Uproar, as Jonathan suspends Sanusi - I'm surprised govt took so long — SANUSI

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62085

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Boko Haram threatens The many to kill elder statesmen sins of in new video Sanusi 9 7

The man Emefiele, CBN Gov nominee

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Uproar, as Jonathan suspends Sanusi •I'm surprised govt took so long — SANUSI

•Vows to challenge suspension in court •Zenith boss, Emefiele nominated CBN gov; Sarah Alade to act •Senate backs Jonathan, Reps disagree •P.12 •Okonjo-Iweala, Atiku, Fashola, APC, others react

BY BEN AGANDE, EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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BUJA — Presi dent Goodluck Jonathan yesterday announced the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over alleged “various acts of financial Continues on page 5

MISSING $20BN: NNPC has right to spend part of gross revenue — Adoke 16

Mr & Mrs

HELLO! IS THAT MY LAWYER?— Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (left) being received by former FCT Minister, Nasir El-Rufai (2nd right) and others on his arrival from Niger Republic at the airport, Lagos, yesterday. Courtesy: Sahara Reporters.

POWER FAILURE: Lagos court conducts proceedings with torchlight

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2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON this decision has been taken in absolute good faith, in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and in accordance with our laws and due process” the statement concluded.

National Assembly split

COMMISSIONING—From left: Minister for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu; Chairman First Surat Group of Companies, Mr Hikmet Coban; President Goodluck Jonathan and FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed cutting the tape to commission the NIGERIA –TURKISH HOSPITAL ABUJA, yesterday. State House photo.

Uproar, as Jonathan suspends Sanusi Continues from page 1 recklessness and misconduct”.

In a statement in Abuja the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said the suspension of The CBN governor was as a result of the reports of the Financial Reporting Council Of Nigeria and other Investigating bodies which he said indicate “far-reaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi’s watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate”.

The statement further Directed that the most

Senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, “Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN”.

The statement reads “Having taken special notice of reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s tenure has been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH Manage your resources wisely, If you buy things you do not need, soon you may have to sell things you need.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

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HE unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!—Henry Ward Beecher A woman was depressed for years and every treatment proved abortive until her doctor decided to try a different approach. He sent a package, in it was a strong magnifying glass. With instructions of what to do. Every day, she should look through the lens at objects in her home and write down her observations.

She began looking through the lens at these objects and was amazed at what she saw. Then she examined the veins in a flower plucked from her garden, the colour dots in an old photograph, and even the texture of her own skin. In days before close-up photography, she’d never seen the likes of it before. She was amazed and astounded at the brand new world opening up before her eyes.

She began to get well because this unusual prescription had aroused within her the most curative of all emotions – gratitude. Gratitude for the gifts all around us. Steve Goodier sums it aptly. “Do you practice gratitude? I think you’ll discover that it is no less than a powerful prescription for inner peace.”

administration’s vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline; “Being also deeply concerned about farreaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi’s watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate; and, “Being determined to urgently re-position the Central Bank of Nigeria for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN. “The President expects that as Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Alade will focus on the core mandate of the Bank and conduct its affairs with greater professionalism, prudence and propriety to restore domestic and international confidence in the country ’s apex bank.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures all stakeholders in Nigeria’s financial and monetary system that

MEMBERS of the National Assembly were yesterday divided along partisan lines on the suspension from office of the governor of the Central Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. While the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP controlled Senate gave official support for the action of the president, senators belonging to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, however, strongly objected to the action as they described it as an erosion of the powers of the Senate.

Strong efforts by PDP members of the House of Representatives to also endorse the president’s action was, however, thwarted by APC members of the House who out voted the PDP legislators in the motion on a vote to condemn the president’s action.

Despite the Senate’s assertion of the correctness of the president’s action in suspending the CBN governor, the House of Representatives in the motion said the president’s suspension of the nation’s top banker was an erosion of the powers of the Senate.

Senate reacts

Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who gave the official reaction of the legislative house said the president acted within the ambit of the CBN Act in suspending Sanusi from office.

“The President only suspended Sanusi, he did not sack him. So he acted accordingly.”

He, however, said the Senate had received communication from the president on a successor for Sanusi who is expected to formally leave office in June.

He said the president had forwarded Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the present managing director of Zenith Bank plc as the next governor of the CBN. Besides Emefiele, a deputy governor was also submitted to the Senate for confirmation.

Reps counter Senate

The official position of the Senate was, however, countered by some APC senators including Senator Babajide Omoworare, APC, Osun East, who described the suspension as illegal

and outside the powers of the president.

In a chat with newsmen, Omoworare said Sanusi’s suspension was illegal and contrary to the provisions of the CBN Act which prevents the president from doing anything to the CBN governor except removing him subject to the approval of two-thirds majority of the Senate. ”Democracy is not about ambushing but the President’s action today on the suspension of Sanusi is like ambushing democracy by not following the rule of law because the President has no powers to do so going by the provisions of the CBN Act. Thus, his action as far as I am concerned and I know as far as law abiding Nigerians are concerned, is illegal. ”Sanusi no doubt, has been the crown witness in the matter of alleged mismanagement of Nigeria’s oil proceeds to the tune of $49.8 billion within the last two years which made his suspension at this time very uncomfortable to Nigerians and her strategic foreign partners,” he insisted.

Apparently embittered by what they claimed as the selective fight against corruption as claimed by the president for the ouster of Sanusi, the House of Representatives yesterday mandated its committees on Justice, and Legislative Compliance to compile all reports and resolutions dealing with corruption by public officials which the president has yet to act on.

The reports are to be brought to the attention of the president for him to act on them immediately.

Points of law

Following resumption yesterday, the House Minority Whip, Rep. Samson Osagie, ACN, Edo State upon a point of order brought a motion on the suspension of the CBN governor.

Osagie had barely fin-

ished reading his motion when Rep. Henry Ofongo, PDP, Bayelsa, raised another point of order to challenge him, but he was overruled by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

Osagie in his motion observed that section 11(7) of the CBN Act, 2007 upon which the president claimed to have acted did not contemplate the suspension of a CBN governor as he alleged that the president could only remove the governor if found wanting upon endorsement by two-thirds of the Senate.

As he spoke he was heckled by PDP members. Rep Henry Ofongo a PDP member who punctured him through a point of order faulted Osagie, saying the minority whip was bringing in issues from the CBN Act, which were not relevant to the matter at hand.

He was overruled by Speaker Tambuwal who told him to wait for his turn.

Uproar

Uproar set in when Rep Ralph Nnanna Igbokwe also raised a point of order, drawing the attention of the House to the same section of the CBN Act earlier cited by Osagie which gave the President powers to appoint and remove the CBN Governor.

According to him, if CBN was a public institution, operating under the public service rules with Sanusi as a public officer heading the institution, he can be removed under such rules if found wanting in the discharge of his duties, urging the House “to resist every temptation not to act on the side of the law.”

While Tambuwal ruled Igbokwe as being in order, the speaker, however, said Igbokwe’s assertions did not address

Continues on Page 9

BY IF

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Police probe rape by 22-year-old man in Ibadan

BY OLA AJAYI

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BADAN— THE Oyo State Police Command is investigating a reported case of rape allegedly committed by a 22-year old man, Damilola Yusuf.

The suspect was said to have assaulted a 15-yearold (name withheld) at Tarfa Area, Elekuro, Ibadan and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, while confirming the alleged rape said the rape victim reported the case around 5pm on February 19.

She quoted the victim as saying: “One Damilola Yussuf, aged 22 years, forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.”

According to the police, the doctor’s report had confirmed that there was penetration into the private part of the victim.

Besides, DSP Clet-Ilobanafor said the suspect had confessed to the police that he committed the crime.

Man in court for perverting justice

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS — ONE Aregbesola Abraham has been arraigned in an Ebute Metta court for allegedly perverting the course of justice by aiding the escape of one Martins Badejo, who is involved in a case of stealing.

Badejo allegedly stole N3,066,850, property of FBN Microfinance Bank where he works and converted it for his personal use.

The accused who resides at 21, Bariga Street, stood as a surety for his friend, Badejo, but allowed him to run away.

Abraham, 47, and others at large, committed the felony between July 18, 2012 and August 29, 2013 at FBN Lawanson branch.

Mr K. Ogundare, the magistrate adjourned the matter till March 27, 2014.

Oil spill site within Ogoda-Brass pipeline in Bayelsa, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

FRSC dismisses officer who raped colleague's 9-yr-old daughter

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE — THE authorities of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, yesterday said a 31-year- old officer of the agency, Emmanuel Ilori, who defiled his colleague's nine-year-old daughter (names withheld) has been dismissed.

Its Head of Operations in Ondo State, Sunday Ajayi, said the action of the officer was an embarrassment that should not be treated with levity.

According to Ondo police image maker, Wole Ogodo, Ilori, now in police detention, will be charged to court any moment from now.

How it happened The suspect was said to have visited his co-worker in his residence located at Omitogun Estate Shebi, area of Akure metropolis where he committed the crime.

Vanguard gathered that Ilori visited Oguntayo Oluwafemi on the said day and after discussing some personal issues, the father of the victim decided to excuse himself to buy something in the neighbourhood with which to entertain his guest.

However, immediately Oguntayo left the house, the suspect bolted the door and pounced on the innocent daughter.

Luck, however, ran out on him as the father of the victim discovered that he had no money on him and decided to rush back to the house. But he met his door firmly locked from behind.

He reportedly knocked severally and all he could hear

from the room was the screaming by his daughter.

Oguntayo forced the door open only to meet his colleague defiling his daughter following which he raised an alarm.

Attempt by the suspect to escape was thwarted as neighbours ar-

rested and took him to the Okuta Elerinla police station.

Contacted, Ogodo said the suspect and the father of the victim were employees of the FRSC in the state.

Ogodo said the father of the victim caught his friend in the

act while he was defiling his daughter whom he left in the house with him.

According to the police spokesman, the father of the victim had to break open the door of the house he left not more than five minutes before.

Man docked for killing his 4-yr-old son

BY CHINYERE ABIAZIEM

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AGOS — ONE Elvis Enegbate of 7, Adetola Adelaja Street, Meiran was, yesterday, arraigned over the alleged killing of his four-year-old son earlier this month.

The accused was said to have

used hot pressing iron to burn his son, pierced his lips and padlocked them to prevent him from calling for neighbours’ help, after which he threw him into a drum of water.

It was a neighbour who saw Enegbate when he was throw-

...another arrested for bestiality with goat in Jigawa

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UTSE — A 20-year-old man has been arrested by Jigawa State Police Command for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a goat at Baranda forest in Dutse Local Government Area.

Meantime, the chief magistrate's court sitting in Dutse has ordered the remand of the boy, Malam Kamisu Baranda, in prison for two weeks.

Magistrate Auwalu Sani Balago said the accused person did not confess that he committed the act but the court remanded him to allow police make further inquiries.

Kamisu was said to have admitted that the goat belonged to him and that he had asked the goat to have sexual intercourse with him but he was arrested by the village head of the

area and handed over to the police.

He explained that this was not the first time of having sex with animals inside bush because he has done it over 10 times and was never arrested.

He regretted that if he knew that he would be arrested, he would have not tried it because it was the reason why he did not make love with women in the area.

He said animals satisfied his demand, that is why he is not after women in the state just to avoid embarrassment but still he found himself ambushed by people in the area.

He called on the court to do justice for him because he knows that what he did was an offence to a society and against the Islamic injunctions.

ing the child into the drum that went to call the police but before the neighbour returned with policeman, the boy, whose mother is late, had died.

The reason the defendant gave for killing his son was that, he used to spy on him whenever he was making love to his new wife.

While in court, the accused, who was said to be mentally deranged acted it out by rambling incomprehensible words.

After pleading not guilty, the magistrate, Ms S. Solebo ruled that he should be remanded in prison pending the Director of Public Prosecutor ’s advice, while the matter was adjourned till April 2, 2014.

In the same court, a 19-year-old Olarenwaju James was docked for alleged robbery.

James was said to have robbed one Iyabo Alabi of her bag containing N20,000 and her phone worth N15,000.

According to the charge, the act contravened section 294 of the criminal code and punishable under sections 295 and 278(1) a1(1) of the same code.

The accused was, however granted bail in the sum of N100,000with two sureties in like sum.

FEANYI OKOLIE

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 —7

Man who ingested 63 wraps of cocaine nabbed at MMIA ...I came to find a wife, got broke —Suspect statement that he came to Nigeria in search of a wife but decided to smuggle cocaine because he was broke.

“He claimed that some people promised to pay him $4,000 (about N640,000) in addition to all travel expenses. He is currently under investigation and will be charged to court soon."

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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AGOS — A 40-year-old Ni gerian based in Italy, Amobi Okoye, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for trafficking drugs.

Spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Lagos said the suspect was arrested at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Ofoyeju said the suspect was found to have swallowed 63 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine, weighing 1.030kg while trying to board an Alitalia flight.

He said: “The suspect was arrested with the assistance of scan-

I came to find a wife, got broke then Amobi Okoye, the suspect ning machines. While under observation, he excreted 63 wraps of powdery substances weighing 1.030kg that tested positive to cocaine.

“The suspect claimed in his

The suspect, who has lived in Italy since 2009, said he came home last December in search of a wife but got involved in drug trafficking because he was broke.

He said: "My involvement in cocaine trafficking was an afterthought. The reason I came

to Nigeria in December 2013 was to search for a wife. In the process, I spent all the money with me while searching for money to buy my ticket back to Italy."

Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade called on members of the public to avoid drug trafficking and support the anti-drug campaign.

He said: "Drug mules must shun drug trafficking in their best interest and that of the society at large.

"It is important for them to realise that the financial inducement offered by drug barons is insignificant compared with the damage to their reputation and that of their families. The best solution is to say no to drug trafficking at all times."

Power failure: Ikeja High Court conducts proceedings with torchlight

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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AGOS — MAJORITY of judges in Ikeja division of the Lagos State High Court, yesterday, conducted their proceedings in darkness due to persistent power outage.

As early as 9.00 a.m, lawyers and litigants, who prepared to

conduct their cases, were disappointed as several of the judges, particularly those in the new big building, could not sit.

Vanguard observed that the persistent power outage in the court in the past one week got to its peak, because the courts could not initially sit until about 11 am when one of the

power generating sets for the building was switched on.

Thirty minutes after the power was brought back, the generating set went off, prompting some of the judges to stall their proceedings.

Judges who were conducting their cases, however, opted to continue proceed-

Unemployed youths waiting to be interviewed for employment into Akwa Ibom Civil Service in Uyo, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Be our eyes Are you an eye-witness to an accident, robbery, fire outbreak, kidnap, building collapse, etc? Share it with Vanguard readers. Send pix, text or e-mail to The News Editor on 08023145558, or kayodematthew@yahoo.com

ings with torchlights to conclude their cases.

Vanguard observed that one of the judges, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, continued proceedings with a torchlight to avoid disruption.

Lawyers who were in the court were not left out as they were forced to use lights from their phones since the courtroom was in darkness.

Justice Onigbanjo, however, rose about 10 minutes after he was unable to continue with the proceedings.

At Justice Kudirat Jose's court, where the bail application for Lagos lawyer, Mr Fred Ajudua, was billed to be heard, the judge conducted part of her court proceedings in darkness for about five minutes before stepping out of the bench to her chambers, while all cases before her were adjourned.

At press time, all the courtrooms were still in darkness.

Efforts to get reactions from the High Court Chief Registrar proved abortive as our correspondent was told she was busy.

A senior official of the court who refused to be named told our correspondent that the court premises had since been cut off from power supply.

The official said the court took the decision following huge bills for the court even when there was no electricity supply for weeks.

The official also said the two generating sets in the court had been faulty in the past one month.

Court remands man for raping toddler

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA— An Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Isabo, yesterday, remanded a 26-year-old welder, Dare Ojo, for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl (names withheld).

The Chief Magistrate, Anthony Araba, ordered that Ojo be remanded in Oba prison pending the determination of the case.

The Police prosecutor, Inspector Banji Sangotokun, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offence on February 15 at Ogunji Estate, Somorin in Abeokuta.

According to him, the accused, who is a friend to the girl’s father, raped her and inflicted a serious injury on the girl.

“The father of the little girl told Ojo to take her home from his shop but the accused carried the girl into an uncompleted building and raped her.

“He was caught in the act by a farmer who raised alarm and alerted people close to the building, “ he said.

The accused who was not represented in court by any counsel pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape.

...another docked for defiling a 4-yr-old

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ARARABA (NASARAWA)— Kenneth Okoro, 32, was yesterday charged to an Upper Area Court sitting in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, for defiling a four-year-old girl.

Okoro, an unemployed graduate who resides at Gwandara, Nasarawa, was charged to court for allegedly committing an act of gross indecency on a minor.

Mr Hassan Sabo, the state counsel, asked the court to adjourn the matter for another date to enable him prepare for the case.

According to him, he took over the matter on February 20.

He prayed the court to grant his application for the records of court proceedings and first information report on the matter from the registrar of the court.

The prayer was granted.

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

National Health Bill will reduce foreign medical trips — NMA President

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & GABRIEL OLAWALE

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RESIDENT of the Nigerian Medical Association yesterday said that the passage of the National Health Bill, NHB, would help to substantially reduce frequent and sometimes unnecessary foreign medical trips and also make Nigeria a destination for medical tourism.

Enabulele, who expressed satisfaction on the passage of the Health Bill by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria last Wednesday said the passage would undoubtedly re-energise Nigeria’s Primary health care system.

According to him, provisions in the Bill boldly attempt to tackle the vexatious issue of medical tourism and its current negative impact on Nigeria, as well as the gross abuse of tax payers’ money on account of the incessant foreign medical trips by political and public office holders in search of foreign medical attention for medical conditions that can effectively be treated in Nigeria.

“Currently, lots of Nigerians, including top political office holders travel frequently to other countries in search of medical care even for medical conditions that can be managed in Nigeria.

“Available evidence shows that over 5,000 Nigerians visit India and other countries every month for medical tourism with lots of these Nigerians faced with various risks and challenges including misdiagnosis, legal and ethical issues, exposure to infectious diseases, as well as other complications, particularly post-surgical complications. On the average, over $800million dollars is lost annually by Nigeria on account of foreign medical trips,” he observed.

The NMA President however, noted that the NHB provides for stricter regulation of all medical referrals abroad and emphasises greater collaboration between public and private health care facilities in Nigeria.

Journalists urged to embrace online media BYADEKUNLEALIYU, CHARLES MGBOLU, OLUFEMI AJASA & ABIODUN ALADE

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AGOS—JOURNALISTS have been charged to utilise social networking media in gathering and disseminating news as digital technology have introduced new dynamics into the profession, warning that, those who remain as ‘analogue newsmen’ may lose the media space to bloggers and other content creators.

Speaking at the Summit with the theme 'Functional Social Networking for Nigerian Journalists' held at the United Bank of Africa, UBA Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, panelists and participants agreed that the monopoly of what is read, listened to or watched in the society is no longer the preserve of traditional media, hence journalists, editors and media entrepreneurs must adopt necessary digital media skills to reinvent the media and succeed as businesses.

The convener of the summit, Taiwo Obe, in his opening address, stated that there is urgent need for the Nigerian media to tap into the strengths inherent in social media so as to remain in business when the digital revolution is complete.

He also called for a financial intervention from the banking sector.

The Group Managing Director, United Bank of Africa, UBA, Mr. Phillips Oduoza in his remarks, acknowledged the potentials of social media and the role it has played in the bank’s transactions. He said UBA will be in partnership with the Nigerian Media and help substantively in the financial intervention needed for the sector.

Dr. Anderson Uvie-Emegbo during a session “ What Does

it Profit Us?”, said traditional newspapers must reinvent their business model if they have to remain relevant.

According to him, “readers no longer wait till the next day when fresh newspaper prints are issued to know what is in the news. News is now at their finger tips because of social media.''

He continued; “Newspaper proprietors and editors need to know that their competition is no more the next door newspaper but the reader himself. There is an insatiable thirst for news and they will go for it themselves if you (newspapers) do not bring it to them on time.”

Dr Uvie-Emegbo urged editors and journalists to implement the 4Cs- channels, content, customer intimacy and collaboration to succeed in the digital age.

He noted that relay publication, whereby newspapers update their sites with news from the paper will

not give them the desired impact.

He also said that the media must go beyond decisions on putting a paywall on their sites or marketing traffic but rather to create a dynamic metriccentred model where, according to him, ”there are more than 15 ways to monetise content on a website, which traditional media can take advantage of.”

Shina Badaru, publisher of Technology Times, said that rather than the media calling for an intervention fund, what the sector needs is a ‘rapid intervention force’ so as to tackle the problem of ethics.

He faulted the situation whereby reporters take stories from online media without giving credits or permission, thereby denying content owners the desired revenue.

“This is the reason why a lot of us are not getting paid as we should. This is why the banking and telecom sectors are more lucrative. People

download stories from your website and when you asked, he will say, it was on the Internet. It is stealing. Calling it intellectual property breach is being decent.”

Panelists, editors and other media entrepreneurs at the summit included: Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard newspapers; Bayo Onanuga, Managing Director/ Editor in Chief, The News magazine; Mideno Bayagbon, Editor, Vanguard newspapers; Tony Onyimah, former Managing Director, The Sun newspaper; Eniola Bello, Managing Director, ThisDay; Mumuni Alao, Managing Director, Complete Sports; Ayo Akikuotu, Kunle Ajibade, Simon Kolawole, former Editor, ThisDay; Muhammed Haruna of DailyTrust; Ted Iwere,Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher, Premuim Times.

Others were; Tolu Ogunlesi, Pelu Awofeso,Yomi Omogbeja, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Wale Ajayi amongst others.

JOURNALISM CLINIC: Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza (2nd right) flanked from right by; Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Summit Convener, Mr. Taiwo Obe; Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; and Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, Mr. Charles Aigbe, at the Summit on Functional Social Networking for Nigeria Journalists, organised by Journalism Clinic in collaboration with UBA Plc, in Lagos, yesterday.

...As Guild of Editors cautions newsmen zWarns: Don't follow politicians to divide Nigeria BYEMMANUELAZIKEN, Political Editor

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AGOS—THE president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mr. Femi Adesina has cautioned media practitioners against fanning primordial sentiments that divide the political class ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Adesina spoke as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC boasted of the integrity of the voters’ register, which it claimed has been cleaned of all duplications and other infringements. INEC officials at the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP sponsored strategy

meeting on media and the 2015 elections also assured that any Nigerian on the voters' register can use SMS or internet to confirm his or her detail on the voters' register.

Other stakeholders at the conference, which was spearheaded by the Democracy for Good Governance, DGG at the meeting also shared concerns that the 2015 election could divide the nation along ethnic and religious lines.

“Religion is used as a political tool now and i see elections being fought along primordial lines using all sentiments of religion, ethnicity among others.”

Adeshina, who said that the 2015 election could turn out to be a child’s play compared to the

situation in 2011 that was also partially shadowed with ethnic and religious strife, said: “The 2011 election will be a child’s play compared to what will happen in 2015 if media practitioners do not sit up to do the right thing,” he said, adding that “the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians will depend on the intergrity of the media.”

Adeshina also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to restore public confidence in it following what he alleged to be the crisis of confidence that characterised the recent gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

“Ensuring impartiality at the polls, enforcing the provisions

of electoral law impartially, ensuring free and dual flow of information and ensuring proper mobilization of the electorate as well as the integrity of the voter register among others,” Adeshina submitted.

INEC at the function also submitted that Nigerians should from now confirm their position in the electoral register through SMS and on the internet.

Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu at the occasion, said that INEC would prove the integrity of the electoral register in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—9

The many sins of Lamido Sanusi

BY BEN AGANDE

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CONDOLENCE: The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu signing the condolence register at the residence of the late Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat in Abuja, yesterday.

Uproar, as Jonathan suspends Sanusi Continues from page 5 the matter of the suspension.

The deputy majority leader, Rep. Leo Ogor on his part defended the suspension as the beginning of a process, and not an end in itself.

“For you to remove somebody, there has to be a process, and the suspension is the beginning of that,” the lawmaker stated, amidst shouts of ‘No! ‘No!! No!!! from supporters of the motion.

Following the conclusion of the debate, Speaker Tambuwal put question as to whether the House should condemn it and the ayes in the House carried the day.

Following the debate other APC House members spoke on the devel-

opment.

The Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC, in his reaction expressed dismay saying: “I am concerned about its legality. Whilst it can be argued that an employer has the right to suspend an employee, the question here is whether this is a suspension or a removal in the guise of suspension.”

Gbajabiamila further described the suspension as an attack on CBN autonomy and setback for the fight against corruption.

“For good reason the Central Bank governor, world over is independent and autonomous. To remove him you need confirmation and buy-in of the Senate. You cannot do it through the back door. If you read care-

fully the reasons advanced by the Presidency then it becomes clear that this is a removal and not a suspension and therefore illegal and unconstitutional.”

“It becomes more worrisome when you consider the timing and the fact that the CBN Governor has just blown the lid off a monumental scandal involving the disappearance of $20 billion from our coffers. The message being sent out is not the best. There can be no worse attack on the autonomy of the apex financial institution as envisaged by the constitution. For God’s sake the man only has 3 months left!”

Also in a direct response to Sanusi’s suspension, Rep. Pally Iriase (Edo/APC) in a chat with

newsmen challenged President Jonathan to disclose allegations of “various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct,” he gave as reason for Sanusi’s suspension.

Iriase said the suspension which he described as “hasty” could dent foreign investors' confidence in the country’s economy.

“We have been talking about impunity. This (Sanusi’s suspension) is yet another show of impunity by this administration. The suspension is personal and is not unconnected with the recent disclosure of missing money from the NNPC. “It is a clear case of if you cannot shut him up, ship him out. It should be condemned in its totality.” Iriase said.

BUJA—THE Presi dency yesterday e x p l a i n e d that the suspension of the Governor of Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has nothing to do with his recent appearance at the Senate where he made startling allegations against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said his suspension was in connection with his recklessness and violation of extant laws of the Land.

Dr Abati who addressed state House correspondents to clear the air on the rumour making rounds that the Presidency was not comfortable with Sanusi’s recent utterances noted that “the president has had to take this decision as part of attempt to strengthen the CBN to ensure that the apex bank continues to be symbol for prudence, integrity and accountability”.

According to Abati, “Last year when the CBN submitted its financial statement for the year ended 31st December 2012, a query was raised about some of the issues in the financial statement and the CBN governor was asked to offer some clarification with regards to these issues.

This was around first week of May 2013. A response came from the CBN which was then forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria by its act is empowered to review the accounts of the CBN and if there is cause for investigation to conduct such investigation. And if there is need also to invite other bodies to further investigate, the law makes allowance for that and that took place. Some of the outcomes of that process relates to the issues raised about financial recklessness.

“If I may just draw attention to a few of them: the persistent refusal and negligence to comply with public procurement act in the procurement practices of the CBN; unlawful expenditure by the CBN on intervention projects across the country deploying huge sums of money as the CBN did under the watch of Mallam Sanusi without appropriation and outside the CBN’s statutory mandate. It is said that the expenditure of public funds of course by any organ of government must be based on clear legal mandate, prudent constraint and overriding national in

Continues on page 46

SSS seize Sanusi's passport at Lagos Airport

BY EMMA UJAH & DANIEL ETEGHE

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AGOS—OPERA TIVES of the Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday seized the travelling documents of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Mallam Sanusi who arrived Lagos from Niger Republic, where he had gone to attend a meeting of governors of central banks in the West African sub-region was accosted by plain clothed operatives of DSS who detained him briefly and insisted that he must surrender his passport to them.

They also insisted that he would not be allowed to leave the airport until

the Lagos State director of the DSS arrived.

However, after communicating with their superior, the DSS officials allowed the CBN Governor to leave but only after his passport had been confiscated.

Upon arrival in Lagos, Mallam Mr. Sanusi’s associates and friends, led by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, were on ground to receive him at the airport.

They drove out of the airport in a convoy heading towards Ikoyi. A member of the delegation said Mr. Sanusi was heading to a friend’s place to relax.

Okonjo-Iweala assures on policies

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday assured that the removal of Mallam Sanusi would not adversely affect the stability of the nation’s economy as the President Goodluck Jonathan administration would continue its tight fiscal and monetary policies.

She said: “Of course since the news broke there have been concerns in the markets which is not unusual. When there is movement of one of the major people managing the economy, there is bound to be some reactions but I just want to use this opportunity to focus on assuring market participants of the resolute

attention that this government will be paying to managing this economy.

Our objective remains to maintain macroeconomic stability. That has been the hallmark of this administration”.

The minister noted that the macroeconomic stability achieved so far was a product of the government’s stable economic policies and that the suspension of Mallam Sanusi would not affect their continuity, especially given the fact that the Acting CBN Governor, Mrs. Sarah Alade has been directly in charge of policies at the CBN. According to her, “it is the macroeconomic stability that has enabled us to continue to transform the different sectors of the economy and that will not change. We will maintain

tight fiscal policies. We expect a continuation of the tight monetary policies that has been on at the Central Bank.

We are confident that this will continue as the new Acting Governor, Mrs. Sarah Alade is the Deputy Governor, Policy, you will all recall. So she has been part of crafting those policies that the former governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been implementing.

“With this we will continue the policies that have brought about the fiscal and monetary stability that has been the bedrock of our economy.

We hope market participants will get back to business as usual. We believe the stability of the Naira will be there and we will continue to manage the situation going forward.”

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala admitted fluctuations and slight depreciation of the Naira following the break of the news of Sanusi’s removal but expressed optimism that the market should normalize after her assurances.

“There will be no change in the policy stance of the government.

The nation’s inflation has remained at a single digit at 8 per cent: external reserves at $ 4. 1.4 billion and fiscal deficit at 1.9 per cent of the GDP and a current account surplus.

“The Naira has fluctuated and depreciated a bit on this news but with this announcement I am making assurances that we will continue with the tightness of policies, and we expect that the Naira will stabilize”, she said.

10 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

CONFAB: Yoruba leaders call for parliamentary govt

BY ABDULWAHAB

ABDULAH

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AGOS—AHEAD of the planned national conference, Yoruba leaders across the country, led by Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, yesterday converged in Lagos calling for the adoption of parliamentary system of government.

Also, they maintained that the outcome of the conference could only be accepted to Nigerians if it went through referendum.

The leaders who made the call at a gathering tagged: “PanYoruba Agenda for the 2014 National Conference,” said the country had to return to parliamentary system of government, arguing that it was less expensive to run unlike the current presidential system.

Reading a 21-point agenda for the National Conference on behalf of others, the founder of Oodua Peoples’ Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, said the Yoruba people appreciated the fact that the parliamentary system of government allowed each of the region to develop at its own pace.

According to him, “Yoruba is

moving for parliamentary system instead of the presidential system because the Parliamentary system comes with inherent advantages, including being less expensive, enhancing the de-monetisation of politics, de-emphasising corruptive tendencies, promoting easy re-call of erring public office holders and guaranteeing robust decussions before decisions are taken.”

Apart from this, the forum emphasised the need to subject the outcome of the conference to referendum, introduction of new constitution for Nigeria, respect for the rights of minorities and adequate representation of Nigerian 317 ethnic nationalities in the National Conference.

In an interview, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite said though, the National Conference was considered historical, no force within or outside government should attempt to stop it or programme its outcome.

According to Braithwaite, the amalgamation that brought Southern and Northern protectorates together in 1914 was fraudulent, arguing that this was therefore the right time to revisit it.

Also, the representative of Yoruba people in Kogi and Kwara states, Olusegun Oni said the desires of people in the two states

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owe. But the Federal Government that was accusing the Lagos State government for acquiring debt is allocating to itself 52 per cent from the Federal Allocation Account, FAC.” Speaking after commissioning of the N1 billion Imota Asphalt plant and inspecting some of the ongoing projects in Ikorodu axis of the state, he said: “What is the Central Government showing for

this huge allocation?

Rather, they were busy commissioning markets. Is that the Presidency ’s responsibility. So we want to know what happened to the money.”

He noted that the debt profile of the state was not new, adding, “this is because if we are the most populous, with the highest contributor to the GDP of the country, why will the debt not be big. And today, if the oil falls short today, we will survive."

Medical Practitioners disown ‘armed robber doctor’ and four others were last in Ayobo area of the state,

BY CHIOMA OBINNA AGOS—LAGOS State branch of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, yesterday denied knowing one Dr. Tajudeen Dosunmu, 65, who was paraded by the Lagos State police command for armed robbery.

This came as the association also vowed to resist any attempt by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, MLSCN, to include hospital attached in-house laboratory in its planned nationwide enforcement and regulation of medical laboratories.

Dr. Tajudeen Dosunmu

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week paraded by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko for alleged robbery of a bank

killing three policemen in the process in November, 2013.

Lagos issues dressing code to public officers

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—LAGOS State government has banned all forms of dresses that expose breasts and other sensitive parts of the female body, in its offices tagging them as indecent.

This was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams to staff of the state

accommodate Yorubaspeaking local governments in both Kogi and Kwara states into the present Ekiti State.

BREAKFAST MEETING: From left: Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Group Managing Director, the Rose of Sharon Group and Executive Vice Chairman, Famfa Oil Limited, guest speaker, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, Chairman House Committee on Education, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, during the support our school initiative breakfast meeting with the Governor and corporate social responsiblity award, at the City Hall, Lagos Island. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Lagos’ N435bn debt profile not new —FASHOLA

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday, took a swipe at the Federal Government over the claim that the state’s debt profile of N435 billion was high, saying “We have used the money to provide various projects in the state.”

Fashola said: “Lagos is happy to show what we are doing with the debt we

were either to be lumped together to constitute a new state or create a boundary adjustment that would

ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, dated February 7, 2014.

Vanguard gathered that the decision was taken as a result of worsening cases of indecent dressing among the state female public servants.

The circular, however, urged all Directors of Finance and Administration, DFAs, to immediately move against indecent dressing.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 —11

JONATHAN’S VISIT: Presidency denies disregarding Olubadan

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—THE presidency yesterday explained that its visit to some traditional rulers in the Southwest without visiting the Olubadan of Ibadan was not a show of disregard for the leader and People of Ibadan.

The Olubadan in council had alleged that the President’s decision to visit the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife without extending such visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan was a disregard for the leader and People of Ibadan.

But in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said the President held the leader and People of Ibadan in very high esteem.

He said: “The report that appeared in sections of the media quoting a statement that was issued by the Olubadan in Council with regards to the recent visit to the South west by President Jonathan.

“Olubadan in that statement was alleged to have accused the President of disregarding the Olubadan stool, that he passed through Ibadan without stopping by

to see the Olubadan and then went to Oyo to see the Alafin of Oyo. And that by reckoning of Olubadan in Council, this suggest that the President gives more recognition to the

Alafin of Oyo. Somewhere in the statement he made mention of the chairmanship of the traditional council.

“Let me use this opportunity to make it clear that the

VISIT: From left: Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood, and Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Debo Ajayi, during a courtesy visit/dinner, at Government House, Ado-Ekiti.

Kashamu lambasts Obasanjo over comment in church

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BY ETOP EKANEM

BEOKUTA—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State and Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the party in the South West, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has taken a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his comments that politics should not be left for “evil people.”

In a statement yesterday entitled ‘Obasanjo: The Pontius Pilate’, Kashamu said: “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is quick to point a finger at people, forgetting that the four others are

pointing at himself.

“He fittingly plays Pontius Pilate who seeks to avoid personal responsibility for the execution of Jesus Christ yet he was liable. At other times, he plays the ostrich, living in self denial.

“Last Sunday, February 16, 2014, he was in his usual elements while addressing members of his church, Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, that “they should not leave politics to the evil ones.”

The PDP chieftain noted; “From the tone of the so-called exhortation, it is clear to the discerning who and where the

message is directed.

“It is against this background that I will attempt to juxtapose his administration with the present, so that Nigerians can see for themselves who the evil ones are.

“Obasanjo, more than any other individual in the country had the opportunity to turn the fortunes of Nigerians around, but he bungled it.”

While wondering where the former President derived the moral justification to refer to some people as evil, Kashamu asked "if it is a good thing when a sitting President influences contractors who do business with government to launch and build a multimillion naira library in his name? Is it a good thing when a sitting President suddenly becomes a shareholder in companies privatised by his

administration? Is it not unconscionable that a man, who by his own admission was stone-broke and suddenly came into wealth while superintending over our commonwealth could refer to some people as evil?"

President holds Olubadan, people of Ibadan and people of Oyo State and the people of the South west in general in very high esteem “He considers the Olubadan a father and a great Nigerian and has enjoyed excellent relationship with Olubadan, the people of Ibadan, people of Oyo State and the people of South west. And that indeed since he assumed office he has been to the palace of Olubadan to pay homage. But on this particular occasion it happened that the schedule of the President indicate that he has at least two trips to Ibadan within the first quarter of the year. He will be in Ibadan for the PDP South west rally and he is scheduled to visit and pay homage to the Olubadan.

The Olubadan will be celebrating his 100 years birthday in April and the President has been previously scheduled to visit.

“So for these reasons you can see very clearly that there was no intention to ignore the Olubadan’s palace to pay homage to him. And in due course the President will be in Ibadan.

“The President will like to express his good wishes to the Olubadan that he holds him, the people of Ibadan, people of the state and people of the South west in high esteem and will not do anything that will distract the excellent relationship that he has with the Olubadan and that he will continue to enjoy with the people of the South west.”

Sen Sani, 29 others charged with attempted murder, robbery

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USAU—A Zamfara High Court, sitting in Gusau, yesterday, adjourned a case of armed robbery and attempted murder preferred against Senato Ahmad Sani, Yeriman Bakura and 29 others to April 8.

Sani, a former governor of Zamfara, was arraigned in the court by the Inspector-General of Police on an eight-count charge of armed robbery, conspiracy and attempt to commit murder, among others.

Sani appeared before Justice Bello Gummi of the High Court along with the 29 co-accused persons.

However, the lead defence counsel, Mr. Muhammad Katu, observed the prosecution should have cited the

charges on separate sheets of paper to avoid duplication and complications.

This forced the judge to adjourn the sitting for about three hours.

On return, Gummi ruled that the case was properly filed and ordered for the continuation of the case.

Both the prosecution and defence counsel, Mr. Oloye Torugbene and Katu, respectively, however, applied for an adjournment.

The judge adjourned the case to April 8 when the pleas of the accused would be taken by the court.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Yarima was arraigned in the court by the IGP, following petitions by a serving member of the House of Representatives, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Ibrahim Shehu.

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Mixed reactions trail Sanusi's suspension .Suspension to divert public attention from missing $20bn— Fashola .APC flays suspension; .Jonathan erred in law –Aturu .Go to court, Atiku tells Sanusi

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, OLASUNKANMI AKONI, HENRY UMORU & DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS — THE suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, drew mixed reactions across the country.

While the Federal Government, through the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, sought to calm fears of turbulence in the economy with an assurance that tight monetary policies would be sustained, the National Assembly was sharply divided along partisan lines.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on its part flayed the suspension as a brazen act of illegality that was poorly thought out and in bad taste. The party said that the suspension would negatively impact the economy.

Reactions to the development also came from Governor Babatunde Fashola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, civil rights activist, Bamidele Aturu among others.

Dr Rueben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, had in an unusual early morning announcement on his twitter handle at about 9.00 a.m, yesterday disclosed the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank in a statement.

In a statement in Lagos, yesterday, by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC said the action was the clearest indication yet that President Jonathan, whose body language does not abhor corruption, is willing to silence any whistleblower, no matter his or her status.

Suspension to divert public attention from missing $20bn NNPC fund — Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on his part, condemned the suspension, saying it was meant to divert public attention from the missing $20 billion Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, fund.

Fashola stated: “This is not a suspension but a sack. This is because there was no power to sack him and they have considered the implication.

That was why they said that he should go on suspension.”The governor in an interview with newsmen after inspecting some of the ongoing Lagos projects, lamented that immediately after the president announced the suspension of the apex bank governor, “our money devalued by four points immediately.

“If the man is going in June, there must be a sense in the messaging about executive tampering with the independence of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. This has economic consequence for investor position.

“The missing fund complained about by Sanusi has started resurfacing.

This is now magician economy. The N7 million NNPC paid back, where did they get it and why are they paying back?”

Jonathan erred in law –Aturu

Also, human rights lawyer, Mr Bamidele Aturu, argued that President Jonathan flouted the law.

In a statement entitled: ‘Purported suspension of CBN Governor: An offensive illegality,’ Aturu described the suspension as the “most egregious desecration of the rule of law and the principle of legality in Nigeria to date.”

According to him, “it is unsurpassed in its blatant illegality and immorality. The decision is symptomatic of the desperation that has gripped the presidency and its allies in the wake of the troubling allegations made by the Governor of the Bank that public officials in the NNPC are looting the country blind in the name of subsidy payments.

"To the best of my knowledge, the allegation has not been coherently answered by the corporation or by the government.

“As far as the law goes, the purported suspension of the governor is

unwarranted. Section 11 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 clearly lists the instances when the Governor or any of his deputies can cease to remain in office.

"For the avoidance of any doubt, whatsoever, none of such instances include suspension by the President. The only mention of the word ‘suspension’ is in section 11(1)(d) and that relates to the removal of the Governor when he or she is disqualified or suspended from practising his or her profession in Nigeria.

"Of course, the illegal suspension of the governor is not from a professional body and is not at all contemplated by the law.

It should be pointed out that the only occasion the President can recommend the removal of the Governor or exercise any disciplinary control over him is under section 11(1)(f) and that recommendation must be supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate before he can be removed.

"Now the law is indubitably clear that the express mention of one thing is the exclusion of the other. In other words, if the law had intended that the President exercises the power of suspension over the Governor of the Central Bank, it would have expressly stated so, particularly as the same law provides for the removal of the Governor based on his suspension from professional practice.

“The purported removal of the Governor of the Central Bank is a

continuation of the atrocious illegalities perpetrated by the present administration. From Salami to the serial acts of infamy imposed on the people of Rivers State and now to Sanusi, one can say without any fear of equivocation that the cup of illegalities of this administration is full.

"If we don’t act now, we don’t know whose turn it would be next. We must challenge the desecration of the laws of our country by its chief custodian. The Senate must view the socalled suspension of the Governor for what it is: a naked usurpation of its powers and privileges.

There is no room for illegal removal of the governor through the back door.

"The Nigeria Bar Association now has an opportunity to redeem whatever is left of its image by demanding that the Attorney General of the Federation who is deemed to be privy to this embarrassing decision step aside or is declared persona non grata. The people and in particular the civil society must ensure that this latest rape of our laws does not stand.”

Go to court, Atiku tells Sanusi

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, asked Sanusi to approach the courts to seek redress and challenge his suspension in the interest of constitutionalism and the rule of law, noting that President Jonathan had no powers to suspend the CBN governor.

In a statement, Atiku who cautioned the Federal Government against what

he termed, abuse of power following the abrupt way Sanusi was suspended, said: “The President had no power to remove or suspend the CBN Governor in such manner. Silence in the face of such abuse of power by the President of the country was capable of sending the wrong message and setting a dangerous precedent.”

Atiku, a former member of PDP, who recently defected to the APC, recalled that when he became a victim of such abuse of power in the past following his suspension as Vice President by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he went to court to challenge the action and that the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court ruled that a President cannot suspend a public officer he had no power to sack.

Adeyeye supports suspension Former spokesperson of Afenifere and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, hailed Sanusi’s suspension.

Adeyeye in a statement said the suspended CBN Governor had turned himself to an opposition in the government.

Adeyeye said: “We have had CBN Governors in this country and none of them was antagonistic of the Federal Government like Sanusi Lamido."

The man Godwin Emefiele

BY OMOH GABRIEL

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AGOS— Mr Godwin Emefiele, the incoming CBN Governor, was born on August 4, 1961 in Lagos. He hails from Ika South Delta State. He is married with two children.

He had his primary education at Government Primary School, Victoria Island, formerly Ansar-UDeen Primary School, Igbosere, Lagos and passed out in June 1973.

He obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) in June 1978 at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, Lagos. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) (Second Class Upper) Finance & Banking in June 1984. There after in October 1986 he obtained his MBA as the Best Graduating Student in Finance the same university He went on to deepen his knowledge of Macroeconomics at Oxford University having obtained various qualifications and Executive Education studies in Negotiation, Strategy, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Delivering Value/Profit from Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Business School.

Emefiele joined Zenith Bank since inception and was appointed Deputy Managing Director in 2001. Prior to this appointment, he was the bank’s Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking, Treasury, Financial Control and Strategic Planning. He has over 23 years banking experience. He became the Group Managing Director/CEO August 1, 2010.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—13

2015: No room for sectional guber aspirants at primaries —Delta PDP Chair

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—ANY governorship aspirant who subjects himself or herself to ethnic or sectional screening, either in the palace or elsewhere, will automatically lose the chance of emerging as the flag-bearer of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State Chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has said.

Nwaoboshi told our reporter, yesterday that “the party will not tolerate any governorship aspirant hoping to emerge as our flag-bearer to be seen as an ethnic candidate because, at the end of the day, such a person, when successful at the primaries, will eventually become the governor for all Deltans once successful at the poll.

“So, we don’t want parochialism to take the centre stage as that will set the tune when we converge at the primaries.

When found, such aspirant should be ready to face total rejection by the entire Delta PDP family, period. So, to be forewarned is to be forearmed,” he said.

One of the aspirants from Anioma, who this reporter gathered was preparing to appear before the Anioma Congress screening at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Joseph Edozien, next week, who preferred anonymity, said: “I am confused because I don’t really know what to do. I

don’t want to be used as a cannon folder.”

Nwaoboshi had earlier faulted the plan by the Anioma Congress to screen governorship aspirants of Anioma extraction at the Asagba’s palace on February 28. The screening was earlier scheduled for February 22, but was shifted to February 28.

The Anioma Congress, which has the former deputy governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, as one of the arrowheads, is still insisting that the group was in order.

According to the Secretary of the group, Mr. Dan Okenyi, “we are not a political party and we are not in partisan politics."

Fresh oil spill hits Bayelsa community

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A FRESH oil spill has reportedly occurred along the Ogoda-Brass pipeline in Okoroba community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The facility, located in the deep mangrove swamp of the state, is owned by Nigerian Agip Oil Company, NAOC. Vanguard learnt that the latest spill, which was noticed in the early hours of Monday by the indigenes, was the fifth to be recorded on the same spot in the community in recent times.

People of the community, who conducted officials of Environmental Rights Agenda, ERA, led by its Field Coordinator in the state, Mr. Alagoa Morris, called on the company to act fast, since they depend on their environment for survival.

Lamenting the latest spill in the area, a former youth president in the communi-

ty, Adumom Hitler, said: “This is about the fifth time oil spill has occurred on this very spot. It is a pity that what you are witnessing here has been part of what our people are made to suffer for hosting Agip in our territory.

“We are regretting that our forefathers allowed them to lay their pipes in our environment. From the day this pipeline was laid by Agip till today, the people of Okoroba have not benefited anything from the company.”

Another indigene, Ngomunadi Apkotu, noted with sadness that apart from the plants that would be impacted and killed by the spill, some animals have started dying already.

“Some of the animals so affected include snails that are slow in movement and even snakes, the fast crawling reptiles. You can see this snake here (pointing to one), it is dying because it came in contact with the crude oil,” he told the ERA team on a visit to the spill site."

2015: Urhobo'll follow Uduaghan’s lead on successor —Igbuya

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

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HE Urhobo nation will follow Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s lead on who will succeed him next year, the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya, has said.

Denying media insinuations that he compromised the interest of the Urhobo nation with the promise of the Speakership of the House in 2015, Igbuya, also the national vice chairman of the Urhobo Political Fo-

rum, said such assertions stood logic on the head.

UPF, in a statement, yesterday said: “The speakership position is not promised before or after elections. For the avoidance of doubt, speakership and deputy speakership positions are contestable positions only by elected members of any Assembly.

“If a position is promised and a man does not win the election, how can the promise be fulfilled? I make it clear that the author of the story is on a destructive mission and what he wrote

was a figment of his imagination. Let me further reemphasise the statement credited to me on the hosting of UPF in Sapele last Sunday that Dr. Uduaghan’s candidate remains our candidate for the guber election, come 2015. ”I have no regret whatsoever as a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, man.

Dr. Uduaghan is the leader of the party in the state. He has done well and members of the party in the state are happy with him. He is our governor in whom we are well pleased."

14 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Princess Hotel, Okigwe collapses

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — THE multi-million Naira Princess Hotel, Okigwe, being constructed by Imo State government, has collapsed.

Vanguard investigation revealed that the structure, which was still at its early stages, crumbled after the concrete beams were put in place by the contracting firm.

It was also gathered that no life was lost in the incident, but a civil engineer, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, blamed the crash on substandard materials or a possible plan by the contractor to cut corners.

Reacting to the incident, the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, described the hotel as an on-going project that had not got to a level one would talk about collapse.

Gunmen attack APC supporters in Ebonyi APC, at Azuinyaba, Ezzaegu, in Ishielu council area.

Vanguard gathered that a group of young men armed with dangerous weapons, including guns, invaded the community where they allegedly attacked a chieftain of APC, Chief Michael

Nwanga, and other members of the party in their houses.

It was learnt that the hoodlums attempted to burn one of the APC members alive as they set some of the houses on fire before fleeing the community.

The victim, who had his left leg

broken during the attack, alleged that the coordinator of one of the BAKALIKI — SUSdevelopment centres in the state PECTED gunmen alleg(identity withheld), sent the asedly working for a political party sassins to eliminate him, adding in Ebonyi State, yesterday, unthat he had had an open confronleashed mayhem on some memtation with the him over the presbers of All Progressives Congress, ence of APC in the community before the incident.

Narrating his ordeal, Chief Nwanga noted that the hoodlums stormed his house in the late hours of yesterday, ordered him to surrender before they descended on him.

He said the assailants dragged him out of his compound to the middle of the road where they allegedly hung a tyre on him, with the intention to burn him alive.

According to him, quick intervention of policemen deployed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operation, Police headquarters, Abakaliki, saved him.

The victim also said his attackers broke his leg before the police rescued and no hospital was ready to admit him because of nonBIRTHDAY: From left, Minister of Tourism and Culture, High Chief, Edem Duke; Sir Emeka Offor payment of initial deposit. (cutting his birthday cake); Senator Ken Nnamani, and HRH, Sir Kris Onyekwuluje (Eze-Nya 1, He said he was eventually Igwe Umunya), at the birthday celebration of Sir Emeka Offor, in Abuja. dumped at the police station in Ishielu council area.

BY PETER OKUTU

A

Arrangements in top gear to receive Jonathan in Imo

had given him massive support.

“I must put it on record that despite the WERRI — THE Peoples Democratic regrettable mistakes of 2011, the state has Party, PDP, Imo State, said yester- continued to benefit enormously, in terms day, that arrangements were in top gear of infrastructure development, from the to give President Goodluck Jonathan a be- administration of President Jonathan,” fitting reception when he visits next Sat- Uzodinma said.

He named the Owerri-Aba, Owerri-Port urday.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Owerri, Harcourt dual carriage-ways, and other Chairman of the Planning Committee, roads being handled by interventionist Senator Hope Uzodinma, said there was agencies such as the Niger Delta Develno reason the President should not be opment Commission, NDDC, as some of given a rousing welcome in a state that the gains recorded in road construction.

Uzodinma said: “It is most regrettable that the signpost installed along Owerri-Aba Road by the contracting firm, which has the sign of the Federal Government was removed by faceless indiAccording to the Area viduals. We have also been

BY ANAYO OKOLI Controller of zone in told that some local and proMUAHIA — AS- Owerri, Mr. Victor Dimka, vincial authorities are laySORTED contrabands, 1233 pieces of used tyres ing claim to this Federal worth over N85.7 million, neatly concealed in 95 bags Government project,” have been impounded by of sawdust in a truck with Giving extra explanation the Federal Operations registration No. LXY 630 on why the state should give Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the XC, were seized. the President a rousing reIncluded in the seizure, ception, the lawmaker said Nigeria Customs Service, which covers South East were also 40 rolls of em- Imo had no fewer than five bossed flock fabrics; 46 rolls ambassadors and up to 10 and South South.

The goods, intercepted of cotton textile materials, chairmen of federal commisand confiscated by officers nine jumbo rolls of hijab sions and parastatals, as of the unit on the Warri/Port- materials in addition to 52 well as several board memHarcourt Road, Enugu/ rolls of upholstery fabric bers.

Port-Harcourt, Onitsha- (leatherine), among others.

He expressed regret that Dimka said four sus- the state government was Asaba expressway, were raked in barely 24 hours pected smugglers arrested not just an opposition adafter the unit had taken de- were now helping his men ministration but had also livery of new patrol Hilux in their investigation as a turned the state into the vehicles from its headquar- prelude to their arraign- headquarters of opposition ment in the law courts. ters in Abuja. in the country.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

Zone C Customs seizes N85.7m contraband goods

U

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 15

N48bn required to bring affordable healthcare —NHIS boss

Senate rejects motion to stop N700m daily deduction of kerosene subsidy

BY VICTORIA OJEME

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA — THE Senate on Thursday rejected a motion to stop the alleged daily deduction of N700 million on kerosene subsidy by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other government agencies charged with the regulation of the petroleum products in the country.

Instead, the Senate referred the motion to the Committee on Finance that had been investigating the alleged scam in the operation of the Nigerian National CONDOLENCE: First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, with wife of the Senate PresiPetroleum Corporation, NNPC, as redent, Mrs. Helen Mark, signs the condolence register on her arrival to condole with gards the subsidy regime in the country. the family of the late Senator Isaiah Balat, at the deceased's Apo Legislative Quarters, Senator Babajide Omoworare, All Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida Progressives Congress, APC, Osun East, had in a motion entitled: 'Urgent Need to Stop N700 million - A Daily Illegal Kerosene Subsidy,' canvassed that the Minister of Petroleum Resources and other agencies of government charged with the regulation of the petroleum products should stop forthwith the alleged illegal operation Igali said the bottomline of his He promised to align the civil

BY CHRIS OCHAYI of kerosene subsidy until the leministry’s mandate was to pro- service with the Transformation gal status of the scheme was devide policy framework for the re- Agenda of the President by reliBUJA — THE Federal alisation of electricity for domes- giously implementing governtermined by the appropriate auGovernment has assured tic and industrial uses of Nigeri- ment’s people-oriented policies thorities.

He noted that the subsidy that the target of power genera- ans. and programmes. scheme had gulped N4.2 billion tion peaking at 40,000mw by “For a long time, government Minister of Power, Prof. in just six days since the year 2020 would be realised, with has regulated the sector, the at- Chinedu Nebo, commended the stakeholders admitted during the expectation of more capaci- tending problems have been with Head of Service for upholding Senate Public Hearing on the al- ties from Mambilla, Zungeru us for long, now the determina- the ethics of public service with large hydros, grid power from so- tion of government is to change passion. leged tragic illegality.

Senator Omowarare had in his lar, wind and coal-to-power ini- gear and allow the private sector motion also noted that through tiative. to come in,” he said.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry admissions by the Petroleum Expressing optimism that NiProducts Pricing and Regulatory of Power, Amb. Godknows Igali, gerians would soon experience Agency, PPPRA, the Ministry of gave the assurance while play- uninterrupted power, Igali said Petroleum Resources and the ing host to the team of the body that although government had

By JOSEPH ERUNKE Ministry of Finance as well as of permanent secretaries in the not privatised transmission, it was verified findings emerging from civil service on peer review mis- encouraging the private sector to BUJA — THE Chief the on-going finance committee sion. come into the sub-sector, considMedical Director, CMD, He said the review was meant ering the huge investment re- Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, investigation, that the current kerosene subsidy scheme was to assist the creation of service- quired in the evacuation of power. Nasarawa State, Dr. Joshua manifestly illegal, unconstitu- wide framework that would enIn his remarks, the Head of Giyan, has lamented the upsurge tional and a brazen breach of the able Ministries, Departments and Service, Alhaji Bukar Aji, in patients seeking medical atAgencies, MDAs, deliver on their commended the manner the lead- tention in the hospital, saying the Appropriation Act. He also alleged that it was clear mandates. ership of the sector had handled development was overstretching Igali identified the key element privatisation adjudged to be the the facilities in place. that NNPC was short-changing the country by paying kerosene of this initiative as it would make biggest on the continent, ascribGiyan, who attributed the ‘unthe civil service more responsive ing the feat to openness, pur- bearable increase’ in patients in subsidy.

“The current kerosene subsidy and accountable to Nigerian peo- poseful and transparent leader- the hospital to the proximity of scheme is manifestly illegal, un- ple. ship.

Keffi to Abuja, the nation’s capiconstitutional and a brazen breach of the Appropriation Acts passed by the National Assembly as they have been expendiparatory to their deployments hension of offenders resisting

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI ture of public funds in contravenfor the 2015 general elections, arrest or attempting to evade tion of sections 80 and 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution and attendBUJA — THE Inspec while their deployments it.

While charging the dog hanant Appropriation Acts. tor General of Police, would further reduce possibility of arms smuggling through dlers to be vigilant, Abubakar, “Less than 10 per cent of petro- Mohammed Abubakar, has the airports. who was represented by the leum products outlets across the ordered immediate deploySpeaking at the flag-off cer- DIG in charge of operations, country sell kerosene at the al- ment of sniffer dogs to all inleged subsidised rate of N50 per ternational airports in the emony of the deployments Zuokumor Michael, advised which took place, yesterday, at them to respect the fundamenliter while the general price is not country. less than N150 per litre,” he The order came against the the Nnamdi Azikiwe Interna- tal rights of the citizens and Airport, Abuja, also work in collaboration with stated. back-drop of threats by crimi- tional Abubakar explained that the other security agencies to proHe explained that rather than nal elements to shift their nesniffer dogs would, among vide effective security at the reduce the suffering of poor and farious activities to the naother things, be used for deairports. hapless Nigerians, the kerosene tion’s airports.

He called for the cooperation subsidy had become a conduit Vanguard also gathered that tecting explosives, rescue operations, perimeter patrols, of the general public, assurpipe for draining the country’s re- the sniffer dogs would be test patrol of car-parks and appreing them that his administrasources. run in certain functions, pre-

40,000mw power generation by 2020 realisable, says FG A

A

BUJA — THE Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas, has said that N48 billion will be required to bring affordable and effective healthcare to all Nigerians.

Dr. Thomas made this known during an advocacy visit to the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, in AdoEkiti.

He said the advocacy visit was part of a working tour of the state, to assess the structure and progress of the scheme’s interventions in Ekiti State.

He said plans had reached an advanced stage to ensure that over 24 million pupils nationwide received effective healthcare within the second quarter of the year.

Thomas stated that 40 per cent of the required fund for the programme had been set aside by the scheme, and that the balance was expected to come from benefitting states and other stakeholders.

Abuja residents overstretching our facilities —CMD, FMC

A

tal city, appealed to the Federal Government to look into the issue by assisting the hospital through prompt release of its allocation in the 2014 budget.

Dr. Giyan, who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja, said the hospital had a vision for expansion beyond the present 10 hectares of land it was occupying at the moment to accommodate some departments, but was being hindered by inadequate funds at its disposal.

Terrorism: Police deploy sniffer dogs to int'l airports A

tion would do everything necessary to provide them with optimum security.

Meanwhile, the deployment in Abuja, which is the first phase of the deployment of the sniffer dogs, was simultaneously done at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal I and II, Lagos and Port-Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

Others are Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Jos Airport as well as Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

16—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Missing $20bn: NNPC has right to spend part of gross revenue — Adoke

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA — THE Attorney of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, said yesterday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was empowered by the NNPC Act to remit to the Federation Account, its net earnings after deducting cost of its operations.

The Attorney General who stated this in the legal opinion he presented at the resumed public hearing of Senate Committee on

Finance on the alleged unremitted $20bn oil revenue, said that NNPC was generally under an obligation to remit its revenue from the upstream petroleum operations into the Federation Account.

Adoke's legal opinion on the controversial unremitted oil money by the NNPC was in response to the invitation by the Senate Committee on Finance, investigating the alleged missing $20 billion.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi had at

the last sitting of the panel, last week, requested Adoke’s opinion on whether all revenues of NNPC from its upstream operations were payable to the Federation Account under Section 162 of the constitution.

The Committee also had sought to know from the Attorney General whether NNPC had authority to transfer its participating interest in oil mining leases to its subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC. The Senator Makarfi Commit-

tee demanded to know from Adoke whether due process was followed by the NPDC in engaging strategic partners for the funding and the operation of the oil blocks assigned to it by the NNPC. In his response, the Attorney General explained that in determining the issue of oil revenue remittance to the Federation Account, NNPC, by virtue of Section 7 (4) of the NNPC Act, could defray all expenses incurred in the course of its business in the upstream operations.

He said: "I am of the consid-

ered view that NNPC is generally under an obligation to remit its revenue from the upstream petroleum operations into the Federation Account.

"This is, however, dependent on the definition of revenue within the meaning of Section 162(10) (c) 0f the Constitution.

"I am also of the considered view that the NNPC can by virtue of Section 7(4) of the NNPC Act defray all expenses incurred in the course of its business in the upstream operations."

13, including 9 children, 2 women killed in Plateau

BY TAYE OBATERU & NDAHI MARAMA

J

OS — THE spate of killings in parts of Plateau State continued yesterday as another 13 people were killed in a night raid on Rapyen in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Those killed by the gunmen who attacked the village around 1a.m. were nine children, two women and two men, while five other sustained injuries. An eyewitness said the gunmen shot dead the 13 in their sleep.

This was even as the deathtoll from Wednesday’s Boko Haram attack in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State had risen from 47 to 132.

Forty-seven bodies were

initially recovered after the mayhem, Wednesday.

Those killed included the District Head of Goniri, Alhaji Baba Shehu Terab, who died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, following bullet wounds he sustained in the head.

However, 76 of the victims were said to be members of Boko Haram who were killed by troops who were supported by fighter jets belonging to the Nigerian Air Force, NAF. The killings were confirmed by the Interim Administrator of Bama Local Government, Mr. Habila Dung. Dung who said that five Bama people who were wounded during the incident were still receiving treatment in the hospital, described the attack on the people while asleep as barbaric.

Confab: Igbo leaders to meet in Enugu Feb 23

.Raise 30-man strong delegation

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

T

O FIRM up their agenda for the forthcoming National Conference, Igbo leaders will meet in Enugu on Sunday.

Holding at the Banquet Hall of the Governor ’s Lodge at 12.30 p.m., Igbo leaders expected at the parley include the five South-East governors, Igbo leaders in the National Assembly, ministers and political leaders of the SouthEast geo-political zone.

Meanwhile, Vanguard learnt, yesterday, that the zone had picked a strong team of 30 men and women, whose names

have been submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as delegates to the confab.

Speaking on the issue, Ohanaeze Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nwaogu told Vanguard, yesterday, that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation picked 15 of the 30 delegates while the governors nominated the rest with each of the five states having six slots.

Asked those nominated, he said that Ohanaeze President General, Chief Gary Igariwey would disclose those on the list, adding, “the President-General has the prerogative to make the list public.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— —17

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013 WHAT does the Federal Government have against gold and other solid minerals? We are wondering again because there are at least two major reasons that should elicit government’s interest in these minerals that have illegally been plundered for decades – they are great sources of income; their illegal mining annually leads to deaths of hundreds of children, over 400 in Zamfara alone since 2010.

A former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Linus Awute, has said Nigeria lost $50 billion (about N8 trillion) through illegal mining and exportation of unprocessed gold, in the last two years. He did not give the estimate of other solid minerals that are illegally mined.

“What the country loses to illegal mining is tremendous. The amount of gold that left this country because of the illegal mining activities is more than $50 billion in the last two years. The amount of unprocessed gold that has left this country through the neighbouring countries, Ghana in particular, and being processed in Ashanti gold is enormous,” Awute said at the Nigerian-Brazil

Time TTo o Explore Solid Minerals Investment forum in Abuja.

Awute, an erudite civil servant, appointed a federal permanent secretary in 2008, and who had served in that capacity in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mines before his current posting to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, should know.

The annual federal budget in the last two years was about N8 trillion, meaning that gold stolen from Nigeria could solely fund the budget. The plundering over the years could have been understated.

Government’s proposed expenditure in 2014 is N4.64 trillion, it was N4.92 trillion in 2013 and N4.77 trillion in 2012. Lost gold resources could have funded two years’ budgets without revenue challenges.

Other solid minerals like iron ore abound in Konkosso, and feldspar (for glass making) in Borgu, both in Niger State. Tantalite, an element for mobile phone technology is in Hayin Kanwa, near Zaria, Kaduna State, and tourmaline, used in making jewellery is mined in Olode, Oyo State.

The country’s gold belt spreads through different parts of Nigeria, and its illegal mining accounts for lead poisoning that has killed more than 400 children in Zamfara State since 2010. More are still at risk.

Nigeria, once the world’s largest exporter of columbite and the world’s sixth largest tin ore producer, has abandoned solid minerals to illegal miners. An estimated 10,000 illegal miners operate in Zamfara alone. They ruin the environment, plunder the nation’s wealth and cause death of many.

It is time the authorities halted illegal mining, stopped the deaths, and harnessed the resources for national development.

OPINION

BY ETIM INYANG

T

HE debate over the quality of cement being sold in Nigeria cannot be ignored, owing to the importance of cement in building and construction. Cement is a chemical binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. With all these qualities, cement is no doubt, a central factor in building and construction. It serves as the major framework which all other materials cling to.

On one hand, a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry are set to launch a major campaign for what they call the standardisation of cement production and importation in Nigeria, on the grounds that government is turning a blind eye to the scourge of substandard cement in the country.

The coalition further outlined its planned activities that included getting the National Assembly to probe manufacturers and importers for compromising standards; enlisting the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, to help with regulation, enforcing the National Building Code and enlisting the Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria, COREN, in fighting sub-standard cement.

The coalition of civil society groups also planned to confront the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, for what it called the poor standard of local and imported cement.

On the other hand, most of the cement manufacturers, under the auspices of CMAN, deny the accusation levelled against

The cement war: An alternative view it by the coalition, stating that they have all along complied with conventional practice in the cement industry. The nation’s leading manufacturer of cement, Dangote Cement Plc, however, toes a somewhat different line; one that has pitched the company in-between both contrasting assertions. While Dangote Cement Plc believes that some cement manufacturers and importers deal in substandard cement, it strongly disagrees that it is among such companies, on the grounds that it has strived to maintain its brand name and leading position in the market by complying with global standards.

Meanwhile, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, has debunked the accusation levelled against it by the coalition of civil society groups, while affirming its stand on infractions and those who contravene the law and go contrary to set standards in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON stressed that there was no substandard cement in Nigeria, explaining that it was a matter of application of cement in practice. SON explained that it had long been in contact with the National Assembly over far-reaching matters as evident from records of its activities which are well known, and reminded that it had all along been working closely with the CPC and professional bodies like COREN, while it had continued to make progress in enforcing the national building code.

A question which one is tempted to ask is why the coalition of civil society groups did

not approach SON with their alleged findings and discontentment, rather than going public with the matter; a situation that may have escalated the controversy and misinformed an aspect of the populace.

The controversy is not a complicated one, though there has been misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the true situation.

To start with, Nigeria does not produce or trade in substandard cement. SON has ensured this through its tight supervision and regulation. The various types of cement available in the country are only being misapplied in some instances and not even in all cases. Out of the three major grades of cement traded globally, namely 32.5N/m2 42.5N/m2 and 52.5N/m2, two main ones are traded in most countries, including Nigeria.

These are 32.5 N/m2 and 42.5 N/m2. The 32.5 grade cement is used for lighter-weight construction such as plastering walls, for pavements, culverts, among other uses, while 42.5 is used to erect buildings, flyovers and other more solid structures. The notion is that 32.5N/m2 is applied for usage where 42.5N/m2 is required, thus compromising human safety. This revelation has sent shockwaves round the industry and the nation at large, with associations like the Block Moulders Association of Nigeria, BMAN, calling on the government to verify the claim. The appropriate authorities should not hesitate to address this situation.

Thankfully, SON is on hand to address the situation. It must, however, be pointed out

that the regulation, monitoring and attempts to ensure strict compliance to standards are not for SON alone. Indeed, SON has been in the eye of the media, and rightly so. SON must be commended for its herculean efforts in upgrading national quality infrastructure such as the enumeration of standards, upgrading of testing laboratories like the one which offers testing of building materials in Enugu, among other quality infrastructure which SON has put in place.

It is noteworthy to state that 32.5 is not a bad grade for cement. It has served and will continue to serve many purposes. However, the right type of cement must be used for the right type of construction. The advantage which the higher grade of cement has over the lower is that the higher (42.5) can perform most functions which the lower (32.5) can perform, but such is not obtainable when the reverse is the case. I have travelled far and wide and the practice is the same.

It is also imperative for the decision makers to take a stand on the cement dispute, with a view of taking a decision that is in the best interest of Nigerians.

It is only appropriate and fair to all parties concerned, that we wait for an expeditious outcome of the technical committee meeting on the review of standards. This will provide the country and all stakeholders with the right guidelines for sustained activity in Nigeria’s cement industry, keeping in mind, the overall well being of the economy and its people. *Mr. Inyang, an engineer and social critic, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— —19

O

N January 7, 2014 President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,GEJ, signed the Same Sex Relationship Bill which was passed by the Nigerian National Assembly since May last year, into Law. The Law says "Persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison." Also, "Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offense and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison.”

There is support or tolerance around the world allowing samesex couples to marry and/or conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies for example, Quakers, American Episcopalians, the Metropolitan Community Church, the United Church of Christ, the United Church of Canada, Buddhism in Australia, Reform and Conservative Jews, Wiccans, Druids, Unitarian Universalists, and Native American religions with a two-spirit tradition, as well as various progressive and modern Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish groups and various minor religions and

denominations, allow this perverse behaviour.

US President Barack Obama is known as having pushed Gay rights more than any previous American President. Obama's initiative to promote the rights of homosexuals gives the impression that civilisation has become a license for perverse and debased, conducts, by man. It is not and should not be canversed by the world’s most powerful President, no matter how neatly it is wrapped with the quest for Human Rights.

Africa has largely rebuffed Obama’s initiatives, and Uganda also is considering stiffer penalties of up to life imprisonment for certain gay acts. Africans believe homosexuality is an evil import from the West, which has to be rebuffed. According to Amnesty International, Nigeria is one of 38 African countries, about 70 per cent of the continent that have laws rejecting homosexual conducts.

Nigeria should and ought to be appreciated for getting it right on this score at the least.

The hue and cry about same sex relationships in Nigeria is now a settled matter, and the Law is one of the most popular laws ever passed by the Nigerian Legislators. Nigeria, by this Law, has harmonised with most of subSaharan Africa, where same sex relationship is considered a deviant behaviour. Under our laws, sodomy is an offence punishable

The Gay Right wants to create a new society where an adopted child will grow up thinking that it is correct and proper for a man to marry another and rear a family; what an unfair, and perverse exposure to the poor child!

,

by jail term.

The gay rights groups may choose to fill the social media with false impressions of repression, and clamp down by the authorities, in order to deceive the civilised world, and help migration applications, and plans. It is left to such nations to carry out the appropriate studies in order to make informed migration decisions. This Law is very popular in Nigeria and the reasons are not far-fetched.

W

e have three main religions in Nigeria; Christianity, Islam, and idol worship (idolatry).

All three of them abhor same sex relationship. The Holy Bible forbids it. In 1 Cor. 6:9-19, the

Macaulay's zoning conflict: A case of interpretative disagreement

BY GAB EJUWA

I

T was rather amusing and yet illuminating, to read about the conceptual conflict between two Deltan chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, who happens to be the Secretary to the State Government, SSG and no less a person than Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, the Delta State PDP chairman. The two personalities, with access to newspaper publications, sometime last week cordially differed on the burning question of zoning.

A dispassionate analysis of the future is the aim of this piece, and this begins, of course, with Macaulay’s exact words, and no less implied are the various reactions by other interest groups involved in the conflict.

“There was no time it was decided that there should be zoning. I have explained that what the ordinary person is looking out for is good governance. It doesn’t really matter where the person comes from. Once you can give good governance, you will settle the problem.If I am going to vote somebody, I am going to do so on the basis of my belief in that person.

It may not necessarily be because that person is from the North or Central or South. And for anybody who wants to govern this state it should not be on the basis of I am from the North or South. I know the needs of my people; not your people as Isoko, or as Anioma, but your people as Deltans. If you are able to drive this point, then we can begin to look in your direction.

It is a lazy man’s argument to say that because I am from so and so place, it is my turn to be governor”.

That essentially is Comrade Macaulay’s reported dialectics on zoning. And even before we begin to appraise it for what it is, a cursory glance at the stark realities of Delta's political past is a supplementary

expediency that would either confirm or deny Macaulay’s proposition.

The Governor of Delta State before the present dispensation, James Onanefe Ibori, comes from Delta Central constituency and his deputy from Delta North. Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the incumbent, comes from Delta South, with his deputy hailing from Delta Central.

Consequently, if the sublime principle of equality and justice, which zoning seems to evoke, must be applied in this scenario, Delta North constituency should produce the next governor in 2015.

That is why it is hardly surprising that any articulated standpoint that seems, even superficially, to suggest anything to the contrary is bound to send the wrong signals to the constituency perceived to have been marginalised in the scheme of things. Given Nigerians' stereotypical sentimentality and melodramatic outbursts, it is bound to generate improportionate acrimony and bickering. That is why the dialectical firework came so much frenzy and passion, even bordering on infantility.

However, a dispassionate analysis of Macaulay’s logic reveals graphically that he has not mouthed anything inherently ethnic and reprehensible. Shorn of all peripheral undertones, the much disputed and disparaged Macaulayan philosophic standpoint simply implies that an ethnic and sectional platforming on the part of Delta North, and particularly the Anioma nationals, though prima facie desirable for political balance and a sense of inclusiveness, is certainly not logical enough a basis for becoming a governor, especially when juxtaposed against such crucial considerations as physiological ability, personality, professional exposure accomplishment and experience. Reduced to its barest minimal essence, Macaulay is

Bible declares: “Don’t you realise that those who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin or worship idols, or commit adultery or are thieves, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or greedy people or drunkards or are abusive or cheat people- none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God…But you cannot say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality, they were made for the Lord……Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body which is part of Christ, and join it to prostitute?

Never!”

The Bible, to all intents and purposes abhors prostitution, and same sex relationship. Same Sex relationship is far worse than prostitution; in fact it is madness to good Christians! In Leviticus 18, a list of forbidden conducts includes the practice of homosexuality because it defiles the land and causes the land to vomit the people, and whoever commits the sin will be cut off from the community. How do you cut off a man if not by killing him?

Islam forbids, and abhors same sex relationship. It is an abomination and the punishment is instant death. The Holy Qu’ran at Surat iv:15 specifically declares “If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, take evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; And if they testify, confine them to houses until death claim them.” You cannot try such nonsense in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, etc .

I asked the Imam of the mosque

,

BY CLEMENT UDEGBE

,

Same-sex relationship law and Nigerians

It would be tragic if Delta North does not subject her candidates lining up for the gubernatorial nod to a painstaking acid test, with a view to picking the best of the best from the pack

,

imaginatively advising the Aniomas that they should do more than playing the old violin about being marginalized and raise critically-imaginative issue-based raison d'etre why the Government House in Asaba should play host to them in 2015.

W

hile not totally disenfranchising them in their legitimate quest, the much vilified Macaulayan logic strives to enlarge their vision and detract it from the sentimental and the dubiously tendentious to that of crucial significance and unalloyed logicality. What that implies is that, even given that equitable arrangement makes the choice of a Delta North’s candidate imperative, it would be sheer naivety and presumption, in fact political suicide, for this consistency to fantasize that her candidate would be given a blanket endorsement, an open cheque of sorts to cash on the counter of public opinion, and indeed electoral prosecution. Yes, it would be tragic if Delta North does not subject her candidates lining up for the gubernatorial nod to a painstaking acid test, with a view to picking the best of the best from the pack and solidly cement and complement the jingoistic scorecard.

Furthermore, the patently logical Macaulayan diacritic assumes a frightening spot – on inassailability when we remember that even the most culpably ignorant student of rudimentary philosophy knows that the fastest way to invalidate an argument is to beg the questions: taking for granted what ordinarily should be proved, and this often

in Ajao Estate, Lagos, and he confirmed that if one is caught in same sex acts, the Qu’ran recommends that the persons be buried up to their neck, and then stoned to death!

In idol worship, morality is very high. My good grandfather was one, and he told us never to sleep with another woman until you marry her, never to sleep with another’s wife, never steal, never cheat, be contented with what the gods give you in life. It was in-imaginable to hear of same sex relationship, and if occurred, the consequence was to sacrifice the persons to appease the gods and to cleanse the land. Our Legislators have therefore been magnanimous.

God made marriage for procreation, between man and woman to His Glory. Man can learn from animals. The dog is easily the most sexually perverse and shameless animal, as it can have sex with its mother in the glaring eyes of the public, yet two male dogs can never mate. It simply means that the simple dog has more sexual integrity and shame, than gays and lesbians!

The key issue is that the Gay Right Groups are committed to violation of the family unit as created by God. They want to create a new society where an adopted child will grow up thinking that it is correct and proper for a man to marry another and rear a family. What an unfair, and perverse, exposure to the poor child!

Presidents, who have respect for their wives and family, must discourage such an unfair treatment to a Child.

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

happens when the premise of an argument is seen to be manifestly tenuous or false outright. Which is why, I think, Delta North should have been thanking Comrade Macaulay, taking this salient admonition in good faith, instead of berating him and affronting his sensibilities.

And even considering the quotidian particulars and indeed dynamics of Uduaghan electoral trajectory of the past, this timely Macaulayan philosophy becomes even more justifiable and politically instructive. How? In the first place, Dr. Uduaghan, in perfect synchronicity with Macaulay’s exposition in the papers, did not enjoy any block voting by any constituency to emerge Governor at first. This development alone sharply disproves a zoning arrangement. He contested against other constituencies not only in the primaries of his party but also in the larger election. It was also true that some eminent Deltans, Chief Nwaoboshi inclusive, vehemently protested Uduaghan’s candidacy. Therefore, implying that the Delta North candidate should just sail through on the weak pivot of alleged marginalisation is setting precedent that is inimical to the relative balance of political interest in the state and indeed the entire nation.

In conclusion, a dispassionate analysis of the contentions of the dramatis personae reveals an interesting paradox: that both Macaulay and Nwaoboshi were right in their own personal appraisals of the concept of zoning or the lack of it in PDP political engineering. Macaulay argues that there were no fora (place, venues, meetings) where zoning was deliberately arranged and adopted. He must be right because Ibori brought Uduaghan in not on any sublimely idealist like equity pivot, but a rather sentimental, if survivalist petty consideration. Nwaoboshi, on the other hand sees zoning from a party – clausal documentaries angle even in the absence of explicit fora and meetings adopting it. He is also right since the clause in the party’s constitution was also published.

In conclusion, the disagreement between the two is only interpretative not real.

*Mr. Ejuwa, a journalist, wrote from Lagos.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Why smugglers are counting losses — Oyo/Osun Area Customs Command

BY OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

I

*Seized poultry products being offloaded from a truck before destruction. INSET: Bags of ammunition seized from smugglers with 40ft container of rice concealed with charcoal, a refrigerated truck loaded with 300 bags, two truckloads concealed with bags of groundnut shells, saw dusts, yam flours and bags of dried cassava tubers were seized. The total DPV of the rice is N82,073,883. 80.

“The seizure included 52,620 cartons of frozen products with a DPV of N321,770,660. In addition 227 assorted vehicles were also

,

F revelations about seizures made by the Nigerian Customs Services are anything to go by, last year and even the beginning of this year was a period smugglers in Oyo and Osun states would want to forget in a hurry. According to the Oyo/Osun Area Command, several smuggling activities were foiled by its men during the period. While giving the score card of the Command between January and December last year, the Area Controller, Mr. Richard Oteri said among the seizures made by his Command were 56,750pieces of live cartridges, 12, 251 bags of rice, 52, 600 frozen products, 227 assorted vehicles and many others. He also informed that arising from this, the Command was able to collect over N15 billion in total revenue during the period.

Giving further breakdown of its activities, the Command said: “The two major sources of revenue are excise factories and duty payment from vehicles. The excise factories are mainly British American Tobacco Nigeria, Nigeria Breweries Plc and International Breweries, Ilesha”.

While working hard to bring other extant factories under Customs control, the Oyo/Osun Area Command in the year 2013 collected N15,519,122,324.64as against N11,648,528,475.80.

The Command also said it had made giant strides on duty payment on imported vehicles as a result of an aggressive enlightenment campaign. “A total of 1,736 vehicles paid duty to the tune of N172,143,328.06 as against the 1102 vehicles with a total of N84,502,517.19 representing 34.1 per cent,” he said.

While reiterating his Command’s resolve to check smuggling activities in the two states, Oteri said his officers and men had intensified the execution of the war against smuggling, utilizing new strategies initiated by the current management under the able leadership of Comptroller General, Abdullahi Dikko which has led to a total of 270 seizures whose value is put at N706,435,256.79. The seizures included ammunition, rice, frozen products and others.

On ammunition seized, he said: “There was the spectacular seizure of 56,750 pieces of live cartridges in a Ford bus with registration numbers, XD 577 GWA and chassis number WFOHXXGBVNA88952 arrested on Igboho road axis in Saki. The ammunition was handed over to the police for further investigation. Also, 12,251 bags of rice that were concealed in different forms, including a trailer loaded

The intensified war against smuggling has led to 270 seizures, including ammunition, rice, frozen products, valued at N706.43 million

,

intercepted amounting to N129,875,040.51. It is also pertinent to mention that the Command made an arrest of suspects with fake documents for smuggled vehicles within the period. Investigations into this is on-going and it is believed that this will help in bursting the syndicates specialising in forging of Customs documents and this in the long run will reduce the incidence of smuggling of imported vehicles. Other items seized by the Command are textile materials,

1,105 used tyres, vegetable oil and Indian hemp”.

Though, he did not give specific details of suspects arraigned in courts during the year, he said some suspects are currently un-

dergoing prosecution in courts over smuggling cases for being in possession of fake Customs documents. As parts of its social responsibility, the Command stated that the Customs Officers Wives

Association recently visited the Oyo State Juvenile Correctional Institution/Child Unit, Ijokodo, Ibadan and presented different gift items and identified with the children.

NCFRMI partners Lions Club to alleviate plight of displaced persons

BY SAM EYOBOKA

T

O alleviate the sufferings of displaced persons in the society and improve their living standards, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, NCFRMI, last week donated food and clothing items to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA. Partnering with the Lions Club Nigeria, a network of men and women regardless of their religion, language and political differences who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes, officials of the Commission donated bags of rice, cartons of Indomie, cartons of milk and clothing materials.

Presenting the items to the Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Aderemi Desalu, on behalf of LASEMA at the state Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Refugees/Chief Executive Office, NCFRMI, Hadiza Sani-Kangiwa, said that it was pertinent to put things on ground that would cater for emergency situation when it happens since the issue of internally displaced persons cannot be predicted.

“Many people are displaced because of problems such as fire, religious and ethnic issues.

So you find people moving, migrating from one place to the other and the commission has a responsibility to cater for them,” Sani-Kangiwa said. According to her, the mandate of NCFRMI was to cater for the needs of refu-

gees and internally displaced persons and to achieve this, the South West zonal head office in Lagos decided to collaborate with relevant organisations such as the Lions Club Nigeria that could help to make its vision a reality.

Hadiza Sani-Kangiwa noted that before now, the commission solely handled refugee issues until the government decided to expand the mandate because since the refugees’ situation was gradually diminishing. “There has been a recession since 2008 and there was no need to keep the camp in Ikorodu. It has been closed down. Basically we don’t have a refugee camp in Nigeria and there is no more war in Liberia or Sierra Leone. But we still attend to refugee issues, the legal issues and intending refugees.

We have a unit but since the unit is not involved in what we are doing today, there is no need for the members of the unit to be represented in this event,” she said.

The chief executive officer said that in future, the commission would collaborate with more people besides Lions Club, who would be ready to do humanitarian jobs because the IDP and migration tend to interact and interchange, adding that the meeting with LASEMA was the beginning of great things, stressing that before now, Lagos was a liaison office until it was upgraded to a zonal office.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 21

CPAN, CMAN disagree on Nigeria’s cement production status

BY EMMA AMAZIE

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EMENT Producers Asso ciation of Nigeria, CPAN, is disputing the claim of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN, that Nigeria had attained self sufficiency in production of cement.

CPAN in a statement by its chairman, Mr. David Iweta, said: ‘’Current cement production in Nigeria is under 50 per cent of nation’s requirement and in countries that have attained self adequacy in cement production, cement is sold at N500 per bag, contrary to the N1,800 sold in Nigeria. ‘’It is strange for a group to deceive the Federal Government to believe that Nigeria has attained self sufficiency in the cement production when the product is selling foa above 100 per cent and 150 per cent as it is sold in other countries that have attained sufficiency like China, Taiwan, Turkey, India, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Romania and Norway, where cement is sold at N500 per bag of cement,” CPAN asserted.

The group said, ‘’The misleading information by CMAN to the Federal Government has resulted in pushing locally manufactured cement from the expected price of about N500 per bag to N1,800 per bag.”

It alleged that the Federal Government pushed up duty,

levy and bills paid on cement import to between 35 and 45 per cent because of the half truths by a cabal, while all cement import licenses earlier granted by government were suspended. ‘’As at today, there is only one cement license holder in

the name of IBETO cement that is importing cement.

This is because they took Federal Government to court and obtained judgment in their favour. By this, they are to import cement till 2017, while others have withheld action against the Feder-

al Government so as give room for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to succeed. The action of CMAN has shut the doors to other players into the industry,” the group stated.

From left: Managing Director, PRRedline, Lekan Ishola; Commissioner for Education,“Lagos State, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye and Strategy/Business Development Manager, PRRedline, Aishat Bello-Garuba during the 2014 Lagos State Ministry of Education Support Our Schools Initiative's breakfast meeting/stakeholders recognition event in Lagos, where PRRedline was awarded a commendation certificate for its professional execution of the MoneyGram Gear Up for School Project.

Microfinance banks not in imminent danger —CBN

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

T

he Central Bank of Niger ia CBN has said that microfinance banks (MFBs) in the country are not in imminent financial danger.

CBN’s Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD), Mr. Olufemi Fabamwo, denied a report claiming that 600 MFBs were facing imminent shutdown. He said the apex bank is generally satisfied with the state of the microfinance industry and the financial condition of the MFBs, adding that the story of the imminent shut down of 600 MFBs should be ignored.

Fabamwo advised the public to be wary of any speculative reporting on the state of the banks without supporting evidence from the CBN. He warned that any misinterpretation of the policy direction in the microfinance sub-sector could result in the de-marketing of microfinance banks and thus, undermine public confidence which is capable of precipitating panic withdrawals by depositors and investors in the MFBs. He therefore assured members of the public that the microfinance sub-sector has been effectively regulated by the CBN and jointly supervised by the CBN and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

Cassava bread to generate over N240bn for farmers annually

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

T

HE Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that the inclusion of cassava flour into bread processing in the country will generate about N240 billion for local farmers annually.

He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Centre for Value and Leadership lecture held in Lagos.

He said, “The cassava bread is not just bread, it’s also about economics.

This bread alone will put N240billion in the hands of all those small holder farmers and our local processors that we have all across this country. So we must patronize this bread if we truly believe that charity begins at home.

As far as I am concerned, if bread is

not produced and processed in Nigeria, eaten by Nigerians, it is not good enough for Nigeria.”

He explained that the ministry is also revamping exports where Nigerian youths will have global dominance in agricultural commodity markets.

He further explained that the agricultural sector is getting all the support it needs to ensure that it truly begins to drive the economy, even as a foreign exchange earner.

He said, “The Afrexim Bank has supported our cassava export to China because we have a contract with China for 2.2million metric tons of dried cassava as export. Afrexim Bank has given Nigeria $40million to support our small holder farmers and chip processors to be able to process all that chips and take it to China and that alone will give our farmers about

$802million if we are able to meet that contract. That’s what agriculture as a business does. It lifts people out of poverty by creating wealth of opportunities.”

He said that the ministry has been able to secure loans from the banks to the sector to the tune of N25 billion in 2013 from a paltry N3.5 billion in 2011.

“The banks recorded zero per cent on all the loan facilities that they made available to farmers for the past two years. This is where the money is going to be made and I think that the banks are stepping up to that,” he said.

He further explained that, “To reverse the lack of food manufacturing companies in our rural areas, we launched what we called staple crop processing zones. These zones are areas of high food production.

171.35

18.7

2,906.00

-22.00

16.38

0.22

108.79

+0.02

102.99

+0.56

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.75 257.6742 212.7348 174.1699 1.5182 0.305 238.1438 25.4652 41.2612 28.4996 238.9185

155.25 258.5068 213.4222 174.7327 1.5231 0.315 238.9133 25.548 41.3945 28.5917 239.6905

SELLING 155.75 259.3393 214.1095 175.2954 1.528 0.325 239.6827 25.6307 41.5278 28.6838 240.4624

CBN Exchange rate as at 20/02/2014

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Heritage Bank plans to list shares on NSE

H

From left: President, Association of Bureaux de Change Operators of Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, and President, Professional Association of Bureaux de Change, Republic of Benin, Mr. Fabouny Jean-Yves, congratulating the ABCON President during the launcheon of the association, in Lagos.

eritage Bank is planning to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE in the next two years.

The Bank's Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Mrs. Mary Akpobome disclosed this in Lagos at the grand finale of the 2014 edition of Ikoyi club's annual tennis grand slam competition sponsored by the bank. According to her, the bank is planning to list its shares on the stock exchange as soon as it becomes a national bank. She said, "For now, we are a regional bank. But in the next two years, judging from the advances we are currently

NASD, GTI have complementary roles in deepening capital market — Nwanze

By PETER EGWUATU

T

he Vice chairman, NASD Plc, Mr. Chike Nwanze, has said that National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD and GTI Securities Limited have complementary roles in deepening Nigerian capital market as both entities would work together to lift the market higher.

He stated this during NASD Board’s courtesy visit to GTI Securities trading floor in Lagos, saying its board would hasten discussions with GTI Securities Limited on possible areas of cooperation on securities trading on GTI Securities' private trading floor with a view to deepening Nigeria's capital formation and creating opportunities for more local and offshore participation in Nigerian investment market.

Nwanze, who is also the vice chairman and chief executive officer of Icon Stockbrokers Limited, described the GTI's trading floor as "one of the greatest contributions that has come to our market" and applauded the dynamism of the GTI in ushering in a new era of development for the Nigerian capital market.

He urged all stakeholders to support GTI stressing that the Nigerian capital market needs milestone private initiatives like the GTI trading floor to realize its full potential as Africa's financial hub.Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, said the group has put together a network of financial resources and expertise to energise Nigerian companies and assist professional

financiers to effectively perform their functions.

Managing Director, GTI Securities, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, also pointed out that the trading floor is fitted with cutting-edge technology that allows seamless interconnectivity with the NSE and other exchanges as well as settlement agents and banks for real time online trading and straight through processing of transactions.

Managing Director, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale, said NASD will work closely with GTI to explore the concept of its private trading floor, which he described as a "ghighly imaginative, state-of-the-art, world-class, first-of-its-kind" platform.

"We are very excited about this, it has really set a standard and we want to move closer to see how we can partner with GTI. I believe that the mind that put this together is not empty yet, it still has much more to come out of it,” Ajomale said.

A Director of NASD and

Managing Director, Marina Securities, Mr. 'Jibola Odedina, said GTI has attained a milestone as the owner of Nigeria's first trading floor but quickly added that it must braced up for competition that will come from other operators.

"This is a real milestone in terms of development of our market; I’m overwhelmed.

Being number one is an enviable position, you have

attained that; but be rest assured that a lot of us will be chasing you, so don’t rest on your oars,” Odedina said.

Managing Director, Goldbanc Asset Management Limited, Mr Abayomi Sanya, also reiterated his support for GTI pointing out that it has changed the growth curve of the Nigerian market as many operators are now reviewing their growth plans.

Oando shareholders okay N250bn fresh capital S hareholders of Oando Plc have unanimously endorsed the N250 billion fresh capital raising proposed by its board of directors.

The shareholders gave their approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held in Lagos, saying it will help reposition the company for future favourable performance.

The 250 billion naira fresh

capital will be raised through a combination of rights issue, global depository receipts and bonds the company agreed at the EGM. Out of the 250 billion naira, Oando is billed to raise 50 billion naira through a rights issue which its shareholders have agreed at the EGM in order to increase its share capital base to 7.5 billion naira, from 5 billion naira

Citigroup targets merger, acquisition in Africa

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making and the solid plans we have put in place, we should be listed on the stock exchange."

Assessing the bank’s performance in its almost one year of operation, she said, “The market has received us much better than we expected, considering the time we came into the market. But I guess it is not surprising because of the quality of people we have and the level of their experience. I can proudly say that we have done extremely well since we came on board”.

Akpobome, who said that the bank currently has over 11,000 customers, lauded the immense public goodwill the bank has enjoyed since its market entrance in 2013.

According to her, "We are happy that our projections as a new entity have been met. We planned to attain certain goals in five years, but already, we have achieved them in less than the first year of our existence.

That speaks a lot about the passion of people the bank was able to put in place". She pledged the bank's continued commitment to customer-centric innovations.

"Ours is a bank that is truly set up to understand the customers. So, the driving force behind our business is commitment to excellent service delivery.

itigroup Inc. is planning to invest in Africa as it seeks a merger and acquisition as well as debt and equity capital market deals on the continent.

The third-largest U.S. lender by assets has a “new strategic plan for sub-Saharan Africa” with Nigeria, East Africa and South Africa as its top priorities, Jim Cowles, Chief Executive fficer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, EMEA told reporters in Johannesburg “On the growth in EMEA, we’re counting on Africa to be a major contributor,” Cowles said, declining to say how much the bank earns from Africa or how much it will invest.

Citigroup is among the international banks expanding across Africa as demand for assets rises and economic growth surges. Barclays Plc (BARC)’s South African unit last month said its investment bank plans to extend brokerage, equity trading and other services into the rest of the continent to boost profit, while UBS AG (UBSN), the world’s biggest wealth manager, is targeting wealthy clients in oil-rich Nigeria and Angola. Citigroup also plans to expand its equity derivatives and transaction services businesses in South Africa, Donna Oosthuyse, the bank’s country officer said.

it had previously.

Oando also listed on the Toronto and Johannesburg stock exchanges in late January 2014 announced that Oando Energy Resources Inc (OER) its subsidiary intends to do a $50 million private placement to raise fresh funds, in addition in connection with the Offering, OER intends to acquire a 5 per cent interest in OML 131 in exchange for common shares of the Company (the “OML 131 Acquisition”).

According to the oil marketer, the Offering is expected to consist of 35,070,063 common shares of the Company and 17,535,031 common share purchase warrants for gross proceeds of $50 million (each Common Share and half-Warrant, a “Unit”) at a price of C$1.57 per Unit.

Oando says that each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of C$2.00 per common share for a period of 24 months from the date of the closing of the COP Acquisition.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 23

FG boosts agric mechanization with N3.6b

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE & GABRIEL EWEPU

T

HE Federal Ministry of Ag riculture has released N3.6 Billion as an intervention scheme towards financing the establishment of the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprise meant to encourage poor level of Nigerian agricultural mechanization.

“The funds in the first phase will make available 400 units of tractors, 500 power tillers, and various harvest and post harvest equipment to set up 80 centres, while phase II will achieve similar results. Phase III will acquire 250 tractors through the partnership programme.

This was disclosed recently by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, at a one day Interactive Session on Mechanisation Intervention Programme’ recently.

The session had commercial banks’ executives, Bank of Industry, Tractors Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria, Vendors, Manufacturers’ representatives, farmers’ associations, and others in attendance.

Adesina told the gathering

that the government will not be on the driver’s seat in implementing the mechanisation policy as it had set in motion a policy framework called, ‘The Private Sector Driven Agricultural Mechanization Framework’.

He said that government has vowed to industrialise the sector and attract investors through the private sector that will be at the vanguard of the mechanisation process of the sector, which the government did in eliminating corruption in the fertilisation sub-sector through Growth Enhancement

Support.

The minister said the Growth Enhancement Support, GES, has been expanded beyond seeds and fertilizers, to provide mechanization subsidy to assist Nigerian farmers access mechanization services from the equipment centres scattered across the country, where they will receive their mechanization support as electronic vouchers on their mobile phones.

According to him for 2014 farming season, N1billon has been approved for GES on Mechanization. Farmers will

only pay 50 per cent of the cost of off-taking services from the centres while the Mechanization GES will cover the other 50 per cent balance.

“We must aggressively privatize the commercialization of agricultural machinery in Nigeria, and for it to be sustainable; Private sector must play this lead role. The New Mechanization Policy is a Public Private Partnership, PPP, involving Government, Financial Institutions, Agro-Machinery Vendors/Manufacturers’ Representative, Service Provider Operators (SPOs).

CADP fish farmers’ products get US certifications

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NE of the aims of the Commercial Agriculture Development Project (CADP) of improving Agriculture production in Nigeria by supporting the commercialization of agriculture production, processing and marketing outputs has received a boost.

As the Post Harvest Commercial Fish Processors in Lagos, under the aegis of the Cooperative and Agro allied Multi-purpose Society (CAMS) is basking in the euphoria of recent breakthrough in product

development and marketing as its smoked fish can now be exported to the United States of America.

Before the intervention of CADP, the fish processors produced 150kg of locally smoked fish per week with excess load of charcoal and the negative health implications and barrier to the international market.

But with the intervention the fish farmers were assisted with an improved fish processing/ smoking kiln that increased production level to 300kg per

batch. This has helped to reduce the smoke level to international acceptable standards.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Tunde Sanni of Tee Ess Integrated Farms Ltd said the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working in partnership with Nigerian Export Promotion Council has received samples of fish from the processing plant for laboratory Testing and has certified the product fit for export to the USA with FDA Food Facility Registration N0: 1248378216.

Ogun signs MoU with Malaysia on agric devt

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HE Ogun State Govern ment has signed a memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture and Development institute (MARDI), Malaysia on the development of paddy rice and cassava farming for ethanol production.

Signing the MoU of behalf of the Ogun State Government in Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, said the agreement which also covered training of farmers and research activities would go a long way in ensuring food security and industrial revolution in the State in particular and in Nigeria in general.

She added that the MoU is another demonstration of the State Government’s determination to further improve agricultural production through the use of modern techniques as its implement is based on best global practices.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Hotels in Nigeria lack trained manpower — Durosomo

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azeem Kolawole Durosomo, the General Manager, Pearl Court Hotel, Lagos, is one of the few Nigerians that have managed hotels in the United Kingdom.

Before returning home, the graduate of Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh Scotland and University of Stratclyde in Glasgow managed several hotels in UK. In this interview with JIMOH BABATUNDE, he shares his experience managing hotels in Europe and here in Nigeria, arguing that man power shortage and lack of infrastructure are the bane of the industry here.

Excerpts: n getting into the industry I have been in the industry in the last 32 years after my undergraduate degree in Herriot Watt University, Edinburgh. After my degree I decided to venture into the hotel business and did my MSC in hotel management in University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

On what informed his studying hotel management I have always had a passion for hotel industry because my mother was actually the executive house keeper at Mainland hotel in Oyingbo, so when we were kids, we were always going to the hotel to see my mother and that was how I developed interest in hotel.

On the experience so far My experiences have been varied because I have managed hotels in UK where I was the only black General Manager and now my being in Nigeria in the last three years, the experience is complete different from what I am used to back in the UK Comparing the sector in UK and Nigeria The challenges are different, when you talk about the skill, the technical skill of the staff in hotel industry in Nigeria is lacking compared to the European standards and the challenges of electricity, water and government agencies are serious challenges that are just mind blowing for me here in Nigeria.

On the alleged high cost of hotel rooms in Nigeria The challenges here are definitely contributory to the high cost of hotel rooms . I am sorry to say with respect to the government agencies, I think most of them just see the in-

dustry as a place they can go and grab money from.

They see it as opportunity to levy them, get money out. For me, the government should get people in the industry on their side, employ people in the industry to work with them and to give them the inside knowledge of how hotel industry works.

•Kazeem Kolawole Durosomo NIHOTOUR. The NIHOTOUR you are talking about, what training are they evolving? If they are involved in trainings, why are they not going to the hotel schools to go and help them?

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These schools don’t have any equipment to work with, yet Lagos State government is getting a lot of revenue from hotel industry

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On how hotel can be competitive in Nigeria or me, I think here again, I will blame the government in a way that the hotel schools are lacking in trainings; the government is not doing enough to encourage hotel schools like the Lagos state Polytechnics where I helped them to facilitate their examinations.

These schools don’t have any equipment to work with, yet Lagos state government is getting a lot of revenue from hotel industry, but they are not putting the money back into training so that those students will be employable after graduation.

Again when I talk to the lecturers in the industry they are always crying that they need government’s help, they don’t have up to date knowledge of what is going on in the industry.

On National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) I don’t know much about

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I have gone to hotel schools, talk with them, but they don’t have any relationship with NIHOUTOURS, let them come out and talk to these people, let them bring out all the professionals, not all these government people putting their persons in charge of NIHOTOURS. It is too political for me.

If the hospitality sector can help grow tourism Yes, 100%, but there is nothing the hospitality industry can do without the government. The hospitality industry can not attract people alone to the country. The government has to be part of it; the government has to provide security.

Security is very important; the government has to create the environment. Where are the resorts in Nigeria? You talk about Obudu cattle ranch, you have about 150 million Nigerians and to have only the Obudu Cattle ranch.

Look at Lagos state; you have the sea coasts, where

they built all these estates.

These are places they should have given to private developers to build hotels, to create resorts. If you go to Italy, you see how resorts are done. Even in the Gambia.

Now, they are selling these sea fronts to private individuals to build houses on. These areas should be commercial places for people to come, to encourage tourists.

Luckily, the country attracts corporate tourists; people coming into Nigeria are mainly corporate organisations and people. When they come they see the country and like it. It is not every time they will want to come and work here, sometimes they will want to come and relax.

They can bring their families to come and see where they work in Nigeria.

I remember some 10- 15

years ago when I was returning home from UK , it used to be mainly Nigerians on the plane , but now you will see maybe 60% of the travellers are Nigerians and the remaining 40% will be Europeans on the aircraft.

You see them in the first class, the business class and they come here stay two to three days , do their business and go back, there is no time for them to relax because of security and because they don’t have places to visit.

So, government needs to play good role in this. Now, the government has a minister for tourism. If the minister is so much interested in tourism, what qualification does he have in tourism?

Who are his advisers that he employed, it is all political post, and it should not be like that. If you want to move forward, if he is serious about tourism, he should take people who are in the industry to support him.

On classification and grading of hotels There is need for grading of hotels now, I know Lagos state is trying to do that now which is another irony as they are looking for foreigners to come and help them to classify hotels in Nigeria.

I think it is an insult to do that, they have many Nigerians with such experience. You have Nigerians who have worked in the industry in Europe and here in Nigeria at the highest level.

To answer your questions, the grading of hotels is very important. I have been to some hotels around and the standards are terrible, the bedrooms, the restaurants, are terrible. They may be making the money because of locations, but the owners are not re-investing the money back to the building to make them standard hotels.

•Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo with Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State during a courtesy visit to Government House, Makurdi, Benue State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—25

I N S I D E

Esan North East: Unending power game in Anenih’s backyard PAGE 26

2015: Dankwambo, Goje flex political muscle

The 2015 dateline:

First things first PAGE 27

PAGE 28 to what Governor Uduaghan has done to take Delta State to the next level to glorify what God destined for the state.

Listen, there's no rival for Jonathan — Orubebe

What is your relationship with the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark now in view of his threat that you cannot become governor of Delta State in his lifetime?

Chief Edwin Clark is my father, my leader, my master and my mentor and he has the right to correct me anytime he feels that I should be corrected. I have no disagreement with him and if for any reason, he feels bad about whatever statement I must have made, made on my behalf or I was misquoted to have made, he should, in all graciousness, consider it fit in his mind to forgive and forget.

Chief Edwin Clark is a rare gem, that we are seeing him now in our generation is a rare privilege. He is not only the leader of the Ijaw in Nigeria and Diaspora, many ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, which comprises nine states not only in the South/ South but also parts of South/ West and South/East, also accept him as their leader. No man can disregard such an elder statesman.

*Restates he was not sacked from cabinet ERSTWHILE Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe had a homecoming in Asaba, Delta State following his exit from the federal cabinet last week. In this interactive session with journalists following the reception, he spoke on his experience gathered in the Jonathan administration, and his next political aspiration. Excerpts:

Did you resign or were you sacked from the cabinet?

How can? I worked with President Jonathan very, very well. He is an elder brother, he is a friend, he is my leader, he is a great Nigerian leader and I worked with him over the years. I was not sacked. I resigned and he allowed me to go when I told him that I C M Y K

needed to come to Delta State to support the governor and the people of this state to move Delta State to a greater level, having contributed my little quota towards the advancement of this country.

I do not want to end my political career without coming to my own state to deposit what God has given to me through President Goodluck Jonathan. That is why I resigned to come and contest the governorship election in Delta State in 2015.

Are you claiming that your relationship with the President is still very cordial?

Intact. More than cordial, it is 100 per cent. At every given time, I am ever ready, I am at his beck and call to do what he wants me to do. My coming here (Delta State) cannot stop me from working for him. Any day, anytime, I am at his beck and call to do what he wants me to do.

Why do you want to govern Delta State?

I believe that having been a

,

WHY did you quit the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan?

First and foremost, people should help me to thank God, who made it possible for me to serve the nation for over six years. In the history of this country, it is only very few persons that have been there for over six years. I also believe that these opportunities are not only meant for one person. I have done my best serving this country and also believe that I should also come to my state to deposit what God really gave to me to join the Governor and people of Delta State to move this state forward. And I had to appeal to Mr. President and he allowed me to come and play a great role in Delta State having spent over six years as a minister, working for this country and I remain grateful to God, I remain grateful to the late President Yar ’Adua and I remain grateful to my leader, my mentor and elder brother, President Goodluck Jonathan and I remain grateful to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the people of Delta State for the support they gave me to remain in the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for over six years.

•Orubebe: I have garnered some experience Urban and Regional Planning. I have been Minister of Special Duties, I was Supervising Minister of National Planning

I was not sacked. I resigned and he allowed me to go when I told him that I needed to come to Delta State to support the governor and the people of this state to move Delta State to a greater level

councillor, a local government council chairman, I have been an executive member of state primary education board in Delta State, chairman of a party, I have been an adviser to Governor James Ibori on

,

Commission and then Minister of State for Niger Delta and thereafter Minister of Niger Delta Affairs over these years. I have garnered some experience. God has been faithful to me. He has

deposited enough knowledge in me and I want to deposit such knowledge that has been given to me by God in the service of the people of Delta State. And also I want to support the Governor that has moved this state thus far, to add my own quota to move this state forward. And I think God has helped me and endowed me to be able to take off from where Dr. Uduaghan will stop.

What is your plan for the state if you are elected governor in 2015?

Deltans working together to take Delta State to the next level. Collectively we must be able to push this state forward. We are going to add

Given your experience working with President Jonathan, do you share the sentiment by some that he is a weak leader?

I think from our history, having been governed by the military over the years, it has also affected our psyche and our perception about people, who are leaders of this country. President Goodluck Jonathan is a democrat per excellence. He has allowed the rule of law to work in this country and so what are they talking about? President Goodluck Jonathan is a firm leader. If he believes in anything, he will take it to a logical conclusion. President Goodluck Jonathan does not believe in waking up and sacking people because of rumour. President Jonathan is very thorough, he must know why something has happened, he must investigate, he must ask questions to know why these

Continues on Page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Listen, there's no rival for Jonathan — Orubebe Continues from page 25 things should happen and you know Nigerians are not used to that and I think a new way of governance, which is through democratic process, government by rule of law must go into the reason of Nigerians because that is the only way we can develop our democracy. He is not a weak leader, he is a great leader, who rules this country by the rule of law and by the provisions of the Constitution of this country.

What are his chances in the 2015 presidential election?

Very, very bright. I can tell you that I have not seen any candidate from anywhere that can rival President Goodluck Jonathan. Who has the credentials that he has? I believe that the challenges we have now that people are talking about are not as serious as the one we had in 2011. If you listen to the programme during the power and economic summits, where the private sector openly testified that what we are having now, the revolution we

•Orubebe: Clark is my father, mentor and master are having in Nigeria now, we have never had it before and I believe that Nigerians know what to do and at the right time Nigerians will vote for President Goodluck Jonathan again. I am convinced that he

is going to make it again.

What is your reaction to the claim in certain quarters that President Jonathan agreed to serve for a single term of four years?

The changes I 'll bring as a female gov — Ada Chenge

Benue 2015:

DR. Ada Chenge is a renowned politician in Benue State and presently, the only female gubernatorial aspirant in the contest for the 2015 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP gubernatorial ticket. Mrs. Chenge who contested and lost the 2011 primaries of the PDP, is the first female mechanical engineer from the state, the first female managing director of Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, in this interview speaks on how she would become the first female governor of Benue State. Excerpts:

BY PETER DURU

D

O you see yourself standing a chance in a male dominated world like ours in Nigeria?

I will answer this question with a question; is it also very easy for a fellow man to hand over power to another man? Power is not handed over to person, if the people you are leading accept you as their leader, whether a male or female, you take it.

Even the male folk as well don’t get power easily. It is always a contest. It is not strange. And once in a contest, the people decides who becomes their leader and they look out for quality.

For me, it is not strange because I’m the first female Mechanical Engineer of Benue state origin.

Mechanical Engineering is purely a male dominated world but I made that record. I was a

student of the commercial pilot school in Zaria as far back as 1998.

I have been in the male dominated world all my life, so I don’t think sex is an issue in terms of leadership. I believe that if you are able to make your mark, both male and female will vote you. Don’t forget that the women vote even more.

You sound so optimistic about your chances in the coming elections. Don’t you think the zoning arrangement may likely affect your prospect considering that you hail from the Benue South zone (Idoma land) by birth?

That is if everybody throws tradition away but you can’t throw it away. I’m from Benue south zone by birth and the tradition of Idoma people says that the woman still remains a property of her father irrespective of her

marital status. That is why you see that the likes of Maria Aikolola whose husbands are Yoruba picking a two-time House of Assembly ticket from her birth place.

How do you intend to fund your campaigns because we know that running election in this country is very expensive?

The people who are yearning for Ada Chenge are always there to give the needed support.

Barrack Obama ran the most expensive election in the history of the United States of America but he did not do so with his finances.

He ran the election based on the fact that the whole of the black nation yearned for a black president in a white man’s country.

So, for me I don’t think I have stress about the funding of my campaign because the people including youths, women who are actually yearning for unity will support me.

I represent the symbol of a mother and every fighting person would lay down their arms as long as a mother is there. Everybody will support me as a mother. Funding of the campaign would not be an issue for me.

People have peddled this rumour over and over but none of them have been able to come up with that agreement that they signed and the president has told Nigerians that he never signed any agreement. Who do you want to believe? Is it the people who are saying he signed an agreement because of their personal interest or our president, who said he never signed any agreement?

I worked very closely with President Jonathan, I was the Deputy Director-General of President Jonathan Campaign Organisation, there is nothing like one term agreement that they are talking about. It•fs been a mystery to me and I believe Mr. President wholeheartedly that there was no agreement of that nature. He could not have signed such agreement when he knows that he is entitled to two terms. He is free to run, the constitution permits him to run and we will encourage him to run.

How do you evaluate the performance of the Governor of Delta State? Do

you think the state is working under his leadership?

I think my friend and brother, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan started very well and he is finishing very strong. And I will continue to support and pray for him to take this state to greater heights. He has tackled this state from so many dimensions, he has been able to work hard to ensure that security is maintained in the state. He has introduced a new concept of moving Delta State outside oil, “Delta beyond Oil”, he has tried his best and I think that he is finishing very strong to the glory of God. Do you have any regret as a minister?

I think I should thank God. First, for the opportunity God gave to me. Second, for what I have learnt and for the knowledge I have now about Nigeria.

No single regret. I remain grateful to God, I remain grateful to my elder brother, mentor and leader, President Goodluck Jonathan. I cant help but to thank God.

decision. For me, the word imposition used against my party should be withdrawn. My party doesn’t impose candidates.

The party usually comes together to weigh people’s opinion and then the majority of the opinion becomes the peoples’ decision. If I feel that I’m the best and five other people feel not so, then I shouldn’t see myself as the best. I had a similar experience in 2006 when I contested the PDP primaries and lost the election in the field, I gave •Chenge: Promises changes in Benue my manifesto to Gabriel Suswam who eventually Your party is known for won the election. imposition of candidates, if you We worked for him throughout go in for the primaries and you the election. I’m a woman of a lot are denied…?

(Cuts in…) I have lived by of respect and believe in the example. And you know that a resolution of crisis. I don’t believe party is an association for people in walking away because I have to come together to think as one an issue.

That was why I stayed behind and then forward ideologies. at that time and by the grace of For instance, if five persons God, Suswam is now completing come together and all of them want same thing, if they reason his tenure. I have already lived together, then come to the example, so I can now only agreement to pick a particular appeal to those who may lose the person, I think the election to my own candidature sportsmanship in others should that when they lose out, they prompt them to respect the should kindly do what I have done for somebody else.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—27

Esan North East:

Unending power game in Anenih’s backyard ATTEMPTS by some to show that a man nationally revered as The Leader is politically lame in his backyard continued this week in Esan Northeast

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

E

SAN North East could be just one of the 18 local government areas in Edo State in the eyes of many. But not for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his antagonists in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The base of Chief Tony Anenih, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been at the centre of an unending political game that escalated last Tuesday with the annulment of the election of Mr. Sam Oboh as the chairman of the local government area by the Edo State Local government election tribunal.Mr. Oboh was elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Progressives Congress, APC. The tribunal judgment ironically has been rejected by the two leading political parties in the area, the APC and the PDP. Given the well commended infrastructure revolution executed by the Adams Oshiomhole administration, Esan North East had been expected to follow the rest of the state in endorsing all the local government chairmen presented by the comrade governor in the local government elections first conducted last April.

However, the PDP which had in the past been accused of imposing candidates for election went clean when it allowed the winner of its primary, Joe Yakubu to fly its ticket. Yakubu was to the people of Esan North East what Adams Oshiomhole is to the rest of Edo State: A Performer. Yakubu had served briefly as local government chairman in the Oserienhmen Osunbor administration and performed in a way that other chairmen had not done before him.

So when he was presented against the APC’s Oboh, the PDP believed they had a genuine case. However, the election last April ended in a stalemate as the result was not announced forcing a rerun last October. In that rerun, the PDP mobilised its top chieftains from within and around the area for the

election.

At the end of the election, the returning officer could not be found and the result was announced by the state chairman of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC Mr. Solomon Ogoh in Benin City, the state capital. He declared the APC winner with 12,672 as against the 3,314 votes polled by PDP’s Yakubu.

The results were disputed by the PDP which claimed that results by its officers and security agents showed that the PDP polled 11,332 votes to the 6,248 votes scored by the APC. It was not surprising then that the APC latched unto the assertion by the PDPD as it claimed that the confidence of the PDP was in the use of security agents which are in the control of the PDP controlled Federal Government. The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen who is from the area and is alleged to be eyeing Oshiomhole’s seat in 2016 was particularly accused

•Anenih: The Leader by the APC officials of having mobilised security agents to rig the election. Though he was around for the election he, however, denied the allegation of rigging.

In the end, the PDP went to the tribunal which last

$49.8 billion Saga: A

BY EMMA ANOSIKE

T

HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has once again found itself at the centre of the storm.

For a corporation that to a great extent dictates the pendulum of Nigeria’s economy, the current issue under focus has become a litmus test on the integrity and corporate image of the body.

Since September 2013 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi raised an alarm over the alleged failure of the corporation to remit $49.8 billion to the bank virtually every Nigerian has become a finance expert.

Sanusi is also being branded as one whose has presented himself as a hero the defender and protector of Nigerians wealth, hence he now cuts the messianic picture of saints.

At the peak of this raging storm, the trio of Sanusi, Finance Minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Petroleum Minister, Mrs.

Tuesday faulted the polls and declared another re-run.

Bizarrely, the two parties were not satisfied with the judgment.

The APC whose candidate was ousted has pledged to appeal the judgment.

Speaking through its state publicity secretary, Godwin Erhahon, the party said:”as a law abiding party and promoter of the rule of law, we will abide by the final judgment after the final determination by the appellate tribunal.

We shall appeal the judgment at least for the development of the law because we need to exhaust all the legal processes.”The PDP on its part has claimed that it was denied justice as it said the tribunal should not have ordered a rerun, but should have installed its candidate, Yakubu as the validly elected chairman.

“The original plot was for the Tribunal to declare the APC candidate winner of the election but that failed due to the good work of our team of lawyers and the witnesses we called on.

“They were, however, confronted by a deluge of evidences we presented including EDSEIC ward returning officials who attested to the fact that PDP won the elections and they quickly made a detour.” ”the verdict falls short of our expectations as our candidate would have been declared winner if justice had been served. Now that the tribunal has ruled that there was no collation of result, from where did EDSIEC get the result it announced,” the chairman asked?

Meanwhile, the political spectacle continues.

palace gang up

Diezani Alison-Madueke have been at each others jugglers battling without end to sail through the murky waters of controversy and to assert their integrity through their respective submissions.

But the showdown got messier when figures became puns in a financial game of chess and Sanusi was the first to push the knight in a somersault.

Sanusi told the Senate Committee on finance that against the $49.8 billion that the reconciliatory team has suddenly discovered that it is only $12.86 billion that is yet to be found.

Deepening the gale of confusion was the submissions of Dr. Okonjo Iweala who interjected that it was not $12.8 billion that has not been accounted for but $10.8billion, upon which Sanusi chose to keep a grave yard silence.

The country’s bankers’ bank manager could not defend the volte-face he had made over the $49.8 billion saga which indeed has raised

fundamental question among Nigerians whether it was a valid alarm or an intent to cry wolf where there is none.

Painting the more scattered picture of confusion, is the fact that Sanusi was part of the team that took part in the reconciliation process that reported that it was only $10.8 billion that has not been reconciled, yet told Nigerians after the exercise that it was $ 12.8 billion.

Apparently in a bid to save his face from the day light double talk and the indictment by Okonjo Iweala before the Senate committee, Sanusi raised yet another alarm of $67 billion worth of crude shipped by the NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013, alleging that the CBN took delivery of $47 billion as remittance from the corporation.

He, against this back drop accused the NNPC of not remitting the balance of $20 billion and contended that the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the

NNPC with two other companies shipped $6 billion worth of crude outside the country and failed to remit same to the federation account.

The minister for finance may have chosen not to delve into the fresh allegations from Sanusi but sought to clear the air on the issue of $10.8 billion in her final report making a breakdown of the report.

Iwuala reported that the $10.8 billion being the balance of $49.8 billion, the sum of $8.76 billion was spent on, subsidy on petroleum products while $0.76 billion was spent on crude oil and product losses, and another $0.46 billion and $0.91 billion went for national strategic reserve and pipeline maintenance and management respectively.

At the moment, the senate committee on finance has called for a forensic examination of all monies and deals entered into by the NNPC in a bid to unlock all gray areas that has to do with the alleged missing money.

Continues on page 27

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

I

T is generally believed that the year 2015 would mean different period to several people both in Nigeria and friendly countries. However, to the local politicians, especially the Opposition, it is the year of ‘change‘. The pessimists think otherwise – the year 2015 will signify the doom of the country.

Nigerian patriots (and there are many of them) think hopefully about the era of peace and prosperity in 2015 and more years. The prayer warriors have been steadfast in their appeals to God for peace and President Jonathan has not been left behind in visits to mosques and churches to ask for that golden era of prosperity under one united nation.

The local parliamentarians, in their own traits, have demonstrated how easy or at times difficult (because of the federal system of government) to change the composition of the National Assembly in Abuja – the seat of the Federal Government.

Even the most optimistic minds would agree that Nigeria holds greater prospects of remaining politically united and economically prosperous only if right things are done at the right time. It is reasonable to expect some spectacular changes if certain measures are taken or correct policies are formulated to challenge successfully the useful prognosis of the pessimists. Heaven, they say, would help those who help themselves.

The complexity of the structure of the Nigerian nation has resurrected the ghosts of ethnicity and religious intolerance – agents of political instability. It would be to the everlasting glory of President Jonathan if the affairs of the National Conference are well managed and soundly co-ordinated that the outcome would provide Nigeria the right structure for enduring peace, prosperity and unity.

This should be of more importance than the issue of second term – that euphorism for political imbecility.

A great threat to the stability of the country is the Boko Haram insurgency which has engaged fully a division of the

The 2015 dateline: Nigerian Army and has been met faithfully by the security forces. Any time the dreaded terrorists struck and soldiers responded, human lives were involved and invariably, innocent blood is shed.

There is no doubt that all Nigerians would want the Boko Haram terror gangs crushed soon, but with the good-will of all Nigerians irrespective political party affiliation. This should be translated into a general slogan by all political parties that, •gCrushing of Boko Haram Insurgency is a duty that must be done.

It might be foolish to be carried away by the ‘mini-war‘ of the North-Eastern zone while forgetting the equally disastrous local wars constantly being waged by armed robbers (they kill innocent Nigerians by day and night and attack deposit banks as well). These nefarious activities are aided by kidnapping gangs who collect monetary rewards or kill those who could not afford. Political thugs and ritual killers abound in all political zones of the country to declare Nigeria a security risk to Nigerians and foreigners alike.

Although the economy is reported stable in the last few years with inflation reduced to 8 percent (on paper), with increasing flow of direct foreign investment and stable foreign exchange operation (Central Bank often comes to the aid of the Naira against dollar pressure), many businesses are yet to trust the economy.

First things first Many analysts do question justifiably the concept of a stable economy with ‘rising costs of doing business, with restricted access to cheap loanable funds for industrial expansion in an atmosphere of mass unemployment.

The word Subsidy is not new to Nigeria‘s Oil Industry. It has now become romantic when it is breeding corruption, pipeline destruction and oil thefts of various dimensions. Subsidy payment on oil consumption by a well endowed oil producer looks like a stupid act of a foolish country.

When local refinery capacity is inadequate, you make arrangements with other refiners for a whole range of products to satisfy your additional required products.

If for example, the daily allocation of 450,000 barrels of crude oil is not adequate for the Nigerian market, why not increase the quantity allocated and utilize the refinery capacity in West Africa for a widerange of products?, rather than report products in bit by bit. It would be a surprise if the NNPC also claims subsidy for the importation of kerosene as a single product.

The answer to the mess-up in the subsidy system lies in the complete deregulation of the Downstream Sector of the Oil Industry. The angry of the oil workers against the principles of deregulation is based on misunderstanding of economic

Power shift:

Ndokwa is best for Delta North — Enebeli CHIEF Paul Enebeli is the President of Ndokwa Neku Union in Delta State. In this interaction, Enebeli bares his mind on the controversy over the agitation for power shift in the state noting that it will ensure fair play. Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT is your opinion on the controversy over power shift in Delta State which has generated heat in the state?

I do not think that the issue of power shift and zoning should generate controversy. The constitution itself creates room for a degree of understanding. When you talk about federal character for example, it tells you that no section should monopolise power in any setting.

In the civil service, for example, where you have the permanent secretary from a particular zone, the directors are divided across sections of the country to create the sense of belonging and to create a sense of fairness as well as to allow peace to reign. That is what basically it is in the constitution.

Now, going down the ladder in the structure of the country, it is not for fun that the constitution gives room for every state to have three senatorial

districts. So, no matter how big a state is, each has three senatorial districts because they want every state in the country to participate in governance.

Now, coming to Delta state, I believe strongly that there should not be any issue of whether it is written or not, we said so or we did not say so.

Delta state is a big family because we are all brothers and sisters, in one way or the other, and I think strongly that from that point of view, if in the first time, Delta Central produced the governor in the person of James Ibori; and after him, based on understanding too, Delta South is today having the governorship, it is only natural that Delta North should be given a chance to have the slot for the governorship of the state.

Again, based on equity and fair play and the desire to carry everybody along, I think that is the spirit. So I do not think there should be controversy. What should really interest other people should be, if it is Delta North, where should it really

•Enebeli: Delta state is a big family go to in Delta North?

If we are going to have a governor of Delta north, who will be the deputy governor? Who will be the Speaker and all that? That is what we should be thinking about.

Majority of Deltans should be thinking, if it is going to be in Delta North, for there to be peace, what section should give that peace of mind to everybody? The days of saying that one area is more endowed than the other is over, in the sense that, the constitution gives the minimum qualification to be school certificate.

There is no part of this country that you do not have people who are

factors and lack of trust of government on the sale of government properties. The government may not sell the existing refineries to their ‘friends‘, but could ‘lease‘ them to oil marketers with international connection.

In a deregulated downstream sector of the oil industry, the federal government would limit itself to regulatory conditions and provision of infrastructural activities.

It is instructive to note that before the control of the total aspects of the oil industry, the down-stream sector worked well. As noted by me in this column, hitherto, prices of various petroleum products were agreed with government agencies by the local oil companies.

On local products, each company would buy crude oil (from government), refine to its specification at the refinery (owned by government, Shell and BP, but managed by BP) and pay agreed processing fees.

Each marketer was allowed a time-limit to evacuate its refined products into its own storage tanks in its depots throughout the country.

In its attempt to enforce the regime of ‘Uniform price‘ throughout the country, the military government had unwisely got entangled in the web of subsidy, from which it has no enough sincerity to free itself.

It must be admitted that security challenges, mass unemployment, poverty, corruption and unequal distribution of income are not created by the present government under President Jonathan (through some vice have germinated fully during the present regime).

If, as it appears, that the resolution of existing problems is beyond the capability of the present government and the Opposition (as it is presently constituted) seems disadvantaged, President Jonathan can wear the toga of statesmanship in his cabinet shake-up to evolve a national government to effectively tackle the problems. He seems not to be on the right path yet.

graduates.

Ndokwa people’s agitation for powershift not against the interest of Delta North?

Ndokwa epitomizes all the ethnic nationalities in Delta North, that is why it is a peace centre. It is not against the interest of Delta North. If anything, the interest of Ndokwa for the governorship is positive for Delta North because there is not going to be the fear of marginalization by any group.

When you vote any Ndokwa person to be governor of Delta State, you have peace of mind. Without peace, there cannot be progress. Ndokwa people are the fairest people you can have in the whole universe. I just want to assure Deltans that once you give an Ndokwa person the governorship, they can go home and sleep.

Do you think the other senatorial zones in the state will allow power to shift?

If power can shift to Delta south, I do not see why it cannot shift to Delta North. If you have every thing in this world but you do not have peace, you cannot make progress.

Is the Ndokwa nation backing any particular individual for Governorship race?

Well, it will be wrong for me, as president of Ndokwa Union to back a particular aspirant, I am the father of all. Any of our sons and daughters that come out, will be fully qualified. We have very qualified people in Ndokwa to take up the number one slot.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—29

•Dankwabo, Goje: Godson and godfather turn against one another

Dankwambo, Goje flex political muscle

2015:

BY SUZAN EDEH

T

HE emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called the shots for the past 12 years, has set the stage for a season of power play.

The last time the opposition tasted power in the state was between 1999 and 2003 when Alhaji Abubakar Hashidu of the defunct All Peoples Party, APP, governed the state. Since then, the PDP has remained in power, overwhelming the opposition.

However, the coming of the APC in Gombe, seems to have reenergized the opposition. This is largely attributed to the defection of immediate past

Continues from page 26 While Nigerians await the report of the forensic examination it has become instructive that one understudy the import of Sanusi claims, his point of departure and the undercurrents inherent in this sudden war of attrition.

It may not be far from the truth that this satire of the patriot that is being replicated by the Sanusi’s of the Nigerian world is yet another episode in the litany of attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The litany of attacks on the president appears to be the game plan that is directed towards the 2015 general election aimed at presenting Jonathan and his administration as one that is

governor of the state, Senator Danjuma Goje to the party. The development is heightening the intrigues shaping the build up to the 2015 governorship election in the state.

The incumbent governor, Alhaji Adamu Dankwambo and his predecessor and one time godfather, Goje, are poised to slug it out on who prevails in the battle of wits The strained relationship, which was earlier dismissed as a farce become a vicious reality for Goje when the governor, his supposed godson took over the PDP structure from him.

Besides, Goje has had cause to accuse Dankwambo of vendetta against him. For instance, when President Goodluck Jonathan

visited the state recently, the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar urged the president to reconsider citing the proposed Federal University in Kashare – Goje’s hometown. The decision to establish the university in the town had generated a lot of crisis within the power circle in the state as some felt that Goje commandeered the school to his town.

Goje also alleged that the recent closure the Gombe Airport and attempted ban on rallies in the state were aimed at frustrating him and his supporters.

It is not far-fetched that Goje, who established the new PDP in Gombe State, has not made efforts to harmonize APC structures or challenge the PDP,

$49.8 billion Saga: A incompetent and highly incapacitated to manage the resources of the country.

Granted that Sanusi is a civil servant and cannot be a card carrying member of any political party, his utterances and body language speaks volumes.

Opposition political parties are there to convince the Nigerian electorates that they can produce a better government, but it becomes astonishing when a man that is heading an organ of a government in power chooses to indict himself by telling Nigerians and himself that the rest of government organs are not prudent in the management

which he helped to nurture in the state.

During his eight-year reign as governor, Goje entrenched PDP structures in the grassroots and became the most powerful politician in Gombe and a force to be reckoned with among governors and politicians in the country. Goje got the PDP so fortified in the state that the opposition had little or no relevance in the state. Many Gombe politicians, who are beneficiaries of Goje’s administration, still have their aprons strings tied to his political influence.

Looking at the issues and prospects of the APC in Gombe, a PDP stalwart, Mallam Babangida Moh’d Turaki, predicted failure for the APC, claiming that no staunch PDP member moved with the Senator to the APC. His words: “In 2003, we all know how Goje assumed leadership in the state and got set to work. We know of the

ruthless treatment he meted out to his erstwhile boss, Alhaji Hassan (Baraden Gombe) and how he betrayed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who gave him the governorship ticket and ensured that he was announced governor. Now that he has defected, he has no right to be accusing Governor Dankwambo of betrayal. Another factor that has made their relationship frosty is the refusal of the governor to be dictated to and to implement unpopular policies.

“We thought that he would have been happy bringing a young man that followed his footsteps by changing the face of Gombe State in every ramification, but he just changed and started to fight the governor because of political greed. As a godfather to the Governor, it is wrong and unacceptable to the people of Gombe State. In 2015, the dice will be cast and the wheat shall be separated from the chaff “I maintain that APC is no threat and will never be a threat to the PDP in Gombe State. The achievements of the Governor are speaking for him in the area of education, road construction, hospitals, water, and human empowerment and there is no propaganda about this. It is an open fact that will vindicate the PDP.” The APC derives it strength and support from General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) who undoubtedly is one of the backbones of the APC in the North.

Currently, Goje and APC leader are strategizing to capture the state in 2015.

To win in Gombe, the APC has scale the Dankwambo hurdle.

The governor, who is seeking reelection, has the advantage of incumbency factor as well as Federal might.

Thus, Gombe will witness an interesting showdown between godfather and godson. Who will win the battle? Only time will tell.

palace gang up

of the country’s wealth.

Sanusi’s penchant for lampooning government policies knows no bounds. At inception he took a swipe on his predecessor, Professor Charles Soludo for reducing the bank recapilisation policy to a thing for the trashcan when actually he was one of the executors of that policy as the then Chief Executive of First Bank.

Never in history has a CBN governor became Santa Klaus by making donations to schools and voluntary bodies which of course is not his terms of reference.

He has not deemed it proper to tell the nation how he came

•Anosike about the monies that are being disbursed in leaps and bounds.

Interestingly the monster which Sanusi created by his

alarm would certainly hunt not only him most past and present gladiators in the oil sector and other sectors of government.

This stems from the fact that Allison-Madueke while giving nod to the Senate committee’s call for forensic examination, contended that it should be carried out to cover not only 2012 and 2013 but should be extended up to 2004 when the reconciliation exercise began.

Nigerians are really poised towards comprehending the unfolding drama!

*Senator Anosike wrote this piece before the suspension of the CNB governor.

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 31

32—V anguard 32—Vanguard anguard,,

FRID AY, FEBRU ARY 21, 2014 FRIDA FEBRUARY

YOUR LUCK TODAY SCORPIO: Be very careful with money and your new ideas concerning finance-related issues.

Moderation and positive approach are your keys to success today.

SAGITTARIUS: Although there may be domestic pressure on you, your being steadfast will earn you both expected and unexpected good result today.

Be more family minded.

CAPRICORN: placement may induce others to work against your interest but the whole thing’ll not stand the test of time. Do away with secretive deal at work and take good advice and express yourself gracefully. You will be lucky today.

AQUARIUS: particular affair may come to the head now; and you will either enjoy the excitement or over-react and complicate things. Don’t allow friends to control your life. Financial success indicated for you.

LEISURE THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

F

OR those that know me intimately well, they can identify me with my principles of “anything is possible”. Yes! there is nothing impossible. Even

Do It Any Way when everybody around me believes otherwise, I do not allow it to weigh me down. Look around you and tell me which notable human achievement has ever seemed

TERROR MUDA

possible in the eyes of cynics? Did the whole Nigerians not say Super Eagles of Nigeria can’t win the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations.

in “Never say goodbye”

All you need is to believe in yourself.

Have faith in God. Get started. Get along.

Anyway, anyhow keep on going and the Almighty God will perfect your effort.

Do it anyway, today!

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES: The Moon at powerful angles to your natal Sun will bring you challenges both at home and along your business line. Protection of your image should top your priority list today. Success indicated.

Plan for the future and be less aggressive.

ARIES: Situation does not favour your being careless with legal-related issues. And if need be, you may tarry a while before putting your hands on agreement papers. Think of the future.

TAURUS: Today ’s influence highlights your finances. Money, movable possessions and other inter-connections may bring you under tension temporarily. Be wise with money. Good friends will assist you.

GEMINI: The Moon’s placement will bring you to the limelight and if care is not taken, you would be at the center of controversy. Be less aggressive.

CANCER: WHAT you were able to sweep under the carpet yesterday at work may come up unexpectedly now. And it’ll take exhibition of maturity on your part to avoid trouble. Don’t allow health-related issues to degenerate. The more attention you give to legal related issues the better.\

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO: UNLIKE yesterday when friends were willing to make sacrifices, their mood may be a bit difficult to understand. This is not the right time to take hard decisions about your love life.

VIRGO: Situation will bring you under the fire of enthusiasm along your business line but you must guard against avoidable mistakes. Try to be more family minded.

LIBRA: WHAT started yesterday may climax today.

It is wrong to arrive at a decision in haste today.

Unnecessary argument can’t help.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Basic characteristics of Gemini RULER = INTELLIGENT MERCURY. QUALITY = MUTABLE. ELEMENT = AIR. SYMBOL = THE TWINS. GROUP = MASCULINE. ZODIACAL NUMBER = 6TH. The air element means you have characteristics of the Zodiac sign known for high quality of intelligence. The air element, also makes you a humorous person who knows how to cool off pressure through ribs cracking jokes, especially when with those you can consider intimate allies.

Mutable connection indicates innate ability to experiment with new and bright ideas that often times lead to change. In fact, Gemini born people strongly believe in the popular saying that “variety (and/or change) is the spice of life.” Mutable is equally related to education, travelling, communication and commercial activities. Thus, you’re a person with many personalities.

And if you are not annoyed, everybody loves your charismatic approach. But once you lose your patience, tongues go wagging unnecessarily and some people would wrongly accuse you of unreliability. Gemini natives in general are not as crafty as many think, although you can become an adept at the game of deception.

Literary Gemini gives you ability to write and express yourself whichever way you want. Influence of Gemini makes you a person with dual (double) personality. In fact, it is possible for you to exhibit different faces of your inner personalities at different places.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBUARY 21, 2014—33

Maternal & child health:

How Lagos recorded 20,638 safe deliveries in 10 months — IDRIS “More people are delivering in the facilities. We recorded 15 percent increase in antenatal care at the primary care centres, and 13 percent increase at the PHC facilities, At the secondary care facilities, we have increase of 32 percent in antenatal care visits and for deliveries, right now the first 10 months, we have seen 98 percent increase than we saw in 2012. By the time we check November and December we would see more increase.” From the positive indicators so far, 42 percent of deliveries through CS were successful, thanks to the well-equipped facilities and skilled manpower. The reduction in maternal deaths is an achievement. Idris said a committee has been set up to review the

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

T

HE Lagos State government recorded a total of 20,638 safe deliveries between January and October, 2013 as a result of deliberate and welllaid-out policies to enhance the indices of maternal health.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this, was optimistic that with the positive downward trend of maternal and child mortality in public health institutions, targets of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs were within reach.

“The safe deliveries of these babies which were recorded through normal deliveries of 11,312 and Caesarean Section, CS, of 8,800 did not happen without proper planning, he told Good Health Weekly in a chat.

“With the past record of maternal and child mortality in the state, we instituted the Maternal and Child Health programme one year ago, precisely, in October. We intend to run it at least up to October this year. We have been collecting data to see if there is any need for us to change or add to our strategies.

But from what we have seen so far, we do not need to change our strategies because right now we have seen downward trend in maternal and child mortality rates and also in disease burden.”

“The key indicators we are seeing now are not ordinary. There was a committee established by the state government which involves people from government, outside of government, academia, NGos etc. The idea is to get the stakeholders input into the design of the programme.

The design was fashioned after addressing some specific major causes of this maternal mortality and child mortality.”

Idris who said the Ministry has continued to address the three delays; in seeking assistance or help due to either lack of information, or due to ignorance that women do not recognise signs of emergency during pregnancy or gender inequality, lack of infrastructrure or poverty, added that even with information and availability of facilities, skilled manpower was a major factor that has been addressed.

“This happened because we fashioned our programme towards these three

• Dr. Jide Idris delays. In doing that, we divided the state into four districts and we have been to all the four where we engaged members of the communities with a view to generating data.”

The Maternal and Child hand booklets produced by the State government has helped in the enlightenment, To date, the Ministry has distributed over 39,100 maternal booklets and 92,600 child health booklets. “We are also tackling the two commonest causes of maternal mortality – post partum haemorrhage and eclampsia by purchasing two obstetric drugs, Misprostol and Magnesium Sulphate for all health facilities.

Idris recalled that more women now visit the state’s Primary Health Centres, PHCs. “To attract women to the PHCs, we procured a large number of mama kits used for normal delivery. As of today, we have distributed over 15,000 of these kits.

It is an all-in-one kit that contains everything needed to help provide clean and safe delivery.”

Data from the state’s three senatorial districts show that more women are now attending antenatal care. From data collected over the last 10 months, the cases that have gone for antenatal care are 15 percent more than the number of cases that went for antenatal care the whole of 2012.

•Mr. Aliko Dangote, Founding Patron, Private Sector Health Alliance (3rd left), with members of the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace launched recently.

deaths. “We have set up committee to go to hospitals and find out these deaths after which they will meet to review these deaths to find out what we could have done to avert these deaths.”

To date, the committee has reviewed 67 out of 76 cases, and all lapses recorded are being addressed.

Reiterating that deaths of women and children were unacceptable to the state government, Idris said, “I cannot give you the current maternal rate but I can tell you that we are having a downward trend in our public facilities. “From the data we have collected, in 2010, maternal deaths were 318, by 2011 it went down to 201. In 2012 it further went down to 195, and we are just collating for 2013. That can give us a downward trend but it cannot give us an accurate statistics of maternal rates because to get an accurate figure you must collate all the deaths in the State. If we continue at this rate, we will meet the health MDGs,” he noted.

Private doctors seek health intervention fund

N

IGERIAN private medical doctors have bemoaned the state of health sector in the country, calling for an immediate intervention/infrastructural development fund to avert imminent collapse of the sector. The medical doctors who declared an emergency in the sector believed that the fund was overdue following the sorry state of the sector at the moment.

The fund, according to doctors under the auspices of Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN is to enhance capacity and support infrastructure of the private sector, handling over 60 per cent health needs of Nigerians At a brainstorming session of its National Executive Council, recently in Lagos, the National President of the association, Dr. Anthony Omolola, who noted that they were playing a significant and larger role in the rendering of healthcare services, observed that the worsening health indices and condition of healthcare facilities would attest to a sector on the verge of collapse.

Omolola who emphasized that through robust collaboration between government and the private sector, healthcare in Nigeria will enjoy a facelift said while industrial disharmony and inter-professional rancour had also become recurring decimal in the system; the government has also failed to foster partnership with the private sector, to utilize its abundant capacity in meeting the healthcare needs of the people.

“It is obvious that the public sector cannot meet the demands of healthcare delivery by the people. Meanwhile, AGPMPN has in several studies found wasting capacities in private sector that would have been useful to the entire health system. But we also know that there will be very little in terms of 21st Century service delivery without

genuine interest of the government to partner with the private sector.”

Noting that though the government had been proactive in meeting the needs of important sectors like Agriculture and Aviation with the intervention fund, he wondered why such gesture has not been extended to the health sector.

“Given this emergency on our hands, why should health come last in getting intervention fund? Without health, no one can go to the farm or fly in an airplane. It goes to show that health sector is more important, if all industries must thrive. We therefore appeal to government at all levels, especially the Federal Government to ensure health intervention/infrastructure development fund for the health sector.

This may not have to wait for bureaucracies of legislations because it is an emergency. With executive fiat, the fund could be provided to promote investment in the health sector.”

On his part, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jde Idris, acknowledged the remarkable roles of private medical practitioners in repositioning the health sector to an enviable height.

He identified the association to have possessed the number and expertise needed t o transform Nigeria’s health sector. He tasked all practitioners to be alive to their responsibilities.

Explaining high taxation levied on private facilities, he said: like other states of the Federation, Lagos had only collected most of the levies on behalf of the Federal Government.

Founder, First Foundation, Dr. Tosin Ajayi stressed that the private practitioners is the surviving hope for healthcare delivery in the country, and must be supported by the government.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Femi Olugbile stressed the need to maintain quality in healthcare delivery.

34— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 e decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely. And our messengers had certainly come to them with clear proofs. Then indeed many of them, [even] after that, throughout the land, were transgressors. Qur’an 5:32

W

Severe punishment awaits mischief makers

,

No religion condones the act of killing, maiming and causing mischief on earth. The Quran teaches that whoever kills a soul has killed a nation and whoever saves a soul has saved a nation. Again, the destruction of state property is antithetical to the teachings of Islam. The scripture aptly describes the punishment of those who cause mischief in the name of Allah as severe punishment. ‘The punishment of those who run around and spread mischief about Allah and His Messenger is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.” Qur’an 5:33-34 The rejection of modern education is not a creed in Islam as the Prophet (s.a.w) ordered that seeking of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.

It is a contradiction of the verse: La ikraa-fi-deen; which means: No compulsion in religion; with other verses clearly stated.

The killing of people is a great sin before Allah (SWT).

Certainly, any harm or

...dialogue could well be a better way to go; not because of any thing but to halt further destruction of lives and property

injustice done to anyone will not go unpunished. Those who kill in whatever pretense or caused untold hardship to fellow human beings will ultimately receive the punishment of their actions.

No matter how insignificant or how grievous the harm was, the perpetrators will account for their actions. No matter to whom an injustice was done, and no matter how long that aggression was committed, evryone of us will account to Allah. Remember, those who maimed, killed people and children or even bombed themselves will certainly face

Boko Haram: Ekhomu lauds northern leaders on war against terror

R

enowned Security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has commended northern political leaders for finally supporting the war on the Boko Haram terrorists. He said that the support of northern political elite was important to create a synergy in the successful prosecution of the war on terror.

Reacting to the recent deadly attacks on Izghe Community in Gwoza LGA and Kondugha town in Borno State that claimed over 200 lives, Ekhomu commended the Governor of Borno State, Alh. Kashim Shettima for acknowledging that the Boko Haram attacks had reached a “state of war”. Gov. Shettima had also advised the Federal government that all parties involved in tackling the problem “should stop playing the ostrich and rise up to the challenges of the day”.

Dr. Ekhomu, who is President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) also praised the statement by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Babangida Aliyu that BH attacks had gone beyond traditional pattern of attacks and urged northern leaders to be “frank and refrain from

21 Rabi'ul Thanni 1435 AH

partisanship” in discussing the BH matter.

Commiserating with victims of the Izghe and Kondugha attacks, Ekhomu noted that Nigeria’s war on terror had been unduly prolonged because some political leaders did not appreciate the enormity of the security challenges facing the nation. He lamented that “a grave security threat like BH was turned into political ping-pong”. He averred that some political leaders had been in a state of denial on the issue of Boko Haram terrorism.

Ekhomu, the first chartered security professional in West Africa said that combating terrorism was not a job for the Federal Government alone, but the joint responsibility of Federal, State and local governments. He said that purpose of the modern democratic state was the safety of lives and property of citizens and residents. He advised political officer holders to reduce their focus on the privilege of office and instead focus on service delivery.

Ekhomu described Governor Shettima’s call for proper funding of troops in the front lines as timely since proper resourcing was necessary to successfully prosecute the war on terror.

,

the wrath of Allah. When the heavens are cleft open and every thing is unveiled; when the blazing fire is kindled to fierce heat; and when the Paradise is brought near; each soul will receive what it has put forward. (Q81:8-14) Under this carnage by Boko

Haram, some leaders of thoughts have advised the government to reconsider the issue of dialogue with the terrorists. Although other opposed it with a view that it is sheer bukum to negotiate with down-to-earth terrorists who have shattered institutions and sucked blood of thousands of people. But since Allah is the Most Forgiving and Merciful, dialogue could well be a better way to go; not because of any thing but to halt further destruction of lives and properties.

Over politicisation of the matter will not help the situation. There should be a sincere approach to end this

carnage. Allah is the Most Forgiving.

Child Education It has become necessary to give our children the right education. Violence as an emotional aspect, in childhood should be controlled. At primary school level and the basic Arabic lessons they pass through, parents owe their children a natural duty of imparting in them the spirit of tolerance and peaceful coexistence if we truly cherish our society. No religion preaches violence. If children are trained in the way of the Lord, they will grow to show mercy, compassion, tolerance and flexibility. They will learn how to vent their internal combustion without constituting nuisance to the rest of the world. They will also know that peace and tolerance are germane for a functional society, just as violence damages everything. Let them know that God tolerates, and likes tolerance, and whatever He bestows for tolerance, does not bestow for violence and harshness. In a nutshell, tolerance and peace are divine attributes.

We need to change our ways inorder to prevent further sectional insurgencies in order to preserve the so-called geographical expression.

Sunnah is the k ey tto o Qur'an — Gbadebo ke

T

HE Chief Imam of AlMedina Central Mosque, Ogbomoso, Dr. Sharafadeen Gbadebo, has charged Muslims to follow the Sunnah (practice) of Prophet Muhammad. He explained that Sunnah stands as the key to understanding the Holy Qu’ran.

He made this known during a lecture organised by Amir Qamardeen Ajala held in Lagos Central Mosque, Tinubu, recently.

Gbadebo who was the guest lecturer chided Muslims whose lives are not in conformity with the teachings

of the Prophet. “Many Muslims are well acquainted with the Sunnah of the prophet as a terminus technicus legal thought but many do not model their lives on the teachings of the Sunnah.”

He continued: “Sunnah is the key to understanding the message of the holy Qur’an and to the implementation of the guidelines and laws laid down in it, while revealed scripture of the Qu’ran explains the basic principles and laws of Islam through explanation and demonstration of those principles and laws. Sunnah is thus indispensable if one wants

to practice Islam and to be a true Muslim.”

The Islamic scholar enjoined Muslims to see Prophet Mohammed as their role model, adding that adhering to the Sunnah translates into good followers of the Prophet.

The Chief Host and the organizer of the lecture Amir Qamardeen Ajala also enjoined Muslims to attend seminars and lectures to avoid wrong teachings and misconceptions about Islam.

“Islam is a religion of knowledge and we must educate ourselves,” Ajala said.

From left: Dr. Sharafadeen Gbadebo, Guest Lecturer; Alhaji Jubril Ajanaku; Ustaz Ridwan Suenu and Alh abd Jeleel Animasaun during a special lecture on Sunnah of the Prophet held in Lagos Central Mosque, Tinubu, Lagos.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—35

21 Rabi'ul Thanni 1435 AH

Muslim group kicks against Yoruba natconfab c'tt ee c'ttee

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

Boko Haram: Every soul is important to Allah — Imam Olohungbebe

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI Alhaji Soliudeen Olohungbebe, Imam of Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, speaks on the need for child education and how government can end the act of terrorism by Boko Haram insurgence group in the northern part of the country.

I

T is always difficult to dissect the issue of Boko Haram without Islam, to what extent do you think Islam is involved?

I will start from the linguistic point of view, Boko means book while haram means something that is forbidden. Putting the two together, boko haram means western education is forbidden.

And one of the cardinal points Prophet Mohammed (s.s.w) preached about in Medinna is to seek for knowledge even if you have to go as far as China. Islam has nothing to do with boko haram. It is one of the misconceptions about Islam.

Boko Haram is known for killing people and Islam forbids killing of a soul you cannot create.

Then, how can Islam help to eradicate terrorism in Nigeria?

The best way to go about this is to educate people through the teachings of Islam. Ignorance is close to poverty and I believe these terrorists do not understand some crucial things about life.

They need to know that Allah forbids killing and that every soul is very precious to Almighty Allah.

Mindset of children The best way to solve the issue is to mould the mindset of our children to reason in the way of Allah and also growing to be responsible and useful citizens of the country. In this direction, Lagos state has created an open chance for everyone to be educated. Education in Lagos state from the primary level to secondary level in Lagos state is free. Lagos state also ensures that all mosques in the five geographical zones of Lagos state preaches the same sermon during the Jumat service at least twice in a month to sensitize and increase the knowledge of Muslims to the way of Allah.

The month Rajab is fast approaching, what is it all about?

Rajab is the seventh month in the lunar Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam. These months are Ramadan, Zhul-Qada and ZhulHijah (the 11th and 12th month of the year). Quran 9 verse 36 talks about the month of Rajab as

a sacred month. Rajab as been in existence before Islam as a religion came into existence, the pagans whom the Prophet met at Medinna observe their fast during this period a n d Prophet Mohammed alowed i t becAuse h e did not want t o destroy their practice.

•Imam Soliudeen Olohungbebe That is what some people call 'awe arugbo' which means an ancient fast and not necessarily fast for the aged.

A true Muslim should not fight Why is this fast not as popular during the month of Rajab. as Ramadan?

During the life time of the Well, the reason for this is prophet, he fought the pagans but because Prophet Muhammed did commanded that they should be not make this fast compulsory for left alone during the month of the Muslims. Fasting during this Rajab. Hence, no Muslim should month is voluntary and even if you fight during the month of Rajab. want to observe the fast, there are However, it is important for me guidelines that must be adhered to say that the sacred month of to. As Muslims, we are not Rajab cannot be compared with supposed to fast throughout the the sacred month of Ramadan. month of Rajab, rather, the first This is because the month of day or you fast for three or seven Ramadan is one of the pillars of days out of the 29 or 30 days in Islam while Rajab is not. There the month. Also, as Muslims, are no special religious activities there should not be any form of attached to the month of Rajab. festivity attached to it like that of A true Muslim should continue Ramadan where we have public in his service to Allah and follow holidays to commemorate the the teachings of the Prophet. The ending of the fast.

Prophet said in one hadith that What activities should a true whoever introduces anything to Muslim engage in during this this religion, it will not be taken sacred month? and it will be recorded against such person.

Members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, who stormed the Ikeja High Court premises in solidarity with the fight against ban on hijab in the state public schools recently.

M

USLIM Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the Yoruba Committee on National Conference saying it lacks balance and is parochial.

In a statement made available to Facing the Kaaba in Lagos, MURIC said it was surprised that there was no single Muslim among the prominent Yoruba leaders who attended the meeting, saying It gives room for suspicion.

Its executive director, Professor Ishaq Akintola said, “Such a gathering lacks balance. It is not only parochial but also myopic.

They should be able to look ahead. Are they saying there are no Muslims in Yorubaland?”

The group noted the committee started on a wrong footing for not deeming it fit to extend invitation to prominent Yoruba Muslims.

The development it said has tainted the group.

“They should realize that the world is changing and they should allow that change to reflect. Gone are those days when decisions are taken without consulting Muslims. Muslim docility has become history.

Nigerian Muslims have donned the garb of proactiveness.

“It is a coup against Muslims.

The Committee is on its own. We reject its deliberations and whatever the outcome may have been. For it to be credible and relevant, it must convene another meeting where Muslims will be well represented.

“At least the likes of Professor Daud Noibi, Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of SouthWest Nigeria (MUSWEN); Shaykh Zughlool, founder and proprietor of Daar ad-Da’wah, Isolo, Lagos and Shaykh Habeebullahi Al-Ilori of Markaz, Agege should be there. These three alone are renowned Islamic clerics and they would have balanced the list and made it acceptable.”

It also queried why the likes of Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, the former Minister of Works and President of the Ansarud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Femi Okunnu; foremost industrialist, Chief S. O. Babalola and Chief Bola Babalakin were not invited.

He stated further: “Why was the attendance heavily tainted with Christian clerics? A prominent pastor was there with a bishop and an archbishop whereas there was no single Imam. Where are the Imams and Sheikhs of Yorubaland," he queried.

Justice, fairness, guiding principles of a leader —Badmus

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ROF. Lanre Badmus of the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, has listed justice and fairness as one of the guiding principles of a good leader.

In a lecture entitled : “Leadership Imperatives: Islamic Perspective”, Badmus said that good leadership was imperative to the success and prosperity of any society.

The lecture which was organised by the National body of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), in Ilorin, Kwara state was geared towards marking the fourth UNIFEMGA 2014 Honour’s Day. Badmus said: “Many people in leadership positions have forgotten justice; hence, the

chaotic situations faced in societies. Lack of a good leader causes chaos in any society,” Badmus said.

The professor of Religion noted that Islam mandated that there must be a leader to direct affairs where there were three or more people.

According to him, leadership is a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.

Badmus said that leadership did not entail selfservice but selfless service, urging all to emulate the leadership qualities exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

36 —Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

PSC promotes AIG, 1,401 cops

Opposition tackles Uduaghan over budget raise

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

...Vows to monitor implementation

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BUJA—THE Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of Mr. Adeola Adeleke, the AIG Zone 4, Markudi from the rank of Commissioner of Police to Assistant Inspector General of Police, as well as 1, 401 other police officers to various ranks.

Those elevated from the rank of Deputy Commissioners to Commissioners include; Abdul Bube, Abubakar Marafa, Dan Bature, Karma Hosea Hassan, Augustine Evbakhabokun and Esosa Amadasun.

Seven officers were promoted from ACPs to DCPs and they are Felix Gochuk Gani, Ibrahim Sabo Umar, Joseph Gobum Mukan, Wakili Mohammed, Awunah N. Donald, Mohammed Jimoh, Yahi Kwajima.

Seven officers were promoted from Chief Superintendent of Police Asst Commissioner of Police while 242 Superintendent of Police were elevated to Chief Superintendent of Police.

424 Deputy Superintendent of Police were promoted to Superintendent of Police while 715 Asst Superintendent of Police were elevated to Deputy Superintendent of Police.

SABA—THE leadership of the Labour Party, LP in Delta State, yesterday, faulted the jerking up of the state 2014 Appropriations Bill

by N59 billion, vowing that any attempt to use the state’s money for election would be resisted.

Reacting to the passage of the budget by the state Assembly, Chairman of Labour Party, Mr. Emeka Nkwoala, said “this is election year. They are preparing to use state funds to justify their being on ‘ground’ mantra.

“We as a political party together with our allies in the trade union movement, civil

Group urges Azuya to contest House of Reps in Delta

BY TOMMY ANADUAKA

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TA K E H O L D E R S , community and youth leaders in Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, Delta State, have called on a community leader and philanthropist, Chief Tony Azuya to contest the House of

Delta guber: Urhobo youths root for Edevbie In a statement by its National

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—URHOBO youths under the aegis of Concerned Save Urhobo Youths, CSUY, have called on the former Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Chief David Edevbie, to contest the governorship position in 2015 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The group similarly called on Mr Ryan Ukpo to contest for the state House of Assembly in Ughelli North constituency 1.

society groups, student unions and other progressives in the state will ensure the implementation of the budget as passed.

“We call on the media as the watchdog of the society to join LP in monitoring the budget performance this year. Our leaders must henceforth, be held accountable for the actions or inaction while in office. The governor’s mantra of finishing strong should be judged in terms of completion of ongoing projects and not mere words,” he said.

However, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, reacting said,

Co-ordinator, it said “Chief Edevbie is ably qualified to govern the state and the state at this time in its political history need a technocrat like him to preside over its affairs.

“We, therefore, appeal to Deltans to throw their support behind Edevbie should he decide to contest the 2015 governorship seat. He is experienced in governance, having served as the Commissioner for Finance for eight years and as Principal Secretary to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Representatives seat for the area in the forthcoming 2015 elections.

In a statement at meeting in Asaba, chairman of the group, Chief Solomon Okogwu and Ogbueshi John Mohanye, described Chief Azuya as a grassroots politician, who has over the years used his Godgiven wealth to touch many lives, including widows and lessprivileged.

The group said that if Azuya accepts to contest, it will bring joy to many, as there was no doubt that he will, as a good representative of the people, attract more meaningful development to the area. .

It said that the decision to urge Azuya to contest was as a result of his numerous contributions to the socio-economic development of the area, and also because of his contributions to the socioeconomic development of the area. The group also gave Azuya credit for providing employment and basic infrastructural facilities to the area.

“I need to see the details before I can pass a fair comment, but the most important thing here is that they have operated within the ambit of the law and being a very responsible House, I expect that if any adjustment was made upwards or downwards, it must be in the overall interest of the

Customs seizes N11m worth of rice in one weekend

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HE Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, has said that it seized N11million million worth of rice in one weekend in December 2013 because of its anti-smuggling efforts.

It also described as untrue the allegation that its personnel collect bribes to allow truck loads of rice into the country, saying it rather foiled an attempt to recently smuggle into the country rice worth N7.5m.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ernest Olottah in a statement, noted that “It is pertinent to state here that Willy Egbudin, the Customs Area Controller, CAC, in charge of Seme Command did not only sustain the anti-smuggling tempo he met on the ground, but has increased it.

“He fully deployed all the logistics and manpower available to the command in the anti-smuggling drive. Our motivated workforce are also putting in their best to suppress smuggling. This organised falsehood will not dampen our morale. The Comptroller General of Customs has invested in our capacity development and logistical support, therefore we have no reason to fail in sustaining his zero tolerance on smuggling.

“The intense operation

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

people of Delta State.”

The state House of Assembly, on Wednesday passed the 2014 Appropriations Bill by increasing it with N59 billion from what Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan earlier presented, bringing the sum total passed to N450.7 billion.

directed by the CAC late last year through the yuletide period resulted in the seizure of N11 million worth of rice in one weekend in December 2013.This is in addition to other numerous seizures of rice at various times. It is on record that this command makes an average of over 4,500 bags of rice monthly and the reporter can attest to this.

“These seizures may have reduced the number of those who will like to see our faces as customs officers and the CAC has vowed not to yield to any form of arm twisting tactics through blackmail and fabricated reports as he had always reiterated that the fight against smuggling is total.

“While the smugglers are licking their wounds, counting their losses, we will resist any form of distraction from any quarter. Journalists are free to cross check with the Command’s Public Relations Officer over any allegation about our operation. ''They are also advised to abide by the ethics of their profession which involves truth, fairness and hearing all sides to a story to achieve balance.

“For the reporter to have claimed to have access to criminals, the reporter should be patriotic enough to assist in the arrest of such criminals,” the statement added.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (nwamad@yahoo.com)

On 100 people massacred in Borno attacks

Some people wanted to crucify Ihejirika for the tactics he employed to tackle these blood suckers, now the military cannot use conventional tactic to fight unconventional war.

The best thing is to regroup and retrain the soldiers on the type of warfare that is suitable now. Mr. Olegeme Iheze - Worker

God is still in charge of this country no matter what the devil and his cohorts do.

The blood of boko haram victims is standing against them before God. Let’s keep praying until it’s over.

Prayer is the only solution. Mr. Duwarah Yakubu - Computer Operator

The Army has shown they are not capable to fight Boko Haram even after their sojourn in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Sudan, Somalia.

More sophisticated strategy should be put in place to take the war to Boko Haram hideouts.

They have massacred enough innocent lives. Mr. Mike Eric - Worker

Now, we can now see why America failed in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to fight and defeat guerilla insurgents, especially those with terrorist orientation. And one of such guerilla insurgents in Nigeria is the Boko Haram. Mr. George Ikenna - Publisher

For how long will we continue praying and Boko Haram keep rampaging? The reverse might be the case. Let the Government withdraw troops from those areas and let the press stop telling us about their operations.

Mr. Abichele JohnCommunicator

The problem here is that Boko Haram have no education, only the teachings of some uneducated elders, which in turn spurs them on. I would love to just wipe out the uneducated world, which includes a large number of Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas to mention a few. Ms. Judith Ekwu- Student

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—37

Delta House expresses concern over state of facilities at WRPC

Orubebe canvasses support for Jonathan, Uduaghan

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LDER Godsday Orubebe, former Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan deserved reelection, while also pledging support for the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

Orubebe, at a reception by Delta Peoples Forum, DPF, to honour him in Asaba, the state capital, said that Jonathan was determined to move Nigeria forward.

Expressing gratitude to the President for giving him the opportunity to serve, Orubebe explained that DPF was a non-governmental organisation focused on good governance.

He said: “DPF will work with the present government and people of Delta State to encourage and support Governor Uduaghan’s good work in the state.”

Director-General of DPF, Chief Terry Noah, and the representatives from the senatorial zones, on the occasion, hailed Orubebe for his service to the nation.

Group lauds UNIBEN VC on infrastructural devt

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—A GROUP of professionals under the aegis of Edo State Elites Force, yesterday, commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, for the prudent management of funds accruing to the university.

The group, in a statement by its chairman, Prince Salami Momodu, noted that peace and harmony returned to the university with the appointment of Prof. Oshodin, adding that “it was not surprising because we have seen the infrastructural development in the university which shows that funds are being utilized for the benefit of the institution.”

The group, after inspecting facilities in the university, said: “It is on record that the Vice Chancellor pays salaries on or before the 20th of every month.

He pays arrears and the academic and non-academic staff of the university are happy with his leadership."

BY FESTUS AHON

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VISIT: From left: Maj-Gen. Paul Omu (rtd), President-General, Isoko Development Union, IDU; Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, Secretary to Delta State Govenment, SSG, and Chief Solomon Ogba, Secretary, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, when the new executive of IDU paid a courtesy visit to the SSG in Asaba, yesterday. Photo: Nath Onojake.

Presidency: N-Delta activists urge North to wait till 2019

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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ARRI—HUMAN rights activists in the Niger Delta have advised the North to exercise patience till 2019 to retake power from the South.

The activists, in Warri, Delta State, said: “By 2019, President Goodluck Jonathan, who we have endorsed for a second term for equity to prevail in the country, would have completed his second tenure and the Presidency will then be open for them.”

Convener of the meeting, Mr. Austin Ozobo, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “The activists unanimously concluded that the

North should wait till 2019 after Jonathan’s second term would have elapsed, to wrest power, and there is no vacancy in the Presidency for now.

“The North has benefited more than the South in the Jonathan administration and we wonder why some of its leaders are not acknowledging his efforts. We are, indeed, surprised that despite the development strides and provision of amenities by the Jonathan administration in the North, compared to the South-South, South-East and South-West, some northern leaders are still not

grateful.”

The activists argued that no previous President was barred from contesting for a second tenure, saying, "so, it is Jonathan’s right likewise to run for a second term to fulfill his constitutional obligations.”

They said that those opposing Jonathan’s second term were threatening the peace of the country and should refrain from same.

“It is the position of people of the South-South and Niger Delta that whoever fights Jonathan does not mean well for southern Nigeria,” they added.

Oil firm alleges high-handedness by Customs ...wants Finance Minister to intervene

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N agricultural firm, The Okomu Oil Palm Company, Edo State, has appealed to Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to direct authorities of the Nigerian Customs Service to honour government’s circular on importation of agricultural equipment/machinery, which stipulates that importation of agricultural machinery and equipment into the country shall attract a zero per cent duty with effect from January 31, 2012.

In a letter to the minister, the firm lamented that customs officials in Apapa Port, Lagos, have refused to grant the requisite zero per cent import duty on the palm oil mill, such that containers belonging to the firm are currently detained for refusal to pay about N25 million importation

duties as requested by customs officials.

In the letter, the company’s Managing Director, Dr. Graham Hefer, said that the refusal to grant a zero per cent import duty by government, defeats the essence of importing agricultural machinery and equipment into the country.

Graham said his company decided to embark on the importation due to government assurrance which now suffers a setback as a result of the injustice meted out to him by the customs officials.

The agricultural firm, one of the largest in Edo State, is registered on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with plantations of oil palm, rubber

and processing facilities for both crops.

According to him, the company had just bought a 12,500 hectres of land to plant 10,000ha of oil palm in the next four years and has a staff strength of 5,000, about 15,000 local and international institutional and individual shareholders, who are aware of the government’s current investor friendly policy on agriculture and, ‘’as a result, are expecting the palm oil mill to be ready for commissioning by the Agriculture Minister on March 14, 2014,” despite assurances from the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Investment that the palm oil mill would attract zero per cent import duty.

G H E L L I — D E LTA State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Oil and Gas, has expressed concern over the state of facilities at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, Ekpan.

Chairman of the committee, Mr. Daniel Yingi, after a guided tour of facilities at the refining and petrochemical company, when the committee visited the company on familiarization tour, stressed the need for a total turn around maintenance to enhance productivity in the company.

Yingi said the visit was part of the oversight functions of the committee and urged the management to sustain its good relationship with host communities.

Similarly, a member of the committee, Edoja Akpodiete, described facilities at the WRPC as obsolete and appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent measures to replace them.

Edoja said that the growing need for refined petroleum products made it expedient for the Federal Government to make functional all refineries in the country for maximum production.

DESOPADEC commissioner hails Uduaghan on award

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HE commissioner representing Ndokwa on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Kenny Okolubgo, has felicitated with Delta State governor, Dr Emmanual Uduaghan on the conferment of the Man of the Year Award on him

by The Sun Newspaper, tomorrow.

In a statement, yesterday, Okolubgo said that the Man of the Year award by four national newspapers was a rare feat and a testimony of the governor's laudable achievements.

He also commended Vanguard Newspapers for for also acknowledging the leadership qualities of the governor.

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Court, lawmakers stall CGC election in Imo

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — THE proposed March 1, 2014, election into the Imo State Community Government Councils, CGC, has run into a hitch, following a court order restraining the governor and Imo State Independent Electoral Commission, ISIEC, from conducting the poll.

The National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri and presided over by Hon. Justice O. Anuwe also restrained the governor, ISIEC and agents of the state government, from further screening of aspirants for the said election.

Anuwe gave the order, following a motion for urgency brought by former ISIEC commissioners, Paul Ogujiofor, Kevin Agbaegbu, Louis Onwunali and Philip Onyenwoke, who were sacked by Governor Rochas Okorocha when he assumed duties.

NBA president charges members on rule of law

BY ERIC UGBOR

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BA NATIONAL President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Chief Okey Wali, has again called on members of the bar to stick to the rule of law and fight for the protection and fundamental human rights of the citizens to ensure the enthronement of an egalitarian society.

Wali, who gave the charge, yesterday, at Obehie, in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State during the inauguration of Ukwa branch of the NBA, told the members to always exhibit noble character in the discharge of their duties.

The NBA president, accompanied by the General Secretary, Mr. Emeka Okpokodu, called on the new branch to be vibrant and virile to meet the high expectations required of them.

No Igbo presidential candidate in 2015 —Gov Orji

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—ABIA State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has said Ndigbo would not field any presidential candidate in 2015.

According to Orji, any presidential hopeful from the South East geopolitical zone planning to challenge President Goodluck Jonathan will be embarking on a futile mission, as the zone is solidly behind the President.

The governor said this in Umuahia when he received a delegation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos branch, who were on a fact finding and courtesy visit to the state.

Orji said as long as President Jonathan would run for second

term in 2015, he remained best bet for Ndigbo and should, therefore, not be distracted.

However, Orji noted that there might be opportunistic aspirants who might join the race to bargain for positions but warned that it would not work for them in 2015.

“Any person who tries it will fail.

No person has any chance from this place, South East, as long as President Jonathan wants to run.

For us here in Abia, supporting the President is sacrosanct,” the governor said.

He condemned the activities of those who formed parallel organisations under sundry names, claiming to represent Igbo interest, warning that such activities tended to water down the strength

and integrity of the Igbo sociocultural group.

“Every reasonable Igbo man should be a member of Ohanaeze.

I am committed to supporting Ohanaeze now and forever,” Orji said.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of Ohanaeze Lagos and leader of the delegation, Chief Fabian Onwughalu, explained that the team was going round Igbo speaking states on a fact-

'...don't play politics with the killing of my son's aide'

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA — ABIA State Gov ernor, Chief Theodore Orji, has warned those playing politics with and trivialising the killing of the personal aide to his son, Chinedu, to stop doing so, describing the development as unfortunate.

The deceased, John Ndubuja, was shot and killed by yet-to-be-identified persons at a reception held in honour of the governor, last weekend, by Ikwuano and Umuahia people at the old Umuahia market.

Governor Orji, who gave the warning when he visited the family of the deceased, expressed regrets that people he described as detractors and never-do-wells were trivialising the death of the young man by insinuating that he was killed by INVESTITURE: From left, General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, Sokoto his (Orji’s) family.

Investment Company Limited, Mallam Usman Ahmad; Managing Director/ He wondered why any Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Bank Mr. Kunle Oyinloye; Acting Man- sane person would think he aging Director, Ebonyi State Investment Limited, Mrs. Esther Ajaero, and Ex- killed the son's aide whom ecutive Director, Infrastructure Bank, Mr. Taiwo Dauda, during the investiture he described as his blood of Mr. Oyinloye, as the new chairman of Association of Nigeria Development relation.

Finance Institution, in Lagos.

HAIRMAN OF Mushin local government council, Olatunde Adepitan, has described Community Development Association, CDA, as a catalyst for grassroots mobilisation and development.

Adepitan, who spoke at the inauguration of the newly

Visibly pained by the tragic death, Orji, who spoke almost in tears, condemned the politicisation and trivialisation of the death, saying he found it difficult to believe that people were trivialising the death of a promising young man with great potentials.

The governor announced that he had directed the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstance surrounding the shooting, promising not to interfere with the probe.

He warned that if any person was found culpable, the law would be visited on the person, irrespective of status.

Consoling the young wife, mother and other family members of the deceased, Governor Orji said: “May be many people don’t know the relationship between my family and this family. The young man is my brother, a blood brother.

“He is not somebody I picked from nowhere, he is my close blood brother."

Thugs destroy President Jonathan’s posters at Imo Airport

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI — PALPABLE shock and disbelief gripped loyalists of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and air travellers, yesterday, as suspected political thugs tore posters and pictures of President Goodluck Jonathan mounted at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Air-

port, Owerri.

People were equally shocked as the rampaging political thugs descended on and destroyed all the decorations on the perimeter fence of the airport, as well as the Presidential Lounge.

These strange events came as Imo people anxiously awaited the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan for the first time since

Chief Ikedi Ohakim vacated office as governor of the state.

Jonathan is scheduled to visit Owerri, this weekend, to, among other things, receive scores of Imo politicians dumping their respective political parties for the PDP. When Vanguard got wind of the incident and visited the scene, yesterday, the destroyed posters, pictures and decorations were

CDA, a catalyst for development, says Mushin LG boss

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finding mission to see how governments were performing.

He commended Governor Orji for the massive development he had unleashed on Abia State as manifested in legacy projects across the state.

Onwughalu urged the governor to ensure that whoever succeeded him would maintain the unbroken chain of development.

elected executive members of CDA, noted that through CDA, infrastructure needs of the community would be addressed, using leadership by example to mobilise the citizens to embark on projects that could improve the welfare of the residents.

In a statement by his infor-

mation officer, Akinyemi Olusegun, Adepitan said: “Only people with track records of achievement, dedication and accountability could have scaled the hurdle during the CDA election that took place some months back.”

He thanked members of the CDA for conducting themselves with maturity during the election and promised to support any community that embarked on projects with direct impact on citizens to complete such projects.

scattered in parts of the airport premises.

It was also gathered that the rampaging thugs, however, scampered into safety as stern looking security personnel arrived the scene.

Some workers and travellers who were found discussing the ugly event in groups, blamed the act of the political thugs on an alleged directive from an unnamed top government official.

Meanwhile, the state government has approved the use of Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex, Owerri, applied for by the PDP leadership.

Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, however, stated in a release that Governor Rochas Okorocha was yet to be properly informed of the President’s visit.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 39

PRESENTATION: From left: Corporate Affairs Adviser, Kufre Ekanem, Human Resources Director, Victor Famuyibo, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Uaboi Agbebaku, MD/CEO, Nicolaas Vervelde, all of Nigerian Breweries Plc and Vice Chancellor, Professor Juan Elegido, VISIT: Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Dean, School of Media and Communication, Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Registrar, Rosemary Okolo and Director, University Development, Frank Wiggle, all of Pan Atlantic University, NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo (left) and Founder/CEO, Abraaj Group, during the presentation of a cheque of one million dollars by Nigerian Breweries Plc to the UAE, during a visit to the NEPC boss in Abuja.

Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Pan Atlantic University.

BRIEFING: From left: Pastor Ejiro Kwapovwe, her husband and publisher of Our Daily Manna, ODM, Bishop, Chris Kwapovwe, Pastors Debbie and John Fair of Miracle Life Worldwide Ministries, Texas, USA, during a briefing on the just concluded annual anointing service in Lagos.

ANNIVERSARY: From left: Member, Lagos State Blood Transfussion Committee, Mrs. Sherifat Lawal, Phlebotomist, LSBTS, Oyewole Abolade and Chief Executive Officer, Chellarams Plc, Mr. Aditya Chellaram; during the blood donation camp, organised by Chellarams Plc with Rotary International Nigeria to mark Chellarams 90th anniversary in Lagos.

FESTIVAL: From Left: Life Patron, Olokun Festival Foundation, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Guest Speaker, Dr. Adepeju Bashua of Department of Religious Studies, Lagos State University, LASU, Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation/National Coordinator, OPC Worldwide, Otunba Gani Adams and Elebo of Oworonsonki Kingdom, HRM, Oba Bashiru Saliu, during the foundation's Grandmothers' Festival in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

FORUM: CEO and founder of Wecyclers, Mrs. Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola (middle), flanked by Vivian Nwomonoha, Sales Executive, e-Business (left) and Tolu Olatunji, Agent Network Officer, both of Stanbic IBTC, at a waste management awareness forum in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left: CEO, Nigel Parsons, COO, Lemi Olalekan, and Gbemiga Ogunleye, Deputy Director, News, all of TV Continental, at the briefing to mark its one year of existence in the broadcast industry in Lagos.

From left: Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Marion Akpata, Director, School of Music, MUSON and Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation, at the Valentine concert, organised by MUSON, at Onikan, Lagos.

From left: HOD, Agriculture, Mushin Local Government, Mrs. Mojisola Akinola, Chairman, Mushin Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Adepitan, Community Development Association, CDA Chairman, Alhaji Rasheed Agbolade and ViceChairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, at the inauguration of the CDA.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

20 opposition parties' leaders decamp to PDP in Bauchi

Kwankwaso signs N225bn 2014 budget into law

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BY SUZAN EDEH

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BAUCHI— TWENTY prominent politicians and their supporters in Zaki Local Government, yesterday, decamped from their different political parties including APC, APGA and PDM to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Receiving them at the local council secretariat, the Chairman, PDP at Zaki Local Government, Alhaji Umar Rodi said the defectors were former members of the party who had earlier, decamped to the opposition parties.

“I want to assure our new members that PDP welcomes them back into the fold. The party is also using this opportunity to appeal to our members who are still in the valley of indecision to make up their minds and return to where they belong. PDP is assuring that they will continue to be treated equally with other members.

“I also urge our members who have returned back to the fold to maintain support and work towards the success of the party in view of its popular policies and programs that uplift the people’s welfare,” he said.

Kogi Gets $1m Gate and Melinda Foundation health grant

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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OKOJA—THE Kogi State Government is to receive $1million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation to improve immunization as well as reduce maternal mortality in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Idris Omede made this known, yesterday, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Foundation pointing out that the grant followed impressive performance of the state in the fight to eradicate polio.

AWARD PRESENTATION—Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah (4th left), assisted by some Niger Delta groups' leaders, presenting an award to NAFDAC director, Mrs Preye Edotimi Olive (3rd left) at the Niger Delta Day celebration in Lagos.

ANO—GOVER NOR Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano on Wednesday, signed N225 billion 2014 budget into law as passed by the State House of Assembly.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the budget was reviewed by the House of Assembly from N219 billion to N225 billion.

Kwankwaso said that N71.1 billion of the budget was for recurrent expenditure while N154.2 billion was for capital expenditure.

He said that the executive would do its best to implement the budget as faithfully as possible.

Social injustice, cause of insecurity in N-East — Maitama Sule

BY SUZAN EDEH & IFUNANYA OKAFOR

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AUCHI—AN Elder states man and First Republic Minister of Mines and Power, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, has blamed the current security challenges facing the country, particularly in the North East, where Boko Haram insurgency has claimed thousands of lives, on social injustice.

Sule, who is the Danmasanin Kano spoke, yesterday, in Bauchi, Bauchi State, during a lecture to mark the 36th Anniversary of the Bauchi State Radio Corporation.

Speaking on the theme, "Nigeria’s Centenary Euphoria: A catalyst for a united Nigeria," he said the current crisis bedevilling the country was not new, as the country had been witnessing series of crises since its amalgamation in 1914.

This was even as renowned security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu has commended northern political leaders for supporting the war on the Boko Haram terrorists at last.

Ehkomu said that the support of northern political elite was necessary to create a synergy in the successful prosecution of the war against terror.

However, Alhaji Sule traced insecurity in the country to injustice inherited from the colonial masters by the country’s leadership.

According to him, the amalgamation of Nigeria was a blessing rather than a curse, stressing that the only solution to the current state of insecurity in the country was for the leaders to promote social justice to all irre-

spective of religion, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.

“As the situation is now, we should not point accusing fingers at anybody. The question we should ask ourselves is what is wrong and not who is wrong because in the past, we had so many crises and we were able to overcome them irrespective of our differences.

“I believe God brought us together for a purpose. We have to unite, love one another and live in peace. I have a feeling that Nigeria will not break up in spite of the current crisis,” he added.

Sule, therefore, appealed to the leaders to put their differences behind and come together to enable them work for the peace and development of the country through promotion of social justice.

“Our leaders should be leaders and not looters, they should be leaders who are compatriots and not leaders for a privileged few. They should not be leaders who will perpetuate themselves in office but leaders who will be elected by the people,” he further said.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, had observed that some politicians had turned politics into enterprises, adding that “ you cannot be a leader as well as a businessman, you must choose one. We must all work to bring a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in our region.

“Nobody will invest in a place where there is insecu-

rity, so we must work to salvage the situation because if the present trend in the North East continues, we will end up in starvation,” he said.

Meanwhile, reacting to the recent deadly attacks on Izge Community in Gwoza LGA and Kondugha town in Borno State that claimed over 200 lives, Ekhomu commended the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima for acknowledging that the Boko Haram attacks had reached a “state of war”.

Ekhomu, who is President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, AISSON, also praised the statement by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu that Boko Haram activities had gone beyond the traditional pattern of attacks and urged northern leaders to be “frank and refrain from partisanship” in discussing the issue.

2015: Waziri calls for selfless leadership

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

A

BUJA—FORMER Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri has called for selfless and patriotic leadership ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country.

He also said the leadership must be visionary and accountable to the people.

Waziri spoke at the 5th anniversary of the Press Gallery in Abuja in a paper entitled “Leadership and Nation Building in Nigeria".

Waziri noted that the call by some Nigerians for the convocation of a national conference and the emergence of regional groupings such as Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere among others were all indications of failure of leadership and sign that Ni-

geria was still a country of nationalities.

The former minister noted that the country also required strong leadership that could make Nigerians patriotic.

According to him, “when we are able to have strong, patriotic leadership supported by strong patriotic follower-ship coupled with a return to our core national values which emphasize discipline, honesty, hard work and respect for elders and fellow human beings, I have no doubts in my mind that Nigeria will be on the threshold to nation building.”

Waziri, however, regretted that the culture of "hard work, honesty, discipline, fairness and justice had been eroded because of excessive greed, materialism and quest for power at all cost which breeds absolute corruption."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 41

C M Y K

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 43

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C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 45

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

council, rather than allay the fears of government, further confirmed concern bout the untidy manner in which you have generally conducted the operations of the CBN.

Some of the salient observations arising from the review are:

HELO! IS THAT MY LAWYER? Sanusi at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, yesterday. Courtesy: Sahara Reporters

The many sins of Lamido Sanusi Continues from page 9 terest. And then, the financial infraction and act of financial recklessness committed by the CBN and reflected in its audited financial statement for 2012.

“The review by the “Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria rather than allay the fears of government further confirmed concerns about the untidy manner in which the affairs of the CBN were conducted.

“The question has also been raised on whether this has to do with the ongoing appearances in the National Assembly by the suspended CBN governor. I will like to state very clearly that this has nothing to do with that. I have given you the background so that you can see that this is the process.

“And indeed we look forward to a situation whereby Mr. Sanusi will continue to assist the legislature in their investigations and will continue to testify because what government is interested in really is transparency and accountability and anything that will further promote that objective is perfectly welcome,” he said.

Particulars of the infractions against Sanusi Persistent refusal and/ or negligence to comply with the Public Procurement Act in the procurement practices of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

(A) By virtue of Section 15 (1)(a) of the Public

Procurement Act, the provisions of the Act are expected to comply to ‘all procurement of goods, works and services carried out by the Federal Government of Nigeria and all procurement entities.’ This definition clearly includes the Central Bank of Nigeria.

(B) it is however regrettable that the Central Bank of Nigeria, under your leadership, has refused and/or neglected to comply with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA). You will recall that one of the primary reasons for the enactment of the PPA was the need to promote transparency, competitiveness, cost of effectiveness and professionalism in the public sector procurement system.

(C) available information indicates that the Central Bank has over the years engaged in procurement of goods, works and services worth billions of Naira each year without complying with the express provisions of the PPA. (D) by deliberately refusing to be bound by the provisions of the Act, the CBN has not only decided to act in an unlawful manner, but has also persisted in promoting a governance regime characterised by financial recklessness, waste and impunity, as demonstrated by the contents of its 2012 Financial Statements.

Unlawful expenditure by the Central Bank of Nigeria on ‘Intervention Projects’ across the coun-

try

(A) the unacceptable level of financial recklessness displayed by the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria is typified by the execution of ‘Intervention Projects’ across the country. From available information, the bank has either executed or is currently executing about 63 such projects across the country and has committed over N163billion on them.

(B) it is inexcusable and patently unlawful for any agency of government to deploy huge sums of money as the CBN has done in this case, without appropriation and outside CBN’s statutory mandate. It is trite that the expenditure of public funds by any organ of government must be based on clear legal mandates, prudent costing and overriding national interest.

Financial infractions and acts of financial recklessness committed by the Central Bank as reflected in its audited financial statements of 2012 (A) pursuant to Section 50 of the CBN Act 2007, a copy of the audited financial statements of the CBN for the year ended 31st December 2012 was sent to Mr. President.

Based on the issues raised in the financial statement, a reinsertion was requested from you to enable a proper appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook.

(B) the response to this query was further referred to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

The review by the

(A) in a most ironical manner, it has become obvious that the CBN is not able to prepare its financial statements using applicable International Financial Reporting Standards (IFFS) whereas Deposit Money Banks that the CBN is supervising have complied with this national requirement since 2012.

Undoubtedly, this laxity on the part of our apex bank, apart from calling to question its capacity for proper corporate governance, is capable of sending wrong signals to both domestic and international investors on the state of the Nigerian economy.

(B) the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the CBN and other Deposit Money Banks on Banking Resolution Sinking Fund have been breached in a material manner. For example, a Board of Trustees (BOT) to manage

the Fund has not been constituted since 2010 when it was established.

The CBN has however continued to utilise the Fund for certain operations without approval of the said BOT. (C) contrary to section 34 (b) of the CBN Act 2007 which provides that the CBN shall not, except as provided in Section 31 of the Act, inter alia, purchase the shares of any corporation of company, unless an entity set up by the approval or authority of the Federal Government,m CBN in 2010, acquired 7% shares of International Islamic Management Corporation of Malaysia to the tune of N0.743 billion. This transaction was neither brought to Mr. President’s attention nor was a board approval obtained before it was entered into.

(D) the CBN has failed or refused to implement the provisions of the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2007.

Accordingly the Pay-AsYou-Earn (PAYE) deductions of its staff are still being computed in accordance with the defunct Personal Income Tax Act 2004, thus effectively assisting its staff to evade tax despite the generous wage package in the CBN, relative to other sectors of the economy.

(E) the CBN had an

additional brought forward to General Reserve Fund of N16.031 billion in 2012 but proceeded on a voyage of indefensible expenses in 2012 characterised by inexplicable increases in some heads of expenditure during the year. Examples include: 1. The bank spent N3.086 billion on “promotional activities” in 2012 (up from N1.084 billion in 2011). The bank spent this sum even when it is not in competition with any other institution in Nigeria; 2. The CBN claimed to have expended N20.202 billion on ‘Legal and Professional Fees’ in 2011 beyond all reasonable standards of prudence and accountability; 3. Between expenses on ‘Private Guards’ and ‘Lunch for Policemen’, the CBN claimed to have spent N1.257 billion in 2012; 4. While Section 6(3)(c) of the CBN Act 2007 provides that the board of the CBN is to make recommendations to Mr. President on the rate of remuneration to Auditors, the bank has consistently observed this provision in breach and even went to the extent of changing one of the Joint External Auditors without notifying the office of the President.

I'll challenge my suspension in court — Sanusi cross check the powers Dr. Sarah Alade, whom he had been asked to

BY GABRIEL OMOH AGOS—REACT ING to his suspension yesterday, Mallam Lamido Sanusi said that he would have to approach the court for interpretation of the CBN Act relating to the power of the president to suspend him when he had no power to remove him from office.

Mr Sanusi who spoke to CNBC on the telephone yesterday morning said that his suspension did not come as a surprise, saying he was rather surprised that it had taken this long.

Reacting to the allegations of financial recklessness, the suspended Governor said that he was aware of the audit of the reporting council and that he had provided answers to all the questions and concerns that were raised.

“We all know what this is about. This is about consequences for decisions I have taken. This is something that is long overdue. I am surprised it took them so long”, he said. Mr Sanusi went further to say that he may have to

L

of the President to suspend a CBN Governor.

He said, “Even if I challenge it, I am not going back to the job, it will be in the interest of the institution to cross check once and for all if the President has the power to do this. The reason is if it’s not challenged, for now the next CBN Governors will not be independent for fear of being suspended by politicians. I do plan to have the courts confirm if indeed that authority exists and I will challenge it.”

When asked about the implications of his suspension on the market, Mr. Sanusi said, “Basically, my concern is for the safety of the market, I have had a wonderful time in service to my country. I would not want to see all of my work unravelled. No individual is worth it.”

Mr Sanusi said that he was in Niamey with other Governors of West African Central Banks to meet with the President of Niger and President of Ghana, when the information reached him.

He left the meeting to hand over to his deputy,

hand over to and who “fortunately” was with him in Niamey, capital city of Niger.

According to him, “there is a legal question on whether the president can suspend a CBN governor when he cannot remove him. The court need to interpret it whether the president can suspend the CBN governor, if not the next governor will not be independent”, he said.

Mallam Sanusi said that the news of his suspension was broken to him by the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger Republic and that he immediately handed over to Mrs. Serah Alade who was herself at the same conference in Niamey.

According to him, he was surprised that it took the government so long to suspend him and said he hoped the development did not affect the CBN and the economy, negatively.

Mallam Sanusi praised himself for “a good job” and that he would have no reason to return to the apex bank as according to him, “it’s a final good bye”.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014—47

I like it when men approach — Chelsea me Edogun Yes I did attend auditions, a lot of auditions. And it helped me a lot. I learnt so much from those auditions and those things I learnt are what kept me going till date.

By SAM ANOKAM

W

hat Chelsea Edogun started secretly has today blown open. She is one of the most sought after up and coming actress in tinsel town today.

The Edo State-born rising star who has featured in many movies since 2012 when she decided to go into the business of movie making professionally speaks of her sojourn in the industry among other sundry matters.

Tell us how you joined Nollywood I started acting in 2006 when I got admission into the university, though my acting then was only part time. But I started professional acting in 2012. I have always had passion for acting since I was a little girl.

But my parents were against it.

They wanted me to be a laboratory scientist. So I had no choice but to do what they wanted. But while in the university I started acting secretly for some years. My parents didn’t know about it.

After my education I came back professionally in 2012. No one introduced me into acting. I just knew I had the talent and I decided to show it to the world.

Did you attend auditions?

C M Y K

Continues on page 38

I grew up with my mum alone until I was 14. My dad travelled abroad when I was five years old and came back to Nigeria after nine years

I N S I DE:

How was growing up like?

My growing up wasn’t so easy because I grew up with my mum alone until I was 14. My dad travelled abroad when I was five years old and came back to Nigeria after nine years. I love my mum so much because she never gave up on me throughout those nine years. She gave me all the best. She is the best mum in the world.

How did you get your first movie role?

I featured in five scenes in my first ever movie role in 2006. It was directed by Morphy Stephens.

Night with KSA will be one to remember

FACEBOOK snaps up WhatsApp in $19bn deal

48—Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

I know my beauty can sell a movie envious of her friend, she is actually two-faced. She pretends to be a friend but she is actually the enemy. I like the role because it’s unique. I’m sure this glamour movie is going to be one of the biggest in 2014 because it’s so different from other glamour films.

It feels great to be part of it.

Have you ever been harassed sexually in Nollywood?

No, I haven’t been harassed sexually but that doesn’t mean no man in Nollywood has approached me. I feel it’s a normal thing. In fact, I like it when men approach me. It makes me feel that I’m still a woman.

What are the best parts of your body, as in your selling point?

Well I love every part of my body because I believe and I know my beauty can sell a movie, but my selling point is my boobs.

What do you wish could be changed in Nollywood?

I wish the concept should be changed because 99% of Nollywood movies have the same concept. I think we should work on bringing out new concepts different from the usual Nollywood concept.

Continues frompage 37 Though it was five scenes, it meant so much to me at that time.

How many movies have you featured?

Since 2012 till date I have acted in over 15 movies. Some of them include, Body Odour 1&2, Before Christmas 1&2, After Christmas 1&2, among many others.

More will soon be out.

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m working on a glamour movie right now titled ‘Bloomsberry Hotel’ being produced by Lawrence Lurrenz Onuzulike. I am playing the role of Bella in the movie. Bella is a girl that is

Can you act nude?

Act nude? Well I think I can act nude for one billion pounds, Of course anyone would go crazy for that amount.

What else do you do apart from acting?

I am into business. I import shoes and clothes, strictly ladies.

Any word of advice for up and coming actors?

Up and coming actors should believe in themselves and always bring out the best in anything they do. We all know nothing good comes easy, so they should never give up.

Night with KSA will be one to remember — D’Banj

K

OKO MASTER and talented entertainer, Adedapo Oyebanjo, D’ banj has stated that the forthcoming Glo Evergreen Series, the KSA edition will be a night of fun, glamour and endless entertainment.

D’banj who will entertain the crowd in collaboration with juju maestro, King Sunny Ade and saxophone specialist, Yemi Sax stated that the night will provide music lovers the opportunity of seeing one of the best synergies between a music legend and younger artistes.

“We will not only play the best of our hot tunes but also collaborate on stage with the maestro, KSA to entertain the audience and take them down memory lane with his evergreen songs. It will be a night to remember ”?, said Dbanj.

This edition of Glo Evergreen Series is dedicated to King Sunny Ade, the music maestro and legendary composer for his consistency in the past 50 years and contribution to the juju music genre.

The last edition honoured Chief Ebenezer Obey, one of Africa’s biggest juju music legends in “a night of fun, glamour, glitz and good music” on 28th of September, 2013.

Chief Obey in collaboration with M.I and Yemi Sax thrilled the audience comprising captains of industries, top government officials and Globacom’s premium subscribers.

National Telecoms Operator, Globacom is partnering with reputable brewers, Guinness Plc as well as Nigeria’s leading airline, Arik Air to package the KSA edition of Glo Evergreen series, a special music concert in honour of Nigerian Music Legends who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the nation’s music industry for decades.?

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 49

50 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Vanguard CLASSIFIED MARIAGORETTI— I, formerly known and addressed as Ofili Oby Mariagoretti, now wish to be known and addressed as Ofili Oby Manda. All former documents bearing Mariagoretti remain valid. General public please take note.

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 — 51

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CBN Junior tennis takes centre stage T

HE CBN Junior T e n n i s Championship will take place from February 24 to March 1.

The tournament will take place at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and will be open to boys and girls under 18 years of age.

The main goal of the event is unearth young tennis talents and nurture their development.

The tournament will also serve as a feeder to the senior championships.

“The management of the bank has noted with satisfaction the steady development and

success recorded by the championship” said CBN representative Mrs Odesa Ogunmola.

“At the African Zonal Championships in Abuja last year featuring competitions in the boys and girls U-12, 14 and 16 categories, Nigeria won all the titles, except one, in doubles and singles.”

The tournament is a great opportunity for youngsters to showcase their skills as some player on the Junior Tennis Circuit have earned scholarships to universities in the United States, Netherlands and South Africa.

Dike undergoes surgery

N

IGERIA striker, Bright Dike, has expressed appreciation for the “many kinds words” he has received after undergoing surgery on his injured Achilles.

The 27-year-old wrote on microblogging social media network Twitter that the “surgery went well.”

“Surgery went well I’m blessed to receive so many kind words. I thank God for the people around me. Now I’m passing out for at least 10 hours,” Dike wrote via his Twitter handle on Thursday.

Already reports suggest that the former Portland Timbers man

has been ruled out of the Major League Soccer (MLS) for the rest of the season as well as the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil billed to kick off in June.

But Nigeria manager, Stephen Keshi, has refused to rule out the burly striker until he gets “the real facts of the matter.”

Kwambe

minutes at right-back and didn’t do anything to improve his stock”, The Province, Vancouver newspaper, described the Nigerian’s latest performance against Seattle Sounders. “It’s hard to see him beating out Sampson, the toughtackling South African, to backup Steven Beitashour.”

The competition between Kwambe and Sampson has also been confirmed by total-mls.com journalist, Seth Macomber, who also had some good words to say about Kwambe, although they sound rather diplomatic. “From what I can gather, Solomon Kwambe and African PDL player Ethen Sampson are in a heated competition to earn a roster spot”, Macomber told All Nigeria Soccer.

“Kwambe has gotten some solid minutes and has looked good going forward.”

*Continued from BP deal with South African defender, Ethen Sampson.

The Sunshine Stars right-back has been on trial at Whitecaps since the conclusion of the recent CHAN tournament and, along with Sampson, he’s been given some minutes in the pre-season games by the club in order to choose an understudy to first-choice Steven B e i t a s h o u r .

Unfortunately, Sampson - 19-year-old captain of South Africa’s secondtier outfit ASD Cape Town - is reported to have a bigger chance of earning the deal, as coach Carl Robinson has been impressed with the player ’s tackling abilities.

“Trialist Solomon Kwambe, a Nigeria international, played 45

Emenike *Continued from BP Unfortunately transport delays made it impossible for him to return early enough for Wednesday’s training session in Turkey.

Fenerbahce then decided to organize a

•Junior tennis player.

Ideye sure of Brazil

D

YNAMO Kyiv attacker, Brown Ideye insists he has no fear about making Nigeria’s final 23-man squad to the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in special training session only for Emenike. This underscores how much everybody counts on the powerful forward to deliver.

It is not surprising though.

Without Emenike in the last 3 games, Fenerbahce won only one and lost in two others.

The club’s advantage over second placed Besiktas dropped to 5 points and championship title for Yellow Canaries is not as sure, as it was several weeks ago.

Everyone in Fenerbahce wants Emenike fully healthy and ready ahead of Monday ’s clash against Elazigspor.

Belgium *Continued from BP player didn’t meet the basic requirement of having the residence permit, which is granted to people living in Belgium for at least three years. However, this period can be reduced in emergency situations and it could be the case with the 20year-old striker.

Local newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws report that, after Stephen Keshi’s move for

Brazil.

Ideye was recently left out of the Nigerian squad to face Mexico in an international friendly in Atlanta in March but the attacker believes his place in the final squad to Brazil is not under threat.

Unconfirmed reports claim Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi may be set to hand a recall to Stoke City striker, Peter Odemwingie who has not played for the Super Eagles since February 29, 2012.

Unheralded but prodigious talent like Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo have recently been called up to the squad increasing competition for shirts in the Nigeria squad but Ideye is calm about his prospects.

Ezekiel, Belgian FA have requested for a speedy process of naturalization of the player and that Belgian parliament was expected to review the situation yesterday. Even if he plays against Mexico, Ezekiel would still be available for Belgium under new FIFA rules as the next month’s match in Atlanta will be only a friendly. The player himself said in the past he would prefer to play for Nigeria, although it’s unclear why it took so long from Keshi to callup the forward.

52 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

Mind your business

Wenger rebukes Robben over penalty A

•Fabr egas slams Mourinho

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ESC Fabregas has hit back at Jose Mourinho, telling the Chelsea boss to ‘mind his own business’ after his criticism of the current Barcelona team.

Mourinho claimed the current Barca side is the “ worst in many, many years” ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Manchester City in midweek.

“He should talk about Chelsea and their tie,” said Fabregas. “I don’t think he should talk about anything else. It is not his business.

“If we have to get motivated by Mourinho’s comments, we shouldn’t play football. We are top of the table, in the cup final, in a good moment in the Champions League.

“Some people want us to fail all the time, some people have been talking a bit too much, for a few days they will have to shut up.”

•Robben jumps as Szesny watches.

Guardiola hails ‘super’ Bayern

P

EP Guardiola admits he was “so happy” to see Bayern Munich beat Arsenal 20 after losing on his two previous visits to Emirates Stadium.

“Last year, Bayern had a better result and this year it is super, we are so happy,” he told Sky Sports.

“The last two times I came here with Barcelona, we played amazing and we didn’t win so I know how

Ochie wheelchair basketball

•Guardiola difficult it is to win here.

“I accept, we played 10 against 11 so it’s easier that way and the red card was clear.”

“When you see the second half and you see nine players in the box, it is not easy,” he added.

“It’s important that we controlled so well in this situation and we played with patience and found the goal.”

Pellegrini faces UEFA probe

U

We want Government support — Benin team

BY INNOCENT IDAMA

T

HE Wheelchair Bas ketball team from the Republic of Benin participating in the Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball tournament have said they want the recognition and support of their government back home after winning their second game in the tournament yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Surelere, Lagos.

Their performance in the tournament, brings hope to the team as they believe with more support and adequate preparation, they can win tournaments in future.

The team lost their first match to Oyo 37-10 but recorded wins against W/ hope 14-6 and Abia 19-3 but it was not enough to

qualify them for the semi-final of the tournament.

Speaking to Sports Vanguard, Demba Perfect said” we want to keep on working hard and improving as a team to show our government that they have to help us to be better and do well in future competitions”.

No dwelling on loss — Mertesacker

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•Mertesacker

RSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has accused Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben of exaggerating the contact that led to a crucial first-half penalty in Wednesday night’s Champions League firstleg tie.

“It killed the game,” said the Arsenal boss.

“These rules are different in every country. In Italy, they send off for these kind of fouls. “Our keeper went genuinely for the ball.

He touched Robben, who certainly made more of it. I told him (Robben) afterwards.

“Wojciech misjudged the situation but there was no clear desire to make a foul, he misjudged the ball.

“Robben has enough experience to know to make more of it. Overall, I felt Bayern made more of every single contact and we are not used to it in England.

“The fouls that were given are not given in the Premier League, but we have to get used to it and accept it."

ER Mertesacker has warned Arsenal must “switch off ” from the frustration and disappointment of their Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich to avoid losing ground in the domestic title race.

“We will concentrate on Saturday now, because we are going through a period with a lot of games,” German centreback Mertesacker said.

“We will switch off from the Champions League now, and then switch on again (for the Premier League) on Saturday.

“We need that because we have played a lot of games. Our team has great spirit and will come back from this.

“The next tie against Bayern is not now for a few weeks, so a couple of days before that game we will (think about it)."

EFA has revealed it will investigate Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s comments following Tuesday’s home defeat to Barcelona.

In a statement, the governing body said: “UEFA has mandated a disciplinary inspector to commence an investigation concerning the press interviews given by the Manchester City FC head coach Manuel Luis Pellegrini to media after the match against Barcelona.

“Based on the outcome of this investigation, a decision will be taken on whether disciplinary proceedings will be opened.”

After the match, which was secured by a 90thminute goal from full-back Dani Alves, Pellegrini said: “From the beginning I felt the referee was not impartial to both teams.

“I think it was not a good idea to put a referee from Sweden in charge of such an important match, especially a referee who has made an important mistake against Barcelona in a previous match."

Milan can win in Madrid — Kaka

•Kaka and Balotelli

K

AKA insists AC Milan will travel to Atletico Madrid next month with optimism, despite suffering a 1-0 first-leg defeat.

“We had chances to score and I don’t like to talk about being unlucky, we need to be more precise,” said Kaka.

“The only thing we were missing was the goal, we played well and we prepared well but it was Atletico who scored in the final minutes.

“I’m optimistic after what I saw.

“We’ll try and play our game in Madrid. It’s not the result that we were after but we have time to improve and to learn from this match.”

Simeone salutes Atletico

•Simeone

D

IEGO Simeone be lieves Atletico Madrid played an ‘intelligent game’ as they edged out AC Milan at the San Siro.

“We knew we were going to face an intense Milan side, especially in the first half. In the first half we lost too many balls in midfield and suffered a little.

We didn’t play with the right tempo. “In the second half we changed, we blocked (Mario) Balotelli and Kaka better and we started to control midfield.

“We kept ourselves in the game and the goal we scored allowed us to get the result we were hoping for.

We took advantage of the moment we created. I think in the second half we played an intelligent game.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 53

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54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014— — 55

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VANGUARD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014

8-page bumper pull-out inside

Belgium threaten Nigeria on Ezekiel I

MOH Ezekiel, who received his first Nigeria call-up for the Mexico game, is still wanted by Belgian Federation. Belgian press reported that the forward could obtain the country ’s passport through a speedy process.

The Belgian FA have been trying hard to make Ezekiel - who has scored 26 league goals for Standard Liege since joining the club in February 2012 available for Red Devils national team. The first application for the passport has been already submitted to the Belgian parliament, but it met a refusal as the •Continues on Page 51

Kwambe may lose MLS deal to South African

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I G E R I A’ S S o l o m o n Kwambe, currently on trial at MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, will soon find out whether the Canadian team will sign him. He is reported to fight for a •Continues on Page 51

•Ezekiel

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MMANUEL Emenike is already fit after picking a minor injury, which excluded him from his club’s last 3 league games.

Nigerian striker had a personal tragedy, as he lost his sister-in-law recently.

He was permitted by the club to attend to the funeral in Lagos.

•Continues on Page 51

Flamingoes depart for Portugal

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I G E R I A’ S national U17 women’s team, the Flamingoes, will depart on a training tour to Portugal today.

A delegation of the

team made up 25 players and nine officials are expected to embark on the trip.

They will spend three weeks in Faro training before heading to Costa

Sudoku TODAY'S

Special training for Emenike in Turkey

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

Rica for the World Cup. Nigeria is placed in Group D alongside Mexico, Colombia and China People’s Republic.

•Emenike

QUICK CROSSWORD Across 1 Oppose (6) 5 Atelier (6) 9 Flavour (5) 10 Annul (6) 11 Evoke (6) 12 Pattern (5) 14 Finished (4) 17 Sleep (3) 18 Method (4) 20 Jockey (5) 22 Cap (5) 23 Swooned (7) 24 Passage (5) 26 Challenged (5) 29 Just (4) 30 Fish (3) 32 Entire (4) 33 Foot-lever (5) 35 Spoil (6) 36 Language (6) 37 Organ (5) 38 Spirit (6) 39 Blush (6)

Down 1 Clergyman (6) 2 Transgressed (6) 3 Staunch (4) 4 Claw (5) 5 Precipitous (5) 6 Inform (4) 7 Physician (6) 8 Start (6) 13 Discouraged (7) 15 Instrument (5) 16 Allude (5) 18 Decoration (5) 19 Dissuade (5) 21 Beam (3) 22 Couch (3) 24 Assert (6) 25 Shellfish (6) 27 Rough (6) 28 Debase (6) 30 Weird (5) 31 Subsequently (5) 33 Tablet (4) 34 Learning (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS Across: 4, Verse 7, Asleep 9, Bar 10, Wad 12, Sober 13, Thus 15, Ceded 17, Rattle 19, Even 20, Scene 22, Eat 24, Dangled 27, Lea 28, Arena 31, Stop 33, Atomic 35, Alter 37, Plus 38, Cable 39, Dam 41, End 42, Lotion 43, Start.

Down: 1, Cactus 2, Allure 3, New 4, Vase 5, Erode 6, Skeleton 8, Pact 11, Delegated 14, Sand 16, Deal 18, Teal 21, Contract 23, Team 25, Neat 26, Drip 29, Eclair 30, Assent 32, Paler 34, Oral 36, Lent 40, Mob.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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