BUDGET 2014: Furore over absence of Jonathan at NASS

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62018

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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N150

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

BUDGET 2014:

Furore over absence of Jonathan at NASS

•Why President did not present budget — Okupe •We didn't plan to boo Jonathan — Reps

RED CARPET FOR THE PRESIDENT

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, HENRY UMORU, JOHNOSCO AGBAKWURU, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA — CON TROVERSY erupted, yesterday, over the failure of President Goodluck Jonathan to present the 2014 budget proposal of the Federal Government to the National Assembly. It was the second time in two weeks that the President Continues on page 7

COLUMNISTS:

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WOLE ADETIMEHIN •P.22

Mr & Mrs WHEN?—The red carpet laid to receive President Goodluck Jonathan who was to formally present the 2014 Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, yesterday. The presentation was put off . INSET: The table where President Jonathan was to perform the formal presentation, yesterday. Photos by Abayomi Adeshida.

All govts accounts 9 should return to CBN — Sanusi C M Y K

8 killed as truck crashes into vehicles in 8 Lagos

ANAMBRA: INEC to decide on 15 fresh polls next week

2 — Vanguard ,

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POCKET CARTOON

From left: Group Managing Director/CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Bisi Onasanya; Minister of Trade & Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Chairman, FBN Capital Limited, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Managing Director/ CEO, FBN Capital at the company's 3rd Investor Conference held in Lagos, yesterday.

Furore over absence of Jonathan at NASS Continues from page 1 would pull back from the presentation even after civil servants in the National Assembly complex had been restricted from coming to work.

Well laid down security and protocol arrangements for the President to present the 2014 budget proposals to the National Assembly were called off mid-morning, yesterday, after a letter from the President requesting another date for the presentation became known.

The President in the letter to the two chambers of the National Assembly cited differences in the oil benchmark agreed by the Senate and the House of Representatives as reason. However, several sources alleged an or-

chestrated plan by loyalists of the Kawu Barajeled faction of the PDP and opposition members of the National Assembly to give the President a hostile reception during the presentation as reason for the letter.

Yesterday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications, Dr. Doyin Okupe denounced suggestions of security or other considerations for the President’s failure to present the budget as he kept to the official dictum of the presidency on differences on benchmark.

Senators and members of the House of Representatives were split on the reasons given by the President on his request

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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VERY time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future —Deepak Chopra Here are a few references from Chopra that makes you reflect more about life; these are heart warming and comforting sage advice for anyone to emulate.

He wrote that each of us is here to discover our true selves; that essentially we are spiritual beings who have taken manifestation in physical form; that we’re not human beings that have occasional spiritual experiences, that we’re spiritual beings that have occasional human experiences.

The secret of attraction is to love yourself. Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others. They are open to gestures of love. They think about love, and express their love in every action. They know that love is not a mere sentiment, but the ultimate truth at the heart of the universe.

There is a hidden meaning behind all events, and this hidden meaning is serving your own evolution.

Holding on to anything is like holding on to your breath. You will suffocate. The only way to get anything in the physical universe is by letting go of it. Let go and it will be yours forever. When you struggle with your partner, you are struggling with yourself.

Every fault you see in them touches a denied weakness in yourself.

for a new date.

Okupe’s assertion was rebuffed by Senator Kabiru Gaya, APC, Kano who insisted yesterday that disagreements on the oil benchmark between the two chambers of the National Assembly never stopped presentation of budget proposals in the past.

Insisting that the president chose to allow the two chambers resolve their differences on the benchmark, Dr. Okupe said: “We trust that this pragmatic approach will be appreciated and wholesomely well received by the distinguished senators and Hon members of the National Assembly.”

“It is in this light that we unequivocally debunk insinuations in some sections of the media that the President boycotted the National Assembly today for security reasons or that government has anything to hide on the budget issue."

No plans to boo Jonathan — Reps Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Rep. Zakari Mohammed (PDP, Kwara), however, denied any orchestrated plan by the legislators to embarrass the President.

His claim nonetheless, a loyalist of the President and principal officer in the House was critical of the division in the House, saying yesterday: “We warned them, (mainstream PDP) then that they should not disrupt the Kawu Baraje-led group when they came visiting.

“What these people

want to do now is to ensure they get their pound of flesh”.

He was however critical of the repeated failure of the president to show up saying: “What Mr. President has done is morally wrong because this is the first time a hale and hearty president has failed to perform this traditional rite.

“On the other hand, constitutionally, he is at liberty to send a representative to make the presentation on his behalf.

“This development is a pointer to the fact that the nPDP is still very aggrieved over what other members did to the Baraje group. “ Speaking to journalists following the non-appearance of the president, Rep. Mohammed at about 10.30am said: “We had it on good authority that Mr President was not going to show up today but we are expecting him to send any representative to make the presentation on his behalf”.

Asked whether this will not violate the constitution, Mohammed said “Section 81 (1) adequately makes provision for that and the President, based on this, is at liberty to send a representative.”

Vanguard gathered that in the last three days, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal had been practically pleading with critical elements in the House to ensure a smooth reception for the President.

At one of the meetings on Monday evening between the Speaker and some members, it was learnt that members had fumed that they only approved the 2013 budget after pleas from the speaker but that the President has failed to meet their expectations in implementation.

The meeting, which held till the wee hours of yesterday could not assuage the members, many of who are aligned to the Baraje-led nPDP. The members, it was learnt, insisted on having their pound of flesh.

“We will rather go ahead and do it our way this time, no matter whose ox is gored. “ Speaker Tambuwal’s action flowed from the failure of the presidency to appoint a substantive Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters following the removal of Senator Joy Emodi from that position. Mrs. Emodi had in the past helped soothe the angst of the

legislators and prepared the grounds for hearty receptions for the President.

Indications that President Jonathan would not come for the presentation emerged when the tight security measures put in place by NASS management for his coming were suddenly relaxed at about 9.45 a.m. Civil servants who were earlier warned not to venture near the National Assembly complex until 2 p.m. were allowed to come in.

At about 10 a.m the red carpet already laid for Mr. President was removed, a clear indication that the august visitor was no longer expected.

Once the plenary began at about 11 am in the House of Representatives, Speaker Tambuwal read out a letter by the President asking for a shift in date, citing differences in the benchmarks between the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The letter read in part: “Please recall that I had written requesting the Honourable House of Representatives to grant me the slot of 12 noon on Tuesday 19th November 2013 to enable me address a Joint Session of the National Assembly on the 2014 Budget.

“However, considering the fact that, whereas the Distinguished Senate has approved the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) based on a benchmark of $76.5 per barrel, the Honourable House of Representatives has used a benchmark of $79 per barrel, it is infeasible for me to present the budget in the absence of a harmonized position on the MTEF. “In the circumstance, it has become necessary to defer the presentation of the 2014 Budget to a Joint Session of the National Assembly until such a time when both respected chambers would have harmonized their posi-

tions on the MTEF. It is my hope that this will be in the shortest possible time.

After the letter was read, other issues raised were all stepped down for further legislative actions.

Briefing journalists following the plenary yesterday, House spokesman, Rep. Zakari Mohammed said that the reason given by the President on non-harmonization of oil benchmark between the two chambers was untenable as a similar situation played out last year and in 2011.

“This is not the first time we’re having differences in passing MTEF. It happened in 2011 and even last year. The Senate did not pass the MTEF last year, but we did, and the budget presentation went on like that.

But Mr. President's letter said it is MTEF; we leave it at that,” he said.

On the oil benchmark harmonization between the House and the Senate, Mohammed said the two chambers would form a conference committee to do that but added “I cannot give a definite date on that, but we’ll make sure we do the right thing.”

Mohammed maintained that the allegations that some members were planning to boo Jonathan during the budget presentation did not come to the notice of the House, adding that “We’re a House of responsible people who will not do such a thing. I don’t think any of us will ever do that.”

Senators were more sharply divided over the reasons given by the president for his failure to present the budget yesterday.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Mohammed Maccido in an interview said, “The two chambers had to agree on the same benchmark because that is what the constitution says."

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Police probe kidnap, murder of Customs comptroller

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI— THE Imo State Police Command has commenced investigation into the circumstances that led to the kidnap and eventual murder of an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Mishak Ugwoha.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the slain Ugwoha visited his Umuduruji, Umuchoko, Amaigbo, country home in Nwangele local council area of Imo State, to supervise his on-going building project.

It was also gathered that a set of armed hoodlums stormed the project site and immediately wanted to abduct the customs officer but he resisted.

A villager, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said the slain Ugwoha was at the building site with four of his relations when the hoodlums struck.

He said “The customs boss put up stiff resistance and in an attempt to show that they were not joking, fired at the man at close range. The bullets missed the customs officer by whiskers and hit the abdomen of a member of the gang.”

Vanguard was also told that the hoodlums, however, succeeded in bundling Ugwoha and their dying colleague into their waiting vehicle.

The aggrieved villagers later found the bullet-riddled remains of the customs boss where it was dumped along Amaigbo-Umundugba road.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved kinsmen of Ugwoha have reportedly burnt the family homes of two natives said to be connected with the abduction and murder of Ugwoha.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Joy Elemoko, confirmed the incident, adding that some people have been arrested.

8 killed as truck crashes into stationary vehicles in Lagos

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — AT least eight people were feared dead, yesterday, in Lagos when a truck veered off its lane and crashed into stationary vehicles at Oshodi.

Five vehicles were involved in the accident which occurred at the Oshodi ‘Isale’ Bus Stop on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

The stationary vehicles involved in the accident included three commercial buses and a Spots Utility Vehicle, SUV. Some of the victims were passengers in a commercial bus waiting to be conveyed to IsheriOshun and Ijegun areas while others were commuters and passers-by waiting at the bus stop..

According to eye-witnesses, the mini-truck with inscription ‘Chosen Generation Church‘ was heading towards Mile 2 when it allegedly suffered a break failure and dragged a Mitsubishi SUV with number plate LAGOS KS 581 AV which was also on the service lane and both rammed into the two commercial buses which were loading.

While one of the commercial buses with number plate LAGOS BDG 166 XE was slightly damaged, the 22-passenger bus LAGOS XM 759 EPE lost five passengers on the spot while others were severely injured.

An eye witness simply identified as Onwe said the driver of the fully loaded commercial bus escaped as the incident occurred shortly after he alighted from the vehicle to obtain a ticket from the union office.

The incident caused a heavy traffic congestion on the expressway until the timely intervention of law enforcement agents who conveyed the victims to a near-by hospital and the mini-truck towed to Makinde police division.

Also, the lone occupant of the SUV and occupants of the first commercial bus escaped unhurt but some commuters and passers-by were badly hit.

When Vanguard arrived the scene, some survivors were counting their blessings while others searched for their relations as soon as they received distress calls.

Also, hoodlums took advantage of the situation to extort on lookers as some recovered items were, however, taken to the police station for proper identification.

A survivor, Madam Funmi Ajala, said she could not explain how she survived the accident.

According to her: ‘’We were waiting for the driver who was out of sight when the bus was hit by the truck. Before we realised what was happening we were trapped as the door was locked and none of us could escape.’’

A victim’s mother, Mrs Aborishade Janet, said she lost her only daughter to the crash.

She said: "I got a distress call that my daughter was terribly sick only to behold her lifeless body. I waited in the market to purchase some items before joining her at

home. If only I knew it will end this way, I would have stopped her."

In a chat with Vanguard, Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo motor park, Comrade Bolaji Ariyo, put the casualty figure at five, saying: ‘’Five were confirmed dead while five were injured."

Transport managers pulled the affected vehicles off the road to diffuse the resultant gridlock.

Mr Samuel Ogundayo, the Oshodi Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said that 19 people were involved in the accident, adding: “A tipper had a break failure. 19 people were involved but eight died instantly.

“They have been taken to the General Hospital Ikeja and the Health Centre, Oshodi.”

However, an official of the Lagos State Transport Management

ABOVE: One of the affected vehicles (BELOW): A survivor at the scene. PHOTOS: Bose Adelaja.

Authority, who pleaded anonymity, said that five people died in the accident and five injured.

He said that the bodies of the

dead had been taken to the General Hospital, Ikeja, while the wounded were taken to the Trauma Centre Oshodi.

Court sentences student to death for stealing handsets, recharge cards ...as Okada rider gets 15 yrs in jail for robbery

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA – AN Effurun High Court has sentenced a 24year-old secondary school student, Moses Akatugba, to death by hanging for robbing a woman of handsets and recharge cards.

This came as a commercial motorcyclist, popularly called Okada rider was jailed 15 years for robbing a female passenger of her handset.

Moses was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and armed robbery contrary to section 6 (b) and punishable under section 1 (2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special

Provisions) Act Cap R11 Volume 14 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Prosecution told the court that the convict with others now at large robbed one Mrs. Akpor Mazino of N113,930 cash, three GSM handsets, 54 various denomination of MTN recharge vouchers, 28 Econnet vouchers and 25 Glo vouchers valued over N100,000, at 30, NNPC Housing Complex Road, Ekpan.

The victim in her evidence gave a vivid account of how she was robbed of the items at her shop at gunpoint.

Meantime, an Asaba high court also yesterday sen-

tenced a 30-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Paul Nwanegbo, to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour for robbing a female passenger of her GSM telephone handset.

The incident, according to prosecution, took place along Direct Labour Agency (DLA) Road, Asaba on October 5, 2011 before the ban on operation of Okada in Asaba metropolis and other designated cities.

The female passenger, Amaka Okafor, told the court that “on realising the gun was a toy, I resisted him but he overpowered me after biting me and snatched my phone from me.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013—9

All govt accounts should return to CBN— SANUSI zSays economy's vulnerable

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

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HE Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, yesterday, called for the return of all government accounts to the apex bank to reduce cost of government debt.

Meanwhile, at the end of CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee, MPC meeting yesterday, it left its three policy rates unchanged.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the MPC meeting, Sanusi said that though inflation rate had continued to fall and remained at single digit, election year induced increased government spending and depletion of excess crude accounts, ECA, pose potential threat to future inflation and exposes the economy to vulnerabilities.

He said: “The committee observed with satisfaction that in the last four months, all the three measures of inflation continued to be within the single digit inflation target.

“However, the Committee noted the potential risks to inflation of increased aggregate spending in the runup to the 2015 elections.

“Overall, government spending in the second half of 2013 has been more moderate than it was in the earlier part of the year. The erosion of the fiscal buffers through the depletion of the ECA has further exposed the economy to vulnerabilities, while the fall in oil revenue has left capital inflows as the only source of external reserves accretion.

On FG’s debt

“The Federal Government debt has also risen phenomenally along with its deposits at the deposit money banks, showing the government as a net creditor to the system.

“This underscores the urgent need for the immediate implementation of the Treasury Single Account. The continued delay in returning government accounts to the Central Bank is adding to the huge cost of government debt due to poor cash flow management.”

As a result of these concerns, the MPC voted nine against two to leave the three policy rates unchanged. Thus the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, which is the benchmark for other interest rate was retained at 12 per cent, while the Liquidity Ratio, portion of the assets banks are required to keep in liquid assets, was retained at 30 per cent.

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“The MPC also retained Cash Reserve Ratio, CRR, portion of assets banks must keep in cash, at 12 per cent for private sector deposit, and 50 per cent for public sector deposit.”

Meanwhile, the MPC dismissed the possibility of changing its tight monetary policy stance and a downward

review of the MPR. Rather it indicated intention to further tighten money supply, with the possibility of further increase in the MPR.

Analyst's prediction on MPC meeting

Razia Khan, Regional Head

of Research, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, said that the outcome of the MPC meeting indicates that the CBN will further increase CRR on public sector deposit to 100 per cent.

In a e-mail comment sent to Vanguard, Khan said: “One MPC member voted for a 25 per cent increase in the CRR on public sector deposits to 75 per cent, and another for a 50 per cent increase to 100 per cent.

“The message to the market?

The CBN remains serious about safeguarding hard-won price stability. Should we see evidence of pressure in the system related to excess liquidity (either a step-up in government spending, or pressure in the FX rate, or both simultaneously), then a further hike in the CRR on public sector deposits remains the most plausible policy option.”

Okonjo-Iweala, Aganga, others see double-digit economic growth for Nigeria

BY OMOH GABRIEL AND PETER EGWUATU

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HE Nigerian economy needs growth that will impact on the people, even as the government seeks double digit Gross Domestic Product, GDP, said Finance Minister & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

Meanwhile, former chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Chief Economist, Jim O’Neill, has again predicted that Nigeria’s economy may grow by 10 per cent if the privatised power sector ends daily electricity cuts.

It will be recalled that it was Goldman Sachs that in 2004 projected that Nigeria will

become one of the 20 largest economies in the world by 2025, which gave birth to Nigeria’s Vision 20: 2020.

It was the same company that coined the term BRIC, which ranked Brazil, Russia, India and China as the emerging economies.

Speaking at the FBN Capital third investor conference held in Lagos yesterday, Dr. OkonjoIweala said: “The Nigerian economy has the capacity to grow at a double digit rate of 10 per cent per annually.”

Minister of Trade , Industry & Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and O’Neill also corroborated Okonjo-Iweala's view.

In different presentations at the conference, the three main-

tained that Nigeria’s popula-tion of 160 million and vast resources provide oppor-tunities that can make the country’s economy expand at a double digit rate.

Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke through a televised broadcast at the conference, with the theme, Tomorrow’s Nigeria Through Economic Empowerment, noted that government’s efforts at diversifying the economy as well as re-basing the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, is expected to make the country the fastest growing economy in Africa.

She stressed the need to grow at about nine to 10 per cent, saying the current growth rate “has come with increasing inequality and we need to change that pattern of growth.

That is why we are working on

Oyinlola drags Tukur, PDP's NWC members to court over suspension

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA— FORMER governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was penultimate Wednesday reinstated as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, through a judgment by an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday dragged the party National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and members of the National Working Committee, NWC, to court, challenging his suspension from the party.

Vanguard gathered, yesterday, that a suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by his counsel, Awa Kalu, asking the court to quash his suspension just as Oyinlola accused the Tukur-led NWC of ambushing the judiciary.

Oyinlola was last week suspended alongside the chairman of the splinter group of the party and former Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje; the group’s Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; and the National Vice-

Chairman of PDP, North-West, Ambassador Ibrahim Kazuare.

Oyinlola argued that members of the NWC have refused to protect the constitution of PDP, which they swore to uphold “by acting in accordance with their individual conscience, for various reasons best known to them; and for which they will soon be held accountable whenever the disciplinary committee is legally and validly inaugurated.”

In a statement by his Principal Secretary, Femi Adelegan, Oyinlola said: “The latest design of the PDP NWC to muddle up facts relating to its conducts on the suspension of Oyinlola, Baraje and others, which has been widely greeted by condemnations was not surprising, given its penchant for peddling falsehood, as well as its love for dictatorship and acts of impunity.

“The opinion of Metuh suggests that the need to suspend Oyinlola, Baraje and others was considered as an act of emergency by the NWC, which considered it expedient to nail the accused officials without following the due process instead of respect for the rule of law.

“Nigerians, who are highly educated, cannot be fooled.”

agriculture and industrialisation.”

O’Neill, now a Bloomberg View columnist, said: “Nigeria’s economy could easily grow at a rate of 10 per cent if the newlyprivatised power industry puts an end to daily electricity cuts.

“Nigeria’s population of more than 160 million people, the biggest in Africa, is key to unlocking enormous growth potential.”

Nigeria is ranked alongside Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey as part of his MINT countries with the largest emergingmarket populations outside Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

O’Neill coined the acronym for that grouping, BRICS, while at Goldman Sachs.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Lagos pays N25.5m compensation on Okota-Itire bridge

President Jonathan leaves for London today

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will leave for London today to preside over a three-day meeting of Nigeria's Honorary International Investors' Council.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said issues on the agenda of the meeting included generating long term affordable finance for Nigeria's real sector, developing Nigeria's private equity and venture capital sectors to attract more foreign investments as well as Nigeria's information and communications technology master-plan.

He said the meeting of the council being coordinated by Baroness Lynda Chalker would also feature a review of Nigeria's existing investment policies by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris based international organisation dedicated to the promotion of policies that will improve the economic and social wellbeing of people around the world.

Stockbroker docked over N1bn theft

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

A TWO count charge of conspiracy and stealing of N1billion belonging to the defunct Oceanic Bank has been filed against a Lagos stockbroker, Mrs. Elizabeth Ebi and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before an Ikeja High Court.

Also joined in the charged were Ebi’s company, Future View Service Limited and the executive director of the company, Diamond Ujuh.

The information sheet signed by ABC Ozioko on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, stated that the defendants were charged with conspiracy to steal and intent to defraud, stole and fraudulently converted N1billion property of Oceanic Bank entrusted to them for the purchase of First Bank of Nigeria Plc shares.

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BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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SERVICE: Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (left); wife of late Bernard Daji, one of the victims of the Associated Airline plane crash, Mrs. Esther Daji (2nd right), and her children: Marvelous (boy), Favour, and Precious, at the special service, in honour of the deceased, at the State Secretariat, in Akure, yesterday.

AGOS — People whose property were affected by the construction of the Okota Itire link bridge, on the Oshodi Apapa Expressway at Cele Bus Stop, yesterday, received cheques totalling N26, 550,000 as compensation from Lagos State

Fashola flays FG's housing policy

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said the continuous operation of the Federal Housing Authority, FHA, as the country's national housing programme anchor, was a curse on the 1999 Constitution.

Similarly, Fashola barred skating on the state highways, saying, "Anyone caught skating on the highways will be arrested and prosecuted."

He spoke at a meeting with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, personnel and induction of 250 special Traffic Mayors including the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Oluranti Adebule in Ikeja.

Fashola while responding to a question on why the roads in Festac Town were left in terrible state, said: "We have unresolved issues with Federal Housing Authority, FHA, concerning Festac Town. Some of the taxes and land charges are collected by the Federal Government without giving the state any share. That was why I said that FHA is an anathema to the 1999 Constitution.

"I don't see the reason the central government that doesn't own land in Lagos State, should manage a housing estate in the same state.

"I know that FHA was created during the military administration. Now in the civilian administration, this is one of the laws that the National Assembly needs to urgently amend or repeal to bring them to conformity with the current dispensation.

"I don't know why the central government gets itself involved in the provision of housing when it doesn't have land."

...declares LASTMA officer wanted over bribe

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HE GOVERNOR also declared one Mr. Micheal Ekundayo,a LASTMA officer allegedly caught on video "wanted."

The governor said: "I want first to salute the citizen that got the video of the LASTMA officer who was caught negotiating bribe inside a citizen's car.

"We must all use that kind of medium to fish out all the bad eggs in the society and bring them to justice.

"That LASTMA officer is still on the run and we have declared him wanted. I can assure you today

that we will get him. As soon as we do, we will give him all his rights and he will have his day in court."

Speaking on the ban on skating, Fashola noted that "our children have also taken to skating because the road is safe.

"We aren't discouraging them from doing so. But they should do that in designated places like recreation centres, stadia and others."

Government.

Presenting the cheques to the three beneficiaries at the Lands Bureau office in Alausa, Permanent Secretary, Mr. Hakeem Muri Okunola, said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise of Governor Fashola to ameliorate the suffering of those affected by the project.

Fashola commissioned the link bridge in May 2010.

Meantime, the lawmaker, representing Eti Osa Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alimi Kazeem, has called on the state government to urgently construct a pedestrian bridge at Ikota, in Eti Osa area of the state to reduce rate of accidents in the area.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013—11

Ogun budgets N210bn for 2014

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday, proposed N210.21billion budget for the 2014 fiscal year to the State

House of Assembly.

It is N1.57billion less than this year’s N211.78billion.

The governor while presenting the Appropriation Bill to the Assembly, said like in the 2012 and 2013 budget proposals, the education sector would gulp the

Councillors sack council boss over allowance

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA — PANDEMONIUM broke out, yesterday, in Abeokuta North Local Government Secretariat, Akomoje Abeokuta, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, after some councillors in the council reportedly stormed the office of the executive Chairman of the

Local Government, Taofeek Olabode and chased him out with tear-gas.

A source at the local government told Vanguard that no fewer than 12 lawmakers of the council invaded the office of the Chairman and demanded for their share in the council fund which they believed he had cornered.

Include monarchs in confab committee — Maharaj ji

lion share of N43.99billion, representing 20.93 per cent.

The governor, however, said that the performance of this year’s budget, as at 30 September 2013, stood at 64.2 per cent.

He explained that the reduction in the proposed 2014 budget occurred following the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account.

The breakdown of the proposed budget consisted of N92.70billion recurrent expenditure and N117.51billion capital expenditure. These represented 44.10 per cent and 55.90 per cent, respectively.

According to him: “We encountered some challenges in the implementation of the 2013 Budget since we are not insulated from the wider national economic challenges.

“The funds from the Federation Account and Value Added Taxes

had been significantly lower than expected.”

Meantime, the governor has said his government has spent N90 billion on education and health sectors within his two years in office.

The governor said in a bid to rehabilitate the health sector, his government had spent a total sum of N19 billion out of which N13 billion was spent on salaries.

He lamented that substantial part of the money was used to pay salaries, saying N70 billion had been spent on education out of which N66 billion was used to pay salaries Governor Amosun, however, said in spite of the tough economic environment and the pressure to scale down services, his administration made a policy decision to maintain the size of its budget.

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N KEEPING with a promise he made, the Osun State governor has commenced the distribution of the ‘Tablet of Knowledge’ otherwise known as Opón Ìmò to teachers of Grade 12 level of the public secondary schools across the state.

The distribution of the device, expected to aid teaching and learning in schools to teachers was flagged off at a ceremony at Ilesa high school.

Ekiti APC condemns INEC over Anambra poll

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

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BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BADAN — AS preparations for the proposed national conference gather momentum, the founder of One Love Family, SatGuru Maharaj ji has called for the inclusion of prominent traditional rulers in the committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan for the conference.

He said this while speaking with newsmen, yesterday, as part of the celebration of golden age festival tagged golden feast 2013 at Gurumaharaj ji Village, Ibadan, yesterday.

Aregbesola distributes Opon Imo to teachers

PRESENTATION: Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (left), presenting the 2014 Appropriation Bill to the Ogun State House of Assembly, yesterday.

Amaechi’s chairman of opposition Governors’ Forum — Jang

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA — FACTIONAL chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF and Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang has chided Governor Chibuke Amaechi as working hands in gloves with opposition elements against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government.

In a statement in Abuja, yesterday,

Governor Jang described Governor Amaechi as Chairman of the Opposition Governors’ Forum.

Jang statement followed the declaration by the Presidency that it only recognised the Jang-led faction of the forum.

Affirming that the NGF was originally formed for peer review among the states and to provide needed social and economic elevation to the Nigerian people, he said: “Instead, Governor Amaechi has turned his team into an opposition group.

They are now obsessed with the presidency and the F e d e r a l Government.

“Even the recent retreat they had, turned out to be like an anger management conference to vent against the Presidency and the F e d e r a l Government.”

DO EKITI — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, Ekiti State chapter has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a botched governorship election in Anambra State, saying the electoral body’s reasons for not conducting free and fair election were poor.

Awe regretted that the electoral body had been hijacked by some hawks bent on derailing civil rule in the country.

Pa Joel Baderinwa for burial

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A JOEL Baderinwa, who died at the age of 123 years, will be buried Saturday, November 23, 2013, in his country home, No. 7, Omosula Street, Ehin-Ogbe, Owo. According to the family, outing and awareness (Ajabure) will come up November 21, while entertainment of guests will be at Mehodist Church playing ground, EhinOgbe.

Late Pa Aderinwa C M Y K

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Obuah’s PDP vows to drag Amaechi to court over work-free days in Rivers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME & EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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ORT HARCOURT—THE Felix Obuah faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State, has threatened to drag Governor Rotimi Amaechi to court over what it described as politically motivated declaration of public holidays by the governor in the state.

The party’s faction said that the public holidays were declared by the governor to stall the judgment to be delivered by Justice Iyayi Lamikanra of a state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on the political crisis rocking Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area.

In a statement, yesterday by Mr. Jerry Needam, media aide to its Chairman, the party said that it was displeased by “a barrage of work-free days, first announced midnight on November 14, 2013

by Governor Amaechi declaring, November 15, and November 18, as public holidays respectively.”

The party said it was disturbed that by November 18 at 8pm, Governor Amaechi extended the

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work-free days to November 22.

The PDP faction alleged that the action by the governor was part of attempts to sustain Justice Peter Agumagu as acting Chief Judge of the state without regard to laid down rules and against all wise counsel, with ulterior motive to manipulate the state judiciary.

He said: “Amaechi had used all tactics, including executive orders to his aides and some council chairmen/caretakers, to cast aspersions on some magistrates and judges, who are seen to have insisted on doing the right thing.

The reason given for the ongoing work-free days is political and diversionary.”

The statement said the celebration of Rivers Centenary as reason for the succession of public holidays was diversionary, adding that “the colossal loss on the state as a result of these workfree days, which may be extended, according to information available to us, after this week, is unimaginable.

“Our children are kept at home from schools, academic calendars

have been altered. Our hospitals remain closed and tens of millions of naira accruable to the state within this period are lost.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman Caretaker Committee of Obio Akpor council, Mr Chikordi Dike, has called for the transfer of the suit by the suspended Chairman of the council, challenging his suspension from Justice Lamikanra to another judge.

Accusing Justice Lamikanra of bias in the case, Mr Dike, said that they had filed applications earlier challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter and also want Justice Lamikanra to withdraw from the case on grounds that she could be bias. He said that they had also filed motions for stay of further proceedings at the High court and notices of appeal at the Appeal Court.

7,000 disengaged PHCN staff yet to be paid

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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O fewer than 7,000 workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, sacked in the wake of Federal Government’s handover of PHCN’s facilities to new owners, are yet to be paid a kobo, while about 30,000 of the staff received part payment of their severance benefits.

This is five days after the expiration of the 15 days promised by government in the agreement reached with organised labour on the eve of the

hand-over of the facilities to the new owners.

Investigation by Vanguard confirmed that contrary to promise, government has not addressed the issue of the 4,805 , whose biometric data had been captured, but were awaiting data re-verification; 2,500 identified as casuals by presidential Committee under the Minister of Labour and Productivity, normal retirees yet to receive their gratuity and pension benefits who are to be captured biometrically and paid accordingly.

Recall that the Federal Government and organised labour, on the eve of the handing over, reached agreement on pension issue, including non-payment of severance benefits to the workers.

Police nab Godogodo’s informant, arms dealer

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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HE Police in Lagos State, yesterday, said that they have arrested an informant and an illegal arms dealer who supplied arms and ammunition to notorious robbery czar, Abiodun Ogunjobi, aka, Godogodo, who terrorised Lagos and other states in the South-West for 14-years.

This was as five more AK 47 rifles and 40 fully loaded magazines have been recovered from the one-eyed robber who killed over 50 policemen during his reign within the region.

Sources at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, where Godogodo is being detained after his arrest on August 1, 2013, also intimated Vanguard that the robbery king-pin has made more startling revelations after the arrest of his deputy Adegoke Kasali, who was nabbed by the Police in Ogun State.

A source who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said SARS operatives, led by SP Abba Kyari, took Godogodo, before Kasali, in Ogun State and made him confess to some of the high profile robberies he coordinated in various parts of Lagos, which include the black Sunday robbery of September 9, 2011, where several bureau de change operators were robbed of their hard earned monies including foreign currencies, while three policemen and several other civilians were killed in the encounter.

The source also added that sequel to Godogodo’s confession, 31-year-old, Mohammed Kabiru, who worked for him as an informant and 30-year-old Lawrence Okechukwu, a notorious armed robber and an arms dealer, were arrested.

“Kabiru is the son of a rich bureau de change operator at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and on two occasions, he gave Godogodo information that led to the robbery of $350,000 and $30,000 from his father, while Okechukwu, took part in some high profile robberies in Lagos State, including the one at Victoria Garden City, VGC, Ajah, where two members of their gang were killed,” he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013—13

Involve us in your operations or leave our land, Ijaw youths tell oil firms

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—THE Ijaw Youth Council, yesterday, urged indigenous oil companies acquiring oil fields in the Niger Delta to ensure that the people of the oil producing communities have a stake in the ownership and operations of such firms or be prepared to face their wrath.

President of IYC, Mr Udengs Eradiri, gave the

warning at the annual general meeting of the Keffes Rural Development Foundation hosted by Chevron Nigeria Limited in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He singled out Seplat, an indigenous upstream oil company, said to have bought most of the oil fields belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company in Ijawland.

Eradiri warned that the youths would not allow the company to operate its fields

in Ijawland, unless the local people were given a say as directors and percentage of ownership in the company.

He said: “We must be given a say in the ownership and operations of the oil fields in our areas. We must get a directorship in the oil company, ownership and profit sharing.

I am sending this message to them that we will not allow them to operate in our land unless our demands are met.”

Earlier, Chevron’s General

Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr Deji Haastrup, commended the leadership of the Keffes Foundation for the commissioning of 30 projects in Keffes communities.

The projects, according to him, include rural electrification, town halls, concrete foot bridges, market stalls, principal’s quarters for a community secondary school and provision of generating plants for deep riverside communities.

Police officers thumb printed for APGA— NGIGE

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LL Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the Anambra State gubernatorial election, Senator Chris Ngige, yesterday, alleged that some members of the Police force thumb printed for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, during the election.

Addressing a press conference last night, Senator Ngige said: “I am sad for my country. I have lost hope in the entire process. People’s hopes are being dashed.

“I am not desperate to becoming a governor. I had been there before now. The people of the state have lost hope in INEC. “We have on tape a policeman thumb printing for APGA during this election and also, INEC officials running away with election materials. Yet, the commission is applauding the election. Onukaogu has no business to stay in INEC and in this state.

“This is a man who took my party agent to ICPC by writing a petition for fraud. Why is Jega sitting down to say they have no complains to remove him?”

Community warns Shell over pipeline project

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ARRI—THE people of Boutubo Community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, are spoiling for a showdown with Shell Petroleum Development Company, and its contractors, over alleged marginalisation and neglect in the repair of the Trans Ramos pipeline in their area.

Chairman of the community, Mr. Afidi Ebiarede, who addressed newsmen in Warri, yesterday, accused the contracting firm and its sub-contractor of undermining his community in the execution of the project.

He said that the companies had concluded plan to commence work without the community’s Freedom To Operation, FTO, and due consultation with its leaders as was the norm in such projects, warning that the plot could truncate the repair of the pipeline, which conveys crude to the Forcados Terminal of Shell.

Ebiarede said: “It is wrong for the company to HE Senior Special carry on without consultAssistant to Governor ing the leadership of my Peter Obi of Anambra State on community and the execMedia and Publicity has called utive as it is the norm in on the people of the state to such projects in the Niger remain calm over what he Delta. called the stage-managed pro“The way it is now, we test against the November 16, cannot guarantee the governorship poll in the state. safety of the companies’ Obienyem, in a statement, staff and equipment if yesterday, said that investigathey carry on without first tions revealed that those who obtaining the FTO in our protested, especially the womcommunity.”

Anambra election protesters, not Igbos when contacted on — OBI’S AIDE en that pretended to be carry- alarmed phone. He had to rush down to

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ing placards were imported into Anambra State from Osun State in five chartered luxurious buses.

He said: “some of the parties opposed to APGA wanted protests at all cost, but when our people refused , they had to go to Osun State.

“Even when they imported some boys from Imo State to protest as students, the Vice Chancellor of Nnandi Azikiwe University, Prof. Egboka, was

the school for investigations.

Having discovered that those involved were not his students, he warned those who lost and said he had checked with all his relevant officials who confirmed that the story of UNIZIK students was fallacious. We have our respects, belief and integrity.”

He added that they confessed that one of the opposition parties paid them N1,500 each and chartered the buses that brought them to Anambra.

C-River GDP drops to N1.28trn —NPC

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HE National Planning Commission, NPC, has said that Cross River State’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, dropped to N1.28 trillion in 2011 from N1.32 trillion achieved in 2010.

The supervising Minister for NPC, Mr. Bashir Yuguda, made the disclosure in Calabar.

Yuguda attributed the drop in the state’s GDP

by N40 billion to the drop in the state’s oil revenue during the period.

The national statistics also showed that the state’s industrial production declined by 66 per cent in the period under review against an earlier fall of 70 per cent recorded in 2009.

“Agriculture grew from 20 per cent to 23 per cent within the same period and the services sector grew from 10 per cent in 2009 to 11 per cent in 2011,” he said.

Yuguda said that the agriculture sector was growing faster, especially in the area of crops production, adding that there was need for the diversification of the state’s economy.

He said that Cross River State was among the seven pilot states from the six geo-political zones used to understudy the national economy.

The other states are Rivers, Anambra, Gombe, Lagos, Niger and Kano.

Yuguda said that the report specifically showed the state of the economy in the seven states, using agriculture, industry and the services sector.

Governor Liyel Imoke lauded NPC and the National Bureau of Statistics for the exercise, adding that it would guide the state properly in policy planning and implementation.

“When we know what our GDP is, it will enable us to deliver the needed democracy dividends to our people. The presentation has given us the size of our economy for proper planning,” he said.

14 — Vanguard ,

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WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

Vanguard , WEDNIESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 2013 —15

Anambra: INEC to decide on fresh election next week

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BY OKEY NDIRIBE

BUJA—THERE are indications that a meeting of commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, would hold next week to fix a date for conduct of fresh elections in local government areas in Anambra State where last Saturday’s governorship polls were cancelled.

Sources at INEC headquarters in Abuja, yesterday, disclosed that no decision could be taken on the date for the re-scheduled elections until, officials who conducted last Saturday’s polls are debriefed by the leadership of the commission.

This was confirmed by Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

It would be recalled that the electoral body refused to declare the final result of the election, insisting that the exercise was inconclusive following cancellation of the polls in 208 polling units across the state.

INEC had cancelled elections held in the affected units following reports of electoral irregularities.

Opposition candidates including APC ‘s Dr. Chris Ngige; his PDP and LP counterparts, Mr. Tony Nwoye and Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah respectively, had last Sunday jointly called for a total cancellation of the poll.

They told INEC to conduct a fresh election before the March, 2014 handover date by the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Obi. Chief Returning Officer for the poll Prof. James Epoke had on Monday morning said that the election was declared inconclusive because it did not meet certain requirements of the Electoral Act. He said the Act required that for a winner to be declared in an election, the total voting population of the areas where the exercise was cancelled should be less than the difference between the votes scored by the candidate with the highest votes and the votes of the runner up.

He said in the case of Anambra State, the total voting population of the areas in which election was cancelled was 113,113.

You’re indebted to me, Wamakko replies PDP, Presidency

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL

EDITOR, NORTH OKOTO—SOKOTO State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would not have won any seat in the state in the 2007 election if not for his timely intervention.

The governor, who was reacting to claims by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, that he was a stranger in the party, said that it was the PDP that begged him to join the party having seen its precarious position.

Wamakko said that Gulak’s claims, which were laughable and borne out of ignorance and mischief, were deliberately aimed at scoring cheap political points.

The governor, who spoke to Vanguard through his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Abubakar Dangusa, noted that Gulak was deliberately trying to twist the facts of his entry into the PDP and downplay the strategic role he played to salvage the party from extinction in Sokoto State at the time.

Wamakko said that the Presidency and the PDP should be grateful to him for accepting to use his clout and political sagacity to win elections at all levels for the party in Sokoto.

The governor said: “The Presidency and the PDP

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leadership should show me respect and gratitude after begging me to leave my party and join them so as to help them win the state from the reigning ANPP at the time.

“Gulak should be bold enough to tell the world that it was Wamakko that made it possible for the dead PDP in Sokoto to come back to life and begin to win elections from the ward to the national level.

“The coming of Wamakko to the PDP conquered the state for the party and paved the way for it to be heard in the state. The records are there for all to see.”

The political adviser to the President, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, in a television programme monitored in Abuja on Monday, castigated the governors of Sokoto, Niger and Adamawa states for fighting

the same party that offered them opportunities to become governors from their unpopular parties.

Gulak, who absolved President Goodluck Jonathan of any blame in the unfolding intra-party feud, said the dissenting governors were not interested in making peace but pursuing personal political interest at the expense of the nation.

INDUCTION: From left: Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Young Arabame, Chairman, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, decorating Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, as Special Traffic Mayor, during the induction of new special traffic mayors, STM, in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

How Kebbi AG used own firm to siphon N1.3bn —EFCC

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL

EDITOR, NORTH BUJA—THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday gave reasons why its operatives arrested and detained the Accountant General of Kebbi State, Mohammed Arzika Dakingari, in Abuja.

The commission said it had credible evidence that the suspect used his own company, known as Beal Construction Nigeria Limited to siphon state funds amounting to N1.3 billion between May last year and September this year.

Vanguard learnt that Dakingari who is currently cooling his heels in EFCC detention facility in Abuja, used his position in government to also award contracts to the firm, which the commission claimed was wholly owned by him.

The commission said also that its investigators had stumbled on evidence which that showed Dakingari owns Beal Construction, which he runs with

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his sons and brothers as codirectors.

EFCC said its findings at the Corporate Affairs Commission showed that Mohammed Bashir Mohammed, Anwal Sadat and Nasir Mohammed, all sons of the accountant general, are directors of the company while two of his brothers, Abduallahi Mohammed and Habibu Mohammed are the other two directors.

According to the commission, the construction company operates two accounts at Ecobank and Unity Bank with Dakingari and Yusuf Musa, managing director of the construction company as signatories to the accounts.

Dakingari is reported to have been operating with two signatures, one in his official capacity as accountant general of the state and the other as owner of Beal Construction Company Limited.

An analysis of the accounts revealed a total credit of N1.3 billion between May 2012 and

September 2013, with most of the receipts coming from the office of the Accountant General and the Kebbi State Ministry of Finance.

Some of the contracts executed for the state for which Beal Construction Company received huge payments

included the supply of furniture to 66 secondary schools in Kebbi State valued at N987,000 million; the connection of water and drainage system at Kebbi Central Mosque valued at N110 million and the building and partitioning of Mohammed Maira Secondary School valued at N247 million.

Glo’s Lafftafest storms Benin

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E N I N — N I G E R I A’ S National Carrier, Globacom, last Sunday night staged it’s iconic Glo Laftafest rated as Africa’s biggest comedy show and paraded 18 artistes from West and East Africa in a night of glitz, music and upscale comedy.

Professor Julius Ihionvbere, a former Senior Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Project Monitoring and Implementation, who is the current Secretary to the Edo State Government led top citizens of the state such as Dr. Benka Coker of St

Bridget Radiological Centre, the Chairman of Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, Chief Oseni Elamah, state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Folorunso Adebayo, former Director of Public Affairs, University of Benin, Mr. Charles Omonaide and a host of others to the show.

Chief Elamah who watched the show that ended at the wee hours of Monday declared that “it was a great show.”

The Benin edition of the Glo Lafftafest was the fifth in the series of shows packaged by the giant telecommunications outfit as part of the activities marking its 10th anniversary celebrations.

16 — Vanguard ,

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WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

“Politics is so corrupt, even the dishonest get screwed.”- George Carlin BY the time you read this, INEC would have returned the APGA candidate as winner in the Anambra gubernatorial elections held on Saturday, November 16. The APC, PDP and Labour Party candidates would have rejected the results outrightly. The tens of thousands of policemen and soldiers and INEC officials would be leaving. Many citizens of Anambra would be wondering whether they will live under a genuinely – elected governor or a fraud. They may spend the next four years never knowing the truth.

Some would say that is how it has always been. Others will curse, grumble and more ominously, wait for the next elections, with bitterness and the wrong lessons learnt. A small percentage of registered voters who participated in the election will wonder whose will has been expressed.

There is still a long way to go before the final word is heard on the election. Going by tradition, the battle will now move to be sorted out in the courts. Lawyers and judges will now make fortunes, but a governor will be sworn in to exercise a questionable mandate. Part of the resources of the state will be used to pay for legal expenses, of course, although the books will not reflect this. The courts will rely heavily on INEC to provide evidence against allegations that the elections it conducted were not free and fair.

INEC will defend itself with everything at its disposal, which is considerably more than all the defeated candidates can muster. It will be a miracle if Ngige or Nwoye will

Anambra: Its 2015!

*Prof Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman

bye-election of a seat in Oguta, Imo State House of Assembly a few months back was the forgivable type of election, and challengers can go and spend new fortunes in the courts, in vain. You know that Anambra is a major benchmark when the candidates of the PDP and APC find themselves in the

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Anambra last week exposed a vision for the future; voters’ registers are tampered with on a large scale, but specifically in a manner which guarantees that registered voters in particular areas have their names missing

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become governors of Anambra State before 2017.

Now Anambra may be just another mark in an institutionalised parody of a democratic system that prevents Nigerians from ever knowing if they have elected leaders, or people who govern because every rule in the book was broken to install them into elective offices. As is to be expected, INEC is in the eye of the storm. After the embarrassingly low-quality of elections for the Delta Central Senatorial seat last month (even by INEC’s standards of conducting elections in that region), many people expected that INEC will raise its standards dramatically. After all, this is Anambra State, where everything is both possible and beyond the ordinary. People thought the charade which passed for the

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 —17 dent Jonathan for facilitating a peaceful environment had to share a common platform with Dr Ubah and Dr Ngige to reject the results. Even without the formal declaration of the results, APGA will claim victory which it will say was well-deserved. The quarrels will continue all the way to the highest courts, and even then, Anambra will be governed by people who may largely be seen as stealing mandates and hiding behind the crudest form of ethnic jingoism.

APGA had to fight fair and dirty to retain Anambra. It did, and apparently got it. The new opposition APC thought it had a good candidate and a good chance to make a loud statement that it is the future. It fought hard, and will now have to learn a bitter lesson: Anambra last week exposed a vision for every party will protect his turf with every the future. The elections are won beforehand weapon at its disposal, including INEC. If because INEC chooses to exploit all the APC does not have much turf to protect in weaknesses of the system. Voters’ registers 2015, it will fight many fruitless battles. The are tampered with on a large scale, but spe- PDP will lick its wounds, and regret that othcifically in a manner which guarantees that ers are fast waking up to its old tricks. Its registered voters in particular areas have candidate may have to come to terms with their names missing. This takes consider- the bitter truth that he will be sacrificed to able local level knowledge which a display the imperatives of limiting the spread of the of voters register could mitigate. So you skip APC, and striking unstable alliances between this stage for any number of reasons, but factions of the APGA and Jonathan’s PDP. Everyone will study Anambra very closely principally on the grounds that voters do not and improve strategies from lessons learnt bother to check their names, or time does from it. INEC may come to the painful connot allow you to do this. clusion that it cannot conduct free and fair Then you mix up registers and lose considerable amount of time sorting them out. elections in most parts of the country, no By the time you put together registers, ballot matter how sincere and well-meaning Jega papers, result sheets and all electoral mate- is. But it won't tell anyone of this. It will sit on rials, it is 4pm or 5pm. Elections then go into its weaknesses and inadequacies, promisthe nights when people are afraid or are not ing to improve. Very few people will believe sure what is being done at voting or colla- it, although most Nigerians will hope it can.

Depending on how the damaging fights tion centres.

While people wait, agents are within the PDP play out, the 2015 elections threatened, bought over or chased away. Se- could represent the tipping point for the nacurity agents look the other way, or concen- tion. If the split in the PDP boosts the oppotrate on the security of polling officials, not sition APC, Jonathan’s presidential ambithe sanctity of the voting process. Agents tions may have to be realised or damaged cannot complain over abuse of excess bal- on the back of massive security challenges lots, voting by unaccredited voters who turn and a near-total loss of credibility by INEC. up with cards, or being prevented from ob- If the PDP heals itself, it will face massive serving. But foreign observers are allowed a opposition in most parts of the North and carefully-choreographed access to a few se- South West, and bitter competition will delected polling and collation centres. Their prive elections of any semblance of credibilopinions are important, particularly since ity. It is a sobering thought that only INEC they have been made to believe that any elec- will conduct all these elections. The political tion conducted in Nigeria without massive context of the elections will of course subviolence is virtually free and fair. Local ob- stantially determine their credibility. The more servers are treated with scorn and contempt bitter the campaigns and the higher the because INEC and politicians all know that stakes in terms of political ambitions, the more most of them have long been bought and INEC will be compromised. There is no better time to pray that INEC will find the will paid for.

Naturally, the major parties which thought and the capacity to conduct credible electhey had a fighting chance will reject the tions in 2015. While the nation prays, INEC results. Even the PDP candidate who was in needs to undertake a very painful soul search: the unusual position of rejecting the result the entire survival of a democratic Nigeria while his party went to town praising Presi- depends on it.

same boat. Ngige thought the mere presence of soldiers would guarantee a free and fair election. What the soldiers and policemen did was to provide the appearance of a peaceful atmosphere, in the event that anyone wanted to snatch ballot boxes or break a few heads or chase away voters or opponents’ agents. You can have the most rigged election being conducted under the safest and most secure environment. Politicians, in fact, now understand that militarising the electoral process is a vital requirement for rigging elections. Such is the sophistication of the rigging process now that the crude old methods of snatching ballots and scaring away voters are limited only to areas where you are worried that opponents’ strongholds may embarrass you.

OPINION

BY MOSHOOD ISAH

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HEN a man has many children, nu merous grandchildren and a lot of descendants but just seven out of those children are erring, I don’t really think it’s something to lose sleep over. In a similar vein, if a child needs something from his parents, and such demand cannot be immediately met, that should not be a reason for the child to denounce or ostracize his parents. There is no better way to describe the continuous hassles between the Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, best known as the new PDP and the mainstream PDP. It is no more news that during the August 2013 special convention of the PDP in Abuja some party stalwarts, including seven governors currently elected under the party’s platform, staged a walk out. They complained about lack of internal democracy and other perceived personal ambition. According to leaders of the new PDP and the G-7 mainly drawn from Adamawa, Kano, Kwara, Rivers, Niger, Sokoto and Jigawa states, “not only has the constitution of the party been serially violated by its Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and his co-travellers, but all the organs of the party have been rendered virtually ineffectual by a few people

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PDP crisis: There are more pressing issues who act as though they are above the law.

Unfortunately, it is obvious that that they get encouragement from the Presidency whose calculations are geared towards shutting out any real or imagined opposition ahead of the party’s presidential primaries for the 2015 elections.”

It is so amazing that members of the ruling party who have reaped from election rigging and other unconstitutional actions perpetrated by the same party are the ones now openly preaching against impunity violation of constitutions. The ruling party, which all these governors have been part of, for more than a decade, has been found culpable times without number when it comes to lack of internal democracy. I really don’t know why the sudden agitation to stop the President from exercising his constitutional right of contesting any office of his choice, come 2015. I am not in any way against the G-7 and its agenda but it is more of a trivial than salient issue.

Why not create your own party with a new constitution instead of engaging in legal struggles over the use of the same party slogan and logos. Why not move on with your own manifesto instead of trying to

“save” the party you have already denounced from being hijacked. The government of the day on the other hand, should focus on vital national issues other than attacking the G-7 governors from all angles.

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nstead of throwing banters and tan trums here and there in a bid to disrupt activities of the opposition, why not focus on improving lives of the masses who gave you their mandate? Perhaps government is so scared of the breakaway faction that it had to do everything possible to see dissident members either return or dispatch. There were noticeable uncomfortable developments from the imbroglio, including the disturbing trends at the airport during solidarity rallies. In fact, there are various accusations of flagrant violations of human rights from all the factions in the crisis.

In a nutshell, I think the PDP splinter group should simply channel and settle their grievances internally, as no organisation exists without misunderstanding. Better still, since the differences seem to be non-negotiable as the President would surely contest in the next election

and Bamanga Tukur is not willing to resign, the splinter should register its own party with a new name, policy and precepts. More so, there is no crime defecting to the opposition if their notions are in tandem with each other. As for the Presidency, there is still about 15 months or so before the next election and who says that isn’t enough time to win back hearts of the masses previously let down by your inactions? University and polytechnic students are still at home, remember! Bad roads are still a common sight around the country, have you forgotten? The country is still vulnerable in terms of security. The poor masses are practically scrounging to survive. Isn’t that more important than infighting in the ruling party? I wish to, therefore, call on all those involved in the unfortunate PDP crisis to either sheathe their swords or concentrate on providing good leadership to the electorates or on the alternative let them leave the scene for others who do not share in the idea of politics of bitterness and rancour.

*Mr Isah, a political analyst, wrote from Garki II, Abuja

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 HE type of shocking crimes being committed in our society, and the level to which evil men and women are willing to go to achieve their devilish ends are becoming something else. The system is still reeling from the scourge of baby factories, where wayward young girls who get impregnated are lured to deliver their babies pital, and for this the armed men inflicted in exchange for paltry sums of money, injuries on them. while the owners of the syndicates sell the After the attack, the Chairman of Ado Ekiti babies for huge sums of money. The buy- Local Government Area, Mr. Tope ers of the babies deploy them for their ne- Olanipekun, was quoted as saying that he farious uses ranging from begging to adop- had already taken steps to forestall a retion, and the less fortunate ones are mur- currence, such as ordering that night dudered for ritual purposes. ties be suspended in all hospitals in the The war against innocent babies in Niger- council. ia took another turn when on Monday, NoWe join millions of well meaning Nigerivember 18, 2013, the media were filled with ans to condemn this heinous, blood-chillthe gory story of how armed bandits sus- ing crime. It is simply unbelievable that pected to be ritualists invaded a govern- some supposed human beings would dement hospital in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State scend to this low level in the quest for quick capital, demanding for newborn babies. Ac- money. Criminals have taken their act a cording to the story, staff of the hospital notch higher because they have watched gallantly did their best to thwart the efforts other despicable crimes such as human of the evil men by telling them that all new- trafficking and the baby factory “business” borns had been discharged from the hos-

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Ekiti bab obber babyy rrobber obberss

go without adequate steps being taken by law enforcement agents to crush the perpetrators. Thus, our highly vulnerable newborns, the future of our society as a people, are now so callously targeted and we have shown ourselves incapable of protecting them and dealing heavy blows on their assailants.

We call on the Governor of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the father of the state and its Chief Security Officer, to mobilise the law enforcement agencies and lead the way in the search for the culprits and ensure that the heavy weight of the law is brought upon them in record time. This is not an assignment for a local government chairman.

Olanipekun showed his incapacity to accost the problem when he ordered the suspension of night duties in hospitals. If night duties are suspended who will care for inpatients during the night hours?

However, we commend the efforts of the hospital staff and urge them not to be discouraged in their good work.

OPINION

BY ROMANUS UWA

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OMETIME in 2010, the Abia State government after thorough examination of her civil service discovered that it was fraught with fraudulent employment procedures and ghost workers. It was also discovered that some non-indigenous civil servants in the state who were supposed to have been transferred back to their states of origin upon the creation of the state in 1991 on the transfer of service basis had not been transferred. There were also leakages in the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the state coupled with over-bloated workers’ wage bills that made it difficult for the state government to meet up with her financial obligations then.

As if these were not enough problems for the state, Imo State Government sent the files of retired civil servants of Abia origin back to Abia State government to pay their pensions, a development many viewed as unfortunate, considering the fact that these were men and women who had given 35 years of their lives in the service of Imo State, only to be denied when it mattered most. All these contributed to the massive rot in the state civil service that required urgent attention of government, if the sector was to remain relevant in the day-to-day administration of the state.

On the basis of these obvious challenges, the Abia government, after due consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the state, embarked on an aggressive reform of the state civil service to address these fundamenC M Y K

Abia example on non-indigenous workers tal issues that had bedevilled it for decades.

The reforms introduced by the government included transferring of non-indigenous civil servants to their states of origin on transfer of service basis, prompt promotion and retirement of workers, payment of N21,000 as the new minimum wage, introduction of biometric data capturing of all the civil servants in the state and tackling of the ghost workers’ menace as well as construction of a new ultra modern workers secretariat.

While many people, especially workers in the state, commended the state government’s intervention in the sector, some skeptics outside the state picked holes on government’s decision to transfer some non-indigenous workers to their states of origin on transfer of service basis. This was despite the fact that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji wrote to his colleague governors in advance, alerting them of his government’s plan to transfer the workers back to their states of origin due to some financial constraints his government was facing then.

Till today, none of the state governors that were written to by Governor Orji over the matter has debunked it; meaning that they were duly informed and carried along by the Abia State government before and after the workers were transferred.

Disappointingly, most of the governors of the affected states have up till today refused to absorb the transferred workers, despite the fact that their civil service system is under-staffed.

Having plugged all the financial leakages within the state's revenue sources, coupled with prudent management of resources, the Abia State government recently announced plans to recruit more workers into the state civil service and have decided to use the opportunity to re-absorb the nonindigenous workers who were transferred to their states of origin some years ago, but are yet to be re-absorbed by their state governments. As a result of this, Governor Orji called on the affected non-indigenous civil servants to re-apply for possible re-absorption into the civil service.

The news of the planned recruitment of workers, and re-absorption of the disengaged non-indigenous workers in the state was broken during a post-executive council briefing at Government House, Umuahia recently by the Information and Culture Commissioner, Eze Chikamnayo who said the decision was taken by the council with the governor presiding. He explained that the council deliberated decisively on the need to inject fresh blood into the civil service by way of employing the teeming population of youths and to reduce the worsening unemployment. By the development, those who were disengaged in 2010, and who still want to return to their duty posts can re-apply for consideration.

The commissioner assured that reapplying for consideration would not make the officers inferior as they stand the chance of returning to the former positions they occu-

pied, adding that already the Head of Service and the Commissioner for Education had been ordered to come up with the modalities which would also consider those who left their places of work due to the rampaging Boko Haram insurgency in the North.

The development deserves commendation as a step in the right direction, and timely too; a plus for Governor Orji's understanding of governance. There is a lesson of courage therein for political leaders of today. Courage, they say, is what it takes to stand up and speak; and also what it takes to sit down and listen. Governor Orji’s example is that leadership is not a one-way traffic or irreversible.

He stood up to speak when it was necessary and had also sat down to listen when it was needful. Good governance demands visionary leaders who can anticipate and act quickly to save situations. Orji’s government inherited huge debt, approximately N30 billion from his predecessor, a bloated workforce, a nearly empty treasury and backlog of salaries. Without doubt, nothing short of the pragmatic action taken by the government at the time could have saved the government from collapse. Now that the financial status of the state government has improved, the decision of Governor Orji to recruit new workers, and possibly re-absorb the disengaged ones, is only proper and should be commended and not condemned.

It is a demonstration that democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

• Uwa, a medical practitioner, wrote from Aba, Abia State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013— —19

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T all looks and sounds so sur real that Festus Iyayi is dead, victim of yet another case of executive lawlessness. By executive lawlessness I’m not just referring to the irresponsible and rampaging conduct of Idris Wada, one of the sorry cases now functioning as state governors in a Nigeria supposedly under the rule of law. I include in my statement of executive recklessness those whose violations of simple agreements reached between them and the Academic Staff Union of Universities led to the protracted strike that has now needlessly claimed the life of Iyayi; those whose corrupt ways have made air travels such high risk business that sane people would rather endure the hardship and equally grave risks of long road trips than enter the flying coffins that routinely drop out of our air space like errant asteroids. O yes, Festus Iyayi is dead but this is too much sacrifice to expect from a man who has already given so much to Nigerian children; one who endured the onslaught of a university administration that, at the

behest of a despotic military, flung his belongings out of his university quarters, took his job from him and turned him and his family into overnight destitutes in their own country.

This was his reward for leading a strike of the academic union of universities as their president 27 years ago. Not even the most far-sighted clairvoyant could have guessed it would all end in this way. That having escaped the bang of military violation, it would all end for him with the vile whimper of civil recklessness. It’s too much a price to pay for the survival of our decayed educational system. Iyayi deserved more than this and ASUU must prove this by instituting a civil case against Idris Wada and his rampaging goons.

The Governor must be hounded through the instrumentality of the law until his likes learn the norms of civilised conduct. He is definitely a menace to the community of Nigerian road users.

It was just last week I commented here on the irresponsible ways of our public officials and their uniformed murderers mis-

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named escorts. I talked about the irresponsibility of so-called police aides and guards engaging their weapons in crowded places as with the Adoration Ground murder of 27 Nigerians fleeing apparently from the shot of a police aide of Peter Obi, governor of Anambra State. I had rhetorically asked if it would be ‘strange that a security aide of a politician, even a governor, would use their weapon in a crowded place?’ and had answered that: ‘This indeed is common practice with our triggerhappy police and military operatives who, as escorts to politicians and other public officials, are known to shoot guns with live ammunition into the air simply to find their way out of crowded traffic. The frightful pandemonium that follows such irresponsible use of arm is never the business of our kill-and-go officers of the law’. Only a week after I wrote those lines, a police aide

Who killed Iyayi? Who owns Nigeria’s roads?

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F you were looking for further proof that Nigerians are yet to attain the status of citizen, then look no further than the murder of Professor Festus Iyayi on November 12, 2013 by a driver to the convoy-death-and-injury-happy governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada.And now you should ask: Who killed Iyayi?

The obvious answer is a yet unnamed driver under the influence of “powerdrug,” the narcotic on which Nigeria’s ruling class and those in its circle are permanently stoned. But you would be wrong to hold the driver solely responsible for Iyayi’s murder. The other culprit is Governor Wada who despite a previous convoy accident thatclaimed the life of his aide-de-camp had done nothing to prevent another needless death. Also in the dock is the Federal Government for fomenting the circumstance that put Iyayi and his injured colleagues on the road at the haunted hour of Gover nor Wada’s lethal convoy. By neglecting its duty to education, by signing one agreement after another with the Academic Staff Union of Universities for the rehabilitation of our dilapidated universities only to back out of its obligations the next day, the Federal Government created a needless crisis.

ButIyayi was slaughtered on a public highway, so you should also ask: Who owns Nigeria’s roads? The answer by our convoy-loving men and women of power is that they, and not all of us, own the roads.So they recruit and train drivers and policemen to drive us out of THEIR roads with whips and gunbutts. And where we do not get out fast enough, they smash our vehicles with C M Y K

intent to maim or kill so that we may never again dare to use THEIR roads, for they are never to be impeded when hurrying off to one more urgent business of dispossessing us.You may think these to be the grief-soaked words of one mourning the avoidable death of a friend and mentor, a pillar of integrity and courage. But I say “ with intent to maim or kill” advisedly, as a person must be deemed to intend the natural consequences of his or her action. The salient fact of the fatal “accident” —that the driver swerved recklessly out of his lane in a bid to overtake all other vehicles and take a position at or near the head of the convoy — fixes him with the presumption of knowledge of probable death or grievous bodily harm resulting from his action.

I

n 1985 when I entered the Uni versity of Benin intending to study law but nursing a burning desire to be a writer, I looked up to Iyayi more as the author of three exemplary novels that told the stories of the poor and powerless in which the depravity of the powerful was in full exhibition than as a teacher of business methods. It wasn’t long before I sought him out, eager to show him some of the half-formed poems I had written; in particular, the one that had just won me a consolation prize in a national anti-apartheid poetry contest and that would bring me to Lagos for the first time. That was when I witnessed the charming humility that endeared him to all, except the sworn enemies of the people. “So you are a poet?” he had

N

o, ASUU must demand le gal recompense from Wada, however inadequate and impossible it is to bring back Iyayi. What can Wada who only recently, just less than a year ago, was involved in another vehicular crash that left him with a fracture and took the life of his police aide- what does Wada or the FRSC that promised to clamp down on executive recklessness of this nature- what do they have to say about Wada’s unruly driving habit? This, if no other, is additional proof of the reckless conduct of our public officers, appointed or elected. They conduct themselves as if only they have the right to life. They plunder the treasury and rather than cover their faces in shame they flaunt the proceeds of their theft in the eyes of the dispossessed.

They make air travels either unsafe or too costly for ordinary Nigerians to make, while they go about in so-called private jets acquired at public expense. What can Wada show as proof of his own contribution to Nigeria where people talk of Iyayi who was not only a professor of Busi-

said, with a slanted smile.

“I’m a novelist.

Perhaps you will teach me to understand poetry!”

Many years later, as I grappled with a poem for his 60th birthday, the lesson of that first encounter became clear to me: he had sought to put the nervous aspiring writer at ease the better to remove any obstacle to full communion. Iyayi loathed nothing more than the artificial boundaries created by power and privilege.

But the riveting idealism of his social vision, I would learn, was

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Festus Iyayi: Too much a sacrifice for executive lawlessness

Festus Iyayi has paid his dues for Nigeria; the task now is for ASUU not to let his legacy go to waste and that must begin with seeking legal redress for his death

of Idris Wada drove dangerously in a reckless overtake into the vehicle conveying Iyayi and other ASUU leaders to the NEC meeting of the body in Kano. The meeting was to consider outcome of the referendum from the branch associations of ASUU on the need or not to review the four months old strike. Rather than the euphoria that would have followed the expected positive outcome of the meeting, we now have ashes in our mouth and wear sackcloth in mourning.

We have reached the dangerous point where powerful public officials and their minions believe that the people are their slaves, not citizens with inalienable rights to whom they are accountable

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matched by an earthy philosophy.

When finally I overcame my doubts and showed him the first decent draft of my poem,he once again put me at ease. I had hesitated out of the fear that its rather pessimistic ending disdained his struggle and sacrifice. As

ness Administration but also a novelist of note?

Iyayi we all know; his works we’ve read. But what, for goodness sake, do Nigerians know of Wada other than his ghastly traffic record and disputed electoral victory as governor of Kogi State? Yet he goes around, like his executive kith and kin, causing needless deaths on our highway! Could these executive-induced deaths across the land be some macabre blood ritual for power? With his Heroes, a satiric take on the Nigerian khakied class of ‘desk generals’ who made themselves heroes of the Nigerian Civil War at the expense of the subalterns- with Heroes Iyayi celebrates foot soldiers of the War. With this novel that won him the Commonwealth Prize for Literature, Iyayi in 1987 etched his name on Nigeria’s literary map. Heroes and Violence, another novel of his, were among other texts I supervised for long essays submitted by two of my graduating students. These students would be returning to pick their degrees at the end of this strike while Iyayi who fought to make the future richer for them lies cold beneath the earth. With his contribution to the educational and political growth of this country, Festus Iyayi has paid his dues for Nigeria. The task now is for ASUU not to let his legacy go to waste and that must begin with seeking legal redress for his death.

I watched him face with equanimity his dismissal and eviction from the University of Benin, the many subsequent acts of official malice aimed at breaking him, the snail pace of his case of wrongful dismissal all the way to the Supreme Court, then his return to teaching on being vindicated, the respect and admiration spawned in my mind by that first meeting rose to the point where I might get up and leave the room if anyone spoke ill of him.

This was the man murdered by a power-drugged driver on a public highway. We have reached the dangerous point where powerful public officials and their minions believe that the people are their slaves, not citizens with inalienable rights to whom they are accountable. They own Nigeria and we live in it at their pleasure. It is time we reclaimed our roads, symbols of our shared heritage, of our collective existence as a nation.

Time to reassert our citizenship rights, starting with the prosecution of the reckless driver. Iyayi’s widowed wife and half-orphaned children must seek, through civil action, punitive and exemplary damages against the Kogi state government. And we must demand an immediate end to official convoys; or, at the very least, their strict subjection to traffic regulations.

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY,, NOVEMBER 20 , 2013

Jos Katako market fire rekindles hope of peace

T

BY TAYE OBATERU & BERNARD LUCAS

T

HE traders searched the rubbles to see if there was anything to salvage from the ashes of their former stalls. It was like hoping against hope considering the intensity of the fire which levelled the stalls, but they searched all the same.

The pain was palpable from the forlorn look in the eyes of some of the traders and this was understandable. Losing their wares again barely four years after a similar fire which razed the

*The charred remains of ‘Katako’ market after the inferno

market in the midst of the Jos crisis and having to start from the scratch is not something they wished to experience again. Unfortunately, that is the reality they must face.

The foodstuff section of the ‘Katako’ market which is more popular for the sale of second hand clothing went up in flames on Tuesday night consuming over 200 stalls. The fire which started at abut 9.30 pm after the traders had closed and returned home for the day was believed to have been caused by a power surge following the restoration of electricity supply. An eye witness said there was a spark which ignited fire in one of the stalls and later spread rapidly to the other shops in the “yanbuhu” market which were

‘

“More than 300 shops were burnt and we are starting from the scratch. As I speak to you, some of the credit we obtained the last time the market got burnt have not been fully repaid and it has happened again,” he lamented.

He said things would be difficult for a lot of them unless government came to their rescue. According to him: “When the market burnt four years ago, there was no assistance from either the federal or state government. But we are appealing to them to assist us in getting our businesses back on track. This is the only way we can cope.”

Chairman of the Grain Traders Association, Mallam Kabiru Lawal, said he was alerted of the fire by the security men on guard

I really appreciate the level of cooperation employed to put off the fire; it took all the residents around here, irrespective of tribal or religious differences to do it

C M Y K

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constructed with corrugated iron sheets. Although the fire service arrived the scene promptly and were supported by scores of concerned individuals, it took several hours to bring the fire under control.

However, goods estimated at close to N250 million had been lost. Two lives were reported lost and about 30 people injured while trying to contain the fire.

An admixture of shock and pain was noticeable from the faces and countenance of many of the affected traders when Vanguard Metro visited as they expressed deep emotions about their losses and what the future holds.

Mallam Sani Mohammed, an Assistant Organising Secretary of the market’s traders association said his shop was completely gutted.

Before another rape victim dies

at about 9pm on the fateful day, forcing him to rush back to the market to see things for himself.

He commended the fire service and members of the youth in the area who fought the fire, putting up a spirited fight to contain the inferno.

He described the incident as a terrible blow to the affected traders, adding that most of those injured were good Nigerians who volunteered to assist in putting out the fire. “I was particularly happy that most of the people are both Christian and Muslim youths who had no particular connection to the market but their zeal saved the situation greatly”, he told VM. Another victim, Mr. Peter Akpan also commended the spirited effort of men of the fire service and the volunteers whose efforts which minimized the extent of the disaster. He

said: “Putting out the fire was very tasking. The intervention of the men of the Plateau State Fire Service and the youth eventually succeeded in putting it out after several hours.”

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State who visited the market to sympathize with the traders pledged government assistance to the victims and in rebuilding the market. Jang who was accompanied by Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Titus Alams, also condoled the families of those who died in the incident just as he expressed delight at the collaboration of residents to fight the fire irrespective of ethnic or religious sentiments. ”I sincerely sympathise with all of you and I really want to appreciate the level of cooperation employed to put off the fire. It took all the residents around here, irrespective of tribal or religious differences to do it.

“This is the way we want to live in Jos, Plateau; we are all citizens of this country and should live peacefully together.

The state government through the chairman of the state relief committee will assess the damage done and then, we’ll see what assistance to give. I want to assure you that everything will be done to rebuild this particular place so that business activities can begin as usual”, he said.

While many of the victims welcomed the governor ’s pledge with cheers, they hoped that the promised assistance would come promptly to ease their pain and give them fresh hope for the future. Many residents also hailed the Governor’s gesture which they felt would further promote the peace process in the state considering that most of the victims are Hausa Muslim people.

HERE is always a season for everything which includes time for sowing and reaping. And currently, Nigeria is in a season of different scandals.

The Oduahgate, involving N255 million bullet proof cars; All Progressives Congress, APC, leadership and the G7 governors, including the disruption of the meeting of G7 governors on the purported order of Inspector General of Police; Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s rift with President Jonathan, Senate and the missing N500 billion SURE-P fund, retired Col. Nyiam resigning from the confab committee after an altercation with Comrade Governor Oshiomhole, the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, strike, kidnapping, crude oil theft, and so many other issues on the front burner of our social and political life occupy the front pages of our national dailies.

These have made people to forget a very fundamental issue on our hands which has devastated

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20— Vanguard ,

(Somolu/Ketu, Lagos); 27-yearold man rapes mother (Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti).

There were other reports involving a school guard who raped a student (Ijegun, Lagos); 20-year-old boy raping a nineyear-old girl to death (OkukuYala LGA, Cross River State); a 50-year-old farmer raping and impregnating his teenage daughter (Ibeju Lekki, Lagos); gay pastor raping a teenage boy, 13, (Oyigbo, Rivers State). In addition, a 26-year-old trader, Samuel Nathaniel, recently bagged one-year jail term for sexually assaulting a five-yearold girl. The list is endless.

Rape a five-year-old, get one year in jail, this the court has demonstrated. The major reason rape cases are hardly reported is because people have lost faith with the judiciary which is often acclaimed as the last hope of the common man. No wonder our senators were seen sweating recently, at the floor of the Senate over the case of a policeman, who

The question everywhere is: Why the rising incidence of rape?

many families. The rising incidents of rape, can be regarded as the mother of all anomalies in Nigeria. A scandal too many to bear. All over the country, there is a new kind of unheralded harvest of rapes and rapists. And both come in dehumanising and embarrassing forms, thus bringing us to what a friend recently described as a whirlwind that does nobody any good.

Dispensation of justice Recently, a pastor was reported to have raped another pastor’s wife. The victim’s husband, also a pastor in another church was said to have sent his wife to the rapist to help collect a bag. But the randy pastor was said to have tricked the woman and had his way with her. The case is still in court. Only God knows if anything will come out of it considering the reputation of our courts and dispensation of justice.

My friend of 20 years whom I know has no flare for reading, or buying of newspapers, actually amused me when he sauntered into my home last weekend grimacing with a black bag in tow.

The bag contained Vanguard newspapers of one whole week.

On the opening pages 6&7, were these headlines: Boy, 15, rapes three kids, including 10-monthold baby (Mararaba, Nasarawa State); rival cultists rape woman, fling nine-month-old baby away

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raped a two-year-old girl. This particular case unearths the rot in our judicial system.

This is a country where a rapist could also get life sentence according to the law, but more often than not, high profile offenders walk the streets free. No wonder Justice Ayo Salami, the retired president of the Court of Appeal cried blue murder, saying that he was treated like the Biblical Joseph.

Harvest of injustice even to the one time second most powerful member of the judiciary. That goes to explain why a policeman can rape a female detainee in custody and still go unpunished.

I know that rape scourge is not prevalent in Nigeria alone. But the frequency of its occurrence is quite disheartening. As I hear somebody say that our situation cannot be described as bumper harvest yet, as in Democratic Republic of Congo, the so-called rape capital of the world.But they are in a state of war, while we are not in Nigeria.

Since nothing seems to be done about the spate of rape in our society, we are, with this inaction allowing another rape victim to die or remain traumatised for life with the family in perpetual pain and agony. This is a social malaise that we cannot allow to continue unabated. The question everywhere is: Why the rising incidence of rape?

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 — 21

Lagos state, FG face-off: Council seeks forum for reconciliation

By GODFEY BIVBERE

F

OLLOWING the face-off between the Federal Government and the Lagos State government over the use of the water fronts in Lagos, the National Council on Transport, NCT, at its 13th meeting in Lagos has asked for a forum to be created for the federal and states government to find a lasting solution to the problem.

The communique at the end of the meeting urged the federal government agency responsible for the regulation and control of the nation’s water front - National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, the states government and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to meet to discuss the way forward for the development of the waterways.

According to the communique, “there should be an established forum between NIWA and the states to discuss issues as they arise to promote understanding and seamless development of the inland waterways.

“NIWA in collaboration with states agencies should formulate a National Waterways Safety regulation and enforce same to promote safety on the waters. States and private sector should explore the untapped opportunities in the Nigerian waterways.”

The Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, had expressed his displeasure at the law which stipulates that states government should seek permit from NIWA before using the

waterways. The governor had said that his administration will go ahead with the construction of the Lekki link bridge without waiting for the Federal Government’s approval.

According to Fashola, it is absurd for an agency like the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, to require his administration to apply for a permit to build the Lekki link bridge over the Lagos lagoon or to develop municipal water transportation facilities, which would be beneficial to

Lagosians.

He said, “I believe that each state has the capacity to operate and manage its municipal water transport, inside the territory of the state. I find it difficult a situation, where NIWA asks me to come and take up a permit before I set up a jetty in my own lagoon; we will not stand for it.

“I find it objectionable, where NIWA suggests to me that before we can build the Lekki link bridge, over a lagoon inside Lagos, I should come

From Left: Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle; Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh; Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Ade Bajomo and Managing Director, First Capital Limited, United Kingdom, Mr Akin Pierrara, during the visit of the SEC’s DG to Nigeria’s first private trading floor built by GTI Securities Limited in Lagos

Labour raises alarm over extinction of shop, distributive sector

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

105.6

-0.15

2,788.00

+8.00

17.74

-0.01

CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

108.14

-0.33

93.07

+0.04

SELLING

154.7 155.2 249.0515 249.8565 208.9997 209.6752 169.4228 169.9704 1.5447 1.5497 0.2985 0.3085 235.604 236.3655 25.3918 25.4743 41.2478 41.3811 28.0167 28.1073 236.8457 237.6112

and take a permit to build a bridge for the citizens of Lagos; we will not apply for it.

“Parastatals are important organs for implementing government’s policy but parastatals can also be the clog in the wheels of progress.” the governor added.

Recall that the management of NIWA, had earlier threatened to drag the Lagos State government to court over its perceived usage of the waterfront in Lekki without its approval.

155.7 250.6614 210.3507 170.518 1.5547 0.3185 237.127 25.5569 41.5145 28.1978 238.3767

CBN Exchange rate as at 19/11/2013

O

RGANISED labour in the Shop and Distributive sector of the economy, has raised alarm that if urgent steps are not taken to addressed the problems of infrastructural decay, especially erratic power and deplorable road network, the sector will go into extinction.

Under the umbrella of the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees, NUSDE, the union lamented that in recent times, the sector has been redundant and has been and retrenchment of workers.

President of NUSDE, Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi, in an interview with Vanguard, said “The sector is in a terrible state. It is not in a glory state definitely because the sector is completely dependent on power, infrastructure in general terms. Given that power situation in the country is very erratic, operators in the sector are not faring well at all. As I speak, if care is not taken, the sector may go into extinction.

If appropriate care is not taken, we are likely not to find our feet any longer in the nearest feature. As I speak, employ-

ers in the sector are exposed to the terrible harsh economic realities in such a manner that production cost is very high because of erratic power supply.. Roads are so deplorable and are in disturbing state of disrepairs. To even send goods from one location to the other is becoming very expensive every day. Of course, you are aware that AGO (Diesel) price has been so deregulated in such a manner that to get it to run the machines of production is very expensive. But because the NUSDE has some level of understanding with our employers, we are still able to synergise and bring about the barest minimum standard welfare that can keep our workers moving. Otherwise, I can tell you it is not the best we should have in the industry as of today.

Today, it is more on the side of retrenchment of workers rather than job creation. As I speak with you, no new employer has joined the industry in my own opinion as far this industry is concerned. Rather, those that existed are being shut down on daily basis because of the fact that this cost of production has become so high and survival in the midst of it becomes so intense, there have been retrenchment and shut downs.

GTI’s first private trading floor to boost market activities — SEC

C

APITAL market regulators and other stakeholders have commended the visionary leadership and foresight of GTI Capital Group in building Nigeria’s first private trading floor, saying it would boost capital market activities in the country Speaking during a visit to the trading floor, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh, said the visionary leadership shown

by GTI in the development of the pioneer private trading floor is illustrative of the excellent and illustrious nature of Nigeria and what the future holds for the Nigerian capital market.

According to her, the quality of the trading floor shows that Nigerian capital market operators can compete effectively with other operators in the global financial centres of London, New York and Tokyo among others.

Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said the trading floor will be supported by a fully automated back-office as well as a high-end research and advisory department that will immensely benefit operators and investors.

A visibly elated Oteh, who has all through pushed consistently for reforms of the capital market, said GTI trading floor will complement efforts to unlock the huge potential of the Nigerian capital market to play the catalystic roles for development of the Nigerian economy.

“What I see here today is an example of what Nigeria can achieve with vision. I could not have imagined what I’m seeing here today, it’s absolutely impressive. You have shown that Nigerians are associated with excellence. What I’m seeing, it could be in the city of London, it could be in New York, it could be in Tokyo or it could be in Lagos and it’s in Lagos.

A hearty congratulation to GTI, I’m overwhelmed with what I’m seeing,” Oteh enthused.

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

How no claims bonus works (1)

WAICA promotes investment opportunities in Africa

QUESTION

I

n august, 2011, I took a comprehensive insurance policy for my new car and I paid the annual premium of N130,000. The policy was renewed in August, 2012, for the period ending 2013; again at the same premium rate. This policy was arranged for me by my son. During this twoyear period, I did not make any claim with the insurance company yet I was not given any NOCLAIM BONUS. When I raised this issue of NOCLAIM BONUS on the phone with the representative of the insurance company, I was told that the comprehensive insurance I had did not entitle me to a NO-CLAIM bonus. I remember that for many years in the 70s and 80s, I received NO-CLAIM bonus from Glanvill Enthoven when they handled my car insurance policies; comprehensive and third party. The questions begging for urgent answer are: 1. How many types of comprehensive car insurance are in existence? 2. Is a NOCLAIM bonus not applicable to all categories of car insurance policy; comprehensive or third party?

Is a NO-CLAIM bonus granted on a sliding scale when no claim is made the previous year?

From: OT AMADASUN’ FCA,FCCA,ATII,FCIS

ANSWER

No claim bonus

N

o Claim Bonus is a way of rewarding motorists or motor insurance buyers who do not make claims under their motor comprehensive insurance cover over time.

This feature has been in existence in the motor insurance market since the early days of motor insurance practice for the following reasons: i.

To encourage good driving culture which in turn will ultimately reduce motor accidents, its cannage, damage, destruction and waste of national assets on our roads.

BY ROSELINE ONUOHA

D

By Dr. Wole Adetimehin, Managing Director, Jully Insurance Brokers and Immediate Past President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN ii.

Relatively, it reduces the overall cost of claims paid by insurers as insured motorists often handle minor accidental damage to their vehicles by themselves in order to avoid losing their No Claim Bonus.

Its operation The amount of No Claim Bonus or Discount normally granted is usually expressed as a percentage of the motor premium, and it is often graduated over a maximum period of five years. This percentage discount starts from 20% to be earned by any insured motorist that has driven for a whole year without having any accident.

In other words, the insured only get qualified for the bonus at the first renewal of his policy, and can conveniently keep enjoying the bonus for the next 5 years or renewal periods before attaining the highest percentage limit of 50%.

However, should there be an accident leading to a claim by an insured motorist that has attained the 50% upper limit of percentage bonus, the treatment applied by insurers varies. In such circumstances, some insurers do effect an outright cancellation of the entire percentage bonus gained, thus reducing the bonus earned by the insured motorist to zero, while other insurers merely scale down the percentage bonus earned either by two or three steps within the insureds insurance history.

tor, Enterprise Life Assurance Company Limited, Accra, Ghana, and Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, will discuss the paper.

M r. A b i o l a E ku n d a y o , Managing Director of WAICA Re will take the second paper titled: “Insurance Growth in West Africa and the Benefits of Integration”.

Founding father and past president of WAICA, Prof.

Jo Irukwu, SAN, will chair the paper which will be discussed by Rev. Asante Marfo-Akenkora, President, Ghana Brokers Association and Mr. Dawda Sarge, Past P r e s i d e n t , WA I C A a n d Managing Director/ CEO, Prime insurance Company Ltd, Banjul, The Gambia.

This will be followed by an open forum which will be chaired by Hon. Hassan Gbessay Kanu, Pa s t President of WAICA and President of Sierra Leone insurance Association.

“We expect an educative and rewarding educational conference. It is yet another opportunity to extend the hospitality of Nigerians to delegates from other parts of the world. I am sure this will be a conference to remember ”, Fa s h o l a enthused.

Continues next week

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

ETERMINED to tap into the huge business opportunities in the West Africa sub-region, the West African Insurers Companies Association (WAICA) says it will use its international educational Conference this year to promote investment opportunities in Africa, Nigeria as a focus.

Secretary General of WAICA Mr. William Coker, said the conference with the theme: ‘A n Integrated and Harmonized Insurance Industry in West Africa,’ will take place in Lagos, November 24 - 26.

According to him, “The sub regional body is keying into the regional integration efforts of ECOWAS heads of government and insurance as a critical player in the economy must take its pride of place in the scheme of things”.

“If we are promoting the concept of a global village, the insurance industry in the West African sub region needs to be seen as front runners in promoting efforts at regional integration. Charity must begin at home” he added.

The three day educational Conference will feature papers which will be pre-

sented by two erudite scholars.

According to the programme of events rel e a s e d b y M r. Ro t i m i Fashola, Chairman of Local Organizing C o m m i t t e e ( L O C ) , D r.

Ibrahim Bocar BA, C o m m i s s i o n e r, M a c r o economic Policy, Ecowas, Abuja, will give the goodwill message while the Co-ordinating Minister of the economy and Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected to give the keynote address and declare the Conference open on Monday, November 25, 2013.

The first paper of the conference will focus on: “A n Integrated and Harmonized Insurance industry in West Africa; The Challenge Facing Integration in West Africa” will be delivered by Dr. Abwaku Englama, D i r e c t o r- G e n e r a l , We s t African Monetary Institute, Accra, Ghana.

The paper will be chaired

by His Excellency, Henry O. M a c a u l e y, High Commissioner of the Republic of Sierra Leone to Nigeria while Messrs. C. C. Bruce, Executive Direc-

From left: President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Kabir Mohammed; President, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Mr. Warren Allen and Past President, ICAN, Mr. Sabastian Owuama, after Owuama’s election to IFAC Board.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 — 23

BRIEFS

RECEPTION: From Left: Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria,

Segun Ogunsanya; Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi and Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Diamond Bank, Alex Otti at a special reception in honour of the Lagos State Commissioner by Airtel Nigeria, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Insurers fail to reciprocate our efforts on IFRS — NAICOM Stories by ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has said that insurance companies failed to reciprocate all efforts it made towards ensuring a smooth transition to the International

Financial Reporting Standard, IFRS, by submitting poorly prepared 2012 financial statements.

NAICOM said that it made series of efforts to ensure that insurance companies buy into the IFRS mandate but the indifferent attitude of these insurers frustrated all their

efforts.

Deputy Manager supervision of NAICOM, Mr. Cyprian Amadi, who disclosed this at a seminar for insurance correspondents in Ilorin, Kwara State, said that insurers refused to be carried along by the Commission in the transition to IFRS.

According to Amadi, NAICOM took time to train insurance companies on IFRS but they still did not get it right when they started submitting their financial statements.

Amadi said “What most insurance companies did was to employ the services of consultants who only copied what was written in textbooks without any practical experience.”

“These consultants have not been involved in practical IFRS transition as such cannot get it right and such attitude does not help anybody,” he said.

Amadi said that a sotiation whereby the Commission received companies financial statement with pages of queries is not a good experience on their part because NAICOM has done more than enough to guide them in getting it right.

Amadi lamented the situation where some insurance companies are yet to submit their 2012 financial statement to NAICOM saying that such attitude is not commendable.

Amadi said that these insurance companies do not bother much because the penalty for default is very minute and they can easily pay the penalty. “If the penalty is such that is not meagre and pain them hugely, then they will sit up.”

Stanbic IBTC Pensions charges workers on early retirement savings T

he management of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings has said that one should start planning for retirement from the day one takes on a first job.

This imperative was highlighted at the inaugural seminar on pre-retirement organised by the company in Lagos recently.

The company said that generally, people are apprehensive about retirement because they do not plan for it early enough, saying that the nascent Nigerian pension system, with defined contributions as its foundation as enshrined in the Pensions Reform Act of 2004, charts a clear path for employees to maintain a stable standard of living even well after retirement.

Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension, Dr. Demola Sogunle said that as a service provider, the PFA will continuously offer innovative customer value

propositions, part of which include creating awareness about the benefits of retirement savings and helping workers plan for that retirement.

Dr Sogunle emphasised that planning for retirement should commence early in an individual’s working life as it typically takes many years to accumulate the necessary funds with which to live comfortably when the salary eventually ceases to arrive at the end of every month.

“This seminar, besides celebrating you all who will soon become retired clients of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, will also provide an opportunity to address the concerns or anxieties you might have as retirement draws close.

Among issues to be examined by seasoned professionals are preparation for retirement; how to access your retirement benefits; your health at retirement and investment opportunities for

post-retirement,” he added.

S t a n b i c I B T C Pe n s i o n Managers, stated Dr Sogunle, is backed by the requisite expertise and experience and strong and sound financial clout of the Standard Bank Group, ensuring efficiency in the management and safety of clients’ investments. “We believe that the support, experience and capabilities of the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited belongs, have been instrumental in enhancing our expertise, resource base and general service delivery; thus reinforcing our goal of providing excellent service to all our customers.”

Innovations introduced by the PFA to enable clients experience excellent and convenient service delivery include the Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers mobile office which was launched in Lagos recently; the first 24hour multilingual call centre with representatives who speak the three major

Nigerian languages Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa; and also Pidgin English.

At the end of the seminar, Dr Sogunle outlined three crucial considerations which everyone must give a thought to for a secured future. The first being that no one will ever care about your retirement investments as much as you do – so educate yourself. The second thought is that when making retirement investments, seek professional assistance – even the best athletes have coaches. The third thought is even if you may have stopped working for money; your money should never stop working. hard for you.

The seminar also provided a platform for the Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) to forge closer ties with its customers and to enlighten the public on developments in the pension industry. The seminar, which had the theme, “Life renewed at 55 and beyond”, had over 450 stakeholders in attendance.

Haiyan insured losses may reach $US700m

S

UPER typhoon Haiyan caused up to $US14.5 billion ($15.47 billion) total economic damage, of which up to $US700 million ($746.86 million) was insured, according to catastrophe modeller AIR Worldwide.

Haiyan, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded; hit the Philippines early on November 8. More than 2000 people were killed and 650,000 displaced as villages were swept away.

Peter Sousounis, senior principal scientist at AIR Worldwide, says the islands of Leyte, Samar and northern Cebu suffered most.

Tacloban, the capital and biggest city of Leyte province, was hit particularly hard “as storm surge depths as high as four metres destroyed every coastal home and left many inland neighbourhoods inundated with floodwaters”.

AIR Worldwide estimates total damage to residential, commercial, and agricultural properties of $US6.5 billion$US14.5 billion ($6.94 billion$15.47 billion), with insured losses at $US300 million$US700 million ($320.08 million-$746.86 million).

Sandy relief not flowing to many, agencies say

M

ORE than a year after three feet of water deluged her home in the Merion Park section of Ocean City, N.J., during Sandy, yearround resident Kathleen Givens is still living in a borrowed house.

Tiny payouts from private flood and homeowners insurance policies have finally begun to trickle in, but none of it is enough to pay the $60,000 it will cost to lift her Cape May County house onto pilings now required if she is ever to obtain insurance again, or pay the close to $200,000 it will cost to repair the storm-ravaged structure.

Or repay relatives for the use of their vacation home while Givens and her family figure out their next move.

“After all this time, nobody can give me any answers about where all the money that was supposed to be helping people like me has gone. state

24 — Vanguard,WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

The Nigerian capital market and a national conference W

From left: Mr. Lekan Ishola, MD, Redline PR; Miss Tosin Ogundare, Vetting Officer, Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria APCON; Mrs. Kemi Okusanya, Business Development Manager, Moneygram, and Mrs. Nwamuo Ifeyinwa, Planning, Research and Statistics Officer, Consumer Protection Council, CPC, during the Moneygram 2013 Gear-up for the school promo draw, in Lagos.

CWG targets 20% revenue growth in 5 years

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE newly listed ICT company, Com puter Warehouse Group, CWG, said it is targeting a revenue growth of 20 percent and profit after tax of 12 percent over the next five years.

The company also targets expansion into 10 countries by the end of 2017. It already has presence in four countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda and Ghana.

Speaking at the facts behind listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Austin Okere, said that CWG historically pays about 35 percent of its profit as dividend, saying that the company is set to sustain the trend now that it has gone public.

He noted that the company is developing new initiatives around products and services to help strengthen its position as one of the leading technology companies in Nigeria. “These initiatives when properly implemented are expected to aggressively grow earnings,” Okere said, adding that CWG has a vision of becoming the number one Pan-African IT utility enabler with business dealings in 30 African countries by the end of 2015.

“The company has created a detailed roadmap consisting of both organic and inorganic growth strategies to achieve this goal. To enhance predictability in its revenue streams, CWG intends to shift focus from one-time outright sales to recurrent sales.

“As a one-stop IT supply, service and consultancy company, CWG seeks to provide embedded end-to-end services in order to improve its clients’ operational efficiency. This will facilitate the cross-selling of products and services and allow the company to diversify its revenue stream.

“Within this overreaching growth strategy, each division possesses its individual objectives to contribute to CWG’s corporate objectives, and in the process establish predictable revenue stream,” he affirmed.

Okere, who was enthusiastic about the company going public, revealed that with a seed capital of about N160, 000 in 1992, the company received a valuation of N6.97billion in 2009 from Vetiva Capital for its private placement and the issue was oversubscribed .

Vitaf oam decries har sh operating Vitafoam harsh en vir onment, assures shareholder envir vironment, shareholderss

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

V

itafoam Nigeria Plc has decried the harsh operating environment which impinges on the cost of running its business, even as it assures shareholders of better returns in the future.

Managing Director /CEO, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc , Mr. Joel Ajiga, who made the assurance to shareholders during the company ’s Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Week, said “ The message that we have for our shareholders is that the company is waxing stronger and stronger and the management and Board are putting in place strategies , structures and processes that will ensure that the company continues to maintain its leading position in the industry despite the harsh operating environment.

He said the company had been able to overcome some of the challenges and C M Y K

record growth year on year due to a very vibrant board with strong management and commitment of the entire workforce.

Ajiga, explained that the SHE week with the theme: ‘Prevention of Occupational Diseases is aimed at letting the workers realise the need to maintain fitness that will guarantee their productivity and ensuring better prevention of occupational diseases.

According to Ajiga, the theme of the week long programme was occasioned by a recent report released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) showing that 2.34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases.

“Of these, the vast majority (2.02 million) die from a wide range of work related diseases. Of the estimated 6,300 work related deaths that occur every day, 5,500 are caused by various types of work related diseases.”

e are in a season in which it would appear that any ideas which would improve our national life should be considered. The nation should be looking for improvements that can be made in its capital market and vice versa. The capital market had its origins in the Lagos Stock Exchange Act 1961. The general public did not have much involvement in the capital market until the Indigenisation Act of 1972.

Subsequent to the commencement of this law, a number of expatriateowned companies offered to sell some portion of their shareholding to Nigerian investors. The stated rationale for this law was to place Nigerian citizens and associations at the commanding heights of the country’s economy.

At that time, on each occasion a company’s shares were offered for sale, the demand for shares usually exceeded the available shares.

Allotments of the available shares were such that investors did not obtain all the shares they asked for.

In some instances, shares were allotted to some state governments in order to have a spread of investors across the country. Essentially, Nigerian investors earned dividends and bonus shares declared by these companies during the 1970s and the early 1980s. Also, in the period following the introduction of the Indigenisation Act, participants in the capital market such as stockbrokers and registrars had a significant growth in their activities.

F

rom the mid 1980s onwards, the introduction of various government policies such as Structural Adjustment Programme, various import licensing regimes and import substitution requirements for manufacturing industry has given rise to a situation in which some of the companies that were introduced to the Stock Exchange after the Indigenisation Act are no longer operational. In some significant instances, some companies which include the Nigeria Bottling Company, Nampak Nigeria Plc and United Nigerian Textiles Company have delisted their shares from the Nigeria Stock Exchange, NSE, and have paid off their Nigerian shareholders such that the expatriate core investors now hold 100% of the equity in these companies.

One or two of the companies had indicated that it would not have been profitable for them to raise the funds that were required for the company’s capital investment from the Nigerian capital market.

Furthermore, the capital market participants are concerned about the recovery of share prices following on the 2008 crash of share prices. This concern is partly because some

market participants obtained loans for investment in the market and these participants have not been able to repay the loans. If we examine the results of companies listed on the NSE, we would find that a few companies in the breweries, food products, personal/household products and pharmaceutical sectors have regularly paid dividends to shareholders after the 2008 crash and that these companies have share price levels higher than the prize levels at anytime before.

If we examine the shareholding and management structures in these companies, we would find that the expatriate core investors hold more than 50% of the equity of these companies and that these core investors are active in the management of the companies. The results of the companies listed on the NSE should drive the performance of the market and the question that arises is why is it that a number of the companies listed on the NSE are not performing well.

The issues before us are beyond those related to the regulation of the companies by the authorities. The NSE is getting companies to submit their results quarterly and these results and other company announcements are posted on the NSE website. Some companies report losses from one quarter to the next quarter and it is apparent that these companies have obtained substantial loans with relation to their operations given their stated finance costs. The obvious thing would be for the companies to raise fresh capital from their shareholders and or additional shareholders so as to bring the companies into profitability. Can a company that makes losses from one year to the next year claim to be a part of the companies that occupy the commanding heights of the economy?

T

here is significant unemployment, especially youth unemployment in Nigeria. The NSE has indicated that it expects to have several more companies listed over the next few years. I hope some of these companies would be new companies. I believe the NSE is in a position to promote one of the new companies. The NSE in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and other financial institutions located on and close to the Marina in Lagos should promote an Independent Power Plant that would provide power to the buildings belonging to these institutions and other nearby buildings. Once the power plant is operational, the public can be invited to become shareholders through an initial offer.

DR. AKINTOLA OMIGBODUN omigbodunaa@yahoo.com

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 — 25

DIARY

Select ICT events zAfrica Com 2013.

Holds from Nov 12-14, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

zBroadband Traffic

Management 2013.

Holds Nov Nov 12-14, 2013, in London, UK

Cisco takes

zRoaming World Summit 2013. Holds Nov 12-13, 2013 in London, UK

Internet of Everything

to AfricaCom

zITU Telecom World 2013. Holds November 18-21, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand

BY EMMA ELEBEKE, Just back from South Africa

zOTTtv World Summit 2013. Holds Nov 18-21 in London, UK.

W

z2nd Annual Telecoms Fraud & Revenue Assurance Forum.

Holds Nov 25-26, 2013 in Dubai,UAE.

Preview

New inventions shaping life and living

Bracelet promotes natural sleep

CDMA operators not in NCC’s broadband picture

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

E

Sleep easier with the Sleep Bracelet, a wristworn device that encourages the body to produce melatonin— the hormone that encourages good sleep.

Developed by Philip Stein, the Sleep Bracelet is made of polished stainless steel and is designed to be comfortable and lightweight.

The device draws upon the company’s “Natural Frequency Technology” to promote the body’s production of melatonin, resulting in up melatonin levels up to 20 percent higher than usual (according to a recent study).

XECUTIVE Vice Chairman, EVC, of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, last weekend sealed the hope of a possible bail out for the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, operators as he revealed that the Open Access Model, the commission was proposing to operators for broadband

investment did not take them,(CDMA operators) into account.

Juwah who spoke while presenting the plan to telecom operators in Lagos, however said that if the CDMA operators eventually strengthen their network operations, they may be allowed to buy into the plan.

The fortunes of the CDMA operators have over the years declined and expectations were that the regulator could

business plan.

Juwah also announced that the commission was preparing to auction the two remaining slots in 2.3GHz spectrum band in order to enable the provision of last mile wireless access on a wholesale basis.

For him, the licensing would give a face lift to government’s plan to unbundle the country’s broadband infrastructure market, to achieve the 80 percent broadband Continues on Page 27

Continues on Page 26

NCC, Customs hunt unapproved phones in ICT markets

BY EMEKA AGINAM

F

OR phone dealers in the Nigerian Silicon Valley, the Computer Village, Ikeja, GSM village and other markets across the country, it may not be business as usual as the regulatory agen-

cies including the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, and the phone and allied dealers association of Nigeria, have joined hands to sanitize telecoms market of unapproved telecom equip-

I N S How private is I Preferences for your private D things foreign information?

E C M Y K

provide a possible lift for them, particularly as the industry was entering into the broadband investment phase in Nigeria’s telecom growth.

However, fielding questions after presenting the plan to mobile operators at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos, at the weekend, Juwah said that the major focus was the mobile operators but there was room for the CDMA operators to key into broadband, if they work on their operations

ITH the fast growing interconnectivity across all human activities, it has been established that internet connections in Nigeria and other parts of the world has the potential of creating additional value to the economy valued at ?14,4trillion dollar between 2013-2022?.

Senior Vice President, Office of the Chairman and CEO, Cisco, Howard Charney, disclosed this while speaking at the just concluded 16th annual edition of AfricaCom, held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Charney, who was speaking on the topic, "Internet of Everything", said Internet of Everything will increase efficiency and productivity in the world economy, as it promises a seamless internet-based connectivity among people, data, machines, things and processes. Charney also revealed that the Internet of Everything, IoE, has the potential to grow global corporate profits by 21 per cent in aggregate by 2022.

He noted that since every sector of any nation's economy is being driven by information communication technology, ICT, interconnections among everything it becomes critical for every nation to key

ment.

Although importation of unapproved telecom equipment is not limited only to the Nigerian market, a close monitoring of market activities in the Computer Village, Ikeja and other markets where phones are sold in Niger-

ia showed that phones not Type approved by the NCC dominated the showroom.

Further checks also revealed that unwholesome activities of selling both refurbished and unapproved phones are not also limited to street trad-

ZINOX links NigComSat on last mile services

ers in the Computer Village, Lagos where major dealers like Slots, Revive, Micros Station, among others.

Apart from selling well known phones like Nokia, Huawei, TECNO,

Continues on Page 29

Young Nigerian gets ITU award for tech innovation

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013

By LAJU ARENYEKA

Preferences for things foreign

W

E, Nigerians, are proud people. We are people who work hard, and also, if you like, play hard. We love the good things of life and we all work hard to attain them. Those who found the home environment too limiting found expression in foreign lands and are doing well. We also love the best things money can buy — clothes, shoes, mobile phones, computers, furniture, and, of course, cars. As a result, men like to wear suits from designers like Gucci, Prada, Saint-Laurent, Brooks Brothers and Marks & S p e n c e r.

Still, others prefer bespoke suits from Gieves & Hawkes of London, or Caraceni of Milan.

There was a fellow who boasted that for his wedding, he would wear a “Marks & Spencer suit and a Salvatore Ferragamo shoe.” He did just that; he could afford it.

When people build houses, they boast that they would use Italian marble in the finishing, and the sitting room floor will be covered with Persian rugs. If it’s a party, they buy champagne from France, whisky from England, and vodka from Russia. For many of us, brand mobile phones must be BlackBerry from RIM of Canada, or Galaxy series from Samsung of Korea, or i-Phone from Apple of America. In the office or home, the IT gadgets are either desktops/laptops from HP or Dell of the US, or Toshiba of Japan, while tablet PCs will be iPads from Apple of US or Samsung of Korea. Cars? You know where they will come from.

Get my drift? We love things foreign so much that in some homes here, the only things indigenous are the people themselves, and some of their food items like gari, amala, egusi, palm oil, and maybe ewedu or okro.

Every other thing is foreign, from an established brand.

The point I’m making is that the opportunity cost

of our continued preference for these foreign goods is our economy which we are not growing the way we should. Another casualty is indigenous manpower which is not developing for the challenges of the 21st century knowledge economy.

Several state governments, like Edo and Lagos for instance, have inspiring ICT programmes in various stages of execution and completion, in partnership with the biggest software companies in the world. Good effort, except that by forever patronising foreigners to the detriment of local talent, we will never get to where w e should be, at least at the time w e should g e t there. I am yet to be convinced that there are no Nigerian firms or consortium of firms that can do the jobs our rulers routinely “dash out”to foreigners, while their fellow countrymen continue to languish in the cesspits of poverty fueled by low or non-patronage by those who should.

It is the need to empower Nigerians that made the Federal Government introduce “local content” into the oil industry. In other industries, if we have the love of our country at heart, we would simply take a cue from that and empower that which is ours by challenging them. When they execute successfully, they would have grown expertise and the money earned will do a lot of empowerment work. Now our Navy has built a warship and Air Force built UAVs (drones), technological spin-offs from these developments can only add value to the national throughput. However, there is need to purge the mindset that good things can come only from outside our borders by continuing to patronise foreign products. That, for Nigeria, will be “good thinking, bad product.”

,

It is the need to empower Nigerians that made the Federal Government introduce “local content

“Please enter your secret number” that’s what the Automated Teller Machine, ATM, tells you at first approach. You look left and right and above, cover the ATM with your body before typing in your pin. In your mind, your pin is between you and God alone… but is that always the case?. Same goes for your really expensive phone; it’s got a fool proof pin too. But with advances in technology come more advances in insecurity.

Just when we thought that cyber transactions were safe as long as we kept our private PINs private, Cambridge security researchers have been hacking smartphone passwords using the devices’ own cameras and microphones. Laurent Simon and Ross Anderson at the University of Cambridge used an app they called “PIN Skimmer” to capture passwords as they were entered into a Samsung Galaxy S3 and a Google Nexus S, both of which use number-only soft keyboards. The PIN Skimmer can tell when you’re tapping keys by listening to clicks via the phone’s microphone. It correlates this with a recording of your face through the camera, then analyzes how the orientation of the phone changes from tap to tap.

That tells it which part of the screen you’re touching, in other words, which number you’re pressing.

This kind of attack is known as a “side channel attack,” which means it uses the physical properties of the phone.

It doesn’t seem fair to know that while you’re doing your best to be discreet, Big Brother is watching from within your OWN device. According to the researchers’ paper, previous studies have used a phone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to collect PINs, but theirs is the first to work with the camera and microphone. When they tested PIN Skimmer with a set of 50 potential fourdigit passwords, they found it correctly inferred 30 percent of PINs after two attempts, and more than 50 percent after five attempts. It is bad enough that your phone itself can be hacked, but what about all the other online transactions you do on your phone?

It isn’t really of question of ‘if ’, but when scammers get hold of this technology, just how can you ensure security of your private information?

Perhaps, using a longer pin? Researchers say this is of little help against the PIN Skimmer program. In fact, when test sets of 200

With side channel attack…

How private is your private information? passwords were used, it correctly guessed more eight-digit PINs than four-digit PINs after five attempts. That’s because the longer the PIN, the more information the program has to work with, and the less likely it is to confuse one password with another. The Chip and PIN however, is not as secure as experts would have us believe. So what then is safe? Finger printing? Well, not entirely.

W

ith the launch of the iPhone 5S, more people will be using fingerprint sensors as part of their daily security

than ever before. And hackers on the other hand, will be anxious to find a way around it.

So how can we get to the point where we are entirely sure that our private security is really private? For one, sticking to the already popular rules would go a long way. You’re more likely to get scammed if you are careless with your information, than if you aren’t. Another thing you must do is try to change your pin regularly, and update yourself as more security tips evolve. Cyber security however, is not just the responsibility of one individual. Laws and

structures must be put in place to create a non conducive environment for cyber criminals. This is why stakeholders in the sector have been calling on National Assembly to as a matter of urgency to pass into law the Cyber security Bill 2013 sent to it by the executive arm of government to protect the nation from cyber attacks from hackers. This bill, if passed will be used by government agencies and private sector organizations to plan their information technology activities at international standards, and as such reduce insecurity.

Cisco takes Internet of Everything to AfricaCom Continues from Page 25 into full internet connectivity, having been proven to have the capacity to increase significantly country's Gross Domestic Profit, GDP. "The next big thing is connecting everything together. That is very next big thing. And we think the connections will significantly increase country's GDP. We believed that the value that is obtainable from connections among all the people or everything is valued at ?14,4trillion dollar between 2013-2022?. Internet of Everything will increase efficiency and productivity as it means there will be seamless internet connections across every human activity.

"It has been proven that the Internet of Everything has the potential to got global corporate profits by 21 per cent in aggregate by 2022. This will be the next big thing in the glo-

bal economy," he said.

According to him, about 99 percent of world is still not connected; hence the need to adopt IoE to help fast-track connectivity, especially to the unserved and underserved locations, considering the huge and additional values it would bring both the corporate entities and the economy at large.

With the adoption of IoE, the Cisco boss said, about $276 billion estimate would be saved from aviation, power, health, rail and oil and gas sectors of the economy. Also with the way Industrial Internet is pushing the boundaries of minds and machines, stoplight could be obsolete in the nearest future with IoE anywhere in the world.

According to him, what this portends for the economy is the unlocking of $1,400 in benefits per vehicle, per Year, as there would be less accidents and more efficient vehicles

to be in use. He said that some of the key factors that will fuel IoE include: connectivity of simple emails, web browser search to networked economy or e-commerce; digital supply chain to immersive experiences or ?social mobility cloud; video to Internet of Everything with full automation of everything.

"We are moving to direction where everything becomes connected; network will become proxy for every human interaction. When this happen, then we start communicating using video, video becomes ubiquitous.

"Internet of Everything will increase efficiency and productivity as it means there will be seamless internet-based connectivity between, people, data, machine, things and processes. The Implication of connecting the unconnected is that the connections will significantly increase countries' GDP," he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013—27

Amuwo-Odofin signs deal with NIIT to train 200 youths in IT

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

All for broadband…

ZINOX links NigComSat on last mile services

By PRINCE OSUAGWU

Z

inox Technologies, says it is as anxious as Nigerian Communications Satellite, NigComSat Limited, to see that broadband services are extended to both the unserved and underserved areas of the country and therefore have consummated a deal to translate their desires into action.

The two companies last week entered into a strategic partnership which promises to create a massive Bandwidth stream for Zinox to provide affordable Broadband internet connectivity, via satellite, to Structured organizations, the Underserved and Unserved parts of Nigeria.

General Manager, Zinox Ms. Kelechi Eze, said that the partnership with NIGCOMSAT was a welcome development

because Zinox had made huge investments in the installation of a state of the art iDirect Evolution Satellite Hub which enables it to continuously provide better triple solution VoIP, data, video, and internet access experience throughout

Nigeria and West Africa.

She said that “Zinox technology Platform guarantees redundancy internet access through VSAT and Fiber infrastructure using MPLS technology."

Also, the Executive Director, Marketing of

NIGCOMSAT Mrs Abimbola Alale who signed the deal on behalf of her company said that Partnering with Zinox Technologies was not only good for NigComSat but also for the country as it searches for practical Broadband deployment.

Olufunke Fagbeja Business Dev - Zinox Chioma Amuchienwa; Business Development - Zinox Abimbola Alale; Executive Director, Marketing NIGCOMSAT Adamu Idris; Senior Manager, Marketing - NIGCOMSAT Kelechi Eze; General Manager,Reginald Obiakor; General Manager Alma Udoyen; Ag Co Secretary at the partnershipsigning

CDMA operators not in NCC’s broadband picture Continues fron page 25 penetration target by 2017.

According to the NCC, this current industry direction has become imperative in view of the high cost of internet access and the prevalence of poor quality of service.

He fingered lack of a comprehensive domestic fibre backbone within the country connecting the Local Government Areas ( LGAs) as well as widespread and expansive metropolitan fibre mesh network within the cities as responsible for poor broadband services the country was experiencing at the moment.

Juwah said that “the presence of fibre in any local government does not necessarily mean that high capacity transmission services or dark fibre services are available from existing operators at competitive prices. In spite of the recent progress recorded in the telecoms industry, fibre deployment in the country has been plagued by myriad of difficulties ranging from administrative procedures regarding

Dr . Juwah right of way (RoW) permits, to poor urban planning and lack of infrastructure sharing”.

To address current challenges, the NCC is proposing an overhaul of the current industry structure which consists of integrated operators offering end-to-end services and long distance operators offering wholesale services amongst others.

This structure, Juwah, pointed out, has served the country well in terms of penetration of mobile services. But, it has faced limitations in terms of increasing availability and penetration of high speed broadband infrastructure.

Teledensity has reached

88.3 percent as at July, 2013. On the other hand, b r o a d b a n d penetration is still low at about 8 percent.

The proposed industry structure, based on Open Access, would see to the licensing of infrastructure companies (InfaCo) that are geographically focused. “These companies will provide wholesale Layer 2 transmission service on a non-discriminatory, open access, price regulated basis. InfaCos may provide Layer 1 (dark fibre) services on commercial basis”, he said. These firms would also focus on the deployment of metropolitan fibre and provide transmission services, available at access points (Fibre-tothe-Node or Neighbourhood -FTTN) to access seekers, according to the commission.

Also, a Wholesale Wireless Last Mile Provider will be licensed in coming months. “The available 2.3GHz spectrum license will be auctioned to provide last

mile wireless access on a wholesale basis”.

Juwah told CEOs of mobile networks that last mile connectivity will be deployed using wireless and fibre optic b r o a d b a n d . ”There will also be Retail Service Providers (RSP).

The RSP are expected to ride on the wholesale last mile provider to offer services to homes, businesses, schools, etc.”, the NCC boss stated. Juwah further explained that the proposed industry structure is critical to meeting Nigeria’s vision 20:2020 economic transformation blueprint.

He further gave cogent reasons gor adopting this new industry structure.

According to him, there is already the presence of substantial intercity backbone fibre infrastructure covering various trunk routes in the country. “It is accessed that it is more cost effective for InfraCos to potentially leverage intercity layer 2 transmission services from existing operators rather than introduce another company constructing and owning inter-city fibre”, he further explained.

A

S part of efforts to empower its teeming youths with information technology, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), to train 200 youths from the LGA. NIIT, a world leading information technology organization, signed the MoU with the council management at the account of stewardship by the Executive Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, for the past five years in the saddle.

Adewale had earlier led the discussion with delegates from NIIT, amongst who were Mr Ade Oduyemi,Managing Director/CEO of NIIT, Festac Town, Mr. Pankas Maheshwani, Country Head, and Mr. Oluseye Amusa.

The council boss explained that the aim of the initiative was to empower the and reduce cyber crime in the local government and by extension, Nigeria. He also expressed optimism that 200 youths would benefit from the kick-off course which lasts between three and six months, adding that the training programme is open to all qualified youths residing in the local government.

“The registration would be done on-line via the internet with a code that would be assigned to various stakeholders within the community. Thereafter, an aptitude test would be conducted to select the first set of beneficiaries,” he noted.

The council boss also added that talks had reached advanced stage to involve Samsung and Zenith bank for the establishment of the e-library in the local government.

Meantime, leader of the NIIT delegation, Mr. Ade Oduyemi, expressing pleasure over the deal, said: “The present administration in the local government should be giving a pat on the back for the revolution going on in the education, infrastructure, youth empowerment and security sector. we are ready to give our best into this programme which other councils should emulate.”

Young Nigerian gets ITU award for tech innovation

By Prince Osuagwu (in Bangkok, Thailand)

A

young Nigerian computer science graduate, Oscar Ekponimo, is among those flying Nigeria’s flag here in Bangkok Thailand, hosts of this year’s International Telecommunications Union, ITU Telecom World Conference.

Ekponimo is among the rare ten youths across the world selected by ITU to be honoured for innovations in technology. He got himself into this league, by developing a web and mobile application tagged SalvageHub, which reduces food waste and redistributes salvaged products to needy people. Retailers also use Ekponimo’s platform to track near expiry food products in stock, trigger notification on the hub and schedule pickups of donated food products.

Oscar ITU developed Young Ekponimo Innovators Programme as an integral part of Telecom World events and designed it to work with promising startups run by young people from all over the world who are using technological innovation to improve the social reality of their communities.

Each year, the Young Innovators Competition invites new start-ups and concepts to compete for one of the ten prestigious places in the programme. Chosen by a committee of world-class experts from public, private and academic sectors, the ten winners join the ITU Telecom World event for a four-day accelerator programme of pitching sessions, hands-on workshops and mentoring and also the chance to win up to USD 10 000 in funding. That was how Ekponimo emerged when his SalvageHub was selected.

Now the programme is not just an annual competition, its turning into a community. For instance, the organisers have drawn the winners of the 2012 competition to join this year’s winners in Bangkok to report back on the development of their projects after a year of mentoring and to offer the benefits of their experiences as peer-mentors to the class of 2013.

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NCC, Customs hunt unapproved phones Continues from Page 25

21st Century Technologies ventures into online retail business 21st Century Technologies Limited, Nigeria’s information technology powerhouse is set to revolutionize online shopping experience with the launch of her unique online mega marketplace called 21stCentury Mart.

21stCentury Mart aggregates everything a Nigerian needs to make successful online transactions including ease, convenience and security.

To start with, 21stCenturyMart will focus on digit-

al technology products for home & office and will then roll out micro sites dedicated to books, fashion, children toys, lifestyle - luxury goods, office supplies, health care, cars & automobiles and properties.

The e-commerce portal will greatly enhance the customer experience, the site will be device-optimised (for tablets and hand held devices), and will have online realtime stock system reflecting availability.

The site will deliver more personalized online experience and web based chat agent for support.

With proposed same day or next day delivery (limited areas), it means that ordering from the site will be easy and straightforward procedure without having to wait for delivery for days.

The site allows shoppers to browse a collection of over 100,000 electronics, office equipment, home appliances and digital life-

style, combining product information and pricing.

Wale Ajisebutu, vice chairman and CEO, 21st Century Technologies said that “At 21stCentury Mart, we promise only what we can deliver. The customer is truly king here” 21stCentury Mart comes complete with hefty discounts and surprise deals as customers look for more choices.

“This entire business is built on an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction."

Samsun, LG, BlackBerry, among others, Vanguard Hi-Tech checks have revealed that major phone dealers in the Nigerian ICT market also engage in the sale of unapproved phones which NCC has condemned in complete terms because of its health implication and effects in the quality of service delivery.

Worried with the ugly trend, the regulatory authority in partnership with the Nigerian Customs Service and Phone Dealers Association of Nigeria last week in Lagos organized a one day forum to sensitize end users again on the dangers of buying fake phones coming through grey market.

Warning phone dealers secure an approval for any type of communication equipment before importing them into the country during the forum, the Director of Technical Standard and Network Integrity of NCC, Dr, B.M Sani told the gathering that that equipment vendors, network operators original equipment manufacturers, any legitimate entity that has legal business in Nigerian telecoms market must comply with both local and international standards in relations to equipment Type approval.

Penalty Noting that the Commission would review fees for violating Type approved phones, he said that a person who sells or installs any communications equipment lor facilities without first obtaining the Commission’s Type approval test certificate therefore committed an offense and on conviction was liable to a fine not exceeding 100,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year to both such fine and imprisonment.

According to Sani, type approval is technical evaluation of equipment against prescribed specifications with the objective of determining its conformance to those specifications.

He further explained that Type Approval of telecom equipment is an administrative procedure of technical tests and vetting applied to items of telecoms equipment before they can be used for purposes of communications.

He said that Type Approval is based on manufacturer’s technical literature and test results from an independent accredited test laboratory The main objective of equipment type approval, Sani explained was to ensure that Communication equipment intended for the Nigerian market have fully complied with Nigerian and international standards as it related to electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and specific absorption rate (SAR) for human safety and other regulatory key performance indicators for the promotion of better quality of service.

Adoption by international standards: He said that adoption by international standards is an obligation under WTO’s code of practice requiring elimination of technical barriers to international trade.

Similarly, the Deputy Superintendent of the Nigerian Customs, NCS, Chinonso assured NCC that NCS would support by making sure that every phone imported into the country is type approved based on the regulation.

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It’s a shame Eagles scored — Rossi

•Rossi

G

iuseppe Rossi was happy with his first Italy goal in over two years and the partnership with Mario Balotelli. But he insisted that it was a shame that the Italians allowed the Super Eagles to score twice in their friendly at Craven Cotttage.

“Of course I’m happy with the goal and the team’s overall performance,” he told Rai Sport after a 2-2 friendly draw with the Super Eagles...

“It’s a shame we conceded those goals when we appeared to be in control. We can go home happy with this game.

“More than the goal, it’s the performance that counts. We all worked very hard to honour this jersey and I think that’s what we did.”

This was Rossi’s first Azzurri goal since June 2011, as he was out for two years with a series of knee injuries and missed the 1-1 draw with Germany due to tonsillitis on Friday.

“It was nice to see the affection from my teammates. We have a great group of players and we’re all friends off the

field too, so these are good foundations to build on.

“We have many great strikers, so any of them can play up front for Italy. The important thing is to give 100 per cent whenever we’re called upon.

“I never gave in and still have objectives to achieve, which I am slowly going through and hope to eventually get them all.”

Some have said the pairing with Balotelli is Good Cop, Bad Cop. “We’re two good guys! We get on well, as does everyone in the squad. In all honesty, there wasn’t much time to prepare for this game. We did well, Mario gave me a great assist for the goal and played very well, so I’m happy for him. His goal will come as long as he keeps working like this.

“I was ill with a sore throat and fever, so I only managed to train for two days during this gettogether.”

Diamanti curses Eagles woodwork A

lessandro Diamanti will “just hav e to kee p imp rov ing on free-kicks” after hitting the bar in Italy’s 2-2 draw with the Super Eagles.

“I’m getting used to hitt ing the woodwork. It means I’ll just have to kee p imp rov ing on my free kicks,” the Bologna star shrugged on Rai Sport.

“We did well, I’m not sure how we end ed up trai ling wit hin 10 minutes, but after the brea k we had a dozen scoring opportu nities.

Eagles vs Azzurii fallou

I

taly’s coach Cesare Prandelli has said that the first Super Eagles goal in the 2-2 draw with the Azzuri was a foul.

“The first Nigerian goal was absolutely a foul, but we take home this good performance”, said Prandelli, who was impressed with the performance of both teams, saying that “I’d love to see performances like this all the time.”

Giuseppe Rossi had given them the lead at Craven Cottage, his first goal since June 2011, but the Super Eagles turned it around until Emanuele Giaccherini’s equaliser..

“We had a great game, we played football and though the result is penalising, I’d love to see performances like this all the time,” the Coach told Rai Sport.

“Rossi and Balotelli combined many times. The absolutely terrible mistake we made was that when 1-0 up we tried to hold possession in sterile fashion and we should’ve looked for the second goal.

“We found more width, found Alino Diamanti between the lines. We also did well at the start with four or five passes in a row to get towards the goal.

This was the final Italy match of 2013 and Prandelli sees it as a positive year, despite ending it with four consecutive stalemates.

“We have many certainties, a few things to consider, which we’ll do in time. 2013 was very positive, as we had a good Confederations Cup and qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare.

“Of course with some results you wanted more, but these lads have done well.”

Eagles took their chances

——Ramocchia

“I’m als o dis app oin ted the referee gave two minutes of time when there should injury ’ve been 15.”

‘Alino’ Diamanti is one favo urit es to be in the of the 23- man squad going to Brazil for the World Cup.

“Whenever I come her e, I my head down, work with keep a lot of humility and am at the disposal of the group whether I play or not.

Tha t’s the onl y way to be on international duty.”

The Risk Shiel

•Ranocchia

A

ndrea Ranocchia admits Italy “conceded too many goals recently” after a 2-2 friendly draw with the Super Eagles..

“We have to keep work ing.

Unfo rtun ately, toni ght the chances we created didn’t go in, wher eas Nige ria score d with almost all their attempts,” he told Rai Sport.

“It was an extr aord inar y performance from everyone, as we played good football, moved the ball quickly, went on rapid coun ters and crea ted good passing moves.

“Un fortu nate ly on international duty we haven’t had much time to work on set play situations. We certainly need to improve, as we’ve conceded too many goals recently.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 — 37

ut ......Eagles, vs Azzurri fallout

•Nadal

Prandelli cries foul over

cries foul over Eagles first goal

I’m still in pain —Nadal R

afael Nadal has revealed he’s still in pain despite his titanic form since returning from injury — and played down suggestions a hi-tech treatment was behind his amazing comeback.

But the 27-year old told reporters at the Shanghai Masters that while a combination of machines and PRP had “ worked unbelievable” on his knee in the past, there was no magic cure this time around. ”With the injury I have now, I did (try PRP),” he said.

“I tried a lot of times, and it really didn’t help me a lot. ”The machines I have at home, the only thing that helps me is to make me a little bit more fit without having to run or something like this, or putting pressure on the tendon. ”But seriously, we didn’t find the key to the recovery because I need to keep working hard on finding things that will help me more.”

Tyson blasts

d December 26.jpg

Haye

Unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury has blasted former world champion David Haye after Haye pulled out of their all •Haye British megafight for the second time. “I’m sick of his lame excuses,” Fury fumed to the Daily Mirror. “We knew David Haye wouldn’t take the fight. He’s a laughing stock. He is a celebrity wannabe boxer, who wants to pick and choose his opponents, maybe get beaten and cash his cheque afterwards. He should have retired when he said he was going to. He has turned boxing into a joke with his antics.”

Team Fury is now aiming to face unbeaten Deontay Wilder on February 8 instead of Haye and the Wilder camp is interested. Jay Deas, trainer and advisor to Wilder tweeted “@BronzeBomber wants it, so do I. Fury-Wilder HUGE fight. We will travel to fight in UK. Find a table and lets sit down at it and talk.”

We didn’t sustain high Giaccherini tempo —warned Italy needed to keep ini cher Giac manuele draw with the Super Eagles.

2-2 a after up o temp the E rri goal in the friendly The winger netted his third Azzu rmance,

y with my perfo at Craven Cottage. “I am happ y in our best moment but also that of the team, as toda from Nigeria that rather we conceded two quick goals in the second half and shook us up. We kept playing e,” he told Rai Sport. certainly could’ve won this gam possession just to slow “After taking the lead we kept ld’ve kept the tempo shou we reas whe o, temp down the Perhaps that was why up and tried to score a second. we ended up going behind. us we had to continue “At half-time the Coach told tempo and not keep the up keep to but like this, it.” Giuseppe Rossi was possession just for the sake of since June 2011 and also on target for the first time telli. finally got to partner Mario Baloards and we have a lot “They are two world class forw make a well-suited pair. of quality in attack, but they doer for us, can make the “Mario is an important playk, so we try in every way difference by himself in attac suring him and working to help him. That includes reas’t going well. He is part all together when things aren try to help him.” of the group and we’ll always

Kobe set for basketball return

K

•Giaccherini

obe Bry ant has bee me dic ally cle are d n to resume basketball act The Los An gel es ivities.

Lak ers tweeted out the news wh team had a day off. It’s en the another step in Bryant’s comeba he tore his left Achille ck after s tendon seven months ago.

Bryant returned to pra ctice over the weekend, doi ng drills with his teammate some s.

A tea m spo kes ma n there’s no timetable for say s to play in a game. The Bryant Lakers are 5-7.

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2013 — 39

OJUDE OBA 2013

Crown head’ll always return home Being a paper presented by Oba Dr. S. K. Adetona, CFR, Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland at this year’s Ojude Oba festival

Debate of the masses

W

E are once again gathered in this magnificent edifice for yet another Ojude Oba Festival. Ojude Oba Festival as you are all aware, is an important event in our community as a people, being the only festival of its type celebrated in South-West, Nigeria by all and sundry without religious barrier and bequeathed to us by our forefathers centuries ago.

While congratulating and thanking the chief host, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, Governor of Ogun State and his amiable wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, for their usual support for the festival, we wish, on their behalf, to heartily welcome our special guest of honour at this year’s edition, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Waziri Aminu Tambuwal, CFR. Likewise, we welcome our illustrious Ijebu son, Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor.

All our august visitors here present including distinguished Senators, Honourable members of the House of Representatives, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, other members of the Judiciary, Ministers, Commissioners and other dignitaries, we say welcome to you all and as well thank you warmly for coming to share this moment with us.

Our other guests and tourists from far and near, our sons and daughters, our friends and wellwishers from the world over, the various Age Grades, the Baloguns, and lovers of our culture, we welcome you all.

If I am not mistaken, Mr. Speaker, this is your first official visit to Ijebu-Ode, the headquarters of the Old Ijebu Province. This visit, therefore, will forever remain green in our memory. Not only will

Goodbye Ethiopia, Brazil here we come

BY MIKE EBONUGWO

•Oba Dr. S. K. Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland

guide you aright and success shall be yours in the governance of your State and in your other undertakings. Let me now conclude by paraphrasing a passage in the Holy Bible by asking you kindly to return home (Ijebu),(our own Macedonia) and help us. Henceforth, we shall continue to look forward to your support and contributions in aid of our various community development projects, notable among which are this venue recently completed at a cost of over N800,000,000 (eight hundred million naira), and the Palace of the Awujale on the other side of this venue, both of which were built with voluntary donations from our people. We, however, wish to assure Your Excellency that whatever support that may come from you from time to time, will be thankfully received and wisely utilized to God’s glory and for the benefit of our community. To all Obas, Otunbas, Chiefs and othOur Regberegbe (Age Grade) system which ers here present, we welcome and greet you all. May the good Lord started over a century ago as a unique continue to bless your path. The democratic system of administration of the Old Baba Egbes, the Iya Egbes, the Giwas, the Iyalodes and members Ijebu nation has ever since become a major of the various male and female factor of our progress, unity and stability Age Grades (Regberegbes), we greet you all. We salute and it serve as a bridge for the unity and stability of our congratulate you for your courage and contribugreat country, it will no doubt, further cement the tions for the sustenance and enhancement of this friendship and the brotherhood, between the Yoruba our important cultural heritage (the Annual Ojude of South-West and the North with whom we share Oba festival). That you are succeeding in more or less the same or similar culture. showcasing to the whole world this important Ijebu Permit me, Mr. Speaker, to also observe that the culture and tradition, has always and shall conway you have been directing the affairs of the tinue to be a thing of immense joy to all and sunHouse of Representatives since your coming into dry, and more so that it continues to be a source of office has largely welded our country together envy to our neighbours. For your information, our regardless of the various competing and conflicting Regberegbe (Age Grade) system which started over interests of the members. a century ago as a unique democratic system of For all these and your other sterling qualities, administration of the Old Ijebu nation has ever and indeed your personal sacrifice and commitment since become a major factor of our progress, unity to good governance, progress, unity, stability, and and stability. Ijebuland, today remains united, prosthe general well-being of our country, we warmly perous and stable, and we pray that it shall conthank you. Our prayer always is that Allah will tinue to be so. To the Security agencies, the media uphold and guide you in your onerous duty of and others present here today, we thank you all. piloting one of the most important ships of our We appreciate you and God will reward you abunnation. May the peace of Allah continue to rest dantly for your kind gesture. and abide with you and members of your family Our partners: It is gratifying that our Ojude Oba (Amen). has been greatly transformed in dimension, quality At this juncture, we wish to formally welcome and popularity. This transformation we owe to our our distinguished son from the Awujale Fidipote major sponsor - Otunba Mike Adenuga and his Royal family of Ijebuland, Prince Seriake Dickson, company, Globacom. Our Annual Ojude Oba Governor of Bayelsa State.

Festival since the past eight years continued to enjoy Your presence here today is to fulfill the Ijebu tremendous patronage each year from Otunba Mike saying that ‘Ori Ade ki sun oko ati pe Ajo ki idun, Adenuga, with the result that the festival is today ki Oride ma mo ile’ which literally means ‘a crown accessible to every part of the world through the head will always return home and also, that no satellite, print and electronic media, and the social matter how beneficial a foreign sojourn is, the bird media. must come home to roost’. Our prayer for you is To be concluded that Allah will keep you and your family. He will

,

LAST week bus-stop parliamentarians joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the World Cup winning feat of the Golden Eaglets. They were still basking in the euphoria of the Eaglets World Cup victory when the country’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles defeated hard fighting Ethiopia to qualify for the World Cup for the fifth time.

As usual, parliamentarians all over the country have since been using every moment to rhapsodise over the qualification and the country ’s prospects when the World Cup kicks off in Brazil next year. For instance, this was the common theme at an impromptu newsstand gathering on Monday at the Ikotun Busstop in Lagos.

Irabor’s response Spear-heading the discussion, parliamentarian Alex Iwuji submitted thus: “I thank God that in spite of the gra-gra by those Ethiopia boys, Super Eagles still defeated them to qualify for the World Cup. After I heard the way those Ethiopians were boasting about how they will come here to beat us, I was initially afraid, especially as they are the ones they eliminated South Africa from the race”.

Parliamentarian Solomon Irabor’s response to this was: “Ah, na God save us O. Those Ethiopians play O. In fact, I will say it was luck and the referee that helped us to beat them because they clearly outplayed the Super Eagles in the second half ”.

But parliamentarian Babajide Makinde was quick to fire a riposte.

“It’s not about whether they outplayed us or not.

The question is: who won the match and qualified for the World Cup? The answer is Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

So, what is important is that we have qualified for the World Cup,” he quipped.

But Solomon was not prepared to give up.

“Enh-eh, is it to qualify that matters? Do we really have a team to represent us well in Brazil?

Or is it for them to go there now and start fumbling and before you know it, one country will beat them four or five zero? What I’m saying is that the Super Eagles did not play well against Ethiopia, but because God was on our side, we won the match. So Coach Keshi and his assistants should start immediately to prepare the team for the World Cup instead of wasting time celebrating our qualification,” he submitted.

Alex’s response to this was: “Ah-ah, are you not aware that they are playing a match today against Italy? That is to say that the preparation is already in progress.

And apart from the fact that Italy is a great footballing nation, they are also among the first to qualify for the World Cup. So, if we’re able to beat or draw with them, it will be a big plus for the Super Eagles as they prepare for the World Cup. “And talking about your claim that Eagles did not play well against Ethiopia, let me remind you that our boys did not have enough time to train together before the match whereas the Ethiopian players trained for over a month.

But before the World Cup proper, Eagles will have enough time to train together and then you’ll see them in their true colours”.

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Confab: No Crime discussing the

unity of Nigeria —Jimi Agbaje •I'm not running away from politics MR. Jimi Agbaje became a household name in 2007 during the governorship elections in Lagos State, when he adopted the slogan “Jaykay is ok”. In an interview in Lagos, select journalists caught up with him at his Lagos office, where he bared his mind on the proposal for a national conference and explains why he is yet to get a platform to fulfill his political dreams in 2015. Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT is your take on the proposed national conference as some allege that it is diversionary?

We have to make the issues very clear. First is: do we need a national conference? And I will say yes. Why do we need a national conference? We all agree that Nigeria is not working the way it should. It is not fitting into the dreams of the founding fathers of this country. There are so many things that are not working and therefore, my answer is that there is need a for a national conference, there is need for us to sit down and talk.

Now, whether it is diversionary or not is another issue altogether, because if you don’t try something, then, you do not succeed.

National conference We must try because we have tried so many times to talk, but without success. But again, the fact that it did not succeed in the previous times, did not bring about a break down of the country. In other words, it did not do us harm and so, I do not see why anybody should be strict against the need to have a national conference based on the reason that they are diversionary.

I believe that those that are saying it is diversionary are playing politics and we cannot continue to play politics with the people and the electorate.

If we get it right this time, it would be good for Nigeria, if we do not get it right, we will probably stay where we were before but if we do not try, we will not get it right.

Are your worried by the claim by the president that the

outcome of the conference will be sent to the National Assembly for ratification?

Do not forget that the president’s mandate was very clear and it was that the committee should bring about a framework. I think the president is free to give his own suggestion but I think at the end of the day, the president will accept what the majority of the people say.

I will say that we should go through the process and whatever the people decide, we will then wait and see how the president takes it but I believe that the way it has started, the president must be fully conscious that people expect the dialogue to be successful, there has to be success from it.

Therefore, I do not see him trying to thrown spanner in the wheels of progress. So, it is what the people finally come up with that I believe we will get.

What, do you think should be the focus of this conference?

You know when there are many problems, what you go for is the foundation. I think what we need to go for is the structure of our country and that is the way we practice federalism. If we are able to address the federal structure, we would have been able to address a lot of the minor problems besieging us. The federal structure is faulty.

For me, the first thing is the federal structure because that will address the way we spend money or better still, the way we share money. All we have in our present structure is how to share the cake but we do not bake the cake. The most important issue is the federal structure and it will address a lot of the other issues.

Would say the timing is right?

My answer is that if there is a will, there is a way. If we are

•Agbaje: We should talk determined to do it, we will do it. I believe that it is doable or else, we will just keep going round in circles in this country.

Many supporters of a national conference, however, claim that President Jonathan, is not sincere on it?

It is going to be a test for the presidency in the way it utilizes the kind of report it gets. It could make or it could mar the presidency but that is the challenge the presidency has to take.

But do you think we can

negotiate the unity of this country?

There is no crime in discussing the unity of Nigeria.

We all refer to the Ethiopian constitution, where it says that you can negotiate. We can negotiate the unity of this country but it should be done in a proper way. What I am getting at is that we are not going to violently break up Nigeria, if it has to break up.

The reality is that, we will find out that we are better together as one country if we get it right,

than as more than one country.

In 2007, you ran a very robust campaign and became a household name but after that you disappeared from the scene. What have you been doing?

I have been very must around, I have been playing politics, I have been trying to make a living. For me, I believe we play too much of politics in our country at the expense of governance.

There is a time for everything.

If I am running for office, I will be more on the pages of newspapers but when I am not running for office, I will be in the background and do my work in the back ground. When you play politics, you have to allow those who govern to govern and where you are in a position to advise them behind the scene, then, you do. For me, let me assure you that I am very much around, I am still involved in politics, I am not running away from politics.

There have been reports that you have become the beautiful bride being wooed by both the APC and PDP? (Laughs) like I said I am in politics but I am yet to join a political party. The Nigerian constitution stipulates that for you to play politics in any elective form, you must belong to a political party.

We are still looking at it. I will join a political party but I am yet to join one. You will agree with me that from where I am coming from, I need to look well before I leap. That is what I am doing, I am still looking and I hope that I will be able to leap sooner than later.

Bauchi: Beyond Sambo’s visit POLITICAL strategists of the president may have conceived plans of using Bauchi as a linchpin to enter the core conservative states in the north ahead of 2015.

The opposition is, however, not indifferent to the plans

BY SUZAN EDEH

W

ITH political activities gathering momentum to herald the 2015 election, supporters of a fresh term for President Goodluck Jonathan are obviously strategizing to win the hearts of the northern electorate. That strategy of winning confidence of the people was recently played out in Bauchi State when Vice-president Namadi Sambo paid a three day working visit to the state. The purpose of the official visit was to commission some projects embarked upon by the Isa Yuguda administration.

Prior to his visit, there was intensive publicity in the electronic and print media, announcing the coming of the vice-President to the state as well as the deployment of heavy security personnel.

Some of the projects the vice-president commissioned in the state included the three Tsangaya Model Schools built by the Federal Government to keep street boys popularly called Almajiri off the streets and give them basic western education, the Bauchi State University, community radio stations, Bauchi Specialist Hospital, the state fertilizers blending plants, amongst other projects.

The Vice President also inspected facilities at the newly constructed N9 billion Bauchi International Airport and Zaki-Kafin dam.

It was not far-fetched that Sambo’s official visit to the state was another effort to underpin the 2015 re-election plans of the president. It was more so, a plan to consolidate the relationship between Abuja and one of its most loyal governors, Yuguda.

It was no wonder, that the vice-president received a rousing ovation at the airport as he was welcomed by Governor Yuguda, representative of the Minister of Education, Prof Charles On-

Continues on page 43

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Forget Bio, Kwara PDP is united behind Saraki — Gunu, ex-PDP Chairman FORMER chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Kwara State, Alhaji Ahmed Salihu Gunu in this interview reviews recent developments in the party, debunks criticisms recently instigated by former minister of transport, Ibrahim Bio against the leadership of the party in the state. Excerpts:

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

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S the current PDP meeting the dreams of its founding fathers?

When you talk of politics, it’s about debate. The National Chairman called the governors and they did not respond and the next thing was to expel them.

This shows that the present leadership is not focused. When you have seven and many members of the National Assembly planning to leave the party and somebody is sitting down somewhere and busy issuing queries.

Is there a faction of the PDP in Kwara State?

There is no faction in Kwara.

If there is I am supposed to be leading that faction because I am the chairman of the old PDP in Kwara. So there is no faction.

But there are dissenting voices?

Oh no! They are just disgruntled people. People who are not grateful and we have them everywhere. That cannot end in politics.

But the former Minister for

Continues from page 42 ocha, Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi central, Senator Babayo Gamawa representing Bauchi North, former Governor Adamu Muazu, and Chairman of TETFund, Musa Babayo among several other dignitaries.

One critical area of concern in the north that President Jonathan is trying to put an end to, is the problem of insecurity. He is not ignorant of the fact that the people of the north will not give him their mandate when this monster of insecurity keeps claiming the lives of innocent citizens of the region.

While commissioning one of the Almajari schools in Buzaye village in Bauchi, Sambo said that the Federal Government established the Almajiri school system to make basic education accessible to every child because no nation can develop without education.

According to him, “any development plan that does not include education into its system cannot achieve any meaningful socio-economic growth and the federal government is committed

Transport, Bio Ibrahim, has flayed the PDP leadership in the state for not doing well alleging that it rigs to keep itself in power?

Well I don’t know from where he is getting his information.

We worked hard, we went to the grassroots and everybody knows us. If he rigs I don’t know where he goes to rig. But he can’t win his ward. If some of us didn’t support him, he would not have been able to go to the House of Assembly.

He can’t deliver his polling unit and that is the truth.

Have you contacted him since the issue started?

There is nothing like misunderstanding, Bio knows that he is not reflecting reality in what he is saying. He is far from the political reality in the state and is merely trying to seek undue relevance by saying what does not ostensibly to advance his political ambition. He is not patient and loves this governorship thing. And the mathematics is very straightforward if you are from Kwara. Cornelius Adebayo was the governor

•Gunu: No division in Kwara PDP for just three months from the south before Shaaba Lafiaji who governed for two years from the north. Then if Ilorin is governor for about two or three times and the thing has to go back, it has to start from the south. When they were doing all these struggling I was telling my people that the south supposed to do this thing first it is politics and not a matter of a wanting such person there. Our leader took the best

decision in the interest of Kwara by giving it to a southern person and that is his problem that he was not given the governorship thing and he wants to blow everybody off.

And those people he is fraternizing with now will not trust him because they know that it is not his popularity that got him there, they know how much this man suffered to get him there , so they will be careful about him.

Have you contacted him?

If somebody is talking reasonably that is a different case.

But you don’t need to start castigating your benefactors all in the name of seeking relevance.

I was former PDP chairman and for 11 years now I have not had any appointment and I did not go about insulting anybody.

My candid advice to him is to urgently seek forgiveness and apologise to our political leader, Bukola Saraki, who made him what he is today.

He has also claimed that PDP will not miss the G7 governors if they leave the party?

Let me make a few analyses for you. We have had governors in Kano state, but this second coming of Kwankwaso has been a defining moment. He has been sending Kano indigenes all over the globe to acquire knowledge.

If he is not important, Buhari and others would not go there. It’s the same story for Sule Lamido in Jigawa State who has performed creditably well. If Babangida Aliyu did not work in Niger State, honourable people like former president General Ibrahim Babangida and others will not be posting adverts on his birthday. He (Bio) has some dreams and thinking in his wildest dreams that the presidency will just take him like that, make him a Minister and later post him to Kwara state to become a Governor.

Bauchi: Beyond Sambo’s visit ment has already shifted grounds in response to the union demands, so ASUU should reciprocate the gesture by calling off the strike”.

With the clocking ticking everyday, the ruling PDP, under the leadership of President Jonathan knows that nothing must be left to chance in capturing the northern states where he is presently in good standing with •Sambo: Reaching out in Bauchi the political elite.

Another intriguing to ensuring that every Nigerian aspect of the vice-president’s visit child accesses basic education”. was that it seemed to showcase Also while inaugurating the the reconciliation between YuguBauchi State University, Gadau, da and the former governor of the the Vice-President appealed pas- state, Mu’azu as Yuguda on sevsionately to the Academic Staff eral occasions during the visit reUnion of Universities to call off ferred to his predecessor and one its four month old strike in the time bitter antagonist, as “my interest of the nation and the stu- brother”. dents.

It has been alleged that YuguHe said, “the federal govern- da and Mu’azu may have joined

forces to install a common choice for the governorship of the state.

That development it was learnt is part of the common agenda of delivering the state to President Jonathan in 2015.

That plan is, however, everyday being countered by the opposition in the north.

One example of the plans of the opposition was played out recently when the recently registered political party, People Democratic Movement (PDM), organized a three-day North-East zonal stakeholders’ retreat to harmonize the interim structure of the party in the state, local governments and wards.?

The second reason for the retreat was to appraise the party members of the importance of online and manual registration in the 8,823 wards in the country so that it can produce credible candidates that will represent the party in the 2015 election.

Speaking with newsmen during the zonal stakeholders retreat, the National Chairman of

the party Bashir Yusuf used the opportunity to berate the PDP and showcase what he alleged to be the party’s inherent lack of internal democracy.

He said, “many of you know that from 2003 to date, there have been internal struggles within the PDP for the last ten years between people who believed in democracy, in the rule of law, in giving members their choice and those who believed in imposition, this struggle has been going on for the last ten years and we are not going anywhere, we are not making progress.

“So we realized that if we had used these 10 years of constant struggle within the party in building our party, the party that believes in internal democracy which is the reason why PDM came into PDP in the first place.

If we had done this in these last ten years, PDM would have taken over the leadership of this country a long time ago”. He said.

44 — V ANGU ARD, WEDNESD AY, NO VEMBER 20, 2013 VANGU ANGUARD, WEDNESDA NOVEMBER

Office affair gone sour!

Dear Bunmi, FTER FOUR years of knowing a colleague as just a good friend, he finally talked me into having an affair with him. He said he’d fancied me since he joined the firm and I foolishly started a relationship with him. The affair only lasted a few months after which I was unceremoniously dropped.

We are both married and I realised what we did was wrong. Unfortunately, I fell really hard for this man and I am completely heartbroken.

This is my first time of being unfaithful and I feel cheap.

How do I move on? I have to see this co-worker on a daily basis and I cannot leave as finding a good job these days is a miracle. Please, help.

Tokunbo, by e-mail.

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My man’s boring in bed Dear Bunmi, HREE MONTHS ago, I met this guy at a party and we started going out almost immediately. I like him a lot and love being with him but I find his lovemaking a bit boring. I have had a very adventurous love life with a

T

couple of past boyfriends but my current man is very conservative in bed.

I have made a few suggestions to him on how we can spice up our love-making life but he seems just not interested in trying them. He even thinks some of my ideas

He’s too quiet during love-making Dear Bunmi, Y NEW man is a real hunk and I love him to bits. My problem is that he’s amazingly quiet in bed so much so that I’m not sure he’s enjoying himself. He gets hard and climaxes, but doesn’t say a word. How can I find out if I really turn him on?

I wouldn’t want to lose him!

Baby, by e-mail.

M

Dear Baby, If your man gets hard and climaxes, you obviously turn him on. What you’re

concerned about here is his style of arousal. Ask him if he normally makes a lot of noise during lovemaking, or if he’s a quiet operator. If he confesses he’s normally more vocal, ask what you can do to help him make that noise.

And if he says he’s the silent type, tell him you like hearing a partner moan with pleasure.

Don’t force, just encourage him and if he does start to show his satisfaction through noise, show him just how much that turns you on. Good luck!

are disgusting, making me look like a kind of pervert. I believe that love-making is an important part of any relationship and I just don’t know what to do?

Jaiye, by e-mail.

Dear Jaiye, You’re obviously more adventurous than your current boyfriend. Everyone has inhibitions, even you. You have to let him realise that trying new things can be rewarding. The worst thing you can do to a man is let him know he is lousy in bed. With gentle encouragement, your new lover’s inhibitions will slowly fade away.

Don’t compare him with your past lovers, instead, make him feel as if he is the initiator of all the adventures you want from him.

It takes time and a lot of patience, but believe me, he would prefer to be hot in bed to being seen as boring.

Is masturbation ruining my marital life?

Dear Bunmi, Y WIFE and I belong to a very strict religious sect and were virgins when we got married. Before I got married, I was in the church’s camp where I prepared myself for my wife both mentally and sensuously.

Being a religious man, I wouldn’t practise by sleeping with another woman, instead, I masturbated regularly.

But doing this has given me a terrible problem. I can masturbate for a full hour without climaxing if I put my mind to it, because of this, I can last too long. We've been married for over a year now and are anxious to start a family but I've not once been able to climax inside my wife. We ‘re both really upset about this. What can we do to sort things out?

Phil, by e-mail.

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Dear Phil, You need to realise that it isn’t just your masturbation habit that is creating the problem. Sure, masturbation will make you last a long time, but your mind must be in there, working too. At the moment, your mind is busy controlling your climax and,

perhaps, because of your upbringing, you’re controlling it too much.

Maybe you worry it isn’t right or that it isn‘t right to climax in front of your wife, and the anxiety is not helping, your mind is overloaded - your climax is on

strike.

You need to get some professional support to learn exercises to help you relax when you’re making love so you could lose control happily. You need to see your doctor who would refer you to a specialist.

Why text her behind my back?

Dear Bunmi, CURRENTLY live with my boyfriend of 10 months and I never thought he would cheat on me -1 know we love each other deeply. But he recently came back from a three-week course where he said he got friendly with a female delegate from another company. I thought nothing of this but, one night, I caught him in the toilet sending a text message. He flushed the toilet to distract me, but when I looked at his mobile when he was having a bath, I saw he’d just sent a suggestive text to this woman.

When I confronted him, he swore nothing happened between them - he’s even keen on going ahead with our wedding plans. I feel as if I can’t ever trust him again.

Janette, by e-mail.

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Dear Janette, The only way you can trust your man again is if you can be sure he’ll never misbehave again. And the only way to be sure he doesn’t is to find out why he misbehaved in the first place and make sure those reasons don’t come up again. So, why did he text this course mate? Was he bor ed?

Feeling trapped? Was he flattered by her attentions?

Or maybe he panicked that he isn’t attractive to women apart from you!

You need to have a heartto-heart with your man and not one where you scream at him! Listen to him. Find out what’s really going on in his mind about you both. Then you’ll know whether you can create a relationship in which he’ll be faithful in future.

Dear Tokunbo, One thing you must face is the fact that you can't undo what has already happened

and the only thing that would make your predicament worst is if you failed to learn from it. Admit that you made a dumb choice and you got burnt. You’ve broken one of the eternal rules of office romance: “Never start an affair with a married coworker.”

As impulsive as your action was, you must learn to move on.

Although he’d dumped you, let this man know that you’re ready to move on. Showing him you still care might give his ego a boost. And don’t be too hostile, you might be hurting, but it’s not the end of the world. Put your mistake in the past and start focusing on the future. If your marriage has lost its excitement, come up with a plan to bring back the sizzle.

Remember, you’re the one who got yourself into this mess, and you’re the only one who can get yourself out of it.

One thing you must face is the fact that you can't undo what has already happened.

Let this man know that you’re ready to move on. Showing him you still care might give his ego a boost. And don’t be too hostile, you might be hurting, but it’s not the end of the world. Put your mistake in the past and start focusing on the future.

If your marriage has lost its excitement, come up with a plan to bring back the sizzle.

I wish he was 20 years younger!

Dear Bunmi, AM in my mid-20's and have known my current partner for over three years.

He’s in his late 40's and a widower. He is bald and certainly looks his age. My friends say I can do better than what I’ve got. I really care for him as he’s been very supportive financially but there are times I look at him and wish he was 20 years younger.

Kemi, by e-mail.

I

Dear Kemi, You care for your man and want to be with him but the message that people close to you convey with cruel jibes or kindly meant advice is that, by being with this man, you’re

throwing your life away. Even though your man gives you a great deal of what you need, recognise that you may find yourself attracted to younger men and that this man may not be the one who one day will become your husband and father your kids.

Have you talked this over with him? The thought that you can be friends and lovers and not life-long partners might ease your current discomfort. There are marriages that have thrived where the husbands are much older. But you don’t even seem happy with the man you have and wishing he were younger wouldn’t change anything.

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

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