ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS LATEST:What we saw in Sambisa forest — PARENTS •We turned back when we got to

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62127

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Don't break up, celebs beg P-Square ABDUCTED SCHOOL GIRLS LATEST:

8

Power problem beyond us

What we saw in Sambisa forest — PARENTS — DISCOs

9

•We turned back when we got to the dead zone •187 students still missing — School principal M

BY NDAHI MARAMA

THE GIRLS' CLASSROOM AFTER B'HARAM ATTACK

AIDUGURI— Parents of school girls abducted last Tuesday from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists, yesterday, recounted their experience in the

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS: The 2015 presidential election will not be televised 7 .1 •P

United States of Guns •P.54

Mr & Mrs

CHIBOK SCHOOL—Above: One of the classrooms at the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok after the Boko Haram attack. Below: left: One of the abducted girls who escaped, being handed over to the school authorities, yesterday by her parents. Below right: Governor Shettima and others praying at the school premises, yesterday. Photos: Ndahi Marama.

Bidders for Shell's oil blocks under searchlight C M Y K

8

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 3

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—5

POCKET CARTOON

COMMISSIONING—Gov.

Theodore Orji of Abia State (right) being received on arrival by Most Rev. Lucius Ugoji, Catholic Bishop of Umuahia for the commissioning of a new classroom blocks and foundation-laying for other classroom blocks at Holy Rosary Secondary School in Umuahia.

What we saw in Sambisa forest— PARENTS Continues from page 1 dreaded Sambisa forest in search of their daughters who are being held there.

The aggrieved, traumatised parents who spoke when the state gover nor, K ashim Shettima visited the school, also disputed the figures provided by the state government of those who have escaped.

The parents had vowed last week to sacrifice their lives and storm the forest because the military had alleg-

edly failed to enter the forest and rescue their children.

Narrating their experience, Mallam Amos Chiroma who was among those who combed the Sambisa forest told Vanguard: “We saw a lot of strange things in the Sambisa forest but we will not be able to disclose all for security reasons. Borno and indeed this country require prayers from all and sundry.

“While we were in the forest with over 200 volunteers who only had cutlasses, bows, arrows

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design into the present —Marck And Hack

T

O move ahead in life, you must mind your busi ness. Forget about what others are doing. Stop looking at where they are and what they have. Nobody is doing better than you because nobody can do better than you. YOU are walking your path. Sometimes, the reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-thescenes circumstances with everyone else’s public highlight reel. We listen to the noise of the world, instead of ourselves. So, stop the comparisons! Ignore the distractions. Listen to your inner voice. Mind your business.

From Mack and Angel Hack is an uplifting wisdom of the heart that you should keep your best wishes and your biggest goals close to your heart and dedicate time to them everyday. Don’t be scared to walk alone, and don’t be scared to enjoy it. Don’t let anyone’s ignorance, drama, or negativity stop you from being the best you can be. Because when you are focused on meaningful work and at peace within yourself, almost nothing can shake you.

and sticks, we came across different makeshift camps suspected to be owned by terrorists.

It is however unfortunate that we had to turn back when we met one good Samaritan in the forest who advised us that it was in our own interest to go back because the area we were approaching in the forest was a dead zone dominated by terrorists.

“If soldiers had accompanied us to the forest, we were optimistic that our missing children would have been rescued, or we would be satisfied if we can just see the dead bodies of our daughters”.

Another parent, Mallam Shettima Yau Haruna, who spoke on behalf of parents of the abducted school girls, told the governor that since the incident, they have been having sleepless nights and they summoned courage to enter the Sambisa forest.

He said: “We want to seize this opportunity to thank you for the visit and identify with us at this sorrowful moment.

But the truth of the matter is that only 39 out of about 250 students have so far been rescued contrary to official reports that 44 students were rescued out of 129 who were abducted as they

were preparing to write their senior secondary school certificate examinations. We want to emphasise that we are not happy with this development. While we continue to pray for the safe return of our daughters, we therefore appeal to government and our security operatives to please intensify the search for our missing innocent children”, Haruna said.

Our correspondent who visited the school, yesterday, observed that the entire structure and vehicles in the school were set ablaze as well as the council secretariat and the residence of the caretaker chairman.

Governor Shettima, while addressing parents of the abducted students sympathised with them and promised to deploy all human and material resources towards the safe release

of the missing students.

He, however, called on all and sundry to continue to pray and fast for the safe return of the abducted girls.

Soldiers, vigilante groups continue hunt for kidnapped girls Meanwhile, Governor Shettima’s spokesman, Isa Gusau said, yesterday that soldiers and vigilante groups were hunting “around the clock” for the terrorists holding the schoolgirls hostage.

Isa Gusau, said that 52 students had escaped so far, after seven more girls were found safe, yesterday.

Two ran to the state capital, Maiduguri, while five others found their way home, he said.

“With this development, we now have 77 girls still in the custody of their abductors,” Gusau told AFP. According to him, “this is the most trying moment Governor Shettima has faced in the last three years. A security (operation) has been put in place to rescue the remaining girls and this included soldiers and members of a civilian force that was formed last year to help

the military fight Boko Haram.

“We are working around the clock to ensure all of them are freed unharmed,” he said.

Gusau’s figures were disputed, yesterday, by the school’s principal, Asabe Kwambura, who said she was working with parents to compile a complete register of those taken. She said, “a total of 230 names” were registered by parents. So far, 43 girls have escaped. We still have 187 missing.”

Residents of Chibok have also appealed to Boko Haram to show mercy and release the girls.

“We are appealing to Boko Haram to show mercy and release these girls,” said Chibok resident Haladu Sule, adding “the people of Chibok will know no peace until they are freed.”

Members of the community have also criticised the rescue mission, claiming they have not yet seen a large build-up of troops in the region or any indication that the military had mobilised a major search effort.

Some of the girls who escaped said the Islamists took the hostages to Borno’s Sambisa Forest area, where Boko Haram is known to have well-fortified camps.

2014 budget to be sent to Jonathan today — NASS

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—CLERK of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa said, yesterday, that the 2014 budget will be sent to President Goodluck Jonathan today for his assent.

Maikasuwa who explained that it was not his office that was delaying the transmission of

2014 budget said, “there are many knots that needed to be properly tied before we can send it.“ The Senate had passed the N4.6 trillion budget on April 9, while the House of Representatives passed it the following day, April 10.

The two legislative bodies had upped the total estimates by over

N53billion from Jonathan’s initial budget.

He explained that on getting the copy, he had to send it to the legal unit for the usual vetting for all legal implications.

“By God’s grace, the budget will be transmitted on Tuesday ”, Maikasuwa added.

The National Assembly is currently on Easter break but is expected to reconvene on April 29.

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

14 injured in Third Mainland bridge crash

BY BOSE ADELAJA

L

AGOS — NO fewer than 14 people were injured, yesterday, on the Third Mainland bridge during a lone accident involving a commuter bus.

According to eye witnesses, the incident occured around 8:30 am at UNILAG Waterfront when the fully loaded bus with number plate APP 523 XC which was on high speed tumbled and the tyres pulled off.

The victims were said to have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. An eye witness who simply gave his name as Bamitale Orelope said the bus was heading towards Iyana-Oworo from Lagos Island when the incident occurred.

LASTMA Monitor in the area Mr. Shittu Adeola confirmed the development to Vanguard.

Abia police arraign 4 for raping girl, 18

BY ANAYO OKOLI.

U

MUAHIA—THE Abia State Police Command has arraigned four suspects in court for raping an 18-year-old girl (names withheld).

The suspects are Chika Ejim (20), Chinweotuto Nwosu (20); Uchechi Nnaukwu (20) and Chigozie Ejikeme (18).

They were arraigned on a three-count charge of raping the girl at a burrow pit at Amangwu Elu-Elu, Olokoro in Umuahia South Council Area of the state.

According to the charge NoU/134c/2014, the suspects "on 4th of April 2014, at Amangwu Elu-Elu, Olokoro in Umuahia South Magisterial District, conspired among yourselves and induced the victim under the age of 18 years to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 17 (a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act. Cap. T23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Abia State."

When the charges were read to the accused, presiding magistrate, John Ukpai ordered that the case file be forwarded to the DPP and adjourned the matter to May 12, 2014.

A man helping residents of Ijegun and Isheri-Oshun cross a wooden bridge on Isolo Road, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN.

Two killed as Akala boys, Mushin youths clash in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

AGOS — THERE was pande monium, yesterday, at Idi-Oro area of Mushin, Lagos, as hoodlums from the notorious hotspot of Akala attacked residents of Railway Line and New Balogun Street, Idi-Oro, leading to the death of two of the attackers from Akala.

In the process, some residents from Railway Line and New Balogun Street repelled their attack, forcing them to beat a retreat.

The hoodlums, however, later regrouped and staged another attack which lasted four hours.

More than 10 houses along the Railway Line and New Balogun were looted and some of their female occupants raped.

It was learnt that the incident started around 1 am, when most residents had gone to bed after the Easter celebration. They were startled when sounds of gunfire and broken bottles from the Akala hoodlums reverberated.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the hoodlums from Akala were chased out of a carnival they attended at Ojo Street, around Tollgate area, after they engaged some residents of that area in a fight, but on their way out, they attacked residents of Railway Line and New Balogun Street.

According to a resident, Shola Balogun, “When they came first around 1 a.m. some of our boys who were at the entrance of our street saw them attacking innocent people and dispossessing them of their phones and other valuables.

"They also broke into some shops and carted away goods. Our boys went after them and there

was a clash.

"I was told that two of their boys sustained fatal injuries before they escaped.”

Harunna Ila, a resident of Railway Line, told Vanguard that his brother lost one of his eyes when the hoodlums attacked their house.

He said: "I was sleeping with my brother when they attacked our house. We ran out and discovered that our shop has been destroyed and all our goods scattered on the floor as we attempted to pick them, the hoodlums opened fire on us.

"I ran into the house but my brother, Isiaka, was not so lucky.

He was shot in the face and he

lost one eye.

"I took him to the hospital in the morning where he is currently receiving treatments."

20 vehicles destroyed, women raped However, more than 20 vehicles parked along New Balogun Street were not spared as the hoodlums smashed the windscreens. They also set fire on two commercial buses parked at the entrance of the street.

A resident, Adegbola Owolabi, said some houses were also looted and some women raped.

“The hoodlums after destroy-

ing vehicles parked along our street, broke into some buildings.

They also raped some women and robbed people of their phones, laptops and other valuables.

"In my compound alone they looted about 10 mobile phones and carted away three laptops.

They also attacked some buildings adjacent ours and injured a lot of people before robbing them of their valuables."

According to him, about 15 Islamic clerics praying inside a mosque along the Railway Line were robbed of their mobile phones and cash, while a generating set valued at N45,000 was also carted away.

12 injured, 3 vehicles burnt as fire razes fuel station in Ogun

BY VICTOR OTIGBU

L

AGOS — NO fewer than 12 persons were injured in a fire that engulfed the Oando filing station, at Alagbole in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The fire which started at about 9.40p.m, Sunday, according to an eyewitness, also razed two commercial buses with number plates AGL 811 XE and LSR 552 SF and an SUV which was submerged in water and the entire filling station.

The fire service men who arrived the seen an hour later could not salvage anything as the entire filling station was engulfed by the inferno.

Many of the injured were

rushed to various hospitals in Ojodu and Alagbole.

Vanguard traced one of the drivers of the burnt buses, Mr. Francis Njoku, to St Timothy Hospital in Ojodu where he said it was only God who brought him to the hospital.

Njoku who resides at 11, Ayegbamgbe Street, Alagbole cannot identify anybody as he is not able to see resulting from the degree of his burns.

He has also been referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital where he was admitted at about 10.20 am, yesterday.

A staff of the Oando filling station who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said he was alerted by a friend at about

10.30pm that the filling station was on fire. He decided to call the fire service office which arrived the scene at about 11.30 pm from the Isheri station of the the command in Ogun State.

Another staff of the filling station, who was very emotional blamed the construction company handling the road project for not providing an alternative water channel for the river. This, he said has caused untold hardship to their customers, motorists and commuters alike.

An official of the fire service told Vanguard that "we have have to thank God that no life was lost as it did not happen during the day because of the bad situation of the road due to the ongoing road project.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 —7

52 die, 264 injured in 66 Ogun auto crashes — FRSC

A Scene of Oando filing station at Alagbole in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State which was gutted by fire, Sunday night (right: Mr. Francis Njoku, one of the victims on his hospital bed (left: The burnt filling station. PHOTOS: VICTOR OTIGBU.

Mob vandalises police officer’s house over alleged ritual den ... as Police condemn attack on mad men, arrest 17 suspects

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — HUNDREDS of youths, yesterday, threatened to burn down a building rumoured to be a suspected ritualists’ den in Ijaiye area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State but for the intervention of security agents from the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Ogun State Vigilance Service Organisation, VSO. The house, a two-storey building, is located inside Agbole Ogun in the heart of Ijaiye community.

Vanguard gathered that the rumour drew people from the nooks and crannies of the state capital, causing traffic gridlock along the Ijaiye-Oke Ejigbo-Ake road.

According to reports, the police team resorted to shooting into the air to disperse the crowd.

Meanwhile, the State Public Relations Officer of the VSO, Soji Ganzallo, said “the rumour emanated from nowhere and before we knew what was happening, there were distress calls from all our units at Ijaiye area.

"Having sensed that the situation was getting tense as stones were being thrown at the building, we decided to invite some youth leaders in the community, with whom we searched all the rooms from the first floor to the last and we found nothing incriminating.”

According to the Balogun of Ijaiye, Alhaji Chief Balogun Alemo, "The intervention of the security agencies prevented the burning of the house.

I do not know where the rumour came from, but, this is very bad and we are going to investigate it.

“The owner of the building lives outside Abeokuta, while other tenants were not around. The only female occupant, who simply identifies herself as Tolu, said she was performing some house chores when she noticed heavy presence of people around the compound.”

17 suspects arrested

Meantime, the Ogun State Police Command yesterday said it had arrested 17 persons over the attack on two mad men who were acussed of planning to kidnap a child.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement while reacting to the attack on the mad men and a house which was described as a ritualists den condemned the acts.

Adejobi said the command was not comfortable with the development, saying there had been frivolous allegations of kidnap and child stealing/ritual killings in Abeokuta and major cities in Ogun State.

He said: “The attention of the Ogun State Police Command has been drawn to the way and manner some members of the public attack certain individuals with frivolous allegations of kidnap and child stealing/ritual killings in Abeokuta and major cities in Ogun State.

“The command is not comfortable with these cases of attack on persons of unsound minds and those with (exotic) cars who are always wrongly alleged of child stealing or ritual killing which make some hoodlums wound and eventually extort them and damage their vehicles.

“For instance,the attempted attack on a house allegedly used as ritualists den at 30, CDA Asipa Street, Ijaye, Abeokuta today (yesterday) was uncalled for and criminal in nature.

“The prompt intervention of the policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge Oke-Itoku Division saved the house of an innocent individual, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, from being burnt by some hoodlums.

“After the intervention of some community leaders including

the Balogun of Ijaye and even the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, who came to assess the situation on the directive of the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and thorough search of the said house by the Police, High Chiefs of the area and representatives of the youth, some miscreants still attacked the Police with a view to gaining entrance into the said house to loot the property therein and set the house ablaze.

“As a result of this, almost 17 suspects were arrested and they will be charged to court for various offences according to the provisions of the law.

Attack on two mad men

“Also today, April 21, two persons of unsound mind (mad men) were grossly attacked and injured by some miscreants in Enugada and Lafenwa areas of Abeokuta respectively before they were rescued by the police.

“Emphatically, the command will not tolerate any attack on any

suspect particularly 'mad people' within the state again with wrong or uncertain accusations of kidnap and/or child stealing.

“This is pure jungle justice and its unacceptable as it will not help the police in its investigation; and a gross violation of peoples fundamental human rights.

Even if such suspects are noticed or apprehended, members of the public are expected to hand them over to the police for thorough investigation.

“The command, therefore, warns the general public to desist from these criminal acts as the police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone caught in these acts or attempting to cause any brouhaha in that manner.

“The general public is hereby urged to always get across to the police in case such suspected 'ritualists' or kidnappers are seen on the following lines: 08081770416, 08081770419 and 08123822910.

BEOKUTA — A to tal of 52 persons lost their lives in 66 road accidents recorded in Ogun State from January to March, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said yesterday in Abeokuta.

The Sector Commander, Mr Adegoke Adetunji, said 264 people were also injured as a result of the accidents during the period under review.

He said the figure indicated over 50 per cent drop compared with casualties recorded during the same period last year, when 107 deaths were recorded and 674 persons injured in 218 accidents.

Giving the breakdown for each month, he said the command recorded a total of 158 casualties in 24 crashes in January 2014, with 22 deaths and 90 people injured.

Adetunji explained that in February, 207 casualties were recorded in 20 crashes, with 12 people killed and 89 injured.

"In March, we recorded 177 casualties in 22 crashes, where 18 persons lost their lives and 85 injured," he said.

Adetunji said most of the crashes were due to overspeeding, dangerous driving and violation of traffic rules, and therefore urged road users to imbibe the culture of adhering to traffic rules and regulations at all times.

Jubilation trails resolution of 16-year regency tussle

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA — IT was jubi lation galore at Mbosi community in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, weekend, when peace allegedly returned to the area sequel to the emergence of Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi as regent of the community.

It would be recalled that his emergence which became a consent judgment at an Ihiala High Court presided over by Hon. Justice B. A. Ogbuli, sent the people jubilating after about 16 years of crisis.

Prince Onuakalusi, a legal practitioner and son of late tra-

ditional ruler of the community, had dragged 12 persons representing Oluoha/Mbosi Traditional Council led by their Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu), Chief C. A. Ezike to the court.

Among the reliefs sought by Prince Onuakalusi included a declaration that the said council does not exist in the community, an order for perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from further planning, implementing or taking actions towards the performance of the last ofala (burial) rites of the late monarch, his father, as well as N10 million as damages

against the defendants.

After seeking for these reliefs, both counsel to the plaintiff and defendants, J.R. Nduka and Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) respectively met on behalf of their clients and agreed upon amicable settlement that was accepted by the court as a consent judgement.

In their various remarks while expressing satisfaction that peace has eventually returned, the former President General, Engr Chukwudum Onyimadu and Chief Reuben Ozurumba recalled that the crisis started in 1998 when the late monarch was alive.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Don't break up, celebrities beg P-Square

BY AYO ONIKOYI & CHARLES MGBOLU

C

ELEBRITIES and fans of the Nigerian singing duo, Peter and Paul Okoye, PSquare, have appealed to them to reconcile whatever differences they might have and shelve their planned breakup.

Ace DJ, Jimmy Jatt, said: “You are brothers. You have no choice. You just have to stay together.

“It is normal for siblings to have issues, but please do not let it tear you apart. I believe in you, I have great faith you will remain together.”

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, who is a close friend of the twins, likened the impending break-up to death and implored their wives to do something to salvage the situation She said: “When you break up, your whole identity is shattered. It is like death. The love of twins is undisputed, Paul and Peter. You have been together for years, making great songs like Senorita, Do me, Story, More than a friend, Omoge mi, Busy body, Alingo, Personally, Testimony; the list is endless! Why break it up now?

“Please learn. Two heads are

better than one. Mrs Lola and Anita, they say a woman makes a home. This is the time to show the world that both of you are women with great substance, which I believe you are,” she appealed in a post on Instagram.

For days now the rumour mill has been ablaze with news that the singing duo have gone their separate ways over issues many have come to tag ‘irreconcilable differences’.

Since news of the crisis broke, fans have taken to every known social media page to beg the twins to stay together.

zIt's like death— TONTO DIKEH

Jude Okoye

The rumour was given wings by their brother and manager, Jude Okoye, following his tweets: “After 10 years it’s over. Am done.” It sent shock waves through the entertainment world, with their fans fearing the worst.

But according to findings, it seems their worst fears might have been realised as Vanguard can authoritatively reveal that the alleged rumour of break-up is no more rumour. The two brothers are actually at daggers drawn, and look set

P-Square... Cracking. to have nothing to do with each other again.

Though their publicist, Bayo Adetu, has come out to debunk the break-up rumour, saying “I am too busy to pay attention to some wannabe

blogger traffic because I don’t know where that report is coming from.

“Maybe they just want to get traffic to their site. It’s baseless and untrue.”

But according to a reliable

Bidders for Shell's oil blocks under searchlight

P

ROMOTERS of the oil firms that have submitted bids for the four oil blocks, from which oil giant Shell is divesting its holdings, have come under the searchlight of global anti- graft institutions and foreign governments.

The anti-graft agencies, respected for their thorough approach to unearthing sleaze, and hard stance on same, are poised to ensure that only persons with transparent business records with no link whatsoever to individuals and bodies believed to have benefitted from proceeds of corruption are allotted the blocks.

The four oil wells in which Shell has a 45 percent stake are Oil Mining Lease, OML, 18; OML- 29; OML-25 and OML-24.

Successful bidders for the four blocks may pay close to $5 billion (N800 billion) for the stakes held by Shell in conjunction with two other international oil companies.

Some of the bidders for OML-18, are Midwestern/ Mart/Notore, and Sahara Consortium for Vertex/ Seplat/ Maurel&Prom/VP Global, Glencore/Neconde, Transcorp, Aiteo/Taleveras for OML-29; Lekoil, Crestar, GreenAcres/ CCC/Signet petroleum, NDPR/

SAPETRO, and Essar for OML-25 .

Others are Sahara consortium, PanOcean/ Newcross, Shoreline, Aiteo/ Taleveras for OML24.

Behind Midwestern/ Notore is Jide Omokore and Wade Chewenko as backers. Tonye Cole, Tope Shonubi and Ade Odunsi are behind Sahara Consortium.

Aiteo/Taleveras has Benedict Peters, and Igho Sanomi as backers, Transcorp has Tony Elumelu; Greenacres, Basil Omiyi; Lekoil has Lekan Akinyanmi and some other Nigerians as promoters.

Sources told Vanguard that the agencies are said to be working in league with the Economic and Financial Crimes Cimmission, EFCC; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and foreign governments looking into sources of funds of the bidding firms.

A top official of Shell admitted that the oil giant was under serious pressure to ensure that “politicallyexposed persons or those who have corruptly enriched

themselves” are not handed the blocks.

The official further stated that firms linked to such individuals who are serving jail terms, either in or out of the country or granted reprieve, following their conviction are under serious scrutiny and will have their dossiers sent to Shell Nigeria, its parent company in the Netherlands, the Nigerian authorities and foreign governments.

The official said: “One area that cannot be overlooked is the sources of funds of bidders and the eventual owners of these assets.”

He said the attention of the global community was on Nigeria with the inclination of many of its officials to milk the treasury dry, using willing and conscienceless businessmen and women as fronts.

He said: “Imagine the revelations from the ongoing probe of the NNPC crude oil swap and you see the extent to which some can go in Nigeria to make illicit gains.

“As a major player in the global business field, Shell cannot afford to be indifferent to the global war on corruption and the drive to enthrone ethical conduct in public office.

“Former and serving public officers should never be allowed to corner the nation’s patrimony after corruptly enriching themselves using proxies.”

Also being considered by Shell is the antecedents of the bidding firms.

“That they have submitted high bids is not enough. Their track record in oil exploration and technical know-how are equally important,” an NNPC official said.

He cautioned against a repeat of the recentlyconcluded sale of the unbundled firms in the power sector where competence and technical know-how were sacrificed with the attendant worsening of the power situation in the country.

Such, he advised, should not be allowed in the current sale of Shell’s stake in the four blocks.

Already, the sale of the blocks is well behind schedule.

Billed to be concluded within eight weeks, the sale has entered the 12th week, a development that has heightened tension among the bidding firms and also fueled suspicion about the process.

source, who begged for anonymity, “Bayo was only doing his job and did the first thing any normal publicist would do to protect his job and his employers.

“The truth of the matter is that the brothers have been going at each other for months, with Jude caught in the middle, trying to see if he could settle them.”

Insider scoop

The source further revealed that Peter is bitter, partly because unhealthy innuendos have been hurled at him as the passive member of the group.

The source said: “The way things are, we may find Jude and Paul staying together, while Peter walks away.

“All the moves to reconcile them right now is targeted at changing Peter’s mind, who looks all resolved to end all relationship with his brother.

“On whether or not they have shared everything they own, I cannot really say because they are not even on talking terms. Everything that has to do with the brand name. P Square has been put on hold.”

Issues

It would be recalled that some of the reasons Peter wants out is that he claims his brothers do not respect his wife and that their brother, Jude, has been disrespecting Lola for years.

This, according to reports, prompted his packing out of Squareville mansion in Omole where he lived with his brothers for years to Lekki Phase 1 with his wife Lola Omotayo and their children.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 —9

Electricity problems beyond our control— DISCOs zOPS calls for review of fixed charge z12,000Mw possible by 2016, says NERC

BY MICHAEL EBOH

R

ESOLUTION of the country’s epileptic power situation appears to be farfetched at the moment, as the power distribution companies have disclosed that most of the factors responsible for the problems bedeviling the Nigerian power sector are beyond their control.

Vanguard investigation further revealed that despite the epileptic power situation, small scale businesses are still compelled to pay outrageous fixed charge of between N50,000 and N100,000.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sam Amadi, Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has said electricity generation nationwide would hit 12,000 mega watts before the end of 2016.

He disclosed this, yesterday, in Minna at a town hall meeting.

Members of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, who spoke to Vanguard, called for a review of the fixed charge, especially as the power situation had deteriorated in recent months, worse than the experience under the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. They noted that the worsening power situation is not a good development for the Nigerian business environment, especially for business concerns that have to deal with high cost of production induced by alternative source of energy.

The business owners were of the view that the power situation continues to pose severe challenges to their business operations, saying that the high energy costs, especially high expenditure on diesel, is taking its toll on the bottom line of investors in the economy.

Chamber of Commerce react

Piqued by the deteriorating power situation in Nigeria, Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, called on the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to urgently address growing concerns over the outrageous bills to consumers, particularly the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, noting that most time, these firms never received the power supply they are compelled to pay for.

According to him, the problems stem from the fact that there was apparently an underestimation of the challenges of reforming the power sector — labour issues,

gas availability, transmission capacity, generation capacity, quality of assets, security of assets, manpower among others.

He said: “To make progress in the power sector reform, labour issues should be comprehensively addressed; risk mitigation provisions in the reform process must be reinforced and reaffirmed to inspire investors’ confidence.

“Gas sector reform must be put firmly on course to ensure the sustainability of the gas to power programme; security in the Niger Delta that would ensure regular access to gas supply.

“Government should realise that the power sector is not just a business issue, but also a development issue. It has implications for job creation, welfare of citizens, growth of small business, poverty alleviation, agricultural development, sectoral linkages among others.

“Government still needs to provide support to investors in the sector because of its strategic importance for development.

Government should support the investors to further mitigate the risk of the various investments in the sector.”

‘The factors ‘re beyond our control’

Mr. Godwin Idemudia, Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Eko Distribution

Company Limited, confirmed to Vanguard that the state of power supply in recent time has fallen short of the expectations of Nigerians.

He said: “The fact remains that most of the factors responsible for this are just beyond the control of our company and other Discos.”

Ademola Adegoke, another spokesperson for Eko Disco, who was responding on behalf of Idemudia, however, expressed confidence in the company’s capacity to bring about an increase in power supply in the near future.

According to him, since the takeover by new investors, a lot has been done to beef up both the human and material resources of the company for the actualisation of the company’s corporate goal of provision of improved, safe, affordable and stable electricity energy to customers.

He said: “We have in the past months been engaging our customers in constant communication to explain the challenges we met on ground and the steps being taken both in the long and short terms to tackle them.

“We are already exploring alternative sources of energy that will substantially supplement what we are presently receiving from the grid, which is everything but adequate.”

Idemudia further explained that Eko Disco is evolving a robust metering plan that will make acquisition of meters not only easy and hitch-free for customers, but will equally eliminate estimated billing and its attendant customers’ complaints.

He said: “We are upgrading our customer care centres to enhance quick response and treatment of customers’ complaints. As we do these, we plead for understanding and patience from our customers.

“We believe that soon the present challenges will be surmounted and the seeming pervasive disaffection will give way for brighter hope and optimism that the new investors have good intentions and are capable of ushering in a new era of quality and reliable electricity power supply.”

Decrease in gas supply

Mr. Patrick Okigbo, Principal Partner, Nextier Capital Limited, blamed the epileptic power situation on the decrease in gas supply to generating companies and the continued delay in migrating to a fullycontracted gas market regime to give incentive to upstream investments and maintenance of existing assets.

He further identified continued vandalisation of gas supply infrastructure and slippage in the project completion dates for a number of gas projects for the prolonged erratic power situation.

He, however, exonerated the new owners of the assets of the defunct PHCN from blame,

declaring that the power sector is an ecosystem where interplay of factors result in the eventual outcome.

He said challenges in the power sector can be grouped broadly into technical and engineering issues, contracting and commercial issues, and policy and regulatory issues.

Blame on PIB's non-passage

On the issue of gas supply, he said: “The non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has negatively impacted investments in gas delivery infrastructure.

“There is not yet much clarity on the fiscal provisions that will be contained in the approved PIB. As a result, international oil companies are withholding their investments in the sector.

“It is important to reiterate that what we see at this stage are teething problems with an industry that is going through a major transformation.

“What is required at this stage is the same level of focus and commitment that saw the government navigates the various obstacles to achieve the privatisation of the industry.

“There is a risk of declaring premature success just because the companies have been sold.

The sale is one of the early steps in the privatisation process.”

Amadi, the NERC boss, said the sector had suffered decades of neglect and appealed for understanding.

He said that the commission had directed consumers not to pay any service charge to the distribution companies any time power was not supplied for two weeks.

RAPE ALLEGATION: DPO granted bail, as panel visits his office, toilet T HE Divisional Police Officer, DPO, accused of raping a detainee mother of two in Lagos has been released on bail after three days in detention.

He was granted bail yesterday as more allegations emerged that he had faced similar charges in the past.

One of such cases was allegedly reported against the suspect while he was serving at the Zone 2 Police, Onikan.

The IGP, Mr. Abubakar weekend, directed that a discreet investigation be carried out on the rape allegation.

The three-man team of investigators was said to have been drawn from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Office, Human Rights and X-Squad, which is expected to make its findings in the rape saga known to members of the public this week.

The DPO, alongside seven

other police officers on duty on the day of the alleged incident, were summoned last Friday for interrogation at the state Police Command, but some of the accused persons, according to police sources, claimed ignorance of the matter as they said they went to eat at the period and never saw when the lady was invited by the DPO into his office for alleged “debriefing.’’

The three-man investigative panel reportedly visited the police division, where the alleged act took place, Saturday, to inspect the location of the room in the DPO’s office where the detainee was said to have been raped, including the toilet where the mother of two claimed to have washed herself later as instructed by the DPO, as part of its investigation.

Five of the policemen earlier detained alongside the DPO were released by the panel, on the ground that they were not directly involved.

Commending the IGP for his prompt response following its petition on the issue, the National Coordinator, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said: “Were it not for the early intervention of the IGP, this matter would very likely have been swept under the carpet as had happened in the past.

“NOPRIN has continued to follow up on the progress of investigation and is satisfied that the investigation team has made far-reaching and illuminating inroad in their effort to unravel the truth and recommend appropriate disciplinary and remedial actions.

‘’With the confirmation of the narrative by the victim in her statement to the police, especially her description of the DPO’s office and the illustration made of it; and with the conflicts in the various statements made by the DPO and other detained police officers on duty on the day of the incident, there is no doubt about the veracity and credibility of the victim’s claims.

“We call on the investigating team to remain focused, steadfast and professional and resist any pressure to compromise the investigation.

“We expect that investigation should be concluded pretty early and that on conclusion of investigation, the report will be made public and appropriate sanctions imposed on the culprits.”

Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Ngozi Braide, said investigation was still on, that adding that findings would be made public when concluded.

10— Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Easter: Lagos records light vehicular traffic

L

AGOS—TRAFFIC was light on many roads in Lagos metropolis yesterday as residents stayed indoors to mark the Easter celebrations, according to reports.

Many roads, including the ever busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Funso Williams Avenue, Ikorodu Road and Mile 12Ketu Road and Lagos -Abeokuta Road were virtually deserted with few motorists plying the roads.

A commercial motorist, Mr Ayodele Ogunmuiwa, said that business had been low for him since the Easter celebrations.

He, however, expressed happiness over the free flow of traffic in the city, saying that things were moving “sharp sharp” on the roads, adding that it was a period of great relief for him.

The cab operator said that the prevailing security situation must have forced many Lagos residents to stay at home.

A commuter, Mrs Babian Uche, said she was happy that transporters did not increase transport fares during the period.

She praised the Lagos State Government for providing free Bus Rapid Transit vehicles from Mile 12 to Tafawa Balewa Square to convey fun seekers to Lagos Island to catch fun.

N38m contaminated fish destroyed in Lagos

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

L

AGOS—THE Federal Government yesterday in Lagos destroyed 4,738 cartons (95.7 tones) of unwholesome fish said to be injurious to human health. The stock was worth N38 million .

The Fisheries Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said the cartons in which the products were packaged were faulty right from the source, meaning there was no protective polyethylene material as primary package to keep the product from moisture content fluctuations that negatively affects the quality.

But officials of Premier Fish, owners of the cold room where the fish were kept, denied that the fish were bad, saying it would conduct an independent investigation on the issue.

The Fisheries Department dismissed claims by the company, insisting that it carried out the inspection with officials of the company and that analysis was carried out before sealing the cold room and destroying the unwholesome fish.

Led by the Acting Director of Fisheries, Mrs. Folake Areola, the department said it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure that whatever product going into the market was of high quality.

According to her, “The Federal Government has gotten to a point where it becomes important to protect human health which is more important than any form of economic gain that anyone could be seeking after, and so we have decided that it is important that Nigerians should eat quality products at all times."

Areola said based on the inspection carried out alongside the officials of the companies involved, FDF sealed up the cold rooms, leading to destruction.

Expressing displeasure at the poor quality of fish that find their way into the Nigerian market, she said consumers should demand for better quality, saying fish with sunken eye, soft body on being

COMMISSIONING: From left— Rot Richard Giwa-Osagie, PDG; Rot & Mrs Dong Kurn Lee, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman; Dr Tunji Funsho, Chairman, Nigeria National Polioplus Committee, NNPPC; Funke Akindele, Nollywood actress and Polio Ambassador, and Rot Olugbenga Olowu, District Governor at the commissioning of PolioHouse by the Rotary International and Nigeria National Polioplus Committee at the Polio House in Ikeja, GRA Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye. depressed with the finger and discoloration were physical signs that the product had gone bad.

But speaking on behalf of the

L

AGOS—ORGANISED labour and its civil society allies have begun a move to rescue the Labour Party, LP, from desperate politicians, ahead of 2015, lamenting that the party has derailed from the ideals that promoted its formation.

According to the stakeholders at forum in Lagos, the party relaunched in 2003 on the principle of social democracy, had been hijacked by political usurpers with different agenda, noting that it was time to rescue the party and make it serve the interest of Nigerians along social democratic principles.

At the forum organised by National Union of Textile, Garment

and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, in collaboration with Lagos Chapter of LP, to galvanise support for the cause, speakers included Sylvester Ejiofor, pioneer national chairman of the party, Isa Aremu, a Vice president o the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Oladele Hunsu, President of NUTGTWN and leaders of civil society allies of labour.

They unanimously agreed that the party had lost focus, and not serving the interest it was meant to serve.

According to Ejiofor, those who formed the party had abandoned it in the hands of politicians who were using it to

have good cold room but we will need to carry out our independent analysis to determine what went wrong.”

Lagos carnival: FG calls for more local content

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS—AS the eight-day Lagos carnival ended yesterday, the Federal Government called for the inclusion of more local content in such carnivals in the country.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, however, urged residents to be vigilant and peacefully coexist among themselves, saying; “This is the only panacea to boost tourism in the country.”

Minister for Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke made the call at the Tafawa Balewa Square, venue of the carnival tagged ‘Lasgidi 2014.’

Duke said that this would further boost the nation’s

Labour, activists move to rescue LP from politicians

BY VICTORAHIUMA-YOUNG

management, Alhaji Taju Olalere denied that the company imported bad fish, saying “the fish we imported are good, we

pursue narrow interest and political gains.

He likened the fate of the party to a man who went shopping and left the trawler in the shopping mall after filling it with various items already paid, adding that leaders of organised labour at national, state and local government “must come together and say no to politicians who want to use the party as a platform for short-term gains.''

On his part, Aremu, said it was difficult now to determine political ideology the party was pursuing, saying “What political ideology does the Labour Party stand for, the left or the right?

It is difficult to tell.”

economy and expose the rich culture of the country to the world, saying “it will embellish the carnival. We don’t want people to criticise us for maintaining the Caribbean style of carnival or festival alone.

“We must enhance the local content through the carnival.

From Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and others, there must be some indigenous or local content in the carnival.”

Speaking on the benefits of carnival, Duke said “I also see an opportunity in organising carnivals, so there is need for us to develop it as a means to attract tourist to the country.”

The minister explained that carnivals were the only time old and young converged at a particular venue to have fun.

He said “To develop this, we need to have a carnival institute. With the institute, Nigerians can be certified as professional costume designers for carnivals. With such certificate, one can go to anywhere in the world to design costumes for carnivals and festivals.

“The Lagos carnival has over the years attracted large crowd but I still see a lot of potentials in terms of the development of costumes.

“The Calabar is almost ten year old and so it has benefited a lot because of the number of years it has existed.

“We must work to ensure that these and other carnivals go beyond entertainment but to become an industry. Then whether it is the development of

the content, dance steps and choreography, designing of the costumes, media and others, all of these will be a value chain. And youths can find their own fulfilment, talents and ability in any of these areas.”

Addressing the over 60, 000 residents who thronged TBS, Fashola said “this is the end of a whole week of fun from the regatta to the carnival.

According to him “This is the real spirit of Lagos. Little by little, we have built our own canival and it has grown from strength to strength.”

Tourists laud carnival Tourists at the carnival yesterday commended the richness of the cultural heritage exhibited by participants at the carnival.

The tourists said the carnival was of high standard and could compete with similar carnivals globally.

Michael Duncan, a tourist from the U.S. said Nigeria was indeed blessed with diverse beautiful cultures.

He said he had watched the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro carnival, which he described as of same quality and standard as the annual Lagos carnival.

Alhassan Aziz, a tourist from the United Arab Emirate, said the carnival had become a yearly ritual for him and his family.

Miss Mario Roberto, an Italian, said she was attracted to the carnival by the display of African culture, colour and glamour.

“I enjoy the music and the food and the hospitality too,” she said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—11

Aregbesola, Omisore differ over Osun REC’s impartiality

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO—AHEAD of the Governorship election in Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, have continued to disagree over impartiality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Oluwatoyin Akeju.

While Governor Aregbesola asked Omisore to stop his campaign of calumny against the INEC’s Resident Commissioner, Omisore said Governor Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress, APC, have something to benefit from the continued stay of the REC. Speaking through the Director of Communications and Strategy in his office, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon in a statement, the governor argued that Omisore lost all moral grounds to condemn the Osun REC when he failed to approach the tribunal after he was thoroughly trounced in the 2011 National Assembly election in which he lost his bid to return to the Senate.

He said “Nigerians should know that it was actually that election (2011) that exposed the electoral weakness of Omisore who could only win his polling booth in his entire ward with just 45 votes. He did not only lose the election but lost woefully. One would have expected an arrogant politician like Omisore to challenge that humiliating defeat in the tribunal to show his credibility as a two-term senator.

But to the chagrin of all, he could not even go to the tribunal to challenge the election anywhere to prove his electoral worth and it is the same man now wanting to use cheap blackmail to criminally manipulate electoral process to his advantage.

“A man that cannot challenge

an election that thoroughly humiliated him is not fit to comment on the person who conducted the election. He has lost all moral rights. The only platter of accepting that is known to law, for accepting the credibility, transparency and the integrity of an election is the tribunal. You cannot leave the known legal way of seeking redress only to now want to seek the redress

through the back door.

“The REC of Osun, competent or incompetent, can only be determined by the integrity, credibility, and the transparency of the election he conducted and this has not been in any way violated or indicted by any means known to law. ” But, Omisore, in a reaction by his Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi said “the APC and Aregbesola have something to benefit from the stay of Akeju as the REC in

RALLY: From left— Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ekiti State chapter, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; PDP gubernatorial candidate for Ekiti, Mr Ayo Fayose; a former gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Director-General, Ekiti PDP gubernatorial campaign group, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, at a rally Ikere-Ekiti yesterday.

Alaafin blames Jonathan's political foes for the Nyanya, Abuja mercenary fighters, grenades Boko Haram following bomb blast, said the group’s and rocket launchers, the Boko

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN

A

LAAFIN of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has flayed the activities of the Boko Haram sect, saying that the group is being sponsored by enemies of President Goodluck Jonathan to achieve political goals.

The Alafin in a letter of sympathy to the president

alleged links to Islam was unfounded as he said that Boko Haram’s activities were against the injunctions of the religion.

In the letter dated April 16, 2014, the monarch urged the president to seek international cooperation from neighbouring countries towards stemming the activities of the insurgents.

He said: “With the influx of

Monarch absolves Fayose of Daramola’s murder

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI–THE Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Samuel Fadahunsi, has said the Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, for the June 21 election, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has no hand in the death of late Dr. Ayo Daramola, an indigene of the town, who was assassinated in August, 2006.

The monarch stated this at his palace when the PDP candidate paid him a courtesy visit during a campaign tour to the wards in Gboyin Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, a ritual performed to fish out the killers exonerated Fayose, saying he was satisfied with the outcome

Osun. That is why they are defending him. What does it cost to redeploy Akeju and bring a new person with integrity to conduct this election? A court has ruled that he should not preside as REC in Osun”.

“So why is the national chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega retaining him against the court judgment. For instance, if a litigant accuses a judge handling his case of bias and complain, such judge will be changed, that is the norm.

because the ritual was properly performed, claiming that the identity of the killers were later unmasked through the ritual.

His words, “We know the killers of Daramola because their identities were revealed through the ritual we performed. Fayose is innocent.

The ritual we performed was thorough, it exonerated Fayose.

It said that Fayose did not kill our son. Therefore those linking Fayose to Daramola’s death are doing so for mischief and political reason. As far as I am concerned as the monarch, Fayose has no hand in the death of our son.”

Earlier, the PDP candidate told the monarch that he had come to get royal blessing from him and

urged him to ignore any rumour concocted to cause disaffection between him and the monarch.

...Ex-dep gov denies being induced to follow Fayose Meanwhile, former deputy governor of the state, Abiodun Aluko, yesterday denied insinuations that the 13 aggrieved PDP governorship aspirants were bribed to support Fayose.

Speaking at his Ikere Ekiti in a meeting with Fayose, Aluko said he decided to support Fayose for the coming election because of his respect for President Goodluck Jonathan, who had pacified them.

Haram’s senseless and unreasonable warfare has taken an international dimension and the time is ripe now for Your Excellency to seek for support and cooperation of the international communities, most especially our neighbours, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Chad Republic, to put an end to this threat on the Sovereignty and Security of Nigeria.”

Denying any linkage between the group and Islam, he said: “the religion of Islam, of which I am a strong adherent, is a religion of peace, which forbids and abhors the killing of any human soul. In other words, the Boko Haram warfare is not fighting the cause of Islam but rather a political tool in the hands of those that do not wish you and your government well and therefore, the urgent need for enhancement of intelligence, logistics, holistic and political intervention, to uproot this menace that has become an international embarrassment.

“It is my fervent prayers that the blessings of Almighty Allah will never forsake you and that the Allah will continue to give you the wherewithal to continue to pilot the affairs of this largest Black African country in the continent.

APC leaders seek cancellation of ward, council congresses in Owo

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A

KURE—LEADERS of All Progressive Congress, APC, in Owo Local Government area of Ondo State, have called for the cancellation of the ward and local covernment congresses of the party in the area.

In a statement by Mr. Olatokunbo Ajasin, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba and Akin Akinsehinwa-Awodeyi, they described the exercises as a sham fraught with various irregularities.

According to the statement, “Following complaints and irregularities that trailed the elections of party executives at the wards and local government of Owo, Ondo State, the undersigned registered members of APC at Owo held a meeting with the National leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and coordinator for Ondo APC, Chief Pius Akinyelure in Lagos on Wednesday 16th April, at his residence in Lagos. The conclusion of the meeting was the directive of the National Leader that the congress be cancelled as the party’s guidelines were not followed.”

‘How Yewaland can be developed'

A

BEOKUTA—THE Olu Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, yesterday, urged his Kinsmen to put the interest of Yewa nation above individual interests.

The monarch, who spoke at the grand finale of the maiden Yewa Festival at the Empire field, Ilaro, explained that the muchneeded development of the area could be achieved when the people were united.

According to him, “What I have been preaching which I will sustain and even re-emphasise is the need to see ourselves first and foremost as a Yewa man before the smaller identities of our cities, town and villages in Yewaland.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

2015: Delta South leaders back Olejeme for governorship P

ROMINENT sons and daughters of Delta South senatorial district have resolved to work against any person with questionable character and track record emerging as governor of the state in 2015, just as they insisted that it was the turn of Delta North to produce the next governor of the state.

They also endorsed Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, as their guber candidate for the 2015 poll.

Meeting under the aegis of Itsekiri, Ijaw and Isoko Progressives, in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area of the state, the leaders said: “Given the fact that Delta Central and Delta South have dominated the highest office in the state, Delta North should produce the governor come 2015.”

Emphasizing that democracy should empower all to aspire to public office, the leaders said that the business of governance was far too serious to be entrusted to novices or persons with questionable character and track record.

“Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, a member of the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, is a woman of high integrity and high principles. She is a great administrator, seasoned technocrat and a lover of the people. She is well entrenched in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. She is our choice and will be governor of Delta State

in 2015,” the leaders said.

In a statement by the group’s spokesperson, Mrs. Rosemary Clark, the leaders described Olejeme as “a political institution in Nigeria and an ardent believer in the policies and programmes of the current administration.”

The leaders called on the people from Delta North to unite, speak with one voice and strongly resist any political arrangement that will prevent the

area from getting the governorship slot in 2015.

They also implored Olejeme to continue her good work.

“Olejeme has endeared herself to the consciousness of Nigerians as a veritable model. In NSITF and other institutions, she has empowered several people and cemented an enduring friendship with people from all walks of life.”

They urged Deltans, irrespective of ethnic and cultural persuasion to join hands with men and women of good conscience to make Olejeme emerge governor in 2015.

The leaders also commended the cordial relationship existing between the governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr. Olejeme.

EASTER PARTY: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (left) his wife, Roli (right), dancing with children from various orphanage homes during the Easter Giveaway Party, put together by Pink Pearl Foundation, in Warri, yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini.

Princewill sets up 12-man exploratory c'ttee on viability

A

BY HENRY UMORU

BUJA—AHEAD of 2015 general elections, Prince Tonye Princewill, has put in place a 12-man exploratory committee, saddled with the responsibility of consulting and researching on the viability of his candidacy for the 2015 Rivers State governorship election.

He noted that politics today has been riddled with those he described as jokers, who claim they want to lead.

Princewill, in a statement in Abuja on the committee made up of elder statesmen and women, technocrats and individuals who represent professionals, youths, and other stakeholders in the state, said: “I strongly believe that politics is too important to be left to politicians and that if our success is truly measured by our collective efforts, then we must start once again to look out for one another. Today’s politics seems to have taken us away from these core values and I would like to see them brought

back.

“I believe that the largest employer of labour should be small to medium scale enterprise, not government. I also believe transport and housing, just like education and health, should make up the four key pillars on which social service must stand. But the priority of any government here in Rivers State has to be job cre-

ation.

“During this quiet period I have had the opportunity to think long and hard about what it means to be governor in Rivers State and about what it will take, not only to get there, but to make a difference to those who need it most.

“Politics today is riddled

with too many jokers who claim they want to lead. It is time to get serious. That is why I want you to be the first to know that after extensive consultation, I have commissioned a group of 12 wise men and women to explore the viability of my candidacy in the Rivers State governorship poll."

Ward, LG congresses tear Delta APC apart

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE—THE just concluded ward and local government congresses of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, have divided the party structure in the state into two, with one side praising the conduct of the election while the other side is opposing same and had called for its cancellation.

The division is coming just as an APC leader in the state, Major Isaac Tobore (rtd), who is as-

piring to be the state chairman of the party, said that the elections were inconclusive and massively rigged, adding that what happened was a charade and a game of selection done by decampees from other political parties outside the congress venues, against the dictate of the party, the will and interest of the original party members. He called for the cancellation of the entire elections.

Those applauding the con-

gresses are said to be made up of decampees from other political parties, who recently joined the party while the other side opposing the congresses is said to be made up of all former members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the three parties that collapsed into APC in the state, who are currently calling for the cancellation of the excercise.

Niger Delta youths fault national confab

A

NIGER Delta youth group, Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, has faulted the Federal Government over the timing, composition, guidelines and framework of the ongoing national conference.

It also condemned the attitude of delegates to the confab.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, National Coordinator of NDYC, Mr. Israel Uwejeyan, said: “What Nigerians want is good governance that will come with better infrastructure, economic growth, employment opportunities, security of lives and property and adequate power supply, among others.”

He wondered why the Federal Government proposed that the outcome of the confab should not be subjected to a referendum.

“Nigerians are indeed watching with keen interest the substance of the national conference and its impact in changing the economic woes, hunger pervading the land, unemployment, insecurity, endemic corruption, extra-judicial killings, epileptic power supply and other myriads of problems that confronts us daily,” he said.

Women's group condemns abduction of female students

A

WOMEN’S philanthropic club, Cosmopolitan Women’s Club, has condemned the abduction of over 100 school girls in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents.

Lamenting the development, the group called on relevant government agencies to put all efforts in place to rescue all the abducted girls and ensure that such an incident does not occur again in Nigeria.

Secretary of the club, Shade Disu, in a statement, expressed sadness over the abduction, describing same as “pathetic.”

She said: “It is on this premise that we are registering our sorrow and deep concern on the horrible abduction of the over 100 school girls from their hostel."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 13

SESSPN to hold Devt Forum April 24, 25

I won't dump APC —OBENDE

T

B

HE South-East / South-South Professionals of Nigeria, SESSPN, will hold its SESS Development Forum 2014 with the theme: Walking the Talk’, on Thursday 24th, and Friday 25th, April 2014.

The forum which will hold at the Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State, will deliberate on development challenges of the region. The Chief Guest of Honour is President Goodluck Jonathan.

Justice Adolphus KaribiWhyte will chair Day 1 of the event while Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) will chair Day 2.

Others playing key roles in the two-day event are Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Chief Theodore Orji of Abia State; Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Prof. Pat Utomi, Austin Avuru, Emmanuel Ijewere, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and High Chief Edem Duke. Others are Works Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen, Ambassador Joe Keshi,Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Ernest Nwapa, Ken Etete, Sam Amadi, Ndidi Nwuneli and Obi Asika.

The participants will critically analyse and proffer development solutions for the SESS region in the key focus areas of Agriculture, Industry, Tourism & Entertainment, Oil & Gas, Infrastructure, Power and Education, among others.

10 convicted in Edo, Delta for piracy

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—NO fewer than 10 persons have been convicted in Edo and Delta states by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC for piracy between August 2013 and April 2014, Director of Enforcement of the Commission, Mr.Augustine Amodu, has said.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, Edo State, he said that about 30 persons had been arrested in Edo and Delta over piracy within the period under review, while five of the commission’s casual staff were injured during the raids on suspected copyrights pirates.

zSays reports are masterminded by mischief makers

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM ENIN—THE senator representing Edo North senatorial district in the Senate, Senator Domingo Obende, yesterday, alleged that the reports that he intends to dump All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were masterminded by those who want to take over his seat in 2015.

Describing the reports as mischievous, untrue and an attempt to destroy his image and

Nobody disrupted our work, says oil firm

T

HE management of Midwestern Oil and Gas has denied media reports that the operations of the company were recently disrupted by protesting youths in Ozoro, Delta State.

In a statement by the company’s secretary, Mr. Chris Omoru, the company said that at no time were the operations of the company, either on the field or in the office, disrupted.

He, however, admitted that there was an “unguarded and needless” protest by some youths of the area, who were merely asking for patronage by way of contracts and employment opportunities.

The statement noted that “given our very cordial community relationship and high-profile corporate social responsibility record, for which we have received several awards, we make sure that we maintain very cordial relationship with our host communities.

“The select youths under the aegis of Isoko Indigenous Synergy Contractors, who came to make demand were actually not from our operational communities, but even then, we had appropriately complied with our obligations and even the demands of the true representatives of the community through employments slots and award of appropriate contracts that have been given to various community leaders, so the need to stage a protest does not arise,” Omoru said.

He explained that a meeting between the protesting youths and the management of the company as well as security agencies had been held.

position in the APC, he said it was “planned to be a detraction and to mis-inform my people by some aspirants in the district, who are fast losing out in the contest to take over my position in the Senate.

“I am a very focused person, not just focused, I know the meaning of shame. I want to say again that on February 12, 2010, I resigned from PDP having risen to the rank of a senatorial chairman and I joined the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and now APC

and I also want to say that I was never kicked out.

“It was not under pressure, even after the primaries of 2007 which were a clear case of robbery, I stayed in PDP to work for the PDP and brought victory to it. So, I was convinced in my heart that I needed to shift ground and I did shift and in so doing, I got probably what I was looking for in 2007.

“The issue of defection is not in the dictionary of Domingo. It is not in my char-

acter, and it will never be in my character because every political position anybody takes has a local stand because there must be a local reference of your action.

“So for me, APC is the party I belong to and that is where I registered.”

It will be recalled that the senator has been in a running battle with the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who is also in the race for the senatorial seat in Edo North.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

2015: My successor must have tolerance for opposition, says Elechi

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI — GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State has said that his successor must be someone who has political tolerance for those in opposition.

According to him, anybody without this characteristic cannot succeed him.

The governor, who made this known, yesterday, during a special church service to mark this year’s 2014 Easter celebration at Government House, Abakaliki, added that the reason one of his prospective successors was disqualified (name withheld) was because of his inability to tolerate opposition.

Anambra to review cases of Onitsha prison inmates

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA — ANAMBRA State government is to review the cases of all the awaiting trial inmates at Onitsha prison, with a view to freeing those who should not remain in custody.

Governor Willie Obiano, who disclosed this, yesterday, at Onitsha Prison yard, during a special mass conducted for the inmates by the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, said the need to review their cases could not be over-emphasised as most of them had spent over seven years as awaiting trial inmates.

Obiano expressed concern that of a total of 892 inmates currently in Onitsha prison, only 85 of them were convicts, while others were still awaiting trials.

Oko crisis: Parents of shot masquerade plead for release of son

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — THE parents of 35-year-old Mr. Chi dozie Anyaene from Ezioko, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, who was shot and allegedly taken away by soldiers, during the Afia Olu festival, last Saturday, in the town, yesterday, pleaded with military authorities to release their son dead or alive.

Chidozie Anyaene was allegedly shot by soldiers during this year’s annual Afia Olu festival at Oko and had been missing since then.

Speaking in an interview at Oko, the victim’s father, Mr. Anyaene, said though he was not there when the incident happened, he was reliably told that after shooting his son, the soldiers put him in their Hilux van alive and drove off.

Anyaene said his son only joined his age mates to perform the masquerade, which, according to him, had been an age-long festival that "ushers in the planting season in the community."

He said: “I do not know the whereabouts of my son. Since that day, I have been going from place to place in search of him without success.

"Even today (Monday), I have conducted a search to no avail and as I am speaking to you, there is no clue as to where he is.

“The only thing I know is that they said that soldiers shot him that day and carried him into their vehicle and drove away. Those who were close to the scene of the incident that day said they saw him and that he was breathing when the soldiers took him away.

“I was even preparing to go to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, this morning when I received information that they took him there, but I got another information that they have taken him out of the place to 82 Division of Nigeria Army, Enugu. I don’t know what to believe now.

“All I want is for them to release my son to me so

ATE FORMER Deputy Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Linus Ali, (Aliphem) 59, is to be buried at his home-town, Onicha Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North Local Governmen, on May 2.

Ali’s first son, Ikechukwu confirmed this, in a statement in Enugu, yes-

Amaokpala and Ndiowu did theirs. Why is this Oko’s own different?”

Also speaking, his wife, Mrs. Rhoda Anyanene, who was sobbing as she spoke, said her son committed no crime, adding that he was only playing with his mates as it was the nature of the festival.

SERVICE,: Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye, Adviser Plenipotiary to Bishop, Lagos West, Rev. Praises Omole-Ekun, St. Franicis College, Wusasa, Nigeria; Justice Babasola Ogunade, Chancellor, Diocese Lagos West, Rev. & Mrs. James Olusola Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West, and Ven. Abel Oluyemi Ajibodu, dean of the cathedral, during Easter Sunday Church Service, at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

NGO sets up old people's home in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — A NONgovernmental organisation, NGO, Amazing Grace Foundation, has established an old people's home in Anam-

bra State to cater for aged people in the state, who do not have relations to look after them.

Founder of the organisation, Dr. Ifeyinya Obelogu, announced the setting up of the home, yesterday, while celebrating

Nyanya: Boko Haram's everywhere now - Igbo leader

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

ONITSHA — A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has said that last Monday’s bomb explosion at Nyanya, Abuja, was an indication that Boko Haram insurgents were every where and could strike anywhere, anytime, without challenge.

Ezeonwuka, a prominent Igbo leader, who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, at Oba, said the incident had gone a long way to show that every Nigerian should be security conscious, adding that it was a warning that members of the Islamist sect must have infilterated the six geo-political zones of the country. ”It is a wake-up call to all security agencies. Nigeria is a country where many people are not security conscious.

“The Abuja bomb blast should be seen as an eye opener. People of the East,

West and South should now know that Boko Haram is not limited to Borno State. Terrorist bomb blast may be experienced in any part of Nigeria,” he said.

Ezeonwuka blamed the police for not exhibiting enough intelligence while discharging their duties.

He advocated that the police should apply what he described as use of intelligence, surveillance and patrol to intercept anti-social elements in the society.

He said: “The police are only after what will go into their pockets. We are in a digital era and that should be properly exploited for crime control and prevention.

“It is surprising that people will be kidnapped and the kidnappers do not fly in the air, they will use the roads even for a long distance with their victims without being apprehended. Don’t you see there is need for police urgent reorientation?”

Ezeonwuka said President Goodluck Jonathan should not be solely blamed for the inability to stop the insurgency in the country.

“Despite the fact that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, every state of the federation has a governor as the chief security officer, the commissioner of police is there, down to area commanders and divisional

Late Enugu Dep Speaker for burial May 2

L

that I can treat him or if he is dead, let them release his corpse to me.”

Speaking on the Afia Olu festival, he said: “This is a festival that has been here since our forefathers. My great grand fathers and my own father performed it. It is used to mark the beginning of planting season. Our neighbouring towns of

terday.

Ali, who retired from the police before joining politics, represented Igboeze North 1 Constituency in the assembly between 1999 and 2003.

He will be buried after a funeral mass at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, in the area.

Late Hon. Ali

police officers, DPOs. What are they doing?. Let us face the fact,” the APGA chieftain noted further.

Easter with old women and men in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The over 200 aged people received food items, wrappers, toiletries and some cash and were promised regular medical attention by the NGO. According to Obegolu, the Foundation was established in 2002 in Abuja to help the elderly who are often neglected by the people.

Cleric commends Jonathan over anti-gay law

A

CLERIC, Pastor Theophilus BolaPaimo has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing into law, the Anti-Gay Bill.

Pastor Paimo of the Royal Covenant Assembly, Ilorin commended the President for not succumbing to pressures mounted on him by leaders of some Western nations not to endorse the anti-gay law.

The cleric described the President’s decision as a wise one that would promote Christendom in the country and uplift God’s name.

He condemned those Western countries that support same sex marriage, saying that the practice was evil, satanic, anti-Christ and anti-procreation.

Pastor Paimo said he was totally opposed to same sex marriage, adding that the practice was a mortal sin and God could never for-

give anybody that indulged in same sex.

He said that God created man in His own image and later created a companion in person of Eve for Adam, adding that same sex marriage was very unbiblical.

Pastor Paimo said his church would commence a four-day convention during which special prayer would be offered for the country and President Jonathan for God’s guidance and protection.

According to him, the theme of this year’s convention is 'open heaven' upon people’s life, destiny, family and career.

The cleric advised politicians in the country to always play the game according to the rule as the nation was preparing for general elections next year.

He said politics should not as a do-or-die affair, saying, "it is only God that puts person in position."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—15

Nyanya: Soldiers arrest man with unregistered car

.Remove abandoned vehicles in Abuja .Arrest tricycle, cycle operators

BY SONI DANIEL

A

PPARENTLY STILL trying desperately to unravel the forces behind penultimate Monday’s bomb blast at the busy Nyanya bus terminal which claimed no fewer than 100 lives, the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has declared war on abandoned vehicles and their owners.

As a first step, the task force, swooped on Asokoro District of Abuja, where the Presidential Villa is situated and arrested a man, who had parked his unregistered Jetta saloon car near an embassy located on Jose Marti Crescent, Asokoro.

Apart from arresting the man, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, the combined team of soldiers and anti-terrorism police officers, towed the suspected vehicle to an undisclosed destination in the FCT. This came as most of the victims of the blast are still under medical watch, it was learnt, yesterday.

It had set up a multi-security task force to rid the capital and its environs of all abandoned vehicles within its area of jurisdic-

tion.

The task force, which comprised the Army, Police, Road Safety, Civil Defence and the Department of State Service, DSS, also had members of the Bomb Disposal Unit.

Findings by Vanguard revealed that the task force was also out to deal with owners of unregistered vehicles as well as those who park their vehicles near private and

public places and disappear.

A soldier, who conducted the operation, simply motioned to our correspondent to move away from the scene of the incident as he was not prepared to speak on what they were doing.

Both the suspect and his vehicle were taken away by the soldiers with the help of a hired private towing van which incidentally did not have a number plate.

Nearby, on the busy AYA Junction, a few metres from ECOWAS Building, the FCT task force clamped down on commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, who provide last line transport support to residents of the highbrow residential area of the FCT. The arrested cyclists were immediately hauled into waiting trucks provided by the FCT and taken to unknown locations.

None of the task force officials was willing to talk to Vanguard despite several attempts.

But the clampdown on the cyclists had already caused a serious transportation crisis in the FCT as many commuters from Nyanya axis now find it extremely difficult to get a means of transportation from the area to the state capital and back.

Confab: Insecurity, devolution of power, regionalism, others top agenda ...as delegates break into c'ttees today .Final report June 1

D

ELEGATES WILL today break into 20 standing committees on issues relating to national security, federalism, devolution of power, regionalism, indigeneship, state creation, roles for traditional rulers, minority rights, ethnic nationalities, revenue allocation, resource control, corruption and immunity clause, among others, expected to dominate at the national confab.

Meanwhile, according to the Work Plan of the Conference, which was approved, last week, the committees’ work will begin today and end on Wednesday, April 30.

Deliberations on the various committee reports will resume on

May 12 and last till May 15.

Between May 19 to 29, the Conference Secretariat, working with the Report Drafting Committee, will put the report together and present such to the conference in plenary.

The work plan states that consideration and adoption of draft reports by the conference in plenary will start on June 2 and end on June 12, after which the final report would be produced and signed between June 16 and 19.

As delegates resume from Easter break today, the leadership of the conference through the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications, Akpandem James, in a statement, yesterday,

announced a change of venue for the committees from Sheraton Hotel and Towers to Nicon Luxury Hotel.

The National Judicial Institute, NJI, will remain as one of the venues. Delegates had been urged to resume at the committees as they come back from Easter break.

Akpandem James said: “National Conference Chairman and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, GCON, has announced a change of venue for some of the standing committees, as deliberations at the committee level begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, 2014. ”While Committees 1 to 10 will hold their sessions at the NJI,

Committees 11 to 20 hitherto scheduled to sit at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers will now hold their sessions at the NICON Luxury Hotel, near the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

"The change in venue for the second set of committees became necessary when it was obvious that the venue announced earlier will not be available for the number of days envisaged.

While apologising to the delegates for the sudden change, delegates were enjoined to go straight to their respective venues as they resume from the Easter break.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

20 14 Lagos Carniv al 201 Carnival

Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Culture and Tourism and National Orientation (2nd left); Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (4th left); Dame Abimbola Fashola (3rd right), and Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Gvernor of Lagos State (2nd right), with Carnival's Queen, at the 2014 Lagos Carnival on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Participants.

Participants.

Insecurity: Nor thern Go vs, Northern Govs, Miy etti Allah tto o mee sda Miye meett Thur Thursda sdayy over Ny ak o’s repor ako’s reportt Nyak

BY WOLE MOSADOMI & ABEL DANIEL

M

INNA — THE Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, and the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria are to meet Thursday in Abuja to find lasting solutions to the incessant crises between herdsmen and farmers in the the north.

The meeting is coming against the backdrop of the controversial memorandum presented to the NSGF by the governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), at a meeting in Kaduna recently.

Nyako had blamed the Federal Government for allegedly sponsoring Boko Haram just as he exonerated the Fulani herdsmen over their alleged involvement in killings of farmers in some states in the north, saying the evil men in the Presidential Villa, Abuja were behind the crises.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu confirmed the development in Minna, yesterday, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, pointing out that “the forum is now in receipt of Nyako’s memo.’’

This was even as the Governor Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State’s effort towards restoring peace between the Tivs and the Fulani herdsmen in the state through community- based approach had begun to yield positive results with the Fulani elders and Miyetti Allah’s association, yesterday, agreeing to escort

Participants.

the displaced Tivs back to their ancestral homes.

Al-Makura, who addressed the Fulani delegation at the Government House, Lafia, said: “My government will not condone any insurgent or any militia group, who may be out to disturb peace in the state.

"That is why we have decided to embark on peaceful approach by meeting with each warring communities and tribes to settle their grievances.”

However, according to the Chairman of NSGF: “With a view to addressing the issues, the forum will discuss the memorandum submitted to it by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, where he raised several concerns about the insurgency in the North. ”I am enthusiastic that the interface between northern governors and Miyetti Allah would engender the restoration of the most desired peaceful co-existence, unity and development in the region. ”The forum intends to work closely with leaders of Miyetti Allah to unmask criminals who masquerade as cattle breeders to inflict mayhem on innocent citizens.”

The decision to dialogue with Miyetti Allah was taken at the last meeting of the National Economic Council, NEC, during which governors of the 36 states of the federation constituted a panel headed by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State.

The panel was to work out ways of ending incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the troubled region.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 17

T

HE Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria entitles the president to run for a term of four years renewable for another four. This means, barring death or impeachment, the president of Nigeria can serve for a maximum period of eight years.

Anyone who expects a sitting president of Nigeria to lose reelection and serve only one term in this day and age is fooling himself. If, as many believe, Goodluck Jonathan is going to run for re-election in 2015, then the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be Goodluck Jonathan.

Foregone conclusion: It really makes no difference if my bluntness offends some people, especially those who have put their broken eggs in the APC basket. I am not a Goodluck Jonathan supporter and have never been and will never be a card-carrying member of the PDP. All I do is call it as I see it; and this is what I see quite clearly: the result of the 2015 presidential election will be declared the day Goodluck Jonathan finally declares his candidacy. That is the reality of Nigerian politics today.

Once Jonathan declares his candidacy, all those currently seeing visions of an APC victory will quickly wake up from their slumber. Those currently sitting on the fence will be constrained to fall in line behind him. Many of those already signing marriage contracts with the APC will soon start filing for divorce. There will be a scramble to identify with Jonathan so as not to be without good luck come 2015, when it will be payback time. People like the Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who

The 2015 presidential election will not be televised over to the opposition, the president has been quick to blow his cover concerning campaign contributions and local government funds. If you don’t think that is telling, think again.

Once the president finally declares his candidature, the prodigal sons of the PDP will quickly return home in repentance, their tails hanging between their legs.

Harsh reality: We can be as idealistic as we want. But we need to face realities. We have not reached the age where a sitting president loses re-election in Nigeria. It has never happened before and it is not going to happen in 2015. When we finally reach the stage for that “abnormal” departure, the sitting president will not be dethroned by an opponent from a ragtag coalition of yesterday’s men, belonging to parties with overweight political baggage and without effective foothold in major parts of the country. Nigerian

,

,

The result of the 2015 presidential election will be declared the day Goodluck Jonathan finally announces his candidacy

have one foot in PDP and another in APC, will have hell to pay.

One thing is for certain; Tambuwal will no longer be Speaker come 2015.

Nigerian politicians are not suicidal. They are limited liability companies. They are only interested in “number one.” They know there are no cigars for losers. The governors that left PDP left because they had no future in the PDP. All but one of them cannot stand again for reelection. Those PDP governors standing for re-election are acutely aware that INEC has strategically scheduled the presidential election before the gubernatorial elections in 2015.

That means sitting governors that don’t play a prominent part in Jonathan’s magical re-election can look forward to disaster in their own primaries or elections. Those who have jumped ship to the APC can expect an invitation to dinner by the EFCC sooner than later, in the tradition of Femi FaniKayode.

We were not told Rabiu Kwankwaso was fraudulent while he was still a PDP governor.

However, now that he has moved

politicians know Jonathan cannot lose the next election, which is why the contention has not been about the election itself, but about the fact that Jonathan should not run for re-election.

Those who have been shouting themselves hoarse that Jonathan should not run know that all hope of defeating him will be lost should he declare his candidacy.

People like Junaid Mohammed and Ango Abdullahi are not putting their hopes on Jonathan’s defeat at the polls. They know that is just not going to happen.

They are relying on defeating him by dissuading him from running with threats and intimidation.

Some, like Murtala Nyako, even go as far as declare that there will be civil war should Jonathan decide to run. That is not the position of democrats. That is the position of pretender bull-dog revolutionaries. Unfortunately for them, Jonathan has refused to be intimidated by vain threats of mayhem.

Northern agenda: The Northern cabal made a song and dance about dethroning Jonathan in the PDP primaries of 2011.

After so much drama, they came

candidature in the PDP this year.

Any Northerner who dares to run against Jonathan in the PDP primaries will mortgage his foreseeable future in the party.

That person will forfeit Jonathan’s possible anointing as his successor in 2019.

What this means is that the pivotal election in Nigeria will not be the 2015 presidential election, as many currently anticipate. The result of the 2015 election is already a foregone conclusion. The pivotal election will be the 2019 presidential election when a sitting president will be out of the way. Even then, that election will only be exciting if the APC survives defeat in 2015.

All the indications suggest that the APC may end up as a oneelection coalition. The APC is a collection of sworn enemies who don’t see eye-to-eye but are tolerating one another in the meantime just for the sake of capturing the presidency.

Fair-weather friends

President

Goodluck

Jonathan

up with the perfect challenger: Atiku Abubakar; a former vicepresident with widespread political connections and ubiquitous political machinery.

However, politically-experienced Atiku lost the PDP primaries by a landslide to “inexperienced” Jonathan. If favourite-son Atiku could lose so woefully to Jonathan in 2011 when the president was a political neophyte, Northern strategists know they don’t have any hope against Jonathan in 2015, after he would have been in power for six years.

South-West battle These people know what many Nigerians don’t seem to know.

Elections in Nigeria are not televised. The more you see, the less you see. Nobody has been able to explain to me the basis of the miracle whereby a PDP presidential candidate gets over 2 million votes in riverine Rivers State. By all accounts, no election takes place in many places in Nigeria, nevertheless, “fantabulous” results are declared.

Supporters of Buhari should read the tea-leaves. How long will it take before they realise a Buhari presidency is a pie-in-thesky? With every election Buhari has run, he has lost more woefully than the last one. With every election he has lost, he has gone in protest all the way to the Supreme Court, but to no avail.

There is nothing like fourth time lucky for Buhari. The “luck” is on the side of this man called Goodluck. That is why we have

this frivolous talk about dogs and baboons soaking in blood come 2015. Bola Tinubu should watch his back. He is now an aspiring national politician, but he needs to secure his home-base. The PDP can orchestrate his dethronement in the South-West.

That has happened before and it can happen again. The more resources Tinubu devotes to fighting at the centre, the less he has for fighting at home. The PDP took over in Kano. They can also take over in Lagos especially now that the popular Fashola is going to be out of the way.

Check the statistics: the PDP has never for once conceded Lagos to Tinubu. They have given him a run for his money in every election. In 2007, the South-West did not vote for Tinubu’s Atiku.

They voted instead for PDP’s Yar’Adua. In 2011, they did not vote for Tinubu’s Ribadu. Neither did they endorse his late-night romance with Buhari. They voted instead for PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan. This should tell the political astute that, even in the best of times, Tinubu has no coattails in the South-West at the presidential level.

Northerners are very wily and astute politicians. In spite of the noise coming from some of their ranks, they know that an election that fails yet again on the platform of “power must return to the North” will be inimical to future Northern presidential ambitions.

For this reason, I predict that even the North will be voting for Jonathan come 2015. Indeed, there will be no Northern opposition to Jonathan’s

Recently, I saw a photograph of Tinubu making a speech, with Buhari looking at him. I felt like giving a penny for Buhari’s thoughts. Does anybody really believe Buhari likes Tinubu beyond the next election? Does anybody really believe that, as a result of some overnight metamorphosis, Atiku Abubakar is now suddenly enamoured of Tinubu? Atiku was Tinubu’s ACN presidential candidate in 2007, but ACN voters ditched him and supported Yar’Adua. What of Tinubu, does anybody really think Tinubu likes Ribadu?

Ribadu was Tinubu’s ACN presidential candidate in 2011, but Tinubu ditched him at the last minute first for Buhari and then for Jonathan.

What makes anybody believe Tinubu will not ditch the APC presidential candidate in 2015, if that is the price he has to pay to hold on to his base in the SouthWest? Let’s not forget this for one single minute: these guys are politicians. Politicians are unscrupulous. They make friends of convenience today that become enemies tomorrow once the friendship becomes inconvenient.

All this is without apology to those wishful-thinkers who would like the 2015 election to be decided by the voters. They would like the election to be based on the issues. They would like to think religious affiliation would not be a determinant in the election. They would not like regional or ethnic affiliation to be a factor. They would like to believe presidential incumbency will not be the deciding factor.

Well, I have news for them.

If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. The 2015 presidential election in Nigeria will not be held in a foreign country. It will be held in Nigeria.

Therefore, the election will go as usual according to plan.

Goodluck Jonathan will not only win in 2015, he will do so by a “moonslide.”

18 Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 MURTALA Hamman-Yero Nyako, at 70, should be taken seriously. A former Chief of Naval Staff, a former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, who left service as Vice Admiral, his position as Governor of Adamawa State since 2007, makes him one of Nigeria’s top political actors.

His letter to governors from the North and “citizens of the North”, in the process politicising the security challenges, dividing the country, and calling “citizens of the North to action” is incompatible with his status. We never knew there were “citizens of the North”.

What did he intend to achieve by allegations of genocide against the North? When, during the six years the killing has been on the increase, did he realise that it was genocide against the North?

Everyone has been condemning Boko Haram for their senseless killings? They kill across religions

Nyako: Emergency Patriot and regions, in the most brutal manners. They celebrate their achievements. Does Nyako support Boko Haram?

Is the Federal Government to blame for Boko Haram? How did Nyako arrive at his claim?

We agree that security should be improved.

Many think government is not strong-willed enough about security. Some think if full emergency had been declared, with governors of affected States relieved of their positions, as were the cases in Ekiti and Plateau States under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the likes of Nyako would have accepted some responsibility for

restoring normalcy in the North.

By locating President Goodluck Jonathan’s origins in the former Eastern Region, and justifying the mass killing of Easterners, especially Igbos in 1966-67 massacres in the North, is Nyako also justifying the Boko Haram killings that have affected many Easterners?

Nyako, without proof, accused the Federal Government of hiring mercenaries from North Africa who are killing Northerners. He attributed attacks on him, Governor Gabriel Suswam, Senate President David Achelenu Mark, Emirs of Borno, Kano and other prominent Northerners to the genocide against the North.

It is interesting that Nyako thinks Fulani herdsmen are victims too. He did not mention that those who almost killed Suswam were suspected Fulani herdsmen who invaded the gover nor ’s village and other villages in Benue State. He even attributes perennial killings in Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States over land and politics, to the genocide agenda.

Nyako is of sound mind, contrary to what some may think. It is regrettable that a beneficiary of Nigeria’s unity, who fought in a war to keep Nigeria together, would abuse his immunity, by openly distabilising Nigeria.

His patriotism in the interest of the North is on emergency basis.

How has he improved Adamawa State since 2007?

The Federal Government should be more forceful in dealing with insecurity without expecting support from the likes of Nyako.

OPINION

BY TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA

T

HE initial response of the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, to the death of 21 young job applicants, including four pregnant women, at the Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment test, at different stadia in the country epitomized the government of Goodluck Jonathan. His earlier response to the deaths was spontaneous, and therefore, truly reflective of his attitude towards the job seekers, dead job applicants, their bereaved families and the Nigerian masses. His subsequent statements on the issue are not as important because they have been consciously attuned to public expectations and opinion.

From his initial statement, it was obvious that he was neither apologetic nor remorseful, and definitely, not prepared to take responsibility for deaths, injuries, pains and sorrow that were direct consequences of his ineptitude and greed. The minister was quoted as saying “They lost their lives through their impatience”. To blame the dead for their death was reprehensible. It was grossly unfair and most insensitive. It was insulting to the memory of the dead, contemptuous of the bereaved families and grated on the sensibilities of most Nigerians.

With the dangerously high level of unemployment and pervading desperate poverty in the country, did the minister not expect impatience within the ranks of impecunious,

Beyond death at the stadia jobless, and quite naturally, restless youths amassed in their tens of thousands in open stadia? It did not require prophetic powers to know that bringing together so many (up to 65,000 in some cases) hard pressed, desperate job applicants in one locale for a test portends disaster. That the ministry neglected to make provisions to accommodate for the impatience, and even, desperation of so many applicants was a flagrant error. And those responsible for that act of negligence must be held accountable and punished for what is essentially involuntary manslaughter.

It was superfluous to shortlist 526,650 applicants for less than 4,500 jobs. A motivating factor for including so many applicants for the test was the N1, 000 collected from each candidate. One thousand naira is a paltry sum but when collected in 526,650 places, it added up to a whooping N526 million. There is no evidence that the money ever made it into government coffers. It, most likely, ended up in private pockets: the recruitment consultants, Drexet Nigerian Ltd and a number of government officials.

In essence, that avoidable tragedy resulted from ineptitude, corruption and scornful nonchalance to the welfare of the job-seekers. A jobseeker who participated in the exercise characterised the treatment

they received as “inhuman”. But then, Abba Moro, in his ineptness, corruption and disdain for ordinary Nigerians is not an aberration in the government of President Goodluck Jonathan; he typifies it.

Ministers are appointed by the president and they serve at his pleasure. Naturally, the ministers’ modus operandi cannot be that different from that of the president.

Essentially, it is determined, or at the very least, significantly influenced by the president’s personal examples, expressions and attitudinal disposition. An Igbo adage says that “eze mua amu, ndi odibo ya akuwasiba isi”. This loosely translates to: if the king laughs, his servants will become (or pretend to be) delirious with laughter. The king/president’s aides invariably behave in line with his wishes and the dictates. It is his pronouncements, actions and convictions that shape their conducts.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration is notorious for its anti-people policies. The most egregious of these policies was the more than doubling of the price of petroleum in one swoop. The hardship the price hike visited on Nigerians was compounded by its coldhearted timing. Reneging on an earlier promise not to increase the price of fuel before the March 31st.

2012, the government effected the price increase on January 1, 2012.

The immediate consequence of the price increase was the more than doubling of transportation cost and the attendant increment in the prices of consumer goods. It made nonsense of people’s earlier budgets, especially budget for transportation. As such, it left many people who had travelled home for the Christmas and New Year holidays stranded in their hometowns and villages.

Lately, Nigerians are riveted by allegations of the disappearance of $20bn from the public coffers and the expenditure of more than N10bn on the maintenance and use of chartered planes for the private air travels of the Oil Minister. Apart from greed, kleptomania and allurement for swanky lifestyles, public officials steal and waste public funds because of their contempt for the owners and would-be beneficiaries of the money, the people. The cataloging of acts of disdainful nonchalance for the betterment of the Nigerian masses by the government of President Jonathan is beyond the scope of this article. The point, however, is that Abba Morro in his incompetence, grasping avarice and insensitivity to the plight of the job seekers and the masses of Nigerians exemplified President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration. *Mr. Ezukanma, a commentator in national affairs, wrote from Lagos.

19—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

O

N my way home from work on Monday, the bloody day in Nyanya, Abuja, a lot of depressive thoughts went through my mind as we encountered a huge traffic jam on our route, a major road in the city. I really didn't achieved much in the office that very day after news broke that the merchants of death had finally struck again in Abuja, leaving scores dead and many more critically injured. The television footages of littered corpses and mangled body parts irresponsibly and constantly flashed at intervals did not help matters either. Yes, as I tried to interrogate the sad occurrence of the day in my mind, especially how life has become so cheap in our country in the past three years. Lost in thought, I became aware of my environment only by the innocent sighs of the taxi driver behind the wheels.

Without any prompting, the driver narrated what he saw that day at the Nyanya bombing site; he had lost every hope in our leaders. I was at least glad that, he has only given up on the politicians, not our country.

The driver told me how disappointed he was that every morning there is no longer any encouraging news other than bloodletting, harvest of deaths and melancholy. He even went ahead to question his own sanity by remaining in the city where life is no longer safe to earn a living. “Oga, wetin I dey do for this town sef? Imagine if this wicked people come to attack us in this traffic, who will defend us? Well, it is only God that can save us!” At this point, I jerked into life.

Wait a minute; have our security people who are clearly overwhelmed by this new vista of terror in the land figured this out? Is there anything they can do about it? Do they have enough personnel and equipment? Are they

getting enough support from the people by way of information or encouragement? Or are they demoralised by the wrong public perception that they are not doing enough?

Perhaps, this is the time to tell ourselves some home truths about our security situation in the country. First, how did we get to the point where no one is safe in the homes, schools, churches, mosques, parks and other public places? When the former National Security Adviser (NSA), the late General Andrew Azazi spoke up and put the blame squarely on those politicians who began to appropriate their right to rule while disqualifying others, he was shouted down.

But the question which nobody has provided answers to is: why did the Boko Haram insurgency escalate after the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President? Yes, those trying to obfuscate the truth pontificate how the insurgency predates Jonathan in a deceitful attempt to erase every nexus between the emergence of the Jonathan presidency and the escalation of insurgency in the northern part of the country.

We all lived in this country when President Yar’ Adua was in power. The nation was very peaceful then except for the destructive agitations of the militants in the Niger Delta, which the amiable former president admirably dealt with. The hint of what was to come became evident with the manifest opposition against the constitutional empowerment of Jonathan as Acting President by some politicians mainly from the North when it became obvious that President Yar’ Adua was no longer fit to carry out his functions as president. This anti-Jonathan stance resurfaced when he sought to present himself as the candidate of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Individuals such as Adamu Ciroma, Atiku Abubakar and few others did not ceased

LASU crisis in a neo-liberal era

BY KOLA IBRAHIM

T

HIS is indeed not a good time for Lagos State University (LASU), the only university owned by the Lagos State government. For three years running, the university has been facing various crises ranging from students’ discontent to decaying infrastructure. The university seems to be in serious decline by all yardsticks. Behind these challenges are chronic underfunding of the university, obnoxious hike in payable fees by students, and lack of democratic approach to management of the university, a disease that is common among Nigerian higher institutions. However, more critically, the LASU crisis is a fallout of the neo-liberal capitalist ideology of the ruling elite in the state.

Currently, LASU is better classified as Lagos State (Private) University, as the school seems to have more traits of a typical private Nigerian university than those of a public university.

The fees have been hiked by more than 1000 percent with an average student paying as high as N250, 000, as against the previous fees of N25, 000.

Consequently, a university that used to boost of over 25, 000 undergraduate students and several diploma students now has less than 13, 000 students, with less than 1, 300 applicants seeking admission, as against more than 5000 four years

ago.It is now a nightmare for an average working class parent to send his/her ward to the only state university.

The new fee regime has affected quality of education in the university. Many departments that used to admit as much as hundred fresh students now have less than ten. This has led to the management trying to cut into the welfare of university lecturers, as a way of saving costs. There are also attempt to merge departments, as many departments are now empty. All this has worsened the fragile industrial peace in the university. The lecturers in the university, who previously maintained some passivity to students’ campaign against the fee increment, are now concerned as the chicken has come home to roost. To add salt to injury, the fee increment and reduced student population have not led to any fundamental improvement in infrastructure and facilities. Indeed, things have gone worse. According to newspaper reports, many departments still lack all the basic facilities, while morale of academic staff has is drastically low, as the university cannot fund their promotion and welfare. This in itself has worsened the horrible sharp practices like nepotism, favouritism, bullying and attack on democratic rights. Currently, some of the officials of the academic staff union, ASUU are facing some form of

T

hose who interrogate Jonathan’s handling of the Boko Haram terror are not entirely wrong though. He is the President whose job is to protect lives and property. Has he been alive to this responsibility? The answer is yes. Has he succeeded yet? No. Is the President getting the necessary support or assistance from the opposition? If you ask me the way some politicians especially from the opposition clan seem to be gloating over the sad tragedies that Boko Haram is unleashing on us as a people is really worrisome. Many of those who should know view the tragic attacks on defenceless citizens as the problem of President Jonathan. Yes, Jonathan is the president on whose table the buck stops, yet that does not justify the unpatriotic comments and body language of the opposition, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, that

The governor was further quoted to have posited that, while free education was practicable during his student days in the 1980s, the current increased student population does not support free education

victimization.

T

,

from shouting how Jonathan was not qualified to run on the basis of a nebulous zoning clause in the PDP’s constitution. For those who have forgotten, Atiku was presented as the northern consensus candidate against Jonathan at the PDP presidential primaries and the former vice president was taken to the cleaners. But from then on, statements purported to make Nigeria ungovernable should Jonathan be elected began to emerge from some northern politicians and as it is said the rest is history!

,

BY ABBA ADAKOLE

,

Boko Haram insurgency: Time for some home truth

Sometimes, it is difficult to decipher what the leadership of the opposition and a section of northern elders want from Jonathan

,

he reigning autocratic culture in the institution led to the recent student protest over inaccessibility to the university online registration portal by students. Rather than accede to the genuine concerns of the frustrated students, many of whom had gone through different experiences to garner the crime-instigating fees, the vice chancellor called the bluff of the students, and invited security agents to attack peaceful students’ protest. While no one will support destruction of properties, it is a clear that the crisis was instigated by the university authorities. To many students, the closure of the portal was a deliberate act to deny themregistration, as a way of extending their stay in the university, and thus increasing the revenue of the university.

Unfortunately, the body language of the vice chancellor

seem to suggest that they are happy that President Jonathan has issues on his hands to deal with. This was exemplified in the statement of APC leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the Nyanya bombing when he stated that the shedding of blood has continued because the Jonathan administration has not devised a grand strategy against the menace, either locally or internationally. And as though gloating over incident, Tinubu remarked thus: “just as Jonathan laps up praises, he must bear responsibility and accept blame over the Boko Haram’s deadly attacks.”

Sometimes, it is difficult to decipher what the leadership of the opposition and a section of northern elders want from Jonathan. We are all witnesses to the severe pressures that the President was put to force him withdraw the soldiers in Borno and Yobe states by the so-called elders who accuse the soldiers of harassing “innocent” citizens. When you factor in that the presence of the soldiers inspired confidence in the locals, since the state wouldn't protect them, you definitely question the motives of those calling for the withdrawal of soldiers from troubled areas. Ironically, whenever the insurgents strike, it is this same group of elders who question Jonathan’s efforts in protecting the people. A while ago, not a few Nigerians were shocked by the call of some northern leaders for the prosecution of the former chief of army staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, for war crimes simply because he apparently fought the terrorists ferociously.

While it is easy to condemn and abuse Jonathan whenever a terrorist bomb goes off and leaves sorrows, blood and tears in its trail, the opposition does not suggest any strategic option to government as responsible citizens the world over would do. Instead, they simply gloat over the tragedies and blame Jonathan who is, in fact, a victim of what germinated as a product of their incendiary comments!

*Mr. Adakole, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

and his utterances seemed to give credence to the student positions, as he referred to those who have not registered as insignificant minority. This tend to suggest that the university can afford over one thousand students having an extra year, not because they fail any course, but because they could not access the university registration portal!

Perhaps, the government keyed into this arrangement;otherwise, the same directive that ordered the vice chancellor to open the portal should have also led to his removal. Indeed, as far as the Lagos State governor, BabatundeFashola is concerned, the previous fees of N25, 000 is not sustainable and realistic. In a state where the government hardly implements the N18, 000 minimum wage, the assertion by the governor that N25, 000 – itself a tall order for many families – is too small as fee is insensitive. In a country where more than 70 percent of the population is considered poor, it is definitely unrealistic for a government that allows N250, 000 school fees, to consider itself progressive.Interestingly, since the increase of fees from about N1, 250 a decade ago to N25, 000, no serious improvement in terms of facility and quality has been witnessed. In the same period, several courses were deregistered by the National Universities Commission (NUC) over failure to meet basic standards.

Currently too, there has been degeneration of existing facilities in the varsity in spite of the increase of fees by one thousand percent. This again shows that apart from the issue of funding,

gross mismanagement of meager funds is another major plague afflicting our ivory towers. Facilities such as laboratories, libraries, etc are in dilapidated conditions.

Meanwhile, at the slightest excuse, students and their poor parents are made to pay exorbitantly for this mismanagement. This lack of democracy in the management of educational institutions allows corrupt officials to get away with crimes, under academic garbs.

The governor was further quoted to have posited that, while free education was practicable during his student days in the 1980s, the current increased student population does not support free education.

Thus, the governor was rationalised the need for commercialisation of education.

But, the governor failed to inform the public how he arrived at the conclusion that there are now too many undergraduates. In Lagos alone, there is dearth of medical personnel. According to global standard, a doctor is expected to care for a thousand citizens. But in Lagos State, with more than 17 million people, there are less than 800 doctors in the employment of the state government, meaning there is just a doctor to about 20, 000 Lagosians. If Lagos State University graduates 1000 medical students yearly, it will take about 20 years to meet international standard. This is if the population of Lagos remains constant which is not realistic.Yet, school fees for medical students in LASU is about to N400, 000!

*Mr. Ibrahimi, a social critic, wrote from Osun State.

20 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22 , 2014

A graveyard in a plot of land in Okpara community (inset) Dr P.C Obakponovwe

Rivers community laments: Our village is turning into a graveyard P

ROMINENT indigenes of Okpara community in Rivers State are saddened over what they described as a most disturbing development in their community. According to one of them, Dr Peter Clever Obakponovwe, they are angry that their ancestral land was gradually being reduced to a graveyard. Dr Obakponovwe made the observation during a recent meeting of the community at its ancestral home, Okpara inland.

Dr Obakponovwe apparently is not the first to have spoken out against the ugly trend in several communities that make up Okpara, a situation that is not peculiar to the area. The grouse of residents of the communities is that most of their prominent sons and daughters prefer to build choice houses in the United States of America, Lagos, Abuja and other choice cities in the world, but fail to do same in their ancestral home where there is nothing to show that such big names are from there other than their family names.

Akpodiete, who spoke to Vanguard Metro, VM, in Okpara inland, said he was surprised when he saw the sky scraper the elder brother built in Lagos when he visited him. “He lived in the house with his nuclear family. It is not that it is a commercial property,” he noted.

He said he had to persistently asked his brother to come and develop a structure in the village at least, a place he could pass the night anytime he was home for family gatherings.

According to Akpodiete, it took him about five years of persuasion before the brother finally yielded and came home to acquire a two hundred by two hundred plot but did not develop it. As he spoke, his voice suddenly dropped and tears started rolling down his cheeks. Looking this reporter straight in the eyes, he asked: “Do you know that my brother died 20 years after he acquired the plot.

He did not develop it?”

Cassava farm Pointing at a tomb on the vast land that had become a cassava farm, Akpodiete said that was all the family was able to put on the structure when he died. “You can imagine the shame we suffered when his friends came for his funeral. Most of them could not believe that he had no house in the village,” he said.

He said one of the late brother’s friends who could not keep his thought to himself walked up to him to ask if truly his elder brother had no house in the village. “ So you mean our friend who had buildings overseas and lived all his life in Lagos forgot that he had

an ancestral home?” the fellow had asked him.

Chief Onos, a community leader said as a family they had not recovered from the shame they suffered when a former top government functionary from the family was buried. According to him, several siren-blaring vehicles drove into the town that day for the funeral which was slated at a vast land the cousin acquired in the ’70s and left undeveloped.

He said the children of the deceased who were in the United States came and erected a magnificent mausoleum on their father’s land. The place was agog for the funeral.

Individuals of varying races, including Whites, were in the town for the funeral. He said the children came with what looked like foreign canopies which they erected all over the place. Sadly as the funeral was going on it suddenly started raining. Heavy wind blew most of the canopies off the ground. There was no house to run into so most of the guests had to rush for shelter into their vehicles.

He said some youths had to be quickly mobilised to hold the pillars of a canopy that was spread above the casket firmly on the ground while the rain lasted. He said the incident served as a lesson to many big men who were in the funeral. Not too long after the incident, according to him, most big men came home to develop

the plots they had acquired years ago. Dr Obakponovwe , a former President General of the community told VM that he could not fathom why some big men had refused to come home to develop the community. He said one of the first things he did in his early years when he came back from overseas was to build a house in his village, believing that it would attract many others to come home and do same.

Pointing at his magnificent building fitted with modern comfort he said he erected the structure several years ago, adding that

,

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, PORT HARCOURT

Urhobo nation and by extension the old Bendel State. “This community boast of what we call colonial doctors in the old Bendel State. Our sons were trained by Europeans as doctors, they trained directly under the White man.

We are among the few communities in the country to boast of about 30 doctors between the late ’60s and early ’70s,” Chief Ighoriokwunu told VM. Another community leader, Mr Silas Akpevwe, said things are improving now as people are coming home to develop properties. But he said they want to see more buildings in the area Dr Obakponovwe during his reign as President General, Okpara Patriotic Union, the apex social cultural body for people of the area, said the community would no longer allow burials in plots with only tombs. According to him: “ Okpara is not a graveyard. We will no longer allow burials in undeveloped plots. People should not just come from wherever to build tombs in their lands as the only structures in the place”.

Family ancestry While he advised those yet to develop their plots to do so, he said families wanting to bury on undeveloped plots should try to erect foundation on them before the burial and not just build only tombs. VM gathered that it is often not easy to sell off plots with tombs in the area because it is like buying a family ancestry.

Fredy Oghenero said the story about the rich building only in big

Okpara is not a graveyard; we will no longer allow burials in undeveloped plots; people should not just come from wherever to build tombs in their lands as the only structures in the place

nothing ominous had happened to him after he undertook the project. “This is where I hold ceremonies in the village. When top government officials want to see me, most times I slate the meetings in this my house,” he said.

He was also a former Deputy President General, Urhobo Progress Union, the umbrella body of all Urhobo sons and daughters.

Okpara community generally is seen as the torch light of Urhobo civilisation. Natives of the area don’t hesitate to tell you that the area produced what they dubbed the early colonial doctors in

,

cities forgetting their village was not peculiar to Okpara communities. According to him, it is a challenge most communities were facing in the state. He said most rich men prefer to build in Warri, Sapele, Asaba and other urban areas, leaving their villages out of their plans. “Painfully they state in their wills that they should be buried in their village; what an irony, “ he said.

He pleaded with the rich to know that they should also be part of effort to giving their villages a face lift, transforming them into cities.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 21

Single digit interest rate crucial for productivity, competitiveness

By NAOMI UZOR

L

From left: Strategic Planning and Marketing Manager, James Agama; General Manager, Machine Sales, Alex Nwoko; Paving and Forestry Segment Manager, Karim Sami, and Building Construction Product Segment Manager, Mohamed Ali, at the Mantrac Quality Road Construction Equipment Seminar in Port-Harcourt.

AGOS Chamber of Com merce and Industry, LCCI, has said that a single digit interest rate is the key to Nigeria’s private sector’s productivity and competitiveness in the regional and global market.

LCCI noted that all over the world the current interest rates set by their respective central banks range from 1 percent in Canada to 0.5 percent in England; in Japan it is 0.1 percent ,China 6 percent, India 8 percent; Indonesia 7.5 percent Switzerland 0.00 percent. In African countries such as

Cement producers petition Presidency over high cost of commodity

By FRANKLIN ALLI

C

EMENT Producers Asso ciation of Nigeria (CPAN), weekend, petitioned the Presidency over the high cost of the commodity in Nigeria.

In a letter addressed to the Presidency, made available to newsmen in Lagos, Mr. David Iweta, CPAN President, who is also a member of Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Association (NACCIMA), said that the price of cement in countries that have attained sufficiency in cement production, like Nigeria, is N500.00 per 50kg bag, while cement in Nigeria is still selling at 300 per cent above what same product is selling in other countries like Egypt, China, Taiwan, India, Japan, Norway, Turkey, Indonesian, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq.

He said this is why local manufacturers constantly declared annual Profit after Tax (PaT) in the region of N120 billion –N130 billion for the past three years. Iweta said the international best practice for cement manufacturing is for investors to earn IRR (internal rate of return) in region of 25 per cent, but experience has revealed that Nigerian cement investors are earning over 150 per cent IRR in cement investment such that investors recoup their investment within two years of their investment.

“By this token, all such local manufactures claiming large investment have since recovered their investments.

It is regrettable that the price of the product is hovering within N1, 800 – N2, 000 per bag. Based on the foregoing, he said that CPAN has strongly recommended that Mr. President should revisit this strategy by allowing unexhausted licenses to be fully utilised and consider granting more licenses and abolish the introduced levy of 20 per cent with 15 per cent duty but retain the five per cent duty

and five per cent vat on imported cement. ”This will force the local cement manufacturers that are hiding under the high cost of imported cement which attract 45 per cent extra cost comprising duty, levy, NPA, NIMASA , in addition to cost of freight in region of$50.00 per metric ton,” he said.

He disclosed that the total extra cost paid on imported cement is in the region of N 900.00 per bag. Imported cement will sell for N1, 000 per 50kg bag if the Federal Government retains duty and vat

at five per cent each on the imported cement. ”The local manufacturers are still at a better position to make N500.00 profit per bag owing the fact that they make use of free local limestone and could sell cement for N500.00 per 50kg bag,” Iweta said.

Commenting on the housing deficit in Nigeria is estimated at 17million, he said if the Federal Government is committed to filling the gap in the housing sector, this sector alone is capable of providing employment for 34 million Nigerians.

WECO decries poaching of technology staff in Nigeria

By WILLIAM JIMOH

T

HE knowledge gap currently being experienced in the Nigerian System Integration sector has been attributied to poaching of IT staff.

Managing Director of Weco System International Mr. Nnamdi Oyebuchi, stated that due to high level of knowledge required in this field of business, operators in Nigeria run at the risk of training somebody abroad only for another competitor to take him to his side.

Addressing participants at a workshop, organised by the company in partnership with CISCO System Group, in Lagos, he said that having discovered this problem, Weco has begin to work with some foreign technology partner as part of effort to bring

them and create SI training centers in Nigeria; to make available, trained SI technologist who can take over when a trained staff goes away.

“We understand the imperative of IT solutions in today’s business especially in the financial sector owning to CBN’s regulations, banks are not eager to open new branches, and to leverage on this, we provide solutions that enables customers transact any where they go.

“As a system integrated company, our job is to understand these transactions that are happening within our customer business and help them provide the right solution that will enable them to attain there business objectives and for them also to be able to serve their customers profitably.

Egypt interest rate is 8.75 percent, South Africa 5.5 percent while in Nigeria it hovers between 25-35 percent.

The President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, told Vanguard that a situation in which investors in the Nigerian economy is borrowing at 25-35 per cent per annum ,is unbearable and not in the best interest of the economy and does not help the productivity and competitiveness of the private sector and the advancement of the economy as a whole. He said that the chamber has therefore called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgently and critically examine the problem of high cost of funds and Monetary Policy Tightening.

Bello noted that the continuation of a tight monetary regime will perpetuate persistent high interest rates and this undermines the capacity of enterprises to create jobs and the capacity of banks to support the economy would remain inhibited. ”Economic policies are not ends in themselves, but a means to an end! The ultimate aim of any economic policy is to positively impact the lives of the people. The fiscal authorities also have a critical role to play in revamping the economy; but regrettably, the effectiveness of fiscal policy has been weakened by corruption and inadequate institutional capacity,” he said.

“The cost and access to credit by the small businesses remains a major problem in the economy. This group pays as high as 70 to 100 per cent interest rate per annum on loans.

200.6

14.65

3,000.00

+44.00

16.68

-0.24

109.76

+0.16

104.59

+0.54

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.73 POUNDS 260.1166 EURO 214.5022 FRANC 176.1498 YEN 1.5141 CFA 0.3067 WAUA 238.7745 RENMINBI 24.8781 RIYA 41.2569 KRONA 28.7234 SDR 240.0017

155.23 260.9572 215.1953 176.719 1.519 0.3167 239.5461 24.959 41.3903 28.8162 240.7773

155.73 261.7977 215.8885 177.2883 1.5239 0.3267 240.3177 25.0398 41.5236 28.909 241.5528

CBN Exchange rate as at 18/04/2014

22— — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

E-payment is good but ....

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

E

lectronic payment is very good. It makes life convenient and allows you to achieve more with less.

I remember the long queues people go through just to pay for satellite T.V subscriptions.

Now you can do the same thing from your mobile phone, from anywhere in the world.

Alternatively you can use ATM and make the same payment.

Also, with e-payment, you don’t need to go through the stress of going to the airport or office of travel agencies to book and pay for flight. You can do this either from your phone, the internet or from ATM. E-payment has also made life less stressful for students, especially those studying in far places. Gone are the days when you have to look for somebody traveling home, to help you visit your parents or guardian to collect money for you. Parents and guardians can now transfer money to their wards from their phones, ATM or the internet, which can be cashed via ATM at anytime by the student. These and many more are the benefits of embracing

e-payment for payment of goods and services.

These benefits, however, also come with lots of risks. Like every other thing in life, epayment is not insulated from the nefarious activities of fraudsters. Hence the risk of losing money, huge amount of money, is part of the realities of e-payment.

For example, a woman was in Lagos, and started receiving SMS alerts of withdrawals from her bank account, via ATM. Though it was done in Nigeria, the SMS alert code were disguised to indicate the withdrawals were been carried out in Ghana. Within minutes, she lost all the money in her account to the

fraudsters. Another man that had close to N1 million in his account reserved to take care of delivery and post natal expenses when his expectant wife delivers. By the time he needed the money and tried to withdraw from his account, the balance in the account was N700, 000 less than what he expected. Fraudsters had

withdrawn his money through Point of Sale (PoS) terminal. These are just examples of the many incidences of how people have lost money through epayment channels.

Yes, there have been measures and policies to protect bank customers from this risk. But the incidence has not abated. Today, e-payment fraud accounts for the highest number of frauds in banks and other financial institutions.

You can however escape being a victim. The first step is to acknowledge the reality of the risk of e-payment, and its vulnerabilities to the activities of fraudsters. Secondly, and most importantly, you need to be acquainted with how epayment fraudsters operate and how to checkmate them.

(To be continued).

Top 10 performing stocks

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

O

n the top 10 performing stocks last week were shares of Honeywell Flourmills Plc, A.G Leventis Plc, Forte Oil Plc, Courteville Business solution Plc, University Press Plc sand R.T Briscoe Plc. The rest were Ikeja Hotels Plc, Access Bank of Nigeria Plc, CAP plc and Vitafoam Nig. Plc. Honeywell led the pack with 11.30 percent or N0.40 price increase to close at N3.94 from N3.54 per share. At the tail end of last year, the company made some changes in the management position with appointment of three executive directors into the Board. Lanre Jaiyeola, who was appointed Acting Managing Director, will fully assume the role before the end of this month when the incumbent, Mr. Folaranmi Odunayo, retires his position. Jaiyeola is a graduate of Mathematics & Statistics from the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Oyo State. Also, Rotimi Gbenga Fadipe was appointed to the Board as Supply Chain director, while Mr. Benson Evbuomwan was appointed to the Board as marketing director. During the year, the company realized its objective of increasing the milling capacity to a 1000mt/day, which has taken the milling capacity to 2,610mt/day. The full impact of the increase, according to information from the company, will be

fully felt in the financial year ending March 2014. Already, it has reported turnover of N46 billion, representing 20 percent increase over N38 billion posted in March 2012. The profit for the year rose marginally to N2.844 billion from N2.7 billion the previous year, representing six percent increase.

A.G Leventis followed with 10.49 percent or N 0 . 1 5 appreciation to close at N1.58 from N1.43 per share. Listed o n conglomerates sector under diversified industries, A.G Leventis focuses on eight business units, which include power, FMCG, logistics and real estate among others.

A.G Leventis is second to the least priced stock out of six companies listed on diversified industries sub-sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, after John Holts Plc, which trades at N1.25 per share. The company issued 1:5 bonus shares in 2008 and paid N0.14kjobo dividend in 2013. Available third quarter financial statement for September, 2013 showed 11/61 percent increase in turnover from N12.091 billion in 2012 to N13.495 billion. Profit

before tax rose by significant 156.03 percent to N689.71 million as against N249.86 million in the same period of 2012. It recorded profit after tax of N242.68 million as against loss after tax of N68.95 million in equivalent period of 2012.

Petroleum and petroleum products distributors’ company, Forte Oil, was the next as it rose by 10.14 percent or N13.72 to close at N148.99 from N135.27 per share. It had led the pack the previous week with27.37 percent or N29.07 price appreciation. Over the last few months, Forte Oil has been among the stocks commanding investors’ patronage as it has severally led on the gainers’ chart. It acquired substantial interest in Geregu Power Plant during the power sector privatization last year.

Shareholders had at Annual General Meeting, AGM, just held last month, approved the N4.00 dividend recommended by the board of directors after about three years of non-dividend payment. The unaudited first quarter result for March, 2014, just released was a consolidation of profitability recorded in 2013 financial year end. Its profit after tax rose to N1.1 billion from N530 million

in the same period of 2012. The revenue grew to N34.8 billion compared to N26.6 billion posted in the same period in 2013, representing 3 1 percent increase, while t h e gross margin increased by 72 percent to N4.6 billion as against N2.7 billion in first quarter of 2013.

A computer-based system listed security, Courteville Business Solution, CBS, followed with 9.84 percent or N0.06 price increase to close at N0.67 from N0.61 per share.

Activity has reduced considerably on the stock in comparison to 2013 when it was investors’ delight. It is yet to break into two digit region.

Others were University Press, which rose by 9.46 percent or N0.35 to close at N4.05 from N3.70; R.T Briscoe advanced by 9.09 percent or N0.10 to close at N1.20 from N1.10; Ikeja Hotel trailed behind with 7.02 percent or N0.04 appreciation to close at N0.61 from N0.57; Access Bank went up by 6.17 percent or N0.48 to close at N8.26 from N7.78; CAP added 5.96 percent or N2.25 to its share price to close at N40.00 from N37.75, while Vitafoam appreciated by 5.00 percent or N0.20 to close at N4.20 from N4.00 per share.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 23

INVESTORS SPEAK

MARKET NEWS

Shareholders explain why AGMs are sometimes rowdy

SEC lifts suspension on Cashcraft Asset Management

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

T Godwin Anono

Ayanwamide Kayode

Sotude Sopeju

interests. So, they allow few shareholders groups’ chairmen to dominate the meeting at the expense of others. But, this is not supposed to be so. Even as influential as they are, the chairperson of the company should be able to say, please Mr. Sopeju don’t come over to the podium, if you have anything to say you will be called upon to speak. The chairperson should be able to stop any of such attempts by leaders of shareholders groups and let them say what they intend to say from where they are. So, these are the issues the chairmen need to give utmost attention to because when that is done, the meeting will move on smoothly.

When shareholders are demanding for certain things, it is in the CAMA and we know it and you will understand it is their right.

that is going to represent their interest in the company.

This is the company’s first AGM, but see the way things have gone. The chairperson is not competent to handle the meeting, everywhere looks rowdy, and there is no procedural arrangement in the conduct of the meeting.

The person they are trying to impose is among those nominated and we have got the insider information about it and we are saying this is not INEC or party election where you can impose somebody on the investors.

The system does not provide for poll, it only allows that in the issue of directors who are seeking to be a member of the board and, we can use the poll system because of the volume of shares the directors have. But the issue of audit committee is a plain ground for everybody to come and participate.

Chief Sotude Sopeju, President, Bicorn Shareholders Association of Nigeria:

Audit committee position is a statutory function Godwin Anono, Chairman, Standard Shareholders Association of Nigeria:

Our concern is to ensure that election into audit committee is free and fair Dale Joseph, practicing accountant and a shareholder

“The AGM of African Prudential Registrars was going on effectively and in accordance with the laid down regulation until when it came to the election of members of audit committee.

It was at this point that some shareholders decided to impose themselves over the others, such as Sunny Nwosu, who had nominated somebody, Dr Farouk Umar also nominated, and Timothy Adesiyan nominated another person. So, at that point, the shareholders who nominated people started lobbying others and the meeting became rowdy.

“The noise at the meeting escalated at this point since the minority shareholders wanted their voice to be heard. We should note that as there are so many political parties in Nigeria, so it is with shareholders associations. There are about 50 registered shareholders associations with varying interests to protect, which if the company chairman had put into consideration, the problem would have been abated.

So, when the three influential shareholders went to the Board of Africa Prudential Registrar, they thought they will stage manage the election and all other things that concerns today’s meeting, but it got to a point during the meeting when the whole process became so rowdy and uncontrollable.

Chairmen of companies tend to forget that there are so many shareholders group in the country with different

Today’s AGM became rowdy in view of the fact that a shareholder asked for a poll in the election of audit committee.

As much as I understand, there is no room for poll in the election of audit committee. The audit committee has been there all these years, and I have spent over thirty years in this capital market and I am also a member of audit committee in an insurance company. It is always by showing of hand.

But what we have now is that two shareholders came out calling for poll when we have not even attempted raising our hands. And the rule for a poll is that if two people are calling for poll, both of them must have 10 percent of the total share of the company before their poll will be recognised. Somebody cannot just jump up and said yes, Mr. chairman, I call for a poll. Do you know how much share he has? When you talk about poll, you are talking about number of shares. Election into the audit committee of companies, all these years I have been in the market has been by raising of hands. But coming down here today, they are talking about poll and these people who are asking for poll don’t even have up to 1000 units of shares and that is why majority of the shareholders are saying NO, it is by showing of hands but the management refused to go by showing of hands. Audit committee is a statutory function placed in the hand of the minority shareholders to vote somebody

It has some implication on investors’ confidence in the market or the reputation of the company when audit committee is not properly constituted.

Though, this is just shareholders matter, but it must be organised properly in accordance with the rules.

What brought about the rowdiness was because we are trying to ensure that the election of the audit committee follow due process, that is, what the law stipulates in terms of the audit committee election. We understand from the law that there should not be secret ballot and the contestants must be given equal chance to participate in the election. In other words, the election should be free and fair and that is why when we see that some people are trying to impose people on us, we revolted. The problem is not really with this company but from our fellow shareholders. Some people will want their members to dominate at the expense of others; they can go to any length to mobilise their members to attain this. Whereas, what the corporate governance code says is that audit committee members should be knowledgeable, having accounting background. To ensure that such laid down standards are followed to the letter, that was why we came up and said, instead of not following the code by allowing those that are qualified for the position, we rather go by poll.

By WILLIAM JIMOH Annual General Meeting, AGM, is a platform where the Board of Directors of companies explains the activities and financial position of their companies for a particular financial year end to shareholders. The shareholders during the AGM have opportunity to interact and contribute ideas that could help the Board and management in running the affairs of the company.

The shareholders also assess the performance of their companies for the particular year under review. The Companies and Allied Matters Act, CAMA, 1990 mandate companies to hold AGM at least once in a year. In an interview with shareholders during the 1st African Prudential Registrar Plc AGM in Lagos, they bare their minds on why AGMs are sometimes rowdy.

Excerpt:

HE Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, has lifted the suspension on Cashcraft Asset Management Limited over alleged infraction.

The Commission had last year barred the capital market operator, CMO, from participating in any capital market activity following the company’s violation of Section 155 of the Investment and Securities Act, ISA 2007 in the management of Anchor and Bedrock Unit Trust Scheme.

According to SEC, Cashcraft Asset Management contravened the provisions of the Act by co-mingling the Fund’s assets with its own, violating the Funds’ Trust Deed and Asset Allocation Policy, and failing to file the requisite returns to the Commission.

It noted that the firm also contravened the ISA by failing to maintain the relevant records/books for the Funds and failing to facilitate the auditing of the Fund’s account and consequently holding an AGM. SEC stated, “The operator failed/ refused to comply with the Commission’s directive to transfer the management of the Fund to another fund manager.

“The company, its directors and sponsored individuals shall remain suspended until they are cleared by the commission.”

However, in a statement on its website, last week, SEC explained that the suspension was lifted at its 79th Meeting held on March 27, 2014.

“The Board of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at its 79th Meeting held on March 27, 2014 resolved that the suspension placed on Cashcraft Asset Management Limited, its management and sponsored individuals from all capital market activities be lifted.

“The CMO has since resumed normal capital market operations,” it said.

Cashcraft had said that the suspension did not have anything to do with fraud.

COMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATION

Do you have any challenge with your investment in the stock market or with (any company stockbrokers, registrar company etc) write to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com OR 07043855187. We will INVESTIGATE AD REPLY.

24 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—25

63% households get below 5 hours electricity — Poll

By SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE level of deterioration in elec tricity supply in the country has manifested in the just released NOI Polls, which findings showed that an average of 63 percent of Nigerians (45 percent+18 percent) received less than five hours of continuous power supply daily.

The Poll also found that the majority (45percent) received between one to four hours of continuous power daily and 18 percent received zero (0) hours supply.

To this effect, NOI said that an average of 79 percent of Nigerians use alternative sources to augment their power supply and of this group, majority (72 percent) reported they experienced an increase in their spending on these alternative sources.

Also observed was the decline of power supply to households over the quarter as those that experienced any improvement in their power supply fell from 44 percent in January to 37 percent in March 2014. NOI also stated that an average of 63 percent of Nigerians experienced no improvement in their power supply, with 43 percent who experienced a worsened state and 20 percent having no difference at all. According to NOI, findings show a six-point decrease in the proportion of respondents that are hopeful about the power reforms from January (71 percent) to February (65 percent) and a 3-point increase in March (68 percent).

Furthermore, a trend analysis on the state of power across the three months

From left: Mrs. Adeola Azeez- Deputy Country Representative, Deutsche Bank and WIMBIZ Founding Trustee; Mrs. Nkechi Obi-Executive Vice Chairman, Techno Oil Limited; Ms. Osayi Alile- WIMBIZ Chairperson; and Mrs. Yemisi Ayeni- Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Administrator Ltd. and WIMBIZ Executive Council Member during the WIMBIZ 4th Annual Market Place in Lagos.

shows a worsened state of power supply in March compared to January and February. This is evident on the fact that there was an 18-point increase in the total proportion of respondents that reported power has gone worse from January (36 per-

cent) to March (54 percent).

Also, a three months trend analysis in the first quarter of 2014, illustrates a continuous increase in the spending of Nigerians on alternative sources of power supply. A four-point increase in the proportion of Nigerians that saw a drastic in-

Marginal fields produce 2.26% of Nigeria’s crude

BY MICHAEL EBOH

M

ARGINAL fields’ operators are yet to make sig nificant impact on Nigeria’s crude oil production, as they accounted for 2.26 per cent of Nigeria’s total crude production in December 2013, dropping by 12.53 per cent from November’s crude production.

According to data obtained from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s, NNPC, Monthly Petroleum Information, for December 2013, the country’s marginal fields produced 1.479 million barrels of crude oil, compared to crude oil production of 1.690 million barrels in November.

Of the nine listed marginal fields’ operators, in the summary of fiscalised oil production by company, Oriental Energy recorded the highest crude production in the month under review. The company produced 1.118 million barrels representing 75.6 per cent of total crude production in the marginal fields segment and 1.71 per cent of total crude production for the month.

Midwestern Oil followed with crude production of 145,845 barrels, while Waltersmith Petroman; and Movido Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited, recorded 92,438 barrels and 40,797 barrels of crude oil respectively.

Platform Petroleum produced 37,751 barrels; Niger Delta Petroleum Resources 27,103 barrels while Pillar

Oil trailed with 16,535 barrels.

According to the NNPC, Energia and Brittania-U did not record any crude production in the month under review.

In general, a total of 65.43 million barrels of crude oil was produced in December, dropping by 4.44 per cent from a total of 65.43 million barrels recorded in November. This represents a daily average crude production of 2.11 million barrels.

Production Sharing Companies accounted for majority of the crude oil produced, with total crude production of 24.486 million barrels, representing 37.42 per cent of total crude production in the month under review.

Chevron accounted for 31.16 per cent of total crude production in the segment and 11.66 per cent of total crude production in the month under review, with 7.629 million barrels crude production.

SA Petroleum/Total Upstream Nigeria partnership recorded crude production of 4.99 million barrels; Total Upstream produced 3.657 million barrels, while Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited recorded 3.252 million barrels.

Joint Ventures companies’ accounted for 37.05 per cent of total crude production, with 24.241 million barrels of crude oil produced in the month under review.

Alternative Funding-Joint Venture companies produced a total of 9.11 million barrels of crude oil, representing 13.92 per cent of total crude production in the month, while Service Contract companies accounted for 8.91 per cent of total crude production, representing 5.83 million barrels of crude oil.

crease in their spending was experienced from January (50 percent) to February (54 percent), and then a significant increase in the same group by 14Points from February to March (64 percent). Similarly, averages over the three months showed that 57 percent of the respondents who use alternate sources of power to augment their supply experienced a drastic increase in their spending on these sources. About 15 percent indicated a slight increase while another 15 percent claimed their spending remained the same.

Alternate sources of power In addition, nine percent of the respondents experienced a slight decrease and four percent saw a drastic decrease in their spending on alternate sources of power.

According to NOI Polls, majority of Nigerians (73 percent) are aware of the power sector reforms by the Federal Government and of this group, 68 percent are hopeful about on-going reforms in the Power Sector. However, the challenges faced by the power sector in the post privatisation era have obviously negatively impacted the supply of power to Nigerian households especially in the month of March.

Inordertofullyyieldtheintendedbenefits of the privatisation of the power sector, the generating and distributing companies in collaboration with other stakeholders will have to rise up with a new age strategy (which could be borrowed from countries who have an efficient power sector) to tackling these issues which seems to have always been present from the history of the Nigerian power sector.

26 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Nigeria records reduction in rig count Stories By SEBASTINE OBASI

T

HE diminishing foreign invest ment in Nigeria’s oil production occasioned by the non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, has taken its toll on the number of rigs operating in the country.

Rigs deployment indicates how active oil and gas processes are at a particular point in time.

Nigeria experienced a 27 percent drop in its rig count, as there were 31 rigs active on 32 locations in the Niger Delta basin in February 2014, as against 43 rigs active on many locations as at August 2013, six months earlier, according to Africa Oil and Gas magazine.

Anglo-Dutch Shell led the pack in this dwindling drilling activity. The company was on nine locations (eight

onshore, one deepwater), in August 2013, whereas in February 2014, it was drilling only two wells; Gbaran 27 on land in the Eastern Niger Delta and Bonga 45 in deepwater.

13 land rigs were active on 13 locations in February 2014; there were also five swamp rigs, three jack ups (shallow water rigs), four semi submersibles and six drill ships.

The busiest companies were Agip (the Nigerian subsidiaries of ENI), active on four locations, including one land, two swamp and one deepwater wells and Seplat, which also had four rigs: three land and one swamp locations. Seplat’s contractor for the three land rigs was Cardinal Drilling Services, which the company also partly owns.

Chinese owned Addax Petroleum was on three locations, utilizing Shelf Drill-

ing’s Jack Up Adriatic X on Adanga North Horst (ADNH)-19, and Saipem’s semi sub Scrabeo 3 on Okwori- 32 and 33.

Nigerian independent Conoil, the Indian operator, Sterling, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC subsidiary, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, were on two locations each with two rigs, in very different terrains.

Conoil was on swamp locations Ango2 and Ekokor-2, with Depthwize rigs The Majestic and The Imperial respectively. Sterling was on land, at Okwuibome-25 and Anieze-10, with British Oil Gas Exploration (BOGEL) rigs Bogel Durga 1 and Bogel Durga 2. NPDC was drilling Abura SE-3 with Bogel Durga 3 and Okono-10 in shallow water with Transocean’s Sedneth 701.

BRIEFS Shell spends $130m on community projects in 7 years

By AMAMDI ONYEGBADUE

N

IGERIAN unit of Anglo-Dutch Shell, said it spent about $130 million on projects in Shell host communities in the past seven years.

The Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, was quoted in the Shell Sustainability Report 2013, as saying, “SPDC and its joint venture partners provide funds to support projects that are nominated by community groups. A GMoU enables communities to access these funds and over $130 million has been spent on these projects in the past seven years.”

He cited one of the projects to include a solar-powered water system, which one community implemented using such funds to ensure steady supply of potable water to the local community.

He stated that he focus of the SPDC in 2013 was to build entrepreneurial skills among the most vulnerable people within the Niger Delta communities.

Among these are setting up four centres for women to teach skills in areas such as catering, fashion, design and printing as well as supporting the Nembe City Development Foundation with 35 vehicles to help the youth develop skills to work in a transport business.

Sunmonu, however decried that Shell

Seven Energy secures $255m additional equity capital

S

Oil rig

EKEDC targets 400MW embedded power supply E KO Electricity Distribution Com pany (EKEDC), said it was targeting 400 megawatts, MW, of embedded power supply to its consumers within the next one year.

Mr Oladele Amoda, Chief Executive Officer, EKEDC, said the essence of the embedded power generation was to avoid rationing electricity supply to consumers within the network, as well as save the zone from depending on the national grid.

Embedded generation is the term used for any electricity generating plant that is connected to the regional electricity distribution networks.

He explained that under the embedded scheme, the energy supply

control of the zone will not be subjected to grid manipulation or issue of incessant system collapse.

“We are starting gradually to round up with about 400MW embedded energy supply by next year.

Many power companies have indicated interest to partner with us.

At the expiration of the ongoing advert we are going to pick the choice company to partner with.

According to him, “Before drawing the Private Partnership Agreement (PPA), the zone will inform the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Agency (NERC) before rolling out the first embedded electricity generation into the system by July 2014.

Amoda said that about 35 compa-

nies had obtained application forms to partner with EKEDC on the embedded power supply, adding that the company was looking up to 100 companies to key into the scheme.

He also said that company was discussing with some big companies such as Flour Mills, Honeywell, and others who generate more than what they can use on captive power solution.

Amoda identified shortage of gas as another major factor that was militating against regular supply of electricity to the state.

He attributed the low shedding of electricity to the 250 MW EKEDC receives as against the expected 700 MW capacity.

EVEN Energy International Lim ited, an indigenous integrated oil and gas development, production and gas distribution company with interests in Nigeria, said it has secured about $255 million of new equity capital.

This is to enable the Group to further develop gas supply opportunities in Nigeria’s domestic energy market, it said in a statement.

The new capital came from a number of investors including Temasek, the Singapore investment company, which $150 million; the International Finance Corporation, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, committed $75 million; and the IFC African, Latin American, and Caribbean Fund, IFC ALAC Fund committed $30 million.

The investments will be in two tranches, the timing of which is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions in the investment agreements.

The institutions are investing in Seven Energy’s irredeemable convertible loan notes which bear no coupon and are akin to equity capital. On a converted and fully diluted basis, on full satisfaction of the investment agreements, the new investors would account for approximately 26% of the equity capital of the Group.

This new equity capital will assist Seven Energy in the development of its growing portfolio of assets in Nigeria.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 27

BRIEF Regulator tasks manufacturers on quality equipment

By SEBASTINE OBASI

I

NDIGENOUS electricity equipment manufacturers have been told to insist on quality to enhance the socio-economic growth of Nigeria.

Mr. Peter Ewesor, Managing Director, Electricity Management Services (EMS) Limited, stated this in Lagos during the company’s visit to some electricity manufacturing companies in the state.

He said the essence of the visit was to create a synergy with the two Electricity Distribution Companies in Lagos on ways to stabilise power supply and engender the use of quality equipment in their operations.

Ewesor said the company was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the use of quality equipment by the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.

According to him, “ we are poised to ensure local manufacturing strive in the country and that indigenous meter companies in Nigeria are supported.

“No meter imported into the country will be allowed to go straight into installation without passing through the test for validation. There is need for distribution companies to promote indigenous meter manufacturing companies.

We should not allow foreigners to take over our local market in meter manufacturing,” he said.

Ewesor also said that the Nigerian Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005, provided for the EMS has been incorporated as a government-owned limited liability company under the ministry of power.

He explained that the importance of establishing EMS was informed by the need to have a professional and technical agency of government at this crucial stage of the power sector reform to close up technical gap.

“The mandate of the company, according to the minister, includes providing all needed ancillary and support services to the Nigerian electricity supply industry which include engineering laboratory, meter test stations, central stores system, as well as testing and certification of major electrical equipment.

FG explains fixed charges on electricity bills …Orders arrest of power thieves, illegal connections

By KUNLE KALEJAYE

A

BUJA: The Federal Gov ernment has cleared the air over the misconception by electricity consumers on the Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, saying that the amount has been benchmarked under a five year tariff arrangement The Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, made the clarification in Abuja, while speaking against the backdrop of public outcry on fixed charges on electricity bills in the light of low electricity supply.

Besides, he also ordered power distribution companies to monitor, apprehend and detain electricity consumers involved in illegal connection and those who steal power.

The government said electricity theft in Nigeria was alarming and was robbing the Discos of huge revenue, a development that had adversely impacted on the power sector.

He said, “When we say that we have not increased tariff, we do not mean that the tariff you paid in 2011 is what you are paying now, rather we mean that the order of the tariff published has not been changed. That is why it is called Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, which simply means that we have benchmarked the cost.”

He further explained that by June 1 of every year, the tariff changes such that there is a

From left: Access to Energy Education Coordinator; Viviane Mike-Eze, Executive Director, Field of Skills & Dreams Vocational and Technical Training Academy, Omowale Ogunrinde; Country President, Schneider Electric, Marcel Hochet; and, Anne Ezeh, Communications Manager, Schneider Electric, at the signing of manpower development partnership between the organisations in Lagos. tariff for the next five years.

He therefore called for customers understanding; saying that distribution companies, DISCOs, should not be accused of increasing tariff arbitrarily with regard to the fixed charges since it has been factored into the MYTO tariff plan.

Amadi said also that the Commission expects a robust metering of customers by the Discos, warning that reckless estimated billing must stop.

According to him, “Someone does not have a meter does not mean that he must

be over-estimated. Meters must be read and customers charged accordingly.” He urged distribution companies to fast-track metering of customers, adding, “the Commission wants to see real action.

Amadi used the occasion to appeal to electricity customers to pay their bills and called on those who indulge in electricity theft to desist, and ordered the Discos to punish anyone caught by-passing meter, and be made to pay 50 times what was stolen.

He said, “There is rampant theft of electricity and we have

said that the Discos should aggressively monitor, apprehend and report every customer who tampers with meter or steals energy at this crucial moment.

Such customer will face the full rigor of both a criminal and civil sanction.

“By criminal, I mean that they will be arrested and prosecuted in the court of law, but as a regulator we have authorised the Discos to disconnect them and to put very punitive sanctions. To reconnect them, they will have to pay about 50 times more than they stole from the network.

Non-passage of PIB threatens Nigeria content development

By KUNLE KALEJAYE

T

HE non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, by National Assembly has been viewed by industry players as a major threat to the growth and development of the Nigeria Content Act. Indigenous players believed that the unending delay of the bill has stalled potential investment climate and slowed the growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Their views are contained in a survey carried out by Borderless company, a Nigeria Content Business Growth Advocacy Group in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the Nigeria Content Law. According to the founder of Borderless, Mr. Tunde Kusamotu, the survey got feedback from

indigenous companies on how the Nigeria Content Law can better be implemented, identified gaps in the Act, and serves as a catalyst to bridging implementation gas in the Act. In one aspect of the survey, the Nigeria Content Development Perception Index, NCDPI, indigenous companies were asked to score the performance of International Oil Companies, IOCs, on their commitment to Nigeria Content Law. According to the NCDPI, compared with the 2013 results, Shell retained its position as the most committed IOC to Nigerian Content Development.

The result also identified Addax Petroleum as showing the most significant improvement from the least committed to occupy the 2nd position; To-

tal dropped to the 3rd place; Mobil retained its position at 4th place; while Agip dropped to the 5th position.

Chevron suffered the most significant decline by dropping three positions to 6th place, as the least committed to Nigerian Content Development from the perspective of indigenous suppliers.

Kusamotu said, “When viewed from an international geo-political angle, especially in view of the World Trade Organisation, WTO policy push for unrestricted commercial access and recent threatened agricultural sanctions against Nigeria, the European commercial interests are leading in terms of suppliers’ perception of commitment to adding value to Nigeria.

“The Chinese have showed

marked progress and improvements in the direction of value addition. However it is most disappointing that the American commercial interest which seem slowing, in that direction.

“The NCPDI data indicates a creeping improvement in suppliers’ perception of IOCs commitment to Nigerian content development.”

According to Kusamotu, the NCDPI survey also revealed that despite the non-passage of the PIB, many indigenous companies reported that they were significantly and positively impacted by the Nigerian Content law. They admitted to enjoying greater growth business, capacity development and access to finance, even though the cost of funds (interest rate) from the Banks remains a challenge.

28 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 29

C M Y K

30— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

By THEODORE OPARA

Globe Motors to assemble Higer automobiles locally F

RONTLINE auto company, Globe Motors Holdings Nigeria Limited is to begin local assembling of automobiles to take advantage of the country’s new auto policy.

To this end the company has entered into partnership with Higer Bus Company of China to build an ultra modern vehicle assembly plant in Lagos. The plant which will come on stream within 18 months will begin with buses and thereafter produce other Higer range of vehicles.

Managing Director of Globe Motors Holdings Nigeria Limited, Mr. Victor Oguamalam, said in Lagos that his company has already acquired about 12 Hectres of land which is being developed for the plant that would cost $120 million (about N19.8 billion). The company would have capacity to produce over 22,000 vehicles annually although it would take-off with 6,000 vehicles.

According to Mr. Oguamanam, his company decided to partner Higer Bus Company because of the high quality of products and wide rangeofmodelsavailablewhichare comparabletoleadingbrandsacross the globe.

The Managing Director also disclosed that the new auto assembly plant would be first of its kind in the country as it would have separate divisions that would produce two other international Automobile brands in addition to the Higer range of vehicles.

In a bid to domesticate the productsMrOguamalamdisclosed that the Globe Motors assembly plant would also introduce completely new models designed, developed, branded and manufactured according to the best international standards of automobile design and engineering solely for Nigeria. This will give the brand a Nigerian identity.

Higer Bus Company Limited, known as "Higer", was established in 1998, and is one of the fastest developing bus manufacturers in China. It is renowned for its innovation driven by it’s strong Research and Development efforts.

Higer’s technological infrastructure is provided by Toyota, the

internationallyrenownedJapanese auto maker. It also has technical partnership with SCANIA for developing, manufacturing and exporting buses of very high and international standard to Europe.

The company produces and sells buses and other vehicles in different countries in Africa, Middle East,

Europe, South-east Asia and South America.

After 15 years of continuous improvements and growth, Higer has built a modern bus manufacturing base exporting to 85 countries and territories worldwide.

It has over 50 series and more than Continues on page 31

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2014 — 31

By Theodore Opara

Hyundai gives Elantra serious facelift R

EFRESHED for 2014 model year, the new Elantra receives numerous changes, including slight cosmetic modifications inside and out, a new Sport trim level with a more powerful engine, upgraded infotainment features and a quieter cabin.

Unless you know what to look for, you might not think much has been transformed in the 2014 Hyundai Elantra, which appears to be the same sleekly styled sedan that has been out since 2011.

But a more cautious look at the 2014 Hyundai Elantra would reveal a lot of relevant updates that brings about some noticeable improvements to an affordable compact sedan that was already worth your consideration.

In the modified Elantra, there’s a new and more refined engine as well as a sport-tuned suspension that gives the car a level of driver engagement comparable to rivals.

Hyundai has also succeeded in minimising road and engine noise that made its way into the cabin with the aid of apposite sound insulation to deliver a quieter ride.

This salient feature could cause competitions such as Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic a serious concern.

The new Elantra could also make its way ahead of arch rivals with distinctive qualities like Hyundai’s latest infotainment features inside the cabin, including new touch-

screen displays, generous equipment list, a comfortable ride, an accommodating trunk, and sharp styling - all at a reasonable price.

The 2014 Hyundai Elantra is available in the Nigerian market with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that provides adequate power.

World-class test drivers

were recently quoted as saying: “Hyundai Elantra’s 1.8litre new engine churning out 145hp has more punch than Toyota Corolla’s 132hp and Honda Civic’s 143hp and Chevrolet Cruize’s 138hp.”

And with a six-speed automatic transmission, drivers can savour the pleasure of smooth and quiet ride, regardless of

road traffic conditions.

Further tests has similarly revealed the Elantra sedan with an automatic transmission gets an estimated 28/38 mpg (city/highway), which is good for the class and the car handles athletically around curves.

What’s more, Elantra’s cabin is a mix of quality soft-touch materials and

hard plastics, which is typical in this class with excellent cargo space and plenty of legroom at both rear and front seat.

Other standard amenities like a six-speaker audio system, an auxiliary jack, USB port and satellite radio distinguishes the 2014 Elantra from its predecessor, while features like Bluetooth, sun-

roof, touch-screen audio display and a rear-view camera are optional.

A technology package adds unfathomable Hyundai security, keyless entry with immobilizer, larger touch-screen display, a premium audio system and push-button start with easy-to-locate dashboard controls which cut down on driver distraction.

TNL recalls Hilux, Rav4, Yaris to correct faults T OYOTA Nigeria Lim ited has announced the recall of the 2004-2005 Hilux and the 2005-2006 Rav4 to replace a malfunctioning spiral cable.

It also said the 20062008 Toyota Yaris would be recalled to fix its seat track that was found to be unstable in some of the model units. This is coming

shortly after Toyota Motor Corporation Japan announced a wide-ranging recall of nearly 6.4 million vehicles worldwide for problems associated with air bags that might not deploy or seats that could move in a crash.

Briefing newsmen at their Lekki, Lagos office, the Executive Director,

TNL, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, said that the recall from Nigeria was at the instance of its parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation, which acted following complaints from both owners/dealers of the affected vehicles about the recurring faults. He explained that recall of vehicles was often undertaken by manufacturer as a safety measure and a mark of responsibility and genuine concern for the welfare of the customers.

“This is to show that the

safety of our customers is paramount to us,” he added. Ade-Ojo also stated that the “Reports from the TMC indicate that no records of accidents from the spiral cable malfunctioning and seat track problem had been reported.”

He said not all units of the three models sold in Nigeria were affected, adding that the firm was still compiling a comprehensive list of those involved, in conjunction with its accredited dealers.

He said the chassis numbers of the affected vehicles would soon be published once the list was ready to further alert the owners and where to take the vehicles to.

Already, he said the company had placed an order for the supply of the spiral cable from the manufacturer and expected the delivery of sufficient number in a few weeks’ time. He said it would take just about an hour to fix the cable problem, adding, “All we need to do is to remove the cable and replace it.”

Globe Motors to assemble Higer brand Continues from page 30

From left, Chairman Globe Motors, Mr. Willy Anumudu, and the M.D. of Globe Motors, Mr. Victor Oguamalam with officials of Higer Motors shortly after signing the partnership agreement with the Chinese company in Lagos

300 models covering Coaches, City Buses, New Energy Buses, Mini Buses, School Buses, Bus Rapid Transit Buses (BRT), Pick-Ups, SUV’s among others.

Oguamalam stated that Globe Motors’ partnership with Higer will ensure high quality and affordable automobile vehicles for Nigerians and would create jobs in the country.

Globe Motors Holdings Nigeria Limited was incorporated in Nigeria 30 years ago to carry on the business of trading in motor vehicles. From a modest beginning in Surulere it expanded to Victoria Island, Lagos and thereafter evolved a nationwide automobile

sales and services network. Its first workshop was established in 1997 and since then, it has developed into an efficient after-sales centreprovidingafter-salesandmaintenance services to all its customers.

Globe Motors’ new After-Sales Centre, located in Lekki is a comprehensive maintenancecentrewhichcatersfordifferentbrands sold by Globe Motors including MercedesBenz, Toyota, Hyundai and Higer. All the company’s workshops are equipped with the most recent and sophisticated diagnostic equipment and have over 50 work bays, a body section, alignment and balancing sections with trained and experienced technical staff to attend to customers.

32— Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

By Theodore Opara

9th Lagos Motor Fair, will be a thriller — BKG B

KG Exhibitions, organisers of the annual Lagos Motor Fair and Auto Expo in Nigeria has promised exhibitors and visitors to the 9th edition of the fair a rewarding and bumper show.

Announcing this in Lagos, the chairman of the organising committee, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, said “the fair will be a landmark and a benchmark in auto show business in the entire West African sub-region.”

According to him almost all the major vehicle manufactures and dealers in Nigeria will be participating at the fair, as well as banks and insurance companies.

Other participants who have booked for the international fair

include major oil companies, manufacturers and dealers in autoaccessories, numerous number of Chinese auto manufacture who will be visiting to seek new partners in Nigeria. The fair is scheduled to hold from May 1 to 7 2014.

“Each of the seven days that the fair will last is loaded with activities and events that will make this edition remarkably different and we intend to improve and add on this in subsequent editions,” Mr. Agwu, revealed further. Expected to be on parade during the show are unique ranges of automobile products from notable companies from European, American ans Asian continents dominated by

Japanese, Chinese and South Korean US, Germany, France, United Kingdom etc.

From the home front, PAN Nigeria, National Trucks Manufacturers Limited [NTM], etc will showcase the latest in their ranges of products.

These products range from personal choice exotic cars, SUV’s, CUV’s, Jeeps, light and heavy duty haulage Trucks, and Buses of various capacities for corporate and mass transit businesses.Feelers from most of the firms indicate that visitors to the various stands will enjoy lots of goodies. Some have packaged gift items, lucky dips and many other forms of entertainments, which

according to sources will last all through the fair.

Strategically as we did in the last two years, we are laying a great emphasis on the Spare Parts sector in this edition. This is as a result of our guided intention to enhance the development of cottage industries in the spare parts subsector of the automotive business sector of the economy with the attendant multiplier effects on the economy of the nation. It is also spurred by the need to ginger activities in the sub-sector to complement the setting up of Auto clusters as espoused by the new automotive policy in the country.

Our target is to attract many reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers of Spare Parts from

across the globe to participate in this edition as well as in subsequent ones. Over 70 confirmed Original Equipment Manufacturers from all over the world are already preparing to be at the show.

In conjunction with our foreign partners: SENEXPO International Fairs Inc of Turkey, we have reached out to many of such companies and happily the response has been tremendous and we are expecting close to 150 of them. Our intention in bringing them to Lagos which is the hub of automotive business in West Africa is to enable Nigerians and neighbouring West Africans engaged in auto spare business work out rewarding and lasting business relationships with the main companies engaged in the manufacture of auto spare parts.

Jaguar/Land Rover offers 1st cross-border satellite navigation in Africa

L

AND Rover and Jaguar drivers are the first to benefit from integrated satellite navigation with extensive maps across 22 sub-Saharan African countries. The firstto-market benefit makes exploring Africa that much simpler and more convenient for intrepid adventurers, reducing travel time, minimising distances and increasing safety – even when travelling to the most remote destinations on the continent.

Jaguar Land Rover South Africa’s Extended Navigation – introduced first on the Model Year 2014 Land Rover Discovery introduced early in March – represents an industry first as a factory-fitted integrated system, combining the latest generation of Tracks4Africa with a sophisticated on-board unit using the acclaimed iGo primo platform and hardware that allows for SD card software and map updates. The result is the very best of satellite navigation whether you’re travelling on dirt or on tar.

Tracks4Africa is a suite of 16 maps of rural areas, with impressive detail, much of its content being user-driven and based on actual driving experiences on the continent.

It represents data compiled over more than a decade by thousands of serious overland adventurers who have recorded their route on a GPS device. Their experiences – checked and validated against those of other users who have driven the same route – are verified before being loaded onto the system.

In this way Tracks4Africa provides access to a network of around 720 000km of ‘navigable’ roads in Africa.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 33

NTDs: Attention heightens for elephantiasis, river blindness, 8 others

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

T

HEY are 10 in number all physiologically complex and pathologically dangerous vector-borne diseases. The mode of their action is diabolical. The menace of their effect on health and wellbeing is debasing. These devastating disorders readily leave debilitation, despondency and death in their wake. They are infamous as the 10 most Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTDs, known.

A few, such as Elephantiasis (Lymphatic filariasis), Hanson’s Disease (Leprosy) and River Blindness (Onchocerciasis), are quite familiar in Nigeria because they are more common in that country than anywhere else in Africa.

But the Blood Fluke (Schistosomiasis) is perhaps the best known NTD in the entire tropical world because it is more common in Nigeria than anywhere else on the planet.

Others are Guinea worm, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminths, Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis and s l e e p i n g sickness.Disproportionately affecting the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations, NTDs have wreaked much havoc over the decades.

Global burden Currently, more than one billion people around the world, including 800 million children, suffer the effects ranging from permanent disability, disfigurement, and blindness, to a lifetime of health complications. But the disorders have currently attained new recognition.

Now, instead of being neglected, these devastating diseases have climbed to the top of health agenda in affected countries worldwide even as Nigeria continues to make tremendous progress against NTD. When a group of global partners came together to launch the London Declaration on NTDs in 2012, little did anyone expect the

extent of success. Nigeria set out its national plan, in collaboration and with support from global partners to make a statement. A notable feat is the successful elimination and eradication of the notorious NTD - Guineaworm (Dracunculiasis). In July 2013, the World Health Organisation officially certified the country as a Guineaworm-free nation.

As a follow up, the Federal government stepped up and 36 States of the Federation launched community education programmes and bolstered drug distribution, which has led to improvements in the control of other NTDs, including leprosy.

Reason for Hope: Today, there is reason for hope.

Nigeria is standing up against this scourge of terrible diseases. In 2012, the Federal government launched a robust and fully integrated multi-year national plan to control and eliminate the NTDs. Stakeholders in 36 states

• A victim of elephantiasis (Lymphatic filariasis) awaiting treatment. Photo: Courtesy WHO.

and-treat programs for multiple diseases and donors are delivering essential funding. If we stay focused, we can reach the London Declaration's 2020 goals and help p r o v i d e millions with access to health."

A group of partners is committing more than U S $ 1 2 0 • A victim of River blindness being led around by a youth million to a d d r e s s came together in Abuja to International Development, intestinal worms common in finalize the overall strategy USAID. and secure necessary communities with limited and make specific plans for funding. access to clean water and each state.

Taking out the neglect: sanitation, including US$50 Nigeria took decisive action "We're taking the 'neglect' out million from the Children's with a robust NTD plan built of neglected tropical diseases, Investment Fund Foundation, on private sector engagement thanks to the commitment of CIFF. In addition, the World and partnership with a broad partners from across the public Bank Group, is committing group of national and global and private sectors," said Bill US$120 million toward the partners including the World Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & goal of NTD control and Health Organisation, the Melinda Gates Foundation. elimination in low-income United Kingdom’s "Pharmaceutical companies countries.

Department for International are providing drugs free of Progress: "The tremendous Development, DFID, and the charge, endemic countries are progress we have seen over United States Agency for scaling up integrated screen- the past two years is proof of

the power of partnerships and the generosity of companies that made commitments under the London Declaration," said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General.

"Together with the governments of endemic countries, we are fast approaching the goal of controlling or eliminating many of these ancient causes of human misery. This is a propoor initiative that is improving the lives of more than a billion people."

Better control Former Director, UNICEF/ UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, TDR, Prof.

Adetokunbo Lucas, who has dedicated much of his career to fighting NTDs, is optimistic that, at last, Nigeria is indeed on the march toward success.

“In recent years, we have witnessed a global awakening about the burden of NTDs. There is significant demand for treatments More than 70 countries have designed large-scale, low-cost national treatment plans for multiple NTDs, leading to better control and elimination targets.”

34 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

and how they take appropriate prevention and control behaviour.

“In Nigeria we conducted Focused Group Discussion across the six geopolitical zones in December 2013. One of the key outcomes was that malaria is real and it has a negative impact in the country. But it is not taken as a major issue, and it is still percieved as a minor public health issue.

“The reality is that if you are talking about the global health issue of malaria you have to be talking • L-R: Dr Linus Awute, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health with Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan,and Mr. Mark Allen, Managing Director, Africa Programmes, Malaria in the same vein as malaria. It has the No More during the official launch of the NightWatch Initiatrive in Abuja last week. world’s largest burden in terms of mortality. We need to raise the consciousness in Nigeria to deal with it.“ Allen remarked media platforms including radio and tha in Nigeria there is access to ITNs but

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE television advertisements to every night there is apathy. to increased access. There is a gap. From the 2010 survey, 29 percent HOST of Nigerian celebrities have throughout 2014.

Speaking on the concept, Managing of children under five are sleeping under been engaged in a national multimedia malaria campaign to Director, Malaria No More, Mr. Mark the nets, yet there is access of 60-75 percent. encourage sleeping under Insecticide- Allen, said the campaign was the result of This gap is what Nightwatch is trying to Treated Mosquito Nets and promptly a signature of Public Private Partnership bridge.”

Launching the initiative, Minister of State seeking diagnosis and appropriate PPP, with ExxonMobil following the success in Tanzania, Chad, Cameroun and for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, said it malaria treatment. was a follow up of government effort that Under the innovative NightWatch Senegal.

“It began in 2012 when I was introduced has led to malaria prevalence rate to below campaign, spearheaded by Malaria No More in partnership with ExxonMobil to Dayo Oluwole who said, bring this 50 percent. General Manager, NNPC, and the Federal Ministry of Health, with campaign to Nigeria. I was excited. Abuja, ExxonMobile Affiliates, Mr local and state governments in Rivers and Everyone felt Nigeria was different because Eyinnaya Onokala, who represented the Akwa Ibom States, popular celebrities, it was more complex relative to the other Chairman/MD, ExxonMobil Upstream including Chief Zebrudiah, Bez, Chioma countries. The population was larger, so Affiliates, Mr. Nolan O'Neal, described on the advice of Exxonmobil, we spent the NightWatch as a national campaign which Akpotha, Eva Alordiah, Falz the Bad Guy, Femi Kuti, better part of 2013 trying to understudy seeks to drive appropriate PPP action on Funke Akindele, I Go Dye, Mikel Obi, how health education campaigns have malaria treatment and prevention.

"We know all too well the impact malaria Stephen Keshi, Victor Moses, Vincent worked in other countries and can be can have on the lives of our employees, Enyeama and Waje, will disseminate anti- adapted in Nigeria.”

Explaining the essence of NightWatch, families and communities in Nigeria, and malaria messages to help stop the spread Allen remarked that in every community that's why we support an array of of malaria.

The programme, known nationally as the we have done research to determine how international efforts and programmes like "Malaria-Free Nigeria: Play Your Part" local populations understand malaria, how Malaria-Free Nigeria to prevent and treat campaign will feature across multiple they perceive the serousness of the threat, this disease," he opined.

Malaria attains ‘celebrity’ status as NightWatch debuts A

Group makes case for voluntary blood donation

By CHRISTOPHER NJOKU

N

IGERIANS have been urged to embrace voluntary donation of blood with a view to making blood transfusion safer in the country.

Stakeholders, who gathered at Genotype Foundation's Year 2014 International Women's Day, entitled "Inspiring Change: On Sickle Cell Disorder, Haemoglobin, Genotype and Blood Group Rhesus Factor," were taught to appreciate the essence of donating blood free of charge so that countless lives are saved in the process.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee, LSBTC, Dr. Modupe Olaiya said there is so much risk attached with commercial donors, because you cannot be sure their blood is safe, most of these people are just after the money.”

Continues on page 35

• Voluntary blood donation

Nigeria requires 1.5m units of blood from 170m persons annually — Saliu

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

A

BOUT 1.5 million units of blood are required annually to take care of the estimated 170 million Nigerians, Country Director, Safe Blood for Africa, Dr. Idris Saliu has disclosed Saliu who spoke at a training workshop for private and public laboratory scientists in Lagos, said the World Health Organisation, WHO, recommends 100 percent voluntary blood donation, but Nigeria can only boast of 10 percent.

According to him, if 170 million Nigerians should donate blood, no Nigerian will die of conditions that require blood transfusion.

"If people donate blood, there would be blood enough to go round. In WHO records for Nigeria, we need about 1.5 million units of blood, from the likes of 170 million people, that is like if every person donates blood in Nigeria we will be satisfied, but we need people to donate.

"Blood is not on the tree, nor is it like milk that we get from animals, so it has to be human blood and up till today there has not been any satisfactory alternative. Blood should not be lacking when someone is dying. Blood flows in our veins, so we should not allow any body to die of lack of blood," he stated He lamented dearth of statistics on blood in the country, adding that, blood is a national property that is in everybody and people should donate blood regularly because blood from voluntary blood donors is safer.

Blood transfusion service Saliu called for a law establishing the Blood Transfusion Services. He explained that the law would specify policies, operational guide lines and other documents that would help to take the blood transfusion service to a greater height.

"We need government to take it more seriously, it is okay to establish blood services, it is also okay to fund it but one of the greatest needs of the blood transfusion service is that law."

"There is no statistics on voluntary blood donors in the state but the blood we have is low in relation to the need for blood."

Speaking on the training, State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said it was geared towards increasing service delivery in the health sector.

"We want to develop the skills of our stakeholders, improve service delivery, infrastructure and build capacity so that what they deliver to clients will be better and satisfactory."

Chairman LSBTC, Dr. Adetoun Agbe Davies said the training would ensure the quality and safety of blood transfusion in the state is guaranteed through improvement of skills of the trainees so that they can provide quality services.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 35

NSN links low IQ to micronutrient deficency

By CHIOMA OBINNA

I

MPROPER nutrition among Nigerians has been identified as the bane of human development in Nigeria even as experts have harped on the need for improved nutritional knowledge and practices of Nigerians for better health and overall wellbeing.

Today, Nigeria is grappling with the challenges of under nutrition, the incidence of obesity and related manifestations of overnutrition are beginning to emerge at relatively significant levels.

These and more led to the renewed call by the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN, to embark on Nutrition Education Programme.

President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Professor Ngozi Nnam, who noted that nutrition is the bedrock of development stressed that for an individual to develop well that individual needs to be in the state of good nutritional status.

Dismissing the general belief that poverty was the major cause of malnutrition in the country, Nnam said: “Poverty rate is not the major cause of malnutrition in Nigeria because, most of these people we say are “poor”, around their environments they have fruits that could really make them be in good nutritional status. The problem is not poverty; the problem is that they lack nutrition knowledge.”

“Take fats and oil for instance, adding vegetable oil or fortified margarine improves the taste of our meals, gives us the feeling of satisfaction. I must also encourage Nigerians to ensure they consume foods that are fortified with essential micronutrients such as fortified margarine, iodized salt, fortified flours and others.

“It is important we clarify the dynamics of food intake and healthy weights. When we eat properly in ways that meet our daily energy and nutrient needs we maintain healthy weights? This means our food

intake matches our daily nutrient needs considering our physiological requirements and physical activity levels,” she said.

Director of Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abimbola Ajayi said: “We all know that, we are often told that we are what we eat, and not just that, food is what makes you and Nutrition comes out of food and one thing we also know is that, if a person is not adequately nourished, the person is practically in no place to do much of anything.”

Nutrition and Health

Manager, Unilever Nigeria, Victor Ajieroh, said: “Nutrition is a major focus area for Unilever and fits into the objectives of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. One goal of the Unilever Sustainable living Plan is to improve the health and wellbeing of over a billion people across the world and nutrition is a key pillar for achieving this.

“As a company, we are committed to creating a better future every day. We make people feel good, look good and get more out of life through our brands and services.”

• L-R: Dr. Abimbola Ajayi, Director of Nutrition, LSMoH/President Lagos Chapter, NSN; Victor Ajieroh, Nutrition and Health Manager, West Africa, Unilever; and Professor Ngozi Nnam, President NSN, at the NSN Nutrition Education Programme held in Lagos recently. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

Voluntary donation Continues from page 34 Represented by a member of the Committee, Dr. Samuel Alori, she said:"The blood donated from voluntary donors is screened and made safer to ensure that they are free from transferable infections, and given to patients who are in emergency situations."

On sickle cell disorder, Dr. Ijeoma Akinwunmi of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, reiterated that there is now a cure which involves bone marrow transplant but added that it was not readily available to those who need it.

"Only 30 percent of persons can come up with a donor from the family, to change the situation. Even with these 30 percent of people, the success rate is between 80 percent and 90 percent, pending on where this operation takes place."

She called for checkups, when deciding to go into a serious relationship. “Persons who are SS don't all die young anymore because we can manage them, just like we manage diabetes, hypertension, and asthma throughout a person's life. It is possible to find out the genotype before the child is born, a child can also be tested as soon as the child is born, the advantage of knowing early is to make them start off well, and remain well, before they are up to five to six months when they really run into trouble, and the

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

I

HAVE never had sex before and I am 31 years old. I always hear people talk about how great sex is but I am okay with not having sex and I don’t feel like anything is missing in my life. Must one have sex? - Agnes You mustn’t have sex if you don’t want to. It is a personal choice and I admire that. Sex only becomes an issue if you are in a romantic relationship with someone, especially if you want the relationship to be successful. But in your case, you are single and you are okay with just masturbating when you desire sex. You are an exception to the rule. Most people are not satisfied with a sexless existence.

So it is okay if you don’t want to have sex, especially if you have been able to achieve that balance and calm in your life without sex. Not everybody can achieve that on their own and that is why humans need relationships and the sex that comes with it.

Sex relieves stress and frustration and improves our quality of life.

It also reduces anxiety and floods our brains with endorphins, a chemical responsible for our happiness.

Sex boosts the immune system and relieves pain/depression, meaning that we don’t always need drugs to soothe our emotional lows.

And sex enables us sleep better too. So if you have been able to go through life without truly needing the benefits of sex, congratulations. You are truly one of a kind – Uche I am 71 years old and I just married a new wife. I am very happy and so is my 29 year old wife. But I am scared. I have been using drugs to get an erection for the past 10 years and four months ago, my doctor told me that I am hypertensive. Since then, I have been advised not to take any sex drug that will increase my blood pressure. So how can I satisfy my wife? Bowale Dear Bowale, honestly at your age, men get married more for the companionship and that is why an older woman would have been more suitable for you

because she wouldn’t have need for regular intercourse, unlike younger women. Anyway, I recommend using a Penile Extension for intercourse. It is an artificial but realistic looking penis manufactured for men like you and for men who experience premature ejaculation and slow recovery time between intercourse. Penile Extensions come in sizes of six, eight and ten inches of length. I also suggest buying your young wife a vibrator. It will help to meet her sexual needs and also take some of the performance pressure off you – Uche I use condoms during sex and on few occasions, the condoms have broken during intercourse. Is there anything more reliable? Jonah Try penis sleeves. Sleeves such as the Nasstoys Penis Extender and the Stud Extension are thicker than condoms, stronger and can be reused. They also prevent premature ejaculation – Uche I am newly married and I will like to learn more about how my wife and I can have a successful long term sexual relationship. Do you conduct seminars?

Tayo Tayo at the moment, we don’t do seminars. But you will find the information you are looking for in movies like How to be a Better Lover and Great Sex for a Life Time. The advantage movies and books have over seminars is that you get to see some of these sexual ideas and recommendations demonstrated and not just talked about – Uche I have received that Exploding Thunder I ordered.

Not bad. My erections are stronger now. I never thought it was possible. Thank you - Fred You are welcome. That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria.

For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

36 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 37

38 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 AQUARIUS; Even if you are tempted to gamble by whoever and/or whatsoever reason you must resist it or else you would be the loser. Being aggressive may help.

PISCES; Provided you are willing to co-operate with others things will not go out of hands but exhibition of inordinate ambition can earn you avoidable trouble.

ARIES; Element of luck will assist you. Those of you who are more hard working will have more positive things to show for your efforts. Take care of your health.

TAURUS; Many natives of this Zodiac sign will be excited either because of romantic interest within your working arena or practical advancement at work.

GEMINI; Reason with those you can take as veterans within your base of operation because if you want to force your way without carrying necessary and more experienced people along it would back-fire now or soonest

By Richard Eromosele

I

F I may ask you which is the best way to advertise yourself today, I guess many people will be mentioning the different media through

The Best Advertisement which you do this. Some will even go beyond naming them to talking about their exorbitant prices.

However, I want

TERROR MUDA

to let you know that you do not need to pay money in order to get the kind of advert that can promote you.

How? Fine! Let

in “Never say goodbye”

me ask you a question: Who does Tiger Wood pay to get publicity? What of Ali Baba? Want to be advertised?

Just do s o m e t h i n g newsworthy no matter how little.

By Lanre Kehinde

CANCER; The more creative you are the better for your cause. However is typical day when too much expectation can bring disappointment. Be more family minded.

LEO; If your priority is financial success you may not be disappointed provided you prepare for a few challenges.

For now both your mental energy and physical attributes are enough to win you love not MONEY. Be more receptive.

VIRGO; This is your day when both good luck and your personal efforts will bring you success. Try to be as caring as possible to those within your base.

LIBRA; Although there will be challenges at the end of it all you will have genuine cause to smile. The more secretive you are the better for your cause. This is not the right time to ignore your sex life. Do away with unnecessary argument.

SCORPIO; This is not the right time for you to either gamble with money or take friends for granted. Secret lovers may be in for an exciting day.

SAGITTARIUS; Success is within your reach, although you will need to seek all important supports of the influential people around you. Be more loving.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

CAPRICORN; The more ambitious you are today the better for your cause. And here is a good day to plan for the future but you must do away with whatever can not be placed above board. Yong-at-heart among you may be in for a romantic day.

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

What does future have for me Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born.

And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ? When would my success come?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Glory, Edo. Dear Glory, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday. You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final dispositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career.

You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself. Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable. Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person.

Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—39

Why govt should support private varsities in Nigeria

BY PRINCE BOLA AJIBOLA

T

Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Farewell to the Magic Muse TRIB UTE TRIBUTE

BY NIYI OSUNDARE

G

ONE, the Magic Muse of Aracataca. In a manner similar to his wondrous tales, I can see him levitating towards the skies, a pen in one hand, a trumpet in the other, a rueful smile on his face. For his body is too precious, too imperishable for the grave’s cramping dungeon and its ravenous coven of worms. Beyond the clouds, Angel Gabriel is waiting for his famous namesake at Heavensgate, waiting expectantly for this curious mortal whose fame and flourish competed so triumphantly with those of hosts of heaven.

And I can see the intrepid ‘Gabo’

of the most influential literary figures in the past 100 years; and in literature in the Spanish language, his fame and impact are only rivaled by those of Miguel de Cervantes, the pioneering genius who gave the world the timeless Don Quixote. Veteran journalist and author of numerous novels and short stories, Marquez shook the world with the publication of One Hundred Years of Solitude in 1967, and literally rewrote the rubric of the narrative genre. Intensely political and socially committed, he assailed the incubi of colonial/imperial exploitation and social injustice in a language and style that made his narration of that exposure irresistible even to those being exposed. He settled, final-

,

Whatever name his style is called, in whatever critical lingo it is couched, Marquez is the master of the hint and hyperbole, of the awe in the story and the aura in its telling

later, negotiating a niche with a revolving door and a wide window through which he can continue to peep at the turbulent world he has left behind and watch how the strands of his magic narratives continue to unfold.

Without a doubt, his dealings with other angels are likely to be contentious; for this Gabriel is a being who so often obeys his own rules; a spirit averse to time-worn

NIYI OSUNDARE routines and conventional thoushalt-nots.. . .

Gabriel Garcia Marquez is one

,

ly, the quarrel between History and Literature, Myth and Reality by making Politics the flexible Mediator between the four. He gathered the strands of our workaday life, wove them into tales with an indelible touch of weird wanderings and wonder.

He erased – or extended – the traditional gulf between the probability of the improbable and the improbability of the probable. And therein lies the phenomenon which literary critics and avid name-givers have christened as “magic realism”, a terminology that has been with us for several decades now and which has been splashed rightly or wrongly on works from different parts of the world with little or no consideration for local peculiarities. Whatever name his style is called, in whatever critical lingo it is couched, Marquez is the master of the hint and hyperbole, of the awe in the story and the aura in its telling.

His narrative invented other ways of perceiving reality, other ways of cognizing human exist-

ence, other ways of being human.

That is why his works are so full of rumble and resonance. That is why his new realism unlinks the chains of the old one. That is why William Kennedy, the noted American writer, recommended that One Hundred Years of Solitude should be compulsory reading for the human race.

Influence, or, better still, influentiality, comes naturally to women and men of Marquez’s stature. And he had it and made the best of it. His influence is easily seen in the literary sphere where he changed the content and form of the narrative genre since the last half of the 20th century.

The other kind of influence, a little less easy to perceive, is his influence on the political scene (I almost said ‘destiny’!) of Latin America in a 20th century bloodied by military dictatorship and all manner of murderous incivilities.

Marquez spoke out against evil. His voice was loud, insistent, unafraid. And when he spoke, the world listened, for he earned his space, his right to speak, his will to the Word. Not infrequently, his interventions made military dictators shake in their boots. Quite often, the people found their strength in his words. Like the great Pablo Neruda, his Latin American compatriot, he too made an unbreakable pledge to himself that the people would find their voices in his song. We must never underestimate the contribution of people like Marquez to the return of democracy to Latin America and other parts of the world afflicted by the absence of that ideal.

Gather round this fire, therefore, oh ye acolytes of the Word.

Sing a song and shake a leg. The master storyteller has levitated to the skies. Gabriel is back at Heavensgate. Banana leaves are clapping in the fields of Aracataca.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez is laughing, his patented moustache lush and green like the forests of his beloved Colombia.

•Niyi Osundare writes from New Orleans

,

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

HERE is no gainsay ing the fact that Federal Government through its National Universities Commission, NUC, is doing its best by way of checks and balances, effective supervision and quality control of all universities in Nigeria particularly the private ones.

However, there is need for federal government to ensure adequate support for education in private universities. It must be mentioned here that several of the private universities in Nigeria are not established for profit-making but to give students sound moral education which will bring about the fear of God and good society.

A typical example is that of Crescent University, Abeokuta, with the vision and mission of sound education, good moral upbringing and the service to God, Almighty.

We are also to ensure that the university has a national outlook. Hence, there is no state that is not represented in the

Zamfara from where students are sent for scholarship to the university.

To this end, Federal Government must ensure that private universities in Nigeria enjoy benefits of Tertiary Education Trust Funds, TETFUNDs, since this will further help in development of education in the sector. Tremendous development of education is indeed sine qua non to development of any nation in the world.

Recently, Nigeria with her population of over 150 million and substantial resources in both oil and mineral wealth is still considered, in terms of good governance to be in the 13th position out of 16 nations in West Africa.

Also in education, University of Ilorin that was considered the best in Nigeria occupied 33rd position in webometric ranking in Africa and 555th position in the world.

Jurisprudentially, it is axiomatic that to every right, there must be a correspond-

Admission of students into Crescent University is done without discrimination against any student by way of ethnicity, religion or sex

university in terms of students. There are those with scholarship awards from Northern and Southern Nigeria.

It is the belief of the university that if these students are given the opportunity to study together, relating on the same campus for three or four years, they will not grow up to hate one another in politics in future. So, admission of students into Crescent University is done without discrimination against any student by way of ethnicity, religion or sex.

Female emancipation towards a better, mature life is now emanating from several states of the North, particularly Kano, Sokoto and

,

ing duty. The National Universities Commission, while effectively supervising the private universities, must also critically look for means of governing moral and financial support to them. The fillip may in provision of facilities, projects and endowments. That would boost the development of Nigeria as a nation and put her in the right position among the nations of the world. There is no doubt that education will give us an enviable position globally. But it must be treated holistically and now.

•Prince Ajibola is the founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta

Students in one of the classes at Crescent University

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Why Lagos is Lagos

By DOTUN IBIWOYE

L

AGOS Portuguese explorer, Rui de Sequeira, visited the area in 1472, naming the area around the city Lago de Curamo; indeed the present name is Portuguese for “lakes”.

Another explanation is that Lagos was named Lagos after a Portugal martime town, which at the time was the main centre of Portuguese expeditions down the African coast, and whose own name is derived from the Latin word Lacobriga.

The image of ladies on the streets dancing to the rhythm of Caribbean or South American Samba music doesn’t fail to attract the interest of tourists all over the world.

Its capacity to attract foreign exchange is also a reason organisers of these carnivals try to outdo each other in colour, creativity, innovation and culturally relevant themes.

In Nigeria, the street procession of masquerades and its attending infusion of traditional fetish practices which was a turnoff for majority of youth has given way to well-organised, mostly government supported, merry-making not unlike what is seen in Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago.

Recreational benefits •Lagos regetta

Fun as tourists, residents Lagos carnival

By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & DOTUN IBIWOYE

I

•Sango

N the last five years, it has be come a tradition for the Lagos State Government to organize the Black Heritage Festival to celebrate the rich culture of the state in particular and Africa in general.

Last Sunday, amid heavy downpour, Governor Babatunde Fashola led thousands of residents, tourists, and foreign investors among other fun seekers to participate in the 2014 and fifth edition of the Annual Lagos Heritage Week, which was held at Boat Regatta, Lagos.

Also at the colourful festival were government functionaries, tourists, investors and fun seekers from Brazil, United States of America, Mexico, England, South- Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana among others.

Cultural troupes from the various coastal communities of the state were on hand to showcase their cultural heritage. Large fishing boats, ferries, water lightening, barges and other marine vessels were on display depicting their social, cultural and traditional folklore. Swimmers of the

Lagos Water Regatta were also not music and street carnival. left out as they displayed their swimHeld at the lagoon side, the coming skills, to the admiration of the lourful event afforded several comcrowd. munities especially those from the In spite the heavy down pour, the riverine areas of the state the opboat regatta was held amid pomp portunity to showcase their rich and ceremony before it was sus- cultural heritage. pended due to the increasing water Communities with their boats all waves and wind The Regatta, on its own, has to prevent any mishap. become a social asset, a renaisSince the state sance of a greater part of the government commenced the culture of Lagosians celebration of the one week heri-

,

The Calabar Carnival in Cross River State, the Abuja Carnival, and the Lagos Carnival which started in the past decade have continued to draw its crowd becoming a yearly fixture in the calendar of those who put a premium on leisure and its recreational benefits.

Inside the venue, the 50,000 capacity Square gradually fills up with spectators, mostly young people, amid heavy presence of armed police officers and state security agents. The state’s aim of making the carnival private-sector driven event in future may have received a huge boost with an appreciable presence of corporate sponsors.

tage festival, the event has continuously received world attention, with several African countries visiting the state to study the organisers and replicate it in their country’s upcoming festival.

Among the events held were Boat Regatta at the Regatta Village on Easter Sunday, which was introduced in 2012, to serve as exhibition stand, viewing centre for all the activities, relaxation spot and others.

Other events include drama, dance, exhibitions, symposium,

,

decorated with different colours, floated on the water to entertain the enthusiastic crowd who intermittently cheered as they paddled their canoes in different styles.

The Lagos Regatta is a private sector initiative supported by the state government as a part of the Black Heritage Week event The Regatta consisted of large fishing boats, ferries, water lightening, barges and other marine vessels each depicting the social, cultural, traditional folklore and occupational aspects of the Lagos

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

into tourist centre through the state government’s initiative.

The State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, added that the hosting of the event was part of the government’s determination to preserve the cultural heritage of Lagos residents.

Holloway said the festival would be of immense economic benefit to residents and also provide a source of relaxation for residents of the state and foreigners alike.

According to him, Lagos State is home to over 21 million people and the event gives participants the opportunity to unwind and have fun in a secured environment.

Holloway added that the annual event which has come to stay would further empower the youths, pointing out that materials for the week-long festival were being sourced locally. The commissioner maintained that the festival would also provide an avenue for people of different strata to meet and relax, reiterating that the present administration’s resolve to make Lagos the preferred destination of business and tourism and stressed that government could not do it alone.

storm people. Governor Fashola, once said that the regatta was a decision of the government to expand, as well as showcase, the cultural heritage of the state.

“The regatta was conceived as part of activities for the celebration of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival which serves as a platform for us to rejuvenate our socio cultural values in the state.

“The Regatta, on its own, has become a social asset, a renaissance of a greater part of the culture of Lagosians.

This administration is poised to exploit the commercial essence of its content by heightening the interest of corporate organisations here in Lagos and around the country in promoting it into tourists’ delight,” Fashola stated.

The festival, a week long activities started with a media briefing at Freedom Park, Broad Street, where once a notorious colonial prison was and which had been turned

Social responsibilities Holloway, therefore, called on sponsors from the organized private sector to invest in the event as part of their social responsibilities to the state and its people.

Subsequently, Street Carnival is often held at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Onikan, Lagos Island, to round off the celebration.

Last Sunday was no exception as the whole TBS was agog with dignitaries across the globe, led by Fashola and his state Executive Council members to mark this year celebration.

TBS was filled to the brim on Easter Monday for the grand finale of the week long activities, From the National Museum, Onikan, the carnival kicked off with six kilometer children walk to Ikoyi where the adults kicked started their nine kilometer parade.

Vehicular movement was restricted within Lagos Island as participants displayed various creative designs and colourful costumes. Thousands of children from schools in the state took their turn in the procession as they brought out creativity through their choice of costumes.

— 41

Lagos goes tough with mast owners

By DOTUN IBIWOYE

F

ROM Friday, the Lagos State government will start imposing heavy sanctions on owners of masts that are either sub-standard or not captured in its database.

According to the government all hollow piped masts that do not match its specification will be removed after the deadline.

Lagos city is said to be among cities with most telecom mast density per square kilometer in the world.

The Lagos State Government recently said it will impose fresh sanctions in the form of fines on affected telecom operators over refusal to submit the accurate list of masts they have erected in the state.

The state’s Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit, UFRU, the agency responsible for the supervision of all installed infrastructure in the state, including telecoms masts, disclosed this.

According to the agency, the idea would help the state monitor and supervise all existing and new masts in the state.

Also in February this year, the Federal Ministry of Environment said it would start sanctioning telecommunication operators which violate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations.

operator whose figure varies from the actual number of masts it operates in Lagos, would attract a penalty of N5 million per mast. He therefore called on operators to be honest in submitting the list of their operated telecoms masts without further delay.

He affirmed that UFRU would begin decommissioning of all hollow type masts and towers in the state, after April 30 this year.

The oil companies, ICT companies, hotels, schools, banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and other small users of communications masts were said to have ignored the state government’s ultimatum to replace old and dangerous hollow type masts with galvanized steel masts.

Igbokwe also said that several people

Memorandum of understanding The decision to sanction the operators was reached after the ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Communication.

Under the agreement, all •Mast telecom operators in violation of the EIA regulation will now pay the specified non-compliance and administrative fees to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

All related pending cases in court should be withdrawn and affected sites re-opened within 48 hours of payment while remedial actions are being taken to address identified violations.

This signifies the multiple problems that the telecom mast is having.

UFRU’s General Manager, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, noted that the state government is worried by the discrepancies in the figures of masts submitted by some of the operators, and the refusal of other operators to submit any list.

Igbokwe said UFRU would henceforth embark on the numbering of all telecoms masts in the state, and warned that any

have lost their lives and property worth millions of naira to collapsed masts in the state though the dangers of hollow type masts, and insisted that all users of communications masts must replace them with galvanized steel masts.

He also said some telecom firms have submitted their list while others are yet to do so. The recent agreement reached between the operators and the state, has reduced the cost of existing masts permit to N600,000 and new masts permit to N850, 000 per mast. Each mast has a yearly renewal fee of N30, 000. Lagos State Government recently signed an agreement with telecoms operators, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). In that agreement, Lagos State slashed the levies for Right of Way and telecoms infrastructure such as masts by 80 per cent.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

2015: Plateau awaits Jang’s divine revelation THE contest to replace Governor Jonah Jang remains shrouded in mystery. Like many things associated with the incumbent governor, Jang’s inclination would be divinely inspired

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

W

HEN Plateau State Governor Mr. Jonah Jang declared that God was yet to reveal his likely successor to him, hardly did he know that he was creating an impression that he might eventually handpick a successor.

This has set the stage for an uneasy calm in the party, leading to fears that there may not be a level playing ground in the buildup to the polls.

Currently, there seems to be anxiety over the senatorial zone to produce the next occupant of Rayfield House or Plateau Government House.

Though there is no zoning arrangement in the state, it is the expectation of many observers that the Southern senatorial district would produce the next governor.

This is based on the fact that the North and Central zones produced Senator Joshua Dariye and the incumbent, respectively. The duo it would be recalled, were elected for two terms.

While the state is awaiting the governor’s divine revelation, those eyeing his seat, have silently commenced consultations towards actualizing their aspirations.

The aspirants These aspirants, who cut across party lines and senatorial zones include: Senator Victor Lar, Mr. Jimmy Cheto, Mr. John Alkali, Air Vice Marshal Jonah Wuyep (rtd), incumbent Deputy Governor, Mr. Ignatius Longjan and State Commissioner for Tourism, Pastor Yiljab Abraham.

There are also the incumbent Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Shedrack Best, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, John Dabwan, a retired Commissioner of Police, De Dimka, Senator Isaiah Dimka and Sarah Ochekpe among others.

The array of aspirants in the race has given rise to arguments that events leading to the emergence of the next governor would be characterised by intrigues and political horse-trading. And the political antecedents of most of the aspirants speak volumes

about the unfolding political drama in the state.

Victor Lar Regarded as a frontline aspirant, Lar has never hidden his intention to succeed Jang.

The former member of the House of Assembly caused a stir when he defeated two generals, Lt Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd) and Gen. John Shagaya in 2011 to emerge senator. He is known to enjoy the support of the Taroh ethnic group.

He is, however, expected to face a stiff challenge from his kinsman, Cheto, who contested the PDP governorship primaries alongside Jang in 2011.

Longjan The incumbent Deputy Governor, Longjan, is another serious contender.

With a robust profile in public service, Longjan who is from the southern senatorial district might spring surprises in the race.

He was picked as Jang’s running mate following the exit of the former deputy governor, Mrs. Pauline Tallen,

•Jang: Plateau waits for his divine insight who defected to the Labour Party.

It will be recalled that Jang had earlier said that he would leave office along with his deputy, whom he described as “an old man.’’ Jang said this would pave the way for the younger generation to take up the mantle of leadership. But analysts have opined that the

governor might eventually support the aspiration of his deputy.

Dabwan Another person, who is interested in the number one job is the immediate past Speaker of the State House of Assembly, is Dabwan.

Many see Dabwan as a joker

judging from the way he vacated his seat as the number three citizen of the state through resignation in the face of i m p e a c h m e n t .

He has been dismissed as not being strong for the seat, but his campaign posters are found everywhere in the state.

Dantong Among the aspirants, Senator Gyang Pwjok is seen as being in good position to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer and then the election proper.

As Chief of Staff, Government House, he was said to wield immense power, second only to that of the governor.

There are allegations that the governor, who is rumored to be nursing a senatorial ambition, might anoint him as the next governor.

Haruna Dabin The incumbent PDP chairman, Mr. Haruna Dabin is also believed to be interested though like many other loyalists of Governor Jang, he has not openly come out.

Dabin’s strength if he comes out would come through the party machine especially if the governor decides to allow all his loyalists to contest freely.

Echoes from Akwa Ibom town-hall meetings

BY AKANG UFOT

A

HEAD of 2015 general elections, politicians are garnering supports from the electorate and are not leaving anything to chances. It is time to form support groups, alliance, realign, decamp to other favourable party and seek for relevance.

It is also time for those who engage in dirty politics to smear their opponents and rivals and indulge in name-calling in a bid to score cheap political points.

Expectedly, some governors will be demanding for second term, while others will be shopping for their successors. Those aspiring for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assemblies would not be left out.

In Akwa Ibom, like in other states, crucial issues about 2015 politics, particularly, succession came to the fore at the recent town hall meetings/constituency briefings by Governor Godswill Akpabio across the the 10 federal constituencies of the state. The constituencies are Eket, Etinan,

Ikono/Ini, Itu/Ibiono, Abak, Ikot Abasi, Ukanafun/Oruk Anam, Oron, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene.

Although, over 500 completed rural projects were commissioned by the governor as part of the activities, the constituents were more interested in the succession plan.

Concrete decisions At the inaugural town-hall meeting at Eket Federal Constituency, Akpabio said as an intrinsic part of democracy, the meeting was an opportunity for the government and the people to gather, engage in useful dialogue and take a concrete decisions for future of the state.

He was right. For that was the classical method that the Greek city states adopted at the beginning of what has today been termed democracy. The idea was to allow the majority of citizens to have a say in government. Town-hall meeting

is therefore a cardinal democratic instrument!

One subject that dominated the meetings recently in Akwa Ibom was the issue of Akpabio’s successor. The points, arguments and submissions of the speakers on the subject matter varied from one federal constituency to another.

While some wanted zoning on the bases of senatorial district, some others called for recognition of ethnic platforms as the formula for power sharing. For instance, while the former Minister for Lands and Urban Development, Nduese Essien called for zoning to Eket Senatorial District, (following Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts) the former Deputy Governor, Chief Etim Okpoyo, from Oro tribe, preferred consideration on ethnic basis. Essien specifically suggested that Eket Federal Constituency should be favoured in the zoning process. However, one important point on which many agreed upon was that there

must be zoning. Hence, Chief Okon,Osung, quoting section 7, 2c of the PDP constitution said in pursuance to the policy of rotation and zoning, the party at various levels must recognize zoning.

At Etinan Federal Constituency issues of Akpabio’s successor also dominated the meeting. Speaker after speaker spoke on the need for equity, justice and fair and equitable distribution of elected positions in 2015.

Senator Effiong Bob in his submission said while the issue of zoning of governorship was being canvassed, the position proposed for Uyo Senatorial District should be clearly spelt out.

Bob commended Akpabio for his development strides, noting that history will judge him (Akpabio) not on how he started but on his successful ending. He advised politicians to eschew bitterness and rancour and what he called “tortoise politics”, characterised by deception.

Canvassing zoning of the Continues on page 43

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 43

2015: We will submit to the wisdom of the elders— Hon. Chima HON Eni Uduma Chima is the member representing Afikpo South West state constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly. In this interview he speaks on the emerging political dynamics in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2015 election among other issues. Excerpts:

BY PETER OKUTU

T

HE elections are coming up early next year, what do you expect from the next Governor of the state?

I expect the next Governor of Ebonyi state to be a patriot; somebody who will have the interest of Ebonyi people and the country at large at heart in all sincerity. Somebody who will come after the model of the present governor, Martin Elechi.

Somebody who will have development as his core value in transforming the lives of the people of Ebonyi State.

Somebody who will want to cater for the welfare of Ebonyi State

addressed. Today, courtesy of his activities, you see Ebonyi indigenes taking their slots and no more foreigners filling our slots. Then in the aspect of infrastructure, he has done a lot.

What do you think should be the focus of the ongoing National Conference?

The focus should be on the unity of the country. On bringing about situation that will make sure that citizens have faith in the country and the peace and progress of the country and that is the ideals that are encompassed in the motto of the country as a nation. That should be the focus.

What’s your assessment of Ebonyi delegates to the National

,

The governor is wise enough, experienced enough to avert the negative consequences which will come from imposition of candidates

and keep up with the pace of development and rapid transformation which is ongoing in the state in various sectors.

Most persons are gearing up seriously to replace Governor Elechi, what do you advise such people?

Our political culture in Ebonyi State is that which is given to dignified leadership. Politics here is not an all comers affair. We believe in the wisdom of the Elders, the experience of the founding fathers and I would want to believe that anybody who is sincere in coming to serve the people, he will not want to impose himself on the people; he will wait for the people to request him to come and serve them and we are looking up to our leaders.

Proper guidance We have capable leaders who are sufficiently exposed to give us proper guidance because what an elder may see sitting down, a youth may not see even if he climbs on top of a tree. So we are relying on the elders and the experience of the leadership of this state which the present governor is in a position to speak for.

How do you access the performance of the senator representing Ebonyi South?

The performance of Senator Sunny Ogbuoji has been excellent in all ramifications. In the past, Ebonyi indigenes were not accommodated adequately in employment in the federal civil service but he has made sure that, that anomaly has been

,

Conference?

The selection is superb; they are best men and leaders of thought in the state. It is mixture of intellectuals, technocrats and

•Chima: Our elders will guide us business men in their own right.

They are sufficiently experienced to take to the general table issues that are affecting the country as a whole and those ones affecting Ebonyi state vis-à-vis our relationship with the country. I think they are capable of doing so.

What is your advice to politicians in the state who want to contest for one political position or another?

My advice to politicians is to

play the game by the rules, if for any reason you are not wanted by the people don’t be desperate to represent the people and you must not insist that it must be you.

And if you put mechanisms in place maybe because you have the apparatus of government in the state to thwart the will of the people then they may resort to other means of expressing themselves which will in the long run not be in the overall interest

of the citizens of the country because those who make peaceful changes impossible make only make violent changes inevitable.

One of the criticisms against the PDP in the state is lack of internal democracy, how confident are you that this time around it will be different?

All things being equal, under the guidance of the governor, Martin Elechi, we are confident that the proper thing must be done. Having been in party politics for a long time, he knows and understands the dynamics of party politics. He knows that when parties impose candidates that are not popular on the electorate, they will resist it by voting for the opposition party even if the opposition is less acceptable, they will vote in protest for such opposition candidate.

The governor is wise enough, experienced enough to avert the negative consequences which will come from imposition of candidates and so far in all the elections conducted under his supervision, he has always frowned at attempts to impose candidates and he has always insisted that nothing is right unless it is right. We have confidence that with him as the party leader in the state, credibility will be ensured in the primary elections.

Echoes from Akwa Ibom town-hall meetings Continues from page 42 governorship position to Eket Senatorial District, the former military administrator of the state, Otuekong Idongesit Nkanga said the position of the PDP should be over and above other personal considerations. “In 2011, I was in this field in Etinan to present Chief Godswill Akpabio as the best saleable product for the governorship race and today I am proud to say that he has not disappointed us. The legacies he would leave behind would speak for.” Nkanga said.

As the town hall train berth on the Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, the cradle of Ibibio, political chieftains in the area apart from lending their voices to the call for the return of power to Eket Senatorial District canvassed for the 2015 Senatorial seat for Governor Akpabio.

Chief Otu Robert, an astute politician in the constituency, after extolling Governor Akpabio for the development of the state tendered an apology on behalf of the people of the area for what he termed “betrayal of confidence by Senator Aloysius Etuk.

•Akpabio: Met stakeholders

The former member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Bar. Iquo Inyang in her comments said as one of the aspirants in the 2011 elections, she was in a better place to explain the roles played

by Akpabio towards the emergence of Etok as Senator for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

“I know what happened at Ikot Ekpene Stadium so I can counter every bit of falsehood written against the governor by Senator Aloysius Etok”, she said.

At the Itu/ I b i o n o Federal Constituency meeting, the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West, Senator Ita Enang was of the view that the 2015 Governorship be thrown open to aspirants from all the senatorial districts so that the people of Uyo Senatorial District would not be excluded from the contest.

Majority of the speakers including a former commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Etok Ekanem, Senator Anietie Okon,

Mr. Mfon Udeme and Mr. Idongesit Ituen called on the people of the Federal Constituency to support Eket Senatorial District for Governor in 2015 in the interest of justice and fairness. The main point is that Uyo Senatorial District produced a two-term governor in Obong Victor Attah; Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District has produced a two-term governor in Akpabio.

Hence many argue that justice demands that Eket Senatorial District should produce the next governor.

The discourse on the 2015 governorship got heated up as the town hall meeting progressed.

At the meeting in Ikot Abasi federal constituency, the former Commissioner of Finance, Obong Obot Etuk Afia in his analogy said since Senator Udo Udoma from Ikot Abasi, Mrs Eme Ufot Ekaette from Onna and Senator Helen Esuene from Eket have taken the senate position, it was justifiable to let Oro Federal Constituency take the Senate slot in 2015.

*Ufot is a journalists and public affairs analyst based in Uyo

44 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Delta community, Oza-nogogo accuses govt of neglect

Court rejects request to join family head in land dispute

O

ZA-NOGOGO community in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State has decried what it called a deliberate attempt by those in authority to undeveloped Oza-nogogo as there was no evidence of government’s presence in the community.

Chief Ben Oriahi, President of Oza-nogogo Elite Foundation, OEF, at the foundation’s 4th national convention, said governments, both past and present, have continually promoted unfavourable policies to undermine the development of the community.

He said: “You can tell that Alibido, Alisor/Alileha, Owuwu, Eno, Ebudo and Ewan primary schools, including the community secondary school, are all neglected with no access road linking Oza-nogogo to the outside world.

“It is very surprising that the government is not worried that her people are in this despicable situation.”

Chairman of the occasion, Sir Alex Ikhu-Omoregbe,

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

Lagos High Court has refused an application seeking to join as defendant the most elderly person in Okunnu-Eleku family in a suit by an estate firm, Ashlead Estate Limited, over a large expanse of land situated at Oko-Olani Village in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state.

Other claimants in the suit are Babatunde Gbadamosi, Folashade Gbadamosi, Mr. Adeboye Alli, Tajudeen Mojeed, Lateef Alaba Lawal and Tasiru Okanlawon Soniyi.

Trial judge is Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile.

The claimants in the suit against the wife of former Inspector-General of Police, Mrs. Tafa Balogun and four others, had urged the court to declare them as statutory owners of the land in dispute.

Other defendants are Toyin Shittu-Eleku, Adeogun Ogungbona and Kamolu Alli.

The claimants/applicants had urged the court to join the family head as 6th defendant in the suit.

Opposing the application, counsel to 2nd – 5th defendants, Mr. S. Ajetunmobi, argued that the applicant seeking to be joined has no interest in the land in dispute.

noted that critical projects such as the grading of roads, rehabilitation of the police post, provision of basic facilities at the magistrate

court and resuscitation of a couple of water projects were done by indigenes of Oza-nogogo.

“The government has so

Urbobo 'll win 2015 guber, UPU vows

BY GODWIN OGHRE

S

APELE— THE Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has advanced reasons why the Urhobo nation should produce the governor of the state come 2015, saying that Urhobo will win the governorship election and actualise the dream through the ballot box in a free and fare election in the state.

First Deputy President-

General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, who gave the assurance while briefing newsmen in his Mosogar country home, said Urhobo have the numerical strength to achieve the dream, comprising over 75 percent of the state’s population.

Other reason, according to him, why Urhobo should produce the governor of the state in the 2015 general election, include the fact that

ORMER deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to expedite action on the construction of the Ibaka Deep Seaport in the state.

Ekere spoke to newsmen after the inauguration of the South-South Zonal Office of the Goodluck Support Group, GSG, in Uyo by the

D

ELTA State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in 2007 general elections, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has slammed Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State for accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of perpetrating genocide against the North in his fight

against Boko Haram.

Nyako had, in a memo entitled Ongoing FullFledged Genocide in Northern Nigeria, which he sent to the Northern States Governors Forum on April 16, accused the Federal Government of aiding terrorism and high-profile

Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Gulak.

He hailed the collaboration between the Federal and state governments on the development of the seaport, but urged the President to direct the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, to speed up the processes so that

construction work can actually begin.

He lauded President Jonathan for his love for the state as reflected in the appointment of Akwa Ibom indigenes into various agencies of government and called on the people of the state to remain resolute in their support for the President.

killings in the North-East.

Onuesoke, who is the Country Director of Network for Good Governance, N4GG, descri-bed Nyako’s memo as full of lies, deceit and capable of setting one part of the country against another.

He noted that it was disheartening that Nyako, who is a sitting governor, a person that is supposed to be a role model and a leader, was sounding a war drum and creating confusion by feeding the masses lies.

Onuesoke, aide to Delta State Governor on Special Project, said that it was an insult for a serving governor to insult a sitting President.

He said: “It was never heard of in the history of United Kingdom and United States of America, the countries we intend to look like and copy.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

it will amount to injustice for Delta North senatorial district that have the capital city of government to also get the governorship position in 2015.

He lamented that out of the 12 federal positions allotted to the state by the Federal Government, none of Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic groups has any, while Delta North has all the positions filled.

Onuesoke blasts Nyako over ‘genocide memo'

Ekere makes case for Ibaka Seaport

F

far neglected our community, which is never captured in the implementation of Delta State Government policies,” he added.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On abduction of Borno students

A

rocket was launched into Isreal and their Prime Minister cancelled a trip; Kenyan President declared threeday mourning for victims of the mall attack and flags flew at half mast; a student was killed in New Jersey and Obama rushed there.— Ms. Chimezie Ezembu, Student.

T

HE insurgents operated in the girls’ school from 9.30pm till 3am without military intervention. It seems like sabotage in the highest level. May the gentle souls of the victims of last Monday’s bombing rest in peace, amen.— Mr. Mba Ogbuefi, Businessman.

I

T is possible that these girls are Christians who are going to be forced to abandon their faith, subjected to sexual abuse and other jeopardised conditions.

Military please step up action to rescue these teenagers.— Mr. Uwhubetiyi Theophilus, Businessman.

T

HIS is absolutely strange. What have these teenage girls done to Boko Haram? It is absolutely condemnable before God and man.

These young girls are totally innocent of whatever Boko Haram is aggrieved about.— Mr. Festus Usuanlele, NYSC Member.

I

know people blame the president for the security lapses in the country. But was the president supposed to be the security guard in Borno? Don’t they have a governor who collects security vote as the chief security officer of the state?— Mr. Justin Anaele, Worker.

I

T is just as if we do not have leaders. Despite all the bombings and kidnap of 100 school girls, President Goodluck Jonathan was reported to have continued with his political campaign. That is not fair.— Mr. Uzu Emmanuel, Civil Servant.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 45

Ex-lawmaker lauds Uduaghan’s 3-point agenda

Stop paying customers with mutilated notes, CBN warns banks

BY FESTUS AHON

U

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA—THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has warned that it will no longer tolerate complaints from commercial bank customers over payment with mutilated notes, whereas mint notes found their way to black marketers, who sell them out for spraying at social functions.

CBN’s Director, Branch Operations Department, Mrs. Tope Omade, who gave the warning during a Customer Forum in Asaba, promised that CBN will continue to beam its searchlight on commercial banks and other allied banks as well as officials of such banks, who are involved in the sharp practices of hoarding mint notes and selling same to black marketers.

“No bank should henceforth pay customers with unfit and mutilated notes.

Plans are on to ensure that strict sanctions are meted out to commercial banks that are still dispensing bad, unfit and mutilated currency notes to the public," she said.

DESOPADEC donates ambulance to Ughelli Central Hospital

U

GHELLI—DELTA State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, has donated an ambulance to the Central Hospital, Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

Presenting the ambulance, the Commissioner representing Ethiope East and Ughelli North Local Government Areas on the board of the commission, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for his developmental strides in the state, saying “it is the leadership that dictates the pace of service delivery.”

UFOT EKAETTE AT 75: From left: Former Secretary to the Federal Government , Obong Ufot Ekaette; former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Senator Eme Ekaette; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Mrs. Yakubu Gowon, celebrating with Obong Ekaette on his 75th birthday, in Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

227 Edo civil servants appeal for reinstatement in payroll

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—NO fewer than 227 civil servants whose names were allegedly omitted from the payroll of the Edo State Civil Service for the month of March, 2014 have appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the state to intervene in their plight, just as they called for their reinstatement and payment of all their outstanding allowances.

The affected workers, in an open letter to the governor through their counsel, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, said that they had not attained the age of 60 nor served the mandatory 35 years in service in consonance with the Federal Government policy of computing the service years of public officers who have proceeded on study leave without pay, with effect from July 6, 2004.

“It is our understanding that their removal from the payroll was carried out on the premise that our clients need not enjoy any extension accruing from the extra years supposedly granted to workers who proceeded on study leave without pay and rightly proved themselves qualified in character and in learning and have, through the years, continuously employed the knowledge acquired to improve on the quality of service delivery in the state,” Afolabi said.

He quoted the Federal Government Circular dated December 1, 2006 by Mohammed Ahmed, Head of Service of the Federation, on approval of study leave for civil servants, which read: “Approval has been given for officers to serve the period they were on study leave without pay, provided that the period of study is limited to the normal duration of the course,” to prove their

point.

Insisting that the Edo State Civil Service was under no compulsion to maintain the Federal Government’s position, they, however said that by virtue of a circular dated September 13, 2007 by Dr. J.E. Igbinedion for the Head of Service, the state government communicated to all civil servants and the public that it had adopted the Federal Government’s policy on restoration of non-pensionability of the period of study leave without pay for officers as contained in the Federal Government circular.

The affected workers argued that by virtue of the circular letter dated September 13, 2007 and another dated March 17, 2009 from the office of the Head of Service, Edo State, the state government committed itself to ensuring the extension of their service period.

2015: Next Rivers gov should emerge from riverine area —EDPA

BY GBENGA OKE

A

GROUP, Eastern Delta People’s Association, EDPA, has said that the next Rivers State governor, after the tenure of Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, must be from the riverine area of the state.

The group also said it was imperative for everyone to abandon selfish political ambition or immediate gain in favour of what was just in the society because injustice was an invitation to anarchy.

The group, in a statement by

its co-ordinators, Elder Jumbo and Prof. Georgewell, condemned the alleged endorsement of Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

The statement, read: “In 1999, Nigerians decided on equitable grounds to elect Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the South-West as President and subsequently, the same sense of equity inspired Nigerians to elect Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a South-South indigene, as President. The Riv-

ers model that Nigeria has copied is in danger of being jettisoned because Mr Wike is an Ikwerre man, the outgoing governor, Mr Amaechi is also an Ikwerre man. Will equity and fairness be promoted in Rivers State if another Ikwerre man takes over the governorship of the state from an Ikwerre man?

“Rivers State is a multi-ethnic state and despite this plurality, Rivers people have coexisted in peace and harmony because of the sense of equity and fairness.”

GHELLI—SENATOR Patrick Osakwe, who represented Delta North senatorial district in the National Assembly, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the diligent implementation of the three-point agenda of his administration.

Osakwe, in an interview with newsmen, said that the peace and security, human capital development and infrastructural development programmes of the Uduaghan administration had provided the needed blue print for the transformation of the various sectors of the state.

He said that the governor will leave the state better than he met it when he completes his tenure in 2015, calling on all Deltans to support the governor to enable him finish strong.

He scored the governor high in the areas of upgrade of primary and secondary schools, scholarship to first class graduates, bursary and grants to students of tertiary institutions, good road networks, the Asaba International Airport, among others.

2015: Group drums support for Orubebe

A

GROUP, Movement for Better Delta, MBD, has called on Deltans, particularly members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to rally round the governorship aspiration of Elder Godsday Orubebe, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, describing him as a man with vast potentials.

President of the group, Mr. Buddy Youmu, in a statement, said Orubebe has what it takes to transform the entire state.

He stressed that if Orubebe was elected governor, he will bring his experience to bear and the state will experience accelerated development.

The group enjoined Deltans to support only credible politicians with impeccable character to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

46— Vanguard , TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Council boss tasks mechanics on healthy environment

BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

T

HE Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, has urged members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, NATA, Festac Unit to be environmentfriendly towards engendering a healthier environment.

He made the call in Lagos when he was presented with an award as the life patron of the association.

Adewale frowned on the way some NATA members operated on the road to degrade the environment.

According to him: ”How can a mechanic bring tripod and fix a car on the road, this is unacceptable.

“While I am quite impressed with you, as regards your activities during environmental sanitation, but some acts inimical to the sustainability of a cleaner and safer environment must stop.”

Easter: Cleric urges altruism, decent living

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—BISHOP of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Okorafor, has said that Nigeria would be better for all if Nigerians imbibed love of self and the nation, live decent Christian lives, devoid of idolatry, secret cults and assassination of perceived political enemies.

Bishop Okorafor gave the advice while delivering the Easter sermon at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Egbu, Owerri North local council area of Imo State.

In the sermon, titled “Victory over Death”, the Bishop urged Nigerians to emulate the love of Jesus Christ, who gave up His life that all may live, stressing that “in an atmosphere of love, the continued unity of the nation would remain assured and the senseless killings of innocent fellow Nigerians would be a thing of the past.”

Flood: FG begins reconstruction of bridge in Ebonyi community

BY PETER DURU

A

BAKALIKI—THE Federal Government weekend began the reconstruction of a bridge along Onwe Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital to avert incidence of flooding, which had over the years ravaged communities within the locality.

It would be recalled that last year’s flooding took over some parts of the city, including a multimillion naira hotel

belonging to the former state chairman of People Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Obinna Ogba, Hope High International school located along Onwe Road Abakaliki and G-Spot, a popular relaxation centre adjacent to the school, and other residential and commercial buildings in the area.

Addressing newsmen at the commencement of work at Onwe road in Abakaliki, the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Chukwuma Nwandugo, explained that communities

linked to Onwe Road in Abakaliki had over the years suffered from the annual flooding in the area.

He assured that the ongoing reconstruction of the bridge and concrete channelisation of both Iyiokwu and Iyiudele rivers by the Federal Government would solve the issue of flooding across the state.

He stated that the reconstruction work would be stronger and bigger than the former box culvert, adding that the job would be completed within five weeks.

AWARD: Princess Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation receiving the 2014 Ikenga Award for Excellence in Aviation Transformation from Chief Joe Nwodo, former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, on Sunday.

He urged motorists to cooperate with the state, Federal Government and the contractor to ensure speedy completion of the project.

He said: “The only mishap is that of flood that has ravaged this environment for many years and it has not been a small mishap; during flooding at the bridge there was a motorcycle that fell into the bridge but there was no loss of life and apart from that, it is the flood and it is enough mishap.

“So, as soon as it is done, all the flood water from this axis will move freely. Already we have built a concrete channel which is very functional. What would have caused this flood is this bridge; so if we remove it now and build something bigger and better, I’m sure that the flood issue will be over.

“What is going on here is that we are trying to remove the existing box culvert which we know is no longer functional. We want to remove it and build a new one which will more higher than this one, so that the flow of water could be a lot easier.

“The difficulty we are encountering with this particular culvert is that it is very low and water is finding it difficult to pass under it.”

The site Engineer, Engr. Ifeanyi Nwora, who explained that the contractor was currently excavating trenches and removing existing structures in the area before proper construction of the bridge resume, noted that the new bridge would have a 3 cell culvert with the height of 3.3 metre high to withstand the size of any vehicle.

Gov Orji has silenced critics in Abia — EX - AIDE U

MUAHIA—A former aide of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Ben Onyechere, has said campaign of calumny launched against the governor by his opponents has not deterred him from laying the necessary foundation for development of the state.

According to him, the wave of criticism against the governor is no longer in vogue because the people can clearly see the development he had brought to bear on the state so far.

Onyechere, in a chat with newsmen in Umuahia, said “The current political dispensation of the nation, Abia State situation is peculiar in the sense that while others are developing existing foundations, the state is engaged in the task of not only laying the requisite foundations but also charting a developmental roadmap geared towards elevating the infrastructural status of the state. ”The incessant criticism against the state by a preceding

governor is not only a trick to divert attention of the public from the deficiencies of the past administration, which are myriad, but also an attempt in futility to render negative the achievements of the governor simply because he has

succeeded where others failed.

“But today, it is clearly evident the governor has pulled the wool from the eyes of the public such that the politics of development by propaganda is now an old fashion. Nonetheless it is too

late in the day to hinder the multifaceted achievement at rebuilding Abia, which formerly fell in the category of abandoned project and no act of mischief or misdemeanor can turn the hand of the clock backwards.”

Abia Police arraign 4 for rape of 18-yr-old girl

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State Police Command has charged four suspects to court for raping an 18-year-old girl, identified as Chikodi Ogbonna.

The suspects are Chika Ejim, 20 years; Chinweotuto Nwosu, 20 years; Uchechi Nnaukwu, 20 years and Chigozie Ejikeme, 18 years.

They were arraigned under a 3-count charge of raping the girl at a burrow pit at Amangwu EluElu, Olokoro in Umuahia South Council Area of the state.

According to the Charge No-

U/134c/2014, count one alleged that the suspects “on 4 th of April 2014, at Amangwu Elu-Elu, Olokoro in Umuahia South Magisterial District, conspired among yourselves and induced one Chikodi Ogbonna [f] under the age of 18 years to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 17 [a] of the Trafficking in Persons [Prohibition] Law Enforcement and Administration Act. Cap. T23 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Abia State.

Count two said that the accused “did detain one Chikodi Ogbonna against her will for the purpose of being unlawfully carnally known by you and thereby committed an offence punishable under 17 [b]” of the same law.

Similarly, in count three, the four suspects were accused of “procuring with threat / intimidation one Chikodi Ogbonna, under the ag of 18 years and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 18 [a] of the same law.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 47

COMMISSIONING: From left, Ejigbo LCDA Council Manager, Mrs. Kehinde Babatunde; Vice Chairman, Alhaji Monsurudeen Obe; Ejigbo LCDA Chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake (cutting the tape); Leader of the council's legislature, Hon. Tanigbola Muritala, and other dignitaries, THANKSGIVING: Chief Nyesom Wike, Supervising Minister of Eduduring the commissioning of Ejigbo first fire service station, built by Ejigbo LCDA, at the cation (middle), acknowledging cheers from supporters; Felix Obuah, PDP chairman, Rivers State, (right), and Kenneth Ubani (left), during council secretariat, weekend.

PDP's thanksgiving, at Krisdera Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

VISIT: From left, Capt Hassan Bakar, TMTG Uynit Commander, Turkey Navy; Vice Admiral Hosam Usakilogu, Turkey Southern Region Commander, and Amb. Mustafa Pulet, Turkey Ambassador to Nigeria, during a visit of the Turkey Navy to Nigeria, at Apapa port, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

RAFFLE: From left, Naeto C, special guest artiste; Jubilee Diagboya, one of the winners of Legend Extra Stout’s ticket to Dubai, and Gabriel Amanyi (Terry-G), another special guest artiste, at the 1st raffle draw to pick winners of the 2014 edition of Legend Extra Stout’s National Consumer promotion.

NETWORKING: From left, Mr. Alex Goma, MD, Family Care SBU PZ Cussons and keynote speaker; Mr. Jonas Nilson, GM, Creseada Int'l Ltd; Mr. Lekan Asuni, MD, Glaxosmithkline and President, Niropharm, and Mr. Solomon Aigbavboa, MD, MDS Logistics, during the association of Nigerian representatives of overseas pharmaceutical manufacturers (NIROPHARM ) business networking evening, at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

CONVOCATION: Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi (right), and Professor Barto Okolo, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, during Mr. Itanyi's doctorate degree in management graduation, at the 43rd convocation ceremony of the university.

LUNCHEON: Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); President, University of Lagos Musilm Alumni, UMA, Alhaji Sikiru Alimi (left); Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu (2nd right), and Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahaman Bello (right), during the 6th Reunion Luncheon, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, weekend.

VISIT: Retired chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Chief Samuel Bolarinde (left),and President, Igbime Ure Ekiti, former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adewuyi Adelusi, during the group's advocacy visit to the INEC resident commissioner, at Ado Ekiti on the forthcoming Ekiti State election.

CONFERENCE: From left, Project Manager, Naija Street Champ, Oladende Fadana; ace producer, ID Cabbasa; GM, Unmissable Incentives Ltd, Kayode Idowu; ace producer, Gabriel Amanyi (Terry-G), during press conference to unveil the Naija Street Champ project, in Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Rep tasks Plateau politicians on equity, fairness

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS — THE member representing Jos South/Jos in the House of Representatives, Bitrus Kaze, has appealed to politicians in Plateau State to play politics of equity and fairness to ensure lasting unity in the state.

Kaze spoke against the backdrop of increased clamour by the southern zone in the state to produce the next governor of the state in 2015.

In an interview with Vanguard yesterday in Jos, the Plateau State capital, he reiterated his earlier stance that in the spirit of fairness, that the southern senatorial zone should be allowed to produce the PDP’s governorship candidate for the next general election.

He said: ”To be honest, before Plateau State as we know it today, we had the late Governor Solomon Lar and Governor Fidelis Tapgun from the southern zone. ”In today ’s Plateau State, we have had Governor Joshua Dariye from Central Plateau for eight year, now Governor Jonah Jang from Northern Plateau who by the grace of God will end his second tenure in 2015. ”To reduce tension and for everybody to be carried along, as a PDP member conscious of the party ’s constitution in favour of rotation and zoning, I feel it should be taken to the southern zone.”

Though the law maker’s view had been criticized in some quarters, Kaze, who hails from the northern senatorial zone insisted: “This is my view on the matter and I stand by it.’’

Minister wants adequate security for schools, hospitals in North-East

BY NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI — MINIS TER of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil has asked the authorities to post security guards for female girls’ colleges and hospitals especially in the North-East zone of the country.

Wakil spoke against the backdrop of the abduction of 129 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, Chibok in Borno State by terrorists as well as the attack on the GGSS Bauchi, Bauchi State, weekend.

He made this known in a statement in Maiduguri, yesterday, pointing out that appropriate

measures should be put in place to protect such vulnerable places from terrorist attacks.

The minister lamented the abduction of female students from their schools, saying such evil acts should not be allowed to recur.

Wakil, while condemning the increasing assaults on innocents students as inhuman and un-Islamic, insisted that “attacking women and children as part of a soft target strategy is condemnable and reprehensible.”

According to him, ”We must now pay close attention to schools, hospitals and other soft targets.

As the insurgents are now avoid-

From left: The Diocesan, Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon with the Provost, Cathedral Church of St. Michael, Very Rev. Samuel Nwaeze at the Easter Sunday service at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael, Kaduna, on sunday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Security challenge: Yero urges Nigerians to seek God's intervention

K

ADUNA — GOVERNOR Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has said that the security challenges facing the Nigerians were due "the evil machination of agents of darkness," noting that it was "time to seek the face of God in overcoming this trying period in our nationhood."

Yero said that "only God can ensure the victory of good over evil.’’ These were contained in his Easter message to Nigerians.

The Governor, however, asked Christians in the country to forge greater unity with other Nigeri-

ans irrespective of tribe and religion.

Yero’s message was signed by his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Ahmed Meiyaki.

The governor said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ brought positive change to humanity saying that people should imbibe the lessons of the event by forging unity in diversity.

He said: "Yero also congratulated Christians and indeed the entire people of Kaduna State on the occasion of the 2014 Easter celebrations, while calling on

JEDC restores electricity to Makurdi

M

BY PETER DURU

AKURDI — THE Makurdi Business Manager of Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC, Mr John Emeruwa has said that the company has restored electricity to all parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital and its environs after losing over N100 million worth of equipment in the town to rainstorm.

Emeruwa lamented in an inter-

ing well defended hard targets, we should design new approach to securing identified soft targets. ”An inventory of likely soft targets should be taken by relevant authorities and contingent plans should be prepared to secure likely exit routes in cases of successful attacks. ”An alarm and warning system should be put in place in all likely soft targets across the conflict areas. This system will trigger early response and nip in the bud planned attacks as was the case of the foiled plans to attack the NNPC mega stations on Damboa-Biu Road.”

view in Makurdi, over the huge loss suffered by the JEDC following the rainstorm two weeks ago but explained that company wasted no time in restoring electricity to over 85 per cent of the town within 48 hours of the devastation.

He said the staff of the company worked round the clock to ensure that consumers did not celebrate the Easter festivities in darkness.

He said: ”The loss we incurred

as a result of the windstorm which pulled down our power lines and poles was worth over N100 million, but our headquarters supplied all the needed materials from Jos to ensure immediate restoration of power to all parts of the town and it’s environs. ”This is actually the first time we are receiving this volume of materials in Makurdi to enable us effect repairs to our damaged facilities within 48 hours."

them to forge greater unity irrespective of religious or ethnic diversities.

"The Governor said Christians should use the Easter period to pray for peace and stability of the state and the entire country."

According to him, “at this holy period when the entire Christian world marks the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is important to reflect on the significance of the event to the salvation of mankind as well as human brotherhood, love and peace. ”Christians should use this occasion to intensify prayers and devotion for God’s intervention on the current challenges facing the nation.

“I therefore believe that this Easter period provides us an opportunity to move closer to God by asking Him to forgive us all our sins, have mercy on us and grant us divine favour in resolving all our challenges as a nation, especially the unfortunate wanton killings of innocent souls across the country.”

Don't sacrifice devt for politics, Oduah urges Nigerians

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

E

NUGU— FORMER Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, has said Nigeria must ensure that it does not sacrifice its development on the altar of politics if it must improve its infrastructure and better the lives of its citizens.

Oduah made this remark, weekend, in Enugu when she received an award from the Ikenga Award for Excellence Foundation for her enviable performance as Minister of Aviation and her transformation of the sector.

The former minister noted that Nigeria would continue to lag behind if the citizens allow political sentiments to blur their focus on the need to provide necessary infrastructure in all facets of the economy so that the country would maximise its human and material resources for the benefit of all.

She said while political interest is ephemeral, development is permanent and opportunity missed may never be regained.

On how the ongoing projects she left behind would be completed, Oduah said there was a well-articulated master plan that must be followed and which would guide all the development in the aviation industry.

She said: “I believe he (her successor) would follow the master plan to the letter; and really, anybody that does contrary to that is doing a disservice to the Nigerian people and there must be a continuation to the development of the aviation sector. It must be mainstreamed.

She said she was elated by the award and described it as the evidence that what was done at transforming the airports was appreciated. She, however, attributed all the achievements to collective efforts.

Other recipients of the Ikenga Award for Excellence include the former governor of Enugu State and former Secretary of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo; the former Minister of Information and Culture, Professor Dora Akunyili; former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Michael Oghiadomhe and Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, an entrepreneur and owner of Innoson Motors.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 49

50 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 NEWS ON BRIEFS

Malaysia MH370: No trace yet after two-thirds of sub’s scan

A

Ukraine peace deal falters as rebels show no sign of surrender A

N agreement reached last week to avert wider conflict in Ukraine was faltering as the new week began, with pro-Moscow separatist gunmen showing no sign of surrendering government buildings they have seized.

U.S. and European officials say they will hold Moscow responsible and impose new economic sanctions if the separatists do not clear out of government buildings they have occupied across swathes of eastern Ukraine over the past two weeks.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Kiev, where he is expected to announce a package of technical assistance.

The visit is likely to be more important as a symbol of support than for any specific pledges Biden

S/Korea’s Park says conduct of ferry crew tantamount to murder

S

Ukrainian soldiers clash with pro-Russia protesters in a field near Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine makes in public.

“He will call for urgent implementation of the agreement reached in Geneva last week while also making clear ... that there will be mounting

costs for Russia if they choose a destabilizing rather than constructive course in the days ahead,” a senior administration official told reporters.

Russia, Ukraine, the European Union and the United States signed off on an agreement in Geneva on Thursday designed to lower tension in the worst confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War.

UN condemns ethnic killings in South Sudan

T

HE United Nations has condemned what it called the “targeted killings” and wounding of hundreds of civilians based on their ethnic origins in the contested town of Bentiu.

The UN’s mission in South Sudan said yesterday that hundreds of civilians were reportedly killed or wounded after rebel forces took control of the capital of the oilproducing Unity state last week.

Toby Lanzer, the UN’s top humanitarian official in South Sudan, said in Twitter posts late on Sunday that there were shocking scenes of atrocities, with “bodies of people executed’’ lying in Bentiu’s streets.

Lanzer told Al Jazeera on Monday that some individuals “associated with the opposition” had used an FM radio station to broadcast hate speech in the town.

“With hate speech and violence continuing as they are, we’re going to have an even greater catastrophe on our hands at the end of this year,” Lanzer said.

C M Y K

SUBMARINE scanning the ocean floor for signs of a missing Malaysian airliner is twothirds of the way through its search but has yet to find the plane, officials say.

The Bluefin-21 submarine was to embark on its ninth search mission yesterday.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went missing in March as it flew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing carrying 239 people.Yesterday another Malaysia Airlines flight was forced to land after one of its tyres burst on take-off.

Sonar map Up to 10 military aircraft and 11 ships were to take part in Monday’s search for MH370, Australia’s Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said in a statement. JACC said that the Bluefin submarine was searching a circular area with a 10km (six miles) radius where underwater signals were detected earlier this month.

OUTH Korean President Park Geun-hye said yesterday that the actions of some crew of a ferry that sank with hundreds feared dead were tantamount to murder, as a four-year-old video transcript showed the captain promoting the safety of the same route. Sixty-four people are known to have died and 238 are missing, presumed dead, in the sinking of the Sewol ferry last Wednesday. Most of the victims are high school children.

U.S must disclose version of drone memo — appeals court

A

FEDERAL appeals court yesterday ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to turn over a redacted version of a memorandum providing a legal justification for the government to conduct targeted killings of people linked to terrorism, including Americans.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the government waived the secrecy of the legal analysis by having publicly discussed the justification for such killings, including the 2011 death of a U.S. citizen, Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, in a drone strike in Yemen.

Boston marathon honors bomb victims

T

HOUSANDS of marathoners took to the streets of Boston, after the city honoured those killed and injured in a bomb attack last year.

A moment of silence was held ahead of the start before some 36,000 runners set off, 9,000 more than normal.

Officials have mounted a huge security operation that includes a ban on rucksacks and screening at checkpoints. In last year’s race two bombs exploded near the finish line, killing three people and wounding more than 260.

The BBC’s Nick Bryant in Boston says that the marathon had never been run amid so many layers of security, as 500,000 are expected to watch the activities.

Syria presidential election fixed for June 3

S

YRIA will hold presidential elections that are expected to return President Bashar al-Assad to office on June 3, the country’s parliamentary speaker has said. The first presidential election after constitutional amendments did away with the old referendum system - will be held amid a civil war that has killed more than 150,000 people, with rebels holding large chunks of territory.

“Elections for the president of the Syrian Arab Republic for Syrians resident in the country will be held on June 3 from 7:00am to 7:00pm,” AFP news agency reported quoting Mohammad al-Lahham during a special session of parliament on Monday.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 51

52 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 53

54—Vanguard, TUESDAY TUESDAY,, APRIL 22 , 2014

United States of Guns T

HE US human population is about 315 million. And the US gun population is about 313 million. Statistically speaking, therefore, every U.S citizen, old or young, sane or with mental problems, could potentially own a gun or have access to it.

With the availability of guns, it is no wonder that gun-related incidents are quite rampant in the country. In some states, you can openly carry your gun.

In others, you are required to conceal them. Either way, you are allowed to carry it as a matter of constitutional right.

This right comes from the second amendment to the U.S. constitution which states that: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The constitutionality of gun ownership is perhaps not the real issue behind the proliferation of guns in America. The real reason might well be commercial.

The gun industry is a very thriving business that is well supported and protected by the National Rifle Association, NRA. This organization with a little above four million members is at the forefront of ensuring that nothing tampers with the ability to own guns. It even assesses candidates for political office on the basis of where they stand on the issue of gun ownership. Should the NRA feel that a contestant is an opponent of gun ownership or support anything that resembles gun regulation, it is likely to fund a campaign to defeat

Perhaps the most mind-boggling gunrelated incident occurred on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newton, Connecticut. In one moment of mindless and unbelievable brutality, 20-year-old Adam Lanza walked into the school and cold-bloodedly murdered twenty kids and six of their teachers. He then killed himself.

Before he embarked on that bloodthirsty journey, he first shot and killed his own mother without qualms, as if that was the tonic he needed to embolden him to take the lives of those innocent school kids. A few weeks ago, his father told reporters that he wished the boy had not been born.

Gun related incidents

Every year, thousands of people lose their lives through gun-related incidents in the US. According to the International Firearms Injury Prevention and Policy web site, the total figure of deaths involving guns in the U.S. in 1999 was 28,874. By 2011 it was 32,163. Gun-related incidents that did not result in fatalities were 73,883. With these figures, you would think that the country is at a war without an end. But the NRA does not talk about the rights of people killed or maimed in gun incidents.

Gun violence is not restricted to civilians. Fort Hood is a top-notch military camp in Texas. In 2009, an army officer and psychiatric counsellor, Major Malik Hasan shot and killed 13 people and over 30 The NRA, or more appropriately its top wounded others in the name of officials who earn hefty salaries, do not being a Moslem fundamentalist.

In want anything that might jeopardize March this year, antheir financial benefits other army veteran had an altercation the candidate in that election. Several with his colleagues and settled scores U.S. politicians are thus afraid of being by killing three people and wounding in the bad books of the NRA. 16 others. News reports show that both To drive a car in the U.S. you must killers bought their guns from the same pass a driving test and obtain a driv- gun-store that was just off the street. er’s license. Not so with guns in the Obviously, several people must have thinking of the NRA. It opposes practi- bought their guns from that store withcally any form of assessment of a per- out meaning to use them as weapons of son’s suitability to own a gun; not even mini-pogrom. But, you can also be sure the documentation of gun ownership for that a number of others whose mental mere statistical book-keeping. To the or- stability no one can vouch for, are lurkganization, doing any of these is tanta- ing around the corner, waiting for whatmount to constitutional infringement on ever switch that triggers their killing the right to own a gun. spree to be turned on.

But, it is a well-known fact that about Therein lies the crux of the matter. seventy-five percent of the NRA mem- Each time one of these increasingly bers do not oppose some form of deter- ubiquitous gun shootings and killings mination of eligibility to own guns, such take place, experts are quick to pontifias determining if the applicant has any- cate that the killers were mentally sick. thing in his or her history that might Everybody agrees that something drasraise red flags. The NRA, or more ap- tic needs to be done to force the gunpropriately its top officials who earn genie back into its bottle. Yet, before the hefty salaries, do not want anything that dust settles and mourners dry their might jeopardize their financial bene- tears, the NRA will mobilize its public fits. relations machine to ensure that there What defeats logic is why the small is a stalemate over what to do about but very vocal army of gun-merchants, guns proliferation. Sooner than later, the the NRA and all those who oppose eli- issue will return to the back burner and gibility screening before gun ownership forgotten until the next lunatic picks up insist on the sanctity of their mission his or her gun to unleash another round despite the mayhem caused by people of bestiality. who should not have had access to guns.

,

,

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—55

Resolving the unending cement standardization war

By JUDE NJOKU

T

HE LID was opened early in the year when a coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the construction industry addressed newsmen to decry the poor quality of cement being produced or imported into the country. The group alleged that the rising occurrence of collapsed buildings in Nigeria, is directly linked to the utilisation of poor grade of cement.

In a bid to push through its agitation, the group called on the National Assembly to probe manufacturers and importers of cement for compromising standards. The coalition also enlisted the assistance of the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, to enforce the National Building Code as it relates to the use of substandard materials in building constructions.

Prior to this time, most Nigerians did not know that cement is graded. The threat by the coalition drew divergent responses from some cement manufacturers, under the auspices of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CMAN and Messrs Dangote Cement Company Plc.

Cement manufacturers While the cement manufacturers claimed that they have met the standard set for the industry, Dangote maintained that unlike other cement manufacturers which churn out the 32.5 grade of cement,it (Dangote) produces only the 42.5 grade from all its plants located at Ibeshe, Obajana and Gboko.

The company took a further step to launch the 42.5 grade Dangote 3X cement into the market. Unveiling the new product, Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Devakumar VG Edwin said they decided to produce only the 42.5 grade of cement because Dangote places premium on safety of human lives rather than maximising profits alone.

Attributing the rising incidents of buildings collapse in the country to the use of substandard materials including cement, Mr. Edwin lamented that when buildings collapse, it is not only lives and property that are lost, but the economy of the country is also adversely affected.

He explained that Dangote Cement which contributes about 60 percent of cement produced in Nigeria, went into the production

of the 3X 42.5 R cement as a further demonstration of its commitment to stem the rising occurrence of collapsed buildings and the attendant loss of lives and property.

“Dangote has stopped the production of the 32.5 lower cement grade; we are focusing on 42.5 cement grade because we believe that as a responsible organisation, human life is more precious than making profits. The introduction of Dangote 42.5, 3X cement, is not to dominate the cement in-

dustry but to follow the acceptable global trend, which has also been adopted by West African countries like Ghana, where the focus is shifting towards the 42.5 cement grade as the preferred quality of cement for building and construction activities,”he said.

The repackaged Dangote Cement was endorsed by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, the Association of Housing Corporations of Nigeria, AHCN and the Association of Block Makers.

Apparently reacting to the claims by Dangote Cement, Messrs Lafarge WAPCO Plc, which is Nigeria’s second largest cement manufacturing company, embarked on series of sensitisation campaigns to enlighten cement users on its range of products and their applications.

At one of such fora in Abuja, the Minister of Trade, Dr Olusegun Aganga said Nigeria has adopted a standard for the cement to be used in the country. But he failed

to disclose whether it is the 32.5 or 42.5 grade of cement.

At another sensitisation forum in Lagos, Lafarge’s General Manager, Sales and Customers’ Services, Mr. Sam Ndionyema differentiated its cement from those produced by other companies.

According to him, Lafarge WAPCO has cement for different uses unlike other brands that have one type of cement for different construction activities.

Lafarge WAPCO educates cement users on how to stem building collapse

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

I

N LINE with its commitment to con tinually enlighten and sensitise block makers, bricklayers and end-users of its range of products, Lafarge WAPCO, the second largest cement manufacturer in Nigeria, last week in Lagos organised a oneday enlightenment and sensitisation forum for stakeholders in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe areas in Lagos state.

The forum which had Requirements of Quality Blocks in Building Construction as its theme, dwelt on how to ensure proper materials mix, description for block making, recommended production process and technique as well as competence of artisans.

Justifying the sensitisation programme which is ongoing across the country, Lafarge’s General Manager, Sales and Customers’ Services, Mr. Sam Ndionyema said it is primarily to stem the incidents of collapsed buildings in the country. He pointed out that his company feels uncomfortable whenever there are reports of building collapse in Nigeria.

Ndionyema who noted that incidents of building collapse have become a national embarrassment to stakeholders in the building industry, added that majority of the cases are traced to the use of sub-standard materials and unqualified artisans and quacks.

Describing what differentiates Lafarge cement from other brands, the general manger stated that the company has cement for different uses unlike other brands that have one type of cement for different construction activities.

“Lafarge has cement for deep underground construction work, it has surface resistant cement for swampy locations or terrains such as places like the Niger Delta Region, we have cement for road projects and we have cement for skyscraper projects”, Ndionyema noted.

Educating the participants on quality block production process, Mr. Soji Okesina who oversees the block making and precast segment of the company’s operations, said materials for making concrete blocks consist of sand, cement and water, adding that to produce high quality blocks, the sand should be free from impurities such as clay, silt,

humus soil, organic materials and others.

Okesina pointed out that the cement should be in a sealed bag and not caked, stressing that regulating bodies should specify the use of regular cement. He said water used for block making should be free from smell, colour and impurities. He stated that shed should be provided to store freshly moulded blocks to protect them from rainfall or bad weather, while thick polyethylene sheets can be used to cover freshly moulded blocks, to protect them from rainfall. He said fresh mix for blocks should be prepared on a flat and covered surface or concrete floor to prevent contamination of the mix.

Okesina gave reasons for poor production quality of products by block makers as quest for excessive profits, inadequate understanding of product mix, poor supervision and regulation. Others are wrong selection of materials, poor workmanship and use of non-professionals.

Responding on behalf of Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, the National President of the body, Mr. Rasheed Adebowale commended Lafarge for the forum.

56—Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22 , 2014

“As a result of these, infant and child under-nutrition and stunted growth are also aggravated.

Most striking are the 2,000 children who die every day across the world from diarrhea and other preventable diseases caused by poor sanitation”.

Inadequacy of water

•Haven homes Richmond Gate, Lekki, Lagos

Open urination, defecation stir debate at artisans' forum T

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

HE habit of open uri nation and defecation by members of the public is one of the unhygienic acts that could jeopardise the government’s vision of transforming Lagos State into a tourist haven. This view was canvassed by stakeholders who gathered last week at a day advocacy and sensitisation campaign put together by the Lagos state Ministry of The Environment.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs.Abimbola Fashola described public defecation and urination as two habits that everybody must fight against because they affect the citizenry negatively.

“Besides looking unhealthy and smelling foul, both actions are harmful to the health of residents as they are easy ways to contact diseases such as typhoid and cholera, she said and appealed to Lagos residents to desist from the uncivilised act.

Mrs Fashola recalled that “over the years, the government had made commendable efforts to reduce incidence of open

urination and defecation through some of its programmes and policies such as construction of public toilets and introduction of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI”.

Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello decried the unwholesome act. “It is so sad to see our men and women folk urinate and defecate in the open, a habit that should be discouraged,” he lamented.

According to Bello, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF recently reported that out of the 2.5 billion who live without adequate sanitation around the world, 33 million Nigerians have no access to decent toilets. As a result of this inadequacy, citizens of Africa’s most populous nation answer the call of nature in the open, he further lamented.

Kogi demands refund of N14bn expended on Federal roads

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

HE Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada has appealed to the Federal Government to refund to the state, the sum of N14billion allegedly spent on Federal roads in the area.

Captain Wada made the plea at the flag-off of work on the rehabilitation of Ilorin – Kabba – Obajana road, Phase 11 estimated at N8.2billion on completion.

He promised to provide all necessary security and support to the contractors to ensure suc-

cessful completion of the project. The Governor called on them, (contractor) to comply with the terms of the contract and refrain from cutting corners.

The governor who recalled that the road was initially reconstructed in 1973 and rehabilitated last in 1998, noted that putting it in good shape, would reduce carnage on it. According to him, the rehabilitation would be an added boost to the emerging $10 billion investment by Cargill Group of America at Alape Staple Crop

Environment minister seeks early passage of Great Green Wall Bill chaired by the Vice president, Mohammed Namdi Sambo to facilitate and coordinate the implementation of the GGW programme.

HE Minister of Environment, Mrs. The Ministry, she said, had established simiLaurencia Mallam is optimistic that the lar structures at state level and was in the procbill for the establishment of a Great Green ess of organising participating communities Wall Programme would soon be passed into into associations in order to prolaw by the National Assembly. vide a viable platform for their She expressed the optimism dureffective participation. ing the visit of a PanAfrican The implementation of the Agency of the Great Green Wall GGW programme according to to Nigeria. Addressing the delMrs Mallam, started in 2013 egation from the Islamic Republic with activities such as of Mauritania which was in Nisensitization campaigns to mogeria to know how far the country bilise all stakeholders; planting had gone in implementing the of 2,871,415 seedlings for forGGW programme, the minister estry and orchards and estabsaid the ministry had put in place lishment of 167km of veritable institutions including a shelterbelts. high-powered National Council •Green wall on Shelterbelt and Forestation

By FUNMI OLASUPO

T

Describing the cost of open defecation and urination on health as too grave and monumental, Bello said it is too much to be ignored because it does not only pollute underground waters, it also contaminates agricultural produce and aid the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, ascaris, tapeworms, intestinal parasites, hookworm, hepatitis’ among others.

He noted that Lagos State with over 20 million people contends with the challenges of inadequacy of water and sanitation, due to neglect of several years and migration of people from other parts of the country.

“In an effort to keep a healthy and sustainable environment in the state, the present administration has been in the vanguard for the provision of public toilets to ease the sanitation challenge across the state. In pursuit of this desire, a total of over 570 public toilets currently exist in the State, which without any doubt is grossly inadequate. The daily influx of people into the state and the massive stretch on existing infrastructure has shown that Government cannot do it alone”, Bello added.

He therefore called on individuals, groups, corporate organizations to collaborate with the state government as well as engage in private investment to complement government effort.

Processing Zone in the state.

The Governor lauded the Federal Government for the stage of work on Okene-LokojaAbuja road and approval granted to the Dangote Group to reconstruct the 45- kilometre Obajana-Kabba road.

Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen said the 80 kilometre stretch of road which serves as a major economic artery that would provide access not only to the biggest cement plant in the continent of Africa.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014—57

Why work on Lagos-Badagry road expansion is slow —Hamzat

BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE

T

HE Lagos State Government has attributed the slow pace of work on the construction of the 10-lane Lagos/ Badagry Expressway expansion project to the challenge of establishing the right of way due the the prevalence of various obstructing structures under the ground.

These structures, according to the commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Kadri Hamzat, need to be removed before the right of way can be established.

Hamzat who disclosed this at the Lagos State annual ministerial briefing for 2014 which kicked off last week, added that besides the challenge of removing the underneath structures which comprise heavy pipes and cables, another factor impeding the early completion of the project is the fact that the right hand side has a terrain that is seriously swampy.

Hamzat disclosed that the Festac side of the multi-billion dollar road project has at some portions between two to three metres depth of water. He explained that considering the rains, it is difficult to access those swampy terrains by both equipment and workforce.

The commissioner explained that it has been subdivided into phases aimed at ensuring that each chunk is undertaken in a manageable manner.

The phases are Lot 1 (eastern section) beginning from Babs Animasahun Road

to Mile2 (Mazamaza) which is 5.625km, Lot2 (central section) that begins from Mile2 (Mazamaza) to Agbara comprising 24.5km.

The sections, he said have further been subdivided from Mazamaza to Agboju which is Segment1 of Lot 2A while from Agboju to Trade Fair is segment II and Trade Fair to Okokomaiko is segment III.of Lot 3 which comprises (Western Section) Agbara to Badagry which is 28.3km.

Hamzat disclosed that between 2011 and date, 161 roads have been completed while 221 road projects are ongoing as at today.

He however explained why some road projects are delayed on delivery. He noted that the fact that a project is being delayed does not imply that it has been abandoned.

According to him, there is presently a change in construction methods, stressing that there are more off-site than on-site activities.

“Experience has also shown that people resort to the use of courts to assert their rights. This is the case of Ago Palace Way which was delayed due to court injunction”, Hamzat stated.

Defending the choice of roads to be undertaken at a particular time, he said the choice is a function of possible network connectivity, traffic improvement, necessity, traffic volume, road capacity, flood control and management. He added that during the period of January 2013 to April 2014, the ministry, through its projects, has created 92, 339 job.

Benin-Adumagbae-Egba-Akure Road for completion 2016 —FG

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU & LEO URIRI

T

HE Federal government has assured Nigerians that the N3.26bn Benin-Adumagbae-EgbaAkure Road in Edo and Akure will be completed in 2016.

The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen who visited the construction site, said the 22.22 kilometre road was awarded to Enerco Nigeria Limited after a rigorous procurement process with a view to realising the contract within appreciable 48 months time frame.

He further explained that the road which connects Edo and Ondo is significant to the Federal Government because it transverses many communities with abundant raw materials and farm produce. The project is an initiative of the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, Sen. Ehigie Uzamere, and Rep. Nosakhare Osahon, all members of the opposition APC. “It was supposed to be a constituency project for the minority whip of the House of Representatives but my ministry, the Federal Ministry of Works has a privilege of midwifing this particular project even though it is a constituency project and of course we have to bring our standard on it.

This particular project is as a result of the good collaboration between two opposing political parties,” he said.

Onolememen said upon completion of the Benin/Adumagbae-Egba-Akure Road in Edo/Ondo States, the route would enhance socio-economic activities in the various states.

The project whose contract was awarded on December 4, 2013 by the Federal Executive Council, would on completion, serve as an alternative route for travelers from the Western part to the South-South and the SouthEastern zones.

The Minister enjoined the benefiting communities and their traditional rulers to give the contractor all the necessary support to enable them to deliver the project on schedule.

The representative of the area in the House of Reps, Mr. Osagie said the project would bring together all members and indigenes of Uhunmwode Local Government, irrespective of their political leanings..

“For me, this project can be called unity road and it is my belief that the contractor will do a good job.

“I shall constantly be on the look out to ensure that this job is done as specified by the ministry and I will continue to ensure funding for the project from the federal budget,’’ he said.

58 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 59

Madrid poised for Champions League madness

M

ADRID is cur rently the focal point of world football.

Across the space of 24 hours, the eyes of the entire planet will be trained on the two games being hosted in the Spanish capital: Atlético-Chelsea and Real Madrid-Bayern.

Four of the best teams in Europe battling it out for a place in the Lisbon final - a heady prospect for all the ball-crazy.

The party got underway yesterday with two training sessions, and a highly anticipated moment.

Real Madrid will train at 11:00 behind closed doors at Valdebebas, as will Atlético in the afternoon

(18.30) at the Calderón.

Around the same time (18:40) Chelsea will land in Barajas. From there, José Mourinho will head to the ‘Rojiblancos’ stadium to give a pre-match press conference (19:45).

Diego Simeone and one of his players will speak to the media at 16:45.

The bill continues today - a big day. Real Madrid will train in the morning at Valdebebas. At noon, it will be the turn of Carlo Ancelotti and one of his players to make their press room appearance.

Pep Guardiola’s Bayern are due to touch down at 13:45. They will make their way to the Bernabéu in the afternoon for training and to fulfil media commitments.

Hazard boosts Chelsea for Atletico semi-final

E

Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin (left) vies with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard during the UEFA Super Cup match

Mourinho seeks payback at Atletico C

HELSEA boss heads into Champions League semi-final clash with bitter memories of an ill-tempered Cup game during his final season in Spain Atletico Madrid sent Jose Mourinho packing without a major trophy in his final season in Spain and the surprise Cham-

pions League semi-finalists are itching to land another blow on the Portuguese coach.

Mourinho’s Chelsea play their last-four, first leg at the Calderon today against an Atletico side riding high in La Liga and through to the semifinals of Europe’s elite club competition for the

first time in 40 years.

In Mourinho’s third and final campaign at Real in 2012-13, they had been knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona had wrapped up the La Liga title when they hosted Atletico in the King’s Cup final at their own Bernabeu stadium.

DEN Hazard trav elled with his Chelsea team-mates to Madrid ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico.

The Belgian star has not played since limping off in the Blues’ quarter-final second leg win over PSG and did not take part in the club’s open training session.

But Jose Mourinho will be hopeful Hazard will now be able to play a part at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

However, he will be without Samuel Eto’o, who has remained in the UK due to a minor knee irritation.

It could mean an emotional start for Fernando Torres at his old stomping ground, or that Mourinho will play without a striker as he did in Paris in the previous round.

After missing Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Sunderland with an illness, Petr Cech travelled with the squad, while Branislav Ivanovic is suspended with Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah ineligible..

Diego: We’ve got 90 minutes to show who the favourites are

D

IEGO Ribas claimed that Atlético are ready for the chal-

•Simeone

•Mourinho

“Simeone has brought everyone together at Atlético”

•Torres

that no one has the edge beforehand, as each team will have to show their credentials on the pitch.

“I’m really happy to be part of this occasion and to be available to help the team. We’re prepared to put in a great performance”, the Brazilian stated.

“It’s a Champions

League semi-final, so we’re talking about two top, top teams. We’ve got 90 minutes to play and show who the favourites are. Both teams’ chances are equal when the match kicks off”.

Diego also gave his view on Chelsea: “They are a very compact, focused team."

Chelsea encounter is ‘special’ for me — Courtois

F

ERNANDO Torres is hoping that it is a case of third time lucky in his bid to enjoy an Atlético reunion. An untimely injury kept him out of both legs of the 200910 Europa League semifinal between Liverpool and his boyhood club at Anfield and the Vicente Calderón. Then, two years later, a knock forced him to miss another meeting with his old flame, as his current club Chelsea took on Diego Simeone’s side in the UEFA Super Cup in Monaco.

lenge of taking on Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals and stressed

A

•Diego Ribas

TLETICO Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes that parent club Chelsea will be favourites for the two sides’ Champions League semi-final.

Diego Simeone’s men host the Blues in the first leg of their last-four tie today, aiming to reach the final of the competition for the first time since 1974, and the tie sees the onloan Belgian up against his permanent employers for his second time since

•Courtois being sent to Spain three years ago.

60 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Moyes on the brink •Glazers finally lose patience with Fergie’s failed replacement

A

D

AVID Moyes is facing the sack as Manchester United manager with the owners, the Glazer family, and Ed Woodward, the vice-president, in discussions about whether they should continue with the Scot.

United’s 2-0 loss to Everton on Sunday was the latest evidence that Moyes may be best relieved of his duties and it appears only a matter of time before the decision is taken.

Should he go before the end of the season, which now seems likely, United may put Ryan Giggs in temporary charge.

Moyes has been under scrutiny since last month following the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. The chief concern for the board is how bad the team have

Van Gaal

Blanc

Simione

played throughout the season under Moyes, with little sign of improvement. The question now being asked at the highest level is whether he is the right man to carry out a £150m rebuild .

The club are determined to rebuild the squad this close season and the discussions between Woodward and the Glazers centre on whether a new manager should be brought in to drive the process.

Provisional list Continues from BP of the Nigerian squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The much anticipated meeting will see Keshi defending his list of invited players for the Super Eagles pre-World Cup camp.

The technical committee members are also to assure the coach on their support for the World Cup campaign.

Keshi’s list has been shrouded in controversy over his non-inclusion of Villarreal of Spain striker Ikechukwu Uche but has the likes of Stoke City ’s Osaze Odemwingie and Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi of Shalke O4 who has just started playing after a long injury layoff.

The meeting today, Sports Vanguard gathered, will not be the last before the team leaves for England to meet Scotland in another pre-World Cup friendly.

NFF first VicePresident, Chief Mike Umeh said the Executive Board will still meet to ratify

whatever decisions reached at the meeting between the technical committee and the chief coach, Keshi.

Umeh said, “the board will meet with the technical committee and the coach to harmonise whatever decisions reached at Tuesday ’s meeting.”

He disclosed that the board’s duty is to see how to enhance the team’s performance at the World Cup. Umeh said the board meeting will come up soon. “We have no time to waste. In fact, I am leaving for Abuja tomorrow(today) as we are expected to meet after the technical committee meeting,” Umeh said.

The NFF Vice President said Nigeria would perform well, despite the statement by coach of Group F opponent, Bosnia Herzegovina that Nigeria and Iran will not qualify for the second round of the World Cup. “That is his wish. You can’t stop people from saying whatever they

Player dies in Gabon after kick to the head

want to say. We are not worried about the statements or boasting remarks of opponents but working hard to ensure the team does well.”

On what the NFF is doing to ensure the team prepares well for the Mundial, Umeh said, “since we qualified for the tournament, we have not stopped preparing.

Remember we had a match recently with Mexico.

We are continuing preparations with another match against Scotland soon.

We are ready.”

and exemplary on several occasions when AC Bongoville were in difficulty - and knowing that he is leaving us so young because of an innocuous blow is truly sad.”

Sunday’s game was played in Bongoville almost 800 kilometres from Gabon’s capital of Libreville.

•Azougoui

Onyeanwuna passes on F

ORMER Nigerian great, Albert Onyeanwuna is dead.

Onyeanwuna died in a Lagos hospital yesterday at the age of 78.

The former international who played for Port Harcourt Red Devils, from where he

was called to the national team captained the team when the it changed its name from The Red Devils to Green Eagles.

Onyeanwuna was an entertainer, a master dribbler and a prolific striker.

His close confidant, Chibuzor Abrahams of Ray Power

fm, Lagos confirmed his passage yesterday.

Reacting to the story, former Super Eagles Assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala said Onyeanwuna’s death was the end of an era.

“He epitomised the first generation Nigerian football. We will miss him sorely.”

OKPEKPE ROAD RACE:

3 Govs ready to challenge Oshiomhole

T

HE Edo State Gov ernor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole may be in for a serious competition in the 2nd edition of the 10 kilometres Okpekpe Road Race.

A close aide of comrade Oshiomhole confided that Governors

Tragedy

Continues from BP It was gathered that the experienced gaffer died at the Ibrahim Sanni Abacha hospital, Kaduna, after just a day of illness.

Lato will always by remembered by Kaduna United fans as he was part of the technical crew that won the 2010 Federation Cup, beating Enyimba 3-2.

Confirming the tragic news to Supersport.com, club captain, Emmanuel Ambrose revealed that

C Bongoville’s Syl vain Azougoui has died after being kicked in the head during a league match in Gabon.

The goalkeeper died on the way to hospital after the incident during a match against Centre Mberi Sportif.

The 30-year-old from Togo had just stopped a shot on goal, but the attacker lost his balance on the wet grass and stepped on Azougoui’s head.

“It is truly difficult to see how fate can be so cruel,” a statement on the club’s Facebook page said.

“He had been decisive

the demise of the deceased came as a great shock.

“I can confirm to you that we have lost our coach (Lato) and all the players can’t believe that he’s dead.

“He only complained of malaria in the morning, and the next thing we would hear later in the evening was that our coach is dead just like that.

“This is a great tragedy for our team"

Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State have sent in their registration form to participate in the Okpekpe Road Race come 3rd of May, 2014.

The aide said the governors has also sent in words that they are not participating to make up the numbers of athletes but to win one of the star prizes of the competition.

He specifically mentioned Rivers and Osun State governors whom he said vowed to give Oshiomhole a run for his money.

“My brother, our governor is in for trouble this time around. If you heard what Governor Amaechi (Rotimi) and Aregbesola (Rauf) are talking, if our governor refused to train hard,

•Oshiomhole they will knock him out.

However, in order to meet up with the threats from his colleague governors, comrade Oshiomhole has seek the services of Yusuf Ali as his trainer.

Ali who is also the administrator of the Okpekpe Road Race confirmed this yesterday on Sports Ville program aired on independent television.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 61

62 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Vanguard, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014 — 63

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2014

Moyes on the brink •Klopp, Simeone, Blanc, Van Gaal as likely successor — Pg 60

35-man Provisional List

The Nation waits on Keshi

BY JACOB AJOM

T

HE technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation will today meet with Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi over the provisional list Continues on Page 60

•Moyes

Tragedy hits Kaduna as Lato were on Sunday passes on

N

I G E R I A Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Kaduna United

evening thrown into mourning as they have lost their chief coach, Saleh Lato.

Continues on Page 60

Onyeanwuna passes on — Pg.60 Champions League fixture today

•Keshi

Brave: Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet dives at the feet of Mamadou Sakho as Gary Hooper tries to score on Sunday. Liverpool beat Norwich 3-2

Atletico Madrid

vs

Chelsea

7:45pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Feeble (5) 7 Annoyance (5) 8 Sag (5) 10 Rescued (5) 12 Possess (3) 13 Slumber (5) 15 Interfered (7) 17 Alighted (6) 19 Fish (3) 20 Delineated (7) 23 Rind (4) 25 Expensive (4) 26 Regain (7) 30 Lettuce (3) 31 Erase (6) 34 Broadcast (7) 37 Troubled (5) 38 Fasten (3) 39 Quilt (5) 40 Fret (5) 41 God (5) 42 Postpone (5)

DOWN 1 House (5) 2 Melted (5) 3 Harvested (6) 4 Detail (4) 5 Poked (7) 6 Sharpened (5) 9 Bird (3) 11 Determined (7) 13 Incline (5) 14 Go in (5) 16 Fellow (3) 18 Ousted (7) 21 Dissuade (5) 22 Generate (5) 24 Reading-desk (7) 27 Bed (3) 28 Ebb (6) 29 Performer (5) 32 Subsequently (5) 33 Cogs (5) 35 Tune (3) 36 Discourteous (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Booty 5, Talent 8, Recur 10, Afresh 11, Unit 14, Eating 15, Battled 18, Pen 19, Red 21, Rest 23, Rebel 24, Leaf 27, Dim 29, Gel 31, Tornado 32, Teemed 34, Date 35, Eluded 38, Eider 39, Extend 40, Genus.

DOWN: 2, Off 3, Treaty 4, Yes 5, True 6, Loiter 7, Target 9, Cheered 12, Nap 13, Tine 16, Able 17, Debit 20, Demoted 22, Seed 24, Little 25, Aged 26, Female 28, Unsure 30, Let 33, Deed 36, Leg 37, Emu.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.