Two terror suspectsarrested in Lagos

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61844

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Prophet Obadare, WOSEM founder •P.11 dies at 83

Zenith Bank in London

GROUP Managing Director/Chief Executive, Zenith Bank Plc., Godwin Emefiele and Head, Primary Market, London Stock Exc h a n g e , Alastair Walmsley at the Listing of the bank’s Global Depository Receipts (GDR) in London, United Kingdom, yesterday.

Two terror suspects arrested in Lagos

BY EVELYN USMAN, UJU MBANUSI & IFEANYI OKOLIE, WITH AGENCY REPORT

•One Chadian, another suspect flown to Abuja L •AK 47 riffles, explosives recovered from hideout •Location close to major oil tank firms •Boko Haram warns against forceful release of captives

AGOS — T H E R E were indications, yesterday, that the Boko Haram sect might have infiltrated Lagos State, following raid of a building in Ijora Badia area of Lagos, suspected to have been used as a hideout by the suspected terror

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

ADISA ADELEYE —P.47

DONU KOGBARA •P.17

Mr & Mrs

TERROR ABODE—Residents at the building used as hideout by the suspects at Ijora, Lagos.

NGF: Presidency weighs options to woo more govs against Amaechi •P.14

Kano blast meant to cause another civil war, say Emir of Kano, NLC •P.9

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

RECEPTION—From left: Tunde Fadahunsi, Prof. Rahamon A. Bello, vice chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG); Prof. Babajide Alo, DVC, Academic and Research, UNILAG; Chief Lugard Aimiuwu, former national president, UNILAG Alumni Association; Prof. Duro Oni, DVC, Management Services, UNILAG at the institution's golden jubilee alumni reception.

Two terror suspects arrested in Lagos Continues from page 1 ists.

This came as the Islamist group holding the French family of seven in Nigeria has warned against any attempt to use force to free their hostages who were kidnapped in northern Cameroon last month.

Arrested in the Lagos building were two persons; a Chadian simply identified as Aminu and another man from the northern part of the country whose identity could not be ascertained.

Recovered at the end of the raid carried out by a combined team of

LIFEWORDS

Operation Messa, OP MESSA and personnel of the Department of State Security, DSS were AK 47 riffles and some explosives said to have been hidden inside the ceiling.

Vanguard gathered that the operatives stormed the building following information on a terror network coordinated by Iranians in Lagos.

BY PASTOR ITUAH

RELIGION is like a blind man looking into a black room for a black cat that isn’t there and finding it — Oscar Wilde.

What we want is a relationship with God.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

I

T isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it —Dale Carnegie Anthony De Mello wrote that happiness is our natural state. Happiness is the natural state of little children, to whom the kingdom belongs until they have been polluted and contaminated by the follies of society and culture. To acquire happiness you don’t have to do anything, because happiness cannot be acquired. Does anybody know why? Because we have it already. How can you acquire what you already have? Then why don’t you experience it? Because you’ve got to drop something.

You’ve got to drop illusions. You don’t have to add anything in order to be happy; Life is easy, life is delightful. It’s only hard on your illusions, your ambitions, your cravings. Do you know where these things come from? From having identified with all kinds of labels- Abraham Lincoln sums it aptly: “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Suspects whisked to Abuja The suspects were said to have been immediately whisked into the operatives' van which headed straight to the airport, enroute Abuja.

Investigation revealed that the suspects moved into the building located on 24 Oyegbemi Street last month. Their movement reportedly aroused suspicion from residents of the area who alerted security operatives.

Residents of the area told Vanguard that the operatives stormed the building, a bungalow at about 6am and arrested the Chadian, Aminu.

They reportedly came again at noon. “This time, they went round the entire vicinity and arrested some other persons”, a resident said.

The suspects as gathered, occupied three rooms in the building.

“But we became suspicious following unusual movements in and around the building, with most of the visitors carrying bags. As you can see, the building is located close to this drainage and with the location of the place, nobody was sure of what they were into, until today (yesterday)”, another resident said.

Five major oil companies' tank farms are located around the area.

The oil companies are; AGIP, AP, Conoil, Oando and NICO.

Reports also had it that eight other persons were arrested, among whom were two soldiers and six civilians.

Although some of those arrested reportedly tried to explain that they knew nothing about the recovered explosives, the officials were said to have replied that their claim would be determined at the end of investigation.

Contacted, spokesman for 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Kingsley Umoh, confirmed the raid but did not state whether the suspects were members of the Boko Haram sect.

He explained that similar raids were also carried out in other volatile areas of the state, adding that yesterday’s raid was carried out following a tip-off.

He said: “The OP Mesa as you know, is a joint security body which carried out its routine raids yesterday and made some arrests.

“The raids were simply part of those carried out everyday based on information at our disposal.

The raids give the public confidence that security bodies are working.

“It is the way the OP Mesa was designed and once our sources give us tips, we swing into action”, he said, advising Lagosians to go about their legal businesses without fear.

He could also not confirm whether explosives were recovered during the raid.

Lagos State Director, DSS, Achu Olayi, confirmed the raid but added that it was too soon to say if the suspects were Boko Haram members or not. He could also not disclose the type of ammunition recovered during the raid.

Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide when contacted, said she was not aware of any raid carried out by policemen from either of the divisions yesterday.

Also, the monarch of the area, Oba Fatai Ojora, who reacted to the incident said he had begun investigation to ascertain the identity of the owner of the house.

When news of the arrest filtered round, residents panicked, with some of them making effort to flee the environment, for fear of possible explosion.

Boko Haram warns against rescue of French hostages

M

EANWHILE, the Islamist group holding the French family of seven in Nigeria has warned against any attempt to use force to free their hostages.

Mr. Tanguy MoulinFournier was kidnapped along with his wife, four children aged between five and 12, and brother on February 19, while vacationing in northern Cameroon.

In the video, released from an undisclosed location in Nigeria, the

spokesman of Boko Haram, Imam Abu Muhammad Ibn Muhammad Abubakar Ash Shekawi, also known as Abubakar Shekau, warned against any attempt to use force to free their captives.

The video recording distributed to the media, yesterday, showed Moulin-Fournier making the previous demands by Boko Haram for the release of their members held as prisoners in Cameroon and Nigeria. Specifically, the

group demanded the release of wives and children of members supposedly arrested in Nigeria as well as members of the group they claimed to have been detained in Cameroon.

No fewer than seven construction workers seized in Bauchi State were reported by one of the militant groups to have been killed earlier this month when the group suspected that there was attempt by the government to rescue them.

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Court sends five to prison over assault on LASTMA officials

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — THE Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting at Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, sentenced five of the 12 persons arraigned for attacking and assaulting officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, at Empire Junction, to 150 days imprisonment each without an option of fine.

Though 12 people allegedly committed the offence, seven were arrested while five are at large. Those arraigned include Ejike Obuke, Amos Philips, Eyo Edem, Abrah Sunday, Daniel Obigwe, Destiny Koseide and Ramsey Akpan.

They were charged with unlawful obstruction of official duties, assaulting the trio of Jimoh Yusuf, Ojabodu Jaiyeola and Adenuga Yusuf as well as breach of public peace.

Two of the suspects, Philip and Obigwe, pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail by Magistrate Jade Adeyemi in the sum of N100, 00 each with two sureties each in the like sum, who must be gainfully employed with proof of evidence for seven years. The case was adjourned till 18th April, 2013.

...jails 2 for stealing planks

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — AN Abeokuta Magistrates Court sitting in Isabo, yesterday, sentenced a teenager, Kazeem Oluwole, and his friend, Ahmed Sabitu, 22, to two years imprisonment for stealing planks worth N40,000 in Lafenwa sawmill, Abeokuta.

The Police prosecutor, Augustine Ozimini told the court that Sabitu and Oluwole were arrested by police after committing the offence on March 3,2013 at about 10 p.m.

According to him, they were arraigned on two-count charge for stealing planks at the Sawmill and assault on the guard on duty, one Seun Ojelabi, who sighted and accosted them while they were stealing the planks.

“They were apprehended by the police when the guard identified them as some of the touts who constitute nuisance around the Sawmill area," he said

Police unravel celebrated Abia gang-rape case Say suspects are cousins of victim's husband Incident took place outside Abia varsity premises

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — THE Police in Rivers State, yesterday, said they had unravelled the celebrated gang-rape case which allegedly took place at the Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu.

According to the police the incident actually took place in Obite town in Etche Council Area of Rivers State. The victim was also found to be married while the suspects are her husband’s cousins.

The investigation was prompted by a social media record of an incident where four men gang-raped a girl allegedly at ABSU. According to the Police, three of the suspects have been charged to Magistrate Court 9, Port Harcourt.

The information was contained in the Nigeria Police newspaper, The Dawn, of March 11-24, 2013 edition.

According to the report, detectives from the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department, working on intelligence report on September 7, 2012, traced the husband of the victim code-named Mr. S from Obite town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The report said Mr. S confirmed that the victim was his wife and that the perpetrators of the act were from his community.

The report said “after painstakingly tracing the identity of the suspects, it led to their arrest. They are Uchenna Ukulor, Chizoba Nwosu and Nwazuo Nmezi, while the fourth person is on the run.”

In the report, the police were quoted as saying that the suspects and the husband of the

victim were invited and the video clip was played for them which clearly established that three of them with another at large committed the crime.

The suspects, the report further said, are cousins to the husband of the victim.

Abia govt lauds Police Abia State Government, which put up spirited denial of the incident when it was linked to

A vehicle burning at City Gate along Airport Road in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

INTRA COMMUNAL CLASH:

Death toll rises to five, Baale's houses, 9 others razed

BY BOSE ADELAJA

L

AGOS — THE intracommunal clash which took place in Bayeku area of Ikorodu, Wednesday, has entered the second day , with no fewer than 10 buildings razed while two more corpses were discovered, bringing the death toll to five.

The incident which began midnight on Bayeku road escalated to the inward parts of the town as the hoodlums were said to have defied the presence of law enforcement agents who mount surveillance in the area.

Some of the burnt buildings include that of the Baale of Bayeku.

The incident paralysed commercial activities in the area as schools recorded low attendance while shops and offices remained closed.

Many residents including the Baale of Bayeku have fled the community.

When Vanguard visited the scene, yesterday, some hoodlums were seen discussing in groups although some of them threatened fire and brimstone.

its university, reacted happily to the report, saying it has been vindicated.

According to Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, detractors of the state were behind the castigation of the state after watching the rape case on the social media, and commended the police for doing a good work to unravel where the incident actually took place.

Emezue also lashed at some members of the National Assembly “ who never investigated the matter and jumped into conclusion.”

Also, Policemen were on ground to maintain order.

A source hinted that the clash started about three months ago

when one Oriyomi was killed by some gun men while the ongoing clash was a reprisal attack by his loyalists.

Cult war claims 2, unsettles Ikwerre community

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT — AT least two persons have been allegedly killed and several others injured as supremacy battle between Debam and Dewell confraternities escalated in Omuawa community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The cult war reportedly started, Tuesday, with the warring factions using guns and other dangerous weapons, forcing exodus of innocent community folks to neighbouring communities. Several were said to have been severely injured in the raging cult war.

Kelvin Amadi, one of the community residents displaced

by the cult clash lamented lack of government and police concern in the current situation.

He said: “We had to desert our homes for our safety. Even the police are not able to bring it under control. Cult mercenaries from the city have even joined to support their respective groups as the battle gets hotter in Omuawa.”

Jude Elendu, another resident appealed to “government to act fast, adding that lives of several innocent persons unconnected with the war are at risk.”

One of the leaders of the Degbam faction simply identified as Philip, a.k.a Naked Wire was quoted to have described the clash as normal.

Rivers Police Public Relations

Teenager in court over alleged rape

L

AGOS — A TEENAGER, Tobi Oyeniyi, who allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl, was yesterday charged before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

Oyeniyi, 19, who resides at 116, Lagos St, Ebute Meta, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Richard Odigie, told the court that the alleged crime was committed on March 13, at about 10:30 p.m. at 113, Okobaba Sawmill, Ebute Meta.

He said the defendant and the victim attend the same church, where the defendant is a drummer and the complainant a chorister.

According to the prosecutor, on the day of the incident, the faithful had a vigil in the church, but the defendant told the victim to escort him to buy something.

He said the defendant and a friend, now at large, deceived the victim, blindfolded her and carried her to the sawmill.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—7

30 die as another boat capsizes off Gabon A

T least 30 people died when their boat capsized off the Gabonese capital, Libreville, AFP journalists and rescue workers said yesterday on the latest disaster off the west African coast.

Police said the boat, which was carrying 65 people thought to be illegal immigrants, capsized in stormy weather overnight as it was travelling from Nigeria to Libreville.

AFP journalists counted 30 bodies lying along the shore, with the boat still visible in the waters of Cape Esterias, which lies about 40 kilometres north of Libreville.

A gendarme who requested anonymity said there were at least eight survivors among the passengers thought to be illegal immigrants from Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso.

Last week, an overloaded boat carrying an estimated 128 people sank off Nigeria’s

southern coast. An emergency official said yesterday that 29 people have so far been rescued, but that the search for survivors is still ongoing.

Gabon, a small oil-rich nation with a population of 1.5 million, is an attractive destination for illegal

immigrants who go there in search of work.

They often reach Gabon by road through Cameroon or by sea from Nigeria or Benin.

The boats they travel in are often overloaded, however, making them an extreme hazard to travel in.

A roof of a church at Omu-Aran, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State damaged by rain storm, Wednesday.

How I was used by fraudster to swindle my in-law of N12.3m —Journalist

I

KEJA — A FEMALE journalist, Ms Emike Ukhuedobah, yesterday, told an Ikeja High Court how she was used by a convicted fraudster, Ikechukwu Ogbu, to swindle her in-law of N12.3 million.

Ukhuedoba, an Abuja-based journalist, said the scam was orchestrated by Ogbu, 46, from inside his cell in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos, where he was serving a jail term for fraud related offences.

Reports said the witness was testifying at the resumed trial of Ogbu before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

Ogbu is being prosecuted alongside John Chinonso and Chuks Ibebagwu, whom the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged conspired with him to commit the fraud.

The three defendants were arraigned on March 24, 2011 on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

Ukhuedoba, who was led in evidence by the EFCC counsel, Mr Kayode Oni, said Ogbu used her as a bait to swindle her inlaw, Mr Pat Enechukwu, of the money in May 2009.

She said Ogbu, who was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 2008, had placed an advertorial in the love links page of Vanguard Newspapers of March 7, 2009.

Ukhuedoba said: “In the advert, he claimed that he was Prince Eze, 46, from Anambra State, living in Lagos and urgently needed a working class business lady between 39 and 45 years to

marry.

“I wanted to go out of my domain and I was looking for friendship. I had a friend who did it and she is happily married till today. I said let me try and that was why I contacted him.”

The witness said when she got to Lagos, she called Ogbu who told her that he was being detained in Kirikiri Prison by the EFCC over a matter relating to money laundering.

According to her, when she got there, she was treated well by the

prison warders, which gave her the impression that Ogbu was an influential person.

The witness said she informed Ogbu that she had a son from a prior relationship and they became friends.

“After sometime, he told me that one of his partners from the United States of America wanted to send him money.

“He said he was afraid of lodging the money in his own account for fear that it could be seized."

Man jailed 7 years for kidnapping 11-month-old baby

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — AN Ogun State High Court sitting in Isabo has sentenced Akinsoji Goyea,36, to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine for kidnapping 11 months old baby in Abeokuta.

A Police Officer, Abiodun Olurebi, told the court that the matter was reported to him on August 24, 2010 which prompted the arrest of the suspect.

He said his investigation had shown that the suspect stole the baby belonging to Mr and Mrs Moshood Lawal of 4, Ajegunle Street, Mile 2 area, Rounder, Abeokuta.

Olurebi said further that the suspect willingly admitted guilt of stealing the baby who was later suffocated to death in the course of the kidnapping.

“He claimed to have taken the

baby away in his arm before putting him in a sack through the window while his parents were in the sitting room.

“He also admitted that the baby died due to suffocation when he was taking him to Lagos to sell to a standby buyer.

“Goyea also said in his statement that he took the remains of the baby to one Baba Vero in Ikoyi, who told him he needed blood of a baby for ritual purpose.

“He told us that he took the baby to Baba Vero in an uncompleted building in Ikoyi area of Lagos.

And that he was only paid N40,000 of the N300,000 agreed upon, “ the police told the court.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Omolori Osinbajo, who called other witnesses, including parents of the victim, tendered series of evidences and the statement made by the suspects to the court.

Ex-militants bomb another crude oil pipeline in Delta

BY EMMA AMAIZE

U

GHELLI — SUSPECTED third phase ex-militants, who had been on the rampage for about three weeks over their nondocumentation for the post-amnesty programme, Wednesday, bombed a crude oil delivery pipeline at Avwirhe community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

A source identified the affected pipeline as the Erioke delivery line, adding: “It is the delivery line to Eriemu manifold at Avwire community.”

It was gathered that the ex-militants, who blew up a gas pipeline, about a fortnight ago, before they bombed an oil pipeline, all in Ughelli axis of the state, on Monday, struck at the Eriemu pipeline at about 4.20 am, Wednesday.

A statement by the chairman of the Action Committee of the group, said: “The explosion was carried out successfully, there was no encounter with anybody. We do not want to kill people for now, we only advise military and oil workers to keep away from the premises of oil companies.

“Very soon, we will enter the company yards. We will announce to the general public, particularly military personnel when the time comes. We are not criminals, we need our amnesty slots, if not, we will not sleep for the rest of our lives.”

Police arrest 6 kidnap, robbery suspects

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI — IMO State Police Command has arrested a sixman gang allegedly involved in series of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina, who disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, said: “The suspects were arrested in a pre-dawn operation by the Special Ambush Squad of the Command at their hideouts in various locations in Lagos State, Rivers State and Imo State.”

The CP recalled that on March 14, 2013, the command declared one Chika Richard Nwabarije of 18, Ndoni Street, Omoku, Rivers State, wanted over his involvement in the attack and eventual killing of the Managing Director of Naija Plaza Hotel, Oguta.

“He was arrested by our strategic partners in Lagos State Police Command, while attempting to cross the border with his wife and child,” Katsina said.

He said the suspect was brought to Imo State, adding that in the course of investigation, he gave an insight into the structure of the gang and details of his members.

18 teenagers arrested for cultism in Ogun

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — NO fewer than 18 teenagers in two public secondary schools in Ogun State have been arrested by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for cultism and breach of peace.

The Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Kareem Olanrewaju, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abeokuta, yesterday, said seven of the students were arrested at Nazareth High School in Imeko in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of the State while 11 were nabbed at Lisabi High School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

According to Olanrewaju, the seven secondary school students arrested in Imeko were caught while they were initiating some students into cultism on Tuesday while the 11 students of Lisabi High School were apprehended, yesterday.

“These seven students of Nazareth were arrested at the school premises while they were initiating new members into cultism by making incisions on their bodies .

“We also arrested 11 students of Lisabi High School for conducting themselves in a way that breached peace in the School.”

Asked if the command would charge them to court for the alleged crime, the NSCDC spokesman said the students would not be charged to court because of their age, which he described as nonprosecutable .

He said: “We will not charge them to court because of their age.

They are underaged and cannot be prosecuted. The command will meet with the Ministry of Education in the state to decide what to do to with them."

8—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Bidders pay N87.8bn for PHCN

2 top govt officials fingered in N15bn pension scandal

Representing 25% of bids value

Bank manager alerts Presidency, security agencies

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU & EMMA UJAH

A

BUJA—ALL the pre ferred bidders for the 15 Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, successor companies have met the deadline for the payment of the mandatory 25 percent of the offer value, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE has confirmed.

At the close of deadline yesterday, the BPE in a statement said the 14 bidders paid $559.446million or N87.8billion into its coffers, representing 25 percent of the bids value for the 15 successor companies.

About 24 hours to the deadline, 11 bidders had paid the mandatory cost, while the remaining three bidders paid the mandatory fees before the close of work yesterday.

4 Power Consortium, promoted by the South/South governors paid $31million for Port-Harcourt Distribution Company; Interstate Electrics Limited paid $31.5 million for Enugu Distribution Company; NorthSouth Power Company paid $27,913,633.50 for Shiroro Power Plc. It had earlier been reported that many of the bidders were struggling with raising the necessary funds, which was debunked by the Vigeo Group, which noted that the delay in the payment of the 25 percent bid value was merely part of the cost effective measures being adopted by some of the bidders.

Accordingly, about seven of the bidders paid the fees 24 hours to the close of the March 21, 2013 deadline.

They are Vigeo Consortium, preferred bidder for Benin Distribution Company, which paid $32.25million; Transcorp/Woodrock Consortium, which paid $75 million for Ughelli Power Plc; CMEC/EUAFRIC Energy JV paid $50,249,965 for Sapele Power Plc; Kann Consortium paid $41 million for Abuja Distribution Company; Aura Energy paid $20,464,968.15 for Jos Distribution Company; Mainstream Energy Ltd paid $59,467,500 for Kainji Power Plc; Sahelian Power SPV paid $34.25million for Kano Distribution Company.

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH ABUJA—TWO top government officials in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan have been fingered in a desperate attempt to corner N15 billion unspent pension fund lodged in several commercial banks.

The amount, it was gathered, represented the excess sum left behind in pension accounts belonging to some paramilitary agencies and lodged in nine commercial banks by a Federal Government pension handling agency.

The deposed chairman of the Pension Reformed Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, was to mop up the money and return it to the nation’s treasury just before his faceoff with the National Assembly.

The altercation with the lawmakers forced Maina to go underground and the subsequent dissolution of the PRTT by the government last month.

The practice of mopping and returning unspent funds at the end of every financial year became a tradition in the public service during the Yar' Ádua years and had led to the saving of huge sums of money that had, hitherto, been converted to private pockets by smart public officers.

Before his ordeal, Maina was said to have obtained permission from President Goodluck Jonathan to delay the mopping up of the N15 billion from the affected banks by one month following the discovery that many paramilitary officers who were disengaged by the Obasanjo's administration, were short changed by those who calculated and paid their severance benefits.

The delay, according to Presidential sources, was to enable the Maina team to work out the outstanding benefits of the disengaged officers and return the balance to the Central Bank of Nigeria at the end of January this year.

Vanguard learnt from Presidential sources that while he was still being hounded by the National Assembly, Maina wrote to the President reminding him of the need to mop up the excess N15 billion from the banks and copied the finance minister, director of budget and the anti-graft agencies in the country.

However, it was learnt that the minister working in concert with his permanent secretary and another director recently deployed in a pension administering agency, have secretly approached the affected banks to draw the outstanding sum, claiming that the money was urgently needed to offset the pension of many officers.

An impeccable source said the ministry officials had drawn up a list that contains fake pension claim-

ants to convince the banks to release the huge sum.

However, one of the bank managers was reported to have alerted some officials in the Presidency and asked to confirm if the money should be freed following what he described as ‘undue pressure’ being mounted on him by the

minister and his permanent secretary.

The manager is said to have reported the matter to the Presidency officials so as not to be seen as an accomplice in the event of an enquiry into how the money was released and spent.

One source familiar with the

case, said, “the bank managers are worried because the recent expose in pension administration had gotten many of them into trouble and they would rather not be part of this new scheme".

The Presidency is said to have alerted some security agents to monitor the accounts in the nine banks holding the N15 billion.

VISIT—President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and President Obiang Mbasogo of Equitorial Guinea (right), inspecting guard of honour during an official visit to Malabo, Equitorial Guinea, yesterday. Photo: State House.

Farouk Lawan sacked as chairman, committee on subsidy

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—SPEAKER, House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal yesterday sacked the suspended Chairman of the House Adhoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Regime, Farouk Lawan, from the position of Chairman, House Committee on Education.

Tambuwal announced the appointment of Aminu Suleiman (PDP, Kano) as the substantive chairman of the committee as replacement for Lawan, who is currently facing trial for allegedly receiving a bribe of $620,000 from oil magnate, Femi Otedola.

Tambuwal also appointed deputy chairmen for six other committees.

Until his appointment, Sulaiman was the deputy chairman of the committee on labour and productivity. Rose

Okoh (PDP, Cross River), deputy chairman of the Education committee had been operating in acting capacity.

Tambuwal said the appointment is with immediate effect.

Farouk Lawan was suspended at a special plenary of the House in June 2012, after billionaire oil marketer, Chief Femi Otedola alleged that the former chairman collected $620,000 bribe from him to facilitate the removal of his companies: Zenon Oil and Synopsis international from the list of erring companies in the subsidy regime.

The House had temporarily stripped Lawan of his position as chairman committee on education as well as chairman of the subsidy probe committee pending the outcome of the investigation of its committee on

ethics and privileges.

With this development, Lawan who has been in the House since 1999 would remain as a floor member. The ethics and privileges committee had concluded its assignment since last year but has not submitted its findings to the House.

Efforts by our correspondent to ascertain whether the speakers action was based on the findings of the ethics and privileges committee were however not successful.

Lawan, is presently being prosecuted for allegedly soliciting and accepting bribe for the purpose of compromising facts on the oil subsidy management in the country.

It was learnt that Tambuwal’s sacking of Lawan may not be unconnected with the resolve of the House leadership to purge itself of anything that might dent the image of the House

Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—9

Kano blasts meant to cause another civil war, say Emir of Kano, NLC

tinued cold blooded murder of fellow Nigerians. The Igbo nation is taking the heaviest toll on the casualty list and Ndigbo are grossly pained by this organised pogrom on her people.”

FG warns against wanton destruction of lives, property South-East monarchs call for calm

FG laments insecurity in the North

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG, TONY EDIKE & ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

T

HE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have declared that the motive behind last Monday's bomb attack on a motor park in Kano which claimed the lives of more that 75 passengers was to cause another civil war even as the Federal Government warned that it will no longer tolerate wanton destruction of lives and property in the country.

This was even as traditional rulers in the South East geopolitical zone, yesterday, in Enugu, urged Igbo to remain calm over the bombing which claimed the lives of many people from the area.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo had said on Wednesday that it could no longer guarantee the response of its people to the continued killings of Ndigbo in some northern states.

The NLC and Emir spoke at separate occasions in Kano and Abuja respectively.

Alhaji Bayero who spoke while receiving the visiting Federal Government delegation to his palace noted that there was no other reason behind this ungodly act (bombing) than to create tension and cause chaos in the country even as the NLC expressed optimism that, “we will overcome them if we refuse to fall for their ploy, by not carrying out reprisal attacks.”

Bayero said, “I feel saddened to hear everyday that somebody has been killed here or there; yet we cannot figure out what is happening, and who is behind this. I feel the Federal Government should do more to fish out the perpetrators of these heinous acts to free Nigeria and indeed, our state from the festering mess.

“Something is missing in this whole circle of violence, and I feel that government should do more to fish out the real people behind this orgy of violence. Nigerians were living harmoniously both in Kano and I believe all over the federation regardless of tribe and religion but all of a sudden, we now find ourselves in this mess. Government should wake up and confront the challenge.’’

The Emir who was a victim of a recent attack by some unidentified gunmen, added that, "in my assessment, Nigeria is in a serious situation; the killings everyday of citizenry will certainly not augur well for the nation and that is why I believe that somebody is behind this which demands that government must fish out whoever is behind it now.’’

MEETING—From left: Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; Senior Special Assiatant to the Vice President on Media, Mr. Umar Sani; Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State during the National Economic Council Meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

He, however, expressed concern over the non-implementation of suggestions submitted to the Presidency by the Northern Elders some eight months ago despite the assurances by the government to do so.

Northern elders flay non-implementation of position The Northern Elders through Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule had earlier complained to Bayero over the non-implementation of its position paper submitted to the Presidency on ways to resolve the crisis in the North.

The elders who visited the Emir included Justice Mustahpa Akanbi, Yahaya Kwande, Sheik Lemu, Paul Unongo, Air Marshal Lamis Dagash, John Wash Pam, Sani Zangon Daura, General Abdulrahaman Dambazau among others.

But, the NLC in a statement asked Nigerians not to be intimidated by the various bombs and suicide attacks, saying that the masterminds were evil forces who were incapable of advancing any cause except evil.

Labour also urged Nigerians to rise in unison and with common accord to preach peace and unity in the country, as according to it, “these are difficult moments indeed but we must rise to the challenge in the hope that in the end, good shall triumph over evil.”

The NLC statement was signed by its Acting President, Comrade Promise Adewusi.

Perpetrators evil—NLC

According to Labour, “The NLC condemns the unjustifiable act of horror perpetrated in Kano by yet to be identified bombers which left scores of passengers and other users of a motor park dead. It was cowardly and shameful and incapable of advancing any cause except evil. The Congress believes that no cause is worth killing innocent Nigerians for. If motor parks where ordinary people use or eke out their daily living are no longer safe, where else could be safe? Yet we urge the people of Nigeria and citizens of other nations domiciled in Nigeria not to be intimidated. These are difficult moments indeed but we must rise to the challenge in the hope that in the end, good shall triumph over evil.

“We call on every law-abiding citizen to be vigilant and forge a sense of community with their neighbour(s) to overcome this temporary challenge. We also call on our law enforcement agents to rise to the challenge of combating terror and to especially focus on protecting defenceless and vulnerable people. To be able to do this successfully, our intelligence and security agencies need all the support they can get from government. In furtherance of the above, we wish to invite the government to, as a matter of urgency, do all that is necessary and explore legitimate avenues to bring to an end this insurgency. We dare say this includes addressing the remote and immediate causes of this phenomenon, re- equipping our intel-

ligence and security forces to be proactive and also be able to cope with new challenges".

The Igbo traditional rulers who rose from their executive council meeting in Enugu condemned the continued killing of many Igbo in the north on account of activities of the Boko Haram insurgency and urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to protect their people.

FG should protect Ndigbo —S-East monarchs Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who briefed newsmen, said the council advised Ndigbo to remain calm till further notice, adding that the monarchs had dispatched emissaries to Kano to obtain the real number of Igbo casualties.

He said the council had also initiated moves to reach President Jonathan and lamented what he described as persistent acts of violence in Kano and other parts of the north on Igbo, warning that if the government failed to guarantee the security of lives especially of Igbo, the people would resort to selfhelp.

“We will set up machinery to investigate the incident to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the tragedy,” Ilomuanya said.

A statement signed by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, read, “We condemn the sponsors and perpetrators of the con-

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned that his government will no longer tolerate destruction of lives and property and challenged Kano State government to deploy the resources of government in dealing with the situation.

Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, who led a delegation of the Federal Government to the state lamented the conflict in Kano and some Northern States of the country, saying the situation would no longer be accepted, especially the destruction of human lives, which we never created.

Mr Moro told Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that "We are here as a delegation of the Federal Government at the instance of President Goodluck Jonathan to commiserate with you, government and people of Kano State over the unfortunate bomb blast that shook the foundation of this state and claimed so many lives and property.

“Cases of wanton destruction of lives and properties, which took years to put in place would no longer be acceptable and all of us, government at all tiers and levels, Nigerians and friends of Nigerians should accept the reality that security is a joint responsibility of everybody".

Incessant conflicts 'll drive away investors from Kano He also noted that “the destruction of valuable and critical infrastructure in recent times in the State has depleted Kano, known for its huge commercial activities and the great danger of continued conflict in this ancient city would drive investors away from Kano and this would do an incalculable damage to the economy of Kano and indeed Nigeria”.

He added that “all efforts are being intensified to ensure that Nigerians are protected wherever they are.”

Governor Kwankwaso in his remarks, explained that the state government was doing its best to protect lives and property of residents.

Kwankwaso said: “We were already collecting names of those who died in the attack and from what we see, they may comprise of mostly natives and people from this part of the country”.

10—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

NLC lauds court's judgment on deregulation

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has lauded Monday’s judgment of the Federal High Court on the issue of the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

A statement by NLC's Acting President, Mr. Promise Adewusi, commended the plaintiff, Bamidele Aturu, for his doggedness and Justice Bello, for his courage to stand by the constitution.

The statement read: “Nigeria Labour Congress applauds the judgment of the Federal High Court on deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

"This obviously is victory for democracy and the independence of the judiciary.

“We commend the plaintiff, Barrister Bamidele Aturu for his doggedness and the Honourable Justice M. Bello for his courage to stand by the constitution.

“However, we sincerely believe that the issues of deregulation go beyond the fixing of the pump prices of petroleum products.

“The adverse effects of high cost of petroleum products on the citizenry, borne out of bad management of the petroleum sector, are the crux of the matter.

“In the light of the above, therefore, we call on the government to forget the unpopular idea or plan to further mark up the prices of petroleum products.”

Nigeria records 11,600 maternal deaths in 3 months 2nd highest in the world after India

BY CHIOMA OBINNA & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS—SOCIETY of Gy naecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria said, yesterday, that no fewer than 11,600 maternal deaths were recorded in Nigeria in the last three months, adding that 45 cases were recorded daily.

This came as the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, said the state would establish emergency toll-free lines solely designated for maternal cases.

Speaking at the Lagos West I Senatorial District Town Hall Meeting for maternal and child mortality reduction programme, at Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Chairman Lagos State Chapter of the Society, Dr. Oluwarotimi Akinola, said: “Nigeria accounts for a disproportionate 10 percent of the global maternal deaths. This ranked the country as the second highest in the world after India.

“The major causes of the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria are hemorrhage infection, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, obstructed labour and anaemia. Any ef-

fort by the government to drastically reduce maternal mortality rates must address the root causes of delays in seeking health care, accessing healthcare and receiving help at the centre.”

Mrs Fashola said: “These lines would ensure that whenever any pregnant women are about to deliver, she can get help easily even when any of her relatives aren’t available.

"The lines will be the same

Lagos cautions over indiscriminate refuse dumping

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS—LAGOS State Government has warned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially on rail-corridors.

A

BUJA — FOLLOWING the wave of bombing incidents across the country including the recent suicide attack on a Kano Bus Terminal that left scores dead, security agencies have discovered that terrorist groups in the country have resorted to the use of tinted glasses to beat their personnel at checkpoints and other designated pin down points to escape detection.

Consequently, many IED’S, AK 47 rifles and other dangerous weapons used in attack and killing of innocent Nigerians, as well as escape of criminals with devilish intents, may have been facilitated, under the cover of use of tinted glasses.

In the aftermath of this discovery and revelations about the bombings in Kano, the Force Headquaters in Abuja

yesterday reiterated the ban on the use of tinted glasses and warned that defaulters when arrested, will be dealt with according to the law.

A statement titled ‘Ban on Indescriminate and Unlawful Use of Tinted Glasses Still in Force’, signed by CSP Frank Mba, Force Spokesman reads, “The Inspector General of Police has observed with grave concern, the alarming abuse and unlawful use of tinted glasses and the plying on our highways, of unregistered/unlicensed vehicles across the country, despite repeated warnings by Police authority” .

“The Nigerian Police force will no longer tolerate the habit of few misguided Nigerians who wantonly abuse the use of tinted glasses and unregistered/unlicensed vehicles thereby complicating

“99 percent (792) of these will occur in developing countries, including Nigeria.

"This statistic, released by the Chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Lagos sector, is alarming for a country that is regarded as the giant of Africa.

“This day (yesterday) will now be observed annually as Lagos State Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction Day.”

DAAR: From right— Mr. Aleogho Dokpesi, Chairman, DAAR Communication Plc; Mr. Anopuo Donatus, Acting Company Secretary, and Mr. Tony Akiotu, Group Managing Director, at the company's Annual General Meeting in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

The government added that anyone caught will face the wrath of the law.

This came as it unfolded plans to establish the Lagos Water Council, aimed at ensuring effective and efficient regulation and protection of all underground water in the

IG reiterates ban on use of vehicles with tinted glasses

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

as the already established emergency toll free lines 767 and 112.

“The death of a pregnant woman or death after childbirth is a painful event with great social and economic impact on the family and the country.

“At the close of work today, about 800 women from different countries would have died from complications related to pregnancy and child birth.

the challenge of effectively policing the country and equally endangering the lives and property of law abiding citizens”, it said.

“This unbecoming attitude has the capacity, not only to heighten criminal activities but to place unnecessary pressure on security agencies and law abiding citizens.

"In view of the potential danger posed by the indescriminate use of the tinted glassses and unregistered /unlicenced vehicles, corroborated by recent security reports that criminal elements, including suspected terrorists, now hide under the cover of the use of the aforementioned types of vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles to execute their nefarious trade, the IG wishes to remind all Nigerians that the ban still subsists.

state.

Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, specifically advised those living along the rail-corridors to desist from dumping refuse on rail lines, declaring that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted henceforth.

Speaking through the Public Relations Department, the Authority’s Managing Director, Mr. Ola Oresanya, lamented that “the unwholesome practice is capable of spreading diseases, defacing the environment and endangering lives and property of residents along the corridor.

“Railway transportation takes care of a sizeable demand of the transportation needs of a modest percentage of Lagos residents.

Dumping refuse along the rail routes can hamper the efficiency and safety of rail as a means of transportation.”

Meantime, while speaking on plans to establish the Lagos Water Council, Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who announced this at the first phase of stakeholders’ forum on sensitisation/awareness programme, with the theme Development of Water and Sanitation Policy for Lagos State, said it would help to create the lacking synergy between water and sanitation in the state.

Court restrains Aero from sacking workers

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

L

AGOS—NATIONAL Industrial Court, Lagos Division, yesterday, restrained the management of Aero Contractors Airlines from sacking any of its striking workers.

More than 600 workers were, last Monday, purportedly sacked by the airline, a day the airline was supposed to resume flight operations after the Minister of Labour mediated and broker a truce between the management and the striking workers.

The court said since the case was still in the court, it would be wrong for the management to issue sack letters to the striking workers.

The court said both parties should maintain status quo pending its decision and adjoined the case till May 8.

It would be recalled that Aero went to court and got an injunction restraining the workers from disrupting the operations of the airline.

This came after more than two weeks of fruitless negotiations between both parties.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—11

Methodist Church faults FG on Alams' pardon

Prophet Obadare, WOSEM founder dies at 83

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—WORLD renowned televangelist and founder of World Soul Winning Evangelical Mission, WOSEM, and General Evangelist of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Prophet Timothy Obadare, is dead.

Obadare, who was the secondin-command to Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola at CAC, died yesterday morning at an undisclosed private hospital in Akure after a protracted age-related ailment. He was aged 83.

Popular for his monthly crusade, Koseunti, that drew Christians from all denominations to Akure, Ondo State capital, Baba Obadare, as he was popularly called, was formerly of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, until he formed his own ministry, WOSEM. Prophet Obadare’s son, Pastor Abraham Obadare and the Ondo State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, both confirmed that Baba Obadare died in an Akure hospital.

US-based Pastor Obadare Jnr., who was said to have graduated from Hunter College of City University, New York, is a District Superintendent in charge of CAC WOSEM churches in the United States and Canada.

The visually-impaired evangelist had travelled across the nations of the world on evangelical mission with signs and wonders reportedly following his ministrations.

Bishop Ketiku said the de-

ceased lived a good life and had gone to rest, saying “Baba is happier where he is now.”

One of the children of the late prophet, Mr. Joseph Obadare, said his father lived a fulfilled life. He added that the family was waiting for the eldest son before any comment.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, Media Aide to late Obadare, Pastor Michael Awe, described him as a great evangelist, who travelled wide within and outside the country on evangelism activities.

Pastor Awe, who said there was no faction in CAC Worldwide, said WOSEM had always being an evangelical arm of the church.

Also, Publicity Secretary of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Adeemisoye Alawode, said the entire CAC was shocked on the news of the prophet's death.

Alawode said the President of CAC Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Akioso, had condoled with the entire members of the Church and the family of the deceased.

He said during the lifetime of Obadare, he worked like a General in Jesus Army, saying he did his best for the Church.

terday, said Obadare’s life, ministry and influence could be likened to those of saints, rare and uncommon.

He said: “In his way of life, concern for the lost soul and uplifting of the name of God, Obadare stands tall among the prophets of his generation and broke barriers that health attempted to place on his way.

“He was consistent and controlled, aggressive yet unobtrusive and had no pretensions about his faith and God. Prophet Obadare made the life of the poor and the downtrodden his and helped many to rediscover their connections to God. “His strident cries against

sin and warnings to those departing from what is right and just will be sorely missed.”

The governor recalled the evangelistic exploits of the late cleric in the face of sight challenge, saying “Prophet Obadare’s mastery of bible verses and lines underlines the fact that he was indeed a prophet called for a purpose

by God. “He, it appears, has discharged his duties and deserves blissful rest in the bosom of his maker. Our hearts go to his many disciples and members as well as family this period. We ask that the good Lord send consolation their ways.”

BY ETOP EKANEM

M

ETHODIST Church of Nigeria has faulted the state pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and others, saying “it is not too late for the authorities to reverse some of their decisions in this regard.”

A statement at the end of the 22nd annual synod of the church’s Diocese of Remo, Oko Circuit, Sagamu, Ogun State, with the theme What if the Lord had not been on our side, said it was a wrong signal to the fight against corruption.

The statement, signed

by Rev. J. F. Osifuwa, Synod Secretary, Sir O. A. Jibodu, Lay President and Rt Rev. Babatunde Taiwo, Bishop, Diocese of Remo said: “The Synod observes with serious concern the series of state pardons granted those who have demonstrated abuse of office, corruption per excellence, absolute lack of care for the poor."

“It is hereby being recommended that it is not too late for the authorities to reverse some of their decisions in this regard.”

The Synod urged the Federal Government to address the “perennial power instability.”

It added that regular power supply will definitely enhance economic growth and development, promote rapid industrialisation and revive moribund factories and industries across the country.

Mimiko pays tribute

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said the death of Obadare was an example of the marching on of a saint.

Mimiko, in a statement yes-

Late Prophet Timothy Obadare.

Jonathan appoints Goni as new HOS

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has appointed Alhaji Bukar Goni as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Goni, who was until his new appointment, Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, will take over from Alhaji Isa Sali, who will attain the mandatory retirement age of 60 on Saturday, March 23.

A statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, yesterday, said Alhaji Goni hailed from Yobe State and was born on January 13, 1959.

He attended Government College, Maiduguri; Borno College of Basic Studies, Maiduguri and graduated from the University of Maiduguri in 1984.

Goni has held several key positions at the state and federal levels including Chief Administrative Officer, Governor’s Office, Maiduguri (1989-1991); Principal Secretary to the Military Administrator of Yobe State (1991-1992).

He was Principal Secretary to

the First Civilian Governor of Yobe State (1992-1993) and Principal Secretary to the 2nd Military Administrator of Yobe State (1993-1995).

He was Director, Planning, Research and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, 1995; moved to the

Federal Ministry of Defence in 2000 as Director of Personnel Management.

He headed various departments in the Ministry of Defence until his posting to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in 2008 as Director, In-

ternational Organisations.

He was Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, 2009. He later served as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Police Affairs (2009 – 2010) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works (2011 – 2012).

NCC releases new interconnect rates

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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IGERIAN Communica tions Commission, NCC, has released a new interconnect rate that would guide telecom operators in the country on terminating calls for one another.

The new rate apparently became necessary after the expiration date of December 2012 for the old interconnect rate regime, which came into operation in

2009.

The new rate, which will begin from April 1, 2013 according to NCC, will see major operators terminating calls on new entrants/ smaller operators’ networks

at N6.40, while the smaller operators do same on major operators’ network at N4.90.

It also reviewed the respective rates further downwards for the next three years ending 2015.

NCC said it took the step to enable small operators and new entrants remain in business. It described a new entrant as newly-licensed operator entering an existing or new market within 0 to 3 years.

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12 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—13

SGF urged to produce minutes of Council of State meeting

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

CIVIL society group, Say No Campaign, yesterday, requested the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 3 of the Freedom of Information Act, to furnish it with copies of the minutes of the National Council of State meeting of March 12, 2013 where pardon was granted to convicted former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diprieye Alamesieigha and six others.

The group, in a statement by Ezenwa Nwagwu and Awal Musa, said: “This request is premised on the need for Nigerians to know how this ridiculous decision was reached especially against the backdrop of denials by some members of the National Council of State that the pardons were not discussed.

“If this assertion is true, it raises serious question on the legal validity of this decision and effectively annuls these pardons.

"We are hoping that the SGF will expeditiously attend to this request in the interest of rule of law and transparency."

Johnny emerges EGCDF chair

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HE crisis that rocked Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, has been put to rest with the election of Chief Michael Johnny as the new chairman of the foundation.

Johnny, who contested alongside two others, emerged winner in an election which was supervised by the former chairman, Mr. Edmund Doya-Tiemo, who eventually declared Johnny winner of the election.

Johnny, who dedicated his victory to God, and the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, said, his mission was to fast-track development in Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms.

Alawei Broderick Bozimo and Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd), singing the national anthem during the National Executive Council election of Ijaw National Congress, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Alawei Bozimo congratulating Senator Tari Sekibo, Presidentelect of Ijaw National Congress.

Zenith Bank lists on London Stock Exchange L

ONDON Stock Exchange has listed Zenith Bank in its Main Market. The Exchange said that the company was listing Global Depository Receipts, GDRs, in London, in view of its access to a wide range of major institutional investors and significantly raising its international profile. The company’s market capitalisation at listing was $4.24 billion.

Mr. Ibukun Adebayo, Head, Primary Markets, and Africa at London Stock Exchange, said: ”Zenith Bank’s listing highlights London’s leading role in supporting Nigeria’s burgeoning financial sector. Three major Nigerian banks have been listed in London demonstrating UK and international investors’ appetite for exposure to this fast growing and increasingly diverse economy.”

Zenith Bank is admitting 125 million GDRs which will trade on London Stock Exchange’s International Order Book, the world’s largest and most liquid GDR market.

Each Zenith Bank GDR represents 50 ordinary shares.

Zenith Bank is the third Nigerian Bank to list GDRs in London following Guaranty Trust Bank and Diamond Bank. Zenith’s listing means that the two largest Nigerian banks by market capitalisation are now listed in London.

The company joins a vibrant community of 58 emerging market banks listed in London, valued collectively at just under $75 billion. The listing also gives Zenith access to the deepest international pool of capital in the world, currently holding more than $1.8 trillion in international equity assets. It joins five other companies on London Stock Exchange’s markets that have major operations in Nigeria.

London Stock Exchange is the largest international stock exchange for African

companies. Since 2008, Africafocused companies listed on London Stock Exchange have raised over £4.2 billion in new and further issues.

Ninety-seven Sub-Sahara African focussed companies are listed on or admitted to London Stock Exchange Markets, com-

prising: 23 equity listings on Main Market, two GDR listings on Main Market, 70 equity admissions on AIM, two GDR listings on PSM. Zenith Bank is headquartered in Nigeria, with subsidiaries in the UK, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and

representative offices in South Africa and China. With a customer base of over two million accounts at 366 branches and total assets of $27bn, it is the biggest Nigerian bank in terms of Tier 1 capital and shareholders’ funds.

Youths disrupt commissioning of NDDC project in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—THE com missioning of ObazogbeAbudu Road by officials of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was, yesterday, disrupted by youths from Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, alleging that the project was yet to be completed.

The protesting youths, who carried placards with inscriptions, condemning NDDC for attempting to commission what they termed uncompleted job, alleged that the 24 km road project terminated at Abudu on

the Benin-Asaba express Road and not Obagie, where the contractor stopped work.

Food and drinks meant for the ceremony were returned to Benin by NDDC officials just as the protesters waited until the already arranged canopies were dismantled.

One of the traditional rulers in the area, Enogie of Obazagbon, HRH Moses Omobude, alleged that a borehole and an electricity project being executed by NDDC in the past seven years were yet to be completed.

He said: “How can they be commissioning a road yet to

be completed? The slabs on the gutter leading to our houses are yet to be covered.”

He urged NDDC to complete the road project to Abudu before commissioning.

He said: “The era of deceit is over. If we allow them to commission the uncompleted work, they might not come back to complete it.”

However, defending the commission, NDDC Director, Project Monitoring and Supervision, Mr. Okenwa Alexander, said the scope of the road project awarded had been completed.

Aginighan urges Ijaw to rally round new INC leadership entire Ijaw ethnic nationality.”

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT— IJAW have been enjoined to rally round the new leadership of Ijaw National Congress, INC, led

by Dr. Tari Sekibo, to address challenges in Ijaw areas.

Congratulating the newly elected leadership of INC, Pastor Power Aginighan, who was founding National Secretary of the body, said the degree of involvement of the various Ijaw clans and kingdoms at the election showed the commitment of the Ijaw people to the struggle of the Ijaw nation.

He noted that the quality of leadership that emerged at the election was a testimony that the dream of the founding fathers of

the body was still alive.

Aginighan urged the new leadership of the body to remain committed to the ideals of transparency and accountability, stressing that there was urgent need for all Ijaw to accord the new leadership of INC the needed support to continue to pursue the realisation of the Ijaw nation in Nigeria’s federalism.

He said: “While I commend the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Henry Dickson, for providing a conducive environment for INC to hold its convention, I urge all Ijaw to give the much needed support to INC as it fights for the social, environmental, economic and political well-being of the

Delta community alleges trespass

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EOPLE of UmuwaUmuodafe community in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have cried out over alleged encroachment on their family land on Ibusa/Asaba Road.

The community, in a statement by Diokpa Joseph Egbuna, said some unauthorised persons have, without the consent of the Umuwa family, encroached and engaged in the selling of their land.

14— Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Nsukka elders angry over Ekweremadu's guber posters

BY CHINENYE OZOR

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SUKKA —THE Nsukka Elders in Enugu State, yesterday, frowned at the sudden emergence of the Deputy Senate President, DSP, Chief Ike Ekweremadu’s posters for the 2015 governorship race, saying, it was the turn of Nsukka to produce the next governor of the state.

The leaders said they were surprised that, Ekweremwdu would be nursing an ambition to govern the state even when his zone would have ruled for 16 years by 2015, when the incumbent Governor Sullivan Chime would hand over power after two terms of four years each.

According to them, it was a mindless calculation ‘’for political jobbers in their warped imagination to craft the possibility of the governorship seat still remaining in the same old Enugu zone beyond 2015.

Suspects of ABSU celebrated rape unravelled by Police in Rivers

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA — THE Po lice in Rivers State said, yesterday, that they had unravelled the celebrated gang rape case which allegedly took place at Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, noting that the incident actually took place at Obite town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The victim was also found to be a married person and that the suspects who subjected her to such dehumanising agony were her husband’s cousins.

The incident, where four men in turns, raped a woman, was posted on social media and it was alleged to have taken place at ABSU. According to the Police, three of the suspects have been charged to Magistrate Court 9, Port Harcourt. The

information was contained in the Nigeria Police newspaper The Dawn of March 1124, 2013 edition.

According to the report, detectives from Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department working on intelligence report on September 7, 2012, traced the husband of the victim whose name was given as Mr. S. from Obite town in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The report said Mr. S. confirmed that the victim was his wife and that the perpetrators of the act were from his community.

The report said “after painstakingly tracing the identity of the suspects, it led to their arrest and they are Uchenna Ukulor, Chizoba Nwosu and Nwazuo Nmezi, while the fourth

person is on the run.”

The police was quoted as saying the suspects and husband of the victim were invited and the video clip was played for them which clearly established that three of them with another at large committed the crime.

The suspects, the report said, were cousins to the husband of the victim.

Abia State government, which put up spirited denial of the incident when it was

NGF: Presidency weighs options to woo more govs against Amaechi

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

A

BUJA — Still unsure of booting out the current chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, in a transparent secret ballot election, the Presidency is weighing many options aimed at giving it victory when the anguish en route election of the forum is Abuja from Lagos, eventually held in May. Vanguard gathered stated that, time had that the come when yesterday Presidency was worried speculative politics must be put aside to that despite a deliberate secure the supremacy effort to demonise Amaechi of the nation's and reduce his support corporate indivisible base, he was actually becoming more popular by entity.

He said the nation the day, wining more that could not stem this support from fellow variant of extremism in governors in the process.

It was gathered that the peace time, was a growing popularity of nation that had surrendered to Amaechi stemmed from anarchy without a what other governors see as his effective handling of fight.

The Senator insisted the Nigerian Governors’ that "when routine Forum, thereby giving killings of innocent them a voice in the affairs citizens of our country of Nigeria.

The Presidency is said to

by Boko Haram is tolerated this far, the have been rattled on abiding faith of the realising that its meddling people is severely into the NGF with the weakened and their creation of a rival PDP resolve as one entity Governors’ Forum and the vilification of Amaechi had fatally eroded."

Igbo socio-political group decries Kano bombing LAGOS — IGBO socio-political group, the C21, has described the latest senseless slaughter of innocent Nigerians (mainly Igbo) at the Kano luxury park as a premeditated multiple murder by an extremist sect, whose conscience was depraved and whose intent was increasingly grave to our national cohesion and unity.

Making this statement in a release their media spokesperson, Collins Steve Ugwu, called on all Nigerians to rise in unison to confront the challenge of this reckless bloodletting by Boko Haram. Ugwu issued the statement on behalf of Senator Sen. Annie Okonkwo.

He asked: "If western education is sin as Boko Haram wants to force down our throats, does mass murder of dissenting Nigerians edify their brand of Islamic bigotry?"

Sen. Okonkwo who addressed reporters in

linked to its university, reacted happily to the report, saying it had been vindicated.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Ugochukwu Emezue, said detractors of the state were behind the castigation of the state after watching the rape case on the social media, and commended the police for doing a good job to unravel where the incident actually took place.

virtually failed to deplete his support base barely two months to the NGF poll.

As a way out, Presidency's strategists, were said to have counselled that efforts be doubled to woo more undecided governors into its fold to be able to defeat Amaechi at the scheduled poll in May. One of the governors leading the campaign for Amaechi’s downfall repeatedly warned some of his colleagues to support the cause and by extension work for Jonathan’s 2015 reelection or risk losing certain benefits.

The governor warned that the Presidency might not share the Excess Crude oil revenue until it was sure of majority support for against Amaechi in May. The Presidency is also said to be considering withdrawing police commissioners and security operatives considered friendly to the anti-Jonathan governors under the guise of routine redeployment of officers.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 —15

Jonathan was right on Alams, Diya —Anyanwu

FG to share $2bn Excess Crude Account with states, local govts

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA —THE National Economic Council yesterday approved sharing of between $1billion and $2billion from the excess crude account amongst the federal, state and local governments.

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who disclosed this to state House Correspondents at the end of the National Economic Council meeting at State House, Abuja, said the money was to facilitate various development projects being executed by the different tiers of government across the country.

According to the governor, “an update on the status of the Excess Crude Account was presented by the Minister of State for Finance, Alh. Yerima Ngama, who showed that $7.82b was left in the account, after the sharing of between $1b and $2B by the three tiers of government earlier in the year and payment of fuel subsidy commitments.”

Governor Akpabio, who was flanked by Governors Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State as well as Ministers of National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman, and Power, said President Goodluck Jonathan also briefed the council on the progress being made in the power sector, stating that

many of the NIPPs will become active and functional

by December 2013.

On the provision of Broad Band Infrastructure by telecoms companies in the country, Governor Dankwambo said NEC gave its blessing to the recommendations of Gombe State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo-led, Sub Committee, which reviewed a recent presentation by the Minister of Information Technology, Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson, on a proposed,

improved, broadband roadmap for the country.

He said telecoms service providers were expected to partner with the federal and state governments to ensure proper harmonization and integration of development projects with ICT infrastructure in the country.

The committee recommended that “all identified impediments, such as multiple levies, charges, illegal taxes should be addressed to allow accelerated growth and development of

ICT infrastructure.”

It also recommended the harmonisation of all right-ofway processes and administration between the states and Federal Ministry of Works’ guidelines for the granting of Federal Highway Right of Way, with agreed prescription by the ICT ministry.

It also called on telecoms operators to make additional commitment to the host communities/states with respect to Right-of-Way grant.

From left: Mr. Fidelis Ajibogun, Assistant Director, Glo PAY-OFF; Mr. Tunde Kaitell, Director, Advertising; Bisade Ologunde, a.k.a Lagbaja, during introduction of a new pay-off line, at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

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AGOS — NATIONAL Coordinator of Project One Nigeria, Dr. Pat Anyanwu, has dismissed criticisms trailing the state pardon granted some Nigerians, especially former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieseigha and Gen Oladipo Diya, saying President Goodluck Jonathan acted wisely.

He also stated that Alamiesiegha had staked his life and money to ensure that peace returned to the Niger Delta.

Anyanwu, who said this in Lagos at a National Youth Sensitisation and Enlightenment Workshop, said the decision on the pardon was devoid of ulterior motive.

His words: "Every right thinking Nigerian should thank Mr. President and the National Council of State for the laudable decision. Section 175 of 1999 constitution empowered the President in consultation with the Council of State to grant presidential pardon to whomever he choose.

APC controversy: INEC meets merger parties today

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & GABRIEL EWEPU

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BUJA — AS controversy continues to trail which political group has the acronym, APC, the Independent National Electoral Commis-

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES This is to inform the general public that Christ Adams Preaching Society (C.A.P.S) of Nigeria is changing its Board of Trustees.

Outgoing Board of Trustees: 1. Evang. Joshua Obrebor 2. Evang. Brown Okor 3. Evang. Jacob Onovwiroro 4. Pastor Samson Ugbine 5. Evang. Agavi Sunday New Board of Trustees: 1. Pastor Samson Ugbine-Chairman 2. Pastor Evang. Jeremaiah Ebie-Vice Chairman 3. Evang. Cyril Ezor-Secretary 4. Evang. Joshua Obrebor 5. Evang. Joseph Osame 6. Evang. Stephen Akporube 7. Evang. Ejiro Ighorodje Any objection to this change of Board of Trustees should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Pastor Samson Ugbine - Chairman

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sion, INEC, will today meet with the four merger parties possibly to resolve the crisis and also deliberate on the issues and allegations of sabotage levelled against the Commission by the contending groups.

Vanguard gathered that there was confusion in INEC as a result of the APC controversy, following allegation by the merging political parties that the Commission was working in collaboration with the Peoples Demo-

PUBLIC NOTICE

GODWIN UZOMBA FOUNDATION This is to inform the General Public that the above named organization has applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja under Part “C” of the Companies andAllied MattersAct, LFN No. 24, 2004.

The TrusteesAre: 1. Dr. Obinna Godwin Uzomba 2. Mr. Iheanacho Chukwuemeka Uzomba 3. Mr. Chinaemerem Chukwudi Uzomba AimsAnd Objectives Of The Organization: 1. To Provide Scholarship funds and other educational resources to brilliant but indigent students to facilitate their educational up-liftment.

2. Provide a platform for the discovery and nurturing of talents and skills through the mechanism of workshops, seminars, trainings, competitions and other allied projects.

3. Enhance the entrepreneurial ambitions of the youth through the provision of financial aids and other facilities to help actualize their target business goals.

Any objections to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Felix O. Omosele (Solicitor to the Applicants) Thompson Chiedu Bielonwu & Associates 53, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos State

cratic Party, PDP, to scuttle the merger plans.

In the meeting convened by INEC with the 25 registered political parties Tuesday, Vanguard gathered that the APC controversy was not part of the agenda.

It was also gathered that one of the political associations in contention, African Peoples Congress, has maintained that being the first to have applied to INEC for registration with the acronym, there was no going back.

The group also accused a serving federal commissioner with the Commission of leaking official information to the merging opposition political parties for a fee.

But the merging parties of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, All Ni-

geria Peoples Party, ANPP, and a faction of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, have also accused INEC of doing everything possible to thwart their merger in collaboration with external forces.

The merger group also claimed that, having announced to the world on February 6, 2013, the proposal to merge with All Progressives Congress, with the acronym APC, they had the intellectual property of the acronym.

It was gathered that the meeting today will dwell mostly on the nitty-gritty of the controversy that had greeted the APC as an acronym and whether the merger political parties had followed the constitutional provisions on the adoption of the name.

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 17

“Boko Haram is not faceless; I know them and can produce them anytime you are ready for dialogue.

For starters, here is the list of its members. Guarantee their safety, call for dialogue…”.

P

Reversal of pardon The CWI’s leader, Archbishop Magnus Adeyemi Atilade, has demanded a reversal of the pardon and accused Jonathan of failing to fear God and of trying to cleanse Alamieyeseigha’s image for tribalistic and nepotistic reasons…that is, purely because he’s a fellow Bayelsan whom he regards as a brother.

This opinion has been echoed by many other detractors, including the many Vanguard readers who have contacted me to angrily heap abuse on Jonathan.

Meanwhile, most of the friends who have discussed this issue with me have also expressed disgust and accused Jonathan of shaming himself and the country.

I must confess that I feel that all of the above are over-reacting.

I will never condone corruption. I have bitterly complained about its toxic effects on our society and

•President Goodluck Jonathan

•DSP Alamieyeseigha

Controversial forgiveness economy on numerous occasions. And I’m not an unconditional supporter of President Jonathan. There have been times when I have felt compelled to make disparaging remarks about his actions or comments.

But I think we should cut

,

RESIDENT Jonathan has attracted near-universal condemnation, both in Nigeria and internationally, for pardoning Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, under whom he once served as a Deputy.

This decision to officially absolve Alamieyeseigha, who was famously jailed by a London court for embezzlement of public funds, has been described by several critics, including the American Government and the Christian Welfare Initiative, CWI, as a bad move that makes a mockery of the Jonathan administration’s oft-repeated claim that it is sincerely waging a war against corruption.

Furthermore, he has served his time and not made any noise or any trouble for anyone since he was released from prison. So is it REALLY so terrible for him to be provided with formal forgiveness for crimes for which he has been punished?

Presidents in other

‘Alams’, as he is fondly known in certain quarters, is immensely popular in Bayelsa because he was very nice to a lot of people when he ran the state

him some slack on the Alamieyeseigha front.

Most human beings have soft spots and sentimental streaks. And I honestly don’t think that pardoning an exboss who kindly gave you your first major political appointment is the worst thing a Head of State can do!

“Alams”, as he is fondly known in certain quarters, is immensely popular in Bayelsa because he was very nice to a lot of people when he ran the state.

And I know that I will be roundly denounced as morally questionable for saying this, but I don’t think that corrupt politicians who are generous and pleasant should be as heavily vilified as corrupt politicians who are selfish and horrible!

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countries – Bill Clinton, for example – have also dished out pardons galore to various financial criminals, so what’s the fuss?

If YOU were in Jonathan’s shoes and could legally pardon a onetime mentor who made it possible for you to rise to the top, would you coldly refuse to do so?

I don’t think I would.

AMNESTY FEEDBACK Last week, I wrote about the fact that the Sultan of Sokoto recently

advised President Goodluck Jonathan to grant a “total amnesty” to Boko Haram members. My view is that the Sultan is a serious person who means well and sometimes offers the government good advice.

But I felt that his advice was misguided on this occasion and I urged Mr President who has described Boko Haramists as faceless “ghosts” - to fight these dangerous terrorists to a complete standstill.

Please find below some of the views that Vanguard readers shared with me: From: Peter Udosen <fazclean_ventures@yahoo.com> If I were the Sultan, I would approach the Boko Haram issue differently with Mr President and canvass the following points:

•Sultan of Sokoto

From: Christian Ekwenna <peacebase01@yahoo.com> Dear Donu, thank you for your impartial and interesting write-up.

I would like to use this medium to express my feelings on the same subject.

Firstly, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, miscalculated by requesting an amnesty for the religiously brainwashed murderous sect -Boko Haram.

I want to believe that he must have made that statement out of desperation and frustration caused by the unrepentant and selfdestructive Islamic militants.

I do not want to believe that he is supporting or sponsoring them.

Furthermore, I would like to advise the Sultan to refrain from making such hasty remarks so that people do not read meanings into his utterances and in order to preserve the respect accorded the throne of the sultanate.

On the other hand, I agree with you that President Jonathan must not shift his ground and negotiate with members of the sect. He should rather engage the services of American and European counter-terrorism military intelligence agencies for assistance in eliminating them.

The President should appeal to President Obama to kindly deploy satellite and drone technologies on the relevant areas in Nigeria to help smoke out these murderous cowards from their holes or hideouts.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 (texts only). PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU SPECIFICALLY REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD, WITH YOUR NAMES AND NUMBERS OR EMAIL ADDRESSES ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 WHAT do we do when robbery suspects question society’s morality? Garba Sani, 24, a private guard accused of robbery, and Okwudili Godwin, 30, said to have received the stolen goods, gave reporters a treatise on the commonness of crimes in the society even at the highest levels.“ We are not robbers. We have many criminals in Nigeria. Senators are stealing money and nobody has arrested them. We too, we need money. We are jobless, we have nothing. My salary is N12, 000 monthly,” according to Sani, who said it was a simple case of “break in” as they did not use arms.

Nobody would support this justification for crimes, but it still nudges at the conscience of society. We are assuming that we are still in a society that has conscience. Does the society care about its members’ survival?

What are the responsibilities of governments to the governed?

The suspects are insisting that their crime was milder. “I took the goods to my warehouse at Ikorodu area. Nothing was

Robber s, The R es obbers, Res estt Of Us sold; they have all been recovered intact,” Okwudili said before adding, “Have you not committed a crime before? How much are they paying you a month that can sustain you and your family? Let me tell you, we are all criminals. We are Nigerians and we have the element of criminality in us”.

With these assertions, Sani and Okwudili resonate the Nigerian situation. They hold the grounds that what they have done is common in Nigeria, more so among the high and mighty.

They are questioning the partiality of the law in seeming to be out to get the poor, the weak and those without enough connections

to avoid prosecution. Can anyone fault their position that our laws are particularly against the likes of Sani, who earns N12, 000 a month?

How do Nigerians survive without being criminals? Can Nigerians survive without breaking laws or engaging in more serious crimes? Are we so concerned with those who are caught that we forget that so much could be going on undetected? Would the law understand that a country that fails in its responsibilities breeds criminals? Are those who breach the Constitution, after swearing to uphold it, also criminals?

Section 16 (2 d) of the Constitution states, “The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”

Which state policy are premised on the provisions of Section 16 (2 d)? Unfortunately, it takes robbery suspects to draw attention to unconscionable neglect of the Nigerian.

OPINION

BY IGWEBUIKE NWOKOROIGWE

A

NUMBER of changes have taken place in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, since the election of Bamanga Tukur as National Chairman of the party. The most recent events involved the court-ordered removal of two principal officers of the party.

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the former National Secretary and Bode Mustapha, former National Auditor, have been replaced following their sack by competent courts of the land. PDP in compliance with the orders of the courts had sworn in the deputies of the aforementioned in their stead in line with the Constitution of the party.

The commendable act of the ruling party to promptly execute without hesitation the separate judgements of the courts has ironically been drawing all kinds of attack on the person of the National Chairman and by extension the leader of the party, President Goodluck Jonathan. The opposition,their sympathisers and supporters, together with a section of the media, have been clobbering the leadership of PDP and vilifying them as undemocratic.

A war of vendetta has been declared on the sacked national officers of the party. The party has been accused of being in a hurry to obey court orders. In other words, PDP is being lampooned for not disobeying or cherrypicking which court order to obey. There has also been the talk of a systematic plan to eliminate the South West from the party.

I have also heard, certainly not in a hushhush tone, a plan afoot to completely side-line the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in making key decisions in the party.

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PDP is undergoing transformation All this is ridiculous.

What those attacking the PDP do not understand is that there is a new wave of change going on in the ruling party. In the past, PDP has been accused of so many things one of which was its endorsement of impunity. The party was accused of cultivating a reputation for lawlessness which was exhibited by discarding at will, valid court orders.

At best, PDP was said to have picked and chosen which of the court orders to obey. We are all living witnesses to how the party lost some states in past elections because it decided to obey court orders.

It is neither in the interest of the party nor in the wider interest of the system to develop scant regard for the pronouncements of the courts.

The judiciary is not just the last hope for the common man; it remains for all intents and purposes, an important pedestal on which democracy is footed. The Constitution has given the institution the powers to adjudicate on matters brought before it in the interest of justice and equity. So an important stage in the journey of deepening our democracy must necessarily involve a return to obedience to the courts of the land. This is simply what the PDP is doing.

PDP by the way, in spite of what its opponents say, can be proud of its origin having been founded on sound democratic ideals. The founding fathers did not only envisage a gathering that will successfully bid for power in a popular democratised setting, but also had in mind a party where justice, fairness,

peace, liberty, freedom, equality, law and order shall reign.

Those attacking the PDP forget so easily that they are enjoying this democratic era simply because the party provided the atmosphere for it. A retrospective look at pre-1999 Nigeria would remind us that so many terrible things happened in this country . A Pinochet had come to town following the annulment of a free and fair election. The bespectacled tyrant had driven out most of the pro-democracy activists, formed his own political parties that adopted him as the sole presidential candidate. He even dragged some of the few elders respected in society to Abuja to march in support of his transformation to civilian president and then ordered every one of us to pray for him to succeed.

Y

et with all the fear in the land, there were men who were prepared to pay the supreme price for us to be free. That was how Alex Ekwueme, the first Board of Trustees Chairman of PDP led a group of other courageous and patriotic Nigerians like Abubakar Rimi, Solomon Lar and other members of the G-34 members to confront the tyrant. They actually sent a letter to the late Gen. Sani Abacha detailing the people’s disapproval of his plan to succeed himself.

Well, Abacha later died and these patriots came together to form the PDP and the rest is history.

It is regrettable that in the course of building the party and contesting for power, some of these ideals have been side-stepped over the

years in varying degrees. There is no doubt that PDP today is a big party and that a few mistakes have been made here and there. The good news though is that the party is once again in search of its ideals. That perhaps explains why a founding father of the party is today its chairman today. Bamanga Tukur and his team have vowed to reinvent the PDP along the trajectory envisaged by the founding fathers.

This rebirth going on at Wadata House is geared towards strengthening the democratic credentials of the party and the fulcrum must be respect for the courts!

It is understandable that some people who are used to the old ways of impunity are insinuating all kinds of motives just because the party now obeys court orders. When Tukur was campaigning for the chairmanship of the party, one of his promises was to improve internal democracy. He has started off well and earned public respect by fighting to dislodge all symbols of tyranny in the party.

He has ensured the Nigerian Constitution and that of PDP are respected to the letter. He is presently extricating the vice-like grip of the governors-who have proven by far to be the greatest obstacle to internal democracy- on the party. He is making the ruling party once again an all-inclusive party where only a popular choice can pick the party’s tickets for elections.

*Mr. Nwokoroigwe, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Owerri, Imo State.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 19

B

EFORE the Domestic Debt Data Exercise and Solvency Test conducted in the 36 states across the country by the Debt Management Office, DMO, in December 2012 which its findings were recently published in The Guardian newspaper, many Nigerians were quite aware that some states were in serious financial quagmire to the extent that they were surviving on borrowing. Some of the state governments have not helped matters as they fail to cut the their coats according to available cloth. While some of them have been able to do so prudently by plugging wastages and extravagance in governance, others have continued to be wasteful in managing the funds at their disposal.

With this development and 2015 fast approaching, some politicians in a desperate bid to score cheap popularity and gain relevance have falsely accused their state governors of reckless borrowing from financial institutions to run and develop the states. Some of these politicians, however, were not able to substantiate the allegations with accurate and verifiable data before now.

Prominently among such politicians were ex-governors who had fallen out of favour with their successors due to the former’s overbearing influence and interference in governance, which

the latter have stoutly resisted. For many of us from Abia we had initially believed such allegations by some politicians from the state, thinking that they had accurate information with regards to government activities.

Besides, in what looked like lending credence to the allegations, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had in January this year warned money-deposit banks in the country against the continued lending of credit to states, local councils and their agencies because of the risk implication.

So we had before now believed totally the allegation by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu that his successor, Chief Theodore Orji, has been massively borrowing from financial institutions to run the state, thereby putting the state into high profile debts. Though I am aware that sometime at the beginning of his administration, Orji tried to raise bonds from the capital market for developmental projects, but the idea was heavily criticized by opposition party members in the State Assembly then. That was how the idea became dead on arrival. Since then we have not heard anything publicly about state government borrowing.

Relatedly, Kalu had, ahead of the 2011 general elections, in a publication claimed that Orji had been borrowing since he came

into office even though he did not inherit any debt from him (Kalu) in 2007. But Orji’s administration presented a documentary evidence which were advertised in newspapers showing that they inherited more than N29.9 billion debts from Kalu’s administration which included backlog of council workers salaries and arrears, adverts placed during Kalu’s presidential campaign, and others.

Orji’s administration insisted that it had not borrowed and is not borrowing to run and develop the state since it came into office, rather it has been servicing the debts it inherited from its predecessor and at the same time utilizing the state resources prudently to provide the expected democracy dividends for the people.

But following the release of the DMO Report on states debt profile and solvency across the

Oyerinde: The weird crusade to find killers

BY MIKE EGUADASE

E

ACH time Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State blows up and expresses what is now known as the Oshiomhole syndrome, he reminds Nigerians of a state chief executive who is yet to adjust to what it takes to occupy that exalted position. It happened, again, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, just before the commencement of the National Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa.

Not many were surprised that Oshiomhole was at the centre of yet another bizarre misconduct. The only surprise was that the Comrade had, this time, staged his drama before the highest moral as well as legal authority in the country, the National Council of State, comprising the President as Chairman, all former Presidents and Heads of State, Senate President and former Senate Presidents, Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Speakers, Chief Justice of the Federation and former Chief Justices and, of course, serving Governors.

Comrade Oshiomhole has, over the last eight months, engaged in a crusade to unearth the killer(s) of his Principal Private Secretary, PPS, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, who was murdered in cold blood on May 4, 2012. During this period, he (Oshiomhole) has pointed finger of guilt at almost everybody and every institution. First, Oshiomhole’s accusation was against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which, by innuendo, he accused of wanting to intimidate him by killing his associates because they (PDP) could not defeat him at the polls. In his words: ”Last night, like coward [sic], they shot Olaitan in the chest, head and belly to make sure he never

C M Y K

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survives… because their plan is to postpone again for the second time our campaign” (The Nation, May 5, 2012).

Although the referent in this statement is the PDP, what he actually had in mind was Chief Tony Anenih, whom Oshiomhole accused severally of being behind the bloodletting in the pre-governorship election period in Edo State. Fortunately for the PDP and Anenih, police investigations into the most serious incidents in the state at the time, the Governor’s convoy accident of last year in which three journalists lost their lives and the assassination of Comrade Oyerinde, showed that no political conspiracy was involved. But this has not tempered Oshiomhole’s penchant for throwing wild allegations.

Amazingly, Oshiomhole chose, of all places, the launch of the Nigeria Police Code of Conduct to make wild and intemperate allegations against the Police. He pointedly accused the DIG, Force CID, of conspiracy to murder or conspiracy to shield murderers, either of which he says, should earn him dismissal from the Force. He also unabashedly described the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who conducted the investigation into the murder of Oyerinde, as a “criminal”. Never before, in the history of Nigeria, has a high public official, a State Governor for that matter, poured such odium on a major institution of state like the Police.

It is remarkable that Oshiomhole’s outburst against the Police undermined all the decorum and protocol of his office as governor and the decency expected of a guest at the Police launch event. To attack senior officials and impugn the integrity of the Police at their own event is taking

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BY JUDE CHIBUOYIM

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Worrisome debt profiles of states

This situation puts a question mark on the financial prudence of some state governors, especially when Abia with a low profile debt could achieve much within a short period

country, I had thought Abia would top the list of indebted states in the country considering the massive ongoing and completed projects that were scattered across the state, coupled with the allegations

by Kalu that the present government has been surviving by borrowing from financial institutions.

But to my greatest surprise, Abia was not among the high profile indebted states in the country today. The Report has, therefore vindicated the Abia State government and some other state governments that have been falsely accused by the political enemies of the governors without accurate data from relevant authorities. The DMO report has shown it all and Nigerians can now separate the rice from the chaff in respect of their states' debt profile and financial solvency status.

Though the Report showed that Abia, like other states is owing, but not as high as alleged by political enemies of the state. All things considered, it is expected that the state will owe considering the many completed and ongoing projects in the state. With the Report, it is now clear that with the rapid and unprecedented developmental projects on ground in Abia today, the government has shown a good example of prudent management of both material and human resources. It is a development which has placed the state among the fastest growing investment-driven states in the country today with a unique peaceful and secured environment.

If truly Governor Orji has been borrowing from financial institutions as alleged by Kalu and others, there is no way such

Oshiomhole’s crusade should be of serious concern to all of us; a governor who throws wild accusations against all and sundry without any concrete proof can hardly be said to be capable of good judgement

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forthrightness to an absurd level. And, it would appear that Oshiomhole has been doing this dance for too many times for his own good or the good of the people he governs. His penchant for hallucination became obvious about two years ago when he claimed that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua endorsed and financially supported his governorship election bid on the platform of the ACN against the PDP where he (Yar’ Adua) was leader.

In 2012, he led a series of violent protest marches, accompanied by hooligans, on the major streets of Benin City. One of such protests was against the INEC for wanting to perform the legitimate function of voter registration. Oshiomhole and his thugs took over the INEC office in Benin City for three days until when the proposed voter registration was cancelled.

I

t was this lack of a good sense of judgement, decency and decorum that was amply demonstrated in Oshiomhole’s altercation with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,

would not reflect in the DMO Report.

This Report has not only exposed the pathological lies and armchair criticisms of some politicians and their cohorts against their state governments, it has equally shown that the Abia government, in the face of overwhelming challenges, is performing, in spite the little resources at its disposal.

Looking at the high profile debts of some of the states as indicated in the Report and the level of infrastructural developments in such states, one would be forced to ask what do their state governments do or are doing with their Monthly Federation Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR and the borrowed funds. This is because what were on ground in the states in terms of infrastructural developments and others are not commensurate with their debts profile.

This situation puts a question mark on the financial prudence and accountability of some state governors, especially when a state like Abia with its low profile debt could achieve much within a short period. More worrisome is the facts that some states with high debts profile have nothing to show or justify such debts in the area of human and infrastructural developments.

Again all those who have falsely deceived the public for so long by accusing the Abia government of under-performance and over borrowing should openly apologise to the state government and the people of the state. *Mr. Chibuoyim, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Owerri, Imo State.

Mohammed Adoke (SAN), at the National Council of State meeting earlier referred to. According to reports of the incident, Oshiomhole would have physically assaulted Adoke but for the timely intervention of some of his colleagues, just because he believed that Adoke’s position on Oyerinde’s murder did not fit into his thesis on the matter.

It is easy to suggest that Oshiomhole has become very emotional because of the failure by the Police to find his own perceived killer(s) of someone so close and so dear to him; this explains his rejection of those found by the Police.

The miracle is that there is no report that Oshiomhole has yet engaged in fist-cuffs with any of his commissioners or permanent secretaries. The saving grace maybe that, as governor, none of his aides has had the temerity to engage him in any prolonged disputation.

But why should Oshiomhole be so desperate, in the Oyerinde matter, to the extent of almost dancing naked in the public domains? Is it merely to ensure that the right action is taken by the Police that he is playing to the gallery? Is there anything troubling his mind which he has been trying to conceal by behaving wildly and getting on the nerves of almost everybody? The Edo State Attorney-General has caused the release of Reverend David Ugholor who is Oshiomhole’s close associate and who was arrested by the Police as a suspect. The question is, why is Oshiomhole so desperate?

On the whole, Oshiomhole’s hallucination and crusade should be of serious concern to all of us. A governor who throws wild accusations against all and sundry without any concrete proof can hardly be said to be capable of any good judgement.

*Mr. Eguadase, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 201 3

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 21

NSE calls for listing of privatised companies

C

HIEF Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema has called for listing of privatised companies on the NSE. Onyema made the call at the Capital Market Annual Conference organised by BusinessDay in Lagos.

He said that the listing would boost capital market’s liquidity and the firms’ desired growth. Onyema, who spoke on “Increasing liquidity for One Trillion Dollar Capital Market by 2016”, said that it was time companies like NICON and Nigerdock were listed on the NSE. According to him, the capital market can only achieve the set target through favourable government policies.

He said that the Federal Government should hasten its privatisation exercise and divest from the NNPC for it to be listed on the NSE. According to him, the Nigerian capital market is not reflective of the economy as the market capitalisation currently represents 21 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Onyema said that government should provide enabling environment and appropriate tax regime to influence listing on the nation’s bourse. He said that the NSE has put in place strategies to ensure it attained the one trillion dollar market capitalisation by 2016.

Onyema said that the NSE would launch additional five Exchange Traded Funds in 2013 to increase the number of tradable products.

“Liquidity is very important for the set target and the market making initiative roll out will be concluded by March,” he said. He said that the NSE would strengthen investor education initiative to increase the number of retail investors from five million to 40 million.

Ms Arunma Oteh, the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said that the Commission’s emphasis would be on collective investment schemes to increase retail investors’ participation. Oteh, who was represented by Mrs Louisa EniUmukoro, Director/Head, CIS Department, said that the Commission would embark on massive campaigns to ensure listing of more companies, especially the SMEs. Oteh said that the commission would strengthen its regulation to make the market more attractive.

Shareholders call for relocation of residents near tank farms T

HE Jetty and Petroleum Tank Farm Owners of Nigeria (JEPTFON) has called for relocation of all residents near tank farms in Lagos.

Mr. Enoch Karnawa, the JEPTFON Executive Secre-

tary, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. Karnawa spoke against the backdrop of an explosion at a tank farm at Tin Can Island on January 8.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had said that the state government would collaborate with the Federal Government to relocate the jetties. He alleged that the explosion oc-

From left: Regional Director, Moneygram, North & West-Africa, Mr. Francois Payret; Marketing Executive, Anglophone, West Africa, Mr. Kofi Alayea and Assistant Director, Centre Spread Advertising, Mrs. Bankole Akanbi at the MoneyGram share the passion and win big promo, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

curred due to poor planning and absence of maritime safety standards at the jetties.

Karnawa, however, said that relocation of the jetties would be a Herculean task and that the tank farms had economic advantages.

“The tank farms have other roles to play apart from supplying products. They generate employment and also pay taxes to the state government,” he said. Karnawa said it was easier to relocate the residents near the tank farms than to relocate the tank farms.

“The government should relocate the residential houses and not the tank farms because the tank farms are capital intensive.

It is easier to relocate the residential houses because the investments in them are not as much as that of the tank farms.

In actual fact, the tank farms are always located by the seaside, apart from the ones at Apapa, to ensure access to ships bringing in petroleum products,” Karnawa said. An explosion occurred at a tank farm at Tin-Can Island Port on January 8 when barge carrying petrol was trying to discharge its cargo at the MRS Jetty.

NIFOR develops disease-resistant high yielding seed variety T HE Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) said that it has developed high yielding disease resistant variety in a bid to improve the performance of the sub sector.

Mr. Leonard Ihase , a researcher with the institute, made this known in Abuja during a training programme for journalists organized by

the Bio sciences for farming in Africa.

Ihase said that the disease –resistant variety would increase production of the crop which is of high economic and industrial value.

According to him, the improved seed was developed to resist the “ Fusarium Wilt” disease, a fungal infection that destroys oil palm produc-

tion. The researcher said that Fusarium attacked a plantation and the only way to tackle it was to burn down the whole farm. This situation, he said made research into the improved variety imperative and compulsory. He added that the institute was working hard through a breeding method known as “Reciprocal Recurrent Selection” to increase

Bayelsa Assembly passes N304bn budget T

HE Bayelsa House of As sembly on Wednesday in Yenagoa passed the state’s 2013 Appropriation Bill of N304 billion. The figure represents an increase of N18.9 billion from the N265 billion initial estimates presented to the legislature by Gov. Seriake Dickson. At its sitting, the Speaker of the house, Mr Konbowei Benson, explained that the bill received speedy consideration by the lawmakers as earlier promised to the governor.

He described the bill as “A visionary and developmentoriented budget” and commended the lawmakers for their commitment and consci-

entious consideration. The speaker noted that in spite of the late submission of the bill by the executive due to some sad incidents in the state, the house showed commitment to its speedy passage. The presentation was delayed by the flood in the state and the illfated helicopter crash that killed former Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and Gen. Owoeye Azazi.

Benson said the House has proved its willingness to partner with the executive in the interest of the overall development of the state. The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Iniyobiyo Obiene, said the budget

was good, with great commitment to investment and infrastructure development.

He explained that out of the total sum, N162.5 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure, while recurrent stood at N141.3 billion. The lawmaker pledged the preparedness of the House to effectively carry out its oversight functions to ensure that projects were thoroughly and speedily executed by the various ministries.

farmers’ yield.

“Reciprocal Recurrent Selection” is a scientific method used for the breeding of oil palm production and the most suitable for the product.

According to him, oil palm is very rich in vitamin A and E and a common cooking ingredient which is also used for making soap and cream

132.85

-0.25

2,149.00 +50.00 18.32

0.01

108.14

+0.69

92.65

+0.49

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL

SELLING

DOLLAR 154.76 155.26 POUNDS 233.9507 234.7065 EURO 200.3832 201.0306 FRANC 163.8365164.3659 YEN 1.6219 1.6271 CFA 0.286 0.296 WAUA 231.7928 232.5417 RENMINBI 24.8965 24.9774 RIYA 41.266 41.3994 KRONA 26.8695 26.9563 SDR 232.5424 233.2937

155.76 235.4624 201.678 164.8952 1.6324 0.306 233.2906 25.0583 41.5327 27.0431 234.045

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/03/2013

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 201 3

Diamond Bank supports 30,000 MSME with N70bn loan •Flags off 3rd edition entrepreneurship programme

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

D

IAMOND Bank has supported 30,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) with N70 billion loans.

Meanwhile the Bank has flagged off the 3rd edition of its entrepreneurship development programme tagged Building Entrepreneurs Today (BET).

Speaking at a press conference to flag off the BET programme, Executive Director, Corporate Services, Diamond Bank, Mr Uzoma Dozie, said that the BET is a capacity building initiative of Diamond Bank in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan African University. “With the success we have recorded in the last two seasons of the programme, we are convinced that the provision of adequate capacity for small businesses goes a long way in reducing their risk profile as well as increase their business acumen”, he said Uzoma explained that the programme is divided into three phases commencing with the Application Phase, where entrepreneurs nationwide are invited to apply for the programme. This phase commences today and shall end on April 5th. This, he said is followed by the Capacity Building Phase, which shall commence in April and end in June 2013.

Here, the best 50 entrepreneurs selected from the applicants will partake in the three months Capacity Building Program at the Enterprise Development Centre of the University.

T

he third phase is the Business Development Phase, which shall last for six months till December this year where 15 Top Breed Students will be selected and they will be further engaged in an Intensive Business Development Support Service for another period of 6 months.

The third edition will be rounded off with the Next Level Award phase where Diamond Bank will reward the top 5 outstanding entrepreneurs with a sum of N3 million naira each as growth capital for their businesses.

Fielding questions from journalists after the event, Head of the Bank’s MSME unit, Mr Chima Nnadosie,

From left: Tonie Uwume, Head, Marketing & Relationship Management, Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited; John Ekpikhe, Senior Consultant, Mark-George Consults and Chima Nnadozie, Head, MSME Proposition, Diamond Bank at the 28th Diamond BusinessXpress Enterprise Series, in Calabar. said that the BET is a part of the bank’s programmes to enhance the growth of MSMEs in Nigeria. He said this includes the business seminars organised for MSME owners across the

country, with the 29th edition coming up in Akure next week. He said the Bank also helps MSMEs to access market for their goods. He disclosed that these support programmes are besides

loans granted to MSMEs over the years. He said, “In terms of lending, we have lent over N70 billion to about 30,000 MSME operators since 2009 when we started lending to MSMEs.”

We won’t compel companies to list — NSE

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

C

HIEF Executive Officer of the Nigeri an Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, has excluded compulsion as one of the options available to the Exchange to get companies listed, saying that it is not good.

Speaking at one day annual capital market conference tagged ‘Increasing Liquidity for a US$1 trillion Capital Market’ organised by Businessday in Lagos, Onyema said that companies should be willing to comply with the post-listing requirements.

He also disclosed that the Exchange is set to launch additional five Exchange Traded Funds, ETFs, before the end of the year to increase the number of tradable products in the nation’s capital market.

He noted that discussions are on-going with some companies to float more ETFs and to also get more companies listed on the nation’s stock market.

Presenting a paper, “Achieving $1trillion Market Capitalisation by 2016,” he said that favourable government policies would enable the Exchange meet the $1 trillion market capitalisation target, adding that the capitalisation which currently stands at $101.64 billion, a 21 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), was not reflective of the economy.

He listed factors that could aid the achievement of projected figure to include provision of an enabling environment to encourage more listings on the Exchange and setting appropriate tax regimes among others.

Other things that would drive the market, according to him, include comprehensive and robust legal/regulatory framework, efficient technology systems, market structure to drive liquidity and depth, as well as investors and issuer protection.

Stating some of NSE efforts towards achieving $1trillion market capitalisation mark, he said “We have enhanced market surveillance; there must be just and equitable practices, and there must be continuous conduction of investors’ education and compliance through enforcement.”

Onyema further said that market marking rollout would be concluded this month, adding that the Exchange has received 19 applications for securities lending agents.

Also speaking, Director, Capital Markets Exotic UKN, Mr Luca Del Conte, said that the key characteristics of frontier market include illiquidity in securities trading, lack of market depth, under-developed financial markets and lack of products.

ABC targets N90.88m profit in Q2

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

B

ARING any unforeseen circumstance, the profit after tax of sole road Transport Company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Associated Bus Company (ABC) will be expected to hit N90.88 million for the second quarter ended 30 th June, 2013.

According to the company ’s financial statement released to the NSE on Wednesday, the company expects to pay N60.59 million as tax from N151.47 million pre-tax profits projected for the period. Also, turnover is expected to be N1.84 billion, while operating expenses and general administrative expenses are targeted at N1.101 billion and N275.28 million respectively.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Frank Nneji, had assured stockbrokers during the bell ringing ceremony at the NSE to mark the company’s 20th anniversary that the management is working hard to ensure that they extract more value for the shareholders through various transformation it had undergone over the years.

He also said assured that the company would strive to make information readily available to the investing public through the stockbrokers to aid their investment decisions.

Nneji stated that about seven years ago when ABC Transport came to the NSE for listing, it was primarily a road transport company.

However, in the last few years, it has diversified into other related businesses which have reinforced its financial performance. The company, according to him, now has other units such as ABC Haulage, ABC Cargo Express which are now delivering better value.

He said, “The ABC Haulage is currently involved in the transportation of cement for some cement manufacturing companies in the South-West and South-South region. The Cargo Express unit is equally doing well in its areas of operations.

We want to assure you that stockbrokers will be getting more information on the company; going forward, we will ensure that we give you information in due time,” he assured.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—23

Credit bureau: CBN pegs 10% investment by banks

BY PETER EGWUATU

T

HE Central Bank of Nige ria (CBN) has directed that banks operating in the country can only invest 10 per cent of their paid up capital in Credit Bureau and not in more than one entity.

The apex bank also placed five hundred million naira (N500 million ) as the minimum capital requirements for Credit Bureau operator.

In a draft guideline for the licensing, operations and regulation of credit bureau and credit bureau related transactions in Nigeria released by the CBN, it stated that the process of licensing a Credit Bureau shall be in three (3) stages. This include: receipt and appraisal of application; issuance of approval –in -Principle and )issuance of final operating licence.

According to the draft guideline , Individuals/entities are at liberty to invest in a Credit Bureau subject to CBN approval; Investment by a bank

N

IGERIA’S share of world trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are still abysmally low as the country’s share of world trade is 0.4 per cent while FDI is 0.45 per cent in 2012.

This was disclosed by Bismark Rewane, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, who spoke during the March edition of the monthly Executive Breakfast Meeting of the Lagos Business School held at the school premises in Lagos.

According to his analysis of global economy and the place of Nigeria, he said: “Nigeria’s share of world trade is 0.4 per cent, while FDI is 0.45 per cent.”

Rewane stated that Nigeria economy is suffering from multi-faceted problems saying Agricultural productivity was already affected by floods, BokoHaram insurgency and seasonal factors.

He noted that despite security and other challenges facing the country, the investment of the Dangote Group in Cement manufacturing in some African countries has

C M Y K

UBA Ghana posts higher profit

U

From left: Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem Belo-Osagie; Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke; Campaign Advisor, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC, Irene Nzimiro and CEO, Onboarding Impact, Winihin Jemide, at the Economist Conference, in Lagos.

and its subsidiaries in a Credit Bureau shall not exceed 10% of the total paid -up capital of the Credit Bureau and Banks shall not invest in more than one (1) Credit Bureau.

The CBN in the guideline

stated that a promoter(s) seeking to operate a Credit Bureau in Nigeria shall apply in writing to the Governor of CBN. According to the apex bank, “Such application for a Credit Bureau licence shall be ac-

Nigeria’s share of world trade is 0.4%, FDI 0.45%

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

BRIEF:

helped in boosting the confidence of foreign investors in Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, Nigerian companies were the second most targeted by foreign investors, accounting for 28 per cent while the South Africa was highest with 48 per cent.

South African and UK companies are the biggest Acquirers”, he noted.

Rewane said that Dangote and a host of other local entrepreneurs have made a good showing of Nigeria economic image to the international community.

He stated that investors’ confidence has been rekindled in Nigeria’s economy despite the insecurity and the negative reaction of the world market to series of events across the globe especially in African countries owing largely to the incursion of local businesses led by the Dangote group into other African markets.

He noted that the present investors’ rating of Nigeria in the face of the expected continuous fall in the price of oil and the rampant theft of the nation’s crude oil all of

which have rubbed off on the nation’s positive economic outlook of recent was partly bolstered by the investments in manufacturing across the African continent by the panAfrican conglomerates.

“Dangote Cement enters Tanzania with $420 million cement factory to produce 3mmt per annum .

companied with the following: Non -refundable Application fee of N250,000 made payable to the CBN ; Minimum capital requirement of 500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira only) made payable to the CBN, fifty per cent (50%) of which would be released upon the grant of Approval – in Principle, while the balance would be released with the accrued interest on the grant of final licence.”

On directorship, the CBN, said, the maximum number of directors including executive directors on the Board of a Credit Bureau shall be eleven [11] (one of which must be an independent director), while the minimum shall be five [5].

The non -executive directors should comprise the majority of the members of the Board at any point in time.

NITED Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited (UBA Ghana), a subsidiary of United Bank for Africa Plc, has made steady and significant strides in the growth of its profits and total assets, according to the bank’s financial statement for last year, which was published last Monday in Accra.

UBA drastically reduced its Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio during the period under review, the financial year-ending December 31, 2012. The bank posted a profit before tax (PBT) of GH¢62.9 million compared with GH¢30.1 million in 2011, representing an incremental growth rate of 108%.

In profit-after-tax (PAT) terms, the bank grew by 112% from GH¢22.4 million in 2011 to GH¢47.5 million last year. There was also an appreciable growth in total assets of 23% from December 2011 to the same period last year.

With this performance, UBA Ghana has consolidated its position as one of the most profitable banks in Ghana, having achieved a growth in its profits far in excess of 200% in two years. The growth, according to Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr Oliver Alawuba, was mainly due to a 79% rise in net interest income over the 2011 level on the back of over 62% increase in the bank’s loan book, as well as 41% growth in its investment in government securities.

Nigeria remains investors delight — Ekobank Chairman

BY PETER EGWUATU

E

COBANK Group Chair man, Mr. Kolapo Lawson has said that Nigeria remains investors’ delight despite some challenges the country are facing.

He made this known at the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Brainstorming session held in Lagos where Ecobank partnered the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa, 2013 to host the meeting. The event graced by captains of industry and the Nigerian Economic Submit Group opened the window for

dialogue on the growth prospect for Africa ahead of the 2013 summit in May. Ecobank Group Chairman, Kolapo Lawson, who opened the event, said Nigeria remains an investor’s delight and the next economic giant of Africa in view of the opening of trade activities and continuous privatization of government assets that will result in increased economic efficiency.

According to Lawson, “Activities in the power sector coupled with the Petroleum Industry Bill will no doubt empower local players and allow

effective and optimal utilization of foreign capital inflow which have no other optimal investment outlets as at today.

We acknowledge the complexity of the Nigerian business environment; we need to praise the various CEOs for their audacity to succeed against some of the most challenging business factors. He warned that the new leadership context in Africa requires successful Global leaders to master strategic agility and to build risk resilience.

“For over 40 years, the mission of the World Economic Forum has been committed to improving the state of the world.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

M

olly Hurley-Depret is a communication specialist with Biosciences for Farming in Africa (B4FA) based in United Kingdom.

She is visiting Nigeria as part of the team working on a programme designed to encourage informed discussion about the potential application of biosciences for farming in Africa.

In this short chat with JIMOH BABATUNDE in Abuja during the week, she shares her travel experience.

Here is an excerpt

This is one of the famous tourist spots in Abuja, Nigeria and is known for its serene and tranquil surroundings.

On her visit to Nigeria I am originally from Alabama in United States and now live in London. For some years I was in Brussels, Belgium and also in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

This is my first time in Nigeria and the experience has been exciting especially here in Abuja. We only past through Lagos over night, so I did not get to experience the city very well, but I experience the airport and it was busy as everyone had told me.

I will say it definitely helps to travel with some Nigerian people in order to help you understand how everything works.

y l l o M — s g a b n i ng

On her travels I travel very often for works and this is probably my first trip in the last six months, but for leisure yes. I travel a lot in Europe because there are many local flights there, but I was in Uganda last year. That was my first travel to Africa and my first African experience.

When I travel for leisure, I look for a home away from home. I don’t look for a big fancy hotel; I look for something modest and authentic and with hosts helping me with the culture of the people as well as the food.

n i k c e h c I hate

with.

It was very relaxing. I will say such a hotel was a pleasant experience.

On her best airline When I fly back to the United States, I always do that with United and Continental airlines. You must know that there is no airline that is perfect. I will say I was also impressed with Arik airways here in Nigeria.

On things she travel with I love music, so I travel with music player, just as I travel with different personal care items I take from home in miniatures. I travel with lots of miniatures, because in Europe we have restrictions on traveling with liquids.

Since I love traveling carrying my hand bag, I don’t like checking in my bags, so I have a miniature of everything.

On her best hotel There was this small place in Lisbon, Portugal that I liked and it was very simple and each room was decorated according to the style of different artists from the

for you to work

On her best destination I will have to say New Orleans in America

*Molly Hurley-Depret 20th century. It had a very nice feel; there was music for you to play and a little desk

Southern Sun hotel rolls out Easter package In preparation for the Easter celebration, the management of Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel has designed a special weekend package to woo customers and guests.

The package will afford guests to experience a pleasant stay at discounted rates without compromising the usual high quality service rendered in the hotel.

The hotel’s General Manager, Mark Loxley said “for all our in-house guests who love sea food, the Friday sea food dinner buffet would come with a discount. Not forgetting discount that comes with the popular Special Easter Sunday brunch with in-house guest enjoying priority table reservation’’.

He added that guest can upgrade to executive rooms as well as enjoy early check in and late check out privileges upon availability. Guests who stay within that period are also automatically entitled to the hotel’s frequent hotel loyalty programme, he concludes.

Renowned for its culinary expertise and five star services experience, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel has a tradition of quality service delivery and customer satisfaction. Its facilities offer modern comfort, perfect for business and leisure.

Qatar ttourism, ourism, air ways par tner on ffood ood ffestiv estiv al airw partner estival

Q

atar Tourism Authority (QTA) has partnered with Qatar Airways to launch the fourth edition of their annual food festival in Doha. Renamed Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) the four-day event will take place at the Museum of Islamic Art Park next week.

This year, QIFF will carry two main themes; healthy food and a healthy lifestyle, as well as focusing on the Qatari UK Year of Culture by highlighting traditional dishes from both the UK and Qatar.

Families can enjoy sampling food and different

cuisines from around the world as prepared by a wide variety of Qatar ’s finest 5 star hotels and restaurants.

Issa Al-Mohannadi, Chairman of QTA, commented: “We at QTA, are honored with the partnership with Qatar Airways, as we consider QA as a key partner in promoting Qatar as an upscale touristic destination. This year the Festival showcases excellent quality food from some of the world’s best hotel and restaurant brands that have established outlets in Qatar, confirming its growing reputation

as an international gourmet capital, that appeals to tourists from anywhere in the world.”

Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, said: “Qatar Airways is very pleased to be partnering with Qatar Tourism Authority on what has become a great annual family event here in Doha. We are extremely excited by the initiatives that we will be featuring in this years’ festival. I strongly encourage everyone to stayed tuned for our upcoming announcements about the Qatar International Food Festival.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 25

Adamu bags award of excellence for Feb

I

N line with the expectations of the Customs management to promote commitment and dedication to duty, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ has been at the vanguard of recognising and rewarding officers and men of the unit on monthly basis who are outstanding.

It is on the basis of the above, that the management of Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ approved the nomination of AC Adamu Abubakar Mohammed as the recipient for February 2013 in what the Controller described as a re-

ward for his superlative and monumental achievements as the coordinator of the Lagos Roving Team.

Asst. Compt. Adamu Abubakar Mohammed was born into a humble background to Alhaji and Hajiya Abubakar Gombe in Bauchi State on October, 1963.

A graduate of Business Administration from the University of Maiduguri, AC Adamu Abubakar Mohammed enlisted into the service as a Cadet Officer and has served in different commands and in various capacities.

Some of the commands he served includes Benue Plateau command between 1988-1991, Apapa Premier Port from 19911996, Port Harcourt II 1996-1999, Sokoto Command between 19992001, Apapa Command between 2001-2005, Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection (E,I&I) Headquarters between 2005-2009, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ between 2009-2010, FOU Zone ‘D’ 20102012 and then back to FOU ‘A’ where he presently coordinates the Lagos Roving team.

AWARD — From right: The Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar, presenting the February 2013 award to

Asst. Compt. Adamu Abubakar Mohammed.

Olam to set up N3bn sesame seeds plant in Nigeria

BY DANIEL GUMM

O

LAM Nigeria Limited has has made its intention to set up a N3 billion sesame processing plant in Shagamu, Ogun State.

Olam Nigeria is the subsidiary of Olam International Limited (“Olam”), a leading global, integrated supply chain manager and processor of agricultural products and food ingredients.

Speaking in Lagos when the management team of the Nigerian Export Promotion council (NEPC) were on a tour of the company's Sesame Seed Factory, the country Head of Olam, Mr. Mukul Mathur explained that the exportation of sesame seeds from Nigeria to Europe and Asia has increased over the years.

"Every home in Europe and Asia eat oil made from sesame seed exported from Nigeria to those countries," he added.

He listed some challenges faced as those from cultivation to processing, as well as delays at the seaport, high cost of transportation and electricity, saying that they are major constraints confronting the growth of the industry.

He said it is cheaper to produce sesame seeds from cultivation to exportation in Sudan and Ethiopia even though the one from Nigeria has been adjudged better.

He said the new plant would be built on 25 hectares of land already ac-

quired by the company in Shagamu, Ogun State.

In 1989 Nigeria was the launch-pad for Olam’s global business endeavours, and the company had featured prominently in the countr y ’s economy ever since.

With an initial focus on the procurement of primary commodities like cashews, cocoa and sheanut, Olam gradually refined its operational scope and expanded operations into three major business streams, namely: exports, imports, and branded packaged food products under Caraway Foods.

Today, the company has approximately 1,380 staff spread throughout the country, engaged in helping to manage the value chain activities of origination, processing, marketing and distribution.

Olam also continue to reinforce its operations through both organic and inorganic expansion, expecting to shortly commence production in its mechanical cashew processing facility at Ilorin in Kwara, and recently acquiring both the Crown Flour Mills and the De Rica brand of tomato paste.

Olam’s efforts in Nigeria have been recognised with several prestigious awards, including the 2011 Africa Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility to recognise our highly-acclaimed extension programme for rice farmers in Benue and Kwara, and the 2010 award for Overall Best Exporter of the Year.

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

For UAC, a good man goes…

TRIBUTE

BY LARRY E. ETTAH

W

HEN some people pass on, like Bassey Udo Ndiokho did on Thursday, February 21, 2013, it is worth our tears.

But in mourning the dead, it is also a time to think of their lives. For as we are often reminded, “Not the reach of a man’s fame nor the depth of his fortune but his ability to make a difference to humanity is what matters.” Bassey Udo Ndiokho (1939-2013) worked for UAC of Nigeria PLC for close to three decades and retired as its Chairman/Managing Director (1993-1999).

He became a CEO at a very difficult time of our corporate history, with Unilever divesting and taking with them the “Crown Jewels” of the Group. We were, indeed, handed a bad hand, a losing hand, a lemon, motley of businesses, and a rump of disparate units with poor prospect for growth given their industries.

Legacy portfolio Sometimes, you are not lucky to inherit a legacy portfolio aligned to favourable trends; his was worse. In any case, that was why Unilever was divesting from them, to focus on more profitable core operations, in their view. M r Ndiokho didn’t seek the job, but clearly he wasn’t frightened by the prospects and the challenges.

We, the hapless employees, were somewhat anxious, our confidence wavering, having lost an anchor investor, a corporate parent in Unilever. The prospects of being a fully “Nigerian” business with all that it portends were frightening and nervy. Some who had the opportunity jumped ship to Unilever, or elsewhere, for clearly you

predecessor.

A gentle, simple, spartan, courtly and considerate man, who cherished the virtues of duty quietly exercised. Never one to indulge in self-promotion or media hugging, and without undue fanfare, went about trying to “unscramble the scrambled egg” that UACN was then. He stated his convictions politely but argued them firmly. Optimistic in temperament, he was bold and persistent in action. Mr Ndiokho was a CEO who worked for the organisation, not one where the organisation works for him (as we sometimes see).

A man of great humility, humour, a sense of humanity, radiating to us all, hope. It came easily to him as son of a village Pastor, his upbringing reflected in his character. H e saw power not for its sake but for the purpose, to ensure we brave out the odds, burnish our reputation through service and make UAC survive. It is a testimony to his courage, conviction and vision that UAC, once a flourishing pan-African enterprise under Unilever, survived only in Nigeria (Ghana and other countries liquidated post-Unilever divestment).

Our local contemporaries then were CFAO, UTC, SCOA, John Holt, AG Leventis, etc. It is to

Our local contemporaries then were CFAO, UTC, SCOA, John Holt, AG Leventis, etc. It is to his credit - and memory - that he laid the foundation that today these enterprises are not our peers

,

had to either be bold or foolish to remain - given half the chance. Those of us who had no such chance, however, had a leader - Bassey Udo Ndiokho.

Desperate times can shrink a man or embolden him. He urged us to reject the lazy narrative that a Nigerian business cannot do well, made us believe we are stewards of a great inheritance called UACN. With the lemon we were handed, we worked to make lemonade. We refused to be victims of destiny but masters of our own. There were doubters - people who wondered whether he had the flair, authority and, perhaps, the gumption to carry forward the company built in the image of his

,

his credit - and memory - that he laid the foundation that today these enterprises are not our peers.

In hindsight, it is easier to understand the challenges we faced and the adequacy of his leadership response. He initiated the evolution of UACN Property Development Company PLC (UPDC),

acquired CAP Plc, Grand Cereals Limited, and Spring Waters Nigeria Limited (SWAN) into the group.

These were inspired judgement calls and transformative purchases that underpin UACN growth today.

He was not perfect, well, who amongst us is? He was clearly under-estimated! Bassey will have an honoured place in the memory and history of UACN. To his family, I offer condolence but also the respect and gratitude of UACN. To my colleagues, I say, we owe him a duty to succeed.

On behalf of a grateful Company, we bid you farewell Sir!!

•Mr Ettah is the Group Managing Director/CEO, UAC of Nigeria PLC

Bassey Ndiokho

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—27

BENJAMIN NJOKU

L

OCATED in the southeast part of Africa, Malawi is rarely known for its night life, clubbing and staging of musical concerts. But last weekend, the story was different as the country erupted into a frenzy of excitement following the presence of Nigeria’s pop duo, Psquare who stormed there to thrill their fans.

Psquare were in Malawi to headline a concert organised as part of the activities that preceded the hosting of this year’s Africa Movie Academy Awards nomination party which held last Friday, at the Bingu Wa Muntharika International Conference Centre, in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Of course, the concert proved to be one of the greatest outings embarked upon by the duo in recent times.

As early as 3 pm, the Lilongwe Golf Club, venue of P Square’s ‘Experience it’ concert was filled to the brim. It was the first time a concert of this magnitude would be organised in the shores of Malawi, and this, to many Malawians, was an important show, and a major breakthrough for Joyce Banda-led civilian government. Not only did the concert bring excitement and relief to the faces of over 50,000 Malawians, who

Malawian ladies welcoming Psquare with kisses

How

Psquare

shut down Malawi thronged the venue, it equally showed how Nigerian music is accepted across the borders of east African countries.

In fact, despite the heavy downpour that hit the capital city of Lilongwe for almost two hours, hordes of revellers continued swarming the golf course which for once, proved to be small, to catch a glimpse of the concert.

Distance was not an issue for some Malawians who had travelled from as far as Blan-

tyre, Mzuzu and neighbouring Zambia, to be part of the fun.

The Saturday show was scheduled for Friday evening, but had to be shifted as the state-of-the-art stage equipment demanded by Psquare was yet to arrive from Mozambique.

After the downpour , the crowd erupted into uncontrollable excitement at about 11.13 pm when Psquare stormed the event venue.

Peter Okoye on stage Shouts of Psquare rented the air as the duo mounted the stage to flag off the concert.

Local artistes including, Piksy, Dan Lu, Sally Nyundo and Run Tingz Band who were supposed to start the concert as curtain-raisers were surprisingly denied the opportunity to grace the same stage with Psquare.

The duo went straight to business by putting up one of the best performances in Malawi. They proved to their Malawian fans that the six hour wait was worth it.

Backed by their band and

I N S I D E: Eucharia Anunobi partners Imo Govt.

C M Y K

My passion for music is waning —Baba Dee

with a CD playing in the background the sound was so clear and superb, invading the night and reaching out to far and near places.

From old hits like ‘Temptation’, ‘Gimme That’, ‘I love You’, ‘Roll it’, ‘Forever’, ‘Busy Body’, ‘No one, Possible’, ‘Do me’, ‘E No Easy’ and then, ‘Beautiful Onyinye’ the duo gave Malawians a good show that they would not forget in a hurry. The climax of the show was when they sang, ‘Alingo’, the whole crowd Continues on page 28

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

My passion for music is waning — Baba Dee

accident because if you look at the way I started, you would be convinced that I have the talent. I won the Splash Talent hunt in 1995. I submitted demos like every other person did and they cut it down to ten. Out of those ten, we all travelled to perform on the beach and out of us all, I came out top. So, I won a record contract. That was how I got into music. I guess because of my talent, I’m still in the game till date, and people still appreciate me.

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

W

hat have you been up to, in recent

times?

I’ve been up to a lot of things; from music to acting.

I’m also working on my seventh album and maybe, it’ll be the last.

Why ?

I don’t know. It’s just that I’m getting less passionate with music but for some funny reason, my music is sounding a lot different and people are still appreciating it. But in all, it’s very interesting to be working on album number seven when some people stopped at album number one.

The album will be out before June.

So, what’s the album all about ?

A lot of goodies and somehow, they are coming because of the high demand for them. Like the video, I shot with Vector, then there’s Go Down too which is the most recent. I’ve been working with a lot of new artistes and that’s the challenge with most old artistes. They don’t have time to experiment with the younger ones. I’m also working with many new producers. I have a song coming up with Oritsefemi, Vector, it’s more like coming up with different vibes and reach out to a lot of local fans.

But everything is still dance hall.

You said that your passion for music is waning, why?

Somehow, when I started singing, I also had this drama thing going on because I studied Theater Arts in the university. People who knew me back then at the University of Ibadan could tell you that I wasn’t playing as a dramatist because I was on

But you are more known in the music circle than you are known in the acting world?

It’s not unfortunate. But some people have watched some of my TV dramas . I’m at my best when I’m behind the screen. I think I have the skills to be a puppet master because I studied Directing, Fiction Film in the university, and that’s why it’s time to implement my dream.

He hit the limelight in the 90s when he won the Sun Splash talent hunt. And with his Raggae style, he took all captive. But not too long, he disappeared from the scene, only to re-appear years later.

At the moment, he’s on his seventh album, coupled with his TV drama series, even politics!

Excerpt:

top of my game. I have passion for drama and it led me to performing on stage in a TV drama series. I don’t feature in home videos but I do a lot of TV dramas. So right now, I’m at the stage of producing my own TV drama and based on the wealth of experience that I have, I’ve

been working with international collaborators to come up with something great, and I think now is the time for me to break out.

You have bias for drama, how come you went into music?

I didn’t come into music by

How Psquare shut down Malawi Continued from page 28 erupted in excitement as they sang along with the duo. They mixed their performance with impressive dance moves and stage drama. At a point, Peter was topless exposing his tattoos, a sight the Malawian ladies who welcomed them with kisses loved and cheered uncontrollably.

Daughter of President Joyce Banda, who graced the concert accompanied by her security details stripped herself of her status as she ran

after Psquare to pose for a shot with the duo.

Save for the melodic songs, joined by their dancers, the Okoye brothers wowed Malawians with their electrifying performance. It was a mixture of their good songs as well as the gyrating moves that made the enchanted crowd become ecstatic. They gave off their best till the show came to an end.

“We love you Malawi, please support your artists fully. We are here because of

the support our country Nigeria has and continues to give us. Promise to us that we will have a Malawian artist performing in Nigeria soon,” was Psquare’s call at the end of the performance.

For those who witnessed the concert, it was Psquare at his best. While it lasted, the duo temporarily shut down Malawi, and indisputably, they are on a right course to conquer east Africa with the genre of music.

There was a time you stayed off the stage. What happened to you then?

I wasn’t in the country. I went out of the shores of the country to do my music. I got a recording contract in a Swedish company called Astro Entertainment. It’s a Reggae company and we are still working together. We did a lot of tours in Europe and worked with a lot of artistes.

Right now, even though I’m back in Nigeria, I’m still going back to do the same tour.

You talk as if you are tired of Nigeria?

You understand the pressure. When I said I’m always outside the country, I mean that I’m not someone who likes to be confined to a particular place. I’m always doing one thing or the other all the time and that’s why I can’t stay on a spot because I have to reach out to people.

Why I’m here? Nigeria is my country and if I don’t love Nigeria, I have every reason not to be here. I also have the right to live in thirty six other countries as a legal citizen.

But I chose to live here because I want to be able to transform this country. I love Nigeria so much and that’s why I will be contesting for the House of Assebly in 2015, for Oriade, Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2.

How then will you combine all these things?

Because the level I’ve got to, is that when I should be clamouring for change that will affect a lot of people and not just me. So, if I’m in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I’ll be involved in making decisions that will impact on the life of the people.

Why politics?

I’m not everybody, I’m Baba Dee. I have a stake, a personal equity and my name commands weight, and I’m not ready to sacrifice it on the altar of corruption. If you keep portraying politicians in a bad light, you are killing the future of those coming up.

Why did you return to the country?

What happened was that I had a song I was doing there and they asked me to give it to someone else to sing. I told them I wouldn’t give the song out to someone else. I insisted singing myself but they wouldn’t let me be. I even suggested writing another song for the person but they refused. It dawned on me that it was subtle racism and I pulled out.

But you said, you will be going back there soon?

Right now, I’m not going to them again. I’ve got to a level as a brand where I can tour Europe on my own. I have a couple of shows in Switzerland, Holland, and we’ve already started in the last two summers. I’m working with another company and that’s the company I’ll be working with this summer. But I hope to release my seventh album before embarking on the European tour.

You came back and met a new trend. How were you able to blend with the trend?

After I dropped my last album when I came back, I was off the scene because I wanted to do other things. I had other interests aside music and I wanted to draw a balance. Fortunately, for me, for every album I dropped, there was always a hit song.

But the truth of the matter is that I had a problem with the last album I dropped before travelling. I had a problem with the marketer. I promised some people something and they couldn’t meet up and there was a legal tussle. And for someone who was just coming into the country, that was enough to battle with firstly. So, I noticed the production channel has changed and right now, we don’t give too much importance to CDs like phones. And understanding the new media and distribution channel was my priority. I had to step back and we started a record label called Naija Ninja between my brother, Sound Sultan and myself. We now have five artistes under us. It has always been me working more behind the scene and when it’s time to come to the fore then, I step out.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—29

Eucharia Anunobi partners Imo Govt.

I

N a bid to support the Rescue Mission agenda of Governor Anayo Rochas Okorocha’s led administration, Nollywood actress, Evangelist Eucharia Anunobi has shown interest of joining in partnership with the Imo State government and other well-meaning Imolites to make the State drive developmentally for the general purpose of all.

The Imo born thespian disclosed this shortly after she paid a courtesy visit to the Imo State Liaison office in Lagos State with her team of top Nollywood movie practitioners.

Speaking, the actress turned evangelist stated that the purpose of her visit was based on the dividends of democracy that is on ground in Imo, which she said was visible after her review of the State; she added that the outcome was overwhelming and that it prompted her to support the government through her partnership that will go a long way into impacting the lives of the people of the State.

While receiving the actress and her team, the Special Assistant to the Imo State governor on Lagos Liaison, Hon. Lisa Asugha thanked

• Lynns

Lynns unveils New Dawn in grand style

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

• Eucharia her for making what she called the best decision every lover of human development could make, stressing that her

choice to partner with the State would be acknowledged by both the citizens and government.

Campaign hype ignites ‘ Next Rated’’ reality show

BY IYABO AINA

W

ITH a vision of taking entertainment to a new level through dynamic and innovative events,Campaign Hype entertainment has upped the ante in the Nigerian entertainment scene with its success at the 1st edition of Next Rated ...The search .

The debut season of what will be known as the “Next Rated ….The Search ” reality show will take place from March 8 to 23, 2013 whilst auditions begin in two weeks time.

Thousands of talented Nigerians of all ages and sexes, each bearing a unique talent will troop to the Muson Centre in Lagos, venue of the

audition, for a chance to be the Next Rated artiste.

Speaking to Journalists recently in Lagos, Mr. Von Styke, President of Campaign Hype said the nation abounds with a pool of young talents waiting to be discovered and nurtured to their full potential.

Mr Von also said his passion for showing young talents the way to attaining the dream of making it big in entertainment necessitated the organization of the Next Rated concert .

According to him Next Rated audition will commence in two weeks time and “ we are expecting over 100 candidates, while only 25 talented individuals will qualify for the final with the winner going away with N1million and a year recording deal, the first runner-up goes away with N500,000 with a record deal and the second runner up will take away N300,000 and other consolation prizes like iPads ”.

It was all music and dance last Saturday as Lynns TokeeOpitoke unveiled his long awaited album, New Dawn.

Lynns who’s been in the UK for many years on ministerial work, breezed into the country recently, and hosted the who-is-who in the music industry to an ‘evening of praise’ in celebration of his new baby, New Dawn. The dinner concert and album launch presentation which held at White House Hotels, GRA Ikeja last weekend, saw the unveiling of gospel tracks like Everybody Come Around, Wait Upon The Lord, Jehovah Has The Fi-

nal Say, Sing Halleluyah, Call On Him including seven others.

The album presented by Sweet Aroma Music, U.K, featured the likes of popular gospel acts, Asu Ekiye as guests artiste, with Patrick Doyle standing as the MC of the day.

Asu Ekiye took the stage by storm, as he treated the guests into nice soul lifting praises as the crowd danced away their sorrow.

The height of the concert was when the celebrant of the day grabbed the microphone.

Guests mouths dropped as they couldn’t help but praise God for the vibrant Pastor Lynns who has transformed into a guru on stage.

Crystal Gospel Awards drops nominees list

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

A

S a way of making gospel acts in the country not feel left out of the fame that comes with holding the microphone and getting people roll their waists, Adenekan Adebayo, has debut an initiative, Crystal Gospel Awards.

Aside filling the above void, Crystal Gospel Awards is inspired to also create fertile grounds for upcoming gospel artistes to break forth.

According to the Executive Director of the awards, Mr.Adenekan, “our goal is to close ranks among Christian Music Groups, choral groups and Christian music journalists in order to bring the Christian music industry at par with accepted world standards.”

Names and categories for the award night include: Artistes of The Year: Sammy Okposo, Frank Edwards, Sinach, Lara George and Eben. Song Of The Year: Ogene Do by Frank Edwards, 123 by Nikki Laoye, Ekelebe by Tim Godfrey, My Story by Sammie Okposo and Dansaki by Lara George.

Others include, Best Female/Male Vocalist, Best Praise Song, Best Worship Song and others.

Corroborating Adenekan’s point is Director, Brand Strategist and Media Affairs of the award, Victor Igbinigie.

According to him, the unveiling of the nominees has begun one of the greatest things that will happen to the Gospel Music Industry. “I am super excited!”, he concluded.

However, in view of the sensitive nature of the holy competition and in line with global standard practices, the ultimate winner in each category will be determined by a transparent sms voting to be conducted by Cellulant Nigeria Limited. The voting runs for a period of three months, Feb.21-May 21, 2013. Crystal Awards Big night is slated for June 21, 2013 at Muson Centre, Lagos.

30 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 with LAJU ARENYEKA

a h g i e s e y e i m a l A n e e w t e B s a b a r r a B d an C

RUCIFY him, but release Barrabas to us!” the Jews screamed, and Pontius Pilate was shocked to his toes. He had assumed that the Jews would want Jesus instead, him being blameless and all, instead of a robber who had terrorized the entire city. Rumours had it that when the international police tried to catch him, he dressed up as a woman to deceive them…oops, wrong theology, that was Former Bayelsa state governor, ‘His Excellency ’, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who after stealing large amounts of public funds and sentenced to jail on corruption charges, now roams the streets of the world freely.

He is Pilate’s, sorry President Goodluck Jonathan’s early Easter gift to all Nigerians. Only this time, we could have sworn we asked for Jesus…you know, the thousands languishing behind prison gates many of whom have waited for more than ten years without being tried; the poor who have been sentenced to jail for years for stealing a goat or vegetables in the market; convicted robbers who had a confession beaten out of them in police cell; the thousands of

money, dem go show im face for crime fighters,” beg to add, Rich man wey thief unco? Dem go see im face for forbes.

Nigerians seem smarter than the crowd in Jesus’ time; if Pontius Pilate were president, he would understand us better. Pontius Pilate was a poor judge of character, a wimp, who washed his hands after declaring the crucifixion of an innocent man. But at least he listened to the people…and they weren’t even in a democracy!

Many Nigerian leaders think this is a synonym for the other nine letter word that takes place in 2015e-l-e-c-t-i-o-n-s.

Oh! What do simple minds like ours know about the inner workings of leading a nation? Let’s just stick to the Bible stories. So, by this time next week, it will be Good Friday, and just as Barrabas’ wrists were free when Jesus was being nailed to the cross, Alamaseiygha can wave his hands in freedom. The few who felt he should have been punished did not dare question Pilate’s decision, and the night ended. But over 2,000 years later, Jesus has more followers than ever, but whatever happened to Barrabas?

,

...thousands of Bayelsans lost access to free education and health provision because of the money Alamieyeseigha stole

Bayelsans who lost access to free education and health provision because of the money Alamieyeseigha stole; the Bill Gates who pump billions into eradicating polio in a country whose leaders seem to care less; the security agents home and abroad who spent their time, energy and money to catch this thief; the Nigerian children we leave with the legacy “steal as much as you can, if you get caught, you only have to pay a fine or call your friends in high places. You can also come back and run for public office.”African China was right: “Poor man wey thief

,

THE TEAM BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

AYO ONIKOYI OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 —31

Extra e continue from last week, our journey through the mind of one of the great music makers and managers the country has ever had.

Chris Ajilo was at the Vanguard Corporate Office some weeks back and he opened his heart for the whole world to see the road he had travelled in life.

He was accompanied by Beautiful Nubia who granted us an interview but when it was Pa Ajilo’s turn, he kindly declined. “I have been interviewed too many times. There is nothing new to be said about me that hasn’t been said before. Everything you want to know about me is in the book”, he said, referring to “Reminiscences of a Nigerian Pioneer Musicologist”, an autobiography of his life he launched in January of 2013. “It is my gift to the future. It took me two years to complete and I am proud to say I wrote the book without assistance from any quarters.”

“I am not only a musician, I am a Copyright man, a Trade Unionist, a man that makes use of his hands and his brain” he said. “Read the book and you will share in my experience, the journey I had to travel through life”.

So, we took a journey into the mind of a great man through pages of his own autobiography: Taking music to the next level Right after the West End Cool Cats experience he became obvious to Ajilo musicians were not being placed in their pride of place in the scheme of things and in the face of seeming economic boom in the country he began a quest to find identity for musicians.

His band, Chris Ajilo and his Cubanos was formally launched on August 1, 1955. The member were Johnson Omooba, trombone, Tex Lati Oluwa, double bass guitar, Lander Sasore, bongos, Akanni Martins, guitar, Candido D’Ajax, conga drums, late Bayo Martins, jazz drums and vocals. Later, Tony Obbs and Marco Bazz on alto sax and trumpet respectively joined the band.

The band embarked on many tours across the West African sub-region and it was during his first recording in Accra, Ghana that he met a woman he fell in love with, Sarkiorkor Ayittey.

“The band recorded six songs which include Iku Eko, Anna’s Trick, Irin Ajo, Gbo Temi Sisi, and two others as instrumentals” Pa Ajilo wrote.

After their first recording in Accra under the Decca Record Label, Chris Ajilo and his Cubanos continued on more tours, transversing the length and breadth of the country and some cities in the African sub-region. It was on one of such tours that Chris Ajilo had his first encounter with the law, when he was charged for manslaughter for being knocked down by a truck, whose driver did not even turn up for the trial. The development halted the progress of the band and the band did not come together to function as a unit until the end of the case.

Birth of music unionism The inaugural meeting of what was to be the Nigerian Union of Musicians held at the premises of the late Bobby Benson in Yaba, Lagos. Amongst the musicians present were late Hubert Ogunde, Willy Payne, E.C. Arinze, Chris Ajilo, Steven Amaechi, Eric

There is time for sowing and time for reaping — Chris Ajilo (2)

BY AYO ONIKOYI

Onugha, late Zeal Onyia, Amaefule Ikoro, and unionists present include Tunde Amuwo, late Akinremi Cole, late Aboyade Cole.

Their objectives were simple as events of late 1950s demanded. Foremost on their menu is the interest of all musicians; working conditions of music professionals; enlightenment of musicians about professionalism; establishment of a music school and registration of the Body.

These objectives were to be further expanded after the problem

bring success into the industry” wrote Ajilo, who by that time had moved up from his position as First Vice President to the President after the former President, Bobby Benson, resigned for his contrary stand to the collective stand of the Union.

The Nigerian Union of Musicians later grew in importance and subsequently got affiliated with the Nigerian Trade Union Congress, then headed by Chief Michael Imoudu. Chris Ajilo remained the President of the Nigerian Union of Musicians and an executive member of the Nigerian Trade Union Congress.

Fighting piracy Since the birth of music and other

intellectual works of art there has been what is called piracy, which according to Chris Ajilo is simply “ the unauthorised duplication of other copyright owners sound recording for profit”. Chris Ajilo identified Chief I.K. Dairo as the forerunner of the fight against piracy, as the leader of Juju Musicians Band Leaders Association.

Chief I.K. Dairo reportedly led a crusade to have some pirates arrested but his effort was chequered by some of the musicians who felt the pirates were doing them a favour by promoting

the Union faced during the country’s preparation for the Independence celebration in 1960. During the months leading to the Independence Celebration the hottest debate and expectation was who would be contracted to perform at the Independence celebration and when members of There are certain qualities in an the Union got wind of the government’s artiste’s cassette that could plan to contract Unitqualify the artiste as being good ed Kingdom based bands to perform, the for recording. These include the machinery of the quality of music and meaningfulUnion was put to test ness of the lyrics; good voice; and it proved itself adequate in squashclear diction and good personality ing the government’s plan even though some of its members worked against the collective stand of their works even if it was without their the Union. consent. This development, according “ Through the concerted and united to Chris Ajilo, led to the formation of efforts of the musicians who stood by Performing Musicians Association of the decision of the Union, Nigerian Nigeria, PMAN. musicians proved that unity and good As a man who has studied music, devoted leadership would always managed music and have promoted

,

W

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music, getting involved in its politics and many intrigues that come with it, Chris Ajilo identified the following as being the causes of piracy: lack of the artiste’s enlightenment; poor marketing strategy from Record Company; overzealousness from the artiste for quick returns and dishonesty from record dealers. The music master went into details to explain each of the causes in his book.

Students and disciples During Chris Ajilo’s sojourn abroad and at home, the music master met and interacted with so many other artistes who in one way or another shaped his life. He has the bragging right of saying he learned from the masters just as he too groomed so many music Greats who grew out of his hands.

His first band, Cool Cats Band, was formed in 1953 in Birmingham and the original group consisted of Kazool Anifowoshe, a.k.a. Karl Moody, trumpet, late Sammy Lartey and Bobby. The Cool Cats Band was later reborn in Lagos in 1955 with more musicians joining the group.

Ajilo’s first student, as he recalled was a Nigerian sailor back in 1955 by the name of Gabriel Macdonald. Tajudeen Animashaun, the legendary Baba Ani who played with the Egypt 80 of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was also one of Chris Ajilo’s students. Others include Kabaka Layi Ajayi, Don Kemona a.k.a. Don Amechi.

The turning point Success was never at any point thrust on Ajilo, his life was a gradual process with each moment to savour through hard work and dedication.

Whatever he achieved he must have merited it at some point in his life.

However, Ajilo noted “ A remarkable turning point in my life came on the invitation from Phonogram Records Limited through its recording engineer, late Etim Udoh” who engineered Ajilo’s clinching of the recording company’s staff music producer.

His brief was simple: scout for good recording artistes and promote then on the company’s recording label.

This, was a mission Ajilo took with great intensity and it was therefore not surprising, that the result came with resounding success. Those who had left the recording company came back and others who joined prospered. Notable are Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, Douglas Olariche, Mike Ejeagha As he recalled in his book “ There are certain qualities in an artiste’s cassette that could qualify the artiste as being good for recording. These include the quality of music and meaningfulness of the lyrics; good voice; clear diction and good personality”.

Ajilo had series of run-ins with artistes he prevailed upon that they should improve either their diction or voice before they could be considered for recording. He held this position from 1979-1996 and later as consultant from 1992-1996.

Continues next week

32 — Vanguard, FRIDAY , MRACH 22, 2013

How to do Décolletage

C M Y K

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here is a very thin line between looking sexy and appealing and looking cheap and easy. To some extent showing your décolletage is considered inappropriate.

Jenifer Lopez first made the trend a red carpet look many years ago to mixed reaction.

Did JLo pull it off? No one can say yet.

In short décolletages are meant to help direct attention to your chest area in the right way and if this is so your chest area needs to be worth showing off.

There are décolletages that are just too much! And if daring to go the décolletage way, you better have the confidence to go with it and you have to do it stylishly. It is very possible to come out looking trashy when attempting this.

Imagine wearing a very low décolletage garment and all you do the whole time is fidget and struggle with your

There are décolletages that are just too much! And if daring to go the décolletage way, you better have the confidence to go with it and you have to do it stylishly

top trying to cover up. You’ll just look wrong.

Africans are a very conservative lot and not many would dare attempt the “JLo décolletage”. But if you are the gutsy type and must do the necessary: *Make sure your body is in tip top shape. *The occasion/event really matters, you can’t go exposing your cleavage to the whole of Nigeria during the day… you might be

,

forced to face the mob. A night, casual event would be most appropriate.

The attention and care you give to your face is the same that should go to your chest area. You know the chest has sensitive skin which also gets sun burns, wrinkles and is prone to pimples…so that extra care should be given. *Your garment’s décolletage needs to fit just right. Not big, not small, just right! *Keep the rest of your look

low key. If the attention is on your décolletage, cover up the rest of your body. *At no point should you have any chest hairs! *Your cleavage being one of your best assets should have everything to do with you exposing it in the first place.

If you don’t have what it takes, then don’t even attempt. But the question is …are you for or against the décolletage?

Who wore it better?

Funke Akindele, Karen Igho and Genevieve Nnaji may have worn different dresses to the African magic Awards last weekend, but all three dresses were fundamentally the same. And though Funke wore cream,

Genevieve white and Karen black, they were all to change red carpet history in Nollywood forever with the Décolletage trend. But who wore it better?

Pros.

Funke Funke’s dress was really classy, with intricate gold detailing. Her hair was well done in a chignon style that totally fit the dress. Her make up was not the best, but not worse than usual, and at least she was conscious of picking her red clutch with her red lipstick.

Genevieve Though her figure has been the butt of jokes, but the truth is Genevieve is blessed with an ageless hourglass figure which remains perpetually graceful, and the saving grace on her bad style days Karen The Big Brother winner wore a black dress that looked as though she got it from a yard sale, but she filled it up in the right places and her hair and make up and accessories were completely appropriate.

Cons Funke Though it showed off her toned body, there were no special assets wearing the particular dress could flatter to advantage. Her lace wig gave her an Egyptian mummy look and this combined with the unnecessary length of the dress made it a less than fabulous style Genevieve With this outing, Genevieve ought to have fired her stylist. Her décolletage look was a total mess, with the choir mistress sleeves and flat-ish chest.

Her hair was also far too casual for the look and her make up too understated.

Karen With an impossible cleavage area, Karen seems set to rock the look better than anyone else, but her frame is rather too short for this kind of long dress. Her black dress also looks too contrived and rather unsleek.

Winner Funke. Funke’s dress is classy with the right embellishments. Her cleavage was taken care of in an appropriate way and she was careful to place attention exactly where she needed it: on her chest. Her accessories are alright, at least much better than the other two.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 33

With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

I

magine a world where a user can tell his phone, “Í am going into the bath, please in ten minutes get me a cab ready because I am going out on an important meeting” and alas in ten minutes, a driver less cab is waiting at the door.

That is where Mobility is moving to; from phone to phone, on to phone to the car, the house and all that.

That is apparently the vision that dove Research In Motion, RIM, to design the new Blackberry 10 device. If mobile phones are rated by mere looks, with its sleeky architectural design and bold

screen, the new device would just have passed as another addition to the hordes of latest smartphones dotting the mobile space.

But the latest piece of innovation goes beyond a mere smartphone. It is a technology of the future judging by the features.

Blackberry arguably started the smartphone tradition, building its features in the yester years with today’s world in mind. But now, it probably has realised that technology is a moving phenomenon and apparently designed its latest device with the future world in

mind.

With the BB 10, Blackberry shifted from its former operating system to QNS. The BB10 was designed with the future in mind. Unlike the other blackberries, BB10 was not designed for everybody, but highly connect people, busy executives that would like to do many things at the same time.

With previous models, people wanted a better browser, bigger screen stable and fluid UI that doesn’t freeze. Rich app and content ecosystem as well as cool architecture to suit their lifestyles.

After considering all these RIM said it came up with BB10 which has all these and more but also sets a benchmark in the industry.

The device understands and adapts, spreads the word in an instant and protects what is important and keep them handy.

With the flick of the finger the user multitasks easily.

There is a message hub in the BB10 where every message goes into. It is accessible on every application. With a little flick, the user can shift fingers and

Nokia Asha 305 wins best entry level award T

he Nokia Asha 305 has won the GSMA Global Mobile Award for ‘Best Feature Phone or Entry Level Phone’ entered during Mobile World Congress 2013. The Nokia Asha 305 edged out two other Nokia devices, as well as the Samsung C3312 Duos, which were also nominated in this category. The full list of winners was unveiled last week in a

ceremony hosted by actor and comedian, David Walliams.

Now in its eighteenth year, the Global Mobile Awards recognizes the latest and best innovations across the mobile ecosystem including hardware, software, apps and services. In 2013, the Awards saw a record-breaking 158 nominees across eight categories.

In the Best Feature Phone or Entry Level Phone category, a total of three Nokia devices were nominated by a GSMA specialist judging panel: Nokia 103, Nokia Asha 302 and the winning Nokia Asha 305.

According to vice president of marketing, Mobile Phones,

Nokia, Jussi Nevanlinna,“we’re proud that the Nokia Asha 305 has been recognized by one of the world’s leading voices for the mobile industry,” “The entire Asha Touch family has gone from strength to strength, recently achieving smartphone status from Gfk and achieving no. 1 status as the best-selling smartphone in its price point across 25 countries.”

divide the screen to see the messages and continue with what he was doing. This feature is known as BB pick.

The keyboard is adaptive.

Before you type the word, it predicts it. In fact even if you use colloquial words or native languages, the phone would memorize and store them for future use. It predicts in three languages.

Another feature is the Time shift. This helps detect the face structure and give the opportunity to choose which one to use. For instance if the picture shows one closing his eyes, with time shift you can print the picture returning to the image had eyes open.

There is also the Blackberry balance, which protects the device that even when some other applications like games are open, your personal emails, apps and content will not be compromised. The app could be set that either work or personal apps can open and lock at given times.

For the BB browser, the browser loads easily and quick to share with an amazing speed hard to see in other phones similar to BB 10.

Meanwhile, BB Remember, also helps the user to manage and remember dates and engagements while calendar app also does that with a difference. The dates on your calendar gets bigger as engagements for the day increases. The device supplies information on every participant to your engagements..

The Screen of BB 10 is made of glass on lens. It is new and different from the traditional gorilla glass. The phone does not freeze, it comes with 2gig RAM.

34 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 201 3

C M Y K

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013— 35

A

S a demonstration of modesty and obedience to Allah, Muslim girls and women wear head coverings called “hijabs,” particularly when in public. Q24:30–31. For Muslims, wearing a headscarf is not only about religious expression, it is strictly religious obligation; and if the constitution freely provides for freedom to exercise one’s faith according to section 38 (1) of the 1999 constitution, then where lies the tolerance so claimed by non-Muslims?

A couple of years ago, the administration of Governor Fashola outlawed flogging, beating or physical torture of students in schools and apprentices in workplaces, there were commendation that it was one of the progressive and profoundly

Tel: 08098097290 email: isholaism@yahoo.co.uk

Hijab controversy:

Kids also face persecution student for daring to wear hijab after the official closing hour. She was said to have been flogged 43 times as disclosed by one of the students: “At about 4pm on that day; we had closed before we

,

...children should not have to choose between following the requirements of their faiths and their right to a public education. It is their fundamental right to exercise their faith just as they have the right to education

humane steps towards ensuring sanity in the society especially in cases of abuse of children.

The Principal of Kadara Junior Grammar School, Ebute Meta, Lagos has been in the news for a couple of weeks now over alleged flogging of one of her students, Miss Aishat Alabi, a 16-year-old

,

heard that there was an emergency assembly. The principal addressed us and warned that if we didn’t stop putting on religious outfit during the school hours, we were going to get into trouble. She subsequently called on Aisha and gave her about 43 lashes. Some of us started crying on the assem-

bly. Her body was covered with marks of the cane. The principal had warned us before, but that day was more serious,” she said.

Two things are fundamentally wrong. One is the denial of Miss Alabi’s right even after the official school hour against the provision of section 38 (1) and (2) of the 1999 constitution.

Secondly a breach of “The Criminal Law of Lagos State 2010” which provides prison terms on anyone found guilty of beating or flogging of children. Under this law, it states that striking any adult /young person with a stick or other weapon constitutes a violent criminal offence for which jail sentences can be imposed after a fair trial. The House which instituted a probe into after so much public outcry is yet to submit its report.

This is just one of the cases of undue persecution of young Muslims in muslim minority environment, especially amidst bombings and killings in other parts of the country.

Recall the story of Nashala

Hearn, an American kid who wore hijab to her school. A couple of years after the September 11 attack on the United States of America, Nashala Hearn, 11 years old then, was suspended twice for wearing hijab to school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Benjamin Franklin Science Academy school authorities claimed it violated their dress code, which she attended.

After wearing the hijab to school for several weeks, Nashala was told by school officials that her headscarf conflicted with the school’s “no hats” policy, and that she could not continue to wear it. She and her parents told school officials that wearing the hijab was required by her faith and that she could not stop wearing it.

Her parents filed a suit against the Muskogee School District and Civil Rights and government lawyers supported her.

After the legal battle, Nashala Hearn won the case with a ruling that she can wear a head scarf to school as part of her fundamen-

tal human rights. The court also requires the Muskogee Public School District to change its dress code to allow exceptions for religious reasons.

This same way, Muslims in Nigeria are beginning to face various kinds of hatred, discrimination and persecution; a subtle way of condeming the religion amidst the barbaric and heineous act of the Boko Haram members which has no religious underpinning.

I say without equivocation that children should not have to choose between following the requirements of their faiths and their right to a public education.

It is their fundamental right to exercise their faith just as they have the right to education.

Government must then as a matter of urgency rise to this challenge in order to stop this subtle fundamentalism.

Students should not face discrimination or harassment because they exercise their faith, beliefs, religious expression, or distinctive religious dress.

We know that there are private schools where students are dismissed for not carrying a bible or attend a church service while in school but this kind of fundamentalism should not extend to Public schools.

There should be mutual respect for both religion, Islam and Christianity are not competing for identities. What Muslims demand is their right to freely practice their religion as entrenched in section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Aishat Alabi: MICA urges Fashola tto o int er inter ervvene The Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA), an association of Muslim professionals and undergraduates, lent its voice on a 12-yearold student, Miss Aisha Alabi, who was flogged 43 times by the Principal of her school for wearing hijab after school hours.

The association through its secretary, Sulaiman Olokodana made a four-point request which include immediate investigation of the matter to ensure that justice is done under the 1999 Constitution and the Laws of Lagos State; review of all administrative policies and programs that inhibit religious

pluralism; consult with and convey a summit of faith leaders to identify and address the concerns of various groups; and take practical steps to uphold and facilitate the multireligious status of Lagos State and implement/enforce programs and laws that protect vulnerable people from abuse and discrimination.

MICA urged Governor Fashola, his deputy, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and the Attorney General of the State, Mr. Ade Ipaye including all stakeholders to act without delay in bringing justice to bear on the issue.

From left: Sheikh Lukman Al-Mubarak, Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Chairman of the group, Shikh Seifudeen Olowooribi, Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Folorunsho Ishaq Fagba, Founder of Hamoullah Prayer Group, Oreta, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, during the Maolid Nabiyyi celebration/Fidau in memory of late Folorunsho Fagba organised by Hamoullah in Oreta, Lagos. Photo by Damilola Olanrewaju

Boko Haram is the creation of govt— Muyideen Bello govt—Muyideen ...Extols virtues of late Fagba

E

From left: Alh Luqman Anigilaje (Baba Adini of JIMSN), Alh Omotayo Ibrahim Salaudeen (Founder/Chief Missioner) and a graduand Miss Salmon Haleemah Bukola during the 2nd Wolimat Quran at Darul-ilm-WalAmal Arabic school, Ogolonto-Ikorodu, Lagos recently.

rudite and international preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello lampooned the federal government over the activities of Boko Haram which has remained intractable saying that the terrorist group was a creation of the government itself.

He made this assertion at the Fidau Prayer for Late Ahmoullah Folorunsho Fagba/Maolid Nabiyyi organised by Ahamoullah Isalmic Group recently. The occasion which was held in Oreta road, Lagos, drew a list of Islamic scholars from

far and near. Among them were the Chief Imam of Ikorodu, Sheikh Seifudeen A. Olowooribi, Sheikh Lukman Al-Mubarak, Imam of Ansar-Ud-Deen, Igbogbo, Sheikh Kalejaiye of Aenur-Rahma among others.

Feilding question from Vanguard, Sheikh Bello who refused to elucidate on the amnesty being canvassed for the Boko Harram group said: “it is government who created Boko Haram and they should find a way of ending the menance.”

Extolling the virtues of the late

Fagba who died four years ago, the renowned scholar said Sheikh Fagba was very steadfast and followed the tenents of the religion to the letter: “He did not fight with the non-Muslims, he was very tolerant, his relationship with God manifested so much that he was so much sought after for supplication to God for immediate result. But we cannot see this kind of people until after 50 years and this is simply because people have refused to follow the way of God,” he stated.

36—Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Adoke meddling in Oyerinde murder case – ANEEJ

BY EMMAAMAIZE

From left: Engr. Atigan Jerry, Chairman of Koko Management Committee; Chief Victor Nanna, the Olaraja of Koko Community and Mr. Albert Mabiaku, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Total Nig. Plc, during the public hand-over of starter packs to graduands of the firm's skills acquisition scheme.

We must take Uniben to the next level — Effiong Bob

BENIN CITY — Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has said that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, SAN, lied when he said, recently, that his ministry was not interfering in the murder case of Mr Olaitan Oyerinde, former Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

Reacting, yesterday, to

Fresh ijaw/itsekiri crisis looms in Warri North

BY SONI DANIEL

BY GODWIN OGHRE

ABUJA — NEWLY appointed Chairman of the University of Benin Governing Council, Senator Effiong Bob, has asked members of the council to be ready to proffer new ideas that would enable them take the institution to a new pedestal.

Bob, who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the council in Benin, Edo State, warned that there would be no room for corrupt practices and other vices capable of drawing the university backward.

He said that given the circumstances of their appointment and the urgent need to reposition the university, the members must devise strategies that would propel it to the top of the best universities in the world.

Bob said, “We must turn a new page and see every challenge as a stepping stone to greater heights. For us to succeed, we must work as a team.

Sapele— Fresh crisis between the Itsekiri and Ijaw in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State is looming as about 300 passengers on board a thug boat, heading to the riverine communities have been reportedly waylaid while the waterways have also been blocked by armed men suspected to be Ijaw youths.

The outlaws were said to have given government 12 hours ultimatum, failing which they will harm the passengers while Itsekiri villages in Warri North would be attacked.

The development, it was gathered, followed persistent agitation by the Ijaw indigenes in Warri North, who have been demanding for Ijaw slot for the chairmanship seat of Warri

North Local Government Area with headquarters in Koko.

It was gathered that from Sapele waterside that the thug boat with over 300 passengers, which left the harbor, was yet to get to its destination, as armed men suspected to be Ijaw youths seized the boat and evacuated its occupants.

The armed abductors, were said to have threatened to kill the stranded passengers, now being held in the swampy forest of Warri/Benin River.

Two Itsekiri leaders, the Special Project Director, Sapele/Abigborodo Road Project, Mr. Francis Maku, confirmed the story, while Itsekiri Youth President and member of the Delta Waterways, Mr. Newuwumi Omolubi, said that the Itsekiris were mobilizing to

launch a counter attack to free their brothers and sisters being held hostage.

Omolubi confirmed that the combined team of the Army and Navy was already patrolling the waterways with a view to dislodging the Ijaw youths that laid siege to the waterways.

Stop playing politics with road projects, group warns Edo State govt Association of Nigerian Writers, yesterday, condemned what it described as the palying of politics by Edo State Government with road development in the state, insisting that the state governor should tell Edo people, the true value of the loan he took on their behalf from the World Bank for the drains and walkways on the

Armed robbers attack FRSC operatives in Edo

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN — DARING armed robbers have attacked operatives of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Iruepken unit command, who were on patrol at Irua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

One of the officers, was said to have sustained gunshot injury during the attack.

The Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of the Zone RS 5, Benin, comprising Edo, Delta and Anambra States, Mr. Wole Olaniran, who confirmed the attack on his men to journalists in Benin, Edo State, denied

the killing of any of them.

He gave the name of the officer, who was shot on the leg by the robbers as Nsikak Ekpo, a Marshal Inspector, adding that the wounded officer was alive and in stable condition at the Irrua Teaching Hospital.

Okomu crisis: Court grants 11 Yoruba cocoa farmers bail

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY — An Okada Magistrate Court, Edo State, has granted bail to 11 Yoruba farmers, who were arrested with charms, cartridges and locally made guns by Okomu

people in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state, last week Monday.

The Yoruba cocoa farmers were alleged to have stormed the community at night with a view to attacking the community due to the alleged

refusal of the community to allow them to continue farming on their land.

It was learnt that trouble started in the Ijaw community in 2011 between the natives and the Yoruba farmers, when some leaders of the Yoruba

the redeployment of the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Thompson Olagbite, who said at the public hearing, conducted by the Committee of Public Petitions of the House of Representatives that the ministry was confused, the group called on Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, to resist the action.

ANEEJ in a statement by its Communication Officer, Mr. Kelly Umukoro, said, “The Ministry of Justice has redeployed the Deputy Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, Olatigbe, from his position.

“Adoke told Nigerians a day after the public hearing of February 27, 2013 that the ministry did not interfere with the case because it is a state offence that should be handled by the state (Edo State). This claim is not true.”

farmers led by one Pastor Joshua refused to pay the normal land rent to the community. Consequently, the Ijaws ordered the Yoruba farmers to leave the community and recovered their land.

Dawson Ugbowo Road including the five junction.

Addressing newsmen after a meeting of the association in Benin City, acting President of the group, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, described as unfortunate, that the newly appointed state Commissioner of Works, Mr Osarodion Ogie, who dodged the issues raised by the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company, executing the project for the Federal Government, instead he attacked the Federal Ministry of Works.

He described the development as sad, noting that while the contractor had told the public they were executing contract No 5900, which include Akpakpava/ Dawson Junction (Km 1+500) up to 5-Junction (together with pavement works at 5Junction Roundabout) to Uselu to Ugbowo and Ugbowo to Ekiadolor part of contract No. 6133, which collaborated with the earlier statement by the Federal Ministry of Works, the state government was claiming credit for the same project.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—37

Bayelsa House passes 2013 N304bn Appropriation Bill

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State House of Assembly has passed the 2013 state Appropriation Bill of N304 billion.

The figure represents an increase of about N18.9 billion from the budget estimate presented by Governor Seriake Dickson to the House for consideration.

Speaking shortly after the passage of the bill, yesterday, in Yenagoa, the Speaker, Mr. Konbowei Benson, thanked members for their consideration of the bill, which he described as visionary and development oriented.

Giving a breakdown of the figures to newsmen after plenary, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Iniyobiyo Obiene, described the budget as a good one geared towards investment and infrastructural development.

He explained that out of the budget of N304 billion, N162.7 billion was voted for capital expenditure, while recurrent expenditure is N141.3bn.

Delta lawmaker assures on devt

M

EMBER, repre senting Burutu constituency II, in Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Kennedy Daubry, has assured people of the council of more dividends of democracy, following the completion of his constituency projects in the area.

Duabry said five classroom block had already been completed at Founkoro Primary School, Torugbene town, adding that the Delta State Government was committed to attracting the needed human and infrastructural development to the area.

The lawmaker, further said, three classroom blocks were also completed at Orugbene Town Primary School, established since 1958, but lacked structures.

LG polls: Edo PDP, govt in verbal warfare over alleged rigging plans

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the state government of planning to use its vigilante group, Neighbourhood Watch, to rig the April 20, local government elections in the state.

Reacting, however, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, denied the allegation. He accused PDP of planning to buy votes with public funds from the national treasury.

State Chairman of PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, during a meeting in Auchi, Estako West Local Government Area, said that the party had uncovered a plot by the state government to buy uniforms and arms for Neighbourhood Watch to use during the elections.

He said: “PDP has uncovered a plot by the Adams Oshiomhole-led ACN government to deploy members of the state’s vigilante group, Neighbourhood Watch, to intimidate, harass and obstruct

members of PDP from casting their votes during the forthcoming elections. To this end, our informant also disclosed that the state government had bought arms and ammunition for the group to be used on the election day.

“Following the disclosure of this dangerous plot, PDP

has decided to write a strongly worded letter to Edo State Commissioner of Police, informing him about the plot.

Copies of the letter will be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police and Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, for appropriate action."

But reacting, Odion, said:

KNIGHTHOOD SILVER JUBILEE: Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe (right), with the President of Ladies Auxiliary 372 of Knights of Saint John (KSJ),Lady Rose Ekong, during the knighthood silver jubilee of Sir Benedict Etim at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Nung Ette, Ibesikpo Asutan.

Court hears Ogboru's appeal challenging AMCON suit

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

FEDERAL High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday, heard the preliminary objection by Chief Great Ogboru and his company, Fiogret Limited, to the suit by Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, following which the court appointed a receiver manager over his (Ogboru’s) property across the country.

Meanwhile, Ogboru and

his company will today, reply on point of law, to the opposition of ACCOM to their (Ogboru’s) preliminary objection, challenging the suit.

Trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, had earlier ruled that he will hear the preliminary objection by Ogboru first, noting that same challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, which is fundamental.

ACCOM, through its counsel, prayed the court to dismiss the preliminary objec-

tion and go ahead to hear the substantive issue in the matter.

Ogboru and his company, Fiogret Limited, in a separate application, which is yet to be argued, are also asking the court to vacate the order appointing Mr. Kunle Ogunba, SAN, as a receiver manager over his property situated on Plot 43, Norma Williams Street, Ikoyi; Plot 230234, Owotu-Ikorodu; Plot 15, Layi Ajayi-Bembe Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Uyo Varsity lecturers to down tools over colleague's abduction

BY TONY NYONG

U

YO—ACADEMIC activities at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, may be grounded, if the abductors of Dr. Ime Udotong, a senior lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, fail to release her, members of the institution’s branch of Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU-UUB, have threatened.

“I really need to pity Orbih.

Now, he says Oshiomhole will use the Neighbourhood Watch to rig the coming elections. But if one may ask, did Oshiomhole need them to win the 18 councils in the governorship poll of July 14, last year when Orbih and his master, Chief Tony Anenih, lost woefully? Of course, the answer is no. You can then see the fallacy in Orbih’s argument.”

Branch Chairman of ASUUUUB, Mr. Anyim Nwachukwu, made this known, after academic staff of the institution protested the kidnap of the University don.

Lectures were halted, yesterday, when the lecturers protested round the campus with placards, carrying inscriptions, some of which read, “Protect Our University From Kidnappersm,” “Stop This Unholy Act,” in solidarity with their kidnapped colleague, who was

taken away by unknown gunmen some days ago.

He said: “The local congress of ASUU might be constrained to decide on downing tools, if in the next 24 hours, the captors of Mrs. Udotong do not release her to her family. The ultimatum is to ensure that the abductors release the female lecturer and failure would cause the union to adopt actions that would have negative consequences on the running of the school.”

PDP, DPP bicker over vacant Ukwuani seat in Delta House

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—FOLLOWING a recent judgment by a Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State, declaring the Ukwuani constituency seat in Delta State House of Assembly vacant, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, are locked in a battle of wits over who would retain the seat, eventually.

Although the embattled member representing Ukwuani constituency, Dr. Alphonsus Ojo, had appealed the judgment, the two political parties have started campaigning, in the event the appeal turns out unsuccessful and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts fresh election as ordered by the court.

State Chairman of DPP, Chief Tony Ezeagwu told Vanguard in Asaba, yesterday: “We are prepared for any election. Ukwuani is our catchment area."

On his part, Senior Political Adviser to the governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, dismissed the DPP claim, saying, “We are in firm control of the state and PDP will win election anytime, anyday in Delta.”"

38— Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Ikemba's will: Ojukwu Jr seeks out of court settlement N

NEWI —MR. Emeka Ojukwu Jr, son of late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu on Thursday expressed willingness for an out of court settlement over his father ’s will.

The will has been a subject of controversy among family members since it was read in December last year.

Ojukwu made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nnewi.

He said: “I strongly believe that this is a matter that can be settled privately. It is not really what can be resolved by talk-

11 state radio workers sacked over certificate, age forgery

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

NITSHA — Eleven senior staff of Anambra State Broadcasting Service, ABS, have been sacked for allegedly forging their ages and certificates.

Commissioner for Information, Youths and Culture, Chief Joemartins Uzodike, who spoke exclusively with the Vanguard, said the exercise followed the on going rationalisation in the state owned radio and television.

He said already, more than 100 staff had been disengaged from the establishment, awaiting a second interview before they could be deployed to ministries where they could be useful to the state government.

Apart from that, the Commissioner said government had taken a decision that all the staff of ABS who were sent to other ministries on secondment would remain.

ing about it in the public.

“Every day you pick up a newspaper and you read the so called Ojukwu’s will feud, it is a blow to my father’s image.

“It brings shame to his name and I am not happy about it. If you love and respect the man Ojukwu, then you should respect his wish-

es.

“I had never wanted to go to court at all, but when the other parties went to court we had to respond.

“What we are talking about now in court is not about money as people think.

“We are talking about a man who sacrificed everything for the love of his peo-

ple and then we come now to argue what seem mundane issues in the public.

“Things that Eze Igbo Gburugburu never even cared about.

“My father gave out most of what he had which made the people to love him.

“It is just that there are things that are right and

things that are wrong; and a man has to stand for principles and what is right.

“If there are other ways to resolve this amicably, it will be better because at the end of the day we cannot separate ourselves from one another.

We have all been joined together by my father.’’

Anambra govt brands commer cial vehicles, commercial motor cycles over insecurity motorcycles

BY ENYIM ENYIM

O

N I T S H A — FOLLOWING the security situation in the country, Anambra State government has embarked on branding of commercial vehicles and motorcycles.

Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike Ohamobi, who dropped the hint yesterday in an interview with Vanguard, said the exercise followed the resolution of the state House of Assembly and directive by

the executive arm of government.

He said: “ We are putting more effort to make sure that all commercial motorcycles and vehicles are branded, registered and operators of motorcycles wear appropriate aprons.

“We have also started registration of commercial vehicles whether branded in state colour or Mass Transit colour so that we know who is carrying people and who is operating a vehicle.”

He said security agencies in the state would be

engaged to assist government and the ministry in the branding exercise.

Ohamobi said that his ministry had started aggressive decongestion of

the roads in Awka, Nnewi and Onitsha to ease traffic in those places, adding that plans had been concluded to recruit special marshals to assist the ministry in the exercise.

Okorocha condemns Kano bomb blast

Sabon Gari, Kano, as not only barbaric but also utterly evil, WERRI — IMO State callous and condemnable. governor, Rochas Governor Rochas Okorocha Okorocha, has described the spoke through the Commisbombing of a bus station in sioner for Information, Strategy, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor.

“The attack is not only barbaric but utterly evil, callous, condemnable and does not in any form reflect our belief and culture,” Okorocha said.

Debunking the rumour in parts of the state of an impending reprisal attack in Imo State, the governor assured the citizenry that his administration had put the security agencies on red alert to forestall any form of attack.

“The public is enjoined to discountenance the rumour of reprisal attack in some quarters and go about your lawful engagements without any Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, Director General of NIMASA(right), presenting a gift to the visiting fear. Your security is President of the World Maritime University, Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve, when he paid a courtesy visit to guaranteed,” Okorocha said.

NIMASA head office, yesterday.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

Ebonyi federal lawmakers want Ibeto Cement Co. to hands off Nigercem, Nkalagu

A

BUJA—THE caucus of Ebonyi lawmakers in the National Assembly in Abuja has cautioned Ibeto Cement Company Limited to hands off the NIGERCEM factory in Nkalagu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nkalagu cement factory, established in 1954, was jointly owned by the Federal Government and the five states in the South East zone.

NAN also reports that Eastern Bulkcem Limited, the core investor purportedly sold the company to Ibeto Group due to its lack of capacity to revive the moribund cement factory.

The caucus comprises senators and House of Representatives members from Ebonyi State in the National Assembly.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police, Sen. Paulinus Igwe (PDP- Ebonyi), issued the warning on Wednesday while addressing newsmen on behalf of Ebonyi lawmakers in the National Assembly.

Sen. Igwe was accompanied by Senators Chris Nwankwo, Sunny Ogbuoji, Rep. Peter Oge; Rep. Linus Aba- Okorie; Rep.Tobias

Okwuru, Rep. Sylvester Ogbaga and Rep. Christopher Omo-Isu.

He lamented that the core investor was not keen on reviving the cement factory be-

cause due process was not followed in the privatisation of the factory.

Royal father wins ex-convict case in court

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI —Imo State High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi has declared that the Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, is not an ex-convict.

Eze Ilomuanya had ap-

proached the court to clear the smear on his person on getting to know about the resolution of Imo State House of Assembly, which branded him an ex-convict.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Nnadi declared that the allegation that the royal father was an ex-convict without hearing

his own side of alleged exconvict saga, was a serious breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing.

Justice Nnadi equally declared as “null, void and of no effect” the position of the lawmakers on the ex-convict status hoisted on the traditional ruler by the House.

Vanguard , FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 —39

DONATION—From left: Mr Joseph Ghoul, representing Madentech Aquatabs; Aisha Bello-Tukur, CEO Orbus Global Solution; Prince Adisa Eshinlogu of Yoruba community; Taizir Ajala, CEO, Gordon Barrett Ltd and Michel Ghoul, during the donation of purification tablet to mark the World Water Day. LECTURE—From left: Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Acting Executive Director, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, ARMTI, Mr. Samuel Afoloyan at the 16th ARMTI annual lecture in Ilorin, yesterday.

SEMINAR—From left: Mr Albert Folorunso, Managing Consultant, Pedabo Nigeria; Mr Sachin Vasdeva, Senior Partner S and C Vasdeva ad Co India; Mr Ejike Onyenokporo, Financial Controller, HP Nigeria; Mr Ajayi Bamidele, Director, FIRS and Mrs Titilayo Fowokan, Head, Tax, Oando PLC at the transfer pricing seminar organised by Padebo Nigeria. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

ORAL HEALTH DAY—From left: Mr Hakeem Bello, Special Adviser to Lagos governor on media; Dr Bakare Lawal, Project Head, Lagos World Record Toothbrusing Challenge; Miss Vivian Ihaza, Oral Care Category Manager, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Dr Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser to Lagos governor on Health and Dexter Adeola, Brand Manager, Close-up Unilever Nigeria Plc at the 2013 World Oral Health Day in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

MEETING—From right: Mr Tunji Bello, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment; Engr. Shayo Holloway, Managing Director, Lagos State Water Corporation, Engr Muyideen Akinsanya, Perm Sec, Ministry of Environment and Mr Olatunde Agoro, Perm Sec, Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development, during a meeting on water supply and sanitation policy at Alausa Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

SEMINAR—From left: Olajobi Makinwa, Head, Anti-Corruption, UNGCO, Frank Nweke (Jr.), Director-General, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, and Keith Darcy, Executive Director, Ethics & Compliance Officers Association, ECOA, USA, at a seminar in Eko Hotels, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Daniel Gumm.

LAUNCH—From left: Mr Isaac Okanlawon, Brand Manager, Sensodyne; Mr Chidi Okoro, Managing Director, GSk Consumer Nig PLC; Mr Uwem Udoma, Regulatory Director and Mr Edward Ogbonanya, Head supply chain during the launch of Sensodyne rapid action in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

COMMISSIONING—From left: Dame Abimbola Fashola, Guest of Honour/ First Lady of Lagos State; Dr Samuel Adesola Adebayo, Chairman, ApapaIganmu Local Council Development Area; Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, National Vice Chairman, ACN, and Oba Fatai Aromire, Ojora of Ojora Land, during the commissioning of new council secretariat. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

66 million Nigerians without potable water

Ubah laments Boat mishap, Kano bombing

— UNICEF

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI—AS Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the World Water Day today, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has lamented that over 66 million Nigerians are without improved drinking water.

It then urged governments at all levels to address the situation which according to it “is the leading cause of diseases and deaths especially among under five aged children.”

In a statement to mark the event, yesterday, in Makurdi, a Field Office Communication Officer, Mrs Ijeoma OnuohaOgwe, said “child mortality data shows that Nigeria is among the five countries contributing about half of the global under-five deaths."

NOA to partner NAFDAC on war against fake products

A

BUJA—THE Na tional Orientation Agency, NOA, has expressed readiness to partner with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in its fight against fake products.

Mr Mike Omeri, the Director-General of NOA, made this known in Abuja, yesterday, when he visited the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr Paul Orhii in his office.

Omeri said that the agency would mount a sustained grassroots public enlightenment campaign against illegal importation, local production and distribution of fake products.

A

NORTHERN ELDERS MEET TAMBUWAL— From left, Speaker House of Reps, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; exchanging greetings with Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Aliyu Mustapher and the Emir of Chonga Dr Haliru Bello during a meeting between the Speaker and Northern Elders at National Assembly, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

KANO BOMBING: Security

beef-up in Bauchi bus parks

BY SUZAN EDEH

B

AUCHI—SECURITY has been beefed up in motor parks and other areas in Bauchi State metropolis in a bid to prevent a repeat of the bomb incident in Kano State which left over 70 people dead.

Vanguard investigations showed that security checks have also intensified at government-owned institutions as well as commercial banks, tertiary institutions and private companies.

Passengers at the popularly Yankari Motor Park are being scrutinized from the entry gate of the park even as all private vehicles were not allowed into the park.

Apart from this, police check points have re-appeared at strategic locations in the metropolis, especially the entrance roads into the state from Jos, Kano, Gombe and Maiduguri, just as motorists were being subjected to intensive search.

Reacting to the situation, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Hassan Auyo said that the police and other security agencies in the state were not ready to take any chance for any attack by terrorists, especially with what happened in Kano State.

According to the PPRO,“security agents in the state have intensified sur-

veillance to avert any breakdown of law and order. We are doing our best to protect lives and property, but we

also urge the public to avail to us any relevant information that could be of use to us.”

Youths burn down 150 houses over killing of hunter

BY LUKA BINNIYAT, WITH AGENCY REPORT

K

ADUNA—ABOUT 150 houses belonging to Fulani herdsmen in Sabon Gari area of the Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been burnt down by angry youths in Atakar village.

The youths went on rampage to protest the alleged killing of a hunter, Stephen Abui by herdsmen. Sources from the area said the youths, including women vandalised the residence of the Village Head, Chief Tobias Nkom-Wada who tried to pacify them, forcing him to flee the village.

One of the victims, Muhammadu Chiroma told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in a telephone interview that 350 cows were killed and about 2,000 others missing.

According to him, similar attack was also carried out in Tinariya, Kirin and Gahai villages in Ryom Local Gov-

ernment Area of Plateau State.

He, however, said the situation was now calm after the deployment of security personnel but that most of the victims had fled the area.

The Director General, Media and Publicity to Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, confirmed the story, saying that security agents had restored peace to the affected area.

He said the governor had directed for full investigation into the incidence, adding, “until this is done we cannot ascertain the level of casualty involved.”

Maiyaki urged the people of the state to live peacefully with one another, assuring that the government was committed to restoring peace and unity in the state.

Also, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Aminu Lawal confirmed the attack on the village head but denied that Fulani settlements were burnt.

BUJA—SENATOR Andy Uba (Anambra South) has commiserated with families of the 166 victims of Tuesday’s boat mishap, off the coast of Akwa Ibom State, describing the accident as unfortunate.

The boat which was travelling from Oron in the state to Equatorial Guinea, had capsized at the Calabar waterways with no fewer than 139 passengers feared dead.

At the time of the mishap, about 166 passengers were in the boat but 27 were reportedly rescued.

However, Uba said that ‘’losing 139 persons in a boat mishap a day after scores of Nigerians were killed in Kano State by suicide bombers, is no cheery news,’’ adding that all hands must be on deck to stop this avoidable loss of human lives."

He condemned last Monday ’s bombing of travellers in a motor park in Kano State, describing the action as ungodly.

6th Integrity Leadership Conference holds in Accra

P

ROVEN Integrity Communication Network Ltd, Publisher of Integrity International holds its sixth International Leadership Conference in Accra Ghana, April 27, 2013 at the Conference Hall of Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

A statement signed by Dr. Richard Ikpada, Head Africa Operations Integrity International said the event will attract accomplished professional across the Africa countries and be beyond, adding that its aim includes sensitizing African leaders on the need to embrace the virtues of integrity in leadership.

41 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

C M Y K

42 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22 , 2013

Chad warns France against early Mali exit C

HAD’S Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat, yesterday warned France and its African allies against crying victory too soon in the fight against Islamist rebels in northern Mali, saying only 70 percent of the battle was won in the country ’s desolate far north.

Mahamat urged African nations to send troops to the frontline in the rugged Adrar des Ifoghas mountains where 2,400 Chadian soldiers are battling pockets of die-hard Islamists, together with French forces.

A nine-week Frenchled campaign expelled militants from north Mali’s main towns, leaving pockets of resistance in the desert and rock-strewn

mountains by the Algerian border.

French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday almost all Mali’s sovereignty would be restored in a few days.

France aims to begin withdrawing its 4,000 troops from late April.

Asked about that plan, Faki said: “More than 70 percent of the job has been done but we shouldn’t celebrate victory too soon because we have an unusual enemy in an unusual terrain.”

“We need to be careful.

Look at what happened in Timbuktu today,” he said in an interview in the Chadian embassy in Paris.

An Islamist suicide bomber killed a Malian soldier and wounded six others in a raid on

Timbuktu’s airport overnight, the first attack in the desert trading city since Islamists there fled a French offensive nearly two months ago.

France said 10

militants were killed in the raid, which raised doubts over how well France and its allies controlled the territory behind the frontline.

Most fighting in recent

weeks has been around the town of Gao or in the Adrar des Ifoghas, with some suicide attacks in the far northern town of Kidal.

France intervened in

the northern Mali conflict on January 11, saying Islamists’ seizure of the region last year gave them a launchpad to attack the West.

Obama makes direct peace appeal to Israel P

RESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday appealed directly to the Israeli people to put themselves in the shoes of stateless Palestinians and recognize that Jewish settlement activity in occupied territory hurts prospects for peace.

In a showcase speech in Jerusalem to Israeli university students, Obama coupled his plea with an acknowledgment of the Jewish state’s security concerns in a

•President Obama region destabilized by the West’s nuclear standoff with Iran and civil war in Syria.

But he urged Israel’s younger generation to

demand that their politicians take risks for peace in an address interrupted frequently by applause, including a standing ovation for the president during a brief outburst by a heckler.

“You must create the change that you want to see,” he told his youthful audience.

Obama, on his first official visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, said only peace could bring true security, but he did not offer any new ideas on how to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, stalled since

2010.

“Given the demographics west of the Jordan River, the only way for Israel to endure and thrive as a Jewish and democratic state is through the realization of an independent and viable Palestine,” he said.

It was a clear warning that Israel’s continued hold over the West Bank, territory captured along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war, would ultimately lead to an Arab majority in land controlled by the Jewish state.

U.N probes allegation use of WMD in Syria

T

HE United Nations yesterday said it will investigate Syria’s allegations that rebel forces used chemical weapons in an attack near Aleppo, but Western countries sought a probe of all claims concerning the use of such banned arms.

“I have decided to conduct a United Nations investigation into the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said.

The investigation will focus on “the specific incident brought to my attention by the Syrian government,” he told reporters.

Syria asked Ban to

investigate an alleged chemical weapons attack by “terrorist groups” near the northern city of Aleppo on Tuesday, said Syrian U.N. Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari.

The deaths of 26 people in that rocket attack have

Kurdish rebel leader orders truce

J

AILED Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, yesterday ordered his fighters to cease fire and withdraw from Turkish soil as a step to ending a conflict that has killed 40,000 people, riven the country and battered its economy.

Hundreds of thousands of Kurds, gathered in the

Zimbabwe approves new constitution

Z

IMBABWE’S new constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority in Saturday ’s referendum, the electoral commission has said.

The document, which will limit future presidents to two fiveyear terms, was backed by more than three million votes, nearly 95% of those who voted.

It was supported by the

become the focus of competing claims Wednesday from Syrian President Bashar alAssad’s supporters and opponents, who accuse each other of firing a missile laden with chemicals.

countries’ two main political parties who have been in a power-sharing government since 2009.

The constitution’s approval paves the way for elections later in the year.

Meanwhile, US-based campaign group Human Rights Watch has said the government should end a police crackdown on civil society groups in the runup to elections.

regional center of Diyarbakir, cheered and waved banners bearing Ocalan’s mustachioed image when a letter from the rebel leader, held since 1999 on a prison island in the Marmara Sea, was read out by a pro-Kurdish politician.

“Let guns be silenced and politics dominate,” he said to a sea of redyellow-green Kurdish flags. “The stage has been reached where our armed forces should withdraw beyond the borders ... It’s not the end. It’s the start of a new era.”

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has taken considerable risks since he was elected in 2002, breaking taboos deeply rooted in a conservative establishment, not least in the military, by extending cultural and language rights to Kurds. But Kurdish activists demand greater freedom from Ankara.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—43

Ondo mourns Akinnola, awaits announcement

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE – ONDO town, yesterday, wore a mournful look following the death of the second in command to the paramount ruler of the town, Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Ilemobayo Akinnola on Wednesday.

His death, however, is still being discussed in hushed tones as it was yet to be announced traditionally because of his elevated position.

Consequently, no condolence register has been opened at his palace in Ondo town at press time. The deceased who is usually regarded as the ‘Prime Minister ’ of Ondo kingdom died at the age of 78 at Saint Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.

The massive gate of his palatial house located at Government Reservation Area, GRA, popularly called Barrack’s Road in Ondo town was under lock and key as the security guard referred our reporter to the Lagos residence of the former Commissioner for Establishments in the defunct Western

C M Y K

Region for information about his demise and burial plan.

However, few meters to his house some people gathered in groups to discuss the demise but they declined comment since the death has not been officially announced in the community.

Security guards refused Vanguard access to the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo who was said to have travelled out of the town.

Official announcement But some Chiefs at the gate of the palace said they would not comment since the death of the second in command to the Oba was yet to be officially announced in the community.

A source, however, said the community was still awaiting the official announcement of the traditional rites by the Lisa's family.

Meantime, Governor Olusegun Mimiko has described the death of Chief Bayo Akinnola, the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom as

the passage of an icon in all ramifications.

Mimiko, in a statement in Akure said Chief Akinnola was an icon of tradition, grace, elegance and leadership all combined.

He said: “The late Akinnola is not only an icon but a man who established his presence anywhere he found himself. He was a politician who became a commissioner at a very young age in the Western Region, a leader in the kingdom as exemplified by his title of Prime Minister of Ondo Kingdom. He was a business man of repute as obvious from his interest in networth business enterprises, was a colourful and tasteful quantity in social circles and had ample time and resources for philanthropy and charity as many can testify to having drank from his milk of kindness.”

The governor who said he is personally grieved at the loss of the community leader and national figure added that he was at one with the immediate family, the larger family and people of the kingdom, who will

Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Akinnola all miss Chief Akinnola.

He said: “I commiserate with the Minister for Information Communication Technology, Mrs Mobola Johnson, her sib-

lings and the rest of the family praying that the good Lord will grant those left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.”

44—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

The mistakes Rotimi Williams and I made about Nigeria's constitution — Nwabueze •North is in the middle of a civil war •I doubt if APC ‘ll stop PDP in 2015 •We need social revolution, not economic transformation PROFESSOR Ben Nwabueze (SAN), the chairman of The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerian citizens is disturbed that the transformation agenda is on the wrong step and might not yield the desired result. In this interview with VANGUARD, he proffers suggestions on how to re-track the agenda. He opposes calls for amnesty for Boko Haram sect and doubts the ability of the congregating opposition parties to dislodge the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2015. Excerpts:

BY GBENGA OKE

H

IS assessment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda The transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration is inadequate because of its limited objectives. To begin with, it focuses only on the economy. Even as limited to the economy, it does not aim at a radical change in the nature or character of the economy. Its aim as stated in its enabling document is to engender economic growth and development in a way to achieve improvement in the welfare of the citizens.

The word ‘transformation’ according to the dictionary definition of it, is “change in condition, nature of character of a thing”, ‘a change into another substance.’

Constituted authorities Carrying arms against the state, that is what insurgency means. Militants in the Niger Delta never revolted against the state when they were protesting and that is the difference between militancy and insurgency. These Boko Haram people are insurgents therefore there should be no question of amnesty.

However, I sympathise with them because they are revolting against the absence of social justice.

Now, forget the hardship and suffering, these are not the only cause for their insurgency, it also has political and religious undertones. The origin of the group Boko Haram is political, it was what happened after the death of (former President Umaru Musa) Yar’Adua, the North said the South has ruled for eight years under President Obasanjo and therefore it is

Management of the economy

*Nwabueze: Amnesty call for Boko Haram members is misplaced What this country needs is national or social transformation not just economic transformation. I can think of nothing more disastrous for this country than an enhanced growth and development built or superimposed upon a morally and ethically decadent society, a society bereft of a sense of justice, probity, integrity, accountability, civic virtues and noble values.

The vice-President in a speech at the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award Ceremony on March 6, 2013

said that government planned as part of the transformation agenda programme to establish mega universities, each of which can take up to 200,000 students. The establishment of such universities will be a disaster, a disastrous misplacement of priorities when it is taken in the context of the incredible decline in educational standards in the country as attested by the phenomenon of near-illiterate university graduates, the existence of magic schools all over the country whose

,

A new approach in the management of the economy may well bring about a great improvement in the economy in the form of enhanced growth and development and welfare services, but such improvement cannot in any meaningful sense be described as changing the Nigerian economy into something radically different in nature or character or changing it into another substance.

The Transformation Agenda is inadequate for another more fundamental reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with, not a word to say about, the transformation of our society from moral decadence into which it has sunk. No agenda, in the context of Nigeria, is worth being called a transformation agenda, which does not aim at the moral and ethical transformation of our society.

Its focus must enhance the entire society or nation not the economy alone.

On how to improve the transformation agenda

For the present, unless the situation deteriorates to a point where the mood and reaction of the people can no longer be controlled, what I advocate for Nigeria is a peaceful, non violent social and ethical revolution led by a person imbued with a revolutionary ardour for national transformation. And I implore Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to lead it.

On calls by major northern stakeholders for amnesty to the Boko Haram sect I think the call for amnesty for the Boko Haram people is misplaced and it is based on mis-guided comparison between the amnesty granted to the militants in the Niger Delta. These are two different things, completely different.

The Niger Delta militants were fighting for justice, it is not an insurgency. Boko Haram is an insurgency, revolt against constituted authorities.

These Boko Haram people are insurgents therefore there should be no question of amnesty, however, I sympathise with them because they are revolting against the absence of social justice

students are guaranteed automatic success in the school certificate examination, not of course by merit, certificate racketeering; examination malpractices etc.

His take on perceived looming revolution

,

their turn justifiably or unjustifiably, that was their argument.

They also said after the acting tenure of President Jonathan, that power should return to the North and that the price of that Continues on page 48

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—45

I'm a victim of Okorocha's one term agreement — Agbaso THE embattled deputy governor of Imo State, Mr. Jude Agbaso in an interview responds to the allegation that he obtained a N458 million bribe from a road contractor in the state. He asserts that the allegation was cooked up to muddle a one term agreement reached between Governor Rochas Okorocha and his elder brother, Martins Agbaso, the influential businessman and political broker who allegedly provided the structure for Okorocha’s 2011 election victory. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & UJU MBANUSI

O

N the allegation that he collected N458 million bribe from a contractor?

That is not true. The contract in question that JPROS Nig Ltd is executing in Imo state, was approved by the Executive governor of Imo state, was really negotiated by the Executive governor of Imo state, my boss, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

While the approval was sought and given, I wasn’t even in the country. The approval was given, the principal secretary to my governor conveyed the directive of approval of the contract and payment of the sum of N1.5b to the commissioner for finance; who directed the accountant general to make payments.

I am not the commissioner who caused that payment to happen, I am not the Accountant-General who made the payment directly to the contractor, I am not the Accountant General, who paid on the verbal instruction of the governor to the contractor.

Access to the governor Also recall that before the payment of N1.3b was made to JPROS, that a payment of N200m had been made to the same contractor from the Government House. I did not approve the payment of the N200m, the payment of the N200m never came to the Ministry of Works; and did not receive my approval. My question, remains ‘for a man who has access to the governor, to the commissioner for finance, to the accountant general of the state, who paid him directly, why would he pay me N458m which represents roughly about 46% of the total contract sum’?.

Did you cajole the governor to approve the payment as implied by the commissioner for Information, Mr. Chinedu Offor?

I never went to the governor like he implied and cajoled him into signing on the dotted lines, for him to sign for the approval of the payments to JPROS. It’s laughable, it’s truly laughable.

On the gift of wine There is the issue I heard today also, that Joseph Dina of JPROS gave me a bottle of blue label whiskey. JPROS had absconded from the site, he was sought after, the Ministry of Works called him on the phone repeatedly, and we were continually informed that he had travelled out of the country.

*Agbaso: They want to tarnish the Agbaso brand

When he came back to Imo state, he reported to the ministry, only to tell me that he had just came back from wherever he went to, and I said okay if you are back, go back to the site.

Probably to prove his point, he said he brought me a bottle of blue label whiskey and that he wanted to give it to me, I said okay, (but he said) he didn’t have it here, I said okay, he said he was going to come to my house later in the evening to give me the whiskey. I said fine, just go back to site.

He sought the address of my house, which everybody in Owerri, in Imo state knows and he came that evening, saw me with other people, and gave me the bottle of

whiskey and left. By the time this had happened, he had gotten his contact approval, his money has been paid him by the various authorities. How does a bottle of whiskey tie into the N1.15b that he had been paid before then? How does a bottle of blue label whiskey tie into an over payment of N200m that I was not party to?

On text messages soliciting bribe I never communicated through text messages, instructing this man, to pay any company, through any account number, any sum of money, to any bank and he told the committee in question that he was going to bring the text messages

Anambra House Seat:

that I sent him, that he was going to send for his MTN call log and detail.And I also told the committee that I will also provide my MTN call log and detail, and the very next day, I applied through the director of SSS for my call log at the MTN, detailing SMS messages for the month of February in question and the month of June 2012.

The committee has now gone to town, to television houses, spreading these falsehood that they have judged me, that they have brought me to book. What is left, is for them to jail me; they have accused me, sat over my case, passed judgment, based on the hearsay of Joseph Dina of JPROS who merely said that he gave me money, and there is no single iota of truth that I did communicate with him through text messages detailing him to pay amounts of money into any accounts or to the companies he mentioned.

I also pointed out, that the companies are limited liability companies in Nigeria, that the CorporateAffairs Commission has information as to the promoters, the owners, the directors, of these companies, those information are accessible by members of the public but more importantly, by criminal investigation agencies.

Who introduced the contractor to you?

The contractor Joseph Dina of JPROS Limited I met him through the governor when he amassed his equipment at what used to be the former Imo Hotels.

The governor introduced him as the contractor who would be doing that road and as a matter of fact asked him to start right away and we then proceeded to formalise his

contract. Before then I had never met him.

I didn’t know the contractor, I couldn’t vow for his competence.

What we heard was that the governor asked him to bring his equipment so that he could assess the equipment and then he brought the equipment at the site of the former Imo State Hotel.

What could have led to this faceoff?

To my knowledge there is a subsisting agreement between my elder brother, Chief Martin Agbaso and the executive governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha that he would run a single term tenure thereafter he would handover to people of Owerri zone extraction to run for governor in 2015 and every indication that is available to me has pointed in this direction.

The effort being made is to tarnish the brand of Agbaso, to preclude it from the forthcoming election in Imo State. That is my honest belief, that is my honest thinking and all the charades on top of it, all the posturing are mere dressings. The heart of the matter is the politics of 2015.

But were there indications to this faceoff?

I cannot tell you that there were indications because I have had a cordial relationship with my boss, the executive governor of Imo State.

The work synergy between us had been very excellent. I will tell you that I was completely broadsided by these events.

Instances where you have heard that I called him “Oga come and clean up this mess, you started it” is the truth.

Tambuwal’s tough task

CONTROVERSY deepens in the House of Representatives over the occupation of the Anambra East/West Federal Constituency

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

C

ONTROVERSY over the continued refusal of the House of Representatives to inaugurate Comrade Tony Nwoye as a member of the House following court orders is deepening. Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, himself a former member of the body of benchers is pitched between the devil and the deep blue sea on the issue. To wit, legal cum judicial dictates against political expediency.

Nwoye had secured an order

of mandamus on July 13, 2012 from Federal High Court, Awka to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to recognize him as the legitimate winner of the election conducted for the Anambra East/West Federal Constituency in 2011. The seat has until now been occupied by Hon. Chriscato Ameke, who like Nwoye, vied on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The order of mandamus was upon judicial pronouncements

by the Supreme Court that Nwoye and those on the list of candidates presented with him from the primaries conducted

by Senator Joseph Waku were the duly nominated candidates of the party.

Though Nwoye was not a party to the Supreme Court decision, he, however, benefited from the pronouncement of the apex court in the case instituted by Senator Margery Okadgibo who like Nwoye was nominated at the primaries conducted by

Waku.

Upon the ruling by the Supreme Court and the order of mandamus procured by Nwoye, INEC complied and on July 16, 2012 issued Nwoye a certificate of return and withdrew the one earlier issued to Ameke.

What could have been an easy entry into the chambers of the House has, however, remained an issue of intrigues, politics and bureaucratic chatter.

While Ameke has sought to

Continues on page 46

46—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Insecurity: Media tasked on unbiased reporting, peace journalism

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

A

S Nigeria wades through the storms of insecurity worsened by the Boko Haram insurgency in some northern parts of the country, which has claimed about 3000 lives so far, the media has been urged to learn from its mistakes in the coverage of the Niger Delta crisis and embrace peace journalism.

According to a book on the crisis in Nigeria’s oil-bearing region; “Niger Delta Crisis: Media and Peace Building Options,” the media was biased in the coverage of the Niger Delta crisis to the detriment of the citizenry and the country.

Written by Mr. Oma Djebah, a former senior editor with ThisDay Newspapers and Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Foreign Affairs, the 186-page book said the media discourse was very high on images of fighting, violence and armed confrontations; but very low on explanations as to why and how the conflict came about.

Unsung victims More seriously, “the unsung victims were the ordinary people of the Niger Delta, who were killed in their hundreds in the conflict, but never got mentioned in the media discourse.”

Published in 2007, the book analyzed how the Nigerian press responded to and covered the 2004 conflict, with reference to elements of war and peace journalism as well as specific ethical issues that are necessary for an independent, free, neutral, firm and impartial media in a democratic Nigeria.

A total of 180 articles randomly selected from four leading Nigerian newspapers-

*Djebah: Advocates unbiased reporting Vanguard, Thisday, The Guardian and The Punch, which covered different periods in the armed conflict between the socalled ‘militants’ and the Nigerian government were analyzed.

The period was from June 2004 when the media began to take serious note of the then brewing conflict in the Niger Delta, to February 2005, four months after the signing of a peace accord in October 2004, in Abuja. Said Djebah, a former commissioner for Information in Delta State: “From the analysis and examination of the materials gathered, it was discovered that the Nigerian media undermined both ethical issues and elements of war and peace journalism in their coverage of the Niger Delta conflict in 2004.

This was largely because much of the articles published during that period were dictated mainly by commercial, ethnic, religious, social and political considerations rather than the need for the

Anambra House Seat: Continues from page 45 sustain his hold on the seat using other judicial channels including appeal, the bureaucracy of the National Assembly, notably the Director of Legal Services (DLS) was quick to counsel for Nwoye’s immediate inauguration last July. The DLS was, however, to change his stance following an appeal lodged by Ameke to challenge the ruling of the Federal High Court in Awka.

Besides asking for a stay of execution, Ameke also launched an appeal on the issue at the Court of Appeal, Enugu.

media to be neutral, impartial, independent, bold and resistant to elite manipulations. Ethical issues such as objectivity, balance, comprehensiveness, independence and integrity were neglected by most writers.

The mass media appeared to be more interested in war journalism than peace journalism because, in most of the articles analysed, war images of ‘the bad guy’ and ‘the good guy were evident.

“The Nigerian media did not conduct a thorough investigation into the root causes of the conflict, a situation which made most articles sound or appear to be propagandist tools, in many cases, in the hands of politicians with vested interests in the crisis.

In many instances, there were no explanations as to the history of the Niger Delta and consequently, the events and conflict were not situated in proper contexts.

This inevitably brings to the fore the need for Nigerian media

to be more alive to their sacred responsibility in a country with much cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.”

Noting that the challenge of responsible journalism had become most pressing in a new global order where the media is required to be agent and catalyst of peace and development, Djebah said: “The job of the journalist is to assess different accounts and find a coherent, concise and objective account of an event.

This of course, presumes that the journalist has no bias or direct involvement in the story or its participants or any other reason to be less objective.

What is required of him is responsible journalism, which guides him to weigh issues in the balance. The journalist has responsibility to the society. He must remain within the bounds of responsible journalism.

Peace journalism “As Shobowale (1992. 9) observed, responsible journalism demands that while media practitioners combat and expose the ills of the society, they should do so in a way that does not destroy that which they seek to build.

That is Peace Journalism has been applauded as the rational approach to 21st century journalism. The journalist should not use his pen to overheat the world system. He should be an agent of peace, promote plural existence, cooperation and healthy relationship between and among the peoples of the world.

“With his pen, he can make or mar society. Kingdoms and Nations can stand or fall by the pen of the journalist. The Nigerian journalist should have this at the back of his mind. It is

no longer the case of ‘yellow journalism’ or ‘sensational’ reporting that matters. In fact, it is no longer the vogue. What is the vogue is to report that which has happened, as it has happened.

What is the vogue is to reach out to all the personalities in a conflict. No person should be taken as not being important.

And in a situation such as the Niger Delta conflict, everybody: the children, housewives, students, civil servants, farmers, fishermen and parents should have a say in the issue.

Perhaps, that done, it would have opened a floodgate of peace and reconciliation. Perhaps, it would have been more of peace journalism.

The incidence in the Niger Delta was a very good opportunity through which the people would have been heard after many years of neglect and suffering. The press should have afforded the masses that opportunity. But unfortunately, it never did.”

Going forward, Djebah suggested that the media should be objective, thorough and truthful; strike a balance between ethical journalism and limitations imposed by attachments to ownership, ethnicity, religion and political affiliation; and be aware of the elites’ manipulation and endeavour to stand for public good. “The Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, the Press Council of Nigeria and other regulatory bodies and media based NGOs should come up with formalized code of conduct for Nigerian journalists during periods of conflict.

This will enable the media to police itself and serve as effective watchdog of not only the conflict but also the society generally,” he added.

Tambuwal’s tough task

In the interim, Speaker Tambuwal also sought other interpretations. The speaker, it was learnt, had sought the opinion of a team of legal experts in the House comprising close aides and some principal officers of the House who inclined themselves to the swearing in of the Nwoye.

Remarkably, as the tide in the House seemed to be pushing towards Nwoye, Ameke moved to the Court of Appeal in Enugu to apply for a stay of execution of the order of mandamus.

The order filed on February 25, 2013 was struck out two

days later on February 27, 2013.

Following his latest victory, Nwoye again wrote to the speaker and the clerk of the National Assembly for him to be inaugurated. The DLS was said to have inclined himself positively to the demand with a recommendation that the former NANS president be sworn in. He affirmed that the discharge of the stay meant that there was no more legal or judicial reason to stop the inauguration.

The DLS opinion was further reinforced by the opinion of a committee reportedly

inaugurated by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal on the issue.

The matter has apparently left the realm of the judiciary to the political sphere given alleged permutations and considerations by some in the House to skew the opinion of the House leadership on the issue.

Yesterday, it was learnt that yet another committee has again been set up on the issue.

It is indeed a tough challenge for Speaker Tambuwal who has so far gone the length to protect a legacy of uprightness in the application of the rule of law.

•Tambuwal:

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—47

I

T can be safely assumed that democracy returned to Nigeria after the death of that military dictator, General Sanni Abacha. The return of democracy started in 1989 after the often forgotten character named General Abdusallam Abubakar terminated the 16 army rule that featured General Buhari, General Babangida and General Abacha. Thus, the Nigerian democratic experiment started in 1999 under the 1999 Constitution (as now amended).

In the Nigerian political history, political parties have appeared in various guises, and have also disappeared under different guises. The famous names were the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP of Herbert Macaulay) which dominated Lagos politics in the 1920s and 1930s, but later dissolved into the National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) of 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, before the civil war (1967-1970). The dominant parties after the Nigerian Independence in 1960 were the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) led by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the NCNC led by Dr Azikiwe, and the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. All these parties derived their political strength from their regional bases of the Northern, Eastern, and Western Regions of the country. The polarization of politics in those days has remained a constant.

However, credit must be given to the military president, General Babangida for a subtle attempt to introduce political process in a strictly military environment.

By a fiat, two political parties were created – Nigerian Republican Congress (NRC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), one to the Right and the other to the Left. In fairness, the attempt was working until the annullement of the presidential election presumed to have been won by the SDP candidate, Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

That single act by a military dictator made nonsense the idea that Nigerian people could elect their Leader.

The political drama of the 1990s ended with the dissolution of the two political parties of the Babangida era by another brutal military dictator, Sanni Abacha. He allowed the replacement of the two-party

Ekiti 2014:

07059197616

Nigeria's political system and the people structure with a multi-party system of five political parties, registered and funded by the Federal Military Government. Those political parties, described by late Bola Ige as the five fingers of a leprous hand could not hide their true identity as each continued to nominate General Abacha as its sole candidate to contest as President of the country. It was the death of the grand-master that put an end to the inglorious political experiment.

In the 1999 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the presidential election against the combined opposition of the other strong parties, Alliance for Democracy (AD), and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). A former Army General and Head of State Chief Olusegun Obasanjo won comfortably against Chief Olu Falae. Though many Nigerians doubted the result but the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the PDP candidate. Since 1999, the PDP has been controlling the governments of the federation and the majority of the states, leaving the opposition mainly of ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA, and LP with the control of a few states.

Thus, the present political scenario is characterized by a single big and powerful party, and other divided and weak small parties. The stronger party exercises

almost absolute control on the political life and the resources of the country. Its constant exercise of mediocrity is left unchallenged except through critical comments by some patriotic Nigerians. As at present, inefficiency in governance is no longer a consuming electoral debate because of a weak divided opposition.

Even, the present attempt by the opposition parties to merge and form a single but virile body is treated with levity by members of the ruling party and majority of ordinary Nigerians who seem to have lost confidence in political party structure.

In the present analysis, political parties have been treated as groups of people who form associations to take part in the art of governance and are so recognized and registered by the electoral agencies to take part in all elections. So far, the discussions have been on the attitude of political parties and the welfare of the Nigerian people, irrespective of the party in power. What is true of PDP is also true of the other parties in the states in which they come from. As the PDP is a ruling power in the centre, so it is also an opposition party in the Lagos State or Yobe State.

What is observed as the PDP attitude of not allowing opposition to grow is also true

of the other ruling parties of not allowing PDP to expand in their respective states.

Thus, the practice of democracy, which is the government of the people by the people and for the people, as represented in Nigeria by the political party system, has failed woefully because Nigerian people are not yet fully involved.

Unhappily, the Nigerians of today will not see themselves as Nigerians who are prepared to effect changes through collective actions. Rather, they see themselves, or perceived by others as Hausa/Fulani; Yoruba; Ibo and of recent, Ijaw whose loyalty is to the leader and his ruling party. Unfortunately, the ruling parties see themselves as local champions of their predominant tribes and not the parties for all. This makes it very difficult to punish inefficiency and bad governance because of the principle of we must support our “son” under any circumstance. So, political analysts who are dreaming of the defeat of the existing ruling parties should not forget the salient factors of tribal and religious sentiments and their obvious electoral advantages.

Although to many, the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (not a true democrat), once noted that the essential ingredient of democracy is the freedom and the provision of choices for the people. He noted that “crucial for me is that a democratic setting must involve a choice on personalities and a choice of programmes; fundamental human rights and obligations as well as freedom of expression. The Greeks that bestowed democracy on the world did practice it without political parties”. It then follows that to Chief Obasanjo and the present leadership of the PDP, “multi-party bickering is definitely a luxury we cannot afford”, even if it is recognized as one of the tenets of genuine democracy.

On the past and current criticisms of President Jonathan on governance, the relevant advice is that he should ponder on the words of the Proverbs (15:31-32) that, “If you listen to constructive criticisms, you will be at home among the wise, if you reject criticisms, you only harm yourself”

My plans, my vision— Adeyeye

MR Dayo Adeyeye, former national publicity secretary of Afenifere in this interview, explains why he is vying for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ahead of the 2014 gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. He also bares his mind on the crisis rocking the South West chapter of the PDP, the merger plan of opposition political parties among other issues.

It is very arrogant and very unbecoming for anybody to call himself the architect of modern Ekiti State. Ekiti state is an ongoing project. You know that in the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo did his own bit, Pa Adekunle Ajasin did his own bit, somebody like Ambassador Bamidele Olumilua and some other military administrators did their own towards building Ekiti state.

And all the civilian governors had one impact or the other.

Each and every one of them made their own contributions towards the development of Ekiti State.

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT are your chances of getting the PDP ticket?

I believe that my chances are very bright and not because of anything special that I have done but because the Lord Almighty has shown his hands in this campaign. I stand on the promises of God. That which God has purposed no one can change.

But you have many aspirants jostling for the ticket?

I am working very hard to get the support of my party members for the nomination.

You know the People’s Democratic Party is a truly democratic party, it believes in internal democracy unlike our other competitors who impose candidates from time to time.

We are a party that genuinely believes in the wishes of the party members to prevail.

*Adeyeye: My chances are very bright So, we need to win the primaries and I am working hard to win the primaries.

But one of your rivals,

former Governor Ayo Fayose is laying claim to being the architect of modern Ekiti State. Do you agree?

Are you not worried the merger of the opposition parties could further frustrate your party’s plans in Ekiti?

I don’t think anybody should lose sleep over the issue of APC. These are the people that have been nicknamed as

Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC as if they want to go and fight war in Nigeria.

Well, let me just tell you, I am not one of the people that will lose sleep over them. I think the APC is dead on arrival. It is an amorphous group united by a morbid desire to unseat PDP for the sake of unseating PDP. They are not united by any common ideology. What is the ideology of APC? Since they are not united by any ideology I don’t think that such organisation can survive for a long time. There is nothing that is driving the APC that will touch the emotional chord in the masses, so nobody should lose sleep over that.

And you would soon see that it is a house of cards that will fall apart. Particularly in the case of Ekiti state, I know that the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN is the party controlling government in the state; other

Continues on page 48

48â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

North is in the middle of a civil war â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Nwabueze Continues from page 44 is what Nigeria is experiencing now. That is the political angle to it. I have mentioned the economic side of the revolt, which include hardship, suffering and poverty as well.

They have now added a position which is untenable by adding religion to it. They say they want to convert Nigeria into a Muslim state; that is incredible.

On The Patriots recurring call for a National Conference, resistance from the National Assembly and next line of action We are still going ahead with the National Conference. The arguments from the National Assembly are again misplaced.

They are representatives of the people who are elected members, elected by the people, but what is their mandate? There is a clear difference and distinction between the National Assembly and the Constituent Assembly or National Conference. The National Assembly are elected and given a mandate to govern according to the Constitution.

The Constituent Assembly,

one of the cardinal flaws in the constitution is the concentration of powers in the centre.

That is why I accept that I am partly responsible for that because at the time, late Chief Rotimi Williams, a close friend of mine and nearly everybody in the Constitution Drafting Committee were so overwhelmed with this feeling, this patriotic feeling that we needed unity and the most effective way to achieve unity of the country is by having a very strong central government.

Most of us in the committee shared that idea at the time.

Chief Williams shared it because of the patriotism in us and we wanted a united Nigeria, we feel we can achieve unity by having a strong central government.

Then, what did we do to achieve our mis-guided objective? We took away 50 per cent of the items on the concurrent list and gave it to the centre.

We feel by doing this, we are establishing unity. We did not stop at that. We looked at the residual matters, these are matters exclusive to the states,

,

,

We are still going ahead with the National Conference, the arguments from the National Assembly are again misplaced

the National Conference is an assembly for just one specific purpose, the purpose of making a constitution. Their mandate is not to govern, the mandate is a special one and that is making a constitution.

The people are the constituent power; the constituent power in any country is in the people as a sovereign people. The National Assembly is not sovereign, the people are sovereign. In exercise of their constituent power of their sovereignty to deliberate on their constitution and how they are to be governed, that is the whole purpose of the demand for a National Conference.

On areas that need amendment in the 1999 Constitution Quite frankly, there are many flaws and many errors in the content of the constitution. So many errors and I as a person was partly responsible because I was a member of the constitution drafting committee set up by the military government in 1978. I was not only a member but chairman of one of the sub-committees that produced Chapter 2, the fundamental objectives and

we took a large part of it, more than 30 percent and close to 50 percent; we took it away from states and gave to the centre.

And the result is the almighty Federal Government, but what we discover was that instead of producing unity, we produced disunity because of the intensity of the struggle to control the centre.

The intensity is so much and

*Nwabueze: There are many flaws in the constitution it is not just in the political power that was concentrated at the centre, much of the money also went to the centre and so by action, we destroyed what is called fiscal federalism.

Too much money at the centre increased the struggle for the control of the centre and the control of the money itself and that has remained the feature of the Constitution up till today.

So when people struggle and agitate for true federalism, for fiscal federalism, they know what they are talking about and they are right, that must be changed and until it is changed, we might not achieve true federalism because the basis of which we did it has proved to be misguided, the unity we thought we will

achieve was not achieved and what we achieved was more disunity than unity because of the struggle.

So I am not sure the rectification of that error is what the National Assembly can do because so much is involved.

We have to restructure the territorial basis of the federation. Even if we have to take power away from the centre, whom are you going to give it to?

The 36 states, many of them carry even the power they have now not to talk of bringing back what has been taken away.

Many of them are so small to carry those powers. So not only restructuring in political power, not only restructuring in financial power, you have to

restructure territorial basis of zones.

Six zones as suggested already but there is nothing sacrosanct by number of zones, it can be six, seven or eight but realistically six zones. So that has to be done. Can the National Assembly do it?

That is why again the entire people, all the 300 or more of the ethnic groups in the country need to come together and discuss and there are also many other things in the Constitution which experience has proved cannot work and it is not a matter for National Assembly alone and that is why I said let us have a National Conference to look at the whole thing both the more fundamental issues, the source of authority and the content of the Constitution.

On his reported comments that Nigeria was fast becoming a failed state I never said Nigeria is a failed state, the speech I delivered only talked about Nigeria being on the verge of becoming a failed state and we should do something to save it from failing.

That speech was delivered a couple of weeks ago and since then, nothing has happened to change my position on the matter. If anything, my position has been reinforced by events and my friend, T.Y Danjuma recently, at convocation in Ahmadu Bello University, said the nation is in total anarchy.

Those were his words and total anarchy means that there is no government.

So that confirms what I said.

In my own speech, I gave indices of why I thought Nigeria is on the verge of a failed state, those indicators are still there.

The insecurity caused by Boko Haram is still there, they have practically taken over in the North-East and the Federal Government has deployed troops there. The other day, it was reported that 52 insurgents were killed, that is not good for the country; you kill 52 of your own citizens.

Ekiti 2014: My plans, my visionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Adeyeye Continues from page 47 parties with which they have formed alliance, I cannot find them in Ekiti state.

Are you bothered by the incumbency factor?

Yes, I agree with you that it is very difficult to unseat an incumbent but it is not an impossibility. Look at when the Alliance for Democracy, AD governors were swept out of power in 2003.

Also, in Anambra in 2006, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA governor unseated the PDP governor. In

the last election in Imo state, an incumbent governor was unseated. So unseating an incumbent is not an impossibility even though I agree that it is difficult.

What do you consider as the topmost priority of Ekiti people?

The topmost priority for the people of Ekiti state is education and employment generation for all the people.

Education is key because Ekiti was reputed and known throughout the country for its love for education.

We were among the last

people that education reached in the old Western Region, but within a spate of about two decades we were in the forefront of educational achievement in Nigeria.

But where are we today? We have dropped far, far below average in Nigeria, our records in term of national public examinations and other parameters that one can use to measure success, are far below average. And the standard has deteriorated under this government.

Things are not going in the right direction; there is infrastructural decay, cosmetics

renovation of schools instead of massive construction that is required for us to compete with other states. I will say that the resources of the state have not been allocated judiciously.

But the governor has complained of paucity of fund That has been the experience of every governor that has ruled Ekiti state. But other governors have managed the resources to fulfil their obligations to reasonable extent to the people of Ekiti state.

They have managed to pay salaries as at when due.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 49

C M Y K

50—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

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Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013—51

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R-l: Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, first lady of Lagos State; Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho, member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr. Yewande Adesina, Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Public Health and Dr. Wale Ahmed, Commissioner for Special Duties, During the Lagos West-1, Senatorial District Town Hall meeting on the Maternal and Child Mortality Reduction, at Ishodi-Isolo, Local Government, Secretariat, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

L-r: Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, and National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Herbert Ajayi at the SONCAP Stakeholders forum on SONCAP guidelines in Lagos

L-r: Regional Director, Moneygram, North & WestAfrica, Mr. Francois Payret; Marketing Executive, Anglophone, West Africa, Mr. Kofi Alayea; and Assistant Director, Centre Spread Advertising, Mrs. Bankole Akanbi at the MoneyGram share the passion and winnBig promo in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

L-r: Consular General, South Africa High Commission, Mr. Mokgethi Monaisa; Mr. John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria; Mrs. Olubunmi Fayokun, Partner, Aluko Oyebode & Co; Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager, GOtv Nigeria and Mr. Shumani Gereda, General Manager Regulatory Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria during the breakfast meeting of the Nigeria South Africa Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by MultiChoice Nigeria. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

L-r: Mrs. Nimi Akinkugbe, General manager, Institutional Investment and Corporate Finance, Kakawa Discount House; Mrs. Abimbola Wright, Country Representative, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC); Ms. Sarata Kone and Executive Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mrs. Kunbi Wuraola, during Junior Achievement Nigeria's 2013 Financial Literacy Day Dialogue in Lagos

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARC H 22, 2013

TREBLE CHANCE Crawley Brighton Liverpool

Watford

Bury Huddesfield Notts Co.

Oldham

Scunthorpe

v Crewe v Leicester v Tottenham

v Barnsley

v Hartlepool v Miton KD v Stevenage

v Leyton O. v Walsall

v

SOCCER TIPS League sponsorship:

Glo pays LMC N550 million THE telecommunications giant has come to an agreement with the League Management Company as title sponsor of the 2012/13 season Globacom on Wednesday sealed the rights as the title sponsor of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after delivering a cheque of N550 million to the League Management Committee for the 2012/13 season.

The LMC Chairman Nduka Irabor disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday.

"We have made impressive progress so far. One of my members Shehu Diko just came with the good news and he has with him a cheque of N550 million naira from Globacom as Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title sponsorship fee," Irabor said.

Irabor also revealed "Like I said we have made progress so far. N100 million cheque was received from Globacom to pay Total Promotions Limited as compensation for settling out of court the NPFL title sponsor imbroglio.

Irabor also revealed that his LMC has concluded plans to fix player's salary at N150,000 per month. "We want our league to be very attractive so we are going to make sure that the lowest monthly salary for players in the NPFL is N150,000.

"We believe that our players should be well appreciated like their counterparts in Sudan, South Africa and other places. So we don't want a situation where our players would go to leagues in Iran, Sudan . and other places just for the sake of better money they would receive there," Irabor disclosed.

NFF dismisses Kenyan delegation’s tales

FOUR HOMES LATE TIPS

1 X 11 X 14 X PAIR 15 FOUR AWAYS 30 X 6X7X8 31 X 13 PERMUTATION AVOID 4 X 9 X 22 X 19 23 X 33 X 35 RISKY TIPS 27 39 X 41 X 42 CREDIT

EXCELLENT

Livingston 2 Fulham Kilmarnock 2 Stoke Dundee Utd .2 Sunderland Swindon 3 Coventry Shrewsbury 3 Reading Rotherham 3 Charlton North'pton 3 Preston Morecambe 3 Wycombe

7 7 7 5 5 5 5 5

THE Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed complaints of the delegation of Kenyan National Football Team, Harambee Stars, that it was not received on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday, as pure fiction.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, NFF’s Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire said: “We really didn’t want to be seen to exchange words with the Kenyans on non-existent issues. Nigeria is known to be good hosts at any time and we have not done less for the Kenyan delegation.

“Our protocol officials were at the Lagos airport to receive them, and took them to the Silver Grandeur Hotel, which is not a substandard hotel as being claimed.”

Olajire disclosed that the Kenyans were economical with information on their trip to Nigeria: “For more than one week, we sent several mails to the Football Kenya Federation but they refused to respond to any. The NFF was forced to be relating with them through the Kenyan HighCommission in Nigeria.

“Strangely, they arrived with attitude and they have carried on that way. On Thursday, we flew them to Calabar and they were received like royalty, with a performance by a cultural troupe thrown in. Yet, they carried on with complaints about almost everything, including questioning why the NFF took the match to Calabar.

“A National Association has the prerogative to determine where it would play a home match, as long as that venue meets with FIFA’s requirements. We have made arrangement for them to train at theUniversity of Calabar ground on Thursday evening and at the match venue on Friday evening, and their accommodation at the Channel View Hotel is perfect.

X-RAY OF THE DRAWS WEEK 36 NPowerFootball League One

1 Bournemouth 2 Carlisle 3 Colchester 4 Crawley 5 Hartlepool 6 Porthsmouth 7 Preston 8 Scunthorpe 9 Shrewsbury 10 Swindon.

11 Tranmerte

v Bury v Yeovil v Milton KD v Crewe v Walsall v Coventry v Leyton O v Doncaster v Oldham v Notts Co v Stevenage

1 2X 2 XX 2X 2 2 2 XX 1X 1

.

NPower Football League Tw o

12AFC Wimb'ldn 13 Barnet 14 Bradford C. 15 Burton A. 16Chesterfield 17 Fleetwood 18 Gillingham 19 North'pton 20 Port Vale 21 Rochdale 22 Rotherham 23 Torquay

v Morecambe 2X v Cheltenham 2 v Bristol R. 1 v Wycombe 1 v Plymouth 1 v Dagenham 1 v Accrinting S 1 v Oxford 1 v Aldershot 1 v Southend.

2 v Exeter XX v York XX

Scottish League Division One

24 Airdrie 25 Dunfermline 26 Falkirk 27 Morton 28 Partick

v Raith 2 v Dumbarton 1 vHamilton XX v Cowdenbeath1 v Livingston 1

Scottish League DivisionT wo DivisionTw 29 Albion R 30 Alloa 31Arbroath 32 Brechin 33 East Fife

v Forfar 2 v QueenO SthXX v Stenh'smr XX v AYR UTD 1 v Stranraer XX

Scottish League Division Three 34 Annan 35 Berwick 36 E Stirling 37 Elgin 38 Rangers

v Queens Pk 2 v Peterhead XX v Montrose 1 v Clyde X1 v Stirling A. 1

4 9 22 33

Blue Square Premier 39 Braintree 40 Hereford 41 Lincoln 42 Mansfield 43 Nuneaton 44 Stockport

v Alfreton XX v Hyde 1 v Telford XX v Macclesfield XX v Woking 2X v Newport Co. 2

Blue Square North

45 Altrinchan 46 Boston 47Droylsdon 48 Solihull M. 49 Stalybridge

v Worcester 1 v Bradford Pk 2 v Workington X2 v Histon 1 v Guiseley 2

Revised Pairs 4 x 9, 22 x 23 26 x 31, 33 x 35

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 53

54 —

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

Team Nigeria storms Warri T

EAM Nigeria con tingent to next week’s First African Youth Championships in Athletics in Warri,Delta state is confident of emerging winners of the inaugural edition of the championships.

The team,comprising of 59 athletes and 15 officials will arrive Warri Monday morning from their training camp in Port Harcourt and president of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria,Evangelist Solomon Ogba says Nigeria is hosting to win. ’We are not only going to give Africa an event they will be talking about for a long,long time and which will serve as the benchmark for future championships,we are also hosting to win.We have a good team that we believe will not only win the African Youth Championships in Athletics but also one that can produce many future stars for Nigeria’’,says Ogba.

The AFN president says his federation has done everything possible in terms of preparing the team for the competition and is confident the 59 boys and girls selected will not disappoint Nigerians. ’Last year we won the senior African Championships in Athletics in Port Novo,Republic of Benin and I believe our policy of exposing our young athletes to international competition and good training

has started yielding the desired results’’.

Serghi Porbeni,one of the team’s officials is also confident Nigeria will win the championships. ’Nigeria has always been a force to reckon with in track and field in the continent.We want to use this competition to reassert the authority we started in Port Novo last year.

We have selected a very strong squad for this championships and I believe the bright future that awaits track and field in Nigeria starts with this event in Warri’,said Porbeni,echoing the sentiments of former African queen of the track,Mary Onyali-Omagbemi who believes the Warri championships will throw up a lot of potentials who can be groomed to become the new Onyalis,Falilat Ogunkoyas,Chioma Ajunwas and a host of other great ex-Nigeria track and field stars.

Meanwhile chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the championships,Amaju Pinnick has assured of a hitchfree championships next week. ’We dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s.We thank the Delta state government for bankrolling this even as well as other sponsors who have committed money to these championships.We want to assure Nigerians that we will organise an event they will be proud of’’,he said.

Messi gets tattoo dedicated to son

•Kayode

F

•Messi and son

B

ARCELONA super star Lionel Messi who became a father in November last year has had a tattoo of his son’s name inscribed on his calf.

The four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner had Thiago inscribed on his left leg with a pair of baby’s hands just above it according to Spanish publication Marca.

How Harambee Stars were treated in Lagos T HE picture says it all. Celtic and UEFA Champions League midfield star, Victor Wanyama doing his stretching exercises against a village background that is far removed from the pristine surroundings he is used in Scotland or other European capitals he has had the opportunity to grace.

As head coach Adel Amrouche leads his side to a jog to shake off jetlag, another photo shows two stones placed to mark a goal, the irony not lost on anyone who sees the picture.

This is the hostile treatment that greeted Harambee Stars upon arrival to Lagos sparking an immediate protest letter from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to their Nigerian counterparts ahead of their Saturday

C M Y K

AYC: Kayode banned for DRC clash

LYING Eagles striker Olanrewaju Kayode will miss Saturday’s AYC final Group B clash against DR Congo after he received his second booking of the competition.

The all-action striker was booked by the Tunisian referee Youssef Essreyaryi for ignoring his whistle by putting the ball into the net after he was blown offside.

His first booking was against Mali in the opening game versus Mali.

Even though he has yet to find the back of the net, Kayode has been the livewire of the Flying Eagles strike force with his persistence and speed.

The former Asec Mimosas of Abidjan star has impressed several scouts here in Algeria for the

U20 championship.

His likely replacements are Enugu Rangers front man Alhaji Gero, who was the team’s joint leading scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, and Umar Aminu, who plays as a second striker for Wikki Tourists in the Nigeria premier league.

Defending champions Nigeria need only a draw against DRC on Saturday afternoon in Oran to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey in June.

With a draw, they will top closest rivals Gabon on the head-to-head rule having beaten them 1-0 on Wednesday even if the Junior Panthers get a cricket score in their final group game against group leaders Mali.

Eagles, Kenya in twitter war

A

2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar.

Speaking to Capital Sport on the matter, Commissioner for Sport, Gordon Olouch said the Sports Ministry was already on the matter since the maltreatment extends

beyond the hands of FKF. “We are aware of what is going on and I have been in discussion with FKF on the matter. We are trying to engage our High Commission in Nigeria that is far away in Abuja to get involved.

“This treatment is unacceptable and I intend to raise the issue with the Minister and we could issue a statement later on what is going on once we get the full briefing,” Oluoch added.

full-scale Twitter war has erupted between Kenyan and their Nigerian counterparts over the apparent maltreatment of Harambee Stars in Lagoa ahead of tomorrow’s 2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar.

The hash-tags #SomeonetellNigeria and #SomeonetellKenya set worldwide trends as Kenyans vented on the social media platform to castigate the reception their national team received upon arrival in Lagos.

“The Nigeria Football Federation was instructed by FIFA Security Officer assigned for the match Mr Beckles Patrick

from Barbados that they have breached the hosting arrangements.

“After his intervention the team boarded the Charter flight for the one hour 5 minutes from Lagos and Calabar. ,” a communiqué from FKF declared on Thursday.

That did little to quell the anger that greeted the news Stars had been compelled to lodge at a boarding school and train on primary school grounds after arriving in Lagos on Wednesday as Kenyans on Twitter collectively known as #KOT went ballistic on the site.

Churning over 100 tweets a minute at the height of the activity as they took over the site.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013 — 55

Mikel declared fit for Kenya H

EAD coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has allayed fears over the health of midfielder, John Mikel Obi. The stars missed dinner on Wednesday leading to speculations that he is unwell and may miss Saturday ’s 2014 FIFA world cup qualifier against Kenya.

However, Keshi has now moved to clarify the situation about the player’s health assuring

that he is fit as fiddle.

“He is not down with fever as is rumoured in some quarters. He is fit and raring to go,” Keshi said.

Mikel trained with the Nigeria squad on Thursday morning and completed the session.

Mikel made his international debut in 2005 and has since racked up 33 appearances netting 3 goals in the process.

NNPC/Shell Cup semi finals Govt College Ibadan v Purple Krown, Enugu Govt Sec. Sch. Wuse, Abuja v Govt Arabic College, Gwale, Kano

Ken enyyan S Sttar Continues from B/P higher on the CAF rankings, enjoy home advantage and there is a three-point gap between the teams.

Nigeria beat Namibia at home and held Malawi away in Group F last June to collect four points while Kenya secured just one after a home draw against Malawi and a loss in Namibia.

But Wanyama, reportedly noticed by several leading English Premier League clubs after scoring against Barcelona to help Celtic reach the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League this season, is upbeat.

“The players are ready, there is a lot of mental strength among them and we are hopeful of a favourable result against Nigeria,” Wanyama, 21, said.

“Everything is possible in football and Kenya can win in Nigeria — it is time the Harambee Stars moved forward in international football,” added the national captain who made his international debut at 17 against Nigeria.

Nigeria ended a 19year trophy drought when they won the Nations Cup a third time last February with a Sunday Mba half-volley C M Y K

just before half-time settling the final against surprise side Burkina Faso.

Few beyond Nigeria gave the Eagles a chance of going all the way, but a mix of young local and foreign-based stars soared after a slow start and excelled when beating title favourites Ivory Coast in the knockout stages.

But coach Stephen Keshi, who shares with the late Egyptian Mahmoud Al Gohary the record of winning the Africa Cup as a player and a coach, has told his stars to forget the Soweto triumph.

“South Africa is history now and Nigeria must qualify for Brazil next year. We need the support of everyone to ensure that happens and I know my boys will not let the nation down.”

Keshi has called up two midfielders — Ukraine-based Michael Babatunde and John Ogu of Portuguese club Academica Coimbra — who did not make the 23-man Nations Cupwinning squad.

Kenya will rely heavily on France-based striker Dennis Oliech for goals and Algeria-born Adel Amrouche makes his debut as coach after succeeding veteran Frenchman Henri Michel.

•Mikel

NFF dismisses Kenyan delegation’s fairy tales

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed complaints of the delegation of Kenyan National Football Team, Harambee Stars, that it was not received on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Wednesday, as pure fiction.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, NFF’s Assistant Director (Media), Ademola Olajire said: “We really didn’t want to be seen to exchange words with the Kenyans on nonexistent issues. Nigeria is known to be good

W

UPER Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo has urged the team to go all out for victory tomorrow in the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifying game against the Harambee Stars of Kenya at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar.

The Fenerbahce of Turkey defender who led the Eagles to their third AFCON victory last month in South Africa wants the team to prove their AFCON feat didn’t come by happenstance. ’I am urging the boys to go all out and ensure they beat the Harambee Stars and maintain leadership of the group.I want them to play like the champions that they are and continue to make Nigerians happy.I know the team is capable of not only beating Kenya but also qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

•Maigari hosts at any time and we have not done less for the Kenyan delegation.

“Our protocol officials were at the Lagos airport to receive them, and took them to the Silver Grandeur Hotel, which is not a substandard hotel as being claimed.”

inside the sprawling premises, staffers left their offices to catch a glimpse of the Pepsi ambassador who brought joy to over 160 million Nigerians by playing a key role in the Super Eagles winning the AFCON 2013 trophy.

Moses was also the arrowhead in Pepsi’s theme campaign for AFCON tagged “Our Nation, Our Pride.”

•Yobo So I want them to stay focussed and not feel winning the AFCON trophy is the ultimate’’,said the former Everton of England star who has been a rock for his Turkish side especially in the Europa League where they have qualified for the quarter-finals.

Enyeama Continues from B/P

Moses' visit causes stir at 7-UP ORK was temporarily halted at Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc headquarters, Ijora Lagos on Monday as Pepsi Football Ambassador Victor Moses stopped over to say thank you to the management and staff of the company for their support.

As the news spread round that Moses was

Yobo urges Eagles to go for goals S

going to have to talk more to each other, work harder, run harder than we did at Afcon and hope that the work that we put in is rewarded with three points on Saturday.

“We are not facing

Kenya as champions of Africa, but as Nigeria trying to qualify for the World Cup.” Nigeria currently top the group standings with four points from two games and could pull away altogether with victory on Saturday.

Obafemi Continues from B/P Babatunde squaring up against Vincent Enyeama’s side that included Brown Ideye, Sunday Mba, Mikel, Kenneth Omeruo, Victor Moses, Ogenyi Onazi and Martins.

Martins wowed the spectators who turned out to see the session with his pace and movement which was crowned with a lovely goal that left Ejide with little chance.

Only goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim failed to take part in this round of the session.

The coach then drilled the players on wing play and finishing with Mikel woeful in front of goal

much to the amusement of the spectators.

Free kicks were also practised as the players gave their all in the session.

Keshi expressed delight with the work of the lads and expressed hope that they will replicate their form on match day.

“I am very impressed with what the boys have done so far. I am impressed with the state of their fitness too.

Hopefully, they will deliver on Saturday,” Keshi said after the session.

The game between Nigeria and Kenya will be played at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013

We can sstun tun Super Eagles — Ken ar enyyan St Star C

ELTIC midfielder Victor Wanyama says Kenya can stun Nigeria in Calabar this weekend when the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Africa resume.

The clash of the Super Eagles and the Harambee Stars appears a mismatch as the 2013 Cup of Nations champions are 33 places

predictably, Chelsea midfielder, Mikel shone brightest with pin-point accurate distribution.

Keshi then proceeded to split the players into

two groups for a 11-aside game with the likes of Austin Ejide, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ahmed Musa, Michael Continues on page 55

Continues on page 55

Red-hot Obafemi dazzles Calabar fans •Set to hit Kenya with goals S

EATTLE Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins was impressive in Thursday morning’s training session of the Nigerian national team as the African champions intensified preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

The session which lasted an hour and 20 minutes at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar commenced at 8am with head coach, Stephen Keshi moderating alongside assistants, Daniel Amokachi, Valerie Houandinou and goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu.

The session commenced with emphasis on long distance passing and

•Martins

PUZZLE

Enyeama declares war on Harambee Stars

G

OALKEEPER Vincent Enyeama says the Super Eagles have put last month’s Africa Cup of Nations victory behind them and are ready to slog for World Cup qualification.

Nigeria face Kenya on Saturday in a 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier, and the stand-in captain says the squad are focused in that game “For us the Afcon is

like something that has gone. You can’t take one victory and put it in another place,” Enyeama says.

“We are now faced with a different challenge, something that is very appetising for us.

“As professionals, we are motivated already for the game. We are just

Continues on page 55

•Enyeama

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

•Wanyama

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Reckless (6) 5 Goad (4) 8 Staid (5) 9 Obscure (3) 10 Kiln (4) 11 Ballot (4) 12 Finished (5) 13 Delay (6) 16 Record (4) 18 Parched (4) 20 Lettuce (3) 22 Illuminated 23 Shelter (3) 24 Rave (4) 25 Detail (4) 28 Harm (6) 30 Salute (5) 32 Vessel (4) 33 Nearest (4) 34 Owing (3) 35 Calm (5) 36 Stretched (4) 37 Span (6)

DOWN 1 Recent (6) 2 Relegation (8) 3 On ship (6) 4 Joined (9) 5 Sundry (7) 6 Poke (4) 7 Regretted (4) 8 Observe (3) 14 Industry (9) 15 Fasten (3) 17 Pose (3) 19 Recompensed (8) 20 Taxi (3) 21 Began (7) 26 Conquer (6) 27 Erase (6) 29 Competent (4) 30 Yawn (4) 31 Golf-peg (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Actor 9. Entire 10, Rather 11, Clean 12, Step 15, Nude 17, Topical 20, Bid 21, Roost 23. Took 25, Shoe 26, Tease 28, Arm 30, Extreme 33, Real 35, Near 36, Siren 38, Nectar 39, Satire 40, Clasp.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 1, Feast 2, Steep 3, Arc 4, Cellar 5, Oral 6, Ran 7, Shrub 8, Greed 13, Torture 14, Pivot 16, Dilemma 18, Loose 19, Ass 22, Thorn 24, Ken 27, Excess 28, Arena 29, March 31 Eerie 32, Erred 34.Girl 36, Sac 37, Nap.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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C M Y K