Bomb kills one, injurespoliceman in Lagos

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61821

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

N150

Gunman kills lover, 7 family members in Lagos

BLAST SCENE IN LAGOS

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PATIENCE JONATHAN: ACN, CPC, others slam Presidency •P.8

COLUMNISTS:

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BLAST—Survivor of the blast, Inspector Sanni after the incident. Inset: From top; a girl weeps for the victims, while Police anti-bomb squad move to examine a suspected exploded device below. Photos: Biodun Ogunleye & Kehinde Gbadamosi. See more pictures on Page 16.

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Bomb kills one, injures policeman in Lagos

ply identified as Sanni, also had his leg shattered by the explosion.

There were different accounts as to how the late Chief Oladele Pius was killed. A version of the account had it that the

•Popular Sand dredgers' leader killed •Residents ordered to vacate vicinity till further notice •It was caused by electrical fault — Lagos Police boss

Buy a share, own a company

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What is the state of the Third Mainland Bridge?

Pgs.30&31

BY UDUMA KALU, EVELYN USMAN, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, LAJU ARENYEKA, JONAH NWOKPOKU & UJU MBANUSI

Continues on page 5

Mr & Mrs

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AGOS—A BOMB, yesterday, exploded at Miracle Sand Beach, located under Festac link bridge in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving the chairman of the Local Dredgers Association, Chief Oladele Pius, dead.

A Police Inspector simC M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

Bomb explosion kills one, injures policeman in Lagos Continues from page 1 deceased was handed a letter bomb by an unknown person at about 11.30am, shortly after he resumed work.

Chief Oladele reportedly attempted to open the letter, when it exploded, killing him instantly.

Inspector Sanni, said to be with the deceased also had his legs shattered by its impact as he attempted to flee the scene.

Eye witnesses said Inspector Sanni begged passers-by to help his friend to the hospital. But rather than being pitied, the policeman was reportedly attacked by some persons, who accused him of planting the explosive substance.

Sanni who was in mufti, was said to have brought out his identity card, which saved him from being lynched.

However, another version of the account had it that the late Chief Oladele was discussing with his police friend when the explosion occurred right under the

low fence, where he sat.

A local dredger who identified himself as Adeola Peter said the deceased resumed work yesterday.

Having parked his white Pathfinder SUV with Number plate LSR 957 AZ, the deceased made for his usual duty post, oblivious of the impending tragedy.

Thirty minutes later, he was said to have received a phone call, following which he drove out and returned in the company of Inspector Sanni and made straight for his usual sitting position on the fence. He reportedly called one of his staff simply identified as Dogo, to buy ‘Alomo Bitters’, a local gin which he shared with his police friend.

According to Adeola: “He sat under the dwarf fence having drinks with his police friend when the bomb exploded. The bomb must have been planted where he usually sat. But I don’t think it was planted today because we have been working here since morning and if someone

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

We do not determine how we enter into life, neither do we determine which family we are born into, but we can determine who our friends are and how we wish to exist and to exit life.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

T

HERE is a saying that life can only be under stood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

You can choose every day to live your life forward, to “do good things for the present and the future.”

Every day you can choose a better way — Steve Goodier Kim Phuc has more to kick about life than most of us. Photographer Nick Ut received a Pulitzer Prize for a dramatic war-time picture taken in Vietnam. A Napalm bomb dropped on a village, and a little girl running scared, clothing seared off and a severely burnt skin. And that little girl was Kim. Kim hovered between life and death. She required 17 different surgical operations and months of rehabilitation. Today, she lives in Canada and has become an important spokesperson on issues of war and peace. “Pain never disappears,” Kim says. “You just learn how to deal with it.”

During a presentation at the Washington memorial, Kim says: “Even if I could talk face to face with the pilot who dropped the bombs, I would tell him we cannot change history but we should try to do good things for the present and for the future to promote harmony.” There are certainly plenty of people she can blame for her suffering. She could have grown up a bitter and resentful woman. But instead, she is a person of graceful dignity.

Late Chief Oladele

Late Oladele's widows: Seun (L) & Omolola. was doing such a thing in our presence we would have noticed.”

Another eyewitness, Mr. Thomas Wawe, a motorist narrated thus: “The incident happened at about 12 noon as I was driving back to my office at Mile-2 area. All of a sudden there was a thunderous blast and everybody started running helter skelter.

“It took a while before people started gathering near the blast having made sure there was no more unexploded device. The sympathizers and rescue team recovered a man from under the bridge. I saw the leg of the man already ripped off and motionless. Apparently, the leg was severed as a result of the devastating effect of the explosion. Police men later arrived and condoned off the entire place. That was all I saw.”

Immediately the explosion occurred, news went round the entire area that members of the Boko Haram sect could have

penetrated the area, a development that threw residents into confusion.

It's caused by electrical fault — Lagos CP The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko who was at the scene, described the explosion as a minor one, calling on Lagosians not to panic.

According to him, “there was a minor explosion here this morning. It’s not the kind that most Nigerians should be apprehensive about.

It was just a mischievous person who played around with batteries and some other objects.

The experts are looking at it now. But I can assure you that Lagosians have no cause to fear.”

Hours later, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, briefed journalists in his office, stating that the explosion was caused by an electrical fault.

According to him: “Contrary to people’s

fear that it was bomb blast, it was a mere electrical fault at the Amuwo Odofin Bridge. Antibomb experts have been called in to assess the situation and I will be adequately briefed later. ”From the investigation so far, it has been revealed that it was not a terrorist attack; not an act of Boko Haram, neither was it a bomb blast. ”I urged Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses without fear because Lagos remains a peaceful and safe state.

It is not a question of letter bomb. This is not an incident that will attract fear. So, Lagosians should feel free. ”The state is not under any attack from anywhere. We are investigating the matter and experts will report to me after their investigation.

Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, who visited the scene shortly after the incident occurred, advised residents living around the Miracle sand beach where the incident occurred to look for alternative accommodation, disclosing that they might be asked to relocate, pending the outcome of investigation.

Reacting to the incident, chairman, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osoyintolu, in a statement said: “An explosive device was detonated under the Festac Bridge close to Apple Junction today; we have one person confirmed dead and the other injured. The situation is being handled by LASEMA, Civil Defence, the Navy, and the Police Anti-Bomb Squad.”

As sympathizers throng the scene of the incident, the deceased’s widow, said to have been informed of an explosion around the area, rushed

to the place to ascertain the state of her husband, only to see his remains.

Unable to withstand the impact of the shock, Mrs Oladele slumped. She was immediately rushed out to an undisclosed destination.

Already the scene of the explosion had been cordoned off by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police with officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, also on ground to unravel the cause of the explosion.

My last moment with Chief Meanwhile, the deceased’s bosom friend, one Mathias, who is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy, shared his last moment with him.

The deceased according to Mathias, was with him until 12. 30am.

“He had been selling sand under that bridge for years. In fact, we were together until 12.30am when we retired. He called me yesterday morning to meet him at the office by 9.30am. But I could not make it at that time. I was therefore shocked to hear that he was handed a letter bomb which exploded and killed him in the process"

One person arrested

Vanguard gathered that one person had been arrested in connection with the explosion. The suspect, a male, was said to be at the Area ‘E’ Police Command, Festac, where operatives have started investigation.

It could, however, not be ascertained whether the suspect was the person that planted the bomb or handed the letter bomb to the deceased.

But Police sources at Area ‘E’ said investigation would ascertain that.

Continues on page 13

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — ONE person was confirmed dead, yesterday, following a storm that ushered in the first major rain in Ibadan this year.

Though unconfirmed reports put the death toll at four, an eye witness account confirmed the death of one person at Asolo area of Ibadan.

The other three victims were said to have died at Soka area when a building had its roof blown off and fell on a family of three.

Besides, many houses had their roofs blown off by the raging storm that lasted more than one hour.

The places affected included Olunloyo, Olorunsogo Toll Gate area, Felele, Basorun, Muslim, Soka, Fodasis, Ring Road, Baba Nla, Challenge, Molete and Olunloyo areas of Ibadan.

The rainstorm was preceded by a light rain that started about 11 p.m. It drizzled till early hours yesterday.

As a result of the storm, civil servants and other workers could not get to their offices on time as

they were stranded at bus stops.

At Amuloko area in Ona Ara Local Government Area, electricity poles belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, fell and roofs blown off by the storm caused a heavy traffic snarl.

At the Toll Gate area of Ibadan, the storm damaged some filling stations with their roofs blown off.

The popular Asolo Church along Amuloko was not spared by the ravaging storm which whistled by and left on its trail songs of lamentation.

Some members of the church were picking some of their property that they could lay their hands on.

Despite public enlightenment by the state government that people should not dumping refuse in gutters or streams, people seemed to have turned deaf ears.

Some of the drainages in the affected areas were blocked by refuse.

Speaking about the effect of the storm on power supply in the city, the Zonal Public Relations Officer of the Power Holding Company

Part of an uncompleted shopping complex destroyed by rainstorm in Ibadan, yesterday.

Rainstorm kills one, renders several homeless in Ibadan of Nigeria, PHCN, Ibadan Division, Mr Jide Oyenuga, said: “We are indeed aware of the

destruction which the rainstorm has caused many residents of Ibadan. Our men have swung

Robbing with toy gun: Okada rider remanded in prison As man, 63, docked for issuing dud cheque

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — AN Ikeja Magistrate Court, yesterday, remanded a 21-year-old Okada rider, who allegedly used a toy gun to dispossess his victim of cash and property valued at N48,000.

The defendant, whose name is Akinyemi Gbenga, who was arraigned before Magistrate O. Sule-Hamzat, is facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the defendant

committed the said offence on January 24, 2013, at Charity Bus Stop, Oshodi, at about 5a.m.

He said the defendant, who is an ‘area boy’, along with others now at large, attacked one Juliet Ibekeme.

Unuigbe alleged that the defendant, armed with a black toy gun, robbed Ibekeme of one Nokia 6070 valued at N27,000; jewelleries worth N10,000; cosmetics valued at N5,000; and a cash sum of N6,000.

According to Unuigbe, the alleged offence contravened Sections 1(2)(a)(b) of the Robbery and Firearms Special

Provision, 2003.

However, when the charge was read to the defendant he pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge but was denied bail.

Magistrate Mrs Sule-Hamzat, remanded the defendant in prison custody pending legal advice from the Director, Public Prosecution DPP. She further adjourned the matter to March 19, 2013, for DPP’s advice.

Man, 63, docked for issuing dud cheque Meantime, a 63-year-old

man, Seyi Omolade, was arraigned, yesterday, before an Ikeja Magistrate Court for allegedly issuing a dud cheque of N2 million to his landlady.

Omolade who resides at 6, Segun Ogunnaike Street, Magodo GRA area of Lagos, is facing a count charge of fraud.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe, told the court that Omolade had issued a dud cheque to one Mrs Ngozi Uganeme, on March 15, 2012, being arrears of payment for rent.

Customs officer shoots colleague dead over smuggled cargoes

BY GODWIN ORITSE

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AGOS — AN Assistant Superintendent of Customs, ASC Baba Mohammed, was yesterday shot dead by his colleague, Mr. Oseni Musa Tunde, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs, DSC, following a scuffle with suspected smugglers at the SemeBadagry area of Lagos.

Both officers were said to be attached to the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Ikeja, Lagos.

According to reliable sources, after the shooting, Mohammed was rushed to Igando General Hospital for urgent medical attention.

Doctors at the hospital were said to have battled to save

the life of the wounded officer but he was pronounced dead after about three hours of treatment.

In a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, said the dead officer was accidentally killed by his colleague following a struggle with smugglers at the Celenizer Bus-Stop along the LagosBadagry Expressway.

According to a statement signed by Ejesieme, “on February 16, 2013, acting on information, patrol duty team led by Oseni along SemeBadagry Expressway precisely at Celenizar Bus Stop, intercepted two vehicles — a Mercedes Benz Fakar and a Passat car — loaded with items suspected to be smuggled/prohibited goods.

“In their attempt to apprehend the suspects alongside the goods, there was stiff resistance by the suspects which degenerated into a struggle between the officers and the smugglers.

“In the ensuing confusion, the Service pistol in the possession of DSC Oseni, Musa Tunde, the Team Leader accidentally discharged and hit Baba Mohammed who was also a member of the team."

Water vendors fetching water for domestic use from a riverbed as acute water shortage hits Dobi Community, Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja.

into action and repairs are already being carried out. Power has been restored around Ring Road as at 10 am (yesterday)."

NSCDC impounds 16,550 litres of petrol

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Lagos State Command, has impounded 16,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, from vandals operating at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

The vandals were reportedly siphoning the petroleum product from a broken pipeline when the operatives swooped on them around 11a.m, Sunday.

Sighting the operatives, the vandals, reportedly dived into the river and left the products worth millions of Naira.

Apart from the petroleum products, about 5,000 empty kegs were also recovered from the scene.

Displaying the products yesterday, Lagos State NSCDC Commandant, Shem Obafaiye said his men got wind of the vandals’ operation the previous day and consequently mounted surveillance on Saturday midnight till the following day after which 150 litres kegs containing petroleum products and another 350 kegs containing the products were recovered. ‘’The vandals dived into the river and escaped leaving the product as soon as they noticed our men."

According to the commandant, the recovery was the third attempt at 7th Avenue in the past three months and the products will be handed over to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

NNPC.

pande

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—7

Delta demolishes illegal structures in Asaba

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — HUNDREDS of commercial shops, brothels including some residential buildings located at the Asaba end of the Niger Bridge head were among the illegal structures pulled down by bulldozers, yesterday, as the Delta State Government declared total war on illegal structures.

Yesterday’s operation which was led by the state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, was very massive as no structure personally declared illegal by the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr. Patrick Ferife, was left untouched.

As a result of the exercise, gridlock was experienced on the Benin/Asaba highway for few hours while armed soldiers were on hand to provide security to the demolition team. The bulldozers were also at Koka junction by Ibusa road where the shanties around there were destroyed, including a new generation church.

Speaking with newsmen, Ferife, who was among the demolition team said: “The reason why I came here today was because people are always saying that some of these buildings have approvals. I have been here since morning and no person has come out with any approval. So as we speak today (yesterday), approvals are not just given for approval sake."

Man, 24, stabs Okada rider to death in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

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BAKALIKI — A 24-YEAR-OLD man, Chukwu Okpara, weekend, allegedly stabbed to death an Okada rider, Mr. Ogbonnia Azubuike, 33, following a disagreement over the use of a phone charger in phone booth at Amaizu community, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Vanguard gathered that although the suspect had taken to his heels, the development prompted the people to embark on mass departure from the troubled area for fear of any reprisal attack by the neighbouring communities and to avoid being victims of police arrest of suspected accomplices.

Narrating her ordeal, wife of the deceased and a hair stylist, Mrs. Victoria Ogbonnia Azubuike who said she was short of words when she received news about her husband’s death lamented that if she had the premonition that her husband would die that night, she wouldn’t have allowed him out of the house.

According her, “when I received news of my husband’s death I was extremely shocked because we just finished dinner together when somebody phoned him and said he should come and pick him with his motorbike."

Supporters during a political campaign at Gwagwalada in Abuja, Sunday. Photo: NAN

Ansaru terror group claims kidnap of 7 foreigners Jonathan orders kidnapped workers’ safety, release

BY BEN AGANDE with agency report

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BUJA — “BY Allah’s grace we have the custody of seven persons, which include Lebanese and their European counterparts working with Setraco,” says Jama’atu Ansarul, a group with a link to Al-Qaeda and operating in Northern Nigeria.

On Sunday night, the Islamic group raided the compound of Setraco Construction Company, killed one security guard and kidnapped eight foreign workers — an Italian, a Filipino, a British, a Greek and four Lebanese.

Bauchi Police Commissioner

Mohammed Ladan had earlier stated that: “We (police) repelled the attack on police station and the security men at the prison yard also repelled the attack, but they burnt two vehicles in Jama’are police station...they then attacked Setraco construction, killed a local security guard and succeeded in kidnapping people.”

The Italian foreign ministry in Abuja has confirmed that one of its nationals was taken in the raid, but a spokesman for the British Embassy has neither confirmed or denied that a Briton is among those kidnapped.

Ansaru which claimed to be “Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Nations,”

Gunman kills lover, 7 family members in Lagos

emonium

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — IT was a bloody weekend at Igando area of Lagos State, when a suspected kidnapper said to be operating in Delta State, attacked the Lagos home of his girlfriend, killing her and seven others.

Vanguard gathered that the alleged kidnapper, identified simply as Henry, who is currently on the run, stormed the home of his girlfriend known as Sandra, around 10 p.m on Saturday, with an Ak-47 rifle and opened fire on all the occupants of the apartment, leaving Sandra, her elder sister, with two of her elder sister’s children dead.

Sandra’s twin sister and one of her elder sister ’s daughter, however, survived.

Henry was also said to have proceeded to the home of another of Sandra’s elder sisters, living in the area, where he reportedly killed the woman and her three children.

The news of the killing sparked

off pandemonium as residents “She told us that her late sister did not pay them their money. hurriedly shut their doors to avoid used to visit the boyfriend, Henry, Thereafter, Sandra contacted her being hit by the rampaging at his base in Delta State and in family members in Lagos, informkidnapper. one of such visits two weeks ago, ing them of what had happened Policemen from all formations in some heavily armed men stormed to her and they rushed to Delta the state were said to have raced Henry’s apartment manhandling State and brought her to Lagos down to Igando in search of the Sandra in the process. for proper treatments. But while kidnapper who they said drove She added that the armed men she was receiving the treatment, in a Sport Utility Van, SUV, to the reportedly told Sandra that her Henry, feeling betrayed, stormed scene. lover absconded with their share their Lagos home. She told us that Sources told Vanguard that an of the ransom paid to them for one the moment Henry entered their occupant of the building where of their kidnapping exploits, apartment, her sister’s children Sandra was killed, reported at the threatening to wipe out all his welcomed him without knowing Igando Police Station that robbers (Henry’s) family members if he that he was out to kill them. were operating in their building.

But when the police got to the scene, the gunman had left, but they discovered the lifeless bodies of Sandra, her elder sister and her children, while Sandra’s twin sister who sustained bullet wound told the police who their attacker was.

According to a source, who pleaded anonymity: “Sandra’s twin sister told us that the attacker was her late twin sister ’s boyfriend who is familiar with everyone in their family but Houses demolished by Nasarawa State government along nobody knew he was a kidnapper. major roads in Maraba.

specialises in kidnapping of foreign workers mostly from the largely Muslim North where the group has a strong base.

Jonathan orders kidnapped workers’ safety, release President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the nation’s security agencies to take all necessary action to locate and rescue the foreign construction workers who were abducted from their camp by terrorists in Bauchi State.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said while President Jonathan commiserates with the family of the guard who was reportedly killed in the attack on Jamaare in Bauchi State, he also assured relatives of those kidnapped that government would do everything to ensure their safety.

Abati said the president “assures the relatives of the kidnapped foreign workers as well as the governments of their countries that the Federal Government and its security agencies are doing everything possible to find their abductors and ensure the safe release of all those they abducted.

He said: “The President condemns the kidnapping of the workers and reaffirms the Federal Government’s total commitment to stamping out all forms of terrorism and criminal abduction in the country.

“He urges all Nigerians and foreigners in the country to continue to go about their normal business in the full assurance that the government and national security agencies are working tirelessly to curb threats to security in all parts of the country” the statement concluded.

8—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

NBS projects 6.7% growth this year

BY WILLIAM JIMOH, WITH AGENCY REPORT

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HE National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, yesterday, forecast a 6.75 percent growth in Nigeria’s economy in 2013, driven by progress in agriculture, banking and oil sectors.

The NBS also projected that the country’s high inflation rates should ease slightly at the end of 2013.

NBS in a report tagged: “Economic Outlook Report” maintained that the growth as well as the reduction in inflation rate will add to the reputation of Nigeria as a growing investment destination with a huge consumer market of 160 million people.

According to the report, Gross Domestic Product, GDP, should expand by an average of 7.2 per cent next year, 6.9 per cent in 2015 and 6.6 per cent in 2016, adding that the projections assumed no change to monetary policy, stable fuel prices and a stable external environment.

The Federal Government pledges to improve infrastructure and support job creation in areas such as agriculture. This will be key to the economy and stability but reforms have been slow over the last two years, hampered by vested interests and corruption.

Investors have been pleased with the stability brought to monetary policy and the macro-economy in recent months but they remain wary of the government’s tendency to squander its oil windfall on reckless spending and corruption.

Foreign exchange reserves are at more than a three-year high and the stock index is up around 18 percent this year as investors show faith in local debt markets and the oil, banking and telecommunication sectors.

The statistics office said consumer inflation eased to 9 percent year-on-year in January from 12 percent in December, dropping within the Central Bank’s single-digit target range.

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi said last week that he was in no hurry to cut interest rates even if inflation fell.

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, DAPO AKINREFON, CHARLES KUMOLU & GBENGA OKE

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HE disclosure by First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan of the critical nature of her health, yesterday, aroused scathing criticisms from opposition political parties and some of the country’s leading civic society groups.

The opposition parties and civil society advocates slammed Federal Government for projecting a government of deceit with several saying the administration officials had presented the government as one that cannot be trusted.

Mrs. Jonathan at a thanksgiving service last Sunday disclosed that she literally rose from the dead as she went through nine surgeries on account of an illness the nature of which she, however, did not disclose.

Her media assistant, Mr. Ayo Osinlu, was repeatedly quoted last August and September as saying that Mrs. Jonathan was abroad on vacation following what he said was her hectic work schedule in August.

“If you look at her itinerary in August, you will be wondering how she was able to accomplish that.

“In the course of this week, she will be back home. But remember, it all depends on her plans,” he had said.

Yesterday, Osinlu could not be reached on his reaction to the development.

Biting reactions came from the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, and Save Nigeria Group.

Presidency misleading Nigerians — ACN In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the revelation by the First Lady on the extent of her illness, especially the fact that she passed out for seven days was a cause for concern to Nigerians wondering why government chose to lie to them on the issue.

“While we felicitate with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on her recovery from whatever illness it was that afflicted her, we will be remiss if we fail to recollect how the presidency denied ‘rumours’ of the First Lady's illness and poured scorn on the media and the imaginary enemies of the government for fuelling the ‘satanic rumours.

“We will also like to remind the presidency that its denial, instead of full disclosure that would have elicited nothing more than fervent prayers from Nigerians, fuelled the rumours that the First Lady suffered from sundry afflictions or the consequences of tummy tuck’’.

“Like we have said time and again, any government needs to be credible to win the trust of the citizens, without which it cannot govern effectively. With the revelation by our back-from-the-dead First Lady, it is clear that the

From right: Water Resources Minister, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; former Ghanaian President John Kuffor; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Senate President, Senator David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice President Namadi Sambo and other stakeholders at a workshop on innovative funding for water sector in Nigeria at the Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Patience Jonathan: ACN, CPC, SNG, others slam Presidency ...accuse govt of deceit, lies Jonathan Presidency has egg on its face, and must apologise to Nigerians for lying to them. Also, the spokesmen for this government have lost total credibility, hence their words will henceforth be taken with a pinch of salt.

“It is sad that despite what we and many Nigerian groups and individuals have said on this issue, the Jonathan Administration took its script directly from the Yar’Adua group’s book of deceit when the late President was ill and flown abroad. Now, Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba and Liyel Imoke of Cross River are all playing according to the Jonathan script.

“We are therefore renewing our call for openness and full disclosure on the state of health of public officials. Life itself is transient, not to talk of positions. And as a spiritual leader of the calibre of Pope Benedict has shown recently, no office is more important than life itself."

This govt has exhibited dishonesty — CPC The Congress For Progressive Change, CPC, on its part said that if the presidency could lie over the health of the First Lady, it then showed the capacity of the administration to lie on anything.

“What is undoubtedly plausible is: If the administration could show such dishonesty in an innocuous matter as the disclosure of the true state of the first lady’s health, it revealed, without doubt, that this presidency is irredeemably sold to casting deceptive veil on the minds of Nigerians! Indeed, this administration is a con-

tinuing story in indulgent opacity and metaphor of a rudder less ship.

“Truly, this is another reason for the total rejection of the ruling PDP that has consistently been responsible for the depreciating quality of leadership in Nigeria’s body politic in the last 13 years.

Gratefully, there is hope for a credible alternative to what the ruling People’s Democratic Party represents with the current effort of the progressive parties in the Nation.”

FG lacks integrity—SNG The Save Nigeria Group, SNG also slammed the presidency for lying to the citizenry on the state of health of the first lady.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the SNG said: “As a human being, one empathises with her on all she has gone through in her moment of trials.

We are happy for her that she has recovered. But it shows a degenerate government with many that are totally bereft of honour and integrity to be lying to the whole nation that she was holidaying abroad and that all was well.

Leading civic right advocate and lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu on his part said: “Once again this has shown that many Nigerians shouldn’t even believe government officials and that is a very tragic thing. This hoarding of information about the health status of people who are in government is characteristic of primitive societies and this cannot bring about development.

“Now it is clear to Nigerians that the aides to the president

were engaged in barefaced lies when they said that the wife of the president went on a vacation when in fact the woman was going through surgeries. Nigerians will find it difficult to believe such aides and take them seriously whenever they come to tell them anything, even when they are not lying and that is the danger about lying".

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum speaking through its national president, Alhaji Yerima Shetima described the revelation as a national embarrassment.

“It can only happen in a country like ours, where illegalities are perpetrated and celebrated. In developed nations like the UK and United States, people don’t politicise such issues, but anything goes in Nigeria. It is only in Nigeria that wives of public office holders spend tax payers’ money on all manners of surgery.

We experienced it during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Other countries will be making mockery of us over the statement, because the health status of high profile citizens are supposed to be in public view. They have to realise that the office of the first lady is unconstitutional, and should not in anyway become a national issue.”

Leader of the Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasheun, however, dismissed the issue as irrelevant saying: “For me, it is nothing. You can decide to get medical attention during holidays, but I don’t think there is any difference with what she told us. It is just that she couldn’t have been brain dead, she might have had what we call suspended animation but not brain dead like she said.”

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—9

Aggrieved Reps accuse House leadership of slashing allowances It's not true, says a senior lawmaker

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—AS the Na tional Assembly tries to wriggle out of the budget padding feud with the Presidency, a fresh round of crisis is looming in the House of Representatives following allegation by some aggrieved members that the leadership has short-changed them in the payment of salaries and allowances.

The aggrieved members of the House of Representatives, who spoke to Vanguard yesterday, accused the leadership of trading with their salaries and allowances.

However, a senior official of the House of Representatives, dismissed the claims, yesterday, saying that the House leadership was not ignorant of a calculated attempt by some elements to weaken the House, noting "we know where it is coming from and why it is coming at this time that we are having this faceoff over budget. It is a continuation of well planned efforts to undermine the House by people who are not inclined to transparency".

He added that, "there are calculated attempts to weaken the institution of the legislature and this includes the mudslinging that has been going on. It is a way of whittling down the hold on the public purse."

Meantime, the aggrieved members of the House, who did not want to be named, explained that management of the National Assembly had at the inauguration of the current session started paying them a paltry N15 million per quarter as against the N43 million that their predecessors were getting per quarter.

The members, who were armed with some documents to buttress their point, claimed that the management later in June 2012 grudgingly jerked their pay to N27 million per quarter following threats by some angry members to confront the leadership.

The grouse of the aggrieved members is that it is wrong for their pay to be unjustifiably and inexplicably slashed by the leadership of the House of Rep-

resentatives when the allocation to the National Assembly has not been reduced from N150 billion per year by the Federal Government.

Vanguard gathered that out of the amount, N43 billion is set aside for the running of the National Assembly while 40 percent goes to the Senate and 60 percent is taken by the House of Representatives because of their large size of 360 members compared to the Senate’s 109.

But it was learnt that unlike in the Dimeji Bankoleled House of Representatives when members were paid N43 million per quarter, the current leadership has only paid a maximum of N27 million to members with effect from June last year without explaining to them what happens to the balance of the money.

“That is why we want to draw the attention of Nigerians to a potential war that is about to break out in the House of Representatives

unless our money is fully remitted to us as was the case in the 6th National Assembly,” the members warned.

They said there was no justification whatsoever for the leadership to keep them in the dark regarding their pay and asked the management to take immediate steps to assuage them before things got out of hand.

Excess money being saved for rainy day —management However, a member of the National Assembly management, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity because he was not mandated to speak on the matter, explained that although the budget to the National Assembly had not been slashed by the Federal Government, members’ quarterly pay had to be pegged at N27 million and the balance warehoused for the rainy day.

Presidency replies Nwabueze Says no indices of failed state in Nigeria

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE Presi dency yesterday reacted to comment by elder statesman and former Secretary General of Ohaneze, Prof. Ben Nwabueze describing Nigeria as a failed state, saying it was a gross act of unpatriotism According to the Presidency, as elder statesman,

he should be abreast with facts that indices in the country do not in any way suggest that Nigeria was a failed state or has anything that was close to that assertion.

Prof Ben Nwabueze who spoke, weekend, in Enugu at the 14th annual convention of the of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, said that Nigeria was becoming a failed state.

AUCTION SALES!!

On the order of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, 36 Marina Lagos, the Mortgaged Property No. 32, Eweka Street, off Aduwawa Road, Benin city, a bungalow with borehole and wall fenced measuring 483.930 square metres is hereby offered for sale through Public Auction.

Interested bidders should visit the site for inspection between 8am - 4pm daily & send their bids.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, CONTACT: EKWULU KONSULT (MESSRS) (Govt. Licensed Auctioneers) 08062955050, 08059118277

10— Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Judge insists on hearing Ikuforiji's case

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Lagos State Governor (middle); Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the State Government (right); Mr. Ade Ipaye, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General (left) during the inauguration of Tribunal of Inquiry on Fire and Explosion Incidents at Giwa and Okoya Areas of Lagos Island, at the Lagos House, Ikeja. Members: Hon. Justice Sunday Oladokun Ishola (rtd), Chairman (right); Engr. Olokunola Olatunde Wasiu (middle) and Mr. Richard Ahonaruogho, at the oath-taking guided by Mrs. Tola Akinsanya, Director, Legislative and Drafting, Ministry of Justice.

Protest paralyses activities at Lagos Governor’s office

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — ACTIVITIES at Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, were yesterday paralysed by

NGO plans device to track traffic offenders

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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AGOS —FRIENDS on Traffic and Emergency Solutions Initiative, FROTRESI, has said it plans to install a device that will track down traffic offenders, expressing concern over the increasing rate of recklessness indiscipline among motorists.

The group said the road traffic data collection technology will capture a vehicle that exceeds the required speed limit, adding that it is in collaboration with Lagos State Government, corporate organizations and individuals to reduce the scourge of traffic logjam in Lagos.

Speaking at the induction of its new members, Captain Niyi Oseni, Chairman, Board of Trustees, FROTRESI, condemned the improper and care free attitude exhibited on Lagos roads everyday by motorists and commuters.

He implored Lagosians to support the Lagos traffic law aimed at reducing such excesses.

protesting Lagos Island Fashion Dealers Association members, popularly called Breadfruit Market and workers of Moreno Group of Company, who stormed the office of the Governor over perceived illtreatment.

As early as 11a.m., the protesters barricaded the entrance to the Governor ’s Office and other roads, obstructing the free flow of traffic for several hours until about 5:00 p.m., saying, “all we want is for Governor Babatunde Fashola to order that our stalls be re-opened for us to commence business activities.”

While the traders were protesting the continued closure of Breadfruit Street by

the government, workers of Moreno Group of Company were on the other hand protesting non-payment of their six months salaries.

This came as Governor Fashola inaugurated a threeman committee of enquiry on the firecracker explosion at Jankara Market, Lagos Island Local Government, on December 26, 2012.

It will be recalled that fire gutted Euroasia Plaza, a fivestorey building housing the traders and a branch of a commercial bank, on October 27, 2012, prompting the governor to order its immediate closure.

The traders argued that the inferno wasn’t as bad as the

Jankara fire-crackers explosion, which had been reopened by the state government.

They displayed several placards with inscriptions: 'Don’t use police to intimidate us', 'Our source of livelihood has been tampered with unjustly', 'The lives you claim to protect are dying', 'Enough is enough', 'A hungry man is an angry man', 'We want our stalls reopened', among others. after Euroasia inferno, we are tired of sitting at home, Is there government in Nigeria, Our children are suffering, Please, Fashola, come to our aid,' among others.”

AGOS—EFFORTS by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, to stall the trial of Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, over allegation of money laundering, failed as trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, insisted on hearing the matter.

Ikuforiji is standing trial alongside his Personal Assistant, Mr Alade Atoyebi.

They are both facing a 20count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N273.3 million.

They 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.

The speaker was alleged to have misappropriated about N500 million of the House’s funds, an offence which the EFCC said contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

At the hearing, yesterday, EFCC counsel, told the court that in view of the fact that the trial judge will retire sometime this year, that it will be proper for the matter to be transferred to another judge, who will start and conclude the trial.

Court stays action on Atuche's trial PCLF advocates God fearing leaders

LAGOS —

As part of its contributions to responsible governance and nation building, a Non Governmental Organisation, Patriotic Christian Leaders Forum (PCLF) has called on Nigerians to elect into power selfless and God-fearing leaders.

In an interview with newsmen in Lagos, the Life President of the organisation, Rev. Mrs. Adefunmilayo AkitoyeBrsaimoh advised that Chritians should not stay aloof in deciding the fate of the entire populace.

She advised Christians to ensure that politicians with respect and regard for God not only secure victory at the polls but also fulfil their electoralpromises.

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, stayed proceedings in the N125 billion fraud charge against embattled former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank), Francis Atuche, by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Atuche is standing trial alongside former Managing Director of Spring Bank (now

Enterprise Bank), Charles Ojo. Trial judge is Justice Rita Ofilli-Ajumogobia.

At the hearing in the matter, EFCC informed the court of some pending applications by the accused persons seeking to quash the charge made against them.

But counsel to Atuche, informed the court of an application lodged at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, seeking to set aside the

ruling of the former trial judge, who had earlier refused Atuche’s application to quash the charge.

Atuche’s counsel argued that it would serve the interest of justice for proceedings in the matter to be stayed pending determination of the appeal.

The court, consequently granted the application and stayed the case.

Bi-Courtney can't take over GAT —FAAN

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

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AGOS—FEDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, yesterday, debunked the claims in some newspapers that Bi –Courtney was set to take over former General Aviation Terminal, GAT, saying, “there is no

subsisting court order to that effect.”

FAAN in statement by Mr. Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Communication, said there was an appeal at the Supreme Court against the court judgement given as back as 2007.

Mr. Dati said: ‘’The

attention of FAAN has been drawn to a misleading news release by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited based on a non-existent court order or judgement over the ownership of domestic Terminal 1(formerly General Aviation Terminal) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—11

Ladoja refutes forfeiture of property

PDP National Auditor goes to court over removal

BY DAUD OLATUNJU

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BEOKUTA — THE sacked National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode Mustapha, yesterday, approached the Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo, with an application exparte, seeking an order of the court to stop the PDP from removing him from office.

This came as leaders of PDP in the state pledged to work with the embattled faction believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing Obasanjo as the father of all.

Counsel to the embattled National Auditor, Gboyega Oyewole, while speaking at the court, urged the court to stop the PDP from going ahead with the removal of his client.

Mustapha, Segun Oni, former Governor of Ekiti State and the executive members of the party in the state believed to be loyal to exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo were sacked last Friday by National Working Committee, NWC, and replaced them with members of the other faction of the party.

Oyewole in his argument, among others, said, “ what we are saying is that, the of-

fice of the National Auditor or any member of the National Working Committee can only be elected at the national convention and not zonal congresses like these people are trying to insinuate, but, now that they have purportedly removed our client, we are seeking redress in the court.”

In his objection to the ap-

plication filed by Mustapha, the Chairman of the party, Adebayo Dayo filed a notice of preliminary objection to challenge the jurisdiction of the State High Court.

“Counsel to the State Chairman, Ifeoma Esom said, among others, that the issue raised by the applicant “has already been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction,

so, this court is a court of the coordinate jurisdiction with the Federal High Court and cannot sit over the same case that has been determined by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.”

The presiding judge, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, however, adjourned the case to Thursday, February 20, for the hearing of the motion exparte.

From right: Alhaji Kola Animasaun, former Chairman, Editorial Board of Vanguard Newspapers; Alhaji Kasumu Yesufu Adefaka, Galadima of Akureland, former Chairman, Akure Muslim Community and Alhaji Ilemobola Yesufu, Chief Imam, Ifelodun, Akure, during their courtesy visit to Alhaji Animasaun, in Lagos, for a Walimatul Qurán of Sumayyah Adejoke Adefaka, at Umdatul Islamiyat Arabic School, Ijoko, Ogun State.

ACN alerts Osun Police of plans to cause chaos

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SOGBO —ACTION Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Osun State, has alerted the State Police Command over alleged plot by some op-

position politicians to plunge the state into chaos and violence.

The party in a statement claimed the aim was to instigate the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state.

The party’s acting chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, spoke yesterday in an interaction with the party officials in Aiyedade Local Government during on-going tour of all the local government areas of the state by the State Working Committee of the party.

Adebiyi was reacting to widespread insinuations that some opposition politicians were planning protests across the state, using some misguided students, teachers, and Islamic scholars to create chaos and disturb the peace in the state.

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ORMER GOVernor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has faulted statement credited to the Oyo State Government that his property were seized and accounts frozen by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, saying the state government goofed.

Ladoja in a statement through his Media Assistant, Lanre Latinwo, said, “In the said publication, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Taiwo Otegbeye and Festus Adedayo alleged that properties were seized and accounts frozen.”

Ogudoro urges PR experts on wealth generation

BY SIMEON NDAJI

LAGOS—AN educationist and human development specialist, Mr. Peter Ogudoro, has urged the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) professionals to turn their skills into great enterprise and wealth generation.

Ogudoro who spoke to Vanguard at Ikeja, said, NIPR professionals would have the opportunity at the professional forum, “to learn how to get skills, and the inspiration to give your dreams the wings they lack and fly to the destiny that is exclusively yours”.

Ikoyi Club flags off Chairman’s Week

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AGOS—Ikoyi Club 1938, has rolled out a week-long list of activities in preparation for the handing over ceremony of its current Chairman, Mr. Richard Giwa-Osagie.

The event, said the Planning Committee Chair, at a pre-event conference in Lagos, yesterday, was a tradition usually put together by the club prior to the end of each tenure, to X-ray and celebrate the contribution of an outgo-

ing chairman to the growth and sustainability of the club of over 10,000 Nigerian and European members.

According to Mr. Richard GiwaOsagie whose tenure elapses this February, “activities earmarked include a lecture today by Prince Julius AdelusiAdeluyi, Chairman, Juli Pharmacy Plc, sectional games, visits to charity homes, boogie nite, family funfair and a grand finale this Sunday.

Osun Deputy Gov tasks lecturers on ethics BYADEKUNLE ALIYU

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BADAN — University administra tors have been urged to live up to the demands of the ethics of their profession.

This call was made in Ile-Ife, by the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori at the 2013 Get Together Ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University Chapter of the As-

sociation of Nigerian University Professional Administrators Titi Laoye Tomori who was represented by the Tutor General representing Osun East, Mr. Kola Buari, told university administrators that they owed so much to the management of our citadel of learning in “the bid to prevent them from being turned into hot spots for chaos.”

12— Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—13

Bomb explosion kills one, injures policeman in Lagos Continues from page 5 Meanwhile, NEMA has advised onlookers not to stay around the explosion scene. “When it comes to bomb blasts like this, there may be a secondary disaster waiting to happen and that may be more serious than the first because there are usually more people around. That is why we advise you to stay away from this place until it is fully cleared.” a NEMA official informed.

At the deceased’s Raji Rasaki Estate residence, uniform and plain clothed policemen were on standby, as sympathizers thronged to commiserate with Oladele’s widow. The late Oladele and his wife as gathered, waited for 10 years before they were blessed with two children of ages 3 and 1.

Widows’ account From his widows’ account, it was obvious that the late Oladele had premonition of his death right from when he resumed work yesterday.

His first widow, Omolola who was with him under the bridge when the explosion occurred, told Vanguard that her husband had his breakfast at work. But all of a sudden,

she said, he started complaining that he had stomach upset and that he needed to rush home to ease off.

“He left me and drove home with a promise to be back”, Omolola said.

At this point, his second widow, Seun, took over saying, “ when he got home, he rushed straight to the toilet and when he came out, he said he felt weak and did not feel like going out again; that he wanted to sleep.

He went upstairs to sleep. His phone later rang and he answered.

From the conversation, it was obvious that the caller was one of his customers, who said he was waiting for him (Oladele) at his place of work. He told the caller he was coming but went back to sleep.

Another call came in again. But he refused to pick it. When it rang again, our one- year two- month-old baby took the phone to him but he refused to pick the call.

He finally picked it when it kept ringing and got up from the bed, informing us that he was going back to work. I insisted he stayed back home and rest since he was tired but he said he needed to go since he needed to feed his children.

As he was about to move out, he called me

to come and lock the gate. At that point, our baby started yelling. He even commented that the baby’s cry was unusual and I told him he probably did not want him to go out. He told me to go and cuddle him to sleep that he would be back soon”. Seun stated in tears.

Back at his place of work, his first wife, Omolola said: “When he came back, I told him not to sit on the pavement he usually sat on because I noticed his clothes were stained behind. He just dusted the stain with his

hands and said he did not care and went to sit there.

The next thing I heard was a blast. I did not know where it came from.

All I saw were people running here and there and I asked , baba da?, meaning where is my husband. At that point, I rushed to where he was seated, only for me to see his body scattered all over the place”.

The late Oladele is survived by his two widows and five children, born after 17 years of marriage.

Meanwhile when contacted, Commissioner for

Information and Strategy, Mr Aderemi Ibirogba, declined comment, saying the state commissioner of Police had already spoken on the development and would not want to make further comment.

“The state police commissioner has briefed the governor on the development and investigation is already on. That is all I can say now. But I want to assure Lagos residents that they are very safe as adequate measures are already on ground to ensure maximum protection of lives and property in the state.”

Alleged power tussle behind blast Body parts of late Mr Oladele Pius littered the scene of explosion when Vanguard visited yesterday. The man’s shoes, torn pieces of his blue jeans and patches of his blood were also all over the place. The blood was even on the roof of the bridge where the explosion flung it.

Eye witnesses at the scene of the explosion suspected a power tussle in the sand dealers’ association as being responsible for the incident. Oladele, was said to have risen from grass to grace as a snacks seller (puff puff), who rose to become leader of several sand associations in Lagos State.

No threat to Third Mainland, Niger bridges — Works Minister •As Senate begins investigation into the nation’s highway bridges

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA – FOLLOWING speculations that the Third Mainland Bridge faces imminent collapse, Works Minister, Mike Onolememen has said the bridge was physically fit for human and vehicular movements.

The minister equally assured that contrary to insinuations in some quarters that the River Niger Bridge was not fit, there was nothing wrong with the bridge even as he agreed there must be routine maintenance of the bridge.

He said his assurance was based on the reports submitted to him recently by experts who undertook assessment of the two bridges following alarm raised by some people over the fate of the bridges.

Mr Onolememen spoke Monday, during a public hearing on the nation’s highway bridges, held at the instance of the Senate Committee on Works.

The public hearing was sequel to motions sponsored by Senators Hope Uzodinma, PDP Imo West and Gbenga Ashafa, ACN Lagos East respectively, last week on the state of the nation’s highway bridges.

Senator Ashafa had relied on a report of a company which carried out an inspection of the un-

derwater structures of the bridge and suggested that it could collapse soon if nothing was done about it.

The minister explained that the ministry had contracted the Nigerian Submarine Divers, NSD Ltd in 2010 to undertake inspection of the Third Mainland Bridge and Eko Bridge in Lagos in order to ascertain the state of the underwater structural elements.

He said an initial report of the underwater inspection presented by NSD in July 2011 showed ‘alarming’ deterioration and serious damages on numerous piles of the Third Mainland Bridge.

“The final report submitted by NSD in November 2011 indicated ‘extensive’ deterioration of embedded steel reinforcement in piles, concrete degradation and appreciatiable loss of concrete material as well as discontinuities in some foundation piles which had apparently affected the load bearing capacity of the piles,” Onolemenmen said.

He said after reviewing the final report of NSD Ltd, it was observed that not all piles were inspected due to various reasons such as obstruction by human activities and inaccessibility, but the ministry insisted that all piles whether underwater or on land be in-

vestigated in line with the contract.

“The findings of Messrs Nigerian Submarine Divers Ltd (NSD) were strictly based on visual inspection and under water photos. For this reason, and following meetings between officials of the ministry, Messrs NSD, Julius Berger and Borini Prono, it was decided that advanced integrity assessment including high technology, chemical analysis of concrete samples from piles was inevitable, and in order to authenticate the findings of NSD as contained in their reports.

“Moreover, since Messrs NSD Ltd is not a civil engineering consultancy firm, their capacity and professional competence to carry out such works was doubtful,” the minister said.

He also told the committee that a bill of N33 billion was submitted by a consultant to his office to do some immediate repairs on the bridge, but he turned it down having adjudged it as unrealistic.

He said: “Of course, that memo came to me and I refused to approve it and instead I wanted the entire pile by pile investigation to be carried out so that we know exactly what to do. After all, the most critical sessions of the bridge, the first two session where we need to carry out im-

mediate repair from information available to me by people who did the test we will not need more than N5billon to carry out these repairs.”

According to him, the advanced integrity assessment contract was awarded to Messrs Borini Prono and Co. which brought a report showing that the visual underwater inspection, the nondestructive tests and coring campaign carried out in the Third Mainland Bridge confirmed the adequacy of pile concrete quality.

“Based on the report of the investigations, there is no evidence of immediate threat of failure of the pilings. No cases of total loss of piles, clearance between the pile and pile cap or other major anomalies were reported on the tested piles.

“Although serious steel casing corrosion was noticeable, it was pointed out that the steel casing has no structural function regarding pile bearing capacity, as they simply served as form works to the R.C Piles,” he said.

He said to safeguard the integrity of the bridge, the ministry had engaged a consultant M/ s ICECON Nig. Ltd; to urgently carry out investigation on the entire bridge’s substructure so as to determine the extent of maintenance work required.

14—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FUBRUARY 19, 2013

2013 budget: Controversy as Senate, House differ

BY EMMANUELAZIK-

EN, POLITICAL EDITOR BUJA—PLANS to roll out a budget of the Federal Government for fiscal 2015 were last night steeped in more controversy, following the emergence of significant differences between the Senate and the House of Representatives on the issue.

While multiple officials in the senate confirmed that all the issues delaying the budget issue had been resolved, the contrary was the situation in the House of Representatives. Senior officials of the House of Representatives were last night ensconced in a meeting over the issue and other issues bothering on the affairs of the House last night.

Members were also getting into combat mood with disclosure that the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, had been mandated to utilize its funds by the board of the commission without the approval of the National Assembly as stipulated in the 2013 budget passed by the legislature.

A ranking member of the senate told Vanguard last night that the issues had been resolved following the intervention of the Presidency working through the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi.

“What I can tell you for now is that all the issues have been resolved and the budget could be signed in a day or two,” the official disclosed, saying authoritative assertions could only be made by the senate leadership.

A member of the senate leadership, speaking in the same vein concurred, saying last night that all the information available to him was that the issues that had prevented the President from giving his assent to the 2013 budget had been resolved.

The principal official, however, claimed ignorance of any subsisting grievance in the House of Representatives.

“I don’t know what problems they still have, I cannot say,” the senate official said.

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Obi wants to destroy APGA —Anyanwu Says purported new exco is ‘APGA-PDP’

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBARAKWU BUJA—CHAIRMAN of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Imos State, Marshal Okafor Anyanwu, has accused Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State of destroying the party to satisfy his pay masters in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Anyanwu, who made the accusation while reacting to the election of new executives by Obi-led faction to supervise the activities of the party, following the removal of the national Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, by a High Court in Enugu, said the group that purportedly elected the new executives was the PDP element in APGA. He said instead of Governor Obi to bring the party together for national unity, he was busy destabilizing the structure he met on ground and wondered where the governor was drawing his power.

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you the authority to come and negotiate for the merger.

“CPC produced their own, ACN produced, ANPP produced but APGA did not produce because of the crisis they have but Senator Ngige made a passionate appeal that he will want APGA to be part of it, APGA is a major bloc in the South East, he will like APGA to be part of it.

“So the day Senator Okonkwo

came, we gave him that recognition, so during the course of trying to arrive at a consensus for the logo they were insisting that since ACN is in the logo, CPC is in the logo, ANPP is in the logo, they have to be in the logo, we said no, if we put you in the logo we are going to have problem because you are not in absolute control of APGA.

Fear of litigation “We don’t want litigation to stall this merger. If we put you in the logo the other faction will go to court and we will have problem, INEC will not recognize it, then they got annoyed and said they were going to walk out and they came back when they spoke with Governor Okorocha who told them to go back and they came back.”

Obi, Umeh rift Anyanwu said if Obi had problems with the embattled chairman, he should settle it without destroying the party for his selfish interest.

He alleged that Governor Obi did not consult with Anambra State Chairman of APGA in the meeting held in Abuja last weekend where the National Chairman of Citizens Popular Party, CPP, Mr. Maxi Okwu, was elected acting Chairman and Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi, acting National Secretary.

On the position of APGA in the merger arrangement with other political parties that metamorphosed into All Progressives Congress, APC, he said the merger was in progress and irrevocable.

Meanwhile, the APC merger committee has revealed that APGA was not granted a full status because of the crisis within the party, which also led to the exclusion of the party in the consideration of its logo.

APC logo A source within the new party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that because APGA could not bring the resolution mandating the party to be involved in the merger as it was required by law, there was no way the logo of the party could be used in the APC to avoid litigations.

According to the source, “we did not even grant them, APGA, full status because of the crisis.

Even when the governor (Rochas Okorocha) came, the governor acknowledged that there is a problem in APGA, because one of the conditions in the merger is that you must produce a resolution saying that the national executive committee of the party has given

PRESENTATION: From left: Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc; Mr. Jalo Waziri, ED, Business Development, N S E, and Mrs. Taba Peterside of OandoPlc, during the presentation of facts behind the figures, at the floor of the NSE in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese.

ALSCON sale: BPE rejects meeting preferred bidder As BFIG signs SPA

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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BUJA—THE implementa tion of the Supreme Court ruling on the sale of the Aluminium Smelter Plant at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, is facing some hiccups, as the Bureau for Public Enterprises, BPE, has rejected any meeting with the preferred bidder, Bancorp Financial Investment Group, BFIG, to sort out the real worth of the firm.

Although the apex court had ruled that the two sides should meet, evaluate and ascertain the true worth of the plant before signing the Share Purchase Agreement, SPA, the BPE had insisted that the court ruling was clear and did not call for any meeting between them.

Armed with the SC ruling dated July 6, 2012, BFIG had approached the government agency to arrange a visit to the Ikot Abasi plant to ascertain the state of the plant and the real value of the assets so as to determine how much should be paid to the Nigerian government.

However, when BPE and BFIG had agreed on a date for the inspection, the Russian firm, currently managing the plant illegally,

having been sacked by the SC, rejected the move and vowed not to allow any member of the American group or the Nigerian Police to enter the plant for the purpose of the inspection.

Claiming to be acting on the same SC ruling, the BPE on January 29, wrote BFIG offering it 77 percent of the shares of ALSCON, which it mistakenly referred to as Aluminium Shelter Company of Nigeria and asked the firm to pay the sum of $41 million, which is ten percent of the bid price of $410 million it offered in 2004.

In the same letter, BPE forwarded the SPA, which the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, approved on January 22, 2013, to BFIG and asked it to pay the sum of $41 million to the agency within 15 days of the execution of the SPA. The letter, which was signed by the Acting Director General of BPE, Benjamin Dikki, explained that the actions were taken in full strict compliance with the SC ruling.

But BFIG, through its counsel, Jimmie Williams, Jr. in a letter dated February 13, 2013, and addressed to the BPE’s Chief Legal Counsel, Joseph

Ujomu, faulted the agency on the purported ‘’offer letter and invitation to BFIG to acquire shares in ALSCON” instead of implementing the mutually-binding SPA of May 20, 2004, as affirmed by the SC. BFIG noted that the shares of ALSCON had plummeted from $1.1 billion in 2004 to a mere $91 million in 2013 and asked BPE to take note of that and determine a new price for it to pay to the Nigerian government.

But in responding to that, BPE in another letter dated February 6, 2013 and signed by the DG, Benjamin Dikki noted, “We hereby reiterate our position contained in our letter of Februry 1, 2013. The implementation of the SC judgement does not raise any contentious issue and therefore there is no need for a meeting as requested.”

But at a media briefing in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Reuben Jaja, announced that the firm had signed the SPA and sent it to BPE last Wednesday and was expecting a response and account details of the agency so as to effect the ten per cent payment in line with the SPA.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 —15

Fuel subsidy scam: Court quashes suit against Ubah Gets N10m damages L

BY INNOCENT ANABA

AGOS—MR Ifeanyi Ubah, Managing Director, Capital Oil & Gas Ltd, yesterday, secured a major victory against Inspector General of Police and Federal Government, as a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, quashed the Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Aigboje AigImokhuede Presidential Report on Fuel Subsidy and Police Interim Report that indicted him, (Ubah) on fuel subsidy.

The court also granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the police, either acting by themselves or their privies, from harassing, detaining or otherwise infringing on the fundamental rights of Ubah and N10 million in his favour as damages.

Ubah in the suit, had alleged infringement on his human rights, sought an order, setting aside the interim report issued by the Commissioner of Police, SFU, dated November 2, 2012.

Trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, said “An order of perpetual injunction is therefore, made restraining the respondents either by themselves or their privies, from arresting, detaining or otherwise harassing the applicant in any form whatsoever.

“The sum of N10 million is also awarded as damages against the respondents jointly and severally for infringing on the personal lib-

Nigeria needs N350bn annually to meet water target —Jonathan

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BY BEN AGANDE

B U J A — PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, said that despite the huge amount of money expended by the Federal Government in the provision of water and sanitation, Nigeria still needed over N350 billion ($1.91 billion dollars) annually to meet the nation’s water and sanitation targets.

Speaking at the Presidential summit on “Innovative Funding of the Water Sector” at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Jonathan said despite the investments by the federal government, the situation in rural and sub-urban areas as regards access to clean water remained unacceptable.

He said on the average, only one in five rural households had clean water at home, while most families collected water from unsafe sources, such as rainfalls, ponds, streams and rivers.

erty of the applicant,” On the issue that the police could not be restrained from discharging its duties, the court, held that the provisions of section 4 of the Police Act, was subject to overriding statutory provisions of the constitution, adding that the court had a duty to regulate public officers in the discharge of their duties, especially where it was not done in accordance with the law, and where the personal liberties of individuals were at stake.

The court held that the police must ensure that its duties

were carried out in accordance with the principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience and in line with laid down provisions of law, adding that it was the duty of the court to regulate the conduct of public officers in the dispensation of their duties.

Respondents in the suit were Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubarkar; Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, Mr Ayotunde Ogunsakin; Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede and Managing Director, Coscharis Motors,

Mr Cosmos Maduka.

Ubah in the suit, had argued that the interim report in which the Federal Government, had purported that the applicant would be arraigned on a prima facie case of money laundering and criminal conspiracy, was a prosecutorial misconduct.

He argued that another report dated November 3, 2012, in which it had stated that the report would be submitted in a case of stealing and economic sabotage, amounted to a breach of the applicant’s fundamental right.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr. Etienne Benet, Head of Nestle Central and West Africa Region; Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman, Nestle Nigeria Plc; Mr. Martin Woolnough, Managing Director/CEO Nestle Nigeria Plc, and Mr. Umar Bindir, Director General/CEO, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, during the commissioning of Nestle Agbara Distribution Centre, at Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun State, Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

NIMET’s 2013 predictions: ANPP urges FG to be proactive

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

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BUJA—NIGERIAN Me teorological Agency last weekend in Abuja gave its prediction on rainfall as it told the general public to expect more rainfall in 2013, compared to the 2012 devastating one that wreaked havoc across the country.

Consequently, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, yesterday in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Emma Eneukwu, said the party was concerned about the predictions which had been made

by NIMET, and wanted the government to avoid what happened in 2012.

Enukwu said: ”The attention of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, has been drawn to media reports about the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET’s 2013 rainfall prediction, which it presented to the public over the weekend in Abuja.

“According to the agency’s Director General, Dr Anthony Anuforom, this year ’s rainfall pattern would not be different from what the country witnessed last year.

“He specifically mentioned that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be above normal in comparison to 2012 in the northern areas of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Zamfara states and environs.

“Fresh in our memory is last year’s unrelenting and havocwrecking floods in several parts of the nation, and the fact that experts averred that we suffered more gruesome impacts because the government did not react to early warnings in good time.

“In all, the flooding emergencies were more destructive because the government’s response was only reactive and neither visionary nor proactive.”

The statement also noted the

inactive response of the federal government to previous predictions NIMET had made, citing example of the calamity that befell the country as a result of taking the predictions for granted.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal Government to do all in its power to avert a repetition of the flooding disasters that befell our nation last year.

“This is the time to construct more buffer dams as a matter of urgency, and to create a sustainable water disposal infrastructure, not only in the affected states, but in all the states of the Federation as climate change has instituted an unpredictable weather regime.

“As a party, we believe that our dear nation has the human and natural endowments to effectively fight environmental disasters; all that is needed is a visionary leadership,” the party added.

Pension scam: Court adjourns Maina’s suit till Feb 26

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI BUJA—JUSTICE Adamu Bello of a Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, gave the Nigerian Senate three days to respond to the suit entered against it by the embattled Chairman, Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina, who was accused of complicity in the illegal diversion of funds meant for pensioners in the country, has been on the run sequel to a warrant of arrest issued against him by the Senate.

In a bid to avert his arrest, Maina had approached the high court with a motion ex-parte to stop the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, from carrying out the directive of the Senate.

Nevertheless, Justice Adamu Bello, on February 15, dismissed the motion, accusing Maina of sabotaging the judiciary by taking an issue already before a court of competent jurisdiction to the public arena.

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JAMB denies extortion of candidates

BY FAVOUR NNABUG-

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WU

BUJA—THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has denied the allegation of extortion against its Enugu and Owerri Zonal offices.

The board in a statement in Abuja yesterday, by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Fabian Benjamin, said the allegation was false.

The statement read: “This allegation is very unfortunate, coming at a time the Board, through its management team, led by the Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, has continued to ease the challenges and ensure that the unsuspecting public are not duped by criminally-minded Nigerians in the name of being JAMB staff or offering to render services that are readily available to all.”

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16—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

BOMB BLAST ROCKS AMUWO-ODOFIN, LAGOS

Sympathisers at the scene of the explosion.

Mr Umar Manko, Lagos State Commissioner of Police (middle); Mr Akeem Odumosu, Commander Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and other police officers arriving at the scene, yesterday. Pix: Biodun Ogunleye and Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Policemen at the scene.

Mr. Ayodele Adewale, Amuwo Odofin LG Chairman (2nd right) at the scene.

One of the injured victim of the blast crying for help.

A cross section of policemen and newsmen at the scene.

Cross section of newsmen and security personel at the scene.

Another sympathisers at the scene of the explosion.

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Yet another sympathisers at the scene of the explosion.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—17

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Now, we know that Keshi is not dumb

Coach Steven Keshi: Resigned caught going abroad for trials. In their ignorance, the only way to have our players available for the national team was to cage them here and deny them a professional career. It was Westerhoff who said you don’t do that. Westerhoff taught them that it was in our interest for the players to acquire better skills abroad; that there was a FIFA rule that says such players must be released not later than two weeks to any competition and that moreover, there was money to be made by the clubs and the FA on the proper transfer of the players and that all that the FA need do (which they never did) was to ensure that our players did not sign bad contracts or go to inferior leagues. They even accuse Westerhoff of selling our players when he helped some of them to clubs (Omokachi to Bruggs, Uche Okechukwu to Brondby) better than some of the clubs they wanted to sign for in Belgium.

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o qualify for the 1994 World Cup in USA, we only needed a draw in Tunisia. The players were promised some monetary reward if they qualified.

They did. But the money promised them was not paid! When Westerhoff

BY CHARLES ONUNAIJU

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HEN little men with modest imagination, originality and creative depth are transposed to the high public offices they generally assume their idiosyncrasies to be existential social reality and consequently invade the public space with beguiled vanity and mediocrity. Malam Nasir el-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory has just published a volume of largely egomaniac treatise feeding from the country’s fractured political life in the past 13 years. Had he invented characters and appropriately labelled his book a fiction, it would have been a blockbuster thriller. The vaunting ego out of Mr. el-Rufai's frame was present in every page of the book and what emerged at the end of it all is the indispensable el-Rufai, in such audacious manner that former US Secretary of State Ms. Madeleine Albright called her country “the indispensable nation”.

El-Rufai’s book reeks of not only malicious slander against most of the living but a banal and reckless insensitivity for the dead. Every line is dotted with ingratiating and fawning massage for his new friends in the opposition. But what I learnt early in life which is instructive even in politics is that those who tell you terrible things about others would tell other people C M Y K

complained, the guy who was clutching the bag of money threatened him with a sack and indeed preceded Westerhoff to Lagos to blackmail him. When we went to USA for the World Cup, Westerhoff ’s contract was to expire. He shouted himself hoarse but the FA refused to renew his contract. They probably had had enough of him. A day to our quarter final match with Italy, Westerhoff complained that there were too much distractions in the Eagles camp and ordered them to join him in another hotel. But instead of directing the players to join their coach, the FA went to plead with Westerhoff to return to the rowdy camp. We were leading Italy 20 minutes to the end but we lost. I believe

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WO things made me happy more than the winning of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations by the Super Eagles in South Africa. One was the relationship between Keshi and the Super Eagles players. The other was Stephen Keshi’s resignation immediately after winning the Nations’ Cup. There was evident mutual respect and camaraderie in camp. There was no doubt that the Eagles knew who was The Boss. This is important because the excuse usually deployed by those in the Football administration to make a case for their usual racket of “ world class foreign coach” was that because the players earn more than the Nigerian coaches, they don’t respect them. Oh yeah? Who employs Nigerian coaches on peanuts which they would not even pay? Who are those who impoverish the Nigerian coaches while lining their pockets?

In the case of people like Keshi, Sunday Oliseh and Samson Siasia, they make different excuses to avoid them. They accuse them of being stubborn, simply because as players, these coaches knew the corruption in our football administration; they knew how the administrators put themselves before and above everything else; they knew that these coaches as players witnessed and learnt from Clemense Westerhoff how to contain the excesses of the greedy administrators. So they feel uncomfortable having any of them as coaches. They actually did not want Keshi. They simply fulfilled all righteousness by employing him, hoping to frustrate him out after the Nations’ Cup. That was why they owed him months of salaries, official car and house. But they did not reckon that Keshi was smarter than they thought.

Let us rewind a bit to series of bunglings by our football administrators, especially after eminent and patriotic administrators like Sunday Dankaro, Isaac Akioye, Orok Oyo, Ogufrey, etc.

There was a day in the eighties, when the Eagles had a friendly march in Ibadan and as the match was to start, it turned out that the administrators forgot the kits in Lagos! Recall that in the eighties, Stephen Keshi and Tarila Okoronwata were banned for reporting late to Eagles camp. To keep his career alive, Keshi escaped to Cote D’Ivoire and played professional football there before going to Belgium to play. Keshi thus opened the floodgate of African footballers going to Europe for professional career. As Sammy Kouffor, ex-Ghanaian and Beryen Munich international said: “Keshi is the Boss, not just to Nigerian footballers, but to all of us, African footballers. He opened the doors for us for professional career in Europe”.

Even then our soccer mal-administrators were slamming bans on our players

What Keshi did was really to sack the FA that wanted to sack him!Today, if our football survives, it will be because Keshi knew when to hold his card and when to throw it

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that had we won that match we would probably have won the World Cup or at least played in the final in our first outing.

Having crashed out, Westerhoff considered it a waste of money to return to Nigeria when he had no contract and did not trust that the free loaders in the FA would give any new contract. He

OPINION

went home from USA after five years of mastering the labyrinth of Nigerian bureaucracy and at a time we needed to benefit from that experience. It suited them to throw the bath water and the baby away for their selfish end. To completely eradicate Westerhoff ’s legacy, they also fired Christian Chukwu, Westerhoff ’s understudy for five years! They lied that Westerhoff abandoned us. How? The man did not have a contract. Instead, like a dog going back to its vomit, they hired Bonferer Joe, who Westehoff hired and paid from his pocket to take us to Atlanta 96. We began to feast on Westerhoff ’s sweat of five years. All they were doing was to wander the whole of Europe, pockets full of estacode, ostensibly searching for or interviewing foreign coaches who used Westerhoff ’s products to get us bronze or silver which, in our culture of celebrating mediocrity, they went to Abuja with for monetary handshakes. That was the beginning of hiring coaches for competitions and not for development of our football!

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s Onochie Anibeze (Onoch to Westerhoff!), group sports editor, will bear witness, I said it long ago that when we exhaust the crop of Westerhoff tutored footballers, our football would nosedive. That was exactly what happened. Keshi, a chip off the Westerhoff block has just returned to football development. But the leeches in the FA had neither the patience nor the confidence. That was the only reason, they would book return flight tickets for the team and enter into negotiation with the Zambian coach who could not defend his championship, ever before we played Cote D’Ivoire!

For them, a “local coach” may not guarantee them monetary handshakes at Abuja! But they did not even know the team Keshi had and the relationship he had with them. They did not know the level of conspiratorial confidence the team had in themselves as “rejected” people. And they forgot that God is still on the throne!

And so when I heard that Keshi had resigned I leapt up for joy! Well, if a man can strategise to deal with the starstudded Cote D’Ivoire that scared the FA into unbelief and dispatch Mali, he should be smart enough to strategise to earn respect for Nigerian and African coaches and liberate himself and our football from the shackles of people we do not know their football pedigree.

What Keshi did was really to sack the FA that wanted to sack him! Those guys should all have resigned once Keshi was begged by superior authority to rescind his resignation. Today, if our football survives, it will be because Keshi knew when to hold his card and when to throw it, as Kenny Rogers sang.

Revisiting El-Rufai’s accidental public servant terrible things about you. I do not hold forth for any of el-Rufai adversaries that he recklessly traduced, but every decent person should be assailed by the incongruent incoherence and inchoate narrative that Mr. el-Rufai spurned as a masterpiece.

For the massive disconnect that would run through the 489 pages of the book, excluding end notes, appendix, etc, I would examine few that are outstanding for their gross deficit of logic, coherence and common sense. According to the author, after the American company, Motorola lost the bid for the supply of equipment for the NITEL GSM, the US firm, the author noted, had “its annual sales well into the tens of billions of dollars, and doubted if a measly $38 million contract would be so important to any Motorola shareholder.” Yet, after losing the measly sum, the company was so concerned to hire a consultant to find out the reason for the loss, in addition to a diplomatic offensive launched by the US ambassador to Nigeria, then Mr. Howard Jeter. According to el-Rufai tales, the American consultant for Motorola after seeing former President Olusegun Obasanjo, confronted

him with the facts of what led to the loss of the contract to the European rival, Ericson. Among the reasons in the author’s tale, the one that would have consequence for this short review is that the then Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, had whispered to the then president that el-Rufai’s brother had 10 percent of the common stock of Motorola in the US and therefore the Ericson win of the contract was a consequence of Atiku’s witch hunt of the el-Rufai family. The author who met Obasanjo over Atiku’s alleged treachery and had it confirmed from the President wondered the reasons “Atiku was spreading falsehoods about me”.

What would shock common sense and assail the most simplistic of logics is the author’s narrative in the next chapter. Notwithstanding that he threatened to resign instead of working with Atiku, the former Vice President who has seen el-Rufai as enough threat as to gossip about him to the President, played the crucial role in getting the author to become the minister of the F.C.T. Continues on pg 18 *Mr. Onunaiju, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 WHETHER the Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina is in the country or has run away is not as important as the way we handle matters. Since last December, Alhaji Maina had emphatically stated he would not appear before the Senate Committee on Establishment.

The Committee after threatening Maina for weeks confirmed how powerless the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is – the Committee said it was unable to do anything about the issue.

According to the Committee, powerful people were behind Maina and were shielding him from the law. The Committee said it was handing the matter over to God. Maina claimed his team uncovered N3.3 trillion pension fund fraud while the Senate summoned Maina over theft of N195 billion at the Pension Office. Maina ignored the Senate.

Public opprobrium at the Senate’s stand caused it to say everything would be done to cause Maina to account for the infractions at the Pension Office. Nothing

BY CHARLES ONUNAIJU Continued from pg 17

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CCORDING to el-Rufai, Obasanjo has nominated him to the post to ostensibly do what he cannot find any other person to do, including checkmating the Vice President, yet Obasanjo did nothing to help him through the cesspool of corruption that was the Senate clearance for ministerial nominees.

After a spell of encounter with former Senate Deputy President, Ibrahim Mantu and Senate Leader, Jonathan Zwingina, who allegedly demanded gratification of N54 million, Atiku intervened and got him cleared for the ministerial job after an alleged payment of N50 million as he was later told by a senior bank manager who was close to the former Vice President.

According to el-Rufai, Atiku has earlier told him that Ibrahim Mantu is too greedy that he could go, for a mere 1,000 naira, into a lion's mouth in spite of the obvious danger of been devoured, yet the same Atiku who was chummy enough to el-Rufai to narrate Mantu’s legendry greed was not forth coming in telling him that he has paid off the duo of Mantu and Zwingina to get him cleared but rather told him that 50 million naira paid Zwingina was part payment for party work in the North East zone. Yet, the saintly el-Rufai who did not believe the former Vice President went ahead to

Man o Manyy Mainas TTo Mind was done until last week’s order that the President should fire Maina, who denied the police declared him wanted, and then filed a suit to halt his prosecution for the pension fraud.

He was still not arrested. He avoided the Senate for as long as he wanted. His attitude says a lot about our laws and how they are mostly for the lowly, the poor and those who have not amassed adequate resources to be included in the power rungs.

How do individuals become too powerful for their country? How do the Mainas know that they can get away with whatever they want? Why do they treat the law with such scant interest? Which law do they use? How

would the Senate manage the insult Maina so successfully unleashed on it since last year?

We are not sure Maina is guilty of the allegations against him. What baffles us is his insistence on not presenting himself before the law. He has been at it for months and it seems he knows that he cannot be punished even for refusing to appear before the Senate.

The Presidency ’s confusion over the matter compounded it. Why would the Senate accuse the Presidency of shielding Maina? Why the muddled responses from the Presidency?

Some complicity is on among the Senate, police and Presidency on this issue. Do they realise the importance of pensions, the source of sustenance for many in their old age? Has the handling of this issue reflected the interests of pensioners who are poor, mostly ill, aged and live on the pittance if ever it is paid?

There are many Mainas in the affairs of Nigeria; Abdulrasheed simply served us notice of their powers.

OPINION Revisiting El-Rufai’s Accidental public servant (2) sit in the office that was allegedly secured with illicit money. Yet, this is the former Vice President, who mortally feared the larger-than-life image of elRufia that he needed to gossip about him and his family connection to the American Motorola to Obasanjo that led to the short-changing of the US firm in favour of European Ericson. It does not fit into common sense that the former Vice President who was so perturbed by el- Rufai as mere Director General of Bureau for Public Enterprise that backbiting him to the then president would play the key in elevating him to a federal minister. It does appear that Mallam elRufai did not mean his memoir for any serious mind.

The most bizarre tale of el-Rufai in his book is the marabout story. According to him, the former Vice President has told him of a Cameroun marabout whose predictions about his political trajectory has been true all along and has then predicted that Obasanjo would not complete his tenure and that the Vice President would soon be shooed-in into the presidency. I have absolutely no connection with the former Vice President to know his attitude to marabouts. But it seem obviously implausible that a man who is well

known to groom, build and nurture the most thriving political structure across the country to which he ostensibly spends so much to maintain, have sufficient faith in the magic words of a marabout. As everyone knows, after every election, politicians disband their campaign and political outfit. Only Atiku and probably a few others are known to maintain a permanent political and organisational structure, including a vigorous media office at a non-election season. A man as beholden to marabouts as el-Rufai cleverly insinuates about the former Vice President would not have seen the need for maintaining a costly campaign outfit. As a fairly young reporter about 12 years ago, I had queried a friend of mine who was running for the chairmanship of Abuja Municipal council, why he has no campaign structure or bothered to open an office.

H

e response was that he had assembled ten marabouts who were busy working on the option that every vote cast for his rivals would magically turn to his. I predicted right there before him that he would get only one vote, which would be his, and it turned out exactly so. Without providing

any connect from when the former Vice President, who was his back-biter-inchief turned- confidant, el-Rufai narrated how the Vice President summoned him, Dr. Usman Bugaje and publisher of ThisDay Newspaper, Nduka obaigbena to a meeting at a guest house in Aso Drive, Abuja. At the meeting Atiku narrated how he has been meeting two groups of politicians who nudged him on to contest the presidency and shove Obasanjo aside. According to el-Rufai, General Babangida played the role of a political pimp, ensuring every detail of the meeting which he had held with Atiku and others were instantly relayed back to then President Obasanjo.

It is very strange and rather callously imprudent that the author would choose such open forum to lampoon the leaders of his region for stories that are at best, conjectural and flow from his obsession to look different from others and be the only Northern star. Mr. Rufai took the pursuit of ego and vaunting ambition to a new level. To launder and massage his ego, he wrote that the meeting of the trio with Atiku decided to send him to the US “because of my contacts with the US government and in Washington- friends in the US Congress and Clinton administration, the World Bank and IMF”.

Continues tomorrow on pg 17

*Mr. Onunaiju, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013— 19

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When representatives become government with interests opposed to the represented, the government is separated from its citizenry and thus effectively disenfranchised

The Armed Forces and the existence of Nigeria: The security issue HE Constitution of this government and welfare of all country has established the persons in our country on the T prime value of the currency of principles of Freedom, Equality and Justice and for the purpose of consolidating the Unity of our people; DO HEREBY MAKE, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES the following Constitution”.

Chapter II, the cornerstone of the Constitution deals with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

And Section 14 of this chapter spells out the sovereign will of the People. “Section 14(1): The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principle of democracy and social justice.

(2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that(a)Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitutions derives all its powers and authority. (b)The security and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government; and (c) the participation of the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provision of this Constitution”.

The provisions quoted above and that spell out the worth and

standing of Nigerian Citizenry have been progressively depreciated by our politics from Independence to date. The price the entire society can pay in a Nigeria without its citizenry is beginning to be appreciated in the current condition of complete societal insecurity.

The depreciation of the citizenry is daily and routine. When rules made for all are set aside for the “high and mighty”, the citizenry suffers a body blow.

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hen passages are violently and rudely made for dignitaries to go through on the same roads that are crowded wall to wall by citizens travelling on business of importance, to them the citizenry is degraded; -When elected offices are treated as pensionable prebends the citizenry ceases to be an electorate; -When representatives become government with interests opposed to the represented, the government is separated from its citizenry and thus effectively disenfranchised.

Love of country and the

How Odemwingie won AFCON for Nigeria

BY DELE AKINOLA

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FTER Nigeria’s Super Eagles first match against Argentina in the on-going football World Cup (SA 2010), some writers and analysts were quick to impress it on enthusiasts that they saw significant impact of coaching on our boys.

Personally, I saw much less of that. What I saw was much more the impact of some marginal shift in attitude. Imagine a Super Eagles team playing with the same zeal, commitment, uncompromising attitude and dogged spirit as our politicians and rulers deploy in election rigging and treasury looting!”

That was the opening paragraph in my piece, “Super Eagles and spirit of a failed state” of June, 2010 which trailed the eventual (ignominous?) elimination of the national team from that year’s World Cup competition in Mandela-land. I had submitted that the Super Eagles acclaimed above average performance in the opening match against the world giants was not because of the presence, on the bench, of any “world-class foreign coach”, or any such theory being propounded at the time.

It simply had to do with the temporary resurgence of the right attitude in the circumstance. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, the momentum could not be sustained. The required spirit again took a routine flight!

In my “Letter to Samson Siasia” of November, 2010, I challenged Nigeria to “give me five Nigerian players with the spirit and attitude of Osaze Odemwingie, three players with the raw determination and patriotism of Rashidi Yekini and two

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players with the 'workaholic' level of Garba Lawal and even I, a football coaching nonentity, would not need more than three weeks to prepare a formidable World Cup squad”. That was informed by the recurrent chants about “rebuilding” and “building a new team” which really were more of veiled attempts to prepare excuses for anticipated failures, as I later argued in my “Super Eagles: The fallacy of ‘new team’” of March 2011.

When the current Super Eagles technical regime took over, it was the usual familiar song. Then it became Vision 2014 World Cup. Just before the commencement of the just concluded AFCON 2013 which the Super Eagles, against all expectations, won, it metamorphosed into Vision 2018 World Cup because, according to Coach Stephen Keshi, he would need five years to get to the promise land. Now if by Keshi’s theorem, it takes five years to build a championship-winning side, how then was he able to achieve the feat with a team he himself described as “just five-week-old”?

Magic?

It could be! But the magic wand lies in what I described as the ‘Osaze spirit’ in my tribute titled “Osaze Peter Odemwingie!” of January 2010. I had submitted inter alia: “Osaze has demonstrated, beyond question, that he is an epitome of the dream spirit, the spirit of give and give, the spirit long departed from the polity of the Nigerian nation… Osaze has demonstrated, in his own little way, that even within the decadent system, the spirit of asking not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country could still be nurtured to thrive.”

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“

Nigerian citizenry, and our politics instead of being the cultivation of the appreciation of Nigerian citizenry, has been and continues to be a process of a structured depreciation of the value of citizenry. The dictionary defines citizenry as citizens collectively. Citizenry is not an aggregation, it is the collective expression of that which is intrinsic in citizenship, an appreciation of the worth of each constituent of the citizenry, an exercise only possible and expressible in the collective.

This is why the word, People, is so politically precious.

The Constitution defines the Nigerian Citizenry as the source of all powers of government and the legitimation of its governance.

“We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Having firmly and solemnly resolved; to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign Nation under God; dedicated to the promotion of inter-African solidarity, world peace, international co-operation and understanding: And to provide for a Constitution for the purpose of promoting the good

,

willingness to go to war against enemies of cherished and highly valued way of life are expression of enlightened self-interest. The opposite is the case, that in a country in which the elected act as monarchs and the citizenry are invisible to the elected government, invaders if not treated as liberators may at best be left unimpeded in their predatory ventures by the citizenry who have long come to see government if not as their enemy, as a burden patiently to be borne.

January 2011 oil subsidy protests are an eye opener to the fact that there are two Nigerias, the Nigeria of Governments, and the Nigeria of "We The People". The Nigeria of Governments is the Nigeria of the elite living a subsidized life outside of the punishing discipline of the market place. Simon Kolawole calls the indigenes of Government Nigeria as the elites who regard the Citizenry as the enemy. In his Sunday February 3, 2013, back page essay, Kolawole writes on the "Us versus Them" attitude of the elite towards Nigerian citizenry who are majority poor. He begins thus: “This story fascinated but saddens me. Reacting to one of my articles, a young, wealthy Nigerian said: 'To be honest, I am making a lot of money in Nigeria.

I have friends in government. I get juicy contracts and make handsome margins. I have houses in Lekki, London and New York.

My house in Lekki has a high fence, security gates, guards on duty 24/7. My house in London has no fence, no security doors, no guards. Yet I feel more secure in my London home than in my Lekki house'. He said the inequalities in Nigeria are such that 'the wealthy live like prisoners—the rest of the society resents them. And that brings me to the topic of discussion today- the grave mistake our elite make when they think it fun owning mansions and

Coach Keshi won AFCON 2013 because he had bestowed on him the grace of an unusual collection of boys possessed of this Osaze spirit

T

,

he proof! According to Russian football chief, Alexie Sorokin, Locomotiv Moscow FC supporters’ problem with Odemwingie had nothing to do with racism but that they had often accused him of playing better for his country than their team. Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory never played for any giant club in Europe. But Nigerian strikers who plied their trade in “big” clubs were no match for him in the green and white colours because he was a national team player. These rare attributes the “gangling” former African Player of the Year shared with ever-recurring decimal Garba Lawal, bulky but astonishingly swift Danny Shittu (unarguably Nigeria’s best defender at AFCON 2010) and Odemwingie who were and are always at their best playing for their national team.

Coach Keshi won AFCON 2013 because he had bestowed on him the grace of an unusual collection of boys possessed (temporarily?) of this Osaze spirit. Perhaps for the first time, John Obi Mikel played for his national team with greater commitment than he does for his foreign club.

At any point in time, Germany will

private jets, at our expense, in the face of the demeaning poverty in the land… Last week, I highlighted the twin evil of 'outright looting' (no attempt to execute projects at all) and 'hyperinflation' of contracts (including padding of budgets by lawmakers). Resources that would have been freed up and utilized to accelerate infrastructural development are mindlessly pilfered. Definitely there is a reason the streets of London, Dubai and Singapore are relatively safe today… you cannot be at ease when the society where you are flaunting your wealth is not at ease… By elites, I refer to the politicians, the technocrats and the business moguls who collude to plunder our resources.

They know themselves. We know them. By the way I am not saying it is a sin to be rich. I am not suggesting that to be poor is to be righteous. The key phrase here is accumulating wealth 'at our expense'."

The most flagrant display of the conqueror’s attitude to the wealth of the people is the case of the Police Pension Funds. Pini Jason captures the amoral-we-are-inpower and-we-do-as-we-please attitude of John Yakubu Yusufu in his Vanguard, Tuesday, February 5, 2013 column titled: “I only stole N23 billion”. He writes: “Last week, Nigerians were outraged. Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu one of the eight civil servant accused of stealing N40billion, note, not N40million, from the Nigeria Police Pension Fund, got a limp tap on the wrist. He had pleaded guilty to stealing N23billion, again note, not N23million. The judges sentenced him to two years imprisonment…

He was given the option of walking away by paying just N750,000. Yes, you heard me right, N750,000 only, not N750million.

That was the reason for the national outrage.

present a machine-efficient soccer squad because they are never “rebuilding” a structure that never collapsed but only maintaining. For any occasion it is required, the US will present a formidable basketball team because they are never “building a new team”. That is working philosophy.

That was the philosophy of Shaibu Amodu whose major undoing was dearth of players with sustained right attitude. This is why he took over from the wobbling Bonfrere Jo in 2001 and dramatically qualified Nigeria for the 2002 AFCON and World Cup. He came again in 2008 and qualified the country for the 2010 AFCON and World Cup, winning his first seven matches (home and away) scoring 12 goals and conceding none! That was the world of the one whose two World Cup postings in only as many attempts with two AFCON bronze medals as fringe benefits, was described by French legend, Alain Giresse, as “massive feat”.

Another World Cup qualification series and FIFA Confederation Cup are around the corner and Keshi is in trouble! Amodu’s soldiers were ‘big boys’ who rose through the ranks en-route to becoming big boys.

Keshi’s soldiers are overnight big boys.

(There will always be big boys, you know?)

Take a peep into the Nigerian culture and assess the difference in the attitude of Nigerian millionaires and that of emergency-cum-overnight millionaires. No wonder Amodu opined that dealing with super-star footballers on national assignments for a nation no one is enthusiastically willing to blow himself up for, requires tact and spirit of accommodation and not na-me-be-oga showmanship; he was accused of taking bribes from the players. *Mr. Akinola, a commentator on national affairs,wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — 21

Shale oil production to shake up global oil and gas markets A

recent report has indicated that Shale oil production has the potential to reach up to 12 per cent of global oil production, equivalent to almost 14 million barrels a day. This extra supply could push global oil prices down by around 25-40 per cent in 2035 relative to an EIA baseline projection of $133 per barrel in that year (in real terms). The report titled “Shale oil – the next energy revolution” According to Price Water House Presents significant strategic opportunities and challenges for the oil & gas industry and governments. As a result PwC is to convene stakeholder meeting in April to discuss the implications of the report on Nigeria Shale oil, according to energy experts is unconventional oil, produced from oil shale by pyrolysis, hydrogenation or thermal dissolution. These processes convert kerogen into synthetic oil and gas, which can be used as a fuel or

From left: Mr Amro Zakaria, Managing Director; Mr Sunday Edisi, Relationship Manager, Africa, both of Market Trader Academy and Mr. Steve Santamouris, Chief Business Development Officer, Worldwide Market at a workshop on learn to trade and invest in global Market, in Lagos. upgraded to meet refinery feedstock specifications. The refined product can be used for the same purposes as those derived from crude oil. The global impact of shale oil could

revolutionise the world’s energy markets over the next couple of decades, resulting in significantly lower oil prices, shifts in GDP, changing geopolitics and new business

models for oil and gas companies, according to new analysis from PwC. The report, Shale oil – the next energy revolution, examines scenarios that consider the potential

Stakeholders canvass PPP to transform Abuja Commodities Exchange

S

possibility of a Public Private Partnership as part of strategies to make the Exchange a worldclass institution. The Managing Director, Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange, Mr.Yusuf Abdulraman, disclosed this on the sidelines of the election of new executives of the Commodities Brokers -1.45 136.55 Association of Nigeria(CBAN), in 2,170.00 +41.00 A b u j a .

He noted that the Technical Working 18.0 +0.06 Group has as members, the Minister of Trade and 117.67 +0.01 Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, 95.68 -0.18 and other key ministers and heads of CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING Departments and DOLLAR 154.74 155.24 155.74 Agencies of the Federal STERLING 239.7232 240.4978 241.2724 Government such EURO 206.1137 206.7797 207.4457 as the Ministers FRANC 167.5038 168.045 168.5863 of Finance, National YEN 1.6691 1.6745 1.6799 CFA 0.2954 0.3054 0.3154 P l a n n i n g , WAUA 235.315 236.0753 236.8357 Communications RENMINBI 24.8262 24.9069 24.9876 Technology, Agriculture RIYAL 41.2607 41.394 41.5273 and Rural KRONA 27.6341 27.7234 27.8127 SDR 236.0713 236.8341 237.5969 Development. Others are the Governor of the Central Bank of CBN Exchange rate as at 18/02/2013

TA K E H O L D E R S , comprising the Technical Working Group set up by the Federal Government to develop a new road map for the revitalization of the Abuja Securities and Commodities Exchange, are exploring the

Nigeria, Directors-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bureau for

Public Enterprises. The TWG, he said was currently working out modalities to revitalise the

impact of future growth in shale oil production on global oil prices and assesses how these changes could impact the wider economy and the oil and gas industry over the period to 2035.

John Hawksworth, chief economist at PwC and coauthor of the report, said: “Lower global oil prices due to increased shale oil supply could have a major impact on the future evolution of the world economy by allowing more output to be produced at the same cost. These effects could build up gradually as shale oil production rolls out across the world to produce an estimated rise in global GDP of around 2.3-3.7 per cent in 2035. This would be roughly equivalent to adding an economy the size of the UK to total global GDP in that year.

The PwC analysis suggests that shale oil production has the potential to spread gradually from its current US base, increasing to almost 12 per cent of the world’s total oil supply by 2035. Given the relative insensitivity of oil demand to price changes, PwC scenario analysis suggests that oil price falls (relative to the reference case EIA projection of as much as 40 per cent could be needed by 2035 to increase demand sufficiently to absorb this additional supply.

ASCE in order to enhance the country’s agricultural value chain.

AFC, others finance N56.7bn bridge project

N

IGERIAN-BASED Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) in conjunction with other multinational finance organisation is to finance theN56.7 billion (270 million Euro) Konan Bedie Bridge project in Côte d’Ivoire. The project was also awarded the Euromoney Project Finance Magazine African Transport Deal of the Year 2012.

The Euro 270 million project involves the design, construction, financing, and operation of a third bridge across the Ebrié lagoon, connecting Abidjan’s residential Riviera district directly with the commercial district of Marcory.

The sponsor of the Henri Konan Bedie project is :Bouygues Group. The core financiers are AFC, the African Development Bank (AfDB), FMO, BOAD – (Banque Ouest

Africaine de Development), EBID-(Ecowas Bank for Investment & Development) and the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund. AFC was the mandated lead arranger of the junior tranche of the financing and provided an aggregate commitment of EURO 40 million comprising commitments to the senior and junior loan facilities, and an equity investment.

Once completed, the new toll bridge is expected to reduce transportation costs by easing congestion over the existing two (non-tolled) bridges crossing the lagoon within the city. It is being constructed by the key project sponsor Bouygues Group, under a turnkey fixed price arrangement.

The Government of Côte D’Ivoire has provided a 30 year

concession. The Euromoney Project Finance Magazine Deals of the Year Awards established over 14 years ago, are given for innovation, deal replication, best practice, problem solving, risk mitigation and speed of delivery in infrastructure financing.

The project was deemed to have exceeded all the requisite criteria. During the award gala held in London, the project’s sponsor and core financiers accepted the prestigious award, with special recognition given for the innovative nature of the project, the tenacity of the lead sponsor – Bouygues Group in developing the project, from inception to financial close, over 14 years (during and post civil conflict in Côte d’Ivoire), and the commitment of the core financing team.

22— Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

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By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

Unfortunately, a lot of investors do not read or study this information, they make decisions based on advertisement jingles, or hearsay from friends and relatives, many people have paid dearly for this error, going by the number of companies that have raised money through public offering and folded up, like Onwuka Hi-tech and Dunlop PLC

I

NVESTMENT in shares or buying shares to get ownership in a company is not always rosy. Last week, we noted that Nestle PLC made a profit of N16.8 billion in 2011, and part of it was distributed to shareholders at N11.06 per share as dividend. But there are companies that have never declared profit and those who bought their shares are yet to get anything.

An example is Daar Communications, which did an initial public offer in 2008 and till date it has not declared any profit. More so, its shares, which were sold at N5 per share and listed on the Stock Exchange at N5.25k, have fallen to 50 kobo per share.

Hence those who bought the shares of the company in 2008 are yet to get anything as return on their investment.

Meanwhile, the value of their investment had fallen by 90.48 per cent.

So, you can lose money and you can make money. It all depends on a number of factors, among which are the company you invested in, the duration of your investment, the time you bought the shares of the company, and the economic condition of the country etc. But before we discuss these factors individually, we need to understand the process of buying shares of a company.

How to buy shares Companies usually borrow or sell shares when they need money to expand their business or for whatever reason. Now if the company is

INVESTORS’ EDUCATION

Buy a share, own a company (2) not listed on the Stock Exchange, it could sell its shares through a process called PRIVATE PLACEMENT. The minimum number of shares that can be bought through a private placement is usually high.

Buying shares through Private Placement is very risky, especially for those who are not learned in financial matters.

This will be fully explained in

later edition.

But if it is a listed company, in other words, its shares are listed and traded on the Stock Exchange; the company would sell shares to the whole public, as many may want to and can afford to buy. This is called PUBLIC OFFERING. If it is the first time that the company is selling its shares to the public, it is called an INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO).

When a company wants to sell shares, the law requires that it makes available to the public, information about the nature of its business, its financial condition, Directors and their compensation, its assets and properties, law suit, how much it wants to raise, how it intends to use the money, the profit it expects to make in the next two or three years, the price at which it

Retrieve Your Share of N52bn Unclaimed Dividend!

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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ITTLE drops of water form a mighty ocean. That is what have become those usually small dividends (less than N2000) that were not claimed by investors. They have grown over the years and are now estimated to be N52 billion. Wao! This has become a worrisome issue to stakeholders in the capital market. Investment in shares has two major benefits: Capital appreciation-profit made by selling shares at price higher than the buying price; and dividend payment, which is the portion of the profit made by the company distributed to shareholders.

This is usually small for most investors because of the small amount of share they holds. However, most of these shareholders do not even get the dividend for several reasons.

Besides the accusation that registrars

withhold the dividend warrants of minority shareholders and send out that of big time investors who might decide to make trouble in event that they fail to get their dividend, some dividend warrants get lost in transit. A huge number remain unclaimed due to the failure of banks to accept payment of such dividends into savings account, even though the Central Bank had said that it had directed them to do so.

It is also believed that the death of shareholders who left no information of a Next-Of-Kin also adds to the rising rate of unclaimed dividend. Further more, a lot of people are reluctant to claim the dividend because they see the amount paid as too small compared to the time and effort required to claim it.

Be that as it may, the expiration limit for dividend is 12 years hence you can still claim yours. In other words those dividends that are not claimed after

twelve years will be viewed as lost.)

The following are steps required to retrieve your Unclaimed Dividend.

1. Visit the Registrar of the Company with your dividend warrant, a valid means of identification and a copy of your share certificate.

2. At the Registrar’s office, you will be required to fill out a revalidation form and upon confirmation that you are the rightful owner of the warrant you are laying claim to, the dividend warranted will be revalidated.

3. Afterwards, proceed with the revalidated dividend warrant to your bank and deposit it into the designated account - current account.

4. You must ensure that this does not exceed three months, if not; you will have to go through the process once more as the dividend warrant will

Continues on page 23

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wants to sell the shares, the minimum amount that people can buy etc. All these information are provided in a document called OFFER PROSPECTUS.

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he purpose of these document is to enable the public have information to assess the company, (whether it is in good financial condition, whether it is properly managed and whether it would continue to be in good condition) before making decision whether or not to put their money in the company by buying its shares.

Unfortunately, most investors do not read or study this document. They just make decisions based on advertisement jingles, or hearsay from friends and relatives. Many people have paid dearly for this error, going by the number of companies that have raised money through public offering and folded up, like Onwuka Hitech and Dunlop PLC. The Offer Prospectus is distributed to all banks and stock broking firms participating as agents to the Offer. This makes the prospectus available to members of the public who may want to buy the shares of the Company. Also the Offer is advertised via Newspapers, TV and Radio. To buy the shares, you go to the bank or stock broking firm, obtain the application form, which is usually attached to the prospectus, fill the form, and submit with the money for the number of shares you want to buy.

But please, read the prospectus, and ask questions, to ascertain the viability of the company, before you part with your hard earned money. Never invest in what you do not know!

(To be continued next week)

For more information, and enquiries about this subject, send email to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com.

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — 23

INVESTORS SPEAK

Do you have Unclaimed Dividend?

BY CHINEDU IBEABUCHI

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By NKIRUKA NNOROM

Cadbury Nig. Plc

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EVEN years ago, Cadbury suffered decline in investors’ confidence due to discovery of manipulation in its confectionery manufacturing accounts. But the steady increase in its share price in recent times indicates the company has regained this confidence. Cadbury’s share price has risen by 33 percent from N29 at the beginning of the year to N38.57 at the close th of business on 14 February.

The rise in the share price, according to analysts is not unconnected with efforts of the management to reposition the brand, especially the recent announcement of its intension to assume full ownership of Stanmark Cocoa Processing Company, which was originally a unit in Cadbury. The plan, according to Cadbury, would reduce cost of running Stanmark as a unit, and also bolster the company ’s revenue. As at the year ended

Continues from page 22 become invalid again.

But you can avoid the hassle of having to claim your dividend after payment by registering for Electronic Dividend (e-Dividend). This is a system whereby dividends are paid directly into the shareholder’s designated bank account. To register for edividend, approach your stockbroker or Registrar who will issue you an e-dividend/

Simeon Ndaji, Journalist:

HERE are loopholes to plug like the dividend warrants that get stale within a short period of time. GTB Registrar, for instance, has to review the issue of delaying customers who come for revalidation of expired dividends.

Keeping customers so long in this age of computer is very appalling and frustrating. Another problem is often the issue of delay trying to claim the dividend.

The dividend warrant often arrives late through the mailing system. By the time you go to claim it, the time might have expired and you begin another rigorous process of trying to re-validate it. The experience I encountered when I went to GTB Registrar to re-validate my dividend warrant was appalling. It was like queuing and waiting all day. When it got to my time to be attended to, I was told that I have to open an account for it to be revalidated and my broker’s signature must be on it.

Unfortunately, I discovered that my broker has changed location and even wound up his business due to the market meltdown. It was tedious

Retrieve Your Share of N52bn Unclaimed Dividend!

•Kyari Bukar, MD/CEO, CSCS

•Misan Kofi-senaya, MD/ CEO, GT Registrars

before I could locate his new working place in Apapa. After much ado, I went to the bank to open an account and discovered that even some bank officials don’t have simple information like how much is required to open such account and other requirements for opening the account. They had to refer me to their colleagues who were not on sit. Till date, I have not redeemed the dividend.

Ajayi Oluwasegun, Business man : I will like to know what is going on with Oceanic Vintage Fund. I use to see its daily quotes in the newspapers, but not anymore. Not even a dividend yet. Now that Ecobank has taken over, as an investor, I really don’t know my fate.

Oladele Kolapo: My own

worry is that the bonus declared in 2012 for Guinness was not credited to my CSCS account. I will like my account to be updated with the bonus.

Mr. Taiwo Oderinde, Financial Analyst: Presently, we have billions of naira as unclaimed dividends, and the CBN’s NUBAN policy will likely serve to aggravate the problem instead of solving it.

In addition to the problem posed by NUBAN, is the issue of dividends with low value. If a shareholder living in a rural area or a remote location has a dividend warrant of about N200 or N300, it will be economically unwise for that individual to spend about N500 or N1, 000 on transportation to the bank to cash or pay that amount into his account.

STOCKS IN THE NEWS NAHCO Plc

Your Right as an Investors

•Courtesy: Securities and Exchange Commission

The capital market is rising, Can you invest in shares?

Obi Oluegu, Banker:

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HAVE my brokers that are doing that for me, so despite the economic meltdown, I

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th 30 December, 2011, the company posted N34.11 billion in revenue, while the profit after tax stood at N3.70 billion.

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, is presently making effort to align its processes to international standard. The drive has seen the company undertaking modernization and expansion of some of its facilities in Kano in order to enhance service delivery.

C & I Leasing

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he financial performance of C& I Leasing has been on the downward trend in the last two years. The profit after tax for the third quarter ended st 31 October, 2012 declined to N170.78 million, though the revenue for the same period increased by 35 percent to N8.4 billion.

Last week the company was among those fined for filing their financial statements late.

Specifically, it was fined N1.050 million for filing late its financial statement that was due in January. Not much activity has been witnessed in the share

price since the beginning of the year as it is still trading almost at par value. As at Thursday, th 14 February, the share price stood at 54 kobo per share, with 24.98 million ordinary shares of the company were exchanging ownership in 76 deals.

Stockbrokers said that the number of deals seen in the stock was an indication that investors are taking position in low priced equities like that of the company.

mandate form.

You will be required to provide your bank account details, including your Central Securities and Clearing System, CSCS, account number. What this means in essence is that for you to be able to claim your dividend via electronic process, you must have dematerialised such share certificate and hold the shares in electronic form. Go ahead and take that dividend now; after all it’s yours.

On completion, the modern Cargo Warehouse will boast of a semi-automation component, which will ensure faster processing of cargoes and the accommodation of more goods with an increased capacity by 50 percent.

The share price of the company has been on the upward trend since the beginning of the year rising by 34.67 percent from N5.39 per share at the beginning of the year to N8.25 at the close of th transaction on Thursday 14 February.

The third quarter financial statement for period ended September, 2012 showed that gross earnings rose to N5.60 billion, while profit after tax was N698.67 million. In 2012, the company paid 25 kobo per share as dividend to shareholders.

remain in the market and with their help and support, I will be able to determine whether or not to increase my shares.

Ngozi, Civil servant: Rather than buying shares now, I think I will invest my money in housing or agriculture where I will have some rest of mind unlike what we have in the capital market where you cannot really say in particular when the price of shares will rise or fall. Another thing is the economic meltdown which we have not really learnt our lessons from. Because if we have learnt from it, our government will not be joking with unemployment and the countless number of youths that are roaming the streets would have be minimised.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with any company (stockbroker, Registrar Company etc), write to vanguardinvestorsforum @gmail.com OR send text to 08157550673. We will INVESTIGATE AND REPLY

Company Oil and Gas and Products Petroleum Prod ucts Capital Oil Plc 1st fTier Securities AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN Cocoa Processors Plc Okomu Oil Palm Plc Presco Plc Livestock/Animal Specialities Livestock Feeds Plc CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. Levents Nigeria Plc John Holt Plc SCOA Nigeria Plc Transnational Corporation Chellarams Plc UACN Plc CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Non-Building/Heavy Construction Julius Berger Nig Plc Roads Nigeria Plc Real Estate Development UACN Property Development Real Estate Investment Trusts Skye Shelter Funds CONSUMER GOODS Automobile/Auto Parts DN Tyres & Rubber Plc

Opening Price (N) 0.50

Daily Stock Market Report Closing Price (N) 0.50

Quantity Traded 100

Year High 0.50

Year Low 0.50

E.P.S.

P.E. Ratio

0.09

Opening Price N HEALTHCARE Medical Supplies Morison Industries Plc Healthcare Providers Union Diagnostics & Clinicals Services Pharmaceuticals Ekocorp Plc Evans Medical Plc Fidson Healthcare Plc Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig May & Baker Nigeria Plc Neimeth International Pharm Nigeria-German Chemicals Plc Pharma-Deko Plc

0.54 61.63 27.00

0.56 61.63 26.93

3,190,000 150,296 532,850

0.50 24.58 8.30

0.50 14.53 6.40

0.10 7.33 2.75

50.00 2.77 4.37

2.24

2.13

2,131,700

0.66

0.48

0.11

15.00

ICT Computer Based Systems108 Courteville Investment Plc

2.00 1.21 5.42 1.94 5.81 50.52

2.00 1.27 5.42 1.95 5.71 50.00

16,050 338,435 540 27,080,317 50 809,083

2.54 8.82 8.28 1.82 7.60 42.50

1.45 5.89 5.52 0.50 6.43 28.70

0.16 0.00 0.35 0.24 0.26 6.89

5.18 0.00 15.77 3.64 20.74 4.14

Computers and Peripherals Omatek Ventures Plc

66.40 10.07

66.00 10.07

16.35

16.35

100.00

280,731 240

62.26 8.28

32.96 3.01

4.11 4.73

10.11 2.26

344,806

20.15

11.59

1.69

7.33

97.00

11.75

8.51

0.50

0.00

2.23

0.00

IT Services NCR (Nig) Plc Tripple Gee and Company Plc ICT Telecommunications Starcomms Plc INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials Ashaka Cement Plc Berger Paints Plc CAP Plc Cement Co. of Northern Nig. Plc Dangote Cement Plc First Aluminium Nigeria Plc DN Meyer Plc Lafarge WAPCO Plc Portland Paints & Products Nig Plc Paints & Coatings Manufacturers Premier Paints Plc

100.00

2,000,000

100.00

0.50

0.50

16,500,000

0.50

4.15 290.00 23.99 164.01 0.89

4.35 296.46 23.75 163.99 0.81

58,800 221,519 311,310 1,490,848 50,253

255.00 7.10 100.00 1.01

186.00 5.23 72.50 0.93

Beverages-Non-Alcoholic 7-UP Bottling Company Plc

47.55

47.50

11,269

51.49

,39.00

2.69

13.92

Food Products Dangote Flour Mills Plc Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Flour Mills Nigeria Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc National Salt Co. Nig Plc UTC Nigeria Plc

Tools and Machinery Nigerian Ropes Plc

9.06 8.59 77.00 3.38 9.78 0.89

9.01 8.41 77.74 3.09 9.60 0.85

396,757 6,651,864 368,150 6,524,725 814,182 306,102

19.90 16.20 95.00 6.60 6.70 0.88

4.31 4.02 57.00 2.31 3.80 0.50

0.00 0.91 4.09 0.39 1.01 1.13

16.91 14.38 16.89 16.92 5.75 8.83

NATURAL RESOURCES Chemicals BOC Gases Plc

Food Products-- Diversified Cadbury Nigeria Plc Nestle Nigeria Plc

40.60 814.96

37.28 823.23

1,312,303 146,510

37.27 840.10

8.33 400.00

Household Durables Nigerian Enamelware Plc Vitafoam Nig. Plc Vono Products Plc

33.96 4.26 2.88

33.96 4.10 2.88

1,730 132,365 100,000

36.19 5.54 2.88

33.96 2.91 2.88

13.89 0.61 0.00

2.44 7.07 0.00

Personal/Household Products PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Unilever Nigeria Plc

43.10 52.00

40.25 49.50

171,661 635,590

41.02 47.39

21.02 27.60

0.82 1.44

4.39 32.91

FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking Access Bank Plc Diamond Bank Nigeria Plc Ecobank TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATION Fidelity Bank Plc First City Monument Bank Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Skye Bank Plc Sterling Bank Plc UBA Plc Union Bank Nig. Plc Unity Bank Plc Wema Bank Plc Zenith Bank Plc

12.05 7.66 13.80 3.39 5.01 25.21 6.13 2.94 7.89 10.10 1.10 1.77 21.30

11.70 7.21 13.82 3.20 5.08 25.00 6.13 2.80 7.69 9.39 0.95 1.53 21.00

22,677,437 10,057,746 4,172,137 12,797,850 6,791,106 62,583,688 5,687,379 10,003,225 34,740,601 2,277,356 19,403,098 19,896,237 17,215,150

12.39 7.51 14.04 3.47 5.70 26.09 6.50 3.05 7.69 10.60 0.86 1.22 21.49

4.70 1.92 9.90 1.13 2.90 13.02 2.65 0.80 1.64 2.34 0.50 0.50 11.96

1.42 0.90 2.81 0.43 0.00 2.10 0.71 0.54 0.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.09

8.73 8.34 5.00 7.93 0.00 12.39 9.15 5.43 11.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.24

Beverages-Brewers/Distillers Champion Breweries Plc Guinness Nigeria Plc International Breweries Plc Nigerian Brew Plc Premier Breweries Plc

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Sector African Alliance Insurance AIICO Insurance Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc Cornerstone Insurance Company Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc Equity Assurance Plc Goldlink Insurance Plc Great (Nig) Insurance Plc Guinea Insurance Plc International Energy Insurance Plc Investment and Allied Assurance LASACO Assurance Plc Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc Linkage Assurance Plc Mansard Insurance Plc Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc NEM Insurance Co. (Nig) Ltd Niger Insurance Co. Plc OASIS Insurance Plc. Prestige Assurance Co. Plc Regency Alliance Insurance Sovereign Trust Insurance Staco Insurance Plc Standard Alliance Insurance UNIC Insurance Plc Unity Kapital Plc Universal Insurance Plc Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50 1.42 0.89 0.60 0.52 2.35 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.50 2.87 0.63 0.97 0.60 0.52 1.24 0.52 0.57 0.51 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.23

0.50 1.05 0.95 0.72 0.50 2.35 0.50 0.54 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.50 2.60 0.55 0.95 0.53 0.50 0.91 0.50 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.50 `0.50 0.50 1.41

Microfinance Banks Fortis Micro-Finance Bank Plc NPF Micro-Finance Bank Plc

0.99

0.99

Mortgage Carrier, Broker and Sector Abbey Building SOC Aso Savings and Loans Plc Resort Savings & Loans Plc Union Homes Savings Plc Other Financial Institutions Africa Prudential Plc Crusader (Nigeria) Plc Deap Capital Management & Trust Plc FBN Holdings Plc Nigeria Energy Sector Fund Royal Exchange Assurance Sim Capital Alliance Plc Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc UBA Capital Plc

0.50 0.50

2.10 0.50 2.02 20.04 552.20 1.12 103.50 16.00 1.70

4.63

1,200,000 20,939,870 2,017,500 4,489,268 507,000 4,926,127 4,758 62,500 16,050,000 20,000 8,115,248 1,670,890 2,632,800 1,261,000 926,254 42,200 1,261,000 21,035,498 1,600,912 100,000 1,810,158 2,925,000 10,620,754 48,000 133,000 80,000 50,000 120,000 662,508

0.50 1.11 1.03 0.54 0.50 2.44 0.50 0.68 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.60 0.50 2.59 0.54 0.81 0.61 0.50 1.01 0.50 0.56 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.08

0.50 0.50 0.58 0.50 0.50 1.08 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.06 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

477,283

6.00 1.18

0.00 0.92

0.50 0.50 0.50

10,000 43,000,000

1.86 0.50 2.02 19.71 552.20 1.20 103.50 15.00 1.52

1,415,457 1,289,796 160,000 12,702,043 4,770,464 656,744 4,288,694

9.95 0.41 5.08 0.00

1.35 25.43

0.00

0.00

19.98 16.29 22.22 0.00

27.61 32.84

0.00 0.50 0.14 0.02 0.50 0.28 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.16 0.00 0.37 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.07

0.00 22.20 6.79 27.30 10.00 7.43 50.00 0.00 16.67 50.00 0.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 16.67 16.19 0.00 2.19 26.00 16.67 15.50 12.50 5.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 25.00 0.00 15.43

0.04 0.92

150.00 10.56

1.57 0.50 0.50 0.50

1.37 0.50 0.50 0.50

0.19 0.02 0.00 0.00

47.6 7 25.00 0.00 0.00

0.75 0.50 2.02 20.00 552.20 0.78 103.50 15.69 1.41

0.00 0.50 2.02 8.57 552.20 0.50 103.50 10.64 0.03

0.19 0.00 0.00 2.03 12.68 0.13 10.56 0.87 0.21

9.16 0.00 0.00 9.85 43.55 6.00 9.71 18.03 6.71

Packaging/Containers Avon Crowncaps & Container Nigerian Bags Manufacturing Company

Closing Price N

Quantity Traded

as at Friday, February 15, 2013 Year High

Year Low

E.P.S

P.E Ratio

2.46

2.34

157,327

10.54

9.52

0.00

0.50

0.50

21,000

0.50

0.50

0.00

5.05 1.22 1.95 49.48 2.44 1.08 8.17 2.30

5.05 1.70 1.70 55.09 2.32 1.25 8.17 2.30

1,000 3,952,872 3,952,872 127,728 1,921,000 3,331,460 1,200 1,000

5.31 1.45 3.20 23.11 5.61 1.96 12.91 200

5.31 0.70 0.83 2.58 3.61 0.95 0.95 4.28

0.50

0.50

2,000

0.52

0.50

0.10

10.00

0.19 0.44 2.62 0.20 0.09 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 88.50 0.00 3.07 9.05 14.13 0.00 0.00

0.50

0.50

200

0.50

0.50

0.00

12.50

15.96 2.41

16.75 2.29

51,750 800

9.31 3.59

3.25 3.25

0.00 0.01

1.43 0.00

0.50

0.50

2,307,692

1.47

0.50

0.00

0.00

25.30 11.65 35.72 12.00 141.00 0.50 1.36 70.50 5.00 1.81 10.93

24.42 11.90 36.10 11.85 145.00 0.50 1.63 69.00 4.75 1.90 10.93

2,768,115 138,218 256,896 1,022,136 869,966 541,000 37,662 383,970 359,063 221,000 1,000

30.00 12.57 43.98 15.49 132.51 0.75 3.51 48.05 5.28 3.36 13.40

12.00 8.10 15.16 4.16 95.00 0.50 1.02 36.58 5.11 0.51 10.93

2.14 1.09 2.28 1.47 7.56 0.00 0.00 4.10 0.44 0.23 0.00

7.86 4.97 8.88 2.31 13.17 0.00 0.00 42.86 14.19 2.89 0.00

1.99 2.55

2,000 22,408

6.91 3.60

5.94 1.47

0.5 0.25

7.85

40

8.69

1.99 2.80 7.85

8.26

0.00

0.00

6.55

6.55

22,408

9.20

6.80

Metals Aluminium Extrusion Ind Plc

10.55

10.55

30,150

12.39

10.70

0.13

85.77

Non-Metalic Mineral Mining Multiverse Plc

0.50

0.50

400,000

0.50

0.50

0.01

0.00

1.32

1.32

38

1.38

1.38

0.00

0.00

1.56 0.50

1.67 0.50

385,000 2,000

2.50 2.58

1.62 2.58

0.11 0.00

13.15 0.00

1.44 0.50

1.44 0.50

2,000 1,000

1.51 0.99

1.33 0.50

0.03 0.00

28.80 0.00

3.98 10.00 13.28 4.30 1.05 2.92 0.66

3.98 9.50 12.98 4.30 1.05 2.78 0.66

6,888 61,433 300 29,198 200 84,311 2,749,340

3.98 15.58 15.03 4.30 1.86 2.92 0.63

3.98 12.71 13.97 3.60 1.05 2.92 0.63

0.00 3.90 0.90 1.22 0.30 0.07 0.00

0.00 3.26 0.00 3.52 6.18 41.71 0.00

OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services Japaul Oil & Maritime Service

0.85

0.89

10,728,8761

0.97

0.87

0.19

6.06

Intergrated Oil and Gas Services Oando Plc

13.65

14.00

3,645,416

78.97

27.99

1.73

4.17

20.50 0.50 22.00 4.58 16.63 125.97 29.00 143.00

20.50 0.50 23.10 4.49 14.26 125.97 29.00 137.01

82,191 29,764 1,713 447,591 411,044 50,297 10,551 1,639,112

37.10 0.70 32.60 5.59

0.50 0.50 5.71 3.89

4.93 0.00 4.25 0.61

7.40 0.00

163.50 2,100 240.00

141.00 63.86 195.50

6.11 2.98 14.63

11.11 19.23 17.07

Paper/Forest Products Thomas Wyatt Nig. Plc Electronic and Electrical Products Cutix Plc Nigerian Wire & Cable Plc Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Se Abbey Building Society Plc Union Homes Savings and Loans INDUSTRIAL GOODS Packaging/Containers Abplast Products Plc Beta Glass Co. Plc Greif Nigeria Plc Nampak Nigeria Plc Poly Products (Nig) Plc Studio Press (Nig) Plc W.A. Glass Ind. Plc

Petroleum and Petroleum Products African Petroleum Plc Beco Petroleum Plc Conoil Eterna Oil and Gas Plc Forte Oil Nig Plc Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc MRS Oil Nigeria Plc Total Nigeria Plc Hospitality Tantalisers Plc SERVICES

Afromedia Plc

0.50

0.50

22,000

200

0.50

0.50

10,000

0.72

0.78

39.60 9.16

7.37

6.99

0.01

0.51

0.00

12.75

Automobile/Auto Part Retailers RT Briscoe Plc

2.20

2.30

300,606

3.65

1.30

0.21

8.19

Courier/Freight/Delivery Red Star Express Plc Trans-National

3.90

3.54 2.78

280,078

3.67 3.45

2.65 2.78

0.60 0.25

4.91 11.12

0.56

1,456,127

1.64

6.27 0.96

10,000 1,688,409

400 2.07

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC Hotels/Lodging Capital Hotel Ikeja Hotel Plc

0.50 6.27 1.11

0.90 3.00 1.33

0.04 0.34 0.92

11.25 34.09 2.12

Media/Entertainment Daar Communications Plc

0.50

0.50

28,000

0.50

0.48

0.00

0.00

Printing & Publishing.

Academy Press Plc Learn Africa Plc Studio Press Nig. Plc University Press

2.82 2.48

240,000 356,205

3.68

3.17

256,520

2.78 6.82

2.65 3.60

0.25 0.30 0.00 0.54

12.19

4.96

2.56 2.25 2.65 4.96

Road Transportation Associated Bus Company Plc

0.58

0.63

336,709

0.80

0.50

0.00

0.00

0.00 27.69

Speciality Interlinked Technologies Plc

4.90

4.90

20

5.15

4.90

0.00

0.00

Transport-Related Services Airline Services and Logistics Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company

5.75 8.25

5.76 8.10

201,260 1,097,099

2.78 11.75

1.57 6.50

0.60 12.53

4.22 8.75

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Capital Market

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—25

Nigeria loses 620MW of electricity in three months

A

N

C M Y K

Addax Petroleum honours Kaztec … Describes it as performance-focussed

BY MICHAEL EBOH

IGERIA lost a total of 620 megawatts per hour of electricity in three months, between October and December 2012, arising from differences in average electricity generated and average electricity consumed during the period.

Data obtained from the fourth quarter economic report released by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, revealed that the amount lost may be as a result of challenges experienced in the distribution of electricity.

According to the report, the country generated an average of 3,598.5MW/h of electricity in the fourth quarter, while only 2,978.5MW/h of electricity was consumed during the period.

The report noted that electricity generation appreciated by 7.2 per cent to 3,598.5MW/h from 3,358 MW/h generated in the third quarter of 2012.

The improvement in average electricity generation was attributed to the increase in gas supply to the thermal stations and increase in water levels at the hydro stations.

However, average electricity consumption for the fourth quarter of 2012 stood at 2,978.5 MW/h, rising by 1.5 per cent from an average of 2.934.5 MW/ h in the third quarter.

The report attributed the development to the increase in power supply due to the improved electricity generation.

The improvement in electricity consumption, notwithstanding, the report noted that federallycollected revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012 stood at N2.414 trillion, dropping by 0.4 and 13.3 per cent below the budget estimate and the level in the preceding quarter, respectively, but an increase of 101.1 per cent above the receipts in the corresponding period of 2011.

Continuing, the report stated, “At N1.824 trillion, oil receipts, which constituted 75.6 per cent of the total,

BRIEF

From left: Mr Paul Arinze, GM, Public and Government Affairs, Mobil Producing Nigeria; Dr Kennie Obateru, Manager, Public Affairs, NAPIMS and Mr Nigel Cookey-Gam. Manager, Media and Communications, Mobil Producing Nigeria during the 2013 media appreciation dinner by Mobil Producing Nigeria, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele. exceeded the budget estimate and receipts in the corresponding period of 2011 by 9.91 and 151.2 per cent, respectively, but declined by 5.8 per cent below the receipts in the preceding quarter.

“The increase in oil receipts relative to the budget estimate was attributed, largely, to the rise in the receipts from petroleum profit tax, royalties and domestic crude oil and gas sales during the

period.

“Non-oil receipts, at N589.98 billion (24.4 per cent of the total), was below the budget estimate and receipts in the preceding quarter by 22.8 and 30.3 per cent, respectively."

Parker Drilling to pay $15.8m over Nigerian bribery charges

BY MICHAEL EBOH with Agency Report

P

ARKER Drilling Company, a global contract drilling firm with presence in Nigeria has reached a $15.8 million (N2.496 billion) settlement with the United States’ Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, and Department of Justice over bribery allegations in its transactions in Nigeria and Kazakhstan.

According to a statement by the company, the settlement ends a three-year investigation that found out that it had potentially made illegal payments to a government official in Kazakhstan, and used an individual agent in Nigeria in connection with some customsrelated issues.

The company said it will record a $15.8million charge to cover the settlement with the U.S. Government relating to possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, in a case that has ensnared several explorers.

The company is also projecting a fourth quarter net Earnings Per Share, EPS loss of $0.03-$0.05, citing slower demand for barge drilling rigs and increased competition in the rental tools market.

According to the company, its international

operations were hurt by lower rig utilisation in the fourth quarter, while its U.S. operations saw weak demand for barge drilling rigs and increased competition in the rental tools business.

The company had a couple of days ago, announced that its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, CFO, W. Kirk Brassfield, would resign effective April 30.

The company said Brassfield will stay on to help identify and transition the company to his successor.

Robert Parker Jr, Executive Chair man of the company, said Brassfield joined the company in 1998.

He said, “Our organisation has benefited enormously from Kirk’s financial and business expertise over his 15-year tenure with the company.

On behalf of the entire organization, we thank Kirk for his many contributions and wish him well in all his future endeavors.”

DDAX Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Limited, a subsidiary of the Sinopec Group, recently honored Kaztec Engineering Limited, a leading EPCIC company and subsidiary of the Chrome Group.

Kaztec was awarded the Nigerian Content Development Award 2012, for outstanding performance and delivery, at the 1st Addax Executive Development Seminar, which held recently in Lagos.

The Addax Executive Seminar is designed to empower business executives who can leverage on the opportunities created by the Nigerian Content Development Act, as well as increasing awareness and stimulating content growth in the country.

Extolling the virtues of Kaztec, which is also ISO 9001:2008 certified, the General Manager, Supply Chain, Addax Petroleum, Mr. Valentine Agwu, said that under the Addax Alliance Contracting policy. They also sought to align the commercial interests of Addax and Kaztec to avoid win-lose scenarios; accept a collective responsibility for risk, performance and risk-reward outcomes (gain-sharing/painsharing), and form integrated teams to develop and implement strategies for the success of projects, and a host of others.

Reacting to the award, the Executive Chairman, Kaztec Engineering Limited, Sir Emeka Offor, said that Kaztec had been acquiring key competences and best-in-class equipment in the last three years in its quest to be the preferred contractor by International Oil Companies (IOCs).

He argued that Kaztec is the leading indigenous oil and gas company in Nigeria, with a deep understanding of the challenges of the operating environment.

“Kaztec remains the ideal local partner in Nigeria, especially for global oil and gas companies looking towards a strategic partnership with knowledgeable local companies.”

Describing Kaztec’s overall performance and delivery as commendable, Agwu commended Kaztec for working expeditiously on Contract TB 1921 awarded in 2010, for the installation of subsea pipelines and topsides, completing over 50 critical project milestones and their safe delivering under campaigns 1, 2 and 3; while campaign 4 is ongoing.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Oil &

Meter manufacturer seeks support on funding

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE existence of local manufacturers, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in Nigeria has been threatened due to the inability to access funds from local banks, thereby posing serious challenges to expand their business frontiers.

Their survival, however, depend on the Federal Government’s intervention through the formulation of policies that will ease access to funds.

One of such manufacturers, Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company has appealed to the Federal Government to provide financial assistance to indigenous firms like electricity meter, which is key to the President Jonathan’s transformation agenda in the power sector.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Kola Balogun, made the appeal in a chat with Vanguard at the weekend in Lagos, adding that such a support will enhance the growth of SMEs and fast-track economic development in the country.

To enhance locally produced meters of various types and electrical components in the country, Balogun said that his company has invested over N3billion.

Against this background, he urged the Federal Government to halt the importation of meters into the country to promote growth in local content by supporting local manufacturers, which will in turn, spur improvement in quality.

“I feel it important that Nigeria should stop importing electricity meters so that we can migrate from importing meters to manufacturing of meters of various types in Nigeria.

“In MEMMOL alone, we have a production capacity of 50,000 to 100,000 meters monthly, not to mention the production capacity of other companies in the same business,’’ he said.

He noted that apart from the inability to access funds from government to finance businesses, inadequate electricity supply has also impacted negatively on production capacity.

Balogun admitted that the company which has over N3billion investments,

was largely supported by the Bank of Industry (BoI) He also stated that the company commenced the production of prepaid meters in October 2012, but was forced to shut down in November due to government’s pronouncement of free pre-paid meters to Nigerians.

According to him, “Electricity is a major set-back in our company.

Since the establishment of the factory; public electricity supply has not been connected to the factory.

“We are basically running on generator, which is one of the major complaints of our partners over the years, because our equipment is very a sensitive machine that required uninterrupted supply.

“Government’s earlier pronouncement that the supply of pre-paid meters should be free to PHCN customers affected our production. Our major challenge is that we have not seen a single order of repaid meter from the sector since then.

“However, our company is planning to commence full production because of the reversal on the government pronouncement and hopefully, there will be a huge demand for meters.

He said that the company before the pronouncement had staff strength of over 600, but downsized to 100 workers last year due to the PHCN’s inability to procure the meters.

The Chairman reiterated that the company had developed ultramodern call centers for PHCN customers across the country to address customers’ complaints across the 11 PHCN distribution companies in Nigeria.

“This will give customers better service across the nation and address customers’ need. It a soft landing for customers because it will interface with all the DISCOs, which is another innovation in the power sector,” he said.

ConocoPhillips to restart China’s largest offshore oilfield

U

.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips will gradually restart China’s largest offshore oilfield after getting approval for a development plan and its environmental impact assessment, China’s State Oceanic Administration said in a statement.

The field, Penglai 19-3, located in the northern Bohai Bay, was ordered shut in September 2011 after an oil spill. In January, approval was given for the development plan from the state energy authority, one of the steps necessary for a restart.

ConocoPhillips owns a 49 percent stake in the 168,000 barrel-per-day oilfield and acts as operator, while China’s offshore specialist CNOOC Ltd has a 51 percent stake.

In the statement late on Saturday, the

C M Y K

Administration said ConocoPhillips must strictly implement the requirements of the environmental assessment, while CNOOC should assist its partner in meeting the requirements.

The Administration will supervise the resumption of production, it said.

ConocoPhillips and CNOOC have previously agreed to pay 1.683 billion yuan ($267 million) in compensation for the oil spill.

The two spills in China caused

by ConocoPhillips, occurred in June 2011. Combined, they released more than 30,300 gallons of oil, or 723 barrels, and more than 110,000 gallons of mineral oil-based drilling mud, which is used as a lubricant for drilling.

People

•FELIX AYANRUOH felix.ayanruohlaw@gmail.com

Understanding petroleum industry JOA in post financial meltdown (3)

W

ith the introduction of the UK Bribery Act 2010, and the continued strict enforcement of the US FCPA, the 2012 JOA revised and expanded the anti-bribery and business ethics provisions of the 2002 JOA. The revised provision increases transparency and indemnity arising from the UK Bribery Act. Article 20 of the 2012 increase the antigraft provision to include the definition of “Anti-Bribery Laws and Obligations” with an alternative that is all embracing to guarantee compliance with the UK Bribery Act by all parties. This provision is pursuant to liabilities caused by an associate or an entity that is liable to any offence under the UK Act, and particularly a joint venture party. In the context of contractual joint ventures, liability is likely to arise where a bribe is paid in connection with the joint venture business; particularly where the joint venture is entered into after the Act came into force.

The indemnity provision of the revised JOA contains significant changes favouring non-breaching parties and an optional provisions including: non operator’s right of removal of the operator for admitted allegations of breaches of Anti-Bribery Laws and Obligations, or when the operator has been finally adjudicated to be guilty of such a breach.

This provision shows the gravitas of the UK Bribery law to present day realities.

Also, a party that is withdrawing from the JOA because another party has breached anti-bribery and corruption warranties will be entitled to an indemnity and have included in its calculations of damages the amount of its investment that it lost as a result of the withdrawal. It is likely that many parties will resist having such a provision in their JOA for fear that it could be utilised by a counterparty which may in any case have other reasons for wishing to withdraw from the JOA. Besides the reinforced warranties, there is a requirement in the 2012 JOA for each party to notify the other parties of any investigations or proceedings by any government authority pursuant to an alleged breach of the Anti-Bribery Act. Furthermore, it provides for each party to respond to requests for further information by the other parties to verify the warranties relating to not engaging in any conduct that may be in breach of the anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. Also, each party is also mandated to provide the others a certification (in a form attached to the 2012 JOA) that the parties have continued to comply with the warranties for the preceding one year period.

Most petroleum development contracts grant the host government through the National Oil Company (NOC), a right to elect to participate in

joint operations in each exploitation area at the time of the declaration of commercial discovery for such area. The 2012 JOA hold in place existing provisions dealing with NOC participation, either by the NOC becoming a party to the JOA, or by entering into a separate agreement. The revision of this provision includes a carry of the NOC’s share of the costs of operations, and for subsequent repayment of those carried costs out of a portion of the NOC’s share of cost petroleum.

The 2012 JOA guidance note provides for suggested drafting options to deal with applicable carried costs.

Additionally, parties may wish to include the relevant provisions in a separate carry agreement. The provision concerning carried cost has the potential of becoming a challenge in the drafting process. A carry structure in favour of the NOC may take diverse forms depending on the circumstances.

Generally, the carry provision is included as part of the granting instrument - host government contract, such as a production sharing contract (PSC). The commercial variations on a carry are many and will depend on the outcome of negotiations between the host government and/or NOC and the petroleum companies involved.

Integrated Project Team (IPT) is made up of representatives of all parties or all parties holding a participation interest higher than a certain determined threshold to the JOA. The IPT is seen as a means for the non-operating parties to have a say in the project’s operations and decision-making. Prior to the 2012 JOA, IPT was a topic of debate over the years and the need to incorporate it into the AIPN’s model JOA. The 2012 JOA drafting committee and AIPN board concluded that although IPTs are not recognised standard industry practice, its concept and suggested text should be incorporated into the Guidance Notes.

The 2012 JOA Guidance Note provide for suggested language for the introduction of an IPT. Since host countries are becoming more troubled with the decommissioning of matured petroleum fields, major joint venture parties see it as crucial in negotiating JOAs -disproportionate share of the financial burden. The 2002 JOA provided for an option to negotiate a security agreement, which requires each party to provide security on an annual basis. The 2012 JOA updated this provision to include, requiring the operator to prepare and provide the non operators a draft decommissioning work programme and budget at the time of delivering the draft development plan – Exhibit E to 2012 JOA. Concluded.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—27

Going green: Techno Oil unveils gas stoves

BY KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

ECHNO Oil has introduced new gas stoves targeted at low income earners, under its “Going Green Initiative.” The programme is aimed at creating cleaner, healthier and safer environment in Nigeria.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr Tony Onyeama, while addressing newsmen at a pre-launch press conference in Lagos, said, ‘We identify and align with the policy drive of the Lagos State Government to increase the use of cooking gas among a significant proportion of the populace within the next four years.”

Onyeama said that the TechnoGas stoves are to be formally launched at a public event, slated for the popular Oyingbo Market on the Mainland Local Government on Thursday, February 21, to give the low income earners, an opportunity to purchase the new product.

He explained that the product is designed and fabricated with distinguishing qualities such as safety, affordability, portability and environmentally friendly. ‘‘Techno Oil has distributed well over 20,000 units of 3kg, 5kg, 6kg and 12.5kg gas cylinders to Nigerian households at discounted and affordable prices’ he stated, adding: ‘This project has received commendations from consumers and operators in the petroleum industry,’’ he added.

He said further, “Motivated by our commitment to the environment, Techno Oil has actively promoted, and has been in the forefront of attitudinal change from fuels to cleaner energy such as gas.”

The Techno boss said the company has invested a huge amount of money to provide the gas cylinders and accessories for the stoves, adding that Techno Oil has entered into an agreement with an Asian company for the manufacture of the gas stoves to ensure sustainable supplies of the product.

Onyeama however decried the low consumption level of cooking gas by Nigerians, saying that the usage of cooking gas in Nigeria stands at 0.5kg per capita, compared to 3kg per capita in Ghana, 1.9kg in Cameroon, 5.5kg in South Africa and 44.4kg in C M Y K

Morocco.

“Today, there is great dependency on kerosene by both the middle and low-

income groups in Nigeria, despite the huge amount of reserved in a bid to subsidise the product to Nigerians. Yet

kerosene remains scarce and unavailable in many homes in the country.”

•Power distribution facility

Statoil gets UK’s approval for $7bn Mariner Field plan

S

TATOIL ASA has secured the approval of the United Kingdom for its $7 billion Mariner heavy oil field’s development in the North Sea..

Mr. Helge Lund, Chief Executive Officer, Statoil, who disclosed this, said the project is a significant investment for the company as it hopes to produce about 250 million barrels of oil.

He stated that the company plans to invest $7 billion in the Mariner field and use pioneering technology to extract the oil, which is much heavier than traditional North Sea oil, adding that its experience with heavy oil fields would be brought to bear.

He said, “We have done Grane in Norway, which is a heavy oil field, we have done Peregrino very successfully for the last two years in Brazil, so this is a natural extension for us in building a real strong foothold within heavy oil.”

“We have done these projects before, so we are confident on the technology and the execution part as well. But it is a complex project and a big project, so it requires the best of our teams to make it a success.”

It is estimated, according to Lund, that the field will produce for 30 years from 2017,

adding that production will reach an output plateau of around 55,000 barrels a day in the 2017-20 period.

“Statoil is the operator for Mariner with a 65.11 per cent stake. The field is co-owned

by Cairn Energy Plc subsidiary Alba Resources Ltd. with a six per cent stake, and JX Nippon Exploration and Production (U.K.) Limited with a 28.89 per cent stake,”

he noted.

Edward Davey, U.K. Energy Secretary in an announcement at the Oslo Energy Forum at Holmenkollen, said the U.K. is a major partner for Statoil, which is in the planning phase for its next U.K. heavy oil field, Bressay, and expects to make an investment decision on that later this year.

Saudis, Iraq cut oil exports as Venezuela shipments surge

I

RAQ and Saudi Arabia cut crude oil exports in December for a second month, while fellow OPEC member Venezuela boosted shipments to their highest in more than four years, according to the Joint Organizations Data Initiative.

Iraq, the biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries after Saudi Arabia, curtailed exports by 10 percent to 2.35 million barrels a day, data posted today on the initiative’s website showed. The Saudi kingdom shipped 7.06 million barrels a day in the month, down 1.3 percent from November, according to the data.

Venezuela increased crude

shipments in December by 19 percent to 1.97 million barrels a day, the most since July 2008, when it exported 2.24 million, the initiative known as JODI said, citing statistics that member governments submitted to the 12-nation group. OPEC supplies about 40 percent of the world’s oil.

Nigeria boosted shipments by 14 percent during the month to 2.29 million barrels a day, and Angola raised exports by 5.6 percent to 1.7 million a day. Kuwait’s exports in December were little changed at 2.06 million, JODI data showed.

BRIEFS

Total calls for end of shale gas ban

T

OTAL SA has called for a lifting of the ban on shale gas fracturing in France, advocating calling for a debate and proper study of the issue before a final decision is reached.

Speaking in an interview, Christophe de Margerie, Chairman and Chief Executive, Total, said, “The first thing to do for a proper debate is to know what we are talking about. Today, we’re speaking about something that hasn’t even been studied.”

France in 2011 banned all shale gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, which consists in pumping water, sand and chemicals into the shale rock at high pressure to help release the gas, because of environmental concerns and fears over polluting water tables.

Even though the country is believed to harbor one of Europe’s largest shale gas reserves, the ban was confirmed by the President Francois Hollande’s government when it came to power last year, to the dismay of industrials and energy groups, which claim that shale gas could contribute to energy independence and lower energy prices, helping boosting French companies’ competitiveness.

China set to hike fuel prices

C

HINA, the world’s second-largest oil consumer, could consider raising the prices of gasoline and diesel as early as this month as a basket of crude oil prices has risen to hit a trigger point, data from an energy consultancy showed on Sunday.

The 22-day moving average price of Brent, Dubai and Cinta on Feb. 15 was 4.3 percent above the level when China last adjusted fuel prices, the data from C1 Energy showed. (www.icischina.com) An increase or fall in crude benchmarks by more than 4 percent over a 22-workingday period typically triggers a price rise or cut under China’s current pricing regime.

However, the government often postpones rises if it is worried about inflationary pressures, and this time may only consider a rise later this month because current fuel demand remains high.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — 29

C M Y K

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

The Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos...needs structural overhauling or repairs

What is the state of the Third Mainland Bridge?

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

Engineering Laboratory, Yousei University, Seoul Korea, who conOR users of the Third ducted an underwater examinaMainland Bridge fresh con- tion of the structures holding the cerns over the bridge’s health have bridge last December has reportemerged beyond the repairs con- ed that the damages to the strucducted between July 7 and October ture was worse than what he had 30, 2012 by the Federal Ministry of been briefed.

The Senate had, therefore, set Works up a committee, made of Senate Report by Professor JHT Kim, Committee on Works as well as Head of The Concrete Structural some officials of the Federal Damaged shear wall of the abutment at the Adeniji Adele end of the Third Mainland Bridge Ministry of Works, to investigate the report and get back to the the bridge which led to the closure of Reacting to the claim, the Director of house in two weeks time for decision the bridge for repairs between July 7 Highways Design (Bridges), Federal to be made. and October 30, 2012 by the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Aniete Effiong, an The report produced by a company Ministry of Works. The Professor’s re- engineer said “the Ministry has taken experienced in underwater surveys inport also indicated that there was pro- proactive steps in line with its mandate to dicated that the underwater metal casgressive steel caisson deterioration in ensure that the Third Mainland Bridge, ing, housing the concrete piles on about 1,318 foundation piles and that a very important infrastructure investment which the bridge stands has rusted and there was extensive reinforcement bar of government, is protected and kept in this may have accounted for the vibradeterioration in eight piles. an acceptable service state.” tion experienced in some portions of The Federal Government’s position is contained in a ‘Federal Ministry of Works Bridge is safe, Report on the Third Mainland Bridge’ released penultimate weekend. According says FG to Effiong, the bridge which is 11.8 km THE Federal long, was constructed in two sections. The Ministry of first section, from Lagos Island to Ebute Works has de- Metta (Adeniji Adele Interchange–Adebunked the claim kunle Interchange) which has a box girdthat the Third Main- er arrangement cantilevered from the pier land Bridge in La- to the mid-span was completed in 1979 gos may collapse by PGH, a consortium made up of Messrs soon unless the Borini Prono, Messrs Girola and Messrs Federal Govern- Hiconi. The second section from Ebute ment undertook Metta to Oworonshoki which was later Prof. JHJ Kim, head of concrete structurcomprehensive re- completed in 1990 by Messrs Julius Bergal engineering laboratory, Yousei habilitation of the er Nigeria Plc. (JBN) is a multi-span strucUniversity, Seoul, Korea kitting up for Measurement of the depth of depletion of concrete infil ture. his dive at 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos bridge.

(100mm) at coping No. 55

F

C M Y K

32—Vanguard,

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Nigeria and quest for nuclear power energy in the 21st Century (5) •Lessons from selected contentious case studies across the globe This is the fifth instalment of this piece. The fourth part was published last Friday.

A

REAS of Possible Conten tion (i) Reprocessing is speculated to be the main issue of contention, but recent reports suggests that a Korean enrichment plant is said to be under the supervision of international networks, with reprocessing being done in a third country such as Japan.

These are said to be some of the issues of contention between the United States and North Korea which constrain their nuclear activities; (ii) However, the Korean Electricity Power Company, KEPCO, with the Korean Hydro and Nuclear Power, KHNP, and Korean Nuclear Fuel Company, KNFC, among other parastatals, are reported to be involved in uranium exploration in Canada. It is equally said that uranium for fuel comes into South Korea from Kazakhstan, Australia, Niger, etc. with an estimated 4500 requirement for 2011 and 8900 said to be anticipated demand by 2020.

Similarly, in December 2009 KEPCO was said to have agreed to take a 20 per cent interest in the Imouraren operating company in Niger, along with 10 per cent of the product-expected to be 500 +u/yr over 35 years respectively; (iii) Reprocessing, either domestic or overseas is said not to be possible under the constraints

ABDULLAHI U AKI U.. MAIY MAIYAKI

imposed by South Korean’s nuclear cooperation agreement of 1974 with the United States of America which expires in March 2014. However, this contentious issue is said to be undergoing renegotiation. Moreso, the Korean Hydro-Nuclear Power,

KHNP, agency is reported to have considered offshore reprocessing which is equally reported to be too expensive, largely due to transportation costs; (iv) The Korea Radioactive Waste Management Co Ltd, KRWM, was established in year 2009 as an umbrella organization to resolve South Korea’s waste management issues by implication, waste disposition, to which until then, radioactive waste management has been carried out by the KHNP. However, long-term, deep geological disposal system is said to be envisaged, as to whether that shall used fuel as such or simply separated high-level wastes depends on national policy;

Intermediate level wastes (v) Similarly, low and intermediate-level wastes, LILW, are said to be stored at each site, the total estimated ha at about 60,000 drums of 200 litres. Volume reduction (drying, compaction) is undertaken at each site. A 200 ha central disposal repository at Gyeongju is reported to be under construction, with an estimated capacity for 800,000 drums respectively; (vi) Another innovation by the South Korean government to ensure local community acceptance of its conceived low and inter-mediate level wastes, LILW, policy was the setting aside of an LILW facility fund of 300 billion won (US$260 million) to any area selected for the project as community support in accordance to “The Act for Promoting the Radioactive Waste Management Project and Financial Support for the local Community” 2000.

The aim of this Act is said to compensate communities for the psychological burden residents may undergo, thus the initiative to reward a community participating in such an important national project, and to facilitate amicable implementation of radioactive waste management; (vii) In November 2005, an election was reported to have been conducted to select an area for the site for the low and intermediate-level wastes, after votes in four provincial cities, Kyongju/Gyeonju on the east coast said to be 370km from Seoul the cap-

Nuclear reactors

ital of South Korea, was designated as the site. Among 90 per cent of its voters are said to have approved, compared with 67 per cent to 84 per cent in the other contender locations; (viii) In June 2006, the government is reported to have announced that the Gyeongju LILW reposing would have a number of silos and caverns some 80m below the surface, initially with capacity for 100,000 drums and costing US$730 million. Construction is said to have started in April 2008. However, further 700,000 drum capacity facility is expected later, at an

,

BY ABDULLAHI U. MAIYAKI

have the overall responsibility to oversee nuclear radioactive and development; nuclear safety and nuclear safeguards respectively.

Similarly, the high-level Nuclear Safety Commission, NSC, Chaired by the Minister of Education Science and Technology was responsible for nuclear safety regulation until 2011. It was said to be independent of the Atomic Energy Commission, AEC, and was set up by amendment of the Atomic Energy Act of 1996. The regulation framework is said to be modeled on the United States Nuclear Regulation Cooperation, NRC.

On issues of regulation and safety mechanisms, South Korea’s Atomic Energy Act shouldered such task on the nation’s Atomic Energy Commission, AEC, being the highest decision-making body on matters of nuclear energy policy

estimated cost of US$1.15 billion.

At the same time, an initial US$260 million grant, annual fees shall be paid to the local site community respectively; (ix) In December 2010 the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Co Ltd, KRWM, is reported to have commenced operation of the Gyeogju facility, by accepting the first 1000 drums of wastes there from the Urchin plant, which is expected to be held in the outdoor storage until the underground repository itself is commissioned in 2012. About nine of such shipments are expected annually. The site said to covers 2.1sq km; (x) On issues of regulation and safety mechanisms, South Korea’s Atomic Energy Act shouldered such task on the nation’s Atomic Energy Commission, AEC, being the highest decisionmaking body on matters of nuclear energy policy and is said to be chaired by the country’s Prime Minister, while the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, MRST, is said to

,

(xi) Furthermore, the South Korean government is said to have launched the new Nuclear Safety and Security Company, NSSC, in October 2011. It is said to be the new independent regulator, reporting directly to the President, and its chairman has ministerial rank.

The Korean Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), formerly the expert safety regulator under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), became a technical support organization under it, while the MEST is said to be simply promoting nuclear power generally in the country; (xii) In addition, the new Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) scope is reported to cover licensing, inspection, enforcement, incident response and emergency response, nonproliferation and safeguards, export/import control and physical protection respectively. In 2012, the NSSC is said to have signed an agreement with its Canadian counterpart (CNSC)

in order to strengthen cooperation; (xiii) However, after the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011, the South Korean government is said to have undertaken an immediate assessment of each site followed by a Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, MEST, special safety review of all plants (with special attention to Kori-1 which has net capacity of 576MW electricity commissioned in 1978 to close in 2017. (xiv) A number of measures were reported to have been initiated which included: •The raising up of the coastal barrier at Kori-1 to 10m; •Watertight doors were said to have been fitted to emergency diesel generator buildings; •Batter power supplies were secured from any possibility of flooding; •A vehicle with portable diesel generator was reported to have been situated at each site; •Pumps were waterproofed; •Passive hydrogen removal systems not dependent in electricity were said to have been equally installed; •Exhaust and decompression equipment was improved; • The seismic performance of automatic shutdown and cooling systems were improved; •All these are reported to represents an investment of about US$1 billion over five years respectively.

Some issues of Strategic Nuclear Concerns over Threat to Peace from the Korean Peninsula Basically, the foregoing analysis presented areas of concerns and indeed contention over nuclear power development programmes between the two Korean States of North Korea and South Korea and the International Community represented by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, based in Vienna, Austria.

To be concluded

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—33

EDUCATION SECTOR IN CRISIS:

Evidence, causes and possible remedies (3)

By LADIPO ADAMOLEKUN

P

RESIDENT Jonathan appears to be agnostic on the subject. In this area, it would be correct to assert that there has been leadership failure.(b) The military established unitary secondary schools, again contrary to the assignment of this function to sub-national level governments in the 1963 Constitution it suspended: only higher education was on the Concurrent Legislative List. Now, Federal Government involvement in postprimary education is currently provided for in the 1999 Constitution: “the National Assembly to establish institutions for post-primary education” (Second Schedule, Part II, Concurrent Legislative List, (28). But federal role in running secondary schools would qualify as a Nigerian military invention - more on this later. (c) At the tertiary education level, military over-centralisation was extended to the regulatory agency for the universities, the National Universities Commission, NUC. From its initial role as a buffer between the universities and governments, the NUC under military rule was transformed into an over-powerful and control-oriented government parastatal with very extensive powers that were more consistent with the centralism and uniformity of military culture than with the autonomous mind-set of academic culture. (d) The operation of centralised labour unions for teachers at all levels that made sense under centralised unitary military rule has been maintained under civilian rule when the hierarchical federal-state relationship no longer exists, at least, according to the 1999 Constitution. Thus, both the

LADIPO AD AMOLEKUN ADAMOLEKUN

Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, negotiate salaries and other conditions of service at the federal level and the agreements become binding on state governments that did not

TABLE 1: NIGERIA ’S SCORE AND RANK IN EDUCA TION SUB-CA TEGOR Y, MO IBRAHIM NIGERIA’S EDUCATION SUB-CATEGOR TEGORY GOOD GO VERN ANCE INDEX, 2006 -2011 GOVERN VERNANCE YEAR

NIGERIA’S SCORE (%) AFRICA’S AVERAGE SCORE (%)

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Change 2006 – 2011

51.0 48.8 48.2 48.4 49.0 47.6 -3.4

Map of Nigeria participate in the negotiations. Persistent strikes that are linked to the challenge of implementing the agreements reached at such negotiations continue to undermine teaching and learning in educational institutions, especially the universities.

49.4 50.9 50.8 51.8 53.6 53.8 + 4.4

(e) Perhaps the most extensively debated issue in military-inherited overcentralisation is the over-sized share of the federal government in the federation account, to the disadvantage of the sub-national governments. This affects all sectors but it is particularly pertinent in the education sector because the hi-jacked primary education function (UBE) highlighted above was used as the rationalization for the maintenance of the federal government’s lion’s share of the Federation account under President Obasanjo.

Notwithstanding President Jonathan’s experience in subnational governance, he appears to have adjusted nicely to the prevailing skewed revenue sharing arrangement. Well, he is the top dog now. Thus, he has ignored the persistent sensible call of Nigeria’s Governors’

NIGERIA’s RANK 21st 24th 25th 25th 28th 30th -9

Education minister, Prof. Raqqayatu Rufai Forum for the modification of the existing unbalanced revenue allocation formula (52.68 to federal government, 26.72 to state governments, and 20.6 to local governments). And he is strangely comfortable with the failure of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and

A telling commentary on the weakness of the National Assembly (NASS), the apex watchdog institution charged with assuring effective implementation of government policies and programmes, is the poor education of its members

,

This is the third instalment of this piece which was last published on Friday

,

Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Assembly to act on the subject. (ii) Implementation failure: Implementation failure can be due to either weak capacity to implement or the lack of political will to drive implementation. As pointed out in Part One, the UPE in Western Nigeria was successfully implemented because of the combination of a political leadership team with the will to drive its implementation and a competent civil service (also reputed as incorruptible) to execute the policy and deliver results on the ground in respect of both UPE and other aspects of educational development.

In contrast to the Western Nigerian experience, the UPE introduced at the national level in 1976 failed because there was no sustained political will to drive it. Throughout the civilian interregnum of 1979-1983 and the return of the military for extended

rule, the policy was abandoned.

As already pointed out, thesuccessor UBE that was launched in 2004 has achieved rather limited results. Muddled political responsibility for UBE has been a major constraint and centralised implementation (for example, contractsfor purchase of textbooks for students in all 36 states are awarded in Abuja) has hindered federal-state collaboration that is essential for effective implementation. And there have been reports of corrupt practices associated with some UBE contracts.

Improving conditions of service Although there has been an emphasis on enhancing the professionalism of primary and secondary education teachers and improving their conditions of service to promote improved implementation capability, the political muddle combined with the inherent weakness of centralised implementation appear to have doomed a federaldriven UBE to failure.

A telling commentary on the weakness of the National Assembly (NASS), the apex watchdog institution charged with assuring effective implementation of government policies and programmes, is the poor education of its members. To date, all the oversight missions of the National Assembly in respect of the different sectors, including education, are tales of corrupt practices without a single MDA being made to account for

implementation failure: teams of senators and representatives strut the land and return to Abuja with additional millions to their obscene self-allocated salaries. For example, NASS committees would rather descend on educational institutions for the usual extra earnings than organise a public hearing on how best to fix the 6-3-3-4 education system that is widely acknowledged as not being properly implemented. (iii). De-emphasis on the value of education and decline of the teaching profession It is incontrovertible that Nigerians across all the three/four regions valued education highly up to the emergence of military politicians whose culture and actions progressively resulted in a de-emphasis on the value of education. It would not be unfair to assert that the politicians in khaki had limited understanding of educational excellence, notwithstanding the fact that a few of them decided to obtain university degrees, most often after retirement from service.

Because the military remained in power for so long (close to three decades), their anti-education orientation (or antiintellectualism)had replaced the pre-military high value of education across the country.

Today, restoring high value for education in the Nigerian society has become a tough challenge.

Propagandist for education My father travelled to Lagos during the First World War and encountered western education. He returned to his community in Iju, Akure North to become a propagandist for education. Due to his example and inspiration, Iju had one of the highest concentrations of educated people (in proportion to total population) in the country at his death. I am sure that similar stories abound of propagandists for education of my father ’s generation in communities across the country. It was on this fertile soil that Awolowo’s UPE seed was sown; and it flourished as already highlighted above.

Unfortunately, worship of money that accompanied the military’s anti-intellectualism appears to have replaced love for education. Paradoxically, a former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida, whose tenure was characterised by notable antiintellectual measures,recently summed up the prevailing value (less) order as follows: “Knowledge has no value while money and power has (sic) more value.” Even those who commit resources to education today appear to be spurred on by love of money, that is, the everincreasing number of for-profit educational institutions from kindergarten, through primary to secondary and tertiary education.

To be continued

34—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

•All-new Toyota RAV 4

Toyota maintains lead, others engage reverse gear

BY THEODORE OPARA

D

ESPITE the tough times, Toyota Nigeria Limited, last year maintained the number one position on the imported vehicle chart with a total of 19,755 vehicles. The figure represents 40.7 per cent of the total new vehicles imported into the country in 2012 and a difference of 29.6 per cent compared to their total import the previous year when they finished with 15,238 vehicles, and had 29.7 per cent of the market share.

A total of 48,490 new vehicles comprising

cars, buses and trucks were imported into the country last year as against 51,290 vehicles in 2011. Coming a distant second and third positions on the chart were Kia and Hyundai which finished the year with 5,034 and 4,259 new vehicles import with 10.4 per cent and 8.8 per cent shares of the market respectively.

Kia and Hyundai the two leading Korean brands could not repeat the spectacular performance they exhibited in 2011 when they imported over 14,000 vehicles accounting for about 28 per cent of the

total import for the year when put together.

Apart from Toyota which made appreciable improvement, Honda, Mitsubishi (+Fuso) and Ford recorded some progress in 2012. While Honda imported 2,473 vehicles, as against 1,562 vehicles in 2011, representing 58 per cent increase, Mitsubishi Fuso

been giving the Hilux a good run in the segment.

Nissan and Chevrolet which showed some spark in 2011 took the rear position on the chart. Nissan was expected to give Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi a good run in Nigeria, but it performed below expectations with 954 import as against 1,772 ve-

hicles in 2011.

Chevrolet, an American brand which produced in former Daewoo plant in Korea also performed below expectation. Their performance has been blamed on not too aggressive approach of the CFAO Group which is the franchise holder of both Nissan and Chevrolet.

Kia's premium models come with 5 yrs warranty •Rewards customers with Value Added Services

I

N line with its global philosophy of ‘’Family Like Care”, KIA has come up with yet another industry-first

Vehicle Import Stastics 2011, 2012

Brands

brought in 2,088 vehicles as against 1,898 vehicles in 2011, representing 10.3 per cent increase.

Ford, the fastest selling American brand in Nigeria imported 2,613 vehicles as against 2,523 in 2011, an increase of 3.6 per cent. Ford owed its steady rise in the Nigerian market to the Ranger pickup exploits which has

offer of Service Plan or Maintenance Program popularly known as KIA CARE. This is sequel to their recent offer of the

successfully running Loyalty Program where patrons enjoy a host of offers and discounts on maintenance services at their various workshops nationwide.

The KIA CARE program being two folds and can be enjoyed by patrons either at the time of buying new cars or can join after their purchase to suit their needs. The KIA CARE by virtue of being a national service package is designed to offer recommended Periodic Maintenance Schedule across its network in the country and is valid for a period

of 3 years or 60,000 kms whichever comes first.

Available across all the models, it ensures that vehicles are maintained as per schedule thereby increasing their performance levels and lower operational costs.

Maintenance parts like Filters, Oils, Spark Plugs, Brakes, Clutch, etc among others are inspected and replaced as required under schedule.

“This is a new direction in innovation for Kia and a real cost saver for customers. We want the Kia brand to stand for more than just delivering great products with great qual Continued on page 35

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—35

5 years warranty for Kia premium models Continues from page 34

•Nissan's flagship SUV, Patrol

Who is representing Nissan in Nigeria?

BY THEODORE OPARA

W

HO is representing Nissan in Nigeria? This is one question players in the nation’s automobile sector are asking.

Unconfirmed information has it that Nissan may have dumped Alliance Autos, a member of the revered CFAO Group.

Another unconfirmed account has it that the auto marketing giant, Stallion Group may have grabbed the brand with both hands.

Unfortunately, none of the companies mentioned is ready to speak on the position of Nissan in Nigeria currently. While efforts to reach Stallion, Managing Director, Mr.

Parvir Singh proved abortive as his mobile phone was not going through an Alliance Auto source told Vanguard Motoring that he did not know if his company was still representing the Japanese second biggest automobile manufacturer.

Said he: “I don’t know about who is the Nissan representative in Nigeria for now. I am not competent to supply the answer may be you can find out from the Managing Director.” The source however refused to make available the phone number of the MD saying he does not have the phone number having lost his phone not quite long ago.

But if Alliance has lost

the Nissan Franchise, it could be due to its declining sales in the last two years. Vanguard Motoring gathered that Nissan has not been satisfied with the performance of the brand in Nigeria in the last few years. With many models, both in the passenger and commercial vehicle segments, Nissan had expected to give Toyota a good run in the Nigeria market but this has not been so. While Toyota sales rose from about 15,000 vehicles in 2011 to almost 20,000 units in 2012, accounting for 40 per cent of the total imported vehicles into Nigeria, Nissan dropped from 1,772 units in 2011 to 954 vehicles in 2012,

accounting for about two per cent of the total vehicle import in Nigeria.

It could be recalled that a former Managing Director of Stallion Motors was employed by Alliance (Nissan) and he later returned to Stallion which many suspected must have been responsible for Stallion grabbing the franchise.

“The former Managing Director who returned to Stallion must have pulled the string, the source told Vanguard Motoring.

With the brand under an aggressive auto marketing company like Stallion, Nissan should be rest assured that the fight to wrestle substantial market share from Toyota both in the passenger

FRSC boss to speak at ABC 20th anniversary

T

HE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Osita Chidoka, will deliver the keynote address at ABC Transport’s 20 th event scheduled for March 1, 2013, at the Sheraton Hotels, Lagos. Chidoka, a graduate of Business Management from the University of Nigeria (1995) holds a Masters degree in Transport Policy and Logistics from the George Mason University, USA. According to a statement from the management of ABC Transport, his experience spans areas of public

policy, economy and politics.

Under his leadership the FRSC has evolved into a dynamic government institution applying the best internationally recognized practices as well as introducing many innovative safety policies and practices that have drastically reduced the number of road traffic accidents on Nigerian highways.

ABC Transport kicked off its 20thanniversary celebration with a press conference on February 5, 2013, at the company’s Terminal 3, Amuwo-

Odofin, Lagos. The event, which was well attended by stakeholders, the media, friends and associates of the company, was highlighted by the unveiling of 7 new coaches equipped with enhanced onboard security features and donation of 3 demonstration buses to the automobile/ mechanical engineering departments of Lagos State University, Imo State University, and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.

ABC Transport plc commenced operations

on February 13, 1993 as Associated Bus Company Limited, with six mini buses. Since then, the company has grown to become West Africa’s leading coach operator, pioneering many ground breaking innovations in the road transport industry and garnering many awards and accolades. It remains the only road transport company listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange after its successful initial public offer in 2006. The company has also diversified its scope to include Cargo, haulage, Hospitality and tourism.

and commercial market segments has commenced. Nissan boasts about the same number of Sports Utility as Toyota as well as commercial vehicles. It has launched some exciting models in the last few years too.

The coming of Nissan under Stallion has raised another question in the auto sector. Would Toyota continue to dominate the Nigeria auto market given the fact that Nissan has what it takes to upstage Toyota? Only time can tell. Stallion had for long longed for a brand like Nissan with array of commercial vehicles to give Toyota a real fight in Nigeria But it should be recalled that Nissan has been used to changing its partners in Nigeria. In the last decade, the company had appointed about three different representatives, if the appointment of Stallion is confirmed.

Once, the brand was freely brought in by any businessman who had the fund to do so, before it made SCOA Group the sole representative and it registered Nissan Nigeria Ltd to distribute the brand. Few years later, the Japanese car maker appointed CFAO one of the most respected auto marketing companies before the new appointment. Who knows, who the next franchise holder would be. Observers are watching.

ity and best warranty; we want Kia to be known as a brand that stands for delivering value for money, Service Excellence.

KIA CARE is a fantastic program and this allows buyers to guarantee the lowest possible service costs throughout their ownership.” – said Mr. Tatpati, General Manager, After Sales KIA offers three year standard warranty on passenger cars while, however a owners of its premium products like CADANZA, MOHAVE and QUORIS. Also enjoy five years warranty, the recently launched QUORIS luxury sedan comes with 5 years maintenance free program and warranty, which is unmatched in its class of vehicles and again a first time in the industry.

KIA Motors has over 20 dedicated After Sales Service outlets with a team of over 400 trained Service members across the country and has put in place latest Pneumatic Equipment and Workshop Facilities to cater to maintenance services’ less than 90 minutes. The National Training Center at Lagos for Nigeria keeps developing new training programs to upgrade their technicians in the latest technology, which includes Air Suspension, Electronically controlled Brake systems, Engines and Automatic Gearboxes, etc. Every year over 200 technicians are trained in various courses on Kia Technology and many technicians are sent abroad for trainings.

Week End Service on Saturdays, which is driven by the desire to provide convenience for customers who are busy at work during week days and the 90 Minutes Service, shows KIA’s commitment to help customers manage their time effectively by keeping all service procedures within 90 minutes. Kia customers therefore get to service their cars on a weekend, but still get to maximize their time as they don’t need to spend all day at the service center. Backed by a robust Customer Care department, Customers get help in remembering their service dues and schedule their appointments while they also get to benefit from various offers.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Delta LG boss restates commitment to healthcare

Cult war in Delta: 23-year-old man killed Police finger ex-militant 'general'

BY EMMA AMAIZE

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—TRANSITION Committee Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Sunday Onoriode, has promised to address the healthcare needs of the people by providing needed facilities.

Speaking while monitoring the on-going immunisation exercise against Polio in the area, Onoriode commended the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for his support towards improving the health needs of Deltans.

He said: “Dr. Uduaghan’s passion for the good health of the people of the state had led to his tireless contribution to the health sector and it had reflected greatly in the provision of medical facilities at Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, in Ethiope West Local Government Area and Eku Hospital, in Ethiope East council.”

Host community threatens $1.2bn fertilizer plant in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT— PLANS to site Africa’s largest fertilizer plant in Eleme, Rivers State, by 2015, could be hampered by the host community’s determination to see that the project does not materialise in absence of a satisfactory Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. Reacting, Eleme community, already host to Indorama acquired Eleme Petrochemicals, warned that if the company failed to carry out a proper EIA, embracing all community interest groups among other stakeholders, to determine the socio-economic and environmental impact on the immediate host, the plant will not see the light of the day.

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GHELLI—RIVAL cult groups went on rampage at Okwagbe community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend, leaving a 23-year old man, Victor Odoye, dead.

The police, however, responded immediately and arrested 10 suspected cultists.

The leader of one of the cult groups, identified by the police as an ex-militant, Solomon, is, however, on the run.

The cause of the clash was not clear, but Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Famous Ajieh, who confirmed Odoye's death to Vanguard, said the cultists used dangerous weapons.

He said: “The police received information that two cult groups fought themselves with dangerous weapons at Saint Vincent College, Okwagbe, and one Victor Odoye, aged 23, was killed by cultists during the cult war.”

Vanguard learnt that the

warring cultists fled on sighting police operatives, who stormed the school.

“Police swung into action immediately and with the help of Okwagbe vigilante men, 10 of

the hoodlums, aged between 18 and 27, were arrested,” he said.

He said the police had launched a manhunt for the fleeing hoodlums, adding

GOOD GOVERNANCE MEDIA TOUR: From left: Mr. Labaran Maku, Minister of Information and Communication; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and his deputy, Engr.

Tele Ikuru, during the stakeholders meeting of the National Good Governance Media Tour of Rivers State in Port harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

95 % of Rivers Varsity lecturers not on strike—VC

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— EMBAT TLED Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Barineme Fakae, has dismissed allegations that the ongoing strike by the university's branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, had crippled academic activities in the institution.

Fakae, who addressed members of Rivers State chapter of Federated Union of Journalists at their secre-

tariat in Port Harcourt, weekend, said about 95 per cent of the lecturers of the university were working.

He said that not all the lecturers were on strike, adding that the school had gone ahead to employ additional 100 lecturers.

On whether the employment was intended to replace the striking lecturers, he said it was in response to a directive from the governor, about three years ago, that additional lecturers should be employed by the university to shore up quality of learning in the school.

RSUST’s branch of ASUU has been on strike since August last

year, calling for the sack of the Vice Chancellor.

ASUU branch chairman, Dr. Felix Igwe, said there was alleged breach in the laid down rules governing the university with the reappointment of Prof. Fakae as Vice Chancellor by Visitor to the school, Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

On his part, the Visitor and state governor had charged the school’s chapter of ASUU to challenge his action in court, if they were sure of their claim that he breached the university's law in the VC's appointment.

Edo ACN primaries: Community protests alleged imposition of candidates

BY BOLAJI AJALA

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HAIRMAN of Ohordua Community Development, Lagos, Mr. Ehiabhi Ebehitamame, has said that the Edo State Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN primary election for selection of chairmanship and chancellorships candidates was marred by protests, following alleged imposition of unpopular candidates on the peo-

that two daggers were recovered at the scene.

“The remains of the deceased were deposited in the mortuary of General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi,” he added.

ple.

The primaries, which were held on February 9, had been trailed by controversy as some leaders in the area were alleged to have forged signatures of some executive members to achieve their aims, he alleged.

Ebehitamame, in a statement, said the party leaders had, through the forged signatures, imposed their handpicked candidates, adding that the party leaders behind the action were responsible for the imposition of

the hand picked candidates.

He said: “The primaries in the state did not hold, and this had led to protests by the people in the community. The party leaders imposed their hand picked candidate, who was unsuccessful in the ward screening. Now there is tension in the area as these leaders forged some executive members' signatures to achieve their aim. Is this not fraud and against the tenets of party internal democracy?”

Rep gets commendation for youth empowerment programmes in Delta

BY DANIEL GUMM

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OMADI—A POLITICAL group, Concerned Brothers, CB, in Delta State, has commended a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Nicholas Mutu, for the empowerment programmes initiated in his constituency.

The group, at Bomadi Local Government Area of the state, maintained that the lawmaker had made good his campaign promises, adding that several empowerment programmes had been executed in the constituency to empower the youth, women and other groups.

It called on other politicians in the area to emulate Mutu.

Leader of the group, Mr. Macauley Ezoukoneyeringha, told Vanguard, that many communities had benefited from the lawmaker’s developmental projects spread across Bomadi/Patani federal constituency.

He said: “Mr Mutu has impressed the people of our constituency. He brought development to the people and delivered on his mandate. His empowerment projects are visible in all parts of the constituency."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—37

Amnesty Phase 3: Jonathan urged to call c'ttee to order

BY FESTUS AHON

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G H E L L I — URHOBO National Youth Council, UNYC, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to call the third phase amnesty committee, led by Air Vice-Marshall James Gbom, to order to avoid breach of security in Delta State.

National President of the group, Mr. Monday Oyeghe, who spoke to newsmen, said that of the over 3,000 slots provided for in the third phase to be distributed evenly, Urhobo nation should be given its fair share.

He alleged that there was a plot to shortchange the Urhobo nation in the distribution of the slots, adding that the issue of 20 guns to one slot of beneficiary instead of one gun to two slots was unacceptable.

Advising Urhobo youths to remain calm while the issue was being sorted out, he said they would not fold their arms and allow anybody or group of persons to shortchange the Urhobo nation in the scheme of things.

OMLs 26, 30: Diezani urged to dialogue with Isoko

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—COORDIA TOR of Isoko Survival Synergy in Delta State, Mr. Okiroro Ebieroma, weekend, advised the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to personally engage host communities and stakeholders in Isokoland, who were reportedly shortchanged in the suspicious acquisition/ sales of Oil Mining Leases, OMLs 26 and 30, to stave-off looming crisis in the oil industry.

Ebieroma, in a statement, in Warri, said the group would provide a formidable structure to engage the leadership of the communities under a common platform if requested by the minister.

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Opposition parties' merger won't work —SSEPU

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—NATION AL Chairman, SouthSouth Elements Progressive Union, SSEP, Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, yesterday, dismissed the planned merger by opposition political parties in the country ahead of 2015 general elections, saying it will not work.

Ambakederimo, also Executive Director, Nigeria Rebirth Initiative, told Vanguard, in Yenagoa, that the merger will not stand the test of time because of the greed in Nigerian politicians.

He said: “Merger is not new in Nigerian politics. We have seen some alliances in the past that worked but there is a difference between alliance and merger. Political parties have merged before and we saw the fallout. They have just formed All Progressives Congress, APC, I don’t see how far they can go.

“The greed in our politicians will not make them to settle down to discuss on how they can manage the positions. What have they done

up till now? They have not come out with their manifesto, nor ideology of the party yet.

“We haven’t seen the logo and we know that before 2015, there will be crack. Financial inducement from the ruling party cannot be ruled out. Already, we are hearing of persons being sponsored by the ruling party to dis-

countenance the merger and withdraw from the merger that their parties is not part of it and do not support it.

“For me, I don’t think it is a threat to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because the Nigerian opposition from the beginning cannot put their act together. After every election,

they go to sleep. It is only when election is approaching that they come together.

“We have not seen their manifesto, which is what they should have done shortly after the election in 2011 to sensitise the people of their desire to wrest power from the ruling party.”

Dr. Joseph Odumodu, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON; Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman Senate Committee on Industry; Hon Muhammed Ogoshi Onawo, Chairman, House Committee on Industry and Mrs Evah Oduor, Director, Kenya Bureau Standards (KEBS) during the Nigeria Lawmakers delegation visit to Kenya Bureau of Standards in Kenya.

New Edo CP reads riot act to kidnappers, Delta not a jungle robbers — Utuama

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—THE new Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, yesterday, asumed duties in the state with a warning to kidnappers and armed robbers to relocate from the state or meet their waterloo.

Adebanjo took over from Mr. Hordi Muhammad, who had been acting in that capacity since October 2012.

Adebanjo, who was Commissioner of Police in-charge of Anti-Bomb Unit, Force

Headquarters, Abuja, said he was already aware of the crime situation in the state and vowed to tackle the problem.

He said that he knew the state earlier while he was Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Zone 5, Benin City, and expressed his readiness to tackle crime in the entire state and make it a safer place.

Addresing officers of the Command at the State Police Command Headquarters, he noted that “kidnapping and armed robbery were the major crimes in Edo State. I was here before as Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Zone 5, so

I have a good idea of the state.

I will advise armed robbers and kidnappers to change their ways and be responsible to the society as they cannot find a home here.

“If they don’t want to change, then they should relocate because we will come after them in full force,” he stated.

Warning officers to live up to their responsibilities, Adebanjo said the command will not tolerate any form of indiscipline. He also warned against indiscriminate use of fire arms in the state.

Firm denies threat to demolish telecom facilities

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MAJOR major contractor to MTN Nigeria, Procomtel Limited, yesterday, denied claims by a sub-contracting firm, Gbaruka Resources, that it was planning to demolish MTN facilities in the Niger Delta region over non-payment for services rendered to the company.

Gbaruka Resources, a service provider based in Bayelsa State, which is a sub-contractor to Procomtel, had issued threat to demolish MTN fa-

cilities in the Niger Delta region over failure to honour the contractual agreement it reached with Procomtel Limited.

In a statement in Lagos, Procomtel Limited, said the threat

by Gbaruka Resources was false, adding that it was not in tandem with the rule of law, equity and good corporate governance, which had been and remains its tenet as a law abiding corporate organisation.

General Manager, Legal Services, Ms. Bolanle Opadokun,

Procomtel, in a statement, said it was not in dispute that they were contracted by MTN Plc to construct various cell sites all over the country and as such, engaged the services of sub-contractors such as Gbaruka Resources, and a host of others to execute the contracts, for which loans were obtained from commercial banks to execute the jobs in line with the turnkey agreement with MTN.

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—DELTA State Government, has said that the state was not a jungle but an entity governed by the rule of law and due process and warned those who take to violence in their bid to resolve perceived injustice to desist henceforth.

Deputy Governor, Prof.

Amos Utuama, at a one-day workshop for traditional rulers from the South Senatorial district of state, held at Government House Annex, Warri, said: “Delta is a modern society desirous of change and development.”

He said traditional rulers were pivotal to mobilising, encouraging and directing the people at the grassroots, noting that this places enormous responsibilities on them. He appealed to them to be supportive of the hopes and aspirations of the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration and provide the needed guidance to the grassroots people.

38—Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Orji tasks soldiers on child trafficking

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has tasked soldiers of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, to combat the problem of child trafficking which has become too rampant in parts of the state.

Governor Orji, who condemned the act, regretted that the criminals, who were formerly involved in kidnapping but were battled to a halt by the government, were now the ones engaged in child trafficking.

The governor spoke when he presented additional five brand new Hillux vans to the Brigade, and urged Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier-General Jibrin Abubakar, to confront the problem of child trafficking and bring it to a stop in the state.

According to Orji, reports and empirical evidence have confirmed the prevalent cases of child trafficking in parts of the state and vowed to assist security agencies to put a stop to it.

Imo govt laments high rate of crime in border town

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—IMO State government has expressed shock over the high rate of crime at Amala, a border town between Rivers State and Ngor Okpala local government area of the state.

The Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso, who made the lamentation when he paid an unscheduled visit to the community, also made it clear that government was not happy with the incessant criminal activities in the area.

“I am visiting this community, following reports government has been receiving concerning the high rate of criminal activities in this area,” Agbaso explained.

Expressing dismay over what he called sabotage of government’s efforts to secure the area effectively, Agbaso said some disgruntled elements were responsible for the present state of affairs.

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Bizman docked, accused of stealing N13m

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—A 36-year-old busi nessman, Ediri Tsakpohore, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court, for allegedly stealing Spare parts valued at N13million, property of Metropolitan Motors Ltd. Tsakphore, who resides at

Agege, is facing a three-count charge of stealing and threat to life before magistrate, Mrs O.A Okunga. Police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Barth Nwaokoye, told the court that the said offence was committed at No 7, Joel Ogunnaike street, GRA Ikeja area of Lagos.

He alleged that the defendant in 2011, stole goods valued at

N13million, property of Metropolitan Motors Ltd. Nwaokoye also alleged that Tsakpohore threatened the life of one Adekunle Oyemosu, the company’s accountant that he was going to deal with him, if he asked for the money again on behalf of the company.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under section 312, 285 (1) of the

criminal laws No 11 Vol 44 laws of Lagos state of Nigeria 2011.

However when the charge preffered against the defendant by the police was read to him, he pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Okunuga granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum. She, therefore, adjourned the matter to March 25, 2013, for trial.

FCTA to spend N500m on transport palliatives

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

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BUJA—FEDERAl Capital Territory Administration, FCTA , has set aside N500 million from SURE-P funds for palliatives to take care of those to be affected by the new transport policy of Federal Capital Territory.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, stated this weekend while receiving the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of Mini-Bus Feeder Routes and Traffic Regulations in his office in Abuja.

According to him, “the FCT Administration is not implementing this new land transport policy to inflict pains on any mode of transport operator or commuters but to reduce transportation time.

“All the decisions being taken are not for personal interests but are in the overall interest of the country and in particular residents of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The Minister reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to sustain the Abuja Mass Transit Policy in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that the mini-buses would have more work to do now than before.

The Minister said the FCT Administration would talk with some banks, including the African Development Bank, as well as Toyota Motor Company, to provide credit facility to buy brand new buses at very affordable rates.

He said: “ We are not making anybody jobless as speculated, indeed, people will be more empowered under this policy because what the FCT Administration is doing is restricting their operations to certain areas of the Federal Capital City and allowing them to operate more broadly on other routes”.

Senator Mohammed also announced that the FCT Administration would review the operation of Abuja On-Street Parking, popularly known as Park and Pay Policy, to make it more acceptable to the populace.

From left: Prof. Gishan Dissanaike, Adam Smith Professorial Chair of Corporate Governance at Cambridge University UK; Harold Chee, Academic Programme Director, Cambridge Judge Business School, CJBS; Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered); Afua Osei, Business Development Director, CJBS and Sola Obadimu, Director Capacity Building, NIM during the visit of the Institute to the Cambridge University Business School.

Okorocha sacks 2 commissioners

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—IMO State gover nor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has terminated the appointment of two commissioners in the state’s Civil Service Commission, CSC. The governor had earlier suspended the Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, Mr. Austin Otuokere, for allegedly being the author of an official

memo, which advised government on what to do with the 10,000-job beneficiaries in the state.

The two commissioners affected by government’s shake-up are the Chairman, Mr. C. C. Nwaka and the Commissioner 1, Chief Analyn Nwaneri.

Although Okorocha’s administration did not give reasons the two commissioners were dropped, Vanguard investigations revealed that it was connected with the raging legal fireworks

instituted by beneficiaries of Chief Ikedi Ohakim’s 10,000 jobs.

Vanguard recalls that the aggrieved job beneficiaries had since dragged the state government to the Industrial Court, Enugu, urging the court, among other things, to order that they be reinstated and paid their accruing salaries and allowances.

Meanwhile, two retired permanent secretaries, Chief Chidi Oguoma and Mr. Fan Osuala, have been appointed to replace the sacked commissioners.

It's turn of Abia South to produce gov—Wabara

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—FORMER Sen ate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, has said it was the turn of Abia South Senatorial zone to take over from Governor Theodore Orji.

According to Wabara, it would be a good reflection of political equation, equity and fairness, if a person from the zone took over as governor in 2015.

Wabara spoke, weekend, when he hosted a meeting of Ukwa Peoples Assembly in his country home at Ohambele, Ukwa East Coun-

cil of the state.

Governor Theodore Orji had said openly in many fora that he would hand over to someone from that zone but political watchers in the state believe the onus fell squarely on the people of the zone to work for it, more so when politicians from the area hardly work together.

Addressing the meeting which was attended by prominent Ukwa politicians, Wabara tasked them to come together to work for the actualization of producing the next governor of Abia State in 2015.

Abia South zone comprises six local government areas, includ-

ing Aba North and South; Ukwa East and West; Ugwunagbo and Obingwa.

Wabara said he convened the meeting to know the stand of Ukwa people in Abia politics. According to him, the governorship rotation started in North Senatorial zone, now in the Central Senatorial zone and hoped it would be the turn of South in 2015.

He said: “We are the ones that gave Abia State the right to be known as oil producing state.

Every where in Nigeria people are talking about 2015, yet we are sitting down here, not doing anything. In politics, one plus one can be zero".

Vanguard , TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 —39

From left: Goddy Uwazurike, Metro Advocate; Don Eze, Metro Secretary; Chris Omeche, KSS member, and Patrick Ikemefuna, Metro Grand Knight, during induction as Catholic knights of St. Mulumba Church, in Lagos.

Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, Niger State Governor (right), presenting a slate to Mallam Musa Muhammad Nda, during the 1st Executive Walimatul Qur'an of Al-habibiya Academy, Minna, at Idris Legbo Kutigi Hall.

From left: Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, Delta State Deputy Governor; Chief James Manager, Senator representing Delta South and Hon. Victor Ochei, Speaker of the State Assembly, during the burial of late Madam Patricia Ganagana, mother of Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Basil Ganagana, at Akugbene, Delta State.

From left: Uyi Akpata, Deputy Country Senior Partner, PwC; David Sunmoni, Accountant General, Lagos State; Akin Ambode, Managing Consultant, Brandsmith Consulting and Global Public Finance/Accounting Partner, PwC, at the conference on Global Accounting and Financial Reporting by Governments, in Brussels, Belgium.

From left: Mr. Omobolaji Alade-Ifa, hair technician, Dark and Lovely; Mrs. Titilola Igri-Offor, Head, Education and Training, L'Oreal Nigeria; Mr. Steve Kumaglo, Coordinator, Mobile Salon, Dark and Lovely; Ms. Veronica Akporu, Coordinator and Mrs. Nana Milagrosa Utomi, CEO, Mabatpro Experiential Agency, during the hair antibreakage activation by Dark and Lovely, at the University of Lagos.

From left: Mr. Olanrewaju Olawale, General Manager/CEO, Capetex Industry Limited; Mrs. Ifeanyi Andrew, the Company Secretary and Mr. Mudashiru Adekunle, the Finance & Admin. Manager, with the awards given to Capetex Industries for its Marmoran Wall Coating Paint, as the Best Wall Coating Paint 2012.

From left: Chioma Alonge, the Brand Manager, Veleta Fruit Wine; Monalisa Chinda, popular actress; Innocent Oboh, Head of Marketing, Intercontinental Distillers and Chico Ejiro, Nollywood producer, during the Veleta Valentine Fiesta, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

From left: Comrade Abdulwaheed Adeniran, Campaign for Democracy, CD, Niger State PRO; Comrade Muhammed Ghali, CD, North West Treasurer; Dr. From left: Babatunde Aramide, Senior Secondary School II; Sanni Joe Okei-Odumakin, President; Comrade Abdul Bako Usman, Deputy President; Abdulwahab, creative arts teacher; Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Osun State Comrade Ibrahim Yusuf, North West Secretary and Comrade Solomon Sobade, Deputy Governor; Abiodun Ogundele, financial accounts teacher and Lawal Gen. Secretary (all of CD), during the 8th National Convention of the Campaign Purity, Senior Secondary School II student, during a coutesy call by stufor Democracy,(CD), in Lagos. dents of Adeola College, Offa, to the Deputy Governor, in Osogbo.

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40—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Al-Makura swears in new CJ

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BY ABEL DANIEL

AFIA—GOVER NOR Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, yesterday, swore in the new Chief Judge of the state, Justice Sulaiman Umaru Dikko, with a call on judges to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Speaking at the swearing in, at Government House in Lafia, AlMakura however, urged the new chief judge to ensure fairness and justice.

He said: “You must always remember that as the head of the judiciary, you are the symbol of fairness, equity, justice and objectivity which are the qualities that civilized societies yearn for at all times.”

Al-Makura further appealed to him to allow his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duties.

In his response, the new CJ, Justice Dikko thanked the government and people of Nasarawa State for the confidence reposed in him and asked for their cooperation to make the state what it ought to be considering the spate of crises in the area even as he asked the governemnt to support the judiciary to enable it fullfil its full obligations to the society.

Imam tasks FG on war against corruption

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B U J A — SHEIK Muhammad Khalid, the Chief Imam of the National Assembly Quarters’ Mosque in Abuja, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to intensify the war against corruption in the country.

Khalid, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, said: “I believe there is no religion in the world that encourages corruption either directly or indirectly.”

He appealed to Nigerians to listen to their religious leaders to reduce the high rate of corruption and other social vices in the country.

The cleric called on religious bodies to ensure that their followers have the fear of God in them in all their undertakings in order to better humanity and the country as a whole.

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Islamist group claims kidnap of 7 foreigners in Bauchi R

EUTERS—AN Islamist group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility, yesterday, for the kidnap of seven foreigners during a night time raid in a remote northern Nigerian town at the weekend.

Gunmen killed a security guard and abducted a Briton, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese workers after storming the housing compound of Lebanese construction firm Setraco in Jama’are in Bauchi State late on Saturday.

It was the worst case of foreigners being kidnapped in the mostly Muslim north of Africa’s most populous country since an insurgency by Islamist militants intensified two years ago.

“By Allah’s grace (we) have the custody of seven persons, which include Lebanese and their European counterparts working with Setraco,” read a statement from Ansaru, a group that has kidnapped other foreigners in the country in the past.

The kidnapping was “based on the transgression

and atrocities done to the religion of Allah by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan and Mali,” the statement said.

Attacks by fractured Islamist groups in northern Nigeria have become the biggest threat to stability in Africa’s

top oil producer.

Ansaru’s full name is Jama’atu Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudan, which roughly translates as “Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa.”

The group has risen to prominence only in recent months.

It has claimed responsibility

for kidnapping a Frenchman last year and a raid on a major police station, where it said hundreds of prisoners were released. Britain said the group was behind the kidnap of a British and a Italian killed last year during a failed rescue attempt.

From left: Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives; Dr. Ibrahim Shema, Katsina State Governor, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State, at the maiden convocation of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina, weekend.

Benue govt moves against illegal structures

BY PETER DURU AKURDI—IN a renewed bid to restore the master plan of Makurdi and other towns in Benue State, the state government has destroyed about 200 unauthorised houses and structures at Zaki-Biam, Ukum Local Government Council.

The demolition exercise was led by the General Manager, Benue Sate Urban Development Board, BSUDB, Mr. Musa Ujor, who told newsmen in Zaki-Biam that “the demolished structures were illegally developed without necessary approvals.”

He said: “This action is part of the renewed effort by

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the board to sanitize and rid most urban centres in the state of illegal structures and unauthorized land development. The board will continue to demolish all illegal developments by local government councils and individuals in the 23 local government areas of Benue State which were erected without the ap-

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OS—ACTIVITIES may soon be paralysed in Plateau State Government-owned tertiary institutions following a threat by workers to resume their suspended strike over unpaid salaries and allowances.

President of the Joint Unions of Plateau State-owned Tertiary Institutions, Mr. Victor Dawurung, who an-

done here today should serve as a warning to those who are taking the state government for granted.

“My team is moving from one local government area to the other and we will not hesitate to pull down any illegal structure found in any part of the state to ensure sanity in land development.”

Senate advises NIMET on air disaster

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAK-

WURU BUJA—SENATE Com mittee on Aviation has advised Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, to do everything within its powers to reduce any form of disas-

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Plateau workers threaten to resume strike

BY TAYE OBATERU

proval of the board until the right things are done. ”And I can assure you that we will not spare anyone who willingly flouts the laws of the state as regards land development, irrespective of his or her social status.

“Whoever violates the law would do so at his or her own peril because what we have

nounced this at a briefing yesterday, said the workers in the six institutions would commence an indefinite strike on Friday if the outstanding issues are not addressed.

He said the state government had despite various appeals, refused to pay the three months salary arrears which accumulated during the protracted strike by the workers last year.

ter that could put the country in mourning mood.

The Senate’s advice came against the backdrop of recent prediction by the agency that the aviation sector might witness minor delays in flight due to reduced horizontal visibility in dust haze early this year.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who gave the advice during the 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, SRP, said NIMET had a lot to do to ensure that the lives of air travellers were protected.

Senator Uzodimma told the agency to acquire all the necessary technology as was done in other countries and assured that his committee would help where necessary to reduce air disasters in the country.

He said forecast could spell doom or blessing to a nation and

that NIMET had been up and doing in past years and had not failed the country.

He, however, regretted that despite the warning of the possibility of serious flooding in different parts of the country last year, many states were hit by flood disaster that claimed many lives and sacked millions of people from their homes.

Uzodimma, called on Nigerians to take NIMET predictions seriously, adding that if the predictions of the agency were taken seriously, the loss of lives witnessed last year would not have occurred.

NIMET had at the weekend predicted that the heavy rainfall that caused devastation in different parts of the country and claimed many lives last year will occur again this year, even heavier in some parts of the North Western zone of the country.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—41

C M Y K

42—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

EKITI HOUSE:

How things fell apart

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

T

HE Fourth House of Assembly of Ekiti State, a one-time homogeneous and united legislature that came into existence in June 2011 has now turned against itself.

The chamber is enmeshed in an unprecedented crisis.

The House has 26 members with 24 from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accounting for two. Only two members, Churchill Adedipe (ACN, Irepodun -Ifelodun Local Council) and Gbenga Odebunmi (ACN, Ekiti West) returned as old members.

With 40 bills passed into law in less than two years, the House has variously been adjudged as hard working and

efficient.

Unsubstantiated allegation Led by a medical practitioner, Wale Omirin, a suave and witty politician from Gbonyin Local Council, things appeared rosy in the chamber until recently.

A sign that all was not well manifested mid last year when the two PDP members, who were then principal officers of the House, Bunmi Orilowo (Ido -Osi local Government) and Dele Ajibola also known as 5050, were suddenly removed over an unsubstantiated allegation that they were acting as spies to the opposition PDP. Since then things were never the same as the opposition legislators were sidelined in the House.

The build up to the current crisis in the House started from the day Omirin emerged as the Speaker. in June 2011.

Majority of the lawmakers had no input into his emergence as he was said to have been imposed on them by the executive arm of the state government.

Some keen political observers, who have watched with keen in interest the dayto- day activities of the House, said it was a matter of time before the bubble bursts.

Now, some of the legislators are determined to change the leadership of the House, and the push has led to the emergence of two factions in the House: the pro-Omirin and anti- Omirin groups.

The anti-Omirin group, peopled mostly by some vocal

•Wale Omirin: Embattled Ekiti Speaker members, have been meeting in Ado Ekiti, the state capital and outside the state on how to remove the speaker for his

Culture shock for a U.S. Ambassador

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

T

HE interactive session between the United States senior diplomat and three Nigerian journalists at the U.S. consulate in Lagos had been scheduled the week before.

Ambassador Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the States Department heads the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, which has a budget of $635 million and over 400 employees.

His brief is to advance U.S. foreign policy interests through educational and cultural programmes, an assignment that keeps him busy, not only in the continental United States, but across the world wherever U.S. interests are found. It was part of that brief that brought him into intercourse with the three Nigerian journalists penultimate Tuesday.

Ambassador Ereli was deputy spokesman for the department of state between 2003 and 2006, ambassador to Bahrain between 2007 and 2011. He also served in Yemen, Ethiopia, Syria, Egypt and Qatar. The ambassador’s tour of duty to these mostly conservative Middle-East countries should

have opened his eyes to the inclinations of a conservative and religiously minded people as are also found in Nigeria.

But not so, it seemed when we met him as he seemed worried by the popular repugnance for homosexual practises, rights or whatever by most Nigerians.

Speaking against the background of the bill passed by the National Assembly prescribing harsh punishment for homosexual marriages and related deviant practises, Ambassador Ereli said: “You don’t want to be a society that treats certain citizens and others another way, they are all Nigerians. So, I would argue that discriminating against gay people undermines the rule of law and that doesn’t mean that you have to allow for gay marriage,” Ereli started as we listened to him.

Campaign for civil liberties Seemingly equating the fight for the rights of homosexuals to the campaign for civil liberties in the United States, he said: “We talked about the right of women, then we talked about the rights of minorities, now we are talking about the rights of immigrants and gays, it is all the same discussion, it

•Ereli: America is not the world's policeman is the right of people who are not like you and me but who still live in the same country.”

“So, for America the more we share with a country, the more we can do with the country. We have affinity with countries that share our values and in many ways Nigeria shares our values particularly on the issues of race relations, particularly on the issues of playing a responsible regional role.”

Ambassador Ereli, nevertheless agreed that the U.S. is not the world’s policeman, saying:“Contrary to what many people believe America is not the world’s policeman, it is not up to us to

tell people what they should do and how they should do it.

America can say what it believes in, what it stands for and why which is what I just did. It is up to other countries to decide, they are sovereign, it is up to them to decide for themselves what policies they take and how they treat their citizens.”

On the basis of that admission, I reminded him that Nigeria has a law against sodomy which makes homosexual engagements a crime. “Are you saying that Nigeria should decriminalize it,” I asked him?

“I am not saying that. I am

‘’numerous sins,” Vanguard gathered.

They have not been

Continues on page 43 saying that it is troubling when certain laws circumscribe rights of speech, rights of assembly and discriminating certain citizens based on sexual orientation or sexual views.” Given his earlier antagonism against the bill passed by the National Assembly against homosexual marriages, I reminded him that even not as harsh as the Nigerian law, but that the U.S Congress also passed the Defense of Marriage Act which recognises marriage as that between a man and a woman.

The diplomat in his response said that the law would come up for review as time progresses. As we took him up on his cultural foray, I asked why the United States was not putting as much focus on anticorruption measures as it was putting up in the defence of homosexuals in Nigeria.

“We have been very clear about corruption in Nigeria. We have been very clear that this is a practice that exists in Nigeria as it exists in nearly all other country in the world, that it is an impediment to growth.”

While he asserted that the U.S. administration is determined to work with the government of Nigeria to address measures against anticorruption in a meaningful way, the Nigerian journalists did not leave a doubt in the mind of the visiting senior administration official that he has a tough job breaking Nigerian culture on the matter of homosexuality.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012—43

governor cannot just wake up and start doing something.

People are just being childish about this thing. How many other governors have you asked this question?

But Okorocha’s involvement is the most controversial?

There is no controversy.

People are making up the controversy. What is the controversy? People are making up the controversy. The real people, the APGA leaders have they spoken?

People are just making a mountain out of a molehill. They are just trying to downplay what is the real significant development in Nigeria and I see the unseen hands of the PDP trying to divide this progressive movement.

APC: Okorocha is

just being his brothers’ keeper — Offor, Imo Info Commissioner MR. Chinedu Offor is the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State. A former broadcast journalist, Mr. Offor before his present appointment was Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media. In this interview he responds to allegations that Governor Rochas Okorocha surreptitiously sneaked the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA into the mega opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

H

OW do you react to claims that Governor Okorocha sneaked APGA into the APC? That is not true. You know that there is APGA authentic and there is APGA-PDP. Anybody who is not progressive, anybody who does not want the nation to move ahead, anyone who does not want Nigeria to have an alternative, anyone who does not think of the future of the young people and Nigeria, anyone who does not want Nigeria to take a step up for its responsibilities (will say that). And these are what APGA stands for. APGA’s motto is ‘Be your brother ’s keeper’ and that is exactly what happened.

The real APGA saw the necessity to move Nigeria forward, saw the necessity to join likeminded progressives to

move the nation forward and provide an alternative to Nigerians and decided to join those compatriots and patriots of like minds to move the nation forward. So, whoever says that APGA was dragged into it or whatever, ask them, the question is do they like the status quo? Are they progressives? Do they like development? If they do, you will find that they are expressing their personal opinion based on the fact that they are part APGA and part PDP. But the real APGA is in it for the good reason. There is nothing personal, people are personalising it. It is not personal.

Nobody is personalising anything. It is essentially a meeting of like minds, people who believe that we can do better than we are doing now. So it is nothing personal.

Personal sentiments

•Offor Governor Okorocha doesn’t want to make it personal, this is beyond him. This is a movement and it is exactly what is happening in Imo State and if you come here you will see the pace of development.

Those who are speaking are talking for their personal reasons. Governor Okorocha does not say I, he always says we. So, it is not personal and people just water this thing down or the significance of what has happened by trying to personalise it. He did not.

On what mandate did Governor Okorocha attend the Lagos meeting of opposition governors?

All the other people who came, were there meetings of

their parties or conventions where they were given mandates? So why is Governor Okorocha’s own being personalised? Is it because he is Governor Okorocha? All those governors who came did you hear of a prior meeting or convention? They came together as like minds and like parties.

Did the governor consult with fellow stakeholders like Governor Peter Obi, Senator Chris Anyanwu before this action?

Those people will speak for themselves.

The other governors who came did anyone ask them whether they consulted with anybody else?

People should know that a

the constituency projects. That was before Fayemi came on board. Under Fayemi, the legislators have been stripped of such executive actions being restricted to their legislative duties.

The anti-Omirin group is also complaining that the speaker has lately become very arrogant and not accountable to any one failing to carry members along on the issues concerning the administration of the House.

The state governor intervened by conveying a meeting of the caucus of the ACN leaders in the House where all the stakes holders were said to have spoken their minds freely But the meeting was inconclusive, as some of the anti Omirin group failed to showed up at the reconciliatory meeting The governor was said to

have pleaded passionately with the lawmakers not to cause disharmony in the House and by extension in the party.

That is what it is all about and probably using the APGA-PDP in the midst of APGA to put a wedge, but it is not going to work. This is a movement of the people. Governor Okorocha did not join them because he wants a position, he already has a position.

We should rise above personal sentiments and think of the future of Nigeria , that is what this is all about.

Why is Governor Okorocha’s own different? Why is it every time Governor Okorocha, Governor Okorocha? Why? Even the PDP has issues.

Have you been able to identify those in this APGA-PDP that are against the progressive trend?

The bible identified them long ago. By their fruits you shall know them. By their comments you shall know them.

How things fell apart Continues from page 42 uncomfortable with the speaker’s “closeness” with the state executive, which they said had robbed them of certain privileges and rights.

The anti-Omirin group wants as a speaker someone, who would always champion the cause of the House before the state executive and command the respect of the governor and other members of the state executive.

Christmas package trap catches Omirin A proposal of N66million to the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for the celebration of Christmas and New Year festivities, unfortunately did not receive the blessings of the chief executive, as he slashed it to the sum of N53million.

The lawmakers viewed the governor’s refusal to approve the N66million for them as an

•Gov Fayemi: Absolves self from impeachment plot affront occasioned by Omirin’s inability to do his assignment One of the complaints of the lawmakers against the speaker is his inability to convince the governor on his stand on constituency projects. Hitherto, the lawmakers were mainly responsible for the execution of

Security operatives Since the beginning of the week, the tension escalated in the House due to the heavy presence of security operatives.

Visitors to the House were searched to their pants before gaining access to the legislative complex.

Meanwhile, as a fall out to the crisis in the House, the lawmakers have forced the Clerk of the House, Mr Tunde Fagboyegun out,while his deputy has taken over in acting capacity.

Also Mrs. Omowumi Ogunlola, the Chief Whip and the chairman House Committee on Information was said to have

resigned her positions for "personal reasons” It was not clear as at press time whether the speaker, Hon Omirin would follow suit But the Special Adviser to the Speaker, Mr Wale Olujobi has dismissed all the allegations against his boss, saying the speaker was enjoying the best cooperation with majority of the lawmakers He said the love and unity existing among the lawmakers has contributed immensely to the level of work done by the lawmakers based on the huge number of bills passed in the House.

He attributed the present crisis in the House to the handiwork opposition members in the state who are "jittery and disturbed" over what he described as "monumental achievements being recorded in the House”.

44—Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 TUESDA

PMTCT:

Whither Nigeria in the goal of HIV prevention, elimination?

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

O

NE of the international goals and strategies related to elimination and prevention of HIV infection in infants and young children as set by the United Nations General Assembly Special Session,UNGASS, in 1996, was reduction of infant and child mortality rate by at least onethird by 2010.

Specifically, the UNGASS mandate was reduction of the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 20 per cent by 2005, and 50 per cent by 2010.

Towards achieving these goals, it was recognised that prevention of HIV infection in pregnant women should be part of a comprehensive approach both to HIV prevention and care for women and children on one hand, and to maternal and child reproductive health services on the other.

Also recognised was the reduction of HIV transmission during breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is normally the best way to feed an infant, but it isfact that HIV transmission can occur through breastfeeding.

An HIV positive mother can transmit the virus to her baby during pregnancy, labour or after delivery. Data show that maternal- foetal HIV infection varies between 15 to 30 per

cent in the absence of any intervention and breastfeeding, but increases by another 15-30 per cent if such babies are breastfed without intervention.

Research show that prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a public health responsibility especially in a country like Nigeria where there is a relatively high rate of HIV infection among pregnant women. Hence, the recognition of supporting optimal breastfeeding approaches.

Nevertheless, a major challenge of HIV prevention, control and management is the issue of infant feeding. To put issues of general guidance on HIV and infant feeding into practice, the World Heath Organisation, WHO, the UN and other stakeholders, designed the Revised Guidelines for HIV and Infant Feeding.

Policy decision When it was released, this document aimed to provide information on issues to be considered in relation to infant and young child feeding in the context of HIV, and to highlight areas of special concern on which policy decision needed to be made.

Targeted at policy and decision makers, the guidelines in question contain an overview

• With less than 20 percent HIV-infected pregnant women reached with PMTCT interventions in Nigeria, there is an unmet need for PMTCT services in the country. Photo courtesy; New Vision. of international policy, goals and guidelines as well as background on HIV and infant feeding and the current recommendations for HIV positive women.

Among other major considerations related to different feeding options, was the strategic approach towards development or revision of national policies on infant and young child feeding, with and incorporation of HIV component. Issues to be highlighted include the provision of free or low-cost infant formulae; suggestions for protection, promotion and support of appropriate infant feeding in the community particularly at the grass roots and other key issues supporting HIV -positive women in their infant feeding decision.

Worldwide, increasing evidence indicate that strategies and intervention for the prevention and elimination of mother to -child transmission of HIV are effective.

The prevention and elimination of mother to -child transmission of HIV, comprises the primary prevention of HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy as well as transmission of HIV from an HIV positive mother to her baby.

Research shows these are achievable through voluntary counseling, testing and administration of Nevirapine - an anti Retroviral drug. Provision of infant feeding options including breast milk substitutes as well as follow-up counseling, top the list.

Nigeria has been part of this

historic movement and essentially, the goal of the PMTCT and eMTCT project is to generate information for formation of a national policy and implementation of guidelines for a comprehensive PMTCT intervention.

True, not all children born of HIV positive mothers become infected with the virus. Estimates show that about 85 per cent of infants and children living with HIV get infected throughtheir mothers.

But one of the reasons why children living in Sub-Sahara, Africa are particularly more vulnerable to HIV infection is because African women are more likely to transmit the virus to their children than their European counterparts, prob Continues on page 46

Experts say not all lung cancers are caused by smoking

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

C

ONTRARY to the aged – long be lief that only smokers are at risk of lung cancer, physicians at the Grand Round of the Respiratory Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, have explained that not all lung cancers are caused by smoking.

The physicians who alerted on increasing incidence of lung cancer in young people in the country say lung cancer has become a major public health concern in Nigeria.

The Ground Round tagged: “A Pulmonary Mass” saw the presentation of a 20 – year old- lung cancer patient successfully operated at LUTH. Addressing the class attended by consultant physicians and medical students, Head of the Unit, a Consultant C M Y K

Chest Physician, Dr. Cyril Chukwu, said smoking does not answer all questions about lung cancer.

“The type of cigarette you smoke matters. The quality varies from cigarette to cigarette. The cheaper cigarettes are more carcinogenic than the more expensive ones because of the quality of cigarette filter.

“How much of a cigarette you smoke comes in. If for example you smoke a little from the cigarette and throw it away like the Americans do, that means the remaining carcinogens in the other half you will not get it. You only get a little bit.”

Further he said: “How well you smoke and how often you smoke also count. How you inhale also matters.

There is also the re-lightening issue which is very dangerous. There is a

genetic aspect, the kind of enzymes you have that will be able to metabolise the carcinogens into active or more active metabolite also play a very big protective role. These are enzymes that act on the cancer causing chemicals that we call carcinogens to make them more active and also your body’s ability to repair damage to cells which lead to cells and all these vary from person to person.”

Chukwu said some components of insecticides are carcinogens, fumes from vehicles, diesel generator, and inhaling these components is dangerous.

“A lot of people who never smoked have got cancer that is why we are talking about other things in the environment like these cancer causing chemicals in the atmosphere, even

when you cook with kerosene or fire woods. Also radiation from rock and soil known as Radom can also cause lung cancer.

The Head of the Unit, who stated that a lot of young people are coming down with lung cancer advised smokers to quit and those who do not smoke to always go for regular cancer screening as they may contract lung cancer from chemicals in the atmosphere.

“If you are ill and have been coughing for weeks see you doctor to know what it is causing it. If it is cancer it can be attended to early enough,” he counselled.

While stressing the need for people to eat more of vegetables and fruits, he stated that studies have shown that intake of adequate vegetables and fruits can protect against lung cancer.

Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — TUESDA

45

Cancer treatable, curable if detected early — EXPERTS

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

C

ANCER is treatable and curable if detected early accord ing to medical experts in the country who spoke at a symposium in focus of theme of the 2013 World Cancer Day: “Dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about cancer: Did You Know?”.

At the event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said the belief that cancer was a death sentence was not only incorrect but popularise by nasty experiences of those who present their cases late in hospitals.

Idris who was represented by the State Acting Director of Disease Control, Dr. Bakare Omowumi also dismissed the misconception that cancer is a disease of the wealthy, adding that, “the disease is rampant in both middle and low income countries of the world, including Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Director General, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah, lamented that cancer had become a hydra-headed disease that needs support of every Nigerian to overcome.

According Ujah, studies have shown that common cancers of public health importance in Nigeria include breast and cervical cancers among women of reproductive age while prostate cancer among adult males as well as cancer of the lungs.

He maintained that early detection and appropriate interventions are key to cancer prevention and control while urging all women of reproductive age and men aged 40 years and above to avail themselves of available screening methods rather than skepticism about whether cancer is real, adding that “by so doing that Nigeria will reduce the cases of new cancers to acceptable levels”.

Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said the line between communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cancer, was becoming thinner thanks to advanced research and care, urging the NIMR to research into breast cancer so as to assist scientists develop a vaccine.

Former Provost,College of Medicine, University of Lagos, CMUL, Prof. Wole Atoyebi, said most women die of cancer because 75 per cent of cancer cases diagnosed at LUTH are at advanced stage when only palliative measures can be rendered.

He noted that traditional healers and faith-based organisations were causing great harm in the fight against cancer as they often deceive cancer patients at the early stage of the ailment when it could have been cured in hospitals into patronizing them only to release these patients to hospitals when it is too late. LASUTH Consultant General Surgeon, Dr. Folusho Omodele, called for mass education, adding if detected early, cancers could be cured at minimal cost.

• From left: Mrs. Eno Agada of West African Ventures presenting keys of an 18-seater bus to Mrs. Rose Mordi,National President, Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria and others in Lagos .

NPC plans N800m demographic health survey

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

T

HE National Population Commission, NPC, plans to spend N800 million on the conduct of 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, NDHS. The exercise is aims to collect data for assessment of demographic rates particularly fertility, infant and child mortality at the national level and also among the urban and rural populations.

Chairman, NPC, Eze Festus Odimegwu who disclosed this at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, said fieldwork for the NDHS 2013 will take four months starting from February 15 to May 30 in six zonal centres.

The zonal centres. include South West zone which has Lagos state as it centre, South

East in Imo State, South South in Akwa ibom, North Central in Nasarawa State/FCT, North East in Gombe and North West in Jigawa State. Odimegwu added that all other states will start February 2013.

He also said adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safety of personnel involved in the conduct of the exercise.

Odimegwu who is represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu state at the Commission, Dr. Festus Uzor, noted that, “effective management of Nigeria’s population for sustainable development requires collection, processing and dissemination of demographic data not only through periodic census but also regular surveys and registration of births, deaths and

EU approves Prevenar 13 for adolescents

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

C

HILDREN and adolescents aged 6-17 years can now benefit from Prevenar13-Pfizer’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine approved for active immunisation for prevention of invasive pneumonia and acute otitis media caused

by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.

A statement by Pfizer Specialities Ltd., said Nigerian children in this age group who have not previously received the vaccine may now obtain a single dose of the vaccine.

The announcement is coming on the heels of approval by the European Com-

•L-R: Business Unit Director, Patrick Aja with Country Manager, Dr. Enrico Liggeri; Director Communication and Public Affairs, Mrs Margaret Olele, and Medical Director, Dr Kodjo Soroh, addressing the media on the approval of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for children ley with the media at the Head Office of Pfizer Specialties Ltd

mission expanding use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, to older children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years According to Dr. Emilio Emini, Chief scientific officer, Vaccine Research, Pfizer, “Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been administered to millions of infants and young children around the world and helps protect against the often fatal effects of pneumococcal disease. As the global leader in pneumococcal disease prevention, Pfizer continues to study the use of this life-saving vaccine across all ages.”

The EU approved the expanded indication following submission and review of a Phase 3, open-label trial of the vaccine in 592 healthy children and adolescents, including those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma. The study met all endpoints, demonstrating immunogenicity and establishing a safety profile in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years consistent with the safety profile established in previous trials in infants and young children.

“Children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 with underlying medical conditions have an increased risk of pneumococcal disease,” said Dr. Jodar, Vice President, Vaccines Global Medicines Development Group, Pfizer.

migration.

“Such regular collection and dissemination of demographic data ensures that detailed and up to date information on the characteristics of the population are available for planning purposes.”

The NDHS is a national representative survey designed to provide information on the demographic and health status of the population. It provides detailed information on the levels and trend of fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and STIs/AIDS in the country..

AfroIndia introduces teleradiology

A

FROINDIA Medical Services Ltd has launched Teleradiology, the first of its kind in Nigeria. Dr Sumer, an India based radiologist and director of teleradiology, this is to overcome the shortage of radiologist in the country.

Alexander Okunbor, President, Afroindia Medical said government, private hospitals and diagnosticcentres in Nigeria will be provided free machine and free connectivity software to link up with Afroindia centre for accurate diagnosis of Nigerian patients.

A radiologist, Dr Agboola Babajide said it is a good development that will improve health care in Nigeria. It will save time and cost. Patient will just have to stand before the machine in Nigeria nd radiologist sitting in India can examine the report immediately.

Teleradiology is the process of transmitting and receiving digital radiology image from one point to another through a secure digital network the transmission of image can be sent to another part of the hospital.

46—Vanguard, TUESD AY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 TUESDA

Understanding the politics of food (3) F

ATS and carbohydrates break down into acetyl acetic acids and fatty acids, and succinic and pyruvic acids respectively during metabolization, again causing an acidic residue.

And while many of the acidic foods may in fact be healthy for other reasons, (i.e. their specific nutrient value, when eaten in excess,) when they are not balanced by more alkaline foods, they can in fact become extremely unhealthy.

This concept is often hard for people to understand, especially when they have been brought up to think of food from a nutritional standpoint and not as a vehicle to balance their bodies.

As a general rule, the body functions best when we eat more alkaline foods than acidic ones. Most good nutritionists will tell you to strive for an 80 percent alkaline food to 20 percent

Julia Oyefunke Fortune

The Cancer

acidic food ratio.

In fact, by eating a higher ratio of alkaline foods, you can actually build up an alkaline reserve within your body, which can ultimately serve to counteract any excess acid on those occasions when you eat too many acidic foods.

Or the most part, while eating too many alkaline foods is not harmful to the body; the same cannot be said for eating too many acidic foods.

When you consume excessive acidic

FIGHTER

juliafortune@hotmail.com

foods, it not only throws off your natural pH balance, but it can lead to the development of any number of serious illnesses and even death in prolonged and severe cases.

As discussed earlier, in an attempt to regain its natural balance, the body will immediately neutralize any excessive acid by borrowing alkaline sub-

stances from wherever it can.

It further tries to eliminate the excess acid through your skin, kidneys and respiratory system. While this can result as various skin eruptions on the skin, this dumping of acid into the kidneys and lungs, may not always be so apparent until it becomes a serious problem.

Whither Nigeria in the goal of HIV prevention, elimination?

Continues on page 44 ably as a result of differences in the way of management of pregnancies.

In the country today, HIV transmission still constitutes a threat to gains of

• Mother and child need better prevention from HIV transmission

immunisation and improved child survival, regardless of integration of the components of HIV Counselling and Testing, Mother-to-child transmission yet accounts for most HIV infections in children under the age of 15 years. Nigeria with a national HIV seroprevalence rate of 4.1 percent has the second highest HIV burden in the world after South Africa and is the country with the largest number of unprevented childhood HIV infection.

Worse still, less than 20 percent HIVinfected pregnant women have been reached with PMTCT interventions. Evidently, there is an unmet need for PMTCT services in Nigeria. What this entails is the need for universal incorporation of voluntary HCT antibody testing and counseling into routine antenatal care services, while providing prophylactic antiretroviral drugs such as Nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant

women and their babies.

The global message is that ensuring availability of safer obstetric practices in public and private health institutions and provisions for counseling and support services for informed decisions on feeding for mothers and their babies remains crucial.

So also is the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding upwards of one year in HIV-positive women and women of unknown HIV status and comprehensive follow-up care and support to HIV -positive women, their infants and families.

By developing policies and programmes to reduce vulnerability to HIV infection, as well as providing information about HIV infection in infants and young children, and addressing cultural and social factors that condone risk of HIV transmission. Nigeria would be well and truly on the path towards achieving the UNGASS objective

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

H

ELLO Uche, I just got married and my wife and I are about to start a family. I want two or three children but she wants more than that. She is an only child. What do you advice? Wisdom Dear Wisdom, the main challenge with children is that apart from the rising cost of raising them, they also demand a lot of attention. When you have too many children, you will not be able to train them properly, and they will become a burden on you.

You want your kids to turn out right and you don’t want to still be raising children when you should be enjoying retirement. So I advise you go for three but not more than four children – Uche Is there anything you know that can stop sagging breasts? I also want something for breast enlargement - Vicky Vicky there is a cream for women called Max Firmer Breast Cream. It smoothens and lifts sagging breasts so you can give that a try. And for breast enlargement, go for Grobust supplement – Uche I don’t reach orgasm anymore. I don’t know if it is because my boyfriend’s penis is small or because he cannot be erect for long. Should I get a vaginal tightener to tighten my vagina to fit his penis or should he get one of your products for erection? Please I want to reach orgasm again – Lucy Dear Lucy, if your boyfriend is experiencing erectile dysfunction, then that explains your recent inability to enjoy intercourse. Erectile dysfunction affects women as much as it affects men because if the man cannot perform, the woman gets nothing. Let him get help for a start. To strengthen his erections and sexual stamina, he should take Virillis or Sex Voltz or he can go for Max Size supplement which is both a penis enlarger and an erection enhancer. As soon as he starts taking these medications, you will see an improvement in his sexual abilities which will benefit you. But if the urgency of your own sexual need is unbearable, I suggest you get a vibrator while he is getting treatment – Uche

I am a 27 year old man with a small penis and a bad case of premature ejaculation. This has made me shy and has reduced my confidence when I am with a lady.

What do I do because emotionally I am not finding it easy – Bok Dear Bok, a product that can have an instant impact on both your ejaculation problems and penis size is the Stud Extension Sleeve. This product for men controls quick ejaculation and also makes the penis look considerably bigger and longer which lifts a man’s self-esteem. The Stud Extension Sleeve is worn like a condom and is reusable too. In extreme cases of premature ejaculation, you can combine this sleeve with an ejaculation control cream such as the Stay Hard Delay Cream – Uche What do you have for a recently divorced lonely woman who wants to be happy again? Linda Linda I will recommend a nice toy for you but you also need to start dating again. No sex toy can replace a human being. Humans need that contact with one another. Go for the Euphoria G Spot Rabbit Vibrator. It is new and gives a lot of pleasure. Use it with the 69 Slick Licks Nipple and Clit Gel for maximum enjoyment. If you like movies, I recommend watching Reign of Terra.

We also have a dating service. Visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com and register. You might be lucky enough to meet someone - Uche Hello Zee Virtual Media. Please do you still have Max Size penis enlarger? I am currently using it and I am very excited because my organ is getting bigger. So I don’t want to break the therapy until I complete the dose – Mfon Yes Mfon, we always have Max Size – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com . Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria.

For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com . - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—47

C M Y K

48—Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

HIGH POINTS *

*

• •

Design of 2nd Niger Bridge by NSE PREMS (inset) the old Niger Bridge at Onitsha

How politics stalled 2nd Niger Bridge, 21 years after it was designed

By JUDE NJOKU

I

SSUES bordering on the very poor state of the River Niger Bridge at Onitsha and the urgent need to build a second bridge across the River took the centre stage at one of the sessions of the House of Representatives last week.

The House passed a motion sponsored by Mr. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, representing Owerri Federal Constituency of Imo State, which observed that the current River Niger bridge which was built in 1965, is at the brink of caving in. In passing the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to engage the services of a competent contractor to commence the construction of a second Niger bridge to support the one presently in use.

Presenting the motion, Onyewuchi noted that the bridge, which links the South-East, South-South and South-West and some northern states, is on the verge of collapse due to its age, over use and lack of maintenance.

“There is evidence of corrosion and cracks to the structural members of the bridge, which has been stretched beyond its limits and capacity, ” he said, adding that “the promises of constructing a second Niger Bridge by the past and present administrations has been a mirage.”

Building a second bridge across the River Niger has become an over-flogged issue since 1992 when former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida challenged. Nigerian Engineers to come up with the design of the bridge.

Overbearing deadweight The River Niger bridge has become a nightmare to commuters mainly due to poor maintenance, overuse, frequent subjection to overbearing deadweight and cannibalisation. The dead weight is a product of the traffic snarl that has become a regular feature at the imposing bridge. Apart from the observation made by Mr. Onyewuchi on the floor of the House of Reps, fears have previously been raised in many quarters that the bridge may soon cave in. The current bridge which links the River Niger from Asaba to Onitsha, was actually initiated by the British colonial government and

In 1992, former military president, Ibrahim Babangida challenged indigenous engineers to design and build a 2nd bridge across the River Niger at Onitsha The design was jettisoned because the Federal Government came up with the idea of incorporating an East -West rail line to the project Current bridge built in 1965 is overused and in a parlous state Government said it has approved a contract of N325 million to Messrs Roughton International Limited, a transaction advisory services firm, to design, build, finance and operate the proposed second Niger Bridge.

gash was later removed from office and the issue died.

In August last year, the the Federal Government again resurrected the issue of building a 2nd Niger Bridge. The government said it has approved a contract of N325 million to Messrs Roughton International Limited, a transaction advisory services firm, to design, build, finance and operate the proposed second Niger Bridge.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and his Ministry of Works counterpart, Mike Onolememen, told State House correspondents that the government is targeting the third quarter of this year as the period when the ground breaking ceremony of the project will be performed.

Onolememen explained that the Federal Government approved the project in order to address the problems of accidents that road users on the route face so that there will be free movement of traffic between the South-west and Southeast.

completed just before the civil war.

Missing bolts, nuts and other key metal components from the steel bridge prompted the Federal Government to undertake rehabilitation work on it about six years ago. These palliative measures lasted for a short time before the bridge became stressed again. Experts posit that the only solution remains the construction of a second bridge to link the Owerri end of Onitsha town.

Vanguard Homes & Property recalls that due to the persistent calls by concerned users of the bridge who noted that age was no longer on its side and that if nothing was done to remedy the situation, the bridge will, one day cave in, the then Works & Housing Minister, Major-General Mamman Kotyangora, an Engineer, persuaded the Babangida regime to challenge indigenous ll roof leaks are caused by engineers with the design and a flaw in the progression of construction of the bridge. water flow. Roofing systems are The Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, designed so that the water starts rose to the challenge and formed a manat the highest possible point and agement consultancy company known as flows downward to the next NSE PREMS which did the design of highest point, and so on until the the bridge. Unfortunately, the project did water reaches the edge of the not take off as the Federal government roof. later came up with the idea of adding an Finding the leak East -West rail line to the project. This Sometimes it can be difficult to later developed signalled the commencelocate the exact spot of a leak bement of intense politicking on the concause the water spot on the ceilstruction of the bridge with successive ing inside your house may not governments merely pay lip service to the be in the same location as the project. actual leak in the roof. Water can About three years ago, the former run down rafters or trusses and Minister of Works, Senator Mohammed show up inside the house a good Sanusi Daggash raised the hope of mildistance away from the actual lions of users of the bridge when he source of the problem. The best assured Nigerians that the present adway to find the true source of the ministration is desirous and committed leak is to climb up into the attic to the construction of the 2nd Niger and look for water damage on the Bridge. He noted that the construction of underside of the roof deck. This a second bridge across the Niger had should give you the best idea as become expedient and assured Nigerito the location where repair work ans that while maintenance works will will be necessary. continue on the existing bridge, the Once the leak has been locatFederal Government would work ed, the repair process is fairly assiduously to construct a new one. Dag-

How to repair your leaking shingles

A

simple. Assuming that there is no structural damage and that the roof and decking do not need to be replaced, a little bit of tar, some flashing, and a few roofing nails will take care of most small, annoying leaks.

Leaks in the roof surface If the water is coming in through the flat surface of the deck, there may be some wind damage to a shingle, or one may be split because of a direct blow.

Things like branches falling out of a tree can cause these kinds of problems. If you happen to have extra shingles that match the color, the easiest option is to simply replace the damaged shingle.

In many cases, however, homeowners don’t have extra shingles just lying around. In this instance, take a small pry bar and carefully remove the 3 or 4 roofing nails that hold down the shingle in question. Be careful not to tear the shingle anymore than it already is.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—49

FG flags off construction of 1,000 unit Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Estate in Abuja

*Gooluck Jonathan Estate in Abuja. (Credit Channels)

BY CHRIS OCHAY I

A

BUJA—IN a move to amel iorate the effect of shortage of housing accommodation in Nigeria, the Federal Government has commenced construction of 1,000 housing units in Abuja.

This is even as Good Earth Power International, a foreign Consortium with interests in construction, energy, communications and land development, is investing $650m for the provision of 1,000 units of housing at Kaba District, known as Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Estate.

Besides, the government has started a process to document all houses construction across the country since the inception of the present administration in 2011 to enable the government

know how many houses were built in the last two years.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple who disclosed this at the ground breaking ceremony of the housing units named after President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, reiterated the commitment of the government to recapitalised the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN. Ms. Pepple notd that “globally, the provision of affordable housing, in its most enabling form, is acknowledged not only as an important policy intervention to improve the living standards of the citizenry but also as a cataclysm for propelling socio-economic transformation”.

“This is in view of its multi-

plier effects in adding value to virtually every sector of the national economy, culminating in its enhanced capacity and productivity through the achievement of a significant increase in the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The extent of housing development in any nation, therefore, reflects the level of its economic growth, social standards and future aspirations for enhanced growth,’ she said.

“The new estate that will spring forth shortly on this ground is justifiable named Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Estate in order to appreciate the support of Mr. president to the revitalisation of the housing and urban development sector by placing the sector at the epicentre of public policy. Bearing in mind

the need to fast-track the realization of the goals and objectives to be attained in the housing and urban development sector under Transformation Agenda, Mr. President also recently directed us to, henceforth; focus on five key areas of implementation activities in the short to medium terms,” Ms Pepple said.

The minister named the areas to include, land titling, housing finance, affordable housing, low-cost/social housing and urban regeneration and regional development.

She said her ministry intends to “vigorously pursue the implementation of the proposed initiatives in these five areas over the next two years in order to to achieve the targets we have set for ourselves.”

FMBN Managing Director, Mr. Gimba Ya ‘U Kumo in his remarks, explained that apart from providing accommodation to 1,000 people, the project would aid the objective of job creation by employing about 5,000 various categories of workers at the FCT. While advising local developers to learn from the foreign firm handling the project, he said,” it is our expectation that advanced technologies and expertise they will be deploying in the course of this project will be adopted and replicated by developers for housing projects in future.”

Estate surveyors seek proper investigation into causes of flood disasters •Donate N2.3 million to victims

By Jude Njoku

T

HE Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, has called for proper investigation into the remote and immediate causes of last year’s flood disasters in the country, saying it would help to avert future occurrence.

In a memorandum signed by

Mr. Emeka Eleh, President and Otunba Victor Ayeye, National Publicity Secretary and addressed to the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, the Institution stated that the contents of the memorandum were triggered by the desire to proffer suggestions on the rehabilitation of affected individuals and communities and to suggest measures to prevent a recurrence of such national tragedy.

T h e memorandum was accompanied by a cheque for N2, 385, 000 which

according to the NIESV President “represents donations from our institution and members towards the provision of relief materials and rehabilitation of the affected persons and communities”. The estate surveyors listed three factors as possible remote and immediate causes of the flooding and called on government to carry out a thorough investigation of the factors.

The first factor according to the realtors is “an alleged opening of gates of an over-filled Dam in Cameroon to release excess water”. The second is “the impact of human activities and development on the environment which has drastically depleted the ozone layer and brought about climate change resulting in excessive impact of the environmental elements and weather on human settlements”.

“The sheer neglect on the part of both authorities and agencies

responsible for environmental management to heed warnings and cautions on environmental issues, and failure of the citizens in imbibing the culture of environmental friendly practices are some of the remote causes of the disaster,” they stated in the memo.

They noted that losses sustained in the disaster are beyond the lives and properties washed away by the flood. They include the psychological trauma that will be suffered for a long time by surviving victims of affected communities. “Though we believe that a proper investigation should be conducted to ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the disaster with a view to averting or reducing the impact of future disasters, we must consider some of the listed factors which are making rounds on the disaster,” the NIESV leaders said.

Lagos teams up with C&G to train artisans

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

W

orried by the dearth of skilled labour force in the country, the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, LASTVEB has flagged off an initiative with Messrs City &Guilds and MCS Consulting to train artisans and craftsmen needed in the housing industry.

The technical skill competency development initiative which is sponsored by Nigerite Nigeria Ltd, is known as Skill-Up. The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe said the initiative which is the first of its kind in the state, will help in skill acquisition which will ultimately give birth to self employment and self reliant for youths.

Chairperson of LASTVEB, Mrs. Adeyinka Oyemade noted that City & Guilds which was dead before, is now being reawakened with the initiative.

She therefore enjoined corporate bodies operating in Lagos to join hands with the government and its partners to make the initiative a reality and discourage reliance on foreigners for artisans and craftsmen.

Describing Skill-Up as a revolutionary change, its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Afolabi Imokuede said the project had been on for the past five months before its launch now. He pointed out that the nation’s economy will not grow if the country continues to rely on the importation of everything.

Explaining that the idea behind the initiative is to stop capital flight out of the country, Imokuede reasoned that skill is what any one has as a lasting asset. He added that the idea of Skill-Up is to directly impact over the next 10 years on almost every sector of the economy long-term skilled work force beginning with construction/housing.

Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu stressed the need to retrain artisans registered with LASTVEB hence the the initiative is a welcome development.

Speaking on behalf of Nigerite, the marketing director, Mr. oyin Gbede,regretted that the present crop of Nigerian youths have no skills. “ We know that the future belongs to the youths; that is why we are investing in the youths through our partnership in the Skill-Up initiative. The initiative will take care of about 70 – 80 per cent of the youths currently roaming the streets of Lagos,” he said. The President, Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB, Mr. Chucks Omeife lauded the project, saying it will address the dearth of skilled labour such as artisans and craftsmen in the building industry.

50 —

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Schweinsteiger warns Arsenal •says Bavarians going for win at Emirates B

ASTIAN Sche i n steiger says Bayern Munich are hungry t o w i n t h e U E FA Champions League and believes they have improved since last season.

“We are hungry to win the Champions League,” he told the Daily Mail. “This team have been to the final twice and didn’t win.

“We have more experience and we’re moving towards our aim.

Compared to the final against Chelsea, we are stronger. We have more good players and we are stronger on the w

Today’s Games Arsenal v Bayern Munich 8.45 p.m.

Porto v Malaga 8.45 p.m.

Neuer to wear four-fingered glove against Arsenal

B

AYERN Munich ‘s Manuel Neuer will reportedly wear a four-fingered goalkeeper’s glove when his side take on Arsenal in the Champions League ton i g h t .

The German international bruised his hand in training last week and as a result, he wore the special glove during Friday ’s 2-0 win over Wolfsburg that allowed him to tape two fingers t o g e t h e r .

It has been claimed in the German media that the problem has not subsided and so the 26year-old will wear the same glove against the Gunners to protect the i n j u r y .

Neuer is yet to concede a goal since the turn of the year.

•Schweinsteiger

Wenger wants clean sheet against Bayern A RSENE Wenger says Arsenal must not concede a goal in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash with Bayern Munich tonight.

“It is vital to keep a clean sheet,” the Frenchman said on Monday. ”Nil-nil is not a disaster at home, but of course we will try to score goals. ”We are fully focussed on tomorrow’s (today’s) game.

”You cannot compare the FA Cup with the Champions League. ”We must focus on our own quality and we have to put into our heads that we have 180 minutes to qualify. ”We have a way to play that everyone in the team knows. We must play with a positive m e n t a l i t y . ”We know what is important; it’s not what people (say), it’s what we do on the pitch.”

•Wenger

Porto relish Malaga test ORTO coach Vitor Pereira says he is relishing his side’s Champions League second round match with Malaga.

Porto are unbeaten in 19 games and top the Primeira Liga.

Malaga go into the tie unbeaten in five games and still undefeated in their Champions League debut

“We are eager to win, we have become a better team and again we are all working towards a return to the final.

“Five or six teams in Europe are candidates to win the Champions League and we are one of them. I know most of Europe do not want to play against Bayern Munich.

“We have gained a lot of respect during the last four or five years, but we have to win against Arsenal before we start to think about this.”

The midfielder says they will be going for victory away to Arsenal, adding: “We say, ‘Mia san mia’. Literally it is, ‘We are we’, but it means, ‘We are who we are’. That’s not being very arrogant but we are very confident about our ability to win the game.

It is about a winning mentality.

“When our players come from somewhere else they sometimes show happiness when the game is 0-0 or 1-1, but we were brought up in an environment where we have to win.

“We are not satisfied with 0-0 or 1-1. This is the mentality of Bayern Munich.”

Malaga eyes more miracles against Porto S

•Neuer

P

bench. This is a crucial point.

season.

“We’re gearing up for what will be a big game.

Everyone is looking forward to it,” Pereira said. “I’d even like to play in it myself.”

Porto welcome back Columbian international James Rodriguez after the midfield playmaker missed seven games with a thigh injury.

•Sanchez

PANISH Primera Liga club Malaga are seeking more miracles in the Champions League, warming up for the last 16 tie with Porto tonight.

Malaga travel to Portugal in fine form after a 1-0 home win against Athletic Club Bilbao on Saturday evening, a game in which coach Manuel Pellegrini was able to rest some of his key players, such as Martin Demichelis, Joaquin Sanchez and Jeremy Toulalan.

Malaga’s achievements this season have been nothing short of heroic: following on from their fourth place finish at the end of last season,

the club’s plans for the summer were hit by economic problems when it appeared owner, Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani was looking to sell.

Al Thani remains as the owner of the club, but has massively reduced his investment, meaning Malaga were forced to sell key players such as Spain international, Santi Cazorla and striker, Solomon Rondon over the summer.

With money at a premium, Pellegrini was forced to make do with last minute signings such as former Barcelona and Benfica forward, Javier Saviola and Paraguayan international, Roque Santa Cruz.

Vanguard,TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — 51

Y

Kojo Williams Continues from BP hotline.

However, Kojo Williams said that his joy for Keshi and the nation is more on the positive momentum this victory will bring for Nigerian football and as such has advised that the allconquering coach works with a foreign coach to actualize the dream of producing a Nigerian team that can face any world team and come out unscathed.

“This is where I think that Keshi needs help.

He needs a sound coach with a technical

and tactical input. I repeat, such a coach will have to work under Keshi. Keshi was a great defender and has a lot to offer the team.

Let’s not be carried away by the euphoria of victory. We should be thinking of strengthening our team and I think that once we do this, we are on the right path to regaining the glory days of our football”.

Williams identified the inept and myopic leadership of the past as to why some of the foreign technical hands could not function well.

“They always go for

In the beginning … doubts

,

ESTERDAY, we spoke about the glorious victo ry now sweeping through the land and the need to put all that is happening to us in perspective.

Today, there is need to go down memory lane, to a beginning. Permit me to begin from the friendly match we had against Cape Verde in Portugal, after which we knew we did not have a Nations Cup winning team.

Trust Nigerians. They had a field day. Questions were asked, no answers were forthcoming. My contribution then was very straight forward. That it was not the Eagles that were very bad, but that Cape Verde were good.

I recalled my assignment to Cameroun as CAF Security Officer for the match between Cameroun and Cape Verde. After that match I wrote about a team that was tactically efficient, whose players starred in Europe and were not as naïve as we thought.

I added that the Super Eagles were a tournament team, that I thank God for Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso, countries that we could use to mature before confronting the test that lay ahead in the quarter finals.

But the damage had been done. Nigerians put on their prayer garments and asked for divine guidance and support. That the team they saw against Cape Verde was not likely to go far.

I believe it was the Sports Minister who helped to calm nerves by insisting that there was no pressure on the team to deliver. He said he was aware that the team was in the making and that a good showing in South Africa would be accepted, a bad showing, accepted.

Came the Nations Cup proper and the “wombling” and fumbling began. We put up such an apologetic display against Burkina Faso and were a sorry sight against Zambia. ( Thanks to an Egyptian referee who awarded a questionable penalty advantage the Zambians, it became the focus of attention and people forgot how badly we fared over ninety minutes.)

Here comes the crunch. That the Nigeria Football Federation and indeed we Nigerians, should not have become interested in the bad run of the team, that Coach Keshi’s employers should have folded hands and not summon him, query him on why we were putting up such a dismal show?

At that point, the whole nation was in tears. Two points from a possible six, facing expulsion and an early return home if we could not get a good result against Ethiopia. The NFF at this stage was speaking and reacting on behalf of Nigerians. I challenge anyone who would have done otherwise.

The match against Ethiopia was another disaster.

Two points from a

possible six, facing expulsion and an early return home if ...

,

Forty five minutes on, it was still scoreless against a team that Burkina Faso had beaten 4-0 with only ten men!

Then the agony of arithmetical calculations, how we could still be thrown out even if we win, no thanks to a poor fair play record that had seen us picking some unnecessary red and yellow cards along the line.

I will never forget a phone call from Nigeria, Godwin Enakhena, on a live TV show, asking me at the end of that match whether the NFF was going to retain Coach Keshi at the end of the Nations Cup. I told him the question was a wicked one, that I will prefer to wait until the end of our match against Cote D’ivoire, the same Cote Divoire that we had planned to avoid at the early stages of the competition.

That quarter final match was the turning point for that team and this nation. For the world, Africans and Nigerians that was supposed to be the last bus stop. When you take a look at the Elephants man for man, the Eagles were no match. Incidentally that was also the tonic the Nigerian players needed. Then and there they decided to up their game.

They admitted that they had not been good and were ready to give it their all, and that if they had to go down, they will go down fighting.

They fought and they triumphed. I ask, are we then not supposed to salute those whose “non belief ” led to the reawakening of the so called “ Nigerian spirit”? When the team got to my domain in

wrong people.

Nigerians are wise and know who the good coaches are. But we go to the wrong people and compromise with them. That is why we never got it right.

Keshi has started a good job. We should work on it by bringing an expert that can work with him. All those saying no to foreign coach are not being realistic. And Keshi can’t say foreign coaches are carpenters.

Frankly, I’m looking forward to the positive momentum this victory will bring to Nigerian football. We need to build it on it”, Williams emphasized.

Durban, a member of Keshi’s back room staff confided in me. That it was true the team did not really jell, but he would have preferred a better approach, that some of the interventions were uncouth.

I conceded to him. Added that we were not all the same in upbringing, but I also drew his attention to that NFF that would have been castigated and lambasted if the team had come back from South Africa empty handed, of the estacodes the board members would have forfeited for an early exit ( Laughter ).

Jokes apart, why will a coach ask some players on the bench to warm up when those on the field are not doing well? Why will a coach get mad at half time in the dressing room when the team was not performing? Quest for results and a turn around. Yet do it the other way round and it becomes interference. Some have said he had a contract, he should have been allowed to fail and then sacked.

Nobody wanted Keshi to fail. His failure would have been our failure. On the contrary, his success has now become his success. I thank Mr President, the Senate President, The Honourable Minister. I thank Government for “begging” Keshi to reconsider his resignation threat. They fell into his hands. Now that they have adopted him, will he be required to still work with the same NFF he set out to castigate ?

The future beckons. We do not only want to be at the World Cup, we want to go there and do better than our USA 94 showing and going by the admission of Coach Keshi, this team is not there yet. I agree with him.

Our Coach should be humble in victory. He should admit that it took more than his coaching prowess to get Nigeria that cup. He should not forget the cooperation, undiluted cooperation he received on the way to South Africa from all and sundry. The prayers of Nigerians. He remains blessed.

I remember the first time the world cup was brought to Nigeria by Coca Cola. Those who carried it wore gloves. We were not allowed to touch the cup with our “bare hands” it was considered sacred. Today, the Nations Cup is losing its prestige on our soil. For ten million Naira you can be allowed to touch and touch…….even as we forget that it takes not less than 80 million Naira to organize ONE Super Eagles match where bonuses alone consume about 30 million Naira!

Tomorrow I will write about a car and a house that I heard has been given to Keshi. Personal or official?

Oparaku Continues from BP finally traced the operational base of the policemen that brutalized him last Thursday, to the Shell Camp Police Division, Owerri.

Confirming this development to Sports Vanguard, Oparaku said “the fleet number, 42, inscribed on the body of the patrol van made the job of identifying the team very simple”.

“My first port of call was the State Police Headquarters, Owerri, to see the Police Public Relations Officer.”

Continuing the search Okparaku said: “I later traced the team to Shell

Camp Police Division. I met the DCO, who referred me to another officer. At the initial time, this officer was more interested in his men, who were trying to lay frivolous allegations against me. They were trying to make this man believe that I fought them”.

Oparaku said he was vindicated when the inspector, whose team brutalized him, came out “and the police officer asked if he knew who I was and he said he knew me.

“The inspector told the officer how his team had a problem with me at Rotibi Street, Owerri. He also told the officer that he begged me at the scene of the incident for forgiveness”,

Oparaku said.

The aggrieved Olympic gold medalist also told Vanguard that “after listening to the inspector, the officer went out with my attackers for a few minutes and when they came back, they started begging me to forgiveness”.

Obuh Continues from BP Algeria next month.

Obuh led Nigeria to win the title in South Africa in 2011, and will be out to defend the trophy next month.

The gaffer named a 30 man provisional list for the competition, with four foreign based, and 26 home based in the squad.

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY,

FEBRUARY 19, 2013

OBA ADEDAPO TEJUOSO

@75

The man we know, love and cherish — Wives

*Oba Dr. Adedapo T. Tejuoso (CON) MA, CH.B, B.A.O, D.T.M & H; D.P.H, D.I.H, F.M.C.GP, F.W.A.C.P, D.S.C (HONORIS CAUSA).

With Kabiyesi, marriage is to be enjoyed not endured – Olori Adesola, first wife

H

er take on Oba Tejuoso at 75 To attain the age of 75 is not an easy task; it is only the grace of God that made it possible. Everyday, we live with many challenges. Some we

,

TODAY marks a watershed in the life of Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, CON, the Karunwi 111, Oranmiyan, Osile Oke Ona Egba as he marks his 75th birthday. In this exclusive interview with Bolutife Habeeb & Maryam Oseni, his three wives: Olori Omolara Adesola, Olori Yetunde Oluwafunmilayo and Olori Olabisi Oladunni gave insight into what it feels like to be married to Oba Tejuoso, life in the palace and a lot more. Excerpts:

Words cannot really express how I feel about him but my prayer for him is this; “the security of Psalm 23 be yours: the protection of psalm 91 be yours: may the wisdom of proverb 9:10 be yours and the treasures of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 be yours forever

,

like some we don’t even want, some are pleasant and some are not. For one to be able to scale these hurdles for 75 years and still looking well and strong is indeed the grace of

*From (L-R) Olorin Omolara, Olori Yetunde (M), and Olori Olabisi Adedapo Tejuoso.

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God. We thank God for enabling Kabiyesi attain the platinum age of 75 in good health.

How it feels like to be married to a royal father Marriage is not a bed of roses. Marriage is to be enjoyed and not to be endured.

You have to enjoy your marriage. There maybe some unpleasantness in marriage but that should not be a constant thing. My advice to women is that, we must love God first and see Him as the pillar of our home. We must love our husband and our children and we must do the will of God. We must apply the “JOY” method; Jesus first, others and yourself in between. This must start from your home before extending it to outsiders.

M

arriage should be well balanced.

We shouldn’t misplace our priorities and we should take care of our children very well because they are our future. It is true that we are talking about enjoyment in marriage but the key point is communication and endurance. If you cannot endure, you cannot enjoy your marriage especially at the initial stage when things are not the way you really want them to be. A lot of marriages crumble in the first year because the couples are not patient enough with each other. They do not want to endure and bear with each other. When I’m talking about endurance, I’m not talking about violence. Violence should be completely eschewed in marriage whether

*Oba Adedapo Tejuoso (CON) from the wife or husband. And we should think of other people first before self. Think about your husband before self.

Think about your wife before you think about yourself. If you do that, you will see that things will work out for good.

More important let’s pray, as women, let’s play, let’s joke, let us communicate and more importantly let us be alive to our responsibilities and take Jesus Christ as the life wire of our home.

Message for Oba Tejuoso at 75 You have been a pillar of strength and motivation for

me, a rallying point to many especially in the religious circle. You love and trust God with reckless abandon; you esteem the High God above all. You are always eager to tell people about God. I wish Baba many happy returns of the day; good health, joy and fulfillment.

TWO Why Oba Tejuoso’s polygamous home is unique – Olori Yetunde Oluwafunmilayo, second wife What kind of man is Oba Tejuoso and how does it feel being married to him?

I feel honoured and also be-

Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 — 53

OBA ADEDAPO TEJUOSO

@75

The man we know, love and cherish — Wives thing you may not believe. We (the wives) don’t really have secrets we hide from one another. Whatever you tell one, all knows. We pray and fellowship together morning and evening. We dress moderately in way that befits Olori. In a nutshell, since we made Jesus Christ the centre of our lives, every other thing falls into place naturally.

Does that mean you encourage polygamy?

No, no, no! I never encourage polygamy. It is not everybody that will have the same grace like Baba. I told you earlier that Baba is an upright, God-loving, kind and pristine person. He is a man of virtues, generous to the needy almost to a fault. Above all, he truly has Christ in him. How many men can lay claim to these sterling and outstanding qualities?

H

*Oba Adedapo Tejuoso (CON)

lieve that it is by the divine grace of God that I’m married to Kabiyesi. I see Baba as a man of many parts.

I met him as a doctor. I see him as a very loving husband, a very good father, a philanthropist, a traditional ruler and a man of integrity. He is very upright, honest and dedicated. Above all, I see him as a role model, my father and my teacher. He is also an evangelist and a good ambassador of Christ.

B

aba has zeal for the word of God and that is why you see that our home is very peaceful.

The kind of uproar, acrimony and rancor you see in polygamous homes is not in ours. We live peacefully together, all the children are one. We eat together, play together and do things as one big happy family. Why? Baba has brought all of us together as one and we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal savior. The Lord Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. That being the case, it is God Almighty that directs the affairs of this family.

Our home is the house of God. Let me tell you some-

ow was it in the beginning?

And what message do you have for women?

My advice to mothers and women generally is that they should be devoted to God and be very close to their husbands and children. They should teach their children the way of the Lord so that when they grow old, they will not depart from it but live exemplary lives. More importantly, we must set aside quality time to pray and intercede for our children.

This is paramount and extremely important for every mother. Apart from this, I cannot over emphasize the significance of being faithful to your husband. There must be trust and understanding in a home for peace and harmony to reign.

Her wish for Baba at 75 I wish Baba many happy returns, long life. I pray that God Almighty will strengthen him to fulfill his purpose in life. Words cannot really express how I feel about him but my prayer for him is this; “the security of Psalm 23 be yours: the protection of psalm 91 be yours: may the wisdom of proverb 9:10 be yours and the treasures of Deuteronomy 28:1-14 be yours forever.

THREE Kabiyesi is in the world but he is not of the world –Olori Olabisi Oladunni, third wife What kind of man is Kabiyesi and what is your wish for him at 75?

It is a privilege and honour to be married to Baba and it is been married to the man you love. Kabiyesi might be in the world but he is not of the world. The things of this world mean nothing to him anymore.

What he is after is the kingdom of God and as he is trailing that path, he carries his family members and others along with him. Baba is an upright leader, very diligent and above all a good ambassador of Christ. As Baba attains the platinum age of 75, I wish him well and also wish him all the good things of life. I pray that he lives to see his grand-children, great- grand-children and if possible by the Grace of God to see his great-great grand children. That all his children excel to higher level in his life time.

Let me tell you this, a family that prays together stays together. Apart from loving God, he is also a confidant. ‘Whatever happens, let’s first take it to God in prayer and seek for His divine intervention first before proceeding;’ that has always been Baba’s principle.

On challenges Definitely there should be ups and downs but our prayer is that our ups should be more than our downs. No matter what happens we must be strong and courageous and whatever we do, truthfulness should be the key word.

*Olorin Omolara Adesola Tejuoso

*Olorin Yetunde Oluwafunmilayo Tejuoso

*Olorin Olabisi oladunni Tejuoso C M Y K

54— Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013—55

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Oparaku’s attackers traced to Shell Camp Police Division

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, Owerri

T

HE 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Mr. Mobi Oparaku, has Continues on Page 51

Keshi still needs help — Kojo POLICE BRUTALITY: The battered face of 1996 Olympic champion Mobi Oparaku

BY TONY UBANI

E

RSTWHILE Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Kojo Williams is still celebrating Super Eagles victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. He is also celebrating the man who made it possible for Nigeria to break the 19year wait before another Nations Cup victory.

“Stephen Keshi has shown that he is a natural leader. A motivator. He has not only made history for himself, he has placed Nigeria in the consciousness of the world. He deserves all that an appreciative nation bestows on him”, Williams said on our Continues on Page 51

Obuh makes U-turn C

WINNER: Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi is carried shoulder high by his assistants after the 2013 Afcon triumph. Kojo Williams says he needs a foreign assistant. PHOTO: AFP

PUZZLE

The team will play two friendly games in Cairo, Egypt before heading to Tunisia for a three week training programme ahead of the Africa Youth Championship billed for Continues on Page 51

•Obuh

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

OACH of Nigeria national U20 team John Obuh has returned to the team, and will be travelling with the squad to Cairo Egypt.

Obuh abandoned his players at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to protest his non payment of salaries by the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday afternoon.

Futaa.com gathered that after much persuasion and promises from the NFF, Obuh decided to rescind his decision, and lead the team to Cairo.

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Feeble (6) 5 Dipped (6) 9 Exuded (5) 10 Bird (6) 11 Linger (6) 12 Virtuous (5) 14 Hew (4) 17 Beam (3) 18 Humour (4) 20 Pulled (5) 22 Fence (5) 23 Liberate (7) 24 Started (5) 26 Skinflint (5) 29 Spoken (4) 30 Individual (3) 32 Season (4) 33 Quoted (5) 35 Negation (6) 36 Athlete (6) 37 Send (5) 38 Evaded (6) 39 Loophole (6)

DOWN 1 Collision (6) 2 Plough (6) 3 Chamber (4) 4 Engine (5) 5 Hindrance (5) 6 Image (4) 7 System (6) 8 Scorn (6) 13 Glowing (7) 15 Flutter (5) 16 Foot-lever (5) 18 Deserve (5) 19 Leered (5) 21 Lair (3) 22 Border (3) 24 United (6) 25 Acquired (6) 27 Remarkable (6) 28 Rue (6) 30 Lubricated (5) 31 Weird (5) 33 Attention (4) 34 Obligation (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 4, Crush 7, Fracas 9, Foe 10, Gas 12, Parry 13, Opal 15, Mused 17, Diverted 19, Yank 20, Theme 22, Rat 24, Entered 27, Din 28, Sober 31, Spot 33, Editor 35, Adder 37 Ring 38, Tribe 39, Row 41, Lap 42, Niggle 43, Edged.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Effort 2, Parade 3, Sag 4, Cope 5, Ready 6, Sprinkle 8, Same 11, Surrender 14, Lime 16, Star 18, Vend 21, Hampered 23, Test 25, Tied 28, Door 29, Bridge 30, Ragged 32, Table 34, Iron 36, Dead 40, Wit.

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.

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