Troops recapture B-Haram training base

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62346

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

2015 ELECTIONS: •PGS.42, 43&49

How to make Nigeria the winner — Dambazau, Ex-Army Chief

N150

CBN orders exporters to repatriate dollar >>8 earnings within 180 days

ALLIED ATTACKS ON TERRORISTS

Troops recapture B-Haram training base

•Kill 117 terrorists, retake Dikwa LG in Borno •Many others killed as war planes pound Sambisa •Nigeria cannot be defined by Boko Haram — Jonathan •Says elections will hold in North-East as rescheduled

By Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande, Evelyn Usman & Ndahi Marama

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BUJA—In furtherance of the ongoing military onslaught to rout Boko Haram terrorists from

the North-East, Special Forces of the Nigerian Military, aided by the Air Force and Chadian troops, yesterday, Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS: Donu

Murder most foul •P.17

2015 ELECTIONS:

No interim but genuine unity govt•P.29 Mr & Mrs WARSHIPS—President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, in Lagos, inaugurated four warships acquired by the Navy. Inset: The president testing one of the warships after inauguration, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral. Jibrin Usman watch.

APC, PDP bicker over religion-based — Abubakar >>55 campaigns >>8

There'll be no interim govt C M Y K

How South-West will be won and lost •See pull-out inside

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —3

C M Y K

4—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Re-scheduled polls'll hold —Wali, Adefuye

CERTIFICATE SAGA: CJN probes magistrate zOver refusal to hear perjury charge against Buhari zAs plaintiffs apply for transfer of case-file

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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AGOS — Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Aminu Bashir Wali and Nigerian ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ade Adefuye, have assured that the re-scheduled general elections in Nigeria will hold on March 28 and April 11 This came as they accused the Barack Obama’s administration of promoting falsehood that President Goodluck Jonathan was bent on using the security crisis as a ruse to stay in power.

The two diplomats were reported in the Washington Times, yesterday as saying that the US overall relationship with Nigeria, which boasts Africa’s largest economy, has grown stronger in recent years, but the relationship has suffered from poor communication and miscalculated public pronouncements from top Obama administration officials.

They asserted that as Boko Haram’s leader promised in a new video to violently disrupt the elections, Nigeria badly wanted to “buy American weapons to fight Boko Haram, but continues to be stiff-armed by the Obama administration because of concerns of the government’s human right record.”

They argued that Secretary of State John F. Kerry ’s public condemnation this month of President Jonathan’s decision to delay the vote by six weeks early this month fuelled hysteria about a failure of democracy, adding that the State Department itself had helped fund a report that outlined how Boko Haramrelated security risks could have ruined the election had it not been postponed.

The report, prepared jointly in January by the International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute, said mayhem being sewn by the Islamist terror group in northern Nigeria would “mean the disenfranchisement of a large number of voters,” a factor that would “ well call into question the legitimacy of the election.

“Holding the vote as planned on February 14 would have been a catastrophe in view of the challenges that were enumerated in the report,” said Adefuye.

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BUJA — THE Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has okayed an investigation into a petition accusing a Chief Magistrate in Abuja, Mr. Abubakar Babashani, of deliberately frustrating moves to commence hearing on the perjury charge entered against the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (ret).

Already, the CJN has directed the magistrate to immediately file his response to the petition entitled “Case of Abuse of Office and Manifest Bias by His Worship, Abubakar Babashani, in The Criminal Complaint by Shield Jones Ufot & Ors. Vs. Muhammed Buhari.”

Reacting to the petition, the CJN via a letter with Ref. No. CJN/MAN/B9/S.1/VOL.VI/ 389, which was signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Hadiza Sa’eed, said he would give due consideration to all the allegations that were raised against the magistrate in the complaint letter dated February 4, 2015.

Specifically, four activists, Shield Jones Ufot, Jimmy David, Ogueri Enwerem and Tochukwu Okorie, had in a direct criminal complaint they filed before the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court, accused Buhari of violating section157 of the Penal Code.

In the suit they filed pursuant to sections 143 (d) and 152 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the plaintiffs alleged that the APC presidential flag bearer placed reliance on a bogus certificate to depose an affidavit before a competent court, an action they said amounted to perjury and punishable under section 158 of the Penal Code Law. Meantime, the plaintiffs in the petition they filed through their lawyer, Mr. Ugochukwu Ezekiel, told the CJN that after filing the criminal complaint and paying all the necessary fees, they alleged that Chief Magistrate Babashani “refused to give directives as required of him by law either for the Police to investigate and report back to the court, assign the matter to another Magistrate or proceed to hear the matter.”

According to them, “On several occasions when we enquired at the registry of the court, we were informed that his worship was not on seat to attend to our file. We approached his worship

COMMISSIONING: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide (second right); Permanent Secretary, Obinna Chukwu (second left); Chairman, Abuja Municipal Council Area (AMAC), Micah Jiba (right) and member, House of Representatives, Zephaniah Jisalo during the commissioning of Karu Community Plaza, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. earlier today to seek explanation for his refusal to make the necessary directives.

“At first, his worship informed us that he got directives from the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory not to hear our matter but when we sought to know in what form the directive cane, his worship further informed us that he will not sit on our matter because a revenue collector ’s reciept was not attached to the file and he will not accept Aso Bank’s teller as evidence of payment for filing the suit.

“The FCT High Court has not issued a revenue receipt to any litigant as evidence of payment for filing any process in the court but accepted Aso Bank’s teller as evidence of payment for any process filed in the court both in the High Court and the Magistrate Court and it is not the fault of the litigant(s) that the court does not have any receipt to issue to him/them.

“We are equally aware of many cases filed in the Chief Magistrate Court which were heard and some are still being heard by his worship, Abubakar Babashani.

“Upon refusal of his worship to carry out his judicial duties, out clients made further enquiries at the revenue department both at the Magistrate Court and the FCT High Court and we were informed that the court is yet to print receipts for cases filed in court and only use tellers as evidence of payment for filing a suit.

“Considering the above stated facts, out clients are led to believe that his Worship is intentionally refusing to hear our clients’ matter in order to frustrate our clients from pursuing justice, giving flimsy excuses in so doing.

“Our clients are equally convinced that his Worship is already biased and has shown manifest bias as to the content of our complaint. We therefore call upon you to use your good offices to do or cause to be done the following: (a) Direct the transfer of the case from his worship, Abubakar Babashani to any other magistrate of the FCT Magistrate Court competent

to hear the matter. “(b) Investigate the allegations contained in this petition with a view to meting out adequate punishment to his Worship if found culpable.

“Our clients strongly believe in the pursuit of justice and matters filed before a court should be given fair and unbiased hearing which the actions of his Worship does not depict in this instance.

“My Lord, we therefore kindly request that the case file on this matter be withdrawn from his Worship, Chief Magistrate Babashani and be re-assigned to any other Magistrate of the Magistrate Court of the FCT for hearing.”

NYSC, Mercy Corps partner on adolescent girls’ education

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BUJA — A global humanitarian agency, Mercy Corps, has gone into partnership with the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to implement a project tagged: “Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE)” Mercy Corps is the lead implementing partner for ENGINE, which is a multidonor funded programme supported by DFID, Coca Cola Export Company and the Nike Foundation.

The programme seeks to improve the learning outcomes and economic status of marginalised adolescent girls aged 16 to 19 in the northern Nigerian states of Kano and Kaduna as well as the Federal Capital Territory and the Metropolitan city of Lagos.

The NYSC and Mercy Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU,

Wednesday, on the partnership that will involve the engagement of female corps members to deliver extra hours of classes to girls in schools that have been selected for the programme in the affected states.

Speaking on the occasion, the NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, noted that the presence of the scheme in all the nooks and crannies of the country makes it an attractive implementation partner for projects of such nature.

In her address, Country Director of the Mercy Corps, Ms. Iveta Ouvry, said the objective of the organiation, which is working in over 42 countries, was to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build, secure productive and just communities.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT—From left: Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Prof. Suleiman Bogoro; Chairman Board of Trustees, TETFUND, Dr. Musa Babayo and Kano State Governor, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso during the governor's visit to the institution's corporate headquarters in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

ATTACKS ON TERRORISTS: Troops recapture Boko Haram training base Continues from Page 1 pounded the Sambisa forest headquarters of the sect, killing 117 terrorists and arresting the Amir (Commander) of the sect.

This came as Gwoza, which had become their new training base, was not spared.

The troops also recaptured Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Dikwa, headquarters of old Kanem-Bornu Empire, was taken over by Boko Haram some months ago, forcing the first class monarch, Alhaji Abba Tor Masta II, and thousands of his subjects to take refuge in Maiduguri.

It will be recalled that the premier Mobile Police Training base is located at Gwoza and when Boko Haram overran the base and abducted 30 police officers, who are missing till date, the terrorists allegedly converted the base to their training camp.

Confirming the development, Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said: “A concerted air campaign by the Nigerian Air Force is

ongoing in furtherance of the mission to clear terrorists from all their enclaves.

“The air strikes which today targeted the training camps and logistics dumps of the terrorists in Sambisa forest and parts of Gwoza have been highly successful as it achieved the aims with required precision.

“The death of a large number of terrorists has been recorded while many others are also scampering all over the forest and out of the struck bases.

“Meanwhile, the strikes continue in other locations of the theatre heralding the advance of troops and other elements of the mission.”

Dikwa recaptured

The recapture of the town of Dikwa took place at about 7am, yesterday, after Chadian troops cleared Gamboru Ngala, Kala Balge and several villages off Boko Haram insurgents, and proceeded to storm Dikwa which is less than 100 kilometres north-east of Maiduguri.

A military source said

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them— Mahatma Gandhi

E

VERY choice you make, including the thoughts you think, has consequences. When you choose the behavior or thought, you choose the consequences. If you choose to stay in an abusive relationship, then you choose the consequences of pain and suffering. There will be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected.

The obvious choice is being respected because love without respect is always fleeting. But respect could grow into real lasting love. If you choose thoughts contaminated with anger and bitterness, then you will create an experience of alienation and hostility.

When you start choosing the right behavior and thoughts, which will take a lot of discipline on your part, you’ll get the right consequences and attract the right persons and experiences.

that the raid, which comprised military airstrikes backed up by ground troops, inflicted severe casualties on the terrorists which led to the recapture of the town now under control of the troops.

The source also revealed that during the encounter with the troops, two Chadian soldiers lost their lives, while the Amir (Commander) of the sect was arrested at the palace of the Shehu of Dikwa, which the troops suspected was turned to the base/headquarters of the insurgents.

“The terrorists had established themselves in Dikwa after taking over all the prominent buildings, including the Shehu’s palace, local government secretariat as well as the official and private residences of prominent people,” he said.

“Chadian soldiers took over Dikwa from Boko Haram after heavy fighting on Tuesday,” Bababura Diwa, who lives in the town, said by telephone from Fotokol, across the border in northern Cameroon.

Diwa said the Chadians came from Gamboru, which they previously recaptured, with heavy artillery power and overpowered a group of militants at Lomani village, 15 kilometres from Dikwa.

“When they came into Dikwa, there was intense fighting but at last, they subdued the Boko Haram fighters. They killed many of them, including Abu Ashshe, their commander who was notorious for seizing cattle in the area.

“I used the opportunity provided by the presence of the Chadian troops to leave the town. I was afraid to leave when Boko Haram took over the town for fear of being branded a traitor and killed.”

Diwa’s account was

backed up by several other residents, who took advantage of the Chadian advance to flee the ancient town, which is near Boko Haram’s makeshift camps in the Sambisa Forest.

Jidda Saleh, another resident, said Chadian troops launched heavy aerial and ground attacks on the Kala-Balge area, particularly on Nduwu village, which he said was a “major Boko Haram stronghold”.

“The whole village was bombarded and it is obvious Boko Haram suffered heavy casualties from the aerial attack.

Ground troops moved in later,” he added.

“Meleri, which has a huge Boko Haram concentration, was also bombed by Chadian military jets and then taken over by ground troops. By the time we left, we learnt the Chadian soldiers were on their way to Kushimori village where Boko Haram keeps the livestock they seized from people.

“They have kept thousands of livestock there.

They sank boreholes and recruited people to rear the animals for them”.

Algoni Wal-Amire, another Kala-Balge resident, welcomed the offensive.

“Living under Boko Haram was like living in a minefield. You are always afraid your next step could be your last. I thank God I’m now safe from them,” he said.

We'll rout out terrorists in the North East —Jonathan

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the general elections would be conducted as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, expressing optimism that the security challenges in the North eastern part of the country which was attributed as cause of the initial postponement of the election date, was being addressed.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of four newly acquired warships by the Nigerian Navy, a landmark achievement in the last 32 years, President Jonathan stated that efforts were in top gear to return the north eastern part of the country to a level where insurgents would not affect the coming election.

Part of his administration’s effort to address activities of terrorists in the North east, he said, was the procurement of technical capacity to the Armed Forces, an effort he

boasted was capable of routing Boko Haram.

According to him: “I want to use this platform to promise my good country men and women that we will rout Boko Haram. Our capacity has increased sufficiently and our officers and men are doing wonderfully well in the north. They are working hard day and night and I have directed that Nigerians should be briefed regularly. We have improved the technical capacity of our men; both the Army, Navy and Air Force and we are pleased with what is happening.

“And we must conduct our election as scheduled

by INEC because within this period, we are convinced that we will return the north to a level where activities of extremists will not affect our election”, he stated.

He scored the Nigerian Navy high in the fight against maritime illegalities, disclosing that the volume of stolen crude oil in the nation’s water had drastically reduced compared to what obtained but, however, lamented that the only area of challenge was vandalism of gas pipelines in the swamps.

Nigeria cannot be defined by Boko Haram

President Jonathan also stated that Nigeria cannot be defined by the activities of Boko Haram.

He spoke, yesterday evening, when he met with the Yoruba Elders Forum.

According to Jonathan, politicians must put the country ’s unity and stability ahead of their political ambitions.

“No matter what we want to do, that is those of us who are aspiring to run this country or even at the state level, first and foremost you must have a country.

“If we don’t have a country there will be no office to hold; whether it is the office of the President or office of the Vice President or office of the minister or whatever office, there must be Nigeria first.

“My position is that let us all collectively defend

and protect this country and that is why I always feel bad when people make statements that expose Nigeria as if it is the worst country on earth. We are not that bad.

“Yes, we have issues in this country. Even issues of security, like this Boko Haram, because we are managing a very delicate situation. Sometimes people define Nigeria by the Boko Haram. Nigeria cannot be defined based on Boko Haram alone.

There is terror all over the world.

“My belief is that in the next three weeks or so if we don’t completely take over all our territories, we would have handled the Boko Haram to the extent that it will no longer be a problem to the elections that will come up.”

Earlier, the President of YCE, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo (Ret) commended the President for the quality of leadership he is providing for the country.

8,700 joint taskforce against Boko Haram

In a related development, the Niger Republic Military said, yesterday, that military chiefs from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Niger would meet in N’Djamena next week to finalise strategy for the 8,700 task-force against Boko Haram.

The Director of Documentation and Military Intelligence of Niger ’s Armed Forces, Col. Mahamane Sani, said in N'djamena that all the efforts were aimed at fighting the insurgence to a standstill, reports Reuters.

Sani said the forces are seeking to pin down Boko Haram within Nigeria’s borders ahead of a ground-and-air offensive by a regional task-force due to start from the end of next month.

“All we are doing right now is stopping Boko Haram from entering Niger. If they attack our positions we push them back a certain distance and Nigeria pushes from the other side to contain the situation,” he said.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

2 brothers, salesgirl accused of kidnapping

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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WO brothers and a girl, 25, have appeared before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for allegedly kidnapping one Olakunle Ojerinde.

The brothers, Ettenbom Udoh, 27; and David Udoh, 27, and wife of Victor Eno, the first defendant, a sales girl, are facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery.

One of the charges read: “Victor Eno 'm', Etenbom Udoh 'm' and David Udoh 'm' on or about October 22, 2012 at Ajibola Aluko Street, Okota, Lagos, in the Ikeja Judicial Division kidnapped one Olakunle Ojerinde and demanded a ransom for his release.”

According to the charge, the alleged offence is contrary to Section 269 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The prosecutor, Mr. A. A. George, informed the court that the accused on October 22, 2012, at Ajibola Aluko Street, Okota, Lagos, while armed with guns, robbed Ojerinde of his Acura TL Saloon car with number plate APP 504 AH and Blackberry mobile phone.

After listening to the defence and prosecution counsel, the presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, adjourned the matter to March 5 for continuation of hearing.

Armed robber, vigilante killed in Bauchi gun battle

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—THE Police in Bauchi State, yesterday, confirmed the killing of an armed robber and a member of a vigilante group along Bayanga Dogonruwa Road in Toro Local Government Area.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident in a press statement, said the incident happened

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N Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, yesterday, remanded in prison custody three persons charged for allegedly robbing one Alhaji Bako Mohammed of his loaded fuel tanker with product worth N4.1 million.

The accused are Godwin Isaac, 29; James Anidi, 31, and Femi John, 27.

According to the charge, the accused were in possession of two locally-made pistols with eight rounds of live cartridge, without license.

The accused were arraigned by the police on a three-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery.

One of the charges read: “That

gunshot injuries he sustained during the encounter.

The PPRO said other members of the gang fled into the bush with bullet wounds.

According to him, investigation and intensive patrol are ongoing in the area to apprehend the fleeing robbers.

Haruna said exhibits recovered from the robbers include two AK-47 rifles, 21 rounds of 9mm live ammunition,

two magazines, N7,040 and Etisalat recharge cards valued at N1,600.

He said security had been beefed up in the area, adding that neighbouring states had been put on alert in order to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.

166 illegal immigrants arrested in Kwara

By Demola Akinyemi

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Demolition of Kuje Main Market for redevelopment by a private developer. NANA PHOTO.

Tension in Okomu Oil Palm Company over killing of 5 staff

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN—THERE is tension in Okomu Oil Palm Company, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, following the alleged

3 docked for N4.1m fuel theft

By Bartholomew Madukwe

yesterday around 6.30pm, when a Joint Police Vigilante group on patrol along Bayanga Dogonruwa Road was ambushed by unknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

He said one of the gunmen was killed during the exchange of fire, while a vigilante, identified as Musa Wakili, 25, of Bayanga Village in Toro Local Government died due to

you Isaac Godwin ‘m’, James Anidi ‘m’ and Femi John ‘m’ and others still at large between October and December 2014 at Epe Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, whilst armed with two locally-made pistols and other dangerous weapons, did rob one fuel tanker containing fuel valued N4,105,000, property of one Alhaji Bako Mohammed.”

The prosecutor, Inspector Eranus Nnamonu, informed the court that the offence was punishable under Section 1 (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act of the Federation of Nigeria 1990, as amended.

Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe did not grant the accused bail, but adjourned the case to March 26.

killing of five persons last week by youths from in the area.

Consequently, the management of the company is threatening to pack up and move to Ghana.

It would be recalled that three workers in the plantation were shot dead last week, when the youths ambushed and opened fire on them.

The three workers died instantly, but Vanguard was informed that two other bodies were recovered in the plantation later, bringing to five the number of workers killed by the youths.

Staff of the company and contractors, therefore, appealed to Edo State government and the state Commissioner of Police to urgently come to their aid.

They expressed fears that many of them would be jobless, if the company decided to relocate to Ghana due to the constant threats from the youths.

The staff and contractors, who spoke through Dr. Peter Osagiede, said: “We have about eight persons also in the hospital due to gunshot

injuries. We have eight communities in that area, but it is only one of them that is perpetrating this evil.

“They are asking the company to give them N10 million and making other frivolous demands, while the company graded their roads, installed boreholes, built schools and have fulfilled other social responsibilities.

“They are claiming that the land belongs to them, but we know that every land belongs to the Oba of Benin.

“We are worried now because the management of the company is threatening to relocate to Ghana and if that happens over 5,000 indigenes will be out of work and the tax being paid to the state government will no longer come.

“Even now, the plantation harvesters are threatening to boycott work because their lives are no longer safe.

“So we are appealing to the state government and security agencies to come to our aid.

We have lost five persons and this incessant harassment must stop for the sake of our people.”

LORIN—KWARA State command of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has arrested 166 illegal immigrants from Benin Republic and Niger Republic.

Spokesman of the command, Mr. Adeyemi Adesola, who confirmed this development in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, yesterday, said the illegal immigrants would be deported to their respective countries as soon as their travelling documentation was completed.

Adeyemi, who noted that the immigrants, being members of ECOWAS countries, had the rights to reside in Nigeria, insisted that such must be done with proper travelling documents.

He said the illegal immigrants, 27 from Benin Republic and 123 from Niger Republic and 46 others, were arrested during routine checks of the command in Offa, Kaiama and Ilorin.

Adeyemi noted that a lorry load of 46 passengers, confirmed to be illegal immigrants from Niger Republic, were intercepted in Ilorin on their way to Osogbo.

He said further enquiries confirmed that they did not have travelling documents and that they were going to Osogbo to seek menial jobs.

He also said that some were going for the first time, while some others had been there before.

Adesola also warned residents in Kwara to beware of illegal immigrants and notify appropriate quarters because of the security implications of their presence in the country.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—7

3 arrested over killing in Bayelsa Selling and buying at a market in Hong Town after Army reclaimed it f r o m insurgents in Adamawa, yesterday.

NAN PHOTO.

By Samuel Oyadongha

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Free-for-all at Enugu APC office

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU— SOME members of Enugu State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, fought on Wednesday at the state office secretariat.

Although the cause of the fight is not known, state chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye, blamed the incident on alleged attempt by some members, alleged to be moles, to cause disaffection in the party.

He said: “Nobody was wounded by anybody, rather, what happened was that some PDP agents in our fold were

zDeputy Chairman, Woman Leader suspended making attempts to forcefully penetrate the campaign office of our presidential candidate.

“Because their plans were foiled, they went to New Haven Police Station to give false information to the DPO, claiming that they were attacked. But because the police could not establish any trace of crime against any of our genuine members, no arrest was made.

“APC would not be distracted by such mischievous and

cheap blackmail, especially now that we are poised to wrest power from PDP. “Already, a fact-finding committee had been put in place to fish out all PDP moles who are determined to pull

2 nabbed over failed bank robbery

By Esther Onyegbula

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HE Police in Lagos have arrested two suspected

Don't let my mother know, policeman shot at APC rally begs

Fred Ebe, the fisherman.

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—ONE of the policemen shot at the governorship rally of All Progressives Congress, APC, at Okrika, Rivers State, last Tuesday, pleaded with newsmen, yesterday, not to let his mother know he was among the casualties.

He said: “I cannot talk to the press; I do not want my mother to see it in the papers that I was among those shot. She might just die.”

Three policemen and a civilian, who gave his name as Fred Ebe, a fisherman, were

those at the orthopaedic ward of Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, BMH, when Vanguard visited yesterday.

Some members of the medical team of All Progressives Congress, APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity at the hospital, said about 28 casualties were admitted, adding that five were for bullet injuries.

The team said about five were policemen, and that one of them died on the day of the attack, adding that the other 23 were visiting the hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, state chairman of APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, has said the party would still hold its governorship campaign rally at Okrika.

The disrupted Tuesday rally was the third time the party had made efforts to hold its governorship campaign in Okrika.

He said: “The first time, unknown persons invaded the

down, or launch the party into crisis.

“As part of measures to flush out such elements, in its folds, the party has suspended its state Woman Leader, and Deputy Chairman.”

venue, while the place was being set up for the rally. They destroyed everything in sight, a situation that made the police to advise the party to cancel the rally.

“They could not get Police nod to hold the rally when they made two other efforts as the Police advised them against it.”

Chairman of the party, Dr Ibiama, said the party would still take its message of hope to the people of Okrika.

He said: “APC will still organize its campaign at Okrika. We cannot be intimidated because Okrika is part of Rivers State. If Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, can campaign in Okrika, why can’t APC campaign in Okrika?

“We have signed two different peace accords with PDP. Sadly, PDP has violated all known agreements. PDP is not fit to ask anybody to vote for its candidates. PDP attacked our members a day after we signed the first peace accord.”

members of a robbery gang that had been terrorizing residents of Apapa and Wilmer Crescent areas of the state, just when they had perfected plans to attack a bank.

The suspects, identified as Ugochukwu Samuel, 24, and Saturday Akpan, 20, reportedly operate as early as 5am, dispossessing their victims, majority of who were traders and defenceless workers, of cash and other valuables.

When arrested, they were discovered to have been harassing their victims with toy guns.

Before their arrest, one of them, Akpan, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, said he was dissatisfied with the loot from their operations, and decided to raise the bar to bank robbery.

As a first step, he reportedly sold the idea to his roommate, Samuel, who bought it and they sought the assistance of renowned robbers around Ajegunle on how to acquire weapons.

Unfortunately for them, they were arrested on the day the robbery operation was supposed to take place.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Akpan had worked as a cleaner at Creek Road, Apapa branch of the bank he had chosen to rob.

ENAGOA—THE AntiVice Squad of Bayelsa State Police Command, yesterday, arrested three persons for alleged involvement in the killing of a boy, Kurotimi Alexander, aged 23, by suspected members of a cult group.

The deceased, an indigene of Ekeowe in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, was attacked by four suspected cultists at Okaka suburb of Yenagoa and killed him with a machete.

The incident, it was learned, had heightened fear among residents of possible rival attacks around the Amarata, OMPADEC, Okaka, Kpansia and Azikoro areas.

A resident of Okaka area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victim was chased by four armed youths into a building at about 8am.

40 escape death, as school bus goes up in flames

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—OVER 40 pupils of Petra Christian Academy, Ughelli, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, escaped death as the school bus conveying them from school to their respective homes went up in flames along Ughelli axis of East-West Road.

Though details surrounding the incident were still sketchy at press time, a witness, Ejiro Atori, who operates a phone shop directly opposite the scene of the incident, said it occurred at about 4pm.

He said: “While the bus was moving, Okada riders and other people around were signalling the driver to stop the vehicle, telling him that fuel was dripping from the bus.

“Immediately he stopped, people around helped in evacuating the pupils from the bus, after which it immediately went up in flames.”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

POLLS: APC Senators insist on summoning security chiefs

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

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BUJA — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, Senators have insisted that the security chiefs should be summoned to appear before the Senate to give details on the security situation in the country as it concerns the forthcoming general elections.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had before shifting the February 14 Presidential and National Assembly elections said the service chiefs had told him that they would not guarantee security for the polls.

Jega also on Wednesday when he appeared before the Senate to explain the level of preparedness of his commission to the elections re-scheduled for March 28 said that INEC was ready for the polls but refused to confirm the sanctity of the election dates, saying it was the responsibility of the security chiefs to determine that.

Speaking to Vanguard in Abuja, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bokola Saraki, said INEC had given all the necessary assurances of it readiness to conduct the election on the scheduled date and that the security concerned as raised by the INEC boss was left for the security chiefs to also explain the security situation in the country, especially the states that had witnessed insurgency.

Saraki said that it was the responsibility of the leadership of the Senate to summon the security chiefs to appear at the plenary to also explain efforts made to ensure adequate security before, during and after the elections.

He said: “So next week, we wish the leadership will do the right thing. I think the only best person that should tell us the true situation is the service chiefs. The service chiefs will come before us to clear these issues; I think that is the best thing that has to happen.”

CBN orders exporters to repatriate dollar earnings within 180 days zNaira falls to N218 in parallel market

By Babajide Komolafe

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AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday ordered importers to repatriate their dollar earnings within 180 days or risk suspension from all segments of the foreign exchange market.

But in a move to eliminate loopholes and boost foreign exchange supply, the CBN yesterday ordered exporters to repatriate their dollar earnings within 180 days. This order was contained in a circular to all authorised dealers by the Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Mr. Olalelekan Gbadamosi.

The circular entitled: “Repatriation of Export Proceeds (Oil and Non Oil)" stated: “Pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (4) Memorandum (11) of the Foreign Exchange Manual, in respect of the repatriation into the export proceeds, all authorised dealers are requested to note that: “Proceeds of oil and non-oil exports are to be repatriated into the export proceeds domiciliary accounts of their respective exporters’ accounts within 90 days for oil exports and 180 days for non-oil experts, failing which the collecting bank will be liable to a fine of 10 per cent of the

FOB value of the transaction, including other appropriate penalties as provided in the BOFIA 1991, as amended.

“Where an exporter fails to repatriate the proceeds into the domiciliary account within the stipulated period, the exporter will be barred from participating in all the segments of the foreign exchange market in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Naira, yesterday, suffered sharp depreciation against the dollar in the parallel market and the interbank market in reaction to the closure of the official foreign exchange market by the CBN. At the parallel market, the Naira depreciated by N5 as the parallel market exchange rate

rose to N218 per dollar from N213 on Wednesday.

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the naira depreciated by N2.51 as the interbank exchange rate rose to N199.1 per dollar from N196.59 on Wednesday.

The sharp depreciation of the naira in both markets was attributed to expectation of further depreciation of the naira following the closure of official foreign exchange market.

According to Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, Chief Executive Officer, Sabil BDC, the expectation is that with everybody going to the interbank market to source for dollars, the naira will continue to depreciate.

APC, PDP bicker over alleged plans to use religion to campaign

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Henry Umoru

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AGOS — THE All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were yesterday locked in a war of words over alleged plans to use religion to promote each other’s political campaign.

The APC was the first to raise alarm over what it claimed was a plan by some “desperate politicians” to incite religious sensibilities through the circulation of provocative leaflets in mosques and churches purportedly “asking Muslims to only vote for Muslims in the forthcoming elections.”

Though the party did not cite any political party, it nevertheless made references to earlier claims

by Vice President Namadi Sambo that the PDP was more of a Muslim party and that the running mate of the APC candidate is a Christian pastor who has more than 5,000 churches.

The PDP in its response pointedly accused the APC of crying wolf when, according to it, it had been caught in its own devices. The ruling party alleged that the APC’s cry was the result of the leakage of its own plans.

In a statement issued by the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said: "They are hoping that by further inflaming passion with the highly emotive issue of religion, they can revive their shrivelling political fortunes. That is why they have devised the latest strategy of pitching Christians against Muslims through the circulation of satanic leaflets.

Nigerians should not be taken in by this cheap plot."

Noting past utterances by Sambo during the PDP campaigns in the Northern Muslim heartland, that the PDP

MEETING: From left: The All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Sen Olorunnimbe Mamora; APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun; APC House of Representatives member, Hon Femi Gbajabemila and APC Presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (ret), during a meeting with APC Reps at the Presidential Campaign Council Office, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Sunday Aghaeze has more Muslims than the APC, and that the APC Vice Presidential candidate is a pastor who runs 5,000 churches, the APC said: "It must baffle every right-thinking Nigerian what the vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stands to gain by his resort to base instincts. It is more baffling against the background of the fact that it was his party, the PDP, that first labelled our party, the APC, as a Muslim party.

"Not even when the APC elected a Christian as its National Chairman, supported by many party officials who are also Christians, did they back off from their incautious claim.

It did not occur to them that our party is more religiously diverse than they have sought to portray it to Nigerians.

"We ask Nigerians to

disregard anyone peddling religion as a tool for securing votes in any part of the country."

APC crying foul —PDP

Responding a few hours later, yesterday, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the APC was crying foul after its devices unintentionally leaked out.

It said: “Here is the APC running with the hares by pretending to be an ally of the people while ravenously hunting with the hounds by harvesting from the fissures on our fault lines, all in an attempt to sell the unmarketable in its presidential candidate.

“Such a barefaced, thoughtless statement from a political party notorious for false alarms, deceit and pernicious propaganda is another auspicious window into the warped mindset of the party that flaunts messianic

wherewithal.

“It is tangential for Nigerians to judge who gains from such an irresponsible political conduct. And the truth is that it is the APC whose actions, utterances and body language have been anything but unifying. It is the APC who the provincial and religious irredentism of its leaders is defying the overnight coat of nationalism forced on them by million dollar-backed foreign consultants.

“The PDP needs neither religious nor ethnic cleavages to campaign and win the 2015 presidential elections. Our history of consistency in form, structure and core values as well as track record of delivery, which have endeared us over the years to Nigerians have not changed."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—9

Boko Haram: We'll fight side by side with Nigeria — USA

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA — THE United States of America has said it would fight side-by-side with Nigeria in the war against the Islamist terrorists, Boko Haram.

US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, said this at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the Safe Schools Initiative, SSI, in Abuja, yesterday.

His words: “We have said this directly to Mr. President and to others that the United States will stand with Nigeria in the fight against terror and we stand ready to help in every possible way. The terrorists try to keep children out of school. This is unacceptable and we won’t stand by and let that happen.

We can’t give up.

According to him, the United States had been involved in the education of children in Nigeria for a very long time and took it very seriously as a means of developing Nigeria.

He said: “Nigerian children who have been affected by the insurgency do not also need to see their hopes for education sacrificed.”

Earlier, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had built strong partnerships with other nations, donor agencies, and the private sector since the SSI was launched.

The minister disclosed that besides the $10 million contribution of the Federal Government to the SSI Trust Fund domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Germany and Norway sent in 2 million Euro and $1.5 million, respectively.

She added that the United Kingdom offered a 1 million pound technical assistance, while the African Development Bank would soon send in $1 million.

“We have received donations of EUR2 million from Germany, and will shortly receive a grant of $1 million from the African Development Bank into the fund. Other donors include Norway - $1.5 million (given through UNICEF), the UK - £1 million in technical assistance, and $10 million pledged by a Coalition of Nigerian Business Leaders,” she said.

Proponents of tenure elongation are robbers —REPS zSupport card readers for polls

By Emman Ovuakporie

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BUJA — THE House of Representatives has said that proponents of tenure elongation are armed robbers that meant no good for Nigeria.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media, Rep Zakari Mohammed, said yesterday that “any attempt to extend the tenure of present political holders beyond May 29 would amount to breaching the

constitution.”

Speaking at the House's weekly briefing, the House spokesman said there was no provision in the 1999 Constitution that permits tenure elongation just because an individual wants it.

He said: “We owe this country a lot of duty. Tenure elongation is against good conscience and not part of our constitution. We won’t accept that and won’t discuss any such thing.”

Support card reader for polls On the card readers, Mohammed said it was high time Nigeria moved forward from analogue to digital in order to have things done easily, saying every wellmeaning Nigerian should support the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in its efforts to have free, fair and credible polls.

He said any argument against the use of card readers for the polls would not hold water as the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, allows such.

On this year ’s budget, Mohammed said the House decided to set up a special committee to meet with Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, because the lawmakers wanted to know how realistic the $65 oil benchmark contained in the budget was.

Buhari accuses NIMASA of sponsoring hate campaign against him zIt’s not true — NIMASA

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By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

AGOS — GENERAL Muhammadu Buhari (ret), yesterday, called on the National Assembly to investigate the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, following what he alleged as incontrovertible evidence linking the agency to the hate campaign against him and his family.

Buhari’s demand, articulated through the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Organisation, APCPCO, was upon what he claimed as clear evidence linking a top management staff of NIMASA to recent documentaries aired by NTA and AIT that were considered by the party to have impugned the character of the APC presidential candidate.

NIMASA in a sharp reaction denied the allegation, saying neither the agency nor its Director General, Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, has been involved in the sponsorship of political campaigns.

The APCPCO’s Director of Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said the campaign office had confirmed that the agency was indeed the sponsor of all the dirty campaigns against the APC presidential candidate on AIT, NTA and several other media platforms.

This, according to Shehu, contravenes the NIMASA Act, the Public Service Regulations, and the INEC Act 2010 as amended, among others.

The APCPCO decried the situation where a government agency uses public funds to sponsor a campaign of calumny against its candidate, which it said is not only illegal, but should also be condemned and investigated by the Joint Committees of the National Assembly on Marine

ANNIVERSARY: President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambian Republic (left) and Vice President Namadi Sambo, during the Gambia's 50th independence anniversary.

Transportation.

If these claims were to be found to be true by the Joint Committee, the statement said, disciplinary action should be taken against the agency and its leadership.

Noting the relationship between a very senior official of NIMASA with a famed former militant alleged to have helped procure vessels for the agency, APCPCO decried the increasing helplessness of regulatory agencies in the country, charged with the certification of commercial advertising, that are now being ignored by the PDP in placing libellous and defamatory campaign materials against the opposition in TV stations they control.

According to the statement, President Goodluck Jonathan should prove to Nigerians that he is sincerely committed to the rule of law by taking immediate action against the NIMASA boss.

“It is not enough for President Jonathan to claim

he doesn’t know the sponsors of smear adverts if he lacks the courage to punish them once they are exposed,” Shehu said.

It's not true —NIMASA NIMASA in its reaction articulated by its Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations, Isichei Osamgbi said: “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as an agency, and its Director General, Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi have never been involved in any form of campaign against any politician nor sponsor same.

“It is unfortunate that the authors of that statement and their agents are only attempting yet again without success to discredit the agency, having failed in doing so through the malicious lies on the purchase of the operational vessels and attempt to discredit NIMASA success

story which is currently training over 2,500 young Nigerians as seafarers.

“We are only a government agency doing our normal statutory duties as a maritime regulatory agency and proud of our achievements which have been globally acclaimed.”

Buhari undertakes short UK trip Meanwhile, Buhari left Abuja, yesterday, on a short working visit to the United Kingdom. In the course of this visit, Buhari is expected to hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with stakeholder interest in the affairs of Nigeria.

He would hopefully give a talk at the prestigious foreign policy hub, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London.

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Lagos APC asks Senate to reject Obanikoro's ministerial nomination

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—LAGOS State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the Senate to reject Senator Musiliu Obanikoro’s consideration for a ministerial position due to his deep involvement in the alleged Ekitigate election scandal.

APC in statement signed by State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, yesterday, cautioned that Nigeria should not continue to reward persons with questionable and dubious characters.

The party stated: “Ekitigate scandal is such a weighty and monumental fraud that cannot be swept under carpet as it rocks and undermines the very foundation of our democratic journey.

“Senator Obanikoro and his 40 thieves in Ekitigate scandal must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others. When offenders are not punished the hearts of the people are schemed to continue to do wrong.

“What is the purpose of reappointing Senator Obanikoro who has just lost an election in Lagos as a Minister if not to continue to use the

exalted position to plunder our common patrimony at this critical point in the nation’s history.

“Senator Obanikoro must be kicked in the ass and thrown out of the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly for

decimating and desecrating our hard-earned democracy.

“With this singular act of representing this very bad and ugly candidate, the President is sending the wrong signals to the world that Nigeria is a nation of

anything goes.

“We in Lagos APC reject Senator Obanikoro, we denounce this reappointment, and we strongly urge the Senate to throw him away in the interest of the country and democracy.”

LAUNCHING: From left: Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, deputy governor of Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Dr. Oluranti Adebule, deputy governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, during the official launching of 100 air-conditioned buses, by the governor, at LASTMA office, Oshodi, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Akiolu slams Obasanjo, denies endorsing Buhari

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By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—OBA Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, yesterday, took a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, accusing him of being the cause of the injustices he was accusing the present administration.

This is just as he has described as false, reports in the social media that he had endorsed the All Progressives Congress,’APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

Akiolu, who was one of the special guests at the commissioning of four Nigerian Navy Ships by President Goodluck Johnathan, told journalists while leaving the venue of the occasion at Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, that Obasanjo allegedly inflicted pains on Lagos State while he was President.

He said: “ God gives many people long lives so that they can get enough punishment, like what is happening now. All the injustices they did against Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, God is exposing them. All the accusations the former President, Obasanjo is giving now, he initiated and nurtured it. He masterminded it and now he is complaining. God has a way of doing things. More are still coming to him,” he said.

On his alleged endorsement of

Buhari as president, he said: “Who gave you that rumour?

Who said so? Some of the things they are writing, for instance, like that former Minister Obanikoro, I went to his aged mother that they should warn him seriously. For the Presidency, I support the best person.

"If I want to do something, I

do not pretend, God almighty Allah will give the Presidency to the people Nigerians want to do the best for this country”, he stated.

He was, however, quick to state: "I have picked Akinwunmi Ambode as the next governor of Lagos State . I have my reason for saying it and I do not hide it.

I acted on God’s wisdom and

picked him and by the grace of God, he will be the governor of this state."

On the postponement of the election date by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, he said: “The Head of State and INEC have told us that the elections will take place March 28 and April 11 and I hope by the grace of God, it will be like that.

Court fixes March 3 to hear NSC's suit

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—JUSTICE Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed March 3 for hearing of an application by the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, asking the court to compel Seaport Terminal Association of Nigeria, STOAN, and the Shipping Association of Nigeria, SAN, to obey the judgment of Court over issues of collection of Shipping Line Agency Charges, SLAC. NSC, through its counsel, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, filed the application in reaction to several publications by STOAN and SAN directing the general public to ignore the decision of the Federal High Court in a matter between parties on grounds that they had a pending appeal.

Pa Stephen Asigbe dies @ 96

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A STEPHEN Asanemoh Asigbe, 96, is dead. He died after a brief illness. Late Pa Asigbe until his death was the oldest man in Evwereni and other sun-communities and also the first President of Urhobo community in Lagos.He is survived by children and many relations, including Barr. Israel Asigbe.

Burial arrangement to be announced later by the family.

Give us our voters' cards, women tell INEC

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By Chris Onuoha

AGOS—A group, Nigerian Women for Truth, has appealed to the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega to release their permanent voters’ cards and tackle the issues concerning its distributions in the nation before the forthcoming election billed for March 28 and April 11.

In a peaceful protest to INEC zonal office at Sabo Yaba, Lagos State, the president of the organisation, Mrs. Kate Onyechere in company of members, numbering hundreds and comprising working mothers and mostly widows from all tribes of the federation, made their

grievances and demand known to INEC officials “It is disheartening the way INEC is handling the distribution of PVCs especially in Lagos

State. We are yet to receive our Private Voters Cards. We only have our temporary voters’ cards TVC which cannot be used for voting,” she said.

Late Pa Stephen Asigbe

AG Moeller not registered as financial services firm, witness tells court

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, was, yesterday, told that a firm, A.G. Moeller Limited, is allegedly not registered as a financial services company by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. A former Chief Accountant at Cross Country Limited, Mr. Godsday Chukwus, testified at the resumed trial of A.G. Moeller’s Managing Director, Adeloye Olukemi, who is being

prosecuted before Justice Okon Abang for allegedly defrauding Cross Country Chairman, Bube Okorodudu, of N80million.

Chikwusa had earlier testified that sometime in March 2007, Cross Country wrote the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, EBN Finance Limited (a subsidiary of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc) and AG. Moeller for finance lease facilities to enable it buy some vehicles.

He said AG Moeller gave Cross Country N140 million to finance the acquisition of 40 buses with a tenor of 24 months at 60 per cent interest rate per annum.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Chukwusa said the total sum payable to AG Moeller Ltd at the end of the tenor stood at N228 million.

“ForatransactionofN288million,Cross CountrypaidaboutN223million,butAG Moellersaidthecompanywasstillowing N213million,” the witness said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —11

Nigeria needs structural change, not personality change —Mimiko, Adebanjo, Adams, others zAs South West leaders meet in Akure

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By Dayo Johnson

KURE—SOME South-West leaders, yesterday, said that the only genuine change the nation craves for now is that of the constitution and not of personality at the helm of the country’s affairs.

Rising from a six-hour meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, they therefore resolved to work assiduously to ensure that the Confab recommendations get translated to concrete realities and back President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election.

Notable Yoruba personalities in the region said this in Akure at a post National Conference Summit with the theme: “2015 Elections and the Yoruba Nation.”

Roll call

The leaders include Afenifere elder, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference, Senator Femi Okurounmu; Chairman, Unity Party of Nigeria UPN, Dr Fredrick Fasehun; Dr Kunle Olajide; Coordinator of Odua Peoples Congrees OPC, Otunba Gani Adams; Afenifere Secretary, Yinka Odumakin; Prof Dupe Olatubosun; Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Minister of state for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye among others.

Jonathan is more acceptable than eight years of General Buhari which will be a nightmare.

“General Buhari will introduce nightmares, dictatorial policies if Nigerians vote for him in the coming Presidential election.’’

Fasehun said UPN adopted Jonathan “ because he is the only good thing that is available to Nigeria now.

On his part, Otunba Gani Adams said that a vote for Jonathan is a vote for a better Nigeria as the constitution would be structurally changed Adams noted that the country is doomed if the report is thrown into the dustbin by those who do not believe in the confab talk less of its report.

Mimiko

Governor Olusegun Mimiko said that the confab report when implemented, will create room for each state to have its own

constitution, its own police force, its own prison service, can create its own local governments, can build its own airports, seaports and railways.

“I believe that the President, who set up the conference, wanted a transformed Nigeria and in his closing remarks at the end of the National Conference, he made it clear that the people of Nigeria have great roles to play in implementing the report.

The governor noted that those sceptics who alleged that the confab was a ruse and a Greek gift and that delegates were on a jamboree have been proved wrong.

“Now that they are scheming to hijack power so as to throw the Confab report to the dustbin of history, I am sure that they will."

Communique

In a communique issued after the meeting, the Yoruba leaders

commended the President for yielding to their yearnings and generality of Nigerians by conveying the 2014 National Conference.

“The Yoruba nation is committed to a united and indivisible Nigeria based on the principle of justice, equity and rule of law with ample respect and understanding for cultural, religious and linguistic differences; we resolved to fully back and work for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in the Presidential election as only this could guarantee the implementation of the Confab recommendation.’’

Those who signed the communique include PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; former Deputy governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Olujimi, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Eng Jide Adeniji and Kola Are of the Yoruba Self Determination Group.

Adebanjo speaks

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Adebanjo said that a vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the coming presidential election, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is a death sentence to the implementation of the confab report.

Adebanjo pointed out that the change Nigerians are calling for is structural change in the constitution, not personality.

“Who is succeeding Goodluck Jonathan? We must examine his antecedents. What we need is a change in the constitution not from Jonathan to Buhari. If a southerner is not allowed to implement the 633 resolutions in the report of the Confab, no Northerner will change it,’’ he said.

He noted that the resolutions taken at the national conference included the issue of state police, devolution of power, resource control, creation of local governments and rotational presidency.

According to him, the template for all the changes that Nigeria as a nation needs are embedded in the report of the conference submitted to the President.

Fasehun

Dr Fredrick Fasehun said that four more years of President

SUMMIT: From left; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC,, Dr Frederick Fasehun, and Publicity Secretary of Yoruba Unity Forum, Otunba Kunle Olajide, at the Post-National Conference Summit, in Akure, yesterday.

Shun injustice, Amosun tells Police, others ELECTIONS:

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By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—GOVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday, urged the authorities of Nigeria Police and other security outfits in the country to be professional and shun all forms of injustice during the forthcoming general elections.

Amosun stated this while receiving the newly redeployed Commissioner of Police to the state, Valentine Ntomchukwu, in his office.

He spoke as President Goodluck Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation in Ogun State berated the governor for visiting the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the state, describing it as a

gross violation of the ‘independence’ of the commission.

The Director, Media and Publicity of Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in the state, Steve Oliyide, said the visit

by Amosun was a subtle way to blackmail and compromise the electoral body.

Urging the police and other security agencies to hold fast to the tenets of the law and operate within its ambit, Amosun said the only way to engender a peaceful, free and fair election in the state and the country at large was to be fair to all, adding that no one should be above the law.

He said: “The slogan, ‘Police is your Friend’ should not be a mere statement but must be

reflected in all their dealings with the people. My advice is that once you (the police) are professional in your dealing with the people and all the political parties, there would be no problem, especially when people see that no one is above the law.

We would not tolerate it in Ogun. Nobody should be above the law. This I have demonstrated and this can be seen in our conduct during the ward to ward campaign across the state.”

Speaking, Ntomchukwu commended the governor for his support to the force, noting that from the report he had been furnished with on arrival to the state by his men, the ‘governor is policefriendly.’

Groups rejoice over Obasanjo's exit from PDP

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By Onozure Dania

BADAN—TWO pressure groups, the Dynamic Yoruba Youth, DYY, and an Abuja-based Youth Initiative for Social Change, YISC, yesterday celebrated former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s exit from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Obasanjo, on Monday, dumped the party and tore his membership card just as the Ogun State chapter of the PDP expelled him.

Commending the Ogun chapter party for expelling Obasanjo, the DYY, in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State and signed by its General Coordinator, Oluwatosin Ajibade, said Obasanjo’s exit is good riddance to bad rubbish. The group wondered how the party had tolerated him for so long, considering his anti-party activities which it said were clearly inimical to PDP’s progress not only in the South-West but across the country.

In like manner, the YISC in a statement by its Coordinator, Adetola Omu, condemned Obasanjo’s ‘’ungentlemanly conduct of tearing the PDP membership card. We were shocked and embarrassed beyond words over what Baba Obasanjo did."

‘Polls shift, plot to suffocate Nigerians'

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ARRI—A member of the All Progressive Congress APC in Delta State, Chief Isaac Emetitiri, has said the needless postponement of the Presidential and governorship elections was a deliberate plot by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to further suffocate Nigerians.

Emetitiri, at a briefing yesterday in Warri, Delta State, also appealed to members of the APC and Nigerians not to compromise their desire for change and patiently wait to vote PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan out of office on March 28.

He also insisted that by the Uvwiamughe declaration made by the entire Urhobo nation, the one million votes of Urhobo will go to General Mohammadu Buhari, APC presidential candidate and Chief O'tega Emerhor, APC governorship candidate in Delta state, as sole candidates of Urhobo nation.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Soldiers'll provide security during elections in Rivers —ARMY GENERAL

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— COMMANDER, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt Barracks, Brigadier-General Koko Essien, has said that the military will provide security during the general elections in Rivers State.

Brigadier-General Essien, in his maiden briefing with journalists, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said soldiers would be involved in the elections in accordance with the provisions of the law, stressing that the army had been meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the issue.

He said: “We are holding meetings with INEC. We have the duty to support the Police.

How many gunboats do the Police have to escort electoral materials? Where the Police is weak, we will strengthen them. All we will do will be based on the law.

“We have a mandate to support the elections with security. We will provide security to INEC on land and on water as may be appropriate and constitutional. We will do everything to ensure people are safe to vote.”

Brigadier-General Essien called for partnership between

the media and his Command to avoid misinformed reports.

“We need to synergise to help the state. We need partnership.

The press should please verify information around our operations. We had reports last week on our exercise that was misreported in the media.”

Brigadier-General Essien,

who is also Commander, Sector II of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Rivers State, said that his command had re strategized to deal with the problems of cultism, kidnapping and other challenges of insecurity in the state.

“Rival cult groups have been

at each other’s throats. There is an increase in kidnapping.

We are strategising to deal with the situation in the state,” he said.

He appealed to people of the state to feel free to come out to vote for the candidate of their choice at the general polls.

EMPOWERMENT: From left: Mrs Pat Balogun, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Hajia Maimuna Momodu, Executive Director, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Elizabeth Jimoh and Mrs Esther Amunega, at the empowerment of 846 widows by Edo State Government, yesterday.

POLLS: IYC urges Jega to allow use of TVCs, PVCs

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

ENAGOA—THE leadership of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to allow eligible voters to vote candidates of their choice with Temporary Voters Cards, TVCs, where Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, are not available.

President of IYC, Udengs Eradiri, who spoke to newsmen in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, shortly after a meeting of youth leaders of SouthSouth ethnic nationalities, said INEC should allow voters with TVCs to vote in the elections.

He lamented that most eligible voters in the Niger Delta region were yet to collect their PVCs and as such should be allowed to vote with their TVCs. He said: “If the law has said that we have the right to vote, so any person with a TVC rather than PVC should be allow to vote and not be

disenfranchised.

The constitution guarantees every individual the right to vote and be voted for. Therefore, we are saying that in areas where

people don’t have PVCs, they should be allowed to vote with their TVCs. Accordingly, the two should be valid.”

He lauded the commission

for shifting the polls to March and April, saying “the extension has afforded some Nigerians the opportunity to get their PVCs.”

‘Kuku involved in non-integration of Justice Group into Amnesty Programme'

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—FORMER militant leader, David Owhegbe has accused the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, of working with the Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, to deprive members of the Justice Group from being integrated into the Third Phase of the programme.

The Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, OSAPND, had in its response to a request by the group for integration and documentation into the amnesty programme, noted that OSAPND did not disarm ex-agitators.

“The core mandate of OSAPND is the rehabilitation and

reintegration of ex-agitators based on the list forwarded to it by JTF as part of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Pursuant to the above, you are hereby advised to direct your complaints regarding submission of arms, allocation of slots or documentation of names to the appropriate authority,” OSAPND had said in response in a letter

by Adesuwa Okundaye.

But the JTF, in a letter from its headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State had directed the ex-agitators to the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme.

Reacting to the development in a chat with our correspondent in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, Ohwegbe explained that they

were disarmed by the 3 Battalion, Effurun, emphasizing that they had been agitating for documentation and integration of their members into the Third Phase of the amnesty programme.

He said: “We have been on this issue for a long time and we have been pursuing it legally. But from the look of things, Kuku and the JTF are playing games with our documentation and integration into the phase three of the amnesty programme.

“We are good citizens of Nigeria and we embraced the amnesty programme because we want peace, but now they don’t want to give us our stipends. We wrote to Amnesty Office and they wrote to us that we should go to JTF, and now JTF is telling us to go to the Amnesty Office.”

DESOPADEC Commissioner drums support for Okowa, others

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HE Commissioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, Joseph Ogeh, has called on Deltans, especially the Isoko, to vote massively for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in the April election.

Ogeh, when he led a PDP campaign team on a unit-to-unit tour of Iyede Kingdom, Isoko North council, also called on the Isoko to vote all PDP candidates in the March/ April elections. The candidates include Leo Ogor Okuweh, for House of Representatives Isoko federal constituency, Senator James Manager for Delta South senatorial district and Tim Owhefere for Delta State House of Assembly to represent Isoko North constituency.

Frontiers Newspapers Executive Editor, Idonor for burial

T

HE family of late Executive Editor of Frontiers Newspaper Online, Mr. Daniel Idonor, has announced his burial arrangements.

According to the famly, Christian wake and service of songs hold at his residence 16, Pibe Street, Mpape, Abuja, on February 23, while he will be laid to rest at his residence Opposite Victory Group of Schools, Old Ogor Road, Ughelli, Delta State, on February 27.

Many prominent Nigerians and professional colleagues including spokeman of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, had visited his Abuja residence to commiserate with the family he left behind.

Aged 45, Mr. Idonor, passed away on February 2, 2015, at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.

He is survived by a widow and four children.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—13

Delta PDP expels Ochei, Omo-Agege, others "...we left PDP last year on our own," they insist

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—DELTA State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, expelled the immediate past Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, former Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Doris Uboh and Mr Ngozi Okolie from the party for leaving the party to contest elections on the platforms of other political parties.

Announcing the expulsions shortly after the State Executive meeting, Chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor, said: “Any member of the PDP who left the party to contest against the party ’s candidate from another party has been expelled.

“We rose from a meeting this morning (yesterday) and their expulsion was approved. I am telling you this as the chairman of the party. The party had earlier issued an ultimatum to the erring

members to retrace their steps failing which they would be sanctioned. These persons never took the party ’s warnings seriously, hence their expulsion.”

Disclosing that over 10 members were suspended from the party for engaging in anti-party activities, Uzor said; “There are several others on the party’s watch list who it will not hesitate to sanction

accordingly.”

But reacting, Omo-Agege, said: “The exercise is a joke taken too far. They should wake up from their slumber and smell the coffee. How can PDP expel a man who voluntarily left the party since last year, and is now a bonafide and happy member of Labour Party?

“We are committed to the struggle of electing a more

credible governor in the person of Chief Great Ogboru for the state. We have moved past PDP and we refuse to be distracted.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mr Ochei said his decision to move out of the PDP was in realization of his desire to render qualitative representation to the people of Delta North and would not be dissuaded by political detractors.

Okrika rally must be concluded —APC

VISIT: All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, his campaign team and his wife, Rita, during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Agbor Kingdom, the Dein of Agbor, at the king's palace in Agbor.

By Davies Iheamnachor

logistics support early this week through a local clericpolitician.

“The destabilization scheme is conceived, funded and directed by a group based in Abuja alongside their underlings in Edo State in the cold calculation that once the teeming supporters of Oshiomhole were frightened away, they would then dominate the Edo space."

P

ORT HARCOURT—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, has insisted that its rally in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State must hold, just as it called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sanction the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for allegedly violating the peace accord signed by the political parties in the state.

Rivers State Chairman of APC, David Iyofor, who addressed newsmen on the Okrika violence in Port Harcourt, said the APC campaign team must conclude its rally in Okrika despite the disruption of the rally on two occasions by alleged PDP sponsored gunmen.

He alleged that the attacks on the party at Okrika allegedly masterminded by the PDP would not stop them from concluding their campaign as expected in the area.

Edo govt alleges plot of high-profile killings

By Simon Ebegbulem

minded and unwilling to file fabricated stories to promote ENIN—EDO State opposition parties.

Government, yesterday, “To achieve this, hard-boiled raised alarm over an alleged cultists, who were contracted plot by people it described as to attack and vandalize the anti-democratic forces to Edo House of Assembly unleash a reign of terror on the quarters last year, have again state through high-profile been recruited and indeed killings ahead of the March 28 given mobilization running and April 11 general elections. into millions of naira and other The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, in a statement, said: “The objective, we gathered, is not only to put fear in the minds

By Festus Ahon & of the teeming supporters of Akpokona Omafuaire All Progressives Congress, APC, but also to make the state SABA—DELTA State ungovernable for Governor Police Command has Adams Oshiomhole. arrested four persons for “The new evil agenda is akin allegedly stealing 7,365 to the one unleashed in 2012 Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs ahead of the governorship and registers at Oghara, election in which the Principal Ethiope West Local Private Secretary to the Government Area of the state. governor, Olaitan Oyerinde, The suspects include was brutally murdered. Till Aherebe Godday ‘m’, date, the killers are yet to be Omajemite Justice ‘m’, Oyubu brought to justice.

Ejiro ‘m’ and Lucky Aputu ’m’, “On the latest hit list are key aged 46. figures in the administration, A staff of the Independent APC leaders, a vocal palace National Electoral chief as well as journalists Commission, INEC, in the considered too independent- area, Mr Ajiah Adewale had

B

Delta police arrest four over theft of 7,365 PVCs, registers

A

made a statement to the police in Oghara that gunmen broke into INEC's office in Oghara and made away with the cards and register.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Celestina Kalu, said based on the report that 6,000 PVCs were stolen, detectives swung into action and arrested the security guards of the commission, adding that the stolen PVCs and a register had been recovered and handed over to INEC. Kalu said investigation was still on to ensure that all those involved in the crime were brought to book.

Okowa Campaign Organization urges youths' support

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HE Okowa C a m p a i g n Organization has called on youths in Delta State to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the April 11 and March 28 elections.

A statement by Kingsley Mordi, a member of the Media and Publicity Committee of the organization, urged youths and professionals in Delta State to come out en- mass to support Okowa for governorship and Mrs. Joan Mrakpor for the House of Representative elections.

He said: “The youths should show their support and love for these PDP candidates because they are not only tested and trusted hands but are youth friendly leaders."

Why I transformed Calabar South, by Imoke

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OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, has said that his reason for embarking on massive development of Calabar South was because he was not impressed with the level of development in the area when he assumed office in 2007.

The governor, during interactions with the Traditional Rulers Council and Opinion Leaders, when he led the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in continuation of the statewide campaign to the area, said that the giant strides recorded in Calabar South was as a result of the relative peace brought about by the royal fathers as well as opinion leaders in the area.

He said: “While Calabar Municipality was enjoying all the infrastructure and social amenities and upgrading of same, the South was not receiving any attention for many years for obvious reasons which made people to wonder if Calabar South was not part of the state capital."

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14— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Reps ask FG to release audit firm's full report $20BN MISSING OIL MONEY:

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to release the full audit report of Price Waterhouse Coopers on the missing $20 billion in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for further investigations.

This development was sequel to a motion raised under matters of public importance by the minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, Surulere Federal Constituency, Lagos.

The minority leader in his submission, said: “The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had raised an alarm that $20bn oil was missing from our coffers”.

forensic audit report by Price Waterhouse Coopers on the missing NNPC $20 billion oil money submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan whittled the alleged missing sum to N274.54 billion ($1.48 billion).

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, had said on Wednesday that the manner of appointment of Price Waterhouse Coopers and the submission of its report were fraught with irregularities.

According to him, the chain of the appointment of the independent audit firm (Price Waterhouse Coopers) and the submission of the report were wrong.

“Auditor General did not know about the appointment of the Price Waterhouse Coopers. He didn’t know of the terms of engagement, it was done by the ministry (Finance).

“So when they now brought the report, the Ministry of Finance now said don’t give it to me, go and give it to the President because the Auditor General is independent according to the Constitution. If they gave it to her (Minister), it will be seen as if the office of the Auditor General is subsumed under Ministry of Finance.

“They now took Price Waterhouse Coopers to submit it to the President and directed the President to give it to the Auditor

General to present it to Nigerians.

The House must cause them (Federal Government) to lay the report before us,” Adeola noted.

'Report a charade'

The lawmaker reiterated his conviction that the whole report was a charade, wondering how out of $20 billion, NNPC was only indicted for $1.48 billion.

“We need to know where the balance of $18.52 billion is,” he said.

He said if need be, the House would appoint an independent consultant who will ascertain the forensic report on NNPC account to know the truthfulness or otherwise of the skeletal report put in public domain.

Point of order

But before Gbajabiamila could continue, Leo Ogor, PDP Isoko Federal Constituency, raised a point of order pointing out that the minority leader erred in requesting the House to suspend the rule of the House, contrary to Section 48.

The presiding officer, Aminu Tambuwal, however, declared that Ogor was trying to overrule his earlier decision and ordered him to sit down for Gbajabiamila to continue.

The speaker said: “ The alarm raised then had generated a lot of agitation across the country which led to the engagement of Price Waterhouse Coopers by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to carry out a forensic audit of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. “The Federal Government should release the full report to all so that a further probe can be carried out on the issue.”

Voice vote

At this point, Tambuwal put it to a voice vote and the ayes unanimously supported the move.

It would be recalled that the

ROYAL BIRTHDAY: Oba Dapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke-Ona Egba, celebrator with wives and children, cutting the birthday cake to mark his 77th birthday in Abeokuta, yesterday. Photo: Wunmi Akinola.

SALARY AGITATION:

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BUJA—FOLLOWING alleged threat by Policemen to embark on

strike over unpaid salaries and allowances, the Police High Command has warned that any breach of discipline would be visited with

NGE loses ex-Vice President, North

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BUJA—THE Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, yesterday announced the passing of one its former Vice-Presidents, Malam Saleh Mahdi, of Borno State Radio and Television, Maiduguri.

Saleh died on Wednesday after a brief illness. He is survived by a wife and eight children.

A statement signed the General Secretary, Isaac Ighure, said his remains had been interred at his Maiduguri residence, in accordance with Muslim rites.

Saleh was Vice President (North) of the NGE between 2004 and 2005 and was later elected as a member

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of the Standing Committee in Bauchi in December, 2005.

He was re-elected to the position in 2006 for another two years and had his last outing with the Guild at its 2013 Convention in Ibadan.

Reacting to Saleh’s death, the NGE President, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he was benumbed when he heard the news of his death, describing him as a most committed member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. ‘’It is a very sad development.

I remember Saleh as someone who would attend any programme of the NGE in whatever part of the country, despite being based in

By Laide AkinboadeOriere

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BUJA—THE Federal Government is set to make first degree the minimum teaching qualification in Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, disclosed this yesterday, when he received Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, who paid him a visit in his office in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government would explore all measures to restore the respect, dignity and status of teachers in the country.

He was reacting to Ambassador SuomelaChowdhury’s declaration that all teachers in Finland had a minimum of masters degree and that teaching is a highly competitive profession because of huge interest by too many qualified people.

The minister, who said the target of the Federal Government was to make first degree as minimum teaching qualification, noting that from 1980, the minimum teaching qualification to teach in school was National Certificate in Education, NCE. He said this could be upped to first degree in time to come, adding that currently, there was a number of graduates teaching in primary schools in the country.

Police IG warns against breach

of discipline

By Kingsley Omonobi

FG plans first degree as minimum teaching qualification

Maiduguri.

“He was as constant as the Northern Star; and that is why when he could not come to Katsina for our annual conference last August, it was very strange, and a number of us placed phone calls to him. ‘’The insurgency was particularly fierce at the period, and he explained that getting out of Maiduguri was difficult and dangerous.

“He promised to see us at the next outing. That next time would not come, at least, not for Saleh. He has gone the way of all flesh. How we will miss him!

May God accept his soul,” Adesina prayed.

appropriate sanctions.

Force headquarters said in a statement: “The attention of Police High Command has been drawn to a media publication captioned, ‘Policemen Threaten Strike over unpaid salaries’.

“At the outset, it is pertinent to state that, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force is mindful of its responsibility towards the welfare of the workforce; part of which is promotion and recognition of hard work.

“As is expected, every promotion attracts some financial benefits, and which have been deeply considered in the course of processing and approving the promotions.

“For the avoidance of doubt the Nigeria Police Force is working assiduously with relevant government departments and agencies to effect the payment of the promotion arrears.

“Meanwhile, all promoted

officers have since January 2015 been enjoying the salaries attendant on their new ranks.

“It needs be stated for the umpteenth time that the Nigeria Police Force is founded on the bedrock of discipline and loyalty.

“The Police regulation has provided enough windows for aggrieved officers to ventilate their grievances.

“The IGP wishes to use this medium to restate his commitment to the welfare of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

“Hence all hands must be on deck to sustain measures put in place to ensure a safe and secured nation.

“As such, the IGP is miffed that officers have to recourse to unapproved channels to air their perceived grievances.

“The IGP therefore warns such officers of the dire consequences of breaching extant rules and regulations.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 — 15

Be courageous cleric urges Nigerians

By Chidi Nkwopara

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W E R R I — DESPITE the growing level of anxiety and fear of unknown, Nigerians have been advised to remain courageous as the nation will not sink after the 2015 general elections.

Bishop of Okigwe South Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. David O. Onuoha, gave the advice during the 25th Episcopal Synod and regular meeting of the Owerri Provincial Council, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Ezeoke Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Council area of Imo State.

“There is serious apprehension in some quarters that if the opposition party wins the election, Nigeria will be Islamized and if the ruling party is re-elected, there will be war. Such things are truly disturbing”, Bishop Onuoha said.

Leave UPU alone, Urhobo group tells Jonathan

A

N Urhobo pressure group, Urhobo United for Change, has called on President Jonathan to stop alleged meddling in Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, affairs and concentrate on how to get a second term in office.

In a statement released by the group in Oghara, its President, Jonathan Amrede Etarighovwera, advised the President to spend what little time he has left before the election to market himself to Nigerians instead of festering crisis in the umbrella body of a tribe he doesn’t belong to.

Accusing the President of allegedly sponsoring a governorship candidate and others to create crisis in UPU for the purpose of splitting Urhobo votes so that his fellow party man, Senator Okowa can be victorious in the governorship elections, Etarigovwera insisted that ''Urhobos will never be divided. Tuesday Onoge is our undisputed leader of UPU and O’tega Emerhor our one and only incoming governor of Delta State.''

No bail for you, court tells 11 pro-Biafra activists

By Austin Ogwuda

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NUGU—A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Enugu, yesterday refused bail to 11 members of pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionists Federation, BZF led by Benjamin Onwuka, saying granting them bail might hamper security situation in the country since the group was violent.

Ruling on their bail application, the presiding judge, Justice D.V. Agishi said in exercise of the discretion of the court that it

would grant the application as the court was not convinced that the group was not a violent organization as canvassed by their counsel, Mr. Olu Omotayo while moving the application.

Justice Agishi recalled two ugly incidents when the group allegedly stormed the Government House in Enugu and the State Broadcasting Station leading to a loss of life and adjourned hearing of the case to March 19, 2015.

They were ordered back to Enugu prisons where they were remanded since last year.

Prosecution counsel, Mrs. A. G Ezedigbo, had on behalf of the Federation Government pleaded

with the court not to grant the accused bail on the ground that BZF was a violent movement seeking to restore back the Biafra Republic.

He described the group as a political structure earlier disbanded by the Federal Government of Nigeria and cited the case between the ex-Niger Delta warlord, Dokubo Asari and the Federal Government.

But the defence counsel, Mr. Omotayo contended that the “Biafra Zionist Federation, is a peaceful movement for the liberation of the entire Biafra people of former Eastern region of Nigeria and the Biafra Zionist Federation, BZF, is not an

VISIT: From left; Mr Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor, Vanguard Newspaper; Anne-Marie PalmerIkuku, Head, Media Relations, Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas, NLNG; Mr Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard Newspaper presenting copies of Vanguard newspapers publications to Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke, General Manager, External Relations, NLNG and Clara Nwachukwu, Energy Editor, Vanguard Newspaper during a courtesy visit by NLNG team to Vanguard Newspapers Head office in Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

outlawed organization in Nigeria”, pointing out that the instant case should not be likened to the case between the Dokubo Asari and the Federal Government which prosecution heavily relied on in opposing the bail application.

The 11 accused persons are facing a treasonable offence over an alleged attempt to declare the Republic of Biafra.

They are Benjamin Onwuka, Ndubisi Nnamushi, Kelvin Ekeh, Japhet Nwodo and Fidelis Nwonu. Others were Paulinus Uzoegbu, Sunday Chukwuma, Uduma Uduma, Betrand Obiekwe, Abraham Ugwu and Ijaga Samson.

They were also charged to have “on or about the 5th day of June, 2014 at Enugu within the jurisdiction of the Federal high court of Nigeria with intent to secede and make a live broadcast for secession of Biafra as a nation, you armed yourselves with dangerous weapons and attacked the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, Radio House and forced the staff on duty to play on air a CD (compact disc) containing Biafra jingles and speeches of late Odumegwu Ojukwu wih a view to securing or procuring unconstitutionally the restoration of Biafran nation and to overthrow the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, thereby committed the offence of treason contrary to Section 37 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, LFN, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the same Act.”

Only Jega can guarantee success of 2015 elections – GROUP

By Jonah Nkwopoku

L

AGOS—NATIONAL Coordinator, Move on Nigeria, Clem Aguiyi has said the success or failure of the forthcoming general elections

lies with the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

Aguiyi, who stated this during a media chat in Lagos, said “only Jega and Jega can

guarantee the success or otherwise of the 2015 general elections. Jega’s poor narrative surreptitiously draws the Nigerian military into the fray and for a country that has had its full dose of military

Senator Abe condemns attack on APC Okrika rally

T

HE Senator representing Rivers South-East and All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the Senatorial election, Senator Magnus Abe, has condemned in strong terms the attempt on the lives of APC faithful, including the Governorship Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, at Okrika.

Senator Abe Wondered why anybody would for the sake of politics unleash terror on law abiding citizens whose only offence is engaging in legitimate political campaign in a part of the State.

He said no Nigerian deserved to die for identifying with a

political party and campaigning for votes, describing the perpetrators as enemies of peace and the nation, who valued power above the lives of innocent Nigerians.

According to him, “ what happened at the APC rally at Okrika was unfortunate for our democracy and the freedom associated with it. Why would anybody unleash terror, violence and plot to kill people because of politics? Politics was there before we were born, and will be there even when we have left the stage; if you kill the people you plan to govern who you will govern.”

The Senator decried the

persistent politically motivated attacks on APC members in Rivers State, but disclosed that Nigerians were wiser and could not be intimidated or cowed in the quest for change towards a corruption, impunity and insecurity free nation.

“What we are experiencing is the reign of terror by people that know their days in the leadership of our country are numbered.

Nigerians are ready for change and our votes will count”, the APC Rivers South-East Senatorial candidate said.

He praised the peaceful disposition of APC members in Rivers State in the face of unjustifiable attacks.

disruptions it is ominous at the least to suggest that the military are beginning to fiddle with our democracy.”

Aguiyi noted that the INEC under Jega was poorly prepared for the elections and that the elections were never postponed because of insecurity as claimed

by Jega.

He said “If Prof. Jega had gone ahead to conduct the presidential election on February 14, over 26 million Nigerians would have been disenfranchised, since they have not been issued with their PVC cards. The need to avoid the preclusion of these 26 million Nigerians ought to have been the overriding perspective for the postponement of the elections. ''Days after the rescheduled election, the efficacy of the card readers that were to be deployed for the elections have not been field-tested and contingencies and protocol for mitigating real time challenges have also not been mapped out, as such to predicate the future of Nigeria on an untested solution is at once reckless and totally irresponsible.''

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Abia govt empowers youths in Ikwuano LG with 30 vehicles

Cybokmedia makes online impression

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N less than a month s i n c e cybokmedia.com came on stream, it is making a strong impression in online news. It’s now a reference point in online news.

According to Clement Okitikpi, the publisher/ Editor in chief and former MD/Editor in Chief of THEWEEK Magazine, the advantage that cybokmedia.com has is that subscribers receive the news as it happens.

They do not need to wait for a particular time of the day to get the news.

He said all it takes is to visit www.cybokmedia.com and subscribe for updates through the subscription box and confirm their subscription in their emails to ensure regular news alert. ''The good thing is, the subscription is free. You can receive the news any where and on your phone, tablet, laptop computer and other devices. It’s the greatest thing to happen to news reporting,'' he said.

By Anayo Okoli

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COMMISSIONING: Deputy Chief of Mission, United States Embassy, Abuja, Maria Brewer, (right) with Maritime Affairs Officer, LTCM Sean Hays, during the commissioning ceremony of Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana and three other ships by President Goodluck Jonathan in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: U.S. Consulate General, Lagos.

Six die, eight hospitalized as cholera hits Ebonyi communities

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—NO fewer than six persons were yesterday confirmed dead while eight others were hospitalized following cholera outbreak in three communities in the state.

The communities affected were Amachi, Edomia and Ikelegu in Abakaliki and Ebonyi Local Government areas of the state.

Confirming the outbreak, the

APGA'll win all Senate, House of Reps seats in Anambra — IGBEKE

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

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NITSHA—SENATOR Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, the Director-General of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Campaign Organization for Anambra State Elections, has expressed optimism that APGA will win all the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats in Anambra State during the March and April 2015 general elections.

He urged members to intensify their campaign activities, using the window created by the shift in election dates to cover remaining grounds if any, to ensure total and resounding victory for the party in the elections.

Igbeke said those condemning the recent postponement of the elections should sheath their sword and reflect on what would have been the fate of over 34 percent of the total 68 million registered voters that would

have been disenfranchised had Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not shifted the polls.

He charged all APGA candidates to capitalize on the shift to further consolidate their popularity and winning strings.

Senator Igbeke opined that the achievements recorded by Governor Willie Obiano’s administration in less than one year in office were enough to guarantee landslide victory for the party and affirmed that the candidates fielded by the party were the best for the elections.

He however condemned the continued engagement in campaign activities by some candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State whose names were recently removed by the Court of Appeal, arguing that any of them found campaigning should be arrested and prosecuted.

While aligning himself with

State Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Christian Achi said six persons died in the council areas while eight persons had been hospitalized and currently receiving treatment in nearby health centres.

Achi said government health officials had been mobilized to the affected communities and some of the victims in critical condition had been stabilized.

He attributed the outbreak of the disease to lack of personal hygiene, portable water and toilet facilities.

“We are advising people to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. When the first case was recorded, we instructed that the person be buried immediately without burial ceremonies but the people did not obey the directive and it affected other victims. The people exposed whatever they eat to flies and these flies perched on them and transmitted diseases such as this

to them”, he stated.

Achi observed that “most of the people don’t have toilet facilities as they defecate around their houses which make it easier for the diseases to be transmitted to them” and announced that the state government had sealed over 30 houses for lack of toilet facilities.

The Director advised the people to ensure regular hand-washing with running water to avoid transmission of diseases in various communities across the state.

POLLS: Stop dictating to INEC, Umeh tells PDP National Electoral Commission,

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to stop dictating to the Independent

Don tasks Nigerians on cancer

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—WORRIED by the increasing cases of cancer in the country, a Surgical Oncologist, Professor Emmanuel Ezeome, has called on Nigerians to report early cases of cancer, saying it is curable once detected and treatment commences at the early stage.

Prof. Ezeome disclosed this yesterday during the 90th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria, tagged, “Cancer in Nigeria: Surviving the emerging epidemic.”

He said:”Cancer is survivable.

Even though the incidence is increasing, we want to show people that if we put our house

MUAHIA—ABIA State Government has given out 30 vehicles to youths in Ikwuano Local Government Area as part of its youths’ empowerment programme.

Speaking before handing over the vehicles to the beneficiaries at the Ikwuano Local Government Council headquarters, Governor Theodore Orji, explained that the gesture was for the second batch of youths in the area as some of them had earlier got theirs.

According to Governor Orji, his government wanted the best for the people of the state and pointed out that apart from providing immediate employment for the youths, the vehicles had enhanced their status.

He said Abia State is ranked high in youth empowerment in the country, noting that apart from the vehicles, his administration had also distributed other empowerment items to youths and women.

According to him, the youths’ empowerment programme would continue till the end of his administration, advising the beneficiaries to use the vehicles to work in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the coming elections.

together, more people will be surviving Cancer. We brought many of the survivors to share their testimony. These survivors were treated here in Nigeria. One thing is needed for survival.

People should not waste time to lodge a complaint at the hospital. ''Then, it is the duty of the Doctor to make sure that he treats Cancer. It is curable. Figures suggest that people from the south-east that are cancer patients is increasing. ''Government should come in by providing early HPV vaccination for Cervical Cancers. Two shots in children will be enough. Those of them that are sexually active should learn to examine their breasts.

INEC, on how to go about the forthcoming general elections.

Umeh, who is the senatorial candidate of APGA for Anambra Central, also condemned what he described as the grandstanding of PDP concerning the general elections, claiming the way PDP was going about the elections had the capacity to truncate the country’s democracy.

He said: “PDP is not the only political party contesting this election. They should stop embarrassing this country with their actions and utterances.

They should stop dictating to Professor Attahiru Jega how he should conduct the elections”.

Umeh accused some members of PDP in the state of formenting violence and campaign of calumny in electioneering.

According to him, some of them were perfecting plans to rig the election, stressing that the people of the state would resist such act with the last drop of their blood.

The APGA chairman warned that nobody should take APGA’s adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in the March 28 polls for granted.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —17

Murder most foul

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N Tuesday, I attended an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Okrika, Rivers State. The stars of the shows were Dr Dakuku Peterside and Honourable Asita, the APC’s clever and amiable governorship candidate and running mate.

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, comes from Okrika. Let’s be fair and admit that none of us would like the idea of our husbands’ opponents not only making merry on our doorsteps but also loudly listing our husbands’ shortcomings in a public space on the eve of an election!

The First Lady does not own Okrika. And those who do not share her high opinion of her embattled presidential spouse and their cronies do not require her permission to engage with Okrikan voters and offer

them alternatives.

Furthermore, Dr Peterside is an Old Boy of Okrika Grammar School and is certainly entitled to visit the town in which his alma mater is situated. And when I accompanied him and his entourage to Okrika, I assumed that I would be safe, not least because the rally was going to be filmed and screened live on TV. I was wrong. Within minutes of the event’s commencement,

Within minutes of the event’s commencement, bullets started to whiz around; panic ensued; I fell over and nearly got crushed to death in the stampede to escape from the venue

An unpleasant surprise T HE All Progressives Con gress, APC, was formed in February 2013, when Nigeria’s four biggest opposition parties - the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and a faction of the All ProgressivesGrandAlliance,APGA – merged.

I remember saying, at the time, that there was strength in numbers and that this new creation was very likely to become a formidable force to be reckoned with; but most of my

•Bola Tinubu C M Y K

friends disagreed with me whenever we discussed the issue.

Widespread scepticism about APC also existed beyond my social circle.

So many people regarded the merger as an untenable marriage of convenience and were sure that it would never stabilise into a successful love match.

So many people were sure that the two main protagonists in the drama - APC Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CPC icon, General Muhammadu Buhari – were

*Upturned canopy, broken equipment at venue of the rally following the attack and stampede bullets started to whiz around.

Panic ensued. I fell over and nearly got crushed to death in the stampede to escape from the venue. That I got out of there alive is a miracle.

Someone very kind – a guy, a policeman I think - dragged me to my feet and dragged me to a vehicle that eventually

conveyed me back to Port Harcourt.

I hurt my arm but was lucky compared to the poor brave police officer who was shot and the amazing colleague – a Channels TV journalist who was stabbed. At one point in this nightmare, I wound up next to the dead police offic-

er’s corpse. All I could do was repeatedly make the sign of the cross and cry and pray.

But I’m completely traumatised by the experience and will never forget that poor police officer who left his house that morning not knowing he would never return.

strange bedfellows and too egotistical to compromise with each other.

So many people expected them to clash spectacularly, very early on, and to never settle into a productive partnership.

So many people were sure that Tinubu and Buhari’s followers would also find it impossible to bond…and would wind up squabbling constantly, like a bunch of ferocious ferrets trapped in the same sack and fighting over scraps of meat.

The almost craven belief in the power of incumbency is so deeply entrenched in our collective psyche that few onlookers seriously believed that the relatively ill-resourced APC could knock the PDP off its elevated perch; and SO MANY people assured me that Amaechihadmadethebiggestmistake of his life.

Some folks expressed this view sneeringly and gleefully because they loathed Amaechi and wanted him to be messed up. But most of the folks who expressed this view were fond of Amaechi and genuinely concerned for his welfare.

Looking back, I can see why so many onlookers were pessimistically convinced that the APC was Dead On Arrival. It was, after all, entirely possible that an amalgamation of so many disparate elements would fail in terms of internal mechanics, in-house relationships and its impact on the society as a whole.

It took me a while to coldly turn my back on Goodluck Jonathan – my onetime hero and Niger Delta brother – and buy into the APC’s “CHANGE”mantra.

Now that I have done so, it gives me great pleasure to say that the APC has done fantastically well since it received approval from the

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on July 31, 2013, to become a political party.

Nobody is sure what the future holds. Some say that Jonathan is so desperate that there will be no election. Others say that there will be an election and that Jonathan is more popular than he currently looks and will win.

Whatever the case may turn out to be, APC has been an unpleasant surprise for those who yearned for its failure. Its different components have blended with surprising maturity. It has generated a massive momentuous bandwagon effect.

I thank Buhari, Tinubu, Amaechi et al, for providing me and many other disillusioned Nigerians who crave CHANGE with a sense of hope.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

Power of incumbency So many people seriously doubted that the APC could ever become a significant thorn in the flesh of the mighty ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. PDP card carriers were particularly disparaging about the APC’s chances of surviving and thriving, even when five PDP Governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) – decamped to the APC in November 2013 and were soon joined by legislators who were loyal to them.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 AFTER investing billions of Naira in fighting corruption, the verdict of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is that corruption persists in Nigeria because we do not have institutions, systems and processes to prevent corruption. She should know.

“The cause of the disease is that we do not have in place the institutions, the systems and the processes to block and prevent it in the first place.

That is the only difference between us and the people abroad,” Okonjo-Iweala said at the Catholic Caritas Foundation Forum in Abuja. People, she said, would shun corruption if the appropriate systems were in place.

She did not say what her idea of the appropriate measures to prevent corruption would be or what she thought of the two anti-corruption agencies – Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC. What about the police and other security agencies? What systems and processes does the Minister expect to prevent corruption?

The comparison between anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and “the people abroad” is absurd. Why do we not have institutions, processes and systems

Okonjo-Iweala’s Verdict On Corrup tion Corruption to prevent corruption? How did she operate in her many years in government without institutions, processes and systems?

What do we make of a high ranking government official speaking in these manners about other agencies of the government she serves? Worse still, she sustains the impression that nothing could be done about corruption without new agencies.

She should know how each new agency compounds the functioning of government with its bureaucracy and a life-long fight for space with other agencies.

Beyond these, corruption thrives on opaque

government practices. Secrecy in government operations enhances corruption. How open are governments willing to be?

Technology which she praised for weeding out about 62,893 ghost workers from the federal pay roll, and saving N208.7 billion is one of many processes to prevent corruption. Does the Minister not know this? Why are we prosecuting suspects in the pay roll and pension funds fraud, if there are no institutions to prevent corruption? Are these prosecutions not meant to deter offenders?

Corruption, even in the most effective systems, is challenging to prevent. In Nigeria, causes of corruption vary across sectors and circumstances.

However, laws that place personality of individuals above their crimes, and low sentences are incentives, especially as offenders are often able to keep their loot. Many Nigerians steal, inflate contracts, peddle influence create schemes, to meet needs of dependants.

Governments, the major sources of the looted resources, have too many loopholes in their operations which officials exploit. A strengthening of institutions, systems, and processes, and improvements in the general conditions of Nigerians would curb corruption.

OPINION

By Bobson Gbinije “No form of society can be reasonably stable in which the majority of the people are not fairly content.

People cannot be content if they feel that the foundations of their lives are wholly unstable.”

-James Truslow Adams (1878-1949) CONOMIC prosperity, peace and progress are the rewards which the people get in return for their commitment to the tenets of the ‘Social Contract’. Hence, the economist Dr. E. Schumacher (19111977) posited in his book “Small is Beautiful” that, “call a thing immoral or ugly, souldestroying or a degradation of man, peril to the world or to the well-being of future generations as long as you have not shown it to be “uneconomic” you have not really questioned its right to exist, grow and prosper.”

We need no econometric synopsis and catechism to know that the corrupt disposition of the Nigerian Leadership at all levels right from 1960 till date has left the Nigerian masses anaesthetized, indurated, castrated and asphyxiated by the scorching pangs of poverty. This is against the back drop of the fact that Nigeria is the sixth biggest producer of oil in the world. It has earned trillions of petro-dollars from 1956 when oil was first discovered at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, till its commercialization in 1958. The economic strangulation of Nigerians has been pursued and still being pursued with robust gusto by the ruling class right from independence, so much so that, it is now the fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy. The

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C M Y K

Corruption and arrested development quintessential entrenchment of poverty in Nigeria has become our National anthem, pledge and motto.

The Nigerian project and by extension the African agenda has been a still birth, a gridlock and a cliffhanger running in concentric circles because of the intravenous incapability of Nigeria to create a leadership focus. Existing statistical data show that Nigeria is cascading down the horrendous economic quagmire of weird poverty. In 1970, then 10years after independence, Nigeria was ranked 37th in the world with per capital income of $1, 00 U.S. dollar. But today, at more than 54 years after independence Nigeria is ranked the second poorest country in the world with a yearly

Nigeria will continue to steeple chase in the crevices of backwardness and arrested development unless the monster of corruption is given a gruesomely lethal blow through the introduction of the “Death penalty" for corruption misdemeanors

percentage income of $300 dollars. Poverty in Nigeria is catalytically fueled by the bane of corruption which has become our national ethos. The political leadership is unrelenting and religiously devoted to the god of corruption. The trial of corrupt government officials, right from independences till date is always manipulated and now still being manipulated. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, syndicate has rendered the EFCC, ICPC and CCB etc. impotent through the spider web of judicial intrigues. Nigerians are consigned to the ineluctable fate of dreadful poverty, economic objurgation and arrested development.

The long hand of corruption will definitely accentuate the gross darkness over shadowing our nation. The activities of politicians are so unthinkably bad that we hope that their inability to learn from the lessons of history will not turn the hands of our political clock backwards to the road to Yugoslavia and the Hobbesian state of nature manifested in a revolution, youth restiveness, communal clashes, riots, political unrest, religious schism, secession and Rawlings-like killing of the past and present leaders.

At over 54 years of independences, we need no political clairvoyant to know that the Nigerian nation is gallivanting and junketing in the cauldron of self-destruct, and like a chicken whose head has been cut off: it may run about in a lively way, but in fact it is dead. Nigeria is clinically nuanced in a morgue and it can only be brought back

to life through a Lazarus-like miracle. It needs an economic revolution, moral rearmament, social reinvention, leadership ablution, religious repositioning and political renaissance to rekindle it back to life.

Otherwise, all the laudably lofty ideas of NEPAD, SEEDS, NEEDS, PRIVATIZATION, CURRENCY REDENOMINATION, MICRO AND MACRO FINANCING THROUGH SMES, NIGER DELTA MASTER PLAN, DESOPADEC, AGRONOMY, COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION, POWER DISTRIBUTION, WATER PROJECT, ROAD CONSTRUCTION,HOUSINGANDMEDICAL PROJECTS etc. will continue to be a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury signifying nothing.

The challenges of the times and the quantifiable targets for government are captured in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). MDGs represents a global agreement setting out key standards that nations should achieve by 2015. The goals include the following: Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve Universal Primary Education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

Finally, Nigeria will continue to steeple chase in the crevices of backwardness and arrested development unless the monster of corruption is given a gruesomely lethal blow through the introduction of the “DEATH PENALTY” for corruption misdemeanors. *Mr. Gbinije, a social critic, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRAUARY 20, 2015— —19

Election 2015: Quo vadis Ndi Igbo?

By Clement Udegbe Ibos are a primordial family. We are together as Ibos by choice and not by force. When Ibos decide in full agreement of all our authentic leaders and in consensus of all our people to join a party, no matter what it is called, all Ibos will move together. We can never be divided by opportunistic renegades from within or by collusion with rampaging outsiders.---Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe, former Imo State Governor.

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LECTION 2015 is very crucial. It was predicted by a Director of CIA some time ago, to be the last Nigeria will have as one nation. Although some may want us to believe that it never happened, we know it was said, and some Nigerians weigh the stand of America over our national survival issues against that prediction. They also watch and follow political developments to see how they fit into that prediction. From developments so far, one disturbing question remains, what becomes of Nigeria after these elections?

First we are in a war with Boko Haram, but most of our political leaders continued to live in denial of the fact until it became too late.

Those who lost elections in 2011, are insisting on making a political capital from the war,

while those who had issues to grind with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,GEJ, have vowed to bring down the government claiming to love Nigeria, yet their words and actions suggest that they have an agenda beyond the elections.The results are that today, we have Nigerian suicide male and female bombers, the President’s campaign team gets pelted with stones, and water in some states in the north of Nigeria, while the contestant from that area coasts around in show of power. A people that can be this hostile to their President, will kill another without asking questions!

Second, for the first time since 1999, we have a vibrant opposition party, which many of us yearned for, but the opposition turned out to be a gathering of men who made their debut and wealth from politics as members of the ruling PDP, crossed over to opposition APC ,wanting to relive their lives, forgetting that they were PDP trained, and cannot really deliver the change they chant in the new party.

Mostly renegades from the ruling party, their frustrations drive them to extreme language and actions capable of setting the country ablaze. They abuse the office of the President with

reckless abandon, issue threats of terrible dimensions, and now, for the first time, a former President of this country, in an open show, tore his party membership card to shreds, sending a chilling message about how little our leaders cared about what they did, to overheat the polity.

Third, religion has become engrained into national politics because of prolonged poor handling of Christians in the north of Nigeria. Since 1980s, Muslims had always killed Christians in the north even without provocation. Killing of Christians in the north has continued unabated till the Boko Haram came and started killing every one, as terrorists.

Christians themselves present a divided house owing to Mercantile Christianity. They pull each other down, play into the hands of the forces of

Ibos, have their own history and experience in Nigeria. They lost the war, and feel the pains. If they forget where they have come from, they will not know where they will end up!

division, get dragged into issues that could divide the country, completely confused. While some Muslims are targeting Christians, Fulani Herdsmen are killing their neighbours, complicating issues for the common man, creating great tension in the nation.

Fourth, some Nigerians believe that Nigeria is a gift from the colonial masters to them to exploit and enjoy. They say it boldly, and they are Muslims from the Hausa Fulani extraction of the north. Buhari is from Hausa Fulani, and many believe that his quest to rule Nigeria under APC is part of an agenda to rustle power from a South Southerner. As a result, some elements from the South South are determined to cause mayhem if GEJ, is harassed, rigged or cheated out of power.

These men are rich, well empowered to carry out their threats, because our oil lies in the bowels of their own lands.

Buhari’s desire to come back as President is further complicated by his Islamic fundamentalist disposition, which alarms many in the south and middle belt areas. As a person, Buhari may be the opposite, but his utterances in the past, and the reality of an OIC agenda to Islamise Nigeria, make the fear genuine .

Should an interplay of any of these key factors result in any conflagration, where will the Igbo man go? Should those who think they own Nigeria, among the Yorubas and the Hausas decide for any reasons to break

Defeating Boko Haram in six weeks

By Ikeogu Oke

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OLLOWING the postponement of the 2015 elections, now scheduled to commence on March 28, rather than February 14, 2015, questions have arisen as to the possibility of the Nigerian Army and its allies from the neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroun and Niger defeating Boko Haram in six weeks.

This Day columnist, Olusegun Adeniyi, hinted at this reservation in “2015 Election: Jonathan’s Risky Call,” his column of February 13, 2015, by noting that the Nigerian Army has fought Boko Haram for several years with “mixed results.” Sonala Olumhense was more direct in his negative assessment of the possibility of defeating the group and its violent insurgency in the stipulated time. “The prospects are poor,” he declared in his article entitled “Rejoice, Nigeria! A Six-Week War!!” – published on page 53 of The Guardian of February 15, 2015. And this poor rating is the result of his recognition of Boko Haram as “the ruthless enemy Nigeria has fought, and lost to, for six years.”

Such misgivings, expressed by such highprofile public affairs analysts, reinforce a question that seems to be on the mind of many, which may be framed thus: Can the Nigerian Army defeat the insurgents in six weeks, even as part of a reinforced joint military task force comprising troops from the said neighbouring countries?

For purposes of contextualisation, it should be recalled that six weeks is the period by which the elections were postponed. Also, that the need to root out the insurgency so as to ensure peaceful and credible polls in the affected Nigerian states of Borno, Yobe and Admawa, was the reason the relevant authorities gave for the postponement.

So the question, put differently, would be: Is it not misplaced optimism to expect Boko Haram to be defeated in six weeks, since the effort of the past several years to check the activities of the group, let alone defeat it, has produced “mixed results” or ended in “failure” – as some would rather see it?

C M Y K

While I consider this a pertinent question and the scepticism that prompts it justified, I believe the evidence from our recent, if contemporary, history of successfully combating another form of home-grown terror is sufficient ground for answering it in the affirmative.

I refer specifically to how, under the Jonathan administration, the Nigerian Army ended a long reign of terror foisted on our country by kidnappers operating in the southeast, with their nerve centre in Abia State, incidentally my home state.

Like the Boko Haram insurgency, the activities of the kidnappers went on for years, and seemed impossible to control let alone exterminate. Many businesses closed down in the commercial city of Aba and nearby towns for fear of their operators being kidnaped for huge ransoms for which they faced possible death at the hands of their captors if they or their relatives proved unable to pay. And there were cases of victims who were killed by their kidnappers after paying ransoms running into millions of Naira!

Overseeing this booming underworld business was a man named Obioma Nwankwo, alias Osisikankwu, which literally translates as “A tree greater than the palm tree.” In his capacity to induce widespread fear, Osisikankwu could be compared to the Boko Haram leader

With the support of committed troops from the neighbouring countries – it can achieve this seemingly impossible feat and restore peace to the states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency

Abubakar Shekau. With his cohorts, he rendered the entire Abia and some neighbouring states numb with terror, manifesting mainly as the fear of kidnapping.

I could feel the relentless grip of fear on Aba and its environs each time I travelled home while the kidnappers reigned. Panicky drivers were in a hurry to enter the city before dusk; and most businesses closed by dusk as the city’s denizens hurried home to a semblance of safety that everyone felt its elusiveness across its landscape. People ceased to drive expensive cars for fear of being identified by the kidnappers’ ubiquitous but unrecognisable informants as prospective victims who could pay the coveted ransom, with predictable consequences for such prospects. The activities of the kidnappers even forced banks in Aba to suspend their operations for two weeks.

For luxury buses headed for Aba from the south-western or northern parts of the country, especially Lagos and Abuja, the drivers and passengers preferred to suspend their journeys midway, and pass the night on the highway, exposing themselves to other forms of hazards, rather than risk arriving or driving through the city after dusk.

While they held sway, the kidnappers reduced Aba from a majestic elephant of a metropolis, ever confident in trumpeting its glory, to some pathetic, sluggish, nondescript animal.

And as we have noticed with Boko Haram, even children, in and out of school, were not spared by the kidnappers in their desperate trawl for victims. For while the kidnappers could see nothing wrong in abducting a busload of schoolchildren for ransom, Boko Haram seems not to have seen any wrong in attacking and murdering students in their dormitories, or using young girls as suicide bombers. And there are parallels between the abduction of the Chibok girls and the kidnap of the busload of schoolchildren in Aba, which galvanised global condemnation against the

Nigeria, knowingly or otherwise, what will the Igbo man do? Ibos remain by their spread, the true agents of peace in Nigeria, yet most victimized.

Those who were crying over the postponement of the elections knowing that about 40 percent of registered Ibos had no PVCs were saying in essence that they could carry on without the participation of the Ibos in and the rest in the elections. They wanted to be proclaimed winners even if the country went up in flames thereafter! God forbid!!

Ibos need therefore to wake up to the reality of the fact that they are the ones always targeted in any fracas in the north, the opposition APC does not care for Ibos in their calculations, and Ibos are the ones who must traverse more than six states to get home should anything happen !

Any Ibo man who read of the civil war, and the continued killing of Ibos in the north, should think deeper before voting for APC, because that party needs to stabilise before we can trust them with our votes.

Ibos, have their own history and experience in Nigeria. They lost the war, and feel the pains. If they forget where they have come from, they will not know where they will end up! Ibos who chant change with APC are opportunistic renegades from within, that can be ignored. Let's vote wisely, for peace and stability.

•Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

kidnappers and triggered the decisive move by the Jonathan government to annihilate them and their activities.

Following the kidnapping of the schoolchildren, the Nigerian Army launched an operation which lasted for about six weeks and ended the kidnappings and returned peace not only to Abia State but also to other nearby states to which the activities of the kidnappers and their terror had spread. And rather in the mould of Boko Haram, the kidnappers were well-armed and highly organised, with a wellarticulated structure involving several cells with their control centres located in forests like the infamous Sambisa forest of Boko Haram.

For instance, following the routing of the kidnappers and the total liquidation of their enterprise of crime and terror, the Nigerian Army reportedly conducted a cordon and search operation into a forest where the following items belonging to the kidnappers were discovered: “48 empty magazines of AK 47; 3,848 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; 538 rounds of 7.62mm Nato; 41 expended cases of 7.62mm special ammunition; some quantity of dynamite and 3 RPG prima.”

One inference that can be drawn from what transpired with the kidnappers is that a well-armed, highly organised, ruthless and determined group can operate in our country for years and yet take a matter of weeks to defeat with the right kind of intervention by our government and security forces.

So while not making light of the pessimism of those who believe the Nigerian Army and its allies cannot defeat Boko Haram in the stipulated six weeks, I think the precedent I have cited here – involving the same Nigerian Army backed by the same Jonathan government – is proof that, with the support of committed troops from the neighbouring countries – it can achieve this seemingly impossible feat and restore peace to the states affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in preparation for the rescheduled 2105 elections.

•Mr. Oke, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

It’s been tough since my husband died fighting Boko Haram — Widow of slain soldier zWants outstanding allowances paid

By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi

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HEN she lost her hus band during an attack by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents in December 20, 2013 at the 202 Tank Battalion Barracks, Bama in Borno State, it never occurred to Mrs Sarah Steven that she could bounce back to become a source of inspiration and encouragement to others who suffered same traumatic experience.

Though she lost almost everything during the attack, the mother of two who hails from Dasham, Bakin Kogi Village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government of Bauchi State now resides with her childen at Yelwa Kakadama, a suburb of Bauchi where she has become a pillar of support to those in dire need.The story of how she was able to pick up the piece and starting life afresh is one she narrated with a measure of pride when she spoke with Vanguard Metro, VM. Sarah, who was quite emotional, recalled the night of the attack, saying it was a very

traumatic experience that she never even wished for her enemies.

She said: “It was a midnight attack. They took everybody unawares. The entire family would have been wiped out; indeed, but for God’s intervention, my two children and I would have been killed. My husband was on his duty post as the Motor Transport Officer when the Boko Haram launched a massive attack on the Barracks. They took everybody unawares. It was past midnight, actually about 2am.

I was already asleep with the kids when I heard gunshots and chanting of an Islamic slogan, saying ”Allah akubar” at the frontage of my house.

“So, immediately I heard that, I grabbed my little baby and backed her. I went flat on the ground because my husband told me that anytime I hear a gunshot, I should lie down on the floor. The attack which lasted for several hours, left many soldiers and civilians dead. I barely escaped with my two little children”.

*Mrs Sarah Steven and her children...Still waiting for the allowances of her husband to be paid

It was a midnight attack; they took everybody unawares; the entire family would have been wiped out; indeed, but for God’s intervention, my two children and I would have been killed

The widow of the slain army officer said her husband would have been alive today if sophisticated weapons had been available to the soldiers there to confront the terrorists.

Mrs Sarah , who just completed a building project in Bauchi, courtesy of a cash gift of N1 million donated by the Borno State government, given to each of the families of soldiers killed in the attack by the insurgents, appealed to the Chief of Defense Staff, Alex Badeh, to tighten security in all the Barracks in Borno State to avert further blood bath.

Sarah, who could barely hold back tears from her eyes said: “My husband, the late Sergeant Steven Zira, was

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killed in the Barrack in Bama, Borno State because they were made to confront the insurgents without having sophisticated weapons and it will be disastrous to allow this to continue.

“About 27 soldiers lost their lives to that attack and 10 women, including myself, became widows. Since the death of my husband, his Nawis and Benford allowances have not yet been paid by the army authorities.”

She also recalled the brief period of her marriage, saying: ”During the brief period of my marriage to Sergeant Steven Zika, life was a bed of roses for me because I had everything every woman could wish for. I lacked nothing because my husband always ensured me and the kids had everything we needed.”

Active service

Water for life...Man takes life-endangering risk to quench his thirst in Abuja PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida C M Y K

According to her, the pain of seeing one’s husband going out in the morning to work and being brought home in the evening as a corpse was unbearable. “I only wish something should be done to stop this ugly trend,” she appealed, amid tears.

Sarah also appealed to the Army authorities not to stop the salaries of deceased soldiers killed in active service, pointing out that most of the wives of these officers were not employed, saying: “It would only amount to double tragedy to stop the money that should have been given to a mourning widow”.

She added that the only way the Federal Government could limit the casualties in the fight against insurgents is for the soldiers to be wellequipped or armed, lamenting that since her husband’s death, she has been battling to find a job in order to cater for her two children.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 21

Nigeria, Benin, Customs partner for seamless operations

By Godwin Oritse

I

VISIT: Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo (second right); Chairman, Association of Reporting Accountants in the Capital Market, Mr. Ayodele Othihiwa (second left); Secretary of the association, Mr. Sola Oyetayo (right) and another member of the association, Mr. Ladi Smith when the association paid a courtesy call on the Director General of SEC.

Stock market recovers N35bn as market capitalisation hits N9.770trn

By Peter Egwuatu

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HE Nigerian stock market maintained its bullish run for the four consecutive trading days as the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE performance indicator, market capitalisation , yesterday appreciated

by N35 billion to close at N9.770 trillion.

The market capitalisation which

$153.50 -2.15 $3,028 38.00

$15.02

represents the total value of shares recorded on the NSE had on Wednesday closed at N9.735 trillion.

In the same vein, the All Share Index, another stock market gauge appreciated by 0.36 per cent to close at 29,282.04 points from 29,177.58 points it closed the previous day.

Capital appreciation recorded by the Consumer Goods was 1.43 per cent and the Industrial stocks garnered 1.54 per cent accounted for the uptick of the market.

Meanwhile, the banks declined bv 0.08 per cent to close the day lower.

The value drivers in the Consumer Goods space were; Nestle with a gain of 3.64 per cent to close at N819.99,

-0.12

$61.10 -1.43 $52.21 -1.32 CURRENCY

BUYING

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 167 167.5 168 POUNDS 256.8293 257.5983 258.3672 EURO 190.6806 191. 2515 191.8224 FRANC 179. 3179 179.8368 180.3736 YEN 1.4081 1.4123 1.4131 CFA 0.2715 0.2815 0.2915 WAUA 236.3885 237.0963 237.804 RENMINBI 26. 7242 26. 8047 26.8852 RIYAL 44.5108 44.644 44.7773 KRONA 25.6084 25.6851 25.7617 SDR 236.3885 237. 0963 237.804

CBN Exchange Rate as at 19/2/15

C M Y K

Capital appreciation recorded by the Consumer Goods was 1.43 per cent and the Industrial stocks garnered 1.54 per cent accounted for the uptick of the market

Unilever Nigeria followed with a gain of 3.03 per cent to close at N34.00), followed by Flourmill Nigeria with a gain of 2.39 per cent to close at N30.00 and Nigerian Breweries, NB garnered 1.12 per cent to close at N133.89.

Gains of WAPCO increased by 4.78 per cent to close at N84.00, CAP Plc gained 3.14 per cent to close at N36.10 and Cutix garnered 2.04 per cent to close at N1.50, uplifted the Industrial stocks despite the losses recorded by Dangote Cement which declined by 1.16 per cent to close at N153.20.· On the laggards side, Zenith Bank declined by 2.27 per cent to close at N17.20 per share , UBA Plc dipped by 0.63 per cent to close at N3.15 per share.

Overwhelmed the capital appreciation recorded by Access Bank up by 1.08 per cent to close at N5.60 per share followed by Skye Bank with a gain of 1.01 per cent to close at N2.00. GT Bank garnered 0.96 per cent to close at N21.00 and ETI up by 0.88 per cent to close at N15.99, making the banking sector close lower.

Activity levels improved significantly compared to Wednesday N3.49 billion ($17.70 million) and turnover amounted to N6.09 billion ($30.67 million). There were cross deals on GT Bank N2.17 billion, Nigerian Breweries N952 million and CWG, (Computer warehouse Group Plc): N609 million. Decent flows were also recorded in Access Bank: N471 million, Zenith Bank: N455 million and FBNH: N244 million.

N a bid to further strengthen bilateral trade tie and sustain existing cooperation between Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has concluded plans to partner with its Beninese counterpart in Krake, Benin Republic with a view to having a seamless Customs administration in both countries.

Speaking during a visit to Customs Service in Benin, the Customs Area Comptroller of the Seme border command, Ndalati Garba Mohammed said that the existing international and inter agency tie between both countries and their customs administration as factors that influences the social, cultural and economic lives of citizens of both countries should be sustained..

Speaking through an interpreter, Ndalati said the laudable examples set by Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service(CGC) and Director General(DG) of Benin Customs at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and regional levels are worthy of emulation.

He said with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both customs administration to work in synergy cannot be over emphasised.

Mutual relationship He stated that the visit was intended to cement a mutual relationship that is ongoing, not minding the geographical demarcation but to align with the cultural and economic ties that binds both together. ‘’ With adequate intelligence gathering and sharing we can work to foster trade within our sub region in pursuant of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) treaties and protocols.

“We should also insist on compliance by our various stakeholders on the rules of trade within the sub region.

“Our nationals are tapping into the benefits of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Joint Committee on Commerce (JCC).This must be encouraged with efforts to detect and prevent its abuses’’ he stated. He commended the Benin Customs Administration on behalf of the CGC for the ongoing bilateral relationship in vehicle import transit process which has suppressed smuggling of vehicles and boosted revenue collection in the command.

Speaking in similar vein, Colonel Afoudah Idowu who held brief for the DG of Benin Customs described Nigeria Customs as a dependable ally in the global customs community. He welcomed Ndalati and asked him to feel free to reach out to them any time the need arises for operational issues and intelligence sharing.

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

May & Baker confirms foreign investors proposed stakeholding interest

By Peter Egwuatu

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Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo (right), welcoming one of the shareholders leaders and the National Coordinator of the Association for the Advancement of Shareholders’ Rights, Dr. Faruk Umar to his office in Abuja

ay and Baker has confirmed the proposed interest by some foreign investors to have stake in the company barely some weeks it completed a major stage of its World Health Organisation (WHO) certification and prequalification process with the issuance of the WHO’s current General Manufacturing Practice (cGMP).

Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, who confirmed the preliminary expression of interests and discussions with the foreign investors and

CIS, ICAN, NBA sign 5-year economic development pact

By Peter Egwuatu

T

he Presidents of three major professional bodies, the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have signed a five-year collaboration agreement for overall development of Nigeria’s socioeconomic life.

As a prelude to this unique tripartite agreement tagged ‘the project’, the helmsmen of these professional bodies and their top management staff had held several meetings on the terms and conditions of this innovative approach to socioeconomic development of the country.

The tripartite agreement called the project covered all areas of mutual interest for enhanced development of the Nigerian Capital Market, the Financial System, the Legal System and the entire SocioEconomic Life of all Nigerians.

Under the renewable five- year agreement, each party shall cooperate in the promotion and exploitation of the project and all associated areas of total development.

The “collaborative project is considered a joint project under the relevant laws, and will result in an equal split of ownership among the parties.”

Also, each party is obliged to ensure prompt execution of any assignment that would bring about overall development of Nigeria’s economy, for instance, each party has agreed to contribute to the efficient flow of information and access to C M Y K

relevant data, according to the agreed access rights without prejudice to confidentiality rules. In order to sustain the

Each party should draw inspiration from its structure and expertise to contribute effectively to the collective aspiration of the three bodies

culture of transparency, each party shall inform others in the project, of relevant communications it receives from third parties in relation to the project.Commenting on the collaboration agreement, the President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Augustine Alegeh described it as unique and highly history-making.

Alegeh said the uniqueness is better appreciated against the background of three professional bodies coming together to create synergy to serve Nigerians better and yield bountiful results rather than exploit the oneness to fester the nets of each association. He commended the

Presidents of CIS, Mr. Albert Okumagba and that of ICAN, MrChidiAjaegbu for ensuring that the agreement became a reality.

The President, CIS, MrOkumagba expressed joy that the collaboration agreement would bring about rapid development of the Nigerian economy given the strategic importance of each party to the overall economic growth and development.

“Each party should draw inspiration from its structure and expertise to contribute effectively to the collective aspiration of the three bodies”, Okumagba said.

NSE plans initiatives to maintain Africa’s investment destination

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

he Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has expressed its readiness to introduce initiatives that will help position it as attractive listing and investment destination in Africa.

This, according to the NSE Chief Executive, Mr. Oscar Onyema, is in keeping with its unwavering commitment to solidify its leadership position as Africa’s foremost securities exchange.

Addressing journalists in a press conference, Onyema said the Exchange will focus on delivering several initiatives in support of its revised strategy

within the year.

He listed some of the initiatives to include promotion of Nigerian capital market as an African hub for growth companies, attracting more domestic flows into the market; implementation of a more competitive price structure in conjunction with the regulator and other market participants; and intensifying its efforts towards developing a more sustainable market.

Speaking on the bearish trend that prevailed in the market in 2014, the NSE boss said: “The Nigerian capital market and the business of the stock exchange will always be impacted by shiÀÛLÝing economic trends

and investor demands, however, achieving success through growth that creates value will increase the bourse’s ability to operate efficiently and profitably in the transientadvantage economy that has unfolded in Nigeria and around the world.

“The effect of disruptive shortterm market cycles can be reduced with the right market structure, a diverse set of products that perform well in different market conditions, and enabling policy that provides stability to the marketplace, and gives confidence to issuers and investors. Therefore, this will be the focus of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2015.”

venture capitalists, said the company will consider strategic partnership that can provide additional technical competence and funding that could be used to enhance returns for all stakeholders.

According to him, there have been a lot of interests in the company from foreign and Nigerian investors but the company will only be receptive to arrangements that protect the interests of the existing shareholders and create substantial future values for all stakeholders.

He noted that with the increasing success of the The Pharma Centre, one of the main strategic initiatives now is to deleverage the company ’s balance sheet through injection of additional equity fund stressing that this new equity issue will be done in a way that recognizes the support of existing shareholders over the turbulent years.

“We are talking to the major shareholders to feel their pulse and see when they will be ready to take their rights and we are also talking to some foreign investors, especially those that will also bring some technical competence and skill, and I think within this year we should be able to strike a good balance that will ensure that everybody is taking care of in a fair way,” Okafor said.

He outlined that the company is being careful in considering foreign interests to avoid a situation where the foreign investors will only use Nigerian investment as a cover for its trading global activities rather than value-added relationship that transfers competence, skill and technology to the Nigerian affiliate. He said government should also reconsider Nigeria’s foreign direct investments policies to ensure that such investments transfer values to the Nigerian affiliates through domestic manufacturing and technical know-how.

“Some companies want to come in and have the Nigerian partners; manufacture in factories overseas and ship to Nigeria, and use you as an established name in the country to ride the market, establish their plants and take over the market. So we are being mindful of that and we are looking for partners that truly want the long-term partnership with us who want to transfer or to share technology, so we are open to that. It is something that we will be very glad to conclude as soon as possible” Okafor said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—23

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URKINA Faso’s farmers will be cultivating BT Cotton for the eight season this year and they have benefited significantly from it as they had cultivated about 690, 976 hectares as at 2013 compared to 615,796 hectares in 2012, equivalent to a 12% increase over 2012, despite the fact that global hectares of cotton were down significantly by 10 to 15%.

Out of 690,971 total cotton hectares, 474,229 hectares or 69% were planted to Bt cotton (BGII), an increase of 51% in 2013 from 313,781 hectares in 2012. Based on average cotton holding of 3.16 hectares the number of farmers growing Bt cotton in 2013 was approximately 150,072.

The increase in total cotton area was principally due to the fact that success with Bt cotton and the benefits that it offers has provided the incentive for Burkina Faso farmers to increase plantings of Bt cotton.

But this is not the case with Nigerian cotton farmers where their contribution to the GDP continues to drop as the contribution of cotton to Nigeria’s GDP dropped significantly from 25 per cent in 1980, to only five per cent at present.

In a collaborative survey conducted by National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment sometime ago, it was revealed that eighteen states produced cotton on a total land area of 399.87 hectares in the country.

The survey disclosed that Zamfara State cultivated the largest land area with 92.62 hectares followed by Katsina State with 75.91 hectares. The least cultivated land areas were Ekiti State 0.07 hectares and Ondo State 0.10 hectares.

Major challenge The national production figure for cotton was 533.31 metric tonnes out of which Zamfara State produced the highest with 135.56 metric tonnes.The second largest output was 116.61 metric tonnes

by Katsina State while the least production was 0.05 metric tonnes

by Ekiti State.

Major challenge facing cotton farmers in Nigeria today has to do with access to quality seeds, which Burkina Faso farmers have access to through the BT cotton.

Burkina Faso has emerged as one of the most progressive countries in Africa in terms of biotechnology. With the number of BT cotton cultivated per hectare,the country is today seen as one of the largest-ever where biotechnology has been introduced on the African continent.

Benefits of Biotech Crops The latest data on benefits from Bt cotton in Burkina Faso in 2013 includes an average yield increase of almost 20%, (19.7%) plus labor and insecticide savings (2 rather than 6 sprays), which resulted in a net gain of about US$95.35 per hectare compared

Confined Field Trial for Bio-fortified Sorghum at the Institute for Agricultural research (IAR), Samaru -Zaria. addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) that may have adverse effects on conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity, taking into account risk to human health.

“As a signatory, Nigeria made efforts at domesticating the Cartagena protocol with the National Biosafety Management Agency Bill 2011 which was initially passed by the 6th National Assembly but was not assented to by the President because it was passed a day before the end of an enabling law in the country.

By Jimoh Babatunde the life of that Assembly.”

A member of Cotton Farmers Mrs. Gidado added that the with conventional cotton.

Association, Samuel Ishaku, said Nigerian National Biosafety Bill It is estimated that Bt cotton has a biotechnology law in the coun- was returned to the National Asthe potential to generate an eco- try will make their member rich sembly in 2014 where it is curnomic benefit of up to US$70 mil- like farmers in other West Africa rently being reviewed . She notlion per year for Burkina Faso. countries and developed coun- ed that the passage of the bill into Burkina Faso continues to take tries that have taken to the culti- law will regulate the safe applithe lead within the Economic vation of BT cotton. cation of biotechnology in NigerCommunity of West African But their wishes can only come ia to harness benefits in fields of States (ECOWAS) for its devel- to pass if the bill on an act to es- agriculture, medical and the enopment capabilities in biotechnol- tablish the National Biosafety law vironment. ogy with Bt cotton. for the country before the National Gidado said the bill being The Bt cotton program initiated Assembly is passed and assent- passed into law will protect huand expedited by the Government ed to by President Goodluck mans, biological diversity and the of Burkina Faso is serving as a Jonathan before May this year. environment from potential risks model for many other developing Mrs. Rose Gidado , the Coun- associated with Genetically Modcountries growing cotton. try Co-ordiantor, Forum for Agri- ified Organisms (GMOs).

With the economic success re- cultural Biotechnology (OFAB), A stakeholder in the cotton incorded by cotton producers in disclosed that Nigeria signed and dustry, Arc. Kabiru Salman said Burkina Faso, Nigerian cotton ratified an internationally binding they will be deprived of the nufarmers are already looking for- Biosafety Protocol Known as merous benefits associated with ward to a law that will enable them Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety GMOs if there is no law regulatbenefit from BT cotton cultivation. in 2000 and 2002 respectively. ing biotechnology in the country.

The President of the All FarmThe Protocol entered into, ac“As farmers, we embrace bioers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, cording to her , came into force technology and the passage of the Mr. Kabiru Salman did not mince on the 11th September 2003 and bill will make whatever we do lewords when he told this reporter currently has 160 members. “The gitimate. GMO will lead to high that Nigerian farmers will bene- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety yields and safety of what we do.” fit from biotechnology if there is

BOOSTING COTTON PRODUCTION:

Why Nigeria needs biosafety law

He added that law on biosafety will take them away from subsistence farming to commercial farming and “this will make us food secured and good player internationally.

Salman said “farmers might result to smuggling of GMO seeds they considered will enhance their earning without risk assessment being carried out on them if the bill is not passed.”

A cotton farmer who was present at the National Assembly recently for the hearing on the Nigerian National Biosafety Bill, Grace Ochai, said Burkina Faso’s experience over the past decade provides an excellent example of the processes and procedures required for a biotechnology product to be successfully introduced in a developing country.

“The 2009 commercial release of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso was the result of nearly a decade of coordinated efforts on behalf of various cotton stakeholders to satisfy a series of technical, legal, and business requirements. With input from many sources, the Burkina Faso legislature researched, developed, and passed biosafety legislation to formalize regulatory oversight for the research and commercialization of agricultural biotech products.”

Ochai noted that the decision of the Burkinabe’s assembly paved the way for the success the cotton farmers and their country is enjoying from BT cotton today, she therefore, urged the Nigerian National Assembly to take the issue of the passage of the bill very important before the end of this legislative year .

Mrs. Gidado said Genetic Modification Technology is an important instrument for plant breeders.

“GM technology makes it easier for the breeder to transfer genes of desired traits from unrelated specie of crop to an unrelated specie solving problems that can’t be solved in conventional breeding.”

While explaining that GM technology will make quality seeds available to farmers, she said biotechnology creates opportunities; increases crop yields; reduces losses to insects, pests and diseases; post harvest storage problems and enhances the nutritional value of some crops.

Bauchi farmers benefit from FG’s wheat value chain initiative The Bt cotton programmme initiated and expedited by the Government of Burkina Faso is serving as a model for many other developing countries growing cotton

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EGISTERED farmers numbering 400 have benefited from the wheat value chain initiative of the Federal Government under its Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS).

Alhaji Mohammed Yusuf, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

He explained that each of the farmers got three bags of fertiliser and improved seeds to enhance their production.

According to him, the cost of the inputs per farmer in the open market is N16, 600, but each beneficiary paid only N6, 150, while

the government paid the remaining N11, 350. The director said that the ministry also gave the farmers technical support with proper monitoring to ensure the attainment of the set goals of the wheat value chain.

He noted that the support was part of the government’s efforts to boost wheat production.

“The Federal Government came out with the wheat value chain initiative to assist farmers with inputs and create market for their produce. “This is with a view to boosting productivity and enhancing economic status thereby reducing dependency on importation.

24— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Tyre marketers hail trade fair complex business environment

T

Substandard products being offloaded for destruction by Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, in Sagamu Ogun State.

Global manufacturing growth low in 2014 — UNIDO T

Stories by Franklin Alli

he United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has reported that world manufacturing production has been trapped in low growth for a prolonged period and there was no breakthrough in 2014.

UNIDO in its International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics 2015, released on Tuesday, said “annual growth of manufacturing value added (MVA) in industrialized economies has remained around 1.0 per cent for three consecutive years, and most global manufacturing growth was provided by developing and emerging industrial economies, where MVA grew by almost 5.0 per cent in 2014.”

The Yearbook also noted that global manufacturing value added grew by 2.3 per cent in 2014, with a marginal change in the growth from previous year.

“Low growth was observed particularly in the industrialized countries of Europe. Positive signs observed earlier in 2014 faded during the course of the year due to geopolitical tensions

If there are people who should benefit from the job opportunities provided by these investments, it should first and foremost go to the distributors

and reciprocal economic sanctions.

“Industrialized economies accounted for 64.1 per cent of global manufacturing output, with significant impact on the global manufacturing growth trends,” said the report.

The Yearbook highlights stark inequality between nations at the level of industrialization. MVA per capita in the least developed

countries (LDCs) was less than USD 60 at 2005 constant prices, compared to USD 4,752 in industrialized economies.

One of the proposed targets set as part of the proposed Sustainable Development Goals is to double industry’s share in the economies of LDCs. The Yearbook also highlights the existing

gender gap in manufacturing employment. The share of female employees in developing countries is much lower, except in a few sectors such as the production of wearing apparel and footwear. Among the high technology sectors, female employees were found in larger number in the manufacture of radio and communications equipment.

AYE earmarks N50m for 23 Nigerian entrepreneurs

By Ediri Ejoh

A

frica’s Young Entrepreneurs, AYE, said it has earmarked out N50 million to fund 23 Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The Organization’s President, Mr. Summy Smart Francis, disclosed this during the inaugural conference and empowerment programme, held in Lagos.

According to him, the programme hosted over 4000 young entrepreneurs and 80 candidates were shortlisted for the award programme last year out of which 23 were qualified for funding.

“The participants also went through the WBC (Web Business Campaign) a platform to expose their business/ ideas to international investors across the globe. They were taken through different business workshops, free websites were developed for several businesses and a business recognition certificate was issued to facilitate intra-trade and enhance trust in their business relationships.

“It is geared to empower,

identify and tap into the creative intelligence of exceptional innovative entrepreneurs in Africa,” he said.

He added that, the empowerment program will take place in selected African countries over the next seven years.

yre dealers under the umbrella of Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers (ANTM) have appraised the impacts of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex business environment on their operations.

Recall that one year ago, specifically on January 20th, 2014, the tyre dealers relocated their businesses from Enu- Owa Idumota in Lagos Island, and commenced operation at African Tyre Village inside the L agos International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Express Way. In a statement, Secretary to the Association, Alhaji Sefiu Lawal Olaiya, who enumerated the gains of the traders since they moved to the trade fair, said that besides high sales turnover by individual traders, they have been transformed from tenants to landlords.

He lauded the peaceful and beautiful business environment, security of life and property, space and freedom to operate.

The Vice President Okey Ezeifeoma, however, acknowledged that the past one year was not devoid of challenges which include insufficient shops for members.

He, therefore, urged traders to be patient and consistent in their expectations as some of these teething problems will soon become a thing of the past.

Dangote’s new employment policy favours distributors’ families

D

angote Group has finetuned its employment policy, saying relations of their distributors will now be given jobs consideration before other Nigerians.

The President of the Group and Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, stated this when a delegation of cement distributors from across the country that paid him a visit in his office in Lagos.

He told the distributors that his companies would continue to live up to expectation to ensure that their interests are protected at all times, noting that as a matter of policy his companies have put in place an arrangement to consider

relations of his distributors for job opportunities once there is opportunity for that.

He stated that if there are people who should benefit from the job opportunities provided by these investments, it should first and foremost go to the distributors who are the strategic integral part of our business.

Dangote also informed the customers of the ongoing efforts to refine the service being provided for the customers so as to add more value to them saying going forward the customers would see a change and delivery of the product would be seamless and without hassles.

He took time to answer

questions and observations raised by the distributors who also commended him for his doggedness in investment locally as opposed to others who chose to take money away from the country.

Also speaking, his honorary Adviser, Engineer Joseph Makoju told the distributors that Dangote Cement is more than ready to meet and exceed their expectation saying the production capacity expansion is intended to make cement more available and subsequently bring down the price.

According to him, the company has put in place certain processes to serve the distributors better than before.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—25

Jimoh Babatunde with agency reports

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OURISM only becomes an important part of the economy when it directly supports and contributes to a country. One of the main factors that can be used to measure the industry’s impact on a community is that of job creation; a crucial area in any economy.

The tourism industry already accounts for 266 million jobs worldwide, and with global travel set to grow even more over the next ten years it is likely that this figure will only increase further.

There are of course other things one can use to measure the impact of tourism on a country, such as GDP growth and tourism revenues, but it is often employment and the opportunity to work that directly affects the general population.

With a great many destinations now releasing their tourism figures from 2014, we take a look at some of the strongest performers in job creation and the positive influence this has has on each community.

Nigeria The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that the great potential of the accommodation and food services sector’s contribution to the Nigeria’s economy, specifically in the area of job creation, is yet to be fully embraced.

In its latest data released last month , the Bureau revealed that the total number of persons employed in accommodation and food services sector have been on the rise with the total number of people employed in the sector between 2010 and 2012 totaling 374,508.

“In 2010, the number of persons employed by the sector was 342,794 but the figure increased by 44,804 or 13.07 per cent to 387,598 in 2011 but reduced by 13,090 or 3.38 per cent to 374,508 in 2012.”

A breakdown based on sex category revealed that in the three years span, Nigerian male dominated with 200,061 employed in 2010, which increased by 33,693 or 16.84 per cent to 233,754 males employed in 2011.However, it declined by 26,482 or 11.33 per cent to 207,272 employed in 2012.

There was a steadier increase in the Nigerian female category, which ranked second highest with 111,201 employed in 2010, it increased by 9,555 or 8.59 per cent to 120,756 in 2011 and increased by 7,898 or 6.54 percent to 128,654 Nigerian females employed in 2012.

Spain Spain had a remarkable year for tourism in 2014 and was actually the third most visited country in the world over that

C M Y K

Lucky Onoriode George, Publisher, African Travel Times Magazine presenting his publication’s inaugural [Annual Travel and Tourism Awards] ‘Most Resilient Performance Award in the Hospitality Industry’ to Joseph Rennie, General Manager, Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt recently.

Job creation and tourism:

Countries performance period, according to the Telegraph. Our own research shows that the European nation welcomed 65 million in-

A breakdown based on sex category revealed that in the three years span, Nigerian males dominated with 200,061 employed in 2010 ternational tourists over the course of last year, which is a truly remarkable feat.

This influx of visitors has also had a tremendous impact on the job creation in the country, with one in every nine jobs being attributed to tourism.

Spain’s unemployment levels dropped significantly in 2014, according to the Wall Street Journal, as the overall economy started to find its feet again.

Although the recovery will continue tentatively into 2015, it’s safe to assume that tourism has had a positive influence in the area of job creation as the country begins to finally shake off the constraints of the last recession.

Spain’s prime minister Mariano Rajoy was awarded the UNWTO/World Travel and Tourism Council (WT TC) Open Letter on Travel and Tourism highlighting the country’s tremendous tourism

record and the impact it has had on society, economic growth and job creation.

New York City, USA New York had another record-breaking year in 2014 as the city welcomed a staggering 56.4 million people - an increase of visitors for the the fifth year in succession.

This huge influx of people had a huge impact on the city’s economy and generated $61.3 billion in revenue. Job creation was also significantly affected

with 359,000 employment opportunities coming from the tourism sector alone.

The rise in working positions also coincided with a general drop in New York City’s unemployment rate which reached its lowest point in six years last October. In fact, the leisure and hospitality sector an area strongly linked with tourism - was one of the biggest contributors in job creation over the 12-month period leading up to October and accounted for 4,000 new posi-

tions in this month alone, according to the New York Times.

Durban, South Africa With Johannesburg and Cape Town to contend with, Durban certainly faces a number of challenges when it comes to attracting international visitors. However, 2014 saw the South African city attract 7.4 million people, according to Traveller24, a 12.4 per cent increase on the previous year.

Some 95,396 jobs were created as a result of this, which

Investour 2015: Africa needs stronger brand

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randing and promotion, foreign di rect investment, human resources development and visa facilitation were among the key topics in focus at the VI Investment and Tourism Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR).

16 Tourism Ministers from Africa and the Middle East and experts from different areas attended the yearly Forum, held at the just concluded International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid , Spain.

Between 2000 and 2014, international tourist arrivals to Africa more than doubled, from 26 million to 56 million. Despite a challenging 2014, the region still grew 2% compared to 2013, and the future outlook remains positive with 134 million arrivals forecast by UNWTO for 2030.

INVESTOUR, a joint UNWTO, FITUR and Casa Africa initiative now in its sixth year, has become a central platform for companies and African tourism authorities to promote investment and commercial opportunities in the continent. This annual event is also a key forum to debate some of the

most pressing issues affecting tourism in Africa.

“Supporting Africa´s tourism is supporting the region´s economic growth and employment, bringing immense opportunities for development”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

“In order to fulfill Africa’s tourism potential, key challenges such as infrastructure development, travel facilitation and the full usage of modern technologies to maximize marketing and services needs to be addressed.

INVESTOUR facilitates fruitful partnerships that helps transform these challenges into opportunities for a brighter future in Africa and a more inclusive growth for all”.

“We always hear that the future holds many opportunities for Africa, and the future is now”, said the Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain, José Manuel Soria López, in reference to the many tourism prospects in the region.

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

I N S I D E

2015 ELECTIONS: How Lamido discriminates against the rich No interim but genuine unity govt — Umar Kyari

AKWA IBOM: An uncommon rebellion Page 26

Page 27

Page 28

on February 14?

Ask Jega that as a professor, will it be fair to conduct an examination whereby you have covered 80 per cent syllabus and another class where you have covered only 30 per cent syllabus. Is it fair?

The other question is this issue of card reader. Has it been tested? I am talking as an electronic engineer of 48 years in practice.

Are you suggesting that the PVC should be used along with the Temporary Voter Cards?

That is why I am asking him to answer my question. I am still asking him. If we had held the election on February 14, he would have conflagrated this country.

Swiping cards in frustration •George: In the PDP, no individual owns the party

Why I prefer exile to living under Buhari — Bode George CHIEF Bode George was a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview, he speaks on the decision by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to dump the PDP among other burning national issues. Excerpts:

By Dapo Akinrefon

H

OW do you see the decision of former President Olusgun Obasanjo to dump the PDP? It is very sad. After he came out of incarceration, when most of his businesses were down, the party invited him and put a new beginning into baba. He has benefitted from the party.

I don’t think that I have heard of this that a man, who has been to the pinnacle to tear the party’s card publicly.

There are things you should not expect an old man to do.

It is unfair. Very unfair. This leaves a sour taste in the mouth of those who were part of his rebuilding. It is a very bad decision.

But Obasanjo says President Goodluck Jonathan plans to perpetuate himself in government like former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo?

He (Obasanjo) says he is a

Christian and as a Christian, it is emphasised in the New Testament of the Bible where Christ said judge not so that you will not be judged. But his judgement is no longer about the policies of Jonathan.

He has gone down to the extent of saying Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will jail you that is why you are afraid.

Talking to elders with respect I am holding my breath because in an African setting, you talk to elders with respect and that is why I am trying to get the right words to describe my feelings. Baba (Obasanjo) is not a young man.

He was head of state at 39.

So averagely, he should be about 84 or 85 and I am requesting that he should graciously fade away into the midnight.

I want to plead with Baba.

God has been kind to him and

he has served his own time. I don’t want to conclude that his life will be like King Saul in the Bible. I pray it will not be so. Baba has played his role. No generation can finish any job. Nation building is a continuous exercise.

You come, do your own and go back into history. The young will read to know about their past so that they will not repeat the same mistakes.

That is why no man can finish the job. It is becoming unnecessarily contentious and the attack on the President who is much younger calls for caution and I will plead and beg some of our obas that there is a need to talk to baba to remain at that pinnacle of respectability. It is becoming too personal.

Apart from the issue of insecurity which Jega gave as the reason for the postponement of the election do you think INEC was ready to conduct the election

This country would have been up in arms because people would get there and be swiping their cards in frustration. Even the ATM sometimes fail so what story is he telling us? So he should explain to us what will happen if the card readers don’t work.

When he was blaming the postponement on security I thought to myself that is the man a jester because we are not children.

Why did the military surround former Governor Bola Tinubu’s house?

If Bola Tinubu finds his way into national government, I

will be on exile. He hasn’t the temerity, the calmness of mind. They don’t even know what to do in power. Because the Vice President is his boy, he will just order that Bode George should be picked up.

He said soldiers came to him but he must have been dreaming. When he said soldiers had surrounded his house, I drove down there because my house is not too far from there.

I know the hierarchy of the military and its behaviour.

That they surrounded his house is lie number one because on either side of his house are two buildings.

There is also one at the back so I wondered where the soldiers were hiding. Why would you lie for public consumption? So when I got down there, I knew that his spin doctors were working.

The general perception in Lagos is that the governorship race is between yourself and Tinubu Absolutely not! In the PDP, no individual owns the party.

I happen to have been first national vice chairman SouthWest and then became deputy national chairman South and then deputy national chairman for the whole country and having done that, they have honoured me that as long as I remain in the party, I remain a member of the Board of Trustees and I am the only one representing the South-West in the national caucus forever.

National caucus

If Bola Tinubu finds his way into national government, I will be on exile.

He hasn’t the temerity, the calmness of mind.

They don’t even know what to do in power

That is a great honour in our party but I don’t decide who becomes a candidate.

Primaries are conducted and in this particular case, the voice of the people became louder than anybody’s.

I am not like Bola Tinubu, I don’t have the papers of the party in my pocket. I don’t even have a veto power. But the other side doesn’t practice democracy. We have friends that are members there. There he dictates while here, the people dictate. Jimi Agbaje has no godfather but will not behave like an authoritarian governor.

In the other side, the emperor thinks for the people and he decides who should go

Continues on page 28

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—27

AKWA IBOM: An uncommon rebellion THE near unanimity among the ruling class in Akwa Ibom has given way to an unusual rebellion against perceptions normally dubbed as an uncommon transformation. Akwa-Ibom is ostensibly, one of the states in the federation where it had been predictable for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to sweep the polls.

The party had swept the polls in the state in 1999, 2003, 2007 and with some resistance from the opposition in 2011.

However, the outlook in 2015 seems to be increasingly fuzzy given the resurgence of the opposition and the internal discords within the ruling party. The emergence of Udom Emmanuel, the former banker and lately government scribe

•Esuene

•Akpan

as the governorship candidate of the PDP sufficiently split the ruling party to its foundations. However, the failure of the opposition to unite around one candidate is, however, giving reason to optimists in the PDP that the divided opposition could bark but not give enough bite to stop the return of the party to power.

The opposition is split around three major governorship candidates all of whom were at one time members of the PDP and played significant roles in the enthronement of the present leadership in the state. The four major contenders are Emmanuel, Senator Helen Esuene (Labour), Umana Umana (APC) and Edet Akpan (Accord).

•Umana

•Udom

Umana Umana, APC OR Obong Umana Okon Umana of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his blue print is as alluring all as his persisting pursuit of the governorship race so as to address the purported marginalization and discrimination of certain sections of the state in the developmental programme of the PDP-led administration in the state.

Umana is also loud in his promise to tackle the issue of injustice and imbalance in the distribution of political appointments and the commonwealth of the people of the state, irregular payment of staff salaries and of course, the hydraheaded problem of unemployment.

Perhaps, the high point scored

by Obong Umana is derived from his promise to raise the bursary award for students of the state origin from N5, 000.00 to N50, 000 to adequately address the sundry challenges of students just as he has promised to expand the industrial base of the state for more employment opportunities to be created for the teeming unemployed population in the state.

Udom Emmanuel, PDP OR Emmanuel, the PDP candidate, his focus is to sustain what is described as the ongoing transformation achievements of the incumbent governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio.

Also on his agenda are the promises to develop the women and the youths and to run a transparent administration where the polices, programmes and investments of the state would be open to the people.

“My mission is to leverage and build on the uncommon transformation agenda of the present administration, to promote unity and oneness of the peoples of the state, to mobilize and develop the women folk, pursue the task of rural development including the provision of all the basic amenities in our rural communities and to foster the unity and development of all the tiers of government” Udom said.

More so, he promised to attract more federal presence to the state to enhance harmonies working relationship and expedited execution of the programmes of his administration.

By all these issue-based campaigns and captivating agenda even with the massive support all the four governorship aspirants are enjoying, it appears that the issue of political platform will not count any longer in the state but the character of the candidates and what the people stand to benefit from their emergence as governor of the state.

By Tom Moses Esuene, LP RS. Helen Esuene is the wife of the late popular former governor of the defunct South East State, Brigadier Jacob Esuene. She had served in the second term of the Olusegun Obasanjo administration before she advanced to Senate on the platform of the PDP with a promise to serve only one term.

Her emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party follows her defection from the PDP after the ruling party refused to heed the supplications of the G22 for free and fair primaries in the state.

Speaking in an interview, Senator Esuene said she is seeking to occupy the Ibom Mansion in order to chart a course for a new Akwa-Ibom State where justice, peace and prudent management of state funds for sustainable progress of the people shall be paramount.

Esuene who hails from Eket Senatorial District, said: “Interestingly, the Labour Party which is our platform has as its primary focus, the development of the human capital while the main thrust of my administration shall be vigorous job creation through agriculture, exposition of art/craft for international market and industrialization, qualitative education, affordable and accessible health care service delivery. “The next administration under my watch will be all inclusive- men, women, youth, traditional rulers, elders and professionals."

Bishop Samuel Akpan, Accord HE unique thing about Bishop Akpan is his high cerebral capacity just as he is dreaded for his uncanny strategies, planning and management capability and the added advantage of being easily accepted by people.

Bishop Akpan until recently was one of the close confidants of Governor Akpabio and still remains a family friend of the Akpabio’s family until their recent parting of way.

Be that as it many, Bishop Akpan is highly adored for not spilling the beans but has continued to pursue his governorship ambition with the hope that the governor would realize the quantum of his indebtedness to him for the overall interest of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

His developmental blue print for the state made available to the Vanguard during an interview denotes a rich and all-compassing plane ranging from the agriculture for food security, industrialization for job creation, employment generation and empowerment of the people, culture and tourism for an alternative economic resource, revenue and wealth generation.

“With world class tourism facilities and sites across the state, the quest for the development of the state and its accompanying employment opportunities would be simple."

The Labour Party which is our platform has as its primary focus, the development of the human capital while the main thrust of my administration shall be vigorous job creation through agriculture

With world class tourism facilities and sites across the state, the quest for the development of the state and its accompanying employment opportunities would be simple

M

T

F

Umana is also loud in his promise to tackle the issue of injustice and imbalance in the distribution of political appointments and the commonwealth of the people of the state

F

My mission is to leverage and build on the uncommon transformation agenda of the present administration, to promote unity and oneness of the peoples of the state

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

How Lamido discriminates against the rich — Umar Kyari VETERAN broadcast journalist, Umar Kyari, is the director of press in the Jigawa State Government House. From his close working relationship with Governor Sule Lamido, he gives an insight into the policies and programmes of the governor.

Excerpts:

F

RIEND of beggars and lepers He is the only governor in the whole country who has social security programme for beggars and the destitute people. He instituted the programme to clear beggars from the streets and give them a sense of self-dignity.

He set up a high-powered screening committee to screen the physically challenged and beggars. We have 27 local governments in Jigawa State, there are over 150 beneficiaries from each of the local governments who are paid the N7,000 per month stipend.

Government spends about 30 million Naira every month to take care of these people. His argument is that they spend more than that amount on biscuits alone in Government Houses every month in other states and the presidency.

Jigawa state is the only state in this part of the country where, driving through the streets, you will hardly find beggars on the streets. It is not a hundred per cent issue but compared to other states, Jigawa is a great example.

Lamido regards these people as his friends.

He made it clear that the first people that will feel the impact of his government were the most downtrodden. That is why they

are the first to be paid their salaries before anyone else. You can’t believe it, in all our local government areas there must be one physically challenged person who will be elected as a Councillor. In Kiyawa local government, Hon Saleh Idi, a leper is one of the councilors.

He is popularly called the Honourable. He comes to the Government House here sometimes just to feel the atmosphere and go back. The idea is that when the local government council, which is the closest to the grassroots, is formulating policies these people will have a say.

occasion warrants. Lamido’s argument is that it will encourage the local government chairman and his colleagues to stay in their jurisdiction and do their work without needing to come to Dutse or even live in Kano like before.

What you see here in Dutse, good roads, most of them dualised, drainages, functional street lights, quality schools, potable water, hospitals and what have you, you will see the same thing in all local government headquarters.

You can see that people are now putting up very decent, modern houses in their local government headquarters and hometowns where they go and relax, unlike

before when everybody was forced to stay in Kano or Abuja.

The next stage is for us to take development to all ward headquarters and so on.

How Lamido created 27 new towns One thing I must bring to your notice is that while in other states most of the governors are developing one or two or even three cities and regarding the rest as rural areas, Lamido has developed all the 27 local government headquarters into modern cities.

Apart from a befitting secretariat, every local government headquarters has a standard official residence for the local government Chairman, which is standard enough for the governor to spend the night if the

•Kyari: The impact that school is making is unbelievable

He is the only governor in the whole country who has social security programme for beggars and the destitute people. He instituted the programme to clear beggars from the streets

The Jigawa Academy sweeps prizes The Jigawa Academy in Bamaina, Birnin Kudu local government area, is one of only two of its type in Nigeria. The first one, which is owned by the Federal Government, is in Suleja. The idea is to discover and develop talented, gifted children at their tender ages in order to shore up human capital in the state and other parts of the country.

All the students are on scholarship. The students are drawn from all local governments in Jigawa State. Before, there used to be a slot for each of the

19 Northern states but now, at the prompting of President Jonathan in one of his visits, there is a slot for each state of the federation.

Hausa is not spoken in that school. There are three official languages – English, French and Arabic.

The impact that school is making is unbelievable. They recently came back from a quiz competition in Abuja and swept all the positions, taking the first, second and third prizes. The admission process is rigorous and only the most brilliant children are able to pass the exams supervised by the Gifted School in Suleja.

That is why you will hardly find the children of government officials in the school because admission is strictly based on merit, not quota or man-knowman. Your child has to qualify to be there.

Why I prefer exile to living under Buhari — George Continues from page 26 to the House, who should go to the toilet, who should speak, he decides who the delegates are. One of the governorship candidates was my in-law.

When he entered the venue of the APC governorship primary and looked round to identify the delegates, it was only the emperor that had the list and that was why Akinwunmi Ambode emerged and others walked out. In our own case, you had to convince the delegates to vote for you.

And I didn’t influence anybody by cohesion.

But Senator Musiliu Obanikoro said you were the one that imposed Agbaje That is absolute garbage, he knew he was lying. You know he came from their party and that is why he was saying it was me. He has now retracted

the statement. We are now one indivisible party and we are ready for election. All the vagaries and all that happened during the primary was a test of the ability and the strengths of our party and we listened to the voice of the people.

Voice of the people The voice of the people is the voice of God. Jonathan’s perception in the South-West is not as favourable as it was in 2011.

There has been blame on you and other PDP Yoruba leaders for allowing Buhari to increase in popularity in the South-West If you had said this about two or three weeks ago, I would have agreed. I got these feelers straight to my face. People came to me and

•George: Jimi Agbaje has no godfather said they would vote for Agbaje but they would not vote for Jonathan because he had done nothing for us here.

And I explained that there is a general misunderstanding of the concept of operation in this country. The long periods

of military rule presupposed that the head of state was responsible for everything and it is that same thinking that is responsible for this situation. We are all hands on deck explaining the differences between military

governance and democratic governance.

Highly educated people, my age groups, were asking me this question but I explained to them that 60 per cent of the impact the President will have on you is through the federal allocation to your state. Does he give every state and every local government allocation?

Yes. They collect it religiously every 30 days.

In the area of security, he guarantees it. It is only three states in the North-East battling insecurity. There is peace and he guarantees that.

What of infrastructure? All federal roads in Lagos from Alfred Rewane in Ikoyi all the way to Third Mainland Bridge and Ebute Meta are federal roads. Are they like the roads in Somolu and Akowonjo?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—29

T

HAT the presidential election did not hold on February 14, 2015 (last Saturday) is a new hard fact. The reliable umpire (INEC) has rescheduled the election to March 28, 2015 to allow for a fair election in a peaceful atmosphere.

Although reactions in various quarters have been mixed as expected, the reality is here with us to prepare well that the date is characterized by free, fair and credible voting. It is a fact that the behaviours of the party supporters have been less edifying and dangerous, and that it calls for strong warning and action by party leaderships.

In the preparation for elections, it seems as if many party supporters are yet to escape from the jungle of the past era. As noted by an election official, Alhaji Amadu Kurfi, ‘the campaigns for the election were characterized in all regions with thuggery, violence, arrests and imprisonments of political opponents by agencies of Regional governments and denial of permits to hold public meetings or procession.

Other negative acts are placement of obstacles against free assembly, expression of free speech and conduct of violence – free election campaigning and canvassing for votes. These difficulties were so pervasive and the political atmosphere so charged that all the leaders of the political parties met in Lagos in October 1964 and signed a ‘Peace Agreement‘.

The political atmosphere in the 1950s and early 1960s could hardly be differentiated from the present situation where the presidential campaign train is constantly being stoned in some parts of the North and in the Rivers State where the opposition is often denied space to campaign freely - the stoning in Katsina (North) and the shooting in Okirika (Rivers) are the barbaric reminders of the ugly late 1950s and early 1960s. The unfortunate display of lack of political tolerance and mutual

2015 ELECTIONS:

No interim but genuine unity govt understanding was one of the causes of the undesirable civil war of 1967 to 1970.

Many observers of the Nigerian complex political scenery since 1960 would point vividly to the stubborn but false attitude towards unity as a basic problem of the country. This is seen in the notion (false or true) that the North would always want to rule Nigeria at all costs.

The interpretation of the present contest between President Jonathan and his challenger, Buhari a retired army majorgeneral, as a battle between the old feudal North and progressive

In a prevailing confused state of the nation, it will be unnecessary for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to remind people that ‘Interim‘ or Unity Government is not in the 1999 Constitution

South, are missing the real point. If Buhari represents the Conservative Hausa/Fulani “born to rule” caste, what is Adamu Muazu (Hausa/Fulani) doing in the ruling PDP as its Chairman? Certainly, he is not from Arondiziogu (Imo) or OtuOke in Bayelsa. The problem with Nigeria`s politics has to do with one important factor – exercise of power in its safe haven. The control of the Federal Government and all its resources, including Oil is the main factor. Since the discovery of oil and the importance of its revenue, politics has become very lucrative and political unity, elusive.

Since the country‘s political freedom in 1960, the control of the ‘Central Government‘ has been the battle-cry of all political parties, including, of course, the military politicians of the 1960s, 70s, 80s of the 20th century. At present, the prospects of controlling the federal government is more alluring – having more than 52 per cent of the federal resources, including oil, appointing all sorts of positions and in charge (through its agency) of monthly allocations to all states and local government. In spite of Nigeria being regarded as a Federal State, it is run as a unitary one, owing to the long illegal usurpation of power by the ‘military politicians‘.

It has been observed and justifiably so, that Nigeria‘s main problem lies in lack of political unity. The lack of unity has been responsible for the inability for a strong leadership to emerge, especially at the federal level.

Religious and ethnic sentiments have confined the lovely and fine exploits of past leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo to their immediate serfdoms. The Federal Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa‘s exploits ended in matyrdom of a coupist bullets.

The intervening army rules which were essentially forced ‘national government could not withstand the test of time. Often, coups and counter coups among their ruling classes prevented the rise of a strong national figure.

The strong man Abacha distinguished himself as an illegal investor of public funds in banks in foreign countries.

It is the view of many Nigerians that the complexity of the country‘s problems built on a deficient structure and aided by incompetence and corruption could not allow for the rise of a popular leader or the dominance of a strong party over a long period.

It is a fact that the current problems of the country are not created by the present government and that it has tried according to its best to improve

the situation.

However, the present situation of the country is general insecurity, leading to warfare in the North-Eastern part of the country, bloody armed robbery of banks and homes, political thuggery, violence, ritual killings and kidnappings (less reported) nowadays.

In a prevailing confused state of the nation, it will be unnecessary for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to remind people that ‘Interim‘ or Unity Government is not in the 1999 Constitution.

It is generally agreed that “Interim Government” is an aberration and unknown to our Constitution.

Fighting of insurgents Also, one could look in vain into the Constitution the existence of ‘Boko Haram Sect‘ or the existence of foreign troops on our soil to fight our insurgents.

Certainly, the presence of military personnel at polling stations may not be found in the 1999 Constitution. The Constitution, as they say, is made for the people of a surviving country, and actions are taken to face the challenges of the moment.

Many patriotic Nigerians feel that the re-scheduled elections would be properly conducted by INEC and that the country‘s gallant security forces will crush the murderous insurgents and the country would return to the path of peace and prosperity.

However, it is instructive to note that whichever party wins would face the prospect of a sick economy threatened by depression (through reduced revenue from oil) and a politically divided and ruptured society.

Perhaps those clamouring fervently for a form of genuine unity government have their strong points. It is not only being aware of Ides of March, but also the prognosis of 2015.

Spice this democracy with equity, justice and fairness

By Erahodu Oseghale

C

OUPLE of days ago, one of the national newspapers published what it headlined: S’South Got Lion’s Share Of PTF Projects Under Buhari, struggling as it were to give an account of the stewardship of former head of state and Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, retired General Muhammadu Buhari in his four years as Chairman of the defunct Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund.

Perhaps to prove that the general parades the appropriate credentials to lead Nigeria and one that qualifies him as a detribalised and unbiased individual, that report described in a jiffy how the South-South geo-political zone got the lion share of the PTF projects.

Unfortunately, the author of that report failed to explain the premise upon which the Southsouth zone was favoured above other zones in the country in the

allotment of projects during that era and failing to make this clarification is only a result of the skewed voodoo politics which the opposition and its horde of publicists have adopted in its desperate quest for power.

It would have been a modest and sincere reportage of the circumstance that informed the circumstances that favoured the South-south over and above other geo-political zones if the report had told its readers that the geographic zone referred to as South-south Nigeria produces more than 90 per cent of the revenue of this country through crude oil which gushes from the region.

That report equally failed to inform its readers that since 1958 when petroleum was discovered in commercial quantity in Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State, that the country has earned trillions of dollars from petroleum products and the zone in spite of the cosmetic 26.6 per cent projects executed during the PTF,

its people still account for some of the poorest persons in this country.

Their poverty, both human and material was as a result of the many years of neglect borne out of a conspiracy suffered in the hand of the Nigerian nation and its exploitative western oil exploration and exploitative companies.

If truth must be told, the prize that the people of the SouthSouth zone and their neighbours have had to pay is that they have lost the most cherished clean and natural habitat that other regions enjoy, and their people for as long as oil exists underneath their grounds, must live in an atmosphere of pollution and degradation with little or no chance of enjoying the wealth from their land.

It is on the basis of this lopsidedness in wealth and political distribution that this country must ensure that equity, justice and fairness are the ground norm upon which this

democracy is established. And this is the reason for which the unspoken demand is made that the presidential mandate of Goodluck Jonathan is an essential balancing act which this country desires most just to remain sane and for once give the minorities a sense of belonging.

The various sections of this country must demonstrate an

Their poverty, both human and material was as a result of the many years of neglect

utmost sincere acknowledgement that the South-south zone which has paid an enormous price in ensuring that the economy of the country serves to make life more meaningful to all and sundry deserve a paltry two terms as president of this country.

That retired General Buhari as chairman of PTF allotted more projects to the South-south during his tenure is stating the obvious. It would have been criminal, unforgiveable and sheer infantile if the former head of state has done contrary.

In the same manner, while a son of the South-south zone became President of the country by divine providence, again, equity, justice and fairness demand that those which have ruled this country for most part since independence, make conscious effort to support a scion of the minority, if only to make them feel cared for and loved.

•Oseghale wrote from Benin

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Why I left Infinity group — David Karnji •Says gospel music scene is characterized with a lot of mediocrity THE name, David Karnji would hardly ring a bell. But Infinity will definitely remind you of the five man gospel music group whose hit album “Olori Oko” ruled the airwaves in 2006. They were the toast of many gospel music lovers in Nigeria and beyond. Churches also invited them for performances. But suddenly, the group disappeared into thin air, without traces. WG caught up with one of the artiste David Karnji recently who explains why the group went underground as well as his decision to pursue a solo career. He also enumerated some of the challenges facing gospel artistes in Nigeria.

By Iyabo Aina

W

HAT have you been up to lately?

I’ve been working silently on my debut album since returning to the country from my European tour in 2011. It’s long but my dream is surely coming true. I have also been involved in several ministration especially in churches.

Why did you stay off-the-stage for so long?

I actually did release a single when I came back to the country titled “I no fit Shout.” It was produced by Wole Adesanya of Greenland music. Since then I’ve been up and about trying to put finishing touches to the album.

Finishing touches The truth is that I have already recorded an album but I had to hold on to it because I knew I could do better than that. Sometimes, the urge to drop an album after leaving a great group like Infinity does come with a lot of pressure. So I had to take my time after all I am not competing with anybody.

What really happened to your group, Infinity?

Absolutely nothing. Infinity is still in existence. I need to let you understand that the idea behind Infinity goes beyond the individuals that make up the group. I am not the first nor the second person to leave C M Y K

the group and it’s still thriving. There was no break up whatsoever.

Something laid it in my spirit that it’s time for me to move to the next level in my career. I discussed it with my partners, we all prayed about it, and later, I was “sent forth”. The group is an inspiration from God. It’s bigger than any individual member. So in my own opinion, I think it’s one for all, all for Christ.

How did the success recorded with the song ‘Olori oko’ impacted on your career?

Personally, the success of the “Olori oko “ took me by surprise. I didn’t have enough time to prepare for it, so I made lots of mistakes. But God is always merciful. By all means, it’s our own way of telling the world that Jesus is coming soon, and it’s a reminder in respect of the shorter days that we live in.

What’s your relationship with other members of the group?

It’s cordial. We are like brothers.

How easy is it sticking to gospel music while what is in vogue today Continues on page 32

‘Mixed 10 years reactions trail after, Ghanaian D’banj singer’s opens up comment on on his story Jesus

Samsung comes slimmer, trendier in Galaxy A Series

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 31

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Synopsis

Why I left Infinity group Continued from page 30 is secular music?

To the best of my understanding, the gospel music industry has the potential to get bigger than what it is today if it were to be well funded as the secular music industry. Gospel music industry is characterized with a lot of mediocrity because of the mindset of the people or as a result of underfunding. So sticking to the gospel music industry for me is a matter of conviction as a man cannot possibly give what he does not possess. I believe if well-funded, gospel music industry can hold its own . The market is there already, which is the church.

How were you able to pull your different talents together as a group?

We are unique individuals with different talents, texture and attitudes informed by our diverse dispositions.

Personally, I double as a lead vocalist, song writer and music director in the group.

Sam was also a lead vocalist, writer and Financial Secretary of the group.

How do you get your songs together, who writes and who sings?

Joe was public relation guy and a vocalist also. If you check what I said earlier you’d notice we all write so it’s a collective effort by all How do you have a sharing formula of profits from CD sales and shows?

I have left the group for over three years now. So I must have forgotten how we handle the money we made from sales and attending shows.

Is Mr David married or still single?

I’ve been married for 8 years now, to the same woman. I am a father of two boys.

As a married and good-looking artiste, how do you cope with your female admirers?

First of all, I feel lucky to be admired by anyone. That means God has made it so, however, after a few goofs, I have learnt to tell myself the truth that every relationship and encounter with anyone either male or female has it’s own purpose and is not to be abused in any way. But I’ve never been harassed by any female fan before now.

Any memorable experience?

It was when I sang to a crowd numbering over twelve thousand in a hall and 50 million internet viewers during the 2006 cross over service at the KICC, London. It was as if I swallowed some kind of light, I felt so special because the protocol was top notch. That was a sacred memory.

Your most embarrassing moment?

I remember I was to give offering in a Church service in Port-Harcourt. I was a guest artiste and was cash strapped, I had only two N5 with me. I squeezed the money in my palm. While dancing towards the altar to drop my offering, I didn’t know how the offering bucket shifted and the old N5 hand fell off my hand and dropped on the floor. I felt like entering the ground.

When should we be expecting your album?

I hope to drop my album during summer. Meanwhile, we’d release a lot of life ministrations before dropping my album. So watch out for David Karnji life ministry on television.

What has been your pains and gains in the industry?

Life generally comes with its ups and downs.

I enjoyed some and don’t like some. Every artiste desire some degree of attention, like you want to be recognized when you’re in public domain. It Every artiste makes you feel good a desire some bit and it’s actually good for one’s sanity degree of sometimes. There was attention, like a time I got a free first class ticket to London you want to be which was purchased recognize when by a fan who saw me at you’re in public the airport and several benefits like that. domain On the other hand, there are times when you can’t even buy puff puff on the road again.

That’s really annoying.

Any ongoing project aside the album release?

I am planning to do collabortaion with some international and local acts. But I don’t want to talk about the project now. Also, I intend to do a lot of travelling this year, especially to the US and Canada.

As a solo artiste, are you under any record label?

I am on my own for now. But I have a management team that I am working with, David Karnji Ministries Worldwide.

The Antique The film is an adventure featuring Olu Jacobs, Ricardo Agbor, Bimbo Akintola, Oge Indiana, Gabriel Afolayan and more, directed by Darasen Richards and DJ Tee. It tells a tale starting in the troubled Godo Kingdom as the only heir to the throne lies at death doors. Then an innocent girl must journey to a land where mortals are forbidden in search of the antique but, will she return?

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK

• 30 DAYS IN ATLANTA • SELMA • ANTIQUE

• •

WEDDING RINGER 5O SHADES OF GREY

Movie schedule from January 16th - 22nd 2015 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm, Antique : 1:05pm, Sponge Bob : 11:00am,12:50pm,2:40pm, Selma : 4:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 5:15pm,7:15pm,9:15pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:10pm, Antique : 2:35pm Sponge Bob : 10:45am,12:45pm,4:45pm Selma : 2:40pm Barbie in Princes Power : 11:15am, The Wedding Ringer : 10:50am,6:35pm,8:35pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 4:25pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm Antique : 12:30pm,2:25pm, Sponge Bob : 12:10pm,2:00pm,3:50pm Selma : 4:40pm,6:25pm Barbie in Princess Power : 12:40pm,2:10pm The Wedding Ringer : 1:00pm,3:00pm,5:00pm,7:00pm,9:00pm Seventh Son : 6:00pm,8:00pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 4:20pm,6:30pm,8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:40pm,4:50pm,6:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm, Antique : 11:40am,1:50pm Sponge Bob : 12:25pm,3:35pm Selma : 11:00am,4:00pm,9:00pm Barbie In Princess Power : 11:00am,2:10pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:50pm,4:45pm,6:45pm,8:45pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 4:00pm,6:15pm,8:30pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, WARRI Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm Antique : 10:20am,2:20pm, Selma : 2:10pm,8:30pm, Laggies : 10:15am Barbie in Princess Power : 10:30am, 12:00pm,1:30pm The Wedding Ringer : 12:10pm,4:35pm,6:30pm John Wick : 6:20p 30 Days in Atlanta : 3:00pm,6:50pm OZONE CINEMAS SABO YABA Fifty Shade of Grey : 9:00pm Antique : 11:00am,2:15pm Sponge Bob : 12:30pm Selma : 1:05pm Barbie in Princess Power : 11:05am The Wedding Ringer : 4:20pm,6:20pm,8:55pm Annie : 10:20am 30 Days in Atlanta : 5:05pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS The Wedding Wick : 3:10pm,6:50pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 12:00pm,4:20pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT The Weeding Ringer : 9:25am,1:55pm,6:30pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 9:40am GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Annie : 1:00am,5:10pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 10:00am,4:40pm,6:50pm

VOL. 1: NO. 10

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 , 2015

How South-West will be won and lost •Jonathan, Buhari’s foot soldiers march deeper into region

By Clifford Ndujihe & Ola Ajayi

I

F the details of the AIG Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collection rate released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, are anything to go by, how the general polls especially the presidential will be won and lost in the South-West is becoming clearer.

From the INEC data (see table),

13.816 million voters were registered in the region of which only 8.59 million would-be voters have collected their PVCs and 5.23 millions voters are yet to get the highly prized cards.

Lagos, the commercial nerve centre and socio-economic melting pot of Nigeria, accounts for 42.91 per cent of voters who have collected their PVCs in the South-West. Lagos is distantly trailed by Oyo (18.27 per cent), Ondo (12.47 per cent) and Osun

(11.79 per cent). Ogun (8.70 per cent) and Ekiti (5.86 per cent) make up the rear.

In terms of voters registration, Ogun (1,829,534) is third behind Lagos (5,905,852) and Oyo (2,415,566) but it has had issues with the printing, supply and distribution of the PVCs, making it to have a miserly 40.86 per cent PVCs collection.

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Wednesday, lamented that about 625,000

IN THIS EDITION

With right priorities, Ogun can afford freetertiary education — Isiaka •Page 2

Ondo bullion van robbery attack: Police declare corporal wanted •Page 5

Pain, tears as five drown in Ibadan •Page 7

PVCs in the state bearing the state code have photographs that do not match the faces of registered residents in wards where the cards were displayed.

The governor cried that no one could identify the images on the cards. In essence, these cards may be useless for the polls.

The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, spoke in like manner at one of the visits, saying it is time to reject the ruling party which had been steering the ship of this country for the past 16 years with no positive results

On account of voting strength, Lagos is without dispute the ultimate votes warehouse of the zone followed by Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Ekiti in that order.

Thus, it is difficult for any of the 14 presidential candidates especially President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win in the South-West without winning Lagos, Oyo Ondo, and Osun.

How South-West is shared Currently, the APC is in charge of four of the six South-West states, namely, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun where it has governors while PDP is in charge of Ondo and Ekiti.

In the 2011 presidential polls, President Jonathan won in all the states apart from Osun. However, things appear to have changed now, necessitating an energysapping and all-engaging battle for the soul of the region between the APC and PDP. Obasanjo, Jonathan's feud The feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Jonathan, which made the former to dump the PDP

Continues on Page 2 C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

ONDO STATE

How South-West will be won and lost Continues from Page 1 is expected have impact on the outcome of the presidential polls beginning from Obasanjo’s native Ogun State.

The battle for Oyo will also be very interesting. Currently an APC state, two of the three leading governorship candidates –Rasheed Ladoja of Accord and Christopher Alao-Akala of Labour Party are rooting for Jonathan while incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi is backing Buhari.

Skirt and blouse voting Lagos is another battleground.

In 2011, Lagos voters did what Ghanaians call ‘skirt and blouse voting’ by going with Jonathan of the PDP in the presidential election and voting Governor Fashola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the governorship. Will the scenario be replayed in 2015? Only time and voters will tell.

APC’s push The APC has left no one in

•Jonathan: Seeks to retain South-West he said the poor economy and unemployment in the country would be irredeemable unless Nigerians vote out the President Jonathan-led administration.

“The levels of corruption now

•Buhari: It is time to end PDP's rule

to reject the ruling party which had been steering the ship of this country for the past 16 years with no positive results.

On his part, Buhari said

Where the votes will be harvested State

Registered voters

PVCs collected

% of SW PVCs collected

Ekiti

732,021

503,431

5.86

Lagos

5,905852

3,685,322

42.91

Ogun

1,829534

747,556

8.70

Ondo

1,524,655

1,071,010

12.47

Osun

1,407,107

1,012,578

11.79

Oyo

2,415,566

1,569,390

18.27

Total

13,815,735

8,589,287

Source: Adapted from INEC as of February 17, 2015

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doubt on its quest to win SouthWest, a region National Leader of thr party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu hails from. The party’s frequent visits and campaigns in the zone especially Oyo State underpin its expectations from the zone. The party visited Oyo State twice within two weeks.

It’s time to stop PDP – Buhari, Osinbajo, Oyegun, Tinubu During one of the visits, its VicePresidential Candidate, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo visited thousands of traders at Bodija International Market, Ibadan and trekked considerable distance within the market embracing and shaking the traders.

He told the surging crowd that the only way to solve the lingering economic and security problems that the country is facing is to effect change in the leadership of the country by voting the APC. On arrival at the Ibadan Airport,

are unprecedented in the history of this country. This country has to get back to good governance and you and I know that is what General Buhari is known for. He is known for a strong anticorruption stance and this country needs that now. All prices are down to half, our reserves are depleted and yet we have 110 million poor people in this country.

There is so much corruption. We can’t afford to let this country slip away. We cannot afford to let this country be completely messed up.

The opportunity is now to ensure that there is a change,’’ he said, adding that the most worrisome aspect of it all was the impunity with which corruption was being perpetrated.

The National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, spoke in like manner at one of the visits, saying it is time

Nigerians had given the PDP room to prove itself for about 16 years but they failed the people.

He said the only option available is to go out on March 28 and vote out PDP. Tinubu said all the PDP had to show for 16 years of its rule is nothing but excuses.

Akinjide takes Jonathan’s campaign to Oyo grassroots Countering the APC, the Minister of State, FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide took the campaign for the re-election of President Jonathan to markets and almost all the 33 local councils of Oyo State. And through the campaigns and reconciliatory moves all aggrieved governorship aspirants and members of the party who had left the party are now returning in droves.

Also, the public declaration of Accord Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party to vote for Jonathan is expected to boost the President’s chance in the state.

Personal excitement

Campaigners for President Jonathan have at all rallies, meetings and consultations been using the proposed creation of Ibadan State as one of the benefits the state would enjoy if they vote for Jonathan.

Campaigners for President Jonathan have at all rallies, meetings and consultations been using the proposed creation of Ibadan State as one of the benefits the state would enjoy if they vote for Jonathan.

The Jonathan’s campaign coordinator for the state, Oloye Akinjide has never left anybody in doubt as to her personal excitement on the proposed state.

Alhaji Mustapha Ayobami Bello, Baale of Agbamu and the Public Relations Officer for Oluyole Traditional Council, summed the feelings of the traditional institution of Ibadanland on the proposed state thus: ‘’To say that we are excited is an understatement. We are over joyed and anxious like an expectant father who has been

married for decades without any child. It is a thing of joy that all of us look forward to. You know that all the old regions had become states except Ibadan, we are glad that at last the National Conference of Jonathan, it was proposed and I am very confident that Jonathan would assent to it as soon as he returns for a second time. It is good for us”.

Addressing management and staff of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Akinjide said: “the fairest election in Nigeria was held under President Jonathan. Between 2011 and now we have had five governorship elections out of which the opposition parties won four and PDP only won one in Ekiti state. President Jonathan believes in rule of law and sanctity of the Nigerian constitution. He does not use power arbitrarily.

“Even when state of emergency was declared, President Jonathan allowed the elected state governors remain unlike former President Obasanjo who swept elected governors away

Low standard of education “In our 100 years of existence as a nation, Nigeria has 24 universities but in four years of Jonathan, he has added half of what we had in 100 years. The issue of low standard of education among youths and children has been frontally tackled with the introduction of almajiri schools in the North. More so, he organised the national conference where all decisions were taken by consensus and creation of additional states, especially Ibadan state, which has been a mirage for years.”

She added that the power sector has also received some boost with the completion of the privatisation of the sector. She explained that the Jonathan administration met 2,000mw of electricity but has now increased it to 4,000mw, expressing hope that in two years there will be stable power in Nigeria “On women empowerment, at present there is 35 percent women inclusion in government with a promise of increasing it to 50 percent if re-elected. Apart from guaranteeing that the nation’s Press operate in an atmosphere of total freedom, President Jonathan assented to the Freedom of Information Act which gives Nigerians access to information on government activities and policies.

If President Jonathan did this much in his first term, I can assure you that things can only get better under his watch if re-elected”, the minister said.

Will South-West vote Jonathan or Buhari? Time will tell.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 3

EKITI STATE about preparing the next generation for the challenges ahead.

Our four point agenda which we referred to as four pillars, is a robust way of looking at the entire facets of the state, so that at the end of the day, no sector will be left unattended to. Our desire is to drive the state to the next level.

The first is on our economy, we hold a very strong view that it is only a strong economy that can give our people what they want by making life more abundant and generate employment for our teeming youths. We have looked at our potential as a state and what we need to grow as a state without waiting for allocation from Abuja before we can deliver dividends of democracy to our people. Look at what is happening to the price of oil now at international market, so we must look beyond money from oil to survive future challenges.

With right priorities, Ogun can afford free-tertiary education — Isiaka •Vows to create 500,000 jobs in four years Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka is the governorship candidate of Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He speaks to some journalists in Abeokuta on his agenda to develop Ogun economy and make life more abundant for the people

By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor WHAT stands you out among the candidates gunning for the Ogun top job?

An ordinary person in Ogun State knows me. Apart from the man that is abusing his office in Okemosan, at the moment, they know that I am the alternative and that I will do better than him.

All those who have issues with him see me as the alternative.

I am talking of parents whose children could not write first term and second term examinations because the government could not provide examination sheets; thousands of teachers and civil servants who are being maltreated; students who have not received bursary in the last three years and who he promised 50 per cent reduction in school fees only to effect 10 per cent last year when they demonstrated; thousands of people whose property and means of livelihood were demolished without compensation for a selfaggrandizing road expansion.

Road expansion What about those who know that each kilometer of road expansion here costs N1.4billion whereas the man is telling them it costs not more than N500million? What about those he promised free health, free anti and post-natal?

They go to hospitals and they know how much they pay, instead of free education he promised, he introduced PTA levy, Insurance levy and other exorbitant fees that sent many children out of school. All the victims of his elitist and contractdriven government see me as the alternative.

We are confident of winning this election, forget the propaganda and massive use of the media by the APC, nothing

is working in Ogun State apart from building bridges on dry lands where big round about will solve the problem.

Considering the strength of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and seeming internal crisis in PDP, what gives you the conviction that you will win this election even if Governor Ibikunle Amosun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is rejected?

The truth is that there is no party that is devoid of internal politics, I won’t call it crisis. We in the PDP are in the same family and we are on the same page to win this election for President Goodluck Jonathan and all other candidates of the party.

Politics of primaries The politics of primaries is over and we are already moving forward to get back what we gave APC in 2011.

Be that as it may, the personality of the candidate will also play a vital role in this election. I think Nigerians are getting less sacrosanct about parties, they look at individuals too. Without being immodest, I am in the PDP, but I still have my track records. I am very consistent about how I think our state can go and I have demonstrated more knowledge about it. I had been there, I know the workings of government, I interface with almost all Ministries and Government Agencies for seven and half years.

People know me, they have informed opinion about me. I was the MD of Gateway Holdings.

What people had against me in 2011 is that, they fell for the propaganda that OGD used me to syphon money or to buy all the property of the state. But the Amosun government has sent all manner of forensic auditors to the place, I am yet to hear from them that a dime got missing. And on the issue of concession which the

Future challenges

•Isiaka: Our four-point agenda will change the face of Ogun opposition lashed on, the governor has retraced his steps and agreed that is the best way to go. Now there is nothing left, to the best of my knowledge, to run me down.

And on the issue of SDP you mentioned, we don’t have any problem with them, we are in the PDP. Let the electorate decide.

You are from Ogun West senatorial district and the governorship candidate of the SDP is also from that senatorial district, don’t you see the repeat of what happened in 2011?

We have gone beyond that.

Our four point agenda which we referred to as four pillars, is a robust way of looking at the entire facets of the state, so that at the end of the day, no sector will be left unattended to

The 2011 scenario cannot play out again. I am seeking to become the governor of Ogun State not that of Yewa/Awori. We have structure in all the wards and polling units in this state and we need votes of Ogun East and Ogun Central because we shall all run the government together.

But to people here, it is clear to them, who is the serious and better candidate.

Wait for the outcome of the election. I am not too bordered about that because Senator Kola Odunsi is our uncle, we would have loved him to continue with his mentoring position but now that he is in the race, we are not losing sleep over that.

How much is Ogun state owing now?

From the totality of what we are hearing, in terms of amount owed banks, liability and contracts that have been signed, it is over N200 billion. And this is embarrassing considering the IGR of the state which is in the average of N3 billion as against the N6billion being fed the public.

Don’t you think this will affect you if you eventually win the election?

It is part of the challenges but somebody must fix it. We cannot allow our state to continue this way. We must resolve the problem no matter how bad it is.

I have also resolved to complete all ongoing projects of the outgoing government.

Politicians are full of promises when they are seeking for votes, how will you match your promises with action, if elected?

We have a vision and passion to drive that vision. We are going into government with a clear vision taking everything into consideration. This election is very important to us because it is

We shall develop our agriculture. Though everybody talks about this, we shall give a lot of attention to it to make it attractive to the young and old.

We have a lot of land here and we are very close to the biggest market in the continent, which is Lagos.

We will look at other natural resources in the state. We have bitumen, we are also a littoral state bordering the Atlantic. We also have potential for developing Free Trade Zones. We shall work with private investors to enhance our economy and get jobs for our people.

Also in our agenda is to set up what we call Border Town Development Commission (BTDC). Our idea is that about three or four of our towns, Ifo, Arepo, Ibafo, Mowe, OjoduAbiodun, Matogun Oke Aro and the likes, border Lagos and these towns are populated by a large number of people working in Lagos. We shall set up this commission to basically enhance their living standard and benefit from high revenue of Lagos as a commercial centre of Nigeria.

The second pillar is about social services, looking at education, health and rural roads. We shall overhaul our education system to give a strong foundation to the next generation. We will do a lot in the area of primary education and invest more in our secondary education. When we talk of investment, it goes beyond spending money but to prepare them for the challenges ahead and this also informs our determination to promote technical and ICT schools because this is where the future is going.

Under health, we shall do more on preventive health, of course our hospitals and primary health care centres will be upgraded from mere consulting clinics,

Continues on Page 5

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

OSUN STATE

MARKET RELOCATION:

How LP Senatorial candidate died in Ogun

Ipetumodu, Asipa communities’ feud persists

By Gbenga Olarinoye

T

HE Ipetumodu and Asipa communities in Osun State which recently took up arms against each other leading to wanton destruction of property are not ready to sheathe their swords.

The commission set up by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to look into the causes of the communal crisis still is battling with allegations and accusations from representatives of both communities.

At the resumed sitting of the commission, on Tuesday, counsel representing Asipa, Mr. Adeyemi Funminiyi, insisted that the commission should recommend complete removal of the Akinola market from Asipa land.

It would be recalled that the communal clash between the two communities broke out at the market.

Funminiyi told the Justice Jide Falola led-judicial commission of enquiry that removal of the market from its present location is the only panacea to end the crisis

•Aregbesola between the two communities.

He also appealed to the state government to render assistance to the victims of the

crisis, who he said were at the verge of death.

Funminiyi submitted that the culprits apprehended during

the fracas should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to other would be trouble maker in the future.

In its reaction, counsel representing Ipetumodu community, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, said that the submission of the Asipa counsel that the Akinola market be relocated would be difficult.

He asserted that the power to relocate the market to another place is beyond the discretion of the panel.

However, Ipetumodu Progressives Union, in a letter to the commission urged the panel to see the request of Asipa to remove the market as unacceptable.

Justice Falola in his short ruling said that the commission will look into the matter and make its recommendation to the government without favour.

The crisis between Asipa and Ipetumodu in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun state led to destruction of properties worth millions of naira, while some people were left with various injuries.

Osun govt disburse N500m to boost food production

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SUN State Government has disbursed the sum of N500million as soft loan to farmers to boost mass production of food this farming season across the state.

The Coordinator, Osun State Rural Enterprise Agricultural Programme (O-REAP), Dr. Charles Akinola disclosed to newsmen in Osogbo shortly after meeting with stakeholders and the State Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEP) and Rural Access and Mobility Programme (RAMP).

Dr. Akinola said further that the state government has through OSSADEP assisted the farmers in clearing over 1000 acres of farmland in preparation of the mass production of food in the state adding that the lands cleared included Mokore Farm Settlement; Iwo-Patara Farm Settlement; Ago-Owu Farm Settlement; Ifon-Osun Farm Settlement; Ila Farm Settlement; Esa-Oke Farm Settlement as well as other private farms located in the state.

He stated that the state government has graded over 122 kilometres of access rural

roads and repaired river bridges to ease mobility of farm inputs and products to and from all farmlands across the state.

The graded rural roads, according to him, include AgoOwu to Orile-Owu (30km), IwoPatara-Akinleye-Idi-Iroko Road (23km); Mokore Road (18.7km); Shasha Rover to Orile-Owu-Womonle (61km); Okinni-Igbokiti (23km); Alaguntan (18.3km) and EsaOke. He explained that potable water and electricity have been restored in all the existing farm

The partnership, will make the state to be the food basket of the South-West and meet its overall goal of 10 per cent supply of food products to the Lagos market

settlements in the state to encourage younger farmers to stay and work in the farms.

Dr. Akinola who is also the Director General, Office of Economic Development and Partnerships (OEDP), disclosed that the state through its partnership with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is planning to promote massive production of cocoa and cassava across the state and ensure effective fertilizer distribution and other farm inputs including quality seeds though private sector participation.

“The partnership, will make the state to be the food basket of the South-West and meet its overall goal of 10 per cent supply of food products to the Lagos market, he said “We are also planning to invest in vegetable and soya beans massively through quality seeds to take food from the state to other region of the country. We want to open our doors to interested persons and bodies through partnership with private sector and approach fertilizer distribution and quality seeds multiplication with more vigour for maximum results.’’

No detention camp in my house –PDP chieftain

T

HE Osun East Senatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Chief Francis Fadahunsi, has debunked the allegation by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC that he has a human detention camp in his private residence in Ilase.

Fadahunsi was reported to be torturing people especially members of the APC in his

house.

Prince Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in his reaction after a tour of his Ilase-Ijesa home in Obokun Local Government on Tuesday, described the allegation as baseless and a ruse.

He challenged the accusers to come out with facts, supply police with evidence and stop misleading people with lies.

By Daud Olatunji

T

HE candidate of the Labour Party in Ogun West Senatorial district , Professor Solomon Olamilekan reportedly died on Monday after a brief neck pains.

Olamilekan, a Pharmacist, reportedly died on Monday morning in a private hospital three days after he was hospitalised.

Vanguard gathered that, the deceased had complained of stiff neck on Sunday to his political associates and was later rushed to a private hospital in Adigbe, Abeokuta, where he passed on.

The Secretary of the party in the state, Sunday Oginni, who disclosed the news of his death, described it as shocking.

Oginni explained that the deceased took an excuse from the Senatorial meeting held on Monday because of the sickness.

According to him, ‘’Prof.

Olamilekan had been complaining of stiff neck, and when we did not see him at the senatorial meeting we asked of his whereabouts and we were told he was in hospital. But this morning we were called that the man is dead. It is a great calamity to the party because he was one of the very strong candidates we have in the party.

Popularity and acceptance “He had assisted the Labour Party to gain more popularity and acceptance, especially in the rural areas and many of the residents in the rural areas have promised to vote for him”, he said .

Speaking on the sad development, the Ogun West LP Chairman, Jimoh Edun, accused opposition parties of being behind the politician’s demise, claiming that the popularity of the deceased prompted the opposition to kill him.

“It was a spiritual attack. The opposition knew our candidate would defeat them, that was why they killed him”, he said, dispelling the rumour that Olamilekan may have been killed by some members of the party who were eyeing the ticket.

He said no one was eyeing the ticket after the party had given the ticket to the deceased.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 5

OGUN STATE

Ondo bullion van robbery attack:

Police declare corporal wanted

By DAYO JOHNSON

T

HE dust raised by the illegal duty embarked upon by some Policemen who escorted a bullion van that was robbed in Elemesho near Ondo town, Ondo state, recently, is yet to settle.

Four policemen led by an inspector have been disciplined departmentally by the Police authorities for their action which put the Police force in bad light.

A fresh angle according to South West Voice findings showed that another Policeman who was part of the illegal operation has been declared wanted by the state Police Command.

One of the policemen on the said illegal operation of November 20, 2014, CPL Monday Ibiezugbe, reportedly escaped and was not arrested by the MOPOL deployed to the scene of the robbery by the state Police Commissioner Isaac Eke to comb the bush for the Policemen who escorted the bullion van without approval.

Since the incident, Monday, according to investigation, has not showed up in the office or his house fuelling speculation that he has eloped for fear of prosecution.

Image maker A police document signed by the image maker of the State Police command, Wole Ogodo, dated February 13 this year with ref no Cb; 5280/ONS/PPRO/vol9/ 152 declared Ex-F/NO 432191, CPL Ibiezugbe Monday wanted.

The document read: ‘’He was formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Ondo State Police Command Headquarters, Igbatoro Road Akure.

He absconded immediately after the attack on UBA bullion Van that was robbed on 20th November 2014, in which he was suspected of complicity and charged with illegal escort of the robbed bullion van.”

South West Voice learnt that a signal has been forwarded to all police formations across the country with his photograph.

A Police source hinted that the suspect and others may have cornered officials of the bank who came to book for Police escort in the operation department.

A senior officials of the bank told South West Voice that the bank officials approached the police operation department officially for the escort.

However, he alleged that a deal was reached and the policemen were asked to accompany the bullion van without officially

With right priorities, Ogun can afford free-tertiary education — Isiaka Continues from Page 3

•Ibiezugbe: Missing since the November 20, 2014 attack

notifying the high authorities or documenting their movement.

“The whole thing was a deal that backfired. The bank official declared.

Investigations by South West Voice showed that the policemen that were on ground when the bank officials approached the Police intended to make brisk business out of it.

However when the bubble burst, the affected policemen were left to carry their cross and face the consequences.

The fear of what would be his fate may have prompted Monday not to show up in the last four months that the incident happened.

Contacted, Ogodo confirmed that Monday who took part in the

Sources within the bank and the police said more startling revelations are expected to unfold on the incident that is causing ripples in the state police command

illegal operation has been declared wanted by the police authorities.

A top Police source told South West Voice that “on a good day whenever banks want to convey money from one town to the other they usually write to the operation unit of the state police command and eight policemen would be approved for them.

However, in this situation only four policemen escorted the bullion van which fuelled suspicion of conspiracy.

Police detectives said that the officers may have been embarking on such illegal duties before now to make brisk business until nemesis caught up with them, adding that the suspects faced orderly room trial and were found culpable.

They were said to have confessed that they actually embarked on the illegal operation thinking it would be a “smooth ride that would earn them quick money”.

They reportedly told their “prosecutors” that they never envisaged that the bullion van would be attacked by robbers.

Three other persons including the two drivers of the bullion van marked Lagos FST 945 AL and the escort vehicle with registration number PF 344 SPY and the cash Officer of the bank were equally detained after the robbery attack Sources within the bank and the police said more startling revelations are expected to unfold on the incident that is causing ripples in the state police command.

which they currently are and provide enough drugs at highly subsidized rates. We shall ensure our people have access to Medicare where ever they live. On rural roads, what we have now is expansion of urban roads, most of these roads, in our opinion are being done at heart-breaking costs. I don’t know anywhere else in Nigeria or sub-Sahara Africa where a kilometer of road costs N1.4billion. We are not talking of constructing new roads but expanding existing ones. Majority of our people leave in rural communities and they have been neglected in the last three and half years.

The third pillar is about our women and youths. They constitute two-third of our population. And when we talk of our women, we are not talking about high brow, degree holding women. We are talking about the average woman in the street, in the village, who is involved in petty trading. The concern is how will they get basic things and that is why we will establish Women Development Centres in all the 20 local councils to cater for them.

Also I have pledged to create 500,000 jobs for our youths within four years and this is not a political statement. It is doable, we have thought about it and we have our plans to make it real. I am an investment banker and some of what I did as the Group Managing Director of the Gateway Holding seems to be the only job creating channels for the government up till now.

For instance, we conceived and established Ogun-Guandong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa, it started operation four years ago.

The General Manager of the place, Mr Jason Han recently told the Southwest Zonal Commander and Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mr Victor Gbemudu that the place has offered over 4,000 direct employment with 16 companies fully operational, eight being under construction.

Business projects If not for the unfriendly attitude of this government to private investors, over 70 companies are supposed to be operating in that place by now, but you all know how Amosun drove many investors out of the state when he came. We shall revive all these business projects that have potential of expanding our economy and providing jobs for our people. The abandoned Deep Sea Project is there, the cargo airport is there, Tongeji oil is there but yet to be explored, we have bitumen.

All these shall be developed to make life more abundant for our people. We shall not run a contract-driven and rent-taking government like what is being experienced now in the state.

Besides, there are lot of business opportunities in sports unknown to this government. Sports is dead in our state at the moment.

Ogun State has four FIFA standard stadia that are not been put to use. We have developed a comprehensive income generating and job creating sporting activities that will develop our youths and make us stand out.

The fourth pillar is on public service. Civil service is the engine room of any administration. We must motivate them to give their best to the state. We shall ensure training and re-training to keep them fresh on the job.

Our traditional institutions will be accorded their due respect and be made to contribute to the development of their communities.

I believe in accountability and that is why I always emphasize transparency and openness. We must carry people along. No matter how lofty our ideas might be people must be part of it. In everything that we shall do, people must be at the centre of our policies.

How will you fund all these lofty ideas you mentioned?

Government cannot single handedly fund all these projects.

Government will do its best and private sector will also play key roles. Even the whole resources accruing to the state in a year cannot fully develop the Olokola project. We shall create a structure that will attract private investors. We have a strategy to get investors all over the world to key into it, generate revenue for the state and provide jobs for our people.

But for those that require our funding, for instance, social services like education and health we shall do that to get desired results for our people. It is not difficult to run tuition free tertiary institution in Ogun State, we only need to do some re-adjustments, realignment and get our priority right.

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

OSUN STATE

By Dayo Johnson

F

OR a brief moment, last Tuesday, two political foes in Ondo State, Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Duerinimi Isaac Kekemeke (DIK), put aside their political differences and embraced. no thanks to the untimely death of the wife of the latter Tamarauemi Celestina, aged 49.

Seeing the two personalities holding each other does not mean they are now on the same political platform. They were united by grief.

DIK, was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Works and Secretary to the state Government SSG, pioneer Chairman of National Examination Council NECO before his present appointment to lead the opposition party in the state Even before the shift in the general elections, the campaign schedule of the gladiators who are campaigning for their presidential and National Assembly candidates were so planned that their paths never crossed.

When Iroko and his team are in the Northern Senatorial district campaigning for the likes of Dr Bode Olajumoke, Kolade Akinjo for the National Assembly slots, Kekemeke fondly called by his admirers as DIK was in the central raising the hands of the likes of Tayo Alasoadura and Afe Olowookere for the people to decide.

•Mimiko & Kekemeke

Day grief united political foes in Ondo He was very vocal, vibrant and an astute politician who was feared and respected for his constructive criticism and love for his people in the devastated riverine region of Ese -Odo during the botched Third Republic when the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) ruled the state through Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua.

Now, his political pedigree has endeared him to a number of politicians across the political parties.

So when the sad and shocking news of the death of his wife, a week ago, hit the news waves both friends and foes trooped to his residence to sympathize and console him and his four grown up boys left behind by his darling wife.

One of the early callers was the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko who in a

show of camaraderie put aside politics and led a delegation to console the leader of the opposition party in the state.

Kekemeke and governor Mimiko have always been on different sides politically until 2003 when Mimiko joined the PDP from the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Before then, while Kekemeke was in the NRC, Iroko was in the SDP and was the Health Commissioner under Evangelist Olumilua.

While DIK under the PDP was appointed the pioneer National Chairman of the National Examination Council NECO in 1999, Iroko Joined the AD and was appointed by the late governor Adebayo Adefarati as the Health Commissioner.

In 2003, Iroko left the Adefarati government and joined forces with the deceased governor Olusegun Agagu and Adefarati was ousted for Agagu to become the governor.

DIK was already in the government of Agagu as the Attorney General and Justice Commissioner and later the Works Commissioner.

Iroko, on joining Agagu, was appointed the Secretary to the State Government.

They served together under Agagu until 2005 when Iroko was appointed a Minister by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

After a short time as Minister for Housing and Urban Planning, Iroko left the Agagu government after some disagreement over his governorship ambition, to

float a relatively new political party-Labour Party which sacked the PDP led government.

The late Agagu was kicked out and his attempt to go to the Senate truncated by Iroko who worked with some aggrieved PDP leaders like DIK. After stopping Agagu, Kekemeke went on political holidays for over two years.

On return, he came back stronger as he was appointed as APC state Chairman in 2013.

In 2014, Iroko dumped LP for the PDP ahead of the 2015 general elections.

No doubt his defection jolted the DIK- led opposition party but they claimed they are not bothered about the defection noting that it will be a minus rather than a plus for the PDP. Speaking at the residence of Kekemeke, the governor urged the bereaved family to console themselves in the Lord noting that the deceased died in the Lord.

Dr Mimiko said the heart and prayers of members of his administration were with the family and prayed God to grant the family members the fortitude to bear the loss.

Responding, Kekemeke thanked the Governor and his team for the visit, noting that his family members had been greatly encouraged by the show of solidarity to him across party, religious and cultural lines.

Kekemeke said: “This shows that we are one people. My family members are consoled by the great inter-party support received since the demise of my wife.”

Registered voters Both personalities were busy selling their candidates to the over 1.5million registered voters in the Sunshine State of Ondo.

No one could have imagined that both men could stand side by side and to even hold hands.

DIK as the leader of the opposition party in the state has not spared Iroko as he throws punches at him on political matters at any given opportunity.

However, the news of his wife’s demise after a brief illness hit the people of the state across all political parties like a volcano because DIK is a grassroots politician who has made friends across the state since he was in the state House of Assembly between 1990 and 1992 as the minority leader under the defunct National Republican Congress, NRC.

Don’t turn polls into trial and error exercise — Senator cautions Jega

By GBENGA ARIYIBI

Seeing the two personalities holding each other does not mean they are now on the same political platform.

They were united by grief

A

former member of the National Assembly, Senator Bode Ola has cautioned the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Atahiru Jega not to turn the conduct of March 28 and April 11 elections into a trial and error exercise.

Ola who represented Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the Senate between 2009 -2011 condemned Jega for insisting on the use of card readers for the polls, saying he is treating a national assignment with levity.

The senator who spoke with the newsmen in Ado Ekiti on the controversies surrounding the suspended polls, said he expected Jega to have tested the workability of the

card reader machines to test their reliability and workability.

“The INEC says it has introduced card readers as mechanism for detecting impersonating voters. Quite a good idea to foster credibility in elections. However, it has not been physically tested to know if it will fail midway or not in the heat of usage because it is battery powered.

“It takes more than the made –fortelevision display of the working mechanism of the card reader machines as openly demonstrated by the Edo State INEC REC, Mr Mike Igini last Sunday, to prove its efficacy.

The demonstration does not guarantee that the card reader won’t fail under pressure of servicing hundreds of voters at each polling unit on Election Day,” he said.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 7

OYO STATE

•Eleyele River

•Victims' grave

Pain, tears as five drown in Ibadan

By Ola Ajayi & Bukola Ifegbayi

I

f five people who drowned at Eleyele river in Ibadan had heeded the warning of an experienced fisherman who advised them not to paddle their canoe at an hour when all rescuers had gone home, perhaps, they would be alive today to transact their businesses.

But, as if they had made appointment with death that night, they all turned deaf ears to the wise counsel to go back home by road. As if some unseen forces were prompting them to go ahead, they also paid little attention to the cloudy sky which indicated that there would be downpour.

Middle of the river Besides, they ignored the boldly written warning on the notice board that warns people to avoid using the canoe as from 7pm. Hardly, had they got to the middle of the river than a tumultuous wind which preceded the downpour blew and swept them off. Their canoe capsized and in a twinkle of an eye all of them were in the river fighting desperately for survival.

Due to the fact that no person was expected to be paddling canoe at that time, no one knew of their ordeal and everything went as if nothing happened until the following day when fishing business began. The owner of the canoe got to the river looking for his canoe and he was surprised to see his canoe floating on the river.

He did not suspect anything until he saw some personal effects of people in the canoe. He alerted others and a search party swung into action.

When South West Voice visited the river where the sad incident took place, the personal effects

of the victims and the ill-fated canoe and where they were buried were seen.

Scores of sympathizers, mostly women who wore forlorn looks, put their hands on their chests and stood in clusters telling different stories about the life time of the victims. South West Voice also saw one of the stalls belonging to a victim where she used to sell raw food.

A regular user of a drinking joint where palm wine is sold, Mr. Oluwanbe Temilola, a jobless graduate said he was shocked when the remains of two women were discovered after a search that took several hours.

One touching episode, he narrated happened. “One of the swimmers who were looking for bodies of the victims dived into the seeming harmless river and touched a woman. He brought the body to the bank of the river only to discover that it was the remains of her wife who had told him she was going to see her family members in another place.

According to him, the man broke down and wept uncontrollably. It was a painful moment. He quoted the husband of the dead woman as saying, “my wife told me she was going to see her people and she went.

I tried to call her in the evening when I did not see her but her phone was switched off. I then concluded that she might have decided to stay with her people till the following day.

That was how I left for home without her not knowing she was among the victims. Oh! God, what type of thing is this? This is too much for me to bear. She never showed any sign or bid me farewell.”

He clarified the conflicting casualty figure which claimed that over nine people died in the river saying “as far as I know, two bodies were recovered yesterday and another body was found this morning. We are still looking for the bodies of two men. One of

t h e m paddled the canoe.”

W h e n speaking with our reporters, the Chairman, Oyo State Fishermen •Ill-fated canoe Cooperative Society, Alfa Rufai Akinlabi whose nobody should use the canoe as countenance depicted sorrow from 7pm, one of our people who and anguish managed to utter saw them rushing to the river at some words, he almost broke into that odd hour warned them that it was dangerous to embark on tears.

According to him, the death of such a trip at that hour. See the the people still hurt him and other warning on that notice board that people there because “ it is not says nobody should use the easy to lose a person let alone canoe as from 7pm.

“Apart from that, swimmers five people at a time. Their death is particularly painful because close and go to their homes by they ignored all warnings that 7pm and if they are not around, night. Apart from the sign post it is dangerous to use the canoe. here where it is boldly written that I was told that somebody warned them that they should go by road since it was dark and also the sky was cloudy indicating that it was preparing to rain.

Humanitarian service

Due to the fact that no person was expected to be paddling canoe at that time, no one knew of their ordeal and everything went as if nothing happened until the following day

Who knows the rain could come with a strong wind since the rainy season is just beginning. They turned deaf ears to all these and they paddled the canoe by themselves. So many people use these canoes. Before, it was free as fishermen just rendered humanitarian service to people by taking them across the river to their residence.”

“But, when the number of people using the canoe increased, they were collecting some token from them. As you see this place, it is a bee-hive of activities during the day. It is the incident that made the people to desert this place. Workers both private and public servants use these canoes and we have not had any ugly incident until this one happened”.

Asked what they did with the

corpses, he said only the body of a woman was buried there and other corpses have been taken away by their people saying it was against their religious beliefs to have their dead buried at the bank of the river. “It is the belief of the people that anyone who drowns in the river will be buried by the riverside. We don’t know why. When the Osun worshippers arrived to take care of the dead bodies according to tradition, some Islamic scholars rejected and insisted to take their dead away”.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adekunle Ajisebutu said, “Yes, it is true that five people got drowned at the Eleyele river on February 11, 2015 at 10:00hours, a fisherman named Dauda who was resident in Awotan area of Apete, Ibadan reported the incident and informed us that he parked his canoe at the river bank at about 19:00 hours after the day’s job.

“According to him, on reaching the river bank the following day, he couldn’t find his canoe. This, of course, prompted him to begin to search for the canoe.

Eventually, when the canoe was recovered, personal effects of some passengers were seen in the canoe.

This, of course, raised suspicion and prompted them to organize a search party. At the end of the search, two female bodies were found. They were those of Alaba Yussuf aged 46 years and Mulikat Amodu aged 43.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

BITS Briefs How LP Senatorial candidate died in Ogun

By Daud Olatunji

A

•Fayose’s wife: Wants to empower indigent widows

Making First Lady office relevant:

The Feyisetan Fayose’s example

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

T a time that opinions are divided over whether or not the office of the first lady should be scrapped since it is not a creation of the constitution, the wife of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose, is showing that first ladies have strategic and significant roles in the delivery of democracy dividends in the country.

Unlike other first ladies, who have well-defined pet projects they are pursuing, Feyisiean does not have any. She says her husband is her project even though she has many activities she is involved in.

Success of present assignment “Yes, l said I have no pet project but l want to support my husband in his present assignment to succeed. What else can l do to better the lot of the generality of our people, especially the less privileged members of the society than to be assisting my husband who believes that their welfare is paramount to him?’’ she said.

It is interesting to note that Mrs Fayose who says she does not have a particular pet project to pursue is doing a lot towards alleviating poverty among the women especially the indigent and the less privileged. She has been at various hospitals across the state to pay the hospital bills of indigent patients.

Last January when she celebrated her 50th birthday anniversary, Mrs Fayose told all those who had wanted to give

her gifts and other items to convert them to money or food items and bring them to the various Special Schools located in Ikere, Ido, Ikoro Ado and Iyin where she celebrated her birthday with the less privileged children for distribution.

A couple of days ago, she held a meeting with the the caretaker chairmen in each of the 16 local councils and women leaders where she asked them to select 15 widows in each of the council who she planned to empower in her own little way.

At the meeting, Mrs Fayose sounded a warning to bewildered chairmen: “Please, l want to appeal to you that you should not include the names of your relations in the list. I don’t want to hear that my

husband is as good as dead. l want real indigent widows, especially in the rural areas.’’

She has a programme for the AIDS/HIV patients ande has mapped out plans on how they could be engaged. Disturbed by discrimination against people living with HIV, she is planning to seek protection for them and assist some of them in the area of empowerment and employment. The first lady, says she wants an Ekiti State where there will be no discrimination and all Ekiti people will enjoy the dividends of democracy because all the people of the state voted en masse for her husband during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state.

Hausa Community in Ogun endorses UPN Gov candidate

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA-The Council of Hausa Chiefs in Ogun State has installed the Governorship Candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, in the state, Prince Rotimi Paseda as Garkwa Hausawa.

The chairman, Council of Hausa Chiefs in the State, Alhaji Umar Nalado while conferring the title on Paseda in Sagamu, Sagamu local government area of the state, said the Council gave Paseda the title because of his commitment to uplifting the poor in the state.

He said the title Garkwa which could mean protector, provider, pillar and shield is generally reserved for people who are committed to the advancement of

humanity.

He told the gathering that Paseda deserved the honour because of his philanthropy and support for the Hausa community and appealed to all Hausas in the state especially youths and women to vote for the candidate.

All the Seriki Hausawa in the major cities of Ogun State were present at the conferment of the title on Paseda. In his acceptance speech, Paseda who was accompanied by his deputy and other party stalwarts said he considered the support from the Hausa community to him as a great honour and pledged that he would not discriminate if he is elected as the governor of the state.

BEOKUTA- THE candidate of the Labour Party in Ogun West Senatorial district , Professor Solomon Olamilekan reportedly died on Monday after a brief neck pains. Olamilekan, a Pharmacist, reportedly died on Monday morning in a private hospital three days after he was hospitalised.

Vanguard gathered that, the deceased had complained of stiff neck on Sunday to his political associates and was later rushed to a private hospital in Adigbe, Abeokuta, where he passed on.

The Secretary of the party in the state, Sunday Oginni, who disclosed the news of his death, described it as shocking.

Oginni explained that the deceased took an excuse from the Senatorial meeting held on Monday because of the sickness.

According to him, ‘’Prof. Olamilekan had been complaining of stiff neck, and when we did not see him at the senatorial meeting we asked of his whereabouts and we were told he was in hospital. But this morning we were called that the man is dead. It is a great calamity to the party because he was one of the very strong candidates we have in the party.

“He had assisted the Labour Party to gain more popularity and acceptance, especially in the rural areas and many of the residents in the rural areas have promised to vote for him”, he said .

Speaking on the sad development, the Ogun West LP Chairman, Jimoh Edun, accused opposition parties of being behind the politician’s demise, claiming that the popularity of the deceased prompted the opposition to kill him.

“It was a spiritual attack. The opposition knew our candidate would defeat them, that was why they killed him”, he said, dispelling the rumour that Olamilekan may have been killed by some members of the party who were eyeing the ticket.

He said no one was eyeing the ticket after the party had given the ticket to the deceased.

APC is a bad loser, says Adesiyan

By Gbenga Olarinoye

M

inister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan, yesterday described the opposition All Progressives Congress APC as an association of bad losers who thrive on lies and propaganda.

Reacting to the call for his removal by the APC over the alleged Ekiti rigging audio clip, the minister said through his Chief Press Secretary, Wale Akinola, that rather than call for his removal, the party should have told the whole world how they intended to subvert the people’s will in Ekiti before they were resisted by the good people of the state.

Adesiyan said that he wouldn’t have dignified APC with any more comments on the issue but for the purpose of history and to put the record straight.

According to him, “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have dignified APC with any comment on this issue any more but because the APC whose stock in trade are lies and propaganda can easily explore their propaganda machineries to turn black into white for people to take black as white. I would have also ignored their ranting and hallucinating tendencies but for Nigerians and the international community to know the truth since APC is a serial liar. It is very pathetic that whenever APC wins, the election is free and fair even with the mobilization of the Military personnel. But whenever the party loses, the election is rigged even with the same process that earlier favoured them.

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsuru Olowoepejo

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 33

10 years after, D’banj opens up on his story

By Kehinde Ajose

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ITH an enviable career spanning 10 years, Dapo Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj has every reason to be grateful to his maker for the impact he has made on the sand of time as an entertainer.

In a chat with WG, the selfproclaimed Banga lee opens up on the highpoint of his ten years sojourn in the world of music.

“My first single came out October 2004 .My first album

was released in march 2005 and as at that time I always say I was an entertainer and I hoped and prayed that I will be the biggest to come out of Africa. I will be a businessman, you know you always have different types of dreams. It’s been a great journey in 10 years and when I count my blessings, I see that God has been so faithful. There are places that I have been to, that I never thought about.

Though, I dream big, I have performed on some stages I never thought I would dare

to”, he says.

When asked what he considers the highpoint of his career , he says: “ The high point of my career will be last year when I gave a speech at the World Bank Tedex .That for me was different ,because it had nothing to do with music. Being on that platform with those caliber of people, showed that you are not just an artiste, but also representing a generation.”

At last, US-based Nigerian singer, Janelia reveals hubby After many years of playing

hide and seek game, USbased Nigerian singer Janelia has finally unveiled the man in her life. Unveiling the love of her life was Janelia’s Valentine’s Day package to fans. On that fateful day, she took to the studio to have a photo shoot with her man, Femi Sanya. Although Janelia had not openly introduced him to the world as her husband until now, Femi Sanya has always been with Janelia on stage as both the music director and bass guitar player of her band “Janeliasoul” as well as being behind the scenes. For instance, Femi Sanya is the producer of one of Janelia’s most celebrated songs “Love Song in Yoruba” as well as codirected that music video and

D’banj Janelia’s latest music video “Bakassi”. Mr. and Mrs. Sanya recently celebrated their 12 years wedding anniversary and their union has been blessed with two lovely sons ages 11 and 7.

The two met in the music industry while they were both touring with other bands in the U.S. Back then Janelia, a student and a graduate of Morgan State University, U.S.A, was a backup singer/dancer in a band and Femi Sanya was the bass guitar player of that particular band before he swept her off her feet and the two became an item ever since. Femi

Sanya is also the brains behind some of Shina’s Peters hits from the 1990s. He together with the Hausa drummer named Ali Muhammed forged the Afrojuju style and Femi Sanya played the bass guitar behind all those Shina Peters hits Nigerians have come to love which includes, Ace, Shinamania, Experience and Kilode to name a few.

Janelia says, “Femi Sanya is a musical genius, he helped develop my craft and without him I wouldn’t’ have a career as an artiste and a female band leader.

‘We’re ready for 3rd Lagos music festival’ Janelia and hubby

Football triumphs over Fashion deavours and thanking Malta in Game ON Guinness for the opportunity. The

By Esther Onyegbula HE maiden edition of Game On, the Malta Guinness-powered reality “show came to an end last Sunday amidst pomp. The show kicked off with a comedy session as popular humour merchants, Owen Gee and Lepacious Bose kept the audience entertained before the host for the night, another popular comedian, Gordons arrived.

After a one-minute debate by both team captains, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Daniel Amokachi, on the superiority of their individual passions, there was a recap of memories of the contestants in the house and on tasks.

The four evictees were brought on stage again, wishing the finalists luck in their future en-

T

night was full of several activities, from a football-inspired dance rendition, to a runway show showcasing elegant designs. This also ushered a mind-blowing performance by delectable R&B songstress, Niyola. Alobam crooner, Phyno also performed, with the entire audience rising to their feet, singing and dancing along and breaking into applause for the rapper after his performance.

Eventually, OlumideAjibolade was declared final winner over Henrietta with Team Football winning 52% of the votes to Team Fashion’s 48% in the outcome of voting by Nigerians on Facebook and by SMSes across the nation.

L

AGOS Music Festival, the Golden Tulip and Five Stars Music have expressed their readiness to host the third edition of the annual festival.

Unveiling the list of artistes that will be performing at this year’s event, holding on Friday, March 6, at the main arena of the hotel, in Festac, Lagos, the organizers said, “ We are

ready for the 3rd Lagos music festival.”

Leading the list are 2Face Idibia, Kcee,2face,Olamide, legendary Victor Uwaifo, Yemi Alade, Patoranking, Iyanya and Chidinma. Others include Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Phino, Seyi Shay Duncan Mighty,

Artistes performing at last year’s event

Cynthia Morgan, Runtown, BasketMouth among others.

The music festival was created to restore the importance of Festac area as the capital of art and music in Nigeria.

According to the organizers, this year’s festival promises to be awesome with lots of top Nigerian musicians lined up for the big show, coupled with performance from upcoming artistes. “The festival once again invites artistes and audiences of all ages to experience music in established as well as unconventional settings, exploring the dynamism among art forms genres and cultures, and reflecting the encounter of tradition with the contemporary. As we look forward to the third edition of this super music fiesta, the fans will have the opportunity to meet their own heroes who are revered all over the world,” said the organizers.

34— Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Curvy rebel T

sloppy in photos. Rather than dress in flowy things all the time, try a cleverly fitted maxi. On the whole, anything you wear should be proportioned to your body, and a good tailor will make sure everything fits perfectly.

Take it to the tailor before wearing anything.

Shortening a hem line on a dress can make a huge difference.

HERE’S nothing worse than dreading the idea of getting dressed. So you have curves, and you’ve been told some outfits are off limits for you, right? Wrong!

Time to break the rules!

PRINTS Contrary to popular belief, you can wear prints.

There is this idea that curvy women should only wear black, but a great print can also be very flattering. It’s all about choosing the right silhouette first, and looking out for a pattern that has a flattering placement. If you’re going to do a full matching printed suit, for example, a slimmer pant and tailored jacket works really well. You don’t want to be lost in a sea of print, so a voluminous printed caftan won’t do you any favors. If the idea of headto-toe prints is still daunting, then why not try a fun tailored jacket and keep your basic blacks underneath?

SHOW IT OFF Being curvy does not warrant covering everything up. On the contrary, the exact opposite is true. Rather, draw attention to parts of your body you consider particularly sexy or have got you compliments in the past. Show off the tiny waist with a cropped top; sexy legs with a mini or a slit and that divine décolletage.

LINGERIE Beautiful lingerie is great when you’re going for that seductive moment, but you can see it underneath a Tshirt or blouse. Keep it superclean and simple underneath so you are not tugging at things. Every woman should have a spanx.

You start with a good foundation and go from there.

FITTED A woman who owns her body would definitely be sexy.

Flowy tops and dresses are not flattering on a curvy figure. They can make you look pregnant and they look

R

ecognizing the importance of affordable, accessible and clean water to the wellbeing of Nigerians especially women and children, Lisa folawiyo, Deola Sagoe, Temple Muse, Red Door Gallery Artists (Lemi Ghariokwu & Paulie Alakija), Lakin Ogunbanwo recently donated auction items at the Clean Water For Everyone(CWFE) maiden fundraiser.

Considering the recent reports by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) found that over 63.2 million people in Nigeria lack access to safe water and 112 million people lack access to adequate sanitation— equivalent to two thirds of the country’s population.

This crisis affects they expounded communities, but more importantly, schools where children from different backgrounds gather to get an education.

In other to ameliorate

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Lisa Folawiyo, Deola Sagoe, others donate auction items at CWFE maiden fundraiser

By Esther Onyegbula this problem, organizations led by Nigeria’s youths came together to contribute their humble quota to bring an end to this palpable problem via initiating Clean Water for everyone, a social venture targeted at providing affordable access to clean water and sanitation for schools in

Africa and around the world. In a bid to fulfil its mission, CWFE is working with local people and organizations to achieve positive and measured social, economic, and environmental impacts. In four years, Clean Water for Everyone has operated in seven countries, providing

access to clean water for over 48,000 people, built/renovated 12 toilet facilities and awarded 51 scholarships (60% to girls).

According to the founder/project coordinator, Abbey Wemimo explained that they were able to achieve all this by financing the upfront costs required to install water and sanitation infrastructure in nursery, primary and secondary schools. CWFE uses local contractors to drill the necessary boreholes on school properties, and install related equipment such as pumps, tanks, latrines and piping.

Hence water pumped from the ground for human consumption will be filtered through reverse osmosis;

ultraviolet and other appropriate locally based filtration systems. This important work is made possible by CWFE’s fundraiser events, other honourable donations and impact investments”.

The inaugural fundraising event was held at the Ibru gardens Victoria Island which was well attended centered on an Auction and the CWFE team raised NGN4.6 Million.

Appreciating attendees, at the end of the event, Wemimo said:”The gala was utterly successful, my Co-founders— Christopher Ibru, Teniola Sagoe and I planned to break even.

Fortuitously, we exceeded all expectations by raising enough funds to install three water and sanitation infrastructure. Our attendees were stellar and very supportive”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —35

FG graduates 300 women on skill acquisition programmes

By Funmi Olasupo

A

BUJA – Efforts to ensure economic empowerment for women by the Federal Government recently yielded positive result, as it graduated not less than 330 women trained in various skills acquisition.

The programme organised through the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) is geared towards addressing issue of poverty in the country.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina explained that the skill acquisition programme was designed to build up the graduants in various entrepreneurial capacities.

“The training received by the graduating students in various skills are designed to build up skills, acquire appropriate knowledge and improve the vocational and entrepreneurial capacities of the graduants, which would ultimately translate to financial and economic independence of women, enhanced family incomes, wealth creation and poverty reduction for the entire citizenry,” she said.

Represented by the Director of General Services, Mrs Aisha

Mohammed, the Minister encouraged “the graduating students to source for necessary information on how to access loan through micro-financial

banks, the ministry, etc.

In her remarks, the Director General of the NCWD, Lady Onyeka Onwenu promised that the centre would continue

A

buja – Federal Government has disclosed that the lack of women’s participation in decision making in Nigeria is inimical to democratic progress as it ultimately denies women mass participation in governance.

This the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajia Zainab Maina said it is against the backdrop in the fulfillment of implementing programs on enhancing women’s political participation within the context of the forthcoming general elections.

Hajia Maina gave the assertion at the National Training Workshop on Voter Education for Women in partnership with United Nations Development Program, UNDP’s Managed

equality. “Its (NCWD) core value is for training women, documentation and research on women issues,” Onyeka maintained.

We've trained 2,000 visually impaired persons —FNSB Chairman

By Josephine Agbonkhese

N

O fewer than 2,000 visually impaired persons have been trained in various skills by the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, FNSB, at its vocational training centre in Lagos since inception in 1956, Chairman, FNSB, Mrs Biola Agbaje, has said.

Mrs Agbaje who spoke at a media briefing in Lagos while unveiling the society’s 60th anniversary calendar of events said a single workshop building donated in 1955 for the start off of the rehabilitation/vocational centre was accountable for the fete.

These training include skills in Braille writing and reading, typewriting, handicrafts, telephone switchboard operation, computer operation, mobility skills, tie and dye and various crafts necessary for job placement in industry or for selfemployment.

That old building was however rebuilt last year by kind-hearted Nigerians, including Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, and was commissioned last November by his wife, Dame Abimbola Fashola. It now consists of state-of-theart facilities.

“I am happy to attest to the fact that well over 2,000 students have been rehabilitated and are doing

Lack of women’s participation in decision making, inimical to democratic progress, says Minister

By Funmi Olasupo

to make remarkable strides in the fight against poverty.

She said government was committed to women empowerment and gender

Democratic Governance for Development Project in Abuja.

According to the Minister, there is a strong correlation between women’s empowerment and their active and effective participation in the electoral process and “it would be necessary to promote the participation of women in the electoral process. That is the essence of this activity today.

She said “Interestingly, there are already in place some mechanisms that could be used to improve the participation and representation of women in decision making. It is our desire to use these existing structures to achieve our goal of developing realistic, achievable ways of implementing strategies that have already been developed.”

Hajia Zainab Maina Hajia Maina stressed that the theme of the project – Making Women’s Votes Count is appropriate as it helps us to focus on facilitating women’s active and effective participation in the electoral process.

Independent National Electoral Commission

exceptionally well in their various fields.

“We have some of our extrainees in tertiary institutions undergoing different fields of study and we also provide after care service to deserving undergraduates at 200 level in universities by giving them the sum of N50,000 each.

“Last year, we started the Cooperative and Thrift Society for the ex-trainees with the seed money of the sum of N1.9million.

“The Lagos State Scholarship Board also sponsored the tuition fee for over 60 students last year and hopes to continue.

“Over the years, we have enjoyed tremendous support from organizations, churches and individuals.

This anniversary year, we have lined up a number of activities to mark our 60 years of existence.

“A workshop/seminar titled “Living with Blindness” comes up in March. Other activities include Open Day, May Ball Dinner/Dance, Musical Night and Grand Finale. Annual activities include inter-house sports, council/students forum, public enlightenment week, 10th NSB White Cane Day and more,” Mrs Agbaje said.

The FNSB was founded 60 years ago with the aim of training and giving hope to visually handicapped adolescents and adults in Nigeria. Especially people who through unfortunate circumstances, go blind later in life and therefore need rehabilitating.

Professor Attahiru Jega stated that the program is not only timely, but substantially aligns with the operations and programs of the commission in the task of educating the citizenry on the various aspects of the electoral process.

Represented by the National Commissioner and Chairperson Partnership Committee of INEC Mrs. Gladis Nwafor, he noted that INEC as set up by law is expected to provide platforms to deepen the democratic process by promoting knowledge and practices through voter education, insurance of guidelines and regulations.

“The commission also strives to ensure participation of marginalized and disadvantaged groups across the country of which women form a greater part, in view of

their voting population.

“As the nation moves closer to February 14th, dates for the 2015 general elections, the commission is indeed appreciative of the milestone and value added; this workshop will bring to bear on the voter education initiatives embarked upon by the commission.” Prof. Jega noted According to him, the role and place of civic and voter education cannot be over emphasized in enabling the citizens make informed choices in regular and competitive multi party elections.

“One of the strategies in ensuring equal opportunities for all, irrespective of gender, has been reflected in the Training/Operational Manual Election official for the 2015 general elections; which includes generating data on gender participation at polling units and ensuring at least one poll official is a female. Priority will be given to pregnant women, women with children, people living with disabilities, the aged and the sick on election days.” He stressed.

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36—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Mixed-reactions trail Ghanaian singer’s comment on Jesus M

I’ll make my own movie one day — Banky W

ixed-reactions have continued to trail the comment credited to popular Ghanaian singer, Belinda Ekua Amoah, a.k.a Mzbel, who reportedly said she does not believe in the existence of Jesus Christ.

The singer who was speaking on TV programme on Restoration, said she is confident stories about the ‘Holy son of God’ were made up.

“I don’t want to offend anybody. I used to believe in ‘it’ but eerrmm, I did my own research and I think ‘it’ was made up but I might be wrong, but by my own research, it was made up. Because the same story 5000 years ago happened in Egypt...”

Comparing the story of the ‘Messiah’ - as Christian’s call him – to the story of Horus, one of the oldest and most significant deities in ancient Egyptian

religion, Mzbel said the similarities are too apt.

According to her, Jesus’s story is an imitation of that of Horus whom according to her “research”, predates Jesus.

“I used to believe in ‘it’, I prayed in tongues. I can pray in tongue right now. I actually prayed in my room one time until the room was filled up in smoke...but now trust me, I will not believe in it anymore.”

Meanwhile, the internet has been awash with divergent views since she dropped the bombshell. Some of the aggrieved people who took to the social media to attack the controversial singer believe that she’s demonized, while very many others do not see anything wrong with her submission.

Reacting to her outburst, Edith Makae said, “Oh this girl is really sick. She

doesn’t even know what she’s saying, she will get it”, while Mike Wyatt wrote “I think if she re-reads the Old and New Testament she might be very surprised and more than a little embarrassed as to how her research has got her lost. Still maybe she needs some quick fame and publicity to get her singing career noticed. God Our Loving Father notices her.

So ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

According to Joshua Ahianyo, God is not seen through research but through revelation.”I don’t think she really knows what’s she is talking about. Does she think its her own power that she is doing the singing and other things. She should kneel down and beg the Lord for forgiveness,’ wrote Aryeh Isaac.

Also, those who did not see anything wrong with her submission argued that the singer have added to human knowledge. “ Mzbel is on the way to wisdom. Don’t be hard on her. Everybody must one day doubt and deny what you know to know what you really know,” wrote Will Wobenetsi.

Top DJs thrill fans at MTN Val party

By Kehinde Ajose

E

VERYONE knows Banky W is the boss at Empire Mates Entertainment (EME),only a few have discovered that the self-proclaimed King of the Lagos party loves to set new goals and attain new heights. The RnB star who recently released the videos of his two singles which he directed, in a chat with WG revealed the reason he attended the New York Film Academy.

“I believe in expansion and growth. I believe in setting new goals and trying to attain new heights. I believe in never being comfortable where you are, but continuing to strive to be bigger and better in what you do. Eighty percent of the videos EME have come out with; I write the treatments and come out with the concepts. Then I was like:”You know what? It’s ursty Adinoyi, one of Nigeria’s most time for me to learn some successful TV producers, has come out of that myself”.I don’t want to reveal the inspiration behind his success. to be a fulltime director. From According to him, Chief Tosin Dokpesi, wife of time to time, I will take it upon High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of the myself to deliver it the way I renowned Africa Independent Television want it done” (AIT), is the person who inspired him Asked if he is to come up with the concept of his considering making a extremely successful TV full length film, he programme, Hitlist N Cruzin. said he might Speaking with WG, he said, “I consider it in the really want to thank Chief Mrs future. “There is Tosin Dokpesi for inspiring me still a lot for me to to think out of the box to generate learn, you will the idea for Hitlist N Cruzing. see me doing What really happened was that more videos, back then, like seven, eight doing TV years ago, I was a staff of AIT commercials Lagos and then I was and walking transferred to Abuja. my way in.

“When I got to Abuja, we in the Eventually, I will make production department had a meeting with my own movie one day.

Chief Tosin and she told us to go and start Its not something I will thinking out of the box to come up with Banky W do right away, I have a ideas for unique TV programmes as her lot more to learn.” husband, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi,

Tosin Dokpesi inspired me, says Mursty Adinoyi

M

By Etop Ekanem

I

T was a worthwhile experience on Saturday, February 14, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, as MTN congregated leading Nigerian Disc Jockeys,DJs, to battle for supremacy on the wheel of steel to thrill fun-seeking lovers, guests, youths and fans during the 2015 co-sponsored Valentine Rave Party.

The event which was to celebrate the St. Valentine’s Day featured six of Nigeria’s most sought-after DJs. Iconic and globally respected DJs like Jimmy Jatt joined forces with DJ Neptune, Sose, Big N, Obi and Lambo —the only female DJ, to render the greatest collection and mixture of sounds and music to thrill and make the lover ’s day a remarkable and memorable one.

The DJs’ session was a fascinating one as the DJs took turns to

entertain guests and fun seeking and loving youths. The event was truly a sight to behold as the DJs tried to win the hearts of thousands of people present through their prowess on the wheel of steel.

Most fascinating was the inspiring female DJ Lambo, who challenged DJ Jimmy Jatt, Neptune, Sose, Big N and Obi as she kept guests dancing all through the night. It was a tight contest as they all showed why they are among the few best DJs in this part of the World.

Those who were present had quality time. They had a funfilled Valentine’s Day. They showered encomiums on the organisers of the show and commended the leading ICT company, MTN, for making Valentine’s Day an exciting one. Besides fun seekers present at the event, include notable guests such as Kenny Ogungbe, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha as well as leading Nigerian musicians like Chidinma and Tiwa Sawage.

From left: DJ Jimmy Jatt, Nigerian musician, Chidinma Ekile and former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Okocha at the event.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—37

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

Samsung comes slimmer, trendier in Galaxy A Series

By Lolade Bamigbola

I

N December 2014, Samsung Mobile introduced the ‘A Series’ of devices into the market to consolidate on the gains of the ‘S Series’ The first in the series of these new devices are the Galaxy A5 and A3.

Many technology reviewers seem to be in agreement that these are the phones for the stylish consumers.

Looking at its growth trajectory, it is safe to say that Samsung, has not relented in its innovative streak. The device maker is apparently keying in on the fact that smartphones have become one of the most used devices by most people.

Samsung may have also considered that in a smartphone, design is extremely important, being what first catches the attention of consumers.

So in its newly announced Galaxy A Series, the device maker applied more aesthetics.

Besides being beautifully crafted, the new series feature fully metallic uniform body, slim design, superior hardware among other exciting features.

Galaxy A3 and A5 series are quality offerings. Their upscale good look and slim, full metal unibody offer a feel-good tinge that only comes with deep satisfaction.

In a country where people like to flaunt their gadgets, acquiring an ‘A Series’ Galaxy phone may give users that feeling of being in a class of their own. The phones come in variety of colours, the black has a tuxedo good look while the white comes with a sheen that blends easily with a styleconscious woman’s wardrobe.

Among other arresting colours are platinum silver, soft pink, champagne gold.

Design The Samsung Galaxy A3 and A5 remain Samsung’s slimmest smartphones to date and they incorporate the Galaxy Alpha’s premium metal design with unique refined, full metal unibody designs.

The biggest strength of these devices is that both feature removable back covers and two hybrid SIM slots that enable users decide between the option of two SIMS or alternating the second slot for memo-

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rience

ry expansion with a micro SD card.

Camera and video Since US President, Barack Obama, was caught taking a selfie with other VIPs at Nelson Mandela’s funeral, the world has come to reckon with how powerful it is to have a device that functions excellently with camera and video features. The Galaxy A3 and A5 continue the legacy for high-performing cameras with an advanced camera system that generates brighter and clearer images. The 13MP rear shooter of A5 is quite good, and so is the A3’s 8MP camera. The front-facing 5MP selfie cam will simply blow your mind away.

These phones do a fantastic job of capturing the scene in a wide angle. Samsung’s selfie panorama worked like a charm, and captured at least five people in the frame with room

for one more. Both Galaxy A3 and A5 offer superior mobile and social experience for young consumers who want to express their unique style while constantly staying connected.

Video watching on these devices is really impressing with a 1080p video player – where the colours come out as life-like as possible.

Fantastic viewing expe-

The Galaxy A5 and A3 are ideal for consumers seeking practicality and functionality as both devices are equipped with an extraordinary Super AMOLED display and Adaptive Display technology to deliver clearer images with deep contrast and better viewing angles for more vivid, colourful content in virtually any environment, even under bright sunlight.

This implies that images on both devices are sharper and more vivid.

Performance/ conservative battery The Galaxy A5 and A3 are also built with a very fast processor for seamless multi-tasking and faster browsing experience. In addition, the phones include popular features exclusive to Galaxy devices, such as UltraPower Saving Mode, Private

Mode and Multiscreen, as well as adjustable audio, which intelligently adapts and enhances sound output based on the user ’s surrounding environment. They are also powered by the latest Android operating system that provides users with stunning graphical capabilities.

Thanks to the strong battery capability of the device, users can enjoy multimedia content, be productive on the go, and capture great scenes and ideas whenever and wherever. Users can also enjoy top quality sound at any time and place with less influence from surrounding sound because both devices have improved adjustable audio function.

The Shocker Ordinarily a device with luxe metal casings like these would be rated as high-end specs, but shockingly, Samsung deliberately defines the A series as midrange specs that target a more youthful demographic.

Lolade is a device- freak and consultant with Lagos based communications consultancy outfit, XLR8.

That device doesn’t have to cost you everything

T

BY LAJU IREN

hese tech giants seem to know what they are doing, releasing new devices every chance they get. More often than not, these new releases are good business for them, and as they’ll want us to believe, new opportunities for us! Cool right? Well, it depends on how you look at it.

Although tech innovations are much celebrated, not everyone can afford to keep up with every new device that comes along, and this sometimes poses a challenge. Find out four ways you can get that device you want without creating holes in your pocket or bank account: Trade-ins: If you live in Canada, the United States or the United Kingdom, trading in an old model of a particular device with a newer one shouldn’t really be a big deal. But that’s not the case in Nigeria. If you bought it here, you’re stuck with it. Some dealers won’t even let you claim your warrantee two months to the expiration date. What you can

do is sell your older device, and make up for the d i f f e r -ence in price.

Fairly used products: Ever heard of London Used or China Used phones? These second hand phones give you firsthand experience of new mobile devices in the market. Although they could be cheaper to get, there is a catch: they are most times faulty and have no warrantee or guarantee attached.

Wait for it…: Ever bought an expensive device only to have the price come tumbling down a few months later?

That’s why when it comes to buying a device, patience is a virtue. You don’t have to buy it as soon as it comes out. Wait a little bit and you’ll be surprise how easily the price of your favourite device will come down.

Pick your battles: You don’t have to buy every device that comes along. Learn to cut your cloth according to your size, and learn contentment

38 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

•Displaced children scrambling for food at an IDPs camp in Maiduguri... How safe are they?

DOUBLE TRAGEDY

Disturbing tales of rape, child trafficking in IDPs camps •NEMA reacts, sets up panel Call it a case of double tragedy, you will not be wrong. If disturbing reports from the camps of internally displaced persons located in parts of Northern Nigeria are anything to go by, then there is every reason to believe that these unfortunate Nigerians are in for more troubling times. Until situation and circumstance turned them to refugees in their own country, most of these people were living peacefully in their various communities and engaged in sundry means of survival. That was before the terrorist group, the Boko Haram, struck in their determined bid to overrun the North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, ostensibly to impose extremist Islamic-style hegemony in these parts.

Following their displacement from their various communities, these victims of terrorists attacks were resettled in selected camps in the capitals of the affected states, including the Federal Capital, Abuja. But it will appear that in spite of relief materials pouring in from government and individual quarters, respite, indeed peace, may continue to elude them.

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri, Umar Yusuf, Yola & Victoria Ojeme, Abuja

T

HE internally displaced persons, IDPs, camps have recently been in the news for the wrong, nay disturbing, reasons.

Incidents of unwanted pregnancies, rape, child labour/ trafficking and sexually transmitted diseases have begun to rear their ugly heads in the various camps

that are their temporary homes.

Only last week, five IDPs in some camps located in Maiduguri who were screened for malariaand HIV/ AIDS by a non- governmental organisation, NGO - The Business and Professional Women, tested positive to HIV/AIDS. The leader of the NGO, Dr. Ismaila Watila, disclosed that most of the results showed ‘early infection’. The five IDPs, according to Dr Watila, were among the 1,000 persons who had so far come up to

be screened by the group. He regretted that many of the IDPs did not show up for the exercise. “We are conducting free screening for IDPs in HIV, malaria and other disease conditions. The programme is being conducted by the Business and Professional Women in conjunction with the NationalAgencyforControlofAids, NACA and the Sure- P,’’ he said.

Watila said that the exercise was aimed at finding out the health status of the IDPs with a view to

preventing the spread of diseases among them.

“WestartedonMonday,February 2, 2015 and so far we have screened over 1,000 out of the 8,000 IDPs in some of the camps. Out of these, onlyfivehavetestedpositivetoHIV/ AIDS. Statistically, the number appears insignificant as it represents just about 0.5 percent of those screened. But as a doctor, I see the number as alarming because it is a dangerous trend going by the happenings in the camps,’’ he said.

Watila disclosed that the affected IDPs had already been counseled and referred for treatment. “What we do usually is to treat those who tested positive to malaria and other diseases immediately. Those who

We don’t have money to buy condom and the state government refused to provide us with such; but what is giving us greater concern in the camps is the issue of rape; in most cases, women are the ones raping the men

tested positive to HIV/ AIDS will be counselled and transferred to the State Specialist Hospital for proper medication,’’ he said.

He gave further reasons for the enlightenment programme. “We are c o n d u c t i n g enlightenment campaigns for the IDPs on the need to maintain a healthy living. We also enlighten them on how to play safe. The whole thing is to reduce the prevalence of disease conditionsinthecamps,’’ he said. Watila said that the group decided to flag off the programme at the NYSC Camp because it is the largest IDP’s camp in Borno State.

“We started in the NYSC Camp because it is the largest out of the seven IDPs camps in Maiduguri. We are trying to ensure that the IDPs remain healthy, even after they return home,’’ he explained.

Mallam Idrissa Usman Izge who is an IDPfromGwozaCouncil Area Area, one of the councils taken over by the insurgents since August 2014, gave reasons why some inmates contracted the dreaded virus. “Many IDPs have been infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases because we don’t have money to buy condom and the state government refused to provide us with such. But what is giving us greater concern in the camps is the issue of rape. In most cases, women are the ones raping the men,” Izge stated.

IDPs in Adamawa not affected by scandal Although there are reported cases of rape and sexually transmitted diseasesinmost of the camps,those overseeing the IDPs camps in Adamawa State have exonerated the camp from the said allegations.

Similarly, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in Adamawa State has debunked media reports of child abuse and trafficking in camps located in the state.

The NEMA Coordinator in the North East, Alhaji Sa’ad Bello who oversees IDP camps in Adamawa State, insisted that such allegations are unfounded. Bello said his reactionbecamenecessarybecause the report did not specify which of the six states in the North East where the crime is being carried out.

“Those of us here in Adamawa have not had any case of child abuse or child trafficking. However, Continues on page 39

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 —39

Disturbing tales of rape, child trafficking in IDPs camps Continues from page 38 we will not speak for other decamps, but in Adamawa there is no reported case of child abuse,” he said Bello disclosed that the minors in the camps were under the firm control of their parents and guardians while the security agents are closely monitoring the movement of persons and vehicles in and around the camps.

NEMA constitutes panel to probe allegations Apparently jolted by the reports of rape, child trafficking and rising occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, has constituted a high powered investigative panel to look into allegations of rape and child trafficking in some internally displaced persons’ camps in the North East.

According to a statement issued from NEMA’s Senior Information Officer, Sani Datti, the panel, which is expected to complete its investigations within two weeks, is mandated to verify allegations by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting; interact with all stakeholders and carry out town hall meetings in all the camps mentioned in the allegation.

The panel is also expected to interact with the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, North East Zonal Office of NEMA, and State Emergency Management Agencies in the affected states as well as the Department of State Services, DSS, The Red Cross, Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police.

Members will also dialogue with IDPsandtheirsleadersinthecamps and other international players.

In the event that the allegations are true, the panel will determine if there is any culpability on the part of government agencies and to do any other thing which in its opinion, will facilitate the accomplishment of the assignment.

Membership of the committee were drawn from DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Office of National Security Adviser, National Human Rights Commission, and National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic In Persons, Journalists Against Disaster Initiative and NEMA. The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, International Organisation for Migration, SEMA Borno, SEMA Gombe and SEMA Adamawa are also members of the committee.

Meanwhile, as the electioneering campaigns gather more steam, IDPs in Dagba, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have called on the governmenttohastentheresolution of the issues that led to the upsurge in the incidents of insurgency in the country.

The refugees, who said they are desirous of returning to their fatherlands, noted that their plight in the camps have become unbearable. They alleged that apart from NEMA, other agencies of government have remained insensitive to their plight. They claimed that they have been living under the mercy of God with no

Some young men come from the neighbourhood to harass and try to rape them in the camp

Displaced Chibok people in a camp in Kuje hope where to get their next meal.

One of the IDPs, who identified himself as Habib Wazari, alleged that promises of providing basic amenities to them, have not been fulfilled. According to him, NEMA visited them in December 2014 and

pledged to cater for the children and take the pregnant women to hospitals. But till date, the promise has not been met.

Another IDP, Hajayi Mohammed, regretted that the men in the camp now take up odd

jobs in a bid to raise little money to feed their families. She called on the government to beef up security in the camps because some young mencomefromtheneighbourhood to harass and try to rape them in the camp.

Misleading publications: Why AIG Mbu won’t be deterred RIGHT OF REPLY

By Olugbemiga Adeoye

T

HIS Zonal Command has been following with keen interest but with great consternation the hysteria with which some newspapers have been publishing statements credited to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, where he is always quoted out of context.

These publications are in bad faith, insincere and most times, outright falsehood. They are geared towards portraying the AIG in bad light and as an officer who does not uphold the rule of law. The Command thus finds it expedient to respond to these publications so that the general public will not continue to be misled by these misrepresentations of facts.

For instance, the AIG did not order policemen to shoot and kill innocent civilians if any policeman is killed as it is being inferred by some of these publications. The AIG is a firm believer in the rule of law which he signed to uphold.

He only reminded h i s policemen not to be cowardly but to be guided by F o r c e Order 237 with the use of their firearms, AIG Mbu which is not only meant to be used to defend themselves but also others in the society including fellow Police officers when their lives are in danger.

The AIG recently organized a two day workshop on Election Duties during which issues of Human Rights and the Use of Force were given serious attention by all area commanders, divisional police officers, commanders of various Police combat outfits and various heads of departments from both Ogun and Lagos States Police Commands. Although Policemen are not to be seen with firearms within a specific radius of the polling areas

but quick response squads will be created to respond to distress calls which involve violent attacks on the Police, voters or electoral officers. The course participants were directed to give the same lecture to their subordinates at various levels to ensure a violence-free election.

There is no society in the world where policemen will be killed by hoodlums and the perpetrators will be allowed to escape justice. If the Police are being lectured continually to respect the rights of the citizenry and punished for any infraction of such, the right to life of the Police should equally be respected.

On the issue of the alleged order for the arrest of governors at polling units credited to the AIG, the command wishes to confirm that the AIG was clearly and deliberately quoted out of context as what he said was that no highly placed individuals in the society who have police escorts and other forms of personal guards would be allowed within the voting area accompanied by such retinue of escorts. Of course, it is also an electoral offence for anyone to campaign on Election Day and at polling stations.

From all indications, only those who are planning to disrupt or rig elections have to be afraid of Police actions within the confines of the law and not only the AIG as he is only a police officer among the thousands who will be deployed to ensure credible and violence-free elections. It is also imperative to stress that AIG Mbu

AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, was posted to Zone 2 command as part of routine police postings by the Inspector General of Police

Joseph Mbu, was posted to Zone 2 command as part of routine police postings by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and not primarily for the general elections to be used by anyone to manipulate the elections as it is being suggested by some detractors.

The command, therefore, wishes to assure members of the public that no publication, no matter how offensive will intimidate or make the AIG to lose focus of his statutory duties and succeed like his predecessors. The AIG has, therefore, reiterated that any group of lawless people who violently attack men of the Nigeria Police under his Zone will be repelled with appropriate force by the Police as empowered by the law. He added that where his men see lawless group attacking law abiding citizens violently, the Police will repel them with all necessary force to save the lives of those being attacked.

Speeches and interviews The video clips of the AIG speeches and interviews at Lagos and Ogun are clear evidence of his being mischievously quoted out of context. While journalists have been confessing that the name Mbu Joseph Mbu sells news, the media should, however, be careful of false, inciting and alarming publications which are capable of heating up the polity.

The command equally wants to inform the public that the turnout of every policeman is as important as the duties performed. Thus, the arrest of improperly dressed policemen some of whom are seen wearing slippers, sandals, t-shirts on Police trousers, unapproved camouflage, dirty and tattered uniform even whilst carrying police arms, by the AIG is a routine duty to correct the few recalcitrant policemen and help improve the image of the Nigeria Police. The AIG told the Press that about 15 Police personnel involved in these disgraceful acts were being detained for orderly room trial and not 50 as quoted.

•CSP Olugbemiga Adeoye, is the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lgos.

40— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

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very day of the week has its own uniqueness. For every Muslim, Friday is a big day as believers gather for sermon and worship. It is the Mother of all days and the most virtuous and best of the days. That is why believers look forward to it with so much eagerness. It is a day filled with mercy. It is a time when Muslims come together to worship the only One God, find strength and comfort by standing shoulder to shoulder and reaffirming their faith and devotion to Him. “O you who believe! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God, and leave aside business. That is best for you if you but knew.” (Quran 62:9) That is why it is said that if a Muslim ignores it three times consecutively, with no valid reason, it could cause a believer to stray from the straight path.

You can start your Jumuah day by performing acts which include taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, saying numerous supplications to God, including blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, and reciting Chapter 18 of the Quran, ‘The Cave’. The Prophet said,: “whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on the night of Friday, will have a light that will stretch between him and the ancient House (Kaaba)” In another area he said: “whoever reads Surah alKahf on the day of Jumuah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.”

The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday: on it, Adam was created, on it, he was admitted to Paradise and on it, he was sent

Blessings of 'F rida y' in Islam 'Frida riday' out of Paradise and the Hour will not be established except on Friday.” At-Tirimidhi narrated this on the authority of Abu Hurairah.

Friday is a special day; the congregational prayer performed on this day holds special significance in the life of a Muslim.

Prophet Muhammad, (s.a.w), said, “There is no day more virtuous than Friday.

In it there is an hour in which no one will pray to God except that God will hear his prayer”.

“Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is the hour where supplications are granted for believers.

This hour is sought during the last hour after Asr (the third prayer in the day) Friday is also the day on which one of the greatest verses in the Quran was revealed.

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3) A learned person from among the Jews during the time of Umar Ibn Al Khattab,

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture?

Then will you not reason?

the second Caliph while Prophet Muhammad was sitting on his camel on a special day of Arafat, after Asr prayer said: “In the Quran you people read a certain verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day annually.” Umar asked, “Which verse is that?” The man replied, “this day, I have perfected your religion for you’.

Umar then said, “Verily I remember the day and the place where this verse was revealed. It was already a double celebration for us. Firstly it was Fridaya day of Eid (celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – the most important day of the Hajj.”

Friday has many blessings

Heeding the call of Allah

By Haruna Razaq

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•Muslims during Jumat prayer

From left: Professor Wole Soyinka; Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle Fashola; Sadr. Majlis Ansarullah of Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya and Sadr. Khudam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Bro. Abdul Rafiu AbdulQadir, when the members of Ahmadiyya paid courtesy visit to Prof. Soyinka in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

that are underscored in numerous hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad. For example, in the following hadith, he emphasizes that dua, supplication, is accepted. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted.”

(Bukhari, Muslim) some Muslims scholars have said that hour lies between Asr and Magrib.

Every Muslim male should be dedicated to performing Friday Jumu‘ah Prayer at its appointed times. Failure to do so without any valid excuse is a serious sin in Islam.

Abu Hurairah and Ibn ‘Umar reported that they heard the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Those who are not attending the Friday salah should change their ways; otherwise, Allah, the Exalted, will seal their hearts and they will be reckoned the heedless.” This is related by Muslim, and by Ahmad and an-Nasa’i from ibn ‘Umar and ibn ‘Abbas.

Abu al-Ja’d ad-Damari reports that the Prophet said: “Whoever misses three Friday prayers in a row out of negligence will have a seal put over his heart by Allah.” This is related by the five, and Ahmad and Ibn Majah have something similar from Jabir, while Ibn as-Sakin has graded it to be sahih.

NE of the important conditions for the acceptance of du‘a (supplication) in Islam is heeding the call of Allah as clearly stated in Suratul Baqarah (Qur ’an 2) verses 186 that read thus: “And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad concerning Me, then answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge).

I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them answer My calls (obey Me) and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. As a result, any person more importantly the Nigerian Muslim Leaders that asked the Muslim to pray to Allah to solve the country’s varying problems must ponder the condition for the acceptance of du‘a in this verse by encouraging them to answer the call of Allah if, truly we want Allah to answer our call.

This is the rule of Allah, and it must be noted that the rules of Allah never changes.( See Fatir: 43). He also says: He will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves. (Ar-Ra‘d: 11).

Answering the call of Allah means answering the call of Islam in its entirety and fully obeys all that Allah and His Messenger (SAW), enjoined

us to do. (See Al-Anfal: 24) A Muslim must obeys Allah’s commandments in every aspect of his life.

This is by doing everything as the Prophet (SAW) does it, for example, he must possess sound aqiidah (doctrine, belief, and faith), authentic acts of worship and deals with other creation of Allah, man or animal with kindness. Allah answers the call of those who answer His call, however, when Muslims failed to answer the call of Allah and His Messenger, Allah did not grant them their prayers and they were left to depend solely on themselves.

The Sahabah (companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW) set an excellent example of answering the call of Allah and His Messenger as a result, their names remain in goodness.

Whenever Allah revealed a verse commanding them to do or to desist from something, they would quickly do as they were told.

This clearly reflects their deep faith and sincere obedience to Allah and His Messenger. There are numbers of quick respond to the call of Allah in the life of the Sahabah, for example, when Allah revealed the final command on the prohibition of alcohol, (See Al-Ma’idah, 90).”

And when Allah reveled the verse, (An-Nur, 31), commanding them to use Hijab, they look for something to cover and wrapped up immediately out of faith and belief in what Allah had revealed in His Book.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—41

Ahmadiyya youths receive Commonwealth Peace Award

A

Celebrating CAMON @ 20 (2)

By Qasim Akinreti

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HE award given to Muslim students was done to assist young Nigerian Muslims aspiring to further their education to the pinnacle of their chosen career and ultimately enhance man power development in all spheres of human endeavours.

According to the chairman of CAMON, Alhaji Abdul Razaq Adelabu , research conducted by the late Vice Chairman of CAMON, Professor Rauf Sobulo, shows that in three universities in the southwest – University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, less than 5 per cent of total lecturers are Muslims. In a report both late Professors Sobulo and Abdul Fatai Giwa submitted to CAMON,” in university of Ibadan in the faculty of science, there is one Muslim lecturer in the chemistry department, one each in physics, agronomy and agric biology. But none in animal science. This pattern existed in the faculty of social sciences.

There are at least 15 to 20 lecturers in these departments.

In the faculty of medicine out of about 150 professors, only one is a Muslim. In chemistry department of more than 10 professors, none is a Muslim.

The pattern is the same in the other two universities.”

Alhaji Abdul Razaq Adelabu while handing over the cheques called on wealthy Muslims to support the laudable project of the organisation. He quoted a Chinese proverb,” If you are planning for a year sew a rice, if you are planning for a decade plant trees, if you are planning for a life educate people”, to wrap up his clarion call on Muslim generally on the need to give education utmost priority.

Aside from the post graduate scholarship, another major concern of the group is how to address the problems facing Muslim youths. Accordingly, a committee comprising of Alhaji Alarape Busari, Honourable Justice Bola Babalakin, Alhaji M.B.Oki, Alhaji Abdur Razaq Adelabu and Alhaja M.O.Ashiru identified the need for higher education.

By the last count, over 77 Muslims have been given scholarship to study in various disciplines ranging from humanities, social sciences and sciences. Out of these numbers, 40 have bagged PhDs. In 2013 academic year 8 more Muslims were given scholarship including the writer of this piece, who is currently studying for a PhD in Media studies at the Babcock University. To the

glory of Allah, in 2014, one of recipient Dr Muhiheeb Salaam is serving as a Technical Aid Corp staff in one of the African countries, under the Technical Aid Corps Scheme of the Federal Government.

Dr Basirat Dikko got a PhD from University of Lagos in Guidance and Counselling and Dr Abdul Lateef Owoade, a lecturer in Common and Islamic Law , University of Ilorin had his PhD degree in Common and Islamic Law from the University of Ilorin.

The huge investment in human capital by CAMON, among Islamic organisations has made it a different species among litany of Islamic groups

The offer of scholarship goes a long way to instil a sense of responsibility to the Muslim Ummah

in Nigeria. Hence, the two decades of its celebration should be seen by all as a clarion call for more investment in capital development of Muslims in Nigeria. As part of efforts to make this unique success, CAMON has set aside Saturday 7th February, 2015to launch a 20 million naira appeal fund.

According to reliable source, the Oyo state government under the leadership of Governor Isaiq Ajimobi has promised to attend the occasion. His attendance at the event despite his tight electioneering campaign for the 2015 election is quite instructive. Expected at the occasion to give overwhelming spiritual diet to all is the amiable and erudite Islamic preacher Sheik Muhideen Bello. The Former Military Governor of Lagos State Raji Rasaki is the Chief Launcher at the event.

As the celebration continues, every Muslims must ensure that he contributes his own quota to the growth of scholarship in Nigeria.

Qasim Akinreti, is a Phd student at Babcock University and Manager, News Voice of Nigeria.

NIGERIAN youth and member of the National Youth Coun cil of Nigeria, representing the Ahmadiyya Youth Organisation, Honorable Popoola Isiaka Olamilekan has been appointed the Commonwealth Peace Ambassador .

The appointment was sequel to the Peace Ambassador award given to him by the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) in Abuja during the launch of the CYC’s project tagged: “Youth Campaign Against Election Violence (Y-CAEV)” held recently.

The event also featured the commissioning of 36 young Nigerians as Peace Marshals and endorsement of Abuja Youth Peace Accord, targeted towards ensuring a non-Violent, credible, free and fair March general elections in Nigeria.

In his remark, Olamilekan stated that: “There is no aspect of electioneering process that the youths do not play active role.

This demographic strength has placed us at a very strategic position towards achieving success in the forthcoming Nigeria’s general elections.

He stated: “he will convey a message of hope to teeming Nigerian Youths and beyond. If all the stakeholders in electioneering processes live above the boards, only then we can all achieve zero level violence during and zero cost of lives and properties.”

From left: Missionary-in-Charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar; Amir, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola and General Secretary, Alhaji Abbas Iromini, during the 2015 National Executive members of Jama’at meeting in Lagos.

ASK YOUR IMAM Question:I am a revertee, I want to know more about the laws guiding the use of Hijab. Kindly educate me.

H

ijab is the proper Islamic dress code, which is primarily intended for the modesty, dignity and honor of women.

Allah, the Creator of humans, knows our nature better than ourselves, and thus He has prescribed appropriate rules of behavior and appearance to be observed when men and women interact with one another in a social environment.

These rules of interaction also include a prescription for modest dressing.

While women are enjoined to cover their bodies and draw their veils, men are enjoined to lower their gaze.

Hijab thus forms part of a holistic program of Islamic ethics and morals governing male and female interaction.

Prescribing the rule of Hijab, Allah says, “Say to the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their chastity,” (An-Nur: 30) “And tell the believing women to lower their eyes, and guard their modesty, and that they display not their ornaments except what appears of them. And that they draw their scarves over their bosoms…” (An-Nur: 31) A woman should not expose parts of her body to any man other that the face, the hands and feet. The law is more of moral phenomenon than restriction. Women should be seen to be chaste and modest. Her dignity will be well preserved if she draws her veil to cover her bosom, wears cloths that do not reveal any sensitive part of her body, like most of what we see today. You will agree with me that a lot of mischief, bad conduct,adultery, fornication, seduction and rape are widespread.

According to Ibn ‘Abbas, the famous Companion, a woman must cover all her body except her face and hands while in the presence of men who are not related to her directly (and the list of those in whose presence she need not cover is clearly outlined in Surat An-Nur: 31).

From left: Naib Amir, Special Duties, Engr. Alhaji Ahmed Al-Hassan; Naib Amir, Eastern Region, Abdul Ganiyyi Enahoro and Sadr, Majilis Ansarullah of Ahmadiyya of Nigeria, Alhaji Mikail Odukoya, during a meeting in Lagos recently.

From left: Naib Amir, Northern Region, Dr. Yeqeen Habeeb; Central Missionary Oke Ogun, Oyo State, Maulana Zikirullah Ayyuba and Circuit President, Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Musiliudeen Ademoye, during the 2015 National Executive members of Jama’at meeting in Lagos recently.

42—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

2015 elections: How to make Nigeria the winner

By Abdulrahman B. Dambazau, CFR

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HE theme “2015 Elections: How to make Nigeria the Winner” appears simple, but I found it very complex and thought provoking. Certain assumptions could be made with regard to our theme today: first, that although most of the elections conducted in Nigeria in the past had presented some serious challenges, the 2015 elections are likely to present much more serious challenges that could jeopardize national security interests unless plans are made to ensure hitch-free elections.

Hitch-free elections Second, that going by what has been speculated within and outside Nigeria, there is the possibility that the country will disintegrate, and the 2015 elections would probably be the platform for it unless it is handled with care; third, that there is hope the 2015 elections would provide the opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s unity and uphold her integrity; and fourth, that the 2015 elections would provide opportunities to elect good leaders that would clear the path for peaceful co-existence, security, and national development.

and transparency, and the respect for the rule of law and human rights; or ensuring that the aftermath of the 2015 elections does not lead to the disintegration of Nigeria as earlier predicted by some US security analysts?

Would the 2015 elections bring about a radical change leading us to economic growth and political stability?

Would they improve Nigeria’s corruption image in which the Transparency Corruption Index (TCI) depicts Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations on earth?

Would they improve Nigeria’s poor governance image as depicted by the 2013 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG)?

IIAG defines governance as “the provision of the political, social and economic public goods and services that a citizen has the right to expect from his or her state, and that a state has the responsibility to deliver to its citizens.”

Economic opportunity

The framework comprises four categories: safety and rule of law; participation and human rights; sustainable economic opportunity; and human management. Nigeria’s 2013 ranking was 41st among the 52 African countries assessed. Or would the 2015 elections provide the opportunity to improve Nigeria’s status in the UN Human Development Index (HDI) from being among the low developed to highly developed countries in the world?

The 2014 Human Development Report (HDR), the latest in the series since 1960, ranks Nigeria 152nd out of the 185 countries assessed. In the context of human GEN. ABDULRAMAN DAMBAZAU security, what would be Nigeria’s post-2015 Since this is a dialogue, I will development agenda? To what be raising a lot of questions in extent would the outcome of an attempt to provoke discussions 2015 elections significantly on how to make Nigeria the reduce the risks of terrorism to winner after the 2015 elections, which Nigeria presently occupies which are just around the corner. the 4th most risk position (even Winning itself in the context of ahead of Somalia) in the world the 2015 elections has its own according to the 2014 Global implications: what stage of Terrorism Index; or to turn things winning are we referring to, such around in the world of cyber as prioritizing into short, crime in which a computer crime medium and long terms; or are and security survey ranked we looking at winning in terms Nigeria as the most internet fraud of successful conduct of the country in Africa and the 3rd in elections in 2015 in which they the world.

In other words, what is our not only would be free, fair, allinclusive, and credible, but also target of Nigeria being the free from the type of post- winner in post-2015 elections? elections violence we witnessed And at what point after the 2015 in 2011; or that the 2015 elections elections should we feel would lead to the long awaited comfortable that Nigeria is the consolidation of democracy in winner, assuming we are able to which good governance would identify the winning parameters be evident through accountability and thus map out her winning

strategy?

There is no doubt that as we move towards the Map of Nigeria 2015 elections the political environment in Nigeria has been anything but stable, accompanied by high tension signaling warnings of impending political instability and violence, added to the criminal violence resulting from such crimes as kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual murders, and rape occurring all over. Already, over the past five years the nation has been struggling with the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast that is threatening our peace and stability, and to a very large extent, Nigeria’s sovereign and territorial integrity, bearing in mind that some parts of her territory are already under the control of the insurgents (according to recent reports, 20 out of the 27 local government areas of Borno State are under the insurgents, with their flag hoisted).

There is also the issue of recognition and ownership of Nigeria, and one may not be far from reality to assume that Nigeria is still struggling to be recognized as a nation by those who reside in her territory. To be the winner at anytime, Nigeria requires collective ownership to the extent that the approximately 170 million “citizens” see themselves first as Nigerians rather than clinging to their various ethnic and/or religious identities.

We identify ourselves on the basis of our religion and ethnicity, and the only time we are Nigerians is when we identify ourselves at international borders holding the travelling passport.

No wonder we find it difficult to

Would the 2015 elections bring about a radical change leading us to economic growth and political stability?

conduct successful census that would enable us plan for development as a nation, mainly because we argue over which religious group, section or tribe is more in number, without focusing on the quality of the population.

Today we talk of ethnic nationalities and the urge for selfdetermination for each ethnic group. No doubt there are people who do not believe in Nigeria as it is currently structured.

Similarly, there are those who believe that the amalgamation of the north and south was either a genuine mistake or a deliberate gerrymandering by the British colonial government in line with its interests; still there are others who are convinced that the north and south do not share anything in common culturally, therefore it is impossible to live together as one nation; others feel that Nigeria is too large a country, therefore would prefer an arrangement that would give each region self-determination; and yet there are even those with separatist agenda, such as Boko Haram, NDPVF, MASSOB, MEND, and OPC, who believe that everyone should go his separate ways for whatever reasons they hold.

Political interest From the foregoing picture, what has become very clear is the fact that the unity of Nigeria has been under intense threat, and with the current divergent political interests and the combative nature of most politicians in pursuant of do-ordie politics, what would likely be the picture post-2015 elections?

As a matter of fact there are people who threatened to put the country on fire if their preferred candidate does not win the presidential election.

How can Nigeria be the winner after 2015 elections against the forces of anarchy, violence, and disintegration? What should be the strategy for this winning agenda? The 2015 elections represent just the peak or high point of this contest, but there are many other factors that come to play in deciding the “how” to make Nigeria the winner.

The 2015 elections are not going to be the first in Nigeria, but there are signs that they would be the most critical in Nigeria’s history. These elections would hold in a highly charged political environment, a situation

that began within the last 15 years but apparently reaching its peak currently.

Although there are a number of differences between the current situation leading to the scheduled February 2015 elections and those relating to past elections in Nigeria, the most serious one however is the fact that at no time in the history of this country did we find ourselves so divided along religious and ethnic lines than now.

Most politicians rely on the strength and efficacy of using religion and ethnicity as tools for political mobilization by taking advantage of the strong religious and ethnic sentiments among Nigeria’s populace. Hardly do politicians argue on the basis of the issues reflecting national interests and national development, and to a large extent, the bulk of Nigeria’s population neither understands nor appreciates the implications of such political manipulations.

Furthermore, capitalizing on Nigeria’s unequal wealth distribution system, a rich natural-resource country but with over 70 per cent of the population living below the universal poverty line, politicians have also introduced money as an additional tool for political mobilization.

Political mobilisation People are ready to do anything for money, including selling their votes and killing political opponents. It is very clear the extent to which politicians have used money to establish private “armies” used for political violence with the clear mandate by their masters to maim or kill whoever they consider an enemy, using all kinds of weapons (including small arms and light weapons).

The last 15 years have witnessed the gradual militarization of politics which gave birth to, for example, the Borno ECOMOG, now transformed to Boko Haram; all manners of armed “cultists” groups, especially in Rivers; the Niger Delta militant groups, such as NDPVF and MEND; the Yan K’alare of Gombe; Ombatse of Nasarawa; the Area Boys of Lagos; the Egbesu Boys in Niger Delta; Sara-Suka of Bauchi; Bakassi Boys of Cross River; Yan Daba of Kano; Kauraye of Katsina; etc.

On the other hand, although one may argue that the process of politicization of the military began with the January 1966 Major Chukwuma Nzeogu’s coup which led to the termination of the First Republic and the beginning of an extended involvement of the military in politics, it is equally worthy to note that the last 15 years of the current democratic dispensation has witnessed a deeper politicization of the military and of course, the police.

Both institutions have been distracted from their constitutional and professional responsibilities into carrying out

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—43

2015 elections: How to make Nigeria the winner Continues from page 42 tasks that seem to be geared towards regime security, rather than national security. Though there was an attempt to reprofessionalize the military beginning in 2003 using a framework designed to transform the Nigerian Army over a tenyear period, there appears to be a derailment, though not in the form of direct involvement of the military in governance, rather it had to do with the deployments of the military to perform tasks that are outside their constitutional responsibilities.

Almost all the states in Nigeria have maintained Task Forces, a combined military and police outfits, funded by the State Governors and deployed to conduct routine policing duties, a situation that is detrimental to the constitutional functions of the military in particular.

By and large, if the initial phase of the transformation project designed to end in 2013 had succeeded the army would have improved on its professionalism, culture and values; curbed waste and corruption for greater efficiency; meet both local and international obligations at less cost; repositioned to effectively deal with its traditional roles based on new fighting concepts and broad range of threats; and developed lighter, lethal, sustainable, and rapidly deployable and responsive force (see Framework for the Transformation of the Nigerian Army in the Next Decade, Volume 1).

Performance of the military Today the performance of the military against the Boko Haram insurgency has been below expectation, a situation that has been tied to both tangible and intangible factors such as discipline; inadequate or inappropriate equipment; poor leadership; and quality of personnel and troops morale.

The professional conduct of our armed forces and police is being questioned by the international community following the accusations of human rights abuses; and our sincerity in dealing with terrorism is being doubted for various reasons.

The situation is gradually reversing the position the Nigerian military held in the immediate past as one of the best in the world as a result of the leadership role we played in the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Chad, Somalia, Sudan, and a host of other countries under regional and UN peacekeeping missions.

It was not long ago in 2009 that the UN Peacekeeping Department honored the Nigerian Military with the

accreditation of pre-deployment training package at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Center, the first in Africa to be so accredited, with the capacity to train two battalions simultaneously. With that accreditation we were in position to train UN peacekeepers from anywhere in the world, but I am not sure if that would be the case now. It is instructive to note that the military is one of the major instruments of national power, and no country can afford losing it. The insurgency in the northeast has exposed our weak capacity and lack of clear political will to deal with the situation. Would the 2015 elections lead us to an era in which this instrument of national power could be strengthened and made robust?

Instrument of national power Now to the 2015 elections themselves which are not only central to this dialogue, but also significant in making Nigeria the winner. Of course elections are very important in democracy, especially in emerging democracies, like ours.

It was the former UN SecretaryGeneral, Kofi Anan, who said that “when citizens go to the polls and cast their votes, they aspire not only to elect their leaders, but to choose a direction for their nation” and according to him, only elections with integrity can bolster democracy, while flawed elections undermine it.

I agree with Kofi Anan’s assertion, but how do we ensure that the 2015 elections in Nigeria would turn out to be of integrity in order to avoid undermining our nascent democracy? How do we conduct elections with integrity using the so-called

While I do not expect Nigeria to be an instant winner with just the 2015 elections, the elections would certainly lay a strong foundation for ultimate victory if they are violent-free

•Voters casting their vote at an INEC conducted election “stomach infrastructure” by attracting votes with 5kg bags of rice?

How do we ensure elections with integrity in a situation in which almost all the outgoing Governors, regardless of party affiliation, anoint their chosen successors prior to elections, thereby disregarding people’s choices? And those who still have the opportunity to seek re-election for another term are given automatic ticket, regardless of their performance, thereby not only blocking other contenders from exercising their rights to participate, but also denying people the right to choose their leaders?

Right to choose Closely linked to the success of the 2015 elections is the role of INEC in the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. There are quite a number of challenges the INEC is now facing, thus: if we have to count on our past experiences, there is some level of certainty that attempts would be made at various levels to rig elections, and the INEC would have to contend with how best to prevent it.

Likewise, previous elections were accompanied by logistics inadequacies, and it is hoped that INEC has done a lot of work in this regard so as to avoid delays in the movements of elections materials in particular; already there are problems with the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) and the registration of voters, and with the way things are going, there is likelihood that a large number of Nigerians (including me) would be disenfranchised; funding is another area of challenge.

INEC has made this known to the public several times that the government has not be able to provide it with adequate funds; and the fourth challenge has to do with the current insecurity in the country, particularly the northeast. How can Nigeria be the winner if these challenges are not addressed?

I want to emphasize the significance of security during elections, but in particular the 2015 elections. The INEC would conduct the 2015 elections in an environment that is confronting serious security challenges that

are unprecedented, due to the insurgency in the northeast where a significant number of Local Government Areas could still be under the control of the Boko Haram as at the period of elections; where a sizeable number of Nigerians have been displaced from the homes and scattered in various make-shift camps and other places.

In other places such as Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Zamfara, Nasarawa, and Katsina, there are people displaced as a result of either ethno-religious crisis or clashes between herders and farmers, also resulting in the displacement of significant population in the affected areas.

According to a joint report by the Internal Displaced Monitoring Center and the Norwegian Refugee Council providing 2014 Global Overview, approximately 3.3 million Nigerian are displaced due to all kinds of violent crises (the figure must have increased by now). We must note also that there is equally a significant number of Nigerians who are refugees in the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

Furthermore, the fact that a good number of these displaced persons and refugees are eligible voters, how can Nigeria be the winner of the 2015 elections without these people being able to exercise their rights to vote?

How about the over 200 Chibok girls and other abductees who are still missing, and what is their fate? Can Nigeria still be the winner while these girls remain captives in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists?

Current challenges Examining the current challenges, particularly the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria as a whole, and the insurgency in the northeast in particular, there are people who think that the elections should be postponed. If this should be the case, then this dialogue we are holding today becomes irrelevant.

Therefore, we should also attempt to look at the alternative scenario in terms of the impact postponing the elections would have in the polity. If the elections were not to hold, what would be next line of action in terms of

ensuring peace and stability?

Would the suggestion of postponing elections not introduce another set of problems?

Although some people have suggested an interim government or government of national unity, who would such a government and what would be the nature of its composition?

While I do not expect Nigeria to be an instant winner with just the 2015 elections, the elections would certainly lay a strong foundation for ultimate victory if they are violent-free, and perceived to be free, fair and credible.

Adequate logistics This goal can be achieved through the combination of efforts

by INEC, Security Agencies, Political Parties, the Media, and Voters themselves: First, INEC must not only be neutral, but must be seen to be neutral and truly independent, by ensuring that no contestant is shortchanged; that there is a level playing field for all parties, so that no party is disadvantaged; that the electoral laws are fully adhered to and enforced, while violators are sanctioned accordingly; that adequate logistics arrangements are made to ensure that election materials are delivered accordingly, in addition to strict adherence to timings and programs; and any attempt by any participant either as individuals or parties to rig the elections should be rejected.

A situation in which the people believe that elections are not free and fair, governance becomes difficult, if not impossible, due to the fact that political leadership would fail to be recognized by those who feel betrayed, as such would continue to struggle for legitimacy until next elections.

This is even more serious when complaints are not addressed and resolved either politically or legally. Second, security agencies have a tremendous role to play in support of INEC by ensuring that they not only provide adequate security during the elections, but that they also remain neutral.

Not only that security agencies must as a matter of necessity stick

Continues on page 49

44 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—45

Police avert PDP, APC supporters' clash in Edo

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—THE police in Ekpoma, Edo State, has averted what could have resulted in a bloody clash between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC, after they allegedly saw over 500 Permanent Voter Cards at the residence of a suspected PDP stalwart.

The drama started when the PDP stalwart (name withheld) was apprehended in one of the new generation banks in Ekpoma, while attempting to use somebody else's ATM card to withdraw money. Customers at the bank alerted security operatives in the bank who handed the suspect over to the police.

The police took him to his house to search the place and when they got there, 500 voter’s cards were found in his room. He was said to have confessed to the police that the cards belonged to a politician in the state.

Udom assures on A-Ibom industrialisation

By Etop Ekanem

U

YO—AKWA Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for the April 11 election, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has promised to take the state to the next level through massive industrialization.

Udom, during a rally at the Onna Township Stadium yesterday, also promised to consolidate and build on existing infrastructure.

He commended President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and National Chairman of party, Dr. Adamu Mauza, for supporting his candidates all through.

He particularly commended Governor Akpabio for being keeping his promises in the face of all odds.

He said his coming into the political arena was not an ambition but a vision borne out of his desire to take the state to the next level through massive industrialization.

Udom described his visit to Onna as a homecoming into the warm embrace of a loving people.

When the news went round the streets of Ekpoma, APC and PDP supporters ran towards the suspect’s residence. While the APC was said to be demanding that the suspect be transferred immediately to the state Police Command in Benin City, the

PDP members allegedly insisted that the suspect be left alone.

The atmosphere became charged until policemen and officers of the Department of State Security, DSS, took the suspect away while the police dispersed the rival party

supporters, who were almost engaging in a free for all.

Spokesman of Edo State Police Command, Joseph Edoigiawerie, when contacted, said the command was yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Ekpoma.

PRESENTATION: From left: Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli Executive Director, Project, Niger Delta Developement Commission, NDDC; representative of the MD, NDDC, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, presenting a starter pack of NDDC's Retail Empowerment App Programme, REAP, to Mrs Erejuwa Esther, during the launch of the programme in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Delta House condemns slow pace of Ughelli-Asaba road dualization

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation has expressed displeasure over the level of work done on the Sector C of the Ughelli-Asaba dualization project.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Daniel Mayuku, when the Commissioner, Special Duties in charge of the road project, Mr David Enuku and the Project Directors appeared before the committee to defend the 2015 budget estimate of the office, pointed out that work on sectors A and B of the road project were going on smoothly, except the Sector C. Mayuku maintained that despite government’s commitment and pressure on the contractor, the job remained abandoned, describing the development as sad.

Other members of the committee, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Mr Tim Owhefere and Mr John Nani, who spoke in the same vein, said that the dualization of the UghelliAsaba Road was a key project to the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

He said that the road would

fast track development in the state, promising that the committee will liaise with the State Executive Council towards finding a solution to the problem.

The Commissioner for Special Duties, Ughelli-Asaba dualization project, Mr Enuku, said that the length of the road was 149 kilometers and segmented into three sectors with different contractors.

Enuku disclosed that sector

A was revoked from the initial contractor and re awarded to CCC, the firm that handled the Sector B portion of the road project following its excellent performance. He said the sector C portion of the road which is from Ossissa to Asaba, was awarded to ULO Consult.

Speaking further on the sector C of the road project, the consultant, Mr Ifeanyi Ochoba, said the project was 30 percent completed.

PZ Wilmar splashes N20m on distributors

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT—PZ Wilmar Food Limited has splashed about N15 million on the top 11 distributors of its oil in the South-East and South-South regions.

At a brief ceremony yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Regional Sales Manager South-East/SouthSouth of the company, Mr Amit Mishra, said the promo was not restricted to only big traders of the company’s oil, adding that retailers were

also rewarded.

He said items given out include motor cycles and phones, adding that some of the beneficiaries got cash.

He said the firm was overwhelmed by the response from consumers towards its 25 litres.

“When we introduced the 25 litres, we never expected such response.

We really appreciate our consumers,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Odelema Amaechi said the oil enjoyed acceptance because of its quality.

Isoko group drums support for Okowa

A

HEAD of the coming general election, an Isoko political pressure group, Eke-ze Foundation, has declared its support for the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, with a promise to mobilise its members across the state to vote enmasse for him.

Speaking with newsmen in Ughelli during an enlightenment campaign on the need for the people of the area to vote for Senator Okowa, the President of the group, Blessed Eradadire, described Okowa as experienced in governance having served in various capacities from the local to the national levels.

He said: “This is not about politics of ethnicity but about the future of our state. As a detribalized Deltan, Okowa is the right candidate that can take Delta State to enviable heights."

Urhobo in Diaspora tasks Delta Central on PVC collection

T

HE Urhobo in Diaspora has called on eligible voters in Delta Central senatorial district to collect their permanent voter cards, PVCs and come out en mass on election days to vote for the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group, through its National Coordinator, Ejiro Ofoye, yesterday, said that the choice of the people in the general elections remains, President Goodluck Jonathan for president, Senator Okowa for Delta State governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori for Senate Delta central senatorial district, Evelyn Oboro for House of Representatives and Chief Sherife Oborevwori for Delta State House of Assembly, Okpe constituency.

It thanked Prof. Sam Oyovbaire for the fatherly role he is playing as Chairman of the Delta State PDP Campaign Organisation.

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Watch what you say, Osanebi cautions politicians

T

HE member representing Ndokwa East in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Friday Osanebi, has advised politicians to desist from making inflammatory comments capable of jeopardizing smooth and acceptable general elections.

Osanebi, who spoke in Beneku during the distribution of cars, motorcycles, hair dressing machines and other items to people of his constituency as part of his empowerment programmes, said such statements could over heat the polity and create avoidable tension.

He also reminded politicians that their individual ambitions are subordinate to national interest.

He said: “Nigeria must exist as a nation first, before we could pursue our individual ambitions.”

He, therefore, advised those fanning the embers of war and disunity to have a rethink, saying “we have more to gain by staying united.”

He reiterated that politics was a call for service and not a platform to cause disaffection among citizens.

According to Osanebi, election is not a do-or-die affair and “ we should know that only one political seat could be vacant at a time.”

He posited that governance was a collective responsibility between the governed and the government.

Transition

M

R. Augustine Ude, 89, is dead. He died January 25.

Interment is February 27 at his home town, Umudara Umualum Umuaga Udi Enugu State, after a requiem mass at 10am.

He left behind a widow, children, grand and greatgrand children, daughter in-law and son in-law.

C M Y K

MINISTRY: From left— Dr. Flora Kwakpovwe, EV/PS John and Debby, Fair Internatioal delegates, and Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe, at the presentation of World Anointing Night on This Nonsense Must Stop, My Door Must Open Ministery by Bishop Chris and Dr Ejiro Kwakpovwe at TBS Lagos. PHOTO: Shola Oyelese.

Anambra, UN set up recycling plant A NAMBRA State Government and United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, have jointly set up a compost and recycling plant for the treatment of household waste and other plastic materials.

The materials are converted into organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately create viable options for waste-to-wealth ventures in the state.

The composite recycling plant, which was commissioned early in the week by Governor Willie Obiano, was initiated in 2011 following the selection of Anambra and Kano states for the pilot study, but it was not until 2014 that work commenced on the Anambra project.

Speaking during the flagoff, Governor Obiano said the

plant would convert waste to wealth, pointing out that the project would be replicated in all the local government areas and major cities of the state.

According to the governor, “this initiative is one way of ensuring that we live in a clean and healthy environment.”

The Commissioner for Environment, Chief Evarist

‘Tilije, big boost for PDP'

A

member of Delta State Think-Tank Committee, Amechi Okobah has described the recent defection of former All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship aspirant Chief Fidelis Tilije to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as a big boost to the electoral fortunes of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Why Jonathan deserves South-West votes— IJAW GROUP

T

HE Friends of Oronto Douglas support Group for Jonathan in South-West has described the geopolitical zone as a dependable ally since independence.

In a release by its Coordinator, Miss Linda Oyawerikumo in Lagos, the group said South-West benefited from South-South’s cooperation during former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo's era.

It said: “The Goodluck Jonathan Presidency was the fulfilment of the vision of late Obafemi Awolowo that one day an Ijaw man will lead this country. This was confirmed to this nation by Chief Ebenezer Babatope, one of Awolowo’s disciples during his lecture last year in Yenagoa to mark the creation of the state.

Uba, said the state provided land for the project, while UNDP built the structure and provided the equipment.

Earlier, Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Phil Chinwuba, said the plant was community-based and would serve about 300 households and can employ 25 workers.

“South-South was one of the leading lights that fought against the annulment of June 12. Many of our leaders like Frank Kokori, Dr. Agamene and Oronto Douglas fought against the June 12 injustice even at the risk of their lives.

“We know the progressives are with us in this struggle to vote the South-South for another four years.”

The group assured that in the next four years, President Jonathan would give equal treatment to all zones.

“The achievements of the President in the last four years are abvious and with the security situation in check, the economy will improve and job creation for youths will be the priority of the government in the next four years.”

Okobah spoke when he led members of Equity and Justice Group on a courtesy visit to Tijile at his Obiaruku residence.

Okobah, national leader of the group, commended Chief Tilije for the courage to dump APC, saying campaign strategy aimed at drumming support for the candidature of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates in the general elections was in place.

He urged Tilije to mobilize his supporters across the state to vote massively for PDP, saying his defection was a sign that victory was assured for PDP In his remarks, Chief Tilije said his decision to dump APC was informed by his personal conviction that PDP remained the only party on ground, saying the rising profile of the candidate of PDP was a clear indication that majority of Deltans were in support of his candidature.

Earlier on arrival at Obiaruku, members of Equity and Justice carried out door-to-door campaign along major streets and motor parks in the area, where they called on eligible voters to obtain their permanent voter's cards, PVCs, to enable them exercise their franchise.

NTI partners ABU on nursing educators

T

HE National Teachers’ Institute, NTI, and the School of Nursing, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Teaching Hospital, Zaria, have agreed on modalities for the training of nursing educators.

Principal of the school, Safiyyah Ibrahim, and another staff of the school, Mrs. Salamatu Hassan, sealed the deal during a visit to NTI in Kaduna.

The Principal described the visit to NTI as a strategic move, which will guarantee her school’s quest for re-accreditation of some programmes by the Nigerian Council of Nurses and Midwifery.

Ibrahim said: “We are here to re-kindle the relationship between the nursing educators and NTI. NTI has been producing teachers all over the world, nursing inclusive.”

Director General and Chief Executive of the NTI, Dr. Aminu Sharehu, pledged the institute’s total support and commitment to its part of the partnership to achieve the desired result.

Meeting

L

AGOS State branch of St. Enda’s College (formerly Agbarho Grammar School) Agbarho, Old Students Association will hold its monthly meeting tomorrow at 12B, Abuja Close, Agbara Estate, Agbara, Ogun State, at 3p.m.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 47

POLL: Nigerians in Malaysia warn against rigging

Ex-Union leader frowns at botched NLC election

By Dotun Ibiwoye

By Suzan Edeh

By Suzan Edeh Bauchi- A former Bauchi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Abdullahi Shehu has expressed concern over the crisis that marred the 11th National Delegates’ Conference of the congress to elect its new set of officers.

Shehu however, blamed the failure of Comrade Umar Abdulwaheed and Comrade Peter Eseozor to conduct a peaceful delegates’ conference on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP , in the country.

The NLC Chairman spoke yesterday in Bauchi during an interview with newsmen, lamenting that the crisis in the central labour organisation was not a good development, particularly as it came at a time the country was about to go for national elections.

“The recent developments in the PDP are pointers to the fact that the party is struggling to survive and could not intervene in the election crisis in labour.

“What is happening in the PDP has made the government to lose focus and it is affecting other sectors. Just recently a prominent member of the party, Olusegun Obasanjo left and it is a big minus for the party.

W

PROTEST: A women group, Women for Truth, led by Chief (Mrs) Kate Onyechere, protesting at the Lagos State Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC office, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, over Permanent Voter's Cards, PVCs.

158 abducted victims of insurgency reunite with families in Yobe D

AMATURU—A total of 158 women and children abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from Katarko village in Yobe have been reunited with their families in Damaturu, Yobe.

The victims were released by the sect members after three weeks of captivity.

Alhaji Ahmed Goniri, the Commissioner for Justice and Chairman of the State Committee on Rehabilitation of Victims of Insurgency, said this while addressing newsmen in Damaturu yesterday.

“The victims were screened by security operatives to authenticate their status while government provided them with psychological therapy to ease their trauma,” Goniri said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the victims were released by the insurgents three weeks ago but remained in custody of security agencies to undergo screening to ensure that they were indeed captives.

Alhaji Abdurahman Dauda, a displaced person, said his wife

and six girls were released by the insurgents.

“Two of my boys are still in their custody but, I am of high spirit that they will soon be rescued,” he said.

One of the victims who preferred to remain anonymous, said “To be fair to the insurgents, they did not rape or abuse us, they simply asked those who were not interested in their religion to leave, and they eventually released us.”

Meanwhile, the state government has provided N50,000, two bags of rice, sugar,

Shettima, others condole with NTA, NUJ over Mahadi’s demise

By Ndahi Marama

M

AIDUGURI— BORNO State Governor, Kashim Shettima has expressed shock over the sudden death of a senior broadcast journalist, Saleh Mahadi, a manager with the News and Current Affairs Department in the

APC asks INEC to reinstate Eshilokun as Assembly candidate

By Innocent Anaba

L

AGOS—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reinstate Wasiu Eshilokun as the candidate of the party for election into Lagos Island constituency 1 of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The party, in a letter to INEC, which was attached as exhibit to a suit by Eshilokun, challenging the substitution of his name, said: “We write to request for the reinstatement of our party ’s substituted candidate, Wasiu Sanni, in respect of Lagos Island constituency 1 for the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

The party in the latter by its National Chairman and Secretary, C M Y K

John Odigie-Oyegun and Mai Mala Buni, with reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/ 015/175 was date January 15, 2015.

Eshilokun, a former secretary of the APC in Lagos State, had polled 186 votes to beat seven other candidates for primaries election conducted by the party to select a candidate for Lagos Island Constituency 1.

Eshilokun’s name was substituted with one Hakeem Masha, who polled 70 votes.

Eshilokun in a suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos, challenged his substitution and is praying court to order his reinstatement as the candidate of the party for the poll.

At the resumed hearing in the matter before Justice Ibrahim

noodles and wrapper to each of the 15 widows among the victims, while 47 other women received N30,000 each and same quantity of rice, sugar, noodles and wrapper.

Presenting the assistance, Goniri said government commiserated with the families of the victims and provided the relief materials to help them to resettle.

He said 20 boys were still in custody of the insurgents and expressed hope that they would be rescued from their captors.

ITH the recent postponement of the general elections till March 28, Nigerians in Malaysia have endorsed the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and also warned politicians against rigging which they say might lead to the breakdown of law and order in the country.

In a statement, by one of the the conveners of the meeting held in Mutiara Komplex Kuala Lumpur, Comrade Biafra Diboh, who doubles as President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Malaysia, the group noted that Nigerians of all walks living in the country has indicated interest to support President Goodluck in his re-election bid.

He affirmed that the transformation agenda of the President had made tremendous impact on lives of Nigerians just as and the rule of law has come to stay with Jonathan respecting the views of Nigerians from all ethnic groups.

According to Diboh: “However, we will like to warn all politicians against rigging because we know some have not won any election in the past and are likely not to win a ward without rigging.

This might lead to the breakdown of law and order in the country, if unchecked.

Buba, yesterday, Masha’s counsel, informed the court of an application which he just filed and served on other parties to the suit challenging the service of the processes in the suit on his client.

He requested for more time to respond to a counteraffidavit filed in response to the said application by the applicant (Eshilokun).

Nigerian Television Authority’s zonal network centre in Maiduguri.

Mahadi died on Wednesday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, following a protracted illness.

The Muhammed Imam Campaign Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP also commiserated with NTA, NUJ, Family as well as friends of Late Salem Mahdi, the Director of News and Current Affairs.

According to Inuwa Bwala on behalf of the PDP gubernatorial Candidate for the 2015 general elections in the State, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, “the death coming at this very critical period when his professional services will be required most.

“Salem Mahdi’s death was not only shocking but also a great loss to the Journalism profession

and to Borno state as a whole.

“He was the epitome of humility, dedication to duty and gentility. For us, it was a heavy blow, as we were looking forward to working with him in the task of rebuilding Borno state from its sorry state occasioned by the security challenges and lack of good leadership”. Bwala stated in the statement.

He therefore prayed Allah to grant him Aljannah Firdaus, as PDP in the state feel proud to identify with Saleh Mahdi who has paid his dues in the service of God and his fatherland.

Governor Kashim Shettima said; ''I condole with his family for this huge loss; I condole with the NTA and the Nigeria Union of Journalists and all members of the Media industry in Borno State, I condole with numerous friends and associates of late Mahadi.''

Benue, UNICEF train community health workers

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in conjunction with the Benue State government have saved over two million infants and children from avoidable deaths through the

strategic training for community health workers and councillors initiative.

The Director of Public Health at the Benue State Ministry of Health, Dr. Joseph Kumba, who made ths known yesterday in Makurdi the state capital, said the UNICEF intervention had also

saved over one and half million women and nursing mothers in the state from untimely deaths.

He said, “the new strategy is anchored on community health workers and councillors who were trained and who in turn trained five care-givers in each of the 23 local government areas of the state.

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

PRESENTATION: From left: Mr. Waheed Olagunju, Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Bank of Industry, BoI, representing the MD, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, and Prof. Olubamiro Jegede, Secretary to Kogi State Government, jointly presenting cheque to one of the beneficiaries, Mr Ugbede Ojo, during the distribution of Kogi State/BoI SME fund to beneficiaries in Lokoja.

MEETING: From left: Senators George Akume, Danjuma Goje, Bukola Saraki, Aishat Hassan, and Gbenga Ashafa, during the All Progressives Congress,APC, Senate Caucus meeting on the postponement of the general elections at the National Assembly, Abuja.

PRESENTATION: From left: Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyetola Oduyemi, Social Worker, Olive Blooms Orphanage, Joy Obabimitan, Chief Care Giver, Olive Blooms Orphanage, Patience Stephen, and Specialist, Legal Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Bunmi Sanya, at the presentation of gifts to Olive Blooms Orphanage, as part of the Etisalat Re-Gift programme in Lagos.

STOMARCH INFRASTRUCTURE: The Takwa Bay Riverine communities in Lagos State, receiving food items from Opobo and Okrika Support Group for Goodluck 2015.

VISIT: From left: Prince Olayiwola Shittu, National President, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and Mr. George Okere, Director, Special Duties, during a courtesy visit by the SON D-G to the National Secretariat of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

SEND-FORTH: From left: Mr. Mike Purves, outgoing Director, UK Trade and Investment, UKTI, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, and Mr. Chris Maskell, new Director of UKTI, during a send-forth luncheon organized by NBCC in honour of the outgoing Director of UKTI, Mr. Mike Purves in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr Bolaji Shenjobi, member, Take A Stand, Mr Adebola Odu-Onikosi, Coordinator, Take A Stand, Mrs Adesola Agboola, member, Take A Stand, and Mr Olawumi Alajiki, member, during a briefing on the state of the nation organised by the group in Lagos.

UNVEILING: From left: Mrs. Folake Adebowale, customer, Funke Ayoola, Channel Develo0pment Manager, Mrs. Stella Olasebikan, Key distributor, Seyi Odubena, Regional Sales Manager, Wamco Plc., and Mr. Seyi Fasetire, Channel Development Manager, Wamco Plc., during the Friesland Campina Wamco Plc unveiling of the 380 G-Powder Trade Activation in Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015—49

2015 elections: How to make Nigeria the winner Continues from page 43 to their constitutional role to ensure that law and order are maintained, but they must also not allow themselves to be used to intimidate voters. Third, the role of political parties in driving the campaign in orderly and peaceful manner is very significant in the success of elections process.

Where national interests are threatened, for example, parties must put aside their differences to work together towards protecting such interests against violation.

Parties must stick to the rules of the game and avoid mud-slinging or casting aspersions against political opponents. It is equally important for the political parties to maintain focus and avoid statements that would overheat the polity.

Fourth, the media (both electronic and print) is a very critical and vital institution in this project. As a public agenda setter; a gate keeper on public issues; a watchdog of political transparency and fight against corruption; and a fourth estate which provides the needed checks and balances in relation to the three branches of government; the media has a crucial role to play in national development.

However, to succeed in their role, the media must be professional and objective, therefore must avoid bias, sensationalism, propaganda and distortions, particularly in a society like ours with many fault lines.

For the 2015 elections, the media must lead the civil society in ensuring that the elections are free, fair and credible in the overall interest of the nation. Fifth, Nigeria will win if the voters themselves vote freely to elect credible people not on the basis of religion, ethnicity or monetary inducements.

Voters must not engage in any acts of violence and brigandage that could lead to the destruction of lives and properties.

Matchets, knives and daggers are not the weapons of voters, but rather the most potent weapon for the voter is his or her vote which he or she must use wisely to vote for the candidate of his or her choice.

Post 2015 elections Post-2015 elections Nigeria cannot be the winner if the current insecurity environment is sustained, particularly the threats posed by terrorism and insurgency of Boko Haram in the north. Every day we live with the hope that the insurgency in the northeast would end using multidimensional approach so that the future would not experience such threats that have had devastating effects on our lives.

How can Nigeria be the winner when the vast majority of people live in perpetual fear? Freedom from fear is not only a fundamental right in human security, but it also compliments the freedom from want.

Unfortunately both freedoms are under serious threats. Educational institutions, markets, worship centers (such as mosques and churches), and motor parks, that are the major areas in which the bulk of daily activities of Nigerians are concentrated have become the main targets of terrorist attacks.

Such attacks cripple the educational system; immobilize the movement of people; deny people the means of sustaining their lives; deny them their fundamental right to practice their faith; and above all, deny people the right to C M Y K

decent living (the insurgency has taken away their food, housing, education, and healthcare). In the southeast and southsouth, people cannot move freely due to the fear of kidnappers and violent cultists.

In the south west, ritual killers are lurking around for unsuspecting victims, especially women and children.

How can Nigeria be the winner if the people residing in her territory are experiencing such hurtful disruptions of their daily lives? According to the first UN Human Development Report (1994), human security involves a “process of widening the range of people’s choices” in which “people can exercise these choices safely and freely, and that they can relatively be confident that the opportunities they have today are not lost tomorrow.” How can Nigeria be the winner if the choices of the people residing in her territory are narrowing instead of widening?

Consolidating democracy Beginning 1999, it is now 15 years of democracy in Nigeria, but we are yet to consolidate it. We have already discussed the first step towards consolidating democracy, that is, free, fair and credible elections. Next, is the issue of good governance manifested in clear observance of democratic tenets, imbedded in adherence to the rule of law; respect for human rights; accountability; transparency; inclusiveness; and popular participation.

Next, is strengthening of democratic institutions, and ensuring that there are adequate arrangements for checks and balances among the executive, legislature and the judiciary. Although there have been major challenges in the last 15 years, the Fourth Republic has been the longest so far in Nigeria’s democratic experiment.

Is there any possibility that the 2015 elections could usher in the path for democratic consolidation in Nigeria? Yes, there is.

But this is only possible when the right people are elected: people who are competent and of high integrity; people who are focused and selfless; people who are courageous and loyal; people who respect human rights and appreciate the rule of law; people who would be transparent and are ready to be held accountable; people who understand the essence of human security; people who are ready to once more make Nigeria the giant of Africa; people who appreciate that without peace and security there will be no development; and above all, people who believe in Nigeria as a united, indivisible nation.

These are the kind of people that would guarantee Nigeria’s economic, political and social stability to put her on the path of sustained growth and development.

I have attempted to suggest a path to follow in order to make Nigeria the winner come 2015 elections. While this may not be the only path, I believe following what I have provided for this dialogue will go a long way in ensuring that we at least achieve very reasonable level of peace and stability. I do hope that my points would encourage or provoke enough discussions in this dialogue.

•Retd. Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, CFR, Ph.D writes from Lagos

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 , 2015 — 51

United Nations investigates claim of ISIS organ theft

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Fighting rages in east Ukraine despite bid to revive truce F

IGHTING raged in parts of east Ukraine yesterday despite European efforts to resurrect a stillborn ceasefire, a day after pro-Russian separatists spurned the truce by forcing thousands of government troops out of a strategic town.

Western nations are refusing to give up on a peace deal brokered by France and Germany last week even though the rebels disavowed it to seize the important railway hub of Debaltseve.

Shelling continued near that town on Thursday, and local officials in governmentheld territory said rebels had also fired mortar bombs at another town further south. Kiev fears they are massing for an assault near the major port of Mariupol.

Thousands of weary and demoralised soldiers withdrew from Debaltseve on Wednesday in one of the

These rebels took up a position in Uglegorsk, near Debaltseve, on Thursday worst defeats suffered

by Kiev during 10

months of fighting in which more than 5,000

people killed.

have

HE United Nations is looking into claims that ISIS already considered the wealthiest terrorist group on record may be harvesting organs from slain civilians and gaining financial benefits by trafficking the body parts, officials said Wednesday.

But Britain’s ambassador to the U.N., Mark Lyall Grant, said the issue has not been officially discussed. Grant said there was no proof or evidence of the claim made by Iraq’s ambassador to the United Nations.

The Iraqi ambassador, Mohamed Alhakim, on Tuesday urged the Security Council to investigate the deaths of 12 doctors in Mosul, Iraq. He said they were killed after refusing to remove organs from bodies.

“Some of the bodies we

found are mutilated ... that means some parts are missing,” he told reporters, adding that there were openings in the back of the bodies where the kidneys would be located.

“This is clearly something bigger than we think,” Alhakim said.

The plunder of bodies for usable organs and tissues is widespread, according to Nancy ScheperHughes, director of Organs Watch, a University of California, Berkeleybased documentation and research project.

“Organ theft during wars, civil wars, dirty wars, wars involving undisciplined armies is not uncommon,” ScheperHughes, chair of Berkeley ’s doctoral program in medical anthropology, said in an email.

been

Zarif, Kerry to hold nuclear talks in Geneva programme, an Iranian punishing economic sanctions.

I

RANIAN Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and top US diplomat John Kerry will meet in Geneva this weekend for talks on Tehran’s nuclear

official said yesterday.

Iran and world powers are trying to strike a deal that would prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb, a goal it denies having, in return for an easing of

Zarif and Kerry will hold two days of discussions from Sunday after their diplomats begin bilateral talks on Friday, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said.

BanKi Moon, UN Secretary General

Libya urges UN to lift arms embargo to tackle IS L

IBYA has asked the UN Security Council to lift an arms embargo so that it can deal with the Islamic State (IS) group and other militants.

Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Dairi said that it would help the government build its army and deal with “rampant terrorism”.

Egypt said it supported Libya’s request at an emergency session of the UN council on Wednesday.

Rival militias have been battling for control in Libya since 2011.

The worsening security situation has increased fears that the country’s warring militias may side with IS militants.

Mr Dairi said Libya needed a “decisive stance” from the international community to be able to tackle the threat.

C M Y K

“If we fail to have arms provided to us, this can only play into the hands of extremists,” he said.

Libya has been under an arms embargo since the 2011 uprising that drove out the former leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said he supported the lifting of the embargo as events in Libya posed an “enormous danger”.

He also called for a naval blockade on arms heading to areas of Libya that were not in the control of the internationally recognised Tobruk government.

The BBC’s Nick Bryant in New York says that both Egypt and Libya seemed to have stepped back from earlier requests for a UN mandate that would allow an international force to battle IS on Libyan soil.

Mali, Tuareg-led rebels agree on cease hostilities

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ALI’s government and Tuareg-led rebels have agreed to cease hostilities as a way to ease tensions while they hold U.N.-sponsored peace negotiations, Algeria’s government said yesterday.

The talks hosted by Algiers, the fifth round of recent negotiations, aim to end decades of uprisings in the north to win a form of self-rule and more rights from the southern government in Bamako.

Chadian soldiers gather near the Nigerian town of Gamboru, accros the border from Cameroon

UN Ebola chief hails successes, warns systems that were illof fatigue gest risk we have is a prepared for such an ep-

T

HE head of the Unit ed Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response yesterday hailed Liberia’s success in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus, but warned against complacency now that the number of cases has dropped.

“What I’ve seen is that the level of awareness is very strong, but the big-

certain degree of fatigue,” Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said on his second visit to the West African nation.

Ebola has killed more than 3,800 people in Liberia and nearly 9,200 across Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone since the first Ebola deaths in rural Guinea in December 2013. All three countries have weak health

idemic.

Significant gains have been made against Ebola, and now only a small number of cases remain in Liberia. Students returned to schools Monday after a six-month closure, though health officials warned that a single case could trigger a whole new cluster of infections.

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES: Your mind is truly active and if you’re more practical about it success’ll crown your efforts. Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

ARIES: Coming of Lucky Jupiter into a positive angle to your Star sign is a big plus. On a day like this the more ambitious you are the better. It’s good to be loving .

TAURUS: The more willing you are to listen to your partners and/or spouse the better for you today. Friends are trying to convince you that they are reliable.

GEMINI: Here is a day you are not meant to ignore new ideas that come suddenly. It’s good to take matters of the heart more seriously. Listen to your spouse please.

CANCER: Success is boldly printed on your cards today.

The more push-full you are along your career/business lines the better. Embrace new method at work.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

What is Your Excuse?

A

S I am about to write this, I just heard over the radio that three prisoners will be graduating from the National Open University of Nigeria. Did you hear? Prisoners are

now graduates. Yet, I know of individuals who worked in a c a d e m i c environments and institutions and

TERROR MUDA

excuse that?

What you are now is the return of your investment in your life. It is the choice retired, still, they you made. You can never did anything fly if you want to, you to enhance their can also choose to career or make their crawl. It is up to you. life better. Can you

in “Never say goodbye”

By Lanre Kehinde

LEO: Lucky Jupiter is joining mighty Sun and romantic Venus bringing you to the fore for collection of well deserved honour, glory and LOVE. Certainly you’re becoming more important in many ways. Be more ambitious.

VIRGO: Another lucky day for you is here. Although your being co-operative can enhance your scope, your personal ideas and initiative are guarantee for bigger do.

LIBRA: Those of you who are more consistent will have more to gain. Good ideas on monetary issues will enhance your finances. Be more family minded.

SCORPIO: Entrance of lucky Jupiter into Sagittarius is meant to enhance your finances. The more willing you are to take good advice the better. Be loving.

SAGITTARIUS: Lucky Jupiter makes an ingress into your positive angle today with good luck to you. Financial success is closer to you than you can imagine. Give big push.

CAPRICORN: Here is a good day when influential personalities around you will be willing to assist you but you will need to take the initiative. Take good advice.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: This is your day. The more ambitious you are along your career line the better for you. And friends are willing to give the needed supports; you’ll be lucky.

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

Good health for me?

Dear Joshua, I have never gone through any major sickness since I was born but it is always good to know, especially as people are saying that those that do not fall-sick often can die the very first time such happen. Can they be right? Please tell me about my financial prospects.

Feyi, Oyo. Dear Feyi, They are wrong. And you have no cause to fear. Actually my findings here pointed to your hard beginning-health wise. If you ask your parents they would tell you much than you think you know about yourself.

Leo and Scorpio that hosted your natal Sun and Moon are members of few strongest Star signs available (when talking of health/life and death). Thus you are well endowed.

Although as both the Sun and Moon were at loggerheads when you were born you must have gone through some tough times health-wise, especially when you were younger, very great ability of Scorpio to survive and good aspects the planets enjoyed during your birth hour are indications of good health for you. And as your age advances so also your health will continue to improve.

Then concentration of many heavenly bodies in health related Virgo is another pointers to good health. However that is not to say you will go through adulthood life without any health related challenges but when they come you have what it takes to survive and be back on the road to sound health.

What to watch out for include TOOTHACHE, the chest/ back, stomach and at very advanced age may come circulatory system related challenge. Being a female Scorpio born person always pay good attention to gynaecological related ailments and fever is common in this part of the world.

But then all ailments mentioned here are mere warnings (although to be taken seriously) nothing fatalistic please!!!!

Although you can be generous, kind and loving you are not the extravagant type. Thus you are reliable and can make success of your family purse. You are practical analyst with respect for your family dignity, therefore putting aside money for raining days comes natural to you.

Occasionally you think that money don’t come as faster as desired by you but it comes eventually after a few lesson.

Luckily for you Libra that hosted your natal planet of desire (Mars) is money and partnership/marrige related. Thus money will find it way into your life either personally or via joint efforts between you and your husband.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 53

54—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Patani United endorses Manager for re-election

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HE re-election bid of Senator James Manager, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Delta South senatorial district, got a boost yesterday as a group, Patani United for James Manager, promised to work for his return to the National Assembly.

The group made the promise in a statement after its inaugural meeting at Ughelli, with over 100 members of the group in attendance.

The group said it was endorsing Senator Manager because of his laudable achievements in influencing lots of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other federal projects to the senatorial district through which the people of the area had been empowered, stressing that voting for him again would help consolidate his achievements.

Shettima, others mourn NTA journalist

CSOs endorse Yero for re-election

By Luka Binniyat

K

ADUNA—NO fewer than 16 civil society organizations, CSOs, yesterday, resolved to support the re-election of Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State.

The CSOs, who came together under the aegis of

M

Gugon argued that Kaduna State residents, especially non-natives, were not comfortable with what other aspirants would do with their investments if they were supported in the election, pointing out that they would prefer Yero, whom they were already familiar with.

Gugon said: “We have been

among those that criticized the governor over some of his actions and inactions in the past. But, he has listened to wise counsel and has made positive adjustments.

“We have, therefore, come together as natives of Kaduna State to work under one umbrella so that we can convince nonnatives, who make a critical voting population of around one million, to vote for him in the April polls.

“We want to assure them that their investments will be secured under a new tenure of Governor Yero, as he has showed in his two years of power.”

Police kill 2 rustlers, recover 533 cows in Katsina

K

Representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Martins (cutting the tape), with District Education Director, declaring open the refactory and security post for Oduduwa Junior High School, Gbagada Phase 2, built by Ladybird Nursery/Primary School as part of its corporate social responsibilitie to the community and charity to the less-privileged children.

CAN debunks report of N7bn largesse

By Ndahi Marama AIDUGURI— GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State and the Muhammed Imam Campaign Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have expressed shock over the death of Saleh Mahadi, a senior broadcast journalist and Manager with the News and Current Affairs Department of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA’s zonal Network Centre, Maiduguri.

Mahadi, a former Vice President (North) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, died Wednesday at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, following a protracted illness.

According to Inuwa Bwala who spoke on behalf of the PDP governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections in the State, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, “the death came when his professional services will be required most.”

DALLMA-2015, said they would mobilize over one million votes of non-natives for Yero, who is candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Speaking on behalf of the conveners, Dr. Ben Gugon, said Yero had listened to wise counsel and had made meaningful adjustments to correct past mistakes.

By Luka Binniyat

K

ADUNA—THE Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has described as ridiculous, allegations that it collected N7 billion bribe to rubbish All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), wondering why mischief makers would concoct lies to deceive the public.

Public Relation Officer, PRO, of Northern CAN, Mr. Sunday Oibe, said: “The allegation is a complete lie and just one of the many evil plots to dent the image of CAN's leadership.

“It is also to rubbish its integrity and make it morally incapable of leading Christians in these trying times. There was no way anybody would collect a kobo on behalf of CAN and start sharing it like booty.

Electricity consumers accuse IEDC of exploitation

A

BUJA—ELECTRICITY consumers, yesterday, expressed alarm over “outrageous estimated bills” distributed by the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IEDC, saying the bills increased by over 300 percent.

A housewife, Mrs Stella Azuka, who showed her bill to Vanguard, said she had been paying an average of N2,700 before last month’s bill of over N8,000 without any corresponding increase in power supply.

Azuka accused IEDC of exploiting its customers,

especially at Ayewanle area of Alimosho Local Government Area, where “residents do not have regular electricity.”

This was even as some small business entrepreneurs in Abuja, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to invest more in alternative sources of electricity to address the challenge in the power sector.

The businessmen, who are members of Wuse Market Shop Operators and Traders Cooperative Society, made the call when they visited the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ABUCCI.

“The man, who made the allegation, is totally unknown in CAN cycle and I am just hearing his name and that of his organization for the first time. How come he could be privy to such an arrangement if it really existed?

“It is a shame that anyone would make such mean allegation, without giving a shred of evidence, just to fulfil a political agenda at the cost of our ecumenism.

“It is all to silence the voice of CAN leaders against the tyranny and oppression that Christians suffer in the northeast and other parts of northern Nigeria.

“For the first time our oppressors have found CAN speaking up for its members, and they must do everything to frustrate our leaders. The kingdom of evil shall, again, fall flat at the feet of Jesus.”

A Borno-based pastor, who identified himself as Kallamu Musa-Dikwa and Executive Director, Voice of Northern Christian Movement, had alleged that some pastors allegedly received the N7 billion, not N6 billion as alleged by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

AT S I N A — T H E Police in Katsina State have killed two suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 533 cows from the hoodlums, since January.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Zamasanchi, disclosed yesterday in Katsina, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the command during the period.

Zamasanchi said the cows were recovered around Funtua and Rugu forests in Safana and Batsari Local Government areas, respectively.

He said police had also arrested 15 suspected cattle rustlers during the period, adding that 67 sheep were also recovered from the rustlers.

According to him, the police have arrested 30 notorious armed robbery suspects, and that 22 of them have already been charged to court.

He said items recovered from the suspects include three vehicles, nine motorcycles, one AK-47 rifles, six locally-made guns, 40 rounds of ammunition, 284 cutlasses, torch lights and other dangerous weapons.

The deputy commissioner of police said the police had also raided criminal hideouts and arrested 110 suspects in different parts of the state and that 91 of the suspects had been charged to court.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 55

Tom Associates holds Trainers’ Clinic

UPU remains one united family, says group

T

U

GHELLI—AN Urhobo youth group, Urhobo Youths for Socio-Economic Liberation, has claimed, contrary to press reports, the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, remains one united family under the new leadership of Chief Tuesday Onoge.

Addressing newsmen in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, the leader of the group, Ojiromu Adarighofua, insisted that there is no crisis in the UPU, claiming that what has transpired is that the old leadership was removed and replaced by a new leadership with the interests of Urhoboland at heart.

He said: “For the old leadership to have negated the spirit and letter of the Uvwiamuge Declaraton amounted to a betrayal of the Urhobo nation and the Urhobo people were within their rights to have removed the old leadership as an imminent danger to Urhobo interests under the Doctrine of Necessity. “What matters at the end of the day is who the Urhobo people will listen to as things continue to unfold.

Chief Tuesday Onoge is the leader we recognize and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor is our governorship candidate.”

From left: Chief Mrs Marlies Allan, Hon. Justice Ayo Phillip, former CJ of Lagos State, and Hon. Justice Funmilayo Atilade, chief judge of Lagos State, at the party organised by Queens College Old Girls Association for four of their members: Hon Justice Ayo Phillips, immediate past CJ of Lagos State, Hon Justice Funmilayo Atilade, Chief judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Tokunbo Kekere Ekun, Judge of Federal Court of Appeal, Kaduna and Mrs. Ifueko N O Okauru, in Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

There’ll be no interim govt — ABUBAKAR ...Electoral violence'll abate, if...' ‘

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA—FORMER Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, yesterday, reassured Nigerians that there will be no interim government, contrary to fears in some quarters.

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun also said electoral violence will abate, if electoral law is

Customs reads riot act to smugglers

By Ifeyinwa Obi

L

AGOS—THE Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has re-affirmed its zero tolerance on smuggling activities, saying that such illegalities jeopardizes the nation’s economy.

The Acting Controller, FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Usman Turaki, who gave this warning during the Unit’s first Muster Parade at its Ikeja Headquarters, said the Unit will continuously decimate the activities of smugglers in the South-West region.

Turaki said: “Part of our strategy would be intensive patrol activities aimed at identifying some of the flashpoints through active collaboration with patriotic Nigerians and genuine informants. We are warning all those engaging in smuggling activities to look for genuine means of livelihood and desist from these illegalities that jeopardizes the nation’s economy. ''This Unit will continue to do everything possible to whittle

down the nefarious activities of smugglers in the Zone.”

Meanwhile, reeling out the achievements of the Unit last year, Turaki commended his men and officers for their bravery, and as well thanked the Customs Management led by the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, for their support to achieve the feats.

He noted that the Unit made remarkable seizures of 58,611 cartons of poultry products; 104, bags of 50kg parboiled rice; 869 bags of 25kg parboiled rice; 445 different seizures of assorted vehicles totaling 579 units of fairly used vehicles (tokunboh), as well as 95 scraps.

“Between January to December 2014, the Unit recorded 2, 914 different seizures of assorted offending and prohibited goods valued at N1,446,383,130 with Payable Duty of N618,882,683 with a Duty Paid Value of N2,065,265,813,'' he said.

It would be recalled that during the corresponding period of 2013, the total Duty Paid Value for the seizures stood at N1,521,265,001.

enforced without bias.

Abubakar, who is the chairman of the Peace Committee, made up of security Chiefs, party and religious leaders, told journalists during a press conference that going by President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise, elections will hold as scheduled, and May 29 handover date remains sacrosanct.

He equally called on party leaders to call their followers to order, warning that the country cannot afford to entertain another violence after the elections.

His words: “We have been meeting to review where we stopped at the last meeting. We are aware that the election dates have been shifted. There have been a lot of rumours going around the country, whether there are plans to form an interim government.

“We have heard from the president that election will hold in March. He has also said that there are no plans to have an interim government. We are appealing to Nigerians to focus their minds on exercising their rights on election day.

“During the meeting here we were fortunate to have the chairman of APC and representative of the PDP chairman. We are appealing to our youths to ensure that they are not used as thugs during the elections.

“It is always the children of the poor that are used during the elections. We appeal to party leaders to tell their supporters and candidates to be lawabiding. We must ensure that the peace we have had so far is sustained.

“We are going to have a meeting with the chairman of INEC to ascertain what has been done regarding their

preparedness. We also discussed that during our meeting. We will ask INEC where they are currently.

“The committee like every Nigerian is not happy with the violence and what happened in Rivers state. We are following the issue. Even if I give you a guarantee that there will be peace, I cannot dictate what you will do when you leave here.

Nigerians must ensure we maintain peace.”

The meeting was attended by PDP Deputy National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu, Presidential Adviser on Interparty Affairs,Chief Ben Obi, the Chairman of Interparty Advisory Council,Dr Tanko Yunisa among other religion leaders.

Oyegun condemns electoral violence

Oyegun in an interview with Journalists after the meeting said unnecessary attack on the INEC, the use of permanent voter’s cards and opposition must be reduced to avoid overheating the polity.

According to him, “There must be change, there has to be change, if we de-escalate the unnecessary political war that is going on now.

“The massive attack on INEC, the massive attack on the use of PVCs, the massive court actions that are going on now to have our candidate disqualified and even have the PVCs declared illegal by the court of law. In law, you can get any kind of judgment, anything before the court is 5050.

“If all these can de-escalate, people will start believing that this election will be relatively free and fair. In that condition, Okirika issue will be bad dream that will be behind us.''

HIS year’s edition of Tom Associates Trainers’ Clinic will hold on Tuesday February 24, 2015.

The Clinic is a free meeting convened every year since 1994 for senior human resources practitioners and manpower development managers of various industries, governments and the media.

Professionals look out for as they eagerly await for the event, they even suggest topics that they want discussed.

The main topic for the Clinic is: Leading Strategic Corporate Change-The Human Resources Role as the Change Driver.

The guest speaker is Mr Olu Onakoya, the immediate past chairman/ managing director, Mobil Oil Nigeria, an ExxonMobil company.

Onakoya, a chemical engineer, is the first Nigerian Chairman/ Managing Director in the Exxon Mobil Group.

Pa Ezendu dies at 102

P

A Ebereonwu Rowland Ezendu, a businessman and community leader of Umunaro Ogbor, OkeOvoro Mbaise, Imo State, aged 102, is dead.

A statement by his son, Chigozie Ebereonwu said the remains of Pa Ezendu, will on Friday, February 20, 2015 leave Orient Mortuary Uvuru to his family Compound in Umunaro Ogbor for lyingin-state after which a church service and interment will follow respectively in his compound.

Reception and entertainment of guests will be held at St. Simon’s Anglican Church field Ogbor, near his compound, on Kilometer 3.1/2 OkpalaMbaise Road, Ogbor Mbaise, Imo State.

.Late Pa Ezendu

56 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED EZEUME—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeume C. Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzoewulu C. Blessing. All former documents remain valid. The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, NYSC and general public please take note.

ADERELE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aderele Olubunmi Mary, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunsola Bunmi Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANOLEFO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anolefo Nwakaego Matilda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwafor Nwakaego Matilda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ERAGBAI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Eragbai Agbon Edna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edna Agbon Rilwan.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU—I, formerly known and addressed as Nwosu Louis Ogechukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Solomon Louis Ogechukwu. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMOLE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Folarin Ojuolape Omole, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Folarin Ojuolape Asuni. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAIGBOVO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osaigbovo Akhere Maris, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Useh Akhere Maris. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SOBANDE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayodele Olatokunbo Sobande, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodele Olatokunbo Adeniyi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ETIM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Linda Ikwo Friday Etim, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Linda Ikwo Nkemakolam. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLAYINKA-AMAO— I, formerly known and addressed as Oluwafunto Olubunmi Olayinka –Amao, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwafunto Olubunmi Oloruntimilehin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O N AY E R E — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Charity Onayere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Charity Imonisan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OHIEMBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Titilayo Helen Ohiembor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Titilayo Helen Enebeli. All former documents remain valid General public please take note.

EKUMANKAMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekumankama Nnenna Franca, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukuka Nnenna Franca. All former documents remain valid. Immigration, University of Jos and general public, please take note.

EGUNSOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Egunsola Bamidele Eric Jubrila, now wish to be known and addressed as Olusola Bamidele Eric Jubrila.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONYIBIA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ufuoma Faith Onyibia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ufuoma Faith Oforishe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K E R E M E TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss O k e r e m e t a Oghenevwairhe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O k o t i e Oghenevwairhe. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 57

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58—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Talking about Abalaka is taking us 10yrs back — Idoko, Director-General, NACA

By Victoria Ojeme

has approved, (though I am not sure of the figures) some new funding that will take us to 2017. I think it is in the region of over $300 million.”

Idoko recalled that the Agency supported the launch of the plan for the elimination of mother to child transmission.

“We have a new plan which will take us to 2016 and we hope to start implementing that plan. A total of 2.4 million people were counselled, tested and received result, and 673,000 people, adults and children received anti-retroviral treatment in June 2014. So by now we have over 700,000 people on drugs because this result is for June. A total of 34,589 women received ARVs

A

LMOST 15 years after Dr. Jeremiah Abalaka’s claims of developing curative and preventative vaccines for HIV/AIDS were rejected, the ruling by a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, that the ban on the vaccine was illegal and inconsequential, has reopened a new wave of commentary on the controversy.

In May 2000, Nigeria was caught in the grip of controversy over Abalaka’s unproven claims that he discovered a cure for HIV. Although several stakeholders have commented on the development since the ruling in January 2015, reactions continue to pour in from a widespectrum of the society.

Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Prof John Idoko, in a reaction, dismissed the issue. “My comments here are very short. In science discoveries are not disclosed or promoted in the court.

Judgment: “I have never heard in my history of several years in medicine that a new discovery was endorsed by a court. That is not the way science goes.

“My feeling is that we have gone past that as a country. Talking about Abalaka is taking us 10 years back,” he asserted.

Asked if the judgment is not acceptable, Idoko said: “ I am not interested in judgment. I am interested in science. And I

• Prof. John Idoko. am telling you that there has never been any time scientific discovery came out of a court.”

On the Agency’s plans for 2015, Idoko said they were preparing for a budget defense.

“We have not done any national survey beyond NASS which was in 2012 when the population prevalence was 3.4 percent. I understand that the result we have is the one of 2010. We have also been doing a lot of testing far more than the number of people tested in

these surveys.

“This year under our MDG programme where we do multidisease campaign. We tested 43,000 people in 13 states the most burdened states in the country and we had a prevalence of 2.8 percent.

We have 43,000 people in the most burdened states, giving us an indication that the prevalence is indeed coming down.

Two, NACA supported the development of the concept notes for global fund. The global fund

I have never heard in my history of several years in medicine that a new discovery was endorsed by a court.

That is not the way science goes

Ranbaxy tackles malaria with novel drug

By Vera Anyagafu & Victor Gotevbe

I

NDIAN registered pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, Ranbaxy Laboratories, has promised to kick out malaria in Nigeria with its first ever New Chemical Entity (NCE), which according to the CEO and Managing Director of the company, Mr. Arun Sawhney, would address the existing challenges of resistance to available drugs, price fluctuations, supply constraints and high pill burden“.

Arun told Vanguard that the India’s first NCE, Synriam™ (arterolane maleate 150 mg + piperaquine phosphate 75 mg drug) conforms to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for using combination therapy in malaria. Synriam™ provides

• Mr. Arun Sawhney. quick relief from most malariarelated symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent, “Most malaria cases and deaths occur in subSaharan Africa. It is the need of

the hour to make available new therapy options to patients in the region. Synriam™ is among the best options available today as it is highly effective, affordable and a convenient therapy option, leading to better compliance. We are confident that the drug will help the government and healthcare system in Africa to fight the menace of malaria,” Arun added.

He pointed out that about 169 million people in Nigeria and approximately about 32 million people in Uganda are at the risk of malaria, and in Nigeria, malaria contributes to an estimated 11 percent of maternal mortality, saying that malaria is noted the number one public health problem in most African countries, especially in Guinea where national health statistics stated that, the morbidity rate for malaria is 148/1000 population.

“While acknowledging the fact that the drug came to birth following the critical need for a new anti-malaria drug that would address the existing challenges of resistance to available drugs, price fluctuations, supply constraints and high pill burden, Arun stated,”The disease is endemic throughout Senegal, and the entire population (approximately 13.4 million) is at risk. Vulnerable groups comprise about 2.2 million children under five and 0.5 million pregnant women, concluding that the dosage regimen for Synriam™ is simple as the patient is required to take just one tablet per day, for three days, and production can be scaled up whenever required and a consistent supply can be maintained at a low cost.“Since its launch, the drug was said to have successfully treated around one million patients in India.

for the prevention of mother to child transmission as at June 2014.”

Idoko observed that the call centre was very active in 2014, was accessed by over 47,000 users and it helped during the Ebola crisis.

“During Ebola, thousands of people called the Call Centre.

We started implementing the President’s Comprehensive Response Plan, PCRP, using funds from Sure-P. Under the NACA Sure-P programme, we did the HTT outreach which commenced in December last year and we did community outreaches to six states. Sure-P has four main interventions. HTT, treatment, PMTCT and maps. Òn HTT, the target is five million. We want to test five million people. For ART, we are working in two states. We are almost there and just at the point of signing the agreement.

Challenges: “One big challenge is funding, it is recurrent.

Two, is insecurity. This is because we have not been able to provide services in some of these places. Other issues are structural in nature. For example, it is very difficult to reach women to bring them to ANC, it is a big issue for us.

State ownership and leadership is still very poor. You know everybody is expecting the federal government to bring money. The Federal government cannot do everything. The states are not bringing money.

We have not been able to source money from even the private sector and all that.

Ownership and leadership But very importantly, the state must take ownership and leadership. Ownership and leadership is not just with mouth. They have to contribute money, human resources and all that, but that is lacking. That is a major thing for us.

Idoko described the research landscape as poor. “We need evidence to be able to achieve that. Another issue for us is that, unlike previous years, money coming for funding from foreign donors is declining. They are not withdrawing but the amount of money is declining and that is a big issue for us given that 80 percent of the response is supported by donors.

“We intend to continue to put more people on drugs. For example, we got our money late for Sure-P. So this is what is going to happen. We got the money like November/ December. So all those things we were supposed to do last year, are going to happen in this New Year.

“That is why I am saying our hope is to put 50,000 people on drugs. We will test five million, we have started, and we will just continue to test people.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 59

F/Eagles bus crashes in Ghana A

slight bus crash at the main gate of the Tema Sports Stadium on Wednesday almost marred the victory of the Nigerian U-20 national team as they beat the Black Satelites of Ghana 2-0 in an international friendly.

The Flying Eagles have been preparing for their African Youth Championship which is coming up in Senegal in March, and the Ghana’s friendly is part of their final build up, but Usman Hassan Saleh was the only one injured in what was described as ‘little crash’.

Manu Garba’s lads were returning to their M Plaza Hotel residence when the VIP Marcopolo bus conveying the team crashed into the main gate of the stadium.

The players were still jubilating their victory over their West African counterparts according to reports when a shattering noise of the screen got their attention and Saleh hit by the broken glass that got into his eyes and was attended to by the team doctor and some concerned Ghanaians.

By Jacob Ajom

T

CELEBRATION: Flying Eagles players celebrate victory.

HE Enugu State F o o t b a l l Association says it has expelled Barrister Ray Nnaji “from all football and football –related activities forthwith.”

Rising from its meeting of 18th February, 2015 held at the FA Boardroom inside the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, the FA lambasted Nnaji for “ very unwholesome activities amounting to gross breach of extant Laws, Rules, Regulations and Ethos of football in words,

F

ORMER NFF President Ibrahim Galadima has praised the hospitality of officials and fans of Al Malaika Football Club of Sudan, who lost 0-2 to Nigerian champions Kano Pillars FC in the first leg of their 2015 CAF Champions League fixture in Juba at the weekend.

deeds and actions.” He was expelled, according to the FA, “in accordance with article 65 (2b) of the FIFA Statutes 2014 and article 34(l & m) of the NFF Statutes 2010.”

The communiqué, among other points, also conveyed “appreciation to the Government and good people of Nigeria in general and Enugu State in particular for their good understanding of the silent revolution taking place in Nigeria football.”

Figo Continues from BP The former Portugal international, launching his campaign at Wembley Stadium, also said a greater percentage of Fifa’s income should be spent on grassroots development.

“I believe we should consider proposals to expand the competition to a 40 or even 48 team World Cup,” Figo said.

“Both these options are feasible with an extra three to four days of tournament play. If this

HE conduct of a boxer is key to the success or failure of his career.

This was emphasised Wednesday in Lagos by numerous resource persons at a seminar organised by Flykite Productions for a major boxing promoter in Nigeria, GOtv. One of the resource persons, Effiong Nyong, a veteran sports journalist said a boxer must live within the rules of the game and above all subject himself to the laws of the land.

“A boxer is a role

Galadima hails Malakia’s hospitality Goals from Gambo Muhammad and former Enugu Rangers ace Christian Obiozor condemned the hosts to defeat and with a mountain to climb in the return leg at Sani Abacha Stadium next weekend. But Galadima, who is vice chairman of Kano Pillars’

Continental Campaign Committee, was full of adulation for the South Sudan champions.

“In all my years of traveling, I am yet to see anything close to the good brotherliness and hospitality that Al Malaika FC officials accorded us in Juba.

Enugu FA expels Ray Nnaji

T

GOtv Boxing Seminar: Discussants focus on boxers’ packaging

expansion were to take place I believe that additional teams should come from nonEuropean nations.”

Figo is one of three men challenging incumbent Sepp Blatter.

Michael van Praag, the president of the Dutch FA, and Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan, a member of the Fifa executive committee, are also standing.

The election takes place at the Fifa congress in Zurich on 29 May.

The Enugu FA also reposed “explicit confidence in the activities of the 2015 Enugu State Football Association Electoral Committee,” ahead of the Enugu State FA elections slated for Thursday, February 26.

•Ray Nnaji

Pillars Continues from BP the official draw for the 2014/15 Nigeria premiere league frames which took place on Wednesday in Abuja at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton hotel.

In other pairings, Federations Cup holders, Enyimba International of Aba will trade tackles with next door neighbours, Akwa United while it will be a battle of the returnees to the top flight, as Wikki Tourists of Bauchi engage Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

El-Kanemi Warrious of Maiduguri and Nasarrawa Utd. will burn the grass when they clash at the Sani Abacha stadium, Kano, Warriors’ adopted home.

Giwa FC of Jos and Abia Warriors will try

each other for size at Ram Pam stadium just as Bayelsa Utd and Lobi Stars will trade tackles in Yanegoa.

FC Taraba will ambush Rangers International of Enugu in Jalingo while Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt and newly promoted Kwara Utd of Ilorin will clash in the Garden City. Sharks of Port Harcourt and Sunshine Stars of Akure have to keep their own date.

The draw was graced by football and other sports personalities including the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and some former internationals like Peter Rufai, Victor Ikpeba and Daniel Amokachi.

They treated us like brothers and even on their own mobilized Nigerians based in Juba to come and receive us at the airport and to support us at the stadium during the match,” said Galadima, who held the reins at the NFF between 2002 and 2006.

NFF official Danlami Alanana who accompanied the Nigerian champions corroborated the assertions and also expressed pleasant surprise at the reception.

“It was like a carnival.

They did not treat us as opponents. Al Malakia FC officials didn’t pull any punches with hospitality for the entire Nigerian delegation, and I am aware that officials of Kano Pillars FC are also thinking of how to reciprocate the marvelous gesture when Al Malakia visit next week.”

Both teams clash again in the second leg of their first round fixture in Kano on Saturday, 28th February.

model,” he said. “His conduct should be above board. He must not be seen at wrong places and should not be seen misbehaving in the public.”

On his part, Jenkins Alumona advised Nigerian boxers to repackage themselves and be dressing well because, “appearance means everything.” He counseled them to be consistent with information about them, especially their bio-data and be ready to give information on their records any time they were confronted.

Coach Joe Mensah, who said he has been associated with the sport since 1962 said a boxer must have a good coach, a good physiotherapist, a good doctor, dietician, a passionate promoter whom he described as the moneybag, among other backroom staff if he must succeed.

“Provided the boxer is talented and cool-headed, disciplined and determined, he has a good chance of succeeding,” Mensah said.

The seminar which was aimed at preparing Nigerian boxers for future engagements, particularly international bouts.

Other resource persons at the one-day event included Obisia Nwakpa, Joe Lasisi and Dr Chike Ilukwe who spoke on Boxer/Manager relationships and Safety inside the boxing ring respectively.

•Ekpo

World Cup ticket Continues from BP behind the Nigerians.

The Eaglets have a tougher game with Zambia who have three points and would displace the Nigerians if they win. The Guineans, however, have a relative weak team in host Niger who have already been eliminated from the championspip.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke who was disappointed with the play of the Eagles

against Guinea is sure that his wards would pick one of the two tickets to represent Africa at the global level in Chile.

“This is a tournament for young players and anything can happen.

Teams in Group A are all good but unpredictable.

So we just have to aim to win and nothing else,” Amunike said.

Nigeria have won the Africa under-17 title four times.

60 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Fifa finalises four-man list for presidency T

SPARKLING... Brown Ideye contests for the ball during a Capital One Cup match with Jake Wright of Oxford United. Ideye has survived hard times at the Hawthorns.

HE list of four candidates to contest the Fifa presidency has been confirmed by the world football’s governing body.

Current incumbent Sepp Blatter has been in the role since 1998, but his reign has been overshadowed in recent times by allegations of corruption throughout the organisation.

After a series of integrity checks, Blatter’s place on the list was confirmed on

Ideye’s form excites Amokachi S

UPER Eagles caretaker coach, Daniel Amokachi says he is excited to see Brown Ideye is finally finding his feet with West Bromwich Albion after a slow start to life in the English Premier League.

Amokachi, a former Everton striker, said he knew Ideye would come through eventually, explaining that it was always going to be difficult to adapt to the English game.

“I always knew he would come through eventually,” Amokachi told sl10.ng.

“Playing in the English league is difficult because of the style there. There’s too much pace and physicality that you have to adapt to and most players tend to struggle at the beginning.

‘The Bull’, as he’s fondly called also relieved his time at Everton, and explained how difficult it was for him to also adapt to the

•Ibe

English game.

“I remember when I just signed for Everton,” he began. “It was also difficult for me because I thought I was tough and fast.

“You know they call me

the bull, so I thought my physicality was enough to see me through, but also had to adapt.

“For Brown, I knew he would score goals the moment he got himself settled and I am happy

that he is doing it for his club now,” Amokachi added.

The 26-year old Ideye has now scored four goals in his last three games for the Baggies.

Green, Ladan, Majek retain FA chairmanship seats

B

ARRISTER Chris topher Green, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan and Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi have retained their seats as bosses of the Rivers State Football Association, Kebbi State Football Association and Ogun State Football Association respectively.

Green, member of the NFF Executive Commit-

tee and chairman of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, was elected after polling 14 out of the 17 votes cast at the elections monitored by Chairman of the NFF State Elections Monitoring Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

His opponent, China Acheru got two votes, while one vote was declared invalid.

Ibe signs new Liverpool deal

L

IVERPOOL youngster Jordon Ibe is set to sign a new five-year contract with the Reds following his quick rise to prominence in the past few weeks.

Ibe, 19, started yesterday ’s Europa League game with Besiktas at Anfield and has quickly established himself as an important member of Brendan Rodgers’ first team squad since returning from a loan spell at Derby County.

The teenager’s current deal is due to expire in 2017, but Liverpool are planning to tie up Ibe’s future which would also serve to ward off interests from elsewhere.

He will be in line for a pay rise as well as a deal that would run for either the next four to five years.

Ibe has been playing in a right-wing back position in Rodgers’ 34-3 formation, but has spent his career in a predominantly attacking role. He scored five goals in 24 appearances under Derby boss Steve McClaren.

In Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Ladan, former member of NFF Executive Committee, also retained his seat, but was unopposed. The composition of the new Kebbi State FA executive board is now: Ladan (chairman).

Monday alongside former Portugal international Luis Figo, chairman of the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) Michael van Praag and current Fifa vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein.

“Following the required regulatory assessments, the Ad-hoc Electoral Committee has today (Monday, 9 February 2015) formally

Afcon: Tunisia appeal to CAS over 2017 ban threat

T

UNISIA have filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the threat of being banned from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Confederation of African Football has given Tunisia until 31 March to apologise for accusing the body of cheating or they will be suspended.

Caf also banned Tunisia Football Association president Wadie Jary.

Tunisia made the allegations over a penalty in a 2-1 loss to Equatorial Guinea at the recent Nations Cup. That defeat eliminated

Crime Busters subdue A. V Travelling FC

A

goal by youthful striker Chijioke Isreal and 80th minute goal by striker Adimora Eze the goal poacher was what Crime Busters football club of Enugu needed to further confirm their supremacy and form against hard fighting and experienced A.V Travelling Team of Enugu captained by former

admitted and declared the candidates eligible for the election of the office of FIFA President at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on 29 May 2015,” a Fifa statement read.

“The candidates admitted and declared are Joseph S. Blatter (Switzerland), HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (Jordan), Luis Figo (Portugal) and Michael van Praag (The Netherlands).

Rangers and Heartland ace striker and Goal machine Brendan Ogbu.The friendly build up match took place at the training pitch of Bigard Memorial pitch in Enugu on 18/2/15 between morning hours.The first half of the match was so technical and tactical and as a result produced no goal.

Tunisia at the quarterfinal stage of the competition and furious Tunisia reacted after the game by chasing the match referee, Rajindraparsad Seechurn, who had to be protected by security officials.

Seechurn was banned for six months for his “poor performance”.

Caf fined Tunisia $50,000 (£33,000) for what it termed “the aggressive attitude of some supporters in the stands, invasion of the pitch after the final whistle by players and substitutes of the Tunisian team - insulting the referee of the match and trying to physically assault him”.

The continent’s football governing body also wanted the 2004 champions to apologise for “insinuations of bias and lack of ethics against Caf and its officials, or to present irrefutable evidence to substantiate the accusations”.

However, the Tunisian FA refused and a spokesman said the team had “suffered scandalous injustice from referees”

CONFUSING MOMENTS... Tunisian players run riot after, a controversial penalty kick was awarded against them during a quarter-final match of the 2015 AFCON against hosts Equatorial Guinea. Tunisia lost 2-1.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 — 61

Ronaldo racks up Real records R

EAL Madrid put one foot into the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night after a comfortable 2-0 against Schalke in Gelsenkirchen.

While cruising through the last 16 first leg, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co also managed to continue racking up the records in what looks set to be another memorable season for Los Blancos.

Here, Sportsmail takes you through Madrid’s latest facts and figures that show just why Carlo Ancelotti’s side are the team to beat.

76 - Ronaldo is now level with Lionel Messi and Raul with 76 goals in all European competitions.

72 - The Portugal captain is now responsible for more than a quarter (72 of 274) of Champions League goals scored

by Portuguese players.

58 - Ronaldo’s opening goal in Germany on Wednesday was the Portuguese star ’s 58th Champions League goal in as many games for the La Liga leaders.

29 - The 30-year-old tops the list for goals and assists over the last two season of European competition. Ronaldo leads the way by some distance with a combined total of 29. Barcelona star Messi is in second with 18.

28 - The away victory also takes Ronaldo to a record 28 Champions League knockout victories. In doing so he surpassed Edwin van der Sar and Victor Valdes.

12 - The floated header was also Ronaldo’s 12th consecutive away goal in Europe’s elite competition.

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Kroos: Madrid can do better

T

ONI Kroos believes there is more to come from Real Madrid after the Champions League win over Schalke and again rejected talk of a crisis.

Madrid dispatched the Bundesliga side in comfortable fashion in the first leg and appeared on German TV after the match to discuss Los Blancos’ fortunes after post-derby defeat unrest

in the capital.

“We must remember what’s being said is relative. We’ve only lost one game, a week ago,” he argued, Marca reports.

“I think a lot of teams would be happy to have a crisis like that. Naturally we should be criticised if we have a bad game, as we did that day, without a doubt.

“We now have to focus on what we did against Schalke. We won against a good team, but we haven’t played our best game."

GREAT ... Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 58 Champions League goals in 58 games for Real Madrid

Bony ready to make Man City debut W

•Bony

ILFRIED Bony could finally make his bow for Manchester City on Saturday, over a month after he joined them.

The striker, 26, completed a £28m switch from Swansea on 14 January but has been at the Africa Cup of Nations, which he won with Ivory Coast.

Bony told the club’s website: “It’s not easy, I’ll have had only five days of training before we play Newcastle.

“If I am needed, I have a good record against Newcastle - I’ve scored three goals in two games against them.”

Bony scored 34 times in 70 appearances for Swansea and is used to the

ITTF names Egypt’s Almamoon as referee for Lagos World Tour

demands of the Premier League but he admits it could take time for City fans to see the best of him.

“I have to take it step by step and wait for the right opportunity to present itself,” he said.

“It was really important to

make this decision for my career and my life and I’m very happy to be a City player. I have spoken to my new team-mates and they have welcomedmetothecluband I’m already feeling at home.

“Newcastle are a good side and are strong at the

back but they are coming to our stadium and we need to win this game.

Four days later we’ll be playing Barcelona (in the Champions League) and we need to go into that game on the back of a strong performance.”

HE world table ten nis ruling body, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has named Egypt’s Nabil Almamoon as the referee for next month’s ITTF World Tour tagged Lagos Open.

The experienced referee is one of the respected officials in the world and he has handled major tournaments with his recent being the last ITTF Africa Senior Championships.

For his understanding of the game coupled with his performance in previous editions, Almamoon will return to Lagos on March 10 to 14 to preside officiating at the tournament taking place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The Egyptian will be assisted by Algeria’s Boudjehem Abdallah, while his compatriot, Mounir Bessah has also been confirmed as the competition manager.

According to tournament director, Oluranti Lajide, more than 30 officials will handle proceedings at the championship with Ghana, Togo and Cameroun being represented.

Also 26 Nigerian international and national umpires will be on duty while a refresher course for the officials will precede the kick off of the competition.

“We are also going to update the knowledge of all the officials handling matches at the tournament because there new rules and regulations which they must also be acquainted with."

Messi sounds warning to City

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HE two sides meet next week in the Champions League knockout stages for the second consecutive year and Barca are currently in rampant form with Messi scoring and setting up plenty of goals.

Barca, who are riding an 11-game winning streak in all competi-

tions, defeated City 4-1 on aggregate last season.

“The truth is that we are good,” Messi told Mundo Leo “Fortunately, after our poor start to the year after our game against Real Sociedad (1-0 defeat on January 4), everything changed for us.

•Almamoon

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62 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 —63

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2015 CR7.....Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates in his traditional way after scoring the first goal in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Schalke on Wednesday. See story on Page 61

World Cup ticket: Zambia can’t stop Eaglets — Amuneke T

HE Golden Eaglets have vowed to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, holding later this year. This is to avoid a repeat of the fate that befell the Super Eagles who failed to qualify for the last Africa Cup of Nations which they were the defending champions.

The Eaglets will face Zambia’s Junior Chipolopolo tomorrow..

They need to win the match to top the group and keep their hope of playing at the FIFA

•Amunuke

Pillars begin title defence with Heartland •Season kicks off March 7

By Jude Opara, Abuja

R

EIGNING Nigeria Premier League champions, Kano Pillars will begin the defence of their title with a trip to Owerri where they will clash with old rivals,

TODAY'S

Heartland FC in a match analysts have dubbed as the star match of the week.

This mouthwatering fixture was a product of

Continues on Page 59

PUZZLE

Under-17 World Cup in Chile alive. The Eaglets are the defending champions. A draw with their Zambian counterparts can also ensure their qualification for the semi final and a ticket to the World Cup. After escaping defeat in their second group match against Guinea at the ongoing African Under 17 Championship in Niger, the Golden Eaglets still remain on top of their group with superior goal difference. They have the same four points with Guinea who are second Continues on Page 59

F/Eagles bus crashes in Ghana — Pg. 59 •Emordi

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

Figo proposes 48 World Cup teams

F

IFA presidential candidate Luís Figo is proposing an increase from 32 to “40 or 48” teams at the World Cup finals as part of his manifesto launched on Thursday.

Continues on Page 59

•Figo

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

ACROSS: 1 Severe (6) 5 Danger (4) 8 Wrath (5) 9 Odd (3) 10 Gather (4) 11 Ballot (4) 12 Temptress 95) 13 Really (6) 16 Table (4) 18 Cease (4) 20 Equality (3) 22 Observe (3) 23 Spike (3) 24 Heap (4) 25 Gasp (4) 28 Amuse (6) 30 Gem (5) 32 Peruse (4) 33 Spoke (4) 34 Sort (3) 35 Renovate (5) 36 Watched (4) 37 Monster (6)

DOWN: 1 Filter (6) 2 Curative (8) 3 Force (6) 4 Uncompromising (9) 5 Back (7) 6 Press (4) 7 Recognised (4) 8 Donkey (3) 14 Scattered (9) 15 Because (3) 17 Ocean (3) 19 Confronting (8) 20 Mine (3) 21 Ebbed (7) 26 Firewood (6) 27 Calculate (6) 29 Loyal (4) 30 Peel (4) 31 Statute (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 3, Pedal 9, Teemed 10, Rankle 11, Timid 12, Oven 15, Free 17, Deleted 20, Tar 21, Diner 23, Deem 25, Test 26, Raged 28, One 30, Discard 33, Item 35, Tune 36, Alter 38, Edible 39, Rather 40, Laity

DOWN: 1, Stood 2, Revel 3, Pet 4, Edited 5, Arid 6, Lad 7, Skirt 8, Sewer 13, Verdant 14, Never 16, Eastern 18, Dived 19, Get 22, React 24, Mad 27, Divert 28, Oiled 29, Eerie 31, Aught 32, Decry 34, Plea 36, All 37, Ray.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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