arising from accusations and counter accusations over the collection and management of oil money accruing to their joint treasury.

As a result, most of the communities opted for self administration, a development that led to crisis and the eventual locking up of their town hall in the past two years. The Amukpe communities’ joint Town Hall opened for business for the first time, yesterday after some years.

S

Urhobo College Old Students Association meets tomorrow

U

RHOBO College Old Students Association will hold its general meeting on Saturday October 19. Venue of the meeting which starts at 10 am is the school’s library.

The meeting will deliberate on the update on Urhobo College and the way forward. All members are expected to attend.

14— Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Guber poll: We 'll only vote for candidates from our zone —Anambra North

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—THE peo ple of Anambra North Senatorial zone in Anambra State have said that they would only vote for candidates from their area in the November 16 governorship election in the state.

There are four governorship candidates from the area already jostling for the plum position.

However, they would be screened for the right candidate to be chosen irrespective of his party affiliation.

In a communiqué after its meeting, the people under the aegis of Omabala Solidarity Union, OSU, comprising four council areas in Anambra North zone and the Awka North Council area stated that, ‘’Ndi Omabala as a whole shall support and adopt a credible gubernatorial candidate of Anambra North Senatorial Zone origin in the forthcoming gubernatorial election irrespective of political platform. ’’That all representatives of Omabala at the meeting shall embark on total mobilization of the electorates in their communities to ensure victory for the adopted candidate in the election.

That any person of Omabala area origin that goes against this firm wish and desire of Ndi Omabala to produce the next Governor of Anambra State shall be sanctioned.’’

One of the stakeholders, Senator Emma Anosike while addressing the group said the people of Anambra North had not endorsed any of the four candidates from the area, saying that they would in due course invite, screen and pick a credible candidate among the four. ”We are not talking about party here and any Omambala son who supports any governorship candidate that is not from Anambra north senatorial zone is not a true son of the soil”, he said.

Reacting to the development, the Director Media and Publicity of Ngige Campaign Organization, Chief Charles Amilo, described the action as unconstitutional.

Autonomy: Gov Chime frowns at states' interference in LGs affairs E

BY TONY EDIKE

N U G U — GOVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has condemned the interference by some states in the affairs of local government councils, saying it was unconstitutional to set up Caretaker Committees to administer the third tier of government.

He noted that contrary to popular views, the autonomy of local government councils has been provided for in the constitution.

Chime who was speaking during the flag off of campaign for the local government elections by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu said those states that have appointed caretaker committees for local governments in order to have access to their funds were breaching the constitution.

He said that the constitution provided for democratically elected local government councils and as well as independent funding, expressing dismay that some states had contrary to these provisions, chosen to treat the councils as if they were mere departments of the state government. ”This is wrong and should be challenged. I urge serious minded democrats in the country to challenge this practice in court. It is the only way to ensure democ-

racy at the grassroots level”, he said.

The Governor further disclosed that the November 2 elections would be the fourth to be conducted by his administration since 2007 as it had made it a point of duty since inception, to ensure

that the leadership of the councils was chosen by the people.

He added that the ruling PDP in the state had on its own adopted the policy of consultation and dialogue in its nomination of the candidates for the elections, stressing that the

policy had ensured that the elections were always conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

Governor Chime noted that all the PDP candidates in the 17 local government areas in the state were running unopposed as no other party presented candidates, adding that this was a testimony to the wide popularity of the party in the state.

SALLAH HOMAGE: From left: Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, welcoming Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar to his residence, during the traditional Sallah homage to the governor in Minna.

Obi of Onitsha shuns APGA campaign train

BY OKONKWO EZE

O

N I T S H A — THE Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe appeared to have snubbed the campaign train of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA when they paid him a courtesy call in his Ime-Obi palace on Wednesday, before moving down to their campaign rally at the All Saints’ Anglican Church Cathedral Field, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The APGA campaign team, comprising the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh; Governor Peter Obi and his wife, Margaret; the Deputy Governor, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu and his wife; the APGA Governorship bearer, Mr. Willie Obiano and his wife had gone to Achebe’s palace for a scheduled courtesy call but they discovered to their chagrin that he was not around to receive them in person.

The Ajie of Onitsha, Chief O. C. Adibua, a member of Achebe’s cabinet who received the team briefly at the palace on behalf of the Igwe, told them

that Achebe was not readily available to receive them.

A source from the palace told newsmen that Achebe was pre-occupied with another engagement as the team could not keep to the scheduled time for the visit.

Sources said that the royal father was not happy over the manner with

which Governor Obi singlehandedly picked Obiano as APGA’s flag bearer even after tasking the traditional rulers in Anambra North Senatorial District to produce a consensus candidate from the district for APGA. The sour relationship between Achebe and Governor Obi over the hand-picking of Obiano came to lime

2015: CLO cautions PDP, APC against inflammatory comments

BY IKENNAASOMBA

L

AGOS—THE Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has cautioned politicians against making unguided statements capable of creating chaos, thereby undermining the human rights and civil liberties of Nigerian citizens, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Executive Director of CLO, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, who made this known said that recent statements attributed to politicians from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the major opposition All

Progressives Congress, APC, if left unchecked could ignite crisis, making the 2015 politics unsafe for popular participation.

He particularly referred to the events unfolding in Akwa-Ibom State over who would succeed Dr. Godswill Akpabio as governor in 2015, and expressed worry over the statement attributed to Mr. Umana Umana, the immediate-past Secretary to the State Government and his supporters,to the effect that they would foment trouble if Umana was not chosen as the PDP flagbearer in the forthcoming governorship polls.

light last month when the royal father resigned as the chairman of the state Council of Traditional Rulers, explaining that he had other more important assignments to attend to.

It was gathered that Igwe Achebe like other traditional rulers in Anambra North were unhappy that after undertaking a rigor-

ous search to pick Chief Chike Obidigbo as the consensus candidate from Anambra North, Obi had a last minute change of mind on his earlier promise and personally handpicked Obiano, his fellow director in the Fidelity Bank and hoisted him on the party barely two weeks to the close of entries for the race.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—15

Ojude-Oba: Tambuwal pledges support for Ijebu State A

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

BEOKUTA—THE Speak er of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has disclosed that he would throw his weight behind the yearnings and aspirations of Ijebus in ensuring that Ijebu State is created.

The lawmaker stated this at the 2013 annual Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu Ode, Ijebu Ode local government area of Ogun State.

Ojude-Oba is a celebration of culture, fashion, glamour, candour, beauty and royalty as sons and daughters of Ijebuland in their different attires celebrated the festival amid pomp and pageantry.

The Speaker also revealed that he and his colleagues were working towards ensuring that royal fathers are giving a chance in the executive council of the states so as to join in the deliberations apart from playing an advisory role.

Amosun In his address, the governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun congratulated the monarch, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and all

sons and daughters of Ijebu for the successful hosting of the festival every year, saying, it is among what makes the State one of the tourist destinations in Nigeria.

The governor, however, gave the assurance that his administration will never relent in his support of the Ijebus in their clamour for Ijebu State, adding that, “I believe that the people have what it takes to be a state in terms of both human and natural resources.”

The festival witnessed sons and daughters of Ijebu including the Baloguns, age-groups (Regberegbes), societies and various groups paying homage to the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, at the newly constructed edifice directly opposite his palace.

Aside the parade of the Regberegbes, sounds of gunshots, traditional songs, poems and horses display rain the air at the festival which was witnessed by crowd from far and near including the foreigners.

Dignitaries Among the dignitaries at the occasion included Governor of

Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, the state deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun, Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and members of the state executive council.

Others are the three Senators representing the State: Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central), Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Odunsi (Ogun West).

Also, two members of the House of Representatives from Ogun State, Abiodun Akinlade (Yewa South/Imeko/ Ipokia Constituency) and Abiodun Abudu representing Ogun Waterside/ Ijebu North/Ijebu East Constituency were present.

The governor used the occasion to assure all sons and daughters of Ijebu-Ode of his commitment to the completion of the ongoing flyovers at both the expressway and Lagos garage axes of the town, soliciting for patience from the people as funds and the weather condition had been the cause of the delay.

In his remarks, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, saying; “It is

of course a great pity that Nigeria, an anticipated land flowing with milk and honey at independence has today become a nation of ills and shame.

Corruption has become pervasive and endemic, nepotism is rife, infrastructure is decayed, collapsed education system, kidnapping, armed robbery, pen robbery, child abuse and human trafficking, comatose economy, lack of unemployment have all become the order of the day.

“Our political landscape has today become a nightmare and more so with the approach of 2015 elections.”

One of the highlights of the occasion is the presentation of trophies to the winners among the regberegbe’s and the horse riders.

The panelists The three panelists for this year’s Ojude Oba festival were Chief Fassy Yussuf, Coordinator of Ojude Oba 2013, Mrs Ronke Amusan, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism and Mrs Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo.

In the male category, Egbe Bobagunte (1959-1961) came first while the age group of Awujale, Egbe Mafowoku came second with the third position go-

ing to Egbe Arobayo Akile (19681971)while in the female category, Egbe Jagunmolu (Original) came first while Egbe Bobakeye (Double T)came second with another Bobakeye group (Surakat Group) came third.

From the Balogun’s (horse riders) families, the Otun Balogun of Ijebuland, Chief Agboola Alausa led the Alausa family to clinch the first position while Balogun Adesoye came second.

Bullet from dane gun Meantime, the festival nearly turned bloody when a bullet from a dane gun fired by one of the hunters hit one of the celebrants, leaving him bleeding.

The ugly incident occurred when one of the prominent families in Ijebuland was called for horse display and the victim identified as a photographer was hit on the head as he wanted to take a shot.

Some people believed to be hunters were firing into the air to salute the traditional ruler, the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona before one of them misfired.

Security operatives quickly arrested the hunter while the photographer was treated at a medical facility within the Ojude-Oba Festival grounds.

CELEBRATION OF OJUDE-OBA FESTIVAL AT IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE, YESTERDAY. PIX: WUMI AKINTOLA

From left: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Oba (Dr.) Kayode Adetona, From left: Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olori Ade Adetona and Mrs. Awujale of Ijebuland and Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker House of Representatives, at Funso Amosun. the 2013 Ojude-Oba festival held at the Afin Awujale, Ijebu Ode, yesterday.

Gbobaniyi Obinrin Akile Ijebu led by Princess Adebisi Edioseri (3rd left) at the ocassion.

Mr. Yomi Ogunbamowo; Divisional Director West Globacom, paying homage to Awujale of Ijebuland.

Balogun Kuku Group at the ocassion.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Capital projects on hold in states Continues from page 5 in meeting up its obligation to states of the federation, the state government has been meeting up its financial obligation to the people.

Plateau: Core civil servants who do not have any problem during the recently concluded biometric staff audit have been paid their salaries up to September. The state Commissioner for Information and Communication,Yiljap Abraham, said, “Naturally, the non disbursement of federal funds affects all

aspects of cashflow such as salaries and wages, contractual obligations, handling of security problems and the smooth running of government at all levels.”

Sad as the situation may be, Yiljap added, “Governor Jonah Jang has always ensured prudent management of state resources. However, the situation is not the same in all the local governments as four local governments have defaulted in staff salaries. A source said, “Jos North is owing us, I think Bokkos, Mangu

and one other which I’m not so sure are also owing.”

Another civil servant said, “Some people have not collected from August till now. We don’t know if it has anything to do with allocation since we are used to not getting our salary monthly. We are believing God will touch their hearts to remember us.” Meanwhile, one of the sole administrators in a local government area who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “we are going for a meeting today. I don’t want to pre-

empt the outcome of the meeting but I believe the issue of salaries at the local government will soon be resolved.”

Kogi: The failure of FAAC to fulfill its financial obligations to the federating units caused delay in the September salary payment in the State.

Unlike before when civil servants receive their salaries between 26th and 28th of the month; this time the State workers had to wait till the second week of October before receiving alerts.

Osun: The state gov-

ernment has paid its workers their salaries and other emoluments till date despite the short fall in the allocation from the federation account. State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, told our correspondent in Osogbo, yesterday, that the state government was able to pay its workers till date because it had made contigency arrangement for it.

Bolorunduro said the Aregbesola administration on assumption of office had been setting aside certain percentage of revenue accruable to the state on a monthly basis to take care of the ‘raining days’. The Special Saving tagged: ‘Omoluwa Trust Fund,’ he said, was part of what the government was using to augment whatever the state collected from the federation account and the internally generated revenue.

Next week's FEC to address cash shortfalls The commissioner, however, warned that if the situation did not improve, the state might run into crisis as the Special Fund was being depleted on monthly basis because of the shortfall on the revenue allocation to the state.

He said that one of the major issues to be discussed at next week's Federal Economic Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja would centre on the issue of these short falls.

Anambra: Salaries of workers in Anambra State up to date and workers in the state have received their September salary, though it came later than the usual end of the month.

However, officials of the state ministry of finance say it was not as a result of non availability funds, but due to internal logistics. The state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, said recently that the state government had saved enough money to pay its workers even if the Federation Allocation did not come in three months.

Benue: Findings by Vanguard in Makurdi showed that the state government had been up to date with the payment of salaries and wages of its workforce despite the inability of the Federal Allocation Account Commit-

tee, FAAC, to credit the state government with its full mandatory monthly allocation. However, despite the payment of workers salaries, civil servants in the state were faced with an unusual delayed payment of their salaries in the last two months unlike what obtained in the past when salaries were paid before a month ran out.

Wage bill offset from unusual sources A source at the Benue State Ministry of Finance who preferred anonymity told Vanguard that the state government sourced funds from unusual sources to be able to offset the wage bill of it workers in the last few months. The source said, “You know that Benue is a civil service state and the government could not afford to delay the payment of worker salaries beyond a particular period. That prompted the decision of the state government to source funds elsewhere to ensure the payment of salaries which gulps over eighty percent of whatever comes in.”

Vanguard recalls that at last month's ministerial press briefing, organised by the Benue State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Makurdi, the Benue Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, had revealed that commissioners of finance from states of the Federation were compelled to walk out of that month’s FAAC meeting because the committee failed to meet the financial allocation to states.

Oyo: It has been really difficult to pay workers’salaries since the FAAC has failed to give states the required funds.

Though Governor Abiola Ajimobi has dissolved his cabinet, one of his aides who said he did not get the nod of the governor admitted that paying workers’ salaries has been a tug of war.

He said: “We have not been finding it easy to pay our workers. You know, workers would not just understand. We have to get money by any means to settle them.”

Speaking on the incident, the Oyo State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Bashir Olanrewaju, said it was unfortunate that something like this was happening.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 —17

Another sad story

I

WEPT when I heard that Tunji Okusanya, the distinguished undertaker, perished in the Associated Airlines crash, alongside his son and four employees, en route to the funeral of Olusegun Agagu, the former Governor of Ondo State. I didn’t know Tunji well.

But I will never forget him for two reasons: My darling cousin, Mrs Cordelia Agboti, recruited Tunji to handle the burial arrangements for her uncle - my father, Ignatius Kogbara, in 2002. And he came all the way from Lagos to Port Harcourt and was a fantastically efficient and emotionally supportive pillar of strength to my family in our darkest hour.

When my pal, Senator Ama Iwuagwu, passed away in the United States a couple of years later, I joined a small handful of mourners who went to Abuja Airport to receive his coffin.

And it was an immensely traumatic experience.

Ama, a vibrant personality, impressive intellectual and highly successful businessman, had left Nigeria on his feet. Now he was coming home in an ugly, cheap wooden box that had “human remains” crudely stamped on it.

We escorted what was left of Ama to the National Hospital mortuary, where I saw his corpse for the first time. Confronted with this cold evidence

,

I handed over my powder compact and Tunji smilingly used it to tidy Ama’s frozen face up with such tender loving care that I suddenly felt much better.

Tunji’s company, M.I.C., has been described as a “High Society” favourite. But he was more than a mere status symbol who attracted expensive patronage from the bereaved relatives of VIPs. He was a compassionate friend in need.

May he rest in perfect peace.

Agagu, an enlightened gentleman I would also like to seize this opportunity to say a few a words about Agagu, whom I bumped into quite regularly during ex-President Obasanjo’s first election campaign in the late l990s. And one incident stands out in my mind.

I was having lunch in a restaurant with Agagu and a few Yoruba, Northern and Middle Belt politicians when one of the Middle-Belters started to insult Igbos.

This anti-Igbo rant was enthusiastically endorsed by everyone on the table, except me (my mother is an Igbo from Imo State!) and Agagu, who made it clear to the tribalists that he was not willing to participate in such naked bigotry.

Agagu was an enlightened

Tunji was more than a mere status symbol who attracted expensive patronage from the bereaved relatives of VIPs; he was a compassionate friend in need

that Ama had really left us, tears welled up in my eyes and silently spilled down my cheeks.

Tunji, out of the blue, appeared at my side and offered me a tissue. And I said something crass like: “We must stop meeting in such depressing circumstances!” And he laughed and asked me to help him make Ama look as good as possible.

“Ladies usually have powder in their handbags. Can I borrow some from you?”

C M Y K

*Rescue operation at the scene of the recent Associated Airlines plane crash

,

gentleman and I feel privileged to have met him.

HAPPY STORIES

A fascinating new book called Meeting The Enemy: The Human Face of the Great War has just been published in the UK. And I wish that every Nigerian politician would read it because it is full of heart-warming and inspirational stories about men who were more interested in common decency than conflict.

*...Crowd of onlookers, sympathisers at the crash scene Written by Richard van Emden, a military historian, the book reveals the surprising warmth that British and German troops sometimes displayed towards each other during the First World War I which commenced when Britain declared war on Germany in 1914 and dragged on for four long brutal years.

Civilians in both nations were, on the whole, uncompromisingly belligerent.

Anti-British feelings ran high in Germany; and the German Kaiser (Emperor) Wilhelm II, who was a cousin of the British King George V (both were grandsons of Queen Victoria), angrily returned the British honours he had gained via this family connection to the British Embassy in Berlin in a

brown paper bag.

And when the Lusitania, a British ship, was sunk off the coast of Ireland by German forces in l915, there were riots in its home port of Liverpool.

Rampaging crowds burned and looted shops belonging to immigrants of German extraction.

But, as Peter Lewis, a distinguished book reviewer, said in a recent newspaper article: “This kind of rancour was markedly absent from the front line in Flanders [Belgium], where the famous Christmas Truce took place in l914”.

The famous Truce started when British and German soldiers started to sing Christmas carols and shout ‘Merry Christmas’ to each other, then climbed out of their death-trap trenches with “what the hell”

defiance, to exchange gifts and friendly talk in No Man’s Land [the space that separated the warring armies].

The British Government was appalled and threatened to severely punish soldiers who engaged in such fraternisations with The Enemy. But spontaneous outbreaks of genuine goodwill towards foreign adversaries continued to occur at intervals.

The question I want to ask is this:

If people from totally different nations who are fighting a real war can let each other off the hook from time to time, why can’t Governor Amaechi, the “New PDP”, Mr President and the “Old PDP” not chill out and bury the hatchet?

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 NE of the areas in which the regime of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has frequently been in the news is the education sector. Apart from reintroducing free education in the state, Aregbesola has also embarked on revolutionary measures that have kicked up much dust, which does not promise to settle any time soon.

Starting from the current academic session, the school calendar has been detached from the 6-3-3-4 system that is being practised all over the federation. Rather, Osun is now the only state that runs a 4-5-3 system, meaning that pupils will spend their first four years in primary, next five years in middle schools and last three years higher schools.

Part of the “reclassification” includes the merger of public and missionary schools, which ensures that all schools in Osun will be co-educational, and only one colour of uniform is worn in all schools throughout the state. The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osun State are among concerned stakeholders, who have criticised the government for embarking on this scheme, but the state government insists that its poli-

O

Osun educational rumpus cy is aimed at addressing the rot in the system.

We are concerned at the way the sensitive issue of religious interests has been handled in the state since Aregbesola assumed office in 2010. He has unwittingly come across as someone, who is carrying out policies that constantly pitch Christians against Muslims.

The reclassification policy, according to its critics, will deprive the Christian community of many of its schools, which were set up through the efforts of its missionaries.

We believe that Aregbesola’s laudable free education policy can succeed without tampering with the rights and legacies of any religious group. Osun, being a state in which Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers have coexisted harmoniously should not be put on knife-edge through maverick han-

dling of policy, especially in the field of education, which is the state’s number one prized asset.

The government must also move quickly to solve the chaos arising from the merger of schools. Reports say that students are experiencing tough times going to their new schools and back everyday. Apart from that, the monouniform for all schools in the state runs counter to the pride and distinction that differentiated uniforms and the unique academic traditions impose on the psyche of students.

This is a major driver of healthy competition not only on the academic front but also unique traditions of the various alma maters.

Products of schools always hold the systems that produced them with pride throughout their lives. This reclassification may result in the “mass-production” effect that may not add much to students’ sense of academic upbringing.

While we applaud reforms, we also caution that the good intentions are not defeated by impulsive innovations that do not have the approval of majority of education loving people of Osun State.

OPINION

BY CHUKWUDI ENEKWECHI

I

T is an established fact that most industrialised countries like USA, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, France, Russia and China have as their identity the brand of vehicles they manufacture. For example America is synonymous with Ford, Britain with Rolls Royce, Germany is known with Mercedes, Sweden is Volvo and so on. It is therefore a thing of joy that Nigeria has started to develop a brand as we have in Innoson brand of locally manufactured vehicles. Obviously, this was how other great economies of the world developed.

Before Innoson vehicles were introduced into the Nigeria market, it was unthinkable that such dream will be realised someday in our country. Here was a man who started the importation of motorcycles from China but he soon realised that if he could bring them as completely knocked down parts, he will save some costs and provide jobs for our teeming youths.

He also thought it wise that by bringing the motorcycles to Nigeria as completely knocked down, it will be easier to discover the technological mechanics that enabled the Chinese to succeed. This idea worked wonders as soon after he started assembling motorcycles locally he led the effort to crash the cost of motorcycles across Nigeria. Before then only two foreign companies dominated the motorcycle market in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that the abrupt drop in prices of C M Y K

Local vehicles manufacturing — INNOSON/FG pact commendable motorcycles led to huge employment opportunities for our teeming youths. The simple reason was that it became affordable to the poorest families and they were able to eke out a living from it. Today, Innoson is replicating the same effort in vehicles manufacturing by doing what was previously unthinkable manufacturing vehicles locally. It is therefore gratifying that the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has decided to partner with the company by patronising their products. This is indeed the way to go if Nigeria can make the desired progress in local auto manufacturing. t a time when the country is facing tremendous challenges in youth unemployment with its attendant drawbacks, only value-added enterprises like Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing plant can mitigate the effects through the job opportunities they offer our youths. Again this can only be made possible if they have ready markets for their products. It is worthy to note that the benefits inherent in supporting companies like Innoson to succeed are multidimensional. First, apart from the thousands of employees earning their livelihood, as well as their dependants, they would acquire necessary skills that can help them to be self-reliant and creative.

As it is well known, ideas drive a nation, and from the abundance of ideas generated from such an en-

A

vironment, the country’s industrial development will get a major boost. There is no doubt that Innoson Vehicles plant emerged at a period in Nigeria's history when all odds seemed to be skewed against the setting up of such enterprise in the first place.

Talk of power challenges and other drawbacks militating against entrepreneurial endeavours, but notwithstanding, he was able to ride the storm and today Innoson has become a household name in auto manufacturing in Nigeria. The company is indeed a pride to Nigeria and Africa, and there is no doubt that sooner than later they will be the brand face of the African continent like Ford of America and Mercedes of Germany.

To save capital flight and create jobs locally, it is advisable that all states of the federation take a cue from the Federal Government by patronising Innoson vehicles. Already, some West African countries like Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Benin Republic, Niger, Liberia are ordering Innoson vehicles in huge quantities due to their durability and value added services.

Gladly, the Federal Government has set the pace, and it behoves all tiers of government to take advantage of this creativity and promote our indigenous vehicle plants.

*Mr Enekwechi, a journalist and public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013— —19

, IT had been much cause for concern, during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration, that the president had spent a good deal of his first term in office junketing round the world.

There was the disdain for the vast sums of money, real and imagined, expended on such trips. There was the worry that home affairs were suffering from lack of the president’s attention, and then there was the suspicion that not much was being achieved by the trips being made in any case. Perception, they say, is everything, and the President Goodluck Jonathan propaganda machine has succeeded, in an abysmal level of public relations practice, at making the presidency and the President look far worse than they might otherwise have looked, had he merely just been going about his normal day to day business.

The perception of Mr. President by Nigerians is of a simple gentleman who had no idea he was ever going to smell power.

Though this perception is logically off the mark, it would seem the President and his image makers have all but reinforced it since he was wangled into the PDP presidential primaries in the first instance. Nigerians, it appears, are united in this perception, regardless of whether they are from the South-South or not. Still, one wonders whose idea it was to embark on the particular folly of the recent Wall Street runs.

The whole New York trip was not supposed to be as irredeemably offensive as the China trip before it. The China trip had been different, perceived to be the circus reaction to the exclusion of Nigeria from the visit of Barack Obama to the African continent earlier in the year, which the Nigerian government had taken as an insult. The United Nations General Assembly is the Foreign Policy Mecca of the free world.

The rumour of the 600-man delegate could have been overlooked.

But making a jamboree of ring-

,

ing the closing bell on Wall Street and pretending it’s a historical event is just plain tacky. An event can only be said to be historical if it has historical significance and this just didn’t.

Redemption was to come from the least expected quarters. It was inadvertently, that the issue of the Sovereign Wealth Fund came up on the Wall Street walk, providing a significance, a backdrop, and hopefully the public debatethat a subject of such permanence and controversy ought to have had since Obasanjo’s Excess Crude Account had been rested in 2011.

Wall Street was to become symbolic of everything that was negative about new world capitalism.

Predictions had been made of a meltdown, but little attention had been paid until the worst had happened. Walking down iconic Wall Street ought to have been a rude awakening to a government and a people who perpetually fail to see the writing on the wall of their economy.

In economic terms, Nigeria has

Fani-Kayode: The Minister of cant

BY YAKUBU DATI

S

ELF-glorification is not new to Nigeri ans as a relevance-seeking strategy by politicians who have been left stranded at the bus-stop in the new scheme of things. If that strategy appears to be failing, some adept politicians advise that you quickly combine it with self-righteous pontifications which you shoot at those in government.

These salvos would, usually make you smell like roses, such that those who dumped you at the bus-stop, would forever regret the day they did not take you along with the convoy. Sadly,for one young and well educated politician with such great potential known as Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, this has been the case since he left government five years ago. This new-found public-spirited commentator who jumps on any issue under the sun in our troubled polity ,usually expresses views that range from the ridiculous, to the frivolous, to the unserious, to the kindergarten, to the downright sleazy. Even Fani-Kayode himself admits that he thrives in controversy.

The most recent tragic death of several Nigerians in an air crash in Ikeja Lagos provided Fani-Kayode with his latest ammunition. And firing on all cylinders, he has gleefully launched a barrage of verbal attacks at the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at ranking executives of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and at the current Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah,among others.

As is typical of Fani-Kayode, his attacks on his political friends-turned-opponents in the PDP are both virulent but again, selfserving. Let's take a look.

Fani-Kayode says: “Before the first crash took place last year and between the two major crashes there were numerous other smaller ones involving light aircraft, private C M Y K

jets, military planes and helicopters that were not publicised. All these unfortunate events occurred under the tenure of Princess Stella Oduah, who is the current Minister of Aviation. Under her watch, close to 200 souls have been killed in air crashes in the last two years alone.

“This does not surprise me given the nature of the individual that is involved,” he says.

Fani-Kayode is very funny. One,Oduah is not responsible for military aircraft.Two, is he suggesting that Princess Oduah likes Nigerians to be killed and that the death of this large number of Nigerians has something to do with “the nature of the individual that is involved,”in this case, Oduah?

What is in “the nature” of the current Aviation Minister that is attracting air crashes but did not attract air crashes during FaniKayode’s tenure but also attracted numerous fatal crashes during Fani-Kayode’s predecessor, Professor Babalola Borisade’s tenure and his (Borisade’s predecessor),Dr Kema Chikwe’s tenure as Aviation Minister? Fani-Kayode who is known to have attended a seminary, must have a special nature which prevents air crashes!

Fani-Kayode then takes his comments further into the realm of the ridiculous when he says: ”As a matter of fact, I am convinced that even if 1,000 people were killed in air crashes in the space of just six months under President Goodluck Jonathan, he would still not re-deploy or sack Stella Oduah because our President just 'doesn’t give a damn'”.

Now, perhaps, we can safely assume that Fani-Kayode wants more Nigerians to die in order to prove that his comments are right.

Rather, we should ask Fani-Kayode this question: ”Why should any Nigerian die from an air crash?” Really, to any right thinking person, why would the President or the Aviation Minister want anybody to die from an air plane crash?

been in the unique position of being neither a rich nor a poor country. Our definite richness in both human and physical resources has had us permanently suspended in the ashen purgatory of being a country of great “potential”.

The general response to this is the pervasive resort to the nostalgia of the groundnut pyramids and the cocoa board. Reference is often made to Malaysia, who was said to have got their first palm seedling from Nigeria in the '60s. Further than that, it has become the norm to compare and contrast rather than seeking to draw parallels with modern economic realities of other nations around us.

Issues arising out of the creation and running of a Sovereign Wealth Fund are not issues of politics, though indeed some nonPDP governors have resisted the effort for pure political reasons.

Neither are they issues of philosophy, as the idea of such a fund is generally acclaimed to be reasonable. Norway, which boasts the best sovereign wealth fund in the world, has her so called Government Pension Fund Norway, GPFN, which holds about one percent of global equities and remains the largest stockowner in Europe, with about 1.78 percent of its markets. Signed into law in May 2011 by President Jonathan, the trouble with the Nigerian fund is the same trouble that has bedevilled everything we, as well as virtually every country in subSaharan Africa, do. Angola, one of the oldest new kids on the oil

,

Ringing the bell on Wall Street

Nigeria has been neither a rich nor a poor country; our richness in both human and physical resources has had us permanently suspended in being a country of great “potential”

One would expect that if the former minister has any advice and knowledge which he believes would help prevent air crashes in the country he would have forwarded these to the current Aviation minister

,

Such opportunistic criticism by FaniKayode is insensitive, and this shows him to be guilty of the same ill he accuses others of been guilty of. Are the lives of Nigerians who are killed in air crashes now to be counted as if one was counting chicken, in order to know who had the highest casualties?

How can Fani-Kayode be this insensitive and callous?

Hear Fani-Kayode again ,this time as he blows his own trumpet: ”There were no air crashes under my watch and not one drop of blood was spilt from the air whilst I was Minister of Aviation, whether it be passenger plane, private jet, helicopter or light aircraft. I thank God for that, because if it had happened I would not have been able to sleep at night.”

He however also tells us that he was literally “paranoid” about air safety and security. What Fani-Kayode did not tell us however, is how his subsuming “paranoia” helped to prevent air crashes! Very soon, we may begin to teach paranoia in aviation and management schools as a remedy for air crashes! His statement is contradictory, giving us a glimpse into what appears to be a confused state of mind. On one hand he says “hard work” prevented air crashes, then, on the other hand, he says “there is more to the whole thing than meets the eye.” Now,he

block, also runs a sovereign wealth fund. Sitting on the threeman board of the Angolan Sovereign Fund, FSA, is the son of the president, Jose Filomeno dos Santos. And though a statement released by the fund board said its first investments will be in projects to develop agriculture, water, power generation and transport, with an early focus on the hotel industry in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lot of suspicion regarding the transparency of the processes.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, speaking against the replacement of the Excess Crude Account by the Federal Government, said last year at an investment conference that the move had a trust and constitutional challenge, his concerns mainly about how efficiently the Federal Government has traditionally managed the funds that the federation has put in its trust.

Federalism issues also arose, as Fashola further questions the Federal Government’s ability to be better savers or better investors than the states.

Issues of trust and issues of the economy go hand in hand and were, in fact, behind the global stock market crash of 2008.

And despite the law, there are questions about whether the saving will be done within an expectable framework of our knotty Constitution. By the way, it is time to ring the bell on the Communications machinery of Aso Rock. This debate should continue well beyond Wall Street.

is waxing spiritual.

We also know that Fani-Kayode’s cant has not been restricted to the aviation industry.During the recent furore over the deportation of some Igbo indigenes from Lagos State,Fani-Kayode who again jumped on the argument train, regaled the Nigerian public with his scandalous tales of some prominent Igbo ladies,howbeit married women, who he had had intimate relationships with.Is this ex-minister and presidential aide so bereft of gentlemanly honour?

Is Fani-Kayode so blinded by his quest for political relevance and his bizzare love for controversy that he would throw decorum to the winds?

Perhaps, we may introduce Fani-Kayode to a new line of business which should turn out to be very lucrative—an FFK secret potion for the prevention of air crashes.It also has ingredients that make it a potent aphrodisiac for FFK’s ladies.

When a lawyer with such rich pedigree can not present a coherent, reasonable argument on a simple but serious matter that is already in the public arena, then you wonder what went wrong somewhere.FFK is simply self delusional.

If Fani-Kayode was not playing to the public gallery, Princess Oduah has always, quite rightly held him in high esteem, extending to him the traditional courtesy expected to be accorded a former Aviation Minister. On that basis, one would expect that if the former minister has any advice and knowledge which he believes would help prevent air crashes in the country he would have forwarded these to the current Aviation minister. Rather, Fani-Kayode has engaged himself in unconscionable cant,doublespeak and downright self-glorification which is totally unbecoming of a former minister of Aviation or any high office holder for that matter. *Mr Dati, Director, Information and Communication, FAAN, wrote from Lagos

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 21

Niger partners agencies to boost rice production

T

*From left: Former Managing Director, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; Chairman, Milan Group, Ramesh Valechha and Managing Director, Milan Group, Rajesh Valechha during the grand opening of InterContinental, in Lagos.

Industrialists warn FG over uncontrolled trade agreements

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

ing on behalf of its members at the 46th Annual General OME manufacturers Meeting of the association in have cautioned the Fed- Lagos.

He charged the Federal eral Government over the possible negative impact its un- Government to make concerted restrained appetite to enter effort to check the influx of into trade agreements might smuggled and imported subhave on industries in Nigeria. standard products, saying that Rev. Isaac Ade Agoye, out- they are anti-manufacturing.

“Government must also have going Chairman, Manufactura re-think on the various trade ers Association of Nigeria, Ikeja Branch, issued the warn- agreements she is engaging, especially the Nigeria and the European Union to the Economic Partner-0.5 115.95 ship Agreement (EPA) agreement.

-13.00 2,747.00 “In order to guarantee the continued survival and profit18.97 0.27 ability of our businesses, we expect the Federal government to provide the 110.81 +0.85 requisite infrastruc102.39 +1.18 ture support, especially power (energy), refrain from CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING policy inconsistencies and take practical DOLLAR 154.77 155.27 155.77 steps to stop high inSTERLING 247.2451 248.0438 248.8426 cidence of unfair EURO 210.0384 210.7169 211.3955 FRANC 170.4515 171.0022 171.5529 competition from imYEN 1.5737 1.5787 1.5838 ported of smuggled CFA 0.3003 0.3103 0.3203 sub-standard goods WAUA 236.4638 237.2277 237.9916 and counterfeits.

RENMINBI 25.285 25.3671 25.4493 “While the influx of RIYAL 41.2665 41.3998 41.5331 sub-standard and KRONA 28.1554 28.2463 28.3373 SDR 237.4791 238.2463 239.0135 smuggled goods is on the rise, sandwiched CBN Exchange rate as at 17/10/2013 between these are the

S

government regulatory agencies with multiple visits and duplication of duties cum fees/levies/taxes and most often than not, unimaginable fine,” he said.

Consequently, he called for fusion of these government agencies with over-lapping functions, saying that it would save manufacturers cost and man-hour-loss.

Lamenting the sorry state of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, he said, “The current state of the manufacturing sector has been occasioned principally by inefficient public sector investments and policy inconsistencies. This is compounded by dearth of skilled manpower and human brain drain unregulated importation of goods produced by local industries, lopsided tariff regimes, inadequate access to finance and heavy capital flight. Others are weak consumer demand for local products and smuggling, waning small and medium scale industrial concerns and decay in infrastructural facilities.”

He stated that the challenges have resulted in abysmal capacity utilisation and dismal performance of the manufacturing sector, high rate of factory closures, as well as low contribution to GDP by manufacturing sector.

He appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Babatuinde

Fashola to set aside one special day for interaction with manufacturers in the state, saying that most of the town hall meetings and other stakeholders’ fora organised by the government is not usually well structured to accommodate chief executives of manufacturing concerns in Lagos.

HE Niger State Government says it is collaborating with the Japan International Development Corporation Agency (JICA), and the U.S. Agency for International Development to increase rice production in the state.

Alhaji Baba Madugu, Managing Director of the Agricultural and Mechanisation Development Authority made the disclosure in Minna on Wednesday at an Eid-el-Kabir lunch, organised by the state’s Ministry of Agriculture for journalists.

“This administration is committed to farmers’ productivity to raise their income and uplift their standard of living through rice production,” Madugu said. He added that the development partners were working with the government to implement the Rice Post Harvest Processing and Marketing Pilot scheme to boost agriculture and ensure rural development.

He said that government recently distributed 100 motorcycles to agricultural extension workers in the state to resuscitate extension services.

Alhaji Ahmed Matane, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that government’s determination to regenerate its agricultural sector was aimed at boosting economic activities.

Ecobank explains expansion across 34 countries

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

E

COBANK Nigeria has attributed the bank’s presence in 34 countries to its quest to become investors’ gateway to the African financial markets.

Head, Products, Adeola Dare, stated this during a draw to select winners of the Bank’s ‘Giant Prize Giveaway Promotion’ held in Lagos.

She said, “Ecobank is Africa’s Pan African banking group with presence in 34 countries in Africa, France and Dubai offering world class products and services and is today considered by many investors as a gateway to the African financial markets.”

She explained that, “the promotion was an avenue to re-

ward customers’ loyalty over the period of six months. She noted that, “customers are only required to deposit at least N30, 000 into his/her current or savings account.

Maintaining such deposit for at least three months qualifies the customer for the grand draw.”

During the draw, seven winners emerged and smiled home with different prizes, ranging from LED TV to washing machines. The winners include: Yusuf Sileola from Ondo State who won LED television set, Chigozie Onyeagusi, from Lagos who won a Generator set and Okonkwo Francesca, also from Lagos, who won a Blackberry Z10 phone.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

FCMB launches consumer promo to celebrate 30th anniversary

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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*From Left: General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Steve Ryu; Managing Director/CEO, Nike Art Gallery, Chief Mrs. Nike Okundaye; Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani; and General Manager, Corporate and Brand Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Rajesh Agnihotri, during the official launch of LG 55/65-inch Ultra High Definition TV, in Lagos.

Wema Bank records N563m third quarter profit

BY PETER EGWUATU

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EMA Bank Plc, has recorded a Profit Before Tax, PBT of N563 million for the unaudited third quarter, Q3 financial result 2013, compared to a loss of N4.9 billion recorded in December 2012.

According to the result released by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the Bank posted total assets of N302.05 billion compared to N245.70 in the corresponding period of 2012. Also, the Bank’s deposit liabilities increased by 5.90 per cent to N184.60 billion from N174.30 billion in 2012.

This latest performance comes on the heels of its recently successful N40 billion capital raising exercise that has set it on the path to acquiring a National Banking License.

Speaking on the results and the Bank’s future plans, Segun Oloketuyi, MD/CEO of Wema Bank expressed optimism that the Bank will sustain the growth trend into the foreseeable future.

In his comments, he said that despite the capital constraints experienced in the first 3 quarters of the year, Wema Bank has been able to successfully utilize available resources for best value to the Bank and all stakeholders.

“We are particularly pleased with our Q3 performance, recording profits for the second consecutive period in 2013 in line with our initial projections.

We have also seen improved performance across our business C M Y K

units whilst leveraging on the efficiency of the Bank’s treasury, retail and corporate business segments within a sound risk management framework.”

During the period under review, the Bank recorded an increase in after-tax profits to N479 million from a loss position of almost N4.9 billion as at December 2012. Shareholders’ Funds also increased to N40.57 billion in Q3, 2013 largely from the successful

special placing which the Bank undertook this year. The effect of this significant rise in Total Equity will be felt in the coming months as additional working capital provided by the capital raise will be deployed to profitable use within the Bank’s target business.

Oloketuyi further added that the Bank intends to obtain National Banking authorization in order to exploit the business opportunities within certain locations out-

side Lagos, Abuja, the South-South and SouthWest regions, whilst still maintaining its retail banking focus in its areas of strength.

He also revealed that the Bank is launching a new short-term growth initiative in coming weeks which will be communicated to stakeholders. This initiative is expected to propel the bank into a leadership position within the Tier-2 segment in the next 2 – 3 years.

Capital market: Standard Chartered seeks effective risk management

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TANDARD Chartered Bank has emphasised the need for the entrenchment of an effective risk management principle for the Nigerian capital market, as well as other markets across the African continent.

Speaking at the capital market forum, organised by the bank, with the theme: ‘Managing Risk in a Thriving Sub-Sahara Capital Market,’ . Bola Adesola, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered called for the collaboration of all stakeholders in ensuring the growth and development of the Nigerian capital.

She commended the leadership of the market, saying their management

style of the market is worthy of emulation by their peers across the continent.

She said, The Nigerian Capital Market, led and regulated by the current crop of leaders at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, is a shining example among frontier markets.

“We the stakeholders must all collaborate to ensure that this light continues to shine and more brightly too.”

Also speaking, Mr. Chuks Ugha, Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered, said, “Chartered as a custodian is a major stakeholder of the Nigerian Capital Market. We have been involved in advocacy

initiatives in other markets across Asia Africa and the Middle East. We intend to also demonstrate this for the benefit of the Nigerian capital market.”

According to a statement

by Mr. Dayo Aderugbo, Acting Head, Corporate Affairs, Chartered Bank Nigeria, the decision of the bank to organise the conference is borne out of the need to encourage more business partnerships between regulators, operators and investors towards accelerating growth and development of the Nigerian capital market.

He noted that the theme was carefully chosen as it is seen to define the next growth phase of the capital market.

S part of activities to mark its 30th anniversary, First City Monument Bank Limited has launched a consumer banking promo tagged: ‘FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo.’

The promo, which runs from October 2013 to February 2014, expects customers and prospective customers to save N10, 000 to get a chance to own a Hyundai Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV. The promo also expects a customer to add N10,000 to its savings/current account and keep it for 30 days and the customer would be rewarded with N1 million cash.

In addition, the bank said that participating customers will Television sets, Gas cookers, generator, refrigerators and freezers.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said, “the promotion is aimed at appreciating its current and potential customers, nwhile inculcating the habit of savings and financial inclusion as the bank celebrates 30 years of banking in Nigeria.

According to him, “the 30th anniversary promo is a simple and risk-free savings and reward initiative that provides opportunity for our customers (current and potential) to own brand new cars, and other prizes through credible electronic random selection that would be held every month in various locations nationwide.

As our retail customer acquisition begins to gather momentum at over half a million new customers annually, we want to provide exciting and rewarding ways to stimulate good banking habits, such as regular savings. ” The GMD also pointed out that multiple savings of N10,000 will increase chances of qualifying for the draws.

While eligibility to participate in the monthly regional and zonal draws, he said, is based on incremental balance, where customers are expected to save more than they withdraw from their respective accounts in the Bank.

It was also disclosed that the promo is targeted at all segments of the society across all age groups who have adopted and are enjoying the benefits of FCMB’s banking products and services inherent in Nairawise, Classic Current and Savings Account, Premium Current and Savings Account as well as the Kids Account and FlashWallet accounts.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 23

Poultry farmers promise healthy eggs

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From Left: Mr. Oludare Kafar, Marketing Manager GOtv; winner of a Trip to the 2014 Grammy Awards, Mr. Emmanuel Igoche with his wife Mabel and Mrs. Busola Tejumola, Consumer Insight Manager MultiChoice Nigeria during the presentation to winners of the MultiChoice Nigeria @ 20 Anniversary, in Lagos.

embers of the Lagos State Chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, have promised to recall any egg in the market that is found to be contaminated.

The President of the association in Lagos state, Agbojo Adedotun, made this known in a chat with journalists ahead of the recently celebrated World Egg Day in Agege.

Agbojo reacting to issue of safety in egg consumption in the state, he said there should be no fears as the eggs produce by the members are healthy.

He said one of the reasons for the celebration

NSPRI calls for involvement in ATA

BY SALIMAT GARBA

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HE Nigerian Stored Products Research In stitute (NSPRI) has urged the Federal Government to allow it participate in the ongoing Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), to prevent post-harvest loss in the sector.

This call is contained in a communiqué issued by Dr Foline Olayemi, the Coordinator, at the end of the institute’s 2013 In-House Review Meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State recently.

According to the communiqué, there is need for government to create a platform for post-harvest loss prevention in collaboration with the institute in all the ATA value chains.

It also called for more funding by government to carry out post-harvest research, so that the institute could discharge its mandate.

“In view of the importance of post-harvest loss prevention in the current ATA, there is an urgent need for an upward review in funding to step up post-harvest research activities in NSPRI.’’ It noted that capacity building and equipment were the major challenges facing the institute, and called for access to international training by scientists.

The communiqué stressed the need to equip the institute’s laboratories, especially in the area of food quality analysis, as this would enhance food security in the country.

“The institute should as a

matter of urgency revive postharvest loss assessment studies for food commodities across the country to update database for food losses in the country.

“The focus of research activities should be toward development of demand-driven technologies, which can be patented in order to protect the intellectual right property of the products.

“Technologies developed in the institute should be replicated in substations to encourage investors to adopt them,” the

communiqué stated.

It, however, pledged to strengthen its collaboration with the media to ensure effective communication of its activities and products to the end users.

The in-house review is an annual event that provides a forum for scientists to discuss and exhibit the results of their researches.

It is an avenue for stakeholders to brainstorm on the various ways to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure food

security and sufficiency in the country.

The event attracted about 100 participants drawn from research institutes, universities, Ministries of Agriculture, Agricultural Development Projects, farmers’ associations, agro-allied and chemical companies and non-governmental organisations.

The in-house review’s theme was: ‘’Food Preservation Research Transformation through Competitive Technology Development”

of the egg day is to draw attention to the benefit of consuming egg as over one billion people are currently underfed and undernourished in the world today.

“During the next 40 years, the population is expected to increase by another three billion people, how do we produce more from less?”

He said the world’s nutritional needs can be met with consumption of egg which is sustainable, affordable and highly nutritious.

Agbojo noted that making high quality food available to the hungry is a priority for egg business around the world, “egg is a high quality source of animal protein.”

Speaking further on the benefits of egg consumption, he said egg protein quality is so high that scientists often use eggs as the standard by which the protein quality of other foods is measured.

All the important amino acids, the building blocks of body protein, are found in an egg in the right proportions for your body’s needs.

“Any time of the day is right for eggs. You could start your morning with scrambled eggs stuffed into a pita pocket for a grab-and-run breakfast.”

Cooperative solicits FG, OYSG collaboration on cassava

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HAIRMAN, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association’s Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Union (FMCU) in Oyo State, Mr Muideen Adekunle, has appealed for federal and state governments’ assistance to develop the union’s 1,000 hectares cassava farm project.

Adekunle, who spoke at the official launching of the project at Oyo town said the cassava plantation was located Komu village, in Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo while three garri processing mills were to be in three other locations.

He said the union planned to spend a total of N194.5 million on the project known as Cassava Vanguard Farm Project.

The chairman said it was meant to revolutionise cassava production in the state.

“It will also complement Federal Government’s initiative on cassava transformation agenda in the country,” Adekunle said.

He said the farm would be a cassa-

va stem variety multiplication centre where different varieties of stem of the crop would be produced and multiplied.

Adekunle said the three local garri processing centres would be located at Atiba, Abidogun - Okaka and Biiro communities.

He recalled that the cassava growers’ farmers’ cooperative union was presented with certificate of registration by the state ministry of commerce and cooperative in December 2010.

“Presently, the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association’s FMCU has 176 cooperative societies under its umbrella in Oyo State all dealing with cassava production. ”It is our financial contributions as cooperative farmers that we used in acquiring land for the Komu cassava plantation,” Adekunle said.

He appealed to the state government to assist the union with tractors as it did for local government councils.

Adekunle asked the government for a memorandum of understanding with the union for the latter to be given special loan through the Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation for developing fully the Komu project. ”We appeal to the state government to give us full support on the Cassava Vanguard Farm Project especially with funds and tractors. ”We also assure the federal government of our readiness to partner with it in making the cassava transformation agenda a huge success in the state. ”This is because among other things, we have more than enough land here for cassava production here,” he said.

Adekunle expressed gratitude to the chairman of Itesiwaju local government caretaker committee, Mr. Adisa Adeniji, for grading the road to the farm and giving the FMCU three tractors on long term loan to work there.

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 25

26 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 —27

I don’t mind showing certain parts of my body—Ella Mensah Ella Mensah isn’t exactly a household name in Nigeria, but one to reckon with in Ghana, where she plies her trade. She was recently in Nigeria to shoot a film where she met our reporter.

Her journey into the make-believe world started in 2008 and in a space of five years the sexy Thespian has had more than 30 movies in her kitty. In this chat with WG, she talks about herself and what makes her tick. Excerpts:

You know acting exposes you and you don’t keep anything to yourself. It is today this, tomorrow that.

You google your name and you see so many stories about you, that it baffles you and you wonder “Did I really do that”.

,

to work on myself, I stopped breastfeeding and all those motherhood things. It took me a year to come back after that three-year break. Now I love every minute of it.

It’s like I’m living my dream. This is all I wanted and it’s perfect for me.

Can you name some of the movies you’ve featured in?

Being here in Nigeria for a year, I have about 30 movies. So far, 14 of them are out. Some of them are: Dirty Marriage, Treated like a Lady, Alingo Babes, Kukere Babes, My Private Part, Witches in Okoko, Blood and Tears and so on.

Are your parents supportive?

My mum has been there for me. She loves what I do and she’s so proud of me. My dad wanted me to still be a journalist. It was his idea from the beginning. He wasn’t initially in support of my acting career, but he’s coming around now.

I N S I DE: Laide Bakare releases ‘Alhaja Tio Common’ on DVD

Lami premieres ‘Baby’ Video filmed in London

You actually studied journalism?

I started as a broadcast journalist. I studied Mass Communication and Media Science at the University of Ghana, Accra.

What was growing up like?

I grew up in an average family. We didn’t have too much, but we were content with what we had. I grew up with my mum and three brothers.

Although, I had step-brothers and sisters from my dad’s side. It was okay, we loved each other and shared everything among ourselves.

C

an you recall some memorable moments in the course of your career?

You know, while in Ghana all these years, there were these particular actor and actress that I really wanted to see – Mike Ezuruonye and Genevieve Nnaji. I finally met Mike and shot a movie with him. Right now, he’s my best friend, in fact he even knows I’m here. So when I finally met him and we clicked, I was like “ Omg! I’m really living my dreams”.

These are the kinds of people, way back, I used to admire, I wanted to see their faces, now they are my friends and colleagues. They even call me and we hang out together and all that. When I met Genevieve and Mama Gee (Patience Ozokwor) for the first time, it was so nice.

Do you have regrets?

I don’t regret anything in life, whether good or bad. Everything that happens to me, happens for a reason.

Would you have been a journalist if you weren’t acting?

Continues on page ??

Continues on page 29

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Tweaks on camera pushes XperiaZ1 up the ladder

.....

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Tell us about yourself? ’m Ella Mensah, a Ghanaian actress based in South Africa and Ghana. I’m doing some movie shooting right now in Nigeria. I came here for the first time on October 1st last year, and since then, I have about 30 movies. I’ve been here for a year, but I come and go. So far, I’m loving it.

How did you start acting?

I started acting in a very funny way. I was doing my media attachment in a TV station in Ghana called Metro TV and a colleague of mine told me she was going for a movie audition, so I went with her. One of the producers asked me to join in the auditioning. I just tried it and I was given one scene, my first movie ever ‘ Crime to Fight’ featuring Majid Michel and Nadia Buhari. I acted the role of a prostitute. I was in the industry for six months while doing my attachment, then I left Ghana for South Africa. When I came back to Ghana, I shot a movie with a Nigerian director featuring me and Van Vicker. Afterwards, the director called me and told me, “I have a job for you In Nigeria”, That was how I came here and the rest is history.

What has the experience been like?

So far, so good. A lot of challenges here and there. When I came back , I had a baby. As a mum, I was a bit fat and it was difficult to get some roles. I had

,

By JULIET EBIRIM

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Continues from page 27

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as your mum a single mother?

Yes, I met my dad for the first time when I was nineteen years old. That’s why we don’t have that kind of very close relationship. It was also why I tried to live his dream, be a journalist for him because I wanted him to love me. But I realised that it wasn’t worth it, my mum’s love was okay for me. So what I really plan to do with my team is to open an NGO for single mothers.

What has fame robbed you of?

You don’t have a private live any more. Your private life becomes a public thing.

People always speculate, insinuate, think you should do this or that. But they are not in your shoes, so they don’t really know how you feel. Sometimes, people judge you based on the decisions you make, but they don’t know the options you had that made you take that particular decision. Anyway, we still work things out.

What makes you happy?

A lot of things make me happy. I love singing though I have a bad voice (laughs). I also love dancing. Seeing my son’s face also makes me happy.

Are you married?

I’m not married and I’m not single. I’m in a relationship.

Though I’m no longer with my son’s dad. My son and his dad are in South Africa now.

What physical attribute would you say is your selling point?

(Laughs) I heard that word “selling point” for the first time in Nigeria. Most of my friends say it’s my lips and I think it’s true. Then my height, my face and my ass.

People are attracted to different things. Personally, I think it’s my face, height and lips.

What’s your opinion on the break-up of celebrity C M Y K

I don’t mind showing certain parts of my body marriages?

Some of these marriages weren’t based on love in the first place. It’s good you get married to someone who knows you so well as to overlook some of those things you do on screen. Someone who knows that no matter how much another man kisses and touches you, you’ll still come back to him. It’s good you marry someone who loves you for who you are, not because you’re famous. I don’t want to get married and divorce. I grew up with a single mum, it wasn’t fun. I was happy, but I think I would have been much happier if my dad was there.

In marriage, communication and understanding is very important. Let me take myself for example, I’m dating a businessman, he’s not a celebrity. When I’m with him, I’m Ella – his woman. I don’t behave like Ella – the actress who has a manager, a personal assistant, a costumier, a make-up artist and all the

,

Journalism was my dad’s dream that I was living for him. But for now, if I wasn’t acting, I think I would be a banker, be a reserved person.

You know acting exposes you and you don’t keep anything to yourself. It is today this, tomorrow that. You google your name and you see so many stories about you, that it baffles you and you wonder “Did I really do that”. If I wasn’t acting, I think I would live a more reserved life. But I love what I do and everything comes with the good, the bad and the ugly.

Besides acting, what else do you do?

Besides acting, I’m not doing anything. Though I’m now about to open an NGO in Ghana for single mothers. I grew up with a single mother, I saw the challenges she went through. I want to start an NGO where every month, I can donate food and things to them, because I know what single mothers go through.

I’ve never slept with anybody to get a role, I always go for auditions. Sometimes, I’ll just be at home sleeping and someone will call me to say, “ I have a job for you

pampering. We tend to be overspoilt sometimes with people at our beck and call doing things for us. When I’m with him, I’m with him as Ella.

If he wants me to cook for him, I cook for him; If he wants me to sweep the room, I will. We sometimes forget that when it comes to a man and woman relationship, a woman still has to be submissive. My mum always chips this in my head, because sometimes I forget.

What’s your take on actresses sleeping their way through for roles?

This thing is almost everywhere.

When you love and w o r k towards something, you don’t have to give your body to get it. True, there are some lousy producers and directors out there who would want to sleep with you, but if you know your worth and what you want, you won’t do it. He might sleep with you and give you a role but that will not bring you out.

And if he gives you the role and you don’t interpret it well, he won’t call you again. He has already slept with you for free. Of

,

course, men will always come, but you let them know your stand. I’ve never slept with anybody to get a role, I always go for auditions.

Sometimes, I’ll just be at home sleeping and someone will call me to say, “ I have a job for you”.

D

o you intend going into movie production?

Once you’re in front of the camera, you don’t want to leave. But a time will come when you have to make way for the upcoming ones. You can’t remain a superstar forever.

Most of the superstars are relaxing, that’s why most of us are coming up. A time will come when producers will not demand for you much and that’s why we end up producing ourselves so that our faces will still be there. So I may or may not go into production.

I’m not certain for now.

Would you act n u d e for any reason?

No, I don’t see why I should.

Fine, I don’t mind showing certain parts of my body, especially when playing a seductive role. I can wear a bum short or maybe a net top. But I’ll never go nude, not even for ten million dollars!

What’s the essence?

What’s your

relationship with your colleagues like?

I’m cool with them, though not everybody will like you.

Some will smile at you and when you turn, they just hiss.

But I respect them, especially the senior ones. We’re okay.

Who are those you look up to in the industry?

In Nigeria specifically, I’ll like to be in the shoes of Genevieve. She’s so endowed, I like her brand.

After so many years, she still remains a household name.

Though I can’t be her, I’m a different person, I’m Ella. I just hope to become something similar or even better.

Define your style?

Freestyle.

I’m funky, sometimes tomboyish. I also do vintage. My image as Ella – the actress is different from my image as Ella – the girl next door. When you google my name, you see so many crazy, wild pictures of me. But you could meet the other side of me on the road trying to pick up a taxi with my car packed somewhere. So I try to balance it though I make mistakes, I’m not perfect. I’m also a gogetter, if I love and want something, I’ll push till I get it.

What’s your advice to aspiring actresses?

If acting is what you want to do, go to an acting school and improve yourself. You have to love acting. Some people just come in because they want to be on TV. Sometimes you might be crying in your personal life and you’re required to laugh on set.

Acting is not as easy as people think it is. Learn a little about acting and always be ready.

When opportunity meets preparation, success is sure.

Go for auditions. Don’t go and see any man in a hotel room, because that will not make you a star. One day, your time will come and you’ll be picked from the crowd.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013— 29

Jim Iyke, Nadia Buari romance continues: wedding on

the cards?

STORIES BY AYO ONIKOYI

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hen the news and the video of Nollywood superstar, Jim Iyke’s purported deliverance from demons went viral, some saw it as a gag by the actor to blow his image out of proportion, while others felt there was more to it than meet the eye. Yet, there are some who felt the actor has shot his career into oblivion but one person who doesn’t seem fazed by the development is his girlfriend, Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari as the couple were spotted last weekend in Accra.

It would appear the actor is taking his ‘delivered’ status very seriously and keeping his itinerary not too far away from the confines of ‘Holy ’ places as the report claims he was seen leaving a church after a night vigil with his girlfriend, Nadia.

Another report has hinted the lovers have already concluded plans to tie the nuptial in December this year, at least, so it would appear, since the ‘demonic spirits’ who have kept him away from marrying have been exorcised at Prophet TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations.

Nkem Owoh, Funke Akindele return to school!

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wo Nollywood actors, Nkem Owoh of Osuofia fame and Funke Akindele of Jenifa block buster are arguably the two best comic acts in the trade right now. Both of them have come to change the old-fashion, bloated, clown-like looks of comic acts of old and have entrenched their brands which have caught on with viral effect. Now, imagine the duo being starred alongside each other; I mean, Osuofia and Jenifa in a movie.

Both of them are currently on set together, shooting a yet to be released and named movie as school children. Maybe, it’s hard to imagine Osuofia being cast as a primary school pupil but Jenifa may just fit in but then where is the comedy going to be, if not having two overgrown adults, probably with arrested development, mingling with children, probably smarter than them.

Laide Bakare releases ‘Alhaja Tio Common’ on DVD

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uave and Sexy Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare, who returned a couple of months ago from America with her new baby boy, added another year on Monday and she celebrated it with the release of her latest film”Alhaja Tio Common” which she premièred in the United States, sometime in July of this year.

The movie which tells a story of a famous single lady who indulges in charity apparently to make up for some of her bad choices in the past has a star studded cast which includes the producer, Laide Bakare, Odun Adekola, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Bidemi Kosoko, Kemi Afolabi and many others.

Laide Bakare, who also made headlines earlier in the year, after dumping her former husband Olumide Okunfulire for heart-throb and father of her son, Tunde Orilowo, has been having blissful career experience. Before “Alhaja Tio Common” she also had another block buster “Jejere” which featured hip hop star, 9ce and both came on the heels of her recently launched production company and record label, Simline International.

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Veteran actor Pa Kasumu battles liver, heart diseases, needs help V

eteran Nollywood Yoruba actor, Kayode Odumosu a.ka. Pa Kasumu who is known for his uncommon talent in interpreting any role to near perfection is critically ill and said to be receiving treatment at Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for heart, liver and kidney related diseases.

His colleagues besiege social media this week, soliciting for funds for the actor who is said to have spent his entire fortune in treatment of the disease. According to sources who spoke with WG, the 56 years old actor was diagnosed of the disease in 2009 and has been battling with it ever since. The sources stated that the veteran actor spends nothing less than N34,000 monthly on medication to manage his conditions.

When the actor himself was questioned about his state of health, he replied:”Yes I must confess to you that I just thank God that I am alive. In fact, I had given up all hopes already. I taught the end had come for me. I taught it was fever that’s why I left for the hospital. In fact when I got to the hospital, I lost consciousness. I only discovered when waking up that my manhood was in the hands of two nurses while they guarded it into a receptacle for me to urinate. I got so confused. It was the following day that they tried to conduct series of test on me and they could not really achieve much due to the lack of enough medical facilities at the private hospital. That made the doctor on duty to refer me to Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH).”

It is said that about N12 million is needed for the actor to access comprehensive treatment abroad.

However in a Black Berry Message broadcast by his colleagues, including Bukky Wright, Biodun Okeowo, Liade Bakare and others a Diamond Bank account is being opened for those who want to contribute funds to help the actor.

His account name is Olukayode Olugbenga Odumosu; account number 0036059543

30— Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18 , 2013

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Tweaks on camera pushes XperiaZ1 up the ladder T

hose who think the fight for mobile market dominance is settled may have another think coming! If anything, there are device makers who are not taking the fight, friendly.

And at the last check, Sony Mobile seems to lead that pack.

The mobile device maker is showing turf with the advancements on its flagship smartphone range, the Xperia Z. Just a few days back, Sony announced a maintenance update for its Xperia Z1 and the Z Ultra and is now making serious in-roads into the US market. Sony’s confident entrance into the US market may not be unconnected with the tweaks it has made on these devices.

For instance, besides general performance and stability improvements, the Xperia camera algorithm has now been tweaked for a better, all round performance. It has also refined its entire smart social camera platform like the Burst mode, superior Auto, AR effect and sweep panaroma, giving the Xperia camera apps the capability to run more smoothly.

There is also the optimized

touchscreen sensitivity, for both finger gestures and writing / sketching with pencils, metal pens and selected styluses which are evident in the Xperia Z Ultra Meanwhile, in both the Xperia Z1 and Xperia Z Ultra, Sony has re-calibrated the display ever so slightly, to ensure viewing experiences remain bright and

bold. They also spot economised power consumption for longer battery life even

as they boast of streamlined exchange connection for faster email sync, display

and download Now, if you have a Sony Xperia in your hands, it does two things for you. You have a crazy smartphone which makes your fashion statement and a powerful camera which interprets the colour of your taste.

What will the iPad 5 look like?

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

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ith the iPad 5 set to be unveiled on October 22, Apple lovers all over the world can’t help but wonder what it will look like. Different speculations and leaks, however, hint at a Touch ID fingerprint scanner just like the iPhone 5S, as well as similarities in design with the iPad mini.

Some of such similarities include iPad Mini-like bezel and the inclusion of Apple’s 64-bit A7 chipset.

A picture, which recently leaked out of the apple factory in China showing what is alleged to be the

iPad 5 equipped with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. The image, which appeared via Chinese site CTechCN, is very blurry, however, and cropped to only show the lower portion of the iPad 5. This could very easily be a hoax despite the very logical argument for Apple’s iPad 5 to be equipped with its Touch ID

iPad5? technology. In spite of all this, experts say that the rumour that the iPad 5 will use a Touch ID scanner is quite believable.

The reasons are not farfetched; Apple has invested heavily into the technology

and at the same time loves having consistency between its products. It’s also believed Touch ID will take on greater significance in the future with some suggestion remote payment services could be implemented, allowing you to buy more than just iTunes content with the tap of a finger.

The iPad 5, being a flagship product – is likely to feature Apple’s 64-bit A7 processor, TouchID and an updated camera, most likely the one from the iPhone 5S. But the truth remains, we’ll never really know for sure, until it’s out.

Till then, let’s keep our fingers crossed!

LG hits 1m in double layer refrigerator sales E

LG DID Refrigerator C M Y K

lectronic, home appli ances and mobile device maker, LG Electronics is flaunting evidence of acceptance to its innovations, with announcement that it may have set over one million, Door-In Door, DID, refrigerators in homes across the world, judging by its sales record books.

The sales, according to LG, happened between 2010 when the product debuted and now. It described the development as a significant achievement in the home appliance industry.

The company’s innovative double layered Door-in-Door enhances consumer convenience, providing quick access to frequently used items while also helping to prevent cold air from escaping the main refrigerator compartment.

It also spots Fresh Air Filter system with Multi Air flow design. This places vents strategically around the interior of the fridge, so food stays fresh wherever it’s located.

Hygiene Fresh is one the stand-out features of the

DID refrigerators. It is a unique air purifying device inside refrigerators; it keeps air fresh every minute.

Hygiene Fresh realizes a strong sterilization and deodorization performance with 4-stage filtering system which is effective in reducing fungi spore and harmful bacteria in the rate of 99.99% and deodorizing inside the refrigerator. The hygiene fresh coating which makes life healthier and more hygienic is approved to filter many harmful bacteria.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 31

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

How to raise nice children

The world watched with shock when the news hit the waves of Tolu Kalejaiye, a Nigerian woman who was allegedly slaughtered by her own son in the United Kingdom. The incident has raised fresh concerns about Generation Y children and how to raise nice kids in an increasingly violent world. Here are general tips:

selves, the researchers reported, but they also need support from their parents.

8. Know Your Kids

Everyone thinks they know the best way to raise a child but it turns out that parenting is not one-size-fits-all. In fact, kids whose parents tailor their parenting style to the child’s personality have half the anxiety and depression of their peers with more rigid parents, according to a study published in August 2011 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. It turns out that some kids, especially those with trouble regulating their emotions, might need a little extra help from Mom or Dad. But parents can inadvertently hurt well-adjusted kids with too much hovering.

1.Lighten up!

Joking with your toddler helps set them up for social success, according to research presented at the Economic and Social Research Councils’ Festival of Social Science 2011. When parents joke and pretend, it gives young kids the tools to think creatively, make friends and manage stress. So feel free to play court jester — your kids will thank you later.

2. Be Positive

9. Model kindness yourself

Parents who express negative emotions toward their infants or handle them roughly are likely to find themselves with aggressive kindergartners . That’s bad news, because behavioral aggression at age 5 is linked to aggression later in life, even toward future romantic partners. So if you find yourself in a cycle of angry parent, angry baby, angrier parent, try to break free.

3.Build Compassion

Research suggests that selfcompassion is a very important life skill, helping people stay resilient in the face of challenges. Self-compassion is made up of mindfulness, the ability to manage thoughts and emotions without being carried away or repressing them, common humanity, or empathy with the suffering of others, and self-kindness, a recognition of your own suffering and a commitment to solving the problem. Parents can use self-compassion when coping with difficulties in child-rearing. In doing so, they can set an example for their kids.

4.Let them Go!

When the kids fly the nest, research suggests it’s best to let them go. Young adults with hovering, interfering “helicopter ” parents are more likely to be anxious, self-conscious and less open to new experiences than their counterparts with more relaxed moms and dads. That doesn’t mean you should kick your offspring to the curb at 18, but if you find yourself calling C M Y K

Parents who express negative emotions toward their infants or handle them roughly are likely to find themselves with aggressive kindergartners your child’s class teachers to argue about his grades, it may be time to step back.

5.Be positive

This is of utmost importance. Research suggests that depressed moms struggle with parenting and even show muted responses to their babies’ cries compared with healthy moms. Depressed moms with negative parenting styles may also contribute to their children’s stress, according to 2011 research finding that kids raised by these mothers are more easily stressed out by the preschool

years. The findings seem glum, but researchers say they’re hopeful, because positive parenting can be taught even when mom or dad are struggling with their own mental health.

6.Build the Bond

A close relationship with their mothers can help keep boys from acting out, according to a 2010 study. A warm, attached relationship with mom seems important in preventing behavior problems in sons, even more so than in girls, the research found. The findings, published in the

journal Child Development, highlight the need for “secure attachment” between kids and their parents, a style in which kids can go to mom and dad as a comforting “secure base” before venturing into the wider world.

The mommy bond may also make for better romance later in life, as another study reported in 2010 showed that a close relationship with one’s mother in early adolescence (by age 14) was associated with better-quality romantic relationships as young adults

7. Mouthy Kids are Good

Teens who talk back to their parents may be exasperating, but their argumentativeness is linked to a stronger rejection of peer pressure outside the home. In other words, autonomy at home fosters autonomy among friends.

Don’t worry, though: The study doesn’t suggest that kids should have adversarial relationships with their parents. In fact, a secure bond between teens and mothers is also linked to less bowing to peer pressure. Teens need to practice standing up for them-

Kindness can be contagious: when we see someone else perform an act of kindness, we are more likely to feel an impulse to help out, too. Research suggests that altruistic children have at least one parent (usually of the same sex) who deliberately communicates altruistic values to their kids. Similarly, when preschoolers have nurturing caregivers who deliberately model helping others, they tend to be more helpful and verbally sympathetic to other children when they hurt themselves. There are many ways to model altruism for your kids.

10. Don’t reward helping behaviour.

Very young children who receive material rewards for helping others become less likely to help in the future compared with toddlers who only receive verbal praise or receive no reward at all. This research suggests that even the youngest children are intrinsically motivated to be kind, and that extrinsic rewards can undermine this tendency. Expose them to need.

Too often we protect our kids from pain and suffering, and in so doing we shelter them from others’ needs. Consider the counterintuitive notion that compassion is a positive emotion strongly correlated with happiness, and provide them with opportunities to feel compassion. Teach kids that this compassion is a gift—it is a way to give their time, attention, and energy to another.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 —

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hether through indi vidual choice, be cause they marry young or are victims of coercion and sexual violence, girls in the developing world are having sex without access to contraception.

According to a statement issued by Marie Stopes International on Sub-Saharan Africa: On the International Day of the Girl, we recognize and honour girls’ rights. But today is also about the enormous continuing challenges girls around the world face on a daily basis.

At Marie Stopes International we see day-to-day just how important it is that girls who want to use contraception are able to do so. However, in our experience, the barriers to access they face are far greater than for older women.

There are many challenges to breaking these down, but there are a great many initiatives that are making contraceptive access a reality for the next generation. Our work in Sierra Leone for example is making a real difference and a quarter of all our clients there are teenagers, compared with just 12% of all contraceptive users in the country.

33

Girls are having sex: how can we help protect them?

— Marie Stopes International we are determined to build on the positive work we have seen in countries such as Sierra Leone. International Day of the Girl is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the barriers girls face and reaffirm our commitment to breaking them down.

Statistics 14 Million There are over 14 million adolescent girls who want access to contraception, but do not have it. The consequences can be devastating.

15-19 The leading killers of girls

aged 15-19 are pregnancy and childbirth; unintended pregnancy causes one in four girls to drop out of school in sub-Saharan Africa; and babies born to adolescent mothers are at higher risk of infant and child mortality.

13% Unmarried adolescent girls

living in poverty have much lower levels of knowledge about their options than the average woman. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 13% had heard of IUDs and 27% knew about implants compared to 40% and 49% with the average woman

Barriers to access

So what’s stopping girls from accessing contraception?

Lack of knowledge is one of the biggest barriers. Our research for this year ’s Global Impact Report, looked at which contraceptive methods different age groups are familiar with and the results were striking.

Communicating with youth

Making an informed choice is impossible without knowledge, which is why we are working so hard to open more effective channels of communications with young people.

Our youth hotline in Timor Leste for example gives young men and women accessible, confidential information.

Confidentiality is vital. Our analysis also showed us that in sub-Saharan Africa, unmarried adolescent girls are far more likely to get their contraception from a friend or through a private pharmacy, than go to a public clinic, as is the norm for most women.

We believe that this is partly because single girls worry about stigma and judgment which makes them feel uncomfortable using public clinics.

We place great emphasis on creating safe spaces that are confidential, non-judgmental and free from stigma for everyone. Many of our countries are developing opportunities for adolescent clients to be assured of confidentiality and supportive, non-discriminatory counseling, such as the dedicated youth corners in Marie Stopes Uganda clinics.

With so many girls still unable to access contraception,

Angela Merkel Again!

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he world is no longer surprised at Angela Merkel’s superlative ability to convince about her abilities. Her convincing victory in Sunday’s election will have profound ramifications on Germany’s – and Europe’s – competitiveness in coming years. It means that Germany is likely to continue its push for budgetary consolidation at home and abroad, coupled with demands for reform and modernization.

For Europe in the short term, Merkel’s victory will assure citizens, entrepreneurs, investors and financial markets that there will not be a U-turn on policies that are the fruit of years of painstaking negotiations. In the long term, it will make reform and budget consolidation a way of life, thereby increasing the chances that Europe can one day emerge from the crisis with renewed growth and confidence. Five years into what some fear will be a

lost decade, this is a welcome prospect.

Competitiveness Contracts – legally binding agreements between the European Commission and the member states – are now likely to become a reality. These Competitiveness Contracts will be ratified by national parliaments, thereby giving more domestic buy-in and legitimacy to the agreed reforms and less of a feeling that they are a diktat from Brussels.

In exchange, it seems probable that Germany will discuss the establishment of a “solidarity fund” that would see money channeled to poorer countries based on their track record of implementing reforms. The fund will be used as an incentive to implement reforms, because the member states that do best will receive the most money. This is in stark contrast to other schemes, particularly the EU regional funds, which essentially punish countries for successful economic development by cutting off money once they reach a certain threshold of prosperity and

wealth – thereby providing justification to perpetuate poor economic performance as a way to sustain subsidies.

Politically, the Competitiveness Contracts and solidarity fund are of paramount importance to the functioning of the European Monetary Union.

Transfers from wealthy to poorer regions are an essential element of successful monetary systems – think of the money that is channeled from wealthier US states to poorer ones – and we are now seeing the kernels of a new, revamped structure that institutionalizes a key requirement of an optimal currency union.

Domestically, the biggest threat for Germany is complacency, taking its success for granted and forgetting what turned around its economic fortunes. It is worth remembering that, only 10 years ago, Germany was considered the “sick man of Europe” with eroding international competitiveness, sky-high unemployment and unsustainable public finances. Contrary to today, Germany was

a key force behind the watering down of budgetary consolidation efforts, in particular the Stability and Growth Pact – a fateful decision that opened the door to high deficits and unsustainable debt and a grave mistake for which Europe is still paying a high price.

Experts also predict Merkel will use her collative skills, likely teaming up with Social Democratic Party (SPD) partner in a grand coalition, keeping in mind SPD’s commitment to reform and recalling that many of the policy changes that led to Germany’s spectacular economic recovery in recent years were initiated by Gerhard Schröder, Merkel’s predecessor, as a member of the SPD. Merkel and the SPD are likely to have an overwhelming majority in Parliament, and also a joint understanding that today’s economic prowess and international competitiveness is a hard-earned process that must be continued each and every day.

34— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 HE Kano Emirate Council on Wednesday said that the traditional Durbar to commemorate the Eid-el-Kabir celebration was cancelled due to the health condition of the Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

The District Head of Dala, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, announced the cancellation of all traditional activities planned for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Kano recently.

Among the traditional Sallah activities are Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, Hawan Nasarawa and Hawan Dorayi.

Aminu, however, did not give details of the health condition of the Emir.

The district head also said •Lagos records low-key celebration, as Ogun, that the riding of horses in Oyo others states agog Kano Metropolis by youths had been outlawed.

He said the decision was heavy vehicular movements. taken because of the manner Some of the few fun seekers Others maintained that in spite of some of the youths rode the who spoke to Vanguard the economic situation, people still horses, which had endangered maintained that most fun lives of the masses, seekers had traveled out of the could not spare anything for a joyous particularly children, adding state to their various celebration as they bought rams and that anyone who flouted the hometowns for sallah order would be arrested and celebration. traveled to their various homes to prosecuted.

Adeyanju Badmus who celebrate spoke to Vanguard at Eko Turnout of Atlantic beach said: “You can see that there is no heavy in Lagos because people travel because there was no enough revellers vehicular traffic on the roads. to their various homes. And it money,” said another fun Aminu said that the Emirate People traveled out of the is an indication that they've seeker at the National would not fold its arms and state for the celebration. We got some money to spend as Thearter, Iganmu.

Reports from Ogun state allow such horse riders to decided to come around to well. For me, I did not travel continue to constitute a celebrate it in our own way,” said Badmus. nuisance in the city.

Others maintained that in He urged the people to pray for peace in the state and the spite of the economic situation, people still could country.

Meanwhile, the eid-l-adha not spare anything for a celebration in Lagos was joyous celebration as they characterised by a low bought rams and traveled to turnout of revellers to some their various homes to fun spots in Lagos, including celebrate. “You see, it has the beaches and National Arts been like that for a very long the eid-l-adha Theater just as most areas in time, the state were devoid of usual celebration was usually poor

T

Eid-il-Adha: Kano cancels celebration over Emir's health

,

showed that celebration was at peak when Vanguard visited some parts of the State, In Ijebu-Ode for instance, as evening fell after the slaughtering of rams, the air began to fill with chatter and merriment, as people more people trooped into the town.

Many who spoke with Vanguard said they would be in the town to continue the celebration until after the Ojude-Oba which was the traditional sallah homage to the Owujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. Many see the activity as the peak of Ileya celebration.

In Ikorodu and Epe areas of Lagos State, it was a different scenario with a lot of chumminess as children and fun-seekers trooped out visiting friends and partying after the slaughtering of rams. Others were seen in groups dining over drinks and meat.

In Ibadan, the atmosphere was charged with festivity as nearly every nook and cranny of the city was agog with different forms of celebration. Fun seekers moved freely to different areas like the the famous Cocoa House at Dugbe, the Zoological Gardens at the University of Ibadan and various hang-outs.

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Ikuforiji urges Muslims to imbibe lessons of eid-il-adha

BY EBUN SESSOU

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PEAKER of Lagos state house of Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious divides to work together for the unity of the country.

He also called on both Muslim and Christian faithfuls to imbibe the teachings of the two religious that preach peace and live peacefully among themselves.

Speaking at the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in his home town in Epe area of Lagos State, Ikuforiji said if Nigerians take the dictates of the religions, the country would have been a better place.

According to him, “Our religions define roles for leaders of communities and nation. If we go by the dictates of our religions, I think most of the problems we have today would not be there”.

“It is time for all of us to imbibe the teachings of the two religions that we profess

in the country. There is none of the religions that do not preach peace, orderliness, and brotherhood which is the teaching of Christianity and Islam.

He lamented that the country has suffered enough as a result of bad leadership.

Adding that, the reason why the country is experiencing insecurity challenges is the fact that the leadership is simply ungodly and except it turns back to God, it might be difficult to make the country a better place.

According to him, “the challenges we are facing is as a result of our negligence and not the one created by God, rather, the problems are created by a few selfish individuals among us.

“If every leader knows and believes that one day, he would give account of his deeds on the surface of the earth, not just during general election, but at a time you cannot deny, we will all be ready to do the right thing”, he added.

•L-R: The Agba Akin of Itireland, Alhaji Abdul Razaq Aremu Dauda; Onire of Itireland, HRM, Oba Lateef Dauda and Otun Oba of Itireland, Alhaji Chief Tajudeen Shola Odubiyi, briefing newsmen after Prayer section, on the Celebration of Eid-El-Kabir Festival, at his Palace, in Itire, Lagos. Photo By Lamidi Bamidele

•Hajia Fehintola Mustapha, General Manager, Walk-in-Customer Relations, MTN (left) Mr Aminu Sani,Manager Progressive segment, MTN (right) and some lucky winners of MTN Hajj trip to Saudi Arabia.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—35

Lessons of eid-ilAdha eid-il-Adha

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NTIC dazzles Muslims, Christians with 1,200 cows at sallah

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

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HE NigerianT u r k i s h International College, NTIC, recently dazzled thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims across the country with meat and food items for the eid-l-adha celebration.

The NTIC Foundation which was established in 1998 slaughtered 1,200 cows in 47 locations in 22 states of Nigeria and distributed same to no fewer than 25,000 people in all the locations, as part of its annual efforts towards a happy eid-ladha celebration particularly for the underprivileged.

Of the 1,200 cows, 125 were distributed to people in the South-West out of which 105 were slaughtered in Lagos alone.

The slaughtering which started immediately after eid prayers in the school's premises, at 11.00am was supervised by the Vice President, Exams, Records and Statistics of the college, Mr. Rakhmaninov Ochilbek.

Muslims who for certain reasons may be in need to make their families happy at Sallah. Here at NTIC, half of our staff are Christians and they also get from the 105 cows that are being slaughtered here today,” Ochilbek said.

The Vice Principal Academics, Mr. Aderoju Olayinka, said in line with the aim of educating and enlightening students across the country with a view to raising 'a golden generation' for the future of Nigeria, the distribution of meat to the needy at Sallah was one of the social responsibilities of the institution.

He stated that as a result of the need to genuinely produce well trained youths for the future, the school had over the years maintain its enviable

standard with feedback and comments on its products coming from various institutions in and outside the country.

"Any score below 65 percent at NTIC is weak and we have worked round the clock to ensure that this standard is either kept or improved upon," he stated.

As at the time of Vanguard's presence, over 500 vehicles of different categories were sighted packed inside and outside of school premises, Isheri, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, as Muslims and nonMuslims thronged the venue of sallah meat distribution to collect their shares.

One of the Christians identified at the venue, Ezekiel who spoke to Vanguard said: "This is one aspect of life that is expected of inter-religious

community in Nigeria. If you see during Ramadan fast, Cardinal Onaiyekan in Abuja led other Christians to break fast with Muslims and Muslim leaders. Only this way we can live in peace and harmony.”

He continued: “If NTIC Foundation consisted mainly of foreigners have contributed this magnitude to making Nigeria peaceful, they need to be encouraged while other groups and individuals should also be encouraged to follow the good example of the NTIC Foundation," Ezikiel said.

Muslims at the venue described the NTIC Foundation's gesture as a way of fulfilling the injunction of Allah on charity, religious tolerance and unity.

Different dimension Speaking to Vanguard during the distribution, Ochilbek said the initiative which started in 2006 took a different dimension this year with several thousands of non-Muslims benefiting from the gifts.

His words: "For we, Muslims, Sallah is compulsory but this initiative will bridge the gap between different categories of people such as rich and poor; the haves and haves-not; as well as extending love to members of the Christian community who were on ground to celebrate with the Muslims at Sallah. According to him, it will also showcase the idea of tolerance, peace and tranquility which Allah enjoined all Muslims.

“We want to bridge the gap between all classes of people irrespective of faith.

We give to non-Muslims, we also receive indication of interest from Churches and give to them. More importantly too, we give to

•Mr. Rakhmanov Ochilbek, Vice Principal Exams, Records and Statistics (left) and Mr. Aderoju Olayinka, Vice Principal, Academics both of the Nigerian-Turkish International College, NTIC, Lagos.

ID-IL-ADHA, the ritual of animal sacrifice has remained a means of attaining nearness to Almighty Allah. It is a sacrifice that we offer with fervour and enthusiasm on the occasion of the Hajj, precicely 10th of Zhul-Hijjah. While its import and essence is to show taqwa, piety to the Creator, it can also be viewed in the same way with zakah since the meat of ram, goat, sheep, cow or camel are distributed for eating. Prophet Ibrahim and his son (as) offered us great lesson and a pathway for genuine faith and submission to Allah (SWT). We do not need to go into the historical perspective of the sacrifice, you may read Q37:100-110; what is important now is imbibing the lessons of the occasion and applying it to our daily lives. And for those who have the means to offer the sacrifice, how do we go about it to make it more meaningful and affect the lives of others.

We must note that this sacrifice is merely symbolic. The blood of the animal can not extinguish our sins neither can it make make anyone more righteous. Animals and humans are not of equal value. So, almighty Allah does not need the blood, neither does He have anything to do with the meat. The flesh and blood [of your sacrificed animals] does not reach God; it is only your piety that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to your service so that you may give glory to God for guiding you. [This is the way of the righteous] and [O Prophet!] give glad tidings to these righteous. Q22:37. What is absolutely necessary is the piety, and the will to always submit to His ordinances. That is why the killing of a ram is not the ultimate on this occasion but the state of your heart to Allah. It is laughable when people who rarely pray five times daily or seldom fast regularly or not disposed to alms-giving, but in a show of wealth, bought and slaughtered the biggest ram in the market for sallah. That is not part of the intents and purposes of the feast. It is a reflection of our faith, our willingness to submit to the will of Almighty Allah, to worship Him at all times and care for others.

We should also show gratitude to Allah for preserving our lives. The ram which replaced Ibrahim’s son was an illustration of a reward for total submission to the will of Allah. It is also a symbol of Allah’s love for us and that He is capable of intervening at the critical moment and providing solutions to our problems. The absolute submission exemplified by Ibrahim and Ismaeel to the Will of Allah and the true slave-hood must be emulated.

The sacrifice that we perform on this occasion as a worship to Allah should provoke us to think about how we can continue to live in peace and harmony with non-Muslims. We should think about how we can give Islam the right image through our actions especially in a country where the religion has been misconstrued and given unpleasant meaning as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The food that we eat on this day should remind us of those who are dying of hunger in our community, the deprived, widows and less privileged. Let us begin to work for the pleasure of Allah by providing succour for the downtrodden.

Muslim women going to eid?

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OST Imams are inundated with calls and questions on whether women are allowed to observe the eid prayers. A couple of hadiths emphasised on the issue giving the leeway to women to proceed to eid, observe the superrogatory prayers and participate in the joyous occasion of eid.

Although, eid prayers is not obligatory for women, but it is sunnah. Women should endeavour to fulfil that aspect of sunnah and proceed to eid to offer the two superrogatory prayers at the praying-ground with other Muslims. This is so, because the Prophet (s.a.w) enjoined them to do that.

It is narrated in one of the hadiths related

by Umm ‘Atiyah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “We were commanded to go to the Eid prayers with girls and the women in seclusion, and he commanded the menstruating women to avoid the prayerplace of the Muslims.” Narrated by alBukhaari, 1/93; Muslim, 890.

According to a report narrated by al- righteousness and piety. The menstruating Tirmidhi: The Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w) woman should not forsake the remembrance of used to everybody, adolescent girls, women Allah or places of goodness such as gatherings in seclusion and menstruating women on for the purpose of glorifying and remembering the two Eids, but the menstruating women Allaah. would watch from a close distance to the eid. One of them asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what if she does not have a jilbaab?” He said, “Then let her sister lend her one of her jilbaabs.”

It should be noted that as they are permitted to go to eid, they are not permitted to go out unveiled or making a wanton display of themselves. The essence of this was to ensure that no one is prevented from participating in the joyous celebration of ‘Eid. The hadith urges everyone to attend Eid prayer, and to co-operate with one another in •Muslim women offering eid prayers

36—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

APC slams FG over ‘plot to break ASUU’

CONFERENCE: From left— Ms Evelyn Oputu, MD, Bank of Industry; Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, MD, LAPO Microfinance Nigeria Ltd. and Apostle Hayford Alile, former DG, Nigerian Stock Exchange, during LAPO's microfinance conference in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Federal Government of employing “cheap and ludicrous strategy” by using market women, religious leaders and students to put pressure on the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off its strike.

APC, in a statement in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the strike, which is now in its fourth month, would have ended by now if the Federal Government had pursued its negotiations with ASUU with half the energy it had been using to rally various groups to protest against the union.

The party said: ‘’This infantile statement by the leader of the apparently misguided market women is the most irresponsible statement that anyone has made on the long-drawn ASUU strike, and it is a shame that the government is the instigator of such nonsense. ‘’While indeed there are millions of jobless Nigerians, is it just any jobless Nigerian that can be a university teacher?

“How does President Goodluck Jonathan, himself a former university teacher, feel about those apparently hired by his administration treating university teachers with so much disrespect?”

IAS launch

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HE Immigration Advice Service, IAS, has commencement operations in Nigeria. IAS is a United Kingdom, UKbased provider of immigration advice and representation.

IAS Director, Mr. Ono Okeregha, told newsmen in Lagos that his organisation discovered that most UK visa applicants were refused visa because of improper application and lack of comprehensive supporting documentation.

Okeregha said: “Our aim in Nigeria is to reach out to people who want to travel to UK, give them professional advice and save them from fraudsters.”

Edo mobilises for Natn'l Conference

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—EDO Forum, comprising leaders and traditional rulers from the three senatorial districts of Edo State, has commenced mobilisation ahead of the proposed national conference with a view to coming up with a position paper for the

state.

The forum, in a statement, said it believes that the proposed dialogue will afford all ethnic groups in the country the opportunity to participate in the formation of an acceptable constitution for Nigerians, hence the need for the elite, political leaders, youths and traditional

DPP debunks suspension of Delta House Minority Leader

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HE Caretaker Committee of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in Ward 4, Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, has denied the purported suspension of the Minority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, representing Okpe council, Mr. Julius Okpoko and six others.

The committee has, meanwhile, passed a vote of confidence on Mr. Okpoko, Ambrose Ode, former Youth Leader; Freeborn Omonena, the Public Relations Officer, PRO; Jonal Otorakpo, Ward Leader; Mr. Emmanuel Ubido, Organising

Secretary; Mr. Lucky Onoyeti, councillorship aspirant and Daniel Iyamu, who were allegedly suspended by Ward 4 DPP on allegation of anti-party activities.

In a statement by the Caretaker Committee of the Ward 4 DPP, Mr. Daniel Eshalomi, said that the purported suspension of Okpoko and six others was null and void and illegal, pointing out that those who claimed to be executive of the party and signatory to the suspension had long been dissolved by the party executive at the national level.

Civil servants laud Delta govt on salaries

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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SABA— DELTA State Gov ernment is regularly paying civil servants, up till last month, civil servants in the state have said.

They said that September salaries payment alerts were sent to workers by their banks on September 24.

A civil servant told Vanguard, “as I speak with you, I

will say October has not ended. From 24th, we will start to talk about receiving our salaries. We received our September salary long ago.

“We do not have any problem with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan's government on payment of our salaries for now.

“The government is paying us early. But I do not know what will happen tomorrow.”

rulers in the state to participate.

The statement by Chief Joseph Arogundade, Chief Sylvanus Usifo and Victor Osarenren, also frowned at the financial state of the country, which according to them had led to the inability of some states and local governments to meet their financial obligations.

The statement said: “The meeting also agreed to consult widely with major actors from critical stakeholders, especially the government, traditional institutions, political parties, the clergy, women and youth groups.

“It is to weigh the options available in making necessary input from an Edo peoples’ position for the forthcoming national conference that will hopefully lead to the enactment of a genuine people’s constitution and continuous well being of the nation.”

It also resolved that it would soon “warehouse all shades of opinion of Edo people within and outside the state towards presenting a united position at the conference.

“This will be without prejudice to efforts being made by the Edo Forum for a Midwest agenda to be articulated by leaders of the defunct Midwest region.”

Delta Central HOSTCOM denies election

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI— DELTA Central chapter of oil and gas Host Communities of Nigeria, HOSTCOM, has denied a purported October 5 election of its executive.

The chapter, in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Andrew Agoyo, said that the purported election was held without the knowledge and support of the oil and gas producing communities in Delta Central.

He said that the purported election was unacceptable to the oil and gas producing communities of the eight Urhobo local government areas in the state, adding that a sevenman committee had been put in place by Delta Central HOSTCOM, to meet with the National Chairman of the body to pave way for an election in the chapter.

He warned those parading themselves as members of the executive from the purported election to desist from doing so.

UNILAG alumni gets new EXCO

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HE University of Lagos Alumni Association elected a new executive in Lagos, on Sunday.

The Chairman of ECOBANK Nigeria and EKOcorp P lc, Olorogun Sunny Kuku is President, former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, Ist Vice President; Mr. Mahmoud Lai Alabi, 2nd Vice

President.

Mrs Charity Oriobe, emerged 3rd Vice President; Mr. Tunde Fadahunsi, Secretary; Mrs Oghenetega Aiyenuro, Ist Assistant Secretary; Mr. Taiwo Akinfolarin, 2nd Assistant Secretary; Mr. Hakeem Abdulai, Financial Secretary and Mr. Adelani Afolabi, Treasurer, among others.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—37

Delta 2015: Group drums support for Obielum

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ELTA Progressive Movement, DPM, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, has called on the people of the state to support Chief Godwill Obielum to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015.

The group said that Chief Obielum will make positive changes in the governance of the state based on his experience in administration and security.

DPM Convener, Chief Frank Oligbo, at a meeting in Ibusa, Oshimili North council, said “Chief Obielum is a reliable man, a dependable Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, member, a man of the people, a bridge builder and since we want a true democrat to be our next governor, we should all work for the emergence of Obielum because with him in Government House, we are sure that we have a capable hand as governor.”

He added that “Chief Obielum is accepted by all Deltans and we are confident that he will not betray our trust. He will improve on what is on ground."

MTN, Nokia partner on old phones deal

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TN Nigeria, has announced its partnership with Nokia, to afford customers the opportunity to trade in their old phones and get up to N18, 000 back on the new Nokia 625 smartphone.

Speaking on the partnership, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Kola Oyeyemi, said “ we, at MTN, are committed to the delivery of a new digital world to our customers and the thrust of this initiative is to help cater to the needs of customers, who desire affordable smart phones and mobile internet connectivity.”

He said that MTN, presently, was the best ICT network in the country that offers top-range mobile internet connectivity. “We, therefore, decided to partner Nokia, the mobile phonemaking company to offer subscribers, on our network, greater value for their money.”

The Nokia Lumia smartphone on offer runs, on the Windows Phone 8 platform.

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Family alleges disappearance of 2 suspects from police custody

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—THE alleged disappearance of two suspected sea pirates from the custody of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command, is now a source of concern to their families.

The suspects were reportedly arrested on the waterways in Sagbama Local Government Area for illegal possession of four AK-47 rifles and detained by the police.

A close family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that they (suspects) are not members of any sea pirate gang.

According the source, the firearms found in their possession were for the security surveillance jobs on the waterways.

It was learnt that at the time of suspects’ arrest, the rifles were hidden inside a drum of diesel.

The arrest and detention of the suspects, however, took a new twist when efforts by the families to reach them failed with their whereabouts still unknown.

The suspects were allegedly taken away from detention at 1 a.m., two days after their arrest by security operatives.

Though the claim could not be verified, family members, who took food to the suspects but could not find them, expressed fears that they

may have been extra-judicially killed in custody.

A family member, said “we are puzzled by the attitude of the police. How can suspects disappear from police custody without trace? The police told us that the suspects have been transferred to the State

Investigation Bureau, SIB. We searched and did not find them.”

Contacted on the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, denied knowledge of the disappearance of the suspects.

AWARD—From left: Freelance Journalist, Ventures Africa, Tolu Ogunlesi, winner of the the Coca-Cola Company Economics & Business Award and President, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, Dr. Susan Mboya at the 2013 CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award in Cape Town, South Africa.

N-Delta youths urge Nigerians to exercise patience with Jonathan

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BY EMMA AMAIZE

ARRI—YOUTHS, under the auspices of Niger-Delta Youths for Positive Change, NDYPC, have urged Nigerians to exercise patience and give President Goodluck Jonathan more time to fix the country.

Briefing newsmen in Warri, Delta State, National President of the group, Mr Biayeibo Preye, said the President was doing well, citing repairs and construction of new federal roads, local and international airports, privatization of the power sector and many more.

He said that the group never knew that a President from NigerDelta would be the first to take Nigeria to such an enviable height in development, adding, “NigerDelta region has all the reasons to celebrate with President Jonathan, if for nothing, but for the amnesty programme in which about 30,000 Niger Delta youths have found productive engagement.

“The amnesty programme collectively initiated by late President Yar’Adua and President Jonathan has drastically reduced criminality in the region,” he said.

On the 2015 presidential race and emergence of the new PDP, he said that the division orchestrated by the

G7 governors was merely to intimidate South-South region, adding, “The splinter group of

seven governors and their supporters cannot stop Jonathan's re-election.”

Delta Central poll: PDP chieftain hails Omo-Agege, Oru, others

BY FESTUS AHON GHELLI—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Ughelli North, Delta State, Mr Roland Oyibo, yesterday, ascribed the victory of the party in the October 12 Delta Central senatorial byelection in the area to the efforts of Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, Dr Steve Oru, Chief Fred Majemite and a host of other leaders from the council.

Thanking God for making it “possible for us the Urhobos to come of our political mud,” Oyibo, a former councilor in Ughelli North, said “as the largest ethnic group in the state, it was bad for us to have been in opposition all these years.

“The victory of PDP transcends the senatorial seat and it is an open door for other good things for the Urhobo

U

land, at both the federal and state level. With this victory, we have reclaimed our position in the political scheme of things.”

Dedicating the victory to God and the people of Urhobo nation, he congratulated Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo on his landslide victory at the poll.

He thanked Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the role he played in the election, saying; “I tell people that Uduaghan is an Urhobo man.

He is a man that is committed to the wellbeing of Urhobo people.

“I also thanked all our leaders, particularly, Obarisi OmoAgege, Dr Oru, Chief Majemite, the President General of Owevwe community, Mr Francis Esane and Owevwe people for ensuring victory for the PDP in the Senatorial byelection.”

Delta groups appeal to SouthSouth to s u p p o r t Jonathan's second term bid

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ELTA Youth Vanguard, DTYV, and Urhobo Youth Forum, UYF, have called on the people of the South South geo-political zone to jettison sentiment and support President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.

The groups in a statement

by Friday Togbe, President UYF, Ibuakevwe Ejiroghene, Secretary, UYF, Onoriode Gala, Co-ordinator, DTYV and Mr Asiaba Samson, Secretary, DTYV said “if out of the 53 years of Nigerians Independence, the North has ruled for about 37 years and the South South is just doing only one tenure and we are still saying we cannot support one of our own, then we (South South) have thumb printed our slavery certificate.

“There is no zone in the country that has not enjoyed the massive support of the South South people. Alhaji Tafawa Belewa became Prime Minister and got the huge support of our people. The North again presented Shehu Shagari, and we again supported him. The SouthWest equally enjoyed the unwavering support of the South South, when in 19992007, former President Olusegun Obasanjo enjoyed two consecutive terms."

Mr Popo, 70, for burial

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R. Godfrey Oritsemabogharanwo Francis Popo of Obaghoro town in Warri North LGA, Delta State, is dead, aged 70.

According to a statement by the family. There will be a be Christian wake on October 24, at Ogunaja in Sapele. Lyingin-state and internment will take place at his resident in Ajamogha, Warri South LGA. He is survived by brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren.

Late Mr Popo

38—Vanguard , FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Igbo women to establish hospital in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—THE Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, a group of Igbo–speaking women in the seven states of the country, is to establish a state–of- the- art hospital in Anambra State to save Nigerians the cost of travelling out of the country for medical treatment.

The states are Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Delta, Imo and Rivers.

Addressing the women of Neni in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State during an advocacy programme in the area, the president of the group, Dr. Kate Ezeofor said that they have already acquired 7.7 hectares of land at Omogho in Orumba North local government for the project in collaboration with IPAS. Ezeofor, who spoke through her deputy, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbu, said: “Medical records show that about 5000 Nigerians travel to India every month for medical treatment and this is worrisome. Our organization abroad has many doctors, pharmacists, nurses and technicians that are prepared to work in the country if the right atmosphere is created for them here.

Lawmaker blames ASUU strike on IGR

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BUJA—A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Osai Nicholas Osai, yesterday, blamed the lingering strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to the non-disclosure of details of their internally generated revenues, IGR to the Federal Government.

Hon. Osai made the disclosure at a one-day training programme entitled: Linking Research and Industry in Nigeria: The Role of Raw Materials Research and Development Council, in Abuja.

The lawmaker, who lamented the impact of the strike on the economy, said though, the House Committee on Education had waded into the crisis but both parties are yet to reach an agreement because of the inability of the universities to furnish the government with details of their IGR and how they spend them.

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Navy begins construction of N1.2bn base in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU WKA—THE construction of a new naval base expected to gulp N1.2 billion has begun at the riverside community of Odekpe in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State. The site is about seven kilometers from the Onitsha Port commissioned last year by President Goodluck Jonathan.

At the ground–breaking ceremony of the project, Governor Peter Obi presented a cheque for N200 million to the Nigerian Navy to expedite work on the site.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph Ezeoba, who performed the ceremony with Governor Obi, said the concept of establishing the base in 2010 was borne out of the necessity to ensure protection of lives and property and to secure the nation’s inland waterways around the commercial city of Onitsha.

He said: “When the President commissioned the Onitsha Port in August 2012, we realized that we needed a more comprehensive security apparatus to take care of the expectant security challenges.

“With the presence of the Onitsha Port, it is obvious that the scope of economic activities of Anambra State would expand with the prospect of greater employment opportu-

A

nities and improved economic fortunes for the state. These expectations could be thwarted if the socio-economic environment of the area is not properly secured.”

According to him, naval operations in the area have begun in full force, adding that some criminal elements whose activi-

ties undermine peace and security were recently arrested, while some vessels used in carrying out illegal activities along the waterways were impounded.

The Chief of Naval Staff, who observed what he described as the outstanding performance of Governor Obi

in advancing the growth and development of the state and country, commended him for appreciating the fundamental role of the Navy in protecting the waterways and supporting a permanent structure that would enable Naval personnel carry out their responsibilities effectively.

FOUNDATION LAYING: From left: Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Joseph Ezeoba and other naval officers, during the laying of the foundation for the building of the permanent naval out-post at Odekpe, Anambra State.

Enugu to demolish building materials’ shops in residential areas E NUGU—THE Enugu State Government has said it would soon commence demolition of building material shops located in residential areas of the state capital.

Mr. Ike Ugwuegede, Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Enugu on Thursday.

Ugwuegede said the action was

part of government’s efforts to sanitise the city and make life comfortable for residents.

The commissioner also said that such shops posed serious threat to people living in those houses.

According to him, all the shops on Nike Lake Road will be demolished as they are all illegal structures.

“There are places like the timber markets designated for sale of

FRSC returns N215,690, to accident victims’ families

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BAKALIKI—THE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in Ebonyi, yesterday, returned N215,690 and other valuables to the families of road accident victims which occurred on September 14, 2013.

The Ivo Unit Commander of the commission, Mr. Joseph Abuo, said that five GSM phones, a female handbag, a voice recorder and the money were recovered during the rescue exercise.

“After necessary dialogue with the Nigerian Police Ivo Division, the items were duly handed over to the representatives of the victims’ families,” he said.

According to him, 75 per cent of the accidents in the country are caused by human factors.

“Road users should, therefore, remember that we are now approaching the yuletide period that is occasioned with rush by drivers who wants to cover trips at the shortest possible time.

“Drivers should be mindful of excesses like over speeding, wrong overtaking, seat belts violation, drunk-driving, among others,” he said.

Receivingtheitems,Mr.SamEde,arepresentative of the deceased families, thanked the FRSC, the police and neighbours, for returning the items intact.

building materials but people chose to use residential buildings for such businesses.

“It is against the building master plan for the state. We have given notice of 30 days for such people to relocate, or have their

shops demolished,” he said.

Ugwuegede urged landlords to prevent their tenants from using their residential buildings for sale of such materials like cement, rod, and timber.

Edo SUBEB boss tasks teachers vided in the schools by the on ICT state government for the good

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—THE Executive Chairman of Edo State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, Prince Stephen Alao, has tasked teachers in primary schools in the state to equip themselves with Information Communication Technology, ICT, knowledge so as to impact it on the pupils.

Alao said that the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led government had laid a solid foundation in the educational sector with a view to give both pupils and students in schools the best education.

He stressed the need for teachers to compliment the efforts of the state government by utilizing the computers and other ICT materials pro-

of the pupils.

He stated this, yesterday, while addressing teachers at Agbado Primary School, Benin City, being part of his ongoing inspection of schools in the state. Some of the primary schools visited include Adolor, Payne, Oguola, Iyobosa, Agbado, Ohodua primary schools among others.

While addressing the teachers, Prince Alao said: “ The dream of the state government is to see our children excelling in their education both at primary and secondary levels and that is why the Comrade Governor embarked on massive reconstruction and building of schools in the three senatorial districts of the state.

“Teachers must key into this vision because the primary level is more critical for our pupils, so we must be up and doing.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 —39 ,

BRIEFING: From left, Mr. Clement Sunday, Marketing Manager, PZ Cussons; Nana Utomi, CEO, Mapatro Experiential Agency; Akon Imoh, Assistant Brand Manager, Carex, and Ayo Iyiola, Brand Manager, during the Carex handwashing activation press briefing, at Shoprite, Alausa, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

FUND-RAISING: From left, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Prince Ademola Dada,Chairman, Island Club, and Chief Sunny Odogwu, OFR, GCOP, during the Platinum Fund-raising and Honours Night to celebrate 70th anniversary of Island Club, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

Customers and star prize winner of Brian Munro final draw for consumer promo, at Shoprite, Alausa, Ikeja. Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, PRESENTATION: Members of Alpha Circle Club, presenting a cheque of N500,000 to Photo Editor. the management of Little Consolar of Christ Orphanage, in Owerri, Imo State.

GRADUATION: Venerable Ben Okunnuga, Rector of Anglican Bible College (left), presenting award of certificate and diploma in Biblical studies to Chief Grace Odukomaiya; Rev. B. A. Adegoroye, Faculty Secretary (middle), and Rev. Sunday Odineka, Admin Officer, during 14th & 15th Graduation Ceremony & Fund Raising of the college, at Cathedral Church of St. Jude's, Ebute Meta, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

OPENING: From left, HRM Oba Adelani Obatula, Olojodu of Ojodu; Mr. Tayo Magbagbeola, Mrs. Toyin Magbagbeola, CEO, Whao Funland, Omole Phase 1, Lagos; Pastor Ayodele Thomas, former MD, Intercontinental Capital Market, and Pastor Kunle Ajayi, during the grand opening of Whao Funland, at Omole Phase 1, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

AWARENESS: From left, a child born with Down Syndrome, Durotimi Otegbade; Volunteer for Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Amaka Awogu; another child born with the syndrome, Bolaji Eyimakinwa; Head, Quality Assurance and Training, Etisalat Nigeria, Flora Ekundayo; National President of Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Rose Mordi, and a parent, Bidemi Ogidiolu, at the grand finale of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria Awareness Week, sponsored by Etisalat, at Union Bank Sports Complex, Bode Thomas, Lagos.

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GRADUATION: Dr. Oludara Odubogun (left), staff and pupils of Kinder Korner Creche, during the school's graduation/end of year party, at Ikoya Avenue, Ikoyi. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu

LECTURES: Front row: Faculty Chairman, Dr. Kike Osinusi; Secretary, Dr. Anthony Ikefuna; Dr. Mohammed Salisu. Back row: Dr. Ade Faleti, Dr. Theresa Akinwunmi, Dr. Olu Akodu, and Dr. Lanre Kehinde, members of the 2013 Faculty of Paediatrics, National Postgraduate College of Nigeria Day lectures local organising committee, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, auditorium, Ikeja, Lagos.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

SOLOMON LAR: Plateau assembly seeks govt's immortalisation

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O S — P L AT E A U House of Assembly has called on the state government to immortalise the late Chief Solomon Lar who died in the U.S. Lar, the pioneer National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was a two time governor of the state and a former Minister of Police Affairs.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Lar who hailed from Lantang South local government in Plateau died in a U.S. hospital on October 9. The Deputy Speaker, Mrs Joyce Ramnap, PDP, Lantang South, in a motion called for the immortalisation of Lar, who she said championed democracy and the rule of law in his lifetime. The motion, seconded by Timothy Golu, PDP, Kanke, was endorsed by the House by unanimous vote. The Speaker, Mr Titus Alarms, later mandated the Clerk of the Assembly to forward a communication to that effect to the executive. Ramnap recalled that Lar stood for peace and lived the biblical injunction of “love your enemies. He practically loved his enemies; he was humble and related to the poor the same way he related to the affluent.”

Body leaves US Friday

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EW YORK—PROF. Ade Adefuye, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U. S., says the body of the late Chief Solomon Lar, will leave the U.S. on Friday and arrive in Nigeria on Saturday.

Adefuye told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday in New York that a senior Embassy staff would also accompany the body. The late Lar, a former governor of Plateau and a former national chairman of PDP, died on Oct. 9 at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia.

NAN reports that a service of songs in honour of the deceased, who died at the age of 80, was held at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington D.C. on October 13. In his tribute at the occasion, Adefuye had described the late Lar as a visionary leader who gave his all in the service of his fatherland.

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From left: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; Gov. Isa Yuguda and Galadiman Bauchi, Alhaji Ibrahim Jahun, praying during Bauchi Emirate Council Eid-el-Kabir homage to Governor Yuguda in Bauchi, yesterday.

Nasarawa PDP declares support for Tukur L

AFIA—THE Nasarawa State Executive of the PDP, yesterday, declared support for Bamanga Tukur’s leadership of the party. Mr Maka Nangba, the Nasarawa North PDP organising secretary, declared the support at the inauguration of new officials of the PDP in Wakama Electoral Ward of the Akun Development Area of the state.

He said, “there is no new PDP in Nasarawa State and the entire members of the party are behind Bamanga Tukur 100 per cent.”

Nangba who said the PDP in Nasarawa State could not be bought over, added “ we are strongly behind the leadership of Bamanga Tukur at the national level and Yonana Iliya in the state.”

While assuring the Tukur led leadership of unalloyed support, Nangba added that “PDP in Nasarawa State is one united family, where members and leaders operate on the same page.”

Also, Mr Jacob Ali, the PDP Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, called

on people of the area to support PDP in all future elections in the state.

He enumerated achievements of the PDP in the state from 19992011 to include, rural electrification, road construction, establishment of four higher institutions, employment generation for youths and maintenance of peace in the state among others.

According to him, any government that would not generate employment for the youth in order to engage them positively should be voted out of power.The PDP Chairman of Wakama Electoral Ward, Mr Polinus Auta, said the new officials who were inaugurated were from Akpata Ward, Wakama East, Sabo Wakama and Wakama West Electoral

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OLA—GOVERNOR Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has expressed admiration for the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its leadership because of their sincerity and focused lifestyle.

Nyako was responding to a statement by the National Vice Chairman, North East of the APC, Alhaji Umaru Duhu, who paid Sallah homage to Nyako at Government House in Yola, the state capital.

The governor noted that there was freedom in APC, pointing out further that he also loved the party because of the style of leadership of APC governors across the country.

Auta charged the new officials to always be good ambassadors of the party and avoid acts of corruption, as any one found indulging in corruption would face the full wrath of the law. The occasion was also attended by traditional rulers from the area, youth leaders, market women, PDP supporters among others.

Niger, Japanese agency collaborate on rice production

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INNA— NIGER State Government says that it is collaborating with the Japan International Development Corporation Agency, JICA, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to increase rice production in the state.

Alhaji Baba Madugu, Managing Director of the Agricultural and Mechanisation Development Authority made the disclosure in Minna on Wednesday at an Eidel-Kabir lunch, organised by the state’s ministry of agriculture for journalists. He said, “This administration is committed to farmers’ productivity to raise their

income and uplift their standard of living through rice production,” adding that the development partners were working with the government to implement the Rice Post Harvest Processing and Marketing Pilot scheme to boost agriculture and ensure rural development.

Madugu

said

that

Duhu had described the recent sealing of the Adamawa State Governors’ Lodge in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, as a calculated move by the government to discredit Adamawa State and its people.

He further said that Adamawa State was already an APC state, adding that very soon the flags of the party would be hoisted in the Government House in Yola, as more than 300,000 supporters of the present government in the state had since joined the APC. Duhu noted, "It is only Governor Murtala Nyako and few others in his administration that are yet to join the APC, but they will soon join us.”

Also, addressing newsmen later

government recently distributed 100 motorcycles to agricultural extension workers in the state to resuscitate extension services.

Alhaji Ahmed Matane, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that government’s determination to regenerate its agricultural sector was aimed at boosting economic activities.

Taraba to overhaul state owned media

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ALINGO—ACTING Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, has pledged to

Nyako admires lifestyle of APC leadership

BY UMAR YUSUF

Ward.

Duhu observed that the closure of the lodge was like closing the Government House in Yola.

He described as untenable the reasons given by the FCTA for the closure, saying that all state governments in the federation used their liaison offices for political meetings and wondered why that of Adamawa should be an exception.

Duhu further stressed that President Goodluck Jonathan used the State House for political meetings, just as governors held meeting in their offices at the state level. .

Commenting on the proposed National Conference, Alhaji Umaru Duhu described it as a mere jamboree.

overhaul the state owned media outfits to meet the current global s t a n d a r d s .

Umar made the pledge while interacting with members of the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Jalingo.

He said, "We have restored subvention to our media houses to keep them operating, but plans are under way to completely transform them for better services.”

Umar lauded the media for playing a key role in resolving the recent political crisis that rocked the state over Governor Danbaba Suntai’s health, adding, "I commend your maturity and professionalism in reporting the recent misunderstanding that we had in the state. We now have peace in the state due to your ability to report the truth.”

Umar said that the government would continue to pursue developmental projects such as roads construction, water and electricity among others for the benefit of the people.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—41

UK social services warned of ‘miracle baby’ from Nigeria

BY UDUMA KALU with agency report

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NITED KINGDOM child protection organisations have warned the country’s social service organisations to watch out for couples returning from Nigeria with “miracle babies” as they could be a cover for trafficking.

The child protection organisations, Cafcass, ADCS and Children and Families Across Borders, CFAB, social services also issued guidance to all social workers in the UK, telling them how to recognise signs of staged fake births.

There were reports in the UK of a Nigerian couple which claimed fertility treatment combined with their strong Christian faith had resulted in them conceiving in Nigeria, but tests showed the child, who was later taken into care, was not theirs.

STRIKE:Youth

Council gives FG/ASUU 2 weeks ultimatum

BY IKENNA ASOMBA & FORTUNE ANYANWU

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RESIDENT OF National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Mr. Abdullahi Abdulmajeed, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government and striking university lecturers, under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve their disagreement, which had kept students of public universities out of school in the last three months.

Leading members of the union and other students in a rally, yesterday, at the University of Lagos, Akoka main gate, Abdulmajeed said that the need to end the protracted strike has become imperative as over 30 million Nigerian students are at the receiving end.

He said: “Having critically examined the issues raised by ASUU, whose major demands is to see that government provides adequate funding for massive infrastructural face-lift for public universities and for government to pay its members with N92 billion in extra allowances, we feel there is need for the warring parties to end their disagreement as soon as possible.

COMMISSIONING: From left, Engr. Taofiq Tijani, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, Chairman, House committee on Energy and Mineral Resources, Lagos State House of Assembly; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Wale Tinubu, Chief Executive Officer, Oando Plc, and Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, during the commissioning of Alausa Power Project in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Gov Babangida Aliyu supports NASS ratification of National Confab report

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

M

INNA — NIGER State governor Babangida Aliyu has said that the decision

by President Goodluck Jonathan to submit the outcome of the National Conference to the National Assembly was in

order.

Aliyu spoke, yesterday, when he received officials of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, led by the Chairman Rev. Musa Dada at his residence in Minna, the state capital.

Jonathan recently constituted the Peace and Dialogue

Committee headed by Senator Femi Okunronmu, pledging that the outcome of the deliberation would be sent to the National Assembly, NASS, for ratification.

“The President is right that everything discussed at the forum must go to the NASS. Sending the report of the dialogue to the NASS will be in

Mike Aondoakaa joins Benue guber race

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

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AKURDI — POSTERS of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa, for the 2015 governorship race in Benue State, yesterday morning, flooded Makurdi, the state capital.

The posters which were placed at strategic corners across the metropolis may have brought to an end, months of speculations about the gubernatorial ambition of the former minister.

Reacting to the development, the Benue State Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan said the people of the state would reject Aondoakaa at the poll. ”If I may ask, what was his achievements as minister, and how did he use that office to benefit the ordinary Nigerians in the streets and the people of Benue State in particular? ”Nobody should take Nigerians for a ride any more because at the appropriate time we will ask Aondoakaa some questions on the alleged inglorious roles he played during the President Yar ’Adua era apart from other issues that he

needs to explain to Nigerians and Benue people. ”We advise that he directs those spreading the posters to withdraw them forthwith because the governorship seat in Benue State is not for sale and anyone who thinks he can fool us all the time is deceiving himself,” Agan stressed Attempts to get Aondoakaa to speak on the posters was unsuc-

cessful but one of his close associates who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Vanguard that the former minister had no hand in the campaign posters. ”He knows nothing about it, the man knows that it is not yet time for such; I strongly feel that somebody somewhere is playing games with the whole thing and it is quite unfortunate.”

line with the prevailing political arrangements in the country. There cannot be two sovereignties in a country. ‘’I am of the view that the final document that will emerge from the national and state assemblies after the dialogue will be what we will call a Nigerian constitution made by Nigerians, ” he said.

He then asked CAN and its members to continue to pray for peace in the country even as they live in harmony with adherents of other religions in the state.

Earlier, Rev. Dada had commended Aliyu for the mature way he had handled issues involving Christians in the state.

According to him: ‘’Governor Aliyu has not discriminated against Christians in any matter.’’

Sultan of Sokoto warns Muslims against fomenting religious crisis

S

OKOTO — SULTAN of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday, warned Muslims against fomenting trouble in the name of religion in the country.

Abubakar spoke in his palace when the Emirs of Gwandu and Argungu in Kebbi, Alhaji Ilyasu Bashar and Alhaji Sama’ila Mera, respectively, paid him the traditional sallah homage.

According to him, Islam is a religion of peace and it abhors violence. ’’Violence and mayhem tarnish the image of Islam and Muslims and we should shun them. We should only rely on God, the Almighty, as the Alpha and Omega of the World,” he said.

The sultan further appealed to northerners to work toward ensuring sustained peace and unity.

Abubakar said: “Peace should be ensured in the region and by extension all parts of the country, as God has created us together with diverse backgrounds.

”These religious, ethnic and cultural differences, among others, should further unite and not divide us.”

Earlier, Bashar and Mera had told the sultan that they were in his palace to pay respect to him, adding, “we are here to strengthen the bond of relationships between us."

Family threatens lawsuit over rumour of monarch's death

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA — FIRST son of the traditional ruler of Awka-Etiti in Idemili South Local Government, Anambra State, Prince Agujiugo Ojukwu, yesterday, dispelled rumour making the rounds that his fa-

ther, Igwe Joachin Ojukwu, was dead.

Speaking in his father’s palace, Ojukwu said he was embarrassed that some mischiefmakers were spreading news of his father death and threatenwed lawsuit over the issue. if the rumour persisted.

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 43

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Why PDP wants Anambra REC removed STORIES BY VINCENT UJUMADU

T

HE Anambra State leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega to remove the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state Professor Chukwuemeka Onukaogu over alleged bias in handling the affairs of the commission in the state.

The state chairman of the party, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, who made the call, accused the state REC of causing more harm than good in the way he takes stand on issues concerning the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Specifically, Emeakayi is worried that despite various proofs and court judgments concerning PDP in the state

especially on the issue of its rightful leadership in the state, Onukaogu has continued to cause more confusion by claiming that INEC recognizes the Chike Oguebego faction of

the party.

He said: “For peace to reign in this state, we are calling on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, take him (Onukaogu) away from this state before the

T

HE chairman of board of directors of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rile of Law, INTERSOCIETY, Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi has reacted to the rumour making the rounds that the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Willy Obiano was involved in double registration, saying the governorship candidate did what the law provides when a voter transfers from one location to another.

Umeragbalasi told Vanguard Politics that his organization

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

T

decided to investigate the matter in view of the weight of the allegation, adding that he, Obiano, did what is expected of him when he relocated from Lagos to Anambra State because of the election.

Umeagbalasi said: “Obiano registered in Lagos and when he picked the ticket of APGA, it became obvious that he would vote in Anambra State and so he approached the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in the state who assigned an electoral officer to carry out the process of the transfer of his voter’s

•Ngige: APC flagbearer state.

‘He said: “Our state is known for its commercial activities, principally in the cities of Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka and if Governor Obi cannot rise to the challenge of garrisoning the state from the invasion of hoodlums, it is a great cause for

concern.

“The attack on Chief Okeke in the GRA part of Onitsha clearly indicates that the administration of Mr. Obi has failed in his duty to Anambra people. Of course, we have been witnessing the increase in kidnapping and armed robbery attacks in the state.

This attack in Onitsha, our major commercial city, indicates Anambra may be moving back to the holocaust days. Having served as governor of the state, I squarely blame Mr Obi for the generalised insecurity in Anambra State and not the police.”

According to him, the attack on Okeke in the bustling metropolis of Onitsha is a bad omen for the state and failure

Anambra 2013: NYCN warns youth against money bag politicians

BY CALEB AYANSINA

T

HE National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has warned youths in Anambra State against trading their votes with money bag politicians for a stipend, in the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

The Vice President of the Council, South-East, Raphael Chukwujekwu, who gave the warning while briefing Newsmen on the state of affairs in the South East region, in Abuja, said that the council would ensure that they were not short changed in the forthcoming poll.

Chukwujekwu said that the council had no anointed candidate; therefore, gubernatorial candidates in

been causing confusion and committing all sorts of atrocities.

If he has done well in Anambra State, he should be taken to another state to continue such good works.”

Voter’s card: Obiano did not err— Rights group

Ngige tasks Obi on insecurity HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Chris Ngige has berated Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi over alleged growing insecurity in the state, citing the recent attempt on the life of the managing director of GUO Motors, Chief Godwin Okeke, as a case in point.

In a statement in Awka yesterday, the Director of Media of the Ngige Campaign Organization, Chief Charles Amilo, warned that the economy of Anambra State might be heading towards collapse as fear of kidnappers and armed robbers scare away citizens and investors from the

governorship election because he will mess it up.

I want all political parties to rise up on this issue.

“Onukaogu cannot be in Anambra perpetually. He has

Anambra State should be very careful of those who parade themselves as council national executives and adopt them as authentic candidate.

Chukwujekwu maintained that the council would not fold its arm and allow those who had nothing to contribute to youths and general development of the state to bribe their ways in.

Ubah launches campaign website

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

L

ABOUR PARTY governorship Candidate Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has launched a campaign website, h t t p : / / ifeanyiubahgovernor.com, to boost his electoral campaigns.

Launched on October 16, said the new online platform is designed to engage supporters at home and in the Diaspora, featuring innovative technology and online organising tools.

He said: “We are proud to be the first and only campaign in this governorship election to engage directly with electorate on this scale, offering them the opportunity and tools to connect, recruit, and share their own ideas to transform Anambra State..

“By giving the people a voice, we are creating stakeholders who passionately care about developing the potential of our state, and we are ready to listen.”

•Obiano: APGA flagbearer card from Lagos. “Having done what he was expected to do, it

was left for INEC to delete his name from the voters’ register in Lagos and the commission knows what to do.

“It is not the duty of the person who has transferred from one location to the other to go back to Lagos to find out if INEC has deleted his name ther ” According to him, it was surprising that people who ought to be campaigning to tell the electorate what they will do for the people are busy looking for a way of stopping somebody from contesting the election.

LP asks Jega to investigate Obiano’s alleged double registration

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE Labour Party, LP, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to personally investigate the alleged double registration by Mr. Willie Obiano, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate for the November 16, governorship election in Anambra State.

The National Chairman of LP, Chief Dan Nwanyawu who made the call while speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, noted that INEC as the electoral body must be seen to be observing strictly the rules guiding elections in Nigeria.

Women group plans interaction with candidates October 29 The Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora, a non governmental

organization, NGO, comprising Igbo- speaking women in Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Rivers states, has planned an interaction with the 23 governorship candidates in Anambra State on October 29 to give the governorship hopefuls the opportunity to explain their programmes to the people.

President General of the organization, Dr, Kate Ezeofor, at an advocacy programme for the women at Neni in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State said the interaction is part of the group’s contribution towards the growth and sustenance of democracy in N i g e r i a .

According to her, the candidates are expected to use the forum to talk about their manifestos and how they intend to positively touch the lives of women if voted into office.

Provide level playing ground —PPN’s Iwoba begs INEC

P

EOPLES Party of Nigeria, PPN governorship candidate for the November 16, 2013 election, Chief Basil Iwuoba has appealed to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega to ensure that a level playing ground is provided for all the candidates in the election.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, Iwuoba said that only the commission could guarantee free and fair election, urging the commission not to fall into the temptation of allowing itself to be hoodwinked by desperate

p o l i t i c i a n s .

He said: ‘’INEC should shun the antics of some politicians who believe they can buy the people’s mandate.

The commission should allow Anambra citizens to make their choice of who governs them and whoever they elect should be allowed to govern them.

Iwuoba appealed to Anambra people to see his candidacy in PPN as a divine call to liberate Anambra people from enslavement adding that he needs the collective support of everybody to be able to emerge a winner.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—45

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—47

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Face off The recent reclassification of the educational system by the Rauf Aregbesola administration is generating a lot of heat between the Christian community and the government. The main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, is cashing in on

this development to garner more support ahead of the 2014 governorship election. Our correspondent spoke with leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and PDP on the issue. It is simply explosive.

We’re aligning Osun educational system with international best practices— Oyatomi

The policy won’t work — PDP

W

HAT really is the problem between the Osun Christian Association of Nigeria and the state government over the merger of schools in the state and the reclassification of the educational system?

As far as we are concerned, there is no problem. It is the Baptist Christians that have problem with the innovation going on and it is all about their selfish interest and not the State of Osun. The Baptist Church was around when the entire educational system in Osun collapsed and they did nothing. Now that they have somebody who is comprehensively overhauling the system, they are crying wolf where none exists.

What is in this policy?

The policy wants to desegregate schools run by government and it also wants to make sure that Osun students will not break their education from Primary to Secondary school and thirdly, the new system is designed to align with international best practices in teaching and learning that was absent in the old system.

Fourthly, the new system intends to ensure that our children are healthy at school and the government is providing for the most vulnerable children from Primary 1 to 4. Overall the policy is to develop a total man in our children. That’s what the policy intends to achieve.

The policy does not intend to promote any religion whatsoever. So if the Baptist

Church is now fretting over its phantom Islamization that is its own creation and it is has nothing to do with the government of Osun.

Why did Opon Imo contain Ifa? It is for the same reason that it contains the Quran and the Bible. But these are subjects in WAEC syllabus. That WAEC does not contain Ifa does not make Ifa irrelevant. Ifa is the traditional religion of the Yoruba nation. It has nothing to do with Babalawo. So if Christians are paranoid about

,

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

system?

That system remains in place and the government in Osun has done nothing to alter it.

What has been done is to align it with global best practices to ensure that no student breaks his education at primary level.

For instance, the syllabus is unchanged and all students are, in the final analysis, expected to write WAEC NECO and JAMB examinations. So there is no basis whatsoever for hues and cries on this issue.

With the criticism that greeted the new policy on education by the state government in some quarters, is the government

The Baptist Church was around when the entire educational system in Osun collapsed and they did nothing. Now that they have somebody who is comprehensively overhauling the system, they are crying wolf where none exists

Babalawo (fetish priests) it is unfortunate. Ifa is a divination of the religion of the worshipers of Olodumare and Olodumare 1s the supreme deity whom the Christians call God and the Moslems call Allah.

As far as we know, the Baptist Church does not own any school in the State of Osun.

They could be Baptist in name due to their former ownership but they are essentially run by government. If Government had no such interest in the school, Baptist would not have been part of the merger. There is no privately owned, managed and funded school that is affected by this reclassification policy.

Why this classification when the nation runs 6-3-3-4 school

,

willing to go back on the policy?

This government will not go back on the policy that is well intended to nurture and programme our children to a better future, to actually improve on their standard, which was so low and appalling before this government came in,. The government sat down and did education summit, which was headed by Professor Wole Soyinka and the outcome of this summit is what we are implementing now: from the structure of the school to the content and the appearance of our children. This is the entire thing not just looking at the uniform, to differentiate Osun State students, the student in the state from other students,

or from privately owned schools and the government schools. The uniform will also differ from elementary to middle school and high schools, and to further get this thing done without tasking parents, there is a garment factory that has been established where you can go to and replace the uniform of your ward.

Government means well and is investing very heavily in education because that is the only thing we owe our children.

If Awolowo didn’t do free education there wouldn’t be professors, doctors today.

Christian Association of Nigeria in the state has just given the government a seven- day ultimatum reverse the policy. What is the position of your party on the ultimatum?

I think they still have time to rethink their ultimatum because it would produce nothing. This government is not a government that would be given ultimatum, they will still go back to re appraise their stand on this matter. We are appealing to them to do so.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is not fusing. The idea, plan and target is to make the students in Osun a target of world pride.

It is not a question of Muslim or Christian. It is a wrong motion to think like that.

In our , to every education system, he wants to make sure that we have the three religions that are peculiar to Osun. If they are not doing it in Ogun or Oyo states it does not mean that it is wrong,that is what federalism is all about.

We can’t ignore traditionalists because this is the religion that has been in existence even before two religions,

Christianity and Islam came, that is the truth.

The position of opposition parties and those opposed to the policy is that this policy will wipe out the issuance of school leaving certificates, what is your take on this?

They are warped in their thinking. Let me tell you, this policy like you must have heard and listened to, has three categories.

Primary certificate Elementary school 1-4 wil have pupils of age range 5-9 years, middle school grade 5-9 pupils of range 10-14 years and high school grade 10-12 with students of ages of 15-17.

What are we talking about primary school? In your first question I think I told you that we want to to make sure that no student drops out of school at primary level so what he is doing with the primary school certificate for God sakein this clime and age we are? We are talking about primary certificate? There is elementary, middle and high school, the ultimate is WASCE and nobody is saying that our students will not write WASCE, JAMB or NECO. So don’t let us t put nothing on something.

What Osun government has done in the past has attracted the interest of Federal Government. To throw the light, an example is OYES, which reduced unemployment in our society. What are we saying is if something is not working for you why should we switch to it? people should embrace positive change.

PRINCE Diran Odeyemi, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, like Oyatomi, was a seasoned journalist before he veered into politics. He spoke on PDP’s position on the issue.

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

W

HY is PDP opposed to the new educational policy and the merger of some public schools by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration?

In a civilized environment, before a government can embarked on such a programme or policy, there should have been adequate preparation, orientation and education of the people and everyone that is concerned.

When you are talking of these schools, you are talking of the society.

There is no average person in Osun State that does not have a child in a school, even if you don’t have, one of your relatives will have. So in a way, this is a policy that concerns everybody in Osun state.

Now, before you embark on such a programme, we expected a kind of good orientation, education about the programme, a kind of debate, not a kind of propaganda. You employ sensitization, you have to bring people together, and this is a programme that concerns everybody.

Democratic environment We should all be partakers.

This is not a military era; it is a democratic session in a democratic environment. You have to bring everybody on board, the Christian Association, the Muslim Community, even educationists both from Osun and outside Osun; let us discuss this thing, its importance and the outcome, and how the programme will help us. There is no policy that does not have its own disadvantages. Let us know the disadvantages and its advantages.

It is after these that we can now sit down and amend your our way of doing things. But in this situation, you are the only one knowing what the policy is all about and there was not even a good preparation to accommodate this policy.

In a good setting you can say I want to do this thing next year and start planning for it now, not necessarily that you think “I am the governor I have to do it in the next two to three months”. No, education is more important than that and it affects everybody.

You just have to sit down, there is no need for you to be in hurry about this, you just went ahead when students are expected to resume you said

,

BARRISTER Kunle Oyatomi is the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State. A seasoned journalist and administrator, he spoke on the position of his party on the issue.

•Kunle Oyatomi: There is no going back on policy

in Osun

no state in Nigeria except Osun composed an Anthem and many others.

You see, the way he is going about this government, he is getting everything wrong. It is not that we are against him as a person but we are against this policy as a result of the way he is going about it. If the policy is good, I think we should all know the disadvantages and advantages then we can now take a kind of consensus of opinions. But in this situation, it shows he is ruling us as if we are in a military era and we will reject that.

Will this crisis not jeopardize the future of Osun children?

Of course, it is the APC that

This is not a military era; it is a democratic session in a democratic environment. You have to bring everybody on board, the Christian Association, the Muslim Community, even Educationists both from Osun and outside from Osun let us discuss

they should be given another two weeks which in way disrupted the education calendar. Now they are coming back to school you are merging some schools, you are destroying the schools, and you are doing everything to confuse the people and nobody understood anything about your new policy.

So , as far as we are concerneded in PDP, the new policy is rubbish. Are you the only person in this country that knows so much about education that your own policy will now supersede the federal government policy? Why are you treating Osun as a peculiar state? Why is everything turning upside down? It is only you that gave holiday to the Isese people (traditionalists),

,

wants to jeopardise the future of these children. We in the opposition, all we are doing is just constructive criticism, and that criticism is that this policy cannot work. We are not the only one. The Christian Association of Nigeria is not a political party.They are opposing it because the policy cannot work even the Muslims have rejected the policy.

Now tell us, if the Christians are opposing it, Muslims are opposing it, PDP is opposing it why is it that it is only you? I am sure that APC in other states are rejecting it.

We are not criticising the policy for a political gain, we are concerned about the future of our children and about the future of this state.

•Diran Odeyemi: Aregbesola must reverse the policy or get booted out in 2014 As the main opposition party in the state what will be your next line of action?

It is not about PDP now.

Honestly, it is about the generality of this state. If you are limiting it to PDP then you are making a big mistake. We as a party, we will only go in line with the people.

The people who are primarily concerned are the Christian Association, the Muslim, the school teachers, principals even the students themselves.

You know as the party in opposition, we can only talk, we cannot act, but the people who are concerned will react just as the Christian association has given 7 days ultimatum. Now, let us wait for that 7 days and see what will happen but whatever position people take we will support them, so it is not primarily APC and PDP affair. It is Osun State affair.

For peace to reign in Osun State what is your advice to the Governor?

Of course, government do make mistakes, human being too do make mistakes. To err is human. Even as opposition, whether we like it or not, by the Grace of God, he is the governor of this state today. Until that mandate terminates in November next year, he is still the governor. If he does it well, we are going to benefit from it.

We cannot say that wherever he tars road it is only the APC members that will pass on that road and that no PDP member will pass on the road. Even CPC, ANPP ACCORD and even everybody will pass on the road.

In this situation, we will continue to pray for him for

wisdom. In this case, he should just accept that this policy is a mistake and reverse himself and that will be more honourable and that will give him a kind of respect in the state even among people in Nigeria.

But if he insists on bringing us back to the era of the military by saying “I have done it then go to hell” and if that is what he is saying, we will remind him that by 2014 the coast will be clear and even if you say we should go to hell then we will see in 2014.

Normal protest So, as PDP we will continue to pray to God to give him wisdom for him to reverse himself or else, we will just be part of the people for whatever action they want to take. Protest is normal, in as much it is peaceful; it is a kind of saying “we disagree with what you are doing”. In as much as it is not violent, it is just a kind of saying, “look we are not happy with what you are doing and it cannot work” and protest can be in many form, let the children not go to school, let them stay at home, that should a send signal to him and let the teachers to continue to stay at home that would also send a signal to him. Let the missionaries both Christian and Muslim do the same thing.

Now does he have any child going to school in Osun State?

Maybe that is the reason he does not feel the impact of the policy. So if he has children going to school in Osun or any of his relatives in Osun he will know that Osun is a peculiar state.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013—47

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Face off The recent reclassification of the educational system by the Rauf Aregbesola administration is generating a lot of heat between the Christian community and the government. The main opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, is cashing in on

this development to garner more support ahead of the 2014 governorship election. Our correspondent spoke with leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and PDP on the issue. It is simply explosive.

We’re aligning Osun educational system with international best practices— Oyatomi

The policy won’t work — PDP

W

HAT really is the problem between the Osun Christian Association of Nigeria and the state government over the merger of schools in the state and the reclassification of the educational system?

As far as we are concerned, there is no problem. It is the Baptist Christians that have problem with the innovation going on and it is all about their selfish interest and not the State of Osun. The Baptist Church was around when the entire educational system in Osun collapsed and they did nothing. Now that they have somebody who is comprehensively overhauling the system, they are crying wolf where none exists.

What is in this policy?

The policy wants to desegregate schools run by government and it also wants to make sure that Osun students will not break their education from Primary to Secondary school and thirdly, the new system is designed to align with international best practices in teaching and learning that was absent in the old system.

Fourthly, the new system intends to ensure that our children are healthy at school and the government is providing for the most vulnerable children from Primary 1 to 4. Overall the policy is to develop a total man in our children. That’s what the policy intends to achieve.

The policy does not intend to promote any religion whatsoever. So if the Baptist

Church is now fretting over its phantom Islamization that is its own creation and it is has nothing to do with the government of Osun.

Why did Opon Imo contain Ifa? It is for the same reason that it contains the Quran and the Bible. But these are subjects in WAEC syllabus. That WAEC does not contain Ifa does not make Ifa irrelevant. Ifa is the traditional religion of the Yoruba nation. It has nothing to do with Babalawo. So if Christians are paranoid about

,

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

system?

That system remains in place and the government in Osun has done nothing to alter it.

What has been done is to align it with global best practices to ensure that no student breaks his education at primary level.

For instance, the syllabus is unchanged and all students are, in the final analysis, expected to write WAEC NECO and JAMB examinations. So there is no basis whatsoever for hues and cries on this issue.

With the criticism that greeted the new policy on education by the state government in some quarters, is the government

The Baptist Church was around when the entire educational system in Osun collapsed and they did nothing. Now that they have somebody who is comprehensively overhauling the system, they are crying wolf where none exists

Babalawo (fetish priests) it is unfortunate. Ifa is a divination of the religion of the worshipers of Olodumare and Olodumare 1s the supreme deity whom the Christians call God and the Moslems call Allah.

As far as we know, the Baptist Church does not own any school in the State of Osun.

They could be Baptist in name due to their former ownership but they are essentially run by government. If Government had no such interest in the school, Baptist would not have been part of the merger. There is no privately owned, managed and funded school that is affected by this reclassification policy.

Why this classification when the nation runs 6-3-3-4 school

,

willing to go back on the policy?

This government will not go back on the policy that is well intended to nurture and programme our children to a better future, to actually improve on their standard, which was so low and appalling before this government came in,. The government sat down and did education summit, which was headed by Professor Wole Soyinka and the outcome of this summit is what we are implementing now: from the structure of the school to the content and the appearance of our children. This is the entire thing not just looking at the uniform, to differentiate Osun State students, the student in the state from other students,

or from privately owned schools and the government schools. The uniform will also differ from elementary to middle school and high schools, and to further get this thing done without tasking parents, there is a garment factory that has been established where you can go to and replace the uniform of your ward.

Government means well and is investing very heavily in education because that is the only thing we owe our children.

If Awolowo didn’t do free education there wouldn’t be professors, doctors today.

Christian Association of Nigeria in the state has just given the government a seven- day ultimatum reverse the policy. What is the position of your party on the ultimatum?

I think they still have time to rethink their ultimatum because it would produce nothing. This government is not a government that would be given ultimatum, they will still go back to re appraise their stand on this matter. We are appealing to them to do so.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is not fusing. The idea, plan and target is to make the students in Osun a target of world pride.

It is not a question of Muslim or Christian. It is a wrong motion to think like that.

In our , to every education system, he wants to make sure that we have the three religions that are peculiar to Osun. If they are not doing it in Ogun or Oyo states it does not mean that it is wrong,that is what federalism is all about.

We can’t ignore traditionalists because this is the religion that has been in existence even before two religions,

Christianity and Islam came, that is the truth.

The position of opposition parties and those opposed to the policy is that this policy will wipe out the issuance of school leaving certificates, what is your take on this?

They are warped in their thinking. Let me tell you, this policy like you must have heard and listened to, has three categories.

Primary certificate Elementary school 1-4 wil have pupils of age range 5-9 years, middle school grade 5-9 pupils of range 10-14 years and high school grade 10-12 with students of ages of 15-17.

What are we talking about primary school? In your first question I think I told you that we want to to make sure that no student drops out of school at primary level so what he is doing with the primary school certificate for God sakein this clime and age we are? We are talking about primary certificate? There is elementary, middle and high school, the ultimate is WASCE and nobody is saying that our students will not write WASCE, JAMB or NECO. So don’t let us t put nothing on something.

What Osun government has done in the past has attracted the interest of Federal Government. To throw the light, an example is OYES, which reduced unemployment in our society. What are we saying is if something is not working for you why should we switch to it? people should embrace positive change.

PRINCE Diran Odeyemi, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, like Oyatomi, was a seasoned journalist before he veered into politics. He spoke on PDP’s position on the issue.

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

W

HY is PDP opposed to the new educational policy and the merger of some public schools by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration?

In a civilized environment, before a government can embarked on such a programme or policy, there should have been adequate preparation, orientation and education of the people and everyone that is concerned.

When you are talking of these schools, you are talking of the society.

There is no average person in Osun State that does not have a child in a school, even if you don’t have, one of your relatives will have. So in a way, this is a policy that concerns everybody in Osun state.

Now, before you embark on such a programme, we expected a kind of good orientation, education about the programme, a kind of debate, not a kind of propaganda. You employ sensitization, you have to bring people together, and this is a programme that concerns everybody.

Democratic environment We should all be partakers.

This is not a military era; it is a democratic session in a democratic environment. You have to bring everybody on board, the Christian Association, the Muslim Community, even educationists both from Osun and outside Osun; let us discuss this thing, its importance and the outcome, and how the programme will help us. There is no policy that does not have its own disadvantages. Let us know the disadvantages and its advantages.

It is after these that we can now sit down and amend your our way of doing things. But in this situation, you are the only one knowing what the policy is all about and there was not even a good preparation to accommodate this policy.

In a good setting you can say I want to do this thing next year and start planning for it now, not necessarily that you think “I am the governor I have to do it in the next two to three months”. No, education is more important than that and it affects everybody.

You just have to sit down, there is no need for you to be in hurry about this, you just went ahead when students are expected to resume you said

,

BARRISTER Kunle Oyatomi is the Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State. A seasoned journalist and administrator, he spoke on the position of his party on the issue.

•Kunle Oyatomi: There is no going back on policy

in Osun

no state in Nigeria except Osun composed an Anthem and many others.

You see, the way he is going about this government, he is getting everything wrong. It is not that we are against him as a person but we are against this policy as a result of the way he is going about it. If the policy is good, I think we should all know the disadvantages and advantages then we can now take a kind of consensus of opinions. But in this situation, it shows he is ruling us as if we are in a military era and we will reject that.

Will this crisis not jeopardize the future of Osun children?

Of course, it is the APC that

This is not a military era; it is a democratic session in a democratic environment. You have to bring everybody on board, the Christian Association, the Muslim Community, even Educationists both from Osun and outside from Osun let us discuss

they should be given another two weeks which in way disrupted the education calendar. Now they are coming back to school you are merging some schools, you are destroying the schools, and you are doing everything to confuse the people and nobody understood anything about your new policy.

So , as far as we are concerneded in PDP, the new policy is rubbish. Are you the only person in this country that knows so much about education that your own policy will now supersede the federal government policy? Why are you treating Osun as a peculiar state? Why is everything turning upside down? It is only you that gave holiday to the Isese people (traditionalists),

,

wants to jeopardise the future of these children. We in the opposition, all we are doing is just constructive criticism, and that criticism is that this policy cannot work. We are not the only one. The Christian Association of Nigeria is not a political party.They are opposing it because the policy cannot work even the Muslims have rejected the policy.

Now tell us, if the Christians are opposing it, Muslims are opposing it, PDP is opposing it why is it that it is only you? I am sure that APC in other states are rejecting it.

We are not criticising the policy for a political gain, we are concerned about the future of our children and about the future of this state.

•Diran Odeyemi: Aregbesola must reverse the policy or get booted out in 2014 As the main opposition party in the state what will be your next line of action?

It is not about PDP now.

Honestly, it is about the generality of this state. If you are limiting it to PDP then you are making a big mistake. We as a party, we will only go in line with the people.

The people who are primarily concerned are the Christian Association, the Muslim, the school teachers, principals even the students themselves.

You know as the party in opposition, we can only talk, we cannot act, but the people who are concerned will react just as the Christian association has given 7 days ultimatum. Now, let us wait for that 7 days and see what will happen but whatever position people take we will support them, so it is not primarily APC and PDP affair. It is Osun State affair.

For peace to reign in Osun State what is your advice to the Governor?

Of course, government do make mistakes, human being too do make mistakes. To err is human. Even as opposition, whether we like it or not, by the Grace of God, he is the governor of this state today. Until that mandate terminates in November next year, he is still the governor. If he does it well, we are going to benefit from it.

We cannot say that wherever he tars road it is only the APC members that will pass on that road and that no PDP member will pass on the road. Even CPC, ANPP ACCORD and even everybody will pass on the road.

In this situation, we will continue to pray for him for

wisdom. In this case, he should just accept that this policy is a mistake and reverse himself and that will be more honourable and that will give him a kind of respect in the state even among people in Nigeria.

But if he insists on bringing us back to the era of the military by saying “I have done it then go to hell” and if that is what he is saying, we will remind him that by 2014 the coast will be clear and even if you say we should go to hell then we will see in 2014.

Normal protest So, as PDP we will continue to pray to God to give him wisdom for him to reverse himself or else, we will just be part of the people for whatever action they want to take. Protest is normal, in as much it is peaceful; it is a kind of saying “we disagree with what you are doing”. In as much as it is not violent, it is just a kind of saying, “look we are not happy with what you are doing and it cannot work” and protest can be in many form, let the children not go to school, let them stay at home, that should a send signal to him and let the teachers to continue to stay at home that would also send a signal to him. Let the missionaries both Christian and Muslim do the same thing.

Now does he have any child going to school in Osun State?

Maybe that is the reason he does not feel the impact of the policy. So if he has children going to school in Osun or any of his relatives in Osun he will know that Osun is a peculiar state.

48 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

B

ETWEEN 1960 (the year of Independence) and 1966 (the year of first military coup), many events of great political importance had taken place. The area called Mid-Western State (consisting of non-Yoruba people) was carved out of the Western Region – leaving the Eastern and Northern Regions (with their restless minorities) intact.

The ruling party in Western Region (Action Group) had split into two factions – one led by Chief Awolowo and the other led by Chief Akintola. After the expulsion of Chief Akintola from AG, he formed a new party, NNDP with a section of the NCNC (West) under Chief Remi FaniKayode, a Cambridge University trained lawyer and father of Femi Fani-Kayode.

The NNDP later merged with the ruling party (NPC) to form NNA. The NCNC and the remnants of NCN (West) and Awo‘s faction of Action Group merged to form UPGA under the leadership of Dr M. I. Okpara, the Eastern Region Premier. Chief Awolowo had been jailed for treasonable felony.

It was UPGA that precipated the political crisis of 1964 by refusing to participate in 1964 elections on the ground of irregularities – absence of free, fair and just elections in Northern and Western Regions. The party asked the President, Dr Azikiwe not to invite the parliamentary leader of the victorious party, NNA, to form a new government. However, the President agreed to ask the Prime Minister to form a broadly based national government (after he had been legally advised that under the 1963 Constitution, the President could not by himself form a new government). The 6-point programme submitted by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola and Chief Justice of Eastern Region, Sir Louis Mbanefo which included the formation of a national government and dissolution of the Western House of Assembly (to allow for new elections) was adopted reluctantly by both UPGA and NNA. Later, it turned out that the Peace of 1965

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

The forgotten political crisis of 1964 and the coup of 1966 was not satisfactory to UPGA supporters.

The Yoruba wing was not happy because Awolowo‘s release from prison was not part of the negotiation and the Akintola government could not be voted out in an election believed to have been heavily rigged. Western Region became really Wild, Wild West, with violence as an acceptable weapon of settling political differences. Political violence became wide-spread and unbearable that something had to happen. The coup of 1966 (a year after the Peace of 1965) was popular in many parts of Eastern, Western and Mid-Western Regions.

The responsibility of the coup of 1966 could be traced to the doors of UPGA political thugs who turned the Western Region into a theatre of war and the inability of Tafawa Balewa government to ensure that the people of Western Region had a government of their choice through a fair and just election.

Some observers believed, and rightly so, that the description of the 1966 coup as ‘Ibo Coup‘ was a misnomer. The ‘five majors‘ involved in the coup were believed to have seized the opportunity of a broken political process to carry out their nasty personal animosities against their senior colleagues in the army. They committed

murder and should have been charged accordingly after the mutiny had been crushed.

BIAFRA AGAIN I was not pleasantly surprised when my reference to Biafra in my column last week drew undue re-action from the usual quarters. My observation was that there was nothing glorious in the old Biafra (former Eastern Region) that could not be found abundantly in the present SouthEastern states which are better funded, more developed and arguably blessed work quality leadership. Some blind readers of my column turned to political abuses and odious references to Lagos and Ibadan.

My reference to Lagos is the city where the old ‘Biafrans‘ live comfortably, peacefully and perhaps always dream of that ‘golden age‘ As I have mentioned several times in this column, the Nigerian civil war was a sad one because it was unnecessary but also costly - a fratricidal conflict. The outcome of the war with Nigerian victory was nothing special as it often happened in wars, one side would eventually emerge victorious. The resolute defense put up by the Ibo would remain an abject lesson for any future aggression against

people driven to the wall. Many Yoruba officers and soldiers lost their precious lives in the suicidal attempts to take Onitsha by sea and also along the Abagana Road in another attempt to capture Onitsha. Onitsha was eventually captured and the war has ended more than 40 years ago, but the Yoruba tribe is being hounded by those who perhaps, were too young or were not born to understand fully the Biafran tragedy.

It is true in history that Oyo military force was absolutely defeated by the Fulanis in the 1830s and Oyo-Ile, capital of Oyo Empire was captured, completely destroyed and totally deserted. That incident ended the glorious Oyo Empire which lasted for more than six centuries a sad historical event.

It is also on record that the victorious Fulanis, encouraged by their victory over the Oyo forces, thought of subjecting the whole Yoruba race and dip their Quran into the Atlantic Ocean. The new capital, Oyo was created by Prince Afonja and Oyo military force was re-organized under Ibadan, a rising Oyo military power.

The heavy Fulani forces were soundly defeated and completely routed in Oshogbo in 1840 by Ibadan Army (not total Yoruba Army), with Ogbomoso forces detailed at the rear to cut supply to the Fulani forces and deal with the retreating losers. The victory over the Fulani forces in 1840 saved the Yoruba country from foreign subjugation until the British conquest of Ijebu and Oyo. However, in the midst of confusion by ethnic threats on both sides, nonindigenes are brightening the economic scene of the South-West by commercial cooperation and Ibo investments are joyfully becoming decisive and profitable.

Incidents of mixed marriages have aided the course of social understanding and reduced mistrusts, envy and enmity.

For the records, shortly before the civil war, I wrote an article in the Daily Times titled, “CAN WE AFFORD TO FALL APART”? After the war in 1970, I put in another one in the Daily Times, NOW THAT THE GUNS ARE SILENT.

Assessing Wada Administration's rural transformation agenda

BY ABU MICHEAL

R

ECENTLY relief came the way of the people of Okura in Dekina and those of Ankpa Local Government Areas when Governor Idris Wada moved his rural transformation train to flag off construction of roads in Ankpa and Dekina Local Government Area after several years of neglect.

It is important to state that providing succor to people living in the rural areas has been the focus of the Capt Idris Wada administration.

Over the years, rural development and poverty reduction efforts in Kogi State have been characterized by many flaws.

Most of the programmes were designed and administered using national outlook which usually makes rural development programmes not to meet desired objectives of improving lives.

But one cardinal strategy which seem to be yielding the desired result for the Wada administration is the concept of integrated rural development.

This policy aims at bringing development and government

closer to the people through the provision of basic social amenities and also, making life worth living for rural dwellers.

Within the last eighteen months of the present administration in Kogi State, aside the sustained investment in the Health, Education, Agriculture and Social Infrastructure sectors, the emphasis on rural transformation has remained a high point of the Wada administration.

The recent flag off of the State Government multi million naira roads and other infrastructural development programmes in the Eastern Senatorial District of the State, just as it has been done in other districts, has no doubt brought more relief to people living in rural communities that government is mindful of their plight and that development is being brought to their doors' step.

In line with his transformation agenda, basic amenities geared towards improving the quality of lives of its rural populace as well as boost their economy, has remained Capt. Wada’s topmost priority.

The flag-off of the construction of Okura

•Wada: Kogi governor Township road as commendable as it is,is geared towards giving the ancient town a befitting look, check the ravaging effect of erosion and provide the community with a more decent and motor able road.

Similarly, the Otukpo junction Ojoku – Alobe – Okaba road which has long been abandoned for more than two decades shows the sensitive nature of the present administration in remembering the plight of neglected communities.

It is important to state that the

road construction just recently flagged off, is aside the 36 road projects inherited by the present administration that have either been completed or are still undergoing construction.

The administration has also initiated other new road projects across the state with a promise to inaugurate more for construction depending on available resources.

Furthermore, as part of its rural transformation agenda, the administration has completed 27 rural electrification schemes in rural communities with two others at advanced stages of completion.

Similarly, several transformers to boost electrification in communities across the state have been installed. Several communities in the state have also been connected to the national grid.

In addition, Kogi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, has drilled numerous boreholes at over a hundred communities in over 13 local government areas of the State.

The establishment of new and upgrading of existing cottage hospitals to general hospitals has also remained cardinal in the rural transformation

agenda.

It is a known fact that most rural communities are ravaged by erosion. The directive of the state governor for the commissioner of works to avert the gully erosion at Oluboojo area of Ankpa, and his visit to another erosion site at Anyigba, shows the concern of the present administration to tackling erosion menace in the state head long. It is on record that several erosion prone communities have been salvaged from being completely wiped off since the coming on board of this administration.

While the present administration may not have met by reason of dwindling financial resources accruing to the State all the challenges in transforming rural communities, It has however shown bold steps that development and provision of rural infrastructures is no longer the exclusive preserve of people living in urban centres alone as was the case in the past. Today,more attention seems to have been shifted to people living in the grassroots.

Abu Micheal is Chief Press Secretary, Kogi State Deputy Governor.

Vanguard,FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 49

Obama laments impact of shutdown on economy U

S President Barack Obama warned yesterday that America’s political dysfunction had encouraged its enemies and depressed its friends, and said the crisis had left “no winners” in Washington.

In trying to heal the wounds of the last two weeks of political drama, Obama hoped to avoid a new round of brinkmanship within months after a temporary truce between Republicans and Democrats.

“There’s been a lot of discussion lately of the politics of this shutdown,” Obama told an audience of returning executive branch workers in the State Dining Room of the White House.

“Let’s be clear. There are no winners here.”

The president called on warring politicians to come together to pass a long-term budget and to give up the “brinkmanship” that threatens the economy and squan-

dered the trust of the American people.

He spoke less than 11 hours after signing legislation that ended a 16day government shutdown and a showdown over raising his government’s borrowing authority.

The bill brought a temporary end to a stand-off that had threatened to pitch the US economy into a historic default.

Obama urged Congress, specifically Republicans in the House of Representatives, to now come together to pass stalled legislation on agriculture and on reforming America’s immigration system.

Republicans to stop using their most potent weapons — threatening to halt US debt payments and withholding government funding — for narrow political ends.

He said that sharp ideological disagreements should not stop leaders from cooperating.

Obama appeared to

•US President Barack Obama “These last few weeks have inflicted completely unnecessary damage on our economy,” Obama said.

“It’s encouraged our enemies, it’s emboldened

Boehner struggles to keep GOP support

C

ONGRESS’ debtand-spending breakthrough crystalized a political contradiction.

House Republicans refuse to let their supposed leader, Speaker

WHO links cancer to outdoor air pollution HE World Health Or mixture of cancer-causing only a major risk to health caused lung cancer and T ganization yesterday substances,” said Kurt in general, but also a lead- raised the risk of bladder classified outdoor air pol- Straif of the WHO’s Inter- ing environmental cause of cancer. Wild underlined lution as a leading cause of cancer in humans.

“The air we breathe has become polluted with a

national Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

“We now know that outdoor air pollution is not

US Navy rescues Malta-bound Somalis in Mediterranean sea

A

US warship has rescued 128 migrants from an inflatable raft that was threatening to capsize in rough seas in the Mediterranean after a request from Malta, officials said yesterday.

The USS San Antonio, which is equipped with an amphibious transport dock that can help in rescue operations, was scrambled yesterday after a Maltese military aircraft spotted the dinghy. “We successfully transferred 128 men between the ages of 20 and 30 from an inflatable raft on the San Antonio,” a US Navy official in Italy told AFP. “The raft was being rocked by winds and seas and we had expected that overnight the seas would increase.

If they were to be left out to sea they would probably be in the water right now,” he said.

“We provided food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter.”

In a statement the Maltese military claimed that the migrants, who said they were from Somalia, were transferred onto two patrol boats and were being taken to Malta.

It said they were rescued around 75 nautical miles southwest of Malta.

our competitors and depressed our friends who look to us for steady leadership.”

The president’s message was a warning to conservative “Tea Party”

cancer deaths.” In concrete terms, said IARC director Christopher Wild, outdoor air pollution has been classified as a “Group 1” cause of cancer, the riskiest category on its four-step scale.

The IARC underlined that a panel of top experts had found “sufficient evidence” that exposure to outdoor air pollution

have more than one eye on the next possible political crisis — set up in the language of the bill that ended the shutdown and the threat of default before an October 17 deadline.

The compromise plan hashed in the Senate and passed by the House only funds government until January 15 and extends US borrowing authority until February 7.

that air pollution was not a primary cause of the disease.

“We have well over a million lung cancer cases per year, the vast majority of which are actually due to tobacco, rather than I think around 10 percent, perhaps, which are to things like ambient air pollution,” he told reporters.

John Boehner, steer them toward big policy decisions, leaving him to endure repeated public embarrassments. Yet they rally around Boehner as much as ever, affirming his hold on the speakership Wednesday even as they choked down a Democratic-crafted bill to reopen the government, lift the debt ceiling and give Republicans only a few small concessions.

“He’s done a good job keeping us together,” said Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C. “I think his stock has risen tremendously, and certainly he has great security as our leader and our speaker,” said Rep. John Fleming, R-La.

Morocco police repel asylum seekers on Spanish border

M

•A US warship carrying the rescued immigrants

Nigeria on slavery’s list of shame, says report

A

new report claiming to be the most comprehensive look at global slavery says 30 million people are living as slaves around the world. The Global Slavery Index, published by the Australiabased Walk Free Foundation, lists India as the country with by far the most slaves, with an estimated nearly 14 million, followed by China (2.9 million) and Pakistan (2.1 million).

The top 10 countries on its list of shame accounted for more than three quarters of the 29.8 million people living in slavery, with Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh completing the list.

In terms of countries with the highest of proportion of slaves, Mauritania in

West Africa topped the table, with about 4% of its 3.4 million people enslaved, followed by Haiti, Pakistan, India and Nepal.

The index, whose authors claim it contains the most authoritative data on slavery conditions worldwide, is the product of Australian mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest’s commitment to stamp out global slavery.

ORE than 400 asy lum seekers have drowned this month in two tragedies in the Mediterranean.

Moroccan police drove back 400 African migrants who tried to rush across the country’s border into Spain on Thursday, an official said.

It was the latest in a wave of desperate bids

by Africans to reach Europe that have left hundreds dead and police and migrants injured.

The crowd of “sub-Saharan migrants” rushed at the crossing from northern Morocco into the Spanish territory of Ceuta at dawn and “ were stopped by the Moroccan

•Immigrants returning from the Spanish border security forces,” a Spanish government official in Ceuta told AFP. “They tried to rush across the border, but none managed to enter Spain,” and the situation at the border soon returned to normal, he said.

He could not say wheth-

Malians blame Police for Islamists resurgence

T

HE city of Gao is once again under attack by Islamists, but Malians’ anger is increasingly directed at allegedly corrupt security services and a government failing to address grinding poverty.

In the latest spate of attacks, jihadists wounded two civilians when they blew up a bridge a week ago, a

day after shelling the town and injuring a soldier.

But while the residents of Gao have become used to living under fire, many say they were unprepared for the jihadists acting with near-impunity, regularly let back on the streets by police for the sake of a small bribe.

Ousmane Maiga is a

member of “We won’t move”, a youth group that sprung from two recent demonstrations against a lack of security and an absence of political will from the central government in Bamako, where President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was elected in August on a platform of national unity.

er anyone was injured, but said it “was one of the biggest groups in recent years” to make the attempt.

On September 17, some 350 migrants tried to reach Ceuta by swimming to one of its beaches from a nearby Moroccan shore and about 91 made it into the territory.

That same day in Melilla, the other of Spain’s two territories on the northern Moroccan coast, 300 migrants tore down part of the border fence and 100 made it through, with scores of people injured.

Spain and Morocco deployed boosted security at the borders after those attempts.

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Vanguard Vanguard,,

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 —

51

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA: YOUR best bet today is to seek important co-operation of influential people and that of your spouse/partner. The more legal conscious you are, the better for you.

SCORPIO: IF others want you to conclude an important financial transactions that can possibly be done today, you’ll need to say no and go ahead as tomorrow may not be as conducive as today.

SAGITTARIUS: This is your lucky day and the more self assertive you are the better but then it is important you don’t take things and people for granted. Be wise CAPRICORN: ALTHOUGH there seem to be an air of understanding within your working arena today, tomorrow’s full-moon may turn the whole thing the other way.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I

F you are living in this part of the globe, the country of Nigeria to be precise, you must have heard of the phrase ‘I beta pass my neighbour.’

This is the popular name by which the little generator used for generating electric energy is well known in

‘I beta pass my neighbour’ Nigeria. Virtually every house has it. Now it is no news that Nigeria is alleged to be the largest importer of generating sets in the world.

Now if you think this phrase refers to this generating set alone, you are making a mis-

take. I want you to look at yourself dispassionately and answer the following questions: Were you born with any deformity? Is it not in your 20’s that you graduated from the university? You live in a choice area, isn’t it?

You have the privilege

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

to change your job every time, isn’t it? Have you not travelled round the world? You can afford what to eat and when to eat compared to your mates who are local champions, can’t you see, you are better than your neighbour? Indeed, you beta pass your neighbour.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS: HERE is an exciting day that will climax tomorrow. After a long time, others will see how passionate you can be even in love. Don’t gamble, please.

PISCES: IF your desire is to make money today, you will need to be less emotional and prepare for domestic challenges tomorrow. Enjoy your love life.

ARIES: GOOD relationship between the Moon and lucky Jupiter will bring you good opportunities. Be less argumentative.

TAURUS: THIS is your day when things will go according to your plans. Financial success indicated but if you wait till tomorrow, opposition’ll bring disappointment.

GEMINI: THE Moon encourages you to be as assertive as possible but you will need to expect certain level of opposition. Try to be more friendly.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER: HAPPENINGS within your working arena should be taken more seriously now or else, avoidable trouble would start tomorrow. Again, it’s important you are more practical about your health.

Be more loving.

LEO: EVEN, if friends and others are helpful and pledging loyalty today, they may be forced and get on your nerve tomorrow when effects of full-moon’ll come to play.

VIRGO: WHATEVER can lead to avoidable trouble tomorrow, either at home or along your career/business lines, should be well taken care of today. Be very open.

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

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

What’s my immediate future?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in what you are doing. Please tell me what I should expect concerning my immediate future. Would I succeed travelling abroad for business?

Olabode. Mushin,

Dear Olabode, Few years back you have started a very longer (years) great cycle of success and happiness, and this year you will be moving closer to the peak of the said cycle; meaning that your 4OTH year on earth will be much more better than all your previous ones on earth.

Visible signs of the positive things will physically manifest during your major first period of the year 2013 that will come between Aug. 19 and Sept.

16, 2013. Then because of transiting lucky Jupiter in Sagittarius – your Solar 9th house of travelling and distant affairs you can be successful at acquiring visa and have a fruitful foreign travels.

However that is not to say that there will not be any challenge . Actually like it happened about six/seven months ago when work and accident related issues were the major challenges, there will be repeat of such when AROUND OCTOBER 2013.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 53

Vanguard CLASSIFIED UMENZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeyinwa Chigoziem Umenze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeyinwa Chigoziem Jide-Ebeogu.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Addition of name JOSHUA—I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Oluchukwu Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Joshua Oluchukwu Okeke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

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NYSC and general public please take note.

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All former documents remain valid.

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known and addressed as Miss

Gloria

Eloho

Okpolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gloria Eloho Duku.

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as

Empire

Akporodeh Governor, now wish to be known and

addressed

as

Akporodeh Ukpe. All former

documents

remain valid. General

Confirmation of name My name is Ayibe SelekeOdudu Charles, but it is written on my WAEC result of 2007 as Ayibe Seleke-Odudu and on my JAMB result of 2013 as Ayibe Seleke-Odudu Charles. These two names refer to one and same me.

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VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E RT S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N G U A R D MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 E A S T PAV I L I O N T B S , L A G O S .

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 received many messages especially in the first half of the game.

Nigerians could not understand what was happening. Three of the messages were similar as if the senders rehearsed them. They were apt questions. “What’s happening?”, one read. Next was “What’s going on?”

Another said “it will be miraculous if we survive this.”

Our sports editor, Tony Ubani called and the first thing he said was “what’s happening to our team?”.

We went into a long discussion trying to analyse the game. Shortly after, it was with our deputy editor, Eze Anaba who was already furious, almost cursing.

Nigerians will not forget last Sunday in a hurry. No team, in recent years, had tormented our Eagles the way Ethiopia did in the first half. They made us look so ordinary. Their passing game was superb. They made their fans happy and made us apprehensive here in Nigeria. But we laughed last.

In my last column, I said that Ethiopians would be Africa’s champions if they could shoot. No team in Africa can play the passing game the way they do.

They easily open up the defence of many teams but they lack finishers to make hay. When Nigerians wrote Ethiopia off after the draws I was worried. Now they know how lucky we were in Addis Ababa last Sunday.

The story might not have been the same if their first goal was allowed. And thank God for the resilience of Emmanuel Emenike. Thank God Stephen Keshi pulled out Victor Moses and Nnamdi Oduamadi. With time, Keshi will get to know more about the character and qualities of his players and when and where to use them. If I would play Mikel Obi, I would make sure I have two workers in the midfield because Mikel doesn’t mark well. He shields but you cannot describe him as a ball winner. And going by his position winning ball should be his first responsibility. Ogenyi Onazi marks but he likes going forward all the time.

He was everywhere in Addis Ababa. He was outstanding and almost killed himself trying to cover up for everybody in the midfield. Oduamadi, the support striker, was not dropping deep to help in marking and he is not a player I would field in the same team with Mikel and Moses. In modern football you cannot afford to have two or three players who don’t exhibit strong character in marking, no matter what they do when in possession. It is possible to have one who has exceptional attacking qualities but not two or three in a match. You will always suffer it. It was part of the problem in Ethiopia but Keshi corrected it with the

I

08053068728

Brazil: The next thing to do changes. Oduamadi was not in the game, Moses was battling with the weather. He did well falling back but whenever he did so he remained there. When he moved up he also remained there. Mikel was not marking well and a lot fell on Onazi who played as if

,

,

Mikel was not marking well and a lot fell on Onazi who played as if he was possessed

he was possessed. Onazi held the game for Nigeria while Emenike won it for us through individual brilliance. He bulldozed his way before unleashing a canon to equalize and was pulled down in a run towards the goal for the penalty he converted. And with that away victory, Nigeria can be said to be coasting to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. Yes, you can say that again and again. I say this for two major reasons, one being the away victory but the more important one is that Ethiopia lack finishing. They pass the ball well but they don’t shoot well. And on that basis, I have started popping up my own champagne. But I must not say same to the players and coaches. They must work hard for the second leg, seal it up and prepare well for the World Cup. And before we get to Brazil, Keshi must be bold to take some brilliant and courageous steps to make his team stronger. We have the potential to shine in Brazil but we must appreciate our shortcomings and correct them.

Abuja agog for CCSF Taekwondo Open H

UNDREDS of athletes from West Africa will tomorrow begin hostilities in Abuja at the 2nd Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Open.

Also, 32 kids will take to the ring at the two-day tournament holding at Sheraton Hotel while ace comedian, Hafiz Oyetoro alias Saka will clash with 2008 Beijing Olympics medalist, Chika Chukwumerije in an exhibition match on Sunday. The exhibition bout is part of Saka’s support to the sport.

With all the 302 fighters already in Abuja to compete in the N2.8m prize money championship, all eyes will be on the continent powerhouses – Mali, Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire as well as host - Nigeria.

The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation (NTF)-endorsed tournament will have some of the best fighters in Africa taking part.

According to the President of NTF, George Ashiru, there is hope that the tournament would soon receive the backing of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The NTF boss added: “I think my expectation is to improve on last year’s superlative event as we

Eagles are still awful in set pieces. It is amazing how elementary many of their set pieces are. It didn’t start now. And why they have not changed is the surprise to me. I have written on this before and will not stop until I see something good. Our corner kicks and free kicks are poor, so poor that you cannot imagine they are from professional players. The next thing is to thoroughly evaluate our midfield. Something has to be done about the combination there. Who plays with Mikel? Who will work while Mikel plays his Celence football. Is he too big to be changed when he is not doing well? Have they told him to be quicker with the ball?

The first step should even be on who mans the goal posts. Is it not high time we gave a chance to Austin Ejide? Ike Shorunmi, the goalkeeper trainer and other assistant coaches once preferred Austin but for certain reasons Keshi stuck to Vincent Enyama, who has done well but who has also shown that we are making mistake by not fielding another person from time to time. Against European countries who are good with crosses, Enyeama would likely have problems in the World Cup. What with the cheap cross he allowed in on Sunday?

The attack is another area. What happens to Nigeria when Emenike is not playing? Remember the Confederation Cup? We need another good striker to complement what Emenike is doing. Between now and next summer in Brazil, Keshi should be able to make a thorough assessment of his team, make the additions and subtractions that should make his team a stronger one that can face the world and not return after the first round. I’m sure that we have the potential to go far in Brazil if Keshi is bold enough to take these courageous steps. He has no choice for I know that something can happen with this team in Brazil.

Mark my words today. African football is different and difficult. With good preparation, one that make the boys train three times a day if possible, they can go places.

In Africa, the football federations play a big role in helping their teams qualify for major events like the World Cup. In the main event, it will be just the players and their coaches doing their thing in the field. I wish Keshi and his team luck. Luck has always been on the side of Keshi. It must not elude him in Brazil.

Yes, we are in Brazil, although there’s a stop-over in Calabar as Paul Bassey will put it. Congratulations the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Amaechi, Aig-Imoukhuede, others for P/H amateur open

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KICK: Chika Chukwumerije lands a kick on an opponent have amassed more than 85 personnel both technical and administrative to make this an even greater championships. With more prizes at stake and eight countries, we are gradually getting to the point that we can organise official international championships sanctioned by the WTF. That’s our ultimate goal with this tournament, to host WTF sanctioned events like world and c o n t i n e n t a l championships.”

Athletes from 24 states across the country including 36

taekwondists from Mali, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Ghana, Togo, Niger Republic and Cote D’Ivoire will also be in attendance.

Also, the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs, Nigeria Immigration, six clubs and 23 individual registrations have been listed for the international tournament meant to be a fertile hotbed for discovery of future Olympians.

For the Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, the vision is to produce educated champions and to inspire the future.

IVERS State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Marina Securities Limited and Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje I. AigImoukhuede as well as Chairman, Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa are some of the dignitaries expected at this year ’s Port Harcourt Amateur Open Golf Championship.

Activities marking the championship, which over 300 golfers are expected to trade swings begin today with a welcome cocktail slated for the clubhouse of the

Glo League: Enyimba hopeful of 2nd position Wednesday away to

I

MAMA Amapakabo, the Assistant Coach of Enyimba FC of Aba said on Thursday that the club was now aiming to finish the season in second place, after losing out on the title race.

Amapakabo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that Enyimba, currently occupying the fourth spot on the league table, stood a good chance of finishing in second position.

NAN reports that Enyimba’s 0-2 loss on

Sunshine Stars of Akure in a Week 37 encounter ended the club’s title contention, as they remained on 59 points.

Kano Pillars are still placing top on the table with 63 points; Bayelsa United are second with 61 points while El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri occupy the third spot with 60 points.

“In reality we’ve lost the title chase and what we are aiming for now is finishing second but that would depend on us winning our final game at home.

golf section, Port Harcourt Club 1928.

Speaking yesterday, Captain of the club, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, said the tournament remains “One of the biggest events at the club and we expect at least 350 golfers from across the country to take part in it.

Dignitaries we have invited include the Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman of Heritage Bank, and that of Marina Securities Limited. Invitations have also been sent out to golfers from other golf clubs across the country.”

Inko-Tariah informed that the ultimate diadem in the tournament is appropriately tagged “The Heritage Cup,” after the financial institution emerged the major sponsor of the championship. “Heritage Bank is the major sponsor of this year’s event, so we decided to christen the trophy The Heritage Cup. If they remain the major sponsor next year, the name remains or gets changed to whoever emerges the major sponsor of the t o u r n a m e n t . ” The captain, who assured golfers of a splendid time at the tourney said, “in terms of preparations, we are 100 per cent ready to make it a memorable weekend.

Vanguard, FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2013 — 55

Eaglets eye record 4th U-17 World Cup title

FCMB Gov’s Cup: seed hits semis

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M

HE Golden Eaglets are seeking a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup at the United Arab Emirates from this week.

The competition kicked off yesterday with Nigeria’s first game tomorrow against holders Mexico.

The Golden Eaglets have won the title three times, in 1985, 1993 and 2007.

They were also runners-up 1987, 2001 and 2009.

Brazil are the other team to have won the FIFA U17 World Cup thrice.

Nigeria qualified for the 2013 edition of the tournament by finishing second in the African Championship held in Morocco earlier in the year after they lost 5-4 on penalties to Cote d’Ivoire after the West African derby ended 1-1 after regulation time.

The team are as solid as ever to do Africa proud with top scorer Isaac

W

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

EN’S singles top seed, Tadeja Majeric of Slovakia yesterday reached the semifinals of the FCMB-sponsored Governor ’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship. The Slovak brushed aside Melanie Klaffner of Austria in quick sets of 6-1, 6-3.

He dominated play from the the onset and brought the first set to a ruthless conclusion with 6-1 score line although Klaffner fought back in the second game, but the top seed stilldominated and won at 6-3 to the admiration of a packed crowd that witnessed the match on the Lord Rumens Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

Eze’s mother returns to the Lord

A

BATTLE READY .... Golden Eaglets Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Habeeb Ma-

kanjuola and captain Mohammed Musa leading

the charge.

WMRA President for Obudu race

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RESIDENT of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), Bruno Gozzelino says he will be at the 9th Obudu International Mountain Race next month to offer

technical support to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the race. Gozzelino told the media chief of the race he is delighted to be associated with the two-inone event scheduled to hold on the 23rd of next

World Cup top seeds out ORLD Cup hosts Brazil, defending champions Spain, Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, and Switzerland are all guaranteed a place in Pot 1 for the World Cup draw on Dec. 6, FIFA said yesterday.

Uruguay, currently ranked sixth in the world, need to beat Jordan in an inter-continental playoff in order to clinch Pot 1 status.

If Uruguay were to lose to Jordan, the eighth and final spot in Pot 1 would be awarded to either

Top

Holland or Italy.

There are four different pots at the World Cup draw, all containing eight teams. Pot 1 contains the tournament’s host, plus the seven best teams in the world according to the Oct. 17 FIFA World Rankings.

The other three pots are divided based on geography in order to avoid continental clashes at the World Cup. This prevents there being two African countries in the same group, for example.

Because 13 European teams qualify for the

World Cup, continental clashes among European teams are almost unavoidable.

Many teams are in Pot 1 for this World Cup that haven’t been in decadesor ever. Switzerland made its way into Pot 1 after jumping into seventh place in the world from 14th.

Meanwhile, Belgium has experienced a renaissance in soccer in the last four years and finished first in its qualification group, unsurprisingly putting it in Pot 1.

month at the Obudu ranch resort in Obudu. ”The race is an important event in the calendar of the WMRA because it has helped to draw African athletes to mountain running in large numbers.''

BOUT four years ago, Anselem Eze, the ex junior international who played for Rangers and defunct ACB football Club before he went abroad returned fromGermany with his family. They all had fun celebrating the birthday of Anselem’s mother in the village. It was a memorable experience for the entire family especially Anselem’s German wife who was visiting Africa for the first

time.

Just yesterday, Anselem sent a text to our Group Sports Editor, saying “our beloved mother is dead.” .

Mrs Justina Eze lived a good life and has gone to answer a call everybody will someday answer. This our consolation to the entire Eze family. They should also take consolation in the fact that their mum who passed on in her late 70s is resting in the Lord. Rest in peace, Mrs Justina Eze.

Eagles soar in FIFA rankings B

UOYED by their sweet 2-1win over Ethiopia, the Super Eagles, for the first time in four months, made progress in the Fifa World Rankings, moving up three places to 33 in the world and fourth in Africa.

Since moving up three places in May, the African champions have been on a gradual free fall on the rankings table, slipping from 28th in the world in May, to 36th last month.

In June, Nigeria fell

three places, in July a further four places. That downward spiral was slowed somewhat as they held steady on August, only to fall one place in September.

Africa’s top team remains Côte d’Ivoire, who moved up two places to 17 in the world.

They are followed by Ghana, who also moved up, but by a single place.

Algeria dropped four places to 32, but still managed to hang on to their fourth place in Africa, just ahead of

Keshi Nigeria.

Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying opponents Ethiopia, dropped two places to 95 in the world and 25th in Africa.

Emenike: I want to be bigger than Yekini Brazil 2014: Maradona E tips Argentina D IEGO Maradona is hoping that Lionel Messi can make amends for his disappointing goal haul at the 2010 World Cup by firing Argentina to glory in Brazil.

The Barcelona ace failed to find the net in each of his country’s five fixtures in the last edition of the competition, in South Africa, adding further weight behind the theory that the 26-year-old fails to replicate the form shown at club level for Albiceleste.

However, Maradona, who was his nation’s coach for their second-round elimination to Germany in 2010, is keen for Messi to enact “revenge” on his detractors by inspiring Argentina to the title in June. ”I am not disappointed by Messi in 2010,” he told reporters. “If he had of scored the chances he missed we would be world champions. He was unlucky. ”But I hope that he can take his revenge in Brazil.”

MMANUEL Emenike has said that Rashidi Yekini is a tough act to follow but he hopes he could make a bigger impact in the Eagles.

The Fenerbache striker, who has been widely labelled ‘The New Yekini’ said Yekini was a legend and that he still has a lot to do to match the records if the name ‘Emenike’ will be bigger for the Eagles.

You scored a brace to move Nigeria closer to Brazil 2014 World Cup, how was the feeling before the goals?

Emenike: The feeling was positive, I didn’t feel pressure before or during the game because I know the game will only last for 90 minutes and during that time anything could happen.

I don’t play with pressure and will not start now. I know there was pressure from the Ethiopians due to their bad pitch and all sorts of tricks to beat us, but I grew up to be optimistic.

I was so sure that we couldn’t lose that game and the worst that could have

happen would have been a draw. I was waiting for the opportunity at goal and I was calm enough to score. Mind you I can’t take the glory for that victory it was a collective one, we all fought for the victory.

How did you feel on a personal note to score two goals in such a crucial game?

I feel good sincerely, but I think we need to work harder for the return leg and quickly forget the victory in Addis Ababa. As a striker, when you score

and your team win, you will definitely get the usual applause and be happy. I am excited because we conquered our fears.

The weather was another big factor that worked against the Eagles. How was the team able to cope?

The weather was an issue, but we put our mind off it and prepared for the battle. The victory was the reward of our hard work.

We were lucky because the weather stayed in our favour to an extent.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2013

Check-out our 8-page all colour Sports Vanguard pull-out

th Eaglets eye record 4 U-17 World Cup title •Battle Mexico tomorrow 2 p.m

COACH —Garba

FIFA U-17 Results Brazil Uruguay Italy UAE Croatia Tunisia Panama Russia

6 7 1 1

Slovakia New Zealand Ivory Coast Honduras

Today’s Fixtures v v v v

Morocco Venezuela Uzbekistan Japan

Bello

Success

Idowu 1 1 0 2

2pm 2pm 5pm 5pm

Eagles soar in FIFA rankings Details on page 55

World Cup top seeds out

PUZZLE

•Emenike: I want to be bigger than Yekini

17 1 Côte d’Ivoire 23 2 Ghana 32 3 Algeria 33 4 Nigeria 41 5 Mali 42 6 Cape Verde Islands 47 7 Tunisia 51 8 Egypt 52 9 Burkina Faso 59 10 Cameroon

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

•Brazil 2014: Maradona tips Messi to inspire Argentina to glory

AFRICA’S TOP 10

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 3 Jam (5) 9 Box (6) 10 Sooner (6) 11 Heron (5) 12 Girl (4) 15 Unaccompanied (4) 17 Remote (7) 20 Gratuity (3) 21 Relaxed (5) 23 Thaw (4) 25 Lake (4) 26 Glory (5) 28 Finish (3) 30 Unaffected (7) 33 Particle (4) 35 Story (4) 36 Headdress (5) 38 Charm (6) 39 Develop (6) 40 Clearing (5)

DOWN 1 Berate (5) 2 Scum (5) 3 Sorrow (3) 4 Major (6) 5 Increased (4) 6 Consume (3) 7 Bud (5) 8 Sag (5) 13 Illness (7) 14 Stem (5) 16 Generous (7) 18 Claw (5) 19 Border (3) 22 Outcoming (5) 24 Cask (3) 27 Holy (6) 28 Keen (5) 29 Shabby (5) 31 Recover (5) 32 Bar (5) 34 Female (4) 36 Label (3) 37 Greeting (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Answer 5, Airmen 9, Valid 10, Target 11, Sledge 12, Newly 14, Crab 17, Doe 18, Pace 20, Hades 22, Waned 23, Gherkin 24, Decay 26, Tiger 29, Eden 30, Fed 32, Code 33, Wider 35, Ration 36, Faster 37, Refer 38, Heeded 39, Revert

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 1, Attach 2, Spread 3, Even 4, Rated 5, Aisle 6, Idly 7, Median 8, Needed 13, Worried 15, Raved 16, Began 18, Panic 19, Ceded 21, Shy 22, Wit 24, Dearth 25, Centre 27, Goatee 28, Regret 30, Fined 31, Defer 33, Wore 34, Rave

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

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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