YAKOWA & AZAZI: Crashed choppercertified to fly — NAVY by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61777

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Why they kidnapped my mother — Okonjo-Iweala

ELECTORAL REFORM:

6 •P

Political interest killed my report — Uwais •P.7

YAKOWA & AZAZI:

Crashed chopper certified to fly — NAVY •Governors seek services of private investigator •Nigerians must remain united — Naval Chief •We 'll get to the root of the crash — Defence Minister

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, HENRY UMORU, SAMUEL OYADONGA, LUKA BINNIYAT & IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA - THE Nige rian Navy, yesterday, insisted that its helicopter that crashed last Saturday in Okoloba community in Bayelsa State, killing Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and erstwhile Continues on page 5

Roads to national self deceit •PG.17

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Mr & Mrs

CONDOLENCE—First Lady Patience Goodluck Jonathan signing the Condolence Register for Late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, yesterday. Inset above: Wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs Yemisi Dosima Suswam with Mrs Amina Yakowa and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen. Below: Speaker Aminu Tambuwal signing the Condolence Register. Photos:Olu Ajayi. More photos on Page 14.

FG bans importation of raw sugar C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

Yakowa/Azazi: Crashed chopper certified to fly — Navy Continues from page 1 National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi (Rtd) was certified to fly by a ‘Certified Technical Support Engineer ’. The Navy made the clarification on a day the investigation team set up by the Federal Government led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba arrived Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa to commence investigation. Meanwhile, the 36 state governors, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday resolved that they must be allowed to engage the services of a private consultant to carry out an investigation into the cause of the mishap that claimed one of them. Chief of Training and Operations at Naval headquarters, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbor who made the disclosure in Abuja said that contrary to insinuations that the Augusta 105 helicopter that crashed had engine problems, the helicopter was certified to fly by a ‘Certified Technical

Support Engineer’. According to him, “the helicopter had her last scheduled routine maintenance concluded on November 19, 2012 by certified technical support engineer. When the aircraft crashed, it had more than 80 flight hours before the next scheduled routine maintenance". However, he said the Nigerian Navy will not want to pre-empt the findings of the investigation. Ogbor said: “Membership of the Navy board includes aircraft investigation specialists, Augusta Westland, manufacturers of the aircraft and other aviation regulatory agencies as provided for by extant regulations. It is expected that the board will come out with remote and immediate causes of the accident with far reaching recommendations that will forestall future occurrences. “Nigerian Navy helicopters including the NN07 that crashed are properly maintained and serviced regularly in ac-

cordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. “In line with this, the Nigerian Navy conducts routine maintenance on helicopters in conjunction with the aircraft manufacturers, Augusta Westland. In order to ensure serviceability of helicopters, a certified technical support engi-

spare parts for the helicopters are obtained from the manufacturers, Augusta Westland, and or its approved maintenance center worldwide” he said. Disclosing that maintaining an air arm in the Nigerian Navy was not an aberration, Ogbor said: “It is pertinent to note that navies worldwide maintain air assets

BUSINESSDAY BROADBAND SUMMIT—From left: CEO, MainOne Cable, Funke Opeke; Publisher/ CEO, BusinessDay, Frank Aigbogun; Minister of Communications and Technology, Omobola Johnson; Director, Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko; UK/Ireland Network Strategy Lead, Accenture, Christian Ronffaert and Senior Director, Management Consulting, Accenture, Usen Udoh, at the BusinessDay Broadband Summit 2012 held over the weekend in Lagos.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

UCCESS is no accident. It is hard work, per severance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. – Pele. You too can succeed.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

We’re taught to try to live life without regret. But if you want to be fully functional and fully human and fully humane, I think you need to learn to live, not without regret, but with it — Kathryn Schulz

HIS may seem really evolutionary thinking but Kathryn Schulz seems to make a clear understanding on the premise about having regret in life. We experience regrets when we think that our present situation could be better or happier if we had done something different in the past. So in other words, regret requires two things. It requires, first of all, that we had to make a decision in the first place. And second of all, it requires imagination. We need to be able to imagine going back and making a different choice, and then we need to be able to spool this imaginary record forward and imagine how things would be playing out in our present. Research findings show that the things we regret most in life: Number one by far, education. 33 percent of all of our regrets pertain to decisions we made about education. We wish we’d gotten more of it. Others very high on our list of regrets include career, romance, parenting, various decisions and choices about our sense of self. To really move forward in life, we need to learn to love the flawed, imperfect things that we create and to forgive ourselves for creating them. Regret doesn’t remind us that we did badly. It reminds us that we know we can do better.

neer from Augusta Westland is retained in Nigeria by the Navy at huge cost to support maintenance efforts. “The engineer in collaboration with Nigerian navy aircraft engineers certify the air worthiness of the helicopters before any deployment”. Regarding experience of pilots, the CTOP said: “As at the time of the incident, the helicopter had flown 1, 704 flight hours. The Nigerian Navy pilots are very experienced. In fact, the Captain in Command had flown over 800 hours while the Co-pilot had flown over 300 hours. “All our pilots are trained in the best aviation institutions all over the world. Additionally,

in support of their maritime operations. Such navies include the Royal Navy, Australian Navy, Malaysian Navy, South African Navy and Egyptian Navy to mention a few."

Govs seek services of private investigator Meanwhile, worried by last Saturday’s helicopter crash, the 36 states governors under the aegis, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, yesterday resolved that they must be allowed to engage the services of a private consultant to carry out an investigation into the causes of the mishap.

RETRACTION On Page 7 of our November 14, 2012 edition of Vanguard, we published a story titled: “Halliburton: How millions of Dollars bribe money were wired”. Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi has refuted the story as it affects him. We, therefore, retract the portion of the said story as it affects Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi — Editor.

Rising from an emergency meeting held at the Rivers State Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja yesterday, the governors also agreed that as a body, it would serve as an observer to the proposed investigation by President Goodluck Jonathan. It will be recalled that the Saturday helicopter crash in Bayelsa State killed the governor of Kaduna state, Patrick Yakowa, former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Owoye Azazi, their security aides and the two pilots. In a Communique signed by Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governors also called for thorough investigation and openness into the crash. According to the communique, “Forum further resolved to engage a consultant to participate in the investigation process or serve as an observer. “Members support the directive of the Presi-

dent for a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the helicopter crash and calls for transparency and openness in the process.” It was gathered that immediately after the meeting, the governors headed straight to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Kaduna to condole with the widow of Patrick Yakowa, Amina and the newly sworn in governor of the state, Ramalan Yelo and the people of the state. Before the meeting, the governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu had lamented the deaths of prominent Nigerians in air crashes, just as he recalled the death of the former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Haruna John, who died in a similar helicopter crash in Jos. Before the meeting, some of the governors who were seen discussing in groups about the ill fated helicopter, how

Continues on page 58

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Why they kidnapped my mother— Okonjo-Iweala BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

BUJA—COORDINAT ING Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, yesterday, revealed that her mother, Prof. Kamene Konjo, was kidnapped by those who accused her (minister) of delaying fuel subsidy payment and for failing to re-

lease SURE-P funds. She told newsmen in Abuja that her mother was held for five days without food or water, describing her survival as a miracle by God in answer to the prayers of Nigerians. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who described her mother as a courageous woman, said the experience has strengthened her love and faith in Nigeria, while insisting that the posi-

tion of government that only verified fuel import transactions would be paid remained unchanged. She said: “I want to say that I feel very proud of my country; ordinary Nigerians who really supported throughout and also the work of the security forces. It gives me encouragement. The experience has strengthened my faith and my love for this country.

HONOUR: From left— Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori , Osun State Deputy Governor, and Mrs. Helen Eso, widow of late Justice Kayode Eso, at the special court section in honour of Justice Eso held at Ibadan High Court, yesterday. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese. BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

BUJA—ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, said it had re-arrested one of the six persons accused of complicity in the alleged illegal diversion of N32.8 billion from Police Pension Fund, PPF, Esai Dangabar, for interfering with the property, which the court had ordered forfeited to the Federal Government. Dangabar is answering to a 16-count criminal charge alongside Mr. Atiku Kigo, Ahmed Wada, John Yusufu, Mrs Veronica Onyegbula and Sani Zira. EFCC had alleged that the accused persons conspired and sequentially withdrew monies from PPF in an account domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria and shared it amongst themselves, adding that the third accused person, Inuwa Wada, collected N18 million from Unity Bank Plc, as his reward for retaining the Police Pension Account with the bank. The commission maintained that the fraud was perpetuated between January 2009 and June 2011. EFCC said their offence, which bothers on conspiracy, fraud and criminal breach of trust, is punishable under sections 97, 315, 115(ii), 119 and 309, of the Penal Code Act Cap. 532, Laws of the Federal

“I would like to say a few words on my mother’s experience. I will not say too much but as you know investigations are still ongoing on what has happened. “I can tell you one thing that my mother Prof. Okonjo, is a very courageous woman and God was with her because she suffered a great deal.

‘She was starved'

“She was taken away and kept for five days without food or water. For an 83-year-old woman, it is a miracle. So when I said God has performed a miracle you know what I am talking about. “She came back to us and she is alive and doing well; and my father the Obi of Ogwashi-Ukwu, Prof. Okonjo, and my mother want to use this medium to express their sincere thanks to Nigerians and gratitude to the Almighty God that she came out of this ordeal. “While she was there, she kept asking what it was all about and she was told that her daughter did not pay subsidy money and did not make payment for certain parts of the SURE-P programme. Those were the two things that were said.

“I just want to clarify that as you all know, in the case of payment of oil subsidy money, we have been paying marketers who have been verified by the Aig Imoukhuede Committee that their transactions are clean and that we can pay.

Says no going back on subsidy verification

“We have done that and will continue to do that and for those transactions that are not verified, the government’s position is that if they are not verified then we will not be able to pay and that position continues. And I think it is the position of Nigerians, as well. “The case of the SURE-P is a totally different one. With the special committee that was set up, it does not come via the normal Ministry of Finance process. It goes through other processes over which I do not have control. “This government of Dr. Jonathan is determined to do the right thing. We will continue to do the right thing.” The minister expressed sadness over the death of Patrick Yakowa, former Governor of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser, Owoye Azazi, who she said were people she knew personally.

EFCC re-arrest Dangabar over Police Pension scam Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007. It would be recalled that the court had ordered Dangabar’s property forfeited to the Federal Government on interim basis pending the determination of the substantive suit. However, the accused person had gone before the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to challenge the order of the High Court to have his property forfeited. Nevertheless, the appeal court, in a unanimous ruling on July 24, dismissed his application. In a ruling read by Justice Kolawole Bada, the appellate Court resolved the three issues raised by Dangabar in favour of the EFCC. Two other justices who held the same view were Justices Bukar Chua and Husseini Mukhtar. The court ruled that the interim forfeiture order pending the hearing of the criminal charge preferred against him is provided for under the EFCC Act. “The court, having been given that power, the exercise of it has not taken away the accused right to fair hearing,” the three justices reasoned. The court further ruled that the provisions of Section 28 and 29 of the EFCC Act is validated by Section 44 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and is

therefore constitutional. Additionally, the court ruled that the presumption of innocence cannot be interpreted to allow a suspect to retain the proceeds of the alleged crime made against him. Accordingly, the court ruled that Section 34 of the EFCC Act was substantially complied

with by the lower court. He has again proceeded to the Supreme Court challenging the Appeal Court judgment. Dangabar and the other accused persons returned to the high court to challenge jurisdiction and prayed the court to quash the charges against

them. Meantime, on November 12 Justice Mohammed Talba of the FCT High Court at Gudu declined to quash the charges against the accused person, stressing that there was sufficient prima-facie evidence linking him to the alleged crime.

DANGABAR'S FORFEITED PROPERTY

LOCK of three bedrooms flats at Gwarinpa (6 units), along EFAB Estate, Life Camp; a Block of bedrooms flats (6 units) at Mabushi District, beside Ministry of Works. Other are Estate of four bedroom duplexes (16 units), behind Wuye Modern Market, Abuja; a mini estate at 19, Ukpabi Asika Street, Asokoro, Abuja; 12 units of two bedroom flats at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja; five bedroom duplexes at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja; four bedroom bungalows at 1, Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Gudu District, Abuja and two bedroom flat at Zone C, Apo Resettlement Layout. Others were: five blocks of one bedroom flats at Zone C, Apo Resettlement Layout, Abuja; twin duplex of five bedroom and three rooms, 33, ML Wushishi BQ 1 Crescent, Utako, Abuja; two blocks of three bedroom flats, Area 3, Former NYSC Office, Abuja; two bedroom, Area 2, Abuja, behind Shopping Complex; three bedroom flats, 2 Goran Village, along Adi Farms Limited, Abuja-Keffi Road; 180,000 litres storage facility on a land of about 5,000sqm, with office building, workshop and 20 loading bay, 1 Suleja, Niger State. Seven trucks with registration numbers XH 909 RSH, XH 910 RSH, XH 912 RSH, XH 908 RSH, XH 911, XH 913 RSH and XH 460 KUJ. Dangabar’s bank accounts forfeited to the government were: two Damule Nigeria Limited accounts with FCMB; Damule Nigeria Limited account with Main Street Bank; E. D. Laumara with Access Bank; three account numbers of Essai Dangabar Laumara’s with Access Bank; Laumara E. Taure account with Skye Bank; three of AMD Global Logistics account with Skye Bank; two accounts of Future Logistics Limited with Skye bank; three accounts of Marine Logistics & Leisure Integrated in Skye Bank; two Damule Nig Ltd accounts in Skye Bank. Companies forfeited to the EFCC were Halas Investment Limited; At Homes; Sy-A Global Services Limited; Jidag Technical Services Limited; Damule Nigeria Limited; Marine Logistics; AMD Global Logistics; Future Logistics Ltd; Jenago Services Limited; H Takano Nigeria Limited; Noni Anthony System Limited; Saudauna Enterprise limited; Ulover International Resources Limited; Somadok Express; Kechis Water Bottling Company; Kechis Events Managers; Kechis Straw; Kechis Plastic Extrusion company. Others are Geopet Petroleum Services Limited; Aina Farms: Otega Farms, Bannachi Global Links and Comm. Co. Limited.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—7

NNPC cautions IOCs against false accusation

Electoral reform: Political interest killed my report — Uwais z40m electronic voters card ready for use — INEC BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

...insists on due process for projects execution BY CLARA NWACHUKWU

BUJA—THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has cautioned International Oil and Gas Companies, IOCs, operating in the country against misinforming the public that it was deliberately stalling the execution of some multibillion dollar projects in the sector. Noting that this was a deliberate attempt to stampede it into hasty decisions, NNPC maintained that it will continue to uphold due process in contract awards. A statement from the Corporation’s spokesmen, Mr. Fidel Pepple, noted that while concerns were expected in the process leading to the award of major oil and gas projects, laid down procedures must be followed. “NNPC has an established procedure for contract and project approvals, which include the conduct of economic analysis to establish project viability and Federal Government’s take from investments in the upstream,” he said. Against this backdrop, Pepple said the NNPC will not be stampeded into taking decisions that may be inimical to the nation because of the IOCs pecuniary interests. The NNPC also defended accusations that it refused to hold its periodic Group Executive Committee, GEC, meetings to discuss some major projects such as the TOTAL Egina deep offshore project, and its presentation for Board approval. It said, “This claim is untrue as GEC meetings are being held weekly or fortnightly. However, Erha North Phase 2 and the Egina project contracts have not been discussed yet at these meetings because NNPC management is critically reviewing the overall economics of the project in view of their high cost estimates in order to establish their validity, maximise Federal Government’s stake, and ensure comparative price competitiveness vis-à-vis benchmarks.”

BUJA——FOUR years after he chaired the 22member committee set up by the Federal Government to examine the electoral process in the country with a view to raising the quality and standard of elections, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mohammed Uwais, yesterday, regretted that the report of the committee, died on the altar of politics. Uwais who for the first time broke his silence on the issue, noted that instead of implementing the recommendations of his committee holistically, the Federal Government, decided to “pick and choose.” He spoke at a dialogue on the review of the Electoral Law and Process, organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center, PLAC, in Abuja, yesterday, said: “As we know, the Bill that was produced by the National Assembly, though reflected on some of the recommendations of the Electoral Reform Committee, but not all of the recommendations of the committee wre adopted. As far as the Electoral Reform Committee was concerned, the recommendations were intended to be in tandem with one another. “If you want to make a good job of it, you cannot just pick and choose a few. Unfortunately, although I am not blaming the National Assembly, party interest came in. However, the 2010 Electoral Act was produced; it was put in practice in the 2011 elections. “You are in the field so you are in the position to point out the shortcomings of the Act but I know from the legal point of view, some provisions, like the one that electoral petition should be completed by the tribunals within 180 days created some problems. “But luckily, the Supreme Court was there to resolve whatever interpretation problems there was. I know among the lawyers, they are not happy with the solution provided by the Supreme Court. At the moment, we are aware that there is an exercise going on and we cannot amend the Electoral Act in certain respects without amending the Constitution,” he added. Meanwhile, Independent

80TH BIRTHDAY LUNCHEON FOR ALEX EKWUEME—From left: Dr & Dr (Mrs) Alex Ekwueme; Sir & Lady Raymond Obieri; Lady Paulina Eze; Dr Emmanuel Nwankwo and Prof Laz Ekwueme during 80th birthday luncheon for Dr. Alex Ekwueme organised by Orumba Forum in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

National Electoral Commission, INEC, at the event yesterday, said it may soon issue about 40 million electronic chip base voters card to electorates in preparation for the 2015 general elections, even as it called for an urgent amendment of section 52 of the Electoral Act to make provision for Electronic-Voting. According to INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega who was represented by his Chief Technical Adviser, Mr Okechukwu Ibeanu, “As it stands today, the commission has 40 million electronic chip base voters card almost ready for use. Very soon, we will start the process of issuing the cards. “73.504 million voters registered in 2011 may have this card before 2015; you can use a card reader that may not require taking prints from 10 fingers. We are already testing the system, nevertheless, we are asking for amendment of section 52 of the Electoral Act so that nobody goes to court to say that electronic accreditation is part of electronic voting.” “Prior to the 2011 general elections, INEC had over 80 percent separate contradictory ex-parte injunctions that prompted it to write to the then Chief Justice of Nigeria on the imminent danger posed by such injunctions. “However, we were glad to note that there was over 50 percent reduction in post election cases after the election, compared to what we had in 2007. It was obvious that the 2010 Electoral Act was much stronger that the previous ones, how-

ever, it must be pointed out that it is not yet perfect. It is a work in progress that needs constant interrogation. “Meanwhile, INEC has made request for 12 amendments to the 1999 constitution and 19 amendments to the Electoral Act which is currently pending before the National Assembly. “We are equally studying various judgments within the years to enable INEC to improve on conduct of future elections. One of the areas that equally require amendment is the tenure of the Secretary of INEC. Presently, there is no tenure for that office. We are proposing an amendment to section 1(8c) of the Electoral Act to provide for a tenure of four years for the office, renewable only once. “Likewise, there is need for an amendment to section 31 and 32 of the Electoral Act regarding the submission of candidates by political parties. Section 31, provides that political parties should submit candidates within 60 days to the election and that INEC should not reject such candidates whatsoever. However, section 87 of the same Act clearly stipulates how the candidates should emerge. It stipulates that only candidates that win primaries should be submitted, so there is no way the two provisions should be read in isolation of each other. “We propose that section 31 should be amended to read, ‘subject to provision of section 87 of this Act, every political party should within 60 days,

submit its list of candidates to INEC in the prescribed form. This was a sinking point between INEC and political parties before the 2011 election. “In the same vein, in view of section 35, we submit that candidates that scored second highest vote should be submitted in case of death of the original winner of the primary. “More so, section 52, prohibits e-voting. It must be amended before people should start talking about e-voting. Other sections that need amendment are sections 48, 49, 50, 52, 59 and 60 of the Electoral Act. INEC should have powers to determine voting procedure depending on how ready it is. “We also seek an amendment to allow INEC to designate two periods in the year that bye-election can hold,” he added. Meantime, in his address, Chairman Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, noted that, “drawing from the experiences of the 2011 elections, there have been suggestions that the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act as amended have not fully addressed the gaps and challenges to the administration of elections in Nigeria, and that these laws require further review as part of preparations for the 2015 general elections. “The Senate Committee on INEC is open to suggestions and new ideas on how the legal framework for election administration can be further improved. It is my understanding that this dialogue is geared towards generating new ideas and initiating the very important discussion on the review of electoral laws in Nigeria”.

8—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Suswam never raised alarm on threat to life —Aide BY PETER DURU

AKURDI—SPE CIAL Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, has debunked stories making the rounds that Suswan reportedly raised an alarm over threat to his life and family by the Boko Haram Islamic sect. Akwaya said in a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, in Makurdi, that those peddling such rumour were either misinformed or doing so for their own selfish ends. He said: “the Governor never said that his life was being threatened by the Boko Haram sect; it is absolute falsehood. Anyone raising that kind of issue in the media is doing so out of the figment of his own imagination because there was no such remark by the Governor, it is completely unfounded.”

New driver’s license ‘ll address insecurity —Minister BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BUJA—THE Min ister of Transportation, Senator Idris Umar, has said that the introduction of new commercial driver ’s license will assist in tackling the issue of insecurity currently confronting the country. Senator Umar who stated this during the launching of driver’s license, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that the document will add value to collective search for national security especially with improved security features such as biometrics, intelligent camera and a central print farm that prevents counterfeiting and parallel production. Umar who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mallam Bala Diko, further described the initiative as additional stride towards making Nigerian roads free of accuidents.

We won’t fight govs over e-registration —PDP BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN,

POLITICAL EDITOR

BUJA—THE plan by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for e-registration is not aimed at disengaging the influence of governors over the party but aimed at improving internal democracy and transparency in the administration of the party. The national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, spoke in response to news reports of a plan to put a

wedge between the governors and the party through the eregistration project. Metuh, also dismissed insinuations on the presence of the erstwhile national chairman, Chief Okwesileze Nwodo, at last week’s retreat of party officials in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Noting how the party’s determination to win the governors over on the e-registration project, Metuh said: “We will continue to convince the governors that the creation of internal democracy is more important than personal inter-

est.” Continuing on the importance of the governors, he said: “You cannot but appreciate that the governors are super delegates even in America and they are super delegates here by convention and by right. You must take their opinion into consideration, they hold the sway. We need them to support us for us to have the e-registration, if they don’t support it would be difficult. We are to engage them and we are trying them to let them know that apart from raising funds for the party it is important for internal democracy in

WORKSHOP: From left: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora; Mr. Akin Olajide, Secretary to the State Government, Oyo State; Mr. Femi Falana, and Mr. Matthew Omegara, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Reform of Government Institutions, at the South West zonal sensitisation workshop on the Freedom of Information Act 2011 in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

the party. “If we say that we want transparency in party administration, we must have e-registration otherwise we will continue to play around.” The e-registration project first introduced in 2010 was aborted after the party’s set of governors mobilised against it on the allegation that having a computerised base of party members could distort their influence over the party. The governors’ agitation eventually dovetailed into the forced resignation of the then party chairman, Chief Okwesileze Nwodo who was at the forefront of the campaign for the e-registration. Asked if Nwodo’s presence at the retreat of party officials in Uyo last week was indicative of a restoration to favour, Metuh said: “Nwodo as national secretary and as national chairman of the party garnered a lot of experience and it is imperative that we use that knowledge, that we allow young members acquire that knowledge that he gathered as national secretary and national chairman. “Nobody can take it away from him, he is a huge asset to the party and he is very knowledgeable in party affairs. His knowledge is unassailable. The only thing you can do is to transfer it by magic, but now we are trying for him to teach younger party officials on how they can get prepared for leadership.”

NNPC to review Erha, Egina oil projects

BY YEMIE ADEOYE

BUJA—THE Manage ment of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has announced plans to review the ExxonMobil’s Erha North Phase 2 and Total’s Egina oil fields in order to take a second look at the high cost estimates of both projects and also shore up the Federal Government’s take from the oil fields. The corporation has also raised eyebrows on media reports credited to some International Oil and Gas Companies; IOC’s accusing it of deliberately stalling the execution of some multi-billion dollar projects in the sector. He said that NNPC would not be stampeded into abandoning its firmly established process of contract award by what it termed calculated media blackmail ostensibly by the IOCs and other interested parties. In a statement signed by the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Fidel Pep-

ple, it was noted that while the industry concern is normally expected in the process leading to the award of major oil and gas projects, “NNPC has an established procedure of contract and project approval which includes conduct of economic analysis to establish project viability and federal

government’s take from investments in the upstream.” The corporation explained that this procedure must be followed as IOC’s cannot stampede the corporation into taking decisions that may be inimical to the nation. On the allegation that the

Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of NNPC, Mr. Abiye Membere was behind a phantom contract splitting attempt of the Egina Project just as he allegedly did with the previous Bonga SouthWest project, the corporation stated that such allegation was totally misplaced and untrue.

4 charged in UK for bribing Nigerian officials over tax

ONDON—FOUR former Swift Technical Energy Solutions Ltd. employees have been charged with conspiring to bribe Nigerian officials to lower the taxes their workers paid in the country. Three men and one woman, all British nationals, were charged this morning, at a London criminal court following a two-year probe of the company, which is a Nigerian subsidiary of the Swift Group of companies,

the U.K. Serious Fraud Office said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. The defendants- a former chief financial officer, tax manager, financial controller and area director for Nigeria, allegedly paid a total of 180,000 pounds ($292,000) in bribes in 2008 and 2009 to agents of the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue and the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue, according to prosecutors.

The bribes were paid to avoid, reduce or delay paying taxes on behalf of the oil- and gas-industry workers whom Swift sent to Nigeria, the SFO said. The case was transferred to a higher criminal court for a hearing on Febbruary 22, 2013 and the defendants were released on bail. “The company itself is not under investigation and has fully supported the inquiry,” Swift spokesman, Andrew Honnor said.

Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—9

Lagos Speaker’s trial: I found cash registers —EFCC witness BY INNOCENT ANABA

AGOS — An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, witness, Mr. Adebayo Adeniji, yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, that several cash registers were recovered from the accounts department of the Lagos House of Assembly, confirming the alleged money laundering charges against Speaker of the House, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji. Adeniji is an Investigating Officer with EFCC. Ikuforiji and his personal assistant, Mr. Alade Atoyebi are facing a 20-count charge of alleged money laundering. The accused persons were alleged to have conspired between April 2010 and July 2011, to commit an illegal act of accepting cash payments amounting to N273.3 million from the Lagos State House of Assembly without going through a financial institution. Ikuforiji was alleged to have misappropriated about N500 million of the House’s funds, an offence which contravened Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011. Mr. Godwin Obla, the prosecutor, led the witness, at the resumed hearing in the matter, yesterday. The witness, Adeniji in his testimony, told the court that that more documents had been recovered from the House. The case is before Justice Okechukwu Okeke. The witness said that since he was given the responsibility of gathering documents relating to the alleged offence, he had embarked on a thorough

investigation in the House, with other officers of EFCC. He told the court that some of the documents recovered were a Wema Bank Plc cash register, and an Equatorial Trust Bank, ETB cash register,

which was recovered from the accounts department of the House, and another register boldly written “Chiko” cash register, which was recovered from the cash office of the House.

The documents were admitted as exhibits by the court. Meanwhile, further hearing had been adjourned till February 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2013.

2 ex-Vanguard staff docked over alleged N29.3m fraud

KEJA — Two former employees of Vanguard Media Ltd., Badmus Abiodun and Joseph Ejike were yesterday arraigned for allegedly stealing N29.3 million belonging to the newspaper company. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defendants, who are both 43 years old, were arraigned before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja. Abiodun and Ejike, who reside at Nos. 5, Tijani Ashogbon St., Bariga, Lagos

and 2 Osaremwanta St., Benin City, Edo State respectively, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The defendants are facing 26 counts, bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing. Mr. Abba Mohammed, the EFCC counsel, alleged that Abiodun, a former chief accountant and Ejike, formerly a sales representative, committed the offences between Feb. 2006 and Jan. 2009 in Lagos. Mohammed alleged that they had conspired to steal a total sum of N29.3 million belonging to the company by using their respective positions to facilitate the theft. He also accused them of forging two Wema Bank Plc deposit slips No. 2333059 and 2333064, purported to be in the sums of N930,000 and N950,000 respectively. According to him, their alleged offences contravene Sections 390 (1), 467 (2) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003. Abiodun and Ejike had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The judge granted Ejike bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

From right: Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Lagos State Governor; Mrs. Abari; Mrs. Alero Azazi, flanked by grand-children of the deceased, Master Krystoph Osuku (left) and Miss Tega Okoro (right), during Governor Fashola’s condolence visit to the family of the late General Andrew Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser, at Oba Oyekan Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday.

BY ONOZURE DANIA

FG, Lagos sign agreement on new Lekki deep sea port

Okunnu said the sureties must be resident in Lagos, gainfully employed and deposed to an affidavit of means. She said one of the sureties must be Ejike’s blood relative while the other surety must own a property of substantial value in Lagos. The judge directed that the sureties should produce three years tax certificates which must be verified by the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court. Okunnu further directed that Ejike should report to the office of the Edo State Commissioner of Police on the first working day of every month throughout the duration of the matter. She adjourned the matter to Jan.9 for mention and possible consolidation of a similar case involving Abiodun before the court. Abiodun is already in prison custody for failing to meet his bail conditions in an earlier alleged fraud charges. Abiodun is facing a similar charge before the court for allegedly conspiring with another sales representative, James Unoka, to steal N7.9 million belonging to the company.

AGOS — The Federal Government, Lagos State and private investors known as ‘Ports at Lekki,’ yesterday signed an agreement for the construction of a new deep sea port in Lekki axis of Lagos State. At the signing ceremony held at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, the Federal Government and Lagos State were represented by Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA; Mr. Habib Abdullahi, Lagos State Commissioner for commerce and Industry with, Mrs. Olusola Oworu while the private investors were presented by Mr. John Mastroudes. Speaking after the brief ceremony, Abdullahi said the port would serve as a complement for the Tin Can and Apapa ports, that were already congested and cannot be expanded to accommodate berth of large vessels, adding, “this is part of the challenge that would be addressed significantly by the new port.” He emphasised that the project would enhance the economy of the country as maritime sector has been identified with great potentials of boosting the country's revenue. According to him, “The partnership is such that, the foreign investor, ‘Ports at Lekki’ would be contributing 60 per cent of the entire project while the Federal through the NPA and state government would be investing 20 per cent each, for the construction of the port.” The Managing Director explained: “That is how the contract will work. And the driving force behind the contract are the investors (foreign partners), who have already commenced work at the site of the port. "They have already invested some huge amount of money into the project and we are expected also to put in our equities.” Abdullahi noted that the NPA would be providing the technical support for the project, in order to ensure that the project complied with the international standards.

10—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Oyo PDP chides Ajimobi over abandoned bridge BY OLA AJAYI

he Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State has criticised the ruling government over alleged abandonment of Apete bridge that was washed away by the flood of August 26, 2011. The party, in a release signed by its publicity secretary, Mr. Lukuman Agboluaje, wondered how a government that styled itself as progressive and committed to the welfare of the people could be comfortable seeing hundreds of thousands of its inhabitants suffering in silence. The PDP recalled how the ACN government allegedly created the impression that it was touched by the agony of the people of the area by rapidly putting up a temporary bridge as a palliative measure, but later abandoned the actual construction work it awarded to a contractor.

Yakowa, Azazi’s death, a national tragedy— Oni

he National ViceChairman (SouthWest) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Segun Oni has said the death in a helicopter crash of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and the immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, and four others was a “national tragedy, sad memory of which will linger for a very long time.” Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Oni said he was particularly sad that the life of such a God fearing, hard working and passionate believer in the project Nigeria like Governor Yakowa could be cut short in such a tragic manner. He commiserated with the family of late Governor Yakowa and the new governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Yero, as well as the family of Gen. Azazi.

Aregbesola, workers on collision course over new taxes .Tax is a federal legislation — Govt serving and retired public officers. Comrade Bayo Adejumo amd OSOGBO — Osun State Comrade Akinyemi Olatunji government and its workforce signed for Joint Negotiation are set for a show-down Council (JNC), Comrade O. F. following the alleged Adetunji and Comrade Kayode introduction of a new tax Adepoju for TUC and Comrade regime by the government, Saka Adesiyan and Comrade G. which workers have vowed to A. Bolarinwa endorsed the resist. letter on behalf of NLC. Workers in the employment The labour unions also of the state government have described the contributory also condemned the pension sheme introduced by the state government as a ruse, saying that since the inception of their participation in the scheme, the generality of workers are yet to receive any alert as regards both personal and government contributions. But in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro debunked plan by the government to hike tax in the state, saying that tax is a federal legislation and that no state in the federation has the power to legislate on it. He said: “We don’t have any tax regime that is different from the Federal Government according to the constitution of Nigeria.” On the automation salary pay roll, Dr. Bolorunduro said that “the state government introduced it in order to reduce processing period and minimize human interference as well. From Left: Deacon Olatunji Kolade Belo, Mrs. Henrietta Tunji Belo and Chief Kehinde Olurin, during the 70th birthday celebration of Deacon Olatunji Belo, at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu. BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

employment of a consultancy firm, CHAMS Plc allegedly employed by the state government for electronic payment of salaries. In a letter dated 17th December, 2012 addressed to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, called on the state government to urgently

reduce the tax regime They said any attempt to force workers to pay any form of tax arrears will be seen as direct attack on the workers. The letter which was signed by the chairman and secretary of Joint Public Service Negotiation Coincil I, II & III, also rejected the resolve of the state government to use consultancy firm for salary automation payroll both for

'Late Eso, a man of courage and candour' BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN — The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Honourable Justice Badejoko O. Adeniji, yesterday, described late retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Kayode Eso, who died on November 16, 2012 in London, as a man of courage and candour. “The virtues of boldness, fair play, zeal, industry, scholarship, honesty and incorruptibility left by his Lordship should not die,” she said. She said so amidst many other legal icons who held a session at the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for the purpose of honouring the late legal luminary.

Those in attendance include the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Akin Olujimi, SAN, Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke, SAN, Mr. Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, and Mr. Babatunde Aiku, SAN. Others are: Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Special Advisers and many other dignatries. Justifying her claims that the late jurist was industrious, she said: “At the Supreme Court, his Lordship delivered a total of 463 judgments; 390 of the judgments were concurring; 69 were lead judgments and four were dissenting.” In her own words, Chief

Solanke said Justice Eso was proud of his name and ancestry, adding that throughout his lifetime, he never settled for mediocrity. Oyo State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Mr. Adebayo Ojo said the late jurist “showed sound knowledge of law and good character.” Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ibadan, Oyo and Ogbomoso, Seun Abimbola, Olawale Omoloye and Ogunniran respectively poured ecomiums on Eso. The Chairman of the Oyo Branch of NBA, Mr. Olawale Omoloye, noted that late Eso had “come and acted his own part in the development of the legal profession, the remaining is ours”.

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, DECEMBER 18, 2012—11

Yakowa, Azazi’s death shocking —Etiebet

Imoke’s aide blames environmental disaster on FG

ORMER Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, has described the deaths of former Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, and former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi (rtd), as shocking and unbelievable. Etiebet, in a statement said: “The news of Governor Yakowa and Gen. Azazi’s death in a helicopter crash was shocking and I kept saying it could not be true, remembering my last meeting with Yakowa in Kaduna a week earlier during Vice President Namadi Sambo’s daughter’s wedding.” Former Governor Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, in his condolence message, described the death of Governor Yakowa as tragic and a monumental loss to the nation.

Seplat commissions transformer, street lights in Delta BY FESTUS AHON

GHELLI—SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company has commissioned a 500 KVA transformer, street lights and four blocks of open market stalls in Amukpe and Okirighwre in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State. The company, in collaboration with National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, also commissioned the renovated palace of the ‘Enogie’ of Orghogho community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Speaking during the separate commissioning ceremonies, Base Manager of the company, Dr. Chukwumah Igelenyah, said the projects were to show appreciation to the communities for their continued support to the company. Saying that it was also part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities, Igelenyah said the presence of the company in the communities was facilitated by the Global Memoranda of Understanding, GMoU, entered into with the host communities.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU ALABAR—SPE CIAL Adviser to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on Economic Affairs and Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission, Prof. Ndem Ndiyo, has said that policy makers in the country should be held responsible for the damage to the nation’s environment. Prof. Ndiyo, in Calabar, at the Joint Nigeria-Ghana CDKN Climate Change Seminar, held at the Senate Chambers, University of Calabar, noted that the three tiers of government shared the excess crude money which came from the environment but no fraction of the money was used to remedy the damaged environment, adding that there was nothing wrong with using a fraction of the money to repair the damaged environment. He said: “Every now and then, the three tiers of government, local, state and federal, share what they call excess crude account. Have we sat down to reflect on what brought about the excess crude and what is to be done

about the environment where the excess crude comes from?” He noted that there was much talk about Gross Domestic Product and significantly, Nigeria’s GDP was based on oil, adding, “the oil GDP is environmentally destructive, so there is need for us to be committed to a green environment because the future of this country lies in the environment.”

Ndiyo emphasised that the national budget should give priority to the environment because much of the resources that generated the fund for the budget were derived from the environment, adding: “When constructing roads, houses, and other infrastructure, we should segregate the green area to ensure that we are growing environmentally friendly.” He said Nigerians should

CONVOCATION: From left: Managing Director, BUA Sugar Refinery, Dr. Goddie Isibor; MD/ CEO, Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Mr. Leemon Ikpea; former Edo State Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and President, Benson Idahosa University, Rt. Rev. FEB Idahosa, at the conferment of honorary Doctorate degree in Business Administration on Ikpea by the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, during its 8th convocation.

Bandits snatch N15m from Delta LG ...cashier on the run BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

SABA—A GANG of armed robbers have allegedly snatched N15 million belonging to Aniocha North Local Government Area in Issele-Uku, Delta State. The daylight robbery, took place last week, while all attention was focused on how to rescue the kid-

napped mother of Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkojonoIweala. Vanguard gathered that the robbers trailed the council cashier to the bank. A worker in the council, who pleaded anonymity, told our reporter that “the robbers trailed the council cashier to the bank.” Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, described the

said robbery incident as phantom. He said: “There was a phantom theft allegedly from a cashier’s car booth, who is still on the run. There is no sign that the said booth was forced open and no evidence of robbery either. The cashier is being investigated. The onus is his to prove that he was robbed but for now, we do not have evidence of robbery.”

Local Content: Shell awards contracts to four Nigerian firms of maturation studies overseas as a way of meeting planned BY YEMIE ADEOYE

N its effort to boost the Nigerian Content Initiative of the Federal Government, Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, has awarded Maturation Studies Services contracts to four Nigerian companies to help indigenous firms build their capacity in a key aspect of the oil and gas industry. The pioneer contracts will enable Laser Engineering and Consultancy

strive to put those that will be environment friendly into power. Also speaking, Dean of Graduate School, University of Calabar, Professor Francis Bisong, who presented a paper on Climate Change Science and Practice Options for Training and Research Response from the Academia, said the climate change was more rapid than what many people can reckon.

Nig. Limited, Ankorpointe Nig. Limited, Integrated Data Services Ltd (a subsidiary of NNPC) and Nubian Nig. Limited, to conduct front-end subsurface maturation studies in Shell’s onshore Eastern Operations for over a two-year period. Maturation studies involve evaluation of subsurface data to build a picture of the hydrocarbon reservoirs and are vital to determining major oil and gas development plans. In the past, there was a tendency to conduct a number

targets. Shell’s Manager, Geosolutions, Mr. Nedo Osayande, representing General Manager, Development, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, said, at the contract signing ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State: “It has been a long journey. We liaised with the contractors on the conduct of subsurface studies, understanding their challenges and working to resolve them to a point where they can now render the required services. This is a top moment for Nigerian contractors in the oil and gas sector.”

Vanguard’s Simon Ebegbulem emerges chairman of Correspondents’ chapel

ENIN CITY-CORRE SPONDENTS’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State, weekend, elected Mr. Simon Ebegbulem of Vanguard Newspapers, Chairman. Meanwhile, the national leadership of NUJ has vowed to fight quackery and ensure that sanity was returned to the profession, adding that members’ welfare was a continuous fight it believed would be achieved for members. National President of NUJ, Mr. Mohammed Garba, who spoke at the inauguration of the newly elected executive council of the Chapel, headed by Ebegbulem, said the issue of quackery remained a major challenge to the union. He urged all state councils to work with the national secretariat of the union to ensure that sanity was brought to the union.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Reyenieju laments death of Yakowa, Azazi BY DANIEL GUMM

ARRI—HOUSE of Representatives member, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, has described the deaths of Governor Peter Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi, as a painful loss and a tragedy of national proportion. Reyenieju, spoke while reacting to the helicopter crash in Bayelsa State which killed the two men on Saturday. The lawmaker, who represents Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said: “I lament and weep for these two national heroes, both of whom have made indelible and positive contributions to national development.”

Cynthia: Court grants bail to Pharmacist

BY NWOPOKE MICHAEL & EZEAMANIE CHINENYE

MAGISTRATE court in Yaba, Lagos, yesterday, granted bail to Orji Osita, a pharmacist with Oxpharm Pharmacy, after he was arraigned over alleged involvement in the murder of Miss Cynthia Osokogu, who was murdered in a hotel at Festac Town, Lagos on July 22. Osita, who was yesterday re-arraigned before Magistrate Aka-Bashorun, would be standing trial before the High Court alongside three other suspects, Okwumo Nwabufo, Ejike Olisaeloka and Nonso Ejike. It will be recalled that the court had ordered Osita’s re-arrest during the previous sitting, after he was earlier released by Justice Adeniyi Onibanjo of Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, but Director of Public Prosecution’s second advice later found him culpable on two count charges of reckless and negligent act contrary to section 249 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

‘10.1m children dropped out of school in 2012’ BY TONY NYONG

YO — E X E C U T I V E Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Alhaji Jibrin Paiko, has called for a national assessment of literacy practices, if Nigeria is to present a realistic account of its Universal Basic Education achievements by 2015. Paiko, who spoke at a workshop organised by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, on revamping adult literacy for sustainable development in the Niger Delta region, noted that 10.1 million children were out of school in 2012, according to United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, report. He said: “This situation requires the commitment of everybody if we must come out of the woods. While there is need for everyone to join hands with the leadership to search for solution to these myriads of problems, the role of adult literacy must, therefore, be given adequate attention.” Aside lack of access, infrastructures, teaching and learning materials, he said

the greatest challenge facing education was inadequate funding by the three tiers of government. “Adult and non-formal education at all levels of government seems to suffer seriously from under funding. There is real need, therefore, to consult widely and come up with a reliable and work-

able funding mechanism if Nigeria hopes to attain EFA and Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, within the set targets. “States and local government areas need to take greater responsibility and treat adult education with the seriousness it deserves. The lack of consistent and adequate funding, vi-

VISIT: Chairman, Warri North Local Government Area, Evangelist David Edun (right) and Delta State NULGE President, Comrade David Ofoeyenor, when the latter called to congratulate the council boss on his recent appointment as transition chairman, in his office in Koko, yesterday.

Capital Oil: Ubah decries AMCON’s refusal to obey court order BY ABIGAIL FRANK

HIEF Executive Of ficer of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has decried what he alleged, yesterday, was the gross violation of a court order, requiring the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to vacate his company’s premises. Ubah, in a statement, bemoaned what he described

as AMCON’s selective adherence to court orders. “It is paradoxical that the same AMCON, which did not waste time in taking over the premises and property of Capital Oil and Gas when it got an order to do so, is now footdragging as the same court had vacated the initial order,” Mr. Nick Hayes, spokesperson to Ubah said in the statement. Noting that even though the court had vacated the early order granted AMCON to take

over the premises, Hayes regretted that as at yesterday, policemen deployed to the office of the company had refused to obey the court order. He said that even though the court order was pasted on the gates of the premises, the policemen claim that they had not been de-briefed by AMCON. They simply told inquisitive staff, who were eager to go into the depot and resume work that; “Somebody sent us here and that person is the one that can ask us to leave this place.”

Shell to face litigation over oil spills in Nigeria —Amnesty In’tl BY INNOCENT ANABA

MNESTY Interna tional, has said that Shell Petroleum Development Company could face increasing litigation internationally over oil spills in Nigeria, where parts of the country had been badly polluted. Shell’s Nigerian affiliate had not responded to requests for comment, it said, though it had long

sion, strategy, and coordination has made literacy programmes to fall through the cracks,” he added. He noted that there was also need for the recruitment and training of competent adult education personnel, who would carry out programmes on adult education in the country.

argued that the vast majority of spills in the country’s oil-producing Niger Delta were caused by sabotage. The Niger Delta region is badly polluted from decades of oil spills, and those responsible have often not faced punishment. “Large parts of the Niger Delta, home to more than 30 million people, have become a polluted wasteland due to the activities of oil companies,” Amnesty said in a

statement in response to a report from specialists at the University of Essex, United Kingdom. “Numerous oil spills have left local communities with little option but to drink polluted water, eat contaminated fish, farm on spoiled land, and breathe in air that reeks of oil and gas,” it added. The report includes discussion of Shell’s potential liability over Nigerian oil spills and warns that it could face increasing litigation over such spills outside Nigeria, citing various legal trends.

Dissolution of EDHA Ser vice Commission: Appeal Court orders re-trial BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

ENIN—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, ordered the Chief Judge of Edo State to re-assign the case of unlawful dissolution of Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission by the state legislature led by the former Speaker, Mr. Bright Omokhodion, to another judge for trial. The former chairman and members of the commission had approached the court for reinstatement, following their sack before the expiration of their tenure by the Bright Omokhodion-led Edo State House of Assembly through a resolution of the House. The lower court had struck out the case on the ground that it was wrongly commenced through an originating summons. However, the appellate court in its lead ruling by Justice George Shoremi held that the lower court was wrong in law to have struck out the case.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 —13

Kidnappers keep Imo dep gov’s aide 4 months after BY CHIDI NK-

WOPARA WERRI—IMO State Deputy Governor’s Principal Secretary, Emenike Ihekwoaba, who was kidnapped by a gang of gunmen about four months ago is still held captive by his captors. Vanguard investigations revealed that the hoodlums are at the last count, asking for more funds after collecting about N10 million from their captive’s family. Ihekwoaba, an architect by profession, was abducted by unknown gunmen at Amaraku Junction, Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of the state while he was on the way to his Nkwerre country home with his wife. Confirming the ugly situation to Vanguard in a telephone chat, the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media Affairs, Chief Onyema Opara, said his boss was worried about the situation.

IFAN, NOTAP partner on resource centre for aged BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

BUJA—THE Inter national Federation on Ageing-Nigeria, IFAN said it was working with the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, to establish the first resource centre for the aged and ageing people in Nigeria. National Coordinator of the organisation, Mr. Ike Willie-Nwobu, stated this, yesterday, at a media dialogue, titled ‘‘The Place of science and technology on longevity and shaping the future,’’ organized by NOTAP, in collaboration with IFAN. Nwobu said the centre had become necessary in view of the enormous contribution made by the senior citizens to their father land and the role science and technology had played at improving and supporting the process of ageing and the aged.

Ohanaeze flays suit against Uwechue BY TONY EDIKE

NUGU—THE apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the court action instituted against its President General, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, by some aggrieved members of the organisation. The organisation demanded that the court case be withdrawn immediately by the plaintiffs and mandated Ndieze (council of chiefs) to take up the issue of court action against Ohanaeze Ndigbo and settle all matters relating to the lawsuit in-house. These resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of Ime-Obi (inner caucus) meeting at the weekend in Ohanaeze’s national secretariat in Enugu, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ralph Ndigwe and Vice President-General, Dr Selina Adibua. According to the communique, “Imeobi met in full session in Enugu on Friday December 14, 2012 to receive the annual report and report of the electoral committee. “The President-General’s report was unanimously adopted

with a standing ovation, exhaustively discussed and it was agreed that all actionable issues stated therein should be executed. Imeobi adopted the following resolutions: “Imeobi appreciated in glorious terms, the achievements of Ohanaeze under Ambassador Ralph Uwechue and com-

mended the Uwechue NEC for unprecedented and unrivaled achievements, viz a viz bringing unity to Ndigbo, repositioning Ohanaeze as a structural power base for Ndigbo comparable to the then Igbo union and clarity of thoughts and intellectual direction on issues based on historical facts.

MEETING: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (left) and state Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Umeh Kalu, during the governor’s meeting with past and serving commissioners, at the old presidential lodge in Umuahia, weekend.

Ikoku education college suspends lecturers over alleged unethical practices BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

WERRI—SOME teach ing staff of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, AIFCE, Owerri, have been suspended from duty for their alleged involvement in unethical practices. Similarly, many students found guilty of indulging in examination malpractice have been sent packing, while others linked to varying criminal activities are currently cooling their heels in police cells. The institution’s Provost, Dr.

(Mrs.) Blessing C. Ijioma, disclosed this during the flag off of the golden jubilee ceremonies of the school, in Owerri. Although Ijioma did not state the exact number of lecturers and students that faced the music, she, however, said the present administration in the school had zero tolerance for all manner of anti-social acts. “The recent demonstration in the school was stage managed. Management has sunk a number of boreholes and pur-

chased generating sets with a view to making water and power readily available to students,” Ijioma said. The Provost equally said AIFCE was not without its challenges, stressing that many of the problems had made the institution stronger. “The College has proved beyond all doubt that it is a pacesetter in teacher education. It has produced Nigerian Certificate in Education in tens of thousands, even more,” she said.

Failed roads’ rehabilitation: FERMA assures on deadline BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

BUJA—FEDERAL Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, said, yesterday, it would meet up with the deadline given by President Goodluck Jonathan that all major highways in the country be made motorable before Yuletide and New Year festivities. The agency in a nationwide assessment tour being conducted by a taskforce set up by its Managing Director, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi in Abuja, assured that a number of the highways, including Kano – Kaduna – Abuja – Lokoja – Okene – Auchi routes, were virtually at zero pothole level. Amuchi had mandated the taskforce to go round the coun-

“Imeobi received the report of the National Executive Committee (NEC), adopted and approved the guidelines. The National election should take place on or before 15th of January 2013 at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat Enugu while handover/takeover shall take place by 31st of January 2013.”

try and ensure full implementation of the zero pothole programme on some major roads till the end of January 2013 to sustain the programme. FERMA engineer in charge of Kogi State, Mr. Michael Kayode, was confident that his jurisdiction would attain zero potholes, despite the challenges poised by the reduced road width in Okene town centre and heavy volume of traffic on the axis. He said two other contractors, Messrs Harvey Construction working from Auchi section and Borini Prono from Okene, were achieving their target to complete Okene– Auchi stretch before the Yuletide, while the agency and Fed-

eral Ministry of Works were working closely on the Operation Zero Potholes and Safe Passage programmes. “Other critical routes where road maintenance operations under the Presidential directive are also going on include Enugu – Aba – Port Harcourt dual carriageway, Owerri – Aba road, Shagamu – Ore – Benin dual carriageway, Benin Byepass, Benin – Agbor – Asaba, Onitsha – Owerri expressway, Onitsha – 9th-Mile – Enugu road, Abuja – Nyanya – Keffi – Akwanga road, Akwanga– Lafia – Makurdi road, Makurdi – Aliade – Otukpo road and Otukpo – Obollo-Afor – 9th-Mile road among others,” he said.

Warri North LG boss tasks community leaders, youths on peace, security

BY DANIEL GUMM

OKO—THE Transition Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area, Evangelist David Edun, has tasked community heads, leaders and youth in the local government council to join hands with government to ensure greater peace and security of lives and property in the area. The Warri North Council boss stated this when he paid a courtesy call on Koko community elders, leaders and youth in Koko, administrative headquarters of the local government. Speaking at the palace of the Olare-aja of Koko, Evangelist Edun stated that the visit was the first leg of his familiarisation tour of all the communities in the local government, irrespective of the location. He said he chose to begin with Koko community because it hosted the council headquarters. Appealing to the youth to shun all forms of social vices, Evangelist Edun said the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was doing his best to make life better for all Deltans, in spite of dwindling resources at government disposal.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Enugu monarch’s murder: Leave vengeance to God —Catholic Bishop EDIKE NUGU—THE as sassinated traditional ruler of Umuode in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Moses Ugwu, was buried last weekend, amid tight security. The Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Bishop Callistus Onaga, who officiated at the funeral service at Umuode, asked the aggrieved natives not to revenge the killing of the royal father and others who lost their lives on account of the communal feud between them and their Oruku neighbours, which has lasted for over 17 years. Bishop Onaga, who condemned lack of interest being shown by traditional rulers in Nkanu- land towards resolving the dispute, charged them to take urgent steps to settle the communal dispute and restore peace to the area. He noted that the dispute would have been settled long ago if the monarchs in Nkanuland had taken steps to mediate and bring the warring parties to dialogue, saying it was wrong for them to wait for the government to resolve the dispute. Eulogising the deceased who he described as peace-loving, Bishop Onaga urged his bereaved subjects to embrace peace and allow God to fight for them. He, however, condemned the

BY TONY

continued waste of innocent lives in the area and called on both parties to lay down their arms and allow peace to reign. Also speaking, former Minister of Power and a prominent

72% of Nigerian children anaemic —Survey

native of Umuode, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said only the implementation of the recommendations of Enugu State Government white paper on the communal feud would lay the matter to rest.

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

AGOS—A new Ma laria Indicator Survey released yesterday by the National Malaria Control Programme, NMCP, has shown that malaria is the major

DPR, SON move against petroleum products’ adulteration sure of many manufacturing

BY GODWIN ORITSE

AGOS—THE Directo rate of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and Standard Organisation, SON, have launched a mobile fuel laboratory to checkmate the adulteration of petroleum products across the country. Speaking, yesterday, at a collaborative meeting between both organisations in Lagos, DPR’s Executive Director, Mr Ostein Olorunsola, said the move wasis geared towards reducing the influx of sub-standard petroleum products into the country and urged all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to support the initiative for a better industry and a better economy. Olorunsoal disclosed that the petroleum product that will be scrutinised were Premuim Motor Spirit, PMS,

Automated Gas Oil, AGO, Kerosine and Lubricants. He noted that adulteration of Petroleum products was the worst of all sharp practices in Nigeria, adding that the trend had caused a lot of damage to machines that had further caused the clo-

firms. The DPR chief also disclosed that any outlet caught dispensing adulterated products will penalised by making monetary payment which would be measured and calculated by the level of adulteration.

cause of anaemia in 72 per cent of Nigerian children. He also showed that malaria was still endermic in the country, despite efforts targeted at preventing the disease. The 2010 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, MIS, which was officially launched and disseminated in the South West Zone in Lagos, by NMCP, Federal Ministry of Health, also implicated malaria as a major cause of fever and anaemia in children. The report showed that more than 7 in 10 Nigerian children, age 6 – 59 months, were anaemic, Hemoglobin concentration levels below 11.0g/dl.

Ex-militant leader alleges threat to life

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

ENIN CITY—AN ex-militant leader in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Oomo Tonwerigha, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, over alleged threat to his life, following alleged attack on his person after he assisted the police and men of the State Security Service, SSS, in secur-

ing the release of one Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo, who was kidnapped in Ondo State. Tonwerigha, who made the appeal through his solicitors, Omonade Mathew, Festus Keyamo Chambers, alleged that he has continued to receive threats from one Oweifa family, in Safarogbo Community in Ovia South West, after he assisted in the arrest of one Nelson Oweifa, who was arrested over the alleged kidnap of the Alhaji

in Ondo. Chief Tonwerigha has been working with security agencies in curbing criminality in the area which shared border with Ondo State. However, he said that his gesture to security agencies became sour after the Oweifa family stormed his residence with soldiers and he was framed up with the allegation of carrying illegal arms.

LATE SYLVA ELEANYA’S SERVICE OF SONGS/WAKE KEEP, AT EJIGBO, LAGOS, WEEKEND. PIX: BIODUN OGUNLEYE.

The service of Songs and Wake-Keep for Late Sylva Eleanya, Vanguard Senior Photo Journalist took place at his Ejigbo residence in Lagos week end. Mrs. Chinyere Eleanya, Widow (3rd left) and her children, during the service.

From left: Mrs. Charity Amaechina, Mrs. Joy Ajoku and Mrs Norah Uzendu during the service.

From left: Mr Demola Akinlabi, PJAN Chairman, Mr Innocent Anaba, Chairman, NUJ, Vanguard Chapel, Mr Tony Ubani, Vanguard Sports Editor and Mr. Oghene Igoroche during the service.

From left: Mr. Onyekachi Obilor, Mr. Diran Oshe, Mr. Ayo Onikoyi and Mr. Pat Omorodion.

From left: Mrs Chinyere Ilona, Bro Clement Lukpata and Mr. Emma Anyagwa, at the service.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—15

Plateau indigeneship non-negotiable — Sen Pwajok BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

BUJA—THE senator rep resenting Plateau North Senatorial Zone, Gyang Pwajok, has said the natives of the state would not mortgage their traditional institutions to those he referred to

as residents. Senator Pwajok, who was elected under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in replacement of Senator Gyang Dantong who was murdered during one of Jos crises, said those causing problems in Plateau State must

begin to realise that there was a clear distinction between indigeneship and residency in the nation’s constitution. Insisting that indigeneship in Plateau State was not negotiable, Pwajok said the long duration a person spent as a resident in any place did not confer automatic rights on him to enjoy certain rights and privileges.

MICRO-CREDIT: From right— Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Senator Sola Adeyeye and Professor Wole Soyinka, at the launching of a micro-credit scheme at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, yesterday.

Reps' Aviation C'ttee mourn Yakowa, Azazi BY OKEY NDIRIBE

BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives Committee on Aviation, yesterday, expressed shock over last Saturday ’s air crash that killed Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, former National Security Adviser, Andrew Azazi, and four others in Bayelsa State. In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, Chairman of the committee, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, disclosed that the committee would conduct a holistic investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the crash. She further expressed her condolences to the families of the bereaved, the government and people of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large over the irreparable loss. She said: “We will leave no stone unturned towards ensuring air safety in Nigeria by strengthening our oversight functions.”

NPDC records boost in oil production BY YEMIE ADEOYE

N keeping with its target to grow production to 250,000 barrels per day by 2015, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, the Exploration and Production subsidiary of NNPC, has commenced aggressive drilling on some of its oil mining leases, leading to increased production, which in effect boosts the nation’s 2.6 million barrels. The latest development is the successful drilling of Okono 6 and 7 oil wells in its OML 119, which are currently yielding 12,000 barrels per day. Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Victor Briggs, explained that Okono 6 and 7 wells were significant not just because they represented the company’s independent efforts at growing production, but the prolific nature of the wells, which were producing at an average of 6,000 barrels per day, against the older wells which produced at an average of 3,000 barrels per day. He said: “From 2010 till date, our production rose from 65,000 to 130,000 barrels per day, a bulk of the increase consists of assets handed over to us upon divestment by some of our JV partners.

“But we realised that for us to meet the target of 250,000 barrels per day by 2015, we need to build on this by exploring further afield and drilling more wells. Okono 6 and 7 wells represent our success story in this direction.” He added that the target was to drill 40 wells in the next five years as part of its growth projection.

He said certain institutions as chieftaincy and some political offices were exclusive rights of indigenes and that such practice was applicable to his state alone. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Senator Pwajok said: “When people begin to over-stretch their demands for certain things that they are not supposed to, then there is a problem.” He recalled that the Plateau State local government elections of 2008, which resulted in ethno-religious crisis, produced many ward councillors from different parts of the country, who were residents of the state. He said: “Plateau people believe that you cannot replace indigeneship with residency. Indigeneship cannot be created today, but residency is something that you can create today, so the two cannot be said to be the same.” On the protracted labour crisis in the state, following the inability of the state government to yield to the demands of workers in implementing the N18,000 minimum wage, Pwajok said security challenge and the need to reposition the state to the dream of its citizens, had made it impossible for recurrent expenditure to cope with incessant increment in salaries of workers. He said: “The problem with strike in Nigeria is that there is no stiff condition that once you are on strike, you don’t get salary for that period you were on strike. “People just feel that after all, when they resume from strike, their salaries are there to be paid to them. This has helped in creating all these unnecessary cases of strikes.”

NMA faults health workers' protest BY VICTORIA OJEME

BUJA—NIGERIAN Medical Association, NMA, has condemned last week’s protest by health workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, saying it was politically-motivated. The health workers had protested from the Federal Secretariat to the National Assembly, and demanded, among others, the immediate sack of Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who they accused of bias in favour of doctors at the expense of other health workers. NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, told newsmen in

Abuja, yesterday, after the meeting of NMA’s National Executive Council, NEC, that health workers were being used to scuttle the passage of the Health Bill. He said: “NEC observed with great dismay the recent reckless, selfish and ill-motivated protest march (in Abuja) against the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu by a handful of allied medical and health professionals/workers. “NEC viewed the politicallymotivated protest march as an act of desperation and blackmail to undermine the strong resolve of the Minister of Health to transform Nigeria’s health care sector.”

Yuletide: FG declares 3-day public holiday

BUJA—FEDERAL Government has declared Tuesday, December 25, and Wednesday, December 26, as public holidays to commemorate the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations. This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Anasthesia Nwaobia, yesterday, in Abuja. Similarly, the statement said Tuesday, January 1, 2013, had also been declared as public holiday to mark the New Year. It stated that the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, declared the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government. Moro enjoined all Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs to imbibe and emulate the spirit of the season, which is love, joy, peace, justice and kindness. He urged Nigerians to continue to promote the unity of the country in its progressive march towards nationhood. Moro also wished all Nigerians a blissful and peaceful celebration.

Transition

HE Olofindayo fam ily of Igbara-Oke in Ondo State has announced the death of their husband, father, grand father and great grand father, High Chief Michael Olofindayo, Olajorigi II, Ejemu of Igbara-Oke, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Neatidy Enterprises Ltd. He died November 12, aged 76. He is survived by a widow, children and grandchildren, including Paddy Olofindayo.

Late Chief Olofindayo.

16—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

CONDOLENCE VISITS, MEETINGS FOR LATE PATRICK YAKOWA

From left— Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Chairman of Nigerian Governors' Forum, NGF, at the forum's emergency meeting on the death of former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, at Rivers Lodge, Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

First Lady, Patience Jonathan (right) and wife of Vice President, Amina Sambo in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

From left— Mrs Yemisi Dosima Suswam, wife of Benue State Governor; Patrick Yakowa's widow, Amina; and Mrs Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

From left— Governor Obi, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Governor Aliyu and Governor Amaechi in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State (left) and Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State during NGF's emergency meeting. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives (left) and Mr. Jatau Yakowa, eldest son of late Yakowa. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

From left— Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Governor Muritala Nyako of Adamawa State, during NGF's emergency meeting. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

From left— Vice President Namadi Sambo, Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State and Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State at Government House, Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Chairman, signing condolence register at the Government House, Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—17

Roads to national self deceit

Minister of Onolomemen

Works,

Mr.

Mike

perennially rebuilding them! The quality of the roads is criminally poor! And we ignore the little cracks and potholes till they become gullies and yield major contracts! Two unasked questions: There are two questions we have not asked ourselves. Have we been building the right quality of roads for our soil texture? Why do our roads collapse before they are five years old? On 28 November, on my way to Odi in Bayelsa, as soon as I hit a portion of what is called the East-West Highway, I realised how insincere we are to ourselves as a nation! Beneath a thin film of asphalt is sand, beach sand! In the same way if you scratched the surface of the ShagamuOre-Benin expressway with a spoon, you would immediately get red earth! These are expressways plied by trailers and heavy tankers! During the public hearing, the House of Representatives disclosed that N4.14 trillion was appropriated by the National

JTF and Xmas boast

ECENTLY the Joint Task Force in Borno State (Operation Restore Order) boasted that it had successfully truncated plans by the extremist Boko Haram sect to cause another black Christmas in the State. This statement credited to the JTF spokesman, Lt Col. Sagir Musa followed the killing of one Abdulkareem Ibrahim, a commander of Boko Haram. The trouble with this type of hubris is that whenever the security agencies make a boast, Boko Haram strikes more dastardly to prove them wrong. Even if the JTF has a strategy to frustrate Christmas bombings, it should keep it secret! The success of JTF can always be appreciated by Nigerians without boasting about it!

BY UCHE NWADIALOR

HE menacing spate of insecurity which has ravaged Africa’s giant nation Nigeria expressed in youth militancy, armed robbery, kidnapping, smuggling, pipeline vandalisation, political violence and religious extremism may have gulped unjustifiable chunk of the annual budget only next to the ministry of defence budget of the 30 months Nigeria civil war. Of all the above insecurity episodes none has denounced solution and attracted global intervention as the recent terrorist invasions with suicide bombers of the parts of this country by the faceless Boko Haram sect believed to be of Islamic origin. Although Nigeria’s present security challenge has become multi factorial, religion and politics appear to dominate other factors judging from the

Assembly for the road sector from 1999 till date! Yet, only 35 per cent of the 35,000 kilometres of Federal roads are paved and a substantial percentage of it is in varying degree of deterioration. Ask yourself, when, since 1999 have we not cried and wailed annually about the deplorable conditions of Shagamu-Ore-Benin, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha and the East-West Highway? We do not know whether the appropriated funds were released and whether even what was released was used for the roads or ended up in private pockets. If we are not a nation that steals from the right pocket and hides

HE seriousness and the power of any country can be gleaned from the quality of the roads it builds for itself. You can never be in doubt of America as the most powerful nation on earth or of South Africa as the strongest economy in Africa, once you leave their airports and hit their road! Driving on the roads of these two countries, for example, you immediately come face to face with nations that love themselves; nations that have respect for their citizens; nations that are sincere with themselves; nations that do not cheat themselves and nations that want to be taken seriously among serious nations. Have you heard of any scandal associated with South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup? No, you won’t! In Nigeria, our roads also give a visitor an impression about us. With the knowledge of Nigeria as an oil-rich country and a pretender to the leadership of the black world and with the unmistakable swag of Nigerians wherever you meet them, you get a cultural shock once you hit our roads, especially the ones we call expressways! But don’t despair. Our true story awaits you—at the home of the Nigerian rich! Once you navigate the broken and waterlogged roads and the mosquito-infested overflowing gutters and make it to the home of the Nigerian elite, you are lost in splendour and opulence, so much that you would need to pinch yourself repeatedly to remind yourself that you are not in the home of a Saudi prince! Nigerians are Forbes-listed rich citizens of a very poor country, the only ones in the world richer than their country! That is the story told by our roads! Last week, the House of Representatives held a four-day public hearing on the poor state of our roads. Making his presentation, the Hon. Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolomemen told the House that an annual budget of N100 billion to fix 35,000 kilometres of Federal roads was not enough, especially given that releases of funds come in trickles. He said N500 billion per annum is more like it! I agree with him! What we actually do is not to repair or fix deteriorating roads. Because our roads are deciduous, we are

road funding is rife with endemic corruption. By the time the politicians who introduce the contractors and the civil servants who issue certificates for poor jobs skim off the contract sum, nothing is left to construct quality roads. That is why I say that we are simply lying to ourselves about roads! PPP Strategy: The debacle of the Public Private Partnership on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway should not be regarded as an indictment on PPP as a strategy to increase our stock of quality roads. Rather, that was a sad commentary on politics of nepotism in the management of our economy. What we need to do is to engage a reputable international consultants to design the roads (don’t leave that to the concessioner or the Ministry) and give them to reputable private companies to build, toll and recoup their investment. The design consultants must supervise the construction to ensure that it is in accordance with the design. That way, we can free our own money for other social sectors. Even if the Chinese who have a lot of cash and are looking for where to invest them take over, build and toll the road, it will still remain a road in Nigeria! I don’t care about who is the owner of LCC-and we should learn to care less about such things-but what they are doing

If we are not a nation that steals from the right pocket and hides it in the left pocket, N4 trillion is enough to give us at least 20,000 kilometres of quality roads that last, at least, long enough for us to build other new roads

it in the left pocket, N4 trillion is enough to give us at least 20,000 kilometres of quality roads that last, at least, long enough for us to build other new roads. I am sure that if we budgeted N4 trillion annually for roads we may still not have good roads. The Minister of Works made that salient point in an interview with Saturday Sun of 15 December when he said: “We need to tell ourselves the home truth. The way we go about road construction in this country cannot deliver good roads for Nigeria”. The reasons are obvious. One is that no serious country today develops roads with annual budget allocations. That is why the releases cannot and will never march the pace of deterioration or the demand for new roads. As the Minister of Works said, “Road development is not cheap. You need quite a lot of money”. So, you either borrow a quantum of money to build roads and pay later or you are run over by infrastructure deficit! Secondly the present method of

on the Lekki expressway is the sensible way to go! We must not let the experience of the previous toll gates deter us. Government built those roads and the government in power used the toll gates for political patronage! The less you have in the hands of governments, the less the co-efficient of corruption! But if the Federal Government, for reasons other than efficient provision of roads in Nigeria, insists on building “Federal Roads”, I insist that the maintenance of such roads be handed over to the states and the budget for their maintenance shared to the states on prorata basis. The Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, should according, be disbanded to save costs. The states are closer to these roads and will detect deterioration and effect repairs more promptly than anyone in Abuja who all his life have never or will never use the road unless on an inspection tour long after the road had collapsed!

OPINION Combating an incipient religious polarisation

recent vituperations of some self proclaimed spokesmen of that terrorist organisation. These includes the alleged call for sharia law and unsubstantiated marginalisation of setting ethnic and or religion-cultural interest in the northern part of the country. What baffles public observers is that in this part of the world including other African countries like Egypt, Somalia, Mali, Tunisia, religion is fast losing its pride of place as the opium of society. I am not a student of the Quran but I am aware that this book is similar to the Holy Bible which remains the foundation of knowledge and repository of ethical values needed by mankind for the management of the political and economy especially in the face of a seeming global

decline in the confidence level of scientific and economic theories. Suppose the extremists of Christian Nigeria and their counterpart of the traditional faith decide to embark on a similar venture, what becomes of the fate of the giant? This is the million dollar question. And suppose the quest for increased state autonomy and state police is endorsed by the National and State assemblies, what do we expect? One must commend the courage of many northern leaders especially the Sokoto monarch who is the grand superintendent of Nigeria’s Islamic congregation for condemning the terrorist invasion of parts of the country by those believed to be Muslims. Similarly, one must commend President Goodluck Jonathan for handling

the Boko Haram menace with caution this far and would wish him more grease to his elbows. Can anybody for example dismiss the insinuation that the advent of Christians and Islamism may have eroded a substantial part of Africa’s ethical values. Some of these African countries including Nigeria could be heading for a dangerous extinction of their cultural values and of the African identity. We should all join our ebullient and patriotic ex-fascist head of state Retired General Yakubu Gowon in praying for our country for a divine intervention so that our country may not be infested by the current wave of religion virus sweeping across the eastern world into the African continent.

*Mr. Nwadialor, , a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 IF something would be remembered about the naval helicopter that went down on Saturday with Governor Patrick Yakowa, General Andrew Owoye Azazi, former National Security Adviser, and four others, it would be how they died. For a country that thrives on speculations, many thoughts about the accident are plausible, yet one of the most reasonable speculations is whether it would have been avoidable. The answers would depend on who is speaking. From a technical point of view, the best maintained machine (device) can pack up at anytime. An investigation can determine what brought the helicopter down, away from all the attendant suppositions, though it is most unlikely to be made public since the incident involved a military helicopter. As the nation mourns another air disaster, thoughts would return again to safer ways of travel for Nigerians. More pointedly, why are more Nigerians patronising air travels, even to remote villages? The regular responses about speed and savings in time are not the reasons. The country’s development is skewed against

As W e Mourn We Again… rural Nigeria where millions of our people live, away from the provision of basic infrastructure that could enhance their contributions to the economy. We occasionally remember them on the few instances that the exegeses of life demand that we visit. At such times, the paucity of the basics of living dawn on us, but they are momentary and one way of flying above the problems have been to make provisions that put urban Nigerians above the rest of Nigerians. Private jets, helicopters and other such arrangements ferry those who can afford them to where they wish. Often, we do not ask how

ordinary Nigerians survive in those harsh environments. Hundreds of Nigerians in the coastal areas die from poorly constructed boats that capsized; boats that tell only a part of the stories of neglect of our people. Who bother about the deaths of these anonymous Nigerians except their immediate families? Who know better than them, that “it is a way of life”? The deaths on Saturday drew attention again to the challenges of living in Nigeria and how our rural people need to be rescued from 18th century infrastructure they are forced to use for modern living. Contracts for roads and bridges, usually worth billions of Naira, are awarded annually to redeem the situation. A most usual thing about these contracts is that they are hardly executed. We pray that the families of the departed get support to go through a most trying period. Another prayer is that governments should take up the challenge of developing rural Nigeria which holds the hope of pulling the country out of the devastating poverty that stares it in the face.

OPINION BY YANGE IKYAA

CCORDING to a research conducted on 90 drugs approved by US regulators between 1998 and 2000, the results of more than half of all clinical trials which demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of new drugs are not published within five years of the drugs in the market. The researchers, who traced the publication or otherwise of 909 separate clinical trials in scientific literature, wrote that the failure of drug companies to publish evidences relating to new medicines amounted to “scientific misconduct,” harming public good and preventing informed decisions by doctors and patients on the safe use of new medicines. However, to most people in many lands, the United States is a nation that stands at the apex of consumer safety and effective drug market regulation in comparison with other nations throughout the world. But the contrary reality by these research findings may hold critical lessons for Nigeria and other countries with strong dependence and increased public confidence in foreign medical supplies C M Y K

Appraising Nigeria's need for a pharmaceutical intervention fund for the day to day management of domestic healthcare problems. For instance, when a call was made in April 2012 by NAFDAC that a 200 billion naira Pharmaceutical Intervention Fund be established in Nigeria, the idea was viewed by many people as financially expensive. According to official statements, the proposed Fund would be used in financing loans to local pharmaceutical firms in order to enhance their capacity for more production or possible expansion. Yet, the idea received some resentment from a section of the Nigerian masses. But this critical report by American researchers may become a strong reason for most of them to now reconsider their respective positions on the matter, particularly as the nations on which Nigeria depends for health safety are being linked with consumer risks and other regulatory challenges. On July 26, 2000, the Journal of the American Medical Association (Vol. 284, No. 4) reported that, every day, 290 people are killed by prescription

drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA. The report was authored by Dr. Barbara Starfield (MD, MPH) of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, who also placed the annual figure for deaths from the adverse effects of FDA_approved prescription medications at 106, 000 people.

ith this manner of scary statistics from reputable medical sources, the regulation of consumer imports in Nigeria deserves to be treated as an urgent matter of national security. In order to achieve this, there must be a clearly laid_out plan to increase local production of pharmaceutical goods and enhance proportional reduction in the amount of imported medical supplies. Already, there are favourable conditions for achieving this, but the Nigerian government seems to be going slow in this direction. Recently, the World Health Organization, WHO, certified Pan African Foundation, PAF, as a potential beneficiary of the NAFDAC-

proposed Fund. PAF is a Nigerian disposable syringe manufacturing company based in Port Harcourt, and was one among 11 other companies selected by NAFDAC for the WHO prequalification exercise. The company won a place alongside more others in South Africa, Uganda and Morocco, thus completing a list of seven companies endorsed by experts from US and the European Union. In technical terms, a pre_qualification by WHO gives pharmaceutical companies the franchise of marketing their products worldwide. If PAF succeeds to function this way, it will not only strengthen the nation’s arm of consumer safety but also boost its revenue base. However, without a swift reaction to the NAFDAC-proposed Fund, Nigeria may only be sitting on her prospects in the sustainable management of its healthcare sector.

*Mr. Ikyaa, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012— 19

, P

ROF. Akinyemi’s treatment of nationality as the unit of Nigerian federalist statecraft is his strategic framework as affirmed in the following: “Nigeria, made up of 250-300/ 350 nationalities (depending on which 1 study one consults) of disparate population sizes, was obviously a candidate for federalism”. Prof. Akinyemi does not problemmatise the British decision to administer Nigeria on the eve of independence as a federation and he likewise does not problemmatise the decision of Nigerian Independence Politicians to inherit a post colonial Nigeria as a Federation. Prof. Akinyemi observes as follows: “Apart from the fact that the British colonial administration had run the colonial territory as “Federation” the Nigerian leaders themselves were determined to inherit an independent Nigeria as federation. Some may argue that neither the British nor Nigerian leaders had much choice. But it

should be borne in mind that around this time, the French, on the eve of independence broke up its West African Federation and its Central African Federation into independent constituent states. I believe that the British and the Nigerian leaders were genuinely committed to the concept of Nigeria as a Federation”. In this conclusion stated above is the implication of the failure of Prof. Akinyemi to ask “the why question” about the British and Nigerian decision to organise post colonial Nigerian Government as a federation. Both the English and French founded empires and they fashioned ways to effectively administer their colonies. In their choice of federation, the British and French colonialists clearly showed they knew the difference between the Empire as a state and the federation as a structure of government. The French, as shown by Akinyemi, chose a different administrative structure through which independence was granted

to their subjects. For both the British and the French the mode of administering their colonies was a technical decision, subject to the logic of effective and efficient administration. The subjects of French and British colonisation were therefore not bound to accept the colonialist mode of administering their sovereignty unless they saw their endorsement of their colonisers administration as effective and efficient for them as successor sovereigns. The need exist therefore for distinguishing between federation as a structure of sovereignty and as a structure of government.

he French and the British were rulers of their empires and chose on the basis of expediency modes of administration that worked for them. Just as there was no inevitability in the choice of administrative mode for the British and the French, so there ought to be no inevitability for post

Race for PDP BoTChair:Between moderation and desperation BY KAYODE OJO

INCE after the November 30, 2012 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was adjourned to January 8, 2013, for the purpose of picking a new chairman of the Board, I have read a series of syndicated analyses in the newspapers in which the writers, all of whom are curiously Igbo stock, had attempted to drag the reputations of all those who have been mentioned as candidates for the position in the mud. The only exception is former Senate President in the fifth Senate, Kenechukwu Nnamani, who is their kinsman and hero. Three of such jaundiced analyses have so far been published and more will still adorn the pages of our newspapers in the days ahead. Two of them appeared on the same day in Leadership Sunday and THISDAY Sunday of December 9, 2012 on pages 2122 (particularly at 22) and pages 100 and 102 respectively. While Stanley Nkwocha wrote the one in Leadership Sunday, Chuks Okocha wrote the one in THISDAY Sunday. To be sure, the analyses and ratings were bereft of any streak of empiricism and bore no weight of fairness. Manifestly, they reeked of corrupt consciences and compromised sense of objectivity in all their ramifications. I would, however, like to state from the outset that this is not a rejoinder; and, therefore, would not bother myself with trying to debunk the fallacy and mendacity which they had made in their analyses. But this is an attempt to raise a voice of reason that bears pieces of advice to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and

the Presidency under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in the hope that they will hearken to them and act in accordance. I quite understand that whatever is done in the PDP now is construed within the context of the forthcoming 2015 presidential elections. This is why the PDP leadership and Jonathan must be careful not to pander to the frenzy for democracy by imprudently exposing an organ of the party as important as the Board of Trustees, which is regarded by the founding fathers as the conscience of the party, to the tension of election in choosing its chairman. Since the Board only plays advisory role, why does the PDP leadership want to subject it to the rigours of election, knowing full well that the outcome of any election always produces a fractious entity or body. The winner would go home with a feeling of victory while the loser or losers would go with a feeling of defeat. This will not augur well for the BoT of the PDP. Besides, election of BoT chair which is being planned by the party leadership is novel and this novelty has the potential of damaging the conscience of the party if allowed to hold. I am very conversant with the history of the PDP BoT since the inception of the party in 1998. I stand to be corrected: The choice of successive chairmen and secretaries had never been subjected to elections. It had always been through consensus of members, acting in concert with the President. This is the most enduringly noble path that the PDP must thread and President Jonathan must apply the weight of his office to ensure that the convention is not tampered with. If the Board of Trustees is

colonial British Nigeria to opt for a federation either at the level of state form or form of government. The agitation for independence as a process that involved the end to the British dominion in Nigeria did not establish a Nigerian dominion in Nigeria. There is a transition between the end of British Rule in Nigeria and the establishment of Nigerian Rule in Nigeria. The course of the politics of bringing about the end of British rule in Nigeria is therefore not the same as the course of politics to establish Nigerian rule in Nigeria. It is the later course of politics that describes the nature of the Nigerian Rulers and the constitutional character of the Rule of Nigerian Rulers in Nigeria. Prof. Akinyemi identified Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a theoretician politician who devoted some thinking to the two phases of politics in his appropriately titled book The Path to Nigerian Freedom (1947). According to Akinyemi: “The most theoretical proponent of Nigerian federalism, who was also a practicing politician, was Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who argued in 1947 in his Path to Nigerian Freedom, that Nigerian federal structure should be based on the internal nationalities. This led him to later propose that Nigeria should have 18 states. Apart from the Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo nationalities who were regarded as having their own regions confirmed, the so called minorities who should really be called other nationalities mounted a spirited campaign to have regions/states of their own before independence”. If inheritance of British imperial sovereignty in Nigeria would be based on each nationality in control of its own region or state or a zone, and if the Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo were already regarded as having their own

Prof. Akinyemi's appreciation of Nigerian federalist parxes: A critique

Sovereignty politics in Nigeria has been structured as campaign for creation of regions or states controlled by putative sovereign nationalities

I do not think the PDP needs the election of a BoT chair to prove that it is democratic; it will be sardonic if the party allows election to factionalise and traumatise the conscience of the party

understandably an assemblage of the founding fathers and those who had contributed to the party by virtue of holding a public office, whether in the past or currently, and who are not remunerated for the role they play, why subject the emergence of a chairman or even secretary to election? Members should relate with the positions as offering selfless service and, in that wise, be begged to serve. They should not desperately scramble to occupy the position. Take it or leave it, election will destroy the fabrics of the Board. I was wont to believe that members of the Board are elders and statesmen who are wise in their own right. I hope they will bring that wisdom to bear in the matter of choosing a chairman for the Board. It is not too late for the Board and the leadership of the party to review their decision on choice of a chairman through election. It is not that I am averse to election; in fact, that is the bulwark of democracy. But I do not think the PDP needs the election of a BoT chair to prove that it is democratic. It will be sardonic if the party allows election to factionalise and traumatise the conscience of the party. Will it be able to moderate the desperate

region/state/zones, it made sense for the so-called minorities who according to Prof. Akinyemi should be called other nationalities to campaign to have their own regions/states/zones before independence. This observation, by Prof. Akinyemi is a significant theoretical observation for the notion of “ nationality ” in Nigerian political lexicon has come to define Nigerian sovereignty in territorial terms and sovereignty in Nigeria in ethnic terms. Since sovereignty in Nigeria is ethnic in expression and Nigeria is a multi-ethnic society, interNigerian struggle for power as structured by the British and affirmed by Nigerian Independence Politicians in the era of pro-independence colonial constitutional reforms, took the form of struggle for ethnic ownership of a Nigeria divided into portions of territorial sovereignty. With the above as a theoretical template of sovereignty on the basis of nationality, sovereignty politics in Nigeria has been structured as campaign for creation of regions or states controlled by putative sovereign nationalities. This explains the present agitation for state creation in the present review of the constitution. Elsewhere in Africa ethnic or nationality sovereignty politics has taken the course of Civil Wars. In Nigeria it has taken the course of demand for state region or state creation. From three regions the reconstitution of the territoriality of sovereignty has resulted in the 36 plus the Federal Capital Territory formation. And as evident in the present agitations the demand for more states is yet to be satiated. If there is to be an end to further creation of states, has the security implication of such grave game change been adequately thought through?

tendencies that rear their heads in the party? Will it have the sanity of mind and the selflessness to intervene in moments of tension in the party and in government? This is why Jonathan has a historic role to play in ensuring that the chairman of the BoT emerges through consensus. Regardless of the letters of intention that have been written to the party by members, he can initiate a process of engaging members of the Board so that they can agree on someone who has the qualities they expect in a chairman. Although, I do not know if a template of prescribed qualities or criteria has been drawn up, I am sure that the first thing that should count is whether the person that would chair the Board is a founding father or member of the PDP. It makes it easy for him or her to always return to the beginning to remind members of the philosophy behind the formation of the party and the Board. The person’s contributions to the party and government should count. His or her loyalty should not be discounted; it must have been demonstrated 100 percent at all material times since the inception of the party. He or she should be a man or woman of integrity, who says what he or she means and means what he or she says; a man or woman whose positions on issues are known and who would not waver in the face of filthy lucre. And if he or she compromises, it would be in the interest of the party and the nation. His or her personality must be amiable to a vast majority of party leaders and members such that he or she would earn respect of members as well as political and public office holders. He or she must have played politics of accommodation and inclusiveness such that members of the Board would be at rest that he or she is not in the saddle to feather his or her own nest; that he or she is not in the saddle to be relevant in the scheme of things. *Mr. Ojo, a political analyst , wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard , TUESDAY TUESDAY,, DECEMBER 18, 2012

I lost everything to Ibadan midnight inferno cries market leader BY OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

F Mr. Olusola Olalere, the General Chairman, Ifeleye/ Ogunpa Market had known the people whom he had offended as the leader of the market, he would not have hesitated to beg them for forgiveness. He would have pleaded for mercy if he had known that the deadly blow his alleged enemies would leave on him would be this disastrous. Though, the incident did not claim the life of Mr. Olalere, the scar it left on his life may take a very long time to heal. If asked to describe the saddest day of his life, it is a fact that he would not want to mention Monday December, 10, 2012 when all his means of livelihood were destroyed by a strange fire that gutted his shop at Ifeleye Market. He would not want to remember the day not because it was not the saddest day but he would prefer to keep mum on the incident because it would fester another wound and leave sad memories that would make his heart

•Rubbles from the burnt building

Mr. Olusola Olalere phone call came about 11.55pm informing him that the storey building where he kept N1.8m and motorcycle spare parts esti-

Some men were seen pulling down the whole structure because there was virtually nothing to retrieve from it

bleed. After the day’s hectic work, Mr. Olalere had gone to bed hoping to have a sound sleep in his residence located in the Olorunsogo area of Ibadan. But before he could fall into a deep sleep, he got a strange

mated at N25m was on fire. He quickly dashed to the place but the raging fire did not give him room to take even a needle out of the entire shop Although men of the Fire Service were there on time and used their expertise to check the spread of

the midnight inferno, but their best could not help Olalere. This latest incident happened a few weeks after an early morning inferno destroyed property worth millions of Naira at Labaowo Market, just some metres away from Ifeleye. The fire, according to Olalere, razed down the storey building which houses tyres, motor batteries and other goods. The havoc caused by the fire could have been more if the men of the fire brigade had not responded on time. When Vanguard Metro visited the scene the following day, billows of smoke still enveloped the market. Some men were seen pulling down the whole structure because

there was virtually nothing to retrieve from it. A cluster of traders stood opposite the road narrating the sad incident. Till now, what caused the fire that started from the upper part of the building still remains a mystery as there had been no electricity supply to the market for the past three weeks. But Olalere, a motorcycle and spare parts distributor told Vanguard Metro that he had a clue as to what caused the fire disaster. He Alleged in a very convincing tone that somebody set his shop ablaze although he could not tell who the person was. As the leader of the market, he said there was no way he could please everybody. Painfully, he had just bought some goods on Friday and all of them were lost to the fire. VM met him outside a shop, where he was squatting. He was drinking cold water intermittently even though it was in the morning. As he was being interviewed, several phone calls from sympathisers almost became a

US-based NGO signs pact with Ejigbo LCDA to build library BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

S part of efforts to incul cate reading culture in children and other residents of Ejigbo, Hope and Dreams Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, NGO based in United States of America, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding. MoU with the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area,LCDA to build a library in the area. The signing of the MoU was the high point of a essay competition put together by the NGO and the LCDA. The Chairman, of Ejigbo LCDA, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan signed the MOUon behalf of the Council,while the chief executive officer of the NGO,Mrs Nguzo Onovo signed on behalf of her organization. C M Y K

Onovo explained that initiative was prompted by the passion exhibited by the chairman. The passion, she said, encouraged her to open the window of collaboration between her NGO and the council towards improving the standard of education for the children. Onovo who is a Nigerian based in USA explained that her organization was basically set up to develop reading culture among children all over the world. She hopes to provide a solid foundation for the actualization of this objective in Nigeria. According to her, Ejigbo LCDA is the first council in the country to benefit from the NGO’s initiative. Commending Bamigbetan for committing much of the Council’s resources to the educational development of children and youth of the LCDA, she gave the assurance the

NGO would also collaborate with the council to conduct summer reading program every long vacation for the children. Responding, Mr. Bamigbetan expressed profound appreciation to Onovo and her NGO for supporting his administration in its effort to secure a brighter future for children in the local government. “With your decision to partner with our council to build a library furnished with books,computers and other educational materials, you have planted a seed which at the end of its germination,will benefit the society. For us in Ejigbo LCDA, this is just the beginning for our children. We will continue to strive to equip them with necessary educational skills to enable them become useful to themselves and the society at large,”Bamigbetan said.

nuisance. Besides, some sympathisers stood in groups consoling him and praying that God should replenish Olalere. To all these prayers, he was just muttering some words, sometimes, inaudible. When asked how it all happened, he managed to say this: “After I had left the shop on Saturday, I got a call around 11.55pm that my shop was on fire. I quickly rushed there. By the time I got there, fire men were there. They did their best but all my goods worth N25m and 1.8m that I kept in the shop were gone with the fire. The building is there. We are pulling it down perhaps we may still see the remnant of the burnt money.

Electricity supply ”I don’t suspect anybody, but you know that as a leader, you offend some people and also please some. But, I’m sure somebody torched my shop. There has been no electricity supply for the past three weeks and I don’t use any generator. The one I had, I have given it out to somebody. When there is heat, I always sit in front of my shop”. Asked him if any of his boys knew about the money he kept in the shop, he replied by saying that it was only his cashier that knew about it. ”I cannot suspect him because he has been with me for a long time and he is very honest,” he said. Olalere appealed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi to put measures in place to mitigate the losses of the traders. Mr. Sina Sotunbo, another trader, estimated the goods he lost at N20 million. One of the men from the state fire service said he and his men brought three water tankers to the scene.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 21

WTO sees more trade disputes ahead after vintage year

surge in trade disputes has forced the World Trade Organization to reallocate staff to cope with a flood of litigation in the pipeline for 2013, according to diplomats and documents at the global trade body in Geneva. The WTO’s 157 members have launched 26 trade disputes so far in 2012, the most since 2003 and three times more than the eight new complaints filed in 2011. According to an internal WTO document seen by Reuters, the WTO decided to reallocate staff to the disputes team to deal with the increasing number and complexity of legal cases. “We are seeking to reallocate resources from other divisions. It’s happening already,” said one WTO

source. As well as moving staff, the trade body also advertised for a senior dispute settlement lawyer, at a starting salary of around 161,900 Swiss francs ($175,300), and is seeking short term candidates to help deal with the caseload. The boom in litigation comes as the WTO struggles to get back on the path to reforming its rules, after the failure of the decade-old Doha round of trade negotiations last year. “The less you negotiate the more you litigate, and vice versa,” said one trade diplomat. The resort to the dispute settlement system signifies both trust in the global trade rules and distrust among its members, as they fight for a share of a pie that is not quite shrinking, but expected to grow by a mere 2.5 percent this year.

Although the WTO expects global trade growth to quicken to 4.5 percent in 2013, that would remain below the annual average of 5.4 percent over the past two decades. WTO Director General Pascal Lamy will report to WTO members on the global trading environment on Monday, armed with a report showing they had brought in 308 new trade-restricting policies, covering 1.3 percent of traded goods, over the past 12 months. “The difficulties and concerns generated by the persistence of the global economic crisis, with its many facets, are fuelling the political and economic pressures put on governments to raise trade barriers,” Lamy ’s report says. “This is not the time to succumb to these pressures.”

L-R: Head, Direct Sales Force, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. John Okon; Principal Confidential Secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Mrs. Ethel Nwobi; Chief Executive Officer, Advalue Ltd, Mr. Charles Monmuba and Assistant Director, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lagos Zonal Office, Mr.Obi Ireabu, at the Sterling Bank Savers’ Promo Draw in Lagos, weekend.

Money laundering, terrorism undermine our prosperity, stability - GIABA BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

NTER Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, said that if left unchecked, money laundering and terrorist undermine the integrity of economic, political and judicial systems and the stability and prosperity of nation states. Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, Director General, GIABA, said in a training workshop on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for North and West African States organised by the Swiss Confederation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria in collaboration with GIABA.

He said that these menaces can also lead to the breakdown of the orderliness of legitimate businesses, interfere with economic and other state policies, distort market conditions and ultimately create serious systemic risks and hemorrhage, adding that where financial institutions are involved in or tolerate money laundering, the result has been distress and collapse. He said, “The plague of insecurity ravaging the entire world, the changing nature and ubiquity of transnational crimes, the excruciating and deleterious effects of money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) illuminate the importance of evolving enduring strategies that would stand the test of time.

“Every passing moment makes the world smaller as a result of globalization and technological advancement. The complex nature of money laundering and terrorist financing is a manifestation of modern day criminality, and the many ways in which they operate in practice make assessing the harm caused a daunting task. “Despite the absence of precise estimates, one could imagine that sizeable proceeds of crime enter economies of states one way or another. The influence and power of organized criminal groups therefore increases, while the control and integrity of the government and major public and private institutions are correspondingly diminished.

NIMASA sends over 1,000 young Nigerians for seafarers training in Philippines BY GODWIN ORITSE

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has concluded plans to train a total of 50,000 Nigerian seafarers just as the first batch of 1,500 is set to sail to the Philippines for various training in the seafaring profession. Speaking at send forth ceremony for the beneficiaries of the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), NIMASA’s DirectorGeneral, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi said that the agency is making efforts to ensure that Nigeria is able to bridge the seafarers gap projected vacancy of 250,,000 seafarers by the year 2015 by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) He said that NIMASA is giving the beneficiaries fill sponsorship because of the seriousness the agency attache to the NSDP project which was initiated about three years ago. He noted that there is a decline in the seafaring profession and the government has decided to build capacity in this area of the maritime industry. He stated that the government no cost on the training of the cadets, as the government also want to commence the export of seafarers to other parts of the world like the Philippines. “The desire to fast track the creation of a large pool of Nigerian seafarers by the year 2015, to meet local demand and contribute to the manpower needs of the international shipping community, informed the agency’s decision to commence a ‘fully sponsored scheme ‘ whereby NIMASA fully sponsors qualified students.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Unilever unveils roadmap to sustainable living plan BYPRINCEWILLEKWUJURU

L-R Oscar Onyema, D-G Nigeria Stock Exchange, Dr Akinwunmi Adeshina, Minister for Agriculture and Arunma Oteh, D-G, Securities and Exchange Commission, at the workshop on Financing the Agricultural Revolution organised by the Commission in Lagos

NILEVER Nigeria has unveiled its corporate roadmap to sustainable growth – The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP), is the company’s vision to double its growth and reduce the environmental impact of its operations, as it partners Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). In line with the USLP, Unilever is committed to helping Nigerians take action to improve their health and well being. To this end the Unilever Foundation has forged a global partnership with UNICEF and Save the Children, and through

A rebuilt Lagos-Ibadan expressway that would best serve us THE Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN, has announced its intentions of making new arrangements for rebuilding the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. This expressway has been in use for over 30 years and motorists and transporters currently face unpredictable journey times once an incident occurs that leads to the partial or complete blockage of either the northbound or southbound carriageway. The incident could be the collision of two or more vehicles or the malfunction of an articulated goods vehicle or fuel tanker that results in goods or fuel spilling onto the road surface. Sometimes, the fuel tanker catches fire. When the expressway was being planned in the 1970s, its engineering designs had a road pavement with an asphalt layer as road surface, below which was a crushed granite layer above laterite soil. However, the FGN decided to reduce project costs to meet available resources and the expressway was built without the crushed granite layer. Within a few years of use, the road pavement failed resulting in uneven, corrugated or broken road surface in places.

Additional layers of asphalt Attempts to restore the road surface with additional layers of asphalt were not successful as degradation of the road pavement continued. It was only in the mid 2000s that, starting from Warewa, the asphalt layers were removed and the road pavement rebuilt with a crushed granite base course and fresh asphalt layer on top. Currently, the northbound carriageway has a good road surface from Warewa to a short distance beyond the Redemption Camp. The incidents causing partial or complete carriageway blockage are due in part to poor driving habits, poor vehicle maintenance and poor road surface. There are substantial social costs in lives lost and economic losses include additional fuel costs for vehicles that are delayed, wasted man-hours for persons delayed and increased charges for transportation of goods. For example, in the late 1990s, an articulated tipper could make two return

journeys each day between Lagos and Ibadan for delivery of granite to Victoria Island, Lagos. A prudent estimate would allow for only one such delivery today. In making policy decisions on how to rebuild the expressway, the FGN should consider not only the initial project costs but also what would be the costs of not building to optimum designs. There is a population of about 200,000 persons within a land corridor 2km wide on either side of the expressway between the old Toll Gate in Lagos and the Sagamu interchange and the expressway is a road that they must use once they leave their neighbourhood. This population will grow to about 1.2 million persons within the next 30 years and the expressway must be able to meet the needs of the population in addition to all the other traffic from outside the area. The expressway should be rebuilt with six lanes on each of the northbound and southbound carriageways between the interchange at Ojota, Lagos and the

Sagamu interchange from where it should continue to Ojoo in Ibadan with four lanes on each of the northbound and southbound carriageways. U-turns at road-surface level should be eliminated and replaced with interchanges or ramp and bridge structures across the expressway as appropriate. The Ogun State Government, OGSG, should be encouraged to identify and acquire the land corridor for as well as build an east-west road from Ogijo on the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road to an interchange on the expressway somewhere between Arepo, Punchplace and Magboro. Interchanges should be provided to serve the population at Ibafo and Mowe, the interchange at Mowe should be at the southern gate of Redeemer’s University where the road from Simawa meets the expressway. The interchanges near Arepo and the southern gate of Redeemer ’s University would be significant in that they lead to routes for moving traffic from the expressway to the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road in the event of an incident on the expressway.

these partnerships, the company is delivering various interventions to help tackle diseases and cut down infant mortality rates. In Nigeria, Unilever is working with Save the Children to provide life-saving support to mothers and their babies at the time of birth and during the critical post-partum period by providing improved access to knowledge improvement for health workers, nutritional programmes/enlightenment and vaccines. Unilever Nigeria is also supporting UNICEF in its Community Led Total Sanitation programme in Nigeria, an initiative which focuses on curbing open defecation by ensuring that more Nigerians have access to proper sanitary facilities. At an event to mark Unilever Nigeria’s CSR Day and formal launch of the USLP, Unilever’s Managing Director, Mr. Thabo Mabe said USLP is inspired by Unilever ’s commitment to building sustainability into the way the company does its business “through the company’s living plan. “We want to ensure that we decouple the growth of our business from the impact our activities have on environment. To achieve this, we will take responsibility not just for our manufacturing processes, but also for the entire lifecycle of our products –from the sources of our raw materials to where our products are consumed, and the disposal of our packaging” he said. Commenting on the partnership, Mabe noted that Unilever ’s partnership with UNICEF and Save the Children is in line with one of the pillars of USLP which is to help people improve their health and well being.”

NSE warns investors not to misconstrue IPF for insurance scheme BYPETEREGWUATU

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has warned investors not to miscomprehend the Investors Protection Fund (IPF) for insurance scheme. The warning is coming after the Federal Government granted forbearance package to the stockbrokers following the margin saga with banks. The shareholders argued that the government, via Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took over their investment without compensating them while stockbrokers were considered for debt forgiveness. Some of the shareholders said, “We equally lost our money through the shares we bought so government should consider us and instructing the NSE to compensate us through

Investors Protection Fund.”The Executive Director, Market Operation and Technology of the NSE, Mr. Adeolu Bajomo, said, “ IPF is not insurance policy where investors can make claim for. The IPF is meant for investors who genuinely made transaction with stockbrokers but such deal was not executed or was somehow defrauded by the stockbrokers.” Bajomo, noted that margin transaction between stockbrokers and banks were genuine transactions but were not previously regulated. According to him, “Shareholders should note that whatever investment they made was risk taken by them. Investment in the capital market is risk bearing and the shareholders are risk takers, but for depositors government needed to protect them because they are not risk takers and in any systemic failure

they must be protected.” He declared that the primary responsibility of the NSE like other exchanges is to provide investors, issuers, and intermediaries with efficient, transparent, and well regulated market where capital is raised Continuing, Bajomo, informed that the NSE is overhauling its trade platform to make transaction on the stock market very transparent, with various market surveillance mechanism. According, to him, “The NSE is poised to improve its trading technology so that investors can access the prices of equities as they are traded and make order through their phone and other Information Technology Telecommunication (ICT) mechanism that will help them monitor their investment.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—23

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Chevron recognises NIMASA’s ‘classification societies' By GODWIN ORITSE

HEVRON Nigeria Limit ed, CNL, may have backed down on its refusal to recognize two of the six names on the list of classification societies recently approved by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) It will be recalled that Chevron had refused to recognise two Classification Societies approved by the NIMASA, a development that had pitched the affected classification societies against Chevron, thereby placing the oil major on a potential war path with the nation’s apex maritime regulatory agency. NIMASA had in a Marine Notice published June this year given recognition to six classification societies, namely: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Lloyds Register (LR), International Naval Survey Bureau (INSB), and International Register of Shipping (IRS). However, a counter Marine Notice to NIMASA from Chevron omitted the INSB and the IRS from the list of classification societies recognised by the oil company. Among those recognised in the Chevron’s Marine Notice to NIMASA were China Classification Society (CCS), Dek Norske Veritas (DNV), Germanischer Lloyd (GL), Korean Register of Shipping (KRS), Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (NK), Registro Italiano Navale (RINA), Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS),

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Croatian Register of Shipping (CRS) and Polish Register of Shipping (PRS). The Chevron Notice was signed by one Philip Rafferty, Marine Expert and Senior Compliance Manager, Upstream Marine Assurance.

ronically, Chevron in the notice, claimed it will “support and promote the initiatives of NIMASA and NCDMB (Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board).” But many Nigerian owned ships are classified by INSB and IRS. When contacted, Managing Director of the INSB, Engr. Akin Olaniyan, said that Chevron which a private en-

tity cannot determine the classification societies that should be recognised. Olaniyan explained that it is only a country’s flag administrator that is empowered to determined classification societies. In his words: “Which marine notice? Chevron a private body is giving marine notice to a flag administrator like NIMASA does it make sense? Now if a company XYZ Nigeria limited now comes out and says all the marine notices given by NIMASA that we do not want them will they still have credence to their name? Certainly not, marine notice is only being issued by the flag administration for ships that fly those flags. For instance, a Panama flag cannot be recog-

nised in Nigeria. For Nigerian vessels that fly the Nigerian flag, the marine notice that can be issue to them will be from the flag administration. Don’t forget that Chevron is just a company, Chevron has decided to go that way, fine for them but they should realise that they are in Nigeria; I don’t want to bother because the flag administrator is the final arbiter. If your company decides to have a ship and decides to have XYZ class that is your own good luck. The point is that I don’t like joining issues with such companies because these are clear things on ground. The flag administrator has said this, any other company that says anything contrary I will

2011-Large-Cap-of-the-Year-Winner-ANADARKO-Andy-Yakuba-of-NNPC-presents-awardto-Ian-Cooling-of-Anadarko

NUC, PNN partner on renewable energy ••To train about 2,750 people from Nigerian universities

NN, a leading pan-African technolo gy service provider in the development of communications and power sectors in Africa, has entered into partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), to undertake a train-the-trainer scheme to develop university personnel for the renewable energy sector. The programme was developed by PNN in conjunction with the NUC in response to the federal government’s plan to produce 40,000MW of electricity in Nigeria, with at least 10% of the power coming from renewable energy sources. Under the terms, 25 staff from each national university will be invited to participate in the training programme, also fa-

cilitated by the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), and the Renewable Energy Technology Institute (RETI), over the next four years. The Chief Executive of PNN, Otunba AbdulRahman Abiola-Odunowo, noted that the renewable energy sector in Nigeria has suffered from a lack of technical skill and value in service delivery, hence the decision by his firm to develop this training scheme. “What PNN and NUC aim to do with the train-the-trainer programme is fill the gaps in skills acquisition and delivery, such that we are able to transfer knowledge to university lecturers throughout Nigeria, which can then be passed on in

a structured, systematic way to the men and women who will work directly in the green energy sector” he said. PNN is an official development partner of the Federal Ministry of Environment’s Renewable Energy Programme, and is one of the pioneers of the development of the renewable energy sector in Nigeria. “As an FGN-approved renewable energy partner, we are making sure the train-the-trainer programme falls in line with the capacity building efforts of the federal government for the burgeoning renewables sector,” said Abiola-Odunowo. He added that it will prepare Nigerian lecturers and others to support a massive drive for personnel training throughout the country.

ABB flags $350m charge to revamp power systems unit

WISS engineering group ABB is dropping low-margin projects at its power systems business in an attempt to make the division more profitable, resulting in a fourth-quarter charge of $350 million. Tough price competition in Asia and delays in connecting offshore wind farms to power grids have hit margins at ABB and German rival Siemens’ power businesses. ABB flagged a review of its power systems unit, its least profitable division which makes subsea cable systems and power links to connect renewable energy to the grid, in October. In November, Siemens announced a 6 billion euro savings drive over the next two years, more than half of which will come from its energy business. ABB Chief Executive Joe Hogan said on Friday that the power systems unit’s poor performance was disappointing. As a result, ABB is pulling out of low-margin engineering, procurement and construction operations in more than 10 countries including the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Nigeria. It plans to shift its focus to higher-margin software and systems activities. “Power systems has not generated consistent returns. This is not acceptable,” Hogan said. As part of the overhaul, ABB has raised the division’s margin target on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to 9-12 percent and expects the business to reach the new target by the fourth quarter of next year. The unit’s third-quarter operating profit margin of 5.9 percent fell short of the group’s mid-term target range of 7 to 11 percent. By comparison, ABB’s most profitable division - which makes circuit breakers and enclosed switches - had a margin of 19.5 percent. “We welcome the measures, that should raise ABB’s profitability and make the portfolio less risky,” ZKB analysts said. Shares in ABB were flat at 18.77 francs by 1123 GMT compared with a slightly firmer European industrial goods and services sector.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 25

HE proposed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly has been viewed by many as the catalyst that will help transform the environmental and economic problems facing the oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta Region. The question of how the law will address human rights violation and corporate social responsibility becomes vital. Growing up, vivid images of environmental and political degradation of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria were a terrifyingly common place: surfaces of rivers and streams littered with dead fish; little children dying from the effects of contaminated water and the devastating impact of violent unrest by a vast number of unemployed, disaffected and disenchanted youths. The social economic problems in the region are grounded in a fundamental and systemic disregard for human rights and the inequities of resource allocation. If the revenues from natural resources obtained from these regions in Nigeria were properly managed and fairly allocated, the societal dissensions and historically deep resentments might be less profound. It is no secret that the human rights regime - as it relates to corporate responsibilities in Nigeria is somewhat rudimentary. For example, although globalization has provided massively profitable opportunities to oil companies in this region, and together with other multinationals, the opportunity to operate legally and abuse weak regulatory structure so as to maximizing profit, the native inhabitants frequently continue to suffer. Investigations of corporate conduct carried out by Amnesty International and Judicial Watch in the Niger Delta region revealed serious

BRIEF LADOL to empower youths with leadership roles By KUNLE KALEJAYE

•Jonathan

•Diezani

The PIB and Corporate Social Responsibility By FELIX AYANRUOH violations of human rights, which included, among others, environmental degradation, forcible displacement, extrajudicial killings and war crimes. The theory of corporate responsibility for human rights protection is now a seminal part of international law. Building upon the traditional notion whereby international law generally places duties on states and, more recently, individuals, it is pertinent to question how the international legal process might provide for human rights obligations directly on corporations. Although the United States and other developed countries recognizes human rights protection due to corporate un-

ethical activities, countries in Africa, including Nigeria argued that the duty to protect against human rights violations by third parties rests with the state. The Nigerian government has frequently failed to meet its obligations to respect, and protect human rights, while providing security to the oil industry, because of its importance to the economy. The PIB presented both a legal and regulated frameworks for corporate accountability in the Nigerian jurisprudence. Section 118 proposes the establishment of the Petroleum Host Community Fund - requiring a detailed and transparent financial distribution system to ensure that communities benefit directly from petroleum activities. It

Eland to be listed on FTSE AIM 50 index

LAND Oil & Gas, a Nigeria focused up stream petroleum company, will become a part of the FTSE AIM 50 Index from December 24, 2012, a statement said last week. FTSE AIM 50 Index comprises of the 50 largest UK incorporated companies on AIM by market capitalisation. Eland qualified for the FTSE AIM 50 by dint of its high market capitalisation (approximately £150million) and strong liquidity. Inclusion in the index does a number of things for the company, including increasing its visibility to investors and triggers analyst coverage; widens the investor base by attracting newer classes of investors; helps in comparing the company’s performance against a peer group and supports liquidity and future capital raising. Eland Oil & Gas was admitted to AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s specialised market for growth companies, on September 3, 2012 having raised £118million. It has a significant financial and operational interest in the Oil Mining Lease, OML-40

field located onshore Niger Delta. Commenting on Eland’s inclusion in FTSE AIM-50, Head of Primary Markets for Africa at the London Stock Exchange, Mr. Ibukun Adebayo, said: “Eland Oil and Gas has qualified for FTSE AIM 50, an index of top UK incorporated AIM companies, within three months of joining the market. This is a clear demonstration of the exciting growth potential for smaller Nigerian companies and testament to London and international investors’ willingness to support ambitious, fastgrowing companies.” AIM is the London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller growing companies. A wide range of businesses including early stage, venture capital backed as well as more established companies join AIM seeking access to growth capital, making it the most successful growth market in the world. Since its launch in 1995, over 3,000 companies from across the globe have chosen to join AIM.

provides for direct financial transfer of 10% after-tax profits derived from upstream petroleum operations in onshore areas and shallow waters areas to the communities and littoral states.

olistic analysis of the bill indicates that the PHC fund will be used for economic, social and much required human rights of the communities and not net gains as been asserted by some, including Mr. Daniel Reyenju, a member of the National Assembly representing Delta State, who in a recent interview with one on the national dailies stated that it is like Oliver Twist asking for more. The bill mandates the Minister of Petroleum Resources to regulate the manner in which the revenue will be allocated. This aspect of the bill in my opinion will open the door in principle to considerable political interference and possible nontransparency. Part VII of the bill effectively addressed the issues of health, safety, and environment, however, section 293(2) provides that companies would not be held responsible for environmental damages resulting from sabotage. Furthermore, section 298 permits the Inspectorate and the Agency to hold any person or company liable for sanctions and to levy penalty in violation of health, safety and environmental issues. It mandates licensees, and contractors to support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges, encourage the development and the use of environmentally friendly technologies for exploration and development in Nigeria. Felix Ayanruoh, an energy expert wrote from the U.S.

ADOL Integrated Logis tics Enterprise, an indigenous service company, has moved to give Nigerian youths the skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership and personal fulfilments. The firm, which is partnering the New Era Foundation, a social enterprise founded for youth development and women empowerment, is organising a youth leadership training programme, tagged, “Friendship Inspiration Training Programme.” LADOL a provider of comprehensive and strategic support services for deepwater offshore oil and gas operations and projects in and around Nigeria said the training will greatly strengthen the social, ethical, emotional and cognitive competencies of the participants.

Peer mentoring group The company said in a statement that youth between 16 and 30 years drawn from past winners of the NEF Spelling Bee, now form the peer-mentoring group, known as the Council of One Day Governors, CODG. The ultimate prize for winners of the NEF Spelling Bee is to serve as the state governor for a day. They would be joined by the competition’s winners from Ogun State, as well as awardees of Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Lagos Central Senatorial District Scholarship Scheme. The Executive Director, NEF, Mr. Yemi Osilaja, said, “Our youths require training assistance in developing vital leadership and personal skills. It is very key to expose them to programmes that will give them fundamental skills as well as general knowledge and information that will uplift their confidence.” He added that the leadership programme tagged, “The FIT Programme,” will build friendships that would be useful for networking in the future. “We hope that it will inspire the youths towards giving their best to society, and also train them to be self assured young men and women who will face their future with confidence,” he said.

26—TUESDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 18, 2012

BRIEF Lagos Assembly tasks ministry on distribution of transformers By EBUN SESSOU

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Ministry of Rural Development to ensure adequate distribution of transformers to the public without fear or favour. A member of the House, Mr. Ibrahim Layode, made the call on the floor of the House while reviewing the Year 2013 budget. Layode noted that there were several complaints and petitions from the public of inadequate transformers to their communities, adding that the State government is determined to provide adequate transformers for its citizens. According to him, “I want to appeal to the Director incharge of transformers in the Ministry to ensure that transformers are available to Lagosians because our people who voted us into power are expected to benefit from the dividends of democracy.”

Improving standards Layode also challenged the Ministry to fashion out ways of improving standards among neigbourhood watchers in the State, and disclosed that the sum of N10million has been approved by the State Government to refurbish their patrol van. He stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly has concluded plans to partner with the Ministry to amend the law that established the neighborhood watch. He added that the outfit needs to be improved upon including uniform quality and the standard of the community policing in the State. Responding, the Commissioner for Rural Development Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, said that the State Government had approved the purchase of 2,000 uniforms for the neigbhourhood watchers. Ojelabi said efforts had been made by the Ministry to ensure that training of neigbhourhood watchers is a continuous one, to facilitate the realisation of their aims and objectives.

FG to restructure power sector in 2013 … Zungeru project to add 700WM By KUNLE KALEJAYE

HE Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, has said the ministry will undergo some restructuring in the New Year in order to streamline and enhance operational effectiveness. The Minister also said that the power sector is expected to be more private sector-driven in the coming year, as the country hopes to witness the commissioning of more Independent Power Projects, IPPs. Hajiya Ibrahim who disclosed this at the 4th quarter 2012 Power Summit held in Lagos said the ministry will continue to seek the cooperation of development partners both at the local and international level to ensure sustainability of power supply along the electricity value chain. She explained that this will enable the sector to deal with new and inevitable challenges in a manner that will make the Ministry better focused and in a defined direction. In a keynote address, she reiterated that the ministry had signed the Zungeru power project that will generate additional 700MW on completion, and had settled the long outstanding labour issues. In her words: “We have just within the week, been able to sign the critical Zungeru power project which will generate additional 700MW on completion. We have also just last Tuesday been able to resolve the long outstanding labor issues. “These are major milestones in Mr. President’s concerted

effort to provide power to Nigerian consumers. We continue to aim at progressively increasing our generation capacities. “We will also try to bring to tolerable level, issues of energy losses, system collapses and effectively manage our distribution network.”

She commended the Presidential Task Force on Power, PTFP, and other institutions set up as a result of reforming the sector for facilitating the implementation of the Roadmap on Power. To attain a common goal of making electricity available to Nigerian consumers on a sus-

tainable basis, Ibrahim reiterated that it is important for stakeholders in the industry to work as a team in their various capacities. The 4th quarter Power Summit was tagged “Strategies Toward Consolidating Sustainable Power Supply in the Privatized Industry.”

PHCN appeals to customers over N3.4bn debts By KUNLE KALEJAYE

OWER Holding Company of Niger ia, PHCN, Ikeja Business Unit has appealed to customers under the unit that are owning the company N3.4billion as at October 2012, to pay before the Yuletide Season ended. The Business Manager of the unit, Mr. Lanre Olaleye, said this during the PHCN/Customers Consultative Council meeting held in Lagos at the weekend. He said, “As I speak, it is most disturbing that the Business Unit is being owed a total sum of N3,399,508,377.84. May I state here with all emphasis that those who fail to settle their outstanding electricity bills will not be allowed to use our electricity for these seasons and even beyond.”

Olaleye expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army and the Police for the improvement in the payment of their bills, saying the situation could still be better. He said the management of the Ikeja Electricity distribution Company had put in place a fantastic programme of incentive tagged, ‘Pay All the Outstanding on your Bill and get a prepaid Meter Installed Instantly,’ while also urging all customers to key into the promo for the festive period. He attributed the inadequacy of electricity supply in the unit to the increasing wave of vandalism, which the unit had been facing in recent times. He added, “It is most disturbing and alarming to inform you that within the past six months, the business unit has witnessed the vandalism of eight trans-

formers substations during which cables and other valuable materials were carted away. “The names of the vandalised substations are Ladipo Bateye 11 (13/06/ 12); Oba Akinjobi (24/06/12); Adekunle Fajuyi (23/08/12); Ladipo Bateye 11 (31/08/12); 300kVA substations. The others, which are 500kVA transformer capacities are: Ladipo Bateye 1 (06/09/ 12); Herbert Macaulay 1 (09/09.12); Maria Lodge (26/11/12), and Ikosi Road (05/12/12). Olaleye said the Federal Government was doing everything within its powers to ensure increase in energy generation in 2013, and urged customers to exercise patience as progress was already being made in that direction.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 27

NPDC braces up for 250,000bpd by 2015 By CLARA NWACHUKWU

OUBLING current pro duction output within three years is not an easy task for any company, more so in an environment of sweeping industry reforms, and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, knows this better than any other company. Considering its antecedent just a couple of years ago, it would be easy to dismiss this as an impossible task for NPDC, the production arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, coming from just 65,000 barrels per day, bpd. However, haven’t demonstrated that nothing was impossible with a resolute and determined management, the NPDC has actually doubled output from prre-2010 levels of 65,000bpd to 130,000bpd as at date. With such a success story, it may not be surprising that the NPDC is again, taking up another challenge of production targets of up to a quarter of a million barrels by 2015. Indeed, the NNPC under the leadership Mr Andrew Yakubu, has consistently maintained that it will make the corporation and its subsidiaries, including NPDC

a viable venture, and not just paying lip service to the vision of becoming profitable as the likes of Saudi Aramco, PetroBraz, Petronas and a host of other commercially-oriented national oil companies around the world. Part of his long term strategies in achieving this include “focusing on entrenching accountability and transparency, rebuilding NNPC’s financial position, implementing NPDC growth strategy, monetising gas resources for national economic growth and development, revamping critical facilities and infrastructure as well as promoting capacity building.” The NNPC’s helmsman has reiterated that apart from ensuring an increase in the level of proven reserves from 37 billion barrels to 40 billion barrels, the Corporation is also working assiduously towards increasing production from the current figure of 2.4 million barrels per day to a record 4 million bpd by 2020. Nigeria’s production of crude oil now averages at 2.4 million barrels daily after recording an all time high of 2.7million bpd late July. Growth strategy The Managing Director, NPDC, Mr. Victor Briggs,

production grew from between 60,000bpd and 65,000bpd to a b o u t 130,000bpd. That is about 100% growth. For us to meet the 250,000bpd target by 2015 we will have to do another 100% •GMD Engr. •Victor Briggs, MD growth from our Andrew Yakubu of NPDC c u r r e n t production. And stressed the need for the compa- that is what we are trying to do. ny to pursue an aggressive “First we tried to repair some drilling programme to grow of the wells to restore their production in an organic fashion. production capacity. For instance Such aggression is being in OML 26, between when that bolstered by the recent divest- asset was handed over to NPDC ments by some of the Joint in June and now the production Venture, JV, partners, the Fed- of that field was doubled. All of eral Government was able to give these have added up to the pre-emptive rights to the NNPC, 130,000bpd production that we with which the production rights are talking about today. To meet for some of these assets, the 250,000bpd target by 2015 particularly those in the onshore, means doubling our production shallow water Niger Delta were as I said earlier, but I am given to NPDC. confident that we will meet the Briggs recalled, “Under the target because the resources are able leadership of the former there and the reserves are there, Managing Director who is now and we have the people. Group Executive Director Everything is therefore set for us Exploration and Production, to meet the target. Engr. Abiye Membere, our “To give you an example, in the

last five years NPDC drilled 10 wells, but we have a target to drill about 40 wells in the next five years. We have two rigs on site today, one offshore and the other one onshore By the middle of next year we are bringing in one more rig and towards the end of the year we will bring in the 4th rig. I believe we shall keep those rigs for the next two years.” At the take over of Oil Mining License, OML 34, by the NNPC and ND Western from the Shell, Total and Agip JV, Yakubu noted that the operatorship right has given NPDC the impetus to become an active player in the upstream sector of the oil and gas sector. He revealed that before now, the in-country participation was less than 10% in the upstream, adding that the asset will bolster the 250,000 bpd growth aspiration of the NPDC. According to him, “With these pragmatic steps, Mr. President has helped us in growing the NPDC, and we are optimistic that come 2015, we would be able to achieve our target.” Backed by the corporation’s support, the NPDC has rolled out a number of plans to achieve set targets, which include drilling 40 wells in the next five years at an average of eight wells a year, against 10 wells drilled in the last five years at an average of two wells yearly.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

DECEMBER 18, 2012

Yuletide: FBN Capital encourages customers to save By PETER EGWUATU

S Christians celebrate the Christmas period, FBN Capital, a subsidiary of First Bank Group is encouraging people to save wisely as they get extra pay as a reward for all the hard work done during the year. Some companies pay bonuses to their worker as the 13th month. The BIG question though is what customers are going to do with that extra income For 12 months, their monthly salaries have taken care of most if not all of their financial needs. Is it going to be different this month? For most people, it will suddenly feel like they cannot do without that extra 13th month bonus. In anticipation of the bonus, they have raised their expenditure profile to absorb the extra income. For some people, it is even worse; they raise their expenditure profile well above the bonus. So despite an extra income in December, most workers still resume in January broke and waiting anxiously for January ending to receive their salary.

It is in this regard that FBN Capital is advising workers to save their extra income. Few wise workers choose a different path, the path of investing the extra income for the future or a rainy day. They accommodate all their extra expenditure within their normal income and divert this extra income into viable investments. For those who want to take this path, the current high yields in fixed income instruments are a good place to hide that 13th month bonus. You may say you have a choice of doing it yourself but which of the numerous bonds or treasury bills do you buy or how do you diversify your risk and not put all your eggs in one basket? You have an option. Mutual funds managed by professional and regulated fund managers. Also known as a collective investment scheme, a mutual fund pools money from you and numerous others and invests collectively for all of you giving you a representative share in the portfolio of investments. One such mutual fund is the FBN Fixed Income

Fund. The fund invests in instruments like federal government, state government and corporate bonds. It also invests in money market securities like treasury bills, commercial papers, bankers acceptances and certificates of deposit. Investments in the fund start from as little as N10,000 and you can add more whenever you feel like. It is a registered and regulated fund, it is professionally managed and it diversifies your risk. To add to that the returns you get on your investments will comparatively be higher than keeping your money in savings or current account. Also, unlike investing in shares of quoted companies, dividends from the FBN Fixed Income Fund are not subject to withholding tax. Or how about upping the ante and try the FBN Heritage Fund. The FBN Heritage Fund is for those who have a slightly higher appetite for risk. It is also a mutual fund and invests between 20 per cent to 60 per cent of its funds in equities quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), be-

L-R: Abayomi Olarinmoye, MD Resources Operation Group, Accenture; Usen Udoh, MD Communication Media and High Tech, Accenture and Ademola Ogungbuji of SIAO at the 18th Nigeria Economic Summit, with theme “Deregulation, Cost of Governance and Nigeria’s Economic Prospects” in Abuja

tween 10 per cent to 25 per cent in quality fixed income instruments like bonds, 10 per cent to 75 per cent in money market instruments and a maximum of 10 per cent in real estate investments. And you can start with just N10,000 too. The advantage of investing in the FBN Heritage Fund now is that it will allow you take advantage of the current rising returns in the stock market and also the increasing optimism in the real estate market. The wide diversification of the funds

in different asset classes and different instruments also means that the risk for the funds is well spread out reducing the risk but also enhancing the chances of making good returns at the same time. FBN Capital also offers the FBN Money Market Fund which is very affordable at a minimum investment of N5000, so perhaps you can start an investment for someone you love even if you don’t have a lot of that bonus left. What a Christmas present that would be!

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 29

SMEs backbone of Nigerian economy — Karamat MD Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

HE Chief Executive Officer of Karamat Nigeria, Carol Omatshoma, an interior decoration and furniture company has said that the growth of the Nigerian economy lies in the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As the bedrock of the economy, SMEs remains the stronghold of every economy of the world, she said, pointing to the fact that the sector is growing indigeneously.

C M Y K

In an exclusive chat with Vanguard Carol Omatshoma, Chief Executive Officer, Karamat Limited said that the interior decoration industry is growing fast, but still lacking in quality in terms of finishing and installation. She further stated that the problem of quality has to do with stakeholders who are supposed to learn more about designs, finishing and fitting, while drawing example, she said, “if you have an edifice, and the finishing is poor, it’s as good as not

having it. “We are grounded on designs, we train our people on software training, we send the design overseas. “We tell them, this is what we want,

in return they bring it back the material as Completely Knocked Down (CKD), which are assembled by Nigerians who have been trained on the art of installation by our foreign

partners.” Speaking of the Nigerian business environment, she said that the environment has not been friendly as a result of the constraint occasioned by erratic power

supply, “yet we still forge ahead to make use of the best part of the situation. On what the industry will look like in the two to three years. The CEO noted that interior decoration industry will witness a lot of innovation people who are traveling, seeing good designs and bringing them back home.

Influx of smuggled foreign drinks threat to local industries — Distillers Group DISTILLERS and Blenders, a sub group of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria has called on to the Federal Government to abrogate the legislation that allows unrestricted/ illegal importation of Alcholic Beverages, wines and spirits into the country.

If this economic dangerous development is unchecked may lead to the collapse of indigenous companies with respect to job losses. This call was made at the joint press conference held at the secretariat of National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco

Employees in Lagos last week, attended by officials of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Food, Beverage and Tobacco (FOBTOB). The Unions said it will engage the support of the Federal Government and

its regulatory/enforcememt Agencies, I.e National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Nigeria Customs Service, Supervising Ministries and the Nigeria Police.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

First Bank pledges excellent customer service, specialized products By PETER EGWUATU

L-R: Mojisola Saka, Chief Operating Officer, Publicis Consultants SoulComm, Mr. Fola Adeola, Founder/Chairman, FATE Foundation, Mr. Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director (GMD), SO&U Saatchi and Saatchi/ winner of Fate Model Entrepreneur 2012 (FME 2012) and Saheed Kekere-Ekun, FAME Award 2012 winner at the Fate Annual celebration & Entrepreneurial Awards 2012 held at MUSON Centre, Lagos . pan Nigerian financial institution, FirstBank recognizes the need for periodic interaction with its customers to foster efficient service delivery. “We believe every business is as strong as the value it places on its customers. We are

very passionate about our customers and see this forum as a platform to receive feedback from our customers and further position the Bank to delight our customers and partner with them on sundry financial advisory services and

Shareholders okay new restructuring platform for UBA By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

HAREHOLDERS of United Bank for Af rica (UBA) Plc have approved the internal restructuring and reorganisation of the capital of the Bank and its subsidiaries in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s new regulations. In an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting in Lagos, convened in compliance with a ‘Court Ordered Meeting,’ the shareholders unanimously approved the adoption of a commercial banking structure by divesting all noncommercial banking businesses of the Group which are now to be held separately from UBA Plc by the Bank’s shareholders. Under the new arrangement, the divested non-commercial banking businesses (except Africa Prudential Registrars and Afriland Properties that will be held directly by shareholders) will be consolidated within UBA Capital Plc, which today is one of the Bank’s subsidiaries. Besides UBA Plc, the restructuring will therefore result in the emergence of four separate standalone companies namely, UBA Plc, UBA Capital Plc, African Prudential Registrars Plc and African Properties Plc. Chairman of the Bank, Chief Israel Ogbue while listing the benefits of the proposed structure said it would enhance UBA’s corporate governance practices as there will be dedicated board and management focus on the

C M Y K

Skye Bank wins ‘Best Maritime Bank’ Award

N its bid to create more val ue for customers and other stakeholders, First Bank has pledged to continuously improve on service delivery and creation of specialized products aimed to meeting the various needs of its various stakeholders. The bank at its customer forum held in Lagos last weekend unveiled bespoke products and services for various customer segments. This is coming barely two months after a successful hosting of a similar programme in Abuja last October as the Bank continues to seek innovative ways of delivering ultimate service experience to its teeming customers across the nation. During the event, the Bank’s customers heard presentations which highlighted the Bank’s new products and services, including e-business services, alternative channels, and the various transformational initiatives of the Bank over the past one year. There was also a mini exhibition of various products. Speaking at the forum, FirstBank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bisi Onasanya said as a

B-R-I-E-F-S

core business of commercial banking. He added that the structure will ensure the protection of shareholder value noting that in designing the new structure, care has been taken to ensure that the potential concerns of all stakeholders are addressed, particularly shareholders of UBA Plc. Explaining the rationale behind the new structure, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, said that the board decided to adopt a commercial banking structure that would lead to more value for shareholders, noting that under the scheme of arrangement, “Both UBA Capital Plc and Africa Prudential Registrars Plc will be listed companies on the NSE on day 1; hence, eligible shareholders will have the benefit of owning liquid stocks in these entities while Afriland Properties will be listed at a much future date.” According to him, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc and Afriland Properties will be spunoff to the eligible shareholders in line with the CBN’s directive to banks to divest from such businesses. “Capital market valuations of post-restructure entities will likely reveal an unlocking of value as investors will gain a deeper understanding of spun off entities currently within the UBA Group. We believe that this will drive operational efficiency, support our growth strategies and be a significant driver of value to all stakeholders,” he added.

business growth initiatives,” he said.

nasanya said the Bank had since deployed an operating model that realigned its market facing business units from a geographic focus to a customer segmented approach to deepen its understanding of each customer segment. “This has enhanced our ability to design products and services to meet our clients’ needs, improve relationship management and increase our service output to all customer segments. In our efforts to serve and support smaller businesses, we have re organised our Corporate Banking Directorate, and spun out a sub-business unit known as Emerging Corporate to create a different value proposition to that critical segment of the society,” he added. Also speaking, the Group Head, Business Service Group, Eyitope St. MatthewDaniel thanked the customers for their unwavering support and loyalty over the years. St. Matthew-Daniel said the Bank’s products and services have been designed to support cashless transactions through Point of Sale machines, ATMs, mobile phones, the Internet as well as financial inclusion for the under-banked and unbanked. She assured customers of instant access to the FirstBank’s products and services through FirstContact, its upgraded contact centre that offers 24/7 interactive and multilingual customer service.

KYE Bank Plc has won the “the most progressive maritime bank award in recognition of its pioneering role in maritime banking as well as for its contributions to the growth and development of the maritime industry in Nigeria. The bank was given the award by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) at its 10th anniversary at a special event to recognize and appreciate individuals and corporate bodies that have facilitated the growth of the domestic shipping industry. Presenting the award to the bank, the Director General of the NCS, Mrs. Ify Anazonwu-Akerele, said Skye Bank was the first in the country to support the indigenous ship owners in addition to boosting local content in the nation’s maritime industry. She recalled that prior to the bank’s creation of a special department to cater for the maritime sector, funding was a problem for operators, adding that the bank’s intervention changed the She said Nigerian shippers had benefitted from the bank’s pioneering and continued leadership role through access to funding for their operations and expansion.

Stanbic IBTC Pension presents chairs to Nigeria Police

T the beginning of the year, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers decided to embark on three Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects with the Nigerian Police at the Ikeja, Calabar and Kaduna Police Colleges. The fund manager ’s intention was to enter into a strategic alliance and partnership with the Nigerian Police in order to contribute to the security of the nation. Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers is also committed to rendering free financial planning seminars at all the Police Colleges in the country so as to better equip the recruits. The Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Steve Elusope, during the presentation ceremony said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—31

32—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

New Porsche Boxster steps in T

HE revamped Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are now available in Nigeria after a global reveal in Geneva, March 2012. A subsidiary of Stallion Motors Limited, Porsche Centre Nigeria said the new Boxster models are comprehensively changed open-top two-seater with passable appeal. Mr. Michael Wagner, Brand manager, Porsche Centre Lagos said both variants of the Porsche Boxster have a new lightweight body and a completely re-designed chassis. The new Boxster also has considerably lower weight, longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels that can significantly enhance the mid-engine sports’ car driving dynamics, undermining its position as a class leader. Mr. Wagner also added that the car’s superior performance is backed by up to 15 per cent more fuel efficiency, depending on model with significantly less than eight litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. In addition, the new roadster’s posture is decidedly more muscular and striking with fundamentally changed styling, shorter overhangs and a significantly forwardshifted windscreen with flatter silhouette and expressive edges which give the Boxster fresh, contemporary look. What’s more, passengers are enclosed by a completely re-designed, fully electric hood, which dispenses with a converti•Porsche Boxster: Rear ble top compartment lid and an interior that gives occupants more space and is now based on the 3.4reflects the new Porsche litre engine of the Boxster outline with a raked centre S, which now has an outconsole, which originated put 315hp; five hp more than before. with the Carrera GT. Both models also feature a manual six-speed Quantum gearbox as standard, with leap the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe Also commenting on the (PDK) available as an new Boxster, George Wills, option. Managing Director of Porsche Middle East and Africa FZE, says: “Without any doubt, the new generation Boxster represents a quantum leap in Porsche’s development of mid-engine vehicles. It EACE Mass Transit combines a breathtaking Limited and design with a great day-to- Infrastructure Bank Plc day usability. This new have emerged winners of roadster stands for pure Elizade 40 + 1 driving pleasure through Anniversary Promo by the principles of Porsche winning three brand new Intelligent Performance.” Toyota Avensis cars, Both the Boxster and valued at over N15 Boxster S models are million. powered by flat-six boxer Peace Mass Transit won engines with direct petrol two of the cars by emerginjection, enhanced by ing the highest buyer electrical system from Elizade from July 16 recuperation, thermal to August 15 (100 vehimanagement and auto cles) and September 16 to start/stop function as well October 15 (101 vehicles) as electro-mechanical while Infrastructure Bank power steering. Plc emerged winner with The base model’s new 43 vehicles purchased power unit delivers 265hp from August 16 to Sepfrom a 2.7 litre tember 15, 2012. displacement – ten Speaking during the horsepower more than its presentation of the prizes larger displacement at their Anthony, Lagos, predecessor. Technically, it office, the Managing

•Porsche Boxster

Expert canvasses revitalisation of local tyre plants

The Boxster ’s fuel consumption with PDK is 7.7 l/100 km and 8.0 l/100 km for the S version. Without interruption to the power flow, the two-seater sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, the Boxster S in just 5.0 seconds. The Sport Chrono Package comes as an

optional extra for the Boxster, featuring dynamic transmission mounts for the first time. Newly available as an add-on feature in the roadster is Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV), with mechanical rear axle differential lock, the ideal complement to Porsche Stability Management.

NE time General Manager, Dunlop Nigeria Plc, Engineer Dare Lawal, has called for the revitalisation of the moribond tyre plant in the country. Speaking at the third edition of the annual Logistics and Haulage industry ’s event, ‘On Wheels Logistics, Haulage, Truck and Equipment Conference and Exhibition Africa, (TRACCON AFRICA)’ held at the Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island, Engineer Lawal who is also the Managing Director, Vulcan Con-

Peace Mass Transit, Infrastructure Bank win 3 Toyota Avensis in Elizade promo

Director, Elizade Motors, Mr. Demola Ade-Ojo explained that the promo was conceived to thank the Almighty God for having kept them in business for over four decades and to say a big thank you to their esteemed and loyal customers and friends for their unalloyed support so far. According to him in forty-plus years of doing business in Nigeria, Elizade has seen it all. The ups and downs, the good and bad, the great and the nont-so-great, indeed we have navigated various seas and the Almighty, in his kindness and mercies, has continued to keep us.”

He recalled how the company which started business in 1971 as a small automobile marketing company has grown to become the undisputed number one dealer of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria, specialising on the sales, service and distribution of genuine Toyota spare parts. According to the Managing Director, arriving at the eventual winners of the promo was not an easy task. “We have had several promos in the past as a company, but never before had we witnessed such keen contest in any of our previous promos. Speaking shortly after the presentation, the Managing Director Peace

Mass Transit, Chief Samuel Maduka Onyishi (MON) commended Elizade Motors for its professionalism in doing auto business in Nigeria. He expressed surprised that a company could part with three brand new cars ina competition like this. He explained that when he was told that his company won two cars, he couldn’t believe it. “I said to myself that I will believe when I see the cars. When they sent an e-mail, I told them I was expecting the cars, not an e-mail but thank God, I am here today to collect the car. “It is an honour for me.

Continues on page 34

sulting said that the return of the tyre companies, which went comatose because of various unfavourable policies would help conserve the scarce foreign exchange now being expended on the importation of ‘killer’ tyre brands from all the nooks and crannies of the world as well as provide employment opportunities for the people. According to him, “Haulage and Logistics is the heart beat of any country’s goods distribution and as expected, tyres for the trucks represent a great influence in the survival of this haulage and transportation business all over the world.

Quality tyres The truth is that this is why the place of quality tyres for the sector cannot be over emphasized, especially as it relates to safety”. Engr. Lawal noted that the manufacturing of quality tyres in Nigeria backed with the right industry protective trade policies will reduce to a large extent influx of the cheap, unsafe tyres currently flooding the Nigerian market through unrestricted importation. According to him, “…the Federal Government had extended invitation to interested companies with resources to step forward and embrace the invitation”.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—33

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Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

FRSC partners oil marketers on accident reduction

N a bid to check the high incidence of crashes involving tanker and other heavy vehicles on the highways, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps is planning to involve major oil marketers in its “safe to load” programme. Speaking during safety sensitization visits to Mobil Oil and Oando Plc, the Corps Marshal said “ the proposed initiative will ensure that only road worthy vehicles driven by qualified and competent

drivers will be allowed to be involved in the transportation of petroleum product on Nigerian roads”. According to Chidoka, the Corps will convene a meeting of major stakeholders in the oil industry in 2013, adding that the FRSC is also proposing a Certificate of Competence for Drivers which entails a mandatory 9-hour road safety training for all commercial drivers across the country, which will commence in 2013. “The Corps is presently

discussing with major marketers in the oil industry to secure their buyin on the project”. The Corps Marshal also said “the engagement also includes sharing of valuable experiences and collaboration in efforts that will lead to safer fleet operations in the industry. The parley also provides an opportunity for the Corps to further enlighten the major players in petroleum products transportation, on the Road Transport Safety Standardization Scheme (RTSSS)”.

Responding, the Chairman/Managing Director of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr Tunji Oyebanji commended the Corps on the Road Transport Safety Standard-

ization Scheme (RTSSS), believing that the Scheme would address many problems of the road transport sector. H e promised the support of the Mobil on what he

described as a well thought out scheme, that is being implemented in a way that would benefit everybody in the industry.

Hyundai Santa Fe grabs top honours

YUNDAI’s Santa Fe has won two very different awards in the U.S. market, a testament to the CUV’s versatility. The awards come as critical praise rolls in for the new Santa Fe and sales heat up.

Carspondent.com the only car-of-the-year program in the U.S. that combines the input of automotive journalists with elite athletes to determine which cars and trucks best meet the needs of buyers with

active lifestyles gave Santa Fe the group’s ninth annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) award. Vehicles are evaluated on their ability to enhance the active lifestyle of customers. Performance handling, cargo capabilities and safety scenarios are key factors in voting. Santa Fe won in the “Best Value OnRoad” category.” Santa Fe is an IIHS top safety pick. ”Authenticity is a very important aspect of this program,” said ALV cofounder, Nina Russin. “We pick the athletes whose involvement in sports is significant enough to impact their car-buying decisions. Team leaders are considered opinion leaders in the active community.

3 Avensis for Elizade promo winners Continues from page 32

I am not new to Toyota awards having won gold and silver from the company over the years. The Peace Mass Transit boss whose company boasts hundreds of Toyota vehicles in its fleet however expressed one regret. “If Mr. Tikolo (Elizade Marketing Director) had told me, there was a promo, I would have won the three cars, he said jokingly.” Meanwhile, the consumers protection council has given Elizade Motors a very high mark for its honesty in dealing with the customers. Speaking through Mrs Ngozika Obidike who represented the Director General of the company, the council said “Elizade has certified the council demand in every ramification.” “Elizade registered, and we documented it. Our presence here is to ensure that the prize is given to the winners and we are happy to say this one is a very genuine one,”she stated. C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;35

From left: Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, OON, Group CEO, Standard Alliance Group; Arc. Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works; Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, President of the Club's Governing Council and Kano State governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, after receiving their awards as Entrepreneur of the Year 2012, Minister of the year, 2012 and Governor of the Year 2012, respectively, at the 3rd Annual CEOs Dinner/Award Nite of AES Excellence Club in Lagos.

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS: From right: Mrs. Nelly Utuama, Prof. Amos Utuama, Delta State Deputy Governor, Most Rev. Michael Elue, Bishop Of Issele-Uku Diocese and Dr. Festus Okubor, Chief of Staff Govt. House, Asaba, during the Christmas festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba. Photo: Nath Onojake.

FACILITY TOUR: From left: Managing Director/CEO, Dreamworld Africana Amusement and Theme Park, Mr. Atoh Jude; Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief Willie Belonwu and National Key Account Manager, Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), Mr. Femi Oshilaja, during a media facility tour and introductory briefing between NBC and Dreamworld, at Dreamworld Africana Park Lekki,yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

LAUNCH: From left: Mr. Abdullahi Mutairu, Head, Marketing; Mr. Anil Memori, Head, Sales, Mrs. Elizabeth Osisanya, President, Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Cosmetologists and Barbers and Mr. Monal Desai, CEO, European Personal Care, at the launch of Sof'nfree oil Moisturizers in Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

DONATION: From left: Head of Service, Mr. Olayinka Owoeye; Otunba Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Osun State Deputy Governor; Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola and Company Secretary/Director, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Alhaji Y. O. Saliu, during the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc donation of food items to Osun State for victims of natural disasters.

AGM: Newly elected members of Vanguard Media Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, taking the oath of office before Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olagbaye, Assistant Chief Registrar/Area Officer, Apapa, during the 9th Annual General Meeting and Elections of the co-operative society, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

PROMO: From left: Rita Etomi, Area Manager, Abuja FCT; Mr. Kayode Ojoogun, Senior Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission and Funwa Akinmade, Head of Products, at the 3rd draw of Ecobank WIN BIG Promo, in Abuja.

ORDINATION: From left: Deacon Adedayo Adebiyi; Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Dr. Peter Awelewa, his wife Caroline and Priest Christopher Nosike during the 2012 Ordination at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos .

PRESENTATION: From left: Master Isa Suleiman, winner, Essay Category; Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Miss Imoh Daniel, winner, Poster Category, during the presentation of prizes to national winners of 2012 DStv Eutelsat Star Awards in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

• Male infertility can be caused by various factors such as hormone disorders, illness, injury to reproductive anatomy, obstruction or sexual dysfunction. These factors can temporarily or permanently affect sperm and prevent conception. Some disorders become more difficult to treat the longer they persist without infertility treatment. But there is hope. The first step of any successful treatment is the proper diagnosis of the male infertility cause.

Declining sperm quality: Male infertility on the rampage! BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

HERE is alarm in repro ductive health circles. Male infertility is on the rampage. All over the world, reports of declining sperm quality and increasing male infertility attributable to low sperm count and poor sperm motility and morphology are making the rounds. Indeed it is becoming more challenging for the typical African, Asian, American or European male to preserve his manliness and perpetuate his masculinity, particularly with regards to fertility and vitality. A man’s sperms carry half the genetic material necessary to make a complete human being. A woman’s egg holds the other half. Increasingly, experts are reporting incidences of men with genetically fragile sperms. Such sperm have fragmented DNA chains, which make them to be of low quality and less capable of fertilisation. But the same experts, who used to think the problem was only genetic in nature, are beginning to have a rethink as studies have shown that lifestyle issues are involved. They now know that the drastic reduction in men’s sperm counts is being driven by a deadly combination of estrogenic

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(feminising) toxins in the food supply; harmful chemicals in the environment, and poor lifestyle. In Europe, records show that an average of 1 in 18 men has low sperm count, and the numbers of men who are affected are rapidly increasing. The situation is no better in America, probably worse, and although there are no specific data, the numbers are not expected to be far off for Nigerian men. “We are seeing more men who are having bad sperms, weak sperms and abnormal sperms, and there is a real need to explore a suitable intervention to meet the growing proportion of men that need help in this direction,” noted Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, a fertility treatment specialist, and Medical Director, Nordica, Fertiliy Clinic, Lagos, Asaba and Abuja. Lamenting the spate of declining male fertility, Ajayi, observed: “There are many things in the environment causing what is described as oestrogenisation of men. Things such as paint, exposure to petrol and even insecticides can affect sperm count. Men working in fuel stations, for instance, are known to suffer from low sperm counts.” In the view of Dr. Richardson Ajayi, Medical Director, The Bridge Clinic, Lagos , “Our

grandfathers had higher sperm count than our fathers who had higher sperm counts than our generation. There are many theories, but a common theory is that the male of our species is getting exposed to a lot more female hormones than ever, basically due to a lot of xerophenes in the atmosphere. This comes from plastics used for packaging; plastics used for computers etc. These xerophenes have female hormone oestrogen-like effects and exposure of males to them could be deleterious.”

Clinical records show that in Nigeria, 25 percent of couples are infertile, and that half of the causes are due to male factor issues. An assessment of hospital data from the four leading tertiary health institutions revealed that over 90 percent of male infertility cases are either due to low sperm counts or poor sperm quality, or a combination of both. To illustrate the continuing decline of male fertility in the modern world, French researchers in a brand new study pub-

lished in the Human Reproduction journal, conducted a study on French men aged 18 to 70, tracking their average sperm counts across the country between 1989 and 2005. Their findings showed a drop in sperm counts among all French men in this age range, of about 1.9 percent per year on average, and by 32.3 percent on average over the course of the 16-year period studied, while the number of normally-shaped sperm dropped by 33.4 percent during the study Continues on Page 38

Health professionals want harmony in health sector BY CHIOMA OBINNA

RIVATE medical doctors under the auspices of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, have called on professionals in the health sector to move beyond the age- long cold war of inter-professional groupings of inheritance of dominant disorder that has become a baton being passed from one generation unto another. President of the Lagos Branch of AGPMPN, Dr Jimmy

Arigbabuwo who made the call in Lagos encouraged medical workers to embrace mutual respect, using give, take and team work as an antidote to the long drawn battle against one another. “The tongue will not tell the nose it is of no use just as the finger will not tell the eyes that they are of no significance. We are not deposited here by accident. Each person has a role to play. It is right time to put a stop to this divide for the general good of this country,” he said, argu-

ing that disharmony in the health sector has continued to short-change the whole healthcare industry. Arigbabuwo noted that to move the health sector forward, all professionals in the sector need to approach the National Assembly with one common voice that would harmonise various sectoral interest and have a voice that will be given international recognition on the principle of live and lets live. Lagos State Commissioner

Continues on Page 38

38—Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 TUESDA

The dietary connection (2) A DMITTEDLY, on average, most Americans say they use vitamins and supplements regularly, and most of these people tend to have better diets than other people; still, I wonder how many people still do not look to diet as a preventative and necessary tool to good health and wellbeing. Many think taking a few vitamins or the “hot supplement of the day,” will assure they remain healthy while they continue to eat garbage. Part of the problem, as I see it, is most of us simply have no idea what actually constitutes a healthy diet. The medical community tells us don’t eat fat, buy low-fat everything, only drink sugar-free soda and

choose margarine over butter; there is much evidence to show us that these things significantly contribute to health problems and may also be key factors in serious disease, including cancer. Possibly, if we had more information available to us, we could understand the real impact food has on our health and then perhaps, we would be more selective in our food choices. In order to truly understand the impact diet has on our health, we must first understand the basics of health. As we touched on in an earlier chapter, the human body is essentially designed to be a self-reliant, fully functioning system. This

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

perfect machine can not only synchronize the billions of metabolic and chemical reactions itundergoes every minute of every hour, but it is innately designed to heal itself, a fact too often ignored by traditional Western medicine. In reality, given optimal care and nutrition, we should rarely experience disease. But we do. And we are becoming sicker

Declining sperm quality: Male infertility on the rampage! Continues from Page 36 period. “This constitutes a serious public health warning,” said Dr. Joelle Le Moal, an environmental health epidemiologist and one of the researchers. “To our knowledge, this is the first study concluding a severe and general decrease in sperm concentration and morphology at the scale of a whole country over a substantial period.” Le Moal said the downward trend observed in the study clearly illustrates a perpetual decline in male fertility, which more than likely extends far outside the borders of France and around the world. Based on the figures, average sperm concentrations dropped from 73.6 million per milliliter (mi/mL) among 35-year-old men in 1989 to 49.9 mi/mL among the same age group in 2005, highlighting a disastrous situation. Similar findings have been observed in the United States of America, where sperm counts have been on the decline for more than 50 years. Among reasons attributed to the trend

is the presence of Bisphenol-A, BPA and other plastics chemicals, pesticide and herbicide residues in conventional food, fluoride in the water supply, radiationemitting mobile phones and laptop computers, pharmaceutical drugs, and many other factors are all responsible for the massive decline in male fertility both in the

U.S. and abroad. ”It’s most likely a reflection of the fact that many environmental and lifestyle changes over the past 50 years are inherently detrimental to sperm production,” says Professor Richard Sharpe, a fertility research expert at the United Kingdom-based Medical Research Council, MRC.

Health professionals want harmony in health sector Continues from Page 36 for Health, Dr. Jide Idris stressed the need for medical doctors to engage in politics as part of strategies to change policies. Idris who also advised that professionals should sheath their sword tasked AGPMPN to ensure proper practice and harmony in the health sector. Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi – Adeluyi said there must be harmony in the health sector. He

regretted that medicine in Nigeria has not attained the level it supposed to be 52 years after Nigeria’s independence. The high –point of the event was the award of Excellence to outstanding professionals in the sector including Acting Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr, Abdulrahman Sambo, Former Health Minister, Prince Julius Adelusi – Adeluyi and Dr. Tosin Ajayi, Chairman First Foundation

and with more serious diseases every year, despite all our medical advances. If our bodies are designed to heal themselves, then the obvious question doctors should be asking is “why are so many people still affected by chronic illness?” The obvious answer is simply that our bodies can no longer function as they were originally intended to because they are just too overwhelmed and undernourished. We are so completely overloaded with foreign, toxic substances that our bodies simply can’t cope. And not surprisingly, when our body is run down and overwhelmed, disease has free reign and quickly takes over. It has come to the point where the majority of food (the fundamental fuel our body requires in order to assure efficient and optimal operation,) is not only insufficient due to poor soil quality and things like genetic modifications, but it is contaminated with toxic chemicals, foreign hormones and antibiotics. Our bodies can no longer function as they were designed. It it issimply absurd to think you would fill your car with soft drinks and potato chips and then expect it to run. So why should we think these chemically altered, sugar-filled foods can nourish our bodies (the most magnificent machines on earth) where the car, for example, would simply stop running? While this is such a simple concept, it is probably the most overlooked and underrated notion in modern medicine and usually the last thing examined under a traditional healing model.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

ELLO everybody and welcome. Today is the third and final episode of our new love products discussion for 2012. For those of us who missed the last two episodes, you can visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com and find them under the New Products section or you can watch a video review we recorded where all these new products were discussed in detail, by clicking on the Video Reviews tab. So let us discuss the last of these products and answer a few questions. The first on this list are lubricants and body toppings. Lubricants are essential for intercourse. Sometimes women do not lubricate well, which leads to painful intercourse. But with a lubricant, the intercourse will be enjoyable and painless. Today we are introducing Fruitopia Lubricant, Mood Arousal Gel and Tasty Treat Body Topping. Fruitopia Lubricant is a tasty and edible lubricant which is perfect for oral sex and general lubrication. Fruitopia can be used by men or women and is strawberry flavoured. Mood Arousal Gel is a superb lubricant as well designed specially to help women who experience low sexual arousal, lack of sexual enjoyment and lack of orgasms. Massage a little dab of this gel on the clitoris to awaken the senses and facilitate enjoyment. Mood Arousal Gel is available in three flavours. They are Warming, Tingle and Intensify. So a woman can choose whichever one fits her mood. And lastly, we have the Tasty Treat Body Topping. This novelty tastes like ice cream and is one of those edibles that you can apply on your lover’s body and lick it off. Tasty Treat Body Topping is definitely a fun treat for the holidays. Next on the list are new sex toys for men. They are Aphrodite life Size Masturbator, Real Skin Two Hole Masturbator, Beyoncé Love Doll and Katy Pervy Love Doll. The Beyoncé and Kathy Pervy dolls are life size blow up dolls that can be inflated for use and deflated afterwards. These toys are all easy to carry and enable men get a bit of sexual release without cheating on their spouses or risking sex with strangers. This is one solution to infidelity that actually works.

And then we have an assortment of novelties for the bedroom featuring masks such as Festiva Mask, the Karneval Mask and Spandex 3 Hole Hood. Masks add suspense and eccentricity to the bedroom. The woman who wants to play the role of the mysterious spy this holiday, will certainly love these masks. And for the single woman who does not want to feel lonely this holiday, we have the perfect toy for you. It is called the Inflatable Hot Seat. This toy consists of a vibrator that is connected to an inflatable cushion. So women can inflate the cushion, sit on the vibrator and ride it cow girl style. The Inflatable Hot Seat is a unique toy and the vibrator part can also be detached and used as the owner pleases. Finally, for men looking to attract a mate this holiday, the Wingman Pheromone Cologne will definitely help you out. This cologne is powerful and draws women to you. The female version of this cologne is called Lure for Her Pheromone. And that’s all for today. You can view the rest of the new products online. Let us now answer questions from our readers. My penis is too thin. Please what is the fastest penis enlarger that can give results before Christmas? I also experience premature ejaculation and weak erection Isaac Isaac get the Max Width enlargement Cream. It gives instant results that last for a few hours. To stop your premature ejaculation, apply Shane Diesel’s Rock Solid Erection Cream and to strengthen your erections for multiple rounds of intercourse, take Xzen 1200 supplement. That’s all for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. Happy holidays - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 —37 TUESDA

‘Informed choice, magic bullet for sustained family planning in Nigeria’ BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

USTAINED health infor mation and an enabling environment for enterprise have been identified as the magic bullets that would enable development of robust family planning programmes towards enabling reduction of unintended pregnancies and maternal mortality and morbidity in the country. Country Director, Ipas, Dr. Ejike Oji who stated this in Abuja during the 2nd National Family Planning Conference with the theme “Population and National Development” , reaffirmed that promoting knowledge and use of modern contraceptives would not only reduce maternal mortality (especially from unsafe abortion) and child mortality by 25-30 percent (MDGs 4 and 5), but will also serve as a key indicator for national development. “We need to start giving women the ability to regulate their fertilityand to manage the number of children they wish to have, while ensuring that men are more actively involved in the national family planning crusade. “Health information is crucial because no matter how illiterate a woman is, if she is given family

planning information in a language she understands, she will take care of herself. Our women are very proactive, “ Oji affirmed. Noting that at the current fertility rate of six children per woman,

Nigeria was unable no attain its desired family planning goal, the Ipas spokesperson said available and accessible family planning and health information would help improve the national mater-

• Honourable Hodewu Suru Avoseh giving samples for free testing during the just -concluded LASUTH Laboratory Week.

Community pharmacists seek better drug distribution system BY CHIOMA OBINNA

HARMACISTS under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Lagos Branch, say Nigerians will only have access to safe medicines when the channels of drug distribution in the country are secured appropriately. Making the declaration in Lagos last week during the Association’s annual Continuing Education, CME, conference tagged: “Safe Medicines for Nigerians By Community Pharmacists: Ethics and Business Consideration”, Chairman of the branch, Pharm. Aminu Abdulsalam-Yinka, called for appropriate channels of drug distribution. “The only way to do this is to engage qualified professionals, who are the pharmacists to get involved in the distribution. “There is no way we can have access to safe medicines when distribution is irrational. Today, medicines are displayed in awkward places and sell like biscuits, there is no way these things will persist that we can have good control of medicines in Nigeria and there is no way we can guarantee that Nigerians will be exposed to safe use of medicines,” he stated. Abdulsalam-Yinka who stressed the need for the distribution to be structured, challenged the regulatory bodies to step up efforts to ensure

nal health outcomes and outcomes of family planning outcomes. “It is about informed choices. The perspective is that people should be able to manage their fertility. People should

that the laws guiding drug distributions are obeyed, argued that the laws are clear but the problem is implementation. “If the Federal government supports the regulatory bodies especially Pharmacists’ Council of Nigeria, PCN, there will be a way to have a better practice in Nigeria and patients will be able to have adequate pharmaceutical care as well as having access to safe medicines. There is need for government to empower regulatory bodies to have all it takes to challenge and control irrational display of drugs in the country,” he stressed. Former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm. Anthony

Akhimien urged Federal government to review the current operative system of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS to enable pharmacists operate effectively. “The problem of illegal and unregistered pharmacist is getting out of hand day in day out and I think we need NAFDAC to do more in eradicating them” Akhimien said. In her lecture entitled; “Managing common infections in children” Dr. Edem Duke advised parents to always be observant and guide against self- medication in order not to put the lives of children at risk.

Free HIV counseling for Etisalat subscribers BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

ELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Etisalat Nigeria, is boosting the drive to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria with the provision of a toll-free line for the National Agency for the Control of AIDS ,NACA’s National Call centre in Abuja. Under the arrangement, subscribers on the network can call the centre for free to receive information and counseling on HIV and AIDS and related issues. Etisalat Nigeria is also providing technical support and back-up for the seamless operation of the agency’s call centre in the war against HIV and AIDS.

2,000 benefit from free laboratory tests at LASUTH

BOUT 2,000 persons have benefitted from a week long free medical laboratory screening organised by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH as part of exercise to mark the maiden edition of its Medical Laboratory Science Week. Speaking during the weeklong exercise, Deputy Director and Coordinator of Laboratory Service at LASUTH, Dr. Adeyemi Elijah, said the on going laboratory upgrade in the hospital was not unconnected with plans of the hospital to meet the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) five star

status required to obtain accreditation. Elijah stated that: The showcasing is for the public because health is wealth, LASUTH just acquired a new laboratory machine for those tests that you travel overseas to do. It is now possible here and cheaper because it is in line with the Lagos State Government’s policy.” The “health status checks” comprised the screening for diabetes, HIV, Hepatitis, high blood pressure, Body Max Index, typhoid, complete urine analysis amongst others. The Deputy Director and Coordinator Laboratory Services,

be able to prevent an unwanted pregnancy before it happens with appropriate contraception, but if an unwanted pregnancy does occur, then the woman should be given a choice whether to keep it with access to good antenatal care or safely terminate it with the right medical expertise and facilities.” At the conference attended by participants comprising representatives from the 36 States of the Federation, development partners, religious/traditional leaders, Civil Society Organisations, women and youth organisations, the private sector,media, among others, calls were made for immediate passage of the National Health Bill to help fund primary level care services and to instil family planning as a national priority to sustain the free contraceptive policy of the nation. Expressing concern that funds provided by Federal government for family planning falls short of what is required, the participants tasked government to increase the annual budget for family planning to ensure family planning programme is fully funded by all the three tiers of government by 2020 to enhance sustainability.

said the programme continued over the weekend with a health walk from LASUTH to the State Secretariat, Alausa, to create awareness, promote preventive medicine and avoid unnecessary health complications and diseases. He stressed the need for more healthcare advocacy and re-orientation to encourage regular medical laboratory screening at least twice a year. The exercise took the team to locations including Office of the State Governor, the State House of Assembly, the State Ministry of Health and Ikeja Local Government Council.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, said in September 2011, the company decided to support the laudable work of the NACA especially in its National Call Centre initiative, with the aim of widening the scope of impact of the call centre by providing subscribers on the Etisalat network an avenue to call in, free of charge, and receive information on HIV and AIDS. With this in view, he said, the company conducted a core physical survey of the NACA call centre to decide on the required equipment, procurement and deployment to the site for installation. A short code ‘6222’ (as simple as pressing “NACA” on a conventional phone keypad) has been configured on our network and confirmed to be working as toll-free, he added. ‘’As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme which is especially focused on health and education, Etisalat Nigeria is indeed happy to be partnering with NACA for this unique cause as we are committed to helping shape and build communities, and improving livelihoods and aspirations for the future. “We believe that our success can only follow the success of the people and economies we actively support. While our services and technologies keep customers connected, we also have initiatives that keep people safe and healthy and open doors for learning and exploring new opportunities,” . Evans said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—39

No landlord has right to lock out tenant for non-payment of service charge —Experts BY JUDE NJOKU

OES a landlord, his agents or caretaker have the legal right to lock out a tenant who has duly paid his rent on the ground that the tenant is yet to pay the service charge on the property? This is the issue agitating the minds of a Lagosbased Pentecostal Pastor whose church in a rented building, was sealed off last week by the landlord’s agent because it (church) has not yet paid the service charge. The young cleric who oversees a branch of his church in the highbrow Lekki Peninsula area, told Vanguard Homes& Property that members of the church came for midweek service only to discover that a lady who claims to be the caretaker of the property, had locked them out. Her grouse was that they were yet to remit the service charge due for the year to her.

Provision of services The aggrieved pastor explained that since they moved into the property, they have not defaulted in the payment of rent. According to him, although the woman is not providing any services, the church still went ahead to pay her part of the service charge last month. He lamented that all efforts to talk sense into the caretaker was arrogantly rebuffed. Against this backdrop, Vanguard Homes & Property sought the views of frontline Estate Surveyors and Valuers on

• A multi-tenanted building in Ikoyi, Lagos the legality of the action of the caretaker. Those who spoke were unanimous in condemning the action of the agent, describing it as one of those “jankara” practices in real estate transactions by unqualified practitioners. The General Secretary of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, Mr. Kunle Awolaja stated that no landlord or his agent has the right to lock out a tenant simply because the tenant has defaulted in paying the service charge. He explained that a landlord can only recover his premises by an order of a

legally constituted court. “It is illegal to distrain a tenant from a property without getting appropriate court permits. In that case, you must served the tenant the necessary notices and applied to the court for the recovery of premises. The action of the said agent is one of the jankara practices in real estate transactions. Maybe, she felt that when she does that shakara, the tenant will rush to pay,” he said, and advised the church not to take the matter lightly but to apply to the Lagos State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority located at No 2 Adekunle Banjo Street in

Give your centrepiece an appetizing appearance at Christmas

HRISTMAS is a time of great cheer and naturally, this brings with it a great need to decorate. One of the most important areas for Christmas decorations, especially during guest dinners and parties, is the table. A winning centerpiece will complement the appetizing appearance of your holiday fare and help set the tone for the seasonal celebrations. Instructions •Spray the pine boughs, ribbons and all other ornaments with fire-retardant spray. This will help prevent flame-ups in the event of a mishap with the candles and make the centerpiece safe to light.

• Measure out a circle of cardboard 14 inches in diameter using the string tied to the •Spray-paint the cardboard circle. This will make it less apparent if any of the cardboard shows through the pine boughs. •Spray both sides of the cardboard with fire-retardant spray. Let dry. •Glue the large candle to the center of the cardboard circle using hot glue. Glue generously to get the candle to stick. •Attach the five small candles to the cardboard in a perimeter around the large candle, evenly spaced. Hot glue them in place. •Fill the spaces between the candles with boughs of pine.

Glue them in place with hot glue. Use as little glue as possible and keep the portions with glue hidden. Position the boughs so that they generously cover the cardboard, but don’t obscure the candles. Use the wire cutters to trim them to shape as needed (you may have better luck with more, smaller boughs). •Glue the other Christmas decorations amidst the pine. Use objects like bells, dried or fake cranberries, pine cones, fake red flowers, miniature package bows, or mini candy canes. Attach each small piece separately, or tie the objects into small bundles and glue them together. •Source: http://www.ehow.com

Magodo for redress. Also reacting to the incident, an Abuja-based Estate Surveyor and Valuer, Mr. Jim Nwaimo-Ogbonna, explained that no agent has the right to lock out a tenant on the flimsy excuse that service charge has not been paid. “The highest thing the agent can do is to disconnect the tenant from the facilities he is enjoying,” Nwaimo-Ogbonna who is a former NIESV image maker explained. The current NIESV image maker, Otunba Victor Ayeye who described service charge as a very sensitive issue, however said it is improper for a landlord or his caretaker to lock out a tenant who is not owing any rent. “Service charge is applicable when you have services that are enjoyed by multiple tenants. The money paid as service charge is for the maintenance of those common services like security, cleaning and standby-

generators. If a tenant has not defaulted in the payment of his rent or government rate that is occupiers’ liability ( such as the tenement rate) , the landlord or his agent has no right to lock out the tenant. Even when the tenant has not paid the tenement rate, it is not the duty of the landlord or his agent to seal off the property. That is the responsibility of the government,” he clarified. The payment of service charge has always been a contentious issue between property owners and their tenants. Only recently, occupants of highbrow 1004 Estate in Victoria Island, Lagos were embroiled in a controversy over the hike in service charge by the owners of the estate. But unlike the case between the church and its landlords, the owners of 1004 Estate were providing some first class services to the residents of the estate. According to the General Manager, Facilities, 1004 Estates Limited, Mr. Olushola Oni, the service charge was meant to cover the cost of providing 24hour electricity supply for all the apartments, treated water from three boreholes and a one million-litre capacity tank, lightning and cleaning of the common areas, solid waste treatment plant, maintenance of the swimming pool and other recreational facilities, insurance of the estate, and 24-hour security for the entire estate. Besides, he said the increase in the service charge was to take care of the payment of some statutory fees to both the Federal Government and Lagos State Government such as Ground Rent, Land Use Charge and waste management fees, among others. The company also hired about 100 private security personnel in addition to regular policemen, with plans to increase the number in order to improve the overall security of the estate.

HIGH POINTS • The highest thing the agent can do is to disconnect the tenant from the facilities he is enjoying • Service charge is only applicable when you have services that are enjoyed by multiple tenants • No agent has the right to lock up a tenant’s apartment without first obtaining a court order to do so.

40—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Quantity Surveyors hold key to stem corruption in construction projects—Don ••As Shonubi leads Lagos quantity surveyors BY JUDE NJOKU

FTER a tutelage which spanned a period of eight years, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi was penultimate weekend inaugurated as the 11 th Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS. The investiture which was chaired by a former Federal Commissioner for Works, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, was attended by the President, African Association of Quantity Surveyors, Mr. Michael Frimpong, the immediate past President of the body and Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria, APBN, Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko and the President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Ajele John Alufohai. Delivering the investiture lecture which centred on “the Quantity Surveyor and National Development”, a former Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye stated that the plethora of abandoned

• From Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko, Mr. Michael Frimpong, Mrs. Lasisi, Alhaji Tijani Lasisi, Alhaji Femi Okunnu & Mr. Olayemi Shonubi at the investiture. projects which dot the nation’s landscape can be traced to the nonengagement of quantity surveyors to determine the cost of the project at its inception. “The regulatory approval processes demand the evidence of opinion and input of other professionals in the construction industry but not that of the QS. For example, physical planning processes

demand that applicants submit architectural and structural drawings and sometimes the mechanical and electrical services drawings but not the cost of the project. The reason of course is that the regulator is more interested in the safety and health of the society rather than the financial capacity of the applicant to realize its objectives. Thus it does not request QS assessment. This

FCTA backpedals, restores 3,645 plots to original allottees By LAIDE AKINBOADE

BUJA - In view of overriding public interest, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the immediate re-instatements of 3,645 plots that were revoked in the Federal Capital Territory. The Minister of Federal Capital territory FCT, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who made this disclosure in his office, said that these plots of land allocated between the 17th and 28th of May 2007 in FCT. According to him, these plots were allegedly irregularly allocated, hence the Senate recommended their revocation. “This is to inform beneficiaries of land allocations by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA between the 17th and 28th of May 2007, that President Goodluck Jonathan has graciously approved the restoration of titles to those whose plots were hitherto alleged to have been irregularly allocated within the above time frame,” the Minister said. The Minister recalled that the revocation of the plots arose from a resolution reached by the Senate in 2007 based on the report by the Senate Committee

on FCT that investigated the activities of an erstwhile FCT Minister. The Senate had then recommended the withdrawal of 3,645 plots from title holders on ground that they were allocated from May 17 to 29, 2007. The reason given by the legislators for passing the revocation resolution was that the Federal Executive Council FEC was already dissolved. “It was however, later discovered and confirmed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, that the FEC was not dissolved until 29th May 2007 when power was transmitted to the succeeding federal administration.

n view of that discovery and the fact that the implementation of the Senate resolution by the succeeding FCT Administration had inflicted pains on owners of such titles and in many cases resulted in court litigation, the matter was revisited by the 6th Senate which subsequently withdrew its earlier resolution,” he said. According the Minister, it was in view of this scenario that the FCT Administration

recommended to the President that all titles revoked as a result of the then Senate resolutions on revoked titles in 2007 be reinstated. He advised the beneficiaries of affected titles who have instituted suits against the Federal Capital Territory Administration to immediately withdraw such suits to pave way for amicable resolution. “All affected plots that have been re-allocated to third parties, which are yet to be developed or attain substantial level of development shall be cancelled and titles regularised in favour of the original allottees; and that affected allotees whose plots have been substantially developed by third parties with approved building plans granted by the Department of Development Control shall be considered for alternative plots of land. ” Senator Mohammed however disclosed that titles that have been in one way or the other cancelled or revoked by court judgments or administrative investigations and actions of the Federal Capital Territory Administration shall remain cancelled/revoked.

is partly responsible for the spate of abandoned projects dotting our landscape. Some were abandoned due to cost overrun others due to controversy amongst contractors, consultants and clients mostly related to cost,” he said. Prof Owasanoye who decried massive corruption especially in the procurement of construction projects, explained that this could not have been possible if quantity surveyors are given due recognition. “A lot of the loans were taken for construction and infrastructure development projects that were substandard, inflated and ultimately abandoned. Under a watchful regime of a vibrant association of Quantity Surveyors, this development could have been avoided or its negative impact greatly minimized. Quantity Surveyors and construction and cost management professionals hold the key to stemming corruption in construction and infrastructure development projects in Nigeria because their professional skills in the pricing and structuring of projects can easily expose the underbelly of corruption that attends the contracting and costing of projects in Nigeria”. Continuing, Prof Owasanoye stated that quantity surveyors also have a role to play in eliminating or reducing capital flight from bogus foreign investments transactions through transfer by multinationals and other foreign investors. In his own remarks after the investiture, Mr. Shonubi pledged to collaborate with the Lagos State Government in its quest to transform and expose Lagos as a tourism destination.

Building materials watch Cement Dangote cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,900.00 Burham Cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,900.00 Elephant cement per bag of 50kg ---N1,850.00 Sandcrete Blocks 6 inches vibrated per block--N120 9 inches vibrated per block--N140 6 inches hand mould per block---N80 9 inches hand mould per block---N90 Sand Soft per tipper load ---N12,000 Sharp double tipper load--N22,000 Gravel double tipper load--N25,000 Gravel single tipper load--N18,000 Granite per tipper load---N165,000 Reinforcement 8 mm (153) pieces per ton --N125,000 10 mm (153) pieces per ton--N136,000 12 mm (93) pieces per ton--N161,000 16 mm (93) pieces per ton--N172,000 20 mm (53) pieces per ton--N122,000 Woods Timber (hard) 1x1x12--N1,000 Timber (hard) 2x2x12--N800750 Timber (hard) 2x4x12---N700 Softwood 2x2x12---N260 2x3x12---N300 Plywood 3x3x8---N3,500 2x4x8---N2,400 Roofing Sheets Corrugated iron sheets per bundle---N10,000 Asbestos (Super) 4x8 per piece--N1,600 Asbestos (Solo) 4x6 per piece--N1,500 Building materials watch Wall tiles (ceramic) 6 x 6 per square metre-------------------------------------N1,200 20 x 20 (China) per square metre-------------------------N1,100 20 x 25 (China) per square metre-------------------------N1,400 Floor tiles (ceramic) 14 x 14 (Spain) per square metre-------------------------N1,800 14 x 14 (Brazil) per square metre------------------------N1,420 13 x 13 (Spain) per square metre------------------------N1, 550 45 x 45 (Spain) per square metre------------------------N1,900 40 x 40 (Marble Spain) per square metre--------------N3,800 30 x 30 (Marble Spain) per square metre--------------N2,000 Plumbing Materials Galvanised conduit pipes per length 20 mm diameter -----------------------------------------N170 25 mm diameter------------------------------------------N170 PVC conduit pipes 20 mm diameter per length ----------------------------N120 25 mm diameter per length-----------------------------N130 Source-----------Cement tiles and building materials market along Lagos/Abeokuta Expressway.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—41

Illegal wildlife trade ‘threatening national security’, says WWF PROFITS from the wildlife trade may have been used to fund terrorist cells in unstable African countries, thereby threatening national security. This disclosure was made by the world biggest conservation group, World Wildlife Fund, WWF said last week. The international conservation body according to a report by the Guardian of UK also claimed that the industry is closely linked to the drugs and arms trades. Illicit trade in wildlife has exploded into a $19bn criminal enterprise, threatening government stability and national security, the WWF warned on Wednesday.

Endangered species A report from the world’s biggest conservation group said the current effort to stop trafficking in ivory, rhino horn, and other endangered species was pitifully inadequate against the powerful and sophisticated crime syndicates with a global reach. “It has been a failure. We are losing these populations in front of our eyes,” Carter Roberts, the president of WWF, said in an interview. “It is being outgunned in terms of technology. It is being outgunned in terms of

resources, and it is being outgunned, worst of all, in terms of organisation.” The report, compiled by the Dalberg consulting firm, was based on interviews with government officials in countries on both sides of the smuggling chain in Africa and Asia. The conservation group plans to brief United Nations ambassadors on the crisis on Wednesday, to spur greater effort from governments to fight trafficking. Roberts said turn-out at the event would provide a good indication of g o v e r n m e n t s ’ willingness to take on an issue that, until recently, was relegated to the margins, seen only as a conservation issue. But the nature of trafficking was changing, the report warned. Within the past year alone, organised crime syndicates armed with military-issue machine guns have slaughtered hundreds of elephants at a time in places like Cameroon’s Bouba Ndjida national park, the report said. WWF says the wildlife trade appears to fund terrorist cells in unstable African countries – threatening national security – and that the industry often uses the same networks and routes as other illegal trades, such as drug trafficking.

Abia State secretariat. •Elephant Tusks Over the past five years, meanwhile, the numbers of rhinos poached in South Africa has risen exponentially, from about 20 a year to an expected 600 this year, Roberts said. “It is shocking to see the numbers grow the way they have,” he said. Elsewhere, powdered

rhino horn, a medicine that has now morphed into a status symbol in some parts of south-east Asia, sold for upwards of $100,000/kg. The average rhino horn was worth $600,000 – a price that gave the traffickers plenty of cash to pay off corrupt government officials. On Monday,

TAKEHOLDERS in the built environment industry have been told to collaborate and adopt a change of attitude in order to nip in the bud the incessant collapse of buildings in Lagos and other parts of the country. This advice came from experts who spoke at a one-day workshop organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) for concreting managers/ artisans in Lagos State. The highpoint of the event was the practical demonstration of the standard mixing of sand,

granite, cement and water ratio for concrete works for various building types and columns by the professionals. Some of the concrete managers and artisans who spoke during the event, said the workshop has enlightened them on the need to do things right to prevent structural failures. The Lagos’ Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Toyin Ayinde who spoke at the workshop, said there was need for continuous education and enlightenment of the public on the building

department. The secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, last month upgraded trafficking from a conservation issue into a national security threat. Wildlife trafficking now threatened government control and national borders, she said.

Nigeria needs over 100,000 roads to rank among top economies – Minister BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

OR Nigeria to be among the first top 20

economies in the world, its road infrastructure must grow from 194,000km to about 300,000km. This view was canvassed by the

Experts canvass cooperation, attitudinal change to stem buildings collapse BYKINGSLEYADEGBOYE

Vietnam and South Africa signed an agreement to curb rhino poaching. The explosion of the trade – and the involvement of organised crime and violent rebel groups – this year captured the attention of the Pentagon and the state

process in other to tackle the high occurrence of building collapse. He charged professionals concrete workers and other artisans to cultivate the right construction culture. Ayinde also called for the strengthening of the Standards Organisation of Nigerian, SON to monitor the standard of building materials in the country. He said, “In order to tackle the incidence of collapse, there must be prosecution of professionals/developers who move to site without development permit and engage in other sharp

practices”. “The commissioner reeled out some of the processes the Lagos State government has put in place to check collapse of building especially the establishment of the Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA.. He said, “Collapse of building is an ill wind that blows no one any good. It is in the light of this that the Building Control Agency was created to combat collapse of buildings. The agency has since a couple of months swung into action.”

Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, an architect.. “Our country needs to make strategic investments in roads infrastructure if the objective of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government to be among the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020 is to be realised,” he said Delivering a paper on“the transformation agenda in the Federal Ministry of works” at the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies, AES Excellence Club Dinner/Award Nite in Lagos, Onolememen said this will require huge investments by both the three tiers of Government and the Private Sector, adding that such investments cannot be possible if there are no attitudinal change in the policy formulation, financing and management of roads infrastructure in the country. “A look at the statistics

indicates that Nigeria has an uphill task ahead of her. Nigeria has a total of about 194,000 km of roads. Comparing this figure to those of the United States of America (6,506,204 km); India (4,109,593 km); China (3,806,800 km); Brazil (1,751868 km); Turkey (352,046 km); and South Africa (362,099 km), enables one to better appreciate the enormity of the challenge that we face as a Nation in the road sector,” he said. He lamented that “We have come to this sorry state of affairs in the governance of our road sector because the leadership of our country in the past four decades failed to develop the right attitude like former President Kennedy of the United States of America to road development. Therefore attitudinal change in management and financing of roads in Nigeria are needed to transform road development in our country.

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

PDP:

Another script to cage Govs

Those who malign the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as an unreconstructed behemoth weighing the nation down often have genuine reasons for their assertions. It is one movement forward and one step backward. Party apparatchiks at the end of a strategic retreat last weekend sent a mixed message on confronting the behemoth BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

NLY fools dare where angels fear to tread. The national and state officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who retreated in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last weekend were certainly no fools. However, one of the principal demands at the parley of the National Organising Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and their state equivalents certainly calls for caution given the past vengeance of the party ’s governors to some of the recommendations of the retreat. One of the principal recommendations at the retreat was that the party be opened up to internal democracy through the process of online registration. Online registration or e-registration is, however, not a new issue for party members. So it was surprising that given the cavalier dismissal of the e-registration project by the governors and even the president in 2010, that the party apparatchiks went along to adopt the recommendation. Even more surprising was the presence at the retreat of Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo, the former chairman of the party who was dismissed from office in a plot orchestrated by the governors. Nwodo it is recalled, was the

*Tukur: Can he confront the governors?

*Nwodo: Ambushed by PDP governors

their communiqué said: “the retreat notes that there is no alternative to internal party democracy. To enhance this therefore, it recommends, as a

spokesman, Lai Mohammed who he claimed has given shape and character to the opposition party. “PDP has taken a lot for granted, we have left public communication to the opposition to tell the stories,” Akpabio said as he hoped that the retreat would help PDP “in developing how to tell our stories.”

Such technocrats they lamented only talk technical things and do not spread patronages and service the local chapters of the party

original architect of the eregistration idea and had allegedly sold the idea to the presidency as the most viable means of freeing the party from the grip of the governors. It was as such not surprising that the governors led the brutal offensive that led to the removal of Nwodo from office in early 2011. Before that, they had compelled President Goodluck Jonathan who had already been registered to abandon the project. IN proposing the adoption of the e-registration system, the gathering of party operatives in

matter of urgency, the introduction of e-registration and computerisation of party membership. This will ensure transparency in party electoral processes.” But how determined the party can go in limiting the influence of the governors is another story. Just like Nwodo whose clash with his governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime led to his own downfall, the present national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is already enmeshed in his own clash with his own governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

Nyako, who in any case was passionately against the emergence of Tukur as national chairman earlier this year, is alleged to be persuading fellow governors to his side in a possible clash with the national chairman over the structure of the party in Adamawa State. The adoption of the resolution calling for e-registration and even the phrasing of the recommendation would no doubt be received by the governors as a call to battle from the national executive of the party. The meeting in Uyo was part of the strategic moves of the ruling party to redefine itself in the minds of its critics within and outside its fold. It was as such not surprising that the chief host, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State who was praised in the communiqué for hosting the event and for his “uncommon transformation agenda”, frowned that the party has given latitude to the opposition to intimidate it. Governor Akpabio took out for mention the Action Congress of Nigeria’s

Seeming devotion Despite their seeming devotion to the wellbeing of the party, the party officials in another recommendation betrayed their own personal interests. One of the other recommendations of the party officials was that “The party must encourage loyalty and hard work through incentives, patronages, merit awards, letters of commendation among others.” In other words, the party officials were calling for more patronages like contracts, appointments and such like that come the way of typical Nigerian politicians. The party officials it was reported were

particularly miffed by the appointment of technocrats into top government officials. Such technocrats they lamented only talk technical things and do not know how to spread patronages and service the local chapters of the party. State chapters that have been particularly vociferous against the trend include Lagos, Ebonyi, Ondo among others who have such technocrats as ministers. Lagos PDP officials have consistently faulted the appointment of Mr. Segun Aganga who they claim not to be a party man, having been recruited from an international financial firm in London. Dr. Abel Chukwu, the Minister of Health according to one report was also the object of criticism from Ebonyi PDP officials who claim that he is totally disinterested in the affairs of the party in the state. The two major recommendations from the PDP retreat show as always, the difficult and often tough challenge facing the ruling party. How the party resolves its internal issues will no doubt help move the country forward.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 43

In Ghana, it’s lip service to women empowerment BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor (Who was in Accra)

AVING staged successful transition elections for 30 unbroken years, Ghana is a reference point whenever the issue of democracy is discussed in Africa. By gaining independence from Britain in 1957, she is also one of the first countries to attain self-rule in the Black continent after Ethiopia and Liberia. Ghana can also pass for one of Africa’s most peaceful states. In spite of these fine testimonials, Ghana ranks low on the matter of women empowerment. Even though women are in-charge of two out of the three arms of government – Speaker of the Parliament, Justice Mrs. Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo and Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the country is far off from the globally acclaimed 30 per cent affirmative action. Currently, women account for only 19 of the 230 positions in the nation’s Parliament (8.3 per cent) and only 6.5 per cent of District Chief Executives within the local governments. And when the next dispensation kicks off in January 2013, women will only occupy 24 slots in the enlarged 275 parliament, a miserly 8.73 per cent. Among 16 presidential and vice presidential candidates in the

*Justice Theodora Wood

*Speaker Bamford Addo 2012 polls, there were only 3 female vice presidential candidates (CPP – Madam Cherita Sarpong, PNC – Madam Helen Sanorita Dzatugbe Matrevi and PPP – Madam Eva Lokko). In a 24-member council of state, there are only three women (Mrs. Victoria Addy, Hajia Hajara Musah Ali and Mrs. Cecilia Johnson accounting for a mere 12.5 per cent. Out of 25 ministers, there are only five women. There is no woman among 28 deputy ministers. The 2010 Local Government elections managed

to get only 10 per cent of women either as elected or appointed Assembly persons. The Ghanaian records compare dismally to the efforts of Rwanda, which remains in a class of her own with 56.3 per cent of her Members of Parliament being women; South Africa has 44.5 per cent, Mozambique (39.2 per cent); Uganda (34.9 per cent); Burkina Faso (15.3 per cent) and Niger (13.3 per cent). Internal efforts yet to yield desired dividends Locally, there are efforts to boost women empowerment but these

Senate set to battle Jonathan on State of the Nation A bill requiring the president to annually address the National Assembly is again passing through the legislative process after an initial version was rejected by President Goodluck Jonathan. The omen is that there will now be a showdown

HE division between the three arms of government is a matter that operatives of the different branches often seek to protect from incursion. It is perhaps for this reason that President Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Yar‘Adua before him shied away from assenting to the bill requiring the president to present an address to the National Assembly on the state of the nation annually. Now, a showdown is pending following the determination of the senate to compel the president to do so through a bill that has now won popular approval in the red chamber. The threat is coming on the heels of previous bills before him that he has refused to sign into law. The bill entitled an Act to make provision for the State of the Nation address by the President of the Federal

BY HENRY UMORU

A showdown is pending following the determination of the senate to compel the president to do so through a bill that has now won popular approval in the red chamber

Republic of Nigeria and for other Matters Connected therewith (HB.91) was sponsored by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, PDP, Cross River Central and originated from the House of Representatives. Before that bill, Senator Ike

efforts are yet to yield the desired results. Ghana’s first President, late Kwame Nkrumah, partly owed his tremendous popularity to empowering Ghanaian women. When he realised that there was no woman among the 103 Members of Parliament he appointed 10 women into the hallowed chambers. Aside being obligated to international rights-based frameworks, Ghana has a directive from its Local Government Act of 1993 to reserve half of the 30 per cent appointed member positions at the district assemblies for women.

Federal Character and Intergovernmental to look at it and report to the entire house. Presenting the bill, Senator Ndoma-Egba noted that the bill would neither foreclose presentation of annual budgets nor duplicate its functions, adding, ‘’the idea of the Bill is to take stock of the nation, its condition, the governments and its performance; the people and their well being”. Noting that it was also the practice in many similar democracies including the United States and South Africa, he said: ‘’The idea is to take stock of the nation, that is to say, the country and its condition, the government and its performance; the people and their well being.”

Support for the bill *Mark Ekweremadu, the deputy president of the senate had sponsored a bill with the same intention which lapsed in the hands of President Jonathan. The Bill which recently scaled the second reading is presently with the Senate Committee on

Support for the bill inevitably came from Senator Ekweremadu who gave details of how his own proposal was encumbered. According to him, his own bill was almost signed into law by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua if not for his death and President Jonathan who

Although some progress has been made in this regard, it is still a far cry from the minimum benchmark. ECOWAS urge redress Looking at the issues, the 250member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) observer mission to Ghana’s 2012 presidential/parliamentary polls decried women’s poor participation in governance. In a preliminary report by its leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, it urged the in-coming administration and parliament “to consider the adoption of affirmative action to enhance the capacity of women particularly their participation in the elected positions in the country through special financial support to women, as well as political parties that promote the active role of women in the leadership within their parties and as candidates in future elections.” Noting that women constitute 51.2 per cent of Ghana’s 24,965,816 populations, the ECOWAS team regretted that women’s aspirations for elective positions in the presidential and parliamentary elections were severely limited. “There were no women among the eight candidates in the presidential election. Of the 1,332 candidates vying for the 275 parliamentary seats, only 134 were women, constituting a paltry 10.06 per cent,” it lamented.

took over refused to sign it. “To make sure that the bill sails through, I discussed with President Umaru Yar’Adua the difference between the bill and what the constitution says and Yar ’Adua was excited and looked forward to being the first President to present the State of Nation Address. ‘’Unfortunately by the time the bill was passed he had died. It was then President Goodluck Jonathan who had the opportunity to preside over the issue of signing the Bill. ‘’He did not sign the Bill. It happened during the closing days of the last Senate. We didn’t have the opportunity of bringing the Bill back to override the veto of Mr. President. According to him in line with most other parties in Ghana who do it from year to year. The last version provided the exact date when the president should address the nation through the National Assembly. Given the enthusiasm with which other Senators marshaled out their arguments during discussions on the bill, there is no doubt that a showdown could be pending should President Jonathan again refuse his assent.

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

BY GABRIEL ABATAN Youths in Lagos are again in festive mood and they are organising end of year parties, also known as, street jamz or carnival, in several communities to get together and mark the end of the year, their own way. Although some community youths choose to have the party on their streets, some entertainment groups, hotels, in conjunction with some corporate organizations now organize parties for them in community halls, hotels, event halls, and other formal social gathering centers to ensure security during the party. This kind of party is common in areas like Surulere, Ikeja, Maryland, Festac Town, Ikoyi, and so on, where gate fees are charged depending on the area, nature of the party and the organizers. Gate fees start from N2, 500 and above while considerations are made for doubles. At this kind of party, celebrities are invited to thrill the crowd. Meanwhile, youths who can not afford such luxury, resort to having theirs in the open street where they have freedom to do whatever they liked. The youths, with ages ranging from 16 to 35, are mostly boys who live low street lifestyles.

Mapping out strategies Just like any standard party, the youths map out strategies to have a fun filled gyration during the carnival. Such plans preceding the jamz include choosing suitable date for the celebration, choosing strategic theme for the carnival, sourcing for fund, decorating the streets as well as inviting local musicians and entertainers to keep the place lively. One noticeable thing carried out by these youths during this season is their near aggressive methods of sourcing funds for the jamz. Days preceding the D-day, the youths block driveway and collect money from car owners, commuters, Okada riders, and sometimes passerby. To some communities, they employ a more friendly way of doing this by hailing “suspected donors”, and pestering them until they “drop something”. A survey round some communities in Lagos, like Orile Iganmu, Ijora, Aguda, Igando, Akesan, Ikotun, Ajegunle, Amukoko and Isolo, however showed that some of the themes for the street jamz are mouth-gagging as the they suggest expected atrocities to be committed during the party. Few of them include; ‘Bo pata e’ - remove their underwear, “Kukere Night”, “Osele Day”, “Ma woju e”, “Kerewa Night”, “Gyrate till mum calls”, “Xmas Combat” etc. Usually, the date for the jamz is during the heart of the yule-

Its again party time with Lagos street jamz tide season like Dec 24th to January 5th. However, others choose more convenient date far into the new year. For instance, Alafia Street, in Amukoko, a suburb area in Lagos, chose January 27th for their street jamz. Explaining the choice of the date, Ikechukwu Ezeaka, a resident of the street said, by then those who have traveled would have come back from their villages and there would be a full house during that time. Another reason for this, accord-

ing to Ezeaka, is that those who have spent their money during the Christmas and new year celebrations would have gotten some money for the celebration by then. Meantime, the street jamz which normally holds nocturnally from 8pm ‘till mum calls’ as some organizers termed it usually featured a lot of excesses from the partying youths. Some of the atrocities committed are not far fetched as there is freedom to do whatever one likes.

The essence of the party is forgotten and some over adventurous youths are being initiated into hooliganism, gangsterism, prostitution, drug addiction, robbery, etc, during such parties as some “area boys” banked on their innocency to corrupt them. There is also likelihood of rape cases to be recorded during such gatherings, as culprits overpower their victims after drinking excess alcohol during the jamz. Several cases have been recorded of young girls who were raped

just because they were at wrong places, all in the name of having fun. Another prevalent crime committed during such street jamz is the riotous acts from such youth who are prone to violence at any time. Worse still, they use improvised weapons like bottles, cutlass, clubs, sticks, irons, etc, which are hand at such gatherings, to create indelible marked on their opponents during the fight, which often times lead to death of either parties.

Police, LASEMA’s recipe for safe fes BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

S the carnival was known for recording violence and most times leading to casualties, the Police in Lagos have assured residents of a hitch-free festival period saying security has been beefed up to protect life and properties during the festive season. Also, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has warned Lagosian to be safety cautious during the Christmas and New Year celebration in order to prevent the loss of lives and properties of the people working and doing business in the state. Speaking after an exhaustive weekly security meeting at Lagos House, Marina, Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Command, Mr. Umar Abubakar Man-

ko, said like the period of the recently concluded National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, the Christmas and New Year season would be peaceful as all strategy had been fine-tuned for safety of lives and property. “Our officers and men who ensured safety and peace during the National Sports Festival are still on ground. They are alert and we will ensure that the festivities coming up this period are hitchfree”, the Police boss said adding that the Police was going to maintain the same level of security that ensured a peaceful sports festival in the State. According to Manko, “We are going to maintain the same level of security, not only for the Christmas but beyond it to the New Year. We assure Lagosians that adequate security measures have been put in place. So, they should feel free to go about their activi-

ties during the period. “Security has been beefed up and Lagos is going to be free for citizens and residents during these festivities”. Also giving a brief on the preparedness of his agency, General Manager/CEO, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi OkeOsanyintolu urged all the people in the state to be careful and vigilant during the festive period, with the close monitoring of people and events in and around them. According to him, parents and guardians are advised to keep a close watch on their wards on the use of fireworks, which he said, could lead to fire outbreaks and accidents. Osanyitolu, warned against the hording of petroleum products to avert explosions which could lead to the destruction of lives and properties.

Lagos CP: Umar Abubakar Mank In the same vain, he said that “our people are also in habit of over speeding; drinking of alcohol and not adhering to traffic rules during this period which most times leads to series of accidents and loss of lives.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 45

Lekki-Epe tolling: Govt, Lagosians on different pages BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

MMEDIATELY the Lekki Concession Company Limited, LCCI, announced its intention to commence a user based tolling at the 2nd Toll plaza on the Eti-Osa Lekki-

stivities He therefore advised motorists to be safety conscious while driving, vowing that offenders will be prosecuted by the state government.” Osanyintolu noted that LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Safety Service, Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Nigerian Police Force and all the other agencies that are important in the management of emergencies in the state have been put on red alert to secure and protect the lives and properties of the people leaving and doing business in the state. Osanyintolu therefore assured that the Lagos State Emergency Call Centre 767/ 112 is open for 24 hours to any distress call from all the nooks and crannies of the state.

C M Y K

Epe Expressway by midnight, December 16th, this year, members of the public rose in strong condemnation of the move describing it as “anti-masses.” So, when the state government and LCC jointly deferred, until further notice, the scheduled commencement of tolling at the said toll plaza, there was not

much cheers from the public. According to one of the residents of Ajah, Mr Kenneth Johnson, the government should not be hailed for the suspension because in the first place the decision was unpopular. “We are not fascinated by the suspension because it’s a tem-

poral measure what we are agitating for is an affordable fare or better still no tolling at all. We are suffering on this axis, because majority of residents along this axis are paupers. So the government should be thinking about total cancellation of tolling.” Earlier some residents, after

a tour of the 2nd Lekki tollgate and the alternative route, said that with the downturn of economic activities within the state the alternative route can only be likened to the road from Jerusalem to Jericho where even a Good Samaritan could be ambushed from the nearby bush, particularly in the wee hours. The final position of the group then was that; “The burden of movement with the Eti-Osa Local government area axis should be a huge concern for any government and political party that cares for its people and demanded for immediate suspension and review of tolling.” Following strong opposition and condemnation by members of the public, the Lagos state government, last weekend, after an emergency meeting announced the suspension of the proposed introduction of toll on the Lekki-Epe Expressway second gate, earlier scheduled to commence last Sunday, December 16, 2012. Ayo Gbeleyi, Special Adviser/ Director-General Office of Public-Private Partnerships and the Acting Managing Director, Lekki Concession Company Limited, LCCI, Mr. Mike Edington., after a marathon meeting with Governor Babatunde Fashola at the state House, Marina announced the indefinite suspension.

Opposition mounts against Urban Development Law BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

ESIDENTS of Osodi/Isolo Local Government have demanded that the state government design a ‘Master Plan’ for the area before the enforcement of the Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban Development Law 2010. It will be recalled that the state governor, Babatunde Fashola in July 2010 signed the law with the aim of achieving a zero tolerance to incidence of collapsed building, illegal development, non-conforming development and others, with a view to ensuring better physical environment for sustainable development. The residents who spoke at a stakeholder’s forum organised by the state government, held at the secretariat of the Local Government, theme ‘Roles of stakeholders in the implemen-

tation of the Lagos State Physical Planning and Urban development law 2010, argued that when there is proper physical planning, it would attract investors into the state. They said that the Osodi/Isolo Master Plan will guide the growth and development of the local government and reduce loss of revenue invested on erection of building. Speaking on the need for the new Osodi/Isolo master plan, a resident, Mr. Isreal Orija blamed the state government for the indiscriminate erection of structures, saying “inability of the government to provide master plan earlier for various local governments caused such action.” According to Orija, “after several years of erecting building in an area, the state government will send its town

planning experts to the area to inspect the structures. After such inspection, the state government would mark some houses for demolition because they were erected on an illegal portion of land.” Mrs. Uche Nwariocha said “Such act can be avoided with the introduction of the Master Plan for all the local governments in the state.” Reacting to their demands, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, assured the residents that the state government would design a Master Plan for the local government because it is one of the strategy councils in the state.

Gov. Babatunde Fashola

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 However, her friend, through whom we had met, later had a different story to tell, after the whole thing blew up. And that was when everything started making sense to me. Kiki was not in love with me. She had never been in love with me. I was the one I, a lot have been said about sex. Its or in love with her. I was the one thinking and dained by God for procreation and recredreaming about her and living happily ever afation between a man and his wife. It has been ter with her. I was the one planning and makdescribed as the lubricating oil for a ing all the sacrifices, not Kiki. It finally became healthy,intimate relationship. Sex has also been obvious that I was just a fool. ascribed some therapeutic and rejuvinating powHow could I have been so blind?Kiki’s friend ers. confessed to me that though all three of them The more sex a couple has the better for them had traveled to America for the Summer holiday and their relationship. However, this is not altrip, Kiki had only used them as a cover up. She ways the case in many relationships. had no plans to stay with them. She was going Sex, which ought to be freely given and ento visit her former boyfriend. She said Kiki had joyed between a man and his wife may somenever stopped loving the guy and that they had times turn them into enemies, eventually destroyalways had an intense on and off relationship ing their otherwise great marriage and relationwhich has spanned over 10 years, even though ship. In this article, our respondents share with it was a turbulent affair. us, their stories and how it affected their lives. That when they break up, they date other peoPlease, feel free to share your experience or that ple then make up and come together again. That of someone you know with us too. It might be when Kiki met me, they had assumed it was benefitial to someone out there. going to be like her other affairs and that she Our address remains: The Human Angle, Vanwould soon grow tired of me and look for an guard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail adexcuse to dump me. But they were all surprised dress: humananglepage@yahoo.com. Happy when they stared seeing how serious we were reading! growing and were even shocked when she told Deba,(37), self employed graduate has been them that I had proposed to her and she had single for the past five years. His wife left him agreed to marry me. because he was too “soft”. He shares his story: Initially, they were happy for her and were all She told me she had a little gynecological proexcited about the wedding plans. But when she cedure done some years back and wanted to sort began telling them that she was marrying me it out. But she refused to tell me what it was. I because I am a good catch and that she was was worried about her job but she also insisted I happy she could manipulate me and stuff, they had nothing to worry about as she had sorted evrealised she was not in love with me at all. erything out with her boss. Later she started telling them that her former So, how about me? boyfriend was already calling and begging her and that she was happy that her plans were Everyone was aware of Kiki’s bitter-sweet, inworking according to tense love affair with the guy and told her they plan as she only inpreferred me to the guy as she would be sure of a tended to make him jealous and want her the more settled life and a faithful, caring husband more. Will she still accept him back, they wanted to know, I was just there living alone in her apartment but she told them she was not sure yet. She then and had nothing to do until school resumed. Evensecretly confided in her best friend that she was tually, Kiki spent three good months before she confused and sorry for me. returned to London. Before then, I knew that the That I am so sweet and innocent and she was sure marriage was over. All the sordid details of her I will treat her right, but that her heart was still with escapades in America had been sifting home on a the guy. At that point, her friend said she decided regular basis. to tell their other friends as well as some older, marKiki had traveled to America to meet with her ried friends and even their mothers about Kiki’s danformer boyfriend. I call him former because that gerous game. Everyone was aware of Kiki’s bitterwas how she referred to him when she told me sweet, intense love affair with the guy and told her about him. They had parted shortly before we met they preferred me to the guy as she would be sure because he was cheating on her with some other of a more settled life and a faithful, caring husband. women. And that was why Kiki married me. But the story The guy had relocated to America about two did not end here. After the lavish wedding, waste years before we met. And even though they had a of money, time and emotions, we returned to Lonrelationship still going, the distance did not help don and Kiki started a new song. I was not satisfyand then she caught him with not just one but To be continued two other girls. So, when I came, I was the only Asisted by Onozure Dania one according to her and I believed her.

When intimacy refuses to bind (8)

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Get over your Fears BY ONOZURE DANIA

EAR is a feeling that too often runs our lives. Whether it is fear of commitment, rejection, failure, death, or any other phobia, it tends to keep us from living our lives to the fullest. Fear can be handled rationally and can be controlled if you are willing to work on it and are motivated enough in controlling it, instead of it controlling you. The first thing you need to do is take the time to get to know your fears. Most of the time, people are aware of their fears, but never really get to know them. You can set up a time when you can sit down and have an interview with your fear. What is your fear and where does it come from and why do you fear it? These are questions that must be provided with answers in order to better understand your fear, so that you can start brainstorming about methods that will work best for you. Start with acknowledging what the fear really is. Once you are fully aware of what your fear is, then work on figuring out where it comes from. For instance, if you have a fear of failure, what gave birth to such a fear? There is a cause for everything. So, if you feel puzzled on tracking down the place of where it came from, keep looking inside yourself until you find it. Did you do poorly in school as a young child? Did your parents constantly pressure you to do well, making you feel anxious and incapable of ever pleasing them? Knowing where your fear comes from is the biggest key to understanding it. Understanding your fears is good because it also means that you are able to find solutions to it. After making the discovery of where your fear come

from, you may then ask yourself why you fear it so much. Many people have a fear to fly, for instance, because they hear news of airplane crashes and are terrified that they might share the same fate as the planes that crashed. Others fear flying because they are intimidated with the fact that they would be so high above the ground. Learning why your fear exists so strongly is important and will help you learn more about yourself and the way you think about things. Once you figure all of these out, what do you do to handle your fear? Let’s say you have a fear of commitment. The best thing to do is look back at all the experiences that helped build this fear. Did you get heartbroken several times from past relationships and now run away when an opportunity for a serious relationship comes to surface? Go back in time to those relationships and re-live what went wrong and why. You will discover that all those situations were different in some ways and handled in different ways. What that tells you is that, no one is the same and no relationship is perfect. Admitting to this fact will help you understand that running away is not the answer, but what you really need to do is face and accept the imperfection in your relationships and work on ways to better the challenging situations. Talking about your fears with people will help too and feed you with more knowledge on your fear. If your fear is commitment, then talk to a friend about it and ask them how their relationships are and how they handle challenges. You will soon learn that not all relationships end in heartbreak and that you are capable of having a happy and healthy relationship, just like anyone else.

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Vanguard Vanguard,, By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

TAURUS; It’s important to differentiate between enterprise, gambling and adventure, because you may not go free by unnecessary mistake. Take love very seriously. GEMINI; Many people are not in the mood to take thing lightly probably because of tension generated by the Moon and Saturn. Thus you’ll need to be prepared to take responsibility of whatever you do and/ or say. CANCER; Unnecessary argument can not help your cause today, no matter how logical you think you are. Take domestic issues more seriously than before. LEO; good results, your mood looks less buoyant. Whatever this is the wrong time to gamble with matters of the heart.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

—47

THOUGHT FOR TODAY By Richard Eromosele

great thinker, Senera once said: “it is not because things are difficult that we do not try, it is because we do not try that thing are difficult” Did you get that? Let me illustrate: A

Why are things difficult? child said he is late home, rather than go home straight, he still stays half-way because he is afraid his father will punish him, is he not aggravating the issue?

TERROR MUDA

That is the case with those who do not try? They worsen an already bad situation. If you do not sow can you reap? If you don’t plant can you

in “Never say goodbye”

harvest? If you do not knock will you be opened for? Do something today. No matter how difficult your situation seems now, the solution to it, is doing something no matter how small.

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO; Since you cant run away from your shadow it is better you face challenges coming your way both at home and in the office. Eventual success’ll be yours very soon. .LIBRA; Although, partnership related issues are becoming seriously, today you will need to rely on your creative mind to get the desired results. SCORPIO; Similar to yesterday as money continues to dominate issues. This is the wrong time to rely too heavily on friends either for assistance or advice. SAGITTARIUS; You’ll continue to be relevant in the scheme of things, although you’ll be made to operate under pressure through career/business related affairs but great success indicated for you today. Be stable. CAPRICORN; It’s your day when good luck’ll crown your efforts. The more secretive you are the better for your cause. Avoid unnecessary argument. AQUARIUS; Reliable associates of yours may unconsciously disappoint you .Nursing false hope may force emotion to run very high. Be patient please.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

PISCES; If you like to cut-corners you’ll need to prepare for unpleasant surprise as those you least expect’ll disappoint you. Prepare to protect your image. ARIES; Relying on the element of luck today may fail to give you the desired results. Then it’ll be wrong of you to disrespect the law and/or it’s enforcement agents.

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

Who am I?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Kindly analyse my star and tell me the type of person I am. Because not only other people do misunderstand me I do not sometimes know myself. Please tell me the truth. Ben-Benin, Dear Ben, As you were born when both career-oriented-Saturn and loving Venus were prominent in the heaven, you are giving to both ambition and love related issues. And with Venus having more powers than Saturn, PEACE, LOVE and harmony will always have final influence whenever you are to take important final decision. As loving, gentle, caring and good hearted as you are, with your final-dispositor (Venus) at 90th degree apart to rebellious Uranus in Kingly Leo, FREEDOM and JUSTICE must come to play before the said love and peace will get your final approval. Naturally Cancer makes it’s natives to appear timid and cool headed but another vigorous aspect in your chart is conjunction formed by aggressive Mars and manipulative Pluto when you were born; thus your will-power is very strong, making it difficult for people to manipulate you at will. To crown it all the Moon (an indicator of sub-conscious-self ) was placed in genius related Aquarius. Therefore will power strengthened by educated mind will always want to have FREEDOM. With your natal Sun (basic selfhood) and Moon placed in Cancer and Aquarius respectively, you are mainly a Cancer born person and partly Aquarian; meaning that basic characteristics of the two said Star sings (Cancer and Aquarius) are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

Commen3

by Lawrence Akapa

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Daniel mourns Yakowa, Azazi

Dr (Mrs) Asabe Shehu Yar Ádua, Founder/President, Asabe Shehu YarÁdua Foundation (right) and other members of the Foundation during a visit to homes of people living with disabilities to mark the United Nations International day of persons living with disabilities in Abuja.

From right; Mr Olawale Anthony, Gen.Sec, Mr Olawale Salu, Governing Council Rep, Mrs Towobola Oladimeji, Treasurer, Prince Akeem Animashaun, National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kasim Bada, Asst. Auditor, Mr John Akingbade, Financial Secretary, Mr Lateef Salami, Asst.Gen.Sec, Mr Bola Onanuga, Ex-Officio, during the inauguration of LASU Alumni new executive Council.

We ‘ll always reward excellence —Akpabio A

KWA IBOM State Gov ernment is always obligated to reward excellence so as to enhance productivity. Governor Godswill Akpabio announced this at the grand finale of the celebration of the 2012 Akwa Ibom Productivity Week organized by the State Bureau of Labour, Productivity and Public Service Matters at the Civil Service Auditorium, Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat, Uyo. Represented by his deputy, Lady Valerie Ebe, Governor Akpabio said the achieve-

ments so far seen in the state were as a result of the unflinching support and cooperation workers from all sectors. He commended the Bureau for being unbiased in the selection of the awardees and for painstakingly putting this year’s event together; saying the theme “Transforming Akwa Ibom State through Improved Productivity” would not have been possible but for the uncommon transformation that is permeating

the state. The Governor, himself a recipient of an excellence and productivity award, charged the recipients to see the award as a call to serve humanity and as such work harder to reciprocate the gesture and honour bestowed on them by the Bureau, saying they should do as much as they could to transform others as they have been transformed. He assured the public servants that provision of good and serene working environment in all ministries, departments and agencies together with staff training and re-

training, will remain a top priority of his administration. The Special Adviser of the Bureau, Mr. Godwin Udom, explained that the celebration was an annual event where talents are showcased so as to cultivate the spirit of oneness among Akwa Ibom workers. He thanked Chief Akpabio for his worker-friendly attitude and policies and for creating the enabling atmosphere for the workers in the State vineyard to excel and assured the Governor of the Bureau’s continued support, loyalty and solidarity.

NDDC boss canvasses review of Act M

ANAGING DIREC TOR, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Christian Oboh, has advocated a refined Act that would effectively grant the Commission leverage in addressing developmental challenges in the region. Dr. Oboh was speaking in Port Harcourt during a courtesy call on him by the National Executive of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. The Managing Director told the Mr Okey Wali, SAN, led executive that the call was hinged on the desire to create flexibility and enhance the commission’s interventionist status. “Some sections of the Act are cumbersome, it should be proactive and tailored towards strengthening our interventionist status to ensure quick response to challenges,” he said. Oboh announced that the board has commenced the process of reviewing the Niger Delta Development Master Plan in line with current development realities in the region. The NDDC boss said the commission will partner other agencies and organizations, especially the NBA in view of its key role in econom-

ic reform, governance and development process. “Law is a very important tool in development and social engineering; we

want to play by the rules and ensure that all we do here have the backing of the law”. NBA President, Mr Wali, had assured the Managing Director that

the association will support the commission’s quest for a review of the NDDC Act, as well as the Niger Delta Development Master Plan.

Lagos Solicitor-General laments transfer of IPOs BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

HE Solicitor-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has decried the transfer of Investigating Police Officers, IPOs, from one state to another, noting that it was affecting trials in various courts across the country. He pointed out that any Police officer, who is to appear before any court to testify, should be given transportation money to enable the policeman be present as expected in a matter where he was a witness or for investigation purpose. Pedro noted that when a police officer who is on a case is transferred to another State and as a result of that fails to appear in court when needed, practically it is affecting the criminal justice system. He said: “When the man

investigated the case where was he and where is the man now? The policeman may have been on another assignment now. Maybe the

man has been posted to Sokoto. Now you want him to come and testify in Lagos, will he use his salary to transport himself?”

Registered political parties in Delta slam Uduaghan’s aide

GHELLI—REGISTERED po litical parties in Delta State under the aegis of Association of Registered Political Parties, ARPP, have passed a vote of no confidence on the Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter Party Relations, Mr Taju Isichei. The body in a statement by its chairman alleged that Isichei had begun a systematic dismantling of the structure of the association by “sponsoring and supporting a parallel group known as Inter-Party Advisory Council through his crony(s) knowing well that IPAC was yet to be registered and inaugurated in the state by the national body.”

He noted ARPP executive had been restructured following the deregistration of 28 political parties by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The association, said “the body of political parties is not an appendage or a department of the office of the Special Adviser on Inter Party Relations.” Restating that they will continue with the pre-existing partnering with the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan “as he strives to take Delta State to a greater height,” he said “we wish to inform Deltans that IPAC has not been constituted/inaugurated in Delta State.”

ORMER governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has expressed shock and deep sadness over the tragic death of the Governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi, describing their death and two aides in the fatal helicopter crash in Bayelsa State, weekend, as a monumental tragedy. “This is a very sad development. I am shocked and saddened by this tragedy. I had interacted with the two men in the course of different national assignments and engagements and I found them to be personable, deeply patriotic and men who were constantly working for the greater good of the Nation. General Azazi contributed his own quota to the development of the country’s military and played an active part in the ongoing efforts to solve the country’s security challenges.

Group drums support for Monye

OLITICAL leaders a n d stakeholders drawn from the three senatorial districts of Delta State have vowed to ensure that only credible persons capable of continuing the good works of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will be supported as the next governor of the state come 2015. A group, through its spokesman, Olorogun Ighoyota Oyibodoro, made the remark when they paid a courtesy visit to a Delta North leader, Mr. Ignatius Memeh, in his Issele-Uku residence, Oyibodoro said his group decided to pay the visit as a show of solidarity and support in preparation towards the aspirations of Prof. Monye’s ambition to succeed Uduaghan.

Ladipo traders sue for peace

RADERS in Ladipo spare parts market have stormed the headquarters of Mushin Local Government, Lagos, demanding that the Chairman of the council, Olatunde Adepitan, organize a credible election to restore peace in the market. Displaying several placards to back up their demand, the protesting traders claimed the former Chairman of the traders’ association, Mr. Jonathan Okolie had spent five years, instead of two year allowed by their constitution.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 49

C M Y K

50—Vanguard , TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Court upholds right to hear case against selection of FUT, Minna, VC BY WOLE MOSADOMI

iger State High Court sitting in Minna has said that it has jurisdiction to entertain a suit challenging the process adopted for the selection of a new Vice Chancellor for the Federal University of Technology, FUT, Minna. Three dons, Professors Musa Galadima, Adama and M.A.T Suleiman had approached the High Court to stop the selection of the sixth Vice-Chancellor for the university, alleging double standards by the Governing Council of the university in the selection process. When the case was mentioned early in October, counsel to the FUT, the Governing Council and Council Chairman Olajide , SAN, had prayed the court to dismiss the case on the ground that it lacked the jurisdiction to try a case affecting a federal government owned institution. When the matter came up yesterday, Justice Aishat Buwari declared that her court has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

70-yr-old man rapes 12-yr-old girl BY WOLE MOSADOMI

70 year old man, Saidi Materi of Tunga- Goro, Minna, Niger State has been remanded in prison custody for raping a 12 year olf girl in his bedroom. Police prosecutor, Inspector Abdullahi Aliyu had told the Magistrate Court presided over by Hassan Mohammed, that the octogenarian had on the sometime in November this had carnal knowlegde of the girl without her consent. The girl allegedly went into the old man’s apartment to drink water when she was allegedly raped. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Dr. Babangida Aliyu, Niger State governor (left) being presented with the award of the Apostle of Peace by the Chairman of the Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Musa Dada, during an award presentation ceremony by CAN at the Idris Legbo conference Centre, Minna.

Mr. Ladi Balogun, FCMB Managing Director (left), receiving the award of the Major Sponsor of 2012 Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Tournament from Samson Adamu, Managing Director of Kinetic Sports, organisers of Copa Lagos, at the closing ceremony of the event on Sunday.

Textile workers mourn Yakowa, Azazi BY EMEKA MAMAH

EXTILE workers in the country have lamented the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa and the for mer National Security Adviser, NSA, Gen Andrew Owoye Aziazi in a helicopter crash atv Nembe- Okoroba area of Bayelsa State, weekend saying that with Yakowa’s death, the union has lost a voice for the industrialization of the north. This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the President of the union, Oladele Hunsu and the General Secretary and Vice President of the Nigeria

Labour Congress, NLC, Issa Aremu yesterday. The statement was entitled, 'Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa; Textile Union lost an industry- friendly Governor.' The statement read, ‘’We received with great shock and deep grief, the death of Sir

Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State in a helicopter crash at Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State along with the former NSA, Gen. Azazi, rtd, among others, on Saturday December 15, 2012.

Intrigues cloud nominations for new Kaduna Deputy Governor BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN & LUKA BINNYAT

HE possible nomination of the widow of the late governor of Kaduna State, Mrs. Amina Yakowa as the new deputy governor of the state was yesterday caught in a web of geopolitical

permutations and political horse trading. The office of deputy governor became vacant following the inauguration of the erstwhile holder of the office, Mukthar Yero as the new governor of the state. The immediate past governor of the state, Patrick Yakowa died in a

Kwara rehabilitates 400 classrooms BY DEMOLAAKINYEMI

LORIN—The Kwara State Government has rehabilitated about 400 classrooms at the basic and senior secondary school levels this year. State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed who made this known in Ilorin yesterday, also hinted that another set of 200 classrooms would soon be

rehabilitated in realisation that a vibrant education system requires appropriate infrastructure for it to be beneficial to pupils and students. Ahmed spoke while inaugurating a new private sector driven group of schools; the Adrin Schools. He commended the proprietor of the schools for embracing the state government’s policy of a virile

basic education culture, adding that his administration would not hesitate to close down any school found to be violating set standards in the state. The governor explained that government’s policy on education was informed by the realisation that “a child’s basic educational development is directly correlated to the foundation laid at the basic l e v e l . ”

Minister preaches security at ACP-EU confab BY VICTORIA EDEMA

IGERIA has urged the Conference of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, ACP, to urgently address the issue of the worsening security situation in many member-states as a way of creating conducive environment for poverty alleviation, and achieving sustainable development. National Planning Minister, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman,

"With his death, our union has lost a voice for reindustrialisation of the North in general and revival of textile industry in Kaduna State, in particular. Yakowa was among the few governors making a case of industry in the North."

who led Nigeria’s delegation to the Seventh Summit of ACP-EU, made this call while speaking at the event in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea. Usman charged the 80-member group to work towards restoring peace in many crisisridden states including Sudan, South-Sudan, Mali, Somalia, Guinea-Bissau to avert the likely spill-over effects in the West African sub-region. He said: “As we are fully aware, the major challenge

facing ACP-EU Partnership is poverty alleviation, and the achievement of sustainable development. These objectives as you will all agree, cannot be achieved in the absence of peace and security in the ACP states. “There is, therefore, the pressing need for us to in this Summit, attempt to comprehensively address the security situation in our domains, particularly in the Sudan, South-Sudan, Mali, Somalia, GuineaBissau, among others.”

helicopter crash last Saturday. Top on the list of those under consideration are Yakowa’s widow, a former deputy director in the Ministry of Defence. She retired from service only after her husband became deputy governor in 2005. Her possible nomination Vanguard learnt yesterday was already facing stiff opposition from some political stakeholders from Southern Kaduna, who allege that a woman could not have the strength of will to stand up to the political intrigues that shadow politics in Kaduna State. Opposition to her nomination, Vanguard learnt, is seriously being opposed by some from Southern Kaduna who believe that she would not be able to stand up to represent the interest of Southern Kaduna in government. Others being mentioned include the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Jonathan Asake, Mr. Mark Jacob who is presently a director in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN and the chairman of Jema‘a Local Government Area, Mr. Dan Amos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, DECEMBER 18, 2012—51

Inflation rises to 12.3% — NBS BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU, WITH AGENCY REPORT

IGERIA’S consumer in flation rose to its highest in four months in November as the impact of the country’s worst flooding in 50 years pushed up the cost of food, data showed yesterday. Headline inflation quickened to 12.3 percent year-onyear in November, from 11.7 percent in October and the highest since July, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said. Food inflation, the biggest contributor to the consumer index, rose to 11.6 percent year-on-year in November, from 11.1 percent in October. “Higher food prices continue to reflect the impact of recent floods on the production of farm produce, (and the) resulting difficulty of moving food products to markets across the country,” the NBS said in a report. Nigeria’s worst flooding in at least half a decade between July and mid-October killed 363 people and displaced 2.1 million, the national emergency agency said.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile agriculture items, jumped to 13.6 percent year-on-year in November, from 12.4 percent in October. The central bank closely watches the core index when making

interest rate decisions. “Increases in the core index was as a result of ... higher housing, electricity, gas (prices) ... in particular rent prices, increased liquid fuel prices such as kerosene ... air transportation costs, and clothing

prices,” the NBS said. Nigeria’s central bank kept interest rates on hold at 12 percent last month for the seventh time in a row, resisting calls to reduce lending costs because of concerns over inflation.

AWARD—From left: Mr. Mike Olajide, Chairman, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Ltd, his wife, Mrs. Grace Olajide and Mr. Hassan Alao, Managing Director, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Ltd during the 2012 National Information Technology merit awards in Lagos.

Labour alleges plot by Power Ministry to scuttle agreement with FG BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

ARELY a week after the Federal Government and labour signed agreement resolving labour issues ahead of the privatization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, organised labour in the sector, yesterday claimed officials of the Power Ministry were plotting to scuttle the agreement and throw the nation and the sector into another round of industrial unrest. Under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, labour alleged that the ministry officials were already misinterpreting the agreement signed Tuesday night especially on the issue of gratuity and among others. NUEE in a statement by its General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, advised the government to call the ministry officials to order and ensure that the agreement was implemented as signed, warning that labour would resist any attempt to scuttle the agreement reached. According to the statement “Our attention has been drawn to various Media reports credited to some Executives of the Ministry of Pow-

er purportedly misinterpreting the recently signed agreement between the Federal Government and Labour. We regret that the Head of Service of the Federation has refused to enforce the Civil Service rule in the Ministry of Power that could have enabled many

protagonists in the crisis that has engulfed the power sector to proceed on their terminal leave. These forces are creating confusion months after they should have proceeded on retirement leave.” “However, for proper implementation of this new agreement, a technical committee to look at the modalities as agreed in the process of negotiation, to ensure that

no staff is short changed, should be put in place. Besides, it is a universally acceptable practice to conduct actuarial valuation before determining the actual worth of any staff’s pensions. We are surprised that the “chewing gum” officials of the Ministry of Power, are in a hurry to deliver the pension of workers to their agents in the PFA’s without actuarial valuation.”

NAFDAC apprehends staff, 2 others over forgery of import permit BY CHIOMA OBINNA

clerical staff, Mr. Pe ter Okoh, of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC and two others, Mr. Adeosun Abiodun and Mr. Monday Olapade have been arrested for forgery of the agency’s import permit documents. This came on the heels of the launching of Accreditation Guidelines for NAFDAC Regulatory Consultants that will check frequent cases of forgery of its regulatory documents. Presenting the alleged racketeers during the

launch of the Accreditation Guidelines in Lagos, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii lamented that the agency has almost on daily basis receive complaints from applicants wishing to register products or obtain permit to clear chemical, that unscrupulous persons claiming to be consultants have swindled them of huge sums of money. According to him, “such sad stories has been of serious concern to the management and hence, the launching of the programme”. Orhii explained that Mr. Okoh and his collaborators were arrested following investigation on a recent intercepted forged chemical import permit that was presented for the clearing of chemical at the port. Further investigations, he said

revealed that Okoh and his collaborators intercept unsuspecting clients who have come to transact business with NAFDAC on arrival at the Oshodi Office on the pretext of assisting them, and divert them to so called consultants after collecting large sums of money that ranges from N100,000 to N1 million to process their documents. Okoh and his team in 2011, had forged permit to import chemical for one Mr. Daniel and collected N200, 000 as against N64,000 being charged by the agency. However, Mr. Daniel did not use the import permit last year. They went ahead to renew the permit for the 2012 for the sum of N1000, 000 as against the sum of N27, 250. Payments made by the importer were not receipted.

FAMAD raises alarm over falsified financial report BY OMOH GABRIEL, BUSINESS EDITOR

ICE CHAIRMAN of the board of Directors of Footwear And Accessories Manufacturing And Distribution, FAMAD, Plc, Sir Emenyonu Chima has raised alarm over what he described as falsified financial report of the company. This came two days to the scheduled Annual General Meeting, AGM. The alarm raised by a member of the board which has the responsibility in law to prepare the statement of account of the company further show that the crisis rocking the board of Footwear And Accessories Manufacturing And Distribution, FAMAD, Plc has worsened. Sir Emenyonu Chima who is the Vice Chairman of the board yesterday called a press conference and publicly disowned the financial report which is to be presented to shareholders tomorrow. Chima, a former chairman of the Export Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, at the press briefing alerted the public of the manipulation of the account told newsmen that the annual report to be presented to the shareholders of the company was falsified and consequently queried by the external auditors, Akintola Williams Deloitte. He told newsmen that the auditors had stated in their opening remarks on the account that they were not given enough information on the accounts of the company to enable them make an informed opinion of the financial state of FAMAD. Chima said at a time when the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, of Nigeria was looking for directors of companies who falsified their financial statements, he would not associate himself with the report to be presented to shareholders of the company at the AGM tomorrow. He said: “Due to the deliberate desire of the chairman, Mrs. Olutoyin Olusola Olakurin to withhold critical information that will assist the auditors to perform their duties creditably, I, Sir Emenyonu Chima here inform the public and particularly our numerous shareholders that I dissociate my person from the entire account statement of the company as presented”.

52—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

From left: Miss Monique Alofoje and Mr and Mrs Isaac Alofoje at the 70th birthday celebration of Deacon Olatunji Kolade Belo at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CBN plans software to reduce e-payment fraud in 2013 By CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

HE Central Bank of Ni geria, CBN, yesterday, said it had mapped out a strategic initiative to develop software that would reduce e-payment fraud from 2013. Giving a keynote address on “Risk Management in the Payments System,” at the first Annual Meeting of the Nigeria e-Fraud Forum, NeFF, in Lagos, CBN’s Governor, Sanusi Lamido, represented by Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payments System, CBN, said the smooth functioning of payments systems would not only be impactful on payments and settlements but would also be critical to certain public policy objectives. He said: “The effective implementation of monetary policy is heavily reliant on the effectual distribution of reserve balances within the banking system using either or both the money market and the payments system as well as the orderly settlement of open market operations (OMO). Furthermore, supervisory objectives as it relates to the soundness of depository institutions must consider the risks payments systems pose to these institutions that are directly or indirectly involved in settlement, custody or credit services."

L-r: Mr Ese Onosode and Deacon Gamaliel Onosode at the 70th birthday celebration of Deacon Olatunji Kolade Belo. Photos:Oscar Ochiogu.

FG bans importation of raw sugar from January 1 By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE, FAVOUR NNABUGWU, FRANKLIN ALLI & NKIRUKA NNOROM

INISTER of Trade and Invest ments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, yesterday, said the Federal Government has concluded plans to ban the importation of raw sugar with effect from January 1, 2013. He also disclosed the government expects to generate $17.4 billion in 2013 from planned introduction of weight measuring in some sectors of economy, in 2013, while also saving the nation $3 billion within the same period. Aganga who spoke at the Ministry of Trade & Investments’ second annual seminar for Industry Correspondents and Group Business Editors in Abuja said the proposed ban on all sugar in retail packages was part of the federal government’s National Sugar Master Plan. Currently, there are two major investors in sugar industry which are Dangote Sugar Refinery and Bua Sugar Refinery. The minister noted that objectives of the National Sugar Master Plan include raising local sugar production to attain self sufficiency, stemming the tide of high level importation, creating of huge number of job opportunities, as well as contributing to the production of ethanol and generation of electricity. He explained that currently 98 percent of brown sugar which are refined into white sugar is imported into the country from Brazil, adding: “All these are going to change next year as only investors who are committed to backward integration in the sugar sector will be given licence to import certain quotas into the country in order to augment local production. “We want to replicate the success story of backward integration policy in the cement industry in the sugar industry. We won’t allow the importation of brown sugar again from 2013.”

Elaborating on the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), the Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Abuja, Dr. Latif Busari, emphasised that the council would adopt high graduated tariff structure on sugar importation, mandatory backward integration programme for refineries, provision of investors-specific incentives to discourage importation of raw brown sugar and attract investors into the sector. He listed other strategies to include regulation of the entire regime of sugar importation through quota allocation benchmark on local; production, robust monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure compliance with milestones and time-lines and enlargement of the sugarcane value chain players.

Foreign direct investment Busari said the ban was expected to attract an estimated $3.1 billion foreign direct investment into the country, deepen banking sector via increased loan syndication, savings of foreign exchange on sugar imports and earnings on sugar exports to be deployed to other critical sector. He said that with backward integration in sugar, 1.8 million tonnes of sugar and 161.2 million litres of ethanol annually would be locally produced per annum. It is also expected to create 37,378 permanent jobs and 79,803 seasonal jobs, save $65.8 million in foreign exchange on fuel imports annually, and $350 to $500 million in foreign exchange on sugar imports annually. On metering through weights and measures, Aganga said that the regulation was introduced to checkmate cheating of Nigerians both in public and private sectors, stressing that it would first be implemented in the oil and gas and will extended to other sectors later.

He said: “The regulation if well implemented will save the economy more than $3 billion and $17 billion in revenue by 2013. Before now, we have been relying on UNCTAD data for information on new investments that come into the country, but from January 2013, we will no longer rely on UNCTAD data.”

Abia community warns land speculators By TONY NWANKWO

RISIS is brewing in Arochuk wu Local Government Area, Abia State, as Ndi Ememe Abam, a satellite community founded by Eche Eme of Idima Abam, now claims to share boundary with its landlord community of Idima Abam. According to a statement by Idima Abam Eze-Ogo-in-Council, Chief Uduma Kalu, Ndi Ememe community cannot claim a boundary with Idima as they represent a satellite community to Idima from time immemorial. The statement said: “We have no boundary with Ndi Ememe, they are part of our community. The community was founded by one of our sons. Our boundary to Ozu Abam lies at Amaelu with another at Ogbuoke Okpo stream as you move towards Ndi Ite. All residents of Ndi Ekete are tenants to Idima families and they pay homage to these families. These tenants also perform their civic responsibilities like participating in national and local elections under the umbrella of Idima Ohaeke Abam Autonomous Community. Our other boundary also as you go towards Ozu Abam is and has always been at the Dan Ogbuagu Farm Settlement.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 53

Syrian vice president says neither side can win war S

YRIAN Vice President Farouq alSharaa has said that neither the forces of President Bashar alAssad nor rebels seeking to overthrow him can win the war which is now being fought on the outskirts of Assad’s powerbase in Damascus. Sharaa, a Sunni Muslim in a power structure dominated by Assad’s Alawite minority, has rarely been seen since the Syrian revolt erupted in March 2011 and is not part of the president’s inner circle directing the fight against Sunni rebels. But he is the most prominent figure to say in public that Assad will not win. He was speaking to Lebanon’s al-Akhbar

paper in an interview from Damascus, which is now hemmed in by rebel fighters to the south. Assad’s forces have used jets and artillery to try to dislodge the fighters from around Damascus but the violence has crept into the heart of the capital and activists said rebels overran three army stations in a new offensive in the central province of Hama on Monday. Sharaa said the situation in Syria, where more than 40,000 people have been killed, was deteriorating and a “historic settlement” was needed to end the conflict, involving regional powers and the U.N. Security Council and the formation of a

Obama, Boehner meet as hopes rise for “fiscal cliff” deal

.S. President Barack Obama and top Republican John Boehner met at the White House yesterday as hopes rose that Washington will be able to head off steep tax hikes and spending cuts that could push the economy into recession next year. The 45-minute meeting was a further sign that talks to avert the “fiscal cliff ” could be yielding progress after weeks of stalemate, and aides from both parties said they were optimistic that a deal could be reached in coming days. “We’re getting close,” said one Democratic aide, who added however that a deal is not imminent. Although both sides still had major differences, investors were cheered by signs of progress. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was up 0.95 percent at midday. “The fiscal cliff is starting to get ironed out,” said Frank Davis, director of sales and trading at LEK Securities. Boehner, the speaker of the Republican-

•Obama controlled House of Representatives, has edged closer to Obama’s demand to raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans. They have yet to make headway on possible spending cuts that are likely to face resistance from Obama’s Democrats.

•Sharaa national unity government “with broad powers”.

“With every passing day the political and military solutions are becoming more distant. We should be in a position defending the existence of Syria. We are not in a battle for an individual or a regime,” Sharaa was quoted as saying. “The opposition cannot decisively settle the battle and what the security forces and army units are doing will not achieve a

decisive settlement,” he told the paper, adding that the insurgents fighting to topple Syria’s leadership could plunge it into “anarchy and an unending spiral of violence”. Sources close to the Syrian government disclosed that Sharaa had pushed for dialogue with the opposition and objected to the military response to an uprising that began peacefully.

School shooting funerals begin T

HE first funerals for victims of Friday’s shootings at a school in the US state of Connecticut have began. Noah Pozner and Jack Pinto, both aged six, will be buried after ceremonies at 13:00 local time (18:00 GMT). Twenty children and six women died in the assault on Sandy Hook school by a lone gunman who then took his own life. He had earlier killed his mother. On Sunday President Barack Obama told residents at a vigil in Newtown the US must do more to protect its children.

The first funerals are being held for victims of Friday’s shootings at a school in the US state of Connecticut. He said he would use the powers of his office to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, adding that the

nation shared the townspeople’s grief. “We can’t tolerate this

any more,” Mr Obama said. “These tragedies must end and to end them we must change.”

U.S harps on Nigeria’s perfomance, dynamic private sector BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU with Agency report

NITED States Department of the Treasury ’s Assistant Secretary for International Finance,

Charles Collyns, has recognized Nigeria’s strong recent economic performance and dynamic private sector. Collyns who met with senior government officials, representatives

of the international financial institutions (IFIs), and members of the financial and private sector to discuss Nigeria’s economic development challenges and priorities among others emphasized the

Iran says world powers must end nuclear stalemate

RAN’s foreign minister said yesterday that a way must be found to end the deadlock with major powers over its nuclear program, an Iranian news agency reported, but he offered no new initiative on how to achieve this. Ali Akbar Salehi’s comments came ahead of an expected resumption of diplomacy, perhaps next month, aimed at preventing the decadeold nuclear dispute from degenerating into a Middle East war that

In Damascus, clashes raged between Palestinian factions loyal to and opposed to Assad in the Yarmouk district a day after Syrian fighter jets bombed a mosque there, killing at least 25 people. Activists said troops and tanks were gathered outside the camp on Monday and hundreds of Palestinians refugees living in Syria flooded into Lebanon.

•Salehi could damage an already fragile world economy. Israel, widely believed to be the Middle East’s only nuclear-armed power, has threatened military action to prevent its arch-enemy from acquiring nuclear

weapons. Iran denies any such goal and says it would hit back hard if attacked. “The two sides (Iran and world powers) have reached a conclusion that they must exit the current stalemate,” Salehi was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students’ News Agency. The West suspects Iran is trying to develop the means to build atomic bombs under the cover of a declared civilian nuclear energy program.

The Islamic Republic says it is enriching uranium as fuel for civilian energy, not bombs.

close economic and financial ties between the United States and Nigeria. He emphasised Treasury’s commitment to close partnership with Nigeria, and also acknowledged President Jonathan’s ambitious reform agenda aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability, prudent natural resource and revenue management, and financial sector stbility.

Blast in Pakistani market kills at least 15 people

blast in a market in northwest Pakistan yesterday killed at least 15 people, a security official said. The official said at least 20 people had been wounded in the blast in the market in the Khyber

region, near the border with Afghanistan, and the death toll could rise. Pakistani television news channels broadcast pictures of wrecked cars and pick-up trucks damaged in the blast, which took place near rows of shops.

54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 55

56—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Insights into onshore - offshore dichotomy B

EFORE the advent of the 1999 constitution, the principle of derivation was subjected to severe and whimsical gerrymandering by the various Presidents and Heads of State that had ruled Nigeria. This was due to the fact that, though the principle had been acknowledged and accepted there was no governing formula. Up till 1970, derivation stood at fifty percent. Decree No.113 of 1970, put forward by the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo and promulgated by General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) reduced it to 45 per cent and at the same time appropriated the entire offshore oil revenue to the federal government. That was the sad beginning of the onshore-offshore dichotomy. But it was an emergency war time effort to secure enough money with which to prosecute the war by the Federal Government and to reconstruct Nigeria. The minority people of the oil producing states were persuaded to make this sacrifice in the interest of the unity and development of this country. It was expected that this arrangement would end with Gowon’s Reconstruction Programme. Instead, in 1977, General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) as the Head of State took another 20 per cent to the centre, thus reducing the allocation to deriva-

moved 3.5 per cent thus reducing it to 1.5 per cent while still holding on to the offshore revenue. It was only General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), who was not called Maradonna for nothing that did something unique and interesting. While he reduced derivation to one per cent, he introduced an ameliorating fund called OMPADEC at three per cent for the development of the oil region. This effectively raised the total due to derivation to four per cent. President Babangida’s four per cent applied to the entire revenue from oil - both off and onshore. This de facto abolished the onshore-offshore dichotomy and marked the beginning of the restoration of justice and fair play to the suffering people of the Niger Delta region.

Onshore-offshore dichotomy On realizing that the 1979 constitution and the subsequent Allocation of Revenue Act (Cap16) had failed to specifically address the vexed issue of onshore-offshore dichotomy, President Babangida proceeded! by Decree 106 of 1992 to amend the Act. The amendment states: “an amount equivalent to one per cent of the Federation Account derived from mineral revenue shall be shared among the mineral producing states based on the amount of mineral produced from each state and in the application of this provision, the Dichotomy of Onshore-Offshore oil producing and mineral oil and non-mineral oil revenue is hereby abolished.” The two dichotomies: onshore and offshore production; oil and non oil resources were abrogated by this decree.

here were, or possi bly still are, those who wanted to claim that OBONG VICT OR ATT AH VICTOR TTAH this decree was never signed or gazetted and, tion to 25 per cent. At the same therefore, should not apply. time he held on to the entire That is the extent of our misoffshore production revenue chief making and divisiveness. thus maintaining the onshore- There is no denying the fact that offshore dichotomy. In 1981, all these shenanigans gave rise even in an elected political re- to the militancy in the Niger gime which was expected to be Delta. It cannot also be easily democratic, Alhaji Shehu forgotten that the issue of a derShagari removed yet another 20 ivation formula was one of the per cent, thus reducing deriva- sticky points to be resolved at tion on onshore oil to five per the constitutional conference cent. In 1984, General Moham- called by the late Head of State, med Buhari (rtd) further re- General Sani Abacha, in 1994-

Niger Delta states...need more funds to clean up the destroyed environment 95. At that conference, the Committee on Revenue Allocation put forward a resolution which was keenly debated, amended, and subsequently unanimously affirmed by the entire assembly. This resolution provided a formula for the administration of the derivation principle and contained three very significant embodiments. The first is that allocation to derivation shall stand at a minimum of 13 per cent. The second is that the dichotomy between onshore and offshore exploration shall not be taken into account for the purpose of revenue allocation. The third is that the boundaries of littoral states were clearly defined as extending to Nigeria’s exclusive economic zone which

By OBONG VICTOR ATTAH

ly from any natural resources.” We all know that the revenue from oil was the issue as the derived revenues from our palm oil and coal from the east, cocoa from the west and groundnut pyramids from the north had long since paled into insignificance. Tin from the plateau had since been exhausted and we had never been serious about our other solid minerals that abound in the north or the tar sands in the west. I cannot, therefore, agree with those who now feel that, in considering this formula, a distinction should be drawn between natural occurring resources such as oil and those produced through human labour such as groundnuts or cocoa. perhaps we need to be reminded that

The international community will not recognize two boundaries for Nigeria - the one given by the littoral states at the low water mark and the other by our Exclusive Economic Zone

at the time stood at two hundred nautical miles. The 1999 constitution which we operate today has its roots in the findings of that conference. On the issue of public revenue, the constitution has this to say: "The President upon the receipt of advice from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of states, internal revenue generation, land mass, terrain as well as population density; provided that the principles of derivation shall be constantly reflected in any approved formula as being not less than thirteen percent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account direct-

when derivation stood at 50 per cent in the sixties, it included revenue from oil. So what has changed other than the price of crude oil? Is this recent outcry, therefore, just another exhibition of our limitless capacity for capriciousness? Today Obasanjo is being condemned for adopting a political solution rather that abiding by the constitution where the payment of derivation is concerned. Those people who are doing so forget that when Obasanjo took office in 1999, in total and flagrant disregard for the constitution, he was allocating only one percent of our public revenue for derivation. His one per cent payment, we should note, included the entire revenue from oil - both off and onshore. This went on for more than a year. When finally he was pressured into allocating the 13 percent that the constitution

stipulates, he in a manner considered quite malicious reintroduced the diabolical dichotomy of off and on shore that had long since been laid to rest and which is not in our constitution. The time to have blamed Obasanjo was when he was indulging in all these unconstitutional manipulations and not when he finally agreed to adapt a political solution. In fact his resort to the so called political solution was no more than a feeble attempt to go back to the dictates of the constitution of this country. Those who now want it otherwise should look carefully again at our constitution. In defining the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the constitution clearly states that there shall be thirty six states which are clearly named and a Federal Capital Territory. No more, no less. What this means is that any territory, be it land or body of water which does not belong to one or the other of these states or the FCT cannot be considered as part of Nigeria.

Cardinal points of agreement It is for the simple reason that the bodies of water adjoining the littoral states, including Lake Chad, belong in the first instance to those adjoining states, that they can be considered as Nigerian territory. This was one of the cardinal points of agreement at the constitutional conference of 1994-95. ‘ It should also be remembered that dichotomy was not always there. It was introduced as an emergency war time measure that was supposed to have a short terminal date. Unfortunately it dragged on till Babangida’s Decree 106 of 1992. Its total and final abrogation came at the constitutional conference of 1994-95. It is most fallacious, therefore, to try to “blame” the National Assembly as some people want to do, for

Continues on page 57

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—57

Insights into onshore - offshore dichotomy retreats and business meetings; I built housing estates, hospitals, schools; I doing away with this ignominy. What built roads; I gave the people pipe the National Assembly did, quite com- borne water and rural electrification. I mendably, was to stand against the destarted a University of Technology and cision of a president whose unilateral an Information and Communication action in going against the constitution Technology (ICT) Park with a major inby his reintroduction of the onshore-off- cubation centre; I initiated the design shore dichotomy was considered unacfor a deep sea port at Ibaka apart from ceptable in a democracy. establishing new, and rehabilitating a Those who today are bringing up the number of moribund industries. In the issue of dichotomy should not forget that process I took Akwa Ibom State into we can be as divisive as we wish in this Nigeria, and projected it positively to country but the international communi- the world. I set enviable standards of ty does not have to go along with us. development and above all I made The international community will not Akwa Ibom State into a peace haven in recognize two boundaries for Nigeria the turbulent Niger Delta. the one given by the littoral states at I can think of a number of things that the low water mark and the other by our are responsible for today’s poverty and Exclusive Economic Zone. This is be- lack of development but the payment cause, as has been stated “there can be of 13 percent derivation without onno boundary dispute between federat- shore- offshore dichotomy is not one of ing units and the federation because it them. One obvious reason is the exis the aggregate boundaries of the fed- travagance and squandermenia in goverating units that define the boundary ernment. At independence the entire of the federation." north, for instance, was governed by I raised this issue once before. I was only one parliamentary type governignored and we lost Bakassi. Recently, ment. Today it is governed by 19 presthough quite belatedly, we wanted to idential style governments any one of claim it back. Bakassi as an island sits which is phenomenally more expensive than the one that If there is a need to look at deriva- used to govern the region. A govtion at all at this stage, it would be entire ernor can have as many as one thouto see how the percentage can be sand aides in addition increased for a very good reason to a motley crowd of commissioners and special, advisers. The beyond the low water mark of Cross Riv- story is no different at the federal level er State. Since we now want to say that where a multiplicity of commissions, there is something called Nigeria’s ter- parastatals, committees and more comritorial waters that belong commonly to mittees are competing with one anothall of Nigeria, we must ask what would er for the work of the ministries. If we have happened if we got back Bakassi spend so much on administration how - would it have belonged to Cross Riv- can we expect anything to be left for er State or commonly to all of Nigeria? development particularly, as on top of How would Bakassi belong to Cross this, every aspect of government is toRiver State and yet the intervening oil day being run on television and the wells between the state’s low water mark pages of newspapers. At an enormous and the island would belong common- cost, government now at every level, is ly to all of Nigeria? How sad that in this run by advertising and not by perforcountry virtue cannot live out of the mance. teeth of emulation! Any governor who wants to say that f there is a need to look at deriva he cannot develop his state because of tion at all at this stage, it would be non dichotomized payment of 13 per- to see how the percentage can be incent derivation to the oil producing creased for a very good reason. We have states is merely confessing that he is been told that the oil will last for only unfit to be a governor. In those evil days thirty more years. It has also been esof Obasanjo’s dichotomy, I was given a tablished that if we can stop further polmere N600m (six hundred million lution, we will need thirty years from naira) every month with which to run now to clean up the pollution that has and develop Akwa Ibom State which already occurred in the Niger Delta. was classified as non oil producing. This I am not advocating an increase in derwas considered the most wicked and ivation to be handed over to the govertyrannical manipulation of the consti- nors some of whom, quite sadly, have tution and it went on for more than a not demonstrated the capability and year until the National Assembly passed integrity to properly utilize these funds. the law that corrected it. Twenty gover- What I am advocating is an immediate nors - the nineteen northern governors need to garner funds for the cleanup of and one other from the west challenged the Niger Delta otherwise, thirty years that law at the Supreme Court and lost. from now, we will have no land to farm What more; why not let sleeping dogs on and no water for fishing and no oil. lie! The cry now should be for an increase Despite that, I was able to build an in the derivation percentage rather than airport with a maintenance hangar and the awakening of the foreboding ghost the best runway in the country; I built of onshore-offshore dichotomy at a time an Independent Power Plant (IPP) of when there are so many more worri191 megawatt capacity; I built the Le- some issues to engage our attention. Meridien Hotel with a marina and a golf course that today is the tourists’ delight •Obong Victor Attah, former Goverand the place of choice for conferences, nor of Akwa Ibom State.

Continues from page 56

58—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

Yakowa/Azazi: Crashed chopper certified to fly — Navy Continues from page 5 ever questioned how the helicopter could have openly exploded mid air before reaching ground. One of the governors from the north, said: “ With what is happening, nobody is safe.” Governors of Imo, Anambra, Adamawa, Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Ondo, Kebbi, Yobe, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Edo, Plateau, and Gombe states. Nasarawa, Bauchi, Enugu were represented by their deputy governors. Bayelsa State government on its part said it is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the crash. Governor Seriake Dickson made this known yesterday while receiving the investigative team led by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, in Government

House Yenagoa. Describing the incident as a monumental tragedy, Dickson in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment and support for the investigation.

Nigerians must remain united —Naval Chief Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba had called on Nigerians to remain united in spite of the difficulties encountered as a result of the national loss. According to him, despite all, we will continue to give thanks to God. The CNS informed Governor Dickson that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed a

detailed investigation of the helicopter crash, assuring that, all necessary steps would be taken to unravel the problems that led to the incident.

NBA calls for probe The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to order thorough investigation into the helicopter crash. The body, in a statement issued by its national president, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, said there was need to probe the cause of that uncanny air mishap which also killed four other persons, “so as to avoid future occurrences of such ugly incident. “The NBA calls on the federal Government to order thorough investigation into the helicop-

ter crash to determine the causes so as to avoid future occurrences of such ugly incident “Our faith in the Almighty cannot be tempted, we will remain faithful and continue to pray for the repose of their souls in the bossom of the Almighty, while praying for fortitude for their families, friends, states and our country to bear these irreparable losses. May the souls of those faithful departed rest in peace,” read the statement.

Cross River Acting Gov reacts The Acting Governor of Cross River State, Barr Efiok Cobham has commiserated with President Goodluck Jonathan and the people and governments of Kaduna and Bayelsa states on the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa and Gen. Owoye Azazi describing their manner of death as hor-

rific and saddening.

We ‘ll get to the root of the crash —Defence Minister Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, yesterday, declared that the Defence ministry will leave no stone unturned in getting at the root of the Navy helicopter crash last Saturday that claimed the lives of six people including Patrick Yakowa and General Owoye Azazi. "The Ministry of Defence will leave no stone unturned to ascertain the cause of the unfortunate incident, and wishes to assure all Nigerians of the continued commitment and dedication of the Ministry of Defence towards service of the nation”.

Patience Jonathan weeps on meeting Yakowa’s widow

The First Lady, Dame Patence Jonathan could not restrain herself from weeping inconsolably on meeting Dame Amina Yakowa, the widow of late Governor Ibrahim Yakowa, at the Kaduna State Government House, yesterday Jonathan’s wife who led a delegation of about 18 governors’ wives broke down in tears and wept loudly. “I am sorry that I am crying”, she said. “I cry because am a woman. I know what she’s passing through. We came here to console her and the good people of Kaduna State. “Yakowa was a peaceful man, a man who was everything- a strong, hard working man. My sister, my friend, we are sitting here in sorrow. I want you to know that you are the mother and father of your children now. We would continue holding you in prayers. "It is only God that can comfort because man cannot comfort you. “May Almighty God comfort you."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012—59

mine whether the governor has been robbing them. Search light should be beamed on states that spend much money on media propaganda. It means they want to divert attention.

Revisiting Sanusi’s call for the reduction of civil servants Dear Sir,

HE postulation made by the Central Bank Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido, Sanusi about the reduction of the civil service workforce may not be an overstatement considering the manner civil servants discharge their obligatory duties these days. There is no gainsaying the fact that since the financial guru assumed office, he has been feeling uncomfortable with the dwindling status of the country’s economy, Even though some of his ideas were jettisoned on the ground that their application on the economy may not be salutary, others that had unanimous support and were implemented by him, like the repositioning of banks, have been productive. Truth, they say is always bitter. If we should call a spade a spade, it is an objective reality that more than 50 percent of civil servants are lackadaisically interested in their jobs. They now indulge in one sharp practice or the other to better their lot. Some in connivance with their bosses or heads of departments come to work once or twice a week and still earn their full salaries at the end of the month. In effect, the financial guru meant that the huge funds spent

on this category of workers should be invested in other areas that could impact positively on the economy. The way they work leaves much to be desired. For instance, a contractor or any member of the public that needs their service has to go through a labyrinth of unnecessary processes that ends up in paying extra money that is not receipted . This unwholesome practice is not only predominant in the ministries but cut across other government establishments. Be that as it may, the present soured economy of the country is no doubt not traceable to the largeness of the civil service workforce as insignificant percentage of the national budget goes to this sector, compared to what is pumped into the National Assembly and other government outfits, especially those that are parasitic on the oil revenue. This same Sanusi alleged that the National Assembly consumes a lion share of the total budget and called for a trim down of their monthly packages and other perks but this clarion call was given a deaf ear and the matter was eventually swept under the carpet for reasons best known to the presidency. In a similar vein, the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, in a radio interview con-

ducted by FRCN unequivocally affirmed that 25 percent of the national budget is spent on only 400 members of the National Assembly. Up to this moment nobody has reacted to the allegation, neither did the government make any move to The Nigerian Labour Congress should not call for Sanusi’s head for making the statement. He is

How to prevent economic crimes Dear Sir,

ERMIT me to make the fol lowing unsolicited advice to stem corruption and financial crimes which have destroyed all of us Nigeria. The EFCC should organize stakeholders meeting to enable everybody talk sincerely how we will fund political parties and activities transparently. Account statements and ledgers of companies who do business with governments should be got by anti-corruption agencies and Central bank for scrutiny. Governors and officials now

set up a crack team to penetrate into the military and police to get these traitors. Musa 08074490347

Presentation of Ribadu’s report

and

INFLUENTIAL North- East politicians especially those from Borno and Yobe states are allegedly the people who initiated, motivated and are now sponsoring the insurgency in the north. President Jonathan should tackle the insurgency vigorously once and for all. FGN knows those who are behind these insurgents but not willing to deal with the situation. Nigeria is at war but we are just fooling ourselves. Alhaji M.S 07068095692

Boko Haram and Jaji bombing

It is now clear that Boko Haram has infiltrated all the arms of government, be it the military, police , national assembly and even the presidency. The most unfortunate situation now is that most of the northern elites holding

sensitive position in the federal government are alleged Boko Haram sympathisers or sponsors. The IGP should not pretend not to know that there

The Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force is a sham like every other task force set up by the President Jonathan led government. However, it is Steve Oronsaye’s stance that really disappointed me. He has really rubbished the reputation he once had by cheap-

As long as the recurrent expenditure exceeds capital expenditure, full budget implementation will remain impossible; if this style of expensive democracy continues, Nigeria will never get to the promise land

Jaji bombing terrorism

are laws against terrorism; more Nigerians have been killed since Gen. Azazi, was replaced with a northerner. The CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,recently told Nigerians that Boko Haram was a product of 13 percent derivation. Other northern leaders have also threatened to make the nation ungovernable. The President should

entitled to his opinions. Rather they should advise their members to be dedicated and remain stead fast. They should stop issuing out threats of strike or being fussy whenever any negative remarks are made against their members. Nkemakolam Gabriel Port Harcourt 08072257360

ening himself openly. He should be ashamed of himself, especially after it has been proven that he was not in the country for most of the period the panel sat for deliberations, research and investigation. It is a shame that he lent himself to rubbishing the report. Deborah 08165922157

Plead bargaining and

hardly award fake contracts but multinationals now pay them billions using fictitious subcontracts through third parties. People will fear if they know that their accounts are going to be checked. If a person does not want that, he should not go near to touch public money. Reward and commend transparent governors. Have you ever heard of award for transparency in our Nigeria? Edo State Governor is touted as the only one. But to qualify, one must check local government internally generated revenue and workers attendance to office to deter-

corrupt cases

The fact that high profile corruption cases filed against former governors are now going into plea bargaining is an indication that we have lost the war against corruption in this country. The truth is that nothing will happen to those former governors who are facing corruption cases and charges. They know how to wriggle out of trouble because the Nigerian society itself is very corrupt . Anonymous 080571561872

Former governors and corrupt cases

It sounds funny that Chief Orji Kalu who is still facing corruption charges is planning to form a non- govern-

John Okoduwa Tender Nursery/Primary School, Masaka, Nasarawa State

Taming Keke Marwa drivers Dear Sir,

ERMIT me a space in your widely read daily to call on tricycle operators, popularly called Keke Marwa riders in Lagos to respect other road users. Apart from the Okada riders who have been restricted to less busy roads, the greatest menace that road users have to contend with on daily basis, is the Keke operators. These Keke riders are the cause of most traffic jams we experience in the dilapidated state-owned roads in Lagos. It would therefore be necessary for their leaders who are smiling to the banks everyday with huge funds illegally collected from these Keke operators to call them to order before Fashola’s hammer will fall on them. •Chinonye Njoku Lagos Island

mental organisation that will fight corruption. That shows the level of hypocrisy of public office holders. Emmanuel writes in from FCT, Abuja

Full implementation of budget

As long as the recurrent expenditure exceeds capital expenditure, full budget implementation remains impossible. If this style of expensive democracy continues, Nigeria will never get to the promise land. Our overaged leaders should leave the scene for a younger generation to positively transform our country. Kelly 07057006736

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 1.If you do not want lizards to visit you, do not bring home firewood that contain ants. Francis Uzoaru(07025716475), Nitel Headquarter, Abuja, FCT Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. You will be paid N100.00 for every saying published. Address your sayings to: The Co-ordinator, Sayings of Our Elders,Vanguard Media Ltd., PMB 1007, Apapa,

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

22 Eagles open Nations Cup training Katongo wins BBC award

FTER over three months of layoff from the national team’s camp as a result of injuries, Kano Pillars duo of Gabriel Reuben and Papa Idris, were the cynosure of all eyes as the Super Eagles opened camp for the African Cup of Nations in Abuja, with its first training session. There were fears that the two players who have been part of the national team setup from the home front since Stephen Keshi took over about a year ago may not be fit on time for the Afcon 2013 championship, but they came out sparkling in training on Monday morning at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium. Team doctor Ibrahim Gyaran, who later spoke on the state of health of the two players passed them fit for hostilities in the run-up to the championship. “The only fear I have is that since

APTAIN of African champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambia, Christopher Katongo has won the 2012 BBC African Footballer of the Year award. The 30-year-old Zambia captain beat off competition from Demba Ba, Didier Drogba, Younes Belhanda and

Zenit fans say no to black players •GETTING READY: Super Eagles players in camp. they have not played competitive football for sometimes they will still experience some mind jitters. But that is only a thing of the mind and the team psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun and the coaching crew are already working on that aspect”, he declared.

SAFA Continues from B/P Nematandani was suspended along with four top officials of the association in the wake of the release of the FIFA report on match fixing. A statement released on Monday by SAFA said Nematandani and a quartet of SAFA administrators, including new chief executive officer, Dennis Mumble, have been relieved of duties for their roles in the fixing of four friendly games involving South Africa. FIFA investigations into the activity of

convicted Singaporean match-fixer, Wilson Perumal and his Football 4U organisation highlighted the involvement of the five South African officials. The report indicated that results of matches against Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia and Guatemala in the weeks leading up the 2010 World Cup were found to have been pre-arranged to benefit an Asian betting syndicate. \In the report, former CEO Lesley Sedibe, head of national teams Lindile Kika, newlyappointed CEO Mumble and former referees boss Adele Carelse were among those implicated.

Minister Continues from B/P and contesting at the same time. We do not expect much from the team because it is still a new team. They are not under any target from us. “It is a new team and we have to be very careful.” Abdullahi did say the government would do everything to support

Yaya Toure to become the first winner from southern Africa in the history of the award. Katongo told BBC Sport: “This is a fantastic moment for me. I thank the people who voted for me. It is something I will never forget in my career.

the squad to have a successful outing in South Africa. “The coach and players need support from every Nigerian, and as government, we will give them the necessary support they need. “So let’s hope that everybody will put their hands together for the Eagles to do well,” the minister stated.

Osaile condoles Sambo

OREMOST boxing promoter, Martins Osaile has sent his condolences to the Vice President, Namadi Sambo over the death of Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Patrick Yakowa. Osaile consoled the Vice President to “accept the tragic death of Yakowa and General Aziza as the will of God Almighty” He recalled the efforts of the fallen Governor to the success of the 16 th National Sports Festival, Kada 2008.. “Yakowa left his unparalleled legacy on sports organisation when he was chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the best

ever National Sports Festival staged in this country and was also chairman of the FIFA U17 World Cup sub seat.” He recalled that under the Sambo/Yakowa leadership, the Kaduna State government constructed the best sports facilities and ensured the same contractor that laid the tartan track for the Beijing Olympics Stadium was awarded the contract to lay the tracks used for Kada 2008. He prayed God to grant the dead eternal rest.

Eagles coach Continues from B/P was to plead with Alhaji Aminu Maigari to use his good office to avert anything that could cause distraction to the team. The crew is linking the decision to seriously monitor them to the plan of those who prefer to engage foreign technical hands to work with them now or in the near future. “We have been hearing all sorts of things and these things are not good for our concentration,” one of the top coaches said yesterday. “They have said that some of the coaches are not doing anything and that foreign coaches may be engaged. They have said that one or two of the coaches will be

dropped for them to possibly engage foreign assistance. They also want to be in camping with us. We don’t have a problem with that but we need concentration and not distractions. Mentally, all these talks are not good for us. This is not the time to engage in frivolities or distractions. We plead that they leave us to work and get results. We plead that they assist us and encourage us and not to divide us or discourage us, please. Maigari should not allow people to rock the boat for him and the country. He has done well and must assert himself and not allow some people to lead him astray.” The coach that spoke was agitated.

HE largest fan group of Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg have demanded the club refrain from buying black and gay players following turmoil surrounding the acquisition of Brazil striker Hulk. “We’re not racists but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition,” Zenit fan club

Landscrona said in a letter, called the “Selection 12 manifesto”, posted on its website. “It would allow Zenit to maintain the national identity of the club, which is the symbol of St Petersburg.” Zenit have been the only top club in Russia to have never signed an African player while the northern city of St Petersburg is known to have a strong right-wing nationalist influence.

Rangers Continues from B/P Congress to change the expulsion of Ocean Boys to relegation from the Premier League. Ocean Boys were expelled when they couldn’t honour some league matches due to poor finances. At the Extra Ordinary Congress of Nigeria Premier League last week, the Board led by Rumsom Baribote was sacked and the Annual General Meeting of the Football Federation ratified it but changed the expulsion of Ocean Boys to relegation to the National League. When the Baribote Board expelled Ocean Boys they canceled all the points clubs earned against them. Rangers lost six points and five goals and their points dropped to 58 from 64. This placed them in second position at the end of the season behind Kano Pillars who won the league with 63 points. Pillars lost three points, the victory they earned again Ocean

Boys in Kano. By the time they were to go for the return leg the NPL had taken the decision to expel Ocean Boys and Pillars did not travel for the away match anymore. So while Rangers lost six points, Pillars lost three points. And now that there’s a change, simply relegating Ocean Boys and not expelling them Rangers maintain that all the points deducted from clubs that played Ocean Boys should be reinstated. This will place them back to their 64 points enough for them to emerge as league champions unless another decision is taken for Ocean boys to play all the matches they abandoned. “The implications of the change from expulsion to relegation should be respected and Rangers announced the league champions,” Foster Chime, the spokesman of Rangers said yesterday. “We are doing a letter to the NFF to consider this because it is clear that we won the league,” Chime said last night.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 61

Henry's Arsenal move unlikely Fellaini ffacing acing length lengthyy ban New York Red Bulls global adviser Gerard Houllier has surprisingly cast doubt over Thierry Henry’s proposed move to Arsenal in January. The French striker is expected to return on loan from the MLS club but former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Houllier said he believes Henry will prefer to rest with his family over Christmas after his partner gave birth to a baby boy in August. Speaking to French TV station Canal Plus, Houllier said: ‘I find it strange what we hear in the media. If Arsene needed him, he would have called me or sporting director Andy Roxburgh, but this is not the case. ‘I do not think both parties need to have this second comeback. Moreover, he became a dad. I think he will want to enjoy the holidays.’

C M Y K

Marouane Fellaini is facing a minimum threegame ban for headbutting Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross during Everton’s 1-1 Premier League draw on Saturday. Marouane Fellaini apologised for headbutting Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross GettyImagesMarouane Fellaini apologised for headbutting Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross Fellaini was involved

•Henry

in three separate incidents at the Britannia Stadium, which went unseen by referee Mark Halsey. As a result, the Belgian midfielder could be sidelined for as many as nine games when they are reviewed by an FA panel on Monday. Fellaini was seen headbutting England international Shawcross, as well as appearing to elbow him in the face. He also appeared to lash out with his fist during a

West Ham, QPR lead chase for Anelka Queens Park Rangers and West Ham are waiting to speak to Nicola Anelka as he seeks to cancel his contract with Shanghai Shenhua. The Chinese club confirmed today that negotiations are

underway with the Frenchman keen to return to England. Anelka, 33, joined Shanghai from Chelsea in the last January transfer window but has struggled to settle despite even enduring a spell as caretaker

coach. The talks to cancel his contract have encouraged QPR and West Ham but have also alerted other Premier League suitors who were initially wary that Shanghai would demand a fee for Anelka

in January. Reports are suggesting he is willing to give up the final year of his contract, reputedly worth around £7million, on the proviso that Shanghai grant him a free transfer.

separate incident.` The original butt is likely to earn a threematch ban on its own, and if Halsey admits to not seeing the other offences they could also be taken into account, landing the Everton player a significant suspension. And Fellaini is also likely to be fined two weeks’ wages, around £150,000, by manager David Moyes who was unhappy with his player’s behaviour.

•Anelka

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012 — 63

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012

We don’t e xpect an ything expect anything from Eagles — Minister N ATIONAL Sports Commission chairman Bolaji Abdullahi says the

government does not expect much from the Super Eagles going into next month’s African

We won the Premier League, Rangers claim •Relegating Ocean Boys and not expelling them changed everything BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

ANGERS International, the Flying Antelopes of Nigerian football, are blowing hot from their Enugu base and they appear to have

a point. They want the Nigeria football federation and The Secretary General of the Premier League Board to respect the implications of the decision of Football Continues on Page 60

Nations Cup. Despite failing to make the last tournament, the Nigerian team are still rated as one of the favourites for the title, but Abdullahi insists that g o v e r n m e n t ’ s expectations were next to nothing. “It will not be easy for the team to be building

Continues on Page 60

SAFA suspends president

IRSTEN Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been suspended following allegations of match fixing contained in a FIFA report.

Nations Cup: Eagles coach warns over distractions

Continues on Page 60

UPER Eagles will camp in Portugal for the Nations Cup in South Africa. And while in training there, hordes of Federation officials may visit and actually remain in camp with them. When the technical crew heard of this yesterday their reaction

Continues on Page 60

•Keshi TODAY'S

PUZZLE

HIGH HOPE: Super Eagles players jubilate after qualifying for Afcon 2013.

YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

•Nematandani, SAFA boss

ACROSS DOWN 1 Ingenious (6) 1 Grasp (6) 5 Larva (4) 2 Stress (8) 8 Kind (5) 3 Escape (6) 9 Sprite (3) 4 Callous (9) 10 Scorch (4) 11 Kiln (4) 5 Brushed (7) 12 Ladle (5) 6 Harvest (4) 13 Yearned (6) 7 Tub (4) 16 Healthy (4) 8 Fuel (3) 18 Observe (4) 14 Downcast (9) 20 Through (3) 15 Agent (3) 22 Pasty (3) 23 24 hours (3) 17 Untruth (3) 24 Record (4) 19 Healthy (8) 25 Repose (4) 20 Vigour (3) 28 Communal (6) 21 Tumbler (7) 30 Damp (5) 26 Sluggishness (6) 32 Blunder (4) 33 Cleaning agent (4) 27 Old coin (6) 34 Tune (3) 29 Adjoin (4) 35 Arouse (5) 30 Cut down (4) 36 Marquee (4) 31 Weight (3) 37 Pencil (6)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 3, Arrow 9, Repute 10, Rather 11, Essay 12, Acre 15, Deck 17, Mindful 20, Foe 21, Eager 23, Tact 25, Deep 26, Tough 28, Cry 30, Hapless 33, Anon 35, Mite 36, Nomad 38, Sinful 39, Rushed 40, Blade.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Cream 2, Spurn 3, Ate 4, Rescue 5, Oral 6, Way 7, Chief 8, Broke 13, Cistern 14, Edict 16, Compost 18, Laugh 19, Wed 22, Realm 24, Toy 27, Hazard 28, Cause 29, Young 31, Eight 32, Seedy 34, Loll 36, Nub 37, Due.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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