PENSION SCAM -Sack Maina now,Reps back Senate

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61822

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

LAGOS EXPLOSION: Court orders FG to Bomb experts confused pay N37.6bn over over type of device •Pg.6 invasion of Odi •Pg.8

PENSION SCAM

Sack Maina now, Reps back Senate •Tambuwal asks IGP to produce Maina A DAY OF PROTESTS

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—MEM BERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, rose in support of the earlier call by the Senate to sack Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force Team,

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

DEAR BUNMI •P.35

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19

OGAGA IFOWODO

•P.19

Mr & Mrs

PROTEST—Top: Former staff of National Identity Management Commission protesting at the National Assembly yesterday.

Below: Nigerian Universities Nursing Students Association also protesting over internship in Abuja yesterday. Photos: NAN.

We're not party to Ifeanyi Uba's suit — Access Bank •P.10

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

LECTURE—Guest Lecturer and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, (right); National Leader of ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (m) and the former Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (l) during a public lecture to mark Alhaji Femi Okunnu’s 80th Birthday, yesterday in Lagos.

PENSION SCAM: Sack

Maina now, Reps back Senate Continues from page 1 Mr Abdulrasheed Maina. This came as the Speaker, Hon Aminu Tambuwal asked the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar to produce Maina, who was reported to have fled the country, to answer questions on how over N200 billion pension fund was allegedly mismanaged.

The resolution to concur with the Senate over Maina’s sack followed a motion brought on the floor of the House by Chairman House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon Albert Sam-Tsokwa, representing Taraba State tagged: "House Concurrence To Senate Resolution On Dismissal Of Mr

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

I have stopped asking God to move the mountain for me; now what I ask God for is for enough strength to climb and cross it.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

A

GOOD, real, unrestrained, hearty laugh is a sort of glorified internal massage, performed rapidly and automatically. It manipulates and revitalizes corners and unexplored crannies of the system that are unresponsive to most other exercise methods.

Steve Goodier shared a story about Thomas Watson, the former CEO and chairman of IBM, was famous for putting the word “THINK” on prominent walls of every IBM building. The tradition has carried on into modern times.

Not long ago in a restroom at IBM’s Watson Centre, a supervisor placed a “THINK” sign directly above the sink. The next day, when he entered the restroom, he glanced at the sign.

Just below it and immediately above the soap dispenser, someone had carefully lettered another sign which read: “THOAP!” How often do you laugh at work? Actually, humour can make a serious difference. In the workplace, at home, in all areas of life - looking for a reason to laugh is necessary.

A sense of humour helps us to get through the dull times, cope with the difficult times, enjoy the good times and manage the scary times. Like entertainer Bob Hope once said, “I’ve seen what a good laugh can do. It can transform tears into hope.” And sometimes, a little more hope is all we need.

Abdulrasheed Maina For Refusal To Appear Before The Senate".

Tsokwa who led the debate said: “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday February 13, 2013 passed a resolution (S/ Res/033/02/13) requesting, that Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina be dismissed from the Public Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria immediately and be disengaged from all acts relating to public duty.

“The Inspector General of Police should appear before the Committee on Police Affairs to give reasons why he did not act on the Warrant issued by the President of the Senate. Mr Abdulrasheed Maina should be investigated and prosecuted.”

He said: “Conscious of the need to present a common front with respect to the institutional integrity of the National Assembly; aware of the need to send a strong signal to the executive arm of the government of the resolve of the National Assembly to stop impunity and disregard for due process in the conduct of government business; Maina should be dismissed from the Public Service of the Federal Republic of Nigeria immediately and be disengaged from all acts relating to public duty.”

Hon Aminu Sulayman, representing Kano, speaking in support of the motion said: “Ordinarily the man at the cen-

tre should not be an issue but he is the architect of those who had allegedly died because of the pension scam.

“For the past four weeks, the Senate has been discussing this unfortunate issue and the man had the effrontery to come here with a battery of security guards and a sponsored crowd.

No one is above the law “I posit that no Nigerian should be above the law in Nigeria. We the 360 members of this honourable House should throw our weight behind the Senate resolution to sack Maina.”

In his contribution, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila representing Lagos said: “I agree whole heartedly with this motion and it is necessary we educate people about representative democracy we practice.

“It is only the Executive that has power to dismiss, we are not seeking to dismiss Maina; we are only asking the Executive to do its job. What we are asking the Executive to do is to dismiss him based on Section 5 of our constitution which we all know is not a useless provision. Once such a directive is given, it must be obeyed and heads must roll and the legislative arm cannot be left out.”

Hon Abike DabiriErewa representing

Ikorodu Federal Constituency in her contribution said: “Very briefly, I support this motion and there is need to send a strong message to Maina on the arrogance and impunity he had displayed. He even came here with placard carriers, he must come and answer questions and he must be disciplined.”

Hon Bitrus Kaze representing Plateau State said: “I want to join my colleagues to support this motion, this is about the second time that we are concurring with the Senate on sensitive issues.

"The first time was on the issue of Doctrine of Necessity and now about Maina who has made so many to be traumatised over their pension money.

“Speaking against the motion, Hon Kingsley Chinda said: “What I quarrel with is the procedural aspect of this motion that we must concur with the Senate.

For instance, when we asked the Senate to concur on Oteh, they refused because as we speak Oteh is still working.”

The Speaker, Tambuwal quickly intervened saying, “I am duty bound to correct you on this, the Senate concurred long ago.”

At this juncture, the Speaker put the motion to a voice vote and it was unanimously adopted.”

The Speaker after the voice vote advised the IGP to immediately liaise with Interpol and get Maina arrested.

He said: “We won’t be fighting corruption in isolation if some people through selective processes are being protected. Every available fact here is against him, those of us in high places must not be seen to be condoning corruption or we will be seen to be paying lip service to the fight against corruption.”

House Committee chairman makes U-turn It would be recalled that the seconder of the motion Hon Ibrahim Kamba was the Chairman of House Committee on Pension that had given the same Maina a clean bill of health earlier.

The committee had submitted its report to the Senate, calling for the probe of the Chairman of the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina.

The House in a memo it addressed to the Head of Service of the Federation criticised the Senate report and urged President Jonathan to ensure adequate protection for the Chairman of Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform to carry out his assignment.

The memo was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Pensions, Ibrahim Bawa Kamba and titled “Urgent Call on Mr President To Further Give Protection and Directive To the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform to Continue To Carry Out Thorough, Comprehensive/ Holistic Pension Reform Across All MDAs and Parastatals To A Logical Conclusion.”

The House noted that according to its own findings, “the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform should be the only genuine veritable vehicle for executing reform agenda on Pension Funds.” The memo also stated: “In the light of corruption in the management of Pension Funds within MDAs and Parastatals, the House Committee on Pensions wishes to call on President Jonathan to direct the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform to overhaul and continue to reform all MDAs and Parastatals’ pension administration.”

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS — VANGUARD, yesterday, reliably gathered that bomb experts are finding it difficult to ascertain the type of explosive used for the substance which exploded, Monday, at Miracle Sand Beach, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos, killing the Chairman of the Sand Dredgers Association, Chief Oladele Pius, and injured a policeman.

The experts, according to a reliable source, suspect that the exhibits at the explosive scene were tampered with before their arrival.

Consequently, some of the bomb experts visited the explosion scene again, yesterday, to get fresh clues for their investigation.

But it was learnt that they arrived the scene late, on the day of the incident, an action our source said was attributed to lack of logistics.

Colleagues disagree with CP Meantime, bemoaning the loss of Oladele, his colleagues at Miracle Sand Beach, eulogized his virtues, expressing their displeasure over the Lagos State Police Commissioner's statement that the tragic incident was caused by an electrical fault.

One of them who could not hide his consternation over the report, attempted to rough handle some newsmen, blaming them for taking sides with the police. The report, according to some of them, was part of the reason why some journalists were barred from entering the deceased’s apartment.

“Why would you people believe everything that is said? Is investigation not part of your job.

Look around for yourselves, are there any electrical gadgets here?

Then, why must you add that in your report?” Mr Showunmi, as he was later identified, asked.

Lagos explosion: Bomb experts confused over type of device Major substance of IED tampered with —Police Victim's colleagues disagree with CP over cause of blast back to the office, as he As Police arrest some suspects complained to his second wife, Materials collected from the scene So far, it was gathered that materials collected from the scene of the blast included blood stained sand; pieces of black Jumbo radio set, six 1.5 volt tiger head battery, red and white wire measuring 34cm in length; flexible twin wire measuring 529 centimeters in length and one glass tumbler.

However, Police sources hinted that the major substance of Improvised Explosive Device IED, among the exhibits were absent, hinting that they could have been tampered with before the arrival of bomb experts. But the wire and battery were said to be the only components of IED. Sources said from the length of the recovered wire, it was obvious

that the explosive could have been planted and controlled through the river, a vantage position attributed to the ease with which the mission was accomplished

Benefactors suspect foul play Sympathisers, majority of whom claimed to be beneficiaries of the deceased's benevolence, besieged his Lake View estate residence to condole the widows.

Among them were social miscreants, who staged a protest against what they described as a premeditated act.

They alleged that the deceased whom they all referred to as Apase, could have been killed by his rivals over chairmanship tussle.

In a show of solidarity to their late benefactor, the youths took over security, as they conducted search on every caller at the residence. The search, according to them, was to ensure that those they alleged killed Oladele would not come and plant another bomb in his residence.

Some arrests made Vanguard reliably gathered that as part of on-going investigation, some persons have been arrested over the tragic incident. The arrested persons were reportedly those who spoke with the deceased shortly before the explosion occurred.

Vanguard’s findings revealed that after the late Oladele left his office for home that fateful morning, he was reluctant to go

Seun, of having an usual feeling.

The first phone call he received was reportedly from the policeman that was with him when the blast occurred. Other calls came in at about 10.54 am, 11.06 am, 11,25am and 11.30am respectively.

The persistent call which eventually forced the Ondo State-born father of five out of bed came i, two seconds intermittently.

It was also learnt that the late Oladele had once escaped an assassination attempt.

“Several assassination attempts, including diabolical, have been made on his life in the past but none succeeded. I think they wanted to ensure he died this time around, that was why they planted a bomb where he usually seat,” one of the sympathizers said.

Police dock masqueraders over murder of Islamic cleric

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

Vehicles involved in an accident on Airport Road at Lugbe in Abuja, yesterday.

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, arraigned three masqueraders before the State Magistrate Court 4 sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, for allegedly killing an Islamic cleric, Lateef Amusa, during an Egungun festival.

The three masqueraders — Shittu Adeyemi (61), Waidi Babalola (64) and Ajani Olabintan—were standing trial over their involvement in the alleged killing of Amusa during the festival held at Ijaye,

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

BY EVELYN USMAN 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 answering questions from led a team that intercepted two 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 as an accidental discharge, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 newsmen during a parade of a vehicles suspected to have been 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 explaining that a service pistol AGOS — THE Lagos State prophet and his accomplice 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 loaded with contraband goods in Musa’s possession fell and 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Commissioner of Police, Mr 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 found with human parts, at Celenizer bus-stop.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 accidentally discharged, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Umar Manko, yesterday, said weekend.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 However, spokesman for the following stiff resistance from 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 investigation into the alleged 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 The late Mohammed was Federal Operations Unit, Uche 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 owners of the intercepted 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 killing of an Assistant reportedly shot by Musa who 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Ejesieme described the incident vehicles.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Superintendent of Customs, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Baba Mohammed, last 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Saturday by his colleague, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 along Seme-Badagry 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

BY PETER OKUTU 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 confusion as the victims were Emmanuel Mba who sustained expressway, had begun.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 mainly youths of Agalegu Alike injuries were still receiving Currently, the Customs 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 BAKALIKI — NO fewer 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Ikwo, Governor Martin Elechi’s treatment at the Intensive Care officer, Oseni Musa Tunde, a 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 than three persons were, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Deputy Superintendent of weekend, confirmed dead while ancestral home.

Unit of the Federal Teaching 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 In their reaction, members of the Hospital, Abakaliki.

Customs, attached to the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 three others sustained injuries 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Federal Operations Zone ‘A’ following the collapse of a community described the death 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Vanguard gathered that the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Ikeja,who allegedly pulled the mining pit at Enyim-Agalegu of the youths as untimely and victim left their homes at about 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 trigger that killed his Ndufu Alike in Ikwo Local painful.

7a.m on the fateful day to the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Those who died as a result of mining site without the colleague, according to Manko, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Government Area of Ebonyi 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 the incident were Amobi premonition that the pit would had been transferred to the State.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Nwaonu, 18, Echezomunna collapse on them as such trade 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 State Criminal Investigation 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 The ugly incident which took 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Department , Yaba, for further place at the early hours of the Onuhia, 13, and Chibueze was common among youths of the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Nweke, 18. While Uche area. investigation.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 fateful day threw the village into 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Nwancho, Obinna Nweke and Manko spoke while 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

Police probe killing of Customs officer by colleague

L

3 die, 3 others injured at illegal mining site in Ebonyi

A

Abeokuta.

The Islamic cleric, Lateef Amusa, was allegedly shot dead during an Egungun festival in Ijaye area of Abeokuta, leading to the arrest of the three suspects while the masquerade was said to have escaped.

The prosecution counsel, Augustine Ozimini, told the court that two of the suspects, Babalola and Adeyemi, who were first and second defendants in the suit were charged to court for conducting masquerade procession without permit from the state government and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 3 (a) (b) of the Public Order Law of the Federation,while the third suspect, Olabintan was facing a murder case.

Counsel to the first and second respondents, Adebiyi Ogundeyi, however, prayed the court to grant the application for bail on the ground that the offence committed by the accused persons was bailable.

Granting the bail application, Magistrate Idowu Olayinka said only two of the three accused persons would be granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two credible sureties in the like sum.

The Magistrate further said that the sureties must also exhibit title documents of landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court and an evidence of tax payment in the last three years to the purse of Ogun State government.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—7

BY INNOCENT ANABA

L

AGOS — A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, remanded 15 Russians at Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, pending the determination of their bail application.

The Russians were, yesterday, arraigned on a four-count charge of unlawful importation of firearms and ammunition into Nigeria, unlawful possession of firearms as well as non declaration of the content of their vessel.

The accused are: Zhelyazkov Andrey, Savchenko Sergel, Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay, Mishin Pavel, Llia Shubov, Dimitry Bannyrh, Alexander Tsarikov, Kononov Sergel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail, and Stepan Oleksiuk.

They were charged alongside their vessel, MV Myre Seadiver.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution told the court that the accused and their vessel were arrested by Naval officers on October 18, 2012, within the Nigerian territorial waters, in Lagos State, as they entered the Nigerian territorial waters without due licence and clearance from the Nigeria Customs Service, contrary to provisions of the Customs and Excise Management Act, 2002.

The court was told that the vessel was arrested and opened by the Naval officers, who discovered a cache of firearms and ammunition concealed in it, an offence that contravened provisions of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,

The arrested Russians.

15 Russians remanded in prison over firearms as well as provisions of the Miscellanous Offence Act, Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

But defence counsel informed

the court of the accused pending bail application which was argued. The prosecution requested for a date to respond to the bail application by defence

A

defence counsel and odered that the accused be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, pending the determination of their bail application.

Why I kidnapped my mother, by 35-yr-old physically-challenged barber

B

BY EMMA AMAIZE

ENIN — ON Tuesday, February 5, a 35-year-old physically challenged barber, Obehi Emienor, from a polygamous family in Ekpon community, Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State, kidnapped his mother, Mrs. Kate

Emienor, demanding N20 million ransom to release her from his elder brother (not of the same father), who is abroad.

Obehi, based in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, tricked his mother to bring some foodstuff for him from the village and waited for her at Agbor, from where he took her to

Sacked NIMC workers protest, demand reinstatement BUJA — THE main entrance of the National Assembly complex was shut, yesterday, as disengaged staff of National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, protested their sack from the service.

Spokesman of the protesters, Useh Fidelis said “about 4000 staff of the commission were laid off without due process.”

According to Fidelis, the aggrieved staff have made several representations to the National Assembly without fruitful results.

The protesting ex-workers are demanding reinstatement while some are asking for their full

counsel.

Trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, adjourned the matter till February 25 for the prosecution to reply to the bail application of

benefits.

The NIMC was established by the Federal Government in 2007 to manage the National Identity

Database and to assign a Unique National Identification Number and issue General Multi-Purpose Cards to registered individuals.

his rented apartment at Ogbe Isheagu quarters. He held her hostage for 10 days, while meeting with his siblings in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, to discuss her kidnap and freedom.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, told Vanguard that the police were not quickly alerted about the kidnap, but when a report was made, “we deployed our men in the field and with technological tools, we were able to track the suspect.

“I do not want to reveal our strategy but we systematically followed the matter and traced the user of the phone to OgwashiUku. The family members were shocked how we got to know that it was a member of their family that kidnapped their mother, but we knew what we were doing, and trailed him to his barber’s salon, where we picked him up.

“My worry in the spate of kidnapping at the moment is the inside factor. You can see a case where a physically challenged person in a family is the one

kidnapping his mother. The inside factor in cases of kidnapping compounds nipping the crime in the bud.”

The physically challenged barber got information 48 hours earlier that the police were on his trail, but he never believed he would be seized in connection with the abduction until he was arrested in his shop.

Vanguard spoke exclusively to Obehi at the Ogwashi-Uku Police Station, Ogwashi-Uku on Monday.

Why, what happened?

"It is because of the condition that I met my mother, so I was not pleased and my elderly ones are not taking care of her. So, I took her to my place to take care of her. So, along the process, I was annoyed and said I should test my brothers and sisters to know how serious they are or how caring they are to my mum.

Again, I also wanted to know if my elder brother is deceiving us, because he has been abroad for years. Since all these years, he has been promising us that he wanted to take us overseas, but he did not."

The protesting NIMC ex-workers

Two remanded over murder of Oba-elect’s son

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE — TWO persons have been remanded in prison custody over the murder of the son of an Obaelect, Orioye Oyetakin, in Ode-Etikan, Ilaje Local Government Area of the Ondo State.

Those remanded in prison

by an Akure Chief Magistrate Court are Ajose Akin Ikuesan, 69 and Oroyo Omosehin, 43.

They were charged with a four-count charge which include murder, wounding and possession of dangerous weapons.

When the case came up, yesterday, before Chief Magistrate Rabi Adagunodo,

the plea of the accused could not be taken.

Police Prosecutor Isa Atenegbe, however, prayed the court to remand the suspects in prison custody for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The case was, however, adjourned till May 14, 2013 for further directive.

The suspected kidnapper (right) and his mother.

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Oil theft: FG seeks Britain, others support

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU & NOEL ONOJA

A

BUJA—GIVEN its ina bility to reduce the high incidence of crude oil theft and pipelines vandalism in the country, the Federal Government has reached out to the British Government and the international community to assist it in curbing the menace.

An estimated $6billion is lost annually to oil theft and attendant consequences impacting negatively on the economy.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is said to have reached out to his British counterpart, Prime Minister David Cameron and other foreign leaders on the issue, even as it plans to use finger printing device to catch oil thieves.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, disclosed this yesterday at the ongoing Nigeria Oil and Gas, NOG 2013 Conference and Exhibitions.

She said the call for foreign intervention is based on the realisation that the stolen crude from Nigeria are not sold in the Gulf of Guinea, neither are the proceeds from such illegal transactions laundered through banks in West Africa, but are rather shipped away from the subregion.

She said the President was reaching out to his counterparts in other parts of the world to seek combined international efforts in recovering the proceeds from thee stolen oil, which she described as “blood money”, as well as combating the menace with the support of other stakeholders like the security forces.

She said: “We are championing the crude oil finger print to detect crude oil theft as purchased by other nations. Also, the support of the global community is also being sought.”

She however, refused to disclose other countries the President has reached out to for assistance, saying: “I cannot mention the states because the issue of vandalism and bunkering are major security issues and the security services will be working on these issues hand- in-hand with us".

The President, of course, will be the one to call his colleagues from other countries that could assist us in phasing out this menace.

A

Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday ordered the Federal Government to pay N37.6b compensation to the people of Odi community in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State over the invasion of their community by armed soldiers during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Justice Lambi Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, who gave the order while delivering judgment in a N100 billion suit filed by the people of Odi community against the Federal Government also ordered that the compensation should be paid within three weeks.

They prayed the court to award them the amount as damages for the destruction of lives and property in Odi. The judge however awarded a total sum of N37.618 billion compensation in favour of the community for the wanton destruction of the place by Nigerian soldiers.

The community asked for N17.618billion as general damages and N20billion for special damages. They also demanded public apology and the re-building of Odi community by the Federal Government. The Judge however granted two of their prayers and rejected the other two.

Delivering the judgement; which lasted for two hours, Akanbi held that the Federal Government was economical with the truth by pleading in their counter affidavits that no inhabitant of the community was killed apart from some armed militant youths who engaged the military in gun battle; and that no property was destroyed by the soldiers.

Relying on various statements by the government, National Assembly, and inscriptions left on the soils of Odi by the Soldiers, as well as video clips on the invasion which was watched in the open court at the January 17th, 2013 session, the judge described their claims and counter affidavits ‘as worthless’.

Said he: “The destruction of Odi was comprehensive and complete; no aspect of the community was spared by what I saw in the pictures showed here. The respondents violated the fundamental Human Rights of the People of Odi, by the massacre. The people are entitled to fundamental rights to life, dignity and fair play, the destruction of Odi was not as a result of gun battle but clear bombardment, the destruction was malicious.

The judge also quoted Pres-

OSILE OF OKE-ONA EGBA @ 75—From left: Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun; and former President Olusegun Obasanjo; during the thanksgiving service to mark the 75th birthday of Osile at the Cathedral of St. James African Church, Idi-Ape, Abeokuta, yesterday.

Court orders FG to pay N37.6bn compensation over invasion of Odi ident Goodluck Jonathan as saying in a media chat on the National Television Authority (NTA), on November 18, 2010 that “only innocent people, including women, children and the very weak that could not run or escape were killed in Odi”.

According to him, the then Senate President, late Chuka Okadigbo was also quoted to have said, the facts speaks for themselves, no need to speak again, as there are nobody to speak.”

He equally reviewed the exhibit tendered quoting the soldiers who carried out the destruction as saying “we go kill all the Ijaw people with our guns, come to Odi and learn a lesson, Ijaw face, Monkey face, Government has given us power to kill, Odi is for Soldiers not for Ijaws, Bayelsa will remain sorrowful for ever.” among others.

The 1st and 2nd respondents (FG and Attorney General of the Federation) were represented by Mrs. Nkoli Awa Esq. The 2nd and 3rd respondents (Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence staff), did not make any formal appearance throughout the proceedings.

They however showed up yesterday, through one Mallam Jimoh Abdukadreen Adamu, with an application to delay judgement until they state their case.

They denied receiving any of the court invitations urging them to come and defend the allegation against them, including the hearing notice and the originating process.

The court records however showed that they received all the invitations but ignored them. The records showed that they were served through substituted service via the office of the Attorney- General of the Federation as directed by the former judge in the case, Justice Abdullahi Mustapha.

Awarding the cost against the Federal Government, the judge held that no amount could be adequate enough to compensate for the pains and trauma of the people of the community, but said the cost for the damages given them was as valued by their valuers.

Reacting on the judgement the lead Lawyer for the community, Mr. Lucius Nwosu (SAN), described the judgement as “a victory for an aggressive Nigerian Bar, and more a victory for Nigerian Judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court. It’s a reflection of courage, erudition and consideration for justice governed by conscience, truth and good faith.”

On the two other prayers that were rejected he said, “it would have been double compensation if the prayer for re-

Audited accounts: INEC indicts PDP, CPC, 53 others

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has indicted the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties for not having audited internal financial statements.

According to INEC’s executive summary of external auditors' reports on the accounts of political parties for the year 2011, signed

by Acting Secretary, Mr Mus-

tapha M. Kuta, 55 of the parties in existence then did not have prepared and audited accounts; and conventional books of accounts were not properly kept as required by Section 93 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

Since then, the electoral umpire has de-listed 30 parties.

The only party that scored pass mark was the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which according

to the commission: “has an internal audited report and account for the year under review. Conventional books of Accounts were maintained. Budget and budgetary control were in place and the party has a well defined fixed assets register and membership register were fully in place. The party claimed that income amounted to N676,248,437 and it also claimed to have expended the sum of N464,699,974.”

building of the community was granted, having already granted them general damages.

“The judgement was very sound and considered with truth and common sense.” He said. Three Senior Advocates of Nigeria including, Ayo Adedipe, and Rafin.Lawal Rabana,(SANS), and seven other lawyers appeared for the applicants.

Former President Obasanjo in November 20 1999 deployed troops in Odi and authorised the use of force to deal with militants who were accused of killing some soldiers the state.

After the Odi invasion, the indigenes brought a N100 billion suit against the President, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff.

When the matter came up on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the suit, during the proceedings, DVD and projectors were used to show military operations in Odi, and how the various machine guns, bombs and helicopter gunships were used to destroy lives and property in Odi. The lead counsel to the plaintiffs, Nwosu (SAN), said: “The President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had responsibly stated that no militant was killed in the military invasion.

“It was only old men, women and children, who could not run, that were massacred in that military operation.

“A situation where you turn guns and artillery purchased with taxpayers’ money against the taxpayers, is a call for sober reflection and a matter of serious concern.

"It calls for atonement for the dead and compensation for the living, for the trauma and loss they have been made to suffer as refugees and loss of their precious homes, loved ones, friends and objects of reverence.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 9

R

OYGATE Property Ltd (owned by businessman-lawyer, Wale Babalakin) and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, have commenced talks aimed at ensuring an out-of-court settlement between them over N13.5 billion debt allegedly owed by Roygate.

Officials of the Federal High Court, Lagos had, in execution of an order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the court sealed off a property located on 43A, Afribank Street, Victoria Island on February 8.

The property was said to have been pledged by the company in tripartite legal mortgage registered on October 14, 2010 between Roygate (the borower), Stabilini Visioni Ltd (surety/ mortgagor) and Guaranty Trust Bank (the lender).

AMCON later acquired the loan.

In the order made exparte on February 5, Justice Aneke restrained Roygate, its directors, subsidiaries and sister companies from transferring or dealing with any of its funds in 20 banks listed in the application, or anywhere else up to the

N13.5bn debt: AMCON, Babalakin explore out-of-court settlement N13.5billion allegedly owed by the company.

He also restrained the banks from allowing Roygate “operate any bank accounts” held by it in the banks and fixed yesterday as the return date.

When parties and the affected banks returned to court yesterday, lawyers to Roygate and AMCON, Olawale Akoni (SAN) and Adebola Sobowale told the court that talks were on to ensure amicable settlement of the dispute.

Akoni told the court that he received a call from his client, before entering the court, to the effect that “talk is going on between parties.” He said he had told AMCON’s lawyer about the development and sought an adjournment.

Sobowale confirmed the development. He told the court that he has equally confirmed the information about the on-going talks by parties from his client. He agreed to a short adjourn-

ment.

The court refused request by lawyers representing the banks to be excused from further proceedings. They had sought to be excused on the ground that having

filed reruns, as ordered by the court, those without banking relationship with Roygate should be allowed to go.

But AMCON’s Head, Corporate Communication,

Kayode Lambo, said Roygate may have approached the corporation, indicating its willingness to commence settlement negotiation. He however, said negotiations are yet to commence.

Justice Aneke has, however, adjourned to February 28 for parties to either report settlement or argue on which of the pending applications should be heard first.

Power sector: New owners to take possession of assets June 2013

BY PETER EGWUATU

L

AGOS—THE newly preferred bidders in the Federal Government’s privatised power sector are expected to take possession of assets by June, 2013.

A member, National Council on Privatization, NCP, and Chairman, NCP’s Technical Committee, Mr. Atedo Peterside revealed this yesterday at 2013 Standard Bank West Africa Investor Conference, saying, “we expect new owners to take possession of

these power sector assets in mid-2013 and also expect significant investment upgrades to follow suit.”

While welcoming both local and foreign investors, Peterside said the country has achieved remarkable progress in agriculture, banking, power, capital market and ports activities within one year period.

In his words, “with respect to the power sector, we now have preferred private sector bidders for 10 out of the 11 distribution companies and 4 out of the

5 generation companies that were slated for privatization. We also have a contract in place for the private sector management of Nigeria’s transmission network by a world class operator (Manitoba Hydro International of Canada), a set of milestones that have never been attained before in the history of power sector reform in this country.”

Continuing, he said, “within the agricultural sector, we have seen greater effectiveness in the dissemination of fertilizer to farm-

ers within Nigeria as the Federal Government is no longer a part of the procurement and distribution process.

Farmers typically received only 11 percent of the fertilizer that was procured under the previous regime at the subsidized price and this is now steadily rising.

Government reforms have now cut out the middle man and farmers are able to receive subsidy vouchers directly through their mobile phones.

10 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

From left: Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary-General; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, National Leader, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Mr. Babatunde Fashola, guest lecturer and Lagos State Governor; General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), former Head of State; Alhaja Latifat Okunnu and Alhaji Lateef Okunnu, SAN, the celebrant and former Minister of Works, during the public lecture to mark Alhaji Okunnu’s 80th birthday, at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos, yesterday.

Fashola vows to resist FG's petrol tax

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — GOVER- nor Babatude Fashola of Lagos, yesterday, faulted the country ’s centenary

celebration billed for 2014 and the Federal Road Maintenance, FERMA, Act, which intends to tax petrol bought at filling stations, saying the state would resist it.

news for them, Lagos will resist it. Enough is enough.

This is a consumption tax that is collected by the territory in which the fuel is consumed.

"The Federal Govern- ment collects royalties on crude oil, taxes profit of oil companies; collects 52.68 per cent of the national revenues, leaving the states and the local government or the state , using religion, with 26.72 and 20.60 per become a cog in the wheel of based on religion are still with appeared to be on a collision cents respectively. the development of such us.

On centenary course with its people”. nations, including Nigeria.

In many parts of the region, According to Fashola, The former president therefore His words, “as of now, Mr. Kufuor, noted "religion charged the media to play “ what is the historical however, there is no gain sometimes appeared to be on a greater roles in ensuring peace, benefit of celebrating the saying the reality that conflicts collision course with the state, year that a colonial which he identified at a Governor General critical factor for the merged us together much-needed rapid without consultation in a development in Africa. bondage that lasted 46 years until 1960?”

BY FRANK ALLI ligation to its depositors and share- ...Let’s tackle holders regarding the recovery of conflicts now LAGOS Access Bank Plc, yester- debts due from Patrick Ifeanyi Uba —Atiku day, said it was not a party to a re- and Capital Oil and Gas Limited.

Also speaking, former *Our attention has been drawn to ported suit instituted by Patrick Vice President Atiku Ifeanyi Ubah and his company Cap- news media reports and text mesAbubakar said there was sages purporting that a Federal ital Oil and Gas Limited in which an urgent need to tackle High Court sitting in Lagos presidjudgment was given Monday by a Meantime, former Federal High Court sitting in La- ed over by Honourable Justice political and religious Head of State, General Chukwujekwu Aneke on Monday conflicts in the continent Yakubu Gowon, former gos as reported in news media.

The bank also affirmed that the February 18, 2013 gave judgment in Nigeria in particular Governor of Lagos State, court judgment did not have any against Access Bank Plc and three and IN Africa in general Asiwaju Bola Tinubu His words, “the cost to negative effects on its efforts to re- others in Suit No FHC/L/CS/07/13 Africa in terms of human and Fashola, extolled cover the loan owed by Ifeanyi Uba involving Capital Oil and Gas Ltd lives, property, the virtues of the former A statement by the bank, said: and Patrick Ifeanyi Uba. Federal Commissioner of *The massive SMS campaign has productivity and trade is “The Honourable Court in its conWorks and Housing, Mr. clearly enormous. sidered judgment of Monday Feb- triggered enquiries from our stake"And this is a continent Femi Okunnu, for the ruary 18, 2013 did not make any holders regarding the status of our role he played in the declaration nor grant any perpetu- on-going debt recovery actions that continues to be development of the al or interlocutory injunction against against Patrick Ifeanyi Uba and weighed down by other country. the bank in favour of the plaintiff or Capital Oil and Gas Limited. We d e v e l o p m e n t a l Also in attendance at any other party in the proceedings. deem it necessary to make the fol- challenges - poverty, the celebration, was the lowing clarifications to correct any disease, unemployment, The statement read: Secretarylow former *For the avoidance of doubt, the unfortunate misinformation con- drought, General of productivity. bank confirms that the recovery ac- tained in the said reports.

Commonwealth, Chief The Senate President, *Access Bank Plc is not a party to tions it embarked upon against Dr. Sen. David Mark, noted Emeka Anyaoku and the above captioned suit instituted Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil others. and Gas have not been in any form by Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and his that religious fundamenSpeaking, Tinubu said talism could thrive in a or substance affected nor preju- company Capital Oil and Gas Lim“ without his effort, the democratic setting and diced by the proceedings or judg- ited. t r a n s p ortation *The subject of the suit and re- therefore called for ments of the Honourable Court in infrastructure wouldn’t between liefs sought therein are unconnect- idialogue the above mentioned suit. have grown beyond its Christians and Muslims. *The Bank remains confident of ed with the actions instituted by the His words: “I should colonial legacy; the the overwhelming success of the Bank for the recovery of the mondevelopment of the recovery actions it has initiated ies due to it from Patrick Ifeanyi point out that there is a economy would have against Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Ubah and Capital Oil and Gas Lim- chance that religious been further retarded fundamentalism will ited.

Capital Oil and Gas Limited. because vehicular The plaintiffs in the above suit did thrive more in a *The Bank will continue to furnish transport wouldn’t have relevant regulatory authorities with not seek any declaration, injunctive democratic regime due been reduced to a updates on the status of its recov- relief or damages against the Bank. to opportunities as free fraction of what we have speech and civil rights ery actions and would fulfill its obtoday." movement."

Fashola spoke at a public lecture marking the 80 th birthday of the former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Alhaji Olufemi Okunnu, held at the Nigerian Institute of International

Affairs, NIIA. According to him: “The Federal Government has begun to threaten to exact consumption tax through an unconstitutional legislation called FERMA ACT. I have

Separate politics from religion, Kufuor, Atiku, Mark tell politicians

BY EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

L

AGOS — FORMER President of Ghana, Mr. John Kufuor, and other eminent leaders yesterday, called for urgent steps to separate religion from politics to stem the current security challenges in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.

Speaking at the 10th Anniversary lecture of Sun Newspapers in Abuja, Mr. Kuffor lamented that religious conflicts devastated many countries of the continent had

Pa Adeleye for burial weekend T HE REMAINS of Chief Joshua Adetunji Adeleye, the Babalaje of Aga Land, popularly called Baba Joadson and father of Taiwo Adeleye, Assistant General Manager, Marketing, Mansard Insurance Plc, will be laid to rest this weekend in Lagos.

The funeral service will take place at Arafa Hall, 10, Arowofela Bus Stop, Ajuwon Road, Iju on Friday, February 22, 2013, after which there will be interment, and reception follows immediately.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs Margaret Adeleye; Omolade Goriola (nee Adeleye); Adeyemi Adeleye, Taiwo Adeleye, Kehinde Adeleye and Adejoke Osinowo (nee Adeleye)

We're not party to Ifeanyi Uba’s suit —Access Bank

….Tinubu, Gowon, others extol Okunnu at 80

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—11

Ondo Election Tribunal: ACN tenders 18 sacks of documents

BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE —THE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ondo State, yesterday, began proper hearing of the petition filed by the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, against the victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the last governorship election in the state.

Documents tendered by the ACN brought in 18 “Ghana Must Go” sacks included copies of the voters’ register used for the October 20 governorship election in the state.

They were subsequently admitted by the tribunal following the granting of the application moved by the party lead counsel Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, to bring in the report of the inspection of the materials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, used for the election.

But Lead counsel to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, asked the tribunal to dismiss the application as it did not show by way of affidavit extreme circumstances that could make the tribunal

grant the application.

Mimiko’s lead Counsel contended that what the ACN wanted to tender as additional evidence were documents that were in the possession of the petitioner before the tribunal granted the order for inspection of the INEC materials used for the

election.

Supporting Olanipekun, the counsel to Labour Party (LP), Yusuf Ali, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the application as it was bereft of any substance.

Ali submitted that it was the proper time for the court to scrutinise the written deposition of

the proposed witnesses to enable the tribunal know whether they were within its order.

But Olujimi in his reply, said the application was filed within the pre-trial period and that all authorities cited by the respondents were irrelevant.

From left: Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Secretary to the Kwara State Government; Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola Olusokun, Elerin of Erin-Ile; Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara State Governor, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Oloffa of Offa and Isa Bawa, Commissioner for Local Governments, in a group photograph after a peace meeting, at Government House, Ilorin, yesterday.

Fayemi submits 19 commissioner nominees to House

BY GNENGAARIYIBI

ADO EKITI—GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, has forwarded a list of 19 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

Fourteen former commissioners in the cabinet dissolved on January 9, 2013, made the list, with only five fresh names.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the nominees include: Mr. Wale Fapohunda (Ekiti West), Mr. Remi Olorunleke ( Gbonyin), Mr. Kehinde Ojo (Ido- Osi), Chief (Mrs.) Ronke Okusanya (Efon) and Mr. Oluwole Ariyo

(Ekiti South-West) Others are: Mr. Tayo Ekundayo (Ise/Orun), Mr. Dapo Kolawole (Ijero), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti West), Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (Ikere), Mr. Paul Omotoso (Gbonyin), Mr. Folorunso

Olabode (Ilejemeje), Dr. (Mrs.) Eniola Ajayi (Irepodun/Ifelodun) and Dr. Olusola Fasubaa (Ado-Ekiti).

The remaining nominees are: Mr. Apalara Wole Adewunmi (Ekiti East), Mr. Debo Ajayi ( E m u r e ) ,

Mr. Jide Arowosafe (Ikole), Mrs. Fola Richie Adewusi (Oye), Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan (Moba), and Mr. Sola Adebayo ( Irepodun/ Ifelodun).

Oyo State vendors start strike today

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN— Association of Newspapers Vendors, ANV, Oyo State, yesterday, said members would from today go ahead with the planned strike over alleged harassment and high-handedness by officials of the State Government.

The group accused the government officials of constituting nuisance to newspapers vendors.

This came as the umbrella body for vendors in Oyo said it had not seen any concrete assurances from Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the State Police Command to check activities of government officials popularly called YES-O. Though, the governor had said he would meet the vendors for

amicable resolution of the crisis, as at the time of filing this report, nothing had been done.

The vendors claimed they had been severally extorted, intimidated, harassed and manhandled by YES-O men.

PDP’s NWC moves to eject Obasanjo’s loyalists from Ogun Secretariat

BY DAUD OLATUNJU

ABEOKUTA—INDICATION emerged yesterday that the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was planning to eject members of a faction loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ogun State from the party Secretariat in Kuto Abeokuta.

The faction currently occupies the secretariat..

The NWC in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and by the party National Secretary, Onwe Onwe urged the IGP to order the state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, to allow the newly recognised faction operate as a legitimate and substantive state Executive.

“Following the unanimous resolution of the National Working Committee of our great party on February 14,2013, I am pleased to inform you that the party is in compliance with the judgment of Justice Archibong in suit No; FHC/L/ CS/347/2012 delivered on May 2012 which recognised the Engr.

Adebayo Dayo-led PDP State Exco in Ogun State as duly elected.

13, 000 guests expected at Mimiko’s inauguration

BY DAYO JOHNSON

AKURE —NO fewer than 13,000 guests across the country are expected at the second term inauguration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State beginning this Friday, Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade, has said.

According to Akimade, who spoke yesterday, artisans and the entire labour force in Ondo State had been mobilising for effective participation at inauguration, noting that the entire labour force and artisans under various trade names had been strategising to make the event a memorable one.

Oyo Pensioners worried about N2.6bn missing fund

BY OLA AJAYI

IBADAN—PENSIONERS in Oyo State are complaining bitterly about perceive government’s silence on alleged mismanagement of of pension fund running into N2.6billion.

The money was said to have been mismanaged in the Local Government Pension Board in the state.

The fraud was reportedly committed between September 2010 and January 2011 and was discovered by Alhaji Lasisi Ayankojo, Chairman of the board.

12 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Delta community launches scholarship foundation

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

A

SCHOLARSHIP scheme, AWl Scholarship Foundation, aimed at assisting indigenes of Onicha-Ugbo in Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State, has been launched.

The scheme, which is meant for students of Onicha-Ugbo in universities, is sponsored by Chief Benedicta Egbo and Chief Felix Egbo.

A statement by Mr. Patrick Nwaokolo, for the Local Organising Committee, enjoined interested candidates to utilise the opportunity offered by the foundation by filling in and returning a completed application form to the palace of the traditional ruler of Onicha-Ugbo on or before February 28, for processing.

Madam Ukpedesivwe passes on

M

ADAM Victoria Ukpedesivwe (nee Akpotu), is dead, aged 72. Until her death, she was a devoted christian and an active member of the Anglican Church.

A statement by the family said a service of songs will hold at her residence in Ughelli tomorrow, while her remains will be interred at Agbarha-Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State on Friday.

She is survived by many children,grand children and greatgrand children, among whom is Mr Francis Ukpedesivwe of Vanguard Newspapers.

Late Mrs.Ukpedesivwe

Gloomy future for Nigeria's oil exploration —Bayelsa dep gov Y

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State deputy governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), yesterday, painted a bleak picture of the future of oil exploration in the country, saying that the era of oil exploration and the nation's dependence on oil will soon come to an end.

He cited the first oil well in the Niger Delta at Oloibiri, in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, which had since dried up and been abandoned.

The deputy governor said the lesson learnt from the maiden oil well indicated that oil would dry up some day and warned states against over dependence on oil wealth for survival and development plan.

Jonah, at Oloibiri community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, during an inspection tour of State and Federal Government projects by the Good Governance team, led by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran

Maku, said such anticipated non-oil future had led the current administration in the state to diversify its economy, which, he said, gave birth to Bayelsa Development Investment Corporation.

Among project sites visited, were the Federal University, Otuoke; Federal Housing Estate, Elebele; Opume-Okoroba Road; Diagnostic Centre; Swali

Bridge, dualization of Opolo Road; Federal Secretariat and NIPP project, Gbarain.

The site of the dried oil well had been overtaken by weeds, as the proposed Research Institute bankrolled by the Federal Government was still at its foundation stage.

The administration of former President Shehu Shagari had proposed an Oil Museum at

Oloibiri, but the project was abandoned.

Jonah said: “The idea is to look for alternative sources of revenue to at least service salaries, even if oil dries up, we can move from there.

There are promises that a research institute would be built beside this oil well.

That is a Federal Government promise. With this awareness, we will reach those who are concerned.”

SEMINAR: From left: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Justice C. Idahosa, Edo State Chief Judge and Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauro, during a stakeholders' seminars on tax matters, organised by Edo State Judiciary in collaboration with Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, in Benin City. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

I won't use state resources to finance Good Governance tour —Oshiomhole

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that he was not prepared to spend the state's limited resources to finance the Federal Gov-

ernment's Good Governance tour, led by Minister of Information and Orientation, Mr. Labaran Maku.

Oshiomhole, at a seminar on Tax Laws in the state, organised

by Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, in Benin, explained that he had opposed the propos-

al for state governments to sponsor the team, when the matter came up at the Governor ’s Forum.

He said that the Good Governance team had sent in a proposal, imploring him to provide accommodation, feeding and logistics for over

Guild of Editors hold convention in Ibadan

T

WO years after its January. It will be recalled that Ighure, said that to ensure a last convention in La- Mr Adefaye, currently the Edi- rancour and acrimony-free gos, the Nigerian Guild of tor-in-Chief of Vanguard News- convention, the Guild has Editors, NGE, has conclud- papers, emerged president dur- appointed a respected vetered arrangements to hold an- ing the Guild’s 2008 convention an professional journalist, other convention in Ibadan, in Lagos.

Mallam Mohammed Haruna, the Oyo State capital.

A statement by the general as chairman of the eight-man The convention, which is secretary of the Guild, Mr. Isaac Electoral Committee. scheduled to hold from February 28 to March PUBLIC NOTICE ONE-TO-ONE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION 2, will take place in The general public is hereby notified that the above - named organization has the esteemed Preapplied for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters mier Hotel. A new Act,1990. executive, led by a THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Edem Effiom Ekong Esq new president is 2.Mrs. Utibeabasi Edem Ekong expected to emerge 3.Barr.(Mrs) I.G.D.Okulaja on Friday March 1, AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1.To help the less privileged in the society. to preside over the 2.To intervene in transforming the lives of vulnerable children and young people affairs of the Guild within a local communities through education and healthcare and enable them for the next two fulfill their potentials.

3.To intervene in the lives of vulnerables who have suffered abuse, family y e a r s . violence etc. and implement programmes aimed at supporting recovery.

The tenure of the 4.To create medium of contact with vulnerable and young persons designed to current executive, stimulate growth and balanced development for them.

5.To provide each child with a key person as a role model who will take primary led by Mr Gbenga responsibility for helping the child and their families settle and Adefaye, who has build relationship. served as the Any objection to the above-mentioned registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, within 28 days of this Guild’s president Publication. in the past four Signed:Barr.(Mrs)I.G.D.Okulaja years, ended in

120 delegates, when they visit the state next week.

Oshiomhole, who lamented what he called the bogus proposal from the team, said: “Whenever Edo State government officials travel to Abuja for official duties, the state takes responsibility and not the Federal Government.

“So, it is not proper to use Edo State tax payers’ money to finance a Federal Government programme. If they pay me a courtesy visit, I will receive them, but I don’t have a dime to spend on them because I do not need them to come to tell Edo people how I built roads and schools. My achievement speaks for me.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 13

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 —15

Sacked NIMC workers disrupt activities in NASS

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—ACTIVITIES at the National Assembly were nearly paralysed yesterday as sacked workers of. National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, laid siege at the entrance of the complex.

The protesters, who stormed the National Assembly in hundreds apparently caught security operatives stationed at the complex napping as they arrived early and succeeded in barricading the entrance.

Some of the protesters carried placards with the following inscriptions: “Sack NIMC DG now” “Listen to the cry of 4029 staff of NIMC who were sacked without due process” “Onyemenam is a thief.”

Human and vehicular barricade mounted by the protesters resulted in a traffic gridlock which forced many motorists to abandon their cars along the driveway into the National Assembly.

The protesters later became unruly as they molested journalists

and other passers-by. A television camera man was said to have been rough-handled by the protesters.

Many workers at the federal legislature were forced to go back home.

However, other staff who reported for duty had to trek a distance of about two kilometres to

get to their various offices.

Spokesman of the protesters, Useh Fidelis, said about 4000 staff of the commission were laid off without due process.

He said: “The aggrieved staff have made several representations to the National Assembly without fruitful results.”

However, the two chambers of

the National Assembly held their plenaries, as federal legislators and their principal officers had to use the rear entrance to gain access into the National Assembly.

The sacked workers are demanding reinstatement to the service, while some are asking for payment of their full benefits.

THE SUN @ 10: From left: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Publisher, The Sun Newspapers and former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Kalu and Senate President, David Mark, at The Sun 10th Anniversary Public Lecture in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Jonathan approves appointment of 3 VCs, Registrars for new varsities

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

A

B U J A—P R E S I D E N T Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of vice chancellors and registrars for the three newly established federal universities in Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara states.

Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, who disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, said the new vice chancellors include Professor Shehu AbdulRahman, Federal University Gashua; Professor Lawal Bilbis; Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, and Professor Ben Okeke, Federal University, Gusau.

She said the President also approved the appointment of Professor Isaac Asuzu to replace Prof. Chinedu Nebo the new Minister of Power, as Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

2015: Jonathan not qualified to run —Junaid Mohammed

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

A

BUJA—AS the contro versy over the single term agreement said to have been reached by Northern governors with President Goodluck Jonathan deepens, Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed, yesterday, said that the furore over the matter was unnecessary, as President Jonathan was not qualified to seek re-election in 2015 in the first place.

Mohammed, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja, advised Jonathan and his advisers to seek a judicial interpretation of his tenure rather than engage in banal war over 2015, which they claim he is yet to decide on.

The politician warned that there would be serious legal problems in Nigeria if Jonathan contested the next presidential election and pleaded with him to spare the nation the agony.

Mohammed said: “As far as I am concerned there should be no two ways about it. People who made promises must be made to abide by such promises.

“And even without the promise or deal said to have been entered into by the governors with the President in 2011, an ordinary reading of the constitution at face value will indicate that Jonathan cannot avail himself of another term in 2015 simply because the constitution provides for two terms for anybody notwithstanding whatever the intervening circumstance is.

“Secondly, the constitution provides for people taking the oath of office only twice in their lifetime. Now how this president can proceed to take oath of office three times is something I cannot understand and they are unwilling to subject the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

“This shows that they have something to hide and they believe that by mere propaganda through the lies of the people being used they can now change the constitution.

“To me, the easiest way to amend the constitution is to follow what the constitution says.

Nobody wants to do what the law says and they think they can get away with illegality simply because they are in power. It will not work.

The politicians said that Jonathan had failed to provide a fresh breath of air, which he promised Nigerians at the polls and should look for a way to exit the saddle rather than think of another term.

He stated that from the way the administration was going it was clear that it would not be able to change the situation in Nigeria even if it was in power for 100 years.

“If you leave Goodluck Jonathan to be president of Nigeria and you allocate every kobo that comes into the consolidated revenue of Nigeria to him and some of the governors, there would be no development in Nigeria in the next 100 years,” he said.

16—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FUBRUARY 20, 2013

Terrorists abduct French tourists in Cameroon As Europe plans military action to free hostages

BY UDUMA KALU A G O S — S E V E N French tourists from one family, including four children, were kidnapped yesterday, in northern Cameroon by a Nigerian terrorist group, French President Francois Hollande has said.

He said he was informed that the tourists were seized by a Nigerian “terrorist group that we know well.”

Hollande told reporters while on a visit to Athens that ”what is most probable is they will be taken to Nigeria,” adding that France was doing everything possible to prevent that outcome.

L

Radio France International had earlier reported the kidnapping, saying that the seven people were taken by armed men on motorbikes and were being taken towards Nigeria.

Western governments had grown concerned that Nigeria’s radical Islamists may link up with groups elsewhere in the region, particularly al Qaeda’s North African wing AQIM given the conflict in nearby Mali.

The seven French tourists were abducted at about 7 a.m. in a village about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Nigerian border

near the Waza national park and Lake Chad in the extreme north of Cameroon where Westerners often go for holidays. It was the first case of foreigners being seized in the mostly Muslim north of Cameroon, a former French colony.

The president said: “I see the hand of (Nigerian militants) Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon.

France is in Mali, and it will continue until its mission is completed.”

France intervened in Mali last month when Islamist rebels, after hijacking a rebellion by ethnic Tuareg MNLA separatists to seize

control of the north in the confusion following a military coup, pushed south towards the capital Bamako. Eight French citizens are already being held in West Africa’s Sahel region by al Qaeda-affiliated groups.

Cameroon Information Minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, said he could not confirm the kidnapping report for now.

A source close to the French embassy in Yaounde, had earlier said that unidentified men, apparently on motorbikes, had captured the seven tourists in the locality of Dabanga near the

Nigerian border.”

The tourists were reportedly returning from the Waza natural park,the source said. An anonymous source in the park said the tourists visited it on Monday.

“They slept in the park’s tourist camp where they left this morning,” the source said.

A security source in the area told AFP that security forces were hunting for the kidnappers the length of the border with Nigeria.

It is the first time that Western tourists have been kidnapped in Cameroon, although hostage taking frequently occurs off the Cameroonian coast, the last incident dating back to February 8. In December, French engineer, Francis Collomp, was kidnapped in Nigeria in an act claimed by the Nigerian radical Islamist group Ansaru.

Meanwhile, Europe may use force to rescue the seven foreigners kidnapped last weekend by the militant Islamic group.

“Western governments also might not have the confidence in local Nigerian security forces to carry out an advanced hostage rescue operation and will likely mobilize their own security forces and agents.

But going in is expected to be a last resort — especially given recent operations that didn’t end well,” the report said.

Army seeks cooperation with NDDC, others on hospital facilities

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—THE Director, Military Base Hospital, Benin City, Brig.-Gen. P. A. Noah, has called for better cooperation from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other corporate organizations in the provision of hospital facilities, saying that the military cannot go it alone.

Speaking during the inauguration of NDDCsponsored solar-powered water borehole in the military base the Army Director thanked the commission for its gesture, just as he called for more patronage from outside of the military.

He said: “A hospital without water is a killing ground, so you have given us a healing ground.

I want to thank you very much, and want to assure you that this is just the beginning of the relationship.”

— 17 Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013— alone is sufficient to compel the Head of Service to investigate civil servants, although he has to do this within the rules of the service, and be satisfied that officer(s) reported by the legislature have committed transgressions. The Head of Service should brief the President on matters of this nature owing to the need to police legislative/executive boundaries. That it had taken this long, and required such a messy exposure of the limitations of the presidency and the civil service is a sad commentary on the state of the public service today.

“… these not having the law, are a law unto themselves”- Romans 2:14

T

No ordinary servant

Abdurrasheed untouchable?

Maina:

An

threats by the Senate, Mr. Maina had stood up committees, called press conferences in Abuja to say he is not hiding, hired a SAN and gone to court, and had even been abandoned to the judgment of God by exasperated and helpless Senators.

T

he involvement of the President in directly ordering the Head of the Civil Service to discipline an Assistant Director should mark a new low in this pathetic charade. At this stage, a lone civil servant appears to have become a massive source of embarrassment. First, President Jonathan could not, or should not have failed to know of the saga which for months had dragged his administration in the gutter. In virtually all public comments made by legislators about Mr. Maina, they had pointed out that the civil servant who will not answer their summons travels out on Mr. President’s entourage, receives him at Airports and has unhindered access to the Presidential Villa. They have all alluded to the existence of some powerful forces in the presidency which are involved in protecting Mr. Maina. The height of this indignity is being compelled, as President, to do something about a lone civil servant by an angry Senate, and then acting as if the matter was just being brought to his attention.

The gentleman in question, only one out of hundreds of Assistant Directors under the direct responsibility of the

Head of the Civil Service has also rubbished the integrity and authority of the highest office in the public service. The public directives of the President to the Head of Service to discipline the officer is an avoidable rebuke, although in fairness to the Head of service, he may have been hamstrung in his efforts by the same forces which had made Mr. Maina untouchable. An Assistant Director who is assigned responsibility as chairman of Pension Reform Task Force is perfectly within the powers of the HOS to discipline. He had to have given him the responsibility in the first place, and could have reassigned it to someone else, or punished him for established transgressions without the President ever hearing about it. He could have conducted his own

,

HE charade around the conduct and fate of an Assistant Director in the Federal Civil Service who exercises responsibility as Chairman of the Pension Refor m Task Team, Abdurrasheed Maina appears set to continue. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no less, has publicly directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali, to initiate disciplinary action against the officer for being absent without leave. The President’s directive followed a resolution of the Senate last week asking the President to choose between the civil servant and its wrath. The Senate had issued a warrant of arrest against the officer over his continued refusal to appear before it and answer questions over alleged mismanagement of N664m in pension funds. The President has also received a report from the InspectorGeneral of Police, informing him that the Assistant Director has evaded detection and arrest by the entire Nigeria Police. The IGP also did a little bit of the work of the Head of Service: he informed Mr President that the officer had breached section 030402, which lists breaches considered as gross misconduct. In Maina’s case, the IGP said he was absent without leave.

Apparently acting on the advise of the IGP, President Jonathan directed the Head of the Civil Service to discipline Maina. The latter, in turn, informed the Nigerian public that he had informed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry in which Maina served as Assistant Director that the officer under him had absconded, and should be disciplined under provisions of PSR 030301 to 030304.

On the very day the nation was being treated to a melodrama that should insult its intelligence, an Abuja Federal High Court refused to grant an ex-parte application to stop the police from executing the arrest warrant against the civil servant.

Maina in addition is asking the court to rule that the Senate committees on Establishment and Public Service as well as State and Local Government Administration lack legal powers to decide on his fate or sanction him. He wants the court to compel the Senate to pay him N1.5b in damages, and order the committees to appear before the court to show what wrongs he had committed.

The Maina saga, particularly the last debates about and around the civil servant showed a rare unanimity by the legislative arm of government which will even divert attention from the fact that the statutory 30 days for coming into effect of the budget has been exceed. Before the ultimatum and

The Maina saga will not go away, any more than the fuel subsidy scam or the sharp practices in the power sector will disappear; the man himself is quite likely to be a front for some deeply-entrenched interests; they or him may want to sacrifice each other

,

investigation and taken disciplinary action against the officer the moment facts warranting it were brought to his attention.

The public service rules are detailed and exhaustive enough for matters of this nature to be handled; and they even make provisions for prosecution and dismissal for fraud, embezzlement and other criminal offences. A report from a committee of the legislature

T

here are others who should now feel uncomfortable over this saga.

The Nigeria police, whose pension funds are reported to be part of the billions missing says it cannot find a man who used to go everywhere with a retinue of policemen. Interpol is now being asked to ensure that he does not flee the country. There are also people who may have given him comfort and assurances that the cover of the presidency will be impenetrable and permanent. They will, if they can feel shame, rue their attempts to defy the legislature, the laws of the land, public opinion, the federal civil service, and every standard of decency and accountability.

The real story behind Mr. Maina’s bravado may not have been heard yet.

But the legislature has made a crack, although critics will not fail to note that it moved more decisively only when some Senators fumed that Mr. Maina had alleged that some of them had demanded a N3b bribe from him. Mr President’s involvement in the conduct of a civil servant in such a public manner is a severe indictment of the administration and the public service.

Now that the senate appears to have succeeded in forcing some action out of the presidency, Nigerians will wait to see what happens. Will his protectors continue to hide him? Can he be arrested, fully investigated, and be prosecuted if he has broken the law?

How far will the Maina trail go? How much damage has this saga done to the federal civil service, an institution which has already been severely compromised by a political level that now routinely encroaches upon its hallowed values in pursuit of patronage?

The Maina saga will not go away, any more than the fuel subsidy scam or the sharp practices in the power sector will disappear. The man himself is quite likely to be a front for some deeply-entrenched interests. They or him may want to sacrifice each other.

Either way, the nation will want to know what happned to billions of pension funds, and how the law will deal with those who may have stolen them.

OPINION

BY YUSHAU SHUAIB

S

OMETIME in 2011, this writer got an invitation to attend the annual International Disaster Conference and Expo, IDCE, which takes place every year in the city of New Orleans in the United States of America.

But due to a short notice and stringent requirements for US visa, the writer missed the opportunity to attend the global conference. The following year, after the worst flood disaster in Nigeria, another invitation was extended to me as the spokesperson of National emergency Management Agency, NEMA. Surprisingly visa was granted even at short notice after an interview that was less than five minutes at the US Embassy in Abuja!

For decades, New Orleans was reputed to be a city of good music, tantalising cuisine, rich culture and friendly dwellers who welcome visitors from across the globe with open arms until the arrival of Hurricane Katrina, which on August 29, 2005 washed away the city and devastated the Gulf Coast.

Thousands of people fled their homes as huge sections of the city disappeared under floodwaters.

New Orleans: The disaster resilient city The disaster in this city of mostly Black people has been described as one of the deadliest, costliest and most destructive of the 2005 series of Atlantic hurricane in the United States of America. The over 1,500 people that died in the disaster were mainly those who refused to heed the early warning. It was also estimated that over $80 billion was lost due to damages to property.

The incident also exposed the weakness of humans in relation to technology. The hurricane surge protection failures in New Orleans are considered the worst civil engineering disaster in U.S. history and this prompted a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, who were the designers and builders of the levee system.

There was also an investigation of the responses from federal, state and local governments, resulting in the resignation of Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Director, Michael D. Brown and of New Orleans Police Department, NOPD, Superintendent Eddie Compass.

While first timers in the city could have anticipated

an excursion into sites of ruins and traces of destructions from Hurricane Katrina, it was amazing that New Orleans is not only bubbling with full sideattractions, it is a great example of disaster resilient city that has recovered faster than expected. From the well-tarred road networks, magnificent structures and uninterrupted utility services, the Katrina disaster story is now in the past tense. New Orleans is re-enacting its old reputation as one of the most popular convention and leisure destinations in USA. It wasn’t surprising that the annual IDCE is designed to always take place in New Orleans with a mission to unite public and private sector professionals from around the world for discussions regarding policy, lessons learned, best practices, and forward thinking, resulting in the mitigation of loss of life and property when catastrophic events occur.

Continues on pg 18 *Mr. Shuaib, Head, Public Relations, NEMA, wrote from Abuja.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 THE Federal Government sets bad examples in managing public assets. The abandoned buildings in Lagos that ministries and other establishments used before re-locating to Abuja stand tall in challenging government to act.

Some of the buildings are the 25-storey Independence Building, Ministry of Education, the National Assembly Complex at Tafawa Balewa Square and the 37-storey NECOM House on Marina, said to have been sold for a mere N4 billion. Others are the NITEL Building, former Supreme Court Building, former Navy Headquarters on Marina, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once used, the NNPC Complex in Ikoyi, NITEL offices at Falomo and Iponri and the uncompleted NPF Building at Okokomaiko, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Other less known buildings are government guest houses, on Bar Beach, and staff quarters in Ikoyi and other reserved areas nationwide.

The closest government came to using its buildings was seven years when it concessioned the Federal Secretariat Complex in Ikoyi. The edifices have remained abandoned due largely to unresolved tax issues between the Federal

Under-utilised FG Proper ties Properties and Lagos State governments. The concessionaire wanted to convert the edifices into a residential estate, a move which Lagos town planning regulations stalled.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State told an audience at a town hall meeting that abandoned Federal Government properties served as hideouts for armed robbers and miscreants, popularly called Area Boys. “These buildings attract criminals and miscreants who use them as hideouts for planning criminal activities and sharing their ill-gotten loot,�

Fashola said.

The Forum of Lagos Elders, whose membership includes Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, a

former Deputy Inspector General of Police, and former Federal Commissioner of Works, Chief Femi Okunnu, made a strong case for the buildings, some of which are national monuments, to be handed over to the Lagos State Government.

We see the continued under-utilisation or outright abandonment of properties which should be generating substantial income for the Federal Government as a waste. It should be addressed. Private owners of similar properties make profit from rents.

However, we do not agree with handing over the properties to Lagos State since other States, and local governments are co-owners.

Dialogue between the Federal Government, Lagos State on how best to put these buildings into effective use is one of the options to explore.

Alternatively, the government should sell the properties to interested corporate organisations that are better positioned to make good use of them. The continued abandonment of the buildings is an avoidable waste. Moreover, the longer they are in that state, they lose value, and become environmental and security threats to their locations.

OPINION

BY YUSHAU SHUAIB Continued from pg 17

T

HOUGH conferences on disaster management are held in various cities of the world, IDCE is reputed to be the only event supported across a broad spectrum of industry perspectives: Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Emergency Response, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, Resilience, Global Security, Large Loss/Claims, academia and many more.

During a breakout session at the IDCE Conference, participants were told of how within six months of the Hurricane Katrina, government declared that every part of New Orleans had become safe as no soil was contaminated and the air quality was pure, while water and sewage systems were gradually restored. Involvement of the residents and the community in the planning effort also ensured rapid transformation of the city. Relief agencies and volunteer groups helped many returnees, especially in the provision of hot meals, packaged food,

New Orleans: The disaster resilient city (2) bottled water and other supplies.

The U.S. military and other relevant security agencies were involved in the reconstruction of the damaged buildings and structures. Faith-based and community-based organisations as well as individuals all volunteered in providing necessary relief to the displaced people, while some nonprofit organisations played active roles in mobilising funds in rebuilding houses of the poor and low-earners.

Philanthropic organisations involved in financial services also made donations of cash with some providing soft loans to enable victims to return to their businesses.

There is no denying the fact that USA has an effective, reliable, integrated, and comprehensive system to alert and warn the American people.

This writer was fascinated by the sophistication of Early Warning Alert System being regularly utilized to warn residents of looming disasters

which contributed to minimal loss of lives during Hurricane Katrina.

The Director for the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, IPAWS, in Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Antwane Johnson told participants that beyond local alerting system, his agency is integrating public alert and warning systems so that warning messages could reach the target audience as soon as possible through various channels, including television, radio, online media, mobile phones and public signage simultaneously. The system has collaboration with various institutions, including telephone operators, media owners and volunteers in its successful implementation because it facilitates single emergency alert message delivery to all available public dissemination channels.

A

fter losing billions of dollars in tourism business due to Katrina, the New Orleans Convention

and Visitors Bureau successfully embarked on a re-branding campaign to reposition the potential of the city.

The outcome of the crisis and reputation management campaign has propelled the tourism industry of the city to become taller and stronger than expected.

The success of the rapid recovery efforts of New Orleans from the catastrophe resulted from the massive supports from various institutions, groups and individuals who volunteered to sacrifice in the recovery processes. The great lesson here in disaster management is that while we cannot prevent or even anticipate all disasters, we should plan and prepare for any eventuality that could occur due to nature or human error. Nigeria and other developing countries, especially in Africa, have a lot to learn from the disaster resilience and recovery strategies employed during and after Hurricane Katrina in the United States of America.

Concluded Mr. Shuaib, Head, Public Relations, NEMA, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013— —19

, T

HERE is yet no news of any arrests of members of the group that attacked health workers in different parts of Kano many days ago. The most we’ve heard is that the Police have ordered additional security for health personnel working for the eradication of polio in the affected areas.

Nigerians will remember nine female health workers were shot and killed in broad daylight by men travelling in tricycles in two community health centres in Filin Kashu and Hotoro Haye areas of Kano. These were innocent people doing nothing but their job in a part of Nigeria that has managed to keep this country on the unenviable list of three countries still ravaged by polio in the entire universe. The two others are Pakistan and Afghanistan, both in the firm grip of backwards forces of religion. In a region of the country where women’s rights are already severely restricted, pumping gunshots into them tells everyone how valueless life, especially female’s, has become among socalled Faithful, champions of a strange code of religion that thrives

on cowardly violence. The intention of the attackers is to strike fear into people, especially women and other minority segments of society, who happen to hold a different view of life from them. There is nothing reassuring in the Police promise of additional security for these vulnerable health workers whose everyday on the job is like a death sentence. The attack was not the first of its kind and the Police couldn’t claim to be ignorant of this except they want to compound an apparent case of failure on their part. But then when the Police fail in the manner we’ve become used to, we do know a major part of the problem lies with society that has turned our security establishments into victims of the Nigerian state, impoverished organisations where nothing good is expected to come from as we saw to our shame with the Ikeja Police College scandal.

What then but to expect the President to intervene in a highly centralised system in which every state looks up to the benevolent Father Christmas in Abuja to meet their needs? Expectedly, President

,

Jonathan has expressed his outrage at the killings in Kano. But is that where it should all end? Or should the President be the one to account for killings in Kano, in Maiduguri and other parts of an increasingly restive polity as if there are no elected public officials in these places? In the two areas where the attacks on these hapless women took place, there are local government chair persons. Above this, Kano has a governor like all other states. What have these tiers of authority done to address the issues of frequent attacks on health workers and other attacks like this? The people of Kano, whether at the local government or state levels, bear responsibility for what goes on in their surroundings. It is only after they’ve tried and failed that the President ought to come into the picture.

B

ut too often responsibilities that belong elsewhere are shifted to the centre. At every point public officers get distracted by matters that are none of their business. A thief escapes from

Authority stealing pass armed robbery OWE the title of this column to Fela a gun, breaking into your home or waylaying classic song of outrage, you on the road and dispossessing you of IandAnikulapo-Kuti’s call to action, against the live evil of corruption threatening to throttle Nigeria to death. If you do not own the LP or CD of Authority Stealing, and have no immediate access to it online, I suggest that you seek it out after reading this column. If you do, it is recommended that this essay be read to the accompaniment of that soundtrack of our wholesale dispossession through the mindboggling thievery of top public officials. In my last column entitled “A Case for Punishing Corruption as Armed Robbery”, I pointed to the discrepant morality of the death penalty for armed robbery — irrespective of the amount stolen, be it one kobo or one million naira — as long as the robber used a “firearm” or any “offensive weapon”, and deeming billion-naira thieves severely punished if told to confess their sins, put whatever is in their back pocket on the table, and go home.

Thus, while staunchly opposed to the death penalty, I argued that it be applied in the true spirit of “deterrence” to anyone who steals public funds in the amount of one billion naira or more. A temporary and strategic stance, albeit, in honour of the fundamental principle of justice that insists like cases be treated alike. But that argument, I fear, does not wholly bare the stinking reality of the corruption-versusarmed-robbery distinction in our laws, based as it is almost entirely on interpretation; so I will today back up that call by pointing to the colossal social costs of corruption.

Admittedly, there is something bloodcurdlingly menacing in a robber, armed with

car or money. But how less menacing is the robber armed with a pen, who steals billions with a single stroke, thereby inflicting mortal injuries on the body-politic?

The consequences of pen robbery are far more lethal than those of armed robbery; to say this is not to minimise the material and psychological consequences of the latter. It is, rather, to adopt a global view that reveals the full ramifications of pen robbery; showing it, among other things, as in fact a principal cause of armed robbery. In any case, the choice of “weapon” has more to do with the class or social status of the robber than with the intent behind the crime itself.

Consider the N32.8 billion stolen from the Police Pension Fund and the N20 billion stolen by former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun. How many people do you think die due to the inability of a poorly trained, equipped and motivated police to prevent violent crimes? How many murdered in cold blood at checkpoints by hungry policemen traumatised by their bestial conditions of training and service (thanks, Channels Television) due to the theft of moneys allocated for their welfare?

And if we turn our gaze to other government agencies, are the casualties less in scale or number? Sadly, no. Not with the daily body count on the death traps called highways, despite the countless billions allocated for road reconstruction or repair but which end up in private pockets. Our hospitals? Simply put, more “mortuaries” now than “consulting clinics”, to recall the words of the late tyrant and ace plunderer

prison and somebody calls on the President to respond. A football coach wants his contract reviewed and the President is called upon to intervene. How can a president who has to help in choosing the national football coach have time to address weightier issues of state?

There is no doubt that the Nigerian political system needs to be structured appropriately to enable proper devolution of power and responsibility but people also must assume responsibility for what goes on in their immediate environment.

There is no sense in expecting people far from a place to address problems that have both cultural and religious roots in it. The issue of attacks on health workers in different parts of the North is a matter first for people from the region before it concerns Abuja or other parts of the country. State governments and opinion leaders in the North should be seen to be acting in the interest of the region in matters that directly affect them, not pretending that it’s all a matter of neglect from the government at the centre. The major problem in the North today is the twin evil of ignorance caused by mass illiteracy in socially beneficial education. The other is religious bigotry championed by extremist proponents of retrograde doctrines. Both problems feed on and nourish each other creating a vicious cycle of poverty. But rather than address these issues they caused in part by their failures despite decades in the corridors of power, Northern leaders avoid talks about them angling rather for power with similar mongers of power from other parts of the country in a forlorn game of national politics. There are beggars of different categories in Nigeria but the most immiserated single group parading the worst deformities obviously caused by

‘poverty’ diseases like ring worm, polio and river blindness are Northerners. This is also the region with the lowest population of children or young people in schoolnot madrasas for almajiris, let’s be clear. This is the blunt truth and unless there is an end to ignorance and bigotry of the type that allows the mindless killing of women in the North, Nigeria will never move ahead, either as a country or a nation. Health initiatives to end polio and other diseases are for the benefit of Northerners. Those Taliban copycat groups claiming these initiatives are meant to harm the Northern population justify their claims on religion and hatred of so-called Western education.

This same logic propels the campaign of mass murders initiated by the other faceless groups that some Northern leaders claim has destroyed the economy of the region in the last three years.

The question is what have the political and, especially, religious leaders in the North done or been doing beyond kicking the can down the road while not pushing the blame to others- what have they been doing to counter the claims of these fringe extremists that have been campaigning in the name of religion? When 15 years old Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani school girl campaigning for girl education was shot in the head last October, it took the joint fatwa of 50 religious leaders to disprove the Taliban’s falsehood that they were acting in the interest of Islam by shutting down schools to girls. What are religious, opinion and political leaders doing in the North? Where does the charity of these leaders begin? For soon, they would, like their counterparts from the South and elsewhere, put on flowing babanriga and be raising fathom storms in Abuja for personal gains masked as fights for the people.

of the public t r e a s u r y, General Sani Abacha when justifying the coup of December 31, 1983 that hastened the country’s transformation into a robbers den. As for our educational institutions, the images we see now and then on television, in newspapers or online of

,

Northern Nigeria in the grip of bigotry and ignorance

Unless there is an end to ignorance and bigotry of the type that allows the mindless killing of women in the North, Nigeria will never move ahead, either as a country or a nation

The consequences of pen robbery are ultimately far more lethal than those of armed robbery; to say this is not to minimise the material and psychological consequences of the latter

,

primary school pupils huddled in the dust under a tree while their teachers pretend to be teaching them the alphabet or arithmetic tell the glorious story.

I

t is this palpable truth of pen robbery, aptly dubbed "authority stealing”, that Fela intoned with characteristic clarity and forthrightness as far back as 1980. Fela

highlights the costly class bias of the law that punishes pick-pockets (“Them fit put (jail) am for ten years” or “shoot am for armed robbery”) while not recognising the mighty thefts of “authority people” (You no go hear them shout / Thief! Thief! Thief! ... Robber!

Robber!”). But why this dangerous duplicity?

Because “authority man” steals in “civilised style”. Civilised because being in charge of the money in the first place, he does not need a gun. So Fela sings: “Armed robber him need gun / Authority man him need pen / Authority man in charge of money / him no need gun him need pen / Pen get power gun no get / If gun steal eight thousand naira / Pen go steal two billion naira.”

That the robber’s weapon is determined by his circumstances and need is underscored by a recent report in Vanguard (February 6, 2013). After stealing N2 million from a Calabar politician’s car without having to fire a bullet, the robbers abandoned their AK 47 rifle! Listen to Fela’s cri de coeur and his anguished wail, a projection of the collective despair over corruption, will pluck at your own heartstrings: “Authority stealing pass armed robbery / We Africans must do something about this nonsense.” By law, we still hang armed robbers or execute them by firing squad. Well, then, let us punish billion-naira thieves like the armed robbers they are!

20—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 20 , 2013

Debate of the masses

Politics of polio vaccination

BY EBELE ORAKPO

“A

*Ubong’s car after the accident

Two years after accident, Akpabio’s man cries out for help •Wants Governor to intervene

BY TONY NYONG, Uyo Ubong Udo Ekarika, a native of Ibekwe Ikpanya in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, was a very lively, agile fellow and full of drive.

As a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he was considered an invaluable asset to the party, especially at Ibiaku Ward 1, where he effectively deployed his mobilisational ability during election campaigns to ensure that the party enjoyed the edge over its rivals. Sadly, Ubong is today roaming the streets with a lifeless limb. This is two years after he narrowly escaped death along the Ibekwe/ Ikot Itina road after returning the materials for the April 2011 governorship election of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

When Vanguard Metro, VM, ran into the 32-yearold one-time pipeline welder with some prominent companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, including Fender and Profe Engineering Ltd, at the weekend, he could not hold back tears as he recounted his woes.

Entire savings Ubong informed that since the accident, he has spent his entire earnings in the battle to save his life and is presently helpless as the loss of his arm has robbed him of the ability to earn a living. He said he had all this while been surviving on the benevolence of the lawmaker representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Barr.

Ekong Sampson, adding that the lawmaker has done so much for him but cannot afford to offset the bill of sending him abroad for treatment.

Ubong told VM: “I was driving my C class Mercedez Benz back to my village after returning the governorship election materials at the Mkpat Enin INEC Secretariat, accompanied by the Operation Aduma Security Personnel, when a trailer driver lost control and hit my car which somersaulted about five times.

My car, the source of my livelihood, was badly damaged and I fainted. Through the help of some good Samaritans, I was admitted in Life Care Hospital in Udosen Uko, Uyo, where I spent more than one month before being referred to Stripe Hospital in Port Hacourt, Rivers State, where I spent one month and two weeks.

“After being discharged I was taken to Rehoboth

*Ubong Udo Ekarika Hospital also in Rivers State, where I again spent another four months, before I was moved to the University Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. It was here I was told that my case could not be handled in the country”. Ubong also informed that his condition became more precarious when “the company I was working for sacked me as I am no longer useful to them”, adding that the loss of his right arm had all but put paid to his ability to function as “the bread winner of my family”. He did not stop there.

“The doctor told me that I sustained some serious injuries in my chest, shoulder and suffered a fracture and dislocation in the right arm. He explained that if not well treated I may not use my right arm again.

He also said that if that of the chest is not treated properly, I shall suffer a heart-ache which may result in my untimely death. He explained that my treatment would be done by three medical experts- a surgeon, a cardiac doctor and an orthopedic doctor.

“My family members and I agreed to his professional suggestion, but the problem is finance. We have only managed to raise the sum of N250,000.00 for the deposit. So, we’re presently faced with the problem of raising the sum of five million Naira(N5 million) for my transportation and medical fee to India as recommended by the medical experts”.

He also explained his initial reluctance to speak to the press on his condition, saying: “I do not mean to embarrass the government or anybody by talking to you(VM), but there has not been any other means to reach my government. I have been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party since 1999. The accident which could cause me permanent disability happened while I was fighting the cause of my Governor. I expect if the party cannot help me, the Governor should.

I am like the blind man in the Bible who told Jesus ‘I want to see again’. So I’m appealing to my Governor to help me regain the use of my hand”.

His save-my-soul letter to the Governor was endorsed

by Ward Chairman of Ibiaku, Monday Jimmy and PDP Chapter Chairman of Mkpat Enin LGA, Hon. Nkereuwem Akai, while his uncle, Mr James Jimmy, passionately appeals to Governor Akpabio to act fast to save the young man from untimely death due to depression.

BEG, get down from this bus. Go and meet your people who put you in this condition,” shouted a commuter, Ade, in the Oshodi-bound bus at Ota as a young man, crippled by poliomyelitis (polio) entered the bus to solicit alms.

“Ha, don’t talk like that.

Is it his fault that he is crippled? It could happen to anyone,” said Gbenga, another commuter.

Replied Ade: “I did not say it was his fault. It is the fault of his leaders, so let him go to them to take care of him and others like him. They really get on my nerves. For God’s sake, this thing is preventable.

That is just my annoyance. Their socalled leaders, especially the religious leaders, will come up with stories of the vaccines being laced with drugs that could render the males impotent so as to decimate their population. What sort of nonsense is that?”

“That is the sad truth; deceiving those who have entrusted their lives in your care. I pray this debilitating disease affects their own children alone and then we’ll see what they will do,” said Ugo. Said Mary: “The Igbos say that ‘he who has been stung by a bee is scared of the large housefly’ because they look alike (a bad experience brings about a phobia.) Once bitten, twice shy. Have we forgotten the Pfizer/Kano Government saga so soon? It was the same vaccination issue. So I think that is why they do all in their power to prevent their people from being vaccinated.”

“That’s not true. That war against vaccination did not start today. They have been trying for a very long time to discredit vaccination even before the Pfizer incident. I think it’s a case of what one fears most coming to happen in one’s life, as the Bible said.

Their leaders are suspicious of everything and their followers believe so much in them that whatever they say is final.

They just follow them foolishly; like dundees. and they hate with passion a few of their leaders who tell them the truth. Just look at the way they murdered those innocent female health workers who went to help them vaccinate their children and kick polio out of their region! That was cruelty personified! They could have asked them to leave their territory. Must they always shed innocent blood?” asked Paul.

“See, left to me, we should forget about them.

Since they don’t want vaccination, then let them be. No be by force,” said Ade. “Ah, na by force oo. The disease is contagious. Polio is caused by the poliovirus; so it is a viral disease.

According to what I read, the virus enters through the mouth and multiplies in the throat and gastrointestinal tract, then moves into the bloodstream. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. So, even if you leave them alone, the sufferers come down South and spread the virus in the course of living among the healthy population to beg and if you don’t give them alms, you are seen as the most heartless being on earth,” said Ade. “Ah, no be small matter oo,” exclaimed Sule.

Responded Paul: “Of course! Why do you think the WHO is fighting tooth and nail to eradicate it in countries where it is endemic? As long as it is still found in some countries, the so-called poliovirus-free countries are not really free.

Nigeria is said to be the only reservoir of the wild poliovirus.”

“The only solution is education. Educate the masses so they can think for themselves and take their destinies in their hands,” suggested Gbenga.

“Education is good, but the same leaders who send their own children to Europe and America, will tell the masses that Western education is evil. So where do we start from?” asked Ugo.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBUARY 20, 2013 — 21

APCON tightens noose on foreign ad agencies’ incursion

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU & PEACE ONYEUKWU

T

HE Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, has taken further step to ensuring that proper measures are put in place before allowing foreigners into Advertising practice in the country.

This decision was reached following the stakeholders concerns over the growing army of unregulated local and foreign advertising practitioners in the country as APCON is expected to put in place appropriate measures to correct lapses and weaknesses within the structure.

Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, Council Chairman of APCON who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the decision to review various parts of the advertising laws with a view to ensuring they confirm to global standards and compensate local interests as the body is exercising it’s mandate in ensuring that the advertising profession is allowed to grow and mature within a fair and equitable environment.

Continuing, he said, “it became necessary to consider the current operating rules and environment with a view to ensuring that Advertising like other recognized professions was regulated in such a way as to protect the integrity of the practice and ensure that current regulations were reviewed in line with local interests and

136.55

global standards”.

According to the Chairman of APCON, the reform among others will include reviewing current entry conditions into the profession as they affect Nigerian and foreign practitioners; To ensure that local and foreign practitioners were properly registered and certified by APCON before being allowed to practice in the country.

To ensure that APCON registered Nigerian professionals are given the first option of consideration in employment by companies for advertising-related positions and functions. To ensure that commercial firms for use in

-1.45

0.06

117.38

-0.28

95.50

-0.36

DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 239.4447 206.6088 167.4857 1.6469 0.2954 235.315 24.7857 41.2596 27.6959 236.2106

155.24 240.2184 207.2764 168.0268 1.6522 0.3054 236.0753 24.8662 41.3929 27.7854 236.9739

SELLING 155.74 240.9921 207.944 168.568 1.6575 0.3154 236.8357 24.9467 41.5262 27.8749 237.7371

CBN Exchange rate as at 19/02/2013

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU, with Agency report

D

IAGEO, parent company of Guinness Nigeria Plc, said it plans to complete its $368.8 million about (N58.270.4 billion) investment in Nigeria by November 2013.

An agency report stated that this was aimed at boosting its beer production capacity in Nigeria by 50 percent, citing the firm’s president for Africa, Nick Blazquez.

The international news agency said Diageo had already spent half the money to expand its operations and would complete the investment within nine months.

Nigeria, a country of 170 million, is the world’s largest consumer of Guinness, but Blazquez said that beer sales had declined in 2012 as a result of reduced disposable income, due to higher electricity and motor fuel prices.

Diageo is a premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Many of its brands have been around for generations, while some have been developed more recently to meet new consumer tastes and experiences.

Nigeria Railway moves over 30,000 passengers in eight weeks

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU & WILLIAM JIMOH

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

agencies want to set up, APCON should clearly spell out what percentage of their staff could be foreign, what equity Nigerians could hold and occupy.

The agreement went further to say that APCON should ensure that appropriate sanctions are put in place with the support of the sectorial bodies to stop all parties from reneging on especially financials.

Likewise the stakeholders also advocated a more binding commitment, which would take advantage of the gains of the APCON-sponsored ASCOMDI, APCON’s special committee on media debt issues.

From left: Mr. Rotimi Olaniyan, Chief Executive Officer, Proximity Communications (keynote speaker); Mr. Enitan Denloye, Director Brands & Communication, Etisalat Nigeria (Guest Speaker); Chief Keith Richards, Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Mr. Austin Ufomba, Marketing & Innovation Guinness Nigeria Plc (Guest Speaker) and Mr. Kachi Onubogu, Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria Plc (Guest Speaker) during the Proximity Marketing Colloquium “Engaging the Nigeria Consumer’ THE NEXT BIG THINGS’’ held at Lagos Business School.

2,170.00 +41.00 18.0

Nigeria were produced in Nigeria, using local production resources even if in certain cases, directors and crew had to be flown in. And addition the stakeholders also opined that such production must use Nigerian models, voice-overs, crew etc.

The stakeholders according to the APCON Chairman said that as witnessed in other countries, no foreigner or foreign group would own a majority stake in any of the components of the industry, and if possible advocate the maximum equity stake that foreigners can hold.

He went on to say that additionally where foreign

Diageo plans N58.2bn investment expansion in Nigeria

T

HE Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC has said that over thirty thousand Nigerians travelling to Kano from Lagos have used the recently rehabilitated intercity train service.

The Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr. David Ndanusa stated this while speaking with Vanguard.

According to him, the railway has maintained a successful intercity passenger train service since the kick off in December last year, transporting over thirty thousand Nigerians who are travelling to and from Lagos and Kano by rail.

“I can tell you that over thirty thousand Nigerians who are travelling to Kano from Lagos and returning back have used our

train service. We run two trains every week and they are always filled up.”

Ndanusa explained.

The NRC official who said he cannot estimate the number of those that have been transported through other intercity train routes, like Lagos to Offa and Minna, noted that the corporation will soon acquire more coaches to address the problem of congestion and to increase frequency.

“We are refurbishing more coaches in order to address the problem of congestion but the problem is that it requires time to refurbish these coaches depending on the level of deterioration. But we are doing all we can, in the next two months we shall have more coaches and then increase the frequency of operation in the routes we are running.”

However, when asked about how much money the passenger traffic has generated so far, he declined comment, saying that the figures will be made official at the right time. He however hinted that half of the money is ploughed back into operations and maintenance.

“I cannot tell you how much we have generated because that may be misunderstood. The figure will be made known at the right time. But I can assure you, half of the money we make is put back into maintenance, and don’t forget maintaining these locomotives are quite expensive.” Mr. Ndanusa said.

Meanwhile in the intercity train service, passengers have continued to pour in.

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 20, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 23

DIARY Select ICT events Casual Connect 2013. Holds 12-14 Feb 2013 in Hamburg, Germany. Graphics of the Americas 2013.

Holds 21-23 Feb, 2013, in Orlando, USA. Mobile World Congress 2013.

Holds 25-28 Feb 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

Telecoms infratructure Industry groups, NBA, others needs special protection back cyber crime bill

— NCC

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU & JOY OBOMASA

RSA Conference GAINST the 2013. Holds 25 Febbackdrop of the 1 Mar 2013 in San heat constantly Francisco, USA. generated by poor quali-

A

,

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Eggxactly cooks eggs without water

The Eggxactly cooks an egg to your specifications without the need for water, using about 1% of the energy required by conventional means.

The device consists of two elastic silicon heating elements that conform to the size and shape of the eggs to transfer heat efficiently.

The top of the small cooker features a dial to indicate how hard the egg should be cooked, and, according to the manufacturers, the Eggxactly can determine if the egg came straight from the fridge and therefore requires more cooking time.

The Eggxactly was first launched in 2006.

I N S I D E C M Y K

Using cheap phones to fleece the poor

ty of telecom services in the country, the telecom operators and the government have been collaborating on ways to put an end to the unfortunate development.

The operators have consistently sounded a note of warning that the situation may persist if the government does not do anything about the frequency of telecom facility vandalisation, conversion to other uses and or wilfully damaged.

Their argument has been that that there can never be telecommunication without the facilities and infrastructure that enable the services, stressing that to demand for quality of service was to also demand for the protection of telecom facilities.

However, it seems that the message is sinking positively into the government’s consciousness.

This is as the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, Mr Okechukwu Itanyi, weekend admitted that government needed to rank telecoms infrastructure among the critical infrastructure which should enjoy priority protection in the country.

Itanyi, at the 54th edition of the Consumer Outreach programme in Ikorodu Lagos, at the weekend, also enjoined re-

NCC's Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr Eugene Juwah (right) and Mr Okechukwu Itanyi, Executive Commissioner at a recent Telecoms Consumer Parliament session in Lagos, last year.

sponsible citizens of the country to always discourage unauthorized usage and conversion of telecoms infrastructure, to other uses.

NCC consumer outreach was established to bring together consumers, service providers and the regulator under one platform for the purpose of addressing consumer related issues as well as to educate stakeholders on contemporary issues generating attention in the industry.

According to Itanyi, “it our collective responsibility to protect these infra-

,

CeBIT 2013.

Holds 5-9 Mar 2013, in Hannover, Germany.

structure from vandalisation, stealing, and any other abuses. In fact, telecoms infrastructures should rank among the critical infrastructures which should enjoy major attention in the country.

Itanyi appeals

“I appeal that government should expedite actions towards making telecoms infrastructure a National critical asset that should be accorded priority attention in terms of protection.”

He also lamented other

challenges faced by the industry including destruction of telecoms facilities due to road construction; community interference and demanding excessively before installation; interference from government agencies such as closing down of some service providers network in some states.

“The theme for discussion to day is the protection of telecom infrastructure. The topic becomes imperative because telecom infrastructure has a direct and indirect on the

Continues on page 31

I appeal that government should expedite actions towards making telecoms infrastructure a National critical asset that should be accorded priority attention in terms of protection

Printing photos from your phone now made easier

Bayelsa sets up N290m digital security centre

HILE stakehold ers in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have expressed support for the passage of Cyber crime bill which seeks to provide for offense and penalties relating specifically to cyber crimes and general computer misuse, the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA), has backed the passage of the bill waiting presidential approval in the national assembly.

The endorsements came at the public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Justice on the proposed legislation held last week in Abuja.

Other institutions including the Nigeria Law Reform Commission, Cyber Security Africa, Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Information Technology Association of Nigeria, ITAN as well as the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) also threw their weights behind the bill.

The bills

Accordingly, two bills on cybercrime were proposed for consideration at the public hearing but most delegates including AfICTA saw no need for a special cybercrime bill for Northern Nigeria and so supported the discontinuation of the bill to apply to Northern States of Nigeria only. However, the second bill was to apply to Federation of Nigeria and was supported by a vast majority of speakers.

In a presentation backed up by a written memorandum on a Bill for an Act to amend the

Continues on page 27

Ovia, Angaye, Juwah, others for ISPON 2013 dinner

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

W

Using cheap phones to fleece the poor

I

T is not very often that traders here complain about products from a foreign country; in fact, it is a rare occurrence. This is because in this economy, consumers prefer foreign-made goods to locally made ones, even when the foreign ones are visibly inferior to those made locally. From footwear to textiles and other consumer goods, Nigerians opt to boast, for example, that “my shirt is imported,”or “this shoe is from Italy,” etc. In fact, new products made in Aba or Nnewi will succeed faster in the market if the makers advertise them as imported rather than as local.

Thus, when traders in the ICT markets of Lagos begin to complain about the standards of products from a certain SouthEast Asia nation, then we need to listen to them. The Computer Village in Ikeja and Saka Tinubu in Victoria Island, Lagos are two of the largest markets for ICT products in this country, and arguably in the whole of West Africa.

Traders there have been complaining recently about the influx of substandard phones, and at rock-bottom prices.

It is not only phones of inferior quality that find their way here; virtually anything that can be put into a container gets here, with the merchants becoming instant millionnaires while their foreign partners repatriate huge sums of forex back home, all at the expense of the average Nigerian.

This situation is not new. What really is at the bottom of the issue are product standards and whether they are being enforced at all. In the case of mobile phones, the point is whether they are type-

approved by the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission. In addition, what is the role of the Standards Organization of Nigeria in this? Further, what roles, if any, have the border agencies to play in this matter?

As a nation, we play with our lives by turning blind eyes to a lot of things which cumulate to affect us negatively in the long run. I recall that as far back as 1972, our country changed from driving on the left with right hand steering to driving on the right with left hand steering.

Despite this, a lot of “righty”vehicles are on our roads, generating traffic confusion.

Why did SON allow them into the country?

If they escaped SON, why have the Police and FRSC continued to allow them on our roads?

Back to the issue of sub-standard phones.

If the traders are complaining, we need to look beyond their selfish motives and discern the deeper issues there. Somebody who buys a mobile phone at N1,500 may not know that he/she may need to buy another one in a few months’time, compared with someone who buys a phone for N20,000 or more, and who may enjoy the phone for more than two years.

As ICT penetration progresses, we owe it a duty to protect the less privileged ones among us, and that is why in the first place various initiatives have been floated to enable as many Nigerians as possible own ICT devices. Government must rise to protect the poor by ensuring that these cheap phones are not sub-standard.

In the case of mobile phones, the point is whether they are type-approved by the telecoms regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission

C M Y K

,

HAT do you do with the photos from your smartphone – upload them to social media sites, maybe copy them to your computer or tablet to show to friends and family?

Well, Rollei seems to think you should print them more. It's just announced two photo printers which connect to iOS or Android devices, and are specifically designed for releasing your smartphone images from their digital confines.

While Rollei grandly claims that devices like its new printers make ordering photos over the internet obsolete, we don't know too many people who diligently order prints of their smartphone snaps, so maybe it's also a case of trying to encourage phone-ographers to print more. Either way, the Rollei iSY Photo Printer and the Rollei iSY WiFi Photo Printer promise to make it easy for smartphone users to produce quality photos at home.

Forgoing physical buttons, the printers

Printing photos from your phone now made easier

The Rollei printer are controlled using the Rollei Photo App (iOS or Android), and operation is said to be as simple as choosing the images you want to print. While both models feature a docking station and the ability to connect devices (including PictBridgecompatible digital cameras) via USB, the

difference between the two is fairly self-explanatory; the Rollei iSY WiFi Photo Printer adds the ability to print wirelessly. Use of thermo-sublimation in an all-in-one cartridge technology – which combines 260 grampaper and color ribbon – ensures prints similar to

those produced by a traditional lab … rather than the printed-athome style we know all too well. It takes 55 seconds for each photo to print. Photographs have a resolution of 300 x 300 dpi, plus they're waterproof and fingerprint-resistant. Source: Rollei

NITDA bids to raise internet access through RITCs By PRINCE OSUAGWU

T

HE National In formation Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has said that the major reason behind setting up over 228 Rural Information Technology Centres, RITCs across the nation was to boost internet penetration, particularly in rural areas.

NITDA also said that the effort would not only spur Internet usage but make Nigerians digital citizens.

The agency added that it was why many of the RITCs are located in the rural areas of the country so that both the un-served and underserved areas of the country would be connected, in line with the country’s Millennium Development Goals .

The RITCs were established between 2007 and 2012 in all the geopolitical zones and the agency plans to take the RITCs to all the 774 local government headquarters of the country in the years ahead.

NITDA said at the weekend that over 116 of the RITCs were located in the Northern part of the country, while about 112 have been established in the Southern part of the country.

According to the Director General of the NITDA, Professor Cleopas Angaye , the deployment of RITCs across the Nation is part of Millennium Development Goals and NITDA’s target objective of providing Internet access to the undeserved communities.

He described the RITCs, as government's response to the clamour for the provision of access to the rural populace across Nigeria and making them an integral part of the new global economy driven by ICT.

Angaye said: “Nigerians who reside in the rural communities cannot be neglected in any meaningful citizen-centred programme.

The deployment of the RITCs has contributed in boosting Internet usage from 2,418,679 users in 2005 to an estimated number of about 10 million users in 2008 and over 44 million internet users in 2012, thereby, positioning Nigeria as one of the fastest growing internet users in sub-Saharan Africa” he added.

It is expected that Inter-

net users will reach 70 million by 2015 and NITDA hopes that the various RITCs being deployed across the nation will help push the level of usage in the years ahead..

Meanwhile, NITDA said it was also pursuing two ICT incubation centres to facilitate software development in the country. The centres are to be in Lagos and Cross River State. The incubation centres are expected to create up to 25 successful ICT businesses by 2015.

COMMISSIONING: Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, at a work station during the commissioning of the e-learning ICT Centre at Oje-Owode in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State which was powered by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Photo: Dare Fasube.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 25

C M Y K

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Glo launches five new tariff packages

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

T

OP telecom operator, Globacom has introduced five new subscriber-friendly tariff plans targeted at its prepaid customers. The new plans, Hi-Flyer and Talkfree have been introduced to address the needs of high value voice and data subscribers while the new GBam, new Infinito and new Gista which already exist, have been repackaged to offer more value to customers.

Elaborating on the new tariff plans, Globacom’s

Coordinator, Marketing, Adeniyi Olukoya said that the new tariffs will deliver more value to subscribers on the network.

“Whether they spend more on calls or data, these new tariff plans will deliver more value as subscribers can make calls within the network for as low as 5k/sec and international calls for as low as 15k/ sec”, he said.

Continuing, Olukoya explained that subscribers on the Talkfree plan will enjoy 150 free minutes and 150 free SMS monthly while Glo-to-Glo calls on the plan will be at 15k/

sec and calls to other networks will be at the rate of 18k/sec. To enjoy the fantastic Talkfree rates subscribers will pay a monthly subscription fee of N1,000 only.

With the Hi-Flyer plan, customers who subscribe to any data plan from 200MB and above will enjoy calls to all networks at 18k/sec. Under this plan, the customers will enjoy the best data usage, unrivalled customer experience and flat calling rates to all networks.

The new G-Bam tariff allows subscribers to call 5 loved ones at 5k/sec

and call all networks at 18k/sec. Subscribers will also get 5M B free data daily to check their mails, browse Facebook, tweet and do other things on the internet after paying a subscription fee of N5 per day. “This rate is the best in the market as staying in touch with loved ones has never been cheaper”, Olukoya said.

He also stated that the new Infinito tariff gives subscribers the benefit of keeping in touch with 10 loved ones on the Glo network at just 10k/sec.

Subscribers on the tariff

can also call other Glo customers at 20k/sec and other networks at the rate of 30k/sec.

He explained further that with the new Glo Gista tariff, subscribers can make on-net calls at the rate of 15k/sec while calls to other networks will be at the rate of 30k/sec after the 1st minute of the day at 40k/sec.

For all these new plans coming from the stables of Globacom, customers will

enjoy international calls to the USA , UK (fixed), Canada , China and India at 15k/sec after the 1st minute at 25k/sec. In addition, they will enjoy 35 hours of free night calls every week.

Olukoya said that the new plans are introduced in order to offer more choices and deliver more value to new and existing Glo subscribers who register for these special tariffs on the prepaid platform.

Yookos network unveils new platform

BY EMEKA AGINAM

J

UST as it helps local developers deliver applications that are relevant to the local setting with application pro-

gramming interface (API), Yookos, African social networking hub has repositioned its online platform to make social networking more exciting to its over 10 million users.

This is part of the company’s ongoing initiatives to match the social networking requirements of social media users by offering an exciting and engaging products.

At the launch of the new product I Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Yookos, Mr. Tomisin Fashina said that the release of the desktop version came on the heels of the recent inauguration of its much anticipated mobile web version late last year in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Some of the interesting features that can be found on Yookos , according to him will include the ability to post or comment straight from your email by simply replying to the notification email.

By offering the mobile version meant especially for feature phones, he said that the social network site has enables more people to join the fastest-growing social network in Africa.

He informed that what made Yookos a social networking site of choice was its ability to blend a multiplicity of social media functionalities and features into one intuitive and robust platform.

“We’ve made huge investments to ensure that Yokohama becomes a highly competitive and world-class platform that users can really enjoy and be proud of.”

“In addition to the social sharing and sign-in integration we went further to give users more control over their own Yookos account by even allowing them to customize their streams and groups just by simply clicking, dragging, and dropping.

That’s how easy it is now.” he said.

He added that Yookos has always tried to ensure that users can get all the functionality they require from a social network in one place with their offering.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 27

Bayelsa sets up N290m digital security centre Industry groups, NBA, others back cyber crime bill Continues from Page 23 Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 in order to provide for Offense and Penalties relating to Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes, Dr Jimson Olufuye, Chair, Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA) expressed support for the passage of the Bill with amendments at the public hearing This is the 4th attempt at passing a law on cybercrimes at the National Assembly. I hope that efforts will be made to ensure that the Bill is passed” he said.

While commended the

sponsors of the bill, Hon. Aisha Ahmed (PDP/Adamawa), he lamented that the absence of cyber crime laws in Nigeria have left a vacuum that has been exploited by criminals.

Best practice

He urged ascension to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrimes with the aim of recognizing the international dimension of cybercrimes and the cross border nature of data In his opening remarks, Chairman House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ali Ahmad (PDP Kwara), said the bill when passed into

law, would curb the activities of website hackers and internet fraudsters, commonly known as the “yahoo boys” in Nigeria.

According to Ahmed, the absence of a cyber crime legislation has left sensitive economic and security information at the mercy of internet hackers and cyber crime syndicates.

Recommendations of AfICTA

Concerning paragraph 22 (1) of the bill, Olufuye recommended that the title “ Records retention and

protection of data by service providers” be replaced with “Data preservation and protection of data by service providers.”

On lawful intercept by law enforcement officer, he recommended that the action of the law enforcement officer be backed up by “judicial authorization”. “ This is essential, he said, to avoid any form of abuse of office by any law enforcement officer and to respect the privacy commitment of service providers” he said.

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

T

HE Bayelsa State Government is building a digital and integrated security control and communications centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rt) announced this on Monday while briefing members of the National Good Governance Tour in Yenagoa, the State Capital during an inspection of the construction of the Integrated Security Control and Communication Centre.

He said the Centre is aimed at complementing ongoing efforts by Fed-

eral government to ensure security of life and property in the state and would also serve as the coordinating headquarters of all security operations in the state through an electronic platform.

He recalled that at the inception of their administration, the biggest challenge they faced was insecurity which resulted in the loss of so many lives.

"When we came into government, the greatest challenge we had was security; cult activities, fighting, killings. There was hardly any day that we did not record two or three deaths. So we invested so much in security to ensure that Bayelsa State is safe," he said.

He confirmed that at the moment, Yenagoa is very safe and that there is a functional system in place whereby the whole town could be locked down to prevent criminals from escaping after committing crime.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that when the Centre is completed, government would be able to monitor everything happening in the state electronically. "This is a custom-built area which when fully equipped with all the gadgets that you can think of were modern, we will be able to make sure this place is quite safe," he said.

Furthermore, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) said a law to punish kidnappers in the state is already in place and that with the new security arrangement, kidnappers could be arrested to face trial.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Erijakpo Lawrence said the project which was awarded at a cost of 290 million Naira would be ready by the end of March this year.

The Commissioner also explained that the centre is to have a situation room where prompt decisions on security can be taken by the Governor. He equally noted that the facility is situated close to the Governor's residence for ease of access to the centre.

Speaking at the project site, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku harped on the need for states in the Niger Delta to place high premium on security of life and property of citizens.

The Minister who noted that the region was destabilized for almost 15 years because of issues of marginalization that resulted into militancy said "We are solving it now with the Amnesty Programme and the relative peace that has returned to the Niger Delta.

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 29

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

NCS tackles unemployment with IT job, career fair

T

From left: Head, Regional Sales, South-South & South-East, Mr. Enekwachi Aja; Head, Regional Sales, Lagos/South-West, Mr. Olujinmi Tella; Director, Indirect Channels & Corporate Sales, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor; and Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Wael Ammar all of Etisalat Nigeria at the Annual Distribution Partners’ Conference , in Lagos.

ComTech Minister sees future in Intel’s science fair ….Commends partnership with Shell, Interswitch

By JOY OBOMASE & GABRIEL AMADIEGWU

T

HE Minister of Com munication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson has commended Intel Corporation, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Interswitch for their support towards redirecting the objectives of educational development from knowledge based to empowerment.

The minister gave the commendation at the

2013 Annual National Science and Engineering Fair which held at the University of Lagos.

She also noted that the decision of the firms to bankroll the Science and Engineering Fair would further boost the study of Science and Technology in the country.

Activities to mark the four-day event included Science Quiz and exhibition showcase. The exhibition stage saw the competing schools pass their innovative inventions through several

Telecoms infratructure needs special protection Continues from Page 23 spread of telecom service to the nook and crannies of the country as well as the quality of service being experience by the consumers. I wish to highlight that, development of telecom infrastructureis an important phase in the life cycle of the telecommunication industry. It is obvious that without telecom infrastructure, there will be no telecom service and it is our collective responsibility to protect telecom infrastructure in our society.

The commission provided conducive environment which helped in attracting Foreign Direct investment into the industry and eventually made telecom infrastructure to be widely available in the country. Nigeria is virtu-

ally covered by these infrastructure in terms of Optic fibre Cables, Mast and towers, bandwidth and Internet facilities etc.

This in turn is expected to bring about a phenomenal growth in the telecom industry and other sectors of the economy. This has been our focus and priority at the commission for quite some time.”

The event which held in Ikorodu, Lagos, was graced by representatives of various telecoms operators including Mr. Olusegun Ojofeitimi from Airtel, Mustaphar Ofam from MTN and Emmanuel Enyinnaya from Etisalat.

They urged the consumers to stop telecoms vandalism for the provision of better and qualitative telecoms services.

stages under the keen watch of panel of judges. The fair was jointly sponsored by Intel Corporation, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Interswitch.

While applauding the participating students, the minister, represented at the occasion by the Director General of Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST), Lawrence Okoro stated that it was expedient that students at that level develop interests in practical sciences and engineering solutions to challenges in their environment and the nation as a whole.

Head, Social Performance, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Emmanuel Anyim disclosed that the partnership with Intel and Interswitch was part of the Shell’s commitment to National development and actively positioning the Nigerian educational sector on a global pedestal.

In an interview with journalists, Ayim said “Science is key to the development of any country and we feel that the best way to begin is to encourage young talents by exposing them to global standards. And we are happy that the young scientists are rising to the challenge already.”

Speaking at the occasion, Corporate Affairs Manager, Intel Corporation, Mr. Osagie Ogun-

bor explained that Intel Corporation, in partnership with Shell and Interswitch was pursuing a transformational agenda in the educational sector to encourage a more practical approach to learning that will gently prod the students to becoming pragmatic researchers rather than passive receivers of knowledge.

“The changing trends in the global economy are increasingly becoming knowledge-based being driven by advancements in Information and Communication Technology and this has significantly raised the stakes in the educational sector, thus we want to encourage a practical approach that will excite these young minds and spur their appreciation and effective contribution at the student-teacher level and, ultimately add to their wealth of knowledge in their respective disciplines.” Ogunbor stated in his address at the closing ceremony of the event.

As though already rising to the challenge thrown at them by the minister, students of Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja, Lagos emerged winners of the exhibition contest with their invented Urinepowered generator. Peter Secondary School, Umuahia emerged winners in the quiz category.

HE Nigerian Com puter Society, (NCS) has said that it would leverage on Information Technology Job and Career Fair to create jobs and overcome developmental challenges in Nigeria.

The initiative according to the society is in fulfilment of its commitment to facilitate the creation of one million jobs in Nigeria over the next five years to arrest the growing and massive unemployment in the country.

The fair will be organized by NCS in conjunction with the student body, Nigeria Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS). It will kick start during the 2013 Nigerian Association of Computer Students Convention in Akure.

President of the NCS, Sir Demola Aladekomo said the career fair, will provide a platforms for young people interested in starting and develop-

ing IT careers to meet and interact with possible employing organizations, recruiters, professionals, entrepreneurs and career consultants.

Aladekomo advised participants to be ready for recruitment exercises, job tests, networking, among others.

Attendees who are mainly students (final year university students and entry level graduates in the Computer/ Information Communication technology field), according to him, would get to learn more about the organizations exhibiting and presenting papers at the fair.

According to him, the fair will afford organizations with unique and cost effective avenue to attract suitable young talents and potential employees.

NCS designs the IT job and career fair to be one of the largest gatherings of fresh, resourceful and bright minds in IT

CSR: LG donates anti mosquito ACs for rural health care

By JOY OBOMASA

L

G Electronics yester day, donated some of its newly launched LG Anti-mosquito air conditioners and Malaria drugs to Orimedu Health Center, in Epe, Lagos as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility functions.

Speaking at the presentation of the items to the hospital, the representatives of LG Electronic said this was aimed at enhancing healthcare and fighting the scourge of malaria, which happens to be the biggest killer of pregnant women and children under the age of five in Nigeria.

General Manager, Air Conditioning and Energy Solution, LG Electronics, Mr Junhwa Jeong, said that the rural communities and its people are faced with peculiar health care challenges that the items donated will help tackle.

He urged the Health centre to always strive for excellence in its quest to provide people in the locality with quality healthcare.

Junhwa said that the Anti-mosquito Aircon-

ditioner, which was recently launched into the Nigerian market comes with a unique ultrasonic device that repels and knocks down mosquitoes, would definitely help reduce the scourge of malaria.

Also speaking, managing Director, Fouani Nigeria limited, Mr Mohammed fouani, said that besides LG’s CSR activities aimed at reaching out to disadvantage institutions, the company also felt the need to associate with healthcare providers to reduce the cost of health bill to the common man in the society, adding that by doing this, patients would be able to receive proper care.

The items were received by the medical officer of health, Dr Nureeni Aiyeola, the Oba of Orimedu and his chiefs and the local Government Chairman.

They all commended LG Electronic for their kind gesture.

This is as Aiyeola enjoined other corporate bodies and public spirited individual to emulate LG in responding to the needs of disadvantage institutions.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—31

EDO 2013 BUDGET:

Is anything there for me?

BY JOHN MAYAKI

C

AN you really satisfy the people of Edo State? Of course, yes.

Aren’t they demanding more than state resources can carry? The answer is in the affirmative. Could it be because, to whom much is given, much is expected? Again, yes.

They want more from

Governor Adams Oshiomhole despite his overwhelming scorecard in the past four years in office, however, Oshiomhole has vowed to post a more mouthwatering dividends this year. His 2013 budget christened ‘taking Edo to the next level’ is one among three others before Oshiomhole will call it a quit.

The question any reasonable person would ask when that time comes is; will the people say it is uhuru after Oshiomhole’s eight years in office? If not, one would need to sympathize with whomever will take over the reins of government after Oshiomhole. Apart from working throughout the clock,

such a successor will tolerate the incessant protest and placard wielding electorates who at every provocation, storm the State House.

S u c c e s s i v e Governments in the past may have had budgets.

They are normally tagged with more flamboyant adjectives but unfortunately, do not yield the desired result.

I am not oblivious of the fact that some others may have crafted some hopeless budgets but now, its more of a sensible one in Edo state.

It used to be an opaque budget but it’s now more of a self-reliant and fiscally prudent.

Edo state is one of the few states in Nigeria where a Fiscal Responsibility Bill was presented to the state House of Assembly and passed into law and we all know the import of that. While the state benefits from the 13% derivation fund as a marginal oil producing state, this fiscal advantage does not translate to any significant edge in financial transfers and key indices when compared to other states in the Niger Delta region.

The proposed Budget size for 2013 is N150,045,377,060 billion. The sum of N87,407,475,855 billion, r e p r e s e n t i n g approximately 60%, is being proposed as Capital Expenditure; while the proposed Recurrent Expenditure is N62,637,901,205 billion, which r e p r e s e n t s approximately 40% of budget size. By the above figures, government is sustaining the tradition of putting more funds into capital expenditure, while reducing recurrent expenditure.

T

he sum of N116, 479,778,045 is proposed as recurrent revenue. This is made up of the following components: Statutory Receipt - N86.51 billion, Internally Generated Revenue N26.97 billion The projected capital receipts amount to N64,341,876,840 billion, while there is a projected deficit of N23,065,599,015 billion to be funded through the World Bank Budget Support Facility and additional credit lines.

The Recurrent Component of the 2013 Budget, which is N62,637,901,205 is made up of the following: Personnel

Costs - N25.46 billion, Overhead Costs N16.40 billion and Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges - N20.76 billion Government is concentrating the bulk of it’s Capital Expenditure on key priority areas. Roads Project is allocated the sum of N33,351,000,000 for all roads infrastructure across the State. This will be used to complete ongoing inter and inter-city road projects, in addition to funding new road projects. The designs of these road projects, according to government sources are ready.

The sum of N13,293,000,000 is proposed for Flood and Erosion Control and Environmental Protection. Of this amount, N8.00 billion is allocated for the execution of projects under the Benin City Stor m Water Masterplan. Also, a substantial sum has been earmarked for the continue desiltation and dredging of the Benin Moat. Similarly, the sum of N2.55 billion is set aside for erosion and flood control infrastructure in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts, while the sum of N1.20 billion is proposed for Beautification and Urban renewal projects across the State.

The total budget provision for education is N26.7 billion comprising of N14.6 billion capital and N12.1 billion recurrent expenditure excluding salaries to primary schools teachers. The State owned universities, Ambrose Alli University has a provision of N4.82 billion of which N1.02 billion is for capital projects. While N4 billion has been provided for construction and renovation tertiary institutions in Edo State. The Technical schools reconstruction/ renovation has a provision of N500million. The sum of N6.78 billion has been allocated to the Health Sub-Sector, comprising of N2.8 billion capital projects and N3.98 billion for recurrent expenditure.

To be continued Mayaki is a founding member, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa. 08038380339

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Why you need insurance A lot of people don’t believe in insurance because they are yet to understand how it works.

Despite their misgivings, insurance is the most trusted risk transfer mechanism. countries like USA economic

engine to keep running. It not only provides you protection, but lends security to all and everybody near you. The amount, paid per month in insurance, keeps the economy floating, ensuring that banks have enough moving cash to keep business and industries running up. Insurance is simply a mutual interest between you and the bank. You get back complete recovery plan and coverage in case of any misfortune, natural or man made.

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

W

hen faced with an expected or u n e x p e c t e d accident, you feel a need of security that won’t instigate you to beg for money at the eleventh hour. Any king of protection or a safety net is welcomed rather than having nothing.

It is in this light that insurance comes to bear. The importance of insurance as a protection against loss or accident cannot be overemphasised. In advanced nations, insurance has become the most favoured risk transfer mechanism.

Can you fight off against an unexpected disaster by yourself?

What is insurance?

Insurance in the simplest term means you pay a lump sum known as premium, to get a leverage or protection against an accident or loss of a large or small magnitude.

So, when the misfortune is encountered, the insurance company can step in, helping you out to sail through the dirt.

Types of insurance

Insurance is broadly categorised into life and nonlife or general. Life insurance is insurance on human beings.

Though human life cannot be valued, a monetary sum could be determined which is based on loss of income in future years.

Non-life or general insurance on the other hand, includes automobile and homeowners policies, provide payments depending on the loss from a particular financial event.

General insurance typically comprises any insurance that is not determined to be life insurance.

Under these two categories, insurance comes in many forms and types. You can have liability insurance, life insurance or property insurance and much more.

Insurance protection is for you as well as other people – people dependent upon you for one thing or the other.

Property insurance is your protection procurement against any damage to your home items like unexpected loss under floods, fire attack or other natural freaks. All professional persons like doctors, lawyers, get insured for their specific profession under professional liability insurance. In subsequent editions, each of these various types and forms of insurance products and services will be

explained in detail.

Nigerian insurance sector

The Nigerian insurance market consolidation was an exercise that started in 2005, culminating in the increase of the industry ’s minimum capital requirements in 2007.

The minimum capital to operate a life insurance business thus increased from N150 million to N2 billion, non-life business moved from N200 million to N3 billion while for reinsurance business, the minimum capital became N10 billion from N350 million.

The consolidation exercise also resulted in reduction in the number of insurance companies operating in Nigeria from 103 to 49 in 2007,

and in the case of reinsurance, the number reduced to two from the initial five.

According to the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, many diverse claims such as the victims of severe floods, motor accident, fire accident, to claims emerging from explosions, air crashes, have all tested the resilience of insurance industry.

Similarly, the reinsurance industry has come to the fore in the light of its crucial role in supporting catastrophe risks and in maintaining stability, Daniel stated.

Is it necessary to be insured?

Insurance is actually the fuel, allowing the powerful

Do you have insurance? he only insurance I don’t have insurance myself but I T have is for my car and I hope to have one in the future it is third party. I choose because of the way they responded to to do third party because I don’t have the huge amount of money that they require as premium at insurance companies.

Moreover, I am a good driver, so I don’t see the possibility of hitting anybody while driving.

So if the insurance companies can bring down the premium for third party, I may consider buying direct from them.

•Sule Inwunoba, Consultant

•Inwunoba

me when my brother who had insurance got missing. Before he disappeared, he had a life insurance policy with one insurance company.

He paid premium regularly until he got missing. However, the policy contract stated that premium must be paid for one year before any compensation can be paid on the policy. Although my brother did not complete the required period of payment but the company was willing to pay some compensation to the family. So I believe in insurance.

•Chinonso Ohams, Businessman

•Ohams

If you think you can, then that is great; otherwise, insurance is your best shot.

Insurance means you do not have to be on the streets, if somehow the main family bread earner passes away, or the roof over your head is snatched or your life savings are stolen. In all these cases, a good insurance is your road to quick recovery.

According to Mr. Yemi Soladoye, an insurance expert, the greatest asset insurance bestows is the absolute peace in case of most traumatic moments of ones life.

“A dying man, who is insured for life, would breath his/her last in complete peace, knowing he/she can pass away without fretting over the financial state of his/her family.

In automobile accident, you do not lay down in a panic attack, if the vehicle is properly insured. Hence it would be justifiable to claim that insurance brings an extra strength to face the worst upsets of life”, Soladoye said.

The way forward

Managing Director of Linkage Assurance Plc, Mr. Gus Wiggle said, “Insurance is an addiction. No matter how much protection it gives against all probable risks; one needs to walk with care, lest he/she is drowned in all the lure and whirlwind of the insurance mania. The market, at present, is full of million types of insurances, so it is hard to figure where to stop.”

Wiggle advised that the human life can never be without a risk; hence, the best way to deal with risks is to get insured. “One has to buy protection if not for himself/ herself, but for the family- that is why insurance structure exists and functions in the world”, Wiggle said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 33

Highlights on insurance stocks

Do you have a retirement plan?

Oasis Insurance Plc

A

s part of efforts geared towards good corporate governance, Oasis Insurance Plc recently released its earnings forecast for the first quarter ending March 31, 2013. Accordingly, the company forecast Gross Premium Income, GPI of N1 billion. Earned premium is N722.500 million, while profit/(loss) after tax is N298.148 million. Experts are of the opinion that the company has the capacity to grow its earnings and meet its forecast if it taps into the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, MDRI, of the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, geared towards deepening insurance penetration in the country.

U

nic Insurance Plc posted Gross Earnings of N616.200 million for the third quarter ended September, 30, 2012 against N882.304 million of the corresponding period of last year.

Profit/(loss) after tax stood at N55.286 million in contrasts to N168.661 million of the corresponding period. Net Assets stood at N2.395 billion against N2.450 billion of the corresponding period. Experts are of the opinion that the decline in earrings may not be unconnected to the provisioning for bad debt which many insurance companies still have to carry out after experiencing massive losses in the capital market during the meltdown.

Linkage Assurance Plc

L

inkage Assurance Plc recently notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange of the appointment of Messrs Ikobho Anthony Howells and Patmore Duate Iyabi as Directors of the Company. Accordingly, the list of Board of Directors of the Company is now ; Fatayi-Williams; Udoma Udo Udoma; Banigo Pelebo; Zekeri Yahaya; Edozien John D; Ikobho Anthony Howells; Usman Bukar; Ihyembe Raymond; Oyeka Christopher; Wiggle Godwin Uduimoh Sunny; Durosinmi-Etti Aniola; as well as Iyabi Patmore Duate.

With the recent appointment, stakeholders said that they are keeping their fingers crossed and watching with keen interest what impact this will bring into the company after it cancelled its initial merger with Cornerstone Insurance Plc last year.

15 per cent of the basic salary, housing and transport allowances of the employees.

A basic point to note is that an employer is obliged to deduct and remit contributions to a custodian within seven days from the day the employee is paid his salary while the custodian shall notify the PFA within 24 hours of the receipt of contribution.

Contribution and retirement benefits are tax exempt and fully funded. The contributions are deducted immediately from the salary of the employee and transferred to the relevant retirement savings account. By so doing, the pension funds exist from the onset and payments will be made when due.

Individual Accounts he employee opens an account to be known as a Retirement Savings Account, RSA, in his name with a Pension Fund Administrator of his choice.

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

A

re you a worker in the private or public sector of the Nigerian economy? Is there a pension plan in place for you? If you are a contributor to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, then you are moving in the right direction, but if not, what are you still waiting for?

If you are employed by any of the state governments and there is no pension scheme in place for your state, exercise a little patience, as many of the state governments are still putting modalities in place to enact their own pension Act, as stipulated by the Pension Reform Act, 2004.

However, if you are employed in a private establishment with more than four employees and there is no pension scheme in place, then, there is need for you to learn about the importance of saving for your retirement.

The CPS he Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, replaced the old ‘Pay As You Go Defined Benefit Scheme’ that was burdened with a lot of problems and increasingly became unsustainable. Against the backdrop of a huge deficit, arbitral increases in salaries and pensions as well as poor administrative structures, the need for pension reform became glaring.

Accordingly, the CPS, powered by the Pension Reform Act, 2004 was created. Therefore, the key objectives of the new scheme are to ensure that every person who has worked in either the public or private sector receives his retirement benefits as and when due; assist improvident individuals by ensuring that they save to cater for their livelihood during old age; establish a uniform set of rules and regulations for the administration and payment of retirement benefits in both the public and private sectors; and stem the growth of outstanding pension liabilities.

The new pension scheme is contributory, fully funded, based on individual accounts that are privately managed by Pension Fund Administrators with the pension funds assets held

by Pension Fund Custodians and is under strict regulation by the National Pension Commission, PenCom. Contributory System nder this system, the employees contribute a minimum of 7.5 per cent of their basic salary, housing and transport allowances.

Employers shall contribute 7.5 per cent in the case of the public sector. Employers and employees in the private sector will contribute a minimum of 7.5 per cent each. An employer may elect to contribute on behalf of the employees such that the total contribution shall not be less than

T

U

T

,

Unic Insurance Plc

If you are a contributor to the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, then you are moving in the right direction, but if not, what are you still waiting for?

,

This individual account belongs to the employee and will remain with him through life. He may change employers or pension fund administrators but the account remains the same. The employee may only withdraw from this account at the age of 50 or upon retirement thereafter. This withdrawal may take the form of a programmed monthly or quarterly withdrawal; a purchase of annuity for life through a licensed life insurance company with monthly or quarterly payments; and a lump sum from the balance standing to the credit of his retirement savings account: provided that the amount remaining after the lump sum withdrawal shall be sufficient to procure an annuity or fund programmed withdrawals that will produce an amount not less than 50 per cent of his monthly remuneration as at date of his retirement.

With any of the above options, there is an assurance that the pensioner has sufficient funds available to him for his old age. Although many have contended that at the end of the working period, they should be allowed to collect their savings in one lump sum, experience has shown that very few individuals have the discipline to manage funds effectively over a long period of time.

The above was considered a better process than to allow the individual withdraw his accumulated savings at once, spend it all and then have no income when he is no longer in a position to work.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 20, 2013

PFN 12th BIENNIAL CONFAB: From left: Rev. Uma Ukpai, Pastor Enoch Adeboye,

Rev. Felix Omobude, new PFN President and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor during the 12th Biennial conference of the Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio urges PFN leaders to expose fake pastorsAs Omobude emerges new president

BY SAM EYOBOKA, Uyo

G

OVERNOR Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, penultimate Tuesday, challenged Christian leaders in the country to eliminate quacks from among their ranks, arguing that some pastors have brought the Church to disrepute.

Speaking at a Gala Night organised in honour of leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, who were in Uyo for their 12th biennial conference in the Akwa Ibom State capital, the governor hailed the leadership of PFN for their fervent prayers for the peace of the nation, urging more prayers especially at this period of insecurity in parts of the country.

At the opening ceremony of the conference of the umbrella body of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria, at the Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo, Rev. Felix Omobude of New Covenant Bible Church with headquarters in Benin City emerged as the new National President of PFN to replace Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

Omobude, until the election, was the national vice president of the Fellowship in charge of the South-South geo-political zone of the country. He will be assisted

by Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock, Lagos who emerged as the new deputy national president.

Similarly, Rev. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure of Throneroom Prophetic Prayer Ministry, Kafanchan was the choice of the elders for the position of PFN National Secretary.

The new executive council which replaces Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor administration emerged at the 12th biennial conference currently holding in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo with all the elders of the Fellowship including Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Rev. Uma Ukpai, Pastor Oritsejafor among others in attendance.

Akpabio, who attributed the gigantic success his state had achieved thus far to the fervent prayers of genuine pastors in the

country, called on the PFN leaders to redeem the image of the Church by identifying the quacks among them and dealing with them accordingly, otherwise the vibrant Church which had started to export the Word of God to a pervert Western world would be further ridiculed.

Child rights law According to him, to eliminate the activities of fake pastors who extort money from gullible illiterate parents in the state in the name of delivering little children from imagined witchcraft, the state government had signed into law the Child Rights Law aimed at protecting innocent children from fake pastors.

“They take advantage of the ignorance of local parents and extort huge sums of money to conduct exorcism on children, some of whom do not even know the meaning of witchcraft. They collect up to N300,000 from their parents in the name of deliveranceand if the parents fail to part with such amount the pastors let loose the children on the streets,” the governor told a crowded hall within the Government House, adding that the state had begun the process of prosecuting such erring pastors.

According to the governor, several hundreds of such street children who were identified as child witches are currently in a rehabilitation home in Uyo in an attempt to revive them to live normal lives like their counterparts in the society, adding that the "PFN leaders are doing a great job in the country but there are some fake elements who are doing everything to bring the name of the Nigerian Church to the mud."

He, therefore, urged the PFN leaders which included the CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the new PFN president, Rev. Felix Omobude and other ministers of the gospel, to fish out the quacks among their ranks to flush them out for the benefit of the nation and the

Church itself.

Expressing gratitude to the PFN leaders for accepting to hold their biennial conference in the state capital, Akpabio maintained that he derived a lot of benefit from the state’s partnership with the Church, noting that Akwa Ibom State would never remain the same again at the end of the biennial conference.

The governor said the 12th biennial conference was a unique one for the PFN as well as the state because “if you reverse the figures what you will get is 21 and Akwa Ibom State is the 21st state in the country. There is a spiritual connection between the 12th biennial conference and the 21st state. It signifies an end to the bombings in the country, tribalism and nepotism including corruption will give way to a more robust and progressive national economy.

Omobude lauds Akpabio Responding to the charge, the new PFN president, Rev. Omobude commended the governor for identifying some of the pitfalls plaguing the Church, promising that PFN will not relent in its efforts to cleanse the Fellowship of bad eggs.

He thanked him for the kind words he had spoken about the Church, noting that as a national leader, the Akwa Ibom State governor must also speak on behalf of the Church whenever he had an opportunity to attend meetings on the security of the nation.

Omobude went emotional when he narrated how he could not go to school because his parents could not afford to pay his school fees while all his mates were in school until late Chief Obafemi Awolowo declared free education in the old Western region which then included the old Mid West Region.

“I could not meet Awolowo personally, but I must tell you that I am personally grateful about this your free and compulsory education of Akwa Ibom State,” he stated.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and his wife at the conference.

BSN honours Makinde, others

By OLAYINKA LATONA

T

HE Bible Society of Nigeria, BSN, at its fifth Founders’ Day Annual Lecture and Awards Ceremony bestowed an award on the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Olatunji Makinde for his selfless service to God and humanity.

In what turned out to be a coincidence, Makinde received the award alongside two other Methodists: Sir Bode Akindele, and Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson rtd, the first governor of Lagos State. The award was conferred on him and the others by the national president of BSN, Dr. Aaron Nuhu and the general secretary/chief executive officer, Rev. Fred Odutola at the event which took place at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA under the theme: Selfless Service: Key to achieving sustainable national economic growth and development.

In a release made available by the Media and Public Relations Officer of

the Church, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, Prelate Makinde was described as a religious leader who has continued to live an exemplary life of selfless leadership in the midst of temptations and other present day challenges and realities.

His leadership style is one that was said to be worthy of emulation, especially by those coming behind.

Earlier in the programme, the keynote speaker, Prof. Pat Utomi, while delivering his address on the event’s theme said for the nation to move forward, leaders must show the courage required to lead selflessly. He said Christians must equally show the examples that reflect in totality, the essence of their beliefs.

In his words, Prof. Utomi said; “it is an anomaly that a country that is ranked the most religious country should at the same time be ranked the most corrupt nation.”

Makinde while expressing profound appreciation to the Society, said education without morals forms part of the reason why our nation is facing a serious collapse in our value system.

He said there is need to restore faith and morals in the school curriculum as was done in the past.

Seminary holds graduation, ordination

T

HE Light of the World Bible College and Theological Semi nary, Lagos recently held its 4th graduation/ordination at the Holy Church of Zion Mission, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos where 18 students graduated and others were ordained into different callings.

Speaking at the occasion, the rector, Pastor Emma Dan, advised the graduands to follow the call of God before jumping into establishing churches, noting: “If you are not being called to be a minister of God, you must not force yourself because the spirit of God will not back you up. What God has called you to do is to preach the kingdom of God to all the crannies of the world.

“It is the most important thing that God has called us to preach the good news and He will continue to raise people to preach the good news,” he stated.

Pastor Dan decried the prevailing situation where shrines are being converted to churches, saying those who are doing this have a demonic background and are using it to extort money from unsuspecting public.

He said: “They are using the wrong foundation. This is why we are training our ministers of God to be sound."

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—35

Her tastes are way beyond her means

Dear Bunmi, I KNOW you’ve treated the problem of impotence from time to time, but I need help.

I’m almost 50 and had sex last when I was 35. I’m a single father of two and my children live with their mother. Because of my problem, I don’t have the courage to approach women. I’ve been living a lie all these years pretending to my friends that I have sexual conquests every weekend.

Is there any hope that I’ll ever have sex again? I know my problem is psychological rather than physical and I’ve seen a few doctors and therapists with no help. What else can I do?

Isiaka By e-mail

Dear Isiaka, Even if you had a thorough

medical check up years ago, have another one now and let the doctor be aware of any medication you’re on. Impotency can be a side-effect of some prescription drugs. Doctors believe you need to check especially if you get an early morning erection or can achieve one with masturbation.

Latest findings show there are three different types of erectile dysfunction (ED), which simply means the inability to get or maintain an erection sufficiently for intercourse. Global ED is not being able to get an erection at all under any circumstance, and situational ED is not being able to get one with a partner. If you can’t achieve an erection under any circumstance, ask your doctor to refer you to an aerologist.

She makes me come alive again!

Dear Bunmi, I’M in my mid-thirties and have had a lot of lovers in my life. Recently, I met this young lecturer at a seminar and we became lovers. It was a pleasant surprise to experience sexual satisfaction I’d never experienced until I met her. She has managed to do to me things no other woman has. Is it possible for a new girlfriend to make you more sensitive sexually? Or, is it the fact I’m getting older that’s making me more sensitive?

How do I show her how appreciative I am?

James, By e-mail

Dear James, I don’t think age has much

to do with it, but it seems you’ve found the right chemistry with this new-found love of yours. Love making is different with each new lover and your satisfaction will depend on how good you are at picking up on each other’s needs in bed.

It’s important to let your lover know when you’re enjoying yourself. Show your desire and appreciation by what you say and the movements you make. This signalling is very important if you’re going to learn how to please your new partner. It seems you’re both communicating well and on the same wave-length. I wouldn’t worry why the love making is so good, just enjoy it.

If you can, it’s likely the problem is psychological, and caused by performance anxiety.

Your doctor may offer you Viagra or Cialis-drugs that block an enzyme called PDE5, a chemical which stops erections. They are all extremely successful. Even without these, if you adjust your thinking you’ll get results. You don’t need an erect organ to be a great date or great in bed! Stop worrying and the problem often solves itself.

Most women organsm orally and there’s nothing wrong with your tongue - not to talk of using all the love making toys that are now available in the market.

You need to believe you’re completely dateable with or without this problem, so get out there and start meeting women and when you find one you’d like to have a relationship with, tell her about your problem or use one of the drugs. Women are far more understanding about these things than you give them credit for. If you opt to go drug-free, experts, again advise to start making love without penetration and try NOT to get an erection. If it does happen ignore it initially (even if you feel like cracking open the champagne) until it’s a common occurrence.

Once it is, experiment with brief penetration (get her to climb on top, then lift herself off after one or two thrusts) before attempting full intercourse.

I’ve taken a lot of care to report these findings on tackling erectile problems because I get loads of letters on it every week. Good luck to you all.

Are we heading for divorce?

Dear Bunmi, My husband and I have been married for over 13 years and we have three lovely children. Unfortunately, we are at each other ’s throat all the time and whenever we have a row, the same accusations come up, even when the argument is about something else.

He’ll say horrible things about the Pentecostal church I attend and what a fool I am to believe in pastors who are always urging me to pay tithes they lavish on cars.

I always give as much as I

get, running down his family and the fact that he watches any rubbish tagged sports on the telly. We used to make up after these rows, but making up is no fun anymore. The children are growing up and I recently heard the eldest shouting at his siblings imitating his daddy’s voice. How do we stop hurting each other so much?

Modesta, By e-mail

Dear Modesta, Couples are bound to have differences but such differenc-

es needn’t come between them. You must find out why you keep on digging up the same dirt every time there is a disagreement and next time you disagree, stick to the point and try to resolve it.

Remember not to introduce old scores just for the fun of it. However, if the resentments are so important they come up all the time, you must make a big effort to understand each other’s feelings. Reassure each other of your commitment to the family and try as much as possible not to grab each other’s throats when the kids are around.

so-called frivolous friends.

How can I make her see reason?

Femi J. By e-mail

Dear Femi, Your wife has a sort of addiction that is common these days among women who believe they are socialites. No price is too high for them to pay to be among the ‘in crowd.’ You have to talk to your wife and stop her from attending functions that would cost her so much money and her self-esteem.

Don’t be too aggressive or she might become rebellious.

Remind her of why she has to regularly go abroad to do the menial job she now does and her duty to her family. She would not change overnight.

But she might soon fall out with her so-called friends and that would put paid to her social hopping.

She betrayed me and stole my boyfriend Dear Bunmi, I cheated on my partner and he got to know about it. The guy with whom I had the affair was just his acquaintance but he carried on as if the man was his best friend. I love my partner but was carried away by the charm of this other man. One of my so-called friends whom I confided in let the cat out of the bag. Any way, after weeks of pleading, he said we should give the relationship a go.

But as soon as he made love to me he said he didn’t feel the way he used to do and that it was now really over.

He’s now hot with the friend who betrayed me and I feel hurt and humiliated.

Weyinmi By e-mail

Dear Weyinmi, Once in a while, you nick a slice of bread from the top of the loaf, convinced it wouldn’t be noticed. But once in a while too, it gets noticed and you pay for it. You have made a mistake and you have paid the price by losing someone you hold dear. On top of that you suffered the betrayal of a so-called friend.

It’s a lot of price to pay for your fling but I will advice that you cut your losses and move on. But be wary of whom you fall in love with next. Give yourself time to get over your experience before you rush into another relationship.

’

Can I get over this long-term impotence?

Dear Bunmi, I AM a medium-scale businessman and my wife travels abroad from time to time to do caring jobs. She then uses the money she makes to buy goods for sale here in Nigeria. At first, we had lots of money for school fees and socializing until she made some friends from the job she does.

Now, all she thinks of is buying expensive aso-ebi whenever any of her rich friends has any function. She buys gold and costume jewellery.

Lately, she just gets all these things with a promise to pay for them but of course, there isn’t enough money to pay. A few of her creditors have hunted her down, raining abuses on her. But does that stop her? No. I have talked to her a lot and refused to bail her out, but it seems she’s bent on destroying her family to please her

Your doctor may offer you Viagra or Cialis-drugs that block an enzyme called PDE5, a chemical which stops erections; they are all extremely successful; even without these, if you adjust your thinking you’ll get results

’

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos. or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Merger: ACN begins registration of members in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—DELTA State Chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, will commence registration of members between February 25 and March 4, in view of the ongoing process towards the merger of progressive political parties in the country.

Chairman of ACN in the state, Chief Adolo Okotie-Eboh, in a statement, yesterday, said: “Following the ongoing processes toward the merger of progressive political parties in Nigeria, Delta State ACN wishes to announce that there will be a statewide registration of its members, which may be aptly described as the last family census before the merger.”

Okotie-Eboh, in the statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Frank Eghomien, said: “The exercise will commence on February 25, and close March 4. The decision was taken at the end of a plenary session of the state Executive Committee on February 15."

Hajia Imodagbe dies @ 74

H

AJIA Lametu Im odagbe, 74, is dead. She died on January 22, and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

The 40th day Fidau prayers will be held on March 3, at Imodagbe’s Compound, on Elele Road, Ayua-Uzairue, near Auchi.

She is survived by five children among whom is Mr. Nasir Imodagbe, Manager, Public Affairs Department, PPMC, a subsidiary of NNPC.

Late Hajia Imodagbe

A-Ibom royal fathers reject proposed Oil Rivers State

BY UDO IBUOT

T

RADITIONAL Rulers of Eket Senatorial District in Akwa Ibom State, have urged the National Assembly to drop any intentions to include the land and wealth of the people of Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpatenin, Ikot Abasi and Nsit Ubium local government areas of the State in the proposed Oil Rivers State.

Chiefs and leaders of the local governments made the request while presenting their petition to the National Assembly Committee on Constitution Amendment in Abuja, last week.

The chiefs said in the petition signed by the Attah of Eket, Obong E. C. D. Abia, that having scrupulously gone through the “Memorandum for the creation of Oil Rivers State out of the present Rivers and Akwa Ibom States,” submitted to the National Assembly and dated June 2012, they are persuaded that the document is not only misleading but also mischievous.

The royal fathers said: “The agitators and architects of the said memorandum have employed outright falsehood and distortions to advance their demand. If the Ibenos and the people of Eastern Obolo who now claim to be of Ijaw extraction desire to join the people of Rivers State to form a state, they should do so with their land and wealth not ours.

“The area of our land and wealth thereon which the people of Ibeno and Eastern Obolo

local government areas of Akwa Ibom State have caused to be drawn or made to form part of the proposed Oil Rivers State is ours, they do not belong to the people of Ibeno and/ or Eastern Obolo.”

The petition noted that between 1914 and 1918, the Supreme Court at Calabar, the West African Court of Appeal and the Privy Council had decided that the entire coastal area known as Stubbs Creek and the sea extending from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River eastward along the seashsore to the Child Point (Okposo II) belong to the Ekets, to wit: Eket, Esit Eket and Onna local government areas.

It states that in 1941, in the celebrated Down Below case, at the West african Court of Appeal and

in 1947 and 1948 (in the Akata case), the people of Onna obtained judgments against the people of Eastern Obolo over the area of the land sought to be excised to form the proposed Oil Rivers State.

The people of Mkpatenin local government area, particularly of Ikpa Ibom Clan, obtained judgment in Suit no. HET/23/77 to the effect that the area of the land which is shown to form part of the proposed Oil Rivers State belongs to the people of Mkpatenin not Eastern Obolo.

It added that in 1925 and 1943, the people of Ikot Abasi obtained court judgments to the effect that the coastal area belongs to the people of Ikot Abasi and not the

WORKSHOP: From left: DC Austine Ilo; Comprtoller Charles Edike; DC Idowu Ogun and DC Abdu Alli Kwajafa, at the opening ceremony of Stakeholders Workshop/training on Extant Customs Clearing Procedures by Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Aginighan to N-Delta govs: Stop neglect of oil communities

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Aginighan, has urged governors in the Niger Delta region, to give special attention to development of oil bearing communities.

Aginighan, also former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of NDDC, said it was lamentable that most of the oil bearing communities in the region were still inaccessible by road.

In a statement, he said some of the governors would not be favored in history, if they continued to neglect the communities, noting that some of the governors were busy developing post oil economies in areas outside the oil bearing communities

“Ijaws” or people of Eastern Obolo.

On the oil bearing community of Nsit Ubium local government area, the royal fathers said the tributaries/rivers from the sea run into all the waters and streams of the local government adding that any oil spill affects them.

The petitioners noted that while they did not oppose the creation of Oil Rivers State for the Ijaws or the agitation of the Ijaws for a state of their own, “we do not also oppose the people of Ibeno and Eastern Obolo local government areas on their desire to join their perceived kin (Ijaws) to form a state of their own, but they should not do so with our land and wealth.”

with money from oil resources without replicating similar projects in the oil producing areas.

He appealed to the governors to endeavour to build modern comfort in the communities and create post oil economies in

them.

He said: “It is my counsel that oil rich states of the Niger Delta should compete, not in building five star hotels in non-oil producing sate capitals, but in linking up the alienated oil bearing communities in their states, which had borne the pains of destroyed ecosystem for many years."

Ex-militants in Delta told to report list of those who genfor verification hensive uinely submitted weapons

BY EMMA ARUBI

W

ARRI—THE Inter-Agency Task Force, ITF, on verification and documentation of ex-militants in the Niger Delta, has charged all those who submitted weapons to the Joint Task Force and other security agencies in Delta State between the end of the second phase of the Amnesty programme and Marc h 2012, to report for ongoing verification exercise at the Nigerian Army 3 Battalion Barracks, Effurun, Warri.

The Task Force warned that it was in possession of a compre-

and was therefore, in a position to apprehend impostors and deal with any fraudulent act capable of subverting the current documentation process taking place daily. It said their mandate was to verify and document those who truly submitted weapons to JTF and other security agencies.

Media Relations Officer of the Inter-Agency Task Force, Squadron Leader Ibrahim Bukar in a statement, said “people not affected by this exercise including grassroots political movement groups are advised to stay away."

DPR seals more fuel stations in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT —IN its effort to deter sharp practices in the distribution of petroleum products, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has shut more filling stations in Rivers State.

DPR, which spread its tentacles in the state since last week, had served various punishment on defaulting dealers as different monitoring teams check on filling stations in a renewed effort to ensure compliance with prevailing regulations.

The DPR team, headed by Mr. Okon Ukoh, on Bori and Onne axis of the state, sanctioned Global Edge Oil and Gas, Gimason Energy, Nonwa Udeme, and GNM, a Conoil outlet at Onne. They were all sealed for various offences ranging from selling above N97 per litre, under-dispensing, hoarding to diversion of products.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—37

LG polls: Edo PDP Chair accuses EDSIEC of flouting guidelines

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—CHAIRMAN of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, yesterday, accused Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, of flouting its guidelines for the conduct of the April 20, local government elections in the state, alleging that the electoral body turned a blind eye to the imposition of candidates by the leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state.

Insisting that the action of EDSIEC violated its guidelines by not supervising the primaries of ACN, which he said were unconstitutional, null and void and against the tenets of democracy, he called on the Commission to, as a matter of urgency, disqualify all ACN candidates, allegedly imposed on Edo people by the leadership of the party.

He explained that the disqualification of all ACN candidates for the local government elections became necessary because the party did not conduct primaries to produce its candidates.

Chief Orbih, who spoke with newsmen in Benin, also called on EDSIEC to refund all the monies it allegedly collected from aspirants contesting the April 20 local government elections.

Denying insinuations that Edo State PDP was not prepared for council elections, he restated the preparedness of his party for the grassroots election, just as he queried the rationale behind the electoral umpire charging N100,000 for chairmanship aspirants and N50,000 for councillorship aspirants before they can obtain form to contest the said elections.

He said: “There is nowhere in the Nigerian constitution on the conduct of local government elections, where aspirants are required to pay money for collection of form. I am using this medium to serve a notice on ESIEC to start refunding all the money it collected from aspirants in the name of form."

Oyerinde: Ugolor alleges threat to life

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—EXECUTIVE Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who was earlier arrested and detained by the police over the killing of Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, Principal Private Secretary to Edo State governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged threat to his life.

It will be recalled that Ugolor was detained for one month and two weeks over the matter, until the state Director of Public Prosecution absolved him of complicity in the killing, just as the state high court in Benin ordered the police to pay him N5 million as damages.

Following the controversy that arose between the Department of State Security, DSS, and the police over the investigation, the House of Representatives had invited officials of DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation for a hearing on the matter scheduled for next week.

However, Ugolor told Vanguard, yesterday, that he was being trailed by un-

known cars, adding that he might have been marked for assassination. He said that the policemen assigned to investigate the killing of Oyerinde should be held responsible if any thing happens to him.

He said: “Because I am insisting that the real killers must be

produced by the police, they are now after me. I am going into hiding for now. There is a subtle threat that I should stop fighting over this matter.

The unusual trailing of cars behind me is giving me cause for concern. Since I was released by the court and ac-

STAKEHOLDERS' SEMINAR: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left) and HRH Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa (right) at a one-day Stakeholders' Seminar on Tax Laws, in Benin City, yesterday.

Reyenieju, INYC lauded over Amnesty slots for Itsekiri

BY DANIEL GUMM

W

ARRI—A NIGER Delta group, Eager Network for Development of Warri, ENDOW, has commended House of Representatives member, representing Warri Federal Constituency, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju and the leadership of Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, led by former Warri South-West Local Government Area Chairman, Mr. David Tonwe, for ensuring that 500 amnesty slots were allotted to Itsekiri nation.

The coalition described the dialogue and consultation strategy adopted by Reyenieju and the leadership of INYC in the struggle towards making the Presidential Amnesty Office give Itsekiri youths, who laid down their arms during the disarmament programme, some slots after being left out in the initial phases of the exercise, as a worthy example of the right approach to deepen the nation’s democracy, particularly as 2015 draws near.

Chairman of the coalition, Mr. Ernest Ebisanine, in a statement, enjoined Reyenieju to heed its call to re-contest the

Warri Federal Constituency seat in 2015.

It noted that Reyenieju’s experience, pan-Nigerian posture as well as his qualitative input on the floor of the House on national issues “are worthy criteria needed for effective representation.”

The coalition commended Chairman of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, for listening to the “voice of reason,” enjoining the leadership of INYC to continually back Reyenieju in his quest at ensuring better deal for the people of Warri Federal Constituency.

Uduaghan assures on completion of projects

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—GOVER NOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has assured the people of the state that he will complete all ongoing projects, as there will be no abandoned projects in the state before he quits office in 2015.

He spoke, weekend, in Asaba, during a prayer session tagged Asaba Manner Prayer and Anointing Serv-

quitted of the allegation of being involved in the murder of my friend Oyerinde, I have insisted that the police framed me.”

Ugolor urged Nigerians to attend the public hearing by the House of Representatives in order to know the truth.

ice, held at the Asaba Township Stadium, now renamed Stephen Keshi Stadium.

The governor announced the termination of the Stephen Keshi stadium contract and directed that the contract be re-awarded and completed within six months saying: “I have told God that I am not going to leave any abandoned project in this state.

“We have been having challenges with the contractors in charge of this stadium. It was about becoming an abandoned project but this will not happen because it will be completed

soon.”

The governor enjoined Deltans to pray to God to give him the strength to enable him move the state to a greater height before the end of his tenure instead of criticising his inadequacies.

He said: “It is impossible to please everybody. I am not perfect, I have my weaknesses and inadequacies. So instead of criticising me, pray to God to give me the capacity to do what is proper and good for the generality of Deltans."

Dein of Agbor tasks Delta LG bosses on projects

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM Benjamin Keagborekuzi I, has enjoined Chairmen and members of transition committees in the 25 local government areas of the state to embark on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of their people.

The monarch, who spoke when he played host to the Chairman and members of Ika South transition committee in his palace, charged them to see their appointments “as a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of your various councils.

“You should work as members of one indivisible family to achieve your primary mandate of promoting sustainable peace and security as well as environmental cleanliness. You must operate open door policy by being transparent in the discharge of your duties.”

Chairman of the council, Mr. Andrew Obiazi, said they will not disappoint the people of Ika South council in the discharge of their duties.

38—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Absence of lawyers stall kidnap case

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—TRIAL of five persons accused of kidnapping Late Emmanuel Uchenna Alaribe was yesterday stalled, following the non-representation of four of the accused by lawyers.

While Mr. Chidiebere Anyaoha, a Principal State Counsel, PSC, and Mr. C. T. Emegwara announced their appearance for the State and fifth accused person respectively, all the other accused persons had no legal representation when the case was called up.

The five accused persons, who were arraigned in suit number HOW/121C/2012, include Daniel Joseph Aturu, Henry Deberechi Nnaeke, Sunny Okere, Sunday Ogar and Acho Alaribe.

The presiding Judge, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, said the accused persons could not take their plea without being properly represented by counsel.

Appointment: Anambra monarchs hail Jonathan

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—TRADITION AL rulers from Ihiala local government area of Anambra State have commended President Goodluck Jonathan for reposing confidence in one of their sons, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo by finding him worthy to serve in his administration.

Nwankpo, is currently the Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters and Secretary of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, SURE – P. Before his present appointment, he was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties.

Speaking during a civic reception organized in honour of Nwankpo at Ihiala, the traditional ruler of Ihiala, Igwe Cosmas Okechukwu, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, observed that for the President to consistently find him worthy to serve him meant that he was somebody to be trusted.

APC 'll rescue Nigeria from PDP's 'iron rule' — CNPP ...warns against inclusion of APGA in merger arrangement

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—THE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Enugu State chapter, yesterday, threw its weight behind the planned merger by four political parties to form All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the birth of the new party was a tonic for rescuing the oppressed people of Nigeria from the “iron rule” of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement issued after its meeting and signed by Adonys Igwe, Chairman, and Rev. John Nwobodo, Secretary, the group while hailing the promoters of APC, however, warned against the inclusion of the crisis-ridden All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in the merger arrangement.

The statement said: “We view the birth of the new party as the tonic for rescuing the oppressed people of Nigeria from the iron rule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. For close to 16 years

that the PDP has been at the helm of affairs the country is gradually eclipsing into economic oblivion.

“However, we advise the promoters of APC to cut off the leprous hands of APGA as it is capable of undermining the good intentions. The crisis in APGA does not make it fit to be part of the process at this time.

“And the elements that want to participate in merger may have to join the merger as individuals and not hoodwink APGA into it.

They ought to know that unanimity is indispensable. In the face

of loud dissent from the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; elected representatives on the platform of the party, a section of APGA cannot lawfully and legitimately consummate any merger with the other political parties.

“We call on the promoters of the APC to distance themselves from APGA at least for now and go ahead to give Nigerians that true platform they have been yearning for. Nigerians will not forgive the promoters if they fail to realise the merger and this has to be done with great speed.”

Flood: Red Cross distributes N20m relief materials to Anambra victims

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—THE Nigerian Red Cross Society has commenced distribution of relief materials donated by the International Federation of the Red Cross to the five most affected local government areas of Anambra State.

The selected five local government areas were Anambra East, Anambra West, Awka North, Ayamelum and Ogbaru. Materials being distributed to the people include buckets, blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, tarpaulins, kitchen nets, soaps, shelter kits, jerry cans and qua tabs.

Anambra State chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross, Justice Paul Obidigwe (rtd), told newsmen before the commencement of the distribution that no fewer than 600 families in the five local government areas would benefit from the relief materials.

Justice Obidigwe, however, explained that the relief materials would not solve the problems brought about by the flood disaster, adding that there was need for government to arrange subsidy and interest free loans for the affected people, mainly farmers.

According to him, no community or organization can singlehandedly deal with the consequences of climate change.

He suggested that the best way to handle the situation effectively was to forge partnership with various bodies, with a view to sharing resources and expertise.

From left: Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Ufot Ekaette; Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Osita Chidoka; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former SGF, Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe and Deputy Governor, Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, during the international conference marking the 25th anniversary of FRSC in Abuja.

Land: FCT Minister reassures indigenes of compensation

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA—MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, yesterday, reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure that Abuja natives were adequately compensated under the new land swap policy.

He said the FCTA would pay adequate compensation for economic trees and farmlands to be affected by the scheme.

Senator Mohammed gave the assurance while meeting with chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, graded chiefs, district heads, village heads and youth leaders of those to be affected by the opening up and provision of infrastructure for the 10 new districts under the LandSwap-Model-Initiative in the Phase IV of the Federal Capital

City.

He revealed that the ground breaking of the Land Swap Model would be performed in March 2013, adding that the new initia-

tive was to use land as resource for investors to bring in the capital to provide basic infrastructure and recoup their investment from the sale of such land.

2 arraigned over stealing of vehicle's head truck

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

L

AGOS—TWO men have been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a Volvo head truck worth N10.5 million, belonging to one Mr Bishi Iyanu.

The defendants include Ugwumba Onyedikachin, an Engineer, 52, of No. 345, Old Ojo Road, Alakija, Lagos; and Odor Ubaka, a clerk, 59, of No. 5, God-

win George St., Jakande, Ajamgbadi in Lagos.

Onyedikachin and Ubaka are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and theft, but when their plea was taken they both pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecutor, Cpl. Raphael Donny, “the duo conspired to steal a Volvo head truck with chasis No. 4VG7DARF8XN774890 and committed the offence on Sept. 27, 2011 at Tin Can Port premises in Lagos.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 —39

From right: 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.

Mr. Charles Gerald of the Corporate Affairs, Vanguard (left), explaining some issues to students of Gideon Comprehensive High School, Okota, in Isolo, Lagos, during an excursion to the Vanguard Corporate HQ, in Lagos, week-end. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State Governor (2nd left) presenting a bible to Pastor Paul Akinyemi, representative of Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ejigbo branch. With him, from left: Hon. Najeem Salam, Osun State Speaker; Hon. Akintunde Adegboye, Deputy Speaker, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, Acting Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria; Hon. Mudashiru Hussein, representing Osun West Senatorial District and others, during the distribution of dividends of democracy tagged: Constituents’ Empowerment Scheme, at Ejigbo, Osun State.

Kofi Annan, former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General (middle); Mr. Innocent Uchibuolu, Chairman, Leverage Multi-Global Concept Ltd (right) and Mr Charles Chukwuedo, Consultant, during the 80th birthday celebration of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, ex-Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, at Marborough House, London

From left: Rev. Chris Kwakpovwe, General Overseer, Daily Manna Ministries; Evangelist John Fair From Dallas, Texas, United States of America and Dr. Ejiro Kwakpovwe, Assistant General Overseer, Daily Manna Ministries, at the press briefing by American Evangelist John Fair, on the just concluded World Anointing Service, by Our Daily Manna Ministries, In Lagos.

From left: ASP Olasunkanmi Popoola (now DSP); ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, Ogun State Police PRO (now DSP); Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor; ASP MoAlhaji Agboola Alausa, the Vice-Chairman, Ogun State Peoples Demo- hammed Yaya Bala, ADC to the Governor (now DSP); ASP Oluwarotimi Jeje, Govcratic Party (PDP) Elders' Council (left); Chief 'Pegba Otemolu, Zonal ernor's Escort Commander (now DSP) and Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, Ogun State Secretary, South West PDP, and Prince Buruji Kashamu, party leader, Commissioner of Police, shortly after the newly promoted police officers were decorated with new ranks, at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta. at the victory rally organised by the party in Ijebu Igbo.

From left: Billy Joe Ekwunife, Tennis Club Chair; Anthony Owolabi, Table Tennis Chair; Tunji Okesola, Entertainment Chair cum Chairman Planning Committee; Richard Giwa Osagie, Chairman, Ikoyi Club 1938; Bimpe Esho, Catering Adviser and Niyi Sowemimo, Bar Adviser, at a pre-event briefing flagging-off activities for the Ikoyi Club Chairman's Week celebration yesterday in Lagos.

From left: Mrs Oyinlola Ogunkunle, Manager, Ibadan Home for the Handicapped; Mrs. Olayide Bello, Corporate Affairs Manager, Fan Milk Plc, with the children of Home School for the Handicapped, during a visit to mark the Valentine Day. Photo: Dare Fasube

From left: Mrs. Temitope Jemerigbe, MD, DKK Nigeria; Mr. Bright Okpocha, known as Ali Baba, Nigeria's foremost comedian and Mr. Ebele Enunwa, MD/CEO, Sundry Foods Ltd, at the official commissioning of Coral Blue Seafood Restaurant,Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

ADSUBEB, Commonwealth partner to train nomadic school teachers

Y

O L A — T H E Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, ADSUBEB, is to collaborate with the Commonwealth to train nomadic school teachers in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the board, Dr. Halilu Hamman, disclosed this, yesterday, while speaking to newsmen in Yola.

Hamman said that agreement had already been reached with the Commonwealth for the training that was expected to commence in April.

He said that there were about 100 nomadic schools in the state, adding that teaching facilities had been provided for the schools.

The chairman also said that supervisors had been recruited to ensure proper teaching, as well as ensure the enrolment and retention of pupils.

He said that apart from mixed schools, government had established 19 girls primary schools and 17 girls secondary schools across the state to enhance the enrolment of girls.

Ogbueshi Eboka for burial

O

GBUESHI Eloka Nwokolo Eboka, 87, Diokpa of Kwekagbor, Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, is dead.

Service of songs will hold on Thursday, February 21, at his residence in Onaje Quarters, while interment holds the next day after a funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church, Asaba.

He is survived by children and many relations, including Elder S.C.E. Eboka, Head of Personnel Management, Ndokwa East Local Government, Delta State.

Late Ogbueshi Eboka

Bauchi govt flays killing of security guard, abduction of foreigners B

BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI—BAUCHI State Government has condemned last weekend’s killing of a security guard and abduction of eight foreigners working for a construction company, Setraco Nig Ltd in Jamaare in the state by unidentified gunmen.

The said gunmen further burnt down the Jamaare Police Station and also attempted to free prisoners from the prisons in the area.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the state Governor, Mr. Ishola Adeyemi, the government described the action as ‘’outrageous, criminal and barbaric,’’ saying that ‘’we condemn the act in all its ramifications.”

The government however, assured that it would do everything possible, in conjunction with the security agencies in the state, to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped victims and the bringing of the perpetrators of the dastardly act to justice in accordance with the relevant laws of the country.

Adeyemi further called on

all law abiding citizens and residents of the state to go about their normal activities without fear of molestations as the state government was committed to the protection of

lives and property of all law abiding citizens.

The government claimed that the state was relatively peaceful, notwithstanding the security challenges in the northern

parts of the country even as it urged members of the public to furnish security agencies with useful information that could lead to the arrest of hoodlums in the society.

SUMMIT: From left: Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe; Vice President Namadi Sambo; former Managing Director, Uganda Water Sewerage Corporation, Dr. William Muhairwe, and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Evelyin Oputu, during the closing ceremony of the Presidential Water Summit in Abuja, yesterday.

Katsina govt to spend N200m on training of 25 students in Egypt K

ATSINA—KATSINA State Government is to spend N200million on the sponsorship of 25 students studying for various degree courses at Arab Academy in Alexandria, Egypt.

State Governor, Ibrahim Shema disclosed this at a farewell address to the students.

He urged the students to be good ambassadors of the state and the country in general during their stay in Egypt.

Shema charged them to make good use of the opportunity they got by excelling in their academic pursuits, just as he drew the students’ attention to the need to select courses that would be life supporting while in Egypt adding that government would spend N10 million on each candidate.

According to the governor, Naval Architecture, Marine Survey and Ship Engineering which are highly marketable all over the world should be chosen for study.

He revealed that the students were selected on merit from all the 34 local govern-

ment areas of the state.

The governor recalled that the administration had been targeting critical areas of need in the society in its foreign scholarship scheme.

Shema further said that 40 students had left the state to Jordan to pursue various courses, while some were currently reading different courses in Sudan and the USA. He reiterated the determination of his administration to continue to give education

special attention.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Malam Halilu Bakori, said the students would be placed, based on their qualification and competence, pointing out that it was only Katsina State that enrolled its students at the Marine Academy in Egypt out of the 100 slots allocated to the 36 states of the federation.

A spokesman for the parents and a Director at the Ministry of Education, Malam Sagir Ibrahim, assured that the stu-

....Promotes 1,445 staff

K

AT S I N A — K AT S I N A State Government has approved the promotion of 1,455 staff to salary grade levels 13 and above.

The beneficiaries were drawn from 35 ministries, departments and agencies.

Included in the promotion exercise are the staff of the three tertiary institutions of Isa Kaita College of Educa-

tion, Dutsinma; Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal and General Studies, Daura and the Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.

A statement from the Head of Service, Alhaji Lawal Daura, said Governor Ibrahim Shema had further approved the payment of N64,749,268 being the six- month arrears to all the affected staff.

dents would be good ambassadors of the state and the country while in Egypt.

Sokoto gets new Head of Service

BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

S

OKOTO—A new Head of Service, HOS, has been appointed by the Sokoto State government. He is Alhaji Bature Shinkafi.

Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, approved the appointment following the retirement of Alhaji Abdullahi Wali from the position.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Press Affairs, Abubakar Dangusau, stated that the appointment takes effect from today.

Until his appointment, Shinkafi was Permanent Secretary (Political) in the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 41

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 —43

Mimiko and the ideals of continuity

BY GBENGA OGUNREMI

I

N a grand and impressive manner, the Ondo State governor was returned to office for a second term in a keenly contested governorship election.

The outcome of the election which presented a unique opportunity for a multi-layered assessment of Mimiko’s achievements and political influence, brought to the fore certain interesting issues: That sometimes, a tree could make a forest by virtue of hard work and resourcefulness, but most importantly when God the Almighty who is capable of anything and everything decides to make it so.

That good governance can break the yoke of political spells such as a second term jinx. That political godfatherism is fast eroding in the face of evolving sophistication of the electorate who were hardly swayed by monetary inducements.

Finally, that Ondo people remain a special specie of sort that are politically mature, well informed and highly sophisticated to determine conscientiously who leads them through their votes.

Mimiko’s landslide victory at the election, a consensus of opinion across the Ondo State political spectrum and even beyond, therefore represents an endorsement of the signature achievements of his first term in office.

The journey ahead in the next four years now seems to be the issue.

What are the top priorities of Governor Mimiko’s continuity agenda? The answers are not farfetched.

In his own words at the signing into law ceremony of the state’s 2013 budget recently, the governor reiterated that he would ensure

•Mimiko characterized his first term in office, the governor has pledged to continue to work for the good people of Ondo State, to continue to transform and uplift their well being and ensure that thousands of the citizenry move from the lowest rung of the ladder into at least the lower middle class by considerably reducing poverty and inequality, improving infrastructure and education. For example, the Mimiko-led government is poised to further revamp the education

,

Mimiko’s landslide victory at the election, a consensus of opinion across the Ondo State political spectrum and even beyond, therefore represents an endorsement of the signature achievements of his first term in office

that all programmes and projects initiated for the desired transformation of the state were pursued to a logical conclusion. He went further to stress the need to sustain life changing initiatives like the Abiye Safe Motherhood programme and the free school bus shuttle scheme among others, assuring that his administration’s locally and internationally acclaimed programmes will certainly not be a flash in the pan, but will be sustainable and institutionalized.

Like a seamless narrative, the Mimiko - led administration’s smooth transition to second term in office provides a continuum of progress, stability, sustainability and consolidation of an unchanging quality of people oriented programmes, policies and projects.

In the spirit of good governance and purposeful leadership that

,

sector for desired results.

More mega schools are to be built across the state, rehabilitation, structural and facility upgrade of more public schools in all the senatorial districts, and ensure higher quality in the educational system through the activities of the state’s Quality Assurance Agency which has been adjudged as the leading quality assurance agency in Nigeria.

The free medical care from conception to six weeks postdelivery continues unabated. More specialist Mother and Child Hospitals are to be established in all the local governments areas of the state, while the home grown Abiye Programme which has been adopted by the United Nations as the preferred model for Mother and Child Healthcare Delivery in Developing Countries, will be further consolidated and sustained

for even better results.

Government is to further ensure food security and employment generation through the various agricultural schemes such as the Agric Villages, livestock farming initiatives among others, by enlarging their coasts and coming up with new ideas that would drive the scheme for better results.

Similarly, to further improve profoundly the well being of the citizenry and boost their morale, the Mimiko-led government’s Housing and Urban Renewal Programme which has attracted local and international awards and commendations, is expected to bring forth more transformation and renewal simultaneously in the rural communities and urban centers.

Invariably, the governor’s second term is set to witness the building of more millennium compliant neighborhood and modern markets, completion of on-going road construction projects and building of new ones across the state alongside dualisation of high traffic roads, and provision of more modern parks, fountains and other recreational facilities.

With regards to development of low cost sustainable accommodation which has yielded the delivery of over 300 housing units to date, the initiative is not in any danger of losing momentum as renewed efforts are already in top gear to deliver more housing units during the second lap of Governor Mimiko’s administration. The above expositions and more, clearly depict the benefits of continuity which Ondo people voted for.

C M Y K

44—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Road under construction

The roads funding war •We appropriated N1.4 trillion on roads in last 13 years —House of Reps •N500 billion needed annually to fix roads in next 4 years — Onolememen •Experts say funding is inadequate but…

R

OAD transportation con stitutes a major means of moving goods, persons and services from one point to another in most parts of the world. In Nigeria, it accounts for approximately 80 percent of all movements. Efforts to restore the old glory of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in a bid to redress the over-dependence on road transportation have only been partially successful, despite the fact that Nigeria had at different times within the last 25 years, sought the technical and managerial assistance of the Chinese, Indians, as well as the British who are reputed to have legendary skills in this area.

In a bid to have good roads network across the six geopolitical zones, the Federal Government reportedly spent a whooping N1.4 trillion on roads within the last 13 years. This revelation came to light in December last year at the opening session of the public hearing of the House Committee on Works.

The public hearing was convened by the House to address the deplorable conditions of Federal roads in the country. The Chairman of the Committee, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi was emphatic when he stated that “ the condition of our roads is

alarming and statistics attest to that”.

According to him, between 1999 and 2012, the National Assembly appropriated about N1.414 trillion for the roads sector with little or nothing to show for the huge investments in this sector. “And yet out of about 34,400km of Federal road network, only about 35 per cent is paved and substantial percentage of it in varying degree of distress and or pot-holes.

Freight movement In a country of about 160 million people with an approximate land area of 910,768 square kilometres, over 90 percent of the passengers and freight movement are done by road due to an almost nonfunctional water-ways and rail transportation,” he lamented.

The revelation by the House Committee shows that on the average, about 110 billion Naira was allocated to the road sector yearly. In an apparent reaction to what many Nigerians have tagged whooping budget for the roads sector, Works Minister Mike Onolememen, an Architect, stated that about N500 billion would be required annually for the next four years to fix Nigeria’s ailing roads and bring them to sync with road infrastructure development in other thriving nations in the

world. Onolememen who said the average annual budget of about N100 billion for road development is grossly inadequate for the nation’s 35,000 kilometre of Federal roads, stated that from past experiences, budget provisions are not fully released. Buttressing this allegation, he explained that in 2012, only N110 billion was released out of a total budgetary provision of N143 billion. The Minister who made this clarifications at the same public hearing by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Works on the Need to address the near total collapse of Federal roads across the country, insisted that the budgetary provision for roads is grossly inadequate.

Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi in an interview he granted an Abujabased tabloid, noted that it would take almost one trillion Naira to fix the over 30 federal roads in Nigeria. He observed that the problem is the funding gap.

“When they award a contract that will be completed in 38 months, because of funding gap, the roads are not completed on time and the prices keep being reviewed up.

Look at the Abuja-Abaji road, when the contract was awarded, it was supposed to be completed before five years. It has lingered and it is almost in its seventh year, and given the funding pattern in

the budget, it could take another five years. Once there is funding gap, it has triple effects, so there will always be request from the contractors for review of the funds,” he said.

Ozomgbachi stated that making budgetary allocation to the roads is not enough. “We are working on a legislation that will create a Federal Highway Commission that will take major funding of our highways away from annual budgetary appropriation. It will be less bureaucratic, and the authority will have the powers to give mechanism that will give enough funding. We also need to increase the allocation of the

,

BY JUDE NJOKU

Although a construction cost expert, Mr. Olayemi Shonubi described the N1.4 trillion approved by the National Assembly for roads construction in the last 13 years as inadequate, he posited that the money so far approved, has not been judiciously utilised.

Mr. Shonubi who is the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, NIQS, explained that “given the parlous state of our roads across all the six zones, it is obvious that the amount so far spent can not be justified”.

The construction cost expert who noted that since the advent of democracy, more funds have been expended on recurrent items than on capital items under which road construction falls, maintained that “the amount spent so far is not enough”.

He lamented that “there has not been adequate monitoring of the sums spent because the construction economists who are

In 2012, only N110 billion was released out of a total budgetary provision of N143 billion

budget: An allocation of N153bn cannot fix our roads; it is too meager to make any impact on the sector,” he said.

Experts corroborate these views Construction industry experts who spoke to Vanguard Features, VF, share the views expressed by the Minister of Works. According to them, the budgetary provision to this critical sector is grossly inadequate, hence the parlous state of roads across the six geo- political zones.

,

the relevant professionals required for this are not involved both in the award and supervision of the various roads construction contracts”.

Asked what it would cost to build a kilometre of road, Mr. Shonubi said it would be difficult to articulate a figure for the cost of construction especially in the most difficult terrains. “It should be noted that for most difficult terrains, a bridge would be Continues on page 45

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 20, 2013— 45

The roads funding war Continued from page 44 required which would be suspended on a structural framework comprising piers (very large columns) and piles with the piles reaching varying depths.

With adequate civil engineering designs by Nigerian Civil/ Highway Engineers and sufficient subsoil investigations, it would be very easy to arrive at a cost which is justifiable,” he clarified.

Shonubi further observed that the bulk of the money spent on roads in the last 13 years were spent on maintenance as there have been fewer new roads built during this period. He called for adequate planning before embarking on the construction of any road project.

Investigations and design “From the perspective of a Construction Economist, I propose that in considering any road for construction, sufficient time should be given to the planning which entails subsoil investigations and design particularly in difficult terrains.

This makes for proper costing and evaluation while reducing unnecessary cost overruns and variations that are currently prevalent.

If this proposal is adopted, the amount presently spent on recurring maintenance will be reduced if not totally eliminated.

In making this proposal, I have in mind the Benin - Sagamu Expressway, which despite having undergone so many rehabilitations during this period was, until about a year ago, in a dilapidated condition. The recurring rehabilitation is attributable to the fact there is a

Mike Onolememen, Works minister

ALTERNATIVE FUNDING FOR ROADS The Works Minister recommended alternative ways of funding highway infrastructure by the Federal Government. They include: Adoption of annuity contracts for key arterial routes; borrowing from multilateral agencies and Pension Fund for the key highway infrastructure. Others include floating of road bonds for highway projects; and viability gap funding.

Other alternative funding arrangements he suggested are implementation of the five percent fuel surcharges; user-related charges and conventional Public Private Partnership finance for road infrastructure. in emerging economies like Nigeria cannot be fairly assessed without due consideration being given to the “Naira to US Dollar parity” ratio as it fluctuates from month to month as well as from year to year.

This is because, many of the inputs or raw materials that go into road, bridge, and highway development are either imported wholesale or are not produced in adequate quantity locally.

Examples are Coal Tar, Asphalt, Bitumen for road surfacing/ pavement construction, Reinforcing Steel Rods, Road furniture such as Street lights, Traffic lights, Hand railings, etc., Heavy construction equipment such as Pneumatic Rollers, SRollers, Vibratory Rollers,

,

A more recent World Bank Report revealed that procurement ‘leakages’ reduced value for money on government projects in Nigeria to about 40 percent

recurring failure in a section - the Ondo State section- which is due to the fact that the original design did not effectively deal with subsoil conditions,” the Lagos NIQS chairman said.

In his own reaction, a Lagosbased civil Engineer, Mr. Afolabi Adedeji noted that N1.4 trillion for the roads sector in 13 years is inadequate. Although he was not categorical, Adedeji stated that most of the equipment used in roads construction are imported and are therefore paid for in foreign currency. His words: “I can tell you with little fear of contradiction that the size of Highway Development Budgets

Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, House committee on Works

,

Scrapers, Graders, Grubbers for removing roots of trees in ‘virgin’/ fresh road construction work, the Steel Casing for Piles in Bridge Construction Work, Pile Drivers, Cranes, and so on.”

Recalling what he called the ‘dark days’ of military rule in Nigeria, Adedeji alleged that the value for money on Governmentsponsored projects was very often as low as a mere 14 percent. “The implication of the foregoing is that for every N100.00 of a budgeted sum on a contract, N14.00 will go into the job, whilst the remaining N86.00 will be utilised to keep the “restless” boys happy. In a similar vein, a more recent World Bank Report revealed that procurement

‘leakages’ reduced value for money on Government projects in Nigeria to about 40 percent.

On what it would take to construct a kilometre of road, he explained that it depends on the quality of road and the terrain. “A major financial institution, Z e n i t h International Bank Plc, as part of its corporate social responsibility, under the management of Mr. Jim O v i a , rehabilitated Ajose Adeogun Street in Victoria Island, Lagos, to world class standard at a contract sum in the neighbourhood of One billion Naira. The length of the road is scarcely up to one kilometre,” he said.

Adedeji who is Chief Executive Officer of E t h i c a l Business And Management Associates,

EBAM in Victoria Island posited that “if a “hypothetical” road is to be constructed in a hilly or mountainous terrain like Mambilla Plateau in the Benue State, Adamawa State as well as Plateau State, in Nigeria’s Middle-Belt axis, there will certainly be a lot of bridge works involved. Movement of construction materials as well as equipment up -hill will also be very tedious as well as cumbersome. Perhaps, there may be a need to do some blasting of

rocks to provide coarse aggregates for concrete work.

What about the welfare of the supervising engineers, technicians, Project managers, etc.? They need clean water to drink, electricity to study the drawings at night, adequate security, etc. All the foregoing, clearly indicate a much higher cost factor than what it will take in relatively level ground in say Kwara State, which falls in the Savannah Belt, where there will not be many trees to uproot, even in fresh road construction work.

At the other extreme, road Construction work in the mangrove swamps of the NigerDelta region, say in Escravos, Forcados, Ethiope, will pose many tough challenges.

Soil stabilisation is just one out of many technically complex issues, not forgeting movement of materials as well as storage of construction materials on site, the need to bypass unstable ground with say, “Deck - on - Pile” bridges, construction of box culverts, Pipe culverts, etc to ensure adequate drainage for the highway, and so on”.

46—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 Contact: udumali@yahoo.com 08126502370

Jonathan’s CNN interview fouls air

BY UDUMA KALU

N

IGERIANS know how to express their feeling and they are presently doing so on the President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent interview with CNN veteran reporter, Christiane Amanpour. Analysts on the internet, newspapers, Youtube, Amanpour ’s Facebook page and on CNN where the video and its text were posted, say Jonathan was unpresidential in his outing.

They say his language was poor, full of repetitions and could not finish his sentences without stuttering. They claimed he lied on electricity and corruption, adding that he lacked facts and figures to counter Amanpour. His media aides are being berated for not dressing and preparing the president properly for the interview.

Amanpour was also accused of disrespecting the Nigerian president by interrupting him, countering his statements and answers at will, as well as keeping the president outside in the cold winter while Amanpour was in the warmth of her office during the interview.

Davos is a city colder than London, yet the president was

•President Jonathan and Christiane Amanpour during the interview

poorly kitted for the weather, Nigerians say. Jonathan, wearing his usual Niger Delta attire and an overcoat, was actually shivering. He had no warm clothes. Cold fumes oozed from his mouth as he spoke. People could be seen walking behind him as he spoke. Now, online newspaper, Premium Times alleged that Jonathan pays thousands of dollars to US PR firms for foreign interviews. It says $59, 200 was paid to the firm for arranging an interview for Jonathan with the CNN Nigerian affiliate in late 2010. The interview was held in Aso Rock

on September 30, 2010, in preparation for the Golden Jubilee celebration of Nigerian independence. The US firm was also to contact Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Reuters.But the firm delivered only on the CNN interview.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians have criticised the interview, saying it was a failure. “That was a shameful interview,” one commentator said. “His aides should have dressed him properly,” another added. “I just returned from Europe and I wore two trousers all through,

plus wool cap, and muffler, and gloves. You have to dress properly or get frost bitten! Davos is even worse than UK! There is something called warm clothing. How the man and his aides did not know that Niger Delta dress cannot enter Europe at this time is unbelievable! Na disgrace dem disgrace us.” “Honestly, this interview is, put mildly, below average. ...Worse still, the President is so incoherent and unpresidential in his response to the questions,” another added.

Yet some commentators did not spare Amanpour for the way she handled the Jonathan interview.

A commentator asked, “Where do you get off speaking to a Head of State in the manner you did in that interview? Oh now you’re committed to the truth? Pointing out facts and figures to discredit Goodluck Jonathan’s suggestions as though you had the guts to do or say the same thing to President Obama, or a Euro Zone Head of State. This is just pathetic, you Ms. Amanpour and your silly partisan, undersold, and over exaggerated stories.”

2013 DAMA will be our Nobel prize —Chiazor, Delta NUJ boss

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, BENIN

N

ORBERT Chiazor, chairman of the Delta State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in this interview, speaks on the Delta Award for Media Achievements (DAMA), training for media practitioners and an enhanced salary for Nigerian journalists.

EXCERPTS: Our DAMA plans: The present executive committee assumed office, through a peaceful transition bequeathed by my predecessor, Comrade Osita Biose. Within one year in office, we organised a high profile Award, the Delta Award for Media Achievements (DAMA), now, an annual event . It was an eye opener. For the first time of journalism practice in Delta State, journalists walked on the red carpet. Journalists celebrate and honour people through vigorous advocacy and profuse writings as part of our agenda setting and constitutional roles. But the social dilemma facing the average Nigerian journalist is that even in practice, he remained largely unsung. DAMA has been hailed from all quarters as a novel idea. It comes with very appreciable cash prizes and other benefits for deserving journalists in Delta state. Last year, we gave out over half a dozen plasma television sets and exotic plaques for the award

winning journalists from both the print and electronic media. This year, it promises to be better, bigger and more colourful. We want to model it as our local Nobel Prize in journalism. Also in 2012, Delta NUJ facilitated an international media conference for two journalists in the state as they went to Azerbaijan, Eastern Europe for the confab sponsored by IPI, Austria.

How NUJ councils cope in the states: We ask journalists in Delta state to continue to report events as they happen with dispassionate objectivity, whether in relation to the people or government .We must all work hard to practice responsible and responsive journalism as exemplified by late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli and other doyens of Nigerian journalism .The task of building a progressive Delta and Nigeria lies on the shoulders of journalists as light bearers. I wish other Governors can emulate Uduaghan as regards welfare of journalists and media workers in general. Also, the state Commissioner for Information, Barrister Chilke Ogeah deserves commendation. Never before had we seen a Commissioner for Information that has proved so accessible and respectful in media management and engagement of journalists. Uduaghan even before his election as governor had been the Patron of the NUJ South-South (Zone F) . He has approved an expansive plot of land for the

BON bungled AFCON tv matches —CAF

T

HE Confederation of Afri can Football has blamed the Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria (BON) for bungling its broadcast rights deal of the just concluded African Cup of Nations. Some 100 million Nigerians were denied the opportunity to watch the tournament on terrestrial tv.

CAF Secretary General Hicham El Amrani said at the Sandton Sun Hotel last Friday that ‘Nigeria proposed a small bid for the continent’s top competition when it spends so much in getting English and European football rights. CAF was not ready to bend its rules in favour of any member nation’.

NUJ sets up prizes for Ladi Lawal

T

•Nobert Chiazor building of Delta NUJ secretariat on Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba. The icing on the cake is that Dr Uduaghan has promised to assist us build a befitting secretariat before the end of his tour of duty , which again we see as something worth celebrating. He also gave NUJ a car and bus to boost union activities. In September, 2012, the governor sponsored 14 journalists, to Reuters training in London which is the first of its kind in Government / media relations since the creation of Delta over 20 years ago. All the journalists who made the trip work in the state but some are not Deltans .

Brown envelops and poor remunerations: I am happy to say with all confidence that the National leadership of the NUJ led by Mallam Garba Mohammed has been so concerned about the issue of remuneration for journalists. When journalists are not well paid, they cannot ply their trade according to the dictates of their profession.

HE Nigerian Union of Journalists, umbrella body of Nigerian journalists NUJ, has put together a package to reward media excellence in print and broadcast media.

Tagged Ladi Lawal NUJ Journalist of the Year, the competition is open to all practising journalists in Nigeria.

The categories of the award are Print Reporter, Politics, Business, Aviation, Transport, Parliamentary reporter senate), Parliamentary reporter (House of reps), Investigative reporter, Labour reporter, Education reporter, Energy, Environment, Maritime, Broadcast reporter, Health, Sports, Defence, crime, Tourism, Judiciary, Infotech, Science/Technology, foreign/ Diplomatic Reporter, Agriculture, property.

The best out of the winners will be named NUJ Journalist of the Year 2012. Broadcast entries should be in form of audio CD/ tapes for radio and audio/video CD for television. Entries for print should come in 12 copies of published works of applicants.

Entries should reach Victory Plaza, Plot 1496 Gimbiya St, area 11 Garki, Abuja. Deadline: Thursday 21, 2013.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 47

Help! Praise needs N1.5m for a new heart

BY CHARLYNE IKPE & RACHAEL OLAYIWOLA

W

HEN Praise-God Olafisoye, was born three years ago into the family of Olafisoye, the joy of his parents knew no bounds. Mr. & Mrs. Femi Olafisoye could not hide their happiness as they expressed it to anyone who cares to know.

The birth of Praise was celebrated in the family. Mrs. Olafisoye in particularly threw it open to anybody who cared to listen that the baby boy would end her journey to the labour room.

But little did she know that the joy will be cut short by a life-threatening ailment which medical doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH say requires urgent medical intervention. PraiseGod may not live to see his next birth day.

Sadly, if there is no urgent divine intervention, Praise may be counted among the estimated one million Nigerian children that die annually before their fifth birthday, a shocking 10 per cent of the global total. The father, Mr. Femi Olafisoye, feels the boy deserves a 5th birthday.

A medical report from the hospital and signed by Dr. B. A. Animansaun, showed that Praise, a patient of the Paediatric Cardiology Unit of LASUTH, is suffering from a congenital heart disease known as Tetralogy of Fallot and requires emergency surgical intervention.

Surgical intervention Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth. These defects, which affect the structure of the heart, cause oxygenpoor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body.

Presently, Praise needs N1.5 million for a life-saving procedure in India. Unfortunately, Femi is a carpenter while his wife is a full time house wife cannot afford the required cost of the surgery. As you read this article, the Olafisoyes are running from pillar to post looking for help.

Narrating his ordeal last week to Health Features when he visited Vanguard Corporate Head Office in Apapa, Lagos, Femi who could not hold back tears said: “I don’t want my little boy to die. My boy is dying and I need help.”

Praise has problems with breathing and general weakness of the body when his parents decided to take him to LASUTH. They never had any inkling that the symptoms may result to a life – threatening disorder. After series of tests were ran on him, it was discovered that Praise has a complex hole in the heart.

According to Femi, since the result of the diagnosis, the joy in the family has disappeared not only because of his ailment but for the fact that the family cannot afford the hospital bills.

“Breathing is always difficult for him and he cannot walk a long distance without bending down each time he tries to. At a point, the family was confused and that was why we took him to the hospital to seek medical help.

“It was there they confirmed that he has a congenital heart disease, (Tetralogy of Fallot) and requires emergency surgical intervention. “For him to survive, we need N1.5m for surgery in India as quick as possible for Praise-God to live.

“We do not have such money to save him that is why we are calling on Nigerians to help save my son. I am calling on my State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, corporate organisation and good spirited Nigerians to bring back the joy in my family,” he said.

If you are touched by Praise –God’s plight, please send your donations to First Bank Acc o u n t Number: 3065255475, Praise- God Oluwasegun Olafisoye or call Mr. Femi Olafisioye on 0706203397.

• Fidson Healthcare PLC unveilled Cestra (Intelligent Nutrition Systems) in Lagos last week. From left: Mr .Ola Ijimakin, GM Marketing; Mr.Olugbenga Olayeye, Sales and Marketing Director; Mr. Oladimeji, Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager and Mr. Tunde Balogun, Product Manager, Cestra during the launch. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

Cestra healthcare solutions debut from Fidson Healthcare T

O counter effects of stress, poor diet and hectic lifestyle among young adults and older generations in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc has introduced Cestra - a range of nutraceutical supplements, a unique blend of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients offering natural wellness and healthy living to Nigerians. It belongs to the

• Master Praise- God

Neimeth, NHF tackle high cost of hypertensive drugs

N

IGERIANS suffering hy pertension, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc is slashing prices of its anti- hypertensive drugs by 50 per cent. The price cut which is in partnership with the Nigerian Heart Foundation; NHF is aimed at lessening the burden of huge cost of anti- hypertensive treatment on Nigerian patients.

The novel programme tagged: ‘fight the good fight against hypertension”, will provide

free anti-hypertensive drugs to the less privileged aged 60 years and above.

At the launch in Lagos last week, MD/CEO Neimeth, Mr. Emmanuel Ekunno said cost of most antihypertensives range from N100-N200 per therapy.

“Most times, fakers cash in on this gap and produce dangerous alternatives that can endanger life or result in serious organ damage. Apart from the low level of awareness of hypertension, to re-

•Mr Emmanuel Ekunno.

• Dr.Kingsley Akinroye.

duce the consequences, there is need to make the therapeutic products available. To make them available, they need to be affordable,” he said.

“Everyone can fight the good fight against hypertension in many ways than one. We are fighting ours by making the essential drugs available.

This initiative is being put in place to encourage all Nigerians to join hands as partners in the fight against hypertension.

The ‘fight the good fight against hypertension’ has affordability of drugs, awareness of disease condition, action and assistance to patients as four key components.

Executive Director NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye said the reality of the initiative was coming at a critical time.

He added that the cost-cutting gesture supports WHOrecommendation on local production of drugs, based on the premise that when drugs are locally produced, the country would enjoy about 60 per cent price cut.

class of dietary supplements which provides an all in one formula for everyday health and well being.

Cestra is specifically formulated to prevent nutrient deficiencies caused by poor diet and lifestyle; it enhances the energy levels of people with elevated stress; it strengthens and supports the immune system; it supports the nervous system and enhances eye health, skin health, bone health, joint health and cardiovascular health. It also protects the body from damaging free radicals, implicated in the development of diseases such as heart diseases, arthritis and liver damage.

In a presentation last week, General Manager, Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr Ola Ijimakin, disclosed that the Cestra formulae are developed with the Intelligent Nutrition System, which is a set of systematic standard and benchmark for nutritional supplements.

The Cestra brand comes in five different variants (Pre Natal, 50 Plus, Pro Biotix, Once A Day and Omega 3 & 6) offering a full range of outstanding natural products in order to address a wide range of health challenges and provide nextto-nature solutions for the general wellbeing and health of the Nigerian households.

Introduction of the new Cestra brand into the Nigerian pharmaceutical market is another demonstration of Fidson’s innovative approach to ensuring the quality lifestyle and healthy living for Nigerians through its array of quality healthcare products.

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013—49

50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 , 2013

Obama increases new pressure on GOP to avoid cuts P

RESIDENT Barack Obama renewed his pressure on congressional Republicans to head off budget cuts that are due to begin on March 1, staging a White House appearance with emergency workers to illustrate jobs he said were at risk.

Obama is trying to get concessions from Congress to stall the cuts by ending tax breaks enjoyed mainly by wealthy Americans.

“My door is open. I put tough cuts and reforms on the table. I am willing to work with anyone to get this job done,” Obama said at the event, flanked by 17 uniformed firefighters and law enforcement officers.

With both houses of Congress off this week, there seemed to be little movement toward a compromise on halting the cuts.

Unless there is a deal, about $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts begin on March

1 and continue through September 30 as part of a decade-long $1.2 trillion budget savings plan.

French troops kill 20 Malian rebels

A

S French soldier loses life while fighting Islamist rebels in northern Mali, more than 20 Islamist rebels were killed during a raid by French special forces and Malian troops in the Adrar des Ifoghas mountain range of Mali, the defense ministry said yesterday.

The raid, during which one French legionnaire was killed, aimed at disrupting “terrorist” groups and dismantling their camps in an area where militants are believed to have taken refuge, the ministry said.

“A legionnaire from the

22nd parachute regiment has died in a clash with Islamists in northern Mali,” Hollande told reporters on a visit to Athens.

In a similar development, seven French nationals, four adults and three children, had been kidnapped in Cameroon by a militant organization known to French authorities.

Hollande said during a visit to Greece that the group, members of the same family who were apparently tourists, had been seized by a Nigerian-based “terrorist group”.

N/Korea threatens South with mayhem

N

ORTH Korea threatened South Korea with “final destruction” during a debate at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament yesterday , saying it could take further steps after a nuclear test last week.

“As the saying goes, a new-born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea’s erratic behavior

would only herald its final destruction,” North Korean diplomat Jon Yong Ryong told the meeting.

Jon’s comments drew quick criticism from other nations, including South Korea, France, Germany and Britain, whose ambassador Joanne Adamson said such language was “completely inappropriate” and the

discussion with North Korea was heading in the wrong direction.

“It cannot be allowed that we have expressions which refer to the possible destruction of U.N. member states,” she said.

Spanish Ambassador Javier Gil Catalina said the comment left him stupefied and appeared to be a breach of international law.

Islamists kidnap French tourists in Cameroon, Nigeria border

S

EVEN French tourists have been kidnapped by gunmen in Cameroon, near the border with Nigeria, French President

Francois Hollande has said. He said that they belong to the same family and were seized by a “known terrorist group based in Nigeria”.

Syrian rocket attack kills 20 in Aleppo

A

Syrian army rocket attack on a rebelheld district in the city of Aleppo killed at least 20 people and another 25 were missing, opposition activists said yesterday.

The missile was identified from its remains as a Scud-type rocket that government forces have increasingly used in areas under opposition control in the province of Aleppo and in the province of Deir a-Zor to the east, they said.

“The rocket brought down three adjacent buildings in Jabal Badro district. The bodies are being dug up gradually.

Some, including children, have died in hospitals,” Mohammad Nour said in a telephone from Aleppo.

He said testimony from survivors indicated that 25 people were still under the rubble.

Video footage showed dozens of people scouring the site for missing victims and inspecting the damage. A body was being pulled from under a collapsed concrete structure. At a nearby hospital, a baby said to have been dug out from under the wreckage was shown dying in the hands of doctors.

Mr Hollande added that the seven -including four children - were probably taken to northern Nigeria.

He indicated that the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram may have been responsible.

“I see the hand of Boko Haram in that part of Cameroon, and that is worrying enough for us to mobilise,” Hollande said.

He said everything possible was being done to rescue the family and warned other French nationals in northern Cameroon to avoid “exposing themselves”.

The family had been returning from a visit to Waza National Park when they were attacked by men on motorcycles, Cameroonian officials said.

The incidents come amid a French-led intervention against Islamist militants in Mali.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 , 2013—51

CBN reviews banks’ lending to states, MDAs, others ••Increases risk rating of loans to states, LGs

BY MICHAEL EBOH

T

The Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters, Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo, acknowledging cheers from the enthusiastic crowd shortly after being conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Ihiala Traditional Rulers Forum. On the right is his wife, Oby

HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, reviewed the guidelines for banks’ lending to states and local government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, banks’ holding companies and subsidiaries and other economic sectors of the country, increasing the risk rating of loans to states, local governments and MDAs. The CBN in a letter to all banks and discount houses, signed by Mrs.

Tokunbo Martin, Director, Banking Supervision, entitled “Review of risk weights on certain exposures in the computation of capital adequacy,” also reviewed the guidelines for banks’ investment in states bonds, setting the risk weight at 20 per cent.

The CBN also cautioned the banks that all breaches of single obligor limits without its approval shall be regarded as impairment to capital.

According to Martin, the recent crisis in the Nigerian banking industry highlighted several weaknesses in the system, key of which was the excessive concentration of credit in the asset portfolios of banks.

She said past experience revealed concentrations across products, business lines, and legal entities, adding that the management of concentrations, or pools of exposures, whose collective performance may potentially affect a bank negatively, needs to be properly managed through the establishment of sound risk management processes.

Direct lending The CBN increased the risk weight assigned to direct lending to Local Governments, States, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments (MDAs) to 200 per cent from 100 per cent.

The CBN further stated that investments in Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds shall continue to attract zero per cent risk weight, adding however, that State Government Bonds, that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Guidelines for Granting Liquidity Status for State Government Bonds would continue to be risk weighted at 20 per cent.

She said: “Where the exposure to any industry economic sector (as defined by the International Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Sector as issued by the CBN) is in excess of 20 per cent of the total credit facilities of a bank, the risk weight of the entire portfolio shall be 150 per cent. Total exposure to a particular industry would include off-balance sheet engagements in which the bank takes the credit risk.”

52 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

F

The many relatives of success...

,

OR brightening the dour face of Nigeria, for bringing joy to millions of Nigerians all over the world and raising their confidence level, the Super Eagles and their handlers deserve anything and everything that is being offered them.

They deserve houses and cars, deserve national and state honours, they deserve cash in millions. For the Moses, Yobos and Mikels of the team, ten million naira may not translate to much, but for the domestic league players and those yet to strike it hot abroad, there is need to manage their new found wealth.

However let it be emphasized here that it is not every Musa, Yinka or Emeka that can wake up and decide to “reward” the players. Those who are into marketing call it “ambush marketing”. For someone who had nothing to do with the team in form of support or otherwise to now want to jump on the victory wagon for purposes of cheap and unmerited publicity it is simply unacceptable.

Yesterday I wrote about a ten million naira that has so far guaranteed an unlimited touch of the cup. A friend called to say “at all at all na him bad”. This is different. Ten million naira does not pay the bonus of six players in a qualifying match. It is peanuts. The Super Eagles is a superior brand.

A small story. Last year, I was leading out the U-17 team to Niger for their first African qualifying match.

While waiting at the Abuja airport, I saw a “sports loving governor” and approached him. I wanted him to say ‘hi’ to the boys, psyche them up and encourage them. He did not respond. The aides also tried to draw his attention, in vain. Later the coaching crew of Manu, Ugbade and Amuneke national stars all, also tried to draw his attention. When I discovered that he was considering us a nuisance, I asked them to leave him alone. That is the man that will soon signify his intention to host the Eagles for all the unmerited

The NFF should as a matter of urgency fulfill its contractual terms with Keshi by providing him with a car and a house!

,

attention that will accrue to him. (I remember that Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom later also passed though, met the boys, encouraged them to go to Niger and win, promising 10 million naira, which he has since redeemed) South Africa was an ideal venue for the Nations Cup. In South Africa, sports is alive. In South Africa, Cricket, Rugby, Golf, Boxing and track and field fight football for dominance. What happens here is an apology. The same people that are now flaunting millions are those in a position to invest in our sports, yet they don’t, preferring ephemeral glory to the long term investment in and development of our youth.

Go for more local players, Abigor tells Keshi G

ODWIN Abigor is beating his chest over the performance of local players in the just concluded Nations Cup and has said that “Keshi could have used more.”

The chairman of Warri Wolves, interestingly the club of Nations Cup hero, Sunday Mba, was one of the few who stood behind Keshi for exposing players from the local league.

Many times he issued statements to the media encouraging Keshi on his confidence on local players and asked him never to change. When Keshi appeared not to fielding local players the way he started, Abigor frowned at it and raised alarm.

And for the Nations Cup, he reminded Keshi that African football was different and that local players would have to be considered, predicting that they would be prominent in the performance of the Eagles. With Sunday Mba’s goals sending out favoured Ivory Coast and beating Burkina Faso in the final and with Godfrey Obaobona remaining a rock in the defence throughout the matches, Abigor’s words came to

pass. He commented on the Nations Cup victory for the first time yesterday: “I have been vindicated. I commend Keshi for giving Mba, Godfrey and Ejike Uzoenyi who played for few minutes a chance.

However, I think that he could have even used

more of them. I know how good Egwuekwe is and I know how hardworking Gabriel Ruben is. But I understand that they were very sick and couldn’t have played.

They played most of the qualifying matches and should get another chance to prove how good they are during the

World Cup qualifying matches.

The right thing is to expose many of the good local players and we may not lack top players again. With what we saw of Mba and Obaobona they will likely move to good clubs in Europe unless they don’t have good managers.

The English League is a study in private business concerns and proof of the viability of the sports industry.

Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal…they are all run by individuals and organizations and they bring joy to us, millions of miles away, not to talk of the huge returns that are made as business investments. Here the reverse is the case. Here our domestic league lies comatose and those in a position to lift it up are turning blind eyes. All other sports are dead in this country, yet those who have the wherewithal to revive them are not doing so.

I know I should commend organizations like Globacom, Guinness, Tom Tom, Peak Milk……for partnering with the NFF. They deserve commendation for being part of this victory. Governors like Uduaghan and Fashola have always identified with sports while Imoke was the team’s landlord en route South Africa.

I should thank Chief Adenuga for giving Keshi cars and a house. Thanks Sir, but let it be on record that those gifts are personal and not official! The last time Globacom attempted to bail out this country by paying the salaries of a coach, the result was disaster. The argument I had then is still relevant today. Coach Keshi cannot drive Chief Adenuga’s cars and live in his house and be expected to be loyal to the NFF. It is not done. The NFF should as a matter of urgency fulfill its contractual terms with Keshi by providing him with a car and a house!

Ditto other coaches and staff.

While we are at it, NFF lawyers and Marketers should put their foot down and warn all those products and services that are using the name of the Super Eagles to sell their products and services. “ soup wey sweet, na money kill am “ Back to the field. Tomorrow I will tell you about the raw eggs that were sacrificed on the field before our match against Mali.

Nigeria firms up preparations for ICC T20 Tourney

N

IGERIA defeated Uganda XI by 4 wickets in a friendly T20 match played in Entebbe, Uganda on S a t u r d a y, F e b r u a r y 16,2013 in preparation for the ICC-Africa T20 tournament taking place in Kampala, Uganda from

Ibadan Dream Team wins MTN Polo tourney T

HE first ever MTN Ibadan Polo Tournament, held at the Ibadan Polo Club Grounds, galloped to an epic end on Sunday.

Tagged, “2013 Ibadan Polo Tournament”, the event turned out to be a crowd-puller, as the crème de la crème of polo and politics, all came to be part of “the game of kings and the king of games”.

The most prestigious trophy of the tournament, Ibadan Cup, was won by the Ibadan Dream Team, comprising Salisu Umoru, Gabriel Omale, Jibrin Ali and Femi Oladele as they defeated Lagos Shoreline, while a selected MTN Kano Team also defeated Shoreline by six chukkas

February 23- March 1, 2013.

Nigeria won the toss and elected to field first.

Uganda scored 128 runs for 4 in 20 overs. Nigeria chased the total and scored 129 for 6 after 19 overs.Jide Bejide 34 not out, Osita Onwuzilike 28, Kunle Adegbola 21 and Sesan Adedeji 10 runs not out.

ISIS Gaming celebrates Eagles Afcon victory in style

A

Action recorded during the tournament. to four, to end the tournament.

Rotimi Cup was won by Kano Susplan after hammering Kano DMS

five and half to one chukka, while the Ade Alakija Cup was lifted by Kano Suhel/Huawe after narrowly defeating Kano

Last Chukker, by four and half to four chukkas.

Other low cups in the tourney are the Oranmiyan Cup, HST Cup, and Shoreline Cup.

S the euphoria of the African Nations Cup victory by Nigeria continues, a gaming outfit, ISIS Gaming Limited (ISISG) has decided to give out freebies to football fans across the country to celebrate the Nigerian spirit and victory.

Focused on creating a platform that offers players, a wide variety of gaming options, ISISG which is also a start-up scratch card lottery and gaming company has decided to add value to the lives of the fans.

Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 53

FIFA approve goal-line technology for World Cup F

IFA have decided to use goal-line technology (GLT) in the 2013 Confederations Cup and World Cup 2014.

After what the footballing governing body deemed to be a successful trial at the Club World Cup in December last year, GLT will be used at the upcoming international tournament being held in Brazil this year.

Subsequently, GLT will be used at the World Cup in the South American nation, and it is safe to assume that if the two tournaments see the technology implemented successfully then they will be used in future competitions as well.

“The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests,” a statement released by FIFA on Tuesday read.

“With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil."

•Blatter

Eagles Continues from BP

GOAL? Lampard's ghost goal against Germany at the 2010 World Cup.

NFF mourns Okey Isima T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has expressed deep shock at news of the death of former international defender Okechukwu Isima, MON, which unfortunate incident occurred in the Federal Capital, Abuja on

Monday.

“The news of the departure of Okey Isima, MON at a time we are still celebrating the Super Eagles’ triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa hit us like a thunderbolt. He was a gentleman on and off the field.

“We are deeply saddened by his death and we pray that the Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and grant those he has left behind, including the Nigeria

football family, the fortitude to bear the loss,” said Chief Emeka Inyama, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee.

Better known as Okey Isima, the renowned left back won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with the Green Eagles in 1980 and also played for Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow as well as the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libya.

...plans big for Africa Nations Championship

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation is determined to see the Super Eagles qualify for next year ’s African

•Okey Isima

‘Eagles to resume camp in March’

T

HE Super Eagles will, in the first week of March, resume camping for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kenya, which is slated for the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 23 rd March, 2013.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu confirmed on Tuesday that the home boys will hit camp two weeks before the arrival of the overseasbased professionals one week to the crucial game.

“Now that we are the champions of Africa, we

know that every team will prepare much harder whenever they are to play Nigeria. We don’t want to leave ourselves open to any sucker punch.

•Godfrey Oboabona

Getting to the top and staying there requires a lot of hard work,” Amadu said.

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to release the list of his pick for the match after a meeting with the NFF Technical Committee.

African champions Nigeria currently top the Group F of the African series for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, with four points from a 1-0 home defeat of Namibia and a 1-1 draw against Malawi in Blantyre in June 2012.

Nations Championship, according to the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

Amadu said on Tuesday that the NFF would be enamoured to see Nigeria emerge champions of the continental tournament reserved for players based in their countries’ domestic Leagues in Africa, to add to the allcomers Africa Cup of Nations title won in South Africa penultimate weekend.

“The NFF is leaving no stone unturned to see that the Super Eagles qualify for the 3rd African Nations Championship, which incidentally, will hold in South Africa early next year. We want to add that trophy to the Africa Cup of Nations that is presently in our possession."

$500,000, which comes to another $2 million.

The Federal Government doled out the sum of 150 million Naira to the team, while another business mogul, Aliko Dangote, splashed 130 million Naira or about $800,000.

Delta State Government gave the Eagles a total of 81 million Naira, while Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola hosted the champions and shelled 59 million Naira on them.

Similarly, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States have announced they will host the team during the World Cup qualifier against Kenya next month in Calabar.

Akwa Ibom State I n f o r m a t i o n Commissioner, Aniekan Umannah, and the Youth and Sports Commissioner for Cross River, Patrick Ugbe, made the announcements.

Pistorius Continues from BP through the locked door of the bathroom.

He shot four times and hit Ms Steenkamp three times, Mr Nel said.

He added that the defendant later broke down the bathroom door with a cricket bat and carried the body downstairs.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux then read a sworn statement from Mr Pistorius, saying the couple had been “deeply in love”.

The couple went to sleep shortly after 22:00, the statement said.

In the middle of the night, Mr Pistorius woke up and went to the balcony because he thought he had heard an intruder, it

Umannah said the plan is to have the indigene of the state, who wore the captain’s arm-band in the AFCON final, Vincent Enyeama, present when the Eagles are hosted.

Ugbe, whose state hosted all the qualifiers of the team, said he was delighted that the team have won the trophy and Governor Liyel Imoke is eagerly waiting to receive the trophy by March 23, when the 2014 World Cup qualifier is played.

“When no one believed in this team, we did and they have proved us right, now is the time for the government and people of the state to say well done and do more for Nigeria,” he declared.

Apart from the cash, Federal government gave out a plot of land each to Eagles and the coaches in Abuja, which is valued at about 10 million Naira a plot, while Delta State gave coach Stephen Keshi a duplex in Asaba.

Keshi was also given a Range Rover Sport and Toyota Camry by Adenuga. added.

“It was pitch-dark in the bedroom. I did not have my prosthetic legs on and felt extremely vulnerable.”

According to the statement, Mr Pistorius thought Ms Steenkamp was still in bed, and he fired through the bathroom door, believing he was shooting at a robber.

The hearing will continue today.

Pistorius is a multiple Paralympic champion, winning gold medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, at Beijing 2008 and at London 2012. In London he made history by becoming the first double amputee to run in the Olympics, progressing to the semi-finals of the 400m.

54 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013 — 55

STEPHEN KESHI:

From a black day in Morocco to the blitz of Johannesburg

By MITCHEL OBI

The story of Nigeria’s new legend

T

HE old school motto of diligence breeding prominence holds a special place in his heart.

And nurtured in the best tradition of inter-school competition in which intense rivalry and pride ruled the times, he knew so early that commitment and endeavour made the difference.

In the hustle and bustle of Lagos where the ordinary hardly find a place, it takes extreme passion and industry to get noticed.

Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was not the pearl that caught the eye but one could not deny his presence in and outside the pitch as a school boy footballer Keshi as a teenager was totally enamoured of the game and he worked at his craft with a religious determination that stood him out.

Tellingly, his club exposures after secondary school in Lagos came through banking outfits that helped him cultivate the culture of discipline and industry, virtues that shaped his game. With the defunct African Continental Bank(ACB) football club of Lagos and later New Nigeria Bank.(NNB) Football Club of Benin Keshi found a haven that provided him the material cushion and institutional instigation to excel .

T

he short lifespan of NNB FC alongside another pacesetter Leventis United FC changed radically the face of Nigerian football in the eighties. NNB FC Stood out for its rare assemblage of the creme de la creme of celebrated school boy footballers and their colourful play won them many admirers in Nigeria and West Africa where they dominated the WAFU Cup competition like knights in a tournament.

It was in NNB FC that Keshi flourished and surrounded by such gifted players as Henry Nwosu(Nigeria’s youngest player-18years- at the 1980 AFCON) , Tarila Okoronwanta, Humphrey

Edobor, Bright Omakaro and more,his influence as captain expanded and it was easy to dub him the head of the ‘Benin Mafia’.

With having over 13 players from the same club in the then Green Eagles in one spell the leadership aura of Keshi became more distinct and prominent. No coach or administrator could find the voice of the national team without the echo of Keshi who deservedly became the rallying point of the players.

They cherished his command and he ventilated their positions and demands with a conviction that inevitably made him the Big Boss. Keshi had been part of the national team in 1982 when Nigeria, like Zambia this time, failed to defend her Nations Cup title by crashing out in the group phase.

B

ut it was in 1983 that Keshi blossomed as a leader on the pitch, firmly, steering one of the tightest and cohesive defences the African game has known. For some of us just getting to grips with reporting the national team, those were perhaps our most absorbing and prolific days capturing the games and players in words.

I still remember that cold night in Casablanca in a crucial 1984 Los Angeles Olympic qualifier when the

Green Eagles, featuring over eighty percent debutants like it was in SouthAfrica, lost on penalties to host Morocco parading such greats as Merry Krimau, Mustapha Haddaoui and Badou Zaki.

It was indeed a bitter pill to swallow for a young Keshi who had dreamt to use the opportunity of an Olympic ticket to explore the United States where eventually he settled in after his playing career. For stylishly taking his kick in the ensuing shoot-out which keeper Badou heroically stopped and ensured Morocco’s victory, Keshi almost made his teammate, Henry Nwosu, to pay for the blunder with severe rebuke that came close to bashing.

Winning for Keshi is a habit and it was the pain and lesson of the loss to Morocco that they took to AFCON 1984 and shocked defending champions Black Stars of Ghana in a heartlifting opening group game in the Ivorian city of Bouake. Nigerians fervently remembered the two-goal hero of that game, Chibuzor Ehilegbu, who was then making his debut in the Nations Cup like today’s Emmanuel Emenike .

That 1984 collection which had the likes of Clement Temile,Patrick Okala of blessed memory, James Etokebe, Paul Okoku, Yisa

Shofoluwe and Rashidi Yekini all of them debutants of the competition waltzed their way into the final and lost to Cameroun after scoring first ( in a 3-1 blast that had the stamp of Theophile Abega and his rampaging teammates.

Cameroun proved a dreaded foe in the glory chase of Keshi either at the Nations Cup or the World Cup qualifying levels.

But beyond national team football where his charm and command set him apart Keshi was a true ambassador of club football and along with one of his assistant coaches today, Sylvanus Okpalla, they were pioneers in seeking new frontiers to flaunt their skills and clutch new pastures in Europe. For Keshi it was a circumstantial plunge to play outside having been suspended by the Nigeria Football Association under the inimitable and visionary leadership of the late Air Commodore Anthony Ikazoboh for holding the nation to ransom and failing to honour a national team invitation in time. Here again the myth of the Benin Mafia.

was crystalisation point for Keshi and from Brussels to Lagos the game in Nigeria established a cord that held both players and officials together. Now the full dimension of the Big Boss found full expression. But with all the rise in prominence Keshi had little at national team level to flaunt for his exploits.

L

eading the team to the Nations Cup final in 1988 in Morocco he lost to the Cameroun Lions of Roiger Milla and Emmanuel Kunde ,scorer of the winner through penalt. Cameroun were to deny Keshi and his band a ticket to the 1990 World Cup to Italy. So devastating was this loss having come through a difficult qualifying game against Angola in which Keshi scored the only goal and Nigeria lost a gem on the pitch Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji.

He was to chew the bitterness of defeat from the stick of Cameroun later as an assistant coach to Bonfrere Jo in the final of the 2000 AFCON which Nigeria and Ghana cohosted. No doubt there was no sight of Cameroun in his first Nations Cup triumph as a player in the 1994 edition in which Nigeria defeated Zambia of Kalusha Bwalya.

Notably Keshi was in his twilight years and the wear and tear of the game were having their toll. He still could not be ignored lifting the trophy even as nonplaying captain and allowed the luxury of enjoying some moments especially in Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup participation in USA

T

hus Keshi and his clique were meant to suffer the penalty that came from suspension. Looking back it appeared to be a blessing in disguise as Keshi reignited the glow in his football career in Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire with Stella FC from where he left to Belgium and became not only the biggest Nigerian export to Europe but also an inspiring captain of Anderlecht FC. This truly

94.

In all, some countries have been critical in Keshi’s turn around. Cote d’ivoire, Belguim’, United states, Cameroun and lately Togo where he cracked his palm kernel as coach by qualifying the Hawks to the World Cup without taking them there just as it was in 2002 when assisting coach Shuaib Amodu they could not lead the Super Eagles to the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Add a dose of his stay in Mali as coach, the picture of an African coach who has paid his dues and deserves to earn his pay spreads out. .

A

nd thus when Keshi tells the world that “ I am not against white coaches coming to Africa but against those mediocre white coaches who come to learn here and pretend that they deserve the job. Some of us will not be easily allowed to coach in Europe so why must we tolerate in Africa those who are not qualified. Don’t get me wrong. I am not against white coaches. Let the best

be given a chance above us“.

February 10, Keshi made history as the second only African to win the Nations Cup as a player and as a coach. He led Eagles to beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the Nations Cup final. This has made the boy from Ilah,a town some few kilometres from Asaba, the Delta State capital of Nigeria a veritable legend of the game. His selflessness and patriotism may have carried him and even at this point when immortality tickles he still thinks about the future of his team and those

who have made his turnaround worth a toast. “It took us five years to build the 1994 squad. But this team is just five weeks old.(It should be about one year). We will continue to build and if I get some other players who are better than what I have I will bring them in” The next assignment is the 2014 World Cup. With the Nations Cup on his arms, his concentration now is on the World Cup qualifiers.

And if he makes it to Brazil in 2014, it will be another feather to his cap and an opportunity to stamp his authority at the global level.

•Mitchell Obi. AIPS Executive Member.

•Keshi in his playing days

1994

2013

1994

2013

•Keshi

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Keshi’s list for Kenya out soon T

HE list of the Super Eagles who will battle Kenya in a 2014 World Cup in March will be announced this month’s end, officials have said.

Nigeria will host the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar on March 23 and a training camp will be opened in Abuja soon.

It is believed coach Stephen Keshi will keep faith with the squad who won the 2013 AFCON in South Africa recently.

Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya said a date has not been fixed when the camping will begin, but he is hopeful the list of invited players for the

match will be released by the end of the month.

“The list of the players who will play the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya should be made public before the end of the month,” he disclosed.

“The game is on March 23 and as usual the home-based players will be the first set of players to resume while their foreign-based counterparts will join up later.

“There is no cause for alarm as our foreignbased players are back at their clubs and doing well, while the home lads are with their club

•Keshi preparing for the new NPL season.”

Nigeria lead their qualifying group with four points from two matches, a point ahead of closest rivals Namibia.

Malawi are third on two points, while Kenya have a point.

Eagles reap $5.6 million from Afcon victory so far GRITTY: Victor Moses (r) vies Burkina Faso's defender Mohamed Koffi during the 2013 African Cup of Nations final in Johannesburg.

PHOTO: AFP

V

ICTORIOUS Super Eagles have so far cashed in over

Moses hails 2013 as dream year V

ICTOR Moses has described his 201213 campaign as a ‘dream’ in the wake of his victorious return from the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

The 22-year-old began the season at previous club Wigan but before the

end of the transfer window, switched to European champions Chelsea where he has caught the eye, scoring five goals in his debut year at the club.

The former Crystal Palace man has also now tasted international

success after starring at Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in South Africa, where he scored twice and was acclaimed as one of the players of the tournament.

“If anybody had told me that I would be playing for Chelsea and winning

PUZZLE

Continues on Page 53

when he redeemed his $1 million promise to the team soon after they were received by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on arrival from South Africa.

Emeka Ofor and three other top business captains each gave out Continues on Page 53

•Paul Bassey continues his Nations Cup diary on page 52 •Mitchel Obi writes on Coach Stephen Keshi on pages 54 and 55

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

the Nations Cup by the beginning of this year, I would not have believed it,” Moses told the official FIFA website.

“It is like a dream. But it has taken a lot of hard work and I have been

900 million Naira (about $5.6 million) as gifts for winning the 2013 AFCON. A compilation by MTNFootball.com showed that telecommunications tycoon Michael Adenuga has so far made the biggest single donation to the African champions

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Across 3 Alternative (5) 9 Confirm (6) 10 Bulk (6) 11 Liberated (5) 12 Unfortunately (4) 15 Delicate (4) 17 Fate (7) 20 Spot (3) 21 Shy (3) 23 Restrain (4) 25 Swimming-pool (4) 26 Peer (5) 28 Chop (3) 30 Imagined (7) 33 Parched (4) 35 Observe (4) 36 Brag (5) 38 Voucher (6) 39 Wandering (6) 40 Late (5)

Down 1 Foodstuff (5) 2 Map-book (5) 3 Away (3) 4 Despot (6) 5 Flat (4) 6 Wand (3) 7 Sensational (5) 8 Cap (5) 13 Trainee (7) 14 Blemish (5) 16 Crown (7) 18 Cede (5) 19 Nothing (3) 22 Couch (5) 24 Present (3) 27 Deleted (6) 28 Hurry (5) 29 Flinch (5) 31 Tooth (5) 32 Demise (5) 34 Roster (4) 36 Wager (3) 37 Attempt (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 1, Infirm 5, Dimmed 9, Oozed 10, Parrot 11, Loiter 12, Moral 14, Chop 17, Ray 18, Mood 20, Towed 22, Hedge 23, Deliver 24, Began 26, Miser 29, Oral 30, One 32, Tide 33, Cited 35, Denial 36, Runner 37, Remit 38, Dodged 39, Eyelet.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

Down: 1, Impact 2, Furrow 3, Room 4, Motor 5, Delay 6, Idol 7, Method 8, Deride 13, Radiant 15, Hover 16, Pedal 18, Merit 19, Ogled 21, Den 22, Hem 24, Bonded 25, Gained 27, Signal 28, Regret 30, Oiled 31, Eerie 33, Care 34, Duty.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.