ANAMBRA: APGA claims victory

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62016

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Corruption, bane of Nigeria's growth —P.CBN 10

ANAMBRA:

APGA claims victory •Ngige, Nwoye, Uba call for cancellation •Seek Jega's immediate resignation •APGA won convincingly — Umeh PROTESTS IN ANAMBRA

BY TONY EDIKE, VINCENT UJUMADU, HENRY UMORU, CHARLES KUMOLU & ENYIM ENYIM

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WKA—THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA yesterday claimed victory in last Saturday’s Anambra gubernatorial election just as the major opposition political parties in the contest kicked, alleging wide scale irregularities.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, however, alleged sabotage on the part of some staff of the commis-

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Mr & Mrs PROTESTS—Above left: From left: L-R: Labour Party candidate, Dr.Ifeanyi Ubah, All Progressives Congress candidate, Dr Chris Ngige and Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye at a joint press conference in Awka, yesterday.

Below: Some market women protesting at INEC office, Awka, yesterday.

Banks threaten to 90-yr-old mother of shut down over 9 Ondo PDP chieftain 6 detention of officers kidnapped C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

From Left: Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo being received by the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Aljaber Alsabah at the Amir Terminal of Kuwait International Airport, yesterday.

ANAMBRA: APGA claims victory Continues from page 1 sion who he claimed derailed the commission’s plans for smooth delivery of election materials to some sections of Anambra Central Senatorial district.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate in the election, Comrade Tony Nwoye were divided yesterday over the conduct of the poll. While the PDP praised the poll for be-

ing well conducted, Nwoye at a press conference in Awka denounced the poll as rigged.

The muttering of the opposition parties nonetheless, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh claimed that the victory of the party in the gubernatorial election was well deserved.

He dismissed allegations by the candidates of PDP, APC and LP that the election was rigged

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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HE way to gain a good reputation is to en deavour to be what you desire to appear — Socrates I recall a scene from a movie called Fighting Temptation; in this scene, the substitute pianist supposedly sees himself as this honest, simple hearted, God loving individual, who attended service regularly and also thought the other fellows in the choir were as dedicated as himself, when he discovers that others have what he feels are inappropriate amorous feelings, some were still drinkers and even liars and haters. He made this remark with indignation: “And I thought you people were holy and sanctified”. This is really funny because earlier in the movie he too has shown some lapses in his behaviour.

The point of the story is that, I have silently expressed such feelings about others and wondered what kind of people I am fellowshipping with, some are constantly gossiping, and bickering like children, getting into other people’s businesses, so much envy and tall tales, and some will even try to ensure you do not partake of activities because somehow your light will out shine theirs, as if that is even possible, and will try to discredit others. But know that there are always and even more loving people reflecting the good works of truth and divine love. And it dawned on me, why should I expect mastership behaviour and perfection from someone who is here to learn about life like me, we are all learning; some do well in some lessons than others, but all striving toward excellence and contrary to the cliché ascribed to this word, Fighting Temptation, which I will like to call Overcoming Limitations, the story is more about finding our true humanity, through our virtues in our everyday living with each other, in a way you might want to call it seeing the face of God or divine love.

as a non-issue saying APGA won convincingly because the people have absolute confidence in the party and its candidate.

Umeh addressed a news conference in Awka in reaction to the complaints by the three major contestants that the election was rigged by Governor Peter Obi with the support of some corrupt INEC officials who deleted names of their supporters from the voters register among other allegations.

Umeh told newsmen that he was surprised by the three parties’ claims that they were cheated in the election, saying their claims were untrue.

He said that unlike the previous elections in the state, there was no incidence of ballot box snatching, violence or other irregularities to warrant anybody faulting the exercise.

“As far as I am concerned the election is free and fair, those people crying blue murder have inordinate ambition. By tomorrow when the result will be out I will face them. I challenge anybody who cares to analyze the results carefully and they will realize that APGA won in those councils where it had won other elections in past polls.

There is no need whatsoever for any of the candidates to fault the exercise,” Umeh said.

He said that APGA “is not scared of their threats to go to court because APGA had been in court since its inception and cannot be afraid of

litigation.

“What Ngige is doing now is his stock in trade since he has become a serial gubernatorial contestant and as I speak to you now he is still in court over the 2010 election.

“For Tony Nwoye, he was not even in the race.

This is a man whom the Supreme Court revalidated his candidacy in less than a week to the election. He only campaigned for four days in the whole of Anambra state and can not claim to have been rigged out of an election he was not actively involved,” the APGA Chairman who is the party ’s State Collatting Officer, said.

Before his address, the three major candidates, Tony Nwoye, PDP; Ifeanyi Ubah, Labour and Chris Ngige, APC; had at separate press conferences denounced the conduct of the poll and called for its cancellation.

Opposition candidates in joint conference The trio subsequently last night addressed a joint press conference where they made a joint call for the cancellation of the polls. They alleged that they would not accept any result from the election as conducted last weekend.

Ubah faulted the outcome of the election, saying that having won convincingly at his Nnewi North local government, which is the stronghold of APGA (the home of Ojukwus), he

was confident that he would have won in the entire state had APGA not rigged the poll.

He alleged that APGA bought votes at N10,000 each within Nnewi and the money was distributed to willing voters by a principal officer of the State House of Assembly.

Rejecting the outcome of the election yesterday, Nwoye told a news conference in Awka that the “the election is far below average and cannot be said to be free and fair ” adding that “it was heavily manipulated by INEC in collusion with security agents in favour of Governor Peter Obi’s preferred candidate, Willie Obiano.”

I've never seen this kind of rigging — Nwoye Nwoye said: “I have been involved in many elections in this country since my secondary schools days and particularly in 1993 presidential election where Moshood Abiola emerged, I have never seen this type of rigging.

I have never seen an election where the military men and police were harassing and intimidating voters, assisting the INEC and APGA agents to chase away the PDP members at the collation centres to write results.”

Nwoye was, however, countered by his party’s national secretariat which praised the conduct of the election.

A statement released by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh while commending INEC for the good conduct of the election said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hereby commends President Goodluck Jonathan for providing adequate se-

curity and the enabling environment for the conduct of credible, free and fair governorship election in Anambra state last Saturday in spite of any perceived hitch(es).

“In the same vein we commend the entire people of Anambra state and all stakeholders who played key roles in ensuring peaceful and orderly conduct of the process.

“While we now await the official result, we wish to express our satisfaction that the election was conducted without disturbances, despite the massive importation of political thugs by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as their heinous plots to introduce violence to disrupt and rig the poll having discovered that they have been rejected by the people.

“We also commend the candidate of our great party, Comrade Tony Nwoye for his resilience, grassroots appeal and credible outing which brought him to the forefront in the race despite having only two weeks to campaign. This is evident in the results so far released in which he roundly defeated the candidate of the APC who has been campaigning for four months before our candidate. The PDP is indeed happy with Comrade Tony Nwoye’s performance so far.

“While we charge all our members to continue to remain calm and focused, we wish to state that our final position on the election will be made known when the overall result is declared

by INEC." The APC meanwhile, in a reaction to the development called for total cancellation of the election result saying that delivery of materials to strongholds of the APC was sabotaged.

In its reaction articulated by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party

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6—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

13 months after, kidnappers abandon Frenchman

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ADUNA— A Frenchman, Mr. Francis Collon, abducted 13 months ago in Rimi, Katsina State, has been abandoned by his captors.

According to reports, Collon, an engineer, was working with the firm handling the Katsina Wind Mill Power project, when he was abducted at his residence in October 2012.

Two people, a security guard and his friend, were shot dead during the abduction, while the Divisional Police Office in Rimi was set ablaze by the kidnappers.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Adenaike, said yesterday that the 63year-old Frenchman was released by his abductors in Zaria on Saturday, after his incarceration in Katsina and Kano.

According to him, the kidnappers did not demand for any ransom since the man was kidnapped about a year ago.

He said Collon was dumped by the roadside at Dan Magaji in Zaria, from where he took a commercial motorcycle to the Dan Magaji Police Station.

Collon, in the company of French embassy officials, did not comment on the incident.

The commissioner said the man would be departing Nigeria for France immediately to reunite with his family.

VISIT: Students of Government Girls Arabic College, Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, during Governor Isa Yuguda's visit, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

90-yr-old mother of Ondo PDP chieftain kidnapped

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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HE 90-year-old mother of Rotimi Ibidapo, a former House of Representatives aspirant in Ondo State, Madam Ayiwobu, has been kidnapped from her residence in Owo area of the state.

Vanguard gathered that four hoodlums stormed her Owo residence, located at Ikare Junction and abducted her.

Rotimi Ibidapo was an aspirant under Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2011 elections in the state.

Report had it that the hoodlums drove to the residence of the victim in a Nissan car with Rivers State number plate at 2p.m.

An eyewitness said that when the abductors arrived, they started shooting sporadically into the air to scare people away from the scene.

In the midst of the confusion and stampede, the hoodlums drove off towards Ifon-Benin Expressway with the old woman.

N50m ransom

Mr. Francis Collon.

Investigation revealed that the hoodlums have opened discussion with the family of the victim.

An unconfirmed report said they were asking for N50 million as ransom before the old woman could be released.

Police image-maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident. Ogodo said that a team of crack detectives have swung into action to track down the hoodlums.

He assured that those behind

the kidnap would be made to face the law when apprehended.

He said: “We would soon secure the release of the old woman unharmed and ensure that the family does not pay any ransom.”

However, a reliable family

member confided in Vanguard that the kidnappers have started negotiation with the former House of Representatives aspirant.

According to the source, “the kidnappers are asking for N50 million. The family is negotiating downwards,

but they are still adamant.”

Vanguard was told that the kidnappers said they won’t go lower than half of what they were asking for.

Efforts to speak with Rotimi Ibidapo proved abortive as he did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

5 arrested over suspected ritual murder of 11-yr-old girl

BY TAYE OBATERU

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OS— FIVE suspects have been arrested by the Police in Plateau State in connection with the ritual killing of an 11year-old girl, whose eyes and tongue had been removed when her corpse was found.

Four of those arrested were believed to be the actual killers of the girl, who was on an errand for her grandmother with whom she lived in Fillin-

Sukwa area of Jos. The fifth suspect, identified as a dealer in shoes, allegedly contracted the other suspects to get him the human parts for N300,000.

A relative quoted the grandmother as saying she sent her granddaughter to buy Masa (a local rice snack) around 7.30a.m., but that she never returned.

After waiting for a while, the grandmother went to the Masa

seller, who told her that the girl came, but was sent on an errand by one of the suspects.

Subsequent efforts to trace the girl failed only for her corpse to be discovered in an uncompleted building, days later.

A neighbour confirmed that the girl’s corpse was found last Friday.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Felicia Anslem confirmed the arrests, saying investigations were on.

ATM robbers kill 2 policemen, 4 arrested

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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WO policemen were, in the early hours of yesterday, killed during an encounter with a six-man robbery gang that attacked a second generation bank's Automated Teller Machine, ATM, at Ipaja area of Lagos State.

Vanguard gathered that the two officers met their untimely death when a team of

policemen responded to a distress call from the bank.

The robbers attempted to break open the ATM, when the policemen from Ayobo Police Division arrived on the scene and the robbers opened fire on them, killing the team leader, Longus Amuzie, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and one other.

The other policemen were said to have called for

backup.

The officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Abba Kyari, swiftly deployed a team of operatives to the area and four members of the gang were arrested.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, while confirming the report, said the robbery was foiled, adding that no money was stolen from the ATM.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013—7

Presidential aide faults World Bank on Nigeria's poverty level

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA— THE Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe has said that the statement credited to the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, MarieFrancoise Marie-Nelly, that 100 million Nigerians are living in destitution or extreme poverty was a ‘spurious claim’ that is ‘easily disprovable.’

In a statement in Abuja, the Presidential aide noted that the position of the country director was a sharp contrast to what the World Bank had said about the level of poverty in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “first, it clearly contradicts the position of the World Bank on the level of poverty in Nigeria.

“During the visit of the bank’s Vice President for Africa, Makhtar Diop, in May, he declared that poverty has fallen under this administration from 48 per cent to 46 per cent.

“Given our current population of about 170 million, the Country Director ’s imagery of 100 million Nigerian destitutes seems to be based on a much higher poverty rate than that of her boss.

“The question that arises from this absurdity therefore is: who is right?”

Account for ‘missing’ $5bn excess crude money, nPDP challenges FG

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA— THE Abubakar Baraje-led splinter group of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has challenged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, account for the $5 billion which has allegedly disappeared from the nation’s Excess Crude Account, ECA, warning that the revelation must not be swept under the carpet.

According to the group, “the current administration is running for a price award of the most corrupt administration in the annals of governance in Nigeria,” urging Nigerians to rise against the level of corruption in the country.

The Baraje-led PDP has in its fold the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed

of Kwara State; Governor Aliyu Babangida of Niger State; Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Governor Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State and Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

Others are former governors Danjuma Goje of Gombe State; Bukola Saraki, Kwara; Adamu Aliero, Kebbi; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun, and Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa.

They said: “We urge Nigerians to heed the advice of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and stop being docile in the face of monumental impunity in the country.

This, in reality, is the only way to rescue Nigeria from the path of doom.”

nPDP statement

A statement by the National

Publicity Secretary of the group read: “The New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, has challenged the Federal Government to account for the $5 billion, which has allegedly disappeared from the nation’s Excess Crude Account, ECA. “This is after a careful study of the disclosure made by the Chairman of NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, while declaring open the second annual retreat of the NGF on November 15 in Sokoto.

“According to Governor Amaechi, the Excess Crude Account stood at $9 billion last January, but has shrunk to only $4 billion today.

“We consider this development too weighty to be swept under the carpet in view of the stature of the person making the allegation and the realities on ground.

For all in-tents and purposes, Governor Amaechi is not a

frivolous person and is not known for making frivolous claims.

“Nigeria’s broke”

“We told Nigerians about the poor handling of our common patrimony by this administration and sadly nobody took it seriously. But today the unmistakable evidence is that Nigeria is broke as the Federal Government now finds it difficult to meet its obligations to states, local governments and contractors.

“We wish to commend the NGF Chairman for bringing this matter to the open and hereby challenge the Federal Government to tell Nigerians what it did with the money.

“We also, hereby, challenge the anti-graft agencies to prove their relevance by unearthing the whereabouts of this huge sum of money.”

WEDDING: From left— Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State; former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.); former Finance Minister, Alhaji Ahmed Muye and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), at the Jumat prayer at Lafiagi Central Mosque in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, during the wedding of Abdulsalam's son to Senator Muhammad Lafiagi's daughter last Friday.

FG to raise $100m Diaspora bond

BY PETER EGWUATU & NKIRU NNOROM

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HE Debt Management Office, DMO, weekend, disclosed that in a new move to seek long term financing for government spending, it would be diversifying the debt instruments available in the Nigerian long to medium term market and investor-base, through the issuance of Diaspora bond instrument that will target Nigerians abroad.

This, along with Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN,

bonds will be offered in Global Depository Notes, GDN, format.

DMO's Director-General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said: “Arrangements are being finalised to raise US$100 million for Diaspora Bond targeted at infrastructure by 2014.

“There are plans for the installation of an automated information technology platform for the FGN Debt Securities Market, which is expected to further enhance market efficiency in the

domestic debt market.”

He stated that the focus of public debt engagement in Nigeria will remain to maximise benefits from the domestic market and International Capital Market, ICM, to motivate the private sector to mobilise stable capital for funding of real sector and infrastructure projects.

He said that the Federal Government would no longer rely on ways and means to fund its deficits budget, which was an inefficient means of managing the nation’s debt

profile.

The government, through ways and means, can borrow not more than five per cent of its annual budget from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to finance annual budget. Federal Government raised sovereign bond worth N544.06 billion to fund the 2013 budget deficit.

Nwankwo, who spoke at the opening of a two-day workshop in Badagry, Lagos State, said that N744.44 billion was used to fund fiscal deficit in 2012, while N852 billion was

also raised in 2011 for the same purpose against N1.36 trillion in 2010.

The Director-General further said that before the resuscitation of the sovereign bond market, government borrowing from the domestic market was mainly in the form of 91-day treasury bills.

Four Nigerian banks, according to him, took advantage of the sovereign benchmarks, established in the International Capital Market, ICM, to raise $1.85 billion (N290.45 billion).

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18 2013—8

FG warns MDAs over constituency projects

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BY OKEY NDIRIBE

BUJA—THE Federal Government has warned all heads of its ministries, departments and agencies that no excuse would be accepted for non-implementation of constituency projects contained in the 2013 budget.

This was disclosed, weekend, by the Minister of Special Duties and InterGovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, SAN, while flagging off monitoring and evaluation of 2013 constituency projects across the country at the site of the newly completed NYSC road in Kubwa.

He further stated that President Goodluck Jonathan was particularly committed to the implementation of capital aspects of the 2013 budget “because such projects touch directly on the lives of the people”.

His words: “You may wish to know that these projects are very dear to President Jonathan. All efforts need to be deployed to ensure their actualisation and thus implementation of Mr. President’s goal of bringing development to the grassroots.”

He further stated that the monitoring and evaluation exercise was expected to cover not only the 2,399 constituency projects contained in the 2013 budget, but also other constituency projects of previous years adding that the exercise would be carried out in phases.

NNPC must stop operating in the dark —RIBADU zNyako demands measures against impunity

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL

EDITOR, NORTH

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OKOTO—FORMER Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, has asked Nigerians to rise up and insist on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation operating transparently and in the overall interest of the nation and its people.

Ribadu, who spoke at a retreat organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in Sokoto State, weekend, decried the penchant by the corporation to conduct its operation in an opaque manner, thereby preventing Nigerians from knowing what happens in the national oil outfit.

AGOS—A former chairman of Committee of ProChancellors and chairman of BiCourtney Group, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN, has expressed shock at the tragic manner in which the former President of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Festus Iyayi, who died on Tuesday in Lokoja, Kogi State, while on his way to Kano for a meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the union.

Babalakin, who was the chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the Federal Government of Nigeria/ University-based Unions Agreement 2009, expressed regret that Iyayi’s death was a sad development and a set-back to the current effort to halt the prolonged industrial action by ASUU.

Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, who spoke on means of deepening democracy and good governance in Nigeria, noted that it would amount to a waste of time and energy if government did not meet the basic needs of the electorate in Nigeria.

Nyako blamed the rising wave of insecurity in the land on frustration arising from joblessness and poverty coupled

with soaring impunity that had not been punished by relevant agencies over time.

The governor said: “We have to work towards engendering a sound justice system that punishes those that act with impunity and do away with the current regime where everybody gets away with crime due to the corrupt nature of the society.

Setting targets for Police

“Policemen and other security agencies must be given targets in crime prevention. Poor investigation, prosecution and conviction of criminals give rise to impunity and weaken democracy and good governance.

No fewer than 15 governors converged on Sokoto brainstorm on measures and policies that could deepen democracy and good governance in Nigeria.

Secret transactions The former police boss said that Nigeria was one of the few countries in the world where the activities of its oil company were largely transacted in secrecy and global best practices that guide such operations around the world thrown overboard.

Ribadu said it was also wrong for the Federal Government to handle the NNPC as a personal estate leaving out states and local governments from its operations.

He said: “Today, the NNPC is a producer, an importer, a marketer and a regulator paying to the Federal Government what it likes at any time and treating the states and local governments in Nigeria as if they have no stake in the establishment.

“Let me say that states are very important because of the essential roles they play in the development of the communities and the lives of Nigerians. They should therefore, be allowed to have a say in what goes on in the NNPC.”

Babalakin mourns Iyayi

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Nyako on democracy

The respected lawyer, however, said Prof. Iyayi’s death, as sad and regrettable as it was, should serve as a nudge to the whole nation on areas of our national life that require urgent and sincere attention.

In a statement, yesterday, Dr. Babalakin commiserated with the leadership and members of ASUU as well as the immediate family members and friends of the professor, on the tragic death.

He said: ‘’I knew Prof. Iyayi as a brilliant and committed scholar and an exemplary leader who wanted the very best for the Nigerian universities and the educational system in general.

He added that the best way to honour the departed academic would be to pay true respect to educational values, the type that Prof. Iyayi fought for all his life.

VISIT: From left: Kudo Eresia-Eke, GM, External Relations, NLNG, Chima Isilebo, GM, Production, NLNG, Basheer Koko, Deputy Managing Director, NLNG, Dr. Ngozi-OkonjoIweala, Minister of Finance and Babs Omotowa, MD, NLNG, during the minister’s visit to the NLNG Plant at Bonny, Rivers State.

Falana wants alleged killers of citizen Ogundare prosecuted

BY HUGO ODIOGOR &,

SAM EYOBOKA AGOS—LAGOS lawyer and human rights activists, Mr. Femi Falana, has called on the Ekiti State governor, Mr. K ayode Fayemi, to ensure that those responsible for the killing of one Mr. Foluso Ogundare at a political rally in Emure Ekiti, on November 4, were brought to book.

He called on the governor to declare zero tolerance for extra-judicial killings, political violence, and thuggery in the state.

Falana in a statement, yesterday, said “On November 4, 2013 a peaceful political rally in Emure Ekiti was violently attacked by some armed thugs. In the mayhem visited on the unarmed people at the rally, one Mr. Foluso Ogundare was attacked and severely wounded.

“He was rushed to the hospital, where he gave up

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the ghost. Two days later, I sent a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar to demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all the cowards, who snuffed life out of Mr. Ogundare. Since there are eye witnesses, who were present at the scene where the dastardly act was executed in broad daylight, the Police should quickly conclude investigation into the incident and charge the suspects to court for the criminal offences of conspiracy and murder.

“As I did say in my aforementioned petition to the Inspector-General of Police, “To stem the tide of political violence in Ekiti State, I am compelled to request you to direct the Ekiti State police command to prosecute all the suspects, as well as the criminals who recently unleashed violence on law abiding citizens at a burial

ceremony at Iyin-Ekiti and at a political meeting at Ado-Ekiti. The thugs and their masterminds should not be given the impression that they have immunity from prosecution for unleashing violence on innocent people.

“It is sad to note that since 2003, successive governments in Ekiti State have treated indicted murderers like sacred cows.

Hence, criminals whose hands are soaked in blood have held Ekiti people hostage. From the information at my disposal, all the suspects responsible for the politically motivated killings in Ekiti State for the past 10 years have been identified by the Police and the Department of Security Services. Indeed majority of the suspects were charged to the state High Court in Ado Ekiti. But the cases were deliberately programmed to fail leading to the release of the suspected murderers, including those who had admitted their role and involvement in such heinous crimes.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 9

Alaafin, others thank Ajimobi for appointing their children commissioners prominent traditional rulers in the state, week-end, visited Governor Abiola Ajimobi to thank him for appointing their children as

commissioners.

Oba Adeyemi who led other traditional rulers, commended the gesture of Governor Ajimobi, saying he

was following the footsteps of the late sage, Chief Obafemi BADAN — THE Alaafin Awolowo. of Oyo, Oba Lamidi The traditional rulers were Adeyemi and some other from different zones of the state.

Among other rulers that visited the governor were Aseyin of Iseyin, Eleruwa of Eruwa and Onpetu According to Alaafin, the governor was giving the same reverence and exemplary deference to the institution of traditional rulership like it was done in the then Western Region of Nigeria by Chief Awolowo in 1956.

Besides, Oba Adeyemi also recalled that the idea of ministerial appointment to Obas as a means of creating rapport between the FUNERAL: From left, Mrs. Modupe Babarinsa and her husband, son of the deceased, Mr. executive arm of government Dare Babarinsa, and Editor-in-Chief and General Manager, Publications, Vanguard and traditional rulership up Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, at the funeral service of late Chief Sarah Babarinsa, at to cabinet level, initiated by Saint Michael's Anglican Church, Okemesi-Ekiti. Photo: Shola Oyelese Chief Awolowo was also borrowed by the Second Republic Governor of Oyo State, the late Chief Bola Ige with the yesterday.

THE REVENUE Mobilisation, deadline, with most aspect appointment of Mbam said if the commission came out Allocation and Fiscal Commission, of the work already the then Ataoja of with the new revenue sharing formula, accomplished.

RMAFC, has said producing the right Osogbo and which it had been working on, it would revenue sharing formula will help solve “We have finished Eleruwa of complement the efforts of the National literature review, touring, 50 per cent of the problems currently Eruwa into his Dialogue. experienced in Nigeria. public hearing, “If we produce a formula that most sensitisation and collected cabinet as Its Chairman, Mr. Elias Mbam, made Nigerians are happy with, over 50 per cent all our memoranda. the disclosure in an interview with the commissioners of what the National Dialogue aims to News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja without portfolio.

“The next is to analyse achieve is done.

The monarch what we have and that will “Because it is all about be done during the retreat. said: “I am of the how to share political The commission will go on strong opinion ADAM ELIZABETH Ifijeh (nee Obadan), mother power and the nation’s a retreat on 28th of the that the factors of The Nation Newspapers’ Managing Director/ revenue. These are the two month and the retreat will that made the Editor-in-chief Mr. Victor Ifijeh is dead. major contending issues not take more than two experience She died on November 4 in Benin, Edo State. She was we have in the country. So, weeks. succeed before aged 82. if we are able to settle one “At the retreat, we will will also be She is survived by many children, grandchildren and aspect, they can use what produce a draft, this will around to ensure great grand children. we have devised as an then be confirmed by the its success during input in what they are plenary committee of the your own time doing,” he said. commission, after which we too.”

Mbam said the revenue will print and forward Responding, sharing formula was accordingly to Mr. G o v e r n o r almost ready and would President,” he said.

Ajimobi, claimed meet the December full responsibility for the appointment of the children of the traditional AGOS — REV. Fr. in their children. rulers as Gasper Olanrewaju, “We need to teach our commissioners, the parish priest, Saint children that only hard saying that none Joachim and Anne work will produce success Catholic Church, Ijegun, in life; there is no food for of their fathers Lagos, weekend, advised a lazy man,” he said on solicited for them. parents to inculcate the Sunday in a sermon.

Rather, he said virtues of dignity of labour he picked them out of his own volition based on their individual UR SUNDAY Vanguard edition of competence, November 16, published a reader’s reaction qualification and to the House of Representatives’ report on its pedigree which investigation into the purchase of two BMW cars by qualified them for NCAA. In error we published Joe Obi as the writer. t h e i r The piece was sent in by Ugo Onuoha as reflected appointments. in the footnote to the piece.

We are sorry for whatever inconvenience this may have caused Mr. Obi. — Editor, Sunday Vanguard

BY OLA AJAYI

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Right revenue formula’ll fix half Nigeria’s problems — RMAFC

The Nation MD loses mum

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Teach children dignity of labour —Cleric

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OUR ERROR

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Detention of officers: Banks to shut down

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N D I C AT I O N S E M E R G E D , weekend, that banks operating in the country may shut down operations nation wide in protest over the continued detention of key officers of about 18 banks by the Department of State Services over allegation of money laundery.

The arrest and detention of the officers was generating panic and furor in banking quarters following over two weeks arrest and detention without charges brought against the concerned bankers.

Senior personnel of 18 Nigerian banks have been languishing in detention in the holding facility of the Department of State Services for almost two weeks over allegations of terrorist financing and money laundering alleged by government functionaries to have been perpetrated by Aminu Suleiman Lamido, son of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

Aminu and his brother, Mustapha Lamido were arrested by Economic and financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N10 billion fraud.

They were arrested in Kano and flown to Abuja and have since been under interrogation at the Commission’s headquarters.

The banks whose staff have been picked up are Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, FCMB, Wema Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, First Bank Nigeria Limited, FBN, Sterling Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, GTBank, and Citibank. The DSS, it was learnt, which has been on the trail of Aminu Lamido, had sought an ex parte motion from the Federal High Court, Abuja, to freeze the accounts, in 13 banks, of Adold Engineering Company Limited, believed to be owned by the governor’s son.

The ex parte motion was granted by Justice A.F.A Ademola on November 6, 2013.

The fear of the banks, it was gathered, was that the DSS had no capacity to analyse information sent daily to CBN and EFCC related to money

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

PDP chairman is killing us in Ekiti —Vice-Chairman

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

ADO EKITI — THE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has deepened, as one of the Vice Chairmen of the party in the state, Mr. Olatunde Olatunde has raised an alarm that the activities of the state chairman of VISIT: From left, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; wife of late former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike the party, Mr. Makanjuola Akhigbe, and his daughter, Ochuwa Akhigbe-Ogionwo, during a condolence visit to the Lagos home of the Akhigbes.

Ogundipe may jeopadise the party's chances of winning next year's governorship election.

The party has been engulfed in one crisis or the other since Ogundipe took over as the chairman about three years ago Olatunde, who is the Vice Chairman of the party in the dent on oil, with high inflation, allocation from the Federal Gov- North Senatorial District of the

BY DAUD OLATUNJI huge import bills, and high level ernment while the Internally state said in Ado Ekiti,

BY DAUD OLATUNJI Generated Revenue contributes weekend, that Ogundipe had BEOKUTA — THE Cen- corruption.

“National unemployment sta- 33 per cent. tral Bank of Nigeria, CBN, not deemed it fit to convene It stated that Ogun State is the State Executive Council SEC has said high level corruption, tistics shows that the population BEOKUTA — THE inadequate infrastructure and ris- size is 164 million and people 16th most populous state and ran meeting since he took over as All Nigeria Confeding unemployment, among oth- between 15 and 35 years are 60 100 per cent non-oil economy. the chairman of the party so eration of Principals of SecAccording to the Deputy Gov- that there won't be opportunity ers, in the country have been the per cent while youth unemployondary Schools, ANCOPment of Nigeria workforce is 30 ernor of the CBN, Ogun State to criticise him bane of development.

SS, in Ogun State has ranked 9th in terms of Gross The CBN also stated that in per cent.

He accused Ogundipe of warned that the free edu“Unemployment in rural areas Domestic Product in the country stalling all moves to hold SEC spite of the impressive macrocation policy of the Ibikuneconomic performance, it has is 23 per cent and unemployment and 5th in South West in terms meeting since the le Amosun-led administrafailed to translate to develop- in urban areas is 17 per cent, of the number of states with mac- inauguration of the present tion may not be realised if unemployment growth rate per ro small medium enterprises. ment. state officials, the action which the state government fails annum is 16 per cent.”

“In spite of the rich endowThe DeputyGovernor (Operhe said ran contrary to the to address some serious isMeantime, the CBN has said ments, the state has, however, provisions of the party's ation), Mr. Tunde Lemo stated sues concerning their welthis in his speech presented, the Ogun State revenue profile not attained the desired level of constitution. fare. weekend, at Egba Economic stood at N200 billion, saying the economic development,” he said.

Rising from its 33rd AnSummit in Abeokuta, the Ogun state got 67 per cent as statutory nual Congress at The Bells University of Technology, State capital.

Ota, in Ado - Odo /Ota LoAccording to Lemo, the CBN cal Government Area of the had intervened in the challengstate, weekend, the princies by providing N300 billion powpals demanded that the er and airline intervention fund state government should and another N200 billion comknow how to give to wor- our integrity.

BY DAYO JOHNSON consider for immediate paymercial agriculture credit “Teaching/learning and thy causes. ment of outstanding of the scheme with a view to boosting “Philanthropy should be research take place in KURE — THE Association of Vice encouraged in order to resource-poor contexts, Examination Administrathe economy.

Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, have more advancement in therefore making it near tion Grants to secondary He, however, lamented that AVCNU, weekend, said there was need to university system while dif- impossible for Nigerian unischools to forestal further despite the efforts to improve the put unionism in the right perspective to be mass failure of students not economy the statistics of unem- responsive and responsible to nation build- ferentiating between gen- versities to measure up in only in terminal but also in uine advancement and an increasingly competiployment was alarming, saying, ing. the internal examinations.

'Cash and Carry Advance- tive global knowledge "four million Nigerians enter laThis was contained in a communique is- ments' which compromise economy."

ANCOPSS claimed that bour market annually. sued at the end of their 28th annual confermany of its members had “In spite of the impressive mac- ence at the Federal University of Technology been assaulted by suppliro economic performance, it did Akure, FUTA. ers over their inability to pay Over 60 Vice Chancellors and 70 other ofnot translate into development as up debts incurred in runficers attended the conference with the theme, unemployment is still huge. ning costs of the secondary “The challenges are that Nige- 'The Nigerian University System and the schools in the state. ria's development is over-depen- Challenges and Prospects of Globalisation.'

They equally lamented that proliferation of universities without increased funding posed challenges According to him, the first seizure on No- to the public universities.

BY GODWIN ORITSE vember 9 consisted of 1,225 cartons of froPart of the communique HE Customs Area Controller, West- zen poultry products and 55 bags of rice. read: “There is a need to ern Marine Command; Zakka Audu, "The duty paid value of the seized poul- seek innovative and workweekend, said it had identified Kese, a try products was N7.9 million, while rice able solutions to instability coastal community in Badagry Local Gov- was N614,000," he explained. in the university occaernment Area of Lagos State, as the newHe said that 200 cartons of frozen poul- sioned by student and staff est route for smugglers into Ogun State. try products and 200 bags of rice valued at union issues.

Audu disclosed that the command in two N1.3 million and N2.2 million respective"Funding from the private days seized goods worth N12 million in ly were seized on November 10. sector is inadequate bethe area. cause Nigerians do not

Ogun education policy in danger — Principals

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Why Nigeria has not developed — CBN A

VCs want unionism refined in Nigerian varsities

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Customs uncovers new smuggling route

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 11

Asaba Airport handles 6,331 flights, 192,651 passengers —Delta govt

Delta lauds NDDC on contributions to education

BY FESTUS AHON

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ELTA State Government, yesterday, said that the Asaba Airport, since it commenced commercial flight operations on July 13, 2011, had handled 6,331 flights and 192,651 passengers as at the end of October 2013.

This is aside from the 18 flights and 63 passengers handled before commercial flights began bringing the total operational results to 6,349 flights and 192,714 passengers.

According to the state Information Commissioner, Mr Chike Ogeah, “with an average of 260 flights and 6,880 passengers recorded monthly, Asaba Airport has become one of the busiest and most viable airports in the country. The month of April 2011 when the Delta State capital hosted the Second South-South Economic Summit recorded the highest flight of 401 while its 9,588 passengers was second to the 9,778 recorded in August 2013.”

Ogeah in a statement by his Special Assistant, Mr Pius Mordi, said that the return was unprecedented for a new airport.

JUBILEE CELEBRATION: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (right); Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (left) and his wife Helen, during the jubilee celebration of the existence of Word of Life Bible Church held at the church premises in Warri, weekend. Photo: Henry Unini.

Youths threaten Shell’s operations in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—ANGERED by the deplorable state of Imiringi-Edepie Road, the youths of Kolo Creek, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, weekend, threatened to disrupt the operations of Shell Petroleum Development Company in the area.

The youths noted with sadness that though the oil company had been in operation in the area for over 40 years, it had neglected the natives of the community and watched the road turn into death trap over the years.

The youths, led by the youth President of Kolo Creek Community, Mr. Victor Otobo, at a town hall meeting organised

Oke passes on

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R. Joseph Oke, a senior lecturer at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, is dead, aged 55.

A wake-keep will hold on November 20, at the college chapel, Yaba College of Technology, followed next day by a funeral mass at Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Mushin. Interment follows thereafter at Atan Cemetery, Yaba.

He was survived by his widow, Oluwatoyin, brothers, sisters and two children.

Late Mr. Joseph Oke

by the state Public Information Management Committee, said the youths and women in the community had concluded plans to stage a peaceful protest to register their displeasure over what they described as the neglect of the community.

Otobo said that the protest was to send a clear message to the state government and Shell that the community had been plunged into darkness in the last three months and had no road.

Earlier in his presentation, the Chairman of the Public Information Management Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media, Mr. Boma Spero-Jack, in his presentation titled Using Official Channels of Communication To Promote Good Governance in

Bayelsa State, described Ogbia council as a fortunate land where the first oil well was discovered in large quantity at Oloibiri, in 1956.

He assured the youths that the outcome of the interactive session would be presented to Governor Dickson, adding that the state government was working tirelessly to revamp the ailing state Plastic Industry and Oil Palm Industry.

Yenagoa fly-over: Owners of buildings earmarked for demolition to receive N500m

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BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

E N A G O A— BAYELSA State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has ordered the immediate disbursement of N500 million as compensation to owners of buildings earmarked for demolition to make way for the second flyover bridge to be constructed in the state capital at the Tombia/ Etegwe axis of Yenagoa.

Dickson, who gave the directive, weekend, when he undertook an on the spot assessment

of the project site, said he decided to personally visit and assess the extent of the project as well as the number of structures earmarked for demolition before the commencement of work.

He urged those whose property would be affected to bear with government and see it as a necessary sacrifice for the on-going infrastructural development of the state, noting that the demolition exercise would take place in three weeks time.

He added that govern-

ment was not under any obligation to pay the market value of property to be demolished but rather was obliged by law to pay what is fair, adequate and prompt in terms of compensation.

“I have asked the agencies of government to begin the disbursement of N500 million as compensation that will be paid. And, I want to urge all those who will be affected to cooperate with the agencies that will handle that process from next week,” he said.

GHELLI—DELTA State Government has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for what it described as exceptional contributions of the commission to enhance effective teaching and learning in its client states.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, made the commendation in a goodwill message during the handing over of instructional education items donated to the Comprehensive High School, Igbodo, Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state, by the commission.

The items donated to the school by NDDC include 20 desktop computers, 20 computer tables, 20 computer chairs, 20 uninterrupted power supply, UPS, gadgets and a printer.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by the traditional ruler of Igbodo Kingdom, HRM Obi Ikechukwu Osedume I, members of the Obi-incouncil, parents and teachers.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

FERMA inaugurates c’ttee to check road abuse B

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN—WORRIED by what it termed “unacceptable and preventable bad attitudes” on highways by Nigerian drivers, which it said endangers lives and property, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, weekend, inaugurated the South-South Zone II chapter of Federal Roads Committee on Surveillance and Action Against Roads Abuse, FERCSARA, in Benin, Edo State.

The committee’s mandate is to proffer solutions that would check road abuse, as well as arrest and prosecute those found to be involved in such abuses.

The committee, which has the acting Zonal Coordinator South-South Zone II of Federal FERMA, Engr. Richard Orhre as chairman, also has members drawn from the Army, Police, FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and National Union of Road Transport

Workers, NURTW. Inaugurating the committee, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, (rtd), who represented FERMA board chairman, said that the agency had observed with dismay, the menace of road abuses, which has constituted a challenge to

the task of effective road maintenance.

He listed some of the road abuses to include indiscriminate cutting of roads by individuals and corporate bodies without permission from FERMA, overloading of vehicles above admissible axle load, indiscriminate parking of heavy duty vehicles on shoul-

ders and turning such places into trailer parks, and indiscriminate pasting and hoisting of advertisements, posters/ bill on strategic parts of the roads especially kilometer posts, road signs and street light poles thereby, destroying the original intention and services they are made to perform.

It’s unfair to blame Iyayi’s death on FG, says Presidential aide

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—THE SENIOR Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youths and Student Affairs, Mr. Jude Imagwe, weekend, described as unfair and untrue, allegations that the Federal Government killed the late former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Prof. Festus Iyayi.

Imagwu, shortly after he paid a condolence visit to the Iyayi family, said there was no doubt that Nigerians were shocked by

the accident which resulted in Iyayi’s death, but that dragging the Federal Government into it “is quite unfortunate because President Jonathan has been doing his best to ensure that this ASUU strike was suspended.

“When you say government is to blame, it is like saying government has a right to take someone’s life. It is God that gives life and knows the appointed time to take life which is inevitable. And to also say that government is paying lip service to education is not correct either. That we have not

got to where we need to get to in the educational sector, I will agree with you.

“Government is making progress gradually. Where we were yesterday is quite different from where we are today.

The current administration is giving all it can and will continue to ensure that the educational sector is strengthened.”

He recalled the role played

by Prof. Iyayi when he (Imagwe) was NANS President in resolving disputes, which bordered on students’ welfare on campuses, noting that Iyayi’s fatherly counsel would be missed.

‘Only genuine students’ll benefit from Delta bursary’

BY FESTUS AHON

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G H E L L I — CHAIRMAN of Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Monsignor Buchi Aninye, has said that only qualified and genuine students of the state origin would benefit from its bursary programmes.

Aninye, during a sensitisation programme organised by the board for tertiary students of the state origin, said plans were on to fish out intruders, who were benefiting from its bursary programmes.

Applauding the board’s plan to fish out the fraudsters, he decried that some non-indigenes of the state were benefiting from the state’s bursaries.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 13

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14—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Poll blames child labour on poverty

BY VICTORAHIUMA-

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YOUNG

AGOS—FREE and compulsory basic education as well as more job opportunities among others are solutions to eradicating child and slave labour in Nigeria, a national poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited has said.

The poll released, weekend, in Lagos, lamented the alarming rate of child and slave labour in Nigeria caused by abject poverty.

According to the poll, poverty eradication programmes and youth empowerment schemes would also improve the livelihood of Nigerians which would in turn reduce the reliance on child labour for survival.

NOIPolls argued that despite several measures to combat child labour, it remained of great concern in Nigeria and noted among others that the International Labour Organisation, ILO, “estimates that about 25 per cent of Nigeria’s 80 million children under the age of 14 are involved in child labour.

Also, recently the CNN world’s child labour index featured Nigeria among the top ten worst countries for child labour. “Against this background, NOIPolls conducted its special edition poll on child labour/slavery in Nigeria to explore the views of Nigerians on the prevalence of the issue, as well as identify the causes and remedies that can help curb the situation.”

State Police, invitation to anarchy —GOV SUSWAM M

BY PETERDURU

A K U R D I — GOVERNOR Gabriel Suswam has described the agitation for state police in the country as untimely, unreasonable and premature, warning that such a force will be a tool for political oppression, intimidation and harassment of innocent Nigerians.

Suswam who spoke in Makurdi, weekend, maintained that “those agitating for a law allowing the various states to create their own state police must have a rethink because it is an invitation to anarchy.

“The truth is that we are not yet ripe for state police. We certainly cannot afford to entrust state Governors with the responsibility of running a police force. Doing that will certainly amount to an invitation to anarchy.

“A ready example is allowing Nasarawa and Benue states to have their separate police outfits in the face of the lingering Fulani herders incursion into parts of Benue territory from Nasarawa State, maybe by now, we would have used our separate police outfits to launch attacks on each other.

“Moreover, we must tell each

other the truth. Creating state police would be another way of legalising the torture, harassment and intimidation of perceived political enemies in our respective states.

“If you put the control of a force in the hands of state governors, you can be rest

MUAHIA—THE promulgation of a new law by the Abia State Government, giving non-indigenes job opportunities in the state has been described as a practical demonstration that Governor Theodore Orji is not victimising non-Abia indigenes in the state.

Mr. Ben Onyechere, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communication who stated this in Umuahia, yesterday, said: “This action by the governor which is self explanatory is an expository of a new vista in the elasticity of C M Y K

police. It is an expensive venture that state governments cannot afford to undertake for whatever reason.

“My opinion therefore is for government to ensure the proper equipping and funding of the Nigeria Police Force, and when that is done, the force will be better positioned to carry out its responsibilities to Nigerians.”

CONFERENCE: From left: Major General M.D. Isa (rtd), chairman of the occasion, Director, Department of State Services, Kaduna State, Mr. Abayomi Samba, guest speaker, and Comrade Issaa Aremu, National Vice President, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, at the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Kaduna State conference and award ceremony in Kaduna.

Photo: Olu Ajayi.

SURE-P: SERAP asks ICPC to probe missing N500bn

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BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

AGOS—SOCIOECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, urging them to investigate alleged shortfall in the remittance of accrued funds for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, projects

amounting to over N500 billion from January 2012 to September 2013.

In a petition by SERAP through its Executive Director, Mr. Tokunbo Mumuni, the group also requested the anti graft commission to bring to justice the perpetrator of the act.

The group stated: “SERAP is seriously concerned that the failure to account for the shortfall of about N500 billion out of the

Abia govt’s new employment policy, all inclusive, says Orji’s aide

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assured that as politicians we will use the force to achieve our selfish interests to the detriment of the interest of the tax payers and the ordinary citizens.”

Stressing further, Governor Suswam said: “How many state governors can afford the wage bill that goes with running a state

the political space in Abia. When the civil service of the state was down-sized recently, some saw it as an opportunity to cast aspersions on the image of governance. But in spite of that, the governor who rather than allow the ship under his watch to sink was determined to shed some load for a greater future for the indigenes and their folks from other states.

“This move by the governor reiterates our explanation that the load shedding was as result of a suffocating economy, and as an

aide to the governor for more than three years, and more so, an indigene of lmo State, I can proudly attest to the sincerity of purpose of this governor whose actions are not ordinary, having observed him from a close range.

“The assemblage of the achievement of this administration can not be cataloged in a hurry, because it is the re-writing of the history of not only Abia State, but a case study for book-makers which can stand the test of time.”

over N800bn which ought to have accrued for the SURE-P projects is a flagrant denial of the social and economic development of millions of Nigerians. The inability of government officials to account for huge amount of resources mapped out for the improvement of the country is a serious impediment and setback to the goals of development for which the SURE-P funds have been set aside to achieve in the first place. The denial of the rights of millions of Nigerians has contributed hugely to extreme poverty and civil strife.”

It requested the ICPC to carry out a comprehensive and transparent investigation of allegations of shortfall in the remittance of accrued SURE-P funds in the petroleum sector and to make public its findings, arguing that the investigation would serve as a necessary precursor to strengthening transparency and accountability and reducing the incidence of corruption in the sector.

SERAP also requested for a platform to engage policy makers and political leaders in developing an anti-corruption

strategy such as establishing an independent audit group for the purposes of ensuring and recovering the outstanding remittance recovered for the execution of SURE-P projects.

According to the group, “The problem is compounded by the continuing failure of the government to effectively ensure transparency and a genuine system of accountability as well as its failure to investigate and prosecute those high ranking public officials suspected to be involved in corruption. We recall the heightened agitations which followed shortly after the announcement on the removal of oil subsidy in early 2012. The partial removal of oil subsidy targeted a list of developmental demands which the SURE-P funds was set up to meet.

“The challenges created in the shortfall of funds accruing to the SURE-P and the shortfall in remittance to the SURE-P management team, as well as the failure to account for such shortfall is already an outright failure of government to allay the fears of millions of Nigeria against even a partial removal of oil subsidy.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 15

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16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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R. Festus Iyayi, author, academic and ac tivist of extraordinary endowments lost his life in a ghastly auto crash along Abuja-Lokoja highway on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, to bring to a climax an odyssey of struggle, commitment and dedication to social justice in his fatherland.

The author of epochal novel: Violence and Heroes and other seminal works died at a time the struggle for excellence in the academia was at a crucial stage in the hands of officials of the Nigerian state that has since become a Leviathan.

Dr. Iyayi and other senior executives of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were travelling to Kano for a crucial meeting on whether or not ASUU should call off the four month old strike embarked upon by lecturers in the country.

The strike had paralysed the university system.

As a past leader of ASUU and key labour activist, Dr. Iyayi’s presence and contributions were crucial.

The unfortunate encounter with the convoy of the Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Idris Wada, at Banda village on the Abuja-Lokoja highway, terminated the journey and his sojourn here on earth. Accidents are products of several factors ranging from recklessness, negligence, mechanical faults, misjudgements, as the case may

Iyayi and recklessness of governor’s convoy be. But the accident that took the life of Iyayi was a product of exhibition of power and influence by elected public officeholders, a class of people who sought and obtained the mandate of the people. They ride in jets and armoured vehicles, they terrorise people on the roads with convoys of cars driven by men who have no respect for other road users.

When soldiers were in power, Nigerians tolerated the nuisance of sirens by military overlords and their cronies because in the first place, they were usurpers of the positions they occupied.

Secondly, they were not accountable to any person or institutions.

The military rulers were barefaced dictators whose actions and inaction were laced with impunity.

With the advent of democratic governance, Nigerians have in the past 14 years yearned to

see an end to vestiges of militarism in public office. We have lost so many lives through the recklessness of convoys of government officials.

Yet, these have not moved these demi-gods to change their way.

The Governor of Kogi State, whose convoy killed Iyayi, the academic giants has a reputation of being accident prone. The last crash was the latest in a list of mishaps involving his convoy.

Roads in Nigeria have suddenly become killing fields as countless numbers of lives are lost daily to auto crashes and armed robbers but to think that we have lost a patriot, a champion of the oppressed and a sophisticated human capital like Dr Festus Iyayi through an avoidable accident is nothing but a sign of retrogression.

We have come to the point where Nigerians should explore legal assistance to check some acts of recklessness or criminal negligence arising from the misconducts of the state and its agents.

We cannot close our eyes to actions that willfully take the lives of other Nigerians and plunge their families and dependents into misery and deprivation.

We mourn his sudden demise and condole with his family which like many others in the past have become victims of an act of executive lawlessness which elected public office holders inherited from discredited military dictatorship.

OPINION

BY DANIEL IWORISO-MARKSON

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T inauguration, Governor Seriake Dickson clearly spelt out the strategic value of the Restoration Agenda of his administration. His swift proclamation of this template of renewal definitely wasn’t a cheap move to join the bandwagon of political sloganeering. Rather the Restoration Agenda was in response to the people’s cry for urgent development and progress.

The Governor actually had a personal experience of the deplorable situation during his campaigns. Everywhere he went,he had to deal with emotional calls for the building and upgrading of infrastructure, meandered through bad roads and saw other dilapidated infrastructure in need of urgent rehabilitation.

Understandably, accelerated development of infrastructure was made the core of the Restoration Agenda. And quickly Governor Dickson rallied his team to action, underscoring the sense of urgency to change the state of infrastructure throughout Bayelsa and in particular the state capital, Yenagoa.

He tasked members of his team to appreciate that for the state government to actualise the lofty goal of diversifying the state’s economy through tourism, agriculture and industrialisation, the construction of new infrastructure, including a good network of roads and the expansion of other existing infrastructure must be a priority.

At different forums, the Governor emphasized the importance of opening up the state

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Dickson's infrastructure revoluton for easy accessibility across the three senatorial districts as it would go a long way in promoting trade and industry. He also noted the implication for investors who will be able to navigate the entire state and opening businesses wherever suitable without worrying about basic infrastructure. With a good road network in Bayelsa, farmers and agro-allied businesses will easily transport their products to markets just as tourists could move around to locate and enjoy the natural beaches and visit the numerous tourist attractions in the state.

To the joy and relief of Bayelsans, Governor Dickson hasn’t only been talking. Many will agree and rationally, too, that his actions on infrastructural development in the last two years speak louder than words. It is akin to a revolution by any serious evaluation. Despite the marshy nature of Bayesla State which makes infrastructural development relatively costly and cumbersome, the administration has a lot to show for its short period in office.

So far, over 350 kilometres of roads across the state have been completed.

Government has also constructed 15 bridges, over 50 public buildings and two flyovers. Dualisation of 18 roads and two outer ring roads are in progress, while the secretariat for the Traditional Rulers Council inYenagoa has been completed. The road linking the old and new campuses of the state-owned Niger Delta University at Amas-

soma is also completed.

Government is set to award contracts for the construction of 15 internal roads in Yenagoa which will also be replicated in all the eight local government headquarters in the first phase of total rehabilitation and transformation of roads in the state for easy accessibility.

The expansion and upgrading of many of the roads, particularly in Yenagoa would, however, inevitably lead to demolition of some houses, not because they offended any town planning regulation but as necessary price to pay for the greater good of a modern city. The expansion of Opolo-Imiringi road, for instance, has necessitated the demolition of Governor Dickson’s personal house which is a demonstration of commitment to this cause.

Yet the ambitious new Yenagoa city is coming on stream soon, to further open up the state to investors, which when completed is targeted to be the new Dubai in Africa, especially in terms of facilities and business opportunities.

Among other on-going projects is the construction of the state archive, museum, language centre, new secretariat annexes, governor and deputy governors’ office complexes, modern police mess, rehabilitation of the Gloryland Cultural Centre and construction of the Government House Clinic, now close to completion. And of course, work is ongoing at the pharmaceutical storage

and distribution centre, which when completed will be the first of its kind in Africa.

Allied to the provision of roads are the strategically located bridges in the three senatorial districts in addition to the equally strategic construction of an airport and the Agge Deep Seaport. In the estimation of Governor Dickson, the successful completion of these two projects will speed up the quest for a diversified and vibrant economy, thereby making oil just one of the sources of income for the state.

The Governor’s dream is that the Bayelsa airport will, among other benefits, create a direct link to Yenagoa, thereby consigning to the past the two- kilometre drive from Port Harcourt airport. The seaport will also jumpstart the state economy so much in terms of massive job creation, boom in trade, leading to a huge leap in income for the state and of course a greater lease of life for the people.

The people of Bayelsa, visitors and experts alike have noted with satisfaction the quality of the jobs undertaken as they were awarded to reputable construction firms, including Julius Berger, Setraco and CCECC. The unusual volume of construction has also created fresh opportunities for a legion of youths as well as qualified engineers, architects and quantity surveyors in the state.

*Iworiso-Markson is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 41

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42—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

ANAMBRA: APGA claims victory Continues from page 5 said: “After consultations with our agents as well as with local and foreign observers, we have discovered that what we earlier complained about was a child’s play, compared to the widespread disenfranchisement that was orchestrated by the same body given the responsibility of ensuring a free, fair and creditable election on Saturday.”

Jega meanwhile yesterday alleged sabotage on the part of its officers during the election.

Speaking on AIT yesterday, the electoral chief said that a particular officer who masterminded the derailment of the distribution of election materials to Idemili North Local Government Area of the state has been identified and would be prosecuted.

He said: “We made all the preparations and decentralised the process of distribution of materials in order to ensure that they get to the polling units in time for the commencement of the election. That was before Saturday.

“Unfortunately and regrettably – we are humans. We can do all the preparations, but if people are determined to subvert the process, one way or the other they will subvert it.

“So, they used our staff.

I think we should be very careful when we have a staff of about 12,000 in INEC, when one person has committed an offence and then you use it to generalise or condemn everybody in INEC. “Our Electoral Officer in charge of Idemili North Local Government, for inexplicable reasons, messed up the distribution of ballot box papers and result sheets.

That was the cause of the delay in the distribution of materials in Idemili.

“All materials were to have been distributed by Friday evening, but for some odd reasons, they made sure that they held onto some of the result sheets, and they also gave wrong result sheets to different polling units.

“For Anambra election, as we did in Edo and Ondo, every polling unit has a unique result sheet. So, you cannot take one result sheet to a different place, because it will not work.

“I assured the stakeholders when we met in Awka that materi-

als must get to the polling units before commencement of election.

“So, when we discovered at about 1am that there was this mix-up, and we tried to reach the Electoral Officer and the supervisor and there was confusion, and we knew something was fishy, we said there would be no deployment until we sorted out the problem.

“As I speak, we have handed over the Electoral Officer to the police because clearly what he did is a sabotage of the electoral process, including the Local Government supervisor.

“It took us until about 1pm to be able to sort out what they had jumbled up. We communicated with the community as at 1pm that we were ready to distribute to all the other wards, and materials were distributed.”

The three opposition candidates of PDP, APC and LP, at a joint press conference vowed to reject whatever result that would be announced by INEC from the elections in Anambra State.

The three candidates had earlier in the day expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election which is yet to be announced by INEC as at press time last night.

Ngige who was flanked by the other two and spoke on behalf of the trio said: ”Our stand is that Saturday election was characterized by fraud, malpractices and massive irregularities and we call on INEC to put in place another process to conduct a fresh election to enable the people of Anambra elect their governor that will take over from the present governor on March 17 next year.

“The irregularities clearly noticed included the omission of the names of many voters in the registers presented for the election in the over 4,000 polling units.

We were assured that the process will be free and fair during the stake holder ’s meeting with the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, but little did we know that they had planned to disenfranchise many of our supporters by deleting their names from the register everywhere in the local government areas.

It was so massive and we hereby reject the voters registers used for this election.

“We were assured by the INEC chairman that the electoral process

would be transparent but we experienced was to the contrary.

“Thirdly we discovered that result sheets were translocated other than the purpose for which they were meant. For instance some result sheets meant for some polling booths in Idemili were taken to another area even when they were coded.

“There were massive. harassment and intimidation of voters and our party agents. The party agents’ accreditation cards were described as fake and they were hounded out hence we had no agents at most poling booths.

“There was massive deployment of money by APGA through its serving commissioners, party chieftains, contractors and some other individuals who were deployed to pay each voter as much as N10,000 to vote for APGA. “Having noticed the various flaws ...we have come to inevitable conclusion that this commission is determined to go back to its old ways and that the much gains made in 2011 election is being reversed.

“We, therefore, urge the INEC to cancel the charade called election conducted in Anambra and deploy transparent officials including a new Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC to conduct a fresh election in the state.

“No election result should be announced as the elections have not been concluded. What they are doing now is an exercise in futility.

“We are peace-loving people in Anambra state and they should not provoke the people to violence. A word is enough for the wise.”

Both Ubah and Nwoye said they all agreed to take a common position on the issue, insisting that the election should be cancelled.

TMG faults calls for cancellation The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) said yesterday that it would not subscribe to total cancellation of the Anambra Governorship Election.

The TMG is one of the observer groups that monitored the election held on Saturday across the state.

The TMG Chairman, Malam Zikirulahi Ibrahim, who was reacting to the problem in

From left, Mrs Ronke Osunsan, CEO, Simbabe Balloons and Accessories; Mr Banji Adesanmi, chief executive officer, PTV Phones and Mr Uzoma Okoye, managing creative director, Etuodi Communications at the unveiling of a new corporate identity for PTV phones at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Joe Akintola, photo editor Idemili North where the election did not hold on Saturday and was rescheduled for Sunday.

In a telephone Inter-

view, Ibrahim said that in spite of the problem, INEC performed well in some other areas where elections held.

“From our observation, we know the commission tried, but we also know areas where elections need to be repeated."

Two female undergraduates stripped for robbery in Calabar

By EMMANUEL UNA

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ALABAR—TWO f e m a l e undergraduate robbery suspects and their male partner in crime were battered and stripped naked in Calabar, Friday afternoon, for attempting to rob a businesswoman of N1.5 million.

The three suspects operating in a Golf car were accosted by a taxi driver at about 4pm along the Murtala Muhammed Highway by the Cross River State new secretariat, while their driver and one other suspect escaped.

The gang reportedly ambushed the businesswoman who had gone to withdraw the N1.5 million at a bank along Calabar Road, near the Watt market, where they approached her to join their cab and the woman who appeared eager to arrive home because of the money she had withdrawn immediately accepted and boarded the taxi.

Trouble started as she got to her destination and discovered that the taxi driver became unwilling to allow her alight from the vehicle. The robbery suspects were said to have brought out guns and

asked her to cooperate with them if she did not want to get hurt.

The victim told Vanguard, “The suspects told me to cooperate with them and quietly hand over the N1.5 million or I would be killed.” She said she suddenly became “angry in the spirit because this money is contribution money and my members who want to share the money on Sunday so they could get their Christmas things early would not believe me. So I was ready to die and began to raise alarm in the vehicle and calling for help”.

She said her shouts attracted the attention of a taxi driver who decided to give the Golf car a hot chase until he overtook and blocked the vehicle at Atekong Drive”.

The driver of the five-man gang and another suspect escaped by quickly alighting from the car and running across the highway and then jumping the perimeter fence of the new secretariat. She added, “These two ladies were apprehended by the people who came to see what was the trouble between the two taxis. They began to beat them when they heard

what they had done to me.”

The suspects who were thoroughly beaten and stripped were later handed over to police who came to the scene. Vanguard learnt that the ladies confessed that they were students of Ebonyi State University and members of a syndicate which left Abakaliki in Ebonyi State to Aba in Abia State.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations officer of the State Police Command, Mr. Hoggan Bassey confirmed that the three suspects were in police custody, saying they would soon be charged to court.

His words, “nemesis has caught up with them. They are being investigated and so far they have confessed that they used to hang around bank premises with their car, shouting one chance, one chance and waiting for people coming out of the bank with money.

“The Cross River State police commissioner Shola Shodipo has promised armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals a raw deal this Christmas season.

Cross River State is the most peaceful state in Nigeria and we are not prepared to compromise the crime free status of the state.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 43

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44—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 45

Kerosine subsidy

BY AMINU A. WISDOM

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This is the concluding part of the paper delivered by Rivers State governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at the symposium on the Port Harcourt centenary celebrations strongly desire that the city return to its original status.

An assessment of the crux of the matter would show that at the root of most of the crisis was poverty, although in some cases greed as well. This explains why the present administration from 2007 till date has made and implemented clear urban renewal policies to return the city of Port Harcourt to the garden city it used to be.

I know that we may have forgotten the demolition exercises undertaken by this administration in our first tenure and even till now. This was not done to witch hunt anybody for whatever reasons, even though some persons perceived it as such. It is important to note that the Port Harcourt that we are going to leave behind will be far better than the Port Harcourt that we met in 2007.

Sports facilities Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi

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Besides our removal of illegal structures on the right of way, the State government has done so much in terms of road construction; this job is still on-going as we can see in parts of Port Harcourt. The old Port Harcourt Township is wearing a new look in terms of roads and drainages as well as the construction of several sports facilities in the area.

As we speak the State government is reconstructing all roads and drainages in D/ Line. My honest assurance to the residents of Diobu is that these efforts will be replicated in the area. Government has also constructed several bridges within the city

OU could leave your doors open to visit a friend in another street and return to still find your belongings intact. We would walk from Diobu to Borokiri. We used to climb trees to watch football at the temporary stadium.

How many of you remember that we used to dance nwa otam in Bonny or Opobo or when we couldn’t go to either place we would go to Iloabuchi Street to watch the dancers. Those of you from places like Ikwerre would remember our How many of you remember that we used to regular “ wake dance nwa otam in Bonny or Opobo or when keepings” d u r i n g we couldn’t go to either place we would go to b u r i a l s . Yo u Iloabuchi Street to watch the dancers could go from wake to wake confident and assured that you would get of Port Harcourt to ease movement and food to eat. Nobody was afraid. Nobody reduce traffic congestion. The end advantage worried. Our Port Harcourt was a city of all of these efforts is a boost to the economy bubbling with life, where to be called a Port of our State, which we are already Harcourt boy didn’t only mean that you had witnessing. swag, like our youth will say today, but I do not intend to bore you with the meant that you were responsible, achievements of this government. The fact responsive, respectable, intelligent, is that is why you elected us. To govern and sociable and found dignity in any career to deliver to you infrastructure that is path that your choose. functional. We have pledged to serve you Residents of Port Harcourt were admired with humility and render transparent and even when they went out of the state accountable stewardship even as we strive because they were hard working and had to better the lives of our present and future pride in their culture and of course we had generations. On behalf of the present all the oil companies around, doing their administration, I wish to firmly promise that businesses without any iota of security Port Harcourt will surely be better by the close challenge. But one day we woke up and of this administration to the glory of God and our city had changed. Some people the well being of our people and those who masquerading as Niger Delta militants cometo Port Harcourt to do business. Our began to maim and kill with the support of dream will be a global destination for politicians. The Port Harcourt we used to tourism, investment both local and know gradually changed from its grace international business. I, therefore, urge us and position of honour to a gory situation. to sustain our sense of hospitality and There is no well-meaning resident of the friendship.

Concluded old city of Port Harcourt who does not

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The story of Port Harcourt city (2)

HE kerosene subsidy scam written by Ijeoma Nwogwugwu of Thisday is nothing but sensational news aimed at misleading the public.

The kerosene which is predominantly used by Nigerians is sold at N50 up till date. It is a known fact that the PPPRA, NNPC and other relevant agencies are over seeing this sector through monitoring and supervision under the Goodluck transformation Agenda and we are bold to say that they are doing a good job under very difficult circumstances.

The present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended because in a little more than two years he has piloted the affairs of this nation and moved the country forward through his transformation agenda even though he inherited a dilapidated and non progressive economy. In barely two years of the Jonathan administration we have seen

kerosene with a view of bringing it to the door-step of the common man just like what he did in bringing the scarcity of fuel and long queues in filling station to a permanent halt.

Unprecedented and undisputed progress has been recorded in the oil sector and a clear attestation is that today you can drive into any filling station and buy fuel in record time. For a long time now the usual queue we experience from the past government, where plastic jerry cans liter the filling station and road sided are all a thing of the past.

Contrary to some sponsored reports this administration has seen a constant supply and distribution of kerosene which has been available at N50 per liter in all NNPC controlled station and NNPC Mega stations, and it is readily available in large quantity, We challenge this writer to inform us of a relevant government authority where kerosene is being sold for N120 per litre. I want to also use this

We challenge this writer to inform us of a relevant government authority where kerosene is being sold for N120 per litre. I want to also use this medium to assure Nigerians that if this kerosene is sold above N50 per litre, it is the handwork of greedy saboteurs of this country

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transportation in all sectors of the economy. For example the Railways are back on track.

Aviation sector has had a remarkable facelift for both local and international users. Work is progressing on all federal roads, with some at commissioning stage and some are at about 80 per cent of completion. The dredging of the river Niger is completed.

The agricultural sector is producing rice and creating market for cassava farmers, and in two years you can see fertilizer getting to the farmers directly.

Great milestone A great milestone has been recorded in the power sector from when the Jonathan administration came on board between 2011 and 2013.

Nigeria now generates about 4,400mw and with NNIP project, 10,000mw will be ready by the end of 2014 to make it 14,400mw.

Even with all of these milestones the saboteurs of the Jonathan administration are engulfed in ensuring that this administration is criticized, blackmailed at the expense of their selfish interest. Even at that the president have once assured Nigerians that in his administration things will get better, he has personally follow the incident of scarcity of

medium to assure Nigerians that if this kerosene is sold above N50 per litre, it is the handwork of greedy saboteurs of this country.

President Goodluck Jonathan is the only president in the history of this great country that has ever moved a step forward by taking it upon itself to monitor the sales and distribution of kerosene or any other commodity what so ever.

The civil society group is a very reputable body and they cannot come to the street to organize rallies when it is not necessary.

Moreover they are aware of the effort and the impact of this administration on the supply, distribution and pricing of kerosene. It appears we as Nigerians are very forgetful of our very recent plight of major scarcity with endless queue and a resultant spike in the price of commodity and basic living.

It is worthy of note that where genuine and well meaning rallies are organized, it is both the elite and the common man that go to the streets because they gather to show a common front.

We in particular as an action group do not believe in going to the street when it is not necessary, since we have done the due diligence and investigated the positive effort that President is making in moving.

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46—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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Y attitude to any notion of a constitutional conference is that it should be used as an instrument for achieving a peaceful revolution. By that I mean, total system change through dialogue and negotiations, rather the violent, bloody revolutions that often produce unforeseen outcomes (such as the Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu first military coup in Nigeria on January 15, 1966).

In my series on this matter, I have advocated for the dissolution of the states and local governments and their replacement with two tiers of government: the centre and six regions coterminous with the six geopolitical zones. The zones will then be empowered to create what local governments or more preferably, divisions and county councils that may accord with the wishes of the peoples of the regions.

Thereafter, federal allocation will be shared on the basis of equality of the geopolitical regions. I have also advocated that ethnic nationalities should not be used as the basis for selecting the delegates to the conference. They are not only unviable due to the number and complexity of tribes, ethnicity has also been conclusively proved to be a factor that divides rather than unites us. I therefore called for election of delegates based on character, proven track records and commitment to the people’s welfare. Now I want to address the issue of population. It is another factor that has

Away with population terrorism

refusing to accept the tag of second or third.

Even the concept of “Hausa/Fulani” is heavily political, because it ignores the fact that there are also Fulani/Yoruba in Ilorin; Igbo/Ijaw in Rivers State, Yoruba/Bini in Edo State, and other such pairings all over the country. But Hausa/Fulani has been used to assert a questionable majority status based on which more states, local governments and federal constituencies (and therefore greater share of political power and federal revenue) have been piled in the favour of the North.

When the civil war ended, the Yoruba were rewarded with more population, number of states, local councils and federal constituencies (and therefore more federal allocation and greater political stake at the centre) than the Igbo, who dared to challenge the power When there are no more rewards equation the British bestowed on Nigeria at attached to claims of superior independence. Today, population, each region or zone will be every group freely fanciful forced to apply modern techniques of ascribes population size to itself. population control and management For instance, the Ijaws done more harm than good. I call it seem to have successfully gotten away “population terrorism” because it has been with the unsubstantiated claim that they used to advance group interest to the are the fourth largest ethnic group in detriment of national interest. The politics Nigeria, even when the Ibibios/Efiks and of population in Nigeria was a critical factor the Edo groups are much easier to come that led to the fall of the First Republic and by anywhere in the country and the world the nation’s slide into a civil war. No census at large. At a television programme, an has ever been accepted by Nigerians. Most official of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Southerners believe that the notion of Yinka Odumakin, claimed the Yorubas Northern majority is bogus and were 50 million in population. He spoke unfounded. They see it as part of the old too soon, because if he had heard an Aka “conspiracy” between the former British Ikenga official ascribing 70 million to the colonialists and the Sokoto Caliphate to Igbos, he would probably have upped his subjugate and plunder the South. own figure at least 80 million to keep his In the same vein, the three major ethnic group ahead in the population rat-race. groups – Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba The Nigerian state which still runs on a – have been at daggers-drawn, each template defined by the Northern political

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establishment, has obstinately refused to allow population censuses to deploy detailed enumeration of Nigerians to ascertain their ethnic groups, states of origin and religions. Perhaps it is just as well, because it could set the nation on fire, due to the instrument of terror against Nigeria which population has become. Yet, Igbos and Christians believe they are at the receiving end of this omission.

Nigeria is probably the only modern nation on earth where population matters are configured to freeload and parasite on the nation, rather than reinforce the columns of her political and economic virility. All this push by everyone to be seen to be bigger than their nearest rival is meant to grab more money and political power from the National Cake by the elite.

And yet, when the money and power come, they are not used to service the supposed population. Rather, they are cornered by the local elite, leaving the masses in the lurch. This trend is more so in the North than elsewhere in the entire country. Some groups in the North have even served notice that they will go to the conference

to canvass for “one man, four wives”, quite obviously with a view to furthering population terrorism, after fathering children and letting them loose on the streets as al majiris.

The question, therefore is: How do we begin to handle population matters so that they can no longer be used to terrorise the nation? The answer is simple. Abolish the states; convert the six geopolitical zones into regional political centres. Let each region retain all revenues from their home zones up to 60 per cent, paying 40 per cent to the centre. It is then redistributed based on equality of the regions.

Centralisation of economic and political power fuels population terrorism or the struggle by each group to out-claim its rivals as having a higher population.

With this policy, it will no longer matter to the man from the South West if the North West claims to have 100 million people because it will not be used to gyp him of his economic and political rights. When there are no more rewards attached to claims of superior population, each region or zone will be forced to apply modern techniques of population control and management to emphasise quality of population rather than quantity.

A high quality population is well educated and skilled. It can support a rapidly developing economy. But a poor quality population is riddled with a large number of illiterate and destitute individuals with a tiny super-privileged upper class. It will be up to the various regions to choose which model best suits the aspirations of their people, subject to national minimum standards.

Wada’s murderous convoys CAPTAIN Idris Wada, Governor of Kogi State, has set an unenviable new record. In December 2012, his convoy killed his security aide, injured another and broke His Excellency’s leg. His officials later noisily celebrated his decision not to treat himself abroad, though he did so in Abuja, not Kogi.

With the killing of eminent academic and unionist, Professor Festus Iyayi, Wada has achieved a “feat” no other governor’s convoy has yet done: killing more than once. This man is a danger to road users and a terrible example. But what can we do? He has immunity!

*Gov Idris Wada

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OPINION

BY WOLE OLANIYI

I

was with the All Progressives Congress train that went to Kano Government House to invite Governor Musa Kwankwaso to join the league of progressives in the country, determined to bring about the change we need. I joined the train courtesy of a friend of mine who was with one of the APC governors present in Kano. I joined the delegation from the airport, at the instance of my friend who insisted I shifted my flight due for Lagos that afternoon. I felt elated that I was being part of unfolding history. Indeed I still feel happy that I was there, especially after the fraternity I saw, the sign of hope for those looking for change as exhibited that day by the reception accorded the delegation by Governor Kwankwaso.

Various members of the delegation spoke very well about the importance of joining hands together to remove the incompetent PDP government.

Alas, the star attraction at the event, former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), delivered something that was every inch a sectional and even shallow. Addressing the crowd at the packed Government House hall, Buhari spoke of “strategic plan” to destroy the North, in reference to the Boko Haram insurgency. He took larger part of his short speech to whip up sentiments on why

When will Gen. Buhari change his ways?

Boko Haram is “political strategy to destroy us”. Who then are “us”? This politics of dichotomy coming from a man of his standing was, to say the least, unfortunate. It sent shivers of shock down my spine as I looked over my shoulders, to a largely Hausa Muslim audience that were really captivated by these remarks coming from someone who should know. To Gen. Buhari, the excessive bloodshed perpetrated by the insensitive Boko Haram killing squad was not about religion, it was a political weapon. For real? So all the church bombings, all the claims by the sect that it was waging a religious war were not enough for Buhari to realise the dimension of this danger? How would he want the families of those hundreds of people blown away by accursed suicide bombers to react to this? To put it in another way, Buhari was saying that “OUR youths are being USED to kill in the name of politics to destroy OUR region”. This re-echoes what President Goodluck Jonathan said after the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja: “My people cannot do this”. For that commentary on Boko Haram, Buhari has fallen in the same category as President Jonathan.

With what had happened to him in the three consecutive elections he stood, many political

observers, like this writer, thought that Gen. Buhari will change his ways by recanting his slanted views on national issues. The Katsinaborn General was roundly rejected by people outside his Hausa-Fulani-Muslim enclave in the elections he contested under various umbrellas in 2003, 2007 and 2011. The reason is not far-fetched. For a man who fought to keep Nigeria united and later come to head the country as military head of state, Buhari’s latter .day comments fall below the lines of a nationalist, more so one who aspires to lead a country as complex and heterogenous as Nigeria. At the heat of the Sharia debate, a time when selfserving politicians moved to cover up their mess by invoking religion to divide people and win over hapless masses, General Buhari came out to join that charade. His words to the effect that Muslims should vote only for fellow Muslims, came not only as a shocker but eroded the respect many Nigerians have for General Buhari as someone with impeccable personal integrity. That actually set tongues wagging.

However, the perplexing thing is, just as you think the man has abandoned his old ways, he would come with yet another myopic statement that would scare everybody around. And, the

reality is no one can help him better than himself. A situation where one offends the sensibilities of people directly touched by such a carnage, there is no one else to remedy the situation. After all, the man is not new to such uncalculated utterances that often lead to needless controversy which also erode public confidence in him.

Since the escalation of the Boko Haram carnage, Buhari has never come out to condemn the actions as being perpetrated by indigenous youths. Instead, he uses almost every avenue to try to find excuses for what has been happening. The General is so much clung to his theory of conspiracy and the ultimate direction of the conspirators is people from the South or the Federal Government which is being “controlled” by people from the South. Does the former head of state mean Christian, who are in the minority in the North, are the ones throwing bombs amidst chants of “Allahu Akbar”?

Or, does he mean the hundreds of families whose breadwinners and other members were killed by the insurgents sacrificed their loved ones to “destroy our region”? No stranger can go to the forests and deserts of Maiduguri to set up training camps and no government, no matter how heartless can start something that would threaten its sovereignty. *Mr Olaniyi, a chartered accountant wrote, from Ibadan

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013— —47

I

T is an unfortunate reality of our times that many Nigerians have become experts at disapproving. Indeed, they are lacking in the simple yet humane act of giving credit where it is due.

A major case in point is the often unreasonable denigration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GEJ, by bitter men and women of yesterday who have nothing positive to offer the nation today. They are so blinded by pettiness that even when the President takes a giant stride, such as the unprecedented emancipation of the power sector through privatisation, they cannot accept what even the deaf, the blind and the dumb would readily acknowledge is a milestone towards solving Nigeria’s major problems.

For the avoidance of doubt, let it be stated clearly that the major problems of our country arise directly from economic hardships. The man in Jigawa, like the woman in Ekiti, as well as the youth in Cross River, all suffer from not being able to achieve their full economic potential. It has been widely

acknowledged that poverty and lack of opportunities for economic self-development do not know tribe, state, region, or religion.

It has also been widely acknowledged that the majority of Nigerians are willing and able to work hard for their livelihood; and that they need only infrastructure and an enabling environment from the government.

In the light of the foregoing, it can be said that the recent privatisation of the power sector by the Jonathan-led Federal Government is a giant leap in the quest to create the right infrastructure base and enabling environment for Nigerians to take the reins of their economic destinies in their own hands. To break this point down to the simplest level, whether you are a welder in Sokoto, a hairdresser in Lagos, or a tailor in Ebonyi, what the privatisation of power means is that in the nearest future you are entirely responsible for meeting your customers’ needs and making the profits you desire.

This is because, once the commerce-driven benefits of the power sector privatisation kick in,

Once the dynamics of competitive economics among the new power companies come into play, the Nigerian economic renaissance will be unstoppable

telling your customer, “Oh, sorry, I couldn’t finish that job because of no light,” will no longer arise.

In the near future, there will be electric power, 24/7 across the entire country, and this will be guaranteed by the economic imperative to provide service or lose customers.

Lest we forget, before the advent of Global Systems for Mobile, GSM, communication, official statistics placed the number of telephone lines in Nigeria at just about 500,000.

Today, every achaba man in Keffi, Nasarawa State; Keke NAPEP rider in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; and all the market women in Ilaro, Ogun State are connected to the GSM network of their choice.

They can talk to their family members, friends, and customers in their locations and other places, be it Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, London, Washington, or even Beijing, China. The economic

Our soaring Eaglets — What next?

BY SUNNY IKHIOYA

T

HE world witnessed a playing style exhibited by our own U-17 boys team at the recently concluded FIFA event that has not been seen since the inception of the competition at that level.

They were compact, free flowing, attacking and defending as one unit. The team was flawless and a marvel to everyone that watched them including the FIFA officials.

How can such a beautiful product come from Nigeria? A country that has been known not to get anything right because of pervasive corruption, ethnicity and crass disdain for the national patrimony. How come the boys were so disciplined, organised and goal oriented. For once, the nation got it right: from the conception, planning and execution, everything was done properly.

Our understanding was that from the beginning, it was made clear that there will be no short cut route. Only those within the approved age bracket were allowed to pass through the screening. More noticeable was the fact that, no player that has featured in our professional league competition was allowed to take part. Majority of them were picked from academies and schools sport competitions.

Principally - and this we must note- the players were picked based on their individual performance: no quota system was involved in the selections. If you are good, you are in. So we find a mixture of Christians, Muslims and traditionalists.

Southerners and Northerners, all properly bonded in love towards the common goal.

There was an uncommon determination by every individual to make his own contribution to the whole. Where or when one makes a mistake, another puts himself on the way to salvage the situation. Such was the bonding that, they all looked like children of the same parents, it is indeed worthy of commendation.

C M Y K

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We must appreciate everyone responsible for bringing this to pass. The officials of all kinds: coaches, NFA and importantly, the government of Cross- River state which provided an enabling environment and facilities for their training and camping.

What is the over all implication of the Eaglets victory? It is basically that, there is no height we cannot attain as Nigerians if we are ready to allow merit to reign in our selection of representatives. We must also note the calibre of coaches on the Eaglets bench, such ex-internationals like Manu Garba, Nduka Ugbade and Emmanuel Amuneke who have distinguished themselves in past age grade competitions.

So let us allow professionalism to thrive in our national endeavours and it won’t take time for the world to take notice of this country.

Nigeria is a sleeping giant, it requires the right calibre of leadership and professionals to stir it from its sleeping position.

Our roads can be made to be smooth and free flowing if our FERMA officials assigned to road supervision will do their job properly by using budgeted funds to fix road patches instead of conniving with contractors or diverting monies into private pockets.

Power will flow when the present owners chose to do the job professionally, by first, treating the consumers as their customers. Modern marketing management requires that the consumer or customer is factored first in all the planning of the corporation, so if they choose to add correct value that will be in line with consumers demands, the people will respond by paying their bills promptly, even if the consumption cost goes up. It is therefore imperative for the new owners of the defunct PHCN to first think of how they can provide efficient services to the consumers. They should not be in a hurry to jerk up prices, at least, in the next six months.

benefits of this freedom to communicate with whomever people in this country wish to communicate with, whenever they wish, are innumerable in naira and kobo.

Without mincing words, it is a foreseeable vision that the privatisation of the power sector will engender even greater economic growth for virtually all Nigerians. This is because, once stability of power is achieved, the natural creativity and industriousness of Nigerians will translate into unquantifiable multiplier effects that will transform Nigeria into an economic powerhouse. And as an economic powerhouse, Nigeria will not struggle to reduce or eradicate many issues such as poverty, crime, and terrorism.

After all, no prosperous youth, for example, would allow himself to be recruited to fight a senseless, unprofitable battle against his own country and fellow citizens.

As such, it is only fair to say to President Jonathan, “on this power sector privatisation, well done, Presido!” And for those who may argue that he is only doing what he was elected to do, the simple fact is, a well-deserved word of praise should not be denied GEJ just because he has exhibited exemplary leadership and foresight in office. After all, others sat where he is now sitting and presided over the rot and

How wonderful will it be if our politicians will for once, allow true democracy to take place in line with the people's wish, if all the political parties- I mean all - will allow true representations in all stages of their structure, the unnecessary bickering and heating of the polity will become a thing of the past. Let the people's voice be heard through their legitimate representatives.

The lessons of our Eaglets victory are innumerable and can be extended to almost all aspects of our national life: discipline,co-operation, hard work, merit and goal attainment. If only the country can truly unite as one, with each region bringing in its own area of comparative

decay that was the power sector which he has today revitalised.

And if it is acceptable to excoriate the President even over the flimsiest issue, it should be acceptable to honour him over this major issue.

For the naysayers out there, know that there will be a period of teething problems that may seem as if there has been no improvement in the power situation. This is expected fallout of a transitioning system, which has had its ineffective way for years, without giving Nigerians the services they needed. Some diehard reactionaries—who never see anything good in the policies of the Jonathan-led Federal Government—will even fight a rearguard action, attempting in effect to hold back the hands of time. But no amount of puerile abuse or irrelevant sophistry can undo what is an outstanding achievement of the GEJ administration: unbundling and privatising the power sector for the benefit and economic growth of all Nigerians, regardless of their tribes and tongues. Moreover, once the dynamics of competitive economics between and among the new power companies come into play, the Nigerian economic renaissance will be unstoppable. *Mr Ojo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

not be able to keep pace up to the senior level. I tend to agree with the position of my brother and friend here, Richard Okotie, that no successful under-aged team has succeeded in taking all its members to the senior level wholesale all over the world- whether in Brazil, Germany, Spain, et al. Along the line, some of them do not measure up to standard at the senior level.

So what is to be done? When a method has been tried and tested with good result, it is important that we master and retain it. The Spanish, German and Brazilians have done it consistently through the years.

Let merit be our basic guideline for selection and also, the sports authorities must

The lessons of our Eaglets victory are innumerable and can be extended to almost all aspects of our national life: discipline,co-operation, hard work, merit

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BY KAYODE OJO

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Jonathan’s power sector reform beckons economic renaissance

advantage to the centre without any form of animosity. If only we can appoint people - competent graduates employment without recourse to their state of origin, religion or tribe. It is possible - the Eaglets victory has proved that - It is now left for those in positions of authority to put proper structures in place.

And talking about structures, I mean structures of merit. The officials of the team have laid foundation for the next generation to build upon. It is a matter of replicating the paths used by their predecessors. Let merit determine selection in all aspect of our national life.

This brings us to the question of what happens to the all conquering Eaglets?

Some have said that they should be kept intact and be made to graduate together to the senior levels. This will not be possible as some of them will soon be pursuing their individual interests. Some will opt to further their education instead of a profession in soccer, others may lose form and

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be ready to provide all the support for such endeavours to thrive at all times. Do this for all categories of our national teams, including the ladies and we shall be recording repeated successes.

Next is to identify those amongst them with the potentials to go further in their footballing pursuit. Give them the necessary follow-up support, like a thorough scrutiny of their contract papers with clubs and linkages to coaches and institutions that will properly supervise their blossoming.

In all, the growth of the players in the profession should be paramount and not the selfish interest or greed of agents who abound everywhere, always on the prowl to take advantage. Identify such players in the group now and begin to groom them for future successes. That is how it is done in the advanced world.

*Mr Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos

48—VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

The intrigues, thrills and frills

•Prof. Jega

And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother: Proverbs 18:24. By forsaking their own for their friend, the PDP’s top hierarchy have put future collective interests above sentiments of today

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor THE National Publicity Secretary of the Peo ples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh was •Nwoye: On his own ecstatic yesterday afternoon when asked for his reaction to the preliminary results of the weekend gubersands across the state and along with that was the natorial election in Anambra State that showed that three day lockdown of the state. From 6 p.m. on Frihis party had lost. day before the election till 6 p.m. on Sunday move”The election was free and fair, we are impressed ment was restricted throughout the state. with INEC. We went for an election and we lost an However, the assurances of the presidency and the election, we have tried because we had less than two electoral commission came under serious suspicion weeks to run for the election.” midway into the election last Saturday as opposition ”The president delivered on his promise on free and party candidates in the state began moaned that the fair polls in Anambra and we are happy with him and election was being programmed to fail. the party entirely will confirm what I am telling you First sign of trouble and I think our candidate is still recovering from the The first signs of trouble was the failure of INEC to shock of the election.” deploy election materials The PDP candidate, It is alleged that the presidency as at when due to many Comrade Tony Nwoye and notably, the considered the 2013 gubernatori- areas was, however, not sharstrongholds of some of ing the same spirit of al election as a pay back time for the opposition candicomradeship telling a dates.

Governor Obi press conference yesterOn account of that failday that the election was ure, the commission late programmed to favour the candidate of the All Proon Saturday resolved to repeat the exercise in 65 pollgressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Willie Obiing units in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government ano.

Area where election materials did not arrive on time.

According to unconfirm reports, Obiano topped the By press time yesterday that make-do election was polls followed by Nwoye who came second and the under way, but the major opposition political parties, pre-contest favourite, Senator Chris Ngige who was notably the PDP and APC had withdrawn from it, third. Nwoye like the other candidates of the opposidescribing it as a farce. tion in the state, Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party, LP were aghast at what they alleged to be the collaboration of APGA and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to tilt the election results in favour of APGA. HE quick endorsement of the outcome of a victory for the All Progressives Grand INEC's best eleven on parade Alliance, APGA by senior officials of the PDP The Anambra gubernatorial election, however, had even before the election result was declared been promoted by INEC to be the best ever in recent underpinned one fact: The PDP as a party is Nigerian history. Towards that end it was not surpriswilling to concede the victory when the small ing that the commission deployed what commission pies are in contention. insiders consider as the best of its electoral officers to By conceding victory to APGA, the PDP it is conduct the election. argued, would be preparing itself to defray The commission Vanguard learnt deployed the 349 suggestions of rigging in 2015 when the party electoral and returning officers for the election from seeks to retain its flag in the presidential villa.

Cross River State, a state that has recently won accoBefore Anambra, the PDP had proved itself as a lades for the high integrity of its electoral processes. party willing to concede victory to opposition Besides that, was the assurance from President elements in states including Ondo where it came Goodluck Jonathan that the election would be free second to Labour Party, and before then in Edo and fair. To give vent to the president’s assurance, State where the then Action Congress of Nigeria, the security agencies deployed their men in their thouACN prevailed.

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•Obi: Payback time for loyalty

Opposition pooh-pooh repeat poll in 65 units “The obosi election is a fluke and a ruse. They only want to declare Obiano winner this evening (yesterday),” Nwoye said in the post election press conference where he demanded for an outright cancellation of the whole exercise.

The different perspectives of Nwoye and Metuh to the election is reflective of the political differences of the state PDP and the national party.

Nwoye it emerged could not find his name on the voters register and so could not vote for himself and neither could many of his supporters in his Nsugbe ward in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

In his press conference where he denounced the result and alleged collaboration between APGA and INEC to foist the APGA candidate on the electorate, Nwoye, was, however, careful to spare the presidency of involvement in the plot to return Obiano.

However, many others are, however, not that mindful as several have alleged a collaboration between Governor Obi and President Jonathan to return the APGA candidate.

It is alleged that the presidency considered the 2013 gubernatorial election as a pay back time for Gover-

What Anambra 2013 means for PDP, others in 2015

T

“If the PDP through the instrumentality of the same process has conceded victory to opposition parties, why should anyone doubt when the same process throws up the PDP as the winner of the 2015 presidential election,” one political commentator observed yesterday.

The seeming determination of the PDP to acknowledge the APGA victory was also a reflection of the PDP to deflate whatever plans the opposition APC had made to use the Anambra election as its entry point into the Southeast in the prelude to the 2015 presidential election.

The APC had envisaged that the Anambra polls would be a stepping step for the party to enter into the Southeast, a region where the party’s presence is relatively seen as not too widespread.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 49

The intrigues, thrills and frills nor Obi. Since the advent of President Jonathan, Governor Obi has gone through thick and thin to express his support for the president.

In the run up to the 2011 presidential election, Governor Obi caused APGA to make a public declaration of supporting President Jonathan for the election and the party did not field its own presidential candidate.

The governor followed that up by trudging along in support of the presidency in the crisis that divided the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF. Obi who was the vice-chairman of the NGF did not mind abandoning the mainstream forum led by Governor Chibuke Amaechi to follow the faction led by Governor Jonah Jang that was supported by the presidency.

The impression given of Governor Obi is that he is APGA in the day in Anambra, but PDP in the night and in Abuja.

The success of the APGA candidate was, however, not underpinned only by the alleged support received from the presidency. Beyond that perceived support is the inroad Governor Obi made in delivering democracy dividends to the people of Anambra State.

•Ubah

•Obiano

Governor Obi was able to show to all that he is not the political amateur that many people have taken him to be. He has demonstrated this by demystifying many political strongmen that until recently carved the Anambra political landscape among themselves.

The outgoing governor first against all odds re-

claimed his mandate from Dr. Chris Ngige in 2006 and even when he was removed from office after spending less than a year in office, he proved to be a hard nut who bounced back to reclaim his mandate after Olusegun Obasanjo left office in 2007. In the election of 2010, he demystified Senator Andy Uba when he beat him and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Prof. Chukwumah Soludo to return to office.

The factors against Ngige

The pains and pleasures of an election

birthday which incidentally was November 16.

Personality The APC candidate was despite his fame as a grassroots man is known to have fallen out with many opinion leaders in the state. The candidate is described by some to be cantankerous especially to the elites many of whom ganged up against him.

His Friends The friends that came to help Ngige may not have in the end not have helped him. Prominent among them are Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Governor Aregbesola has recently won to himself the label of a Muslim fundamentalist through his ongoing policy of school reclassification upon which has inflamed the Christian community in that state.

Mallam El-Rufai, the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory who is now a chieftain of the APC was in Anambra State to lend support to the

•Senator Ngige

D

R. Chris Ngige proved to be the cat with many lives when as governor of the state between 2003 and 2006 he fought within the PDP against the establishment as dictated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. As governor, Ngige was humiliated and hounded The APC had envisaged that the Anout of the PDP, but there was no other party that took him in and he remained like a poambra polls would be a stepping step litical orphan until he was finally removed for the party to enter into the Southfrom office by the courts in March 2006. east, a region where the party’s presThough Ngige came into the contest with the perception of a strong presence on the ence is relatively seen as not too wideground, he was, however, to be underemspread ined by serious factors, some of his making and some external to him.

APC candidate. But his presence would only have inflamed the emotion of many Igbos when it is reThe Platform It is claimed that if Ngige had used any other plat- called that Ndigbo were the worst losers from Elform apart from APC, he would have put in a more Rufai’s demolition policy as Minister of FCT. challenging battle in the election. APC in the opinAnambra Geopolitical Balance ion of some Ibos is a Yoruba cum Hausa party with a The outgoing governor, Mr. Peter Obi is from Anculture that is alien to Ndigbo. It was thus no surprise that in the run up to the election that some ambra Central senatorial zone, the same zone where APGA partisans went on internet blogs to paint the Senator Ngige comes from. When Obi came to power APC as a Muslim party with many giving a break- in 2006, Anambra Central through Ngige had spent down of senior officials of the party all being Mus- three years in office as governor. Hence it was considered in some quarters in Anambra that with a lims.

Many Igbo irredentists were also quick to recall combined span of 11 years, that it would be illogithat the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe after winning elec- cal to allow Anambra Central to again retain the tion in the Southwest in colonial Nigeria was de- governorship and hence the momentum for Anamnied opportunity of service and wondered why a bra North where the winner, Obiano comes from.

“Yoruba” party should be so honoured on Azikiwe’s

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BY JUDE NJOKU

T

HE closure of all roads leading into and out of Anambra state for three days, has taken a heavy toll on the economy of the South-South and South Eastern states. Mama Joyce Chikwe who hails from Mbaise in Imo State, was billed to travel back to the village last Saturday. But the journey was aborted when her daughter got a call from the Pastor of her Church who informed her about the risk of the old woman embarking on the trip. The pastor hinged his pessimism on the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to close all roads leading into and out of Anambra State, ostensibly to prevent persons of dubious character from coming in to cause mayhem during the elections.

While Mama Joyce escaped the trauma associated with travelling last weekend, others who didn’t hear about the closure, were not that lucky as they were trapped for three days and had to sleep on the highway, for no fault of theirs.

Some motorists who got wind of the closure, still proceeded with their trips, but had to make a detour to use the longer and dreaded Patani -Warri Road. This increased the travelling time and in some cases, the transport fares as some of those who embarked on the journey through the dilapidated road, did not arrive their destinations until the next day.

Apart from the huge costs incurred by the transporters, the passengers suffered untold hardships along the tortuous journey. However, a source told Vanguard that movement in the rural communities of Anambra State were not seriously affected by the restriction order as people went about their normal activities, including visiting their farms. The only difference was that most markets remained under lock and key.

The source who said the election was highly monetised, explained that people had good time as some on the leading contenders mobilised financially to vote. In Orumba North LGA, a leading party was said to have offered N1,000 to the electorate to vote for its candidate, while another party offered N500 for the same purpose. This was like an unexpected bonanza for the villagers and so, many of them had a good time in beer parlours and pepper soup joints.

Onitsha and Nnewi, the two commercial hubs of the Anambra state where billions of Naira exchange hands on a daily basis, remained shut for those three days with the attendant loss of revenue. The multiplier effect spilled over to neighbouring states of Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Delta because businessmen who transport their goods by roads to these eastern states could not do so for the period that the restriction order lasted.

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50 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Vanguard CLASSIFIED IDIEGE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Idiege Nelly Iwali, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojevwe Nelly Iwali. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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General public please take note.

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Winnie says Mandela is “quite ill” S

OUTH Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela, remains “quite ill” and unable to speak because of tubes that are keeping his lungs clear of fluid, though he is relaxed, his former wife told a South African newspaper.”He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally sterile. The bedroom there (in his suburban Johannesburg home) is like an ICU ward,” Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told the Sunday Independent.

“He is 95 years old and it is difficult for him, because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear the (fluid from his) lungs, and prevent an infection recurring.” Because of those tubes, she said, he communicates through his face.

•Winnie Mandela “But the doctors have told us they hope he will

be able to recover his voice,” she said, adding that he is being treated by 22 doctors at his home.

Mandela’s former wife shot down reports that the former anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace prize winner was on life support.

“I have heard this nonsense that he is on life support. He is not,” she told the newspaper. When

France vows to defend Israel’s in nuclear talks

F

RANCE’s president yesterday promised to take a hard line in upcoming nuclear talks with Iran this week, pleasing Israeli officials who warmly welcomed him to the Jewish state for a three-day visit.

Francois Hollande’s

message was welcomed by his Israeli hosts, who have voiced concerns that an emerging deal with global powers gives Iran too much without getting enough in return.

“France will not make concessions on nuclear proliferation,” Hollande

...Iran expects tough talks

I

RAN said yesterday that nuclear talks with world powers this week will be “difficult,” as Israel boosted its campaign against a possible deal that would bring Tehran some sanctions relief..

Negotiations between Iran and the so-called P5+1 — Britain, France, the United States, Russia and China plus Germany — restart in Geneva on Wednesday after the last round failed to seal a deal.

Top diplomats insisted they were closing in on an interim agreement that would see Iran curb or freeze parts of its nuclear programme for some relief from crippling sanctions.

But senior Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi, who is also deputy foreign minister, said “the next round of nucleartalkswillbedifficult,” according to remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency.

“No agreement will be reached without securing the rights of the Iranian nation” on its nuclear programme and uranium enrichment, he added.

Israel and the West suspect Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its uranium enrichment programme, which Tehran insists is entirely peaceful.

A

NOTHER milestone is passing in America’s racial journey: The next mayor of New York City is a white man with a black wife.

Even in a nation with a biracial president, where interracial marriage is more accepted and common than ever, Bill

Russian passenger airliner crashed yesterday night while trying to land at the airport in the city of Kazan, killing all 50 people aboard, officials said.

The Boeing 737 belonging to Tatarstan Airlines crashed about 7:20 p.m. local time (1520 GMT; 10:20 a.m.

EST). There were no immediate indications of the cause.

Reports said the plane appeared to lose altitude as it was making a second landing attempt,

crashing and catching fire.

Kazan, a city of about 1.1 million and the capital of the Tatarstan republic, is about 720 kilometers (450 miles) east of Moscow, where the flight originated.

Weather in Kazan was reported to be light precipitation and winds of about 8 meters per second (18 mph).

A spokeswoman for the Emergencies Ministry, Irina Rossius, said there were 44 passengers and six crew members aboard and all had been killed.

said at a welcome ceremony at Israel’s international airport.

“France will maintain all its measures and sanctions until we are certain that Iran has renounced nuclear weapons.”

Iran’s suspect nuclear program will be high on the agenda of Hollande’s visit. France is a member of the six global powers conducting negotiations with Iran.

Obamas, Clintons to visit JFK gravesite •Rouhani

New York Mayor with Black wife breaks racial barriers

Plane crashes in Russia, kills 50

A

asked if he was peaceful, she said, “Very. When he is very relaxed, he is fine,” adding that it helps he is at his home, an environment that he recognizes.

Mandela has been in intensive medical care at his Johannesburg home since being discharged on Sept. 1 after nearly three months in a hospital for a recurring lung infection.

de Blasio’s marriage to Chirlane McCray is remarkable: He is apparently the first white politician in U.S. history elected to a major office with a black spouse by his side.

This simple fact is striking a deep chord in many people as de Blasio prepares to take office on Jan. 1, with McCray playing a major role in his administration.

“It reflects the American values of embracing different races, ethnicity, religions.

I think it’s just a great symbol,” said William Cohen, the former Maine senator and Secretary of Defense, who is married to a black woman.

Cohen was already a senator when he started dating Janet Langhart, a black television journalist. He proposed several times, but she feared that her race would hurt Cohen’s political future.

P

RESIDENT Barack Obama will visit John F. Kennedy’s gravesite and honor two of Kennedy ’s lasting initiatives as the nation observes the 50th anniversary of his assassination in the coming week. Obama and his wife, Michelle, will be accompanied by former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, at a wreathlaying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Also that day, Obama will be joined by scores of prominent Americans who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in paying tribute to Kennedy’s legacy.

Kennedy established the modern version of the medal, the highest award the U.S. bestows on civilians, in the months before his death. He was killed two weeks before he planned to honor the inaugural group of recipients, and it fell to President Lyndon Johnson to preside over the ceremony at the White House on the day Kennedy’s family was moving out.

Vanguard, MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 51

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Take a bow Nigerians...

Pop Champagnes...

Klink Glasses

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HE Ethiopian Airlines flight that was to take me to Algiers via Addis Ababa took off from Lagos by 1.30pm on Saturday, few hours to the kick off our World Cup qualifying match.

What this meant was that I was going to fly for over six hours anxious to know the result of the match.

Nothing to worry about, I said to myself. There was no way Ethiopia was going to come to Calabar and deny us a world Cup ticket. No way. We had done so much in Addis that even a one goal victory for the Ethiopians will not stop us from going to Brazil.

Four hours into the journey, there was an announcement. “ This is your captain speaking. For those of you who are interested in the football match, Nigeria is leading 2-0, but the match is not yet over…….”

YES…I screamed. YES….Brazil here we come.

I started imagining the carnival atmosphere that was Calabar, the historic city that has so much to celebrate, midwife of our U-17 foundation and World cup qualification triumph.

Congratulations Nigerians, it has been one week of joy, laughter and back slapping. Suddenly our psyche as a nation, dimmed by myriads of economic and political problems, has been given a lift. Let me start from the Presidency, the Oga himself, a man whose interest in our sports especially football has yielded so much dividends. GOOD LUCK all the way.

The Senate and House of representatives should be commended. President Mark’s interest in sports has always been manifested. I served as a Youth Corper in Niger when he was Military Governor and can attest to his interest and love for sports.

Then comes the Sports Minister, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi………let history record and properly too that the arrival of the youthful minister signaled the end of bitter rancor in the Nations football house and the beginning of progress untold. On assumption of office the first thing the Minister did was to ensure peace in the football family by calling all the aggrieved parties to a roundtable where their differences were resolved. This happened in December 2011 after he was appointed the Supervising Minister of Sports.

Peace has brought progress.

After a hiatus of 19 years, Nigeria won the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February 2013.

Similarly, our Under 17 side, the Golden Eaglets just won the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Minister Bolaji will tell you that under his leadership there has been a repositioning of sports in the country.

In athletics, just like in football and weightlifting,

For those of you who are interested in the football match, Nigeria is leading 20, but the match is not yet over

Nigeria has become the number one nation in Africa.

Never in the history of African athletics has one nation been winner of the Senior, Junior and Youth Championships at the same. Nigeria has won the whole three in the last two years! First we won the Senior Athletics Championship in Port Novo (June 27–July1, 2012), followed by the inaugural Youth Championship in Warri, Delta State (March 2013) and recently, we won the Junior Championship in Mauritius (August- September 2013).

After a 14 years’ absence on the medals table of the IAAF World Championships, Blessing Okagbare won two medals for Nigeria in the last IAAF World Championship, which took place in Russia in August 2013.

She won a silver medal in long jump and a bronze medal in the 200meter race. The last time Nigeria won any medal was at the Seville’99 IAAF World Championship in Seville, Spain, where Gloria Alozie and Francis Obikwelu won a silver medal in the 100m hurdles and a bronze medal in the 200m respectively.

And to think that the NSC has been reinforced by the appointment of the experienced Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye as Director General! Even the sky cannot be

NNPC/Shell Junior Tennis Championship:

Michael, Marylove are MOPs

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HE NNPC/Shell Junior Tennis Championship ended in Lagos weekend with Michael Michael from Kaduna and Marylove Edwards from Lagos winning the most outstanding player (MOP) award for the boys and girls respectively.

The tournament organized by the International Tennis Academy (ITA) with the theme - attract, identify and develop - had young students from Lagos fill up the 2500 capacity Lagos Lawn Tennis Club centre court to watch eight final matches in the boys and girls 10, 12, 14, and 16.

Michael who did not lose a single match in the round robin series and the knockout stages beat

7-year-old Iye Onoja

Godgift Timibra from Port Harcourt 9-4 to win the boys 16. Edwards 10, Nigeria’s emerging tennis whizkid, demolished all opposition in the Girl’s 12 including a 9-0 whitewash of Kasara Adegboyega from Ibadan in the final match. She also reached the final of the Girls 14, falling to the superior firepower of Fortune Aniso from Port Harcourt.

Other winners were Chris Itodo from Kaduna who beat Chris Bulus

,

from Lagos to win the Boys 14: Gabriel Friday, also from Kaduna, beat Bright Maxwell to win the Boys 12 and Richard Pyagbara from Port Harcourt proved too strong for Solomon Opaogun from Ogun State in the Boys 10.

Bunmi Are from Kwara beat team mate Kadijat Salami 9-2 to win the Girls 16 while Timipre Maxwell from Port Harcourt won the Girls 10. But the match which attracted a lot of attention was the playoff for second place between Chidinma Ezeh from Onitsha and Iye Onoja the youngest player in the tournament from the NNPC Kaduna.

Trailing 2-5 and then 36, the seven year old who won the MOP for girls in Kaduna a month ago, fought back to level and win the decisive tie break.

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RESIDENT of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engr.

Sani M. Ndanusa has congratulated the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles and indeed Nigerians for being the first African country to hoist its flag in Brazil for the World Cup next year.

The Super Eagles shot the Walya Antelope’s of Ethiopia twice on Saturday in Calabar to become the

our limit.

Of course Governor Liyel Imoke and the people of Cross River State we cannot thank enough. Take a bow Sir. Step out Alhaji Aminu Maigari for recognition and commendation.

This board lays claim to being the most successful in the history of the sport in this country. I remember that after two failed attempts at even qualifying at U 17 level in Africa, this regime put together a team that will guarantee the future of our football if well handled.

What about the winning of the Nations Cup and the qualification for the World Cup? All those who one way or the other are related to the Maigari regime should henceforth walk with their heads held high.

Just as I wrote about the coaching crew of the U-17 last week, what else can I say about the record breaker called The Big Boss and his colleagues? What about this current crop of Super Eagles who have the opportunity of writing their names in gold if they excel in Brazil, go a step further than their country men in previous world cups?

Am I expecting another round of largesse for these players after the Nation’s Cup rewards? Why not?

Winning the Nations Cup and qualifying for the World Cup are two very different achievements.

Talking about rewards I have been quick to defend the monetary incentives given to the U.17. I do agree that international sports norms frown at such a practice, preferring instead scholarships and other incentives in kind.

Unfortunately our environment has it that the only schools some of those boys attend are soccer academies! Also, most of them are bread winners in their families and the monetary reward really comes in handy.

State Governments and corporate organizations lining up to honour and reward the boys should desist from the tendency of picking only those from their states. You cannot single out players for honour in a team sport where they competed under the unifying umbrella called NIGERIA. Before I forget, the amounts doled out to the back room staff of the U.17 by Mr President was nothing to write home about. Five hundred thousand naira to the team doctor? Three hundred thousand to the Team Media Officer? They deserve more.

Let the celebration not stop, please until I come back from my FIFA assignment in Algiers to join in the merriment.

CONGRATULATIONS NIGERIA. See you next week

NOC President hails Eagles! first African country to berth in Brazil and followed by Cote d Ivoire and Cameroun. ‘’It goes to show that Nigeria is the number one country in Africa. It goes to show that as Nigerians, we should walk with our noses in front. It shows that with good management, we can excel. I congratulate President Goodluck

Ojidoh salutes Brazil-bound Eagles

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ORMER Chairman of Bendel State Football Association, Pa John Ojidoh has saluted the Super Eagle for being the first African side to qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil. The Eagles booked their ticket to Brazil 2014 at the weekend with a 4-1 aggregate win over Ethiopia at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

And writing from his wheel-chair yesterday, the respected sports Octogenarian said that by reaching the soccer showpiece that the Eagles have re-

stored the pride and honour of Nigerian football, which he admitted almost went oblivion until the change of guards at the Nigeria Football Federation..

“From my wheel chair, I join fellow Nigerians to celebrate your emphatic and relieving qualification. I salute Keshi’s technical crew, our heroic team and result-oriented NFF, who have restored our pride of honour that nearly went into oblivion. Hearty congratulations to all Nigerians”, wrote Pa. Ojidoh.

Ebele Jonathan, whose tenure has brought about a turn-around of our sports.

I congratulate the Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abudullahi and the President of NFF, Alhaji Sani Maigari for the cocktail of good fortunes for Nigerian football’’, Ndanusa said.

The President of the NOC also showered encomiums on Coach Stephen Keshi for being the second Nigerian to qualify Nigeria for the world cup after Amodu Shuaibu in 2002(Keshi was Amodu’s assistant). ‘’I plead that the NFF allows Keshi to lead the Eagles to Brazil and for Keshi to also fortify his team as the opposition at the world stage would be enormous’’. He also tasked the NFF and the Super Eagles to go beyond the quarter final stage that has become the cross bar of African countries in the World Cup while pledging that Team Nigeria would excel at the forth-coming Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

52 —

Vanguard, MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Bishaw hails Eagles

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THIOPIA coach Sewnet Bishaw conceded that his side lost to a superior team but still blamed the referee for denying them two penalties against Nigeria.

The Walias were beaten 2-0 in Calabar on Saturday , and 4-1 on aggregate in a World Cup qualifying playoff battle.

Victor Moses converted a penalty and substitute Obinna Nsofor curled in a free-kick as the Super Eagles became the first African team to qualify for Brazil 2014. Bishaw admitted it had been tough for his charges.

“Today’s match was not easy. We played very nice.

Nigeria also played very nice. But they scored two goals and we didn’t score a single goal,” he said after the game.

“The reason for this is, when you compare the Nigerian players and our players, the difference is like the earth and the sky.

Because we have only got young players who are playing locally.

“The Nigerian players are playing abroad and they know what professionalism is.”

But he declared that with better refereeing, his team would have got something out of the game.

“We also got chances here, but the referee denied us two penalties. We had two goalscoring opportunities.

“We know that Nigerians are better than us, they have better experience than us, but the referee denied us.”

Bishaw however pointed out that Ethiopia are not far from the elite teams and was gracious enough to congratulate Nigeria.

*Rues refereeing

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HANA coach Kwe si Appiah has sent a congratulatory message to Stephen Keshi for qualifying Nigeria to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.

The Super Eagles beat Ethiopia 2-0 in Calabar on Saturday to seal a 4-1 aggregate win in the playoffs.

Nigeria became the first African country to confirm their ticket for Brazil 2014.

Keshi has become the first African coach to

Ghana coach applauds Keshi send two countries to the FIFA World Cup finals after masterminding Togo’s historic qualification in 2006. ”Congratulations to them[Nigeria]. They have done well,” Appiah said. ”He’s my friend, [Stephen] Keshi. We have always been in

touch and I am really happy for them. We have become very close friends and we talk on so many issues.”

Appiah will be seeking to emulate Keshi’s feat when he leads the Black Stars to face Egypt on Tuesday in Cairo with a 6-1 win from the first leg.

Ghana go for the kill against Egypt

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CHASE.....Eagles winger Ahmed Musa chases the ball with Ethiopia’s Girma Alula during their match in Calabar. Nigeria won 2-0. Photo: AFP

HANA coach Akwasi Appiah insists he will be setting out his team to secure another famous win over Egypt in the second-leg of the World Cup playoff despite boasting a healthy cushioning.

The Black Stars go into the game on Tuesday with a massive 6-1 advantage.

Ghana must now at least avoid a 5-0 defeat against Egypt in Cairo to seal its place as one of the five African sides going to next year’s event in

Elegbeleye showers encomiums on Eagles

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HE Director General of the National Sports Commission Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has commended the Super Eagles team for qualifying for next year’s World Cup slated for Brazil.

He also charged the Chief Coach of the team Stephen Keshi to do everything humanly possible to make the team a world beater like he did in South Africa this February when he led the team to win the 2013 Af-

Photo shows From left: Bike A Thon Chairman, physician and author Dr Tunji Funsho, chief launcher Muyiwa Osho and launch chairman Professor Alaba Akinshete at the formal launch of Dr Funsho’ book, Let Go &Let God. All proceeds go to fighting polio in Nigeria

rica Cup of Nations.

Elegbeleye who watched the match live in Calabar on Saturday also thanked Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River for hosting the Eagles dur-

Cameroon Continues from BP than five minutes to make an impact, pulling a goal back, but Jean Makoun’s double sealed the Indomitable Lions’ place in Brazil.

The opener came just three minutes in when Webo dispossessed defender Karim Haggui and produced a neat low left-footed finish across keeper Moez Ben Cherifia and in off the far post Cameroon dominated the early stages and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s long-range shot took a deflection and an awkward bounce in front of Ben Cherifia, but he dealt with the ball.

But Moukandjo made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when he dribbled through three Tunisian defenders and fired low inside the near post. His exuberant celebrations brought him a yellow card but the goal took his side a big step closer to Brazil.

Samuel Eto’o failed to shape a curling effort inside the far post but Tunisia threatened when Syam Ben Youssouf headed wide from a dangerous set-piece.

ing their camping exercise in the state till the last qualifying match the team played against Ethiopia and won 2-0 yesterday but booked the World Cup ticket on 4-1 goals aggregate.

And Akaichi cut the deficit when he raced past defender Aurelien Chedjou on to a bouncing through-ball and lashed a first-time leftfooted shot past keeper Charles Itandje.

He almost made an unwanted contribution at the other end as Makoun’s header from a corner deflected off him and just over the crossbar.

But another set-piece took Cameroon clear as AssouEkotto’s corner was headed home at the near post by the unmarked Makoun.

Moukandjo missed a glorious chance to kill the tie off once and for all when, one on one with Ben Cherifia, he first side-footed straight at the keeper and then casually skied the rebound over the bar.

The same player’s clumsy touch ended a classy Cameroon break from a Tunisian corner and Makoun failed to play in Eric Choupo-Moting.

But Makoun netted his second, and Cameroon’s fourth, when he tapped into an empty net after ChoupoMoting’s low shot came back off the post.

Brazil.

This seemingly easier task, coupled with the expectation of an attacking surge from the Pharaohs has seen many predict a defensive tactic being adopted by the Black Stars on Tuesday.

But coach Appiah says his team will not be going into the game with a defensive mindset but rather with the thought of scoring more goals to redeem an imaginary deficit.

“I said in Ghana that we’ve played the first half of the competition and we are now going to play the second half,” he

Keshi Continues from BP qualify.

“I had to calm them down and make sure their state of mind is intact, but I knew it was going to be a little difficult for them to focus.

“I remember the same thing happened to us in Algeria in 1993 with players not being able to eat because they were anxious.

“But we had to try to

said.

“I have made the players aware that we should get on that Egyptian pitch with the mind that we are even down by a goal or two and we are going to redeem those two goals.

“For that reason, we are going out there to play all out and try and win.”

Ghana will become the final team to qualify from the African region once the required result is secured on Tuesday.

The Black Stars are chasing a third successive appearance at the Worlod Cup following progressive stints in 2006 and 2010 in Germany and South Africa respectively. make sure we got them to calm down a bit.”

And to help with that, Keshi said the players were instructed to go easy after the first goal. “Tactically, we are there.

“After the first goal we told them to take it easy, slow down and allow them to come out.

“But their coach was smart, they refused to come out.

“But whatever came out today, as long as we qualify, and our flag is flying in Brazil, I will take it.”

Eagles Continues from BP while Italy will look to cover for Andrea Barzagli after both players were injured and pulled off in their team’s respective matches this past weekend.

The Super Eagles were unbeaten in all eight matches of their World Cup qualifying campaign. They topped Group F to set up a contest against Ethiopia in the mandatory playoffs.

The men from west Africa won with a 4-1 aggregate score, after beating Ethiopia 2-1 away in the first leg and 2-0 in the return leg played on

home-soil on Saturday.

Goals by Victor Moses and Victor Obinna cemented their place in the showpiece.

While Nigeria played their CAF play-off, the Azzurri tested themselves against Germany at the San Siro.

AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate cancelled Mats Hummels’ goal to secure a 1-1 draw and maintain Italy’s record of having not lost to the Germans since 1995.

Cesare Prandelli’s charges were convincing in their qualifying campaign, also going unbeaten to top Group B four points ahead of Denmark.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 53

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54—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 — 55

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V anguard anguard,, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Eagles test Azzuri’s might tonight f: . f o - .m ci k 5 p K .4 8

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FRICA champions Nigeria are set to close out a phenomenal 2013 with a clash against Italy today at Craven Cottage.

Both sides have secured their place at next year’s FIFA World Cup, with this match offering them an opportunity to set the tone for next year.

The respective mangers will be free will to tinker with their line-ups in London as they begin preparations for Brazil.

Nigeria will have to consider a replacement for Godfrey Oboabona,

Continues on Page 52

Why Eagles looked disjointed — Keshi

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UPER Eagles coach Stephen Keshi says anxiety to do well and seal the 2014 World Cup ticket accounted for some of the disjointed play by his players.

Nigeria won 2-0 against Ethiopia with goals from Victor Moses and Obinna Nsofor, but the performance was less than convincing and Keshi says it is not a cause for concern.

“The first thing was to

Qualified Countries *Balotelli

Nigeria, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica,Germany, Japan, Russia, Australia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Honduras, South Korea, Spain, Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, Iran, Netherlands, Switzerland, BosniaHerzegovina, Colombia, England, Italy, USA

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

make sure we qualified,” Keshi said.

“In today’s game I don’t mind that we played badly as long as we qualified.

We have other games were we can play beautiful football.

“There was a lot of anxiety around the players.

Because it’s the last game, they wanted to

Continues on Page 52

RUNNING TO BRAZIL — Emmanuel Emenike outruns an Ethiopian player in their 2-0 win in Calabar.

Cameroon qualify for 7th World Cup C

AMEROON pro duced an emphatic display to beat Tunisia 41 in their play-off second leg and qualify for next summer’s World Cup. It’s the seventh time they will

Across 1 Safe (6) 5 Hop (4) 8 Bowl (5) 9 Possess (3) 10 Polluted (4) 11 Departed (4) 12 Meagre (5) 13 Grabbed (6) 16 Brook (4) 18 Conflict (4) 20 Seam (3) 22 Ocean (3) 23 Still (3) 24 Demigod (4) 25 Speed (4) 28 Disinter (6) 32 Fashionable (4) 33 Assistant (4) 34 Fuss (3) 35 Philander (5) 36 Ritual (4) 37 Wait on (6)

be reaching the World Cup, a record feat by any African team.

Pierre Webo, whose extraordinary point-blank miss was chiefly responsible for the first leg end-

ing goalless, scored early on this time and Benjamin Moukandjo added a second before the break.

Half-time substitute Ahmed Akaichi took less Continues on Page 52

QUICK CROSSWORD Down 1 Partner (6) 2 Contemplate (8) 3 Beam (6) 4 Compute (9) 5 Mean (7) 6 Tie (4) 7 Lyricist (4) 8 Coach (3) 14 Ignore (9) 15 Rug (3) 17 Meadow (3) 19 Moderate (8) 20 Chop (3) 21 Eye-glass (7) 26 Scope (6) 27 See (6) 29 Blemish (4) 30 Gap (4) 31 Strike (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 3, Aside 9, Report 10, Anchor 11, Crowd 12, Omit 15, Lawn 17, Disrupt 20, Lid 21, Erect 23, Ulna 25, Thin 26, Knock 28, Rep 30, Earnest 33, Edit 35, Gash 36, Final 38, Rookie 39, Teller 40, Breed.

Down: 1, Brood 2, Aphis 3, Arc 4, Stripe 5, Dawn 6, End 7, Phial 8, Brand 13, Misused 14, Trunk 16, Witness 18, Trice 19, Act 22, Thong 24, Ant 27, Karate 28, Pearl 29, Pivot 31, Early 32, Therm 34, Tier 36, Tib 37, Led.

How to Play Sudoku

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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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