ALLEGED FORGERY: It's coup against legislature —Senate

•P.21

Controversy forces CBN to amend new forex policy

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

L

AGOS — A MAJOR controversy has hit the new foreign exchange policy announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, last week, a

•Admits 15 banks instead of 10 into FXPD class development which may have forced the apex bank to amend the policy, even before take-off.

The flexible exchange policy is taking off today.

The controversial aspect was the Foreign Exchange Principal Dealers, FXPD, arrangement under which the apex bank said

it would trade forex principally with about eight to 10 banks which it would register as principal dealers or FXPDs, who in turn would deal with other

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 63053

**

banks and traders.

Vanguard learned that about 13 banks shut out of the initial FXPD class have pressured the apex bank to either jettison

the FXPD arrangement or accommodate more or all banks, a request the apex bank was said to have accepted as a compromise, thereby, jettisoning its initial criteria for Continues on Page 8

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

ALLEGED FORGERY:

It's coup against legislature —Senate

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

•Blasts Presidency, says maturity should not be seen as weakness •I've not been served any invitation —Ekweremadu

A

BUJA — THE Senate, yesterday, strongly rebuffed what it termed a strong attempt to cripple the legislative arm of government through alleged plans to imprison the two presiding officers of

Continues on Page 6

Obanikoro could face extradition from America — US Justice >9 Dept

Mr & Mrs ARRIVAL: President Muhammadu Buhari arriving Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, after a 10-day vacation in London. He said I am back, I am okay. SEE STORY ON PAGE 8.

N1.04TRN MTN FINE: Senate summons AG, CBN gov, others COLUMNISTS:

Economy: The

We are very optimistic about growth in Nigeria

Attempts to Frank Li •P.35 skin the Labour floodgates Director, Minister •P.33 have been•P.32 Managing Huawei Nigeria

breached

>9

Edo APC primaries: It's victory for all of us — OBASEKI >41

2—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—3

4—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

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Herdsmen kill 3 in Ogun, steal Esusu funds

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—SUSPECTED herdsmen have reportedly invaded Ilewo-Orile community in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, killing three persons and carting away huge sums of money and other valuables.

Two of the victims, identified as Amosun Ogunronbi and Owolabi Ogunronbi, were siblings, who had thrift saving, Esusu, money on them.

Vanguard learned that the third victim, simply known as Philip, was hacked to death on Friday night and his corpse discovered the following day.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the community had in the past come under similar attacks by rampaging herdsmen.

The source alleged that despite repeated complaints to the police and relevant authorities, nothing tangible had been done to curb the criminal activities of herdsmen in the area.

According to him, Philip was killed on Friday night after suspected herdsmen accosted him and snatched his motorcycle, mobile phone and money.

He said: “Philip is an Egun man. He went to work on Friday but did not return. When his wife was going to the market in IbaraOrile on Saturday morning, she saw the dead body of her husband by the road side.”

The case was said to have been promptly reported at the Lafenwa Police Station, Abeokuta, and later at the state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

It was learned that the victim’s family requested that they be allowed to bury their dead, which the police did not object to.

The source, who stated that the murder of the Ogunronbis

occurred prior to the Friday incident, disclosed that the suspects carted away the victims’ motorcycle and cash, including daily thrift savings, otherwise known as Esusu.

The source added: “Amosun went to collect some thrift savings in Ishaga-Orile and he asked his brother (Owolabi) to convey him there with his motorcycle. When they were coming back, herdsmen attacked them at about 8:30p.m. and hacked them to death.

“Some commercial motorcyclists, who passed by later, saw Amosun’s lifeless body by the road side and raised the alarm.

“When we got to the scene with vigilante men, we saw the corpse and decided to trace his motorcycle. We discovered the remains of the younger brother in the bush. The herdsmen had removed his (Owolabi) trousers and stolen all the money.

“The family decided not to pursue the case. They said since they do not know the identity of the killers, they would prefer to leave the matter to God.” Efforts to get the reaction of the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, at press time proved abortive.

SLEEPING ON DUTY: Needing rest, customers and help. Source: Facebook.

... kill hunter in Delta; be vigilant, police advise

By Ochuko Akuopha

O

LEH—SUSPECTED herdsmen have reportedly killed a 45-year-old farmer and hunter, Mr. Monday Nwadei, at Ossissa community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The deceased, it was gathered, was on his way from

his plantain farm when he was allegedly shot dead by the herdsmen, weekend.

Sources said Nwadei had unknowingly passed through a hideout where the herdsmen were holding hostage an abducted lawyer and one other victim.

Reacting to the incident, immediate younger brother of

the deceased, Mr. Augustin Nwadei, said: “At the moment, we are at a loss on the next step to take, but we have reported the case to the Police.”

Contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Celestine Kalu, said the case was under investigation, advising

... as troops kill 3, clear cattle rustlers' den in Bauchi

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—THE Nigerian Army said, yesterday, that troops of Forward Operation Base, FOB, Ningi of 33 Artillery Brigade killed three rustlers and freed three hostages during a patrol at Dutsen Dumburum, Ningi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

It was learned that following intelligence reports and confirmation of the presence of kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the Bauchi locality, the troops organised a fighting patrol to the area.

A statement by Col Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said: “During the patrol, the team encountered the armed bandits and after fierce exchange of gunfire, they were overpowered.

“The troops killed three of the

armed bandits and rescued three kidnapped females held hostages by the bandits pending payment of ransom.

The patrol team also recovered many items including arms and ammunition before destroying the camp.

“The recovered items include two AK-47 rifles, two locallymade Sub-Machine Guns, one double-barrelled dane gun, 68 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and four AK-47 rifle magazines.

“Others include two Boxer motorcycles and two mobile telephone handsets.”

Visit Adamawa

Meanwhile, following an attack on Kuda community in Adamawa State by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, and killing of 18 mourners at a

funeral ceremony recently, the Commander, 28 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Felix Omoigui, visited and commiserated with the families of the deceased in the community.

He assured the people that the military and, indeed, the security agencies were there to protect them, adding that his command would do all that is possible to track and apprehend the assailants.

He also assured that the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists hiding in the area would be found and rooted out, noting that that could not be successfully done without the active cooperation and support of the people.

He further encouraged them to be more vigilant and security conscious and report

any suspicious movement or persons immediately.

Responding on behalf of the community, District Head of Gulak, Alhaji Ijadi Bello, thanked the Commander and acknowledged that there was need for closer collaboration between the security agencies and his people.

communities to be more vigilant.

“Those who have residing herdsmen in their communities should liaise with them to forestall future occurrences,” she said.

Meanwhile, erstwhile Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Aneke Ifemeni, expressed shock at the incident, saying the nefarious activities of the herdsmen, if not checked, could lead to hunger.

He said: “They bring cows to the south to destroy our crops and kill our people, nobody is going to farm again for fear of being killed by herdsmen.

“Between Ossissa and Isselegu junction, I had encountered them when I was travelling to my village, OnichaUkwuani; they opened fire on me, but God saw me through.”

Policeman pushes nursing

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—A nursing mother and her son were injured in an accident caused by attempt by a policeman to extort N100 from a commercial motorcyclist, Okadaman, in Ondo town, Ondo State.

Eyewitness account said trouble started when a team of

anti-crime police officers attached to one of the police stations in the town allegedly mounted a road block in one of the major roads.

Vanguard learned that one of the officers, in an attempt to stop the Okada rider, pulled down the boy and mother, while the motorcycle was in motion.

Mother and child were rushed

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—5

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Churches, schools shut, as Awarra cult war rages

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—INDIGENES of oil-rich Awarra in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State have deserted their community, following a raging war between two cult groups, DeWell and De-Gbam, which started since 2008.

The clash has grounded socioeconomic activities, with schools and religious houses shut. One of the churches closed for fear of possible attack is the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, with the Parish Priest reportedly relocated from the community.

A parishioner, who spoke in confidence, said: “For a long while now, there has been no Sunday or weekday masses in the parish. There has also not been any administration of the various sacraments, funerals, weddings and other church

activities. Moreover, the situation has forced the parish priest to flee from the community.

“The sins of the cult groups include murder, rape, arson, senseless destruction of hardearned personal effects, kidnapping and stealing of farm produce, including goats and chickens.”

The parishioner affirmed that “the state Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, had visited the community in the company of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, but we have not seen any positive action from government.”

Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna, has expressed deep worry over the happenings in

Awarra community.

Obinna made his feelings known when he played host to some parishioners of St.

Joseph’s Catholic Church in Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, weekend.

The Archbishop said the

3 arrested for abducting stray siblings in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman

A

TTEMPT by three men to abduct two children in Alagbado area of Lagos was foiled, weekend.

The suspects, Olaniyi Wale, Tunde Adeyanju and Lekan Sowaju were alleged to have cajoled two children, ages eight and five, who were looking for their mother around Otunba Bus Stop, into entering their vehicle, promising to take them to where their mother was.

Entreaties by the children

The suspected kidnappers

Four RRS operatives escape death in auto crash

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—FOUR Rapid Response Squad, RRS, operatives of the Lagos State Police Command escaped death by the whiskers in the early hour of yesterday, as a speeding KIA Rio, belonging to a car hire operator rammed into their vehicle, while they were on duty

around Ogudu-Alapere area of the state.

The RRS men, who sustained injuries, were said to be patrolling along the axis, inspecting the Light-Up Lagos Project facilities when the accident occurred.

It was gathered that the security operatives were on motion when the car, with a lone

occupant, rammed into them from behind at top speed.

The RRS Commander, Tunji Disu, while confirming the incident, disclosed that the RRS vehicle was moving slowly because they were monitoring the Light-Up Lagos Project facilities when the driver of Rio, who was coming from Lagos Island

Clockwise from left: One of the RSS officers in hospital, their patrol car and the vehicle that crashed into them.

g mother, baby off Okada over N100 to the hospital, while commercial motorcycle operators staged a peaceful protest to show their displeasure over alleged incessant extortion by policemen in the town.

Vanguard gathered that the protest, which started at about 9:30a.m. was led by leaders of the association. They reportedly protested to all the three

divisional police stations in the town.

Spokesman of Okadamen, Timilehon Akinrolabu, condemned the attitude of the policemen, who he said were in the habit of extortion at illegal road block in strategic locations in the town.

He said: “We decided to embark on the peaceful protest

church was ready to partner with the state government to find a lasting solution to the situation in Awarra.

to tell the police that we are tired with the way they extort money from our members.

“This is common when the month is about to end as they would be looking for their monthly contributions, at times they usually used their patrol vehicles to raid our parks and arrest our members over flimsy

towards Alapere, rammed into their Ford car, with number plates RRS 068 LA. Noting that the RRS car was pushed into a ditch, Disu said: “Four officers of the RRS were seriously injured, including the driver of the Rio.” At press time, three of the RRS operatives had been discharged from the hospital, while the fourth, along with the driver of the Kia Rio, were expected to be discharged later.

It was also gathered that the Rio driver started car hire services last Friday, after leaving the services of a truck driving firm.

It would be recalled that vandals had been ceaselessly tampering with Light-Up Lagos project cables since the commissioning of the project in April, as one Lucky Udeagwu was arrested with a 35-meter long cable meant for the project in Ogudu.

In May, RRS operatives again arrested another suspect, Obaji Christopher, for cutting the project cable at the Ogudu axis. These cases of vandalism, the RRS Commander said, informed the constant monitoring of the area by the operatives, particularly at night. excuses.”

However, the state police command has, however, denied the allegation of extortion by its officers.

A top police officer in Ondo town said that Okada riders who were arrested had no identification numbers on the motorcycles.

Speaking in confidence, the officer added that the directive was to guard against crime in the state.

to be allowed to alight from the vehicle, when the strangers drove past their house, fell on deaf ears.

Instead, the suspects informed them that they were taking them to a television station to announce that they were missing.

However, on their way the vehicle was flagged down by some Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO. Rather than comply, one of them was said to have told the officers that they were in a hurry, a reply that aroused the officials’ suspension.

They could also not offer a satisfactory explanation on where they were taking the children to and were consequently handed over to police for further investigation.

‘We were helping them’

During interrogation, one of the suspects, Sowaju, maintained that they wanted to assist the children, whom he claimed they met crying by the road side.

He said: “We did not kidnap them. We saw them crying and stopped to help them.

They said their parents were fighting and that they were looking for their mother. I called our chairman, Balogun and we also contacted some media houses. We were taking them to Faaji FM and AIT when we were stopped.

“When they took us to the police station, our chairman was there to confirm that he sent us. But the police said the DPO was not around and that our people should come back in the evening, only for them to transfer us here.”

Confirming their arrest, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said the children would soon be reunited with their parents and urged parents to look after their wards to avoid such scenarios.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar (left), being received by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State at the Maiduguri International Airport, yesterday, during condolence visit to his associate, Alhaji Jamilu Jibrin (Chokalin Adamawa), who lost his mother recently.

Alleged forgery: It's coup against Mr. Efeturi, legislature —Senate hadHowever, said during police Continues from page 1 the Senate, Senators Bukola Saraki, and Ike Ekweremadu.

In a strongly worded statement, yesterday, the Senate called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the Attorney General, Mr. Abubakar Malami, and other senior officials of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who it claimed were seeking to use the courts to obtain what they failed to get during the Senate leadership election.

Warning that bending over to accommodate the interests of the Presidency did not mean weakness on its part, the Senate said the attempt to charge Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu were pointed attempts to erode the independence of the legislative branch of government.

The Senate statement, signed by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, followed news reports of plans by the Federal Government to charge Senators Saraki; Ekweremadu; the

immediate past clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa; and former Senate Clerk, Mr. Bennedict Efeturi, with forgery of the Senate Standing Rules.

Noting that the country was enmeshed in enough economic troubles and needed to focus on remedies, the Senate expressed outrage over the Presidency ’s plans to dabble into what it claimed were simply internal affairs of the Senate.

Saying that such efforts could mean the executive is criminalising any matter it failed to secure in the Senate, the legislative body warned that the attempt, if successful, could erode the independence of the legislature and return Nigeria to full-scale dictatorship.

The charge against Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu followed complaints by members of the Senate Unity Forum that the election of the two did not follow the 2011 Standing Orders of the Senate.

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO - 08104802192

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LOW spirit is sparsely productive but a motivated man can take on the world. The journey to the top can be long and lonely; that which motivates you is your only true companion.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE- O8084919482 Faith activates love and fear activates the enemy!

—C Adrienne

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LOURISH where you are planted...embrace your current life experiences. Don’t wait for a shift to occur in your life or situations before you try to broaden your horizons. Live your life now to reflect your future intentions. You can change your mindset and your world by simply changing your words. We must speak positive things into existence. And then execute an action plan to bring what we want into fruition.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE

A

MAN who drives his father's car is not entitled to speak in a council of men who own bicycles

investigation that the management of the National Assembly was responsible for the production of the Standing Orders and that the production of the 2015 Standing Orders followed the normal convention of the legislature.

Maikasuwa, who conducted the election, also in his statement to the police, said he did not use any standing order in the conduct of the election, noting that he used the normal parliamentary convention.

The statement from the Senate, entitled "Forgery Case, An Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances" read in part: "After reading in the national newspapers and online platforms of the planned charges of forgery and conspiracy preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa; and Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Ben Efeturi, and reviewing the circumstances leading to the filing of these charges, we are compelled to alert the good people of Nigeria and the international community, that our democracy is in danger and that the attempt by the executive arm of the Federal Government to muzzle the legislature and criminalise legislative processes in order to cause leadership change in the National Assembly, is a return to the era of impunity and lack of respect for due process which we all fought to abolish.

"We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to please call his AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to order. The Senate of the Federal Republic voted freely to elect its leadership into

office and continuing attempts to change the leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world.

"It is clear that the Attorney General and party leaders behind this action either lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of separation of powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means necessary, including abuse of office and sacking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Enough economic hardship

"The Nigerian people have enough economic hardship at this time requiring the full attention and cooperation of the three arms of government, instead of these attempts to distract and politicise governance.

"We are in a state of economic emergency such that what the National Assembly needs at this time are executive bills and proposals aimed at resolving the crises of unemployment, currency depreciation, inflation, crime and insecurity.

"What the National Assembly needs now are executive bills to build and strengthen institutions to earn revenues, fight corruption and eliminate waste. Instead, we are getting hostile actions aimed at destabilising the National Assembly, distracting Senators from their oversight functions and ensuring good and accountable governance.

Do not take our maturity as sign of weakness

"We must make it clear here to the individuals in the executive arm and party leadership behind these plots not to mistake the maturity and hand of cooperation being extended to the Presidency by the legislature as a sign of weakness.

"This latest plot is directed at forcing a change of leadership in the Senate or, in the extreme case, ground the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Or how does one interpret a move in which the two presiding officers are being set up to be remanded in Kuje Prison or incapacitated from sitting at plenary through a day-to-day trial on a matter that is purely an internal affair of the Senate?

Coup against the legislature

"This present effort,

therefore, is clearly a coup against the legislature with the ignoble aim to undermine its independence and subject the law making institution to the whims and caprices of the executive.

"It is a plan to return Nigeria to the dictatorial era which we have, as a nation, voted to reject. It is a dangerous trend with grave implications for the survival of our democracy and the integrity of the component institutions.

"This rule of men as against the rule of law is also the reason the war against corruption, one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, is losing credibility because people perceive it to be selective and, in most cases, aimed at settling political or partisan scores.

"The rules of the Senate and how the institution elects its leadership are internal affairs. The rules of a new Senate are provided by the National Assembly bureaucracy. It has always been so since 1999. After the inauguration of the Senate, if Senators have objections to any part of the rules, they can follow the procedure for changing it.

"Senators of the Eighth Senate have no control on the rules applied in the elections of June 9, 2015, because until after their inauguration, they were only Senators-elect, and, therefore, mere bystanders in the affairs of the Senate."

I've not been served any invitation —Ekweremadu

Meanwhile, Senator Ekweremadu, yesterday, denied ever being invited by the police in respect of the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules as he urged his associates and supporters to keep calm, saying there was no reason for alarm.

A statement by the office of the Deputy Senate President read in part: “The office also notes that in July 2015, the Police spokesperson told the world (and it is on record) that the NPF did not invite Senator Ekweremadu for questioning and that the NPF did not at any time question him over the socalled forged Senate

Standing Orders.

“We are, therefore, as surprised as other Nigerians at the current twists and turns by the same police one year after and also after they had since submitted to the Attorney General of the Federation, their investigation report, which neither indicted nor even made the slightest mention of Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Moreso that the petitioners never named Ekweremadu in their petition in the first instance.

“We wish to state that we read the reports of the socalled police invitation and charges allegedly preferred against Senator Ekweremadu; the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki; and others on the pages of the newspapers like other Nigerians.

“Even as we try to reconcile the reports of the simultaneous police invitation and court processes, nobody has, till date, served the Deputy President of the Senate any letter of invitation by the police or court summons.

“The office or person of the Deputy President of the Senate is not in the moon.

The concerned authorities know how and where to reach Senator Ekweremadu if they want to.

"But, so far, everything remains in the realms of the usual propaganda onslaught to malign, bully, intimidate, and divert attention from the real challenges currently confronting the nation.

However, when the bird jerks in the air, we can fathom where it would perch.

No cause for alarm

“In the meantime, we want to assure our teeming supporters, well-meaning Nigerians, and youths from across Nigeria and beyond, who have continued to throng Senator Ekweremadu’s residence and inundate him with calls, mails, and text messages to make inquiries, express their displeasure, and show solidarity over this daylight persecution, that there is no cause for alarm.

“The hands of Senator Ike Ekweremadu are clean because he has no business whatsoever with the production of Senate Standing Orders."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—7

8—Vanguard, MONDAY JUNE 20, 2016

Buhari returns to Abuja

SUBMISSION: From left, Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; National Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers/ Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Alogba Olukoya; Permanent Secretary in the state's Ministry of Information, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo, during the submission of memorandum by the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on the proposed private-public participatory management of public schools, at the Governor's Office, Ibadan.

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA-President Mohammadu Buhari A yesterday returned to Abuja,

saying he was completely healed, stronger, more energetic and now fit to resume presidential duties.

Recall that the president penultimateweekproceeded on a 10 day leave and later jetted out to London, United Kingdomwherehehadgone to treat a persistent ear infection.

He was due to come back to the country on Thursday but failed to do so.

The Vice President as the Acting President then told Journalists that the president would be returning to the country on Sunday (Yesterday) as he needed to rest after the medicals.

The president whose aircraft touched down at exactly 5:35 pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Sunday said he was now fit.

In a sure-footed manner, the president spoke to the State House Correspondents after inspecting a guard of honour by the Nigeria Armed Forces.

“You have seen me. You saw me when I was going.

You can do the assessment yourself.

“I am okay. You can see me inspecting the guard of honour. You can see I am taller than you. Do you want to wrestle with me, you can do so”, he said.

Also, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina said he would resume duty today.

“Mr President is fit and will resume work on Monday”, he said.

On his part, the Chairman of Governors Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari expressed gratitude to God for bringing the president home safely.

“We thank God for bringing him (Buhari) back to his country. It is a good thing he went on break and returned to his people hale and hearty.”

“Ourdaddyisback.Hehas gone to take a rest we are happy that he is back”, he said.

Meanwhile, among government officials who were on hand to welcome the President were members of the cabinet including the Minister of the Environment Amina Mohammed, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of the Niger Delta affairs, Usani Usani.

Others included Minister of Water Resources, Minister of State for Education, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Minister of Budget and National planning, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Interior, Gen. Dambazzua; Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Chief of Army Staff, Bruntia were also on hand.

Controversy forces CBN to amend new forex policy Continues from page 1 admitting banks into the FXPD class.

Consequently, the apex bank, Vanguard learned, had reversed itself, weekend, by issuing FXPD licence to 15 banks instead of maximum 10.

According to the CBN’s initial stipulations the FXPDs must meet two or three of the following criteria: Liquidity ratio of 40 per cent or more; shareholders’ funds (unimpaired by losses) of at least N200 billion; and foreign currency assets of N400 billion or more.

A source in the apex bank told Vanguard that following protests by some non-FXPD banks, the apex bank had to open the class to all banks, asking them to apply.

Moreover, the CBN had to soften the considerations in what it called “internal

criteria” so as to enable more banks qualify and be admitted into the FXPD class.

There were also indications that more banks would come into the class as they qualify though CBN did not make the new criteria public. About eight banks are currently outside the FXPD class.

According to banks’ reports filed with the CBN for full year 2015 and first quarter 2016 as well as other banking industry analysts’ reports, only about seven or less banks qualified under the criteria earlier given by the apex bank.

One of the banks that couldn’t meet the previous criteria told Vanguard that though there was wisdom in the CBN’s FXPD initiative, it was coming with unintended consequences r e g a r d i n g t h e i r competitiveness.

According to them the

business analysis of the FXPD arrangement indicated that it would go beyond foreign exchange businesses to impact other business segments where the FXPD banks would dominate the market, thereby creating an uneven playing field.

Another official of a nonFXPD bank told Vanguard that “the FXPD arrangement has reduced the rest of us to a glorified bureau de change.”

Given the industry view of the initial FXPD arrangement, analysts at Afrinvest West Africa, a Lagos based financial institution, said: “We believe CBN’s decision to introduce FXPD will have further impact on the competition dynamics of the banking industry with Tier1 banks, which overwhelmingly dominate the list of banks qualified for FXPD gaining more competitive advantage.

“The CBN is the single largest

supplier of forex in Nigeria. By providing FXPDs exclusive access to deal with the CBN for large volume transactions (with no capped spread on resale on FX sold to other authorized dealers and other retail clients), corporate clients with huge demand for forex could shift deposits to designated FXPDs, further widening the cost of funding gap between Tier1 and Tier2 banks.

“This will inevitably filter into bottomline performance which will further segregate the profitability of FXPDs and other banks.

“Yet, we believe the decision of the CBN is justified, given the need for FXPDs to have sufficient liquidity, capital base and assets to independently source for FX.” When contacted, spokesman for CBN, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, declined comments.

Leadership crisis may cost PDP Edo, Ondo gov polls —Ojougboh

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and immediate past national vice chairman (SouthSouth), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, has warned that the leadership crisis in the party could cost it victory in Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Dr. Ojougboh said it behoved the elders of the party, especially the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, BoT, led by Senator Walid Jibrin, to immediately call Senators Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi to a peace meeting.

After the party’s convention in Port Harcourt, both senators Sheriff and Markarfi, had continued to lay claim to the PDP leadership.

Supporters of both men have

been holding rival protests at the party secretariat daily in the past one week.

Ojougboh said the crisis that had engulfed the party since the Port Harcourt convention could only be resolved through the dialogue as the crisis could only imperil the chances of the party at the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states.

He stated that the present leadership imbroglio in the party required a political solution, warning that the legal standoff would hamper the chances of the party in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo states governorship elections and stop the party from regaining federal power in 2019.

Ojougboh said if the BoT, which is an “advisory body” and “conscience of the PDP” did not save the situation, it would

degenerate into full blown bedlam in the leadership that would prevent the party from fielding candidates in future elections.

He also dismissed the allegation of the Makarfi-led caretaker committee that Sheriff was working for the APC to destroy the PDP, arguing that if the APC was sponsoring the embattled chairman, the Police and the Department of State Service, DSS, would have played a role in his favour.

He said: “The Police invited Makarfi, invited Sheriff and tried to settle them. That is how the BoT should also behave. We are urging our leaders to be dispassionate in this matter.

“The answer is not too difficult to proffer. There is a court judgement by an Abuja High Court delivered by Justice Mohammed. In that judgement, it is stated clearly that the tenure

of Sheriff ends in 2018, because Sheriff was elected by NEC to complete the tenure of Adamu Mu’azu.

“A letter also written by INEC to PDP suspended the convention, saying that there should be no election into the offices of chairman, secretary and auditor. With all these put together, if you look at it legally and from the rule of law, you will see that Sheriff has a judgement and the law by his side.

“Now, one begins to wonder.

One of the emperors in the party, somebody like Wike, he too is governor by virtue of the courts and the rule of law. Wike lost at the court in the first instance. He lost at another court in the second instance and won at the Supreme Court but no one has come to tell Wike that to allow for the political process to play, step down from being governor of Rivers.’’

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—9

CERTIFICATE: Presidency threatens to sue Nwokocha

for declaring Buhari guilty in interviews

A

By Livinus Nwabughiogu

BUJA—THE Presidency is considering legal action against a private lawyer, Mr. Nnamdi Nwokocha, who it said had by his press interview, prejudiced public opinion against President Muhammadu Buhari for alleged lack of school certificate and by trying him and declaring him guilty on the pages of newspapers.

Presidential media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, while reacting to Nwokocha’s press interviews, in a statement, explained that “it is unfair for a lawyer who is a litigant in a case in court to go out of his way to hijack the power of a judge by declaring the President guilty of what he is accused of.

“Newspaper pages are not alternative courts where a lawyer can declare anybody guilty of anything when the court has not formally given a definitive verdict on an issue before it.

“The two-page interview splashed on pages 56-57 of ThisDay edition of Saturday June 11th breaches a lawyer’s ethical code and we hope that the court and the Bar Association will take notice of this.

“Any lawyer that sincerely

believes in judicial process and the rights of other parties to a case would not have engaged in the inappropriate and unprofessional practice of trial by media, especially in a situation where Nwokocha openly declared the President guilty when the court didn’t make that declaration,” he said.

Malam Shehu noted that “gag orders emerged in the United States on account of

lawyers’ inappropriate conduct regarding trying and convicting people on the pages of newspapers or the court of public opinion.”

He said: “Free speech is not synonymous with recklessness and wanton abuse of the rights other parties to a case in court.

“The litigant’s unabashed claim that he was a card-carrying member of the opposition PDP which lost power in the last

election clearly indicates a scheme that seeks power by circumventing the democratic process of elections.

“If Nwokocha does not stop his unfair and professionally inappropriate abuse of free speech, the President’s competent team of lawyers will seek the instrumentality of the law in dealing with his unethical actions. You cannot be a litigant and be a Judge at the same time.”

RETREAT: From left: Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and, Senator Remi Tinubu, during the retreat on the review/amendment of the 1999 Constitution in Lagos.

N1.04TRN MTN FINE: Senate summons AG, CBN gov, almost 50 per cent of Also summoned are the Accounting General, other Itthecontrols lines. Though they (MTN) Executive Vice Chairman/CEO As FG explains reasons for reduction

By Soni Daniel, Henry Umoru & Ola Ajayi

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BUJA—THE Senate has taken a swipe at the executive arm of the government over the alleged manner MTN’s N1.04 trillion fine was reduced to N330 billion.

It described the reduction as short changing the country and therefore summoned the Attorney General, Governor of Central Bank, Minister of Communications and Accountant General of the federation, to come and explain their roles in the affair.

The fine which was imposed on the operator by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, last October, was for alleged operational misconducts. The reduction which is the second after the Commission earlier reduced the fine by 25 percent N780 billion also drew the ire of the house of Rep committee on communications, which regretted that the decision was made without allowing the committee to conclude investigations on the case.

FG explains

Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday

explained why it decided to soft pedal on the MTN fine saying it was to give impetus to foreign investors in the country.

The Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, at the venue of an Achiever’s Award ceremony in honour of Senator Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, weekend, said there was need to give foreign investors impetus to continue investing in the country and that the reduction was one of those strategies.

He, however, said that “as far as we are concerned, the MTN issue is a closed matter. The Federal Executive Council has remitted a substantial part of the penalty to them. Nigeria as a country must move on. We must not do anything to drive away foreign investors. Foreign investments are potent means of bringing about development and wealth creation.

“Again, we must not forget that before MTN and other telecoms operators came on board, Nigeria had only less than 500,000 telephone lines. Today, because of their involvement, Nigeria now has more than 152 million lines and MTN is the dominant operator in the field.

have violated the law and we have put in the necessary penalty, we must put a halt to the limitless crisis so that we don’t discourage foreign investors,” he added.

Attorney-General speaks

Speaking in a similar vein, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, said: “The MTN matter has been concluded at the executive level and a position taken by the Federal Executive Council and communicated to the company.

“In fact, the NCC has already written to MTN conveying the position of Nigeria on the fine to MTN and that is the true position as far as that matter is concerned.’’

Although Malami declined to give reasons the Executive approved a significant reduction in the fine for MTN, a top official of the Presidency conversant with how the deal was arrived at, said the reduction was done to protect the interest of over 500,000 Nigerians working in MTN Nigeria.

But the senate insists the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, and governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, have some more explanations to give.

of National Communications Commission, NCC; the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Managing Director/CEO of MTN. When they appear before the Committee, all the parties involved are expected to explain the extent of their culpability or otherwise.

In a letter, titled RE: SETTLEMENT BETWEEN NCC AND MTN OVER FINE, dated June 15, 2016, and addressed separately to all the actors, Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, expressed dismay over the settlement agreement of N330 billion reached with MTN, out of a whopping N1.04 trillion.

He said: “As a Committee and representatives of the Nigerian people, we are saddened about this development at a time when the Nigerian economy needs all the available capital infusion to bolster it.

“It is our strong opinion that Nigeria has been shortchanged in this whole process on account of the ridiculous settlement payment plan; coupled with the disparity in the exchange rate regime when the fine was imposed ab initio compared with the current prevailing exchange rate when it was agreed to cut the fine to N330 billion.”

Obanikoro could face extradition from America —US Justice Dept

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SA—THE U.S. Justice Department has said former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro, could be extradited to the country to stand trial as long as the Federal Government follows the due process to make this possible.

Obanikoro had last week, dared the federal government to extradite him from the U.S, his current place of residence, following the invasion of his home in Lagos by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who made away with cars and other valuables.

But Peter Carr, an official at the United States Department of Justice, DOJ, said the former minister’s extradition from the U.S. was possible provided the Federal Government did the needful.

Carr, who was responding to an email sent by online portal, SaharaReporters, on the issue at the weekend, said: ‘’Within (existing) statutory and treaty framework, US is generally to extradite its citizens, assuming that the requirements of the treaty are met. The fact of dual nationality with Nigeria would be irrelevant in this context.’’

Obanikoro is also a citizen of the United States and thus, has dual nationality.

Quoting Article 8 of the extradition treaty, Carr said it ‘’specifies that extraditions will comply with the laws of the requested country, i.e. the place where the fugitive is found.’’

Also speaking on the issue, an international legal expert in the U.S., Roger Clark, said ‘’the United States has no problem extraditing its nationals, provided there is a treaty.’’

Clark, an expert on international criminal law and a professor at Rutgers University School of Law in the United States, added that some countries in Western Europe were reluctant to extradite their own citizens but noted that common law countries didn’t usually have a problem, assuming legal processes were followed.

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY JUNE 20 , 2016

DEATH IN IMUSHIN: Niger Delta militants want to invade Ogun — CP

You’re on your own, NOUN VC tells Alumni Association

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U T A — FOLLOWING the killing of no fewer than 15 persons in Ogun State allegedly by suspected militants from the Niger Delta region, the State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, yesterday confirmed that the militants are desperately looking for a safe haven in the state.

The police chief, who spoke with newsmen in Abeokuta on phone said militants are apparently finding it difficult to operate in the Niger Delta

By Esther Onyegbula & Iloaze Blessed-Odidi

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AGOS—THE ViceChancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, has announced that henceforth the university would not be responsible for the NOUN Alumni Association, saying the group was a voluntary body for former students who chose to join it.

He said that with effect from Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the University’s Advancement Unit that was empowered to liaise and work with the association had been withdrawn and that membership of the association was purely voluntary.

Adamu said: “The university does not have any hand in the affairs of the association. The university will henceforth treat and relate with NOUN Alumni Association as a voluntary association that is independent and remains on its own.”

This followed the refusal of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association to agree to a truce proffered by the university’s Management to resolve a lingering factional crisis between the two groups at a meeting held at the NOUN headquarters in Abuja.

Ogieva tasks youths on right attitude

By Bartholomew Madukwe

A

renowned author, Matthew Ogieva, has said that Nigeria stands to conquer the world, if youths get their attitude right.

Speaking at the launch of his book titled “Why a Positive Attitude is All You Need”, in Lagos, Ogieva noted that until Nigerians choose to move forward, the challenges of the country would remain.

He stated: “Success is a science and science is discovery, when you discover a positive attitudeyou have success. Success is not what you achieve, it is what you conquer. I channel this book to nong o v e r n m e n t a l organizations, corporate organizations and media.''

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region following increased military deployment to check their nefarious activities.

Ali, who spoke against the backdrop of Friday’s invasion of Imushin community in Ogijo area of the state by suspected militants, warned that the development must not be treated with levity.

Over 100 militants, who stormed the community on Friday night, reportedly killed 15 people during a shooting spree that also left several persons injured and property destroyed.

The commissioner, however, insisted that only three persons

Pharmacists confirm case of Steven Johnson syndrome Say drug was bought from quack

By Chioma Obinna

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A G O S — PHARMACISTS under the auspices of Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, weekend confirmed recent report of a case of Steven-Johnson syndrome, SJS, in Dalla Local Government Council, Kano State but maintained that the offensive drug was not purchased in a registered pharmacy and was not sold by a pharmacist.

Steven Johnson syndrome is a form of toxic epidermal necrolysis and life-threatening skin condition in which cell death causes the epidermis to separate from the dermis.

Speaking in Lagos, the National Chairman of ACPN, Dr Albert Kelong Alkali, who disclosed that the incident occurred in an unregistered patent

medicine store, urged Nigerians to patronise only registered pharmacies for their drug needs.

“Our investigations revealed that the incident happened in Kano after a lady took tablets of Cotrimoxazole – a sulfa antibiotic purchased from an unregistered patent medicine store after complaining of catarrh. ‘’The same lady returned the following day with complaints about reaction which was perceived by the vendor as malaria, the same vendor went ahead to give a sulfa-based anti-malaria which compounded the reaction resulting in the burning of the beautiful lady’s skin.”

He explained that Steven Johnson syndrome is a hypersensitivity complex that affects the skin and the mucous membranes and can occur as a result of certain medications.

Lagos approves three more public primary schools

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE Lagos State Government has approved the establishment and listing of three new public primary schools to the existing number in the state.

This actually brings the number of public primary schools in the state to 1,010 spread across the 20 Local Government Education Areas in the state.

According to report from the School Support Services Department, dated June 13, 2016, the three schools are; Local Government Primary School, Oke-Ishagun/Ikola, Alimosho Local Government

Area, Community Primary School, Abule-Eko, Ikorodu LGA and Tsangaya Primary School, Orofun, Ibeju-Lekki.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin, while reiterating government’s commitment to free qualitative and quantitative basic education in the state, added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would leave no stone unturned in making sure that public primary schools are more competitive than their counterparts.

were killed when rampaging militants invaded Imushin community on Friday.

He said the heavy deployment of military in the region has promoted the militants to be breaking new grounds in order to continue to perpetrate oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering.

He said the riverine areas of the Gateway State have thus become attractive to the militants, who carry out attacks from the creeks and rush back.

Ali pointed out that the same militants had been behind the recent spate of pipeline vandalism and economic sabotage in the Arepo axis along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The commissioner said he had already reported the emerging security threat to the 'highest authorities.'

“It’s not true that 15 people were killed there. The DPO Ogijo was on ground; he reported that only three people were killed and their bodies have been recovered from the scene,” Ali said.

He argued that if adequate measures were not taken, the militant activities may snowball into insurgency.

He added: “The militants are finding it difficult in Niger Delta and Ikorodu area of Lagos State. They are now moving to our side in Ogun.

They are the ones involved in kidnapping and sorts of crime.''

B O O K LAUNCH: Mr. Matthew Ogieva and wife (middle) during the launch of book titled: “Why a Positive Attitude is All You Need” at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo by Bartholomew Madukwe.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 11

HIJAB CRISIS: PDP wants Interpol, others to monitor Aregbesola

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday urged all security agencies, Interpol, the Presidency and United Nations to dispassionately monitor activities of Governor Rauf Aregbesola which the party alleged can cause religious crisis in the country.

The party, in a statement issued in Osogbo by its spokesperson, Prince Diran Odeyemi, premised its call on what it tagged: “embarrassment and the insincerity of Governor Aregbesola over the hijab issue which is a diversionary tactic to cover up his mismanagement of the state human and material resources” The main opposition party in the state said even at the peak of Boko Haram activities when churches and mosques were under severe attack by the insurgents, Christians and Muslims in the country were not divided and still cohabit in all the states of the federation.

“But since hijab became an issue under Aregbesola’s administration in Osun, Christian Association of Nigeria CAN and Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs SCIA, have taken different positions and this portend great danger for the harmonious co-

existence of people of different faith and denominations in the country.

“PDP is particularly happy that the issue of hijab has exposed to the entire country the character of Osun State governor and his divide and rule system of diverting people’s attention against his inadequate knowledge of governance and total mismanagement of the

state” the party said.

It then warned all the stakeholders in the affairs of the country not to allow petty politics dominate common sense in handling the festering issue of hijab in Osun public schools, adding that; “If the issue is not well managed, Aregbesola’s confusion may spread to other states just like the payment of half salary to workers which has now spread to other states.

“Is the Federal Government aware that Osun no longer uses

6-3-3-4 system of education nor sing the National Anthem which are the first misstep of Aregbesola’s administration.

Schools were lumped together under the guise of reclassification, several strange initiatives such as same uniform for all schools in the state, obnoxious and double taxation and other policies that confused rather than enhanced governance were introduced just to benefit few Lagos based individuals and sponsors,’’ the statement added.

LECTURE: From left: Wife of Late Justice Muri Okunola, Alhaja Fehintola Okunola; Lagos State Deputy Governor and chairperson of the occasion, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Mrs. Uzamot Akinbile-Yusuf; Commissioner of Finance and representative of Governor Ambode, Mr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Gbenga Ashafa, during the 12th Justice Muri Okunola Memorial Ramadan Lecture: Tagged; Gender Equality, What says Islam and Leadership in the Season of Change, at LTV-8, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez.

Fayose alleges plot to use EFCC to destabilise Ekiti

By Ben Agande

A

B U J A — GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has alleged that the Federal Government has concluded plans to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to destabilise the state with the ultimate aim of illegally impeaching him.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Fayose alleged that part of the plot was to arrest his Chief of Staff and four members of the state House of Assembly, detain them indefinitely and force them to start impeachment process against him.

Governor Fayose said: “I called you here to intimate the public through your various medium, of the new clandestine plot by the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to destabilise the Ekiti state government, using the instrumentalities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. “A few days ago, we got it on good authority that there was a meeting with some

politicians from Ekiti state, including an Ekiti born Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN and self-professed human rights activist by agents of the Federal government, with the agenda solely, on how to bring down my administration as the governor of the state.

“Activities of these elements that are obviously afraid of facing another electoral defeat in 2018 are being coordinated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal and the Attorney General of the Federation.

“Certain top functionaries of the Ekiti state government and some important members of the

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti state, and some associates of mine, have now been pencilled down for arrest and indefinite detention by the EFCC under the guise of investigating the funds spent by the PDP on the June 21, 2014 governorship election and the Presidential election.''

APC, Ondo govt bicker over Mimiko’s overseas trip despite unpaid salaries

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE—THE Ondo state government and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, weekend trade blames over the overseas trip of Governor Olusegun Mimiko, while workers are on strike over unpaid salaries.

While the APC rebuked the governor for travelling while the workers suffer, the government fired back, saying the trip was on invitation.

The government said the governor went to London on the invitation of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House for the 2016 London Conference, where he spoke on “Health care for All: From Aspiration to Implementation.

But the opposition in the state through its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro in Akure; ‘’Traveling out without making any meaningful effort to end the strike action.

“This is a height of callousness on the part of Governor Mimiko and it is totally unacceptable to the people who elected him to take care of their welfare.''

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Delta APC elders condemn militancy in N-Delta •Tasks NWA on constitution of caretaker c'ttee

By Bartholomew

A

Mudukwe

SABA—ELDERS of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, have condemned the renewed surge of militancy in the region and disassociated themselves from the Biafran agitation.

An a meeting held in Ozoro, the elders said that “Delta State is not and will never be part of the Biafra struggle.”

The elders also hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the manner he has piloted the affairs of the country in the last one year.

On the dissolution of Delta State executive following a court judgment, the elders noted that the nonimplementation of an earlier decision of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, had rendered the state chapter of APC lacking in direction.

“We hereby as a matter of urgency call on the NWC of our great party to take decisive steps towards constituting a broadbased caretaker committee within 14 days, failing which we

shall constitute same without further delay, as a matter of necessity,” they added.

The elders called on the NWC of the party to rise up to its responsibility concerning the affairs of APC in Delta State.

Leader of the APC elders, Senator F. Okpozo in a statement, noted that it was their efforts that brought about the party ’s constitution and bemoaned the activities of those reaping the benefit.

One of the elders, Engr.

Hyacinth Enuha, urged members of the party in the state to keep faith with the party, adding that there was a better future in the APC government.

LAUNCHING: From left: GM, External Relations, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Igo Weli; MD, SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; and Communications Manager, Mrs. Sola Abulu, at the official launch and presentation of Shell Briefing Notes to energy editors in Lagos.

case to A'Court

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In the fresh suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos, defendants are the Federal Government of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air

Staff.

Tompolo is contending that sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act are invalid and unconstitutional, in so far as they seek to prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and an

application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

He is thus asking the court to stop his further trial until the determination of these issues.

The Federal Government has asked the court to dismiss the case for being an abuse of process and an attempt to shield Tompolo from trial.

My ambition to be Edo gov intact —IZE IYAMU

By Gabriel Enogholase ENIN—A governorship aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said that he remains focused in his aspiration to become the next governor of Edo State, despite the machinations of his detractors.

Addressing his supporters in Benin City, weekend, IzeIyamu said rumours surrounding his candidature were deliberate attempts to scuttle the determination of majority of the delegates waiting to give him the governorship ticket during the primaries of the party today.

He said that attempts had been made in the past to discourage him from his determination to contest the governorship primaries but to no avail, adding that the detractors had now devised a new approach to dampen the enthusiasm of supportive

B

delegates.

Calling on all the delegates who had expressed their support for him to remain calm and focused, Ize-Iyamu assured the delegates that they will have the last laugh after the primaries.

He said: “All my delegates who have been following

proceedings would have since seen the handwriting on the wall that those who already see victory coming my way have been restless. ‘’I appeal to all of you to remain focused because that is what democracy requires. By evening on Monday after the primaries, we shall all sing victory song.”

A'Ibom to dissolve LGs' caretaker c'ttees

By Chioma Onuegbu YO—THE nine-member Local Government Caretaker Committee in Akwa Ibom State inaugurated in July 2015, will be dissolved soon as the one year tenure expires next month.

The state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel announced this, weekend, during the monthly prayer meeting held at Latter House Chapel, Governors Lodge, Uyo.

U

By Onozure Dania GBON—THE Agbon Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Stakeholders Forum, weekend, wrote Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over Ethiope East Local Government Area party congress and also passed a vote of no confidence on the party leader, Chief Bernard Edewor, following allegation of non performance and failure to consult with other party leaders before taking decisions.

The forum also passed a vote of confidence on Governor Okowa at an enlarged meeting of the PDP family as he celebrates his one year in office with the commissioning of numerous projects across the state.

The motion for the vote of confidence on Okowa was moved by Dr Lucky Oteheri and seconded by Chief Tony Oboroh while the vote of no confidence on Edewor was also moved by Oteheri and seconded by Chief Warri Godday from Abraka clan.

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WARRANT OF ARREST: Tompolo asks court to transfer

By Innocent Anaba AGOS—FORMER militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to refer his case against the Federal Government to the Court of Appeal, for its opinion on certain questions of law raised in the suit.

At the resumed hearing in the matter weekend, before Justice Olatoregun-Ishola, Tompolo, through his counsel, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, argued that since the points of law raised in the main originating suit were very substantial, it would be better to refer them to the Court of Appeal for its opinion.

It will be recalled that on April 8, 2016, Tompolo filed a fresh action before the Federal High Court, Lagos, asking for an interpretation and nullification of certain sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he stated affected his constitutional rights.

Earlier on January 14, 2016, the Federal High Court, through Justice Ibrahim Buba, had issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo. On January 27, 2016, Tompolo filed an application before the court, to set aside the said warrant of arrest. On February 8, 2016, the said application was argued and dismissed by the court. Tompolo thereafter, appealed against the ruling of the court, on February 18, 2016, at the Court of Appeal.

Agbon PDP stakeholders pass no confidence vote on party leaders

Emmanuel explained the dissolution of the caretaker committee after one year was in line with the constitutional provision regulating local government administration in the state.

He said that another ninemember caretaker committee will be appointed to continue to oversee activities of local government administration, pending when the state will conduct elections for the third tier of government.

....As workers back NDPHC's management

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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ENIN—EMPLOYEES of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, NDPHC, are to resist management changes in the organisation, even as the workforce pledged their loyalty and support to the acting Managing Director.

The workers at a Town Hall meeting held to welcome the acting Managing Director, Mr.Chiedu Ugbo, pledged their total support for the effective delivery of NIPP projects, to boost power supply in the country.

The workers also said that NIPP had played a vital role in the power infrastructure development across the country and assured the new Managing Director that they were ready to raise the bar so that allon-goingNIPPprojectswouldbe delivered on schedule, and looked forward to kick start the phase II projects of the company.

Acting Executive Directors and Senior Managers who spoke on behalf of the workers, told the new Managing Director that NDPHC related like a family and urged him to sustain the family ties in the company.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—13

DIALOGUE: N-Delta group, Ijaw leader warn

Kachikwu over Avengers Kachikwu is God-sent —Ijaw group As NDA attacks MEND

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South South, Egufe Yafugborhi, Perez Brisibe & Akpokona Omafuaire

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ARRI—A group, Niger Delta Patriotic Front, NDPF, yesterday, warned the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu not to burn his fingers with his ongoing negotiations for peace with stakeholders in Niger Delta region, especially with the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, saying they are a band of renegades.

The group in a statement by Mr. Joel Tamarakepreye, Director of Information, asked Nigerians not to be deceived by antics of the Avengers, as it does not have the capacity to sustain its current madness, adding that an exmilitant leader was the promoter and Kachikwu was ignorantly becoming its greatest sympathizer.

Also, an Ijaw opinion leader in Delta State, Dr. Greg Afoegba, said that Kachikwu was uninformed on the character and motives of rampaging militants destroying oil assets in the Niger Delta, saying his view on the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko and the planned Niger Delta dialogue would soon land him in trouble.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on President Muhammadu Buhari to see whether the Federal Government would extend the two-week ceasefire on Niger Delta expiring tomorrow and government’s conditions for an all-embracing dialogue with stakeholders, including militants.

Also, the acrimony between the Niger Delta Avengers and Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has continued with both groups accusing each other of derailing the struggle.

NDPF pointed out that what the Avengers were doing was to force down on the throats of Nigerians the reality of negotiations for a political solution to the charges against an ex-militant leader.

“The Niger Delta Patriotic Front, therefore, calledon all those who seek to use and divert the Niger Delta struggle to cover up the thieving and looting levelled against them, individuals and the corporate entities in which they have substantial interests to desist from doing so, as no one of us owns the Niger Delta Struggle,” it said.

'Kachikwu should learn from Amaechi'

Afoegba, told Vanguard, “No matter the definition of the Avengers or their request or position, for me, it is ill-timed, not

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justifiable, criminal and totally condemnable.

“We as a people from this region must begin to look at ourselves eyeball to eyeball and speak and condemn these terrorists. This fraud in all ramifications must stop to move our country and Niger Delta region forward,” he said.

Reacting to Kachukwu’s recent comments and peace- building visit to the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, after joining issues with his Transport Ministry counterpart, Chibuike Amaechi on the state of the varsity project, he said: “I am not against siting educational institutions in any part of our region.”

On how the divergence of views between both ministers affects the Niger Delta question, Afoegba said: “I am on the side of Amaechi, who never really called for scrapping of the

varsity, but rather wants the associated corruption first tackled. Amaechi understands the fraud among the Niger Delta militants than Kachikwu.”

Kachikwu is God-sent —Ijaw group

But National Association of Gbaramatu Students, NAGS, yesterday, said the Minister of State for Petroleum was God- sent to liberate the people of Niger Delta.

President of the association, Seiyefa Ekpemupolo, in a statement, said: “We pass a vote of confidence in him, if they are others like him, who think positive about our region, then we would not have been in this level that we are today.”

NDA attacks MEND

Avengers’ spokesperson, selfstyled Brigadier General Murdoch Agbinibo in a statement, Saturday, hadaccused some prominent Niger Deltans of using MEND,

to ambush the struggle.

He said: The high command of NDA condemned in strong terms the continuous efforts of some ex-militant and All Progressives Congress, APC leaders and “to link and cash in (sic) on our activities to promote their political MEND that has purportedly named a team to negotiate with the Federal government.”

NDA, tool in the hands of Buhari’s enemies —MEND

Meanwhile, Timipa Okonipere, who identified himself as Secretary, Aaron Team 2, the negotiating group appointed by MEND for the planned dialogue, in a statement, weekend, said NDA, was the vehicle currently being used by Niger Delta political elite and associates of former President to destabilise President Buhari’s government.”

Bayelsa govt set to launch website on transparency

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By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA—BAYELSA State Government will today launch its website, tagged ‘the Bayelsa Watch’ to enable the public access the state monthly income and expenditure.

According to the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Jonathan Obuebite, the creation of the website was in line with the government’s policy of transparency and accountability.

The website, according to him, would be domiciled in the state Ministry of Information and Orientation, and will enable the people of the state have unfettered access to information, especially on issues relating to the finances of the state.

Describing the new development as an improvement on the existing transparency initiatives, the commissioner maintained that, the monthly presentation of the state’s un-audited account to the general public would go a long way in reducing speculations on the financial transactions of the administration.

‘How we rehabilitated 72 roads in 8 months'

By Festus Ahon SABA—DIRECTOR General of Delta State Director Labour Agency, DLA, Mr Franc Enekorogha, has said that the Agency rehabilitated 72 township/link roads across the state in the last eight months.

Enekorogha who briefed newsmen in Asaba, said some of the roads had been rehabilitated while work was still ongoing on some others.

Enekorogha who noted that the affected roads cut across both state and federal roads, said: “There is no differentiation as to separate users of the federal and state roads.”

Reiterating that work was on-going on several roads despite the inclement weather, he said, “When the weather gets better, most of the roads damaged by rains will be repaired.”

Decrying that the present economic situation in the country has affected the agency’s level of work, he said, “The agency will do everything at its disposal to give Deltans what they desire.”

A FOUNDATION LAYING: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (2nd right), and others, during the foundation laying for Filano Furniture Plant, in Uyo.

Bayelsa lawmaker counsels FG on All Progressives Congress, pipeline security in N-Delta the APC, members in the region.

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—A lawmaker in Bayelsa State, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli, has advised the Federal Government and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, to adopt strategies that will involve all major stakeholders in the Niger Delta in the on-going efforts to secure oil pipelines in the region.

Sunny-Goli in a statement, yesterday in Yenagoa against the backdrop of the discussions between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and governors of the six South-South states on pipelines surveillance, said, “Kachikwu could find

himself aggravating the problem unless he proceeds with utmost caution.

“He must make a conscious effort to carry all critical stakeholders and leaders of the people along in the attempt to secure the pipelines through surveillance using the communities and locals.

“The surveillance strategy is commendable and in line with what we have always advised for the security of the oil pipelines.

“However, we have discovered that the approach being pursued by the minister and the Niger Delta governors may be programmed to exclude

“While security should not be politicised, it is important to make the process inclusive and to create a sense of its joint ownership by all critical stakeholders.

“In the case of the current pipeline surveillance effort in the Niger Delta, it is important to involve leaders of the people such as Chief Timipre Sylva, Bayelsa State APC leader; Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, who is the Minister of Transport, Chief Umana Umana of Akwa Ibom State, and others.

“Such deliberate inclusiveness is particularly necessary considering the bizarrely partisan colours of the presentday militants’ demands.”

14—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Reps sex scandal: Dogara yet to

set up investigation c’ttee

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is yet to assign any particular committee or set up a panel to investigate the allegations of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes in Ohio, United States of America, USA, against three members of the House during international leadership programme.

Dogara had, weekend, stated that the three lawmakers were adjudged innocent until found guilty by any panel or committee.

“Judgment can only be passed when an allegation is proven,” the Speaker had stated.

The three members, according to the letter from the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, to the Speaker, are Mohammed Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi); Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue).

Entwistle had, in the petition to Dogara, alleged that the actions of the three lawmakers at the International Visitor Leadership Programme, brought disrepute to the parliament by soliciting for sex from prostitutes and grabbing hotel housekeeper in a bid to rape.

One of the lawmakers, Gbillah told Vanguard that three of them

would be addressing the allegation against them today in a press conference and will “take legal action accordingly.”

This is also as their positions as Committee Chairman and Deputy Chairmen are being threatened on moral grounds, as some persons have insinuated that they should step aside from the committees’ leadership, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Though the House had, through its Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak

L

C M Y K

otherwise of the allegation.

Although attempts made to confirm this had not yielded fruits as calls put across to Ossai, who represents Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, did not go through.

However, the source informed that going by the weighty nature of the allegation, the Ethics Committee should not wait for instruction or any formal letter from the Speaker to commence investigations.

AWARD: Director, Hygeia Community Health Care, Dr. Peju Adewusi (4th left); Director General, Kwara State Hospital Management Bureau, Mrs. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, and officials of Financial Times/International Finance Corporation Transformational, FT/IFC, during the presentation of FT/IFC Businesss Award to Dr. Adewusi and Mrs Jetawo-Winter for the Kwara State Health Insurance Programme, in London.

Let generosity reach its peak! (1) As-salam alaykum waramotullahi wabarakatuh!

ET your generosity this Ramadan be like the ferocious wind, stepping down on anything that comes to break its resolve and determination. This

Namdas, disclosed to journalists that the House had started investigations on the allegations, Vanguard gathered that no committee had been formally assigned to carry out the investigation, while the alleged scandal is yet to be brought before the floor of the House.

A source close to the Ethics Committee hinted Vanguard that the committee, under the leadership of a pastor, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, had commenced secret investigation on the matter to establish the veracity or

was the level of generosity of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in the month of Ramadan.

How about yours? Where does your generosity level stand?

How can you enhance its level?

The cousin of the Prophet

(s.a.w), Ibn Abbas (r.a), likened his generosity in Ramadan to the strong and ferocious wind. He narrated: “The Prophet (s.a.w) was the most generous of all the people and he used to become even more generous in Ramadan when Angel Jubril met him every night during Ramadan to revise the Quran with him. Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w) then used to be more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind. The Prophet (s.a.w) also said that “Stinginess and faith can never be combined in a slave’s heart.”

While we are all eager to make our Ramadan productive, let us learn one of the aspects with which the beloved Prophet (s.a.w) made his Ramadan special—generosity.

Ibn Qayyum describes the generosity of Prophet Muhammad

(s.a.w) as follows: “The Prophet (s.a.w) was the most generous person in giving away what he owned, and he would never look at something as being either too big or too insignificant to give up for the sake of Allah. “Nobody would

SON targets manufacturers of sub-standard materials

By Chris Ochayi

A

BUJA—Worried by incidences of buildings collapse in the country, especially in Abuja, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has vowed to clamp down on manufacturers of substandard building materials.

To this end, SON has commenced quality tests of building materials, especially on iron rods as well collection of details of their manufacturers, with a view to summoning producers of identified sub-standard ones for questioning or arrest.

The first port of call by the SON team was Jabi, in Lugbe, and other building material markets within the Federal Capital Territory An Assistant Director of SON, Dr Barth Okoko, who led the team to sensitise dealers of the products before taking punitive measures, said: “The awareness drive was necessary to educate dealers on engineering procedures of identifying quality of the products.” ask him for anything except that he gave it to them, regardless of how big or small it was. He gave things away in a way that made it seem that he never feared poverty, and generosity and charity were the most beloved things to him.

Allocating oil wells to non-Niger Deltans is fraud—Rep

A

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

BUJA—A member of the House of Representatives, Oghene Egoh, has urged the Federal Government to give priority to the people of Niger Delta in the next allocation of oil blocs.

According to him, it is complete fraud to allocate more oil licences and blocs to people outside the zone.

He also said that the deprivation the people of Niger Delta had suffered, with regard to allocation of oil blocs in the country had contributed to the upsurge of militancy, which had adversely affected oil production and the nation’s economy. Egoh, who represents Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State on

the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in an exclusive interview with Vanguard in Abuja, said government should correct the alleged injustice in the next allocation, noting that it would help to reduce agitations.

His call for the consideration of the people of Niger Delta in allocation of oil blocs and licences was a result of the recent disclosure by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachukwu, that people from the South South would be considered and given oil wells when licenses would be reviewed by the Federal Government. The Delta State-born politician wondered why people from the Niger Delta would be left out when the oil wells were given out.

He said: “The case of allocating oil wells found in the region to people outside the region is fraud.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—15

IPOB lauds activities of Niger Delta Avengers ....Says NDA's fighting for freedom of enslaved people

By Emeka Mamah

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NUGU—THE Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has praised activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, saying that they are fighting for the freedom of the enslaved people of the area by an oppressive Nigerian government.

This was contained in a statement, entitled, 'IPOB supports our kith and Kin- the NDA,' and jointly signed by the spokesmen of the organisation, Mr. Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, yesterday.

The statement read in part: “We want to place it on record that IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has no connection with some groups who are claiming on the pages of the newspapers that they do not support our fellow freedom fighters – the NDA. We make reference to a particular group which is a well-known turncoat and its leader who has been bribed with oil blocks allocations in the oil-rich areas of Biafra land.

This same compromised group is known to have started the ugly incidence of kidnapping in Biafra land with its members often used as thugs and hired killers for politicians in the country.

“The NDA had consistently stated that the release of IPOB

leader, Nnamdi Kanu is a precondition for any discussion with Nigeria. Unfortunately and disgracefully, the incompetent Nigerian government has swept this demand under the carpet while magnifying the notion of amnesty payments and resource control as reasons for the NDA‘s actions.

For the avoidance of doubt, the NDA is fighting for the freedom of the people of Biafra and not for amnesty payment or for resource control as some commentators

would like to believe. When Biafra is finally liberated from the bondage called Nigeria, resources shall be controlled by the owners of the land where those resources are located.

“The incompetent Nigerian government should stop deceiving the entire world into believing that what the freedom fighters of NDA are demanding is resource control. Amnesty is associated with criminality and a people who are fighting for their freedom should not be unjustly

termed criminals.

"The notion and talk about amnesty for our own freedom fighters, the NDA, is a misnomer and should be taken out of any discourse. On the contrary, amnesty should be granted to the Nigerian government, especially to those from the criminal class masquerading as elite, who unjustly appropriated oil and gas wells and other resources in Biafra land to themselves and their cohorts to the detriment of the masses."

DONATION: From left, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka; Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC, Enugu, Assistant Corps Marshal, Samuel Obayemi, during the hand-over of a hall donated by Chidoka family at St. Andrews Church, in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Pray for the country in its most difficult time, Obiano, Obi, others urge Nigerians

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—PROMINENT Nigerians including Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, his predecessor Mr. Peter Obi and Speaker House of Representatives Aminu Dogaram, yesterday, in Obosi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, urged Nigerians to pray for the country as she goes through most difficult time in the history.

Among others who spoke in the

same way included Corp Marshall and Chief Executive of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and his predecessor and immediate past Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidioka.

They spoke during the church service marking the end of Diocese on the Niger Synod held at St Andrews Anglican Church, Obosi, and commissioning of Juliana Obumnwe Chidioka Hall built and donated by Chidioka family to the church to thank God for his faithfulness to

the family.

Governor Obiano, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country and assured that all the promises made to the diocese, including immortalizing late literary icon Professor Chinua Achebe, would be met by his government.

He said some of the houses built in honour of late Prof. Achebe especially some school buildings, now dilapidating, would be rebuilt and other promises made to the church would be fulfilled.

Lagos High Court adjourns hearing of alleged killing of IPOB members by soldiers

By Innocent Anaba

A

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, has adjourned till July 8, 2016, to hear the suit against the alleged killings by soldiers and other security agencies of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, members during May 30, Biafran Remembrance Day in Anambra and Delta States.

At the hearing in the suit by Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, weekend, he informed the court that the respondents declined service of the court processes on the ground that the hearing date C M Y K

was too close.

He prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the bailiff serve the respondents.

The respondents in the suit are the President, Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Federal Republic of Nigeria, AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Navy Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

Adegboruwa was arguing in the suit that all Nigerians are granted the right of free assembly and association, under section 40 and also the freedom of expression, under section 39 of of the 1999 Constitution.

He is contending that members of the IPOB, are entitled to assemble together in any part of the country, for the purpose of demanding for self determination, without any permit or licence.

And when they so decide to gather, the police, the army, or indeed other security agencies are not entitled to invade their gathering, or to shoot them or to arrest and detain them, as was done in most parts of the South East, on May 30, 2016.

He therefore, wants the court to affirm the rights of citizens to express themselves in any areas without let or hindrance from the security agencies.

Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Austin Chukwukere, representing Ideato North and South federal constituency, thanked Chidioka family for the love of God and remembering that they must give back to God who has done so much for them.

Former Governor Obi said Nigeria was going through the most difficult time in her life and appealed for prayer for the country and President Muhammadu Buhari, away from the country receiving medical attention.

Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi said Nigerians should not be tired in praying for the country to move forward, just as they should not relent in praying and supporting the government of President Buhari to take the country where it should be economically and politically.

In his speech Chief Chidioka, said: “Today we are celebrating the faithfulness of God to the family of Chidioka, He has been faithful in providing all we need in our family, our father will turn 90 years on November 9, 2016 and he pleaded that the birthday gift he want us to give him is the hall we have commissioned today."

Federal Polytechnic, Unwana refutes impropriety in employment

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—THE management of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, weekend, insisted that the employment exercises by the institution followed laid down processes by the Federal Character Commission, FCC. Reacting to the myriads of allegations, Rector of the institution, Ogbonnaya Ibe-Enwo, who spoke with Vanguard, contended that it was unfair for the House to pass any judgment on him without duly inviting him for fair hearing.

According to him: “After the employment, we also needed to do the regularization. In the absence of Council, there is what we call Expanded Management Committee; that committee is made up of the Rector as Chairman, the representative of the Minister of Education, representative of the Executive Secretary of National Board of Technical Education, NBTE, and all the principal officers of the institution. We all met and did all the due processes of regularization.

Ugwuanyi’s wife donates gas cookers to 17 rural women

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—WIFE of Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, has in fulfilment of her pledge to empower rural women in the state through her pet project, Ugo Touch, given out 17 gas cookers and cylinders to 17 women drawn from all the Local Government Areas in the state.

The governor’s wife said the gesture was her contribution to the campaign for safe cooking among rural women through the use of gas cookers which she described as posing less danger to their health.

She made this donation in partnership with Masters Energy, an oil firm, at Okpara Square during the June edition of Enugu State Women Prayer Network.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 AS the federal government grapples with the harsh realities of declining economic fortune, it has become imperative for Nigeria to diversify the economic base once and for all to reduce its continued dependence on crude oil prices.

This was the wise counsel of Professor Robert Lawrence of Harvard Business School who was the guest lecturer at an annual lecture in Lagos. The lecture focused on developing economies and foreign investment.

It is a known fact that growth has slowed down in developed economies like Europe and Japan. Until recently the key driver of the global economy was China. It’s economic slow down is coming on the heels of its economic refocusing by moving away from core manufacturing to service sector.

Challenges of growing the economy Manufacturing businesses are facing declining sales and are no longer as competitive as in the past due to rising wages.

Nigeria, which currently has a huge youth population and one of the cheapest labour markets in the world, can take advantage of this to achieve sustainable growth by attracting investments from these high wage regions.

The nation can only attain sustainable growth when through technology it converts its abundant untapped natural resources to finished industrial products that can be sold on the global market. Every where in

the world a country ’s growth index is measured by what it does with its fortunes when the economy is in good shape. We observed that in the case of Nigeria, it appears it has been wasting a lot of its opportunities and spending most of the money it earned from oil rent rather than saving it.

We urge the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to identify targeted foreign investors and find out from them why they are not investing in long term manufacturing in Nigeria.

The President should also ask them what the nation needs to do to

attract them.

These are pertinent issues the government needs to tackle because it is economically better to have known brand names operate in Nigeria than borrow money from foreign capital markets as the government plans to do. It is our belief that this is very critical at this point in time.

We appreciate the need for government to end the subsidy regime on petrol but we recommend subsidies on production especially those that will encourage economic growth rather than on consumption. We recommend that government should formulate liberal policies especially in areas of taxation so that Nigeria can attract foreign investments that would add value to the economy. This may involve reviewing the country ’s administrative structures that will engender investors’ confidence.

OPINION Truth about power supply

By Adisa Gbadamosi

I

N terms of the cause of poor electricity supply ravaging the nation presentlya blunt statement from the the office of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing , Mr. Raji Fashola, provided an answer . The statement which was issued by one of his aides stated that it was immoral to expect the Federal government to blame electricity distribution companies called Discos for the poor electricity supply in the nation .

The Power Minister was responding proactively to the news that the House of Representatives had invited him and stakeholders in the electricity industry for a meeting to explain the cause of power failure in the country. The press statement was therefore meant to apprise the legislators before he showed up in the House for grilling on the subject . In effect the Minister killed the proverbial two birds with one stone. He answered the question of the legislators from afar as it were .

He also allayed their fears also at a safe distance on the mistaken notion that the Discos were the culprit of the poor power supply experienced in the country . Let me state clearly as a C M Y K

keen observer of the power sector and its development that the pronouncements and statement of the Minister is candid, informed and most patriotic.

In particular, I urge our law makers to emulate these virtues even as they grandstand to nail perceived culprits for the poor supply even though the cause is well known to all

The increased electricity tariffs is like a dose of quinine which ultimately will make life better for Nigerians Nigerians except perhaps our legislators and trade union leaders .

The Minister’s statement pointed out some facts .The first was that pipeline vandalisation had disrupted and decreased electricity supply massively nation wide and power generation , and transmission had suffered massively and such distribution had been scanty all over the nation . The second is that many government parastatals and institutions owe the distribution companies a lot of

money predating his recent appointment as Minister of Power thus tying his hands to stop the Discos from demanding immediate payment from such government agencies or have them face massive disconnection.

Which ipso facto is the legal resort for such breach of payment in the face of continuous enjoyment without payment of electricity supply by these government facilities and corporations.

The third is the fact unknown to many in the public that the Federal government before the advent of this administration had sold its ownership in the power companies and had no control over them in terms of generation and distribution of electricity . The Minister admitted that apart from the violation of the law inherent in assuming false ownership and giving futile orders, there was the dangerous risk of creating a potential rash of litigation in the advice in some quarters to stop the Discos from realising revenue for sold services both now and in the past, especially from government institutions which have become brazen debtors to Discos which are now privately owned by Nigerian business men and investors . In addition, the Minister harped on the fact that the Discos charged cost reflective tariffs approved for them by law and it would be again immoral

for government whose agencies owe the Discos so much to ask the them not to take money for services rendered.

Indeed to support the Minister on this stance was the advice he offered Nigerians when the Senate summoned him earlier in the year to explain the new electricity tariffs approved for the Discos by the Electricity Regulation Commission of Nigeria .

Unfortunately, the Senate stopped the new tariff increase rather ill advised.

The Minister said then that the increased electricity tariffs is like a dose of quinine which ultimately will make life better for Nigerians. This very apt and instructive example was ignored by the Senate. Since then, electricity generation and distribution nose dive and the situation is now worsened by gas pipeline vandalisation which has resulted to the present uncontrollable situation. If the fact that the union leaders asked Nigerians to go on strike because of the increase in electricity tariffs, is added to the fuel price hike, then one must admit that it was indeed honourable of the Minister to say publicly that it would be immoral to blame the Discos for poor electricity supply as the unions had done so .

•Mr.Gbadamosi, an engineer, wrote from Iseyin, Oyo State.

JUNE 20, 2016

Mixed feelings on Naira rate as market opens today

By OMOH GABRIEL, PETER EGWUATU, SEBASTINE OBASI & EDIRI EJOH

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IXED reactions have trailed CBN's announcement on Wednesday of a flexible exchange rate in the foreign exchange market. While some foreign investors are keeping sealed lips, others are saying they will wait and see the level of the exchange rate depreciation before venturing into the Nigeria market. However, local investors are cautious in their reactions stating that the economy was held down by government control for too long.

Professor Chris Analo, Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Credit Administration said that the move by the CBN is a bold step in the right direction. He said the economy should be freed and the invisible hand of supply and demand should be allowed to allocate resources. The flexible exchange rate, he said, would help determine the true value of the naira.

Dr. Frank Jacobs, President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, described the new foreign exchange policy as a step in the right direction. In a telephone chat with Vanguard, he said: “I am not speaking for MAN as a body at this time because we are meeting this week to know how it will affect manufactures generally” He continued: “My personal voice on the policy is that if we allow market forces to determine the price of the naira, it will be better in the long run.

Also, there won’t be fluctuations of the naira as we have been having in recent times.”

For Mudal Yusuf, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “The move is quite commendable. It is a position that the Organised Private Sector (OPS) has canvassed over the past one and half years.” According to him, Nigerians should expect the following benefits from the policy: “Improved liquidity C M Y K

•As traders speculate Naira trading at 270 per dollar •Import-dependent businesses'll suffer as inflation noses towards 20% •Hard times await consumers as economy contracts •Need to review forex ban on 41 items; foreign investors in wait and see Seven Banks Qualify for CBN forex Primary Dealership

in the foreign exchange market which would boost investors’ confidence; there will be a significant improvement in the allocative efficiency of foreign exchange; supply of foreign exchange to the foreign exchange market will be enhanced as confidence improves, especially from capital importation, export proceeds and diaspora remittances.”

Continuing, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss said: “There will be considerable moderation in exchange rate as supply of foreign exchange improves; the federation account will benefit from better revenue inflows from the CBN as sale of subsidised foreign exchange comes to an end and that the policy is a major incentive to exporters as they will have unfettered access to their

export proceeds."

However, he said that “there is need for the CBN to review its position on this for the following reasons: Many of the items on the list are inputs for industries; many industries are being currently impacted adversely; the exclusion has led to considerable loss of jobs in industries, distributive trade sector and maritime sector; it has led to considerable loss of customs revenue, which has impacted negatively on the federation account and fiscal viability of governments at all levels and that the phenomenon of smuggling may be aggravated in respect of some of the excluded items.

The Chairman, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, PSAN, Mr. Boniface Okezie in his view said: “The flexible exchange rate in my own view, will fuel inflation as there is

likely going to be sharp fall of the value of naira. We should note that Nigerian products will become relatively cheap and imports more expensive, which should stimulate the domestic economy and also lift inflation. So, the major likely effect is that we will have a weaker naira because we are still an import-dependent nation. So, in the short run, the effect would be enormous as this might not be good for our manufacturers who still import their raw materials. But, in the long run, it will be better if other impediments are also addressed simultaneously. In the case of portfolio investment, more foreign investors would want to bring their dollar to invest, make profit and repatriate to their own country. This is because, the dollar will have higher value than naira and once they make their money, convert them to dollar, they will repatriate to their home country. The local investors would be the worst hit because they are the real investors whose returns would be eaten up by inflation. Furthermore, local investors at the moment don’t have money to invest because there is no flow of funds in the economy.

Contractors are being owed, high unemployment, difficult operating environment, etc. are constraints to local investors. However, if the flexible exchange can favour the real sector, it will be better for the country."

Speaking on the issue, Managing Director, Securities Africa Limited, Mr. Afolabi Folayan said: “The stock market initially opened on a high note as investors anticipated the CBN’s guideline but dipped at mid-day before Continues on page 18

26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 27

Another round of bail-outs for states? God forbid “Insanity had been defined as doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result”. Chinese.

T

he same Chinese have been known to derisively refer to a person or government saying two opposite things at the same time as someone “speaking with forked tongues”. The Federal Government of Nigeria has been speaking with forked tongues

the tension in the Niger Delta persists the more likely that we would lose some of our long term customers for good. It is unlikely that our country will be able to produce and export anything near the budgeted volume for the balance of this year – and perhaps well into the first quarter of 2017. with regard to fresh bail-out for the states, Meanwhile, non-oil revenue is likely to who despite a previous botched bail-out, decline as well as the nation heads into are still in financial turmoil. Irrespective inevitable recession. Obviously, the of political party in power, all the states monthly allocation to states from Abuja are in various degrees in trouble. Even will decline further and their capacity to Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, is service existing loans will be diminished. feeling the pinch badly. Governor Fayose, Adding the extra burden of a bail-out to clownishly serious, after failing to pay his their debt portfolio makes no sense under striking public servants for several the circumstances. That amounts to months, said that he was joining the throwing good money after bad –even if it strike. Presumably his strike does not can be found. include making a joke out of deadly More to the point, the Federal serious matters. Ekiti people succumbed Government has not been established as to stomach infrastructure during the a banker of last resort for the states. campaigns in 2014. They will pay dearly States have been provided with fiscal for it until 2016. It is amazing that none autonomy. The Governors and the States of the professors from that state told the Houses of Assemblies are elected to people in 2014 that the only free food is manage the affairs of their “kingdoms”. found on mouse-traps.

Hitherto, the State Assemblies, under More serious is the Niger State every political party had been subservient Governor who told his people, “I cannot to the state Governors. Without exception, sell myself to pay salaries”. Plateau State they rubber stamp all the measures taken government received N1.1bn from the by the state Chief Executive Officer Federation Account in April – well below without performing their oversight its monthly wage bill; functions. When was the Cross River N967.5 first or last time anybody million; Bayelsa read of a state Assembly received N2.1bn, Oyo querying any expenditure got N2.2bn against wage by a Governor? All the More bill of N5.6bn and Osun, Speakers of the country a mere N131.5 million. are mere errand boys of serious is The list is not exhaustive the Governor. the Niger admittedly, but is Recently, the former indicative of the Managing Director of the State financial plight of the DAILY TIMES of Nigeria, Governor states – even after the Chief Tola Adeniyi, writing first bail out was handed in defense of a South who told out to them.

West Governor listed all Meanwhile, the the “innovative” his people, Federal Government programmes embarked “I cannot which is contemplating upon in the state. another bail-out for the Virtually all were givesell myself states is also operating away programmes; on hand-outs from the everything was free and to pay Central Bank, from none of the projects was salaries" lenders at home and designed to be selfabroad and is still liquidating. Chief Adeniyi unable to fulfill its ended his article without financial obligations mentioning that the state is fully. Abuja Ministries, now totally bankrupt. In Departments and fact, if there is a classic Agencies account for the bulk of debts case of road to hell being paved with owed to power distribution companies good intentions, Chief Adeniyi had today. The whole scenario reminds one of inadvertently written about it. No a heavily indebted elder brother who measure, however meritorious, embarked could not even provide adequately for his upon by a government or organization, household considering helping his which is not anchored on sound siblings in paying their own debts. There Economics will endure. Virtually all the is only one word for it – ridiculous. The projects Adeniyi praised have now ground reasons why the Federal Government to a halt. Meanwhile, the question should cannot and should not consider any be asked: What were the state’s legislators further financial assistance to the states doing while their state was being driven are too numerous to discuss here. But a into a financial ditch by an Executive few will point to the problems and branch which obviously lacked good consequences of such a measure. financial planners. Engaging in several Nigeria finds itself in a Catch-22 sort of cash consuming projects at once, without situation with respect to global price of adding others which generate cash is a crude oil which had risen to $50 per recipe for disaster. If Chief Awolowo, after barrel. Failure on our part, as well as launching Free Primary Education, some other oil-producers had created a simultaneously launched Free Health, supply gap which had driven prices up.

Free Money for the Aged, Free Money for Once we resume normal production and Trainees, etc, the Western Region would export, the mini-scarcity will varnish and have been ruined. Even the Free Primary prices will again tumble. In short, Education was supported by a general Nigeria is the sole victim of the scarcity monthly levy on adults. That is the of crude oil created by our so-called difference. Governors ruined their Niger Avengers. Furthermore, the longer states….

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

E-Commerce

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alentine Obi is the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s premiere e-payment solutions provider, eTranzact International Plc. In this interview with Jonah Nwokpoku, he speaks on the evolution of the electronic payment industry in Nigeria, vis-a-vis the growth of his company which was founded in 2003 and got rebranded only last week. He argues that the electronic payment industry has come of age, having grown tremendously over the past decade but says there is still huge potential yet untapped in the industry. Excerpts eTranzact has just rebranded its identity, what does this mean for the company?

It shows that we have affirmed our leadership position in the electronic payment industry, not only in Nigeria but all over Africa. If you look at the new ‘e’, it talks about empowerment, its electronic, it talks about ease and also efficiency and that is what we want to reaffirm clearly to the public.

Following the rebranding, what more can customers expect from eTranzact?

From now on, customers are going to be seeing a lot more of eTranzact. Before, we used to be a Businessto-Business, B2B Company whereby our only targets are the banks, so our target was limited. But now we are going into the Business-to-Consumer, B2C segment with other products. So you are going to be seeing a lot more visible eTranzact in the market and not just more visible but with creative and innovative solutions to empower people, make their payments easier, and make it more efficient.

Last year, eTranzact recorded over 110 million transactions valued at about $30 billion, what do you expect this year?

This year, our plan is to double it and to make sure that our users have better experience using the platform than before. If you look at the $30 billion we made, it is about 30 per cent of e-payments made in Nigeria or a little bit more, so it just tells me that the market has come of age because, I remember that in first two years, our total transaction was less than $100,000. In the first year, it was actually N35 million only, for the whole year. So C M Y K

the moment you can show that the money could be moved with ease and is secure, they will latch onto it.

Nigeria grosses over $100 billion through e-payment annually

VenueHero named official partner of 2016 Event Safety Summit

By Jonah Nwokpoku

— OBI •Valentine Obi

if you look at how the transaction has grown, it has shown indeed that there are a lot of people coming onboard, there is traction, and people are beginning to see that this really is working. The fear that people used to have before seems to have diminished, compared to before.

If you benchmark your business and the volume, and in comparison with other e-payment providers, what do you think is the volume of transactions in a year across several platforms within the industry?

If we say that what we are doing is about 25 to 30 per cent of the e-payment industry. That gives you an understanding that we are doing over $100 billion in terms of transaction value in the market. But you know, all of us put together have not even scratched the surface, because there is still a lot of potential, there are still a lot of people that are not even in the system and this is what the CBN is trying to do, to see how we can get as many people as possible. Why did they register so many mobile money operators? It is because they know that one or two operators cannot do it. They want to give a lot of opportunities so that we can see how we can garner more people into that space and reduce money in the unbanked sector and get them into the banking system.

Do you have any plans on

adjusting your cost of transactions in order to bring in more people and increase volume of transaction?

Always, our cost of transaction has been the lowest in the industry. This is because of our belief that we need to incentivize people to come onto the platform. But not only us, even the CBN has also helped to see how we can bring costs down all in efforts to encourage more people to use electronic system. We are doing that already, we are even enabling some free services.

Before now, we used to charge for some Application Programme Interface, APIs before you can do ecommerce but these days, we even give it to some of them for free of charge, just to encourage more people.

I remember that in first two years, our total transaction was less than $100,000. In the first year, it was actually N35 million only for the whole year

We are also trying to get more schools, especially the universities that run computer programmes to get their students, what we call the young developers programme, all in effort to see how we can make this more affordable and available to the people. This is because, the bigger the cake is, the better for everybody. So we are looking at how we can make it bigger to let more people come in.

What are you doing to get the unbanked banked?

That is what the whole of our mobile money product, the PocketMoni is doing.

For example, what we have decided is that, first, there must be used cases. You cannot just give people a product without telling them what they will do with it.

So, there must be used cases and we have done that. Secondly, there is a need to be in the face of the people, go down to the market women and show them how to use the product and we have started that as well. We ran a pilot in Ketu and we have now deployed fully in Ketu market right inside the market. We have an office inside so we can show the people how to use it and it has been growing.

We have another one in Kano and another one in Abeokuta, Ogun State. So the idea is to go down to the masses themselves and try as much as possible to remove the fear that there is some voodoo in e-payment, and you know Nigerians,

Nigeria’s online venue booking platform, VenueHero.co has been appointed the official partner of this year’s Event Safety Summit scheduled to hold on July 5th and 6th at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Lagos.

VenueHero.co provides simple venue booking solution online for the general public, event planners and venue owners.

It is a web-based application for venue discovery, bookings and reservations.

The Event Safety Summit which is packaged by Event Basics Nigeria and Event Safety Alliance Nigeria in Partnership with Event Safety Alliance, USA, is aimed at domesticating the knowledge gained from the annual Event Safety Summit in the US. Mike Lord of Alliance Safety Management, South Africa representing ESA, USA will be the keynote speaker while the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Fouad Alade-Oki is expected to use the opportunity to present The Lagos Event Safety Policy.

Speaking on the partnership, Founder, VenueHero, Uche Aniche said: “VenueHero.co take the stress off organising events by eliminating one of the biggest pain points for organisers. People can book and pay for venues instantly and facility managers and owner gets useful metrics to grow and improve their service in real time. We are happy to partner for this event as it will provide us the opportunity to do what we know how to do best and provide the needed strategic logistics support to boost the event’s profile.”

Also speaking, Founder, Event Basics, Tenidade Eboda, said: “The whole point of hosting/attending an event is to create fun and positive lasting memories. If we do not make efforts to identify and plan for the risks associated with the activities, we end up achieving quite the opposite. The event will allow stakeholders to interact and compare notes.

We are so excited to have VenueHero on board as a strategic partner.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 29

Micro-Finance

Using Monopoly as grass root financial literacy tool Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

T

O capture financial literacy from the grass root, Monopoly has been identified as a tool due to financial mistakes of so many in the past.

Monopoly is an educative game especially when it comes to financial management and investment, demonstrating that an economy which rewards wealth creation is better than one in which monopolists work under few constraints.

In a separate interview with FV, Marketing Representative of Best Man Games Nigeria Limited, Mr. Femi Fajemisin, said that a lot of Nigerians are borrowing to start up micro and small businesses as a result of past financial improprieties.

Fajemisin said, “We realise that most of the adults have made their financial mistakes in life and they have had money in the past and used it severally or squander it as the case may be, but bringing it to kids gives us an idea of trying to capture the idea of financial literacy from the grass root, so that when they make money they will know what to do with it.

“The kids must understand that the first money they make is not for goody goody but for investment and have an

idea of buying properties and paying rents. It is basically for children and the age group in focus is about eight to 12, although anybody can play the game but the financial lessons is basically centred on children.”

He added that the game teaches children to manage money and using that money to invest, investments that yields profit.

“The beauty of it is that putting such financial imperative into a game gives us a very competitive beauty. It is educative and have financial implication. The lessons in the game are basically financial management, money management and personal financial management,” he said.

In the same vein, Mr. Ogunlamoye Willy, from Ministry of Education, stated, “Monopoly is an avenue to expose the students to think outside the box, to really think of what they can become in future and encourage them to get there.

It is a life experience game that shows that even when you are going on the way, anything can happen at any point in time. If you are a master of this game, the experience you gain in this game will transfer you to life experience, if you have a certain amount and you have list of things to purchase, then there should be a scale of preference.”

From Left;GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Company Secretary/ Legal Director, Mr Uche Uwechia; Head of Health and Child Survival, Save The Children Nigeria, Dr Abimbola Williams; Managing Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc Mr. Thandalam Dayanand and Communications and Engagement Manager, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Ms Bolaji Sanyaolu at the GSK’S 2016 orange day united held recently.

GTP bags Visa prepaid service provider

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LOBAL Technology Partners (GTP), a processor of Visa prepaid debit cards has bagged the ‘Visa Prepaid Service Provider of the Year.

In a statement, Head of Prepaid & ATM, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) Visa, Mr. Fiona Duncan, said: “We would like to congratulate GTP on winning the ‘Visa prepaid service provider of the Year’ award. As consumers worldwide increasingly shift to digital payments from cash, GTP is playing a key role in bringing cashless efficiencies to the largely untapped Africa region.

“Their efforts in paving the way forward for prepaid card development are truly commendable. The mission to make the Middle East and Africa among C M Y K

the first cashless regions in the world is closely aligned with Visa’s strategy of leading the development of convenient and secure digital payment options, and we look forward to partnering with GTP in bringing these next-generation services to the prepaid industry.”

Also, Chief Executive Officer, GTP, Mr. Rich Bialek, said that Visa is a key partner for GTP, “GTP is honored to receive this year’s award and we are excited about the prospects for expanding Visa prepaid products and services in Africa and the broader CEMEA region. GTP is particularly interested in expanding financial inclusion with programs focused on payroll, travel and e-commerce.”

30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

People in Business

Outsourcing: iSON BPO does it differently — Steve Obasohan

BY EBELE ORAKPO

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r Steve Obasohan is the Deputy General Manager, Human Resources, iSON BPO International Limited, a business process outsourcing firm, with a strong focus in sub-Saharan Africa. In this chat with Financial Vanguard, Obasohan speaks on the activities of iSON BPO and how their outsourcing business is quite different from what obtains in Nigeria.

Excerpts: Educational background: After his secondary school education at Corona Secondary School, Steve, as he is fondly called, went on to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a BSc in Business Administration. He was thereafter posted to Zamfara State for the compulsory one year national service to fatherland. He also attended Lagos Business School and did a couple of courses in other business schools.

“During the youth service, I was posted to a place without light or water.

It was the most humbling time of my entire life and it made me become philosophical. The only primary school there was shut down because no child wanted to attend despite the efforts of the state government. My neighbor had a donkey so I became friends with the donkey. It was a good time for me because I got to connect with that part of Nigeria,” he said.

After his youth service, Steve worked at V-Mobile as a Call Centre Agent in 2005 and 2007, he became a supervisor.

After two years, he went to Oghara, Delta State as a Call Centre supervisor.

Two years later, he went to Abuja to set up a Call Centre also as a supervisor.

Rising on the job: While in Abuja, the whole outsourcing thing started. “That was when iSON BPO came into Nigeria and got the deal to manage the Call Centre. In fact, Airtel had outsourced the Call Centre to iSON BPO so that meant the entire running of the Call Centre was going to be outsourced to iSON BPO. After the onboarding process, a couple of opportunities came up, including assistant manager, operations, a position above which I was as a team leader. I acted in that capacity as Assistant Manager, Operations for about nine months. Then another opportunity came up, Human Resource (HR) Manager.

"All my life, I’ve always wanted to be in HR,so even while I was in Operations, I was always getting myself involved in projects that were HRrelated. So when the opportunity came, every part of me was screaming ‘go for it.’ Then the business was going through a phase; there were a lot of projects and things we needed to handle at the same time. We call it Rebadging (taking in former employees or employees of a different company, getting them aligned with your processes and all of that. So that was the major task for anyone who was going C M Y K

"Another advantage is in career path.

In outsourcing in Nigeria, you are just employed for that role and that’s it. You hardly grow in that organisation unless they convert you to an employee of the big brand. But at iSON, there are so many departments and you can grow. For example, if we are going to handle call centre for a company with 100 employees, and they were all outsourced to different companies; they will only be thinking of growing into a position like call centre supervisor, you can’t move into HR or training because the organisation is structured in such a way that you can only grow in the department where you are, especially when you are not an employee of the major brand. But for us, call centre service is all we do and we have departments that support it like HR, training, ICT, etc. As a policy, iSON does not recruit anybody from outside; 100 per cent of our recruitments are done from call centre agents. I am a classic example.

I moved from Assistant Manager, Operations, to human resource manager so that gave me a chance to work in the HR. That kind of opportunity is made available to everybody who works with us.” iSON Young Leaders

•Mr Steve Obasohan ....the number one challenge is the mental preparedness because you have to constantly learn to get into that position. I applied and got the position.

“In the first three months, I was almost regretting getting the job because there was so much work. Every day of work was equivalent to three months of learning. This was in 2012 and the organisation had decided to move its operations to Ibadan so that attracted many projects.

"We relocated to Ibadan in October and that started another phase because we had to wrap up the operations in Abuja and start off from scratch in Ibadan. In 2013, there was an opportunity for position of senior manager and I applied and got it. Being senior manager exposed me to a number of projects outside Nigeria. It was one success after the other,” he said.

Awards: “Last year, I received an award during the yearly Apex awards where the top five per cent performers in the entire operations world over are rewarded, hosted by the Global CEO, Pravin Kumar and his team. I also got a double promotion from senior manager to deputy general manager.”

How outsourcing works in Nigeria: "The way iSON does it is different from what is normally termed outsourcing in Nigeria. In Nigeria, if for instance a firm doesn’t want to take employees directly, it gets someone to recruit for it. The big firm will have the advantage of having employees working for the brand but not having direct responsibility for them. So the outsourcing company just provides manpower, pay salaries and may be

taxes; every other thing is handled by the big brand. You only know that this person is not an employee of the big brand when you see the employment letter."

We are different “We are quite different; we handle call centre services for big brands without being a part of the big brand. iSON BPO is a big brand with thousands of employees, everything a big brand could give you is replicated in terms of the structure of a multinational company. "iSON brings in expertise from India which is not the same as what obtains in Nigeria. So there is upscaling, probably 60, 70 per cent improvement in the employees.

We are quite different; we handle call centre services for big brands without being a part of the big brand

“If you’ve worked in a particular position for a year and half or two years, you should be thinking of a higher role because the business is growing. We have a group of people we call iSON Young Leaders who were identified to be very good at what they do so they are put on the fast track. Every person that goes to the Apex award naturally goes into this category because they have done exceptionally well and we need to harness their potentials. From one year, we start preparing them and they start taking positions because they have worked in different projects before then. They have mentors who are in management who will teach them one or two things within that time frame.

Challenges:

"There is the challenge of the regular day-to-day HR operations of a fast growing company. Personally, the challenge I would like to mention is the mental preparedness because you have to constantly learn. The difference between today’s work and tomorrow’s work for me at the time, was four hours of successful reading because to work more effectively, you probably have to climb some steep slopes. So there is always the need to learn at a fast pace.

"For instance, if I am informed there is a project I need to get along next week in Sierra Leone and I have to do the entire rebadging, I have to know the laws and so on. So there is a lot of reading and catching up to do. Then you have to break the ice with the staff; you have to connect with them, it’s not just about what is on paper.

"Everyone knows what is on paper but how do you connect to them, know what their needs are, how do you make the project a success?

At first, they may develop cold feet so there are barriers to break. With the knowledge of the law and sound emotional intelligence, you can achieve all these. The bottom line is to get the work done successfully."

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 31

Advertising & Media

Ad ethics: Milk brands flex muscle Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU Hollandia and Peak milk are two diary brands operating in the Nigerian market, but appealing to different demography and tastes.

Running a similar advertisement campaign pay-off has pitched both against each other.

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ver the years the dairy market has witnessed an upsurge in the influx of brands and products jostling for prime place in the consumers’ heart. These new entrants have in the course of their struggle for consumers’ attention pitched their wit against each other.

First to challenge the market leader Peak Milk was Promasidor ’s Cowbell Milk which introduced powdered milk in smaller sachets in 1993. This initiative segmented milk consumption in Nigeria. This marketing effort paid off significantly for a while as Cowbell, adopted “Our Milk” as a pay off line.

Peak Milk made the transition into smaller sachet pack sizes both in powdered form and evaporated. This response in due time enabled Peak make inroads into the homes of the lower and middle class consumers.

Expectedly, other brands have challenged Peak Milk market leadership. One of such ambitious brands is the Hollandia milk, from the stable of Chi Nigeria. A glimpse at the Nigerian advertising and marketing landscape reveals an appalling contradiction and aberration in deed and practice.

This is no thanks to the unwholesome and unethical practice of an evolving trend in copy-cat creativity.

The Nigerian advertising business today is afflicted with intellectual ineptitude, a syndrome that has left the trade completely bereft of originality.

However, this unethical practice has overtime continued unabated even with advertising laws in place, advertising practitioners are still getting significant leeway in the violation of ethical standards.

Even though the industry is operating within a strict federal regulations which is supposedly regulated, controlled and monitored by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON. Brands still, have latched onto these loopholes to cause disaffection in the industry.

Since advertising has become prevalent in modern society, it will increasingly be criticized, even though it occupies public space and consistently invades the private sphere of people. But when an ad becomes repugnant to natural justice, offensive or infringes on existing ad rights or taunts another, or is copied, it begins to negate the ethical standards of the profession.

The Registrar of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Garba Bello-Kakanrofi, had at an Advertisers Association of Nigeria, ADVAN organised Marketing conference, complained of rising petitions on copy-cat adverts by brands. However, the current

marketing warfare in the Nigerian dairy sector has brought out more pathetic marketing aberrations called copy-cat creativity in contemporary advertising, hence, corroborating what APCON described as a worrisome trend.

Chi Limited maker of Hollandia Evap has taken FrieslandWamco, Peak Milk owners, to the cleaners for producing a similar ad which it used in its ‘Wazo’ pack television commercial, TVC. FrieslandWamco’s Peak milk sachet ad, tagged, ‘Wazobia,’ selling at N50, for less grammage, which airs on the social media, is rattling Chi Limited, owners of Hollandia Evap 65 gram pack of same price. The argument is that the Peak Milk ad didn’t pass through APCON’s vetting standard, that FrieslandWamco played smart to run the ad on the social media where APCON has no regulatory or controlling rights.

Speaking to Financial Vanguard, a top official at Chi Limited, said HollandiaEvap ad was copied by Peak Milk creative experts. Afraid of the growing threat of Hollandia milk, the official said the Hollandia Evap ad was approved by APCON and National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC while the Peak Milk ad was run online and via social media and not on traditional media. The official in a statement said Friesland WamcoPeak Milk is afraid of the growing threat of Hollandia brands against Peak milk in the dairy market.

Quoting A C Nielsen Retail Audit data report on Nigeria’s dairy market, the official who claimed anonymity said: “Nationally, Hollandia Evaporated Milk has been consistently gaining market share while Peak is consistently losing. If we take a look at the last 12 quarters, Hollandia Evaporated Milk has increased

by 7.4 MS points while Peak Regular has dropped by 7.9 MS Points. Hollandia Evaporated Milk is ahead of Peak in terms of market share in the Southwest, according to A .C Nielsen Retail Audit data, Q1 2016. In Lagos, Hollandia Evaporated milk market share doubled with 33.9%, while Peak regular recorded 14.3%; according to Nielsen.

The newly elected President of Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria AAAN, Mr. Kayode Oluwasona, in a chat with an on-line media outlet condemned the development and assured of his association’s readiness to combat copy-cat in the advertising business in Nigeria. He said: “There may be instances of passing-off or copycat, the issue has not gotten to a frightening stage, but there is an obvious need to nip it in the bud.

A marketing analyst, Mr. Azuka Igwe of Brand Implementation Academy said, “It is a show of sheer intellectual laziness and creative emptiness on the part of brand handlers to foolishly pass off on competitors copy.

UNVEILING - From left: Executive Director, Big & Bold communications Limited, Ranti Agunloye, Dolapo Shoneye, Brand Manager, Perfetti Vaan Melle and Chief Brand Strategist, Big & Bold Communications Limited, Jide Adeyemi during the unveiling of the new work station and anniversary of Big and Bold in Lagos.

APCON, BSP to hold summit on advertising

A

D V E R T I S I N G Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON, in collaboration with BSP Media International, a London based Consulting firm will hold a summit on advertising in Nigeria.

The summit is coming on heels of the transformation of the global advertising industry which has brought about rapid changes in

technology and consumer behaviour as well as various dynamics in the global and local economies.

Organisers of the summit said it will in the light of the above developments in the industry showcase the advances and emerging trends in marketing communications practices and standards, explore the

Lagos NIPR audits members

T

he leadership of the Lagos NIPR, the flagship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has begun its membership audit aimed at evaluating and improving the Chapter’s effectiveness and governance processes.

The membership audit, involving the transfer of data from hardcopy to the digital format and when and where cloud including the search for members with incomplete bio-data will ensure that members are constantly engaged and connected with the Institute.

The exercise will be linked to the Re-certification exercise and master class projects. This audit is first of its kind in the history of NIPR. Speaking at the media briefing in Lagos, Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Olusegun McMedal, said the audit will enable the Secretariat to update its membership record and offer advice on procedure for status upgrade.

According to him, “the Executive Team realised that our Members are the Chapter’s greatest asset. Thus, this exercise is a cardinal focus of the present administration to nurture and protect membership in line of the vision to run a government of inclusion. The exercise will appreciably reduce paperwork and cost of operations in addition to ensuring prompt notification of meetings, events, subscription renewals and upgrades.”

relationship between current and future media platforms as well as examine new business models, strategies, technologies and solutions for today’s marketing communication industry with a firm focus on the future.

Experts on different areas of marketing communications practice and regulations with deep and varied experiences from various markets and jurisdictions have been confirmed to speak at the Summit and to share perspectives on the various topics and issues covered by the summit.

Among them are, Michael Theodore, VP Learning & Development, Interactive Advertising Bureau (USA), Dr. Oliver Gray, Director-General, European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA) (Belgium), Brett Bivans - Senior Vice President, International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) (USA). Others include, Josiah Kimanzi, Immediate Past President, Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO) (Nigeria) and Charne McMahon, Media Research Consultant, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa.

Three Crown mum of the year emerges

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HE 2016 Three Crowns Milk mum of the year competition has ended with Mrs. Nkechi Brayila, an Ophthalmologist emerging winner ahead of four other finalists.

The grand finale of the competition held in Lagos, saw the panel of judges made up of Nollywood stars, Mercy AigbeGentry, Annie Idibia, and Chef, Uzor Orimalade declare Mrs Brayila winner having the highest score in the three stages of the competition; Fitness, Smartness and Fun Tests.

For emerging winner, Mrs. Brayila, would be rewarded with an all-expense paid trip for a family of 5 to an exotic location with one-year supply of Three Crowns Milk.

The runner up Mrs. Olabisi Omolabi was rewarded with a double door refrigerator, the second runner up won a washing machine while the fourth and the fifth placed contestants were given consolation prizes of N50, 000.00 worth of shopping vouchers. The finalists also went home with cartons of Three Crowns milk products.

Speaking, the Marketing Director, Friesland Campina WAMCO, Mr. Tarang Gupta said Three Crowns Milk Mother’s Day campaign is deeply rooted in the brand’s purpose of recognising and rewarding the key roles mothers play as enablers in the daily upkeep of the family.

Recare launches new personal care products

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ecare International, owners of personal style brand, Nature’s Gentle Touch, has entered the market with five new variants.

The new bath and shower concentrate range Essential oil, Ginger shower, Thai basil, Tangerin, Thai basil, Tangerin and Ylang Ylang fragrances are said to be designed to revive and moisturize, clear blemishes and improve skin health and glow through its cleansing formula, said Richard Esiobo, Sales Manager, Recare International in Lagos during a press briefing.

The Sales Manager who said the company was not in the bath and skin care segment before now, but controls a huge percentage of the market in Nigeria, said the company is doing everything possible to hold on to the market with future introduction of other products which are undergoing research.

According to him, “Nature’s Gentle Touch Bath and Shower Concentrate its flagship brand caters for all skin types and colors including dark skinned people despite the cliché that most of these shower gels here in Nigeria are designed for light skinned people. As you may have noticed Oluchi and Leila Lopes are both our Brand Ambassadors with varying skin types and colour.”

C M Y K

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

(08052201997)

Economy: The floodgates have been breached T

he CBN’s decision to float the Naira in response to dollar demand and supply, in such austere times, will probably be primarily remembered as another policy shift that breached the gates and unleashed devastating floods that swept away any flickering hope of economic diversification or credible inclusive growth. The serial devaluations dictated by the 1985 Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was another such event that disenabled our economy, traumatised our people and challenged our traditional value system in many ways.

It is undeniable that with SAP, Nigeria’s erstwhile, vibrant industrial landscape soon became eclipsed by the rapid closure of bustling industrial estates, as sharp increases in the cost of vital machinery/raw materials and the prevailing high cost of funds pushed investors to the brink.

Ultimately the carcasses of their factories were, eventually inherited years later, by Faith establishments who were conversely witnessing rapid expansion in followership, probably, because of overwhelming economic and social challenges.

Sadly, the fervent prayers from these Houses of worship have obviously not been directed to bringing about a positive turn around in our economy.

Curiously, however, the IMF and reputable international and local experts had actually encouraged the belief that our economy will be enriched if we embraced SAP! Regrettably, thirty years later, we seem to have come full cycle, and the same IMF and acclaimed financial powerhouses have again commended our government for swallowing the bitter pill of 50% Naira devaluation which they again

claim as the path to economic recovery.

Ironically, President Buhari who stoutly resisted devaluation between 1983-1985, and later also made Naira exchange rate parity, a campaign promise in 2015, has unexpectedly capitulated to the odious demand for more Naira devaluation, despite the contrary historical evidence of the unfulfilled expectations for a benevolent impact of this policy. President Buhari’s volte face is intriguing, particularly after his public admission that his Economic experts always talked above his head and never truly convinced him that devaluation would bring any favors to our economy.

In retrospect, our social values became misaligned with implementation of SAP, as all income values were grossly eroded, and the dignity of pension earners also became seriously abused, while thousands of professionals took flight abroad to greener pastures. Regrettably, the ensuing brain drain still subsists and has certainly deprived us of homebred enriched human capital.

Invariably, thousands more Nigerian youths will still be propelled to join the desert caravan to North Africa en route Europe, choralled in suicidal bath tubs, as job opportunities, which offer reasonable living wages remain in short supply, because of the devastating impact of the present 50% Naira devaluation on industries and businesses.

Indeed, the only immediate apparent advantage of the present devaluation, is the “ vanishing” advantage (because of spiraling inflation) of increasing government revenue, from the extra N100 that will now be printed for each additional dollar earned from crude oil sale. Thus, the

expected revenue shortfall from prevailing lower crude prices, will be significantly compensated by the 50% Naira increase for each dollar exchanged as allocation to the tiers of government. In effect, this cash bounty should significantly reduce or indeed eliminate the over N2Tn 2016 budget deficit. However, the additional cash bounty may still not discourage government from processing and spending the N900bn domestic loan already budgeted, to partly fund the initially projected deficit budget; in other words, the subsequent revenue excess created by devaluation may still be shared amongst the tiers of government in addition to the proceeds from loans without enacting a fresh supplementary Appropriation bill to account for this expenditure.

Indeed, such fiscal rascality has prevailed since our return to civil rule, when revenue expectations were generally deliberately understated, with inappropriately low crude oil

Since the CBN’s devaluation project denies the role of systemic Naira surplus as the prime cause of Naira devaluation, rather than dollar demand and supply, further Naira devaluation will become inevitable

substitutes.

Furthermore, agitations for wage increase will also become inevitable and strident to further challenge businesses survival.

The predictable outcome would be serial retrenchments and business closures, with serious implications for our economic and social security, while Faith organizations may again become beneficiaries of increasingly vacant factory/ warehouse spaces.

Nonetheless, retirement will also become a nightmare for wage earners whose pension contributions, have already depreciated by more than 50% through Naira devaluation and persistent annual inflation rates which may rise well beyond the current 16%, especially if petrol price rises to N300/litre and electricity tariff also spikes by over 50%, because of this devaluation.

Furthermore, investment values in the stock market have also depreciated from over $45bn when the Naira was N200=$ to less than $25bn with N300=$ as exchange rate.

Indeed, the value of your houses and all Naira denominated assets, including the cash in your pocket and savings accounts have all now lost up to 50% of their dollar purchasing values while payment for outstanding import bills, and dollar denominated loans may send these debtors to an early grave. Frankly speaking our collective net worth and value of all Naira denominated assets have now been cut in half, with a stroke of the pen, but it is very unlikely that the speculated inflow of foreign exchange, as a result of this devaluation will ever approach $20b.

However, since the CBN’s devaluation project denies the role of systemic Naira surplus as the prime cause of Naira devaluation, rather than dollar demand and supply, further Naira devaluation will become inevitable.

price benchmarks to contrive budget deficits, which were subsequently approved as public debt with suspiciously high double digit interest rates, which are clearly inappropriate for such sovereign loans.

Indeed, if more realistic crude benchmarks had predicated the same budgets, these oppressive additional government loans would be happily avoided; furthermore, the fiscal irresponsibility is, instead further magnified by regular additional disbursements, usually without appropriate prior legislative endorsement, from the excess revenue consolidated from actual higher than budget benchmark oil price.

Hereafter, we will assess the direct impact of the present 50% Naira devaluation on critical factors such as inflation, productivity and the lack of public confidence in holding the Naira as a store of value.

Ironically, the fiscal cash excess from naira devaluation, ultimately provides little succor for the economy as it primarily succeeds in further fueling inflation to reduce the purchasing power of all income earners. Evidently, since local industries are still also largely dependent on raw material imports, all import bills will invariably also rise by about 50% if Naira exchanges for N300=$ as speculated. Thus, an already disenabling production cost burden, is unfortunately further compounded with 50% additional increase in the prices of diesel and gas required to power their plants.

Furthermore, with almost 20% inflation rate and much higher production cost, the bloated working capital, consequently required to sustain businesses will invariably also attract over 20% interest rates to make Nigerian industries’ output uncompetitive against import

Business & Economy FG's NDCC suspension affects volume of exports — MAN

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he President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Frank Jacobs says the Federal Government suspension of Negotiable Duty Credit Certificates (NDCC) has affected the volume of export of manufactured products. Jacobs made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

He said that the suspension of NDCC had destroyed the confidence that had been built up over the years by overseas importers of Nigerian products as a result of inability of Nigerian exporters to meet delivery targets.

The Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme was introduced in 2005 to push Nigeria’s non-oil exports as the country seeks economic diversification routes C M Y K

away from the oil sector.

The EEG scheme was operated by the use of the NDCC, which served as cheques for non-oil exporters who wished to benefit from the grant. Recipients of the export grant hold an instrument called NDCC which they use in the payment of import and excise duties. The essence of the grant was to reduce production, distribution and logistics costs for non-oil exporters to enable them compete effectively in the international market.

The understanding of the initiators of the scheme was that allowing non-oil exporters to bear the brunt of the costs will make their products uncompetitive in the international market.

Jacob said that unfortunately the scheme, which had the potential

of increasing the revenue base and employment generation was suspended by the government in 2014.

“With the suspension, which led to the refusal by the Nigeria Customs Service to accept NDCC payment instrument for the EEG, exporters started incurring huge costs for duty payment that NDCC was meant to cover for their raw materials imports. As at today, our members have over N64 billion unused NDCC and over N87 billion NDCC claims for the EEG applications they have submitted which are yet to be processed.

“This has cause export of manufactured products to drastically reduce,” Jacobs said.

The president said that the introduction of EEG scheme was a useful tool for the diversification of Nigeria’s revenue base.

Omoh Gabriel Babajide Komolafe Clara Nwachukwu Peter Egwuatu Yinka Kolawole Favour Nnabugwu Godwin Oritse Godfrey Bivbere Michael Eboh Franklin Alli Ifeyinwa Obi Rosemary Onuoha Nkiruka Nnorom CONTRIBUTORS Princewill Ekwujuru Jonah Nwokpoku Naomi Uzor Providence Obuh LAYOUT

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Group Business Editor Deputy Business Editor Energy Editor Asst. Business Editor Snr Bus. Correspondent Insurance Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Maritime Correspondent Energy Reporter Industry/Agric. Reporter Maritime Reporter Insurance Reporter Capital Market Reporter

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Media/Marketing E-Commerce Industry Micro Finance Graphics Department

18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Cover

How to manage your business to success

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COMMISSIONING - From left: Regional Head, Retail Showroom and Franchise, Airtel, Ms. Edero Daro-Idollo; Airtel’s Regional Operations Director, North Region, Mr. Wole Abu; Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Kano Zonal Office, Mallam Adamu Amshi and; Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Police Academy, Kano, Mr. Adenrele Shinaba, during the commissioning of the Airtel Regional Office in Kano.

Mixed feelings on Naira rate as market opens today Continued from page 17 closing bullish subsequent to the Press briefing of the CBN Governor on Wednesday. I believe the changes have been expected by the market since the last Monetary Policy Committee, MPC meeting and the effect has already been priced into equity prices over the past few weeks. The effect of the new foreign exchange policy has been minimal. I expect the prices of stocks to go up for some days and stabilise thereafter. Most stakeholders are yet to understand the workings of the new guideline. So, from next week when the policy will kick off, we would begin to see greater reactions in the market. My fear is the inflation that this policy will create but if it can be managed effectively by the apex bank, it will be better for the country.”

The Managing Director, APT Securities & Funds Limited, Mr. Kasimu Garba Kurfi in his reaction said: “The new foreign exchange policy is good for the stock market and economy in general. It will bring foreign investors into the market and more activities are expected in the near future as the market already had gained over 3 per cent in two consecutive trading days.”

Managing Director, Capital Bancorp Plc, Mr. Aigboje Higo in his comment said: “The new foreign exchange policy is a bold initiative and very positive for the stock market.

We expect the bullish sentiment to be sustained in the sessions ahead as domestic investors position in advance of the official take-off of the liberalised foreign exchange market on Monday which is expected to attract portfolio investors.

“Whilst we view the new development in the foreign exchange market as positive C M Y K

in aiding price discovery in the foreign exchange market, as well as reducing pressures on public finances and the external reserves; the caveat on maintaining the list of “banned”41 items will continue to make the parallel market thrive. Nevertheless, the moderation in FX risk, which hitherto had been obscuring valuation of assets in the economy, will unlock more value for equity investors, especially in Banking and Consumer Goods counters.

Foreign investors who were put off by the capital controls needed to defend the naira bonds and stocks are on their part adopting a wait and see attitude. Tajudeen Ibrahim, head of Equity Research at Chapel Hill Denham Securities Ltd said: “While they haven’t yet returned, locals have been buying equities expecting that they will soon return. Local investors are positive about the central bank’s move, believing it will boost dollar liquidity. They believe that at some point, foreign investors will come back to the market.

It’s unlikely to happen very soon. It may take a couple of weeks before they are comfortable with the new foreign-exchange system.”

Nema Ramkhelawan-Bhana, an analyst at Rand Merchant Bank in Johannesburg in his reaction said: “A free float was

A freefloating and weaker naira won’t be just good news. It may also fuel inflation

one option we did not see coming; it is definitely a step in the right direction. It is long overdue and it will go a long way toward an economic rebalancing. But it is just the first step.” A free-floating and weaker Naira won’t be just good news. It may also fuel inflation, already at a six-year high, and force the Central Bank to raise borrowing costs, hurting those who can least afford it; the poor. “The economy is going to struggle for the rest of the year partly owing to the delay in implementing a floating exchange rate," said Adewale Okunrinboye, an analyst at Asset & Resource Management Company. “The nation has suffered from the delay. Prices are going to come under pressure.”

Reacting to the introduction of a flexible exchange rate by the CBN, Yvonne Mhango; Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Economist at Renaissance Capital said: “Nigeria will float the naira on the inter-bank foreign exchange market when trading begins today, 20 June, in a single market structure. This will release a pressure valve for the economy. We see the economy beginning to thaw and green shoots emerge possibly as soon as a year from now.

Before then, we believe the macro picture will deteriorate.”

Where will the market put the naira?

“When we said ‘ we see Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy becoming more flexible, possibly as soon as mid-2016’ in our 22 April 2016 note, we never imagined a free-floating naira. Now the question is where the market will put the Nigerian naira. We look to the Kazakh tenge for some guidance. Investors draw parallels between it and the naira because they are both Continues on page 19

ack of effective system in a business portends danger to that business. How can you effectively market your business when you are not effectively managing it?

The problem is, you don’t have your core systems in place and your business is running you when it should be you running your business. Let me share with you now five ways you can start to manage your business TODAY so that you can effectively market and grow your business to success: Review your current systems The first thing you need to do is look at the systems you currently have in place. What is it that constantly frustrates you, or that you feel you are spending too much time on?

Are you continually searching around looking for an email address? Or cannot tell at a glance if your project is on track? Make a list of where you feel the problems are – these are your time drains. This is where you need to make improvements in your systems so that they work for you and not against you.

Set about creating your core office organisation systems Now that you know where the problems are you can begin to take steps to improve them – in other words you can now start creating your core systems! A system is simply a description of HOW you do something. For example, how do you create a new client file? How do you handle new client enquiries?

Look at those areas you’ve already identified as your time drains and decide how these time drains can be turned into a system. List all of the steps you take in a process from start to completion – these steps will form your system.

Systemize repetitive tasks.

If you find yourself doing the same task over and over again then you need to create a system for it. One example could be you’re answering the same client enquiries again and again.

The easy way to resolve this is to put all those questions together in one place and

create an email template.

The next time a client asks you a question you simply open the email template, put their email address in the ‘To’ field, and hit send!

Or, an alternative option would be to create a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page on your website and direct enquiries there.

Create a calendar template.

Now that you have your core systems in place, start and look at how your work week is structured. Create a calendar template that blocks out time for certain activities, i.e. you might decide that Friday is your business development day, Monday is for marketing, and Tuesday through Thursday are for clients/ revenue-generating activities. Once you create a structure around your work week you will find that you become much more focused and productive.

Create a long-term plan.

You will be a huge fan of spread sheets if you adopt the system – they can be used for so much more than just sums! And you can use them to plan out your whole year. You have to create an annual marketing plan that shows you monthby-month what programs you are going to be running, what promotional activities you’ll be doing, and which list building strategies you’ll be implementing. This takes a lot of the guess-work out of running your business because it means you always know where you are going!

I guarantee that you will start to see an increase in your business, your income, and your productivity if you start to implement some of the steps I’ve suggested above. You’ll wonder why you left it so long.

For more on this, Read my books: Success In Your Business, How to Identify and Fund Your Business, Why And How To Start Your Own Business etc.

Note: Peter Osalor is always available for public speaking.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 19

Business & Economy

NERFUND closure puts N7bn loans in jeopardy

By EMMA UJAH, Abuja Bureau Chief

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he decision of the Federal Ministry of Finance to shut the Nigerian Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) may have put the organisation’s N7 billion loan disbursed to various customers in jeopardy.

The amount, as learnt, represented outstanding loans which were being repaid before the organisation was shut Thursday, last week.

NERFUNDs staff said that they were shocked at what they described as , “extreme reaction” of the Federal Ministry of Finance to their peaceful protest aimed at drawing government’s attention to their plight.

Mal. Umar Mamu, the President of the NERFUND Staff Union told Vanguard that his members were surprised that the ministry shut the organisation due to the peaceful protests which he said did not pose any threat security.

He insisted that his members did nothing to warrant a pre-emptive measure of shutting NERFUND “to forestall” breakdown of law and order,” as claimed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alh. Mahmud Isa Dutse, in the letter addressed to all staff.

According to him, if anything, the staff expected sympathy from the ministry, especially given the fact that they expressed their frustrations over the years due to government’s failure to appoint a substantive Board and Executive Management for the organisation.

His words, “ what we were expecting was that at least, we have taken our demands to the ministry and we were going through a lot of frustration before now. Our demands to the ministry which are three: definite pronouncement on the status of NERFUND; that the Executive Management should go and a substantive board and executive management appointed for NERFUND, and finally that NERFUND should be recapitalised.

“We were very shocked when we came to work this morning to see

a notice at the gate saying that NERFUND has been completely shut down and that the ministry was sending us on an indefinite leave and that whatever decision they take will be communicated to us.

“What we were expecting was a positive response from the ministry. Positive response in the sense that the ministry will ask the

executive management which is made up of just two people, to go.

These people are from NDIC (Alh. Mohammed Kollere, Ag MD) and CBN (Mr. Elenwor Ihua, ED Ops).

They are on secondment.

“We expected that after asking them to return to their organisations, even if it means sending somebody from the ministry to take over, if they don’t

want people from our management to take over Executive management, before a substantive appointments can be made.

“But unfortunately, we were shocked because we left office yesterday around 5 pm and we got to the office today (Friday) and saw the notice telling us that NERFUND has been shut.

L-R; Head, IT Business, Mr. Anuoluwapo Rotimi Agboola; Director, Africa B2B Display Office, Mr. Andre De Meyer; Head, Corporate Marketing, Mr. Adekoye Sowemimo, all of Samsung Electronics West Africa, and Samsung customer, Dr Adewale Ogunde, at the launch of the new Samsung E-board series designed to help schools, government and corporate organisations enhance learning and productivity in Lagos.

Implications “I don’t think that was a good decision because of the implications of that decision to NERFUND itself and to the government in general.

“The implications are that NERFUND has the responsibilities of giving out loans to entrepreneurs and recovering such loans. Now, owing to the circumstances in which the organisation has found itself, we have not been giving loans in the last three or four years but we are recovering loans that had already been given out.

“By this single act of closing NERFUND, a lot of business promoters who were given loans have started calling, expressing doubts over the future of NERFUND and now think the loans given to them have become their own share of the national cake.

“Government is talking about safeguarding the physical assets in NERFUND, we have more than N7 billion out there not yet recovered and we are putting in efforts to recover these loans.

“With this action, we have been taken back because even if they ask us to go back to work tomorrow, we will find it difficult to convince a lot of people that we are actually back in business and that they must complete the repayment of their loans.

SMEs in Abia get N1bn lifeline from BoI, govt

By FRANKLIN ALLI

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HE Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Abia State Government have signed an agreement to pump N1 billion into the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector of the state.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the bank and the state was signed at the Government House, Umuahia.

Acting Managing Director/ CEO of BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju, stated that the N1billion SME

development fund is to be equally contributed by the bank and the state for onward lending to entrepreneurs in the state to further boost their value addition processes, expand their production capacities and make more jobs available for the unemployed.

“By our estimation in the Bank of Industry, through every N1billion we lend, we are able to generate close to 10,000 jobs. And as resources permit, we can also increase the pool of funds. This is just a framework that we intend to start with,” he added.

"What we are trying to do now is to accentuate the industrialisation of Abia State particularly in the SME sector vertically and horizontally, to increase the level of entrepreneurship in the state with its attendant multiplier effects.

“We need to add value to our products rather than exporting them in their crude form to countries where they are processed and sent back to us with more value and we pay heavily for that and the per capita income of those countries get much higher than we

have here, and the quality of life and living standards are also much higher than we have here,” said Olagunju.

He also announced that the bank was aiming to open a branch office in Umuahia, to enable it bring more of its products and services closer to entrepreneurs in the state.

In his remarks, the Abia State Governor, OkezieIkpeazu, said: “I want to assure you that every person that will benefit from the facility will give a good account of it and will be willing to pay back.

Cover

Mixed feelings on Naira rate as market opens today Continued from page 18 oil-exporting currencies, and have followed similar trajectories – at least until August 2015, when Kazakhstan floated the tenge, which resulted in it depreciating by almost 30 per cent against the US dollar, over a couple of days.

“If the naira were to mimic that move today, when trading begins, we could see the foreign exchange rate at N260/ $1, which is close to our fair value estimate of N255/$1. It is likely the central bank will anchor the foreign exchange market by setting the opening

rate on 20 June. However, this would just be the start. It took over six months for the KZT to fall to its low, representing an additional 50 per cent fall.

If the naira follows this path, we may see the exchange rate fall to N390/$1 by year end 2016, before retracing.”

Energy Stakeholders call for caution Stakeholders in the energy sector of the economy appear to be cautious about the new flexible foreign exchange policy. They all agreed that effective implementation of the policy will no doubt have impact on the sector.

Mike Osatuyi, National Coordinator, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN said: “Caution is the word. Let us wait and see how it will be implemented. Let us wait for at least two weeks before making statements.

However, I see much inflow of foreign exchange from companies and individuals. If there is high volume of foreign exchange inflow, it means that much Naira will be chasing dollars. In other words, dollars will be available to marketers and other dealers in the petroleum sector, unlike before, when dollar scarcity

tried to stifle importation of products. The next two weeks will determine the level of impact the new policy will have on the downstream subsector.”

Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Public Affairs, Eko Electricity Distribution Company said: “It is too early to speculate. I think we need to study and digest the policy first to know the direction of events. The policy is just about forty-eight hours old and it is felt that the situation needs to be properly studied before we can determine the direction of things. It may therefore not be okay to start presuming what

the outcome of the new policy would be when it has not even been tested for a week. One may only add that the impact of the state of the national economy has not just started with the new policy.”

Sunday Oduntan, Executive Director, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, said: “I can only put it in a simple form. Anytime the Naira is devalued, it will affect the power sector. If the Naira continues to be devalued, it will continue to affect the sector because most of the power sector components are imported.

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20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Banking & Finance CBN loans to banks jump by 173% to N281bn Sterling Bank concludes IT upgrade

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TERLING Bank has announced the conclusion of the upgrade of its information technology infrastructure. This is in line with its mandate to enrich the lives of its customers through efficient and prompt delivery of quality banking services,.

About 24 months back, the Bank commenced the upgrade of its core and subsidiary systems, transiting to more robust, agile and flexible platforms that are more adaptable to the dynamic banking needs of customers and position the Bank for long term sustainable growth.

The Bank in a statement said the decision to upgrade the Bank’s IT infrastructure was informed by the need to improve the service delivery of the one-customer bank adding that the upgrades would see the Bank improving customer experience.

It also stated that the upgrade was in line with the Bank’s mission to enhance stakeholders’ value as a financial institution of choice, stated that the upgrade, which gained traction two weeks ago, had become necessary in view of the need to meet customers’ expectations.

•External reserve rises marginally

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loan to banks rose sharply last week by 173 per cent to N281 billion.

Vanguard investigations reveal that lending to banks through the CBN’s standing Lending Facility (SLF) rose from N102.89 billion the previous week to N281 billion at the close of business on Friday.

This represents the second consecutive week of sharp increase in CBN’s lending to

banks. The previous week, CBN lending to banks rose by 97.9 per cent.

This implies that some banks are relying more on CBN loans to meet their cash obligations.

It also implies banks with surplus cash are unwilling to lend to banks with deficit.

However, the amount of cash deposited with CBN by banks with surplus cash dropped slightly by 3.47 per cent to N594.7 billion from N613 billion the previous week.

Meanwhile, cost of funds dropped slightly in the interbank money market

following outflow of N314 billion worth of fresh treasury bills sold by the CBN as well as inflow of same amount from repayment of matured treasury bills by the apex bank. As a result, the Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) for overnight lending fell to 2.15 per cent from 4.33 per cent, while the rate for One month lending fell to 8.06 per cent from 9.04 per cent. However, interest rate for Three months and Six months lending rose to 12.34 per cent and 11.87 per cent from 11.87 per cent and 13.89 per cent.

Skye Bank commences summer campaign

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n a bid to offer value propositions beyond banking for discerning individuals in the Affluent segment who value a lifestyle of comfort and highreturns at minimal cost, Skye Bank Plc has concluded arrangements to flag off its annual Priority Banking Summer campaign under the tag line “Priority Banking for High Fliers”.

The summer campaign is targeted at the upper-middle level managers, professionals and business owners who earn a monthly income of N750,000 and above, and love their personal comfort The bank explained that those who take advantage of the summer campaign to sign on to the Banks Priority Banking offering as well as existing Priority clients will enjoy increased earnings via interest on their credit balances, discounted interest rates on personal loans as well as free membership of Priority Pass International (the world’s largest private airport VIP lounge operator).

Other benefits derivable by the patrons of the Banks priority banking anchor product The Skye Select account are increased daily spend limit on the Mastercard platinum debit card (issued for free) and the ability to make unlimited withdrawals from their accounts. Lifestyle benefits include exclusive discounts offered by the bank’s discount partners ie Hilton Hotel Abuja, Intercontinental Hotel Lagos, Bodyline Gymn Lagos, etc.

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FORUM: From left, Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Head, Debt Capital Market, Stanbic IBTC Capital, Mr. Kobby Bentsi-Enchill; Executive Director/COO, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Odubiyi and Managing Partner, Constant Capital, Mr. Ike Echeruo, at the Sterling Bank Investors' Forum in Lagos over the weekend. Photo;Akeem Salau

Analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited, a Lagos-based investment firm predicted that cost of funds will further moderate downward this week due to inflow of N107 billion from payment of matured treasury bills and inflow from statutory allocation.

Meanwhile, the nation’s external reserve rose marginally last week to $26.44 billion as at Thursday from $26.42 billion the previous week.

Consequently, the external reserve has risen by $50 million this month, while it has fallen by $2.66 billion in 2016.

The naira breathed a sigh of relief in the Bureaux De Change and parallel markets last week, where it appreciated by 2.47 per cent and 1.08 per cent to N355 per dollar and N365 per dollar respectively.

The naira, however, remained stable at the interbank market where it traded at the official exchange rate of N197 per dollar. The naira is expected to depreciate in the interbank market from today when the flexible exchange rate regime will commence. Analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited however advised that the naira should be allowed to depreciate to a rate close to that of the parallel market. “We advise a bullish rate N350 per dollar which would allow the naira enough headroom to appreciate instead of depreciate. An appreciation from the commencement interbank rate would help the market regain confidence faster than a more conservative opening rate that is below the equilibrium rate and subject to further depreciation,” they said.

Why tax deficit persists — SystemSpecs

By MICHAEL EBOH

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ANAGING Director, SystemSpecs Limited, Mr. John Obaro, has blamed the lingering tax deficit and dwindling revenue recorded in most states of the federation on the lack of proper strategy and continuous dependence on manual revenue collection methods.

This is coming on the heels of the inability of most of the states to pay staff salaries, running into several months.

According to reports, some of the states are heavily indebted and are on the verge of going broke Speaking at the E-Revenue Sustainability Conference 2016 in Abuja, Obaro disclosed that growing revenue do not just happen, but is planned for with the right strategies using advanced and innovative information technological infrastructure.

Obaro, who was represented

by Mr. Deremi Atanda,

Director, SystemSpecs, lamented that most states governments have refused to migrate to e-revenue collection platforms, while he warned that manual strategy in an electronic environment is bound to fail.

Obaro disclosed that most of the strategies adopted by some states are designed using Silo e-collection Initiatives; lacked the necessary blueprint and were short term in nature and design among others.

According to him, no state government should be developing strategies that are for the present, due to the fact that the rate of obsolescence is high and fast.

He said, “If your revenue collection strategy is still manual in a fast-paced electronic economy, there is danger ahead.”

Obaro maintained that the in this era of rapid transformation, the rate of change is faster now than at any other time in history, especially in areas of

economies, lifestyle & trends, weather, environment and values, among others.

According to him, combination of all these factors suggests we must continue to evolve strategies that match the changing times.

He stated that the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account, TSA, running on the Remita solution which was developed by SystemSpecs, had become a reference point of how technology can be leveraged to create a sustainable revenue cycle.

Speaking later in an interview, Mr. Deremi Atanda, Director, SystemSpecs, urged states that are serious about improving their revenue base to embrace technology and other e-payment solutions, stating that the fact that the TSA succeeded at the Federal level is evidence that it would succeed at the state and local government levels.

According to him, technology is cheaper, less laborious in

terms of manpower, very cost effective in terms of materials; and transparent, affording businesses the opportunity to account for their cash assets at any point in time.

He said, “Anybody who is serious about improving revenue collection over a long term should subscribe to the truth of technology and that is what Remita is all about. We make it easy; it has been proven. It is a success story in Nigeria. There is a case study about it, all the states can see, and at the federal level and it is no longer rocket science.

“It has worked at the federal level and it is so easy and you will just see how this translates into many more opportunities; creation of employment through collection agents that the states are going to be able to create empowerment for people through information technology; and you just see that as much more money comes in, government are empowered to do more in the interest of the citizens.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 21

Corporate Finance

NSE capitalisation hits N10trn mark

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HE bullish trend in the stock market continued last week with the market capitalisation of all listed equities, which represent investors’ wealth, jumping to N10 trillion marks as euphoria over the announcement of flexible foreign exchange policy.

Specifically, the market capitalisation rose by N260 billion from N9.78 trillion on Thursday to N10.045 at the close of trading session on Friday, representing 7.40 per cent increase. The All Share Index, ASI, rose by the same margin rising to 29,247.27 basis points to 28,489.89 points.

Similarly, all other Indices finished higher during the week, with the exception of the NSE ASeM Index, that declined by 0.17 per cent.

The banking and Industrial goods sectors lead activity on the sectorial chart advancing by 8.5 per cent and 7.63 per cent respectively, while the consumer goods sector followed closely behind with 6.14 per cent increase. The insurance sector recorded 2.96 per cent increase, while the oil and gas sector lagged behind with marginal 0.47 per cent increase.

The financial services

industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.939 billion shares valued at N12.393 billion traded in 16,023 deals; thus contributing 89.85 per cent and 60.77 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The consumer goods industry

followed with 77.415 million shares worth N4.747 billion in 3,489 deals. The third place was occupied by the conglomerates industry with a turnover of 74.437 million shares worth N412.717 million in 1,018 deals.

Trading in the top three

equities namely – United Bank For Africa Plc, FBN Holdings Plc and Zenith International Bank Plc.(measured by volume) accounted for 1.001 billion shares worth N6.778 billion in 7,153 deals, contributing 46.37 per cent and 33.23 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

WORKSHOP - From left, MD/CEO, Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun; National President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and; Chairman Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Thomas Etuh, exchanging pleasantries at the preparatory workshop for Unity Bank/TUC partnership held at the bank’s Head office in Lagos.

Flexible exchange policy: CIS, other operators see further surge in stock prices

By PETER EGWUATU

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HARTERED Institute of Stock brokers, CIS and other stock market operators have called on local investors to take advantage of the new flexible exchange policy that will kick off today (Monday) as they foresee the price of stocks skyrocketing .

They also reassure investors that the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE has potential to generate strong Return On Investment (ROI) and the market is set for rebound very soon.

Besides, they advised investors to take advantage of the current low prices of shares to increase their portfolios as many of the stocks are trading below their intrinsic values.

In its response on the effect of new forex policy on stock market , the CIS President and Chairman of the Council, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe explained that the coast was already clear for the investors to shore-up their holdings as market has begun to rebound.

Abe noted that there is nothing unusual about the current state of the market as

the market essentially mirrors the economy and it moves in phases. “ It is only normal for the market to swing upward and downward because that is what makes it a market. It is absolutely normal. In any case, the direction of the market at any given time is the reflection of the economy and it’s been known that the economy has not been doing well lately. So I feel it is even the best time to invest in the capital market

because the economy is now on the steady path of rebound”, Abe said.

Corroborating him, the Institute’s First Vice President, Mr Dapo Adekoje assured investors that uncertainty which characterized the investment climate would soon disappear completely.

According to him, the Federal Government’s policy on the economic direction is becoming clearer and the international community has so much respect

for President Mohammad Buhari who has been waging war against corruption in Nigeria.

Adekoje explained that the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria on the forex had been endorsed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and there are strong indications that the new development would enhance efficiency in the management of the exchange rate of the Naira with multiplier effect on the capital market.

FCMB woos customers, expands branch network

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S part of its effort to reach many of its customers around the country, First City Monument Bank, FCMB has unveiled new branch in Lagos.

The bank said it is in line with its expansion plan to extend its reach and make its operation accessible to its customers and members of the general public.

According to a statement from the bank “The location of the branch takes into consideration convenience for FCMB customers and other people living in Gbagada, Shomolu, Anthony, Ogudu, Oworoshoki, Bariga, Akoka and the environs” Responding to questions on the opening of the new FCMB branch, the Vice President, Branch Management and Trade Services at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Oluwakayode Adigun said “We are pleased to establish a presence in the neighbourhood, as part of our continued retail drive.

This is not just another branch as each of FCMB’s new branches brings with it, something special in

terms of structure, aesthetics and above all, the excellent customer experience, to be provided by an excellent team of service professionals, who will not only serve you in the traditional manner, but also assist with mobile and internet banking registration and basic tutorials. The branch also offers numerous self-service options such as cash depositing and withdrawal ATMs, and self-service terminals for routine requests and transfers.”

The Group Chief Executive/CEO, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun said “The bank plans to grow this year substantially in retail banking by adding over 600,000 customers to the existing 3.2 million at the start of the year. Retail banking revenues and profitability are also expected to grow strongly in spite of the challenging economic environment.

Smart branching and technology will play an equally important role in attaining this objective.

CAP shareholders ratify N840m gross dividends

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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HAREHOLDERS of Chemical and Allied Paints, CAP Plc, have approved the payment of N840 million dividends, which translates to 120 kobo dividend per share for the financial year ended December 31, 2015.

This along with the 115 kobo interim dividend paid on December 15, 2015, brought the total dividend for 2015 financial year to N1.65 billion.

Ratifying the payment at the company’s Annual General Meeting, AGM, in Lagos, the shareholders commended the Board and management for the dividends and result posted during the year, saying that it was commendable in view of the difficult and challenging operational environment.

“We should be celebrating CAP for a solid result considering the myriads of problems facing the country.

CAP was able to grow top line by one per cent, while profit after tax grew by five per cent.

This is commendable, when you also consider that our company has grown topline consistently in the last five years,” said Matthew Akinlade, a shareholder.

Another shareholder, Chief T.O Adegboye, while applauding the Board for the dividend, stressed the need for the company to strengthen its marketing unit and increase its footprint across the country by opening more outlets in areas where it has less presence to drive profitability.

Speaking earlier, the chairman, Mr. Larry Ettah, assured that the company would continuously seek oportunity to innovate and increase its retail penetration in places where return-oninvestment is guaranteed. “To further improve our brand visibility and accessibility to consumers, we opened additional Dulux Colour Centres in Yola and Gombe and Dulux Colour Shops in Lafia, Ada-George Port Harcourt, Ado-Ekiti, Dugbe Ibadan, Agbor, Suleja, Lugbe Abuja and Jalingo,” Ettah said.

He stated that CAP Plc delivered a commendable performance against the backdrop of an extremely challenging economic and business environment with a turnover of N7.06billion, a growth of one per cent and profit before tax of N2.57 billion, an increase of five per cent over 2014.

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22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 23

Homes & Housing Finance

Home search tips for couples

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•A privately developed housing estate in Lagos

FG urged to invest recovered loot in housing

By YINKA KOLAWOLE

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call has gone to the Federal government to invest recovered looted funds in the development of low-cost housing and mortgage financing to facilitate the reduction of housing deficit in Nigeria.

Director-General, Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders (IMBL), Elisha Jasper, made the call in a congratulatory message to the President Muhammadu Buhari on his one year in office.

“There is a lack of mortgage professionals in Nigeria due to lack of mortgage studies; thereby creating a lack of knowledge and skills on mortgage brokerage, financing and lending. But IMBL cannot do it alone. Individuals (workers and/or students), governments, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) must all play their parts or roles in this fight. The governing

council of IMBL urges that the looted funds recovered should be reinvested in low-cost housing and mortgage. While IMBL, with help from the government, continues to raise and produce mortgage professionals, FMBN should build mass houses that can be allocated or acquired by Nigerians on mortgage,” he stated.

Jasper said that members of IMBL believe that every Nigerian should own a house, no matter the situation of the economy. He noted that the problem with housing in Nigeria has become very unbearable and unimaginable, for not just the poor or low-income earners, but also for the so-called rich and elite.

According to IMBL, the problem with housing in Nigeria has become very unbearable and unimaginable, for not just the poor or low-income earners, but also for the so-called rich and elite. The IMBL DG

People waste money on paying rent for the rest of their lives without knowing that the money paid for rent can be factored into mortgage financing

added that problems bedeviling the housing sector range from lack of funds, insurgency, economic crisis, unavailability of structured houses and, most importantly, lack of skills and knowledge on

mortgage. He noted that these have led to the ineffectiveness of the housing sector and the inefficient processing of the National Housing Fund (NHF) application.

The lack of awareness, skills and or knowledge on mortgage studies have brought about low capacity of mortgage professionals, he added.

“Lots of Nigerians serve their country and don’t even have houses owned by them to show for it. People waste money on paying rent for the rest of their lives without knowing that the money paid for rent can be factored into mortgage financing and owning these houses after the payment period. People who give their lives for Nigeria don’t even own houses of their own. What then can they leave behind for their children, loved ones, family? The housing problem in Nigeria is unfathomable when you look at the massive land and infrastructural organisations at our disposal,” the message read.

Govt to harmonise building efficiency guidelines, code T

he Federal Government is set to harmonise the National Building Code and the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline (BEEG) as part of its holistic plan on addressing the housing challenges in the country.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said at the inauguration of the guideline, in Abuja, that the harmonisation was necessary to embed the document into the building code as its energy efficiency component.

The BEEG was produced through a collaboration of the ministry with German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) under the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), EU

and other relevant stakeholders.

Upon implementation, the project will tackle challenges of renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings. “Getting uninterrupted energy would require some life style changes especially by citizens and that is why this document, the Building Energy Efficiency Guideline for Nigeria will become most important. Not just for us and professionals, Architects, Designers of houses but also as a tool for education to hopefully be replicated and propagated in our educational institutions. And as we finalise the National Building Code it is my hope that we will find a very suitable and appropriate place to embed this

document into our country’s National Building Code,” Fashola stated.

The minister noted that the BEEG would be utilised by professionals in the building sector to ensure energy efficiency.

He said the present insufficient energy (electricity) supply was a major bane to socio-economic development of the country which challenged the ministry to pursue all sources to achieve increments.

According to him, the challenge is not limited to Nigeria alone, which had prompted the heads of ECOWAS governments to renew their commitments in 2013.

He added that the commitment was geared towards the provision and access to sustainable energy service in the region. Fashola said that the body also resolved to scale up issues of energy

efficiency in building in the ECOWAS sub region through the adoption of ECOWAS Energy Efficiency Policy (EEEP) as well as ECOWAS Renewable Energy Policy (EREP). He explained that reduction in energy usage could translate into reduction of burning of fossil-fuel in energy generation which in turn could mitigate on depletion of ozone layer and its implication.

On his part, Minster of State, Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Shehuri, noted that 70 per cent of the energy generated in the country was consumed in buildings. He urged professionals in built environment to key into the newly inaugurated guideline.

He further remarked that when energy consumption is reduced in buildings, more energy would

veryone has their own unique vision of their dream home, which is why finding the “perfect” house for both you and your spouse can be difficult. Whether you’re a newlywed couple looking for your first home or old-timers wanting to downsize, here are a few suggestions to help you work together to find a place that makes everyone happy.

Make a list: Each person should sit down and make a list of the top ten or so features he or she wants in the next/first home.

Want or need?: Categorise each item on your list as a “want,” such as an oceanfront back yard or a “need,” such as a home with one floor (bungalow) to accommodate your achy knees.

Prioritise: Arrange your lists from most important to least important features.

Discuss: Discuss why each item is important to you so your partner understands your motivation and logic. Allow them the opportunity to do the same for their list.

Be open minded: Don’t automatically eliminate properties with items you and your partner don’t agree on.

One of you could change your mind after seeing a feature up close.

Check with your agent: Your real estate agent works for both parties, and therefore won’t play favourites. He or she can provide neutral advice on which features are a good fit for your budget, and which ones aren’t as great as they seem.

Calculate changes: Sometimes, the features that a home lacks or needs changing won’t break the bank to address. Floors, closets, decks, countertops and sinks can all be upgraded for a cost that might be less painful than an argument.

Take a time out: House hunting can be emotionally charged. If discussions get heated, take a break. Go for a walk or a light beverage and agree to not discuss real estate until you return.

Keep bigger issue in mind: Whichever home you choose, you’re about to embark on a new adventure.

Positive thinking goes a long way in the home search process. *Culled from Lamudi Nigeria

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24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 25

Commodity Index

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Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—33 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com Nigerians under Section 40 of the constitution have a right to unionise, so denying them this right, does not exculpate employers. Labour unions have the duty to enforce the constitutional and fundamental rights of workers to unionise, and the Minister has the duty to advise employers to obey the country’s

Attempts to skin the Labour Minister

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ABOUR Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige has come under serious bombardment since his June 7 statement that banks stop their mass sack of workers. He had also hinted that Government may sanction banks that ignore its appeal. The attacks on the Minister have been wide, sustained and vicious. Leading the charge is the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) which is reported as using quite strong words; accusing the Minister as “ignorant” “reckless” acting with ‘subjectivity” not commenting “from a knowledge perspective” engaging in “populism” and “partisanship” rather than “professionalism” and “arrogating to himself the power of the Federal Government.” I am shocked by these choice of words.

But as it turned out, it is the Employers that are ignorant about Labour Laws and endanger the industrial relations system, not the Minister.

For instance, my old friend who is the Director General of NECA, Mr. Segun Oshinowo in reacting to the Minister’s counsel that the Bank employers follow due process in

declaring workers redundant, declared “Employers will only follow the due process of the law if there is a trade union on ground. If there is no union on ground there will be no party to call for discussion…If I am (an) employer of labour and the law says if I want to carry out retrenchment I must inform or discuss with my union, I will only do that if I have a union. I think the Minister doesn’t seem to understand this aspect” But NECA is wrong. Section 20(1a) a of the Labour Law states: “ In the event of redundancy, the employer shall inform the trade union or workers’ representative concerned of the reasons for and the extent of the anticipated redundancy.” So negotiating redundancy with workers is not contingent on having a union in place as NECA claims.

The Employers also pilloried the Minister for emphasising on Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) claiming that he failed to understand that a CBA is possible only in a unionised environment. But NECA is being smart by half;

Government exists primarily to serve the people, defend and promote their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution, so the Labour Minister cannot be guilty as charged constitution and laws.

Again, when NECA and its supporters claim that the Minister cannot tell banks as private employers to stop retrenchment or recall sacked workers, they exhibit ignorance of the law. Where workers and unions have rejected the mass sack as they have done, Section 4 of the Trade Disputes Act, empowers the Minister to apprehend a trade dispute. He also has the duty to maintain industrial peace because under Section 42 of the Trade Unions Act, unions and workers are empowered to picket the premises of the banks or even the residences of the employers. The unions have issued threat to picket. So the Minister advising the employers to be reasonable, is both for the smooth

Atiku and Nigeria’s power problem

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By Ikeogu Oke

OST people would not dispute a high mark for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a public speaker. Or the quality of his interventions on national issues, like his speech at the public presentation of We are all Biafrans, a book by the Nigerian journalist and activist Chido Onumah, held at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, on May 31, 2016.

He is “atikulate,” if I may assume the lexical license to use his name to modify a familiar word. He also has a firm grasp of issues that engage his interest.

In fact, unlike him, most Nigerian leaders at his level and above, with the exception of those in the First Republic, have tended to be inarticulate and to have a weak grasp of issues and an even weaker capacity to analyse them knowledgeably and with insight.

The country can be said to suffer from kwashiorkor of the intellect, with the dismal performance of most of its leaders in the cerebral department providing the basis for an accurate diagnosis.

But if Atiku had not always proven to be an exception to this sorry norm, he did so in the said speech widely publicised in the subsequent day ’s newspaper lead stories as a call for the restructuring of Nigeria.

Nor did he disappoint when he spoke extempore at the event, fielding questions from the compere on sundry issues related to and beyond those he addressed in his prepared speech. The same clear-sighted view of issues and cogent articulation of his positions were evident as in the formal speech.

Some of the issues he addressed outside his speech were in relation to the Nigerian power sector and its seemingly irremediable underperformance. And though this aspect of his remarks did not generate as much interest from the media as his call for the restructuring of Nigeria, I C M Y K

consider it equally important and deserving of such critical attention as I intend to pay it hereunder.

His remarks on our power sector arose from his story of how he visited the Philippines as Vice President and realised that the Filipinos had problems of low power generation like us.

According to him, they solved this problem by resorting to captive power, and in a few years generated enough power that they insisted on their then president continuing in office at the next election.

He then noted that on his return he recommended that we adopt captive power like the Filipinos as the means of solving our power problems. He

Our country has invested so much in gas-powered plants that it would be a huge waste to abandon it for captive power, which should at best complement options of grid power affirmed that if we did we would have had the issue of inadequate power generation behind us in a few years, like the Filipinos.

He went on to criticise our choice of gas as the means of powering the NIPP stations we built instead of cultivating captive power as he recommended. He justified this criticism with the menace of vandals and the general instability in the Niger Delta, the main source of gas for our power stations. He then expressed strong reservations that we will “get it right” in the power sector until we resolve the problems in the Niger Delta.

And since the prospects of resolving

running of the banks and wellbeing of the economy.

In any case, there are serious security implications in throwing thousands of people into the unemployment market without notice or adequate severance package. Five years ago, when I was the Acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, AIRTEL, the telecommunications giant, one day sacked some 3,000 young graduates. We organised and shut down its operations knocking off over five million lines in Abuja alone.

The then Minister of Labour called me to restore the lines as some of them were used by the Presidency and security services. I told him that there is greater insecurity to the country off- loading 3,000 ablebodied young men and women on the streets of Abuja. Within forty eight hours, all the workers were recalled.

Government exists primarily to serve the people, defend and promote their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution, so the Labour Minister cannot be guilty as charged. I have also examined arguments against Minister Ngige by the media and other bodies, and find them mainly untenable. For instance, that the banks are private entities, therefore Government has no business interfering in their conduct. This is the same fallacy as claiming that Government has no business in business. Contrary to such arguments, banks receive public funds, and where they fail, public funds are used to pay depositors or provide bailout as happened in United States. In Nigeria, special loans are packaged by the Central Bank for private companies like those in the power sector. So why will public funds be so utilised, yet some

those problems are not in sight, it would seem safe to conclude, from his analysis, that, unless we resort to captive power as he recommended, we may not soon see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel or shall, thanks to the problems in the Niger Delta, continue to drill a tunnel for ourselves away from the promise of light.

His was, for me, a sombre, thoughprovoking, almost depressing summation. But I do not entirely agree with him.

First, I must admit that, as he suggested, it would be near impossible to expect to generate steady, let alone sufficient, power in our country from gas so long as the current unrest – the sabotage and other symptoms of sociopolitical anomie – persists in the Niger Delta.

But it does not follow that our choice of gas was wrong. Gas, being a plentiful resource in our country, was a lowhanging fruit, to paraphrase the former Minister of Power Prof. Bart Nnaji. And since it had worked for us in facilities like Sapele and Ughelli power stations in the pre-Niger Delta crisis era, it was sensible to resort to it as an energy source in the further development of our power sector.

So the choice of gas was not the problem but our inability to manage other factors that have made gas unable to work for us as effectively as it should.

“A captive power plant is a facility that is dedicated to providing a localised source of power to an energy user. These are typically industrial facilities or large offices. The plants may operate in grid parallel mode with the ability to export surplus power to the local electricity distribution network.” (Source: https:// www.clarke-energy.com/captive-powerplants/).

So captive power is distinguished by its having a dedicated cluster of consumers; and an energy source would still be required to generate it. The energy source can be gas, as in the case of the Geometric Power plant near Aba. It can be hydro, as in the case of the

make arguments that government should not be interested in what goes on in business?

There is the argument that the Labour Minister did not in the first place, issue licences to the banks, so he cannot threaten to withdraw them. The ignorance in such an argument is the assumption that the Minister or the Ministry, is different from the government that issues licence.

There are arguments about high cost of doing business and government policies which might have affected the banking sector.

These are objective issues which collectively, Nigerians can address, but it is no excuse for profitingmaking banks to sack staff at the slightest discomfort. In any case, the NECA that is leading the charge against Dr. Ngige cannot claim ignorance of the fact that many employers enslave Nigerians, casualise permanent jobs, reject unionisation, and, that some banks, force female staff into virtual prostitution.

In truth, the attacks on the Minister stem primarily from people who think the position he took on the mass sack, offend their neo-liberal interests or sensibilities. These are mainly, apostles of the market forces ideology; that soulless constellation of ideas whose primary motive is the maximisation of profits even at the expense of human life.

On the issue of mass sack, we need to support Minister Ngige. Like Adam Smith, advocated, “When the happiness or misery of others depends in any respect upon our conduct, we dare not, as self–love might suggest to us, prefer the interest of one to that of many.”

NESCO facility in Jos. Both are captive power plants. It can be wind, solar or biomass depending on availability.

And if we could allow gas to be sabotaged for on-grid power, and allow those who sabotage it to succeed in holding our country to ransom and profit by doing so, what is the guarantee that the same gas or other energy source or the associated power infrastructure cannot similarly be sabotaged in the case of captive power?

Unlike us, Filipinos did not have a dedicated army of unpatriotic citizens – vandals and saboteurs waging war against their nation to ensure that the power sector remains dysfunctional.

They did not have a country in which some citizens would egg on such saboteurs to satisfy their urge to see a serving government portrayed as ineffective and its political fortunes nosedive at the polls.

So we cannot expect what worked for the Filipinos to work for us without considering the differences in our respective local conditions. And it is those local conditions – a slew of abnormalities generally referred to as the Nigerian factor, and not unconnected to bad politics – that have prevented a remarkable captive power initiative like the Geometric Power plant from becoming operational years after its due date.

So captive power is not necessarily the solution to our power problems but can alleviate them if properly managed and freed from such factors that have hamstrung our generating power through gas.

Besides, our country has invested so much in gas-powered plants that it would be a huge waste to abandon it for captive power, which should at best complement options of grid power.

Our best option is to win over the forces preventing us from realising our full potential for generating power through gas, be they in the Niger Delta or elsewhere. *Mr. Oke, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Lagos.

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Operation Lafiya Dole commander blasts reps c'ttee over plan to re-open Madagali - Gwoza road

By Ndahi Marama

VISIT: From left; Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services, Smile Communications; Prof. Umar G. Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, N i g e r i a n Communications Commission (NCC) and G o d f r e y Efeurhobo, M a n a g i n g Director, Smile Communications during a courtesy visit to the Commission in Abuja.

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AIDUGURI—THE Theatre Commander, ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in the north east, Major General Lucky Irabor, yesterday, blasted the House Committee on Defence over the motion raised on the floor of the House of Representatives, seeking the reopening of Madagali - Gwoza road closed for the past three years due to Boko Haram attacks.

This came barely 24 hours after Kuda village of Madagali town of Adamawa State was attacked by the insurgents killing 24 persons and leaving 10 others critically injured.

General Irabor said, he was surprised that the House could pass a motion without looking at its consequences on the lives and safety of citizens, insisting that the Madagali-Gwoza road was not the only major highway closed down by the military.

According to him, until planted landmines by insurgents were cleared and some other security issues addressed by military, the road would not be accessible to motorists, stressing that the Maiduguri- Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala road linking Cameroon and Chad Republic, MaiduguriBama- Gwoza- Banki and other major roads would remain closed due to peculiar security problems.

Irabor spoke when Chairman House Committee on Defence, Hon. Ali Isa led other members to Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri on a courtesy call on the need to reopen the Madagali and other roads in Adamawa and Borno states.

The Theatre Commander said, “it is not in the interest of the army to close down roads in its ongoing

crackdown operation against Boko Haram under ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, but what matters most is to protect lives and property, defeat Boko haram and restore peace in its areas of engagement, and that when troops were able to do that and cleared all the affected roads against planted landmines and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), motorists and passengers would be allowed to ply the roads. As it is for now, some of these roads are still not safe. I want to also tell you that we are people’s Army, just like

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ETROLEUM and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has threatened to shut the nation’s oil sector over alleged anti-labour practices by employers, handing down a seven day ultimatum to government to call the affected employers to order.

PENGASSAN in a statement weekend warned that it would not hesitate to direct members to withdraw their services and shut down the sector if, after the seven days, employers in the industry failed to end all anti-labour practices in their companies.

Other industrial issues raised by the Association include, the review of the lingering irregular Joint Venture funding and Cash Call payment arrears, lack of a clear cut direction on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and C M Y K

living in such communities have access and continue their normal businesses.

According to him, continuous closure of these roads had impacted negatively on the lives and economic wellbeing of the people of the affected states.

He, however, commended the the military authorities and the troops for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency and urged them to sustain the tempo for peace to reign in the north east and the country as a whole.

The committee also visited to

Bello warns against ethnic, religious bigotry

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi has warned those using religion and ethnicity to divide the people of the state to desist from doing so.

Bello gave the warning

PENGASSAN issues seven-day notice over anti-labour practices

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

you are representatives of the people, and so, I want to assure you that we are doing our best to reopen the roads and restore peace in the land.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ali said, they were at the headquarters of the theatre Commander on the resolution of the House to meet with General Irabor and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Victor Ezekwu to inform them on the need to reopen the closed down roads, especially the MadagaliGwoza road to enable people

forceful co-option of government agencies in the industry into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

PENGASSAN in the statement by its National PRO, Emmanuel Ojugbana, said despite agreement reached between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, employers, and the two trade unions in the industry (PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, some employers still went ahead to sever employment of some workers, including national officers of PENGASSAN. Ojugbana said, “Despite the agreement that employers should put on hold redundancy in the industry, some managements such as Fugro, Universal Energy, Frontier Services and Petrostuff went ahead to sack many of our members including key union officers and national officer.''

yesterday in Lokoja while speaking at the inauguration of the state chapter of the Coalition for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups.

He said the state had witnessed dirty politics of tribalism and ethnicity, adding that there was a need for a complete break.

“Our plan is to usher in a better and greater Kogi where people will see themselves as one irrespective of tribe and religion and ensure that the state rank among the best in Nigeria. We should not be distracted; the train is moving, let those who want to distract us leave us alone. `Henceforth, we will only listen to those who have credibility and character and not those who want to cannibalise Kogi,” he said.

The governor advised members of the coalition to remain steadfast in their support for the party and President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

While inaugurating the state chapter of the coalition, National President of the Coalition, Mohammed Kabiru, lauded the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the last one year, saying the President personal integrity had provided credible leadership for the country and brought renewed hope to Nigerians in the comity of nations.

Kabiru who was represented by the national secretary of the

group, Mazi Peter Okoroafor, said President Buhari’s style and personal integrity had continued to engender hope and confidence in the country’s prospects, both locally and internationally.

According to him, “Despite the precipitous condition in which the APC took over the reins of power at the national level, it has no doubt turned the tide through its pragmatic socio-economic choices.''

Jang flays Lalong over moves to probe purchase, distribution of vehicles

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—A former Governor of Plateau State and Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Senator Jonah Jang has berated his successor, Governor Simon Lalong for constituting a committee to investigate the purchase and distribution of vehicles on loan to members of the public in the last administration.

Jang, in a statement weekend in Jos by one of his aides, Mr. Clinton Garuba, said such was a deliberate attempt by the governor to turn the people’s attention from the burning issues such as the creation of grazing reserves which the people are kicking against.

He also berated the governor for allegedly trying to pull him down, saying instead of concentrating on giving dividends of democracy to the people, Ortom went about “commissioning wells, uncompleted roads, filled potholes, already commissioned projects such as PLAGIS, and include already completed projects in the budget, with new allocations and continuously globe-trotting with no particular effect on the state or the people.”

The statement, while stating that “Senator Jang is not scared of whatever probe” noted that he was “deeply pained by how huge state funds are being looted in the name of probes and audits and the constitution of any committee for whatever reason is a deliberate plan to distract people from the real issues and the nonperformance of the government in the state.''

TERRORISM: Security expert counsels intelligence officials

By Evelyn Usman

M

AKURDI—A security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has advised personnel of intelligence units of Nigerian security agencies to focus on providing reliable warnings of impending terror attacks to save lives of citizens from incessant bombings, militant attacks among others.

Ekhomu, who spoke during the joint graduation ceremony of 77 intelligence officers at the Nigerian Air Force School of Air Intelligence, Makurdi, Benue State, noted that while intelligence gathering was necessary and important, robust intelligence analysis

remained the cornerstone of good operational decisionmaking.

He stated that: “Since intelligence analysis was important in averting surprises by the enemy, clandestine operatives and intelligence analysts must redouble their efforts to prevent attacks by terrorists by uncovering their plans and plots by averting intelligence failures. You people worked very hard with high level concepts and were able to conquer. ''That denotes the quality of personnel and the quality of training that is available here in the Nigerian Air Force and most especially the passion that you have for service to the nation.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 35

We are very optimistic about growth in Nigeria

Frank Li

Managing Director, Huawei Nigeria HUAWEI Technologies, the leading provider of next generation telecommunications solutions, has been conducting business in Nigeria for 16 years. Since entering the market, the company has helped to improve Nigeria’s ICT infrastructure which plays an important role in GDP growth and job creation. In this interview, Frank Li, the Managing Director of Huawei Nigeria discusses the company’s diversified business with strong heritage and how he’s grappling with the Nigerian digital realities.

UAWEI has achieved a digital divide. Therefore there great success, globally. is a huge demand potential on How did Huawei emerge from the access to the network from our a small unknown Chinese carrier customers, enterprise company to a top player in the customers and devices global market? How has consumers. Huawei, as a leading Huawei eaten away the market ICT solution provider, has a lot of share of its competitors, responsibilities to enlarge ICT including established infrastructure and to build a better companies like Nokia and connected Nigeria.

Ericsson?

What do you think of Huawei’s The first is that Huawei values growth in Nigeria, and the R&D investment, technology and opportunities and challenges it innovation. In the past 10 years, faces here? we invested more than $30 After 16 years of development billion. Secondly, Huawei values in Nigeria, Huawei has received the management. When Huawei an excellent response from the was still very small, the CEO and market and aims to expand its founder, Ren Zhengfei, said, investments in the coming years.

“We can learn. We should learn It sets up strategic alliances with management experience from local powerful partners and other companies.” So Huawei secures WIN-WIN business invests heavily in management. partnership. Innovative solutions The third success factor is and dedicated innovation on Huawei’s employee customers’ needs significantly shareholding mechanism. This bring true values to the enables employees to share the customers. The challenge here is success of the company. how we should bring the innovative technologies and Economic affordable solutions and dedicated services to Nigeria. The prosperity infrastructure still has room for We have 84,000 employees improvement. This is not just that have company shares. And Huawei’s challenge; but it is a the biggest shareholder is Mr. challenge for all the players.

What’s the strength that has Ren, our founder. He only has 1.4% of the company shares. ICT sustained the Huawei brand in market in Africa and the whole the Nigerian telecoms market?

Innovative, affordable solutions, world is open and very competitive. Huawei is a global quick response to customer needs company. We benefit from a and dedicated services.

How confident are you about growing demand on ICT infrastructure and the economic growth prospects going prosperity. You should say forward in Nigeria?

I am very optimistic about the Huawei has worked together with these companies to economic growth in Nigeria. I believe the ICT technologies are contribute to the world.

At the time Huawei entered going to play a more important the Nigerian market, what where the signals you saw that made you think you’ll succeed in this market?

Huawei has been in Nigeria for 16 years. We helped Nigeria to improve the ICT infrastructure, which plays an important role in GDP growth and job creation. The reality in Nigeria today is that there is still

H

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role in this process. Huawei is committed to deliver innovative, affordable solutions and dedicated services to Nigeria.

What are your plans over the next five to ten years?

We aim to enlarge the ICT infrastructure to build a better connected Nigeria. Our core business here is consistent with our global strategy, which includes carrier business, enterprise business and consumer business. We provide products to the carrier customers to build their networks and provide integrated solutions to the enterprise customers and provide devices, like smart phones, tablets and home devices to the consumers.

What has been Huawei’s most significant contribution to the Nigerian telecoms market?

Huawei is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and promoting broadband penetration.

Backbone transmission networks Working with Nigerian telecom operators, Huawei has built backbone transmission networks spanning over 7,000 k m and constructed over 18,000 mobile base stations.

T h e number of mobile users has increased f r o m 27,000 in 2000 to more than 117 million today. The penetration rate has

increased from 0.02% to 83.7%.

And voice call charges have decreased from US$1 per minute to about US$0.06 per minute.

Thanks to Huawei’s efforts, millions of people have been able to make their first phone call and enjoy affordable communications services.

Could you possibly share your predictions about the trends of the communications industry?

How will Huawei set the pace?

Over the next two to three decades, a major technological revolution will take place, with the following features: First, grapheme and similar materials like black phosphorus and diphosphene will dramatically change electronics technology.

However, before grapheme is put into use, we can also break physical limits by super imposition and parallel connections on silicon chips.

Second, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will split society into different tiers and bring tremendous changes.

Higher level of knowledge After AI is applied to production, simple and repetitive labour will not be needed.

Instead, a higher level of knowledge and skills will be required, which makes education even more important. When society is accustomed to AI, there will be no gap in industrial costs between Western and developing countries like China.

This will be a great change in the new era. To catch up with changes in this new era, we first need to change our educational system and ensure that all children receive a proper education, specialize in certain fields, and are skilled in these fields.

Third, breakthroughs in biotechnology will bring about tremendous changes to the information society, thus blurring the boundaries between different fields.

When boundaries between languages also become blurred, the same will happen to physical boundaries.

Huawei is known for

Frank Li, Managing Director, Huawei Nigeria

its heavy input in R&D. At your R&D centres across the globe, what types of talent do you rely on to support your R&D? How do you recruit the best talent?

You might be aware that Huawei is the No. 1 Chinese company with the largest number of patents in China; one of the Top 50 patent holders in the US; one of the Top 10 patent holders in Europe. ICT is a hightech industry. The major driving force behind its development is customer needs and technology.

Over the past decade, we have been investing more than 10% of our sales revenue in R&D every year. No matter how the economic environment changes, we believe that only by continuously investing in technology will we be able to provide the highest returns to our customers. Among the 150,000 Huawei employees worldwide, 45% of them are engaged in R&D. In early September, Forbes did and in

The reality in Nigeria today is that there is still a digital divide and a huge demand potential on the access to the network from our carrier customers, enterprise customers and devices consumers an interview with Huawei founder Mr. Ren Zhengfei, he said, “We support these R&D centres, not by narrowly relying on particular types of talent. I once gave the speech Absorbing Energy over a Cup of Coffee with the World’s Leading Talent. We have a long-term strategic goal, which is to adapt to massive amounts of data in the future.

With this goal in mind, we just keep opening up. Any scientists who understand this is welcome to join us. We don’t fully understand what these scientists are studying, so we don’t have the capacity to select them.

Rather, we let them form a system on their own. Many great breakthroughs are not planned, but happen by chance. Therefore, we are open-minded and inclusive – we don’t try to find certain types of talent. Instead, we attract talent from a wide range of areas, so they can exchange ideas and enlighten each other. Then, we can become strong in many areas. “ We know Huawei employees work very hard in Africa. This is part of the Huawei spirit. My question is, when you recruit non-Chinese talent in different countries during your globalization process, does this spirit still apply?

If you want to earn more, you need to contribute more and provide valuable services for customers. All of our employees understand this, don’t they?

Contribute and share is the essence of Huawei’s corporate culture, and it is a basic principle applicable everywhere.

36—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—37

38—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—39

Reactions trail immunity bid for Senate President, Speaker

By Dapo Akinrefon, Abdulwahab Abdulah and Gbenga Oke

A

NGRY reactions, yesterday, trailed the push for immunity for the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives as prominent Nigerians said the move was uncalled for.

Among those who expressed displeasure over the move include former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Austin Opara; a former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP. It is not necessary — Opara In his remarks, Opara said immunity for National Assembly members was not necessary right now. He said, “Why should the National Assembly consider such bill now? It is not a priority for us as a nation. Even the immunity for the President, which is in the constitution, should be expunged to enable people pay for their deeds in

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office. National Assembly should be responsible and responsive to the electorate rather than coming up with the issue of immunity.”

It is not our priority — Babatope On his part, former Aviation Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, who insisted that immunity was not a priority for the nation now, wondered what the lawmakers needed immunity for.

It’s uncalled for — Afenifere Also, Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, said the push for immunity was uncalled for, since it breeds impunity.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said: “It is uncalled for; it is a sign of impunity that the legislature will be asking for immunity at this point in time when in actual fact, we are asking for removal of the clause for governors. Immunity makes people feel above the law, so rather than have immunity for the legislature, we should

remove that for the governors.

Immunity has bred impunity in our system. It is absurd for such calls and it is uncalled for.”

It’s self-serving—SERAP SERAP described the proposal for life pension and immunity for principal officers of the National Assembly as self-serving and despicable. In a statement by its Executive Director, Tokunbo Mumuni, SERAP said: “Granting senators and representatives immunity and life pensions would neither enhance governance accountability nor contribute to the betterment of Nigerians.”

Among others, the proposals want presiding officers, such as President of the Senate, Deputy President of Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives to enjoy life pension and immunity, since the executive and judiciary were enjoying it.

The statement read in part: “SERAP calls on the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara to show leadership and refocus the National Assembly

to be able to perform their lawmaking functions in a manner that will rid the country of impunity for corruption and not embrace or tolerate it. Nigerians will reject any self-serving attempt by the senators and representatives to tear up section 308 of the 1999 constitution to grant their leaders immunity from prosecution for corruption and money laundering.

Life pension proposals ''Nigerians will also reject the despicable attempt by the senators and representatives to grant themselves life pensions.

SERAP will pursue all legal avenues nationally and internationally to compel the senators to drop the immunity and life pension proposals.

SERAP is worried that the proposal for life pensions is coming from some ex-governors in the National Assembly that continue to enjoy ‘pensions’ for serving as governors for eight years. This is a gross injustice and double jeopardy for millions of Nigerian pensioners who continue to be denied the fruit of their labour in old age.

“It’s a massive let-down for

those elected to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country to prioritise their personal interests over and above those of millions of Nigerians who continue to suffer the effects of high-level official corruption. ''Rather than engaging in constitutional amendment for personal aggrandisement the leadership of the National Assembly should encourage the inclusion in the constitution of legally enforcement economic and social rights such as the right to food, to adequate housing, to access to healthcare, to work and good conditions of service, and to adequate standards of living for millions of Nigerians who continue to live in poverty. ''Saraki and Dogara should promote constitutional amendment that will ensure and provide legal standing and access to effective remedies for victims of corruption.”

It added that the proposal by the senators was not coming out of the blue, saying at the beginning of Saraki’s trial, he had worked with other senators “to make subtle and not-so-subtle attempts to grant principal officials of the National Assembly immunity from prosecution for corruption and money laundering.”

40—VANGUARD, MONDAY,

JUNE 20, 2016

PDP: The three horse race against Obaseki THE VOTES AT A GLANCE Obaseki - 1,618 Odubu - 471 Imasuagbon - 247 Ogienwonyi -137 Airhiavbere - 11 Osunbor -9 Agbarha -3 Esele -8 Emuan -7 Arigbe Osula -10 Amadasun -8 Agbomhere -5 41 invalid votes.

By Gabriel Enogholase

I

N the beginning, they were four aspirants that indicated interests in the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They were Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Solomon Edebiri, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Osaro Onaiwu.

However, only three of the governorship aspirants were screened by the Prof. Tunde Adeniran committee set up by the National Caretaker Committee of the party. Onaiwu did not pick the governorship form for yet undisclosed reasons.

Zoning dispute The issue on which of the three Senatorial Zones in the state should produce the PDP governorship candidate was long settled by the party which long ago resolved to focus on the Southern Senatorial District.

The party took into cognizance the political exigencies of the time in arriving at its decision. It went ahead to zone the Deputy Governor to Edo Central.

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With a voting population put at about 58 percent and a strong determination to produce the next governor, it appeared the PDP understood that the first step to winning the election was in picking a candidate from the Edo South zone.

Political analysts are strongly of the view that with only three governorship aspirants, the PDP will have less postprimary crisis to battle with unlike the APC that had 12 aspirants Political analysts are strongly of the view that with only three governorship aspirants, the PDP will have less post-primary crisis to battle with unlike the APC that

had 12 aspirants.

The successful conduct of ad hoc delegates’ election last week meant that the status of delegates, who will elect the party governorship aspirants, was settled.

The three aspirants also appear more united than their colleagues in the APC as they have vowed to combine forces with whoever among them emerges as the governorship candidate of the party.

In a demonstration of this show of oneness among the aspirants, last week, they were all brought together under one roof by an Edo PDP pressure group, Unity League, to discuss how they can foster unity among the aspirants and the supporters.

On that occasion, the aspirants once again gave their words to give their support to whoever wins among them will have the full support and cooperation of the others.

The candidates Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

appears on the surface to be the leading aspirant in the PDP. The former Chief of Staff and Secretary to Edo State Government of Chief Lucky Igbinedion is said to have political structures in almost every nook and cranny of the state and against this background some of the party faithful are already seeing him as the PDP flag bearer in the 10, September 2016 governorship election.

Looking beyond the PDP ticket Ize-Iyamu is well grounded in the politics of Edo State and people close to him say that he is already looking beyond the PDP ticket and was already plotting on how to defeat the APC candidate in the September 10 election.

Vanguard findings indicated that Ize-Iyamu has done the needful to secure the votes of most of the delegates in the Edo North and Edo Central, while he is expected to share Edo South with Iduoriyekemwen and Edebiri.

If this permutation plays out,

the party’s ticket will be handed over to him despite staying only two years in a party he was disconnected from in 2007.

The strength of the Ize-Iyamu aspiration is also in the fact that he knows the strength of the APC having been the campaign manager to the outgoing governor in 2012. In fact, IzeIyamu’s political sagacity is seen in the fact that he has been a major facilitator in the victory of all four governorship contests held in Edo State since 1999.

Criticisms against his connection with Lucky Igbinedion under whose administration he served have raised dust among some.

He has, however, replied that he was not the driver. Indeed, since he left the APC, his role as SSG in the Igbinedion administration has been put under the binoculars, but his traducers have not been able to indict him of any wrongdoing.

Solomon Edebiri Solomon Edebiri as the candidate of the All Nigerians Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2012 governorship was the revelation Continues on page 41

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—41

•Godwin Obaseki in a joyous mood after emerging Edo APC governorship candidate.

HOW OBASEKI WON:

It's victory for all of us — OBASEKI •I'm fulfilled — Oshiomhole •It's time to unify everybody — Masari

By Simon Ebegbulem

T

HAT Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was hardly surprising.

With the full support of the outgoing governor and the majority of his government behind him, Obaseki had been in pole position to beat the 11 other aspirants in the contest to succeed the outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Votes polled Obaseki, chairman of the Edo state Economic and Strategic Team, emerged winner with 1,618 votes.

His closest rival, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu polled 471 votes, Mr. Kenneth Imasuagbon polled 247 votes, Dr. Chris Ogienwonyi 137 votes, while Gen. Charles Airhiavbere polled 11 votes.

Prof. Osarhiemien Osunbor 9 votes, Tina Agbarha 3 votes, Peter Esele 8 votes, Austin Emuan 7 votes, Emmanuel Arigbe Osula 10 votes, Prof Ebegbue Amadasun 8 votes and Blessing Agbomhere 5 votes and 41 invalid votes. The results were declared by the chairman of the Election Committee and governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari at about 4 a.m. yesterday.

A total of 2,582 delegates were accredited to elect the party’s flag bearer in the exercise which held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City. Voting commenced at about 5:30 pm due to the delayed accreditation of delegates from the 18 Local Government Areas in three C M Y K

designated centers in Benin City.

When it became clearer that Obaseki was coasting home to victory during the counting of the votes, Dr. Odubu, the outgoing deputy governor, Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon left the stadium looking disappointed. Gen. Airhiavbere, Prof.Osunbor, Esele and the others, however, remained until the end of the exercise.

Path to victory Obaseki’s path to victory was cemented by the division in the ranks of those against him who believed that they could individually have outsmarted Obaseki with the huge support of the incumbent behind him.

And unfortunately for Odubu, Ogienwonyi and Imasuagbon

they failed to come up with a consensus candidate, so while Obaseki enjoyed his block votes from Edo North, Oshiomhole’s domain and also captured majority of the votes in Edo Central and South districts, other aspirants shared what was left, which enabled him to inflict severe defeat on Odubu and others.

Inducement Of course, the influence of money as a factor was widely widespread. However, as the comrade governor said last Wednesday all of them were involved in the utilisation of money. As one of the losers admitted, he had put delegates on a pay roll for months through his foundation which was used to woo delegates to his cause.

In the course of the campaign, there were also mutual accusations among the aspirants of the mopping up of the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs by the aspirants.

How the PVCs were used by the aspirants to trap the delegates was an issue yesterday.

While a source said that the mopping up of the PVCs of the delegates before the election was done to prevent them from collecting incentives, the comrade governor said yesterday that all the media assertions about the PVCs were unfounded.

Another strategy used by one of the major aspirants was to sequester his delegates under heavy security away from the public.

One of the aspirants, who lost complained yesterday that the decision to vote in the open was also a disservice as he said that some of the delegates complained that they were

Today, we are proud that Edo stands out as a success story, we will build on that success and continue to live up to the metaphor of our state, the heart beat of the nation

monitored as they voted.

The intrigues All the intrigues as played by the aspirants came to an end on Sunday morning with Obaseki, a close aide of the outgoing governor emerging on top of his rivals.

Remarkably, he has won the support of some of the aspirants including Airhiavbere and Osunbor both of whom pledged their support.

Obaseki on his part extended his appreciation to the delegates, extended hand of cooperation to other aspirants, even as he poured profuse praise on Oshiomhole who he said set the tone for the victory.

Tension Despite the tension that preceded the primary, Oshiomhole, was, however, joyous hailing the primary as free and fair.

“People have behaved very responsibly; delegates conducted themselves very well.

I think today we have celebrated democracy.

Expressing concern over reports on the mopping up of PVCs, he said: “For example, people alleged that people were buying PVCs, now the main accreditation for this election was PVC, was there any delegate who did not find his or her PVC to vote. All of them used PVC for accreditation which means people have their PVCs with them."

Confidence in Obaseki Expressing confidence in the ability of Obaseki to steer the ship of governance successfully, Oshiomhole said: “If you listen to Obaseki’s acceptance speech, the guy is sound, he is at home to issues; he is not a stranger to governance. He has been at home with the issues, he has been part of the system in the past seven years, so there is no space for learning, the guy is already ready to hit the ground running.

For me I feel fulfilled, Nigerians and other interested stakeholders around the world watched the event live on television. I got calls people are happy, we are celebrating democracy, and Edo is leading by example."

PDP: The three horse race against Obaseki Continues from page 40 and the new face of Edo politically in the debate organized by a group, Nigerians Decide, he won many hearts with the way he marshalled points during that debate that was organized for the governorship candidates.

He led the Edo ANPP group into a merger with the ACN and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to form the APC. He, however, left the APC to join the PDP in 2014 after complaining that only the ACN group was running the show in the new APC. Edebiri has never occupied any political office; hence, he is seen as a “decent” politician and a man who has not

soiled himself with the spoils of office.

Many in Edo think that he is an ideal governor. Edebiri said he has a master plan to develop Edo through industrialization and agriculture, pointing out that Edo State has no reason to be poor. As a businessman, he plans to run the state as a business enterprise.

A great philanthropist and sports lover, Edebiri has touched the lives of many in the state through his various business interests.

He has advocated for a paradigm shift of age long imposition of candidates to free and fair contest. Many who are apolitical in Edo seem to be in love with him and are yearning

for him. Many, however, fear that his lack of political structure capable could be a serious challenge for him.

Edebiri is presently the President Nigeria Welding Institute, (NWI) and his critics are worried about his gentleness, live and let live attitude and disposition to life.

Matthew Uduoriyekemwen Mr. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen was a two-term member of the Edo State House of Assembly, who contested the governorship election in 2012. He was a former majority leader of the Edo State House of Assembly and a former commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Youthful and energetic, he is working behind the scene to actualize his goal. He describes himself as the only original PDP member among the aspirants as he has never left the party at any time. He is also quite popular among the youthful segment of the state who see in him a role model.

Unassuming young man, the “Major” as he is fondly called by friends and political associates has touched lives, and his followers cut across the three senatorial zones of Edo State, and his popularity goes beyond his native Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, where he may have the upper hand during the primaries.

42 —Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest.

This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take good advantage today.

GEMINI: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

CANCER: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

LEO: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

So, The Rich Also Cry? NE of the O greatest fallacies mankind is saddled with is the belief that the rich don’t cry. But my questions are:

why should the rich cry? Is the rich not a human being? Has he no feelings? Does he not eat? Does he got not go to the

TERROR MUDA

toilet? has he no blood running in his vein? Does he have more than one head?

I pity the rich man. He wants

in “Never say goodbye”

companionship, yet, no one is ready to offer him any, because, everybody sees him as self-sufficient in everything.

By Kola Fayemi

VIRGO: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day.

Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

LIBRA: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

SCORPIO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

SAGITTARIUS: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

CAPRICORN: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: Planets at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already on-board of merry making train. Watch your health.

PISCES: Minor financial success you record today can lead to something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

ARIES: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those of you who are ambitious (career-wise) will succeed after few struggles.

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,

What’s my Horoscope ? is.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, Iwantyoutogivememycomprehensivehoroscope,especiallywhatmyspecialgift

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Babatunde, Abuja.

Dear Babatunde, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day Of Birth: Thursday Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than threeheavenlybodieswhenyouwerebornandAstrologicalaspectsbetweenMercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

One moment, you can be very emotional, exhibiting temper with stinging tongue but a few hour later you are amiable, easy going, friendly and compassionate. You are the adaptable type who will see changes as sources of good opportunities.

LEADERSHIP quality is one of your greatest gifts from God. placement of your natal sun (basic-selfhood) and moon (your emotional being) in Virgo and Pisces respectively mean that characteristics of both Virgo and Pisces are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

VANGUARD, MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2016 — 43

IS conflict: Falluja ‘humanitarian Investigators examine damaged disaster’ unfolding EgyptAir black boxes investigators have a greater Investigators are now NVESTIGATORS chance of discovering the I have begun analyzing conducting electrical tests cause, provided its chip is still on the memory units, the the two severely damaged

•Iraqi Army

A

HUMANITARIAN disaster is unfolding in Falluja following a civilian exodus from the Iraqi city, aid workers warn.

Already, some some 80,000 people have fled during a four-week government offensive to drive back socalled Islamic State fighters, says the UN.

A further 25,000 civilians are likely to be on the move, the organisation adds.

Aid workers are struggling to provide food, water and medicine to people who are sleeping in the open in hopelessly overcrowded camps outside the city.

“The overwhelming number of people that have

Donald Trump: U.S. should ‘seriously’ consider profiling American Muslims

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ONALD Trump has said that the United States should “seriously” consider profiling American Muslims in order to stop terrorism.

“I think profiling is something we’re going to have to start thinking about as a country,” Trump said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” yesterday when asked if the profiling of U.S. Muslims would be part of his counter-terrorism plan.

“I hate the concept of profiling. But we have to use common sense. We’re not using common sense.”

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s comments came a week after a gunman opened fire inside a gay

nightclub in Orlando, Fla., killing 49 people and wounding 53 others in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Russia Lake Syamozero: Children die after storm catches boating group

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HIRTEEN children and an adult died when a storm caught a boating party on Lake Syamozero in northern Russia’s Karelia region.

Most of the survivors reached an island in the lake while others were found in a village, some of them washed ashore.

The children were on holiday from Moscow, and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has sent doctors and

Italy elections: Rome set to elect Virginia Raggi as first female mayor

R

OME is set to elect its first female mayor in a run-off vote in municipal elections.

Virginia Raggi, from the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, is seen as the favourite against Roberto Giachetti of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD). Her victory would be a blow to Italy ’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

His PD party may also lose in Italy’s financial capital, Milan, and faces tough battles in Turin and Bologna.

Ms Raggi, a 37-year-old

come out of Falluja has actually overwhelmed our ability to respond to the people in need,” said Nasr Muflahi from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

“We implore the Iraqi government to take charge of this humanitarian disaster unfolding on our watch,” he added.

Iraqi government forces have succeeded in retaking most of Falluja, but fighting continues in some parts of the city, which is just 50km (30 miles) west of Baghdad.

‘Militants are still active’ BBC’s Ahmed Maher in devastated city.

lawyer, won 35% of the vote in the first round two weeks ago, against 24% for Mr Giachetti.

psychologists.

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of safety violations.”A great tragedy has occurred in Karelia,” the mayor tweeted.

“According to preliminary data, 10 children from Moscow have perished on Syamozero.

My condolences to their families and friends.”

Washed ashore Rescue services say they received an alert at 11:15 (08:15 GMT) on Sunday that a tour group was missing on Lake Syamozero after a storm.Emergency crews using boats and helicopters were sent to the scene.

U.S. to release partial transcripts of Orlando killer talk show, said the Orlando

U

.S. officials will today release partial transcripts of three phone conversations the man who killed 49 people in a Florida gay nightclub last week had with police as the massacre unfolded, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Sunday.

Lynch, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union”

shooting incident was “an act of terror and an act of hate”, but she declined to say what charges may be filed nor who may be charged in the case.

The transcripts of the conversations between deceased gunman Omar Mateen and law enforcement negotiators will “talk about what he told

black boxes from EgyptAir flight MS804 as they seek to explain why the plane plunged into the sea, killing all 66 people on board.

It would require “lots of time and effort” to fix the two badly damagedblackboxrecorders, sources on Egypt’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee told Reuters on Sunday.

Thecommitteesaiditstarted the analysis of the devices, with representatives from France and the United States, which are crucial to explaining why the Airbus A320 crashed on May 19 en route from Paris to Cairo.

Thememoryunitsfromboth the Cockpit Voice Recorder and the Flight Data Recorder were extracted from the devices and dried in a military facility for eight hours, the committee said in a statement.

final step before trying to extract data.

If intact, the cockpit recorder should reveal pilot conversations and any cockpit alarms, as well as other clues such as engine noise. But crash experts say it may provide only limited insight into the reason for the crash.

With the data recorder,

intact.

Investigatorsneedtofurther analyze the memory units before deciding if they can be fixed locally or if they need to be sent abroad for repairs.

Search teams retrieved the Cockpit Voice Recorder on Thursdaywhichtheysaidwas damaged but had the memory unit intact. They found the Flight Data Recorder on Friday.

U.N. early warning report sees Burundi scenario in Congo

D

E M O C R AT I C Republic of Congo could descend into a cycle of electoral violence similar to that seen in Burundi and presidential and legislative polls due in November are likely to be delayed, the UnitedNationswarnedatthe weekend.

•UN scribe

A group of senior U.N. experts put Burundi and Congo at the top of a list of risks to watch for in the next six months, along with Libya, the La Nina climate phenomenon, and drought in southern Africa.

“The most likely scenario remains delayed elections into 2017, a move which would likely trigger wide political unrest in a situation similartothatofpost-electoral Burundi,” they said in a semi-annual report.

With little freedom for democratic opposition and the heavy-handed use of security forces, the risk of violent clashes was high, especially in the capital and in Lubumbashi, home of Moise Katumbi, the leading opponentofPresidentJoseph Kabila.

“The government is likely to limit or shut down mobile networks.''

We are ready for dialogue, but through Parliament – DP Ruto

D

EPUTY President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the standoff between Jubilee and Cord over IEBC reforms will be sorted soon.

Ruto said the few outstanding issues raised by the concerned parties will be resolved in the next few days to give room for dialogue.

Speaking at the Salvation Army Church in Turbo Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, Ruto appealed to all leaders to build bridges among all the country’s different ethnic communities.

“I am optimistic that the few sticky issues on the IEBC will be sorted out in the next few days to give way for dialogue so that if there is any problem with the electoral body, then we solve it amicably,” Ruto said.

He said the government was ready for dialogue on all the issues affecting the country as requested by the opposition.

Ruto however challenged opposition leaders to accept dialogue as constitutionally provided, which is through Parliament.

“I want to ask my friends on the other side to stop political bickering and work together towards national building,” he said.

Ruto said some leaders had perfected the art of attacking each other, saying this did not augur well for Kenya’s peace and stability.

“What we need in this

country is peace. As leaders, weshouldsetagoodexample and be champions of peace, security and stability of our country for accelerated development,” he said.

Deputy President William Ruto when he joined the Salvation Ar my, Kenya West Ter ritory for Sunday ser vice at Forestall Secondary School yesterday

Algeria blocks social media networks to stop exam cheating

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LGERIA has said that it has temporarily blocked Facebook and some other social media networks to stop cheating in upcoming school exams.

The move follows leaks of baccalaureate papers and exam questions online ahead of retakes.

In a statement Sunday, the Ministry of Post and

Information and Communication Technology said that the “cut of social networks has a direct relationship with the matriculation exams” which begin yesterday..

The ministry said that the unusual move was made to protect students from “phony topics” that might appear on social media.

44

— Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

DSTV Final 8: Hoopers face Gombe Bulls, Oluyole Warriors

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IVERS Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu says a tough challenge awaits his wards in the DSTV Basketball League Finals when all qualified teams slug it out in Lagos next week.

The two-time champions qualified alongside Atlantic Conference winners Kwara Falcons, Nigeria Customs and Oluyole Warriors from the Atlantic Conference while former champions Kano Pillars, Gombe Bulls, Plateau Peaks and Niger Potters will host the Savannah Conference flag.

Odaudu, a former Nigeria international is nonetheless optimistic his side will give a good account of themselves.

“Considering the fact that we just got off from relegation, this is the first season and we are now playing against two podium finishers last season. It is going to be very difficult,” Odaudu said as a background.

“It is going to be an uphill task but just like I always

Murray Continued from BP with a superb performance

by Milos Raonic it seemed that his dream of a fifth Aegon Championships title was slipping away.

But the world No 2 then turned on the afterburners to finally defuse the Canadian’s surprisingly rounded power game and defeat him 6-7 6-4 6-3 to win a fifth title, making him the most successful player ever at the prestigious Wimbledon warm-up.

The quality of the match was such that the sub-plot of Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe was reduced to a sideshow, because the two players produced a level of play that could only whet the appetite for the big fortnight.

Enyimba Continued from BP the group with three points following their 2-0 win at Algeria’s Entente Setif on Saturday.

Sundowns host Enyimba on June 29 in continuation of the competition.

Yesterday’s kick-off was delayed by heavy rain in Port Harcourt.

Bassem Morsy headed Zamalek in front in the seventh minute, when his effort lobbed over goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai.

The waterlogged pitch caused by the heavy rain in Port Harcourt virtually made it impossible for both teams to string passes on the pitch for a large part of this encounter.

Kester Kelly forced a

say, we are not going to go to Lagos just to go and participate.

“We are going go to Lagos and we are going to compete.” he said.

Hoopers have been placed in Group B which has Kano Pillars, Gombe Bulls and Oluyole Warriors while Group A comprises of Kwara Falcons, Nigeria Customs, Plateau Peaks and Niger Potters.

Despite the apparent strength of the two teams from the Savannah

Conference in Group B, the Benue-born tactician disclosed his preference and thinks his side can progress beyond the group stage.

“Perfectly, I prefer the group that I am right now because in group A, you are going to qualify for the semi-finals but you are going to meet either of Kano or Gombe Bulls in the semi-finals and by that time, they would have played two or three games.“

CBN Senior Open: Hostilities begin in Lagos

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HE main draw for the 38th CBN Senior Open tennis championship will commence this morning at the Tennis Courts of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos. The men’s singles chat of 64 and the women’s singles draw of 32 players plus Men’s and women’s doubles events are the main focus.

With over twenty-five matches listed for today, some of the top ranked players include the Men’s Singles defending champion, Thomas Otu, Michael Moses, Christian Paul, Abdulmumuni

Eagles job Continued from BP the final of the 2016 GTBank Masters Cup at the weekend, Pinnick said, “It is not just about having the technical abilities. A good manager must also have other qualities such as having the desired charisma, how he relates with his players on and off the pitch, he is also expected to be like a father; a mentor, and and a model to these players”.

He said he had always prayed for a Nigerian coach to handle the save from Zamalek goalkeeper Ahmed ElShennawy after 21 minutes.

Enyimba continued to press for an equaliser and in the 37th minute Ahmed Tawfik made a timely clearance to keep the Nigeria champions at bay.

Joseph Osadiaye’s free kick in additional time missed target narrowly as both teams retired to the changing rooms with the Egyptians holding on to their lead.

In the second half, Enyimba pressed even more in search of a leveller, while Zamalek relied on quick breakaways to destabilize their hosts.

New signing Ifeanyi Onuigbo was denied by a timely block inside the box on 54 minutes.

Babalola, Clifford Enosor egbe, Henry Atseye and Sunday Emmanuel among others.

In the women’s category, we have national number one, Christy Agngbom, Russian based Melissa Ifidzhen who is the women’s singles defending champion, Aanu Aiyegbusi, SarahAdegokeandBlessing Samuel among others.

The wheelchair Tennis players are not left out of the Central bank of Nigeria Tennis Largese as they have been listed to compete for honours. national team but emphasised that that is not, by any means closing the door on foreigners who meet the criteria. “For now everything remains temporary. I want to plead for the understanding of all Nigerians that whoever is eventually picked for the Super Eagles manager’s job will be in the best interest of Nigerian football,” Pinnick quipped, adding, “we all want the best for Nigeria.”

He also spoke on the “fantastic outing” of the Super Eagles in the recent friendlies with Mali and Luxembourg last month.

“We saw a glimpse of the dream Super Eagles we have all been yearning for.

It was a set of young and ambitious players who showed hunger and thirst for victory. They were purposeful and the atmosphere in the camp was exceptionally friendly.

“Without any big name, the boys achieved fantastic results. It was not just about the victories, but the way they played. ‘’ The NFF boss said all hands were on deck to ensure Nigeria secured the services of foreignbased stars earmarked for the Olympics. “We are working round the clock for their release but the clubs would have the last say.

Our approach is subtle because even FIFA does not make it compulsory for clubs to release players for the Olympics.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016—45

46—Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016 — 47

EURO 2016: Vardy, Sturridge pushing to start against Slovakia—Hodgson R

OY Hodgson claims he is not concerned about the form and fitness of Harry Kane but acknowledged Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge are pushing to start England’s Euro 2016 match against Slovakia.

Vardy and Sturridge both came off the bench to score in the 2-1 comeback win over Wales following a second consecutive below-par display from Kane.

Hodgson, though, insisted the Tottenham striker ’s apparent struggles are not an issue ahead of the Three Lions’ final Group B match in Saint-Etienne today. “I don’t think it’s

absolutely necessary,” he told a news conference on Sunday, when asked about potential changes.

“The players are in good shape and it won’t be a problem to keep the same side. But there are other players knocking hard on the door, anxious to get their chance and show what they can do.

It’s a question of what we’d like to do, rather than what we have to do.”

Pressed on whether he has specific concerns about the condition of Kane, who has failed to replicate his impressive club form at the tournament, Hodgson replied: “No I don’t. I have spoken to Harry."

By Solomon Nwoke

S

Real Sapphire Academy ‘ll produce stars—Peters

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ROMOTERS of Real Sapphire Academy, a grassroots football development organisation, have revealed their ambition of building the talent discovery and nurturing outfit into the best soccer nursery in Africa.

To achieve their ambition, officials of the academy at the weekend revealed that the outfit has started building its permanent campsite at the Eleko area of Ketu, Lagos State, where they will camp, train and educate Nigerian youths to actualize their professional ambition.

Speaking in Lagos at the weekend, Chairman of the Academy, Frank Peters, said the project, borne out of a need to give Nigerian youths the type of beginning their mates in Europe take for granted, will include a well furnished camp equipped with a hostel and

secondary school, which will create the atmosphere the players need to develop their talents.

•Sturridge... ready for action.

TAKEHOLDERS of the Association of Nigeria Bookmakers (ANB), the umbrella body of Sports Betting have commended the outcome of their first summit which took place at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.

The Summit which had its theme ‘Opportunities Meet Challenges’ drew a large turn out of participants who used the opportunity to dissect the problems and prospects in the fast growing industry in Nigeria.

Speaking at the summit, Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos Lottery Board gave kudos to the body.

“I believe that what is happening now is encouraging for the operators of the Sports Betting. I think this initiative is very good and for the association that

It’s hard to man-mark superstars like Bale—Slutsky R

USSIA coach Leonid Slutsky believes it is nearly impossible to man-mark a player of Gareth Bale’s quality.

Slutsky’s men need a win over Bale’s Wales in Toulouse today to stand any chance of qualifying from Group B at Euro 2016.

Real Madrid forward Bale has scored in both of his country’s games at the tournament so far, against Slovakia and England, and Slutsky is keen to keep a close eye on him and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

“I think it is hard to man-mark footballing superstars like Bale,” Slutsky said at a news conference on Sunday.

“He is a player who likes to roam around and pop up in different areas of the pitch. We will try to neutralise him by employing zonal marking.

“Wales have two stars, two top players in Bale and Ramsey. Their attacking play is all about the interaction between these two. But they have a very decent side and are dangerous on the break.

Thugs invade Agege stadium after MFM’s home defeat

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•Frank Peters

Sports Betting: Bookmakers speak on first summit

HUGS invaded the Agege Stadium pitch and attempted to beat up the officials as Shooting Stars defeated home side MFM FC in Lagos on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Wikki Tourists moved three points clear at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League following a comprehensive 3-1 home win against northern rivals, Kano Pillars, at the

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

Following the victory, the Bauchi-based side who were tied on 38 points with Rivers United prior to kickoff on Sunday now have 41 points.

Emmanuel Edmund fired Kano Pillars in front in the 35th minute. After a long period of dominance Wikki equalised 13 minutes from time through Ibrahim Alhassan.

•Bale

they formed, I think this is very encouraging because without them, there cannot be an industry just like without an agent there can’t be an industry. There’s still room for more operators to come in while the existing operators need to spread out their wings”, he said.

Sherrif Olaniyan, the founder of SureBet said, “we are trying to bring all the would-be bookmakers, the existing ones, tax people, security people and everybody together so that we can have a holistic picture of what the industry is all about so that we can have a smooth sail of whatever we do.

He also said that sports betting is not only about English Premier League (EPL) alone, but also every sporting events.

Lagos rocks for Onazi

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HE nation’s industrial and economic capital, Lagos was at its most vivacious on Saturday as the Nigeria football fraternity celebrated with Super Eagles and SS Lazio of Italy midfielder Eddy Ogenyi Onazi, who got married to his heartthrob, Sandra Osagioduwa Ogunsuyi.

About a dozen Super Eagles’ players attended the impressive ceremony at the Faith Tabernacle in Lekki, with NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and Chairman of Technical Committee, Chris Green, also in attendance.

Civil Defenders, Imo Grasshoppers and drew one out of six emerge champions matches played scoring a •3rd Sam Ocheho-InnJoo Handball tourney

By Solomon Nwoke

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IGERIA Civil Defence male handball team, the Civil Defenders and the famous Imo Grasshoppers have won this year’s 3rd Ocheho-InnJoo Handball Championship which ended weekend at the Rowe Park Sports complex, Lagos.

The Imo Grasshoppers known for their vibrancy in the game maintained a clean sheet in the tournament winning all seven matches scoring a total of 221 goals

as against 125 goal against with +96 goal difference and a maximum of 21 points to lift the female trophy with the cash prize of N500,000.

Civil Defenders won the male trophy after beating the last year’s runners up, Lagos Seasiders in an explosive final match played at the indoor sports hall of the Rowe Park Sports Complex. They beat the home team by 2322 goals after they rallied at 0 goals apiece at the end of first half.

The Defenders won five

total of 206 goals as against 143 against with a total of 16 points to lift the male trophy with a cash prize of N500,00.

The Lagos Seasiders and ASPAC of Benin Republic placed second in the male and female categories with 12 points and 15 points apiece and carted home the sum of N300,000 respectively while the third place went to ASPAC of Benin Republic male team and their sister club, Flowers of Benin to win the consolation cash prize of N200,000 each.

Vanguard, MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Murray clinches record 5th Queen’s Club title A

S-H-O-C-K-E-R

LL week it has taken the scent of danger to bring the best of Andy Murray, and that again proved the case as he broke records at Queen’s Club.

Down 7-6 3-0 and faced

Continues on Page 44

CAF Champions League:

Enyimba lose at home V

ISITING Egyptian giants Zamalek yesterday pipped Enyimba 1-0 in a CAF Champions League Group B match played at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa now top

•Onuigbo, Enyimba star

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

RESULTS CAF Champions League Enyimba

NPFL

By Jacob Ajom

THE qualification for Super Eagles manager’s job demands much more than having the technical expertise as a football coach, the Nigeria Football Federation supremo, Amaju Pinnick has said.

Speaking with reporters at the Onikan stadium, Lagos during

Continues on Page 44

EURO 2016: Vardy, Sturridge to start against Slovakia —P.47

•Champion: Murray

Eagles job beyond technical ability —Pinnick

Continues on Page 44 •Pinnick

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

A/Warriors Akwa Ifeanyi Ubah MFM FC Tornadoes Wikki

Euro 2016

Switzerland Romania

0

Zamalek

1

1 2 2 0 1 3

Heartland El Kanemi Rivers United Shooting Rangers Kano

0 0 0 1 1 1

0 0

France Albania

0 1

TODAY’S MATCHES EURO 2016 Russia Slovakia

v v

Wales England

8pm 8pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Record (4) 4 Swab (3) 6 Sort (4) 8 Posture (6) 9 Choice (6) 10 Faucet (3) 12 Fishing-basket (5) 14 Muzzle (5) 15 Prompt (5) 18 Rota (6) 20 Exhilarated (6) 24 Sum (5) 26 Rot (5) 28 Tired (5) 30 Recede (3) 32 Divided (6) 33 Deadly (6) 34 Repair (4) 35 Novel (3) 36 Obligation (4)

DOWN 2 Bury (5) 3 Transform (7) 4 Encounter (4) 5 Support (4) 6 Giant (5) 7 Lavish (7) 11 Help (3) 12 Vehicle (3) 13 Shelter (3) 16 Skill (3) 17 Still (3) 19 Work (7) 21 Salute (3) 22 Warned (7) 23 Parched (3) 25 Sphere (3) 27 Performed (5) 29 Respond (5) 30 Paradise (4) 31 Puft (4)

FRIDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Social 5, Scan 8, Total 9, Mar 10, Oven 11, Vast 12, Acted 13, Offend 16, Dear 18, Oral 20, Bet 22, Tun 23, Yap 24, Seer 25, Eked 28, Decide 30, Gusto 32, Crib 33, Idea 34, Net 35, Flood 36, Mate 37, Stolen.

DOWN: 1, Symbol 2, Carefree 3, Around 4,

Concerned 5, Saveloy 6, Clad 7, Note 8, Tea 14, Detention 15, Gap 17, Auk 19, Rational 20, Beg 21, Trouble 26, Depart 27, Beaten 29, Scum 30, Gift 31, Odd.

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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